diff --git a/src/check_builtin.cpp b/src/check_builtin.cpp
index 8f8f7f9e2..687f1694b 100644
--- a/src/check_builtin.cpp
+++ b/src/check_builtin.cpp
@@ -1074,6 +1074,505 @@ bool check_builtin_simd_operation(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call
 	return false;
 }
 
+bool cache_load_file_directive(CheckerContext *c, Ast *call, String const &original_string, bool err_on_not_found, LoadFileCache **cache_) {
+	ast_node(ce, CallExpr, call);
+	ast_node(bd, BasicDirective, ce->proc);
+	String builtin_name = bd->name.string;
+
+	String base_dir = dir_from_path(get_file_path_string(call->file_id));
+
+	BlockingMutex *ignore_mutex = nullptr;
+	String path = {};
+	bool ok = determine_path_from_string(ignore_mutex, call, base_dir, original_string, &path);
+	gb_unused(ok);
+
+
+	MUTEX_GUARD(&c->info->load_file_mutex);
+
+	gbFileError file_error = gbFileError_None;
+	String data = {};
+
+	LoadFileCache **cache_ptr = string_map_get(&c->info->load_file_cache, path);
+	LoadFileCache *cache = cache_ptr ? *cache_ptr : nullptr;
+	if (cache) {
+		file_error = cache->file_error;
+		data = cache->data;
+	}
+	defer ({
+		if (cache == nullptr) {
+			LoadFileCache *new_cache = gb_alloc_item(permanent_allocator(), LoadFileCache);
+			new_cache->path = path;
+			new_cache->data = data;
+			new_cache->file_error = file_error;
+			string_map_init(&new_cache->hashes, heap_allocator(), 32);
+			string_map_set(&c->info->load_file_cache, path, new_cache);
+			if (cache_) *cache_ = new_cache;
+		} else {
+			cache->data = data;
+			cache->file_error = file_error;
+			if (cache_) *cache_ = cache;
+		}
+	});
+
+	char *c_str = alloc_cstring(heap_allocator(), path);
+	defer (gb_free(heap_allocator(), c_str));
+
+	gbFile f = {};
+	if (cache == nullptr) {
+		file_error = gb_file_open(&f, c_str);
+	}
+	defer (gb_file_close(&f));
+
+	switch (file_error) {
+	default:
+	case gbFileError_Invalid:
+		if (err_on_not_found) {
+			error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#%.*s` file: %s; invalid file or cannot be found", LIT(builtin_name), c_str);
+		}
+		call->state_flags |= StateFlag_DirectiveWasFalse;
+		return false;
+	case gbFileError_NotExists:
+		if (err_on_not_found) {
+			error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#%.*s` file: %s; file cannot be found", LIT(builtin_name), c_str);
+		}
+		call->state_flags |= StateFlag_DirectiveWasFalse;
+		return false;
+	case gbFileError_Permission:
+		if (err_on_not_found) {
+			error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#%.*s` file: %s; file permissions problem", LIT(builtin_name), c_str);
+		}
+		call->state_flags |= StateFlag_DirectiveWasFalse;
+		return false;
+	case gbFileError_None:
+		// Okay
+		break;
+	}
+
+	if (cache == nullptr) {
+		isize file_size = cast(isize)gb_file_size(&f);
+		if (file_size > 0) {
+			u8 *ptr = cast(u8 *)gb_alloc(permanent_allocator(), file_size+1);
+			gb_file_read_at(&f, ptr, file_size, 0);
+			ptr[file_size] = '\0';
+			data.text = ptr;
+			data.len = file_size;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+
+bool is_valid_type_for_load(Type *type) {
+	if (type == t_invalid) {
+		return false;
+	} else if (is_type_string(type)) {
+		return true;
+	} else if (is_type_slice(type) /*|| is_type_array(type) || is_type_enumerated_array(type)*/) {
+		Type *elem = nullptr;
+		Type *bt = base_type(type);
+		if (bt->kind == Type_Slice) {
+			elem = bt->Slice.elem;
+		} else if (bt->kind == Type_Array) {
+			elem = bt->Array.elem;
+		} else if (bt->kind == Type_EnumeratedArray) {
+			elem = bt->EnumeratedArray.elem;
+		}
+		GB_ASSERT(elem != nullptr);
+		return is_type_load_safe(elem);
+	}
+	return false;
+}
+
+LoadDirectiveResult check_load_directive(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call, Type *type_hint, bool err_on_not_found) {
+	ast_node(ce, CallExpr, call);
+	ast_node(bd, BasicDirective, ce->proc);
+	String name = bd->name.string;
+	GB_ASSERT(name == "load");
+
+	if (ce->args.count != 1 && ce->args.count != 2) {
+		if (ce->args.count == 0) {
+			error(ce->close, "'#%.*s' expects 1 or 2 arguments, got 0", LIT(name));
+		} else {
+			error(ce->args[0], "'#%.*s' expects 1 or 2 arguments, got %td", LIT(name), ce->args.count);
+		}
+
+		return LoadDirective_Error;
+	}
+
+	Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
+	Operand o = {};
+	check_expr(c, &o, arg);
+	if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+		error(arg, "'#%.*s' expected a constant string argument", LIT(name));
+		return LoadDirective_Error;
+	}
+
+	if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
+		gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
+		error(arg, "'#%.*s' expected a constant string, got %s", LIT(name), str);
+		gb_string_free(str);
+		return LoadDirective_Error;
+	}
+
+	GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
+
+	operand->type = t_u8_slice;
+	if (ce->args.count == 1) {
+		if (type_hint && is_valid_type_for_load(type_hint)) {
+			operand->type = type_hint;
+		}
+	} else if (ce->args.count == 2) {
+		Ast *arg_type = ce->args[1];
+		Type *type = check_type(c, arg_type);
+		if (type != nullptr) {
+			if (is_valid_type_for_load(type)) {
+				operand->type = type;
+			} else {
+				gbString type_str = type_to_string(type);
+				error(arg_type, "'#%.*s' invalid type, expected a string, or slice of simple types, got %s", LIT(name), type_str);
+				gb_string_free(type_str);
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		GB_PANIC("unreachable");
+	}
+	operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+
+	LoadFileCache *cache = nullptr;
+	if (cache_load_file_directive(c, call, o.value.value_string, err_on_not_found, &cache)) {
+		operand->value = exact_value_string(cache->data);
+		return LoadDirective_Success;
+	}
+	return LoadDirective_NotFound;
+
+}
+
+
+bool check_builtin_procedure_directive(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call, Type *type_hint) {
+	ast_node(ce, CallExpr, call);
+	ast_node(bd, BasicDirective, ce->proc);
+	String name = bd->name.string;
+	if (name == "location") {
+		if (ce->args.count > 1) {
+			error(ce->args[0], "'#location' expects either 0 or 1 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
+		}
+		if (ce->args.count > 0) {
+			Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
+			Entity *e = nullptr;
+			Operand o = {};
+			if (arg->kind == Ast_Ident) {
+				e = check_ident(c, &o, arg, nullptr, nullptr, true);
+			} else if (arg->kind == Ast_SelectorExpr) {
+				e = check_selector(c, &o, arg, nullptr);
+			}
+			if (e == nullptr) {
+				error(ce->args[0], "'#location' expected a valid entity name");
+			}
+		}
+
+		operand->type = t_source_code_location;
+		operand->mode = Addressing_Value;
+	} else if (name == "load") {
+		return check_load_directive(c, operand, call, type_hint, true) == LoadDirective_Success;
+	} else if (name == "load_hash") {
+		if (ce->args.count != 2) {
+			if (ce->args.count == 0) {
+				error(ce->close, "'#load_hash' expects 2 argument, got 0");
+			} else {
+				error(ce->args[0], "'#load_hash' expects 2 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			}
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Ast *arg0 = ce->args[0];
+		Ast *arg1 = ce->args[1];
+		Operand o = {};
+		check_expr(c, &o, arg0);
+		if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			error(arg0, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string argument");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
+			gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
+			error(arg0, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Operand o_hash = {};
+		check_expr(c, &o_hash, arg1);
+		if (o_hash.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			error(arg1, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string argument");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (!is_type_string(o_hash.type)) {
+			gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
+			error(arg1, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+		gbAllocator a = heap_allocator();
+
+		GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
+		GB_ASSERT(o_hash.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
+
+		String original_string = o.value.value_string;
+		String hash_kind = o_hash.value.value_string;
+
+		String supported_hashes[] = {
+			str_lit("adler32"),
+			str_lit("crc32"),
+			str_lit("crc64"),
+			str_lit("fnv32"),
+			str_lit("fnv64"),
+			str_lit("fnv32a"),
+			str_lit("fnv64a"),
+			str_lit("murmur32"),
+			str_lit("murmur64"),
+		};
+
+		bool hash_found = false;
+		for (isize i = 0; i < gb_count_of(supported_hashes); i++) {
+			if (supported_hashes[i] == hash_kind) {
+				hash_found = true;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+		if (!hash_found) {
+			ERROR_BLOCK();
+			error(ce->proc, "Invalid hash kind passed to `#load_hash`, got: %.*s", LIT(hash_kind));
+			error_line("\tAvailable hash kinds:\n");
+			for (isize i = 0; i < gb_count_of(supported_hashes); i++) {
+				error_line("\t%.*s\n", LIT(supported_hashes[i]));
+			}
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		LoadFileCache *cache = nullptr;
+		if (cache_load_file_directive(c, call, original_string, true, &cache)) {
+			MUTEX_GUARD(&c->info->load_file_mutex);
+			// TODO(bill): make these procedures fast :P
+			u64 hash_value = 0;
+			u64 *hash_value_ptr = string_map_get(&cache->hashes, hash_kind);
+			if (hash_value_ptr) {
+				hash_value = *hash_value_ptr;
+			} else {
+				u8 *data = cache->data.text;
+				isize file_size = cache->data.len;
+				if (hash_kind == "adler32") {
+					hash_value = gb_adler32(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "crc32") {
+					hash_value = gb_crc32(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "crc64") {
+					hash_value = gb_crc64(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv32") {
+					hash_value = gb_fnv32(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv64") {
+					hash_value = gb_fnv64(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv32a") {
+					hash_value = fnv32a(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv64a") {
+					hash_value = fnv64a(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "murmur32") {
+					hash_value = gb_murmur32(data, file_size);
+				} else if (hash_kind == "murmur64") {
+					hash_value = gb_murmur64(data, file_size);
+				} else {
+					compiler_error("unhandled hash kind: %.*s", LIT(hash_kind));
+				}
+				string_map_set(&cache->hashes, hash_kind, hash_value);
+			}
+
+			operand->type = t_untyped_integer;
+			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+			operand->value = exact_value_u64(hash_value);
+			return true;
+		}
+		return false;
+	} else if (name == "load_or") {
+		warning(call, "'#load_or' is deprecated in favour of '#load(path) or_else default'");
+
+		if (ce->args.count != 2) {
+			if (ce->args.count == 0) {
+				error(ce->close, "'#load_or' expects 2 arguments, got 0");
+			} else {
+				error(ce->args[0], "'#load_or' expects 2 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			}
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
+		Operand o = {};
+		check_expr(c, &o, arg);
+		if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant string argument");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
+			gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
+			error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Ast *default_arg = ce->args[1];
+		Operand default_op = {};
+		check_expr_with_type_hint(c, &default_op, default_arg, t_u8_slice);
+		if (default_op.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant '[]byte' argument");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (!are_types_identical(base_type(default_op.type), t_u8_slice)) {
+			gbString str = type_to_string(default_op.type);
+			error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant '[]byte', got %s", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+		GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
+		String original_string = o.value.value_string;
+
+		operand->type = t_u8_slice;
+		operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+		LoadFileCache *cache = nullptr;
+		if (cache_load_file_directive(c, call, original_string, false, &cache)) {
+			operand->value = exact_value_string(cache->data);
+		} else {
+			operand->value = default_op.value;
+		}
+	} else if (name == "assert") {
+		if (ce->args.count != 1 && ce->args.count != 2) {
+			error(call, "'#assert' expects either 1 or 2 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (!is_type_boolean(operand->type) || operand->mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			gbString str = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
+			error(call, "'%s' is not a constant boolean", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (ce->args.count == 2) {
+			Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[1]);
+			if (arg == nullptr || arg->kind != Ast_BasicLit || arg->BasicLit.token.kind != Token_String) {
+				gbString str = expr_to_string(arg);
+				error(call, "'%s' is not a constant string", str);
+				gb_string_free(str);
+				return false;
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (!operand->value.value_bool) {
+			gbString arg1 = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
+			gbString arg2 = {};
+
+			if (ce->args.count == 1) {
+				error(call, "Compile time assertion: %s", arg1);
+			} else {
+				arg2 = expr_to_string(ce->args[1]);
+				error(call, "Compile time assertion: %s (%s)", arg1, arg2);
+			}
+
+			if (c->proc_name != "") {
+				gbString str = type_to_string(c->curr_proc_sig);
+				error_line("\tCalled within '%.*s' :: %s\n", LIT(c->proc_name), str);
+				gb_string_free(str);
+			}
+
+			gb_string_free(arg1);
+			if (ce->args.count == 2) {
+				gb_string_free(arg2);
+			}
+		}
+
+		operand->type = t_untyped_bool;
+		operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+	} else if (name == "panic") {
+		if (ce->args.count != 1) {
+			error(call, "'#panic' expects 1 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (!is_type_string(operand->type) && operand->mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			gbString str = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
+			error(call, "'%s' is not a constant string", str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+			return false;
+		}
+		error(call, "Compile time panic: %.*s", LIT(operand->value.value_string));
+		if (c->proc_name != "") {
+			gbString str = type_to_string(c->curr_proc_sig);
+			error_line("\tCalled within '%.*s' :: %s\n", LIT(c->proc_name), str);
+			gb_string_free(str);
+		}
+		operand->type = t_invalid;
+		operand->mode = Addressing_NoValue;
+	} else if (name == "defined") {
+		if (ce->args.count != 1) {
+			error(call, "'#defined' expects 1 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			return false;
+		}
+		Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[0]);
+		if (arg == nullptr || (arg->kind != Ast_Ident && arg->kind != Ast_SelectorExpr)) {
+			error(call, "'#defined' expects an identifier or selector expression, got %.*s", LIT(ast_strings[arg->kind]));
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (c->curr_proc_decl == nullptr) {
+			error(call, "'#defined' is only allowed within a procedure, prefer the replacement '#config(NAME, default_value)'");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		bool is_defined = check_identifier_exists(c->scope, arg);
+		gb_unused(is_defined);
+		operand->type = t_untyped_bool;
+		operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+		operand->value = exact_value_bool(false);
+
+	} else if (name == "config") {
+		if (ce->args.count != 2) {
+			error(call, "'#config' expects 2 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
+			return false;
+		}
+		Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[0]);
+		if (arg == nullptr || arg->kind != Ast_Ident) {
+			error(call, "'#config' expects an identifier, got %.*s", LIT(ast_strings[arg->kind]));
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		Ast *def_arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[1]);
+
+		Operand def = {};
+		check_expr(c, &def, def_arg);
+		if (def.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+			error(def_arg, "'#config' default value must be a constant");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		String name = arg->Ident.token.string;
+
+
+		operand->type = def.type;
+		operand->mode = def.mode;
+		operand->value = def.value;
+
+		Entity *found = scope_lookup_current(config_pkg->scope, name);
+		if (found != nullptr) {
+			if (found->kind != Entity_Constant) {
+				error(arg, "'#config' entity '%.*s' found but expected a constant", LIT(name));
+			} else {
+				operand->type = found->type;
+				operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
+				operand->value = found->Constant.value;
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		error(call, "Unknown directive call: #%.*s", LIT(name));
+	}
+	return true;
+}
 
 bool check_builtin_procedure(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call, i32 id, Type *type_hint) {
 	ast_node(ce, CallExpr, call);
@@ -1186,458 +1685,8 @@ bool check_builtin_procedure(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call, i32
 		mpmc_enqueue(&c->info->intrinsics_entry_point_usage, call);
 		break;
 
-	case BuiltinProc_DIRECTIVE: {
-		ast_node(bd, BasicDirective, ce->proc);
-		String name = bd->name.string;
-		if (name == "location") {
-			if (ce->args.count > 1) {
-				error(ce->args[0], "'#location' expects either 0 or 1 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
-			}
-			if (ce->args.count > 0) {
-				Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
-				Entity *e = nullptr;
-				Operand o = {};
-				if (arg->kind == Ast_Ident) {
-					e = check_ident(c, &o, arg, nullptr, nullptr, true);
-				} else if (arg->kind == Ast_SelectorExpr) {
-					e = check_selector(c, &o, arg, nullptr);
-				}
-				if (e == nullptr) {
-					error(ce->args[0], "'#location' expected a valid entity name");
-				}
-			}
-
-			operand->type = t_source_code_location;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Value;
-		} else if (name == "load") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 1) {
-				if (ce->args.count == 0) {
-					error(ce->close, "'#load' expects 1 argument, got 0");
-				} else {
-					error(ce->args[0], "'#load' expects 1 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);					
-				}
-
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
-			Operand o = {};
-			check_expr(c, &o, arg);
-			if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(arg, "'#load' expected a constant string argument");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
-				error(arg, "'#load' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			gbAllocator a = heap_allocator();
-
-			GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
-			String base_dir = dir_from_path(get_file_path_string(bd->token.pos.file_id));
-			String original_string = o.value.value_string;
-
-
-			BlockingMutex *ignore_mutex = nullptr;
-			String path = {};
-			bool ok = determine_path_from_string(ignore_mutex, call, base_dir, original_string, &path);
-			gb_unused(ok);
-
-			char *c_str = alloc_cstring(a, path);
-			defer (gb_free(a, c_str));
-
-
-			gbFile f = {};
-			gbFileError file_err = gb_file_open(&f, c_str);
-			defer (gb_file_close(&f));
-
-			switch (file_err) {
-			default:
-			case gbFileError_Invalid:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load` file: %s; invalid file or cannot be found", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_NotExists:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load` file: %s; file cannot be found", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_Permission:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load` file: %s; file permissions problem", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_None:
-				// Okay
-				break;
-			}
-
-			String result = {};
-			isize file_size = cast(isize)gb_file_size(&f);
-			if (file_size > 0) {
-				u8 *data = cast(u8 *)gb_alloc(a, file_size+1);
-				gb_file_read_at(&f, data, file_size, 0);
-				data[file_size] = '\0';
-				result.text = data;
-				result.len = file_size;
-			}
-
-			operand->type = t_u8_slice;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-			operand->value = exact_value_string(result);
-
-		} else if (name == "load_hash") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 2) {
-				if (ce->args.count == 0) {
-					error(ce->close, "'#load_hash' expects 2 argument, got 0");
-				} else {
-					error(ce->args[0], "'#load_hash' expects 2 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				}
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			Ast *arg0 = ce->args[0];
-			Ast *arg1 = ce->args[1];
-			Operand o = {};
-			check_expr(c, &o, arg0);
-			if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(arg0, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string argument");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
-				error(arg0, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-			Operand o_hash = {};
-			check_expr(c, &o_hash, arg1);
-			if (o_hash.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(arg1, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string argument");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (!is_type_string(o_hash.type)) {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
-				error(arg1, "'#load_hash' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-
-			gbAllocator a = heap_allocator();
-
-			GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
-			GB_ASSERT(o_hash.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
-			
-			String base_dir = dir_from_path(get_file_path_string(bd->token.pos.file_id));
-			String original_string = o.value.value_string;
-			String hash_kind = o_hash.value.value_string;
-			
-			String supported_hashes[] = {
-				str_lit("adler32"),
-				str_lit("crc32"),
-				str_lit("crc64"),
-				str_lit("fnv32"),
-				str_lit("fnv64"),
-				str_lit("fnv32a"),
-				str_lit("fnv64a"),
-				str_lit("murmur32"),
-				str_lit("murmur64"),
-			};
-			
-			bool hash_found = false;
-			for (isize i = 0; i < gb_count_of(supported_hashes); i++) {
-				if (supported_hashes[i] == hash_kind) {
-					hash_found = true;
-					break;
-				}
-			}
-			if (!hash_found) {
-				ERROR_BLOCK();
-				error(ce->proc, "Invalid hash kind passed to `#load_hash`, got: %.*s", LIT(hash_kind));
-				error_line("\tAvailable hash kinds:\n");
-				for (isize i = 0; i < gb_count_of(supported_hashes); i++) {
-					error_line("\t%.*s\n", LIT(supported_hashes[i]));
-				}
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-
-			BlockingMutex *ignore_mutex = nullptr;
-			String path = {};
-			bool ok = determine_path_from_string(ignore_mutex, call, base_dir, original_string, &path);
-			gb_unused(ok);
-
-			char *c_str = alloc_cstring(a, path);
-			defer (gb_free(a, c_str));
-
-
-			gbFile f = {};
-			gbFileError file_err = gb_file_open(&f, c_str);
-			defer (gb_file_close(&f));
-
-			switch (file_err) {
-			default:
-			case gbFileError_Invalid:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load_hash` file: %s; invalid file or cannot be found", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_NotExists:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load_hash` file: %s; file cannot be found", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_Permission:
-				error(ce->proc, "Failed to `#load_hash` file: %s; file permissions problem", c_str);
-				return false;
-			case gbFileError_None:
-				// Okay
-				break;
-			}
-			
-			// TODO(bill): make these procedures fast :P
-			
-			u64 hash_value = 0;
-			String result = {};
-			isize file_size = cast(isize)gb_file_size(&f);
-			if (file_size > 0) {
-				u8 *data = cast(u8 *)gb_alloc(a, file_size);
-				gb_file_read_at(&f, data, file_size, 0);
-				if (hash_kind == "adler32") {
-					hash_value = gb_adler32(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "crc32") {
-					hash_value = gb_crc32(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "crc64") {
-					hash_value = gb_crc64(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv32") {
-					hash_value = gb_fnv32(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv64") {
-					hash_value = gb_fnv64(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv32a") {
-					hash_value = fnv32a(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "fnv64a") {
-					hash_value = fnv64a(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "murmur32") {
-					hash_value = gb_murmur32(data, file_size);
-				} else if (hash_kind == "murmur64") {
-					hash_value = gb_murmur64(data, file_size);
-				} else {
-					compiler_error("unhandled hash kind: %.*s", LIT(hash_kind));	
-				}
-				gb_free(a, data);
-			}
-
-			operand->type = t_untyped_integer;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-			operand->value = exact_value_u64(hash_value);
-
-		} else if (name == "load_or") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 2) {
-				if (ce->args.count == 0) {
-					error(ce->close, "'#load_or' expects 2 arguments, got 0");
-				} else {
-					error(ce->args[0], "'#load_or' expects 2 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				}
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			Ast *arg = ce->args[0];
-			Operand o = {};
-			check_expr(c, &o, arg);
-			if (o.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant string argument");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (!is_type_string(o.type)) {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(o.type);
-				error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant string, got %s", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-			Ast *default_arg = ce->args[1];
-			Operand default_op = {};
-			check_expr_with_type_hint(c, &default_op, default_arg, t_u8_slice);
-			if (default_op.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant '[]byte' argument");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (!are_types_identical(base_type(default_op.type), t_u8_slice)) {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(default_op.type);
-				error(arg, "'#load_or' expected a constant '[]byte', got %s", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			gbAllocator a = heap_allocator();
-
-			GB_ASSERT(o.value.kind == ExactValue_String);
-			String base_dir = dir_from_path(get_file_path_string(bd->token.pos.file_id));
-			String original_string = o.value.value_string;
-
-
-			BlockingMutex *ignore_mutex = nullptr;
-			String path = {};
-			bool ok = determine_path_from_string(ignore_mutex, call, base_dir, original_string, &path);
-			gb_unused(ok);
-
-			char *c_str = alloc_cstring(a, path);
-			defer (gb_free(a, c_str));
-
-
-			gbFile f = {};
-			gbFileError file_err = gb_file_open(&f, c_str);
-			defer (gb_file_close(&f));
-			
-			operand->type = t_u8_slice;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-			if (file_err == gbFileError_None) {
-				String result = {};
-				isize file_size = cast(isize)gb_file_size(&f);
-				if (file_size > 0) {
-					u8 *data = cast(u8 *)gb_alloc(a, file_size+1);
-					gb_file_read_at(&f, data, file_size, 0);
-					data[file_size] = '\0';
-					result.text = data;
-					result.len = file_size;
-				}
-
-				operand->value = exact_value_string(result);
-			} else {
-				operand->value = default_op.value;
-			}
-
-		} else if (name == "assert") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 1 && ce->args.count != 2) {
-				error(call, "'#assert' expects either 1 or 2 arguments, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				return false;
-			}
-			if (!is_type_boolean(operand->type) || operand->mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				gbString str = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
-				error(call, "'%s' is not a constant boolean", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-			if (ce->args.count == 2) {
-				Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[1]);
-				if (arg == nullptr || arg->kind != Ast_BasicLit || arg->BasicLit.token.kind != Token_String) {
-					gbString str = expr_to_string(arg);
-					error(call, "'%s' is not a constant string", str);
-					gb_string_free(str);
-					return false;
-				}
-			}
-
-			if (!operand->value.value_bool) {
-				gbString arg1 = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
-				gbString arg2 = {};
-
-				if (ce->args.count == 1) {
-					error(call, "Compile time assertion: %s", arg1);
-				} else {
-					arg2 = expr_to_string(ce->args[1]);
-					error(call, "Compile time assertion: %s (%s)", arg1, arg2);
-				}			
-				
-				if (c->proc_name != "") {
-					gbString str = type_to_string(c->curr_proc_sig);
-					error_line("\tCalled within '%.*s' :: %s\n", LIT(c->proc_name), str);
-					gb_string_free(str);
-				}
-
-				gb_string_free(arg1);
-				if (ce->args.count == 2) {
-					gb_string_free(arg2);
-				}
-			}
-
-			operand->type = t_untyped_bool;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-		} else if (name == "panic") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 1) {
-				error(call, "'#panic' expects 1 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				return false;
-			}
-			if (!is_type_string(operand->type) && operand->mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				gbString str = expr_to_string(ce->args[0]);
-				error(call, "'%s' is not a constant string", str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-				return false;
-			}
-			error(call, "Compile time panic: %.*s", LIT(operand->value.value_string));
-			if (c->proc_name != "") {
-				gbString str = type_to_string(c->curr_proc_sig);
-				error_line("\tCalled within '%.*s' :: %s\n", LIT(c->proc_name), str);
-				gb_string_free(str);
-			}
-			operand->type = t_invalid;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_NoValue;
-		} else if (name == "defined") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 1) {
-				error(call, "'#defined' expects 1 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				return false;
-			}
-			Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[0]);
-			if (arg == nullptr || (arg->kind != Ast_Ident && arg->kind != Ast_SelectorExpr)) {
-				error(call, "'#defined' expects an identifier or selector expression, got %.*s", LIT(ast_strings[arg->kind]));
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			if (c->curr_proc_decl == nullptr) {
-				error(call, "'#defined' is only allowed within a procedure, prefer the replacement '#config(NAME, default_value)'");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			bool is_defined = check_identifier_exists(c->scope, arg);
-			gb_unused(is_defined);
-			operand->type = t_untyped_bool;
-			operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-			operand->value = exact_value_bool(false);
-
-		} else if (name == "config") {
-			if (ce->args.count != 2) {
-				error(call, "'#config' expects 2 argument, got %td", ce->args.count);
-				return false;
-			}
-			Ast *arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[0]);
-			if (arg == nullptr || arg->kind != Ast_Ident) {
-				error(call, "'#config' expects an identifier, got %.*s", LIT(ast_strings[arg->kind]));
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			Ast *def_arg = unparen_expr(ce->args[1]);
-
-			Operand def = {};
-			check_expr(c, &def, def_arg);
-			if (def.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
-				error(def_arg, "'#config' default value must be a constant");
-				return false;
-			}
-
-			String name = arg->Ident.token.string;
-
-
-			operand->type = def.type;
-			operand->mode = def.mode;
-			operand->value = def.value;
-
-			Entity *found = scope_lookup_current(config_pkg->scope, name);
-			if (found != nullptr) {
-				if (found->kind != Entity_Constant) {
-					error(arg, "'#config' entity '%.*s' found but expected a constant", LIT(name));
-				} else {
-					operand->type = found->type;
-					operand->mode = Addressing_Constant;
-					operand->value = found->Constant.value;
-				}
-			}
-		} else {
-			error(call, "Unknown directive call: #%.*s", LIT(name));
-		}
-
-		break;
-	}
+	case BuiltinProc_DIRECTIVE:
+		return check_builtin_procedure_directive(c, operand, call, type_hint);
 
 	case BuiltinProc_len:
 		check_expr_or_type(c, operand, ce->args[0]);
diff --git a/src/check_expr.cpp b/src/check_expr.cpp
index f6c94466b..310874139 100644
--- a/src/check_expr.cpp
+++ b/src/check_expr.cpp
@@ -121,6 +121,28 @@ void check_or_return_split_types(CheckerContext *c, Operand *x, String const &na
 
 bool is_diverging_expr(Ast *expr);
 
+
+enum LoadDirectiveResult {
+	LoadDirective_Success  = 0,
+	LoadDirective_Error    = 1,
+	LoadDirective_NotFound = 2,
+};
+
+bool is_load_directive_call(Ast *call) {
+	call = unparen_expr(call);
+	if (call->kind != Ast_CallExpr) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	ast_node(ce, CallExpr, call);
+	if (ce->proc->kind != Ast_BasicDirective) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	ast_node(bd, BasicDirective, ce->proc);
+	String name = bd->name.string;
+	return name == "load";
+}
+LoadDirectiveResult check_load_directive(CheckerContext *c, Operand *operand, Ast *call, Type *type_hint, bool err_on_not_found);
+
 void check_did_you_mean_print(DidYouMeanAnswers *d, char const *prefix = "") {
 	auto results = did_you_mean_results(d);
 	if (results.count != 0) {
@@ -7407,9 +7429,59 @@ ExprKind check_or_else_expr(CheckerContext *c, Operand *o, Ast *node, Type *type
 	String name = oe->token.string;
 	Ast *arg = oe->x;
 	Ast *default_value = oe->y;
-
 	Operand x = {};
 	Operand y = {};
+
+	// NOTE(bill, 2022-08-11): edge case to handle #load(path) or_else default
+	if (is_load_directive_call(arg)) {
+		LoadDirectiveResult res = check_load_directive(c, &x, arg, type_hint, false);
+
+		// Allow for chaining of '#load(path) or_else #load(path)'
+		if (!(is_load_directive_call(default_value) && res == LoadDirective_Success)) {
+			bool y_is_diverging = false;
+			check_expr_base(c, &y, default_value, x.type);
+			switch (y.mode) {
+			case Addressing_NoValue:
+				if (is_diverging_expr(y.expr)) {
+					// Allow
+					y.mode = Addressing_Value;
+					y_is_diverging = true;
+				} else {
+					error_operand_no_value(&y);
+					y.mode = Addressing_Invalid;
+				}
+				break;
+			case Addressing_Type:
+				error_operand_not_expression(&y);
+				y.mode = Addressing_Invalid;
+				break;
+			}
+
+			if (y.mode == Addressing_Invalid) {
+				o->mode = Addressing_Value;
+				o->type = t_invalid;
+				o->expr = node;
+				return Expr_Expr;
+			}
+
+			if (!y_is_diverging) {
+				check_assignment(c, &y, x.type, name);
+				if (y.mode != Addressing_Constant) {
+					error(y.expr, "expected a constant expression on the right-hand side of 'or_else' in conjuction with '#load'");
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (res == LoadDirective_Success) {
+			*o = x;
+		} else {
+			*o = y;
+		}
+		o->expr = node;
+
+		return Expr_Expr;
+	}
+
 	check_multi_expr_with_type_hint(c, &x, arg, type_hint);
 	if (x.mode == Addressing_Invalid) {
 		o->mode = Addressing_Value;
@@ -7417,7 +7489,6 @@ ExprKind check_or_else_expr(CheckerContext *c, Operand *o, Ast *node, Type *type
 		o->expr = node;
 		return Expr_Expr;
 	}
-
 	bool y_is_diverging = false;
 	check_expr_base(c, &y, default_value, x.type);
 	switch (y.mode) {
diff --git a/src/checker.cpp b/src/checker.cpp
index c75fc86af..d01dc5323 100644
--- a/src/checker.cpp
+++ b/src/checker.cpp
@@ -1170,6 +1170,8 @@ void init_checker_info(CheckerInfo *i) {
 
 	mutex_init(&i->objc_types_mutex);
 	map_init(&i->objc_msgSend_types, a);
+	mutex_init(&i->load_file_mutex);
+	string_map_init(&i->load_file_cache, a);
 }
 
 void destroy_checker_info(CheckerInfo *i) {
@@ -1205,6 +1207,8 @@ void destroy_checker_info(CheckerInfo *i) {
 
 	mutex_destroy(&i->objc_types_mutex);
 	map_destroy(&i->objc_msgSend_types);
+	mutex_init(&i->load_file_mutex);
+	string_map_destroy(&i->load_file_cache);
 }
 
 CheckerContext make_checker_context(Checker *c) {
diff --git a/src/checker.hpp b/src/checker.hpp
index f11a00532..badcd93d5 100644
--- a/src/checker.hpp
+++ b/src/checker.hpp
@@ -287,6 +287,12 @@ struct ObjcMsgData {
 	ObjcMsgKind kind;
 	Type *proc_type;
 };
+struct LoadFileCache {
+	String         path;
+	gbFileError    file_error;
+	String         data;
+	StringMap<u64> hashes;
+};
 
 // CheckerInfo stores all the symbol information for a type-checked program
 struct CheckerInfo {
@@ -363,6 +369,9 @@ struct CheckerInfo {
 
 	BlockingMutex objc_types_mutex;
 	PtrMap<Ast *, ObjcMsgData> objc_msgSend_types;
+
+	BlockingMutex load_file_mutex;
+	StringMap<LoadFileCache *> load_file_cache;
 };
 
 struct CheckerContext {
diff --git a/src/llvm_backend_const.cpp b/src/llvm_backend_const.cpp
index 954778bb6..2d14070e2 100644
--- a/src/llvm_backend_const.cpp
+++ b/src/llvm_backend_const.cpp
@@ -391,8 +391,8 @@ lbValue lb_const_value(lbModule *m, Type *type, ExactValue value, bool allow_loc
 
 	if (is_type_slice(type)) {
 		if (value.kind == ExactValue_String) {
-			GB_ASSERT(is_type_u8_slice(type));
-			res.value = lb_find_or_add_entity_string_byte_slice(m, value.value_string).value;
+			GB_ASSERT(is_type_slice(type));
+			res.value = lb_find_or_add_entity_string_byte_slice_with_type(m, value.value_string, original_type).value;
 			return res;
 		} else {
 			ast_node(cl, CompoundLit, value.value_compound);
diff --git a/src/llvm_backend_general.cpp b/src/llvm_backend_general.cpp
index 8458d8687..98bfb841a 100644
--- a/src/llvm_backend_general.cpp
+++ b/src/llvm_backend_general.cpp
@@ -2508,8 +2508,56 @@ lbValue lb_find_or_add_entity_string_byte_slice(lbModule *m, String const &str)
 	res.type = t_u8_slice;
 	return res;
 }
+lbValue lb_find_or_add_entity_string_byte_slice_with_type(lbModule *m, String const &str, Type *slice_type) {
+	GB_ASSERT(is_type_slice(slice_type));
+	LLVMValueRef indices[2] = {llvm_zero(m), llvm_zero(m)};
+	LLVMValueRef data = LLVMConstStringInContext(m->ctx,
+		cast(char const *)str.text,
+		cast(unsigned)str.len,
+		false);
 
 
+	char *name = nullptr;
+	{
+		isize max_len = 7+8+1;
+		name = gb_alloc_array(permanent_allocator(), char, max_len);
+		u32 id = m->gen->global_array_index.fetch_add(1);
+		isize len = gb_snprintf(name, max_len, "csbs$%x", id);
+		len -= 1;
+	}
+	LLVMTypeRef type = LLVMTypeOf(data);
+	LLVMValueRef global_data = LLVMAddGlobal(m->mod, type, name);
+	LLVMSetInitializer(global_data, data);
+	LLVMSetLinkage(global_data, LLVMPrivateLinkage);
+	LLVMSetUnnamedAddress(global_data, LLVMGlobalUnnamedAddr);
+	LLVMSetAlignment(global_data, 1);
+	LLVMSetGlobalConstant(global_data, true);
+
+	i64 data_len = str.len;
+	LLVMValueRef ptr = nullptr;
+	if (data_len != 0) {
+		ptr = LLVMConstInBoundsGEP2(type, global_data, indices, 2);
+	} else {
+		ptr = LLVMConstNull(lb_type(m, t_u8_ptr));
+	}
+	if (!is_type_u8_slice(slice_type)) {
+		Type *bt = base_type(slice_type);
+		Type *elem = bt->Slice.elem;
+		i64 sz = type_size_of(elem);
+		GB_ASSERT(sz > 0);
+		ptr = LLVMConstPointerCast(ptr, lb_type(m, alloc_type_pointer(elem)));
+		data_len /= sz;
+	}
+
+	LLVMValueRef len = LLVMConstInt(lb_type(m, t_int), data_len, true);
+	LLVMValueRef values[2] = {ptr, len};
+
+	lbValue res = {};
+	res.value = llvm_const_named_struct(m, slice_type, values, 2);
+	res.type = slice_type;
+	return res;
+}
+
 
 
 lbValue lb_find_ident(lbProcedure *p, lbModule *m, Entity *e, Ast *expr) {
diff --git a/src/llvm_backend_utility.cpp b/src/llvm_backend_utility.cpp
index 35e69a1be..8be339ca7 100644
--- a/src/llvm_backend_utility.cpp
+++ b/src/llvm_backend_utility.cpp
@@ -351,6 +351,10 @@ lbValue lb_emit_try_has_value(lbProcedure *p, lbValue rhs) {
 
 
 lbValue lb_emit_or_else(lbProcedure *p, Ast *arg, Ast *else_expr, TypeAndValue const &tv) {
+	if (arg->state_flags & StateFlag_DirectiveWasFalse) {
+		return lb_build_expr(p, else_expr);
+	}
+
 	lbValue lhs = {};
 	lbValue rhs = {};
 	lb_emit_try_lhs_rhs(p, arg, tv, &lhs, &rhs);
diff --git a/src/parser.hpp b/src/parser.hpp
index bfdae58a5..7433744e6 100644
--- a/src/parser.hpp
+++ b/src/parser.hpp
@@ -282,7 +282,8 @@ enum StateFlag : u8 {
 	StateFlag_type_assert     = 1<<2,
 	StateFlag_no_type_assert  = 1<<3,
 
-	StateFlag_SelectorCallExpr = 1<<6,
+	StateFlag_SelectorCallExpr = 1<<5,
+	StateFlag_DirectiveWasFalse = 1<<6,
 
 	StateFlag_BeenHandled = 1<<7,
 };
diff --git a/src/types.cpp b/src/types.cpp
index 56b310867..0ca239bde 100644
--- a/src/types.cpp
+++ b/src/types.cpp
@@ -2403,6 +2403,57 @@ bool is_type_simple_compare(Type *t) {
 	return false;
 }
 
+bool is_type_load_safe(Type *type) {
+	GB_ASSERT(type != nullptr);
+	type = core_type(core_array_type(type));
+	switch (type->kind) {
+	case Type_Basic:
+		return (type->Basic.flags & (BasicFlag_Boolean|BasicFlag_Numeric|BasicFlag_Rune)) != 0;
+
+	case Type_BitSet:
+		if (type->BitSet.underlying) {
+			return is_type_load_safe(type->BitSet.underlying);
+		}
+		return true;
+
+	case Type_RelativePointer:
+	case Type_RelativeSlice:
+		return true;
+
+	case Type_Pointer:
+	case Type_MultiPointer:
+	case Type_Slice:
+	case Type_DynamicArray:
+	case Type_Proc:
+	case Type_SoaPointer:
+		return false;
+
+	case Type_Enum:
+	case Type_EnumeratedArray:
+	case Type_Array:
+	case Type_SimdVector:
+	case Type_Matrix:
+		GB_PANIC("should never be hit");
+		return false;
+
+	case Type_Struct:
+		for_array(i, type->Struct.fields) {
+			if (!is_type_load_safe(type->Struct.fields[i]->type)) {
+				return false;
+			}
+		}
+		return type_size_of(type) > 0;
+	case Type_Union:
+		for_array(i, type->Union.variants) {
+			if (!is_type_load_safe(type->Union.variants[i])) {
+				return false;
+			}
+		}
+		return type_size_of(type) > 0;
+	}
+	return false;
+}
+
 String lookup_subtype_polymorphic_field(Type *dst, Type *src) {
 	Type *prev_src = src;
 	// Type *prev_dst = dst;