diff --git a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountRecord.java b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountRecord.java
index 2f568ea..6743fc8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountRecord.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountRecord.java
@@ -25,11 +25,9 @@ import com.samskivert.depot.annotation.Entity;
 import com.samskivert.depot.expression.ColumnExp;
 
 /**
- * Handy record for computing the count of something. For example:
- * <pre>
- * return load(CountRecord.class, from(ForumThreadRecord.class),
- *             where(ForumThreadRecord.GROUP_ID.eq(groupId)).count;
- * </pre>
+ * Handy record for computing the count of something. In general, you need not use this directly,
+ * but should instead use {@link QueryBuilder#selectCount}. For example: {@code
+ * from(ForumThreadRecord.class).where(ForumThreadRecord.GROUP_ID.eq(groupId)).selectCount()}
  */
 @Computed @Entity
 public class CountRecord extends PersistentRecord
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/DepotRepository.java b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/DepotRepository.java
index 0dd2953..778107a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/DepotRepository.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/DepotRepository.java
@@ -337,6 +337,15 @@ public abstract class DepotRepository
         return _ctx.invoke(new FindAllKeysQuery<T>(_ctx, type, forUpdate, clauses));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a builder that can be used to construct a query in a fluent style. For example:
+     * {@code from(FooRecord.class).where(ID.greaterThan(25)).ascending(SIZE).select()}
+     */
+    public <T extends PersistentRecord> QueryBuilder<T> from (Class<T> type)
+    {
+        return new QueryBuilder<T>(this, type);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Inserts the supplied persistent object into the database, assigning its primary key (if it
      * has one) in the process.
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/FluentRepository.java b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/FluentRepository.java
deleted file mode 100644
index e5d03f1..0000000
--- a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/FluentRepository.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,150 +0,0 @@
-//
-// $Id$
-//
-// Depot library - a Java relational persistence library
-// Copyright (C) 2006-2010 Michael Bayne and Pär Winzell
-//
-// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
-// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
-// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-//
-// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
-// Lesser General Public License for more details.
-//
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
-// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
-
-package com.samskivert.depot;
-
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.ForUpdate;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.FromOverride;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.GroupBy;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Join;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Limit;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.OrderBy;
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Where;
-import com.samskivert.depot.expression.ColumnExp;
-import com.samskivert.depot.expression.SQLExpression;
-
-/**
- * Provides a variety of helper methods for constructing queries more concisely (and in some case
- * using a more fluent style).
- */
-public abstract class FluentRepository extends DepotRepository
-{
-    protected FluentRepository (PersistenceContext context)
-    {
-        super(context);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link Where} clause that ANDs together all of the supplied expressions.
-     */
-    protected static Where where (SQLExpression... exprs)
-    {
-        switch (exprs.length) {
-        case 0:
-            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Must supply at least one expression.");
-        case 1:
-            return new Where(exprs[0]);
-        default:
-            return new Where(Ops.and(exprs));
-        }
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link Where} clause that selects rows where the supplied column equals the
-     * supplied value.
-     */
-    protected static Where where (ColumnExp column, Comparable<?> value)
-    {
-        return new Where(column, value);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link Where} clause that selects rows where both supplied columns equal both
-     * supplied values.
-     */
-    protected static Where where (ColumnExp index1, Comparable<?> value1,
-                                  ColumnExp index2, Comparable<?> value2)
-    {
-        return new Where(index1, value1, index2, value2);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link Join} clause configured with the supplied left and right columns.
-     */
-    protected static Join join (ColumnExp left, ColumnExp right)
-    {
-        return new Join(left, right);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link GroupBy} clause on the supplied group expressions.
-     */
-    protected static GroupBy groupBy (SQLExpression... exprs)
-    {
-        return new GroupBy(exprs);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns an {@link OrderBy} clause configured to randomly order the results.
-     */
-    protected static OrderBy random ()
-    {
-        return OrderBy.random();
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns an {@link OrderBy} clause that ascends on the supplied expression.
-     */
-    protected static OrderBy ascending (SQLExpression value)
-    {
-        return OrderBy.ascending(value);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns an {@link OrderBy} clause that descends on the supplied expression.
-     */
-    protected static OrderBy descending (SQLExpression value)
-    {
-        return OrderBy.descending(value);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link Limit} clause configured with the supplied offset and count.
-     */
-    protected static Limit limit (int offset, int count)
-    {
-        return new Limit(offset, count);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link FromOverride} clause configured with the supplied override class.
-     */
-    protected static FromOverride from (Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass)
-    {
-        return new FromOverride(fromClass);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link FromOverride} clause configured with the supplied override classes.
-     */
-    protected static FromOverride from (Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass1,
-                                        Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass2)
-    {
-        return new FromOverride(fromClass1, fromClass2);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns a {@link ForUpdate} clause which marks this query as selecting for update.
-     */
-    protected static ForUpdate forUpdate ()
-    {
-        return new ForUpdate();
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryBuilder.java b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryBuilder.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70f12e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryBuilder.java
@@ -0,0 +1,280 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+//
+// Depot library - a Java relational persistence library
+// Copyright (C) 2006-2010 Michael Bayne and Pär Winzell
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.samskivert.depot;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
+
+import com.samskivert.depot.clause.*;
+import com.samskivert.depot.expression.ColumnExp;
+import com.samskivert.depot.expression.SQLExpression;
+
+/**
+ * The root of a fluent mechanism for constructing queries. Obtain an instance via {@link
+ * DepotRepository#from}.
+ */
+public class QueryBuilder<T extends PersistentRecord>
+{
+    public QueryBuilder (DepotRepository repo, Class<T> pclass)
+    {
+        _repo = repo;
+        _pclass = pclass;
+    }
+
+    /** Disables the use of the cache for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> noCache () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.BEST;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /** Configures the use of {@link CacheStrategy#BEST} for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> cacheBest () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.BEST;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /** Configures the use of {@link CacheStrategy#RECORDS} for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> cacheRecords () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.RECORDS;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /** Configures the use of {@link CacheStrategy#SHORT_KEYS} for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> cacheShortKeys () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.SHORT_KEYS;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /** Configures the use of {@link CacheStrategy#LONG_KEYS} for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> cacheLongKeys () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.LONG_KEYS;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /** Configures the use of {@link CacheStrategy#CONTENTS} for this query. */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> cacheContents () {
+        _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.CONTENTS;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link Where} clause that ANDs together all of the supplied expressions.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> where (SQLExpression... exprs)
+    {
+        switch (exprs.length) {
+        case 0:
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Must supply at least one expression.");
+        case 1:
+            _where = new Where(exprs[0]);
+            break;
+        default:
+            _where = new Where(Ops.and(exprs));
+            break;
+        }
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link Where} clause that selects rows where the supplied column equals the
+     * supplied value.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> where (ColumnExp column, Comparable<?> value)
+    {
+        _where = new Where(column, value);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link Where} clause that selects rows where both supplied columns equal both
+     * supplied values.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> where (ColumnExp index1, Comparable<?> value1,
+                                  ColumnExp index2, Comparable<?> value2)
+    {
+        _where = new Where(index1, value1, index2, value2);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link Join} clause configured with the supplied left and right columns.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> join (ColumnExp left, ColumnExp right)
+    {
+        _join = new Join(left, right);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link GroupBy} clause on the supplied group expressions.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> groupBy (SQLExpression... exprs)
+    {
+        _groupBy = new GroupBy(exprs);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures an {@link OrderBy} clause configured to randomly order the results.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> randomOrder ()
+    {
+        _orderBy = OrderBy.random();
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures an {@link OrderBy} clause that ascends on the supplied expression.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> ascending (SQLExpression value)
+    {
+        _orderBy = OrderBy.ascending(value);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures an {@link OrderBy} clause that descends on the supplied expression.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> descending (SQLExpression value)
+    {
+        _orderBy = OrderBy.descending(value);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link Limit} clause configured with the supplied offset and count.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> limit (int offset, int count)
+    {
+        _limit = new Limit(offset, count);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link FromOverride} clause configured with the supplied override class.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> override (Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass)
+    {
+        _fromOverride = new FromOverride(fromClass);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link FromOverride} clause configured with the supplied override classes.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> override (Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass1,
+                                     Class<? extends PersistentRecord> fromClass2)
+    {
+        _fromOverride = new FromOverride(fromClass1, fromClass2);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Configures a {@link ForUpdate} clause which marks this query as selecting for update.
+     */
+    public QueryBuilder<T> forUpdate ()
+    {
+        _forUpdate = new ForUpdate();
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Loads the first persistent object that matches the configured query clauses.
+     */
+    public T load ()
+    {
+        return _repo.load(_pclass, _cache, getClauseArray());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Loads all persistent objects that match the configured query clauses.
+     */
+    public List<T> select ()
+        throws DatabaseException
+    {
+        return _repo.findAll(_pclass, _cache, getClauses());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Loads the keys of all persistent objects that match the configured query clauses. Note that
+     * cache configuration is ignored for key-only queries.
+     *
+     * @param useMaster if true, the query will be run using a read-write connection to ensure that
+     * it talks to the master database, if false, the query will be run on a read-only connection
+     * and may load keys from a slave. For performance reasons, you should always pass false unless
+     * you know you will be modifying the database as a result of this query and absolutely need
+     * the latest data.
+     */
+    public List<Key<T>> selectKeys (boolean useMaster)
+        throws DatabaseException
+    {
+        return _repo.findAllKeys(_pclass, useMaster, getClauses());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the count of rows that match the configured query clauses.
+     */
+    public int selectCount ()
+    {
+        _fromOverride = new FromOverride(_pclass);
+        return _repo.load(CountRecord.class, _cache, getClauseArray()).count;
+    }
+
+    protected List<QueryClause> getClauses ()
+    {
+        List<QueryClause> clauses = Lists.newArrayList();
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _where);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _join);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _orderBy);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _groupBy);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _limit);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _fromOverride);
+        addIfNotNull(clauses, _forUpdate);
+        return clauses;
+    }
+
+    protected QueryClause[] getClauseArray ()
+    {
+        List<QueryClause> clauses = getClauses();
+        return clauses.toArray(new QueryClause[clauses.size()]);
+    }
+
+    protected void addIfNotNull (List<QueryClause> clauses, QueryClause clause)
+    {
+        if (clause != null) {
+            clauses.add(clause);
+        }
+    }
+
+    protected final DepotRepository _repo;
+    protected final Class<T> _pclass;
+
+    protected DepotRepository.CacheStrategy _cache = DepotRepository.CacheStrategy.BEST;
+
+    protected Where _where;
+    protected Join _join;
+    protected OrderBy _orderBy;
+    protected GroupBy _groupBy;
+    protected Limit _limit;
+    protected FromOverride _fromOverride;
+    protected ForUpdate _forUpdate;
+}
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountTest.java b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51e05a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/CountTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+//
+// Depot library - a Java relational persistence library
+// Copyright (C) 2006-2010 Michael Bayne and Pär Winzell
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.samskivert.depot;
+
+import org.junit.Test;
+import static org.junit.Assert.*;
+
+import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Where;
+
+/**
+ * Tests row counting.
+ */
+public class CountTest extends TestBase
+{
+    @Test
+    public void testCount ()
+    {
+        for (int ii = 1; ii < 100; ii++) {
+            _repo.insert(createTestRecord(ii));
+        }
+
+        assertEquals(99, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).selectCount());
+        assertEquals(49, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).
+                     where(TestRecord.RECORD_ID.lessThan(50)).selectCount());
+
+        _repo.deleteAll(TestRecord.class, new Where(Exps.literal("true")));
+
+        assertEquals(0, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).
+                     where(TestRecord.RECORD_ID.lessThan(50)).selectCount());
+        assertEquals(0, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).selectCount());
+    }
+
+    // the HSQL in-memory database persists for the lifetime of the VM, which means we have to
+    // clean up after ourselves in every test; thus we go ahead and share a repository
+    protected TestRepository _repo = createTestRepository();
+}
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/GeneratedValueTest.java b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/GeneratedValueTest.java
index b419107..217a079 100644
--- a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/GeneratedValueTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/GeneratedValueTest.java
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ import org.junit.Test;
 
 import com.google.common.collect.Iterables;
 
-import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Where;
-
 import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
 
 public class GeneratedValueTest
@@ -47,8 +45,8 @@ public class GeneratedValueTest
         assertEquals(0, rec.recordId);
         assertEquals(1, dr.insert(rec));
         assertEquals(1, rec.recordId);
-        List<GeneratedValueRecord> recs =
-            dr.findAll(GeneratedValueRecord.class, new Where(GeneratedValueRecord.VALUE.eq(2)));
+        List<GeneratedValueRecord> recs = dr.from(GeneratedValueRecord.class).
+            where(GeneratedValueRecord.VALUE.eq(2)).select();
         assertEquals(1, Iterables.getOnlyElement(recs).recordId);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryTest.java b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryTest.java
index b16c631..ab70290 100644
--- a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/QueryTest.java
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import org.junit.Test;
 import static org.junit.Assert.*;
 
 import com.samskivert.depot.annotation.Computed;
+import com.samskivert.depot.expression.SQLExpression;
 import com.samskivert.depot.clause.Where;
 
 /**
@@ -63,9 +64,9 @@ public class QueryTest extends TestBase
         assertEquals(0, _repo.deleteAll(TestRecord.class, none));
 
         // test collection caching (TODO: check that the records are ==)
-        Where where = new Where(TestRecord.RECORD_ID.greaterThan(CREATE_RECORDS-50));
-        assertEquals(50, _repo.findAll(TestRecord.class, where).size());
-        assertEquals(50, _repo.findAll(TestRecord.class, where).size());
+        SQLExpression where = TestRecord.RECORD_ID.greaterThan(CREATE_RECORDS-50);
+        assertEquals(50, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).where(where).select().size());
+        assertEquals(50, _repo.from(TestRecord.class).where(where).select().size());
 
         // test a partial key set
         KeySet<TestRecord> some = KeySet.newSimpleKeySet(
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/TestRepository.java b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/TestRepository.java
index 0a787bd..d3f74b7 100644
--- a/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/TestRepository.java
+++ b/src/test/java/com/samskivert/depot/TestRepository.java
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import java.util.Set;
 /**
  * A test tool for the Depot repository services.
  */
-public class TestRepository extends FluentRepository
+public class TestRepository extends DepotRepository
 {
     public TestRecord loadNoCache (int recordId)
     {
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public class TestRepository extends FluentRepository
 
     public List<EnumKeyRecord> loadEnums (Set<EnumKeyRecord.Type> types)
     {
-        return findAll(EnumKeyRecord.class, where(EnumKeyRecord.TYPE.in(types)));
+        return from(EnumKeyRecord.class).where(EnumKeyRecord.TYPE.in(types)).select();
     }
 
     public void storeEnum (EnumKeyRecord record)