diff --git a/lsm/include/lsm/store.h b/lsm/include/lsm/store.h
index 6018a5e..f85192c 100644
--- a/lsm/include/lsm/store.h
+++ b/lsm/include/lsm/store.h
@@ -9,96 +9,22 @@
 
 #define LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS 3
 
+/**
+ * Read-only handle to an entry in the store
+ */
+typedef struct lsm_read_handle lsm_read_handle;
+
+/**
+ * Writeable handle to an entry in the store
+ */
+typedef struct lsm_write_handle lsm_write_handle;
+
 /**
  * A handle referencing an entry inside a store. Read/write operations from/to
  * the entry go through this handle.
  */
 typedef struct lsm_entry_handle lsm_entry_handle;
 
-/**
- * Checks whether the entry has an attribute with the specified type.
- *
- * @param entry entry to check
- * @param type type of attribute to check for
- */
-bool lsm_entry_attr_present(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type);
-
-/**
- * Retrieve the contents of an attribute from an entry, if present
- *
- * @param out where to store pointer to attribute data
- * @param entry entry to search for
- * @param type type of attribute to return
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
-                             uint8_t type);
-
-/**
- * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_get` that can be used if we know
- * beforehand the attribute value is a 64-bit number.
- *
- * @param out where to store attribute data
- * @param entry entry to search for
- * @param type type of attribute to return
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
-                                      uint8_t type);
-
-/**
- * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_get` that can be used if we know
- * beforehand the attribute value is an 8-bit number.
- *
- * @param out where to store attribute data
- * @param entry entry to search for
- * @param type type of attribute to return
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
-                                     uint8_t type);
-
-/**
- * Add a new attribute to the entry. This overwrites an existing version of this
- * attribute.
- *
- * @param entry entry to modify
- * @param type type of attribute to add
- * @param data data of attribute; ownership of pointer is taken over
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
-                                lsm_str *data);
-
-/**
- * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_insert` that can be used if the
- * data to be stored is a 64-bit number.
- *
- * @param entry entry to modify
- * @param type type of attribute to add
- * @param data data of attribute
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint64_t(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
-                                         uint64_t data);
-
-/**
- * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_insert` that can be used if the
- * data to be stored is an 8-bit number.
- *
- * @param entry entry to modify
- * @param type type of attribute to add
- * @param data data of attribute
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint8_t(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
-                                        uint8_t data);
-
-/**
- * Remove an atribute from the given entry, if present.
- *
- * @param out pointer to store removed data pointer in. If NULL, data pointer
- * will be leaked.
- * @param entry entry to remove attribute from
- * @param type type of attribute to remove
- */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
-                                uint8_t type);
-
 /**
  * A store consisting of LSM entries.
  *
@@ -145,7 +71,7 @@ void lsm_store_free(lsm_store *store);
  * @param store store to retrieve entry from
  * @param key key to search
  */
-lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
+lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_read_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
                               const lsm_str *key);
 
 /**
@@ -157,7 +83,7 @@ lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
  * @param store store to retrieve entry from
  * @param key key to search
  */
-lsm_error lsm_store_open_write(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
+lsm_error lsm_store_open_write(lsm_write_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
                                const lsm_str *key);
 
 /**
@@ -227,8 +153,8 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_data_append_raw(lsm_entry_handle *handle, char *data,
  * @param handle entry handle to read from
  * @param len how many bytes to read at most
  */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_read(uint64_t *out, char *buf,
-                              lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint64_t len);
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_read(uint64_t *out, char *buf, lsm_read_handle *handle,
+                              uint64_t len);
 
 /**
  * Return the length of the entry's data.
diff --git a/lsm/src/_include/lsm/store_internal.h b/lsm/src/_include/lsm/store_internal.h
index 1b84b60..2b140bb 100644
--- a/lsm/src/_include/lsm/store_internal.h
+++ b/lsm/src/_include/lsm/store_internal.h
@@ -48,6 +48,11 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_init(lsm_entry **ptr);
  */
 void lsm_entry_free(lsm_entry *entry);
 
+/**
+ * Allocates a new entry that's identical to the provided one.
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_clone(lsm_entry **out, const lsm_entry *entry);
+
 /**
  * Deallocate an existing lsm_entry object.
  *
@@ -72,6 +77,7 @@ typedef enum lsm_entry_handle_state : uint8_t {
 struct lsm_entry_handle {
   lsm_entry_wrapper *wrapper;
   lsm_store *store;
+
   // Either read or append, depending on how it was opened
   FILE *f;
   // Current position in the file pointer
@@ -133,20 +139,22 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_disk_update(lsm_entry_handle *handle);
 /**
  * Return the length of the path to this entry's data file
  */
-uint64_t lsm_entry_data_path_len(const lsm_entry_handle *handle);
+uint64_t lsm_entry_data_path_len(const lsm_store *store,
+                                 const lsm_entry *entry);
 
 /**
  * Fill in the entry's data file path in the provided buffer. Use
  * `lsm_entry_data_path_len` to allocate an appropriately-sized buffer
  */
-void lsm_entry_data_path(char *buf, const lsm_entry_handle *handle);
+void lsm_entry_data_path(char *path, const lsm_store *store,
+                         const lsm_entry *entry);
 
 /**
  * Open the entry's data file for reading
  *
  * @param handle handle to the entry
  */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_read(lsm_entry_handle *handle);
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_read(lsm_read_handle *handle);
 
 /**
  * Open the entry's data file for writing. The file and all subdirectories in
@@ -156,12 +164,134 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_read(lsm_entry_handle *handle);
  */
 lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_write(lsm_entry_handle *handle);
 
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open(FILE **out, const lsm_store *store,
+                              const lsm_entry *entry, const char *mode);
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_mkdirs(const lsm_store *store, const lsm_entry *entry);
+
 /**
  * Remove the entry's data file if present and close its handle. Any uncommitted
  * changes will be reverted.
  *
  * @param handle handle to the entry
  */
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_remove(lsm_entry_handle *handle);
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_remove(const lsm_store *store, const lsm_entry *entry);
+
+/**
+ * Checks whether the entry has an attribute with the specified type.
+ *
+ * @param entry entry to check
+ * @param type type of attribute to check for
+ */
+bool lsm_entry_attr_present(const lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type);
+
+/**
+ * Retrieve the contents of an attribute from an entry, if present
+ *
+ * @param out where to store pointer to attribute data
+ * @param entry entry to search for
+ * @param type type of attribute to return
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get(lsm_str **out, const lsm_entry *entry,
+                             uint8_t type);
+
+/**
+ * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_get` that can be used if we know
+ * beforehand the attribute value is a 64-bit number.
+ *
+ * @param out where to store attribute data
+ * @param entry entry to search for
+ * @param type type of attribute to return
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, const lsm_entry *entry,
+                                      uint8_t type);
+
+/**
+ * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_get` that can be used if we know
+ * beforehand the attribute value is an 8-bit number.
+ *
+ * @param out where to store attribute data
+ * @param entry entry to search for
+ * @param type type of attribute to return
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out, const lsm_entry *entry,
+                                     uint8_t type);
+
+/**
+ * Add a new attribute to the entry. This overwrites an existing version of this
+ * attribute.
+ *
+ * @param entry entry to modify
+ * @param type type of attribute to add
+ * @param data data of attribute; ownership of pointer is taken over
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type, lsm_str *data);
+
+/**
+ * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_insert` that can be used if the
+ * data to be stored is a 64-bit number.
+ *
+ * @param entry entry to modify
+ * @param type type of attribute to add
+ * @param data data of attribute
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint64_t(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type,
+                                         uint64_t data);
+
+/**
+ * Convenience wrapper around `lsm_entry_attr_insert` that can be used if the
+ * data to be stored is an 8-bit number.
+ *
+ * @param entry entry to modify
+ * @param type type of attribute to add
+ * @param data data of attribute
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint8_t(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type,
+                                        uint8_t data);
+
+/**
+ * Remove an atribute from the given entry, if present.
+ *
+ * @param out pointer to store removed data pointer in. If NULL, data pointer
+ * will be leaked.
+ * @param entry entry to remove attribute from
+ * @param type type of attribute to remove
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type);
+
+/****************************************
+ *************** Handles ***************
+ ***************************************/
+
+struct lsm_read_handle {
+  lsm_entry_wrapper *wrapper;
+  lsm_store *store;
+
+  struct {
+    FILE *f;
+    uint64_t pos;
+  } data;
+};
+
+struct lsm_write_handle {
+  lsm_entry_wrapper *wrapper;
+  lsm_store *store;
+
+  lsm_entry *dirty;
+
+  struct {
+    FILE *f;
+    uint64_t pos;
+  } data;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Allocate a new `lsm_read_handle` object
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_read_handle_init(lsm_read_handle **out);
+
+/**
+ * Allocate a new `lsm_write_handle` object
+ */
+lsm_error lsm_write_handle_init(lsm_write_handle **out);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_read.c b/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_read.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d750196
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_read.c
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include "lsm/store_internal.h"
+
+lsm_error lsm_read_handle_init(lsm_read_handle **out) {
+  lsm_read_handle *handle = calloc(1, sizeof(lsm_read_handle));
+
+  if (handle == NULL) {
+    return lsm_error_failed_alloc;
+  }
+
+  *out = handle;
+
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
+
+bool lsm_read_attr_present(lsm_read_handle *handle, uint8_t type) {
+  return (handle->wrapper->entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] &
+          (((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64))) != 0;
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_read_attr_get(lsm_str **out, lsm_read_handle *handle,
+                            uint8_t type) {
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get(out, handle->wrapper->entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_read_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, lsm_read_handle *handle,
+                                     uint8_t type) {
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(out, handle->wrapper->entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_read_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out, lsm_read_handle *handle,
+                                    uint8_t type) {
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(out, handle->wrapper->entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_read_data_read(uint64_t *out, char *buf, lsm_read_handle *handle,
+                             uint64_t len) {
+  const lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
+
+  if (entry->data_len == 0) {
+    *out = 0;
+
+    return lsm_error_ok;
+  }
+
+  // Entries don't open their file unless needed
+  if (handle->data.f == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_data_open(&handle->data.f, handle->store,
+                                handle->wrapper->entry, "rb"));
+  }
+
+  uint64_t read;
+
+  read = fread(buf, sizeof(char), len, handle->data.f);
+
+  if ((read == 0) && (ferror(handle->data.f) != 0)) {
+    return lsm_error_failed_io;
+  }
+
+  handle->data.pos += read;
+  *out = read;
+
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
+
+void lsm_read_close(lsm_read_handle *handle) {
+  if (handle->data.f != NULL) {
+    fclose(handle->data.f);
+    handle->data.f = NULL;
+  }
+
+  pthread_rwlock_unlock(&handle->wrapper->lock);
+  free(handle);
+}
diff --git a/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_write.c b/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_write.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33965fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lsm/src/store/lsm_handle_write.c
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include "lsm/store_internal.h"
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_handle_init(lsm_write_handle **out) {
+  lsm_write_handle *handle = calloc(1, sizeof(lsm_write_handle));
+
+  if (handle == NULL) {
+    return lsm_error_failed_alloc;
+  }
+
+  *out = handle;
+
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
+
+bool lsm_write_attr_present(const lsm_write_handle *handle, uint8_t type) {
+  return (handle->wrapper->entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] &
+          (((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64))) != 0;
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_get(const lsm_str **out,
+                             const lsm_write_handle *handle, uint8_t type) {
+  lsm_entry *entry =
+      handle->dirty == NULL ? handle->wrapper->entry : handle->dirty;
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get(out, entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out,
+                                      const lsm_write_handle *handle,
+                                      uint8_t type) {
+  lsm_entry *entry =
+      handle->dirty == NULL ? handle->wrapper->entry : handle->dirty;
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(out, entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out,
+                                     const lsm_write_handle *handle,
+                                     uint8_t type) {
+  lsm_entry *entry =
+      handle->dirty == NULL ? handle->wrapper->entry : handle->dirty;
+  return lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(out, entry, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_write_handle *handle,
+                                uint8_t type) {
+  if (handle->dirty == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_clone(&handle->dirty, handle->wrapper->entry));
+  }
+
+  return lsm_entry_attr_remove(out, handle->dirty, type);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_insert(lsm_write_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
+                                lsm_str *data) {
+  if (handle->dirty == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_clone(&handle->dirty, handle->wrapper->entry));
+  }
+
+  return lsm_entry_attr_insert(handle->dirty, type, data);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_insert_uint64_t(lsm_write_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
+                                         uint64_t data) {
+  if (handle->dirty == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_clone(&handle->dirty, handle->wrapper->entry));
+  }
+
+  return lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint64_t(handle->dirty, type, data);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_attr_insert_uint8_t(lsm_write_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
+                                        uint8_t data) {
+  if (handle->dirty == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_clone(&handle->dirty, handle->wrapper->entry));
+  }
+
+  return lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint8_t(handle->dirty, type, data);
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_write_data_append(lsm_write_handle *handle, const lsm_str *data) {
+  if (lsm_str_len(data) == 0) {
+    return lsm_error_ok;
+  }
+
+  if (handle->dirty == NULL) {
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_clone(&handle->dirty, handle->wrapper->entry));
+  }
+
+  lsm_entry *entry = handle->dirty;
+
+  uint64_t new_len = entry->data_len + lsm_str_len(data);
+  const char *data_s = lsm_str_ptr(data);
+
+  // Entries don't open their file unless needed
+  if (handle->data.f == NULL) {
+    // An entry with no existing data will not have a data file yet, so we set
+    // create to true then
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_data_mkdirs(handle->store, entry));
+    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_data_open(&handle->data.f, handle->store, entry, "ab"));
+  }
+
+  size_t written = 0;
+
+  // TODO what happens when I/O fails?
+  while (written < data->len) {
+    written += fwrite(&data_s[written], sizeof(char), data->len - written,
+                      handle->data.f);
+  }
+
+  entry->data_len = new_len;
+
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
diff --git a/lsm/src/store/lsm_store.c b/lsm/src/store/lsm_store.c
index 7b3ed36..d82a669 100644
--- a/lsm/src/store/lsm_store.c
+++ b/lsm/src/store/lsm_store.c
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ uint64_t lsm_store_size(const lsm_store *store) {
   return lsm_trie_size(store->trie);
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
+lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_read_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
                               const lsm_str *key) {
   lsm_entry_wrapper *wrapper;
 
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
     return lsm_error_not_found;
   }
 
-  lsm_entry_handle *handle;
-  LSM_RES2(lsm_entry_handle_init(&handle),
+  lsm_read_handle *handle;
+  LSM_RES2(lsm_read_handle_init(&handle),
            pthread_rwlock_unlock(&wrapper->lock));
 
   handle->wrapper = wrapper;
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ lsm_error lsm_store_open_read(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_store_open_write(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
+lsm_error lsm_store_open_write(lsm_write_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
                                const lsm_str *key) {
   lsm_entry_wrapper *wrapper;
   LSM_RES(lsm_trie_search((void **)&wrapper, store->trie, key));
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ lsm_error lsm_store_open_write(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
     return lsm_error_not_found;
   }
 
-  lsm_entry_handle *handle;
-  LSM_RES2(lsm_entry_handle_init(&handle),
+  lsm_write_handle *handle;
+  LSM_RES2(lsm_write_handle_init(&handle),
            pthread_rwlock_unlock(&wrapper->lock));
 
   handle->wrapper = wrapper;
@@ -138,63 +138,3 @@ lsm_error lsm_store_insert(lsm_entry_handle **out, lsm_store *store,
 void lsm_entry_remove(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
   handle->states |= lsm_entry_handle_state_removed;
 }
-
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_append(lsm_entry_handle *handle, const lsm_str *data) {
-  if (lsm_str_len(data) == 0) {
-    return lsm_error_ok;
-  }
-
-  lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
-
-  uint64_t new_len = entry->data_len + lsm_str_len(data);
-  const char *data_s = lsm_str_ptr(data);
-
-  // Entries don't open their file unless needed
-  if (handle->f == NULL) {
-    // An entry with no existing data will not have a data file yet, so we set
-    // create to true then
-    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_data_open_write(handle));
-  }
-
-  size_t written = 0;
-
-  // TODO what happens when I/O fails?
-  while (written < data->len) {
-    written +=
-        fwrite(&data_s[written], sizeof(char), data->len - written, handle->f);
-  }
-
-  entry->data_len = new_len;
-  handle->states |= lsm_entry_handle_state_updated;
-
-  return lsm_error_ok;
-}
-
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_read(uint64_t *out, char *buf,
-                              lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint64_t len) {
-  const lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
-
-  if (entry->data_len == 0) {
-    *out = 0;
-
-    return lsm_error_ok;
-  }
-
-  // Entries don't open their file unless needed
-  if (handle->f == NULL) {
-    LSM_RES(lsm_entry_data_open_read(handle));
-  }
-
-  uint64_t read;
-
-  read = fread(buf, sizeof(char), len, handle->f);
-
-  if ((read == 0) && (ferror(handle->f) != 0)) {
-    return lsm_error_failed_io;
-  }
-
-  handle->pos += read;
-  *out = read;
-
-  return lsm_error_ok;
-}
diff --git a/lsm/src/store/lsm_store_entry.c b/lsm/src/store/lsm_store_entry.c
index 2d73beb..ac30271 100644
--- a/lsm/src/store/lsm_store_entry.c
+++ b/lsm/src/store/lsm_store_entry.c
@@ -30,6 +30,35 @@ void lsm_entry_free(lsm_entry *entry) {
   free(entry);
 }
 
+lsm_error lsm_entry_clone(lsm_entry **out, const lsm_entry *entry) {
+  lsm_entry *new;
+  LSM_RES(lsm_entry_init(&new));
+
+  lsm_str_init_copy_n(&new->key, lsm_str_ptr(entry->key),
+                      lsm_str_len(entry->key));
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+    new->attrs.bitmap[i] = entry->attrs.bitmap[i];
+  }
+
+  new->attrs.count = entry->attrs.count;
+  new->attrs.items = malloc(sizeof(lsm_attr *) * entry->attrs.count);
+
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < entry->attrs.count; i++) {
+    new->attrs.items[i].type = entry->attrs.items[i].type;
+    lsm_str_init_copy_n(&new->attrs.items[i].str,
+                        lsm_str_ptr(entry->attrs.items[i].str),
+                        lsm_str_len(entry->attrs.items[i].str));
+  }
+
+  new->data_len = entry->data_len;
+  new->idx_file_offset = entry->idx_file_offset;
+
+  *out = new;
+
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
+
 lsm_error lsm_entry_wrapper_init(lsm_entry_wrapper **ptr) {
   lsm_entry_wrapper *wrap = calloc(1, sizeof(lsm_entry_wrapper));
 
@@ -108,18 +137,16 @@ void lsm_entry_close(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
   free(handle);
 }
 
-bool lsm_entry_attr_present(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type) {
-  return (handle->wrapper->entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] &
-          (((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64))) != 0;
+bool lsm_entry_attr_present(const lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type) {
+  return (entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] & (((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64))) != 0;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get(const lsm_str **out, const lsm_entry *entry,
                              uint8_t type) {
-  if (!lsm_entry_attr_present(handle, type)) {
+  if (!lsm_entry_attr_present(entry, type)) {
     return lsm_error_not_found;
   }
 
-  lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
   uint64_t i = 0;
 
   while (entry->attrs.items[i].type != type) {
@@ -131,11 +158,11 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, const lsm_entry *entry,
                                       uint8_t type) {
   lsm_str *s;
 
-  LSM_RES(lsm_entry_attr_get(&s, handle, type));
+  LSM_RES(lsm_entry_attr_get(&s, entry, type));
 
   uint64_t num = 0;
 
@@ -148,25 +175,22 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint64_t(uint64_t *out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_get_uint8_t(uint8_t *out, const lsm_entry *entry,
                                      uint8_t type) {
   lsm_str *s;
 
-  LSM_RES(lsm_entry_attr_get(&s, handle, type));
+  LSM_RES(lsm_entry_attr_get(&s, entry, type));
 
   *out = lsm_str_char(s, 0);
 
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
-                                uint8_t type) {
-  if (!lsm_entry_attr_present(handle, type)) {
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type) {
+  if (!lsm_entry_attr_present(entry, type)) {
     return lsm_error_not_found;
   }
 
-  lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
-
   if (entry->attrs.count == 1) {
     *out = entry->attrs.items[0].str;
 
@@ -204,21 +228,16 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_remove(lsm_str **out, lsm_entry_handle *handle,
   entry->attrs.count--;
   entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] &= ~(((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64));
 
-  handle->states |= lsm_entry_handle_state_updated;
-
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
-                                lsm_str *data) {
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type, lsm_str *data) {
   // Remove a previous version of the attribute
   lsm_str *out;
-  if (lsm_entry_attr_remove(&out, handle, type) == lsm_error_ok) {
+  if (lsm_entry_attr_remove(&out, entry, type) == lsm_error_ok) {
     lsm_str_free(out);
   }
 
-  lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
-
   lsm_attr *new_attrs =
       realloc(entry->attrs.items, (entry->attrs.count + 1) * sizeof(lsm_attr));
 
@@ -233,36 +252,35 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
   entry->attrs.count++;
   entry->attrs.bitmap[type / 64] |= ((uint64_t)1) << (type % 64);
 
-  handle->states |= lsm_entry_handle_state_updated;
-
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint64_t(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint64_t(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type,
                                          uint64_t data) {
   lsm_str *s;
   LSM_RES(
       lsm_str_init_copy_n(&s, (char *)&data, sizeof(uint64_t) / sizeof(char)));
 
-  return lsm_entry_attr_insert(handle, type, s);
+  return lsm_entry_attr_insert(entry, type, s);
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint8_t(lsm_entry_handle *handle, uint8_t type,
+lsm_error lsm_entry_attr_insert_uint8_t(lsm_entry *entry, uint8_t type,
                                         uint8_t data) {
   lsm_str *s;
   LSM_RES(
       lsm_str_init_copy_n(&s, (char *)&data, sizeof(uint8_t) / sizeof(char)));
 
-  return lsm_entry_attr_insert(handle, type, s);
+  return lsm_entry_attr_insert(entry, type, s);
 }
 
 uint64_t lsm_entry_data_len(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
   return handle->wrapper->entry->data_len;
 }
 
-uint64_t lsm_entry_data_path_len(const lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
-  const lsm_str *data_path = handle->store->data_path;
-  const lsm_str *key = handle->wrapper->entry->key;
+uint64_t lsm_entry_data_path_len(const lsm_store *store,
+                                 const lsm_entry *entry) {
+  const lsm_str *data_path = store->data_path;
+  const lsm_str *key = entry->key;
 
   uint8_t levels =
       key->len <= LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS ? key->len : LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS;
@@ -271,9 +289,10 @@ uint64_t lsm_entry_data_path_len(const lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
          strlen(LSM_DATA_FILE_SUFFIX);
 }
 
-void lsm_entry_data_path(char *path, const lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
-  const lsm_str *data_path = handle->store->data_path;
-  const lsm_str *key = handle->wrapper->entry->key;
+void lsm_entry_data_path(char *path, const lsm_store *store,
+                         const lsm_entry *entry) {
+  const lsm_str *data_path = store->data_path;
+  const lsm_str *key = entry->key;
 
   uint8_t levels =
       key->len > LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS ? LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS : key->len;
@@ -298,12 +317,13 @@ void lsm_entry_data_path(char *path, const lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
   strcpy(&path[index], LSM_DATA_FILE_SUFFIX);
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_write(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
-  char path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(handle) + 1];
-  lsm_entry_data_path(path, handle);
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_mkdirs(const lsm_store *store,
+                                const lsm_entry *entry) {
+  char path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(store, entry) + 1];
+  lsm_entry_data_path(path, store, entry);
 
-  const lsm_str *data_path = handle->store->data_path;
-  const lsm_str *key = handle->wrapper->entry->key;
+  const lsm_str *data_path = store->data_path;
+  const lsm_str *key = entry->key;
 
   uint8_t levels =
       key->len <= LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS ? key->len : LSM_STORE_DATA_LEVELS;
@@ -320,43 +340,32 @@ lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_write(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
     path[data_path->len + 2 * (i + 1)] = '/';
   }
 
-  FILE *f = fopen(path, "ab");
+  return lsm_error_ok;
+}
+
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open(FILE **out, const lsm_store *store,
+                              const lsm_entry *entry, const char *mode) {
+  char path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(store, entry) + 1];
+  lsm_entry_data_path(path, store, entry);
+
+  FILE *f = fopen(path, mode);
 
   if (f == NULL) {
     return lsm_error_failed_io;
   }
 
-  handle->f = f;
-
-  return lsm_error_ok;
-}
-
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_open_read(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
-  char path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(handle) + 1];
-  lsm_entry_data_path(path, handle);
-
-  FILE *f = fopen(path, "rb");
-
-  if (f == NULL) {
-    return lsm_error_failed_io;
+  if (out != NULL) {
+    *out = f;
   }
 
-  handle->f = f;
-
   return lsm_error_ok;
 }
 
-lsm_error lsm_entry_data_remove(lsm_entry_handle *handle) {
-  const lsm_entry *entry = handle->wrapper->entry;
-
+lsm_error lsm_entry_data_remove(const lsm_store *store,
+                                const lsm_entry *entry) {
   if (entry->data_len > 0) {
-    if (handle->f != NULL) {
-      fclose(handle->f);
-      handle->f = NULL;
-    }
-
-    char data_path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(handle) + 1];
-    lsm_entry_data_path(data_path, handle);
+    char data_path[lsm_entry_data_path_len(store, entry) + 1];
+    lsm_entry_data_path(data_path, store, entry);
 
     if (remove(data_path) != 0) {
       return lsm_error_failed_io;