diff --git a/cmd/tools/repeat.v b/cmd/tools/repeat.v
index 6d65d190ec..e69cfdfde7 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/repeat.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/repeat.v
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import time
 import term
 import math
 import scripting
-import v.util
 
 struct CmdResult {
 mut:
@@ -127,8 +126,12 @@ fn new_aints(ovals []int, extreme_mins int, extreme_maxs int) Aints {
 	return res
 }
 
+fn bold(s string) string {
+	return term.colorize(term.bold, s)
+}
+
 fn (a Aints) str() string {
-	return util.bold('${a.average:6.2f}') +
+	return bold('${a.average:6.2f}') +
 		'ms ± σ: ${a.stddev:4.1f}ms, min: ${a.imin:4}ms, max: ${a.imax:4}ms, runs:${a.values.len:3}, nmins:${a.nmins:2}, nmaxs:${a.nmaxs:2}'
 }
 
@@ -346,7 +349,7 @@ fn (mut context Context) show_diff_summary() {
 		first_marker = ' '
 		cpercent := (r.atiming.average / base) * 100 - 100
 		if r.icmd == 0 {
-			first_marker = util.bold('>')
+			first_marker = bold('>')
 			first_cmd_percentage = cpercent
 		}
 		println(' $first_marker${(i + 1):3} | ${cpercent:5.1f}% slower | ${r.cmd:-57s} | $r.atiming')
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vdoctor.v b/cmd/tools/vdoctor.v
index 965f6afbb2..7eb8901342 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vdoctor.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vdoctor.v
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import os
 import time
-import v.util
+import term
+import v.util.version
 import runtime
 
 struct App {
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ fn (mut a App) collect_info() {
 	a.line('vexe mtime', time.unix(os.file_last_mod_unix(vexe)).str())
 	a.line('is vroot writable', is_writable_dir(vroot).str())
 	a.line('is vmodules writable', is_writable_dir(vmodules).str())
-	a.line('V full version', util.full_v_version(true))
+	a.line('V full version', version.full_v_version(true))
 	vtmp := os.getenv('VTMP')
 	if vtmp != '' {
 		a.line('env VTMP', '"$vtmp"')
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ fn (mut a App) cmd(c CmdConfig) string {
 }
 
 fn (mut a App) line(label string, value string) {
-	a.println('$label: ${util.bold(value)}')
+	a.println('$label: ${term.colorize(term.bold, value)}')
 }
 
 fn (app &App) parse(config string, sep string) map[string]string {
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vrepl.v b/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
index 717798b81f..99ea224465 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import term
 import rand
 import readline
 import os.cmdline
-import v.util
+import v.util.version
 
 struct Repl {
 mut:
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ fn (r &Repl) current_source_code(should_add_temp_lines bool, not_add_print bool)
 }
 
 fn repl_help() {
-	println(util.full_v_version(false))
+	println(version.full_v_version(false))
 	println('
 	|help                   Displays this information.
 	|list                   Show the program so far.
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ fn repl_help() {
 
 fn run_repl(workdir string, vrepl_prefix string) {
 	if !is_stdin_a_pipe {
-		println(util.full_v_version(false))
-		println('Use Ctrl-C or ${util.pretty_print('exit')} to exit, or ${util.pretty_print('help')} to see other available commands')
+		println(version.full_v_version(false))
+		println('Use Ctrl-C or ${term.highlight_command('exit')} to exit, or ${term.highlight_command('help')} to see other available commands')
 	}
 
 	if vstartup != '' {
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vup.v b/cmd/tools/vup.v
index c642132907..db6684a7a7 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vup.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vup.v
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ module main
 
 import os
 import v.pref
-import v.util
+import v.util.version
 import v.util.recompilation
 
 struct App {
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ fn main() {
 	os.chdir(app.vroot)
 	println('Updating V...')
 	app.update_from_master()
-	v_hash := util.githash(false)
-	current_hash := util.githash(true)
+	v_hash := version.githash(false)
+	current_hash := version.githash(true)
 	// println(v_hash)
 	// println(current_hash)
 	if v_hash == current_hash {
diff --git a/cmd/v/v.v b/cmd/v/v.v
index a61b762bb6..dde303d3e9 100644
--- a/cmd/v/v.v
+++ b/cmd/v/v.v
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ module main
 
 import help
 import os
+import term
 import v.pref
 import v.util
+import v.util.version
 import v.builder
 
 const (
@@ -60,10 +62,10 @@ fn main() {
 		// Running `./v` without args launches repl
 		if args.len == 0 {
 			if os.is_atty(0) != 0 {
-				cmd_exit := util.pretty_print('exit')
-				cmd_help := util.pretty_print('v help')
-				file_main := util.pretty_print('main.v')
-				cmd_run := util.pretty_print('v run main.v')
+				cmd_exit := term.highlight_command('exit')
+				cmd_help := term.highlight_command('v help')
+				file_main := term.highlight_command('main.v')
+				cmd_run := term.highlight_command('v run main.v')
 				println('Welcome to the V REPL (for help with V itself, type $cmd_exit, then run $cmd_help).')
 				eprintln('  NB: the REPL is highly experimental. For best V experience, use a text editor,')
 				eprintln('  save your code in a $file_main file and execute: $cmd_run')
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ fn main() {
 			exit(1)
 		}
 		'version' {
-			println(util.full_v_version(prefs.is_verbose))
+			println(version.full_v_version(prefs.is_verbose))
 			return
 		}
 		else {}
@@ -128,7 +130,7 @@ fn main() {
 	if prefs.is_help {
 		invoke_help_and_exit(args)
 	}
-	eprintln('v $command: unknown command\nRun ${util.pretty_print('v help')} for usage.')
+	eprintln('v $command: unknown command\nRun ${term.highlight_command('v help')} for usage.')
 	exit(1)
 }
 
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ fn invoke_help_and_exit(remaining []string) {
 		2 { help.print_and_exit(remaining[1]) }
 		else {}
 	}
-	println('${util.pretty_print('v help')}: provide only one help topic.')
-	println('For usage information, use ${util.pretty_print('v help')}.')
+	println('${term.highlight_command('v help')}: provide only one help topic.')
+	println('For usage information, use ${term.highlight_command('v help')}.')
 	exit(1)
 }
diff --git a/vlib/term/colors.v b/vlib/term/colors.v
index 2fb0666c36..f7662eea31 100644
--- a/vlib/term/colors.v
+++ b/vlib/term/colors.v
@@ -191,3 +191,9 @@ pub fn yellow(msg string) string {
 pub fn bright_yellow(msg string) string {
 	return format(msg, '93', '39')
 }
+
+// highlight_command highlights the command with an on-brand background
+// to make CLI commands immediately recognizable.
+pub fn highlight_command(command string) string {
+	return bright_white(bg_cyan(' $command '))
+}
diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
index 6e614cef61..2438d707b0 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import v.vmod
 import v.token
 import v.pref
 import v.util
+import v.util.version
 import v.errors
 import v.pkgconfig
 import v.gen.native
@@ -5683,7 +5684,7 @@ fn (mut c Checker) at_expr(mut node ast.AtExpr) ast.Type {
 			node.val = (node.pos.col + 1).str()
 		}
 		.vhash {
-			node.val = util.vhash()
+			node.val = version.vhash()
 		}
 		.vmod_file {
 			// cache the vmod content, do not read it many times
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
index 90574cfd0c..e093d7cfa7 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import v.ast
 import v.pref
 import v.token
 import v.util
+import v.util.version
 import v.depgraph
 
 const (
@@ -389,8 +390,8 @@ pub fn gen(files []&ast.File, table &ast.Table, pref &pref.Preferences) string {
 }
 
 pub fn (g &Gen) hashes() string {
-	mut res := c_commit_hash_default.replace('@@@', util.vhash())
-	res += c_current_commit_hash_default.replace('@@@', util.githash(g.pref.building_v))
+	mut res := c_commit_hash_default.replace('@@@', version.vhash())
+	res += c_current_commit_hash_default.replace('@@@', version.githash(g.pref.building_v))
 	return res
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/js/js.v b/vlib/v/gen/js/js.v
index f3a95c79a3..574c0ce1bd 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/js/js.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/js/js.v
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import v.ast
 import v.token
 import v.pref
 import v.util
+import v.util.version
 import v.depgraph
 import encoding.base64
 import v.gen.js.sourcemap
@@ -329,8 +330,8 @@ pub fn (mut g JsGen) init() {
 }
 
 pub fn (g JsGen) hashes() string {
-	mut res := '// V_COMMIT_HASH $util.vhash()\n'
-	res += '// V_CURRENT_COMMIT_HASH ${util.githash(g.pref.building_v)}\n'
+	mut res := '// V_COMMIT_HASH $version.vhash()\n'
+	res += '// V_CURRENT_COMMIT_HASH ${version.githash(g.pref.building_v)}\n'
 	return res
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/valgrind/valgrind_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/valgrind/valgrind_test.v
index 0f9f5f5eca..620c47ec39 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/valgrind/valgrind_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/valgrind/valgrind_test.v
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 import os
 import term
 import benchmark
-import v.util
 import v.util.vtest
 
 const turn_off_vcolors = os.setenv('VCOLORS', 'never', true)
 
+fn bold(s string) string {
+	return term.colorize(term.bold, s)
+}
+
 //
 // NB: skip_compile_files can be used for totally skipping .v files temporarily.
 // .v files in skip_valgrind_files will be compiled, but will not be run under
@@ -72,7 +75,7 @@ fn test_all() {
 		exe_filename := '$wrkdir/x'
 		full_path_to_source_file := os.join_path(vroot, test)
 		compile_cmd := '$vexe -o $exe_filename -cg -cflags "-w" -autofree "$full_path_to_source_file"'
-		vprintln('compile cmd: ${util.bold(compile_cmd)}')
+		vprintln('compile cmd: ${bold(compile_cmd)}')
 		res := os.execute(compile_cmd)
 		if res.exit_code != 0 {
 			bench.fail()
@@ -89,11 +92,11 @@ fn test_all() {
 			}
 		}
 		valgrind_cmd := 'valgrind --error-exitcode=1 --leak-check=full $exe_filename'
-		vprintln('valgrind cmd: ${util.bold(valgrind_cmd)}')
+		vprintln('valgrind cmd: ${bold(valgrind_cmd)}')
 		valgrind_res := os.execute(valgrind_cmd)
 		if valgrind_res.exit_code != 0 {
 			bench.fail()
-			eprintln(bench.step_message_fail('failed valgrind check for ${util.bold(test)}'))
+			eprintln(bench.step_message_fail('failed valgrind check for ${bold(test)}'))
 			eprintln(valgrind_res.output)
 			eprintln('You can reproduce the failure with:\n$compile_cmd && $valgrind_cmd')
 			continue
diff --git a/vlib/v/util/util.v b/vlib/v/util/util.v
index 2f54051f6a..e2f6d80cd7 100644
--- a/vlib/v/util/util.v
+++ b/vlib/v/util/util.v
@@ -5,15 +5,10 @@ module util
 
 import os
 import time
-import term
 import v.pref
 import v.vmod
 import v.util.recompilation
 
-pub const (
-	v_version = '0.2.2'
-)
-
 // math.bits is needed by strconv.ftoa
 pub const (
 	builtin_module_parts = ['math.bits', 'strconv', 'strconv.ftoa', 'strings', 'builtin']
@@ -45,86 +40,6 @@ pub fn tabs(n int) string {
 	return if n < util.const_tabs.len { util.const_tabs[n] } else { '\t'.repeat(n) }
 }
 
-// vhash() returns the build string C.V_COMMIT_HASH . See cmd/tools/gen_vc.v .
-pub fn vhash() string {
-	mut buf := [50]byte{}
-	buf[0] = 0
-	unsafe {
-		bp := &buf[0]
-		C.snprintf(&char(bp), 50, c'%s', C.V_COMMIT_HASH)
-		return tos_clone(bp)
-	}
-}
-
-pub fn full_hash() string {
-	build_hash := vhash()
-	current_hash := githash(false)
-	if build_hash == current_hash {
-		return build_hash
-	}
-	return '${build_hash}.$current_hash'
-}
-
-// full_v_version() returns the full version of the V compiler
-pub fn full_v_version(is_verbose bool) string {
-	if is_verbose {
-		return 'V $util.v_version $full_hash()'
-	}
-	hash := githash(false)
-	return 'V $util.v_version $hash'
-}
-
-// githash(x) returns the current git commit hash.
-// When x is false, it is very fast - it just returns a predefined C constant.
-// When x is true, it tries to get the current commit hash, by parsing the
-// relevant files in the .git/ folder, or if that is not possible
-// for example when using a V from a V binary release, that does not have .git/
-// defaults to getting the predefined C constant again.
-// NB: githash(true) must be called only when v detects that it builds itself.
-// For all other programs, githash(false) should be used.
-pub fn githash(should_get_from_filesystem bool) string {
-	for {
-		// The `for` construct here is used as a goto substitute.
-		// The code in this function will break out of the `for`
-		// if it detects an error and can not continue.
-		if should_get_from_filesystem {
-			vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
-			vroot := os.dir(vexe)
-			// .git/HEAD
-			git_head_file := os.join_path(vroot, '.git', 'HEAD')
-			if !os.exists(git_head_file) {
-				break
-			}
-			// 'ref: refs/heads/master' ... the current branch name
-			head_content := os.read_file(git_head_file) or { break }
-			mut current_branch_hash := head_content
-			if head_content.starts_with('ref: ') {
-				gcbranch_rel_path := head_content.replace('ref: ', '').trim_space()
-				gcbranch_file := os.join_path(vroot, '.git', gcbranch_rel_path)
-				// .git/refs/heads/master
-				if !os.exists(gcbranch_file) {
-					break
-				}
-				// get the full commit hash contained in the ref heads file
-				branch_hash := os.read_file(gcbranch_file) or { break }
-				current_branch_hash = branch_hash
-			}
-			desired_hash_length := 7
-			if current_branch_hash.len > desired_hash_length {
-				return current_branch_hash[0..desired_hash_length]
-			}
-		}
-		break
-	}
-	mut buf := [50]byte{}
-	buf[0] = 0
-	unsafe {
-		bp := &buf[0]
-		C.snprintf(&char(bp), 50, c'%s', C.V_CURRENT_COMMIT_HASH)
-		return tos_clone(bp)
-	}
-}
-
 //
 pub fn set_vroot_folder(vroot_path string) {
 	// Preparation for the compiler module:
@@ -235,7 +150,7 @@ pub fn launch_tool(is_verbose bool, tool_name string, args []string) {
 		for emodule in emodules {
 			check_module_is_installed(emodule, is_verbose) or { panic(err) }
 		}
-		mut compilation_command := '"$vexe" '
+		mut compilation_command := '"$vexe" -skip-unused '
 		if tool_name in ['vself', 'vup', 'vdoctor', 'vsymlink'] {
 			// These tools will be called by users in cases where there
 			// is high chance of there being a problem somewhere. Thus
@@ -570,9 +485,3 @@ pub fn find_all_v_files(roots []string) ?[]string {
 	}
 	return files
 }
-
-// Highlight a command with an on-brand background to make CLI
-// commands immediately recognizable.
-pub fn pretty_print(command string) string {
-	return term.bright_white(term.bg_cyan(' $command '))
-}
diff --git a/vlib/v/util/version/version.v b/vlib/v/util/version/version.v
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e266942881
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vlib/v/util/version/version.v
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+module version
+
+import os
+
+pub const v_version = '0.2.2'
+
+// vhash() returns the build string C.V_COMMIT_HASH . See cmd/tools/gen_vc.v .
+pub fn vhash() string {
+	mut buf := [50]byte{}
+	buf[0] = 0
+	unsafe {
+		bp := &buf[0]
+		C.snprintf(&char(bp), 50, c'%s', C.V_COMMIT_HASH)
+		return tos_clone(bp)
+	}
+}
+
+pub fn full_hash() string {
+	build_hash := vhash()
+	current_hash := githash(false)
+	if build_hash == current_hash {
+		return build_hash
+	}
+	return '${build_hash}.$current_hash'
+}
+
+// full_v_version() returns the full version of the V compiler
+pub fn full_v_version(is_verbose bool) string {
+	if is_verbose {
+		return 'V $version.v_version $full_hash()'
+	}
+	hash := githash(false)
+	return 'V $version.v_version $hash'
+}
+
+// githash(x) returns the current git commit hash.
+// When x is false, it is very fast - it just returns a predefined C constant.
+// When x is true, it tries to get the current commit hash, by parsing the
+// relevant files in the .git/ folder, or if that is not possible
+// for example when using a V from a V binary release, that does not have .git/
+// defaults to getting the predefined C constant again.
+// NB: githash(true) must be called only when v detects that it builds itself.
+// For all other programs, githash(false) should be used.
+pub fn githash(should_get_from_filesystem bool) string {
+	for {
+		// The `for` construct here is used as a goto substitute.
+		// The code in this function will break out of the `for`
+		// if it detects an error and can not continue.
+		if should_get_from_filesystem {
+			vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
+			vroot := os.dir(vexe)
+			// .git/HEAD
+			git_head_file := os.join_path(vroot, '.git', 'HEAD')
+			if !os.exists(git_head_file) {
+				break
+			}
+			// 'ref: refs/heads/master' ... the current branch name
+			head_content := os.read_file(git_head_file) or { break }
+			mut current_branch_hash := head_content
+			if head_content.starts_with('ref: ') {
+				gcbranch_rel_path := head_content.replace('ref: ', '').trim_space()
+				gcbranch_file := os.join_path(vroot, '.git', gcbranch_rel_path)
+				// .git/refs/heads/master
+				if !os.exists(gcbranch_file) {
+					break
+				}
+				// get the full commit hash contained in the ref heads file
+				branch_hash := os.read_file(gcbranch_file) or { break }
+				current_branch_hash = branch_hash
+			}
+			desired_hash_length := 7
+			if current_branch_hash.len > desired_hash_length {
+				return current_branch_hash[0..desired_hash_length]
+			}
+		}
+		break
+	}
+	mut buf := [50]byte{}
+	buf[0] = 0
+	unsafe {
+		bp := &buf[0]
+		C.snprintf(&char(bp), 50, c'%s', C.V_CURRENT_COMMIT_HASH)
+		return tos_clone(bp)
+	}
+}