diff --git a/api/services/events/v1/container.pb.go b/api/services/events/v1/container.pb.go
index 8d8d2d70d..164c9e8a7 100644
--- a/api/services/events/v1/container.pb.go
+++ b/api/services/events/v1/container.pb.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 		ContainerDelete
 		ContentDelete
 		StreamEventsRequest
+		PostEventRequest
 		Envelope
 		ImageUpdate
 		ImageDelete
diff --git a/api/services/events/v1/events.pb.go b/api/services/events/v1/events.pb.go
index 2e7c8508b..61632cd52 100644
--- a/api/services/events/v1/events.pb.go
+++ b/api/services/events/v1/events.pb.go
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ import proto "github.com/gogo/protobuf/proto"
 import fmt "fmt"
 import math "math"
 import _ "github.com/gogo/protobuf/gogoproto"
-import _ "github.com/gogo/protobuf/types"
 import google_protobuf1 "github.com/gogo/protobuf/types"
+import google_protobuf2 "github.com/golang/protobuf/ptypes/empty"
+import _ "github.com/gogo/protobuf/types"
 
 import time "time"
 
@@ -38,6 +39,14 @@ func (m *StreamEventsRequest) Reset()                    { *m = StreamEventsRequ
 func (*StreamEventsRequest) ProtoMessage()               {}
 func (*StreamEventsRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) { return fileDescriptorEvents, []int{0} }
 
+type PostEventRequest struct {
+	Envelope *Envelope `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=envelope" json:"envelope,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (m *PostEventRequest) Reset()                    { *m = PostEventRequest{} }
+func (*PostEventRequest) ProtoMessage()               {}
+func (*PostEventRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) { return fileDescriptorEvents, []int{1} }
+
 type Envelope struct {
 	Timestamp time.Time             `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=timestamp,stdtime" json:"timestamp"`
 	Topic     string                `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=topic,proto3" json:"topic,omitempty"`
@@ -46,10 +55,11 @@ type Envelope struct {
 
 func (m *Envelope) Reset()                    { *m = Envelope{} }
 func (*Envelope) ProtoMessage()               {}
-func (*Envelope) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) { return fileDescriptorEvents, []int{1} }
+func (*Envelope) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) { return fileDescriptorEvents, []int{2} }
 
 func init() {
 	proto.RegisterType((*StreamEventsRequest)(nil), "containerd.services.events.v1.StreamEventsRequest")
+	proto.RegisterType((*PostEventRequest)(nil), "containerd.services.events.v1.PostEventRequest")
 	proto.RegisterType((*Envelope)(nil), "containerd.services.events.v1.Envelope")
 }
 
@@ -65,6 +75,7 @@ const _ = grpc.SupportPackageIsVersion4
 
 type EventsClient interface {
 	Stream(ctx context.Context, in *StreamEventsRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (Events_StreamClient, error)
+	Post(ctx context.Context, in *PostEventRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*google_protobuf2.Empty, error)
 }
 
 type eventsClient struct {
@@ -107,10 +118,20 @@ func (x *eventsStreamClient) Recv() (*Envelope, error) {
 	return m, nil
 }
 
+func (c *eventsClient) Post(ctx context.Context, in *PostEventRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*google_protobuf2.Empty, error) {
+	out := new(google_protobuf2.Empty)
+	err := grpc.Invoke(ctx, "/containerd.services.events.v1.Events/Post", in, out, c.cc, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // Server API for Events service
 
 type EventsServer interface {
 	Stream(*StreamEventsRequest, Events_StreamServer) error
+	Post(context.Context, *PostEventRequest) (*google_protobuf2.Empty, error)
 }
 
 func RegisterEventsServer(s *grpc.Server, srv EventsServer) {
@@ -138,10 +159,33 @@ func (x *eventsStreamServer) Send(m *Envelope) error {
 	return x.ServerStream.SendMsg(m)
 }
 
+func _Events_Post_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(PostEventRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(EventsServer).Post(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: "/containerd.services.events.v1.Events/Post",
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(EventsServer).Post(ctx, req.(*PostEventRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 var _Events_serviceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 	ServiceName: "containerd.services.events.v1.Events",
 	HandlerType: (*EventsServer)(nil),
-	Methods:     []grpc.MethodDesc{},
+	Methods: []grpc.MethodDesc{
+		{
+			MethodName: "Post",
+			Handler:    _Events_Post_Handler,
+		},
+	},
 	Streams: []grpc.StreamDesc{
 		{
 			StreamName:    "Stream",
@@ -170,6 +214,34 @@ func (m *StreamEventsRequest) MarshalTo(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 	return i, nil
 }
 
+func (m *PostEventRequest) Marshal() (dAtA []byte, err error) {
+	size := m.Size()
+	dAtA = make([]byte, size)
+	n, err := m.MarshalTo(dAtA)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return dAtA[:n], nil
+}
+
+func (m *PostEventRequest) MarshalTo(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
+	var i int
+	_ = i
+	var l int
+	_ = l
+	if m.Envelope != nil {
+		dAtA[i] = 0xa
+		i++
+		i = encodeVarintEvents(dAtA, i, uint64(m.Envelope.Size()))
+		n1, err := m.Envelope.MarshalTo(dAtA[i:])
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		i += n1
+	}
+	return i, nil
+}
+
 func (m *Envelope) Marshal() (dAtA []byte, err error) {
 	size := m.Size()
 	dAtA = make([]byte, size)
@@ -188,11 +260,11 @@ func (m *Envelope) MarshalTo(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 	dAtA[i] = 0xa
 	i++
 	i = encodeVarintEvents(dAtA, i, uint64(github_com_gogo_protobuf_types.SizeOfStdTime(m.Timestamp)))
-	n1, err := github_com_gogo_protobuf_types.StdTimeMarshalTo(m.Timestamp, dAtA[i:])
+	n2, err := github_com_gogo_protobuf_types.StdTimeMarshalTo(m.Timestamp, dAtA[i:])
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
-	i += n1
+	i += n2
 	if len(m.Topic) > 0 {
 		dAtA[i] = 0x12
 		i++
@@ -203,11 +275,11 @@ func (m *Envelope) MarshalTo(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 		dAtA[i] = 0x1a
 		i++
 		i = encodeVarintEvents(dAtA, i, uint64(m.Event.Size()))
-		n2, err := m.Event.MarshalTo(dAtA[i:])
+		n3, err := m.Event.MarshalTo(dAtA[i:])
 		if err != nil {
 			return 0, err
 		}
-		i += n2
+		i += n3
 	}
 	return i, nil
 }
@@ -245,6 +317,16 @@ func (m *StreamEventsRequest) Size() (n int) {
 	return n
 }
 
+func (m *PostEventRequest) Size() (n int) {
+	var l int
+	_ = l
+	if m.Envelope != nil {
+		l = m.Envelope.Size()
+		n += 1 + l + sovEvents(uint64(l))
+	}
+	return n
+}
+
 func (m *Envelope) Size() (n int) {
 	var l int
 	_ = l
@@ -283,12 +365,22 @@ func (this *StreamEventsRequest) String() string {
 	}, "")
 	return s
 }
+func (this *PostEventRequest) String() string {
+	if this == nil {
+		return "nil"
+	}
+	s := strings.Join([]string{`&PostEventRequest{`,
+		`Envelope:` + strings.Replace(fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Envelope), "Envelope", "Envelope", 1) + `,`,
+		`}`,
+	}, "")
+	return s
+}
 func (this *Envelope) String() string {
 	if this == nil {
 		return "nil"
 	}
 	s := strings.Join([]string{`&Envelope{`,
-		`Timestamp:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.Timestamp.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf2.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
+		`Timestamp:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.Timestamp.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf3.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
 		`Topic:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Topic) + `,`,
 		`Event:` + strings.Replace(fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Event), "Any", "google_protobuf1.Any", 1) + `,`,
 		`}`,
@@ -353,6 +445,89 @@ func (m *StreamEventsRequest) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+func (m *PostEventRequest) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
+	l := len(dAtA)
+	iNdEx := 0
+	for iNdEx < l {
+		preIndex := iNdEx
+		var wire uint64
+		for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
+			if shift >= 64 {
+				return ErrIntOverflowEvents
+			}
+			if iNdEx >= l {
+				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+			}
+			b := dAtA[iNdEx]
+			iNdEx++
+			wire |= (uint64(b) & 0x7F) << shift
+			if b < 0x80 {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		fieldNum := int32(wire >> 3)
+		wireType := int(wire & 0x7)
+		if wireType == 4 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("proto: PostEventRequest: wiretype end group for non-group")
+		}
+		if fieldNum <= 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("proto: PostEventRequest: illegal tag %d (wire type %d)", fieldNum, wire)
+		}
+		switch fieldNum {
+		case 1:
+			if wireType != 2 {
+				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Envelope", wireType)
+			}
+			var msglen int
+			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
+				if shift >= 64 {
+					return ErrIntOverflowEvents
+				}
+				if iNdEx >= l {
+					return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+				}
+				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
+				iNdEx++
+				msglen |= (int(b) & 0x7F) << shift
+				if b < 0x80 {
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if msglen < 0 {
+				return ErrInvalidLengthEvents
+			}
+			postIndex := iNdEx + msglen
+			if postIndex > l {
+				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+			}
+			if m.Envelope == nil {
+				m.Envelope = &Envelope{}
+			}
+			if err := m.Envelope.Unmarshal(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			iNdEx = postIndex
+		default:
+			iNdEx = preIndex
+			skippy, err := skipEvents(dAtA[iNdEx:])
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if skippy < 0 {
+				return ErrInvalidLengthEvents
+			}
+			if (iNdEx + skippy) > l {
+				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+			}
+			iNdEx += skippy
+		}
+	}
+
+	if iNdEx > l {
+		return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+	}
+	return nil
+}
 func (m *Envelope) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 	l := len(dAtA)
 	iNdEx := 0
@@ -605,25 +780,28 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 var fileDescriptorEvents = []byte{
-	// 313 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x9c, 0x91, 0xc1, 0x4a, 0xc3, 0x30,
-	0x1c, 0xc6, 0x17, 0x65, 0x63, 0x8b, 0xb7, 0x38, 0x61, 0x16, 0xcc, 0xc6, 0x2e, 0x0e, 0x0f, 0x89,
-	0x9b, 0x47, 0x41, 0x70, 0xb8, 0x17, 0xa8, 0x1e, 0xc4, 0x5b, 0x57, 0xff, 0xc6, 0xc0, 0x9a, 0x74,
-	0x6d, 0x56, 0xd8, 0xcd, 0x47, 0xd8, 0x63, 0xf5, 0xe8, 0xd1, 0x93, 0xba, 0x3e, 0x89, 0x98, 0xb4,
-	0x4e, 0x54, 0x14, 0xbc, 0x7d, 0x7f, 0xf2, 0xfb, 0xbe, 0xfc, 0xbf, 0x04, 0x5f, 0x08, 0x69, 0xee,
-	0x17, 0x53, 0x16, 0xea, 0x88, 0x87, 0x5a, 0x99, 0x40, 0x2a, 0x48, 0x6e, 0x3f, 0xcb, 0x20, 0x96,
-	0x3c, 0x85, 0x24, 0x93, 0x21, 0xa4, 0x1c, 0x32, 0x50, 0x26, 0xe5, 0xd9, 0xb0, 0x54, 0x2c, 0x4e,
-	0xb4, 0xd1, 0xe4, 0x60, 0xc3, 0xb3, 0x8a, 0x65, 0x25, 0x91, 0x0d, 0xbd, 0xb6, 0xd0, 0x42, 0x5b,
-	0x92, 0xbf, 0x2b, 0x67, 0xf2, 0xba, 0x42, 0x6b, 0x31, 0x03, 0x6e, 0xa7, 0xe9, 0xe2, 0x8e, 0x1b,
-	0x19, 0x41, 0x6a, 0x82, 0x28, 0x2e, 0x81, 0xfd, 0xaf, 0x40, 0xa0, 0x96, 0xee, 0xa8, 0xbf, 0x87,
-	0x77, 0x2f, 0x4d, 0x02, 0x41, 0x34, 0xb1, 0x97, 0xf8, 0x30, 0x5f, 0x40, 0x6a, 0xfa, 0x2b, 0x84,
-	0x9b, 0x13, 0x95, 0xc1, 0x4c, 0xc7, 0x40, 0xc6, 0xb8, 0xf5, 0x91, 0xd8, 0x41, 0x3d, 0x34, 0xd8,
-	0x19, 0x79, 0xcc, 0x45, 0xb2, 0x2a, 0x92, 0x5d, 0x55, 0xc4, 0xb8, 0x99, 0x3f, 0x77, 0x6b, 0xab,
-	0x97, 0x2e, 0xf2, 0x37, 0x36, 0xd2, 0xc6, 0x75, 0xa3, 0x63, 0x19, 0x76, 0xb6, 0x7a, 0x68, 0xd0,
-	0xf2, 0xdd, 0x40, 0x8e, 0x70, 0xdd, 0x96, 0xeb, 0x6c, 0xdb, 0xd4, 0xf6, 0xb7, 0xd4, 0x73, 0xb5,
-	0xf4, 0x1d, 0x32, 0x9a, 0xe3, 0x86, 0xdb, 0x91, 0x08, 0xdc, 0x70, 0x3b, 0x93, 0x11, 0xfb, 0xf5,
-	0xbd, 0xd8, 0x0f, 0xd5, 0xbc, 0xc3, 0x3f, 0x3c, 0x55, 0xed, 0x63, 0x34, 0xbe, 0xce, 0xd7, 0xb4,
-	0xf6, 0xb4, 0xa6, 0xb5, 0x87, 0x82, 0xa2, 0xbc, 0xa0, 0xe8, 0xb1, 0xa0, 0xe8, 0xb5, 0xa0, 0xe8,
-	0xe6, 0xec, 0x9f, 0xbf, 0x7d, 0xea, 0xd4, 0xb4, 0x61, 0x1b, 0x9e, 0xbc, 0x05, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff,
-	0xff, 0xc3, 0x54, 0xa2, 0xf3, 0x36, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
+	// 367 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x9c, 0x92, 0xc1, 0x4e, 0xc2, 0x40,
+	0x10, 0x86, 0x59, 0x15, 0x02, 0xeb, 0xc5, 0xac, 0x68, 0xb0, 0xc6, 0x42, 0xb8, 0x48, 0x3c, 0xec,
+	0x0a, 0x1e, 0x4d, 0x4c, 0x44, 0x39, 0x6b, 0xaa, 0x89, 0xc6, 0x5b, 0xa9, 0x63, 0x6d, 0x42, 0xbb,
+	0xb5, 0x5d, 0x9a, 0x70, 0xf3, 0x11, 0x78, 0x26, 0x4f, 0x1c, 0x3d, 0x7a, 0x52, 0xe9, 0x93, 0x18,
+	0x76, 0xb7, 0x60, 0xc0, 0x88, 0xf1, 0x36, 0x3b, 0xf3, 0xcd, 0xf4, 0x9f, 0x7f, 0x8a, 0xcf, 0x5d,
+	0x4f, 0x3c, 0xf6, 0xbb, 0xd4, 0xe1, 0x3e, 0x73, 0x78, 0x20, 0x6c, 0x2f, 0x80, 0xe8, 0xfe, 0x7b,
+	0x68, 0x87, 0x1e, 0x8b, 0x21, 0x4a, 0x3c, 0x07, 0x62, 0x06, 0x09, 0x04, 0x22, 0x66, 0x49, 0x53,
+	0x47, 0x34, 0x8c, 0xb8, 0xe0, 0x64, 0x6f, 0xc6, 0xd3, 0x8c, 0xa5, 0x9a, 0x48, 0x9a, 0x46, 0xd9,
+	0xe5, 0x2e, 0x97, 0x24, 0x9b, 0x44, 0xaa, 0xc9, 0xd8, 0x71, 0x39, 0x77, 0x7b, 0xc0, 0xe4, 0xab,
+	0xdb, 0x7f, 0x60, 0x76, 0x30, 0xd0, 0xa5, 0xdd, 0xf9, 0x12, 0xf8, 0xa1, 0xc8, 0x8a, 0xd5, 0xf9,
+	0xa2, 0xf0, 0x7c, 0x88, 0x85, 0xed, 0x87, 0x0a, 0xa8, 0x6f, 0xe1, 0xcd, 0x2b, 0x11, 0x81, 0xed,
+	0x77, 0xa4, 0x02, 0x0b, 0x9e, 0xfa, 0x10, 0x8b, 0xfa, 0x0d, 0xde, 0xb8, 0xe4, 0xb1, 0x90, 0x49,
+	0x9d, 0x23, 0x67, 0xb8, 0x08, 0x41, 0x02, 0x3d, 0x1e, 0x42, 0x05, 0xd5, 0x50, 0x63, 0xbd, 0xb5,
+	0x4f, 0x7f, 0xdd, 0x85, 0x76, 0x34, 0x6e, 0x4d, 0x1b, 0xeb, 0x43, 0x84, 0x8b, 0x59, 0x9a, 0xb4,
+	0x71, 0x69, 0xaa, 0x47, 0x8f, 0x34, 0xa8, 0x52, 0x4c, 0x33, 0xc5, 0xf4, 0x3a, 0x23, 0xda, 0xc5,
+	0xd1, 0x7b, 0x35, 0x37, 0xfc, 0xa8, 0x22, 0x6b, 0xd6, 0x46, 0xca, 0x38, 0x2f, 0x78, 0xe8, 0x39,
+	0x95, 0x95, 0x1a, 0x6a, 0x94, 0x2c, 0xf5, 0x20, 0x07, 0x38, 0x2f, 0x65, 0x54, 0x56, 0xe5, 0xd4,
+	0xf2, 0xc2, 0xd4, 0xd3, 0x60, 0x60, 0x29, 0xa4, 0xf5, 0x82, 0x70, 0x41, 0x6d, 0x4f, 0x5c, 0x5c,
+	0x50, 0x6e, 0x90, 0xd6, 0x92, 0xd5, 0x7e, 0x30, 0xcd, 0xf8, 0xab, 0x1d, 0x87, 0x88, 0x5c, 0xe0,
+	0xb5, 0x89, 0xbf, 0x84, 0x2d, 0x69, 0x99, 0x3f, 0x82, 0xb1, 0xbd, 0xb0, 0x49, 0x67, 0x72, 0xee,
+	0xf6, 0xed, 0x68, 0x6c, 0xe6, 0xde, 0xc6, 0x66, 0xee, 0x39, 0x35, 0xd1, 0x28, 0x35, 0xd1, 0x6b,
+	0x6a, 0xa2, 0xcf, 0xd4, 0x44, 0x77, 0x27, 0xff, 0xfc, 0x6b, 0x8f, 0x55, 0xd4, 0x2d, 0xc8, 0x2f,
+	0x1d, 0x7d, 0x05, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0xdd, 0x37, 0xcb, 0x0e, 0xfe, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
diff --git a/api/services/events/v1/events.proto b/api/services/events/v1/events.proto
index 9340e8bad..5f7d9a4e1 100644
--- a/api/services/events/v1/events.proto
+++ b/api/services/events/v1/events.proto
@@ -3,17 +3,23 @@ syntax = "proto3";
 package containerd.services.events.v1;
 
 import "gogoproto/gogo.proto";
-import "google/protobuf/timestamp.proto";
 import "google/protobuf/any.proto";
+import "google/protobuf/empty.proto";
+import "google/protobuf/timestamp.proto";
 
 option go_package = "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1;events";
 
 service Events {
 	rpc Stream(StreamEventsRequest) returns (stream Envelope);
+	rpc Post(PostEventRequest) returns (google.protobuf.Empty);
 }
 
 message StreamEventsRequest {}
 
+message PostEventRequest {
+	Envelope envelope = 1;
+}
+
 message Envelope {
 	google.protobuf.Timestamp timestamp = 1 [(gogoproto.stdtime) = true, (gogoproto.nullable) = false];
 	string topic = 2;
diff --git a/api/services/events/v1/runtime.pb.go b/api/services/events/v1/runtime.pb.go
index d986e8efa..82be25879 100644
--- a/api/services/events/v1/runtime.pb.go
+++ b/api/services/events/v1/runtime.pb.go
@@ -583,8 +583,8 @@ func (this *RuntimeEvent) String() string {
 		`Type:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Type) + `,`,
 		`Pid:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Pid) + `,`,
 		`ExitStatus:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.ExitStatus) + `,`,
-		`ExitedAt:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.ExitedAt.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf2.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
-		`Timestamp:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.Timestamp.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf2.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
+		`ExitedAt:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.ExitedAt.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf3.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
+		`Timestamp:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.Timestamp.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf3.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
 		`}`,
 	}, "")
 	return s
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ func (this *RuntimeDelete) String() string {
 		`ContainerID:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.ContainerID) + `,`,
 		`Runtime:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.Runtime) + `,`,
 		`ExitStatus:` + fmt.Sprintf("%v", this.ExitStatus) + `,`,
-		`ExitedAt:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.ExitedAt.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf2.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
+		`ExitedAt:` + strings.Replace(strings.Replace(this.ExitedAt.String(), "Timestamp", "google_protobuf3.Timestamp", 1), `&`, ``, 1) + `,`,
 		`}`,
 	}, "")
 	return s
diff --git a/cmd/containerd-shim/main_unix.go b/cmd/containerd-shim/main_unix.go
index 8c83a9e63..16889183b 100644
--- a/cmd/containerd-shim/main_unix.go
+++ b/cmd/containerd-shim/main_unix.go
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ func main() {
 			Name:  "socket,s",
 			Usage: "abstract socket path to serve on",
 		},
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "address,a",
+			Usage: "grpc address back to containerd",
+		},
 	}
 	app.Before = func(context *cli.Context) error {
 		if context.GlobalBool("debug") {
@@ -74,6 +78,7 @@ func main() {
 		sv, err := shim.NewService(
 			path,
 			context.GlobalString("namespace"),
+			context.GlobalString("address"),
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
diff --git a/events/sink.go b/events/sink.go
index d94319bc6..f72f86dba 100644
--- a/events/sink.go
+++ b/events/sink.go
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ func (s *eventSink) Write(evt goevents.Event) error {
 	if !ok {
 		return errors.New("event is not a sink event")
 	}
-	topic := getTopic(e.ctx)
 
 	ns, _ := namespaces.Namespace(e.ctx)
 	if ns != "" && ns != s.ns {
@@ -36,6 +35,12 @@ func (s *eventSink) Write(evt goevents.Event) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	if ev, ok := e.event.(*events.Envelope); ok {
+		s.ch <- ev
+		return nil
+	}
+	topic := getTopic(e.ctx)
+
 	eventData, err := typeurl.MarshalAny(e.event)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/linux/bundle.go b/linux/bundle.go
index 06a7eb3cc..bdac0b1ce 100644
--- a/linux/bundle.go
+++ b/linux/bundle.go
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ type bundle struct {
 }
 
 // NewShim connects to the shim managing the bundle and tasks
-func (b *bundle) NewShim(ctx context.Context, binary string, remote bool) (*client.Client, error) {
-	opt := client.WithStart(binary)
+func (b *bundle) NewShim(ctx context.Context, binary, grpcAddress string, remote bool) (*client.Client, error) {
+	opt := client.WithStart(binary, grpcAddress)
 	if !remote {
 		opt = client.WithLocal
 	}
diff --git a/linux/runtime.go b/linux/runtime.go
index 32aa6e398..37a06801e 100644
--- a/linux/runtime.go
+++ b/linux/runtime.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 
@@ -84,22 +83,17 @@ func New(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	cfg := ic.Config.(*Config)
-	c, cancel := context.WithCancel(ic.Context)
 	r := &Runtime{
-		root:          ic.Root,
-		remote:        !cfg.NoShim,
-		shim:          cfg.Shim,
-		runtime:       cfg.Runtime,
-		events:        make(chan *eventsapi.RuntimeEvent, 2048),
-		eventsContext: c,
-		eventsCancel:  cancel,
-		monitor:       monitor.(runtime.TaskMonitor),
-		tasks:         newTaskList(),
-		emitter:       events.GetPoster(ic.Context),
-		db:            m.(*bolt.DB),
+		root:    ic.Root,
+		remote:  !cfg.NoShim,
+		shim:    cfg.Shim,
+		runtime: cfg.Runtime,
+		monitor: monitor.(runtime.TaskMonitor),
+		tasks:   newTaskList(),
+		emitter: events.GetPoster(ic.Context),
+		db:      m.(*bolt.DB),
+		address: ic.Address,
 	}
-	// set the events output for a monitor if it generates events
-	r.monitor.Events(r.events)
 	tasks, err := r.restoreTasks(ic.Context)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -108,9 +102,6 @@ func New(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		if err := r.tasks.addWithNamespace(t.namespace, t); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		if err := r.handleEvents(ic.Context, t.shim); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
 	}
 	return r, nil
 }
@@ -120,14 +111,12 @@ type Runtime struct {
 	shim    string
 	runtime string
 	remote  bool
+	address string
 
-	events        chan *eventsapi.RuntimeEvent
-	eventsContext context.Context
-	eventsCancel  func()
-	monitor       runtime.TaskMonitor
-	tasks         *taskList
-	emitter       events.Poster
-	db            *bolt.DB
+	monitor runtime.TaskMonitor
+	tasks   *taskList
+	emitter events.Poster
+	db      *bolt.DB
 }
 
 func (r *Runtime) ID() string {
@@ -148,7 +137,7 @@ func (r *Runtime) Create(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts
 			bundle.Delete()
 		}
 	}()
-	s, err := bundle.NewShim(ctx, r.shim, r.remote)
+	s, err := bundle.NewShim(ctx, r.shim, r.address, r.remote)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -159,9 +148,6 @@ func (r *Runtime) Create(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts
 			}
 		}
 	}()
-	if err = r.handleEvents(ctx, s); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
 	sopts := &shim.CreateTaskRequest{
 		ID:         id,
 		Bundle:     bundle.path,
@@ -332,48 +318,6 @@ func (r *Runtime) loadTasks(ctx context.Context, ns string) ([]*Task, error) {
 	return o, nil
 }
 
-func (r *Runtime) handleEvents(ctx context.Context, s *client.Client) error {
-	events, err := s.Stream(r.eventsContext, &shim.StreamEventsRequest{})
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	go r.forward(ctx, events)
-	return nil
-}
-
-// forward forwards events from a shim to the events service and monitors
-func (r *Runtime) forward(ctx context.Context, events shim.Shim_StreamClient) {
-	for {
-		e, err := events.Recv()
-		if err != nil {
-			if !strings.HasSuffix(err.Error(), "transport is closing") {
-				log.G(r.eventsContext).WithError(err).Error("get event from shim")
-			}
-			return
-		}
-		r.events <- e
-		if err := r.emit(ctx, "/runtime/"+getTopic(e), e); err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func getTopic(e *eventsapi.RuntimeEvent) string {
-	switch e.Type {
-	case eventsapi.RuntimeEvent_CREATE:
-		return "task-create"
-	case eventsapi.RuntimeEvent_START:
-		return "task-start"
-	case eventsapi.RuntimeEvent_EXEC_ADDED:
-		return "task-execadded"
-	case eventsapi.RuntimeEvent_OOM:
-		return "task-oom"
-	case eventsapi.RuntimeEvent_EXIT:
-		return "task-exit"
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
 func (r *Runtime) terminate(ctx context.Context, bundle *bundle, ns, id string) error {
 	ctx = namespaces.WithNamespace(ctx, ns)
 	rt, err := r.getRuntime(ctx, ns, id)
diff --git a/linux/shim/client.go b/linux/shim/client.go
index 2b762c068..134bbfda2 100644
--- a/linux/shim/client.go
+++ b/linux/shim/client.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// +build linux
+// +build !windows
 
 package shim
 
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"strings"
-	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ import (
 type ClientOpt func(context.Context, Config) (shim.ShimClient, io.Closer, error)
 
 // WithStart executes a new shim process
-func WithStart(binary string) ClientOpt {
+func WithStart(binary, address string) ClientOpt {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, config Config) (shim.ShimClient, io.Closer, error) {
 		socket, err := newSocket(config)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ func WithStart(binary string) ClientOpt {
 		}
 		defer f.Close()
 
-		cmd := newCommand(binary, config, f)
+		cmd := newCommand(binary, address, config, f)
 		if err := reaper.Default.Start(cmd); err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to start shim")
 		}
@@ -56,9 +55,10 @@ func WithStart(binary string) ClientOpt {
 	}
 }
 
-func newCommand(binary string, config Config, socket *os.File) *exec.Cmd {
+func newCommand(binary, address string, config Config, socket *os.File) *exec.Cmd {
 	args := []string{
 		"--namespace", config.Namespace,
+		"--address", address,
 	}
 	if config.Debug {
 		args = append(args, "--debug")
@@ -68,11 +68,12 @@ func newCommand(binary string, config Config, socket *os.File) *exec.Cmd {
 	// make sure the shim can be re-parented to system init
 	// and is cloned in a new mount namespace because the overlay/filesystems
 	// will be mounted by the shim
-	cmd.SysProcAttr = &syscall.SysProcAttr{
-		Cloneflags: syscall.CLONE_NEWNS,
-		Setpgid:    true,
-	}
+	cmd.SysProcAttr = &atter
 	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, socket)
+	if config.Debug {
+		cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+		cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	}
 	return cmd
 }
 
@@ -88,12 +89,12 @@ func newSocket(config Config) (*net.UnixListener, error) {
 	return l.(*net.UnixListener), nil
 }
 
-func connect(address string) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
+func connect(address string, d func(string, time.Duration) (net.Conn, error)) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
 	gopts := []grpc.DialOption{
 		grpc.WithBlock(),
 		grpc.WithInsecure(),
 		grpc.WithTimeout(100 * time.Second),
-		grpc.WithDialer(dialer),
+		grpc.WithDialer(d),
 		grpc.FailOnNonTempDialError(true),
 	}
 	conn, err := grpc.Dial(dialAddress(address), gopts...)
@@ -104,6 +105,11 @@ func connect(address string) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
 }
 
 func dialer(address string, timeout time.Duration) (net.Conn, error) {
+	address = strings.TrimPrefix(address, "unix://")
+	return net.DialTimeout("unix", address, timeout)
+}
+
+func annonDialer(address string, timeout time.Duration) (net.Conn, error) {
 	address = strings.TrimPrefix(address, "unix://")
 	return net.DialTimeout("unix", "\x00"+address, timeout)
 }
@@ -114,7 +120,7 @@ func dialAddress(address string) string {
 
 // WithConnect connects to an existing shim
 func WithConnect(ctx context.Context, config Config) (shim.ShimClient, io.Closer, error) {
-	conn, err := connect(config.Address)
+	conn, err := connect(config.Address, annonDialer)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -123,7 +129,7 @@ func WithConnect(ctx context.Context, config Config) (shim.ShimClient, io.Closer
 
 // WithLocal uses an in process shim
 func WithLocal(ctx context.Context, config Config) (shim.ShimClient, io.Closer, error) {
-	service, err := NewService(config.Path, config.Namespace)
+	service, err := NewService(config.Path, config.Namespace, "")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/linux/shim/client_linux.go b/linux/shim/client_linux.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7bbb516f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/linux/shim/client_linux.go
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+// +build linux
+
+package shim
+
+import "syscall"
+
+var atter = syscall.SysProcAttr{
+	Cloneflags: syscall.CLONE_NEWNS,
+	Setpgid:    true,
+}
diff --git a/linux/shim/client_unix.go b/linux/shim/client_unix.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9eab8b9c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/linux/shim/client_unix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+// +build !linux,!windows
+
+package shim
+
+import "syscall"
+
+var atter = syscall.SysProcAttr{
+	Setpgid: true,
+}
diff --git a/linux/shim/local.go b/linux/shim/local.go
index fdde79e90..b74301221 100644
--- a/linux/shim/local.go
+++ b/linux/shim/local.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	events "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
+	evt "github.com/containerd/containerd/events"
 	shimapi "github.com/containerd/containerd/linux/shim/v1"
 	google_protobuf "github.com/golang/protobuf/ptypes/empty"
 	"golang.org/x/net/context"
@@ -129,3 +130,19 @@ func (e *streamEvents) SendMsg(m interface{}) error {
 func (e *streamEvents) RecvMsg(m interface{}) error {
 	return nil
 }
+
+type poster interface {
+	Post(ctx context.Context, in *events.PostEventRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*google_protobuf.Empty, error)
+}
+
+type localEventsClient struct {
+	emitter evt.Poster
+}
+
+func (l *localEventsClient) Post(ctx context.Context, r *events.PostEventRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*google_protobuf.Empty, error) {
+	ctx = evt.WithTopic(ctx, r.Envelope.Topic)
+	if err := l.emitter.Post(ctx, r.Envelope); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return empty, nil
+}
diff --git a/linux/shim/service.go b/linux/shim/service.go
index a530bd61b..cac9cb048 100644
--- a/linux/shim/service.go
+++ b/linux/shim/service.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
@@ -13,8 +14,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/console"
 	events "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/api/types/task"
+	evt "github.com/containerd/containerd/events"
 	shimapi "github.com/containerd/containerd/linux/shim/v1"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/namespaces"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/reaper"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/typeurl"
 	google_protobuf "github.com/golang/protobuf/ptypes/empty"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"golang.org/x/net/context"
@@ -29,16 +34,32 @@ var empty = &google_protobuf.Empty{}
 const RuncRoot = "/run/containerd/runc"
 
 // NewService returns a new shim service that can be used via GRPC
-func NewService(path, namespace string) (*Service, error) {
+func NewService(path, namespace, address string) (*Service, error) {
 	if namespace == "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("shim namespace cannot be empty")
 	}
-	return &Service{
+	context := namespaces.WithNamespace(context.Background(), namespace)
+	var client poster
+	if address != "" {
+		conn, err := connect(address, dialer)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to dial %q", address)
+		}
+		client = events.NewEventsClient(conn)
+	} else {
+		client = &localEventsClient{
+			emitter: evt.GetPoster(context),
+		}
+	}
+	s := &Service{
 		path:      path,
 		processes: make(map[string]process),
 		events:    make(chan *events.RuntimeEvent, 4096),
 		namespace: namespace,
-	}, nil
+		context:   context,
+	}
+	go s.forward(client)
+	return s, nil
 }
 
 type Service struct {
@@ -52,6 +73,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	eventsMu      sync.Mutex
 	deferredEvent *events.RuntimeEvent
 	namespace     string
+	context       context.Context
 }
 
 func (s *Service) Create(ctx context.Context, r *shimapi.CreateTaskRequest) (*shimapi.CreateTaskResponse, error) {
@@ -367,3 +389,38 @@ func (s *Service) getContainerPids(ctx context.Context, id string) ([]uint32, er
 	}
 	return pids, nil
 }
+
+func (s *Service) forward(client poster) {
+	for e := range s.events {
+		a, err := typeurl.MarshalAny(e)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.G(s.context).WithError(err).Error("marshal event")
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := client.Post(s.context, &events.PostEventRequest{
+			Envelope: &events.Envelope{
+				Timestamp: time.Now(),
+				Topic:     "/runtime/" + getTopic(e),
+				Event:     a,
+			},
+		}); err != nil {
+			log.G(s.context).WithError(err).Error("post event")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func getTopic(e *events.RuntimeEvent) string {
+	switch e.Type {
+	case events.RuntimeEvent_CREATE:
+		return "task-create"
+	case events.RuntimeEvent_START:
+		return "task-start"
+	case events.RuntimeEvent_EXEC_ADDED:
+		return "task-execadded"
+	case events.RuntimeEvent_OOM:
+		return "task-oom"
+	case events.RuntimeEvent_EXIT:
+		return "task-exit"
+	}
+	return "?"
+}
diff --git a/metrics/cgroups/cgroups.go b/metrics/cgroups/cgroups.go
index 373ed079b..ddb811317 100644
--- a/metrics/cgroups/cgroups.go
+++ b/metrics/cgroups/cgroups.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/containerd/cgroups"
 	events "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
+	evt "github.com/containerd/containerd/events"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/plugin"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime"
 	metrics "github.com/docker/go-metrics"
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ func New(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		collector: collector,
 		oom:       oom,
 		context:   ic.Context,
+		emitter:   ic.Emitter,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -42,7 +45,7 @@ type cgroupsMonitor struct {
 	collector *Collector
 	oom       *OOMCollector
 	context   context.Context
-	events    chan<- *events.RuntimeEvent
+	emitter   *evt.Emitter
 }
 
 func (m *cgroupsMonitor) Monitor(c runtime.Task) error {
@@ -67,15 +70,13 @@ func (m *cgroupsMonitor) Stop(c runtime.Task) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m *cgroupsMonitor) Events(events chan<- *events.RuntimeEvent) {
-	m.events = events
-}
-
 func (m *cgroupsMonitor) trigger(id string, cg cgroups.Cgroup) {
-	m.events <- &events.RuntimeEvent{
+	if err := m.emitter.Post(m.context, &events.RuntimeEvent{
 		Timestamp:   time.Now(),
 		Type:        events.RuntimeEvent_OOM,
 		ID:          id,
 		ContainerID: id,
+	}); err != nil {
+		log.G(m.context).WithError(err).Error("post OOM event")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/plugin/context.go b/plugin/context.go
index 7b84745bd..57e190d95 100644
--- a/plugin/context.go
+++ b/plugin/context.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ func NewContext(ctx context.Context, plugins map[PluginType]map[string]interface
 
 type InitContext struct {
 	Root    string
+	Address string
 	Context context.Context
 	Config  interface{}
 	Emitter *events.Emitter
diff --git a/runtime/monitor.go b/runtime/monitor.go
index 9e3c3f11a..4c61858ba 100644
--- a/runtime/monitor.go
+++ b/runtime/monitor.go
@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
 package runtime
 
-import events "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
-
 // TaskMonitor provides an interface for monitoring of containers within containerd
 type TaskMonitor interface {
 	// Monitor adds the provided container to the monitor
 	Monitor(Task) error
 	// Stop stops and removes the provided container from the monitor
 	Stop(Task) error
-	// Events emits events to the channel for the monitor
-	Events(chan<- *events.RuntimeEvent)
 }
 
 func NewMultiTaskMonitor(monitors ...TaskMonitor) TaskMonitor {
@@ -33,9 +29,6 @@ func (mm *noopTaskMonitor) Stop(c Task) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (mm *noopTaskMonitor) Events(events chan<- *events.RuntimeEvent) {
-}
-
 type multiTaskMonitor struct {
 	monitors []TaskMonitor
 }
@@ -57,9 +50,3 @@ func (mm *multiTaskMonitor) Stop(c Task) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
-
-func (mm *multiTaskMonitor) Events(events chan<- *events.RuntimeEvent) {
-	for _, m := range mm.monitors {
-		m.Events(events)
-	}
-}
diff --git a/server/server.go b/server/server.go
index 244346c6a..009fc7b01 100644
--- a/server/server.go
+++ b/server/server.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	containers "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/containers/v1"
 	content "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/content/v1"
 	diff "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/diff/v1"
+	eventsapi "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
 	images "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/images/v1"
 	namespaces "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/namespaces/v1"
 	snapshot "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/snapshot/v1"
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ func New(ctx context.Context, config *Config) (*Server, error) {
 			id,
 		)
 		initContext.Emitter = s.emitter
+		initContext.Address = config.GRPC.Address
 
 		// load the plugin specific configuration if it is provided
 		if p.Config != nil {
@@ -203,6 +205,8 @@ func interceptor(
 		ctx = log.WithModule(ctx, "diff")
 	case namespaces.NamespacesServer:
 		ctx = log.WithModule(ctx, "namespaces")
+	case eventsapi.EventsServer:
+		ctx = log.WithModule(ctx, "events")
 	default:
 		log.G(ctx).Warnf("unknown GRPC server type: %#v\n", info.Server)
 	}
diff --git a/services/events/service.go b/services/events/service.go
index cf9850cfa..f4057f245 100644
--- a/services/events/service.go
+++ b/services/events/service.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	api "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/events/v1"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/events"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/plugin"
+	"github.com/golang/protobuf/ptypes/empty"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 )
 
@@ -52,3 +54,11 @@ func (s *Service) Stream(req *api.StreamEventsRequest, srv api.Events_StreamServ
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func (s *Service) Post(ctx context.Context, r *api.PostEventRequest) (*empty.Empty, error) {
+	ctx = events.WithTopic(ctx, r.Envelope.Topic)
+	if err := s.emitter.Post(ctx, r.Envelope); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &empty.Empty{}, nil
+}