diff --git a/cmd/containerd/builtins/cri.go b/cmd/containerd/builtins/cri.go
index 3673889d3..5c88cb9e4 100644
--- a/cmd/containerd/builtins/cri.go
+++ b/cmd/containerd/builtins/cri.go
@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@ package builtins
 import (
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/images"
+	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/runtime"
 )
diff --git a/contrib/fuzz/builtins.go b/contrib/fuzz/builtins.go
index 2b7c7fe12..6c4888748 100644
--- a/contrib/fuzz/builtins.go
+++ b/contrib/fuzz/builtins.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/events/plugin"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/nri/plugin"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/images"
+	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/runtime"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/diff/walking/plugin"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/gc"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/imageverifier"
diff --git a/contrib/fuzz/cri_server_fuzzer.go b/contrib/fuzz/cri_server_fuzzer.go
index adb9a388b..08cf4a645 100644
--- a/contrib/fuzz/cri_server_fuzzer.go
+++ b/contrib/fuzz/cri_server_fuzzer.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server/images"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/oci"
+	"github.com/containerd/errdefs"
 )
 
 func FuzzCRIServer(data []byte) int {
@@ -42,7 +43,6 @@ func FuzzCRIServer(data []byte) int {
 	}
 	defer client.Close()
 
-	config := criconfig.Config{}
 	imageConfig := criconfig.ImageConfig{}
 
 	imageService, err := images.NewService(imageConfig, &images.CRIImageServiceOptions{
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ func FuzzCRIServer(data []byte) int {
 		panic(err)
 	}
 
-	c, rs, err := server.NewCRIService(config, &server.CRIServiceOptions{
-		ImageService: imageService,
-		Client:       client,
-		BaseOCISpecs: map[string]*oci.Spec{},
+	c, rs, err := server.NewCRIService(&server.CRIServiceOptions{
+		RuntimeService: &fakeRuntimeService{},
+		ImageService:   imageService,
+		Client:         client,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
@@ -68,6 +68,16 @@ func FuzzCRIServer(data []byte) int {
 	})
 }
 
+type fakeRuntimeService struct{}
+
+func (fakeRuntimeService) Config() criconfig.Config {
+	return criconfig.Config{}
+}
+
+func (fakeRuntimeService) LoadOCISpec(string) (*oci.Spec, error) {
+	return nil, errdefs.ErrNotFound
+}
+
 type service struct {
 	server.CRIService
 	runtime.RuntimeServiceServer
diff --git a/integration/build_local_containerd_helper_test.go b/integration/build_local_containerd_helper_test.go
index f9577485e..0a4471df6 100644
--- a/integration/build_local_containerd_helper_test.go
+++ b/integration/build_local_containerd_helper_test.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import (
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/core/runtime/v2/runc/options"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/events/plugin"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/images"
+	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/cri/runtime"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/diff/walking/plugin"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/gc"
 	_ "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/leases"
diff --git a/pkg/cri/config/config.go b/pkg/cri/config/config.go
index 1ae4f1341..15617b1f0 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/config/config.go
@@ -319,8 +319,6 @@ type PluginConfig struct {
 	ContainerdConfig `toml:"containerd" json:"containerd"`
 	// CniConfig contains config related to cni
 	CniConfig `toml:"cni" json:"cni"`
-	// DisableTCPService disables serving CRI on the TCP server.
-	DisableTCPService bool `toml:"disable_tcp_service" json:"disableTCPService"`
 	// StreamServerAddress is the ip address streaming server is listening on.
 	StreamServerAddress string `toml:"stream_server_address" json:"streamServerAddress"`
 	// StreamServerPort is the port streaming server is listening on.
@@ -433,6 +431,12 @@ type Config struct {
 	StateDir string `json:"stateDir"`
 }
 
+// ServiceConfig contains all the configuration for the CRI API server.
+type ServiceConfig struct {
+	// DisableTCPService disables serving CRI on the TCP server.
+	DisableTCPService bool `toml:"disable_tcp_service" json:"disableTCPService"`
+}
+
 const (
 	// RuntimeUntrusted is the implicit runtime defined for ContainerdConfig.UntrustedWorkloadRuntime
 	RuntimeUntrusted = "untrusted"
diff --git a/pkg/cri/config/config_unix.go b/pkg/cri/config/config_unix.go
index 7a0405566..c04651ecc 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/config/config_unix.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/config/config_unix.go
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ func DefaultConfig() PluginConfig {
 				},
 			},
 		},
-		DisableTCPService:    true,
 		StreamServerAddress:  "127.0.0.1",
 		StreamServerPort:     "0",
 		StreamIdleTimeout:    streaming.DefaultConfig.StreamIdleTimeout.String(), // 4 hour
diff --git a/pkg/cri/config/config_windows.go b/pkg/cri/config/config_windows.go
index 9c2eeac15..db499a074 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/config/config_windows.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/config/config_windows.go
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ func DefaultConfig() PluginConfig {
 				},
 			},
 		},
-		DisableTCPService:   true,
 		StreamServerAddress: "127.0.0.1",
 		StreamServerPort:    "0",
 		StreamIdleTimeout:   streaming.DefaultConfig.StreamIdleTimeout.String(), // 4 hour
diff --git a/pkg/cri/cri.go b/pkg/cri/cri.go
index 3488b9915..a9071e40a 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/cri.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/cri.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package cri
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 
@@ -25,13 +26,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/plugin/registry"
 
 	containerd "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/client"
+	srvconfig "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/cmd/containerd/server/config"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/core/sandbox"
 	criconfig "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/config"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/constants"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/instrument"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/nri"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server"
-	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server/base"
 	nriservice "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/nri"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins"
 	"github.com/containerd/platforms"
@@ -43,13 +44,11 @@ import (
 
 // Register CRI service plugin
 func init() {
-
 	registry.Register(&plugin.Registration{
 		Type: plugins.GRPCPlugin,
 		ID:   "cri",
 		Requires: []plugin.Type{
-			plugins.CRIImagePlugin,
-			plugins.InternalPlugin,
+			plugins.CRIServicePlugin,
 			plugins.SandboxControllerPlugin,
 			plugins.NRIApiPlugin,
 			plugins.EventPlugin,
@@ -58,23 +57,46 @@ func init() {
 			plugins.SandboxStorePlugin,
 			plugins.TransferPlugin,
 		},
+		Config: &criconfig.ServiceConfig{
+			DisableTCPService: true,
+		},
+		ConfigMigration: func(ctx context.Context, version int, pluginConfigs map[string]interface{}) error {
+			if version >= srvconfig.CurrentConfigVersion {
+				return nil
+			}
+			const pluginName = string(plugins.GRPCPlugin) + ".cri"
+			original, ok := pluginConfigs[pluginName]
+			if !ok {
+				return nil
+			}
+			src := original.(map[string]interface{})
+
+			// Currently only a single key migrated
+			if val, ok := src["disable_tcp_service"]; ok {
+				pluginConfigs[pluginName] = map[string]interface{}{
+					"disable_tcp_service": val,
+				}
+			} else {
+				delete(pluginConfigs, pluginName)
+			}
+			return nil
+		},
 		InitFn: initCRIService,
 	})
 }
 
 func initCRIService(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 	ctx := ic.Context
+	config := ic.Config.(*criconfig.ServiceConfig)
 
-	// Get base CRI dependencies.
-	criBasePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.InternalPlugin, "cri")
+	// Get runtime service.
+	criRuntimePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.CRIServicePlugin, "runtime")
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI service base dependencies: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI runtime service plugin dependency: %w", err)
 	}
-	criBase := criBasePlugin.(*base.CRIBase)
-	c := criBase.Config
 
 	// Get image service.
-	criImagePlugin, err := ic.GetSingle(plugins.CRIImagePlugin)
+	criImagePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.CRIServicePlugin, "images")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI image service plugin dependency: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -98,15 +120,16 @@ func initCRIService(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 	}
 
 	options := &server.CRIServiceOptions{
+		RuntimeService:     criRuntimePlugin.(server.RuntimeService),
 		ImageService:       criImagePlugin.(server.ImageService),
 		NRI:                getNRIAPI(ic),
 		Client:             client,
 		SandboxControllers: sbControllers,
-		BaseOCISpecs:       criBase.BaseOCISpecs,
 	}
 	is := criImagePlugin.(imageService).GRPCService()
 
-	s, rs, err := server.NewCRIService(criBase.Config, options)
+	// TODO: More options specifically for grpc service?
+	s, rs, err := server.NewCRIService(options)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create CRI service: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -127,7 +150,7 @@ func initCRIService(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		initializer:          s,
 	}
 
-	if c.DisableTCPService {
+	if config.DisableTCPService {
 		return service, nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/container_create.go b/pkg/cri/server/container_create.go
index 272096aaf..b922bc976 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/container_create.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/container_create.go
@@ -394,9 +394,9 @@ func (c *criService) runtimeSpec(id string, platform platforms.Platform, baseSpe
 	container := &containers.Container{ID: id}
 
 	if baseSpecFile != "" {
-		baseSpec, ok := c.baseOCISpecs[baseSpecFile]
-		if !ok {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("can't find base OCI spec %q", baseSpecFile)
+		baseSpec, err := c.LoadOCISpec(baseSpecFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("can't load base OCI spec %q: %w", baseSpecFile, err)
 		}
 
 		spec := oci.Spec{}
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/container_create_linux_test.go b/pkg/cri/server/container_create_linux_test.go
index f106d327c..e46b00df1 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/container_create_linux_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/container_create_linux_test.go
@@ -1680,23 +1680,24 @@ func TestPrivilegedDevices(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBaseOCISpec(t *testing.T) {
-	c := newTestCRIService()
 	baseLimit := int64(100)
-	c.baseOCISpecs = map[string]*oci.Spec{
-		"/etc/containerd/cri-base.json": {
-			Process: &runtimespec.Process{
-				User: runtimespec.User{AdditionalGids: []uint32{9999}},
-				Capabilities: &runtimespec.LinuxCapabilities{
-					Permitted: []string{"CAP_SETUID"},
+	c := newTestCRIService(withRuntimeService(&fakeRuntimeService{
+		ocispecs: map[string]*oci.Spec{
+			"/etc/containerd/cri-base.json": {
+				Process: &runtimespec.Process{
+					User: runtimespec.User{AdditionalGids: []uint32{9999}},
+					Capabilities: &runtimespec.LinuxCapabilities{
+						Permitted: []string{"CAP_SETUID"},
+					},
 				},
-			},
-			Linux: &runtimespec.Linux{
-				Resources: &runtimespec.LinuxResources{
-					Memory: &runtimespec.LinuxMemory{Limit: &baseLimit}, // Will be overwritten by `getCreateContainerTestData`
+				Linux: &runtimespec.Linux{
+					Resources: &runtimespec.LinuxResources{
+						Memory: &runtimespec.LinuxMemory{Limit: &baseLimit}, // Will be overwritten by `getCreateContainerTestData`
+					},
 				},
 			},
 		},
-	}
+	}))
 
 	ociRuntime := config.Runtime{}
 	ociRuntime.BaseRuntimeSpec = "/etc/containerd/cri-base.json"
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/container_create_test.go b/pkg/cri/server/container_create_test.go
index f0f93fcbb..fa5f6bbf7 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/container_create_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/container_create_test.go
@@ -524,13 +524,14 @@ func TestContainerAnnotationPassthroughContainerSpec(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBaseRuntimeSpec(t *testing.T) {
-	c := newTestCRIService()
-	c.baseOCISpecs = map[string]*oci.Spec{
-		"/etc/containerd/cri-base.json": {
-			Version:  "1.0.2",
-			Hostname: "old",
+	c := newTestCRIService(withRuntimeService(&fakeRuntimeService{
+		ocispecs: map[string]*oci.Spec{
+			"/etc/containerd/cri-base.json": {
+				Version:  "1.0.2",
+				Hostname: "old",
+			},
 		},
-	}
+	}))
 
 	out, err := c.runtimeSpec(
 		"id1",
@@ -546,8 +547,10 @@ func TestBaseRuntimeSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "new-domain", out.Domainname)
 
 	// Make sure original base spec not changed
-	assert.NotEqual(t, out, c.baseOCISpecs["/etc/containerd/cri-base.json"])
-	assert.Equal(t, c.baseOCISpecs["/etc/containerd/cri-base.json"].Hostname, "old")
+	spec, err := c.LoadOCISpec("/etc/containerd/cri-base.json")
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, out, spec)
+	assert.Equal(t, spec.Hostname, "old")
 
 	assert.Equal(t, filepath.Join("/", constants.K8sContainerdNamespace, "id1"), out.Linux.CgroupsPath)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/controller.go b/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/controller.go
index 6ab044112..604b5168d 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/controller.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/controller.go
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/core/sandbox"
 	criconfig "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/config"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/constants"
-	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server/base"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/types"
 	imagestore "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/store/image"
 	ctrdutil "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/util"
@@ -51,8 +50,7 @@ func init() {
 			plugins.EventPlugin,
 			plugins.LeasePlugin,
 			plugins.SandboxStorePlugin,
-			plugins.InternalPlugin,
-			plugins.CRIImagePlugin,
+			plugins.CRIServicePlugin,
 			plugins.ServicePlugin,
 		},
 		InitFn: func(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -66,26 +64,26 @@ func init() {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to init client for podsandbox: %w", err)
 			}
 
-			// Get base CRI dependencies.
-			criBasePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.InternalPlugin, "cri")
+			// Get runtime service.
+			criRuntimePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.CRIServicePlugin, "runtime")
 			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI service base dependencies: %w", err)
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI runtime service plugin dependency: %w", err)
 			}
-			criBase := criBasePlugin.(*base.CRIBase)
+			runtimeService := criRuntimePlugin.(RuntimeService)
 
 			// Get image service.
-			criImagePlugin, err := ic.GetSingle(plugins.CRIImagePlugin)
+			criImagePlugin, err := ic.GetByID(plugins.CRIServicePlugin, "images")
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load CRI image service plugin dependency: %w", err)
 			}
 
 			c := Controller{
-				client:       client,
-				config:       criBase.Config,
-				os:           osinterface.RealOS{},
-				baseOCISpecs: criBase.BaseOCISpecs,
-				imageService: criImagePlugin.(ImageService),
-				store:        NewStore(),
+				client:         client,
+				config:         runtimeService.Config(),
+				os:             osinterface.RealOS{},
+				runtimeService: runtimeService,
+				imageService:   criImagePlugin.(ImageService),
+				store:          NewStore(),
 			}
 			return &c, nil
 		},
@@ -99,6 +97,12 @@ type CRIService interface {
 	BackOffEvent(id string, event interface{})
 }
 
+// RuntimeService specifies dependencies to CRI runtime service.
+type RuntimeService interface {
+	Config() criconfig.Config
+	LoadOCISpec(string) (*oci.Spec, error)
+}
+
 // ImageService specifies dependencies to CRI image service.
 type ImageService interface {
 	LocalResolve(refOrID string) (imagestore.Image, error)
@@ -113,14 +117,14 @@ type Controller struct {
 	config criconfig.Config
 	// client is an instance of the containerd client
 	client *containerd.Client
+	// runtimeService is a dependency to CRI runtime service.
+	runtimeService RuntimeService
 	// imageService is a dependency to CRI image service.
 	imageService ImageService
 	// os is an interface for all required os operations.
 	os osinterface.OS
 	// cri is CRI service that provides missing gaps needed by controller.
 	cri CRIService
-	// baseOCISpecs contains cached OCI specs loaded via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
-	baseOCISpecs map[string]*oci.Spec
 
 	store *Store
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/helpers.go b/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/helpers.go
index 3fa231181..67b380d3a 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/podsandbox/helpers.go
@@ -159,9 +159,9 @@ func (c *Controller) runtimeSpec(id string, baseSpecFile string, opts ...oci.Spe
 	container := &containers.Container{ID: id}
 
 	if baseSpecFile != "" {
-		baseSpec, ok := c.baseOCISpecs[baseSpecFile]
-		if !ok {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("can't find base OCI spec %q", baseSpecFile)
+		baseSpec, err := c.runtimeService.LoadOCISpec(baseSpecFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("can't load base OCI spec %q: %w", baseSpecFile, err)
 		}
 
 		spec := oci.Spec{}
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/service.go b/pkg/cri/server/service.go
index 708088b92..dc1bbc23a 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/service.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/service.go
@@ -65,6 +65,15 @@ type sandboxService interface {
 	SandboxController(config *runtime.PodSandboxConfig, runtimeHandler string) (sandbox.Controller, error)
 }
 
+// RuntimeService specifies dependencies to runtime service which provides
+// the runtime configuration and OCI spec loading.
+type RuntimeService interface {
+	Config() criconfig.Config
+
+	// LoadCISpec loads cached OCI specs via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
+	LoadOCISpec(string) (*oci.Spec, error)
+}
+
 // ImageService specifies dependencies to image service.
 type ImageService interface {
 	RuntimeSnapshotter(ctx context.Context, ociRuntime criconfig.Runtime) string
@@ -84,6 +93,7 @@ type ImageService interface {
 
 // criService implements CRIService.
 type criService struct {
+	RuntimeService
 	ImageService
 	// config contains all configurations.
 	config criconfig.Config
@@ -115,8 +125,6 @@ type criService struct {
 	// cniNetConfMonitor is used to reload cni network conf if there is
 	// any valid fs change events from cni network conf dir.
 	cniNetConfMonitor map[string]*cniNetConfSyncer
-	// baseOCISpecs contains cached OCI specs loaded via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
-	baseOCISpecs map[string]*oci.Spec
 	// allCaps is the list of the capabilities.
 	// When nil, parsed from CapEff of /proc/self/status.
 	allCaps []string //nolint:nolintlint,unused // Ignore on non-Linux
@@ -130,6 +138,8 @@ type criService struct {
 }
 
 type CRIServiceOptions struct {
+	RuntimeService RuntimeService
+
 	ImageService ImageService
 
 	NRI *nri.API
@@ -137,9 +147,6 @@ type CRIServiceOptions struct {
 	// SandboxControllers is a map of all the loaded sandbox controllers
 	SandboxControllers map[string]sandbox.Controller
 
-	// BaseOCISpecs contains cached OCI specs loaded via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
-	BaseOCISpecs map[string]*oci.Spec
-
 	// Client is the base containerd client used for accessing services,
 	//
 	// TODO: Replace this gradually with directly configured instances
@@ -147,18 +154,18 @@ type CRIServiceOptions struct {
 }
 
 // NewCRIService returns a new instance of CRIService
-// TODO: Add criBase.BaseOCISpecs to options
-func NewCRIService(config criconfig.Config, options *CRIServiceOptions) (CRIService, runtime.RuntimeServiceServer, error) {
+func NewCRIService(options *CRIServiceOptions) (CRIService, runtime.RuntimeServiceServer, error) {
 	var err error
 	labels := label.NewStore()
+	config := options.RuntimeService.Config()
 
 	c := &criService{
+		RuntimeService:     options.RuntimeService,
 		ImageService:       options.ImageService,
 		config:             config,
 		client:             options.Client,
 		imageFSPaths:       options.ImageService.ImageFSPaths(),
 		os:                 osinterface.RealOS{},
-		baseOCISpecs:       options.BaseOCISpecs,
 		sandboxStore:       sandboxstore.NewStore(labels),
 		containerStore:     containerstore.NewStore(labels),
 		sandboxNameIndex:   registrar.NewRegistrar(),
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/service_test.go b/pkg/cri/server/service_test.go
index 4d8cc047b..f6d2c1d5f 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/service_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/server/service_test.go
@@ -25,10 +25,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/api/types"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/core/sandbox"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/internal/registrar"
+	criconfig "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/config"
 	containerstore "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/store/container"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/store/label"
 	sandboxstore "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/store/sandbox"
 	servertesting "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/cri/testing"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/oci"
 	ostesting "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/os/testing"
 	"github.com/containerd/errdefs"
 	"github.com/containerd/platforms"
@@ -74,11 +76,34 @@ func (f fakeSandboxController) Metrics(ctx context.Context, sandboxID string) (*
 	return &types.Metric{}, errdefs.ErrNotImplemented
 }
 
+type fakeRuntimeService struct {
+	ocispecs map[string]*oci.Spec
+}
+
+func (f fakeRuntimeService) Config() criconfig.Config {
+	return testConfig
+}
+
+func (f fakeRuntimeService) LoadOCISpec(filename string) (*oci.Spec, error) {
+	spec, ok := f.ocispecs[filename]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, errdefs.ErrNotFound
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
+
+type testOpt func(*criService)
+
+func withRuntimeService(rs RuntimeService) testOpt {
+	return func(service *criService) {
+		service.RuntimeService = rs
+	}
+}
+
 // newTestCRIService creates a fake criService for test.
-func newTestCRIService() *criService {
+func newTestCRIService(opts ...testOpt) *criService {
 	labels := label.NewStore()
-	return &criService{
-		ImageService:       &fakeImageService{},
+	service := &criService{
 		config:             testConfig,
 		os:                 ostesting.NewFakeOS(),
 		sandboxStore:       sandboxstore.NewStore(labels),
@@ -90,4 +115,15 @@ func newTestCRIService() *criService {
 		},
 		sandboxService: &fakeSandboxService{},
 	}
+	for _, opt := range opts {
+		opt(service)
+	}
+	if service.RuntimeService == nil {
+		service.RuntimeService = &fakeRuntimeService{}
+	}
+	if service.ImageService == nil {
+		service.ImageService = &fakeImageService{}
+	}
+
+	return service
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/base/sandbox_info.go b/pkg/cri/types/sandbox_info.go
similarity index 100%
rename from pkg/cri/server/base/sandbox_info.go
rename to pkg/cri/types/sandbox_info.go
diff --git a/plugins/cri/images/plugin.go b/plugins/cri/images/plugin.go
index c297a28a5..963ef3b50 100644
--- a/plugins/cri/images/plugin.go
+++ b/plugins/cri/images/plugin.go
@@ -40,15 +40,14 @@ func init() {
 	config := criconfig.DefaultImageConfig()
 
 	registry.Register(&plugin.Registration{
-		Type:   plugins.CRIImagePlugin,
-		ID:     "local",
+		Type:   plugins.CRIServicePlugin,
+		ID:     "images",
 		Config: &config,
 		Requires: []plugin.Type{
 			plugins.LeasePlugin,
 			plugins.EventPlugin,
 			plugins.MetadataPlugin,
 			plugins.SandboxStorePlugin,
-			plugins.InternalPlugin, // For config migration ordering
 			plugins.ServicePlugin,  // For client
 			plugins.SnapshotPlugin, // For root directory properties
 		},
@@ -152,12 +151,12 @@ func configMigration(ctx context.Context, version int, pluginConfigs map[string]
 	if version >= srvconfig.CurrentConfigVersion {
 		return nil
 	}
-	original, ok := pluginConfigs[string(plugins.InternalPlugin)+".cri"]
+	original, ok := pluginConfigs[string(plugins.GRPCPlugin)+".cri"]
 	if !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
 	src := original.(map[string]interface{})
-	updated, ok := pluginConfigs[string(plugins.CRIImagePlugin)+".local"]
+	updated, ok := pluginConfigs[string(plugins.CRIServicePlugin)+".images"]
 	var dst map[string]interface{}
 	if ok {
 		dst = updated.(map[string]interface{})
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ func configMigration(ctx context.Context, version int, pluginConfigs map[string]
 	}
 
 	migrateConfig(dst, src)
-	pluginConfigs[string(plugins.CRIImagePlugin)+".local"] = dst
+	pluginConfigs[string(plugins.CRIServicePlugin)+".images"] = dst
 	return nil
 }
 func migrateConfig(dst, src map[string]interface{}) {
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base_test.go b/plugins/cri/runtime/load_test.go
similarity index 98%
rename from pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base_test.go
rename to plugins/cri/runtime/load_test.go
index 07e796640..2abd21580 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base_test.go
+++ b/plugins/cri/runtime/load_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
    limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package base
+package runtime
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
diff --git a/pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base.go b/plugins/cri/runtime/plugin.go
similarity index 85%
rename from pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base.go
rename to plugins/cri/runtime/plugin.go
index a28070700..7e8181a88 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/server/base/cri_base.go
+++ b/plugins/cri/runtime/plugin.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
    limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package base
+package runtime
 
 import (
 	"context"
@@ -36,47 +36,39 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/pkg/oci"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/v2/plugins/services/warning"
+	"github.com/containerd/errdefs"
 	"github.com/containerd/platforms"
 )
 
-// CRIBase contains common dependencies for CRI's runtime, image, and podsandbox services.
-type CRIBase struct {
-	// Config contains all configurations.
-	Config criconfig.Config
-	// BaseOCISpecs contains cached OCI specs loaded via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
-	BaseOCISpecs map[string]*oci.Spec
-}
-
 func init() {
 	config := criconfig.DefaultConfig()
 
 	// Base plugin that other CRI services depend on.
 	registry.Register(&plugin.Registration{
-		Type:   plugins.InternalPlugin,
-		ID:     "cri",
+		Type:   plugins.CRIServicePlugin,
+		ID:     "runtime",
 		Config: &config,
 		Requires: []plugin.Type{
 			plugins.WarningPlugin,
 		},
-		ConfigMigration: func(ctx context.Context, version int, plugins map[string]interface{}) error {
+		ConfigMigration: func(ctx context.Context, version int, pluginConfigs map[string]interface{}) error {
 			if version >= srvconfig.CurrentConfigVersion {
 				return nil
 			}
-			c, ok := plugins["io.containerd.grpc.v1.cri"]
+			c, ok := pluginConfigs[string(plugins.GRPCPlugin)+".cri"]
 			if !ok {
 				return nil
 			}
 			conf := c.(map[string]interface{})
 			migrateConfig(conf)
-			plugins["io.containerd.internal.v1.cri"] = conf
-			delete(plugins, "io.containerd.grpc.v1.cri")
+			pluginConfigs[string(plugins.CRIServicePlugin)+".runtime"] = conf
 			return nil
 		},
-		InitFn: initCRIBase,
+		InitFn: initCRIRuntime,
 	})
 }
 
-func initCRIBase(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
+func initCRIRuntime(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 	ic.Meta.Platforms = []imagespec.Platform{platforms.DefaultSpec()}
 	ic.Meta.Exports = map[string]string{"CRIVersion": constants.CRIVersion}
 	ctx := ic.Context
@@ -118,12 +110,33 @@ func initCRIBase(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create load basic oci spec: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	return &CRIBase{
-		Config:       c,
-		BaseOCISpecs: ociSpec,
+	return &runtime{
+		config:       c,
+		baseOCISpecs: ociSpec,
 	}, nil
 }
 
+// runtime contains common dependencies for CRI's runtime, image, and podsandbox services.
+type runtime struct {
+	// Config contains all configurations.
+	config criconfig.Config
+	// BaseOCISpecs contains cached OCI specs loaded via `Runtime.BaseRuntimeSpec`
+	baseOCISpecs map[string]*oci.Spec
+}
+
+func (r *runtime) Config() criconfig.Config {
+	return r.config
+}
+
+func (r *runtime) LoadOCISpec(filename string) (*oci.Spec, error) {
+	spec, ok := r.baseOCISpecs[filename]
+	if !ok {
+		// TODO: Load here or only allow preloading...
+		return nil, errdefs.ErrNotFound
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
+
 func loadBaseOCISpecs(config *criconfig.Config) (map[string]*oci.Spec, error) {
 	specs := map[string]*oci.Spec{}
 	for _, cfg := range config.Runtimes {
diff --git a/plugins/types.go b/plugins/types.go
index 740e2d253..c09734443 100644
--- a/plugins/types.go
+++ b/plugins/types.go
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ const (
 	ImageVerifierPlugin plugin.Type = "io.containerd.image-verifier.v1"
 	// WarningPlugin implements a warning service
 	WarningPlugin plugin.Type = "io.containerd.warning.v1"
-	// CRIImagePlugin implements a cri image service
-	CRIImagePlugin plugin.Type = "io.containerd.cri.image.v1"
+	// CRIServicePlugin implements a cri service
+	CRIServicePlugin plugin.Type = "io.containerd.cri.v1"
 )
 
 const (