diff --git a/integration/client/container_linux_test.go b/integration/client/container_linux_test.go
index 4de3f4477..586260102 100644
--- a/integration/client/container_linux_test.go
+++ b/integration/client/container_linux_test.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime/linux/runctypes"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime/v2/runc/options"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/sys"
-	specs "github.com/opencontainers/runtime-spec/specs-go"
+	"github.com/opencontainers/runtime-spec/specs-go"
 	exec "golang.org/x/sys/execabs"
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ func getLogDirPath(runtimeVersion, id string) string {
 	case "v1":
 		return filepath.Join(defaultRoot, plugin.RuntimeLinuxV1, testNamespace, id)
 	case "v2":
-		return filepath.Join(defaultState, "io.containerd.runtime.v2.task", testNamespace, id)
+		return filepath.Join(defaultState, "io.containerd.runtime-shim.v2.shim", testNamespace, id)
 	default:
 		panic(fmt.Errorf("Unsupported runtime version %s", runtimeVersion))
 	}
diff --git a/plugin/plugin.go b/plugin/plugin.go
index f24a3c77b..6c94e960c 100644
--- a/plugin/plugin.go
+++ b/plugin/plugin.go
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ const (
 	RuntimePlugin Type = "io.containerd.runtime.v1"
 	// RuntimePluginV2 implements a runtime v2
 	RuntimePluginV2 Type = "io.containerd.runtime.v2"
+	// RuntimeShimPlugin implements the shim manager for runtime v2.
+	RuntimeShimPlugin Type = "io.containerd.runtime-shim.v2"
 	// ServicePlugin implements a internal service
 	ServicePlugin Type = "io.containerd.service.v1"
 	// GRPCPlugin implements a grpc service
diff --git a/runtime/runtime.go b/runtime/runtime.go
index 52974a3a9..b4bed75cf 100644
--- a/runtime/runtime.go
+++ b/runtime/runtime.go
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ type PlatformRuntime interface {
 	// Tasks returns all the current tasks for the runtime.
 	// Any container runs at most one task at a time.
 	Tasks(ctx context.Context, all bool) ([]Task, error)
-	// Add adds a task into runtime.
-	Add(ctx context.Context, task Task) error
 	// Delete remove a task.
 	Delete(ctx context.Context, taskID string) (*Exit, error)
 }
diff --git a/runtime/task_list.go b/runtime/task_list.go
index b92c6e01c..5b969e5a5 100644
--- a/runtime/task_list.go
+++ b/runtime/task_list.go
@@ -128,3 +128,16 @@ func (l *TaskList) Delete(ctx context.Context, id string) {
 		delete(tasks, id)
 	}
 }
+
+func (l *TaskList) IsEmpty() bool {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	for ns := range l.tasks {
+		if len(l.tasks[ns]) > 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
diff --git a/runtime/v2/binary.go b/runtime/v2/binary.go
index e16f8ac92..01584ab5a 100644
--- a/runtime/v2/binary.go
+++ b/runtime/v2/binary.go
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@ func (b *binary) Start(ctx context.Context, opts *types.Any, onClose func()) (_
 	return &shim{
 		bundle: b.bundle,
 		client: client,
-		task:   task.NewTaskClient(client),
 	}, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/runtime/v2/manager.go b/runtime/v2/manager.go
index 1a6e9b293..326980583 100644
--- a/runtime/v2/manager.go
+++ b/runtime/v2/manager.go
@@ -20,19 +20,18 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/containers"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/errdefs"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/events/exchange"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/metadata"
-	"github.com/containerd/containerd/mount"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/namespaces"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/timeout"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/platforms"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/plugin"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime/v2/task"
 	ocispec "github.com/opencontainers/image-spec/specs-go/v1"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
@@ -47,8 +46,8 @@ type Config struct {
 
 func init() {
 	plugin.Register(&plugin.Registration{
-		Type: plugin.RuntimePluginV2,
-		ID:   "task",
+		Type: plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin,
+		ID:   "shim",
 		Requires: []plugin.Type{
 			plugin.EventPlugin,
 			plugin.MetadataPlugin,
@@ -64,12 +63,7 @@ func init() {
 			}
 
 			ic.Meta.Platforms = supportedPlatforms
-			if err := os.MkdirAll(ic.Root, 0711); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			if err := os.MkdirAll(ic.State, 0711); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
+
 			m, err := ic.Get(plugin.MetadataPlugin)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
@@ -81,7 +75,7 @@ func init() {
 			cs := metadata.NewContainerStore(m.(*metadata.DB))
 			events := ep.(*exchange.Exchange)
 
-			return New(ic.Context, &ManagerConfig{
+			return NewShimManager(ic.Context, &ManagerConfig{
 				Root:         ic.Root,
 				State:        ic.State,
 				Address:      ic.Address,
@@ -92,6 +86,68 @@ func init() {
 			})
 		},
 	})
+
+	plugin.Register(&plugin.Registration{
+		Type: plugin.RuntimePluginV2,
+		ID:   "task",
+		Requires: []plugin.Type{
+			plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin,
+		},
+		InitFn: func(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
+			shimManagerInterface, err := ic.Get(plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			shimManager := shimManagerInterface.(*ShimManager)
+
+			// From now on task manager works via shim manager, which has different home directory.
+			// Check if there are any leftovers from previous containerd versions and migrate home directory,
+			// so we can properly restore existing tasks as well.
+			if err := migrateTasks(ic, shimManager); err != nil {
+				log.G(ic.Context).WithError(err).Error("unable to migrate tasks")
+			}
+
+			return NewTaskManager(shimManager), nil
+		},
+	})
+}
+
+func migrateTasks(ic *plugin.InitContext, shimManager *ShimManager) error {
+	if !shimManager.shims.IsEmpty() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Rename below will fail is target directory exists.
+	// `Root` and `State` dirs expected to be empty at this point (we check that there are no shims loaded above).
+	// If for some they are not empty, these remove calls will fail (`os.Remove` requires a dir to be empty to succeed).
+	if err := os.Remove(shimManager.root); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove `root` dir: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Remove(shimManager.state); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove `state` dir: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Rename(ic.Root, shimManager.root); err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate task `root` directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Rename(ic.State, shimManager.state); err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to migrate task `state` directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := shimManager.loadExistingTasks(ic.Context); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to load tasks after migration: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 type ManagerConfig struct {
@@ -104,49 +160,54 @@ type ManagerConfig struct {
 	SchedCore    bool
 }
 
-// New task manager for v2 shims
-func New(ctx context.Context, config *ManagerConfig) (*TaskManager, error) {
+// NewShimManager creates a manager for v2 shims
+func NewShimManager(ctx context.Context, config *ManagerConfig) (*ShimManager, error) {
 	for _, d := range []string{config.Root, config.State} {
 		if err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0711); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
-	m := &TaskManager{
+
+	m := &ShimManager{
 		root:                   config.Root,
 		state:                  config.State,
 		containerdAddress:      config.Address,
 		containerdTTRPCAddress: config.TTRPCAddress,
-		schedCore:              config.SchedCore,
-		tasks:                  runtime.NewTaskList(),
+		shims:                  runtime.NewTaskList(),
 		events:                 config.Events,
 		containers:             config.Store,
+		schedCore:              config.SchedCore,
 	}
+
 	if err := m.loadExistingTasks(ctx); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+
 	return m, nil
 }
 
-// TaskManager manages v2 shim's and their tasks
-type TaskManager struct {
+// ShimManager manages currently running shim processes.
+// It is mainly responsible for launching new shims and for proper shutdown and cleanup of existing instances.
+// The manager is unaware of the underlying services shim provides and lets higher level services consume them,
+// but don't care about lifecycle management.
+type ShimManager struct {
 	root                   string
 	state                  string
 	containerdAddress      string
 	containerdTTRPCAddress string
 	schedCore              bool
-
-	tasks      *runtime.TaskList
-	events     *exchange.Exchange
-	containers containers.Store
+	shims                  *runtime.TaskList
+	events                 *exchange.Exchange
+	containers             containers.Store
 }
 
-// ID of the task manager
-func (m *TaskManager) ID() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", plugin.RuntimePluginV2, "task")
+// ID of the shim manager
+func (m *ShimManager) ID() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin, "shim")
 }
 
-// Create a new task
-func (m *TaskManager) Create(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (_ runtime.Task, retErr error) {
+// Start launches a new shim instance
+func (m *ShimManager) Start(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (_ ShimProcess, retErr error) {
 	bundle, err := NewBundle(ctx, m.root, m.state, id, opts.Spec.Value)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -163,23 +224,25 @@ func (m *TaskManager) Create(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.Create
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		if retErr != nil {
-			m.deleteShim(shim)
+			m.cleanupShim(shim)
 		}
 	}()
 
-	t, err := shim.Create(ctx, opts)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to create shim")
+	// NOTE: temporarily keep this wrapper around until containerd's task service depends on it.
+	// This will no longer be required once we migrate to client side task management.
+	shimTask := &shimTask{
+		shim: shim,
+		task: task.NewTaskClient(shim.client),
 	}
 
-	if err := m.tasks.Add(ctx, t); err != nil {
+	if err := m.shims.Add(ctx, shimTask); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to add task")
 	}
 
-	return t, nil
+	return shimTask, nil
 }
 
-func (m *TaskManager) startShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (*shim, error) {
+func (m *ShimManager) startShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, id string, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (*shim, error) {
 	ns, err := namespaces.NamespaceRequired(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -199,12 +262,12 @@ func (m *TaskManager) startShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, id string,
 	shim, err := b.Start(ctx, topts, func() {
 		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", id).Info("shim disconnected")
 
-		cleanupAfterDeadShim(context.Background(), id, ns, m.tasks, m.events, b)
+		cleanupAfterDeadShim(context.Background(), id, ns, m.shims, m.events, b)
 		// Remove self from the runtime task list. Even though the cleanupAfterDeadShim()
 		// would publish taskExit event, but the shim.Delete() would always failed with ttrpc
 		// disconnect and there is no chance to remove this dead task from runtime task lists.
 		// Thus it's better to delete it here.
-		m.tasks.Delete(ctx, id)
+		m.shims.Delete(ctx, id)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "start failed")
@@ -213,176 +276,36 @@ func (m *TaskManager) startShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, id string,
 	return shim, nil
 }
 
-// deleteShim attempts to properly delete and cleanup shim after error
-func (m *TaskManager) deleteShim(shim *shim) {
+// cleanupShim attempts to properly delete and cleanup shim after error
+func (m *ShimManager) cleanupShim(shim *shim) {
 	dctx, cancel := timeout.WithContext(context.Background(), cleanupTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	_, errShim := shim.delete(dctx, m.tasks.Delete)
-	if errShim != nil {
-		if errdefs.IsDeadlineExceeded(errShim) {
-			dctx, cancel = timeout.WithContext(context.Background(), cleanupTimeout)
-			defer cancel()
-		}
-		shim.Shutdown(dctx)
-		shim.Close()
+	_ = shim.delete(dctx)
+	m.shims.Delete(dctx, shim.ID())
+}
+
+func (m *ShimManager) Get(ctx context.Context, id string) (ShimProcess, error) {
+	proc, err := m.shims.Get(ctx, id)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
-}
 
-// Get a specific task
-func (m *TaskManager) Get(ctx context.Context, id string) (runtime.Task, error) {
-	return m.tasks.Get(ctx, id)
-}
-
-// Add a runtime task
-func (m *TaskManager) Add(ctx context.Context, task runtime.Task) error {
-	return m.tasks.Add(ctx, task)
+	return proc, nil
 }
 
 // Delete a runtime task
-func (m *TaskManager) Delete(ctx context.Context, id string) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
-	task, err := m.tasks.Get(ctx, id)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	shim := task.(*shim)
-	exit, err := shim.delete(ctx, m.tasks.Delete)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return exit, err
-}
-
-// Tasks lists all tasks
-func (m *TaskManager) Tasks(ctx context.Context, all bool) ([]runtime.Task, error) {
-	return m.tasks.GetAll(ctx, all)
-}
-
-func (m *TaskManager) loadExistingTasks(ctx context.Context) error {
-	nsDirs, err := os.ReadDir(m.state)
+func (m *ShimManager) Delete(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	proc, err := m.shims.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	for _, nsd := range nsDirs {
-		if !nsd.IsDir() {
-			continue
-		}
-		ns := nsd.Name()
-		// skip hidden directories
-		if len(ns) > 0 && ns[0] == '.' {
-			continue
-		}
-		log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).Debug("loading tasks in namespace")
-		if err := m.loadTasks(namespaces.WithNamespace(ctx, ns)); err != nil {
-			log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).WithError(err).Error("loading tasks in namespace")
-			continue
-		}
-		if err := m.cleanupWorkDirs(namespaces.WithNamespace(ctx, ns)); err != nil {
-			log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).WithError(err).Error("cleanup working directory in namespace")
-			continue
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
 
-func (m *TaskManager) loadTasks(ctx context.Context) error {
-	ns, err := namespaces.NamespaceRequired(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	shimDirs, err := os.ReadDir(filepath.Join(m.state, ns))
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	for _, sd := range shimDirs {
-		if !sd.IsDir() {
-			continue
-		}
-		id := sd.Name()
-		// skip hidden directories
-		if len(id) > 0 && id[0] == '.' {
-			continue
-		}
-		bundle, err := LoadBundle(ctx, m.state, id)
-		if err != nil {
-			// fine to return error here, it is a programmer error if the context
-			// does not have a namespace
-			return err
-		}
-		// fast path
-		bf, err := os.ReadDir(bundle.Path)
-		if err != nil {
-			bundle.Delete()
-			log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("fast path read bundle path for %s", bundle.Path)
-			continue
-		}
-		if len(bf) == 0 {
-			bundle.Delete()
-			continue
-		}
-		container, err := m.container(ctx, id)
-		if err != nil {
-			log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("loading container %s", id)
-			if err := mount.UnmountAll(filepath.Join(bundle.Path, "rootfs"), 0); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("forceful unmount of rootfs %s", id)
-			}
-			bundle.Delete()
-			continue
-		}
-		binaryCall := shimBinary(bundle,
-			shimBinaryConfig{
-				runtime:      container.Runtime.Name,
-				address:      m.containerdAddress,
-				ttrpcAddress: m.containerdTTRPCAddress,
-				schedCore:    m.schedCore,
-			})
-		shim, err := loadShim(ctx, bundle, func() {
-			log.G(ctx).WithField("id", id).Info("shim disconnected")
+	shimTask := proc.(*shimTask)
+	err = shimTask.shim.delete(ctx)
+	m.shims.Delete(ctx, id)
 
-			cleanupAfterDeadShim(context.Background(), id, ns, m.tasks, m.events, binaryCall)
-			// Remove self from the runtime task list.
-			m.tasks.Delete(ctx, id)
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			cleanupAfterDeadShim(ctx, id, ns, m.tasks, m.events, binaryCall)
-			continue
-		}
-		m.tasks.Add(ctx, shim)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *TaskManager) container(ctx context.Context, id string) (*containers.Container, error) {
-	container, err := m.containers.Get(ctx, id)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return &container, nil
-}
-
-func (m *TaskManager) cleanupWorkDirs(ctx context.Context) error {
-	ns, err := namespaces.NamespaceRequired(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	dirs, err := os.ReadDir(filepath.Join(m.root, ns))
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	for _, d := range dirs {
-		// if the task was not loaded, cleanup and empty working directory
-		// this can happen on a reboot where /run for the bundle state is cleaned up
-		// but that persistent working dir is left
-		if _, err := m.tasks.Get(ctx, d.Name()); err != nil {
-			path := filepath.Join(m.root, ns, d.Name())
-			if err := os.RemoveAll(path); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("cleanup working dir %s", path)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
+	return err
 }
 
 func parsePlatforms(platformStr []string) ([]ocispec.Platform, error) {
@@ -396,3 +319,84 @@ func parsePlatforms(platformStr []string) ([]ocispec.Platform, error) {
 	}
 	return p, nil
 }
+
+// TaskManager wraps task service client on top of shim manager.
+type TaskManager struct {
+	manager *ShimManager
+}
+
+// NewTaskManager creates a new task manager instance.
+func NewTaskManager(shims *ShimManager) *TaskManager {
+	return &TaskManager{
+		manager: shims,
+	}
+}
+
+// ID of the task manager
+func (m *TaskManager) ID() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", plugin.RuntimePluginV2, "task")
+}
+
+// Create launches new shim instance and creates new task
+func (m *TaskManager) Create(ctx context.Context, taskID string, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (runtime.Task, error) {
+	process, err := m.manager.Start(ctx, taskID, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to start shim")
+	}
+
+	// Cast to shim task and call task service to create a new container task instance.
+	// This will not be required once shim service / client implemented.
+	shim := process.(*shimTask)
+	t, err := shim.Create(ctx, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		dctx, cancel := timeout.WithContext(context.Background(), cleanupTimeout)
+		defer cancel()
+
+		_, errShim := shim.delete(dctx, func(ctx context.Context, id string) {
+			m.manager.shims.Delete(ctx, id)
+		})
+
+		if errShim != nil {
+			if errdefs.IsDeadlineExceeded(errShim) {
+				dctx, cancel = timeout.WithContext(context.Background(), cleanupTimeout)
+				defer cancel()
+			}
+
+			shim.Shutdown(dctx)
+			shim.Close()
+		}
+
+		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to create shim task")
+	}
+
+	return t, nil
+}
+
+// Get a specific task
+func (m *TaskManager) Get(ctx context.Context, id string) (runtime.Task, error) {
+	return m.manager.shims.Get(ctx, id)
+}
+
+// Tasks lists all tasks
+func (m *TaskManager) Tasks(ctx context.Context, all bool) ([]runtime.Task, error) {
+	return m.manager.shims.GetAll(ctx, all)
+}
+
+// Delete deletes the task and shim instance
+func (m *TaskManager) Delete(ctx context.Context, taskID string) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
+	item, err := m.manager.shims.Get(ctx, taskID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	shimTask := item.(*shimTask)
+	exit, err := shimTask.delete(ctx, func(ctx context.Context, id string) {
+		m.manager.shims.Delete(ctx, id)
+	})
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to delete task: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return exit, nil
+}
diff --git a/runtime/v2/process.go b/runtime/v2/process.go
index 903a4282b..497219ae5 100644
--- a/runtime/v2/process.go
+++ b/runtime/v2/process.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import (
 
 type process struct {
 	id   string
-	shim *shim
+	shim *shimTask
 }
 
 func (p *process) ID() string {
diff --git a/runtime/v2/shim.go b/runtime/v2/shim.go
index 56e347563..e356e14d9 100644
--- a/runtime/v2/shim.go
+++ b/runtime/v2/shim.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package v2
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/runtime/v2/task"
 	"github.com/containerd/ttrpc"
 	ptypes "github.com/gogo/protobuf/types"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ func loadAddress(path string) (string, error) {
 	return string(data), nil
 }
 
-func loadShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, onClose func()) (_ *shim, err error) {
+func loadShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, onClose func()) (_ *shimTask, err error) {
 	address, err := loadAddress(filepath.Join(bundle.Path, "address"))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -115,10 +117,12 @@ func loadShim(ctx context.Context, bundle *Bundle, onClose func()) (_ *shim, err
 			client.Close()
 		}
 	}()
-	s := &shim{
-		client: client,
-		task:   task.NewTaskClient(client),
-		bundle: bundle,
+	s := &shimTask{
+		shim: &shim{
+			bundle: bundle,
+			client: client,
+		},
+		task: task.NewTaskClient(client),
 	}
 	ctx, cancel := timeout.WithContext(ctx, loadTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
@@ -182,28 +186,19 @@ func cleanupAfterDeadShim(ctx context.Context, id, ns string, rt *runtime.TaskLi
 	})
 }
 
-var _ runtime.Task = &shim{}
+// ShimProcess represents a shim instance managed by the shim service.
+type ShimProcess interface {
+	runtime.Process
+
+	// ID of the shim.
+	ID() string
+	// Namespace of this shim.
+	Namespace() string
+}
 
 type shim struct {
 	bundle *Bundle
 	client *ttrpc.Client
-	task   task.TaskService
-}
-
-func (s *shim) Shutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
-	_, err := s.task.Shutdown(ctx, &task.ShutdownRequest{
-		ID: s.ID(),
-	})
-	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ttrpc.ErrClosed) {
-		return errdefs.FromGRPC(err)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (s *shim) waitShutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
-	ctx, cancel := timeout.WithContext(ctx, shutdownTimeout)
-	defer cancel()
-	return s.Shutdown(ctx)
 }
 
 // ID of the shim/task
@@ -211,18 +206,6 @@ func (s *shim) ID() string {
 	return s.bundle.ID
 }
 
-// PID of the task
-func (s *shim) PID(ctx context.Context) (uint32, error) {
-	response, err := s.task.Connect(ctx, &task.ConnectRequest{
-		ID: s.ID(),
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return 0, errdefs.FromGRPC(err)
-	}
-
-	return response.TaskPid, nil
-}
-
 func (s *shim) Namespace() string {
 	return s.bundle.Namespace
 }
@@ -231,7 +214,64 @@ func (s *shim) Close() error {
 	return s.client.Close()
 }
 
-func (s *shim) delete(ctx context.Context, removeTask func(ctx context.Context, id string)) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
+func (s *shim) delete(ctx context.Context) error {
+	var (
+		result *multierror.Error
+	)
+
+	if err := s.Close(); err != nil {
+		result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("failed to close ttrpc client: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	if err := s.client.UserOnCloseWait(ctx); err != nil {
+		result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("close wait error: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	if err := s.bundle.Delete(); err != nil {
+		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", s.ID()).WithError(err).Error("failed to delete bundle")
+		result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("failed to delete bundle: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	return result.ErrorOrNil()
+}
+
+var _ runtime.Task = &shimTask{}
+
+// shimTask wraps shim process and adds task service client for compatibility with existing shim manager.
+type shimTask struct {
+	*shim
+	task task.TaskService
+}
+
+func (s *shimTask) Shutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
+	_, err := s.task.Shutdown(ctx, &task.ShutdownRequest{
+		ID: s.ID(),
+	})
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ttrpc.ErrClosed) {
+		return errdefs.FromGRPC(err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *shimTask) waitShutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
+	ctx, cancel := timeout.WithContext(ctx, shutdownTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+	return s.Shutdown(ctx)
+}
+
+// PID of the task
+func (s *shimTask) PID(ctx context.Context) (uint32, error) {
+	response, err := s.task.Connect(ctx, &task.ConnectRequest{
+		ID: s.ID(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, errdefs.FromGRPC(err)
+	}
+
+	return response.TaskPid, nil
+}
+
+func (s *shimTask) delete(ctx context.Context, removeTask func(ctx context.Context, id string)) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
 	response, shimErr := s.task.Delete(ctx, &task.DeleteRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	})
@@ -260,20 +300,21 @@ func (s *shim) delete(ctx context.Context, removeTask func(ctx context.Context,
 	}
 
 	if err := s.waitShutdown(ctx); err != nil {
-		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", s.ID()).WithError(err).Error("failed to shutdown shim")
+		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", s.ID()).WithError(err).Error("failed to shutdown shim task")
+	}
+
+	if err := s.shim.delete(ctx); err != nil {
+		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", s.ID()).WithError(err).Errorf("failed to delete shim")
 	}
-	s.Close()
-	s.client.UserOnCloseWait(ctx)
 
 	// remove self from the runtime task list
 	// this seems dirty but it cleans up the API across runtimes, tasks, and the service
 	removeTask(ctx, s.ID())
-	if err := s.bundle.Delete(); err != nil {
-		log.G(ctx).WithField("id", s.ID()).WithError(err).Error("failed to delete bundle")
-	}
+
 	if shimErr != nil {
 		return nil, shimErr
 	}
+
 	return &runtime.Exit{
 		Status:    response.ExitStatus,
 		Timestamp: response.ExitedAt,
@@ -281,7 +322,7 @@ func (s *shim) delete(ctx context.Context, removeTask func(ctx context.Context,
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Create(ctx context.Context, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (runtime.Task, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Create(ctx context.Context, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (runtime.Task, error) {
 	topts := opts.TaskOptions
 	if topts == nil {
 		topts = opts.RuntimeOptions
@@ -312,7 +353,7 @@ func (s *shim) Create(ctx context.Context, opts runtime.CreateOpts) (runtime.Tas
 	return s, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Pause(ctx context.Context) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Pause(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if _, err := s.task.Pause(ctx, &task.PauseRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	}); err != nil {
@@ -321,7 +362,7 @@ func (s *shim) Pause(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Resume(ctx context.Context) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Resume(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if _, err := s.task.Resume(ctx, &task.ResumeRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	}); err != nil {
@@ -330,7 +371,7 @@ func (s *shim) Resume(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
 	_, err := s.task.Start(ctx, &task.StartRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	})
@@ -340,7 +381,7 @@ func (s *shim) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Kill(ctx context.Context, signal uint32, all bool) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Kill(ctx context.Context, signal uint32, all bool) error {
 	if _, err := s.task.Kill(ctx, &task.KillRequest{
 		ID:     s.ID(),
 		Signal: signal,
@@ -351,7 +392,7 @@ func (s *shim) Kill(ctx context.Context, signal uint32, all bool) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Exec(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.ExecOpts) (runtime.ExecProcess, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Exec(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.ExecOpts) (runtime.ExecProcess, error) {
 	if err := identifiers.Validate(id); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "invalid exec id %s", id)
 	}
@@ -373,7 +414,7 @@ func (s *shim) Exec(ctx context.Context, id string, opts runtime.ExecOpts) (runt
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Pids(ctx context.Context) ([]runtime.ProcessInfo, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Pids(ctx context.Context) ([]runtime.ProcessInfo, error) {
 	resp, err := s.task.Pids(ctx, &task.PidsRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	})
@@ -390,7 +431,7 @@ func (s *shim) Pids(ctx context.Context) ([]runtime.ProcessInfo, error) {
 	return processList, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) ResizePty(ctx context.Context, size runtime.ConsoleSize) error {
+func (s *shimTask) ResizePty(ctx context.Context, size runtime.ConsoleSize) error {
 	_, err := s.task.ResizePty(ctx, &task.ResizePtyRequest{
 		ID:     s.ID(),
 		Width:  size.Width,
@@ -402,7 +443,7 @@ func (s *shim) ResizePty(ctx context.Context, size runtime.ConsoleSize) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) CloseIO(ctx context.Context) error {
+func (s *shimTask) CloseIO(ctx context.Context) error {
 	_, err := s.task.CloseIO(ctx, &task.CloseIORequest{
 		ID:    s.ID(),
 		Stdin: true,
@@ -413,7 +454,7 @@ func (s *shim) CloseIO(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Wait(ctx context.Context) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Wait(ctx context.Context) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
 	taskPid, err := s.PID(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -431,7 +472,7 @@ func (s *shim) Wait(ctx context.Context) (*runtime.Exit, error) {
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Checkpoint(ctx context.Context, path string, options *ptypes.Any) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Checkpoint(ctx context.Context, path string, options *ptypes.Any) error {
 	request := &task.CheckpointTaskRequest{
 		ID:      s.ID(),
 		Path:    path,
@@ -443,7 +484,7 @@ func (s *shim) Checkpoint(ctx context.Context, path string, options *ptypes.Any)
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Update(ctx context.Context, resources *ptypes.Any, annotations map[string]string) error {
+func (s *shimTask) Update(ctx context.Context, resources *ptypes.Any, annotations map[string]string) error {
 	if _, err := s.task.Update(ctx, &task.UpdateTaskRequest{
 		ID:          s.ID(),
 		Resources:   resources,
@@ -454,7 +495,7 @@ func (s *shim) Update(ctx context.Context, resources *ptypes.Any, annotations ma
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Stats(ctx context.Context) (*ptypes.Any, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Stats(ctx context.Context) (*ptypes.Any, error) {
 	response, err := s.task.Stats(ctx, &task.StatsRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	})
@@ -464,7 +505,7 @@ func (s *shim) Stats(ctx context.Context) (*ptypes.Any, error) {
 	return response.Stats, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) Process(ctx context.Context, id string) (runtime.ExecProcess, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) Process(ctx context.Context, id string) (runtime.ExecProcess, error) {
 	p := &process{
 		id:   id,
 		shim: s,
@@ -475,7 +516,7 @@ func (s *shim) Process(ctx context.Context, id string) (runtime.ExecProcess, err
 	return p, nil
 }
 
-func (s *shim) State(ctx context.Context) (runtime.State, error) {
+func (s *shimTask) State(ctx context.Context) (runtime.State, error) {
 	response, err := s.task.State(ctx, &task.StateRequest{
 		ID: s.ID(),
 	})
diff --git a/runtime/v2/shim_load.go b/runtime/v2/shim_load.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2def62d02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runtime/v2/shim_load.go
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+/*
+   Copyright The containerd Authors.
+
+   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+   you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+   You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+   WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+   See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+   limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package v2
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/mount"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/namespaces"
+)
+
+func (m *ShimManager) loadExistingTasks(ctx context.Context) error {
+	nsDirs, err := os.ReadDir(m.state)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, nsd := range nsDirs {
+		if !nsd.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		ns := nsd.Name()
+		// skip hidden directories
+		if len(ns) > 0 && ns[0] == '.' {
+			continue
+		}
+		log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).Debug("loading tasks in namespace")
+		if err := m.loadShims(namespaces.WithNamespace(ctx, ns)); err != nil {
+			log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).WithError(err).Error("loading tasks in namespace")
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := m.cleanupWorkDirs(namespaces.WithNamespace(ctx, ns)); err != nil {
+			log.G(ctx).WithField("namespace", ns).WithError(err).Error("cleanup working directory in namespace")
+			continue
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *ShimManager) loadShims(ctx context.Context) error {
+	ns, err := namespaces.NamespaceRequired(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	shimDirs, err := os.ReadDir(filepath.Join(m.state, ns))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, sd := range shimDirs {
+		if !sd.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		id := sd.Name()
+		// skip hidden directories
+		if len(id) > 0 && id[0] == '.' {
+			continue
+		}
+		bundle, err := LoadBundle(ctx, m.state, id)
+		if err != nil {
+			// fine to return error here, it is a programmer error if the context
+			// does not have a namespace
+			return err
+		}
+		// fast path
+		bf, err := os.ReadDir(bundle.Path)
+		if err != nil {
+			bundle.Delete()
+			log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("fast path read bundle path for %s", bundle.Path)
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(bf) == 0 {
+			bundle.Delete()
+			continue
+		}
+		container, err := m.containers.Get(ctx, id)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("loading container %s", id)
+			if err := mount.UnmountAll(filepath.Join(bundle.Path, "rootfs"), 0); err != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("forceful unmount of rootfs %s", id)
+			}
+			bundle.Delete()
+			continue
+		}
+		binaryCall := shimBinary(bundle,
+			shimBinaryConfig{
+				runtime:      container.Runtime.Name,
+				address:      m.containerdAddress,
+				ttrpcAddress: m.containerdTTRPCAddress,
+				schedCore:    m.schedCore,
+			})
+		shim, err := loadShim(ctx, bundle, func() {
+			log.G(ctx).WithField("id", id).Info("shim disconnected")
+
+			cleanupAfterDeadShim(context.Background(), id, ns, m.shims, m.events, binaryCall)
+			// Remove self from the runtime task list.
+			m.shims.Delete(ctx, id)
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			cleanupAfterDeadShim(ctx, id, ns, m.shims, m.events, binaryCall)
+			continue
+		}
+		m.shims.Add(ctx, shim)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *ShimManager) cleanupWorkDirs(ctx context.Context) error {
+	ns, err := namespaces.NamespaceRequired(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	dirs, err := os.ReadDir(filepath.Join(m.root, ns))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, d := range dirs {
+		// if the task was not loaded, cleanup and empty working directory
+		// this can happen on a reboot where /run for the bundle state is cleaned up
+		// but that persistent working dir is left
+		if _, err := m.shims.Get(ctx, d.Name()); err != nil {
+			path := filepath.Join(m.root, ns, d.Name())
+			if err := os.RemoveAll(path); err != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("cleanup working dir %s", path)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/services/tasks/local.go b/services/tasks/local.go
index 067a5b05c..54c758fbf 100644
--- a/services/tasks/local.go
+++ b/services/tasks/local.go
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func initFunc(ic *plugin.InitContext) (interface{}, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	v2r, err := ic.Get(plugin.RuntimePluginV2)
+	v2r, err := ic.GetByID(plugin.RuntimePluginV2, "task")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/services/tasks/local_freebsd.go b/services/tasks/local_freebsd.go
index c0b57edfa..aa081529a 100644
--- a/services/tasks/local_freebsd.go
+++ b/services/tasks/local_freebsd.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 var tasksServiceRequires = []plugin.Type{
 	plugin.EventPlugin,
 	plugin.RuntimePluginV2,
+	plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin,
 	plugin.MetadataPlugin,
 	plugin.TaskMonitorPlugin,
 }
diff --git a/services/tasks/local_unix.go b/services/tasks/local_unix.go
index 50a29f612..badd3bc7a 100644
--- a/services/tasks/local_unix.go
+++ b/services/tasks/local_unix.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ var tasksServiceRequires = []plugin.Type{
 	plugin.EventPlugin,
 	plugin.RuntimePlugin,
 	plugin.RuntimePluginV2,
+	plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin,
 	plugin.MetadataPlugin,
 	plugin.TaskMonitorPlugin,
 }
diff --git a/services/tasks/local_windows.go b/services/tasks/local_windows.go
index 90b1ed9dd..c494f4981 100644
--- a/services/tasks/local_windows.go
+++ b/services/tasks/local_windows.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 var tasksServiceRequires = []plugin.Type{
 	plugin.EventPlugin,
 	plugin.RuntimePluginV2,
+	plugin.RuntimeShimPlugin,
 	plugin.MetadataPlugin,
 	plugin.TaskMonitorPlugin,
 }