diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e727600..9146960 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 ## 0.1.4
 
+## Added:
+
+- `Master` trait: provides methods to manage mcaptcha
+
 ## Changed:
 
 - `PoWConfig` has an extra field to send internal `PoW` salt to clients.
@@ -11,9 +15,14 @@
 - `master::Master` is moved to `master::embedded::master` in preparation
   for Redis based implementation.
 
-- `crate::mcaptcha` is moved to `master::embedded::mcaptcha` in preparation
+- `crate::mcaptcha` is moved to `master::embedded::counter` in preparation
   for Redis based implementation.
 
+- `AddSite` message for `Master` now requires an instance of
+  `crate::master::MCaptcha`. In the case of
+  `crate::master::embedded::master`, it automatically starts `Counter`
+  actor.
+
 ## 0.1.3
 
 ## Added
diff --git a/examples/simple.rs b/examples/simple.rs
index e61668d..9b9e2c1 100644
--- a/examples/simple.rs
+++ b/examples/simple.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use libmcaptcha::{
     cache::{messages::VerifyCaptchaResult, HashCache},
-    master::embedded::master::{AddSiteBuilder, Master},
+    master::embedded::master::Master,
+    master::AddSiteBuilder,
     pow::{ConfigBuilder, Work},
     system::SystemBuilder,
     DefenseBuilder, LevelBuilder, MCaptchaBuilder,
@@ -75,8 +76,7 @@ async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
         .duration(30)
         //   .cache(cache)
         .build()
-        .unwrap()
-        .start();
+        .unwrap();
 
     // unique value identifying an MCaptcha actor
     let mcaptcha_name = "batsense.net";
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
     // add MCaptcha to Master
     let msg = AddSiteBuilder::default()
         .id(mcaptcha_name.into())
-        .addr(mcaptcha.clone())
+        .mcaptcha(mcaptcha)
         .build()
         .unwrap();
     system.master.send(msg).await.unwrap();
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 636feaa..25c525e 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@
 //! ```rust
 //! use libmcaptcha::{
 //!     cache::{messages::VerifyCaptchaResult, HashCache},
-//!     master::embedded::master::{AddSiteBuilder, Master},
+//!     master::embedded::master:: Master,
+//!     master::AddSiteBuilder,
 //!     pow::{ConfigBuilder, Work},
 //!     system::SystemBuilder,
 //!     DefenseBuilder, LevelBuilder, MCaptchaBuilder,
@@ -123,8 +124,7 @@
 //!         .duration(30)
 //!         //   .cache(cache)
 //!         .build()
-//!         .unwrap()
-//!         .start();
+//!         .unwrap();
 //!
 //!     // unique value identifying an MCaptcha actor
 //!     let mcaptcha_name = "batsense.net";
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
 //!     // add MCaptcha to Master
 //!     let msg = AddSiteBuilder::default()
 //!         .id(mcaptcha_name.into())
-//!         .addr(mcaptcha.clone())
+//!         .mcaptcha(mcaptcha)
 //!         .build()
 //!         .unwrap();
 //!     system.master.send(msg).await.unwrap();
@@ -196,4 +196,5 @@ mod utils;
 pub use crate::cache::hashcache::HashCache;
 
 pub use defense::{Defense, DefenseBuilder, LevelBuilder};
-pub use master::embedded::mcaptcha::{MCaptcha, MCaptchaBuilder};
+pub use master::embedded::counter::Counter;
+pub use master::MCaptchaBuilder;
diff --git a/src/master/embedded/mcaptcha.rs b/src/master/embedded/counter.rs
similarity index 80%
rename from src/master/embedded/mcaptcha.rs
rename to src/master/embedded/counter.rs
index c8d3977..bef65fb 100644
--- a/src/master/embedded/mcaptcha.rs
+++ b/src/master/embedded/counter.rs
@@ -15,11 +15,17 @@
  * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
  * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
-//! MCaptcha actor module that manages defense levels
+//! Counter actor module that manages defense levels
 //!
 //! ## Usage:
 //! ```rust
-//! use libmcaptcha::{master::embedded::mcaptcha::AddVisitor, MCaptchaBuilder, cache::HashCache, LevelBuilder, DefenseBuilder};
+//! use libmcaptcha::{
+//!     master::embedded::counter::{Counter, AddVisitor},
+//!     master::MCaptchaBuilder,
+//!     cache::HashCache,
+//!     LevelBuilder,
+//!     DefenseBuilder
+//! };
 //! // traits from actix needs to be in scope for starting actor
 //! use actix::prelude::*;
 //!
@@ -55,18 +61,20 @@
 //!         .build()
 //!         .unwrap();
 //!
-//!     // create and start MCaptcha actor
+//!     // create and start Counter actor
 //!     //let cache = HashCache::default().start();
 //!     let mcaptcha = MCaptchaBuilder::default()
 //!         .defense(defense)
 //!         // leaky bucket algorithm's emission interval
 //!         .duration(30)
 //!         .build()
-//!         .unwrap()
-//!         .start();
+//!         .unwrap();
+//!
+//!     let counter: Counter = mcaptcha.into();
+//!     let counter = counter.start();
 //!
 //!     // increment count when user visits protected routes
-//!     mcaptcha.send(AddVisitor).await.unwrap();
+//!     counter.send(AddVisitor).await.unwrap();
 //!
 //!     Ok(())
 //! }
@@ -78,72 +86,29 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 use actix::dev::*;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use crate::{
-    defense::Defense,
-    errors::{CaptchaError, CaptchaResult},
-    master::AddVisitorResult,
-};
-
-/// Builder for [MCaptcha]
-#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug)]
-pub struct MCaptchaBuilder {
-    visitor_threshold: u32,
-    defense: Option<Defense>,
-    duration: Option<u64>,
-}
-
-impl Default for MCaptchaBuilder {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        MCaptchaBuilder {
-            visitor_threshold: 0,
-            defense: None,
-            duration: None,
-        }
-    }
-}
+use crate::master::MCaptcha;
+use crate::{defense::Defense, master::AddVisitorResult};
 
 /// This struct represents the mCaptcha state and is used
 /// to configure leaky-bucket lifetime and manage defense
 #[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug)]
-pub struct MCaptcha {
+pub struct Counter {
     visitor_threshold: u32,
     defense: Defense,
     duration: u64,
 }
-
-impl MCaptchaBuilder {
-    /// set defense
-    pub fn defense(&mut self, d: Defense) -> &mut Self {
-        self.defense = Some(d);
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// set duration
-    pub fn duration(&mut self, d: u64) -> &mut Self {
-        self.duration = Some(d);
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Builds new [MCaptcha]
-    pub fn build(&mut self) -> CaptchaResult<MCaptcha> {
-        if self.duration.is_none() {
-            Err(CaptchaError::PleaseSetValue("duration".into()))
-        } else if self.defense.is_none() {
-            Err(CaptchaError::PleaseSetValue("defense".into()))
-        } else if self.duration <= Some(0) {
-            Err(CaptchaError::CaptchaDurationZero)
-        } else {
-            let m = MCaptcha {
-                duration: self.duration.unwrap(),
-                defense: self.defense.clone().unwrap(),
-                visitor_threshold: self.visitor_threshold,
-            };
-            Ok(m)
-        }
+impl From<MCaptcha> for Counter {
+    fn from(m: MCaptcha) -> Counter {
+        let m = Counter {
+            duration: m.duration,
+            defense: m.defense,
+            visitor_threshold: m.visitor_threshold,
+        };
+        m
     }
 }
 
-impl MCaptcha {
+impl Counter {
     /// increments the visitor count by one
     pub fn add_visitor(&mut self) {
         self.visitor_threshold += 1;
@@ -166,12 +131,12 @@ impl MCaptcha {
         self.defense.get_difficulty()
     }
 
-    /// get [MCaptcha]'s lifetime
+    /// get [Counter]'s lifetime
     pub fn get_duration(&self) -> u64 {
         self.duration
     }
 }
-impl Actor for MCaptcha {
+impl Actor for Counter {
     type Context = Context<Self>;
 }
 
@@ -180,7 +145,7 @@ impl Actor for MCaptcha {
 #[rtype(result = "()")]
 struct DeleteVisitor;
 
-impl Handler<DeleteVisitor> for MCaptcha {
+impl Handler<DeleteVisitor> for Counter {
     type Result = ();
     fn handle(&mut self, _msg: DeleteVisitor, _ctx: &mut Self::Context) -> Self::Result {
         self.decrement_visitor();
@@ -194,7 +159,7 @@ impl Handler<DeleteVisitor> for MCaptcha {
 pub struct AddVisitor;
 
 impl AddVisitorResult {
-    fn new(m: &MCaptcha) -> Self {
+    fn new(m: &Counter) -> Self {
         AddVisitorResult {
             duration: m.get_duration(),
             difficulty_factor: m.get_difficulty(),
@@ -202,7 +167,7 @@ impl AddVisitorResult {
     }
 }
 
-impl Handler<AddVisitor> for MCaptcha {
+impl Handler<AddVisitor> for Counter {
     type Result = MessageResult<AddVisitor>;
 
     fn handle(&mut self, _: AddVisitor, ctx: &mut Self::Context) -> Self::Result {
@@ -228,7 +193,7 @@ impl Handler<AddVisitor> for MCaptcha {
 #[rtype(result = "u32")]
 pub struct GetCurrentVisitorCount;
 
-impl Handler<GetCurrentVisitorCount> for MCaptcha {
+impl Handler<GetCurrentVisitorCount> for Counter {
     type Result = MessageResult<GetCurrentVisitorCount>;
 
     fn handle(&mut self, _: GetCurrentVisitorCount, _ctx: &mut Self::Context) -> Self::Result {
@@ -236,12 +201,12 @@ impl Handler<GetCurrentVisitorCount> for MCaptcha {
     }
 }
 
-/// Message to stop [MCaptcha]
+/// Message to stop [Counter]
 #[derive(Message)]
 #[rtype(result = "()")]
 pub struct Stop;
 
-impl Handler<Stop> for MCaptcha {
+impl Handler<Stop> for Counter {
     type Result = ();
 
     fn handle(&mut self, _: Stop, ctx: &mut Self::Context) -> Self::Result {
@@ -253,6 +218,8 @@ impl Handler<Stop> for MCaptcha {
 pub mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::defense::*;
+    use crate::errors::*;
+    use crate::master::MCaptchaBuilder;
 
     // constants for testing
     // (visitor count, level)
@@ -260,7 +227,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     pub const LEVEL_2: (u32, u32) = (500, 500);
     pub const DURATION: u64 = 5;
 
-    type MyActor = Addr<MCaptcha>;
+    type MyActor = Addr<Counter>;
 
     pub fn get_defense() -> Defense {
         DefenseBuilder::default()
@@ -286,13 +253,17 @@ pub mod tests {
             .unwrap()
     }
 
-    async fn race(addr: Addr<MCaptcha>, count: (u32, u32)) {
+    async fn race(addr: Addr<Counter>, count: (u32, u32)) {
         for _ in 0..count.0 as usize - 1 {
             let _ = addr.send(AddVisitor).await.unwrap();
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn get_counter() -> MCaptcha {
+    pub fn get_counter() -> Counter {
+        get_mcaptcha().into()
+    }
+
+    pub fn get_mcaptcha() -> MCaptcha {
         MCaptchaBuilder::default()
             .defense(get_defense())
             .duration(DURATION)
diff --git a/src/master/embedded/master.rs b/src/master/embedded/master.rs
index 682a54a..438c18a 100644
--- a/src/master/embedded/master.rs
+++ b/src/master/embedded/master.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
  * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
-//! [Master] actor module that manages [MCaptcha] actors
+//! [Master] actor module that manages [Counter] actors
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::sync::mpsc::channel;
 use std::time::Duration;
@@ -23,30 +23,28 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 //use actix::clock::sleep;
 use actix::clock::delay_for;
 use actix::dev::*;
-use derive_builder::Builder;
 use log::info;
 
-use super::mcaptcha::MCaptcha;
-use crate::master::AddVisitor;
+use super::counter::Counter;
 use crate::master::Master as MasterTrait;
+use crate::master::{AddSite, AddVisitor};
 
-/// This Actor manages the [MCaptcha] actors.
-/// A service can have several [MCaptcha] actors with
+/// This Actor manages the [Counter] actors.
+/// A service can have several [Counter] actors with
 /// varying [Defense][crate::defense::Defense] configurations
 /// so a "master" actor is needed to manage them all
 #[derive(Clone, Default)]
 pub struct Master {
-    sites: BTreeMap<String, (Option<()>, Addr<MCaptcha>)>,
+    sites: BTreeMap<String, (Option<()>, Addr<Counter>)>,
     gc: u64,
 }
 
 impl MasterTrait for Master {}
 
 impl Master {
-    /// add [MCaptcha] actor to [Master]
-    pub fn add_site(&mut self, details: AddSite) {
-        self.sites
-            .insert(details.id, (None, details.addr.to_owned()));
+    /// add [Counter] actor to [Master]
+    pub fn add_site(&mut self, addr: Addr<Counter>, id: String) {
+        self.sites.insert(id, (None, addr.to_owned()));
     }
 
     /// create new master
@@ -58,8 +56,8 @@ impl Master {
         }
     }
 
-    /// get [MCaptcha] actor from [Master]
-    pub fn get_site<'a, 'b>(&'a mut self, id: &'b str) -> Option<Addr<MCaptcha>> {
+    /// get [Counter] actor from [Master]
+    pub fn get_site<'a, 'b>(&'a mut self, id: &'b str) -> Option<Addr<Counter>> {
         let mut r = None;
         if let Some((read_val, addr)) = self.sites.get_mut(id) {
             r = Some(addr.clone());
@@ -68,7 +66,7 @@ impl Master {
         r
     }
 
-    /// remvoes [MCaptcha] actor from [Master]
+    /// remvoes [Counter] actor from [Master]
     pub fn rm_site(&mut self, id: &str) {
         self.sites.remove(id);
     }
@@ -99,7 +97,7 @@ impl Handler<AddVisitor> for Master {
             let fut = async move {
                 let config = addr
                     .unwrap()
-                    .send(super::mcaptcha::AddVisitor)
+                    .send(super::counter::AddVisitor)
                     .await
                     .unwrap();
 
@@ -112,9 +110,9 @@ impl Handler<AddVisitor> for Master {
     }
 }
 
-/// Message to get an [MCaptcha] actor from master
+/// Message to get an [Counter] actor from master
 #[derive(Message)]
-#[rtype(result = "Option<Addr<MCaptcha>>")]
+#[rtype(result = "Option<Addr<Counter>>")]
 pub struct GetSite(pub String);
 
 impl Handler<GetSite> for Master {
@@ -130,7 +128,7 @@ impl Handler<GetSite> for Master {
     }
 }
 
-/// Message to clean up master of [MCaptcha] actors with zero visitor count
+/// Message to clean up master of [Counter] actors with zero visitor count
 #[derive(Message)]
 #[rtype(result = "()")]
 pub struct CleanUp;
@@ -145,7 +143,7 @@ impl Handler<CleanUp> for Master {
         info!("init master actor cleanup up");
         let task = async move {
             for (id, (new, addr)) in sites.iter() {
-                use super::mcaptcha::{GetCurrentVisitorCount, Stop};
+                use super::counter::{GetCurrentVisitorCount, Stop};
                 let visitor_count = addr.send(GetCurrentVisitorCount).await.unwrap();
                 println!("{}", visitor_count);
                 if visitor_count == 0 && new.is_some() {
@@ -165,7 +163,7 @@ impl Handler<CleanUp> for Master {
     }
 }
 
-/// Message to delete [MCaptcha] actor
+/// Message to delete [Counter] actor
 #[derive(Message)]
 #[rtype(result = "()")]
 pub struct RemoveSite(pub String);
@@ -178,43 +176,38 @@ impl Handler<RemoveSite> for Master {
     }
 }
 
-/// Message to add an [MCaptcha] actor to [Master]
-#[derive(Message, Builder)]
-#[rtype(result = "()")]
-pub struct AddSite {
-    pub id: String,
-    pub addr: Addr<MCaptcha>,
-}
-
 impl Handler<AddSite> for Master {
     type Result = ();
 
     fn handle(&mut self, m: AddSite, _ctx: &mut Self::Context) -> Self::Result {
-        self.add_site(m);
+        let counter: Counter = m.mcaptcha.into();
+        let addr = counter.start();
+        self.add_site(addr, m.id);
     }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use crate::master::embedded::mcaptcha::tests::*;
+    use crate::master::embedded::counter::tests::*;
+    use crate::master::AddSiteBuilder;
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn master_actor_works() {
         let addr = Master::new(1).start();
 
         let id = "yo";
-        let mcaptcha = get_counter().start();
+        let mcaptcha = get_mcaptcha();
         let msg = AddSiteBuilder::default()
             .id(id.into())
-            .addr(mcaptcha.clone())
+            .mcaptcha(mcaptcha.clone())
             .build()
             .unwrap();
 
         addr.send(msg).await.unwrap();
 
         let mcaptcha_addr = addr.send(GetSite(id.into())).await.unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(mcaptcha_addr, Some(mcaptcha));
+        assert!(mcaptcha_addr.is_some());
 
         let addr_doesnt_exist = addr.send(GetSite("a".into())).await.unwrap();
         assert!(addr_doesnt_exist.is_none());
diff --git a/src/master/embedded/mod.rs b/src/master/embedded/mod.rs
index 2de680d..ecd66b1 100644
--- a/src/master/embedded/mod.rs
+++ b/src/master/embedded/mod.rs
@@ -16,5 +16,5 @@
  * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
+pub mod counter;
 pub mod master;
-pub mod mcaptcha;
diff --git a/src/master/mod.rs b/src/master/mod.rs
index d297b99..bddc455 100644
--- a/src/master/mod.rs
+++ b/src/master/mod.rs
@@ -19,12 +19,18 @@
 use std::sync::mpsc::Receiver;
 
 use actix::dev::*;
+use derive_builder::Builder;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 pub mod embedded;
 
+use crate::defense::Defense;
+use crate::errors::*;
+
 /// Describes actor handler trait impls that are required by a cache implementation
-pub trait Master: actix::Actor + actix::Handler<AddVisitor> {}
+pub trait Master: actix::Actor + actix::Handler<AddVisitor> + actix::Handler<AddSite> {}
+
+//+ actix::Handler<AddSite>
 
 /// Message to add visitor to an [MCaptcha] actor
 #[derive(Message)]
@@ -39,3 +45,68 @@ pub struct AddVisitorResult {
     pub duration: u64,
     pub difficulty_factor: u32,
 }
+
+/// Message to add an [Counter] actor to [Master]
+#[derive(Message, Builder)]
+#[rtype(result = "()")]
+pub struct AddSite {
+    pub id: String,
+    pub mcaptcha: MCaptcha,
+}
+
+/// Builder for [MCaptcha]
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug)]
+pub struct MCaptchaBuilder {
+    visitor_threshold: u32,
+    defense: Option<Defense>,
+    duration: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+impl Default for MCaptchaBuilder {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        MCaptchaBuilder {
+            visitor_threshold: 0,
+            defense: None,
+            duration: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl MCaptchaBuilder {
+    /// set defense
+    pub fn defense(&mut self, d: Defense) -> &mut Self {
+        self.defense = Some(d);
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// set duration
+    pub fn duration(&mut self, d: u64) -> &mut Self {
+        self.duration = Some(d);
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Builds new [MCaptcha]
+    pub fn build(self: &mut MCaptchaBuilder) -> CaptchaResult<MCaptcha> {
+        if self.duration.is_none() {
+            Err(CaptchaError::PleaseSetValue("duration".into()))
+        } else if self.defense.is_none() {
+            Err(CaptchaError::PleaseSetValue("defense".into()))
+        } else if self.duration <= Some(0) {
+            Err(CaptchaError::CaptchaDurationZero)
+        } else {
+            let m = MCaptcha {
+                duration: self.duration.unwrap(),
+                defense: self.defense.clone().unwrap(),
+                visitor_threshold: self.visitor_threshold,
+            };
+            Ok(m)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug)]
+pub struct MCaptcha {
+    visitor_threshold: u32,
+    defense: Defense,
+    duration: u64,
+}
diff --git a/src/system.rs b/src/system.rs
index 72cc5e3..72ced7c 100644
--- a/src/system.rs
+++ b/src/system.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ where
         + ToEnvelope<T, CacheResult>
         + ToEnvelope<T, VerifyCaptchaResult>,
     X: Master,
-    <X as actix::Actor>::Context: ToEnvelope<X, crate::master::AddVisitor>,
+    <X as actix::Actor>::Context:
+        ToEnvelope<X, crate::master::AddVisitor> + ToEnvelope<X, crate::master::AddSite>,
 {
     /// utility function to get difficulty factor of site `id` and cache it
     pub async fn get_pow(&self, id: String) -> Option<PoWConfig> {
@@ -123,21 +124,21 @@ mod tests {
     use super::System;
     use super::*;
     use crate::cache::HashCache;
+    use crate::master::embedded::counter::tests::*;
     use crate::master::embedded::master::Master;
-    use crate::master::embedded::master::*;
-    use crate::master::embedded::mcaptcha::tests::*;
+    use crate::master::*;
 
     const MCAPTCHA_NAME: &str = "batsense.net";
 
     async fn boostrap_system(gc: u64) -> System<HashCache, Master> {
         let master = Master::new(gc).start();
-        let mcaptcha = get_counter().start();
+        let mcaptcha = get_mcaptcha();
         let pow = get_config();
 
         let cache = HashCache::default().start();
         let msg = AddSiteBuilder::default()
             .id(MCAPTCHA_NAME.into())
-            .addr(mcaptcha.clone())
+            .mcaptcha(mcaptcha)
             .build()
             .unwrap();