diff --git a/api/sys_generate_root.go b/api/sys_generate_root.go
index 410ccf4c6078..adb5496d4e4f 100644
--- a/api/sys_generate_root.go
+++ b/api/sys_generate_root.go
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ func (c *Sys) generateRootUpdateCommon(path, shard, nonce string) (*GenerateRoot
 }
 
 type GenerateRootStatusResponse struct {
-	Nonce            string
-	Started          bool
-	Progress         int
-	Required         int
-	Complete         bool
+	Nonce            string `json:"nonce"`
+	Started          bool   `json:"started"`
+	Progress         int    `json:"progress"`
+	Required         int    `json:"required"`
+	Complete         bool   `json:"complete"`
 	EncodedToken     string `json:"encoded_token"`
 	EncodedRootToken string `json:"encoded_root_token"`
 	PGPFingerprint   string `json:"pgp_fingerprint"`
diff --git a/api/sys_rekey.go b/api/sys_rekey.go
index 61002224a52a..8b2d0435d042 100644
--- a/api/sys_rekey.go
+++ b/api/sys_rekey.go
@@ -177,27 +177,27 @@ type RekeyInitRequest struct {
 }
 
 type RekeyStatusResponse struct {
-	Nonce           string
-	Started         bool
-	T               int
-	N               int
-	Progress        int
-	Required        int
+	Nonce           string   `json:"nonce"`
+	Started         bool     `json:"started"`
+	T               int      `json:"t"`
+	N               int      `json:"n"`
+	Progress        int      `json:"progress"`
+	Required        int      `json:"required"`
 	PGPFingerprints []string `json:"pgp_fingerprints"`
-	Backup          bool
+	Backup          bool     `json:"backup"`
 }
 
 type RekeyUpdateResponse struct {
-	Nonce           string
-	Complete        bool
-	Keys            []string
+	Nonce           string   `json:"nonce"`
+	Complete        bool     `json:"complete"`
+	Keys            []string `json:"keys"`
 	KeysB64         []string `json:"keys_base64"`
 	PGPFingerprints []string `json:"pgp_fingerprints"`
-	Backup          bool
+	Backup          bool     `json:"backup"`
 }
 
 type RekeyRetrieveResponse struct {
-	Nonce   string
-	Keys    map[string][]string
+	Nonce   string              `json:"nonce"`
+	Keys    map[string][]string `json:"keys"`
 	KeysB64 map[string][]string `json:"keys_base64"`
 }
diff --git a/command/audit_list.go b/command/audit_list.go
index 0012426e416b..3a88b908c012 100644
--- a/command/audit_list.go
+++ b/command/audit_list.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Usage: vault audit list [options]
 }
 
 func (c *AuditListCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Command Options")
 
@@ -99,13 +99,17 @@ func (c *AuditListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 0
 	}
 
-	if c.flagDetailed {
-		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedAudits(audits), nil))
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		if c.flagDetailed {
+			c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedAudits(audits), nil))
+			return 0
+		}
+		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleAudits(audits), nil))
 		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, audits)
 	}
-
-	c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleAudits(audits), nil))
-	return 0
 }
 
 func (c *AuditListCommand) simpleAudits(audits map[string]*api.Audit) []string {
diff --git a/command/auth_list.go b/command/auth_list.go
index ff56b8e02242..809540822c6e 100644
--- a/command/auth_list.go
+++ b/command/auth_list.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Usage: vault auth list [options]
 }
 
 func (c *AuthListCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Command Options")
 
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ func (c *AuthListCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
 		Target:  &c.flagDetailed,
 		Default: false,
 		Usage: "Print detailed information such as configuration and replication " +
-			"status about each auth method.",
+			"status about each auth method. This option is only applicable to " +
+			"table-formatted output.",
 	})
 
 	return set
@@ -95,13 +96,17 @@ func (c *AuthListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	if c.flagDetailed {
-		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedMounts(auths), nil))
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		if c.flagDetailed {
+			c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedMounts(auths), nil))
+			return 0
+		}
+		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleMounts(auths), nil))
 		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, auths)
 	}
-
-	c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleMounts(auths), nil))
-	return 0
 }
 
 func (c *AuthListCommand) simpleMounts(auths map[string]*api.AuthMount) []string {
diff --git a/command/base.go b/command/base.go
index be6925b3e0d8..26c62dd64fdb 100644
--- a/command/base.go
+++ b/command/base.go
@@ -152,6 +152,11 @@ func (c *BaseCommand) flagSet(bit FlagSetBit) *FlagSets {
 	c.flagsOnce.Do(func() {
 		set := NewFlagSets(c.UI)
 
+		// These flag sets will apply to all leaf subcommands.
+		// TODO: Optional, but FlagSetHTTP can be safely removed from the individual
+		// Flags() subcommands.
+		bit = bit | FlagSetHTTP
+
 		if bit&FlagSetHTTP != 0 {
 			f := set.NewFlagSet("HTTP Options")
 
@@ -260,7 +265,7 @@ func (c *BaseCommand) flagSet(bit FlagSetBit) *FlagSets {
 					Name:       "format",
 					Target:     &c.flagFormat,
 					Default:    "table",
-					EnvVar:     "VAULT_FORMAT",
+					EnvVar:     EnvVaultFormat,
 					Completion: complete.PredictSet("table", "json", "yaml"),
 					Usage: "Print the output in the given format. Valid formats " +
 						"are \"table\", \"json\", or \"yaml\".",
@@ -317,6 +322,11 @@ func (f *FlagSets) Parse(args []string) error {
 	return f.mainSet.Parse(args)
 }
 
+// Parsed reports whether the command-line flags have been parsed.
+func (f *FlagSets) Parsed() bool {
+	return f.mainSet.Parsed()
+}
+
 // Args returns the remaining args after parsing.
 func (f *FlagSets) Args() []string {
 	return f.mainSet.Args()
diff --git a/command/commands.go b/command/commands.go
index 7a8204dd9c2c..c80c973a6348 100644
--- a/command/commands.go
+++ b/command/commands.go
@@ -64,6 +64,13 @@ import (
 	physZooKeeper "github.com/hashicorp/vault/physical/zookeeper"
 )
 
+const (
+	// EnvVaultCLINoColor is an env var that toggles colored UI output.
+	EnvVaultCLINoColor = `VAULT_CLI_NO_COLOR`
+	// EnvVaultFormat is the output format
+	EnvVaultFormat = `VAULT_FORMAT`
+)
+
 var (
 	auditBackends = map[string]audit.Factory{
 		"file":   auditFile.Factory,
@@ -149,7 +156,9 @@ func (c *DeprecatedCommand) Help() string {
 
 // Run wraps the embedded Run command and prints a warning about deprecation.
 func (c *DeprecatedCommand) Run(args []string) int {
-	c.warn()
+	if Format(c.UI) == "table" {
+		c.warn()
+	}
 	return c.Command.Run(args)
 }
 
@@ -166,24 +175,7 @@ func (c *DeprecatedCommand) warn() {
 var Commands map[string]cli.CommandFactory
 var DeprecatedCommands map[string]cli.CommandFactory
 
-func init() {
-	ui := &cli.ColoredUi{
-		ErrorColor: cli.UiColorRed,
-		WarnColor:  cli.UiColorYellow,
-		Ui: &cli.BasicUi{
-			Writer:      os.Stdout,
-			ErrorWriter: os.Stderr,
-		},
-	}
-
-	serverCmdUi := &cli.ColoredUi{
-		ErrorColor: cli.UiColorRed,
-		WarnColor:  cli.UiColorYellow,
-		Ui: &cli.BasicUi{
-			Writer: os.Stdout,
-		},
-	}
-
+func initCommands(ui, serverCmdUi cli.Ui) {
 	loginHandlers := map[string]LoginHandler{
 		"aws":      &credAws.CLIHandler{},
 		"centrify": &credCentrify.CLIHandler{},
@@ -572,7 +564,7 @@ func init() {
 
 	// Deprecated commands
 	//
-	// TODO: Remove in 0.9.0
+	// TODO: Remove not before 0.11.0
 	DeprecatedCommands = map[string]cli.CommandFactory{
 		"audit-disable": func() (cli.Command, error) {
 			return &DeprecatedCommand{
diff --git a/command/format.go b/command/format.go
index c1397b3383ac..76d018acd5ca 100644
--- a/command/format.go
+++ b/command/format.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -19,29 +20,38 @@ const (
 	hopeDelim = "♨"
 )
 
-func OutputSecret(ui cli.Ui, format string, secret *api.Secret) int {
-	return outputWithFormat(ui, format, secret, secret)
+type FormatOptions struct {
+	Format string
 }
 
-func OutputList(ui cli.Ui, format string, secret *api.Secret) int {
-	return outputWithFormat(ui, format, secret, secret.Data["keys"])
+func OutputSecret(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret) int {
+	return outputWithFormat(ui, secret, secret)
 }
 
-func outputWithFormat(ui cli.Ui, format string, secret *api.Secret, data interface{}) int {
-	// If we had a colored UI, pull out the nested ui so we don't add escape
-	// sequences for outputting json, etc.
-	colorUI, ok := ui.(*cli.ColoredUi)
-	if ok {
-		ui = colorUI.Ui
+func OutputList(ui cli.Ui, data interface{}) int {
+	switch data.(type) {
+	case *api.Secret:
+		secret := data.(*api.Secret)
+		return outputWithFormat(ui, secret, secret.Data["keys"])
+	default:
+		return outputWithFormat(ui, nil, data)
 	}
+}
+
+func OutputData(ui cli.Ui, data interface{}) int {
+	return outputWithFormat(ui, nil, data)
+}
 
-	formatter, ok := Formatters[strings.ToLower(format)]
+func outputWithFormat(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret, data interface{}) int {
+	format := Format(ui)
+	formatter, ok := Formatters[format]
 	if !ok {
 		ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Invalid output format: %s", format))
 		return 1
 	}
+
 	if err := formatter.Output(ui, secret, data); err != nil {
-		ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Could not output secret: %s", err.Error()))
+		ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Could not parse output: %s", err.Error()))
 		return 1
 	}
 	return 0
@@ -58,6 +68,22 @@ var Formatters = map[string]Formatter{
 	"yml":   YamlFormatter{},
 }
 
+func format() string {
+	format := os.Getenv(EnvVaultFormat)
+	if format == "" {
+		format = "table"
+	}
+	return format
+}
+
+func Format(ui cli.Ui) string {
+	switch ui.(type) {
+	case *VaultUI:
+		return ui.(*VaultUI).format
+	}
+	return format()
+}
+
 // An output formatter for json output of an object
 type JsonFormatter struct{}
 
@@ -87,19 +113,32 @@ type TableFormatter struct {
 }
 
 func (t TableFormatter) Output(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret, data interface{}) error {
-	// TODO: this should really use reflection like the other formatters do
-	if s, ok := data.(*api.Secret); ok {
-		return t.OutputSecret(ui, s)
-	}
-	if s, ok := data.([]interface{}); ok {
-		return t.OutputList(ui, secret, s)
+	switch data.(type) {
+	case *api.Secret:
+		return t.OutputSecret(ui, secret)
+	case []interface{}:
+		return t.OutputList(ui, secret, data)
+	case []string:
+		return t.OutputList(ui, nil, data)
+	default:
+		return errors.New("Cannot use the table formatter for this type")
 	}
-	return errors.New("Cannot use the table formatter for this type")
 }
 
-func (t TableFormatter) OutputList(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret, list []interface{}) error {
+func (t TableFormatter) OutputList(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret, data interface{}) error {
 	t.printWarnings(ui, secret)
 
+	switch data.(type) {
+	case []interface{}:
+	case []string:
+		ui.Output(tableOutput(data.([]string), nil))
+		return nil
+	default:
+		return errors.New("Error: table formatter cannot output list for this data type")
+	}
+
+	list := data.([]interface{})
+
 	if len(list) > 0 {
 		keys := make([]string, len(list))
 		for i, v := range list {
@@ -208,7 +247,14 @@ func (t TableFormatter) OutputSecret(ui cli.Ui, secret *api.Secret) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// OutputSealStatus will print *api.SealStatusResponse in the CLI according to the format provided
 func OutputSealStatus(ui cli.Ui, client *api.Client, status *api.SealStatusResponse) int {
+	switch Format(ui) {
+	case "table":
+	default:
+		return OutputData(ui, status)
+	}
+
 	var sealPrefix string
 	if status.RecoverySeal {
 		sealPrefix = "Recovery "
diff --git a/command/format_test.go b/command/format_test.go
index 44020a1aa663..b97ca27315c6 100644
--- a/command/format_test.go
+++ b/command/format_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package command
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -30,8 +31,9 @@ func (m mockUi) Error(s string)  { m.t.Log(s) }
 func (m mockUi) Warn(s string)   { m.t.Log(s) }
 
 func TestJsonFormatter(t *testing.T) {
+	os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, "json")
 	ui := mockUi{t: t, SampleData: "something"}
-	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, "json", nil, ui); err != 0 {
+	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, nil, ui); err != 0 {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	var newUi mockUi
@@ -46,8 +48,9 @@ func TestJsonFormatter(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestYamlFormatter(t *testing.T) {
+	os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, "yaml")
 	ui := mockUi{t: t, SampleData: "something"}
-	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, "yaml", nil, ui); err != 0 {
+	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, nil, ui); err != 0 {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	var newUi mockUi
@@ -63,12 +66,68 @@ func TestYamlFormatter(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestTableFormatter(t *testing.T) {
+	os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, "table")
 	ui := mockUi{t: t}
 	s := api.Secret{Data: map[string]interface{}{"k": "something"}}
-	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, "table", &s, &s); err != 0 {
+	if err := outputWithFormat(ui, &s, &s); err != 0 {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "something") {
 		t.Fatal("did not find 'something'")
 	}
 }
+
+func Test_Format_Parsing(t *testing.T) {
+	defer func() {
+		os.Setenv(EnvVaultCLINoColor, "")
+		os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, "")
+	}()
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		args []string
+		out  string
+		code int
+	}{
+		{
+			"format",
+			[]string{"-format", "json"},
+			"{",
+			0,
+		},
+		{
+			"format_bad",
+			[]string{"-format", "nope-not-real"},
+			"Invalid output format",
+			1,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		tc := tc
+
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			client, closer := testVaultServer(t)
+			defer closer()
+
+			// Login with the token so we can renew-self.
+			token, _ := testTokenAndAccessor(t, client)
+			client.SetToken(token)
+
+			ui, cmd := testTokenRenewCommand(t)
+			cmd.client = client
+
+			tc.args = setupEnv(tc.args)
+
+			code := cmd.Run(tc.args)
+			if code != tc.code {
+				t.Errorf("expected %d to be %d", code, tc.code)
+			}
+
+			combined := ui.OutputWriter.String() + ui.ErrorWriter.String()
+			if !strings.Contains(combined, tc.out) {
+				t.Errorf("expected %q to contain %q", combined, tc.out)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/command/lease_renew.go b/command/lease_renew.go
index 4dd2e1c573c0..c12f53d2e883 100644
--- a/command/lease_renew.go
+++ b/command/lease_renew.go
@@ -123,5 +123,5 @@ func (c *LeaseRenewCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/lease_renew_test.go b/command/lease_renew_test.go
index 166e5156be6b..aa3b32d0d8b3 100644
--- a/command/lease_renew_test.go
+++ b/command/lease_renew_test.go
@@ -74,18 +74,6 @@ func TestLeaseRenewCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"foo",
 			0,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{"-format", "json"},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{"-format", "nope-not-real"},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("group", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/list.go b/command/list.go
index ecfa0acb5646..151b46fc5b5e 100644
--- a/command/list.go
+++ b/command/list.go
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (c *ListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 
 	// If the secret is wrapped, return the wrapped response.
 	if secret.WrapInfo != nil && secret.WrapInfo.TTL != 0 {
-		return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+		return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 	}
 
 	if _, ok := extractListData(secret); !ok {
@@ -97,5 +97,5 @@ func (c *ListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	return OutputList(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputList(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/list_test.go b/command/list_test.go
index e5a77c532bb1..375f9a82afb4 100644
--- a/command/list_test.go
+++ b/command/list_test.go
@@ -57,24 +57,6 @@ func TestListCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"bar\nbaz\nfoo",
 			0,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "json",
-				"secret/list/",
-			},
-			"[",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "nope-not-real",
-				"secret/list/",
-			},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/login.go b/command/login.go
index 564b893bb899..2aeb5f62e993 100644
--- a/command/login.go
+++ b/command/login.go
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ func (c *LoginCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 			return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, "wrapping_token")
 		}
 		if c.flagNoStore {
-			return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+			return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ func (c *LoginCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 			c.UI.Error(wrapAtLength(
 				"Authentication was successful, but the token was not persisted. The "+
 					"resulting token is shown below for your records.") + "\n")
-			OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+			OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 			return 2
 		}
 
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ func (c *LoginCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 	}
 
 	// Print some yay! text, but only in table mode.
-	if c.flagFormat == "table" {
+	if Format(c.UI) == "table" {
 		c.UI.Output(wrapAtLength(
 			"Success! You are now authenticated. The token information displayed "+
 				"below is already stored in the token helper. You do NOT need to run "+
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ func (c *LoginCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 				"this token.") + "\n")
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
 
 // extractToken extracts the token from the given secret, automatically
diff --git a/command/main.go b/command/main.go
index 6cc9d43da41c..824b80fa6cd2 100644
--- a/command/main.go
+++ b/command/main.go
@@ -10,11 +10,36 @@ import (
 	"text/tabwriter"
 
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/terminal"
 )
 
-func Run(args []string) int {
-	// Handle -v shorthand
+type VaultUI struct {
+	cli.Ui
+	isTerminal bool
+	format     string
+}
+
+func (u *VaultUI) Output(m string) {
+	if u.isTerminal {
+		u.Ui.Output(m)
+	} else {
+		getWriterFromUI(u.Ui).Write([]byte(m))
+	}
+}
+
+// setupEnv parses args and may replace them and sets some env vars to known
+// values based on format options
+func setupEnv(args []string) []string {
+	var format string
+	var nextArgFormat bool
+
 	for _, arg := range args {
+		if nextArgFormat {
+			nextArgFormat = false
+			format = arg
+			continue
+		}
+
 		if arg == "--" {
 			break
 		}
@@ -23,8 +48,87 @@ func Run(args []string) int {
 			args = []string{"version"}
 			break
 		}
+
+		// Parse a given flag here, which overrides the env var
+		if strings.HasPrefix(arg, "--format=") {
+			format = strings.TrimPrefix(arg, "--format=")
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(arg, "-format=") {
+			format = strings.TrimPrefix(arg, "-format=")
+		}
+		// For backwards compat, it could be specified without an equal sign
+		if arg == "-format" || arg == "--format" {
+			nextArgFormat = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	envVaultFormat := os.Getenv(EnvVaultFormat)
+	// If we did not parse a value, fetch the env var
+	if format == "" && envVaultFormat != "" {
+		format = envVaultFormat
+	}
+	// Lowercase for consistency
+	format = strings.ToLower(format)
+	if format == "" {
+		format = "table"
+	}
+	// Put back into the env for later
+	os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, format)
+
+	return args
+}
+
+func Run(args []string) int {
+	args = setupEnv(args)
+
+	// Don't use color if disabled
+	color := true
+	if os.Getenv(EnvVaultCLINoColor) != "" {
+		color = false
+	}
+
+	format := format()
+
+	isTerminal := terminal.IsTerminal(int(os.Stdout.Fd()))
+
+	ui := &VaultUI{
+		Ui: &cli.BasicUi{
+			Writer:      os.Stdout,
+			ErrorWriter: os.Stderr,
+		},
+		isTerminal: isTerminal,
+		format:     format,
+	}
+	serverCmdUi := &VaultUI{
+		Ui: &cli.BasicUi{
+			Writer: os.Stdout,
+		},
+		isTerminal: isTerminal,
+		format:     format,
+	}
+
+	if _, ok := Formatters[format]; !ok {
+		ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Invalid output format: %s", format))
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	// Only use colored UI if stdoout is a tty, and not disabled
+	if isTerminal && color && format == "table" {
+		ui.Ui = &cli.ColoredUi{
+			ErrorColor: cli.UiColorRed,
+			WarnColor:  cli.UiColorYellow,
+			Ui:         ui.Ui,
+		}
+
+		serverCmdUi.Ui = &cli.ColoredUi{
+			ErrorColor: cli.UiColorRed,
+			WarnColor:  cli.UiColorYellow,
+			Ui:         serverCmdUi.Ui,
+		}
 	}
 
+	initCommands(ui, serverCmdUi)
+
 	// Calculate hidden commands from the deprecated ones
 	hiddenCommands := make([]string, 0, len(DeprecatedCommands)+1)
 	for k := range DeprecatedCommands {
diff --git a/command/operator_generate_root.go b/command/operator_generate_root.go
index 1329343b7ce4..693aff3419b6 100644
--- a/command/operator_generate_root.go
+++ b/command/operator_generate_root.go
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Usage: vault operator generate-root [options] [KEY]
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorGenerateRootCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Command Options")
 
@@ -337,7 +337,13 @@ func (c *OperatorGenerateRootCommand) init(client *api.Client, otp, pgpKey strin
 		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error initializing root generation: %s", err))
 		return 2
 	}
-	return c.printStatus(status)
+
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		return c.printStatus(status)
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
 
 // provide prompts the user for the seal key and posts it to the update root
@@ -428,7 +434,12 @@ func (c *OperatorGenerateRootCommand) provide(client *api.Client, key string, dr
 		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error posting unseal key: %s", err))
 		return 2
 	}
-	return c.printStatus(status)
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		return c.printStatus(status)
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
 
 // cancel cancels the root token generation
@@ -456,7 +467,12 @@ func (c *OperatorGenerateRootCommand) status(client *api.Client, drToken bool) i
 		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error getting root generation status: %s", err))
 		return 2
 	}
-	return c.printStatus(status)
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		return c.printStatus(status)
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
 
 // printStatus dumps the status to output
diff --git a/command/operator_generate_root_test.go b/command/operator_generate_root_test.go
index ad5e67e23962..5050218a3818 100644
--- a/command/operator_generate_root_test.go
+++ b/command/operator_generate_root_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+// +build !race
+
 package command
 
 import (
 	"io"
+	"os"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -129,6 +132,14 @@ func TestOperatorGenerateRootCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 
 		ui, cmd := testOperatorGenerateRootCommand(t)
 
+		// Simulate piped output to print raw output
+		old := os.Stdout
+		_, w, err := os.Pipe()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		os.Stdout = w
+
 		code := cmd.Run([]string{
 			"-decode", encoded,
 			"-otp", otp,
@@ -137,6 +148,9 @@ func TestOperatorGenerateRootCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("expected %d to be %d", code, exp)
 		}
 
+		w.Close()
+		os.Stdout = old
+
 		expected := "5b54841c-c705-e59c-c6e4-a22b48e4b2cf"
 		combined := ui.OutputWriter.String() + ui.ErrorWriter.String()
 		if combined != expected {
diff --git a/command/operator_init.go b/command/operator_init.go
index 80a23de07d11..07651148596b 100644
--- a/command/operator_init.go
+++ b/command/operator_init.go
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
 package command
 
 import (
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 
-	"github.com/ghodss/yaml"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/pgpkeys"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
@@ -434,15 +432,10 @@ func (c *OperatorInitCommand) init(client *api.Client, req *api.InitRequest) int
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	switch c.flagFormat {
-	case "yaml", "yml":
-		return c.initOutputYAML(req, resp)
-	case "json":
-		return c.initOutputJSON(req, resp)
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
 	case "table":
 	default:
-		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Unknown format: %s", c.flagFormat))
-		return 1
+		return OutputData(c.UI, newMachineInit(req, resp))
 	}
 
 	for i, key := range resp.Keys {
@@ -503,26 +496,6 @@ func (c *OperatorInitCommand) init(client *api.Client, req *api.InitRequest) int
 	return 0
 }
 
-// initOutputYAML outputs the init output as YAML.
-func (c *OperatorInitCommand) initOutputYAML(req *api.InitRequest, resp *api.InitResponse) int {
-	b, err := yaml.Marshal(newMachineInit(req, resp))
-	if err != nil {
-		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error marshaling YAML: %s", err))
-		return 2
-	}
-	return PrintRaw(c.UI, strings.TrimSpace(string(b)))
-}
-
-// initOutputJSON outputs the init output as JSON.
-func (c *OperatorInitCommand) initOutputJSON(req *api.InitRequest, resp *api.InitResponse) int {
-	b, err := json.Marshal(newMachineInit(req, resp))
-	if err != nil {
-		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error marshaling JSON: %s", err))
-		return 2
-	}
-	return PrintRaw(c.UI, strings.TrimSpace(string(b)))
-}
-
 // status inspects the init status of vault and returns an appropriate error
 // code and message.
 func (c *OperatorInitCommand) status(client *api.Client) int {
diff --git a/command/operator_key_status.go b/command/operator_key_status.go
index 6558290ca74c..c5b61c8c0a8e 100644
--- a/command/operator_key_status.go
+++ b/command/operator_key_status.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Usage: vault operator key-status [options]
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorKeyStatusCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorKeyStatusCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -69,6 +69,11 @@ func (c *OperatorKeyStatusCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	c.UI.Output(printKeyStatus(status))
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		c.UI.Output(printKeyStatus(status))
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/command/operator_rekey.go b/command/operator_rekey.go
index dd713f157f33..972676fcf2bf 100644
--- a/command/operator_rekey.go
+++ b/command/operator_rekey.go
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Usage: vault rekey [options] [KEY]
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorRekeyCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Common Options")
 
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ func (c *OperatorRekeyCommand) backupRetrieve(client *api.Client) int {
 		Data: structs.New(storedKeys).Map(),
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, "table", secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
 
 // backupDelete deletes the stored backup keys.
@@ -579,11 +579,22 @@ func (c *OperatorRekeyCommand) printStatus(status *api.RekeyStatusResponse) int
 		out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("Backup | %t", status.Backup))
 	}
 
-	c.UI.Output(tableOutput(out, nil))
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(out, nil))
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorRekeyCommand) printUnsealKeys(status *api.RekeyStatusResponse, resp *api.RekeyUpdateResponse) int {
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, resp)
+	}
+
 	// Space between the key prompt, if any, and the output
 	c.UI.Output("")
 
diff --git a/command/operator_unseal.go b/command/operator_unseal.go
index e2957647d1e9..c93a272ada2e 100644
--- a/command/operator_unseal.go
+++ b/command/operator_unseal.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Usage: vault operator unseal [options] [KEY]
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorUnsealCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Command Options")
 
diff --git a/command/operator_unseal_test.go b/command/operator_unseal_test.go
index e2222fc73b2d..aa6afe694307 100644
--- a/command/operator_unseal_test.go
+++ b/command/operator_unseal_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 package command
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"io/ioutil"
+	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -138,3 +140,36 @@ func TestOperatorUnsealCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 		assertNoTabs(t, cmd)
 	})
 }
+
+func TestOperatorUnsealCommand_Format(t *testing.T) {
+	defer func() {
+		os.Setenv(EnvVaultFormat, "")
+		os.Setenv(EnvVaultCLINoColor, "")
+	}()
+
+	client, keys, closer := testVaultServerUnseal(t)
+	defer closer()
+
+	// Seal so we can unseal
+	if err := client.Sys().Seal(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	ui, cmd := testOperatorUnsealCommand(t)
+	cmd.client = client
+	cmd.testOutput = ioutil.Discard
+
+	args := setupEnv([]string{"-format", "json"})
+
+	// Unseal with one key
+	code := cmd.Run(append(args, []string{
+		keys[0],
+	}...))
+	if exp := 0; code != exp {
+		t.Errorf("expected %d to be %d: %s", code, exp, ui.ErrorWriter.String())
+	}
+
+	if !json.Valid(ui.OutputWriter.Bytes()) {
+		t.Error("expected output to be valid JSON")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/command/policies_deprecated.go b/command/policies_deprecated.go
index b7b5f5cf17a1..427efa9bc04c 100644
--- a/command/policies_deprecated.go
+++ b/command/policies_deprecated.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ func (c *PoliciesDeprecatedCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		c.UI.Error(err.Error())
 		return 1
 	}
+
 	args = f.Args()
 
 	// Got an arg, this is trying to read a policy
diff --git a/command/policy_list.go b/command/policy_list.go
index 1a61136ff1ef..43bd5287da14 100644
--- a/command/policy_list.go
+++ b/command/policy_list.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Usage: vault policy list [options]
 }
 
 func (c *PolicyListCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *PolicyListCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -68,9 +68,14 @@ func (c *PolicyListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error listing policies: %s", err))
 		return 2
 	}
-	for _, p := range policies {
-		c.UI.Output(p)
-	}
 
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		for _, p := range policies {
+			c.UI.Output(p)
+		}
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, policies)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/command/policy_read.go b/command/policy_read.go
index 324615935a84..d10a5d1027e7 100644
--- a/command/policy_read.go
+++ b/command/policy_read.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ Usage: vault policy read [options] [NAME]
 }
 
 func (c *PolicyReadCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *PolicyReadCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -81,7 +81,15 @@ func (c *PolicyReadCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		c.UI.Error(fmt.Sprintf("No policy named: %s", name))
 		return 2
 	}
-	c.UI.Output(strings.TrimSpace(rules))
 
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		c.UI.Output(strings.TrimSpace(rules))
+		return 0
+	default:
+		resp := map[string]string{
+			"policy": rules,
+		}
+		return OutputData(c.UI, &resp)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/command/read.go b/command/read.go
index 6dc2b5337bc7..47d8e707444b 100644
--- a/command/read.go
+++ b/command/read.go
@@ -90,5 +90,5 @@ func (c *ReadCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/read_test.go b/command/read_test.go
index 1a45ed28a689..8e2c50f2d46f 100644
--- a/command/read_test.go
+++ b/command/read_test.go
@@ -69,24 +69,6 @@ func TestReadCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"not present in secret",
 			1,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "json",
-				"secret/read/foo",
-			},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "nope-not-real",
-				"secret/read/foo",
-			},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/rotate.go b/command/rotate.go
index 77bc0602b731..4eca04adf7c4 100644
--- a/command/rotate.go
+++ b/command/rotate.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Usage: vault rotate [options]
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorRotateCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *OperatorRotateCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -89,8 +89,13 @@ func (c *OperatorRotateCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	c.UI.Output("Success! Rotated key")
-	c.UI.Output("")
-	c.UI.Output(printKeyStatus(status))
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		c.UI.Output("Success! Rotated key")
+		c.UI.Output("")
+		c.UI.Output(printKeyStatus(status))
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, status)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/command/secrets_list.go b/command/secrets_list.go
index f50f61808533..17f52fd9ad60 100644
--- a/command/secrets_list.go
+++ b/command/secrets_list.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Usage: vault secrets list [options]
 }
 
 func (c *SecretsListCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	set := c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 
 	f := set.NewFlagSet("Command Options")
 
@@ -96,13 +96,17 @@ func (c *SecretsListCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	if c.flagDetailed {
-		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedMounts(mounts), nil))
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		if c.flagDetailed {
+			c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.detailedMounts(mounts), nil))
+			return 0
+		}
+		c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleMounts(mounts), nil))
 		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, mounts)
 	}
-
-	c.UI.Output(tableOutput(c.simpleMounts(mounts), nil))
-	return 0
 }
 
 func (c *SecretsListCommand) simpleMounts(mounts map[string]*api.MountOutput) []string {
diff --git a/command/ssh.go b/command/ssh.go
index b0e43a7070cb..d36aac4ba902 100644
--- a/command/ssh.go
+++ b/command/ssh.go
@@ -386,10 +386,10 @@ func (c *SSHCommand) handleTypeCA(username, hostname, ip string, sshArgs []strin
 
 	// Handle no-exec
 	if c.flagNoExec {
-		if c.flagFormat != "" {
+		if c.flagField != "" {
 			return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 		}
-		return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+		return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 	}
 
 	// Extract public key
@@ -490,10 +490,10 @@ func (c *SSHCommand) handleTypeOTP(username, ip string, sshArgs []string) int {
 
 	// Handle no-exec
 	if c.flagNoExec {
-		if c.flagFormat != "" {
+		if c.flagField != "" {
 			return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 		}
-		return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+		return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 	}
 
 	var cmd *exec.Cmd
@@ -572,10 +572,10 @@ func (c *SSHCommand) handleTypeDynamic(username, ip string, sshArgs []string) in
 
 	// Handle no-exec
 	if c.flagNoExec {
-		if c.flagFormat != "" {
+		if c.flagField != "" {
 			return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 		}
-		return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+		return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 	}
 
 	// Write the dynamic key to disk
diff --git a/command/status.go b/command/status.go
index b31b093c17e9..0e6be18f75aa 100644
--- a/command/status.go
+++ b/command/status.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Usage: vault status [options]
 }
 
 func (c *StatusCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *StatusCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -77,13 +77,13 @@ func (c *StatusCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 1
 	}
 
-	// Do not return the int here, since we want to return a custom error code
-	// depending on the seal status.
-	OutputSealStatus(c.UI, client, status)
+	// Do not return the int here yet, since we may want to return a custom error
+	// code depending on the seal status.
+	code := OutputSealStatus(c.UI, client, status)
 
 	if status.Sealed {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	return 0
+	return code
 }
diff --git a/command/token_capabilities.go b/command/token_capabilities.go
index 3212546b430b..68ec32af18a0 100644
--- a/command/token_capabilities.go
+++ b/command/token_capabilities.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Usage: vault token capabilities [options] [TOKEN] PATH
 }
 
 func (c *TokenCapabilitiesCommand) Flags() *FlagSets {
-	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP)
+	return c.flagSet(FlagSetHTTP | FlagSetOutputFormat)
 }
 
 func (c *TokenCapabilitiesCommand) AutocompleteArgs() complete.Predictor {
@@ -94,7 +94,12 @@ func (c *TokenCapabilitiesCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	sort.Strings(capabilities)
-	c.UI.Output(strings.Join(capabilities, ", "))
-	return 0
+	switch Format(c.UI) {
+	case "table":
+		sort.Strings(capabilities)
+		c.UI.Output(strings.Join(capabilities, ", "))
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return OutputData(c.UI, capabilities)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/command/token_create.go b/command/token_create.go
index a75a6066ff22..738030406ee8 100644
--- a/command/token_create.go
+++ b/command/token_create.go
@@ -246,5 +246,5 @@ func (c *TokenCreateCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/token_create_test.go b/command/token_create_test.go
index ec0cc79fb59a..1fd11b1e9f84 100644
--- a/command/token_create_test.go
+++ b/command/token_create_test.go
@@ -68,22 +68,6 @@ func TestTokenCreateCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"not present in secret",
 			1,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "json",
-			},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{
-				"-format", "nope-not-real",
-			},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/token_lookup.go b/command/token_lookup.go
index 2c885eaee9bb..83b65f574e5c 100644
--- a/command/token_lookup.go
+++ b/command/token_lookup.go
@@ -124,5 +124,5 @@ func (c *TokenLookupCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/token_lookup_test.go b/command/token_lookup_test.go
index eeeaefd2b335..e027b3f7c97b 100644
--- a/command/token_lookup_test.go
+++ b/command/token_lookup_test.go
@@ -45,18 +45,6 @@ func TestTokenLookupCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"Too many arguments",
 			1,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{"-format", "json"},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{"-format", "nope-not-real"},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/token_renew.go b/command/token_renew.go
index 6505ce328dab..7e7f00775bc8 100644
--- a/command/token_renew.go
+++ b/command/token_renew.go
@@ -132,5 +132,5 @@ func (c *TokenRenewCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 2
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/token_renew_test.go b/command/token_renew_test.go
index 2c36412932de..4ed9a4d6dc47 100644
--- a/command/token_renew_test.go
+++ b/command/token_renew_test.go
@@ -53,18 +53,6 @@ func TestTokenRenewCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"",
 			0,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{"-format", "json"},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{"-format", "nope-not-real"},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/unwrap.go b/command/unwrap.go
index 824676838338..dbb8b46d17a9 100644
--- a/command/unwrap.go
+++ b/command/unwrap.go
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func (c *UnwrapCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 
 	// Check if the original was a list response and format as a list
 	if _, ok := extractListData(secret); ok {
-		return OutputList(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+		return OutputList(c.UI, secret)
 	}
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/command/unwrap_test.go b/command/unwrap_test.go
index 2d90d47d42d8..9da77a502639 100644
--- a/command/unwrap_test.go
+++ b/command/unwrap_test.go
@@ -65,18 +65,6 @@ func TestUnwrapCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 			"not present in secret",
 			1,
 		},
-		{
-			"format",
-			[]string{"-format", "json"},
-			"{",
-			0,
-		},
-		{
-			"format_bad",
-			[]string{"-format", "nope-not-real"},
-			"Invalid output format",
-			1,
-		},
 	}
 
 	t.Run("validations", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/command/util.go b/command/util.go
index a51999205fe9..f6268d392771 100644
--- a/command/util.go
+++ b/command/util.go
@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@ func PrintRaw(ui cli.Ui, str string) int {
 // type, this falls back to os.Stdout.
 func getWriterFromUI(ui cli.Ui) io.Writer {
 	switch t := ui.(type) {
+	case *VaultUI:
+		return getWriterFromUI(t.Ui)
 	case *cli.BasicUi:
 		return t.Writer
 	case *cli.ColoredUi:
diff --git a/command/write.go b/command/write.go
index ed25ba6ce72e..05766f83626f 100644
--- a/command/write.go
+++ b/command/write.go
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func (c *WriteCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 	}
 	if secret == nil {
 		// Don't output anything unless using the "table" format
-		if c.flagFormat == "table" {
+		if Format(c.UI) == "table" {
 			c.UI.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Success! Data written to: %s", path))
 		}
 		return 0
@@ -146,5 +146,5 @@ func (c *WriteCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return PrintRawField(c.UI, secret, c.flagField)
 	}
 
-	return OutputSecret(c.UI, c.flagFormat, secret)
+	return OutputSecret(c.UI, secret)
 }
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/audit/list.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/audit/list.html.md
index cbcf0b3deb91..5b06227199e9 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/audit/list.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/audit/list.html.md
@@ -37,5 +37,13 @@ file/    file    n/a            replicated     file_path=/var/log/audit.log
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
+
 - `-detailed` `(bool: false)` - Print detailed information such as options and
   replication status about each auth device.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/auth/list.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/auth/list.html.md
index 27d8d803639f..45b557c0fcf5 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/auth/list.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/auth/list.html.md
@@ -39,5 +39,13 @@ userpass/    userpass    auth_userpass_eea6507e    n/a       system         syst
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
+
 - `-detailed` `(bool: false)` - Print detailed information such as configuration
   and replication status about each auth method.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/index.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/index.html.md
index f9b218bf6553..95cf761e9ace 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/index.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/index.html.md
@@ -212,6 +212,10 @@ model](/docs/internals/security.html).
 
 Name to use as the SNI host when connecting via TLS.
 
+### `VAULT_CLI_NO_COLOR`
+
+If provided, Vault output will not include ANSI color escape sequence characters.
+
 ### `VAULT_MFA`
 
 **ENTERPRISE ONLY**
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/login.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/login.html.md
index c3a1ddbb8fe9..800e49a37a20 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/login.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/login.html.md
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
   `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
 
-## Command Options
+### Command Options
 
 - `-method` `(string "token")` - Type of authentication to use such as
   "userpass" or "ldap". Note this corresponds to the TYPE, not the enabled path.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/generate-root.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/generate-root.html.md
index 70f0f6da2bd1..7965860fa531 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/generate-root.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/generate-root.html.md
@@ -55,6 +55,14 @@ $ vault operator generate-root -otp="..."
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
+
 - `-cancel` `(bool: false)` - Reset the root token generation progress. This
   will discard any submitted unseal keys or configuration.
 
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/key-status.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/key-status.html.md
index 640235564089..7070a8227759 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/key-status.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/key-status.html.md
@@ -24,5 +24,11 @@ Install Time    01 Jan 17 12:30 UTC
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rekey.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rekey.html.md
index 2635d0923b09..6ff0c493bd17 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rekey.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rekey.html.md
@@ -72,7 +72,13 @@ $ vault operator rekey -backup-delete
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
-## Common Options
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
 
 - `-cancel` `(bool: false)` - Reset the rekeying progress. This will discard any submitted unseal keys
       or configuration. The default is false.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rotate.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rotate.html.md
index 80f356e6559d..21b2dc4ce052 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rotate.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/rotate.html.md
@@ -32,5 +32,11 @@ Install Time    01 May 17 10:30 UTC
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/unseal.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/unseal.html.md
index ecdee34c6192..f036ac7d429d 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/operator/unseal.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/operator/unseal.html.md
@@ -50,5 +50,13 @@ Unseal Progress: 0
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
+
 - `-reset` `(bool: false)` - Discard any previously entered keys to the unseal
   process.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/policy/list.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/policy/list.html.md
index 4ba30291f21f..b195a657e793 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/policy/list.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/policy/list.html.md
@@ -24,5 +24,12 @@ root
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/policy/read.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/policy/read.html.md
index 3f9e31956d9f..90912286275e 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/policy/read.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/policy/read.html.md
@@ -22,5 +22,11 @@ $ vault policy read my-policy
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/read.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/read.html.md
index d37520ac171d..3d8ca690a61c 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/read.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/read.html.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/secrets/list.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/secrets/list.html.md
index ce8d6cb22923..4edf7fa369f8 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/secrets/list.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/secrets/list.html.md
@@ -45,5 +45,13 @@ sys/          system       system_a9fd745d       n/a       n/a            n/a
 The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
 flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
+
+### Command Options
+
 - `-detailed` `(bool: false)` - Print detailed information such as configuration
   and replication status about each secrets engine.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/ssh.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/ssh.html.md
index 140e73146c7d..609c69f9a1f5 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/ssh.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/ssh.html.md
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/status.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/status.html.md
index abb2f2846a91..5ce352331ae1 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/status.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/status.html.md
@@ -40,5 +40,11 @@ High-Availability Enabled: false
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/token/capabilities.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/token/capabilities.html.md
index 393e801afb9f..9581478c3639 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/token/capabilities.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/token/capabilities.html.md
@@ -35,5 +35,11 @@ deny
 
 ## Usage
 
-There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/docs/commands/index.html)
-included on all commands.
+The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
+flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
+
+### Output Options
+
+- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
+  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
+  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/token/create.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/token/create.html.md
index ea475ce648bd..6667cb50e6d6 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/token/create.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/token/create.html.md
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/unwrap.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/unwrap.html.md
index 55c3d0e29e98..2c4bea2062a9 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/unwrap.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/unwrap.html.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
diff --git a/website/source/docs/commands/write.html.md b/website/source/docs/commands/write.html.md
index 1c6bb0bd60dc..c61a86a7704f 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/commands/write.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/commands/write.html.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ flags](/docs/commands/index.html) included on all commands.
 
 - `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
   this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
-  will not have a trailing newline making it idea for piping to other processes.
+  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.
 
 - `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
   formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the