diff --git a/cli/board/details.go b/cli/board/details.go
index 40ff23aeeb8..f34e9b7a6db 100644
--- a/cli/board/details.go
+++ b/cli/board/details.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func runDetailsCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	feedback.PrintResult(detailsResult{details: res})
 }
 
-// ouput from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
 // feedback.Result implementation
 type detailsResult struct {
 	details *rpc.BoardDetailsResp
diff --git a/cli/board/list.go b/cli/board/list.go
index 8702e418a05..a8f73929cf8 100644
--- a/cli/board/list.go
+++ b/cli/board/list.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/arduino/cores"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/board"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
@@ -68,27 +67,33 @@ func runListCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrNetwork)
 	}
 
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		feedback.PrintJSON(ports)
-	} else {
-		outputListResp(ports)
-	}
+	feedback.PrintResult(result{ports})
+}
+
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type result struct {
+	ports []*rpc.DetectedPort
 }
 
-func outputListResp(ports []*rpc.DetectedPort) {
-	if len(ports) == 0 {
-		feedback.Print("No boards found.")
-		return
+func (dr result) Data() interface{} {
+	return dr.ports
+}
+
+func (dr result) String() string {
+	if len(dr.ports) == 0 {
+		return "No boards found."
 	}
-	sort.Slice(ports, func(i, j int) bool {
-		x, y := ports[i], ports[j]
+
+	sort.Slice(dr.ports, func(i, j int) bool {
+		x, y := dr.ports[i], dr.ports[j]
 		return x.GetProtocol() < y.GetProtocol() ||
 			(x.GetProtocol() == y.GetProtocol() && x.GetAddress() < y.GetAddress())
 	})
 
 	t := table.New()
 	t.SetHeader("Port", "Type", "Board Name", "FQBN", "Core")
-	for _, port := range ports {
+	for _, port := range dr.ports {
 		address := port.GetProtocol() + "://" + port.GetAddress()
 		if port.GetProtocol() == "serial" {
 			address = port.GetAddress()
@@ -123,5 +128,5 @@ func outputListResp(ports []*rpc.DetectedPort) {
 			t.AddRow(address, protocol, board, fqbn, coreName)
 		}
 	}
-	feedback.Print(t.Render())
+	return t.Render()
 }
diff --git a/cli/board/listall.go b/cli/board/listall.go
index 0034c6c6827..47472a69cc6 100644
--- a/cli/board/listall.go
+++ b/cli/board/listall.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/board"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
@@ -58,22 +57,28 @@ func runListAllCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrGeneric)
 	}
 
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		feedback.PrintJSON(list)
-	} else {
-		outputBoardListAll(list)
-	}
+	feedback.PrintResult(resultAll{list})
+}
+
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type resultAll struct {
+	list *rpc.BoardListAllResp
+}
+
+func (dr resultAll) Data() interface{} {
+	return dr.list
 }
 
-func outputBoardListAll(list *rpc.BoardListAllResp) {
-	sort.Slice(list.Boards, func(i, j int) bool {
-		return list.Boards[i].GetName() < list.Boards[j].GetName()
+func (dr resultAll) String() string {
+	sort.Slice(dr.list.Boards, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return dr.list.Boards[i].GetName() < dr.list.Boards[j].GetName()
 	})
 
 	t := table.New()
 	t.SetHeader("Board Name", "FQBN")
-	for _, item := range list.GetBoards() {
+	for _, item := range dr.list.GetBoards() {
 		t.AddRow(item.GetName(), item.GetFQBN())
 	}
-	feedback.Print(t.Render())
+	return t.Render()
 }
diff --git a/cli/cli.go b/cli/cli.go
index dfa7161c978..12450fa7ea0 100644
--- a/cli/cli.go
+++ b/cli/cli.go
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/generatedocs"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/lib"
+	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/output"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/sketch"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/upload"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/version"
@@ -52,9 +53,10 @@ var (
 		PersistentPreRun: preRun,
 	}
 
-	verbose   bool
-	logFile   string
-	logFormat string
+	verbose      bool
+	logFile      string
+	logFormat    string
+	outputFormat string
 )
 
 const (
@@ -83,7 +85,7 @@ func createCliCommandTree(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&globals.LogLevel, "log-level", defaultLogLevel, "Messages with this level and above will be logged.")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&logFile, "log-file", "", "Path to the file where logs will be written.")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&logFormat, "log-format", "text", "The output format for the logs, can be [text|json].")
-	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&globals.OutputFormat, "format", "text", "The output format, can be [text|json].")
+	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&outputFormat, "format", "text", "The output format, can be [text|json].")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&globals.YAMLConfigFile, "config-file", "", "The custom config file (if not specified the default will be used).")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringSliceVar(&globals.AdditionalUrls, "additional-urls", []string{}, "Additional URLs for the board manager.")
 }
@@ -115,7 +117,9 @@ func parseFormatString(arg string) (feedback.OutputFormat, bool) {
 
 func preRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	// normalize the format strings
-	globals.OutputFormat = strings.ToLower(globals.OutputFormat)
+	outputFormat = strings.ToLower(outputFormat)
+	// configure the output package
+	output.OutputFormat = outputFormat
 	logFormat = strings.ToLower(logFormat)
 
 	// should we log to file?
@@ -159,9 +163,9 @@ func preRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	}
 
 	// check the right output format was passed
-	format, found := parseFormatString(globals.OutputFormat)
+	format, found := parseFormatString(outputFormat)
 	if !found {
-		feedback.Error("Invalid output format: " + globals.OutputFormat)
+		feedback.Error("Invalid output format: " + outputFormat)
 		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrBadCall)
 	}
 
@@ -174,7 +178,7 @@ func preRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	logrus.Info("Starting root command preparation (`arduino`)")
 
 	logrus.Info("Formatter set")
-	if globals.OutputFormat != "text" {
+	if outputFormat != "text" {
 		cmd.SetHelpFunc(func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 			logrus.Warn("Calling help on JSON format")
 			feedback.Error("Invalid Call : should show Help, but it is available only in TEXT mode.")
diff --git a/cli/config/dump.go b/cli/config/dump.go
index a1f56e536e0..8b8787c8192 100644
--- a/cli/config/dump.go
+++ b/cli/config/dump.go
@@ -58,6 +58,21 @@ var dumpCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Run:     runDumpCommand,
 }
 
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type dumpResult struct {
+	structured *jsonConfig
+	plain      string
+}
+
+func (dr dumpResult) Data() interface{} {
+	return dr.structured
+}
+
+func (dr dumpResult) String() string {
+	return dr.plain
+}
+
 func runDumpCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	logrus.Info("Executing `arduino config dump`")
 
@@ -69,23 +84,23 @@ func runDumpCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 
 	c := globals.Config
 
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		sketchbookDir := ""
-		if c.SketchbookDir != nil {
-			sketchbookDir = c.SketchbookDir.String()
-		}
+	sketchbookDir := ""
+	if c.SketchbookDir != nil {
+		sketchbookDir = c.SketchbookDir.String()
+	}
 
-		arduinoDataDir := ""
-		if c.DataDir != nil {
-			arduinoDataDir = c.DataDir.String()
-		}
+	arduinoDataDir := ""
+	if c.DataDir != nil {
+		arduinoDataDir = c.DataDir.String()
+	}
 
-		arduinoDownloadsDir := ""
-		if c.ArduinoDownloadsDir != nil {
-			arduinoDownloadsDir = c.ArduinoDownloadsDir.String()
-		}
+	arduinoDownloadsDir := ""
+	if c.ArduinoDownloadsDir != nil {
+		arduinoDownloadsDir = c.ArduinoDownloadsDir.String()
+	}
 
-		feedback.PrintJSON(jsonConfig{
+	feedback.PrintResult(&dumpResult{
+		structured: &jsonConfig{
 			ProxyType: c.ProxyType,
 			ProxyManualConfig: &jsonProxyConfig{
 				Hostname: c.ProxyHostname,
@@ -98,8 +113,7 @@ func runDumpCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 			BoardsManager: &jsonBoardsManagerConfig{
 				AdditionalURLS: c.BoardManagerAdditionalUrls,
 			},
-		})
-	} else {
-		feedback.Print(string(data))
-	}
+		},
+		plain: string(data),
+	})
 }
diff --git a/cli/config/init.go b/cli/config/init.go
index 66998e02437..7d7efbc9eed 100644
--- a/cli/config/init.go
+++ b/cli/config/init.go
@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ func initInitCommand() *cobra.Command {
 		Args: cobra.NoArgs,
 		Run:  runInitCommand,
 	}
-	initCommand.Flags().BoolVar(&initFlags._default, "default", false,
-		"If omitted, ask questions to the user about setting configuration properties, otherwise use default configuration.")
 	initCommand.Flags().StringVar(&initFlags.location, "save-as", "",
 		"Sets where to save the configuration file [default is ./arduino-cli.yaml].")
 	return initCommand
@@ -55,13 +53,6 @@ var initFlags struct {
 func runInitCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	logrus.Info("Executing `arduino config init`")
 
-	if !initFlags._default {
-		if globals.OutputFormat != "text" {
-			feedback.Error("The interactive mode is supported only in text mode.")
-			os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrBadCall)
-		}
-	}
-
 	filepath := initFlags.location
 	if filepath == "" {
 		filepath = globals.Config.ConfigFile.String()
diff --git a/cli/core/list.go b/cli/core/list.go
index d45f1835f38..c85fa4b290c 100644
--- a/cli/core/list.go
+++ b/cli/core/list.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/arduino/cores"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/core"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/table"
@@ -59,26 +58,32 @@ func runListCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrGeneric)
 	}
 
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		feedback.PrintJSON(platforms)
-	} else {
-		outputInstalledCores(platforms)
-	}
+	feedback.PrintResult(installedResult{platforms})
+}
+
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type installedResult struct {
+	platforms []*cores.PlatformRelease
+}
+
+func (ir installedResult) Data() interface{} {
+	return ir.platforms
 }
 
-func outputInstalledCores(platforms []*cores.PlatformRelease) {
-	if platforms == nil || len(platforms) == 0 {
-		return
+func (ir installedResult) String() string {
+	if ir.platforms == nil || len(ir.platforms) == 0 {
+		return ""
 	}
 
 	t := table.New()
 	t.SetHeader("ID", "Installed", "Latest", "Name")
-	sort.Slice(platforms, func(i, j int) bool {
-		return platforms[i].Platform.String() < platforms[j].Platform.String()
+	sort.Slice(ir.platforms, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return ir.platforms[i].Platform.String() < ir.platforms[j].Platform.String()
 	})
-	for _, p := range platforms {
+	for _, p := range ir.platforms {
 		t.AddRow(p.Platform.String(), p.Version.String(), p.Platform.GetLatestRelease().Version.String(), p.Platform.Name)
 	}
 
-	feedback.Print(t.Render())
+	return t.Render()
 }
diff --git a/cli/core/search.go b/cli/core/search.go
index 419db357019..4d38e41a14b 100644
--- a/cli/core/search.go
+++ b/cli/core/search.go
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/core"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
@@ -51,11 +50,6 @@ func runSearchCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	logrus.Info("Executing `arduino core search`")
 
 	arguments := strings.ToLower(strings.Join(args, " "))
-
-	if globals.OutputFormat != "json" {
-		feedback.Printf("Searching for platforms matching '%s'", arguments)
-	}
-
 	resp, err := core.PlatformSearch(context.Background(), &rpc.PlatformSearchReq{
 		Instance:   instance,
 		SearchArgs: arguments,
@@ -66,25 +60,30 @@ func runSearchCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	}
 
 	coreslist := resp.GetSearchOutput()
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		feedback.PrintJSON(coreslist)
-	} else {
-		outputSearchCores(coreslist)
-	}
+	feedback.PrintResult(searchResults{coreslist})
+}
+
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type searchResults struct {
+	platforms []*rpc.Platform
+}
+
+func (sr searchResults) Data() interface{} {
+	return sr.platforms
 }
 
-func outputSearchCores(cores []*rpc.Platform) {
-	if len(cores) > 0 {
+func (sr searchResults) String() string {
+	if len(sr.platforms) > 0 {
 		t := table.New()
 		t.SetHeader("ID", "Version", "Name")
-		sort.Slice(cores, func(i, j int) bool {
-			return cores[i].ID < cores[j].ID
+		sort.Slice(sr.platforms, func(i, j int) bool {
+			return sr.platforms[i].ID < sr.platforms[j].ID
 		})
-		for _, item := range cores {
+		for _, item := range sr.platforms {
 			t.AddRow(item.GetID(), item.GetLatest(), item.GetName())
 		}
-		feedback.Print(t.Render())
-	} else {
-		feedback.Print("No platforms matching your search.")
+		return t.Render()
 	}
+	return "No platforms matching your search."
 }
diff --git a/cli/feedback/exported.go b/cli/feedback/exported.go
index a3cc2a6f23d..aee07535dbd 100644
--- a/cli/feedback/exported.go
+++ b/cli/feedback/exported.go
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ func Printf(format string, v ...interface{}) {
 }
 
 // Print behaves like fmt.Print but writes on the out writer and adds a newline.
-func Print(v ...interface{}) {
-	fb.Print(v...)
+func Print(v interface{}) {
+	fb.Print(v)
 }
 
 // Errorf behaves like fmt.Printf but writes on the error writer and adds a
@@ -68,13 +68,9 @@ func Error(v ...interface{}) {
 	fb.Error(v...)
 }
 
-// PrintJSON is a convenient wrapper to provide feedback by printing the
-// desired output in a pretty JSON format. It adds a newline to the output.
-func PrintJSON(v interface{}) {
-	fb.PrintJSON(v)
-}
-
-// PrintResult is a convenient wrapper...
+// PrintResult is a convenient wrapper to provide feedback for complex data,
+// where the contents can't be just serialized to JSON but requires more
+// structure.
 func PrintResult(res Result) {
 	fb.PrintResult(res)
 }
diff --git a/cli/feedback/feedback.go b/cli/feedback/feedback.go
index 1f355c9f869..9ccc5f4671d 100644
--- a/cli/feedback/feedback.go
+++ b/cli/feedback/feedback.go
@@ -86,8 +86,12 @@ func (fb *Feedback) Printf(format string, v ...interface{}) {
 }
 
 // Print behaves like fmt.Print but writes on the out writer and adds a newline.
-func (fb *Feedback) Print(v ...interface{}) {
-	fmt.Fprintln(fb.out, v...)
+func (fb *Feedback) Print(v interface{}) {
+	if fb.format == JSON {
+		fb.printJSON(v)
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintln(fb.out, v)
+	}
 }
 
 // Errorf behaves like fmt.Printf but writes on the error writer and adds a
@@ -103,24 +107,22 @@ func (fb *Feedback) Error(v ...interface{}) {
 	logrus.Error(fmt.Sprint(v...))
 }
 
-// PrintJSON is a convenient wrapper to provide feedback by printing the
+// printJSON is a convenient wrapper to provide feedback by printing the
 // desired output in a pretty JSON format. It adds a newline to the output.
-func (fb *Feedback) PrintJSON(v interface{}) {
+func (fb *Feedback) printJSON(v interface{}) {
 	if d, err := json.MarshalIndent(v, "", "  "); err != nil {
 		fb.Errorf("Error during JSON encoding of the output: %v", err)
 	} else {
-		fb.Print(string(d))
+		fmt.Fprint(fb.out, string(d))
 	}
 }
 
-// PrintResult is a convenient wrapper...
+// PrintResult is a convenient wrapper to provide feedback for complex data,
+// where the contents can't be just serialized to JSON but requires more
+// structure.
 func (fb *Feedback) PrintResult(res Result) {
 	if fb.format == JSON {
-		if d, err := json.MarshalIndent(res.Data(), "", "  "); err != nil {
-			fb.Errorf("Error during JSON encoding of the output: %v", err)
-		} else {
-			fb.Print(string(d))
-		}
+		fb.printJSON(res.Data())
 	} else {
 		fb.Print(fmt.Sprintf("%s", res))
 	}
diff --git a/cli/globals/globals.go b/cli/globals/globals.go
index ef718d4c696..fd46e0a6f09 100644
--- a/cli/globals/globals.go
+++ b/cli/globals/globals.go
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ import (
 var (
 	// Debug determines whether to dump debug output to stderr or not
 	Debug bool
-	// OutputFormat can be "text" or "json"
-	OutputFormat string
 	// VersionInfo contains all info injected during build
 	VersionInfo = version.NewInfo(filepath.Base(os.Args[0]))
 	// Config FIXMEDOC
diff --git a/cli/lib/list.go b/cli/lib/list.go
index 0de750b4529..495174caf0f 100644
--- a/cli/lib/list.go
+++ b/cli/lib/list.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/lib"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
@@ -66,27 +65,31 @@ func runListCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	}
 
 	libs := res.GetInstalledLibrary()
-	if libs != nil {
-		if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-			feedback.PrintJSON(libs)
-		} else {
-			outputListLibrary(libs)
-		}
-	}
+	feedback.PrintResult(installedResult{libs})
 
 	logrus.Info("Done")
 }
 
-func outputListLibrary(il []*rpc.InstalledLibrary) {
-	if il == nil || len(il) == 0 {
-		return
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type installedResult struct {
+	installedLibs []*rpc.InstalledLibrary
+}
+
+func (ir installedResult) Data() interface{} {
+	return ir.installedLibs
+}
+
+func (ir installedResult) String() string {
+	if ir.installedLibs == nil || len(ir.installedLibs) == 0 {
+		return "No libraries installed."
 	}
 
 	t := table.New()
 	t.SetHeader("Name", "Installed", "Available", "Location")
 
 	lastName := ""
-	for _, libMeta := range il {
+	for _, libMeta := range ir.installedLibs {
 		lib := libMeta.GetLibrary()
 		name := lib.Name
 		if name == lastName {
@@ -110,5 +113,5 @@ func outputListLibrary(il []*rpc.InstalledLibrary) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	feedback.Print(t.Render())
+	return t.Render()
 }
diff --git a/cli/lib/search.go b/cli/lib/search.go
index 4014acc56fc..5c47df9019d 100644
--- a/cli/lib/search.go
+++ b/cli/lib/search.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/errorcodes"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/feedback"
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/instance"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands/lib"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
@@ -64,63 +63,76 @@ func runSearchCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrGeneric)
 	}
 
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		if searchFlags.namesOnly {
-			type LibName struct {
-				Name string `json:"name,required"`
-			}
-
-			type NamesOnly struct {
-				Libraries []LibName `json:"libraries,required"`
-			}
-
-			names := []LibName{}
-			results := searchResp.GetLibraries()
-			for _, lsr := range results {
-				names = append(names, LibName{lsr.Name})
-			}
-			feedback.PrintJSON(NamesOnly{
-				names,
-			})
-		} else {
-			feedback.PrintJSON(searchResp)
+	feedback.PrintResult(result{
+		results:   searchResp,
+		namesOnly: searchFlags.namesOnly,
+	})
+
+	logrus.Info("Done")
+}
+
+// output from this command requires special formatting, let's create a dedicated
+// feedback.Result implementation
+type result struct {
+	results   *rpc.LibrarySearchResp
+	namesOnly bool
+}
+
+func (res result) Data() interface{} {
+	if res.namesOnly {
+		type LibName struct {
+			Name string `json:"name,required"`
+		}
+
+		type NamesOnly struct {
+			Libraries []LibName `json:"libraries,required"`
+		}
+
+		names := []LibName{}
+		results := res.results.GetLibraries()
+		for _, lsr := range results {
+			names = append(names, LibName{lsr.Name})
+		}
+
+		return NamesOnly{
+			names,
 		}
-	} else {
-		// get a sorted slice of results
-		results := searchResp.GetLibraries()
-		sort.Slice(results, func(i, j int) bool {
-			return results[i].Name < results[j].Name
-		})
-
-		// print all the things
-		outputSearchedLibrary(results, searchFlags.namesOnly)
 	}
 
-	logrus.Info("Done")
+	return res.results
 }
 
-func outputSearchedLibrary(results []*rpc.SearchedLibrary, namesOnly bool) {
+func (res result) String() string {
+	results := res.results.GetLibraries()
 	if len(results) == 0 {
-		feedback.Print("No libraries matching your search.")
-		return
+		return "No libraries matching your search."
 	}
 
+	// get a sorted slice of results
+	sort.Slice(results, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return results[i].Name < results[j].Name
+	})
+
+	var out strings.Builder
+
 	for _, lsr := range results {
-		feedback.Printf(`Name: "%s"`, lsr.Name)
-		if namesOnly {
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("Name: \"%s\"\n", lsr.Name))
+		if res.namesOnly {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		feedback.Printf("  Author: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Author)
-		feedback.Printf("  Maintainer: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Maintainer)
-		feedback.Printf("  Sentence: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Sentence)
-		feedback.Printf("  Paragraph: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Paragraph)
-		feedback.Printf("  Website: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Website)
-		feedback.Printf("  Category: %s", lsr.GetLatest().Category)
-		feedback.Printf("  Architecture: %s", strings.Join(lsr.GetLatest().Architectures, ", "))
-		feedback.Printf("  Types: %s", strings.Join(lsr.GetLatest().Types, ", "))
-		feedback.Printf("  Versions: %s", strings.Replace(fmt.Sprint(versionsFromSearchedLibrary(lsr)), " ", ", ", -1))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Author: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Author))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Maintainer: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Maintainer))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Sentence: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Sentence))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Paragraph: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Paragraph))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Website: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Website))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Category: %s\n", lsr.GetLatest().Category))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Architecture: %s\n", strings.Join(lsr.GetLatest().Architectures, ", ")))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Types: %s\n", strings.Join(lsr.GetLatest().Types, ", ")))
+		out.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  Versions: %s\n", strings.Replace(fmt.Sprint(versionsFromSearchedLibrary(lsr)), " ", ", ", -1)))
 	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s", out.String())
 }
 
 func versionsFromSearchedLibrary(library *rpc.SearchedLibrary) []*semver.Version {
diff --git a/cli/output/rpc_progress.go b/cli/output/rpc_progress.go
index e6b61a2e1ea..ec47de305a3 100644
--- a/cli/output/rpc_progress.go
+++ b/cli/output/rpc_progress.go
@@ -20,16 +20,18 @@ package output
 import (
 	"fmt"
 
-	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/cli/globals"
 	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/commands"
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
 	"github.com/cmaglie/pb"
 )
 
+// OutputFormat can be "text" or "json"
+var OutputFormat string
+
 // ProgressBar returns a DownloadProgressCB that prints a progress bar.
 // If JSON output format has been selected, the callback outputs nothing.
 func ProgressBar() commands.DownloadProgressCB {
-	if globals.OutputFormat != "json" {
+	if OutputFormat != "json" {
 		return NewDownloadProgressBarCB()
 	}
 	return func(curr *rpc.DownloadProgress) {
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ func ProgressBar() commands.DownloadProgressCB {
 // TaskProgress returns a TaskProgressCB that prints the task progress.
 // If JSON output format has been selected, the callback outputs nothing.
 func TaskProgress() commands.TaskProgressCB {
-	if globals.OutputFormat != "json" {
+	if OutputFormat != "json" {
 		return NewTaskProgressCB()
 	}
 	return func(curr *rpc.TaskProgress) {
diff --git a/cli/version/version.go b/cli/version/version.go
index 15c90054b2c..6c083c20ed1 100644
--- a/cli/version/version.go
+++ b/cli/version/version.go
@@ -38,9 +38,5 @@ func NewCommand() *cobra.Command {
 }
 
 func run(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
-	if globals.OutputFormat == "json" {
-		feedback.PrintJSON(globals.VersionInfo)
-	} else {
-		feedback.Print(globals.VersionInfo)
-	}
+	feedback.Print(globals.VersionInfo)
 }
diff --git a/test/test_lib.py b/test/test_lib.py
index a899275a1ad..22f7fbff525 100644
--- a/test/test_lib.py
+++ b/test/test_lib.py
@@ -19,15 +19,15 @@ def test_list(run_command):
     # Init the environment explicitly
     assert run_command("core update-index")
 
-    # When ouput is empty, nothing is printed out, no matter the output format
+    # When output is empty, nothing is printed out, no matter the output format
     result = run_command("lib list")
     assert result.ok
     assert "" == result.stderr
-    assert "" == result.stdout
+    assert "No libraries installed." == result.stdout.strip()
     result = run_command("lib list --format json")
     assert result.ok
     assert "" == result.stderr
-    assert "" == result.stdout
+    assert "null" == result.stdout
 
     # Install something we can list at a version older than latest
     result = run_command("lib install ArduinoJson@6.11.0")
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def test_search(run_command):
 
     result = run_command("lib search --names")
     assert result.ok
-    out_lines = result.stdout.splitlines()
+    out_lines = result.stdout.strip().splitlines()
     # Create an array with just the name of the vars
     libs = []
     for line in out_lines: