Decouple filter selection from channel construction

Allow plugins to extend the set of filters used by gRPC core:
- plugins at construction time can register against the 'channel_init' system to be allowed to mutate a new channel_stack_builder type
- channel_stack_builder provides a central and rather dynamic place to construct the list of filters required by a channel stack
- ultimately we construct the channel stack in the fashion we always have

This is also a prerequisite step to allowing filters to be implemented from wrapped languages.

29 files changed, 1023 insertions, 207 deletions

diff --git a/src/core/census/grpc_plugin.c b/src/core/census/grpc_plugin.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3be2a48eb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/census/grpc_plugin.c
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015-2016, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/census/grpc_plugin.h"
+
+#include <limits.h>
+
+#include <grpc/census.h>
+
+#include "src/core/census/grpc_filter.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h"
+
+static bool maybe_add_census_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                    void *arg_must_be_null) {
+  const grpc_channel_args *args =
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(builder);
+  if (grpc_channel_args_is_census_enabled(args)) {
+    return grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(
+        builder, &grpc_client_census_filter, NULL, NULL);
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void census_grpc_plugin_init(void) {
+  /* Only initialize census if no one else has and some features are
+   * available. */
+  if (census_enabled() == CENSUS_FEATURE_NONE &&
+      census_supported() != CENSUS_FEATURE_NONE) {
+    if (census_initialize(census_supported())) { /* enable all features. */
+      gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "Could not initialize census.");
+    }
+  }
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_add_census_filter, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_add_census_filter, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_add_census_filter, NULL);
+}
+
+void census_grpc_plugin_destroy(void) { census_shutdown(); }
diff --git a/src/core/surface/server_create.c b/src/core/census/grpc_plugin.h
index 5e37e80948..a51e8e1141 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/server_create.c
+++ b/src/core/census/grpc_plugin.h
@@ -31,18 +31,10 @@
  *
  */
 
-#include <grpc/grpc.h>
-#include "src/core/census/grpc_filter.h"
-#include "src/core/channel/channel_args.h"
-#include "src/core/channel/compress_filter.h"
-#include "src/core/surface/api_trace.h"
-#include "src/core/surface/completion_queue.h"
-#include "src/core/surface/server.h"
+#ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CENSUS_GRPC_PLUGIN_H
+#define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CENSUS_GRPC_PLUGIN_H
 
-grpc_server *grpc_server_create(const grpc_channel_args *args, void *reserved) {
-  const grpc_channel_filter *filters[3];
-  size_t num_filters = 0;
-  filters[num_filters++] = &grpc_compress_filter;
-  GRPC_API_TRACE("grpc_server_create(%p, %p)", 2, (args, reserved));
-  return grpc_server_create_from_filters(filters, num_filters, args);
-}
+void census_grpc_plugin_init(void);
+void census_grpc_plugin_destroy(void);
+
+#endif /* GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CENSUS_GRPC_PLUGIN_H */
diff --git a/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.c b/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d12fe59aa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.c
@@ -0,0 +1,256 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+
+#define BEGIN_SENTINAL ((grpc_channel_filter *)1)
+#define END_SENTINAL ((grpc_channel_filter *)2)
+
+typedef struct filter_node {
+  struct filter_node *next;
+  struct filter_node *prev;
+  const grpc_channel_filter *filter;
+  grpc_post_filter_create_init_func init;
+  void *init_arg;
+} filter_node;
+
+struct grpc_channel_stack_builder {
+  // sentinal nodes for filters that have been added
+  filter_node begin;
+  filter_node end;
+  // various set/get-able parameters
+  const grpc_channel_args *args;
+  grpc_transport *transport;
+  const char *name;
+};
+
+struct grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator {
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder;
+  filter_node *node;
+};
+
+grpc_channel_stack_builder *grpc_channel_stack_builder_create(void) {
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder *b = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*b));
+  memset(b, 0, sizeof(*b));
+
+  b->begin.filter = BEGIN_SENTINAL;
+  b->end.filter = END_SENTINAL;
+  b->begin.next = &b->end;
+  b->begin.prev = &b->end;
+  b->end.next = &b->begin;
+  b->end.prev = &b->begin;
+
+  return b;
+}
+
+static grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *create_iterator_at_filter_node(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, filter_node *node) {
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *it = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*it));
+  it->builder = builder;
+  it->node = node;
+  return it;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_destroy(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *it) {
+  gpr_free(it);
+}
+
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_first(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder) {
+  return create_iterator_at_filter_node(builder, &builder->begin);
+}
+
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_last(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder) {
+  return create_iterator_at_filter_node(builder, &builder->end);
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_move_next(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator) {
+  if (iterator->node == &iterator->builder->end) return false;
+  iterator->node = iterator->node->next;
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_move_prev(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator) {
+  if (iterator->node == &iterator->builder->begin) return false;
+  iterator->node = iterator->node->prev;
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_move_prev(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_name(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                         const char *name) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(builder->name == NULL);
+  builder->name = name;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_channel_arguments(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_args *args) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(builder->args == NULL);
+  builder->args = args;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_transport(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, grpc_transport *transport) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(builder->transport == NULL);
+  builder->transport = transport;
+}
+
+grpc_transport *grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_transport(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder) {
+  return builder->transport;
+}
+
+const grpc_channel_args *grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder) {
+  return builder->args;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_append_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func, void *user_data) {
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *it =
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_last(builder);
+  bool ok = grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_before(
+      it, filter, post_init_func, user_data);
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_destroy(it);
+  return ok;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func, void *user_data) {
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *it =
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_first(builder);
+  bool ok = grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_after(
+      it, filter, post_init_func, user_data);
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_destroy(it);
+  return ok;
+}
+
+static void add_after(filter_node *before, const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+                      grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func,
+                      void *user_data) {
+  filter_node *new = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*new));
+  new->next = before->next;
+  new->prev = before;
+  new->next->prev = new->prev->next = new;
+  new->filter = filter;
+  new->init = post_init_func;
+  new->init_arg = user_data;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_before(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator,
+    const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func, void *user_data) {
+  if (iterator->node == &iterator->builder->begin) return false;
+  add_after(iterator->node->prev, filter, post_init_func, user_data);
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_after(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator,
+    const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func, void *user_data) {
+  if (iterator->node == &iterator->builder->end) return false;
+  add_after(iterator->node, filter, post_init_func, user_data);
+  return true;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder) {
+  filter_node *p = builder->begin.next;
+  while (p != &builder->end) {
+    filter_node *next = p->next;
+    gpr_free(p);
+    p = next;
+  }
+  gpr_free(builder);
+}
+
+void *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                        grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                        size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs,
+                                        grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+                                        void *destroy_arg) {
+  // count the number of filters
+  size_t num_filters = 0;
+  for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end; p = p->next) {
+    num_filters++;
+  }
+
+  // create an array of filters
+  const grpc_channel_filter *filters[num_filters];
+  size_t i = 0;
+  for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end; p = p->next) {
+    filters[i++] = p->filter;
+  }
+
+  // calculate the size of the channel stack
+  size_t channel_stack_size = grpc_channel_stack_size(filters, num_filters);
+
+  // allocate memory, with prefix_bytes followed by channel_stack_size
+  char *result = gpr_malloc(prefix_bytes + channel_stack_size);
+  // fetch a pointer to the channel stack
+  grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack =
+      (grpc_channel_stack *)(result + prefix_bytes);
+  // and initialize it
+  grpc_channel_stack_init(exec_ctx, initial_refs, destroy,
+                          destroy_arg == NULL ? result : destroy_arg, filters,
+                          num_filters, builder->args, builder->name,
+                          channel_stack);
+
+  // run post-initialization functions
+  i = 0;
+  for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end; p = p->next) {
+    if (p->init != NULL)
+      p->init(channel_stack, grpc_channel_stack_element(channel_stack, i),
+              p->init_arg);
+    i++;
+  }
+
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(builder);
+
+  return result;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h b/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..163c8dbeb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_BUILDER_H
+#define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_BUILDER_H
+
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
+
+// grpc_channel_stack_builder offers a programmatic interface to selected
+// and order channel filters
+typedef struct grpc_channel_stack_builder grpc_channel_stack_builder;
+typedef struct grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator;
+
+// Create a new channel stack builder
+grpc_channel_stack_builder *grpc_channel_stack_builder_create(void);
+
+// Assign a name to the channel stack: string must be statically allocated
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_name(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                         const char *name);
+
+// Attach a transport to the builder (does not take ownership)
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_transport(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, grpc_transport *transport);
+
+// Fetch attached transport
+grpc_transport *grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_transport(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
+
+// Set channel arguments: they must continue to exist until after
+// grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish returns
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_channel_arguments(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_args *args);
+
+// Return a borrowed pointer to the channel arguments
+const grpc_channel_args *grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
+
+// Begin iterating over already defined filters in the builder
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_first(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *
+grpc_channel_stack_builder_create_iterator_at_last(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
+
+// Is an iterator at the first element?
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_is_first(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+// Is an iterator at the end?
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_is_end(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+// Move an iterator to the next item
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_move_next(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_move_prev(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+typedef void (*grpc_post_filter_create_init_func)(
+    grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack, grpc_channel_element *elem, void *arg);
+
+// Add a filter to the stack, after the given iterator
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_after(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator,
+    const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func,
+    void *user_data) GRPC_MUST_USE_RESULT;
+
+// Add a filter to the stack, before the given iterator
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_add_filter_before(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator,
+    const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func,
+    void *user_data) GRPC_MUST_USE_RESULT;
+
+// Add a filter to the beginning of the filter list
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func,
+    void *user_data) GRPC_MUST_USE_RESULT;
+
+// Add a filter to the end of the filter list
+bool grpc_channel_stack_builder_append_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, const grpc_channel_filter *filter,
+    grpc_post_filter_create_init_func post_init_func,
+    void *user_data) GRPC_MUST_USE_RESULT;
+
+// Terminate iteration
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_destroy(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
+
+// Destroy the builder, return the freshly minted channel stack
+void *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                        grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                        size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs,
+                                        grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+                                        void *destroy_arg);
+
+// Destroy the builder without creating a channel stack
+void grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/core/channel/client_uchannel.c b/src/core/channel/client_uchannel.c
index b1e7155773..bc997b192c 100644
--- a/src/core/channel/client_uchannel.c
+++ b/src/core/channel/client_uchannel.c
@@ -212,20 +212,10 @@ void grpc_client_uchannel_watch_connectivity_state(
 grpc_channel *grpc_client_uchannel_create(grpc_subchannel *subchannel,
                                           grpc_channel_args *args) {
   grpc_channel *channel = NULL;
-#define MAX_FILTERS 3
-  const grpc_channel_filter *filters[MAX_FILTERS];
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  size_t n = 0;
-
-  if (grpc_channel_args_is_census_enabled(args)) {
-    filters[n++] = &grpc_client_census_filter;
-  }
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_compress_filter;
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_client_uchannel_filter;
-  GPR_ASSERT(n <= MAX_FILTERS);
 
   channel =
-      grpc_channel_create_from_filters(&exec_ctx, NULL, filters, n, args, 1);
+      grpc_channel_create(&exec_ctx, NULL, args, GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL, NULL);
 
   return channel;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/channel/connected_channel.c b/src/core/channel/connected_channel.c
index e8eb9dcfc5..c3060cd926 100644
--- a/src/core/channel/connected_channel.c
+++ b/src/core/channel/connected_channel.c
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ static void con_start_transport_stream_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                           grpc_transport_stream_op *op) {
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
   GRPC_CALL_LOG_OP(GPR_INFO, elem, op);
 
   grpc_transport_perform_stream_op(exec_ctx, chand->transport,
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ static void init_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   int r;
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
   r = grpc_transport_init_stream(
       exec_ctx, chand->transport, TRANSPORT_STREAM_FROM_CALL_DATA(calld),
       &args->call_stack->refcount, args->server_transport_data);
@@ -108,7 +106,6 @@ static void destroy_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                               grpc_call_element *elem) {
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
   grpc_transport_destroy_stream(exec_ctx, chand->transport,
                                 TRANSPORT_STREAM_FROM_CALL_DATA(calld));
 }
@@ -119,7 +116,6 @@ static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                               grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *cd = (channel_data *)elem->channel_data;
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
   cd->transport = NULL;
 }
 
@@ -127,7 +123,6 @@ static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_channel_element *elem) {
   channel_data *cd = (channel_data *)elem->channel_data;
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
   grpc_transport_destroy(exec_ctx, cd->transport);
 }
 
@@ -136,21 +131,18 @@ static char *con_get_peer(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem) {
   return grpc_transport_get_peer(exec_ctx, chand->transport);
 }
 
-const grpc_channel_filter grpc_connected_channel_filter = {
+static const grpc_channel_filter connected_channel_filter = {
     con_start_transport_stream_op, con_start_transport_op, sizeof(call_data),
     init_call_elem, set_pollset, destroy_call_elem, sizeof(channel_data),
     init_channel_elem, destroy_channel_elem, con_get_peer, "connected",
 };
 
-void grpc_connected_channel_bind_transport(grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack,
-                                           grpc_transport *transport) {
-  /* Assumes that the connected channel filter is always the last filter
-     in a channel stack */
-  grpc_channel_element *elem = grpc_channel_stack_last_element(channel_stack);
+static void bind_transport(grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack,
+                           grpc_channel_element *elem, void *t) {
   channel_data *cd = (channel_data *)elem->channel_data;
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_connected_channel_filter);
+  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &connected_channel_filter);
   GPR_ASSERT(cd->transport == NULL);
-  cd->transport = transport;
+  cd->transport = t;
 
   /* HACK(ctiller): increase call stack size for the channel to make space
      for channel data. We need a cleaner (but performant) way to do this,
@@ -158,7 +150,16 @@ void grpc_connected_channel_bind_transport(grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack,
      This is only "safe" because call stacks place no additional data after
      the last call element, and the last call element MUST be the connected
      channel. */
-  channel_stack->call_stack_size += grpc_transport_stream_size(transport);
+  channel_stack->call_stack_size += grpc_transport_stream_size(t);
+}
+
+bool grpc_add_connected_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                               void *arg_must_be_null) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(arg_must_be_null == NULL);
+  grpc_transport *t = grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_transport(builder);
+  GPR_ASSERT(t != NULL);
+  return grpc_channel_stack_builder_append_filter(
+      builder, &connected_channel_filter, bind_transport, t);
 }
 
 grpc_stream *grpc_connected_channel_get_stream(grpc_call_element *elem) {
diff --git a/src/core/channel/connected_channel.h b/src/core/channel/connected_channel.h
index 95c1834bfa..2943dd2935 100644
--- a/src/core/channel/connected_channel.h
+++ b/src/core/channel/connected_channel.h
@@ -34,18 +34,9 @@
 #ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CONNECTED_CHANNEL_H
 #define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CONNECTED_CHANNEL_H
 
-#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h"
 
-/* A channel filter representing a channel that is on a connected transport.
-   This filter performs actual sending and receiving of messages. */
-
-extern const grpc_channel_filter grpc_connected_channel_filter;
-
-/* Post construction fixup: set the transport in the connected channel.
-   Must be called before any call stack using this filter is used. */
-void grpc_connected_channel_bind_transport(grpc_channel_stack* channel_stack,
-                                           grpc_transport* transport);
-
-grpc_stream* grpc_connected_channel_get_stream(grpc_call_element* elem);
+bool grpc_add_connected_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                               void *arg_must_be_null);
 
 #endif /* GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CONNECTED_CHANNEL_H */
diff --git a/src/core/client_config/connector.h b/src/core/client_config/connector.h
index b91eb512c3..1b36182f50 100644
--- a/src/core/client_config/connector.h
+++ b/src/core/client_config/connector.h
@@ -62,9 +62,6 @@ typedef struct {
 typedef struct {
   /** the connected transport */
   grpc_transport *transport;
-  /** any additional filters (owned by the caller of connect) */
-  const grpc_channel_filter **filters;
-  size_t num_filters;
 
   /** channel arguments (to be passed to the filters) */
   const grpc_channel_args *channel_args;
diff --git a/src/core/client_config/subchannel.c b/src/core/client_config/subchannel.c
index 6599c75dba..86d7ef783f 100644
--- a/src/core/client_config/subchannel.c
+++ b/src/core/client_config/subchannel.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <grpc/support/avl.h>
 
 #include "src/core/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/client_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/connected_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/initial_connect_string.h"
@@ -511,32 +512,15 @@ void grpc_connected_subchannel_ping(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 }
 
 static void publish_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_subchannel *c) {
-  size_t channel_stack_size;
   grpc_connected_subchannel *con;
   grpc_channel_stack *stk;
-  size_t num_filters;
-  const grpc_channel_filter **filters;
   state_watcher *sw_subchannel;
 
-  /* build final filter list */
-  num_filters = c->num_filters + c->connecting_result.num_filters + 1;
-  filters = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*filters) * num_filters);
-  if (c->num_filters > 0) {
-    memcpy((void *)filters, c->filters, sizeof(*filters) * c->num_filters);
-  }
-  memcpy((void *)(filters + c->num_filters), c->connecting_result.filters,
-         sizeof(*filters) * c->connecting_result.num_filters);
-  filters[num_filters - 1] = &grpc_connected_channel_filter;
-
   /* construct channel stack */
-  channel_stack_size = grpc_channel_stack_size(filters, num_filters);
-  con = gpr_malloc(channel_stack_size);
+  con = grpc_channel_init_create_stack(
+      exec_ctx, GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL, 0, c->connecting_result.channel_args, 1,
+      connection_destroy, NULL, c->connecting_result.transport);
   stk = CHANNEL_STACK_FROM_CONNECTION(con);
-  grpc_channel_stack_init(exec_ctx, 1, connection_destroy, con, filters,
-                          num_filters, c->connecting_result.channel_args,
-                          "CONNECTED_SUBCHANNEL", stk);
-  grpc_connected_channel_bind_transport(stk, c->connecting_result.transport);
-  gpr_free((void *)c->connecting_result.filters);
   memset(&c->connecting_result, 0, sizeof(c->connecting_result));
 
   /* initialize state watcher */
@@ -551,7 +535,6 @@ static void publish_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_subchannel *c) {
   if (c->disconnected) {
     gpr_mu_unlock(&c->mu);
     gpr_free(sw_subchannel);
-    gpr_free((void *)filters);
     grpc_channel_stack_destroy(exec_ctx, stk);
     gpr_free(con);
     GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_WEAK_UNREF(exec_ctx, c, "connecting");
@@ -581,7 +564,6 @@ static void publish_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_subchannel *c) {
                               "connected");
 
   gpr_mu_unlock(&c->mu);
-  gpr_free((void *)filters);
 }
 
 /* Generate a random number between 0 and 1. */
diff --git a/src/core/security/server_secure_chttp2.c b/src/core/security/server_secure_chttp2.c
index 84a883390c..b4fbd769bd 100644
--- a/src/core/security/server_secure_chttp2.c
+++ b/src/core/security/server_secure_chttp2.c
@@ -83,8 +83,6 @@ static void state_unref(grpc_server_secure_state *state) {
 static void setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *statep,
                             grpc_transport *transport,
                             grpc_auth_context *auth_context) {
-  static grpc_channel_filter const *extra_filters[] = {
-      &grpc_server_auth_filter, &grpc_http_server_filter};
   grpc_server_secure_state *state = statep;
   grpc_channel_args *args_copy;
   grpc_arg args_to_add[2];
@@ -93,8 +91,7 @@ static void setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *statep,
   args_copy = grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(
       grpc_server_get_channel_args(state->server), args_to_add,
       GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(args_to_add));
-  grpc_server_setup_transport(exec_ctx, state->server, transport, extra_filters,
-                              GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(extra_filters), args_copy);
+  grpc_server_setup_transport(exec_ctx, state->server, transport, args_copy);
   grpc_channel_args_destroy(args_copy);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel.c b/src/core/surface/channel.c
index 12d8ebceb9..964ab34431 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/channel.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/iomgr/iomgr.h"
 #include "src/core/support/string.h"
@@ -82,24 +83,25 @@ struct grpc_channel {
 
 static void destroy_channel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg, bool success);
 
-grpc_channel *grpc_channel_create_from_filters(
-    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
-    const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t num_filters,
-    const grpc_channel_args *args, int is_client) {
-  size_t i;
-  size_t size =
-      sizeof(grpc_channel) + grpc_channel_stack_size(filters, num_filters);
-  grpc_channel *channel = gpr_malloc(size);
+grpc_channel *grpc_channel_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
+                                  const grpc_channel_args *args,
+                                  grpc_channel_stack_type channel_stack_type,
+                                  grpc_transport *optional_transport) {
+  bool is_client = grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(channel_stack_type);
+
+  grpc_channel *channel = grpc_channel_init_create_stack(
+      exec_ctx, channel_stack_type, sizeof(grpc_channel), args, 1,
+      destroy_channel, NULL, optional_transport);
+
   memset(channel, 0, sizeof(*channel));
   channel->target = gpr_strdup(target);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_is_initialized() && "call grpc_init()");
   channel->is_client = is_client;
   gpr_mu_init(&channel->registered_call_mu);
   channel->registered_calls = NULL;
 
   channel->max_message_length = DEFAULT_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH;
   if (args) {
-    for (i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
       if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)) {
         if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_INTEGER) {
           gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be an integer",
@@ -152,11 +154,6 @@ grpc_channel *grpc_channel_create_from_filters(
     gpr_free(default_authority);
   }
 
-  grpc_channel_stack_init(exec_ctx, 1, destroy_channel, channel, filters,
-                          num_filters, args,
-                          is_client ? "CLIENT_CHANNEL" : "SERVER_CHANNEL",
-                          CHANNEL_STACK_FROM_CHANNEL(channel));
-
   return channel;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel.h b/src/core/surface/channel.h
index 00240c637f..0a892bbe82 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/channel.h
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel.h
@@ -35,12 +35,13 @@
 #define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_CHANNEL_H
 
 #include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/subchannel_factory.h"
 
-grpc_channel *grpc_channel_create_from_filters(
-    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
-    const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t count,
-    const grpc_channel_args *args, int is_client);
+grpc_channel *grpc_channel_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
+                                  const grpc_channel_args *args,
+                                  grpc_channel_stack_type channel_stack_type,
+                                  grpc_transport *optional_transport);
 
 /** Get a (borrowed) pointer to this channels underlying channel stack */
 grpc_channel_stack *grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(grpc_channel *channel);
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel_create.c b/src/core/surface/channel_create.c
index fd7e20e9cc..123447c8ed 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/channel_create.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel_create.c
@@ -105,9 +105,6 @@ static void connected(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg, bool success) {
                                         0);
     GPR_ASSERT(c->result->transport);
     c->result->channel_args = c->args.channel_args;
-    c->result->filters = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_channel_filter *));
-    c->result->filters[0] = &grpc_http_client_filter;
-    c->result->num_filters = 1;
   } else {
     memset(c->result, 0, sizeof(*c->result));
   }
@@ -190,25 +187,16 @@ grpc_channel *grpc_insecure_channel_create(const char *target,
                                            const grpc_channel_args *args,
                                            void *reserved) {
   grpc_channel *channel = NULL;
-#define MAX_FILTERS 3
-  const grpc_channel_filter *filters[MAX_FILTERS];
   grpc_resolver *resolver;
   subchannel_factory *f;
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  size_t n = 0;
   GRPC_API_TRACE(
       "grpc_insecure_channel_create(target=%p, args=%p, reserved=%p)", 3,
       (target, args, reserved));
   GPR_ASSERT(!reserved);
-  if (grpc_channel_args_is_census_enabled(args)) {
-    filters[n++] = &grpc_client_census_filter;
-  }
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_compress_filter;
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_client_channel_filter;
-  GPR_ASSERT(n <= MAX_FILTERS);
 
   channel =
-      grpc_channel_create_from_filters(&exec_ctx, target, filters, n, args, 1);
+      grpc_channel_create(&exec_ctx, target, args, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
 
   f = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*f));
   f->base.vtable = &subchannel_factory_vtable;
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel_init.c b/src/core/surface/channel_init.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3b11402ebc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel_init.c
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
+
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/useful.h>
+
+typedef struct stage_slot {
+  grpc_channel_init_stage fn;
+  void *arg;
+  int priority;
+  size_t insertion_order;
+} stage_slot;
+
+typedef struct stage_slots {
+  stage_slot *slots;
+  size_t num_slots;
+  size_t cap_slots;
+} stage_slots;
+
+static stage_slots g_slots[GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES];
+static bool g_finalized;
+
+void grpc_channel_init_init(void) {
+  for (int i = 0; i < GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES; i++) {
+    g_slots[i].slots = NULL;
+    g_slots[i].num_slots = 0;
+    g_slots[i].cap_slots = 0;
+  }
+  g_finalized = false;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_init_register_stage(grpc_channel_stack_type type,
+                                      int priority,
+                                      grpc_channel_init_stage stage,
+                                      void *stage_arg) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(!g_finalized);
+  if (g_slots[type].cap_slots == g_slots[type].num_slots) {
+    g_slots[type].cap_slots = GPR_MAX(8, 3 * g_slots[type].cap_slots / 2);
+    g_slots[type].slots =
+        gpr_realloc(g_slots[type].slots,
+                    g_slots[type].cap_slots * sizeof(*g_slots[type].slots));
+  }
+  stage_slot *s = &g_slots[type].slots[g_slots[type].num_slots++];
+  s->insertion_order = g_slots[type].num_slots;
+  s->priority = priority;
+  s->fn = stage;
+  s->arg = stage_arg;
+}
+
+static int compare_slots(const void *a, const void *b) {
+  const stage_slot *sa = a;
+  const stage_slot *sb = b;
+
+  int c = GPR_ICMP(sa->priority, sb->priority);
+  if (c != 0) return c;
+  return GPR_ICMP(sa->insertion_order, sb->insertion_order);
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_init_finalize(void) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(!g_finalized);
+  for (int i = 0; i < GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES; i++) {
+    qsort(g_slots[i].slots, g_slots[i].num_slots, sizeof(*g_slots[i].slots),
+          compare_slots);
+  }
+  g_finalized = true;
+}
+
+void grpc_channel_init_shutdown(void) {
+  for (int i = 0; i < GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES; i++) {
+    gpr_free(g_slots[i].slots);
+    g_slots[i].slots = (void *)0xdeadbeef;
+  }
+}
+
+static const char *name_for_type(grpc_channel_stack_type type) {
+  switch (type) {
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL:
+      return "CLIENT_CHANNEL";
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL:
+      return "CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL";
+    case GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL:
+      return "SERVER_CHANNEL";
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL:
+      return "CLIENT_UCHANNEL";
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL:
+      return "CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL";
+    case GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES:
+      break;
+  }
+  GPR_UNREACHABLE_CODE(return "UNKNOWN");
+}
+
+void *grpc_channel_init_create_stack(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack_type type, size_t prefix_bytes,
+    const grpc_channel_args *args, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, grpc_transport *transport) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(g_finalized);
+
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder = grpc_channel_stack_builder_create();
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_name(builder, name_for_type(type));
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_channel_arguments(builder, args);
+  grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_transport(builder, transport);
+
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < g_slots[type].num_slots; i++) {
+    const stage_slot *slot = &g_slots[type].slots[i];
+    if (!slot->fn(builder, slot->arg)) {
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(builder);
+      return NULL;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(exec_ctx, builder, prefix_bytes,
+                                           initial_refs, destroy, destroy_arg);
+}
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel_init.h b/src/core/surface/channel_init.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ebda8bd9a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel_init.h
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_INIT_H
+#define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_INIT_H
+
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack_builder.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h"
+#include "src/core/transport/transport.h"
+
+// This module provides a way for plugins (and the grpc core library itself)
+// to register mutators for channel stacks.
+// It also provides a universal entry path to run those mutators to build
+// a channel stack for various subsystems.
+
+// One stage of mutation: call channel stack builder's to influence the finally
+// constructed channel stack
+typedef bool (*grpc_channel_init_stage)(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                        void *arg);
+
+// Global initialization of the system
+void grpc_channel_init_init(void);
+
+// Register one stage of mutators.
+// Stages are run in priority order (lowest to highest), and then in
+// registration order (in the case of a tie).
+// Stages are registered against one of the pre-determined channel stack
+// types.
+void grpc_channel_init_register_stage(grpc_channel_stack_type type,
+                                      int priority,
+                                      grpc_channel_init_stage stage,
+                                      void *stage_arg);
+
+// Finalize registration. No more calls to grpc_channel_init_register_stage are
+// allowed.
+void grpc_channel_init_finalize(void);
+// Shutdown the channel init system
+void grpc_channel_init_shutdown(void);
+
+// Construct a channel stack of some sort: see channel_stack.h for details
+void *grpc_channel_init_create_stack(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack_type type, size_t prefix_bytes,
+    const grpc_channel_args *args, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, grpc_transport *optional_transport);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.c b/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c2e6716135
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.c
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include <grpc/support/port_platform.h>
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h"
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(grpc_channel_stack_type type) {
+  switch (type) {
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL:
+      return true;
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL:
+      return true;
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL:
+      return true;
+    case GRPC_CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL:
+      return true;
+    case GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL:
+      return false;
+    case GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES:
+      break;
+  }
+  GPR_UNREACHABLE_CODE(return true;);
+}
diff --git a/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h b/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2669501cb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/surface/channel_stack_type.h
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2015, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPE_H
+#define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPE_H
+
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+typedef enum {
+  GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL,
+  GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL,
+  GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL,
+  GRPC_CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL,
+  GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL,
+  // must be last
+  GRPC_NUM_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPES
+} grpc_channel_stack_type;
+
+bool grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(grpc_channel_stack_type type);
+
+#endif /* GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_CHANNEL_STACK_TYPE_H */
diff --git a/src/core/surface/init.c b/src/core/surface/init.c
index a4a53d3ec1..890f86a9b1 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/init.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/init.c
@@ -33,13 +33,21 @@
 
 #include <grpc/support/port_platform.h>
 
+#include <limits.h>
 #include <memory.h>
 
-#include <grpc/census.h>
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
 #include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
 #include <grpc/support/time.h>
+/* TODO(ctiller): find another way? - better not to include census here */
+#include "src/core/census/grpc_plugin.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/compress_filter.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/connected_channel.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/client_channel.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/client_uchannel.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/http_client_filter.h"
+#include "src/core/channel/http_server_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/lb_policy_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/lb_policies/pick_first.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/lb_policies/round_robin.h"
@@ -54,11 +62,15 @@
 #include "src/core/profiling/timers.h"
 #include "src/core/surface/api_trace.h"
 #include "src/core/surface/call.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/surface/completion_queue.h"
 #include "src/core/surface/init.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/lame_client.h"
+#include "src/core/surface/server.h"
 #include "src/core/surface/surface_trace.h"
 #include "src/core/transport/chttp2_transport.h"
 #include "src/core/transport/connectivity_state.h"
+#include "src/core/transport/transport_impl.h"
 
 #ifndef GRPC_DEFAULT_NAME_PREFIX
 #define GRPC_DEFAULT_NAME_PREFIX "dns:///"
@@ -72,9 +84,56 @@ static int g_initializations;
 
 static void do_basic_init(void) {
   gpr_mu_init(&g_init_mu);
+  /* TODO(ctiller): ideally remove this strict linkage */
+  grpc_register_plugin(census_grpc_plugin_init, census_grpc_plugin_destroy);
   g_initializations = 0;
 }
 
+static bool append_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, void *arg) {
+  return grpc_channel_stack_builder_append_filter(builder, arg, NULL, NULL);
+}
+
+static bool prepend_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, void *arg) {
+  return grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(builder, arg, NULL, NULL);
+}
+
+static bool maybe_add_http_filter(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+                                  void *arg) {
+  grpc_transport *t = grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_transport(builder);
+  if (t && strstr(t->vtable->name, "http")) {
+    return grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(builder, arg, NULL, NULL);
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+static void register_builtin_channel_init() {
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, INT_MAX, prepend_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_compress_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   prepend_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_compress_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX, prepend_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_compress_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_add_http_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_http_client_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   grpc_add_connected_filter, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_add_http_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_http_server_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   grpc_add_connected_filter, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, INT_MAX, append_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_client_channel_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_UCHANNEL, INT_MAX, append_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_client_uchannel_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   append_filter, (void *)&grpc_lame_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX, prepend_filter,
+                                   (void *)&grpc_server_top_filter);
+}
+
 typedef struct grpc_plugin {
   void (*init)();
   void (*destroy)();
@@ -85,7 +144,7 @@ static int g_number_of_plugins = 0;
 
 void grpc_register_plugin(void (*init)(void), void (*destroy)(void)) {
   GRPC_API_TRACE("grpc_register_plugin(init=%p, destroy=%p)", 2,
-                 ((void*)(intptr_t)init, (void*)(intptr_t)destroy));
+                 ((void *)(intptr_t)init, (void *)(intptr_t)destroy));
   GPR_ASSERT(g_number_of_plugins != MAX_PLUGINS);
   g_all_of_the_plugins[g_number_of_plugins].init = init;
   g_all_of_the_plugins[g_number_of_plugins].destroy = destroy;
@@ -100,6 +159,7 @@ void grpc_init(void) {
   if (++g_initializations == 1) {
     gpr_time_init();
     grpc_mdctx_global_init();
+    grpc_channel_init_init();
     grpc_lb_policy_registry_init(grpc_pick_first_lb_factory_create());
     grpc_register_lb_policy(grpc_pick_first_lb_factory_create());
     grpc_register_lb_policy(grpc_round_robin_lb_factory_create());
@@ -119,14 +179,6 @@ void grpc_init(void) {
     grpc_iomgr_init();
     grpc_executor_init();
     grpc_tracer_init("GRPC_TRACE");
-    /* Only initialize census if no one else has and some features are
-     * available. */
-    if (census_enabled() == CENSUS_FEATURE_NONE &&
-        census_supported() != CENSUS_FEATURE_NONE) {
-      if (census_initialize(census_supported())) { /* enable all features. */
-        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "Could not initialize census.");
-      }
-    }
     gpr_timers_global_init();
     grpc_cq_global_init();
     grpc_subchannel_index_init();
@@ -135,6 +187,12 @@ void grpc_init(void) {
         g_all_of_the_plugins[i].init();
       }
     }
+    /* register channel finalization AFTER all plugins, to ensure that it's run
+     * at the appropriate time */
+    grpc_register_security_filters();
+    register_builtin_channel_init();
+    /* no more changes to channel init pipelines */
+    grpc_channel_init_finalize();
   }
   gpr_mu_unlock(&g_init_mu);
   GRPC_API_TRACE("grpc_init(void)", 0, ());
@@ -149,7 +207,6 @@ void grpc_shutdown(void) {
     grpc_cq_global_shutdown();
     grpc_iomgr_shutdown();
     grpc_subchannel_index_shutdown();
-    census_shutdown();
     gpr_timers_global_destroy();
     grpc_tracer_shutdown();
     grpc_resolver_registry_shutdown();
@@ -159,6 +216,7 @@ void grpc_shutdown(void) {
         g_all_of_the_plugins[i].destroy();
       }
     }
+    grpc_channel_init_shutdown();
     grpc_mdctx_global_shutdown();
   }
   gpr_mu_unlock(&g_init_mu);
diff --git a/src/core/surface/init.h b/src/core/surface/init.h
index 771c30f412..f921fc863d 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/init.h
+++ b/src/core/surface/init.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_INIT_H
 #define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_INIT_H
 
+void grpc_register_security_filters(void);
 void grpc_security_pre_init(void);
 int grpc_is_initialized(void);
 
diff --git a/src/core/surface/init_secure.c b/src/core/surface/init_secure.c
index fa20e91583..3df3a87a96 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/init_secure.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/init_secure.c
@@ -32,11 +32,56 @@
  */
 
 #include "src/core/surface/init.h"
+
+#include <limits.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "src/core/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/debug/trace.h"
+#include "src/core/security/auth_filters.h"
+#include "src/core/security/credentials.h"
 #include "src/core/security/secure_endpoint.h"
+#include "src/core/security/security_connector.h"
 #include "src/core/tsi/transport_security_interface.h"
 
 void grpc_security_pre_init(void) {
   grpc_register_tracer("secure_endpoint", &grpc_trace_secure_endpoint);
   grpc_register_tracer("transport_security", &tsi_tracing_enabled);
 }
+
+static bool maybe_prepend_client_auth_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, void *arg) {
+  const grpc_channel_args *args =
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(builder);
+  if (args) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
+      if (0 == strcmp(GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_ARG, args->args[i].key)) {
+        return grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(
+            builder, &grpc_client_auth_filter, NULL, NULL);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+static bool maybe_prepend_server_auth_filter(
+    grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder, void *arg) {
+  const grpc_channel_args *args =
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(builder);
+  if (args) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
+      if (0 == strcmp(GRPC_SERVER_CREDENTIALS_ARG, args->args[i].key)) {
+        return grpc_channel_stack_builder_prepend_filter(
+            builder, &grpc_server_auth_filter, NULL, NULL);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void grpc_register_security_filters(void) {
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_prepend_client_auth_filter, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, INT_MAX,
+                                   maybe_prepend_server_auth_filter, NULL);
+}
diff --git a/src/core/surface/init_unsecure.c b/src/core/surface/init_unsecure.c
index 630d564a7d..7b26e01e9c 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/init_unsecure.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/init_unsecure.c
@@ -34,3 +34,5 @@
 #include "src/core/surface/init.h"
 
 void grpc_security_pre_init(void) {}
+
+void grpc_register_security_filters(void) {}
diff --git a/src/core/surface/lame_client.c b/src/core/surface/lame_client.c
index 537069e984..58f89946d2 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/lame_client.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/lame_client.c
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@
  *
  */
 
+#include "src/core/surface/lame_client.h"
+
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
 
 #include <string.h>
@@ -115,7 +117,7 @@ static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_channel_element *elem) {}
 
-static const grpc_channel_filter lame_filter = {
+const grpc_channel_filter grpc_lame_filter = {
     lame_start_transport_stream_op, lame_start_transport_op, sizeof(call_data),
     init_call_elem, grpc_call_stack_ignore_set_pollset, destroy_call_elem,
     sizeof(channel_data), init_channel_elem, destroy_channel_elem,
@@ -127,19 +129,17 @@ static const grpc_channel_filter lame_filter = {
 grpc_channel *grpc_lame_client_channel_create(const char *target,
                                               grpc_status_code error_code,
                                               const char *error_message) {
-  grpc_channel *channel;
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
   grpc_channel_element *elem;
   channel_data *chand;
-  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  static const grpc_channel_filter *filters[] = {&lame_filter};
-  channel =
-      grpc_channel_create_from_filters(&exec_ctx, target, filters, 1, NULL, 1);
+  grpc_channel *channel = grpc_channel_create(&exec_ctx, target, NULL,
+                                              GRPC_CLIENT_LAME_CHANNEL, NULL);
   elem = grpc_channel_stack_element(grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(channel), 0);
   GRPC_API_TRACE(
       "grpc_lame_client_channel_create(target=%s, error_code=%d, "
       "error_message=%s)",
       3, (target, (int)error_code, error_message));
-  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &lame_filter);
+  GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_lame_filter);
   chand = (channel_data *)elem->channel_data;
   chand->error_code = error_code;
   chand->error_message = error_message;
diff --git a/src/core/surface/lame_client.h b/src/core/surface/lame_client.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9bf3125880
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/surface/lame_client.h
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2016, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_LAME_CHANNEL_H
+#define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_LAME_CHANNEL_H
+
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
+
+extern const grpc_channel_filter grpc_lame_filter;
+
+#endif  // GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_LAME_CHANNEL_H
diff --git a/src/core/surface/secure_channel_create.c b/src/core/surface/secure_channel_create.c
index 9c04426d87..dab55f853d 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/secure_channel_create.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/secure_channel_create.c
@@ -40,11 +40,8 @@
 #include <grpc/support/slice.h>
 #include <grpc/support/slice_buffer.h>
 
-#include "src/core/census/grpc_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/client_channel.h"
-#include "src/core/channel/compress_filter.h"
-#include "src/core/channel/http_client_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/client_config/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/iomgr/tcp_client.h"
 #include "src/core/security/auth_filters.h"
@@ -115,10 +112,6 @@ static void on_secure_handshake_done(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
     args_copy = grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(c->args.channel_args,
                                                &auth_context_arg, 1);
     c->result->channel_args = args_copy;
-    c->result->filters = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_channel_filter *) * 2);
-    c->result->filters[0] = &grpc_http_client_filter;
-    c->result->filters[1] = &grpc_client_auth_filter;
-    c->result->num_filters = 2;
   }
   notify = c->notify;
   c->notify = NULL;
@@ -263,10 +256,7 @@ grpc_channel *grpc_secure_channel_create(grpc_channel_credentials *creds,
   grpc_channel_security_connector *security_connector;
   grpc_resolver *resolver;
   subchannel_factory *f;
-#define MAX_FILTERS 3
-  const grpc_channel_filter *filters[MAX_FILTERS];
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  size_t n = 0;
 
   GRPC_API_TRACE(
       "grpc_secure_channel_create(creds=%p, target=%s, args=%p, "
@@ -295,15 +285,9 @@ grpc_channel *grpc_secure_channel_create(grpc_channel_credentials *creds,
   args_copy = grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(
       new_args_from_connector != NULL ? new_args_from_connector : args,
       &connector_arg, 1);
-  if (grpc_channel_args_is_census_enabled(args)) {
-    filters[n++] = &grpc_client_census_filter;
-  }
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_compress_filter;
-  filters[n++] = &grpc_client_channel_filter;
-  GPR_ASSERT(n <= MAX_FILTERS);
 
-  channel = grpc_channel_create_from_filters(&exec_ctx, target, filters, n,
-                                             args_copy, 1);
+  channel = grpc_channel_create(&exec_ctx, target, args_copy,
+                                GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
 
   f = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*f));
   f->base.vtable = &subchannel_factory_vtable;
diff --git a/src/core/surface/server.c b/src/core/surface/server.c
index fb5e0d4b9e..c88f769eda 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/server.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/server.c
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 #include <grpc/support/useful.h>
 
-#include "src/core/census/grpc_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/channel/connected_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/iomgr/iomgr.h"
@@ -182,8 +181,6 @@ typedef struct {
 } channel_broadcaster;
 
 struct grpc_server {
-  size_t channel_filter_count;
-  grpc_channel_filter const **channel_filters;
   grpc_channel_args *channel_args;
 
   grpc_completion_queue **cqs;
@@ -355,7 +352,6 @@ static void server_delete(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_server *server) {
   grpc_channel_args_destroy(server->channel_args);
   gpr_mu_destroy(&server->mu_global);
   gpr_mu_destroy(&server->mu_call);
-  gpr_free((void *)server->channel_filters);
   while ((rm = server->registered_methods) != NULL) {
     server->registered_methods = rm->next;
     request_matcher_destroy(&rm->request_matcher);
@@ -750,7 +746,7 @@ static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   }
 }
 
-static const grpc_channel_filter server_surface_filter = {
+const grpc_channel_filter grpc_server_top_filter = {
     server_start_transport_stream_op, grpc_channel_next_op, sizeof(call_data),
     init_call_elem, grpc_call_stack_ignore_set_pollset, destroy_call_elem,
     sizeof(channel_data), init_channel_elem, destroy_channel_elem,
@@ -776,11 +772,10 @@ void grpc_server_register_completion_queue(grpc_server *server,
   server->cqs[n] = cq;
 }
 
-grpc_server *grpc_server_create_from_filters(
-    const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t filter_count,
-    const grpc_channel_args *args) {
+grpc_server *grpc_server_create(const grpc_channel_args *args, void *reserved) {
   size_t i;
-  int census_enabled = grpc_channel_args_is_census_enabled(args);
+
+  GRPC_API_TRACE("grpc_server_create(%p, %p)", 2, (args, reserved));
 
   grpc_server *server = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_server));
 
@@ -808,23 +803,6 @@ grpc_server *grpc_server_create_from_filters(
   server->requested_calls = gpr_malloc(server->max_requested_calls *
                                        sizeof(*server->requested_calls));
 
-  /* Server filter stack is:
-
-     server_surface_filter - for making surface API calls
-     grpc_server_census_filter (optional) - for stats collection and tracing
-     {passed in filter stack}
-     grpc_connected_channel_filter - for interfacing with transports */
-  server->channel_filter_count = filter_count + 1u + (census_enabled ? 1u : 0u);
-  server->channel_filters =
-      gpr_malloc(server->channel_filter_count * sizeof(grpc_channel_filter *));
-  server->channel_filters[0] = &server_surface_filter;
-  if (census_enabled) {
-    server->channel_filters[1] = &grpc_server_census_filter;
-  }
-  for (i = 0; i < filter_count; i++) {
-    server->channel_filters[i + 1u + (census_enabled ? 1u : 0u)] = filters[i];
-  }
-
   server->channel_args = grpc_channel_args_copy(args);
 
   return server;
@@ -885,12 +863,7 @@ void grpc_server_start(grpc_server *server) {
 
 void grpc_server_setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_server *s,
                                  grpc_transport *transport,
-                                 grpc_channel_filter const **extra_filters,
-                                 size_t num_extra_filters,
                                  const grpc_channel_args *args) {
-  size_t num_filters = s->channel_filter_count + num_extra_filters + 1;
-  grpc_channel_filter const **filters =
-      gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_channel_filter *) * num_filters);
   size_t i;
   size_t num_registered_methods;
   size_t alloc;
@@ -906,22 +879,14 @@ void grpc_server_setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_server *s,
   uint32_t max_probes = 0;
   grpc_transport_op op;
 
-  for (i = 0; i < s->channel_filter_count; i++) {
-    filters[i] = s->channel_filters[i];
-  }
-  for (; i < s->channel_filter_count + num_extra_filters; i++) {
-    filters[i] = extra_filters[i - s->channel_filter_count];
-  }
-  filters[i] = &grpc_connected_channel_filter;
-
   for (i = 0; i < s->cq_count; i++) {
     memset(&op, 0, sizeof(op));
     op.bind_pollset = grpc_cq_pollset(s->cqs[i]);
     grpc_transport_perform_op(exec_ctx, transport, &op);
   }
 
-  channel = grpc_channel_create_from_filters(exec_ctx, NULL, filters,
-                                             num_filters, args, 0);
+  channel =
+      grpc_channel_create(exec_ctx, NULL, args, GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, transport);
   chand = (channel_data *)grpc_channel_stack_element(
               grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(channel), 0)->channel_data;
   chand->server = s;
@@ -958,17 +923,12 @@ void grpc_server_setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_server *s,
     chand->registered_method_max_probes = max_probes;
   }
 
-  grpc_connected_channel_bind_transport(grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(channel),
-                                        transport);
-
   gpr_mu_lock(&s->mu_global);
   chand->next = &s->root_channel_data;
   chand->prev = chand->next->prev;
   chand->next->prev = chand->prev->next = chand;
   gpr_mu_unlock(&s->mu_global);
 
-  gpr_free((void *)filters);
-
   GRPC_CHANNEL_INTERNAL_REF(channel, "connectivity");
   memset(&op, 0, sizeof(op));
   op.set_accept_stream = accept_stream;
diff --git a/src/core/surface/server.h b/src/core/surface/server.h
index a957fdb360..9a7f564970 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/server.h
+++ b/src/core/surface/server.h
@@ -34,14 +34,11 @@
 #ifndef GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_SERVER_H
 #define GRPC_INTERNAL_CORE_SURFACE_SERVER_H
 
-#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
+#include "src/core/channel/channel_stack.h"
 #include "src/core/transport/transport.h"
 
-/* Create a server */
-grpc_server *grpc_server_create_from_filters(
-    const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t filter_count,
-    const grpc_channel_args *args);
+extern const grpc_channel_filter grpc_server_top_filter;
 
 /* Add a listener to the server: when the server starts, it will call start,
    and when it shuts down, it will call destroy */
@@ -56,8 +53,6 @@ void grpc_server_add_listener(
    server */
 void grpc_server_setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_server *server,
                                  grpc_transport *transport,
-                                 grpc_channel_filter const **extra_filters,
-                                 size_t num_extra_filters,
                                  const grpc_channel_args *args);
 
 const grpc_channel_args *grpc_server_get_channel_args(grpc_server *server);
diff --git a/src/core/surface/server_chttp2.c b/src/core/surface/server_chttp2.c
index ce970dfe73..ff2840f655 100644
--- a/src/core/surface/server_chttp2.c
+++ b/src/core/surface/server_chttp2.c
@@ -45,10 +45,7 @@
 
 static void setup_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *server,
                             grpc_transport *transport) {
-  static grpc_channel_filter const *extra_filters[] = {
-      &grpc_http_server_filter};
-  grpc_server_setup_transport(exec_ctx, server, transport, extra_filters,
-                              GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(extra_filters),
+  grpc_server_setup_transport(exec_ctx, server, transport,
                               grpc_server_get_channel_args(server));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/transport/chttp2_transport.c b/src/core/transport/chttp2_transport.c
index 617d98875c..1901307d94 100644
--- a/src/core/transport/chttp2_transport.c
+++ b/src/core/transport/chttp2_transport.c
@@ -1713,8 +1713,9 @@ static char *chttp2_get_peer(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_transport *t) {
 }
 
 static const grpc_transport_vtable vtable = {
-    sizeof(grpc_chttp2_stream), init_stream, set_pollset, perform_stream_op,
-    perform_transport_op, destroy_stream, destroy_transport, chttp2_get_peer};
+    sizeof(grpc_chttp2_stream), "chttp2", init_stream, set_pollset,
+    perform_stream_op, perform_transport_op, destroy_stream, destroy_transport,
+    chttp2_get_peer};
 
 grpc_transport *grpc_create_chttp2_transport(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const grpc_channel_args *channel_args,
diff --git a/src/core/transport/transport_impl.h b/src/core/transport/transport_impl.h
index 40bfb4b13a..16f7fd4d32 100644
--- a/src/core/transport/transport_impl.h
+++ b/src/core/transport/transport_impl.h
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ typedef struct grpc_transport_vtable {
      layers and initialized by the transport */
   size_t sizeof_stream; /* = sizeof(transport stream) */
 
+  /* name of this transport implementation */
+  const char *name;
+
   /* implementation of grpc_transport_init_stream */
   int (*init_stream)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_transport *self,
                      grpc_stream *stream, grpc_stream_refcount *refcount,