diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/binary.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/binary.py
index d9ff3a5bb7..62380d49cd 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/binary.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/binary.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import adjust_permissions, copy_file, mkdir, remove_dir
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 PREPEND_TO_PATH_DEFAULT = ['']
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def install_step(self):
                 for install_cmd in install_cmds:
                     cmd = ' '.join([self.cfg['preinstallopts'], install_cmd, self.cfg['installopts']])
                     self.log.info("Running install command for %s: '%s'..." % (self.name, cmd))
-                    run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+                    run_shell_cmd(cmd)
             else:
                 raise EasyBuildError("Incorrect value type for install_cmds, should be list or tuple: ",
                                      install_cmds)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
index c47f2e9f05..3559da7eaf 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.framework.extensioneasyblock import ExtensionEasyBlock
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import extract_file, change_dir
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 from easybuild.tools.config import build_option
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import write_file, compute_checksum
 from easybuild.tools.toolchain.compiler import OPTARCH_GENERIC
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ def build_step(self):
         if self.cfg['lto'] is not None:
             lto = '--config profile.%s.lto=\\"%s\\"' % (self.profile, self.cfg['lto'])
 
-        run_cmd('rustc --print cfg', log_all=True, simple=True)  # for tracking in log file
+        run_shell_cmd('rustc --print cfg')  # for tracking in log file
         cmd = ' '.join([
             self.cfg['prebuildopts'],
             'cargo build',
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def build_step(self):
             parallel,
             self.cfg['buildopts'],
         ])
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def test_step(self):
         """Test with cargo"""
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ def test_step(self):
                 '--profile=' + self.profile,
                 self.cfg['testopts'],
             ])
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def install_step(self):
         """Install with cargo"""
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ def install_step(self):
             '--path=.',
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
 
 def generate_crate_list(sourcedir):
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmakemake.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmakemake.py
index 0a326a8e5a..6838a68168 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmakemake.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmakemake.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import change_dir, create_unused_dir, mkdir, which
 from easybuild.tools.environment import setvar
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root, get_software_version
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 from easybuild.tools.systemtools import get_shared_lib_ext
 from easybuild.tools.utilities import nub
 
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ def det_cmake_version():
         regex = re.compile(r"^[cC][mM]ake version (?P<version>[0-9]\.[0-9a-zA-Z.-]+)$", re.M)
 
         cmd = "cmake --version"
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, simple=False, log_ok=False, log_all=False, trace=False)
+        cmd_res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, hidden=True, fail_on_error=False)
+        out = cmd_res.output
         res = regex.search(out)
         if res:
             cmake_version = res.group('version')
@@ -311,9 +312,9 @@ def configure_step(self, srcdir=None, builddir=None):
                 self.cfg.get('configure_cmd'),
                 self.cfg['configopts']])
 
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(command, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(command)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
     def test_step(self):
         """CMake specific test setup"""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmdcp.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmdcp.py
index 5a91112a4e..12c34486d2 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmdcp.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cmdcp.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.makecp import MakeCp
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class CmdCp(MakeCp):
@@ -80,4 +80,4 @@ def build_step(self):
                 raise EasyBuildError("No match for %s in %s, don't know which command to use.",
                                      src, self.cfg['cmds_map'])
 
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/conda.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/conda.py
index 03e78ab42e..3ad69f1f6e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/conda.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/conda.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.binary import Binary
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ def install_step(self):
         # initialize conda environment
         # setuptools is just a choice, but *something* needs to be there
         cmd = "%s config --add create_default_packages setuptools" % conda_cmd
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         if self.cfg['environment_file'] or self.cfg['remote_environment']:
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def install_step(self):
             # use --force to ignore existing installation directory
             cmd = "%s %s env create --force %s -p %s" % (self.cfg['preinstallopts'], conda_cmd,
                                                          env_spec, self.installdir)
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         else:
 
@@ -100,11 +100,11 @@ def install_step(self):
 
             cmd = "%s %s create --force -y -p %s %s" % (self.cfg['preinstallopts'], conda_cmd,
                                                         self.installdir, install_args)
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         # clean up
         cmd = "%s clean -ya" % conda_cmd
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def make_module_extra(self):
         """Add the install directory to the PATH."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremake.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremake.py
index 9e4066b60b..39e8825b65 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremake.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremake.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.config import source_paths, build_option
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import CHECKSUM_TYPE_SHA256, adjust_permissions, compute_checksum, download_file
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import read_file, remove_file
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 # string that indicates that a configure script was generated by Autoconf
 # note: bytes string since this constant is used to check the contents of 'configure' which is read as bytes
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ def determine_build_and_host_type(self):
                               "EasyBuild attempts to download a recent config.guess but seems to have failed!")
             else:
                 self.check_config_guess()
-                system_type, _ = run_cmd(self.config_guess, log_all=True)
-                system_type = system_type.strip()
+                res = run_shell_cmd(self.config_guess)
+                system_type = res.output.strip()
                 self.log.info("%s returned a system type '%s'", self.config_guess, system_type)
 
                 if build_type is None:
@@ -323,16 +323,19 @@ def configure_step(self, cmd_prefix=''):
             ] + build_and_host_options + [self.cfg['configopts']]
         )
 
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
-    def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
+    def build_step(self, verbose=None, path=None):
         """
         Start the actual build
         - typical: make -j X
         """
 
+        if verbose is not None:
+            self.log.deprecated("The 'verbose' parameter to build_step is deprecated and unneeded.", '6.0')
+
         paracmd = ''
         if self.cfg['parallel']:
             paracmd = "-j %s" % self.cfg['parallel']
@@ -351,7 +354,8 @@ def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
             ])
             self.log.info("Building target '%s'", target)
 
-            (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, path=path, log_all=True, simple=False, log_output=verbose)
+            res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, work_dir=path)
+            out = res.output
 
         return out
 
@@ -369,9 +373,9 @@ def test_step(self):
                 runtest = ''
             # Compose command filtering out empty values
             cmd = ' '.join([x for x in (self.cfg['pretestopts'], test_cmd, runtest, self.cfg['testopts']) if x])
-            (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+            res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-            return out
+            return res.output
 
     def install_step(self):
         """
@@ -385,6 +389,6 @@ def install_step(self):
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
 
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremakepythonpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremakepythonpackage.py
index 8da38021a2..d9ebf8dc1c 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremakepythonpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/configuremakepythonpackage.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 """
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.configuremake import ConfigureMake
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.pythonpackage import PythonPackage
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class ConfigureMakePythonPackage(ConfigureMake, PythonPackage):
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def configure_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Configure build using ``python configure``."""
         PythonPackage.configure_step(self, *args, **kwargs)
         cmd = ' '.join([self.cfg['preconfigopts'], self.python_cmd, self.cfg['configopts']])
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def build_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Build Python package with ``make``."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/fortranpythonpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/fortranpythonpackage.py
index 849dacf54b..1e434c50ca 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/fortranpythonpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/fortranpythonpackage.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 import easybuild.tools.toolchain as toolchain
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.pythonpackage import PythonPackage
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class FortranPythonPackage(PythonPackage):
@@ -70,4 +70,4 @@ def build_step(self):
             raise EasyBuildError("Unknown family of compilers being used: %s", comp_fam)
 
         cmd = "%s %s setup.py build %s" % (self.cfg['prebuildopts'], self.python_cmd, self.cfg['buildopts'])
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/gopackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/gopackage.py
index 8a3b591402..b829159349 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/gopackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/gopackage.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root, get_software_version
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class GoPackage(EasyBlock):
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ def configure_step(self):
         env.setvar('GOBIN', os.path.join(self.installdir, 'bin'), verbose=False)
 
         # creates log entries for go being used, for debugging
-        run_cmd("go version", verbose=False, trace=False)
-        run_cmd("go env", verbose=False, trace=False)
+        run_shell_cmd("go version", hidden=True)
+        run_shell_cmd("go env", hidden=True)
 
     def build_step(self):
         """If Go package is not native go module, lets try to make the module."""
@@ -91,13 +91,13 @@ def build_step(self):
 
             # go mod init
             cmd = ' '.join(['go', 'mod', 'init', self.cfg['modulename']])
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
             if self.cfg['forced_deps']:
                 for dep in self.cfg['forced_deps']:
                     # go get specific dependencies which locks them in go.mod
                     cmd = ' '.join(['go', 'get', '%s@%s' % dep])
-                    run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+                    run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
             # note: ... (tripledot) used below is not a typo, but go wildcard pattern
             # which means: anything you can find in this directory, including all subdirectories
@@ -105,20 +105,20 @@ def build_step(self):
             # see: https://stackoverflow.com/a/28031651/2047157
 
             # building and testing will add packages to go.mod
-            run_cmd('go build ./...', log_all=True, simple=True)
-            run_cmd('go test ./...', log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd('go build ./...')
+            run_shell_cmd('go test ./...')
 
             # tidy up go.mod
-            run_cmd('go mod tidy', log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd('go mod tidy')
 
             # build and test again, to ensure go mod tidy didn't removed anything needed
-            run_cmd('go build ./...', log_all=True, simple=True)
-            run_cmd('go test ./...', log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd('go build ./...')
+            run_shell_cmd('go test ./...')
 
             self.log.warn('Include generated go.mod and go.sum via patch to ensure locked dependencies '
                           'and run this easyconfig again.')
-            run_cmd('cat go.mod', log_all=True, simple=True)
-            run_cmd('cat go.sum', log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd('cat go.mod')
+            run_shell_cmd('cat go.sum')
 
         if not os.path.exists(go_sum_file) or not os.path.isfile(go_sum_file):
             raise EasyBuildError("go.sum not found! This module has no locked dependency versions.")
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def install_step(self):
             '-x',
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, log_ok=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def sanity_check_step(self):
         """Custom sanity check for Go package."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/intelbase.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/intelbase.py
index 1e918605dc..665cca479d 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/intelbase.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/intelbase.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import adjust_permissions, find_flexlm_license
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import mkdir, read_file, remove_file, write_file
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 # different supported activation types (cfr. Intel documentation)
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ def install_step_classic(self, silent_cfg_names_map=None, silent_cfg_extras=None
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
 
-        return run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True, log_output=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def install_step_oneapi(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -468,16 +468,16 @@ def install_step_oneapi(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
         cmd.append(self.cfg['installopts'])
 
-        return run_cmd(' '.join(cmd), log_all=True, simple=True, log_output=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(' '.join(cmd))
 
     def install_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """
         Install Intel software
         """
         if LooseVersion(self.version) >= LooseVersion('2021'):
-            return self.install_step_oneapi(*args, **kwargs)
+            self.install_step_oneapi(*args, **kwargs)
         else:
-            return self.install_step_classic(*args, **kwargs)
+            self.install_step_classic(*args, **kwargs)
 
     def move_after_install(self):
         """Move installed files to correct location after installation."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/juliapackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/juliapackage.py
index 2ff1e49e89..90a2c6f139 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/juliapackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/juliapackage.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root, get_software_version
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import copy_dir
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 EXTS_FILTER_JULIA_PACKAGES = ("julia -e 'using %(ext_name)s'", "")
 USER_DEPOT_PATTERN = re.compile(r"\/\.julia\/?$")
@@ -147,9 +147,9 @@ def install_step(self):
             "julia -e '%s'" % julia_pkg_cmd,
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
     def run(self):
         """Install Julia package as an extension."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/mesonninja.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/mesonninja.py
index 1fafaed53d..7297b84d4d 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/mesonninja.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/mesonninja.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import change_dir, create_unused_dir, which
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_version
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 DEFAULT_CONFIGURE_CMD = 'meson'
 DEFAULT_BUILD_CMD = 'ninja'
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ def configure_step(self, cmd_prefix=''):
             'preconfigopts': self.cfg['preconfigopts'],
             'source_dir': build_dir,
         }
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
-        return out
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
+        return res.output
 
     def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
         """
@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@ def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
             'parallel': parallel,
             'prebuildopts': self.cfg['prebuildopts'],
         }
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
-        return out
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
+        return res.output
 
     def test_step(self):
         """
@@ -127,8 +127,8 @@ def test_step(self):
         """
         if self.cfg['runtest']:
             cmd = "%s %s %s" % (self.cfg['pretestopts'], self.cfg['runtest'], self.cfg['testopts'])
-            (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
-            return out
+            res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
+            return res.output
 
     def install_step(self):
         """
@@ -146,5 +146,5 @@ def install_step(self):
             'install_cmd': install_cmd,
             'preinstallopts': self.cfg['preinstallopts'],
         }
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
-        return out
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
+        return res.output
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/ocamlpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/ocamlpackage.py
index d0b460d2ca..4010006c7e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/ocamlpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/ocamlpackage.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 """
 from easybuild.framework.extensioneasyblock import ExtensionEasyBlock
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class OCamlPackage(ExtensionEasyBlock):
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ def configure_step(self):
     def run(self):
         """Perform OCaml package installation (as extension)."""
         # install using 'opam install'
-        run_cmd("eval `opam config env` && opam install -yv %s.%s" % (self.name, self.version))
+        run_shell_cmd("eval `opam config env` && opam install -yv %s.%s" % (self.name, self.version))
 
         # 'opam pin add' fixes the version of the package
         # see https://opam.ocaml.org/doc/Usage.html#opampin
-        run_cmd("eval `opam config env` && opam pin -yv add %s %s" % (self.name, self.version))
+        run_shell_cmd("eval `opam config env` && opam pin -yv add %s %s" % (self.name, self.version))
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/octavepackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/octavepackage.py
index cff63cc9c6..cbe26f3287 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/octavepackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/octavepackage.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.extensioneasyblock import ExtensionEasyBlock
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import change_dir
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class OctavePackage(ExtensionEasyBlock):
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def run(self):
             # create temporary tarball from unpacked & patched source
             src = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), '%s-%s-patched.tar.gz' % (self.name, self.version))
             cwd = change_dir(os.path.dirname(self.ext_dir))
-            run_cmd("tar cfvz %s %s" % (src, os.path.basename(self.ext_dir)))
+            run_shell_cmd("tar cfvz %s %s" % (src, os.path.basename(self.ext_dir)))
             change_dir(cwd)
         else:
             src = self.src
@@ -69,4 +69,4 @@ def run(self):
 
         octave_cmd += "pkg install -global %s" % src
 
-        run_cmd("octave --eval '%s'" % octave_cmd)
+        run_shell_cmd("octave --eval '%s'" % octave_cmd)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/perlmodule.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/perlmodule.py
index e10b6d5b1c..ff3c1bbf50 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/perlmodule.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/perlmodule.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.extensioneasyblock import ExtensionEasyBlock
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.configuremake import ConfigureMake
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 from easybuild.tools.environment import unset_env_vars
 
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def install_perl_module(self):
                 '%s=%s' % (prefix_opt, self.installdir),
                 self.cfg['configopts'],
             ])
-            run_cmd(install_cmd)
+            run_shell_cmd(install_cmd)
 
             ConfigureMake.build_step(self)
             ConfigureMake.test_step(self)
@@ -98,13 +98,13 @@ def install_perl_module(self):
                 self.installdir,
                 self.cfg['configopts'],
             ])
-            run_cmd(install_cmd)
+            run_shell_cmd(install_cmd)
 
-            run_cmd("%s perl Build build %s" % (self.cfg['prebuildopts'], self.cfg['buildopts']))
+            run_shell_cmd("%s perl Build build %s" % (self.cfg['prebuildopts'], self.cfg['buildopts']))
 
             if self.cfg['runtest']:
-                run_cmd('perl Build %s' % self.cfg['runtest'])
-            run_cmd('%s perl Build install %s' % (self.cfg['preinstallopts'], self.cfg['installopts']))
+                run_shell_cmd('perl Build %s' % self.cfg['runtest'])
+            run_shell_cmd('%s perl Build install %s' % (self.cfg['preinstallopts'], self.cfg['installopts']))
 
     def run(self):
         """Perform the actual Perl module build/installation procedure"""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
index b6f63dbf5b..1a9cec9ab3 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.config import build_option
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import change_dir, mkdir, remove_dir, symlink, which
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd, subprocess_popen_text
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd, subprocess_popen_text
 from easybuild.tools.utilities import nub
 from easybuild.tools.hooks import CONFIGURE_STEP, BUILD_STEP, TEST_STEP, INSTALL_STEP
 
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@
 def det_python_version(python_cmd):
     """Determine version of specified 'python' command."""
     pycode = 'import sys; print("%s.%s.%s" % sys.version_info[:3])'
-    out, _ = run_cmd("%s -c '%s'" % (python_cmd, pycode), simple=False, trace=False)
-    return out.strip()
+    res = run_shell_cmd("%s -c '%s'" % (python_cmd, pycode), hidden=True)
+    return res.output.strip()
 
 
 def pick_python_cmd(req_maj_ver=None, req_min_ver=None):
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def det_pylibdir(plat_specific=False, python_cmd=None):
         python_cmd = 'python'
 
     # determine Python lib dir via distutils
-    # use run_cmd, we can to talk to the active Python, not the system Python running EasyBuild
+    # use run_shell_cmd, we can to talk to the active Python, not the system Python running EasyBuild
     prefix = '/tmp/'
     if LooseVersion(det_python_version(python_cmd)) >= LooseVersion('3.12'):
         # Python 3.12 removed distutils but has a core sysconfig module which is similar
@@ -183,13 +183,13 @@ def det_pylibdir(plat_specific=False, python_cmd=None):
 
     log.debug("Determining Python library directory using command '%s'", cmd)
 
-    out, ec = run_cmd(cmd, simple=False, force_in_dry_run=True, trace=False)
-    txt = out.strip().split('\n')[-1]
+    res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, in_dry_run=True, hidden=True)
+    txt = res.output.strip().split('\n')[-1]
 
     # value obtained should start with specified prefix, otherwise something is very wrong
     if not txt.startswith(prefix):
         raise EasyBuildError("Last line of output of %s does not start with specified prefix %s: %s (exit code %s)",
-                             cmd, prefix, out, ec)
+                             cmd, prefix, res.output, res.exit_code)
 
     pylibdir = txt[len(prefix):]
     log.debug("Determined pylibdir using '%s': %s", cmd, pylibdir)
@@ -227,7 +227,8 @@ def det_pip_version(python_cmd='python'):
     log = fancylogger.getLogger('det_pip_version', fname=False)
     log.info("Determining pip version...")
 
-    out, _ = run_cmd("%s -m pip --version" % python_cmd, verbose=False, simple=False, trace=False)
+    res = run_shell_cmd("%s -m pip --version" % python_cmd, hidden=True)
+    out = res.output
 
     pip_version_regex = re.compile('^pip ([0-9.]+)')
     res = pip_version_regex.search(out)
@@ -261,8 +262,8 @@ def det_py_install_scheme(python_cmd='python'):
 
     cmd = "%s -c 'import sysconfig; print(sysconfig.%s())'" % (python_cmd, get_default_scheme)
     log.debug("Determining active Python installation scheme with: %s", cmd)
-    out, _ = run_cmd(cmd, verbose=False, simple=False, trace=False)
-    py_install_scheme = out.strip()
+    res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, hidden=True)
+    py_install_scheme = res.output.strip()
 
     if py_install_scheme in PY_INSTALL_SCHEMES:
         log.info("Active Python installation scheme: %s", py_install_scheme)
@@ -754,7 +755,7 @@ def configure_step(self):
 
         # creates log entries for python being used, for debugging
         cmd = "%(python)s -V; %(python)s -c 'import sys; print(sys.executable, sys.path)'"
-        run_cmd(cmd % {'python': self.python_cmd}, verbose=False, trace=False)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd % {'python': self.python_cmd}, hidden=True)
 
     def build_step(self):
         """Build Python package using setup.py"""
@@ -774,12 +775,12 @@ def build_step(self):
         if build_cmd:
             build_cmd = build_cmd % {'python': self.python_cmd}
             cmd = ' '.join([self.cfg['prebuildopts'], build_cmd, self.cfg['buildopts']])
-            (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+            res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
             # keep track of all output, so we can check for auto-downloaded dependencies;
             # take into account that build/install steps may be run multiple times
             # We consider the build and install output together as downloads likely happen here if this is run
-            self.install_cmd_output += out
+            self.install_cmd_output += res.output
 
     def test_step(self, return_output_ec=False):
         """
@@ -817,13 +818,13 @@ def test_step(self, return_output_ec=False):
                     raise EasyBuildError("Failed to create test install dir: %s", err)
 
                 # print Python search path (just debugging purposes)
-                run_cmd("%s -c 'import sys; print(sys.path)'" % self.python_cmd, verbose=False, trace=False)
+                run_shell_cmd("%s -c 'import sys; print(sys.path)'" % self.python_cmd, hidden=True)
 
                 abs_pylibdirs = [os.path.join(actual_installdir, pylibdir) for pylibdir in self.all_pylibdirs]
                 extrapath = "export PYTHONPATH=%s &&" % os.pathsep.join(abs_pylibdirs + ['$PYTHONPATH'])
 
                 cmd = self.compose_install_command(test_installdir, extrapath=extrapath)
-                run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True, verbose=False)
+                run_shell_cmd(cmd, hidden=True)
 
                 self.py_post_install_shenanigans(test_installdir)
 
@@ -837,11 +838,12 @@ def test_step(self, return_output_ec=False):
                 ])
 
                 if return_output_ec:
-                    (out, ec) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=False, log_ok=False, simple=False, regexp=False)
-                    # need to log seperately, since log_all and log_ok need to be false to retrieve out and ec
+                    res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, fail_on_error=False)
+                    # need to retrieve ec by not failing on error
+                    (out, ec) = (res.output, res.exit_code)
                     self.log.info("cmd '%s' exited with exit code %s and output:\n%s", cmd, ec, out)
                 else:
-                    run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+                    run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
             if test_installdir:
                 remove_dir(test_installdir)
@@ -879,12 +881,12 @@ def install_step(self):
 
         # actually install Python package
         cmd = self.compose_install_command(self.installdir)
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, log_ok=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         # keep track of all output from install command, so we can check for auto-downloaded dependencies;
         # take into account that install step may be run multiple times
         # (for iterated installations over multiply Python versions)
-        self.install_cmd_output += out
+        self.install_cmd_output += res.output
 
         self.py_post_install_shenanigans(self.installdir)
 
@@ -1029,8 +1031,9 @@ def sanity_check_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
                     pip_check_errors = []
 
-                    pip_check_msg, ec = run_cmd(pip_check_command, log_ok=False)
-                    if ec:
+                    res = run_shell_cmd(pip_check_command, fail_on_error=False)
+                    pip_check_msg = res.output
+                    if res.exit_code:
                         pip_check_errors.append('`%s` failed:\n%s' % (pip_check_command, pip_check_msg))
                     else:
                         self.log.info('`%s` completed successfully' % pip_check_command)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpackage.py
index 897408503c..bc43ce6970 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpackage.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.extensioneasyblock import ExtensionEasyBlock
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import mkdir, copy_file
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd, parse_log_for_error
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd, parse_log_for_error
 
 
 def make_R_install_option(opt, values, cmdline=False):
@@ -168,8 +168,8 @@ def build_step(self):
     def install_R_package(self, cmd, inp=None):
         """Install R package as specified, and check for errors."""
 
-        output, _ = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False, inp=inp, regexp=False)
-        self.check_install_output(output)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, stdin=inp)
+        self.check_install_output(res.output)
 
     def check_install_output(self, output):
         """
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ def check_install_output(self, output):
             """ % self.name
             # remove package if errors were detected
             # it's possible that some of the dependencies failed, but the package itself was installed
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=False, log_ok=False, simple=False, inp=stdin, regexp=False)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd, fail_on_error=False, stdin=stdin)
             raise EasyBuildError("Errors detected during installation of R package %s!", self.name)
         else:
             self.log.debug("R package %s installed succesfully", self.name)
@@ -216,11 +216,11 @@ def required_deps(self):
         if self._required_deps is None:
             if self.src:
                 cmd = "tar --wildcards --extract --file %s --to-stdout '*/DESCRIPTION'" % self.src
-                out, _ = run_cmd(cmd, simple=False, trace=False)
+                res = run_shell_cmd(cmd, hidden=True)
 
                 # lines that start with whitespace are merged with line above
                 lines = []
-                for line in out.splitlines():
+                for line in res.output.splitlines():
                     if line and line[0] in (' ', '\t'):
                         lines[-1] = lines[-1] + line
                     else:
@@ -271,8 +271,8 @@ def prepare_r_ext_install(self):
         # determine location
         if isinstance(self.master, EB_R):
             # extension is being installed as part of an R installation/module
-            (out, _) = run_cmd("R RHOME", log_all=True, simple=False, trace=False)
-            rhome = out.strip()
+            res = run_shell_cmd("R RHOME", hidden=True)
+            rhome = res.output.strip()
             lib_install_prefix = os.path.join(rhome, 'library')
         else:
             # extension is being installed in a separate installation prefix
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpm.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpm.py
index 1ab63bfff1..5156f716ea 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpm.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rpm.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import change_dir, mkdir, symlink, which
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 _log = fancylogger.getLogger('easyblocks.generic.rpm')
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def rebuild_rpm(rpm_path, targetdir):
         targetdir,
         rpm_path,
     ])
-    run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+    run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
 
 class Rpm(Binary):
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ def configure_step(self):
 
         # determine whether RPMs need to be rebuilt to make relocation work
         cmd = "rpm --version"
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         rpmver_re = re.compile(r"^RPM\s+version\s+(?P<version>[0-9.]+).*")
-        res = rpmver_re.match(out)
+        res = rpmver_re.match(res.output)
         self.log.debug("RPM version found: %s" % res.group())
 
         if res:
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def install_step(self):
 
         cmd = "rpm --initdb --dbpath /rpm --root %s" % self.installdir
 
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         force = ''
         if self.cfg['force']:
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def install_step(self):
                 'post': postinstall,
                 'installopts': self.cfg['installopts'],
             }
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         for path in self.cfg['makesymlinks']:
             # allow globs, always use first hit.
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rubygem.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rubygem.py
index 58ecfa05c4..a989b91bf7 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rubygem.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/rubygem.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import copy_file
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_root
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class RubyGem(ExtensionEasyBlock):
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def install_step(self):
             env.setvar('GEM_HOME', self.installdir)
 
         bindir = os.path.join(self.installdir, 'bin')
-        run_cmd("gem install --bindir %s --local %s" % (bindir, self.ext_src))
+        run_shell_cmd("gem install --bindir %s --local %s" % (bindir, self.ext_src))
 
     def make_module_extra(self):
         """Extend $GEM_PATH in module file."""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/scons.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/scons.py
index 9820cb5855..b581bf0152 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/scons.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/scons.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 """
 from easybuild.framework.easyblock import EasyBlock
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class SCons(EasyBlock):
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ def build_step(self, verbose=False):
             'prefix': self.prefix,
             'par': par,
         }
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, log_output=verbose)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
     def test_step(self):
         """
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def test_step(self):
         """
         if self.cfg['runtest']:
             cmd = "%s scons %s %s" % (self.cfg['pretestopts'], self.cfg['runtest'], self.cfg['testopts'])
-            run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
     def install_step(self):
         """
@@ -87,6 +87,6 @@ def install_step(self):
             'preinstallopts': self.cfg['preinstallopts'],
             'prefix': self.prefix,
         }
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemcompiler.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemcompiler.py
index 0b01c30036..46d800731f 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemcompiler.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemcompiler.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError, print_warning
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import read_file, resolve_path, which
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 _log = fancylogger.getLogger('easyblocks.generic.systemcompiler')
 
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@ def extract_compiler_version(compiler_name):
     # Intel(R) C Intel(R) 64 Compiler XE for applications running on Intel(R) 64, Version 15.0.1.133 Build 20141023
     version_regex = re.compile(r'\s([0-9]+(?:\.[0-9]+){1,3})\s', re.M)
     if compiler_name == 'gcc':
-        out, _ = run_cmd("gcc --version", simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd("gcc --version")
+        out = res.output
         res = version_regex.search(out)
         if res is None:
             raise EasyBuildError("Could not extract GCC version from %s", out)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemmpi.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemmpi.py
index 5ba5a3f812..5a71d058a1 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemmpi.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/systemmpi.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError, print_warning
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import read_file, resolve_path, which
 from easybuild.tools.modules import get_software_version
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class SystemMPI(Bundle, ConfigureMake, EB_impi):
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ def prepare_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
         # Determine MPI version, installation prefix and underlying compiler
         if mpi_name in ('openmpi', 'spectrummpi'):
             # Spectrum MPI is based on Open MPI so is also covered by this logic
-            output_of_ompi_info, _ = run_cmd("ompi_info", simple=False)
+            res = run_shell_cmd("ompi_info")
+            output_of_ompi_info = res.output
 
             # Extract the version of the MPI implementation
             if mpi_name == 'spectrummpi':
@@ -183,8 +184,9 @@ def prepare_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
                     self.mpi_env_vars[key] = value
 
             # Extract the C compiler used underneath Intel MPI
-            compile_info, exit_code = run_cmd("%s -compile-info" % mpi_c_wrapper, simple=False)
-            if exit_code == 0:
+            res == run_shell_cmd("%s -compile-info" % mpi_c_wrapper)
+            compile_info = res.output
+            if res.exit_code == 0:
                 self.mpi_c_compiler = compile_info.split(' ', 1)[0]
             else:
                 raise EasyBuildError("Could not determine C compiler underneath Intel MPI, '%s -compiler-info' "
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/tarball.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/tarball.py
index 5ad887cc81..0d656cc2e8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/tarball.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/tarball.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 from easybuild.framework.easyconfig import CUSTOM
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import copy_dir, extract_file, remove_dir
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class Tarball(ExtensionEasyBlock):
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def install_step(self, src=None):
             preinstall_cmd = '&& '.join([cmd for cmd in [preinstall_cmd, self.cfg['preinstall_cmd']] if cmd])
         if preinstall_cmd:
             self.log.info("Preparing installation of %s using command '%s'..." % (self.name, preinstall_cmd))
-            run_cmd(preinstall_cmd, log_all=True, simple=True)
+            run_shell_cmd(preinstall_cmd)
 
         # Copy source directory
         source_path = src or self.cfg['start_dir']
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/versionindependentpythonpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/versionindependentpythonpackage.py
index f6cc181b41..6c45efe7a8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/versionindependentpythonpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/versionindependentpythonpackage.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 import easybuild.tools.environment as env
 from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.pythonpackage import PythonPackage
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class VersionIndependentPythonPackage(PythonPackage):
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def install_step(self):
             raise EasyBuildError("%s easyblock is not compatible with using easy_install or pip", eb_name)
 
         cmd = self.compose_install_command(self.installdir)
-        run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=True, log_output=True)
+        run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
         # setuptools stubbornly replaces the shebang line in scripts with
         # the full path to the Python interpreter used to install;
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/waf.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/waf.py
index 30d36a72dd..6ce9541adc 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/waf.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/waf.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 """
 
 from easybuild.framework.easyblock import EasyBlock
-from easybuild.tools.run import run_cmd
+from easybuild.tools.run import run_shell_cmd
 
 
 class Waf(EasyBlock):
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ def configure_step(self, cmd_prefix=''):
             '--prefix=%s' % self.installdir,
             self.cfg['configopts'],
         ])
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
     def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
         """
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ def build_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
             'build',
             self.cfg['buildopts'],
         ])
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output
 
     def install_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
         """
@@ -76,6 +76,6 @@ def install_step(self, verbose=False, path=None):
             'install',
             self.cfg['installopts'],
         ])
-        (out, _) = run_cmd(cmd, log_all=True, simple=False)
+        res = run_shell_cmd(cmd)
 
-        return out
+        return res.output