diff --git a/cmd/godog/main.go b/cmd/godog/main.go
index 1904cc5..f324ed0 100644
--- a/cmd/godog/main.go
+++ b/cmd/godog/main.go
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@ import (
 	"syscall"
 
 	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog"
+	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/colors"
 )
 
 var statusMatch = regexp.MustCompile("^exit status (\\d+)")
 var parsedStatus int
 
-var stdout = io.Writer(os.Stdout)
-var stderr = statusOutputFilter(os.Stderr)
-
 func buildAndRun() (int, error) {
 	var status int
 
@@ -36,8 +34,8 @@ func buildAndRun() (int, error) {
 	defer os.Remove(bin)
 
 	cmd := exec.Command(bin, os.Args[1:]...)
-	cmd.Stdout = stdout
-	cmd.Stderr = stderr
+	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
 	cmd.Env = os.Environ()
 
 	if err = cmd.Start(); err != nil {
@@ -68,46 +66,37 @@ func main() {
 	var tags, format, output string
 	var concurrency int
 
-	flagSet := godog.FlagSet(&format, &tags, &defs, &sof, &noclr, &concurrency)
+	flagSet := godog.FlagSet(colors.Colored(os.Stdout), &format, &tags, &defs, &sof, &noclr, &concurrency)
 	flagSet.BoolVar(&vers, "version", false, "Show current version.")
 	flagSet.StringVar(&output, "o", "", "Build and output test runner executable to given target path.")
 	flagSet.StringVar(&output, "output", "", "Build and output test runner executable to given target path.")
 
-	err := flagSet.Parse(os.Args[1:])
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintln(stderr, err)
+	if err := flagSet.Parse(os.Args[1:]); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
 	if len(output) > 0 {
 		bin, err := filepath.Abs(output)
 		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "could not locate absolute path for:", output, err)
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "could not locate absolute path for:", output, err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 		if err = godog.Build(bin); err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "could not build binary at:", output, err)
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "could not build binary at:", output, err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 		os.Exit(0)
 	}
 
-	if noclr {
-		stdout = noColorsWriter(stdout)
-		stderr = noColorsWriter(stderr)
-	} else {
-		stdout = createAnsiColorWriter(stdout)
-		stderr = createAnsiColorWriter(stderr)
-	}
-
 	if vers {
-		fmt.Fprintln(stdout, "Godog version is:", godog.Version)
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Godog version is:", godog.Version)
 		os.Exit(0) // should it be 0?
 	}
 
 	status, err := buildAndRun()
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintln(stderr, err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 	// it might be a case, that status might not be resolved
diff --git a/cmd/godog/ansicolor_ansi.go b/colors/ansi_others.go
similarity index 95%
rename from cmd/godog/ansicolor_ansi.go
rename to colors/ansi_others.go
index b6858b6..4ce4e77 100644
--- a/cmd/godog/ansicolor_ansi.go
+++ b/colors/ansi_others.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 // +build !windows
 
-package main
+package colors
 
 import "io"
 
diff --git a/cmd/godog/ansicolor_windows.go b/colors/ansi_windows.go
similarity index 98%
rename from cmd/godog/ansicolor_windows.go
rename to colors/ansi_windows.go
index 1772929..66401f9 100644
--- a/cmd/godog/ansicolor_windows.go
+++ b/colors/ansi_windows.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 // +build windows
 
-package main
+package colors
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ func isParameterChar(b byte) bool {
 
 func (cw *ansiColorWriter) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
 	r, nw, first, last := 0, 0, 0, 0
-	if cw.mode != DiscardNonColorEscSeq {
+	if cw.mode != discardNonColorEscSeq {
 		cw.state = outsideCsiCode
 		cw.resetBuffer()
 	}
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ func (cw *ansiColorWriter) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
 				}
 				first = i + 1
 				result := parseEscapeSequence(ch, cw.paramBuf.Bytes())
-				if result == noConsole || (cw.mode == OutputNonColorEscSeq && result == unknown) {
+				if result == noConsole || (cw.mode == outputNonColorEscSeq && result == unknown) {
 					cw.paramBuf.WriteByte(ch)
 					nw, err := cw.flushBuffer()
 					if err != nil {
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ func (cw *ansiColorWriter) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if cw.mode != DiscardNonColorEscSeq || cw.state == outsideCsiCode {
+	if cw.mode != discardNonColorEscSeq || cw.state == outsideCsiCode {
 		nw, err = cw.w.Write(p[first:len(p)])
 		r += nw
 	}
diff --git a/colors/colors.go b/colors/colors.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df00cec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/colors/colors.go
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+package colors
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+const ansiEscape = "\x1b"
+
+// a color code type
+type color int
+
+// some ansi colors
+const (
+	black color = iota + 30
+	red
+	green
+	yellow
+	blue
+	magenta
+	cyan
+	white
+)
+
+func colorize(s interface{}, c color) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s[%dm%v%s[0m", ansiEscape, c, s, ansiEscape)
+}
+
+type ColorFunc func(interface{}) string
+
+func Bold(fn ColorFunc) ColorFunc {
+	return ColorFunc(func(input interface{}) string {
+		return strings.Replace(fn(input), ansiEscape+"[", ansiEscape+"[1;", 1)
+	})
+}
+
+func Green(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, green)
+}
+
+func Red(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, red)
+}
+
+func Cyan(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, cyan)
+}
+
+func Black(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, black)
+}
+
+func Yellow(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, yellow)
+}
+
+func White(s interface{}) string {
+	return colorize(s, white)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/godog/no_color.go b/colors/no_colors.go
similarity index 93%
rename from cmd/godog/no_color.go
rename to colors/no_colors.go
index 18c5d66..3381d11 100644
--- a/cmd/godog/no_color.go
+++ b/colors/no_colors.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package colors
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ type noColors struct {
 	lastbuf bytes.Buffer
 }
 
-func noColorsWriter(w io.Writer) io.Writer {
+func Uncolored(w io.Writer) io.Writer {
 	return &noColors{out: w}
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/godog/ansicolor.go b/colors/writer.go
similarity index 81%
rename from cmd/godog/ansicolor.go
rename to colors/writer.go
index 8a535ed..0d33659 100644
--- a/cmd/godog/ansicolor.go
+++ b/colors/writer.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // Use of this source code is governed by a MIT-style
 // license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
 
-package main
+package colors
 
 import "io"
 
@@ -15,17 +15,17 @@ type outputMode int
 // color escape sequence.
 const (
 	_ outputMode = iota
-	DiscardNonColorEscSeq
-	OutputNonColorEscSeq
+	discardNonColorEscSeq
+	outputNonColorEscSeq
 )
 
-// NewAnsiColorWriter creates and initializes a new ansiColorWriter
+// Colored creates and initializes a new ansiColorWriter
 // using io.Writer w as its initial contents.
 // In the console of Windows, which change the foreground and background
 // colors of the text by the escape sequence.
 // In the console of other systems, which writes to w all text.
-func createAnsiColorWriter(w io.Writer) io.Writer {
-	return createModeAnsiColorWriter(w, DiscardNonColorEscSeq)
+func Colored(w io.Writer) io.Writer {
+	return createModeAnsiColorWriter(w, discardNonColorEscSeq)
 }
 
 // NewModeAnsiColorWriter create and initializes a new ansiColorWriter
diff --git a/flags.go b/flags.go
index 6968726..3c2a93e 100644
--- a/flags.go
+++ b/flags.go
@@ -3,31 +3,35 @@ package godog
 import (
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/colors"
 )
 
 var descFeaturesArgument = "Optional feature(s) to run. Can be:\n" +
-	s(4) + "- dir " + cl("(features/)", yellow) + "\n" +
-	s(4) + "- feature " + cl("(*.feature)", yellow) + "\n" +
-	s(4) + "- scenario at specific line " + cl("(*.feature:10)", yellow) + "\n" +
-	"If no feature paths are listed, suite tries " + cl("features", yellow) + " path by default.\n"
+	s(4) + "- dir " + colors.Yellow("(features/)") + "\n" +
+	s(4) + "- feature " + colors.Yellow("(*.feature)") + "\n" +
+	s(4) + "- scenario at specific line " + colors.Yellow("(*.feature:10)") + "\n" +
+	"If no feature paths are listed, suite tries " + colors.Yellow("features") + " path by default.\n"
 
 var descConcurrencyOption = "Run the test suite with concurrency level:\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`= 1`, yellow) + ": supports all types of formats.\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`>= 2`, yellow) + ": only supports " + cl("progress", yellow) + ". Note, that\n" +
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`= 1`) + ": supports all types of formats.\n" +
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`>= 2`) + ": only supports " + colors.Yellow("progress") + ". Note, that\n" +
 	s(4) + "your context needs to support parallel execution."
 
 var descTagsOption = "Filter scenarios by tags. Expression can be:\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`"@wip"`, yellow) + ": run all scenarios with wip tag\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`"~@wip"`, yellow) + ": exclude all scenarios with wip tag\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`"@wip && ~@new"`, yellow) + ": run wip scenarios, but exclude new\n" +
-	s(4) + "- " + cl(`"@wip,@undone"`, yellow) + ": run wip or undone scenarios"
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`"@wip"`) + ": run all scenarios with wip tag\n" +
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`"~@wip"`) + ": exclude all scenarios with wip tag\n" +
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`"@wip && ~@new"`) + ": run wip scenarios, but exclude new\n" +
+	s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(`"@wip,@undone"`) + ": run wip or undone scenarios"
 
 // FlagSet allows to manage flags by external suite runner
-func FlagSet(format, tags *string, defs, sof, noclr *bool, cr *int) *flag.FlagSet {
+func FlagSet(w io.Writer, format, tags *string, defs, sof, noclr *bool, cr *int) *flag.FlagSet {
 	descFormatOption := "How to format tests output. Available formats:\n"
-	for _, f := range formatters {
-		descFormatOption += s(4) + "- " + cl(f.name, yellow) + ": " + f.description + "\n"
+	// @TODO: sort by name
+	for name, desc := range AvailableFormatters() {
+		descFormatOption += s(4) + "- " + colors.Yellow(name) + ": " + desc + "\n"
 	}
 	descFormatOption = strings.TrimSpace(descFormatOption)
 
@@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ func FlagSet(format, tags *string, defs, sof, noclr *bool, cr *int) *flag.FlagSe
 	set.BoolVar(defs, "d", false, "Print all available step definitions.")
 	set.BoolVar(sof, "stop-on-failure", false, "Stop processing on first failed scenario.")
 	set.BoolVar(noclr, "no-colors", false, "Disable ansi colors.")
-	set.Usage = usage(set)
+	set.Usage = usage(set, w)
 	return set
 }
 
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ func (f *flagged) name() string {
 	return name
 }
 
-func usage(set *flag.FlagSet) func() {
+func usage(set *flag.FlagSet, w io.Writer) func() {
 	return func() {
 		var list []*flagged
 		var longest int
@@ -102,7 +106,7 @@ func usage(set *flag.FlagSet) func() {
 		opt := func(name, desc string) string {
 			var ret []string
 			lines := strings.Split(desc, "\n")
-			ret = append(ret, s(2)+cl(name, green)+s(longest+2-len(name))+lines[0])
+			ret = append(ret, s(2)+colors.Green(name)+s(longest+2-len(name))+lines[0])
 			if len(lines) > 1 {
 				for _, ln := range lines[1:] {
 					ret = append(ret, s(2)+s(longest+2)+ln)
@@ -112,22 +116,22 @@ func usage(set *flag.FlagSet) func() {
 		}
 
 		// --- GENERAL ---
-		fmt.Println(cl("Usage:", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, colors.Yellow("Usage:"))
 		fmt.Printf(s(2) + "godog [options] [<features>]\n\n")
 		// description
-		fmt.Println("Builds a test package and runs given feature files.")
-		fmt.Printf("Command should be run from the directory of tested package and contain buildable go source.\n\n")
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, "Builds a test package and runs given feature files.")
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Command should be run from the directory of tested package and contain buildable go source.\n\n")
 
 		// --- ARGUMENTS ---
-		fmt.Println(cl("Arguments:", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, colors.Yellow("Arguments:"))
 		// --> features
-		fmt.Println(opt("features", descFeaturesArgument))
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, opt("features", descFeaturesArgument))
 
 		// --- OPTIONS ---
-		fmt.Println(cl("Options:", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, colors.Yellow("Options:"))
 		for _, f := range list {
-			fmt.Println(opt(f.name(), f.descr))
+			fmt.Fprintln(w, opt(f.name(), f.descr))
 		}
-		fmt.Println("")
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/fmt.go b/fmt.go
index d17b0a8..aed5a52 100644
--- a/fmt.go
+++ b/fmt.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 	"unicode"
 
+	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/colors"
 	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/gherkin"
 )
 
@@ -78,6 +79,17 @@ func Format(name, description string, f FormatterFunc) {
 	})
 }
 
+// AvailableFormatters gives a map of all
+// formatters registered with their name as key
+// and description as value
+func AvailableFormatters() map[string]string {
+	fmts := make(map[string]string, len(formatters))
+	for _, f := range formatters {
+		fmts[f.name] = f.description
+	}
+	return fmts
+}
+
 // Formatter is an interface for feature runner
 // output summary presentation.
 //
@@ -111,7 +123,7 @@ const (
 	pending
 )
 
-func (st stepType) clr() color {
+func (st stepType) clr() colors.ColorFunc {
 	switch st {
 	case passed:
 		return green
@@ -267,28 +279,28 @@ func (f *basefmt) Summary() {
 	var steps, parts, scenarios []string
 	nsteps := len(f.passed) + len(f.failed) + len(f.skipped) + len(f.undefined) + len(f.pending)
 	if len(f.passed) > 0 {
-		steps = append(steps, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d passed", len(f.passed)), green))
+		steps = append(steps, green(fmt.Sprintf("%d passed", len(f.passed))))
 	}
 	if len(f.failed) > 0 {
 		passed -= len(f.failed)
-		parts = append(parts, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d failed", len(f.failed)), red))
+		parts = append(parts, red(fmt.Sprintf("%d failed", len(f.failed))))
 		steps = append(steps, parts[len(parts)-1])
 	}
 	if len(f.pending) > 0 {
 		passed -= len(f.pending)
-		parts = append(parts, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d pending", len(f.pending)), yellow))
-		steps = append(steps, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d pending", len(f.pending)), yellow))
+		parts = append(parts, yellow(fmt.Sprintf("%d pending", len(f.pending))))
+		steps = append(steps, yellow(fmt.Sprintf("%d pending", len(f.pending))))
 	}
 	if len(f.undefined) > 0 {
 		passed -= undefined
-		parts = append(parts, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d undefined", undefined), yellow))
-		steps = append(steps, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d undefined", len(f.undefined)), yellow))
+		parts = append(parts, yellow(fmt.Sprintf("%d undefined", undefined)))
+		steps = append(steps, yellow(fmt.Sprintf("%d undefined", len(f.undefined))))
 	}
 	if len(f.skipped) > 0 {
-		steps = append(steps, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d skipped", len(f.skipped)), cyan))
+		steps = append(steps, cyan(fmt.Sprintf("%d skipped", len(f.skipped))))
 	}
 	if passed > 0 {
-		scenarios = append(scenarios, cl(fmt.Sprintf("%d passed", passed), green))
+		scenarios = append(scenarios, green(fmt.Sprintf("%d passed", passed)))
 	}
 	scenarios = append(scenarios, parts...)
 	elapsed := time.Since(f.started)
@@ -308,8 +320,8 @@ func (f *basefmt) Summary() {
 	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, elapsed)
 
 	if text := f.snippets(); text != "" {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, cl("\nYou can implement step definitions for undefined steps with these snippets:", yellow))
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, cl(text, yellow))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, yellow("\nYou can implement step definitions for undefined steps with these snippets:"))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, yellow(text))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/fmt_pretty.go b/fmt_pretty.go
index 5a25098..9d317b1 100644
--- a/fmt_pretty.go
+++ b/fmt_pretty.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 	"unicode/utf8"
 
+	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/colors"
 	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/gherkin"
 )
 
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ func (f *pretty) Feature(ft *gherkin.Feature, p string, c []byte) {
 		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "")
 	}
 	f.features = append(f.features, &feature{Path: p, Feature: ft})
-	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, bcl(ft.Keyword+": ", white)+ft.Name)
+	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, whiteb(ft.Keyword+": ")+ft.Name)
 	if strings.TrimSpace(ft.Description) != "" {
 		for _, line := range strings.Split(ft.Description, "\n") {
 			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent)+strings.TrimSpace(line))
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ func (f *pretty) Summary() {
 		}
 	}
 	if len(failedScenarios) > 0 {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n--- "+cl("Failed scenarios:", red)+"\n")
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n--- "+red("Failed scenarios:")+"\n")
 		var unique []string
 		for _, fail := range failedScenarios {
 			var found bool
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ func (f *pretty) Summary() {
 		}
 
 		for _, fail := range unique {
-			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "    "+cl(fail, red))
+			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "    "+red(fail))
 		}
 	}
 	f.basefmt.Summary()
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ func (f *pretty) Summary() {
 
 func (f *pretty) printOutlineExample(outline *gherkin.ScenarioOutline) {
 	var msg string
-	clr := green
+	var clr colors.ColorFunc
 
 	ex := outline.Examples[f.outlineNumExample]
 	example, hasExamples := examples(ex)
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ func (f *pretty) printOutlineExample(outline *gherkin.ScenarioOutline) {
 			clr = res.typ.clr()
 		case res.typ == undefined || res.typ == pending:
 			clr = res.typ.clr()
-		case res.typ == skipped && clr == green:
+		case res.typ == skipped && clr == nil:
 			clr = cyan
 		}
 		if printSteps {
@@ -166,20 +167,20 @@ func (f *pretty) printOutlineExample(outline *gherkin.ScenarioOutline) {
 					var pos int
 					for i := 0; i < len(m); i++ {
 						pair := m[i]
-						text += cl(ostep.Text[pos:pair[0]], cyan)
-						text += bcl(ostep.Text[pair[0]:pair[1]], cyan)
+						text += cyan(ostep.Text[pos:pair[0]])
+						text += cyanb(ostep.Text[pair[0]:pair[1]])
 						pos = pair[1]
 					}
-					text += cl(ostep.Text[pos:len(ostep.Text)], cyan)
+					text += cyan(ostep.Text[pos:len(ostep.Text)])
 				} else {
-					text = cl(ostep.Text, cyan)
+					text = cyan(ostep.Text)
 				}
-				text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(ostep)+1) + cl(fmt.Sprintf("# %s", res.def.definitionID()), black)
+				text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(ostep)+1) + black(fmt.Sprintf("# %s", res.def.definitionID()))
 			} else {
-				text = cl(ostep.Text, cyan)
+				text = cyan(ostep.Text)
 			}
 			// print the step outline
-			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+cl(strings.TrimSpace(ostep.Keyword), cyan)+" "+text)
+			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+cyan(strings.TrimSpace(ostep.Keyword))+" "+text)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -188,48 +189,51 @@ func (f *pretty) printOutlineExample(outline *gherkin.ScenarioOutline) {
 	// an example table header
 	if firstExample {
 		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "")
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+bcl(example.Keyword+": ", white)+example.Name)
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+whiteb(example.Keyword+": ")+example.Name)
 
 		for i, cell := range example.TableHeader.Cells {
-			cells[i] = cl(cell.Value, cyan) + s(max[i]-len(cell.Value))
+			cells[i] = cyan(cell.Value) + s(max[i]-len(cell.Value))
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+"| "+strings.Join(cells, " | ")+" |")
 	}
 
+	if clr == nil {
+		clr = green
+	}
 	// an example table row
 	row := example.TableBody[len(example.TableBody)-f.outlineNumExamples]
 	for i, cell := range row.Cells {
-		cells[i] = cl(cell.Value, clr) + s(max[i]-len(cell.Value))
+		cells[i] = clr(cell.Value) + s(max[i]-len(cell.Value))
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+"| "+strings.Join(cells, " | ")+" |")
 
 	// if there is an error
 	if msg != "" {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*4)+bcl(msg, red))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*4)+redb(msg))
 	}
 }
 
-func (f *pretty) printStep(step *gherkin.Step, def *StepDef, c color) {
-	text := s(f.indent*2) + cl(strings.TrimSpace(step.Keyword), c) + " "
+func (f *pretty) printStep(step *gherkin.Step, def *StepDef, c colors.ColorFunc) {
+	text := s(f.indent*2) + c(strings.TrimSpace(step.Keyword)) + " "
 	switch {
 	case def != nil:
 		if m := def.Expr.FindStringSubmatchIndex(step.Text)[2:]; len(m) > 0 {
 			var pos, i int
 			for pos, i = 0, 0; i < len(m); i++ {
 				if math.Mod(float64(i), 2) == 0 {
-					text += cl(step.Text[pos:m[i]], c)
+					text += c(step.Text[pos:m[i]])
 				} else {
-					text += bcl(step.Text[pos:m[i]], c)
+					text += c(step.Text[pos:m[i]])
 				}
 				pos = m[i]
 			}
-			text += cl(step.Text[pos:len(step.Text)], c)
+			text += c(step.Text[pos:len(step.Text)])
 		} else {
-			text += cl(step.Text, c)
+			text += c(step.Text)
 		}
-		text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(step)+1) + cl(fmt.Sprintf("# %s", def.definitionID()), black)
+		text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(step)+1) + black(fmt.Sprintf("# %s", def.definitionID()))
 	default:
-		text += cl(step.Text, c)
+		text += c(step.Text)
 	}
 
 	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, text)
@@ -239,13 +243,13 @@ func (f *pretty) printStep(step *gherkin.Step, def *StepDef, c color) {
 	case *gherkin.DocString:
 		var ct string
 		if len(t.ContentType) > 0 {
-			ct = " " + cl(t.ContentType, c)
+			ct = " " + c(t.ContentType)
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+cl(t.Delimitter, c)+ct)
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+c(t.Delimitter)+ct)
 		for _, ln := range strings.Split(t.Content, "\n") {
-			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+cl(ln, c))
+			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+c(ln))
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+cl(t.Delimitter, c))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+c(t.Delimitter))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -255,7 +259,7 @@ func (f *pretty) printStepKind(res *stepResult) {
 	// first background step
 	case f.bgSteps > 0 && f.bgSteps == len(f.feature.Background.Steps):
 		f.commentPos = f.longestStep(f.feature.Background.Steps, f.length(f.feature.Background))
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n"+s(f.indent)+bcl(f.feature.Background.Keyword+": "+f.feature.Background.Name, white))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n"+s(f.indent)+whiteb(f.feature.Background.Keyword+": "+f.feature.Background.Name))
 		f.bgSteps--
 	// subsequent background steps
 	case f.bgSteps > 0:
@@ -270,7 +274,7 @@ func (f *pretty) printStepKind(res *stepResult) {
 					f.commentPos = bgLen
 				}
 			}
-			text := s(f.indent) + bcl(f.scenario.Keyword+": ", white) + f.scenario.Name
+			text := s(f.indent) + whiteb(f.scenario.Keyword+": ") + f.scenario.Name
 			text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(f.scenario)+1) + f.line(f.scenario.Location)
 			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n"+text)
 			f.scenarioKeyword = true
@@ -289,7 +293,7 @@ func (f *pretty) printStepKind(res *stepResult) {
 					f.commentPos = bgLen
 				}
 			}
-			text := s(f.indent) + bcl(f.outline.Keyword+": ", white) + f.outline.Name
+			text := s(f.indent) + whiteb(f.outline.Keyword+": ") + f.outline.Name
 			text += s(f.commentPos-f.length(f.outline)+1) + f.line(f.outline.Location)
 			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n"+text)
 			f.scenarioKeyword = true
@@ -304,22 +308,22 @@ func (f *pretty) printStepKind(res *stepResult) {
 
 	f.printStep(res.step, res.def, res.typ.clr())
 	if res.err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+bcl(res.err, red))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*2)+redb(res.err))
 	}
 	if res.typ == pending {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+cl("TODO: write pending definition", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+yellow("TODO: write pending definition"))
 	}
 }
 
 // print table with aligned table cells
-func (f *pretty) printTable(t *gherkin.DataTable, c color) {
+func (f *pretty) printTable(t *gherkin.DataTable, c colors.ColorFunc) {
 	var l = longest(t)
 	var cols = make([]string, len(t.Rows[0].Cells))
 	for _, row := range t.Rows {
 		for i, cell := range row.Cells {
 			cols[i] = cell.Value + s(l[i]-len(cell.Value))
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+cl("| "+strings.Join(cols, " | ")+" |", c))
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(f.indent*3)+c("| "+strings.Join(cols, " | ")+" |"))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -383,7 +387,7 @@ func (f *pretty) longestStep(steps []*gherkin.Step, base int) int {
 
 // a line number representation in feature file
 func (f *pretty) line(loc *gherkin.Location) string {
-	return cl(fmt.Sprintf("# %s:%d", f.features[len(f.features)-1].Path, loc.Line), black)
+	return black(fmt.Sprintf("# %s:%d", f.features[len(f.features)-1].Path, loc.Line))
 }
 
 func (f *pretty) length(node interface{}) int {
diff --git a/fmt_progress.go b/fmt_progress.go
index dab45cb..8a20b1c 100644
--- a/fmt_progress.go
+++ b/fmt_progress.go
@@ -48,18 +48,18 @@ func (f *progress) Summary() {
 	left := math.Mod(float64(f.steps), float64(f.stepsPerRow))
 	if left != 0 {
 		if int(f.steps) > f.stepsPerRow {
-			fmt.Printf(s(f.stepsPerRow-int(left)) + fmt.Sprintf(" %d\n", f.steps))
+			fmt.Fprintf(f.out, s(f.stepsPerRow-int(left))+fmt.Sprintf(" %d\n", f.steps))
 		} else {
-			fmt.Printf(" %d\n", f.steps)
+			fmt.Fprintf(f.out, " %d\n", f.steps)
 		}
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "")
 
 	if len(f.failed) > 0 {
-		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n--- "+cl("Failed steps:", red)+"\n")
+		fmt.Fprintln(f.out, "\n--- "+red("Failed steps:")+"\n")
 		for _, fail := range f.failed {
-			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(4)+cl(fail.step.Keyword+" "+fail.step.Text, red)+cl(" # "+fail.line(), black))
-			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(6)+cl("Error: ", red)+bcl(fail.err, red)+"\n")
+			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(4)+red(fail.step.Keyword+" "+fail.step.Text)+black(" # "+fail.line()))
+			fmt.Fprintln(f.out, s(6)+red("Error: ")+redb(fail.err)+"\n")
 		}
 	}
 	f.basefmt.Summary()
@@ -68,15 +68,15 @@ func (f *progress) Summary() {
 func (f *progress) step(res *stepResult) {
 	switch res.typ {
 	case passed:
-		fmt.Print(cl(".", green))
+		fmt.Fprint(f.out, green("."))
 	case skipped:
-		fmt.Print(cl("-", cyan))
+		fmt.Fprint(f.out, cyan("-"))
 	case failed:
-		fmt.Print(cl("F", red))
+		fmt.Fprint(f.out, red("F"))
 	case undefined:
-		fmt.Print(cl("U", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprint(f.out, yellow("U"))
 	case pending:
-		fmt.Print(cl("P", yellow))
+		fmt.Fprint(f.out, yellow("P"))
 	}
 	f.steps++
 	if math.Mod(float64(f.steps), float64(f.stepsPerRow)) == 0 {
diff --git a/suite.go b/suite.go
index cffc630..7682bc4 100644
--- a/suite.go
+++ b/suite.go
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ func (s *Suite) printStepDefinitions() {
 		n := utf8.RuneCountInString(def.Expr.String())
 		location := def.definitionID()
 		spaces := strings.Repeat(" ", longest-n)
-		fmt.Println(cl(def.Expr.String(), yellow)+spaces, cl("# "+location, black))
+		fmt.Println(yellow(def.Expr.String())+spaces, black("# "+location))
 	}
 	if len(s.steps) == 0 {
 		fmt.Println("there were no contexts registered, could not find any step definition..")
diff --git a/utils.go b/utils.go
index d51ab21..7d6fa86 100644
--- a/utils.go
+++ b/utils.go
@@ -4,37 +4,22 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/DATA-DOG/godog/colors"
 )
 
 // empty struct value takes no space allocation
 type void struct{}
 
-// a color code type
-type color int
-
-const ansiEscape = "\x1b"
-
-// some ansi colors
-const (
-	black color = iota + 30
-	red
-	green
-	yellow
-	blue
-	magenta
-	cyan
-	white
-)
-
-// colorizes foreground s with color c
-func cl(s interface{}, c color) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s[%dm%v%s[0m", ansiEscape, c, s, ansiEscape)
-}
-
-// colorizes foreground s with bold color c
-func bcl(s interface{}, c color) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s[1;%dm%v%s[0m", ansiEscape, c, s, ansiEscape)
-}
+var red = colors.Red
+var redb = colors.Bold(colors.Red)
+var green = colors.Green
+var black = colors.Black
+var blackb = colors.Bold(colors.Black)
+var yellow = colors.Yellow
+var cyan = colors.Cyan
+var cyanb = colors.Bold(colors.Cyan)
+var whiteb = colors.Bold(colors.White)
 
 // repeats a space n times
 func s(n int) string {