diff --git a/src/filepaths/__init__.py b/src/filepaths/__init__.py
index 0942f7a2..55629ec8 100644
--- a/src/filepaths/__init__.py
+++ b/src/filepaths/__init__.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ lock_file = home + 'onionr.lock'
 
 site_cache = home + 'onionr-sites.txt'
 
+tor_hs_loc = home + 'hs/'
 tor_hs_address_file = home + 'hs/hostname'
 
 run_check_file = home + '.runcheck'
diff --git a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/__init__.py b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/__init__.py
index ef9778cc..dc7ff370 100644
--- a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/__init__.py
+++ b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/__init__.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import multiprocessing
 import platform  # For windows sigkill workaround
 
 from onionrtypes import BooleanSuccessState
-import config
 import logger
 from .. import getopenport
 from .. import watchdog
@@ -36,7 +35,6 @@ from utils import identifyhome
     along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 """
 
-config.reload()
 TOR_KILL_WAIT = 3
 addbridges = addbridges.add_bridges
 
diff --git a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/onionservicecreator.py b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/onionservicecreator.py
index da1f3785..721da938 100644
--- a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/onionservicecreator.py
+++ b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/onionservicecreator.py
@@ -1,4 +1,30 @@
 """Onionr - Private P2P Communication.
 
 Create an ephemeral onion service
-"""
\ No newline at end of file
+"""
+from .torcontroller import get_controller
+"""
+    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+
+
+def create_onion_service(port=80):
+    controller = get_controller()
+    hs = controller.create_ephemeral_hidden_service(
+        {80: port},
+        key_type='NEW',
+        key_content='ED25519-V3',
+        await_publication=True,
+        detached=True)
+    return (hs.service_id, hs.private_key)
diff --git a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/torcontroller.py b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/torcontroller.py
index f3dba225..46149f4d 100644
--- a/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/torcontroller.py
+++ b/src/netcontroller/torcontrol/torcontroller.py
@@ -1,9 +1,16 @@
 from stem.control import Controller
 
 import config
+config.reload()
 
 
-def get_controller():
-    c = Controller.from_port(port=config.get('tor.controlPort'))
-    c.authenticate(config.get('tor.controlpassword'))
+def get_controller() -> Controller:
+    """Create and return a Tor controller connection."""
+    port = config.get('tor.controlPort', 0)
+    password = config.get('tor.controlpassword', '')
+    if config.get('tor.use_existing_tor', False):
+        port = config.get('tor.existing_control_port', 0)
+        password = config.get('tor.existing_control_password', '')
+    c = Controller.from_port(port=port)
+    c.authenticate(password)
     return c
diff --git a/src/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch/__init__.py b/src/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch/__init__.py
index 315e92c0..37b84930 100755
--- a/src/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch/__init__.py
+++ b/src/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch/__init__.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import logger
 import communicator
 from onionrplugins import onionrevents as events
 from netcontroller import NetController
+from netcontroller import get_open_port
 from onionrutils import localcommand
 import filepaths
 from etc import onionrvalues, cleanup
@@ -29,7 +30,8 @@ import runtests
 from httpapi import daemoneventsapi
 from .. import version
 from .getapihost import get_api_host_until_available
-from .bettersleep import better_sleep
+from utils.bettersleep import better_sleep
+from netcontroller.torcontrol.onionservicecreator import create_onion_service
 """
     This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
     it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -105,14 +107,23 @@ def daemon():
 
     shared_state.get(onionrstatistics.tor.TorStats)
 
+    security_level = config.get('general.security_level', 1)
+    use_existing_tor = config.get('tor.use_existing_tor', False)
+
     if not offline_mode:
-        
-        logger.info('Tor is starting...', terminal=True)
-        if not net.startTor():
-            localcommand.local_command('shutdown')
-            cleanup.delete_run_files()
-            sys.exit(1)
-        if len(net.myID) > 0 and config.get('general.security_level', 1) == 0:
+
+        if use_existing_tor:
+            net.socksPort = config.get('tor.existing_socks_port')
+            net.myID = create_onion_service(port=get_open_port())
+            with open(filepaths.tor_hs_address_file, 'w') as tor_file:
+                tor_file.write(net.myID)
+        else:
+            logger.info('Tor is starting...', terminal=True)
+            if not net.startTor():
+                localcommand.local_command('shutdown')
+                cleanup.delete_run_files()
+                sys.exit(1)
+        if len(net.myID) > 0 and security_level == 0:
             logger.debug('Started .onion service: %s' %
                          (logger.colors.underline + net.myID))
         else:
@@ -128,7 +139,7 @@ def daemon():
     events.event('daemon_start')
     communicator.startCommunicator(shared_state)
 
-    if not offline_mode:
+    if not offline_mode and not use_existing_tor:
         net.killTor()
 
     better_sleep(5)
diff --git a/src/onionrtypes/__init__.py b/src/onionrtypes/__init__.py
index a8075498..f3ccf88f 100644
--- a/src/onionrtypes/__init__.py
+++ b/src/onionrtypes/__init__.py
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ JSONSerializable = NewType('JSONSerializable', str)
 # Return value of some functions or methods, denoting operation success
 # Do not use for new code
 BooleanSuccessState = NewType('BooleanSuccessState', bool)
+
+OnionAddressString = NewType('OnionAddressString', str)
diff --git a/src/utils/createdirs.py b/src/utils/createdirs.py
index 8f251763..d76f4842 100644
--- a/src/utils/createdirs.py
+++ b/src/utils/createdirs.py
@@ -22,10 +22,14 @@ from . import identifyhome
 import filepaths
 home = identifyhome.identify_home()
 
+
 def create_dirs():
-    """Creates onionr data-related directories in order of the hardcoded list below,
+    """Create onionr data-related directories in
+    order of the hardcoded list below,
     then trigger creation of DBs"""
-    gen_dirs = [home, filepaths.block_data_location, filepaths.contacts_location, filepaths.export_location]
+    gen_dirs = [home, filepaths.block_data_location,
+                filepaths.contacts_location, filepaths.export_location,
+                filepaths.tor_hs_loc]
     for path in gen_dirs:
         if not os.path.exists(path):
             os.mkdir(path)
diff --git a/static-data/default_config.json b/static-data/default_config.json
index 0c181b72..7b2589bb 100755
--- a/static-data/default_config.json
+++ b/static-data/default_config.json
@@ -55,9 +55,10 @@
         "use_bridge": false,
         "bridge_ip": "",
         "bridge_fingerprint": "",
+        "use_existing_tor": false,
         "existing_control_port": 0,
         "existing_control_password": "",
-        "temp_transport": false
+        "existing_socks_port": 0
     },
 
     "allocations": {