diff --git a/.env b/.env
index ed6c4072..f1671701 100644
--- a/.env
+++ b/.env
@@ -5,34 +5,43 @@ CONTROLLER_HOST=ocrd-controller
 CONTROLLER_ENV_UID=1001
 CONTROLLER_ENV_GID=1001
 CONTROLLER_ENV_UMASK=0002
-CONTROLLER_PORT_SSH=8022 
-CONTROLLER_KEYS=./ocrd/controller/.ssh/authorized_keys
-CONTROLLER_DATA=./kitodo/config_modules/metadata
-CONTROLLER_MODELS=./ocrd/controller/models
-CONTROLLER_CONFIG=./ocrd/controller/config
-CONTROLLER_WORKERS=1		   
-		   
-MANAGER_IMAGE=markusweigelt/ocrd_manager	   
-MANAGER_IMAGE_TAG=latest 
+CONTROLLER_PORT_SSH=8022
+CONTROLLER_KEYS=${PWD}/ocrd/controller/.ssh/authorized_keys
+CONTROLLER_DATA=${PWD}/kitodo/config_modules/metadata
+CONTROLLER_MODELS=${PWD}/ocrd/controller/models
+CONTROLLER_CONFIG=${PWD}/ocrd/controller/config
+CONTROLLER_WORKERS=1
+
+MONITOR_IMAGE=bertsky/ocrd_monitor
+MONITOR_HOST=ocrd-monitor
+MONITOR_PORT_WEB=5000
+MONITOR_PORT_GTK=8085
+MONITOR_DATA=${PWD}/kitodo/config_modules/metadata
+
+MANAGER_IMAGE=markusweigelt/ocrd_manager
+MANAGER_IMAGE_TAG=latest
 MANAGER_HOST=ocrd-manager
 MANAGER_ENV_UID=1001
 MANAGER_ENV_GID=1001
 MANAGER_ENV_UMASK=0002
 MANAGER_PORT_SSH=9022
+MANAGER_KEYS=${PWD}/ocrd/manager/.ssh/authorized_keys
+MANAGER_KEY=${PWD}/ocrd/manager/.ssh/id_rsa
+MANAGER_DATA=${PWD}/kitodo/config_modules/metadata
 
-# Builder Kitodo.Production 
+# Builder Kitodo.Production
 BUILDER_TYPE=GIT
 BUILDER_GIT_COMMIT=ocrd-main
 BUILDER_GIT_SOURCE_URL=https://github.com/markusweigelt/kitodo-production/
 
-# Application Kitodo.Production 
-APP_BUILD_CONTEXT=./_modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo
+# Application Kitodo.Production
+APP_BUILD_CONTEXT=${PWD}/_modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo
 APP_BUILD_RESOURCES=build-resources
 APP_PORT=8080
 APP_DEBUG=false
 APP_DEBUG_PORT=5005
 
-# Elastic Search 
+# Elastic Search
 ES_VERSION=7.17.3
 ES_REST_PORT=9200
 ES_NODE_PORT=9300
diff --git a/.env.stable b/.env.stable
index e13cc4ba..48baaf79 100644
--- a/.env.stable
+++ b/.env.stable
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ CONTROLLER_ENV_UID=1001
 CONTROLLER_ENV_GID=1001
 CONTROLLER_ENV_UMASK=0002
 CONTROLLER_PORT_SSH=8022
-           
-MANAGER_IMAGE=markusweigelt/ocrd_manager	   
-MANAGER_IMAGE_TAG=ocrd-stable-20220405 
+
+MANAGER_IMAGE=markusweigelt/ocrd_manager
+MANAGER_IMAGE_TAG=ocrd-stable-20220405
 MANAGER_HOST=ocrd-manager
 MANAGER_ENV_UID=1001
 MANAGER_ENV_GID=1001
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 41a8d49e..a3e76db1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -6,6 +6,18 @@ CONTROLLER_ENV_GID ?= $(shell id -g)
 MANAGER_ENV_UID ?= $(shell id -u)
 MANAGER_ENV_GID ?= $(shell id -g)
 
+MODE ?= standalone
+COMPOSE_FILES = docker-compose.yml
+ifeq (managed,$(MODE))
+COMPOSE_FILES += docker-compose.managed.yml
+endif
+COMPOSE_FILES += docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml
+COMPOSE_FILES += docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml
+NULL :=
+WHITE := $(NULL) $(NULL)
+COLON := :
+COMPOSE_FILE = $(subst $(WHITE),$(COLON),$(COMPOSE_FILES))
+
 .EXPORT_ALL_VARIABLES:
 
 clean:
@@ -45,13 +57,19 @@ build:
 	$(MAKE) -C _modules/kitodo-production-docker build
 
 start:
-	docker-compose --env-file .env -f docker-compose.yml -f _modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo/docker-compose.yml -f _modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml -f docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml up --build -d
+	docker-compose up --build -d
 
 down:
-	docker-compose --env-file .env -f docker-compose.yml -f _modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo/docker-compose.yml -f _modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml -f docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml down
+	docker-compose down
 
 stop:
-	docker-compose --env-file .env -f docker-compose.yml -f _modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo/docker-compose.yml -f _modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml -f docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml stop
+	docker-compose stop
+
+config:
+	docker-compose config
+
+status:
+	docker-compose ps
 
 define HELP
 cat <<"EOF"
@@ -60,15 +78,18 @@ Targets:
 	- start	run docker-compose up
 	- down	stop & rm docker-compose up
 	- stop	stops docker-compose up
+	- config	dump all the composed files
+	- status	list running containers
 
 Variables:
 	- CONTROLLER_ENV_UID	user id to use on the OCR-D Controller (default: $(CONTROLLER_ENV_UID))
 	- CONTROLLER_ENV_GID	group id to use on the OCR-D Controller (default: $(CONTROLLER_ENV_GID))
 	- MANAGER_ENV_UID	user id to use on the OCR-D Manager (default: $(MANAGER_ENV_UID))
 	- MANAGER_ENV_GID	group id to use on the OCR-D Manager (default: $(MANAGER_ENV_GID))
+	- MODE			if 'managed', also starts/stops OCR-D Controller here (default: $(MODE))
 EOF
 endef
 export HELP
 help: ; @eval "$$HELP"
 
-.PHONY: clean build start down help
+.PHONY: clean build start down config help
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 87970c73..359a20fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,10 +2,20 @@
 
  * [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
  * [Setup](#setup)
+   * [Credentials and test database](#credentials-and-test-database)
+   * [OCR-D models](#ocr-d-models)
  * [Usage](#usage)
    * [Docker Compose](#docker-compose)
+     * [Preparation](#preparation)
+     * [Starting](#starting)
+     * [Stopping and removing](#stopping-and-removing)
+     * [Stopping](#stopping)
+     * [Dumping](#dumping)
+     * [Status](#status)
+     * [Configuration](#configuration)
    * [Kitodo](#kitodo)
- * [Futher informations and repositories](#futher-informations-and-repositories)
+     * [Execute OCR script step](#execute-ocr-script-step)
+ * [References](#references)
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
@@ -19,11 +29,15 @@ https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/
 
 ### Git
 
-After cloning our repository following command to clone submodules can be used:
+Either clone recursively in the first place:
+
+    git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/markusweigelt/kitodo_production_ocrd
+    cd kitodo_production_ocrd
+
+Or, after cloning and entering the repository normally, clone all submodules:
+
+    git submodule update --init --recursive
 
-```
-  git submodule update --init --recursive
-```
 
 ## Setup
 
@@ -31,7 +45,7 @@ After cloning our repository following command to clone submodules can be used:
 
 Go to the directory where you've put your checkout.
 
-Before docker compose can be started, you must create directories to mount an SSH key pair for user authentication to OCR-D Controller and OCR-D Manager.
+Before Docker Compose can be started, you must create directories to mount an SSH key pair for user authentication to OCR-D Controller and OCR-D Manager.
 
 The fastest way is to use the makefile via the following command:
 
@@ -57,35 +71,77 @@ This could be done persistently via the filesystem, or dynamically:
 
 ### Docker Compose
 
+#### Preparation
+
+Unless you want to use `make` below, export all config files into a variable,
+so you won't have to type them each time:
+
+    export COMPOSE_FILE=docker_compose.yml:docker_compose.managed.yml:docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml:docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml
+
+Or, if you have started the [OCR-D Controller](https://github.com/bertsky/ocrd_controller) externally already:
+
+    export COMPOSE_FILE=docker_compose.yml:docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml:docker-compose.kitodo-app.override.yml
+
+
+Otherwise (when using the Makefile), just set your mode of operation:
+
+    export MODE=managed
+
+Or, if you have started the [OCR-D Controller](https://github.com/bertsky/ocrd_controller) externally already:
+
+    export MODE=standalone
+
 #### Starting
 
-    docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f ./_modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml up --build -d
+    docker-compose up --build -d
 
 (or equivalently:)
 
     make start
-    
+
 #### Stopping and removing
 
-Removes the stopped containers as well as any created networks. 
+Removes the stopped containers as well as any created networks.
 
-    docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f ./_modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml down
+    docker-compose down
 
 (or equivalently:)
 
-    make down      
-    
+    make down
+
 #### Stopping
 
-    docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f ./_modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml stop
+    docker-compose stop
+
+(or equivalently:)
+
+    make stop
+
+#### Dumping
+
+    docker-compose config
 
 (or equivalently:)
 
-    make stop   
+    make config
 
-#### Enviroment Variables 
+#### Status
+
+    docker-compose ps
+
+(or equivalently:)
+
+    make status
+
+#### Configuration
+
+The following environment variables must be defined.
+(This can also be done in a `.env` file, syntax is shell-like.)
 
 ##### Controller
+
+(only relevant in `managed` mode)
+
 | Name | Default | Description
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | CONTROLLER_IMAGE | bertsky/ocrd_controller | name of image |
@@ -94,7 +150,8 @@ Removes the stopped containers as well as any created networks.
 | CONTROLLER_ENV_UID | 1001 | user id of ssh user |
 | CONTROLLER_ENV_GID | 1001 | group id of ssh user  |
 | CONTROLLER_ENV_UMASK | 0002 | "ssh user specific permission mask |
-| CONTROLLER_PORT_SSH | 8022 | Host machine port to exposed ssh port of container |
+| CONTROLLER_PORT_SSH | 8022 | host-side port to exposed SSH server of container |
+| CONTROLLER_DATA | ./kitodo/config_modules/metadata | data volume to mount |
 
 ##### Manager
 | Name | Default | Description
@@ -105,27 +162,44 @@ Removes the stopped containers as well as any created networks.
 | MANAGER_ENV_UID | 1001 | user id of ssh user |
 | MANAGER_ENV_GID | 1001 | group id of ssh user |
 | MANAGER_ENV_UMASK | 0002 | ssh user specific permission mask |
-| MANAGER_PORT_SSH | 9022 | host machine port to exposed ssh port of container | 
+| MANAGER_PORT_SSH | 9022 | host-side port to exposed SSH server of container |
+| MANAGER_DATA | ./kitodo/config_modules/metadata | data volume to mount |
+
+(Currently, `MANAGER_DATA` should be the same as `CONTROLLER_DATA`)
+
+##### Monitor
+
+| Name | Default | Description
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| MONITOR_IMAGE | bertsky/ocrd_monitor | name of image |
+| MONITOR_HOST | ocrd-monitor | name of host |
+| MONITOR_PORT_WEB | 5000 | host-side port to exposed Web server of container |
+| MONITOR_PORT_GTK | 8085 | host-side port to exposed Broadwayd of container |
+| MONITOR_DATA | ./kitodo/config_modules/metadata | data volume to mount |
 
-#### Further informations
+(Currently, `MONITOR_DATA` should be the same as `MANAGER_DATA`)
 
 ##### Use stable environment file
-   
-Docker compose uses the .env file as default and thus the latest state of development. If you want to use a more stable state, use .env.stable as environment file. To accomplish this, add the following parameter "--env-file" with the value ".env.stable" to the docker-compose call.
 
-```
-  docker-compose --env-file .env.stable -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose-controller.yml up -d
-```
+Docker Compose uses the `.env` file as default and thus the latest state of development.
+If you want to use a more stable state, use `.env.stable` as environment file.
+To accomplish this, either add `--env-file .env.stable` to the `docker-compose` call,
+or symlink it to `.env`.
+
+    docker-compose --env-file .env.stable up -d
+
 
 ##### Overwrite environment variables
 
-Due to the permission, the UID and GID of the controller and manager in our makefile are taken from the current system. System environment variables are used by docker-compose before .env file variables. For example:
+To optimally match ownership and permissions of existing files with data to be written,
+the UID and GID of the Controller and Manager in our Makefile are taken from the host system.
+Shell environment variables take precedence over `.env` file variables in Docker Compose.
+For example:
+
+    export CONTROLLER_ENV_UID=$(shell id -u) CONTROLLER_HOST=ocrserver
+    docker-compose up -d
+
 
-```
-  export CONTROLLER_ENV_UID=$(shell id -u) && \
-  docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose-controller.yml up -d
-```
-        
 ### Kitodo
 
 Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080/kitodo after OCR-D and Kitodo are started.
@@ -147,7 +221,12 @@ Type following text in script field:
 action:runscript stepname:OCR script:OCR
 ```
 
-... and click on "Execute KitodoScript"
+... and click on "Execute KitodoScript".
+(This will run the simplistic Tesseract-based default workflow
+asynchronously. The process status will change as soon as the job
+is finished.)
+
+Watch `docker logs`, or browse to `$MONITOR_HOST:5000` to look under the hood.
 
 ## References
 
diff --git a/_modules/ocrd_manager b/_modules/ocrd_manager
index c1eb02f5..ab2a8ce8 160000
--- a/_modules/ocrd_manager
+++ b/_modules/ocrd_manager
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit c1eb02f5b28310dccd33255efffd9d53278805a9
+Subproject commit ab2a8ce8d8c8bc5cae42dbbf72c0312fb6cd80ca
diff --git a/docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml b/docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml
new file mode 120000
index 00000000..bccf5e0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.kitodo-app.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+_modules/kitodo-production-docker/kitodo/docker-compose.yml
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docker-compose.managed.yml b/docker-compose.managed.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6a94805e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.managed.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# add if OCR-D Controller is to be managed from here, centrally
+
+services:
+
+  ocrd-controller:
+    extends:
+      file: _modules/ocrd_controller/docker-compose.yml
+      service: ocrd-controller
+
+  ocrd-manager:
+    depends_on:
+      - ocrd-controller
diff --git a/docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml b/docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 29b031d6..00000000
--- a/docker-compose.ocrd_controller.override.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-version: "3.9"
-services:
-
-  ocrd-controller:
-    build: 
-      context: _modules/ocrd_controller
-      dockerfile: Dockerfile
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index f08fa527..7b4a82cc 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -1,36 +1,21 @@
-version: "3.9"
 services:
 
   ocrd-manager:
-    build: 
-      context: _modules/ocrd_manager
-      dockerfile: Dockerfile
-    
-    image: ${MANAGER_IMAGE}:${MANAGER_IMAGE_TAG}
+    extends:
+      file: _modules/ocrd_manager/docker-compose.yml
+      service: ocrd-manager
 
-    hostname: ${MANAGER_HOST}
+  ocrd-monitor:
+    extends:
+      file: _modules/ocrd_manager/ocrd_monitor/docker-compose.yml
+      service: ocrd-monitor
 
-    environment:
-      - UID=${MANAGER_ENV_UID}
-      - GID=${MANAGER_ENV_GID}
-      - UMASK=${MANAGER_ENV_UMASK}
-      - "CONTROLLER=${CONTROLLER_HOST}:22"
-      - "ACTIVEMQ=kitodo-mq:61616"
-      
-    ports:
-        - ${MANAGER_PORT_SSH}:22
+# not defined here (to be replaced by docker-compose.managed.yml if needed):
+# service ocrd-controller
 
-    depends_on:
-      - ocrd-controller
-
-    volumes:
-        - type: bind
-          source: ./ocrd/manager/.ssh/authorized_keys # kitodo public key
-          target: /authorized_keys
-        - type: bind
-          source: ./ocrd/manager/.ssh/id_rsa
-          target: /id_rsa
-        - ./kitodo/config_modules/metadata:/data # metadata directory   
-
-    tty: true # docker run -t
-    
\ No newline at end of file
+# not defined here (to be included on command-line):
+# services from _modules/kitodo-production-docker/ and their local overrides
+# - kitodo-app
+# - kitodo-db
+# - kitodo-es
+# - kitodo-mq