diff --git a/cmd/noms/noms_commit_test.go b/cmd/noms/noms_commit_test.go
index 03262f931e..d4cf3b1711 100644
--- a/cmd/noms/noms_commit_test.go
+++ b/cmd/noms/noms_commit_test.go
@@ -58,11 +58,11 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitReadPathFromStdin() {
 		stdinWriter.Write([]byte("#" + ref.TargetHash().String() + "\n"))
 		stdinWriter.Close()
 	}()
-	stdoutString, stderrString := s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", sp.Spec})
+	stdoutString, stderrString := s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", sp.String()})
 	s.Empty(stderrString)
 	s.Contains(stdoutString, "New head #")
 
-	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.Spec)
+	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.String())
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	commit, ok := sp.GetDataset().MaybeHead()
@@ -81,11 +81,11 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitToDatasetWithoutHead() {
 	_, ok := sp.GetDataset().MaybeHead()
 	s.False(ok, "should not have a commit")
 
-	stdoutString, stderrString := s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.Spec})
+	stdoutString, stderrString := s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.String()})
 	s.Empty(stderrString)
 	s.Contains(stdoutString, "New head #")
 
-	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.Spec)
+	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.String())
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	commit, ok := sp.GetDataset().MaybeHead()
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) runDuplicateTest(allowDuplicate bool) {
 	if allowDuplicate {
 		cliOptions = append(cliOptions, "--allow-dupe=1")
 	}
-	cliOptions = append(cliOptions, dsName+".value", sp.Spec)
+	cliOptions = append(cliOptions, dsName+".value", sp.String())
 
 	stdoutString, stderrString, err := s.Run(main, cliOptions)
 	s.Nil(err)
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) runDuplicateTest(allowDuplicate bool) {
 		s.Contains(stdoutString, "Commit aborted")
 	}
 
-	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.Spec)
+	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.String())
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	value, ok := sp.GetDataset().MaybeHeadValue()
@@ -147,12 +147,12 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitMetadata() {
 
 	metaOld := sp.GetDataset().Head().Get(datas.MetaField).(types.Struct)
 
-	stdoutString, stderrString, err := s.Run(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--message=foo", dsName + ".value", sp.Spec})
+	stdoutString, stderrString, err := s.Run(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--message=foo", dsName + ".value", sp.String()})
 	s.Nil(err)
 	s.Empty(stderrString)
 	s.Contains(stdoutString, "New head #")
 
-	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.Spec)
+	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.String())
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	metaNew := sp.GetDataset().Head().Get(datas.MetaField).(types.Struct)
@@ -164,11 +164,11 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitMetadata() {
 
 	metaOld = metaNew
 
-	stdoutString, stderrString = s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta=message=bar", "--date=" + spec.CommitMetaDateFormat, dsName + ".value", sp.Spec})
+	stdoutString, stderrString = s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta=message=bar", "--date=" + spec.CommitMetaDateFormat, dsName + ".value", sp.String()})
 	s.Empty(stderrString)
 	s.Contains(stdoutString, "New head #")
 
-	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.Spec)
+	sp, _ = spec.ForDataset(sp.String())
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	metaNew = sp.GetDataset().Head().Get(datas.MetaField).(types.Struct)
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitHashNotFound() {
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	s.Panics(func() {
-		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "#9ei6fbrs0ujo51vifd3f2eebufo4lgdu", sp.Spec})
+		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "#9ei6fbrs0ujo51vifd3f2eebufo4lgdu", sp.String()})
 	})
 }
 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitMetadataBadDateFormat() {
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	s.Panics(func() {
-		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--date=a", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.Spec})
+		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--date=a", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.String()})
 	})
 }
 
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitInvalidMetadataPaths() {
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	s.Panics(func() {
-		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta-p=#beef", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.Spec})
+		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta-p=#beef", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.String()})
 	})
 }
 
@@ -211,6 +211,6 @@ func (s *nomsCommitTestSuite) TestNomsCommitInvalidMetadataFieldName() {
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	s.Panics(func() {
-		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta=_foo=bar", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.Spec})
+		s.MustRun(main, []string{"commit", "--allow-dupe=1", "--meta=_foo=bar", "#" + ref.TargetHash().String(), sp.String()})
 	})
 }
diff --git a/cmd/noms/noms_log_test.go b/cmd/noms/noms_log_test.go
index 3041000c60..97c999a4ad 100644
--- a/cmd/noms/noms_log_test.go
+++ b/cmd/noms/noms_log_test.go
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@ func (s *nomsLogTestSuite) TestNomsLog() {
 	defer sp.Close()
 
 	sp.GetDatabase() // create the database
-	s.Panics(func() { s.MustRun(main, []string{"log", sp.Spec}) })
+	s.Panics(func() { s.MustRun(main, []string{"log", sp.String()}) })
 
-	testCommitInResults(s, sp.Spec, 1)
-	testCommitInResults(s, sp.Spec, 2)
+	testCommitInResults(s, sp.String(), 1)
+	testCommitInResults(s, sp.String(), 2)
 }
 
 func addCommit(ds datas.Dataset, v string) (datas.Dataset, error) {
diff --git a/cmd/noms/noms_merge_test.go b/cmd/noms/noms_merge_test.go
index d1490dd951..f0f2f88abf 100644
--- a/cmd/noms/noms_merge_test.go
+++ b/cmd/noms/noms_merge_test.go
@@ -165,10 +165,10 @@ func (s *nomsMergeTestSuite) TestBadInput() {
 		{[]string{"foo", "bar"}, "error: Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
 		{[]string{"foo", "bar", "baz"}, "error: Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
 		{[]string{"foo", "bar", "baz", "quux", "five"}, "error: Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, l + "!!", r, o}, "error: Invalid dataset " + l + "!!, must match [a-zA-Z0-9\\-_/]+\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, l + "2", r, o}, "error: Dataset " + l + "2 has no data\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, l, r + "2", o}, "error: Dataset " + r + "2 has no data\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, l, r, "!invalid"}, "error: Invalid dataset !invalid, must match [a-zA-Z0-9\\-_/]+\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), l + "!!", r, o}, "error: Invalid dataset " + l + "!!, must match [a-zA-Z0-9\\-_/]+\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), l + "2", r, o}, "error: Dataset " + l + "2 has no data\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), l, r + "2", o}, "error: Dataset " + r + "2 has no data\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), l, r, "!invalid"}, "error: Invalid dataset !invalid, must match [a-zA-Z0-9\\-_/]+\n"},
 	}
 
 	db := sp.GetDatabase()
diff --git a/go/config/resolver.go b/go/config/resolver.go
index b4bd93c711..b46a13cdbf 100644
--- a/go/config/resolver.go
+++ b/go/config/resolver.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (r *Resolver) GetRootTracker(str string) (chunks.RootTracker, error) {
 	}
 	var rt chunks.RootTracker = sp.NewChunkStore()
 	if rt == nil {
-		rt = datas.NewHTTPBatchStore(sp.Spec, "")
+		rt = datas.NewHTTPBatchStore(sp.String(), "")
 	}
 	return rt, nil
 }
diff --git a/go/spec/absolute_path.go b/go/spec/absolute_path.go
index 8da69b80ef..bf0c4d0fa9 100644
--- a/go/spec/absolute_path.go
+++ b/go/spec/absolute_path.go
@@ -16,15 +16,24 @@ import (
 
 var datasetCapturePrefixRe = regexp.MustCompile("^(" + datas.DatasetRe.String() + ")")
 
-// AbsolutePath represents a path originating at a dataset or a well-formed
-// hash (i.e. '#' + 32 chars) representing a Noms Value that is independently
-// addressable. Either the Dataset of Hash field will indicate the beginning of
-// the AbsolutePath and the other one will be nil. The Path field holds the
-// remainder of the path.
+// AbsolutePath describes the location of a Value within a Noms database.
+//
+// To locate a value relative to some other value, see Path. To locate a value
+// globally, see Spec.
+//
+// For more on paths, absolute paths, and specs, see:
+// https://github.com/attic-labs/noms/blob/master/doc/spelling.md.
 type AbsolutePath struct {
+	// Dataset is the dataset this AbsolutePath is rooted at. Only one of
+	// Dataset and Hash should be set.
 	Dataset string
-	Hash    hash.Hash
-	Path    types.Path
+	// Hash is the hash this AbsolutePath is rooted at. Only one of Dataset and
+	// Hash should be set.
+	Hash hash.Hash
+	// Path is the relative path from Dataset or Hash. This can be empty. In
+	// that case, the AbsolutePath describes the value at either Dataset or
+	// Hash.
+	Path types.Path
 }
 
 // NewAbsolutePath attempts to parse 'str' and return an AbsolutePath.
@@ -98,6 +107,10 @@ func (p AbsolutePath) IsEmpty() bool {
 }
 
 func (p AbsolutePath) String() (str string) {
+	if p.IsEmpty() {
+		return ""
+	}
+
 	if len(p.Dataset) > 0 {
 		str = p.Dataset
 	} else if !p.Hash.IsEmpty() {
diff --git a/go/spec/spec.go b/go/spec/spec.go
index 89297a57d1..809fd61628 100644
--- a/go/spec/spec.go
+++ b/go/spec/spec.go
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@
 package spec
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/chunks"
-	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/d"
 	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/datas"
 	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/nbs"
 	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/types"
@@ -32,13 +32,8 @@ type SpecOptions struct {
 	Authorization string
 }
 
-// Spec describes a Database, Dataset, or a path to a Value. They should be
-// constructed by parsing strings, either through ForDatabase, ForDataset, or
-// ForPath (or their Opts variations).
+// Spec locates a Noms database, dataset, or value globally.
 type Spec struct {
-	// Spec is the spec string this was parsed into.
-	Spec string
-
 	// Protocol is one of "mem", "ldb", "http", or "https".
 	Protocol string
 
@@ -49,9 +44,6 @@ type Spec struct {
 	// Options are the SpecOptions that the Spec was constructed with.
 	Options SpecOptions
 
-	// DatasetName is empty unless the spec was created with ForDataset.
-	DatasetName string
-
 	// Path is nil unless the spec was created with ForPath.
 	Path AbsolutePath
 
@@ -59,14 +51,13 @@ type Spec struct {
 	db *datas.Database
 }
 
-func newSpec(spec string, dbSpec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
+func newSpec(dbSpec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
 	protocol, dbName, err := parseDatabaseSpec(dbSpec)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Spec{}, err
 	}
 
 	return Spec{
-		Spec:         spec,
 		Protocol:     protocol,
 		DatabaseName: dbName,
 		Options:      opts,
@@ -81,7 +72,7 @@ func ForDatabase(spec string) (Spec, error) {
 
 // ForDatabaseOpts parses a spec for a Database.
 func ForDatabaseOpts(spec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
-	return newSpec(spec, spec, opts)
+	return newSpec(spec, opts)
 }
 
 // ForDataset parses a spec for a Dataset.
@@ -91,21 +82,27 @@ func ForDataset(spec string) (Spec, error) {
 
 // ForDatasetOpts parses a spec for a Dataset.
 func ForDatasetOpts(spec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
-	dbSpec, dsName, err := splitDatabaseSpec(spec)
+	dbSpec, pathStr, err := splitDatabaseSpec(spec)
+
+	sp, err := newSpec(dbSpec, opts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Spec{}, err
 	}
 
-	if !datasetRe.MatchString(dsName) {
-		return Spec{}, fmt.Errorf("Dataset %s must match %s", dsName, datasetRe.String())
-	}
-
-	sp, err := newSpec(spec, dbSpec, opts)
+	path, err := NewAbsolutePath(pathStr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Spec{}, err
 	}
 
-	sp.DatasetName = dsName
+	if path.Dataset == "" {
+		return Spec{}, errors.New("dataset name required for dataset spec")
+	}
+
+	if !path.Path.IsEmpty() {
+		return Spec{}, errors.New("path is not allowed for dataset spec")
+	}
+
+	sp.Path = path
 	return sp, nil
 }
 
@@ -121,12 +118,15 @@ func ForPathOpts(spec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
 		return Spec{}, err
 	}
 
-	path, err := NewAbsolutePath(pathStr)
-	if err != nil {
-		return Spec{}, err
+	var path AbsolutePath
+	if pathStr != "" {
+		path, err = NewAbsolutePath(pathStr)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Spec{}, err
+		}
 	}
 
-	sp, err := newSpec(spec, dbSpec, opts)
+	sp, err := newSpec(dbSpec, opts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Spec{}, err
 	}
@@ -135,6 +135,18 @@ func ForPathOpts(spec string, opts SpecOptions) (Spec, error) {
 	return sp, nil
 }
 
+func (sp Spec) String() string {
+	s := sp.Protocol
+	if s != "mem" {
+		s += ":" + sp.DatabaseName
+	}
+	p := sp.Path.String()
+	if p != "" {
+		s += Separator + p
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
 // GetDatabase returns the Database instance that this Spec's DatabaseName
 // describes. The same Database instance is returned every time, unless Close
 // is called. If the Spec is closed, it is re-opened with a new Database.
@@ -178,8 +190,8 @@ func parseAWSSpec(awsURL string) chunks.ChunkStore {
 // new up-to-date Dataset will returned on the next call to GetDataset.  If
 // this is not a Dataset spec, returns nil.
 func (sp Spec) GetDataset() (ds datas.Dataset) {
-	if sp.DatasetName != "" {
-		ds = sp.GetDatabase().GetDataset(sp.DatasetName)
+	if sp.Path.Dataset != "" {
+		ds = sp.GetDatabase().GetDataset(sp.Path.Dataset)
 	}
 	return
 }
@@ -229,16 +241,11 @@ func (sp Spec) Pin() (Spec, bool) {
 		return Spec{}, false
 	}
 
-	spec := sp.Protocol + sp.DatabaseName + Separator + "#" + commit.Hash().String()
-	if sp.Path.Path != nil {
-		spec += sp.Path.Path.String()
-	}
+	r := sp
+	r.Path.Hash = commit.Hash()
+	r.Path.Dataset = ""
 
-	pinned, err := ForPathOpts(spec, sp.Options)
-	d.PanicIfError(err)
-	*pinned.db = *sp.db
-
-	return pinned, true
+	return r, true
 }
 
 func (sp Spec) Close() error {
diff --git a/go/spec/spec_test.go b/go/spec/spec_test.go
index b00fa25026..8b5af4374d 100644
--- a/go/spec/spec_test.go
+++ b/go/spec/spec_test.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ func TestMemDatabaseSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal("mem", spec.Protocol)
 	assert.Equal("", spec.DatabaseName)
-	assert.Equal("", spec.DatasetName)
 	assert.True(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
 
 	s := types.String("hello")
@@ -44,8 +43,8 @@ func TestMemDatasetSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal("mem", spec.Protocol)
 	assert.Equal("", spec.DatabaseName)
-	assert.Equal("test", spec.DatasetName)
-	assert.True(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
+	assert.Equal("test", spec.Path.Dataset)
+	assert.True(spec.Path.Path.IsEmpty())
 
 	ds := spec.GetDataset()
 	_, ok := spec.GetDataset().MaybeHeadValue()
@@ -68,7 +67,6 @@ func TestMemHashPathSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal("mem", spec.Protocol)
 	assert.Equal("", spec.DatabaseName)
-	assert.Equal("", spec.DatasetName)
 	assert.False(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
 
 	// This would be a reasonable check, and the equivalent JS test does it, but
@@ -89,7 +87,6 @@ func TestMemDatasetPathSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal("mem", spec.Protocol)
 	assert.Equal("", spec.DatabaseName)
-	assert.Equal("", spec.DatasetName)
 	assert.False(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
 
 	assert.Nil(spec.GetValue())
@@ -222,25 +219,25 @@ func TestForDatabase(t *testing.T) {
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
 
 	testCases := []struct {
-		spec, protocol, databaseName string
+		spec, protocol, databaseName, canonicalSpecIfAny string
 	}{
-		{"http://localhost:8000", "http", "//localhost:8000"},
-		{"http://localhost:8000/fff", "http", "//localhost:8000/fff"},
-		{"https://local.attic.io/john/doe", "https", "//local.attic.io/john/doe"},
-		{"mem", "mem", ""},
-		{tmpDir, "nbs", tmpDir},
-		{"nbs:" + tmpDir, "nbs", tmpDir},
-		{"http://server.com/john/doe?access_token=jane", "http", "//server.com/john/doe?access_token=jane"},
-		{"https://server.com/john/doe/?arg=2&qp1=true&access_token=jane", "https", "//server.com/john/doe/?arg=2&qp1=true&access_token=jane"},
-		{"http://some/::/one", "http", "//some/::/one"},
-		{"http://::1", "http", "//::1"},
-		{"http://192.30.252.154", "http", "//192.30.252.154"},
-		{"http://::192.30.252.154", "http", "//::192.30.252.154"},
-		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a"},
-		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a"},
-		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a"},
-		{"aws://table:bucket/db", "aws", "//table:bucket/db"},
-		{"aws://table/db", "aws", "//table/db"},
+		{"http://localhost:8000", "http", "//localhost:8000", ""},
+		{"http://localhost:8000/fff", "http", "//localhost:8000/fff", ""},
+		{"https://local.attic.io/john/doe", "https", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", ""},
+		{"mem", "mem", "", ""},
+		{tmpDir, "nbs", tmpDir, "nbs:" + tmpDir},
+		{"nbs:" + tmpDir, "nbs", tmpDir, ""},
+		{"http://server.com/john/doe?access_token=jane", "http", "//server.com/john/doe?access_token=jane", ""},
+		{"https://server.com/john/doe/?arg=2&qp1=true&access_token=jane", "https", "//server.com/john/doe/?arg=2&qp1=true&access_token=jane", ""},
+		{"http://some/::/one", "http", "//some/::/one", ""},
+		{"http://::1", "http", "//::1", ""},
+		{"http://192.30.252.154", "http", "//192.30.252.154", ""},
+		{"http://::192.30.252.154", "http", "//::192.30.252.154", ""},
+		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a", ""},
+		{"aws://table:bucket/db", "aws", "//table:bucket/db", ""},
+		{"aws://table/db", "aws", "//table/db", ""},
 	}
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
@@ -248,11 +245,15 @@ func TestForDatabase(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.NoError(err, tc.spec)
 		defer spec.Close()
 
-		assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.Spec)
 		assert.Equal(tc.protocol, spec.Protocol)
 		assert.Equal(tc.databaseName, spec.DatabaseName)
-		assert.Equal("", spec.DatasetName)
 		assert.True(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
+
+		if tc.canonicalSpecIfAny == "" {
+			assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.String())
+		} else {
+			assert.Equal(tc.canonicalSpecIfAny, spec.String())
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -274,6 +275,7 @@ func TestForDataset(t *testing.T) {
 		"nbs:",
 		"nbs:hello",
 		"aws://t:b/db",
+		"mem::foo.value",
 	}
 
 	for _, spec := range badSpecs {
@@ -298,24 +300,24 @@ func TestForDataset(t *testing.T) {
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
 
 	testCases := []struct {
-		spec, protocol, databaseName, datasetName string
+		spec, protocol, databaseName, datasetName, canonicalSpecIfAny string
 	}{
-		{"http://localhost:8000::ds1", "http", "//localhost:8000", "ds1"},
-		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe/::ds2", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe/", "ds2"},
-		{"https://local.attic.io/john/doe::ds3", "https", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "ds3"},
-		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::ds1", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "ds1"},
-		{"nbs:" + tmpDir + "::ds/one", "nbs", tmpDir, "ds/one"},
-		{tmpDir + "::ds/one", "nbs", tmpDir, "ds/one"},
-		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe?access_token=abc::ds/one", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe?access_token=abc", "ds/one"},
-		{"https://localhost:8000?qp1=x&access_token=abc&qp2=y::ds/one", "https", "//localhost:8000?qp1=x&access_token=abc&qp2=y", "ds/one"},
-		{"http://192.30.252.154::foo", "http", "//192.30.252.154", "foo"},
-		{"http://::1::foo", "http", "//::1", "foo"},
-		{"http://::192.30.252.154::foo", "http", "//::192.30.252.154", "foo"},
-		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo"},
-		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo"},
-		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a::foo", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a", "foo"},
-		{"aws://table:bucket/db::ds", "aws", "//table:bucket/db", "ds"},
-		{"aws://table/db::ds", "aws", "//table/db", "ds"},
+		{"http://localhost:8000::ds1", "http", "//localhost:8000", "ds1", ""},
+		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe/::ds2", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe/", "ds2", ""},
+		{"https://local.attic.io/john/doe::ds3", "https", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "ds3", ""},
+		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::ds1", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "ds1", ""},
+		{"nbs:" + tmpDir + "::ds/one", "nbs", tmpDir, "ds/one", ""},
+		{tmpDir + "::ds/one", "nbs", tmpDir, "ds/one", "nbs:" + tmpDir + "::ds/one"},
+		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe?access_token=abc::ds/one", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe?access_token=abc", "ds/one", ""},
+		{"https://localhost:8000?qp1=x&access_token=abc&qp2=y::ds/one", "https", "//localhost:8000?qp1=x&access_token=abc&qp2=y", "ds/one", ""},
+		{"http://192.30.252.154::foo", "http", "//192.30.252.154", "foo", ""},
+		{"http://::1::foo", "http", "//::1", "foo", ""},
+		{"http://::192.30.252.154::foo", "http", "//::192.30.252.154", "foo", ""},
+		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a::foo", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a", "foo", ""},
+		{"aws://table:bucket/db::ds", "aws", "//table:bucket/db", "ds", ""},
+		{"aws://table/db::ds", "aws", "//table/db", "ds", ""},
 	}
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
@@ -323,11 +325,15 @@ func TestForDataset(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.NoError(err, tc.spec)
 		defer spec.Close()
 
-		assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.Spec)
 		assert.Equal(tc.protocol, spec.Protocol)
 		assert.Equal(tc.databaseName, spec.DatabaseName)
-		assert.Equal(tc.datasetName, spec.DatasetName)
-		assert.True(spec.Path.IsEmpty())
+		assert.Equal(tc.datasetName, spec.Path.Dataset)
+
+		if tc.canonicalSpecIfAny == "" {
+			assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.String())
+		} else {
+			assert.Equal(tc.canonicalSpecIfAny, spec.String())
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -351,22 +357,22 @@ func TestForPath(t *testing.T) {
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
 
 	testCases := []struct {
-		spec, protocol, databaseName, pathString string
+		spec, protocol, databaseName, pathString, canonicalSpecIfAny string
 	}{
-		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
-		{tmpDir + "::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "nbs", tmpDir, "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
-		{"nbs:" + tmpDir + "::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "nbs", tmpDir, "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
-		{"mem::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "mem", "", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
-		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
-		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe/::ds1", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe/", "ds1"},
-		{"http://192.30.252.154::foo.bar", "http", "//192.30.252.154", "foo.bar"},
-		{"http://::1::foo.bar.baz", "http", "//::1", "foo.bar.baz"},
-		{"http://::192.30.252.154::baz[42]", "http", "//::192.30.252.154", "baz[42]"},
-		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo[42].bar", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo[42].bar"},
-		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo.foo", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo.foo"},
-		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a::hello[\"world\"]", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a", "hello[\"world\"]"},
-		{"aws://table:bucket/db::foo.foo", "aws", "//table:bucket/db", "foo.foo"},
-		{"aws://table/db::foo.foo", "aws", "//table/db", "foo.foo"},
+		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", ""},
+		{tmpDir + "::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "nbs", tmpDir, "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "nbs:" + tmpDir + "::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"},
+		{"nbs:" + tmpDir + "::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "nbs", tmpDir, "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", ""},
+		{"mem::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "mem", "", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", ""},
+		{"http://local.attic.io/john/doe::#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", "http", "//local.attic.io/john/doe", "#0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv", ""},
+		{"http://localhost:8000/john/doe/::ds1", "http", "//localhost:8000/john/doe/", "ds1", ""},
+		{"http://192.30.252.154::foo.bar", "http", "//192.30.252.154", "foo.bar", ""},
+		{"http://::1::foo.bar.baz", "http", "//::1", "foo.bar.baz", ""},
+		{"http://::192.30.252.154::baz[42]", "http", "//::192.30.252.154", "baz[42]", ""},
+		{"http://0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo[42].bar", "http", "//0:0:0:0:0:ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo[42].bar", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff:c01e:fc9a::foo.foo", "http", "//::ffff:c01e:fc9a", "foo.foo", ""},
+		{"http://::ffff::1e::9a::hello[\"world\"]", "http", "//::ffff::1e::9a", "hello[\"world\"]", ""},
+		{"aws://table:bucket/db::foo.foo", "aws", "//table:bucket/db", "foo.foo", ""},
+		{"aws://table/db::foo.foo", "aws", "//table/db", "foo.foo", ""},
 	}
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
@@ -374,11 +380,15 @@ func TestForPath(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.NoError(err)
 		defer spec.Close()
 
-		assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.Spec)
 		assert.Equal(tc.protocol, spec.Protocol)
 		assert.Equal(tc.databaseName, spec.DatabaseName)
-		assert.Equal("", spec.DatasetName)
 		assert.Equal(tc.pathString, spec.Path.String())
+
+		if tc.canonicalSpecIfAny == "" {
+			assert.Equal(tc.spec, spec.String())
+		} else {
+			assert.Equal(tc.canonicalSpecIfAny, spec.String())
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -399,7 +409,7 @@ func TestPinPathSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	head := db.GetDataset("foo").Head()
 
 	assert.Equal(head.Hash(), pinned.Path.Hash)
-	assert.Equal(fmt.Sprintf("mem::#%s.value", head.Hash().String()), pinned.Spec)
+	assert.Equal(fmt.Sprintf("mem::#%s.value", head.Hash().String()), pinned.String())
 	assert.Equal(types.Number(42), pinned.GetValue())
 	assert.Equal(types.Number(42), unpinned.GetValue())
 
@@ -429,7 +439,7 @@ func TestPinDatasetSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	assert.Equal(head.Hash(), pinned.Path.Hash)
-	assert.Equal(fmt.Sprintf("mem::#%s", head.Hash().String()), pinned.Spec)
+	assert.Equal(fmt.Sprintf("mem::#%s", head.Hash().String()), pinned.String())
 	assert.Equal(types.Number(42), commitValue(pinned.GetValue()))
 	assert.Equal(types.Number(42), unpinned.GetDataset().HeadValue())
 
diff --git a/go/spec/util.go b/go/spec/util.go
index 323b82d8a2..16ab079680 100644
--- a/go/spec/util.go
+++ b/go/spec/util.go
@@ -5,19 +5,20 @@
 package spec
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-
+	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/d"
 	"github.com/attic-labs/noms/go/hash"
 )
 
-func CreateDatabaseSpecString(protocol, path string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", protocol, path)
+func CreateDatabaseSpecString(protocol, db string) string {
+	return Spec{Protocol: protocol, DatabaseName: db}.String()
 }
 
-func CreateValueSpecString(protocol, path, value string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s%s%s", protocol, path, Separator, value)
+func CreateValueSpecString(protocol, db, path string) string {
+	p, err := NewAbsolutePath(path)
+	d.Chk.NoError(err)
+	return Spec{Protocol: protocol, DatabaseName: db, Path: p}.String()
 }
 
-func CreateHashSpecString(protocol, path string, h hash.Hash) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s%s#%s", protocol, path, Separator, h.String())
+func CreateHashSpecString(protocol, db string, h hash.Hash) string {
+	return Spec{Protocol: protocol, DatabaseName: db, Path: AbsolutePath{Hash: h}}.String()
 }
diff --git a/go/types/path.go b/go/types/path.go
index d9ef7b0329..6bd4f1f84f 100644
--- a/go/types/path.go
+++ b/go/types/path.go
@@ -22,9 +22,12 @@ import (
 // Note, @at() is valid under this regexp, code should deal with the error.
 var annotationRe = regexp.MustCompile(`^([a-z]+)(\(([\w\-"']*)\))?`)
 
-// A Path is an address to a Noms value - and unlike hashes (i.e. #abcd...) they
-// can address inlined values.
-// See https://github.com/attic-labs/noms/blob/master/doc/spelling.md.
+// A Path locates a value in Noms relative to some other value. For locating
+// values absolutely within a database, see AbsolutePath. To locate values
+// globally, see Spec.
+//
+// For more details, see:
+// https://github.com/attic-labs/noms/blob/master/doc/spelling.md.
 type Path []PathPart
 
 type PathPart interface {
@@ -176,6 +179,10 @@ func (p Path) String() string {
 	return strings.Join(strs, "")
 }
 
+func (p Path) IsEmpty() bool {
+	return len(p) == 0
+}
+
 // Gets Struct field values by name.
 type FieldPath struct {
 	// The name of the field, e.g. `.Name`.
diff --git a/samples/go/poke/main_test.go b/samples/go/poke/main_test.go
index 9ad7884156..9a37ae5756 100644
--- a/samples/go/poke/main_test.go
+++ b/samples/go/poke/main_test.go
@@ -103,13 +103,13 @@ func (s *testSuite) TestLose() {
 		{[]string{"foo"}, "Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
 		{[]string{"foo", "bar"}, "Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
 		{[]string{"foo", "bar", "baz", "quux"}, "Incorrect number of arguments\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec + "!!", ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Invalid input dataset '" + sp.Spec + "!!': Dataset test!! must match ^[a-zA-Z0-9\\-_/]+$\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec + "2", ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Input dataset '" + sp.Spec + "2' does not exist\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, "[invalid", `"bar"`}, "Invalid path '[invalid': Invalid index: invalid\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, ".nothinghere", `"bar"`}, "No value at path '.nothinghere' - cannot update\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, ".foo", "bar"}, "Invalid new value: 'bar': Invalid index: bar\n"},
-		{[]string{"--out-ds-name", "!invalid", sp.Spec, ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Invalid output dataset name: !invalid\n"},
-		{[]string{sp.Spec, `.bar[#00000000000000000000000000000000]`, "42"}, "Invalid path '.bar[#00000000000000000000000000000000]': Invalid hash: 00000000000000000000000000000000\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String() + "!!", ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Invalid input dataset '" + sp.String() + "!!': Invalid operator: !\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String() + "2", ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Input dataset '" + sp.String() + "2' does not exist\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), "[invalid", `"bar"`}, "Invalid path '[invalid': Invalid index: invalid\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), ".nothinghere", `"bar"`}, "No value at path '.nothinghere' - cannot update\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), ".foo", "bar"}, "Invalid new value: 'bar': Invalid index: bar\n"},
+		{[]string{"--out-ds-name", "!invalid", sp.String(), ".foo", `"bar"`}, "Invalid output dataset name: !invalid\n"},
+		{[]string{sp.String(), `.bar[#00000000000000000000000000000000]`, "42"}, "Invalid path '.bar[#00000000000000000000000000000000]': Invalid hash: 00000000000000000000000000000000\n"},
 	}
 
 	sp.GetDatabase().CommitValue(sp.GetDataset(), types.NewStruct("", map[string]types.Value{