diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c284696..ee5e747 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ ccr                   - manage cross cluster replication
   info                - show ccr remote info
 cluster               - manage cluster[s]
   status              - show cluster status
+  switch              - set current elasticsearch cluster
   list                - list configured clusters
   settings            - cluster settings management
     list              - show cluster settings
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ Or create a config file such as this:
 
 ```yaml
 clusters:
-  default:
+  foobar:
     uri: https://es.foo.bar:9200/
     user: elastic
     pass: 123456
@@ -172,9 +173,37 @@ and specify it with `-c configfile`.  You may also put clusters into a
 default config file in `~/.config/esctl/config.yaml`. In this case you
 can omit `-c ...`.
 
-If you want to  work on a specific cluster, specify  its name with the
+If you want to  work on a specific cluster, you need to make it the
+current default one. You can either manually configure it in the
+config:
+
+```yaml
+clusters:
+  foobar:
+    uri: https://es.foo.bar:9200/
+    user: elastic
+    pass: 123456
+    default: true
+```
+
+or - if the cluster already exists in the config - issue this command:
+
+```console
+esctl cluster switch foobar
+```
+
+You may also temporary set a cluster as the current default with the
 global `-C` option.
 
+The following rules apply for default cluster selection:
+
+1. If there's just one cluster configured (either via environment
+   variables or config), this one will be selected.
+2. If there is one cluster configured with the `default` flag `true`,
+   use this one.
+   
+Use `esctl cluster ls` to check status and see which one would be used.
+
 ## Installation
 
 The tool does not have any dependencies.  Just download the binary for
diff --git a/cmd/cluster.go b/cmd/cluster.go
index d6b4252..5670cda 100644
--- a/cmd/cluster.go
+++ b/cmd/cluster.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/es"
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ func Cluster(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 
 		Commands: []*cli.Command{
 			ClusterStatus(conf),
+			ClusterSwitch(conf),
 			ClusterList(conf),
 			ClusterSettings(conf),
 		},
@@ -77,3 +79,25 @@ func ClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 		},
 	}
 }
+
+func ClusterSwitch(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:      "switch",
+		Usage:     "set current elasticsearch cluster",
+		UsageText: "switch <cluster-name>",
+		Aliases:   []string{"ctx"},
+
+		ShellComplete: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) {
+			complete(cmd, Ccluster)
+		},
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			name := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if name == "" {
+				return errors.New("no cluster name specified")
+			}
+
+			return conf.SwitchCluster(name)
+		},
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index d7f7b0b..688fec0 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -122,7 +122,10 @@ func Main() int {
 
 		Before: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) (context.Context, error) {
 			if tree {
-				Tree(cmd)
+				if err := Tree(cmd); err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
 				os.Exit(0)
 			}
 
@@ -254,7 +257,7 @@ func Debug(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 func Tree(cmd *cli.Command) error {
 	max := 20
 
-	cmd.Walk(func(cmd *cli.Command) error {
+	return cmd.Walk(func(cmd *cli.Command) error {
 		path := cmd.Path()
 		command := path[len(path)-1]
 
@@ -269,6 +272,4 @@ func Tree(cmd *cli.Command) error {
 
 		return nil
 	})
-
-	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cfg/cluster.go b/pkg/cfg/cluster.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca0ae3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cfg/cluster.go
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+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 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package cfg
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/elastic/elastic-transport-go/v8/elastictransport"
+	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+// used in general config struct
+type Cluster struct {
+	Uri, User, Pass string
+	client          *elasticsearch.TypedClient
+	Default         bool
+}
+
+// used just for writing back to the config file
+type ClusterConfig struct {
+	Uri, User, Pass string
+	Default         bool
+}
+
+// to write the config, we avoid all other config settings
+type WriteConfig struct {
+	Clusters map[string]*ClusterConfig
+}
+
+func (cluster *Cluster) ES() *elasticsearch.TypedClient {
+	if cluster.client == nil {
+		fmt.Println("no current cluster, use 'esctl cluster switch <name>' to set one")
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	return cluster.client
+}
+
+func (cluster *Cluster) SetClient(client *elasticsearch.TypedClient) {
+	cluster.client = client
+}
+
+// set Default=true for the given cluster in the config (if exists)
+func (conf *Config) SwitchCluster(name string) error {
+	_, exists := conf.Clusters[name]
+	if !exists {
+		return errors.New("no cluster with that name configured")
+	}
+
+	cfg := WriteConfig{Clusters: map[string]*ClusterConfig{}}
+
+	for clustername, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+		cfg.Clusters[clustername] = &ClusterConfig{
+			Uri:     cluster.Uri,
+			User:    cluster.User,
+			Pass:    cluster.Pass,
+			Default: false,
+		}
+
+		if clustername == name {
+			cfg.Clusters[clustername].Default = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	raw, err := yaml.Marshal(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal cluster config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	outfile := getDefaultPath()
+	if conf.ConfigFile != "" {
+		outfile = conf.ConfigFile
+	}
+
+	if err := os.WriteFile(outfile, raw, 0600); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (conf *Config) SetupES() error {
+	// These headers are  not needed with ES 9, but with  ES 8, we set
+	// them here  so every API call uses it.  The only exception being
+	// the api repl, which does it on its own.
+	headers := http.Header{}
+	headers.Add("content-type", "application/json")
+	headers.Add("Accept", "application/json")
+
+	for _, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+		es, err := elasticsearch.NewTyped(
+			elasticsearch.WithAddresses(cluster.Uri),
+			elasticsearch.WithBasicAuth(cluster.User, cluster.Pass),
+			elasticsearch.WithTransportOptions(
+				conf.getTransport(),
+				elastictransport.WithHeader(headers),
+			),
+		)
+
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to setup elasticsearch connection: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		cluster.SetClient(es)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cfg/config.go b/pkg/cfg/config.go
index 247a507..9f61157 100644
--- a/pkg/cfg/config.go
+++ b/pkg/cfg/config.go
@@ -17,25 +17,18 @@ along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 package cfg
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
-	"context"
-	"crypto/tls"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"log/slog"
-	"net/http"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
 
 	"github.com/alecthomas/repr"
-	"github.com/elastic/elastic-transport-go/v8/elastictransport"
-	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
 const (
-	Version string = `v0.0.20`
+	Version string = `v0.0.21`
 )
 
 var (
@@ -43,11 +36,6 @@ var (
 	APIVERSION, GOVERSION, BUILD, COMMIT, BRANCH string
 )
 
-type Cluster struct {
-	Uri, User, Pass string
-	ES              *elasticsearch.TypedClient
-}
-
 type Config struct {
 	ConfigFile     string // -c
 	CurrentCluster string // -C
@@ -119,8 +107,12 @@ func NewConfig() *Config {
 	return &Config{Clusters: map[string]*Cluster{}}
 }
 
+func getDefaultPath() string {
+	return filepath.Join([]string{os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "esctl", "config.yaml"}...)
+}
+
 func (conf *Config) Init() error {
-	DefaultConfig := os.Getenv("HOME") + "/.config/esctl/config.yaml"
+	DefaultConfig := getDefaultPath()
 
 	switch {
 	case fileExists(DefaultConfig):
@@ -141,29 +133,35 @@ func (conf *Config) Init() error {
 	}
 
 	if conf.CurrentCluster != "" {
+		// -C specified, set current cluster explicitly, no matter what the config says
 		current, exists := conf.Clusters[conf.CurrentCluster]
 		if !exists {
 			return fmt.Errorf("no cluster with alias %s configured", conf.CurrentCluster)
 		} else {
 			conf.DefaultCluster = current
+
+			// disable all others
+			for _, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+				cluster.Default = false
+			}
+
+			conf.DefaultCluster.Default = true
 		}
 	} else {
+		// we need to determine ourselfes
 		if len(conf.Clusters) == 1 {
+			// ok, just one cluster configured, use this, of course
 			for name, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
 				conf.DefaultCluster = cluster
 				conf.CurrentCluster = name
+				conf.DefaultCluster.Default = true
 			}
 		} else {
+			// multiple ones exists, look if one is set as default
 			for name, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
-				_, err := cluster.ES.Cluster.Health().
-					Header("content-type", "application/json").
-					Header("accept", "application/json").
-					Do(context.Background())
-
-				if err == nil {
+				if cluster.Default {
 					conf.DefaultCluster = cluster
 					conf.CurrentCluster = name
-					break
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -250,86 +248,21 @@ func (conf *Config) LoadConfig() error {
 	if len(newconf.Clusters) > 0 {
 		conf.Clusters = newconf.Clusters
 
-		_, exists := conf.Clusters["default"]
-		if !exists {
-			// no "default", just use the first we stumble upon
-			for _, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+		for _, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+			if cluster.Default {
 				conf.DefaultCluster = cluster
 				break
 			}
-		} else {
-			conf.DefaultCluster = newconf.Clusters["default"]
+		}
+
+		if conf.DefaultCluster == nil {
+			conf.DefaultCluster = &Cluster{}
 		}
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (conf *Config) getTransport() elastictransport.Option {
-	transport := &http.Transport{
-		TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: true},
-	}
-
-	if conf.DebugHTTP {
-		return elastictransport.WithTransport(
-			&DebugTransport{Transport: transport},
-		)
-	}
-
-	return elastictransport.WithTransport(transport)
-}
-
-func (conf *Config) SetupES() error {
-	for _, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
-		es, err := elasticsearch.NewTyped(
-			elasticsearch.WithAddresses(cluster.Uri),
-			elasticsearch.WithBasicAuth(cluster.User, cluster.Pass),
-			elasticsearch.WithTransportOptions(conf.getTransport()),
-		)
-
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to setup elasticsearch connection: %w", err)
-		}
-
-		cluster.ES = es
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// used to print uri, path and body of a request made by the go-client
-type DebugTransport struct {
-	Transport http.RoundTripper
-}
-
-func (t *DebugTransport) RoundTrip(req *http.Request) (*http.Response, error) {
-	content := ""
-	contentline := ""
-
-	if req.ContentLength > 0 {
-		buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
-		body, _ := req.GetBody()
-
-		_, err := buf.ReadFrom(body)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-
-		var pretty bytes.Buffer
-		err = json.Indent(&pretty, buf.Bytes(), "", "\t")
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("json parse error: %s", err)
-		}
-
-		content = pretty.String()
-		contentline = buf.String()
-	}
-
-	slog.Info("req", "host", req.URL.Host, "uri", req.URL.Path, "body", content, "bodyline", contentline)
-
-	return t.Transport.RoundTrip(req)
-}
-
 func fileExists(filename string) bool {
 	info, err := os.Stat(filename)
 
diff --git a/pkg/cfg/transport.go b/pkg/cfg/transport.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..386edfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cfg/transport.go
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+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 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package cfg
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+
+	"github.com/elastic/elastic-transport-go/v8/elastictransport"
+)
+
+// used to print uri, path and body of a request made by the go-client
+type DebugTransport struct {
+	Transport http.RoundTripper
+}
+
+func (t *DebugTransport) RoundTrip(req *http.Request) (*http.Response, error) {
+	content := ""
+	contentline := ""
+
+	if req.ContentLength > 0 {
+		buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+		body, _ := req.GetBody()
+
+		_, err := buf.ReadFrom(body)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		var pretty bytes.Buffer
+		err = json.Indent(&pretty, buf.Bytes(), "", "\t")
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("json parse error: %s", err)
+		}
+
+		content = pretty.String()
+		contentline = buf.String()
+	}
+
+	slog.Info("req", "host", req.URL.Host, "uri", req.URL.Path,
+		"body", content, "bodyline", contentline,
+		"headers", req.Header,
+	)
+
+	return t.Transport.RoundTrip(req)
+}
+
+func (conf *Config) getTransport() elastictransport.Option {
+	transport := &http.Transport{
+		TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: true},
+	}
+
+	if conf.DebugHTTP {
+		return elastictransport.WithTransport(
+			&DebugTransport{Transport: transport},
+		)
+	}
+
+	return elastictransport.WithTransport(transport)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/es/ccr.go b/pkg/es/ccr.go
index beb2fbe..943c785 100644
--- a/pkg/es/ccr.go
+++ b/pkg/es/ccr.go
@@ -55,12 +55,8 @@ func CcrStatus(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) error {
 	indices := ClusterIndices{}
 
 	for _, alias := range []string{leader, follower} {
-		cat := conf.Clusters[alias].ES.Cat.Indices().
-			// we need to add custom request headers, required for older ES instances
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json")
-
-		res, err := cat.Do(context.Background())
+		res, err := conf.Clusters[alias].ES().Cat.Indices().
+			Do(context.Background())
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to get indicies on %s: %s", alias, esErrorString(err))
 		}
@@ -88,9 +84,7 @@ func CcrStatus(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) error {
 }
 
 func CcrRemoteInfo(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.RemoteInfo().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.RemoteInfo().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to retrieve follower info: %s", esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/ccr_follower.go b/pkg/es/ccr_follower.go
index 37444b1..e324142 100644
--- a/pkg/es/ccr_follower.go
+++ b/pkg/es/ccr_follower.go
@@ -26,9 +26,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func getRemoteName(conf *cfg.Config) (string, error) {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.RemoteInfo().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.RemoteInfo().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to retrieve follower info: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -89,11 +87,8 @@ func CcrFollowerRenew(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func CcrFollowerResume(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ccr.ResumeFollow(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
-
-	_, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ccr.ResumeFollow(index).
+		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to resume ccr following: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -103,11 +98,8 @@ func CcrFollowerResume(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func CcrFollowerPause(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ccr.PauseFollow(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
-
-	_, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ccr.PauseFollow(index).
+		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to pause ccr following: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -117,11 +109,8 @@ func CcrFollowerPause(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func CcrFollowerUnfollow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ccr.ForgetFollower(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
-
-	_, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ccr.ForgetFollower(index).
+		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to unfollow index: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -136,11 +125,9 @@ func CcrFollowerAdd(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ccr.Follow(index).
+	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ccr.Follow(index).
 		LeaderIndex(index).
-		RemoteCluster(remote).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
+		RemoteCluster(remote)
 
 	if conf.Wait {
 		create.WaitForActiveShards("all")
@@ -156,9 +143,7 @@ func CcrFollowerAdd(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func CcrFollowerShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ccr.FollowStats(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ccr.FollowStats(index).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to retrieve follower index info: %s", esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/cluster.go b/pkg/es/cluster.go
index 0738286..a33e1fe 100644
--- a/pkg/es/cluster.go
+++ b/pkg/es/cluster.go
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
-	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -59,36 +58,37 @@ type apiResponse struct {
 }
 
 func ClusterList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, len(conf.Clusters))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 4, len(conf.Clusters))
 
-	table.Addheaders("cluster", "uri", "default")
+	table.Addheaders("cluster", "uri", "reachable", "current")
 
 	idx := 0
 
-	names := make([]string, len(conf.Clusters))
-	for name := range conf.Clusters {
-		names[idx] = name
-		idx++
-	}
+	for name, cluster := range conf.Clusters {
+		reachable := "no"
+		current := "no"
 
-	slices.Sort(names)
-
-	for idx, name := range names {
-		current := name == "default" || name == conf.CurrentCluster
-		cluster := conf.Clusters[name]
-
-		_, err := cluster.ES.Cluster.Health().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
+		_, err := cluster.ES().Cluster.Health().
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		if err == nil {
-			name = printer.Colorize(conf, "green", name)
+			reachable = printer.Colorize(conf, "green", "reachable")
 		}
 
-		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, cluster.Uri, fmt.Sprintf("%t", current)}
+		if cluster.Default {
+			current = printer.Colorize(conf, "green", "yes")
+
+			if err != nil {
+				reachable = printer.Colorize(conf, "red", "no")
+			}
+		}
+
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, cluster.Uri, reachable, current}
+		idx++
 	}
 
+	table.Sort()
+
 	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -114,9 +114,9 @@ func ClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	}
 
 	for _, cluster := range clusters {
-		es := conf.DefaultCluster.ES
+		es := conf.DefaultCluster.ES()
 		if cluster != "default" {
-			es = conf.Clusters[cluster].ES
+			es = conf.Clusters[cluster].ES()
 		}
 
 		responses := make(chan apiResponse, gocount)
diff --git a/pkg/es/cluster_settings.go b/pkg/es/cluster_settings.go
index 4b0b5cd..4d8878e 100644
--- a/pkg/es/cluster_settings.go
+++ b/pkg/es/cluster_settings.go
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func ClusterSettingsList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.GetSettings().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.GetSettings().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get cluster settings: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -76,7 +74,7 @@ func ClusterSettingsList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func ClusterSettingsSet(conf *cfg.Config, args cli.Args) error {
-	put := conf.Clusters[conf.CurrentCluster].ES.Cluster.PutSettings()
+	put := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.PutSettings()
 
 	for _, arg := range args.Slice() {
 		setting, value := splitArg(arg)
@@ -99,11 +97,7 @@ func ClusterSettingsSet(conf *cfg.Config, args cli.Args) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	_, err := put.
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
-		Do(context.Background())
-
+	_, err := put.Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to set settings: %s", esErrorString(err))
 	}
@@ -117,10 +111,8 @@ func ClusterSettingsSetSingle(conf *cfg.Config, setting, value string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshall persistent value <%v> to valid JSON: %s", value, err)
 	}
 
-	_, err = conf.Clusters[conf.CurrentCluster].ES.Cluster.PutSettings().
+	_, err = conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.PutSettings().
 		AddPersistent(setting, message).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/es/cluster_util.go b/pkg/es/cluster_util.go
index 3c63bea..d19eb24 100644
--- a/pkg/es/cluster_util.go
+++ b/pkg/es/cluster_util.go
@@ -37,9 +37,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 func checkClusterIsLeader(conf *cfg.Config, leader string) bool {
-	stats, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES.Ccr.Stats().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	stats, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES().Ccr.Stats().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("failed to get ccr stats from %s: %s", leader, esErrorString(err))
@@ -64,9 +62,7 @@ func checkClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) bool {
 	status := map[string]*health.Response{}
 
 	for _, cluster := range []string{leader, follower} {
-		st, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES.Cluster.Health().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
+		st, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES().Cluster.Health().
 			Do(context.Background())
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("failed to get health from %s: %s", cluster, esErrorString(err))
@@ -123,10 +119,8 @@ func findIlmErrors(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) bool {
 	failed := map[string]map[string]string{}
 
 	for _, cluster := range []string{leader, follower} {
-		ilm, err := conf.Clusters[cluster].ES.Ilm.ExplainLifecycle("_all").
+		ilm, err := conf.Clusters[cluster].ES().Ilm.ExplainLifecycle("_all").
 			OnlyManaged(true).
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("failed to get ilm status from %s: %s", cluster, esErrorString(err))
@@ -192,9 +186,7 @@ func findIndicesOnlyOnLeader(conf *cfg.Config, indices ClusterIndices, leader, f
 		_, followerHasIt := indices[follower][name]
 		if !followerHasIt {
 			// fetch index details
-			res, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES.Indices.Get(name).
-				Header("content-type", "application/json").
-				Header("accept", "application/json").
+			res, err := conf.Clusters[leader].ES().Indices.Get(name).
 				Do(context.Background())
 			if err != nil {
 				continue // ignore it then
@@ -255,9 +247,7 @@ func findOrphanedIndices(conf *cfg.Config, indices ClusterIndices, leader, follo
 		_, leaderHasIt := indices[leader][name]
 		if !leaderHasIt {
 			// fetch index details
-			res, err := conf.Clusters[follower].ES.Indices.Get(name).
-				Header("content-type", "application/json").
-				Header("accept", "application/json").
+			res, err := conf.Clusters[follower].ES().Indices.Get(name).
 				Do(context.Background())
 			if err != nil {
 				continue // ignore it then
@@ -353,8 +343,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 	switch which {
 	case "health":
 		res, err := es.Cluster.Health().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.health = res
@@ -363,8 +351,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 
 	case "info":
 		res, err := es.Info().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.info = res
@@ -373,8 +359,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 
 	case "ccrstats":
 		res, err := es.Ccr.Stats().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.ccr = res
@@ -383,8 +367,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 
 	case "stats":
 		res, err := es.Cluster.Stats().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.stats = res
@@ -393,8 +375,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 
 	case "indices":
 		res, err := es.Cat.Indices().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.indices = &res
@@ -403,8 +383,6 @@ func getClusterData(es *elasticsearch.TypedClient, wg *sync.WaitGroup, reschan c
 
 	case "tasks":
 		res, err := es.Cat.Tasks().
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		ar.tasks = &res
diff --git a/pkg/es/datastream.go b/pkg/es/datastream.go
index 0d5677e..a0a1a83 100644
--- a/pkg/es/datastream.go
+++ b/pkg/es/datastream.go
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func DatastreamNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetDataStream().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetDataStream().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get data streams: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -47,9 +45,7 @@ func DatastreamNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
 }
 
 func DatastreamList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetDataStream().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetDataStream().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get data streams: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -129,10 +125,8 @@ func filterDatastreams(conf *cfg.Config, list []types.DataStream) []types.DataSt
 }
 
 func DatastreamShow(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetDataStream().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetDataStream().
 		Name(dsname).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get data stream: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -144,10 +138,8 @@ func DatastreamShow(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
 		return errors.New("no data stream found with that name")
 	}
 
-	stats, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.DataStreamsStats().
+	stats, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.DataStreamsStats().
 		Name(dsname).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get data stream stats: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -213,9 +205,7 @@ func DatastreamShow(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
 }
 
 func DatastreamCreate(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.CreateDataStream(dsname).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.CreateDataStream(dsname).
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -226,9 +216,7 @@ func DatastreamCreate(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
 }
 
 func DatastreamDelete(conf *cfg.Config, dsname string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.DeleteDataStream(dsname).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.DeleteDataStream(dsname).
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/es/doc.go b/pkg/es/doc.go
index 6daf4b3..16109c8 100644
--- a/pkg/es/doc.go
+++ b/pkg/es/doc.go
@@ -47,10 +47,8 @@ func DocAdd(conf *cfg.Config, jsondoc string) error {
 
 	now := fmt.Sprintf("%d", rand.Int64())
 
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Create(conf.Index, now).
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Create(conf.Index, now).
 		Document(data).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create new doc in index %s: %s", conf.Index, esErrorString(err))
@@ -62,9 +60,7 @@ func DocAdd(conf *cfg.Config, jsondoc string) error {
 }
 
 func DocShow(conf *cfg.Config, id string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Get(conf.Index, id).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Get(conf.Index, id).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to retrieve doc in index %s: %s", conf.Index, esErrorString(err))
@@ -95,9 +91,7 @@ func DocDelete(conf *cfg.Config, queries []string) error {
 	if len(queries) == 1 && strings.Contains(queries[0], "id=") {
 		id, _ := strings.CutPrefix(queries[0], "id=")
 
-		_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Delete(conf.Index, id).
-			Header("content-type", "application/json").
-			Header("accept", "application/json").
+		_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Delete(conf.Index, id).
 			Do(context.Background())
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete doc in index %s: %s", conf.Index, esErrorString(err))
@@ -119,10 +113,8 @@ func DocDelete(conf *cfg.Config, queries []string) error {
 		req.Query = queryCaster
 	}
 
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.DeleteByQuery(conf.Index).
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().DeleteByQuery(conf.Index).
 		Request(req).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete docs in index %s: %s", conf.Index, esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/ilm.go b/pkg/es/ilm.go
index 0069eee..4383d29 100644
--- a/pkg/es/ilm.go
+++ b/pkg/es/ilm.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func IlmRetry(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.Retry(index).
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.Retry(index).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to retry ilm: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func IlmRetry(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IlmStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.GetStatus().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.GetStatus().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get ilm status: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func IlmStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func IlmNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.GetLifecycle().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.GetLifecycle().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get ilm policies: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func IlmNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
 }
 
 func IlmList(conf *cfg.Config, pattern string) error {
-	ilm := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.GetLifecycle()
+	ilm := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.GetLifecycle()
 
 	if pattern != "" {
 		ilm.FilterPath(pattern)
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func IlmList(conf *cfg.Config, pattern string) error {
 }
 
 func IlmShow(conf *cfg.Config, policy string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.GetLifecycle().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.GetLifecycle().
 		Policy(policy).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ func ilmPhaseString(phase *types.Phase, short bool) string {
 }
 
 func IlmExplain(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.ExplainLifecycle(index).
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.ExplainLifecycle(index).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get ilm state: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func IlmExplain(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IlmCreate(conf *cfg.Config, policyname string) error {
-	ilm := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Ilm.PutLifecycle(policyname)
+	ilm := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Ilm.PutLifecycle(policyname)
 	cfg := conf.Ilm
 
 	var phases types.PhasesVariant = esdsl.NewPhases()
diff --git a/pkg/es/index.go b/pkg/es/index.go
index a14bc45..f7f1fc0 100644
--- a/pkg/es/index.go
+++ b/pkg/es/index.go
@@ -35,9 +35,7 @@ import (
 
 // used for completion
 func IndexNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Indices().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Indices().
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -86,10 +84,7 @@ func filterIndices(conf *cfg.Config, list indices.Response) indices.Response {
 }
 
 func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	cat := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Indices().
-		// we need to add custom request headers, required for older ES instances
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
+	cat := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Indices()
 
 	if conf.Failed {
 		cat = cat.Health(healthstatus.Red)
@@ -130,10 +125,7 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, indexpattern string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Get(indexpattern).
-		// we need to add custom request headers, required for older ES instances
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.Get(indexpattern).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get index: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -179,9 +171,7 @@ func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, indexpattern string) error {
 func IndexCreate(conf *cfg.Config, index string, mappings []string) error {
 	settings := esdsl.NewIndexSettings()
 
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Create(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
+	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.Create(index)
 
 	if conf.Wait {
 		create.WaitForActiveShards("all")
@@ -229,9 +219,7 @@ func IndexCreate(conf *cfg.Config, index string, mappings []string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexDelete(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Delete(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.Delete(index).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete index: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -241,11 +229,8 @@ func IndexDelete(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexClose(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Close(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
-
-	_, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.Close(index).
+		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to close index: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -255,12 +240,10 @@ func IndexClose(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.AllocationExplain().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cluster.AllocationExplain().
 		Index(index).
 		Primary(conf.Primary).
 		Shard(conf.Shards).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get index allocation explain: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -301,11 +284,9 @@ func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 func IndexModify(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 	settings := esdsl.NewIndexSettings().NumberOfReplicas(strconv.Itoa(conf.Replicas))
 
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutSettings().
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.PutSettings().
 		Indices(index).
 		Index(settings).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to modify index settings: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -315,11 +296,9 @@ func IndexModify(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexFields(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.FieldCaps().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().FieldCaps().
 		Index(index).
 		Fields("*").
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to retrieve field capabilties: %s", esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/index_alias.go b/pkg/es/index_alias.go
index 0f25085..0f0f49c 100644
--- a/pkg/es/index_alias.go
+++ b/pkg/es/index_alias.go
@@ -29,9 +29,7 @@ import (
 
 // FIXME: add filter support, see IndexCreate mapping
 func IndexAliasCreate(conf *cfg.Config, index, alias string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutAlias(index, alias).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.PutAlias(index, alias).
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	slog.Debug("create alias", "result", res)
@@ -51,10 +49,8 @@ func IndexAliasList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 		filter = *regexp.MustCompile(conf.Filter[0])
 	}
 
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetAlias().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetAlias().
 		Index("_all").
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -100,9 +96,7 @@ func IndexAliasList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func IndexAliasDelete(conf *cfg.Config, index, alias string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.DeleteAlias(index, alias).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.DeleteAlias(index, alias).
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	slog.Debug("delete alias", "result", res)
diff --git a/pkg/es/index_template.go b/pkg/es/index_template.go
index d50baca..a2aafcd 100644
--- a/pkg/es/index_template.go
+++ b/pkg/es/index_template.go
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ import (
 
 // used for completion
 func IndexTemplateList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -65,10 +63,8 @@ func IndexTemplateList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func IndexTemplateShow(conf *cfg.Config, tplname string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
 		Name(tplname).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -158,9 +154,7 @@ func IndexTemplateCreate(conf *cfg.Config, name string, mappings []string) error
 	settings := esdsl.NewIndexSettings()
 	maps := esdsl.NewIndexTemplateMapping()
 
-	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutIndexTemplate(name).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
+	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.PutIndexTemplate(name)
 
 	if conf.Shards > 0 {
 		settings = settings.NumberOfShards(strconv.Itoa(conf.Shards))
@@ -243,10 +237,8 @@ func IndexTemplateModify(conf *cfg.Config, name string, mappings []string) error
 	maps := esdsl.NewIndexTemplateMapping()
 
 	// load existing index mapping
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
 		Name(name).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -262,9 +254,7 @@ func IndexTemplateModify(conf *cfg.Config, name string, mappings []string) error
 	tpl := res.IndexTemplates[0]
 
 	// our modify PUT request
-	modify := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutIndexTemplate(name).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json")
+	modify := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.PutIndexTemplate(name)
 
 	// load existing settings, if any
 	settings := tpl.IndexTemplate.Template.Settings
@@ -355,9 +345,7 @@ func IndexTemplateModify(conf *cfg.Config, name string, mappings []string) error
 }
 
 func IndexTemplateDelete(conf *cfg.Config, name string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.DeleteIndexTemplate(name).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.DeleteIndexTemplate(name).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete index template: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -370,7 +358,7 @@ func IndexTemplateDelete(conf *cfg.Config, name string) error {
 // find  indices matching  those,  find their  associated aliases  and
 // rollover all we find. Only run when conf.Rollover==true
 func rolloverAliasIndexTemplate(conf *cfg.Config, name string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.GetIndexTemplate().
 		Name(name).
 		Do(context.Background())
 
@@ -389,7 +377,7 @@ func rolloverAliasIndexTemplate(conf *cfg.Config, name string) error {
 
 	// find all aliases matching the patterns
 	for _, pattern := range patterns {
-		res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.ResolveIndex(pattern).
+		res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.ResolveIndex(pattern).
 			Do(context.Background())
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve index pattern: %s", esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/node.go b/pkg/es/node.go
index 2676c79..a5b91a8 100644
--- a/pkg/es/node.go
+++ b/pkg/es/node.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import (
 
 func NodeList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	// get nodes
-	nodes, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Nodes().Do(context.Background())
+	nodes, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Nodes().Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get nodes: %s", esErrorString(err))
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/es/role.go b/pkg/es/role.go
index de22035..ffff478 100644
--- a/pkg/es/role.go
+++ b/pkg/es/role.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func RoleNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRole().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRole().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get roles: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func RoleNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
 }
 
 func RoleList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRole().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRole().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get roles: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func RoleList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func RoleShow(conf *cfg.Config, rolename string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRole().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRole().
 		Name(rolename).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/es/role_diff.go b/pkg/es/role_diff.go
index 9bcd99c..bb5898c 100644
--- a/pkg/es/role_diff.go
+++ b/pkg/es/role_diff.go
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func RoleDiff(conf *cfg.Config, csvfile, role string) error {
 		return RoleDiffSingle(conf, csvfile, role)
 	}
 
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRole().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRole().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get roles: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ func RoleDiff(conf *cfg.Config, csvfile, role string) error {
 }
 
 func getRoleMappingGroups(conf *cfg.Config, rolename string) ([]string, error) {
-	mappings, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRoleMapping().
+	mappings, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRoleMapping().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get role mappings: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ func compareSlices(name string, a, b []string) {
 }
 
 func RoleDiffSingle(conf *cfg.Config, csvfile, rolename string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Security.GetRole().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Security.GetRole().
 		Name(rolename).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/es/rollover.go b/pkg/es/rollover.go
index 014845e..f7ca971 100644
--- a/pkg/es/rollover.go
+++ b/pkg/es/rollover.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func RolloverConditions(conf *cfg.Config) types.RolloverConditionsVariant {
 }
 
 func RolloverAlias(conf *cfg.Config, alias string) (*rollover.Response, error) {
-	roll := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Rollover(alias)
+	roll := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.Rollover(alias)
 
 	if conf.Wait {
 		roll.WaitForActiveShards("all")
diff --git a/pkg/es/search.go b/pkg/es/search.go
index e171400..f93c5f1 100644
--- a/pkg/es/search.go
+++ b/pkg/es/search.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func Search(conf *cfg.Config, queries []string) error {
 		return validateSearch(conf, queries)
 	}
 
-	searchEs := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Search().Index(conf.Index)
+	searchEs := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Search().Index(conf.Index)
 
 	queryCaster, err := prepareQuery(conf, queries)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func explain(res *types.ExplanationDetail, indent string) {
 }
 
 func validateSearch(conf *cfg.Config, queries []string) error {
-	validate := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.ValidateQuery()
+	validate := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Indices.ValidateQuery()
 
 	queryCaster, err := prepareQuery(conf, queries)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func validateSearch(conf *cfg.Config, queries []string) error {
 }
 
 func Debug(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Search().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Search().
 		Index(conf.Index).
 		Size(0).
 		Aggregations(map[string]types.Aggregations{
@@ -187,18 +187,18 @@ func searchOnce(conf *cfg.Config, search *search.Search) error {
 // https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/elasticsearch/clients/go/using-the-api/searching#_pit_search_after
 func searchPit(conf *cfg.Config, req *search.Request) error {
 	ctx := context.Background()
-	pit, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.OpenPointInTime(conf.Index).KeepAlive("1m").Do(ctx)
+	pit, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().OpenPointInTime(conf.Index).KeepAlive("1m").Do(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open point-in-time request for search: %s", err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.ClosePointInTime().Id(pit.Id).Do(ctx)
+		_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().ClosePointInTime().Id(pit.Id).Do(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("failed to close PIT: %s", err)
 		}
 	}()
 
-	search := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Search().
+	search := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Search().
 		Request(req).
 		Pit(esdsl.NewPointInTimeReference().
 			Id(pit.Id).
diff --git a/pkg/es/search_filter.go b/pkg/es/search_filter.go
index 8531a43..8a364fc 100644
--- a/pkg/es/search_filter.go
+++ b/pkg/es/search_filter.go
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ func addFilters(conf *cfg.Config) ([]types.QueryVariant, error) {
 // check if the conf.SortBy  field (default: @timestamp) is searchable
 // by using the field capabilities API.
 func addSort(conf *cfg.Config, search *search.Search) *search.Search {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.FieldCaps().
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().FieldCaps().
 		Index(conf.Index).
 		Fields(conf.SortBy).
 		Do(context.Background())
diff --git a/pkg/es/shard.go b/pkg/es/shard.go
index 2addb71..24395fa 100644
--- a/pkg/es/shard.go
+++ b/pkg/es/shard.go
@@ -83,9 +83,7 @@ func filterShards(conf *cfg.Config, shardlist shards.Response) shards.Response {
 }
 
 func ShardList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Shards().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Shards().
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get shards: %s", esErrorString(err))
@@ -135,9 +133,7 @@ func printShards(conf *cfg.Config, shardlist shards.Response) error {
 }
 
 func ShardShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Shards().Index(index).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Shards().Index(index).
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get shards: %s", esErrorString(err))
diff --git a/pkg/es/snapshot.go b/pkg/es/snapshot.go
index 78c10df..2ef680c 100644
--- a/pkg/es/snapshot.go
+++ b/pkg/es/snapshot.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ type Snapshot struct {
 
 func SnapshotList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	// get partial indicies
-	ires, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Indices().Do(context.Background())
+	ires, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Indices().Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get indicies: %s", esErrorString(err))
 	}
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func SnapshotList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	}
 
 	// get snapshots
-	sres, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Snapshots().Do(context.Background())
+	sres, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Snapshots().Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get snapshots: %s", esErrorString(err))
 	}
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func SnapshotList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func SnapshotShow(conf *cfg.Config, snapshot string) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Snapshot.Get("*", snapshot).Do(context.Background())
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Snapshot.Get("*", snapshot).Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get snapshot: %s", esErrorString(err))
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/es/task.go b/pkg/es/task.go
index 813bcc6..640bdb6 100644
--- a/pkg/es/task.go
+++ b/pkg/es/task.go
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TaskList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Tasks().
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Cat.Tasks().
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -65,10 +63,8 @@ func TaskList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func TaskCancel(conf *cfg.Config, taskid string) error {
-	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Tasks.Cancel().
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES().Tasks.Cancel().
 		TaskId(taskid).
-		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 
 	if err != nil {