diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 3972a7db8..1a9250e43 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@ require (
 	github.com/UnnoTed/fileb0x v1.1.4 // indirect
 	github.com/cespare/reflex v0.2.0 // indirect
 	github.com/go-chi/chi v4.0.2+incompatible
+	github.com/golang/protobuf v1.3.2
 	github.com/kballard/go-shellquote v0.0.0-20180428030007-95032a82bc51 // indirect
 	github.com/micro/cli/v2 v2.1.1
+	github.com/micro/go-micro/v2 v2.0.0
 	github.com/nfnt/resize v0.0.0-20180221191011-83c6a9932646
 	github.com/ogier/pflag v0.0.1 // indirect
 	github.com/oklog/run v1.0.0
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 3083637f6..c44798de3 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -487,6 +487,7 @@ github.com/micro/go-micro v1.18.0/go.mod h1:klwUJL1gkdY1MHFyz+fFJXn52dKcty4hoe95
 github.com/micro/go-micro/v2 v2.0.0 h1:bMx549RwJ9Yuiui8cDVlfYhVNP8I8KBJTMyLthEXpRw=
 github.com/micro/go-micro/v2 v2.0.0/go.mod h1:v7QP5UhKRt37ixjJe8DouWmg0/eE6dltr5h0idJ9BpE=
 github.com/micro/go-plugins v1.5.1/go.mod h1:jcxejzJCAMH731cQHbS/hncyKe0rxAbzKkibj8glad4=
+github.com/micro/go-plugins/wrapper/trace/opencensus/v2 v2.0.1 h1:7IkXfl94MdLZQwk0lNmu9Cg5WP42Zak9EtQMeN4SvVs=
 github.com/micro/go-plugins/wrapper/trace/opencensus/v2 v2.0.1/go.mod h1:QrkcwcDtIs2hIJpIEhozekyf6Rfz5C36kFI8+zzCpX0=
 github.com/micro/mdns v0.3.0 h1:bYycYe+98AXR3s8Nq5qvt6C573uFTDPIYzJemWON0QE=
 github.com/micro/mdns v0.3.0/go.mod h1:KJ0dW7KmicXU2BV++qkLlmHYcVv7/hHnbtguSWt9Aoc=
diff --git a/pkg/command/server.go b/pkg/command/server.go
index 31f8dce9d..af6cafecf 100644
--- a/pkg/command/server.go
+++ b/pkg/command/server.go
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ package command
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
-	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"contrib.go.opencensus.io/exporter/jaeger"
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/flagset"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/metrics"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/server/debug"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/server/http"
+	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/server/grpc"
 	"go.opencensus.io/stats/view"
 	"go.opencensus.io/trace"
 )
@@ -30,10 +29,6 @@ func Server(cfg *config.Config) *cli.Command {
 		Usage: "Start integrated server",
 		Flags: flagset.ServerWithConfig(cfg),
 		Before: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			if cfg.HTTP.Root != "/" {
-				cfg.HTTP.Root = strings.TrimSuffix(cfg.HTTP.Root, "/")
-			}
-
 			return nil
 		},
 		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
@@ -131,72 +126,22 @@ func Server(cfg *config.Config) *cli.Command {
 
 			defer cancel()
 
-			{
-				server, err := http.Server(
-					http.Logger(logger),
-					http.Context(ctx),
-					http.Config(cfg),
-					http.Metrics(metrics),
-					http.Flags(flagset.RootWithConfig(cfg)),
-					http.Flags(flagset.ServerWithConfig(cfg)),
-				)
+			service := grpc.NewService(
+				grpc.Logger(logger),
+				grpc.Context(ctx),
+				grpc.Config(cfg),
+				grpc.Name(cfg.Server.Name),
+				grpc.Namespace(cfg.Server.Namespace),
+				grpc.Address(cfg.Server.Address),
+				grpc.Metrics(metrics),
+			)
 
-				if err != nil {
-					logger.Info().
-						Err(err).
-						Str("transport", "http").
-						Msg("Failed to initialize server")
-
-					return err
-				}
-
-				gr.Add(func() error {
-					return server.Run()
-				}, func(_ error) {
-					logger.Info().
-						Str("transport", "http").
-						Msg("Shutting down server")
-
-					cancel()
-				})
-			}
-
-			{
-				server, err := debug.Server(
-					debug.Logger(logger),
-					debug.Context(ctx),
-					debug.Config(cfg),
-				)
-
-				if err != nil {
-					logger.Info().
-						Err(err).
-						Str("transport", "debug").
-						Msg("Failed to initialize server")
-
-					return err
-				}
-
-				gr.Add(func() error {
-					return server.ListenAndServe()
-				}, func(_ error) {
-					ctx, timeout := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 5*time.Second)
-
-					defer timeout()
-					defer cancel()
-
-					if err := server.Shutdown(ctx); err != nil {
-						logger.Info().
-							Err(err).
-							Str("transport", "debug").
-							Msg("Failed to shutdown server")
-					} else {
-						logger.Info().
-							Str("transport", "debug").
-							Msg("Shutting down server")
-					}
-				})
-			}
+			gr.Add(func() error {
+				return service.Run()
+			}, func(_ error) {
+				fmt.Println("shutting down grpc server")
+				cancel()
+			})
 
 			{
 				stop := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index a5bc260e0..e84b514b9 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ type Debug struct {
 	Zpages bool
 }
 
-// HTTP defines the available http configuration.
-type HTTP struct {
-	Addr      string
+// Server defines the available server configuration.
+type Server struct {
+	Name      string
 	Namespace string
-	Root      string
+	Address   string
 }
 
 // Tracing defines the available tracing configuration.
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	File              string
 	Log               Log
 	Debug             Debug
-	HTTP              HTTP
+	Server            Server
 	Tracing           Tracing
 	FileSystemStorage FileSystemStorage
 	WebDavSource      WebDavSource
diff --git a/pkg/flagset/flagset.go b/pkg/flagset/flagset.go
index 04eae4706..2f34817b1 100644
--- a/pkg/flagset/flagset.go
+++ b/pkg/flagset/flagset.go
@@ -117,25 +117,25 @@ func ServerWithConfig(cfg *config.Config) []cli.Flag {
 			Destination: &cfg.Debug.Zpages,
 		},
 		&cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:        "http-addr",
+			Name:        "grpc-name",
+			Value:       "thumbnails",
+			Usage:       "Name of the service",
+			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_GRPC_NAME"},
+			Destination: &cfg.Server.Name,
+		},
+		&cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:        "grpc-addr",
 			Value:       "0.0.0.0:9185",
-			Usage:       "Address to bind http server",
-			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_HTTP_ADDR"},
-			Destination: &cfg.HTTP.Addr,
+			Usage:       "Address to bind grpc server",
+			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_GRPC_ADDR"},
+			Destination: &cfg.Server.Address,
 		},
 		&cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:        "http-namespace",
-			Value:       "com.owncloud.web",
-			Usage:       "Set the base namespace for the http namespace",
-			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_HTTP_NAMESPACE"},
-			Destination: &cfg.HTTP.Namespace,
-		},
-		&cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:        "http-root",
-			Value:       "/",
-			Usage:       "Root path of http server",
-			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_HTTP_ROOT"},
-			Destination: &cfg.HTTP.Root,
+			Name:        "grpc-namespace",
+			Value:       "com.owncloud.api",
+			Usage:       "Set the base namespace for the grpc namespace",
+			EnvVars:     []string{"THUMBNAILS_GRPC_NAMESPACE"},
+			Destination: &cfg.Server.Namespace,
 		},
 		&cli.StringFlag{
 			Name:        "filesystemstorage-root",
diff --git a/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.go b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8fb6ad6da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.go
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+// Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
+// source: pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto
+
+package proto
+
+import (
+	fmt "fmt"
+	proto "github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
+	math "math"
+)
+
+// Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
+var _ = proto.Marshal
+var _ = fmt.Errorf
+var _ = math.Inf
+
+// This is a compile-time assertion to ensure that this generated file
+// is compatible with the proto package it is being compiled against.
+// A compilation error at this line likely means your copy of the
+// proto package needs to be updated.
+const _ = proto.ProtoPackageIsVersion3 // please upgrade the proto package
+
+type GetRequest_FileType int32
+
+const (
+	GetRequest_PNG GetRequest_FileType = 0
+	GetRequest_JPG GetRequest_FileType = 1
+)
+
+var GetRequest_FileType_name = map[int32]string{
+	0: "PNG",
+	1: "JPG",
+}
+
+var GetRequest_FileType_value = map[string]int32{
+	"PNG": 0,
+	"JPG": 1,
+}
+
+func (x GetRequest_FileType) String() string {
+	return proto.EnumName(GetRequest_FileType_name, int32(x))
+}
+
+func (GetRequest_FileType) EnumDescriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return fileDescriptor_e354cb4f8a62b6c2, []int{0, 0}
+}
+
+type GetRequest struct {
+	Filepath             string              `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=filepath,proto3" json:"filepath,omitempty"`
+	Filetype             GetRequest_FileType `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=filetype,proto3,enum=com.owncloud.ocis.thumbnails.v0.GetRequest_FileType" json:"filetype,omitempty"`
+	Etag                 string              `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=etag,proto3" json:"etag,omitempty"`
+	Width                int32               `protobuf:"varint,4,opt,name=width,proto3" json:"width,omitempty"`
+	Height               int32               `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=height,proto3" json:"height,omitempty"`
+	Authorization        string              `protobuf:"bytes,6,opt,name=authorization,proto3" json:"authorization,omitempty"`
+	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{}            `json:"-"`
+	XXX_unrecognized     []byte              `json:"-"`
+	XXX_sizecache        int32               `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) Reset()         { *m = GetRequest{} }
+func (m *GetRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
+func (*GetRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
+func (*GetRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return fileDescriptor_e354cb4f8a62b6c2, []int{0}
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest.Unmarshal(m, b)
+}
+func (m *GetRequest) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
+}
+func (m *GetRequest) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
+	xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest.Merge(m, src)
+}
+func (m *GetRequest) XXX_Size() int {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest.Size(m)
+}
+func (m *GetRequest) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
+	xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest.DiscardUnknown(m)
+}
+
+var xxx_messageInfo_GetRequest proto.InternalMessageInfo
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetFilepath() string {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Filepath
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetFiletype() GetRequest_FileType {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Filetype
+	}
+	return GetRequest_PNG
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetEtag() string {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Etag
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetWidth() int32 {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Width
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetHeight() int32 {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Height
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func (m *GetRequest) GetAuthorization() string {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Authorization
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+type GetResponse struct {
+	Thumbnail            []byte   `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=thumbnail,proto3" json:"thumbnail,omitempty"`
+	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
+	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
+	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func (m *GetResponse) Reset()         { *m = GetResponse{} }
+func (m *GetResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
+func (*GetResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
+func (*GetResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return fileDescriptor_e354cb4f8a62b6c2, []int{1}
+}
+
+func (m *GetResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse.Unmarshal(m, b)
+}
+func (m *GetResponse) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
+}
+func (m *GetResponse) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
+	xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse.Merge(m, src)
+}
+func (m *GetResponse) XXX_Size() int {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse.Size(m)
+}
+func (m *GetResponse) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
+	xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse.DiscardUnknown(m)
+}
+
+var xxx_messageInfo_GetResponse proto.InternalMessageInfo
+
+func (m *GetResponse) GetThumbnail() []byte {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Thumbnail
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func init() {
+	proto.RegisterEnum("com.owncloud.ocis.thumbnails.v0.GetRequest_FileType", GetRequest_FileType_name, GetRequest_FileType_value)
+	proto.RegisterType((*GetRequest)(nil), "com.owncloud.ocis.thumbnails.v0.GetRequest")
+	proto.RegisterType((*GetResponse)(nil), "com.owncloud.ocis.thumbnails.v0.GetResponse")
+}
+
+func init() { proto.RegisterFile("pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto", fileDescriptor_e354cb4f8a62b6c2) }
+
+var fileDescriptor_e354cb4f8a62b6c2 = []byte{
+	// 300 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x94, 0x91, 0x4f, 0x4f, 0xc2, 0x40,
+	0x10, 0xc5, 0x2d, 0x50, 0xfe, 0x8c, 0x68, 0xc8, 0xc4, 0x98, 0x86, 0x60, 0x24, 0xc4, 0x03, 0x09,
+	0x66, 0x21, 0xe8, 0x27, 0xf0, 0x60, 0x13, 0x0f, 0x86, 0x54, 0x4e, 0xde, 0x4a, 0x19, 0xd9, 0x8d,
+	0xa5, 0xbb, 0xd2, 0x29, 0x04, 0x13, 0x13, 0x3f, 0xba, 0x71, 0x2b, 0x45, 0x4f, 0xea, 0x69, 0xe7,
+	0xfd, 0x76, 0xf2, 0x66, 0xf6, 0x2d, 0x9c, 0x99, 0xe7, 0xc5, 0xd0, 0xac, 0x34, 0xeb, 0xe1, 0x7a,
+	0x34, 0x64, 0x99, 0x2d, 0x67, 0x49, 0xa8, 0xe2, 0x54, 0x58, 0x86, 0xe7, 0x91, 0x5e, 0x0a, 0xbd,
+	0x49, 0xa2, 0x58, 0x67, 0x73, 0xa1, 0x23, 0x95, 0x8a, 0x6f, 0x3d, 0xeb, 0x51, 0xef, 0xbd, 0x04,
+	0xe0, 0x13, 0x07, 0xf4, 0x92, 0x51, 0xca, 0xd8, 0x86, 0xfa, 0x93, 0x8a, 0xc9, 0x84, 0x2c, 0x3d,
+	0xa7, 0xeb, 0xf4, 0x1b, 0x41, 0xa1, 0x71, 0x92, 0xdf, 0xf1, 0xd6, 0x90, 0x57, 0xea, 0x3a, 0xfd,
+	0xe3, 0xf1, 0xb5, 0xf8, 0xc5, 0x5e, 0xec, 0xad, 0xc5, 0xad, 0x8a, 0x69, 0xba, 0x35, 0x14, 0x14,
+	0x2e, 0x88, 0x50, 0x21, 0x0e, 0x17, 0x5e, 0xd9, 0x4e, 0xb2, 0x35, 0x9e, 0x80, 0xbb, 0x51, 0x73,
+	0x96, 0x5e, 0xa5, 0xeb, 0xf4, 0xdd, 0x20, 0x17, 0x78, 0x0a, 0x55, 0x49, 0x6a, 0x21, 0xd9, 0x73,
+	0x2d, 0xfe, 0x52, 0x78, 0x01, 0x47, 0x61, 0xc6, 0x52, 0xaf, 0xd4, 0x6b, 0xc8, 0x4a, 0x27, 0x5e,
+	0xd5, 0x5a, 0xfd, 0x84, 0xbd, 0x0e, 0xd4, 0x77, 0xd3, 0xb1, 0x06, 0xe5, 0xc9, 0xbd, 0xdf, 0x3a,
+	0xf8, 0x2c, 0xee, 0x26, 0x7e, 0xcb, 0xe9, 0x0d, 0xe0, 0xd0, 0xae, 0x99, 0x1a, 0x9d, 0xa4, 0x84,
+	0x1d, 0x68, 0x14, 0x6f, 0xb0, 0x19, 0x34, 0x83, 0x3d, 0x18, 0xbf, 0x41, 0x6b, 0xba, 0x13, 0x0f,
+	0xb4, 0x5a, 0xab, 0x88, 0x50, 0x41, 0xd3, 0x27, 0x2e, 0x30, 0x0e, 0xfe, 0x11, 0x4b, 0xfb, 0xf2,
+	0x6f, 0xcd, 0xf9, 0x72, 0x37, 0xb5, 0x47, 0xd7, 0x7e, 0xec, 0xac, 0x6a, 0x8f, 0xab, 0x8f, 0x00,
+	0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x54, 0x8e, 0xdc, 0xb1, 0x00, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
+}
diff --git a/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.micro.go b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.micro.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9533ba8fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.pb.micro.go
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+// Code generated by protoc-gen-micro. DO NOT EDIT.
+// source: pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto
+
+package proto
+
+import (
+	fmt "fmt"
+	proto "github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
+	math "math"
+)
+
+import (
+	context "context"
+	client "github.com/micro/go-micro/v2/client"
+	server "github.com/micro/go-micro/v2/server"
+)
+
+// Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
+var _ = proto.Marshal
+var _ = fmt.Errorf
+var _ = math.Inf
+
+// This is a compile-time assertion to ensure that this generated file
+// is compatible with the proto package it is being compiled against.
+// A compilation error at this line likely means your copy of the
+// proto package needs to be updated.
+const _ = proto.ProtoPackageIsVersion3 // please upgrade the proto package
+
+// Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
+var _ context.Context
+var _ client.Option
+var _ server.Option
+
+// Client API for ThumbnailService service
+
+type ThumbnailService interface {
+	GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, in *GetRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*GetResponse, error)
+}
+
+type thumbnailService struct {
+	c    client.Client
+	name string
+}
+
+func NewThumbnailService(name string, c client.Client) ThumbnailService {
+	return &thumbnailService{
+		c:    c,
+		name: name,
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *thumbnailService) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, in *GetRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*GetResponse, error) {
+	req := c.c.NewRequest(c.name, "ThumbnailService.GetThumbnail", in)
+	out := new(GetResponse)
+	err := c.c.Call(ctx, req, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// Server API for ThumbnailService service
+
+type ThumbnailServiceHandler interface {
+	GetThumbnail(context.Context, *GetRequest, *GetResponse) error
+}
+
+func RegisterThumbnailServiceHandler(s server.Server, hdlr ThumbnailServiceHandler, opts ...server.HandlerOption) error {
+	type thumbnailService interface {
+		GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, in *GetRequest, out *GetResponse) error
+	}
+	type ThumbnailService struct {
+		thumbnailService
+	}
+	h := &thumbnailServiceHandler{hdlr}
+	return s.Handle(s.NewHandler(&ThumbnailService{h}, opts...))
+}
+
+type thumbnailServiceHandler struct {
+	ThumbnailServiceHandler
+}
+
+func (h *thumbnailServiceHandler) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, in *GetRequest, out *GetResponse) error {
+	return h.ThumbnailServiceHandler.GetThumbnail(ctx, in, out)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..94f252914
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/proto/v0/thumbnails.proto
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+syntax = "proto3";
+
+package com.owncloud.ocis.thumbnails.v0;
+option go_package = "proto";
+
+service ThumbnailService {
+    rpc GetThumbnail(GetRequest) returns (GetResponse);
+}
+
+message GetRequest {
+    string filepath = 1;
+    enum FileType {
+        PNG = 0;
+        JPG = 1;
+    }
+    FileType filetype = 2;
+    string etag = 3;
+    int32 width = 4;
+    int32 height = 5;
+    string authorization = 6;
+}
+
+message GetResponse {
+    bytes thumbnail = 1;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/server/debug/option.go b/pkg/server/debug/option.go
deleted file mode 100644
index b07f8b6ad..000000000
--- a/pkg/server/debug/option.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-package debug
-
-import (
-	"context"
-
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/config"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/log"
-)
-
-// Option defines a single option function.
-type Option func(o *Options)
-
-// Options defines the available options for this package.
-type Options struct {
-	Logger  log.Logger
-	Context context.Context
-	Config  *config.Config
-}
-
-// newOptions initializes the available default options.
-func newOptions(opts ...Option) Options {
-	opt := Options{}
-
-	for _, o := range opts {
-		o(&opt)
-	}
-
-	return opt
-}
-
-// Logger provides a function to set the logger option.
-func Logger(val log.Logger) Option {
-	return func(o *Options) {
-		o.Logger = val
-	}
-}
-
-// Context provides a function to set the context option.
-func Context(val context.Context) Option {
-	return func(o *Options) {
-		o.Context = val
-	}
-}
-
-// Config provides a function to set the config option.
-func Config(val *config.Config) Option {
-	return func(o *Options) {
-		o.Config = val
-	}
-}
diff --git a/pkg/server/debug/server.go b/pkg/server/debug/server.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 0ac9f253a..000000000
--- a/pkg/server/debug/server.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,51 +0,0 @@
-package debug
-
-import (
-	"io"
-	"net/http"
-
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/config"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/version"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/service/debug"
-)
-
-// Server initializes the debug service and server.
-func Server(opts ...Option) (*http.Server, error) {
-	options := newOptions(opts...)
-
-	return debug.NewService(
-		debug.Logger(options.Logger),
-		debug.Name("ocis-thumbnails"),
-		debug.Version(version.String),
-		debug.Address(options.Config.Debug.Addr),
-		debug.Token(options.Config.Debug.Token),
-		debug.Pprof(options.Config.Debug.Pprof),
-		debug.Zpages(options.Config.Debug.Zpages),
-		debug.Health(health(options.Config)),
-		debug.Ready(ready(options.Config)),
-	), nil
-}
-
-// health implements the health check.
-func health(cfg *config.Config) func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "text/plain")
-		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
-
-		// TODO(tboerger): check if services are up and running
-
-		io.WriteString(w, http.StatusText(http.StatusOK))
-	}
-}
-
-// ready implements the ready check.
-func ready(cfg *config.Config) func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "text/plain")
-		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
-
-		// TODO(tboerger): check if services are up and running
-
-		io.WriteString(w, http.StatusText(http.StatusOK))
-	}
-}
diff --git a/pkg/server/http/option.go b/pkg/server/grpc/option.go
similarity index 80%
rename from pkg/server/http/option.go
rename to pkg/server/grpc/option.go
index 5712bc5f2..569480ff6 100644
--- a/pkg/server/http/option.go
+++ b/pkg/server/grpc/option.go
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
-package http
+package grpc
 
 import (
 	"context"
 
-	"github.com/micro/cli/v2"
+	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/log"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/metrics"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/log"
 )
 
 // Option defines a single option function.
@@ -14,12 +13,13 @@ type Option func(o *Options)
 
 // Options defines the available options for this package.
 type Options struct {
-	Namespace string
+	Name      string
+	Address   string
 	Logger    log.Logger
 	Context   context.Context
 	Config    *config.Config
 	Metrics   *metrics.Metrics
-	Flags     []cli.Flag
+	Namespace string
 }
 
 // newOptions initializes the available default options.
@@ -40,6 +40,20 @@ func Logger(val log.Logger) Option {
 	}
 }
 
+// Name provides a name for the service.
+func Name(val string) Option {
+	return func(o *Options) {
+		o.Name = val
+	}
+}
+
+// Address provides an address for the service.
+func Address(val string) Option {
+	return func(o *Options) {
+		o.Address = val
+	}
+}
+
 // Context provides a function to set the context option.
 func Context(val context.Context) Option {
 	return func(o *Options) {
@@ -61,14 +75,7 @@ func Metrics(val *metrics.Metrics) Option {
 	}
 }
 
-// Flags provides a function to set the flags option.
-func Flags(val []cli.Flag) Option {
-	return func(o *Options) {
-		o.Flags = append(o.Flags, val...)
-	}
-}
-
-// Namespace provides a function to set the Namespace option.
+// Namespace provides a function to set the namespace option.
 func Namespace(val string) Option {
 	return func(o *Options) {
 		o.Namespace = val
diff --git a/pkg/server/grpc/server.go b/pkg/server/grpc/server.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..96c64e1d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/server/grpc/server.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package grpc
+
+import (
+	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/service/grpc"
+	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/proto/v0"
+	svc "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/service/v0"
+	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/version"
+)
+
+// NewService initializes the grpc service and server.
+func NewService(opts ...Option) grpc.Service {
+	options := newOptions(opts...)
+
+	service := grpc.NewService(
+		grpc.Logger(options.Logger),
+		grpc.Namespace(options.Namespace),
+		grpc.Name(options.Name),
+		grpc.Version(version.String),
+		grpc.Address(options.Address),
+		grpc.Context(options.Context),
+	)
+
+	var thumbnail proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler
+	{
+		thumbnail = svc.NewService(
+			svc.Config(options.Config),
+		)
+		thumbnail = svc.NewInstrument(thumbnail, options.Metrics)
+		thumbnail = svc.NewLogging(thumbnail, options.Logger)
+	}
+
+	proto.RegisterThumbnailServiceHandler(
+		service.Server(),
+		thumbnail,
+	)
+
+	service.Init()
+	return service
+}
diff --git a/pkg/server/http/server.go b/pkg/server/http/server.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 66607a2fc..000000000
--- a/pkg/server/http/server.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-package http
-
-import (
-	svc "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/service/v0"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/version"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/middleware"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/service/http"
-)
-
-// Server initializes the http service and server.
-func Server(opts ...Option) (http.Service, error) {
-	options := newOptions(opts...)
-
-	service := http.NewService(
-		http.Logger(options.Logger),
-		http.Name("thumbnails"),
-		http.Version(version.String),
-		http.Namespace(options.Config.HTTP.Namespace),
-		http.Address(options.Config.HTTP.Addr),
-		http.Context(options.Context),
-		http.Flags(options.Flags...),
-	)
-
-	handle := svc.NewService(
-		svc.Logger(options.Logger),
-		svc.Config(options.Config),
-		svc.Middleware(
-			middleware.RealIP,
-			middleware.RequestID,
-			middleware.Cache,
-			middleware.Cors,
-			middleware.Secure,
-			middleware.Version(
-				"thumbnails",
-				version.String,
-			),
-			middleware.Logger(
-				options.Logger,
-			),
-		),
-	)
-
-	{
-		handle = svc.NewInstrument(handle, options.Metrics)
-		handle = svc.NewLogging(handle, options.Logger)
-		handle = svc.NewTracing(handle)
-	}
-
-	service.Handle(
-		"/",
-		handle,
-	)
-
-	service.Init()
-	return service, nil
-}
diff --git a/pkg/service/v0/instrument.go b/pkg/service/v0/instrument.go
index 9c3a6d999..86ab4e6a4 100644
--- a/pkg/service/v0/instrument.go
+++ b/pkg/service/v0/instrument.go
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 package svc
 
 import (
-	"net/http"
+	"context"
 
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/metrics"
+	v0proto "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/proto/v0"
 )
 
 // NewInstrument returns a service that instruments metrics.
-func NewInstrument(next Service, metrics *metrics.Metrics) Service {
+func NewInstrument(next v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler, metrics *metrics.Metrics) v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler {
 	return instrument{
 		next:    next,
 		metrics: metrics,
@@ -15,16 +16,11 @@ func NewInstrument(next Service, metrics *metrics.Metrics) Service {
 }
 
 type instrument struct {
-	next    Service
+	next    v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler
 	metrics *metrics.Metrics
 }
 
-// ServeHTTP implements the Service interface.
-func (i instrument) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	i.next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
-}
-
-// Dummy implements the Service interface.
-func (i instrument) Thumbnails(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	i.next.Thumbnails(w, r)
+// GetThumbnail implements the ThumbnailServiceHandler interface.
+func (i instrument) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, req *v0proto.GetRequest, rsp *v0proto.GetResponse) error {
+	return i.next.GetThumbnail(ctx, req, rsp)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/service/v0/logging.go b/pkg/service/v0/logging.go
index a439f1efd..90f2916d9 100644
--- a/pkg/service/v0/logging.go
+++ b/pkg/service/v0/logging.go
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 package svc
 
 import (
-	"net/http"
+	"context"
 
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/log"
+	v0proto "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/proto/v0"
 )
 
 // NewLogging returns a service that logs messages.
-func NewLogging(next Service, logger log.Logger) Service {
+func NewLogging(next v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler, logger log.Logger) v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler {
 	return logging{
 		next:   next,
 		logger: logger,
@@ -15,16 +16,11 @@ func NewLogging(next Service, logger log.Logger) Service {
 }
 
 type logging struct {
-	next   Service
+	next   v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler
 	logger log.Logger
 }
 
-// ServeHTTP implements the Service interface.
-func (l logging) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	l.next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
-}
-
-// Dummy implements the Service interface.
-func (l logging) Thumbnails(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	l.next.Thumbnails(w, r)
+// GetThumbnail implements the ThumbnailServiceHandler interface.
+func (l logging) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, req *v0proto.GetRequest, rsp *v0proto.GetResponse) error {
+	return l.next.GetThumbnail(ctx, req, rsp)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/service/v0/service.go b/pkg/service/v0/service.go
index 5ae4cb095..b9a6700ac 100644
--- a/pkg/service/v0/service.go
+++ b/pkg/service/v0/service.go
@@ -2,33 +2,20 @@ package svc
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"net/http"
-	"strconv"
+	"fmt"
 
-	"github.com/go-chi/chi"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-pkg/v2/log"
-	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/config"
+	v0proto "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/proto/v0"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/thumbnails"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/thumbnails/imgsource"
 	"github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/thumbnails/storage"
 )
 
-// Service defines the extension handlers.
-type Service interface {
-	ServeHTTP(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request)
-	Thumbnails(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request)
-}
-
 // NewService returns a service implementation for Service.
-func NewService(opts ...Option) Service {
+func NewService(opts ...Option) v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler {
 	options := newOptions(opts...)
 
-	m := chi.NewMux()
-	m.Use(options.Middleware...)
-
 	svc := Thumbnail{
-		config: options.Config,
-		mux:    m,
 		manager: thumbnails.NewSimpleManager(
 			storage.NewFileSystemStorage(
 				options.Config.FileSystemStorage,
@@ -40,77 +27,52 @@ func NewService(opts ...Option) Service {
 		logger: options.Logger,
 	}
 
-	m.Route(options.Config.HTTP.Root, func(r chi.Router) {
-		r.Get("/thumbnails", svc.Thumbnails)
-	})
-
 	return svc
 }
 
-// Thumbnail implements the business logic for Service.
+// Thumbnail implements the GRPC handler.
 type Thumbnail struct {
-	config  *config.Config
-	mux     *chi.Mux
 	manager thumbnails.Manager
 	source  imgsource.Source
 	logger  log.Logger
 }
 
-// ServeHTTP implements the Service interface.
-func (g Thumbnail) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	g.mux.ServeHTTP(w, r)
-}
-
-// Thumbnails provides the endpoint to retrieve a thumbnail for an image
-func (g Thumbnail) Thumbnails(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	query := r.URL.Query()
-	width, _ := strconv.Atoi(query.Get("width"))
-	height, _ := strconv.Atoi(query.Get("height"))
-	fileType := query.Get("type")
-	filePath := query.Get("file_path")
-	etag := query.Get("etag")
-
-	encoder := thumbnails.EncoderForType(fileType)
+// GetThumbnail retrieves a thumbnail for an image
+func (g Thumbnail) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, req *v0proto.GetRequest, rsp *v0proto.GetResponse) error {
+	encoder := thumbnails.EncoderForType(req.Filetype.String())
 	if encoder == nil {
 		// TODO: better error responses
-		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusBadRequest)
-		w.Write([]byte("can't encode that"))
-		return
+		return fmt.Errorf("can't be encoded. filetype %s not supported", req.Filetype.String())
 	}
-	ctx := thumbnails.Context{
-		Width:     width,
-		Height:    height,
-		ImagePath: filePath,
+	tCtx := thumbnails.Context{
+		Width:     int(req.Width),
+		Height:    int(req.Height),
+		ImagePath: req.Filepath,
 		Encoder:   encoder,
-		ETag:      etag,
+		ETag:      req.Etag,
 	}
 
-	thumbnail := g.manager.GetStored(ctx)
+	thumbnail := g.manager.GetStored(tCtx)
 	if thumbnail != nil {
-		w.Write(thumbnail)
-		return
+		rsp.Thumbnail = thumbnail
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	auth := r.Header.Get("Authorization")
-	sCtx := context.WithValue(r.Context(), imgsource.WebDavAuth, auth)
+	auth := req.Authorization
+	sCtx := context.WithValue(ctx, imgsource.WebDavAuth, auth)
 	// TODO: clean up error handling
-	img, err := g.source.Get(sCtx, ctx.ImagePath)
+	img, err := g.source.Get(sCtx, tCtx.ImagePath)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
-		w.Write([]byte(err.Error()))
-		return
+		return err
 	}
 	if img == nil {
-		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
-		w.Write([]byte("img is nil"))
-		return
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not retrieve image")
 	}
-	thumbnail, err = g.manager.Get(ctx, img)
+	thumbnail, err = g.manager.Get(tCtx, img)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.Write([]byte(err.Error()))
-		return
+		return err
 	}
 
-	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusCreated)
-	w.Write(thumbnail)
+	rsp.Thumbnail = thumbnail
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/service/v0/tracing.go b/pkg/service/v0/tracing.go
index 444afd3ec..33d4f01cc 100644
--- a/pkg/service/v0/tracing.go
+++ b/pkg/service/v0/tracing.go
@@ -1,26 +1,23 @@
 package svc
 
 import (
-	"net/http"
+	"context"
+
+	v0proto "github.com/owncloud/ocis-thumbnails/pkg/proto/v0"
 )
 
 // NewTracing returns a service that instruments traces.
-func NewTracing(next Service) Service {
+func NewTracing(next v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler) v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler {
 	return tracing{
 		next: next,
 	}
 }
 
 type tracing struct {
-	next Service
+	next v0proto.ThumbnailServiceHandler
 }
 
-// ServeHTTP implements the Service interface.
-func (t tracing) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	t.next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
-}
-
-// Dummy implements the Service interface.
-func (t tracing) Thumbnails(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	t.next.Thumbnails(w, r)
+// GetThumbnail implements the ThumbnailServiceHandler interface.
+func (t tracing) GetThumbnail(ctx context.Context, req *v0proto.GetRequest, rsp *v0proto.GetResponse) error {
+	return t.next.GetThumbnail(ctx, req, rsp)
 }