diff --git a/.editorconfig b/.editorconfig
index 8a80734f..c2cdfb8a 100644
--- a/.editorconfig
+++ b/.editorconfig
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ root = true
 
 # Change these settings to your own preference
 indent_style = space
-indent_size = 4
+indent_size = 2
 
 # We recommend you to keep these unchanged
 end_of_line = lf
diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 4358689f..cf3a0bec 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Package: epidatr
 Type: Package
 Title: Client for Delphi's Epidata API
-Version: 1.0.0
+Version: 0.5.0
 Authors@R: as.person(c(
   "Jacob Bien <jbien@usc.edu> [aut]",
   "Logan Brooks <lcbrooks@andrew.cmu.edu> [aut]",
@@ -20,15 +20,16 @@ Encoding: UTF-8
 LazyData: true
 Roxygen: list(markdown = TRUE)
 Imports:
-  httr,
-  jsonlite,
-  readr,
-  MMWRweek,
-  rlang
+    cli,
+    httr,
+    jsonlite,
+    readr,
+    MMWRweek,
+    rlang,
+    magrittr
 RoxygenNote: 7.2.3
 Suggests:
     knitr,
-    magrittr,
     rmarkdown,
     testthat
 VignetteBuilder: knitr
diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index f1dcc7c3..ee40c03f 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 # Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
 
+S3method(as.data.frame,covidcast_data_signal_list)
+S3method(as.data.frame,covidcast_data_source_list)
+S3method(print,covidcast_data_signal)
+S3method(print,covidcast_data_source)
+S3method(print,covidcast_epidata)
+S3method(print,epidata_call)
+S3method(print,epidata_csv)
+export("%>%")
 export(covid_hosp_facility)
 export(covid_hosp_facility_lookup)
 export(covid_hosp_state_timeseries)
@@ -12,7 +20,6 @@ export(ecdc_ili)
 export(epirange)
 export(fetch_classic)
 export(fetch_csv)
-export(fetch_df)
 export(fetch_json)
 export(fetch_tbl)
 export(flusurv)
@@ -46,5 +53,6 @@ importFrom(httr,http_error)
 importFrom(httr,modify_url)
 importFrom(httr,stop_for_status)
 importFrom(jsonlite,fromJSON)
+importFrom(magrittr,"%>%")
 importFrom(readr,read_csv)
 importFrom(rlang,abort)
diff --git a/R/constants.R b/R/constants.R
index e4894ce6..fe985828 100644
--- a/R/constants.R
+++ b/R/constants.R
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 version <- "1.0.0"
-http_headers <- httr::add_headers("User-Agent" = paste0("epidatr/", version))
+http_headers <- httr::add_headers("User-Agent" = paste0("epidatr/", version), "Accept-Encoding" = "gzip")
 global_base_url <- "https://delphi.cmu.edu/epidata/"
diff --git a/R/covidcast.R b/R/covidcast.R
index a2c9fbba..df9726fa 100644
--- a/R/covidcast.R
+++ b/R/covidcast.R
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ parse_signal <- function(signal, base_url) {
   r
 }
 
+#' @export
 print.covidcast_data_signal <- function(signal, ...) {
   print(signal$name)
   print(signal$key)
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@ parse_source <- function(source, base_url) {
   r
 }
 
+#' @method as.data.frame covidcast_data_signal_list
+#' @export
 as.data.frame.covidcast_data_signal_list <- function(signals, ...) {
   as.data.frame(do.call(rbind, lapply(signals, function(x) {
     sub <- x[c(
@@ -74,6 +77,7 @@ as.data.frame.covidcast_data_signal_list <- function(signals, ...) {
   }), ...)
 }
 
+#' @export
 print.covidcast_data_source <- function(source, ...) {
   print(source$name, ...)
   print(source$source, ...)
@@ -127,6 +131,8 @@ covidcast_epidata <- function(base_url = global_base_url) {
   )
 }
 
+#' @method as.data.frame covidcast_data_source_list
+#' @export
 as.data.frame.covidcast_data_source_list <- function(sources, ...) {
   as.data.frame(do.call(rbind, lapply(sources, function(x) {
     sub <- x[c(
@@ -141,6 +147,7 @@ as.data.frame.covidcast_data_source_list <- function(sources, ...) {
   }), ...)
 }
 
+#' @export
 print.covidcast_epidata <- function(epidata, ...) {
   print("COVIDcast Epidata Fetcher")
   print("Sources:")
diff --git a/R/endpoints.R b/R/endpoints.R
index 438354a2..29a8d7b4 100644
--- a/R/endpoints.R
+++ b/R/endpoints.R
@@ -9,9 +9,13 @@
 #' @return [`epidata_call`]
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_afhsb(auth = "yourkey", "fl,ca", epirange(202001, 202110), "flu1,flu2-flu1")
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_afhsb(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   "fl,ca",
+#'   epirange(202001, 202110),
+#'   "flu1,flu2-flu1"
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @export
 pvt_afhsb <- function(auth, locations, epiweeks, flu_types) {
@@ -42,9 +46,12 @@ pvt_afhsb <- function(auth, locations, epiweeks, flu_types) {
 #' API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/cdc.html
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_cdc(auth = "yourkey", epirange(20210101, 20210201), "fl,ca")
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_cdc(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   epirange(20210101, 20210201),
+#'   "fl,ca"
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Authentication token.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. Epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -94,8 +101,7 @@ pvt_cdc <- function(auth, epiweeks, locations) {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- covid_hosp_facility_lookup(state = "fl")
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' covid_hosp_facility_lookup(state = "fl") %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param state string. A two-letter character string state abbreviation.
 #' @param ccn string. A character string for facility CMS certification number.
@@ -160,8 +166,10 @@ covid_hosp_facility_lookup <-
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- covid_hosp_facility(hospital_pks = "100075", collection_weeks = epirange(20200101, 20200501))
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' covid_hosp_facility(
+#'   hospital_pks = "100075",
+#'   collection_weeks = epirange(20200101, 20200501)
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param hospital_pks string. A character string of facility unique identifiers.
 #' @param collection_weeks [`epirange`]. Epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -448,8 +456,10 @@ covid_hosp_facility <-
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- covid_hosp_state_timeseries(states = "fl", dates = epirange(20200101, 20200501))
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' covid_hosp_state_timeseries(
+#'   states = "fl",
+#'   dates = epirange(20200101, 20200501)
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param states character vector. Two letter state abbreviations.
 #' @param dates [`epirange`]. Dates to fetch.
@@ -600,8 +610,7 @@ covid_hosp_state_timeseries <-
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call_meta <- covidcast_meta()
-#' fetch_classic(call_meta)
+#' covidcast_meta() %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #'
 #' @seealso [covidcast()]
@@ -639,15 +648,14 @@ covidcast_meta <- function() {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- covidcast(
+#' covidcast(
 #'   data_source = "jhu-csse",
 #'   signals = "confirmed_7dav_incidence_prop",
 #'   time_type = "day",
 #'   geo_type = "state",
 #'   time_values = epirange(20200601, 20200801),
 #'   geo_values = "ca,fl"
-#' )
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param data_source string. The data source to query (see:
 #'   <https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/covidcast_signals.html>).
@@ -749,8 +757,7 @@ covidcast <-
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- delphi(system = "ec", epiweek = 202006)
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' delphi(system = "ec", epiweek = 202006) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param system string. The system name to fetch.
 #' @param epiweek [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -779,9 +786,11 @@ delphi <- function(system, epiweek) {
 #'
 #' TODO: what are valid locations here?
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- dengue_nowcast(locations = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' dengue_nowcast(
+#'   locations = "?",
+#'   epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -810,9 +819,13 @@ dengue_nowcast <- function(locations, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' TODO: what are valid locations and names?
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_dengue_sensors(auth = "yourkey", names = "?", locations = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_dengue_sensors(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   names = "?",
+#'   locations = "?",
+#'   epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication token.
 #' @param names character vector. The list of names to fetch.
@@ -855,8 +868,7 @@ pvt_dengue_sensors <- function(auth, names, locations, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- ecdc_ili(regions = "austria", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' ecdc_ili(regions = "austria", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param regions character vector. The regions to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -909,8 +921,7 @@ ecdc_ili <- function(regions,
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- flusurv(locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' flusurv(locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param locations character vector. Character strings indicating location.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -946,12 +957,12 @@ flusurv <- function(locations,
       create_epidata_field_info("issue", "date"),
       create_epidata_field_info("epiweek", "epiweek"),
       create_epidata_field_info("lag", "int"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_age_0", "float"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_age_1", "float"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_age_2", "float"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_age_3", "float"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_age_4", "float"),
-      create_epidata_field_info("rage_overall", "float")
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_age_0", "float"),
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_age_1", "float"),
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_age_2", "float"),
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_age_3", "float"),
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_age_4", "float"),
+      create_epidata_field_info("rate_overall", "float")
     )
   )
 }
@@ -962,9 +973,7 @@ flusurv <- function(locations,
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' # can take a couple minutes; donttesting while cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata#48 is unresolved
-#' call <- fluview_clinical(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' fluview_clinical(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param regions character vector. The regions to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch in the form epirange(startweek,endweek), where startweek
@@ -1044,8 +1053,7 @@ fluview_meta <- function() {
 #'   <https://github.com/cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata/blob/main/src/acquisition/fluview/fluview_locations.py>.
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' call <- fluview(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' fluview(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' @param regions character vector. The locations to fetch. Can we any string IDs in national, HHS region,
 #'   census division, most states and territories, and so on. Full list link below.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch in the form epirange(startweek,endweek), where startweek
@@ -1114,8 +1122,7 @@ fluview <-
 #'   <https://github.com/cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata/blob/main/labels/cities.txt>.
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' call <- gft(locations = "hhs1", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' gft(locations = "hhs1", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to be fetched.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`] The epiweeks to be fetched.
 #'
@@ -1142,9 +1149,13 @@ gft <- function(locations, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' TODO: find a non-trivial query
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_ght(auth = "yourkey", locations = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001), query = "?")
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_ght(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   locations = "ca",
+#'   epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001),
+#'   query = "?"
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication token.
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to be fetched.
@@ -1180,9 +1191,8 @@ pvt_ght <- function(auth, locations, epiweeks, query) {
 #'
 #' TODO: find a non-trivial region
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- kcdc_ili(regions = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' kcdc_ili(regions = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param regions character vector. The regions to be fetched.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to be fetched.
@@ -1274,8 +1284,7 @@ meta <- function() {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- nidss_dengue(locations = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' nidss_dengue(locations = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetched.
@@ -1306,8 +1315,7 @@ nidss_dengue <- function(locations, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- nidss_flu(regions = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' nidss_flu(regions = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param regions character vector. The regions to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -1358,13 +1366,12 @@ nidss_flu <-
 #' API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/norostat.html
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_norostat(
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_norostat(
 #'   auth = "yourkey",
 #'   location = "Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin",
 #'   epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)
-#' )
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication key.
 #' @param location character vector. The locations to fetch.
@@ -1403,8 +1410,7 @@ pvt_norostat <- function(auth, location, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- nowcast(location = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' nowcast(location = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -1433,8 +1439,7 @@ nowcast <- function(locations, epiweeks) {
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- paho_dengue(regions = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' paho_dengue(regions = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param regions character vector. The regions to fetch.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -1483,9 +1488,12 @@ paho_dengue <- function(regions,
 #' API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/quidel.html
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_quidel(auth = "yourkey", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001), locations = "hhs1")
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_quidel(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001),
+#'   locations = "hhs1"
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication key.
 #' @param epiweeks [`epirange`]. The epiweeks to fetch.
@@ -1518,9 +1526,13 @@ pvt_quidel <- function(auth, epiweeks, locations) {
 #' API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/sensors.html
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_sensors(auth = "yourkey", names = "sar3", locations = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-#' fetch_classic(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_sensors(
+#'   auth = "yourkey",
+#'   names = "sar3",
+#'   locations = "nat",
+#'   epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+#' ) %>% fetch_classic()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication key.
 #' @param names character vector. The names of the sensors to fetch.
@@ -1557,9 +1569,8 @@ pvt_sensors <- function(auth, names, locations, epiweeks) {
 #' API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/twitter.html
 #'
 #' @examples
-#' \donttest{
-#' call <- pvt_twitter(auth = "yourkey", locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' \dontrun{
+#' pvt_twitter(auth = "yourkey", locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param auth string. Your authentication key.
 #' @param locations character vector. The locations to fetch.
@@ -1609,8 +1620,7 @@ pvt_twitter <-
 #'
 #' @examples
 #' \donttest{
-#' call <- wiki(articles = "avian_influenza", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-#' fetch_tbl(call)
+#' wiki(articles = "avian_influenza", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #' }
 #' @param articles character vector. The articles to fetch.
 #' @param dates [`epirange`]. The dates to fetch. Mutually exclusive with `epiweeks`.
diff --git a/R/epidatacall.R b/R/epidatacall.R
index 34ff5019..c0f18674 100644
--- a/R/epidatacall.R
+++ b/R/epidatacall.R
@@ -1,11 +1,50 @@
-#' an abstraction that holds the information needed to make an epidata call
+#' An abstraction that holds information needed to make an epidata request
+#' @rdname epidata_call
+#' @aliases epidata_call
+#'
+#' @description
+#' `epidata_call` objects are generated by endpoint functions like [`covidcast`];
+#'  should be piped into a `fetch_*` function to fetch and
+#' format the data:
+#' - `fetch_tbl`: fetches the data, formats as a [`tibble::tibble`]
+#' - `fetch_classic`: fetches the data in "classic" format: a list with three
+#'    elements:
+#'    - `"epidata"`: some R object (typically a `data.frame`) holding the data,
+#'      if the request was successful
+#'    - `"message"`: string; either `"success"` or some error/warning message
+#'    - `"result"`: integer; either 1 or some error/warning code
+#' - `fetch_csv`: fetches the data, formats as a string containing CSV data,
+#'    with a special class `"epidata_csv"` added to prevent accidentally
+#'    printing a huge number of lines
+#' - `fetch_json`: fetches the data in JSON format then converts to a `data.frame`
+#'
+#' `create_epidata_call` is the constructor for `epidata_call` objects, but you
+#' should not need to use it directly; instead, use an endpoint function, e.g.,
+#' [`covidcast`], to generate an `epidata_call` for the data of interest.
+#'
+#' There are some other functions available for debugging and advanced usage:
+#' - `request_url` (for debugging):  outputs the request URL from which data
+#'    would be fetched (note additional parameters below)
+#' - `with_base_url` (advanced): outputs an `epidata_call` that requests data
+#'    from a different Epidata server
+#'
+#' @examples
+#' covidcast(
+#'   data_source = "jhu-csse",
+#'   signals = "confirmed_7dav_incidence_prop",
+#'   time_type = "day",
+#'   geo_type = "state",
+#'   time_values = epirange(20200601, 20200801),
+#'   geo_values = c("ca", "fl")
+#' ) %>% fetch_tbl()
 #'
 #' @param endpoint the epidata endpoint to call
 #' @param params the parameters to pass to the epidata endpoint
 #' @param meta meta data to attach to the epidata call
 #' @param only_supports_classic if true only classic format is supported
 #'
-#' @return an epidata_call instance
+#' @return
+#' - For `create_epidata_call`: an `epidata_call` object
 #'
 create_epidata_call <- function(endpoint, params, meta = NULL,
                                 only_supports_classic = FALSE) {
@@ -28,19 +67,6 @@ create_epidata_call <- function(endpoint, params, meta = NULL,
   )
 }
 
-#' use a different base url
-#'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
-#' @param base_url basee url to use
-#'
-#' @export
-with_base_url <- function(epidata_call, base_url) {
-  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  stopifnot(is.character(base_url), length(base_url) == 1)
-  epidata_call$base_url <- base_url
-  epidata_call
-}
-
 request_arguments <-
   function(epidata_call, format_type, fields = NULL) {
     stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
@@ -66,51 +92,81 @@ request_arguments <-
     formatted_params
   }
 
-full_url <- function(epidata_call) {
+#' @export
+print.epidata_call <- function(epidata_call) {
   stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  join_url(epidata_call$base_url, epidata_call$endpoint)
+  cli::cli_h1("<epidata_call> object:")
+  cli::cli_bullets(c(
+    "*" = "Use fetch_classic, fetch_json, or fetch_csv to actually fetch the data",
+    "*" = paste0("Request URL: ", request_url(epidata_call))
+  ))
 }
 
-#' returns the full request url for the given epidata_call
+#' Fetches the data and returns a tibble
+#' @rdname epidata_call
 #'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
-#' @param format_type format to return one of classic,json,csv
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
 #' @param fields filter fields
-#' @importFrom httr modify_url
-#' @return full url
+#' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
+#' @importFrom readr read_csv
+#' @importFrom httr stop_for_status content
+#' @importFrom rlang abort
+#' @return
+#' - For `fetch_tbl`: a [`tibble::tibble`]
 #'
 #' @export
-request_url <- function(epidata_call, format_type = "classic", fields = NULL) {
-  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  url <- full_url(epidata_call)
-  params <- request_arguments(epidata_call, format_type, fields)
-  httr::modify_url(url, query = params)
-}
-
-print.epidata_call <- function(epidata_call) {
+fetch_tbl <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
   stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  print("epidata_call instance, use fetch_classic, fetch_json, fetch_df, fetch_csv to fetch the data")
-  print(request_url(epidata_call))
-}
+  stopifnot(is.null(fields) || is.character(fields))
+  stopifnot(is.logical(disable_date_parsing), length(disable_date_parsing) == 1)
+  if (epidata_call$only_supports_classic) {
+    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to a non-standard behavior",
+      epidata_call = epidata_call,
+      class = "only_supports_classic_format"
+    )
+  }
+  r <- fetch_csv(epidata_call, fields)
+  meta <- epidata_call$meta
+  fields_pred <- fields_to_predicate(fields)
+  col_names <- c()
+  col_types <- list()
+  for (i in seq_len(length(meta))) {
+    info <- meta[[i]]
+    if (fields_pred(info$name)) {
+      col_names <- c(col_names, info$name)
+      col_types[info$name] <- info_to_type(info, disable_date_parsing)
+    }
+  }
+  tbl <- if (length(col_names) > 0) {
+    readr::read_csv(r, col_types = col_types)
+  } else {
+    readr::read_csv(r)
+  }
 
-request_impl <- function(epidata_call, format_type, fields = NULL) {
-  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  stopifnot(format_type %in% c("json", "csv", "classic"))
-  # API call
-  url <- full_url(epidata_call)
-  params <- request_arguments(epidata_call, format_type, fields)
 
-  do_request(url, params)
+  if (!disable_date_parsing) {
+    # parse weeks
+    columns <- colnames(tbl)
+    for (i in seq_len(length(meta))) {
+      info <- meta[[i]]
+      if (info$name %in% columns && info$type == "epiweek") {
+        tbl[[info$name]] <- parse_api_week(tbl[[info$name]])
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  tbl
 }
 
-#' fetches the data and returns the classic format
+#' Fetches the data and returns the classic format
+#' @rdname epidata_call
 #'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
 #' @param fields filter fields
 #' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
 #' @importFrom httr stop_for_status content http_error
 #' @importFrom jsonlite fromJSON
-#' @return parsed json message
+#' @return
+#' - For `fetch_classic`: the "classic" 3-element list format (see above)
 #'
 #' @export
 fetch_classic <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
@@ -131,58 +187,113 @@ fetch_classic <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FA
   m
 }
 
-#' fetches the data and returns the josn format
+#' Fetches the data and returns the CSV text
+#' @rdname epidata_call
 #'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
 #' @param fields filter fields
-#' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
 #' @importFrom httr stop_for_status content
-#' @importFrom jsonlite fromJSON
 #' @importFrom rlang abort
-#' @return parsed json message
+#' @return
+#' - For `fetch_csv`: a string containing CSV text, with the `"epidata_csv"` class added
 #'
 #' @export
-fetch_json <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
+fetch_csv <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL) {
   stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
   stopifnot(is.null(fields) || is.character(fields))
-  stopifnot(is.logical(disable_date_parsing), length(disable_date_parsing) == 1)
   if (epidata_call$only_supports_classic) {
-    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to an non-standard behavior",
+    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to a non-standard behavior",
       epidata_call = epidata_call,
       class = "only_supports_classic_format"
     )
   }
-  res <- request_impl(epidata_call, "json", fields)
+  res <- request_impl(epidata_call, "csv", fields)
   httr::stop_for_status(res)
-  r <- httr::content(res, "text", encoding = "UTF-8")
-  parse_data_frame(epidata_call, jsonlite::fromJSON(r), disable_date_parsing = disable_date_parsing)
+  data <- httr::content(res, "text", encoding = "UTF-8")
+  class(data) <- c("epidata_csv", class(data))
+  data
 }
 
-#' fetches the data and returns the CSV text
+#' Fetches the data in JSON format, then converts into an R object
+#' @rdname epidata_call
 #'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
 #' @param fields filter fields
+#' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
 #' @importFrom httr stop_for_status content
+#' @importFrom jsonlite fromJSON
 #' @importFrom rlang abort
-#' @return CSV text
+#' @return
+#' - For `fetch_json`: a `data.frame` form of the object from the parsed JSON
+#'   response
 #'
 #' @export
-fetch_csv <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL) {
+fetch_json <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
   stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
   stopifnot(is.null(fields) || is.character(fields))
+  stopifnot(is.logical(disable_date_parsing), length(disable_date_parsing) == 1)
   if (epidata_call$only_supports_classic) {
-    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to an non-standard behavior",
+    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to a non-standard behavior",
       epidata_call = epidata_call,
       class = "only_supports_classic_format"
     )
   }
-  res <- request_impl(epidata_call, "csv", fields)
+  res <- request_impl(epidata_call, "json", fields)
   httr::stop_for_status(res)
-  data <- httr::content(res, "text", encoding = "UTF-8")
-  class(data) <- c("epidata_csv", class(data))
-  data
+  r <- httr::content(res, "text", encoding = "UTF-8")
+  parse_data_frame(epidata_call, jsonlite::fromJSON(r), disable_date_parsing = disable_date_parsing)
+}
+
+full_url <- function(epidata_call) {
+  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
+  join_url(epidata_call$base_url, epidata_call$endpoint)
 }
 
+#' Returns the full request url for the given epidata_call
+#' @rdname epidata_call
+#'
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
+#' @param format_type format to return one of classic,json,csv
+#' @param fields filter fields
+#' @importFrom httr modify_url
+#' @return
+#' - For `request_url`: a string containing the URL
+#'
+#' @export
+request_url <- function(epidata_call, format_type = "classic", fields = NULL) {
+  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
+  url <- full_url(epidata_call)
+  params <- request_arguments(epidata_call, format_type, fields)
+  httr::modify_url(url, query = params)
+}
+
+#' `epidata_call` object using a different base URL
+#' @rdname epidata_call
+#'
+#' @param epidata_call an instance of `epidata_call`
+#' @param base_url base URL to use
+#' @return
+#' - For `with_base_url`: another `epidata_call` object
+#'
+#' @export
+with_base_url <- function(epidata_call, base_url) {
+  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
+  stopifnot(is.character(base_url), length(base_url) == 1)
+  epidata_call$base_url <- base_url
+  epidata_call
+}
+
+request_impl <- function(epidata_call, format_type, fields = NULL) {
+  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
+  stopifnot(format_type %in% c("json", "csv", "classic"))
+  # API call
+  url <- full_url(epidata_call)
+  params <- request_arguments(epidata_call, format_type, fields)
+
+  do_request(url, params)
+}
+
+#' @export
 print.epidata_csv <- function(x, ...) {
   char_limit <- getOption("epidata_csv__char_limit", default = 300L)
   cat(
@@ -215,68 +326,3 @@ info_to_type <- function(info, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
   stopifnot(!is.null(r))
   r
 }
-
-#' fetches the data and returns data frame
-#'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
-#' @param fields filter fields
-#' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
-#' @importFrom readr read_csv
-#' @importFrom httr stop_for_status content
-#' @importFrom rlang abort
-#' @return tibble
-#'
-#' @export
-fetch_tbl <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
-  stopifnot(inherits(epidata_call, "epidata_call"))
-  stopifnot(is.null(fields) || is.character(fields))
-  stopifnot(is.logical(disable_date_parsing), length(disable_date_parsing) == 1)
-  if (epidata_call$only_supports_classic) {
-    rlang::abort("the endpoint only supports the classic message format, due to an non-standard behavior",
-      epidata_call = epidata_call,
-      class = "only_supports_classic_format"
-    )
-  }
-  r <- fetch_csv(epidata_call, fields)
-  meta <- epidata_call$meta
-  fields_pred <- fields_to_predicate(fields)
-  col_names <- c()
-  col_types <- list()
-  for (i in seq_len(length(meta))) {
-    info <- meta[[i]]
-    if (fields_pred(info$name)) {
-      col_names <- c(col_names, info$name)
-      col_types[info$name] <- info_to_type(info, disable_date_parsing)
-    }
-  }
-  tbl <- if (length(col_names) > 0) {
-    readr::read_csv(r, col_types = col_types)
-  } else {
-    readr::read_csv(r)
-  }
-
-
-  if (!disable_date_parsing) {
-    # parse weeks
-    columns <- colnames(tbl)
-    for (i in seq_len(length(meta))) {
-      info <- meta[[i]]
-      if (info$name %in% columns && info$type == "epiweek") {
-        tbl[[info$name]] <- parse_api_week(tbl[[info$name]])
-      }
-    }
-  }
-  tbl
-}
-
-#' fetches the data and returns data frame
-#'
-#' @param epidata_call and instance of epidata_call
-#' @param fields filter fields
-#' @param disable_date_parsing disable automatic date parsing
-#' @return data.frame
-#'
-#' @export
-fetch_df <- function(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE) {
-  as.data.frame(fetch_tbl(epidata_call, fields, disable_date_parsing))
-}
diff --git a/R/parse.R b/R/parse.R
index 0219d932..3aae1d4d 100644
--- a/R/parse.R
+++ b/R/parse.R
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ parse_api_date <- function(value) {
 }
 
 #' parses a week
+#' @param value value to be converted to an epiweek
 #' @importFrom MMWRweek MMWRweek2Date
 #' @return a date
 parse_api_week <- function(value) {
diff --git a/R/utils-pipe.R b/R/utils-pipe.R
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd0b1d13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/utils-pipe.R
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#' Pipe operator
+#'
+#' See \code{magrittr::\link[magrittr:pipe]{\%>\%}} for details.
+#'
+#' @name %>%
+#' @rdname pipe
+#' @keywords internal
+#' @export
+#' @importFrom magrittr %>%
+#' @usage lhs \%>\% rhs
+#' @param lhs A value or the magrittr placeholder.
+#' @param rhs A function call using the magrittr semantics.
+#' @return The result of calling `rhs(lhs)`.
+NULL
diff --git a/man/covid_hosp_facility.Rd b/man/covid_hosp_facility.Rd
index 5f02a196..83804176 100644
--- a/man/covid_hosp_facility.Rd
+++ b/man/covid_hosp_facility.Rd
@@ -31,8 +31,10 @@ in a variety of ways.
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- covid_hosp_facility(hospital_pks = "100075", collection_weeks = epirange(20200101, 20200501))
-fetch_tbl(call)
+covid_hosp_facility(
+  hospital_pks = "100075",
+  collection_weeks = epirange(20200101, 20200501)
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
 \seealso{
diff --git a/man/covid_hosp_facility_lookup.Rd b/man/covid_hosp_facility_lookup.Rd
index 1d68073e..7c501bac 100644
--- a/man/covid_hosp_facility_lookup.Rd
+++ b/man/covid_hosp_facility_lookup.Rd
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ For instance, specifying both city and state are not supported.
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- covid_hosp_facility_lookup(state = "fl")
-fetch_tbl(call)
+covid_hosp_facility_lookup(state = "fl") \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
 \seealso{
diff --git a/man/covid_hosp_state_timeseries.Rd b/man/covid_hosp_state_timeseries.Rd
index ca070816..da0b7181 100644
--- a/man/covid_hosp_state_timeseries.Rd
+++ b/man/covid_hosp_state_timeseries.Rd
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ Starting October 1, 2022, some facilities are only required to report annually.
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- covid_hosp_state_timeseries(states = "fl", dates = epirange(20200101, 20200501))
-fetch_tbl(call)
+covid_hosp_state_timeseries(
+  states = "fl",
+  dates = epirange(20200101, 20200501)
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/covidcast.Rd b/man/covidcast.Rd
index 1781c19c..5a98b750 100644
--- a/man/covidcast.Rd
+++ b/man/covidcast.Rd
@@ -51,15 +51,14 @@ COVIDcast public dashboard: \url{https://delphi.cmu.edu/covidcast/}
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- covidcast(
+covidcast(
   data_source = "jhu-csse",
   signals = "confirmed_7dav_incidence_prop",
   time_type = "day",
   geo_type = "state",
   time_values = epirange(20200601, 20200801),
   geo_values = "ca,fl"
-)
-fetch_tbl(call)
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
 \seealso{
diff --git a/man/covidcast_meta.Rd b/man/covidcast_meta.Rd
index 05c71751..35bc5367 100644
--- a/man/covidcast_meta.Rd
+++ b/man/covidcast_meta.Rd
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ API docs: \url{https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/covidcast_meta.ht
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call_meta <- covidcast_meta()
-fetch_classic(call_meta)
+covidcast_meta() \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/man/create_epidata_call.Rd b/man/create_epidata_call.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index 764f3aeb..00000000
--- a/man/create_epidata_call.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{create_epidata_call}
-\alias{create_epidata_call}
-\title{an abstraction that holds the information needed to make an epidata call}
-\usage{
-create_epidata_call(
-  endpoint,
-  params,
-  meta = NULL,
-  only_supports_classic = FALSE
-)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{endpoint}{the epidata endpoint to call}
-
-\item{params}{the parameters to pass to the epidata endpoint}
-
-\item{meta}{meta data to attach to the epidata call}
-
-\item{only_supports_classic}{if true only classic format is supported}
-}
-\value{
-an epidata_call instance
-}
-\description{
-an abstraction that holds the information needed to make an epidata call
-}
diff --git a/man/delphi.Rd b/man/delphi.Rd
index 7ca7e733..5a551def 100644
--- a/man/delphi.Rd
+++ b/man/delphi.Rd
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/delphi.html
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- delphi(system = "ec", epiweek = 202006)
-fetch_classic(call)
+delphi(system = "ec", epiweek = 202006) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/dengue_nowcast.Rd b/man/dengue_nowcast.Rd
index e2b20964..9be632e9 100644
--- a/man/dengue_nowcast.Rd
+++ b/man/dengue_nowcast.Rd
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/dengue_nowcast.html
 TODO: what are valid locations here?
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- dengue_nowcast(locations = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+\dontrun{
+dengue_nowcast(
+  locations = "?",
+  epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/ecdc_ili.Rd b/man/ecdc_ili.Rd
index cae05211..7726d333 100644
--- a/man/ecdc_ili.Rd
+++ b/man/ecdc_ili.Rd
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ The list of location argument can be found in
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- ecdc_ili(regions = "austria", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+ecdc_ili(regions = "austria", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/epidata_call.Rd b/man/epidata_call.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bb67bbfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/epidata_call.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
+\name{create_epidata_call}
+\alias{create_epidata_call}
+\alias{epidata_call}
+\alias{fetch_tbl}
+\alias{fetch_classic}
+\alias{fetch_csv}
+\alias{fetch_json}
+\alias{request_url}
+\alias{with_base_url}
+\title{An abstraction that holds information needed to make an epidata request}
+\usage{
+create_epidata_call(
+  endpoint,
+  params,
+  meta = NULL,
+  only_supports_classic = FALSE
+)
+
+fetch_tbl(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
+
+fetch_classic(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
+
+fetch_csv(epidata_call, fields = NULL)
+
+fetch_json(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
+
+request_url(epidata_call, format_type = "classic", fields = NULL)
+
+with_base_url(epidata_call, base_url)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{endpoint}{the epidata endpoint to call}
+
+\item{params}{the parameters to pass to the epidata endpoint}
+
+\item{meta}{meta data to attach to the epidata call}
+
+\item{only_supports_classic}{if true only classic format is supported}
+
+\item{epidata_call}{an instance of \code{epidata_call}}
+
+\item{fields}{filter fields}
+
+\item{disable_date_parsing}{disable automatic date parsing}
+
+\item{format_type}{format to return one of classic,json,csv}
+
+\item{base_url}{base URL to use}
+}
+\value{
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{create_epidata_call}: an \code{epidata_call} object
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{fetch_tbl}: a \code{\link[tibble:tibble]{tibble::tibble}}
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{fetch_classic}: the "classic" 3-element list format (see above)
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{fetch_csv}: a string containing CSV text, with the \code{"epidata_csv"} class added
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{fetch_json}: a \code{data.frame} form of the object from the parsed JSON
+response
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{request_url}: a string containing the URL
+}
+
+\itemize{
+\item For \code{with_base_url}: another \code{epidata_call} object
+}
+}
+\description{
+\code{epidata_call} objects are generated by endpoint functions like \code{\link{covidcast}};
+should be piped into a \verb{fetch_*} function to fetch and
+format the data:
+\itemize{
+\item \code{fetch_tbl}: fetches the data, formats as a \code{\link[tibble:tibble]{tibble::tibble}}
+\item \code{fetch_classic}: fetches the data in "classic" format: a list with three
+elements:
+\itemize{
+\item \code{"epidata"}: some R object (typically a \code{data.frame}) holding the data,
+if the request was successful
+\item \code{"message"}: string; either \code{"success"} or some error/warning message
+\item \code{"result"}: integer; either 1 or some error/warning code
+}
+\item \code{fetch_csv}: fetches the data, formats as a string containing CSV data,
+with a special class \code{"epidata_csv"} added to prevent accidentally
+printing a huge number of lines
+\item \code{fetch_json}: fetches the data in JSON format then converts to a \code{data.frame}
+}
+
+\code{create_epidata_call} is the constructor for \code{epidata_call} objects, but you
+should not need to use it directly; instead, use an endpoint function, e.g.,
+\code{\link{covidcast}}, to generate an \code{epidata_call} for the data of interest.
+
+There are some other functions available for debugging and advanced usage:
+\itemize{
+\item \code{request_url} (for debugging):  outputs the request URL from which data
+would be fetched (note additional parameters below)
+\item \code{with_base_url} (advanced): outputs an \code{epidata_call} that requests data
+from a different Epidata server
+}
+}
+\examples{
+covidcast(
+  data_source = "jhu-csse",
+  signals = "confirmed_7dav_incidence_prop",
+  time_type = "day",
+  geo_type = "state",
+  time_values = epirange(20200601, 20200801),
+  geo_values = c("ca", "fl")
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
+
+}
diff --git a/man/fetch_classic.Rd b/man/fetch_classic.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index 46727177..00000000
--- a/man/fetch_classic.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{fetch_classic}
-\alias{fetch_classic}
-\title{fetches the data and returns the classic format}
-\usage{
-fetch_classic(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-
-\item{disable_date_parsing}{disable automatic date parsing}
-}
-\value{
-parsed json message
-}
-\description{
-fetches the data and returns the classic format
-}
diff --git a/man/fetch_csv.Rd b/man/fetch_csv.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index 5893863a..00000000
--- a/man/fetch_csv.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{fetch_csv}
-\alias{fetch_csv}
-\title{fetches the data and returns the CSV text}
-\usage{
-fetch_csv(epidata_call, fields = NULL)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-}
-\value{
-CSV text
-}
-\description{
-fetches the data and returns the CSV text
-}
diff --git a/man/fetch_df.Rd b/man/fetch_df.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index bebdea81..00000000
--- a/man/fetch_df.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{fetch_df}
-\alias{fetch_df}
-\title{fetches the data and returns data frame}
-\usage{
-fetch_df(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-
-\item{disable_date_parsing}{disable automatic date parsing}
-}
-\value{
-data.frame
-}
-\description{
-fetches the data and returns data frame
-}
diff --git a/man/fetch_json.Rd b/man/fetch_json.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index 8ad19c3b..00000000
--- a/man/fetch_json.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{fetch_json}
-\alias{fetch_json}
-\title{fetches the data and returns the josn format}
-\usage{
-fetch_json(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-
-\item{disable_date_parsing}{disable automatic date parsing}
-}
-\value{
-parsed json message
-}
-\description{
-fetches the data and returns the josn format
-}
diff --git a/man/fetch_tbl.Rd b/man/fetch_tbl.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index f84e96d2..00000000
--- a/man/fetch_tbl.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{fetch_tbl}
-\alias{fetch_tbl}
-\title{fetches the data and returns data frame}
-\usage{
-fetch_tbl(epidata_call, fields = NULL, disable_date_parsing = FALSE)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-
-\item{disable_date_parsing}{disable automatic date parsing}
-}
-\value{
-tibble
-}
-\description{
-fetches the data and returns data frame
-}
diff --git a/man/flusurv.Rd b/man/flusurv.Rd
index 4767d2a3..36dfeb85 100644
--- a/man/flusurv.Rd
+++ b/man/flusurv.Rd
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ The list of location argument can be found in
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- flusurv(locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+flusurv(locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/fluview.Rd b/man/fluview.Rd
index 9decdc8c..1d48d99d 100644
--- a/man/fluview.Rd
+++ b/man/fluview.Rd
@@ -36,6 +36,5 @@ The full list of location inputs can be accsssed at
 \url{https://github.com/cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata/blob/main/src/acquisition/fluview/fluview_locations.py}.
 }
 \examples{
-call <- fluview(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+fluview(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
diff --git a/man/fluview_clinical.Rd b/man/fluview_clinical.Rd
index fba10898..363db4d5 100644
--- a/man/fluview_clinical.Rd
+++ b/man/fluview_clinical.Rd
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/fluview_clinical.html
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-# can take a couple minutes; donttesting while cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata#48 is unresolved
-call <- fluview_clinical(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+fluview_clinical(regions = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/gft.Rd b/man/gft.Rd
index 1da80988..4ca5367e 100644
--- a/man/gft.Rd
+++ b/man/gft.Rd
@@ -26,6 +26,5 @@ can be found in \url{https://github.com/cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata/blob/main/labe
 \url{https://github.com/cmu-delphi/delphi-epidata/blob/main/labels/cities.txt}.
 }
 \examples{
-call <- gft(locations = "hhs1", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+gft(locations = "hhs1", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
diff --git a/man/kcdc_ili.Rd b/man/kcdc_ili.Rd
index 8eb74b24..c2465d7d 100644
--- a/man/kcdc_ili.Rd
+++ b/man/kcdc_ili.Rd
@@ -27,8 +27,7 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/kcdc_ili.html
 TODO: find a non-trivial region
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- kcdc_ili(regions = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_tbl(call)
+\dontrun{
+kcdc_ili(regions = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/nidss_dengue.Rd b/man/nidss_dengue.Rd
index 5bdb0035..6a48dc0c 100644
--- a/man/nidss_dengue.Rd
+++ b/man/nidss_dengue.Rd
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ Possible location inputs can be found in
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- nidss_dengue(locations = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+nidss_dengue(locations = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/nidss_flu.Rd b/man/nidss_flu.Rd
index aa9215a9..7266dace 100644
--- a/man/nidss_flu.Rd
+++ b/man/nidss_flu.Rd
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ API docs: \url{https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/nidss_flu.html}
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- nidss_flu(regions = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+nidss_flu(regions = "taipei", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/nowcast.Rd b/man/nowcast.Rd
index f951bae8..61ea8e80 100644
--- a/man/nowcast.Rd
+++ b/man/nowcast.Rd
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ The full list of location inputs can be accsssed at
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- nowcast(location = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+nowcast(location = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/paho_dengue.Rd b/man/paho_dengue.Rd
index 7faee859..6e7c767a 100644
--- a/man/paho_dengue.Rd
+++ b/man/paho_dengue.Rd
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/paho_dengue.html
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- paho_dengue(regions = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+paho_dengue(regions = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/parse_api_week.Rd b/man/parse_api_week.Rd
index 362acd90..386aa2db 100644
--- a/man/parse_api_week.Rd
+++ b/man/parse_api_week.Rd
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 \usage{
 parse_api_week(value)
 }
+\arguments{
+\item{value}{value to be converted to an epiweek}
+}
 \value{
 a date
 }
diff --git a/man/pipe.Rd b/man/pipe.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a648c296
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/pipe.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/utils-pipe.R
+\name{\%>\%}
+\alias{\%>\%}
+\title{Pipe operator}
+\usage{
+lhs \%>\% rhs
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{lhs}{A value or the magrittr placeholder.}
+
+\item{rhs}{A function call using the magrittr semantics.}
+}
+\value{
+The result of calling \code{rhs(lhs)}.
+}
+\description{
+See \code{magrittr::\link[magrittr:pipe]{\%>\%}} for details.
+}
+\keyword{internal}
diff --git a/man/pvt_afhsb.Rd b/man/pvt_afhsb.Rd
index 4d2251ea..16f88d23 100644
--- a/man/pvt_afhsb.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_afhsb.Rd
@@ -22,8 +22,12 @@ pvt_afhsb(auth, locations, epiweeks, flu_types)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/afhsb.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_afhsb(auth = "yourkey", "fl,ca", epirange(202001, 202110), "flu1,flu2-flu1")
-fetch_tbl(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_afhsb(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  "fl,ca",
+  epirange(202001, 202110),
+  "flu1,flu2-flu1"
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_cdc.Rd b/man/pvt_cdc.Rd
index 07482b6c..61568083 100644
--- a/man/pvt_cdc.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_cdc.Rd
@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ pvt_cdc(auth, epiweeks, locations)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/cdc.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_cdc(auth = "yourkey", epirange(20210101, 20210201), "fl,ca")
-fetch_tbl(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_cdc(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  epirange(20210101, 20210201),
+  "fl,ca"
+) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_dengue_sensors.Rd b/man/pvt_dengue_sensors.Rd
index 953890ad..f7ff1239 100644
--- a/man/pvt_dengue_sensors.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_dengue_sensors.Rd
@@ -25,8 +25,12 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/dengue_sensors.html
 TODO: what are valid locations and names?
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_dengue_sensors(auth = "yourkey", names = "?", locations = "?", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_dengue_sensors(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  names = "?",
+  locations = "?",
+  epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_ght.Rd b/man/pvt_ght.Rd
index d39b78bd..6cdb487a 100644
--- a/man/pvt_ght.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_ght.Rd
@@ -25,8 +25,12 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/ght.html
 TODO: find a non-trivial query
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_ght(auth = "yourkey", locations = "ca", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001), query = "?")
-fetch_classic(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_ght(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  locations = "ca",
+  epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001),
+  query = "?"
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_norostat.Rd b/man/pvt_norostat.Rd
index 4d01a831..e421fe55 100644
--- a/man/pvt_norostat.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_norostat.Rd
@@ -20,12 +20,11 @@ pvt_norostat(auth, location, epiweeks)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/norostat.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_norostat(
+\dontrun{
+pvt_norostat(
   auth = "yourkey",
   location = "Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin",
   epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001)
-)
-fetch_classic(call)
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_quidel.Rd b/man/pvt_quidel.Rd
index f2fbe4f5..a067d4de 100644
--- a/man/pvt_quidel.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_quidel.Rd
@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ pvt_quidel(auth, epiweeks, locations)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/quidel.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_quidel(auth = "yourkey", epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001), locations = "hhs1")
-fetch_classic(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_quidel(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  epiweeks = epirange(201201, 202001),
+  locations = "hhs1"
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_sensors.Rd b/man/pvt_sensors.Rd
index 961a6109..a9f1a1c6 100644
--- a/man/pvt_sensors.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_sensors.Rd
@@ -22,8 +22,12 @@ pvt_sensors(auth, names, locations, epiweeks)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/sensors.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_sensors(auth = "yourkey", names = "sar3", locations = "nat", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-fetch_classic(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_sensors(
+  auth = "yourkey",
+  names = "sar3",
+  locations = "nat",
+  epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)
+) \%>\% fetch_classic()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/pvt_twitter.Rd b/man/pvt_twitter.Rd
index 842c665b..6b77307e 100644
--- a/man/pvt_twitter.Rd
+++ b/man/pvt_twitter.Rd
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ pvt_twitter(auth, locations, dates = NULL, epiweeks = NULL)
 API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/twitter.html
 }
 \examples{
-\donttest{
-call <- pvt_twitter(auth = "yourkey", locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-fetch_tbl(call)
+\dontrun{
+pvt_twitter(auth = "yourkey", locations = "CA", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/request_url.Rd b/man/request_url.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index e636e745..00000000
--- a/man/request_url.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{request_url}
-\alias{request_url}
-\title{returns the full request url for the given epidata_call}
-\usage{
-request_url(epidata_call, format_type = "classic", fields = NULL)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{format_type}{format to return one of classic,json,csv}
-
-\item{fields}{filter fields}
-}
-\value{
-full url
-}
-\description{
-returns the full request url for the given epidata_call
-}
diff --git a/man/wiki.Rd b/man/wiki.Rd
index c1d4a441..cd1cbd16 100644
--- a/man/wiki.Rd
+++ b/man/wiki.Rd
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ API docs: https://cmu-delphi.github.io/delphi-epidata/api/wiki.html
 }
 \examples{
 \donttest{
-call <- wiki(articles = "avian_influenza", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001))
-fetch_tbl(call)
+wiki(articles = "avian_influenza", epiweeks = epirange(201501, 202001)) \%>\% fetch_tbl()
 }
 }
diff --git a/man/with_base_url.Rd b/man/with_base_url.Rd
deleted file mode 100644
index 252a6439..00000000
--- a/man/with_base_url.Rd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/epidatacall.R
-\name{with_base_url}
-\alias{with_base_url}
-\title{use a different base url}
-\usage{
-with_base_url(epidata_call, base_url)
-}
-\arguments{
-\item{epidata_call}{and instance of epidata_call}
-
-\item{base_url}{basee url to use}
-}
-\description{
-use a different base url
-}
diff --git a/vignettes/covidcast.Rmd b/vignettes/covidcast.Rmd
index 4761f0c2..2e8b7c6a 100644
--- a/vignettes/covidcast.Rmd
+++ b/vignettes/covidcast.Rmd
@@ -28,21 +28,21 @@ epicall <- covidcast_api$sources$`fb-survey`$signals$smoothed_cli$call("nation",
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_classic()
+epicall %>% fetch_tbl()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_json()
+epicall %>% fetch_classic()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_csv()
+epicall %>% fetch_json()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_df()
+epicall %>% fetch_csv()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-# epicall %>% with_base_url("https://staging.delphi.cmu.edu/epidata/") %>% fetch_df()
+# epicall %>% with_base_url("https://staging.delphi.cmu.edu/epidata/") %>% fetch_tbl()
 ```
diff --git a/vignettes/epidatr.Rmd b/vignettes/epidatr.Rmd
index b09ad253..c27907b8 100644
--- a/vignettes/epidatr.Rmd
+++ b/vignettes/epidatr.Rmd
@@ -26,22 +26,23 @@ library("magrittr")
 epicall <- covidcast("fb-survey", "smoothed_cli", "day", "nation", epirange(20210405, 20210410), "us")
 ```
 
+
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_classic()
+epicall %>% fetch_tbl()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_json()
+epicall %>% fetch_classic()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_csv()
+epicall %>% fetch_json()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-epicall %>% fetch_df()
+epicall %>% fetch_csv()
 ```
 
 ```{r}
-# epicall %>% with_base_url("https://staging.delphi.cmu.edu/epidata/") %>% fetch_df()
+# epicall %>% with_base_url("https://staging.delphi.cmu.edu/epidata/") %>% fetch_tbl()
 ```