diff --git a/platformio/builder/main.py b/platformio/builder/main.py
index 2d070104..c656da0b 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/main.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/main.py
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ from SCons.Script import DefaultEnvironment  # pylint: disable=import-error
 from SCons.Script import Variables  # pylint: disable=import-error
 
 from platformio import util
+from platformio.project.helpers import (
+    get_project_dir, get_project_optional_dir, get_projectbuild_dir,
+    get_projectdata_dir, get_projectinclude_dir, get_projectlib_dir,
+    get_projectlibdeps_dir, get_projectsrc_dir, get_projecttest_dir)
 
 AllowSubstExceptions(NameError)
 
@@ -101,19 +105,19 @@ DEFAULT_ENV_OPTIONS = dict(
     ENV=environ,
     UNIX_TIME=int(time()),
     PIOHOME_DIR=util.get_home_dir(),
-    PROJECT_DIR=util.get_project_dir(),
-    PROJECTINCLUDE_DIR=util.get_projectinclude_dir(),
-    PROJECTSRC_DIR=util.get_projectsrc_dir(),
-    PROJECTTEST_DIR=util.get_projecttest_dir(),
-    PROJECTDATA_DIR=util.get_projectdata_dir(),
-    PROJECTBUILD_DIR=util.get_projectbuild_dir(),
+    PROJECT_DIR=get_project_dir(),
+    PROJECTINCLUDE_DIR=get_projectinclude_dir(),
+    PROJECTSRC_DIR=get_projectsrc_dir(),
+    PROJECTTEST_DIR=get_projecttest_dir(),
+    PROJECTDATA_DIR=get_projectdata_dir(),
+    PROJECTBUILD_DIR=get_projectbuild_dir(),
     BUILD_DIR=join("$PROJECTBUILD_DIR", "$PIOENV"),
     BUILDSRC_DIR=join("$BUILD_DIR", "src"),
     BUILDTEST_DIR=join("$BUILD_DIR", "test"),
     LIBPATH=["$BUILD_DIR"],
     LIBSOURCE_DIRS=[
-        util.get_projectlib_dir(),
-        util.get_projectlibdeps_dir(),
+        get_projectlib_dir(),
+        get_projectlibdeps_dir(),
         join("$PIOHOME_DIR", "lib")
     ],
     PROGNAME="program",
@@ -156,10 +160,10 @@ for var in ("BUILD_FLAGS", "SRC_BUILD_FLAGS", "SRC_FILTER", "EXTRA_SCRIPTS",
     env.Append(**{var: util.parse_conf_multi_values(environ.get(k))})
 
 # Configure extra library source directories for LDF
-if util.get_project_optional_dir("lib_extra_dirs"):
+if get_project_optional_dir("lib_extra_dirs"):
     env.Prepend(
         LIBSOURCE_DIRS=util.parse_conf_multi_values(
-            util.get_project_optional_dir("lib_extra_dirs")))
+            get_project_optional_dir("lib_extra_dirs")))
 env.Prepend(LIBSOURCE_DIRS=env.get("LIB_EXTRA_DIRS", []))
 env['LIBSOURCE_DIRS'] = [
     expanduser(d) if d.startswith("~") else d for d in env['LIBSOURCE_DIRS']
diff --git a/platformio/builder/tools/piolib.py b/platformio/builder/tools/piolib.py
index 0651eddd..e1a0b50b 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/tools/piolib.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/tools/piolib.py
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ class LibBuilderFactory(object):
             clsname = "PlatformIOLibBuilder"
         else:
             used_frameworks = LibBuilderFactory.get_used_frameworks(env, path)
-            common_frameworks = (
-                set(env.get("PIOFRAMEWORK", [])) & set(used_frameworks))
+            common_frameworks = (set(env.get("PIOFRAMEWORK", []))
+                                 & set(used_frameworks))
             if common_frameworks:
                 clsname = "%sLibBuilder" % list(common_frameworks)[0].title()
             elif used_frameworks:
diff --git a/platformio/commands/device.py b/platformio/commands/device.py
index 42bd4f6c..e75660ea 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/device.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/device.py
@@ -215,4 +215,4 @@ def get_project_options(project_dir, environment=None):
             environment = default_envs[0]
         else:
             environment = config.envs()[0]
-    return {k: v for k, v in config.items(env=environment)}
+    return config.items(env=environment, as_dict=True)
diff --git a/platformio/commands/init.py b/platformio/commands/init.py
index f08a52c2..70f8a8e4 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/init.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/init.py
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ from platformio.commands.platform import \
 from platformio.ide.projectgenerator import ProjectGenerator
 from platformio.managers.platform import PlatformManager
 from platformio.project.config import ProjectConfig
+from platformio.project.helpers import (
+    get_projectinclude_dir, get_projectlib_dir, get_projectsrc_dir,
+    get_projecttest_dir, is_platformio_project)
 
 
 def validate_boards(ctx, param, value):  # pylint: disable=W0613
@@ -87,7 +90,7 @@ def cli(
         click.echo("%s - Project Configuration File" % click.style(
             "platformio.ini", fg="cyan"))
 
-    is_new_project = not util.is_platformio_project(project_dir)
+    is_new_project = not is_platformio_project(project_dir)
     if is_new_project:
         init_base_project(project_dir)
 
@@ -96,10 +99,8 @@ def cli(
                           ide is not None)
 
     if ide:
-        env_name = get_best_envname(project_dir, board)
-        if not env_name:
-            raise exception.BoardNotDefined()
-        pg = ProjectGenerator(project_dir, ide, env_name)
+        pg = ProjectGenerator(project_dir, ide,
+                              get_best_envname(project_dir, board))
         pg.generate()
 
     if is_new_project:
@@ -130,27 +131,34 @@ def cli(
 def get_best_envname(project_dir, boards=None):
     config = ProjectConfig(join(project_dir, "platformio.ini"))
     config.validate()
+
+    envname = None
     default_envs = config.default_envs()
     if default_envs:
-        return default_envs[0]
-    section = None
-    for section in config.sections():
-        if not section.startswith("env:"):
-            continue
-        elif config.has_option(section, "board") and (not boards or config.get(
-                section, "board") in boards):
-            break
-    return section[4:] if section else None
+        envname = default_envs[0]
+        if not boards:
+            return envname
+
+    for env in config.envs():
+        if not boards:
+            return env
+        if not envname:
+            envname = env
+        items = config.items(env=env, as_dict=True)
+        if "board" in items and items.get("board") in boards:
+            return env
+
+    return envname
 
 
 def init_base_project(project_dir):
     ProjectConfig(join(project_dir, "platformio.ini")).save()
     with util.cd(project_dir):
         dir_to_readme = [
-            (util.get_projectsrc_dir(), None),
-            (util.get_projectinclude_dir(), init_include_readme),
-            (util.get_projectlib_dir(), init_lib_readme),
-            (util.get_projecttest_dir(), init_test_readme),
+            (get_projectsrc_dir(), None),
+            (get_projectinclude_dir(), init_include_readme),
+            (get_projectlib_dir(), init_lib_readme),
+            (get_projecttest_dir(), init_test_readme),
         ]
         for (path, cb) in dir_to_readme:
             if isdir(path):
diff --git a/platformio/commands/lib.py b/platformio/commands/lib.py
index 2f09cd9c..7caf1271 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/lib.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/lib.py
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ import click
 
 from platformio import exception, util
 from platformio.managers.lib import LibraryManager, get_builtin_libs
-from platformio.util import get_api_result
+from platformio.project.helpers import (
+    get_project_dir, get_projectlibdeps_dir, is_platformio_project)
 
 try:
     from urllib.parse import quote
@@ -58,8 +59,8 @@ def cli(ctx, **options):
     if not storage_dir:
         if options['global']:
             storage_dir = join(util.get_home_dir(), "lib")
-        elif util.is_platformio_project():
-            storage_dir = util.get_projectlibdeps_dir()
+        elif is_platformio_project():
+            storage_dir = get_projectlibdeps_dir()
         elif util.is_ci():
             storage_dir = join(util.get_home_dir(), "lib")
             click.secho(
@@ -67,12 +68,12 @@ def cli(ctx, **options):
                 "Please use `platformio lib --global %s` command to remove "
                 "this warning." % ctx.invoked_subcommand,
                 fg="yellow")
-    elif util.is_platformio_project(storage_dir):
+    elif is_platformio_project(storage_dir):
         with util.cd(storage_dir):
-            storage_dir = util.get_projectlibdeps_dir()
+            storage_dir = get_projectlibdeps_dir()
 
-    if not storage_dir and not util.is_platformio_project():
-        raise exception.NotGlobalLibDir(util.get_project_dir(),
+    if not storage_dir and not is_platformio_project():
+        raise exception.NotGlobalLibDir(get_project_dir(),
                                         join(util.get_home_dir(), "lib"),
                                         ctx.invoked_subcommand)
 
@@ -211,7 +212,7 @@ def lib_search(query, json_output, page, noninteractive, **filters):
         for value in values:
             query.append('%s:"%s"' % (key, value))
 
-    result = get_api_result(
+    result = util.get_api_result(
         "/v2/lib/search",
         dict(query=" ".join(query), page=page),
         cache_valid="1d")
@@ -258,7 +259,7 @@ def lib_search(query, json_output, page, noninteractive, **filters):
             time.sleep(5)
         elif not click.confirm("Show next libraries?"):
             break
-        result = get_api_result(
+        result = util.get_api_result(
             "/v2/lib/search", {
                 "query": " ".join(query),
                 "page": int(result['page']) + 1
@@ -317,7 +318,7 @@ def lib_show(library, json_output):
     },
                               silent=json_output,
                               interactive=not json_output)
-    lib = get_api_result("/lib/info/%d" % lib_id, cache_valid="1d")
+    lib = util.get_api_result("/lib/info/%d" % lib_id, cache_valid="1d")
     if json_output:
         return click.echo(json.dumps(lib))
 
@@ -393,7 +394,8 @@ def lib_register(config_url):
             and not config_url.startswith("https://")):
         raise exception.InvalidLibConfURL(config_url)
 
-    result = get_api_result("/lib/register", data=dict(config_url=config_url))
+    result = util.get_api_result(
+        "/lib/register", data=dict(config_url=config_url))
     if "message" in result and result['message']:
         click.secho(
             result['message'],
@@ -404,7 +406,7 @@ def lib_register(config_url):
 @cli.command("stats", short_help="Library Registry Statistics")
 @click.option("--json-output", is_flag=True)
 def lib_stats(json_output):
-    result = get_api_result("/lib/stats", cache_valid="1h")
+    result = util.get_api_result("/lib/stats", cache_valid="1h")
 
     if json_output:
         return click.echo(json.dumps(result))
diff --git a/platformio/commands/run.py b/platformio/commands/run.py
index baff6a54..17f088da 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/run.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/run.py
@@ -12,14 +12,13 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from hashlib import sha1
-from os import getcwd, makedirs, walk
+from os import getcwd, makedirs
 from os.path import getmtime, isdir, isfile, join
 from time import time
 
 import click
 
-from platformio import __version__, exception, telemetry, util
+from platformio import exception, telemetry, util
 from platformio.commands.device import device_monitor as cmd_device_monitor
 from platformio.commands.lib import lib_install as cmd_lib_install
 from platformio.commands.platform import \
@@ -27,6 +26,9 @@ from platformio.commands.platform import \
 from platformio.managers.lib import LibraryManager, is_builtin_lib
 from platformio.managers.platform import PlatformFactory
 from platformio.project.config import ProjectConfig
+from platformio.project.helpers import (
+    calculate_project_hash, find_project_dir_above, get_project_dir,
+    get_projectbuild_dir, get_projectlibdeps_dir)
 
 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments,too-many-locals,too-many-branches
 
@@ -53,18 +55,18 @@ def cli(ctx, environment, target, upload_port, project_dir, silent, verbose,
         disable_auto_clean):
     # find project directory on upper level
     if isfile(project_dir):
-        project_dir = util.find_project_dir_above(project_dir)
+        project_dir = find_project_dir_above(project_dir)
 
     with util.cd(project_dir):
         # clean obsolete build dir
         if not disable_auto_clean:
             try:
-                _clean_build_dir(util.get_projectbuild_dir())
+                _clean_build_dir(get_projectbuild_dir())
             except:  # pylint: disable=bare-except
                 click.secho(
                     "Can not remove temporary directory `%s`. Please remove "
                     "it manually to avoid build issues" %
-                    util.get_projectbuild_dir(force=True),
+                    get_projectbuild_dir(force=True),
                     fg="yellow")
 
         config = ProjectConfig.get_instance(
@@ -86,9 +88,7 @@ def cli(ctx, environment, target, upload_port, project_dir, silent, verbose,
             if not silent and results:
                 click.echo()
 
-            options = {}
-            for k, v in config.items(env=envname):
-                options[k] = v
+            options = config.items(env=envname, as_dict=True)
             if "piotest" not in options and "piotest" in ctx.meta:
                 options['piotest'] = ctx.meta['piotest']
 
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class EnvironmentProcessor(object):
 def _autoinstall_libdeps(ctx, libraries, verbose=False):
     if not libraries:
         return
-    storage_dir = util.get_projectlibdeps_dir()
+    storage_dir = get_projectlibdeps_dir()
     ctx.obj = LibraryManager(storage_dir)
     if verbose:
         click.echo("Library Storage: " + storage_dir)
@@ -258,9 +258,8 @@ def _clean_build_dir(build_dir):
     proj_hash = calculate_project_hash()
 
     # if project's config is modified
-    if (isdir(build_dir)
-            and getmtime(join(util.get_project_dir(),
-                              "platformio.ini")) > getmtime(build_dir)):
+    if (isdir(build_dir) and getmtime(
+            join(get_project_dir(), "platformio.ini")) > getmtime(build_dir)):
         util.rmtree_(build_dir)
 
     # check project structure
@@ -323,23 +322,3 @@ def check_project_envs(config, environments=None):  # FIXME: Remove
     if unknown:
         raise exception.UnknownEnvNames(", ".join(unknown), ", ".join(known))
     return True
-
-
-def calculate_project_hash():
-    check_suffixes = (".c", ".cc", ".cpp", ".h", ".hpp", ".s", ".S")
-    chunks = [__version__]
-    for d in (util.get_projectsrc_dir(), util.get_projectlib_dir()):
-        if not isdir(d):
-            continue
-        for root, _, files in walk(d):
-            for f in files:
-                path = join(root, f)
-                if path.endswith(check_suffixes):
-                    chunks.append(path)
-    chunks_to_str = ",".join(sorted(chunks))
-    if "windows" in util.get_systype():
-        # Fix issue with useless project rebuilding for case insensitive FS.
-        # A case of disk drive can differ...
-        chunks_to_str = chunks_to_str.lower()
-    return sha1(
-        chunks_to_str if util.PY2 else chunks_to_str.encode()).hexdigest()
diff --git a/platformio/exception.py b/platformio/exception.py
index 26131a5d..4c4af06f 100644
--- a/platformio/exception.py
+++ b/platformio/exception.py
@@ -68,13 +68,6 @@ class PlatformNotInstalledYet(PlatformioException):
                "Use `platformio platform install {0}` command")
 
 
-class BoardNotDefined(PlatformioException):
-
-    MESSAGE = (
-        "You need to specify board ID using `-b` or `--board` option. "
-        "Supported boards list is available via `platformio boards` command")
-
-
 class UnknownBoard(PlatformioException):
 
     MESSAGE = "Unknown board ID '{0}'"
diff --git a/platformio/ide/projectgenerator.py b/platformio/ide/projectgenerator.py
index 26774a70..9cbf3028 100644
--- a/platformio/ide/projectgenerator.py
+++ b/platformio/ide/projectgenerator.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ from click.testing import CliRunner
 from platformio import exception, util
 from platformio.commands.run import cli as cmd_run
 from platformio.project.config import ProjectConfig
+from platformio.project.helpers import (
+    get_projectlib_dir, get_projectlibdeps_dir, get_projectsrc_dir)
 
 
 class ProjectGenerator(object):
@@ -50,9 +52,8 @@ class ProjectGenerator(object):
         for env in config.envs():
             if self.env_name != env:
                 continue
-            data = {"env_name": self.env_name}
-            for k, v in config.items(env=env):
-                data[k] = v
+            data = config.items(env=env, as_dict=True)
+            data['env_name'] = self.env_name
         return data
 
     def get_project_build_data(self):
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ class ProjectGenerator(object):
     def get_src_files(self):
         result = []
         with util.cd(self.project_dir):
-            for root, _, files in os.walk(util.get_projectsrc_dir()):
+            for root, _, files in os.walk(get_projectsrc_dir()):
                 for f in files:
                     result.append(relpath(join(root, f)))
         return result
@@ -141,9 +142,9 @@ class ProjectGenerator(object):
                 "src_files": self.get_src_files(),
                 "user_home_dir": abspath(expanduser("~")),
                 "project_dir": self.project_dir,
-                "project_src_dir": util.get_projectsrc_dir(),
-                "project_lib_dir": util.get_projectlib_dir(),
-                "project_libdeps_dir": util.get_projectlibdeps_dir(),
+                "project_src_dir": get_projectsrc_dir(),
+                "project_lib_dir": get_projectlib_dir(),
+                "project_libdeps_dir": get_projectlibdeps_dir(),
                 "systype": util.get_systype(),
                 "platformio_path": self._fix_os_path(
                     sys.argv[0] if isfile(sys.argv[0])
diff --git a/platformio/managers/platform.py b/platformio/managers/platform.py
index 851011a9..bfcda3f2 100644
--- a/platformio/managers/platform.py
+++ b/platformio/managers/platform.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import semantic_version
 from platformio import __version__, app, exception, util
 from platformio.managers.core import get_core_package_dir
 from platformio.managers.package import BasePkgManager, PackageManager
+from platformio.project.helpers import get_projectboards_dir
 
 try:
     from urllib.parse import quote
@@ -566,7 +567,7 @@ class PlatformBase(  # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
             self._BOARDS_CACHE[board_id] = config
 
         bdirs = [
-            util.get_projectboards_dir(),
+            get_projectboards_dir(),
             join(util.get_home_dir(), "boards"),
             join(self.get_dir(), "boards"),
         ]
diff --git a/platformio/project/config.py b/platformio/project/config.py
index 46a99425..737ea89a 100644
--- a/platformio/project/config.py
+++ b/platformio/project/config.py
@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     import configparser as ConfigParser
 
-CONFIG_HEADER = """
-; PlatformIO Project Configuration File
+CONFIG_HEADER = """;PlatformIO Project Configuration File
 ;
 ;   Build options: build flags, source filter
 ;   Upload options: custom upload port, speed and extra flags
@@ -36,6 +35,7 @@ CONFIG_HEADER = """
 ;
 ; Please visit documentation for the other options and examples
 ; https://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html
+
 """
 
 KNOWN_PLATFORMIO_OPTIONS = [
@@ -200,10 +200,15 @@ class ProjectConfig(object):
             section = "env:" + env
         return self._parser.options(section)
 
-    def items(self, section=None, env=None):
+    def items(self, section=None, env=None, as_dict=False):
         assert section or env
         if not section:
             section = "env:" + env
+        if as_dict:
+            return {
+                option: self.get(section, option)
+                for option in self.options(section)
+            }
         return [(option, self.get(section, option))
                 for option in self.options(section)]
 
@@ -298,7 +303,6 @@ class ProjectConfig(object):
         return True
 
     def save(self, path=None):
-        with open(path or self.path, "wb") as fp:
-            fp.write(CONFIG_HEADER.strip())
-            fp.write("\n\n")
+        with open(path or self.path, "w") as fp:
+            fp.write(CONFIG_HEADER)
             self._parser.write(fp)
diff --git a/platformio/project/helpers.py b/platformio/project/helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7c19595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/platformio/project/helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2014-present PlatformIO <contact@platformio.org>
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import os
+import sys
+from hashlib import sha1
+from os import walk
+from os.path import abspath, dirname, expanduser, isdir, isfile, join
+
+from platformio import __version__
+from platformio.project.config import ProjectConfig
+
+PY2 = sys.version_info[0] == 2
+
+
+def get_project_dir():
+    return os.getcwd()
+
+
+def is_platformio_project(project_dir=None):
+    if not project_dir:
+        project_dir = get_project_dir()
+    return isfile(join(project_dir, "platformio.ini"))
+
+
+def find_project_dir_above(path):
+    if isfile(path):
+        path = dirname(path)
+    if is_platformio_project(path):
+        return path
+    if isdir(dirname(path)):
+        return find_project_dir_above(dirname(path))
+    return None
+
+
+def get_project_optional_dir(name, default=None):
+    paths = None
+    var_name = "PLATFORMIO_%s" % name.upper()
+    if var_name in os.environ:
+        paths = os.getenv(var_name)
+    else:
+        config = ProjectConfig.get_instance(
+            join(get_project_dir(), "platformio.ini"))
+        if (config.has_section("platformio")
+                and config.has_option("platformio", name)):
+            paths = config.get("platformio", name)
+    if not paths:
+        return default
+
+    items = []
+    for item in paths.split(", "):
+        if item.startswith("~"):
+            item = expanduser(item)
+        items.append(abspath(item))
+    paths = ", ".join(items)
+
+    while "$PROJECT_HASH" in paths:
+        project_dir = get_project_dir()
+        paths = paths.replace(
+            "$PROJECT_HASH",
+            sha1(project_dir if PY2 else project_dir.encode()).hexdigest()
+            [:10])
+
+    return paths
+
+
+def get_projectlib_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("lib_dir", join(get_project_dir(), "lib"))
+
+
+def get_projectlibdeps_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("libdeps_dir",
+                                    join(get_project_dir(), ".piolibdeps"))
+
+
+def get_projectsrc_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("src_dir", join(get_project_dir(), "src"))
+
+
+def get_projectinclude_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("include_dir",
+                                    join(get_project_dir(), "include"))
+
+
+def get_projecttest_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("test_dir", join(get_project_dir(),
+                                                     "test"))
+
+
+def get_projectboards_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("boards_dir",
+                                    join(get_project_dir(), "boards"))
+
+
+def get_projectbuild_dir(force=False):
+    path = get_project_optional_dir("build_dir",
+                                    join(get_project_dir(), ".pioenvs"))
+    try:
+        if not isdir(path):
+            os.makedirs(path)
+    except Exception as e:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
+        if not force:
+            raise Exception(e)
+    return path
+
+
+def get_projectdata_dir():
+    return get_project_optional_dir("data_dir", join(get_project_dir(),
+                                                     "data"))
+
+
+def calculate_project_hash():
+    check_suffixes = (".c", ".cc", ".cpp", ".h", ".hpp", ".s", ".S")
+    chunks = [__version__]
+    for d in (get_projectsrc_dir(), get_projectlib_dir()):
+        if not isdir(d):
+            continue
+        for root, _, files in walk(d):
+            for f in files:
+                path = join(root, f)
+                if path.endswith(check_suffixes):
+                    chunks.append(path)
+    chunks_to_str = ",".join(sorted(chunks))
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        # Fix issue with useless project rebuilding for case insensitive FS.
+        # A case of disk drive can differ...
+        chunks_to_str = chunks_to_str.lower()
+    return sha1(chunks_to_str if PY2 else chunks_to_str.encode()).hexdigest()
diff --git a/platformio/util.py b/platformio/util.py
index 8df17ec9..a68d7607 100644
--- a/platformio/util.py
+++ b/platformio/util.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+# pylint: disable=too-many-ancestors
+
 import json
 import os
 import platform
@@ -23,7 +25,6 @@ import sys
 import time
 from functools import wraps
 from glob import glob
-from hashlib import sha1
 from os.path import (abspath, basename, dirname, expanduser, isdir, isfile,
                      join, normpath, splitdrive)
 from shutil import rmtree
@@ -34,8 +35,12 @@ import requests
 
 from platformio import __apiurl__, __version__, exception
 from platformio.project.config import ProjectConfig
+from platformio.project.helpers import (  # pylint: disable=unused-import
+    get_project_dir, get_project_optional_dir, get_projectboards_dir,
+    get_projectbuild_dir, get_projectlib_dir, get_projectsrc_dir,
+    get_projecttest_dir, is_platformio_project)
 
-# pylint: disable=too-many-ancestors
+# FIXME: check platformio.project.helpers imports
 
 PY2 = sys.version_info[0] == 2
 if PY2:
@@ -173,37 +178,6 @@ def pioversion_to_intstr():
     return [int(i) for i in vermatch.group(1).split(".")[:3]]
 
 
-def get_project_optional_dir(name, default=None):
-    paths = None
-    var_name = "PLATFORMIO_%s" % name.upper()
-    if var_name in os.environ:
-        paths = os.getenv(var_name)
-    else:
-        config = ProjectConfig.get_instance(
-            join(get_project_dir(), "platformio.ini"))
-        if (config.has_section("platformio")
-                and config.has_option("platformio", name)):
-            paths = config.get("platformio", name)
-    if not paths:
-        return default
-
-    items = []
-    for item in paths.split(", "):
-        if item.startswith("~"):
-            item = expanduser(item)
-        items.append(abspath(item))
-    paths = ", ".join(items)
-
-    while "$PROJECT_HASH" in paths:
-        project_dir = get_project_dir()
-        paths = paths.replace(
-            "$PROJECT_HASH",
-            sha1(project_dir if PY2 else project_dir.encode()).hexdigest()
-            [:10])
-
-    return paths
-
-
 def get_home_dir():
     home_dir = get_project_optional_dir("home_dir",
                                         join(expanduser("~"), ".platformio"))
@@ -240,75 +214,6 @@ def get_source_dir():
     return dirname(curpath)
 
 
-def get_project_dir():
-    return os.getcwd()
-
-
-def find_project_dir_above(path):
-    if isfile(path):
-        path = dirname(path)
-    if is_platformio_project(path):
-        return path
-    if isdir(dirname(path)):
-        return find_project_dir_above(dirname(path))
-    return None
-
-
-def is_platformio_project(project_dir=None):
-    if not project_dir:
-        project_dir = get_project_dir()
-    return isfile(join(project_dir, "platformio.ini"))
-
-
-def get_projectlib_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("lib_dir", join(get_project_dir(), "lib"))
-
-
-def get_projectlibdeps_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("libdeps_dir",
-                                    join(get_project_dir(), ".piolibdeps"))
-
-
-def get_projectsrc_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("src_dir", join(get_project_dir(), "src"))
-
-
-def get_projectinclude_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("include_dir",
-                                    join(get_project_dir(), "include"))
-
-
-def get_projecttest_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("test_dir", join(get_project_dir(),
-                                                     "test"))
-
-
-def get_projectboards_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("boards_dir",
-                                    join(get_project_dir(), "boards"))
-
-
-def get_projectbuild_dir(force=False):
-    path = get_project_optional_dir("build_dir",
-                                    join(get_project_dir(), ".pioenvs"))
-    try:
-        if not isdir(path):
-            os.makedirs(path)
-    except Exception as e:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
-        if not force:
-            raise Exception(e)
-    return path
-
-
-# compatibility with PIO Core+
-get_projectpioenvs_dir = get_projectbuild_dir
-
-
-def get_projectdata_dir():
-    return get_project_optional_dir("data_dir", join(get_project_dir(),
-                                                     "data"))
-
-
 def load_project_config(path=None):  # FIXME: Remove
     if not path or isdir(path):
         path = join(path or get_project_dir(), "platformio.ini")
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_init.py b/tests/commands/test_init.py
index eecb25f3..1d7d699e 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_init.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_init.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def test_init_ide_without_board(clirunner, tmpdir):
     with tmpdir.as_cwd():
         result = clirunner.invoke(cmd_init, ["--ide", "atom"])
         assert result.exit_code == -1
-        assert isinstance(result.exception, exception.BoardNotDefined)
+        assert isinstance(result.exception, exception.ProjectEnvsNotAvailable)
 
 
 def test_init_ide_atom(clirunner, validate_cliresult, tmpdir):