diff --git a/HISTORY.rst b/HISTORY.rst
index 981c883e..e89b8e1d 100644
--- a/HISTORY.rst
+++ b/HISTORY.rst
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ PlatformIO 3.0
   (`issue #289 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio/issues/289>`_)
 * Check library compatibility with project environment before building
   (`issue #415 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio/issues/415>`_)
+* Print human-readable information when processing environments without
+  ``-v, --verbose`` option
+  (`issue #721 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio/issues/721>`_)
 * Added ``license`` field to `library.json <http://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/librarymanager/config.html>`__
   (`issue #522 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio/issues/522>`_)
 * Show detailed build information about dependent libraries
diff --git a/docs/envvars.rst b/docs/envvars.rst
index 40d93b83..fdbbada7 100644
--- a/docs/envvars.rst
+++ b/docs/envvars.rst
@@ -157,3 +157,7 @@ Allows to override setting :ref:`setting_enable_prompts`.
 .. envvar:: PLATFORMIO_SETTING_ENABLE_TELEMETRY
 
 Allows to override setting :ref:`setting_enable_telemetry`.
+
+.. envvar:: PLATFORMIO_SETTING_FORCE_VERBOSE
+
+Allows to override setting :ref:`setting_force_verbose`.
diff --git a/docs/userguide/cmd_ci.rst b/docs/userguide/cmd_ci.rst
index d97d3b96..785f2e0d 100644
--- a/docs/userguide/cmd_ci.rst
+++ b/docs/userguide/cmd_ci.rst
@@ -112,8 +112,10 @@ Buid project using pre-configured :ref:`projectconf`.
 .. option::
     -v, --verbose
 
-Shows details about the results of processing environments. More details
-:option:`platformio run --verbose`
+Shows detailed information when processing environments.
+
+This option can be set globally using :ref:`setting_force_verbose` setting
+or by environment variable :envvar:`PLATFORMIO_SETTING_FORCE_VERBOSE`.
 
 Examples
 --------
diff --git a/docs/userguide/cmd_run.rst b/docs/userguide/cmd_run.rst
index 383970c1..6d2696de 100644
--- a/docs/userguide/cmd_run.rst
+++ b/docs/userguide/cmd_run.rst
@@ -77,17 +77,10 @@ to current working directory (``CWD``).
 .. option::
     -v, --verbose
 
-Shows details about the results of processing environments. Each instance of
-``--verbose`` on the command line increases the verbosity level by one, so if
-you need more details on the output, specify it twice.
+Shows detailed information when processing environments.
 
-There 3 levels of verbosity:
-
-1. ``-v`` - output errors only
-2. ``-vv`` - output errors and warnings
-3. ``-vvv`` - output errors, warnings and additional information
-
-By default, verbosity level is set to 3 (maximum information).
+This option can be set globally using :ref:`setting_force_verbose` setting
+or by environment variable :envvar:`PLATFORMIO_SETTING_FORCE_VERBOSE`.
 
 .. option::
     --disable-auto-clean
@@ -103,17 +96,34 @@ Examples
 .. code-block::   bash
 
     $ platformio run
-    Processing arduino_pro5v environment:
-    scons: `.pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/firmware.elf' is up to date.
-    scons: `.pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/firmware.hex' is up to date.
+    [Sun Jul 17 00:09:16 2016] Processing uno (platform: atmelavr, board: uno, framework: arduino)
+    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Looking for dependencies...
+    Collecting 32 compatible libraries
+    Processing src/main.cpp
+    Processing .pioenvs/uno/libFrameworkArduinoVariant.a
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/CDC.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial0.cpp
+    ...
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/wiring_analog.c
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/wiring_digital.c
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/wiring_pulse.c
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoavr/cores/arduino/wiring_shift.c
+    Processing .pioenvs/uno/libFrameworkArduino.a
+    Processing .pioenvs/uno/firmware.elf
+    Processing .pioenvs/uno/firmware.hex
+    Processing size
+    AVR Memory Usage
+    ----------------
+    Device: atmega328p
 
-    Processing launchpad_msp430g2 environment:
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_msp430g2/firmware.elf' is up to date.
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_msp430g2/firmware.hex' is up to date.
+    Program:    1034 bytes (3.2% Full)
+    (.text + .data + .bootloader)
+
+    Data:          9 bytes (0.4% Full)
+    (.data + .bss + .noinit)
 
-    Processing launchpad_lm4f120 environment:
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/firmware.elf' is up to date.
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/firmware.hex' is up to   date
 
 
 2. Process specific environment
@@ -121,13 +131,27 @@ Examples
 .. code-block:: bash
 
     $ platformio run -e arduino_pro5v -e launchpad_lm4f120
-    Processing arduino_pro5v environment:
-    scons: `.pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/firmware.elf' is up to date.
-    scons: `.pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/firmware.hex' is up to date.
-
-    Processing launchpad_lm4f120 environment:
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/firmware.elf' is up to date.
-    scons: `.pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/firmware.hex' is up to date.
+    [Sun Jul 17 00:10:14 2016] Processing nodemcu (platform: espressif, board: nodemcu, framework: arduino)
+    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Looking for dependencies...
+    Collecting 29 compatible libraries
+    Processing src/main.cpp
+    Processing .pioenvs/nodemcu/libFrameworkArduinoVariant.a
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/cores/esp8266/Esp.cpp
+    ...
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/cores/esp8266/pgmspace.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/cores/esp8266/setjmp.S
+    Processing .pioenvs/nodemcu/libFrameworkArduino.a
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/tools/sdk/lib/libmesh.a
+    ...
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/tools/sdk/lib/libaxtls.a
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoespressif/tools/sdk/lib/libstdc++.a
+    Processing .pioenvs/nodemcu/firmware.elf
+    Processing .platformio/packages/tool-esptool/esptool
+    Processing .pioenvs/nodemcu/firmware.bin
+    Processing size
+    text       data     bss     dec     hex filename
+    221456      884   29496  251836   3d7bc .pioenvs/nodemcu/firmware.elf
 
 
 3. Process specific target
@@ -135,52 +159,49 @@ Examples
 .. code-block:: bash
 
     $ platformio run -t clean
-    Processing arduino_pro5v environment:
-    Removed .pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/src/main.o
+    [Sun Jul 17 00:19:36 2016] Processing uno (platform: atmelavr, board: uno, framework: arduino)
+    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Looking for dependencies...
+    Collecting 32 compatible libraries
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/FrameworkArduino/CDC.o
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/FrameworkArduino/HardwareSerial.o
     ...
-    Removed .pioenvs/arduino_pro5v/firmware.hex
-
-    Processing launchpad_msp430g2 environment:
-    Removed .pioenvs/launchpad_msp430g2/src/main.o
-    ...
-    Removed .pioenvs/launchpad_msp430g2/firmware.hex
-
-    Processing launchpad_lm4f120 environment:
-    Removed .pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/src/main.o
-    ...
-    Removed .pioenvs/launchpad_lm4f120/firmware.hex
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/libFrameworkArduinoVariant.a
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/src/main.o
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/libFrameworkArduino.a
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/firmware.elf
+    Removed .pioenvs/uno/firmware.hex
 
 
 4. Mix environments and targets
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
-    $ platformio run -e launchpad_msp430g2 -t upload
-    Processing launchpad_msp430g2 environment:
-    /Users/ikravets/.platformio/timsp430/tools/mspdebug/mspdebug rf2500 --force-reset "prog .pioenvs/launchpad_msp430g2/firmware.hex"
-    MSPDebug version 0.20 - debugging tool for MSP430 MCUs
-    Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Daniel Beer <dlbeer@gmail.com>
-    This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
-    warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
-
-    Trying to open interface 1 on 009
-    Initializing FET...
-    FET protocol version is 30394216
-    Configured for Spy-Bi-Wire
-    Sending reset...
-    Set Vcc: 3000 mV
-    Device ID: 0x2553
-      Code start address: 0xc000
-      Code size         : 16384 byte = 16 kb
-      RAM  start address: 0x200
-      RAM  end   address: 0x3ff
-      RAM  size         : 512 byte = 0 kb
-    Device: MSP430G2553/G2403
-    Code memory starts at 0xc000
-    Number of breakpoints: 2
-    Chip ID data: 25 53
-    Erasing...
-    Programming...
-    Writing  646 bytes at c000...
-    Writing   32 bytes at ffe0...
-    Done, 678 bytes total
+    $ platformio run -e teensy31 -t upload
+    [Sun Jul 17 00:27:14 2016] Processing teensy31 (platform: teensy, board: teensy31, framework: arduino)
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Looking for dependencies...
+    Collecting 25 compatible libraries
+    Processing src/main.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoteensy/cores/teensy3/AudioStream.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoteensy/cores/teensy3/DMAChannel.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoteensy/cores/teensy3/HardwareSerial1.cpp
+    ...
+    Processing .platformio/packages/framework-arduinoteensy/cores/teensy3/yield.cpp
+    Processing .platformio/packages/tool-teensy/teensy_loader_cli
+    Processing .pioenvs/teensy31/libFrameworkArduino.a
+    Processing .pioenvs/teensy31/firmware.elf
+    Check program size...
+    text       data     bss     dec     hex filename
+    11080       168    2288   13536    34e0 .pioenvs/teensy31/firmware.elf
+    Processing .pioenvs/teensy31/firmware.hex
+    Processing upload
+    Teensy Loader, Command Line, Version 2.0
+    Read ".pioenvs/teensy31/firmware.hex": 11248 bytes, 4.3% usage
+    Soft reboot is not implemented for OSX
+    Waiting for Teensy device...
+    (hint: press the reset button)
+    Found HalfKay Bootloader
+    Read ".pioenvs/teensy31/firmware.hex": 11248 bytes, 4.3% usage
+    Programming...........
+    Booting
diff --git a/docs/userguide/cmd_settings.rst b/docs/userguide/cmd_settings.rst
index ff5640d0..24d592d3 100644
--- a/docs/userguide/cmd_settings.rst
+++ b/docs/userguide/cmd_settings.rst
@@ -87,6 +87,20 @@ Check for the new PlatformIO interval.
 
 Check for the platform updates interval.
 
+.. _setting_force_verbose:
+
+``force_verbose``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+:Default:   No
+:Values:    Yes/No
+
+Force verbose output when processing environments. This setting overrides
+
+* :option:`platformio run --verbose`
+* :option:`platformio ci --verbose`
+* :option:`platformio test --verbose`
+
 .. _setting_enable_prompts:
 
 ``enable_prompts``
diff --git a/docs/userguide/cmd_test.rst b/docs/userguide/cmd_test.rst
index 1a4dba6c..628be957 100644
--- a/docs/userguide/cmd_test.rst
+++ b/docs/userguide/cmd_test.rst
@@ -85,8 +85,10 @@ to current working directory (``CWD``).
 .. option::
     -v, --verbose
 
-Shows details about the results of processing environments. More details
-:option:`platformio run --verbose`
+Shows detailed information when processing environments.
+
+This option can be set globally using :ref:`setting_force_verbose` setting
+or by environment variable :envvar:`PLATFORMIO_SETTING_FORCE_VERBOSE`.
 
 Examples
 --------
diff --git a/platformio/__init__.py b/platformio/__init__.py
index 28a1507b..4c0361d7 100644
--- a/platformio/__init__.py
+++ b/platformio/__init__.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 import sys
 
-VERSION = (3, 0, "0.dev7")
+VERSION = (3, 0, "0.dev8")
 __version__ = ".".join([str(s) for s in VERSION])
 
 __title__ = "platformio"
diff --git a/platformio/app.py b/platformio/app.py
index f7fcce2a..ab2d71d4 100644
--- a/platformio/app.py
+++ b/platformio/app.py
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ DEFAULT_SETTINGS = {
         "description": "Automatically update libraries (Yes/No)",
         "value": False
     },
+    "force_verbose": {
+        "description": "Force verbose output when processing environments",
+        "value": False
+    },
     "enable_telemetry": {
         "description": (
             "Telemetry service <http://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/"
diff --git a/platformio/builder/main.py b/platformio/builder/main.py
index 7c1fc192..3fbb0d58 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/main.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/main.py
@@ -19,11 +19,12 @@ from os import environ
 from os.path import join, normpath
 from time import time
 
-from SCons.Script import COMMAND_LINE_TARGETS, DefaultEnvironment, Variables
+from SCons.Script import (COMMAND_LINE_TARGETS, AllowSubstExceptions,
+                          DefaultEnvironment, Progress, Variables)
 
 from platformio import util
 
-# AllowSubstExceptions()
+AllowSubstExceptions(NameError)
 
 # allow common variables from INI file
 commonvars = Variables(None)
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ commonvars.AddVariables(
 
 DefaultEnvironment(
     tools=[
-        "gcc", "g++", "as", "ar", "gnulink",
+        "ar", "as", "gcc", "g++", "gnulink",
         "platformio", "devplatform",
         "piolib", "piotest", "pioupload", "pioar", "piomisc"
     ],
@@ -99,6 +100,9 @@ DefaultEnvironment(
 
 env = DefaultEnvironment()
 
+if env.GetOption("silent"):
+    Progress(env.ProgressHandler)
+
 # decode common variables
 for k in commonvars.keys():
     if k in env:
diff --git a/platformio/builder/tools/piomisc.py b/platformio/builder/tools/piomisc.py
index 4f2e59d4..4280d353 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/tools/piomisc.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/tools/piomisc.py
@@ -264,6 +264,14 @@ def GetActualLDScript(env):
     return None
 
 
+def ProgressHandler(env, node):
+    item = str(node)
+    if "toolchain-" in item or item.endswith((".o", ".h", ".hpp", ".ipp")):
+        return
+    item = item.replace(env['PIOHOME_DIR'], ".platformio")
+    print "Processing %s" % item
+
+
 def exists(_):
     return True
 
@@ -273,4 +281,5 @@ def generate(env):
     env.AddMethod(DumpIDEData)
     env.AddMethod(GetCompilerType)
     env.AddMethod(GetActualLDScript)
+    env.AddMethod(ProgressHandler)
     return env
diff --git a/platformio/builder/tools/platformio.py b/platformio/builder/tools/platformio.py
index fe196955..601b43e5 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/tools/platformio.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/tools/platformio.py
@@ -205,13 +205,13 @@ def MatchSourceFiles(env, src_dir, src_filter=None):
     return sorted(list(matches))
 
 
-def VariantDirWrap(env, variant_dir, src_dir, duplicate=True):
+def VariantDirWrap(env, variant_dir, src_dir, duplicate=None):
     DefaultEnvironment().Append(VARIANT_DIRS=[(variant_dir, src_dir)])
     env.VariantDir(variant_dir, src_dir, duplicate)
 
 
 def CollectBuildFiles(env, variant_dir, src_dir,
-                      src_filter=None, duplicate=True):
+                      src_filter=None, duplicate=None):
     sources = []
     variants = []
 
diff --git a/platformio/commands/ci.py b/platformio/commands/ci.py
index f18f077c..4c81b8d3 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/ci.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/ci.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def validate_path(ctx, param, value):  # pylint: disable=W0613
 @click.option("--project-conf",
               type=click.Path(exists=True, file_okay=True, dir_okay=False,
                               readable=True, resolve_path=True))
-@click.option("--verbose", "-v", count=True, default=3)
+@click.option("--verbose", "-v", is_flag=True)
 @click.pass_context
 def cli(ctx, src, lib, exclude, board,  # pylint: disable=R0913
         build_dir, keep_build_dir, project_conf, verbose):
diff --git a/platformio/commands/run.py b/platformio/commands/run.py
index 52af3e32..a678ceae 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/run.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/run.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from platformio.managers.platform import PlatformFactory
 @click.option("--project-dir", "-d", default=getcwd,
               type=click.Path(exists=True, file_okay=False, dir_okay=True,
                               writable=True, resolve_path=True))
-@click.option("--verbose", "-v", count=True, default=3)
+@click.option("--verbose", "-v", is_flag=True)
 @click.option("--disable-auto-clean", is_flag=True)
 @click.pass_context
 def cli(ctx, environment, target, upload_port,  # pylint: disable=R0913,R0914
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ class EnvironmentProcessor(object):
         self.options = self._validate_options(options)
         self.targets = targets
         self.upload_port = upload_port
-        self.verbose_level = int(verbose)
+        self.verbose = verbose
 
     def process(self):
         terminal_width, _ = click.get_terminal_size()
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class EnvironmentProcessor(object):
                 cmd_platform_install, platforms=[self.options['platform']])
             p = PlatformFactory.newPlatform(platform, version)
 
-        return p.run(build_vars, build_targets, self.verbose_level)
+        return p.run(build_vars, build_targets, self.verbose)
 
 
 def _autoinstall_libs(ctx, libids_list):
diff --git a/platformio/commands/test.py b/platformio/commands/test.py
index 0585a0b1..7dcc0060 100644
--- a/platformio/commands/test.py
+++ b/platformio/commands/test.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from platformio.managers.platform import PlatformFactory
 @click.option("--project-dir", "-d", default=getcwd,
               type=click.Path(exists=True, file_okay=False, dir_okay=True,
                               writable=True, resolve_path=True))
-@click.option("--verbose", "-v", count=True, default=3)
+@click.option("--verbose", "-v", is_flag=True)
 @click.pass_context
 def cli(ctx, environment, skip, upload_port, project_dir, verbose):
     assert check_project_envs(project_dir, environment)
diff --git a/platformio/managers/platform.py b/platformio/managers/platform.py
index 504821ff..16cf6c86 100644
--- a/platformio/managers/platform.py
+++ b/platformio/managers/platform.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from os.path import basename, dirname, isdir, isfile, join
 import click
 import semantic_version
 
-from platformio import exception, util
+from platformio import app, exception, util
 from platformio.managers.package import BasePkgManager, PackageManager
 
 PACKAGE_DIR = join(util.get_home_dir(), "packages")
@@ -224,11 +224,10 @@ class PlatformRunMixin(object):
         self.configure_default_packages(variables, targets)
         self.install_packages(silent=True)
 
-        self._verbose_level = int(verbose)
+        self._verbose = verbose or app.get_setting("force_verbose")
 
         if "clean" in targets:
-            targets.remove("clean")
-            targets.append("-c")
+            targets = ["-c", "."]
 
         variables['platform_manifest'] = self.manifest_path
 
@@ -237,14 +236,8 @@ class PlatformRunMixin(object):
         if not isfile(variables['build_script']):
             raise exception.BuildScriptNotFound(variables['build_script'])
 
-        self._found_error = False
         result = self._run_scons(variables, targets)
         assert "returncode" in result
-        # if self._found_error:
-        #     result['returncode'] = 1
-
-        if self._last_echo_line == ".":
-            click.echo("")
 
         return result
 
@@ -266,7 +259,10 @@ class PlatformRunMixin(object):
             "-j %d" % self.get_job_nums(),
             "--warn=no-no-parallel-support",
             "-f", join(util.get_source_dir(), "builder", "main.py")
-        ] + targets
+        ]
+        if not self._verbose and "-c" not in targets:
+            cmd.append("--silent")
+        cmd += targets
 
         # encode and append variables
         for key, value in variables.items():
@@ -280,31 +276,19 @@ class PlatformRunMixin(object):
         return result
 
     def on_run_out(self, line):
-        self._echo_line(line, level=3)
+        self._echo_line(line, level=1)
 
     def on_run_err(self, line):
         is_error = self.LINE_ERROR_RE.search(line) is not None
-        if is_error:
-            self._found_error = True
-        self._echo_line(line, level=1 if is_error else 2)
+        self._echo_line(line, level=3 if is_error else 2)
 
-    def _echo_line(self, line, level):
+    @staticmethod
+    def _echo_line(line, level):
         assert 1 <= level <= 3
-
-        fg = ("red", "yellow", None)[level - 1]
-        if level == 3 and "is up to date" in line:
+        fg = (None, "yellow", "red")[level - 1]
+        if level == 1 and "is up to date" in line:
             fg = "green"
-
-        if level > self._verbose_level:
-            click.secho(".", fg=fg, err=level < 3, nl=False)
-            self._last_echo_line = "."
-            return
-
-        if self._last_echo_line == ".":
-            click.echo("")
-        self._last_echo_line = line
-
-        click.secho(line, fg=fg, err=level < 3)
+        click.secho(line, fg=fg, err=level > 1)
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_job_nums():
@@ -326,13 +310,7 @@ class PlatformBase(PlatformPackagesMixin, PlatformRunMixin):
         self.pm = PackageManager(
             PACKAGE_DIR, self._manifest.get("packageRepositories"))
 
-        self._found_error = False
-        self._last_echo_line = None
-
-        # 1 = errors
-        # 2 = 1 + warnings
-        # 3 = 2 + others
-        self._verbose_level = 3
+        self._verbose = False
 
     @property
     def name(self):