diff --git a/certbot-nginx/certbot_nginx/configurator.py b/certbot-nginx/certbot_nginx/configurator.py
index 8b39ee664..dbcd07a03 100644
--- a/certbot-nginx/certbot_nginx/configurator.py
+++ b/certbot-nginx/certbot_nginx/configurator.py
@@ -12,24 +12,22 @@ import zope.interface
 
 from acme import challenges
 from acme import crypto_util as acme_crypto_util
+from acme.magic_typing import List, Dict, Set  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants as core_constants
 from certbot import crypto_util
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.plugins import common
 
 from certbot_nginx import constants
 from certbot_nginx import display_ops
-from certbot_nginx import nginxparser
-from certbot_nginx import parser
 from certbot_nginx import http_01
-from certbot_nginx import obj # pylint: disable=unused-import
-from acme.magic_typing import List, Dict, Set # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
-
+from certbot_nginx import nginxparser
+from certbot_nginx import obj  # pylint: disable=unused-import
+from certbot_nginx import parser
 
 NAME_RANK = 0
 START_WILDCARD_RANK = 1
@@ -895,7 +893,7 @@ class NginxConfigurator(common.Installer):
         have permissions of root.
 
         """
-        uid = compat.os_geteuid()
+        uid = misc.os_geteuid()
         util.make_or_verify_dir(
             self.config.work_dir, core_constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, uid)
         util.make_or_verify_dir(
diff --git a/certbot/account.py b/certbot/account.py
index 0c653f6dd..a37b49eb4 100644
--- a/certbot/account.py
+++ b/certbot/account.py
@@ -7,22 +7,21 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import socket
 
-from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
 import josepy as jose
 import pyrfc3339
 import pytz
 import six
 import zope.component
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
 
 from acme import fields as acme_fields
 from acme import messages
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -141,7 +140,7 @@ class AccountFileStorage(interfaces.AccountStorage):
     """
     def __init__(self, config):
         self.config = config
-        util.make_or_verify_dir(config.accounts_dir, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(),
+        util.make_or_verify_dir(config.accounts_dir, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(),
                                 self.config.strict_permissions)
 
     def _account_dir_path(self, account_id):
@@ -324,7 +323,7 @@ class AccountFileStorage(interfaces.AccountStorage):
 
     def _save(self, account, acme, regr_only):
         account_dir_path = self._account_dir_path(account.id)
-        util.make_or_verify_dir(account_dir_path, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(),
+        util.make_or_verify_dir(account_dir_path, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(),
                                 self.config.strict_permissions)
         try:
             with open(self._regr_path(account_dir_path), "w") as regr_file:
diff --git a/certbot/cert_manager.py b/certbot/cert_manager.py
index 2a67f8765..8d6f04b71 100644
--- a/certbot/cert_manager.py
+++ b/certbot/cert_manager.py
@@ -2,20 +2,21 @@
 import datetime
 import logging
 import os
-import pytz
 import re
 import traceback
+
+import pytz
 import zope.component
 
 from acme.magic_typing import List  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
-from certbot import compat
+
 from certbot import crypto_util
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import ocsp
 from certbot import storage
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import util as display_util
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ def lineage_for_certname(cli_config, certname):
     """Find a lineage object with name certname."""
     configs_dir = cli_config.renewal_configs_dir
     # Verify the directory is there
-    util.make_or_verify_dir(configs_dir, mode=0o755, uid=compat.os_geteuid())
+    util.make_or_verify_dir(configs_dir, mode=0o755, uid=misc.os_geteuid())
     try:
         renewal_file = storage.renewal_file_for_certname(cli_config, certname)
     except errors.CertStorageError:
@@ -375,7 +376,7 @@ def _search_lineages(cli_config, func, initial_rv, *args):
     """
     configs_dir = cli_config.renewal_configs_dir
     # Verify the directory is there
-    util.make_or_verify_dir(configs_dir, mode=0o755, uid=compat.os_geteuid())
+    util.make_or_verify_dir(configs_dir, mode=0o755, uid=misc.os_geteuid())
 
     rv = initial_rv
     for renewal_file in storage.renewal_conf_files(cli_config):
diff --git a/certbot/client.py b/certbot/client.py
index 38b77a772..a6ca17945 100644
--- a/certbot/client.py
+++ b/certbot/client.py
@@ -4,14 +4,13 @@ import logging
 import os
 import platform
 
-
+import OpenSSL
+import josepy as jose
+import zope.component
 from cryptography.hazmat.backends import default_backend
 # https://github.com/python/typeshed/blob/master/third_party/
 # 2/cryptography/hazmat/primitives/asymmetric/rsa.pyi
 from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.rsa import generate_private_key  # type: ignore
-import josepy as jose
-import OpenSSL
-import zope.component
 
 from acme import client as acme_client
 from acme import crypto_util as acme_crypto_util
@@ -20,11 +19,9 @@ from acme import messages
 from acme.magic_typing import Optional  # pylint: disable=unused-import,no-name-in-module
 
 import certbot
-
 from certbot import account
 from certbot import auth_handler
 from certbot import cli
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import crypto_util
 from certbot import eff
@@ -34,12 +31,11 @@ from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import reverter
 from certbot import storage
 from certbot import util
-
-from certbot.display import ops as display_ops
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import enhancements
+from certbot.display import ops as display_ops
 from certbot.plugins import selection as plugin_selection
 
-
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -466,7 +462,7 @@ class Client(object):
         """
         for path in cert_path, chain_path, fullchain_path:
             util.make_or_verify_dir(
-                os.path.dirname(path), 0o755, compat.os_geteuid(),
+                os.path.dirname(path), 0o755, misc.os_geteuid(),
                 self.config.strict_permissions)
 
 
diff --git a/certbot/compat/__init__.py b/certbot/compat/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..74451131a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/certbot/compat/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+"""
+Compatibility layer to run certbot both on Linux and Windows.
+
+This package contains all logic that needs to be implemented specifically for Linux and for Windows.
+Then the rest of certbot code relies on this module to be platform agnostic.
+"""
diff --git a/certbot/compat.py b/certbot/compat/misc.py
similarity index 96%
rename from certbot/compat.py
rename to certbot/compat/misc.py
index f533f5954..3ea4a7908 100644
--- a/certbot/compat.py
+++ b/certbot/compat/misc.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 """
-Compatibility layer to run certbot both on Linux and Windows.
-
-This module contains all required platform specific code,
-allowing the rest of Certbot codebase to be platform agnostic.
+This compat module handles various platform specific calls that do not fall into one
+particular category.
 """
 import os
 import select
diff --git a/certbot/configuration.py b/certbot/configuration.py
index 5d248f39e..2e7e39e28 100644
--- a/certbot/configuration.py
+++ b/certbot/configuration.py
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 import copy
 import os
 
-from six.moves.urllib import parse  # pylint: disable=import-error
 import zope.interface
+from six.moves.urllib import parse  # pylint: disable=import-error
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 
 @zope.interface.implementer(interfaces.IConfig)
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class NamespaceConfig(object):
 
     def accounts_dir_for_server_path(self, server_path):
         """Path to accounts directory based on server_path"""
-        server_path = compat.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(server_path)
+        server_path = misc.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(server_path)
         return os.path.join(
             self.namespace.config_dir, constants.ACCOUNTS_DIR, server_path)
 
diff --git a/certbot/constants.py b/certbot/constants.py
index 31b243518..3b2f7a2d9 100644
--- a/certbot/constants.py
+++ b/certbot/constants.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 """Certbot constants."""
 import logging
 import os
+
 import pkg_resources
 
 from acme import challenges
-from certbot import compat
+
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 SETUPTOOLS_PLUGINS_ENTRY_POINT = "certbot.plugins"
 """Setuptools entry point group name for plugins."""
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ OLD_SETUPTOOLS_PLUGINS_ENTRY_POINT = "letsencrypt.plugins"
 
 CLI_DEFAULTS = dict(
     config_files=[
-        os.path.join(compat.get_default_folder('config'), 'cli.ini'),
+        os.path.join(misc.get_default_folder('config'), 'cli.ini'),
         # http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/xdg-user-dirs/
         os.path.join(os.environ.get("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", "~/.config"),
                      "letsencrypt", "cli.ini"),
@@ -87,9 +89,9 @@ CLI_DEFAULTS = dict(
     auth_cert_path="./cert.pem",
     auth_chain_path="./chain.pem",
     key_path=None,
-    config_dir=compat.get_default_folder('config'),
-    work_dir=compat.get_default_folder('work'),
-    logs_dir=compat.get_default_folder('logs'),
+    config_dir=misc.get_default_folder('config'),
+    work_dir=misc.get_default_folder('work'),
+    logs_dir=misc.get_default_folder('logs'),
     server="https://acme-v02.api.letsencrypt.org/directory",
 
     # Plugins parsers
diff --git a/certbot/crypto_util.py b/certbot/crypto_util.py
index 66c68eb38..f976372c5 100644
--- a/certbot/crypto_util.py
+++ b/certbot/crypto_util.py
@@ -12,24 +12,24 @@ import warnings
 import pyrfc3339
 import six
 import zope.component
+from OpenSSL import SSL  # type: ignore
+from OpenSSL import crypto
+# https://github.com/python/typeshed/tree/master/third_party/2/cryptography
+from cryptography import x509  # type: ignore
 from cryptography.exceptions import InvalidSignature
 from cryptography.hazmat.backends import default_backend
 from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ec import ECDSA
 from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ec import EllipticCurvePublicKey
 from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.padding import PKCS1v15
 from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.rsa import RSAPublicKey
-# https://github.com/python/typeshed/tree/master/third_party/2/cryptography
-from cryptography import x509  # type: ignore
-from OpenSSL import crypto
-from OpenSSL import SSL  # type: ignore
 
 from acme import crypto_util as acme_crypto_util
 from acme.magic_typing import IO  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
-from certbot import compat
+
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def init_save_key(key_size, key_dir, keyname="key-certbot.pem"):
 
     config = zope.component.getUtility(interfaces.IConfig)
     # Save file
-    util.make_or_verify_dir(key_dir, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(),
+    util.make_or_verify_dir(key_dir, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(),
                             config.strict_permissions)
     key_f, key_path = util.unique_file(
         os.path.join(key_dir, keyname), 0o600, "wb")
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ def init_save_csr(privkey, names, path):
         privkey.pem, names, must_staple=config.must_staple)
 
     # Save CSR
-    util.make_or_verify_dir(path, 0o755, compat.os_geteuid(),
-                               config.strict_permissions)
+    util.make_or_verify_dir(path, 0o755, misc.os_geteuid(),
+                            config.strict_permissions)
     csr_f, csr_filename = util.unique_file(
         os.path.join(path, "csr-certbot.pem"), 0o644, "wb")
     with csr_f:
diff --git a/certbot/display/ops.py b/certbot/display/ops.py
index 3dae1070b..db69f6c9f 100644
--- a/certbot/display/ops.py
+++ b/certbot/display/ops.py
@@ -4,11 +4,10 @@ import os
 
 import zope.component
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import util as display_util
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ def get_email(invalid=False, optional=True):
                          "the client with --register-unsafely-without-email "
                          "but make sure you then backup your account key from "
                          "{0}\n\n".format(os.path.join(
-                             compat.get_default_folder('config'), 'accounts')))
+                             misc.get_default_folder('config'), 'accounts')))
     if optional:
         if invalid:
             msg += unsafe_suggestion
diff --git a/certbot/display/util.py b/certbot/display/util.py
index 772b67d74..72ee892a7 100644
--- a/certbot/display/util.py
+++ b/certbot/display/util.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ import textwrap
 
 import zope.interface
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
-from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import errors
+from certbot import interfaces
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import completer
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def input_with_timeout(prompt=None, timeout=36000.0):
         sys.stdout.write(prompt)
         sys.stdout.flush()
 
-    line = compat.readline_with_timeout(timeout, prompt)
+    line = misc.readline_with_timeout(timeout, prompt)
 
     if not line:
         raise EOFError
diff --git a/certbot/log.py b/certbot/log.py
index b883936f3..7c86dbdf0 100644
--- a/certbot/log.py
+++ b/certbot/log.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ and properly flushed before program exit.
 
 """
 from __future__ import print_function
+
 import functools
 import logging
 import logging.handlers
@@ -23,10 +24,10 @@ import traceback
 
 from acme import messages
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import util
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 # Logging format
 CLI_FMT = "%(message)s"
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ def setup_log_file_handler(config, logfile, fmt):
     # TODO: logs might contain sensitive data such as contents of the
     # private key! #525
     util.set_up_core_dir(
-        config.logs_dir, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
+        config.logs_dir, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
     log_file_path = os.path.join(config.logs_dir, logfile)
     try:
         handler = logging.handlers.RotatingFileHandler(
diff --git a/certbot/main.py b/certbot/main.py
index a0c0ab64d..484ac52ea 100644
--- a/certbot/main.py
+++ b/certbot/main.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Certbot main entry point."""
 # pylint: disable=too-many-lines
 from __future__ import print_function
+
 import functools
 import logging.handlers
 import os
@@ -14,12 +15,10 @@ from acme import errors as acme_errors
 from acme.magic_typing import Union  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
 
 import certbot
-
 from certbot import account
 from certbot import cert_manager
 from certbot import cli
 from certbot import client
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import configuration
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import crypto_util
@@ -33,11 +32,11 @@ from certbot import reporter
 from certbot import storage
 from certbot import updater
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import util as display_util, ops as display_ops
 from certbot.plugins import disco as plugins_disco
-from certbot.plugins import selection as plug_sel
 from certbot.plugins import enhancements
+from certbot.plugins import selection as plug_sel
 
 USER_CANCELLED = ("User chose to cancel the operation and may "
                   "reinvoke the client.")
@@ -1285,16 +1284,16 @@ def make_or_verify_needed_dirs(config):
 
     """
     util.set_up_core_dir(config.config_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE,
-                         compat.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
+                         misc.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
     util.set_up_core_dir(config.work_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE,
-                         compat.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
+                         misc.os_geteuid(), config.strict_permissions)
 
     hook_dirs = (config.renewal_pre_hooks_dir,
                  config.renewal_deploy_hooks_dir,
                  config.renewal_post_hooks_dir,)
     for hook_dir in hook_dirs:
         util.make_or_verify_dir(hook_dir,
-                                uid=compat.os_geteuid(),
+                                uid=misc.os_geteuid(),
                                 strict=config.strict_permissions)
 
 
@@ -1345,7 +1344,7 @@ def main(cli_args=sys.argv[1:]):
 
     # On windows, shell without administrative right cannot create symlinks required by certbot.
     # So we check the rights before continuing.
-    compat.raise_for_non_administrative_windows_rights(config.verb)
+    misc.raise_for_non_administrative_windows_rights(config.verb)
 
     try:
         log.post_arg_parse_setup(config)
diff --git a/certbot/plugins/webroot_test.py b/certbot/plugins/webroot_test.py
index 5303fe4da..a67ddbb83 100644
--- a/certbot/plugins/webroot_test.py
+++ b/certbot/plugins/webroot_test.py
@@ -17,14 +17,12 @@ import six
 from acme import challenges
 
 from certbot import achallenges
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import errors
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.display import util as display_util
-
 from certbot.tests import acme_util
 from certbot.tests import util as test_util
 
-
 KEY = jose.JWKRSA.load(test_util.load_vector("rsa512_key.pem"))
 
 
@@ -171,14 +169,14 @@ class AuthenticatorTest(unittest.TestCase):
         # Remove exec bit from permission check, so that it
         # matches the file
         self.auth.perform([self.achall])
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(os.stat(self.validation_path).st_mode, 0o644))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(os.stat(self.validation_path).st_mode, 0o644))
 
         # Check permissions of the directories
 
         for dirpath, dirnames, _ in os.walk(self.path):
             for directory in dirnames:
                 full_path = os.path.join(dirpath, directory)
-                self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(os.stat(full_path).st_mode, 0o755))
+                self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(os.stat(full_path).st_mode, 0o755))
 
         parent_gid = os.stat(self.path).st_gid
         parent_uid = os.stat(self.path).st_uid
diff --git a/certbot/reverter.py b/certbot/reverter.py
index 919037358..e08b468ac 100644
--- a/certbot/reverter.py
+++ b/certbot/reverter.py
@@ -10,12 +10,11 @@ import traceback
 import six
 import zope.component
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ class Reverter(object):
         self.config = config
 
         util.make_or_verify_dir(
-            config.backup_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, compat.os_geteuid(),
+            config.backup_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, misc.os_geteuid(),
             self.config.strict_permissions)
 
     def revert_temporary_config(self):
@@ -220,7 +219,7 @@ class Reverter(object):
 
         """
         util.make_or_verify_dir(
-            cp_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, compat.os_geteuid(),
+            cp_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, misc.os_geteuid(),
             self.config.strict_permissions)
 
         op_fd, existing_filepaths = self._read_and_append(
@@ -434,7 +433,7 @@ class Reverter(object):
             cp_dir = self.config.in_progress_dir
 
         util.make_or_verify_dir(
-            cp_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, compat.os_geteuid(),
+            cp_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE, misc.os_geteuid(),
             self.config.strict_permissions)
 
         return cp_dir
@@ -576,7 +575,7 @@ class Reverter(object):
             timestamp = self._checkpoint_timestamp()
             final_dir = os.path.join(self.config.backup_dir, timestamp)
             try:
-                compat.os_rename(self.config.in_progress_dir, final_dir)
+                misc.os_rename(self.config.in_progress_dir, final_dir)
                 return
             except OSError:
                 logger.warning("Extreme, unexpected race condition, retrying (%s)", timestamp)
diff --git a/certbot/storage.py b/certbot/storage.py
index d17a0f29d..d0bc36c08 100644
--- a/certbot/storage.py
+++ b/certbot/storage.py
@@ -4,23 +4,22 @@ import glob
 import logging
 import os
 import re
+import shutil
 import stat
 
 import configobj
 import parsedatetime
 import pytz
-import shutil
 import six
 
 import certbot
 from certbot import cli
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import crypto_util
-from certbot import errors
 from certbot import error_handler
+from certbot import errors
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.plugins import common as plugins_common
 from certbot.plugins import disco as plugins_disco
 
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ def update_configuration(lineagename, archive_dir, target, cli_config):
     # Save only the config items that are relevant to renewal
     values = relevant_values(vars(cli_config.namespace))
     write_renewal_config(config_filename, temp_filename, archive_dir, target, values)
-    compat.os_rename(temp_filename, config_filename)
+    misc.os_rename(temp_filename, config_filename)
 
     return configobj.ConfigObj(config_filename)
 
diff --git a/certbot/tests/account_test.py b/certbot/tests/account_test.py
index b062f437b..fb0205f9c 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/account_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/account_test.py
@@ -12,11 +12,9 @@ import pytz
 
 from acme import messages
 
-from certbot import compat
-from certbot import errors
-
 import certbot.tests.util as test_util
-
+from certbot import errors
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 KEY = jose.JWKRSA.load(test_util.load_vector("rsa512_key.pem"))
 
@@ -116,7 +114,7 @@ class AccountFileStorageTest(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
 
     def test_init_creates_dir(self):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(
-            compat.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(self.config.accounts_dir)))
+            misc.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(self.config.accounts_dir)))
 
     @test_util.broken_on_windows
     def test_save_and_restore(self):
diff --git a/certbot/tests/compat_test.py b/certbot/tests/compat_test.py
index 552aa5645..ffbba24fd 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/compat_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/compat_test.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 """Tests for certbot.compat."""
 import os
 
-from certbot import compat
 import certbot.tests.util as test_util
+from certbot.compat import misc
+
 
 class OsReplaceTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
     """Test to ensure consistent behavior of os_rename method"""
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ class OsReplaceTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
         open(dst, 'w').close()
 
         # On Windows, a direct call to os.rename will fail because dst already exists.
-        compat.os_rename(src, dst)
+        misc.os_rename(src, dst)
 
         self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(src))
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(dst))
diff --git a/certbot/tests/configuration_test.py b/certbot/tests/configuration_test.py
index ce3cded20..a4d32a57f 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/configuration_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/configuration_test.py
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ import unittest
 
 import mock
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.tests import util as test_util
 
+
 class NamespaceConfigTest(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
     """Tests for certbot.configuration.NamespaceConfig."""
 
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class NamespaceConfigTest(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
         mock_constants.KEY_DIR = 'keys'
         mock_constants.TEMP_CHECKPOINT_DIR = 't'
 
-        ref_path = compat.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(
+        ref_path = misc.underscores_for_unsupported_characters_in_path(
             'acc/acme-server.org:443/new')
         self.assertEqual(
             os.path.normpath(self.config.accounts_dir),
diff --git a/certbot/tests/display/util_test.py b/certbot/tests/display/util_test.py
index 726eb0b0f..8ee0501ef 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/display/util_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/display/util_test.py
@@ -4,14 +4,13 @@ import socket
 import tempfile
 import unittest
 
-import six
 import mock
+import six
 
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces
 from certbot.display import util as display_util
 
-
 CHOICES = [("First", "Description1"), ("Second", "Description2")]
 TAGS = ["tag1", "tag2", "tag3"]
 TAGS_CHOICES = [("1", "tag1"), ("2", "tag2"), ("3", "tag3")]
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ class InputWithTimeoutTest(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_input(self, prompt=None):
         expected = "foo bar"
         stdin = six.StringIO(expected + "\n")
-        with mock.patch("certbot.compat.select.select") as mock_select:
+        with mock.patch("certbot.compat.misc.select.select") as mock_select:
             mock_select.return_value = ([stdin], [], [],)
             self.assertEqual(self._call(prompt), expected)
 
diff --git a/certbot/tests/log_test.py b/certbot/tests/log_test.py
index b82cc6ca1..c929853dd 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/log_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/log_test.py
@@ -8,14 +8,13 @@ import unittest
 
 import mock
 import six
-
 from acme import messages
 from acme.magic_typing import Optional  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
 
-from certbot import compat
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import util
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.tests import util as test_util
 
 
@@ -261,7 +260,7 @@ class TempHandlerTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_permissions(self):
         self.assertTrue(
-            util.check_permissions(self.handler.path, 0o600, compat.os_geteuid()))
+            util.check_permissions(self.handler.path, 0o600, misc.os_geteuid()))
 
     def test_delete(self):
         self.handler.close()
diff --git a/certbot/tests/main_test.py b/certbot/tests/main_test.py
index e1be6e023..ba1799f32 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/main_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/main_test.py
@@ -3,42 +3,41 @@
 # pylint: disable=too-many-lines
 from __future__ import print_function
 
+import datetime
 import itertools
 import json
-import mock
 import os
 import shutil
+import sys
+import tempfile
 import traceback
 import unittest
-import datetime
-import pytz
-import tempfile
-import sys
 
 import josepy as jose
+import mock
+import pytz
 import six
 from six.moves import reload_module  # pylint: disable=import-error
 
 from acme.magic_typing import List  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
+
+import certbot.tests.util as test_util
 from certbot import account
 from certbot import cli
-from certbot import compat
-from certbot import constants
 from certbot import configuration
+from certbot import constants
 from certbot import crypto_util
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import interfaces  # pylint: disable=unused-import
 from certbot import main
 from certbot import updater
 from certbot import util
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 from certbot.plugins import disco
 from certbot.plugins import enhancements
 from certbot.plugins import manual
 from certbot.plugins import null
 
-import certbot.tests.util as test_util
-
 CERT_PATH = test_util.vector_path('cert_512.pem')
 CERT = test_util.vector_path('cert_512.pem')
 CSR = test_util.vector_path('csr_512.der')
@@ -1587,7 +1586,7 @@ class MakeOrVerifyNeededDirs(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
         for core_dir in (self.config.config_dir, self.config.work_dir,):
             mock_util.set_up_core_dir.assert_any_call(
                 core_dir, constants.CONFIG_DIRS_MODE,
-                compat.os_geteuid(), self.config.strict_permissions
+                misc.os_geteuid(), self.config.strict_permissions
             )
 
         hook_dirs = (self.config.renewal_pre_hooks_dir,
@@ -1596,7 +1595,7 @@ class MakeOrVerifyNeededDirs(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
         for hook_dir in hook_dirs:
             # default mode of 755 is used
             mock_util.make_or_verify_dir.assert_any_call(
-                hook_dir, uid=compat.os_geteuid(),
+                hook_dir, uid=misc.os_geteuid(),
                 strict=self.config.strict_permissions)
 
 
diff --git a/certbot/tests/reverter_test.py b/certbot/tests/reverter_test.py
index d04e3c641..8e05d4f1c 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/reverter_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/reverter_test.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import mock
 import six
 
 from certbot import errors
-
 from certbot.tests import util as test_util
 
 
@@ -356,7 +355,7 @@ class TestFullCheckpointsReverter(test_util.ConfigTestCase):
         self.assertRaises(
             errors.ReverterError, self.reverter.finalize_checkpoint, "Title")
 
-    @mock.patch("certbot.reverter.compat.os_rename")
+    @mock.patch("certbot.reverter.misc.os_rename")
     def test_finalize_checkpoint_no_rename_directory(self, mock_rename):
 
         self.reverter.add_to_checkpoint(self.sets[0], "perm save")
diff --git a/certbot/tests/storage_test.py b/certbot/tests/storage_test.py
index 872fb4302..a6577deb3 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/storage_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/storage_test.py
@@ -12,12 +12,10 @@ import pytz
 import six
 
 import certbot
-from certbot import compat
-from certbot import errors
-from certbot.storage import ALL_FOUR
-
 import certbot.tests.util as test_util
-
+from certbot import errors
+from certbot.compat import misc
+from certbot.storage import ALL_FOUR
 
 CERT = test_util.load_cert('cert_512.pem')
 
@@ -572,21 +570,21 @@ class RenewableCertTests(BaseRenewableCertTest):
         for kind in ALL_FOUR:
             self._write_out_kind(kind, 1)
         self.test_rc.update_all_links_to(1)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(
             os.stat(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 1)).st_mode, 0o600))
         os.chmod(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 1), 0o444)
         # If no new key, permissions should be the same (we didn't write any keys)
         self.test_rc.save_successor(1, b"newcert", None, b"new chain", self.config)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(
             os.stat(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 2)).st_mode, 0o444))
         # If new key, permissions should be kept as 644
         self.test_rc.save_successor(2, b"newcert", b"new_privkey", b"new chain", self.config)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(
             os.stat(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 3)).st_mode, 0o644))
         # If permissions reverted, next renewal will also revert permissions of new key
         os.chmod(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 3), 0o400)
         self.test_rc.save_successor(3, b"newcert", b"new_privkey", b"new chain", self.config)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(
             os.stat(self.test_rc.version("privkey", 4)).st_mode, 0o600))
 
     @test_util.broken_on_windows
@@ -624,7 +622,7 @@ class RenewableCertTests(BaseRenewableCertTest):
             self.config.live_dir, "README")))
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(os.path.join(
             self.config.live_dir, "the-lineage.com", "README")))
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(os.stat(result.key_path).st_mode, 0o600))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(os.stat(result.key_path).st_mode, 0o600))
         with open(result.fullchain, "rb") as f:
             self.assertEqual(f.read(), b"cert" + b"chain")
         # Let's do it again and make sure it makes a different lineage
diff --git a/certbot/tests/util_test.py b/certbot/tests/util_test.py
index b848dbb9f..2974f8f77 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/util_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/util_test.py
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ import mock
 import six
 from six.moves import reload_module  # pylint: disable=import-error
 
-from certbot import compat
-from certbot import errors
 import certbot.tests.util as test_util
+from certbot import errors
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 
 class RunScriptTest(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class SetUpCoreDirTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
     @mock.patch('certbot.util.lock_dir_until_exit')
     def test_success(self, mock_lock):
         new_dir = os.path.join(self.tempdir, 'new')
-        self._call(new_dir, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(), False)
+        self._call(new_dir, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(), False)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(new_dir))
         self.assertEqual(mock_lock.call_count, 1)
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ class SetUpCoreDirTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
     def test_failure(self, mock_make_or_verify):
         mock_make_or_verify.side_effect = OSError
         self.assertRaises(errors.Error, self._call,
-                          self.tempdir, 0o700, compat.os_geteuid(), False)
+                          self.tempdir, 0o700, misc.os_geteuid(), False)
 
 
 class MakeOrVerifyDirTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class MakeOrVerifyDirTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
         self.path = os.path.join(self.tempdir, "foo")
         os.mkdir(self.path, 0o600)
 
-        self.uid = compat.os_geteuid()
+        self.uid = misc.os_geteuid()
 
     def _call(self, directory, mode):
         from certbot.util import make_or_verify_dir
@@ -154,11 +154,11 @@ class MakeOrVerifyDirTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
         path = os.path.join(self.tempdir, "bar")
         self._call(path, 0o650)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(path))
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(os.stat(path).st_mode, 0o650))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(os.stat(path).st_mode, 0o650))
 
     def test_existing_correct_mode_does_not_fail(self):
         self._call(self.path, 0o600)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(os.stat(self.path).st_mode, 0o600))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(os.stat(self.path).st_mode, 0o600))
 
     @test_util.skip_on_windows('Umask modes are mostly ignored on Windows.')
     def test_existing_wrong_mode_fails(self):
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ class CheckPermissionsTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         super(CheckPermissionsTest, self).setUp()
 
-        self.uid = compat.os_geteuid()
+        self.uid = misc.os_geteuid()
 
     def _call(self, mode):
         from certbot.util import check_permissions
@@ -223,8 +223,8 @@ class UniqueFileTest(test_util.TempDirTestCase):
     def test_right_mode(self):
         fd1, name1 = self._call(0o700)
         fd2, name2 = self._call(0o600)
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(0o700, os.stat(name1).st_mode))
-        self.assertTrue(compat.compare_file_modes(0o600, os.stat(name2).st_mode))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(0o700, os.stat(name1).st_mode))
+        self.assertTrue(misc.compare_file_modes(0o600, os.stat(name2).st_mode))
         fd1.close()
         fd2.close()
 
diff --git a/certbot/util.py b/certbot/util.py
index 6481e30d2..fbdfd685a 100644
--- a/certbot/util.py
+++ b/certbot/util.py
@@ -10,20 +10,19 @@ import logging
 import os
 import platform
 import re
-import six
 import socket
 import subprocess
-
 from collections import OrderedDict
 
 import configargparse
+import six
 
 from acme.magic_typing import Tuple, Union  # pylint: disable=unused-import, no-name-in-module
-from certbot import compat
+
 from certbot import constants
 from certbot import errors
 from certbot import lock
-
+from certbot.compat import misc
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -204,7 +203,7 @@ def check_permissions(filepath, mode, uid=0):
 
     """
     file_stat = os.stat(filepath)
-    return compat.compare_file_modes(file_stat.st_mode, mode) and file_stat.st_uid == uid
+    return misc.compare_file_modes(file_stat.st_mode, mode) and file_stat.st_uid == uid
 
 
 def safe_open(path, mode="w", chmod=None, buffering=None):