diff --git a/src/DMAPI/tgs.dm b/src/DMAPI/tgs.dm
index 4493aef72c..d0cf1618a6 100644
--- a/src/DMAPI/tgs.dm
+++ b/src/DMAPI/tgs.dm
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@
 #define TGS_EVENT_WATCHDOG_SHUTDOWN 15
 /// Before the watchdog detaches for a TGS update/restart. No parameters.
 #define TGS_EVENT_WATCHDOG_DETACH 16
+// We don't actually implement this value as the DMAPI can never receive it
+// #define TGS_EVENT_WATCHDOG_LAUNCH 17
 
 // OTHER ENUMS
 
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Internal/RevisionInformation.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Internal/RevisionInformation.cs
index efdb763aa2..1ee31b1993 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Internal/RevisionInformation.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Internal/RevisionInformation.cs
@@ -11,14 +11,14 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal
 		/// The revision sha
 		/// </summary>
 		[Required]
-		[StringLength(40)]
+		[StringLength(Limits.MaximumCommitShaLength)]
 		public string? CommitSha { get; set; }
 
 		/// <summary>
 		/// The sha of the most recent remote commit
 		/// </summary>
 		[Required]
-		[StringLength(40)]
+		[StringLength(Limits.MaximumCommitShaLength)]
 		public string? OriginCommitSha { get; set; }
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Limits.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Limits.cs
index be61530fe7..249ecd0763 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Limits.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Limits.cs
@@ -14,5 +14,10 @@
 		/// Length limit for <see cref="Internal.ChatBot.Name"/>s.
 		/// </summary>
 		public const int MaximumIndexableStringLength = 100;
+
+		/// <summary>
+		/// Length limit for git commit SHAs.
+		/// </summary>
+		public const int MaximumCommitShaLength = 40;
 	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Repository.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Repository.cs
index 26a3e1fa46..88b53ab95c 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Repository.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Api/Models/Repository.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;
 
 namespace Tgstation.Server.Api.Models
 {
@@ -12,9 +13,15 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Api.Models
 		/// </summary>
 		public string? Origin { get; set; }
 
+		/// <summary>
+		/// If submodules should be recursively cloned.
+		/// </summary>
+		public bool? RecurseSubmodules { get; set; }
+
 		/// <summary>
 		/// The commit HEAD should point to. Not populated in responses, use <see cref="RevisionInformation"/> instead for retrieval
 		/// </summary>
+		[StringLength(Limits.MaximumCommitShaLength)]
 		public string? CheckoutSha { get; set; }
 
 		/// <summary>
@@ -45,6 +52,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Api.Models
 		/// <summary>
 		/// The branch or tag HEAD points to
 		/// </summary>
+		[StringLength(Limits.MaximumStringLength)]
 		public string? Reference { get; set; }
 
 		/// <summary>
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Client/Components/InstanceClient.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Client/Components/InstanceClient.cs
index 2bf76eca71..f5f31907ec 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Client/Components/InstanceClient.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Client/Components/InstanceClient.cs
@@ -33,19 +33,16 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Client.Components
 		/// <inheritdoc />
 		public IJobsClient Jobs { get; }
 
-		/// <summary>
-		/// The <see cref="IApiClient"/> for the <see cref="InstanceClient"/>
-		/// </summary>
-		readonly IApiClient apiClient;
-
 		/// <summary>
 		/// Construct a <see cref="InstanceClient"/>
 		/// </summary>
-		/// <param name="apiClient">The value of <see cref="apiClient"/></param>
+		/// <param name="apiClient">The <see cref="IApiClient"/> used to construct component clients.</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The value of <see cref="Metadata"/></param>
 		public InstanceClient(IApiClient apiClient, Instance instance)
 		{
-			this.apiClient = apiClient ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(apiClient));
+			if (apiClient == null)
+				throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(apiClient));
+
 			Metadata = instance ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(instance));
 
 			Byond = new ByondClient(apiClient, instance);
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Events/EventType.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Events/EventType.cs
index 419fb9ec3b..9b648382c9 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Events/EventType.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Events/EventType.cs
@@ -106,5 +106,11 @@
 		/// </summary>
 		[EventScript("WatchdogDetach")]
 		WatchdogDetach,
+
+		/// <summary>
+		/// Before the watchdog launches. No parameters.
+		/// </summary>
+		[EventScript("WatchdogLaunch")]
+		WatchdogLaunch
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/InstanceFactory.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/InstanceFactory.cs
index 15876d33cd..cad5c38fa7 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/InstanceFactory.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/InstanceFactory.cs
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components
 							sessionControllerFactory,
 							gameIoManager,
 							diagnosticsIOManager,
+							eventConsumer,
 							metadata.CloneMetadata(),
 							metadata.DreamDaemonSettings);
 						eventConsumer.SetWatchdog(watchdog);
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/IRepositoryManager.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/IRepositoryManager.cs
index 2f9c59df69..06bf3fb467 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/IRepositoryManager.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/IRepositoryManager.cs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Repository
 		bool InUse { get; }
 
 		/// <summary>
-		/// If a <see cref="CloneRepository(Uri, string, string, string, Action{int}, CancellationToken)"/> operation is in progress
+		/// If a <see cref="CloneRepository(Uri, string, string, string, Action{int}, bool, CancellationToken)"/> operation is in progress.
 		/// </summary>
 		bool CloneInProgress { get; }
 
@@ -34,9 +34,17 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Repository
 		/// <param name="username">The username to clone from <paramref name="url"/></param>
 		/// <param name="password">The password to clone from <paramref name="url"/></param>
 		/// <param name="progressReporter">A function to report 0-100 progress of the clone</param>
+		/// <param name="recurseSubmodules">If submodules should be recusively cloned and initialized.</param>
 		/// <param name="cancellationToken">The <see cref="CancellationToken"/> for the operation</param>
 		/// <returns>The newly cloned <see cref="IRepository"/>, <see langword="null"/> if one already exists</returns>
-		Task<IRepository> CloneRepository(Uri url, string initialBranch, string username, string password, Action<int> progressReporter, CancellationToken cancellationToken);
+		Task<IRepository> CloneRepository(
+			Uri url,
+			string initialBranch,
+			string username,
+			string password,
+			Action<int> progressReporter,
+			bool recurseSubmodules,
+			CancellationToken cancellationToken);
 
 		/// <summary>
 		/// Delete the current repository
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/RepositoryManager.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/RepositoryManager.cs
index 4c5fefc314..55c19fdc82 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/RepositoryManager.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Repository/RepositoryManager.cs
@@ -89,7 +89,14 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Repository
 		}
 
 		/// <inheritdoc />
-		public async Task<IRepository> CloneRepository(Uri url, string initialBranch, string username, string password, Action<int> progressReporter, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+		public async Task<IRepository> CloneRepository(
+			Uri url,
+			string initialBranch,
+			string username,
+			string password,
+			Action<int> progressReporter,
+			bool recurseSubmodules,
+			CancellationToken cancellationToken)
 		{
 			if (url == null)
 				throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(url));
@@ -122,7 +129,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Repository
 									progressReporter((int)percentage);
 									return !cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested;
 								},
-								RecurseSubmodules = true,
+								RecurseSubmodules = recurseSubmodules,
 								OnUpdateTips = (a, b, c) => !cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested,
 								RepositoryOperationStarting = (a) => !cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested,
 								BranchName = initialBranch,
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/BasicWatchdog.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/BasicWatchdog.cs
index 73d7a74d22..63cdb20557 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/BasicWatchdog.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/BasicWatchdog.cs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Core;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Database;
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="serverControl">The <see cref="IServerControl"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="asyncDelayer">The <see cref="IAsyncDelayer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="logger">The <see cref="ILogger"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="initialLaunchParameters">The <see cref="DreamDaemonLaunchParameters"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The <see cref="Api.Models.Instance"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			IServerControl serverControl,
 			IAsyncDelayer asyncDelayer,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			ILogger<BasicWatchdog> logger,
 			DreamDaemonLaunchParameters initialLaunchParameters,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
@@ -79,6 +82,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				 serverControl,
 				 asyncDelayer,
 				 diagnosticsIOManager,
+				 eventConsumer,
 				 logger,
 				 initialLaunchParameters,
 				 instance,
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/ExperimentalWatchdog.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/ExperimentalWatchdog.cs
index 0addffef36..95d2fc12b2 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/ExperimentalWatchdog.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/ExperimentalWatchdog.cs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Core;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Database;
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="serverControl">The <see cref="IServerControl"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="asyncDelayer">The <see cref="IAsyncDelayer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="logger">The <see cref="ILogger"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="initialLaunchParameters">The <see cref="DreamDaemonLaunchParameters"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The <see cref="Api.Models.Instance"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			IServerControl serverControl,
 			IAsyncDelayer asyncDelayer,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			ILogger<ExperimentalWatchdog> logger,
 			DreamDaemonLaunchParameters initialLaunchParameters,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance, bool autoStart)
@@ -89,6 +92,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				 serverControl,
 				 asyncDelayer,
 				 diagnosticsIOManager,
+				 eventConsumer,
 				 logger,
 				 initialLaunchParameters,
 				 instance,
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/IWatchdogFactory.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/IWatchdogFactory.cs
index 63f30ec362..134628b460 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/IWatchdogFactory.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/IWatchdogFactory.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.IO;
 
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="sessionControllerFactory">The <see cref="ISessionControllerFactory"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <param name="gameIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> pointing to the Game directory for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> pointing to the Diagnostics directory for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The <see cref="Instance"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <param name="settings">The initial <see cref="DreamDaemonSettings"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <returns>A new <see cref="IWatchdog"/></returns>
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			ISessionControllerFactory sessionControllerFactory,
 			IIOManager gameIOManager,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
 			DreamDaemonSettings settings);
 	}
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogBase.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogBase.cs
index d8e6139afa..f95eb8111b 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogBase.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogBase.cs
@@ -120,6 +120,11 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// </summary>
 		readonly IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager;
 
+		/// <summary>
+		/// The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> that is not the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>
+		/// </summary>
+		readonly IEventConsumer eventConsumer;
+
 		/// <summary>
 		/// <see langword="lock"/> <see cref="object"/> used for <see cref="DisposeAndNullControllers"/>.
 		/// </summary>
@@ -177,6 +182,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="serverControl">The <see cref="IServerControl"/> to populate <see cref="restartRegistration"/> with</param>
 		/// <param name="asyncDelayer">The value of <see cref="AsyncDelayer"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The value of <see cref="diagnosticsIOManager"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The value of <see cref="eventConsumer"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="logger">The value of <see cref="Logger"/></param>
 		/// <param name="initialLaunchParameters">The initial value of <see cref="ActiveLaunchParameters"/>. May be modified</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The value of <see cref="instance"/></param>
@@ -191,6 +197,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			IServerControl serverControl,
 			IAsyncDelayer asyncDelayer,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			ILogger logger,
 			DreamDaemonLaunchParameters initialLaunchParameters,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
@@ -204,6 +211,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			this.jobManager = jobManager ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(jobManager));
 			AsyncDelayer = asyncDelayer ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(asyncDelayer));
 			this.diagnosticsIOManager = diagnosticsIOManager ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(diagnosticsIOManager));
+			this.eventConsumer = eventConsumer ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(eventConsumer));
 			Logger = logger ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(logger));
 			ActiveLaunchParameters = initialLaunchParameters ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(initialLaunchParameters));
 			this.instance = instance ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(instance));
@@ -255,7 +263,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				return;
 			if (!graceful)
 			{
-				var eventTask = HandleEvent(releaseServers ? EventType.WatchdogDetach : EventType.WatchdogShutdown, null, cancellationToken);
+				var eventTask = eventConsumer.HandleEvent(releaseServers ? EventType.WatchdogDetach : EventType.WatchdogShutdown, null, cancellationToken);
 
 				var chatTask = announce ? Chat.SendWatchdogMessage("Shutting down...", false, cancellationToken) : Task.CompletedTask;
 
@@ -353,13 +361,19 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				throw new JobException(ErrorCode.WatchdogCompileJobCorrupted);
 
 			// this is necessary, the monitor could be in it's sleep loop trying to restart, if so cancel THAT monitor and start our own with blackjack and hookers
-			Task chatTask;
+			Task announceTask;
 			if (startMonitor && await StopMonitor().ConfigureAwait(false))
-				chatTask = Chat.SendWatchdogMessage("Automatic retry sequence cancelled by manual launch. Restarting...", false, cancellationToken);
+				announceTask = Chat.SendWatchdogMessage("Automatic retry sequence cancelled by manual launch. Restarting...", false, cancellationToken);
 			else if (announce)
-				chatTask = Chat.SendWatchdogMessage(reattachInfo == null ? "Launching..." : "Reattaching...", false, cancellationToken); // simple announce
+			{
+				announceTask = Chat.SendWatchdogMessage(reattachInfo == null ? "Launching..." : "Reattaching...", false, cancellationToken); // simple announce
+				if (reattachInfo == null)
+					announceTask = Task.WhenAll(
+						eventConsumer.HandleEvent(EventType.WatchdogLaunch, Enumerable.Empty<string>(), cancellationToken),
+						announceTask);
+			}
 			else
-				chatTask = Task.CompletedTask; // no announce
+				announceTask = Task.CompletedTask; // no announce
 
 			// since neither server is running, this is safe to do
 			LastLaunchParameters = ActiveLaunchParameters;
@@ -369,11 +383,11 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			var recursiveCallToHappen = false;
 			try
 			{
-				await InitControllers(() => recursiveCallToHappen = true, chatTask, reattachInfo, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+				await InitControllers(() => recursiveCallToHappen = true, announceTask, reattachInfo, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
 				if (recursiveCallToHappen)
 					return;
 
-				await chatTask.ConfigureAwait(false);
+				await announceTask.ConfigureAwait(false);
 
 				Logger.LogInformation("Launched servers successfully");
 				Running = true;
@@ -389,14 +403,14 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				// don't try to send chat tasks or warning logs if were suppressing exceptions or cancelled
 				if (!recursiveCallToHappen && !cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
 				{
-					var originalChatTask = chatTask;
+					var originalChatTask = announceTask;
 					async Task ChainChatTaskWithErrorMessage()
 					{
 						await originalChatTask.ConfigureAwait(false);
 						await Chat.SendWatchdogMessage("Startup failed!", false, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
 					}
 
-					chatTask = ChainChatTaskWithErrorMessage();
+					announceTask = ChainChatTaskWithErrorMessage();
 					Logger.LogWarning("Failed to start watchdog: {0}", e.ToString());
 				}
 
@@ -407,9 +421,12 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				// finish the chat task that's in flight
 				try
 				{
-					await chatTask.ConfigureAwait(false);
+					await announceTask.ConfigureAwait(false);
+				}
+				catch (OperationCanceledException)
+				{
+					Logger.LogTrace("Announcement task canceled!");
 				}
-				catch (OperationCanceledException) { }
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -751,8 +768,9 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		}
 
 		/// <inheritdoc />
-		public async Task HandleEvent(EventType eventType, IEnumerable<string> parameters, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+		async Task IEventConsumer.HandleEvent(EventType eventType, IEnumerable<string> parameters, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
 		{
+			// Method explicitly implemented to prevent accidental calls when this.eventConsumer should be used.
 			var activeServer = GetActiveController();
 
 			// Server may have ended
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogFactory.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogFactory.cs
index b7fcaaa3bd..abbe180c96 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogFactory.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WatchdogFactory.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using System;
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Configuration;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Core;
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			ISessionControllerFactory sessionControllerFactory,
 			IIOManager gameIOManager,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
 			DreamDaemonSettings settings)
 		{
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 					ServerControl,
 					AsyncDelayer,
 					diagnosticsIOManager,
+					eventConsumer,
 					LoggerFactory.CreateLogger<ExperimentalWatchdog>(),
 					settings,
 					instance,
@@ -105,6 +108,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				sessionControllerFactory,
 				gameIOManager,
 				diagnosticsIOManager,
+				eventConsumer,
 				instance,
 				settings);
 		}
@@ -118,6 +122,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="sessionControllerFactory">The <see cref="ISessionControllerFactory"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <param name="gameIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> pointing to the Game directory for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> pointing to the Diagnostics directory for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="instance">The <see cref="Instance"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <param name="settings">The initial <see cref="DreamDaemonSettings"/> for the <see cref="IWatchdog"/></param>
 		/// <returns>A new <see cref="IWatchdog"/></returns>
@@ -128,6 +133,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			ISessionControllerFactory sessionControllerFactory,
 			IIOManager gameIOManager,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
 			DreamDaemonSettings settings)
 			=> new BasicWatchdog(
@@ -140,6 +146,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				ServerControl,
 				AsyncDelayer,
 				diagnosticsIOManager,
+				eventConsumer,
 				LoggerFactory.CreateLogger<BasicWatchdog>(),
 				settings,
 				instance,
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdog.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdog.cs
index 206995886c..aa59fc3d35 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdog.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdog.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Core;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Database;
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 		/// <param name="serverControl">The <see cref="IServerControl"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="asyncDelayer">The <see cref="IAsyncDelayer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="diagnosticsIOManager">The <see cref="IIOManager"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
+		/// <param name="eventConsumer">The <see cref="IEventConsumer"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="gameIOManager">The value of <see cref="gameIOManager"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="symlinkFactory">The value of <see cref="symlinkFactory"/>.</param>
 		/// <param name="logger">The <see cref="ILogger"/> for the <see cref="WatchdogBase"/>.</param>
@@ -71,6 +73,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			IServerControl serverControl,
 			IAsyncDelayer asyncDelayer,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			IIOManager gameIOManager,
 			ISymlinkFactory symlinkFactory,
 			ILogger<WindowsWatchdog> logger,
@@ -86,6 +89,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				serverControl,
 				asyncDelayer,
 				diagnosticsIOManager,
+				eventConsumer,
 				logger,
 				initialLaunchParameters,
 				instance,
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdogFactory.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdogFactory.cs
index d8c4314280..f1f23e22f6 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdogFactory.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Components/Watchdog/WindowsWatchdogFactory.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using System;
 using Tgstation.Server.Api.Models.Internal;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Chat;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Deployment;
+using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Events;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Session;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Configuration;
 using Tgstation.Server.Host.Core;
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 			ISessionControllerFactory sessionControllerFactory,
 			IIOManager gameIOManager,
 			IIOManager diagnosticsIOManager,
+			IEventConsumer eventConsumer,
 			Api.Models.Instance instance,
 			DreamDaemonSettings settings)
 			=> new WindowsWatchdog(
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Components.Watchdog
 				ServerControl,
 				AsyncDelayer,
 				diagnosticsIOManager,
+				eventConsumer,
 				gameIOManager,
 				symlinkFactory,
 				LoggerFactory.CreateLogger<WindowsWatchdog>(),
diff --git a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Controllers/RepositoryController.cs b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Controllers/RepositoryController.cs
index d6536518e3..0094cb8764 100644
--- a/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Controllers/RepositoryController.cs
+++ b/src/Tgstation.Server.Host/Controllers/RepositoryController.cs
@@ -204,7 +204,15 @@ namespace Tgstation.Server.Host.Controllers
 			var api = currentModel.ToApi();
 			await jobManager.RegisterOperation(job, async (paramJob, databaseContextFactory, progressReporter, ct) =>
 			{
-				using var repos = await repoManager.CloneRepository(new Uri(origin), cloneBranch, currentModel.AccessUser, currentModel.AccessToken, progressReporter, ct).ConfigureAwait(false);
+				using var repos = await repoManager.CloneRepository(
+					new Uri(origin),
+					cloneBranch,
+					currentModel.AccessUser,
+					currentModel.AccessToken,
+					progressReporter,
+					model.RecurseSubmodules ?? true,
+					ct)
+					.ConfigureAwait(false);
 				if (repos == null)
 					throw new JobException(ErrorCode.RepoExists);
 				var instance = new Models.Instance