diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ea6c0a4..7e4e452 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -200,8 +200,9 @@ Storage entry can be edited with following catcli commands:
 ## Update catalog
 
 The catalog can be updated with the `update` command.
-Updates are based on the access time of each of the files. If using
-`-c --hash`, only new files are re-hashed.
+Updates are based on the access time of each of the files and on the
+hash checksum if present (catalog was indexed with `-c --hash` and
+`update` is called with the switch `-c --hash`).
 
 # Examples
 
diff --git a/catcli/catalog.py b/catcli/catalog.py
index 9eea7c5..5c7542b 100644
--- a/catcli/catalog.py
+++ b/catcli/catalog.py
@@ -17,10 +17,16 @@ from catcli.logger import Logger
 
 class Catalog:
 
-    def __init__(self, path, pickle=False, verbose=False, force=False):
-        self.path = path  # catalog path
-        self.verbose = verbose  # verbosity
-        self.force = force  # force overwrite if exists
+    def __init__(self, path, pickle=False, debug=False, force=False):
+        '''
+        @path: catalog path
+        @pickle: use pickle
+        @debug: debug mode
+        @force: force overwrite if exists
+        '''
+        self.path = path
+        self.debug = debug
+        self.force = force
         self.metanode = None
         self.pickle = pickle
 
@@ -60,19 +66,22 @@ class Catalog:
             return self._save_pickle(node)
         return self._save_json(node)
 
+    def _debug(self, text):
+        if not self.debug:
+            return
+        Logger.debug(text)
+
     def _save_pickle(self, node):
         '''pickle the catalog'''
         pickle.dump(node, open(self.path, 'wb'))
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('Catalog saved to pickle \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
+        self._debug('Catalog saved to pickle \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
         return True
 
     def _restore_pickle(self):
         '''restore the pickled tree'''
         root = pickle.load(open(self.path, 'rb'))
-        if self.verbose:
-            m = 'Catalog imported from pickle \"{}\"'.format(self.path)
-            Logger.info(m)
+        m = 'Catalog imported from pickle \"{}\"'.format(self.path)
+        self._debug(m)
         return root
 
     def _save_json(self, node):
@@ -80,14 +89,12 @@ class Catalog:
         exp = JsonExporter(indent=2, sort_keys=True)
         with open(self.path, 'w') as f:
             exp.write(node, f)
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('Catalog saved to json \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
+        self._debug('Catalog saved to json \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
         return True
 
     def _restore_json(self, string):
         '''restore the tree from json'''
         imp = JsonImporter()
         root = imp.import_(string)
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('Catalog imported from json \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
+        self._debug('Catalog imported from json \"{}\"'.format(self.path))
         return root
diff --git a/catcli/catcli.py b/catcli/catcli.py
index af01244..401a610 100755
--- a/catcli/catcli.py
+++ b/catcli/catcli.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ USAGE = """
 
 Usage:
     {1} index  [--catalog=<path>] [--meta=<meta>...] [-acfnV] <name> <path>
-    {1} update [--catalog=<path>] [-acfnV] <name> <path>
+    {1} update [--catalog=<path>] [-acfnV] [--lpath=<path>] <name> <path>
     {1} ls     [--catalog=<path>] [-arVS] [<path>]
     {1} find   [--catalog=<path>] [-abdVP] [--path=<path>] <term>
     {1} rm     [--catalog=<path>] [-fV] <storage>
@@ -50,28 +50,30 @@ Usage:
     {1} --version
 
 Options:
-    --catalog=<path>  Path to the catalog [default: {2}].
-    --meta=<meta>     Additional attribute to store [default: ].
-    -p --path=<path>  Start path.
-    -n --no-subsize   Do not store size of directories [default: False].
-    -a --archive      Handle archive file [default: False].
-    -f --force        Do not ask when updating the catalog [default: False].
-    -d --directory    Only directory (default: False).
-    -b --script       Output script to manage found file(s) [default: False].
-    -S --sortsize     Sort by size, largest first [default: False].
-    -c --hash         Calculate md5 hash [default: False].
-    -r --recursive    Recursive [default: False].
-    -P --parent       Ignore stored relpath [default: True].
-    -V --verbose      Be verbose [default: False].
-    -v --version      Show version.
-    -h --help         Show this screen.
+    --catalog=<path>    Path to the catalog [default: {2}].
+    --meta=<meta>       Additional attribute to store [default: ].
+    -p --path=<path>    Start path.
+    -l --lpath=<path>   Path where changes are logged [default: ]
+    -n --no-subsize     Do not store size of directories [default: False].
+    -a --archive        Handle archive file [default: False].
+    -f --force          Do not ask when updating the catalog [default: False].
+    -d --directory      Only directory (default: False).
+    -b --script         Output script to manage found file(s) [default: False].
+    -S --sortsize       Sort by size, largest first [default: False].
+    -c --hash           Calculate md5 hash [default: False].
+    -r --recursive      Recursive [default: False].
+    -P --parent         Ignore stored relpath [default: True].
+    -V --verbose        Be verbose [default: False].
+    -v --version        Show version.
+    -h --help           Show this screen.
 """.format(BANNER, NAME, CATALOGPATH)
 
 
-def cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=False):
+def cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top):
     path = args['<path>']
     name = args['<name>']
-    nohash = not args['--hash']
+    hash = args['--hash']
+    debug = args['--verbose']
     subsize = not args['--no-subsize']
     if not os.path.exists(path):
         Logger.err('\"{}\" does not exist'.format(path))
@@ -87,7 +89,7 @@ def cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=False):
         node = noder.get_storage_node(top, name)
         node.parent = None
     start = datetime.datetime.now()
-    walker = Walker(noder, nohash=nohash, debug=debug)
+    walker = Walker(noder, hash=hash, debug=debug)
     attr = noder.format_storage_attr(args['--meta'])
     root = noder.storage_node(name, path, parent=top, attr=attr)
     _, cnt = walker.index(path, root, name)
@@ -99,10 +101,12 @@ def cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=False):
         catalog.save(top)
 
 
-def cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=False):
+def cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top):
     path = args['<path>']
     name = args['<name>']
-    nohash = not args['--hash']
+    hash = args['--hash']
+    logpath = args['--lpath']
+    debug = args['--verbose']
     subsize = not args['--no-subsize']
     if not os.path.exists(path):
         Logger.err('\"{}\" does not exist'.format(path))
@@ -112,7 +116,8 @@ def cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=False):
         Logger.err('storage named \"{}\" does not exist'.format(name))
         return
     start = datetime.datetime.now()
-    walker = Walker(noder, nohash=nohash, debug=debug)
+    walker = Walker(noder, hash=hash, debug=debug,
+                    logpath=logpath)
     cnt = walker.reindex(path, root, top)
     if subsize:
         noder.rec_size(root)
@@ -212,8 +217,8 @@ def cmd_edit(args, noder, catalog, top):
 
 
 def banner():
-    Logger.log(BANNER)
-    Logger.log("")
+    Logger.out(BANNER)
+    Logger.out("")
 
 
 def main():
@@ -230,10 +235,10 @@ def main():
     banner()
 
     # init noder
-    noder = Noder(verbose=args['--verbose'], sortsize=args['--sortsize'],
+    noder = Noder(debug=args['--verbose'], sortsize=args['--sortsize'],
                   arc=args['--archive'])
     # init catalog
-    catalog = Catalog(args['--catalog'], verbose=args['--verbose'],
+    catalog = Catalog(args['--catalog'], debug=args['--verbose'],
                       force=args['--force'])
     # init top node
     top = catalog.restore()
@@ -241,14 +246,14 @@ def main():
         top = noder.new_top_node()
 
     # handle the meta node
-    meta = noder.update_metanode(noder.get_meta_node(top))
+    meta = noder.update_metanode(top)
     catalog.set_metanode(meta)
 
     # parse command
     if args['index']:
-        cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=args['--verbose'])
+        cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top)
     if args['update']:
-        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=args['--verbose'])
+        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top)
     elif args['find']:
         cmd_find(args, noder, top)
     elif args['tree']:
diff --git a/catcli/logger.py b/catcli/logger.py
index 66a0134..64ded23 100644
--- a/catcli/logger.py
+++ b/catcli/logger.py
@@ -71,17 +71,17 @@ class Logger:
     # generic output
     ######################################################################
     def out(string):
-        '''to stdout'''
+        '''to stdout no color'''
         sys.stdout.write('{}\n'.format(string))
 
-    def log(string):
-        '''to stderr'''
-        sys.stderr.write('{}\n'.format(string))
+    def debug(string):
+        '''to stderr no color'''
+        sys.stderr.write('[DBG] {}\n'.format(string))
 
     def info(string):
-        '''to stderr in color'''
+        '''to stdout in color'''
         s = '{}{}{}'.format(Logger.MAGENTA, string, Logger.RESET)
-        sys.stderr.write('{}\n'.format(s))
+        sys.stdout.write('{}\n'.format(s))
 
     def err(string):
         '''to stderr in RED'''
@@ -96,3 +96,10 @@ class Logger:
     def bold(string):
         '''make it bold'''
         return '{}{}{}'.format(Logger.BOLD, string, Logger.RESET)
+
+    def flog(path, string, append=True):
+        mode = 'w'
+        if append:
+            mode = 'a'
+        with open(path, mode) as f:
+            f.write(string)
diff --git a/catcli/noder.py b/catcli/noder.py
index ba92479..1043b1d 100644
--- a/catcli/noder.py
+++ b/catcli/noder.py
@@ -36,9 +36,14 @@ class Noder:
     TYPE_STORAGE = 'storage'
     TYPE_META = 'meta'
 
-    def __init__(self, verbose=False, sortsize=False, arc=False):
+    def __init__(self, debug=False, sortsize=False, arc=False):
+        '''
+        @debug: debug mode
+        @sortsize: sort nodes by size
+        @arch: handle archive
+        '''
         self.hash = True
-        self.verbose = verbose
+        self.debug = debug
         self.sortsize = sortsize
         self.arc = arc
         if self.arc:
@@ -61,45 +66,59 @@ class Noder:
         '''get the node by internal tree path'''
         r = anytree.resolver.Resolver('name')
         try:
-            return r.get(top, path)
+            p = os.path.basename(path)
+            return r.get(top, p)
         except anytree.resolver.ChildResolverError:
             if not quiet:
-                Logger.err('No node at path \"{}\"'.format(path))
+                Logger.err('No node at path \"{}\"'.format(p))
             return None
 
-    def get_node_if_newer(self, top, path, maccess):
-        '''return the node (if any) and if path is newer'''
-        treepath = path.lstrip(os.sep)
+    def get_node_if_changed(self, top, path, treepath):
+        '''
+        return the node (if any) and if it has changed
+        @top: top node (storage)
+        @path: abs path to file
+        @treepath: rel path from indexed directory
+        '''
+        treepath = treepath.lstrip(os.sep)
         node = self.get_node(top, treepath, quiet=True)
+        # node does not exist
         if not node:
-            # node does not exist
+            self._debug('\tchange: node does not exist')
             return None, True
+        if os.path.isdir(path):
+            return node, False
+        # force re-indexing if no maccess
+        maccess = os.path.getmtime(path)
         if not self._has_attr(node, 'maccess') or \
                 not node.maccess:
-            # force re-indexing if no maccess
+            self._debug('\tchange: no maccess found')
             return node, True
+        # maccess changed
         old_maccess = node.maccess
-        if float(maccess) > float(old_maccess):
+        if float(maccess) != float(old_maccess):
+            self._debug('\tchange: maccess changed for \"{}\"'.format(path))
             return node, True
+        # test hash
+        if self.hash and node.md5:
+            md5 = self._get_hash(path)
+            if md5 != node.md5:
+                m = '\tchange: checksum changed for \"{}\"'.format(path)
+                self._debug(m)
+                return node, True
+        self._debug('\tchange: no change for \"{}\"'.format(path))
         return node, False
 
-    def get_meta_node(self, top):
-        '''return the meta node if any'''
-        try:
-            return next(filter(lambda x: x.type == self.TYPE_META,
-                        top.children))
-        except StopIteration:
-            return None
-
     def _rec_size(self, node, store=True):
         '''
         recursively traverse tree and return size
         @store: store the size in the node
         '''
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('getting node size recursively')
         if node.type == self.TYPE_FILE:
+            self._debug('getting node size for \"{}\"'.format(node.name))
             return node.size
+        m = 'getting node size recursively for \"{}\"'.format(node.name)
+        self._debug(m)
         size = 0
         for i in node.children:
             if node.type == self.TYPE_DIR:
@@ -142,8 +161,9 @@ class Noder:
         '''create a new top node'''
         return anytree.AnyNode(name=self.TOPNAME, type=self.TYPE_TOP)
 
-    def update_metanode(self, meta):
+    def update_metanode(self, top):
         '''create or update meta node information'''
+        meta = self._get_meta_node(top)
         epoch = int(time.time())
         if not meta:
             attr = {}
@@ -155,6 +175,14 @@ class Noder:
         meta.attr['access_version'] = VERSION
         return meta
 
+    def _get_meta_node(self, top):
+        '''return the meta node if any'''
+        try:
+            return next(filter(lambda x: x.type == self.TYPE_META,
+                        top.children))
+        except StopIteration:
+            return None
+
     def file_node(self, name, path, parent, storagepath):
         '''create a new node representing a file'''
         if not os.path.exists(path):
@@ -168,7 +196,7 @@ class Noder:
             return None
         md5 = None
         if self.hash:
-            md5 = utils.md5sum(path)
+            md5 = self._get_hash(path)
         relpath = os.sep.join([storagepath, name])
 
         maccess = os.path.getmtime(path)
@@ -200,6 +228,7 @@ class Noder:
         return cnt
 
     def flag(self, node):
+        '''flag a node'''
         node.flag = True
 
     def _clean(self, node):
@@ -337,8 +366,7 @@ class Noder:
                   script=False, directory=False,
                   startpath=None, parentfromtree=False):
         '''find files based on their names'''
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('searching for \"{}\"'.format(key))
+        self._debug('searching for \"{}\"'.format(key))
         start = root
         if startpath:
             start = self.get_node(root, startpath)
@@ -375,8 +403,7 @@ class Noder:
     ###############################################################
     def walk(self, root, path, rec=False):
         '''walk the tree for ls based on names'''
-        if self.verbose:
-            Logger.info('walking path: \"{}\"'.format(path))
+        self._debug('walking path: \"{}\"'.format(path))
         r = anytree.resolver.Resolver('name')
         found = []
         try:
@@ -396,7 +423,7 @@ class Noder:
         return found
 
     ###############################################################
-    # tree creationg
+    # tree creation
     ###############################################################
     def _add_entry(self, name, top, resolv):
         '''add an entry to the tree'''
@@ -429,6 +456,7 @@ class Noder:
         return sorted(items, key=self._sort, reverse=self.sortsize)
 
     def _sort(self, x):
+        '''sort a list'''
         if self.sortsize:
             return self._sort_size(x)
         return self._sort_fs(x)
@@ -461,3 +489,13 @@ class Noder:
         if parent:
             return os.sep.join([parent, node.name])
         return node.name
+
+    def _get_hash(self, path):
+        """return md5 hash of node"""
+        return utils.md5sum(path)
+
+    def _debug(self, string):
+        '''print debug'''
+        if not self.debug:
+            return
+        Logger.debug(string)
diff --git a/catcli/utils.py b/catcli/utils.py
index 5267737..798e784 100644
--- a/catcli/utils.py
+++ b/catcli/utils.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def md5sum(path):
     '''calculate md5 sum of a file'''
     p = os.path.realpath(path)
     if not os.path.exists(p):
-        Logger.err('\nunable to get md5sum on {}'.format(path))
+        Logger.err('\nmd5sum - file does not exist: {}'.format(p))
         return None
     try:
         with open(p, mode='rb') as f:
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ def md5sum(path):
             return d.hexdigest()
     except PermissionError:
         pass
+    except OSError as e:
+        Logger.err('md5sum error: {}'.format(e))
     return None
 
 
diff --git a/catcli/walker.py b/catcli/walker.py
index 37b24fb..1dcd65c 100644
--- a/catcli/walker.py
+++ b/catcli/walker.py
@@ -15,10 +15,19 @@ class Walker:
 
     MAXLINE = 80 - 15
 
-    def __init__(self, noder, nohash=False, debug=False):
+    def __init__(self, noder, hash=True, debug=False,
+                 logpath=None):
+        '''
+        @noder: the noder to use
+        @hash: calculate hash of nodes
+        @debug: debug mode
+        @logpath: path where to log catalog changes on reindex
+        '''
         self.noder = noder
-        self.noder.set_hashing(not nohash)
+        self.hash = hash
+        self.noder.set_hashing(self.hash)
         self.debug = debug
+        self.lpath = logpath
 
     def index(self, path, parent, name, storagepath=''):
         '''
@@ -44,7 +53,7 @@ class Walker:
                 sub = os.path.join(root, f)
                 if not os.path.exists(sub):
                     continue
-                self._log(f)
+                self._progress(f)
                 self._debug('index file {}'.format(sub))
                 n = self.noder.file_node(os.path.basename(f), sub,
                                          parent, storagepath)
@@ -67,43 +76,47 @@ class Walker:
                 _, cnt2 = self.index(sub, dummy, base, nstoragepath)
                 cnt += cnt2
             break
-        self._log(None)
+        self._progress(None)
         return parent, cnt
 
     def reindex(self, path, parent, top):
         '''reindex a directory and store in tree'''
-        cnt = self._reindex(path, parent, top, '')
+        cnt = self._reindex(path, parent, top)
         cnt += self.noder.clean_not_flagged(parent)
         return cnt
 
-    def _reindex(self, path, parent, top, storagepath):
-        '''reindex a directory and store in tree'''
+    def _reindex(self, path, parent, top, storagepath=''):
+        '''
+        reindex a directory and store in tree
+        @path: directory path to re-index
+        @top: top node (storage)
+        @storagepath: rel path relative to indexed directory
+        '''
         self._debug('reindexing starting at {}'.format(path))
         cnt = 0
         for (root, dirs, files) in os.walk(path):
             for f in files:
-                self._debug('found file {} under {}'.format(f, path))
+                self._debug('found file \"{}\" under {}'.format(f, path))
                 sub = os.path.join(root, f)
-                maccess = os.path.getmtime(sub)
-                need_reindex, n = self._need_reindex(parent, f, maccess)
-                if not need_reindex:
-                    self._debug('\tignore file {}'.format(sub))
+                treepath = os.path.join(storagepath, f)
+                reindex, n = self._need_reindex(parent, sub, treepath)
+                if not reindex:
+                    self._debug('\tskip file {}'.format(sub))
                     self.noder.flag(n)
                     continue
-                self._debug('\tre-index file {}'.format(sub))
-                self._log(f)
+                self._log2file('update catalog for \"{}\"'.format(sub))
                 n = self.noder.file_node(os.path.basename(f), sub,
                                          parent, storagepath)
                 self.noder.flag(n)
                 cnt += 1
             for d in dirs:
-                self._debug('found dir {} under {}'.format(d, path))
+                self._debug('found dir \"{}\" under {}'.format(d, path))
                 base = os.path.basename(d)
                 sub = os.path.join(root, d)
-                maccess = os.path.getmtime(sub)
-                need_reindex, dummy = self._need_reindex(parent, base, maccess)
-                if need_reindex:
-                    self._debug('\tre-index directory {}'.format(sub))
+                treepath = os.path.join(storagepath, d)
+                reindex, dummy = self._need_reindex(parent, sub, treepath)
+                if reindex:
+                    self._log2file('update catalog for \"{}\"'.format(sub))
                     dummy = self.noder.dir_node(base, sub, parent, storagepath)
                     cnt += 1
                 self.noder.flag(dummy)
@@ -114,33 +127,38 @@ class Walker:
                 cnt2 = self._reindex(sub, dummy, top, nstoragepath)
                 cnt += cnt2
             break
-        self._log(None)
         return cnt
 
-    def _need_reindex(self, top, path, maccess):
-        '''test if node needs re-indexing'''
-        cnode, newer = self.noder.get_node_if_newer(top, path, maccess)
+    def _need_reindex(self, top, path, treepath):
+        '''
+        test if node needs re-indexing
+        @top: top node (storage)
+        @path: abs path to file
+        @treepath: rel path from indexed directory
+        '''
+        cnode, changed = self.noder.get_node_if_changed(top, path, treepath)
         if not cnode:
-            self._debug('\tdoes not exist')
+            self._debug('\t{} does not exist'.format(path))
             return True, cnode
-        if cnode and not newer:
+        if cnode and not changed:
             # ignore this node
-            self._debug('\tis not newer')
+            self._debug('\t{} has not changed'.format(path))
             return False, cnode
-        if cnode and newer:
+        if cnode and changed:
             # remove this node and re-add
-            self._debug('\tis newer')
-            self._debug('\tremoving node {}'.format(cnode))
+            self._debug('\t{} has changed'.format(path))
+            self._debug('\tremoving node {} for {}'.format(cnode.name, path))
             cnode.parent = None
-        self._debug('\tis to be re-indexed')
         return True, cnode
 
     def _debug(self, string):
+        '''print to debug'''
         if not self.debug:
             return
-        Logger.log(string)
+        Logger.debug(string)
 
-    def _log(self, string):
+    def _progress(self, string):
+        '''print progress'''
         if self.debug:
             return
         if not string:
@@ -150,3 +168,10 @@ class Walker:
         if len(string) > self.MAXLINE:
             string = string[:self.MAXLINE] + '...'
         Logger.progr('indexing: {:80}'.format(string))
+
+    def _log2file(self, string):
+        '''log to file'''
+        if not self.lpath:
+            return
+        line = '{}\n'.format(string)
+        Logger.flog(self.lpath, line, append=True)
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index ae5624b..2d4c6d6 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import random
 import tempfile
 import shutil
 import subprocess
+import hashlib
 
 TMPSUFFIX = '.catcli'
 
@@ -25,6 +26,25 @@ def get_rnd_string(length):
     return ''.join(random.choice(alpha) for _ in range(length))
 
 
+def md5sum(path):
+    '''calculate md5 sum of a file'''
+    p = os.path.realpath(path)
+    if not os.path.exists(p):
+        return None
+    try:
+        with open(p, mode='rb') as f:
+            d = hashlib.md5()
+            while True:
+                buf = f.read(4096)
+                if not buf:
+                    break
+                d.update(buf)
+            return d.hexdigest()
+    except PermissionError:
+        pass
+    return None
+
+
 def clean(path):
     '''Delete file or folder.'''
     if not os.path.exists(path):
@@ -38,10 +58,7 @@ def clean(path):
 
 
 def edit_file(path, newcontent):
-    if not os.path.exists(path):
-        write_to_file(path, newcontent)
-    else:
-        write_to_file(path, newcontent)
+    return write_to_file(path, newcontent)
 
 
 def unix_tree(path):
diff --git a/tests/test_find.py b/tests/test_find.py
index 6bbef99..cb5a584 100644
--- a/tests/test_find.py
+++ b/tests/test_find.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class TestFind(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_find(self):
         # init
-        catalog = Catalog('fake', force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog('fake', force=True, debug=False)
         top = catalog._restore_json(get_fakecatalog())
         noder = Noder()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_graph.py b/tests/test_graph.py
index 68b3750..4d68dbc 100644
--- a/tests/test_graph.py
+++ b/tests/test_graph.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class TestGraph(unittest.TestCase):
         gpath = tempfile.gettempdir() + os.sep + 'graph.dot'
         self.addCleanup(clean, path)
         self.addCleanup(clean, gpath)
-        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, debug=False)
         top = catalog._restore_json(get_fakecatalog())
         noder = Noder()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_index.py b/tests/test_index.py
index c5396ff..966acc0 100644
--- a/tests/test_index.py
+++ b/tests/test_index.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
 
         noder = Noder()
         top = noder.new_top_node()
-        catalog = Catalog(catalogpath, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(catalogpath, force=True, debug=False)
 
         # create fake args
         tmpdirname = 'tmpdir'
diff --git a/tests/test_ls.py b/tests/test_ls.py
index 95d19eb..7b2061a 100644
--- a/tests/test_ls.py
+++ b/tests/test_ls.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class TestWalking(unittest.TestCase):
         # init
         path = 'fake'
         self.addCleanup(clean, path)
-        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, debug=False)
         top = catalog._restore_json(get_fakecatalog())
         noder = Noder()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_rm.py b/tests/test_rm.py
index d81d5cd..81f96ef 100644
--- a/tests/test_rm.py
+++ b/tests/test_rm.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class TestRm(unittest.TestCase):
         # init
         path = 'fake'
         self.addCleanup(clean, path)
-        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, debug=False)
         top = catalog._restore_json(get_fakecatalog())
         noder = Noder()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_tree.py b/tests/test_tree.py
index 238243f..66bb618 100644
--- a/tests/test_tree.py
+++ b/tests/test_tree.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class TestTree(unittest.TestCase):
         # init
         path = 'fake'
         self.addCleanup(clean, path)
-        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(path, force=True, debug=False)
         top = catalog._restore_json(get_fakecatalog())
         noder = Noder()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_update.py b/tests/test_update.py
index 39eb02c..5d4d4de 100644
--- a/tests/test_update.py
+++ b/tests/test_update.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from catcli.catcli import cmd_index, cmd_update
 from catcli.noder import Noder
 from catcli.catalog import Catalog
 from tests.helpers import create_dir, create_rnd_file, get_tempdir, \
-        clean, unix_tree, edit_file, read_from_file
+        clean, unix_tree, edit_file, read_from_file, md5sum
 import anytree
 
 
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         f1 = create_rnd_file(dirpath, 'file1')
         f2 = create_rnd_file(dirpath, 'file2')
         f3 = create_rnd_file(dirpath, 'file3')
+        f4 = create_rnd_file(dirpath, 'file4')
 
         # create 2 directories
         d1 = create_dir(dirpath, 'dir1')
@@ -40,22 +41,40 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         d1f1 = create_rnd_file(d1, 'dir1file1')
         d1f2 = create_rnd_file(d1, 'dir1file2')
         d2f1 = create_rnd_file(d2, 'dir2file1')
+        d2f2 = create_rnd_file(d2, 'dir2file2')
 
-        noder = Noder()
+        noder = Noder(debug=True)
+        noder.set_hashing(True)
         top = noder.new_top_node()
-        catalog = Catalog(catalogpath, force=True, verbose=False)
+        catalog = Catalog(catalogpath, force=True, debug=False)
+
+        # get checksums
+        f4_md5 = md5sum(f4)
+        self.assertTrue(f4_md5)
+        d1f1_md5 = md5sum(d1f1)
+        self.assertTrue(d1f1_md5)
+        d2f2_md5 = md5sum(d2f2)
+        self.assertTrue(d2f2_md5)
 
         # create fake args
         tmpdirname = 'tmpdir'
         args = {'<path>': dirpath, '<name>': tmpdirname,
                 '--hash': True, '--meta': ['some meta'],
-                '--no-subsize': False, '--verbose': True}
+                '--no-subsize': False, '--verbose': True,
+                '--lpath': None}
 
         # index the directory
         unix_tree(dirpath)
-        cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=True)
+        cmd_index(args, noder, catalog, top)
         self.assertTrue(os.stat(catalogpath).st_size != 0)
 
+        # ensure md5 sum are in
+        nods = noder.find_name(top, os.path.basename(f4))
+        self.assertTrue(len(nods) == 1)
+        nod = nods[0]
+        self.assertTrue(nod)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 == f4_md5)
+
         # print catalog
         noder.print_tree(top)
 
@@ -70,9 +89,32 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         # modify files
         EDIT = 'edited'
         edit_file(d1f1, EDIT)
+        d1f1_md5_new = md5sum(d1f1)
+        self.assertTrue(d1f1_md5_new)
+        self.assertTrue(d1f1_md5_new != d1f1_md5)
+
+        # change file without mtime
+        maccess = os.path.getmtime(f4)
+        EDIT = 'edited'
+        edit_file(f4, EDIT)
+        # reset edit time
+        os.utime(f4, (maccess, maccess))
+        f4_md5_new = md5sum(d1f1)
+        self.assertTrue(f4_md5_new)
+        self.assertTrue(f4_md5_new != f4_md5)
+
+        # change file without mtime
+        maccess = os.path.getmtime(d2f2)
+        EDIT = 'edited'
+        edit_file(d2f2, EDIT)
+        # reset edit time
+        os.utime(d2f2, (maccess, maccess))
+        d2f2_md5_new = md5sum(d2f2)
+        self.assertTrue(d2f2_md5_new)
+        self.assertTrue(d2f2_md5_new != d2f2_md5)
 
         # update storage
-        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=True)
+        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top)
 
         # print catalog
         # print(read_from_file(catalogpath))
@@ -81,7 +123,31 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         # explore the top node to find all nodes
         self.assertTrue(len(top.children) == 1)
         storage = top.children[0]
-        self.assertTrue(len(storage.children) == 7)
+        self.assertTrue(len(storage.children) == 8)
+
+        # ensure d1f1 md5 sum has changed in catalog
+        nods = noder.find_name(top, os.path.basename(d1f1))
+        self.assertTrue(len(nods) == 1)
+        nod = nods[0]
+        self.assertTrue(nod)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 != d1f1_md5)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 == d1f1_md5_new)
+
+        # ensure f4 md5 sum has changed in catalog
+        nods = noder.find_name(top, os.path.basename(f4))
+        self.assertTrue(len(nods) == 1)
+        nod = nods[0]
+        self.assertTrue(nod)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 != f4_md5)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 == f4_md5_new)
+
+        # ensure d2f2 md5 sum has changed in catalog
+        nods = noder.find_name(top, os.path.basename(d2f2))
+        self.assertTrue(len(nods) == 1)
+        nod = nods[0]
+        self.assertTrue(nod)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 != d2f2_md5)
+        self.assertTrue(nod.md5 == d2f2_md5_new)
 
         # ensures files and directories are in
         names = [node.name for node in anytree.PreOrderIter(storage)]
@@ -89,6 +155,7 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f2) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f3) in names)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f4) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1f1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1f2) in names)
@@ -104,7 +171,7 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
             if node.name == os.path.basename(d1):
                 self.assertTrue(len(node.children) == 3)
             elif node.name == os.path.basename(d2):
-                self.assertTrue(len(node.children) == 2)
+                self.assertTrue(len(node.children) == 3)
             elif node.name == os.path.basename(new3):
                 self.assertTrue(len(node.children) == 0)
             elif node.name == os.path.basename(new4):
@@ -118,7 +185,7 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         clean(new4)
 
         # update storage
-        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top, debug=True)
+        cmd_update(args, noder, catalog, top)
 
         # ensures files and directories are (not) in
         names = [node.name for node in anytree.PreOrderIter(storage)]
@@ -126,11 +193,13 @@ class TestIndexing(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f2) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f3) in names)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(f4) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1f1) not in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d1f2) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d2) not in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d2f1) not in names)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(d2f1) not in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(new1) in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(new2) not in names)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.basename(new3) in names)