diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/autorun/autorun-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/autorun/autorun-command.ts
index 0771c3237..0b3699504 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/autorun/autorun-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/autorun/autorun-command.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { ArgumentsCamelCase, CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import {
   type CollectOptions,
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {
   collectAndPersistReports,
   upload,
 } from '@code-pushup/core';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import {
   collectSuccessfulLog,
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ export function yargsAutorunCommandObject() {
     command,
     describe: 'Shortcut for running collect followed by upload',
     handler: async <T>(args: ArgumentsCamelCase<T>) => {
-      ui().logger.log(bold(CLI_NAME));
-      ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}...`));
+      logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+      logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
       const options = args as unknown as AutorunOptions;
 
       // we need to ensure `json` is part of the formats as we want to upload
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ export function yargsAutorunCommandObject() {
           uploadSuccessfulLog(report.url);
         }
       } else {
-        ui().logger.warning('Upload skipped because configuration is not set.');
+        logger.warn('Upload skipped because configuration is not set.');
         renderIntegratePortalHint();
       }
     },
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/collect/collect-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/collect/collect-command.ts
index 0f295d0fa..3baf3df9d 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/collect/collect-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/collect/collect-command.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { ArgumentsCamelCase, CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import {
   type CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
   collectAndPersistReports,
 } from '@code-pushup/core';
-import { link, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { link, logger, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import {
   collectSuccessfulLog,
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ export function yargsCollectCommandObject(): CommandModule {
     describe: 'Run Plugins and collect results',
     handler: async <T>(args: ArgumentsCamelCase<T>) => {
       const options = args as unknown as CollectAndPersistReportsOptions;
-      ui().logger.log(bold(CLI_NAME));
-      ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}...`));
+      logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+      logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
 
       await collectAndPersistReports(options);
       collectSuccessfulLog();
@@ -40,12 +40,13 @@ export function yargsCollectCommandObject(): CommandModule {
 }
 
 export function renderUploadAutorunHint(): void {
+  // TODO: replace @poppinss/cliui
   ui()
     .sticker()
-    .add(bold.gray('💡 Visualize your reports'))
+    .add(ansis.bold.gray('💡 Visualize your reports'))
     .add('')
     .add(
-      `${gray('❯')} npx code-pushup upload - ${gray(
+      `${ansis.gray('❯')} npx code-pushup upload - ${ansis.gray(
         'Run upload to upload the created report to the server',
       )}`,
     )
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ export function renderUploadAutorunHint(): void {
       )}`,
     )
     .add(
-      `${gray('❯')} npx code-pushup autorun - ${gray('Run collect & upload')}`,
+      `${ansis.gray('❯')} npx code-pushup autorun - ${ansis.gray('Run collect & upload')}`,
     )
     .add(
       `  ${link(
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
index 3934d06f8..5e5fb72a2 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import { type CompareOptions, compareReportFiles } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import type { PersistConfig, UploadConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import { yargsCompareOptionsDefinition } from '../implementation/compare.options.js';
 
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ export function yargsCompareCommandObject() {
     describe: 'Compare 2 report files and create a diff file',
     builder: yargsCompareOptionsDefinition(),
     handler: async (args: unknown) => {
-      ui().logger.log(bold(CLI_NAME));
-      ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}...`));
+      logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+      logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
 
       const options = args as CompareOptions & {
         persist: Required<PersistConfig>;
@@ -28,9 +28,9 @@ export function yargsCompareCommandObject() {
         { before, after, label },
       );
 
-      ui().logger.info(
+      logger.info(
         `Reports diff written to ${outputPaths
-          .map(path => bold(path))
+          .map(path => ansis.bold(path))
           .join(' and ')}`,
       );
     },
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
index 69d78cfc7..d0ccb5199 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { bold } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { compareReportFiles } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import {
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { DEFAULT_CLI_CONFIGURATION } from '../../../mocks/constants.js';
 import { yargsCli } from '../yargs-cli.js';
 import { yargsCompareCommandObject } from './compare-command.js';
@@ -78,11 +78,10 @@ describe('compare-command', () => {
       commands: [yargsCompareCommandObject()],
     }).parseAsync();
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'info',
-      `Reports diff written to ${bold(
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Reports diff written to ${ansis.bold(
         '.code-pushup/report-diff.json',
-      )} and ${bold('.code-pushup/report-diff.md')}`,
+      )} and ${ansis.bold('.code-pushup/report-diff.md')}`,
     );
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/history/history-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/history/history-command.ts
index 1895ba80e..b53150a00 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/history/history-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/history/history-command.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import { type HistoryOptions, history } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import {
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import {
   getCurrentBranchOrTag,
   getHashes,
   getSemverTags,
+  logger,
   safeCheckout,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import { yargsFilterOptionsDefinition } from '../implementation/filter.options.js';
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ import { normalizeHashOptions } from './utils.js';
 
 const command = 'history';
 async function handler(args: unknown) {
-  ui().logger.info(bold(CLI_NAME));
-  ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}`));
+  logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+  logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
 
   const currentBranch = await getCurrentBranchOrTag();
   const { targetBranch: rawTargetBranch, ...opt } = args as HistoryCliOptions &
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ async function handler(args: unknown) {
       results.map(({ hash }) => hash),
     );
 
-    ui().logger.log(`Reports: ${reports.length}`);
+    logger.info(`Reports: ${reports.length}`);
   } finally {
     // go back to initial branch
     await safeCheckout(currentBranch);
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/filter.middleware.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/filter.middleware.unit.test.ts
index 55bfda28d..f1a1395f6 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/filter.middleware.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/filter.middleware.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import type { CategoryConfig, PluginConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import {
   filterMiddleware,
   filterSkippedCategories,
@@ -315,14 +315,12 @@ describe('filterMiddleware', () => {
       ] as CategoryConfig[],
     });
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       1,
-      'info',
       'The --skipPlugins argument removed the following categories: c1, c2.',
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'info',
       'The --onlyPlugins argument removed the following categories: c1, c2.',
     );
   });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.ts
index 83d18beac..a70069bd1 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import yargs from 'yargs';
-import { toArray, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger, stringifyError, toArray } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { OptionValidationError } from './validate-filter-options.utils.js';
 
 export function filterKebabCaseKeys<T extends Record<string, unknown>>(
@@ -36,11 +36,11 @@ export function logErrorBeforeThrow<T extends (...args: any[]) => any>(
       return await fn(...args);
     } catch (error) {
       if (error instanceof OptionValidationError) {
-        ui().logger.error(error.message);
+        logger.error(error.message);
         await new Promise(resolve => process.stdout.write('', resolve));
         yargs().exit(1, error);
       } else {
-        console.error(error);
+        logger.error(stringifyError(error));
         await new Promise(resolve => process.stdout.write('', resolve));
         throw error;
       }
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.unit.test.ts
index e24e97cf6..7d538096a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/global.utils.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { filterKebabCaseKeys, logErrorBeforeThrow } from './global.utils.js';
 import { OptionValidationError } from './validate-filter-options.utils.js';
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ describe('logErrorBeforeThrow', () => {
     } catch {
       /* suppress */
     }
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('error', 'Option validation failed');
+    expect(logger.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Option validation failed');
   });
 
   it('should rethrow errors other than OptionValidationError', async () => {
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/logging.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/logging.ts
index be271721b..2191cbe51 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/logging.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/logging.ts
@@ -1,31 +1,31 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
-import { link, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
+import { link, logger, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 
 export function renderConfigureCategoriesHint(): void {
-  ui().logger.info(
-    gray(
-      `💡 Configure categories to see the scores in an overview table. See: ${link(
-        'https://github.com/code-pushup/cli/blob/main/packages/cli/README.md',
-      )}`,
-    ),
+  logger.debug(
+    `💡 Configure categories to see the scores in an overview table. See: ${link(
+      'https://github.com/code-pushup/cli/blob/main/packages/cli/README.md',
+    )}`,
+    { force: true },
   );
 }
 export function uploadSuccessfulLog(url: string): void {
-  ui().logger.success('Upload successful!');
-  ui().logger.success(link(url));
+  logger.info(ansis.green('Upload successful!'));
+  logger.info(link(url));
 }
 
 export function collectSuccessfulLog(): void {
-  ui().logger.success('Collecting report successful!');
+  logger.info(ansis.green('Collecting report successful!'));
 }
 
 export function renderIntegratePortalHint(): void {
+  // TODO: replace @poppinss/cliui
   ui()
     .sticker()
-    .add(bold.gray('💡 Integrate the portal'))
+    .add(ansis.bold.gray('💡 Integrate the portal'))
     .add('')
     .add(
-      `${gray('❯')} Upload a report to the server - ${gray(
+      `${ansis.gray('❯')} Upload a report to the server - ${ansis.gray(
         'npx code-pushup upload',
       )}`,
     )
@@ -35,12 +35,12 @@ export function renderIntegratePortalHint(): void {
       )}`,
     )
     .add(
-      `${gray('❯')} ${gray('Portal Integration')} - ${link(
+      `${ansis.gray('❯')} ${ansis.gray('Portal Integration')} - ${link(
         'https://github.com/code-pushup/cli/blob/main/packages/cli/README.md#portal-integration',
       )}`,
     )
     .add(
-      `${gray('❯')} ${gray('Upload Command')} - ${link(
+      `${ansis.gray('❯')} ${ansis.gray('Upload Command')} - ${link(
         'https://github.com/code-pushup/cli/blob/main/packages/cli/README.md#portal-integration',
       )}`,
     )
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.int.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.int.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index bfe0584a4..000000000
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.int.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
-import { isVerbose } from '@code-pushup/utils';
-import { setVerboseMiddleware } from './set-verbose.middleware.js';
-
-describe('setVerboseMiddleware', () => {
-  it.each([
-    [true, undefined, true],
-    [false, undefined, false],
-    [undefined, undefined, false],
-    [undefined, true, true],
-    [true, true, true],
-    [false, true, true],
-    [true, false, false],
-    [false, false, false],
-    ['True', undefined, true],
-    ['TRUE', undefined, true],
-    [0, undefined, false],
-    [undefined, 'true', true],
-    [true, 'False', false],
-  ])(
-    'should set CP_VERBOSE based on env variable `%j` and cli argument `%j` and return `%j` from isVerbose() function',
-    (envValue, cliFlag, expected) => {
-      vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', `${envValue}`);
-
-      setVerboseMiddleware({ verbose: cliFlag } as any);
-      expect(process.env['CP_VERBOSE']).toBe(`${expected}`);
-      expect(isVerbose()).toBe(expected);
-    },
-  );
-});
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.ts
index 8d77e1175..24291a994 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.ts
@@ -1,36 +1,35 @@
 import type { GlobalOptions } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import type { CoreConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { coerceBooleanValue } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { coerceBooleanValue, logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import type { FilterOptions } from './filter.model.js';
 import type { GeneralCliOptions } from './global.model';
 
 /**
  *
- * | CP_VERBOSE value | CLI `--verbose` flag        | Effect     |
- * |------------------|-----------------------------|------------|
- * | true             | Not provided                | enabled    |
- * | false            | Not provided                | disabled   |
- * | Not provided     | Not provided                | disabled   |
- * | Not provided     | Explicitly set (true)       | enabled    |
- * | true             | Explicitly set (true)       | enabled    |
- * | false            | Explicitly set (true)       | enabled    |
- * | true             | Explicitly negated (false)  | disabled   |
- * | false            | Explicitly negated (false)  | disabled   |
+ * | CP_VERBOSE value | CLI `--verbose` flag | Effect |
+ * |------------------|----------------------|--------|
+ * | true             | -                    | true   |
+ * | false            | -                    | false  |
+ * | -                | -                    | false  |
+ * | -                | true                 | true   |
+ * | -                | false                | false  |
+ * | true             | true                 | true   |
+ * | false            | true                 | true   |
+ * | true             | false                | false  |
+ * | false            | false                | false  |
  *
  * @param originalProcessArgs
  */
 export function setVerboseMiddleware<
   T extends GeneralCliOptions & CoreConfig & FilterOptions & GlobalOptions,
 >(originalProcessArgs: T): T {
-  const envVerbose = coerceBooleanValue(process.env['CP_VERBOSE']);
   const cliVerbose = coerceBooleanValue(originalProcessArgs.verbose);
-  const verboseEffect = cliVerbose ?? envVerbose ?? false;
-
-  // eslint-disable-next-line functional/immutable-data
-  process.env['CP_VERBOSE'] = `${verboseEffect}`;
+  if (cliVerbose != null) {
+    logger.setVerbose(cliVerbose);
+  }
 
   return {
     ...originalProcessArgs,
-    verbose: verboseEffect,
+    verbose: logger.isVerbose(),
   };
 }
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.unit.test.ts
index ada1f6cd9..26ce8845a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/set-verbose.middleware.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { setVerboseMiddleware } from './set-verbose.middleware.js';
 
 describe('setVerboseMiddleware', () => {
@@ -7,6 +8,7 @@ describe('setVerboseMiddleware', () => {
     [false, undefined, false],
     [undefined, undefined, false],
     [undefined, true, true],
+    [undefined, false, false],
     [true, true, true],
     [false, true, true],
     [true, false, false],
@@ -14,11 +16,13 @@ describe('setVerboseMiddleware', () => {
   ])(
     'should set verbosity based on env variable `%j` and cli argument `%j` to perform verbose effect as `%j`',
     (envValue, cliFlag, expected) => {
-      vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', `${envValue}`);
+      logger.setVerbose(envValue ?? false);
 
       expect(setVerboseMiddleware({ verbose: cliFlag } as any).verbose).toBe(
         expected,
       );
+      expect(process.env['CP_VERBOSE']).toBe(`${expected}`);
+      expect(logger.isVerbose()).toBe(expected);
     },
   );
 });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.ts
index cf3ef9e44..839d44406 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import {
   capitalize,
   filterItemRefsBy,
   isVerbose,
+  logger,
   pluralize,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import type { FilterOptionType, Filterables } from './filter.model.js';
 
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@ export function validateFilterOption(
     ) {
       throw new OptionValidationError(message);
     }
-    ui().logger.warning(message);
+    logger.warn(message);
   }
   if (skippedValidItems.length > 0 && isVerbose()) {
     const item = getItemType(option, skippedValidItems.length);
     const prefix = skippedValidItems.length === 1 ? `a skipped` : `skipped`;
-    ui().logger.warning(
+    logger.warn(
       `The --${option} argument references ${prefix} ${item}: ${skippedValidItems.join(', ')}.`,
     );
   }
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export function validateFilterOption(
     ).map(({ slug }) => slug);
 
     if (removedCategories.length > 0) {
-      ui().logger.info(
+      logger.info(
         `The --${option} argument removed the following categories: ${removedCategories.join(
           ', ',
         )}.`,
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ export function validateSkippedCategories(
   );
   if (skippedCategories.length > 0 && isVerbose()) {
     skippedCategories.forEach(category => {
-      ui().logger.info(
+      logger.info(
         `Category ${category.slug} was removed because all its refs were skipped. Affected refs: ${category.refs
           .map(ref => `${ref.slug} (${ref.type})`)
           .join(', ')}`,
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.unit.test.ts
index ffeaa539b..98d3e01ff 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/validate-filter-options.utils.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect } from 'vitest';
 import type { CategoryConfig, PluginConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import type { FilterOptionType, Filterables } from './filter.model.js';
 import {
   OptionValidationError,
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ describe('validateFilterOption', () => {
         },
         { itemsToFilter, skippedItems: [] },
       );
-      expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('warn', expected);
+      expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expected);
     },
   );
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ describe('validateFilterOption', () => {
         },
         { itemsToFilter, skippedItems: [] },
       );
-      expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('warn', expected);
+      expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expected);
     },
   );
 
@@ -108,7 +108,8 @@ describe('validateFilterOption', () => {
       },
       { itemsToFilter: ['p1'], skippedItems: [] },
     );
-    expect(ui()).not.toHaveLogs();
+    expect(logger.warn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   it('should log a category ignored as a result of plugin filtering', () => {
@@ -129,9 +130,9 @@ describe('validateFilterOption', () => {
       },
       { itemsToFilter: ['p1'], skippedItems: [] },
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLoggedTimes(1);
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'info',
+    expect(logger.warn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'The --onlyPlugins argument removed the following categories: c1, c3.',
     );
   });
@@ -223,14 +224,10 @@ describe('validateFilterOption', () => {
       { plugins, categories },
       { itemsToFilter: ['p1'], skippedItems: ['p1'] },
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
-      1,
-      'warn',
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'The --skipPlugins argument references a skipped plugin: p1.',
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
-      2,
-      'info',
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'The --skipPlugins argument removed the following categories: c1.',
     );
   });
@@ -462,16 +459,14 @@ describe('validateSkippedCategories', () => {
         refs: [{ type: 'audit', plugin: 'p2', slug: 'a1', weight: 1 }],
       },
     ] as NonNullable<Filterables['categories']>);
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'info',
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'Category c1 was removed because all its refs were skipped. Affected refs: g1 (group)',
     );
   });
 
   it('should not log anything when categories are not removed', () => {
-    const loggerSpy = vi.spyOn(ui().logger, 'info');
     validateSkippedCategories(categories, categories);
-    expect(loggerSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   it('should throw an error when no categories remain after filtering', () => {
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.ts
index 3a3a7308c..77dafae87 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import { mergeDiffs } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import type { PersistConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import type { MergeDiffsOptions } from '../implementation/merge-diffs.model.js';
 import { yargsMergeDiffsOptionsDefinition } from '../implementation/merge-diffs.options.js';
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ export function yargsMergeDiffsCommandObject() {
     describe: 'Combine many report diffs into a single diff file',
     builder: yargsMergeDiffsOptionsDefinition(),
     handler: async (args: unknown) => {
-      ui().logger.log(bold(CLI_NAME));
-      ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}...`));
+      logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+      logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
 
       const options = args as MergeDiffsOptions & {
         persist: Required<PersistConfig>;
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function yargsMergeDiffsCommandObject() {
 
       const outputPath = await mergeDiffs(files, persist);
 
-      ui().logger.info(`Reports diff written to ${bold(outputPath)}`);
+      logger.info(`Reports diff written to ${ansis.bold(outputPath)}`);
     },
   } satisfies CommandModule;
 }
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.unit.test.ts
index 3313004c4..991538750 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/merge-diffs/merge-diffs-command.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { bold } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { mergeDiffs } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import {
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { DEFAULT_CLI_CONFIGURATION } from '../../../mocks/constants.js';
 import { yargsCli } from '../yargs-cli.js';
 import { yargsMergeDiffsCommandObject } from './merge-diffs-command.js';
@@ -65,9 +65,8 @@ describe('merge-diffs-command', () => {
       },
     ).parseAsync();
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'info',
-      `Reports diff written to ${bold('.code-pushup/report-diff.md')}`,
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Reports diff written to ${ansis.bold('.code-pushup/report-diff.md')}`,
     );
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.ts
index 25af05aaa..61854d3e6 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-import { bold } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { mkdir, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import type { CommandModule } from 'yargs';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { filterKebabCaseKeys } from '../implementation/global.utils.js';
 import type { PrintConfigOptions } from '../implementation/print-config.model.js';
 import { yargsPrintConfigOptionsDefinition } from '../implementation/print-config.options.js';
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ export function yargsPrintConfigCommandObject() {
       if (output) {
         await mkdir(path.dirname(output), { recursive: true });
         await writeFile(output, content);
-        ui().logger.info(`Config printed to file ${bold(output)}`);
+        logger.info(`Config printed to file ${ansis.bold(output)}`);
       } else {
-        ui().logger.log(content);
+        logger.info(content);
       }
     },
   } satisfies CommandModule;
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.unit.test.ts
index 32c830846..83da94a1b 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/print-config/print-config-command.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { readFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import { describe, expect, vi } from 'vitest';
 import { MEMFS_VOLUME } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { DEFAULT_CLI_CONFIGURATION } from '../../../mocks/constants.js';
 import { yargsCli } from '../yargs-cli.js';
 import { yargsPrintConfigCommandObject } from './print-config-command.js';
@@ -24,7 +25,9 @@ describe('print-config-command', () => {
       commands: [yargsPrintConfigCommandObject()],
     }).parseAsync();
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('log', expect.stringContaining('"plugins": ['));
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.stringContaining('"plugins": ['),
+    );
   });
 
   it('should write config to file if output option is given', async () => {
@@ -37,11 +40,12 @@ describe('print-config-command', () => {
     await expect(readFile(outputPath, 'utf8')).resolves.toContain(
       '"plugins": [',
     );
-    expect(ui()).not.toHaveLogged(
-      'log',
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       expect.stringContaining('"plugins": ['),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('info', `Config printed to file ${outputPath}`);
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Config printed to file ${ansis.bold(outputPath)}`,
+    );
   });
 
   it('should filter out meta arguments and kebab duplicates', async () => {
@@ -50,15 +54,17 @@ describe('print-config-command', () => {
       commands: [yargsPrintConfigCommandObject()],
     }).parseAsync();
 
-    expect(ui()).not.toHaveLogged('log', expect.stringContaining('"$0":'));
-    expect(ui()).not.toHaveLogged('log', expect.stringContaining('"_":'));
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.stringContaining('"$0":'),
+    );
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.stringContaining('"_":'),
+    );
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'log',
+    expect(logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       expect.stringContaining('"outputDir": "destinationDir"'),
     );
-    expect(ui()).not.toHaveLogged(
-      'log',
+    expect(logger.info).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       expect.stringContaining('"output-dir":'),
     );
   });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/upload/upload-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/upload/upload-command.ts
index 23adad16a..8d4318cfa 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/upload/upload-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/upload/upload-command.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { ArgumentsCamelCase, CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import { type UploadOptions, upload } from '@code-pushup/core';
-import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
 import {
   renderIntegratePortalHint,
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ export function yargsUploadCommandObject() {
     command,
     describe: 'Upload report results to the portal',
     handler: async <T>(args: ArgumentsCamelCase<T>) => {
-      ui().logger.log(bold(CLI_NAME));
-      ui().logger.info(gray(`Run ${command}...`));
+      logger.info(ansis.bold(CLI_NAME));
+      logger.debug(`Running ${ansis.bold(command)} command`);
 
       const options = args as unknown as UploadOptions;
       if (options.upload == null) {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/index.ts b/packages/core/src/index.ts
index 4c873dbea..259602273 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/index.ts
@@ -23,11 +23,7 @@ export {
   executePlugin,
   executePlugins,
 } from './lib/implementation/execute-plugin.js';
-export {
-  PersistDirError,
-  PersistError,
-  persistReport,
-} from './lib/implementation/persist.js';
+export { persistReport } from './lib/implementation/persist.js';
 export {
   autoloadRc,
   ConfigPathError,
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.ts
index eb7d266d9..d3db86792 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.ts
@@ -6,11 +6,10 @@ import {
   validate,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import {
-  isVerbose,
   logStdoutSummary,
+  logger,
   scoreReport,
   sortReport,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { collect } from './implementation/collect.js';
 import {
@@ -31,14 +30,13 @@ export type CollectAndPersistReportsOptions = Pick<
 export async function collectAndPersistReports(
   options: CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
 ): Promise<void> {
-  const logger = ui().logger;
   const reportResult = await collect(options);
   const sortedScoredReport = sortReport(scoreReport(reportResult));
 
   const { persist } = options;
   const { skipReports = false, ...persistOptions } = persist ?? {};
 
-  if (skipReports === true) {
+  if (skipReports) {
     logger.info('Skipping saving reports as `persist.skipReports` is true');
   } else {
     const persistResults = await persistReport(
@@ -46,10 +44,7 @@ export async function collectAndPersistReports(
       sortedScoredReport,
       persistOptions,
     );
-
-    if (isVerbose()) {
-      logPersistedResults(persistResults);
-    }
+    logPersistedResults(persistResults);
   }
 
   // terminal output
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.unit.test.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.unit.test.ts
index 01eea84a2..0b95022ca 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/collect-and-persist.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,15 @@
 import { type MockInstance, describe } from 'vitest';
 import {
-  ISO_STRING_REGEXP,
   MINIMAL_CONFIG_MOCK,
   MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
 } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
+import * as utils from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import {
   type ScoredReport,
-  isVerbose,
   logStdoutSummary,
   scoreReport,
   sortReport,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
-import * as utils from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import {
   type CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
   collectAndPersistReports,
@@ -46,88 +43,30 @@ describe('collectAndPersistReports', () => {
     logStdoutSpy.mockRestore();
   });
 
-  it('should call collect and persistReport with correct parameters in non-verbose mode', async () => {
+  it('should call collect and persistReport with correct parameters', async () => {
     const sortedScoredReport = sortReport(scoreReport(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK));
 
-    expect(isVerbose()).toBeFalse();
-
-    const nonVerboseConfig: CollectAndPersistReportsOptions = {
+    const config: CollectAndPersistReportsOptions = {
       ...MINIMAL_CONFIG_MOCK,
-      persist: {
-        outputDir: 'output',
-        filename: 'report',
-        format: ['md'],
-      },
-      cache: {
-        read: false,
-        write: false,
-      },
+      persist: { outputDir: 'output', filename: 'report', format: ['md'] },
+      cache: { read: false, write: false },
       progress: false,
     };
-    await collectAndPersistReports(nonVerboseConfig);
+    await collectAndPersistReports(config);
 
-    expect(collect).toHaveBeenCalledWith(nonVerboseConfig);
+    expect(collect).toHaveBeenCalledWith(config);
 
     expect(persistReport).toHaveBeenCalledWith<
       Parameters<typeof persistReport>
-    >(
-      {
-        packageName: '@code-pushup/core',
-        version: '0.0.1',
-        date: expect.stringMatching(ISO_STRING_REGEXP),
-        duration: 666,
-        commit: expect.any(Object),
-        plugins: expect.any(Array),
-      },
-      sortedScoredReport,
-      {
-        outputDir: 'output',
-        filename: 'report',
-        format: ['md'],
-      },
-    );
-
-    expect(logStdoutSummary).toHaveBeenCalledWith(sortedScoredReport);
-    expect(logPersistedResults).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-  });
-
-  it('should call collect and persistReport with correct parameters in verbose mode', async () => {
-    const sortedScoredReport = sortReport(scoreReport(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK));
-
-    vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', 'true');
-
-    const verboseConfig: CollectAndPersistReportsOptions = {
-      ...MINIMAL_CONFIG_MOCK,
-      persist: {
-        outputDir: 'output',
-        filename: 'report',
-        format: ['md'],
-      },
-      cache: {
-        read: false,
-        write: false,
-      },
-      progress: false,
-    };
-    await collectAndPersistReports(verboseConfig);
-
-    expect(collect).toHaveBeenCalledWith(verboseConfig);
-
-    expect(persistReport).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
-      sortedScoredReport,
-      verboseConfig.persist,
-    );
+    >(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK, sortedScoredReport, config.persist);
 
     expect(logStdoutSummary).toHaveBeenCalledWith(sortedScoredReport);
     expect(logPersistedResults).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
-  it('should call collect and not persistReport if skipReports options is true in verbose mode', async () => {
+  it('should call collect and not persistReport if skipReports options is true', async () => {
     const sortedScoredReport = sortReport(scoreReport(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK));
 
-    vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', 'true');
-
     const verboseConfig: CollectAndPersistReportsOptions = {
       ...MINIMAL_CONFIG_MOCK,
       persist: {
@@ -137,6 +76,7 @@ describe('collectAndPersistReports', () => {
         skipReports: true,
       },
       progress: false,
+      cache: { read: false, write: false },
     };
     await collectAndPersistReports(verboseConfig);
 
@@ -152,6 +92,8 @@ describe('collectAndPersistReports', () => {
     await collectAndPersistReports(
       MINIMAL_CONFIG_MOCK as CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged('log', 'Made with ❤ by code-pushup.dev');
+    expect(utils.logger.info).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'Made with ❤ by code-pushup.dev',
+    );
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
index 18f4c391c..6fffd2022 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ import {
   createReportPath,
   ensureDirectoryExists,
   generateMdReportsDiff,
+  logger,
   readJsonFile,
   scoreReport,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import {
   type ReportsToCompare,
@@ -154,9 +154,7 @@ async function fetchPortalComparisonLink(
     });
   } catch (error) {
     if (error instanceof PortalOperationError) {
-      ui().logger.warning(
-        `Failed to fetch portal comparison link - ${error.message}`,
-      );
+      logger.warn(`Failed to fetch portal comparison link - ${error.message}`);
       return undefined;
     }
     throw error;
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/history.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/history.ts
index 58bdf6ba9..257192c3c 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/history.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/history.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@ import type {
   PersistConfig,
   UploadConfig,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { getCurrentBranchOrTag, safeCheckout, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import {
+  getCurrentBranchOrTag,
+  logger,
+  safeCheckout,
+} from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { collectAndPersistReports } from './collect-and-persist.js';
 import type { GlobalOptions } from './types.js';
 import { upload } from './upload.js';
@@ -32,7 +36,7 @@ export async function history(
   const reports: string[] = [];
   // eslint-disable-next-line functional/no-loop-statements
   for (const commit of commits) {
-    ui().logger.info(`Collect ${commit}`);
+    logger.info(`Collecting for commit ${commit}`);
     await safeCheckout(commit, forceCleanStatus);
 
     const currentConfig: HistoryOptions = {
@@ -51,14 +55,12 @@ export async function history(
     await collectAndPersistReports(currentConfig);
 
     if (skipUploads) {
-      ui().logger.info('Upload is skipped because skipUploads is set to true.');
+      logger.info('Upload is skipped because skipUploads is set to true.');
     } else {
       if (currentConfig.upload) {
         await upload(currentConfig);
       } else {
-        ui().logger.info(
-          'Upload is skipped because upload config is undefined.',
-        );
+        logger.info('Upload is skipped because upload config is undefined.');
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/execute-plugin.unit.test.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/execute-plugin.unit.test.ts
index b536cd7bd..c6a5eac3c 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/execute-plugin.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/execute-plugin.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-import { bold } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { vol } from 'memfs';
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { type MockInstance, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
 import {
   type AuditOutputs,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_CONFIG,
@@ -14,12 +14,23 @@ import { executePlugin, executePlugins } from './execute-plugin.js';
 import * as runnerModule from './runner.js';
 
 describe('executePlugin', () => {
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    vi.clearAllMocks();
+  let readRunnerResultsSpy: MockInstance<
+    Parameters<(typeof runnerModule)['readRunnerResults']>,
+    ReturnType<(typeof runnerModule)['readRunnerResults']>
+  >;
+  let executePluginRunnerSpy: MockInstance<
+    Parameters<(typeof runnerModule)['executePluginRunner']>,
+    ReturnType<(typeof runnerModule)['executePluginRunner']>
+  >;
+
+  beforeAll(() => {
+    readRunnerResultsSpy = vi.spyOn(runnerModule, 'readRunnerResults');
+    executePluginRunnerSpy = vi.spyOn(runnerModule, 'executePluginRunner');
   });
 
   afterEach(() => {
-    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    readRunnerResultsSpy.mockRestore();
+    executePluginRunnerSpy.mockRestore();
   });
 
   it('should execute a valid plugin config and pass runner params', async () => {
@@ -251,9 +262,9 @@ describe('executePlugins', () => {
         { progress: false },
       ),
     ).rejects.toThrow(
-      `Executing 1 plugin failed.\n\nError: - Plugin ${bold(
+      `Executing 1 plugin failed.\n\nError: - Plugin ${ansis.bold(
         title,
-      )} (${bold(slug)}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit output is invalid`,
+      )} (${ansis.bold(slug)}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit output is invalid`,
     );
   });
 
@@ -366,13 +377,13 @@ describe('executePlugins', () => {
         { progress: false },
       ),
     ).rejects.toThrow(
-      `Error: - Plugin ${bold('plg1')} (${bold(
+      `Error: - Plugin ${ansis.bold('plg1')} (${ansis.bold(
         'plg1',
-      )}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit metadata not present in plugin config. Missing slug: ${bold(
+      )}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit metadata not present in plugin config. Missing slug: ${ansis.bold(
         'missing-audit-slug-a',
-      )}\nError: - Plugin ${bold('plg2')} (${bold(
+      )}\nError: - Plugin ${ansis.bold('plg2')} (${ansis.bold(
         'plg2',
-      )}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit metadata not present in plugin config. Missing slug: ${bold(
+      )}) produced the following error:\n  - Audit metadata not present in plugin config. Missing slug: ${ansis.bold(
         'missing-audit-slug-b',
       )}`,
     );
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
index 340d61b96..36041fd37 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { mkdir, stat, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import type { Format, PersistConfig, Report } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import {
@@ -8,21 +9,8 @@ import {
   generateMdReport,
   logMultipleFileResults,
   stringifyError,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 
-export class PersistDirError extends Error {
-  constructor(outputDir: string) {
-    super(`outPath: ${outputDir} is no directory.`);
-  }
-}
-
-export class PersistError extends Error {
-  constructor(reportPath: string) {
-    super(`fileName: ${reportPath} could not be saved.`);
-  }
-}
-
 export async function persistReport(
   report: Report,
   sortedScoredReport: ScoredReport,
@@ -52,8 +40,9 @@ export async function persistReport(
     try {
       await mkdir(outputDir, { recursive: true });
     } catch (error) {
-      ui().logger.warning(stringifyError(error));
-      throw new PersistDirError(outputDir);
+      throw new Error(
+        `Failed to create output directory in ${ansis.bold(outputDir)} - ${stringifyError(error)}`,
+      );
     }
   }
 
@@ -68,15 +57,16 @@ export async function persistReport(
   );
 }
 
-async function persistResult(reportPath: string, content: string) {
+function persistResult(reportPath: string, content: string) {
   return (
     writeFile(reportPath, content)
       // return reportPath instead of void
       .then(() => stat(reportPath))
       .then(stats => [reportPath, stats.size] as const)
-      .catch(error => {
-        ui().logger.warning((error as Error).toString());
-        throw new PersistError(reportPath);
+      .catch((error: unknown) => {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Failed to persist report in ${ansis.bold(reportPath)} - ${stringifyError(error)}`,
+        );
       })
   );
 }
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.unit.test.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.unit.test.ts
index f458f0bdc..bcb10158c 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.unit.test.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
   MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
   REPORT_MOCK,
 } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
-import { scoreReport, sortReport, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger, scoreReport, sortReport } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { logPersistedResults, persistReport } from './persist.js';
 
 describe('persistReport', () => {
@@ -92,27 +92,30 @@ describe('persistReport', () => {
 describe('logPersistedResults', () => {
   it('should log report sizes correctly`', () => {
     logPersistedResults([{ status: 'fulfilled', value: ['out.json', 10_000] }]);
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       1,
-      'success',
       expect.stringContaining('Generated reports successfully: '),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'success',
       expect.stringContaining('9.77 kB'),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'success',
       expect.stringContaining('out.json'),
     );
   });
 
   it('should log fails correctly`', () => {
     logPersistedResults([{ status: 'rejected', reason: 'fail' }]);
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(1, 'warn', 'Generated reports failed: ');
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(2, 'warn', expect.stringContaining('fail'));
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      1,
+      'Generated reports failed: ',
+    );
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      2,
+      expect.stringContaining('fail'),
+    );
   });
 
   it('should log report sizes and fails correctly`', () => {
@@ -120,26 +123,25 @@ describe('logPersistedResults', () => {
       { status: 'fulfilled', value: ['out.json', 10_000] },
       { status: 'rejected', reason: 'fail' },
     ]);
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       1,
-      'success',
       'Generated reports successfully: ',
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'success',
       expect.stringContaining('out.json'),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'success',
       expect.stringContaining('9.77 kB'),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
-      3,
-      'warn',
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      1,
       expect.stringContaining('Generated reports failed: '),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(3, 'warn', expect.stringContaining('fail'));
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      1,
+      expect.stringContaining('fail'),
+    );
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/load-portal-client.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/load-portal-client.ts
index 4ee3bb0df..0f7a13e45 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/load-portal-client.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/load-portal-client.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { stringifyError, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { logger, stringifyError } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 
 export async function loadPortalClient(): Promise<
   typeof import('@code-pushup/portal-client') | null
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ export async function loadPortalClient(): Promise<
   try {
     return await import('@code-pushup/portal-client');
   } catch (error) {
-    ui().logger.warning(
+    logger.warn(
       `Failed to import @code-pushup/portal-client - ${stringifyError(error)}`,
     );
-    ui().logger.error(
+    logger.error(
       'Optional peer dependency @code-pushup/portal-client is not available. Make sure it is installed to enable upload functionality.',
     );
     return null;
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.ts
index 6470c059c..39935c2a0 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.ts
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ import {
   generateMdReportsDiffForMonorepo,
   isPromiseFulfilledResult,
   isPromiseRejectedResult,
+  logger,
   readJsonFile,
   stringifyError,
-  ui,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 
 export async function mergeDiffs(
@@ -32,9 +32,7 @@ export async function mergeDiffs(
     }),
   );
   results.filter(isPromiseRejectedResult).forEach(({ reason }) => {
-    ui().logger.warning(
-      `Skipped invalid report diff - ${stringifyError(reason)}`,
-    );
+    logger.warn(`Skipped invalid report diff - ${stringifyError(reason)}`);
   });
   const diffs = results
     .filter(isPromiseFulfilledResult)
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.unit.test.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.unit.test.ts
index ef529e1dc..be5e31e4e 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/merge-diffs.unit.test.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import {
   reportsDiffMock,
   reportsDiffUnchangedMock,
 } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
-import { fileExists, ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { fileExists, logger } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { mergeDiffs } from './merge-diffs.js';
 
 describe('mergeDiffs', () => {
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ describe('mergeDiffs', () => {
     outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME,
     filename: 'report',
     format: ['json', 'md'],
+    skipReports: false,
   };
 
   beforeEach(() => {
@@ -63,16 +64,14 @@ describe('mergeDiffs', () => {
       ),
     ).resolves.toBe(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'));
 
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       1,
-      'warn',
       expect.stringContaining(
         'Skipped invalid report diff - Failed to read JSON file missing-report-diff.json',
       ),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       2,
-      'warn',
       expect.stringContaining(
         'Skipped invalid report diff - Invalid reports diff in invalid-report-diff.json',
       ),
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/env.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/env.ts
index 453d0f7ef..f170c7332 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/env.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/env.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import {
   type RunnerArgs,
   formatSchema,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { ui } from './logging.js';
 
 export function isCI() {
   return isEnvVarEnabled('CI');
@@ -23,12 +22,6 @@ export function isEnvVarEnabled(name: string): boolean {
     return value;
   }
 
-  if (process.env[name]) {
-    ui().logger.warning(
-      `Environment variable ${name} expected to be a boolean (true/false/1/0), but received value ${process.env[name]}. Treating it as disabled.`,
-    );
-  }
-
   return false;
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/env.unit.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/env.unit.test.ts
index ac125a5f1..dfe7bb7ab 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/env.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/env.unit.test.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import {
   runnerArgsFromEnv,
   runnerArgsToEnv,
 } from './env.js';
-import { ui } from './logging.js';
 
 describe('isEnvVarEnabled', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
@@ -40,15 +39,6 @@ describe('isEnvVarEnabled', () => {
     vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', '0');
     expect(isEnvVarEnabled('CP_VERBOSE')).toBeFalse();
   });
-
-  it('should log a warning for unexpected values', () => {
-    vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', 'unexpected');
-    expect(isEnvVarEnabled('CP_VERBOSE')).toBeFalse();
-    expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
-      'warn',
-      'Environment variable CP_VERBOSE expected to be a boolean (true/false/1/0), but received value unexpected. Treating it as disabled.',
-    );
-  });
 });
 
 describe('coerceBooleanValue', () => {
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
index 72bb6acc6..d9c7deb2a 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { type Options, bundleRequire } from 'bundle-require';
 import { mkdir, readFile, readdir, rm, stat } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import type { Format, PersistConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import { formatBytes } from './formatting.js';
 import { logMultipleResults } from './log-results.js';
-import { ui } from './logging.js';
+import { logger } from './logger.js';
 
 export async function readTextFile(filePath: string): Promise<string> {
   const buffer = await readFile(filePath);
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export async function ensureDirectoryExists(baseDir: string) {
     return;
   } catch (error) {
     const fsError = error as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
-    ui().logger.warning(fsError.message);
+    logger.warn(fsError.message);
     if (fsError.code !== 'EEXIST') {
       throw error;
     }
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@ export function logMultipleFileResults(
 ): void {
   const succeededTransform = (result: PromiseFulfilledResult<FileResult>) => {
     const [fileName, size] = result.value;
-    const formattedSize = size ? ` (${gray(formatBytes(size))})` : '';
-    return `- ${bold(fileName)}${formattedSize}`;
+    const formattedSize = size ? ` (${ansis.gray(formatBytes(size))})` : '';
+    return `- ${ansis.bold(fileName)}${formattedSize}`;
   };
   const failedTransform = (result: PromiseRejectedResult) =>
-    `- ${bold(result.reason as string)}`;
+    `- ${ansis.bold(`${result.reason}`)}`;
 
   logMultipleResults<FileResult>(
     fileResults,
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.commits-and-tags.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.commits-and-tags.ts
index f4bef08d6..abb7b0a07 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.commits-and-tags.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.commits-and-tags.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { type LogOptions as SimpleGitLogOptions, simpleGit } from 'simple-git';
 import { type Commit, commitSchema, validate } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import { stringifyError } from '../errors.js';
-import { ui } from '../logging.js';
+import { logger } from '../logger.js';
 import { isSemver } from '../semver.js';
 
 export async function getLatestCommit(
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export async function getLatestCommit(
     });
     return validate(commitSchema, log.latest);
   } catch (error) {
-    ui().logger.error(stringifyError(error));
+    logger.error(stringifyError(error));
     return null;
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.ts
index f706129f0..86da81c3f 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/git/git.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import path from 'node:path';
 import { type StatusResult, simpleGit } from 'simple-git';
-import { ui } from '../logging.js';
+import { logger } from '../logger.js';
 import { toUnixPath } from '../transform.js';
 
 export function getGitRoot(git = simpleGit()): Promise<string> {
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ export async function safeCheckout(
   if (forceCleanStatus) {
     await git.raw(['reset', '--hard']);
     await git.clean(['f', 'd']);
-    ui().logger.info(`git status cleaned`);
+    logger.info(`git status cleaned`);
   }
   await guardAgainstLocalChanges(git);
   await git.checkout(branchOrHash);
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.ts
index 254072460..953ec1cbc 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { isPromiseFulfilledResult, isPromiseRejectedResult } from './guards.js';
-import { ui } from './logging.js';
+import { logger } from './logger.js';
 
 export function logMultipleResults<T>(
   results: PromiseSettledResult<T>[],
@@ -29,16 +29,16 @@ export function logMultipleResults<T>(
 }
 
 export function logPromiseResults<
-  T extends PromiseFulfilledResult<unknown> | PromiseRejectedResult,
->(results: T[], logMessage: string, getMsg: (result: T) => string): void {
+  T extends PromiseFulfilledResult<unknown>[] | PromiseRejectedResult[],
+>(results: T, logMessage: string, getMsg: (result: T[number]) => string): void {
   if (results.length > 0) {
     const log =
       results[0]?.status === 'fulfilled'
-        ? (m: string) => {
-            ui().logger.success(m);
+        ? (message: string) => {
+            logger.debug(message);
           }
-        : (m: string) => {
-            ui().logger.warning(m);
+        : (message: string) => {
+            logger.warn(message);
           };
 
     log(logMessage);
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.unit.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.unit.test.ts
index e9203fbae..ad7086f31 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/log-results.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
 import type { FileResult } from './file-system.js';
 import { logMultipleResults, logPromiseResults } from './log-results.js';
-import { ui } from './logging.js';
+import { logger } from './logger.js';
 
 describe('logMultipleResults', () => {
   const succeededCallbackMock = vi.fn();
@@ -67,12 +67,11 @@ describe('logPromiseResults', () => {
       'Uploaded reports successfully:',
       (result): string => result.value.toString(),
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
       1,
-      'success',
       'Uploaded reports successfully:',
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(2, 'success', 'out.json');
+    expect(logger.debug).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 'out.json');
   });
 
   it('should log on fail', () => {
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ describe('logPromiseResults', () => {
       'Generated reports failed:',
       (result: { reason: string }) => result.reason,
     );
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(1, 'warn', 'Generated reports failed:');
-    expect(ui()).toHaveNthLogged(2, 'warn', 'fail');
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, 'Generated reports failed:');
+    expect(logger.warn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 'fail');
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/logging.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/logging.ts
index acadcc073..d056198ed 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/logging.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/logging.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import isaacs_cliui from '@isaacs/cliui';
 import { cliui } from '@poppinss/cliui';
-import { underline } from 'ansis';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import { TERMINAL_WIDTH } from './reports/constants.js';
 
 // TODO: remove once logger is used everywhere
@@ -56,5 +56,5 @@ export function logListItem(args: ArgumentsType<UI['div']>) {
 }
 
 export function link(text: string) {
-  return underline.blueBright(text);
+  return ansis.underline.blueBright(text);
 }
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.int.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.int.test.ts
index b4d7c5fc4..754000739 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.int.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.int.test.ts
@@ -1,25 +1,32 @@
 import { beforeAll, describe, expect, vi } from 'vitest';
 import { removeColorCodes, reportMock } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
+import { logger } from '../logger.js';
 import { ui } from '../logging.js';
 import { logStdoutSummary } from './log-stdout-summary.js';
 import { scoreReport } from './scoring.js';
 import { sortReport } from './sorting.js';
 
 describe('logStdoutSummary', () => {
-  let logs: string[];
+  let stdout: string;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
-    logs = [];
-    // console.log is used inside the logger when in "normal" mode
-    vi.spyOn(console, 'log').mockImplementation(msg => {
-      logs = [...logs, msg];
+    vi.mocked(logger.info).mockImplementation(message => {
+      stdout += `${message}\n`;
+    });
+    vi.mocked(logger.newline).mockImplementation(() => {
+      stdout += '\n';
+    });
+    // console.log is used inside the @poppinss/cliui logger when in "normal" mode
+    vi.spyOn(console, 'log').mockImplementation(message => {
+      stdout += `${message}\n`;
     });
     // we want to see table and sticker logs in the final style ("raw" don't show borders etc so we use `console.log` here)
     ui().switchMode('normal');
   });
 
-  afterEach(() => {
-    logs = [];
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    stdout = '';
+    logger.setVerbose(false);
   });
 
   afterAll(() => {
@@ -29,10 +36,8 @@ describe('logStdoutSummary', () => {
   it('should contain all sections when using the fixture report', async () => {
     logStdoutSummary(sortReport(scoreReport(reportMock())));
 
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-
-    expect(output).toContain('Categories');
-    await expect(removeColorCodes(output)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Categories');
+    await expect(removeColorCodes(stdout)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
       '__snapshots__/report-stdout.txt',
     );
   });
@@ -41,22 +46,19 @@ describe('logStdoutSummary', () => {
     logStdoutSummary(
       sortReport(scoreReport({ ...reportMock(), categories: undefined })),
     );
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
 
-    expect(output).not.toContain('Categories');
-    await expect(removeColorCodes(output)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
+    expect(stdout).not.toContain('Categories');
+    await expect(removeColorCodes(stdout)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
       '__snapshots__/report-stdout-no-categories.txt',
     );
   });
 
   it('should include all audits when verbose is true', async () => {
-    vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', 'true');
+    logger.setVerbose(true);
 
     logStdoutSummary(sortReport(scoreReport(reportMock())));
 
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-
-    await expect(removeColorCodes(output)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
+    await expect(removeColorCodes(stdout)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
       '__snapshots__/report-stdout-verbose.txt',
     );
   });
@@ -77,10 +79,8 @@ describe('logStdoutSummary', () => {
 
     logStdoutSummary(sortReport(scoreReport(reportWithPerfectScores)));
 
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-
-    expect(output).toContain('All 47 audits have perfect scores');
-    await expect(removeColorCodes(output)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
+    expect(stdout).toContain('All 47 audits have perfect scores');
+    await expect(removeColorCodes(stdout)).toMatchFileSnapshot(
       '__snapshots__/report-stdout-all-perfect-scores.txt',
     );
   });
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.ts
index 0c50499bb..39425b3a8 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import { bold, cyan, cyanBright, green, red } from 'ansis';
+import cliui from '@isaacs/cliui';
+import ansis from 'ansis';
 import type { AuditReport } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { isVerbose } from '../env.js';
+import { logger } from '../logger.js';
 import { ui } from '../logging.js';
 import {
   CODE_PUSHUP_DOMAIN,
@@ -16,34 +17,30 @@ import {
   scoreTargetIcon,
 } from './utils.js';
 
-function log(msg = ''): void {
-  ui().logger.log(msg);
-}
-
 export function logStdoutSummary(report: ScoredReport): void {
   const { plugins, categories, packageName, version } = report;
-  log(reportToHeaderSection({ packageName, version }));
-  log();
+  logger.info(reportToHeaderSection({ packageName, version }));
+  logger.newline();
   logPlugins(plugins);
   if (categories && categories.length > 0) {
     logCategories({ plugins, categories });
   }
-  log(`${FOOTER_PREFIX} ${CODE_PUSHUP_DOMAIN}`);
-  log();
+  logger.info(`${FOOTER_PREFIX} ${CODE_PUSHUP_DOMAIN}`);
+  logger.newline();
 }
 
 function reportToHeaderSection({
   packageName,
   version,
 }: Pick<ScoredReport, 'packageName' | 'version'>): string {
-  return `${bold(REPORT_HEADLINE_TEXT)} - ${packageName}@${version}`;
+  return `${ansis.bold(REPORT_HEADLINE_TEXT)} - ${packageName}@${version}`;
 }
 
 export function logPlugins(plugins: ScoredReport['plugins']): void {
   plugins.forEach(plugin => {
     const { title, audits } = plugin;
     const filteredAudits =
-      isVerbose() || audits.length === 1
+      logger.isVerbose() || audits.length === 1
         ? audits
         : audits.filter(({ score }) => score !== 1);
     const diff = audits.length - filteredAudits.length;
@@ -57,21 +54,22 @@ export function logPlugins(plugins: ScoredReport['plugins']): void {
           : `... ${diff} audits with perfect scores omitted for brevity ...`;
       logRow(1, notice);
     }
-    log();
+    logger.newline();
   });
 }
 
 function logAudits(pluginTitle: string, audits: AuditReport[]): void {
-  log();
-  log(bold.magentaBright(`${pluginTitle} audits`));
-  log();
+  logger.newline();
+  logger.info(ansis.bold.magentaBright(`${pluginTitle} audits`));
+  logger.newline();
   audits.forEach(({ score, title, displayValue, value }) => {
     logRow(score, title, displayValue || `${value}`);
   });
 }
 
 function logRow(score: number, title: string, value?: string): void {
-  ui().row([
+  const ui = cliui({ width: TERMINAL_WIDTH });
+  ui.div(
     {
       text: applyScoreColor({ score, text: '●' }),
       width: 2,
@@ -85,14 +83,15 @@ function logRow(score: number, title: string, value?: string): void {
     ...(value
       ? [
           {
-            text: cyanBright(value),
+            text: ansis.cyanBright(value),
             // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-magic-numbers
             width: 20,
             padding: [0, 0, 0, 0],
           },
         ]
       : []),
-  ]);
+  );
+  logger.info(ui.toString());
 }
 
 export function logCategories({
@@ -106,12 +105,13 @@ export function logCategories({
     `${binaryIconPrefix(score, scoreTarget)}${applyScoreColor({ score })}`,
     countCategoryAudits(refs, plugins),
   ]);
+  // TODO: replace @poppinss/cliui
   const table = ui().table();
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-magic-numbers
   table.columnWidths([TERMINAL_WIDTH - 9 - 10 - 4, 9, 10]);
   table.head(
     REPORT_RAW_OVERVIEW_TABLE_HEADERS.map((heading, idx) => ({
-      content: cyan(heading),
+      content: ansis.cyan(heading),
       hAlign: hAlign(idx),
     })),
   );
@@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ export function logCategories({
     ),
   );
 
-  log(bold.magentaBright('Categories'));
-  log();
+  logger.info(ansis.bold.magentaBright('Categories'));
+  logger.newline();
   table.render();
-  log();
+  logger.newline();
 }
 
 export function binaryIconPrefix(
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ export function binaryIconPrefix(
   scoreTarget: number | undefined,
 ): string {
   return scoreTargetIcon(score, scoreTarget, {
-    passIcon: bold(green('✓')),
-    failIcon: bold(red('✗')),
+    passIcon: ansis.bold(ansis.green('✓')),
+    failIcon: ansis.bold(ansis.red('✗')),
     postfix: ' ',
   });
 }
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.unit.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.unit.test.ts
index 302fa4328..58681e545 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/reports/log-stdout-summary.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { beforeAll, describe, expect, vi } from 'vitest';
 import { removeColorCodes } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
+import { logger } from '../logger.js';
 import { ui } from '../logging.js';
 import {
   binaryIconPrefix,
@@ -162,25 +163,21 @@ describe('logCategories', () => {
 });
 
 describe('logPlugins', () => {
-  let logs: string[];
+  let stdout: string;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
-    logs = [];
-    vi.spyOn(console, 'log').mockImplementation(msg => {
-      logs = [...logs, msg];
+    vi.mocked(logger.info).mockImplementation(message => {
+      stdout += `${message}\n`;
     });
-    ui().switchMode('normal');
   });
 
-  afterEach(() => {
-    logs = [];
-  });
-
-  afterAll(() => {
-    ui().switchMode('raw');
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    stdout = '';
   });
 
   it('should log only audits with scores other than 1 when verbose is false', () => {
+    logger.setVerbose(false);
+
     logPlugins([
       {
         title: 'Best Practices',
@@ -191,14 +188,14 @@ describe('logPlugins', () => {
         ],
       },
     ] as ScoredReport['plugins']);
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 1');
-    expect(output).not.toContain('Audit 2');
-    expect(output).toContain('audits with perfect scores omitted for brevity');
+
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 1');
+    expect(stdout).not.toContain('Audit 2');
+    expect(stdout).toContain('audits with perfect scores omitted for brevity');
   });
 
   it('should log all audits when verbose is true', () => {
-    vi.stubEnv('CP_VERBOSE', 'true');
+    logger.setVerbose(true);
 
     logPlugins([
       {
@@ -210,12 +207,14 @@ describe('logPlugins', () => {
         ],
       },
     ] as ScoredReport['plugins']);
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 1');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 2');
+
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 1');
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 2');
   });
 
   it('should indicate all audits have perfect scores', () => {
+    logger.setVerbose(false);
+
     logPlugins([
       {
         title: 'Best Practices',
@@ -226,11 +225,13 @@ describe('logPlugins', () => {
         ],
       },
     ] as ScoredReport['plugins']);
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-    expect(output).toContain('All 2 audits have perfect scores');
+
+    expect(stdout).toContain('All 2 audits have perfect scores');
   });
 
   it('should log original audits when verbose is false and no audits have perfect scores', () => {
+    logger.setVerbose(false);
+
     logPlugins([
       {
         title: 'Best Practices',
@@ -241,12 +242,14 @@ describe('logPlugins', () => {
         ],
       },
     ] as ScoredReport['plugins']);
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 1');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 2');
+
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 1');
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 2');
   });
 
   it('should not truncate a perfect audit in non-verbose mode when it is the only audit available', () => {
+    logger.setVerbose(false);
+
     logPlugins([
       {
         title: 'Best Practices',
@@ -254,8 +257,8 @@ describe('logPlugins', () => {
         audits: [{ title: 'Audit 1', score: 1, value: 100 }],
       },
     ] as ScoredReport['plugins']);
-    const output = logs.join('\n');
-    expect(output).toContain('Audit 1');
+
+    expect(stdout).toContain('Audit 1');
   });
 });