diff --git a/.bumpversion.cfg b/.bumpversion.cfg
index 9e9dedd4..1807b5b5 100644
--- a/.bumpversion.cfg
+++ b/.bumpversion.cfg
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [bumpversion]
-current_version = 3.0.0
+current_version = 3.1.0.dev2
 commit = False
 tag = False
 parse = (?P<major>\d+)\.(?P<minor>\d+)\.(?P<patch>\d+)(\.(?P<release>[a-z]+)(?P<dev>\d+))?
diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-docs.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-docs.yml
index 03af1009..a7165fef 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-docs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-docs.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ on:
       - 'docs/**'
     paths:
       - 'docs/**'
+      - '.github/workflows/publish-docs.yml'
 
 jobs:
   publish:
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         python-version: [3.7]
         package: [docs]
+        repository: ['delphix/virtualization-sdk']
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
@@ -69,7 +71,18 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: ${{ matrix.package }}
         run: |
           pipenv run mkdocs build --clean
-      - name: Deploy the contents of docs/site to gh-pages 🚀
+      - name: Deploy the contents of docs/site to gh-pages (developer.delphix.com) 🚀
+        if: ${{ github.repository == matrix.repository }}
+        uses: peaceiris/actions-gh-pages@v3
+        with:
+          github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          publish_dir: docs/site
+          commit_message: Deploy to gh-pages 🚀
+          user_name: "github-actions[bot]"
+          user_email: "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+          cname: developer.delphix.com
+      - name: Deploy the contents of docs/site to personal gh-pages 🚀
+        if: ${{ github.repository != matrix.repository }}
         uses: peaceiris/actions-gh-pages@v3
         with:
           github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/common/requirements.txt b/common/requirements.txt
index 33673b1b..3b2c337b 100644
--- a/common/requirements.txt
+++ b/common/requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 bump2version==0.5.11
 contextlib2==0.6.0.post1 ; python_version < '3'
+enum34==1.1.6
 funcsigs==1.0.2 ; python_version < '3.0'
 importlib-metadata==0.23 ; python_version < '3.8'
 more-itertools==5.0.0 ; python_version <= '2.7'
diff --git a/common/setup.py b/common/setup.py
index 7d9f0244..6b5dff76 100644
--- a/common/setup.py
+++ b/common/setup.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 PYTHON_SRC = 'src/main/python'
 
 install_requires = [
-  "dvp-api == 1.4.0",
+  "dvp-api == 1.5.0.dev1",
 ]
 
 with open(os.path.join(PYTHON_SRC, 'dlpx/virtualization/common/VERSION')) as version_file:
diff --git a/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/VERSION b/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/VERSION
index 56fea8a0..a8eefdb0 100644
--- a/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/VERSION
+++ b/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
+3.1.0.dev2
diff --git a/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/_common_classes.py b/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/_common_classes.py
index c5d71fe3..2ad05804 100644
--- a/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/_common_classes.py
+++ b/common/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/common/_common_classes.py
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2019 by Delphix. All rights reserved.
 #
 
-from dlpx.virtualization.api import common_pb2
+from abc import ABCMeta
+from dlpx.virtualization.api import common_pb2, libs_pb2
 from dlpx.virtualization.common.exceptions import IncorrectTypeError
+from enum import IntEnum
 
 """Classes used for Plugin Operations
 
@@ -17,7 +19,10 @@
     "RemoteConnection",
     "RemoteEnvironment",
     "RemoteHost",
-    "RemoteUser"]
+    "RemoteUser",
+    "Credentials",
+    "PasswordCredentials",
+    "KeyPairCredentials"]
 
 
 class RemoteConnection(object):
@@ -293,3 +298,121 @@ def from_proto(user):
                 common_pb2.RemoteUser)
         remote_user = RemoteUser(name=user.name, reference=user.reference)
         return remote_user
+
+
+class Credentials(object):
+    """Plugin base class for CredentialsResult to be used for plugin operations
+    and library functions.
+
+    Plugin authors should use this instead of the corresponding protobuf generated
+    class.
+
+    Args:
+        username: User name.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, username):
+        if not isinstance(username, basestring):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                Credentials,
+                'username',
+                type(username),
+                basestring)
+        self.__username = username
+
+    __metaclass__ = ABCMeta
+
+    @property
+    def username(self):
+        return self.__username
+
+
+class PasswordCredentials(Credentials):
+    """Plugin class for CredentialsResult with password to be used for plugin operations
+    and library functions.
+
+    Plugin authors should use this instead of the corresponding protobuf generated
+    class.
+
+    Args:
+        username: User name.
+        password: Password.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, username, password):
+        super(PasswordCredentials, self).__init__(username)
+        if not isinstance(password, basestring):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                PasswordCredentials,
+                'password',
+                type(password),
+                basestring)
+        self.__password = password
+
+    @property
+    def password(self):
+        return self.__password
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def from_proto(credentials_result):
+        """Converts protobuf class libs_pb2.CredentialsResult to plugin class PasswordCredentials
+        """
+        if not isinstance(credentials_result, libs_pb2.CredentialsResult):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                PasswordCredentials,
+                'credentials_result',
+                type(credentials_result),
+                libs_pb2.CredentialsResult)
+        return PasswordCredentials(
+            username=credentials_result.username, password=credentials_result.pasword)
+
+
+class KeyPairCredentials(Credentials):
+    """Plugin class for CredentialsResult with key pair to be used for plugin operations
+    and library functions.
+
+    Plugin authors should use this instead of the corresponding protobuf generated
+    class.
+
+    Args:
+        username (str): User name.
+        private_key (str): Private key.
+        public_key (str): Public key corresponding to private key. Empty string if not present.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, username, private_key, public_key):
+        super(KeyPairCredentials, self).__init__(username)
+        if not isinstance(private_key, basestring):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                KeyPairCredentials,
+                'private_key',
+                type(private_key),
+                basestring)
+        self.__private_key = private_key
+        if not isinstance(public_key, basestring):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                KeyPairCredentials,
+                'public_key',
+                type(public_key),
+                basestring)
+        self.__public_key = public_key
+
+    @property
+    def private_key(self):
+        return self.__private_key
+
+    @property
+    def public_key(self):
+        return self.__public_key
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def from_proto(credentials_result):
+        """Converts protobuf class libs_pb2.CredentialsResult to plugin class KeyPairCredentials
+        """
+        if not isinstance(credentials_result, libs_pb2.CredentialsResult):
+            raise IncorrectTypeError(
+                KeyPairCredentials,
+                'credentials_result',
+                type(credentials_result),
+                libs_pb2.CredentialsResult)
+        return KeyPairCredentials(
+            username=credentials_result.username,
+            private_key=credentials_result.key_pair.private_key,
+            public_key=credentials_result.key_pair.public_key)
diff --git a/docs/docs/Building_Your_First_Plugin/Data_Ingestion.md b/docs/docs/Building_Your_First_Plugin/Data_Ingestion.md
index a3aaf6d3..67dcd0cb 100644
--- a/docs/docs/Building_Your_First_Plugin/Data_Ingestion.md
+++ b/docs/docs/Building_Your_First_Plugin/Data_Ingestion.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ quite limiting.
 
 For our first plugin, we will be using the more flexible [staging](/References/Glossary.md#staged-linkingsyncing) strategy. With this strategy, the Delphix Engine uses NFS for Unix environments (or iSCSI on Windows environments) to mount storage onto a [staging environment](/References/Glossary.md#staging-environment). Our plugin will then be in full control of how to get data from the source environment onto this storage mount.
 
-With the staging strategy, there are two types of syncs: sync and resync. A `sync` is used to ingest incremental changes while a `resync` is used to re-ingest all the data for the dSource. For databases, this could mean re-ingesting from a full database backup to reset the dSource. A `sync` and a `resync` will execute the same plugin operations. To differentiate a `sync` from a `resync`, simply add a boolean property (i.e. `resync`) in the plugin's [snapshot parameters definition](References/Schemas_and_Autogenerated_Classes.md#snapshotparametersdefinition-schema). Once `sync` or `resync` is selected, the property will be passed into [linked.pre_snapshot](/References/Plugin_Operations.md#staged-linked-source-pre-snapshot) and [linked.post_snapshot](/References/Plugin_Operations.md#staged-linked-source-post-snapshot) as a [snapshot parameter](/References/Glossary.md#snapshot-parameters).
+With the staging strategy, there are two types of syncs: sync and resync. A `sync` is used to ingest incremental changes while a `resync` is used to re-ingest all the data for the dSource. For databases, this could mean re-ingesting from a full database backup to reset the dSource. A `sync` and a `resync` will execute the same plugin operations. To differentiate a `sync` from a `resync`, simply add a boolean property (i.e. `resync`) in the plugin's [snapshot parameters definition](/References/Schemas_and_Autogenerated_Classes.md#snapshotparametersdefinition-schema). Once `sync` or `resync` is selected, the property will be passed into [linked.pre_snapshot](/References/Plugin_Operations.md#staged-linked-source-pre-snapshot) and [linked.post_snapshot](/References/Plugin_Operations.md#staged-linked-source-post-snapshot) as a [snapshot parameter](/References/Glossary.md#snapshot-parameters).
 
 A regular `sync` is the default and is executed as part of policy driven syncs. A `resync` is only executed during initial ingestion or if the Delphix user manually starts one. The customer can manually trigger a `resync` via the UI by selecting the dSource, going to more options and selecting **Resynchronize dSource**. ![Screenshot](images/Resync.png)
 
diff --git a/docs/docs/Release_Notes/3.0.0/3.0.0.md b/docs/docs/Release_Notes/3.0.0/3.0.0.md
index e8c41e89..c86f0998 100644
--- a/docs/docs/Release_Notes/3.0.0/3.0.0.md
+++ b/docs/docs/Release_Notes/3.0.0/3.0.0.md
@@ -7,9 +7,14 @@ To install or upgrade the SDK, refer to instructions [here](/Getting_Started.md#
 	* Provide end-users with configurable options prior to taking a snapshot.
 	* The options selected are provided as input to pre/post-snapshot functions.
 
+* Added support to initialize an [empty VDB](/References/Glossary#empty-vdb).
+	* Create an empty virtual dataset within Delphix, instead of creating it externally and ingesting it.
+	* Utilize this functionality by implementing the [initialize](/References/Plugin_Operations#virtual-source-initialize) operation.
+
 * Added a `scratch_path` property on the [RemoteHost](/References/Classes/#remotehost) object which can be used as:
 	* A location to store small amounts of persistent data.
 	* A location to mount VDB data.
+
 More details about `scratch_path` can be found [here](/Best_Practices/Scratch_Paths.md)
 
 ## Breaking Changes
diff --git a/dvp/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/VERSION b/dvp/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/VERSION
index 56fea8a0..a8eefdb0 100644
--- a/dvp/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/VERSION
+++ b/dvp/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
+3.1.0.dev2
diff --git a/libs/requirements.txt b/libs/requirements.txt
index 275195fe..a8a53e05 100644
--- a/libs/requirements.txt
+++ b/libs/requirements.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 ./../common
 bump2version==0.5.11
 contextlib2==0.6.0.post1 ; python_version < '3'
+enum34==1.1.6
 funcsigs==1.0.2 ; python_version < '3.3'
 importlib-metadata==1.3.0 ; python_version < '3.8'
 mock==3.0.5
diff --git a/libs/setup.py b/libs/setup.py
index d7c601f8..17cea43b 100644
--- a/libs/setup.py
+++ b/libs/setup.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     version = version_file.read().strip()
 
 install_requires = [
-  "dvp-api == 1.4.0",
+  "dvp-api == 1.5.0.dev1",
   "dvp-common == {}".format(version)
 ]
 
diff --git a/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/VERSION b/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/VERSION
index 56fea8a0..a8eefdb0 100644
--- a/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/VERSION
+++ b/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
+3.1.0.dev2
diff --git a/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/libs.py b/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/libs.py
index 2e0fb4bd..69355a4b 100644
--- a/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/libs.py
+++ b/libs/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/libs/libs.py
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@
 from dlpx.virtualization.libs.exceptions import (IncorrectArgumentTypeError,
                                                  LibraryError,
                                                  PluginScriptError)
-from dlpx.virtualization.common._common_classes import RemoteConnection
+from dlpx.virtualization.common._common_classes import (RemoteConnection,
+                                                        PasswordCredentials,
+                                                        KeyPairCredentials)
+from google.protobuf import json_format
+from google.protobuf.struct_pb2 import Struct
 
 import logging
 
@@ -39,7 +43,9 @@
     "run_bash",
     "run_sync",
     "run_powershell",
-    "run_expect"
+    "run_expect",
+    "retrieve_credentials",
+    "upgrade_password"
 ]
 
 
@@ -410,3 +416,63 @@ def _log_request(message, log_level):
 
     response = internal_libs.log(log_request)
     _handle_response(response)
+
+
+def retrieve_credentials(credentials_supplier):
+    """This is an internal wrapper around the Virtualization library's credentials retrieval API.
+    Given a supplier provided by Virtualization, retrieves the credentials from that supplier.
+
+    Args:
+        credentials_supplier (dict): Properties that make up a supplier of credentials.
+    Return:
+        Subclass of Credentials retrieved from supplier. Either a PasswordCredentials or a KeyPairCredentials
+        from dlpx.virtualization.common._common_classes.
+    """
+    from dlpx.virtualization._engine import libs as internal_libs
+
+    if not isinstance(credentials_supplier, dict):
+        raise IncorrectArgumentTypeError('credentials_supplier', type(credentials_supplier), dict)
+
+    credentials_request = libs_pb2.CredentialsRequest()
+    credentials_struct = Struct()
+    credentials_struct.update(credentials_supplier)
+    credentials_request.credentials_supplier.CopyFrom(credentials_struct)
+
+    response = internal_libs.retrieve_credentials(credentials_request)
+
+    credentials_result = _handle_response(response)
+    if credentials_result.password != "":
+        return PasswordCredentials(credentials_result.username, credentials_result.password)
+    return KeyPairCredentials(
+        credentials_result.username,
+        credentials_result.key_pair.private_key,
+        credentials_result.key_pair.public_key)
+
+
+def upgrade_password(password, username=None):
+    """This is an internal wrapper around Virtualization's credentials-supplier conversion  API.
+    It is intended for use during plugin upgrade when a plugin needs to transform a password
+    value into a more generic credentials supplier object.
+
+    Args:
+        password (basestring): Plain password string.
+        username (basestring, defaults to None): User name contained in the password credential supplier to return.
+    Return:
+        Credentials supplier (dict) that supplies the given password and username.
+    """
+    from dlpx.virtualization._engine import libs as internal_libs
+
+    if not isinstance(password, basestring):
+        raise IncorrectArgumentTypeError('password', type(password), basestring)
+    if username and not isinstance(username, basestring):
+        raise IncorrectArgumentTypeError('username', type(username), basestring, required=False)
+
+    upgrade_password_request = libs_pb2.UpgradePasswordRequest()
+    upgrade_password_request.password = password
+    if username:
+        upgrade_password_request.username = username
+
+    response = internal_libs.upgrade_password(upgrade_password_request)
+
+    upgrade_password_result = _handle_response(response)
+    return json_format.MessageToDict(upgrade_password_result.credentials_supplier)
diff --git a/libs/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/test_libs.py b/libs/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/test_libs.py
index 83364932..4e94d375 100644
--- a/libs/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/test_libs.py
+++ b/libs/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/test_libs.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 from dlpx.virtualization import libs
 from dlpx.virtualization.libs.exceptions import (
     IncorrectArgumentTypeError, LibraryError, PluginScriptError)
+from google.protobuf import json_format
+from dlpx.virtualization.common._common_classes import (PasswordCredentials)
 
 
 class TestLibsRunBash:
@@ -773,3 +775,157 @@ def test_run_expect_bad_variables(remote_connection):
                    " type 'dict of basestring:basestring' if defined.")
         assert (err_info.value.message == message.format('int', 'str') or
                 err_info.value.message == message.format('str', 'int'))
+
+
+class TestLibsRetrieveCredentials:
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_retrieve_password_credentials():
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response = libs_pb2.CredentialsResponse()
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value.username = 'some user'
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value.password = 'some password'
+
+        expected_credentials_supplier = {'some supplier property': 'some supplier value'}
+
+        def mock_retrieve_credentials(actual_retrieve_credentials_request):
+            assert json_format.MessageToDict(actual_retrieve_credentials_request.credentials_supplier) == \
+                   expected_credentials_supplier
+
+            return expected_retrieve_credentials_response
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.retrieve_credentials',
+                        side_effect=mock_retrieve_credentials, create=True):
+            actual_retrieve_credentials_result = libs.retrieve_credentials(expected_credentials_supplier)
+
+        expected = expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value
+        assert actual_retrieve_credentials_result.username == expected.username
+        assert actual_retrieve_credentials_result.password == expected.password
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_retrieve_keypair_credentials():
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response = libs_pb2.CredentialsResponse()
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value.username = 'some user'
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value.key_pair.private_key = 'some private key'
+        expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value.key_pair.public_key = 'some public key'
+
+        expected_credentials_supplier = {'some supplier property': 'some supplier value'}
+
+        def mock_retrieve_credentials(actual_retrieve_credentials_request):
+            assert json_format.MessageToDict(actual_retrieve_credentials_request.credentials_supplier) == \
+                   expected_credentials_supplier
+
+            return expected_retrieve_credentials_response
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.retrieve_credentials',
+                        side_effect=mock_retrieve_credentials, create=True):
+            actual_retrieve_credentials_result = libs.retrieve_credentials(expected_credentials_supplier)
+
+        expected = expected_retrieve_credentials_response.return_value
+        assert actual_retrieve_credentials_result.username == expected.username
+        assert actual_retrieve_credentials_result.private_key == expected.key_pair.private_key
+        assert actual_retrieve_credentials_result.public_key == expected.key_pair.public_key
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_retrieve_credentials_with_actionable_error():
+        expected_id = 15
+        expected_message = 'Some message'
+
+        response = libs_pb2.CredentialsResponse()
+        response.error.actionable_error.id = expected_id
+        response.error.actionable_error.message = expected_message
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.retrieve_credentials',
+                        return_value=response, create=True):
+            with pytest.raises(LibraryError) as err_info:
+                libs.retrieve_credentials({'some supplier property': 'some supplier value'})
+
+        assert err_info.value._id == expected_id
+        assert err_info.value.message == expected_message
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_retrieve_credentials_with_nonactionable_error():
+        response = libs_pb2.CredentialsResponse()
+        na_error = libs_pb2.NonActionableLibraryError()
+        response.error.non_actionable_error.CopyFrom(na_error)
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.retrieve_credentials',
+                        return_value=response, create=True):
+            with pytest.raises(SystemExit):
+                libs.retrieve_credentials({'some supplier property': 'some supplier value'})
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_retrieve_credentials_bad_supplier():
+        # Set the supplier be an int instead of a dictionary.
+        credentials_supplier = 10
+
+        with pytest.raises(IncorrectArgumentTypeError) as err_info:
+            libs.retrieve_credentials(credentials_supplier)
+
+        assert err_info.value.message == (
+            "The function retrieve_credentials's argument 'credentials_supplier' was"
+            " type 'int' but should be of type 'dict'.")
+
+
+class TestLibsUpgradePassword:
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_upgrade_password():
+        expected_password = 'some password'
+
+        expected_credentials_supplier = {'type': 'NamedPasswordCredential', 'password': expected_password}
+        expected_upgrade_password_response = libs_pb2.UpgradePasswordResponse()
+        expected_upgrade_password_response.return_value.credentials_supplier.update(expected_credentials_supplier)
+
+        def mock_upgrade_password(actual_upgrade_password_request):
+            assert actual_upgrade_password_request.password == expected_password
+
+            return expected_upgrade_password_response
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.upgrade_password',
+                        side_effect=mock_upgrade_password, create=True):
+            actual_upgrade_password_result = libs.upgrade_password(expected_password)
+
+        assert actual_upgrade_password_result == expected_credentials_supplier
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_upgrade_password_with_username():
+        expected_password = 'some password'
+        expected_username = 'some user name'
+
+        expected_credentials_supplier = {'type': 'NamedPasswordCredential', 'password': expected_password, 'username': expected_username}
+        expected_upgrade_password_response = libs_pb2.UpgradePasswordResponse()
+        expected_upgrade_password_response.return_value.credentials_supplier.update(expected_credentials_supplier)
+
+        def mock_upgrade_password(actual_upgrade_password_request):
+            assert actual_upgrade_password_request.password == expected_password
+            assert actual_upgrade_password_request.username == expected_username
+
+            return expected_upgrade_password_response
+
+        with mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._engine.libs.upgrade_password',
+                        side_effect=mock_upgrade_password, create=True):
+            actual_upgrade_password_result = libs.upgrade_password(expected_password, username=expected_username)
+
+        assert actual_upgrade_password_result == expected_credentials_supplier
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_upgrade_password_invalid_password():
+        expected_password = 10
+        expected_username = 'some user name'
+
+        with pytest.raises(IncorrectArgumentTypeError) as err_info:
+            libs.upgrade_password(expected_password, username=expected_username)
+
+        assert err_info.value.message == (
+            "The function upgrade_password's argument 'password' was"
+            " type 'int' but should be of type 'basestring'.")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_upgrade_password_invalid_username():
+        expected_password = 'some password'
+        expected_username = 10
+
+        with pytest.raises(IncorrectArgumentTypeError) as err_info:
+            libs.upgrade_password(expected_password, username=expected_username)
+
+        assert err_info.value.message == (
+            "The function upgrade_password's argument 'username' was"
+            " type 'int' but should be of type 'basestring' if defined.")
diff --git a/platform/setup.py b/platform/setup.py
index 5c63a776..2e58111e 100644
--- a/platform/setup.py
+++ b/platform/setup.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     version = version_file.read().strip()
 
 install_requires = [
-  "dvp-api == 1.4.0",
+  "dvp-api == 1.5.0.dev1",
   "dvp-common == {}".format(version),
   "enum34;python_version < '3.4'",
 ]
diff --git a/platform/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/platform/VERSION b/platform/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/platform/VERSION
index 56fea8a0..a8eefdb0 100644
--- a/platform/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/platform/VERSION
+++ b/platform/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/platform/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
+3.1.0.dev2
diff --git a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/VERSION b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/VERSION
index 56fea8a0..a8eefdb0 100644
--- a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/VERSION
+++ b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-3.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
+3.1.0.dev2
diff --git a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/codegen.py b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/codegen.py
index 77a34397..30b1529c 100644
--- a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/codegen.py
+++ b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/codegen.py
@@ -90,10 +90,37 @@ def generate_python(name, source_dir, plugin_config_dir, schema_content):
     _copy_generated_to_dir(output_dir, source_dir)
 
 
+#
+# Makes all references to platform json schema definitions "opaque" by replacing
+# them with plain object types.
+#
+def _make_url_refs_opaque(json):
+    if isinstance(json, dict):
+        for key in json:
+            if key == '$ref' and isinstance(json[key], basestring)\
+              and json[key].startswith('https://delphix.com/platform/api#'):
+                json.pop(key)
+                json['type'] = 'object'
+            else:
+                _make_url_refs_opaque(json[key])
+    elif isinstance(json, list):
+        for element in json:
+            _make_url_refs_opaque(element)
+
+
 def _write_swagger_file(name, schema_dict, output_dir):
     swagger_json = copy.deepcopy(SWAGGER_JSON_FORMAT)
     swagger_json['info']['title'] = name
-    swagger_json['definitions'] = schema_dict
+    swagger_json['definitions'] = copy.deepcopy(schema_dict)
+    #
+    # When resolving URL $refs in JSON schemas, Swagger tries to actually access those
+    # URLs. But URL $refs are only meant to be identifiers. Also, specifically, plugin
+    # developers shouldn't have to manipulate credentials objects, which are passed to
+    # plugins by Virtualization and only intended for passing in call-backs to
+    # Virtualization. Thus, we replace $refs for plugin API objects with generic, opaque
+    # objects.
+    #
+    _make_url_refs_opaque(swagger_json['definitions'])
 
     swagger_file = os.path.join(output_dir, SWAGGER_FILE_NAME)
     logger.info('Writing swagger file to {}'.format(swagger_file))
diff --git a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/build.py b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/build.py
index 5a1fec2a..30eff7ab 100644
--- a/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/build.py
+++ b/tools/src/main/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/build.py
@@ -27,6 +27,14 @@
 
 BUILD_DIR_NAME = 'build'
 
+UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_DEFINITION = '''_UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_PATTERN = re.compile(six.u(
+    r\'[\\ud800-\\udbff](?![\\udc00-\\udfff])|(?<![\\ud800-\\udbff])[\\udc00-\\udfff]\'
+))
+'''
+UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_SEARCH = '''      if _UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_PATTERN.search(value):
+        raise ParseError(\'Unpaired surrogate\')
+'''
+
 
 def build(plugin_config,
           upload_artifact,
@@ -133,6 +141,9 @@ def build(plugin_config,
     plugin_dependency_util.install_deps(build_src_dir,
                                         local_vsdk_root=local_vsdk_root)
 
+    # Patch dependencies.
+    patch_dependencies(build_src_dir)
+
     # Prepare the output artifact.
     try:
         plugin_output = prepare_upload_artifact(plugin_config_content,
@@ -152,6 +163,25 @@ def build(plugin_config,
     logger.warn('\nBUILD SUCCESSFUL.')
 
 
+def patch_dependencies(build_src_dir):
+    """Due to https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/issues/7776, Jython cannot
+    import protobuf's json_format. To work around this, we patch it by removing
+    unpaired-surrogate pattern matching, which we don't need.
+
+    Args:
+        build_src_dir: Base path where dependencies are located.
+    """
+    json_format_path = os.path.join(
+        build_src_dir, 'google', 'protobuf', 'json_format.py')
+    with open(json_format_path, 'r') as f:
+        json_format_text = f.read()
+    json_format_text = json_format_text\
+        .replace(UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_DEFINITION, '')\
+        .replace(UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_SEARCH, '')
+    with open(json_format_path, 'w') as f:
+        f.write(json_format_text)
+
+
 def prepare_upload_artifact(plugin_config_content, src_dir, schemas, manifest):
     #
     # This is the output dictionary that will be written
diff --git a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_build.py b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_build.py
index fd88655d..bcc5a9ca 100644
--- a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_build.py
+++ b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_build.py
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ def artifact_file_created():
 
 class TestBuild:
     @staticmethod
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_util.get_plugin_manifest',
         return_value={})
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ class TestBuild:
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     def test_build_success(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
                            mock_generate_python, mock_plugin_manifest,
+                           mock_patch_dependencies,
                            plugin_config_file, artifact_file, artifact_content,
                            codegen_gen_py_inputs):
         gen_py = codegen_gen_py_inputs
@@ -51,6 +54,7 @@ def test_build_success(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
         mock_plugin_manifest.assert_called()
         mock_install_deps.assert_called()
         mock_relative_path.assert_called()
+        mock_patch_dependencies.assert_called()
 
         # After running build this file should now exist.
         assert os.path.exists(artifact_file)
@@ -60,15 +64,39 @@ def test_build_success(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
 
         assert content == artifact_content
 
+    @staticmethod
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_util.get_plugin_manifest',
+        return_value={})
+    @mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._internal.codegen.generate_python')
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_dependency_util.install_deps')
+    @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
+    def test_build_success_with_patched_dependencies(
+            mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
+            mock_generate_python, mock_plugin_manifest,
+            plugin_config_file, artifact_file, codegen_gen_py_inputs,
+            json_format_file_patched, json_format_content):
+
+        build.build(plugin_config_file, artifact_file, False, False)
+
+        with open(json_format_file_patched, 'r') as f:
+            json_format_text = f.read()
+
+        assert json_format_text == json_format_content
+
     @staticmethod
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('ingestion_strategy',
                              [const.DIRECT_TYPE, const.STAGED_TYPE])
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('host_type',
                              [const.UNIX_HOST_TYPE, const.WINDOWS_HOST_TYPE])
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_dependency_util.install_deps')
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     def test_build_success_from_init(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
+                                     mock_patch_dependencies,
                                      tmpdir, ingestion_strategy, host_type,
                                      plugin_name, artifact_file):
         # Initialize an empty directory.
@@ -87,6 +115,8 @@ def test_build_success_from_init(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
 
     @staticmethod
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('artifact_filename', ['somefile.json'])
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch.object(PluginImporter,
                        '_PluginImporter__internal_import',
                        return_value=({}, None))
@@ -96,7 +126,8 @@ def test_build_success_from_init(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     def test_build_success_non_default_output_file(
             mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps, mock_generate_python,
-            mock_import_plugin, plugin_config_file, artifact_file,
+            mock_import_plugin, mock_patch_dependencies,
+            plugin_config_file, artifact_file,
             artifact_content, codegen_gen_py_inputs):
         gen_py = codegen_gen_py_inputs
 
@@ -196,6 +227,8 @@ def test_build_manifest_fail(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
     @staticmethod
     @mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build'
                 '.prepare_upload_artifact')
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_util.get_plugin_manifest',
         return_value={})
@@ -206,6 +239,7 @@ def test_build_manifest_fail(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
     def test_build_prepare_artifact_fail(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
                                          mock_generate_python,
                                          mock_plugin_manifest,
+                                         mock_patch_dependencies,
                                          mock_prep_artifact,
                                          plugin_config_file, artifact_file,
                                          codegen_gen_py_inputs):
@@ -238,6 +272,8 @@ def test_build_prepare_artifact_fail(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
     @staticmethod
     @mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build'
                 '.generate_upload_artifact')
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_util.get_plugin_manifest',
         return_value={})
@@ -247,7 +283,8 @@ def test_build_prepare_artifact_fail(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     def test_build_generate_artifact_fail(
             mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps, mock_generate_python,
-            mock_plugin_manifest, mock_gen_artifact, plugin_config_file,
+            mock_plugin_manifest, mock_patch_dependencies,
+            mock_gen_artifact, plugin_config_file,
             artifact_file, codegen_gen_py_inputs):
         gen_py = codegen_gen_py_inputs
 
@@ -278,12 +315,15 @@ def test_build_generate_artifact_fail(
     @staticmethod
     @mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build'
                 '.prepare_upload_artifact')
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch('dlpx.virtualization._internal.codegen.generate_python')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_dependency_util.install_deps')
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     def test_generate_only_success(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
-                                   mock_generate_python, mock_prep_artifact,
+                                   mock_generate_python, mock_patch_dependencies,
+                                   mock_prep_artifact,
                                    plugin_config_file, artifact_file,
                                    codegen_gen_py_inputs):
         gen_py = codegen_gen_py_inputs
@@ -374,12 +414,15 @@ def test_zip_and_encode_source_files_encode_fail(mock_encode, src_dir):
     @mock.patch.object(PluginImporter,
                        '_PluginImporter__internal_import',
                        return_value=({}, None))
+    @mock.patch(
+        'dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands.build.patch_dependencies')
     @mock.patch(
         'dlpx.virtualization._internal.plugin_dependency_util.install_deps')
     @mock.patch('os.path.isabs', return_value=False)
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('plugin_id',
                              ['77f18ce4-4425-4cd6-b9a7-23653254d660'])
     def test_id_validation_positive(mock_relative_path, mock_install_deps,
+                                    mock_patch_dependencies,
                                     mock_import_plugin, plugin_config_file,
                                     artifact_file):
         build.build(plugin_config_file, artifact_file, False)
diff --git a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_codegen.py b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_codegen.py
index 0548c654..ca6e3f84 100644
--- a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_codegen.py
+++ b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/commands/test_codegen.py
@@ -188,6 +188,25 @@ def test_write_swagger_file(tmpdir, schema_content):
         assert content['definitions'] == schema_content
         assert content['info']['title'] == name
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_write_swagger_file_with_delphix_refs(
+            tmpdir, schema_content, linked_source_definition_with_refs,
+            linked_source_definition_with_opaque_refs):
+        name = 'test'
+        expected_file = tmpdir.join(codegen.SWAGGER_FILE_NAME).strpath
+        schema_content['linkedSourceDefinition'] = linked_source_definition_with_refs
+        codegen._write_swagger_file(name, schema_content, tmpdir.strpath)
+        assert os.path.exists(expected_file)
+        assert os.path.isfile(expected_file)
+
+        with open(expected_file, 'rb') as f:
+            content = json.load(f)
+
+        schema_content['linkedSourceDefinition'] = \
+            linked_source_definition_with_opaque_refs
+        assert content['definitions'] == schema_content
+        assert content['info']['title'] == name
+
     @staticmethod
     def test_execute_swagger_codegen_success(tmpdir, schema_content,
                                              popen_helper):
diff --git a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/conftest.py b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/conftest.py
index d38a2b74..39a4460f 100644
--- a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/conftest.py
+++ b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/conftest.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 import yaml
 from dlpx.virtualization._internal import cli, click_util, const, package_util
+from dlpx.virtualization._internal.commands import build
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -520,7 +521,7 @@ def source_config_definition():
 def virtual_source_definition():
     return {
         'type': 'object',
-        'additionalProperties': False,
+        'additionalProperties': True,
         'properties': {
             'path': {
                 'type': 'string'
@@ -534,6 +535,66 @@ def linked_source_definition():
     return {'type': 'object', 'additionalProperties': False, 'properties': {}}
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def linked_source_definition_with_refs():
+    return {
+        'type': 'object',
+        'additionalProperties': True,
+        'properties': {
+            'path': {
+                'type': 'string'
+            },
+            'credentials': {
+                '$ref': 'https://delphix.com/platform/api#credentialsSupplier'
+            },
+            'credentialsContainer': {
+                'type': 'object',
+                'properties': {
+                    'nestedCredentials': {
+                        '$ref': 'https://delphix.com/platform/api#credentialsSupplier'
+                    },
+                }
+            },
+            'credentialsArray': {
+                'type': 'array',
+                'items': [
+                    {'$ref': 'https://delphix.com/platform/api#credentialsSupplier'}
+                ]
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def linked_source_definition_with_opaque_refs():
+    return {
+        'type': 'object',
+        'additionalProperties': True,
+        'properties': {
+            'path': {
+                'type': 'string'
+            },
+            'credentials': {
+                'type': 'object'
+            },
+            'credentialsContainer': {
+                'type': 'object',
+                'properties': {
+                    'nestedCredentials': {
+                        'type': 'object'
+                    },
+                }
+            },
+            'credentialsArray': {
+                'type': 'array',
+                'items': [
+                    {'type': 'object'}
+                ]
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def snapshot_definition():
     return {
@@ -675,6 +736,36 @@ def linked_source_def_type(plugin_type):
         return 'PluginLinkedStagedSourceDefinition'
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def protobuf_dir(tmpdir):
+    path = tmpdir.join('src', 'google', 'protobuf').strpath
+    os.makedirs(path)
+    return path
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def json_format_file(protobuf_dir):
+    json_format_path = os.path.join(protobuf_dir, 'json_format.py')
+    with open(json_format_path, 'w') as f:
+        f.write('a = 1\n')
+        f.write(build.UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_DEFINITION)
+        f.write('b = 2\n')
+        f.write(build.UNPAIRED_SURROGATE_SEARCH)
+        f.write('c = 3\n')
+    return json_format_path
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def json_format_file_patched(json_format_file, tmpdir):
+    dir = tmpdir.join('build', 'src', 'google', 'protobuf', 'json_format.py')
+    return dir.strpath
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def json_format_content():
+    return 'a = 1\nb = 2\nc = 3\n'
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def codegen_gen_py_inputs(plugin_config_file, plugin_name, src_dir, tmpdir,
                           schema_content):
diff --git a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/test_package_util.py b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/test_package_util.py
index 670eb684..01d5cfb2 100644
--- a/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/test_package_util.py
+++ b/tools/src/test/python/dlpx/virtualization/_internal/test_package_util.py
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@
 class TestPackageUtil:
     @staticmethod
     def test_get_version():
-        assert package_util.get_version() == '3.0.0'
+        assert package_util.get_version() == '3.1.0.dev2'
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_get_virtualization_api_version():
-        assert package_util.get_virtualization_api_version() == '1.4.0'
+        assert package_util.get_virtualization_api_version() == '1.5.0'
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_get_engine_api_version():
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def test_get_build_api_version_json():
         build_api_version = {
             'type': 'APIVersion',
             'major': 1,
-            'minor': 4,
+            'minor': 5,
             'micro': 0
         }
         assert package_util.get_build_api_version() == build_api_version