diff --git a/src/configfile-glue.c b/src/configfile-glue.c
index 6290ec7b..98500ab1 100644
--- a/src/configfile-glue.c
+++ b/src/configfile-glue.c
@@ -50,19 +50,65 @@ int config_plugin_values_init_block(server * const srv, const array * const ca,
 
         switch (cpk[i].ktype) {
           case T_CONFIG_ARRAY:
+          case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY:
+          case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY:
+          case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING:
+          case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST:
             if (du->type == TYPE_ARRAY) {
                 cpv->v.a = &((const data_array *)du)->value;
-                /* future: might provide modifiers to perform one of
-                 * array_is_{vlist,kvany,kvarray,kvstring}() tests
-                 * and provide generic error message if mismatch */
             }
             else {
                 log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                  "%s should have been an array of strings like "
-                  "... = ( \"...\" )", cpk[i].k);
+                  "%s should have been a list like "
+                  "%s = ( \"...\" )", cpk[i].k, cpk[i].k);
                 rc = 0;
                 continue;
             }
+            switch (cpk[i].ktype) {
+              case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY:
+                if (!array_is_kvany(cpv->v.a)) {
+                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
+                      "%s should have been a list of key => values like "
+                      "%s = ( \"...\" => \"...\", \"...\" => \"...\" )",
+                    cpk[i].k, cpk[i].k);
+                    rc = 0;
+                    continue;
+                }
+                break;
+              case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY:
+                if (!array_is_kvarray(cpv->v.a)) {
+                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
+                      "%s should have been a list of key => list like "
+                      "%s = ( \"...\" => ( \"...\" => \"...\" ) )",
+                    cpk[i].k, cpk[i].k);
+                    rc = 0;
+                    continue;
+                }
+                break;
+              case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING:
+                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
+                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
+                      "%s should have been a list of key => string values like "
+                      "%s = ( \"...\" => \"...\", \"...\" => \"...\" )",
+                    cpk[i].k, cpk[i].k);
+                    rc = 0;
+                    continue;
+                }
+                break;
+              case T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST:
+                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
+                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
+                      "%s should have been a list of string values like "
+                      "%s = ( \"...\", \"...\" )",
+                    cpk[i].k, cpk[i].k);
+                    rc = 0;
+                    continue;
+                }
+                break;
+              /*case T_CONFIG_ARRAY:*/
+              default:
+                break;
+            }
             break;
           case T_CONFIG_STRING:
             if (du->type == TYPE_STRING) {
diff --git a/src/configfile.c b/src/configfile.c
index b69ef5b2..9f451ac7 100644
--- a/src/configfile.c
+++ b/src/configfile.c
@@ -373,12 +373,6 @@ static int config_http_parseopts (server *srv, const array *a) {
     unsigned short int opts = srv->srvconf.http_url_normalize;
     unsigned short int decode_2f = 1;
     int rc = 1;
-    if (!array_is_kvstring(a)) {
-        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-          "unexpected value for server.http-parseopts; "
-          "expected list of \"key\" => \"[enable|disable]\"");
-        return 0;
-    }
     for (size_t i = 0; i < a->used; ++i) {
         const data_string * const ds = (const data_string *)a->data[i];
         const buffer *k = &ds->key;
@@ -485,7 +479,7 @@ static int config_http_parseopts (server *srv, const array *a) {
 static int config_insert_srvconf(server *srv) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("server.modules"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_SERVER }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("server.compat-module-load"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -551,10 +545,10 @@ static int config_insert_srvconf(server *srv) {
         T_CONFIG_INT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_SERVER }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("server.upload-dirs"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_SERVER }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("server.http-parseopts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_SERVER }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("server.http-parseopt-header-strict"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -603,14 +597,6 @@ static int config_insert_srvconf(server *srv) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* server.modules */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"mod_xxxxxx\" strings",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    rc = HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    break;
-                }
                 array_copy_array(srv->srvconf.modules, cpv->v.a);
                 break;
               case 1: /* server.compat-module-load */
@@ -677,13 +663,6 @@ static int config_insert_srvconf(server *srv) {
                 srv->srvconf.upload_temp_file_size = cpv->v.u;
                 break;
               case 22:/* server.upload-dirs */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"path\" strings", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    rc = HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    break;
-                }
                 array_copy_array(srv->srvconf.upload_tempdirs, cpv->v.a);
                 break;
               case 23:/* server.http-parseopts */
@@ -808,7 +787,7 @@ static int config_insert(server *srv) {
         T_CONFIG_SHORT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("mimetype.assign"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("mimetype.use-xattr"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -922,16 +901,7 @@ static int config_insert(server *srv) {
                 break;
               }
               case 19:/* connection.kbytes-per-second */
-                break;
               case 20:/* mimetype.assign */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"ext\" => \"mimetype\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    rc = HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
               case 21:/* mimetype.use-xattr */
               case 22:/* etag.use-inode */
               case 23:/* etag.use-mtime */
diff --git a/src/gw_backend.c b/src/gw_backend.c
index f1021b32..67d40bef 100644
--- a/src/gw_backend.c
+++ b/src/gw_backend.c
@@ -1234,10 +1234,10 @@ int gw_set_defaults_backend(server *srv, gw_plugin_data *p, const array *a, gw_p
         T_CONFIG_SHORT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("bin-environment"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("bin-copy-environment"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("broken-scriptfilename"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -1255,7 +1255,7 @@ int gw_set_defaults_backend(server *srv, gw_plugin_data *p, const array *a, gw_p
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("x-sendfile-docroot"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("tcp-fin-propagate"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -1267,14 +1267,6 @@ int gw_set_defaults_backend(server *srv, gw_plugin_data *p, const array *a, gw_p
 
     gw_host *host = NULL;
 
-    if (!array_is_kvarray(a)) {
-        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-          "unexpected value for %s; expected "
-          "( \"ext\" => ( \"backend-label\" => ( \"key\" => \"value\" )))",
-          cpkkey);
-        return 0;
-    }
-
     p->srv_pid = srv->pid;
 
     s->exts      = gw_extensions_init();
diff --git a/src/mod_access.c b/src/mod_access.c
index 2dec2eda..804f0b9f 100644
--- a/src/mod_access.c
+++ b/src/mod_access.c
@@ -55,10 +55,10 @@ static void mod_access_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_access_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("url.access-deny"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.access-allow"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -69,27 +69,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_access_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_access"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* url.access-deny */
-              case 1: /* url.access-allow */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
     if (p->nconfig > 0 && p->cvlist->v.u2[1]) {
         const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist->v.u2[0];
diff --git a/src/mod_alias.c b/src/mod_alias.c
index 1ded7260..d5883264 100644
--- a/src/mod_alias.c
+++ b/src/mod_alias.c
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ static int mod_alias_check_order(server * const srv, const array * const a) {
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_alias_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("alias.url"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -97,13 +97,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_alias_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* alias.url */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"urlpath\" => \"filepath\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 if (cpv->v.a->used >= 2 && !mod_alias_check_order(srv,cpv->v.a))
                     return HANDLER_ERROR;
                 break;
diff --git a/src/mod_auth.c b/src/mod_auth.c
index c1466d04..8c9e4633 100644
--- a/src/mod_auth.c
+++ b/src/mod_auth.c
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_auth_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("auth.require"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("auth.extern-authn"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_auth_set_defaults) {
                 }
                 break;
               case 1: /* auth.require */
-                if (array_is_kvarray(cpv->v.a)) {
+                {
                     array * const a = array_init(4);
                     if (HANDLER_GO_ON !=
                         mod_auth_require_parse_array(cpv->v.a, a, srv->errh)) {
@@ -440,13 +440,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_auth_set_defaults) {
                     cpv->v.a = a;
                     cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
                 }
-                else {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; expected "
-                      "%s = ( \"urlpath\" => ( \"option\" => \"value\" ) )",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k, cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 2: /* auth.extern-authn */
                 break;
diff --git a/src/mod_authn_pam.c b/src/mod_authn_pam.c
index 618baaca..4ce3bb54 100644
--- a/src/mod_authn_pam.c
+++ b/src/mod_authn_pam.c
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ static void mod_authn_pam_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * con
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_authn_pam_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("auth.backend.pam.opts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
diff --git a/src/mod_authn_sasl.c b/src/mod_authn_sasl.c
index f763cc55..c6eed5fd 100644
--- a/src/mod_authn_sasl.c
+++ b/src/mod_authn_sasl.c
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ static plugin_config * mod_authn_sasl_parse_opts(server *srv, const array * cons
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_authn_sasl_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("auth.backend.sasl.opts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
diff --git a/src/mod_cgi.c b/src/mod_cgi.c
index 0d7f98dd..223972e2 100644
--- a/src/mod_cgi.c
+++ b/src/mod_cgi.c
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ static void mod_cgi_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const p)
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_cgi_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("cgi.assign"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("cgi.execute-x-only"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_cgi_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("cgi.x-sendfile-docroot"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("cgi.local-redir"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -222,25 +222,10 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_cgi_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* cgi.assign */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"ext\" -> \"exepath\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
               case 1: /* cgi.execute-x-only */
               case 2: /* cgi.x-sendfile */
                 break;
               case 3: /* cgi.x-sendfile-docroot */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected: %s = ( \"/allowed/path\", ... )",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k, cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 for (uint32_t j = 0; j < cpv->v.a->used; ++j) {
                     data_string *ds = (data_string *)cpv->v.a->data[j];
                     if (ds->value.ptr[0] != '/') {
diff --git a/src/mod_cml.c b/src/mod_cml.c
index ac584dcc..1640fb68 100644
--- a/src/mod_cml.c
+++ b/src/mod_cml.c
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_cml_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("cml.memcache-hosts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("cml.memcache-namespace"), /*(unused)*/
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -148,12 +148,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_cml_set_defaults) {
               case 0: /* cml.extension */
                 break;
               case 1: /* cml.memcache-hosts */ /* config converted to memc handles */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"host\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 if (!mod_cml_init_memcached(srv, cpv)) {
                     return HANDLER_ERROR;
                 }
diff --git a/src/mod_compress.c b/src/mod_compress.c
index ba7eadc7..53887706 100644
--- a/src/mod_compress.c
+++ b/src/mod_compress.c
@@ -222,10 +222,10 @@ static short mod_compress_encodings_to_flags(const array *encodings) {
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_compress_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("compress.filetype"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("compress.allowed-encodings"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("compress.cache-dir"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -252,21 +252,9 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_compress_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* compress.filetype */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"mimetype\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 if (0 == cpv->v.a->used) cpv->v.a = NULL;
                 break;
               case 1: /* compress.allowed-encodings */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"encoding\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.u = (unsigned int)
                   mod_compress_encodings_to_flags(cpv->v.a);
                 cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_INT;
diff --git a/src/mod_deflate.c b/src/mod_deflate.c
index e5687f11..ee3cd841 100644
--- a/src/mod_deflate.c
+++ b/src/mod_deflate.c
@@ -329,10 +329,10 @@ static short mod_deflate_encodings_to_flags(const array *encodings) {
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_deflate_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("deflate.mimetypes"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("deflate.allow-encodings"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("deflate.max-compress-size"),
         T_CONFIG_INT,
@@ -368,12 +368,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_deflate_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* deflate.mimetypes */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"mimetype\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 /* mod_deflate matches mimetype as prefix of Content-Type
                  * so ignore '*' at end of mimetype for end-user flexibility
                  * in specifying trailing wildcard to grouping of mimetypes */
@@ -386,12 +380,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_deflate_set_defaults) {
                 if (0 == cpv->v.a->used) cpv->v.a = NULL;
                 break;
               case 1: /* deflate.allowed-encodings */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"encoding\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.shrt = (unsigned short)
                   mod_deflate_encodings_to_flags(cpv->v.a);
                 cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_SHORT;
diff --git a/src/mod_dirlisting.c b/src/mod_dirlisting.c
index b6e49d7a..d5dd7341 100644
--- a/src/mod_dirlisting.c
+++ b/src/mod_dirlisting.c
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_dirlisting_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("dir-listing.exclude"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("dir-listing.hide-dot-files"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -263,12 +263,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_dirlisting_set_defaults) {
               case 1: /* server.dir-listing *//*(historical)*/
                 break;
               case 2: /* dir-listing.exclude */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"regex\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                #ifndef HAVE_PCRE_H
                 if (cpv->v.a->used > 0) {
                     log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
diff --git a/src/mod_expire.c b/src/mod_expire.c
index 3a0ed29e..c80cc81b 100644
--- a/src/mod_expire.c
+++ b/src/mod_expire.c
@@ -195,10 +195,10 @@ static void mod_expire_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_expire_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("expire.url"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("expire.mimetypes"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -217,23 +217,9 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_expire_set_defaults) {
             const array *a = NULL;
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* expire.url */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"urlpath\" => \"expiration\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 a = cpv->v.a;
                 break;
               case 1: /* expire.mimetypes */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"mimetype\" => \"expiration\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 for (uint32_t k = 0; k < cpv->v.a->used; ++k) {
                     data_string *ds = (data_string *)cpv->v.a->data[k];
                     /*(omit trailing '*', if present, from prefix match)*/
diff --git a/src/mod_extforward.c b/src/mod_extforward.c
index 1943548b..d9d25ae9 100644
--- a/src/mod_extforward.c
+++ b/src/mod_extforward.c
@@ -327,13 +327,13 @@ static unsigned int mod_extforward_parse_opts(server *srv, const array *opts_par
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_extforward_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("extforward.forwarder"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("extforward.headers"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("extforward.params"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("extforward.hap-PROXY"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -359,13 +359,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_extforward_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* extforward.forwarder */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"IPaddr\" => \"trust\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.v = mod_extforward_parse_forwarder(srv, cpv->v.a);
                 if (NULL == cpv->v.v) {
                     log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
@@ -375,21 +368,8 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_extforward_set_defaults) {
                 cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
                 break;
               case 1: /* extforward.headers */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"headername\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 2: /* extforward.params */
-                if (!array_is_kvany(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"param\" => \"value\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.u = mod_extforward_parse_opts(srv, cpv->v.a);
                 if (UINT_MAX == cpv->v.u)
                     return HANDLER_ERROR;
diff --git a/src/mod_fastcgi.c b/src/mod_fastcgi.c
index c908c7a9..d856bccf 100644
--- a/src/mod_fastcgi.c
+++ b/src/mod_fastcgi.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ static void mod_fastcgi_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_fastcgi_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("fastcgi.server"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("fastcgi.balance"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_fastcgi_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_INT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("fastcgi.map-extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -120,15 +120,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_fastcgi_set_defaults) {
                 cpv->v.u = (unsigned int)gw_get_defaults_balance(srv, cpv->v.b);
                 break;
               case 2: /* fastcgi.debug */
-                break;
               case 3: /* fastcgi.map-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\" => \"subst\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               default:/* should not happen */
                 break;
diff --git a/src/mod_flv_streaming.c b/src/mod_flv_streaming.c
index e662c5fc..f8431e80 100644
--- a/src/mod_flv_streaming.c
+++ b/src/mod_flv_streaming.c
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ static void mod_flv_streaming_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data *
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_flv_streaming_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("flv-streaming.extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -65,26 +65,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_flv_streaming_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_flv_streaming"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* flv-streaming.extensions */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"ext\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
     if (p->nconfig > 0 && p->cvlist->v.u2[1]) {
         const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist->v.u2[0];
diff --git a/src/mod_indexfile.c b/src/mod_indexfile.c
index 01fd9288..558dd5c1 100644
--- a/src/mod_indexfile.c
+++ b/src/mod_indexfile.c
@@ -58,10 +58,10 @@ static void mod_indexfile_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * con
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_indexfile_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("index-file.names"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("server.indexfiles"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -72,27 +72,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_indexfile_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_indexfile"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* index-file.names */
-              case 1: /* server.indexfiles */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"file\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
     if (p->nconfig > 0 && p->cvlist->v.u2[1]) {
         const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist->v.u2[0];
diff --git a/src/mod_magnet.c b/src/mod_magnet.c
index 1884e80f..bf7ac2cb 100644
--- a/src/mod_magnet.c
+++ b/src/mod_magnet.c
@@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ static void mod_magnet_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_magnet_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("magnet.attract-raw-url-to"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("magnet.attract-physical-path-to"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -103,12 +103,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_magnet_set_defaults) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* magnet.attract-raw-url-to */
               case 1: /* magnet.attract-physical-path-to */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"scriptpath\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 for (uint32_t j = 0; j < cpv->v.a->used; ++j) {
                     data_string *ds = (data_string *)cpv->v.a->data[j];
                     if (buffer_string_is_empty(&ds->value)) {
diff --git a/src/mod_maxminddb.c b/src/mod_maxminddb.c
index 080404b2..aadb8a17 100644
--- a/src/mod_maxminddb.c
+++ b/src/mod_maxminddb.c
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_maxminddb_set_defaults)
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("maxminddb.env"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
diff --git a/src/mod_openssl.c b/src/mod_openssl.c
index 4884cac0..493a8a72 100644
--- a/src/mod_openssl.c
+++ b/src/mod_openssl.c
@@ -1302,7 +1302,7 @@ mod_openssl_set_defaults_sockets(server *srv, plugin_data *p)
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("ssl.openssl.ssl-conf-cmd"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("ssl.pemfile"), /* included to process global scope */
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -1382,12 +1382,6 @@ mod_openssl_set_defaults_sockets(server *srv, plugin_data *p)
                 break;
               case 5: /* ssl.openssl.ssl-conf-cmd */
                 *(const array **)&conf.ssl_conf_cmd = cpv->v.a;
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "%s must be array of \"key\" => \"value\" strings",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    rc = HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 6: /* ssl.pemfile */
                 /* ignore here; included to process global scope when
diff --git a/src/mod_proxy.c b/src/mod_proxy.c
index db56b97e..20e1b0ea 100644
--- a/src/mod_proxy.c
+++ b/src/mod_proxy.c
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_proxy_set_defaults)
 {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.server"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.balance"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -291,13 +291,13 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_proxy_set_defaults)
         T_CONFIG_INT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.map-extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.forwarded"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.header"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("proxy.replace-http-host"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -343,36 +343,14 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_proxy_set_defaults)
                 cpv->v.u = (unsigned int)gw_get_defaults_balance(srv, cpv->v.b);
                 break;
               case 2: /* proxy.debug */
-                break;
               case 3: /* proxy.map-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\" => \"subst\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 4: /* proxy.forwarded */
-                if (!array_is_kvany(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected ( \"param\" => \"value\" )",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.u = mod_proxy_parse_forwarded(srv, cpv->v.a);
                 if (UINT_MAX == cpv->v.u) return HANDLER_ERROR;
                 cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
                 break;
               case 5: /* proxy.header */
-                if (!array_is_kvany(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected ( \"param\" => ( \"key\" => \"value\" ) )",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.v = mod_proxy_parse_header_opts(srv, cpv->v.a);
                 if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
                 cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
diff --git a/src/mod_redirect.c b/src/mod_redirect.c
index e219c736..ee325544 100644
--- a/src/mod_redirect.c
+++ b/src/mod_redirect.c
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ static pcre_keyvalue_buffer * mod_redirect_parse_list(server *srv, const array *
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_redirect_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("url.redirect"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.redirect-code"),
         T_CONFIG_SHORT,
@@ -118,13 +118,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_redirect_set_defaults) {
         for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* url.redirect */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"regex\" => \"redirect\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 cpv->v.v =
                   mod_redirect_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, p->cvlist[i].k_id);
                 if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
diff --git a/src/mod_rewrite.c b/src/mod_rewrite.c
index 58f37b84..87d8f129 100644
--- a/src/mod_rewrite.c
+++ b/src/mod_rewrite.c
@@ -92,15 +92,7 @@ static void mod_rewrite_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
     }
 }
 
-static pcre_keyvalue_buffer * mod_rewrite_parse_list(server *srv, const array *a, pcre_keyvalue_buffer *kvb, const int condidx, const char *option) {
-    if (!array_is_kvstring(a)) {
-        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-          "unexpected value for %s; "
-          "expected list of \"regex\" => \"subst\"",
-          option);
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
+static pcre_keyvalue_buffer * mod_rewrite_parse_list(server *srv, const array *a, pcre_keyvalue_buffer *kvb, const int condidx) {
     int allocated = 0;
     if (NULL == kvb) {
         allocated = 1;
@@ -128,22 +120,22 @@ static pcre_keyvalue_buffer * mod_rewrite_parse_list(server *srv, const array *a
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_rewrite_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite-once"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite-final"),  /* old name => url.rewrite-once */
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite"),        /* old name => url.rewrite-once */
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite-repeat"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite-if-not-file"), /* rewrite-once if ENOENT */
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("url.rewrite-repeat-if-not-file"), /* repeat if ENOENT */
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -191,24 +183,21 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_rewrite_set_defaults) {
         pcre_keyvalue_buffer *kvb = NULL, *kvb_NF = NULL;
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite_once)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             kvb = cpv->v.v;
         }
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite_final)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             kvb = cpv->v.v;
         }
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             kvb = cpv->v.v;
@@ -217,16 +206,14 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_rewrite_set_defaults) {
         if (kvb) kvb->x1 = (unsigned short)kvb->used; /* repeat_idx */
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite_repeat)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             /*kvb = cpv->v.v;*/
         }
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite_NF)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb_NF, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb_NF, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             kvb_NF = cpv->v.v;
@@ -235,8 +222,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_rewrite_set_defaults) {
         if (kvb_NF) kvb_NF->x1 = (unsigned short)kvb_NF->used; /* repeat_idx */
 
         if ((cpv = rewrite_repeat_NF)) {
-            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb_NF, condidx,
-                                              cpk[cpv->k_id].k); /* directive */
+            cpv->v.v = mod_rewrite_parse_list(srv, cpv->v.a, kvb_NF, condidx);
             if (NULL == cpv->v.v) return HANDLER_ERROR;
             cpv->vtype = T_CONFIG_LOCAL;
             /*kvb_NF = cpv->v.v;*/
diff --git a/src/mod_scgi.c b/src/mod_scgi.c
index d39cc999..0abc2530 100644
--- a/src/mod_scgi.c
+++ b/src/mod_scgi.c
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ static void mod_scgi_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const p)
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_scgi_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("scgi.server"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("scgi.balance"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_scgi_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_INT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("scgi.map-extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("scgi.protocol"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -110,15 +110,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_scgi_set_defaults) {
                 cpv->v.u = (unsigned int)gw_get_defaults_balance(srv, cpv->v.b);
                 break;
               case 2: /* scgi.debug */
-                break;
               case 3: /* scgi.map-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\" => \"subst\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 4: /* scgi.protocol */
                 if (buffer_eq_slen(cpv->v.b, CONST_STR_LEN("scgi")))
diff --git a/src/mod_setenv.c b/src/mod_setenv.c
index 37e76dfc..f08b3d87 100644
--- a/src/mod_setenv.c
+++ b/src/mod_setenv.c
@@ -87,22 +87,22 @@ static void mod_setenv_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_setenv_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.add-request-header"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.add-response-header"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.add-environment"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.set-request-header"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.set-response-header"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("setenv.set-environment"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -130,12 +130,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_setenv_set_defaults) {
               case 3: /* setenv.set-request-header */
               case 4: /* setenv.set-response-header */
               case 5: /* setenv.set-environment */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"key\" => \"value\"",cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               default:/* should not happen */
                 break;
diff --git a/src/mod_skeleton.c b/src/mod_skeleton.c
index 3eda3242..62d22500 100644
--- a/src/mod_skeleton.c
+++ b/src/mod_skeleton.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ static void mod_skeleton_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * cons
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_skeleton_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("skeleton.array"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -99,26 +99,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_skeleton_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_skeleton"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* static-file.exclude-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"url-path\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
     if (p->nconfig > 0 && p->cvlist->v.u2[1]) {
         const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist->v.u2[0];
diff --git a/src/mod_sockproxy.c b/src/mod_sockproxy.c
index 026f9ab9..38f58bb4 100644
--- a/src/mod_sockproxy.c
+++ b/src/mod_sockproxy.c
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ static void mod_sockproxy_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * con
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_sockproxy_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("sockproxy.server"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("sockproxy.balance"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
diff --git a/src/mod_ssi.c b/src/mod_ssi.c
index b54f1cf6..9eacee48 100644
--- a/src/mod_ssi.c
+++ b/src/mod_ssi.c
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ static void mod_ssi_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const p)
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_ssi_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("ssi.extension"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("ssi.content-type"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -141,31 +141,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_ssi_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_ssi"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* ssi.extension */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"ext\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              case 1: /* ssi.content-type */
-              case 2: /* ssi.conditional-requests */
-              case 3: /* ssi.exec */
-              case 4: /* ssi.recursion-max */
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     p->defaults.ssi_exec = 1;
 
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
diff --git a/src/mod_staticfile.c b/src/mod_staticfile.c
index ede55ee8..d3310525 100644
--- a/src/mod_staticfile.c
+++ b/src/mod_staticfile.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ static void mod_staticfile_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * co
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_staticfile_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("static-file.exclude-extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("static-file.etags"),
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
@@ -84,26 +84,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_staticfile_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_staticfile"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* static-file.exclude-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"ext\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* initialize p->defaults from global config context */
     p->defaults.etags_used = 1; /* etags enabled */
     if (p->nconfig > 0 && p->cvlist->v.u2[1]) {
diff --git a/src/mod_trigger_b4_dl.c b/src/mod_trigger_b4_dl.c
index 96dd485d..bce0a5b6 100644
--- a/src/mod_trigger_b4_dl.c
+++ b/src/mod_trigger_b4_dl.c
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_trigger_b4_dl_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_SHORT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("trigger-before-download.memcache-hosts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("trigger-before-download.memcache-namespace"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -297,12 +297,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_trigger_b4_dl_set_defaults) {
               case 4: /* trigger-before-download.trigger-timeout */
                 break;
               case 5: /* trigger-before-download.memcache-hosts */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"host\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 if (!mod_trigger_b4_dl_init_memcached(srv, cpv))
                     return HANDLER_ERROR;
                 break;
diff --git a/src/mod_userdir.c b/src/mod_userdir.c
index 459707bd..45d3e13c 100644
--- a/src/mod_userdir.c
+++ b/src/mod_userdir.c
@@ -82,10 +82,10 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_userdir_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("userdir.exclude-user"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("userdir.include-user"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("userdir.basepath"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -105,33 +105,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_userdir_set_defaults) {
     if (!config_plugin_values_init(srv, p, cpk, "mod_userdir"))
         return HANDLER_ERROR;
 
-    /* process and validate config directives
-     * (init i to 0 if global context; to 1 to skip empty global context) */
-    for (int i = !p->cvlist[0].v.u2[1]; i < p->nconfig; ++i) {
-        const config_plugin_value_t *cpv = p->cvlist + p->cvlist[i].v.u2[0];
-        for (; -1 != cpv->k_id; ++cpv) {
-            switch (cpv->k_id) {
-              case 0: /* userdir.path */
-                break;
-              case 1: /* userdir.exclude-user */
-              case 2: /* userdir.include-user */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\"", cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
-                break;
-              case 3: /* userdir.basepath */
-              case 4: /* userdir.letterhomes */
-              case 5: /* userdir.active */
-                break;
-              default:/* should not happen */
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /* enabled by default for backward compatibility;
      * if userdir.path isn't set userdir is disabled too,
      * but you can't disable it by setting it to an empty string. */
diff --git a/src/mod_vhostdb_dbi.c b/src/mod_vhostdb_dbi.c
index acf7e550..f25be7f3 100644
--- a/src/mod_vhostdb_dbi.c
+++ b/src/mod_vhostdb_dbi.c
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ static void mod_vhostdb_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("vhostdb.dbi"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -298,13 +298,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* vhostdb.<db> */
                 if (cpv->v.a->used) {
-                    if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                          "unexpected value for %s; "
-                          "expected list of \"option\" => \"value\"",
-                          cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                        return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    }
                     if (0 != mod_vhostdb_dbconf_setup(srv, cpv->v.a, &cpv->v.v))
                         return HANDLER_ERROR;
                     if (NULL != cpv->v.v)
diff --git a/src/mod_vhostdb_ldap.c b/src/mod_vhostdb_ldap.c
index 227cc475..c1268156 100644
--- a/src/mod_vhostdb_ldap.c
+++ b/src/mod_vhostdb_ldap.c
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ static void mod_vhostdb_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("vhostdb.ldap"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -525,13 +525,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* vhostdb.<db> */
                 if (cpv->v.a->used) {
-                    if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                          "unexpected value for %s; "
-                          "expected list of \"option\" => \"value\"",
-                          cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                        return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    }
                     if (0 != mod_vhostdb_dbconf_setup(srv, cpv->v.a, &cpv->v.v))
                         return HANDLER_ERROR;
                     if (NULL != cpv->v.v)
diff --git a/src/mod_vhostdb_mysql.c b/src/mod_vhostdb_mysql.c
index 76592c13..3ad9a8db 100644
--- a/src/mod_vhostdb_mysql.c
+++ b/src/mod_vhostdb_mysql.c
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ static void mod_vhostdb_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("vhostdb.mysql"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -259,13 +259,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* vhostdb.<db> */
                 if (cpv->v.a->used) {
-                    if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                          "unexpected value for %s; "
-                          "expected list of \"option\" => \"value\"",
-                          cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                        return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    }
                     if (0 != mod_vhostdb_dbconf_setup(srv, cpv->v.a, &cpv->v.v))
                         return HANDLER_ERROR;
                     if (NULL != cpv->v.v)
diff --git a/src/mod_vhostdb_pgsql.c b/src/mod_vhostdb_pgsql.c
index 8c67d656..2fc26a78 100644
--- a/src/mod_vhostdb_pgsql.c
+++ b/src/mod_vhostdb_pgsql.c
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ static void mod_vhostdb_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * const
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("vhostdb.pgsql"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
@@ -237,13 +237,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_vhostdb_set_defaults) {
             switch (cpv->k_id) {
               case 0: /* vhostdb.<db> */
                 if (cpv->v.a->used) {
-                    if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                        log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                          "unexpected value for %s; "
-                          "expected list of \"option\" => \"value\"",
-                          cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                        return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                    }
                     if (0 != mod_vhostdb_dbconf_setup(srv, cpv->v.a, &cpv->v.v))
                         return HANDLER_ERROR;
                     if (NULL != cpv->v.v)
diff --git a/src/mod_webdav.c b/src/mod_webdav.c
index 115da2a7..b4d88081 100644
--- a/src/mod_webdav.c
+++ b/src/mod_webdav.c
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_webdav_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_BOOL,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("webdav.opts"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ NULL, 0,
         T_CONFIG_UNSET,
diff --git a/src/mod_wstunnel.c b/src/mod_wstunnel.c
index aefa41b4..f4c4300e 100644
--- a/src/mod_wstunnel.c
+++ b/src/mod_wstunnel.c
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ static void mod_wstunnel_patch_config(connection * const con, plugin_data * cons
 SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_wstunnel_set_defaults) {
     static const config_plugin_keys_t cpk[] = {
       { CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.server"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.balance"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
@@ -251,13 +251,13 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_wstunnel_set_defaults) {
         T_CONFIG_INT,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.map-extensions"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.frame-type"),
         T_CONFIG_STRING,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.origins"),
-        T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+        T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
         T_CONFIG_SCOPE_CONNECTION }
      ,{ CONST_STR_LEN("wstunnel.ping-interval"),
         T_CONFIG_SHORT,
@@ -303,15 +303,7 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_wstunnel_set_defaults) {
                 cpv->v.u = (unsigned int)gw_get_defaults_balance(srv, cpv->v.b);
                 break;
               case 2: /* wstunnel.debug */
-                break;
               case 3: /* wstunnel.map-extensions */
-                if (!array_is_kvstring(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected list of \"suffix\" => \"subst\"",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 break;
               case 4: /* wstunnel.frame-type */
                 /*(default frame-type to "text" unless "binary" is specified)*/
@@ -319,13 +311,6 @@ SETDEFAULTS_FUNC(mod_wstunnel_set_defaults) {
                   buffer_eq_icase_slen(cpv->v.b, CONST_STR_LEN("binary"));
                 break;
               case 5: /* wstunnel.origins */
-                if (!array_is_vlist(cpv->v.a)) {
-                    log_error(srv->errh, __FILE__, __LINE__,
-                      "unexpected value for %s; "
-                      "expected %s = ( \"...\", \"...\" )",
-                      cpk[cpv->k_id].k, cpk[cpv->k_id].k);
-                    return HANDLER_ERROR;
-                }
                 for (uint32_t j = 0; j < cpv->v.a->used; ++j) {
                     buffer *origin = &((data_string *)cpv->v.a->data[j])->value;
                     if (buffer_string_is_empty(origin)) {
diff --git a/src/plugin_config.h b/src/plugin_config.h
index 0a6348d0..217ae7aa 100644
--- a/src/plugin_config.h
+++ b/src/plugin_config.h
@@ -83,6 +83,10 @@ typedef enum { T_CONFIG_UNSET,
 		T_CONFIG_INT,
 		T_CONFIG_BOOL,
 		T_CONFIG_ARRAY,
+		T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVANY,
+		T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVARRAY,
+		T_CONFIG_ARRAY_KVSTRING,
+		T_CONFIG_ARRAY_VLIST,
 		T_CONFIG_LOCAL,
 		T_CONFIG_DEPRECATED,
 		T_CONFIG_UNSUPPORTED