thodg/libgit2

diff --git a/examples/network/ls-remote.c b/examples/network/ls-remote.c
index 18cd023..1e08b29 100644
--- a/examples/network/ls-remote.c
+++ b/examples/network/ls-remote.c
@@ -4,21 +4,12 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include "common.h"
 
-/** Callback to show each item */
-static int show_ref__cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
-{
-	char oid[GIT_OID_HEXSZ + 1] = {0};
-
-	(void)payload;
-	git_oid_fmt(oid, &head->oid);
-	printf("%s\t%s\n", oid, head->name);
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static int use_remote(git_repository *repo, char *name)
 {
 	git_remote *remote = NULL;
 	int error;
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len, i;
 	git_remote_callbacks callbacks = GIT_REMOTE_CALLBACKS_INIT;
 
 	// Find the remote by name
@@ -40,7 +31,18 @@ static int use_remote(git_repository *repo, char *name)
 	if (error < 0)
 		goto cleanup;
 
-	error = git_remote_ls(remote, &show_ref__cb, NULL);
+	/**
+	 * Get the list of references on the remote and print out
+	 * their name next to what they point to.
+	 */
+	if (git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote) < 0)
+		goto cleanup;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < refs_len; i++) {
+		char oid[GIT_OID_HEXSZ + 1] = {0};
+		git_oid_fmt(oid, &refs[i]->oid);
+		printf("%s\t%s\n", oid, refs[i]->name);
+	}
 
 cleanup:
 	git_remote_free(remote);
diff --git a/include/git2/remote.h b/include/git2/remote.h
index b9cf86e..9e7d218 100644
--- a/include/git2/remote.h
+++ b/include/git2/remote.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_create(
  *
  * @param out pointer to the new remote object
  * @param repo the associated repository
- * @param fetch the fetch refspec to use for this remote. May be NULL for defaults.
+ * @param fetch the fetch refspec to use for this remote.
  * @param url the remote repository's URL
  * @return 0 or an error code
  */
@@ -145,8 +145,11 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_set_pushurl(git_remote *remote, const char* url);
 /**
  * Add a fetch refspec to the remote
  *
+ * Convenience function for adding a single fetch refspec to the
+ * current list in the remote.
+ *
  * @param remote the remote
- * @apram refspec the new fetch refspec
+ * @param refspec the new fetch refspec
  * @return 0 or an error value
  */
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_add_fetch(git_remote *remote, const char *refspec);
@@ -163,8 +166,21 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_add_fetch(git_remote *remote, const char *refspec);
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_get_fetch_refspecs(git_strarray *array, git_remote *remote);
 
 /**
+ * Set the remote's list of fetch refspecs
+ *
+ * The contents of the string array are copied.
+ *
+ * @param remote the remote to modify
+ * @param array the new list of fetch resfpecs
+ */
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_set_fetch_refspecs(git_remote *remote, git_strarray *array);
+
+/**
  * Add a push refspec to the remote
  *
+ * Convenience function for adding a single push refspec to the
+ * current list in the remote.
+ *
  * @param remote the remote
  * @param refspec the new push refspec
  * @return 0 or an error value
@@ -183,6 +199,16 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_add_push(git_remote *remote, const char *refspec);
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_get_push_refspecs(git_strarray *array, git_remote *remote);
 
 /**
+ * Set the remote's list of push refspecs
+ *
+ * The contents of the string array are copied.
+ *
+ * @param remote the remote to modify
+ * @param array the new list of push resfpecs
+ */
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_set_push_refspecs(git_remote *remote, git_strarray *array);
+
+/**
  * Clear the refspecs
  *
  * Remove all configured fetch and push refspecs from the remote.
@@ -209,15 +235,6 @@ GIT_EXTERN(size_t) git_remote_refspec_count(git_remote *remote);
 GIT_EXTERN(const git_refspec *)git_remote_get_refspec(git_remote *remote, size_t n);
 
 /**
- * Remove a refspec from the remote
- *
- * @param remote the remote to query
- * @param n the refspec to remove
- * @return 0 or GIT_ENOTFOUND
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_remove_refspec(git_remote *remote, size_t n);
-
-/**
  * Open a connection to a remote
  *
  * The transport is selected based on the URL. The direction argument
@@ -237,15 +254,16 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_connect(git_remote *remote, git_direction direction);
  * The remote (or more exactly its transport) must be connected. The
  * memory belongs to the remote.
  *
- * If you a return a non-zero value from the callback, this will stop
- * looping over the refs.
+ * The array will stay valid as long as the remote object exists and
+ * its transport isn't changed, but a copy is recommended for usage of
+ * the data.
  *
+ * @param out pointer to the array
+ * @param size the number of remote heads
  * @param remote the remote
- * @param list_cb function to call with each ref discovered at the remote
- * @param payload additional data to pass to the callback
- * @return 0 on success, GIT_EUSER on non-zero callback, or error code
+ * @return 0 on success, or an error code
  */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_ls(git_remote *remote, git_headlist_cb list_cb, void *payload);
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_remote_ls(const git_remote_head ***out,  size_t *size, git_remote *remote);
 
 /**
  * Download and index the packfile
diff --git a/include/git2/transport.h b/include/git2/transport.h
index 147b3fd..81ebf4d 100644
--- a/include/git2/transport.h
+++ b/include/git2/transport.h
@@ -203,13 +203,13 @@ struct git_transport {
 		int direction,
 		int flags);
 
-	/* This function may be called after a successful call to connect(). The
-	 * provided callback is invoked for each ref discovered on the remote
-	 * end. */
+	/* This function may be called after a successful call to
+	 * connect(). The array returned is owned by the transport and
+	 * is guranteed until the next call of a transport function. */
 	int (*ls)(
-		git_transport *transport,
-		git_headlist_cb list_cb,
-		void *payload);
+		const git_remote_head ***out,
+		size_t *size,
+		git_transport *transport);
 
 	/* Executes the push whose context is in the git_push object. */
 	int (*push)(git_transport *transport, git_push *push);
diff --git a/src/clone.c b/src/clone.c
index 6572439..23aacd4 100644
--- a/src/clone.c
+++ b/src/clone.c
@@ -176,25 +176,20 @@ static int update_head_to_new_branch(
 	return error;
 }
 
-static int get_head_callback(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
-{
-	git_remote_head **destination = (git_remote_head **)payload;
-
-	/* Save the first entry, and terminate the enumeration */
-	*destination = head;
-	return 1;
-}
-
 static int update_head_to_remote(git_repository *repo, git_remote *remote)
 {
 	int retcode = -1;
+	size_t refs_len;
 	git_refspec dummy_spec;
-	git_remote_head *remote_head;
+	const git_remote_head *remote_head, **refs;
 	struct head_info head_info;
 	git_buf remote_master_name = GIT_BUF_INIT;
 
+	if (git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
 	/* Did we just clone an empty repository? */
-	if (remote->refs.length == 0) {
+	if (refs_len == 0) {
 		return setup_tracking_config(
 			repo,
 			"master",
@@ -202,12 +197,8 @@ static int update_head_to_remote(git_repository *repo, git_remote *remote)
 			GIT_REFS_HEADS_MASTER_FILE);
 	}
 
-	/* Get the remote's HEAD. This is always the first ref in remote->refs. */
-	remote_head = NULL;
-
-	if (!remote->transport->ls(remote->transport, get_head_callback, &remote_head))
-		return -1;
-
+	/* Get the remote's HEAD. This is always the first ref in the list. */
+	remote_head = refs[0];
 	assert(remote_head);
 
 	git_oid_cpy(&head_info.remote_head_oid, &remote_head->oid);
@@ -349,7 +340,7 @@ static bool should_checkout(
 int git_clone_into(git_repository *repo, git_remote *remote, const git_checkout_opts *co_opts, const char *branch)
 {
 	int error = 0, old_fetchhead;
-	size_t nspecs;
+	git_strarray refspecs;
 
 	assert(repo && remote);
 
@@ -358,6 +349,10 @@ int git_clone_into(git_repository *repo, git_remote *remote, const git_checkout_
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+
+	if ((error = git_remote_get_fetch_refspecs(&refspecs, remote)) < 0)
+		return error;
+
 	if ((error = git_remote_add_fetch(remote, "refs/tags/*:refs/tags/*")) < 0)
 		return error;
 
@@ -378,9 +373,13 @@ int git_clone_into(git_repository *repo, git_remote *remote, const git_checkout_
 
 cleanup:
 	git_remote_set_update_fetchhead(remote, old_fetchhead);
-	/* Remove the tags refspec */
-	nspecs = git_remote_refspec_count(remote);
-	git_remote_remove_refspec(remote, nspecs);
+	/* Go back to the original refspecs */
+	if (git_remote_set_fetch_refspecs(remote, &refspecs) < 0) {
+		git_strarray_free(&refspecs);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	git_strarray_free(&refspecs);
 
 	return error;
 }
diff --git a/src/fetch.c b/src/fetch.c
index 5d97913..2765918 100644
--- a/src/fetch.c
+++ b/src/fetch.c
@@ -19,55 +19,47 @@
 #include "repository.h"
 #include "refs.h"
 
-struct filter_payload {
-	git_remote *remote;
-	const git_refspec *spec, *tagspec;
-	git_odb *odb;
-	int found_head;
-};
-
-static int filter_ref__cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
+static int maybe_want(git_remote *remote, git_remote_head *head, git_odb *odb, git_refspec *tagspec)
 {
-	struct filter_payload *p = payload;
 	int match = 0;
 
 	if (!git_reference_is_valid_name(head->name))
 		return 0;
 
-	if (!p->found_head && strcmp(head->name, GIT_HEAD_FILE) == 0)
-		p->found_head = 1;
-	else if (p->remote->download_tags == GIT_REMOTE_DOWNLOAD_TAGS_ALL) {
+	if (remote->download_tags == GIT_REMOTE_DOWNLOAD_TAGS_ALL) {
 		/*
 		 * If tagopt is --tags, then we only use the default
 		 * tags refspec and ignore the remote's
 		 */
-		if (git_refspec_src_matches(p->tagspec, head->name))
+		if (git_refspec_src_matches(tagspec, head->name))
 			match = 1;
 		else
 			return 0;
-	} else if (git_remote__matching_refspec(p->remote, head->name))
+	} else if (git_remote__matching_refspec(remote, head->name))
 			match = 1;
 
 	if (!match)
 		return 0;
 
 	/* If we have the object, mark it so we don't ask for it */
-	if (git_odb_exists(p->odb, &head->oid))
+	if (git_odb_exists(odb, &head->oid))
 		head->local = 1;
 	else
-		p->remote->need_pack = 1;
+		remote->need_pack = 1;
 
-	return git_vector_insert(&p->remote->refs, head);
+	return git_vector_insert(&remote->refs, head);
 }
 
 static int filter_wants(git_remote *remote)
 {
-	struct filter_payload p;
-	git_refspec tagspec;
-	int error = -1;
+	git_remote_head **heads;
+	git_refspec tagspec, head;
+	int error = 0;
+	git_odb *odb;
+	size_t i, heads_len;
 
 	git_vector_clear(&remote->refs);
-	if (git_refspec__parse(&tagspec, GIT_REFSPEC_TAGS, true) < 0)
+	if ((error = git_refspec__parse(&tagspec, GIT_REFSPEC_TAGS, true)) < 0)
 		return error;
 
 	/*
@@ -76,14 +68,27 @@ static int filter_wants(git_remote *remote)
 	 * not interested in any particular branch but just the remote's
 	 * HEAD, which will be stored in FETCH_HEAD after the fetch.
 	 */
-	p.tagspec = &tagspec;
-	p.found_head = 0;
-	p.remote = remote;
+	if (remote->active_refspecs.length == 0) {
+		if ((error = git_refspec__parse(&head, "HEAD", true)) < 0)
+			goto cleanup;
 
-	if (git_repository_odb__weakptr(&p.odb, remote->repo) < 0)
+		error = git_refspec__dwim_one(&remote->active_refspecs, &head, &remote->refs);
+		git_refspec__free(&head);
+
+		if (error < 0)
+			goto cleanup;
+	}
+
+	if (git_repository_odb__weakptr(&odb, remote->repo) < 0)
+		goto cleanup;
+
+	if (git_remote_ls((const git_remote_head ***)&heads, &heads_len, remote) < 0)
 		goto cleanup;
 
-	error = git_remote_ls(remote, filter_ref__cb, &p);
+	for (i = 0; i < heads_len; i++) {
+		if ((error = maybe_want(remote, heads[i], odb, &tagspec)) < 0)
+			break;
+	}
 
 cleanup:
 	git_refspec__free(&tagspec);
@@ -106,7 +111,7 @@ int git_fetch_negotiate(git_remote *remote)
 	}
 
 	/* Don't try to negotiate when we don't want anything */
-	if (remote->refs.length == 0 || !remote->need_pack)
+	if (!remote->need_pack)
 		return 0;
 
 	/*
diff --git a/src/fetchhead.c b/src/fetchhead.c
index 9672623..67089d1 100644
--- a/src/fetchhead.c
+++ b/src/fetchhead.c
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ static int fetchhead_ref_write(
 {
 	char oid[GIT_OID_HEXSZ + 1];
 	const char *type, *name;
+	int head = 0;
 
 	assert(file && fetchhead_ref);
 
@@ -87,11 +88,16 @@ static int fetchhead_ref_write(
 		GIT_REFS_TAGS_DIR) == 0) {
 		type = "tag ";
 		name = fetchhead_ref->ref_name + strlen(GIT_REFS_TAGS_DIR);
+	} else if (!git__strcmp(fetchhead_ref->ref_name, GIT_HEAD_FILE)) {
+		head = 1;
 	} else {
 		type = "";
 		name = fetchhead_ref->ref_name;
 	}
 
+	if (head)
+		return git_filebuf_printf(file, "%s\t\t%s\n", oid, fetchhead_ref->remote_url);
+
 	return git_filebuf_printf(file, "%s\t%s\t%s'%s' of %s\n",
 		oid,
 		(fetchhead_ref->is_merge) ? "" : "not-for-merge",
diff --git a/src/push.c b/src/push.c
index a799db8..4f442c6 100644
--- a/src/push.c
+++ b/src/push.c
@@ -616,16 +616,22 @@ on_error:
 	return error;
 }
 
-static int cb_filter_refs(git_remote_head *ref, void *data)
-{
-	git_remote *remote = (git_remote *) data;
-	return git_vector_insert(&remote->refs, ref);
-}
-
 static int filter_refs(git_remote *remote)
 {
+	const git_remote_head **heads;
+	size_t heads_len, i;
+
 	git_vector_clear(&remote->refs);
-	return git_remote_ls(remote, cb_filter_refs, remote);
+
+	if (git_remote_ls(&heads, &heads_len, remote) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < heads_len; i++) {
+		if (git_vector_insert(&remote->refs, heads[i]) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
 }
 
 int git_push_finish(git_push *push)
diff --git a/src/refspec.c b/src/refspec.c
index 492c6ed..a973400 100644
--- a/src/refspec.c
+++ b/src/refspec.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include "util.h"
 #include "posix.h"
 #include "refs.h"
+#include "vector.h"
 
 int git_refspec__parse(git_refspec *refspec, const char *input, bool is_fetch)
 {
@@ -287,3 +288,70 @@ git_direction git_refspec_direction(const git_refspec *spec)
 
 	return spec->push;
 }
+
+int git_refspec__dwim_one(git_vector *out, git_refspec *spec, git_vector *refs)
+{
+	git_buf buf = GIT_BUF_INIT;
+	size_t j, pos;
+	git_remote_head key;
+
+	const char* formatters[] = {
+		GIT_REFS_DIR "%s",
+		GIT_REFS_TAGS_DIR "%s",
+		GIT_REFS_HEADS_DIR "%s",
+		NULL
+	};
+
+	git_refspec *cur = git__calloc(1, sizeof(git_refspec));
+	GITERR_CHECK_ALLOC(cur);
+
+	cur->force = spec->force;
+	cur->push = spec->push;
+	cur->pattern = spec->pattern;
+	cur->matching = spec->matching;
+	cur->string = git__strdup(spec->string);
+
+	/* shorthand on the lhs */
+	if (git__prefixcmp(spec->src, GIT_REFS_DIR)) {
+		for (j = 0; formatters[j]; j++) {
+			git_buf_clear(&buf);
+			if (git_buf_printf(&buf, formatters[j], spec->src) < 0)
+				return -1;
+
+			key.name = (char *) git_buf_cstr(&buf);
+			if (!git_vector_search(&pos, refs, &key)) {
+				/* we found something to match the shorthand, set src to that */
+				cur->src = git_buf_detach(&buf);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* No shorthands found, copy over the name */
+	if (cur->src == NULL && spec->src != NULL) {
+		cur->src = git__strdup(spec->src);
+		GITERR_CHECK_ALLOC(cur->src);
+	}
+
+	if (spec->dst && git__prefixcmp(spec->dst, GIT_REFS_DIR)) {
+		/* if it starts with "remotes" then we just prepend "refs/" */
+		if (!git__prefixcmp(spec->dst, "remotes/")) {
+			git_buf_puts(&buf, GIT_REFS_DIR);
+		} else {
+			git_buf_puts(&buf, GIT_REFS_HEADS_DIR);
+		}
+
+		if (git_buf_puts(&buf, spec->dst) < 0)
+			return -1;
+
+		cur->dst = git_buf_detach(&buf);
+	}
+
+	git_buf_free(&buf);
+
+	if (cur->dst == NULL && spec->dst != NULL) {
+		cur->dst = git__strdup(spec->dst);
+		GITERR_CHECK_ALLOC(cur->dst);
+	}
+
+	return git_vector_insert(out, cur);
+}
diff --git a/src/refspec.h b/src/refspec.h
index 44d484c..51b7bfe 100644
--- a/src/refspec.h
+++ b/src/refspec.h
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 #include "git2/refspec.h"
 #include "buffer.h"
+#include "vector.h"
 
 struct git_refspec {
 	char *string;
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ struct git_refspec {
 	unsigned int force :1,
 		push : 1,
 		pattern :1,
-		dwim :1,
 		matching :1;
 };
 
@@ -63,4 +63,10 @@ int git_refspec__serialize(git_buf *out, const git_refspec *refspec);
  */
 int git_refspec_is_wildcard(const git_refspec *spec);
 
+/**
+ * DWIM `spec` with `refs` existing on the remote, append the dwim'ed
+ * result in `out`.
+ */
+int git_refspec__dwim_one(git_vector *out, git_refspec *spec, git_vector *refs);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/remote.c b/src/remote.c
index 3528b1c..62f297a 100644
--- a/src/remote.c
+++ b/src/remote.c
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 #include "refspec.h"
 #include "fetchhead.h"
 
+static int dwim_refspecs(git_vector *out, git_vector *refspecs, git_vector *refs);
+
 static int add_refspec(git_remote *remote, const char *string, bool is_fetch)
 {
 	git_refspec *spec;
@@ -288,7 +290,8 @@ int git_remote_load(git_remote **out, git_repository *repo, const char *name)
 	GITERR_CHECK_ALLOC(remote->name);
 
 	if ((git_vector_init(&remote->refs, 32, NULL) < 0) ||
-	    (git_vector_init(&remote->refspecs, 2, NULL))) {
+	    (git_vector_init(&remote->refspecs, 2, NULL) < 0) ||
+	    (git_vector_init(&remote->active_refspecs, 2, NULL) < 0)) {
 		error = -1;
 		goto cleanup;
 	}
@@ -347,6 +350,10 @@ int git_remote_load(git_remote **out, git_repository *repo, const char *name)
 	if (download_tags_value(remote, config) < 0)
 		goto cleanup;
 
+	/* Move the data over to where the matching functions can find them */
+	if (dwim_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs, &remote->refspecs, &remote->refs) < 0)
+		goto cleanup;
+
 	*out = remote;
 
 cleanup:
@@ -613,11 +620,11 @@ on_error:
 	return -1;
 }
 
-int git_remote_ls(git_remote *remote, git_headlist_cb list_cb, void *payload)
+int git_remote_ls(const git_remote_head ***out, size_t *size, git_remote *remote)
 {
 	assert(remote);
 
-	return remote->transport->ls(remote->transport, list_cb, payload);
+	return remote->transport->ls(out, size, remote->transport);
 }
 
 int git_remote__get_http_proxy(git_remote *remote, bool use_ssl, char **proxy_url)
@@ -677,67 +684,31 @@ int git_remote__get_http_proxy(git_remote *remote, bool use_ssl, char **proxy_ur
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int store_refs(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
-{
-	git_vector *refs = (git_vector *)payload;
-
-	return git_vector_insert(refs, head);
-}
-
-static int dwim_refspecs(git_vector *refspecs, git_vector *refs)
+/* DWIM `refspecs` based on `refs` and append the output to `out` */
+static int dwim_refspecs(git_vector *out, git_vector *refspecs, git_vector *refs)
 {
-	git_buf buf = GIT_BUF_INIT;
+	size_t i;
 	git_refspec *spec;
-	size_t i, j, pos;
-	git_remote_head key;
-
-	const char* formatters[] = {
-		GIT_REFS_DIR "%s",
-		GIT_REFS_TAGS_DIR "%s",
-		GIT_REFS_HEADS_DIR "%s",
-		NULL
-	};
 
 	git_vector_foreach(refspecs, i, spec) {
-		if (spec->dwim)
-			continue;
-
-		/* shorthand on the lhs */
-		if (git__prefixcmp(spec->src, GIT_REFS_DIR)) {
-			for (j = 0; formatters[j]; j++) {
-				git_buf_clear(&buf);
-				if (git_buf_printf(&buf, formatters[j], spec->src) < 0)
-					return -1;
-
-				key.name = (char *) git_buf_cstr(&buf);
-				if (!git_vector_search(&pos, refs, &key)) {
-					/* we found something to match the shorthand, set src to that */
-					git__free(spec->src);
-					spec->src = git_buf_detach(&buf);
-				}
-			}
-		}
-
-		if (spec->dst && git__prefixcmp(spec->dst, GIT_REFS_DIR)) {
-			/* if it starts with "remotes" then we just prepend "refs/" */
-			if (!git__prefixcmp(spec->dst, "remotes/")) {
-				git_buf_puts(&buf, GIT_REFS_DIR);
-			} else {
-				git_buf_puts(&buf, GIT_REFS_HEADS_DIR);
-			}
+		if (git_refspec__dwim_one(out, spec, refs) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
 
-			if (git_buf_puts(&buf, spec->dst) < 0)
-				return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
 
-			git__free(spec->dst);
-			spec->dst = git_buf_detach(&buf);
-		}
+static void free_refspecs(git_vector *vec)
+{
+	size_t i;
+	git_refspec *spec;
 
-		spec->dwim = 1;
+	git_vector_foreach(vec, i, spec) {
+		git_refspec__free(spec);
+		git__free(spec);
 	}
 
-	git_buf_free(&buf);
-	return 0;
+	git_vector_clear(vec);
 }
 
 static int remote_head_cmp(const void *_a, const void *_b)
@@ -748,6 +719,25 @@ static int remote_head_cmp(const void *_a, const void *_b)
 	return git__strcmp_cb(a->name, b->name);
 }
 
+static int ls_to_vector(git_vector *out, git_remote *remote)
+{
+	git_remote_head **heads;
+	size_t heads_len, i;
+
+	if (git_remote_ls((const git_remote_head ***)&heads, &heads_len, remote) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	if (git_vector_init(out, heads_len, remote_head_cmp) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < heads_len; i++) {
+		if (git_vector_insert(out, heads[i]) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 int git_remote_download(git_remote *remote)
 {
 	int error;
@@ -755,15 +745,14 @@ int git_remote_download(git_remote *remote)
 
 	assert(remote);
 
-	if (git_vector_init(&refs, 16, remote_head_cmp) < 0)
+	if (ls_to_vector(&refs, remote) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	if (git_remote_ls(remote, store_refs, &refs) < 0) {
-		return -1;
-	}
+	free_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs);
 
-	error = dwim_refspecs(&remote->refspecs, &refs);
+	error = dwim_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs, &remote->refspecs, &refs);
 	git_vector_free(&refs);
+
 	if (error < 0)
 		return -1;
 
@@ -1013,10 +1002,8 @@ int git_remote_update_tips(git_remote *remote)
 	if (git_refspec__parse(&tagspec, GIT_REFSPEC_TAGS, true) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	if (git_vector_init(&refs, 16, NULL) < 0)
-		return -1;
 
-	if ((error = git_remote_ls(remote, store_refs, &refs)) < 0)
+	if ((error = ls_to_vector(&refs, remote)) < 0)
 		goto out;
 
 	if (remote->download_tags == GIT_REMOTE_DOWNLOAD_TAGS_ALL) {
@@ -1024,7 +1011,7 @@ int git_remote_update_tips(git_remote *remote)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&remote->refspecs, i, spec) {
+	git_vector_foreach(&remote->active_refspecs, i, spec) {
 		if (spec->push)
 			continue;
 
@@ -1033,8 +1020,8 @@ int git_remote_update_tips(git_remote *remote)
 	}
 
 out:
-	git_refspec__free(&tagspec);
 	git_vector_free(&refs);
+	git_refspec__free(&tagspec);
 	return error;
 }
 
@@ -1067,9 +1054,6 @@ void git_remote_disconnect(git_remote *remote)
 
 void git_remote_free(git_remote *remote)
 {
-	git_refspec *spec;
-	size_t i;
-
 	if (remote == NULL)
 		return;
 
@@ -1082,12 +1066,12 @@ void git_remote_free(git_remote *remote)
 
 	git_vector_free(&remote->refs);
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&remote->refspecs, i, spec) {
-		git_refspec__free(spec);
-		git__free(spec);
-	}
+	free_refspecs(&remote->refspecs);
 	git_vector_free(&remote->refspecs);
 
+	free_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs);
+	git_vector_free(&remote->active_refspecs);
+
 	git__free(remote->url);
 	git__free(remote->pushurl);
 	git__free(remote->name);
@@ -1496,7 +1480,7 @@ git_refspec *git_remote__matching_refspec(git_remote *remote, const char *refnam
 	git_refspec *spec;
 	size_t i;
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&remote->refspecs, i, spec) {
+	git_vector_foreach(&remote->active_refspecs, i, spec) {
 		if (spec->push)
 			continue;
 
@@ -1512,7 +1496,7 @@ git_refspec *git_remote__matching_dst_refspec(git_remote *remote, const char *re
 	git_refspec *spec;
 	size_t i;
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&remote->refspecs, i, spec) {
+	git_vector_foreach(&remote->active_refspecs, i, spec) {
 		if (spec->push)
 			continue;
 
@@ -1535,14 +1519,68 @@ void git_remote_clear_refspecs(git_remote *remote)
 	git_vector_clear(&remote->refspecs);
 }
 
+static int add_and_dwim(git_remote *remote, const char *str, int push)
+{
+	git_refspec *spec;
+	git_vector *vec;
+
+	if (add_refspec(remote, str, !push) < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	vec = &remote->refspecs;
+	spec = git_vector_get(vec, vec->length - 1);
+	return git_refspec__dwim_one(&remote->active_refspecs, spec, &remote->refs);
+}
+
 int git_remote_add_fetch(git_remote *remote, const char *refspec)
 {
-	return add_refspec(remote, refspec, true);
+	return add_and_dwim(remote, refspec, false);
 }
 
 int git_remote_add_push(git_remote *remote, const char *refspec)
 {
-	return add_refspec(remote, refspec, false);
+	return add_and_dwim(remote, refspec, true);
+}
+
+static int set_refspecs(git_remote *remote, git_strarray *array, int push)
+{
+	git_vector *vec = &remote->refspecs;
+	git_refspec *spec;
+	size_t i;
+
+	/* Start by removing any refspecs of the same type */
+	for (i = 0; i < vec->length; i++) {
+		spec = git_vector_get(vec, i);
+		if (spec->push != push)
+			continue;
+
+		git_refspec__free(spec);
+		git__free(spec);
+		git_vector_remove(vec, i);
+		i--;
+	}
+
+	/* And now we add the new ones */
+
+	for (i = 0; i < array->count; i++) {
+		if (add_refspec(remote, array->strings[i], !push) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	free_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs);
+	git_vector_clear(&remote->active_refspecs);
+
+	return dwim_refspecs(&remote->active_refspecs, &remote->refspecs, &remote->refs);
+}
+
+int git_remote_set_fetch_refspecs(git_remote *remote, git_strarray *array)
+{
+	return set_refspecs(remote, array, false);
+}
+
+int git_remote_set_push_refspecs(git_remote *remote, git_strarray *array)
+{
+	return set_refspecs(remote, array, true);
 }
 
 static int copy_refspecs(git_strarray *array, git_remote *remote, unsigned int push)
@@ -1600,18 +1638,3 @@ const git_refspec *git_remote_get_refspec(git_remote *remote, size_t n)
 {
 	return git_vector_get(&remote->refspecs, n);
 }
-
-int git_remote_remove_refspec(git_remote *remote, size_t n)
-{
-	git_refspec *spec;
-
-	assert(remote);
-
-	spec = git_vector_get(&remote->refspecs, n);
-	if (spec) {
-		git_refspec__free(spec);
-		git__free(spec);
-	}
-
-	return git_vector_remove(&remote->refspecs, n);
-}
diff --git a/src/remote.h b/src/remote.h
index 269584d..33e4d68 100644
--- a/src/remote.h
+++ b/src/remote.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ struct git_remote {
 	char *pushurl;
 	git_vector refs;
 	git_vector refspecs;
+	git_vector active_refspecs;
 	git_transport *transport;
 	git_repository *repo;
 	git_remote_callbacks callbacks;
diff --git a/src/transports/local.c b/src/transports/local.c
index 3163d2e..4502f02 100644
--- a/src/transports/local.c
+++ b/src/transports/local.c
@@ -213,21 +213,17 @@ static int local_connect(
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int local_ls(git_transport *transport, git_headlist_cb list_cb, void *payload)
+static int local_ls(const git_remote_head ***out, size_t *size, git_transport *transport)
 {
 	transport_local *t = (transport_local *)transport;
-	unsigned int i;
-	git_remote_head *head = NULL;
 
 	if (!t->have_refs) {
 		giterr_set(GITERR_NET, "The transport has not yet loaded the refs");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&t->refs, i, head) {
-		if (list_cb(head, payload))
-			return GIT_EUSER;
-	}
+	*out = (const git_remote_head **) t->refs.contents;
+	*size = t->refs.length;
 
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/transports/smart.c b/src/transports/smart.c
index a681d5f..5242beb 100644
--- a/src/transports/smart.c
+++ b/src/transports/smart.c
@@ -63,6 +63,24 @@ static int git_smart__set_callbacks(
 	return 0;
 }
 
+int git_smart__update_heads(transport_smart *t)
+{
+	size_t i;
+	git_pkt *pkt;
+
+	git_vector_clear(&t->heads);
+	git_vector_foreach(&t->refs, i, pkt) {
+		git_pkt_ref *ref = (git_pkt_ref *) pkt;
+		if (pkt->type != GIT_PKT_REF)
+			continue;
+
+		if (git_vector_insert(&t->heads, &ref->head) < 0)
+			return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static int git_smart__connect(
 	git_transport *transport,
 	const char *url,
@@ -140,6 +158,9 @@ static int git_smart__connect(
 		git_pkt_free((git_pkt *)first);
 	}
 
+	/* Keep a list of heads for _ls */
+	git_smart__update_heads(t);
+
 	if (t->rpc && git_smart__reset_stream(t, false) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
@@ -149,28 +170,17 @@ static int git_smart__connect(
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int git_smart__ls(git_transport *transport, git_headlist_cb list_cb, void *payload)
+static int git_smart__ls(const git_remote_head ***out, size_t *size, git_transport *transport)
 {
 	transport_smart *t = (transport_smart *)transport;
-	unsigned int i;
-	git_pkt *p = NULL;
 
 	if (!t->have_refs) {
 		giterr_set(GITERR_NET, "The transport has not yet loaded the refs");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	git_vector_foreach(&t->refs, i, p) {
-		git_pkt_ref *pkt = NULL;
-
-		if (p->type != GIT_PKT_REF)
-			continue;
-
-		pkt = (git_pkt_ref *)p;
-
-		if (list_cb(&pkt->head, payload))
-			return GIT_EUSER;
-	}
+	*out = (const git_remote_head **) t->heads.contents;
+	*size = t->heads.length;
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -293,6 +303,7 @@ static void git_smart__free(git_transport *transport)
 	/* Free the subtransport */
 	t->wrapped->free(t->wrapped);
 
+	git_vector_free(&t->heads);
 	git_vector_foreach(refs, i, p)
 		git_pkt_free(p);
 
@@ -340,6 +351,11 @@ int git_transport_smart(git_transport **out, git_remote *owner, void *param)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (git_vector_init(&t->heads, 16, ref_name_cmp) < 0) {
+		git__free(t);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	if (definition->callback(&t->wrapped, &t->parent) < 0) {
 		git__free(t);
 		return -1;
diff --git a/src/transports/smart.h b/src/transports/smart.h
index 5232e54..32f0be7 100644
--- a/src/transports/smart.h
+++ b/src/transports/smart.h
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ typedef struct {
 	git_smart_subtransport_stream *current_stream;
 	transport_smart_caps caps;
 	git_vector refs;
+	git_vector heads;
 	git_vector common;
 	git_atomic cancelled;
 	packetsize_cb packetsize_cb;
@@ -173,6 +174,8 @@ int git_smart__download_pack(
 int git_smart__negotiation_step(git_transport *transport, void *data, size_t len);
 int git_smart__get_push_stream(transport_smart *t, git_smart_subtransport_stream **out);
 
+int git_smart__update_heads(transport_smart *t);
+
 /* smart_pkt.c */
 int git_pkt_parse_line(git_pkt **head, const char *line, const char **out, size_t len);
 int git_pkt_buffer_flush(git_buf *buf);
diff --git a/src/transports/smart_protocol.c b/src/transports/smart_protocol.c
index 4e9e112..7288a48 100644
--- a/src/transports/smart_protocol.c
+++ b/src/transports/smart_protocol.c
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ static int wait_while_ack(gitno_buffer *buf)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int git_smart__negotiate_fetch(git_transport *transport, git_repository *repo, const git_remote_head * const *refs, size_t count)
+int git_smart__negotiate_fetch(git_transport *transport, git_repository *repo, const git_remote_head * const *wants, size_t count)
 {
 	transport_smart *t = (transport_smart *)transport;
 	gitno_buffer *buf = &t->buffer;
@@ -279,19 +279,20 @@ int git_smart__negotiate_fetch(git_transport *transport, git_repository *repo, c
 	unsigned int i;
 	git_oid oid;
 
-	/* No own logic, do our thing */
-	if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(refs, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
+	if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(wants, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
 		return error;
 
 	if ((error = fetch_setup_walk(&walk, repo)) < 0)
 		goto on_error;
+
 	/*
-	 * We don't support any kind of ACK extensions, so the negotiation
-	 * boils down to sending what we have and listening for an ACK
-	 * every once in a while.
+	 * Our support for ACK extensions is simply to parse them. On
+	 * the first ACK we will accept that as enough common
+	 * objects. We give up if we haven't found an answer in the
+	 * first 256 we send.
 	 */
 	i = 0;
-	while (true) {
+	while (i < 256) {
 		error = git_revwalk_next(&oid, walk);
 
 		if (error < 0) {
@@ -349,7 +350,7 @@ int git_smart__negotiate_fetch(git_transport *transport, git_repository *repo, c
 			git_pkt_ack *pkt;
 			unsigned int i;
 
-			if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(refs, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
+			if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(wants, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
 				goto on_error;
 
 			git_vector_foreach(&t->common, i, pkt) {
@@ -369,7 +370,7 @@ int git_smart__negotiate_fetch(git_transport *transport, git_repository *repo, c
 		git_pkt_ack *pkt;
 		unsigned int i;
 
-		if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(refs, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
+		if ((error = git_pkt_buffer_wants(wants, count, &t->caps, &data)) < 0)
 			goto on_error;
 
 		git_vector_foreach(&t->common, i, pkt) {
@@ -943,8 +944,13 @@ int git_smart__push(git_transport *transport, git_push *push)
 		push->transfer_progress_cb(push->pb->nr_written, push->pb->nr_objects, packbuilder_payload.last_bytes, push->transfer_progress_cb_payload);
 	}
 
-	if (push->status.length)
+	if (push->status.length) {
 		error = update_refs_from_report(&t->refs, &push->specs, &push->status);
+		if (error < 0)
+			goto done;
+
+		error = git_smart__update_heads(t);
+	}
 
 done:
 	git_buf_free(&pktline);
diff --git a/tests-clar/network/remote/local.c b/tests-clar/network/remote/local.c
index 6d658a2..3091429 100644
--- a/tests-clar/network/remote/local.c
+++ b/tests-clar/network/remote/local.c
@@ -26,26 +26,6 @@ void test_network_remote_local__cleanup(void)
 	cl_fixture_cleanup("remotelocal");
 }
 
-static int count_ref__cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
-{
-	int *count = (int *)payload;
-
-	(void)head;
-	(*count)++;
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
-static int ensure_peeled__cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
-{
-	GIT_UNUSED(payload);
-
-	if(strcmp(head->name, "refs/tags/test^{}") != 0)
-		return 0;
-
-	return git_oid_streq(&head->oid, "e90810b8df3e80c413d903f631643c716887138d");
-}
-
 static void connect_to_local_repository(const char *local_repository)
 {
 	git_buf_sets(&file_path_buf, cl_git_path_url(local_repository));
@@ -65,39 +45,42 @@ void test_network_remote_local__connected(void)
 
 void test_network_remote_local__retrieve_advertised_references(void)
 {
-	int how_many_refs = 0;
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len;
 
 	connect_to_local_repository(cl_fixture("testrepo.git"));
 
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, &count_ref__cb, &how_many_refs));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote));
 
-	cl_assert_equal_i(how_many_refs, 28);
+	cl_assert_equal_i(refs_len, 28);
 }
 
 void test_network_remote_local__retrieve_advertised_references_after_disconnect(void)
 {
-	int how_many_refs = 0;
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len;
 
 	connect_to_local_repository(cl_fixture("testrepo.git"));
 	git_remote_disconnect(remote);
 
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, &count_ref__cb, &how_many_refs));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote));
 
-	cl_assert_equal_i(how_many_refs, 28);
+	cl_assert_equal_i(refs_len, 28);
 }
 
 void test_network_remote_local__retrieve_advertised_references_from_spaced_repository(void)
 {
-	int how_many_refs = 0;
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len;
 
 	cl_fixture_sandbox("testrepo.git");
 	cl_git_pass(p_rename("testrepo.git", "spaced testrepo.git"));
 
 	connect_to_local_repository("spaced testrepo.git");
 
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, &count_ref__cb, &how_many_refs));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote));
 
-	cl_assert_equal_i(how_many_refs, 28);
+	cl_assert_equal_i(refs_len, 28);
 
 	git_remote_free(remote);	/* Disconnect from the "spaced repo" before the cleanup */
 	remote = NULL;
@@ -107,9 +90,17 @@ void test_network_remote_local__retrieve_advertised_references_from_spaced_repos
 
 void test_network_remote_local__nested_tags_are_completely_peeled(void)
 {
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len, i;
+
 	connect_to_local_repository(cl_fixture("testrepo.git"));
 
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, &ensure_peeled__cb, NULL));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len, remote));
+
+	for (i = 0; i < refs_len; i++) {
+		if (!strcmp(refs[i]->name, "refs/tags/test^{}"))
+			cl_git_pass(git_oid_streq(&refs[i]->oid, "e90810b8df3e80c413d903f631643c716887138d"));
+	}
 }
 
 void test_network_remote_local__shorthand_fetch_refspec0(void)
diff --git a/tests-clar/online/fetch.c b/tests-clar/online/fetch.c
index df1b2e2..5153a7a 100644
--- a/tests-clar/online/fetch.c
+++ b/tests-clar/online/fetch.c
@@ -152,29 +152,20 @@ void test_online_fetch__can_cancel(void)
 	git_remote_free(remote);
 }
 
-int ls_cb(git_remote_head *rhead, void *payload)
-{
-	int *nr = payload;
-	GIT_UNUSED(rhead);
-
-	(*nr)++;
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 void test_online_fetch__ls_disconnected(void)
 {
+	const git_remote_head **refs;
+	size_t refs_len_before, refs_len_after;
 	git_remote *remote;
-	int nr_before = 0, nr_after = 0;
 
 	cl_git_pass(git_remote_create(&remote, _repo, "test",
 				"http://github.com/libgit2/TestGitRepository.git"));
 	cl_git_pass(git_remote_connect(remote, GIT_DIRECTION_FETCH));
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, ls_cb, &nr_before));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len_before, remote));
 	git_remote_disconnect(remote);
-	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(remote, ls_cb, &nr_after));
+	cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&refs, &refs_len_after, remote));
 
-	cl_assert_equal_i(nr_before, nr_after);
+	cl_assert_equal_i(refs_len_before, refs_len_after);
 
 	git_remote_free(remote);
 }
diff --git a/tests-clar/online/push.c b/tests-clar/online/push.c
index d9ffe8a..aeb1ab4 100644
--- a/tests-clar/online/push.c
+++ b/tests-clar/online/push.c
@@ -155,12 +155,11 @@ static void do_verify_push_status(git_push *push, const push_status expected[], 
  */
 static void verify_refs(git_remote *remote, expected_ref expected_refs[], size_t expected_refs_len)
 {
-	git_vector actual_refs = GIT_VECTOR_INIT;
-
-	git_remote_ls(remote, record_ref_cb, &actual_refs);
-	verify_remote_refs(&actual_refs, expected_refs, expected_refs_len);
+	const git_remote_head **actual_refs;
+	size_t actual_refs_len;
 
-	git_vector_free(&actual_refs);
+	git_remote_ls(&actual_refs, &actual_refs_len, remote);
+	verify_remote_refs(actual_refs, actual_refs_len, expected_refs, expected_refs_len);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -257,7 +256,8 @@ failed:
 void test_online_push__initialize(void)
 {
 	git_vector delete_specs = GIT_VECTOR_INIT;
-	size_t i;
+	const git_remote_head **heads;
+	size_t i, heads_len;
 	char *curr_del_spec;
 
 	_repo = cl_git_sandbox_init("push_src");
@@ -314,7 +314,8 @@ void test_online_push__initialize(void)
 		 * order to delete the remote branch pointed to by HEAD (usually master).
 		 * See: https://raw.github.com/git/git/master/Documentation/RelNotes/1.7.0.txt
 		 */
-		cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(_remote, delete_ref_cb, &delete_specs));
+		cl_git_pass(git_remote_ls(&heads, &heads_len, _remote));
+		cl_git_pass(create_deletion_refspecs(&delete_specs, heads, heads_len));
 		if (delete_specs.length) {
 			git_push *push;
 
diff --git a/tests-clar/online/push_util.c b/tests-clar/online/push_util.c
index 2e45784..038c144 100644
--- a/tests-clar/online/push_util.c
+++ b/tests-clar/online/push_util.c
@@ -44,20 +44,23 @@ int record_update_tips_cb(const char *refname, const git_oid *a, const git_oid *
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int delete_ref_cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
+int create_deletion_refspecs(git_vector *out, const git_remote_head **heads, size_t heads_len)
 {
-	git_vector *delete_specs = (git_vector *)payload;
 	git_buf del_spec = GIT_BUF_INIT;
+	size_t i;
 
-	/* Ignore malformed ref names (which also saves us from tag^{} */
-	if (!git_reference_is_valid_name(head->name))
-		return 0;
-
-	/* Create a refspec that deletes a branch in the remote */
-	if (strcmp(head->name, "refs/heads/master")) {
-		cl_git_pass(git_buf_putc(&del_spec, ':'));
-		cl_git_pass(git_buf_puts(&del_spec, head->name));
-		cl_git_pass(git_vector_insert(delete_specs, git_buf_detach(&del_spec)));
+	for (i = 0; i < heads_len; i++) {
+		const git_remote_head *head = heads[i];
+		/* Ignore malformed ref names (which also saves us from tag^{} */
+		if (!git_reference_is_valid_name(head->name))
+			return 0;
+
+		/* Create a refspec that deletes a branch in the remote */
+		if (strcmp(head->name, "refs/heads/master")) {
+			cl_git_pass(git_buf_putc(&del_spec, ':'));
+			cl_git_pass(git_buf_puts(&del_spec, head->name));
+			cl_git_pass(git_vector_insert(out, git_buf_detach(&del_spec)));
+		}
 	}
 
 	return 0;
@@ -69,26 +72,28 @@ int record_ref_cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload)
 	return git_vector_insert(refs, head);
 }
 
-void verify_remote_refs(git_vector *actual_refs, const expected_ref expected_refs[], size_t expected_refs_len)
+void verify_remote_refs(const git_remote_head *actual_refs[], size_t actual_refs_len, const expected_ref expected_refs[], size_t expected_refs_len)
 {
 	size_t i, j = 0;
 	git_buf msg = GIT_BUF_INIT;
-	git_remote_head *actual;
+	const git_remote_head *actual;
 	char *oid_str;
 	bool master_present = false;
 
 	/* We don't care whether "master" is present on the other end or not */
-	git_vector_foreach(actual_refs, i, actual) {
+	for (i = 0; i < actual_refs_len; i++) {
+		actual = actual_refs[i];
 		if (!strcmp(actual->name, "refs/heads/master")) {
 			master_present = true;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (expected_refs_len + (master_present ? 1 : 0) != actual_refs->length)
+	if (expected_refs_len + (master_present ? 1 : 0) != actual_refs_len)
 		goto failed;
 
-	git_vector_foreach(actual_refs, i, actual) {
+	for (i = 0; i < actual_refs_len; i++) {
+		actual = actual_refs[i];
 		if (master_present && !strcmp(actual->name, "refs/heads/master"))
 			continue;
 
@@ -111,7 +116,8 @@ failed:
 	}
 
 	git_buf_puts(&msg, "\nACTUAL:\n");
-	git_vector_foreach(actual_refs, i, actual) {
+	for (i = 0; i < actual_refs_len; i++) {
+		actual = actual_refs[i];
 		if (master_present && !strcmp(actual->name, "refs/heads/master"))
 			continue;
 
diff --git a/tests-clar/online/push_util.h b/tests-clar/online/push_util.h
index 64f02cf..a7207c4 100644
--- a/tests-clar/online/push_util.h
+++ b/tests-clar/online/push_util.h
@@ -41,12 +41,13 @@ void record_callbacks_data_clear(record_callbacks_data *data);
 int record_update_tips_cb(const char *refname, const git_oid *a, const git_oid *b, void *data);
 
 /**
- * Callback for git_remote_list that adds refspecs to delete each ref
+ * Create a set of refspecs that deletes each of the inputs
  *
- * @param head a ref on the remote
- * @param payload a git_push instance
+ * @param out the vector in which to store the refspecs
+ * @param heads the remote heads
+ * @param heads_len the size of the array
  */
-int delete_ref_cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload);
+int create_deletion_refspecs(git_vector *out, const git_remote_head **heads, size_t heads_len);
 
 /**
  * Callback for git_remote_list that adds refspecs to vector
@@ -60,10 +61,11 @@ int record_ref_cb(git_remote_head *head, void *payload);
  * Verifies that refs on remote stored by record_ref_cb match the expected
  * names, oids, and order.
  *
- * @param actual_refs actual refs stored by record_ref_cb()
+ * @param actual_refs actual refs in the remote
+ * @param actual_refs_len length of actual_refs
  * @param expected_refs expected remote refs
  * @param expected_refs_len length of expected_refs
  */
-void verify_remote_refs(git_vector *actual_refs, const expected_ref expected_refs[], size_t expected_refs_len);
+void verify_remote_refs(const git_remote_head *actual_refs[], size_t actual_refs_len, const expected_ref expected_refs[], size_t expected_refs_len);
 
 #endif /* INCLUDE_cl_push_util_h__ */