diff --git a/refs/reftable-backend.c b/refs/reftable-backend.c
index 543afa3f0f..24dfbfd2e3 100644
--- a/refs/reftable-backend.c
+++ b/refs/reftable-backend.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "../reftable/reftable-record.h"
 #include "../reftable/reftable-error.h"
 #include "../reftable/reftable-iterator.h"
-#include "../reftable/reftable-merged.h"
 #include "../setup.h"
 #include "../strmap.h"
 #include "parse.h"
@@ -502,7 +501,6 @@ static struct reftable_ref_iterator *ref_iterator_for_stack(struct reftable_ref_
 							    const char *prefix,
 							    int flags)
 {
-	struct reftable_merged_table *merged_table;
 	struct reftable_ref_iterator *iter;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -522,9 +520,8 @@ static struct reftable_ref_iterator *ref_iterator_for_stack(struct reftable_ref_
 	if (ret)
 		goto done;
 
-	merged_table = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
-
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(merged_table, &iter->iter, prefix);
+	reftable_stack_init_ref_iterator(stack, &iter->iter);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&iter->iter, prefix);
 	if (ret)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -1052,8 +1049,6 @@ static int transaction_update_cmp(const void *a, const void *b)
 static int write_transaction_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data)
 {
 	struct write_transaction_table_arg *arg = cb_data;
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt =
-		reftable_stack_merged_table(arg->stack);
 	uint64_t ts = reftable_stack_next_update_index(arg->stack);
 	struct reftable_log_record *logs = NULL;
 	struct ident_split committer_ident = {0};
@@ -1090,6 +1085,8 @@ static int write_transaction_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data
 			struct reftable_log_record log = {0};
 			struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
 
+			reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(arg->stack, &it);
+
 			/*
 			 * When deleting refs we also delete all reflog entries
 			 * with them. While it is not strictly required to
@@ -1099,7 +1096,7 @@ static int write_transaction_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data
 			 * Unfortunately, we have no better way than to delete
 			 * all reflog entries one by one.
 			 */
-			ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, u->refname);
+			ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, u->refname);
 			while (ret == 0) {
 				struct reftable_log_record *tombstone;
 
@@ -1317,7 +1314,6 @@ static int write_copy_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data)
 {
 	struct write_copy_arg *arg = cb_data;
 	uint64_t deletion_ts, creation_ts;
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(arg->stack);
 	struct reftable_ref_record old_ref = {0}, refs[2] = {0};
 	struct reftable_log_record old_log = {0}, *logs = NULL;
 	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
@@ -1451,7 +1447,8 @@ static int write_copy_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data)
 	 * copy over all log entries from the old reflog. Last but not least,
 	 * when renaming we also have to delete all the old reflog entries.
 	 */
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, arg->oldname);
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(arg->stack, &it);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, arg->oldname);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -1657,7 +1654,6 @@ static struct ref_iterator_vtable reftable_reflog_iterator_vtable = {
 static struct reftable_reflog_iterator *reflog_iterator_for_stack(struct reftable_ref_store *refs,
 								  struct reftable_stack *stack)
 {
-	struct reftable_merged_table *merged_table;
 	struct reftable_reflog_iterator *iter;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -1674,9 +1670,8 @@ static struct reftable_reflog_iterator *reflog_iterator_for_stack(struct reftabl
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
-	merged_table = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
-
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(merged_table, &iter->iter, "");
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(stack, &iter->iter);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&iter->iter, "");
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -1734,7 +1729,6 @@ static int reftable_be_for_each_reflog_ent_reverse(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	struct reftable_ref_store *refs =
 		reftable_be_downcast(ref_store, REF_STORE_READ, "for_each_reflog_ent_reverse");
 	struct reftable_stack *stack = stack_for(refs, refname, &refname);
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = NULL;
 	struct reftable_log_record log = {0};
 	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
 	int ret;
@@ -1742,8 +1736,8 @@ static int reftable_be_for_each_reflog_ent_reverse(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	if (refs->err < 0)
 		return refs->err;
 
-	mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, refname);
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(stack, &it);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, refname);
 	while (!ret) {
 		ret = reftable_iterator_next_log(&it, &log);
 		if (ret < 0)
@@ -1771,7 +1765,6 @@ static int reftable_be_for_each_reflog_ent(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	struct reftable_ref_store *refs =
 		reftable_be_downcast(ref_store, REF_STORE_READ, "for_each_reflog_ent");
 	struct reftable_stack *stack = stack_for(refs, refname, &refname);
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = NULL;
 	struct reftable_log_record *logs = NULL;
 	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
 	size_t logs_alloc = 0, logs_nr = 0, i;
@@ -1780,8 +1773,8 @@ static int reftable_be_for_each_reflog_ent(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	if (refs->err < 0)
 		return refs->err;
 
-	mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, refname);
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(stack, &it);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, refname);
 	while (!ret) {
 		struct reftable_log_record log = {0};
 
@@ -1818,7 +1811,6 @@ static int reftable_be_reflog_exists(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	struct reftable_ref_store *refs =
 		reftable_be_downcast(ref_store, REF_STORE_READ, "reflog_exists");
 	struct reftable_stack *stack = stack_for(refs, refname, &refname);
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
 	struct reftable_log_record log = {0};
 	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
 	int ret;
@@ -1831,7 +1823,8 @@ static int reftable_be_reflog_exists(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, refname);
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(stack, &it);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, refname);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -1929,8 +1922,6 @@ struct write_reflog_delete_arg {
 static int write_reflog_delete_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_data)
 {
 	struct write_reflog_delete_arg *arg = cb_data;
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt =
-		reftable_stack_merged_table(arg->stack);
 	struct reftable_log_record log = {0}, tombstone = {0};
 	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
 	uint64_t ts = reftable_stack_next_update_index(arg->stack);
@@ -1938,12 +1929,14 @@ static int write_reflog_delete_table(struct reftable_writer *writer, void *cb_da
 
 	reftable_writer_set_limits(writer, ts, ts);
 
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(arg->stack, &it);
+
 	/*
 	 * In order to delete a table we need to delete all reflog entries one
 	 * by one. This is inefficient, but the reftable format does not have a
 	 * better marker right now.
 	 */
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, arg->refname);
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, arg->refname);
 	while (ret == 0) {
 		ret = reftable_iterator_next_log(&it, &log);
 		if (ret < 0)
@@ -2079,7 +2072,6 @@ static int reftable_be_reflog_expire(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	struct reftable_ref_store *refs =
 		reftable_be_downcast(ref_store, REF_STORE_WRITE, "reflog_expire");
 	struct reftable_stack *stack = stack_for(refs, refname, &refname);
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(stack);
 	struct reftable_log_record *logs = NULL;
 	struct reftable_log_record *rewritten = NULL;
 	struct reftable_ref_record ref_record = {0};
@@ -2098,7 +2090,9 @@ static int reftable_be_reflog_expire(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
-	ret = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, refname);
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(stack, &it);
+
+	ret = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, refname);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto done;
 
diff --git a/reftable/block.c b/reftable/block.c
index 5942cb4053..00030eee06 100644
--- a/reftable/block.c
+++ b/reftable/block.c
@@ -326,9 +326,9 @@ int block_reader_first_key(const struct block_reader *br, struct strbuf *key)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static uint32_t block_reader_restart_offset(const struct block_reader *br, int i)
+static uint32_t block_reader_restart_offset(const struct block_reader *br, size_t idx)
 {
-	return get_be24(br->restart_bytes + 3 * i);
+	return get_be24(br->restart_bytes + 3 * idx);
 }
 
 void block_iter_seek_start(struct block_iter *it, const struct block_reader *br)
diff --git a/reftable/generic.c b/reftable/generic.c
index b9f1c7c18a..28ae26145e 100644
--- a/reftable/generic.c
+++ b/reftable/generic.c
@@ -12,32 +12,66 @@ https://developers.google.com/open-source/licenses/bsd
 #include "reftable-iterator.h"
 #include "reftable-generic.h"
 
-int reftable_table_seek_ref(struct reftable_table *tab,
-			    struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name)
+void table_init_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+		     struct reftable_iterator *it,
+		     uint8_t typ)
 {
-	struct reftable_record rec = { .type = BLOCK_TYPE_REF,
-				       .u.ref = {
-					       .refname = (char *)name,
-				       } };
-	return tab->ops->seek_record(tab->table_arg, it, &rec);
+
+	tab->ops->init_iter(tab->table_arg, it, typ);
 }
 
-int reftable_table_seek_log(struct reftable_table *tab,
-			    struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name)
+void reftable_table_init_ref_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+				  struct reftable_iterator *it)
 {
-	struct reftable_record rec = { .type = BLOCK_TYPE_LOG,
-				       .u.log = {
-					       .refname = (char *)name,
-					       .update_index = ~((uint64_t)0),
-				       } };
-	return tab->ops->seek_record(tab->table_arg, it, &rec);
+	table_init_iter(tab, it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
+}
+
+void reftable_table_init_log_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+				  struct reftable_iterator *it)
+{
+	table_init_iter(tab, it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
+}
+
+int reftable_iterator_seek_ref(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			       const char *name)
+{
+	struct reftable_record want = {
+		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_REF,
+		.u.ref = {
+			.refname = (char *)name,
+		},
+	};
+	return it->ops->seek(it->iter_arg, &want);
+}
+
+int reftable_iterator_seek_log_at(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+				  const char *name, uint64_t update_index)
+{
+	struct reftable_record want = {
+		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_LOG,
+		.u.log = {
+			.refname = (char *)name,
+			.update_index = update_index,
+		},
+	};
+	return it->ops->seek(it->iter_arg, &want);
+}
+
+int reftable_iterator_seek_log(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			       const char *name)
+{
+	return reftable_iterator_seek_log_at(it, name, ~((uint64_t) 0));
 }
 
 int reftable_table_read_ref(struct reftable_table *tab, const char *name,
 			    struct reftable_ref_record *ref)
 {
 	struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
-	int err = reftable_table_seek_ref(tab, &it, name);
+	int err;
+
+	reftable_table_init_ref_iter(tab, &it);
+
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, name);
 	if (err)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -62,10 +96,13 @@ int reftable_table_print(struct reftable_table *tab) {
 	struct reftable_ref_record ref = { NULL };
 	struct reftable_log_record log = { NULL };
 	uint32_t hash_id = reftable_table_hash_id(tab);
-	int err = reftable_table_seek_ref(tab, &it, "");
-	if (err < 0) {
+	int err;
+
+	reftable_table_init_ref_iter(tab, &it);
+
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "");
+	if (err < 0)
 		return err;
-	}
 
 	while (1) {
 		err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
@@ -80,10 +117,12 @@ int reftable_table_print(struct reftable_table *tab) {
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
 	reftable_ref_record_release(&ref);
 
-	err = reftable_table_seek_log(tab, &it, "");
-	if (err < 0) {
+	reftable_table_init_log_iter(tab, &it);
+
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "");
+	if (err < 0)
 		return err;
-	}
+
 	while (1) {
 		err = reftable_iterator_next_log(&it, &log);
 		if (err > 0) {
@@ -152,11 +191,21 @@ int reftable_iterator_next_log(struct reftable_iterator *it,
 	return err;
 }
 
+int iterator_seek(struct reftable_iterator *it, struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	return it->ops->seek(it->iter_arg, want);
+}
+
 int iterator_next(struct reftable_iterator *it, struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
 	return it->ops->next(it->iter_arg, rec);
 }
 
+static int empty_iterator_seek(void *arg, struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static int empty_iterator_next(void *arg, struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
 	return 1;
@@ -167,6 +216,7 @@ static void empty_iterator_close(void *arg)
 }
 
 static struct reftable_iterator_vtable empty_vtable = {
+	.seek = &empty_iterator_seek,
 	.next = &empty_iterator_next,
 	.close = &empty_iterator_close,
 };
diff --git a/reftable/generic.h b/reftable/generic.h
index 98886a0640..8341fa570e 100644
--- a/reftable/generic.h
+++ b/reftable/generic.h
@@ -14,19 +14,24 @@ https://developers.google.com/open-source/licenses/bsd
 
 /* generic interface to reftables */
 struct reftable_table_vtable {
-	int (*seek_record)(void *tab, struct reftable_iterator *it,
-			   struct reftable_record *);
+	void (*init_iter)(void *tab, struct reftable_iterator *it, uint8_t typ);
 	uint32_t (*hash_id)(void *tab);
 	uint64_t (*min_update_index)(void *tab);
 	uint64_t (*max_update_index)(void *tab);
 };
 
+void table_init_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+		     struct reftable_iterator *it,
+		     uint8_t typ);
+
 struct reftable_iterator_vtable {
+	int (*seek)(void *iter_arg, struct reftable_record *want);
 	int (*next)(void *iter_arg, struct reftable_record *rec);
 	void (*close)(void *iter_arg);
 };
 
 void iterator_set_empty(struct reftable_iterator *it);
+int iterator_seek(struct reftable_iterator *it, struct reftable_record *want);
 int iterator_next(struct reftable_iterator *it, struct reftable_record *rec);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/reftable/iter.c b/reftable/iter.c
index aa9ac199b1..fddea31e51 100644
--- a/reftable/iter.c
+++ b/reftable/iter.c
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ static void filtering_ref_iterator_close(void *iter_arg)
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&fri->it);
 }
 
+static int filtering_ref_iterator_seek(void *iter_arg,
+				       struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	struct filtering_ref_iterator *fri = iter_arg;
+	return iterator_seek(&fri->it, want);
+}
+
 static int filtering_ref_iterator_next(void *iter_arg,
 				       struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
@@ -38,11 +45,11 @@ static int filtering_ref_iterator_next(void *iter_arg,
 		if (fri->double_check) {
 			struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
 
-			err = reftable_table_seek_ref(&fri->tab, &it,
-						      ref->refname);
-			if (err == 0) {
+			reftable_table_init_ref_iter(&fri->tab, &it);
+
+			err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, ref->refname);
+			if (err == 0)
 				err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, ref);
-			}
 
 			reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
 
@@ -73,6 +80,7 @@ static int filtering_ref_iterator_next(void *iter_arg,
 }
 
 static struct reftable_iterator_vtable filtering_ref_iterator_vtable = {
+	.seek = &filtering_ref_iterator_seek,
 	.next = &filtering_ref_iterator_next,
 	.close = &filtering_ref_iterator_close,
 };
@@ -119,6 +127,12 @@ static int indexed_table_ref_iter_next_block(struct indexed_table_ref_iter *it)
 	return 0;
 }
 
+static int indexed_table_ref_iter_seek(void *p, struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	BUG("seeking indexed table is not supported");
+	return -1;
+}
+
 static int indexed_table_ref_iter_next(void *p, struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
 	struct indexed_table_ref_iter *it = p;
@@ -175,6 +189,7 @@ int new_indexed_table_ref_iter(struct indexed_table_ref_iter **dest,
 }
 
 static struct reftable_iterator_vtable indexed_table_ref_iter_vtable = {
+	.seek = &indexed_table_ref_iter_seek,
 	.next = &indexed_table_ref_iter_next,
 	.close = &indexed_table_ref_iter_close,
 };
diff --git a/reftable/merged.c b/reftable/merged.c
index f85a24c678..0da9dba265 100644
--- a/reftable/merged.c
+++ b/reftable/merged.c
@@ -25,34 +25,25 @@ struct merged_subiter {
 struct merged_iter {
 	struct merged_subiter *subiters;
 	struct merged_iter_pqueue pq;
-	uint32_t hash_id;
 	size_t stack_len;
-	uint8_t typ;
 	int suppress_deletions;
 	ssize_t advance_index;
 };
 
-static int merged_iter_init(struct merged_iter *mi)
+static void merged_iter_init(struct merged_iter *mi,
+			     struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
+			     uint8_t typ)
 {
-	for (size_t i = 0; i < mi->stack_len; i++) {
-		struct pq_entry e = {
-			.index = i,
-			.rec = &mi->subiters[i].rec,
-		};
-		int err;
+	memset(mi, 0, sizeof(*mi));
+	mi->advance_index = -1;
+	mi->suppress_deletions = mt->suppress_deletions;
 
-		reftable_record_init(&mi->subiters[i].rec, mi->typ);
-		err = iterator_next(&mi->subiters[i].iter,
-				    &mi->subiters[i].rec);
-		if (err < 0)
-			return err;
-		if (err > 0)
-			continue;
-
-		merged_iter_pqueue_add(&mi->pq, &e);
+	REFTABLE_CALLOC_ARRAY(mi->subiters, mt->stack_len);
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < mt->stack_len; i++) {
+		reftable_record_init(&mi->subiters[i].rec, typ);
+		table_init_iter(&mt->stack[i], &mi->subiters[i].iter, typ);
 	}
-
-	return 0;
+	mi->stack_len = mt->stack_len;
 }
 
 static void merged_iter_close(void *p)
@@ -83,6 +74,27 @@ static int merged_iter_advance_subiter(struct merged_iter *mi, size_t idx)
 	return 0;
 }
 
+static int merged_iter_seek(struct merged_iter *mi, struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	int err;
+
+	mi->advance_index = -1;
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < mi->stack_len; i++) {
+		err = iterator_seek(&mi->subiters[i].iter, want);
+		if (err < 0)
+			return err;
+		if (err > 0)
+			continue;
+
+		err = merged_iter_advance_subiter(mi, i);
+		if (err < 0)
+			return err;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static int merged_iter_next_entry(struct merged_iter *mi,
 				  struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
@@ -148,6 +160,11 @@ static int merged_iter_next_entry(struct merged_iter *mi,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+static int merged_iter_seek_void(void *it, struct reftable_record *want)
+{
+	return merged_iter_seek(it, want);
+}
+
 static int merged_iter_next_void(void *p, struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
 	struct merged_iter *mi = p;
@@ -162,6 +179,7 @@ static int merged_iter_next_void(void *p, struct reftable_record *rec)
 }
 
 static struct reftable_iterator_vtable merged_iter_vtable = {
+	.seek = merged_iter_seek_void,
 	.next = &merged_iter_next_void,
 	.close = &merged_iter_close,
 };
@@ -235,81 +253,13 @@ reftable_merged_table_min_update_index(struct reftable_merged_table *mt)
 	return mt->min;
 }
 
-static int reftable_table_seek_record(struct reftable_table *tab,
-				      struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				      struct reftable_record *rec)
+void merged_table_init_iter(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
+			    struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			    uint8_t typ)
 {
-	return tab->ops->seek_record(tab->table_arg, it, rec);
-}
-
-static int merged_table_seek_record(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				    struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				    struct reftable_record *rec)
-{
-	struct merged_iter merged = {
-		.typ = reftable_record_type(rec),
-		.hash_id = mt->hash_id,
-		.suppress_deletions = mt->suppress_deletions,
-		.advance_index = -1,
-	};
-	struct merged_iter *p;
-	int err;
-
-	REFTABLE_CALLOC_ARRAY(merged.subiters, mt->stack_len);
-	for (size_t i = 0; i < mt->stack_len; i++) {
-		err = reftable_table_seek_record(&mt->stack[i],
-						 &merged.subiters[merged.stack_len].iter, rec);
-		if (err < 0)
-			goto out;
-		if (!err)
-			merged.stack_len++;
-	}
-
-	err = merged_iter_init(&merged);
-	if (err < 0)
-		goto out;
-
-	p = reftable_malloc(sizeof(struct merged_iter));
-	*p = merged;
-	iterator_from_merged_iter(it, p);
-
-out:
-	if (err < 0)
-		merged_iter_close(&merged);
-	return err;
-}
-
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				   struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				   const char *name)
-{
-	struct reftable_record rec = {
-		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_REF,
-		.u.ref = {
-			.refname = (char *)name,
-		},
-	};
-	return merged_table_seek_record(mt, it, &rec);
-}
-
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_log_at(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				      struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				      const char *name, uint64_t update_index)
-{
-	struct reftable_record rec = { .type = BLOCK_TYPE_LOG,
-				       .u.log = {
-					       .refname = (char *)name,
-					       .update_index = update_index,
-				       } };
-	return merged_table_seek_record(mt, it, &rec);
-}
-
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_log(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				   struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				   const char *name)
-{
-	uint64_t max = ~((uint64_t)0);
-	return reftable_merged_table_seek_log_at(mt, it, name, max);
+	struct merged_iter *mi = reftable_malloc(sizeof(*mi));
+	merged_iter_init(mi, mt, typ);
+	iterator_from_merged_iter(it, mi);
 }
 
 uint32_t reftable_merged_table_hash_id(struct reftable_merged_table *mt)
@@ -317,11 +267,11 @@ uint32_t reftable_merged_table_hash_id(struct reftable_merged_table *mt)
 	return mt->hash_id;
 }
 
-static int reftable_merged_table_seek_void(void *tab,
-					   struct reftable_iterator *it,
-					   struct reftable_record *rec)
+static void reftable_merged_table_init_iter_void(void *tab,
+						 struct reftable_iterator *it,
+						 uint8_t typ)
 {
-	return merged_table_seek_record(tab, it, rec);
+	merged_table_init_iter(tab, it, typ);
 }
 
 static uint32_t reftable_merged_table_hash_id_void(void *tab)
@@ -340,7 +290,7 @@ static uint64_t reftable_merged_table_max_update_index_void(void *tab)
 }
 
 static struct reftable_table_vtable merged_table_vtable = {
-	.seek_record = reftable_merged_table_seek_void,
+	.init_iter = reftable_merged_table_init_iter_void,
 	.hash_id = reftable_merged_table_hash_id_void,
 	.min_update_index = reftable_merged_table_min_update_index_void,
 	.max_update_index = reftable_merged_table_max_update_index_void,
diff --git a/reftable/merged.h b/reftable/merged.h
index a2571dbc99..a10469f58e 100644
--- a/reftable/merged.h
+++ b/reftable/merged.h
@@ -26,4 +26,10 @@ struct reftable_merged_table {
 
 void merged_table_release(struct reftable_merged_table *mt);
 
+struct reftable_iterator;
+
+void merged_table_init_iter(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
+			    struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			    uint8_t typ);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/reftable/merged_test.c b/reftable/merged_test.c
index 530fc82d1c..33a17efcde 100644
--- a/reftable/merged_test.c
+++ b/reftable/merged_test.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ https://developers.google.com/open-source/licenses/bsd
 
 #include "basics.h"
 #include "blocksource.h"
+#include "constants.h"
 #include "reader.h"
 #include "record.h"
 #include "test_framework.h"
@@ -145,7 +146,10 @@ static void test_merged_between(void)
 	int i;
 	struct reftable_ref_record ref = { NULL };
 	struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
-	int err = reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(mt, &it, "a");
+	int err;
+
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "a");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
@@ -217,14 +221,15 @@ static void test_merged(void)
 	struct reftable_reader **readers = NULL;
 	struct reftable_merged_table *mt =
 		merged_table_from_records(refs, &bs, &readers, sizes, bufs, 3);
-
 	struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
-	int err = reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(mt, &it, "a");
+	int err;
 	struct reftable_ref_record *out = NULL;
 	size_t len = 0;
 	size_t cap = 0;
 	int i = 0;
 
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "a");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 	EXPECT(reftable_merged_table_hash_id(mt) == GIT_SHA1_FORMAT_ID);
 	EXPECT(reftable_merged_table_min_update_index(mt) == 1);
@@ -348,14 +353,15 @@ static void test_merged_logs(void)
 	struct reftable_reader **readers = NULL;
 	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = merged_table_from_log_records(
 		logs, &bs, &readers, sizes, bufs, 3);
-
 	struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
-	int err = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, "a");
+	int err;
 	struct reftable_log_record *out = NULL;
 	size_t len = 0;
 	size_t cap = 0;
 	int i = 0;
 
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "a");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 	EXPECT(reftable_merged_table_hash_id(mt) == GIT_SHA1_FORMAT_ID);
 	EXPECT(reftable_merged_table_min_update_index(mt) == 1);
@@ -377,7 +383,8 @@ static void test_merged_logs(void)
 						 GIT_SHA1_RAWSZ));
 	}
 
-	err = reftable_merged_table_seek_log_at(mt, &it, "a", 2);
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log_at(&it, "a", 2);
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 	reftable_log_record_release(&out[0]);
 	err = reftable_iterator_next_log(&it, &out[0]);
diff --git a/reftable/reader.c b/reftable/reader.c
index f23c8523db..29c99e2269 100644
--- a/reftable/reader.c
+++ b/reftable/reader.c
@@ -224,8 +224,14 @@ struct table_iter {
 	struct block_iter bi;
 	int is_finished;
 };
-#define TABLE_ITER_INIT { \
-	.bi = BLOCK_ITER_INIT \
+
+static int table_iter_init(struct table_iter *ti, struct reftable_reader *r)
+{
+	struct block_iter bi = BLOCK_ITER_INIT;
+	memset(ti, 0, sizeof(*ti));
+	ti->r = r;
+	ti->bi = bi;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int table_iter_next_in_block(struct table_iter *ti,
@@ -363,50 +369,23 @@ static int table_iter_next(struct table_iter *ti, struct reftable_record *rec)
 	}
 }
 
-static int table_iter_next_void(void *ti, struct reftable_record *rec)
-{
-	return table_iter_next(ti, rec);
-}
-
-static void table_iter_close_void(void *ti)
-{
-	table_iter_close(ti);
-}
-
-static struct reftable_iterator_vtable table_iter_vtable = {
-	.next = &table_iter_next_void,
-	.close = &table_iter_close_void,
-};
-
-static void iterator_from_table_iter(struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				     struct table_iter *ti)
-{
-	assert(!it->ops);
-	it->iter_arg = ti;
-	it->ops = &table_iter_vtable;
-}
-
-static int reader_table_iter_at(struct reftable_reader *r,
-				struct table_iter *ti, uint64_t off,
-				uint8_t typ)
+static int table_iter_seek_to(struct table_iter *ti, uint64_t off, uint8_t typ)
 {
 	int err;
 
-	err = reader_init_block_reader(r, &ti->br, off, typ);
+	err = reader_init_block_reader(ti->r, &ti->br, off, typ);
 	if (err != 0)
 		return err;
 
-	ti->r = r;
 	ti->typ = block_reader_type(&ti->br);
 	ti->block_off = off;
 	block_iter_seek_start(&ti->bi, &ti->br);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int reader_start(struct reftable_reader *r, struct table_iter *ti,
-			uint8_t typ, int index)
+static int table_iter_seek_start(struct table_iter *ti, uint8_t typ, int index)
 {
-	struct reftable_reader_offsets *offs = reader_offsets_for(r, typ);
+	struct reftable_reader_offsets *offs = reader_offsets_for(ti->r, typ);
 	uint64_t off = offs->offset;
 	if (index) {
 		off = offs->index_offset;
@@ -416,16 +395,16 @@ static int reader_start(struct reftable_reader *r, struct table_iter *ti,
 		typ = BLOCK_TYPE_INDEX;
 	}
 
-	return reader_table_iter_at(r, ti, off, typ);
+	return table_iter_seek_to(ti, off, typ);
 }
 
-static int reader_seek_linear(struct table_iter *ti,
-			      struct reftable_record *want)
+static int table_iter_seek_linear(struct table_iter *ti,
+				  struct reftable_record *want)
 {
 	struct strbuf want_key = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf got_key = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct reftable_record rec;
-	int err = -1;
+	int err;
 
 	reftable_record_init(&rec, reftable_record_type(want));
 	reftable_record_key(want, &want_key);
@@ -499,9 +478,8 @@ done:
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int reader_seek_indexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
-			       struct reftable_iterator *it,
-			       struct reftable_record *rec)
+static int table_iter_seek_indexed(struct table_iter *ti,
+				   struct reftable_record *rec)
 {
 	struct reftable_record want_index = {
 		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_INDEX, .u.idx = { .last_key = STRBUF_INIT }
@@ -510,15 +488,9 @@ static int reader_seek_indexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
 		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_INDEX,
 		.u.idx = { .last_key = STRBUF_INIT },
 	};
-	struct table_iter index_iter = TABLE_ITER_INIT;
-	struct table_iter empty = TABLE_ITER_INIT;
-	struct table_iter next = TABLE_ITER_INIT;
-	int err = 0;
+	int err;
 
 	reftable_record_key(rec, &want_index.u.idx.last_key);
-	err = reader_start(r, &index_iter, reftable_record_type(rec), 1);
-	if (err < 0)
-		goto done;
 
 	/*
 	 * The index may consist of multiple levels, where each level may have
@@ -526,7 +498,7 @@ static int reader_seek_indexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
 	 * highest layer that identifies the relevant index block as well as
 	 * the record inside that block that corresponds to our wanted key.
 	 */
-	err = reader_seek_linear(&index_iter, &want_index);
+	err = table_iter_seek_linear(ti, &want_index);
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -552,123 +524,113 @@ static int reader_seek_indexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
 		 * all levels of the index only to find out that the key does
 		 * not exist.
 		 */
-		err = table_iter_next(&index_iter, &index_result);
+		err = table_iter_next(ti, &index_result);
 		if (err != 0)
 			goto done;
 
-		err = reader_table_iter_at(r, &next, index_result.u.idx.offset,
-					   0);
+		err = table_iter_seek_to(ti, index_result.u.idx.offset, 0);
 		if (err != 0)
 			goto done;
 
-		err = block_iter_seek_key(&next.bi, &next.br, &want_index.u.idx.last_key);
+		err = block_iter_seek_key(&ti->bi, &ti->br, &want_index.u.idx.last_key);
 		if (err < 0)
 			goto done;
 
-		if (next.typ == reftable_record_type(rec)) {
+		if (ti->typ == reftable_record_type(rec)) {
 			err = 0;
 			break;
 		}
 
-		if (next.typ != BLOCK_TYPE_INDEX) {
+		if (ti->typ != BLOCK_TYPE_INDEX) {
 			err = REFTABLE_FORMAT_ERROR;
-			break;
+			goto done;
 		}
-
-		table_iter_close(&index_iter);
-		index_iter = next;
-		next = empty;
-	}
-
-	if (err == 0) {
-		struct table_iter *malloced = reftable_calloc(1, sizeof(*malloced));
-		*malloced = next;
-		next = empty;
-		iterator_from_table_iter(it, malloced);
 	}
 
 done:
-	table_iter_close(&next);
-	table_iter_close(&index_iter);
 	reftable_record_release(&want_index);
 	reftable_record_release(&index_result);
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int reader_seek_internal(struct reftable_reader *r,
-				struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				struct reftable_record *rec)
+static int table_iter_seek(struct table_iter *ti,
+			   struct reftable_record *want)
 {
-	struct reftable_reader_offsets *offs =
-		reader_offsets_for(r, reftable_record_type(rec));
-	uint64_t idx = offs->index_offset;
-	struct table_iter ti = TABLE_ITER_INIT, *p;
+	uint8_t typ = reftable_record_type(want);
+	struct reftable_reader_offsets *offs = reader_offsets_for(ti->r, typ);
 	int err;
 
-	if (idx > 0)
-		return reader_seek_indexed(r, it, rec);
-
-	err = reader_start(r, &ti, reftable_record_type(rec), 0);
+	err = table_iter_seek_start(ti, reftable_record_type(want),
+				    !!offs->index_offset);
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto out;
 
-	err = reader_seek_linear(&ti, rec);
-	if (err < 0)
+	if (offs->index_offset)
+		err = table_iter_seek_indexed(ti, want);
+	else
+		err = table_iter_seek_linear(ti, want);
+	if (err)
 		goto out;
 
-	REFTABLE_ALLOC_ARRAY(p, 1);
-	*p = ti;
-	iterator_from_table_iter(it, p);
-
 out:
-	if (err)
-		table_iter_close(&ti);
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int reader_seek(struct reftable_reader *r, struct reftable_iterator *it,
-		       struct reftable_record *rec)
+static int table_iter_seek_void(void *ti, struct reftable_record *want)
 {
-	uint8_t typ = reftable_record_type(rec);
+	return table_iter_seek(ti, want);
+}
 
+static int table_iter_next_void(void *ti, struct reftable_record *rec)
+{
+	return table_iter_next(ti, rec);
+}
+
+static void table_iter_close_void(void *ti)
+{
+	table_iter_close(ti);
+}
+
+static struct reftable_iterator_vtable table_iter_vtable = {
+	.seek = &table_iter_seek_void,
+	.next = &table_iter_next_void,
+	.close = &table_iter_close_void,
+};
+
+static void iterator_from_table_iter(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+				     struct table_iter *ti)
+{
+	assert(!it->ops);
+	it->iter_arg = ti;
+	it->ops = &table_iter_vtable;
+}
+
+static void reader_init_iter(struct reftable_reader *r,
+			     struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			     uint8_t typ)
+{
 	struct reftable_reader_offsets *offs = reader_offsets_for(r, typ);
-	if (!offs->is_present) {
+
+	if (offs->is_present) {
+		struct table_iter *ti;
+		REFTABLE_ALLOC_ARRAY(ti, 1);
+		table_iter_init(ti, r);
+		iterator_from_table_iter(it, ti);
+	} else {
 		iterator_set_empty(it);
-		return 0;
 	}
-
-	return reader_seek_internal(r, it, rec);
 }
 
-int reftable_reader_seek_ref(struct reftable_reader *r,
-			     struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name)
+void reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(struct reftable_reader *r,
+				       struct reftable_iterator *it)
 {
-	struct reftable_record rec = {
-		.type = BLOCK_TYPE_REF,
-		.u.ref = {
-			.refname = (char *)name,
-		},
-	};
-	return reader_seek(r, it, &rec);
+	reader_init_iter(r, it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
 }
 
-int reftable_reader_seek_log_at(struct reftable_reader *r,
-				struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name,
-				uint64_t update_index)
+void reftable_reader_init_log_iterator(struct reftable_reader *r,
+				       struct reftable_iterator *it)
 {
-	struct reftable_record rec = { .type = BLOCK_TYPE_LOG,
-				       .u.log = {
-					       .refname = (char *)name,
-					       .update_index = update_index,
-				       } };
-	return reader_seek(r, it, &rec);
-}
-
-int reftable_reader_seek_log(struct reftable_reader *r,
-			     struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name)
-{
-	uint64_t max = ~((uint64_t)0);
-	return reftable_reader_seek_log_at(r, it, name, max);
+	reader_init_iter(r, it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
 }
 
 void reader_close(struct reftable_reader *r)
@@ -719,7 +681,8 @@ static int reftable_reader_refs_for_indexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
 	struct indexed_table_ref_iter *itr = NULL;
 
 	/* Look through the reverse index. */
-	err = reader_seek(r, &oit, &want);
+	reader_init_iter(r, &oit, BLOCK_TYPE_OBJ);
+	err = iterator_seek(&oit, &want);
 	if (err != 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -754,15 +717,15 @@ static int reftable_reader_refs_for_unindexed(struct reftable_reader *r,
 					      struct reftable_iterator *it,
 					      uint8_t *oid)
 {
-	struct table_iter ti_empty = TABLE_ITER_INIT;
-	struct table_iter *ti = reftable_calloc(1, sizeof(*ti));
+	struct table_iter *ti;
 	struct filtering_ref_iterator *filter = NULL;
 	struct filtering_ref_iterator empty = FILTERING_REF_ITERATOR_INIT;
 	int oid_len = hash_size(r->hash_id);
 	int err;
 
-	*ti = ti_empty;
-	err = reader_start(r, ti, BLOCK_TYPE_REF, 0);
+	REFTABLE_ALLOC_ARRAY(ti, 1);
+	table_iter_init(ti, r);
+	err = table_iter_seek_start(ti, BLOCK_TYPE_REF, 0);
 	if (err < 0) {
 		reftable_free(ti);
 		return err;
@@ -800,10 +763,11 @@ uint64_t reftable_reader_min_update_index(struct reftable_reader *r)
 
 /* generic table interface. */
 
-static int reftable_reader_seek_void(void *tab, struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				     struct reftable_record *rec)
+static void reftable_reader_init_iter_void(void *tab,
+					   struct reftable_iterator *it,
+					   uint8_t typ)
 {
-	return reader_seek(tab, it, rec);
+	reader_init_iter(tab, it, typ);
 }
 
 static uint32_t reftable_reader_hash_id_void(void *tab)
@@ -822,7 +786,7 @@ static uint64_t reftable_reader_max_update_index_void(void *tab)
 }
 
 static struct reftable_table_vtable reader_vtable = {
-	.seek_record = reftable_reader_seek_void,
+	.init_iter = reftable_reader_init_iter_void,
 	.hash_id = reftable_reader_hash_id_void,
 	.min_update_index = reftable_reader_min_update_index_void,
 	.max_update_index = reftable_reader_max_update_index_void,
@@ -877,8 +841,8 @@ int reftable_reader_print_blocks(const char *tablename)
 		},
 	};
 	struct reftable_block_source src = { 0 };
-	struct table_iter ti = TABLE_ITER_INIT;
 	struct reftable_reader *r = NULL;
+	struct table_iter ti = { 0 };
 	size_t i;
 	int err;
 
@@ -890,11 +854,13 @@ int reftable_reader_print_blocks(const char *tablename)
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto done;
 
+	table_iter_init(&ti, r);
+
 	printf("header:\n");
 	printf("  block_size: %d\n", r->block_size);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(sections); i++) {
-		err = reader_start(r, &ti, sections[i].type, 0);
+		err = table_iter_seek_start(&ti, sections[i].type, 0);
 		if (err < 0)
 			goto done;
 		if (err > 0)
diff --git a/reftable/readwrite_test.c b/reftable/readwrite_test.c
index a6dbd214c5..d99543bbd6 100644
--- a/reftable/readwrite_test.c
+++ b/reftable/readwrite_test.c
@@ -239,7 +239,9 @@ static void test_log_write_read(void)
 	err = init_reader(&rd, &source, "file.log");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, names[N - 1]);
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, names[N - 1]);
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
@@ -252,7 +254,9 @@ static void test_log_write_read(void)
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
 	reftable_ref_record_release(&ref);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_log(&rd, &it, "");
+	reftable_reader_init_log_iterator(&rd, &it);
+
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	i = 0;
@@ -330,7 +334,8 @@ static void test_log_zlib_corruption(void)
 	err = init_reader(&rd, &source, "file.log");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_log(&rd, &it, "refname");
+	reftable_reader_init_log_iterator(&rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "refname");
 	EXPECT(err == REFTABLE_ZLIB_ERROR);
 
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
@@ -358,7 +363,8 @@ static void test_table_read_write_sequential(void)
 	err = init_reader(&rd, &source, "file.ref");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, "");
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	while (1) {
@@ -412,7 +418,8 @@ static void test_table_read_api(void)
 	err = init_reader(&rd, &source, "file.ref");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, names[0]);
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, names[0]);
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	err = reftable_iterator_next_log(&it, &log);
@@ -457,7 +464,8 @@ static void test_table_read_write_seek(int index, int hash_id)
 	}
 
 	for (i = 1; i < N; i++) {
-		int err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, names[i]);
+		reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+		err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, names[i]);
 		EXPECT_ERR(err);
 		err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
 		EXPECT_ERR(err);
@@ -472,7 +480,8 @@ static void test_table_read_write_seek(int index, int hash_id)
 	strbuf_addstr(&pastLast, names[N - 1]);
 	strbuf_addstr(&pastLast, "/");
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, pastLast.buf);
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, pastLast.buf);
 	if (err == 0) {
 		struct reftable_ref_record ref = { NULL };
 		int err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
@@ -576,7 +585,8 @@ static void test_table_refs_for(int indexed)
 		rd.obj_offsets.is_present = 0;
 	}
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(&rd, &it, "");
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(&rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
 
@@ -639,7 +649,8 @@ static void test_write_empty_table(void)
 	err = reftable_new_reader(&rd, &source, "filename");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(rd, &it, "");
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(rd, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &rec);
@@ -846,7 +857,8 @@ static void test_write_multiple_indices(void)
 	 * Seeking the log uses the log index now. In case there is any
 	 * confusion regarding indices we would notice here.
 	 */
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_log(reader, &it, "");
+	reftable_reader_init_log_iterator(reader, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
@@ -901,7 +913,8 @@ static void test_write_multi_level_index(void)
 	/*
 	 * Seeking the last ref should work as expected.
 	 */
-	err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(reader, &it, "refs/heads/199");
+	reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(reader, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "refs/heads/199");
 	EXPECT_ERR(err);
 
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
diff --git a/reftable/reftable-generic.h b/reftable/reftable-generic.h
index d239751a77..65670ea093 100644
--- a/reftable/reftable-generic.h
+++ b/reftable/reftable-generic.h
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ struct reftable_table {
 	void *table_arg;
 };
 
-int reftable_table_seek_log(struct reftable_table *tab,
-			    struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name);
+void reftable_table_init_ref_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+				  struct reftable_iterator *it);
 
-int reftable_table_seek_ref(struct reftable_table *tab,
-			    struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name);
+void reftable_table_init_log_iter(struct reftable_table *tab,
+				  struct reftable_iterator *it);
 
 /* returns the hash ID from a generic reftable_table */
 uint32_t reftable_table_hash_id(struct reftable_table *tab);
diff --git a/reftable/reftable-iterator.h b/reftable/reftable-iterator.h
index d3eee7af35..e3bf688d53 100644
--- a/reftable/reftable-iterator.h
+++ b/reftable/reftable-iterator.h
@@ -21,12 +21,33 @@ struct reftable_iterator {
 	void *iter_arg;
 };
 
+/*
+ * Position the iterator at the ref record with given name such that the next
+ * call to `next_ref()` would yield the record.
+ */
+int reftable_iterator_seek_ref(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			       const char *name);
+
 /* reads the next reftable_ref_record. Returns < 0 for error, 0 for OK and > 0:
  * end of iteration.
  */
 int reftable_iterator_next_ref(struct reftable_iterator *it,
 			       struct reftable_ref_record *ref);
 
+/*
+ * Position the iterator at the log record with given name and update index
+ * such that the next call to `next_log()` would yield the record.
+ */
+int reftable_iterator_seek_log_at(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+				  const char *name, uint64_t update_index);
+
+/*
+ * Position the iterator at the newest log record with given name such that the
+ * next call to `next_log()` would yield the record.
+ */
+int reftable_iterator_seek_log(struct reftable_iterator *it,
+			       const char *name);
+
 /* reads the next reftable_log_record. Returns < 0 for error, 0 for OK and > 0:
  * end of iteration.
  */
diff --git a/reftable/reftable-merged.h b/reftable/reftable-merged.h
index c91a2d83a2..14d5fc9f05 100644
--- a/reftable/reftable-merged.h
+++ b/reftable/reftable-merged.h
@@ -36,21 +36,6 @@ int reftable_new_merged_table(struct reftable_merged_table **dest,
 			      struct reftable_table *stack, size_t n,
 			      uint32_t hash_id);
 
-/* returns an iterator positioned just before 'name' */
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				   struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				   const char *name);
-
-/* returns an iterator for log entry, at given update_index */
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_log_at(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				      struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				      const char *name, uint64_t update_index);
-
-/* like reftable_merged_table_seek_log_at but look for the newest entry. */
-int reftable_merged_table_seek_log(struct reftable_merged_table *mt,
-				   struct reftable_iterator *it,
-				   const char *name);
-
 /* returns the max update_index covered by this merged table. */
 uint64_t
 reftable_merged_table_max_update_index(struct reftable_merged_table *mt);
diff --git a/reftable/reftable-reader.h b/reftable/reftable-reader.h
index 4a04857773..a32f31d648 100644
--- a/reftable/reftable-reader.h
+++ b/reftable/reftable-reader.h
@@ -36,48 +36,17 @@ struct reftable_table;
 int reftable_new_reader(struct reftable_reader **pp,
 			struct reftable_block_source *src, const char *name);
 
-/* reftable_reader_seek_ref returns an iterator where 'name' would be inserted
-   in the table.  To seek to the start of the table, use name = "".
+/* Initialize a reftable iterator for reading refs. */
+void reftable_reader_init_ref_iterator(struct reftable_reader *r,
+				       struct reftable_iterator *it);
 
-   example:
-
-   struct reftable_reader *r = NULL;
-   int err = reftable_new_reader(&r, &src, "filename");
-   if (err < 0) { ... }
-   struct reftable_iterator it  = {0};
-   err = reftable_reader_seek_ref(r, &it, "refs/heads/master");
-   if (err < 0) { ... }
-   struct reftable_ref_record ref  = {0};
-   while (1) {
-   err = reftable_iterator_next_ref(&it, &ref);
-   if (err > 0) {
-   break;
-   }
-   if (err < 0) {
-   ..error handling..
-   }
-   ..found..
-   }
-   reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
-   reftable_ref_record_release(&ref);
-*/
-int reftable_reader_seek_ref(struct reftable_reader *r,
-			     struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name);
+/* Initialize a reftable iterator for reading logs. */
+void reftable_reader_init_log_iterator(struct reftable_reader *r,
+				       struct reftable_iterator *it);
 
 /* returns the hash ID used in this table. */
 uint32_t reftable_reader_hash_id(struct reftable_reader *r);
 
-/* seek to logs for the given name, older than update_index. To seek to the
-   start of the table, use name = "".
-*/
-int reftable_reader_seek_log_at(struct reftable_reader *r,
-				struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name,
-				uint64_t update_index);
-
-/* seek to newest log entry for given name. */
-int reftable_reader_seek_log(struct reftable_reader *r,
-			     struct reftable_iterator *it, const char *name);
-
 /* closes and deallocates a reader. */
 void reftable_reader_free(struct reftable_reader *);
 
diff --git a/reftable/reftable-stack.h b/reftable/reftable-stack.h
index c15632c401..09e97c9991 100644
--- a/reftable/reftable-stack.h
+++ b/reftable/reftable-stack.h
@@ -66,6 +66,24 @@ int reftable_stack_add(struct reftable_stack *st,
 					  void *write_arg),
 		       void *write_arg);
 
+struct reftable_iterator;
+
+/*
+ * Initialize an iterator for the merged tables contained in the stack that can
+ * be used to iterate through refs. The iterator is valid until the next reload
+ * or write.
+ */
+void reftable_stack_init_ref_iterator(struct reftable_stack *st,
+				      struct reftable_iterator *it);
+
+/*
+ * Initialize an iterator for the merged tables contained in the stack that can
+ * be used to iterate through logs. The iterator is valid until the next reload
+ * or write.
+ */
+void reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(struct reftable_stack *st,
+				      struct reftable_iterator *it);
+
 /* returns the merged_table for seeking. This table is valid until the
  * next write or reload, and should not be closed or deleted.
  */
diff --git a/reftable/stack.c b/reftable/stack.c
index 0ebe69e81d..98ac9cf9f9 100644
--- a/reftable/stack.c
+++ b/reftable/stack.c
@@ -133,6 +133,20 @@ int read_lines(const char *filename, char ***namesp)
 	return err;
 }
 
+void reftable_stack_init_ref_iterator(struct reftable_stack *st,
+				      struct reftable_iterator *it)
+{
+	merged_table_init_iter(reftable_stack_merged_table(st),
+			       it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
+}
+
+void reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(struct reftable_stack *st,
+				      struct reftable_iterator *it)
+{
+	merged_table_init_iter(reftable_stack_merged_table(st),
+			       it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
+}
+
 struct reftable_merged_table *
 reftable_stack_merged_table(struct reftable_stack *st)
 {
@@ -913,7 +927,8 @@ static int stack_write_compact(struct reftable_stack *st,
 		goto done;
 	}
 
-	err = reftable_merged_table_seek_ref(mt, &it, "");
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_REF);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_ref(&it, "");
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -937,7 +952,8 @@ static int stack_write_compact(struct reftable_stack *st,
 	}
 	reftable_iterator_destroy(&it);
 
-	err = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, "");
+	merged_table_init_iter(mt, &it, BLOCK_TYPE_LOG);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, "");
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto done;
 
@@ -1333,9 +1349,11 @@ int reftable_stack_read_ref(struct reftable_stack *st, const char *refname,
 int reftable_stack_read_log(struct reftable_stack *st, const char *refname,
 			    struct reftable_log_record *log)
 {
-	struct reftable_iterator it = { NULL };
-	struct reftable_merged_table *mt = reftable_stack_merged_table(st);
-	int err = reftable_merged_table_seek_log(mt, &it, refname);
+	struct reftable_iterator it = {0};
+	int err;
+
+	reftable_stack_init_log_iterator(st, &it);
+	err = reftable_iterator_seek_log(&it, refname);
 	if (err)
 		goto done;