diff --git a/core/main.go b/core/main.go
index 5c736b54a..4e331b43f 100644
--- a/core/main.go
+++ b/core/main.go
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func loadOrGenConfigAccount(kb *cosmos.Keybase, cfg *config.Config) (keys.Info,
 	return kb.CreateAccount(cfg.Account.Name, mnemonic, "", cfg.Account.Password, 0, 0)
 }
 
-func loadOrGenDevGenesis(app *cosmos.App, kb *cosmos.Keybase, cfg *config.Config) (*tmtypes.GenesisDoc, error) {
+func loadOrGenDevGenesis(moduleManager *cosmos.ModuleManager, kb *cosmos.Keybase, cfg *config.Config) (*tmtypes.GenesisDoc, error) {
 	if cosmos.GenesisExist(cfg.Tendermint.Config.GenesisFile()) {
 		return cosmos.LoadGenesis(cfg.Tendermint.Config.GenesisFile())
 	}
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func loadOrGenDevGenesis(app *cosmos.App, kb *cosmos.Keybase, cfg *config.Config
 		"nodeID": validator.NodeID,
 		"peer":   fmt.Sprintf("%s@%s:26656", validator.NodeID, validator.Name),
 	}).Warnln("Validator")
-	return cosmos.GenGenesis(kb, app.DefaultGenesis(), cfg.DevGenesis.ChainID, cfg.Tendermint.Config.GenesisFile(), []cosmos.GenesisValidator{validator})
+	return cosmos.GenGenesis(kb, moduleManager.BasicManager().DefaultGenesis(), cfg.DevGenesis.ChainID, cfg.Tendermint.Config.GenesisFile(), []cosmos.GenesisValidator{validator})
 }
 
 func main() {
@@ -144,15 +144,11 @@ func main() {
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.WithField("module", "main").Fatalln(err)
 	}
-	// TODO: rename NewModuleManager to something else
-	appFactory := cosmos.NewModuleManager(logger.TendermintLogger(), db)
-
-	// register the backend modules to the module manager.
-	// TODO: this is a mandatory call so it should return a new types required by cosmos.NewApp
-	enginesdk.NewBackend(appFactory)
+	// register the module modules to the module manager.
+	modules := enginesdk.NewModules()
 
 	// init cosmos app
-	app, err := cosmos.NewApp(appFactory)
+	app, err := cosmos.NewApp(modules.ModuleManager, logger.TendermintLogger(), db)
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.WithField("module", "main").Fatalln(err)
 	}
@@ -171,7 +167,7 @@ func main() {
 	logrus.WithField("address", acc.GetAddress().String()).Info("engine account")
 
 	// load or gen genesis
-	genesis, err := loadOrGenDevGenesis(app, kb, cfg)
+	genesis, err := loadOrGenDevGenesis(modules.ModuleManager, kb, cfg)
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.WithField("module", "main").Fatalln(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cosmos/cli/main.go b/cosmos/cli/main.go
index 0d2c22e96..06d96b999 100644
--- a/cosmos/cli/main.go
+++ b/cosmos/cli/main.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import (
 	genutilcmd "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/client/cli"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
 	"github.com/mesg-foundation/engine/codec"
-	"github.com/mesg-foundation/engine/cosmos"
 	enginesdk "github.com/mesg-foundation/engine/sdk"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
@@ -40,10 +39,9 @@ var (
 func main() {
 	cobra.EnableCommandSorting = false
 
-	// init app manager
-	moduleManager := cosmos.NewModuleManager()
-	enginesdk.NewBackend(moduleManager)
-	basicManager = moduleManager.BasicManager()
+	// init modules
+	modules := enginesdk.NewModules()
+	basicManager = modules.BasicManager()
 	cdc := codec.Codec
 
 	// Read in the configuration file for the sdk
diff --git a/internal/tools/gen-genesis/main.go b/internal/tools/gen-genesis/main.go
index 34adb5844..179e17adc 100644
--- a/internal/tools/gen-genesis/main.go
+++ b/internal/tools/gen-genesis/main.go
@@ -55,13 +55,12 @@ func main() {
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatalln(err)
 	}
-	appFactory := cosmos.NewModuleManager(logger.TendermintLogger(), db)
 
-	// register the backend modules to the module manager.
-	enginesdk.NewBackend(appFactory)
+	// register the module modules to the module manager.
+	modules := enginesdk.NewModules()
 
 	// init cosmos app
-	app, err := cosmos.NewApp(appFactory)
+	app, err := cosmos.NewApp(modules.ModuleManager, logger.TendermintLogger(), db)
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatalln(err)
 	}
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ func main() {
 	}
 
 	// generate and save genesis
-	_, err = cosmos.GenGenesis(kb, app.DefaultGenesis(), *chainid, filepath.Join(*path, "genesis.json"), vals)
+	_, err = cosmos.GenGenesis(kb, modules.BasicManager().DefaultGenesis(), *chainid, filepath.Join(*path, "genesis.json"), vals)
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatalln(err)
 	}
diff --git a/sdk/execution/backend.go b/sdk/execution/backend.go
index 954ddae4b..e29971db3 100644
--- a/sdk/execution/backend.go
+++ b/sdk/execution/backend.go
@@ -17,33 +17,33 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 )
 
-const backendName = "execution"
+const moduleName = "execution"
 
-// Backend is the execution backend.
-type Backend struct {
+// Module is the execution module.
+type Module struct {
 	storeKey     *cosmostypes.KVStoreKey
-	serviceBack  *servicesdk.Backend
-	instanceBack *instancesdk.Backend
-	runnerBack   *runnersdk.Backend
+	serviceBack  *servicesdk.Module
+	instanceBack *instancesdk.Module
+	runnerBack   *runnersdk.Module
 }
 
-// NewBackend returns the backend of the execution sdk.
-func NewBackend(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, serviceBack *servicesdk.Backend, instanceBack *instancesdk.Backend, runnerBack *runnersdk.Backend) *Backend {
-	backend := &Backend{
-		storeKey:     cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(backendName),
+// NewModule returns the module of the execution sdk.
+func NewModule(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, serviceBack *servicesdk.Module, instanceBack *instancesdk.Module, runnerBack *runnersdk.Module) *Module {
+	module := &Module{
+		storeKey:     cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(moduleName),
 		serviceBack:  serviceBack,
 		instanceBack: instanceBack,
 		runnerBack:   runnerBack,
 	}
-	appBackendBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(backendName)
-	appBackend := cosmos.NewAppModule(appBackendBasic, backend.handler, backend.querier)
-	appFactory.RegisterModule(appBackend)
-	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(backend.storeKey)
+	appModuleBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(moduleName)
+	appModule := cosmos.NewAppModule(appModuleBasic, module.handler, module.querier)
+	appFactory.RegisterModule(appModule)
+	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(module.storeKey)
 
-	return backend
+	return module
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
+func (s *Module) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	switch msg := msg.(type) {
 	case msgCreateExecution:
 		exec, err := s.Create(request, msg)
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (has
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
+func (s *Module) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
 	switch path[0] {
 	case "get":
 		hash, err := hash.Decode(path[1])
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.R
 }
 
 // Create creates a new execution from definition.
-func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgCreateExecution) (*execution.Execution, error) {
+func (s *Module) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgCreateExecution) (*execution.Execution, error) {
 	run, err := s.runnerBack.Get(request, msg.Request.ExecutorHash)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgCreateExecution) (*
 }
 
 // Update updates a new execution from definition.
-func (s *Backend) Update(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgUpdateExecution) (*execution.Execution, error) {
+func (s *Module) Update(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgUpdateExecution) (*execution.Execution, error) {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	if !store.Has(msg.Request.Hash) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("execution %q doesn't exist", msg.Request.Hash)
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Update(request cosmostypes.Request, msg msgUpdateExecution) (*
 	return exec, nil
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) validateExecutionOutput(request cosmostypes.Request, instanceHash hash.Hash, taskKey string, outputs *types.Struct) error {
+func (s *Module) validateExecutionOutput(request cosmostypes.Request, instanceHash hash.Hash, taskKey string, outputs *types.Struct) error {
 	inst, err := s.instanceBack.Get(request, instanceHash)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func (s *Backend) validateExecutionOutput(request cosmostypes.Request, instanceH
 }
 
 // Get returns the execution that matches given hash.
-func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*execution.Execution, error) {
+func (s *Module) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*execution.Execution, error) {
 	var exec *execution.Execution
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	if !store.Has(hash) {
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*execution.E
 }
 
 // List returns all executions.
-func (s *Backend) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*execution.Execution, error) {
+func (s *Module) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*execution.Execution, error) {
 	var (
 		execs []*execution.Execution
 		iter  = request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Iterator(nil, nil)
diff --git a/sdk/execution/msgs.go b/sdk/execution/msgs.go
index 1dfbd6753..bcac77e1e 100644
--- a/sdk/execution/msgs.go
+++ b/sdk/execution/msgs.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func newMsgCreateExecution(req *api.CreateExecutionRequest, signer cosmostypes.A
 
 // Route should return the name of the module.
 func (msg msgCreateExecution) Route() string {
-	return backendName
+	return moduleName
 }
 
 // Type returns the action.
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func newMsgUpdateExecution(req *api.UpdateExecutionRequest, executor cosmostypes
 
 // Route should return the name of the module.
 func (msg msgUpdateExecution) Route() string {
-	return backendName
+	return moduleName
 }
 
 // Type returns the action.
diff --git a/sdk/execution/sdk.go b/sdk/execution/sdk.go
index 16ee9d4a2..5c014ce1f 100644
--- a/sdk/execution/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/execution/sdk.go
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Update(req *api.UpdateExecutionRequest, accountName, accountPasswo
 // Get returns the execution that matches given hash.
 func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*execution.Execution, error) {
 	var execution execution.Execution
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &execution); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &execution); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &execution, nil
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*execution.Execution, error) {
 // List returns all executions.
 func (s *SDK) List() ([]*execution.Execution, error) {
 	var executions []*execution.Execution
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/list", nil, &executions); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/list", nil, &executions); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return executions, nil
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Stream(ctx context.Context, req *api.StreamExecutionRequest) (chan
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	stream, serrC, err := s.client.Stream(ctx, cosmos.EventModuleQuery(backendName))
+	stream, serrC, err := s.client.Stream(ctx, cosmos.EventModuleQuery(moduleName))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/sdk/instance/backend.go b/sdk/instance/backend.go
index be6900def..74d29ce09 100644
--- a/sdk/instance/backend.go
+++ b/sdk/instance/backend.go
@@ -13,31 +13,31 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 )
 
-const backendName = "instance"
+const moduleName = "instance"
 
-// Backend is the instance backend.
-type Backend struct {
+// Module is the instance module.
+type Module struct {
 	storeKey *cosmostypes.KVStoreKey
 }
 
-// NewBackend returns the backend of the instance sdk.
-func NewBackend(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager) *Backend {
-	backend := &Backend{
-		storeKey: cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(backendName),
+// NewModule returns the module of the instance sdk.
+func NewModule(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager) *Module {
+	module := &Module{
+		storeKey: cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(moduleName),
 	}
-	appBackendBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(backendName)
-	appBackend := cosmos.NewAppModule(appBackendBasic, backend.handler, backend.querier)
-	appFactory.RegisterModule(appBackend)
-	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(backend.storeKey)
-	return backend
+	appModuleBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(moduleName)
+	appModule := cosmos.NewAppModule(appModuleBasic, module.handler, module.querier)
+	appFactory.RegisterModule(appModule)
+	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(module.storeKey)
+	return module
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
+func (s *Module) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	errmsg := fmt.Sprintf("Unrecognized instance Msg type: %v", msg.Type())
 	return nil, cosmostypes.ErrUnknownRequest(errmsg)
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
+func (s *Module) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
 	switch path[0] {
 	case "get":
 		hash, err := hash.Decode(path[1])
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.R
 }
 
 // FetchOrCreate creates a new instance if needed.
-func (s *Backend) FetchOrCreate(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHash hash.Hash, envHash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
+func (s *Module) FetchOrCreate(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHash hash.Hash, envHash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
 	inst := &instance.Instance{
 		ServiceHash: serviceHash,
 		EnvHash:     envHash,
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func (s *Backend) FetchOrCreate(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHash hash.Ha
 }
 
 // Get returns the instance that matches given hash.
-func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
+func (s *Module) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
 	var i *instance.Instance
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	if !store.Has(hash) {
@@ -93,12 +93,12 @@ func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*instance.In
 }
 
 // Exists returns true if a specific set of data exists in the database, false otherwise
-func (s *Backend) Exists(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
+func (s *Module) Exists(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
 	return request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Has(hash), nil
 }
 
 // List returns all instances.
-func (s *Backend) List(request cosmostypes.Request, f *api.ListInstanceRequest_Filter) ([]*instance.Instance, error) {
+func (s *Module) List(request cosmostypes.Request, f *api.ListInstanceRequest_Filter) ([]*instance.Instance, error) {
 	var (
 		instances []*instance.Instance
 		iter      = request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Iterator(nil, nil)
diff --git a/sdk/instance/sdk.go b/sdk/instance/sdk.go
index 774ab94eb..7ce6f2f93 100644
--- a/sdk/instance/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/instance/sdk.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func New(client *cosmos.Client) *SDK {
 // Get returns the instance that matches given hash.
 func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
 	var instance instance.Instance
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &instance); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &instance); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &instance, nil
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*instance.Instance, error) {
 // List returns all instances.
 func (s *SDK) List(f *api.ListInstanceRequest_Filter) ([]*instance.Instance, error) {
 	var instances []*instance.Instance
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/list", f, &instances); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/list", f, &instances); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return instances, nil
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func (s *SDK) List(f *api.ListInstanceRequest_Filter) ([]*instance.Instance, err
 // Exists returns if a instance already exists.
 func (s *SDK) Exists(hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
 	var exists bool
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/exists/"+hash.String(), nil, &exists); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/exists/"+hash.String(), nil, &exists); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 	return exists, nil
diff --git a/sdk/modules.go b/sdk/modules.go
index 0660d4961..502ffb12f 100644
--- a/sdk/modules.go
+++ b/sdk/modules.go
@@ -22,29 +22,33 @@ import (
 	servicesdk "github.com/mesg-foundation/engine/sdk/service"
 )
 
-// Backend handles all the backend functions.
-type Backend struct {
-	Service   *servicesdk.Backend
-	Execution *executionsdk.Backend
-	Ownership *ownershipsdk.Backend
-	Instance  *instancesdk.Backend
-	Runner    *runnersdk.Backend
+// Modules handles all the module functions.
+type Modules struct {
+	*cosmos.ModuleManager
+
+	Service   *servicesdk.Module
+	Execution *executionsdk.Module
+	Ownership *ownershipsdk.Module
+	Instance  *instancesdk.Module
+	Runner    *runnersdk.Module
 }
 
-// NewBackend creates a new backend and init the sub-backend modules.
-func NewBackend(moduleManager *cosmos.ModuleManager) *Backend {
+// NewModules creates a new module manager and init the sub-module modules.
+func NewModules() *Modules {
+	moduleManager := cosmos.NewModuleManager()
 	initDefaultCosmosModules(moduleManager)
-	ownership := ownershipsdk.NewBackend(moduleManager)
-	service := servicesdk.NewBackend(moduleManager, ownership)
-	instance := instancesdk.NewBackend(moduleManager)
-	runner := runnersdk.NewBackend(moduleManager, instance)
-	execution := executionsdk.NewBackend(moduleManager, service, instance, runner)
-	return &Backend{
-		Service:   service,
-		Ownership: ownership,
-		Instance:  instance,
-		Runner:    runner,
-		Execution: execution,
+	ownership := ownershipsdk.NewModule(moduleManager)
+	service := servicesdk.NewModule(moduleManager, ownership)
+	instance := instancesdk.NewModule(moduleManager)
+	runner := runnersdk.NewModule(moduleManager, instance)
+	execution := executionsdk.NewModule(moduleManager, service, instance, runner)
+	return &Modules{
+		ModuleManager: moduleManager,
+		Service:       service,
+		Ownership:     ownership,
+		Instance:      instance,
+		Runner:        runner,
+		Execution:     execution,
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/sdk/ownership/backend.go b/sdk/ownership/backend.go
index 56e644c4e..b8efaf97b 100644
--- a/sdk/ownership/backend.go
+++ b/sdk/ownership/backend.go
@@ -12,31 +12,31 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 )
 
-const backendName = "ownership"
+const moduleName = "ownership"
 
-// Backend is the ownership backend.
-type Backend struct {
+// Module is the ownership module.
+type Module struct {
 	storeKey *cosmostypes.KVStoreKey
 }
 
-// NewBackend returns the backend of the ownership sdk.
-func NewBackend(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager) *Backend {
-	backend := &Backend{
-		storeKey: cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(backendName),
+// NewModule returns the module of the ownership sdk.
+func NewModule(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager) *Module {
+	module := &Module{
+		storeKey: cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(moduleName),
 	}
-	appBackendBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(backendName)
-	appBackend := cosmos.NewAppModule(appBackendBasic, backend.handler, backend.querier)
-	appFactory.RegisterModule(appBackend)
-	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(backend.storeKey)
-	return backend
+	appModuleBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(moduleName)
+	appModule := cosmos.NewAppModule(appModuleBasic, module.handler, module.querier)
+	appFactory.RegisterModule(appModule)
+	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(module.storeKey)
+	return module
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
+func (s *Module) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	errmsg := fmt.Sprintf("Unrecognized ownership Msg type: %v", msg.Type())
 	return nil, cosmostypes.ErrUnknownRequest(errmsg)
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
+func (s *Module) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
 	switch path[0] {
 	case "list":
 		return s.List(request)
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.R
 }
 
 // CreateServiceOwnership creates a new ownership.
-func (s *Backend) CreateServiceOwnership(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHash hash.Hash, owner cosmostypes.AccAddress) (*ownership.Ownership, error) {
+func (s *Module) CreateServiceOwnership(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHash hash.Hash, owner cosmostypes.AccAddress) (*ownership.Ownership, error) {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	// check if owner is authorized to create the ownership
 	allOwnshp, err := s.List(request)
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func (s *Backend) CreateServiceOwnership(request cosmostypes.Request, serviceHas
 }
 
 // List returns all ownerships.
-func (s *Backend) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*ownership.Ownership, error) {
+func (s *Module) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*ownership.Ownership, error) {
 	var (
 		ownerships []*ownership.Ownership
 		iter       = request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Iterator(nil, nil)
diff --git a/sdk/ownership/sdk.go b/sdk/ownership/sdk.go
index 7c9c9c46c..cd633ad71 100644
--- a/sdk/ownership/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/ownership/sdk.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func New(client *cosmos.Client) *SDK {
 // List returns all ownerships.
 func (s *SDK) List() ([]*ownership.Ownership, error) {
 	var ownerships []*ownership.Ownership
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/list", nil, &ownerships); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/list", nil, &ownerships); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return ownerships, nil
diff --git a/sdk/runner/backend.go b/sdk/runner/backend.go
index be8f084a8..e1b22bc91 100644
--- a/sdk/runner/backend.go
+++ b/sdk/runner/backend.go
@@ -13,29 +13,29 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 )
 
-const backendName = "runner"
+const moduleName = "runner"
 
-// Backend is the runner backend.
-type Backend struct {
+// Module is the runner module.
+type Module struct {
 	storeKey     *cosmostypes.KVStoreKey
-	instanceBack *instancesdk.Backend
+	instanceBack *instancesdk.Module
 }
 
-// NewBackend returns the backend of the runner sdk.
-func NewBackend(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, instanceBack *instancesdk.Backend) *Backend {
-	backend := &Backend{
-		storeKey:     cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(backendName),
+// NewModule returns the module of the runner sdk.
+func NewModule(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, instanceBack *instancesdk.Module) *Module {
+	module := &Module{
+		storeKey:     cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(moduleName),
 		instanceBack: instanceBack,
 	}
-	appBackendBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(backendName)
-	appBackend := cosmos.NewAppModule(appBackendBasic, backend.handler, backend.querier)
-	appFactory.RegisterModule(appBackend)
-	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(backend.storeKey)
+	appModuleBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(moduleName)
+	appModule := cosmos.NewAppModule(appModuleBasic, module.handler, module.querier)
+	appFactory.RegisterModule(appModule)
+	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(module.storeKey)
 
-	return backend
+	return module
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
+func (s *Module) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	switch msg := msg.(type) {
 	case msgCreateRunner:
 		run, err := s.Create(request, &msg)
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (has
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
+func (s *Module) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
 	switch path[0] {
 	case "get":
 		hash, err := hash.Decode(path[1])
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.R
 }
 
 // Create creates a new runner.
-func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateRunner) (*runner.Runner, error) {
+func (s *Module) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateRunner) (*runner.Runner, error) {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	inst, err := s.instanceBack.FetchOrCreate(request, msg.ServiceHash, msg.EnvHash)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateRunner) (*ru
 }
 
 // Delete deletes a runner.
-func (s *Backend) Delete(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgDeleteRunner) error {
+func (s *Module) Delete(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgDeleteRunner) error {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	run := runner.Runner{}
 	value := store.Get(msg.RunnerHash)
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Delete(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgDeleteRunner) erro
 }
 
 // Get returns the runner that matches given hash.
-func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*runner.Runner, error) {
+func (s *Module) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*runner.Runner, error) {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	if !store.Has(hash) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("runner %q not found", hash)
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*runner.Runn
 }
 
 // List returns all runners.
-func (s *Backend) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*runner.Runner, error) {
+func (s *Module) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*runner.Runner, error) {
 	var (
 		runners []*runner.Runner
 		iter    = request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Iterator(nil, nil)
diff --git a/sdk/runner/msgs.go b/sdk/runner/msgs.go
index 418e01099..50b63af48 100644
--- a/sdk/runner/msgs.go
+++ b/sdk/runner/msgs.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func newMsgCreateRunner(address cosmostypes.AccAddress, serviceHash hash.Hash, e
 
 // Route should return the name of the module.
 func (msg msgCreateRunner) Route() string {
-	return backendName
+	return moduleName
 }
 
 // Type returns the action.
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func newMsgDeleteRunner(address cosmostypes.AccAddress, runnerHash hash.Hash) *m
 
 // Route should return the name of the module.
 func (msg msgDeleteRunner) Route() string {
-	return backendName
+	return moduleName
 }
 
 // Type returns the action.
diff --git a/sdk/runner/sdk.go b/sdk/runner/sdk.go
index 39ebb04c9..0f2ee8fb0 100644
--- a/sdk/runner/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/runner/sdk.go
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Delete(req *api.DeleteRunnerRequest, accountName, accountPassword
 // Get returns the runner that matches given hash.
 func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*runner.Runner, error) {
 	var runner runner.Runner
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &runner); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &runner); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &runner, nil
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*runner.Runner, error) {
 // List returns all runners.
 func (s *SDK) List(f *Filter) ([]*runner.Runner, error) {
 	var runners []*runner.Runner
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/list", nil, &runners); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/list", nil, &runners); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	// no filter, returns
diff --git a/sdk/service/backend.go b/sdk/service/backend.go
index b3cb153d9..f87bc7d65 100644
--- a/sdk/service/backend.go
+++ b/sdk/service/backend.go
@@ -15,29 +15,29 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 )
 
-const backendName = "service"
+const moduleName = "service"
 
-// Backend is the service backend.
-type Backend struct {
+// Module is the service module.
+type Module struct {
 	storeKey   *cosmostypes.KVStoreKey
-	ownerships *ownershipsdk.Backend
+	ownerships *ownershipsdk.Module
 }
 
-// NewBackend returns the backend of the service sdk.
-func NewBackend(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, ownerships *ownershipsdk.Backend) *Backend {
-	backend := &Backend{
-		storeKey:   cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(backendName),
+// NewModule returns the module of the service sdk.
+func NewModule(appFactory *cosmos.ModuleManager, ownerships *ownershipsdk.Module) *Module {
+	module := &Module{
+		storeKey:   cosmostypes.NewKVStoreKey(moduleName),
 		ownerships: ownerships,
 	}
-	appBackendBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(backendName)
-	appBackend := cosmos.NewAppModule(appBackendBasic, backend.handler, backend.querier)
-	appFactory.RegisterModule(appBackend)
-	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(backend.storeKey)
+	appModuleBasic := cosmos.NewAppModuleBasic(moduleName)
+	appModule := cosmos.NewAppModule(appModuleBasic, module.handler, module.querier)
+	appFactory.RegisterModule(appModule)
+	appFactory.RegisterStoreKey(module.storeKey)
 
-	return backend
+	return module
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
+func (s *Module) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	switch msg := msg.(type) {
 	case msgCreateService:
 		srv, err := s.Create(request, &msg)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (s *Backend) handler(request cosmostypes.Request, msg cosmostypes.Msg) (has
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
+func (s *Module) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.RequestQuery) (interface{}, error) {
 	switch path[0] {
 	case "get":
 		hash, err := hash.Decode(path[1])
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (s *Backend) querier(request cosmostypes.Request, path []string, req abci.R
 }
 
 // Create creates a new service.
-func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateService) (*service.Service, error) {
+func (s *Module) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateService) (*service.Service, error) {
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	// create service
 	srv := initializeService(msg.Request)
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func (s *Backend) Create(request cosmostypes.Request, msg *msgCreateService) (*s
 }
 
 // Get returns the service that matches given hash.
-func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*service.Service, error) {
+func (s *Module) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*service.Service, error) {
 	var sv *service.Service
 	store := request.KVStore(s.storeKey)
 	if !store.Has(hash) {
@@ -124,17 +124,17 @@ func (s *Backend) Get(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (*service.Ser
 }
 
 // Exists returns true if a specific set of data exists in the database, false otherwise
-func (s *Backend) Exists(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
+func (s *Module) Exists(request cosmostypes.Request, hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
 	return request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Has(hash), nil
 }
 
 // Hash returns the hash of a service request.
-func (s *Backend) Hash(serviceRequest *api.CreateServiceRequest) hash.Hash {
+func (s *Module) Hash(serviceRequest *api.CreateServiceRequest) hash.Hash {
 	return initializeService(serviceRequest).Hash
 }
 
 // List returns all services.
-func (s *Backend) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*service.Service, error) {
+func (s *Module) List(request cosmostypes.Request) ([]*service.Service, error) {
 	var (
 		services []*service.Service
 		iter     = request.KVStore(s.storeKey).Iterator(nil, nil)
diff --git a/sdk/service/msgs.go b/sdk/service/msgs.go
index de1f95f70..1985734fd 100644
--- a/sdk/service/msgs.go
+++ b/sdk/service/msgs.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func newMsgCreateService(req *api.CreateServiceRequest, owner cosmostypes.AccAdd
 
 // Route should return the name of the module.
 func (msg msgCreateService) Route() string {
-	return backendName
+	return moduleName
 }
 
 // Type returns the action.
diff --git a/sdk/service/sdk.go b/sdk/service/sdk.go
index 7a8ed42e9..179ce7a55 100644
--- a/sdk/service/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/service/sdk.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Create(req *api.CreateServiceRequest, accountName, accountPassword
 // Get returns the service that matches given hash.
 func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*service.Service, error) {
 	var service service.Service
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &service); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/get/"+hash.String(), nil, &service); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &service, nil
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Get(hash hash.Hash) (*service.Service, error) {
 // List returns all services.
 func (s *SDK) List() ([]*service.Service, error) {
 	var services []*service.Service
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/list", nil, &services); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/list", nil, &services); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return services, nil
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func (s *SDK) List() ([]*service.Service, error) {
 // Exists returns if a service already exists.
 func (s *SDK) Exists(hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
 	var exists bool
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/exists/"+hash.String(), nil, &exists); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/exists/"+hash.String(), nil, &exists); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 	return exists, nil
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func (s *SDK) Exists(hash hash.Hash) (bool, error) {
 // Hash returns the calculate hash of a service.
 func (s *SDK) Hash(req *api.CreateServiceRequest) (hash.Hash, error) {
 	var h hash.Hash
-	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+backendName+"/hash", req, &h); err != nil {
+	if err := s.client.Query("custom/"+moduleName+"/hash", req, &h); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return h, nil