diff --git a/examples/cpp20_chat_room.cpp b/examples/cpp20_chat_room.cpp
index 489e5952..24c4a025 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_chat_room.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_chat_room.cpp
@@ -19,11 +19,12 @@
 
 namespace net = boost::asio;
 using stream_descriptor = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::posix::stream_descriptor>;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
 using signal_set = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::signal_set>;
 using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::generic_response;
 using boost::redis::config;
+using boost::redis::connection;
+using boost::redis::ignore;
 using net::redirect_error;
 using net::use_awaitable;
 using boost::system::error_code;
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ receiver(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
    while (conn->will_reconnect()) {
 
       // Subscribe to channels.
-      co_await conn->async_exec(req);
+      co_await conn->async_exec(req, ignore, net::deferred);
 
       // Loop reading Redis push messages.
       for (generic_response resp;;) {
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ auto publisher(std::shared_ptr<stream_descriptor> in, std::shared_ptr<connection
       auto n = co_await net::async_read_until(*in, net::dynamic_buffer(msg, 1024), "\n");
       request req;
       req.push("PUBLISH", "channel", msg);
-      co_await conn->async_exec(req);
+      co_await conn->async_exec(req, ignore, net::deferred);
       msg.erase(0, n);
    }
 }
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_containers.cpp b/examples/cpp20_containers.cpp
index ec2ee53b..dfedd82e 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_containers.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_containers.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::ignore_t;
 using boost::redis::ignore;
 using boost::redis::config;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 void print(std::map<std::string, std::string> const& cont)
 {
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ auto store(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
    req.push_range("RPUSH", "rpush-key", vec);
    req.push_range("HSET", "hset-key", map);
 
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, ignore, net::deferred);
 }
 
 auto hgetall(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ auto hgetall(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
    response<std::map<std::string, std::string>> resp;
 
    // Executes the request and reads the response.
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
 
    print(std::get<0>(resp).value());
 }
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ auto transaction(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
       response<std::optional<std::vector<int>>, std::optional<std::map<std::string, std::string>>> // exec
    > resp;
 
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
 
    print(std::get<0>(std::get<3>(resp).value()).value().value());
    print(std::get<1>(std::get<3>(resp).value()).value().value());
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_echo_server.cpp b/examples/cpp20_echo_server.cpp
index 6d2691fb..9b637240 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_echo_server.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_echo_server.cpp
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ namespace net = boost::asio;
 using tcp_socket = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::ip::tcp::socket>;
 using tcp_acceptor = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::ip::tcp::acceptor>;
 using signal_set = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::signal_set>;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
 using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::config;
 using boost::system::error_code;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 
 auto echo_server_session(tcp_socket socket, std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ auto echo_server_session(tcp_socket socket, std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) ->
    for (std::string buffer;;) {
       auto n = co_await net::async_read_until(socket, net::dynamic_buffer(buffer, 1024), "\n");
       req.push("PING", buffer);
-      co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+      co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
       co_await net::async_write(socket, net::buffer(std::get<0>(resp).value()));
       std::get<0>(resp).value().clear();
       req.clear();
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_intro.cpp b/examples/cpp20_intro.cpp
index 3526950d..195122cf 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_intro.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_intro.cpp
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ namespace net = boost::asio;
 using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::config;
-using boost::redis::logger;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 // Called from the main function (see main.cpp)
 auto co_main(config cfg) -> net::awaitable<void>
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ auto co_main(config cfg) -> net::awaitable<void>
    response<std::string> resp;
 
    // Executes the request.
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
    conn->cancel();
 
    std::cout << "PING: " << std::get<0>(resp).value() << std::endl;
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_intro_tls.cpp b/examples/cpp20_intro_tls.cpp
index 23b491e1..b911af27 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_intro_tls.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_intro_tls.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::config;
 using boost::redis::logger;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 auto verify_certificate(bool, net::ssl::verify_context&) -> bool
 {
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ auto co_main(config cfg) -> net::awaitable<void>
    conn->next_layer().set_verify_mode(net::ssl::verify_peer);
    conn->next_layer().set_verify_callback(verify_certificate);
 
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
    conn->cancel();
 
    std::cout << "Response: " << std::get<0>(resp).value() << std::endl;
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_json.cpp b/examples/cpp20_json.cpp
index 063614b1..d0c6423c 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_json.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_json.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::ignore_t;
 using boost::redis::config;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 // Struct that will be stored in Redis using json serialization. 
 struct user {
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ auto co_main(config cfg) -> net::awaitable<void>
 
    response<ignore_t, user> resp;
 
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
    conn->cancel();
 
    // Prints the first ping
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_protobuf.cpp b/examples/cpp20_protobuf.cpp
index 32e92396..75eb8fd2 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_protobuf.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_protobuf.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::operation;
 using boost::redis::ignore_t;
 using boost::redis::config;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 // The protobuf type described in examples/person.proto
 using tutorial::person;
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ net::awaitable<void> co_main(config cfg)
    response<ignore_t, person> resp;
 
    // Sends the request and receives the response.
-   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+   co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
    conn->cancel();
 
    std::cout
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_resolve_with_sentinel.cpp b/examples/cpp20_resolve_with_sentinel.cpp
index 35bcf686..8401cd1e 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_resolve_with_sentinel.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_resolve_with_sentinel.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ using boost::redis::response;
 using boost::redis::ignore_t;
 using boost::redis::config;
 using boost::redis::address;
-using connection = boost::asio::use_awaitable_t<>::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 
 auto redir(boost::system::error_code& ec)
    { return net::redirect_error(net::use_awaitable, ec); }
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_streams.cpp b/examples/cpp20_streams.cpp
index 4eca3050..f0939756 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_streams.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_streams.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ using boost::redis::config;
 using boost::redis::generic_response;
 using boost::redis::operation;
 using boost::redis::request;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 using signal_set = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::signal_set>;
 
 auto stream_reader(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ auto stream_reader(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
 
     for (;;) {
         req.push("XREAD", "BLOCK", "0", "STREAMS", "test-topic", stream_id);
-        co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp);
+        co_await conn->async_exec(req, resp, net::deferred);
 
         // std::cout << "Response: ";
         // for (int i = 0; i < resp->value().size(); ++i) {
diff --git a/examples/cpp20_subscriber.cpp b/examples/cpp20_subscriber.cpp
index 1753095f..f7c1a4b3 100644
--- a/examples/cpp20_subscriber.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp20_subscriber.cpp
@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ using boost::redis::request;
 using boost::redis::generic_response;
 using boost::redis::logger;
 using boost::redis::config;
+using boost::redis::ignore;
 using boost::system::error_code;
-using connection = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 using signal_set = net::deferred_t::as_default_on_t<net::signal_set>;
 
 /* This example will subscribe and read pushes indefinitely.
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ receiver(std::shared_ptr<connection> conn) -> net::awaitable<void>
    while (conn->will_reconnect()) {
 
       // Reconnect to channels.
-      co_await conn->async_exec(req);
+      co_await conn->async_exec(req, ignore, net::deferred);
 
       // Loop reading Redis pushs messages.
       for (generic_response resp;;) {
diff --git a/include/boost/redis/connection.hpp b/include/boost/redis/connection.hpp
index 4ea560de..db226761 100644
--- a/include/boost/redis/connection.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/redis/connection.hpp
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 #include <boost/asio/coroutine.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/steady_timer.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/any_io_executor.hpp>
+#include <boost/asio/any_completion_handler.hpp>
 
 #include <chrono>
 #include <memory>
-#include <iostream>
 
 namespace boost::redis {
 namespace detail
@@ -187,7 +187,65 @@ private:
 /** \brief A connection that uses the asio::any_io_executor.
  *  \ingroup high-level-api
  */
-using connection = basic_connection<asio::any_io_executor>;
+class connection {
+public:
+   /// Executor type.
+   using executor_type = asio::any_io_executor;
+
+   /// Contructs from an executor.
+   explicit connection(executor_type ex, asio::ssl::context::method method = asio::ssl::context::tls_client);
+
+   /// Contructs from a context.
+   explicit connection(asio::io_context& ioc, asio::ssl::context::method method = asio::ssl::context::tls_client);
+
+   executor_type get_executor() noexcept { return impl_.get_executor(); }
+
+   template <class CompletionToken>
+   auto async_run(config const& cfg, logger l, CompletionToken token)
+   {
+      return asio::async_initiate<
+         CompletionToken, void(boost::system::error_code)>(
+            [](auto handler, connection* self, config const* cfg, logger l)
+            {
+               self->async_run_impl(*cfg, l, std::move(handler));
+            }, token, this, &cfg, l);
+   }
+
+   template <class Response, class CompletionToken>
+   auto async_receive(Response& response, CompletionToken token)
+   {
+      return impl_.async_receive(response, std::move(token));
+   }
+
+   template <class Response, class CompletionToken>
+   auto async_exec(request const& req, Response& resp, CompletionToken token)
+   {
+      return impl_.async_exec(req, resp, std::move(token));
+   }
+
+   void cancel(operation op = operation::all);
+
+   /// Returns true if the connection was canceled.
+   bool will_reconnect() const noexcept
+      { return impl_.will_reconnect();}
+
+   /// Returns a reference to the next layer.
+   auto& next_layer() noexcept { return impl_.next_layer(); }
+
+   /// Returns a const reference to the next layer.
+   auto const& next_layer() const noexcept { return impl_.next_layer(); }
+
+   void reset_stream() { impl_.reset_stream();}
+
+private:
+   void
+   async_run_impl(
+      config const& cfg,
+      logger l,
+      asio::any_completion_handler<void(boost::system::error_code)> token);
+
+   basic_connection<executor_type> impl_;
+};
 
 } // boost::redis
 
diff --git a/include/boost/redis/impl/connection.ipp b/include/boost/redis/impl/connection.ipp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..977031a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/boost/redis/impl/connection.ipp
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/* Copyright (c) 2018-2022 Marcelo Zimbres Silva (mzimbres@gmail.com)
+ *
+ * Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See
+ * accompanying file LICENSE.txt)
+ */
+
+#include <boost/redis/connection.hpp>
+
+namespace boost::redis {
+
+connection::connection(executor_type ex, asio::ssl::context::method method)
+: impl_{ex, method}
+{ }
+
+connection::connection(asio::io_context& ioc, asio::ssl::context::method method)
+: impl_(ioc.get_executor(), method)
+{ }
+
+void
+connection::async_run_impl(
+   config const& cfg,
+   logger l,
+   asio::any_completion_handler<void(boost::system::error_code)> token)
+{
+   impl_.async_run(cfg, l, std::move(token));
+}
+
+void connection::cancel(operation op)
+{
+   impl_.cancel(op);
+}
+
+} // namespace boost::redis
diff --git a/include/boost/redis/src.hpp b/include/boost/redis/src.hpp
index ef978afc..3a06c3e0 100644
--- a/include/boost/redis/src.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/redis/src.hpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <boost/redis/impl/logger.ipp>
 #include <boost/redis/impl/request.ipp>
 #include <boost/redis/impl/ignore.ipp>
+#include <boost/redis/impl/connection.ipp>
 #include <boost/redis/resp3/impl/type.ipp>
 #include <boost/redis/resp3/impl/parser.ipp>
 #include <boost/redis/resp3/impl/serialization.ipp>
diff --git a/tests/test_issue_50.cpp b/tests/test_issue_50.cpp
index 9abab044..dabffd84 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue_50.cpp
+++ b/tests/test_issue_50.cpp
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ using boost::redis::ignore;
 using boost::redis::logger;
 using boost::redis::config;
 using boost::redis::operation;
+using boost::redis::connection;
 using boost::system::error_code;
 using boost::asio::use_awaitable;
 using boost::asio::redirect_error;
-using connection = boost::asio::use_awaitable_t<>::as_default_on_t<boost::redis::connection>;
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 
 // Push consumer