diff --git a/casepro/pods/base.py b/casepro/pods/base.py
index 548259ed0..8718c0997 100644
--- a/casepro/pods/base.py
+++ b/casepro/pods/base.py
@@ -32,12 +32,59 @@ def config_json(self):
         return json.dumps(self.config._config_data)
 
     def read_data(self, params):
-        """Should return the data that should be used to create the display for the pod."""
+        """
+        Should return the data that should be used to create the display for the pod.
+
+        For the base implementation, the data should be an object with 'items' and 'actions' keys.
+
+        The items key should be a list of objects, that have 'name' and 'value' keys, with the value of the keys being
+        what will be displayed.
+
+        The 'actions' key should be a list of objects, that have 'type', 'name' and 'payload' keys, where type and
+        payload is what is sent to the 'perform_action' function to determine which button has been pressed, and 'name'
+        is the text that is displayed on the button.
+
+        Each action may include the following optional fields:
+            - ``busy_text``: used as the action's corresponding
+            button's text while waiting on a response from the pod's api side
+            when the action is triggered. Defaults to the value of the ``name``
+            field.
+            - ``confirm``: whether a confirmation modal should be shown to
+            confirm whether the user would like to perform the action. Defaults
+            to ``false``.
+
+        Example:
+        {
+            'items': [
+                {
+                    'name': 'EDD',
+                    'value': '2015-07-18',
+                },
+            ],
+            'actions': [
+                {
+                    'type': 'remove_edd',
+                    'name': 'Remove EDD',
+                    'payload': {},
+                    'busy_text': 'Removing EDD',
+                    'confirm': True
+                },
+            ],
+        }
+        """
         return {}
 
-    def perform_action(self, params):
-        """Should perform the action specified by params."""
-        return {}
+    def perform_action(self, type_, params):
+        """
+        Should perform the action specified by the type and params (which are specified in the read function).
+
+        Returns a tuple (success, payload), where 'success' is a boolean value indicating whether the action was
+        successful or not. If true, a case action note will be created.
+
+        For the base implementation, payload is an object with a 'message' key, which is the error message if success
+        is false, or the message to place in the case action note if success is true.
+        """
+        return (False, {'message': ''})
 
 
 class PodPlugin(AppConfig):
diff --git a/casepro/pods/tests/test_views.py b/casepro/pods/tests/test_views.py
index 51827926c..4eb4290f8 100644
--- a/casepro/pods/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/casepro/pods/tests/test_views.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from django.test import modify_settings
 
+from casepro.cases.models import CaseAction
 from casepro.test import BaseCasesTest
 
 
@@ -13,6 +14,17 @@ class ViewPodDataView(BaseCasesTest):
     """
     Tests relating to the view_pod_data view.
     """
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(ViewPodDataView, self).setUp()
+        contact = self.create_contact(self.unicef, 'contact-uuid', 'contact_name')
+        msg = self.create_message(self.unicef, 0, contact, 'Test message')
+        self.case = self.create_case(self.unicef, contact, self.moh, msg)
+        self.login(self.admin)
+
+        with self.settings(PODS=[{'label': 'base_pod'}]):
+            from casepro.pods import registry
+            reload(registry)
+
     def test_invalid_method(self):
         """
         If the request method is not GET, an appropriate error should be
@@ -30,11 +42,9 @@ def test_pod_doesnt_exist(self):
         If the requested pod id is invalid, an appropriate 404 error should be
         returned.
         """
-        with self.settings(PODS=[]):
-            from casepro.pods import registry
-            reload(registry)
         response = self.url_get(
-            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)))
+            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('1',)), params={'case_id': self.case.id})
+
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
         self.assertEqual(response.json, {
             'reason': 'Pod does not exist'}
@@ -44,14 +54,53 @@ def test_pod_valid_request(self):
         """
         If it is a valid get request, the data from the pod should be returned.
         """
-        with self.settings(PODS=[{'label': 'base_pod'}]):
-            from casepro.pods import registry
-            reload(registry)
         response = self.url_get(
-            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)))
+            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)), params={'case_id': self.case.id})
+
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(response.json, {})
 
+    def test_case_id_required(self):
+        '''
+        If the case id is not present in the request, an error response should be returned.
+        '''
+        response = self.url_get(
+            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)))
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': 'Request needs "case_id" query parameter'
+        })
+
+    def test_case_not_found(self):
+        '''
+        If the case is not found, an error response should be returned.
+        '''
+        response = self.url_get(
+            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)),
+            params={'case_id': 23})
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': 'Case with id 23 not found'
+        })
+
+    def test_unauthorized(self):
+        '''
+        If the user does not have read permission, the request should be denied.
+        '''
+        self.login(self.user4)
+
+        response = self.url_get(
+            'unicef', reverse('read_pod_data', args=('0',)),
+            params={'case_id': self.case.id})
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 403)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': (
+                "The request's authentication details do not corresond "
+                "to the required access level for accessing this resource")
+        })
+
 
 @modify_settings(INSTALLED_APPS={
     'append': 'casepro.pods.PodPlugin',
@@ -60,6 +109,19 @@ class PerformPodActionView(BaseCasesTest):
     """
     Tests relating to the perform_pod_action view.
     """
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(PerformPodActionView, self).setUp()
+        contact = self.create_contact(self.unicef, 'contact-uuid', 'contact_name')
+        msg = self.create_message(self.unicef, 0, contact, 'Test message')
+        self.case = self.create_case(self.unicef, contact, self.moh, msg)
+        self.login(self.admin)
+
+        CaseAction.objects.all().delete()
+
+        with self.settings(PODS=[{'label': 'base_pod'}]):
+            from casepro.pods import registry
+            reload(registry)
+
     def test_invalid_method(self):
         """
         If the request method is not POST, an appropriate error should be
@@ -77,11 +139,8 @@ def test_pod_doesnt_exist(self):
         If the requested pod id is invalid, an appropriate 404 error should be
         returned.
         """
-        with self.settings(PODS=[]):
-            from casepro.pods import registry
-            reload(registry)
         response = self.url_post_json(
-            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {})
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('23',)), {'case_id': self.case.id})
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
         self.assertEqual(response.json, {
             'reason': 'Pod does not exist'}
@@ -100,14 +159,103 @@ def test_invalid_json(self):
             'details': 'No JSON object could be decoded'
         })
 
+    def test_case_id_required(self):
+        '''
+        If the case id is not present in the request, an error response should be returned.
+        '''
+        response = self.url_post_json(
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {})
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': 'Request object needs to have a "case_id" field'
+        })
+
     def test_pod_valid_request(self):
         """
         If it is a valid post request, the action should be performed.
         """
-        with self.settings(PODS=[{'label': 'base_pod'}]):
+        response = self.url_post_json(
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {'case_id': self.case.id})
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'success': False,
+            'payload': {
+                'message': '',
+                }
+            })
+
+    @modify_settings(INSTALLED_APPS={
+        'append': 'casepro.pods.tests.utils.SuccessActionPlugin',
+    })
+    def test_case_action_note_created_on_successful_action(self):
+        '''
+        If the action is successful, a case action note should be created.
+        '''
+        with self.settings(PODS=[{'label': 'success_pod'}]):
             from casepro.pods import registry
             reload(registry)
+
         response = self.url_post_json(
-            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {})
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {
+                'case_id': self.case.id,
+                'action': {
+                    'type': 'foo',
+                    'payload': {'foo': 'bar'},
+                },
+            })
+
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        self.assertEqual(response.json, {})
+
+        message = "Type foo Params {u'foo': u'bar'}"
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'success': True,
+            'payload': {
+                'message': message
+            }
+        })
+
+        [caseaction] = CaseAction.objects.all()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            caseaction.note,
+            "%s %s" % (self.admin.username, message))
+
+    def test_case_not_found(self):
+        '''
+        If the case is not found, an error response should be returned.
+        '''
+
+        response = self.url_post_json(
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {
+                'case_id': 23,
+                'action': {
+                    'type': 'foo',
+                    'payload': {'foo': 'bar'},
+                },
+            })
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': 'Case with id 23 not found'
+        })
+
+    def test_unauthorized(self):
+        '''
+        If the user does not have update permission, the request should be denied.
+        '''
+        self.login(self.user4)
+
+        response = self.url_post_json(
+            'unicef', reverse('perform_pod_action', args=('0',)), {
+                'case_id': self.case.id,
+                'action': {
+                    'type': 'foo',
+                    'payload': {'foo': 'bar'},
+                },
+            })
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 403)
+        self.assertEqual(response.json, {
+            'reason': (
+                "The request's authentication details do not corresond "
+                "to the required access level for accessing this resource")
+        })
diff --git a/casepro/pods/tests/utils.py b/casepro/pods/tests/utils.py
index a2faefaa0..faac5e783 100644
--- a/casepro/pods/tests/utils.py
+++ b/casepro/pods/tests/utils.py
@@ -16,3 +16,16 @@ class DummyPodPlugin(PodPlugin):
     directive = 'dummy-pod'
     scripts = ('dummy-script.js',)
     styles = ('dummy-style.css',)
+
+
+class SuccessActionPod(Pod):
+    def perform_action(self, type_, params):
+        '''
+        Returns a successful action result with a message containing the type and params.
+        '''
+        return (True, {'message': 'Type %s Params %r' % (type_, params)})
+
+
+class SuccessActionPlugin(DummyPodPlugin):
+    pod_class = SuccessActionPod
+    label = 'success_pod'
diff --git a/casepro/pods/views.py b/casepro/pods/views.py
index aa16dab86..a4902595d 100644
--- a/casepro/pods/views.py
+++ b/casepro/pods/views.py
@@ -3,14 +3,30 @@
 import json
 from django.http import JsonResponse
 
+from casepro.cases.models import Case, CaseAction, AccessLevel
 from casepro.pods import registry
 
+ACTION_NOTE_CONTENT = "%(username)s %(message)s"
+
 
 def read_pod_data(request, index):
     """Delegates to the `read_data` function of the correct pod."""
     if request.method != 'GET':
         return JsonResponse({'reason': 'Method not allowed'}, status=405)
 
+    case_id = request.GET.get('case_id')
+    if case_id is None:
+        return JsonResponse(status=400, data={
+            'reason': 'Request needs "case_id" query parameter'
+        })
+
+    case = get_case(case_id)
+    if case is None:
+        return case_not_found_response(case_id)
+
+    if not has_case_access(request.user, case, AccessLevel.read):
+        return authorization_failure_response()
+
     try:
         pod = registry.pods[int(index)]
     except IndexError:
@@ -20,7 +36,10 @@ def read_pod_data(request, index):
 
 
 def perform_pod_action(request, index):
-    """Deletegates to the `perform_action` function of the correct pod."""
+    """
+    Delegates to the `perform_action` function of the correct pod. If the action completes successfully, a new case
+    action note is created with the success message.
+    """
     if request.method != 'POST':
         return JsonResponse({'reason': 'Method not allowed'}, status=405)
 
@@ -34,4 +53,47 @@ def perform_pod_action(request, index):
     except ValueError as e:
         return JsonResponse({'reason': 'JSON decode error', 'details': e.message}, status=400)
 
-    return JsonResponse(pod.perform_action(data))
+    case_id = data.get('case_id')
+    if case_id is None:
+        return JsonResponse(
+            {'reason': 'Request object needs to have a "case_id" field'}, status=400)
+
+    case = get_case(case_id)
+    if case is None:
+        return case_not_found_response(case_id)
+
+    if not has_case_access(request.user, case, AccessLevel.update):
+        return authorization_failure_response()
+
+    action_data = data.get('action', {})
+    success, payload = pod.perform_action(action_data.get('type'), action_data.get('payload', {}))
+    if success is True:
+        note = ACTION_NOTE_CONTENT % {
+            'username': request.user.username,
+            'message': payload.get('message'),
+        }
+        CaseAction.create(case, request.user, CaseAction.ADD_NOTE, note=note)
+
+    return JsonResponse({'success': success, 'payload': payload})
+
+
+def has_case_access(user, case, level):
+    return case.access_level(user) >= level
+
+
+def get_case(case_id):
+    return Case.objects.filter(id=case_id).first()
+
+
+def case_not_found_response(id):
+    return JsonResponse(status=404, data={
+        'reason': "Case with id %s not found" % id
+    })
+
+
+def authorization_failure_response():
+    return JsonResponse(status=403, data={
+        'reason': (
+            "The request's authentication details do not corresond "
+            "to the required access level for accessing this resource")
+    })
diff --git a/karma.conf.coffee b/karma.conf.coffee
index f375ce0ec..fe5763ec9 100644
--- a/karma.conf.coffee
+++ b/karma.conf.coffee
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ module.exports = (config) ->
 
       # templates
       'static/templates/**/*.html',
+      'karma/templates/**/*.html',
 
       # the code we are testing
       'static/coffee/*.coffee',
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ module.exports = (config) ->
       '**/*.coffee': ['coffee'],
       'static/**/*.coffee': ['coverage']
       'static/templates/**/*.html': ['ng-html2js']
+      'karma/templates/**/*.html': ['ng-html2js']
     }
 
     # this makes sure that we get coffeescript line numbers instead
@@ -59,8 +61,8 @@ module.exports = (config) ->
         path.replace /\.js$/, '.coffee'
 
     ngHtml2JsPreprocessor:
-      stripPrefix: 'static'
-      prependPrefix: '/sitestatic'
+      stripPrefix: 'static/'
+      prependPrefix: '/sitestatic/'
       moduleName: 'templates'
 
     # test results reporter to use
diff --git a/karma/templates/alerts/dummy-alert.html b/karma/templates/alerts/dummy-alert.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..047843b9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/karma/templates/alerts/dummy-alert.html
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+<cp-alert type="danger" close>
+  [[ alert.context.message ]]
+</cp-alert>
diff --git a/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html b/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..384cb1abb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<div class="modal-header">
+  <h3 class="modal-title">[[ context.title ]]</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div class="modal-body">
+   Are you sure you want to do this?
+</div>
+
+<div class="modal-footer">
+  <button class="btn btn-primary btn-modal-accept" ng-click="ok()">Yes</button>
+  <button class="btn btn-default btn-modal-cancel" ng-click="cancel()">Cancel</button>
+</div>
diff --git a/karma/test-controllers.coffee b/karma/test-controllers.coffee
index 3b570604a..520162b94 100644
--- a/karma/test-controllers.coffee
+++ b/karma/test-controllers.coffee
@@ -93,6 +93,14 @@ describe('controllers:', () ->
       expect($scope.contact).toEqual(test.ann)
     )
 
+    it('should should proxy timelineChanged events from child scopes', (done) ->
+      child = $scope.$new(false)
+      sibling = $scope.$new(false)
+
+      sibling.$on('timelineChanged', -> done())
+      child.$emit('timelineChanged')
+    )
+
     it('addNote', () ->
       noteModal = spyOnPromise($q, $scope, UtilsService, 'noteModal')
       addNote = spyOnPromise($q, $scope, CaseService, 'addNote')
@@ -134,6 +142,31 @@ describe('controllers:', () ->
       expect(UtilsService.confirmModal).toHaveBeenCalled()
       expect(CaseService.unwatch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(test.case1)
     )
+
+    it('should should add a alert on alert events', () ->
+      $scope.alerts = []
+      $scope.$emit('alert', {type: 'foo'})
+      expect($scope.alerts).toEqual([{type: 'foo'}])
+    )
+
+    it('should should ignore duplicate pod_load_api_failure alerts', () ->
+      $scope.alerts = []
+
+      $scope.$emit('alert', {type: 'pod_load_api_failure'})
+      expect($scope.alerts).toEqual([{type: 'pod_load_api_failure'}])
+
+      $scope.$emit('alert', {type: 'pod_load_api_failure'})
+      $scope.$emit('alert', {type: 'pod_load_api_failure'})
+      expect($scope.alerts).toEqual([{type: 'pod_load_api_failure'}])
+    )
+
+    describe('addAlert', () ->
+      it('should add the given alert', () ->
+        $scope.alerts = []
+        $scope.addAlert({type: 'foo'})
+        expect($scope.alerts).toEqual([{type: 'foo'}])
+      )
+    )
   )
 
   #=======================================================================
@@ -729,23 +762,62 @@ describe('controllers:', () ->
 
   describe('PodController', () ->
     $scope = null
+    PodUIService = null
+    PodApiService = null
+    class PodApiServiceError
+
+    bindController = (deps) ->
+      $controller('PodController', angular.extend({}, deps, {
+        $scope,
+        PodApiService,
+        PodUIService
+      }))
 
     beforeEach(() ->
       $scope = $rootScope.$new()
-    )
 
-    describe('init', () ->
-      it('should attach pod data to the scope', () ->
-        PodApiService = new class PodApiService
-          get: ->
+      $scope.podId = 21
+      $scope.caseId = 23
+      $scope.podConfig = {title: 'Foo'}
+
+      $scope.podData = {
+        items: [],
+        actions: []
+      }
 
-        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.resolve({foo: 'bar'}))
+      PodUIService = new class PodUIService
+        confirmAction: -> $q.resolve()
+        alertActionFailure: () -> null
+        alertActionApiFailure: () -> null
+        alertLoadApiFailure: () -> null
 
-        $controller('PodController', {
-          $scope
-          PodApiService
+      PodApiService = new class PodApiService
+        PodApiServiceError: PodApiServiceError,
+
+        get: -> $q.resolve({
+          items: [],
+          actions: []
         })
 
+        trigger: -> $q.resolve({success: true})
+    )
+
+    describe('init', () ->
+      it('should fetch and attach pod data to the scope', () ->
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }]
+          actions: [{
+            type: 'baz',
+            name: 'Baz',
+            payload: {}
+          }]
+        }))
+
+        bindController()
+
         $scope.init(21, 23, {title: 'Baz'})
         $scope.$apply()
 
@@ -753,7 +825,341 @@ describe('controllers:', () ->
         expect($scope.caseId).toEqual(23)
         expect($scope.podConfig).toEqual({title: 'Baz'})
         expect(PodApiService.get).toHaveBeenCalledWith(21, 23)
-        expect($scope.podData).toEqual({foo: 'bar'}))
+
+        expect($scope.podData).toEqual({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }],
+          actions: [
+            jasmine.objectContaining({
+              type: 'baz'
+              name: 'Baz',
+              payload: {}
+            })
+          ]
+        })
+      )
+
+      it("should set the pod status to loading while it is loading", () ->
+        d = $q.defer()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue(d.promise.then(-> $q.resolve({
+          items: []
+          actions: []
+        })))
+
+        bindController()
+
+        $scope.init(21, 23, {title: 'Baz'})
+        expect($scope.status).toEqual('loading')
+
+        d.resolve()
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect($scope.status).toEqual('idle')
+      )
+
+      it("should set the pod status to loading_failed if loading fails", () ->
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.reject(new PodApiServiceError(null)))
+
+        bindController()
+
+        $scope.init(21, 23, {title: 'Baz'})
+        $scope.$apply()
+        expect($scope.status).toEqual('loading_failed')
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('update', () ->
+      it('should fetch and update pod data', () ->
+        $scope.podId = 21
+        $scope.caseId = 23
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }]
+          actions: [{
+            type: 'baz',
+            name: 'Baz',
+            payload: {}
+          }]
+        }))
+
+        bindController()
+
+        $scope.update()
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect(PodApiService.get).toHaveBeenCalledWith(21, 23)
+
+        expect($scope.podData).toEqual({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }],
+          actions: [
+            jasmine.objectContaining({
+              type: 'baz'
+              name: 'Baz',
+              payload: {}
+            })
+          ]
+        })
+      )
+
+      it("should default an action's busy text to the action's name", () ->
+        $scope.podId = 21
+        $scope.caseId = 23
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }]
+          actions: [{
+            type: 'baz',
+            name: 'Baz',
+            busy_text: 'Bazzing',
+            payload: {}
+          }, {
+            type: 'quux',
+            name: 'Quux',
+            payload: {}
+          }]
+        }))
+
+        bindController()
+
+        $scope.update()
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect(PodApiService.get).toHaveBeenCalledWith(21, 23)
+
+        expect($scope.podData.actions).toEqual([
+          jasmine.objectContaining({
+            type: 'baz'
+            busyText: 'Bazzing'
+          }),
+          jasmine.objectContaining({
+            type: 'quux',
+            busyText: 'Quux'
+          })
+        ])
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('trigger', () ->
+      it('should trigger the given action', () ->
+        $scope.podId = 21
+        $scope.caseId = 23
+
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          success: true
+        }))
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect(PodApiService.trigger)
+          .toHaveBeenCalledWith(21, 23, 'grault', {garply: 'waldo'})
+      )
+
+      it('should mark the action as busy', () ->
+        $scope.podData.actions = [{
+          type: 'grault'
+          isBusy: false,
+          payload: {}
+        }, {
+          type: 'fred',
+          isBusy: false,
+          payload: {}
+        }]
+
+        bindController()
+
+        # defer getting new data indefinitely to prevent isBusy being set to
+        # false when we retrieve new data
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.defer().promise)
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger').and.returnValue($q.resolve({success: true}))
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect($scope.podData.actions[0].isBusy).toBe(true)
+      )
+
+      it('should mark the action as not busy after api failure', () ->
+        $scope.podData.actions = [{
+          type: 'grault'
+          isBusy: false,
+          payload: {}
+        }, {
+          type: 'fred',
+          isBusy: false,
+          payload: {}
+        }]
+
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get')
+          .and.returnValue($q.reject(new PodApiServiceError(null)))
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect($scope.podData.actions[0].isBusy).toBe(false)
+      )
+
+      it('should emit an alert event if unsuccessful', (done) ->
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          success: false,
+          payload: {message: 'Foo'}
+        }))
+
+        spyOn(PodUIService, 'alertActionFailure').and.returnValue('fakeResult')
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$on('alert', (e, res) ->
+          expect(res).toEqual('fakeResult')
+
+          expect(PodUIService.alertActionFailure.calls.allArgs())
+            .toEqual([['Foo']])
+
+          done())
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+      )
+
+      it('should emit a timelineChanged event if successful', (done) ->
+        bindController()
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger').and.returnValue($q.resolve({success: true}))
+
+        $scope.trigger('grault', {garply: 'waldo'})
+
+        $scope.$on('timelineChanged', -> done())
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+      )
+
+      it('should emit an alert if trigger api method fails', (done) ->
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger')
+          .and.returnValue($q.reject(new PodApiServiceError(null)))
+
+        spyOn(PodUIService, 'alertActionApiFailure')
+          .and.returnValue('fakeResult')
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$on('alert', (e, res) ->
+          expect(res).toEqual('fakeResult')
+          done())
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+      )
+
+      it('should emit an alert if get api method fails', (done) ->
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get')
+          .and.returnValue($q.reject(new PodApiServiceError(null)))
+
+        spyOn(PodUIService, 'alertActionApiFailure')
+          .and.returnValue('fakeResult')
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$on('alert', (e, res) ->
+          expect(res).toEqual('fakeResult')
+          done())
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+      )
+
+      it('should fetch and attach data to the scope if successful', () ->
+        bindController()
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'get').and.returnValue($q.resolve({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }]
+          actions: [{
+            type: 'baz',
+            name: 'Baz',
+            payload: {}
+          }]
+        }))
+
+        spyOn(PodApiService, 'trigger').and.returnValue($q.resolve({success: true}))
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+
+        expect($scope.podData).toEqual({
+          items: [{
+            name: 'Foo',
+            value: 'Bar'
+          }],
+          actions: [
+            jasmine.objectContaining({
+              type: 'baz'
+              name: 'Baz',
+              payload: {}
+            })
+          ]
+        })
+      )
+
+      it('should show a confirmation model if the action requires it', () ->
+        bindController()
+        spyOn(PodUIService, 'confirmAction')
+
+        $scope.trigger({
+          type: 'grault',
+          name: 'Grault',
+          confirm: true,
+          payload: {garply: 'waldo'}
+        })
+
+        $scope.$apply()
+        expect(PodUIService.confirmAction.calls.allArgs()).toEqual([['Grault']])
+      )
     )
   )
 )
diff --git a/karma/test-directives.coffee b/karma/test-directives.coffee
index 49d3ceeeb..402943f19 100644
--- a/karma/test-directives.coffee
+++ b/karma/test-directives.coffee
@@ -113,7 +113,14 @@ describe('directives:', () ->
       $compile = _$compile_
 
       $rootScope.podConfig = {title: 'Foo'}
-      $rootScope.podData = {items: []}
+
+      $rootScope.podData = {
+        items: [],
+        actions: []
+      }
+
+      $rootScope.status = 'idle'
+      $rootScope.trigger = ->
     ))
 
     it('should draw the pod items', () ->
@@ -154,5 +161,176 @@ describe('directives:', () ->
       expect(item2.querySelector('.pod-item-value').textContent)
         .toContain('Corge')
     )
+
+    it('should draw the pod actions', ->
+      $rootScope.podData.actions = [{
+        type: 'foo',
+        name: 'Foo',
+        busyText: 'Foo',
+        isBusy: false,
+        payload: {bar: 'baz'}
+      }, {
+        type: 'quux',
+        name: 'Quux',
+        busyText: 'Quux',
+        isBusy: false,
+        payload: {corge: 'grault'}
+      }]
+
+      el = $compile('<cp-pod/>')($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      action1 = el.querySelectorAll('.pod-action')[0]
+      action2 = el.querySelectorAll('.pod-action')[1]
+
+      expect(action1.textContent).toContain('Foo')
+      expect(action2.textContent).toContain('Quux')
+    )
+
+    it('should draw busy pod actions', ->
+      $rootScope.podData.actions = [{
+        type: 'baz',
+        name: 'Baz',
+        isBusy: true,
+        busyText: 'Bazzing',
+        payload: {}
+      }]
+
+      el = $compile('<cp-pod/>')($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      action1 = el.querySelectorAll('.pod-action')[0]
+      expect(action1.textContent).toContain('Bazzing')
+      expect(action1.classList.contains('disabled')).toBe(true)
+    )
+
+    it('should call trigger() when an action button is clicked', ->
+      $rootScope.podData.actions = [datum1, datum2] = [{
+        type: 'foo',
+        name: 'Foo',
+        busyText: 'Foo',
+        isBusy: false,
+        payload: {a: 'b'}
+      }, {
+        type: 'bar',
+        name: 'Bar',
+        busyText: 'Bar',
+        isBusy: false,
+        payload: {c: 'd'}
+      }]
+
+      $rootScope.trigger = jasmine.createSpy('trigger')
+
+      el = $compile('<cp-pod/>')($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      action1 = el.querySelectorAll('.pod-action')[0]
+      action2 = el.querySelectorAll('.pod-action')[1]
+
+      expect($rootScope.trigger).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(datum1)
+
+      angular.element(action1).triggerHandler('click')
+
+      expect($rootScope.trigger).toHaveBeenCalledWith(datum1)
+      expect($rootScope.trigger).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(datum2)
+
+      angular.element(action2).triggerHandler('click')
+
+      expect($rootScope.trigger).toHaveBeenCalledWith(datum2)
+    )
+
+    it('should draw whether it is loading', () ->
+      $rootScope.status = 'loading'
+
+      el = $compile('<cp-pod/>')($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      expect(el.textContent).toMatch('Loading')
+    )
+
+    it('should draw whether loading has failed', () ->
+      $rootScope.status = 'loading_failed'
+
+      el = $compile('<cp-pod/>')($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      expect(el.textContent).toMatch('Could not load')
+    )
+  )
+
+  #=======================================================================
+  # Tests for cpAlert
+  #=======================================================================
+  describe('cpAlert', () ->
+    beforeEach(() ->
+      $rootScope.alerts = []
+    )
+
+    it('should draw the alert', () ->
+      template = $compile('<cp-alert type="danger">Foo</cp-alert>')
+      el = template($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      alert = el.querySelector('.alert')
+      expect(alert.classList.contains('alert-danger')).toBe(true)
+      expect(alert.textContent).toMatch('Foo')
+    )
+  )
+
+  #=======================================================================
+  # Tests for cpAlerts
+  #=======================================================================
+  describe('cpAlerts', () ->
+    beforeEach(() ->
+      $rootScope.alerts = []
+    )
+
+    it('should draw alerts with no template urls', () ->
+      $rootScope.alerts = [{
+        type: 'danger',
+        message: 'Foo'
+      }, {
+        type: 'danger',
+        message: 'Bar'
+      }]
+
+      template = $compile('
+        <cp-alerts alerts="alerts">
+        </cp-alerts>
+      ')
+
+      el = template($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      [alert1, alert2] = el.querySelectorAll('.alert')
+
+      expect(alert1.classList.contains('alert-danger')).toBe(true)
+      expect(alert1.textContent).toMatch('Foo')
+
+      expect(alert2.classList.contains('alert-danger')).toBe(true)
+      expect(alert2.textContent).toMatch('Bar')
+    )
+
+    it('should draw alert with template urls', () ->
+      $rootScope.alerts = [{
+        templateUrl: '/sitestatic/karma/templates/alerts/dummy-alert.html'
+        context: {message: 'Foo'}
+      }, {
+        templateUrl: '/sitestatic/karma/templates/alerts/dummy-alert.html'
+        context: {message: 'Bar'}
+      }]
+
+      template = $compile('
+        <cp-alerts alerts="alerts">
+        </cp-alerts>
+      ')
+
+      el = template($rootScope)[0]
+      $rootScope.$digest()
+
+      [alert1, alert2] = el.querySelectorAll('.alert')
+      expect(alert1.textContent).toMatch('Foo')
+      expect(alert2.textContent).toMatch('Bar')
+    )
   )
 )
diff --git a/karma/test-services.coffee b/karma/test-services.coffee
index 7f113c0ab..37df606da 100644
--- a/karma/test-services.coffee
+++ b/karma/test-services.coffee
@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@
 describe('services:', () ->
   $httpBackend = null
   $window = null
+  $rootScope = null
   test = null
 
   beforeEach(() ->
+    module('templates')
     module('cases')
 
-    inject((_$httpBackend_, _$window_) ->
+    inject((_$httpBackend_, _$window_, _$rootScope_) ->
       $httpBackend = _$httpBackend_
       $window = _$window_
+      $rootScope = _$rootScope_
     )
 
     test = {
@@ -630,16 +633,294 @@ describe('services:', () ->
       PodApiService = _PodApiService_
     ))
 
-    describe('get', () ->
-      it('gets a pod', () ->
-        $httpBackend.expectGET('/pods/read/21/?case_id=23')
+    describe('method', () ->
+      it('constructs a pod api method', () ->
+        $httpBackend.expectGET('/pods/foo/21/?bar=23')
           .respond({foo: 'bar'})
 
-        PodApiService.get(21, 23)
+        method = PodApiService.method((id, bar) -> {
+          method: 'GET',
+          url: "/pods/foo/#{id}/",
+          params: {bar}
+        })
+
+        method(21, 23)
           .then((res) -> expect(res).toEqual({foo: 'bar'}))
 
         $httpBackend.flush()
       )
+
+      it('rejects response errors as PodApiServiceErrors', () ->
+        $httpBackend.expectGET('/pods/foo/')
+          .respond(500)
+
+        method = PodApiService.method(-> {
+          method: 'GET',
+          url: "/pods/foo/"
+        })
+
+        method()
+          .catch((e) -> e)
+          .then((e) -> expect(e instanceof PodApiService.PodApiServiceError).toBe(true))
+
+        $httpBackend.flush()
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('get', () ->
+      it('gets a pod', () ->
+        expect(PodApiService.get.fn(21, 23)).toEqual({
+          method: 'GET',
+          url: "/pods/read/21/",
+          params: {case_id: 23}
+        })
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('trigger', () ->
+      it('triggers an action', () ->
+        expect(PodApiService.trigger.fn(21, 23, 'foo', {bar: 'baz'})).toEqual({
+          method: 'POST',
+          url: "/pods/action/21/",
+          data: {
+            case_id: 23
+            action: {
+              type: 'foo',
+              payload: {bar: 'baz'}
+            }
+          }
+        })
+      )
+    )
+  )
+
+  #=======================================================================
+  # Tests for ModalService
+  #=======================================================================
+  describe('ModalService', () ->
+    ModalService = null
+
+    beforeEach(inject((_ModalService_) ->
+      ModalService = _ModalService_
+    ))
+
+    describe('confirm', () ->
+      describe('if no template url is given', () ->
+        it('should draw the modal', () ->
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            title: 'Foo',
+            prompt: 'Bar?'
+          })
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+
+          expect(document.querySelector('.modal-title').textContent)
+            .toMatch('Foo')
+
+          expect(document.querySelector('.modal-body').textContent)
+            .toMatch('Bar?')
+        )
+
+        it('should fulfill if the modal is accepted', () ->
+          fulfilled = false
+
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            title: 'Foo',
+            prompt: 'Bar?'
+          })
+          .then(-> fulfilled = true)
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(fulfilled).toBe(false)
+
+          angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-accept'))
+            .triggerHandler('click')
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(fulfilled).toBe(true)
+        )
+
+        it('should reject if the modal is cancelled', () ->
+          rejected = false
+
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            title: 'Foo',
+            prompt: 'Bar?'
+          })
+          .catch(-> rejected = true)
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(rejected).toBe(false)
+
+          angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-cancel'))
+            .triggerHandler('click')
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(rejected).toBe(true)
+        )
+      )
+
+      describe('if a template url is given', () ->
+        it('should draw the modal', () ->
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            templateUrl: '/sitestatic/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html',
+            context: {title: 'Foo'}
+          })
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+
+          expect(document.querySelector('.modal-title').textContent)
+            .toMatch('Foo')
+
+          expect(document.querySelector('.modal-body').textContent)
+            .toMatch('Are you sure you want to do this?')
+        )
+
+        it('should fulfill if the modal is accepted', () ->
+          fulfilled = false
+
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            templateUrl: '/sitestatic/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html',
+            context: {title: 'Foo'}
+          })
+          .then(-> fulfilled = true)
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(fulfilled).toBe(false)
+
+          angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-accept'))
+            .triggerHandler('click')
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(fulfilled).toBe(true)
+        )
+
+        it('should reject if the modal is cancelled', () ->
+          rejected = false
+
+          ModalService.confirm({
+            templateUrl: '/sitestatic/karma/templates/modals/dummy-confirm.html',
+            context: {title: 'Foo'}
+          })
+          .catch(-> rejected = true)
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(rejected).toBe(false)
+
+          angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-cancel'))
+            .triggerHandler('click')
+
+          $rootScope.$apply()
+          expect(rejected).toBe(true)
+        )
+      )
+    )
+  )
+
+  #=======================================================================
+  # Tests for PodUIService
+  #=======================================================================
+  describe('PodUIService', () ->
+    $compile = null
+    PodUIService = null
+
+    beforeEach(inject((_$compile_, _PodUIService_) ->
+      $compile = _$compile_
+      PodUIService = _PodUIService_
+    ))
+
+    describe('confirmAction', () ->
+      it('should draw the modal', () ->
+        PodUIService.confirmAction('Foo')
+
+        $rootScope.$apply()
+
+        expect(document.querySelector('.modal-title').textContent)
+          .toMatch('Foo')
+      )
+
+      it('should fulfill if the modal is accepted', () ->
+        fulfilled = false
+
+        PodUIService.confirmAction('Foo')
+          .then(-> fulfilled = true)
+
+        $rootScope.$apply()
+        expect(fulfilled).toBe(false)
+
+        angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-accept'))
+          .triggerHandler('click')
+
+        $rootScope.$apply()
+        expect(fulfilled).toBe(true)
+      )
+
+      it('should reject if the modal is cancelled', () ->
+        rejected = false
+
+        PodUIService.confirmAction('Foo')
+          .catch(-> rejected = true)
+
+        $rootScope.$apply()
+        expect(rejected).toBe(false)
+
+        angular.element(document.querySelector('.btn-modal-cancel'))
+          .triggerHandler('click')
+
+        $rootScope.$apply()
+        expect(rejected).toBe(true)
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('alertActionFailure', () ->
+      it('should draw the alert', () ->
+        $rootScope.alerts = [PodUIService.alertActionFailure('Foo')]
+
+        template = $compile('
+          <cp-alerts alerts="alerts">
+          </cp-alerts>
+        ')
+
+        el = template($rootScope)[0]
+        $rootScope.$digest()
+
+        alert = el.querySelector('.alert')
+        expect(alert.textContent).toMatch('Foo')
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('alertActionApiFailure', () ->
+      it('should draw the alert', () ->
+        $rootScope.alerts = [PodUIService.alertActionApiFailure()]
+
+        template = $compile('
+          <cp-alerts alerts="alerts">
+          </cp-alerts>
+        ')
+
+        el = template($rootScope)[0]
+        $rootScope.$digest()
+
+        alert = el.querySelector('.alert')
+        expect(alert.textContent).toMatch('action')
+      )
+    )
+
+    describe('alertLoadApiFailure', () ->
+      it('should draw the alert', () ->
+        $rootScope.alerts = [PodUIService.alertLoadApiFailure()]
+
+        template = $compile('
+          <cp-alerts alerts="alerts">
+          </cp-alerts>
+        ')
+
+        el = template($rootScope)[0]
+        $rootScope.$digest()
+
+        alert = el.querySelector('.alert')
+        expect(alert.textContent).toMatch('load')
+      )
     )
   )
 )
diff --git a/karma/test-utils.coffee b/karma/test-utils.coffee
index 26c6eae58..245623644 100644
--- a/karma/test-utils.coffee
+++ b/karma/test-utils.coffee
@@ -46,4 +46,19 @@ describe('utils:', () ->
       expect(utils.find(items, 'bar', "Z")).toEqual({foo: 5, bar: "Z"})
     )
   )
+
+  describe('trap', () ->
+    it('should call the accept function for values of the given type', () ->
+      class Foo
+      foo = new Foo()
+      expect(utils.trap(Foo, ((v) -> v), (-> null))(foo)).toEqual(foo)
+    )
+
+    it('should call the reject function for values not of the given type', () ->
+      class Foo
+      class Bar
+      bar = new Bar()
+      expect(utils.trap(Foo, ((v) -> v), (-> null))(bar)).toEqual(null)
+    )
+  )
 )
diff --git a/static/coffee/controllers.coffee b/static/coffee/controllers.coffee
index 721147747..975933400 100644
--- a/static/coffee/controllers.coffee
+++ b/static/coffee/controllers.coffee
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ CASE_SUMMARY_MAX_LEN = 255
 CASE_NOTE_MAX_LEN = 1024
 OUTGOING_TEXT_MAX_LEN = 480
 
+SINGLETON_ALERTS = ['pod_load_api_failure']
 
 #============================================================================
 # Inbox controller (DOM parent of messages and cases)
@@ -508,7 +509,6 @@ controllers.controller('HomeController', ['$scope', '$controller', 'LabelService
 # Case view controller
 #============================================================================
 controllers.controller('CaseController', ['$scope', '$window', '$timeout', 'CaseService', 'ContactService', 'MessageService', 'PartnerService', 'UtilsService', ($scope, $window, $timeout, CaseService, ContactService, MessageService, PartnerService, UtilsService) ->
-
   $scope.allLabels = $window.contextData.all_labels
   $scope.fields = $window.contextData.fields
   
@@ -517,12 +517,27 @@ controllers.controller('CaseController', ['$scope', '$window', '$timeout', 'Case
   $scope.newMessage = ''
   $scope.sending = false
 
+  $scope.alerts = []
+
   $scope.init = (caseId, maxMsgChars) ->
     $scope.caseId = caseId
     $scope.msgCharsRemaining = $scope.maxMsgChars = maxMsgChars
 
     $scope.refresh()
 
+  $scope.$on('alert', (e, alert) ->
+    $scope.addAlert(alert))
+
+  $scope.$on('timelineChanged', (e) ->
+    $scope.$broadcast('timelineChanged') if e.targetScope != $scope)
+
+  $scope.addAlert = (alert) ->
+    $scope.alerts.push(alert) if (not shouldIgnoreAlert(alert))
+
+  shouldIgnoreAlert = ({type}) ->
+    type in SINGLETON_ALERTS and
+    $scope.alerts.some((d) -> type == d.type)
+
   $scope.refresh = () ->
     CaseService.fetchSingle($scope.caseId).then((caseObj) ->
       $scope.caseObj = caseObj
@@ -845,12 +860,74 @@ controllers.controller('DateRangeController', ['$scope', ($scope) ->
 #============================================================================
 # Pod controller
 #============================================================================
-controllers.controller('PodController', ['$scope', 'PodApiService', ($scope, PodApiService) ->
+controllers.controller('PodController', ['$q', '$scope', 'PodApiService', 'PodUIService', ($q, $scope, PodApiService, PodUIService) ->
+  {PodApiServiceError} = PodApiService
+
   $scope.init = (podId, caseId, podConfig) ->
     $scope.podId = podId
     $scope.caseId = caseId
     $scope.podConfig = podConfig
+    $scope.status = 'loading'
+
+    $scope.update()
+      .then(-> $scope.status = 'idle')
+      .catch(utils.trap(PodApiServiceError, onLoadApiFailure, $q.reject))
 
-    return PodApiService.get(podId, caseId)
+  $scope.update = ->
+    PodApiService.get($scope.podId, $scope.caseId)
+      .then(parsePodData)
       .then((d) -> $scope.podData = d)
+
+  $scope.trigger = ({type, name, payload, confirm}) ->
+    $q.resolve()
+      .then(-> PodUIService.confirmAction(name) if confirm)
+      .then(-> $scope.podData.actions = updateAction(type, {isBusy: true}))
+      .then(-> PodApiService.trigger($scope.podId, $scope.caseId, type, payload))
+      .then((res) -> onTriggerDone(type, res))
+      .catch(utils.trap(PodApiServiceError, onTriggerApiFailure, $q.reject))
+      .then(-> $scope.podData.actions = updateAction(type, {isBusy: false}))
+
+  onTriggerDone = (type, {success, payload}) ->
+    if success
+      onTriggerSuccess()
+    else
+      onTriggerFailure(payload)
+
+  onLoadApiFailure = ->
+    $scope.status = 'loading_failed'
+    $scope.$emit('alert', PodUIService.alertLoadApiFailure())
+
+  onTriggerApiFailure = ->
+    $scope.$emit('alert', PodUIService.alertActionApiFailure())
+
+  onTriggerFailure = ({message}) ->
+    $scope.$emit('alert', PodUIService.alertActionFailure(message))
+
+  onTriggerSuccess = () ->
+    $scope.$emit('timelineChanged')
+    $scope.update()
+
+  updateAction = (type, props) ->
+    $scope.podData.actions
+      .map((d) -> if d.type == type then angular.extend({}, d, props) else d)
+
+  parsePodData = (d) ->
+    d = angular.extend({
+      items: [],
+      actions: []
+    }, d)
+
+    d.actions = d.actions
+      .map(parsePodAction)
+
+    d
+
+  parsePodAction = ({type, name, busy_text, confirm, payload}) -> {
+    type,
+    name,
+    payload,
+    confirm: confirm ? false,
+    busyText: busy_text ? name,
+    isBusy: false
+  }
 ])
diff --git a/static/coffee/directives.coffee b/static/coffee/directives.coffee
index 6a20ca97e..2cd665113 100644
--- a/static/coffee/directives.coffee
+++ b/static/coffee/directives.coffee
@@ -53,6 +53,21 @@ directives.directive('cpFieldvalue', () ->
   }
 )
 
+
+directives.directive('cpAlert', -> {
+  restrict: 'E',
+  transclude: true,
+  scope: {type: '@'},
+  templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/alert.html'
+})
+
+
+directives.directive('cpAlerts', -> {
+  templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/alerts.html',
+  scope: {alerts: '='}
+})
+
+
 #=====================================================================
 # Pod directive
 #=====================================================================
diff --git a/static/coffee/services.coffee b/static/coffee/services.coffee
index d3e2a9ae9..0685e2ac4 100644
--- a/static/coffee/services.coffee
+++ b/static/coffee/services.coffee
@@ -551,12 +551,95 @@ services.factory('UtilsService', ['$window', '$uibModal', ($window, $uibModal) -
 ])
 
 
+#=====================================================================
+# Modals service
+#=====================================================================
+services.factory('ModalService', ['$rootScope', '$uibModal', ($rootScope, $uibModal) ->
+  new class ModalService
+    confirm: ({
+      context = {},
+      title = null,
+      prompt = null,
+      templateUrl = '/sitestatic/templates/modals/confirm.html'
+    } = {}) ->
+      $uibModal.open({
+        templateUrl,
+        scope: angular.extend($rootScope.$new(true), {
+          title,
+          prompt,
+          context
+        }),
+        controller: ($scope, $uibModalInstance) ->
+          $scope.ok = -> $uibModalInstance.close()
+          $scope.cancel = -> $uibModalInstance.dismiss()
+      })
+      .result
+])
+
+
+#=====================================================================
+# PodUIService service
+#=====================================================================
+services.factory('PodUIService', ['ModalService', (ModalService) ->
+  new class PodUIService
+    confirmAction: (name) ->
+      ModalService.confirm({
+        templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/modals/pod-action-confirm.html',
+        context: {name}
+      })
+
+    alertActionFailure: (message) -> {
+      templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/alerts/pod-action-failure.html',
+      context: {message}
+    }
+
+    alertActionApiFailure: () -> {
+      templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/alerts/pod-action-api-failure.html'
+    }
+
+    alertLoadApiFailure: () -> {
+      templateUrl: '/sitestatic/templates/alerts/pod-load-api-failure.html'
+    }
+])
+
+
 #=====================================================================
 # Pod API service
 #=====================================================================
-services.factory('PodApiService', ['$window', '$http', ($window, $http) ->
-  new class PodApiService
-    get: (podId, caseId) ->
-      $http.get("/pods/read/#{podId}/", {params: {case_id: caseId}})
+services.factory('PodApiService', ['$q', '$window', '$http', ($q, $window, $http) ->
+  class PodApiServiceError extends Error
+    constructor: (error) ->
+      this.error = error
+
+  method = (fn) ->
+    res = (args...) ->
+      $http(fn(args...))
+        .catch((e) -> $q.reject(new PodApiServiceError(e)))
         .then((d) -> d.data)
+
+    res.fn = fn
+    res
+
+  new class PodApiService
+    PodApiServiceError: PodApiServiceError,
+
+    method: method,
+
+    get: method((podId, caseId) -> {
+      method: 'GET',
+      url: "/pods/read/#{podId}/",
+      params: {case_id: caseId}
+    })
+
+    trigger: method((podId, caseId, type, payload = {}) -> {
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: "/pods/action/#{podId}/",
+      data: {
+        case_id: caseId
+        action: {
+          type,
+          payload
+        }
+      }
+    })
 ])
diff --git a/static/coffee/utils.coffee b/static/coffee/utils.coffee
index 113988e69..5c063a1d8 100644
--- a/static/coffee/utils.coffee
+++ b/static/coffee/utils.coffee
@@ -44,4 +44,10 @@ namespace('utils', (exports) ->
       if angular.equals(item[prop], value)
         return item
     return null
-)
\ No newline at end of file
+
+  exports.trap = (type, acceptFn, rejectFn) -> (v) ->
+    if v instanceof type
+      acceptFn(v)
+    else
+      rejectFn(v)
+)
diff --git a/static/less/pods.less b/static/less/pods.less
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..748965f1b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/less/pods.less
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+.panel-body-pod {
+  // pod body already has padding defined by the grid it uses for its items
+  padding-left: 0;
+  padding-right: 0;
+}
diff --git a/static/templates/alert.html b/static/templates/alert.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9e3634e91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/alert.html
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+<div class="alert alert-dismissible" ng-class="'alert-' + type">
+  <button class="close" data-dismiss="alert">
+    <span>&times;</span>
+  </button>
+  <ng-transclude></ng-transclude>
+</div>
diff --git a/static/templates/alerts.html b/static/templates/alerts.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9e75889ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/alerts.html
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<div ng-repeat="alert in alerts">
+  <div ng-if="!alert.templateUrl">
+    <cp-alert type="[[ alert.type ]]">[[ alert.message ]]</cp-alert>
+  </div>
+
+  <div ng-if="alert.templateUrl">
+    <div ng-include="alert.templateUrl"></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-api-failure.html b/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-api-failure.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6f568104c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-api-failure.html
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+<cp-alert type="danger">
+  Sorry, we encountered a problem on our side while completing your action.
+</cp-alert>
diff --git a/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-failure.html b/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-failure.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..572f88408
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/alerts/pod-action-failure.html
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+<cp-alert type="danger">
+  [[ alert.context.message ]]
+</cp-alert>
diff --git a/static/templates/alerts/pod-load-api-failure.html b/static/templates/alerts/pod-load-api-failure.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fef164b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/alerts/pod-load-api-failure.html
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+<cp-alert type="warning">
+  Sorry, a problem on our side prevented some of the information on this page from loading.
+</cp-alert>
diff --git a/static/templates/case-confirm-modals.html b/static/templates/case-confirm-modals.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0cbe64a22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/case-confirm-modals.html
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<div ng-switch="type">
+  <div ng-switch-when="pod_action_confirm">
+    <div class="modal-header">
+      <h3 class="modal-title">[[ payload.name ]]</h3>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="modal-body">
+      Are you sure you want to perform this action?
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="modal-footer">
+      <button class="btn btn-primary btn-modal-accept" ng-click="ok()">Yes</button>
+      <button class="btn btn-default btn-modal-cancel" ng-click="cancel()">Cancel</button>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/static/templates/modals/confirm.html b/static/templates/modals/confirm.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..18cc2f10f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/modals/confirm.html
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+<div>
+  <div class="modal-header">
+    <h3 class="modal-title">[[ title ]]</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="modal-body">
+    [[ prompt ]]
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="modal-footer">
+    <button class="btn btn-primary btn-modal-accept" ng-click="ok()">Yes</button>
+    <button class="btn btn-default btn-modal-cancel" ng-click="cancel()">Cancel</button>
+  </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/static/templates/modals/pod-action-confirm.html b/static/templates/modals/pod-action-confirm.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..122d5d222
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/templates/modals/pod-action-confirm.html
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<div class="modal-header">
+  <h3 class="modal-title">[[ context.name ]]</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div class="modal-body">
+   Are you sure you want to perform this action?
+</div>
+
+<div class="modal-footer">
+  <button class="btn btn-primary btn-modal-accept" ng-click="ok()">Yes</button>
+  <button class="btn btn-default btn-modal-cancel" ng-click="cancel()">Cancel</button>
+</div>
diff --git a/static/templates/pod.html b/static/templates/pod.html
index ebba2568c..8f61c426f 100644
--- a/static/templates/pod.html
+++ b/static/templates/pod.html
@@ -1,12 +1,43 @@
 <div class="panel panel-default">
     <div class="pod-title panel-heading">[[ podConfig.title ]]</div>
 
-    <div class="list-group">
+    <div class="panel-body" ng-if="status === 'loading'">
+        <i class="text-muted">Loading...</i>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="panel-body" ng-if="status === 'loading_failed'">
+        <i class="text-muted">Could not load</i>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="panel-body panel-body-pod" ng-if="status === 'idle'">
         <div class="container-fluid">
-            <div class="pod-item list-group-item row" ng-repeat="item in podData.items">
-                <div class="pod-item-name col-sm-6">[[ item.name ]]</div>
-                <div class="pod-item-value col-sm-6">[[ item.value ]]</div>
+            <div class="row">
+                <div class="col-md-12">
+                    <div
+                        class="pod-item row"
+                        ng-repeat="item in podData.items">
+                        <div class="col-md-6">
+                            <div class="pod-item-name">[[ item.name ]]</div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="col-md-6">
+                            <div class="pod-item-value">[[ item.value ]]</div>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
             </div>
         </div>
     </div>
+
+    <div class="list-group" ng-if="status === 'idle'">
+        <a
+            href=""
+            class="pod-action list-group-item"
+            ng-repeat="action in podData.actions track by action.type"
+            ng-class="{disabled: action.isBusy}"
+            ng-click="trigger(action)">
+            <span ng-if="!action.isBusy" class="text-primary">[[ action.name ]]</span>
+            <span ng-if="action.isBusy">[[ action.busyText ]]</span>
+        </a>
+    </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/templates/cases/case_read.haml b/templates/cases/case_read.haml
index d6a57733d..f794ff193 100644
--- a/templates/cases/case_read.haml
+++ b/templates/cases/case_read.haml
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@
 
     .row
       .col-md-8
+        <cp-alerts alerts="alerts"></cp-alerts>
+
         %form.sendform{ ng-if:"!caseObj.is_closed" }
           // TODO maxlength not working
           %textarea.form-control{ type:"text", autocomplete:"off", placeholder:"Enter message", ng-maxlength:"{{ maxMsgChars }}", ng-model:"$parent.newMessage", ng-disabled:"sending", ng-change:"onNewMessageChanged()", ng-trim:"false" }