diff --git a/commands/hugo.go b/commands/hugo.go
index 0f6e4274..2b53d5cd 100644
--- a/commands/hugo.go
+++ b/commands/hugo.go
@@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ func (c *commandeer) getDirList() ([]string, error) {
 				return filepath.SkipDir
 			}
 
-			filenames = append(filenames, fi.Meta().Filename())
+			filenames = append(filenames, fi.Meta().Filename)
 		}
 
 		return nil
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ func (c *commandeer) getDirList() ([]string, error) {
 	watchFiles := c.hugo().PathSpec.BaseFs.WatchDirs()
 	for _, fi := range watchFiles {
 		if !fi.IsDir() {
-			filenames = append(filenames, fi.Meta().Filename())
+			filenames = append(filenames, fi.Meta().Filename)
 			continue
 		}
 
diff --git a/commands/new.go b/commands/new.go
index a2d87371..44e2a7e4 100644
--- a/commands/new.go
+++ b/commands/new.go
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ func newContentPathSection(h *hugolib.HugoSites, path string) (string, string) {
 
 	if h != nil {
 		for _, dir := range h.BaseFs.Content.Dirs {
-			createpath = strings.TrimPrefix(createpath, dir.Meta().Filename())
+			createpath = strings.TrimPrefix(createpath, dir.Meta().Filename)
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/common/hugo/hugo.go b/common/hugo/hugo.go
index bf3dee26..4548de93 100644
--- a/common/hugo/hugo.go
+++ b/common/hugo/hugo.go
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func GetExecEnviron(workDir string, cfg config.Provider, fs afero.Fs) []string {
 	if err == nil {
 		for _, fi := range fis {
 			key := fmt.Sprintf("HUGO_FILE_%s", strings.ReplaceAll(strings.ToUpper(fi.Name()), ".", "_"))
-			value := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+			value := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 			config.SetEnvVars(&env, key, value)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/create/content.go b/create/content.go
index 797ffe75..ea065423 100644
--- a/create/content.go
+++ b/create/content.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func NewContent(
 
 func targetSite(sites *hugolib.HugoSites, fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) *hugolib.Site {
 	for _, s := range sites.Sites {
-		if fi.Meta().Lang() == s.Language().Lang {
+		if fi.Meta().Lang == s.Language().Lang {
 			return s
 		}
 	}
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ func newContentFromDir(
 	cm archetypeMap, name, targetPath string) error {
 	for _, f := range cm.otherFiles {
 		meta := f.Meta()
-		filename := meta.Path()
+		filename := meta.Path
 		// Just copy the file to destination.
 		in, err := meta.Open()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func newContentFromDir(
 	}
 
 	for _, f := range cm.contentFiles {
-		filename := f.Meta().Path()
+		filename := f.Meta().Path
 		s := targetSite(sites, f)
 		targetFilename := filepath.Join(targetPath, strings.TrimPrefix(filename, archetypeDir))
 
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ func resolveContentPath(sites *hugolib.HugoSites, fs afero.Fs, targetPath string
 
 	for _, dir := range sites.BaseFs.Content.Dirs {
 		meta := dir.Meta()
-		contentDir := meta.Filename()
+		contentDir := meta.Filename
 
 		if !strings.HasSuffix(contentDir, helpers.FilePathSeparator) {
 			contentDir += helpers.FilePathSeparator
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ func resolveContentPath(sites *hugolib.HugoSites, fs afero.Fs, targetPath string
 
 		if strings.HasPrefix(targetPath, contentDir) {
 			siteContentDir = contentDir
-			dirLang = meta.Lang()
+			dirLang = meta.Lang
 			break
 		}
 	}
@@ -317,8 +317,8 @@ func resolveContentPath(sites *hugolib.HugoSites, fs afero.Fs, targetPath string
 	} else {
 		var contentDir string
 		for _, dir := range sites.BaseFs.Content.Dirs {
-			contentDir = dir.Meta().Filename()
-			if dir.Meta().Lang() == s.Lang() {
+			contentDir = dir.Meta().Filename
+			if dir.Meta().Lang == s.Lang() {
 				break
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/helpers/general.go b/helpers/general.go
index c5af83b6..25decbbc 100644
--- a/helpers/general.go
+++ b/helpers/general.go
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ func PrintFs(fs afero.Fs, path string, w io.Writer) {
 		var filename string
 		var meta interface{}
 		if fim, ok := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-			filename = fim.Meta().Filename()
+			filename = fim.Meta().Filename
 			meta = fim.Meta()
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintf(w, "    %q %q\t\t%v\n", path, filename, meta)
diff --git a/hugofs/decorators.go b/hugofs/decorators.go
index 62d23494..364a3e23 100644
--- a/hugofs/decorators.go
+++ b/hugofs/decorators.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/afero"
 )
 
-func decorateDirs(fs afero.Fs, meta FileMeta) afero.Fs {
+func decorateDirs(fs afero.Fs, meta *FileMeta) afero.Fs {
 	ffs := &baseFileDecoratorFs{Fs: fs}
 
 	decorator := func(fi os.FileInfo, name string) (os.FileInfo, error) {
@@ -82,9 +82,11 @@ func NewBaseFileDecorator(fs afero.Fs, callbacks ...func(fi FileMetaInfo)) afero
 
 	decorator := func(fi os.FileInfo, filename string) (os.FileInfo, error) {
 		// Store away the original in case it's a symlink.
-		meta := FileMeta{metaKeyName: fi.Name()}
+		meta := NewFileMeta()
+		meta.Name = fi.Name()
+
 		if fi.IsDir() {
-			meta[metaKeyJoinStat] = func(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error) {
+			meta.JoinStatFunc = func(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error) {
 				joinedFilename := filepath.Join(filename, name)
 				fi, _, err := lstatIfPossible(fs, joinedFilename)
 				if err != nil {
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ func NewBaseFileDecorator(fs afero.Fs, callbacks ...func(fi FileMetaInfo)) afero
 
 		isSymlink := isSymlink(fi)
 		if isSymlink {
-			meta[metaKeyOriginalFilename] = filename
+			meta.OriginalFilename = filename
 			var link string
 			var err error
 			link, fi, err = evalSymlinks(fs, filename)
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ func NewBaseFileDecorator(fs afero.Fs, callbacks ...func(fi FileMetaInfo)) afero
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			filename = link
-			meta[metaKeyIsSymlink] = true
+			meta.IsSymlink = true
 		}
 
 		opener := func() (afero.File, error) {
diff --git a/hugofs/fileinfo.go b/hugofs/fileinfo.go
index 4f318205..fcf35d95 100644
--- a/hugofs/fileinfo.go
+++ b/hugofs/fileinfo.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ package hugofs
 import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
 	"runtime"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -27,242 +28,128 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 
-	"github.com/spf13/cast"
-
 	"github.com/gohugoio/hugo/common/hreflect"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/afero"
 )
 
-const (
-	metaKeyFilename = "filename"
-
-	metaKeySourceRoot                 = "sourceRoot"
-	metaKeyBaseDir                    = "baseDir" // Abs base directory of source file.
-	metaKeyMountRoot                  = "mountRoot"
-	metaKeyModule                     = "module"
-	metaKeyOriginalFilename           = "originalFilename"
-	metaKeyName                       = "name"
-	metaKeyPath                       = "path"
-	metaKeyPathWalk                   = "pathWalk"
-	metaKeyLang                       = "lang"
-	metaKeyWeight                     = "weight"
-	metaKeyOrdinal                    = "ordinal"
-	metaKeyFs                         = "fs"
-	metaKeyOpener                     = "opener"
-	metaKeyIsOrdered                  = "isOrdered"
-	metaKeyIsSymlink                  = "isSymlink"
-	metaKeyJoinStat                   = "joinStat"
-	metaKeySkipDir                    = "skipDir"
-	metaKeyClassifier                 = "classifier"
-	metaKeyTranslationBaseName        = "translationBaseName"
-	metaKeyTranslationBaseNameWithExt = "translationBaseNameWithExt"
-	metaKeyTranslations               = "translations"
-	metaKeyDecoraterPath              = "decoratorPath"
-)
-
-type FileMeta map[string]interface{}
-
-func (f FileMeta) GetInt(key string) int {
-	return cast.ToInt(f[key])
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) GetString(key string) string {
-	return cast.ToString(f[key])
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) GetBool(key string) bool {
-	return cast.ToBool(f[key])
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Filename() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyFilename)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) OriginalFilename() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyOriginalFilename)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) SkipDir() bool {
-	return f.GetBool(metaKeySkipDir)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) TranslationBaseName() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyTranslationBaseName)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) TranslationBaseNameWithExt() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyTranslationBaseNameWithExt)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Translations() []string {
-	return cast.ToStringSlice(f[metaKeyTranslations])
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Name() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyName)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Classifier() files.ContentClass {
-	c, found := f[metaKeyClassifier]
-	if found {
-		return c.(files.ContentClass)
-	}
-
-	return files.ContentClassFile // For sorting
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Lang() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyLang)
-}
-
-// Path returns the relative file path to where this file is mounted.
-func (f FileMeta) Path() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyPath)
+func NewFileMeta() *FileMeta {
+	return &FileMeta{}
 }
 
 // PathFile returns the relative file path for the file source.
-func (f FileMeta) PathFile() string {
-	base := f.stringV(metaKeyBaseDir)
-	if base == "" {
+func (f *FileMeta) PathFile() string {
+	if f.BaseDir == "" {
 		return ""
 	}
-	return strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(f.Filename(), base), filepathSeparator)
+	return strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(f.Filename, f.BaseDir), filepathSeparator)
 }
 
-func (f FileMeta) SourceRoot() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeySourceRoot)
+type FileMeta struct {
+	Name             string
+	Filename         string
+	Path             string
+	PathWalk         string
+	OriginalFilename string
+	BaseDir          string
+
+	SourceRoot string
+	MountRoot  string
+	Module     string
+
+	Weight     int
+	Ordinal    int
+	IsOrdered  bool
+	IsSymlink  bool
+	IsRootFile bool
+	Watch      bool
+
+	Classifier files.ContentClass
+
+	SkipDir bool
+
+	Lang                       string
+	TranslationBaseName        string
+	TranslationBaseNameWithExt string
+	Translations               []string
+
+	Fs           afero.Fs
+	OpenFunc     func() (afero.File, error)
+	JoinStatFunc func(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error)
 }
 
-func (f FileMeta) MountRoot() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyMountRoot)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Module() string {
-	return f.stringV(metaKeyModule)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Weight() int {
-	return f.GetInt(metaKeyWeight)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Ordinal() int {
-	return f.GetInt(metaKeyOrdinal)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) IsOrdered() bool {
-	return f.GetBool(metaKeyIsOrdered)
-}
-
-// IsSymlink returns whether this comes from a symlinked file or directory.
-func (f FileMeta) IsSymlink() bool {
-	return f.GetBool(metaKeyIsSymlink)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Watch() bool {
-	if v, found := f["watch"]; found {
-		return v.(bool)
+func (m *FileMeta) Copy() *FileMeta {
+	if m == nil {
+		return NewFileMeta()
 	}
-	return false
+	c := *m
+	return &c
 }
 
-func (f FileMeta) Fs() afero.Fs {
-	if v, found := f[metaKeyFs]; found {
-		return v.(afero.Fs)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) GetOpener() func() (afero.File, error) {
-	o, found := f[metaKeyOpener]
-	if !found {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return o.(func() (afero.File, error))
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) Open() (afero.File, error) {
-	v, found := f[metaKeyOpener]
-	if !found {
-		return nil, errors.New("file opener not found")
-	}
-	return v.(func() (afero.File, error))()
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) JoinStat(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error) {
-	v, found := f[metaKeyJoinStat]
-	if !found {
-		return nil, os.ErrNotExist
-	}
-	return v.(func(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error))(name)
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) stringV(key string) string {
-	if v, found := f[key]; found {
-		return v.(string)
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (f FileMeta) setIfNotZero(key string, val interface{}) {
-	if !hreflect.IsTruthful(val) {
+func (m *FileMeta) Merge(from *FileMeta) {
+	if m == nil || from == nil {
 		return
 	}
-	f[key] = val
+	dstv := reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(m))
+	srcv := reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(from))
+
+	for i := 0; i < dstv.NumField(); i++ {
+		v := dstv.Field(i)
+		if !hreflect.IsTruthfulValue(v) {
+			v.Set(srcv.Field(i))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (f *FileMeta) Open() (afero.File, error) {
+	if f.OpenFunc == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("OpenFunc not set")
+	}
+	return f.OpenFunc()
+}
+
+func (f *FileMeta) JoinStat(name string) (FileMetaInfo, error) {
+	if f.JoinStatFunc == nil {
+		return nil, os.ErrNotExist
+	}
+	return f.JoinStatFunc(name)
 }
 
 type FileMetaInfo interface {
 	os.FileInfo
-	Meta() FileMeta
+	Meta() *FileMeta
 }
 
 type fileInfoMeta struct {
 	os.FileInfo
 
-	m FileMeta
+	m *FileMeta
 }
 
 // Name returns the file's name. Note that we follow symlinks,
 // if supported by the file system, and the Name given here will be the
 // name of the symlink, which is what Hugo needs in all situations.
 func (fi *fileInfoMeta) Name() string {
-	if name := fi.m.Name(); name != "" {
+	if name := fi.m.Name; name != "" {
 		return name
 	}
 	return fi.FileInfo.Name()
 }
 
-func (fi *fileInfoMeta) Meta() FileMeta {
+func (fi *fileInfoMeta) Meta() *FileMeta {
 	return fi.m
 }
 
-func NewFileMetaInfo(fi os.FileInfo, m FileMeta) FileMetaInfo {
+func NewFileMetaInfo(fi os.FileInfo, m *FileMeta) FileMetaInfo {
+	if m == nil {
+		panic("FileMeta must be set")
+	}
 	if fim, ok := fi.(FileMetaInfo); ok {
-		mergeFileMeta(fim.Meta(), m)
+		m.Merge(fim.Meta())
 	}
 	return &fileInfoMeta{FileInfo: fi, m: m}
 }
 
-func copyFileMeta(m FileMeta) FileMeta {
-	c := make(FileMeta)
-	for k, v := range m {
-		c[k] = v
-	}
-	return c
-}
-
-// Merge metadata, last entry wins.
-func mergeFileMeta(from, to FileMeta) {
-	if from == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	for k, v := range from {
-		if _, found := to[k]; !found {
-			to[k] = v
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 type dirNameOnlyFileInfo struct {
 	name    string
 	modTime time.Time
@@ -292,16 +179,16 @@ func (fi *dirNameOnlyFileInfo) Sys() interface{} {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func newDirNameOnlyFileInfo(name string, meta FileMeta, fileOpener func() (afero.File, error)) FileMetaInfo {
+func newDirNameOnlyFileInfo(name string, meta *FileMeta, fileOpener func() (afero.File, error)) FileMetaInfo {
 	name = normalizeFilename(name)
 	_, base := filepath.Split(name)
 
-	m := copyFileMeta(meta)
-	if _, found := m[metaKeyFilename]; !found {
-		m.setIfNotZero(metaKeyFilename, name)
+	m := meta.Copy()
+	if m.Filename == "" {
+		m.Filename = name
 	}
-	m[metaKeyOpener] = fileOpener
-	m[metaKeyIsOrdered] = false
+	m.OpenFunc = fileOpener
+	m.IsOrdered = false
 
 	return NewFileMetaInfo(
 		&dirNameOnlyFileInfo{name: base, modTime: time.Now()},
@@ -312,8 +199,8 @@ func newDirNameOnlyFileInfo(name string, meta FileMeta, fileOpener func() (afero
 func decorateFileInfo(
 	fi os.FileInfo,
 	fs afero.Fs, opener func() (afero.File, error),
-	filename, filepath string, inMeta FileMeta) FileMetaInfo {
-	var meta FileMeta
+	filename, filepath string, inMeta *FileMeta) FileMetaInfo {
+	var meta *FileMeta
 	var fim FileMetaInfo
 
 	filepath = strings.TrimPrefix(filepath, filepathSeparator)
@@ -322,16 +209,26 @@ func decorateFileInfo(
 	if fim, ok = fi.(FileMetaInfo); ok {
 		meta = fim.Meta()
 	} else {
-		meta = make(FileMeta)
+		meta = NewFileMeta()
 		fim = NewFileMetaInfo(fi, meta)
 	}
 
-	meta.setIfNotZero(metaKeyOpener, opener)
-	meta.setIfNotZero(metaKeyFs, fs)
-	meta.setIfNotZero(metaKeyPath, normalizeFilename(filepath))
-	meta.setIfNotZero(metaKeyFilename, normalizeFilename(filename))
+	if opener != nil {
+		meta.OpenFunc = opener
+	}
+	if fs != nil {
+		meta.Fs = fs
+	}
+	nfilepath := normalizeFilename(filepath)
+	nfilename := normalizeFilename(filename)
+	if nfilepath != "" {
+		meta.Path = nfilepath
+	}
+	if nfilename != "" {
+		meta.Filename = nfilename
+	}
 
-	mergeFileMeta(inMeta, meta)
+	meta.Merge(inMeta)
 
 	return fim
 }
@@ -377,6 +274,6 @@ func fromSlash(filenames []string) []string {
 func sortFileInfos(fis []os.FileInfo) {
 	sort.Slice(fis, func(i, j int) bool {
 		fimi, fimj := fis[i].(FileMetaInfo), fis[j].(FileMetaInfo)
-		return fimi.Meta().Filename() < fimj.Meta().Filename()
+		return fimi.Meta().Filename < fimj.Meta().Filename
 	})
 }
diff --git a/hugofs/fileinfo_test.go b/hugofs/fileinfo_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8d6a2ff7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hugofs/fileinfo_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+// Copyright 2021 The Hugo Authors. All rights reserved.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package hugofs
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	qt "github.com/frankban/quicktest"
+)
+
+func TestFileMeta(t *testing.T) {
+	c := qt.New(t)
+
+	c.Run("Merge", func(c *qt.C) {
+		src := &FileMeta{
+			Filename: "fs1",
+			Path:     "ps1",
+		}
+		dst := &FileMeta{
+			Filename: "fd1",
+		}
+
+		dst.Merge(src)
+
+		c.Assert(dst.Path, qt.Equals, "ps1")
+		c.Assert(dst.Filename, qt.Equals, "fd1")
+	})
+
+	c.Run("Copy", func(c *qt.C) {
+		src := &FileMeta{
+			Filename: "fs1",
+			Path:     "ps1",
+		}
+		dst := src.Copy()
+
+		c.Assert(dst, qt.Not(qt.Equals), src)
+		c.Assert(dst, qt.DeepEquals, src)
+	})
+
+}
diff --git a/hugofs/filter_fs.go b/hugofs/filter_fs.go
index bee4d05d..9da63bbb 100644
--- a/hugofs/filter_fs.go
+++ b/hugofs/filter_fs.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func NewLanguageFs(langs map[string]int, fs afero.Fs) (afero.Fs, error) {
 			}
 
 			meta := fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-			lang := meta.Lang()
+			lang := meta.Lang
 
 			fileLang, translationBaseName, translationBaseNameWithExt := langInfoFrom(langs, fi.Name())
 			weight := 0
@@ -58,14 +58,16 @@ func NewLanguageFs(langs map[string]int, fs afero.Fs) (afero.Fs, error) {
 				lang = fileLang
 			}
 
-			fim := NewFileMetaInfo(fi, FileMeta{
-				metaKeyLang:                       lang,
-				metaKeyWeight:                     weight,
-				metaKeyOrdinal:                    langs[lang],
-				metaKeyTranslationBaseName:        translationBaseName,
-				metaKeyTranslationBaseNameWithExt: translationBaseNameWithExt,
-				metaKeyClassifier:                 files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.GetOpener()),
-			})
+			fim := NewFileMetaInfo(
+				fi,
+				&FileMeta{
+					Lang:                       lang,
+					Weight:                     weight,
+					Ordinal:                    langs[lang],
+					TranslationBaseName:        translationBaseName,
+					TranslationBaseNameWithExt: translationBaseNameWithExt,
+					Classifier:                 files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.OpenFunc),
+				})
 
 			fis[i] = fim
 		}
@@ -74,9 +76,9 @@ func NewLanguageFs(langs map[string]int, fs afero.Fs) (afero.Fs, error) {
 	all := func(fis []os.FileInfo) {
 		// Maps translation base name to a list of language codes.
 		translations := make(map[string][]string)
-		trackTranslation := func(meta FileMeta) {
-			name := meta.TranslationBaseNameWithExt()
-			translations[name] = append(translations[name], meta.Lang())
+		trackTranslation := func(meta *FileMeta) {
+			name := meta.TranslationBaseNameWithExt
+			translations[name] = append(translations[name], meta.Lang)
 		}
 		for _, fi := range fis {
 			if fi.IsDir() {
@@ -90,9 +92,9 @@ func NewLanguageFs(langs map[string]int, fs afero.Fs) (afero.Fs, error) {
 
 		for _, fi := range fis {
 			fim := fi.(FileMetaInfo)
-			langs := translations[fim.Meta().TranslationBaseNameWithExt()]
+			langs := translations[fim.Meta().TranslationBaseNameWithExt]
 			if len(langs) > 0 {
-				fim.Meta()["translations"] = sortAndremoveStringDuplicates(langs)
+				fim.Meta().Translations = sortAndremoveStringDuplicates(langs)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ func NewFilterFs(fs afero.Fs) (afero.Fs, error) {
 	applyMeta := func(fs *FilterFs, name string, fis []os.FileInfo) {
 		for i, fi := range fis {
 			if fi.IsDir() {
-				fis[i] = decorateFileInfo(fi, fs, fs.getOpener(fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()), "", "", nil)
+				fis[i] = decorateFileInfo(fi, fs, fs.getOpener(fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename), "", "", nil)
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/hugofs/glob_test.go b/hugofs/glob_test.go
index b18864ef..29cd1e0c 100644
--- a/hugofs/glob_test.go
+++ b/hugofs/glob_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func TestGlob(t *testing.T) {
 	collect := func(pattern string) []string {
 		var paths []string
 		h := func(fi FileMetaInfo) (bool, error) {
-			paths = append(paths, fi.Meta().Path())
+			paths = append(paths, fi.Meta().Path)
 			return false, nil
 		}
 		err := Glob(fs, pattern, h)
diff --git a/hugofs/language_composite_fs.go b/hugofs/language_composite_fs.go
index 5dbd252c..09c4540a 100644
--- a/hugofs/language_composite_fs.go
+++ b/hugofs/language_composite_fs.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ var LanguageDirsMerger = func(lofi, bofi []os.FileInfo) ([]os.FileInfo, error) {
 	m := make(map[string]FileMetaInfo)
 
 	getKey := func(fim FileMetaInfo) string {
-		return path.Join(fim.Meta().Lang(), fim.Name())
+		return path.Join(fim.Meta().Lang, fim.Name())
 	}
 
 	for _, fi := range lofi {
diff --git a/hugofs/nosymlink_fs.go b/hugofs/nosymlink_fs.go
index e55d369e..ff950325 100644
--- a/hugofs/nosymlink_fs.go
+++ b/hugofs/nosymlink_fs.go
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (fs *noSymlinkFs) checkSymlinkStatus(name string, fi os.FileInfo) (os.FileI
 
 	if fim, ok := fi.(FileMetaInfo); ok {
 		meta := fim.Meta()
-		metaIsSymlink = meta.IsSymlink()
+		metaIsSymlink = meta.IsSymlink
 	}
 
 	if metaIsSymlink {
diff --git a/hugofs/rootmapping_fs.go b/hugofs/rootmapping_fs.go
index 4ffdb9c6..6441693a 100644
--- a/hugofs/rootmapping_fs.go
+++ b/hugofs/rootmapping_fs.go
@@ -55,19 +55,19 @@ func NewRootMappingFs(fs afero.Fs, rms ...RootMapping) (*RootMappingFs, error) {
 		// Extract "blog" from "content/blog"
 		rm.path = strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(rm.From, fromBase), filepathSeparator)
 		if rm.Meta == nil {
-			rm.Meta = make(FileMeta)
+			rm.Meta = NewFileMeta()
 		}
 
-		rm.Meta[metaKeySourceRoot] = rm.To
-		rm.Meta[metaKeyBaseDir] = rm.ToBasedir
-		rm.Meta[metaKeyMountRoot] = rm.path
-		rm.Meta[metaKeyModule] = rm.Module
+		rm.Meta.SourceRoot = rm.To
+		rm.Meta.BaseDir = rm.ToBasedir
+		rm.Meta.MountRoot = rm.path
+		rm.Meta.Module = rm.Module
 
-		meta := copyFileMeta(rm.Meta)
+		meta := rm.Meta.Copy()
 
 		if !fi.IsDir() {
 			_, name := filepath.Split(rm.From)
-			meta[metaKeyName] = name
+			meta.Name = name
 		}
 
 		rm.fi = NewFileMetaInfo(fi, meta)
@@ -114,11 +114,11 @@ func newRootMappingFsFromFromTo(
 
 // RootMapping describes a virtual file or directory mount.
 type RootMapping struct {
-	From      string   // The virtual mount.
-	To        string   // The source directory or file.
-	ToBasedir string   // The base of To. May be empty if an absolute path was provided.
-	Module    string   // The module path/ID.
-	Meta      FileMeta // File metadata (lang etc.)
+	From      string    // The virtual mount.
+	To        string    // The source directory or file.
+	ToBasedir string    // The base of To. May be empty if an absolute path was provided.
+	Module    string    // The module path/ID.
+	Meta      *FileMeta // File metadata (lang etc.)
 
 	fi   FileMetaInfo
 	path string // The virtual mount point, e.g. "blog".
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ func (fs *RootMappingFs) Dirs(base string) ([]FileMetaInfo, error) {
 		}
 
 		if !fi.IsDir() {
-			mergeFileMeta(r.Meta, fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta())
+			fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta().Merge(r.Meta)
 		}
 
 		fss[i] = fi.(FileMetaInfo)
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ func (fs *RootMappingFs) newUnionFile(fis ...FileMetaInfo) (afero.File, error) {
 		return f, nil
 	}
 
-	rf := &rootMappingFile{File: f, fs: fs, name: meta.Name(), meta: meta}
+	rf := &rootMappingFile{File: f, fs: fs, name: meta.Name, meta: meta}
 	if len(fis) == 1 {
 		return rf, err
 	}
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ func (fs *RootMappingFs) collectDirEntries(prefix string) ([]os.FileInfo, error)
 
 		for _, fi := range direntries {
 			meta := fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-			mergeFileMeta(rm.Meta, meta)
+			meta.Merge(rm.Meta)
 			if fi.IsDir() {
 				name := fi.Name()
 				if seen[name] {
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ func (fs *RootMappingFs) virtualDirOpener(name string) func() (afero.File, error
 	return func() (afero.File, error) { return &rootMappingFile{name: name, fs: fs}, nil }
 }
 
-func (fs *RootMappingFs) realDirOpener(name string, meta FileMeta) func() (afero.File, error) {
+func (fs *RootMappingFs) realDirOpener(name string, meta *FileMeta) func() (afero.File, error) {
 	return func() (afero.File, error) {
 		f, err := fs.Fs.Open(name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ type rootMappingFile struct {
 	afero.File
 	fs   *RootMappingFs
 	name string
-	meta FileMeta
+	meta *FileMeta
 }
 
 func (f *rootMappingFile) Close() error {
diff --git a/hugofs/rootmapping_fs_test.go b/hugofs/rootmapping_fs_test.go
index db9ed25c..e83a46a8 100644
--- a/hugofs/rootmapping_fs_test.go
+++ b/hugofs/rootmapping_fs_test.go
@@ -49,27 +49,27 @@ func TestLanguageRootMapping(t *testing.T) {
 		RootMapping{
 			From: "content/blog",             // Virtual path, first element is one of content, static, layouts etc.
 			To:   "themes/a/mysvblogcontent", // Real path
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "sv"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "sv"},
 		},
 		RootMapping{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "themes/a/myenblogcontent",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "en"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "en"},
 		},
 		RootMapping{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "content/sv",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "sv"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "sv"},
 		},
 		RootMapping{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "themes/a/myotherenblogcontent",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "en"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "en"},
 		},
 		RootMapping{
 			From: "content/docs",
 			To:   "themes/a/mysvdocs",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "sv"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "sv"},
 		},
 	)
 
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ func TestLanguageRootMapping(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	rfsEn := rfs.Filter(func(rm RootMapping) bool {
-		return rm.Meta.Lang() == "en"
+		return rm.Meta.Lang == "en"
 	})
 
 	c.Assert(getDirnames("content/blog", rfsEn), qt.DeepEquals, []string{"d1", "en-f.txt", "en-f2.txt"})
 
 	rfsSv := rfs.Filter(func(rm RootMapping) bool {
-		return rm.Meta.Lang() == "sv"
+		return rm.Meta.Lang == "sv"
 	})
 
 	c.Assert(getDirnames("content/blog", rfsSv), qt.DeepEquals, []string{"d1", "sv-f.txt", "svdir"})
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsDirnames(t *testing.T) {
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
 	c.Assert(fif.Name(), qt.Equals, "myfile.txt")
 	fifm := fif.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-	c.Assert(fifm.Filename(), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("f2t/myfile.txt"))
+	c.Assert(fifm.Filename, qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("f2t/myfile.txt"))
 
 	root, err := rfs.Open("static")
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsFilename(t *testing.T) {
 	fi, err := rfs.Stat(filepath.FromSlash("static/f1/foo/file.txt"))
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
 	fim := fi.(FileMetaInfo)
-	c.Assert(fim.Meta().Filename(), qt.Equals, testfilename)
+	c.Assert(fim.Meta().Filename, qt.Equals, testfilename)
 	_, err = rfs.Stat(filepath.FromSlash("static/f1"))
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
 }
@@ -209,30 +209,30 @@ func TestRootMappingFsMount(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "mynoblogcontent",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "no"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "no"},
 		},
 		{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "myenblogcontent",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "en"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "en"},
 		},
 		{
 			From: "content/blog",
 			To:   "mysvblogcontent",
-			Meta: FileMeta{"lang": "sv"},
+			Meta: &FileMeta{Lang: "sv"},
 		},
 		// Files
 		{
 			From:      "content/singles/p1.md",
 			To:        "singlefiles/no.txt",
 			ToBasedir: "singlefiles",
-			Meta:      FileMeta{"lang": "no"},
+			Meta:      &FileMeta{Lang: "no"},
 		},
 		{
 			From:      "content/singles/p1.md",
 			To:        "singlefiles/sv.txt",
 			ToBasedir: "singlefiles",
-			Meta:      FileMeta{"lang": "sv"},
+			Meta:      &FileMeta{Lang: "sv"},
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsMount(t *testing.T) {
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
 	c.Assert(blog.IsDir(), qt.Equals, true)
 	blogm := blog.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-	c.Assert(blogm.Lang(), qt.Equals, "no") // First match
+	c.Assert(blogm.Lang, qt.Equals, "no") // First match
 
 	f, err := blogm.Open()
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsMount(t *testing.T) {
 	c.Assert(testfilefi.Name(), qt.Equals, testfile)
 
 	testfilem := testfilefi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-	c.Assert(testfilem.Filename(), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("themes/a/mynoblogcontent/test.txt"))
+	c.Assert(testfilem.Filename, qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("themes/a/mynoblogcontent/test.txt"))
 
 	tf, err := testfilem.Open()
 	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsMount(t *testing.T) {
 	for i, lang := range []string{"no", "sv"} {
 		fi := singles[i].(FileMetaInfo)
 		c.Assert(fi.Meta().PathFile(), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("themes/a/singlefiles/"+lang+".txt"))
-		c.Assert(fi.Meta().Lang(), qt.Equals, lang)
+		c.Assert(fi.Meta().Lang, qt.Equals, lang)
 		c.Assert(fi.Name(), qt.Equals, "p1.md")
 	}
 }
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ func TestRootMappingFsOs(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		i++
 		meta := fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-		c.Assert(meta.Filename(), qt.Equals, filepath.Join(d, fmt.Sprintf("/d1/d2/d3/f-%d.txt", i)))
+		c.Assert(meta.Filename, qt.Equals, filepath.Join(d, fmt.Sprintf("/d1/d2/d3/f-%d.txt", i)))
 		c.Assert(meta.PathFile(), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash(fmt.Sprintf("d1/d2/d3/f-%d.txt", i)))
 	}
 
diff --git a/hugofs/slice_fs.go b/hugofs/slice_fs.go
index fd442ee8..0f0d3850 100644
--- a/hugofs/slice_fs.go
+++ b/hugofs/slice_fs.go
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ func (fs *SliceFs) getOpener(name string) func() (afero.File, error) {
 func (fs *SliceFs) pickFirst(name string) (os.FileInfo, int, error) {
 	for i, mfs := range fs.dirs {
 		meta := mfs.Meta()
-		fs := meta.Fs()
+		fs := meta.Fs
 		fi, _, err := lstatIfPossible(fs, name)
 		if err == nil {
 			// Gotta match!
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ func (fs *SliceFs) pickFirst(name string) (os.FileInfo, int, error) {
 }
 
 func (fs *SliceFs) readDirs(name string, startIdx, count int) ([]os.FileInfo, error) {
-	collect := func(lfs FileMeta) ([]os.FileInfo, error) {
-		d, err := lfs.Fs().Open(name)
+	collect := func(lfs *FileMeta) ([]os.FileInfo, error) {
+		d, err := lfs.Fs.Open(name)
 		if err != nil {
 			if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
 				return nil, err
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ func (fs *SliceFs) readDirs(name string, startIdx, count int) ([]os.FileInfo, er
 			duplicates = append(duplicates, i)
 		} else {
 			// Make sure it's opened by this filesystem.
-			dirs[i] = decorateFileInfo(fi, fs, fs.getOpener(fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()), "", "", nil)
+			dirs[i] = decorateFileInfo(fi, fs, fs.getOpener(fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename), "", "", nil)
 			seen[fi.Name()] = true
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/hugofs/walk.go b/hugofs/walk.go
index a46b36e5..44d58f06 100644
--- a/hugofs/walk.go
+++ b/hugofs/walk.go
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ type WalkwayConfig struct {
 func NewWalkway(cfg WalkwayConfig) *Walkway {
 	var fs afero.Fs
 	if cfg.Info != nil {
-		fs = cfg.Info.Meta().Fs()
+		fs = cfg.Info.Meta().Fs
 	} else {
 		fs = cfg.Fs
 	}
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 	}
 
 	meta := info.Meta()
-	filename := meta.Filename()
+	filename := meta.Filename
 
 	if dirEntries == nil {
 		f, err := w.fs.Open(path)
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 
 		dirEntries = fileInfosToFileMetaInfos(fis)
 
-		if !meta.IsOrdered() {
+		if !meta.IsOrdered {
 			sort.Slice(dirEntries, func(i, j int) bool {
 				fii := dirEntries[i]
 				fij := dirEntries[j]
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 				fim, fjm := fii.Meta(), fij.Meta()
 
 				// Pull bundle headers to the top.
-				ficlass, fjclass := fim.Classifier(), fjm.Classifier()
+				ficlass, fjclass := fim.Classifier, fjm.Classifier
 				if ficlass != fjclass {
 					return ficlass < fjclass
 				}
@@ -222,20 +222,20 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 				// With multiple content dirs with different languages,
 				// there can be duplicate files, and a weight will be added
 				// to the closest one.
-				fiw, fjw := fim.Weight(), fjm.Weight()
+				fiw, fjw := fim.Weight, fjm.Weight
 				if fiw != fjw {
 					return fiw > fjw
 				}
 
 				// Explicit order set.
-				fio, fjo := fim.Ordinal(), fjm.Ordinal()
+				fio, fjo := fim.Ordinal, fjm.Ordinal
 				if fio != fjo {
 					return fio < fjo
 				}
 
 				// When we walk into a symlink, we keep the reference to
 				// the original name.
-				fin, fjn := fim.Name(), fjm.Name()
+				fin, fjn := fim.Name, fjm.Name
 				if fin != "" && fjn != "" {
 					return fin < fjn
 				}
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 		meta := fim.Meta()
 
 		// Note that we use the original Name even if it's a symlink.
-		name := meta.Name()
+		name := meta.Name
 		if name == "" {
 			name = fim.Name()
 		}
@@ -267,13 +267,13 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 			pathMeta = strings.TrimPrefix(pathn, w.basePath)
 		}
 
-		meta[metaKeyPath] = normalizeFilename(pathMeta)
-		meta[metaKeyPathWalk] = pathn
+		meta.Path = normalizeFilename(pathMeta)
+		meta.PathWalk = pathn
 
-		if fim.IsDir() && w.isSeen(meta.Filename()) {
+		if fim.IsDir() && w.isSeen(meta.Filename) {
 			// Prevent infinite recursion
 			// Possible cyclic reference
-			meta[metaKeySkipDir] = true
+			meta.SkipDir = true
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -291,11 +291,11 @@ func (w *Walkway) walk(path string, info FileMetaInfo, dirEntries []FileMetaInfo
 		fim := fi.(FileMetaInfo)
 		meta := fim.Meta()
 
-		if meta.SkipDir() {
+		if meta.SkipDir {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		err := w.walk(meta.GetString(metaKeyPathWalk), fim, nil, walkFn)
+		err := w.walk(meta.PathWalk, fim, nil, walkFn)
 		if err != nil {
 			if !fi.IsDir() || err != filepath.SkipDir {
 				return err
diff --git a/hugofs/walk_test.go b/hugofs/walk_test.go
index 49e011d7..4825ba36 100644
--- a/hugofs/walk_test.go
+++ b/hugofs/walk_test.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 package hugofs
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 
+	"github.com/gohugoio/hugo/common/para"
 	"github.com/gohugoio/hugo/htesting"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/afero"
@@ -47,38 +49,76 @@ func TestWalk(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestWalkRootMappingFs(t *testing.T) {
 	c := qt.New(t)
-	fs := NewBaseFileDecorator(afero.NewMemMapFs())
 
-	testfile := "test.txt"
+	prepare := func(c *qt.C) afero.Fs {
+		fs := NewBaseFileDecorator(afero.NewMemMapFs())
 
-	c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("a/b", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
-	c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("c/d", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
-	c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("e/f", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
+		testfile := "test.txt"
 
-	rm := []RootMapping{
-		{
-			From: "static/b",
-			To:   "e/f",
-		},
-		{
-			From: "static/a",
-			To:   "c/d",
-		},
+		c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("a/b", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
+		c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("c/d", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
+		c.Assert(afero.WriteFile(fs, filepath.Join("e/f", testfile), []byte("some content"), 0755), qt.IsNil)
 
-		{
-			From: "static/c",
-			To:   "a/b",
-		},
+		rm := []RootMapping{
+			{
+				From: "static/b",
+				To:   "e/f",
+			},
+			{
+				From: "static/a",
+				To:   "c/d",
+			},
+
+			{
+				From: "static/c",
+				To:   "a/b",
+			},
+		}
+
+		rfs, err := NewRootMappingFs(fs, rm...)
+		c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
+		return afero.NewBasePathFs(rfs, "static")
 	}
 
-	rfs, err := NewRootMappingFs(fs, rm...)
-	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
-	bfs := afero.NewBasePathFs(rfs, "static")
+	c.Run("Basic", func(c *qt.C) {
 
-	names, err := collectFilenames(bfs, "", "")
+		bfs := prepare(c)
 
-	c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
-	c.Assert(names, qt.DeepEquals, []string{"a/test.txt", "b/test.txt", "c/test.txt"})
+		names, err := collectFilenames(bfs, "", "")
+
+		c.Assert(err, qt.IsNil)
+		c.Assert(names, qt.DeepEquals, []string{"a/test.txt", "b/test.txt", "c/test.txt"})
+
+	})
+
+	c.Run("Para", func(c *qt.C) {
+		bfs := prepare(c)
+
+		p := para.New(4)
+		r, _ := p.Start(context.Background())
+
+		for i := 0; i < 8; i++ {
+			r.Run(func() error {
+				_, err := collectFilenames(bfs, "", "")
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				fi, err := bfs.Stat("b/test.txt")
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				meta := fi.(FileMetaInfo).Meta()
+				if meta.Filename == "" {
+					return errors.New("fail")
+				}
+				return nil
+
+			})
+		}
+
+		c.Assert(r.Wait(), qt.IsNil)
+
+	})
 }
 
 func skipSymlink() bool {
@@ -157,7 +197,7 @@ func collectFilenames(fs afero.Fs, base, root string) ([]string, error) {
 			return nil
 		}
 
-		filename := info.Meta().Path()
+		filename := info.Meta().Path
 		filename = filepath.ToSlash(filename)
 
 		names = append(names, filename)
@@ -221,7 +261,7 @@ func BenchmarkWalk(b *testing.B) {
 			return nil
 		}
 
-		filename := info.Meta().Filename()
+		filename := info.Meta().Filename
 		if !strings.HasPrefix(filename, "root") {
 			return errors.New(filename)
 		}
diff --git a/hugolib/content_map.go b/hugolib/content_map.go
index 3f5ed65c..29e821f7 100644
--- a/hugolib/content_map.go
+++ b/hugolib/content_map.go
@@ -101,9 +101,9 @@ func newContentMap(cfg contentMapConfig) *contentMap {
 					n := v.(*contentNode)
 					if n.p != nil && !n.p.File().IsZero() {
 						meta := n.p.File().FileInfo().Meta()
-						if meta.Path() != meta.PathFile() {
+						if meta.Path != meta.PathFile() {
 							// Keep track of the original mount source.
-							mountKey := filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Join(meta.Module(), meta.PathFile()))
+							mountKey := filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Join(meta.Module, meta.PathFile()))
 							addToReverseMap(mountKey, n, m)
 						}
 					}
@@ -198,9 +198,9 @@ func (b *cmInsertKeyBuilder) WithFile(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) *cmInsertKeyBuilde
 	b.newTopLevel()
 	m := b.m
 	meta := fi.Meta()
-	p := cleanTreeKey(meta.Path())
+	p := cleanTreeKey(meta.Path)
 	bundlePath := m.getBundleDir(meta)
-	isBundle := meta.Classifier().IsBundle()
+	isBundle := meta.Classifier.IsBundle()
 	if isBundle {
 		panic("not implemented")
 	}
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ func (b *cmInsertKeyBuilder) WithFile(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) *cmInsertKeyBuilde
 		return b
 	}
 
-	id := k + m.reduceKeyPart(p, fi.Meta().Path())
+	id := k + m.reduceKeyPart(p, fi.Meta().Path)
 	b.tree = b.m.resources
 	b.key = id
 	b.baseKey = p
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ func (m *contentMap) AddFiles(fis ...hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 func (m *contentMap) AddFilesBundle(header hugofs.FileMetaInfo, resources ...hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 	var (
 		meta       = header.Meta()
-		classifier = meta.Classifier()
+		classifier = meta.Classifier
 		isBranch   = classifier == files.ContentClassBranch
 		bundlePath = m.getBundleDir(meta)
 
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ func (m *contentMap) AddFilesBundle(header hugofs.FileMetaInfo, resources ...hug
 	}
 
 	for _, r := range resources {
-		rb := b.ForResource(cleanTreeKey(r.Meta().Path()))
+		rb := b.ForResource(cleanTreeKey(r.Meta().Path))
 		rb.Insert(&contentNode{fi: r})
 	}
 
@@ -462,12 +462,12 @@ func (m *contentMap) CreateMissingNodes() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m *contentMap) getBundleDir(meta hugofs.FileMeta) string {
-	dir := cleanTreeKey(filepath.Dir(meta.Path()))
+func (m *contentMap) getBundleDir(meta *hugofs.FileMeta) string {
+	dir := cleanTreeKey(filepath.Dir(meta.Path))
 
-	switch meta.Classifier() {
+	switch meta.Classifier {
 	case files.ContentClassContent:
-		return path.Join(dir, meta.TranslationBaseName())
+		return path.Join(dir, meta.TranslationBaseName)
 	default:
 		return dir
 	}
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ func (m *contentMap) getBundleDir(meta hugofs.FileMeta) string {
 func (m *contentMap) newContentNodeFromFi(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) *contentNode {
 	return &contentNode{
 		fi:   fi,
-		path: strings.TrimPrefix(filepath.ToSlash(fi.Meta().Path()), "/"),
+		path: strings.TrimPrefix(filepath.ToSlash(fi.Meta().Path), "/"),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ func (m *contentMap) testDump() string {
 					sb.WriteString("|p:" + c.p.Title())
 				}
 				if c.fi != nil {
-					sb.WriteString("|f:" + filepath.ToSlash(c.fi.Meta().Path()))
+					sb.WriteString("|f:" + filepath.ToSlash(c.fi.Meta().Path))
 				}
 				return sb.String()
 			}
@@ -716,13 +716,13 @@ func (m *contentMap) testDump() string {
 				resourcesPrefix += cmLeafSeparator
 
 				m.pages.WalkPrefix(s+cmBranchSeparator, func(s string, v interface{}) bool {
-					sb.WriteString("\t - P: " + filepath.ToSlash((v.(*contentNode).fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo)).Meta().Filename()) + "\n")
+					sb.WriteString("\t - P: " + filepath.ToSlash((v.(*contentNode).fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo)).Meta().Filename) + "\n")
 					return false
 				})
 			}
 
 			m.resources.WalkPrefix(resourcesPrefix, func(s string, v interface{}) bool {
-				sb.WriteString("\t - R: " + filepath.ToSlash((v.(*contentNode).fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo)).Meta().Filename()) + "\n")
+				sb.WriteString("\t - R: " + filepath.ToSlash((v.(*contentNode).fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo)).Meta().Filename) + "\n")
 				return false
 			})
 
diff --git a/hugolib/content_map_page.go b/hugolib/content_map_page.go
index 278d2476..698c96cf 100644
--- a/hugolib/content_map_page.go
+++ b/hugolib/content_map_page.go
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func (m *pageMap) newPageFromContentNode(n *contentNode, parentBucket *pagesMapB
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if n.fi.Meta().GetBool(walkIsRootFileMetaKey) {
+	if n.fi.Meta().IsRootFile {
 		// Make sure that the bundle/section we start walking from is always
 		// rendered.
 		// This is only relevant in server fast render mode.
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ func (m *pageMap) newResource(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo, owner *pageState) (resour
 		return meta.Open()
 	}
 
-	target := strings.TrimPrefix(meta.Path(), owner.File().Dir())
+	target := strings.TrimPrefix(meta.Path, owner.File().Dir())
 
 	return owner.s.ResourceSpec.New(
 		resources.ResourceSourceDescriptor{
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ func (m *pageMap) assembleResources(s string, p *pageState, parentBucket *pagesM
 	m.resources.WalkPrefix(s, func(s string, v interface{}) bool {
 		n := v.(*contentNode)
 		meta := n.fi.Meta()
-		classifier := meta.Classifier()
+		classifier := meta.Classifier
 		var r resource.Resource
 		switch classifier {
 		case files.ContentClassContent:
diff --git a/hugolib/content_map_test.go b/hugolib/content_map_test.go
index a62380ef..014ef9c7 100644
--- a/hugolib/content_map_test.go
+++ b/hugolib/content_map_test.go
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ func BenchmarkContentMap(b *testing.B) {
 				meta := fi.Meta()
 				// We have a more elaborate filesystem setup in the
 				// real flow, so simulate this here.
-				meta["lang"] = lang
-				meta["path"] = meta.Filename()
-				meta["classifier"] = files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.GetOpener())
+				meta.Lang = lang
+				meta.Path = meta.Filename
+				meta.Classifier = files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.OpenFunc)
 			})
 	}
 
@@ -109,10 +109,10 @@ func TestContentMap(t *testing.T) {
 				meta := fi.Meta()
 				// We have a more elaborate filesystem setup in the
 				// real flow, so simulate this here.
-				meta["lang"] = lang
-				meta["path"] = meta.Filename()
-				meta["classifier"] = files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.GetOpener())
-				meta["translationBaseName"] = paths.Filename(fi.Name())
+				meta.Lang = lang
+				meta.Path = meta.Filename
+				meta.TranslationBaseName = paths.Filename(fi.Name())
+				meta.Classifier = files.ClassifyContentFile(fi.Name(), meta.OpenFunc)
 			})
 	}
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func TestContentMap(t *testing.T) {
 
 		header := writeFile(c, fs, "blog/a/index.md", "page")
 
-		c.Assert(header.Meta().Lang(), qt.Equals, "en")
+		c.Assert(header.Meta().Lang, qt.Equals, "en")
 
 		resources := []hugofs.FileMetaInfo{
 			writeFile(c, fs, "blog/a/b/data.json", "data"),
diff --git a/hugolib/filesystems/basefs.go b/hugolib/filesystems/basefs.go
index e977633c..d238d2e0 100644
--- a/hugolib/filesystems/basefs.go
+++ b/hugolib/filesystems/basefs.go
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ type BaseFs struct {
 func (fs *BaseFs) WatchDirs() []hugofs.FileMetaInfo {
 	var dirs []hugofs.FileMetaInfo
 	for _, dir := range fs.AllDirs() {
-		if dir.Meta().Watch() {
+		if dir.Meta().Watch {
 			dirs = append(dirs, dir)
 		}
 	}
@@ -92,9 +92,9 @@ func (fs *BaseFs) AllDirs() []hugofs.FileMetaInfo {
 // the given filename. The return value is the path and language code.
 func (b *BaseFs) RelContentDir(filename string) string {
 	for _, dir := range b.SourceFilesystems.Content.Dirs {
-		dirname := dir.Meta().Filename()
+		dirname := dir.Meta().Filename
 		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, dirname) {
-			rel := path.Join(dir.Meta().Path(), strings.TrimPrefix(filename, dirname))
+			rel := path.Join(dir.Meta().Path, strings.TrimPrefix(filename, dirname))
 			return strings.TrimPrefix(rel, filePathSeparator)
 		}
 	}
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ func (fs *BaseFs) ResolveJSConfigFile(name string) string {
 	// First look in assets/_jsconfig
 	fi, err := fs.Assets.Fs.Stat(filepath.Join(files.FolderJSConfig, name))
 	if err == nil {
-		return fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+		return fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 	}
 	// Fall back to the work dir.
 	fi, err = fs.Work.Stat(name)
 	if err == nil {
-		return fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+		return fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 	}
 
 	return ""
@@ -276,11 +276,11 @@ func (s SourceFilesystems) MakeStaticPathRelative(filename string) string {
 func (d *SourceFilesystem) MakePathRelative(filename string) (string, bool) {
 	for _, dir := range d.Dirs {
 		meta := dir.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-		currentPath := meta.Filename()
+		currentPath := meta.Filename
 
 		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, currentPath) {
 			rel := strings.TrimPrefix(filename, currentPath)
-			if mp := meta.Path(); mp != "" {
+			if mp := meta.Path; mp != "" {
 				rel = filepath.Join(mp, rel)
 			}
 			return strings.TrimPrefix(rel, filePathSeparator), true
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ func (d *SourceFilesystem) RealFilename(rel string) string {
 		return rel
 	}
 	if realfi, ok := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-		return realfi.Meta().Filename()
+		return realfi.Meta().Filename
 	}
 
 	return rel
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ func (d *SourceFilesystem) RealFilename(rel string) string {
 // Contains returns whether the given filename is a member of the current filesystem.
 func (d *SourceFilesystem) Contains(filename string) bool {
 	for _, dir := range d.Dirs {
-		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, dir.Meta().Filename()) {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, dir.Meta().Filename) {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
@@ -316,9 +316,9 @@ func (d *SourceFilesystem) Contains(filename string) bool {
 func (d *SourceFilesystem) Path(filename string) string {
 	for _, dir := range d.Dirs {
 		meta := dir.Meta()
-		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, meta.Filename()) {
-			p := strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(filename, meta.Filename()), filePathSeparator)
-			if mountRoot := meta.MountRoot(); mountRoot != "" {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(filename, meta.Filename) {
+			p := strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(filename, meta.Filename), filePathSeparator)
+			if mountRoot := meta.MountRoot; mountRoot != "" {
 				return filepath.Join(mountRoot, p)
 			}
 			return p
@@ -333,8 +333,8 @@ func (d *SourceFilesystem) RealDirs(from string) []string {
 	var dirnames []string
 	for _, dir := range d.Dirs {
 		meta := dir.Meta()
-		dirname := filepath.Join(meta.Filename(), from)
-		_, err := meta.Fs().Stat(from)
+		dirname := filepath.Join(meta.Filename, from)
+		_, err := meta.Fs.Stat(from)
 
 		if err == nil {
 			dirnames = append(dirnames, dirname)
@@ -568,9 +568,10 @@ func (b *sourceFilesystemsBuilder) createModFs(
 			To:        filename,
 			ToBasedir: base,
 			Module:    md.Module.Path(),
-			Meta: hugofs.FileMeta{
-				"watch":       md.Watch(),
-				"mountWeight": mountWeight,
+			Meta: &hugofs.FileMeta{
+				Watch:      md.Watch(),
+				Weight:     mountWeight,
+				Classifier: files.ContentClassContent,
 			},
 		}
 
@@ -581,7 +582,7 @@ func (b *sourceFilesystemsBuilder) createModFs(
 			lang = b.p.DefaultContentLanguage
 		}
 
-		rm.Meta["lang"] = lang
+		rm.Meta.Lang = lang
 
 		if isContentMount {
 			fromToContent = append(fromToContent, rm)
@@ -622,7 +623,7 @@ func (b *sourceFilesystemsBuilder) createModFs(
 			lang := l.Lang
 
 			lfs := rmfsStatic.Filter(func(rm hugofs.RootMapping) bool {
-				rlang := rm.Meta.Lang()
+				rlang := rm.Meta.Lang
 				return rlang == "" || rlang == lang
 			})
 
@@ -676,7 +677,7 @@ func printFs(fs afero.Fs, path string, w io.Writer) {
 		}
 		var filename string
 		if fim, ok := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-			filename = fim.Meta().Filename()
+			filename = fim.Meta().Filename
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintf(w, "    %q %q\n", path, filename)
 		return nil
diff --git a/hugolib/hugo_modules_test.go b/hugolib/hugo_modules_test.go
index 96355f08..ff3d01c0 100644
--- a/hugolib/hugo_modules_test.go
+++ b/hugolib/hugo_modules_test.go
@@ -993,7 +993,7 @@ title: P1
 
 		p := b.GetPage("blog/p1.md")
 		f := p.File().FileInfo().Meta()
-		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.Path()), qt.Equals, "blog/p1.md")
+		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.Path), qt.Equals, "blog/p1.md")
 		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.PathFile()), qt.Equals, "content/blog/p1.md")
 
 		b.Assert(b.H.BaseFs.Layouts.Path(filepath.Join(test.workingDir, "layouts", "_default", "single.html")), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("_default/single.html"))
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@ title: P1
 		b.Assert(p1_2, qt.Equals, p1_1)
 
 		f := p1_1.File().FileInfo().Meta()
-		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.Path()), qt.Equals, "blog/sub/p1.md")
+		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.Path), qt.Equals, "blog/sub/p1.md")
 		b.Assert(filepath.ToSlash(f.PathFile()), qt.Equals, "mycontent/sub/p1.md")
 		b.Assert(b.H.BaseFs.Layouts.Path(filepath.Join(myPartialsDir, "mypartial.html")), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("partials/mypartial.html"))
 		b.Assert(b.H.BaseFs.Layouts.Path(filepath.Join(absShortcodesDir, "myshort.html")), qt.Equals, filepath.FromSlash("shortcodes/myshort.html"))
diff --git a/hugolib/hugo_sites.go b/hugolib/hugo_sites.go
index d380cf73..a289556c 100644
--- a/hugolib/hugo_sites.go
+++ b/hugolib/hugo_sites.go
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func (h *HugoSites) GetContentPage(filename string) page.Page {
 			return false
 		}
 
-		if b.fi.Meta().Filename() == filename {
+		if b.fi.Meta().Filename == filename {
 			p = b.p
 			return true
 		}
@@ -769,7 +769,7 @@ func (h *HugoSites) removePageByFilename(filename string) {
 				return false
 			}
 
-			return b.fi.Meta().Filename() == filename
+			return b.fi.Meta().Filename == filename
 		})
 		return nil
 	})
@@ -919,7 +919,7 @@ func (h *HugoSites) errWithFileContext(err error, f source.File) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	realFilename := fim.Meta().Filename()
+	realFilename := fim.Meta().Filename
 
 	err, _ = herrors.WithFileContextForFile(
 		err,
@@ -1079,12 +1079,12 @@ func (m *contentChangeMap) resolveAndRemove(filename string) (string, bundleDirT
 
 func (m *contentChangeMap) addSymbolicLinkMapping(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) {
 	meta := fim.Meta()
-	if !meta.IsSymlink() {
+	if !meta.IsSymlink {
 		return
 	}
 	m.symContentMu.Lock()
 
-	from, to := meta.Filename(), meta.OriginalFilename()
+	from, to := meta.Filename, meta.OriginalFilename
 	if fim.IsDir() {
 		if !strings.HasSuffix(from, helpers.FilePathSeparator) {
 			from += helpers.FilePathSeparator
diff --git a/hugolib/hugo_sites_build.go b/hugolib/hugo_sites_build.go
index ccdf9e43..ab3603cc 100644
--- a/hugolib/hugo_sites_build.go
+++ b/hugolib/hugo_sites_build.go
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ func (h *HugoSites) postProcess() error {
 			h.Log.Warnf("Failed to resolve jsconfig.json dir: %s", err)
 		} else {
 			m := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-			assetsDir := m.SourceRoot()
+			assetsDir := m.SourceRoot
 			if strings.HasPrefix(assetsDir, h.ResourceSpec.WorkingDir) {
 				if jsConfig := h.ResourceSpec.JSConfigBuilder.Build(assetsDir); jsConfig != nil {
 
diff --git a/hugolib/page.go b/hugolib/page.go
index 6099fb21..ab2a4d74 100644
--- a/hugolib/page.go
+++ b/hugolib/page.go
@@ -1006,7 +1006,7 @@ func (s *Site) sectionsFromFile(fi source.File) []string {
 	parts := strings.Split(dirname, helpers.FilePathSeparator)
 
 	if fii, ok := fi.(*fileInfo); ok {
-		if len(parts) > 0 && fii.FileInfo().Meta().Classifier() == files.ContentClassLeaf {
+		if len(parts) > 0 && fii.FileInfo().Meta().Classifier == files.ContentClassLeaf {
 			// my-section/mybundle/index.md => my-section
 			return parts[:len(parts)-1]
 		}
diff --git a/hugolib/page__meta.go b/hugolib/page__meta.go
index 3b31cb29..b55f58fe 100644
--- a/hugolib/page__meta.go
+++ b/hugolib/page__meta.go
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ func (p *pageMeta) applyDefaultValues(n *contentNode) error {
 	} else {
 		source := p.File()
 		if fi, ok := source.(*fileInfo); ok {
-			class := fi.FileInfo().Meta().Classifier()
+			class := fi.FileInfo().Meta().Classifier
 			switch class {
 			case files.ContentClassBranch, files.ContentClassLeaf:
 				p.bundleType = class
diff --git a/hugolib/pagebundler_test.go b/hugolib/pagebundler_test.go
index b63d663e..1694b02e 100644
--- a/hugolib/pagebundler_test.go
+++ b/hugolib/pagebundler_test.go
@@ -290,7 +290,8 @@ func TestPageBundlerSiteMultilingual(t *testing.T) {
 
 				c.Assert(len(s.RegularPages()), qt.Equals, 8)
 				c.Assert(len(s.Pages()), qt.Equals, 16)
-				// dumpPages(s.AllPages()...)
+				//dumpPages(s.AllPages()...)
+
 				c.Assert(len(s.AllPages()), qt.Equals, 31)
 
 				bundleWithSubPath := s.getPage(page.KindPage, "lb/index")
diff --git a/hugolib/pagecollections.go b/hugolib/pagecollections.go
index 623d5de4..811fb602 100644
--- a/hugolib/pagecollections.go
+++ b/hugolib/pagecollections.go
@@ -246,8 +246,8 @@ func (c *PageCollections) getContentNode(context page.Page, isReflink bool, ref
 			base = context.SectionsPath()
 		} else {
 			meta := context.File().FileInfo().Meta()
-			base = filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Dir(meta.Path()))
-			if meta.Classifier() == files.ContentClassLeaf {
+			base = filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Dir(meta.Path))
+			if meta.Classifier == files.ContentClassLeaf {
 				// Bundles are stored in subfolders e.g. blog/mybundle/index.md,
 				// so if the user has not explicitly asked to go up,
 				// look on the "blog" level.
@@ -304,11 +304,11 @@ func (c *PageCollections) getContentNode(context page.Page, isReflink bool, ref
 
 	var module string
 	if context != nil && !context.File().IsZero() {
-		module = context.File().FileInfo().Meta().Module()
+		module = context.File().FileInfo().Meta().Module
 	}
 
 	if module == "" && !c.pageMap.s.home.File().IsZero() {
-		module = c.pageMap.s.home.File().FileInfo().Meta().Module()
+		module = c.pageMap.s.home.File().FileInfo().Meta().Module
 	}
 
 	if module != "" {
diff --git a/hugolib/pages_capture.go b/hugolib/pages_capture.go
index 45221af7..da7515fc 100644
--- a/hugolib/pages_capture.go
+++ b/hugolib/pages_capture.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) isCascadingEdit(dir contentDirKey) (bool, string) {
 	var isCascade bool
 
 	c.contentMap.walkBranchesPrefix(prefix, func(s string, n *contentNode) bool {
-		if n.fi == nil || dir.filename != n.fi.Meta().Filename() {
+		if n.fi == nil || dir.filename != n.fi.Meta().Filename {
 			return false
 		}
 
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) Collect() (collectErr error) {
 			default:
 				// We always start from a directory.
 				collectErr = c.collectDir(dir.dirname, true, func(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) bool {
-					return dir.filename == fim.Meta().Filename()
+					return dir.filename == fim.Meta().Filename
 				})
 			}
 
@@ -213,12 +213,12 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) Collect() (collectErr error) {
 }
 
 func (c *pagesCollector) isBundleHeader(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) bool {
-	class := fi.Meta().Classifier()
+	class := fi.Meta().Classifier
 	return class == files.ContentClassLeaf || class == files.ContentClassBranch
 }
 
 func (c *pagesCollector) getLang(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) string {
-	lang := fi.Meta().Lang()
+	lang := fi.Meta().Lang
 	if lang != "" {
 		return lang
 	}
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) addToBundle(info hugofs.FileMetaInfo, btyp bundleDirTyp
 		}
 
 		clone := c.cloneFileInfo(source.header)
-		clone.Meta()["lang"] = lang
+		clone.Meta().Lang = lang
 
 		return &fileinfoBundle{
 			header: clone,
@@ -265,10 +265,10 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) addToBundle(info hugofs.FileMetaInfo, btyp bundleDirTyp
 	isBundleHeader := c.isBundleHeader(info)
 	if bundle != nil && isBundleHeader {
 		// index.md file inside a bundle, see issue 6208.
-		info.Meta()["classifier"] = files.ContentClassContent
+		info.Meta().Classifier = files.ContentClassContent
 		isBundleHeader = false
 	}
-	classifier := info.Meta().Classifier()
+	classifier := info.Meta().Classifier
 	isContent := classifier == files.ContentClassContent
 	if bundle == nil {
 		if isBundleHeader {
@@ -295,14 +295,14 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) addToBundle(info hugofs.FileMetaInfo, btyp bundleDirTyp
 	}
 
 	if classifier == files.ContentClassFile {
-		translations := info.Meta().Translations()
+		translations := info.Meta().Translations
 
 		for lang, b := range bundles {
 			if !stringSliceContains(lang, translations...) && !b.containsResource(info.Name()) {
 
 				// Clone and add it to the bundle.
 				clone := c.cloneFileInfo(info)
-				clone.Meta()["lang"] = lang
+				clone.Meta().Lang = lang
 				b.resources = append(b.resources, clone)
 			}
 		}
@@ -312,16 +312,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) addToBundle(info hugofs.FileMetaInfo, btyp bundleDirTyp
 }
 
 func (c *pagesCollector) cloneFileInfo(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) hugofs.FileMetaInfo {
-	cm := hugofs.FileMeta{}
-	meta := fi.Meta()
-	if meta == nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("not meta: %v", fi.Name()))
-	}
-	for k, v := range meta {
-		cm[k] = v
-	}
-
-	return hugofs.NewFileMetaInfo(fi, cm)
+	return hugofs.NewFileMetaInfo(fi, hugofs.NewFileMeta())
 }
 
 func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) bool) error {
@@ -365,11 +356,11 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(
 	}
 
 	filter := func(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) bool {
-		if fim.Meta().SkipDir() {
+		if fim.Meta().SkipDir {
 			return false
 		}
 
-		if c.sp.IgnoreFile(fim.Meta().Filename()) {
+		if c.sp.IgnoreFile(fim.Meta().Filename) {
 			return false
 		}
 
@@ -393,7 +384,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(
 				}
 			}
 		}
-		walkRoot := dir.Meta().GetBool(walkIsRootFileMetaKey)
+		walkRoot := dir.Meta().IsRootFile
 		readdir = filtered
 
 		// We merge language directories, so there can be duplicates, but they
@@ -408,12 +399,10 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(
 			}
 
 			meta := fi.Meta()
-			if walkRoot {
-				meta[walkIsRootFileMetaKey] = true
-			}
-			class := meta.Classifier()
-			translationBase := meta.TranslationBaseNameWithExt()
-			key := pth.Join(meta.Lang(), translationBase)
+			meta.IsRootFile = walkRoot
+			class := meta.Classifier
+			translationBase := meta.TranslationBaseNameWithExt
+			key := pth.Join(meta.Lang, translationBase)
 
 			if seen[key] {
 				duplicates = append(duplicates, i)
@@ -435,10 +424,10 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(
 			// The branch variant will win because of sort order, but log
 			// a warning about it.
 			if thisBtype > bundleNot && btype > bundleNot && thisBtype != btype {
-				c.logger.Warnf("Content directory %q have both index.* and _index.* files, pick one.", dir.Meta().Filename())
+				c.logger.Warnf("Content directory %q have both index.* and _index.* files, pick one.", dir.Meta().Filename)
 				// Reclassify it so it will be handled as a content file inside the
 				// section, which is in line with the <= 0.55 behaviour.
-				meta["classifier"] = files.ContentClassContent
+				meta.Classifier = files.ContentClassContent
 			} else if thisBtype > bundleNot {
 				btype = thisBtype
 			}
@@ -488,7 +477,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) collectDir(dirname string, partial bool, inFilter func(
 	fim := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo)
 	// Make sure the pages in this directory gets re-rendered,
 	// even in fast render mode.
-	fim.Meta()[walkIsRootFileMetaKey] = true
+	fim.Meta().IsRootFile = true
 
 	w := hugofs.NewWalkway(hugofs.WalkwayConfig{
 		Fs:       c.fs,
@@ -517,7 +506,7 @@ func (c *pagesCollector) handleBundleBranch(readdir []hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error
 
 		meta := fim.Meta()
 
-		switch meta.Classifier() {
+		switch meta.Classifier {
 		case files.ContentClassContent:
 			contentFiles = append(contentFiles, fim)
 		default:
diff --git a/hugolib/pages_process.go b/hugolib/pages_process.go
index 90b67a71..89a306a3 100644
--- a/hugolib/pages_process.go
+++ b/hugolib/pages_process.go
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (proc *pagesProcessor) Wait() error {
 }
 
 func (proc *pagesProcessor) getProcFromFi(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) pagesCollectorProcessorProvider {
-	if p, found := proc.procs[fi.Meta().Lang()]; found {
+	if p, found := proc.procs[fi.Meta().Lang]; found {
 		return p
 	}
 	return defaultPageProcessor
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func (p *sitePagesProcessor) copyFile(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 
 	s := p.m.s
 
-	target := filepath.Join(s.PathSpec.GetTargetLanguageBasePath(), meta.Path())
+	target := filepath.Join(s.PathSpec.GetTargetLanguageBasePath(), meta.Path)
 
 	defer f.Close()
 
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func (p *sitePagesProcessor) doProcess(item interface{}) error {
 		}
 		meta := v.Meta()
 
-		classifier := meta.Classifier()
+		classifier := meta.Classifier
 		switch classifier {
 		case files.ContentClassContent:
 			if err := m.AddFilesBundle(v); err != nil {
@@ -192,5 +192,5 @@ func (p *sitePagesProcessor) doProcess(item interface{}) error {
 
 func (p *sitePagesProcessor) shouldSkip(fim hugofs.FileMetaInfo) bool {
 	// TODO(ep) unify
-	return p.m.s.SourceSpec.DisabledLanguages[fim.Meta().Lang()]
+	return p.m.s.SourceSpec.DisabledLanguages[fim.Meta().Lang]
 }
diff --git a/langs/i18n/translationProvider.go b/langs/i18n/translationProvider.go
index 70bf3b5f..c6650581 100644
--- a/langs/i18n/translationProvider.go
+++ b/langs/i18n/translationProvider.go
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func errWithFileContext(inerr error, r source.File) error {
 	}
 
 	meta := fim.Meta()
-	realFilename := meta.Filename()
+	realFilename := meta.Filename
 	f, err := meta.Open()
 	if err != nil {
 		return inerr
diff --git a/modules/npm/package_builder.go b/modules/npm/package_builder.go
index a073b3d8..aa9ecb35 100644
--- a/modules/npm/package_builder.go
+++ b/modules/npm/package_builder.go
@@ -80,12 +80,12 @@ func Pack(fs afero.Fs, fis []hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 	}
 
 	meta := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-	masterFilename := meta.Filename()
+	masterFilename := meta.Filename
 	f, err := meta.Open()
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "npm pack: failed to open package file")
 	}
-	b = newPackageBuilder(meta.Module(), f)
+	b = newPackageBuilder(meta.Module, f)
 	f.Close()
 
 	for _, fi := range fis {
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func Pack(fs afero.Fs, fis []hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 
 		meta := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta()
 
-		if meta.Filename() == masterFilename {
+		if meta.Filename == masterFilename {
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func Pack(fs afero.Fs, fis []hugofs.FileMetaInfo) error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return errors.Wrap(err, "npm pack: failed to open package file")
 		}
-		b.Add(meta.Module(), f)
+		b.Add(meta.Module, f)
 		f.Close()
 	}
 
diff --git a/resources/image.go b/resources/image.go
index 3c70c9bf..1eedbad9 100644
--- a/resources/image.go
+++ b/resources/image.go
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ func (i *imageResource) doWithImageConfig(conf images.ImageConfig, f func(src im
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		if i.root != nil && i.root.getFileInfo() != nil {
-			return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "image %q", i.root.getFileInfo().Meta().Filename())
+			return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "image %q", i.root.getFileInfo().Meta().Filename)
 		}
 	}
 	return img, nil
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ func (i *imageResource) getImageMetaCacheTargetPath() string {
 	cfgHash := i.getSpec().imaging.Cfg.CfgHash
 	df := i.getResourcePaths().relTargetDirFile
 	if fi := i.getFileInfo(); fi != nil {
-		df.dir = filepath.Dir(fi.Meta().Path())
+		df.dir = filepath.Dir(fi.Meta().Path)
 	}
 	p1, _ := paths.FileAndExt(df.file)
 	h, _ := i.hash()
diff --git a/resources/image_cache.go b/resources/image_cache.go
index 1bb92b6c..b5832f74 100644
--- a/resources/image_cache.go
+++ b/resources/image_cache.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func (c *imageCache) getOrCreate(
 	// For the file cache we want to generate and store it once if possible.
 	fileKeyPath := relTarget
 	if fi := parent.root.getFileInfo(); fi != nil {
-		fileKeyPath.dir = filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Dir(fi.Meta().Path()))
+		fileKeyPath.dir = filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Dir(fi.Meta().Path))
 	}
 	fileKey := fileKeyPath.path()
 
diff --git a/resources/resource_factories/create/create.go b/resources/resource_factories/create/create.go
index 1bba98d2..97a3fc0c 100644
--- a/resources/resource_factories/create/create.go
+++ b/resources/resource_factories/create/create.go
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (c *Client) match(pattern string, firstOnly bool) (resource.Resources, erro
 				OpenReadSeekCloser: func() (hugio.ReadSeekCloser, error) {
 					return meta.Open()
 				},
-				RelTargetFilename: meta.Path(),
+				RelTargetFilename: meta.Path,
 			})
 			if err != nil {
 				return true, err
diff --git a/resources/resource_transformers/js/build.go b/resources/resource_transformers/js/build.go
index bd74c98e..12d0dd41 100644
--- a/resources/resource_transformers/js/build.go
+++ b/resources/resource_transformers/js/build.go
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ func (t *buildTransformation) Transform(ctx *resources.ResourceTransformationCtx
 				return errors.Errorf("inject: file %q not found", ext)
 			}
 
-			opts.Inject[i] = m.Filename()
+			opts.Inject[i] = m.Filename
 
 		}
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func (t *buildTransformation) Transform(ctx *resources.ResourceTransformationCtx
 				fi, err = t.c.sfs.Fs.Stat(path)
 				if err == nil {
 					m := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta()
-					path = m.Filename()
+					path = m.Filename
 					f, err = m.Open()
 				}
 
diff --git a/resources/resource_transformers/js/options.go b/resources/resource_transformers/js/options.go
index 84f571f1..d1359ebd 100644
--- a/resources/resource_transformers/js/options.go
+++ b/resources/resource_transformers/js/options.go
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ func loaderFromFilename(filename string) api.Loader {
 	return api.LoaderJS
 }
 
-func resolveComponentInAssets(fs afero.Fs, impPath string) hugofs.FileMeta {
-	findFirst := func(base string) hugofs.FileMeta {
+func resolveComponentInAssets(fs afero.Fs, impPath string) *hugofs.FileMeta {
+	findFirst := func(base string) *hugofs.FileMeta {
 		// This is the most common sub-set of ESBuild's default extensions.
 		// We assume that imports of JSON, CSS etc. will be using their full
 		// name with extension.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ func resolveComponentInAssets(fs afero.Fs, impPath string) hugofs.FileMeta {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	var m hugofs.FileMeta
+	var m *hugofs.FileMeta
 
 	// First the path as is.
 	fi, err := fs.Stat(impPath)
@@ -217,8 +217,8 @@ func createBuildPlugins(c *Client, opts Options) ([]api.Plugin, error) {
 			// This should be a small number of elements, and when
 			// in server mode, we may get stale entries on renames etc.,
 			// but that shouldn't matter too much.
-			c.rs.JSConfigBuilder.AddSourceRoot(m.SourceRoot())
-			return api.OnResolveResult{Path: m.Filename(), Namespace: nsImportHugo}, nil
+			c.rs.JSConfigBuilder.AddSourceRoot(m.SourceRoot)
+			return api.OnResolveResult{Path: m.Filename, Namespace: nsImportHugo}, nil
 		}
 
 		// Fall back to ESBuild's resolve.
diff --git a/resources/resource_transformers/postcss/postcss.go b/resources/resource_transformers/postcss/postcss.go
index 65277007..5fcadd93 100644
--- a/resources/resource_transformers/postcss/postcss.go
+++ b/resources/resource_transformers/postcss/postcss.go
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ func (imp *importResolver) toFileError(output string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return inErr
 	}
-	realFilename := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+	realFilename := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 
 	ferr := herrors.NewFileError("css", -1, file.Offset+1, 1, inErr)
 
diff --git a/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/dartsass/transform.go b/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/dartsass/transform.go
index 85ca540b..d70d2e6e 100644
--- a/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/dartsass/transform.go
+++ b/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/dartsass/transform.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func (t *transform) Transform(ctx *resources.ResourceTransformationCtx) error {
 	for _, ip := range opts.IncludePaths {
 		info, err := t.c.workFs.Stat(filepath.Clean(ip))
 		if err == nil {
-			filename := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+			filename := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 			args.IncludePaths = append(args.IncludePaths, filename)
 		}
 	}
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ func (t importResolver) CanonicalizeURL(url string) (string, error) {
 		fi, err := t.c.sfs.Fs.Stat(filenameToCheck)
 		if err == nil {
 			if fim, ok := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-				return "file://" + filepath.ToSlash(fim.Meta().Filename()), nil
+				return "file://" + filepath.ToSlash(fim.Meta().Filename), nil
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/scss/tocss.go b/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/scss/tocss.go
index f4f15fad..de33b663 100644
--- a/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/scss/tocss.go
+++ b/resources/resource_transformers/tocss/scss/tocss.go
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func (t *toCSSTransformation) Transform(ctx *resources.ResourceTransformationCtx
 	for _, ip := range options.from.IncludePaths {
 		info, err := t.c.workFs.Stat(filepath.Clean(ip))
 		if err == nil {
-			filename := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename()
+			filename := info.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo).Meta().Filename
 			options.to.IncludePaths = append(options.to.IncludePaths, filename)
 		}
 	}
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (t *toCSSTransformation) Transform(ctx *resources.ResourceTransformationCtx
 			fi, err := t.c.sfs.Fs.Stat(filenameToCheck)
 			if err == nil {
 				if fim, ok := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-					return fim.Meta().Filename(), "", true
+					return fim.Meta().Filename, "", true
 				}
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/source/fileInfo.go b/source/fileInfo.go
index 7b20f5f2..cef44f8c 100644
--- a/source/fileInfo.go
+++ b/source/fileInfo.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Copyright 2019 The Hugo Authors. All rights reserved.
+// Copyright 2021 The Hugo Authors. All rights reserved.
 //
 // Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 // you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ func NewTestFile(filename string) *FileInfo {
 }
 
 func (sp *SourceSpec) NewFileInfoFrom(path, filename string) (*FileInfo, error) {
-	meta := hugofs.FileMeta{
-		"filename": filename,
-		"path":     path,
+	meta := &hugofs.FileMeta{
+		Filename: filename,
+		Path:     path,
 	}
 
 	return sp.NewFileInfo(hugofs.NewFileMetaInfo(nil, meta))
@@ -236,16 +236,16 @@ func (sp *SourceSpec) NewFileInfoFrom(path, filename string) (*FileInfo, error)
 func (sp *SourceSpec) NewFileInfo(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) (*FileInfo, error) {
 	m := fi.Meta()
 
-	filename := m.Filename()
-	relPath := m.Path()
-	isLeafBundle := m.Classifier() == files.ContentClassLeaf
+	filename := m.Filename
+	relPath := m.Path
+	isLeafBundle := m.Classifier == files.ContentClassLeaf
 
 	if relPath == "" {
-		return nil, errors.Errorf("no Path provided by %v (%T)", m, m.Fs())
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("no Path provided by %v (%T)", m, m.Fs)
 	}
 
 	if filename == "" {
-		return nil, errors.Errorf("no Filename provided by %v (%T)", m, m.Fs())
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("no Filename provided by %v (%T)", m, m.Fs)
 	}
 
 	relDir := filepath.Dir(relPath)
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ func (sp *SourceSpec) NewFileInfo(fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) (*FileInfo, error) {
 		relDir = relDir + helpers.FilePathSeparator
 	}
 
-	lang := m.Lang()
-	translationBaseName := m.GetString("translationBaseName")
+	lang := m.Lang
+	translationBaseName := m.TranslationBaseName
 
 	dir, name := filepath.Split(relPath)
 	if !strings.HasSuffix(dir, helpers.FilePathSeparator) {
diff --git a/source/filesystem.go b/source/filesystem.go
index 1cd75f03..4d509c56 100644
--- a/source/filesystem.go
+++ b/source/filesystem.go
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (f *Filesystem) captureFiles() error {
 		}
 
 		meta := fi.Meta()
-		filename := meta.Filename()
+		filename := meta.Filename
 
 		b, err := f.shouldRead(filename, fi)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (f *Filesystem) captureFiles() error {
 }
 
 func (f *Filesystem) shouldRead(filename string, fi hugofs.FileMetaInfo) (bool, error) {
-	ignore := f.SourceSpec.IgnoreFile(fi.Meta().Filename())
+	ignore := f.SourceSpec.IgnoreFile(fi.Meta().Filename)
 
 	if fi.IsDir() {
 		if ignore {
diff --git a/source/filesystem_test.go b/source/filesystem_test.go
index e6dc9ce1..0b8c1d39 100644
--- a/source/filesystem_test.go
+++ b/source/filesystem_test.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func TestUnicodeNorm(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	ss := newTestSourceSpec()
-	fi := hugofs.NewFileMetaInfo(nil, hugofs.FileMeta{})
+	fi := hugofs.NewFileMetaInfo(nil, hugofs.NewFileMeta())
 
 	for i, path := range paths {
 		base := fmt.Sprintf("base%d", i)
diff --git a/tpl/tplimpl/template.go b/tpl/tplimpl/template.go
index 75f25eda..3ef815e2 100644
--- a/tpl/tplimpl/template.go
+++ b/tpl/tplimpl/template.go
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ func (t *templateHandler) addTemplateFile(name, path string) error {
 		realFilename := filename
 		if fi, err := fs.Stat(filename); err == nil {
 			if fim, ok := fi.(hugofs.FileMetaInfo); ok {
-				realFilename = fim.Meta().Filename()
+				realFilename = fim.Meta().Filename
 			}
 		}