diff --git a/cli/dispatch_minimal.rs b/cli/dispatch_minimal.rs
index dd6a962e21ca0a..322094be2d880a 100644
--- a/cli/dispatch_minimal.rs
+++ b/cli/dispatch_minimal.rs
@@ -8,33 +8,26 @@ use crate::state::ThreadSafeState;
 use deno::Buf;
 use deno::CoreOp;
 use deno::Op;
+use deno::OpId;
 use deno::PinnedBuf;
 use futures::Future;
 
-const DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN: i32 = 0xCAFE;
-const OP_READ: i32 = 1;
-const OP_WRITE: i32 = 2;
+const OP_READ: OpId = 1;
+const OP_WRITE: OpId = 2;
 
 #[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 // This corresponds to RecordMinimal on the TS side.
 pub struct Record {
   pub promise_id: i32,
-  pub op_id: i32,
   pub arg: i32,
   pub result: i32,
 }
 
 impl Into<Buf> for Record {
   fn into(self) -> Buf {
-    let vec = vec![
-      DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN,
-      self.promise_id,
-      self.op_id,
-      self.arg,
-      self.result,
-    ];
+    let vec = vec![self.promise_id, self.arg, self.result];
     let buf32 = vec.into_boxed_slice();
-    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf32) as *mut [u8; 5 * 4];
+    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf32) as *mut [u8; 3 * 4];
     unsafe { Box::from_raw(ptr) }
   }
 }
@@ -48,32 +41,25 @@ pub fn parse_min_record(bytes: &[u8]) -> Option<Record> {
   let p32 = p as *const i32;
   let s = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(p32, bytes.len() / 4) };
 
-  if s.len() < 5 {
+  if s.len() != 3 {
     return None;
   }
   let ptr = s.as_ptr();
-  let ints = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(ptr, 5) };
-  if ints[0] != DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN {
-    return None;
-  }
+  let ints = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(ptr, 3) };
   Some(Record {
-    promise_id: ints[1],
-    op_id: ints[2],
-    arg: ints[3],
-    result: ints[4],
+    promise_id: ints[0],
+    arg: ints[1],
+    result: ints[2],
   })
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn test_parse_min_record() {
-  let buf = vec![
-    0xFE, 0xCA, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0,
-  ];
+  let buf = vec![1, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0];
   assert_eq!(
     parse_min_record(&buf),
     Some(Record {
       promise_id: 1,
-      op_id: 2,
       arg: 3,
       result: 4,
     })
@@ -88,11 +74,12 @@ fn test_parse_min_record() {
 
 pub fn dispatch_minimal(
   state: &ThreadSafeState,
+  op_id: OpId,
   mut record: Record,
   zero_copy: Option<PinnedBuf>,
 ) -> CoreOp {
   let is_sync = record.promise_id == 0;
-  let min_op = match record.op_id {
+  let min_op = match op_id {
     OP_READ => ops::read(record.arg, zero_copy),
     OP_WRITE => ops::write(record.arg, zero_copy),
     _ => unimplemented!(),
diff --git a/cli/ops.rs b/cli/ops.rs
index 06c4eae99853f2..ccfe34e1bbe7f1 100644
--- a/cli/ops.rs
+++ b/cli/ops.rs
@@ -27,14 +27,7 @@ use crate::tokio_write;
 use crate::version;
 use crate::worker::Worker;
 use atty;
-use deno::Buf;
-use deno::CoreOp;
-use deno::ErrBox;
-use deno::Loader;
-use deno::ModuleSpecifier;
-use deno::Op;
-use deno::OpResult;
-use deno::PinnedBuf;
+use deno::*;
 use flatbuffers::FlatBufferBuilder;
 use futures;
 use futures::Async;
@@ -82,16 +75,20 @@ fn empty_buf() -> Buf {
   Box::new([])
 }
 
+const FLATBUFFER_OP_ID: OpId = 44;
+
 pub fn dispatch_all(
   state: &ThreadSafeState,
+  op_id: OpId,
   control: &[u8],
   zero_copy: Option<PinnedBuf>,
   op_selector: OpSelector,
 ) -> CoreOp {
   let bytes_sent_control = control.len();
   let bytes_sent_zero_copy = zero_copy.as_ref().map(|b| b.len()).unwrap_or(0);
-  let op = if let Some(min_record) = parse_min_record(control) {
-    dispatch_minimal(state, min_record, zero_copy)
+  let op = if op_id != FLATBUFFER_OP_ID {
+    let min_record = parse_min_record(control).unwrap();
+    dispatch_minimal(state, op_id, min_record, zero_copy)
   } else {
     dispatch_all_legacy(state, control, zero_copy, op_selector)
   };
diff --git a/cli/state.rs b/cli/state.rs
index f4e3d9c84164a8..e1480c02722aec 100644
--- a/cli/state.rs
+++ b/cli/state.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ use deno::CoreOp;
 use deno::ErrBox;
 use deno::Loader;
 use deno::ModuleSpecifier;
+use deno::OpId;
 use deno::PinnedBuf;
 use futures::future::Shared;
 use futures::Future;
@@ -104,10 +105,11 @@ impl Deref for ThreadSafeState {
 impl ThreadSafeState {
   pub fn dispatch(
     &self,
+    op_id: OpId,
     control: &[u8],
     zero_copy: Option<PinnedBuf>,
   ) -> CoreOp {
-    ops::dispatch_all(self, control, zero_copy, self.dispatch_selector)
+    ops::dispatch_all(self, op_id, control, zero_copy, self.dispatch_selector)
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/cli/worker.rs b/cli/worker.rs
index f1806283692822..f707f4a58f8724 100644
--- a/cli/worker.rs
+++ b/cli/worker.rs
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ impl Worker {
     {
       let mut i = isolate.lock().unwrap();
       let state_ = state.clone();
-      i.set_dispatch(move |control_buf, zero_copy_buf| {
-        state_.dispatch(control_buf, zero_copy_buf)
+      i.set_dispatch(move |op_id, control_buf, zero_copy_buf| {
+        state_.dispatch(op_id, control_buf, zero_copy_buf)
       });
       let state_ = state.clone();
       i.set_js_error_create(move |v8_exception| {
diff --git a/core/core.d.ts b/core/core.d.ts
index b1d1ac57f486b3..1e9eb7c04ea1bf 100644
--- a/core/core.d.ts
+++ b/core/core.d.ts
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@
 // Deno and therefore do not flow through to the runtime type library.
 
 declare interface MessageCallback {
-  (msg: Uint8Array): void;
+  (opId: number, msg: Uint8Array): void;
 }
 
 declare interface DenoCore {
   dispatch(
+    opId: number,
     control: Uint8Array,
     zeroCopy?: ArrayBufferView | null
   ): Uint8Array | null;
diff --git a/core/examples/http_bench.js b/core/examples/http_bench.js
index 8eb764b55d1c1d..4c68f2be64e7bb 100644
--- a/core/examples/http_bench.js
+++ b/core/examples/http_bench.js
@@ -29,20 +29,19 @@ function createResolvable() {
   return Object.assign(promise, methods);
 }
 
-const scratch32 = new Int32Array(4);
+const scratch32 = new Int32Array(3);
 const scratchBytes = new Uint8Array(
   scratch32.buffer,
   scratch32.byteOffset,
   scratch32.byteLength
 );
-assert(scratchBytes.byteLength === 4 * 4);
+assert(scratchBytes.byteLength === 3 * 4);
 
 function send(promiseId, opId, arg, zeroCopy = null) {
   scratch32[0] = promiseId;
-  scratch32[1] = opId;
-  scratch32[2] = arg;
-  scratch32[3] = -1;
-  return Deno.core.dispatch(scratchBytes, zeroCopy);
+  scratch32[1] = arg;
+  scratch32[2] = -1;
+  return Deno.core.dispatch(opId, scratchBytes, zeroCopy);
 }
 
 /** Returns Promise<number> */
@@ -55,13 +54,12 @@ function sendAsync(opId, arg, zeroCopy = null) {
 }
 
 function recordFromBuf(buf) {
-  assert(buf.byteLength === 16);
+  assert(buf.byteLength === 3 * 4);
   const buf32 = new Int32Array(buf.buffer, buf.byteOffset, buf.byteLength / 4);
   return {
     promiseId: buf32[0],
-    opId: buf32[1],
-    arg: buf32[2],
-    result: buf32[3]
+    arg: buf32[1],
+    result: buf32[2]
   };
 }
 
@@ -72,7 +70,7 @@ function sendSync(opId, arg) {
   return record.result;
 }
 
-function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(buf) {
+function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(opId, buf) {
   const record = recordFromBuf(buf);
   const { promiseId, result } = record;
   const p = promiseMap.get(promiseId);
diff --git a/core/examples/http_bench.rs b/core/examples/http_bench.rs
index 73a4720c2cd9c5..3c077562d68c40 100644
--- a/core/examples/http_bench.rs
+++ b/core/examples/http_bench.rs
@@ -36,25 +36,23 @@ impl log::Log for Logger {
   fn flush(&self) {}
 }
 
-const OP_LISTEN: i32 = 1;
-const OP_ACCEPT: i32 = 2;
-const OP_READ: i32 = 3;
-const OP_WRITE: i32 = 4;
-const OP_CLOSE: i32 = 5;
+const OP_LISTEN: OpId = 1;
+const OP_ACCEPT: OpId = 2;
+const OP_READ: OpId = 3;
+const OP_WRITE: OpId = 4;
+const OP_CLOSE: OpId = 5;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub struct Record {
   pub promise_id: i32,
-  pub op_id: i32,
   pub arg: i32,
   pub result: i32,
 }
 
 impl Into<Buf> for Record {
   fn into(self) -> Buf {
-    let buf32 = vec![self.promise_id, self.op_id, self.arg, self.result]
-      .into_boxed_slice();
-    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf32) as *mut [u8; 16];
+    let buf32 = vec![self.promise_id, self.arg, self.result].into_boxed_slice();
+    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf32) as *mut [u8; 3 * 4];
     unsafe { Box::from_raw(ptr) }
   }
 }
@@ -63,28 +61,26 @@ impl From<&[u8]> for Record {
   fn from(s: &[u8]) -> Record {
     #[allow(clippy::cast_ptr_alignment)]
     let ptr = s.as_ptr() as *const i32;
-    let ints = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(ptr, 4) };
+    let ints = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(ptr, 3) };
     Record {
       promise_id: ints[0],
-      op_id: ints[1],
-      arg: ints[2],
-      result: ints[3],
+      arg: ints[1],
+      result: ints[2],
     }
   }
 }
 
 impl From<Buf> for Record {
   fn from(buf: Buf) -> Record {
-    assert_eq!(buf.len(), 4 * 4);
+    assert_eq!(buf.len(), 3 * 4);
     #[allow(clippy::cast_ptr_alignment)]
-    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf) as *mut [i32; 4];
+    let ptr = Box::into_raw(buf) as *mut [i32; 3];
     let ints: Box<[i32]> = unsafe { Box::from_raw(ptr) };
-    assert_eq!(ints.len(), 4);
+    assert_eq!(ints.len(), 3);
     Record {
       promise_id: ints[0],
-      op_id: ints[1],
-      arg: ints[2],
-      result: ints[3],
+      arg: ints[1],
+      result: ints[2],
     }
   }
 }
@@ -93,7 +89,6 @@ impl From<Buf> for Record {
 fn test_record_from() {
   let r = Record {
     promise_id: 1,
-    op_id: 2,
     arg: 3,
     result: 4,
   };
@@ -102,7 +97,7 @@ fn test_record_from() {
   #[cfg(target_endian = "little")]
   assert_eq!(
     buf,
-    vec![1u8, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0].into_boxed_slice()
+    vec![1u8, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0].into_boxed_slice()
   );
   let actual = Record::from(buf);
   assert_eq!(actual, expected);
@@ -111,10 +106,14 @@ fn test_record_from() {
 
 pub type HttpBenchOp = dyn Future<Item = i32, Error = std::io::Error> + Send;
 
-fn dispatch(control: &[u8], zero_copy_buf: Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp {
+fn dispatch(
+  op_id: OpId,
+  control: &[u8],
+  zero_copy_buf: Option<PinnedBuf>,
+) -> CoreOp {
   let record = Record::from(control);
   let is_sync = record.promise_id == 0;
-  let http_bench_op = match record.op_id {
+  let http_bench_op = match op_id {
     OP_LISTEN => {
       assert!(is_sync);
       op_listen()
@@ -139,7 +138,7 @@ fn dispatch(control: &[u8], zero_copy_buf: Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp {
       let rid = record.arg;
       op_write(rid, zero_copy_buf)
     }
-    _ => panic!("bad op {}", record.op_id),
+    _ => panic!("bad op {}", op_id),
   };
   let mut record_a = record.clone();
   let mut record_b = record.clone();
diff --git a/core/isolate.rs b/core/isolate.rs
index 0f693ff92dba1d..d3ac4457e2f80f 100644
--- a/core/isolate.rs
+++ b/core/isolate.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ use crate::libdeno::deno_buf;
 use crate::libdeno::deno_dyn_import_id;
 use crate::libdeno::deno_mod;
 use crate::libdeno::deno_pinned_buf;
+use crate::libdeno::OpId;
 use crate::libdeno::PinnedBuf;
 use crate::libdeno::Snapshot1;
 use crate::libdeno::Snapshot2;
@@ -33,6 +34,9 @@ pub type Buf = Box<[u8]>;
 
 pub type OpAsyncFuture<E> = Box<dyn Future<Item = Buf, Error = E> + Send>;
 
+type PendingOpFuture =
+  Box<dyn Future<Item = (OpId, Buf), Error = CoreError> + Send>;
+
 pub enum Op<E> {
   Sync(Buf),
   Async(OpAsyncFuture<E>),
@@ -40,10 +44,13 @@ pub enum Op<E> {
 
 pub type CoreError = ();
 
-type CoreOpAsyncFuture = OpAsyncFuture<CoreError>;
-
 pub type CoreOp = Op<CoreError>;
 
+pub type OpResult<E> = Result<Op<E>, E>;
+
+/// Args: op_id, control_buf, zero_copy_buf
+type CoreDispatchFn = dyn Fn(OpId, &[u8], Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp;
+
 /// Stores a script used to initalize a Isolate
 pub struct Script<'a> {
   pub source: &'a str,
@@ -76,10 +83,6 @@ pub enum StartupData<'a> {
   None,
 }
 
-pub type OpResult<E> = Result<Op<E>, E>;
-
-type CoreDispatchFn = dyn Fn(&[u8], Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp;
-
 pub type DynImportFuture =
   Box<dyn Future<Item = deno_mod, Error = ErrBox> + Send>;
 type DynImportFn = dyn Fn(&str, &str) -> DynImportFuture;
@@ -121,7 +124,7 @@ pub struct Isolate {
   js_error_create: Arc<JSErrorCreateFn>,
   needs_init: bool,
   shared: SharedQueue,
-  pending_ops: FuturesUnordered<CoreOpAsyncFuture>,
+  pending_ops: FuturesUnordered<PendingOpFuture>,
   pending_dyn_imports: FuturesUnordered<DynImport>,
   have_unpolled_ops: bool,
   startup_script: Option<OwnedScript>,
@@ -198,7 +201,7 @@ impl Isolate {
   /// corresponds to the second argument of Deno.core.dispatch().
   pub fn set_dispatch<F>(&mut self, f: F)
   where
-    F: Fn(&[u8], Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp + Send + Sync + 'static,
+    F: Fn(OpId, &[u8], Option<PinnedBuf>) -> CoreOp + Send + Sync + 'static,
   {
     self.dispatch = Some(Arc::new(f));
   }
@@ -265,13 +268,14 @@ impl Isolate {
 
   extern "C" fn pre_dispatch(
     user_data: *mut c_void,
-    control_argv0: deno_buf,
+    op_id: OpId,
+    control_buf: deno_buf,
     zero_copy_buf: deno_pinned_buf,
   ) {
     let isolate = unsafe { Isolate::from_raw_ptr(user_data) };
 
     let op = if let Some(ref f) = isolate.dispatch {
-      f(control_argv0.as_ref(), PinnedBuf::new(zero_copy_buf))
+      f(op_id, control_buf.as_ref(), PinnedBuf::new(zero_copy_buf))
     } else {
       panic!("isolate.dispatch not set")
     };
@@ -280,13 +284,17 @@ impl Isolate {
     match op {
       Op::Sync(buf) => {
         // For sync messages, we always return the response via Deno.core.send's
-        // return value.
-        // TODO(ry) check that if JSError thrown during respond(), that it will be
-        // picked up.
-        let _ = isolate.respond(Some(&buf));
+        // return value. Sync messages ignore the op_id.
+        let op_id = 0;
+        isolate
+          .respond(Some((op_id, &buf)))
+          // Because this is a sync op, deno_respond() does not actually call
+          // into JavaScript. We should not get an error here.
+          .expect("unexpected error");
       }
       Op::Async(fut) => {
-        isolate.pending_ops.push(fut);
+        let fut2 = fut.map(move |buf| (op_id, buf));
+        isolate.pending_ops.push(Box::new(fut2));
         isolate.have_unpolled_ops = true;
       }
     }
@@ -347,13 +355,16 @@ impl Isolate {
     }
   }
 
-  fn respond(&mut self, maybe_buf: Option<&[u8]>) -> Result<(), ErrBox> {
-    let buf = match maybe_buf {
-      None => deno_buf::empty(),
-      Some(r) => deno_buf::from(r),
+  fn respond(
+    &mut self,
+    maybe_buf: Option<(OpId, &[u8])>,
+  ) -> Result<(), ErrBox> {
+    let (op_id, buf) = match maybe_buf {
+      None => (0, deno_buf::empty()),
+      Some((op_id, r)) => (op_id, deno_buf::from(r)),
     };
     unsafe {
-      libdeno::deno_respond(self.libdeno_isolate, self.as_raw_ptr(), buf)
+      libdeno::deno_respond(self.libdeno_isolate, self.as_raw_ptr(), op_id, buf)
     }
     self.check_last_exception()
   }
@@ -541,7 +552,7 @@ impl Future for Isolate {
   fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll<(), ErrBox> {
     self.shared_init();
 
-    let mut overflow_response: Option<Buf> = None;
+    let mut overflow_response: Option<(OpId, Buf)> = None;
 
     loop {
       // If there are any pending dyn_import futures, do those first.
@@ -567,13 +578,13 @@ impl Future for Isolate {
         Err(_) => panic!("unexpected op error"),
         Ok(Ready(None)) => break,
         Ok(NotReady) => break,
-        Ok(Ready(Some(buf))) => {
-          let successful_push = self.shared.push(&buf);
+        Ok(Ready(Some((op_id, buf)))) => {
+          let successful_push = self.shared.push(op_id, &buf);
           if !successful_push {
             // If we couldn't push the response to the shared queue, because
             // there wasn't enough size, we will return the buffer via the
             // legacy route, using the argument of deno_respond.
-            overflow_response = Some(buf);
+            overflow_response = Some((op_id, buf));
             break;
           }
         }
@@ -592,8 +603,8 @@ impl Future for Isolate {
     if overflow_response.is_some() {
       // Lock the current thread for V8.
       let locker = LockerScope::new(self.libdeno_isolate);
-      let buf = overflow_response.take().unwrap();
-      self.respond(Some(&buf))?;
+      let (op_id, buf) = overflow_response.take().unwrap();
+      self.respond(Some((op_id, &buf)))?;
       drop(locker);
     }
 
@@ -633,10 +644,11 @@ impl IsolateHandle {
   }
 }
 
-pub fn js_check(r: Result<(), ErrBox>) {
+pub fn js_check<T>(r: Result<T, ErrBox>) -> T {
   if let Err(e) = r {
     panic!(e.to_string());
   }
+  r.unwrap()
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -689,7 +701,8 @@ pub mod tests {
     let dispatch_count_ = dispatch_count.clone();
 
     let mut isolate = Isolate::new(StartupData::None, false);
-    isolate.set_dispatch(move |control, _| -> CoreOp {
+    isolate.set_dispatch(move |op_id, control, _| -> CoreOp {
+      println!("op_id {}", op_id);
       dispatch_count_.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
       match mode {
         Mode::AsyncImmediate => {
@@ -749,9 +762,9 @@ pub mod tests {
       "filename.js",
       r#"
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        Deno.core.send(control);
+        Deno.core.send(42, control);
         async function main() {
-          Deno.core.send(control);
+          Deno.core.send(42, control);
         }
         main();
         "#,
@@ -770,7 +783,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         import { b } from 'b.js'
         if (b() != 'b') throw Error();
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        Deno.core.send(control);
+        Deno.core.send(42, control);
       "#,
       )
       .unwrap();
@@ -816,7 +829,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         "setup2.js",
         r#"
         let nrecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => {
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => {
           nrecv++;
         });
         "#,
@@ -827,7 +840,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         r#"
         assert(nrecv == 0);
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        Deno.core.send(control);
+        Deno.core.send(42, control);
         assert(nrecv == 0);
         "#,
       ));
@@ -838,7 +851,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         "check2.js",
         r#"
         assert(nrecv == 1);
-        Deno.core.send(control);
+        Deno.core.send(42, control);
         assert(nrecv == 1);
         "#,
       ));
@@ -1016,10 +1029,10 @@ pub mod tests {
       "overflow_req_sync.js",
       r#"
         let asyncRecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => { asyncRecv++ });
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => { asyncRecv++ });
         // Large message that will overflow the shared space.
         let control = new Uint8Array(100 * 1024 * 1024);
-        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         assert(response instanceof Uint8Array);
         assert(response.length == 1);
         assert(response[0] == 43);
@@ -1038,10 +1051,10 @@ pub mod tests {
       "overflow_res_sync.js",
       r#"
         let asyncRecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => { asyncRecv++ });
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => { asyncRecv++ });
         // Large message that will overflow the shared space.
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         assert(response instanceof Uint8Array);
         assert(response.length == 100 * 1024 * 1024);
         assert(response[0] == 99);
@@ -1059,21 +1072,22 @@ pub mod tests {
         "overflow_req_async.js",
         r#"
         let asyncRecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => {
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => {
+          assert(opId == 99);
           assert(buf.byteLength === 1);
           assert(buf[0] === 43);
           asyncRecv++;
         });
         // Large message that will overflow the shared space.
         let control = new Uint8Array(100 * 1024 * 1024);
-        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         // Async messages always have null response.
         assert(response == null);
         assert(asyncRecv == 0);
         "#,
       ));
       assert_eq!(dispatch_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 1);
-      assert_eq!(Async::Ready(()), isolate.poll().unwrap());
+      assert_eq!(Async::Ready(()), js_check(isolate.poll()));
       js_check(isolate.execute("check.js", "assert(asyncRecv == 1);"));
     });
   }
@@ -1088,14 +1102,15 @@ pub mod tests {
         "overflow_res_async.js",
         r#"
         let asyncRecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => {
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => {
+          assert(opId == 99);
           assert(buf.byteLength === 100 * 1024 * 1024);
           assert(buf[0] === 4);
           asyncRecv++;
         });
         // Large message that will overflow the shared space.
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         assert(response == null);
         assert(asyncRecv == 0);
         "#,
@@ -1116,19 +1131,20 @@ pub mod tests {
         "overflow_res_multiple_dispatch_async.js",
         r#"
         let asyncRecv = 0;
-        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((buf) => {
+        Deno.core.setAsyncHandler((opId, buf) => {
+          assert(opId === 99);
           assert(buf.byteLength === 100 * 1024 * 1024);
           assert(buf[0] === 4);
           asyncRecv++;
         });
         // Large message that will overflow the shared space.
         let control = new Uint8Array([42]);
-        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        let response = Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         assert(response == null);
         assert(asyncRecv == 0);
         // Dispatch another message to verify that pending ops
         // are done even if shared space overflows
-        Deno.core.dispatch(control);
+        Deno.core.dispatch(99, control);
         "#,
       ));
       assert_eq!(dispatch_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 2);
diff --git a/core/lib.rs b/core/lib.rs
index 61521aecb00022..9be1c3891789c5 100644
--- a/core/lib.rs
+++ b/core/lib.rs
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ pub use crate::flags::v8_set_flags;
 pub use crate::isolate::*;
 pub use crate::js_errors::*;
 pub use crate::libdeno::deno_mod;
+pub use crate::libdeno::OpId;
 pub use crate::libdeno::PinnedBuf;
 pub use crate::module_specifier::*;
 pub use crate::modules::*;
diff --git a/core/libdeno.rs b/core/libdeno.rs
index c402d87548c94a..071f6ddf500c2b 100644
--- a/core/libdeno.rs
+++ b/core/libdeno.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ use std::ptr::null;
 use std::ptr::NonNull;
 use std::slice;
 
+pub type OpId = u32;
+
 // TODO(F001): change this definition to `extern { pub type isolate; }`
 // After RFC 1861 is stablized. See https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/issues/43467.
 #[repr(C)]
@@ -188,7 +190,8 @@ impl Snapshot2<'_> {
 #[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
 type deno_recv_cb = unsafe extern "C" fn(
   user_data: *mut c_void,
-  control_buf: deno_buf, // deprecated
+  op_id: OpId,
+  control_buf: deno_buf,
   zero_copy_buf: deno_pinned_buf,
 );
 
@@ -266,6 +269,7 @@ extern "C" {
   pub fn deno_respond(
     i: *const isolate,
     user_data: *const c_void,
+    op_id: OpId,
     buf: deno_buf,
   );
   pub fn deno_pinned_buf_delete(buf: &mut deno_pinned_buf);
diff --git a/core/libdeno/api.cc b/core/libdeno/api.cc
index 61eeb43ca46703..1e6b5dfbf9bfe7 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/api.cc
+++ b/core/libdeno/api.cc
@@ -159,10 +159,11 @@ void deno_pinned_buf_delete(deno_pinned_buf* buf) {
   auto _ = deno::PinnedBuf(buf);
 }
 
-void deno_respond(Deno* d_, void* user_data, deno_buf buf) {
+void deno_respond(Deno* d_, void* user_data, deno_op_id op_id, deno_buf buf) {
   auto* d = unwrap(d_);
   if (d->current_args_ != nullptr) {
     // Synchronous response.
+    // Note op_id is not passed back in the case of synchronous response.
     if (buf.data_ptr != nullptr) {
       auto ab = deno::ImportBuf(d, buf);
       d->current_args_->GetReturnValue().Set(ab);
@@ -187,12 +188,13 @@ void deno_respond(Deno* d_, void* user_data, deno_buf buf) {
     return;
   }
 
-  v8::Local<v8::Value> args[1];
+  v8::Local<v8::Value> args[2];
   int argc = 0;
 
   if (buf.data_ptr != nullptr) {
-    args[0] = deno::ImportBuf(d, buf);
-    argc = 1;
+    args[0] = v8::Integer::New(d->isolate_, op_id);
+    args[1] = deno::ImportBuf(d, buf);
+    argc = 2;
   }
 
   auto v = recv_->Call(context, context->Global(), argc, args);
diff --git a/core/libdeno/binding.cc b/core/libdeno/binding.cc
index da582a3bfa9d1d..291e62f01caa5d 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/binding.cc
+++ b/core/libdeno/binding.cc
@@ -223,22 +223,29 @@ void Send(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args) {
   v8::HandleScope handle_scope(isolate);
 
   deno_buf control = {nullptr, 0};
-  if (args[0]->IsArrayBufferView()) {
-    auto view = v8::Local<v8::ArrayBufferView>::Cast(args[0]);
+
+  int32_t op_id = 0;
+  if (args[0]->IsInt32()) {
+    auto context = d->context_.Get(isolate);
+    op_id = args[0]->Int32Value(context).FromJust();
+  }
+
+  if (args[1]->IsArrayBufferView()) {
+    auto view = v8::Local<v8::ArrayBufferView>::Cast(args[1]);
     auto data =
         reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(view->Buffer()->GetContents().Data());
     control = {data + view->ByteOffset(), view->ByteLength()};
   }
 
   PinnedBuf zero_copy =
-      args[1]->IsArrayBufferView()
-          ? PinnedBuf(v8::Local<v8::ArrayBufferView>::Cast(args[1]))
+      args[2]->IsArrayBufferView()
+          ? PinnedBuf(v8::Local<v8::ArrayBufferView>::Cast(args[2]))
           : PinnedBuf();
 
   DCHECK_NULL(d->current_args_);
   d->current_args_ = &args;
 
-  d->recv_cb_(d->user_data_, control, zero_copy.IntoRaw());
+  d->recv_cb_(d->user_data_, op_id, control, zero_copy.IntoRaw());
 
   if (d->current_args_ == nullptr) {
     // This indicates that deno_repond() was called already.
diff --git a/core/libdeno/deno.h b/core/libdeno/deno.h
index fe52148486f45e..2c248a87e142ee 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/deno.h
+++ b/core/libdeno/deno.h
@@ -28,10 +28,22 @@ typedef struct {
 
 typedef struct deno_s Deno;
 
-// A callback to receive a message from a libdeno.send() javascript call.
+typedef uint32_t deno_op_id;
+
+// A callback to receive a message from a Deno.core.send() javascript call.
 // control_buf is valid for only for the lifetime of this callback.
 // data_buf is valid until deno_respond() is called.
-typedef void (*deno_recv_cb)(void* user_data, deno_buf control_buf,
+//
+// op_id corresponds to the first argument of Deno.core.send().
+// op_id is an extra user-defined integer valued which is not interpreted by
+// libdeno.
+//
+// control_buf corresponds to the second argument of Deno.core.send().
+//
+// zero_copy_buf corresponds to the third argument of Deno.core.send().
+// The user must call deno_pinned_buf_delete on each zero_copy_buf received.
+typedef void (*deno_recv_cb)(void* user_data, deno_op_id op_id,
+                             deno_buf control_buf,
                              deno_pinned_buf zero_copy_buf);
 
 typedef int deno_dyn_import_id;
@@ -49,7 +61,7 @@ typedef struct {
   int will_snapshot;            // Default 0. If calling deno_snapshot_new 1.
   deno_snapshot load_snapshot;  // A startup snapshot to use.
   deno_buf shared;              // Shared buffer to be mapped to libdeno.shared
-  deno_recv_cb recv_cb;         // Maps to libdeno.send() calls.
+  deno_recv_cb recv_cb;         // Maps to Deno.core.send() calls.
   deno_dyn_import_cb dyn_import_cb;
 } deno_config;
 
@@ -78,21 +90,25 @@ void deno_unlock(Deno* d);
 void deno_execute(Deno* d, void* user_data, const char* js_filename,
                   const char* js_source);
 
-// deno_respond sends up to one message back for every deno_recv_cb made.
+// deno_respond sends one message back for every deno_recv_cb made.
 //
-// If this is called during deno_recv_cb, the issuing libdeno.send() in
+// If this is called during deno_recv_cb, the issuing Deno.core.send() in
 // javascript will synchronously return the specified buf as an ArrayBuffer (or
 // null if buf is empty).
 //
 // If this is called after deno_recv_cb has returned, the deno_respond
-// will call into the JS callback specified by libdeno.recv().
+// will call into the JS callback specified by Deno.core.recv().
 //
 // (Ideally, but not currently: After calling deno_respond(), the caller no
 // longer owns `buf` and must not use it; deno_respond() is responsible for
 // releasing its memory.)
 //
+// op_id is an extra user-defined integer valued which is not currently
+// interpreted by libdeno. But it should probably correspond to the op_id in
+// deno_recv_cb.
+//
 // If a JS exception was encountered, deno_last_exception() will be non-NULL.
-void deno_respond(Deno* d, void* user_data, deno_buf buf);
+void deno_respond(Deno* d, void* user_data, deno_op_id op_id, deno_buf buf);
 
 // consumes zero_copy
 void deno_pinned_buf_delete(deno_pinned_buf* buf);
diff --git a/core/libdeno/libdeno.d.ts b/core/libdeno/libdeno.d.ts
index 1bc7367d959163..8a26e49ca32654 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/libdeno.d.ts
+++ b/core/libdeno/libdeno.d.ts
@@ -13,13 +13,14 @@ interface EvalErrorInfo {
 }
 
 declare interface MessageCallback {
-  (msg: Uint8Array): void;
+  (opId: number, msg: Uint8Array): void;
 }
 
 declare interface DenoCore {
   recv(cb: MessageCallback): void;
 
   send(
+    opId: number,
     control: null | ArrayBufferView,
     data?: ArrayBufferView
   ): null | Uint8Array;
diff --git a/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.cc b/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.cc
index 16a4a11f61a7c1..a72793944b0c31 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.cc
+++ b/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.cc
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ void assert_null(deno_pinned_buf b) {
 
 TEST(LibDenoTest, RecvReturnEmpty) {
   static int count = 0;
-  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, deno_op_id op_id, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(op_id, 42u);
     assert_null(zero_copy_buf);
     count++;
     EXPECT_EQ(static_cast<size_t>(3), buf.data_len);
@@ -64,9 +65,43 @@ TEST(LibDenoTest, RecvReturnEmpty) {
   deno_delete(d);
 }
 
+TEST(LibDenoTest, BasicRecv) {
+  static int count = 0;
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto user_data, deno_op_id op_id, auto buf,
+                    auto zero_copy_buf) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(op_id, 42u);
+    // auto d = reinterpret_cast<Deno*>(user_data);
+    assert_null(zero_copy_buf);
+    count++;
+    EXPECT_EQ(static_cast<size_t>(3), buf.data_len);
+    EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[0], 1);
+    EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[1], 2);
+    EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[2], 3);
+  };
+  Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, nullptr});
+  deno_execute(d, d, "a.js", "BasicRecv()");
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, deno_last_exception(d));
+  EXPECT_EQ(count, 1);
+  deno_check_promise_errors(d);
+  EXPECT_EQ(deno_last_exception(d), nullptr);
+  {
+    deno_lock(d);
+    uint8_t response[] = {'b', 'a', 'r'};
+    deno_respond(d, nullptr, 43, {response, sizeof response});
+    deno_unlock(d);
+  }
+  EXPECT_EQ(count, 2);
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, deno_last_exception(d));
+  deno_check_promise_errors(d);
+  EXPECT_EQ(deno_last_exception(d), nullptr);
+  deno_delete(d);
+}
+
 TEST(LibDenoTest, RecvReturnBar) {
   static int count = 0;
-  auto recv_cb = [](auto user_data, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto user_data, deno_op_id op_id, auto buf,
+                    auto zero_copy_buf) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(op_id, 42u);
     auto d = reinterpret_cast<Deno*>(user_data);
     assert_null(zero_copy_buf);
     count++;
@@ -75,7 +110,7 @@ TEST(LibDenoTest, RecvReturnBar) {
     EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[1], 'b');
     EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[2], 'c');
     uint8_t response[] = {'b', 'a', 'r'};
-    deno_respond(d, user_data, {response, sizeof response});
+    deno_respond(d, user_data, op_id, {response, sizeof response});
   };
   Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, nullptr});
   deno_execute(d, d, "a.js", "RecvReturnBar()");
@@ -126,8 +161,9 @@ TEST(LibDenoTest, GlobalErrorHandling) {
 TEST(LibDenoTest, ZeroCopyBuf) {
   static int count = 0;
   static deno_pinned_buf zero_copy_buf2;
-  auto recv_cb = [](auto user_data, deno_buf buf,
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto user_data, deno_op_id op_id, deno_buf buf,
                     deno_pinned_buf zero_copy_buf) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(op_id, 42u);
     count++;
     EXPECT_NE(zero_copy_buf.pin, nullptr);
     zero_copy_buf.data_ptr[0] = 4;
@@ -155,7 +191,9 @@ TEST(LibDenoTest, ZeroCopyBuf) {
 
 TEST(LibDenoTest, CheckPromiseErrors) {
   static int count = 0;
-  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) { count++; };
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, deno_op_id op_id, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+    count++;
+  };
   Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, nullptr});
   EXPECT_EQ(deno_last_exception(d), nullptr);
   deno_execute(d, nullptr, "a.js", "CheckPromiseErrors()");
@@ -264,7 +302,8 @@ TEST(LibDenoTest, SharedAtomics) {
 
 TEST(LibDenoTest, WasmInstantiate) {
   static int count = 0;
-  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+  auto recv_cb = [](auto _, deno_op_id op_id, auto buf, auto zero_copy_buf) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(op_id, 42u);
     EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_len, 1u);
     EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[0], 42);
     count++;
diff --git a/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.js b/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.js
index 006c71666a570b..1c765539178fb8 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.js
+++ b/core/libdeno/libdeno_test.js
@@ -28,15 +28,30 @@ global.TypedArraySnapshots = () => {
 global.RecvReturnEmpty = () => {
   const m1 = new Uint8Array("abc".split("").map(c => c.charCodeAt(0)));
   const m2 = m1.slice();
-  const r1 = Deno.core.send(m1);
+  const r1 = Deno.core.send(42, m1);
   assert(r1 == null);
-  const r2 = Deno.core.send(m2);
+  const r2 = Deno.core.send(42, m2);
   assert(r2 == null);
 };
 
+global.BasicRecv = () => {
+  const m = new Uint8Array([1, 2, 3]);
+  Deno.core.recv((opId, buf) => {
+    assert(opId === 43);
+    assert(buf instanceof Uint8Array);
+    assert(buf.byteLength === 3);
+    const s = String.fromCharCode(...buf);
+    assert(s === "bar");
+    const r = Deno.core.send(42, m);
+    assert(!r); // async
+  });
+  const r = Deno.core.send(42, m);
+  assert(!r); // async
+};
+
 global.RecvReturnBar = () => {
   const m = new Uint8Array("abc".split("").map(c => c.charCodeAt(0)));
-  const r = Deno.core.send(m);
+  const r = Deno.core.send(42, m);
   assert(r instanceof Uint8Array);
   assert(r.byteLength === 3);
   const rstr = String.fromCharCode(...r);
@@ -58,7 +73,7 @@ global.SendRecvSlice = () => {
     buf[0] = 100 + i;
     buf[buf.length - 1] = 100 - i;
     // On the native side, the slice is shortened by 19 bytes.
-    buf = Deno.core.send(buf);
+    buf = Deno.core.send(42, buf);
     assert(buf.byteOffset === i * 11);
     assert(buf.byteLength === abLen - i * 30 - 19);
     assert(buf.buffer.byteLength == abLen);
@@ -78,17 +93,17 @@ global.JSSendArrayBufferViewTypes = () => {
   const ab1 = new ArrayBuffer(4321);
   const u8 = new Uint8Array(ab1, 2468, 1000);
   u8[0] = 1;
-  Deno.core.send(u8);
+  Deno.core.send(42, u8);
   // Send Uint32Array.
   const ab2 = new ArrayBuffer(4321);
   const u32 = new Uint32Array(ab2, 2468, 1000 / Uint32Array.BYTES_PER_ELEMENT);
   u32[0] = 0x02020202;
-  Deno.core.send(u32);
+  Deno.core.send(42, u32);
   // Send DataView.
   const ab3 = new ArrayBuffer(4321);
   const dv = new DataView(ab3, 2468, 1000);
   dv.setUint8(0, 3);
-  Deno.core.send(dv);
+  Deno.core.send(42, dv);
 };
 
 // The following join has caused SnapshotBug to segfault when using kKeep.
@@ -110,7 +125,7 @@ global.ZeroCopyBuf = () => {
   const b = zeroCopyBuf;
   // The second parameter of send should modified by the
   // privileged side.
-  const r = Deno.core.send(a, b);
+  const r = Deno.core.send(42, a, b);
   assert(r == null);
   // b is different.
   assert(b[0] === 4);
@@ -129,7 +144,7 @@ global.CheckPromiseErrors = () => {
     try {
       await fn();
     } catch (e) {
-      Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([42]));
+      Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([42]));
     }
   })();
 };
@@ -239,17 +254,17 @@ global.WasmInstantiate = () => {
   ]);
 
   (async () => {
-    Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([42]));
+    Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([42]));
 
     const wasm = await WebAssembly.instantiate(bytes);
 
-    Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([42]));
+    Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([42]));
 
     const result = wasm.instance.exports.add(1, 3);
     if (result != 4) {
       throw Error("bad");
     }
     // To signal success, we send back a fixed buffer.
-    Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([42]));
+    Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([42]));
   })();
 };
diff --git a/core/libdeno/modules_test.cc b/core/libdeno/modules_test.cc
index 987e88791f894e..e11231528acb3b 100644
--- a/core/libdeno/modules_test.cc
+++ b/core/libdeno/modules_test.cc
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@
 #include "test.h"
 
 static int exec_count = 0;
-void recv_cb(void* user_data, deno_buf buf, deno_pinned_buf zero_copy_buf) {
+void recv_cb(void* user_data, deno_op_id op_id, deno_buf buf,
+             deno_pinned_buf zero_copy_buf) {
   // We use this to check that scripts have executed.
   EXPECT_EQ(1u, buf.data_len);
+  EXPECT_EQ(42u, op_id);
   EXPECT_EQ(buf.data_ptr[0], 4);
   EXPECT_EQ(zero_copy_buf.data_ptr, nullptr);
   EXPECT_EQ(zero_copy_buf.data_len, 0u);
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, Resolution) {
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js",
                                    "import { b } from 'b.js'\n"
                                    "if (b() != 'b') throw Error();\n"
-                                   "Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4]));");
+                                   "Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4]));");
   EXPECT_NE(a, 0);
   EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, deno_last_exception(d));
 
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, ResolutionError) {
 
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js",
                                    "import 'bad'\n"
-                                   "Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4]));");
+                                   "Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4]));");
   EXPECT_NE(a, 0);
   EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, deno_last_exception(d));
 
@@ -106,7 +108,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, ImportMetaUrl) {
   static deno_mod a =
       deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js",
                    "if ('a.js' != import.meta.url) throw 'hmm'\n"
-                   "Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4]));");
+                   "Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4]));");
   EXPECT_NE(a, 0);
   EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, deno_last_exception(d));
 
@@ -165,7 +167,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, DynamicImportSuccess) {
       "  let mod = await import('foo'); \n"
       "  assert(mod.b() === 'b'); \n"
       // Send a message to signify that we're done.
-      "  Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
+      "  Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
       "})(); \n";
   Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, dyn_import_cb});
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js", src);
@@ -206,7 +208,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, DynamicImportError) {
       "(async () => { \n"
       "  let mod = await import('foo'); \n"
       // The following should be unreachable.
-      "  Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
+      "  Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
       "})(); \n";
   Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, dyn_import_cb});
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js", src);
@@ -249,7 +251,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, DynamicImportAsync) {
       "  mod = await import('foo'); \n"
       "  assert(mod.b() === 'b'); \n"
       // Send a message to signify that we're done.
-      "  Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
+      "  Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
       "})(); \n";
   Deno* d = deno_new(deno_config{0, snapshot, empty, recv_cb, dyn_import_cb});
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js", src);
@@ -327,7 +329,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, DynamicImportThrows) {
       "(async () => { \n"
       "  let mod = await import('b.js'); \n"
       // unreachable
-      "  Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
+      "  Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
       "})(); \n";
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js", a_src);
   EXPECT_NE(a, 0);
@@ -401,7 +403,7 @@ TEST(ModulesTest, DynamicImportSyntaxError) {
       "(async () => { \n"
       "  let mod = await import('b.js'); \n"
       // unreachable
-      "  Deno.core.send(new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
+      "  Deno.core.send(42, new Uint8Array([4])); \n"
       "})(); \n";
   static deno_mod a = deno_mod_new(d, true, "a.js", src);
   EXPECT_NE(a, 0);
diff --git a/core/shared_queue.js b/core/shared_queue.js
index 1b338b052715b4..b69f1b422e464b 100644
--- a/core/shared_queue.js
+++ b/core/shared_queue.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
   const INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF = 1;
   const INDEX_HEAD = 2;
   const INDEX_OFFSETS = 3;
-  const INDEX_RECORDS = 3 + MAX_RECORDS;
+  const INDEX_RECORDS = INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * MAX_RECORDS;
   const HEAD_INIT = 4 * INDEX_RECORDS;
 
   // Available on start due to bindings.
@@ -84,13 +84,17 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
     return shared32[INDEX_NUM_RECORDS] - shared32[INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF];
   }
 
-  function setEnd(index, end) {
-    shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + index] = end;
+  // TODO(ry) rename to setMeta
+  function setMeta(index, end, opId) {
+    shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index] = end;
+    shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index + 1] = opId;
   }
 
-  function getEnd(index) {
+  function getMeta(index) {
     if (index < numRecords()) {
-      return shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + index];
+      const buf = shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index];
+      const opId = shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index + 1];
+      return [opId, buf];
     } else {
       return null;
     }
@@ -101,14 +105,14 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
       if (index == 0) {
         return HEAD_INIT;
       } else {
-        return shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + index - 1];
+        return shared32[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * (index - 1)];
       }
     } else {
       return null;
     }
   }
 
-  function push(buf) {
+  function push(opId, buf) {
     let off = head();
     let end = off + buf.byteLength;
     let index = numRecords();
@@ -116,7 +120,7 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
       // console.log("shared_queue.js push fail");
       return false;
     }
-    setEnd(index, end);
+    setMeta(index, end, opId);
     assert(end - off == buf.byteLength);
     sharedBytes.set(buf, off);
     shared32[INDEX_NUM_RECORDS] += 1;
@@ -132,8 +136,8 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
       return null;
     }
 
-    let off = getOffset(i);
-    let end = getEnd(i);
+    const off = getOffset(i);
+    const [opId, end] = getMeta(i);
 
     if (size() > 1) {
       shared32[INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF] += 1;
@@ -143,7 +147,8 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
 
     assert(off != null);
     assert(end != null);
-    return sharedBytes.subarray(off, end);
+    const buf = sharedBytes.subarray(off, end);
+    return [opId, buf];
   }
 
   let asyncHandler;
@@ -153,19 +158,24 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
     asyncHandler = cb;
   }
 
-  function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(buf) {
+  function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(opId, buf) {
     if (buf) {
-      asyncHandler(buf);
+      // This is the overflow_response case of deno::Isolate::poll().
+      asyncHandler(opId, buf);
     } else {
-      while ((buf = shift()) != null) {
-        asyncHandler(buf);
+      while (true) {
+        let opIdBuf = shift();
+        if (opIdBuf == null) {
+          break;
+        }
+        asyncHandler(...opIdBuf);
       }
     }
   }
 
-  function dispatch(control, zeroCopy = null) {
+  function dispatch(opId, control, zeroCopy = null) {
     maybeInit();
-    return Deno.core.send(control, zeroCopy);
+    return Deno.core.send(opId, control, zeroCopy);
   }
 
   const denoCore = {
diff --git a/core/shared_queue.rs b/core/shared_queue.rs
index 616272f8d90e36..11c8e21271c062 100644
--- a/core/shared_queue.rs
+++ b/core/shared_queue.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ SharedQueue Binary Layout
  */
 
 use crate::libdeno::deno_buf;
+use crate::libdeno::OpId;
 
 const MAX_RECORDS: usize = 100;
 /// Total number of records added.
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ const INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF: usize = 1;
 /// It grows monotonically.
 const INDEX_HEAD: usize = 2;
 const INDEX_OFFSETS: usize = 3;
-const INDEX_RECORDS: usize = 3 + MAX_RECORDS;
+const INDEX_RECORDS: usize = INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * MAX_RECORDS;
 /// Byte offset of where the records begin. Also where the head starts.
 const HEAD_INIT: usize = 4 * INDEX_RECORDS;
 /// A rough guess at how big we should make the shared buffer in bytes.
@@ -98,16 +99,19 @@ impl SharedQueue {
     s[INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF] as usize
   }
 
-  fn set_end(&mut self, index: usize, end: usize) {
+  fn set_meta(&mut self, index: usize, end: usize, op_id: OpId) {
     let s = self.as_u32_slice_mut();
-    s[INDEX_OFFSETS + index] = end as u32;
+    s[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index] = end as u32;
+    s[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index + 1] = op_id;
   }
 
   #[cfg(test)]
-  fn get_end(&self, index: usize) -> Option<usize> {
+  fn get_meta(&self, index: usize) -> Option<(OpId, usize)> {
     if index < self.num_records() {
       let s = self.as_u32_slice();
-      Some(s[INDEX_OFFSETS + index] as usize)
+      let end = s[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index] as usize;
+      let op_id = s[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * index + 1];
+      Some((op_id, end))
     } else {
       None
     }
@@ -120,7 +124,7 @@ impl SharedQueue {
         HEAD_INIT
       } else {
         let s = self.as_u32_slice();
-        s[INDEX_OFFSETS + index - 1] as usize
+        s[INDEX_OFFSETS + 2 * (index - 1)] as usize
       })
     } else {
       None
@@ -129,7 +133,7 @@ impl SharedQueue {
 
   /// Returns none if empty.
   #[cfg(test)]
-  pub fn shift(&mut self) -> Option<&[u8]> {
+  pub fn shift(&mut self) -> Option<(OpId, &[u8])> {
     let u32_slice = self.as_u32_slice();
     let i = u32_slice[INDEX_NUM_SHIFTED_OFF] as usize;
     if self.size() == 0 {
@@ -138,7 +142,7 @@ impl SharedQueue {
     }
 
     let off = self.get_offset(i).unwrap();
-    let end = self.get_end(i).unwrap();
+    let (op_id, end) = self.get_meta(i).unwrap();
 
     if self.size() > 1 {
       let u32_slice = self.as_u32_slice_mut();
@@ -146,16 +150,16 @@ impl SharedQueue {
     } else {
       self.reset();
     }
-    debug!(
+    println!(
       "rust:shared_queue:shift: num_records={}, num_shifted_off={}, head={}",
       self.num_records(),
       self.num_shifted_off(),
       self.head()
     );
-    Some(&self.bytes[off..end])
+    Some((op_id, &self.bytes[off..end]))
   }
 
-  pub fn push(&mut self, record: &[u8]) -> bool {
+  pub fn push(&mut self, op_id: OpId, record: &[u8]) -> bool {
     let off = self.head();
     let end = off + record.len();
     let index = self.num_records();
@@ -163,7 +167,7 @@ impl SharedQueue {
       debug!("WARNING the sharedQueue overflowed");
       return false;
     }
-    self.set_end(index, end);
+    self.set_meta(index, end, op_id);
     assert_eq!(end - off, record.len());
     self.bytes[off..end].copy_from_slice(record);
     let u32_slice = self.as_u32_slice_mut();
@@ -193,28 +197,28 @@ mod tests {
 
     let r = vec![1u8, 2, 3, 4, 5].into_boxed_slice();
     let len = r.len() + h;
-    assert!(q.push(&r));
+    assert!(q.push(0, &r));
     assert_eq!(q.head(), len);
 
     let r = vec![6, 7].into_boxed_slice();
-    assert!(q.push(&r));
+    assert!(q.push(0, &r));
 
     let r = vec![8, 9, 10, 11].into_boxed_slice();
-    assert!(q.push(&r));
+    assert!(q.push(0, &r));
     assert_eq!(q.num_records(), 3);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 3);
 
-    let r = q.shift().unwrap();
+    let (_op_id, r) = q.shift().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(r, vec![1, 2, 3, 4, 5].as_slice());
     assert_eq!(q.num_records(), 3);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 2);
 
-    let r = q.shift().unwrap();
+    let (_op_id, r) = q.shift().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(r, vec![6, 7].as_slice());
     assert_eq!(q.num_records(), 3);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 1);
 
-    let r = q.shift().unwrap();
+    let (_op_id, r) = q.shift().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(r, vec![8, 9, 10, 11].as_slice());
     assert_eq!(q.num_records(), 0);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 0);
@@ -235,19 +239,21 @@ mod tests {
   #[test]
   fn overflow() {
     let mut q = SharedQueue::new(RECOMMENDED_SIZE);
-    assert!(q.push(&alloc_buf(RECOMMENDED_SIZE - 1)));
+    assert!(q.push(0, &alloc_buf(RECOMMENDED_SIZE - 1)));
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 1);
-    assert!(!q.push(&alloc_buf(2)));
+    assert!(!q.push(0, &alloc_buf(2)));
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 1);
-    assert!(q.push(&alloc_buf(1)));
+    assert!(q.push(0, &alloc_buf(1)));
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 2);
 
-    assert_eq!(q.shift().unwrap().len(), RECOMMENDED_SIZE - 1);
+    let (_op_id, buf) = q.shift().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(buf.len(), RECOMMENDED_SIZE - 1);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 1);
 
-    assert!(!q.push(&alloc_buf(1)));
+    assert!(!q.push(0, &alloc_buf(1)));
 
-    assert_eq!(q.shift().unwrap().len(), 1);
+    let (_op_id, buf) = q.shift().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(buf.len(), 1);
     assert_eq!(q.size(), 0);
   }
 
@@ -255,11 +261,11 @@ mod tests {
   fn full_records() {
     let mut q = SharedQueue::new(RECOMMENDED_SIZE);
     for _ in 0..MAX_RECORDS {
-      assert!(q.push(&alloc_buf(1)))
+      assert!(q.push(0, &alloc_buf(1)))
     }
-    assert_eq!(q.push(&alloc_buf(1)), false);
+    assert_eq!(q.push(0, &alloc_buf(1)), false);
     // Even if we shift one off, we still cannot push a new record.
-    assert_eq!(q.shift().unwrap().len(), 1);
-    assert_eq!(q.push(&alloc_buf(1)), false);
+    let _ignored = q.shift().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(q.push(0, &alloc_buf(1)), false);
   }
 }
diff --git a/core/shared_queue_test.js b/core/shared_queue_test.js
index e2597f3bc31efc..682d41d1e299c3 100644
--- a/core/shared_queue_test.js
+++ b/core/shared_queue_test.js
@@ -11,14 +11,15 @@ function fullRecords(q) {
   q.reset();
   const oneByte = new Uint8Array([42]);
   for (let i = 0; i < q.MAX_RECORDS; i++) {
-    assert(q.push(oneByte));
+    assert(q.push(99, oneByte));
   }
-  assert(!q.push(oneByte));
-  r = q.shift();
+  assert(!q.push(99, oneByte));
+  const [opId, r] = q.shift();
+  assert(opId == 99);
   assert(r.byteLength == 1);
   assert(r[0] == 42);
   // Even if we shift one off, we still cannot push a new record.
-  assert(!q.push(oneByte));
+  assert(!q.push(99, oneByte));
 }
 
 function main() {
@@ -29,18 +30,19 @@ function main() {
 
   let r = new Uint8Array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]);
   let len = r.byteLength + h;
-  assert(q.push(r));
+  assert(q.push(99, r));
   assert(q.head() == len);
 
   r = new Uint8Array([6, 7]);
-  assert(q.push(r));
+  assert(q.push(99, r));
 
   r = new Uint8Array([8, 9, 10, 11]);
-  assert(q.push(r));
+  assert(q.push(99, r));
   assert(q.numRecords() == 3);
   assert(q.size() == 3);
 
-  r = q.shift();
+  let opId;
+  [opId, r] = q.shift();
   assert(r.byteLength == 5);
   assert(r[0] == 1);
   assert(r[1] == 2);
@@ -50,14 +52,15 @@ function main() {
   assert(q.numRecords() == 3);
   assert(q.size() == 2);
 
-  r = q.shift();
+  [opId, r] = q.shift();
   assert(r.byteLength == 2);
   assert(r[0] == 6);
   assert(r[1] == 7);
   assert(q.numRecords() == 3);
   assert(q.size() == 1);
 
-  r = q.shift();
+  [opId, r] = q.shift();
+  assert(opId == 99);
   assert(r.byteLength == 4);
   assert(r[0] == 8);
   assert(r[1] == 9);
diff --git a/js/dispatch.ts b/js/dispatch.ts
index cd11c93f6c6ca9..babea5739d3b54 100644
--- a/js/dispatch.ts
+++ b/js/dispatch.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ import {
   handleAsyncMsgFromRustMinimal
 } from "./dispatch_minimal";
 
+// TODO(ry) Currently we only use three values for opId: OP_READ, OP_WRITE,
+// FLATBUFFER_OP_ID. Later on use opId for actual individual ops, not just
+// classes of ops.
+const FLATBUFFER_OP_ID = 44;
+
 const promiseTable = new Map<number, util.Resolvable<msg.Base>>();
 
 interface FlatbufferRecord {
@@ -26,11 +31,11 @@ function flatbufferRecordFromBuf(buf: Uint8Array): FlatbufferRecord {
   };
 }
 
-export function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(ui8: Uint8Array): void {
+export function handleAsyncMsgFromRust(opId: number, ui8: Uint8Array): void {
   const buf32 = new Int32Array(ui8.buffer, ui8.byteOffset, ui8.byteLength / 4);
-  const recordMin = recordFromBufMinimal(buf32);
-  if (recordMin) {
+  if (opId !== FLATBUFFER_OP_ID) {
     // Fast and new
+    const recordMin = recordFromBufMinimal(opId, buf32);
     handleAsyncMsgFromRustMinimal(ui8, recordMin);
   } else {
     // Legacy
@@ -83,6 +88,7 @@ function sendInternal(
   const control = builder.asUint8Array();
 
   const response = core.dispatch(
+    FLATBUFFER_OP_ID, // TODO(ry) Use actual opId later.
     control,
     zeroCopy ? ui8FromArrayBufferView(zeroCopy) : undefined
   );
diff --git a/js/dispatch_minimal.ts b/js/dispatch_minimal.ts
index 17d3281107a020..df0a290b22f806 100644
--- a/js/dispatch_minimal.ts
+++ b/js/dispatch_minimal.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 import * as util from "./util";
 import { core } from "./core";
 
-const DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN = 0xcafe;
 const promiseTableMin = new Map<number, util.Resolvable<number>>();
 let _nextPromiseId = 0;
 
@@ -13,31 +12,27 @@ export function nextPromiseId(): number {
 
 export interface RecordMinimal {
   promiseId: number;
-  opId: number;
+  opId: number; // Maybe better called dispatchId
   arg: number;
   result: number;
 }
 
-/** Determines if a message has the "minimal" serialization format. If false, it
- * is flatbuffer encoded.
- */
-export function hasMinimalToken(i32: Int32Array): boolean {
-  return i32[0] == DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN;
-}
-
-export function recordFromBufMinimal(buf32: Int32Array): null | RecordMinimal {
-  if (hasMinimalToken(buf32)) {
-    return {
-      promiseId: buf32[1],
-      opId: buf32[2],
-      arg: buf32[3],
-      result: buf32[4]
-    };
+export function recordFromBufMinimal(
+  opId: number,
+  buf32: Int32Array
+): RecordMinimal {
+  if (buf32.length != 3) {
+    throw Error("Bad message");
   }
-  return null;
+  return {
+    promiseId: buf32[0],
+    opId,
+    arg: buf32[1],
+    result: buf32[2]
+  };
 }
 
-const scratch32 = new Int32Array(5);
+const scratch32 = new Int32Array(3);
 const scratchBytes = new Uint8Array(
   scratch32.buffer,
   scratch32.byteOffset,
@@ -63,15 +58,11 @@ export function sendAsyncMinimal(
   zeroCopy: Uint8Array
 ): Promise<number> {
   const promiseId = nextPromiseId(); // AKA cmdId
-
-  scratch32[0] = DISPATCH_MINIMAL_TOKEN;
-  scratch32[1] = promiseId;
-  scratch32[2] = opId;
-  scratch32[3] = arg;
-
+  scratch32[0] = promiseId;
+  scratch32[1] = arg;
+  scratch32[2] = 0; // result
   const promise = util.createResolvable<number>();
   promiseTableMin.set(promiseId, promise);
-
-  core.dispatch(scratchBytes, zeroCopy);
+  core.dispatch(opId, scratchBytes, zeroCopy);
   return promise;
 }