diff --git a/commands.py b/commands.py
index 7dc823d..df53b44 100644
--- a/commands.py
+++ b/commands.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ if home not in sys.path:
     # for newer Frappy installations this should be home (= /home/<instrument>)
     # the following line fixes this in case nicos.conf is not yet updated
     sys.path.append(home)
-from servicemanager import FrappyManager
+from servicemanager import FrappyManager, SeaManager
 
 
 def cleanup_defunct():
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def frappy_start(**services):
     frappy_config = session.devices.get('frappy_config')
     for service in SERVICES:
         if services.get(service) == '':
-            seaconn = session.devices.get('seaconn')
+            seaconn = session.devices.get(f'se_sea_{service}')
             if seaconn and seaconn._attached_secnode:
                 seaconn.communicate('frappy_remove %s' % service)
     used_cfg = {}
@@ -96,12 +96,7 @@ def frappy_start(**services):
     for service in reversed(SERVICES):
         secnode = session.devices.get('se_' + service)
         cfginfo = services.get(service)
-        if cfginfo is None:
-            if not secnode:
-                continue
-            cfginfo = secnode() or ''
-            secnode.restart(secnode.read(), False)  # restart when needed only
-        else:
+        if cfginfo is not None:
             if cfginfo:
                 new_cfg.append((service, secnode, cfginfo))
             else:
@@ -157,6 +152,7 @@ def frappy(*args, main=None, stick=None, addons=None):
     - addons are not changed when not given
     - frappy(main='<cfg>')  # main cfg is changed, but stick is kept
     """
+    seacfg = SeaManager().guess_frappy_cfg(config.instrument)
     if args:
         if main is not None:
             raise TypeError('got multiple values for main')
@@ -166,10 +162,13 @@ def frappy(*args, main=None, stick=None, addons=None):
                 if main == '':
                     stick = ''  # remove stick with main
                 else:
-                    stickcfg = main + 'stick'
-                    if stickcfg in FrappyNode.available_cfg('stick'):
-                        # if a default stick is available, start this also
-                        stick = stickcfg
+                    allsticks = FrappyManager().all_cfg(config.instruments, 'stick')
+                    if seacfg.get('main') != main:
+                        # main sea device has changed
+                        stickcfg = main + 'stick'
+                        if stickcfg in allsticks:
+                            # if a default stick is available, start this also
+                            stick = stickcfg
         else:
             if stick is not None:
                 raise TypeError('got multiple values for stick')
@@ -178,8 +177,30 @@ def frappy(*args, main=None, stick=None, addons=None):
                 if addons is not None:
                     raise TypeError('got multiple values for addons')
                 addons = ','.join(alist)
-    all_cfg = frappy_start(main=main, stick=stick, addons=addons)
-    session.log.info(all_info(all_cfg))
+        allcfg = frappy_start(main=main, stick=stick, addons=addons)
+        session.log.info(all_info(allcfg))
+    else:
+        allcfg = frappy_start(main=main, stick=stick, addons=addons)
+        session.log.info(all_info(allcfg))
+        guess1 = {}
+        guess2 = {}
+        for s in SERVICES:
+            info = allcfg.get(s, '')
+            prev = info.split()[0]
+            if prev != info:
+                guess1[s] = prev
+                guess2[s] = prev
+            fromsea = seacfg.get(s)
+            if fromsea and fromsea != prev:
+                guess2[s] = fromsea
+        if guess1 and guess2:
+            session.log.info('please consider to call one of:')
+        elif guess1 or guess2:
+            session.log.info('please consider to call:')
+        if guess1:
+            session.log.info(all_info(guess1))
+        if guess2:
+            session.log.info(all_info(guess2))
 
 
 @usercommand
@@ -224,6 +245,7 @@ def frappy_list(service=None):
     def prt(line):
         content.append(line)
 
+    # TODO: remove next line
     bases = list(dict.fromkeys(expanduser(p) for p in FrappyNode.config_dirs(config.instrument, service or 'main')))
     if service is None:
         prt('Available configuration files')
diff --git a/devices.py b/devices.py
index 8677ea6..e9d4cdb 100644
--- a/devices.py
+++ b/devices.py
@@ -247,6 +247,10 @@ class FrappyNode(SecNodeDevice, Moveable):
         super().doInit(mode)
 
     def doRead(self, maxage=0):
+        try:
+            return self.secnode.descriptive_data['_frappy_config']
+        except (KeyError, AttributeError):
+            pass
         if self._cfgvalue is None and self._cache:
             self._cfgvalue = self._cache.get(self, 'value')
         return self._cfgvalue
@@ -264,12 +268,14 @@ class FrappyNode(SecNodeDevice, Moveable):
 
     @classmethod
     def config_dirs(cls, ins, service):
+        # TODO: no more needed after allowing ~cfg in FrappyManager.do_start
         sm = cls._service_manager
         sm.get_info()
         return sm.config_dirs(ins, service)
 
     @classmethod
     def available_cfg(cls, service):
+        # TODO: no more needed after allowing ~cfg in FrappyManager.do_start
         ins = config.instrument
         available_cfg = set()
         for d in cls.config_dirs(ins, service):