diff --git a/cmd/bss-boot-params-add.go b/cmd/bss-boot-params-add.go
index cbdefbe..eb22c11 100644
--- a/cmd/bss-boot-params-add.go
+++ b/cmd/bss-boot-params-add.go
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@ var bootParamsAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
 	Short: "Add new boot parameters for one or more components",
 	Long: `Add new boot parameters for one or more components. At least one of --kernel,
---initrd, or --params must be specified as well as at least one of --xname, --mac, or --nid.
-Alternatively, pass -f to pass a file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default),
-but the rules above still apply for the payload.
+--initrd, or --params must be specified as well as at least one of --xname,
+--mac, or --nid. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a file (optionally specifying
+--payload-format, JSON by default), but the rules above still apply for the
+payload. If the specified file path is -, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami bss boot params add \
@@ -31,7 +32,9 @@ This command sends a POST to BSS. An access token is required.`,
   ochami bss boot params add --mac 00:de:ad:be:ef:00,00:c0:ff:ee:00:00 --params 'quiet nosplash'
   ochami bss boot params add --mac 00:de:ad:be:ef:00 --mac 00:c0:ff:ee:00:00 --kernel https://example.com/kernel
   ochami bss boot params add -f payload.json
-  ochami bss boot params add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami bss boot params add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami bss boot params add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami bss boot params add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// cmd.LocalFlags().NFlag() doesn't seem to work, so we check every flag
 		if len(args) == 0 &&
@@ -70,15 +73,7 @@ This command sends a POST to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 		bp := bssTypes.BootParams{}
 
 		// Read payload from file first, allowing overwrites from flags
-		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &bp)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		}
+		handlePayload(cmd, &bp)
 
 		// Set the hosts the boot parameters are for
 		if cmd.Flag("xname").Changed {
diff --git a/cmd/bss-boot-params-delete.go b/cmd/bss-boot-params-delete.go
index 273f93e..19d192e 100644
--- a/cmd/bss-boot-params-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/bss-boot-params-delete.go
@@ -18,17 +18,22 @@ var bootParamsDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
 	Short: "Delete boot parameters for one or more components",
 	Long: `Delete boot parameters for one or more components. At least one of --kernel,
---initrd, --params, --xname, --mac, or --nid must be specified. This command can delete
-boot parameters by config (kernel URI, initrd URI, or kernel command line) or by component
-(--xname, --mac, or --nid). The user will be asked for confirmation before deletion unless
---force is passed. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a file (optionally specifying --payload-format,
-JSON by default), but the rules above still apply for the payload.
+--initrd, --params, --xname, --mac, or --nid must be specified.
+This command can delete boot parameters by config (kernel URI,
+initrd URI, or kernel command line) or by component (--xname,
+--mac, or --nid). The user will be asked for confirmation before
+deletion unless --force is passed. Alternatively, pass -f to pass
+a file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default),
+but the rules above still apply for the payload. If the specified
+file path is -, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami bss boot params delete --kernel https://example.com/kernel
   ochami bss boot params delete --kernel https://example.com/kernel --initrd https://example.com/initrd
   ochami bss boot params delete -f payload.json
-  ochami bss boot params delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami bss boot params delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami bss boot params delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami bss boot params delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// cmd.LocalFlags().NFlag() doesn't seem to work, so we check every flag
 		if len(args) == 0 &&
@@ -67,15 +72,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 		bp := bssTypes.BootParams{}
 
 		// Read payload from file first, allowing overwrites from flags
-		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &bp)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		}
+		handlePayload(cmd, &bp)
 
 		// Set the hosts the boot parameters are for
 		if cmd.Flag("xname").Changed {
diff --git a/cmd/bss-boot-params-set.go b/cmd/bss-boot-params-set.go
index 1bde7e0..6b4840f 100644
--- a/cmd/bss-boot-params-set.go
+++ b/cmd/bss-boot-params-set.go
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@ var bootParamsSetCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
 	Short: "Set boot parameters for one or more components, overwriting any previous",
 	Long: `Set boot parameters for one or mote components, overwriting any previously-set
-parameters. At least one of --kernel, --initrd, or --params is required to
-tell ochami which boot data to set. Also, at least one of --xname, --mac,
-or --nid is required to tell ochami which components need modification. Alternatively, pass -f
-to pass a file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default), but the rules above
-still apply for the payload.
+parameters. At least one of --kernel, --initrd, or --params is
+required to tell ochami which boot data to set. Also, at least
+one of --xname, --mac, or --nid is required to tell ochami which
+components need modification. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a
+file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default),
+but the rules above still apply for the payload. If the specified
+file path is -, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a PUT to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami bss boot params set --xname x1000c1s7b0 --kernel https://example.com/kernel
@@ -30,7 +32,9 @@ This command sends a PUT to BSS. An access token is required.`,
   ochami bss boot params set --xname x1000c1s7b0 --xname x1000c1s7b1 --kernel https://example.com/kernel
   ochami bss boot params set --xname x1000c1s7b0 --nid 1 --mac 00:c0:ff:ee:00:00 --params 'quiet nosplash'
   ochami bss boot params set -f payload.json
-  ochami bss boot params set -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami bss boot params set -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo <json_data> | ochami bss boot params set -f -
+  echo <yaml_data> | ochami bss boot params set -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// cmd.LocalFlags().NFlag() doesn't seem to work, so we check every flag
 		if len(args) == 0 &&
@@ -69,15 +73,7 @@ This command sends a PUT to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 		bp := bssTypes.BootParams{}
 
 		// Read payload from file first, allowing overwrites from flags
-		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &bp)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		}
+		handlePayload(cmd, &bp)
 
 		// Set the hosts the boot parameters are for
 		if cmd.Flag("xname").Changed {
diff --git a/cmd/bss-boot-params-update.go b/cmd/bss-boot-params-update.go
index 3332d72..2bf7a65 100644
--- a/cmd/bss-boot-params-update.go
+++ b/cmd/bss-boot-params-update.go
@@ -18,9 +18,11 @@ var bootParamsUpdateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
 	Short: "Update some or all boot parameters for one or more components",
 	Long: `Update some or all boot parameters for one or more components. At least one of
---kernel, initrd, or --params must be specified as well as at least one of --xname, --mac, or
---nid. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by
-default), but the rules above still apply for the payload.
+--kernel, initrd, or --params must be specified as well as at least
+one of --xname, --mac, or --nid. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a
+file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default), but
+the rules above still apply for the payload. If the specified file
+path is -, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a PATCH to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami bss boot params update --xname x1000c1s7b0 --kernel https://example.com/kernel
@@ -28,7 +30,9 @@ This command sends a PATCH to BSS. An access token is required.`,
   ochami bss boot params update --xname x1000c1s7b0 --xname x1000c1s7b1 --kernel https://example.com/kernel
   ochami bss boot params update --xname x1000c1s7b0 --nid 1 --mac 00:c0:ff:ee:00:00 --params 'quiet nosplash'
   ochami bss boot params update -f payload.json
-  ochami bss boot params update -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami bss boot params update -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami bss boot params update -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami bss boot params update -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// cmd.LocalFlags().NFlag() doesn't seem to work, so we check every flag
 		if len(args) == 0 &&
@@ -67,15 +71,7 @@ This command sends a PATCH to BSS. An access token is required.`,
 		bp := bssTypes.BootParams{}
 
 		// Read payload from file first, allowing overwrites from flags
-		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &bp)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		}
+		handlePayload(cmd, &bp)
 
 		// Set the hosts the boot parameters are for
 		if cmd.Flag("xname").Changed {
diff --git a/cmd/cloud_init-config-add.go b/cmd/cloud_init-config-add.go
index 34a77e3..209063c 100644
--- a/cmd/cloud_init-config-add.go
+++ b/cmd/cloud_init-config-add.go
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ var cloudInitConfigAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Long: `Add one or more new cloud-init configs. Either a payload file
 containing the data or the JSON data itself must be passed.
 Data is represented by a JSON array of cloud-init configs,
-even if only one is being passed.
+even if only one is being passed. An alternative to using
+-d would be to use -f and passing -, which will cause ochami
+to read the data from standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to cloud-init.`,
-	Example: `  ochami cloud-init config add -f payload.json
-  ochami cloud-init config add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
-  ochami cloud-init config add -d \
+	Example: `  ochami cloud-init config add -d \
     '[ \
        { \
          "name": "compute", \
@@ -44,7 +44,11 @@ This command sends a POST to cloud-init.`,
            } \
          } \
        } \
-     ]'`,
+     ]'
+  ochami cloud-init config add -f payload.json
+  ochami cloud-init config add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami cloud-init config add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami cloud-init config add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Without a base URI, we cannot do anything
 		cloudInitBaseURI, err := getBaseURI(cmd)
@@ -70,13 +74,7 @@ This command sends a POST to cloud-init.`,
 		var ciData []citypes.CI
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &ciData)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &ciData)
 		} else if cmd.Flag("data").Changed {
 			// ...otherwise try to read raw JSON from CLI
 			rawJSON, err := cmd.Flags().GetString("data")
diff --git a/cmd/cloud_init-config-set.go b/cmd/cloud_init-config-set.go
index 5b905ce..47a6ea1 100644
--- a/cmd/cloud_init-config-set.go
+++ b/cmd/cloud_init-config-set.go
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ var cloudInitConfigSetCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Long: `Set cloud-init config for one or more ids, overwriting any previous.
 Either a payload file containing the data or the JSON data itself
 must be passed. Data is represented by a JSON array of cloud-init
-configs, even if only one is being passed.
+configs, even if only one is being passed. An alternative to using
+-d would be to use -f and passing -, which will cause ochami
+to read the data from standard input.
 
 This command sends a PUT to cloud-init.`,
-	Example: `  ochami cloud-init config set -f payload.json
-  ochami cloud-init config set -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
-  ochami cloud-init config set -d \
+	Example: `  ochami cloud-init config set -d \
     '[ \
        { \
          "name": "compute", \
@@ -41,7 +41,11 @@ This command sends a PUT to cloud-init.`,
            } \
          } \
        } \
-     ]'`,
+     ]'
+  ochami cloud-init config set -f payload.json
+  ochami cloud-init config set -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami cloud-init config set -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami cloud-init config set -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Without a base URI, we cannot do anything
 		cloudInitBaseURI, err := getBaseURI(cmd)
@@ -67,13 +71,7 @@ This command sends a PUT to cloud-init.`,
 		var ciData []citypes.CI
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &ciData)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &ciData)
 		} else if cmd.Flag("data").Changed {
 			// ...otherwise try to read raw JSON from CLI
 			rawJSON, err := cmd.Flags().GetString("data")
diff --git a/cmd/discover.go b/cmd/discover.go
index 9aa5c06..4717bd9 100644
--- a/cmd/discover.go
+++ b/cmd/discover.go
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ var discoverCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Long: `Populate SMD with data. Currently, this command performs "fake" discovery,
 whereby data from a payload file is used to create the SMD structures.
 In this way, the command does not perform dynamic discovery like Magellan,
-but statically populates SMD using a file.
+but statically populates SMD using a file. If - is used as the argument to
+-f, the payload data is read from standard input.
 
 The format of the payload file is an array of node specifications. In YAML,
 each node entry would look something like:
@@ -82,13 +83,7 @@ nodes:
 
 		// Read data from payload file
 		nodes := discover.NodeList{}
-		dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-		dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-		err = client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &nodes)
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-			os.Exit(1)
-		}
+		handlePayload(cmd, &nodes)
 		log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("read %d nodes", len(nodes.Nodes))
 		log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("nodes: %s", nodes)
 
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index 2dced6c..eb24561 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -398,3 +398,17 @@ func setTokenFromEnvVar(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 	log.Logger.Error().Msgf("Environment variable %s unset for reading token for cluster %q", envVarToRead, clusterName)
 	os.Exit(1)
 }
+
+// handlePayload unmarshals a payload file into data for command cmd if
+// --payload and, optionally, --payload-format, are passed.
+func handlePayload(cmd *cobra.Command, data any) {
+	if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
+		dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
+		dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
+		err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, data)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/smd-compep-delete.go b/cmd/smd-compep-delete.go
index 4aa0e3a..ae1cf60 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-compep-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-compep-delete.go
@@ -17,12 +17,17 @@ var compepDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "delete -f <payload_file> | --all | <xname>...",
 	Short: "Delete one or more component endpoints",
 	Long: `Delete one or more component endpoints. These can be specified by one or more xnames.
+Alternatively, pass the xnames in an array of component endpoint data
+via a file with -f. If - is passed to -f, the data is read from standard
+input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd compep delete x3000c1s7b56n0 x3000c1s7b56n1
   ochami smd compep delete --all
   ochami smd compep delete -f payload.json
-  ochami smd compep delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd compep delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd compep delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd compep delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// With options, only one of:
 		// - A payload file with -f
@@ -83,16 +88,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var xnameSlice []string
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &ceSlice)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			for _, ce := range ceSlice {
-				xnameSlice = append(xnameSlice, ce.ID)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &ceSlice)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise, use passed CLI arguments
 			xnameSlice = args
diff --git a/cmd/smd-component-add.go b/cmd/smd-component-add.go
index 153d644..ed54b31 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-component-add.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-component-add.go
@@ -16,14 +16,17 @@ var componentAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "add -f <payload_file> | (<xname> <node_id>)",
 	Short: "Add new component(s)",
 	Long: `Add new component(s). A name (xname) and node ID (int64) are required unless
--f is passed to read from a payload file. Specifying -f also is mutually exclusive with the
-other flags of this command.
+-f is passed to read from a payload file. Specifying -f also is
+mutually exclusive with the other flags of this command. If - is
+used as the argument to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd component add x3000c1s7b56n0 56
   ochami smd component add --state Ready --enabled --role Compute --arch X86 x3000c1s7b56n0 56
   ochami smd component add -f payload.json
-  ochami smd component add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd component add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd component add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd component add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Check that all required args are passed
 		if len(args) == 0 && !cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
@@ -61,14 +64,7 @@ This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 
 		var compSlice client.ComponentSlice
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &compSlice)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &compSlice)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise use CLI options
 			comp := client.Component{
diff --git a/cmd/smd-component-delete.go b/cmd/smd-component-delete.go
index 7d02a38..419184e 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-component-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-component-delete.go
@@ -16,14 +16,18 @@ var componentDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "delete -f <payload_file> | --all | <xname>...",
 	Short: "Delete one or more components",
 	Long: `Delete one or more components. These can be specified by one or more xnames, one
-or more NIDs, or a combination of both.
+or more NIDs, or a combination of both. Alternatively, specify the xnames in
+an array of component structures within a payload file and pass it to -f. If
+- is passed to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd component delete x3000c1s7b56n0
   ochami smd component delete x3000c1s7b56n0 x3000c1s7b56n1
   ochami smd component delete --all
   ochami smd component delete -f payload.json
-  ochami smd component delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd component delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd component delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd component delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// With options, only one of:
 		// - A payload file with -f
@@ -84,16 +88,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var xnameSlice []string
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &compSlice.Components)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			for _, comp := range compSlice.Components {
-				xnameSlice = append(xnameSlice, comp.ID)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &compSlice)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise, use passed CLI arguments
 			xnameSlice = args
diff --git a/cmd/smd-group-add.go b/cmd/smd-group-add.go
index 89bce0a..a1b7146 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-group-add.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-group-add.go
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ var groupAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Short: "Add new group",
 	Long: `Add new group. A group name is required unless -f is passed to read the payload file.
 Specifying -f also is mutually exclusive with the other flags of this commands
-and its arguments.
+and its arguments. If - is used as the argument to -f, the data is read from
+standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd group add computes
@@ -30,7 +31,9 @@ This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
     --exclusive-group amd64 \
     arm64
   ochami smd group add -f payload.json
-  ochami smd group add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd group add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd group add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd group add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Check that all required args are passed
 		if len(args) == 0 && !cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
@@ -69,13 +72,7 @@ This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var groups []client.Group
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &groups)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &groups)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise use CLI options/args
 			group := client.Group{Label: args[0]}
diff --git a/cmd/smd-group-delete.go b/cmd/smd-group-delete.go
index 7ef903d..835765e 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-group-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-group-delete.go
@@ -16,8 +16,16 @@ var groupDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "delete -f <payload_file> | <group_label>...",
 	Short: "Delete one or more groups",
 	Long: `Delete one or more groups. These can be specified by one or more group labels.
+Alternatively, pass the group labels in an array of group structures
+within a payload file and specify that file via -f. If - is used as
+the argument to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
+	Example: `  ochami smd group delete compute
+  ochami smd group delete -f payload.json
+  ochami smd group delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd group delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd group delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// With options, only one of:
 		// - A payload file with -f
@@ -72,16 +80,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var gLabelSlice []string
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &groups)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			for _, group := range groups {
-				gLabelSlice = append(gLabelSlice, group.Label)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &groups)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise, use passed CLI arguments
 			gLabelSlice = args
diff --git a/cmd/smd-group-update.go b/cmd/smd-group-update.go
index f4c2261..336353e 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-group-update.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-group-update.go
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ import (
 
 // groupUpdateCmd represents the smd-group-update command
 var groupUpdateCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:   "update [-f <payload_file>] | ([--description <description>] [--tag <tag>]... <group_label>)",
+	Use:   "update -f <payload_file> | ([--description <description>] [--tag <tag>]... <group_label>)",
 	Short: "Update the description and/or tags of a group",
 	Long: `Update the description and/or tags of a group. At least one of --description
 or --tag must be specified. Alternatively, pass -f to pass a file
 (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default), but the
-rules above still apply for the payload.
+rules above still apply for the payload. If - is used as the
+argument to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a PATCH to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd group update --description "New description for compute" compute
@@ -26,7 +27,9 @@ This command sends a PATCH to SMD. An access token is required.`,
   ochami smd group update --tag existing_tag,new_tag compute
   ochami smd group update --tag existing_tag,new_tag -d "New description for compute" compute
   ochami smd group update -f payload.json
-  ochami smd group update -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd group update -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd group update -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd group update -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// cmd.LocalFlags().NFlag() doesn't seem to work, so we check every flag
 		if len(args) == 0 && !cmd.Flag("description").Changed && !cmd.Flag("tag").Changed {
@@ -64,13 +67,7 @@ This command sends a PATCH to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 
 		// Read payload from file first, allowing overwrites from flags
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &groups)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &groups)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise use CLI options/args
 			group := client.Group{Label: args[0]}
diff --git a/cmd/smd-iface-add.go b/cmd/smd-iface-add.go
index 3689e67..93ce0b6 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-iface-add.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-iface-add.go
@@ -18,16 +18,20 @@ var ifaceAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "add -f <payload_file> | (<comp_id> <mac_addr> (<net_name>,<ip_addr>)...)",
 	Short: "Add new ethernet interface(s)",
 	Long: `Add new ethernet interface(s). A component ID (usually an xname), MAC address, and
-one or more pairs of network name and IP address (delimited by a comma) are required unless -f is
-passed to read from a payload file. Specifying -f also is mutually exclusive with the other flags
-of this command and its arguments.
+one or more pairs of network name and IP address (delimited by a comma)
+are required unless -f is passed to read from a payload file. Specifying
+-f also is mutually exclusive with the other flags of this command and
+its arguments. If - is used as the argument to -f, the data is read
+from standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd iface add x3000c1s7b55n0 de:ca:fc:0f:fe:ee NMN,172.16.0.55
   ochami smd iface add -d "Node Management for n55" x3000c1s7b55n0 de:ca:fc:0f:fe:ee NMN,172.16.0.55
   ochami smd iface add x3000c1s7b55n0 de:ca:fc:0f:fe:ee external,10.1.0.55 internal,172.16.0.55
   ochami smd iface add -f payload.json
-  ochami smd iface add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd iface add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd iface add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd iface add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Check that all required args are passed
 		if len(args) == 0 && !cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
@@ -66,13 +70,7 @@ This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var eis []client.EthernetInterface
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &eis)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &eis)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise use CLI options/args
 			var nets []client.EthernetIP
diff --git a/cmd/smd-iface-delete.go b/cmd/smd-iface-delete.go
index 61504a5..1bf9454 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-iface-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-iface-delete.go
@@ -16,14 +16,19 @@ var ifaceDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "delete -f <payload_file> | --all | <iface_id>...",
 	Short: "Delete one or more ethernet interfaces",
 	Long: `Delete one or more ethernet interfaces. These can be specified by one or more ethernet
-interface IDs (note this is not the same as a component xname).
+interface IDs (note this is not the same as a component xname). Alternatively,
+pass -f to pass a file (optionally specifying --payload-format, JSON by default)
+containing the payload data. If - is used as the argument to -f, the data is
+read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd iface delete decafc0ffeee
   ochami smd iface delete decafc0ffeee de:ad:be:ee:ee:ef
   ochami smd iface delete --all
   ochami smd iface delete -f payload.json
-  ochami smd iface delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd iface delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd iface delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd iface delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// With options, only one of:
 		// - A payload file with -f
@@ -84,16 +89,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var eIdSlice []string
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &eiSlice)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			for _, ei := range eiSlice {
-				eIdSlice = append(eIdSlice, ei.ID)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &eiSlice)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise, use passed CLI arguments
 			eIdSlice = args
diff --git a/cmd/smd-rfe-add.go b/cmd/smd-rfe-add.go
index ccc52df..df5cb7d 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-rfe-add.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-rfe-add.go
@@ -17,13 +17,16 @@ var rfeAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "add -f <payload_file> | (<xname> <name> <ip_addr> <mac_addr>)",
 	Short: "Add new redfish endpoint(s)",
 	Long: `Add new redfish endpoint(s). An xname, name, IP address, and MAC address are required
-unless -f is passed to read from a payload file. Specifying -f also is mutually exclusive with the other
-flags of this command and its arguments.
+unless -f is passed to read from a payload file. Specifying -f also is
+mutually exclusive with the other flags of this command and its arguments.
+If - is used as the argument to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd rfe add x3000c1s7b56 bmc-node56 172.16.0.156 de:ca:fc:0f:fe:ee
   ochami smd rfe add -f payload.json
-  ochami smd rfe add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd rfe add -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd rfe add -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd rfe add -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// Check that all required args are passed
 		if len(args) == 0 && !cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
@@ -62,13 +65,7 @@ This command sends a POST to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var rfes client.RedfishEndpointSlice
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &rfes.RedfishEndpoints)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, &rfes.RedfishEndpoints)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise use CLI options/args
 			rfe := csm.RedfishEndpoint{
diff --git a/cmd/smd-rfe-delete.go b/cmd/smd-rfe-delete.go
index 885bdfe..21d9878 100644
--- a/cmd/smd-rfe-delete.go
+++ b/cmd/smd-rfe-delete.go
@@ -16,13 +16,18 @@ var rfeDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "delete -f <payload_file> | --all | <xname>...",
 	Short: "Delete one or more redfish endpoints",
 	Long: `Delete one or more redfish endpoints. These can be specified by one or more xnames.
+Alternatively, use -f to read the payload data from a file (optionally
+specifying --payload-format, JSON by default). If - is used as the
+argument to -f, the data is read from standard input.
 
 This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 	Example: `  ochami smd rfe delete x3000c1s7b56
   ochami smd rfe delete x3000c1s7b56 x3000c1s7b56
   ochami smd rfe delete --all
   ochami smd rfe delete -f payload.json
-  ochami smd rfe delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml`,
+  ochami smd rfe delete -f payload.yaml --payload-format yaml
+  echo '<json_data>' | ochami smd rfe delete -f -
+  echo '<yaml_data>' | ochami smd rfe delete -f - --payload-format yaml`,
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// With options, only one of:
 		// - A payload file with -f
@@ -83,16 +88,7 @@ This command sends a DELETE to SMD. An access token is required.`,
 		var xnameSlice []string
 		if cmd.Flag("payload").Changed {
 			// Use payload file if passed
-			dFile := cmd.Flag("payload").Value.String()
-			dFormat := cmd.Flag("payload-format").Value.String()
-			err := client.ReadPayload(dFile, dFormat, &rfeSlice.RedfishEndpoints)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("unable to read payload for request")
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			for _, rfe := range rfeSlice.RedfishEndpoints {
-				xnameSlice = append(xnameSlice, rfe.ID)
-			}
+			handlePayload(cmd, rfeSlice.RedfishEndpoints)
 		} else {
 			// ...otherwise, use passed CLI arguments
 			xnameSlice = args
diff --git a/internal/client/client.go b/internal/client/client.go
index 863458e..d1e14bd 100644
--- a/internal/client/client.go
+++ b/internal/client/client.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	oio "github.com/OpenCHAMI/ochami/internal/io"
 	"github.com/OpenCHAMI/ochami/internal/log"
 	"github.com/OpenCHAMI/ochami/internal/version"
 )
@@ -340,6 +341,48 @@ func (oc *OchamiClient) UseCACert(caCertPath string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// BytesToHTTPBody takes byte slice and string representing the format of the
+// data, and tries to marshal it into an HTTPBody (byte array) in JSON form,
+// returning it. If an unmarshalling error occurs or either of the arguments are
+// empty, nil and an error are returned. Current file formats supported are JSON
+// and YAML.
+func BytesToHTTPBody(data []byte, format string) (HTTPBody, error) {
+	if len(data) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("byte slice is empty")
+	}
+	if format == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("format is empty")
+	}
+
+	var b HTTPBody
+	var err error
+	switch strings.ToLower(format) {
+	case "json":
+		var j interface{}
+		err = json.Unmarshal(data, &j)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal JSON: %w", err)
+		}
+		b, err = json.Marshal(j)
+		if err != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal JSON: %w", err)
+		}
+	case "yaml":
+		var y interface{}
+		err = yaml.Unmarshal(data, &y)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal YAML: %w", err)
+		}
+		y = CanonicalizeInterface(y)
+		b, err = json.Marshal(y)
+		if err != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal JSON (converted from YAML): %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return b, err
+}
+
 // FileToHTTPBody takes a file path and string representing the format of the
 // file, reads the file, and tries to marshal it into an HTTPBody (byte array)
 // in JSON form, returning it. If an unmarshalling error occurs or either of the
@@ -391,14 +434,30 @@ func FileToHTTPBody(path, format string) (HTTPBody, error) {
 // FileToHTTPBody supports), such as YAML. If a marshalling/unmarshalling error
 // occurs or either path or format are empty, an error is returned.
 func ReadPayload(path, format string, v any) error {
-	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("Payload file: %s", path)
-	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("Payload file format: %s", format)
-
-	body, err := FileToHTTPBody(path, format)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unable to create HTTP body from file: %w", err)
+	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("payload file: %s", path)
+	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("payload file format: %s", format)
+
+	var body HTTPBody
+	var err error
+	if path == "-" {
+		log.Logger.Debug().Msg("payload file was -, reading from stdin")
+		var data []byte
+		data, err = oio.ReadStdin()
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unable to read payload data: %w", err)
+		}
+		log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("bytes read: %q", data)
+		body, err = BytesToHTTPBody(data, format)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unable to create HTTP body from payload bytes: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		body, err = FileToHTTPBody(path, format)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unable to create HTTP body from file: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
-	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("Body bytes: %s", string(body))
+	log.Logger.Debug().Msgf("body bytes: %q", body)
 
 	err = json.Unmarshal(body, v)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/io/io.go b/internal/io/io.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4483355
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/io/io.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package io
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// ReadStdin reads all of standard input and returns the bytes. If an error
+// occurs during scanning, it is returned.
+func ReadStdin() ([]byte, error) {
+	var b []byte
+	input := bufio.NewScanner(os.Stdin)
+	for input.Scan() {
+		b = append(b, input.Bytes()...)
+		b = append(b, byte('\n'))
+	}
+	if err := input.Err(); err != nil {
+		return b, fmt.Errorf("failed to read stdin: %w", err)
+	}
+	return b, nil
+}