diff --git a/.changeset/rich-clouds-smile.md b/.changeset/rich-clouds-smile.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ee7b70644d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/rich-clouds-smile.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/backend-plugin-api': patch
+---
+
+Documented `coreServices` an all of its members.
diff --git a/packages/backend-app-api/api-report.md b/packages/backend-app-api/api-report.md
index ef88d9a9d0..fa3f3bec2e 100644
--- a/packages/backend-app-api/api-report.md
+++ b/packages/backend-app-api/api-report.md
@@ -4,19 +4,21 @@
 
 ```ts
 import { BackendFeature } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
-import { Config } from '@backstage/config';
+import { CacheService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
+import { ConfigService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
+import { DatabaseService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { ExtensionPoint } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { HttpRouterService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { LifecycleService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { LoggerService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { PermissionsService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
-import { PluginCacheManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
-import { PluginDatabaseManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
 import { PluginEndpointDiscovery } from '@backstage/backend-common';
-import { PluginTaskScheduler } from '@backstage/backend-tasks';
+import { RootLifecycleService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
+import { RootLoggerService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
+import { SchedulerService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { ServiceFactory } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { ServiceRef } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
-import { TokenManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
+import { TokenManagerService } from '@backstage/backend-plugin-api';
 import { UrlReader } from '@backstage/backend-common';
 
 // @public (undocumented)
@@ -32,10 +34,12 @@ export interface Backend {
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const cacheFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<PluginCacheManager>;
+) => ServiceFactory<CacheService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export const configFactory: (options?: undefined) => ServiceFactory<Config>;
+export const configFactory: (
+  options?: undefined,
+) => ServiceFactory<ConfigService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export function createSpecializedBackend(
@@ -51,7 +55,7 @@ export interface CreateSpecializedBackendOptions {
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const databaseFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<PluginDatabaseManager>;
+) => ServiceFactory<DatabaseService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const discoveryFactory: (
@@ -86,17 +90,17 @@ export const permissionsFactory: (
 // @public
 export const rootLifecycleFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<LifecycleService>;
+) => ServiceFactory<RootLifecycleService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const rootLoggerFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<LoggerService>;
+) => ServiceFactory<RootLoggerService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const schedulerFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<PluginTaskScheduler>;
+) => ServiceFactory<SchedulerService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type ServiceOrExtensionPoint<T = unknown> =
@@ -106,7 +110,7 @@ export type ServiceOrExtensionPoint<T = unknown> =
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const tokenManagerFactory: (
   options?: undefined,
-) => ServiceFactory<TokenManager>;
+) => ServiceFactory<TokenManagerService>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const urlReaderFactory: (
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/api-report.md b/packages/backend-plugin-api/api-report.md
index e0fa44eb20..9c6ffe6dd5 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/api-report.md
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/api-report.md
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import { Config } from '@backstage/config';
 import { Handler } from 'express';
 import { Logger } from 'winston';
-import { PermissionAuthorizer } from '@backstage/plugin-permission-common';
 import { PermissionEvaluator } from '@backstage/plugin-permission-common';
 import { PluginCacheManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
 import { PluginDatabaseManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
@@ -67,36 +66,28 @@ export interface BackendRegistrationPoints {
 }
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type CacheService = PluginCacheManager;
+export interface CacheService extends PluginCacheManager {}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-const cacheServiceRef: ServiceRef<PluginCacheManager, 'plugin'>;
+export interface ConfigService extends Config {}
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-export type ConfigService = Config;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const configServiceRef: ServiceRef<Config, 'root'>;
-
-declare namespace coreServices {
-  export {
-    configServiceRef as config,
-    httpRouterServiceRef as httpRouter,
-    loggerServiceRef as logger,
-    urlReaderServiceRef as urlReader,
-    cacheServiceRef as cache,
-    databaseServiceRef as database,
-    discoveryServiceRef as discovery,
-    tokenManagerServiceRef as tokenManager,
-    permissionsServiceRef as permissions,
-    schedulerServiceRef as scheduler,
-    rootLifecycleServiceRef as rootLifecycle,
-    rootLoggerServiceRef as rootLogger,
-    pluginMetadataServiceRef as pluginMetadata,
-    lifecycleServiceRef as lifecycle,
-  };
+// @public
+export namespace coreServices {
+  const cache: ServiceRef<CacheService, 'plugin'>;
+  const config: ServiceRef<ConfigService, 'root'>;
+  const database: ServiceRef<DatabaseService, 'plugin'>;
+  const discovery: ServiceRef<DiscoveryService, 'plugin'>;
+  const httpRouter: ServiceRef<HttpRouterService, 'plugin'>;
+  const lifecycle: ServiceRef<LifecycleService, 'plugin'>;
+  const logger: ServiceRef<LoggerService, 'plugin'>;
+  const permissions: ServiceRef<PermissionsService, 'plugin'>;
+  const pluginMetadata: ServiceRef<PluginMetadataService, 'plugin'>;
+  const rootLifecycle: ServiceRef<RootLifecycleService, 'root'>;
+  const rootLogger: ServiceRef<RootLoggerService, 'root'>;
+  const scheduler: ServiceRef<SchedulerService, 'plugin'>;
+  const tokenManager: ServiceRef<TokenManagerService, 'plugin'>;
+  const urlReader: ServiceRef<UrlReaderService, 'plugin'>;
 }
-export { coreServices };
 
 // @public
 export function createBackendModule<
@@ -163,19 +154,13 @@ export function createServiceRef<T>(options: {
 }): ServiceRef<T, 'root'>;
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type DatabaseService = PluginDatabaseManager;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const databaseServiceRef: ServiceRef<PluginDatabaseManager, 'plugin'>;
+export interface DatabaseService extends PluginDatabaseManager {}
 
 // @public
-export type DiscoveryService = {
+export interface DiscoveryService {
   getBaseUrl(pluginId: string): Promise<string>;
   getExternalBaseUrl(pluginId: string): Promise<string>;
-};
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const discoveryServiceRef: ServiceRef<DiscoveryService, 'plugin'>;
+}
 
 // @public
 export type ExtensionPoint<T> = {
@@ -191,24 +176,18 @@ export interface HttpRouterService {
   use(handler: Handler): void;
 }
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-const httpRouterServiceRef: ServiceRef<HttpRouterService, 'plugin'>;
-
 // @public (undocumented)
 export interface LifecycleService {
   addShutdownHook(options: LifecycleServiceShutdownHook): void;
 }
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-const lifecycleServiceRef: ServiceRef<LifecycleService, 'plugin'>;
-
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type LifecycleServiceShutdownHook = {
   fn: () => void | Promise<void>;
   labels?: Record<string, string>;
 };
 
-// @public (undocumented)
+// @public
 export interface LoggerService {
   // (undocumented)
   child(meta: LogMeta): LoggerService;
@@ -222,9 +201,6 @@ export interface LoggerService {
   warn(message: string, meta?: Error | LogMeta): void;
 }
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-const loggerServiceRef: ServiceRef<LoggerService, 'plugin'>;
-
 // @public (undocumented)
 export function loggerToWinstonLogger(
   logger: LoggerService,
@@ -237,10 +213,7 @@ export type LogMeta = {
 };
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type PermissionsService = PermissionEvaluator | PermissionAuthorizer;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const permissionsServiceRef: ServiceRef<PermissionsService, 'plugin'>;
+export interface PermissionsService extends PermissionEvaluator {}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export interface PluginMetadataService {
@@ -248,9 +221,6 @@ export interface PluginMetadataService {
   getId(): string;
 }
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-const pluginMetadataServiceRef: ServiceRef<PluginMetadataService, 'plugin'>;
-
 // @public
 export type ReadTreeOptions = {
   filter?(
@@ -296,22 +266,13 @@ export type ReadUrlResponse = {
 };
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type RootLifecycleService = LifecycleService;
+export interface RootLifecycleService extends LifecycleService {}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-const rootLifecycleServiceRef: ServiceRef<LifecycleService, 'root'>;
+export interface RootLoggerService extends LoggerService {}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type RootLoggerService = LoggerService;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const rootLoggerServiceRef: ServiceRef<LoggerService, 'root'>;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-export type SchedulerService = PluginTaskScheduler;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const schedulerServiceRef: ServiceRef<PluginTaskScheduler, 'plugin'>;
+export interface SchedulerService extends PluginTaskScheduler {}
 
 // @public
 export type SearchOptions = {
@@ -371,10 +332,7 @@ export type ServiceRef<
 };
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export type TokenManagerService = TokenManager;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const tokenManagerServiceRef: ServiceRef<TokenManager, 'plugin'>;
+export interface TokenManagerService extends TokenManager {}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type TypesToServiceRef<T> = {
@@ -382,12 +340,9 @@ export type TypesToServiceRef<T> = {
 };
 
 // @public
-export type UrlReaderService = {
-  readUrl(url: string, options?: ReadUrlOptions): Promise<ReadUrlResponse>;
+export interface UrlReaderService {
   readTree(url: string, options?: ReadTreeOptions): Promise<ReadTreeResponse>;
+  readUrl(url: string, options?: ReadUrlOptions): Promise<ReadUrlResponse>;
   search(url: string, options?: SearchOptions): Promise<SearchResponse>;
-};
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-const urlReaderServiceRef: ServiceRef<UrlReaderService, 'plugin'>;
+}
 ```
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/cacheServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/CacheService.ts
similarity index 76%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/cacheServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/CacheService.ts
index aff913b06a..79c930f435 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/cacheServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/CacheService.ts
@@ -14,15 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 import { PluginCacheManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
 
 /** @public */
-export type CacheService = PluginCacheManager;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const cacheServiceRef = createServiceRef<CacheService>({
-  id: 'core.cache',
-});
+export interface CacheService extends PluginCacheManager {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/configServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/ConfigService.ts
similarity index 75%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/configServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/ConfigService.ts
index 15e9cb9aa6..db9aa88dda 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/configServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/ConfigService.ts
@@ -15,17 +15,8 @@
  */
 
 import { Config } from '@backstage/config';
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 
 /**
  * @public
  */
-export type ConfigService = Config;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const configServiceRef = createServiceRef<ConfigService>({
-  id: 'core.root.config',
-  scope: 'root',
-});
+export interface ConfigService extends Config {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/databaseServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DatabaseService.ts
similarity index 75%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/databaseServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DatabaseService.ts
index aaea5d304f..30f1f574f2 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/databaseServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DatabaseService.ts
@@ -15,14 +15,6 @@
  */
 
 import { PluginDatabaseManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 
 /** @public */
-export type DatabaseService = PluginDatabaseManager;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const databaseServiceRef = createServiceRef<DatabaseService>({
-  id: 'core.database',
-});
+export interface DatabaseService extends PluginDatabaseManager {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/discoveryServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DiscoveryService.ts
similarity index 92%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/discoveryServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DiscoveryService.ts
index fb508a7ae1..c3f0820c28 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/discoveryServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/DiscoveryService.ts
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-
 /**
  * The DiscoveryService is used to provide a mechanism for backend
  * plugins to discover the endpoints for itself or other backend plugins.
@@ -30,7 +28,7 @@ import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
  *
  * @public
  */
-export type DiscoveryService = {
+export interface DiscoveryService {
   /**
    * Returns the internal HTTP base URL for a given plugin, without a trailing slash.
    *
@@ -62,11 +60,4 @@ export type DiscoveryService = {
    * like `https://backstage.example.com/api/catalog`
    */
   getExternalBaseUrl(pluginId: string): Promise<string>;
-};
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const discoveryServiceRef = createServiceRef<DiscoveryService>({
-  id: 'core.discovery',
-});
+}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/httpRouterServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/HttpRouterService.ts
similarity index 80%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/httpRouterServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/HttpRouterService.ts
index fbc5a27e87..3c45ef1da1 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/httpRouterServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/HttpRouterService.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 import { Handler } from 'express';
 
 /**
@@ -23,10 +22,3 @@ import { Handler } from 'express';
 export interface HttpRouterService {
   use(handler: Handler): void;
 }
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const httpRouterServiceRef = createServiceRef<HttpRouterService>({
-  id: 'core.httpRouter',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/lifecycleServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LifecycleService.ts
similarity index 83%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/lifecycleServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LifecycleService.ts
index e54f650fcc..b6f2b69e1c 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/lifecycleServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LifecycleService.ts
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-
 /**
  * @public
  **/
@@ -35,11 +33,3 @@ export interface LifecycleService {
    */
   addShutdownHook(options: LifecycleServiceShutdownHook): void;
 }
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const lifecycleServiceRef = createServiceRef<LifecycleService>({
-  id: 'core.lifecycle',
-  scope: 'plugin',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/loggerServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LoggerService.ts
similarity index 85%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/loggerServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LoggerService.ts
index 1c094549c1..269dfa0166 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/loggerServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/LoggerService.ts
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-
 /**
  * @public
  */
 export type LogMeta = { [name: string]: unknown };
 
 /**
+ * A service that provides a logging facility.
+ *
  * @public
  */
 export interface LoggerService {
@@ -32,10 +32,3 @@ export interface LoggerService {
 
   child(meta: LogMeta): LoggerService;
 }
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const loggerServiceRef = createServiceRef<LoggerService>({
-  id: 'core.logger',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PermissionsService.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PermissionsService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5847f55ee6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PermissionsService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { PermissionEvaluator } from '@backstage/plugin-permission-common';
+
+/** @public */
+export interface PermissionsService extends PermissionEvaluator {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/pluginMetadataServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PluginMetadataService.ts
similarity index 77%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/pluginMetadataServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PluginMetadataService.ts
index 4c1ecb130e..48328e4db9 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/pluginMetadataServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/PluginMetadataService.ts
@@ -14,20 +14,9 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-
 /**
  * @public
  */
 export interface PluginMetadataService {
   getId(): string;
 }
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const pluginMetadataServiceRef = createServiceRef<PluginMetadataService>(
-  {
-    id: 'core.plugin-metadata',
-  },
-);
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLifecycleService.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLifecycleService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e0e09cb859
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLifecycleService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { LifecycleService } from './LifecycleService';
+
+/** @public */
+export interface RootLifecycleService extends LifecycleService {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLoggerService.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLoggerService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ad318ef53f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/RootLoggerService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { LoggerService } from './LoggerService';
+
+/** @public */
+export interface RootLoggerService extends LoggerService {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/schedulerServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/SchedulerService.ts
similarity index 75%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/schedulerServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/SchedulerService.ts
index 160f2fbb93..07c436bd6b 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/schedulerServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/SchedulerService.ts
@@ -14,15 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 import { PluginTaskScheduler } from '@backstage/backend-tasks';
 
 /** @public */
-export type SchedulerService = PluginTaskScheduler;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const schedulerServiceRef = createServiceRef<SchedulerService>({
-  id: 'core.scheduler',
-});
+export interface SchedulerService extends PluginTaskScheduler {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/tokenManagerServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/TokenManagerService.ts
similarity index 74%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/tokenManagerServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/TokenManagerService.ts
index 4b12acdc58..7fccb60c7a 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/tokenManagerServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/TokenManagerService.ts
@@ -14,15 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 import { TokenManager } from '@backstage/backend-common';
 
 /** @public */
-export type TokenManagerService = TokenManager;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const tokenManagerServiceRef = createServiceRef<TokenManagerService>({
-  id: 'core.tokenManager',
-});
+export interface TokenManagerService extends TokenManager {}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/urlReaderServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/UrlReaderService.ts
similarity index 97%
rename from packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/urlReaderServiceRef.ts
rename to packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/UrlReaderService.ts
index db296b5807..ef825a7fcd 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/urlReaderServiceRef.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/UrlReaderService.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
 import { Readable } from 'stream';
 
 /**
@@ -22,7 +21,7 @@ import { Readable } from 'stream';
  *
  * @public
  */
-export type UrlReaderService = {
+export interface UrlReaderService {
   /**
    * Reads a single file and return its content.
    */
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ export type UrlReaderService = {
    * Searches for a file in a tree using a glob pattern.
    */
   search(url: string, options?: SearchOptions): Promise<SearchResponse>;
-};
+}
 
 /**
  * An options object for readUrl operations.
@@ -280,10 +279,3 @@ export type SearchResponseFile = {
    */
   content(): Promise<Buffer>;
 };
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const urlReaderServiceRef = createServiceRef<UrlReaderService>({
-  id: 'core.urlReader',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/coreServices.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/coreServices.ts
index a2b1a04d41..fc96ec8be9 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/coreServices.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/coreServices.ts
@@ -14,17 +14,137 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-export { configServiceRef as config } from './configServiceRef';
-export { httpRouterServiceRef as httpRouter } from './httpRouterServiceRef';
-export { loggerServiceRef as logger } from './loggerServiceRef';
-export { urlReaderServiceRef as urlReader } from './urlReaderServiceRef';
-export { cacheServiceRef as cache } from './cacheServiceRef';
-export { databaseServiceRef as database } from './databaseServiceRef';
-export { discoveryServiceRef as discovery } from './discoveryServiceRef';
-export { tokenManagerServiceRef as tokenManager } from './tokenManagerServiceRef';
-export { permissionsServiceRef as permissions } from './permissionsServiceRef';
-export { schedulerServiceRef as scheduler } from './schedulerServiceRef';
-export { rootLifecycleServiceRef as rootLifecycle } from './rootLifecycleServiceRef';
-export { rootLoggerServiceRef as rootLogger } from './rootLoggerServiceRef';
-export { pluginMetadataServiceRef as pluginMetadata } from './pluginMetadataServiceRef';
-export { lifecycleServiceRef as lifecycle } from './lifecycleServiceRef';
+import { createServiceRef } from '../system';
+
+/**
+ * All core services references
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export namespace coreServices {
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link CacheService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const cache = createServiceRef<import('./CacheService').CacheService>({
+    id: 'core.cache',
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the root scoped {@link ConfigService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const config = createServiceRef<
+    import('./ConfigService').ConfigService
+  >({ id: 'core.config', scope: 'root' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link DatabaseService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const database = createServiceRef<
+    import('./DatabaseService').DatabaseService
+  >({ id: 'core.database' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link DiscoveryService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const discovery = createServiceRef<
+    import('./DiscoveryService').DiscoveryService
+  >({ id: 'core.discovery' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link HttpRouterService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const httpRouter = createServiceRef<
+    import('./HttpRouterService').HttpRouterService
+  >({ id: 'core.httpRouter' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link LifecycleService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const lifecycle = createServiceRef<
+    import('./LifecycleService').LifecycleService
+  >({ id: 'core.lifecycle' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link LoggerService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const logger = createServiceRef<
+    import('./LoggerService').LoggerService
+  >({ id: 'core.logger' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link PermissionsService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const permissions = createServiceRef<
+    import('./PermissionsService').PermissionsService
+  >({ id: 'core.permissions' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link PluginMetadataService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const pluginMetadata = createServiceRef<
+    import('./PluginMetadataService').PluginMetadataService
+  >({ id: 'core.pluginMetadata' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the root scoped {@link RootLifecycleService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const rootLifecycle = createServiceRef<
+    import('./RootLifecycleService').RootLifecycleService
+  >({ id: 'core.rootLifecycle', scope: 'root' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the root scoped {@link RootLoggerService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const rootLogger = createServiceRef<
+    import('./RootLoggerService').RootLoggerService
+  >({ id: 'core.rootLogger', scope: 'root' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link SchedulerService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const scheduler = createServiceRef<
+    import('./SchedulerService').SchedulerService
+  >({ id: 'core.scheduler' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link TokenManagerService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const tokenManager = createServiceRef<
+    import('./TokenManagerService').TokenManagerService
+  >({ id: 'core.tokenManager' });
+
+  /**
+   * The service reference for the plugin scoped {@link UrlReaderService}.
+   *
+   * @public
+   */
+  export const urlReader = createServiceRef<
+    import('./UrlReaderService').UrlReaderService
+  >({ id: 'core.urlReader' });
+}
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/index.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/index.ts
index 953d4b28ad..dedfd6223e 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/index.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/index.ts
@@ -14,25 +14,23 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import * as coreServices from './coreServices';
-
-export { coreServices };
-export type { CacheService } from './cacheServiceRef';
-export type { ConfigService } from './configServiceRef';
-export type { DatabaseService } from './databaseServiceRef';
-export type { DiscoveryService } from './discoveryServiceRef';
-export type { HttpRouterService } from './httpRouterServiceRef';
+export { coreServices } from './coreServices';
+export type { CacheService } from './CacheService';
+export type { ConfigService } from './ConfigService';
+export type { DatabaseService } from './DatabaseService';
+export type { DiscoveryService } from './DiscoveryService';
+export type { HttpRouterService } from './HttpRouterService';
 export type {
   LifecycleService,
   LifecycleServiceShutdownHook,
-} from './lifecycleServiceRef';
-export type { LoggerService, LogMeta } from './loggerServiceRef';
-export type { PermissionsService } from './permissionsServiceRef';
-export type { PluginMetadataService } from './pluginMetadataServiceRef';
-export type { RootLifecycleService } from './rootLifecycleServiceRef';
-export type { RootLoggerService } from './rootLoggerServiceRef';
-export type { SchedulerService } from './schedulerServiceRef';
-export type { TokenManagerService } from './tokenManagerServiceRef';
+} from './LifecycleService';
+export type { LoggerService, LogMeta } from './LoggerService';
+export type { PermissionsService } from './PermissionsService';
+export type { PluginMetadataService } from './PluginMetadataService';
+export type { RootLifecycleService } from './RootLifecycleService';
+export type { RootLoggerService } from './RootLoggerService';
+export type { SchedulerService } from './SchedulerService';
+export type { TokenManagerService } from './TokenManagerService';
 export type {
   ReadTreeOptions,
   ReadTreeResponse,
@@ -44,4 +42,4 @@ export type {
   SearchResponse,
   SearchResponseFile,
   UrlReaderService,
-} from './urlReaderServiceRef';
+} from './UrlReaderService';
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/permissionsServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/permissionsServiceRef.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index b24b2f5f46..0000000000
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/permissionsServiceRef.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,31 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-import {
-  PermissionAuthorizer,
-  PermissionEvaluator,
-} from '@backstage/plugin-permission-common';
-
-/** @public */
-export type PermissionsService = PermissionEvaluator | PermissionAuthorizer;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const permissionsServiceRef = createServiceRef<PermissionsService>({
-  id: 'core.permissions',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLifecycleServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLifecycleServiceRef.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index e0d5355983..0000000000
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLifecycleServiceRef.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-import { LifecycleService } from './lifecycleServiceRef';
-
-/** @public */
-export type RootLifecycleService = LifecycleService;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const rootLifecycleServiceRef = createServiceRef<RootLifecycleService>({
-  id: 'core.rootLifecycle',
-  scope: 'root',
-});
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLoggerServiceRef.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLoggerServiceRef.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index af26ce8899..0000000000
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/services/definitions/rootLoggerServiceRef.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2022 The Backstage Authors
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-import { createServiceRef } from '../system/types';
-import { LoggerService } from './loggerServiceRef';
-
-/** @public */
-export type RootLoggerService = LoggerService;
-
-/**
- * @public
- */
-export const rootLoggerServiceRef = createServiceRef<RootLoggerService>({
-  id: 'core.root.logger',
-  scope: 'root',
-});