diff --git a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.batch.mock.html b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.batch.mock.html
index b2e7295cd8..b42918b3b3 100644
--- a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.batch.mock.html
+++ b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.batch.mock.html
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-<actions allowed-actions="actions" action-list-type="batch">
+<actions allowed="actions" type="batch">
 </actions>
diff --git a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.js b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.js
index 566d5cc51e..326576100c 100644
--- a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.js
+++ b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.js
@@ -35,71 +35,111 @@
    *
    * Attributes:
    *
-   * allowedActions: actions allowed that can be displayed
-   * actionListType: allow the buttons to be shown as a list or doropdown
+   * @param {string} type
+   * Type can be only be 'row' or 'batch'.
+   * 'batch' actions are rendered as a button group, 'row' is rendered as a button dropdown menu.
+   * 'batch' actions are typically used for actions across multiple items while
+   * 'row' actions are used per item.
    *
-   * `allowedActions` is a list of allowed actions on the service.
-   * It's an array of objects of the form:
-   * { template: {}, permissions: <promise to determine permissions>, callback: 'callback'}
+   * @param {string=} item
+   * The item to pass to the callback when using 'row' type.
+   * The variable is evaluated and passed as an argument when evaluating 'allowed'.
+   * 'item' is not used when row type is 'batch'.
    *
-   * `template` is an object that can be
+   * @param {function} allowed
+   * Returns an array of actions that can be performed on the item(s).
+   * When using 'row' type, the current 'item' will be passed to the function.
+   * When using 'batch' type, no arguments are provided.
    *
-   * {url: 'template.html'} the location of the template for the action button.
-   * Use this for complete extensibility and control over what is rendered.
-   * The template will be responsible for binding the callback and styling.
+   * This is an array that should contain objects with the following properties:
+   * {
+   *   template: <template object - described below>,
+   *   permissions: <a promise to determine if action is allowed>,
+   *   callback: 'callback for the action'
+   * }
    *
-   * {type: 'type', item: 'item'} use a known action button type.
-   * Currently supported values are 'delete', 'delete-selected' and 'create'.
-   * `item` is optional and if provided will be used in the callback.
-   * The styling and binding of the callback is done by the template.
+   *   template: is an object that can be any of
+   *   1. url: <full_path_to_template.html>
+   *      This specifies the location of the template for the action button.
+   *      Use this for complete extensibility and control over what is rendered.
+   *      The template will be responsible for binding the callback and styling the button.
    *
-   * {text: 'text', item: 'item'} use an unstyled button with given text.
-   * `item` is optional and if provided will be used in the callback.
-   * The styling of the button will vary per the `actionListType` chosen.
-   * For custom styling of the button, `actionClasses` can be included in
-   * the template.
+   *   2. type: '<action_button_type>'
+   *      This uses a known action button type.
+   *      Currently supported values are
+   *      1. 'delete' - Delete a single row. Only for 'row' type.
+   *      2. 'delete-selected' - Delete multiple rows. Only for 'batch' type.
+   *      3. 'create' - Create a new entity. Only for 'batch' type.
    *
-   * `permissions` is expected to be a promise that resolves
-   * if permitted and is rejected if not.
-   * `callback` is the method to call when the button is clicked.
+   *      The styling and binding of the callback is done by the template.
    *
-   * `actionListType` can be only be `row` or `batch`
-   * `batch` is rendered as buttons, `row` is rendered as dropdown menu.
+   *   3. text: 'text', actionClasses: 'custom-classes'
+   *      This creates a button with the given text.
+   *      For custom styling of the button, `actionClasses` can be optionally included.
+   *
+   *   permissions: is expected to be a promise that resolves
+   *   if the action is permitted and is rejected if not. If there are multiple promises that
+   *   need to be resolved, you can $q.all to combine multiple promises into a single promise.
+   *
+   *   callback: is the method to call when the button is clicked.
+   *   When using 'row' type, the current 'item' is evaluated and passed to the function.
+   *   When using 'batch' type, 'item' is not passed.
+   *   When using 'delete-selected' for 'batch' type, all selected rows are passed.
    *
    * @restrict E
    * @scope
    * @example
    *
-   * $scope.actions = [{
-   *   template: {
-   *     text: gettext('Delete Image'),
-   *     type: 'delete',
-   *     item: 'image'
-   *   },
-   *   permissions: policy.ifAllowed({ rules: [['image', 'delete_image']] }),
-   *   callback: deleteModalService.open
-   *  }, {
-   *   template: {
-   *     text: gettext('Create Volume'),
-   *     item: 'image'
-   *   },
-   *   permissions: policy.ifAllowed({rules: [['volume', 'volume:create']]}),
-   *   callback: createVolumeModalService.open
-   *  }, {
-   *   template: {
-   *     url: basePath + 'actions/my-custom-action.html'
-   *   },
-   *   permissions: policy.ifAllowed({ rules: [['image', 'custom']] }),
-   *   callback: customModalService.open
-   * }]
+   * batch:
+   *
+   * function actions() {
+   *   return [{
+   *     callback: 'table.batchActions.delete.open',
+   *     template: {
+   *       type: 'delete-selected',
+   *       text: gettext('Delete Images')
+   *     },
+   *     permissions: policy.ifAllowed({ rules: [['image', 'delete_image']] })
+   *     }, {
+   *     callback: 'table.batchActions.create.open',
+   *     template: {
+   *       type: 'create',
+   *       text: gettext('Create Image')
+   *     },
+   *     permissions: policy.ifAllowed({ rules: [['image', 'add_image']] })
+   *   }];
+   * }
    *
    * ```
-   * <actions allowed-actions="actions" action-list-type="row">
-   * </actions>
-   *
-   * <actions allowed-actions="actions" action-list-type="batch">
+   * <actions allowed="actions" type="batch">
    * </actions>
    * ```
+   *
+   * row:
+   *
+   * function actions(image) {
+   *   return [{
+   *     callback: 'table.rowActions.deleteImage.open',
+   *     template: {
+   *       text: gettext('Delete Image'),
+   *       type: 'delete'
+   *     },
+   *     permissions: imageDeletePermitted(image)
+   *   }, {
+   *     callback: 'table.rowActions.createVolume.open',
+   *     template: {
+   *       text: gettext('Create Volume')
+   *     },
+   *     permissions: createVolumeFromImagePermitted(image)
+   *   }];
+   * }
+   *
+   * ```
+   * <actions allowed="actions" type="row" item="image">
+   * </actions>
+   *
+   * ```
+   *
    */
   function actions(
     $parse,
@@ -114,11 +154,21 @@
     return directive;
 
     function link(scope, element, attrs) {
-      var listType = attrs.actionListType;
-      var allowedActions = $parse(attrs.allowedActions)(scope);
-
-      actionsService({scope: scope, element: element, listType: listType})
-        .renderActions(allowedActions);
+      var listType = attrs.type;
+      var item = attrs.item;
+      var service = actionsService({
+        scope: scope,
+        element: element,
+        listType: listType,
+        item: item
+      });
+      var allowedActions = $parse(attrs.allowed)(scope);
+      if (listType === 'row') {
+        var itemVal = $parse(item)(scope);
+        service.renderActions(allowedActions(itemVal));
+      } else {
+        service.renderActions(allowedActions());
+      }
     }
   }
 })();
diff --git a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.spec.js b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.spec.js
index f0a6c2a487..bdafcde48d 100644
--- a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.spec.js
+++ b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.directive.spec.js
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
   describe('actions directive', function () {
     var $scope, $compile, $q, $templateCache, basePath;
 
+    var rowItem = {id: 1};
+
     beforeEach(module('templates'));
     beforeEach(module('horizon.framework'));
 
@@ -29,18 +31,12 @@
     }));
 
     it('should have no buttons if there are no actions', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([]);
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(0);
     });
 
     it('should allow for specifying action text', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithText('Create Image', 'image')];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([permittedActionWithText('Create Image')]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -52,10 +48,7 @@
     });
 
     it('should allow for specifying by template for create', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithType('create', 'Create Image')];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([permittedActionWithType('create', 'Create Image')]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -67,10 +60,7 @@
     });
 
     it('should allow for specifying by template for delete-selected', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithType('delete-selected', 'Delete Images')];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([permittedActionWithType('delete-selected', 'Delete Images')]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -83,10 +73,12 @@
     });
 
     it('should allow for specifying by template for delete', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.row'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithType('delete', 'Delete Image')];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      $scope.callback = function(item) {
+        expect(item).toEqual(rowItem);
+      };
+      spyOn($scope, 'callback').and.callThrough();
+
+      var element = rowElementFor([permittedActionWithType('delete', 'Delete Image')]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -95,15 +87,14 @@
       expect(actionList.find('button').attr('class')).toEqual('text-danger');
       expect(actionList.find('button').attr('ng-click')).toEqual('disabled || callback(item)');
       expect(actionList.text().trim()).toEqual('Delete Image');
+
+      actionList.find('button').click();
+      expect($scope.callback).toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
     it('should have one button if there is one action', function () {
       var action = getTemplatePath('action-create', getTemplate());
-
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithUrl(action)];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([permittedActionWithUrl(action)]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -115,10 +106,7 @@
     });
 
     it('should have no buttons if not permitted', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [notPermittedAction()];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([notPermittedAction()]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(0);
     });
@@ -126,11 +114,10 @@
     it('should have multiple buttons for multiple actions as a list', function () {
       var action1 = getTemplatePath('action-create');
       var action2 = getTemplatePath('action-delete');
-
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithUrl(action1), permittedActionWithUrl(action2)];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([
+        permittedActionWithUrl(action1),
+        permittedActionWithUrl(action2)
+      ]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(2);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -142,11 +129,10 @@
 
     it('should have as many buttons as permitted', function () {
       var actionTemplate1 = getTemplatePath('action-create');
-
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithUrl(actionTemplate1), notPermittedAction()];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = batchElementFor([
+        permittedActionWithUrl(actionTemplate1),
+        notPermittedAction()
+      ]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -159,10 +145,10 @@
       var action1 = getTemplatePath('action-create');
       var action2 = getTemplatePath('action-delete');
 
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.row'));
-      $scope.actions = [permittedActionWithUrl(action1), permittedActionWithUrl(action2)];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = rowElementFor([
+        permittedActionWithUrl(action1),
+        permittedActionWithUrl(action2)
+      ]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -173,13 +159,10 @@
     });
 
     it('should have multiple buttons as a dropdown for actions text', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.row'));
-      $scope.actions = [
-        permittedActionWithText('Create Image', 'image'),
-        permittedActionWithText('Delete Image', 'image', 'text-danger')
-      ];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      var element = rowElementFor([
+        permittedActionWithText('Create Image'),
+        permittedActionWithText('Delete Image', 'text-danger')
+      ]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -190,13 +173,10 @@
     });
 
     it('should have one button if only one permitted for dropdown', function () {
-      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.row'));
-      $scope.actions = [
+      var element = rowElementFor([
         permittedActionWithUrl(getTemplatePath('action-create')),
         notPermittedAction()
-      ];
-      $compile(element)($scope);
-      $scope.$apply();
+      ]);
 
       expect(element.children().length).toBe(1);
       var actionList = element.find('action-list');
@@ -213,11 +193,10 @@
       };
     }
 
-    function permittedActionWithText(text, item, actionClasses) {
+    function permittedActionWithText(text, actionClasses) {
       return {
         template: {
           text: text,
-          item: item,
           actionClasses: actionClasses
         },
         permissions: getPermission(true),
@@ -225,12 +204,11 @@
       };
     }
 
-    function permittedActionWithType(templateType, text, item) {
+    function permittedActionWithType(templateType, text) {
       return {
         template: {
           type: templateType,
-          text: text,
-          item: item
+          text: text
         },
         permissions: getPermission(true),
         callback: 'callback'
@@ -261,5 +239,33 @@
       return deferred.promise;
     }
 
+    function batchElementFor(actions) {
+      $scope.actions = function() {
+        return actions;
+      };
+
+      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.batch'));
+
+      $compile(element)($scope);
+      $scope.$apply();
+
+      return element;
+    }
+
+    function rowElementFor(actions) {
+      $scope.rowItem = rowItem;
+      $scope.actions = function(item) {
+        expect(item).toEqual(rowItem);
+        return actions;
+      };
+
+      var element = angular.element(getTemplate('actions.row'));
+
+      $compile(element)($scope);
+      $scope.$apply();
+
+      return element;
+    }
+
   });
 })();
diff --git a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.row.mock.html b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.row.mock.html
index a4366a5542..4faf047873 100644
--- a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.row.mock.html
+++ b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.row.mock.html
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-<actions allowed-actions="actions" action-list-type="row">
+<actions allowed="actions" type="row" item="rowItem">
 </actions>
diff --git a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.service.js b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.service.js
index 38dbead355..529f0b3e9c 100644
--- a/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.service.js
+++ b/horizon/static/framework/widgets/action-list/actions.service.js
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@
 
   function actionsService($compile, $http, $q, $templateCache, basePath, $qExtensions) {
     return function(spec) {
-      return createService(spec.scope, spec.element, spec.listType);
+      return createService(spec.scope, spec.element, spec.listType, spec.item);
     };
 
     ///////////////
 
-    function createService(scope, element, listType) {
+    function createService(scope, element, listType, item) {
       var service = {
         renderActions: renderActions
       };
@@ -157,9 +157,9 @@
       /**
        * Fetch the HTML Template for the Action
        */
-      function getTemplate(permittedActionResponse) {
+      function getTemplate(permittedAction) {
         var defered = $q.defer();
-        var action = permittedActionResponse.context;
+        var action = permittedAction.context;
         $http.get(getTemplateUrl(action), {cache: $templateCache}).then(onTemplateGet);
         return defered.promise;
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
           var template = response.data
                 .replace('$action-classes$', action.template.actionClasses || '')
                 .replace('$text$', action.template.text)
-                .replace('$item$', action.template.item);
+                .replace('$item$', item);
           defered.resolve({template: template, callback: action.callback});
         }
       }