diff --git a/core/src/core_macros.rs b/core/src/core_macros.rs
index 0da5094..a8fdda4 100644
--- a/core/src/core_macros.rs
+++ b/core/src/core_macros.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,35 @@
             //$(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { $self.read().unwrap().$fn($($arg),*) })*
         //}
     });
+/// Define a trait an implement it for read-only wrapper types. */
+#[macro_export] macro_rules! flex_trait_unsized (
+    ($Trait:ident $(<$($A:ident:$T:ident),+>)? $(:$dep:ident $(<$dtt:tt>)? $(+$dep2:ident $(<$dtt2:tt>)?)*)? {
+        $(fn $fn:ident (&$self:ident $(, $arg:ident:$ty:ty)*) -> $ret:ty $body:block)*
+    }) => {
+        pub trait $Trait $(<$($A: $T),+>)? : $($dep $(<$dtt>+)? $($dep2 $(<$dtt2>)?)*+)? ?Sized {
+            $(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret $body)*
+        }
+        impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for &_T_ {
+            $(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { (*$self).$fn($($arg),*) })*
+        }
+        impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for &mut _T_ {
+            $(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { (**$self).$fn($($arg),*) })*
+        }
+        impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for ::std::sync::Arc<_T_> {
+            $(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { (*$self).$fn($($arg),*) })*
+        }
+        //impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for Option<_T_> {
+            //$(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret {
+                //if let Some(this) = $self { this.$fn($($arg),*) } else { Ok(None) }
+            //})*
+        //}
+        //impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for ::std::sync::Mutex<_T_> {
+            //$(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { (*$self).lock().unwrap().$fn($($arg),*) })*
+        //}
+        //impl<$($($A: $T,)+)? _T_: $Trait $(<$($A),+>)?> $Trait $(<$($A),+>)? for ::std::sync::RwLock<_T_> {
+            //$(fn $fn (&$self $(,$arg:$ty)*) -> $ret { $self.read().unwrap().$fn($($arg),*) })*
+        //}
+    });
 
 /// Define a trait an implement it for various mutation-enabled wrapper types. */
 #[macro_export] macro_rules! flex_trait_mut (
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl.rs b/dsl/src/dsl.rs
index 823dc74..90cbaed 100644
--- a/dsl/src/dsl.rs
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #![feature(if_let_guard)]
 #![feature(impl_trait_in_fn_trait_return)]
 #![feature(const_precise_live_drops)]
+#![feature(type_alias_impl_trait)]
 extern crate const_panic;
 use const_panic::PanicFmt;
 use std::fmt::Debug;
@@ -15,60 +16,58 @@ pub(crate) use ::{
     tengri_core::*
 };
 pub(crate) use self::DslError::*;
+mod dsl_error; pub use self::dsl_error::*;
+mod dsl_ns;    pub use self::dsl_ns::*;
+mod dsl_word;  pub use self::dsl_word::*;
+mod dsl_expr;  pub use self::dsl_expr::*;
+mod dsl_text;  pub use self::dsl_text::*;
 #[cfg(test)] mod dsl_test;
-mod dsl_macros;
+
 // Trait that designates any string-like as potentially parsable DSL.
-flex_trait!(Dsl: Debug + Send + Sync + Sized {
+pub trait Dsl: Debug + Send + Sync {
     fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { unreachable!("Dsl::src default impl") }
-});
+}
 impl<'x> Dsl for &'x str {
     fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { Ok(Some(self)) }
 }
 impl Dsl for Arc<str> {
     fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { Ok(Some(self.as_ref())) }
 }
+impl<D: Dsl> Dsl for &D {
+    fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { (*self).src() }
+}
+impl<D: Dsl> Dsl for &mut D {
+    fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { (**self).src() }
+}
 impl<D: Dsl> Dsl for Option<D> {
     fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {Ok(if let Some(dsl) = self { dsl.src()? } else { None })}
 }
 impl<D: Dsl> Dsl for Result<D, DslError> {
     fn src (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {match self {Ok(dsl) => Ok(dsl.src()?), Err(e) => Err(*e)}}
 }
+
 /// DSL-specific result type.
 pub type DslResult<T> = Result<T, DslError>;
+
 /// DSL-specific optional result type.
 pub type DslPerhaps<T> = Result<Option<T>, DslError>;
-/// DSL-specific error codes.
-#[derive(Error, Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, PanicFmt)]
-pub enum DslError {
-    #[error("parse failed: not implemented")]
-    Unimplemented,
-    #[error("parse failed: empty")]
-    Empty,
-    #[error("parse failed: incomplete")]
-    Incomplete,
-    #[error("parse failed: unexpected character '{0}'")]
-    Unexpected(char, Option<usize>, Option<&'static str>),
-    #[error("parse failed: error #{0}")]
-    Code(u8),
-    #[error("end reached")]
-    End
-}
+
 pub const fn peek (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
     Ok(Some(if let Ok(Some(expr)) = expr_peek(src) { expr } else
             if let Ok(Some(word)) = word_peek(src) { word } else
-            //if let Ok(Some(num))  = num_peek(src)  { num  } else
             if let Ok(Some(text)) = text_peek(src) { text } else
             if let Err(e) = no_trailing_non_space(src, 0, Some("peek")) { return Err(e) }
             else { return Ok(None) }))
 }
+
 pub const fn seek (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<(usize, usize)> {
     Ok(Some(if let Ok(Some(expr)) = expr_seek(src) { expr } else
             if let Ok(Some(word)) = word_seek(src) { word } else
-            //if let Ok(Some(num))  = num_seek(src)  { num  } else
             if let Ok(Some(text)) = text_seek(src) { text } else
             if let Err(e) = no_trailing_non_space(src, 0, Some("seek")) { return Err(e) }
             else { return Ok(None) }))
 }
+
 pub const fn peek_tail (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
     match seek(src) {
         Err(e) => Err(e),
@@ -80,6 +79,7 @@ pub const fn peek_tail (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
         },
     }
 }
+
 pub const fn expr_peek_inner (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
     match expr_peek(src) {
         Ok(Some(peeked)) => {
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ pub const fn expr_peek_inner (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
         e => e
     }
 }
+
 pub const fn expr_peek_inner_only (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
     match expr_seek(src) {
         Err(e) => Err(e),
@@ -106,9 +107,11 @@ pub const fn expr_peek_inner_only (src: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
         },
     }
 }
+
 pub const fn is_space (c: char) -> bool {
     matches!(c, ' '|'\n'|'\r'|'\t')
 }
+
 pub const fn no_trailing_non_space (
     src: &str, offset: usize, context: Option<&'static str>
 ) -> DslResult<()> {
@@ -120,15 +123,35 @@ pub const fn no_trailing_non_space (
         }))
     }))
 }
+
 pub const fn is_word_char (c: char) -> bool {
     matches!(c, 'a'..='z'|'A'..='Z'|'0'..='9'|'-'|'/'|'@'|':')
 }
-pub const fn is_word_end (c: char) -> bool { is_space(c) || is_expr_end(c) }
-pub const fn is_text_start (c: char) -> bool { matches!(c, '"') }
-pub const fn is_text_end (c: char) -> bool { matches!(c, '"') }
-pub const fn is_expr_start (c: char) -> bool { c == '(' }
-pub const fn is_expr_end (c: char) -> bool { c == ')' }
-pub const fn is_digit (c: char) -> bool { matches!(c, '0'..='9') }
+
+pub const fn is_word_end (c: char) -> bool {
+    is_space(c) || is_expr_end(c)
+}
+
+pub const fn is_text_start (c: char) -> bool {
+    matches!(c, '"')
+}
+
+pub const fn is_text_end (c: char) -> bool {
+    matches!(c, '"')
+}
+
+pub const fn is_expr_start (c: char) -> bool {
+    c == '('
+}
+
+pub const fn is_expr_end (c: char) -> bool {
+    c == ')'
+}
+
+pub const fn is_digit (c: char) -> bool {
+    matches!(c, '0'..='9')
+}
+
 pub const fn to_number (digits: &str) -> Result<usize, DslError> {
     let mut iter = char_indices(digits);
     let mut value = 0;
@@ -141,6 +164,7 @@ pub const fn to_number (digits: &str) -> Result<usize, DslError> {
     }
     Ok(value)
 }
+
 pub const fn to_digit (c: char) -> Result<usize, DslError> {
     Ok(match c {
         '0' => 0, '1' => 1, '2' => 2, '3' => 3, '4' => 4,
@@ -149,142 +173,58 @@ pub const fn to_digit (c: char) -> Result<usize, DslError> {
     })
 }
 
-dsl_type!(DslWord {
-    fn word (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(word_peek_only))}
-} {
-    pub const fn word_peek      [generated];
-    pub const fn word_peek_only [generated];
-    pub const fn word_seek      [generated];
-    pub const fn word_seek_start (src) {
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) => if
-            is_word_char(c)  { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
-            if !is_space(c) { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("word_seek_start"))) });
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-    pub const fn word_seek_length (src) {
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) => if !is_word_char(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) });
-        Ok(Some(src.len()))
-    }
-});
-
-dsl_type!(DslText {
-    fn text (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { ok_flat(self.src()?.map(text_peek_only)) }
-} {
-    pub const fn text_peek      [generated];
-    pub const fn text_peek_only [generated];
-    pub const fn text_seek      [generated];
-    pub const fn text_seek_start (src) {
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
-            if is_text_start(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
-            if !is_space(c)     { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), None)) });
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-    pub const fn text_seek_length (src) {
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
-            if is_text_end(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) });
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-});
-
-dsl_type!(DslExpr {
-    fn expr  (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(expr_peek_inner_only))}
-    fn head (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(peek))}
-    fn tail (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(peek_tail))}
-    /// my other car is a cdr :<
-    fn each (&self, mut cb: impl FnMut(&str)->Usually<()>) -> Usually<()> {
-        Ok(if let Some(head) = self.head()? {
-            cb(head)?;
-            if let Some(tail) = self.tail()? {
-                tail.each(cb)?;
-            }
-        })
-    }
-} {
-    pub const fn expr_peek      [generated];
-    pub const fn expr_peek_only [generated];
-    pub const fn expr_seek      [generated];
-    pub const fn expr_seek_start (src) {
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
-            if is_expr_start(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
-            if !is_space(c) { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("expected expression start"))) });
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-    pub const fn expr_seek_length (src) {
-        let mut depth = 0;
-        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
-            if is_expr_start(c) { depth += 1; } else
-            if is_expr_end(c) {
-                if depth == 0 {
-                    return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("expected expression end")))
-                } else if depth == 1 {
-                    return Ok(Some(i + 1))
-                } else {
-                    depth -= 1;
-                }
-            });
-        Err(Incomplete)
-    }
-});
-
-fn ok_flat <T> (x: Option<DslPerhaps<T>>) -> DslPerhaps<T> {
+pub(crate) fn ok_flat <T> (x: Option<DslPerhaps<T>>) -> DslPerhaps<T> {
     Ok(x.transpose()?.flatten())
 }
 
-/// Namespace mapping.
-#[derive(Debug)] pub struct DslNsMap<'t, T: Debug + 't>(pub &'t [(&'t str, T)]);
-/// Namespace mapping for [DslWord]s.
-pub type DslWords<'t, T, U> = DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t T)->Perhaps<U>>;
-/// Namespace mapping for [DslExpr]s.
-pub type DslExprs<'t, T, U> = DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t T, &str)->Perhaps<U>>;
-impl<'t, T: Debug + 't> DslNsMap<'t, T> {
-    /// Populate a namespace with pre-existing values.
-    pub const fn new (data: &'t [(&'t str, T)]) -> Self { Self(data) /* TODO a search trie */ }
-}
-
-
-pub trait DslNs<'t, T: 't>: 't {
-    /// Known symbols.
-    const WORDS: DslWords<'t, Self, T> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
-    /// Known expressions.
-    const EXPRS: DslExprs<'t, Self, T> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
-    /// Resolve an expression or symbol.
-    fn from (&'t self, dsl: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        if let Ok(Some(literal)) = self.from_literal(&dsl) {
-            Ok(Some(literal))
-        } else if let Ok(Some(meaning)) = self.from_word(&dsl) {
-            Ok(Some(meaning))
-        } else {
-            self.from_expr(&dsl)
+#[macro_export] macro_rules! dsl_type (($T:ident { $($trait:tt)* } {
+    pub const fn $peek:ident      $($_1:tt)?;
+    pub const fn $peek_only:ident $($_2:tt)?;
+    pub const fn $seek:ident      $($_3:tt)?;
+    pub const fn $seek_start:ident  ($source1:ident) $body1:block
+    pub const fn $seek_length:ident ($source2:ident) $body2:block
+})=>{
+    pub trait $T: Dsl { $($trait)* }
+    impl<D: Dsl + ?Sized> $T for D {}
+    pub const fn $seek_start  ($source1: &str) -> DslPerhaps<usize> $body1
+    pub const fn $seek_length ($source2: &str) -> DslPerhaps<usize> $body2
+    /// Find a start and length corresponding to a syntax token.
+    pub const fn $seek (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<(usize, usize)> {
+        match $seek_start(source) {
+            Err(e) => Err(e),
+            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
+            Ok(Some(start)) => match $seek_length(str_from(source, start)) {
+                Ok(Some(length)) => Ok(Some((start, length))),
+                Ok(None) => Ok(None),
+                Err(e) => Err(e),
+            },
         }
     }
-    /// Resolve as literal if valid.
-    fn from_literal (&self, _: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        Ok(None)
+    /// Find a slice corrensponding to a syntax token.
+    pub const fn $peek (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
+        match $seek(source) {
+            Err(e) => Err(e),
+            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
+            Ok(Some((start, length))) => Ok(Some(str_range(source, start, start + length))),
+        }
     }
-    /// Resolve a symbol if known.
-    fn from_word (&'t self, dsl: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        if let Some(dsl) = dsl.word()? {
-            for (key, get) in Self::WORDS.0.iter() {
-                if dsl == *key {
-                    let value = get(self);
-                    return value
+    /// Find a slice corrensponding to a syntax token
+    /// but return an error if it isn't the only thing
+    /// in the source.
+    pub const fn $peek_only (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
+        match $seek(source) {
+            Err(e) => Err(e),
+            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
+            Ok(Some((start, length))) => {
+                if let Err(e) = no_trailing_non_space(source, start + length, Some("peek_only")) {
+                    Err(e)
+                } else {
+                    Ok(Some(str_range(source, start, start + length)))
                 }
             }
         }
-        return Ok(None)
     }
-    /// Resolve an expression if known.
-    fn from_expr (&'t self, dsl: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        if let Some(expr) = dsl.expr()? {
-            for (key, get) in Self::EXPRS.0.iter() {
-                if Some(*key) == expr.head()? {
-                    return get(self, &expr.tail()?.unwrap_or(""))
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        return Ok(None)
-    }
-}
+});
 
 #[deprecated]
 /// `T` + [Dsl] -> `Self`.
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_error.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_error.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11e00c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl_error.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+use crate::*;
+
+/// DSL-specific error codes.
+#[derive(Error, Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, PanicFmt)]
+pub enum DslError {
+
+    #[error("parse failed: not implemented")]
+    Unimplemented,
+
+    #[error("parse failed: empty")]
+    Empty,
+
+    #[error("parse failed: incomplete")]
+    Incomplete,
+
+    #[error("parse failed: unexpected character '{0}'")]
+    Unexpected(char, Option<usize>, Option<&'static str>),
+
+    #[error("parse failed: error #{0}")]
+    Code(u8),
+
+    #[error("end reached")]
+    End
+
+}
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_expr.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_expr.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d22115a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl_expr.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+use crate::*;
+
+pub type GetDslExpr<'a, S, T> = for<'b> fn(&'a S, &'b str)->Perhaps<T>;
+
+pub type DslExprs<'a, S, T> = &'a [(&'a str, GetDslExpr<'a, S, T>)];
+
+dsl_type!(DslExpr {
+    fn expr (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(expr_peek_inner_only))}
+    fn head (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(peek))}
+    fn tail (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(peek_tail))}
+    /// my other car is a cdr :<
+    fn each (&self, mut cb: impl FnMut(&str)->Usually<()>) -> Usually<()> {
+        Ok(if let Some(head) = self.head()? {
+            cb(head)?;
+            if let Some(tail) = self.tail()? {
+                tail.each(cb)?;
+            }
+        })
+    }
+} {
+    pub const fn expr_peek      [generated];
+    pub const fn expr_peek_only [generated];
+    pub const fn expr_seek      [generated];
+    pub const fn expr_seek_start (src) {
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
+            if is_expr_start(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
+            if !is_space(c) { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("expected expression start"))) });
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+    pub const fn expr_seek_length (src) {
+        let mut depth = 0;
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
+            if is_expr_start(c) { depth += 1; } else
+            if is_expr_end(c) {
+                if depth == 0 {
+                    return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("expected expression end")))
+                } else if depth == 1 {
+                    return Ok(Some(i + 1))
+                } else {
+                    depth -= 1;
+                }
+            });
+        Err(Incomplete)
+    }
+});
+
+#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_exprs(($l:lifetime |$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
+    $($name:literal ($($arg:ident:$ty:ty),* $(,)?) => $body:expr),* $(,)?
+})?)=>{
+    const EXPRS: DslExprs<$l, Self, $Type> = &[$( $({
+        let get: GetDslExpr<$l, Self, $Type> = |$state: &$l Self, tail_base|{
+            let tail = tail_base;
+            $(
+                let head = tail.head()?.unwrap_or_default();
+                let tail = tail.tail()?.unwrap_or_default();
+                let $arg: $ty = if let Some(arg) = $state.from(&head)? {
+                    arg
+                } else {
+                    return Err(format!("{}: arg \"{}\" ({}) got: {head} {tail}",
+                        $name,
+                        stringify!($arg),
+                        stringify!($ty),
+                    ).into())
+                };
+            )*
+            Ok(Some($body as $Type))
+        };
+        ($name, get)
+    }),* )? ];
+});
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_macros.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_macros.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index f4460f3..0000000
--- a/dsl/src/dsl_macros.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,153 +0,0 @@
-#[macro_export] macro_rules! dsl_type (($T:ident { $($trait:tt)* } {
-    pub const fn $peek:ident      $($_1:tt)?;
-    pub const fn $peek_only:ident $($_2:tt)?;
-    pub const fn $seek:ident      $($_3:tt)?;
-    pub const fn $seek_start:ident  ($source1:ident) $body1:block
-    pub const fn $seek_length:ident ($source2:ident) $body2:block
-})=>{
-    pub trait $T: Dsl { $($trait)* }
-    impl<D: Dsl> $T for D {}
-    pub const fn $seek_start  ($source1: &str) -> DslPerhaps<usize> $body1
-    pub const fn $seek_length ($source2: &str) -> DslPerhaps<usize> $body2
-    /// Find a start and length corresponding to a syntax token.
-    pub const fn $seek (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<(usize, usize)> {
-        match $seek_start(source) {
-            Err(e) => Err(e),
-            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
-            Ok(Some(start)) => match $seek_length(str_from(source, start)) {
-                Ok(Some(length)) => Ok(Some((start, length))),
-                Ok(None) => Ok(None),
-                Err(e) => Err(e),
-            },
-        }
-    }
-    /// Find a slice corrensponding to a syntax token.
-    pub const fn $peek (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
-        match $seek(source) {
-            Err(e) => Err(e),
-            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
-            Ok(Some((start, length))) => Ok(Some(str_range(source, start, start + length))),
-        }
-    }
-    /// Find a slice corrensponding to a syntax token
-    /// but return an error if it isn't the only thing
-    /// in the source.
-    pub const fn $peek_only (source: &str) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {
-        match $seek(source) {
-            Err(e) => Err(e),
-            Ok(None) => Ok(None),
-            Ok(Some((start, length))) => {
-                if let Err(e) = no_trailing_non_space(source, start + length, Some("peek_only")) {
-                    Err(e)
-                } else {
-                    Ok(Some(str_range(source, start, start + length)))
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-});
-
-#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_words(
-    (|$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
-        $($word:literal => $body:expr),* $(,)?
-    })?)=>{
-        const WORDS: DslWords<'t, Self, $Type> = DslNsMap::new(&[$(
-            $(($word, move|$state: &Self|{Ok(Some($body))})),*
-        )? ]);
-    });
-
-#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_exprs(
-    (|$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
-        $($name:literal ($($arg:ident:$ty:ty),* $(,)?) => $body:expr),* $(,)?
-    })?)=>{
-        const EXPRS: DslExprs<'t, Self, $Type> = DslNsMap::new(&[$(
-            $(($name, |$state: &Self, tail: &str|{
-                $(
-                    let head = tail.head()?.unwrap_or_default();
-                    let tail = tail.tail()?.unwrap_or_default();
-                    let $arg: $ty = if let Some(arg) = $state.from(&head)? {
-                        arg
-                    } else {
-                        return Err(format!("{}: arg \"{}\" ({}) got: {head} {tail}",
-                            $name,
-                            stringify!($arg),
-                            stringify!($ty),
-                        ).into())
-                    };
-                )*
-                Ok(Some($body))
-            })),*
-        )? ]);
-    });
-
-/// Define a DSL namespace that provides values to words and expressions.
-#[macro_export] macro_rules! dsl_ns (
-    // Special form for numeric types
-    (num |$state:ident : $State: ty| $($($num:lifetime)? $Type:ty $(=> { $(
-        $pat:tt => $body:expr
-    ),* $(,)? })?;)+) => {
-        $(dsl_ns!(num |$state: $State| -> $($num)? $Type { $( $($pat => $body),* )? });)+
-    };
-    // Special form for numeric types
-    (num |$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
-        impl<'t> DslNs<'t, $Type> for $State {
-            const WORDS: DslWords<'t, $State, $Type> = DslNsMap::new(&[
-                $(dsl_ns!{@word ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            const EXPRS: DslExprs<'t, $State, $Type> = DslNsMap::new(&[
-                $(dsl_ns!{@exp ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            fn from_literal (&self, dsl: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<$Type> {
-                Ok(if let Some(src) = dsl.src()? {
-                    Some(to_number(src)? as $Type)
-                } else {
-                    None
-                })
-            }
-        }
-    };
-    // A namespace may resolve one or more types.
-    (|$state:ident : $State: ty| $($Type:ty $(=> { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? })? ;)+) => {
-        $(dsl_ns!(|$state: $State| -> $Type { $( $($pat => $body),* )? });)+
-    };
-    // Regular form for single type
-    (|$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
-        impl<'t> DslNs<'t, $Type> for $State {
-            const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
-                DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@word ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
-                DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@exp ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-        }
-    };
-    // Symbols only.
-    (@word ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty {
-        $word:literal => $body:expr
-    }) => {
-        ($word, |$state|Ok(Some($body)))
-    };
-    // Expression handlers only.
-    (@exp ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty {
-        ($head:literal $(,$arg:ident:$ty:ty)* $(,)*) => $body:expr
-    }) => { ($head, |$state, tail: &str|{
-        $(
-            let head = tail.head()?.unwrap_or_default();
-            let tail = tail.tail()?.unwrap_or_default();
-            let $arg: $ty = if let Some(arg) = $state.from(&head)? {
-                arg
-            } else {
-                return Err(format!("{}: missing argument: {} ({}); got: {tail}",
-                    $head,
-                    stringify!($arg),
-                    stringify!($Type),
-                ).into())
-            };
-        )*
-        Ok(Some($body))
-    }) };
-    // Nothing else in symbols.
-    (@word ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty { $pat:tt => $body:expr }) => {
-        ("", |_|Ok(None)) // FIXME don't emit at all
-    };
-    // Nothing else in expression handlers.
-    (@exp ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty { $pat:tt => $body:expr }) => {
-        ("", |_, _|Ok(None)) // FIXME don't emit at all
-    };
-);
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_ns.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_ns.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9c81f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl_ns.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+use crate::*;
+
+pub trait DslNs<'a, T: 'a>: 'a {
+    /// Known symbols.
+    const WORDS: DslWords<'a, Self, T> = &[];
+    /// Known expressions.
+    const EXPRS: DslExprs<'a, Self, T> = &[];
+    /// Resolve an expression or symbol.
+    fn from (&'a self, dsl: impl Dsl + 'a) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        if let Ok(Some(literal)) = self.from_literal(&dsl) {
+            Ok(Some(literal))
+        } else if let Ok(Some(meaning)) = self.from_word(&dsl) {
+            Ok(Some(meaning))
+        } else {
+            self.from_expr(dsl)
+        }
+    }
+    /// Resolve as literal if valid.
+    fn from_literal (&self, _: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+    /// Resolve a symbol if known.
+    fn from_word (&'a self, dsl: impl DslWord) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        if let Some(dsl) = dsl.word()? {
+            for (key, get) in Self::WORDS.iter() {
+                if dsl == *key {
+                    let value = get(self);
+                    return value
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return Ok(None)
+    }
+    /// Resolve an expression if known.
+    fn from_expr (&'a self, dsl: impl DslExpr + 'a) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        let head = dsl.head()?;
+        for (key, get) in Self::EXPRS.iter() {
+            if Some(*key) == head {
+                return get(self, dsl.tail()?.unwrap_or(""))
+            }
+        }
+        return Ok(None)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Define a DSL namespace that provides values to words and expressions.
+#[macro_export] macro_rules! dsl_ns (
+    // Special form for numeric types
+    (num |$state:ident : $State: ty| $($($num:lifetime)? $Type:ty $(=> { $(
+        $pat:tt => $body:expr
+    ),* $(,)? })?;)+) => {
+        $(dsl_ns!(num |$state: $State| -> $($num)? $Type { $( $($pat => $body),* )? });)+
+    };
+    // Special form for numeric types
+    (num |$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
+        impl<'a> DslNs<'a, $Type> for $State {
+            const WORDS: DslWords<'a, $State, $Type> = &[
+                $(dsl_ns!{@word 'a ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*];
+            const EXPRS: DslExprs<'a, $State, $Type> = &[
+                $(dsl_ns!{@exp  'a ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*];
+            fn from_literal (&self, dsl: impl Dsl) -> Perhaps<$Type> {
+                Ok(if let Some(src) = dsl.src()? {
+                    Some(to_number(src)? as $Type)
+                } else {
+                    None
+                })
+            }
+        }
+    };
+    // A namespace may resolve one or more types.
+    (|$state:ident : $State: ty| $($Type:ty $(=> { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? })? ;)+) => {
+        $(dsl_ns!(|$state: $State| -> $Type { $( $($pat => $body),* )? });)+
+    };
+    // Regular form for single type
+    (|$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
+        impl<'a> DslNs<'a, $Type> for $State {
+            const WORDS: DslWords<'a, $State, $Type> =
+                &[$(dsl_ns!{@word 'a ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*];
+            const EXPRS: DslExprs<'a, $State, $Type> =
+                &[$(dsl_ns!{@exp 'a ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*];
+        }
+    };
+    // Symbols only.
+    (@word $l:lifetime ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty {
+        $word:literal => $body:expr
+    }) => {{
+        let get: GetDslWord<$l, Self, $Type> = (|$state: &$State|Ok(Some($body)));
+        ($word, get)
+    }};
+    // Expression handlers only.
+    (@exp $l:lifetime ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty {
+        ($head:literal $(,$arg:ident:$ty:ty)* $(,)*) => $body:expr
+    }) => {{
+        let get: GetDslExpr<$l, Self, $Type> = |$state, tail: &str|{
+            $(
+                let head = tail.head()?.unwrap_or_default();
+                let tail = tail.tail()?.unwrap_or_default();
+                let $arg: $ty = if let Some(arg) = $state.from(&head)? {
+                    arg
+                } else {
+                    return Err(format!("{}: missing argument: {} ({}); got: {tail}",
+                        $head,
+                        stringify!($arg),
+                        stringify!($Type),
+                    ).into())
+                };
+            )*
+            Ok(Some($body))
+        };
+        ($head, get)
+    }};
+    // Nothing else in symbols.
+    (@word $l:lifetime ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty { $pat:tt => $body:expr }) => {
+        ("", ((|_|Ok(None)) as GetDslWord<$l, Self, $Type>)) // FIXME don't emit at all
+    };
+    // Nothing else in expression handlers.
+    (@exp $l:lifetime ($state:ident: $State:ty) -> $Type:ty { $pat:tt => $body:expr }) => {
+        ("", ((|_, _|Ok(None)) as GetDslExpr<$l, Self, $Type>)) // FIXME don't emit at all
+    };
+);
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_text.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_text.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c2e51d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl_text.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+use crate::*;
+
+dsl_type!(DslText {
+    fn text (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> { ok_flat(self.src()?.map(text_peek_only)) }
+} {
+    pub const fn text_peek      [generated];
+    pub const fn text_peek_only [generated];
+    pub const fn text_seek      [generated];
+    pub const fn text_seek_start (src) {
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
+            if is_text_start(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
+            if !is_space(c)     { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), None)) });
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+    pub const fn text_seek_length (src) {
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) =>
+            if is_text_end(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) });
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+});
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl_word.rs b/dsl/src/dsl_word.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48b5c59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl_word.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+use crate::*;
+
+pub type GetDslWord<'a, S, T> = fn(&'a S)->Perhaps<T>;
+
+pub type DslWords<'a, S, T> = &'a [(&'a str, GetDslWord<'a, S, T>)];
+
+dsl_type!(DslWord {
+    fn word (&self) -> DslPerhaps<&str> {ok_flat(self.src()?.map(word_peek_only))}
+} {
+    pub const fn word_peek      [generated];
+    pub const fn word_peek_only [generated];
+    pub const fn word_seek      [generated];
+    pub const fn word_seek_start (src) {
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) => if
+            is_word_char(c)  { return Ok(Some(i)) } else
+            if !is_space(c) { return Err(Unexpected(c, Some(i), Some("word_seek_start"))) });
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+    pub const fn word_seek_length (src) {
+        for_each!((i, c) in char_indices(src) => if !is_word_char(c) { return Ok(Some(i)) });
+        Ok(Some(src.len()))
+    }
+});
+
+#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_words(($l:lifetime |$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
+    $($word:literal => $body:expr),* $(,)?
+})?)=>{
+    const WORDS: DslWords<$l, Self, $Type> = &[$( $({
+        let get: GetDslWord<$l, Self, $Type> = |$state: &$l Self|Ok(Some($body));
+        ($word, get)
+    }),* )?];
+});
diff --git a/output/src/layout_stack.rs b/output/src/layout_stack.rs
index 4e45e4b..95f8c82 100644
--- a/output/src/layout_stack.rs
+++ b/output/src/layout_stack.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ pub struct Stack<'x, E, F> {
     direction: Direction,
     callback:  F
 }
-impl<'x, E, F: Fn(&dyn Fn(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Stack<'x, E, F> {
+impl<'x, E, F: Fn(&mut dyn FnMut(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Stack<'x, E, F> {
     pub fn new (direction: Direction, callback: F) -> Self {
         Self { direction, callback, __: Default::default(), }
     }
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@ impl<'x, E, F: Fn(&dyn Fn(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Stack<'x, E, F> {
         Self::new(West, callback)
     }
 }
-impl<'x, E: Output, F: Fn(&dyn Fn(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Content<E> for Stack<'x, E, F> {
+impl<'x, E: Output, F: Fn(&mut dyn FnMut(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Content<E> for Stack<'x, E, F> {
     fn layout (&self, to: E::Area) -> E::Area {
         let state = StackLayoutState::<E>::new(self.direction, to);
-        let adder = &|component: &dyn Render<E>|{
+        let mut adder = |component: &dyn Render<E>|{
             let StackLayoutState { x, y, w_remaining, h_remaining, .. } = *state.borrow();
             let [_, _, w, h] = component.layout([x, y, w_remaining, h_remaining].into()).xywh();
             state.borrow_mut().grow(w, h);
         };
-        (self.callback)(&adder);
+        (self.callback)(&mut adder);
         let StackLayoutState { w_used, h_used, .. } = *state.borrow();
         match self.direction {
             North | West => { todo!() },
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ impl<'x, E: Output, F: Fn(&dyn Fn(&dyn Render<E>)) + 'x> Content<E> for Stack<'x
     fn render (&self, to: &mut E) {
         let state = StackLayoutState::<E>::new(self.direction, to.area());
         let to = Rc::new(RefCell::new(to));
-        let adder = &|component: &dyn Render<E>|{
+        let mut adder = |component: &dyn Render<E>|{
             let StackLayoutState { x, y, w_remaining, h_remaining, .. } = *state.borrow();
             let layout = component.layout([x, y, w_remaining, h_remaining].into());
             state.borrow_mut().grow(layout.w(), layout.h());
             to.borrow_mut().place(layout, component);
         };
-        (self.callback)(&adder);
+        (self.callback)(&mut adder);
     }
 }