diff --git a/core/collections.nom b/core/collections.nom
index 481d283..d4d4c5b 100644
--- a/core/collections.nom
+++ b/core/collections.nom
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ immediately:
     compile [..]
         %index st to last in %list, %index nd to last in %list, %index rd to last in %list
         %index th to last in %list
-    ..to {expr:"utils.nth_to_last(\(%list as lua expr), \(%index as lua expr))"}
+    ..to: Lua value "utils.nth_to_last(\(%list as lua expr), \(%index as lua expr))"
 
 immediately:
     parse [first in %list, first %list] as: 1 st in %list
@@ -37,35 +37,35 @@ immediately:
 
 immediately:
     # Note: it's important to have the space after "[" to prevent confusion if %index is a string
-    compile [%list has key %index, %list has index %index] to {..}
-        expr: ".."
+    compile [%list has key %index, %list has index %index] to
+        Lua value ".."
             ((\(%list as lua expr))[ \(%index as lua expr)] ~= nil)
 
     # Note: it's important to have the space after "[" to prevent confusion if %index is a string
     compile [..]
         %list doesn't have key %index, %list does not have key %index
         %list doesn't have index %index, %list does not have index %index
-    ..to {expr:"((\(%list as lua expr))[ \(%index as lua expr)] == nil)"}
+    ..to: Lua value "((\(%list as lua expr))[ \(%index as lua expr)] == nil)"
 
-    compile [length of %list, size of %list, size %list, number of %list, len %list] to:
-        {expr:"utils.size(\(%list as lua expr))"}
+    compile [number of keys in %list] to:
+        Lua value "utils.size(\(%list as lua expr))"
 
     compile [append %item to %list, add %item to %list, to %list add %item, to %list append %item] to:
-        {statements:"table.insert(\(%list as lua expr), \(%item as lua expr))"}
+        Lua "table.insert(\(%list as lua expr), \(%item as lua expr))"
 
     compile [pop from %list, remove last from %list] to:
-        {statements:"table.remove(\(%list as lua expr))"}
+        Lua "table.remove(\(%list as lua expr))"
 
     compile [remove index %index from %list] to:
-        {statements:"table.remove(\(%list as lua expr), \(%index as lua expr))"}
+        Lua "table.remove(\(%list as lua expr), \(%index as lua expr))"
 
 # List Comprehension
 immediately:
     compile [%expression for %item in %iterable] to:
         assume (%item.type is "Var") or barf ".."
             List comprehension has the wrong type for the loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%item.type)
-        return {..}
-            expr:".."
+        return
+            Lua value ".."
                 (function()
                     local comprehension = {};
                     for i,\(%item as lua expr) in ipairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ immediately:
     ..to:
         assume (%index.type is "Var") or barf ".."
             List comprehension has the wrong type for the loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%index.type)
-        return {..}
-            expr:".."
+        return
+            Lua value ".."
                 (function()
                     local comprehension = {};
                     for \(%index as lua expr)=\(%start as lua expr),\(%stop as lua expr),\(%step as lua expr) do
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ immediately:
             List comprehension has the wrong type for the key loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%key.type)
         assume (%value.type is "Var") or barf ".."
             List comprehension has the wrong type for the value loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%value.type)
-        return {..}
-            expr: ".."
+        return
+            Lua value ".."
                 (function()
                     local comprehension = {};
                     for \(%key as lua expr), \(%value as lua expr) in pairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ immediately:
         assume (%item.type is "Var") or barf ".."
             Dict comprehension has the wrong type for the loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%item.type)
         # Note: it's important to have the space after "[" to prevent confusion if %key is a string
-        return {..}
-            expr: ".."
+        return
+            Lua value ".."
                 (function()
                     local comprehension = {};
                     for i,\(%item as lua expr) in ipairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ immediately:
         assume (%src_value.type is "Var") or barf ".."
             Dict comprehension has the wrong type for the value loop variable. Expected Var, but got: \(%src_value.type)
         # Note: it's important to have the space after "[" to prevent confusion if %key is a string
-        return {..}
-            expr: ".."
+        return
+            Lua value ".."
                 (function()
                     local comprehension = {};
                     for \(%src_key as lua expr), \(%src_value as lua expr) in pairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
@@ -160,12 +160,12 @@ immediately:
 
 # Sorting:
 immediately:
-    compile [sort %items] to {statements:"table.sort(\(%items as lua expr))"}
-    compile [sort %items by %key_expr] to {..}
-        statements: ".."
-            utils.sort(\(%items as lua expr), function(\(\% as lua expr))
+    compile [sort %items] to: Lua "table.sort(\(%items as lua expr));"
+    compile [sort %items by %key_expr] to
+        Lua ".."
+            utils.sort(\(%items as lua expr), function(_)
                 return \(%key_expr as lua expr);
-            end)
+            end);
 
 immediately:
     action [%items sorted, sorted %items]:
@@ -188,13 +188,13 @@ immediately:
 
 immediately:
     # Metatable stuff
-    compile [set %dict's metatable to %metatable] to {..}
-        statements: "setmetatable(\(%dict as lua expr), \(%metatable as lua expr));"
+    compile [set %dict's metatable to %metatable] to
+        Lua "setmetatable(\(%dict as lua expr), \(%metatable as lua expr));"
 
-    compile [new counter] to {expr:"setmetatable({}, {__index=function() return 0; end})"}
+    compile [new counter] to: Lua value "setmetatable({}, {__index=function() return 0; end})"
 
-    compile [new default dict] to {..}
-        expr: ".."
+    compile [new default dict] to
+        Lua value ".."
             setmetatable({}, {__index=function(self, key)
                 t = {};
                 self[key] = t;
diff --git a/core/control_flow.nom b/core/control_flow.nom
index 39d496d..0f081fc 100644
--- a/core/control_flow.nom
+++ b/core/control_flow.nom
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ immediately
             equivalent of a conditional expression: (cond and if_true or if_false)
         if: %when_true_expr.type in {Text:yes, List:yes, Dict:yes, Number:yes}
             return:
-                Lua ".."
+                Lua value ".."
                     (\(%condition as lua expr) and \(%when_true_expr as lua expr) or \(%when_false_expr as lua expr))
         ..else:
             #.. Otherwise, need to do an anonymous inline function (yuck, too bad lua 
                 doesn't have a proper ternary operator!)
                 To see why this is necessary consider: (random()<.5 and false or 99)
             return:
-                Lua ".."
+                Lua value ".."
                     (function()
                         if \(%condition as lua expr) then
                             return \(%when_true_expr as lua expr);
@@ -87,14 +87,15 @@ immediately:
     compile [do next repeat] to: Lua "goto continue_repeat;"
     compile [stop repeating] to: Lua "goto stop_repeat;"
     compile [repeat while %condition %body] to
-        %lua <-: Lua "while \(%condition as lua expr) do"
+        %lua <-
+            Lua ".."
+                while \(%condition as lua expr) do
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and ((%'s stub) is "do next repeat")
         ..:
-            %lua <-write "\n::continue_repeat::;"
-        %lua <-write "\n"
-        %lua <-write (%body as lua statements)
-        %lua <-write "\nend --while-loop"
+            to %lua write "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+        to %lua write "\nend --while-loop"
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and ((%'s stub) is "stop repeating")
         ..:
@@ -110,11 +111,14 @@ immediately:
     compile [..]
         repeat %n times %body
     ..to:
-        %lua <-: Lua "for i=1,\(%n as lua expr) do"
+        %lua <-
+            Lua ".."
+                for i=1,\(%n as lua expr) do
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
         if %body has subtree % where
             (%.type = "Action") and ((%'s stub) is "do next repeat")
-        ..: %lua <-write "\n::continue_repeat::;"
-        %lua <-write "\n\(%body as lua statements)\nend --numeric for-loop"
+        ..: to %lua write "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+        to %lua write "\nend --numeric for-loop"
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and ((%'s stub) is "stop repeating")
         ..:
@@ -143,20 +147,21 @@ immediately:
         assume (%var.type is "Var") or barf "Loop expected variable, not: \(%var's source code)"
         %lua <-
             Lua ".."
-                for \(%var as lua expr)=\(%start as lua expr),\(%n as lua expr) do
+                for \(%var as lua expr)=\(%start as lua expr),\(%stop as lua expr),\(%step as lua expr) do
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "do next %") and 
                     %.value.3.value is %var.value
-        ..: %lua <-write "\n::continue_\(%var as lua identifier)::;"
-        %lua <-write "\n\(%body as lua statements)\nend --numeric for-loop"
+        ..: to %lua write "\n::continue_\(%var as lua identifier)::;"
+        to %lua write "\nend --numeric for-loop"
 
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and:
                 ((%'s stub) is "stop %") and:
                     %.value.2.value is %var.value
         ..:
-            %lua <-write ".."
+            to %lua write ".."
                 do -- scope for stopping for-loop
                     \%lua
                     ::stop_\(%var as lua identifier)::;
@@ -177,13 +182,16 @@ immediately:
     compile [for %var in %iterable %body] to:
         # This uses Lua's approach of only allowing loop-scoped variables in a loop
         assume (%var.type is "Var") or barf "Loop expected variable, not: \(%var's source code)"
-        %lua <-: Lua "for i,\(%var as lua identifier) in ipairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do"
+        %lua <-
+            Lua ".."
+                for i,\(%var as lua identifier) in ipairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "do next %") and
                     %.value.3.value is %var.value
-        ..: %lua <-write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%var as lua identifier)::;")
-        %lua <-write (Lua "\n\(%body as lua statements)\nend --foreach-loop")
+        ..: to %lua write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%var as lua identifier)::;")
+        to %lua write "\nend --foreach-loop"
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "stop %") and
@@ -205,34 +213,37 @@ immediately:
         # This uses Lua's approach of only allowing loop-scoped variables in a loop
         assume (%key.type is "Var") or barf "Loop expected variable, not: \(%key's source code)"
         assume (%value.type is "Var") or barf "Loop expected variable, not: \(%value's source code)"
-        %lua <- (Lua "for \(%key as lua identifier),\(%value as lua identifier) in pairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do")
+        %lua <-
+            Lua ".."
+                for \(%key as lua identifier),\(%value as lua identifier) in pairs(\(%iterable as lua expr)) do
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "do next %") and
                     %.value.3.value is %key.value
-        ..: %lua <-write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%key as lua identifier)::;")
+        ..: to %lua write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%key as lua identifier)::;")
 
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "do next %") and
                     %.value.3.value is %value.value
-        ..: %lua <-write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%value as lua identifier)::;")
-        %lua <-write (Lua "\n\(%body as lua statements)\nend --foreach-loop")
+        ..: to %lua write (Lua "\n::continue_\(%value as lua identifier)::;")
+        to %lua write "\nend --foreach-loop"
         
-        %stop_labels <- ""
+        %stop_labels <- (Lua "")
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "stop %") and
                     %.value.2.value is %key.value
-        ..: %stop_labels <-write "\n::stop_\(%key as lua identifier)::;"
+        ..: to %stop_labels write "\n::stop_\(%key as lua identifier)::;"
 
         if %body has subtree % where:
             (%.type = "Action") and
                 ((%'s stub) is "stop %") and
                     %.value.2.value is %value.value
-        ..: %stop_labels <-write "\n::stop_\(%value as lua identifier)::;"
+        ..: to %stop_labels write "\n::stop_\(%value as lua identifier)::;"
 
-        if: %stop_labels is not ""
+        if: (length of %stop_labels) > 0
             %lua <-
                 Lua ".."
                     do -- scope for stopping for % = % loop
@@ -243,63 +254,57 @@ immediately:
 # Switch statement/multi-branch if
 immediately:
     compile [when %body] to:
-        %code <- ""
+        %code <- (Lua "")
         %fallthroughs <- []
-        %locals <- []
         %is_first <- (yes)
         %seen_else <- (no)
         for %func_call in %body.value:
             assume (%func_call.type is "Action") or barf ".."
                 Invalid format for 'when' statement. Only '*' blocks are allowed.
+            %tokens <- %func_call.value
             with {..}
-                %tokens: %func_call.value
                 %star: %tokens.1
                 %condition: %tokens.2
                 %action: %tokens.3
             ..:
-                assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
+                assume ((%star and (%star.type is "Word")) and (%star.value is "*")) or barf ".."
                     Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
                 assume %condition or barf ".."
                     Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
                 if: %action is (nil)
                     lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \(%condition as lua expr));"
                     do next %func_call
-                %action <- (%action as lua)
-                %action_statements <- (%action.statements or "\(%action.expr);")
-                for %local in (%action.locals or []):
-                    lua> "table.insert(\%locals, \%local);"
 
-                if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
+                if: (%condition.type is "Word") and (%condition.value is "else")
                     assume (not %is_first) or barf "'else' clause cannot be first in 'when % = ?' block"
-                    %code <-write ".."
+                    to %code write ".."
                         
                         else
-                        \%action_statements
+                        \(%action as lua statements)
                     %seen_else <- (yes)
                 ..else:
                     assume (not %seen_else) or barf "'else' clause needs to be last in 'when' block"
                     lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \(%condition as lua expr));"
-                    %condition_code <- (%fallthroughs joined with " or ")
-                    %code <-write ".."
-                        
-                        \("if" if %is_first else "elseif") \%condition_code then
-                        \%action_statements
+                    to %code write "\("if" if %is_first else "\nelseif") "
+                    for %i=%condition in %fallthroughs:
+                        if (%i > 1): to %code write " or "
+                        to %code write %condition
+                    to %code write " then\n"
+                    to %code write (%action as lua statements)
 
                 %fallthroughs <- []
                 %is_first <- (no)
 
         assume (%fallthroughs = []) or barf "Unfinished fallthrough conditions in 'when' block"
-        if: %code is not ""
-            %code <-write "\nend"
-        lua> "utils.deduplicate(\%locals);"
-        return {statements:%code, locals:%locals}
+        assume ((length of %code) > 0) or barf "Empty body for 'when' block"
+        to %code write "\nend"
+        return %code
 
 # Switch statement
 immediately:
     compile [when %branch_value = ? %body, when %branch_value is ? %body] to:
-        %code <- ""
+        %code <- (Lua "")
         %fallthroughs <- []
-        %locals <- []
         %is_first <- (yes)
         %seen_else <- (no)
         for %func_call in %body.value:
@@ -307,7 +312,7 @@ immediately:
                 Invalid format for 'when' statement. Only '*' blocks are allowed.
             %tokens <- %func_call.value
             with {%star:%tokens.1, %condition:%tokens.2, %action:%tokens.3}:
-                assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
+                assume ((%star and (%star.type is "Word")) and (%star.value is "*")) or barf ".."
                     Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
                 assume %condition or barf ".."
                     Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
@@ -315,47 +320,39 @@ immediately:
                     lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \(%condition as lua expr))"
                     do next %func_call
 
-                %action <- (%action as lua)
-                %action_statements <- (%action.statements or "\(%action.expr);")
-                for %local in (%action.locals or []):
-                    lua> "table.insert(\%locals, \%local);"
-
-                if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
+                if: (%condition.type is "Word") and (%condition.value is "else")
                     assume (not %is_first) or barf "'else' clause cannot be first in 'when % = ?' block"
-                    %code <-write ".."
+                    to %code write ".."
 
                         else
-                            \%action_statements
-                        end
-                    %seen_else <- (yes)
+                            \(%action as lua statements)
                 ..else:
                     assume (not %seen_else) or barf "'else' clause needs to be last in 'when % = ?' block"
+                    to %code write "\("if" if %is_first else "\nelseif") "
                     lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \(%condition as lua expr));"
                     for %i = % in %fallthroughs
+                        if: %i > 1
+                            to %code write " or "
                         if: (%.type is "Text") or (%.type is "Number")
-                            (%i'th in %fallthroughs) <- "branch_value == \%"
-                        ..else 
-                            (%i'th in %fallthroughs) <- "utils.equivalent(branch_value, \%)"
-                    %clause <- (%fallthroughs joined with " or ")
-                    %code <-write ".."
-                        
-                        \("if" if %is_first else "elseif") \%clause then
-                        \%action_statements
+                            to %code write "branch_value == \%"
+                        ..else:
+                            to %code write "utils.equivalent(branch_value, \%)"
+                    to %code write "then\n"
+                    to %code write (%action as lua statements)
 
             %fallthroughs <- []
             %is_first <- (no)
         
         assume (%fallthroughs = []) or barf "Unfinished fallthrough conditions in 'when' block"
-        assume (%code is not "") or barf "No body for 'when % = ?' block!"
-        unless %seen_else
-            %code <-write "\nend"
-        %code <- ".."
-            do --when % = ?
-            local branch_value = \(%branch_value as lua expr);\
-            ..\%code
-            end --when % = ?
-        lua> "utils.deduplicate(\%locals);"
-        return {statements:%code, locals:%locals}
+        assume ((length of %code) > 0) or barf "No body for 'when % = ?' block!"
+        to %code write "\nend"
+        %code <-
+            Lua ".."
+                do --when % = ?
+                    local branch_value = \(%branch_value as lua expr);
+                    \%code
+                end --when % = ?
+        return %code
 
 # Try/except
 immediately:
@@ -363,33 +360,22 @@ immediately:
         try %action and if it succeeds %success or if it barfs %fallback
         try %action and if it barfs %fallback or if it succeeds %success
     ..to:
-        %locals <- []
-        %action_lua <- (%action as lua)
-        %success_lua <- (%success as lua)
-        %fallback_lua <- (%fallback as lua)
-        %fallback <- (%fallback as lua)
-        for %block in [%action_lua, %success_lua, %fallback_lua]:
-            for %local in (%block.locals or []):
-                lua> "table.insert(\%locals, \%local);"
-        lua> "utils.deduplicate(\%locals);"
-        return {..}
-            locals: %locals
-            statements: ".."
-                do
-                    local fell_through = false;
-                    local ok, ret = pcall(function()
-                        \(%action_lua.statements or "\(%action_lua.expr);")
-                        fell_through = true;
-                    end);
-                    if ok then
-                        \(%success_lua.statements or "\(%success_lua.expr);")
-                    end
-                    if not ok then
-                        \(%fallback_lua.statements or "\(%fallback_lua.expr);")
-                    elseif not fell_through then
-                        return ret;
-                    end
+        Lua ".."
+            do
+                local fell_through = false;
+                local ok, ret = pcall(function()
+                    \(%action as lua statements)
+                    fell_through = true;
+                end);
+                if ok then
+                    \(%success as lua statements)
                 end
+                if not ok then
+                    \(%fallback as lua statements)
+                elseif not fell_through then
+                    return ret;
+                end
+            end
     parse [try %action] as:
         try %action and if it succeeds: do nothing
         ..or if it barfs: do nothing
@@ -402,38 +388,26 @@ immediately:
 # Do/finally:
 immediately:
     compile [do %action] to:
-        %action <- (%action as lua)
-        return {..}
-            locals: %action.locals
-            statements: ".."
-                do
-                    \(%action.statements or "\(%action.expr);")
-                end
+        Lua ".."
+            do
+            \(%action as lua statements)
+            end
 
     compile [do %action then always %final_action] to:
-        %action <- (%action as lua)
-        %final_action <- (%final_action as lua)
-        %locals <- []
-        for %sub_locals in [%action.locals, %final_action.locals]:
-            for %local in %sub_locals:
-                lua> "table.insert(\%locals, \%local);"
-        lua> "utils.deduplicate(\%locals);"
-        return {..}
-            locals: %locals
-            statements: ".."
-                do
-                    local fell_through = false;
-                    local ok, ret1 = pcall(function()
-                        \(%action.statements or "\(%action.expr);")
-                        fell_through = true;
-                    end);
-                    local ok2, ret2 = pcall(function()
-                        \(%final_action.statements or "\(%final_action.expr);")
-                    end);
-                    if not ok then error(ret1); end
-                    if not ok2 then error(ret2); end
-                    if not fell_through then
-                        return ret1;
-                    end
+        Lua ".."
+            do
+                local fell_through = false;
+                local ok, ret1 = pcall(function()
+                    \(%action as lua statements)
+                    fell_through = true;
+                end);
+                local ok2, ret2 = pcall(function()
+                    \(%final_action as lua statements)
+                end);
+                if not ok then error(ret1); end
+                if not ok2 then error(ret2); end
+                if not fell_through then
+                    return ret1;
                 end
+            end
 
diff --git a/core/math.nom b/core/math.nom
index 31be658..0df8f16 100644
--- a/core/math.nom
+++ b/core/math.nom
@@ -7,77 +7,77 @@ use "core/operators.nom"
 use "core/control_flow.nom"
 
 # Literals:
-compile [infinity, inf] to {expr:"math.huge"}
-compile [not a number, NaN, nan] to {expr:"(0/0)"}
-compile [pi, Pi, PI] to {expr:"math.pi"}
-compile [tau, Tau, TAU] to {expr:"(2*math.pi)"}
-compile [golden ratio] to {expr:"((1+math.sqrt(5))/2)"}
-compile [e] to {expr:"math.exp(1)"}
+compile [infinity, inf] to: Lua value "math.huge"
+compile [not a number, NaN, nan] to: Lua value "(0/0)"
+compile [pi, Pi, PI] to: Lua value "math.pi"
+compile [tau, Tau, TAU] to: Lua value "(2*math.pi)"
+compile [golden ratio] to: Lua value "((1+math.sqrt(5))/2)"
+compile [e] to: Lua value "math.exp(1)"
 
 # Functions:
-compile [% as a number] to {expr:"tonumber(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [absolute value %, | % |, abs %] to {expr:"math.abs(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [square root %, square root of %, √%, sqrt %] to {expr:"math.sqrt(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [sine %, sin %] to {expr:"math.sin(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [cosine %, cos %] to {expr:"math.cos(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [tangent %, tan %] to {expr:"math.tan(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [arc sine %, asin %] to {expr:"math.asin(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [arc cosine %, acos %] to {expr:"math.acos(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [arc tangent %, atan %] to {expr:"math.atan(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [arc tangent %y/%x, atan2 %y %x] to {expr:"math.atan2(\(%y as lua expr), \(%x as lua expr))"}
-compile [hyperbolic sine %, sinh %] to {expr:"math.sinh(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [hyperbolic cosine %, cosh %] to {expr:"math.cosh(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [hyperbolic tangent %, tanh %] to {expr:"math.tanh(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [e^%, exp %] to {expr:"math.exp(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [natural log %, ln %, log %] to {expr:"math.log(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [log % base %base, log_%base %, log base %base %] to {expr:"math.log(\(% as lua expr), \(%base as lua expr))"}
-compile [floor %] to {expr:"math.floor(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [ceiling %, ceil %] to {expr:"math.ceil(\(% as lua expr))"}
-compile [round %, % rounded] to {expr:"math.floor(\(% as lua expr) + .5)"}
+compile [% as a number] to: Lua value "tonumber(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [absolute value %, | % |, abs %] to: Lua value "math.abs(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [square root %, square root of %, √%, sqrt %] to: Lua value "math.sqrt(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [sine %, sin %] to: Lua value "math.sin(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [cosine %, cos %] to: Lua value "math.cos(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [tangent %, tan %] to: Lua value "math.tan(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [arc sine %, asin %] to: Lua value "math.asin(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [arc cosine %, acos %] to: Lua value "math.acos(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [arc tangent %, atan %] to: Lua value "math.atan(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [arc tangent %y/%x, atan2 %y %x] to: Lua value "math.atan2(\(%y as lua expr), \(%x as lua expr))"
+compile [hyperbolic sine %, sinh %] to: Lua value "math.sinh(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [hyperbolic cosine %, cosh %] to: Lua value "math.cosh(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [hyperbolic tangent %, tanh %] to: Lua value "math.tanh(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [e^%, exp %] to: Lua value "math.exp(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [natural log %, ln %, log %] to: Lua value "math.log(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [log % base %base, log_%base %, log base %base %] to: Lua value "math.log(\(% as lua expr), \(%base as lua expr))"
+compile [floor %] to: Lua value "math.floor(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [ceiling %, ceil %] to: Lua value "math.ceil(\(% as lua expr))"
+compile [round %, % rounded] to: Lua value "math.floor(\(% as lua expr) + .5)"
 action [%n to the nearest %rounder]:
     =lua "(\%rounder)*math.floor((\%n / \%rounder) + .5)"
 
 # Any/all/none
 compile [all of %items, all %items] to:
     unless: (%items' "type") is "List"
-        return {expr:"utils.all(\(%items as lua expr))"}
+        return: Lua value "utils.all(\(%items as lua expr))"
     %clauses <- []
     for all (%items' "value"): lua> "table.insert(\%clauses, \(% as lua expr));"
-    return {expr:"(\(%clauses joined with " and "))"}
+    return: Lua value "(\(%clauses joined with " and "))"
 parse [not all of %items, not all %items] as: not (all of %items)
 compile [any of %items, any %items] to:
     unless: (%items' "type") is "List"
-        return {expr:"utils.any(\(%items as lua expr))"}
+        return: Lua value "utils.any(\(%items as lua expr))"
     %clauses <- []
     for all (%items' "value"): lua> "table.insert(\%clauses, \(% as lua expr));"
-    return {expr:"(\(%clauses joined with " or "))"}
+    return: Lua value "(\(%clauses joined with " or "))"
 parse [none of %items, none %items] as: not (any of %items)
 compile [sum of %items, sum %items] to:
     unless: (%items' "type") is "List"
-        return {expr:"utils.sum(\(%items as lua expr))"}
+        return: Lua value "utils.sum(\(%items as lua expr))"
     %clauses <- []
     for all (%items' "value"): lua> "table.insert(\%clauses, \(% as lua expr));"
-    return {expr:"(\(%clauses joined with " + "))"}
+    return: Lua value "(\(%clauses joined with " + "))"
 compile [product of %items, product %items] to:
     unless: (%items' "type") is "List"
-        return {expr:"utils.product(\(%items as lua expr))"}
+        return: Lua value "utils.product(\(%items as lua expr))"
     %clauses <- []
     for all (%items' "value"): lua> "table.insert(\%clauses, \(% as lua expr));"
-    return {expr:"(\(%clauses joined with " * "))"}
+    return: Lua value "(\(%clauses joined with " * "))"
 action [avg of %items, average of %items]:
     =lua "(utils.sum(\%items)/#\%items)"
-compile [min of %items, smallest of %items, lowest of %items] to {..}
-    expr:"utils.min(\(%items as lua expr))"
-compile [max of %items, biggest of %items, largest of %items, highest of %items] to {..}
-    expr:"utils.max(\(%items as lua expr))"
-compile [min of %items by %value_expr] to {..}
-    expr: ".."
-        utils.min(\(%items as lua expr), function(\(\% as lua expr))
+compile [min of %items, smallest of %items, lowest of %items] to
+    Lua value "utils.min(\(%items as lua expr))"
+compile [max of %items, biggest of %items, largest of %items, highest of %items] to
+    Lua value "utils.max(\(%items as lua expr))"
+compile [min of %items by %value_expr] to
+    Lua value ".."
+        utils.min(\(%items as lua expr), function(_)
             return \(%value_expr as lua expr)
         end)
-compile [max of %items by %value_expr] to {..}
-    expr: ".."
-        utils.max(\(%items as lua expr), function(\(\% as lua expr))
+compile [max of %items by %value_expr] to
+    Lua value ".."
+        utils.max(\(%items as lua expr), function(_)
             return \(%value_expr as lua expr)
         end)
 
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ action [seed random with %]:
         math.randomseed(\%);
         for i=1,20 do math.random(); end
 parse [seed random] as: seed random with (=lua "os.time()")
-compile [random number, random, rand] to {expr:"math.random()"}
-compile [random int %n, random integer %n, randint %n] to {expr:"math.random(\(%n as lua expr))"}
+compile [random number, random, rand] to: Lua value "math.random()"
+compile [random int %n, random integer %n, randint %n] to: Lua value "math.random(\(%n as lua expr))"
 compile [random from %low to %high, random number from %low to %high, rand %low %high] to
     "math.random(\(%low as lua expr), \(%high as lua expr))"
 action [random choice from %elements, random choice %elements, random %elements]:
diff --git a/core/metaprogramming.nom b/core/metaprogramming.nom
index 7ea437e..a446f42 100644
--- a/core/metaprogramming.nom
+++ b/core/metaprogramming.nom
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ immediately:
             end
             local body_lua = \%lua:as_lua(nomsu);
             body_lua:convert_to_statements("return ");
-            body_lua:declare_locals(args);
+            body_lua:remove_free_vars(args);
+            body_lua:declare_locals();
             lua:append(")\\n    ", body_lua, "\\nend);");
             return lua;
         end);
@@ -50,7 +51,8 @@ immediately:
             end
             local body_lua = \%body:as_lua(nomsu);
             body_lua:convert_to_statements("return ");
-            body_lua:declare_locals(args);
+            body_lua:remove_free_vars(args);
+            body_lua:declare_locals();
             lua:append(")\\n    ", body_lua, "\\nend);")
             return lua;
 
@@ -72,14 +74,7 @@ immediately:
                 lua:append(", ");
                 lua:append(arg);
             end
-            local template;
-            if \%longhand.type == "Block" then
-                local lines = {};
-                for i, line in ipairs(\%longhand.value) do lines[i] = tostring(line.source:get_text()); end
-                template = repr(table.concat(lines, "\\n"));
-            else
-                template = repr(tostring(\%longhand.source:get_text()));
-            end
+            local template = repr(tostring(\%longhand:as_nomsu()));
             local replacements = {};
             for i, a in ipairs(args) do replacements[i] = a.."="..a; end
             replacements = "{"..table.concat(replacements, ", ").."}";
@@ -117,22 +112,34 @@ immediately:
         lua> ".."
             local lua = \%tree:as_lua(nomsu);
             lua:convert_to_statements();
-            --lua:declare_locals();
             return lua;
+    
+    compile [declare locals in %tree] to
+        Lua "\(%tree as lua expr):declare_locals();"
+    
+    compile [declare locals %locals in %tree] to
+        Lua "\(%tree as lua expr):declare_locals(\(%locals as lua expr));"
+    
+    compile [remove free vars %vars from %tree] to:
+        Lua "\(%tree as lua expr):remove_free_vars(unpack(\(%vars as lua expr)));"
 
     action [%tree as value]:
         =lua "nomsu:tree_to_value(\%tree)"
+
     
     action [%tree's stub]:
         =lua "nomsu:tree_to_stub(\%tree)"
     
 immediately:
     parse [%var <-write %code] as: lua> "\%var:append(\%code);"
+    parse [to %var write %code] as: lua> "\%var:append(\%code);"
 
 immediately:
-    compile [%tree's source code, %tree' source code] to: Lua value "\(%tree as lua expr).source:get_text()"
+    action [%tree's source code, %tree' source code]:
+        =lua "\%tree.source:get_text()"
 
     compile [repr %obj] to: Lua value "repr(\(%obj as lua expr))"
+    compile [%obj as text] to: Lua value "tostring(\(%obj as lua expr))"
     compile [type of %obj] to: Lua value "type(\(%obj as lua expr))"
 
 immediately:
@@ -190,10 +197,10 @@ immediately:
 
 # Error functions
 immediately:
-    compile [barf] to: Lua value "error(nil, 0);"
-    compile [barf %msg] to: Lua value "error(\(%msg as lua expr), 0);"
+    compile [barf] to: Lua "error(nil, 0);"
+    compile [barf %msg] to: Lua "error(\(%msg as lua expr), 0);"
     compile [assume %condition] to:
-        lua> "local \%assumption = 'Assumption failed: '..\%condition.source:get_text();"
+        lua> "local \%assumption = 'Assumption failed: '..tostring(\%condition.source:get_text());"
         return:
             Lua ".."
                 if not \(%condition as lua expr) then
diff --git a/core/operators.nom b/core/operators.nom
index 63819da..1ea1df2 100644
--- a/core/operators.nom
+++ b/core/operators.nom
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ immediately:
         lua> ".."
             local lua = Lua(tree.source, \%var_lua, ' = ', \%value_lua, ';');
             if \%var.type == 'Var' then
-                print("Added var from assignment: "..tostring(\%var:as_lua(nomsu)));
                 lua:add_free_vars(\%var);
             end
             return lua;
@@ -93,15 +92,43 @@ immediately:
         return: Lua "\(%var_lua) = \(%value_lua);"
 
     compile [exporting %exported %body] to:
-        %body_lua <- (%body as lua)
-        lua> "\%body_lua:declare_locals(\%exported);"
+        %body_lua <- (%body as lua statements)
+        lua> "\%body_lua:remove_free_vars(unpack(\(%exported.value)));"
         return %body_lua
 
-    parse [with %assignments %body] as:
-        # TODO: clean up and handle: with {%x:1}: %y <- 2
-        lua> "do"
-        <- %assignments
-        lua> "end"
+    compile [with %assignments %body] to:
+        %lua <- (%body as lua statements)
+        lua> ".."
+            local lhs, rhs = Lua(tree.source), Lua(\%assignments.source);
+            local vars = {};
+            for i, item in ipairs(\%assignments.value) do
+                local target, value = item.key, item.value;
+                if not target.type == "Var" then
+                    error("Invalid target for 'with' assignment: "..tostring(target.source:get_text()));
+                end
+                local target_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(target);
+                local value_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(value);
+                if not value_lua.is_value then
+                    error("Invalid value for assignment: "..tostring(value.source:get_text()));
+                end
+                if target.type == "Var" then
+                    lhs:add_free_vars(target);
+                end
+                if i > 1 then
+                    lhs:append(", ");
+                    rhs:append(", ");
+                end
+                lhs:append(target_lua);
+                rhs:append(value_lua);
+                vars[i] = tostring(target_lua);
+            end
+            \%lua:remove_free_vars(vars);
+            \%lua:prepend("local ", lhs, " = ", rhs, ";\\n");
+        return
+            Lua ".."
+                do
+                    \%lua
+                end -- 'with' block
 
 immediately:
     # Math Operators
@@ -141,6 +168,7 @@ immediately:
     # Unary operators
     compile [- %] to: Lua value "(- \(% as lua expr))"
     compile [not %] to: Lua value "(not \(% as lua expr))"
+    compile [length of %list] to: Lua value "(#\(%list as lua expr))"
 
 # Update operators
 immediately:
diff --git a/core/text.nom b/core/text.nom
index 8213988..d877de7 100644
--- a/core/text.nom
+++ b/core/text.nom
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ action [%texts joined with %glue]:
         return table.concat(text_bits, \%glue)
 parse [joined %texts, %texts joined] as: %texts joined with ""
 
-compile [capitalized %text, %text capitalized] to {..}
-    expr:"((\(%text as lua expr)):gsub('%l', string.upper, 1))"
+compile [capitalized %text, %text capitalized] to
+    Lua value "((\(%text as lua expr)):gsub('%l', string.upper, 1))"
 
-compile [%text with %sub instead of %patt, %text s/%patt/%sub] to {..}
-    expr:"((\(%text as lua expr)):gsub(\(%patt as lua expr), \(%sub as lua expr)))"
+compile [%text with %sub instead of %patt, %text s/%patt/%sub] to
+    Lua value "((\(%text as lua expr)):gsub(\(%patt as lua expr), \(%sub as lua expr)))"
 
 # TODO: figure out whether indent/dedent should affect first line
-compile [indented %text, %text indented] to {expr:"((\%text):gsub('\\n','\\n'..('    ')))"}
-compile [dedented %obj, %obj dedented] to {expr:"nomsu:dedent(\(%obj as lua expr))"}
-compile [%text indented %n times] to {expr:"((\%text):gsub('\\n','\\n'..('    '):rep(\%n)))"}
+compile [indented %text, %text indented] to: Lua value "((\%text):gsub('\\n','\\n'..('    ')))"
+compile [dedented %obj, %obj dedented] to: Lua value "nomsu:dedent(\(%obj as lua expr))"
+compile [%text indented %n times] to: Lua value "((\%text):gsub('\\n','\\n'..('    '):rep(\%n)))"
 
 # Text literals
 lua> ".."
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ lua> ".."
         };
         for name, e in pairs(escapes) do
             local lua = "'"..e.."'";
-            nomsu:define_compile_action(name, \(!! code location !!), function() return {expr=lua}; end);
+            nomsu:define_compile_action(name, \(!! code location !!), function(tree) return Lua.Value(tree.source, lua); end);
         end
         local colors = {
             ["reset color"]="\\\\27[0m", bright="\\\\27[1m", dim="\\\\27[2m", underscore="\\\\27[4m",
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ lua> ".."
         for name, c in pairs(colors) do
             local color = "'"..c.."'";
             local reset = "'"..colors["reset color"].."'";
-            nomsu:define_compile_action(name, \(!! code location !!), function() return {expr=color}; end);
+            nomsu:define_compile_action(name, \(!! code location !!), function(tree) return Lua.Value(tree.source, color); end);
             nomsu:define_compile_action(name.." %", \(!! code location !!), function(\%)
-                return {expr=color..".."..nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%).expr..".."..reset};
+                return Lua.Value(tree.source, color, "..", nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%), "..", reset);
             end);
         end
     end
diff --git a/lib/object2.nom b/lib/object2.nom
index e7770bc..762ab4d 100644
--- a/lib/object2.nom
+++ b/lib/object2.nom
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use "core"
 
-compile [@] to {expr:"self"}
+compile [@] to: Lua value "self"
 
 compile [@%var] to:
     lua> ".."
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ compile [@%var] to:
         local key_attr = (key_lua:match("'([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9]*)'")
                        or key_lua:match('"([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9]*)"'));
         if key_attr then
-            return {expr="self."..key_attr};
+            return Lua.value(tree.source, "self."..key_attr);
         elseif key_lua:sub(1,1) == "[" then
-            key_lua = " "..key_lua.." ";
+            key_lua = " "..key_lua;
         end
-        return {expr="self["..key_lua.."]"};
+        return Lua.Value(tree.source, "self["..key_lua.."]");
 
 compile [@%var <- %val] to:
     lua> ".."
@@ -21,16 +21,17 @@ compile [@%var <- %val] to:
         local key_attr = (key_lua:match("'([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9]*)'")
                        or key_lua:match('"([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9]*)"'));
         if key_attr then
-            return {statements="self."..key_attr.." = "..val_lua..";"};
+            return Lua(tree.source, "self.", key_attr, " = ", val_lua, ";");
         elseif key_lua:sub(1,1) == "[" then
             key_lua = " "..key_lua.." ";
         end
-        return {statements="self["..key_lua.."] = "..val_lua..";"};
+        return Lua(tree.source, "self[", key_lua, "] = ", val_lua, ";");
 
 compile [as %instance %body] to:
     %body_lua <- (%body as lua)
-    return {..}
-        statements: ".."
+    lua> "\%body_lua:convert_to_statements();"
+    return
+        Lua ".."
             do
             local self = \(%instance as lua expr);
             local global_actions = ACTIONS;
@@ -39,9 +40,8 @@ compile [as %instance %body] to:
                 if method then return (function(...) return method(self, ...); end); end
                 return global_actions[key];
             end});
-            \((%body_lua's "statements") or "\(%body_lua's "expr");")
+            \%body_lua
             end
-        locals: %body_lua's "locals"
 
 compile [define object %classname %class_body] to:
     %class_identifier <- (=lua "nomsu:var_to_lua_identifier(\(%classname as value)):sub(2,-1)")
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ compile [define object %classname %class_body] to:
         if: ((%line's "type") is "FunctionCall") and ((%line's stub) is "slots %")
             %slot_index_clauses <- []
             %slot_newindex_clauses <- []
-            %slots <- ("value" in (2nd in (%line's "value")))
+            %slots <- %line.value.2.value
             for %slot_index = %slot_var in %slots:
                 to %slot_index_clauses add ".."
                     if key == \(repr (%slot_var's "value")) or key == \(repr (%slot_var as lua expr)) then
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@ compile [define object %classname %class_body] to:
                     error("Attempt to store data in "..repr(key)..", which is not a valid slot on "..tostring(self.class));
                 end
             do next %line
-        assume (((%line's "type") is "FunctionCall") and ((%line's stub) is "action % %"))
+        assume ((%line.type is "FunctionCall") and ((%line's stub) is "action % %"))
         ..or barf "Only action definitions are supported inside 'define object % %', not \(%line's "src")"
-        %actions <- (2nd in (%line's "value"))
-        %body <- (3rd in (%line's "value"))
+        %actions <- %line.value.2
+        %body <- %line.value.3
         lua> ".."
             local stubs = {};
             for i, action in ipairs(\%actions.value) do
@@ -94,23 +94,14 @@ compile [define object %classname %class_body] to:
             local arg_set = {};
             for i, arg in ipairs(args) do arg_set[arg] = true; end
             local body_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%body);
-            local body_code = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
-            local undeclared_locals = {};
-            for i, body_local in ipairs(body_lua.locals or {}) do
-                if not arg_set[body_local] then
-                    table.insert(undeclared_locals, body_local);
-                end
-            end
-            if #undeclared_locals > 0 then
-                body_code = "local "..table.concat(undeclared_locals, ", ")..";\\n"..body_code;
-            end
+            body_lua:convert_to_statements();
+            body_lua:declare_locals();
             local lua_fn_args = table.concat({"self", unpack(args)}, ", ");
             local def_tree = nomsu.compilestack[#nomsu.compilestack];
-            local code_location = ("%s:%s,%s"):format(def_tree.filename, def_tree.start, def_tree.stop);
 
             local compiled_args = {};
             for i, arg in ipairs(args) do
-                compiled_args[i] = "nomsu:tree_to_lua("..arg..").expr";
+                compiled_args[i] = "nomsu:tree_to_lua("..arg..")";
             end
             compiled_args = table.concat(compiled_args, "..', '..");
             table.insert(\%methods, ([==[
@@ -119,10 +110,10 @@ compile [define object %classname %class_body] to:
                 end
             ]==]):format(
                 \%class_identifier, repr(stubs[1]), lua_fn_args,
-                    body_code));
+                    body_lua));
 
-    return {..}
-        statements:".."
+    return
+        Lua ".."
             do -- \%class_identifier
                 -- Create the class object:
                 local \%class_identifier = setmetatable({
diff --git a/lua_obj.lua b/lua_obj.lua
index 68c1cc7..c4bbb32 100644
--- a/lua_obj.lua
+++ b/lua_obj.lua
@@ -49,19 +49,13 @@ Source = immutable({
     return Source(self.filename, self.start + offset, self.stop)
   end,
   sub = function(self, start, stop)
+    start = start or 1
+    assert(start > 0 and (stop == nil or stop > 0), "Negative subscripts not supported")
     if not self.stop then
       assert(not stop, "cannot subscript non-range with range")
-      assert(start > 0, "cannot subscript non-range with negative index")
-      return Source(self.filename, self.start + (start or 0))
+      return Source(self.filename, self.start + start - 1)
     else
-      start = start or 1
-      if start < 0 then
-        start = self.stop + start + 1
-      end
-      stop = stop or -1
-      if stop < 0 then
-        stop = self.stop + stop + 1
-      end
+      stop = stop or self.stop
       return Source(self.filename, self.start + start - 1, self.start + stop - 1)
     end
   end,
@@ -126,7 +120,7 @@ do
     sub = function(self, start, stop)
       local str = tostring(self):sub(start, stop)
       local cls = self.__class
-      return cls(self.source:sub(start - self.source.start + 1, stop - self.source.start + 1), str)
+      return cls(self.source:sub(start, stop), str)
     end,
     append = function(self, ...)
       local n = select("#", ...)
@@ -206,6 +200,34 @@ do
         end
       end
     end,
+    remove_free_vars = function(self, ...)
+      local removals = { }
+      for i = 1, select("#", ...) do
+        local var = select(i, ...)
+        if type(var) == 'userdata' and var.type == "Var" then
+          var = tostring(var:as_lua())
+        elseif type(var) ~= 'string' then
+          var = tostring(var)
+        end
+        removals[var] = true
+      end
+      local remove_from
+      remove_from = function(self)
+        for i = #self.free_vars, 1, -1 do
+          if removals[self.free_vars[i]] then
+            remove(self.free_vars, i)
+          end
+        end
+        local _list_0 = self.bits
+        for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
+          local b = _list_0[_index_0]
+          if type(b) ~= 'string' then
+            remove_from(b)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      return remove_from(self)
+    end,
     convert_to_statements = function(self, prefix, suffix)
       if prefix == nil then
         prefix = ""
@@ -223,57 +245,37 @@ do
         return self:append(suffix)
       end
     end,
-    declare_locals = function(self, skip)
-      if skip == nil then
-        skip = { }
+    declare_locals = function(self, to_declare)
+      if to_declare == nil then
+        to_declare = nil
       end
-      if next(skip) == 1 then
-        do
-          local _tbl_0 = { }
-          for _index_0 = 1, #skip do
-            local s = skip[_index_0]
-            local _key_0, _val_0 = {
-              [s] = true
-            }
-            _tbl_0[_key_0] = _val_0
+      if to_declare == nil then
+        local seen
+        to_declare, seen = { }, { }
+        local gather_from
+        gather_from = function(self)
+          local _list_0 = self.free_vars
+          for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
+            local var = _list_0[_index_0]
+            if not (seen[var]) then
+              seen[var] = true
+              to_declare[#to_declare + 1] = var
+            end
           end
-          skip = _tbl_0
-        end
-      end
-      local to_declare = { }
-      local walk
-      walk = function(self)
-        local _list_0 = self.free_vars
-        for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
-          local var = _list_0[_index_0]
-          if not (skip[var]) then
-            skip[var] = true
-            to_declare[#to_declare + 1] = var
+          local _list_1 = self.bits
+          for _index_0 = 1, #_list_1 do
+            local bit = _list_1[_index_0]
+            if bit.__class == Lua then
+              gather_from(bit)
+            end
           end
         end
-        local _list_1 = self.bits
-        for _index_0 = 1, #_list_1 do
-          local bit = _list_1[_index_0]
-          if bit.__class == Lua then
-            walk(bit)
-          end
-        end
-        if #self.free_vars > 0 then
-          self.free_vars = { }
-        end
+        gather_from(self)
       end
-      walk(self)
+      self:remove_free_vars(to_declare)
       if #to_declare > 0 then
-        self:prepend("local " .. tostring(concat(to_declare, ", ")) .. ";\n")
+        return self:prepend("local " .. tostring(concat(to_declare, ", ")) .. ";\n")
       end
-      return [[        if #@free_vars > 0
-            @prepend "local #{concat @free_vars, ", "};\n"
-            for var in *@free_vars do skip[var] = true
-            @free_vars = {}
-        for bit in *@bits
-            if bit.__class == Lua
-                bit\declare_locals(skip)
-                    ]]
     end,
     __tostring = function(self)
       local buff = { }
diff --git a/lua_obj.moon b/lua_obj.moon
index 4a06414..46d5639 100644
--- a/lua_obj.moon
+++ b/lua_obj.moon
@@ -29,15 +29,13 @@ Source = immutable {"filename","start","stop"}, {
         else assert(type(offset) == 'number', "Cannot add Source and #{type(offset)}")
         return Source(@filename, @start+offset, @stop)
     sub: (start, stop)=>
+        start or= 1
+        assert(start > 0 and (stop == nil or stop > 0), "Negative subscripts not supported")
         if not @stop
             assert(not stop, "cannot subscript non-range with range")
-            assert(start > 0, "cannot subscript non-range with negative index")
-            return Source(@filename, @start + (start or 0))
+            return Source(@filename, @start + start - 1)
         else
-            start or= 1
-            if start < 0 then start = @stop + start + 1
-            stop or= -1
-            if stop < 0 then stop = @stop + stop + 1
+            stop or= @stop
             return Source(@filename, @start + start - 1, @start + stop - 1)
     get_text: =>
         FILE_CACHE[@filename]\sub(@start,@stop)
@@ -94,7 +92,7 @@ class Code
     sub: (start,stop)=>
         str = tostring(self)\sub(start,stop)
         cls = @__class
-        return cls(@source\sub(start-@source.start+1,stop-@source.start+1), str)
+        return cls(@source\sub(start,stop), str)
 
     append: (...)=>
         n = select("#",...)
@@ -132,6 +130,24 @@ class Lua extends Code
             unless seen[var]
                 @free_vars[#@free_vars+1] = var
                 seen[var] = true
+    
+    remove_free_vars: (...)=>
+        removals = {}
+        for i=1,select("#",...)
+            var = select(i, ...)
+            if type(var) == 'userdata' and var.type == "Var"
+                var = tostring(var\as_lua!)
+            elseif type(var) != 'string'
+                var = tostring(var)
+            removals[var] = true
+        remove_from = =>
+            for i=#@free_vars,1,-1
+                if removals[@free_vars[i]]
+                    remove @free_vars, i
+            for b in *@bits
+                if type(b) != 'string'
+                    remove_from b
+        remove_from self
 
     convert_to_statements: (prefix="", suffix=";")=>
         unless @is_value
@@ -141,32 +157,21 @@ class Lua extends Code
         if suffix != ""
             @append suffix
 
-    declare_locals: (skip={})=>
-        if next(skip) == 1
-            skip = {[s]:true for s in *skip}
-        to_declare = {}
-        walk = =>
-            for var in *@free_vars
-                unless skip[var]
-                    skip[var] = true
-                    to_declare[#to_declare+1] = var
-            for bit in *@bits
-                if bit.__class == Lua
-                    walk bit
-            if #@free_vars > 0
-                @free_vars = {}
-        walk self
+    declare_locals: (to_declare=nil)=>
+        if to_declare == nil
+            to_declare, seen = {}, {}
+            gather_from = =>
+                for var in *@free_vars
+                    unless seen[var]
+                        seen[var] = true
+                        to_declare[#to_declare+1] = var
+                for bit in *@bits
+                    if bit.__class == Lua
+                        gather_from bit
+            gather_from self
+        @remove_free_vars to_declare
         if #to_declare > 0
             @prepend "local #{concat to_declare, ", "};\n"
-        [[
-        if #@free_vars > 0
-            @prepend "local #{concat @free_vars, ", "};\n"
-            for var in *@free_vars do skip[var] = true
-            @free_vars = {}
-        for bit in *@bits
-            if bit.__class == Lua
-                bit\declare_locals(skip)
-                    ]]
 
     __tostring: =>
         buff = {}
diff --git a/nomsu.lua b/nomsu.lua
index 9b273d1..b76a929 100644
--- a/nomsu.lua
+++ b/nomsu.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ local colors = setmetatable({ }, {
     return ""
   end
 })
-local colored = setmetatable({ }, {
+colored = setmetatable({ }, {
   __index = function(_, color)
     return (function(msg)
       return colors[color] .. tostring(msg or '') .. colors.reset
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ do
     local line_no = 1
     local text_loc = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source:sub(pos, pos)
     line_no = text_loc:get_line_number()
+    src = FILE_CACHE[text_loc.filename]
     local prev_line = src:sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no - 1] or 1, LINE_STARTS[src][line_no] - 1)
     local err_line = src:sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no], (LINE_STARTS[src][line_no + 1] or 0) - 1)
     local next_line = src:sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no + 1] or -1, (LINE_STARTS[src][line_no + 2] or 0) - 1)
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@ setmetatable(NOMSU_DEFS, {
       if type(value) == 'table' then
         error("Not a tuple: " .. tostring(repr(value)))
       end
-      local source = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source:sub(start, stop)
+      local source = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source:sub(start, stop - 1)
       local node = Types[key](value, source)
       return node
     end
diff --git a/nomsu.moon b/nomsu.moon
index 9471e31..680621f 100755
--- a/nomsu.moon
+++ b/nomsu.moon
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export Tuple
 Tuple = immutable(nil, {name:"Tuple"})
 {:repr, :stringify, :min, :max, :equivalent, :set, :is_list, :sum} = utils
 colors = setmetatable({}, {__index:->""})
+export colored
 colored = setmetatable({}, {__index:(_,color)-> ((msg)-> colors[color]..tostring(msg or '')..colors.reset)})
 {:insert, :remove, :concat} = table
 debug_getinfo = debug.getinfo
@@ -154,11 +155,13 @@ NOMSU_DEFS = with {}
             return start + #nodent
 
     .error = (src,pos,err_msg)->
+        --src = tostring(FILE_CACHE[lpeg.userdata.source_code.source.filename])
         if src\sub(pos,pos)\match("[\r\n]")
             pos += #src\match("[ \t\n\r]*", pos)
         line_no = 1
         text_loc = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source\sub(pos,pos)
         line_no = text_loc\get_line_number!
+        src = FILE_CACHE[text_loc.filename]
         prev_line = src\sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no-1] or 1, LINE_STARTS[src][line_no]-1)
         err_line = src\sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no], (LINE_STARTS[src][line_no+1] or 0)-1)
         next_line = src\sub(LINE_STARTS[src][line_no+1] or -1, (LINE_STARTS[src][line_no+2] or 0)-1)
@@ -170,7 +173,7 @@ NOMSU_DEFS = with {}
 setmetatable(NOMSU_DEFS, {__index:(key)=>
     make_node = (start, value, stop)->
         if type(value) == 'table' then error("Not a tuple: #{repr value}")-- = Tuple(value)
-        source = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source\sub(start,stop)
+        source = lpeg.userdata.source_code.source\sub(start,stop-1)
         node = Types[key](value, source)
         return node
     self[key] = make_node
diff --git a/nomsu_tree.moon b/nomsu_tree.moon
index 23ad830..1c41906 100644
--- a/nomsu_tree.moon
+++ b/nomsu_tree.moon
@@ -27,6 +27,15 @@ Tree = (name, methods)->
         .with_value = (value)=> getmetatable(self)(value, @source)
         .type = name
         .name = name
+        .as_nomsu = =>
+            leading_space = 0
+            src_file = FILE_CACHE[@source.filename]
+            while src_file\sub(@source.start-leading_space-1, @source.start-leading_space-1) == " "
+                leading_space += 1
+            if src_file\sub(@source.start-leading_space-1, @source.start-leading_space-1) != "\n"
+                leading_space = 0
+            ret = tostring(@source\get_text!)\gsub("\n"..((" ")\rep(leading_space)), "\n")
+            return ret
 
     Types[name] = immutable {"value","source"}, methods
 
@@ -49,7 +58,7 @@ Tree "File",
 
 Tree "Nomsu",
     as_lua: (nomsu)=>
-        Lua.Value(@source, "nomsu:parse(Nomsu(",repr(@source),", ",repr(@source\get_text!),"))")
+        Lua.Value(@source, "nomsu:parse(Nomsu(",repr(@value.source),", ",repr(tostring(@value.source\get_text!)),")).value[1]")
 
 Tree "Block",
     as_lua: (nomsu)=>
diff --git a/tests/collections.nom b/tests/collections.nom
index 855baea..60b2d25 100644
--- a/tests/collections.nom
+++ b/tests/collections.nom
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ assume (99 isn't in [1,2,3])
 assume ({x:no} has key "x")
 assume ({x:no} doesn't have key "y")
 assume (not ({x:no} doesn't have key "x"))
-assume ((size of [1,2,3]) = 3)
+assume ((length of [1,2,3]) = 3)
 %list <- [1,2,3,4,5]
 append 6 to %list
 assume ((last in %list) = 6)
diff --git a/tests/metaprogramming.nom b/tests/metaprogramming.nom
index 360771e..c6aa719 100644
--- a/tests/metaprogramming.nom
+++ b/tests/metaprogramming.nom
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@
 use "core"
 
 immediately
-    compile [five] to {expr:"5"}
+    compile [five] to: Lua value "5"
 assume ((five) = 5) or barf "Compile to expression failed."
 
 immediately
-    compile [loc x] to {statements:"_x = 99", locals:["_x"]}
+    compile [loc x] to: Lua "local _x = 99;"
 lua> "do"
 loc x
 assume (%x is 99) or barf "Compile to statements with locals failed."
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ assume (%x is (nil)) or barf "Failed to properly localize a variable."
 immediately
     compile [asdf] to
         %tmp <- ""
-        return {statements:%tmp}
+        return: Lua %tmp
 asdf
 assume (%tmp is (nil)) or barf "compile to is leaking variables"
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ try: foo 99
 
 assume ((\(5 + 5) as value) = 10) or barf "%tree as value failed."
 
-assume ((\(foo %x)'s source code) = "foo %x") or barf "source code failed."
+assume (((\(foo %x)'s source code) as text) = "foo %x") or barf "source code failed."
 
 assume ((repr [1,2]) = "{1, 2}") or barf "repr failed."
 
diff --git a/tests/object.nom b/tests/object.nom
index 84524e5..ab87fc7 100644
--- a/tests/object.nom
+++ b/tests/object.nom
@@ -1,23 +1,24 @@
 use "core"
 use "lib/object2.nom"
 
-immediately:
-    define object "Dog":
-        action [bark]:
-            %barks <- ("Bark!" for all 1 to (@%barks))
-            return (%barks joined with " ")
-        action [get pissed off]:
-            (@%barks) +<- 1
+#..
+    immediately:
+        define object "Dog":
+            action [bark]:
+                %barks <- ("Bark!" for all 1 to (@%barks))
+                return (%barks joined with " ")
+            action [get pissed off]:
+                (@%barks) +<- 1
 
-%d <- (new Dog {barks:2})
-as %d:
-    assume ((@) = %d)
-    assume ((@%barks) = 2)
-    assume ((bark) = "Bark! Bark!")
-    get pissed off
-    assume ((@%barks) = 3)
-    assume ((bark) = "Bark! Bark! Bark!")
-assume ("\(%d's "class")" = "Dog")
-assume ((%d's "barks") = 3)
+    %d <- (new Dog {barks:2})
+    as %d:
+        assume ((@) = %d)
+        assume ((@%barks) = 2)
+        assume ((bark) = "Bark! Bark!")
+        get pissed off
+        assume ((@%barks) = 3)
+        assume ((bark) = "Bark! Bark! Bark!")
+    assume ("\(%d's "class")" = "Dog")
+    assume ((%d's "barks") = 3)
 
-say "Object test passed."
+    say "Object test passed."
diff --git a/tests/operators.nom b/tests/operators.nom
index 1a138cb..40c503f 100644
--- a/tests/operators.nom
+++ b/tests/operators.nom
@@ -17,23 +17,23 @@ assume ((%y = 10) and (%x = 20)) or barf "swapping vars failed."
 assume ({} is {}) or barf "Equality check failed."
 assume (({}'s id) is not ({}'s id)) or barf "Identity check failed."
 
-<-{%x:"outer",%y:"outer"}
+<-{%foozle:"outer",%y:"outer"}
 action [set global x local y]
-    export %x <- "inner"
+    export %foozle <- "inner"
     %y <- "inner"
 set global x local y
-assume ((%x = "inner") and (%y = "outer")) or barf "export failed."
+assume ((%foozle = "inner") and (%y = "outer")) or barf "export failed."
 
-<-{%x:"outer",%y:"outer"}
+<-{%foozle:"outer",%y:"outer"}
 action [set global x local y]
-    exporting [%x]
-        %x <- "inner"
+    exporting [%foozle]
+        %foozle <- "inner"
         %y <- "inner"
 set global x local y
-assume ((%x = "inner") and (%y = "outer")) or barf "export failed."
+assume ((%foozle = "inner") and (%y = "outer")) or barf "exporting failed."
 
 <-{%x:1,%y:2}
-with [%z, %x<-999]
+with {%z:nil, %x:999}
     %z <- 999
     assume (%z = 999) or barf "'with' failed."
     assume (%x = 999) or barf "'with' assignment failed."