beta 2010.12.01 15:28

70 files changed, 5015 insertions, 4167 deletions

diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
index 3be305bed..6b74022ae 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ local patterns_escapes = {
     ["."] = "%.",
     ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
     ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
  -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
  -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 
 local P, R, S, V, match = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.match
 local Ct, C, Cs, Cc, Cf, Cg = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cf, lpeg.Cg
+local lpegtype = lpeg.type
 
 local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
 local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
@@ -201,7 +202,6 @@ patterns.alwaysmatched = alwaysmatched
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
 local newline          = crlf + cr + lf
-local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
 local escaped          = P("\\") * anything
 local squote           = P("'")
 local dquote           = P('"')
@@ -222,6 +222,8 @@ local utftype          = utfbom_32_be / "utf-32-be" + utfbom_32_le  / "utf-32-le
                        + utfbom_16_be / "utf-16-be" + utfbom_16_le  / "utf-16-le"
                        + utfbom_8     / "utf-8"     + alwaysmatched / "unknown"
 
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
 patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
 patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
@@ -432,19 +434,25 @@ end
 -- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
 -- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
 
-function lpeg.replacer(t)
-    if #t > 0 then
-        local p
-        for i=1,#t do
-            local ti= t[i]
-            local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            if p then
-                p = p + pp
-            else
-                p = pp
+function lpeg.replacer(one,two)
+    if type(one) == "table" then
+        local no = #one
+        if no > 0 then
+            local p
+            for i=1,no do
+                local o = one[i]
+                local pp = P(o[1]) / o[2]
+                if p then
+                    p = p + pp
+                else
+                    p = pp
+                end
             end
+            return Cs((p + 1)^0)
         end
-        return Cs((p + 1)^0)
+    else
+        two = two or ""
+        return Cs((P(one)/two + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
@@ -646,6 +654,10 @@ function lpeg.oneof(list,...) -- lpeg.oneof("elseif","else","if","then")
     return p
 end
 
+function lpeg.is_lpeg(p)
+    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
+end
+
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -2558,6 +2570,9 @@ local separator = P("://")
 local qualified = P(".")^0 * P("/") + letter*P(":") + letter^1*separator + letter^1 * P("/")
 local rootbased = P("/") + letter*P(":")
 
+lpeg.patterns.qualified = qualified
+lpeg.patterns.rootbased = rootbased
+
 -- ./name ../name  /name c: :// name/name
 
 function file.is_qualified_path(filename)
@@ -2678,72 +2693,95 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-url'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte
+local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte, find = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte, string.find
 local concat = table.concat
 local tonumber, type = tonumber, type
-local lpegmatch, lpegP, lpegC, lpegR, lpegS, lpegCs, lpegCc = lpeg.match, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc
+local P, C, R, S, Cs, Cc, Ct = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Ct
+local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns, replacer = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns, lpeg.replacer
 
--- from the spec (on the web):
+-- from wikipedia:
 --
---     foo://example.com:8042/over/there?name=ferret#nose
---     \_/   \______________/\_________/ \_________/ \__/
---      |           |            |            |        |
---   scheme     authority       path        query   fragment
---      |   _____________________|__
---     / \ /                        \
---     urn:example:animal:ferret:nose
+--   foo://username:password@example.com:8042/over/there/index.dtb?type=animal;name=narwhal#nose
+--   \_/   \_______________/ \_________/ \__/            \___/ \_/ \______________________/ \__/
+--    |           |               |       |                |    |            |                |
+--    |       userinfo         hostname  port              |    |          query          fragment
+--    |    \________________________________/\_____________|____|/
+-- scheme                  |                          |    |    |
+--    |                authority                    path   |    |
+--    |                                                    |    |
+--    |            path                       interpretable as filename
+--    |   ___________|____________                              |
+--   / \ /                        \                             |
+--   urn:example:animal:ferret:nose               interpretable as extension
 
 url       = url or { }
 local url = url
 
-local function tochar(s)
-    return char(tonumber(s,16))
-end
+local tochar      = function(s) return char(tonumber(s,16)) end
 
-local colon, qmark, hash, slash, percent, endofstring = lpegP(":"), lpegP("?"), lpegP("#"), lpegP("/"), lpegP("%"), lpegP(-1)
+local colon       = P(":")
+local qmark       = P("?")
+local hash        = P("#")
+local slash       = P("/")
+local percent     = P("%")
+local endofstring = P(-1)
 
-local hexdigit  = lpegR("09","AF","af")
-local plus      = lpegP("+")
-local nothing   = lpegCc("")
-local escaped   = (plus / " ") + (percent * lpegC(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
+local hexdigit    = R("09","AF","af")
+local plus        = P("+")
+local nothing     = Cc("")
+local escaped     = (plus / " ") + (percent * C(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
 
 -- we assume schemes with more than 1 character (in order to avoid problems with windows disks)
 
-local scheme    =                 lpegCs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
-local authority = slash * slash * lpegCs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local path      = slash *         lpegCs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local query     = qmark         * lpegCs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
-local fragment  = hash          * lpegCs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
-
-local parser = lpeg.Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
+local scheme    =                 Cs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
+local authority = slash * slash * Cs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local path      = slash *         Cs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local query     = qmark         * Cs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
+local fragment  = hash          * Cs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlsplitter = parser
+local parser = Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
 
-local escapes = { }
+lpegpatterns.urlsplitter = parser
 
-for i=0,255 do
-    escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i)
-end
+local escapes = { } ; for i=0,255 do escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i) end
 
-local escaper = lpeg.Cs((lpegR("09","AZ","az") + lpegS("-./_") + lpegP(1) / escapes)^0)
+local escaper = Cs((R("09","AZ","az") + S("-./_") + P(1) / escapes)^0)
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlescaper = escaper
+lpegpatterns.urlescaper = escaper
 
 -- todo: reconsider Ct as we can as well have five return values (saves a table)
 -- so we can have two parsers, one with and one without
 
-function url.split(str)
+local function split(str)
     return (type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(parser,str)) or str
 end
 
+local function hasscheme(str)
+    local scheme = lpegmatch(scheme,str) -- at least one character
+    return scheme and scheme ~= ""
+end
+
 -- todo: cache them
 
-function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
-    local s = url.split(str)
+local rootletter       = R("az","AZ")
+                       + S("_-+")
+local separator        = P("://")
+local qualified        = P(".")^0 * P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+                       + rootletter^1 * separator
+                       + rootletter^1 * P("/")
+local rootbased        = P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+
+local barswapper       = replacer("|",":")
+local backslashswapper = replacer("\\","/")
+
+local function hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
+    local s = split(str)
     local somescheme = s[1] ~= ""
     local somequery  = s[4] ~= ""
     if not somescheme and not somequery then
-        return {
+        s = {
             scheme    = "file",
             authority = "",
             path      = str,
@@ -2751,52 +2789,73 @@ function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
             fragment  = "",
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = true,
+            filename  = str,
         }
-    else
-        return {
+    else -- not always a filename but handy anyway
+        local authority, path, filename = s[2], s[3]
+        if authority == "" then
+            filename = path
+        else
+            filename = authority .. "/" .. path
+        end
+        s = {
             scheme    = s[1],
-            authority = s[2],
-            path      = s[3],
+            authority = authority,
+            path      = path,
             query     = s[4],
             fragment  = s[5],
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = false,
+            filename  = filename,
         }
     end
+    return s
 end
 
+-- Here we assume:
+--
+-- files: ///  = relative
+-- files: //// = absolute (!)
+
 
-function url.hasscheme(str)
-    return url.split(str)[1] ~= ""
-end
 
-function url.addscheme(str,scheme)
-    return (url.hasscheme(str) and str) or ((scheme or "file:///") .. str)
+url.split     = split
+url.hasscheme = hasscheme
+url.hashed    = hashed
+
+function url.addscheme(str,scheme) -- no authority
+    if hasscheme(str) then
+        return str
+    elseif not scheme then
+        return "file:///" .. str
+    else
+        return scheme .. ":///" .. str
+    end
 end
 
 function url.construct(hash) -- dodo: we need to escape !
-    local fullurl = { }
+    local fullurl, f = { }, 0
     local scheme, authority, path, query, fragment = hash.scheme, hash.authority, hash.path, hash.query, hash.fragment
     if scheme and scheme ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = scheme .. "://"
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = scheme .. "://"
     end
     if authority and authority ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = authority
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = authority
     end
     if path and path ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "/" .. path
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "/" .. path
     end
     if query and query ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "?".. query
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "?".. query
     end
     if fragment and fragment ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "#".. fragment
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "#".. fragment
     end
     return lpegmatch(escaper,concat(fullurl))
 end
 
 function url.filename(filename)
-    local t = url.hashed(filename)
+    local t = hashed(filename)
     return (t.scheme == "file" and (gsub(t.path,"^/([a-zA-Z])([:|])/)","%1:"))) or filename
 end
 
@@ -2820,6 +2879,7 @@ end
 
 
 
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -2861,25 +2921,22 @@ end
 
 -- optimizing for no find (*) does not save time
 
+
 local function globpattern(path,patt,recurse,action)
-    local ok, scanner
     if path == "/" then
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path..".") end, function() end) -- kepler safe
-    else
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path)      end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+        path = path .. "."
+    elseif not find(path,"/$") then
+        path = path .. '/'
     end
-    if ok and type(scanner) == "function" then
-        if not find(path,"/$") then path = path .. '/' end
-        for name in scanner do
-            local full = path .. name
-            local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
-            if mode == 'file' then
-                if find(full,patt) then
-                    action(full)
-                end
-            elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
-                globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
+    for name in walkdir(path) do
+        local full = path .. name
+        local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
+        if mode == 'file' then
+            if find(full,patt) then
+                action(full)
             end
+        elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
+            globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -9363,10 +9420,10 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-exp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files",
 }
 
-local format, gsub, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.gsub, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
+local format, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
 local concat, sort = table.concat, table.sort
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
-local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
+local Ct, Cs, Cc, P, C, S = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
@@ -9381,7 +9438,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 -- As this bit of code is somewhat special it gets its own module. After
 -- all, when working on the main resolver code, I don't want to scroll
--- past this every time.
+-- past this every time. See data-obs.lua for the gsub variant.
 
 -- {a,b,c,d}
 -- a,b,c/{p,q,r},d
@@ -9396,95 +9453,70 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 -- {a,b,c/{p,q/{x,y,z},w}v,d/{p,q,r}}
 -- {$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local,.local,}/web2c}
 
--- this one is better and faster, but it took me a while to realize
--- that this kind of replacement is cleaner than messy parsing and
--- fuzzy concatenating we can probably gain a bit with selectively
--- applying lpeg, but experiments with lpeg parsing this proved not to
--- work that well; the parsing is ok, but dealing with the resulting
--- table is a pain because we need to work inside-out recursively
-
-local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
-
-local function do_first(a,b)
+local function f_first(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = a .. s
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = a .. s
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_second(a,b)
+local function f_second(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = s .. b
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s .. b
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_both(a,b)
+local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_three(a,b,c)
-    return a .. b.. c
-end
+local left  = P("{")
+local right = P("}")
+local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
+local set   = P((1 - S("{},"))^0)
+local other = P(1)
 
-local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper("{}@")
+local l_first  = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (C(set) * left * C(var) * right / f_first) * Cc("}")               + other )^0 )
+local l_second = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * C(set) / f_second) * Cc("}")              + other )^0 )
+local l_both   = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * left * C(var) * right / f_both) * Cc("}") + other )^0 )
+local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right                      + other )^0 )
 
-local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer {
-    { ",}", ",@}" },
-    { "{,", "{@," },
-}
+local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
+local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
-local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
-    -- no need for further optimization as it is only called a
-    -- few times, we can use lpeg for the sub
+local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
-    while true do
-        done = false
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"([^{},]+){([^{}]+)}",do_first)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}([^{},]+)",do_second)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}{([^{}]+)}",do_both)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        str, ok = gsub(str,"({[^{}]*){([^{}]+)}([^{}]*})",do_three)
-        if ok > 0 then done = true end
-        if not done then break end
-    end
+    repeat local old = str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_first, str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_second,str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_both,  str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_rest,  str) until old == str
+    until old == str -- or not find(str,"{")
     str = lpegmatch(stripper_1,str)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
             if s then
-                n = n + 1
-                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
             end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = s
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9495,50 +9527,23 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     return t
 end
 
+-- We could make the previous one public.
+
 local function validate(s)
-    local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapsepath(s)
-    if isrecursive then
-        s = s .. "//"
-    end
-    return s ~= "" and not find(s,dummy_path_expr) and s
+    s = collapsepath(s) -- already keeps the //
+    return s ~= "" and not find(s,"^!*unset/*$") and s
 end
 
 resolvers.validatedpath = validate -- keeps the trailing //
 
-function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a path
-    -- a previous version fed back into pathlist
-    local newlist, ok = { }, false
+function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist)
+    local newlist = { }
     for k=1,#pathlist do
-        if find(pathlist[k],"[{}]") then
-            ok = true
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    if ok then
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
-        end
-    else
-        local n = 0
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
-                p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    newlist[n] = p
-                end
-            end
-        end
+        splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
     end
     return newlist
 end
 
--- We also put some cleanup code here.
-
-
-
-
 local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
     { "!"  , ""  },
     { "\\" , "/" },
@@ -9576,14 +9581,13 @@ end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
 
+local expandhome = P("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
 
-local expandhome = lpegP("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
+local dodouble = P('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P('"')))^0 * P('"')/""
+local dosingle = P("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P("'")))^0 * P("'")/""
+local dostring =             (expandhome +  1              )^0
 
-local dodouble = lpegP('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP('"')))^0 * lpegP('"')/""
-local dosingle = lpegP("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP("'")))^0 * lpegP("'")/""
-local dostring =                 (expandhome +  1              )^0
-
-local stripper = lpegCs(
+local stripper = Cs(
     lpegpatterns.unspacer * (dosingle + dodouble + dostring) * lpegpatterns.unspacer
 )
 
@@ -9599,7 +9603,9 @@ end
 
 local cache = { }
 
-local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+local splitter = Ct(lpeg.splitat(S(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
 
 local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path or a { specification }
     if str then
@@ -9608,8 +9614,7 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
             if str == "" then
                 found = { }
             else
-                str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
-                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
+                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,lpegmatch(backslashswapper,str)) -- can be combined
                 found = { }
                 local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
@@ -9658,57 +9663,62 @@ end
 
 
 
-local weird = lpegP(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(lpegS("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
+local weird = P(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(S("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
 
-function resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",specification)
-    end
-    local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
-    local files = { __path__ = specification }
-    local n, m, r = 0, 0, 0
-    local function scan(spec,path)
-        local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
-        local dirs = { }
-        for name in directory(full) do
-            if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
-                local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
-                if mode == 'file' then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    local f = files[name]
-                    if f then
-                        if type(f) == 'string' then
-                            files[name] = { f, path }
-                        else
-                            f[#f+1] = path
-                        end
-                    else -- probably unique anyway
-                        files[name] = path
-                        local lower = lower(name)
-                        if name ~= lower then
-                            files["remap:"..lower] = name
-                            r = r + 1
-                        end
-                    end
-                elseif mode == 'directory' then
-                    m = m + 1
-                    if path ~= "" then
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = path..'/'..name
+local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
+
+local function scan(files,spec,path,n,m,r)
+    local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
+    local dirs, nofdirs = { }, 0
+    for name in directory(full) do
+        if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
+            local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
+            if mode == 'file' then
+                n = n + 1
+                local f = files[name]
+                if f then
+                    if type(f) == 'string' then
+                        files[name] = { f, path }
                     else
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = name
+                        f[#f+1] = path
+                    end
+                else -- probably unique anyway
+                    files[name] = path
+                    local lower = lower(name)
+                    if name ~= lower then
+                        files["remap:"..lower] = name
+                        r = r + 1
                     end
                 end
+            elseif mode == 'directory' then
+                m = m + 1
+                nofdirs = nofdirs + 1
+                if path ~= "" then
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = path..'/'..name
+                else
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = name
+                end
             end
         end
-        if #dirs > 0 then
-            sort(dirs)
-            for i=1,#dirs do
-                scan(spec,dirs[i])
-            end
+    end
+    if nofdirs > 0 then
+        sort(dirs)
+        for i=1,nofdirs do
+            files, n, m, r = scan(files,spec,dirs[i],n,m,r)
         end
     end
-    scan(specification .. '/',"")
-    files.__files__, files.__directories__, files.__remappings__ = n, m, r
+    return files, n, m, r
+end
+
+function resolvers.scanfiles(path)
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",path)
+    end
+    local files, n, m, r = scan({ },path .. '/',"",0,0,0)
+    files.__path__        = path
+    files.__files__       = n
+    files.__directories__ = m
+    files.__remappings__  = r
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
@@ -10399,9 +10409,15 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-met'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local find = string.find
+local find, format = string.find, string.format
+local sequenced = table.sequenced
+local addurlscheme, urlhashed = url.addscheme, url.hashed
+
+local trace_locating = false
+
+trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
+trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
-local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -10409,41 +10425,109 @@ local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.concatinators = allocate ()
-resolvers.locators      = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- locate databases
-resolvers.hashers       = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- load databases
-resolvers.generators    = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- generate databases
+local registered = { }
 
-function resolvers.splitmethod(filename) -- todo: trigger by suffix
+local function splitmethod(filename) -- todo: filetype in specification
     if not filename then
-        return { } -- safeguard
-    elseif type(filename) == "table" then
+        return { scheme = "unknown", original = filename }
+    end
+    if type(filename) == "table" then
         return filename -- already split
-    elseif not find(filename,"://") then
-        return { scheme="file", path = filename, original = filename } -- quick hack
+    end
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
+    if not find(filename,"://") then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
+    end
+    local specification = url.hashed(filename)
+    if not specification.scheme or specification.scheme == "" then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
     else
-        return url.hashed(filename)
+        return specification
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
-    local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
-    local scheme = specification.scheme
-    local resolver = resolvers[what]
-    if resolver[scheme] then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using special handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+resolvers.splitmethod = splitmethod -- bad name but ok
+
+-- the second argument is always analyzed (saves time later on) and the original
+-- gets passed as original but also as argument
+
+local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
+    local method = registered[what]
+    if method then
+        local how, namespace = method.how, method.namespace
+        if how == "uri" or how == "url" then
+            local specification = splitmethod(first)
+            local scheme = specification.scheme
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(specification,...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(specification,...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                end
+            end
+        elseif how == "tag" then
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                end
+            end
         end
-        return resolver[scheme](filename,filetype,specification) -- todo: query
     else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("no handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+    end
+end
+
+resolvers.methodhandler = methodhandler
+
+function resolvers.registermethod(name,namespace,how)
+    registered[name] = { how = how or "tag", namespace = namespace }
+    namespace["byscheme"] = function(scheme,filename,...)
+        if scheme == "file" then
+            return methodhandler(name,filename,...)
+        else
+            return methodhandler(name,addurlscheme(filename,scheme),...)
         end
-        return resolver.tex(filename,filetype) -- todo: specification
     end
 end
 
+local concatinators = allocate { notfound = file.join       }  -- concatinate paths
+local locators      = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- locate databases
+local hashers       = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- load databases
+local generators    = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- generate databases
+
+resolvers.concatinators = concatinators
+resolvers.locators      = locators
+resolvers.hashers       = hashers
+resolvers.generators    = generators
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+registermethod("concatinators",concatinators,"tag")
+registermethod("locators",     locators,     "uri")
+registermethod("hashers",      hashers,      "uri")
+registermethod("generators",   generators,   "uri")
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -10471,11 +10555,11 @@ local concat, insert, sortedkeys = table.concat, table.insert, table.sortedkeys
 local next, type = next, type
 local os = os
 
-local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct
+local P, S, R, C, Cc, Cs, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
+local collapsepath, joinpath = file.collapsepath, file.joinpath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10489,6 +10573,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local expandedpathfromlist   = resolvers.expandedpathfromlist
 local checkedvariable        = resolvers.checkedvariable
 local splitconfigurationpath = resolvers.splitconfigurationpath
+local methodhandler          = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 local initializesetter = utilities.setters.initialize
 
@@ -10502,12 +10587,12 @@ resolvers.luacnfspec   = '{$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local
 resolvers.luacnfname   = 'texmfcnf.lua'
 resolvers.luacnfstate  = "unknown"
 
-local unset_variable  = "unset"
+local unset_variable   = "unset"
 
-local formats      = resolvers.formats
-local suffixes     = resolvers.suffixes
-local dangerous    = resolvers.dangerous
-local suffixmap    = resolvers.suffixmap
+local formats   = resolvers.formats
+local suffixes  = resolvers.suffixes
+local dangerous = resolvers.dangerous
+local suffixmap = resolvers.suffixmap
 
 resolvers.defaultsuffixes = { "tex" } --  "mkiv", "cld" -- too tricky
 
@@ -10552,7 +10637,7 @@ function resolvers.newinstance()
 
 end
 
-function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance)
+function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance) -- only one instance is active
     instance = someinstance
     resolvers.instance = someinstance
     return someinstance
@@ -10574,7 +10659,7 @@ function resolvers.setenv(key,value)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.getenv(key)
+local function getenv(key)
     local value = instance.environment[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
         return value
@@ -10584,23 +10669,55 @@ function resolvers.getenv(key)
     end
 end
 
-resolvers.env = resolvers.getenv
+resolvers.getenv = getenv
+resolvers.env    = getenv
+
+local function resolve(key)
+    local value = instance.variables[key] or ""
+    return (value ~= "" and value) or getenv(key) or ""
+end
+
+local dollarstripper   = lpeg.stripper("$")
+local inhibitstripper  = P("!")^0 * Cs(P(1)^0)
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
+
+local somevariable     = P("$") / ""
+local somekey          = C(R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1)
+local somethingelse    = P(";") * ((1-S("!{}/\\"))^1 * P(";") / "")
+                       + P(";") * (P(";") / "")
+                       + P(1)
+
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
 
 local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
-    local variables, getenv = instance.variables, resolvers.getenv
-    local function resolve(a)
-        local va = variables[a] or ""
-        return (va ~= "" and va) or getenv(a) or ""
-    end
     for k=1,#lst do
-        local var = lst[k]
-        var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-        var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-        var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-        lst[k] = var
+        local lk = lst[k]
+        lst[k] = lpegmatch(pattern,lk) or lk
+    end
+end
+
+
+local slash = P("/")
+
+local pattern = Cs (
+    Cc("^") * (
+        Cc("%") * S(".-")
+      + slash^2 * P(-1) / "/.*"
+      + slash^2 / "/.-/"
+      + (1-slash) * P(-1) * Cc("/")
+      + P(1)
+    )^1 * Cc("$")
+)
+
+local function makepathexpression(str)
+    if str == "." then
+        return "^%./$"
+    else
+        return lpegmatch(pattern,str)
     end
 end
 
+
 local function resolve(key)
     local value = instance.variables[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
@@ -10614,22 +10731,21 @@ local function resolve(key)
     return e ~= nil and e ~= "" and checkedvariable(e) or ""
 end
 
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
+
 local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
-    var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-    var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-    var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-    return var
+    return lpegmatch(pattern,var) or var
 end
 
+
 local function entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- local result = entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         local result = entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]
         if result then
             return result
         else
-            result = resolvers.getenv(name)
+            result = getenv(name)
             if result then
                 instance.variables[name] = result
                 resolvers.expandvariables()
@@ -10642,8 +10758,7 @@ end
 
 local function is_entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- return (entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]) ~= nil
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         return (entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]) ~= nil
     else
         return false
@@ -10654,7 +10769,7 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
     if trace_locating then
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local v = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,resolvers.getenv(v) or "unknown")
+            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,getenv(v) or "unknown")
         end
         report_resolvers()
     end
@@ -10664,7 +10779,7 @@ end
 local function identify_configuration_files()
     local specification = instance.specification
     if #specification == 0 then
-        local cnfspec = resolvers.getenv('TEXMFCNF')
+        local cnfspec = getenv('TEXMFCNF')
         if cnfspec == "" then
             cnfspec = resolvers.luacnfspec
             resolvers.luacnfstate = "default"
@@ -10736,7 +10851,6 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         end
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = t
-
                     if resolvers.luacnfstate == "default" then
                         -- the following code is not tested
                         local cnfspec = t["TEXMFCNF"]
@@ -10798,63 +10912,30 @@ end
 
 -- database loading
 
--- locators
-
-function resolvers.locatedatabase(specification)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('locators', specification)
-end
-
-function resolvers.locators.tex(specification)
-    if specification and specification ~= '' and lfs.isdir(specification) then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' found",specification)
-        end
-        resolvers.appendhash('file',specification,filename,true) -- cache
-    elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' not found",specification)
-    end
-end
-
--- hashers
-
-function resolvers.hashdatabase(tag,name)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('hashers',tag,name)
-end
-
 local function load_file_databases()
     instance.loaderror, instance.files = false, allocate()
     if not instance.renewcache then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            resolvers.hashdatabase(hash.tag,hash.name)
+            resolvers.hashers.byscheme(hash.type,hash.name)
             if instance.loaderror then break end
         end
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tex(tag,name) -- used where?
-    local content = caches.loadcontent(tag,'files')
-    if content then
-        instance.files[tag] = content
-    else
-        instance.files[tag] = { }
-        instance.loaderror = true
-    end
-end
-
 local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
         local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
-        local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
-        local runtime = stripped == path
-        path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
+        local stripped = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
         if stripped ~= "" then
+            local runtime = stripped == path
+            path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
             if lfs.isdir(path) then
                 local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(stripped)
-                if spec.scheme == "cache" then
+                if spec.scheme == "cache" or spec.scheme == "file" then
                     stripped = spec.path
                 elseif runtime and (spec.noscheme or spec.scheme == "file") then
                     stripped = "tree:///" .. stripped
@@ -10866,7 +10947,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                         report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
-                resolvers.locatedatabase(stripped) -- nothing done with result
+                methodhandler('locators',stripped) -- nothing done with result
             else
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
@@ -10885,8 +10966,9 @@ end
 
 local function generate_file_databases()
     local hashes = instance.hashes
-    for i=1,#hashes do
-        resolvers.methodhandler('generators',hashes[i].tag)
+    for k=1,#hashes do
+        local hash = hashes[k]
+        methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers()
@@ -10896,10 +10978,13 @@ end
 local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
     for i=1,#instance.hashes do
         local hash = instance.hashes[i]
-        local cachename = hash.tag
+        local cachename = hash.name
         if hash.cache then
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+            end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
             report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
@@ -10923,23 +11008,22 @@ local function load_databases()
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.appendhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
-function resolvers.prependhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
 function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better prepend the hash
---  local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF') -- full expansion
-    local t = resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.getenv('TEXMF'))
+    local t = resolvers.splitpath(getenv('TEXMF'))
     insert(t,1,specification)
     local newspec = concat(t,";")
     if instance.environment["TEXMF"] then
@@ -10953,10 +11037,6 @@ function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better p
     reset_hashes()
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tex(specification,tag)
-    instance.files[tag or specification] = resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-end
-
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
@@ -10986,9 +11066,20 @@ function resolvers.datastate()
     return caches.contentstate()
 end
 
+local function resolve(a)
+    return instance.expansions[a] or getenv(a)
+end
+
+local cleaner  = P("\\") / "/" + P(";") * S("!{}/\\")^0 * P(";")^1 / ";"
+
+local variable = R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1 / resolve
+      variable = (P("$")/"") * (variable + (P("{")/"") * variable * (P("}")/""))
+
+      cleaner  = Cs((cleaner  + P(1))^0)
+      variable = Cs((variable + P(1))^0)
+
 function resolvers.expandvariables()
     local expansions, environment, variables = allocate(), instance.environment, instance.variables
-    local getenv = resolvers.getenv
     instance.expansions = expansions
     local engine, progname = instance.engine, instance.progname
     if type(engine)   ~= "string" then instance.engine,   engine   = "", "" end
@@ -10996,12 +11087,7 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     if engine   ~= "" then environment['engine']   = engine   end
     if progname ~= "" then environment['progname'] = progname end
     for k,v in next, environment do
-      --  local a, b = match(k,"^(%a+)%_(.*)%s*$") -- too many vars have an _ in the name
-      --  if a and b then                          -- so let's forget about it; it was a
-      --      expansions[a..'.'..b] = v            -- hack anyway for linux and not needed
-      --  else                                     -- anymore as we now have directives
-            expansions[k] = v
-      --  end
+        expansions[k] = v
     end
     for k,v in next, environment do -- move environment to expansions (variables are already in there)
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
@@ -11009,26 +11095,19 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     for k,v in next, variables do -- move variables to expansions
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
     end
-    local busy = false
-    local function resolve(a)
-        busy = true
-        return expansions[a] or getenv(a)
-    end
-    while true do
-        busy = false
+    repeat
+        local busy = false
         for k,v in next, expansions do
-            local s, n = gsub(v,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-            local s, m = gsub(s,"%$%{([%a%d%_%-]+)%}",resolve)
-            if n > 0 or m > 0 then
-                s = gsub(s,";+",";")
-                s = gsub(s,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-                expansions[k]= s
+            local s = lpegmatch(variable,v)
+            if s ~= v then
+                busy = true
+                expansions[k] = s
             end
         end
-        if not busy then break end
-    end
+    until not busy
+
     for k,v in next, expansions do
-        expansions[k] = gsub(v,"\\", '/')
+        expansions[k] = lpegmatch(cleaner,v)
     end
 end
 
@@ -11055,7 +11134,7 @@ function resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.unexpandedpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 local done = { }
@@ -11169,7 +11248,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
@@ -11177,7 +11256,7 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
         return ep or { } -- ep ?
     elseif instance.savelists then
         -- engine+progname hash
-        str = gsub(str,"%$","")
+        str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
         if not instance.lists[str] then -- cached
             local lst = made_list(instance,resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.expansion(str)))
             instance.lists[str] = expandedpathfromlist(lst)
@@ -11190,28 +11269,34 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str) -- brrr
-    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(gsub(str,"%$",""))
-    if tmp ~= "" then
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp)
-    else
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
-    end
+    str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
+    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(str)
+    return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp ~= "" and tmp or str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpathfromvariable(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandbraces(str) -- output variable and brace expansion of STRING
     local ori = resolvers.variable(str)
     local pth = expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(ori))
-    return file.joinpath(pth)
+    return joinpath(pth)
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable = { }
+function resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,someerror)
+    if content then
+        instance.files[name] = content
+    else
+        instance.files[name] = { }
+        if somerror == true then -- can be unset
+            instance.loaderror = someerror
+        end
+    end
+end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
-    local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- brrr
+function isreadable(name)
+    local readable = file.is_readable(name)
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
             report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
@@ -11222,8 +11307,6 @@ function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
     return readable
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
-
 -- name
 -- name/name
 
@@ -11244,7 +11327,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for h=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[h]
-            local blobpath = hash.tag
+            local blobpath = hash.name
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
@@ -11265,7 +11348,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                         if not dname or find(blobfile,dname) then
                             local kind   = hash.type
                             local search = filejoin(blobpath,blobfile,bname)
-                            local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,blobfile,bname)
+                            local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
@@ -11278,7 +11361,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if not dname or find(vv,dname) then
                                 local kind   = hash.type
                                 local search = filejoin(blobpath,vv,bname)
-                                local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,vv,bname)
+                                local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
@@ -11316,6 +11399,8 @@ local function can_be_dir(name) -- can become local
     return fakepaths[name] == 1
 end
 
+local preparetreepattern = Cs((P(".")/"%%." + P("-")/"%%-" + P(1))^0 * Cc("$"))
+
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = { }
     local stamp  = nil
@@ -11333,7 +11418,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
     end
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
@@ -11349,7 +11434,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
@@ -11362,7 +11447,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     for i=1,#format_suffixes do
                         local s = format_suffixes[i]
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
-                        if resolvers.isreadable.file(forcedname) then
+                        if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
                                 report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
@@ -11376,7 +11461,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- try to find in tree (no suffix manipulation), here we search for the
                 -- matching last part of the name
                 local basename = filebasename(filename)
-                local pattern = gsub(filename .. "$","([%.%-])","%%%1")
+                local pattern = lpegmatch(preparetreepattern,filename)
                 -- messy .. to be sorted out
                 local savedformat = askedformat
                 local format = savedformat or ""
@@ -11471,7 +11556,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
-                if fname and resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                if fname and isreadable(fname) then
                     filename, done = fname, true
                     result[#result+1] = filejoin('.',fname)
                     break
@@ -11497,26 +11582,15 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
-            -- a bit messy ... esp the doscan setting here
-            local doscan
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
-                if find(path,"^!!") then doscan  = false else doscan  = true  end
-                local pathname = gsub(path,"^!+", '')
+                local pathname = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
+                local doscan = path == pathname -- no ^!!
                 done = false
                 -- using file list
                 if filelist then
-                    local expression
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
-                    if not find(pathname,"/$") then
-                        expression = pathname .. "/"
-                    else
-                        expression = pathname
-                    end
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"([%-%.])","%%%1") -- this also influences
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//+$", '/.*')     -- later usage of pathname
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//", '/.-/')      -- not ok for /// but harmless
-                    expression = "^" .. expression .. "$"
+                    local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
                         report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
@@ -11545,7 +11619,8 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
                 if not done and doscan then
                     -- check if on disk / unchecked / does not work at all / also zips
-                    if resolvers.splitmethod(pathname).scheme == 'file' then -- ?
+                    local scheme = url.hasscheme(pathname)
+                    if not scheme or scheme == "file" then
                         local pname = gsub(pathname,"%.%*$",'')
                         if not find(pname,"%*") then
                             local ppname = gsub(pname,"/+$","")
@@ -11553,7 +11628,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                 for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                                     local w = wantedfiles[k]
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
-                                    if resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                                    if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
                                             report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
@@ -11586,9 +11661,6 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     return result
 end
 
-resolvers.concatinators.tex  = filejoin
-resolvers.concatinators.file = resolvers.concatinators.tex
-
 local function findfiles(filename,filetype,allresults)
     local result = collect_instance_files(filename,filetype or "",allresults)
     if #result == 0 then
@@ -11609,7 +11681,7 @@ function resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
 end
 
 function resolvers.findpath(filename,filetype)
-    return file.dirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
+    return filedirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
 end
 
 local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
@@ -11617,7 +11689,7 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
     local hashes = instance.hashes
     for k=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[k]
-        local files = instance.files[hash.tag] or { }
+        local files = instance.files[hash.name] or { }
         local blist = files[bname]
         if not blist then
             local rname = "remap:"..bname
@@ -11629,12 +11701,12 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
         end
         if blist then
             if type(blist) == 'string' then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,blist,bname) or ""
                 if not allresults then break end
             else
                 for kk=1,#blist do
                     local vv = blist[kk]
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,vv,bname) or ""
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
             end
@@ -11657,14 +11729,14 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
         if type(blist) == 'string' then
             -- make function and share code
             if find(lower(blist),path) then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,blist,bname) or ""
                 done = true
             end
         else
             for kk=1,#blist do
                 local vv = blist[kk]
                 if find(lower(vv),path) then
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,vv,bname) or ""
                     done = true
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
@@ -11674,30 +11746,25 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
     return done
 end
 
+local makewildcard = Cs(
+    (P("^")^0 * P("/") * P(-1) + P(-1)) /".*"
+  + (P("^")^0 * P("/") / "") * (P("*")/".*" + P("-")/"%%-" + P("?")/"."+ P("\\")/"/" + P(1))^0
+)
+
 local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
     local result = { }
-    local bname, dname = filebasename(filename), filedirname(filename)
-    local path = gsub(dname,"^*/","")
-    path = gsub(path,"*",".*")
-    path = gsub(path,"-","%%-")
-    if dname == "" then
-        path = ".*"
-    end
-    local name = bname
-    name = gsub(name,"*",".*")
-    name = gsub(name,"-","%%-")
-    path = lower(path)
-    name = lower(name)
+    local path = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filedirname (filename)))
+    local name = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filebasename(filename)))
     local files, done = instance.files, false
     if find(name,"%*") then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            for kk, hh in next, files[hash.tag] do
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            for kk, hh in next, files[hashname] do
                 if not find(kk,"^remap:") then
                     if find(lower(kk),name) then
-                        if doit(path,hh,kk,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+                        if doit(path,hh,kk,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
                         if done and not allresults then break end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11707,8 +11774,8 @@ local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            if doit(path,files[tag][bname],bname,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            if doit(path,files[hashname][bname],bname,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
             if done and not allresults then break end
         end
     end
@@ -11779,12 +11846,9 @@ end
 -- resolvers.expandvar = resolvers.expansion  -- output variable expansion of STRING.
 
 function resolvers.showpath(str)     -- output search path for file type NAME
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
 end
 
--- resolvers.findfile(filename)
--- resolvers.findfile(filename, f.iletype)
-
 function resolvers.registerfile(files, name, path)
     if files[name] then
         if type(files[name]) == 'string' then
@@ -11809,7 +11873,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithvariable(name,func)
 end
 
 function resolvers.locateformat(name)
-    local barename = gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
+    local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
     local fmtname = caches.getfirstreadablefile(barename..".fmt","formats") or ""
     if fmtname == "" then
         fmtname = resolvers.findfile(barename..".fmt")
@@ -11845,7 +11909,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithfilesintree(pattern,handle,before,after) -- can be a ni
     for i=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[i]
         local blobtype = hash.type
-        local blobpath = hash.tag
+        local blobpath = hash.name
         if blobpath then
             if before then
                 before(blobtype,blobpath,pattern)
@@ -12020,13 +12084,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-inp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
-
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.finders = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.openers = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.loaders = allocate { notfound  = { false, nil, 0 } }
+local methodhandler  = resolvers.methodhandler
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local finders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local openers = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local loaders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() return false, nil, 0 end }
+
+registermethod("finders", finders, "uri")
+registermethod("openers", openers, "uri")
+registermethod("loaders", loaders, "uri")
+
+resolvers.finders = finders
+resolvers.openers = openers
+resolvers.loaders = loaders
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12041,8 +12115,134 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-out'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-resolvers.savers = utilities.storage.allocate { }
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local savers = allocate { helpers = { } }
 
+resolvers.savers = savers
+
+registermethod("savers", savers, "uri")
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
+
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
+local locators, hashers, generators, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.generators, resolvers.concatinators
+
+local checkgarbage = utilities.garbagecollector and utilities.garbagecollector.check
+
+function locators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name and name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found",name)
+        end
+        resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
+    elseif trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+    end
+end
+
+function hashers.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = caches.loadcontent(name,'files')
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,content==nil)
+end
+
+function generators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = resolvers.scanfiles(name)
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,true)
+end
+
+concatinators.file = file.join
+
+function finders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
+    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+        end
+        return foundname
+    else
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+        end
+        return finders.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+-- The default textopener will be overloaded later on.
+
+function openers.helpers.textopener(tag,filename,f)
+    return {
+        reader = function() return f:read () end,
+        close  = function() return f:close() end,
+    }
+end
+
+function openers.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"r")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_open(filename) -- todo
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+            end
+            return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return openers.notfound()
+end
+
+function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"rb")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_load(filename)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+            end
+            local s = f:read("*a")
+            if checkgarbage then
+                checkgarbage(#s)
+            end
+            f:close()
+            if s then
+                return true, s, #s
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return loaders.notfound()
+end
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12301,10 +12501,9 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-zip'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- to be redone using the more recent schemes mechanism
+-- partly redone .. needs testing
 
 local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
@@ -12327,9 +12526,6 @@ local archives        = zip.archives
 zip.registeredfiles   = zip.registeredfiles or { }
 local registeredfiles = zip.registeredfiles
 
-local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
-local locators, hashers, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.concatinators
-
 local function validzip(str) -- todo: use url splitter
     if not find(str,"^zip://") then
         return "zip:///" .. str
@@ -12359,159 +12555,159 @@ function zip.closearchive(name)
     end
 end
 
-function locators.zip(specification) -- where is this used? startup zips (untested)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    local zfile = zip.openarchive(name) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
+function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
-        if zfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",specification.original)
+        if zipfile then
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",specification.original)
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
 
-function hashers.zip(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
     end
-    resolvers.usezipfile(format("%s?tree=%s",tag,name))
+    resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
 
-function concatinators.zip(tag,path,name)
+function resolvers.concatinators.zip(zipfile,path,name) -- ok ?
     if not path or path == "" then
-        return format('%s?name=%s',tag,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s',zipfile,name)
     else
-        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',tag,path,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',zipfile,path,name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.zip(name)
-    return true
-end
-
-function finders.zip(specification,filetype)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(finders.notfound)
+    return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
 
-function openers.zip(specification)
-    local zipspecification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if zipspecification.path then
-        local q = url.query(zipspecification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(zipspecification.path)
+function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",zipspecification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_open(specification)
+                    logs.show_open(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
-                    return openers.textopener('zip',specification,dfile)
+                    return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",zipspecification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
-function loaders.zip(specification)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_load(filename)
+                    logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",filename)
+                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
 -- zip:///somefile.zip
 -- zip:///somefile.zip?tree=texmf-local -> mount
 
-function resolvers.usezipfile(zipname)
-    zipname = validzip(zipname)
-    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(zipname)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    if zipfile and not registeredfiles[zipname] then
-        local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
-        local z = zip.openarchive(zipfile)
+function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
+    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(archive) -- to be sure
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive and not registeredfiles[archive] then
+        local z = zip.openarchive(archive)
         if z then
-            local instance = resolvers.instance
+            local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",zipname)
-            end
-            statistics.starttiming(instance)
-            resolvers.prependhash('zip',zipname,zipfile)
-            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(zipname) -- resets hashes too
-            registeredfiles[zipname] = z
-            instance.files[zipname] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree or "")
-            statistics.stoptiming(instance)
+                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+            end
+            statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
+            resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
+            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(archive) -- resets hashes too
+            registeredfiles[archive] = z
+            instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
+            statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",zipname)
+            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",zipname)
+        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12560,7 +12756,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tre'] = {
 -- \input tree://oeps1/**/oeps.tex
 
 local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -12568,10 +12765,10 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local done, found, notfound = { }, { }, resolvers.finders.notfound
 
-function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
-    local fnd = found[specification]
-    if not fnd then
-        local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification).path or ""
+function resolvers.finders.tree(specification)
+    local spec = specification.filename
+    local fnd = found[spec]
+    if fnd == nil then
         if spec ~= "" then
             local path, name = file.dirname(spec), file.basename(spec)
             if path == "" then path = "." end
@@ -12585,53 +12782,41 @@ function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
             for k=1,#hash do
                 local v = hash[k]
                 if find(v,pattern) then
-                    found[specification] = v
+                    found[spec] = v
                     return v
                 end
             end
         end
-        fnd = unpack(notfound) -- unpack ? why not just notfound[1]
-        found[specification] = fnd
+        fnd = notfound() -- false
+        found[spec] = fnd
     end
     return fnd
 end
 
 function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local path = spec.path
-    if path ~= '' and lfs.isdir(path) then
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found (%s)",path,specification)
+            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
         end
-        resolvers.appendhash('tree',specification,path,false) -- don't cache
+        resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",path)
+        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tree(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
     end
-    -- todo: maybe share with done above
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
+    resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tree(tag)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
-end
-
-function resolvers.concatinators.tree(tag,path,name)
-    return file.join(tag,path,name)
-end
-
-resolvers.isreadable.tree    = file.isreadable
-resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.generic
-resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.generic
+resolvers.concatinators.tree = resolvers.concatinators.file
+resolvers.generators.tree    = resolvers.generators.file
+resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.file
+resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.file
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12654,53 +12839,51 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
 
-curl = curl or { }
-local curl = curl
+resolvers.curl = resolvers.curl or { }
+local curl     = resolvers.curl
 
 local cached = { }
 
-function curl.fetch(protocol, name) -- todo: use socket library
-    local cleanname = gsub(name,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
+local function runcurl(specification)
+    local original  = specification.original
+ -- local scheme    = specification.scheme
+    local cleanname = gsub(original,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
     local cachename = caches.setfirstwritablefile(cleanname,"curl")
-    if not cached[name] then
+    if not cached[original] then
         if not io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
-            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name -- no protocol .. "://"
+            cached[original] = cachename
+            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. original
             os.spawn(command)
         end
         if io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
         else
-            cached[name] = ""
+            cached[original] = ""
         end
     end
-    return cached[name]
+    return cached[original]
 end
 
-function finders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    local foundname = curl.fetch(protocol, filename)
-    return finders.generic(protocol,foundname,filetype)
-end
+-- old code: we could be cleaner using specification (see schemes)
 
-function openers.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return openers.generic(protocol,filename)
+local function finder(specification,filetype)
+    return resolvers.methodhandler("finders",runcurl(specification),filetype)
 end
 
-function loaders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return loaders.generic(protocol,filename)
-end
-
--- todo: metamethod
+local opener = openers.file
+local loader = loaders.file
 
-function curl.install(protocol)
-    finders[protocol] = function (filename,filetype) return finders.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    openers[protocol] = function (filename)          return openers.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    loaders[protocol] = function (filename)          return loaders.curl(protocol,filename) end
+local function install(scheme)
+    finders[scheme] = finder
+    openers[scheme] = opener
+    loaders[scheme] = loader
 end
 
-curl.install('http')
-curl.install('https')
-curl.install('ftp')
+resolvers.curl.install = install
+
+install('http')
+install('https')
+install('ftp')
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12777,7 +12960,7 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -12786,7 +12969,6 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
     end
 end
 
-
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
         report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
@@ -12824,7 +13006,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
                 report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
-            if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+            if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
                     report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
@@ -12838,7 +13020,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -13375,6 +13557,7 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'data-pre.lua',
     'data-inp.lua',
     'data-out.lua',
+    'data-fil.lua',
     'data-con.lua',
     'data-use.lua',
 --  'data-tex.lua',
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
index 3be305bed..6b74022ae 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ local patterns_escapes = {
     ["."] = "%.",
     ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
     ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
  -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
  -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 
 local P, R, S, V, match = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.match
 local Ct, C, Cs, Cc, Cf, Cg = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cf, lpeg.Cg
+local lpegtype = lpeg.type
 
 local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
 local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
@@ -201,7 +202,6 @@ patterns.alwaysmatched = alwaysmatched
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
 local newline          = crlf + cr + lf
-local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
 local escaped          = P("\\") * anything
 local squote           = P("'")
 local dquote           = P('"')
@@ -222,6 +222,8 @@ local utftype          = utfbom_32_be / "utf-32-be" + utfbom_32_le  / "utf-32-le
                        + utfbom_16_be / "utf-16-be" + utfbom_16_le  / "utf-16-le"
                        + utfbom_8     / "utf-8"     + alwaysmatched / "unknown"
 
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
 patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
 patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
@@ -432,19 +434,25 @@ end
 -- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
 -- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
 
-function lpeg.replacer(t)
-    if #t > 0 then
-        local p
-        for i=1,#t do
-            local ti= t[i]
-            local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            if p then
-                p = p + pp
-            else
-                p = pp
+function lpeg.replacer(one,two)
+    if type(one) == "table" then
+        local no = #one
+        if no > 0 then
+            local p
+            for i=1,no do
+                local o = one[i]
+                local pp = P(o[1]) / o[2]
+                if p then
+                    p = p + pp
+                else
+                    p = pp
+                end
             end
+            return Cs((p + 1)^0)
         end
-        return Cs((p + 1)^0)
+    else
+        two = two or ""
+        return Cs((P(one)/two + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
@@ -646,6 +654,10 @@ function lpeg.oneof(list,...) -- lpeg.oneof("elseif","else","if","then")
     return p
 end
 
+function lpeg.is_lpeg(p)
+    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
+end
+
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -2558,6 +2570,9 @@ local separator = P("://")
 local qualified = P(".")^0 * P("/") + letter*P(":") + letter^1*separator + letter^1 * P("/")
 local rootbased = P("/") + letter*P(":")
 
+lpeg.patterns.qualified = qualified
+lpeg.patterns.rootbased = rootbased
+
 -- ./name ../name  /name c: :// name/name
 
 function file.is_qualified_path(filename)
@@ -2678,72 +2693,95 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-url'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte
+local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte, find = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte, string.find
 local concat = table.concat
 local tonumber, type = tonumber, type
-local lpegmatch, lpegP, lpegC, lpegR, lpegS, lpegCs, lpegCc = lpeg.match, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc
+local P, C, R, S, Cs, Cc, Ct = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Ct
+local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns, replacer = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns, lpeg.replacer
 
--- from the spec (on the web):
+-- from wikipedia:
 --
---     foo://example.com:8042/over/there?name=ferret#nose
---     \_/   \______________/\_________/ \_________/ \__/
---      |           |            |            |        |
---   scheme     authority       path        query   fragment
---      |   _____________________|__
---     / \ /                        \
---     urn:example:animal:ferret:nose
+--   foo://username:password@example.com:8042/over/there/index.dtb?type=animal;name=narwhal#nose
+--   \_/   \_______________/ \_________/ \__/            \___/ \_/ \______________________/ \__/
+--    |           |               |       |                |    |            |                |
+--    |       userinfo         hostname  port              |    |          query          fragment
+--    |    \________________________________/\_____________|____|/
+-- scheme                  |                          |    |    |
+--    |                authority                    path   |    |
+--    |                                                    |    |
+--    |            path                       interpretable as filename
+--    |   ___________|____________                              |
+--   / \ /                        \                             |
+--   urn:example:animal:ferret:nose               interpretable as extension
 
 url       = url or { }
 local url = url
 
-local function tochar(s)
-    return char(tonumber(s,16))
-end
+local tochar      = function(s) return char(tonumber(s,16)) end
 
-local colon, qmark, hash, slash, percent, endofstring = lpegP(":"), lpegP("?"), lpegP("#"), lpegP("/"), lpegP("%"), lpegP(-1)
+local colon       = P(":")
+local qmark       = P("?")
+local hash        = P("#")
+local slash       = P("/")
+local percent     = P("%")
+local endofstring = P(-1)
 
-local hexdigit  = lpegR("09","AF","af")
-local plus      = lpegP("+")
-local nothing   = lpegCc("")
-local escaped   = (plus / " ") + (percent * lpegC(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
+local hexdigit    = R("09","AF","af")
+local plus        = P("+")
+local nothing     = Cc("")
+local escaped     = (plus / " ") + (percent * C(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
 
 -- we assume schemes with more than 1 character (in order to avoid problems with windows disks)
 
-local scheme    =                 lpegCs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
-local authority = slash * slash * lpegCs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local path      = slash *         lpegCs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local query     = qmark         * lpegCs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
-local fragment  = hash          * lpegCs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
-
-local parser = lpeg.Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
+local scheme    =                 Cs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
+local authority = slash * slash * Cs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local path      = slash *         Cs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local query     = qmark         * Cs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
+local fragment  = hash          * Cs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlsplitter = parser
+local parser = Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
 
-local escapes = { }
+lpegpatterns.urlsplitter = parser
 
-for i=0,255 do
-    escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i)
-end
+local escapes = { } ; for i=0,255 do escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i) end
 
-local escaper = lpeg.Cs((lpegR("09","AZ","az") + lpegS("-./_") + lpegP(1) / escapes)^0)
+local escaper = Cs((R("09","AZ","az") + S("-./_") + P(1) / escapes)^0)
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlescaper = escaper
+lpegpatterns.urlescaper = escaper
 
 -- todo: reconsider Ct as we can as well have five return values (saves a table)
 -- so we can have two parsers, one with and one without
 
-function url.split(str)
+local function split(str)
     return (type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(parser,str)) or str
 end
 
+local function hasscheme(str)
+    local scheme = lpegmatch(scheme,str) -- at least one character
+    return scheme and scheme ~= ""
+end
+
 -- todo: cache them
 
-function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
-    local s = url.split(str)
+local rootletter       = R("az","AZ")
+                       + S("_-+")
+local separator        = P("://")
+local qualified        = P(".")^0 * P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+                       + rootletter^1 * separator
+                       + rootletter^1 * P("/")
+local rootbased        = P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+
+local barswapper       = replacer("|",":")
+local backslashswapper = replacer("\\","/")
+
+local function hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
+    local s = split(str)
     local somescheme = s[1] ~= ""
     local somequery  = s[4] ~= ""
     if not somescheme and not somequery then
-        return {
+        s = {
             scheme    = "file",
             authority = "",
             path      = str,
@@ -2751,52 +2789,73 @@ function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
             fragment  = "",
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = true,
+            filename  = str,
         }
-    else
-        return {
+    else -- not always a filename but handy anyway
+        local authority, path, filename = s[2], s[3]
+        if authority == "" then
+            filename = path
+        else
+            filename = authority .. "/" .. path
+        end
+        s = {
             scheme    = s[1],
-            authority = s[2],
-            path      = s[3],
+            authority = authority,
+            path      = path,
             query     = s[4],
             fragment  = s[5],
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = false,
+            filename  = filename,
         }
     end
+    return s
 end
 
+-- Here we assume:
+--
+-- files: ///  = relative
+-- files: //// = absolute (!)
+
 
-function url.hasscheme(str)
-    return url.split(str)[1] ~= ""
-end
 
-function url.addscheme(str,scheme)
-    return (url.hasscheme(str) and str) or ((scheme or "file:///") .. str)
+url.split     = split
+url.hasscheme = hasscheme
+url.hashed    = hashed
+
+function url.addscheme(str,scheme) -- no authority
+    if hasscheme(str) then
+        return str
+    elseif not scheme then
+        return "file:///" .. str
+    else
+        return scheme .. ":///" .. str
+    end
 end
 
 function url.construct(hash) -- dodo: we need to escape !
-    local fullurl = { }
+    local fullurl, f = { }, 0
     local scheme, authority, path, query, fragment = hash.scheme, hash.authority, hash.path, hash.query, hash.fragment
     if scheme and scheme ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = scheme .. "://"
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = scheme .. "://"
     end
     if authority and authority ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = authority
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = authority
     end
     if path and path ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "/" .. path
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "/" .. path
     end
     if query and query ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "?".. query
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "?".. query
     end
     if fragment and fragment ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "#".. fragment
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "#".. fragment
     end
     return lpegmatch(escaper,concat(fullurl))
 end
 
 function url.filename(filename)
-    local t = url.hashed(filename)
+    local t = hashed(filename)
     return (t.scheme == "file" and (gsub(t.path,"^/([a-zA-Z])([:|])/)","%1:"))) or filename
 end
 
@@ -2820,6 +2879,7 @@ end
 
 
 
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -2861,25 +2921,22 @@ end
 
 -- optimizing for no find (*) does not save time
 
+
 local function globpattern(path,patt,recurse,action)
-    local ok, scanner
     if path == "/" then
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path..".") end, function() end) -- kepler safe
-    else
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path)      end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+        path = path .. "."
+    elseif not find(path,"/$") then
+        path = path .. '/'
     end
-    if ok and type(scanner) == "function" then
-        if not find(path,"/$") then path = path .. '/' end
-        for name in scanner do
-            local full = path .. name
-            local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
-            if mode == 'file' then
-                if find(full,patt) then
-                    action(full)
-                end
-            elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
-                globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
+    for name in walkdir(path) do
+        local full = path .. name
+        local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
+        if mode == 'file' then
+            if find(full,patt) then
+                action(full)
             end
+        elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
+            globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -9363,10 +9420,10 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-exp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files",
 }
 
-local format, gsub, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.gsub, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
+local format, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
 local concat, sort = table.concat, table.sort
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
-local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
+local Ct, Cs, Cc, P, C, S = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
@@ -9381,7 +9438,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 -- As this bit of code is somewhat special it gets its own module. After
 -- all, when working on the main resolver code, I don't want to scroll
--- past this every time.
+-- past this every time. See data-obs.lua for the gsub variant.
 
 -- {a,b,c,d}
 -- a,b,c/{p,q,r},d
@@ -9396,95 +9453,70 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 -- {a,b,c/{p,q/{x,y,z},w}v,d/{p,q,r}}
 -- {$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local,.local,}/web2c}
 
--- this one is better and faster, but it took me a while to realize
--- that this kind of replacement is cleaner than messy parsing and
--- fuzzy concatenating we can probably gain a bit with selectively
--- applying lpeg, but experiments with lpeg parsing this proved not to
--- work that well; the parsing is ok, but dealing with the resulting
--- table is a pain because we need to work inside-out recursively
-
-local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
-
-local function do_first(a,b)
+local function f_first(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = a .. s
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = a .. s
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_second(a,b)
+local function f_second(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = s .. b
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s .. b
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_both(a,b)
+local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_three(a,b,c)
-    return a .. b.. c
-end
+local left  = P("{")
+local right = P("}")
+local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
+local set   = P((1 - S("{},"))^0)
+local other = P(1)
 
-local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper("{}@")
+local l_first  = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (C(set) * left * C(var) * right / f_first) * Cc("}")               + other )^0 )
+local l_second = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * C(set) / f_second) * Cc("}")              + other )^0 )
+local l_both   = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * left * C(var) * right / f_both) * Cc("}") + other )^0 )
+local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right                      + other )^0 )
 
-local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer {
-    { ",}", ",@}" },
-    { "{,", "{@," },
-}
+local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
+local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
-local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
-    -- no need for further optimization as it is only called a
-    -- few times, we can use lpeg for the sub
+local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
-    while true do
-        done = false
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"([^{},]+){([^{}]+)}",do_first)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}([^{},]+)",do_second)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}{([^{}]+)}",do_both)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        str, ok = gsub(str,"({[^{}]*){([^{}]+)}([^{}]*})",do_three)
-        if ok > 0 then done = true end
-        if not done then break end
-    end
+    repeat local old = str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_first, str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_second,str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_both,  str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_rest,  str) until old == str
+    until old == str -- or not find(str,"{")
     str = lpegmatch(stripper_1,str)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
             if s then
-                n = n + 1
-                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
             end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = s
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9495,50 +9527,23 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     return t
 end
 
+-- We could make the previous one public.
+
 local function validate(s)
-    local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapsepath(s)
-    if isrecursive then
-        s = s .. "//"
-    end
-    return s ~= "" and not find(s,dummy_path_expr) and s
+    s = collapsepath(s) -- already keeps the //
+    return s ~= "" and not find(s,"^!*unset/*$") and s
 end
 
 resolvers.validatedpath = validate -- keeps the trailing //
 
-function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a path
-    -- a previous version fed back into pathlist
-    local newlist, ok = { }, false
+function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist)
+    local newlist = { }
     for k=1,#pathlist do
-        if find(pathlist[k],"[{}]") then
-            ok = true
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    if ok then
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
-        end
-    else
-        local n = 0
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
-                p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    newlist[n] = p
-                end
-            end
-        end
+        splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
     end
     return newlist
 end
 
--- We also put some cleanup code here.
-
-
-
-
 local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
     { "!"  , ""  },
     { "\\" , "/" },
@@ -9576,14 +9581,13 @@ end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
 
+local expandhome = P("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
 
-local expandhome = lpegP("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
+local dodouble = P('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P('"')))^0 * P('"')/""
+local dosingle = P("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P("'")))^0 * P("'")/""
+local dostring =             (expandhome +  1              )^0
 
-local dodouble = lpegP('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP('"')))^0 * lpegP('"')/""
-local dosingle = lpegP("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP("'")))^0 * lpegP("'")/""
-local dostring =                 (expandhome +  1              )^0
-
-local stripper = lpegCs(
+local stripper = Cs(
     lpegpatterns.unspacer * (dosingle + dodouble + dostring) * lpegpatterns.unspacer
 )
 
@@ -9599,7 +9603,9 @@ end
 
 local cache = { }
 
-local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+local splitter = Ct(lpeg.splitat(S(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
 
 local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path or a { specification }
     if str then
@@ -9608,8 +9614,7 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
             if str == "" then
                 found = { }
             else
-                str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
-                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
+                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,lpegmatch(backslashswapper,str)) -- can be combined
                 found = { }
                 local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
@@ -9658,57 +9663,62 @@ end
 
 
 
-local weird = lpegP(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(lpegS("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
+local weird = P(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(S("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
 
-function resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",specification)
-    end
-    local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
-    local files = { __path__ = specification }
-    local n, m, r = 0, 0, 0
-    local function scan(spec,path)
-        local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
-        local dirs = { }
-        for name in directory(full) do
-            if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
-                local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
-                if mode == 'file' then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    local f = files[name]
-                    if f then
-                        if type(f) == 'string' then
-                            files[name] = { f, path }
-                        else
-                            f[#f+1] = path
-                        end
-                    else -- probably unique anyway
-                        files[name] = path
-                        local lower = lower(name)
-                        if name ~= lower then
-                            files["remap:"..lower] = name
-                            r = r + 1
-                        end
-                    end
-                elseif mode == 'directory' then
-                    m = m + 1
-                    if path ~= "" then
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = path..'/'..name
+local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
+
+local function scan(files,spec,path,n,m,r)
+    local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
+    local dirs, nofdirs = { }, 0
+    for name in directory(full) do
+        if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
+            local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
+            if mode == 'file' then
+                n = n + 1
+                local f = files[name]
+                if f then
+                    if type(f) == 'string' then
+                        files[name] = { f, path }
                     else
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = name
+                        f[#f+1] = path
+                    end
+                else -- probably unique anyway
+                    files[name] = path
+                    local lower = lower(name)
+                    if name ~= lower then
+                        files["remap:"..lower] = name
+                        r = r + 1
                     end
                 end
+            elseif mode == 'directory' then
+                m = m + 1
+                nofdirs = nofdirs + 1
+                if path ~= "" then
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = path..'/'..name
+                else
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = name
+                end
             end
         end
-        if #dirs > 0 then
-            sort(dirs)
-            for i=1,#dirs do
-                scan(spec,dirs[i])
-            end
+    end
+    if nofdirs > 0 then
+        sort(dirs)
+        for i=1,nofdirs do
+            files, n, m, r = scan(files,spec,dirs[i],n,m,r)
         end
     end
-    scan(specification .. '/',"")
-    files.__files__, files.__directories__, files.__remappings__ = n, m, r
+    return files, n, m, r
+end
+
+function resolvers.scanfiles(path)
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",path)
+    end
+    local files, n, m, r = scan({ },path .. '/',"",0,0,0)
+    files.__path__        = path
+    files.__files__       = n
+    files.__directories__ = m
+    files.__remappings__  = r
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
@@ -10399,9 +10409,15 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-met'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local find = string.find
+local find, format = string.find, string.format
+local sequenced = table.sequenced
+local addurlscheme, urlhashed = url.addscheme, url.hashed
+
+local trace_locating = false
+
+trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
+trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
-local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -10409,41 +10425,109 @@ local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.concatinators = allocate ()
-resolvers.locators      = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- locate databases
-resolvers.hashers       = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- load databases
-resolvers.generators    = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- generate databases
+local registered = { }
 
-function resolvers.splitmethod(filename) -- todo: trigger by suffix
+local function splitmethod(filename) -- todo: filetype in specification
     if not filename then
-        return { } -- safeguard
-    elseif type(filename) == "table" then
+        return { scheme = "unknown", original = filename }
+    end
+    if type(filename) == "table" then
         return filename -- already split
-    elseif not find(filename,"://") then
-        return { scheme="file", path = filename, original = filename } -- quick hack
+    end
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
+    if not find(filename,"://") then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
+    end
+    local specification = url.hashed(filename)
+    if not specification.scheme or specification.scheme == "" then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
     else
-        return url.hashed(filename)
+        return specification
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
-    local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
-    local scheme = specification.scheme
-    local resolver = resolvers[what]
-    if resolver[scheme] then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using special handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+resolvers.splitmethod = splitmethod -- bad name but ok
+
+-- the second argument is always analyzed (saves time later on) and the original
+-- gets passed as original but also as argument
+
+local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
+    local method = registered[what]
+    if method then
+        local how, namespace = method.how, method.namespace
+        if how == "uri" or how == "url" then
+            local specification = splitmethod(first)
+            local scheme = specification.scheme
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(specification,...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(specification,...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                end
+            end
+        elseif how == "tag" then
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                end
+            end
         end
-        return resolver[scheme](filename,filetype,specification) -- todo: query
     else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("no handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+    end
+end
+
+resolvers.methodhandler = methodhandler
+
+function resolvers.registermethod(name,namespace,how)
+    registered[name] = { how = how or "tag", namespace = namespace }
+    namespace["byscheme"] = function(scheme,filename,...)
+        if scheme == "file" then
+            return methodhandler(name,filename,...)
+        else
+            return methodhandler(name,addurlscheme(filename,scheme),...)
         end
-        return resolver.tex(filename,filetype) -- todo: specification
     end
 end
 
+local concatinators = allocate { notfound = file.join       }  -- concatinate paths
+local locators      = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- locate databases
+local hashers       = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- load databases
+local generators    = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- generate databases
+
+resolvers.concatinators = concatinators
+resolvers.locators      = locators
+resolvers.hashers       = hashers
+resolvers.generators    = generators
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+registermethod("concatinators",concatinators,"tag")
+registermethod("locators",     locators,     "uri")
+registermethod("hashers",      hashers,      "uri")
+registermethod("generators",   generators,   "uri")
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -10471,11 +10555,11 @@ local concat, insert, sortedkeys = table.concat, table.insert, table.sortedkeys
 local next, type = next, type
 local os = os
 
-local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct
+local P, S, R, C, Cc, Cs, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
+local collapsepath, joinpath = file.collapsepath, file.joinpath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10489,6 +10573,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local expandedpathfromlist   = resolvers.expandedpathfromlist
 local checkedvariable        = resolvers.checkedvariable
 local splitconfigurationpath = resolvers.splitconfigurationpath
+local methodhandler          = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 local initializesetter = utilities.setters.initialize
 
@@ -10502,12 +10587,12 @@ resolvers.luacnfspec   = '{$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local
 resolvers.luacnfname   = 'texmfcnf.lua'
 resolvers.luacnfstate  = "unknown"
 
-local unset_variable  = "unset"
+local unset_variable   = "unset"
 
-local formats      = resolvers.formats
-local suffixes     = resolvers.suffixes
-local dangerous    = resolvers.dangerous
-local suffixmap    = resolvers.suffixmap
+local formats   = resolvers.formats
+local suffixes  = resolvers.suffixes
+local dangerous = resolvers.dangerous
+local suffixmap = resolvers.suffixmap
 
 resolvers.defaultsuffixes = { "tex" } --  "mkiv", "cld" -- too tricky
 
@@ -10552,7 +10637,7 @@ function resolvers.newinstance()
 
 end
 
-function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance)
+function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance) -- only one instance is active
     instance = someinstance
     resolvers.instance = someinstance
     return someinstance
@@ -10574,7 +10659,7 @@ function resolvers.setenv(key,value)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.getenv(key)
+local function getenv(key)
     local value = instance.environment[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
         return value
@@ -10584,23 +10669,55 @@ function resolvers.getenv(key)
     end
 end
 
-resolvers.env = resolvers.getenv
+resolvers.getenv = getenv
+resolvers.env    = getenv
+
+local function resolve(key)
+    local value = instance.variables[key] or ""
+    return (value ~= "" and value) or getenv(key) or ""
+end
+
+local dollarstripper   = lpeg.stripper("$")
+local inhibitstripper  = P("!")^0 * Cs(P(1)^0)
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
+
+local somevariable     = P("$") / ""
+local somekey          = C(R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1)
+local somethingelse    = P(";") * ((1-S("!{}/\\"))^1 * P(";") / "")
+                       + P(";") * (P(";") / "")
+                       + P(1)
+
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
 
 local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
-    local variables, getenv = instance.variables, resolvers.getenv
-    local function resolve(a)
-        local va = variables[a] or ""
-        return (va ~= "" and va) or getenv(a) or ""
-    end
     for k=1,#lst do
-        local var = lst[k]
-        var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-        var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-        var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-        lst[k] = var
+        local lk = lst[k]
+        lst[k] = lpegmatch(pattern,lk) or lk
+    end
+end
+
+
+local slash = P("/")
+
+local pattern = Cs (
+    Cc("^") * (
+        Cc("%") * S(".-")
+      + slash^2 * P(-1) / "/.*"
+      + slash^2 / "/.-/"
+      + (1-slash) * P(-1) * Cc("/")
+      + P(1)
+    )^1 * Cc("$")
+)
+
+local function makepathexpression(str)
+    if str == "." then
+        return "^%./$"
+    else
+        return lpegmatch(pattern,str)
     end
 end
 
+
 local function resolve(key)
     local value = instance.variables[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
@@ -10614,22 +10731,21 @@ local function resolve(key)
     return e ~= nil and e ~= "" and checkedvariable(e) or ""
 end
 
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
+
 local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
-    var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-    var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-    var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-    return var
+    return lpegmatch(pattern,var) or var
 end
 
+
 local function entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- local result = entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         local result = entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]
         if result then
             return result
         else
-            result = resolvers.getenv(name)
+            result = getenv(name)
             if result then
                 instance.variables[name] = result
                 resolvers.expandvariables()
@@ -10642,8 +10758,7 @@ end
 
 local function is_entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- return (entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]) ~= nil
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         return (entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]) ~= nil
     else
         return false
@@ -10654,7 +10769,7 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
     if trace_locating then
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local v = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,resolvers.getenv(v) or "unknown")
+            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,getenv(v) or "unknown")
         end
         report_resolvers()
     end
@@ -10664,7 +10779,7 @@ end
 local function identify_configuration_files()
     local specification = instance.specification
     if #specification == 0 then
-        local cnfspec = resolvers.getenv('TEXMFCNF')
+        local cnfspec = getenv('TEXMFCNF')
         if cnfspec == "" then
             cnfspec = resolvers.luacnfspec
             resolvers.luacnfstate = "default"
@@ -10736,7 +10851,6 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         end
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = t
-
                     if resolvers.luacnfstate == "default" then
                         -- the following code is not tested
                         local cnfspec = t["TEXMFCNF"]
@@ -10798,63 +10912,30 @@ end
 
 -- database loading
 
--- locators
-
-function resolvers.locatedatabase(specification)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('locators', specification)
-end
-
-function resolvers.locators.tex(specification)
-    if specification and specification ~= '' and lfs.isdir(specification) then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' found",specification)
-        end
-        resolvers.appendhash('file',specification,filename,true) -- cache
-    elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' not found",specification)
-    end
-end
-
--- hashers
-
-function resolvers.hashdatabase(tag,name)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('hashers',tag,name)
-end
-
 local function load_file_databases()
     instance.loaderror, instance.files = false, allocate()
     if not instance.renewcache then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            resolvers.hashdatabase(hash.tag,hash.name)
+            resolvers.hashers.byscheme(hash.type,hash.name)
             if instance.loaderror then break end
         end
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tex(tag,name) -- used where?
-    local content = caches.loadcontent(tag,'files')
-    if content then
-        instance.files[tag] = content
-    else
-        instance.files[tag] = { }
-        instance.loaderror = true
-    end
-end
-
 local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
         local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
-        local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
-        local runtime = stripped == path
-        path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
+        local stripped = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
         if stripped ~= "" then
+            local runtime = stripped == path
+            path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
             if lfs.isdir(path) then
                 local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(stripped)
-                if spec.scheme == "cache" then
+                if spec.scheme == "cache" or spec.scheme == "file" then
                     stripped = spec.path
                 elseif runtime and (spec.noscheme or spec.scheme == "file") then
                     stripped = "tree:///" .. stripped
@@ -10866,7 +10947,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                         report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
-                resolvers.locatedatabase(stripped) -- nothing done with result
+                methodhandler('locators',stripped) -- nothing done with result
             else
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
@@ -10885,8 +10966,9 @@ end
 
 local function generate_file_databases()
     local hashes = instance.hashes
-    for i=1,#hashes do
-        resolvers.methodhandler('generators',hashes[i].tag)
+    for k=1,#hashes do
+        local hash = hashes[k]
+        methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers()
@@ -10896,10 +10978,13 @@ end
 local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
     for i=1,#instance.hashes do
         local hash = instance.hashes[i]
-        local cachename = hash.tag
+        local cachename = hash.name
         if hash.cache then
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+            end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
             report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
@@ -10923,23 +11008,22 @@ local function load_databases()
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.appendhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
-function resolvers.prependhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
 function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better prepend the hash
---  local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF') -- full expansion
-    local t = resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.getenv('TEXMF'))
+    local t = resolvers.splitpath(getenv('TEXMF'))
     insert(t,1,specification)
     local newspec = concat(t,";")
     if instance.environment["TEXMF"] then
@@ -10953,10 +11037,6 @@ function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better p
     reset_hashes()
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tex(specification,tag)
-    instance.files[tag or specification] = resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-end
-
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
@@ -10986,9 +11066,20 @@ function resolvers.datastate()
     return caches.contentstate()
 end
 
+local function resolve(a)
+    return instance.expansions[a] or getenv(a)
+end
+
+local cleaner  = P("\\") / "/" + P(";") * S("!{}/\\")^0 * P(";")^1 / ";"
+
+local variable = R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1 / resolve
+      variable = (P("$")/"") * (variable + (P("{")/"") * variable * (P("}")/""))
+
+      cleaner  = Cs((cleaner  + P(1))^0)
+      variable = Cs((variable + P(1))^0)
+
 function resolvers.expandvariables()
     local expansions, environment, variables = allocate(), instance.environment, instance.variables
-    local getenv = resolvers.getenv
     instance.expansions = expansions
     local engine, progname = instance.engine, instance.progname
     if type(engine)   ~= "string" then instance.engine,   engine   = "", "" end
@@ -10996,12 +11087,7 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     if engine   ~= "" then environment['engine']   = engine   end
     if progname ~= "" then environment['progname'] = progname end
     for k,v in next, environment do
-      --  local a, b = match(k,"^(%a+)%_(.*)%s*$") -- too many vars have an _ in the name
-      --  if a and b then                          -- so let's forget about it; it was a
-      --      expansions[a..'.'..b] = v            -- hack anyway for linux and not needed
-      --  else                                     -- anymore as we now have directives
-            expansions[k] = v
-      --  end
+        expansions[k] = v
     end
     for k,v in next, environment do -- move environment to expansions (variables are already in there)
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
@@ -11009,26 +11095,19 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     for k,v in next, variables do -- move variables to expansions
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
     end
-    local busy = false
-    local function resolve(a)
-        busy = true
-        return expansions[a] or getenv(a)
-    end
-    while true do
-        busy = false
+    repeat
+        local busy = false
         for k,v in next, expansions do
-            local s, n = gsub(v,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-            local s, m = gsub(s,"%$%{([%a%d%_%-]+)%}",resolve)
-            if n > 0 or m > 0 then
-                s = gsub(s,";+",";")
-                s = gsub(s,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-                expansions[k]= s
+            local s = lpegmatch(variable,v)
+            if s ~= v then
+                busy = true
+                expansions[k] = s
             end
         end
-        if not busy then break end
-    end
+    until not busy
+
     for k,v in next, expansions do
-        expansions[k] = gsub(v,"\\", '/')
+        expansions[k] = lpegmatch(cleaner,v)
     end
 end
 
@@ -11055,7 +11134,7 @@ function resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.unexpandedpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 local done = { }
@@ -11169,7 +11248,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
@@ -11177,7 +11256,7 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
         return ep or { } -- ep ?
     elseif instance.savelists then
         -- engine+progname hash
-        str = gsub(str,"%$","")
+        str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
         if not instance.lists[str] then -- cached
             local lst = made_list(instance,resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.expansion(str)))
             instance.lists[str] = expandedpathfromlist(lst)
@@ -11190,28 +11269,34 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str) -- brrr
-    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(gsub(str,"%$",""))
-    if tmp ~= "" then
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp)
-    else
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
-    end
+    str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
+    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(str)
+    return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp ~= "" and tmp or str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpathfromvariable(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandbraces(str) -- output variable and brace expansion of STRING
     local ori = resolvers.variable(str)
     local pth = expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(ori))
-    return file.joinpath(pth)
+    return joinpath(pth)
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable = { }
+function resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,someerror)
+    if content then
+        instance.files[name] = content
+    else
+        instance.files[name] = { }
+        if somerror == true then -- can be unset
+            instance.loaderror = someerror
+        end
+    end
+end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
-    local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- brrr
+function isreadable(name)
+    local readable = file.is_readable(name)
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
             report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
@@ -11222,8 +11307,6 @@ function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
     return readable
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
-
 -- name
 -- name/name
 
@@ -11244,7 +11327,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for h=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[h]
-            local blobpath = hash.tag
+            local blobpath = hash.name
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
@@ -11265,7 +11348,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                         if not dname or find(blobfile,dname) then
                             local kind   = hash.type
                             local search = filejoin(blobpath,blobfile,bname)
-                            local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,blobfile,bname)
+                            local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
@@ -11278,7 +11361,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if not dname or find(vv,dname) then
                                 local kind   = hash.type
                                 local search = filejoin(blobpath,vv,bname)
-                                local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,vv,bname)
+                                local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
@@ -11316,6 +11399,8 @@ local function can_be_dir(name) -- can become local
     return fakepaths[name] == 1
 end
 
+local preparetreepattern = Cs((P(".")/"%%." + P("-")/"%%-" + P(1))^0 * Cc("$"))
+
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = { }
     local stamp  = nil
@@ -11333,7 +11418,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
     end
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
@@ -11349,7 +11434,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
@@ -11362,7 +11447,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     for i=1,#format_suffixes do
                         local s = format_suffixes[i]
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
-                        if resolvers.isreadable.file(forcedname) then
+                        if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
                                 report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
@@ -11376,7 +11461,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- try to find in tree (no suffix manipulation), here we search for the
                 -- matching last part of the name
                 local basename = filebasename(filename)
-                local pattern = gsub(filename .. "$","([%.%-])","%%%1")
+                local pattern = lpegmatch(preparetreepattern,filename)
                 -- messy .. to be sorted out
                 local savedformat = askedformat
                 local format = savedformat or ""
@@ -11471,7 +11556,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
-                if fname and resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                if fname and isreadable(fname) then
                     filename, done = fname, true
                     result[#result+1] = filejoin('.',fname)
                     break
@@ -11497,26 +11582,15 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
-            -- a bit messy ... esp the doscan setting here
-            local doscan
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
-                if find(path,"^!!") then doscan  = false else doscan  = true  end
-                local pathname = gsub(path,"^!+", '')
+                local pathname = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
+                local doscan = path == pathname -- no ^!!
                 done = false
                 -- using file list
                 if filelist then
-                    local expression
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
-                    if not find(pathname,"/$") then
-                        expression = pathname .. "/"
-                    else
-                        expression = pathname
-                    end
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"([%-%.])","%%%1") -- this also influences
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//+$", '/.*')     -- later usage of pathname
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//", '/.-/')      -- not ok for /// but harmless
-                    expression = "^" .. expression .. "$"
+                    local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
                         report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
@@ -11545,7 +11619,8 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
                 if not done and doscan then
                     -- check if on disk / unchecked / does not work at all / also zips
-                    if resolvers.splitmethod(pathname).scheme == 'file' then -- ?
+                    local scheme = url.hasscheme(pathname)
+                    if not scheme or scheme == "file" then
                         local pname = gsub(pathname,"%.%*$",'')
                         if not find(pname,"%*") then
                             local ppname = gsub(pname,"/+$","")
@@ -11553,7 +11628,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                 for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                                     local w = wantedfiles[k]
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
-                                    if resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                                    if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
                                             report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
@@ -11586,9 +11661,6 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     return result
 end
 
-resolvers.concatinators.tex  = filejoin
-resolvers.concatinators.file = resolvers.concatinators.tex
-
 local function findfiles(filename,filetype,allresults)
     local result = collect_instance_files(filename,filetype or "",allresults)
     if #result == 0 then
@@ -11609,7 +11681,7 @@ function resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
 end
 
 function resolvers.findpath(filename,filetype)
-    return file.dirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
+    return filedirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
 end
 
 local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
@@ -11617,7 +11689,7 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
     local hashes = instance.hashes
     for k=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[k]
-        local files = instance.files[hash.tag] or { }
+        local files = instance.files[hash.name] or { }
         local blist = files[bname]
         if not blist then
             local rname = "remap:"..bname
@@ -11629,12 +11701,12 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
         end
         if blist then
             if type(blist) == 'string' then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,blist,bname) or ""
                 if not allresults then break end
             else
                 for kk=1,#blist do
                     local vv = blist[kk]
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,vv,bname) or ""
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
             end
@@ -11657,14 +11729,14 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
         if type(blist) == 'string' then
             -- make function and share code
             if find(lower(blist),path) then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,blist,bname) or ""
                 done = true
             end
         else
             for kk=1,#blist do
                 local vv = blist[kk]
                 if find(lower(vv),path) then
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,vv,bname) or ""
                     done = true
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
@@ -11674,30 +11746,25 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
     return done
 end
 
+local makewildcard = Cs(
+    (P("^")^0 * P("/") * P(-1) + P(-1)) /".*"
+  + (P("^")^0 * P("/") / "") * (P("*")/".*" + P("-")/"%%-" + P("?")/"."+ P("\\")/"/" + P(1))^0
+)
+
 local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
     local result = { }
-    local bname, dname = filebasename(filename), filedirname(filename)
-    local path = gsub(dname,"^*/","")
-    path = gsub(path,"*",".*")
-    path = gsub(path,"-","%%-")
-    if dname == "" then
-        path = ".*"
-    end
-    local name = bname
-    name = gsub(name,"*",".*")
-    name = gsub(name,"-","%%-")
-    path = lower(path)
-    name = lower(name)
+    local path = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filedirname (filename)))
+    local name = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filebasename(filename)))
     local files, done = instance.files, false
     if find(name,"%*") then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            for kk, hh in next, files[hash.tag] do
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            for kk, hh in next, files[hashname] do
                 if not find(kk,"^remap:") then
                     if find(lower(kk),name) then
-                        if doit(path,hh,kk,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+                        if doit(path,hh,kk,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
                         if done and not allresults then break end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11707,8 +11774,8 @@ local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            if doit(path,files[tag][bname],bname,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            if doit(path,files[hashname][bname],bname,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
             if done and not allresults then break end
         end
     end
@@ -11779,12 +11846,9 @@ end
 -- resolvers.expandvar = resolvers.expansion  -- output variable expansion of STRING.
 
 function resolvers.showpath(str)     -- output search path for file type NAME
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
 end
 
--- resolvers.findfile(filename)
--- resolvers.findfile(filename, f.iletype)
-
 function resolvers.registerfile(files, name, path)
     if files[name] then
         if type(files[name]) == 'string' then
@@ -11809,7 +11873,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithvariable(name,func)
 end
 
 function resolvers.locateformat(name)
-    local barename = gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
+    local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
     local fmtname = caches.getfirstreadablefile(barename..".fmt","formats") or ""
     if fmtname == "" then
         fmtname = resolvers.findfile(barename..".fmt")
@@ -11845,7 +11909,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithfilesintree(pattern,handle,before,after) -- can be a ni
     for i=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[i]
         local blobtype = hash.type
-        local blobpath = hash.tag
+        local blobpath = hash.name
         if blobpath then
             if before then
                 before(blobtype,blobpath,pattern)
@@ -12020,13 +12084,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-inp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
-
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.finders = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.openers = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.loaders = allocate { notfound  = { false, nil, 0 } }
+local methodhandler  = resolvers.methodhandler
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local finders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local openers = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local loaders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() return false, nil, 0 end }
+
+registermethod("finders", finders, "uri")
+registermethod("openers", openers, "uri")
+registermethod("loaders", loaders, "uri")
+
+resolvers.finders = finders
+resolvers.openers = openers
+resolvers.loaders = loaders
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12041,8 +12115,134 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-out'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-resolvers.savers = utilities.storage.allocate { }
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local savers = allocate { helpers = { } }
 
+resolvers.savers = savers
+
+registermethod("savers", savers, "uri")
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
+
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
+local locators, hashers, generators, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.generators, resolvers.concatinators
+
+local checkgarbage = utilities.garbagecollector and utilities.garbagecollector.check
+
+function locators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name and name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found",name)
+        end
+        resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
+    elseif trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+    end
+end
+
+function hashers.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = caches.loadcontent(name,'files')
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,content==nil)
+end
+
+function generators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = resolvers.scanfiles(name)
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,true)
+end
+
+concatinators.file = file.join
+
+function finders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
+    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+        end
+        return foundname
+    else
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+        end
+        return finders.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+-- The default textopener will be overloaded later on.
+
+function openers.helpers.textopener(tag,filename,f)
+    return {
+        reader = function() return f:read () end,
+        close  = function() return f:close() end,
+    }
+end
+
+function openers.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"r")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_open(filename) -- todo
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+            end
+            return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return openers.notfound()
+end
+
+function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"rb")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_load(filename)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+            end
+            local s = f:read("*a")
+            if checkgarbage then
+                checkgarbage(#s)
+            end
+            f:close()
+            if s then
+                return true, s, #s
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return loaders.notfound()
+end
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12301,10 +12501,9 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-zip'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- to be redone using the more recent schemes mechanism
+-- partly redone .. needs testing
 
 local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
@@ -12327,9 +12526,6 @@ local archives        = zip.archives
 zip.registeredfiles   = zip.registeredfiles or { }
 local registeredfiles = zip.registeredfiles
 
-local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
-local locators, hashers, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.concatinators
-
 local function validzip(str) -- todo: use url splitter
     if not find(str,"^zip://") then
         return "zip:///" .. str
@@ -12359,159 +12555,159 @@ function zip.closearchive(name)
     end
 end
 
-function locators.zip(specification) -- where is this used? startup zips (untested)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    local zfile = zip.openarchive(name) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
+function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
-        if zfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",specification.original)
+        if zipfile then
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",specification.original)
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
 
-function hashers.zip(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
     end
-    resolvers.usezipfile(format("%s?tree=%s",tag,name))
+    resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
 
-function concatinators.zip(tag,path,name)
+function resolvers.concatinators.zip(zipfile,path,name) -- ok ?
     if not path or path == "" then
-        return format('%s?name=%s',tag,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s',zipfile,name)
     else
-        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',tag,path,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',zipfile,path,name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.zip(name)
-    return true
-end
-
-function finders.zip(specification,filetype)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(finders.notfound)
+    return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
 
-function openers.zip(specification)
-    local zipspecification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if zipspecification.path then
-        local q = url.query(zipspecification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(zipspecification.path)
+function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",zipspecification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_open(specification)
+                    logs.show_open(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
-                    return openers.textopener('zip',specification,dfile)
+                    return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",zipspecification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
-function loaders.zip(specification)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_load(filename)
+                    logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",filename)
+                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
 -- zip:///somefile.zip
 -- zip:///somefile.zip?tree=texmf-local -> mount
 
-function resolvers.usezipfile(zipname)
-    zipname = validzip(zipname)
-    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(zipname)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    if zipfile and not registeredfiles[zipname] then
-        local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
-        local z = zip.openarchive(zipfile)
+function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
+    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(archive) -- to be sure
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive and not registeredfiles[archive] then
+        local z = zip.openarchive(archive)
         if z then
-            local instance = resolvers.instance
+            local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",zipname)
-            end
-            statistics.starttiming(instance)
-            resolvers.prependhash('zip',zipname,zipfile)
-            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(zipname) -- resets hashes too
-            registeredfiles[zipname] = z
-            instance.files[zipname] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree or "")
-            statistics.stoptiming(instance)
+                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+            end
+            statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
+            resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
+            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(archive) -- resets hashes too
+            registeredfiles[archive] = z
+            instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
+            statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",zipname)
+            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",zipname)
+        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12560,7 +12756,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tre'] = {
 -- \input tree://oeps1/**/oeps.tex
 
 local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -12568,10 +12765,10 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local done, found, notfound = { }, { }, resolvers.finders.notfound
 
-function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
-    local fnd = found[specification]
-    if not fnd then
-        local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification).path or ""
+function resolvers.finders.tree(specification)
+    local spec = specification.filename
+    local fnd = found[spec]
+    if fnd == nil then
         if spec ~= "" then
             local path, name = file.dirname(spec), file.basename(spec)
             if path == "" then path = "." end
@@ -12585,53 +12782,41 @@ function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
             for k=1,#hash do
                 local v = hash[k]
                 if find(v,pattern) then
-                    found[specification] = v
+                    found[spec] = v
                     return v
                 end
             end
         end
-        fnd = unpack(notfound) -- unpack ? why not just notfound[1]
-        found[specification] = fnd
+        fnd = notfound() -- false
+        found[spec] = fnd
     end
     return fnd
 end
 
 function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local path = spec.path
-    if path ~= '' and lfs.isdir(path) then
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found (%s)",path,specification)
+            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
         end
-        resolvers.appendhash('tree',specification,path,false) -- don't cache
+        resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",path)
+        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tree(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
     end
-    -- todo: maybe share with done above
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
+    resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tree(tag)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
-end
-
-function resolvers.concatinators.tree(tag,path,name)
-    return file.join(tag,path,name)
-end
-
-resolvers.isreadable.tree    = file.isreadable
-resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.generic
-resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.generic
+resolvers.concatinators.tree = resolvers.concatinators.file
+resolvers.generators.tree    = resolvers.generators.file
+resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.file
+resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.file
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12654,53 +12839,51 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
 
-curl = curl or { }
-local curl = curl
+resolvers.curl = resolvers.curl or { }
+local curl     = resolvers.curl
 
 local cached = { }
 
-function curl.fetch(protocol, name) -- todo: use socket library
-    local cleanname = gsub(name,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
+local function runcurl(specification)
+    local original  = specification.original
+ -- local scheme    = specification.scheme
+    local cleanname = gsub(original,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
     local cachename = caches.setfirstwritablefile(cleanname,"curl")
-    if not cached[name] then
+    if not cached[original] then
         if not io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
-            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name -- no protocol .. "://"
+            cached[original] = cachename
+            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. original
             os.spawn(command)
         end
         if io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
         else
-            cached[name] = ""
+            cached[original] = ""
         end
     end
-    return cached[name]
+    return cached[original]
 end
 
-function finders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    local foundname = curl.fetch(protocol, filename)
-    return finders.generic(protocol,foundname,filetype)
-end
+-- old code: we could be cleaner using specification (see schemes)
 
-function openers.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return openers.generic(protocol,filename)
+local function finder(specification,filetype)
+    return resolvers.methodhandler("finders",runcurl(specification),filetype)
 end
 
-function loaders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return loaders.generic(protocol,filename)
-end
-
--- todo: metamethod
+local opener = openers.file
+local loader = loaders.file
 
-function curl.install(protocol)
-    finders[protocol] = function (filename,filetype) return finders.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    openers[protocol] = function (filename)          return openers.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    loaders[protocol] = function (filename)          return loaders.curl(protocol,filename) end
+local function install(scheme)
+    finders[scheme] = finder
+    openers[scheme] = opener
+    loaders[scheme] = loader
 end
 
-curl.install('http')
-curl.install('https')
-curl.install('ftp')
+resolvers.curl.install = install
+
+install('http')
+install('https')
+install('ftp')
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12777,7 +12960,7 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -12786,7 +12969,6 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
     end
 end
 
-
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
         report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
@@ -12824,7 +13006,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
                 report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
-            if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+            if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
                     report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
@@ -12838,7 +13020,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -13375,6 +13557,7 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'data-pre.lua',
     'data-inp.lua',
     'data-out.lua',
+    'data-fil.lua',
     'data-con.lua',
     'data-use.lua',
 --  'data-tex.lua',
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
index 3be305bed..6b74022ae 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ local patterns_escapes = {
     ["."] = "%.",
     ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
     ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
  -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
  -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 
 local P, R, S, V, match = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.match
 local Ct, C, Cs, Cc, Cf, Cg = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cf, lpeg.Cg
+local lpegtype = lpeg.type
 
 local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
 local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
@@ -201,7 +202,6 @@ patterns.alwaysmatched = alwaysmatched
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
 local newline          = crlf + cr + lf
-local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
 local escaped          = P("\\") * anything
 local squote           = P("'")
 local dquote           = P('"')
@@ -222,6 +222,8 @@ local utftype          = utfbom_32_be / "utf-32-be" + utfbom_32_le  / "utf-32-le
                        + utfbom_16_be / "utf-16-be" + utfbom_16_le  / "utf-16-le"
                        + utfbom_8     / "utf-8"     + alwaysmatched / "unknown"
 
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
 patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
 patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
@@ -432,19 +434,25 @@ end
 -- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
 -- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
 
-function lpeg.replacer(t)
-    if #t > 0 then
-        local p
-        for i=1,#t do
-            local ti= t[i]
-            local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            if p then
-                p = p + pp
-            else
-                p = pp
+function lpeg.replacer(one,two)
+    if type(one) == "table" then
+        local no = #one
+        if no > 0 then
+            local p
+            for i=1,no do
+                local o = one[i]
+                local pp = P(o[1]) / o[2]
+                if p then
+                    p = p + pp
+                else
+                    p = pp
+                end
             end
+            return Cs((p + 1)^0)
         end
-        return Cs((p + 1)^0)
+    else
+        two = two or ""
+        return Cs((P(one)/two + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
@@ -646,6 +654,10 @@ function lpeg.oneof(list,...) -- lpeg.oneof("elseif","else","if","then")
     return p
 end
 
+function lpeg.is_lpeg(p)
+    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
+end
+
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -2558,6 +2570,9 @@ local separator = P("://")
 local qualified = P(".")^0 * P("/") + letter*P(":") + letter^1*separator + letter^1 * P("/")
 local rootbased = P("/") + letter*P(":")
 
+lpeg.patterns.qualified = qualified
+lpeg.patterns.rootbased = rootbased
+
 -- ./name ../name  /name c: :// name/name
 
 function file.is_qualified_path(filename)
@@ -2678,72 +2693,95 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-url'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte
+local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte, find = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte, string.find
 local concat = table.concat
 local tonumber, type = tonumber, type
-local lpegmatch, lpegP, lpegC, lpegR, lpegS, lpegCs, lpegCc = lpeg.match, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc
+local P, C, R, S, Cs, Cc, Ct = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Ct
+local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns, replacer = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns, lpeg.replacer
 
--- from the spec (on the web):
+-- from wikipedia:
 --
---     foo://example.com:8042/over/there?name=ferret#nose
---     \_/   \______________/\_________/ \_________/ \__/
---      |           |            |            |        |
---   scheme     authority       path        query   fragment
---      |   _____________________|__
---     / \ /                        \
---     urn:example:animal:ferret:nose
+--   foo://username:password@example.com:8042/over/there/index.dtb?type=animal;name=narwhal#nose
+--   \_/   \_______________/ \_________/ \__/            \___/ \_/ \______________________/ \__/
+--    |           |               |       |                |    |            |                |
+--    |       userinfo         hostname  port              |    |          query          fragment
+--    |    \________________________________/\_____________|____|/
+-- scheme                  |                          |    |    |
+--    |                authority                    path   |    |
+--    |                                                    |    |
+--    |            path                       interpretable as filename
+--    |   ___________|____________                              |
+--   / \ /                        \                             |
+--   urn:example:animal:ferret:nose               interpretable as extension
 
 url       = url or { }
 local url = url
 
-local function tochar(s)
-    return char(tonumber(s,16))
-end
+local tochar      = function(s) return char(tonumber(s,16)) end
 
-local colon, qmark, hash, slash, percent, endofstring = lpegP(":"), lpegP("?"), lpegP("#"), lpegP("/"), lpegP("%"), lpegP(-1)
+local colon       = P(":")
+local qmark       = P("?")
+local hash        = P("#")
+local slash       = P("/")
+local percent     = P("%")
+local endofstring = P(-1)
 
-local hexdigit  = lpegR("09","AF","af")
-local plus      = lpegP("+")
-local nothing   = lpegCc("")
-local escaped   = (plus / " ") + (percent * lpegC(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
+local hexdigit    = R("09","AF","af")
+local plus        = P("+")
+local nothing     = Cc("")
+local escaped     = (plus / " ") + (percent * C(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
 
 -- we assume schemes with more than 1 character (in order to avoid problems with windows disks)
 
-local scheme    =                 lpegCs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
-local authority = slash * slash * lpegCs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local path      = slash *         lpegCs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local query     = qmark         * lpegCs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
-local fragment  = hash          * lpegCs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
-
-local parser = lpeg.Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
+local scheme    =                 Cs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
+local authority = slash * slash * Cs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local path      = slash *         Cs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local query     = qmark         * Cs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
+local fragment  = hash          * Cs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlsplitter = parser
+local parser = Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
 
-local escapes = { }
+lpegpatterns.urlsplitter = parser
 
-for i=0,255 do
-    escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i)
-end
+local escapes = { } ; for i=0,255 do escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i) end
 
-local escaper = lpeg.Cs((lpegR("09","AZ","az") + lpegS("-./_") + lpegP(1) / escapes)^0)
+local escaper = Cs((R("09","AZ","az") + S("-./_") + P(1) / escapes)^0)
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlescaper = escaper
+lpegpatterns.urlescaper = escaper
 
 -- todo: reconsider Ct as we can as well have five return values (saves a table)
 -- so we can have two parsers, one with and one without
 
-function url.split(str)
+local function split(str)
     return (type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(parser,str)) or str
 end
 
+local function hasscheme(str)
+    local scheme = lpegmatch(scheme,str) -- at least one character
+    return scheme and scheme ~= ""
+end
+
 -- todo: cache them
 
-function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
-    local s = url.split(str)
+local rootletter       = R("az","AZ")
+                       + S("_-+")
+local separator        = P("://")
+local qualified        = P(".")^0 * P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+                       + rootletter^1 * separator
+                       + rootletter^1 * P("/")
+local rootbased        = P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+
+local barswapper       = replacer("|",":")
+local backslashswapper = replacer("\\","/")
+
+local function hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
+    local s = split(str)
     local somescheme = s[1] ~= ""
     local somequery  = s[4] ~= ""
     if not somescheme and not somequery then
-        return {
+        s = {
             scheme    = "file",
             authority = "",
             path      = str,
@@ -2751,52 +2789,73 @@ function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
             fragment  = "",
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = true,
+            filename  = str,
         }
-    else
-        return {
+    else -- not always a filename but handy anyway
+        local authority, path, filename = s[2], s[3]
+        if authority == "" then
+            filename = path
+        else
+            filename = authority .. "/" .. path
+        end
+        s = {
             scheme    = s[1],
-            authority = s[2],
-            path      = s[3],
+            authority = authority,
+            path      = path,
             query     = s[4],
             fragment  = s[5],
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = false,
+            filename  = filename,
         }
     end
+    return s
 end
 
+-- Here we assume:
+--
+-- files: ///  = relative
+-- files: //// = absolute (!)
+
 
-function url.hasscheme(str)
-    return url.split(str)[1] ~= ""
-end
 
-function url.addscheme(str,scheme)
-    return (url.hasscheme(str) and str) or ((scheme or "file:///") .. str)
+url.split     = split
+url.hasscheme = hasscheme
+url.hashed    = hashed
+
+function url.addscheme(str,scheme) -- no authority
+    if hasscheme(str) then
+        return str
+    elseif not scheme then
+        return "file:///" .. str
+    else
+        return scheme .. ":///" .. str
+    end
 end
 
 function url.construct(hash) -- dodo: we need to escape !
-    local fullurl = { }
+    local fullurl, f = { }, 0
     local scheme, authority, path, query, fragment = hash.scheme, hash.authority, hash.path, hash.query, hash.fragment
     if scheme and scheme ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = scheme .. "://"
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = scheme .. "://"
     end
     if authority and authority ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = authority
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = authority
     end
     if path and path ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "/" .. path
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "/" .. path
     end
     if query and query ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "?".. query
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "?".. query
     end
     if fragment and fragment ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "#".. fragment
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "#".. fragment
     end
     return lpegmatch(escaper,concat(fullurl))
 end
 
 function url.filename(filename)
-    local t = url.hashed(filename)
+    local t = hashed(filename)
     return (t.scheme == "file" and (gsub(t.path,"^/([a-zA-Z])([:|])/)","%1:"))) or filename
 end
 
@@ -2820,6 +2879,7 @@ end
 
 
 
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -2861,25 +2921,22 @@ end
 
 -- optimizing for no find (*) does not save time
 
+
 local function globpattern(path,patt,recurse,action)
-    local ok, scanner
     if path == "/" then
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path..".") end, function() end) -- kepler safe
-    else
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path)      end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+        path = path .. "."
+    elseif not find(path,"/$") then
+        path = path .. '/'
     end
-    if ok and type(scanner) == "function" then
-        if not find(path,"/$") then path = path .. '/' end
-        for name in scanner do
-            local full = path .. name
-            local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
-            if mode == 'file' then
-                if find(full,patt) then
-                    action(full)
-                end
-            elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
-                globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
+    for name in walkdir(path) do
+        local full = path .. name
+        local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
+        if mode == 'file' then
+            if find(full,patt) then
+                action(full)
             end
+        elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
+            globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -9363,10 +9420,10 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-exp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files",
 }
 
-local format, gsub, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.gsub, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
+local format, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
 local concat, sort = table.concat, table.sort
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
-local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
+local Ct, Cs, Cc, P, C, S = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
@@ -9381,7 +9438,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 -- As this bit of code is somewhat special it gets its own module. After
 -- all, when working on the main resolver code, I don't want to scroll
--- past this every time.
+-- past this every time. See data-obs.lua for the gsub variant.
 
 -- {a,b,c,d}
 -- a,b,c/{p,q,r},d
@@ -9396,95 +9453,70 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 -- {a,b,c/{p,q/{x,y,z},w}v,d/{p,q,r}}
 -- {$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local,.local,}/web2c}
 
--- this one is better and faster, but it took me a while to realize
--- that this kind of replacement is cleaner than messy parsing and
--- fuzzy concatenating we can probably gain a bit with selectively
--- applying lpeg, but experiments with lpeg parsing this proved not to
--- work that well; the parsing is ok, but dealing with the resulting
--- table is a pain because we need to work inside-out recursively
-
-local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
-
-local function do_first(a,b)
+local function f_first(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = a .. s
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = a .. s
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_second(a,b)
+local function f_second(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = s .. b
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s .. b
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_both(a,b)
+local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_three(a,b,c)
-    return a .. b.. c
-end
+local left  = P("{")
+local right = P("}")
+local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
+local set   = P((1 - S("{},"))^0)
+local other = P(1)
 
-local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper("{}@")
+local l_first  = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (C(set) * left * C(var) * right / f_first) * Cc("}")               + other )^0 )
+local l_second = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * C(set) / f_second) * Cc("}")              + other )^0 )
+local l_both   = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * left * C(var) * right / f_both) * Cc("}") + other )^0 )
+local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right                      + other )^0 )
 
-local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer {
-    { ",}", ",@}" },
-    { "{,", "{@," },
-}
+local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
+local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
-local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
-    -- no need for further optimization as it is only called a
-    -- few times, we can use lpeg for the sub
+local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
-    while true do
-        done = false
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"([^{},]+){([^{}]+)}",do_first)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}([^{},]+)",do_second)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}{([^{}]+)}",do_both)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        str, ok = gsub(str,"({[^{}]*){([^{}]+)}([^{}]*})",do_three)
-        if ok > 0 then done = true end
-        if not done then break end
-    end
+    repeat local old = str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_first, str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_second,str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_both,  str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_rest,  str) until old == str
+    until old == str -- or not find(str,"{")
     str = lpegmatch(stripper_1,str)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
             if s then
-                n = n + 1
-                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
             end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = s
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9495,50 +9527,23 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     return t
 end
 
+-- We could make the previous one public.
+
 local function validate(s)
-    local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapsepath(s)
-    if isrecursive then
-        s = s .. "//"
-    end
-    return s ~= "" and not find(s,dummy_path_expr) and s
+    s = collapsepath(s) -- already keeps the //
+    return s ~= "" and not find(s,"^!*unset/*$") and s
 end
 
 resolvers.validatedpath = validate -- keeps the trailing //
 
-function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a path
-    -- a previous version fed back into pathlist
-    local newlist, ok = { }, false
+function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist)
+    local newlist = { }
     for k=1,#pathlist do
-        if find(pathlist[k],"[{}]") then
-            ok = true
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    if ok then
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
-        end
-    else
-        local n = 0
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
-                p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    newlist[n] = p
-                end
-            end
-        end
+        splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
     end
     return newlist
 end
 
--- We also put some cleanup code here.
-
-
-
-
 local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
     { "!"  , ""  },
     { "\\" , "/" },
@@ -9576,14 +9581,13 @@ end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
 
+local expandhome = P("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
 
-local expandhome = lpegP("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
+local dodouble = P('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P('"')))^0 * P('"')/""
+local dosingle = P("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P("'")))^0 * P("'")/""
+local dostring =             (expandhome +  1              )^0
 
-local dodouble = lpegP('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP('"')))^0 * lpegP('"')/""
-local dosingle = lpegP("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP("'")))^0 * lpegP("'")/""
-local dostring =                 (expandhome +  1              )^0
-
-local stripper = lpegCs(
+local stripper = Cs(
     lpegpatterns.unspacer * (dosingle + dodouble + dostring) * lpegpatterns.unspacer
 )
 
@@ -9599,7 +9603,9 @@ end
 
 local cache = { }
 
-local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+local splitter = Ct(lpeg.splitat(S(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
 
 local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path or a { specification }
     if str then
@@ -9608,8 +9614,7 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
             if str == "" then
                 found = { }
             else
-                str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
-                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
+                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,lpegmatch(backslashswapper,str)) -- can be combined
                 found = { }
                 local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
@@ -9658,57 +9663,62 @@ end
 
 
 
-local weird = lpegP(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(lpegS("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
+local weird = P(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(S("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
 
-function resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",specification)
-    end
-    local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
-    local files = { __path__ = specification }
-    local n, m, r = 0, 0, 0
-    local function scan(spec,path)
-        local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
-        local dirs = { }
-        for name in directory(full) do
-            if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
-                local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
-                if mode == 'file' then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    local f = files[name]
-                    if f then
-                        if type(f) == 'string' then
-                            files[name] = { f, path }
-                        else
-                            f[#f+1] = path
-                        end
-                    else -- probably unique anyway
-                        files[name] = path
-                        local lower = lower(name)
-                        if name ~= lower then
-                            files["remap:"..lower] = name
-                            r = r + 1
-                        end
-                    end
-                elseif mode == 'directory' then
-                    m = m + 1
-                    if path ~= "" then
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = path..'/'..name
+local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
+
+local function scan(files,spec,path,n,m,r)
+    local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
+    local dirs, nofdirs = { }, 0
+    for name in directory(full) do
+        if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
+            local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
+            if mode == 'file' then
+                n = n + 1
+                local f = files[name]
+                if f then
+                    if type(f) == 'string' then
+                        files[name] = { f, path }
                     else
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = name
+                        f[#f+1] = path
+                    end
+                else -- probably unique anyway
+                    files[name] = path
+                    local lower = lower(name)
+                    if name ~= lower then
+                        files["remap:"..lower] = name
+                        r = r + 1
                     end
                 end
+            elseif mode == 'directory' then
+                m = m + 1
+                nofdirs = nofdirs + 1
+                if path ~= "" then
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = path..'/'..name
+                else
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = name
+                end
             end
         end
-        if #dirs > 0 then
-            sort(dirs)
-            for i=1,#dirs do
-                scan(spec,dirs[i])
-            end
+    end
+    if nofdirs > 0 then
+        sort(dirs)
+        for i=1,nofdirs do
+            files, n, m, r = scan(files,spec,dirs[i],n,m,r)
         end
     end
-    scan(specification .. '/',"")
-    files.__files__, files.__directories__, files.__remappings__ = n, m, r
+    return files, n, m, r
+end
+
+function resolvers.scanfiles(path)
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",path)
+    end
+    local files, n, m, r = scan({ },path .. '/',"",0,0,0)
+    files.__path__        = path
+    files.__files__       = n
+    files.__directories__ = m
+    files.__remappings__  = r
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
@@ -10399,9 +10409,15 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-met'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local find = string.find
+local find, format = string.find, string.format
+local sequenced = table.sequenced
+local addurlscheme, urlhashed = url.addscheme, url.hashed
+
+local trace_locating = false
+
+trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
+trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
-local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -10409,41 +10425,109 @@ local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.concatinators = allocate ()
-resolvers.locators      = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- locate databases
-resolvers.hashers       = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- load databases
-resolvers.generators    = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- generate databases
+local registered = { }
 
-function resolvers.splitmethod(filename) -- todo: trigger by suffix
+local function splitmethod(filename) -- todo: filetype in specification
     if not filename then
-        return { } -- safeguard
-    elseif type(filename) == "table" then
+        return { scheme = "unknown", original = filename }
+    end
+    if type(filename) == "table" then
         return filename -- already split
-    elseif not find(filename,"://") then
-        return { scheme="file", path = filename, original = filename } -- quick hack
+    end
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
+    if not find(filename,"://") then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
+    end
+    local specification = url.hashed(filename)
+    if not specification.scheme or specification.scheme == "" then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
     else
-        return url.hashed(filename)
+        return specification
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
-    local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
-    local scheme = specification.scheme
-    local resolver = resolvers[what]
-    if resolver[scheme] then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using special handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+resolvers.splitmethod = splitmethod -- bad name but ok
+
+-- the second argument is always analyzed (saves time later on) and the original
+-- gets passed as original but also as argument
+
+local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
+    local method = registered[what]
+    if method then
+        local how, namespace = method.how, method.namespace
+        if how == "uri" or how == "url" then
+            local specification = splitmethod(first)
+            local scheme = specification.scheme
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(specification,...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(specification,...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                end
+            end
+        elseif how == "tag" then
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                end
+            end
         end
-        return resolver[scheme](filename,filetype,specification) -- todo: query
     else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("no handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+    end
+end
+
+resolvers.methodhandler = methodhandler
+
+function resolvers.registermethod(name,namespace,how)
+    registered[name] = { how = how or "tag", namespace = namespace }
+    namespace["byscheme"] = function(scheme,filename,...)
+        if scheme == "file" then
+            return methodhandler(name,filename,...)
+        else
+            return methodhandler(name,addurlscheme(filename,scheme),...)
         end
-        return resolver.tex(filename,filetype) -- todo: specification
     end
 end
 
+local concatinators = allocate { notfound = file.join       }  -- concatinate paths
+local locators      = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- locate databases
+local hashers       = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- load databases
+local generators    = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- generate databases
+
+resolvers.concatinators = concatinators
+resolvers.locators      = locators
+resolvers.hashers       = hashers
+resolvers.generators    = generators
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+registermethod("concatinators",concatinators,"tag")
+registermethod("locators",     locators,     "uri")
+registermethod("hashers",      hashers,      "uri")
+registermethod("generators",   generators,   "uri")
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -10471,11 +10555,11 @@ local concat, insert, sortedkeys = table.concat, table.insert, table.sortedkeys
 local next, type = next, type
 local os = os
 
-local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct
+local P, S, R, C, Cc, Cs, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
+local collapsepath, joinpath = file.collapsepath, file.joinpath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10489,6 +10573,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local expandedpathfromlist   = resolvers.expandedpathfromlist
 local checkedvariable        = resolvers.checkedvariable
 local splitconfigurationpath = resolvers.splitconfigurationpath
+local methodhandler          = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 local initializesetter = utilities.setters.initialize
 
@@ -10502,12 +10587,12 @@ resolvers.luacnfspec   = '{$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local
 resolvers.luacnfname   = 'texmfcnf.lua'
 resolvers.luacnfstate  = "unknown"
 
-local unset_variable  = "unset"
+local unset_variable   = "unset"
 
-local formats      = resolvers.formats
-local suffixes     = resolvers.suffixes
-local dangerous    = resolvers.dangerous
-local suffixmap    = resolvers.suffixmap
+local formats   = resolvers.formats
+local suffixes  = resolvers.suffixes
+local dangerous = resolvers.dangerous
+local suffixmap = resolvers.suffixmap
 
 resolvers.defaultsuffixes = { "tex" } --  "mkiv", "cld" -- too tricky
 
@@ -10552,7 +10637,7 @@ function resolvers.newinstance()
 
 end
 
-function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance)
+function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance) -- only one instance is active
     instance = someinstance
     resolvers.instance = someinstance
     return someinstance
@@ -10574,7 +10659,7 @@ function resolvers.setenv(key,value)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.getenv(key)
+local function getenv(key)
     local value = instance.environment[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
         return value
@@ -10584,23 +10669,55 @@ function resolvers.getenv(key)
     end
 end
 
-resolvers.env = resolvers.getenv
+resolvers.getenv = getenv
+resolvers.env    = getenv
+
+local function resolve(key)
+    local value = instance.variables[key] or ""
+    return (value ~= "" and value) or getenv(key) or ""
+end
+
+local dollarstripper   = lpeg.stripper("$")
+local inhibitstripper  = P("!")^0 * Cs(P(1)^0)
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
+
+local somevariable     = P("$") / ""
+local somekey          = C(R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1)
+local somethingelse    = P(";") * ((1-S("!{}/\\"))^1 * P(";") / "")
+                       + P(";") * (P(";") / "")
+                       + P(1)
+
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
 
 local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
-    local variables, getenv = instance.variables, resolvers.getenv
-    local function resolve(a)
-        local va = variables[a] or ""
-        return (va ~= "" and va) or getenv(a) or ""
-    end
     for k=1,#lst do
-        local var = lst[k]
-        var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-        var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-        var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-        lst[k] = var
+        local lk = lst[k]
+        lst[k] = lpegmatch(pattern,lk) or lk
+    end
+end
+
+
+local slash = P("/")
+
+local pattern = Cs (
+    Cc("^") * (
+        Cc("%") * S(".-")
+      + slash^2 * P(-1) / "/.*"
+      + slash^2 / "/.-/"
+      + (1-slash) * P(-1) * Cc("/")
+      + P(1)
+    )^1 * Cc("$")
+)
+
+local function makepathexpression(str)
+    if str == "." then
+        return "^%./$"
+    else
+        return lpegmatch(pattern,str)
     end
 end
 
+
 local function resolve(key)
     local value = instance.variables[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
@@ -10614,22 +10731,21 @@ local function resolve(key)
     return e ~= nil and e ~= "" and checkedvariable(e) or ""
 end
 
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
+
 local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
-    var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-    var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-    var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-    return var
+    return lpegmatch(pattern,var) or var
 end
 
+
 local function entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- local result = entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         local result = entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]
         if result then
             return result
         else
-            result = resolvers.getenv(name)
+            result = getenv(name)
             if result then
                 instance.variables[name] = result
                 resolvers.expandvariables()
@@ -10642,8 +10758,7 @@ end
 
 local function is_entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- return (entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]) ~= nil
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         return (entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]) ~= nil
     else
         return false
@@ -10654,7 +10769,7 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
     if trace_locating then
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local v = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,resolvers.getenv(v) or "unknown")
+            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,getenv(v) or "unknown")
         end
         report_resolvers()
     end
@@ -10664,7 +10779,7 @@ end
 local function identify_configuration_files()
     local specification = instance.specification
     if #specification == 0 then
-        local cnfspec = resolvers.getenv('TEXMFCNF')
+        local cnfspec = getenv('TEXMFCNF')
         if cnfspec == "" then
             cnfspec = resolvers.luacnfspec
             resolvers.luacnfstate = "default"
@@ -10736,7 +10851,6 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         end
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = t
-
                     if resolvers.luacnfstate == "default" then
                         -- the following code is not tested
                         local cnfspec = t["TEXMFCNF"]
@@ -10798,63 +10912,30 @@ end
 
 -- database loading
 
--- locators
-
-function resolvers.locatedatabase(specification)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('locators', specification)
-end
-
-function resolvers.locators.tex(specification)
-    if specification and specification ~= '' and lfs.isdir(specification) then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' found",specification)
-        end
-        resolvers.appendhash('file',specification,filename,true) -- cache
-    elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' not found",specification)
-    end
-end
-
--- hashers
-
-function resolvers.hashdatabase(tag,name)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('hashers',tag,name)
-end
-
 local function load_file_databases()
     instance.loaderror, instance.files = false, allocate()
     if not instance.renewcache then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            resolvers.hashdatabase(hash.tag,hash.name)
+            resolvers.hashers.byscheme(hash.type,hash.name)
             if instance.loaderror then break end
         end
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tex(tag,name) -- used where?
-    local content = caches.loadcontent(tag,'files')
-    if content then
-        instance.files[tag] = content
-    else
-        instance.files[tag] = { }
-        instance.loaderror = true
-    end
-end
-
 local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
         local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
-        local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
-        local runtime = stripped == path
-        path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
+        local stripped = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
         if stripped ~= "" then
+            local runtime = stripped == path
+            path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
             if lfs.isdir(path) then
                 local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(stripped)
-                if spec.scheme == "cache" then
+                if spec.scheme == "cache" or spec.scheme == "file" then
                     stripped = spec.path
                 elseif runtime and (spec.noscheme or spec.scheme == "file") then
                     stripped = "tree:///" .. stripped
@@ -10866,7 +10947,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                         report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
-                resolvers.locatedatabase(stripped) -- nothing done with result
+                methodhandler('locators',stripped) -- nothing done with result
             else
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
@@ -10885,8 +10966,9 @@ end
 
 local function generate_file_databases()
     local hashes = instance.hashes
-    for i=1,#hashes do
-        resolvers.methodhandler('generators',hashes[i].tag)
+    for k=1,#hashes do
+        local hash = hashes[k]
+        methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers()
@@ -10896,10 +10978,13 @@ end
 local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
     for i=1,#instance.hashes do
         local hash = instance.hashes[i]
-        local cachename = hash.tag
+        local cachename = hash.name
         if hash.cache then
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+            end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
             report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
@@ -10923,23 +11008,22 @@ local function load_databases()
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.appendhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
-function resolvers.prependhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
 function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better prepend the hash
---  local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF') -- full expansion
-    local t = resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.getenv('TEXMF'))
+    local t = resolvers.splitpath(getenv('TEXMF'))
     insert(t,1,specification)
     local newspec = concat(t,";")
     if instance.environment["TEXMF"] then
@@ -10953,10 +11037,6 @@ function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better p
     reset_hashes()
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tex(specification,tag)
-    instance.files[tag or specification] = resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-end
-
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
@@ -10986,9 +11066,20 @@ function resolvers.datastate()
     return caches.contentstate()
 end
 
+local function resolve(a)
+    return instance.expansions[a] or getenv(a)
+end
+
+local cleaner  = P("\\") / "/" + P(";") * S("!{}/\\")^0 * P(";")^1 / ";"
+
+local variable = R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1 / resolve
+      variable = (P("$")/"") * (variable + (P("{")/"") * variable * (P("}")/""))
+
+      cleaner  = Cs((cleaner  + P(1))^0)
+      variable = Cs((variable + P(1))^0)
+
 function resolvers.expandvariables()
     local expansions, environment, variables = allocate(), instance.environment, instance.variables
-    local getenv = resolvers.getenv
     instance.expansions = expansions
     local engine, progname = instance.engine, instance.progname
     if type(engine)   ~= "string" then instance.engine,   engine   = "", "" end
@@ -10996,12 +11087,7 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     if engine   ~= "" then environment['engine']   = engine   end
     if progname ~= "" then environment['progname'] = progname end
     for k,v in next, environment do
-      --  local a, b = match(k,"^(%a+)%_(.*)%s*$") -- too many vars have an _ in the name
-      --  if a and b then                          -- so let's forget about it; it was a
-      --      expansions[a..'.'..b] = v            -- hack anyway for linux and not needed
-      --  else                                     -- anymore as we now have directives
-            expansions[k] = v
-      --  end
+        expansions[k] = v
     end
     for k,v in next, environment do -- move environment to expansions (variables are already in there)
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
@@ -11009,26 +11095,19 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     for k,v in next, variables do -- move variables to expansions
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
     end
-    local busy = false
-    local function resolve(a)
-        busy = true
-        return expansions[a] or getenv(a)
-    end
-    while true do
-        busy = false
+    repeat
+        local busy = false
         for k,v in next, expansions do
-            local s, n = gsub(v,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-            local s, m = gsub(s,"%$%{([%a%d%_%-]+)%}",resolve)
-            if n > 0 or m > 0 then
-                s = gsub(s,";+",";")
-                s = gsub(s,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-                expansions[k]= s
+            local s = lpegmatch(variable,v)
+            if s ~= v then
+                busy = true
+                expansions[k] = s
             end
         end
-        if not busy then break end
-    end
+    until not busy
+
     for k,v in next, expansions do
-        expansions[k] = gsub(v,"\\", '/')
+        expansions[k] = lpegmatch(cleaner,v)
     end
 end
 
@@ -11055,7 +11134,7 @@ function resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.unexpandedpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 local done = { }
@@ -11169,7 +11248,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
@@ -11177,7 +11256,7 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
         return ep or { } -- ep ?
     elseif instance.savelists then
         -- engine+progname hash
-        str = gsub(str,"%$","")
+        str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
         if not instance.lists[str] then -- cached
             local lst = made_list(instance,resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.expansion(str)))
             instance.lists[str] = expandedpathfromlist(lst)
@@ -11190,28 +11269,34 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str) -- brrr
-    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(gsub(str,"%$",""))
-    if tmp ~= "" then
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp)
-    else
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
-    end
+    str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
+    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(str)
+    return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp ~= "" and tmp or str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpathfromvariable(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandbraces(str) -- output variable and brace expansion of STRING
     local ori = resolvers.variable(str)
     local pth = expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(ori))
-    return file.joinpath(pth)
+    return joinpath(pth)
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable = { }
+function resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,someerror)
+    if content then
+        instance.files[name] = content
+    else
+        instance.files[name] = { }
+        if somerror == true then -- can be unset
+            instance.loaderror = someerror
+        end
+    end
+end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
-    local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- brrr
+function isreadable(name)
+    local readable = file.is_readable(name)
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
             report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
@@ -11222,8 +11307,6 @@ function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
     return readable
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
-
 -- name
 -- name/name
 
@@ -11244,7 +11327,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for h=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[h]
-            local blobpath = hash.tag
+            local blobpath = hash.name
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
@@ -11265,7 +11348,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                         if not dname or find(blobfile,dname) then
                             local kind   = hash.type
                             local search = filejoin(blobpath,blobfile,bname)
-                            local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,blobfile,bname)
+                            local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
@@ -11278,7 +11361,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if not dname or find(vv,dname) then
                                 local kind   = hash.type
                                 local search = filejoin(blobpath,vv,bname)
-                                local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,vv,bname)
+                                local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
@@ -11316,6 +11399,8 @@ local function can_be_dir(name) -- can become local
     return fakepaths[name] == 1
 end
 
+local preparetreepattern = Cs((P(".")/"%%." + P("-")/"%%-" + P(1))^0 * Cc("$"))
+
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = { }
     local stamp  = nil
@@ -11333,7 +11418,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
     end
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
@@ -11349,7 +11434,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
@@ -11362,7 +11447,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     for i=1,#format_suffixes do
                         local s = format_suffixes[i]
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
-                        if resolvers.isreadable.file(forcedname) then
+                        if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
                                 report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
@@ -11376,7 +11461,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- try to find in tree (no suffix manipulation), here we search for the
                 -- matching last part of the name
                 local basename = filebasename(filename)
-                local pattern = gsub(filename .. "$","([%.%-])","%%%1")
+                local pattern = lpegmatch(preparetreepattern,filename)
                 -- messy .. to be sorted out
                 local savedformat = askedformat
                 local format = savedformat or ""
@@ -11471,7 +11556,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
-                if fname and resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                if fname and isreadable(fname) then
                     filename, done = fname, true
                     result[#result+1] = filejoin('.',fname)
                     break
@@ -11497,26 +11582,15 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
-            -- a bit messy ... esp the doscan setting here
-            local doscan
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
-                if find(path,"^!!") then doscan  = false else doscan  = true  end
-                local pathname = gsub(path,"^!+", '')
+                local pathname = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
+                local doscan = path == pathname -- no ^!!
                 done = false
                 -- using file list
                 if filelist then
-                    local expression
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
-                    if not find(pathname,"/$") then
-                        expression = pathname .. "/"
-                    else
-                        expression = pathname
-                    end
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"([%-%.])","%%%1") -- this also influences
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//+$", '/.*')     -- later usage of pathname
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//", '/.-/')      -- not ok for /// but harmless
-                    expression = "^" .. expression .. "$"
+                    local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
                         report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
@@ -11545,7 +11619,8 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
                 if not done and doscan then
                     -- check if on disk / unchecked / does not work at all / also zips
-                    if resolvers.splitmethod(pathname).scheme == 'file' then -- ?
+                    local scheme = url.hasscheme(pathname)
+                    if not scheme or scheme == "file" then
                         local pname = gsub(pathname,"%.%*$",'')
                         if not find(pname,"%*") then
                             local ppname = gsub(pname,"/+$","")
@@ -11553,7 +11628,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                 for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                                     local w = wantedfiles[k]
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
-                                    if resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                                    if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
                                             report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
@@ -11586,9 +11661,6 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     return result
 end
 
-resolvers.concatinators.tex  = filejoin
-resolvers.concatinators.file = resolvers.concatinators.tex
-
 local function findfiles(filename,filetype,allresults)
     local result = collect_instance_files(filename,filetype or "",allresults)
     if #result == 0 then
@@ -11609,7 +11681,7 @@ function resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
 end
 
 function resolvers.findpath(filename,filetype)
-    return file.dirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
+    return filedirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
 end
 
 local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
@@ -11617,7 +11689,7 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
     local hashes = instance.hashes
     for k=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[k]
-        local files = instance.files[hash.tag] or { }
+        local files = instance.files[hash.name] or { }
         local blist = files[bname]
         if not blist then
             local rname = "remap:"..bname
@@ -11629,12 +11701,12 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
         end
         if blist then
             if type(blist) == 'string' then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,blist,bname) or ""
                 if not allresults then break end
             else
                 for kk=1,#blist do
                     local vv = blist[kk]
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,vv,bname) or ""
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
             end
@@ -11657,14 +11729,14 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
         if type(blist) == 'string' then
             -- make function and share code
             if find(lower(blist),path) then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,blist,bname) or ""
                 done = true
             end
         else
             for kk=1,#blist do
                 local vv = blist[kk]
                 if find(lower(vv),path) then
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,vv,bname) or ""
                     done = true
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
@@ -11674,30 +11746,25 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
     return done
 end
 
+local makewildcard = Cs(
+    (P("^")^0 * P("/") * P(-1) + P(-1)) /".*"
+  + (P("^")^0 * P("/") / "") * (P("*")/".*" + P("-")/"%%-" + P("?")/"."+ P("\\")/"/" + P(1))^0
+)
+
 local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
     local result = { }
-    local bname, dname = filebasename(filename), filedirname(filename)
-    local path = gsub(dname,"^*/","")
-    path = gsub(path,"*",".*")
-    path = gsub(path,"-","%%-")
-    if dname == "" then
-        path = ".*"
-    end
-    local name = bname
-    name = gsub(name,"*",".*")
-    name = gsub(name,"-","%%-")
-    path = lower(path)
-    name = lower(name)
+    local path = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filedirname (filename)))
+    local name = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filebasename(filename)))
     local files, done = instance.files, false
     if find(name,"%*") then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            for kk, hh in next, files[hash.tag] do
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            for kk, hh in next, files[hashname] do
                 if not find(kk,"^remap:") then
                     if find(lower(kk),name) then
-                        if doit(path,hh,kk,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+                        if doit(path,hh,kk,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
                         if done and not allresults then break end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11707,8 +11774,8 @@ local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            if doit(path,files[tag][bname],bname,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            if doit(path,files[hashname][bname],bname,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
             if done and not allresults then break end
         end
     end
@@ -11779,12 +11846,9 @@ end
 -- resolvers.expandvar = resolvers.expansion  -- output variable expansion of STRING.
 
 function resolvers.showpath(str)     -- output search path for file type NAME
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
 end
 
--- resolvers.findfile(filename)
--- resolvers.findfile(filename, f.iletype)
-
 function resolvers.registerfile(files, name, path)
     if files[name] then
         if type(files[name]) == 'string' then
@@ -11809,7 +11873,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithvariable(name,func)
 end
 
 function resolvers.locateformat(name)
-    local barename = gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
+    local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
     local fmtname = caches.getfirstreadablefile(barename..".fmt","formats") or ""
     if fmtname == "" then
         fmtname = resolvers.findfile(barename..".fmt")
@@ -11845,7 +11909,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithfilesintree(pattern,handle,before,after) -- can be a ni
     for i=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[i]
         local blobtype = hash.type
-        local blobpath = hash.tag
+        local blobpath = hash.name
         if blobpath then
             if before then
                 before(blobtype,blobpath,pattern)
@@ -12020,13 +12084,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-inp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
-
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.finders = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.openers = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.loaders = allocate { notfound  = { false, nil, 0 } }
+local methodhandler  = resolvers.methodhandler
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local finders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local openers = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local loaders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() return false, nil, 0 end }
+
+registermethod("finders", finders, "uri")
+registermethod("openers", openers, "uri")
+registermethod("loaders", loaders, "uri")
+
+resolvers.finders = finders
+resolvers.openers = openers
+resolvers.loaders = loaders
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12041,8 +12115,134 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-out'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-resolvers.savers = utilities.storage.allocate { }
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local savers = allocate { helpers = { } }
 
+resolvers.savers = savers
+
+registermethod("savers", savers, "uri")
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
+
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
+local locators, hashers, generators, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.generators, resolvers.concatinators
+
+local checkgarbage = utilities.garbagecollector and utilities.garbagecollector.check
+
+function locators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name and name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found",name)
+        end
+        resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
+    elseif trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+    end
+end
+
+function hashers.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = caches.loadcontent(name,'files')
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,content==nil)
+end
+
+function generators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = resolvers.scanfiles(name)
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,true)
+end
+
+concatinators.file = file.join
+
+function finders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
+    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+        end
+        return foundname
+    else
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+        end
+        return finders.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+-- The default textopener will be overloaded later on.
+
+function openers.helpers.textopener(tag,filename,f)
+    return {
+        reader = function() return f:read () end,
+        close  = function() return f:close() end,
+    }
+end
+
+function openers.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"r")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_open(filename) -- todo
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+            end
+            return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return openers.notfound()
+end
+
+function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"rb")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_load(filename)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+            end
+            local s = f:read("*a")
+            if checkgarbage then
+                checkgarbage(#s)
+            end
+            f:close()
+            if s then
+                return true, s, #s
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return loaders.notfound()
+end
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12301,10 +12501,9 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-zip'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- to be redone using the more recent schemes mechanism
+-- partly redone .. needs testing
 
 local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
@@ -12327,9 +12526,6 @@ local archives        = zip.archives
 zip.registeredfiles   = zip.registeredfiles or { }
 local registeredfiles = zip.registeredfiles
 
-local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
-local locators, hashers, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.concatinators
-
 local function validzip(str) -- todo: use url splitter
     if not find(str,"^zip://") then
         return "zip:///" .. str
@@ -12359,159 +12555,159 @@ function zip.closearchive(name)
     end
 end
 
-function locators.zip(specification) -- where is this used? startup zips (untested)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    local zfile = zip.openarchive(name) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
+function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
-        if zfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",specification.original)
+        if zipfile then
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",specification.original)
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
 
-function hashers.zip(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
     end
-    resolvers.usezipfile(format("%s?tree=%s",tag,name))
+    resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
 
-function concatinators.zip(tag,path,name)
+function resolvers.concatinators.zip(zipfile,path,name) -- ok ?
     if not path or path == "" then
-        return format('%s?name=%s',tag,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s',zipfile,name)
     else
-        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',tag,path,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',zipfile,path,name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.zip(name)
-    return true
-end
-
-function finders.zip(specification,filetype)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(finders.notfound)
+    return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
 
-function openers.zip(specification)
-    local zipspecification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if zipspecification.path then
-        local q = url.query(zipspecification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(zipspecification.path)
+function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",zipspecification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_open(specification)
+                    logs.show_open(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
-                    return openers.textopener('zip',specification,dfile)
+                    return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",zipspecification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
-function loaders.zip(specification)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_load(filename)
+                    logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",filename)
+                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
 -- zip:///somefile.zip
 -- zip:///somefile.zip?tree=texmf-local -> mount
 
-function resolvers.usezipfile(zipname)
-    zipname = validzip(zipname)
-    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(zipname)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    if zipfile and not registeredfiles[zipname] then
-        local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
-        local z = zip.openarchive(zipfile)
+function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
+    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(archive) -- to be sure
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive and not registeredfiles[archive] then
+        local z = zip.openarchive(archive)
         if z then
-            local instance = resolvers.instance
+            local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",zipname)
-            end
-            statistics.starttiming(instance)
-            resolvers.prependhash('zip',zipname,zipfile)
-            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(zipname) -- resets hashes too
-            registeredfiles[zipname] = z
-            instance.files[zipname] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree or "")
-            statistics.stoptiming(instance)
+                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+            end
+            statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
+            resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
+            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(archive) -- resets hashes too
+            registeredfiles[archive] = z
+            instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
+            statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",zipname)
+            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",zipname)
+        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12560,7 +12756,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tre'] = {
 -- \input tree://oeps1/**/oeps.tex
 
 local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -12568,10 +12765,10 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local done, found, notfound = { }, { }, resolvers.finders.notfound
 
-function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
-    local fnd = found[specification]
-    if not fnd then
-        local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification).path or ""
+function resolvers.finders.tree(specification)
+    local spec = specification.filename
+    local fnd = found[spec]
+    if fnd == nil then
         if spec ~= "" then
             local path, name = file.dirname(spec), file.basename(spec)
             if path == "" then path = "." end
@@ -12585,53 +12782,41 @@ function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
             for k=1,#hash do
                 local v = hash[k]
                 if find(v,pattern) then
-                    found[specification] = v
+                    found[spec] = v
                     return v
                 end
             end
         end
-        fnd = unpack(notfound) -- unpack ? why not just notfound[1]
-        found[specification] = fnd
+        fnd = notfound() -- false
+        found[spec] = fnd
     end
     return fnd
 end
 
 function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local path = spec.path
-    if path ~= '' and lfs.isdir(path) then
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found (%s)",path,specification)
+            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
         end
-        resolvers.appendhash('tree',specification,path,false) -- don't cache
+        resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",path)
+        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tree(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
     end
-    -- todo: maybe share with done above
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
+    resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tree(tag)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
-end
-
-function resolvers.concatinators.tree(tag,path,name)
-    return file.join(tag,path,name)
-end
-
-resolvers.isreadable.tree    = file.isreadable
-resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.generic
-resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.generic
+resolvers.concatinators.tree = resolvers.concatinators.file
+resolvers.generators.tree    = resolvers.generators.file
+resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.file
+resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.file
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12654,53 +12839,51 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
 
-curl = curl or { }
-local curl = curl
+resolvers.curl = resolvers.curl or { }
+local curl     = resolvers.curl
 
 local cached = { }
 
-function curl.fetch(protocol, name) -- todo: use socket library
-    local cleanname = gsub(name,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
+local function runcurl(specification)
+    local original  = specification.original
+ -- local scheme    = specification.scheme
+    local cleanname = gsub(original,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
     local cachename = caches.setfirstwritablefile(cleanname,"curl")
-    if not cached[name] then
+    if not cached[original] then
         if not io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
-            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name -- no protocol .. "://"
+            cached[original] = cachename
+            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. original
             os.spawn(command)
         end
         if io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
         else
-            cached[name] = ""
+            cached[original] = ""
         end
     end
-    return cached[name]
+    return cached[original]
 end
 
-function finders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    local foundname = curl.fetch(protocol, filename)
-    return finders.generic(protocol,foundname,filetype)
-end
+-- old code: we could be cleaner using specification (see schemes)
 
-function openers.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return openers.generic(protocol,filename)
+local function finder(specification,filetype)
+    return resolvers.methodhandler("finders",runcurl(specification),filetype)
 end
 
-function loaders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return loaders.generic(protocol,filename)
-end
-
--- todo: metamethod
+local opener = openers.file
+local loader = loaders.file
 
-function curl.install(protocol)
-    finders[protocol] = function (filename,filetype) return finders.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    openers[protocol] = function (filename)          return openers.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    loaders[protocol] = function (filename)          return loaders.curl(protocol,filename) end
+local function install(scheme)
+    finders[scheme] = finder
+    openers[scheme] = opener
+    loaders[scheme] = loader
 end
 
-curl.install('http')
-curl.install('https')
-curl.install('ftp')
+resolvers.curl.install = install
+
+install('http')
+install('https')
+install('ftp')
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -12777,7 +12960,7 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -12786,7 +12969,6 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
     end
 end
 
-
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
         report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
@@ -12824,7 +13006,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
                 report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
-            if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+            if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
                     report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
@@ -12838,7 +13020,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -13375,6 +13557,7 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'data-pre.lua',
     'data-inp.lua',
     'data-out.lua',
+    'data-fil.lua',
     'data-con.lua',
     'data-use.lua',
 --  'data-tex.lua',
diff --git a/tex/context/base/attr-col.lua b/tex/context/base/attr-col.lua
index 28e02edd6..24c76ae6d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/attr-col.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/attr-col.lua
@@ -70,9 +70,12 @@ colors.data       = allocate()
 colors.values     = colors.values or { }
 colors.registered = colors.registered or { }
 
+local a_color     = attributes.private('color')
+local a_selector  = attributes.private('colormodel')
+
 colors.weightgray = true
-colors.attribute  = attributes.private('color')
-colors.selector   = attributes.private('colormodel')
+colors.attribute  = a_color
+colors.selector   = a_selector
 colors.default    = 1
 colors.main       = nil
 colors.triggering = true
@@ -312,7 +315,7 @@ function colors.register(name, colorspace, ...) -- passing 9 vars is faster (but
     -- colors.reviver(color)
     end
     if name then
-        list[colors.attribute][name] = color -- not grouped, so only global colors
+        list[a_color][name] = color -- not grouped, so only global colors
     end
     return registered[stamp]
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
index 9d4562e18..611280dfc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
@@ -11,258 +11,127 @@ local trace_visualize = false  trackers.register("buffers.visualize", function(v
 
 local report_buffers = logs.new("buffers")
 
-local utf = unicode.utf8
-
--- todo: weed the next list
-
-local concat, texprint, texwrite = table.concat, tex.print, tex.write
-local utfbyte, utffind, utfgsub = utf.byte, utf.find, utf.gsub
+local concat = table.concat
 local type, next = type, next
-local huge = math.huge
-local byte, sub, find, char, gsub, rep, lower, format, gmatch, match, count = string.byte, string.sub, string.find, string.char, string.gsub, string.rep, string.lower, string.format, string.gmatch, string.match, string.count
-local splitlines, escapedpattern = string.splitlines, string.escapedpattern
-local utfcharacters, utfvalues = string.utfcharacters, string.utfvalues
+local sub, format, count, splitlines = string.sub, string.format, string.count, string.splitlines
+
 local variables = interfaces.variables
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local settings_to_array = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array
-local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
-local tabtospace = utilities.strings.tabtospace
-local texsprint, texprint, ctxcatcodes = tex.sprint, tex.print, tex.ctxcatcodes
+local texprint, ctxcatcodes = tex.print, tex.ctxcatcodes
 
-buffers = {
-    data  = allocate(),
-    flags = { },
-}
+buffers = { }
 
 local buffers = buffers
 local context = context
 
-local data  = buffers.data
-local flags = buffers.flags
+local data = { }
 
 function buffers.raw(name)
-    return data[name] or { }
+    return data[name] or ""
 end
 
-function buffers.erase(name)
+local function erase(name)
     data[name] = nil
 end
 
-function buffers.set(name, str)
-    data[name] = { str } -- CHECK THIS
+local function assign(name,str)
+    data[name] = str
 end
 
-function buffers.append(name, str)
+local function append(name,str)
     data[name] = (data[name] or "") .. str
 end
 
-buffers.flags.storeastable = true
-
--- to be sorted out: crlf + \ ; slow now
-
-local n = 0
-
-function buffers.grab(name,begintag,endtag,bufferdata)
-    local dn = data[name] or ""
-    if dn == "" then
-        buffers.level = 0
-    end
-    buffers.level = buffers.level + count(bufferdata,"\\"..begintag) - count(bufferdata,"\\"..endtag)
-    local more = buffers.level > 0
-    if more then
-        dn = dn .. bufferdata .. endtag
-        buffers.level = buffers.level - 1
-    else
-        if dn == "" then
-            dn = sub(bufferdata,1,#bufferdata-1)
-        else
-            dn = dn .. "\n" .. sub(bufferdata,1,#bufferdata-1)
-        end
-        dn = gsub(dn,"[\010\013]$","")
-        if flags.storeastable then
-            dn = splitlines(dn)
-        end
-    end
-    data[name] = dn
-    commands.testcase(more)
-end
-
-function buffers.exists(name)
+local function exists(name)
     return data[name] ~= nil
 end
 
-function buffers.doifelsebuffer(name)
-    commands.testcase(data[name] ~= nil)
+local function getcontent(name)
+    return data[name] or ""
 end
 
-function buffers.strip(lines,first,last)
-    local first, last = first or 1, last or #lines
-    for i=first,last do
-        local li = lines[i]
-        if #li == 0 or find(li,"^%s*$") then
-            first = first + 1
-        else
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    for i=last,first,-1 do
-        local li = lines[i]
-        if #li == 0 or find(li,"^%s*$") then
-            last = last - 1
-        else
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    return first, last, last - first + 1
+local function getlines(name)
+    local d = name and data[name]
+    return d and splitlines(d)
 end
 
-function buffers.range(lines,first,last,range) -- 1,3 1,+3 fromhere,tothere
-    local first, last = first or 1, last or #lines
-    if last < 0 then
-        last = #lines + last
-    end
-    local what = settings_to_array(range)
-    local r_first, r_last = what[1], what[2]
-    local f, l = tonumber(r_first), tonumber(r_last)
-    if r_first then
-        if f then
-            if f > first then
-                first = f
-            end
-        else
-            for i=first,last do
-                if find(lines[i],r_first) then
-                    first = i + 1
-                    break
-                end
-            end
-        end
+local function collectcontent(names,separator) -- no print
+    if type(names) == "string" then
+        names = settings_to_array(names)
     end
-    if r_last then
-        if l then
-            if l < 0 then
-                l = #lines + l
-            end
-            if find(r_last,"^[%+]") then -- 1,+3
-                l = first + l
-            end
-            if l < last then
-                last = l
-            end
-        else
-            for i=first,last do
-                if find(lines[i],r_last) then
-                    last = i - 1
-                    break
-                end
+    if #names == 1 then
+        return getcontent(names[1])
+    else
+        local t, n = { }, 0
+        for i=1,#names do
+            local c = getcontent(names[i])
+            if c ~= "" then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = c
             end
         end
+        return concat(t,separator or "\r") -- "\n" is safer due to comments and such
     end
-    return first, last
 end
 
--- this will go to buff-ver.lua
+buffers.erase          = erase
+buffers.assign         = assign
+buffers.append         = append
+buffers.exists         = exists
+buffers.getcontent     = getcontent
+buffers.getlines       = getlines
+buffers.collectcontent = collect
 
--- there is some overlap in the following
+-- the context interface
 
-flags.tablength = 7
+commands.erasebuffer  = erase
+commands.assignbuffer = assign
 
-local function flush(content,method,settings)
-    local tab = settings.tab
-    tab = tab and (tab == variables.yes and flags.tablength or tonumber(tab))
-    if tab then
-        content = utilities.strings.tabtospace(content,tab)
-    end
-    local visualizer = settings.visualizer
-    if visualizer and visualizer ~= "" then
-        visualizers.visualize(visualizer,method,content,settings)
-    else -- todo:
-        visualizers.visualize("",method,content,settings)
-    end
-end
+local P, patterns, lpegmatch = lpeg.P, lpeg.patterns, lpeg.match
 
-local function filter(lines,settings) -- todo: inline or display in settings
-    local strip = settings.strip
-    if strip then
-        lines = buffers.realign(lines,strip)
-    end
-    local line, n = 0, 0
-    local first, last, m = buffers.strip(lines)
-    if range then
-        first, last = buffers.range(lines,first,last,range)
-        first, last = buffers.strip(lines,first,last)
-    end
-    local content = concat(lines,(settings.nature == "inline" and " ") or "\n",first,last)
-    return content, m
+local function countnesting(b,e)
+    local n
+    local g = P(b) / function() n = n + 1 end
+            + P(e) / function() n = n - 1 end
+            + patterns.anything
+    local p = patterns.alwaysmatched / function() n = 0 end
+            * g^0
+            * patterns.alwaysmatched / function() return n end
+    return p
 end
 
-function buffers.typestring(settings) -- todo: settings.nature = "inline"
-    local content = settings.data
-    if content and content ~= "" then
-        flush(content,"inline",settings)
-    end
-end
+local counters = { }
+local nesting  = 0
 
-function buffers.typebuffer(settings) -- todo: settings.nature = "display"
-    local name = settings.name
-    local lines = name and data[name]
-    if lines then
-        if type(lines) == "string" then
-            lines = splitlines(lines)
-            data[name] = lines
-        end
-        local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
-        if content and content ~= "" then
-            flush(content,"display",settings)
-        end
+function commands.grabbuffer(name,begintag,endtag,bufferdata) -- maybe move \\ to call
+    local dn = getcontent(name)
+    if dn == "" then
+        nesting = 0
     end
-end
-
-function buffers.processbuffer(settings) -- nearly the same
-    local name = settings.name
-    local lines = name and data[name]
-    if lines then
-        -- dodo: process only and feedback
-        if type(lines) == "string" then
-            lines = splitlines(lines)
-            data[name] = lines
-        end
-        local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
-        if content and content ~= "" then
-            flush(content,"direct",settings)
-        end
+ -- nesting = nesting + count(bufferdata,"\\"..begintag) - count(bufferdata,"\\"..endtag)
+    local counter = counters[begintag]
+    if not counter then
+        counter = countnesting(begintag,endtag)
+        counters[begintag] = counter
     end
-end
-
-function buffers.typefile(settings) -- todo: settings.nature = "display"
-    local name = settings.name
-    local str = buffers.loaddata(name)
-    if str and str ~= "" then
-        local regime = settings.regime
-        if regime and regime ~= "" then
-            regimes.load(regime)
-            str = regimes.translate(str,regime)
+    nesting = nesting + lpegmatch(counter,bufferdata)
+    local more = nesting > 0
+    if more then
+        dn = dn .. bufferdata .. endtag
+        nesting = nesting - 1
+    else
+        if dn == "" then
+            dn = sub(bufferdata,1,-2)
+        else
+            dn = dn .. "\n" .. sub(bufferdata,1,-2)
         end
-        if str and str~= "" then
-            local lines = splitlines(str)
-            local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
-            if content and content ~= "" then
-                flush(content,"display",settings)
-            end
+        local last = sub(dn,-1)
+        if last == "\n" or last == "\r" then
+            dn = sub(dn,1,-2)
         end
     end
-end
-
-function buffers.loaddata(filename) -- this one might go away or become local
-    local foundname = resolvers.findtexfile(filename) or ""
-    if foundname == ""  then
-        foundname = resolvers.findtexfile(file.addsuffix(filename,'tex')) or ""
-    end
-    if foundname == "" then
-        return ""
-    else
-        return resolvers.loadtexfile(foundname)
-    end
+    assign(name,dn)
+    commands.testcase(more)
 end
 
 -- The optional prefix hack is there for the typesetbuffer feature and
@@ -275,7 +144,7 @@ local function prepared(name,list) -- list is optional
     if not name or name == "" then
         name = tex.jobname .. "-" .. list .. ".tmp"
     end
-    local content = buffers.collect(list,nil) or ""
+    local content = collectcontent(list,nil) or ""
     if content == "" then
         content = "empty buffer"
     end
@@ -285,19 +154,12 @@ end
 local capsule = "\\starttext\n%s\n\\stoptext\n"
 local command = "context %s"
 
-function buffers.save(name,list,encapsulate) -- list is optional
-    local name, content = prepared(name,list)
-    io.savedata(name, (encapsulate and format(capsule,content)) or content)
-end
-
-function commands.savebuffer(list,name) -- name is optional
-    buffers.save(name,list)
-end
-
-function buffers.run(name,list,encapsulate)
+function commands.runbuffer(name,list,encapsulate)
     local name, content = prepared(name,list)
+    if encapsulate then
+        content = format(capsule,content)
+    end
     local data = io.loaddata(name)
-    content = (encapsulate and format(capsule,content)) or content
     if data ~= content then
         if trace_run then
             commands.writestatus("buffers","changes in '%s', processing forced",name)
@@ -309,39 +171,21 @@ function buffers.run(name,list,encapsulate)
     end
 end
 
-local printer = (lpeg.patterns.textline/texprint)^0 -- not the right one, we can use context(b)
-
-function buffers.get(name)
-    local b = data[name]
-    if b then
-        context.viafile(b)
---~         if type(b) == "table" then
---~             for i=1,#b do
---~                 texprint(b[i])
---~             end
---~         else
---~             lpegmatch(printer,b)
---~         end
-    end
+function commands.savebuffer(list,name) -- name is optional
+    local name, content = prepared(name,list)
+    io.savedata(name,content)
 end
 
-local function content(name,separator) -- no print
-    local b = data[name]
-    if b then
-        if type(b) == "table" then
-            return concat(b,separator or "\n")
-        else
-            return b
-        end
-    else
-        return ""
-    end
+function commands.getbuffer(name)
+    context.viafile(data[name])
 end
 
-buffers.content = content
+function commands.getbuffermkvi(name)
+    context.viafile(resolvers.macros.preprocessed(getcontent(name)))
+end
 
-function buffers.evaluate(name)
-    local ok = loadstring(content(name))
+function commands.getbufferctxlua(name)
+    local ok = loadstring(getcontent(name))
     if ok then
         ok()
     else
@@ -349,110 +193,14 @@ function buffers.evaluate(name)
     end
 end
 
--- maybe we should keep buffers unsplit and only split when needed
--- or better: we need a tex.sprint that splits on newlines (\r \n or
--- \r\n)
-
-local function n_content(s)
-    flush(contentcatcodes,s)
-end
-
-local function n_endofline()
-    texsprint(" ")
-end
-
-local function n_emptyline()
-    texprint("")
-end
-
-local function n_simpleline()
-    texprint("")
-end
-
-function buffers.mkvi(name,raw)
-    local lines = content(name)
-    lines = resolvers.macros.preprocessed(lines)
- -- context.printlines(lines,raw)
-    context.viafile(lines)
-end
-
-function buffers.collect(names,separator) -- no print
-    -- maybe we should always store a buffer as table so
-    -- that we can pass it directly
-    if type(names) == "string" then
-        names = settings_to_array(names)
-    end
-    local t, n = { }, 0
-    for i=1,#names do
-        local c = content(names[i],separator)
-        if c ~= "" then
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = c
-        end
-    end
-    return concat(t,separator or "\r") -- "\n" is safer due to comments and such
-end
-
-function buffers.feedback(names,separator) -- we can use cld
-    -- don't change the texprint into texsprint as it fails on mp buffers
-    -- because (p<nl>enddef) becomes penddef then
-    texprint(ctxcatcodes,splitlines(buffers.collect(names,separator)))
+function commands.doifelsebuffer(name)
+    commands.testcase(exists(name))
 end
 
-local function tobyte(c)
-    return " [" .. utfbyte(c) .. "] "
-end
+-- This only used for mp buffers and is a kludge. Don't
+-- change the texprint into texsprint as it fails because
+-- "p<nl>enddef" becomes "penddef" then.
 
-function buffers.inspect(name)
-    local b = data[name]
-    if b then
-        if type(b) == "table" then
-            for k=1,#b do
-                local v = b[k]
-                context(v == "" and "[crlf]" or gsub(v,"(.)",tobyte))
-                par()
-            end
-        else
-            context((gsub(b,"(.)",tobyte)))
-        end
-    end
-end
-
-function buffers.realign(name,forced_n) -- no, auto, <number>
-    local n, d
-    if type(name) == "string" then
-        d = data[name]
-        if type(d) == "string" then
-            d = splitlines(d)
-        end
-    else
-        d = name -- already a buffer
-    end
-    forced_n = (forced_n == variables.auto and huge) or tonumber(forced_n)
-    if forced_n then
-        for i=1, #d do
-            local spaces = find(d[i],"%S")
-            if not spaces then
-                -- empty line
-            elseif not n then
-                n = spaces
-            elseif spaces == 0 then
-                n = 0
-                break
-            elseif n > spaces then
-                n = spaces
-            end
-        end
-        if n > 0 then
-            if n > forced_n then
-                n = forced_n
-            end
-            for i=1,#d do
-                d[i] = sub(d[i],n)
-            end
-        end
-    end
-    return d
+function commands.feedback(names)
+    texprint(ctxcatcodes,splitlines(collectcontent(names)))
 end
-
--- escapes: buffers.setescapepair("tex","/BTEX","/ETEX")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.mkiv
index 403bbf55f..221d9e4b1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.mkiv
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@
 \let\currentbuffer\empty
 
 \def\doifelsebuffer#1%
-  {\ctxlua{buffers.doifelsebuffer("#1")}}
+  {\ctxlua{commands.doifelsebuffer("#1")}}
 
 \def\resetbuffer
   {\dosingleempty\doresetbuffer}
 
 \def\doresetbuffer[#1]%
-  {\ctxlua{buffers.erase("#1")}}
+  {\ctxlua{commands.erasebuffer("#1")}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\dostartdefinedbuffer
   {\bgroup
@@ -65,13 +65,13 @@
 \unexpanded\long\def\dodowithbuffer#1#2#3#4#5% name, startsequence, stopsequence, before, after
   {#4%
    \bgroup
-   \ctxlua{buffers.erase("#1")}%
+   \ctxlua{commands.erasebuffer("#1")}%
    \setcatcodetable \vrbcatcodes
    \long\def\nododowithbuffer
      {\egroup
       #5}%
    \long\def\dododowithbuffer##1#3% is detokenize needed? TEST
-     {\ctxlua{buffers.grab("#1","#2","#3",\!!bs\detokenize{##1}\!!es)} % space ?
+     {\ctxlua{commands.grabbuffer("#1","#2","#3",\!!bs\detokenize{##1}\!!es)} % space ?
       \dododowithbuffer
       \nododowithbuffer}%
    \dododowithbuffer}
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 \let\endbuffer\relax
 
 \long\def\dosetbuffer[#1]#2\endbuffer % seldom used so we just pass #2
-  {\ctxlua{buffers.set("#1", \!!bs\detokenize{#2}\!!es)}}
+  {\ctxlua{commands.assignbuffer("#1", \!!bs\detokenize{#2}\!!es)}}
 
 \def\namedbufferparameter#1#2{\csname\??bu#1#2\endcsname}
 
@@ -147,13 +147,7 @@
    \namedbufferparameter{#1}\c!after}
 
 \def\dododogetbuffer#1%
-  {\ctxlua{buffers.get("#1")}}
-
-\def\inspectbuffer
-  {\dosingleempty\doinspectbuffer}
-
-\def\doinspectbuffer[#1]%
-  {\ctxlua{buffers.inspect("#1")}}
+  {\ctxlua{commands.getbuffer("#1")}}
 
 \definebuffer[\v!hiding] \setupbuffer[\v!hiding][\c!before=,\c!after=]
 
@@ -190,8 +184,7 @@
 \def\mkvibuffer   {\dosingleempty\domkvibuffer}
 \def\mkvibufferraw{\dosingleempty\domkvibufferraw}
 
-\def\doctxluabuffer [#1]{\ctxlua{buffers.evaluate("#1")}}
-\def\domkvibuffer   [#1]{\ctxlua{buffers.mkvi("#1")}}
-%def\domkvibufferraw[#1]{\ctxlua{buffers.mkvi("#1",true)}}
+\def\doctxluabuffer [#1]{\ctxlua{commands.getbufferctxlua("#1")}}
+\def\domkvibuffer   [#1]{\ctxlua{commands.getbuffermkvi("#1")}}
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/buff-ver.lua b/tex/context/base/buff-ver.lua
index cee02c52d..c8f24c813 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/buff-ver.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/buff-ver.lua
@@ -9,14 +9,16 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['buff-ver'] = {
 -- The default visualizers have reserved names starting with v-*. Users are
 -- supposed to use different names for their own variants.
 
-local type, rawset, rawget, setmetatable, getmetatable = type, rawset, rawget, setmetatable, getmetatable
-local format, lower, match = string.format, string.lower, string.match
+local type, next, rawset, rawget, setmetatable, getmetatable = type, next, rawset, rawget, setmetatable, getmetatable
+local format, lower, match, find, sub = string.format, string.lower, string.match, string.find, string.sub
+local splitlines = string.splitlines
+local concat = table.concat
 local C, P, V, Carg = lpeg.C, lpeg.P, lpeg.V, lpeg.Carg
-local patterns, lpegmatch, lpegtype = lpeg.patterns, lpeg.match, lpeg.type
+local patterns, lpegmatch, is_lpeg = lpeg.patterns, lpeg.match, lpeg.is_lpeg
 
-local function is_lpeg(p)
-    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
-end
+local tabtospace = utilities.strings.tabtospace
+local variables = interfaces.variables
+local settings_to_array = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array
 
 visualizers = visualizers or { }
 
@@ -27,7 +29,8 @@ local variables = interfaces.variables
 local findfile = resolvers.findfile
 local addsuffix = file.addsuffix
 
-local v_yes = variables.yes
+local v_auto = variables.auto
+local v_yes  = variables.yes
 
 -- beware, these all get an argument (like newline)
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ local doverbatimspace            = context.doverbatimspace
 local CargOne = Carg(1)
 
 local function f_emptyline(s,settings)
-    if settings and settings.currentnature == "inline" then
+    if settings and settings.nature == "inline" then
         doinlineverbatimemptyline()
     else
         dodisplayverbatimemptyline()
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ local function f_emptyline(s,settings)
 end
 
 local function f_beginline(s,settings)
-    if settings and settings.currentnature == "inline" then
+    if settings and settings.nature == "inline" then
         doinlineverbatimbeginline()
     else
         dodisplayverbatimbeginline()
@@ -64,7 +67,7 @@ local function f_beginline(s,settings)
 end
 
 local function f_newline(s,settings)
-    if settings and settings.currentnature == "inline" then
+    if settings and settings.nature == "inline" then
         doinlineverbatimnewline()
     else
         dodisplayverbatimnewline()
@@ -72,7 +75,7 @@ local function f_newline(s,settings)
 end
 
 local function f_start(s,settings)
-    if settings and settings.currentnature == "inline" then
+    if settings and settings.nature == "inline" then
         doinlineverbatimstart()
     else
         dodisplayverbatimstart()
@@ -80,7 +83,7 @@ local function f_start(s,settings)
 end
 
 local function f_stop(s,settings)
-    if settings and settings.currentnature == "inline" then
+    if settings and settings.nature == "inline" then
         doinlineverbatimstop()
     else
         dodisplayverbatimstop()
@@ -293,8 +296,9 @@ end
 
 local escapedvisualizers = { }
 
-local function visualize(method,nature,content,settings) -- maybe also method and nature in settings
+local function visualize(content,settings) -- maybe also method in settings
     if content and content ~= "" then
+        local method = settings.method or "default"
         local m
         local e = settings.escape
         if e and e ~= "" then
@@ -325,8 +329,8 @@ local function visualize(method,nature,content,settings) -- maybe also method an
         else
             m = specifications[method] or specifications.default
         end
+        local nature = settings.nature or "display"
         local n = m and m[nature]
-        settings.currentnature = nature or settings.nature or "display" -- tricky ... why sometimes no nature
         if n then
             n(content,settings)
         else
@@ -338,16 +342,27 @@ end
 visualizers.visualize     = visualize
 visualizers.getvisualizer = getvisualizer
 
-function visualizers.visualizestring(method,content,settings)
-    visualize(method,"inline",content)
+local function checkedsettings(settings,nature)
+    if not settings then
+        return { nature = nature }
+    else
+        if not settings.nature then
+            settings.nature = nature
+        end
+        return settings
+    end
 end
 
-function visualizers.visualizefile(method,name,settings)
-    visualize(method,"display",resolvers.loadtexfile(name),settings)
+function visualizers.visualizestring(content,settings)
+    visualize(content,checkedsettings(settings,"inline"))
 end
 
-function visualizers.visualizebuffer(method,name,settings)
-    visualize(method,"display",buffers.content(name),settings)
+function visualizers.visualizefile(name,settings)
+    visualize(resolvers.loadtexfile(name),checkedsettings(settings,"display"))
+end
+
+function visualizers.visualizebuffer(name,settings)
+    visualize(buffers.getcontent(name),checkedsettings(settings,"display"))
 end
 
 -- --
@@ -375,3 +390,182 @@ function visualizers.writeargument(...)
     write(...)    -- use a faster print to tex variant for the
     context("}")  -- { } tokens as they always have ctxcatcodes.
 end
+
+-- helpers
+
+local function realign(lines,forced_n) -- no, auto, <number>
+    forced_n = (forced_n == v_auto and huge) or tonumber(forced_n)
+    if forced_n then
+        local n = 0
+        for i=1, #lines do
+            local spaces = find(lines[i],"%S")
+            if not spaces then
+                -- empty line
+            elseif not n then
+                n = spaces
+            elseif spaces == 0 then
+                n = 0
+                break
+            elseif n > spaces then
+                n = spaces
+            end
+        end
+        if n > 0 then
+            if n > forced_n then
+                n = forced_n
+            end
+            for i=1,#d do
+                lines[i] = sub(lines[i],n)
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return lines
+end
+
+local function getstrip(lines,first,last)
+    local first, last = first or 1, last or #lines
+    for i=first,last do
+        local li = lines[i]
+        if #li == 0 or find(li,"^%s*$") then
+            first = first + 1
+        else
+            break
+        end
+    end
+    for i=last,first,-1 do
+        local li = lines[i]
+        if #li == 0 or find(li,"^%s*$") then
+            last = last - 1
+        else
+            break
+        end
+    end
+    return first, last, last - first + 1
+end
+
+local function getrange(lines,first,last,range) -- 1,3 1,+3 fromhere,tothere
+    local noflines = #lines
+    local first, last = first or 1, last or noflines
+    if last < 0 then
+        last = noflines + last
+    end
+    local what = settings_to_array(range)
+    local r_first, r_last = what[1], what[2]
+    local f, l = tonumber(r_first), tonumber(r_last)
+    if r_first then
+        if f then
+            if f > first then
+                first = f
+            end
+        else
+            for i=first,last do
+                if find(lines[i],r_first) then
+                    first = i + 1
+                    break
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if r_last then
+        if l then
+            if l < 0 then
+                l = noflines + l
+            end
+            if find(r_last,"^[%+]") then -- 1,+3
+                l = first + l
+            end
+            if l < last then
+                last = l
+            end
+        else
+            for i=first,last do
+                if find(lines[i],r_last) then
+                    last = i - 1
+                    break
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return first, last
+end
+
+local tablength = 7
+
+local function flush(content,settings)
+    local tab = settings.tab
+    tab = tab and (tab == v_yes and tablength or tonumber(tab))
+    if tab then
+        content = tabtospace(content,tab)
+    end
+    visualize(content,settings)
+end
+
+local function filter(lines,settings) -- todo: inline or display in settings
+    local strip = settings.strip
+    if strip == v_yes then
+        lines = realign(lines,strip)
+    end
+    local line, n = 0, 0
+    local first, last, m = getstrip(lines)
+    if range then
+        first, last = getrange(lines,first,last,range)
+        first, last = getstrip(lines,first,last)
+    end
+    local content = concat(lines,(settings.nature == "inline" and " ") or "\n",first,last)
+    return content, m
+end
+
+-- main functions
+
+local getlines = buffers.getlines
+
+function commands.typebuffer(settings)
+    local lines = getlines(settings.name)
+    if lines then
+        local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
+        if content and content ~= "" then
+            flush(content,checkedsettings(settings,"display"))
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function commands.processbuffer(settings)
+    local lines = getlines(settings.name)
+    if lines then
+        local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
+        if content and content ~= "" then
+            flush(content,checkedsettings(settings,"direct"))
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+-- not really buffers but it's closely related
+
+function commands.typestring(settings)
+    local content = settings.data
+    if content and content ~= "" then
+        flush(content,checkedsettings(settings,"inline"))
+    end
+end
+
+function commands.typefile(settings)
+    local filename = settings.name
+    local foundname = resolvers.findtexfile(filename)
+    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
+        local str = resolvers.loadtexfile(foundname)
+        if str and str ~= "" then
+            local regime = settings.regime
+            if regime and regime ~= "" then
+                regimes.load(regime)
+                str = regimes.translate(str,regime)
+            end
+            if str and str~= "" then
+                local lines = splitlines(str)
+                local content, m = filter(lines,settings)
+                if content and content ~= "" then
+                    flush(content,checkedsettings(settings,"display"))
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/buff-ver.mkiv b/tex/context/base/buff-ver.mkiv
index 6dd540385..f4402eb41 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/buff-ver.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/buff-ver.mkiv
@@ -331,10 +331,11 @@
 \def\dodotypenormal#1%
   {\secondstageinitializetype
    \dostarttagged\t!verbatim\currenttype
-   \ctxlua{buffers.typestring {
-     data       = \!!bs\detokenize{#1}\!!es,
-     tab        = "\typeparameter\c!tab",
-     visualizer = "\typeparameter\c!option",
+   \ctxlua{commands.typestring {
+     data   = \!!bs\detokenize{#1}\!!es,
+     tab    = "\typeparameter\c!tab",
+     method = "\typeparameter\c!option",
+     nature = "inline",
     }}%
    \dostoptagged
    \egroup}
@@ -342,11 +343,12 @@
 \def\dodotypenested#1%
   {\secondstageinitializetype
    \dostarttagged\t!verbatim\currenttype
-   \ctxlua{buffers.typestring {
-     data       = \!!bs\detokenize{#1}\!!es,
-     tab        = "\typeparameter\c!tab",
-     visualizer = "nested", % we force a special visualizer
-     option     = "\typeparameter\c!option", % extra visualizer (maybe: nested,\typeparameter\c!option)
+   \ctxlua{commands.typestring {
+     data   = \!!bs\detokenize{#1}\!!es,
+     tab    = "\typeparameter\c!tab",
+     method = "nested", % we force a special visualizer
+     option = "\typeparameter\c!option", % extra visualizer (maybe: nested,\typeparameter\c!option)
+     nature = "inline",
    }}%
    \dostoptagged
    \egroup
@@ -449,13 +451,14 @@
   {\secondstageinitializetyping
    \beginofverbatimlines
    \dostarttagged\t!verbatimblock\currenttyping
-   \ctxlua{buffers.typebuffer {
-     name       = "_typing_",
-     strip      = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
-     range      = "\typingparameter\c!range",
-     tab        = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
-     visualizer = "\typingparameter\c!option",
-     escape     = \!!bs\typingparameter\c!escape\!!es,
+   \ctxlua{commands.typebuffer {
+     name   = "_typing_",
+     strip  = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
+     range  = "\typingparameter\c!range",
+     tab    = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
+     method = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+     escape = \!!bs\typingparameter\c!escape\!!es,
+     nature = "display",
    }}%
    \dostoptagged
    \endofverbatimlines
@@ -560,13 +563,14 @@
    \secondstageinitializetyping
    \beginofverbatimlines
    \dostarttagged\t!verbatimblock\currenttyping
-   \ctxlua{buffers.typefile {
-      name       = "#2",
-      strip      = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
-      range      = "\typingparameter\c!range",
-      regime     = "\currentregime",
-      tab        = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
-      visualizer = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+   \ctxlua{commands.typefile {
+      name   = "#2",
+      strip  = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
+      range  = "\typingparameter\c!range",
+      regime = "\currentregime",
+      tab    = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
+      method = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+      nature = "display",
     }}%
    \dostoptagged
    \endofverbatimlines
@@ -721,13 +725,14 @@
    \secondstageinitializetyping
    \beginofverbatimlines
    \dostarttagged\t!verbatim{#1}%
-   \ctxlua{buffers.typebuffer {
-     name       = "#2",
-     strip      = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
-     range      = "\typingparameter\c!range",
-     regime     = "\currentregime",
-     tab        = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
-     visualizer = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+   \ctxlua{commands.typebuffer {
+     name   = "#2",
+     strip  = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
+     range  = "\typingparameter\c!range",
+     regime = "\currentregime",
+     tab    = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
+     method = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+     nature = "display",
    }}%
    \dostoptagged
    \endofverbatimlines
@@ -760,12 +765,12 @@
 
 \def\dodoprocessbuffer#1#2%
   {\edef\currenttyping{#1}%
-   \ctxlua{buffers.processbuffer {
-     name       = "#2",
-     strip      = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
-     tab        = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
-     visualizer = "\typingparameter\c!option",
-     nature     = "direct",
+   \ctxlua{commands.processbuffer {
+     name   = "#2",
+     strip  = "\typingparameter\c!strip",
+     tab    = "\typingparameter\c!tab",
+     method = "\typingparameter\c!option",
+     nature = "direct",
    }}}
 
 % line numbering, keep broken lines together
diff --git a/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua b/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
index 27e87d29c..c509231e3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
@@ -245,8 +245,10 @@ function utffilters.collapse(str) -- not really tested (we could preallocate a t
     return str
 end
 
-utilities.sequencers.appendaction (resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"system","characters.filters.utf.collapse")
-utilities.sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"characters.filters.utf.collapse")
+local textfileactions = resolvers.openers.helpers.textfileactions
+
+utilities.sequencers.appendaction (textfileactions,"system","characters.filters.utf.collapse")
+utilities.sequencers.disableaction(textfileactions,"characters.filters.utf.collapse")
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>Next we implement some commands that are used in the user interface.</p>
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cldf-com.lua b/tex/context/base/cldf-com.lua
index 9d03a450a..4c5e106a7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cldf-com.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/cldf-com.lua
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ function context.utfchar(k)
     context(utfchar(k))
 end
 
+-- plain variants
+
 function context.chardef(cs,u)
     context(format([[\chardef\%s=%s\relax]],k))
 end
@@ -78,3 +80,15 @@ end
 function context.egroup()
     context("}")
 end
+
+local rule = nodes.pool.rule
+
+function context.hrule(w,h,d,dir)
+    if type(w) == "table" then
+        context(rule(w.width,w.height,w.depth,w.dir))
+    else
+        context(rule(w,h,d,dir))
+    end
+end
+
+context.vrule = context.hrule
diff --git a/tex/context/base/colo-ext.mkiv b/tex/context/base/colo-ext.mkiv
index 5fda96692..bc1c2fc41 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/colo-ext.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/colo-ext.mkiv
@@ -76,14 +76,25 @@
 \setupcolors[\c!intent=\v!none]
 
 % A goodie that replaces the startMPcolor hackery
-%
-% \definecolor[red-t]  [r=1,t=0.5,a=1]
+
+%\definecolor[red-t]  [r=1,t=0.5,a=1]
 % \definecolor[green-t][g=1,t=0.5,a=1]
+%
 % \defineintermediatecolor[mycolora][0.5,red,green]
 % \defineintermediatecolor[mycolorb][0.5,red-t,green-t]
+%
+% \definecolor[mycolorc][.5(blue,red)]
+% \definecolor[mycolord][.5(blue)]
+%
+% \enabledirectives[colors.pgf]
+% \definecolor[mycolorx][magenta!50!yellow]
+%
 % \starttext
 %     test {\mycolora OEPS} test
 %     test {\mycolorb OEPS} test
+%     test {\mycolorc OEPS} test
+%     test {\mycolord OEPS} test
+%     test {\mycolorx OEPS} test
 % \stoptext
 
 \unexpanded\def\defineintermediatecolor
diff --git a/tex/context/base/colo-icc.lua b/tex/context/base/colo-icc.lua
index fd30b63e4..fb2f83983 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/colo-icc.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/colo-icc.lua
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ local cleaned = invalid^0 * Cs((1-invalid)^0)
 function colors.iccprofile(filename,verbose)
     local fullname = resolvers.findfile(filename,"icc") or ""
     if fullname == "" then
-        local locate = resolvers.finders.loc -- not in mtxrun
+        local locate = resolvers.finders.byscheme -- not in mtxrun
         if locate then
-            fullname = locate(filename) -- could be specific to the project
+            fullname = locate("loc",filename)
         end
     end
     if fullname == "" then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
index cf8a997cf..238693bd0 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['colo-ini'] = {
 local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 local concat = table.concat
 local format, gmatch, gsub, lower, match, find = string.format, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.lower, string.match, string.find
+local P, R, C, Cc = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc
+local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local trace_define = false  trackers.register("colors.define",function(v) trace_define = v end)
 
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ local function inheritcolor(name, ca, global)
             if trace_define then
                 commands.writestatus("color","inherit global color '%s' with attribute: %s",name,ca)
             end
-            context.colordeffgc(name,ca)
+            context.colordeffgc(name,ca) -- some day we will set the macro directly
         else
             if trace_define then
                 commands.writestatus("color","inherit local color '%s' with attribute: %s",name,ca)
@@ -243,11 +245,47 @@ function colors.definesimplegray(name,s)
     return register_color(name,'gray',s) -- we still need to get rid of 'color'
 end
 
+local hexdigit    = R("09","AF","af")
+local hexnumber   = hexdigit * hexdigit / function(s) return tonumber(s,16)/255 end + Cc(0)
+local hexpattern  = hexnumber^-3 * P(-1)
+local hexcolor    = Cc("H") * P("#") * hexpattern
+
+local left        = P("(")
+local right       = P(")")
+local comma       = P(",")
+local mixnumber   = lpegpatterns.number / tonumber
+local mixname     = C(P(1-left-right-comma)^1)
+local mixcolor    = Cc("M") * mixnumber * left * mixname * (comma * mixname)^-1 * right * P(-1)
+
+local exclamation = P("!")
+local pgfnumber   = lpegpatterns.digit^0 / function(s) return tonumber(s)/100 end
+local pgfname     = C(P(1-exclamation)^1)
+local pgfcolor    = Cc("P") * pgfname * exclamation * pgfnumber * (exclamation * pgfname)^-1 * P(-1)
+
+local specialcolor = hexcolor + mixcolor
+
+local l_color        = attributes.list[a_color]
+local l_transparency = attributes.list[a_transparency]
+
+directives.register("colors.pgf",function(v)
+    if v then
+        specialcolor = hexcolor + mixcolor + pgfcolor
+    else
+        specialcolor = hexcolor + mixcolor
+    end
+end)
+
 function colors.defineprocesscolor(name,str,global,freeze) -- still inconsistent color vs transparent
-    local x = match(str,"^#(.+)$") -- for old times sake (if we need to feed from xml or so)
-    if x then
-        local r, g, b = match(x .. "000000","(..)(..)(..)") -- watch the 255
-        definecolor(name, register_color(name,'rgb',(tonumber(r,16) or 0)/255,(tonumber(g,16) or 0)/255,(tonumber(b,16) or 0)/255), global)
+    local what, one, two, three = lpegmatch(specialcolor,str)
+    if what == "H" then
+        -- for old times sake (if we need to feed from xml or so)
+        definecolor(name, register_color(name,'rgb',one,two,three),global)
+    elseif what == "M" then
+        -- intermediate
+        return colors.defineintermediatecolor(name,one,l_color[two],l_color[three],l_transparency[two],l_transparency[three],"",global,freeze)
+    elseif what == "P" then
+        -- pgf for tikz
+        return colors.defineintermediatecolor(name,two,l_color[one],l_color[three],l_transparency[one],l_transparency[three],"",global,freeze)
     else
         local settings = settings_to_hash_strict(str)
         if settings then
@@ -267,8 +305,8 @@ function colors.defineprocesscolor(name,str,global,freeze) -- still inconsistent
                     else
                         local x = settings.x or h
                         if x then
-                            r, g, b = match(x .. "000000","(..)(..)(..)") -- watch the 255
-                            definecolor(name, register_color(name,'rgb',(tonumber(r,16) or 0)/255,(tonumber(g,16) or 0)/255,(tonumber(b,16) or 0)/255), global)
+                            r, g, b = lpegmatch(hexpattern,x) -- can be inlined
+                            definecolor(name, register_color(name,'rgb',r,g,b), global)
                         else
                             definecolor(name, register_color(name,'gray',tonumber(s) or 0), global)
                         end
@@ -507,20 +545,35 @@ end
 function colors.defineintermediatecolor(name,fraction,c_one,c_two,a_one,a_two,specs,global,freeze)
     fraction = tonumber(fraction) or 1
     local one, two = colors.value(c_one), colors.value(c_two)
-    if one and two then
-        local csone, cstwo = one[1], two[1]
-        if csone == cstwo then
-            -- actually we can set all 8 values at once here but this is cleaner as we avoid
-            -- problems with weighted gray conversions and work with original values
+    if one then
+        if two then
+            local csone, cstwo = one[1], two[1]
+            if csone == cstwo then
+                -- actually we can set all 8 values at once here but this is cleaner as we avoid
+                -- problems with weighted gray conversions and work with original values
+                local ca
+                if csone == 2 then
+                    ca = register_color(name,'gray',f(one,two,2,fraction))
+                elseif csone == 3 then
+                    ca = register_color(name,'rgb', f(one,two,3,fraction),f(one,two,4,fraction),f(one,two,5,fraction))
+                elseif csone == 4 then
+                    ca = register_color(name,'cmyk',f(one,two,6,fraction),f(one,two,7,fraction),f(one,two,8,fraction),f(one,two,9,fraction))
+                else
+                    ca = register_color(name,'gray',f(one,two,2,fraction))
+                end
+                definecolor(name,ca,global,freeze)
+            end
+        else
+            local csone = one[1]
             local ca
             if csone == 2 then
-                ca = register_color(name,'gray',f(one,two,2,fraction))
+                ca = register_color(name,'gray',fraction*one[2])
             elseif csone == 3 then
-                ca = register_color(name,'rgb',f(one,two,3,fraction),f(one,two,4,fraction),f(one,two,5,fraction))
+                ca = register_color(name,'rgb', fraction*one[3],fraction*one[4],fraction*one[5])
             elseif csone == 4 then
-                ca = register_color(name,'cmyk',f(one,two,6,fraction),f(one,two,7,fraction),f(one,two,8,fraction),f(one,two,9,fraction))
+                ca = register_color(name,'cmyk',fraction*one[6],fraction*one[7],fraction*one[8],fraction*one[9])
             else
-                ca = register_color(name,'gray',f(one,two,2,fraction))
+                ca = register_color(name,'gray',fraction*one[2])
             end
             definecolor(name,ca,global,freeze)
         end
@@ -530,7 +583,6 @@ function colors.defineintermediatecolor(name,fraction,c_one,c_two,a_one,a_two,sp
     local ta = tonumber((t and t.a) or (one and one[1]) or (two and two[1]))
     local tt = tonumber((t and t.t) or (one and two and f(one,two,2,fraction)))
     if ta and tt then
---~     print(ta,tt)
         definetransparent(name,transparencies.register(name,ta,tt),global)
     end
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
index 9e97001b7..08307b0d5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
@@ -37,12 +37,4 @@
 
 \let\\=\crlf
 
-%  for a while as these can be used in user modules
-
-% \startluacode
-%     jobregisters         = logs.obsolete("jobregisters",        "structures.registers")
-%     buffers.finish_state = logs.obsolete("buffers.finish_state","buffers.finishstate")
-%     buffers.change_state = logs.obsolete("buffers.change_state","buffers.finishstate")
-% \stopluacode
-
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex b/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
index 97a4843d1..dfd4d8b7b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2010.11.27 14:27}
+\newcontextversion{2010.12.01 15:28}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
@@ -699,9 +699,10 @@
 %    \stoptabulate}
 
 \long\def\tableifelse#1%
-  {\TABLEnoalign{#1%
-     {\aftergroup \firstoftwoarguments}%
-     {\aftergroup\secondoftwoarguments}}}
+  {\tablenoalign
+     {#1%
+       {\aftergroup \firstoftwoarguments}%
+       {\aftergroup\secondoftwoarguments}}}
 
 \long \def\tableiftextelse#1{\tableifelse{\doiftextelse{#1}}}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context.tex b/tex/context/base/context.tex
index 8623788f2..0d9645f59 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/context.tex
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 %D your styles an modules.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2010.11.27 14:27}
+\edef\contextversion{2010.12.01 15:28}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-bin.lua b/tex/context/base/data-bin.lua
index f25b423e1..b18526c77 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-bin.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-bin.lua
@@ -6,25 +6,22 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-bin'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
-
 local resolvers = resolvers
+local methodhandler = resolvers.methodhandler
 
-local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
-
-function resolvers.findbinfile(filename, filetype)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('finders',filename, filetype)
+function resolvers.findbinfile(filename,filetype)
+    return methodhandler('finders',filename,filetype)
 end
 
 function resolvers.openbinfile(filename)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('loaders',filename)
+    return methodhandler('loaders',filename)
 end
 
-function resolvers.loadbinfile(filename, filetype)
-    local fname = resolvers.methodhandler('finders',filename, filetype)
+function resolvers.loadbinfile(filename,filetype)
+    local fname = methodhandler('finders',filename,filetype)
     if fname and fname ~= "" then
         return resolvers.openbinfile(fname)
     else
-        return unpack(loaders.notfound)
+        return resolvers.loaders.notfound()
     end
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-crl.lua b/tex/context/base/data-crl.lua
index 8fa947191..445bd5b0a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-crl.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-crl.lua
@@ -14,50 +14,48 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
 
-curl = curl or { }
-local curl = curl
+resolvers.curl = resolvers.curl or { }
+local curl     = resolvers.curl
 
 local cached = { }
 
-function curl.fetch(protocol, name) -- todo: use socket library
-    local cleanname = gsub(name,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
+local function runcurl(specification)
+    local original  = specification.original
+ -- local scheme    = specification.scheme
+    local cleanname = gsub(original,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
     local cachename = caches.setfirstwritablefile(cleanname,"curl")
-    if not cached[name] then
+    if not cached[original] then
         if not io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
-            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name -- no protocol .. "://"
+            cached[original] = cachename
+            local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. original
             os.spawn(command)
         end
         if io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
         else
-            cached[name] = ""
+            cached[original] = ""
         end
     end
-    return cached[name]
+    return cached[original]
 end
 
-function finders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    local foundname = curl.fetch(protocol, filename)
-    return finders.generic(protocol,foundname,filetype)
-end
-
-function openers.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return openers.generic(protocol,filename)
-end
+-- old code: we could be cleaner using specification (see schemes)
 
-function loaders.curl(protocol,filename)
-    return loaders.generic(protocol,filename)
+local function finder(specification,filetype)
+    return resolvers.methodhandler("finders",runcurl(specification),filetype)
 end
 
--- todo: metamethod
+local opener = openers.file
+local loader = loaders.file
 
-function curl.install(protocol)
-    finders[protocol] = function (filename,filetype) return finders.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    openers[protocol] = function (filename)          return openers.curl(protocol,filename) end
-    loaders[protocol] = function (filename)          return loaders.curl(protocol,filename) end
+local function install(scheme)
+    finders[scheme] = finder
+    openers[scheme] = opener
+    loaders[scheme] = loader
 end
 
-curl.install('http')
-curl.install('https')
-curl.install('ftp')
+resolvers.curl.install = install
+
+install('http')
+install('https')
+install('ftp')
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua b/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
index 98fbe9f95..22968df1a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-exp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files",
 }
 
-local format, gsub, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.gsub, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
+local format, find, gmatch, lower = string.format, string.find, string.gmatch, string.lower
 local concat, sort = table.concat, table.sort
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
-local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
+local Ct, Cs, Cc, P, C, S = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 -- As this bit of code is somewhat special it gets its own module. After
 -- all, when working on the main resolver code, I don't want to scroll
--- past this every time.
+-- past this every time. See data-obs.lua for the gsub variant.
 
 -- {a,b,c,d}
 -- a,b,c/{p,q,r},d
@@ -39,95 +39,70 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 -- {a,b,c/{p,q/{x,y,z},w}v,d/{p,q,r}}
 -- {$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local,.local,}/web2c}
 
--- this one is better and faster, but it took me a while to realize
--- that this kind of replacement is cleaner than messy parsing and
--- fuzzy concatenating we can probably gain a bit with selectively
--- applying lpeg, but experiments with lpeg parsing this proved not to
--- work that well; the parsing is ok, but dealing with the resulting
--- table is a pain because we need to work inside-out recursively
-
-local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
-
-local function do_first(a,b)
+local function f_first(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = a .. s
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = a .. s
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_second(a,b)
+local function f_second(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        n = n + 1
-        t[n] = s .. b
+        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s .. b
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_both(a,b)
+local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
-    return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
+    return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-local function do_three(a,b,c)
-    return a .. b.. c
-end
+local left  = P("{")
+local right = P("}")
+local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
+local set   = P((1 - S("{},"))^0)
+local other = P(1)
 
-local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper("{}@")
+local l_first  = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (C(set) * left * C(var) * right / f_first) * Cc("}")               + other )^0 )
+local l_second = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * C(set) / f_second) * Cc("}")              + other )^0 )
+local l_both   = Cs( ( Cc("{") * (left * C(var) * right * left * C(var) * right / f_both) * Cc("}") + other )^0 )
+local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right                      + other )^0 )
 
-local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer {
-    { ",}", ",@}" },
-    { "{,", "{@," },
-}
+local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
+local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
-local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
-    -- no need for further optimization as it is only called a
-    -- few times, we can use lpeg for the sub
+local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
-    while true do
-        done = false
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"([^{},]+){([^{}]+)}",do_first)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}([^{},]+)",do_second)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        while true do
-            str, ok = gsub(str,"{([^{}]+)}{([^{}]+)}",do_both)
-            if ok > 0 then done = true else break end
-        end
-        str, ok = gsub(str,"({[^{}]*){([^{}]+)}([^{}]*})",do_three)
-        if ok > 0 then done = true end
-        if not done then break end
-    end
+    repeat local old = str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_first, str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_second,str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_both,  str) until old == str
+        repeat local old = str ; str = lpegmatch(l_rest,  str) until old == str
+    until old == str -- or not find(str,"{")
     str = lpegmatch(stripper_1,str)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
             if s then
-                n = n + 1
-                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
             end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            n = n + 1
-            t[n] = s
+            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -138,71 +113,23 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     return t
 end
 
+-- We could make the previous one public.
+
 local function validate(s)
-    local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapsepath(s)
-    if isrecursive then
-        s = s .. "//"
-    end
-    return s ~= "" and not find(s,dummy_path_expr) and s
+    s = collapsepath(s) -- already keeps the //
+    return s ~= "" and not find(s,"^!*unset/*$") and s
 end
 
 resolvers.validatedpath = validate -- keeps the trailing //
 
-function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a path
-    -- a previous version fed back into pathlist
-    local newlist, ok = { }, false
+function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist)
+    local newlist = { }
     for k=1,#pathlist do
-        if find(pathlist[k],"[{}]") then
-            ok = true
-            break
-        end
-    end
-    if ok then
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
-        end
-    else
-        local n = 0
-        for k=1,#pathlist do
-            for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
-                p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    newlist[n] = p
-                end
-            end
-        end
+        splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
     end
     return newlist
 end
 
--- We also put some cleanup code here.
-
---~ local cleanup -- used recursively
---~ local homedir
-
---~ cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
---~     {
---~         "!",
---~         ""
---~     },
---~     {
---~         "\\",
---~         "/"
---~     },
---~     {
---~         "~" ,
---~         function()
---~             return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir)
---~         end
---~     },
---~ }
-
---~ function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
---~     return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
---~ end
-
 local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
     { "!"  , ""  },
     { "\\" , "/" },
@@ -240,18 +167,13 @@ end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
 
---~ local stripper = lpegCs(
---~     lpegpatterns.unspacer * lpegpatterns.unsingle
---~   + lpegpatterns.undouble * lpegpatterns.unspacer
---~ )
-
-local expandhome = lpegP("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
+local expandhome = P("~") / "$HOME" -- environment.homedir
 
-local dodouble = lpegP('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP('"')))^0 * lpegP('"')/""
-local dosingle = lpegP("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - lpegP("'")))^0 * lpegP("'")/""
-local dostring =                 (expandhome +  1              )^0
+local dodouble = P('"')/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P('"')))^0 * P('"')/""
+local dosingle = P("'")/"" * (expandhome + (1 - P("'")))^0 * P("'")/""
+local dostring =             (expandhome +  1              )^0
 
-local stripper = lpegCs(
+local stripper = Cs(
     lpegpatterns.unspacer * (dosingle + dodouble + dostring) * lpegpatterns.unspacer
 )
 
@@ -267,7 +189,9 @@ end
 
 local cache = { }
 
-local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+local splitter = Ct(lpeg.splitat(S(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
+
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
 
 local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path or a { specification }
     if str then
@@ -276,8 +200,7 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
             if str == "" then
                 found = { }
             else
-                str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
-                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
+                local split = lpegmatch(splitter,lpegmatch(backslashswapper,str)) -- can be combined
                 found = { }
                 local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
@@ -323,13 +246,13 @@ end
 
 -- starting with . or .. etc or funny char
 
---~ local l_forbidden = lpegS("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||\\/<>,?\n\r\t")
---~ local l_confusing = lpegP(" ")
+--~ local l_forbidden = S("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||\\/<>,?\n\r\t")
+--~ local l_confusing = P(" ")
 --~ local l_character = lpegpatterns.utf8
---~ local l_dangerous = lpegP(".")
+--~ local l_dangerous = P(".")
 
---~ local l_normal = (l_character - l_forbidden - l_confusing - l_dangerous) * (l_character - l_forbidden - l_confusing^2)^0 * lpegP(-1)
---~ ----- l_normal = l_normal * lpegCc(true) + lpegCc(false)
+--~ local l_normal = (l_character - l_forbidden - l_confusing - l_dangerous) * (l_character - l_forbidden - l_confusing^2)^0 * P(-1)
+--~ ----- l_normal = l_normal * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 
 --~ local function test(str)
 --~     print(str,lpegmatch(l_normal,str))
@@ -340,57 +263,62 @@ end
 --~ test("ヒラギノ明朝 /Pro W3;")
 --~ test("ヒラギノ明朝 Pro  W3")
 
-local weird = lpegP(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(lpegS("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
+local weird = P(".")^1 + lpeg.anywhere(S("~`!#$%^&*()={}[]:;\"\'||<>,?\n\r\t"))
 
-function resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",specification)
-    end
-    local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
-    local files = { __path__ = specification }
-    local n, m, r = 0, 0, 0
-    local function scan(spec,path)
-        local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
-        local dirs = { }
-        for name in directory(full) do
-            if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
-                local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
-                if mode == 'file' then
-                    n = n + 1
-                    local f = files[name]
-                    if f then
-                        if type(f) == 'string' then
-                            files[name] = { f, path }
-                        else
-                            f[#f+1] = path
-                        end
-                    else -- probably unique anyway
-                        files[name] = path
-                        local lower = lower(name)
-                        if name ~= lower then
-                            files["remap:"..lower] = name
-                            r = r + 1
-                        end
-                    end
-                elseif mode == 'directory' then
-                    m = m + 1
-                    if path ~= "" then
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = path..'/'..name
+local attributes, directory = lfs.attributes, lfs.dir
+
+local function scan(files,spec,path,n,m,r)
+    local full = (path == "" and spec) or (spec .. path .. '/')
+    local dirs, nofdirs = { }, 0
+    for name in directory(full) do
+        if not lpegmatch(weird,name) then
+            local mode = attributes(full..name,'mode')
+            if mode == 'file' then
+                n = n + 1
+                local f = files[name]
+                if f then
+                    if type(f) == 'string' then
+                        files[name] = { f, path }
                     else
-                        dirs[#dirs+1] = name
+                        f[#f+1] = path
                     end
+                else -- probably unique anyway
+                    files[name] = path
+                    local lower = lower(name)
+                    if name ~= lower then
+                        files["remap:"..lower] = name
+                        r = r + 1
+                    end
+                end
+            elseif mode == 'directory' then
+                m = m + 1
+                nofdirs = nofdirs + 1
+                if path ~= "" then
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = path..'/'..name
+                else
+                    dirs[nofdirs] = name
                 end
             end
         end
-        if #dirs > 0 then
-            sort(dirs)
-            for i=1,#dirs do
-                scan(spec,dirs[i])
-            end
+    end
+    if nofdirs > 0 then
+        sort(dirs)
+        for i=1,nofdirs do
+            files, n, m, r = scan(files,spec,dirs[i],n,m,r)
         end
     end
-    scan(specification .. '/',"")
-    files.__files__, files.__directories__, files.__remappings__ = n, m, r
+    return files, n, m, r
+end
+
+function resolvers.scanfiles(path)
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s'",path)
+    end
+    local files, n, m, r = scan({ },path .. '/',"",0,0,0)
+    files.__path__        = path
+    files.__files__       = n
+    files.__directories__ = m
+    files.__remappings__  = r
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-fil.lua b/tex/context/base/data-fil.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5fad79afd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-fil.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
+
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
+local locators, hashers, generators, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.generators, resolvers.concatinators
+
+local checkgarbage = utilities.garbagecollector and utilities.garbagecollector.check
+
+function locators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name and name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found",name)
+        end
+        resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
+    elseif trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+    end
+end
+
+function hashers.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = caches.loadcontent(name,'files')
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,content==nil)
+end
+
+function generators.file(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local content = resolvers.scanfiles(name)
+    resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,true)
+end
+
+concatinators.file = file.join
+
+function finders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
+    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+        end
+        return foundname
+    else
+        if trace_locating then
+            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+        end
+        return finders.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+-- The default textopener will be overloaded later on.
+
+function openers.helpers.textopener(tag,filename,f)
+    return {
+        reader = function() return f:read () end,
+        close  = function() return f:close() end,
+    }
+end
+
+function openers.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"r")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_open(filename) -- todo
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+            end
+            return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return openers.notfound()
+end
+
+function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
+    local filename = specification.filename
+    if filename and filename ~= "" then
+        local f = io.open(filename,"rb")
+        if f then
+            logs.show_load(filename)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+            end
+            local s = f:read("*a")
+            if checkgarbage then
+                checkgarbage(#s)
+            end
+            f:close()
+            if s then
+                return true, s, #s
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if trace_locating then
+        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+    end
+    return loaders.notfound()
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-inp.lua b/tex/context/base/data-inp.lua
index b3e30a6c6..97fb8904b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-inp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-inp.lua
@@ -6,10 +6,20 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-inp'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
-
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.finders = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.openers = allocate { notfound  = { nil } }
-resolvers.loaders = allocate { notfound  = { false, nil, 0 } }
+local methodhandler  = resolvers.methodhandler
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local finders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local openers = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() end }
+local loaders = allocate { helpers = { }, notfound = function() return false, nil, 0 end }
+
+registermethod("finders", finders, "uri")
+registermethod("openers", openers, "uri")
+registermethod("loaders", loaders, "uri")
+
+resolvers.finders = finders
+resolvers.openers = openers
+resolvers.loaders = loaders
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-lua.lua b/tex/context/base/data-lua.lua
index fc44e5508..9509c97f0 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-lua.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-lua.lua
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
     end
 end
 
-
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
         report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
@@ -115,7 +114,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
                 report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
-            if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+            if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
                     report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
@@ -129,7 +128,7 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
             report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(resolved) then
+        if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-met.lua b/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
index 908dbf199..a02e7eeb4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
@@ -6,9 +6,16 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-met'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local find = string.find
+local find, format = string.find, string.format
+local sequenced = table.sequenced
+local addurlscheme, urlhashed = url.addscheme, url.hashed
 
-local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
+local trace_locating = false
+
+trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
+trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
+
+--~ trace_methods = true
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -16,38 +23,106 @@ local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-resolvers.concatinators = allocate ()
-resolvers.locators      = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- locate databases
-resolvers.hashers       = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- load databases
-resolvers.generators    = allocate { notfound = { nil } }  -- generate databases
+local registered = { }
 
-function resolvers.splitmethod(filename) -- todo: trigger by suffix
+local function splitmethod(filename) -- todo: filetype in specification
     if not filename then
-        return { } -- safeguard
-    elseif type(filename) == "table" then
+        return { scheme = "unknown", original = filename }
+    end
+    if type(filename) == "table" then
         return filename -- already split
-    elseif not find(filename,"://") then
-        return { scheme="file", path = filename, original = filename } -- quick hack
+    end
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
+    if not find(filename,"://") then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
+    end
+    local specification = url.hashed(filename)
+    if not specification.scheme or specification.scheme == "" then
+        return { scheme = "file", path = filename, original = filename, filename = filename }
     else
-        return url.hashed(filename)
+        return specification
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
-    local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
-    local scheme = specification.scheme
-    local resolver = resolvers[what]
-    if resolver[scheme] then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using special handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+resolvers.splitmethod = splitmethod -- bad name but ok
+
+-- the second argument is always analyzed (saves time later on) and the original
+-- gets passed as original but also as argument
+
+local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
+    local method = registered[what]
+    if method then
+        local how, namespace = method.how, method.namespace
+        if how == "uri" or how == "url" then
+            local specification = splitmethod(first)
+            local scheme = specification.scheme
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(specification,...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(specification,...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                end
+            end
+        elseif how == "tag" then
+            local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
+            if resolver then
+                if trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                end
+                return resolver(...)
+            else
+                resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
+                if resolver then
+                    if trace_methods then
+                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                    end
+                    return resolver(...)
+                elseif trace_methods then
+                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                end
+            end
         end
-        return resolver[scheme](filename,filetype,specification) -- todo: query
     else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("no handler for '%s' -> '%s' -> '%s'",specification.original,what,table.sequenced(specification))
+        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+    end
+end
+
+resolvers.methodhandler = methodhandler
+
+function resolvers.registermethod(name,namespace,how)
+    registered[name] = { how = how or "tag", namespace = namespace }
+    namespace["byscheme"] = function(scheme,filename,...)
+        if scheme == "file" then
+            return methodhandler(name,filename,...)
+        else
+            return methodhandler(name,addurlscheme(filename,scheme),...)
         end
-        return resolver.tex(filename,filetype) -- todo: specification
     end
 end
 
+local concatinators = allocate { notfound = file.join       }  -- concatinate paths
+local locators      = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- locate databases
+local hashers       = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- load databases
+local generators    = allocate { notfound = function() end  }  -- generate databases
+
+resolvers.concatinators = concatinators
+resolvers.locators      = locators
+resolvers.hashers       = hashers
+resolvers.generators    = generators
+
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+registermethod("concatinators",concatinators,"tag")
+registermethod("locators",     locators,     "uri")
+registermethod("hashers",      hashers,      "uri")
+registermethod("generators",   generators,   "uri")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-out.lua b/tex/context/base/data-out.lua
index 598f857f8..11304c2ce 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-out.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-out.lua
@@ -6,5 +6,13 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-out'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-resolvers.savers = utilities.storage.allocate { }
+local allocate  = utilities.storage.allocate
+local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local registermethod = resolvers.registermethod
+
+local savers = allocate { helpers = { } }
+
+resolvers.savers = savers
+
+registermethod("savers", savers, "uri")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-res.lua b/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
index d45597093..408aec83c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ local concat, insert, sortedkeys = table.concat, table.insert, table.sortedkeys
 local next, type = next, type
 local os = os
 
-local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct
+local P, S, R, C, Cc, Cs, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
+local collapsepath, joinpath = file.collapsepath, file.joinpath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local expandedpathfromlist   = resolvers.expandedpathfromlist
 local checkedvariable        = resolvers.checkedvariable
 local splitconfigurationpath = resolvers.splitconfigurationpath
+local methodhandler          = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 local initializesetter = utilities.setters.initialize
 
@@ -50,12 +51,12 @@ resolvers.luacnfspec   = '{$SELFAUTODIR,$SELFAUTOPARENT}{,{/share,}/texmf{-local
 resolvers.luacnfname   = 'texmfcnf.lua'
 resolvers.luacnfstate  = "unknown"
 
-local unset_variable  = "unset"
+local unset_variable   = "unset"
 
-local formats      = resolvers.formats
-local suffixes     = resolvers.suffixes
-local dangerous    = resolvers.dangerous
-local suffixmap    = resolvers.suffixmap
+local formats   = resolvers.formats
+local suffixes  = resolvers.suffixes
+local dangerous = resolvers.dangerous
+local suffixmap = resolvers.suffixmap
 
 resolvers.defaultsuffixes = { "tex" } --  "mkiv", "cld" -- too tricky
 
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ function resolvers.newinstance()
 
 end
 
-function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance)
+function resolvers.setinstance(someinstance) -- only one instance is active
     instance = someinstance
     resolvers.instance = someinstance
     return someinstance
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ function resolvers.setenv(key,value)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.getenv(key)
+local function getenv(key)
     local value = instance.environment[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
         return value
@@ -132,23 +133,85 @@ function resolvers.getenv(key)
     end
 end
 
-resolvers.env = resolvers.getenv
+resolvers.getenv = getenv
+resolvers.env    = getenv
+
+local function resolve(key)
+    local value = instance.variables[key] or ""
+    return (value ~= "" and value) or getenv(key) or ""
+end
+
+local dollarstripper   = lpeg.stripper("$")
+local inhibitstripper  = P("!")^0 * Cs(P(1)^0)
+local backslashswapper = lpeg.replacer("\\","/")
+
+local somevariable     = P("$") / ""
+local somekey          = C(R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1)
+local somethingelse    = P(";") * ((1-S("!{}/\\"))^1 * P(";") / "")
+                       + P(";") * (P(";") / "")
+                       + P(1)
+
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
 
 local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
-    local variables, getenv = instance.variables, resolvers.getenv
-    local function resolve(a)
-        local va = variables[a] or ""
-        return (va ~= "" and va) or getenv(a) or ""
-    end
     for k=1,#lst do
-        local var = lst[k]
-        var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-        var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-        var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-        lst[k] = var
+        local lk = lst[k]
+        lst[k] = lpegmatch(pattern,lk) or lk
+    end
+end
+
+--~ local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
+--~     local variables, getenv = instance.variables, resolvers.getenv
+--~     local function resolve(a)
+--~         local va = variables[a] or ""
+--~         return (va ~= "" and va) or getenv(a) or ""
+--~     end
+--~     for k=1,#lst do
+--~         local var = lst[k]
+--~         var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
+--~         var = gsub(var,";+",";")
+--~         var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
+--~         lst[k] = var
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
+local slash = P("/")
+
+local pattern = Cs (
+    Cc("^") * (
+        Cc("%") * S(".-")
+      + slash^2 * P(-1) / "/.*"
+      + slash^2 / "/.-/"
+      + (1-slash) * P(-1) * Cc("/")
+      + P(1)
+    )^1 * Cc("$")
+)
+
+local function makepathexpression(str)
+    if str == "." then
+        return "^%./$"
+    else
+        return lpegmatch(pattern,str)
     end
 end
 
+--~ local function makepathexpression(str)
+--~     if str == "." then
+--~         return "^%./$"
+--~     else
+--~         local expression
+--~         if not find(str,"/$") then
+--~             expression = str .. "/"
+--~         else
+--~             expression = str
+--~         end
+--~         expression = gsub(expression,"([%-%.])","%%%1") -- this also influences
+--~         expression = gsub(expression,"//+$", '/.*')     -- later usage of pathname
+--~         expression = gsub(expression,"//", '/.-/')      -- not ok for /// but harmless
+--~         return "^" .. expression .. "$"
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
 local function resolve(key)
     local value = instance.variables[key]
     if value and value ~= "" then
@@ -162,22 +225,27 @@ local function resolve(key)
     return e ~= nil and e ~= "" and checkedvariable(e) or ""
 end
 
+local pattern = Cs( (somevariable * (somekey/resolve) + somethingelse)^1 )
+
 local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
-    var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-    var = gsub(var,";+",";")
-    var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-    return var
+    return lpegmatch(pattern,var) or var
 end
 
+--~ local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
+--~     var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
+--~     var = gsub(var,";+",";")
+--~     var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
+--~     return var
+--~ end
+
 local function entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- local result = entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         local result = entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]
         if result then
             return result
         else
-            result = resolvers.getenv(name)
+            result = getenv(name)
             if result then
                 instance.variables[name] = result
                 resolvers.expandvariables()
@@ -190,8 +258,7 @@ end
 
 local function is_entry(entries,name)
     if name and name ~= "" then
-        name = gsub(name,'%$','')
-     -- return (entries[name..'.'..instance.progname] or entries[name]) ~= nil
+        name = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,name)
         return (entries[instance.progname .. '.' .. name] or entries[name]) ~= nil
     else
         return false
@@ -202,7 +269,7 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
     if trace_locating then
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local v = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,resolvers.getenv(v) or "unknown")
+            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",v,getenv(v) or "unknown")
         end
         report_resolvers()
     end
@@ -212,7 +279,7 @@ end
 local function identify_configuration_files()
     local specification = instance.specification
     if #specification == 0 then
-        local cnfspec = resolvers.getenv('TEXMFCNF')
+        local cnfspec = getenv('TEXMFCNF')
         if cnfspec == "" then
             cnfspec = resolvers.luacnfspec
             resolvers.luacnfstate = "default"
@@ -284,7 +351,6 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         end
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = t
-
                     if resolvers.luacnfstate == "default" then
                         -- the following code is not tested
                         local cnfspec = t["TEXMFCNF"]
@@ -346,63 +412,30 @@ end
 
 -- database loading
 
--- locators
-
-function resolvers.locatedatabase(specification)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('locators', specification)
-end
-
-function resolvers.locators.tex(specification)
-    if specification and specification ~= '' and lfs.isdir(specification) then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' found",specification)
-        end
-        resolvers.appendhash('file',specification,filename,true) -- cache
-    elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tex locator '%s' not found",specification)
-    end
-end
-
--- hashers
-
-function resolvers.hashdatabase(tag,name)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('hashers',tag,name)
-end
-
 local function load_file_databases()
     instance.loaderror, instance.files = false, allocate()
     if not instance.renewcache then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            resolvers.hashdatabase(hash.tag,hash.name)
+            resolvers.hashers.byscheme(hash.type,hash.name)
             if instance.loaderror then break end
         end
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tex(tag,name) -- used where?
-    local content = caches.loadcontent(tag,'files')
-    if content then
-        instance.files[tag] = content
-    else
-        instance.files[tag] = { }
-        instance.loaderror = true
-    end
-end
-
 local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
         local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
-        local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
-        local runtime = stripped == path
-        path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
+        local stripped = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
         if stripped ~= "" then
+            local runtime = stripped == path
+            path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
             if lfs.isdir(path) then
                 local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(stripped)
-                if spec.scheme == "cache" then
+                if spec.scheme == "cache" or spec.scheme == "file" then
                     stripped = spec.path
                 elseif runtime and (spec.noscheme or spec.scheme == "file") then
                     stripped = "tree:///" .. stripped
@@ -414,7 +447,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                         report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
-                resolvers.locatedatabase(stripped) -- nothing done with result
+                methodhandler('locators',stripped) -- nothing done with result
             else
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
@@ -433,8 +466,9 @@ end
 
 local function generate_file_databases()
     local hashes = instance.hashes
-    for i=1,#hashes do
-        resolvers.methodhandler('generators',hashes[i].tag)
+    for k=1,#hashes do
+        local hash = hashes[k]
+        methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
         report_resolvers()
@@ -444,10 +478,13 @@ end
 local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
     for i=1,#instance.hashes do
         local hash = instance.hashes[i]
-        local cachename = hash.tag
+        local cachename = hash.name
         if hash.cache then
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
+            if trace_locating then
+                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+            end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
             report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
@@ -471,23 +508,22 @@ local function load_databases()
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.appendhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
-function resolvers.prependhash(type,tag,name,cache)
+function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",tag)
+        report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
     end
-    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, tag = tag, name = name, cache = cache } )
+    insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
 end
 
 function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better prepend the hash
---  local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF') -- full expansion
-    local t = resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.getenv('TEXMF'))
+    local t = resolvers.splitpath(getenv('TEXMF'))
     insert(t,1,specification)
     local newspec = concat(t,";")
     if instance.environment["TEXMF"] then
@@ -501,10 +537,6 @@ function resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(specification) -- crap, we could better p
     reset_hashes()
 end
 
-function resolvers.generators.tex(specification,tag)
-    instance.files[tag or specification] = resolvers.scanfiles(specification)
-end
-
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
@@ -534,9 +566,20 @@ function resolvers.datastate()
     return caches.contentstate()
 end
 
+local function resolve(a)
+    return instance.expansions[a] or getenv(a)
+end
+
+local cleaner  = P("\\") / "/" + P(";") * S("!{}/\\")^0 * P(";")^1 / ";"
+
+local variable = R("az","AZ","09","__","--")^1 / resolve
+      variable = (P("$")/"") * (variable + (P("{")/"") * variable * (P("}")/""))
+
+      cleaner  = Cs((cleaner  + P(1))^0)
+      variable = Cs((variable + P(1))^0)
+
 function resolvers.expandvariables()
     local expansions, environment, variables = allocate(), instance.environment, instance.variables
-    local getenv = resolvers.getenv
     instance.expansions = expansions
     local engine, progname = instance.engine, instance.progname
     if type(engine)   ~= "string" then instance.engine,   engine   = "", "" end
@@ -544,12 +587,7 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     if engine   ~= "" then environment['engine']   = engine   end
     if progname ~= "" then environment['progname'] = progname end
     for k,v in next, environment do
-      --  local a, b = match(k,"^(%a+)%_(.*)%s*$") -- too many vars have an _ in the name
-      --  if a and b then                          -- so let's forget about it; it was a
-      --      expansions[a..'.'..b] = v            -- hack anyway for linux and not needed
-      --  else                                     -- anymore as we now have directives
-            expansions[k] = v
-      --  end
+        expansions[k] = v
     end
     for k,v in next, environment do -- move environment to expansions (variables are already in there)
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
@@ -557,26 +595,19 @@ function resolvers.expandvariables()
     for k,v in next, variables do -- move variables to expansions
         if not expansions[k] then expansions[k] = v end
     end
-    local busy = false
-    local function resolve(a)
-        busy = true
-        return expansions[a] or getenv(a)
-    end
-    while true do
-        busy = false
+    repeat
+        local busy = false
         for k,v in next, expansions do
-            local s, n = gsub(v,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
-            local s, m = gsub(s,"%$%{([%a%d%_%-]+)%}",resolve)
-            if n > 0 or m > 0 then
-                s = gsub(s,";+",";")
-                s = gsub(s,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
-                expansions[k]= s
+            local s = lpegmatch(variable,v)
+            if s ~= v then
+                busy = true
+                expansions[k] = s
             end
         end
-        if not busy then break end
-    end
+    until not busy
+
     for k,v in next, expansions do
-        expansions[k] = gsub(v,"\\", '/')
+        expansions[k] = lpegmatch(cleaner,v)
     end
 end
 
@@ -603,7 +634,7 @@ function resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.unexpandedpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.unexpandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 local done = { }
@@ -717,7 +748,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpath(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
@@ -725,7 +756,7 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
         return ep or { } -- ep ?
     elseif instance.savelists then
         -- engine+progname hash
-        str = gsub(str,"%$","")
+        str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
         if not instance.lists[str] then -- cached
             local lst = made_list(instance,resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.expansion(str)))
             instance.lists[str] = expandedpathfromlist(lst)
@@ -738,28 +769,34 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str) -- brrr
-    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(gsub(str,"%$",""))
-    if tmp ~= "" then
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp)
-    else
-        return resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
-    end
+    str = lpegmatch(dollarstripper,str)
+    local tmp = resolvers.variableofformatorsuffix(str)
+    return resolvers.expandedpathlist(tmp ~= "" and tmp or str)
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandpathfromvariable(str)
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlistfromvariable(str))
 end
 
 function resolvers.expandbraces(str) -- output variable and brace expansion of STRING
     local ori = resolvers.variable(str)
     local pth = expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(ori))
-    return file.joinpath(pth)
+    return joinpath(pth)
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable = { }
+function resolvers.registerfilehash(name,content,someerror)
+    if content then
+        instance.files[name] = content
+    else
+        instance.files[name] = { }
+        if somerror == true then -- can be unset
+            instance.loaderror = someerror
+        end
+    end
+end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
-    local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- brrr
+function isreadable(name)
+    local readable = file.is_readable(name)
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
             report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
@@ -770,8 +807,6 @@ function resolvers.isreadable.file(name)
     return readable
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
-
 -- name
 -- name/name
 
@@ -792,7 +827,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for h=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[h]
-            local blobpath = hash.tag
+            local blobpath = hash.name
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
@@ -813,7 +848,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                         if not dname or find(blobfile,dname) then
                             local kind   = hash.type
                             local search = filejoin(blobpath,blobfile,bname)
-                            local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,blobfile,bname)
+                            local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
@@ -826,7 +861,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if not dname or find(vv,dname) then
                                 local kind   = hash.type
                                 local search = filejoin(blobpath,vv,bname)
-                                local result = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](blobroot,vv,bname)
+                                local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
@@ -864,6 +899,8 @@ local function can_be_dir(name) -- can become local
     return fakepaths[name] == 1
 end
 
+local preparetreepattern = Cs((P(".")/"%%." + P("-")/"%%-" + P(1))^0 * Cc("$"))
+
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = { }
     local stamp  = nil
@@ -881,7 +918,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
     end
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
@@ -897,7 +934,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-        if resolvers.isreadable.file(filename) then
+        if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
                 report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
@@ -910,7 +947,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     for i=1,#format_suffixes do
                         local s = format_suffixes[i]
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
-                        if resolvers.isreadable.file(forcedname) then
+                        if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
                                 report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
@@ -924,7 +961,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- try to find in tree (no suffix manipulation), here we search for the
                 -- matching last part of the name
                 local basename = filebasename(filename)
-                local pattern = gsub(filename .. "$","([%.%-])","%%%1")
+                local pattern = lpegmatch(preparetreepattern,filename)
                 -- messy .. to be sorted out
                 local savedformat = askedformat
                 local format = savedformat or ""
@@ -1022,7 +1059,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
-                if fname and resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                if fname and isreadable(fname) then
                     filename, done = fname, true
                     result[#result+1] = filejoin('.',fname)
                     break
@@ -1048,26 +1085,15 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             if trace_detail then
                 report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
-            -- a bit messy ... esp the doscan setting here
-            local doscan
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
-                if find(path,"^!!") then doscan  = false else doscan  = true  end
-                local pathname = gsub(path,"^!+", '')
+                local pathname = lpegmatch(inhibitstripper,path)
+                local doscan = path == pathname -- no ^!!
                 done = false
                 -- using file list
                 if filelist then
-                    local expression
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
-                    if not find(pathname,"/$") then
-                        expression = pathname .. "/"
-                    else
-                        expression = pathname
-                    end
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"([%-%.])","%%%1") -- this also influences
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//+$", '/.*')     -- later usage of pathname
-                    expression = gsub(expression,"//", '/.-/')      -- not ok for /// but harmless
-                    expression = "^" .. expression .. "$"
+                    local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
                         report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
@@ -1096,7 +1122,8 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
                 if not done and doscan then
                     -- check if on disk / unchecked / does not work at all / also zips
-                    if resolvers.splitmethod(pathname).scheme == 'file' then -- ?
+                    local scheme = url.hasscheme(pathname)
+                    if not scheme or scheme == "file" then
                         local pname = gsub(pathname,"%.%*$",'')
                         if not find(pname,"%*") then
                             local ppname = gsub(pname,"/+$","")
@@ -1104,7 +1131,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                 for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                                     local w = wantedfiles[k]
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
-                                    if resolvers.isreadable.file(fname) then
+                                    if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
                                             report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
@@ -1137,9 +1164,6 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     return result
 end
 
-resolvers.concatinators.tex  = filejoin
-resolvers.concatinators.file = resolvers.concatinators.tex
-
 local function findfiles(filename,filetype,allresults)
     local result = collect_instance_files(filename,filetype or "",allresults)
     if #result == 0 then
@@ -1160,7 +1184,7 @@ function resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
 end
 
 function resolvers.findpath(filename,filetype)
-    return file.dirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
+    return filedirname(findfiles(filename,filetype,false)[1] or "")
 end
 
 local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
@@ -1168,7 +1192,7 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
     local hashes = instance.hashes
     for k=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[k]
-        local files = instance.files[hash.tag] or { }
+        local files = instance.files[hash.name] or { }
         local blist = files[bname]
         if not blist then
             local rname = "remap:"..bname
@@ -1180,12 +1204,12 @@ local function findgivenfiles(filename,allresults)
         end
         if blist then
             if type(blist) == 'string' then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,blist,bname) or ""
                 if not allresults then break end
             else
                 for kk=1,#blist do
                     local vv = blist[kk]
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[hash.type](hash.tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,hash.name,vv,bname) or ""
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
             end
@@ -1208,14 +1232,14 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
         if type(blist) == 'string' then
             -- make function and share code
             if find(lower(blist),path) then
-                result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,blist,bname) or ""
+                result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,blist,bname) or ""
                 done = true
             end
         else
             for kk=1,#blist do
                 local vv = blist[kk]
                 if find(lower(vv),path) then
-                    result[#result+1] = resolvers.concatinators[kind](tag,vv,bname) or ""
+                    result[#result+1] = methodhandler('concatinators',kind,tag,vv,bname) or ""
                     done = true
                     if not allresults then break end
                 end
@@ -1225,30 +1249,25 @@ local function doit(path,blist,bname,tag,kind,result,allresults)
     return done
 end
 
+local makewildcard = Cs(
+    (P("^")^0 * P("/") * P(-1) + P(-1)) /".*"
+  + (P("^")^0 * P("/") / "") * (P("*")/".*" + P("-")/"%%-" + P("?")/"."+ P("\\")/"/" + P(1))^0
+)
+
 local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
     local result = { }
-    local bname, dname = filebasename(filename), filedirname(filename)
-    local path = gsub(dname,"^*/","")
-    path = gsub(path,"*",".*")
-    path = gsub(path,"-","%%-")
-    if dname == "" then
-        path = ".*"
-    end
-    local name = bname
-    name = gsub(name,"*",".*")
-    name = gsub(name,"-","%%-")
-    path = lower(path)
-    name = lower(name)
+    local path = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filedirname (filename)))
+    local name = lower(lpegmatch(makewildcard,filebasename(filename)))
     local files, done = instance.files, false
     if find(name,"%*") then
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            for kk, hh in next, files[hash.tag] do
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            for kk, hh in next, files[hashname] do
                 if not find(kk,"^remap:") then
                     if find(lower(kk),name) then
-                        if doit(path,hh,kk,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+                        if doit(path,hh,kk,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
                         if done and not allresults then break end
                     end
                 end
@@ -1258,8 +1277,8 @@ local function findwildcardfiles(filename,allresults) -- todo: remap: and lpeg
         local hashes = instance.hashes
         for k=1,#hashes do
             local hash = hashes[k]
-            local tag, kind = hash.tag, hash.type
-            if doit(path,files[tag][bname],bname,tag,kind,result,allresults) then done = true end
+            local hashname, hashtype = hash.name, hash.type
+            if doit(path,files[hashname][bname],bname,hashname,hashtype,result,allresults) then done = true end
             if done and not allresults then break end
         end
     end
@@ -1330,12 +1349,9 @@ end
 -- resolvers.expandvar = resolvers.expansion  -- output variable expansion of STRING.
 
 function resolvers.showpath(str)     -- output search path for file type NAME
-    return file.joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
+    return joinpath(resolvers.expandedpathlist(resolvers.formatofvariable(str)))
 end
 
--- resolvers.findfile(filename)
--- resolvers.findfile(filename, f.iletype)
-
 function resolvers.registerfile(files, name, path)
     if files[name] then
         if type(files[name]) == 'string' then
@@ -1360,7 +1376,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithvariable(name,func)
 end
 
 function resolvers.locateformat(name)
-    local barename = gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
+    local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- gsub(name,"%.%a+$","")
     local fmtname = caches.getfirstreadablefile(barename..".fmt","formats") or ""
     if fmtname == "" then
         fmtname = resolvers.findfile(barename..".fmt")
@@ -1396,7 +1412,7 @@ function resolvers.dowithfilesintree(pattern,handle,before,after) -- can be a ni
     for i=1,#hashes do
         local hash = hashes[i]
         local blobtype = hash.type
-        local blobpath = hash.tag
+        local blobpath = hash.name
         if blobpath then
             if before then
                 before(blobtype,blobpath,pattern)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua b/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
index 655cd8209..cac4baab7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
@@ -23,86 +23,84 @@ schemes.threshold = 24 * 60 * 60
 
 directives.register("schemes.threshold", function(v) schemes.threshold = tonumber(v) or schemes.threshold end)
 
-local cached, loaded, reused, thresholds = { }, { }, { }, { }
+local cached, loaded, reused, thresholds, handlers = { }, { }, { }, { }, { }
 
-function schemes.curl(name,cachename) -- will use sockets instead or the curl library
-    local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name -- no protocol .. "://"
+local function runcurl(name,cachename) -- will use sockets instead or the curl library
+    local command = "curl --silent --create-dirs --output " .. cachename .. " " .. name
     os.spawn(command)
 end
 
-function schemes.fetch(protocol,name,handler)
-    local cleanname = gsub(name,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
+local function fetch(specification)
+    local original  = specification.original
+    local scheme    = specification.scheme
+    local cleanname = gsub(original,"[^%a%d%.]+","-")
     local cachename = caches.setfirstwritablefile(cleanname,"schemes")
-    if not cached[name] then
+    if not cached[original] then
         statistics.starttiming(schemes)
         if not io.exists(cachename) or (os.difftime(os.time(),lfs.attributes(cachename).modification) >
                                                             (thresholds[protocol] or schemes.threshold)) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
+            local handler = handlers[scheme]
             if handler then
                 if trace_schemes then
-                    report_schemes("fetching '%s', protocol '%s', method 'built-in'",name,protocol)
+                    report_schemes("fetching '%s', protocol '%s', method 'built-in'",original,scheme)
                 end
                 io.flush()
-                handler(protocol,name,cachename)
+                handler(specification,cachename)
             else
                 if trace_schemes then
-                    report_schemes("fetching '%s', protocol '%s', method 'curl'",name,protocol)
+                    report_schemes("fetching '%s', protocol '%s', method 'curl'",original,scheme)
                 end
                 io.flush()
-                schemes.curl(name,cachename)
+                runcurl(original,cachename)
             end
         end
         if io.exists(cachename) then
-            cached[name] = cachename
+            cached[original] = cachename
             if trace_schemes then
-                report_schemes("using cached '%s', protocol '%s', cachename '%s'",name,protocol,cachename)
+                report_schemes("using cached '%s', protocol '%s', cachename '%s'",original,scheme,cachename)
             end
         else
-            cached[name] = ""
+            cached[original] = ""
             if trace_schemes then
-                report_schemes("using missing '%s', protocol '%s'",name,protocol)
+                report_schemes("using missing '%s', protocol '%s'",original,scheme)
             end
         end
-        loaded[protocol] = loaded[protocol] + 1
+        loaded[scheme] = loaded[scheme] + 1
         statistics.stoptiming(schemes)
     else
         if trace_schemes then
-            report_schemes("reusing '%s', protocol '%s'",name,protocol)
+            report_schemes("reusing '%s', protocol '%s'",original,scheme)
         end
-        reused[protocol] = reused[protocol] + 1
+        reused[scheme] = reused[scheme] + 1
     end
-    return cached[name]
+    return cached[original]
 end
 
-function finders.schemes(protocol,filename,handler)
-    local foundname = schemes.fetch(protocol,filename,handler)
-    return finders.generic(protocol,foundname)
+local function finder(specification,filetype)
+    return resolvers.methodhandler("finders",fetch(specification),filetype)
 end
 
-function openers.schemes(protocol,filename)
-    return openers.generic(protocol,filename)
+local opener = openers.file
+local loader = loaders.file
+
+local function install(scheme,handler,threshold)
+    handlers  [scheme] = handler
+    loaded    [scheme] = 0
+    reused    [scheme] = 0
+    finders   [scheme] = finder
+    openers   [scheme] = opener
+    loaders   [scheme] = loader
+    thresholds[scheme] = threshold or schemes.threshold
 end
 
-function loaders.schemes(protocol,filename)
-    return loaders.generic(protocol,filename)
-end
-
--- could be metatable and proper subtables
+schemes.install = install
 
-function schemes.install(protocol,handler,threshold)
-    loaded    [protocol] = 0
-    reused    [protocol] = 0
-    finders   [protocol] = function (filename,filetype) return finders.schemes(protocol,filename,handler) end
-    openers   [protocol] = function (filename)          return openers.schemes(protocol,filename)         end
-    loaders   [protocol] = function (filename)          return loaders.schemes(protocol,filename)         end
-    thresholds[protocol] = threshold or schemes.threshold
-end
-
-local function http_handler(protocol,name,cachename)
+local function http_handler(specification,cachename)
     local tempname = cachename .. ".tmp"
     local f = io.open(tempname,"wb")
     local status, message = http.request {
-        url = name,
+        url = specification.original,
         sink = ltn12.sink.file(f)
     }
     if not status then
@@ -114,9 +112,9 @@ local function http_handler(protocol,name,cachename)
     return cachename
 end
 
-schemes.install('http',http_handler)
-schemes.install('https')
-schemes.install('ftp')
+install('http',http_handler)
+install('https') -- see pod
+install('ftp')
 
 statistics.register("scheme handling time", function()
     local l, r, nl, nr = { }, { }, 0, 0
@@ -142,6 +140,3 @@ statistics.register("scheme handling time", function()
         return nil
     end
 end)
-
---~ trace_schemes = true
---~ print(schemes.fetch("http","http://www.pragma-ade.com/show-man.pdf",http_handler))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-tex.lua b/tex/context/base/data-tex.lua
index 393c787d6..5c6cf5083 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-tex.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-tex.lua
@@ -6,24 +6,14 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tex'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- special functions that deal with io
-
-local format, lower = string.format, string.lower
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
-
 local trace_locating = false trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
-
-local checkgarbage = utilities.garbagecollector and utilities.garbagecollector.check
-
--- the main text reader --
-
-local sequencers = utilities.sequencers
+local sequencers    = utilities.sequencers
+local methodhandler = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 local fileprocessor = nil
 local lineprocessor = nil
@@ -35,24 +25,26 @@ local textfileactions = sequencers.reset {
 }
 
 local textlineactions = sequencers.reset {
-    arguments    = "str,filename,linenumber",
+    arguments    = "str,filename,linenumber,noflines",
     returnvalues = "str",
     results      = "str",
 }
 
-openers.textfileactions = textfileactions
-openers.textlineactions = textlineactions
+local helpers     = resolvers.openers.helpers
+local appendgroup = sequencers.appendgroup
 
-sequencers.appendgroup(textfileactions,"system")
-sequencers.appendgroup(textfileactions,"user")
+helpers.textfileactions = textfileactions
+helpers.textlineactions = textlineactions
 
-sequencers.appendgroup(textlineactions,"system")
-sequencers.appendgroup(textlineactions,"user")
+appendgroup(textfileactions,"before") -- user
+appendgroup(textfileactions,"system") -- private
+appendgroup(textfileactions,"after" ) -- user
 
-function openers.textopener(tag,filename,file_handle)
-    if textfileactions.dirty then
-        fileprocessor = sequencers.compile(textfileactions)
-    end
+appendgroup(textlineactions,"before") -- user
+appendgroup(textlineactions,"system") -- private
+appendgroup(textlineactions,"after" ) -- user
+
+function helpers.textopener(tag,filename,file_handle)
     local lines
     if not file_handle then
         lines = io.loaddata(filename)
@@ -67,7 +59,7 @@ function openers.textopener(tag,filename,file_handle)
     if type(lines) == "string" then
         local kind = unicode.filetype(lines)
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' opened using method '%s'",tag,filename,kind)
+            report_resolvers("%s opener, '%s' opened using method '%s'",tag,filename,kind)
         end
         if kind == "utf-16-be" then
             lines = unicode.utf16_to_utf8_be(lines)
@@ -78,327 +70,89 @@ function openers.textopener(tag,filename,file_handle)
         elseif kind == "utf-32-le" then
             lines = unicode.utf32_to_utf8_le(lines)
         else -- utf8 or unknown
+            if textfileactions.dirty then -- maybe use autocompile
+                fileprocessor = sequencers.compile(textfileactions)
+            end
             lines = fileprocessor(lines,filename) or lines
             lines = string.splitlines(lines)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' opened",tag,filename)
+        report_resolvers("%s opener, '%s' opened",tag,filename)
     end
-    local t = {
-        lines = lines,
-        current = 0,
-        handle = nil,
-        noflines = #lines,
-        close = function()
+    return {
+        filename    = filename,
+        noflines    = #lines,
+        currentline = 0,
+        close       = function()
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("%s closer, file '%s' closed",tag,filename)
+                report_resolvers("%s closer, '%s' closed",tag,filename)
             end
             logs.show_close(filename)
             t = nil
         end,
-        reader = function(self)
+        reader      = function(self)
             self = self or t
-            local current, noflines = self.current, self.noflines
-            if current >= noflines then
+            local currentline, noflines = self.currentline, self.noflines
+            if currentline >= noflines then
                 return nil
             else
-                current = current + 1
-                self.current = current
-                local line = lines[current]
-                if not line then
+                currentline = currentline + 1
+                self.currentline = currentline
+                local content = lines[currentline]
+                if not content then
                     return nil
-                elseif line == "" then
+                elseif content == "" then
                     return ""
                 else
                     if textlineactions.dirty then
-                        lineprocessor = sequencers.compile(textlineactions)
+                        lineprocessor = sequencers.compile(textlineactions) -- maybe use autocompile
                     end
-                    return lineprocessor(line,filename,current) or line
+                    return lineprocessor(content,filename,currentline,noflines) or content
                 end
             end
         end
     }
-    return t
-end
-
-local data, n, template = { }, 0, "virtual://virtualfile:%s"
-
--- todo: report statistics
-
-function savers.virtual(content)
-    n = n + 1
-    local filename = format(template,n)
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s finder: virtual file '%s' saved",tag,filename)
-    end
-    data[filename] = content
-    return filename
 end
 
-function finders.virtual(filename,filetype,specification)
-    local path = specification and specification.path
-    local name = path ~= "" and path or filename
-    local d = data[name]
-    if d then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("virtual finder: file '%s' found",filename)
-        end
-        return filename
-    else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("virtual finder: unknown file '%s'",filename)
-        end
-        return unpack(finders.notfound)
-    end
+function resolvers.findtexfile(filename,filetype)
+    return methodhandler('finders',filename,filetype)
 end
 
-function openers.virtual(filename,filetype,specification) -- duplicate ... todo: specification
-    local path = specification and specification.path
-    local name = path ~= "" and path or filename
-    local d = data[name]
-    if d then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("virtual opener, file '%s' opened",filename)
-        end
-        data[filename] = nil
-        return openers.textopener("virtual",filename,d)
-    else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("virtual opener, file '%s' not found",filename)
-        end
-        return unpack(openers.notfound)
-    end
+function resolvers.opentexfile(filename)
+    return methodhandler('openers',filename)
 end
 
-function loaders.virtual(filename,filetype,specification)
-    local path = specification and specification.path
-    local name = path ~= "" and path or filename
-    local d = data[name]
-    if d then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("virtual loader, file '%s' loaded",filename)
-        end
-        data[filename] = nil
-        return true, d, #d
-    end
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("virtual loader, file '%s' not loaded",filename)
-    end
-    return unpack(loaders.notfound)
+function resolvers.openfile(filename)
+    local fullname = methodhandler('finders',filename)
+    return fullname and fullname ~= "" and methodhandler('openers',fullname) or nil
 end
 
--- could be a finder (beware: the generic finders take a tag!)
-
-function finders.generic(tag,filename,filetype)
-    local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
-    if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("%s finder: file '%s' found",tag,filename)
-        end
-        return foundname
-    else
-        if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("%s finder: unknown file '%s'",tag,filename)
-        end
-        return unpack(finders.notfound)
-    end
+function resolvers.loadtexfile(filename,filetype)
+    -- todo: optionally apply filters
+    local ok, data, size = resolvers.loadbinfile(filename, filetype)
+    return data or ""
 end
 
-function openers.generic(tag,filename)
-    if filename and filename ~= "" then
-        local f = io.open(filename,"r")
-        if f then
-            logs.show_open(filename) -- todo
-            if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' opened",tag,filename)
-            end
-            return openers.textopener(tag,filename,f)
-        end
-    end
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' not found",tag,filename)
-    end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
-end
+resolvers.texdatablob = resolvers.loadtexfile
 
-function loaders.generic(tag,filename)
-    if filename and filename ~= "" then
-        local f = io.open(filename,"rb")
-        if f then
-            logs.show_load(filename)
-            if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("%s loader, file '%s' loaded",tag,filename)
-            end
-            local s = f:read("*a")
-            if checkgarbage then
-                checkgarbage(#s)
-            end
-            f:close()
-            if s then
-                return true, s, #s
-            end
-        end
+local function installhandler(namespace,what,where,func)
+    if not func then
+        where, func = "after", where
     end
-    if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s loader, file '%s' not found",tag,filename)
-    end
-    return unpack(loaders.notfound)
-end
-
-function finders.tex(filename,filetype)
-    return finders.generic('tex',filename,filetype)
-end
-
-function openers.tex(filename)
-    return openers.generic('tex',filename)
-end
-
-function loaders.tex(filename)
-    return loaders.generic('tex',filename)
-end
-
-function resolvers.findtexfile(filename, filetype)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('finders',filename, filetype)
-end
-
-function resolvers.opentexfile(filename)
-    return resolvers.methodhandler('openers',filename)
-end
-
-function resolvers.openfile(filename)
-    local fullname = resolvers.findtexfile(filename)
-    if fullname and (fullname ~= "") then
-        return resolvers.opentexfile(fullname)
+    if where == "before" or where == "after" then
+        sequencers.appendaction(namespace,where,func)
     else
-        return nil
+        report_resolvers("installing input %s handlers in %s is not possible",what,tostring(where))
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.loadtexfile(filename, filetype)
-    -- todo: apply filters
-    local ok, data, size = resolvers.loadbinfile(filename, filetype)
-    return data or ""
-end
-
-resolvers.texdatablob = resolvers.loadtexfile
+function resolvers.installinputlinehandler(...) installhandler(helpers.textlineactions,"line",...) end
+function resolvers.installinputfilehandler(...) installhandler(helpers.textfileactions,"file",...) end
 
--- -- keep this one as reference as it's the first version
---
--- resolvers.filters = resolvers.filters or { }
---
--- local input_translator, utf_translator, user_translator = nil, nil, nil
---
--- function resolvers.filters.install(name,func)
---         if name == "input" then input_translator = func
---     elseif name == "utf"   then utf_translator   = func
---     elseif name == "user"  then user_translator  = func end
--- end
---
--- function openers.textopener(tag,filename,file_handle)
---     local u = unicode.utftype(file_handle)
---     local t = { }
---     if u > 0  then
---         if trace_locating then
---             report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' opened using method '%s'",tag,filename,unicode.utfname[u])
---         end
---         local l
---         local data = file_handle:read("*a")
---         if u > 2 then
---             l = unicode.utf32_to_utf8(data,u==4)
---         elseif u > 1 then
---             l = unicode.utf16_to_utf8(data,u==2)
---         else
---             l = string.splitlines(data)
---         end
---         file_handle:close()
---         t = {
---             utftype = u, -- may go away
---             lines = l,
---             current = 0, -- line number, not really needed
---             handle = nil,
---             noflines = #l,
---             close = function()
---                 if trace_locating then
---                     report_resolvers("%s closer, file '%s' closed",tag,filename)
---                 end
---                 logs.show_close(filename)
---                 t = nil
---             end,
---             reader = function(self)
---                 self = self or t
---                 local current, lines = self.current, self.lines
---                 if current >= #lines then
---                     return nil
---                 else
---                     current = current + 1
---                     self.current = current
---                     local line = lines[current]
---                     if not line then
---                         return nil
---                     elseif line == "" then
---                         return ""
---                     else
---                         if input_translator then
---                             line = input_translator(line)
---                         end
---                         if utf_translator then
---                             line = utf_translator(line)
---                         end
---                         if user_translator then
---                             line = user_translator(line)
---                         end
---                         return line
---                     end
---                 end
---             end
---         }
---     else
---         if trace_locating then
---             report_resolvers("%s opener, file '%s' opened",tag,filename)
---         end
---         -- todo: file;name -> freeze / eerste regel scannen -> freeze
---         --~ local data = lpegmatch(getlines,file_handle:read("*a"))
---         --~ local n = 0
---         t = {
---             reader = function() -- self
---                 local line = file_handle:read()
---                 --~ n = n + 1
---                 --~ local line = data[n]
---                 --~ print(line)
---                 if not line then
---                     return nil
---                 elseif line == "" then
---                     return ""
---                 else
---                     if input_translator then
---                         line = input_translator(line)
---                     end
---                     if utf_translator then
---                         line = utf_translator(line)
---                     end
---                     if user_translator then
---                         line = user_translator(line)
---                     end
---                     return line
---                 end
---             end,
---             close = function()
---                 if trace_locating then
---                     report_resolvers("%s closer, file '%s' closed",tag,filename)
---                 end
---                 logs.show_close(filename)
---                 file_handle:close()
---                 t = nil
---                 collectgarbage("step") -- saves some memory, maybe checkgarbage but no #
---             end,
---             handle = function()
---                 return file_handle
---             end,
---             noflines = function()
---                 t.noflines = io.noflines(file_handle)
---                 return t.noflines
---             end
---         }
---     end
---     return t
--- end
+-- local basename = file.basename
+-- resolvers.installinputlinehandler(function(str,filename,linenumber,noflines)
+--     logs.simple("[lc] file: %s, line: %s of %s, length: %s",basename(filename),linenumber,noflines,#str)
+-- end)
+-- resolvers.installinputfilehandler(function(str,filename)
+--     logs.simple("[fc] file: %s, length: %s",basename(filename),#str)
+-- end)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-tre.lua b/tex/context/base/data-tre.lua
index f119e52e7..b3b96094a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-tre.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-tre.lua
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tre'] = {
 -- \input tree://oeps1/**/oeps.tex
 
 local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
+
+local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
 local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 
@@ -17,10 +18,10 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 
 local done, found, notfound = { }, { }, resolvers.finders.notfound
 
-function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
-    local fnd = found[specification]
-    if not fnd then
-        local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification).path or ""
+function resolvers.finders.tree(specification)
+    local spec = specification.filename
+    local fnd = found[spec]
+    if fnd == nil then
         if spec ~= "" then
             local path, name = file.dirname(spec), file.basename(spec)
             if path == "" then path = "." end
@@ -34,50 +35,38 @@ function resolvers.finders.tree(specification,filetype)
             for k=1,#hash do
                 local v = hash[k]
                 if find(v,pattern) then
-                    found[specification] = v
+                    found[spec] = v
                     return v
                 end
             end
         end
-        fnd = unpack(notfound) -- unpack ? why not just notfound[1]
-        found[specification] = fnd
+        fnd = notfound() -- false
+        found[spec] = fnd
     end
     return fnd
 end
 
 function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local path = spec.path
-    if path ~= '' and lfs.isdir(path) then
+    local name = specification.filename
+    if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found (%s)",path,specification)
+            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
         end
-        resolvers.appendhash('tree',specification,path,false) -- don't cache
+        resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",path)
+        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.hashers.tree(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
+    local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
     end
-    -- todo: maybe share with done above
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
-end
-
-function resolvers.generators.tree(tag)
-    local spec = resolvers.splitmethod(tag)
-    local path = spec.path
-    resolvers.generators.tex(path,tag) -- we share this with the normal tree analyzer
-end
-
-function resolvers.concatinators.tree(tag,path,name)
-    return file.join(tag,path,name)
+    resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
 
-resolvers.isreadable.tree    = file.isreadable
-resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.generic
-resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.generic
+resolvers.concatinators.tree = resolvers.concatinators.file
+resolvers.generators.tree    = resolvers.generators.file
+resolvers.openers.tree       = resolvers.openers.file
+resolvers.loaders.tree       = resolvers.loaders.file
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-vir.lua b/tex/context/base/data-vir.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c1a6b3366
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-vir.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-vir'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local format = string.format
+
+local trace_virtual    = false
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+
+trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_virtual = v end)
+trackers.register("resolvers.virtual",  function(v) trace_virtual = v end)
+
+local resolvers = resolvers
+
+local finders, openers, loaders, savers = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders, resolvers.savers
+
+local data, n, template = { }, 0, "virtual://%s.%s" -- hm, number can be query
+
+function savers.virtual(specification,content)
+    n = n + 1 -- one number for all namespaces
+    local path = specification.path
+    local filename = format(template,path ~= "" and path or "virtualfile",n)
+    if trace_virtual then
+        report_resolvers("virtual saver: file '%s' saved",filename)
+    end
+    data[filename] = content
+    return filename
+end
+
+function finders.virtual(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local d = data[original]
+    if d then
+        if trace_virtual then
+            report_resolvers("virtual finder: file '%s' found",original)
+        end
+        return original
+    else
+        if trace_virtual then
+            report_resolvers("virtual finder: unknown file '%s'",original)
+        end
+        return finders.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+function openers.virtual(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local d = data[original]
+    if d then
+        if trace_virtual then
+            report_resolvers("virtual opener, file '%s' opened",original)
+        end
+        data[original] = nil
+        return openers.helpers.textopener("virtual",original,d)
+    else
+        if trace_virtual then
+            report_resolvers("virtual opener, file '%s' not found",original)
+        end
+        return openers.notfound()
+    end
+end
+
+function loaders.virtual(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local d = data[original]
+    if d then
+        if trace_virtual then
+            report_resolvers("virtual loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
+        end
+        data[original] = nil
+        return true, d, #d
+    end
+    if trace_virtual then
+        report_resolvers("virtual loader, file '%s' not loaded",original)
+    end
+    return loaders.notfound()
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-zip.lua b/tex/context/base/data-zip.lua
index 10c1b74f0..9ec440723 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-zip.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-zip.lua
@@ -6,10 +6,9 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-zip'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- to be redone using the more recent schemes mechanism
+-- partly redone .. needs testing
 
 local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
-local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
@@ -32,9 +31,6 @@ local archives        = zip.archives
 zip.registeredfiles   = zip.registeredfiles or { }
 local registeredfiles = zip.registeredfiles
 
-local finders, openers, loaders = resolvers.finders, resolvers.openers, resolvers.loaders
-local locators, hashers, concatinators = resolvers.locators, resolvers.hashers, resolvers.concatinators
-
 local function validzip(str) -- todo: use url splitter
     if not find(str,"^zip://") then
         return "zip:///" .. str
@@ -64,159 +60,159 @@ function zip.closearchive(name)
     end
 end
 
-function locators.zip(specification) -- where is this used? startup zips (untested)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    local zfile = zip.openarchive(name) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
+function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
-        if zfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",specification.original)
+        if zipfile then
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",specification.original)
+            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
 
-function hashers.zip(tag,name)
+function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
+    local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s' as '%s'",name,tag)
+        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
     end
-    resolvers.usezipfile(format("%s?tree=%s",tag,name))
+    resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
 
-function concatinators.zip(tag,path,name)
+function resolvers.concatinators.zip(zipfile,path,name) -- ok ?
     if not path or path == "" then
-        return format('%s?name=%s',tag,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s',zipfile,name)
     else
-        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',tag,path,name)
+        return format('%s?name=%s/%s',zipfile,path,name)
     end
 end
 
-function resolvers.isreadable.zip(name)
-    return true
-end
-
-function finders.zip(specification,filetype)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(finders.notfound)
+    return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
 
-function openers.zip(specification)
-    local zipspecification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if zipspecification.path then
-        local q = url.query(zipspecification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(zipspecification.path)
+function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",zipspecification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_open(specification)
+                    logs.show_open(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",q.name)
+                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
-                    return openers.textopener('zip',specification,dfile)
+                    return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",zipspecification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
-function loaders.zip(specification)
-    specification = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-    if specification.path then
-        local q = url.query(specification.query)
-        if q.name then
-            local zfile = zip.openarchive(specification.path)
+function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
+    local original = specification.original
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive then
+        local query = url.query(specification.query)
+        local queryname = query.name
+        if queryname then
+            local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",specification.path)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
-                local dfile = zfile:open(q.name)
+                local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
-                    logs.show_load(filename)
+                    logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",filename)
+                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",q.name)
+                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",specification.path)
+                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
-    return unpack(openers.notfound)
+    return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
 
 -- zip:///somefile.zip
 -- zip:///somefile.zip?tree=texmf-local -> mount
 
-function resolvers.usezipfile(zipname)
-    zipname = validzip(zipname)
-    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(zipname)
-    local zipfile = specification.path
-    if zipfile and not registeredfiles[zipname] then
-        local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
-        local z = zip.openarchive(zipfile)
+function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
+    local specification = resolvers.splitmethod(archive) -- to be sure
+    local archive = specification.filename
+    if archive and not registeredfiles[archive] then
+        local z = zip.openarchive(archive)
         if z then
-            local instance = resolvers.instance
+            local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",zipname)
+                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
             end
-            statistics.starttiming(instance)
-            resolvers.prependhash('zip',zipname,zipfile)
-            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(zipname) -- resets hashes too
-            registeredfiles[zipname] = z
-            instance.files[zipname] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree or "")
-            statistics.stoptiming(instance)
+            statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
+            resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
+            resolvers.extendtexmfvariable(archive) -- resets hashes too
+            registeredfiles[archive] = z
+            instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
+            statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",zipname)
+            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",zipname)
+        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
index 3a479497b..326cc0d53 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
@@ -2762,6 +2762,12 @@
    mark=yes,mkmk=yes,kern=yes,curs=yes]
 
 \definefontfeature
+  [simplearabic]
+  [mode=node,language=dflt,script=arab,
+   init=yes,medi=yes,fina=yes,calt=yes,
+   rlig=yes,curs=yes,mark=yes,mkmk=yes]
+
+\definefontfeature
   [none]
   [mode=none,features=no]
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/grph-fig.mkiv b/tex/context/base/grph-fig.mkiv
index 856821b45..2b745d218 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/grph-fig.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/grph-fig.mkiv
@@ -516,21 +516,11 @@
      \dodotypesetbuffer[\jobname][]
    \fi\fi}
 
-% \def\dodotypesetbuffer[#1][#2]%
-%   {\bgroup
-%    \global\advance\noftypesetbuffers\plusone
-%    \edef\bufferfilename{\jobname-buffer-\the\noftypesetbuffers}%
-%    \doifmode{*\v!first}
-%      {\ctxlua{buffers.save("\bufferfilename.tmp","#1",true)}%
-%       \executesystemcommand{context \bufferfilename.tmp}}%
-%    \externalfigure[\bufferfilename.pdf][#2]%
-%    \egroup}
-
 \def\dodotypesetbuffer[#1][#2]%
   {\bgroup
    \global\advance\noftypesetbuffers\plusone
    \edef\bufferfilename{\jobname-buffer-\the\noftypesetbuffers}%
-   \ctxlua{buffers.run("\bufferfilename.tmp","#1",true)}%
+   \ctxlua{commands.runbuffer("\bufferfilename.tmp","#1",true)}%
    \externalfigure[\bufferfilename.pdf][#2]%
    \egroup}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua b/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
index b35973eef..2c4ff999b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
@@ -35,25 +35,44 @@ end
 
 -- optimizing for no find (*) does not save time
 
+--~ local function globpattern(path,patt,recurse,action) -- fails in recent luatex due to some change in lfs
+--~     local ok, scanner
+--~     if path == "/" then
+--~         ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path..".") end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+--~     else
+--~         ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path)      end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+--~     end
+--~     if ok and type(scanner) == "function" then
+--~         if not find(path,"/$") then path = path .. '/' end
+--~         for name in scanner do
+--~             local full = path .. name
+--~             local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
+--~             if mode == 'file' then
+--~                 if find(full,patt) then
+--~                     action(full)
+--~                 end
+--~             elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
+--~                 globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
+--~             end
+--~         end
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
 local function globpattern(path,patt,recurse,action)
-    local ok, scanner
     if path == "/" then
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path..".") end, function() end) -- kepler safe
-    else
-        ok, scanner = xpcall(function() return walkdir(path)      end, function() end) -- kepler safe
+        path = path .. "."
+    elseif not find(path,"/$") then
+        path = path .. '/'
     end
-    if ok and type(scanner) == "function" then
-        if not find(path,"/$") then path = path .. '/' end
-        for name in scanner do
-            local full = path .. name
-            local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
-            if mode == 'file' then
-                if find(full,patt) then
-                    action(full)
-                end
-            elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
-                globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
+    for name in walkdir(path) do
+        local full = path .. name
+        local mode = attributes(full,'mode')
+        if mode == 'file' then
+            if find(full,patt) then
+                action(full)
             end
+        elseif recurse and (mode == "directory") and (name ~= '.') and (name ~= "..") then
+            globpattern(full,patt,recurse,action)
         end
     end
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-file.lua b/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
index a2c461190..fe69c9181 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@ local separator = P("://")
 local qualified = P(".")^0 * P("/") + letter*P(":") + letter^1*separator + letter^1 * P("/")
 local rootbased = P("/") + letter*P(":")
 
+lpeg.patterns.qualified = qualified
+lpeg.patterns.rootbased = rootbased
+
 -- ./name ../name  /name c: :// name/name
 
 function file.is_qualified_path(filename)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua b/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
index 940652ee3..be5d56947 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 
 local P, R, S, V, match = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.match
 local Ct, C, Cs, Cc, Cf, Cg = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cf, lpeg.Cg
+local lpegtype = lpeg.type
 
 local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
 local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
@@ -34,7 +35,6 @@ patterns.alwaysmatched = alwaysmatched
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
 local newline          = crlf + cr + lf
-local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
 local escaped          = P("\\") * anything
 local squote           = P("'")
 local dquote           = P('"')
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ local utftype          = utfbom_32_be / "utf-32-be" + utfbom_32_le  / "utf-32-le
                        + utfbom_16_be / "utf-16-be" + utfbom_16_le  / "utf-16-le"
                        + utfbom_8     / "utf-8"     + alwaysmatched / "unknown"
 
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
 patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
 patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
@@ -285,19 +287,25 @@ end
 -- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
 -- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
 
-function lpeg.replacer(t)
-    if #t > 0 then
-        local p
-        for i=1,#t do
-            local ti= t[i]
-            local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            if p then
-                p = p + pp
-            else
-                p = pp
+function lpeg.replacer(one,two)
+    if type(one) == "table" then
+        local no = #one
+        if no > 0 then
+            local p
+            for i=1,no do
+                local o = one[i]
+                local pp = P(o[1]) / o[2]
+                if p then
+                    p = p + pp
+                else
+                    p = pp
+                end
             end
+            return Cs((p + 1)^0)
         end
-        return Cs((p + 1)^0)
+    else
+        two = two or ""
+        return Cs((P(one)/two + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
@@ -521,3 +529,7 @@ function lpeg.oneof(list,...) -- lpeg.oneof("elseif","else","if","then")
     end
     return p
 end
+
+function lpeg.is_lpeg(p)
+    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-string.lua b/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
index 7a45b98bf..69a836787 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ local patterns_escapes = {
     ["."] = "%.",
     ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
     ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
  -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
  -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-url.lua b/tex/context/base/l-url.lua
index f8752f8a3..47d8127de 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-url.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-url.lua
@@ -6,72 +6,95 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-url'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte
+local char, gmatch, gsub, format, byte, find = string.char, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.format, string.byte, string.find
 local concat = table.concat
 local tonumber, type = tonumber, type
-local lpegmatch, lpegP, lpegC, lpegR, lpegS, lpegCs, lpegCc = lpeg.match, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc
+local P, C, R, S, Cs, Cc, Ct = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Ct
+local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns, replacer = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns, lpeg.replacer
 
--- from the spec (on the web):
+-- from wikipedia:
 --
---     foo://example.com:8042/over/there?name=ferret#nose
---     \_/   \______________/\_________/ \_________/ \__/
---      |           |            |            |        |
---   scheme     authority       path        query   fragment
---      |   _____________________|__
---     / \ /                        \
---     urn:example:animal:ferret:nose
+--   foo://username:password@example.com:8042/over/there/index.dtb?type=animal;name=narwhal#nose
+--   \_/   \_______________/ \_________/ \__/            \___/ \_/ \______________________/ \__/
+--    |           |               |       |                |    |            |                |
+--    |       userinfo         hostname  port              |    |          query          fragment
+--    |    \________________________________/\_____________|____|/
+-- scheme                  |                          |    |    |
+--    |                authority                    path   |    |
+--    |                                                    |    |
+--    |            path                       interpretable as filename
+--    |   ___________|____________                              |
+--   / \ /                        \                             |
+--   urn:example:animal:ferret:nose               interpretable as extension
 
 url       = url or { }
 local url = url
 
-local function tochar(s)
-    return char(tonumber(s,16))
-end
+local tochar      = function(s) return char(tonumber(s,16)) end
 
-local colon, qmark, hash, slash, percent, endofstring = lpegP(":"), lpegP("?"), lpegP("#"), lpegP("/"), lpegP("%"), lpegP(-1)
+local colon       = P(":")
+local qmark       = P("?")
+local hash        = P("#")
+local slash       = P("/")
+local percent     = P("%")
+local endofstring = P(-1)
 
-local hexdigit  = lpegR("09","AF","af")
-local plus      = lpegP("+")
-local nothing   = lpegCc("")
-local escaped   = (plus / " ") + (percent * lpegC(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
+local hexdigit    = R("09","AF","af")
+local plus        = P("+")
+local nothing     = Cc("")
+local escaped     = (plus / " ") + (percent * C(hexdigit * hexdigit) / tochar)
 
 -- we assume schemes with more than 1 character (in order to avoid problems with windows disks)
 
-local scheme    =                 lpegCs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
-local authority = slash * slash * lpegCs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local path      = slash *         lpegCs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
-local query     = qmark         * lpegCs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
-local fragment  = hash          * lpegCs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
-
-local parser = lpeg.Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
+local scheme    =                 Cs((escaped+(1-colon-slash-qmark-hash))^2) * colon + nothing
+local authority = slash * slash * Cs((escaped+(1-      slash-qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local path      = slash *         Cs((escaped+(1-            qmark-hash))^0)         + nothing
+local query     = qmark         * Cs((escaped+(1-                  hash))^0)         + nothing
+local fragment  = hash          * Cs((escaped+(1-           endofstring))^0)         + nothing
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlsplitter = parser
+local parser = Ct(scheme * authority * path * query * fragment)
 
-local escapes = { }
+lpegpatterns.urlsplitter = parser
 
-for i=0,255 do
-    escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i)
-end
+local escapes = { } ; for i=0,255 do escapes[i] = format("%%%02X",i) end
 
-local escaper = lpeg.Cs((lpegR("09","AZ","az") + lpegS("-./_") + lpegP(1) / escapes)^0)
+local escaper = Cs((R("09","AZ","az") + S("-./_") + P(1) / escapes)^0)
 
-lpeg.patterns.urlescaper = escaper
+lpegpatterns.urlescaper = escaper
 
 -- todo: reconsider Ct as we can as well have five return values (saves a table)
 -- so we can have two parsers, one with and one without
 
-function url.split(str)
+local function split(str)
     return (type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(parser,str)) or str
 end
 
+local function hasscheme(str)
+    local scheme = lpegmatch(scheme,str) -- at least one character
+    return scheme and scheme ~= ""
+end
+
 -- todo: cache them
 
-function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
-    local s = url.split(str)
+local rootletter       = R("az","AZ")
+                       + S("_-+")
+local separator        = P("://")
+local qualified        = P(".")^0 * P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+                       + rootletter^1 * separator
+                       + rootletter^1 * P("/")
+local rootbased        = P("/")
+                       + rootletter * P(":")
+
+local barswapper       = replacer("|",":")
+local backslashswapper = replacer("\\","/")
+
+local function hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
+    local s = split(str)
     local somescheme = s[1] ~= ""
     local somequery  = s[4] ~= ""
     if not somescheme and not somequery then
-        return {
+        s = {
             scheme    = "file",
             authority = "",
             path      = str,
@@ -79,53 +102,81 @@ function url.hashed(str) -- not yet ok (/test?test)
             fragment  = "",
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = true,
+            filename  = str,
         }
-    else
-        return {
+    else -- not always a filename but handy anyway
+        local authority, path, filename = s[2], s[3]
+        if authority == "" then
+            filename = path
+        else
+            filename = authority .. "/" .. path
+        end
+        s = {
             scheme    = s[1],
-            authority = s[2],
-            path      = s[3],
+            authority = authority,
+            path      = path,
             query     = s[4],
             fragment  = s[5],
             original  = str,
             noscheme  = false,
+            filename  = filename,
         }
     end
+    return s
 end
 
---~ table.print(url.hashed("/test?test"))
+-- Here we assume:
+--
+-- files: ///  = relative
+-- files: //// = absolute (!)
 
-function url.hasscheme(str)
-    return url.split(str)[1] ~= ""
-end
+--~ table.print(hashed("file://c:/opt/tex/texmf-local")) -- c:/opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("file://opt/tex/texmf-local"   )) -- opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("file:///opt/tex/texmf-local"  )) -- opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("file:////opt/tex/texmf-local" )) -- /opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("file:///./opt/tex/texmf-local" )) -- ./opt/tex/texmf-local
+
+--~ table.print(hashed("c:/opt/tex/texmf-local"       )) -- c:/opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("opt/tex/texmf-local"          )) -- opt/tex/texmf-local
+--~ table.print(hashed("/opt/tex/texmf-local"         )) -- /opt/tex/texmf-local
 
-function url.addscheme(str,scheme)
-    return (url.hasscheme(str) and str) or ((scheme or "file:///") .. str)
+url.split     = split
+url.hasscheme = hasscheme
+url.hashed    = hashed
+
+function url.addscheme(str,scheme) -- no authority
+    if hasscheme(str) then
+        return str
+    elseif not scheme then
+        return "file:///" .. str
+    else
+        return scheme .. ":///" .. str
+    end
 end
 
 function url.construct(hash) -- dodo: we need to escape !
-    local fullurl = { }
+    local fullurl, f = { }, 0
     local scheme, authority, path, query, fragment = hash.scheme, hash.authority, hash.path, hash.query, hash.fragment
     if scheme and scheme ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = scheme .. "://"
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = scheme .. "://"
     end
     if authority and authority ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = authority
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = authority
     end
     if path and path ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "/" .. path
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "/" .. path
     end
     if query and query ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "?".. query
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "?".. query
     end
     if fragment and fragment ~= "" then
-        fullurl[#fullurl+1] = "#".. fragment
+        f = f + 1 ; fullurl[f] = "#".. fragment
     end
     return lpegmatch(escaper,concat(fullurl))
 end
 
 function url.filename(filename)
-    local t = url.hashed(filename)
+    local t = hashed(filename)
     return (t.scheme == "file" and (gsub(t.path,"^/([a-zA-Z])([:|])/)","%1:"))) or filename
 end
 
@@ -186,3 +237,5 @@ end
 
 --~ test("zip:///oeps/oeps.zip#bla/bla.tex")
 --~ test("zip:///oeps/oeps.zip?bla/bla.tex")
+
+--~ table.print(url.hashed("/test?test"))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-fmt.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-fmt.lua
index a5152c461..348f6eada 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-fmt.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-fmt.lua
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ local filenames = {
 local function locatefile(filename)
     local fullname = resolvers.findfile(filename,"icc")
     if not fullname or fullname == "" then
-        fullname = resolvers.finders.loc(filename) -- could be specific to the project
+        fullname = resolvers.finders.byscheme("loc",filename) -- could be specific to the project
     end
     return fullname or ""
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv b/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
index b02a88b51..29de9a0ea 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
@@ -35,11 +35,13 @@
 \registerctxluafile{data-tmp}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-met}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-res}{1.001}
-
-\registerctxluafile{data-pre}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-inp}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-out}{1.001}
+\registerctxluafile{data-fil}{1.001}
+
+\registerctxluafile{data-pre}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-tex}{1.001}
+\registerctxluafile{data-vir}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-bin}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{data-zip}{1.001}
 %registerctxluafile{data-crl}{1.001}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-mac.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-mac.lua
index f4f7779da..4a9e53b0e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-mac.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-mac.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-mac'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local P, V, S, R, C, Cs = lpeg.P, lpeg.V, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs
+local P, V, S, R, C, Cs, Cmt = lpeg.P, lpeg.V, lpeg.S, lpeg.R, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cmt
 local lpegmatch, patterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local insert, remove = table.insert, table.remove
@@ -64,8 +64,9 @@ local spaces      = space^1
 local newline     = patterns.newline
 local nobrace     = 1 - leftbrace - rightbrace
 
-local name        = R("AZ","az")^1
-local variable    = P("#")  * name
+local name        = R("AZ","az")^1 -- @?! -- utf?
+local longname    = (leftbrace/"") * (nobrace^1) * (rightbrace/"")
+local variable    = P("#") * Cs(name + longname)
 local escapedname = escape * name
 local definer     = escape * (P("def") + P("egdx") * P("def"))
 local startcode   = P("\\starttexdefinition")
@@ -78,6 +79,10 @@ local poplocal    = always   / pop
 local declaration = variable / set
 local identifier  = variable / get
 
+local function matcherror(str,pos)
+    report_macros("runaway definition at: %s",string.sub(str,pos-30,pos))
+end
+
 local grammar = { "converter",
     texcode     = pushlocal
                 * startcode
@@ -89,8 +94,8 @@ local grammar = { "converter",
                 * stopcode
                 * poplocal,
     texbody     = (   V("definition")
-                    + V("braced")
                     + identifier
+                    + V("braced")
                     + (1 - stopcode)
                   )^0,
     definition  = pushlocal
@@ -101,12 +106,13 @@ local grammar = { "converter",
                 * poplocal,
     braced      = leftbrace
                 * (   V("definition")
+                    + identifier
                     + V("texcode")
                     + V("braced")
-                    + identifier
                     + nobrace
                   )^0
-                * rightbrace,
+             -- * rightbrace^-1, -- the -1 catches errors
+                * (rightbrace + Cmt(always,matcherror)),
 
     pattern     = V("definition") + V("texcode") + anything,
 
@@ -122,8 +128,8 @@ local checker = P("%") * (1 - newline - P("macros"))^0
 
 local macros = { } resolvers.macros = macros
 
-function macros.preprocessed(data)
-    return lpegmatch(parser,data)
+function macros.preprocessed(str)
+    return lpegmatch(parser,str)
 end
 
 function macros.convertfile(oldname,newname)
@@ -136,27 +142,40 @@ function macros.version(data)
     return lpegmatch(checker,data)
 end
 
-local function handler(protocol,name,cachename)
-    local hashed = url.hashed(name)
-    local path = hashed.path
-    if path and path ~= "" then
-        local data = resolvers.loadtexfile(path)
-        data = lpegmatch(parser,data) or ""
-        io.savedata(cachename,data)
-    end
-    return cachename
-end
-
-resolvers.schemes.install('mkvi',handler,1) -- this will cache !
-
 function macros.processmkvi(str,filename)
-    if file.suffix(filename) == "mkvi" or lpegmatch(checker,str) == "mkvi" then
+    if (filename and file.suffix(filename) == "mkvi") or lpegmatch(checker,str) == "mkvi" then
         return lpegmatch(parser,str) or str
     else
         return str
     end
 end
 
-utilities.sequencers.appendaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"system","resolvers.macros.processmkvi")
--- utilities.sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"resolvers.macros.processmkvi")
+if resolvers.schemes then
+
+    local function handler(protocol,name,cachename)
+        local hashed = url.hashed(name)
+        local path = hashed.path
+        if path and path ~= "" then
+            local data = resolvers.loadtexfile(path)
+            data = lpegmatch(parser,data) or ""
+            io.savedata(cachename,data)
+        end
+        return cachename
+    end
+
+    resolvers.schemes.install('mkvi',handler,1) -- this will cache !
+
+    utilities.sequencers.appendaction(resolvers.openers.helpers.textfileactions,"system","resolvers.macros.processmkvi")
+ -- utilities.sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.helpers.textfileactions,"resolvers.macros.processmkvi")
+
+end
 
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\blä#{blá}{blà:#{blá}}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\blä#bla{blà:#bla}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\bla#bla{bla:#bla}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#oeps{test:#oeps}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#oeps{test:#{oeps}}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#{oeps:1}{test:#{oeps:1}}]]))
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#{oeps}{test:#oeps}]]))
+--~ macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#{oeps}{test:#oeps \halign{##\cr #oeps\cr}]])
+--~ print(macros.preprocessed([[\def\test#{oeps}{test:#oeps \halign{##\cr #oeps\cr}}]]))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-ctx.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-ctx.lua
index 04f1c58e0..1f6f6ffd3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-ctx.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-ctx.lua
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ function xml.ctx.tshow(specification)
         context.stoptabulate()
         if xmlroot and xmlroot ~= "" then
             if not loaded[xmlroot] then
-                loaded[xmlroot] = xml.convert(buffers.content(xmlroot) or "")
+                loaded[xmlroot] = xml.convert(buffers.getcontent(xmlroot))
             end
             local collected = xml.filter(loaded[xmlroot],xmlpattern)
             if collected then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
index bfa64fe65..31de4d5d4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
@@ -402,7 +402,8 @@ function xml.getbuffer(name,compress,entities) -- we need to make sure that comm
         name = tex.jobname
     end
     nofconverted = nofconverted + 1
-    xmltostring(lxml.convert(name,concat(buffers.data[name] or {},""),compress,entities))
+    local data = buffers.getcontent(name)
+    xmltostring(lxml.convert(name,data,compress,entities)) -- one buffer
 end
 
 function lxml.loadbuffer(id,name,compress,entities)
@@ -411,7 +412,8 @@ function lxml.loadbuffer(id,name,compress,entities)
     end
     starttiming(xml)
     nofconverted = nofconverted + 1
-    local xmltable = lxml.convert(id,buffers.collect(name or id,"\n"),compress,entities)
+    local data = buffers.getcontent(name or id)
+    local xmltable = lxml.convert(id,data,compress,entities)
     lxml.store(id,xmltable)
     stoptiming(xml)
     return xmltable, name or id
diff --git a/tex/context/base/m-database.lua b/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
index b922597c7..66bc89649 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['m-database'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local sub, gmatch = string.sub, string.gmatch
+local sub, gmatch, format = string.sub, string.gmatch, string.format
 local concat = table.concat
 local lpegpatterns, lpegmatch, lpegsplitat = lpeg.patterns, lpeg.match, lpeg.splitat
 local lpegP, lpegC, lpegS, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ function buffers.database.process(settings)
     local data
     local sprint = trace_flush and tracedsprint or sprint
     if settings.type == "file" then
-        local filename = resolvers.finders.any(settings.database)
+        local filename = resolvers.finders.byscheme("any",settings.database)
         data = filename ~= "" and io.loaddata(filename)
         data = data and string.splitlines(data)
     else
-        data = buffers.raw(settings.database)
+        data = buffers.getcontent(settings.database)
     end
     if data and #data > 0 then
         local separatorchar, quotechar, commentchar = settings.separator, settings.quotechar, settings.commentchar
diff --git a/tex/context/base/m-pstricks.lua b/tex/context/base/m-pstricks.lua
index 4fb80c7ed..360c566ee 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/m-pstricks.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/m-pstricks.lua
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ end
 function moduledata.pstricks.process(n)
     graphics = graphics + 1
     local name = string.format("%s-pstricks-%04i",tex.jobname,graphics)
-    local data = buffers.collect("def-"..n)
+    local data = buffers.collectcontent("def-"..n)
     local tmpfile = name .. ".tmp"
     local epsfile = name .. ".ps"
     local pdffile = name .. ".pdf"
diff --git a/tex/context/base/math-def.mkiv b/tex/context/base/math-def.mkiv
index 4d8883c0f..62691c655 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/math-def.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/math-def.mkiv
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
    #1\crcr\mathstrut\crcr\noalign{\kern-\baselineskip}}}\,}
 
 \definemathcommand [mathstrut] {\vphantom{(}}
-\definemathcommand [joinrel]   {\mathrel{\mkern-3mu}}
+\definemathcommand [joinrel]   {\mathrel{\mkern-4mu}} % was mistakenly 3mu
 
 % \definemathcommand [matrix]    {\PLAINmatrix}
 % \definemathcommand [over]      {\normalover} % hack, to do
diff --git a/tex/context/base/math-noa.lua b/tex/context/base/math-noa.lua
index e8eea1666..d8b45bb88 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/math-noa.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/math-noa.lua
@@ -476,17 +476,21 @@ end
 --~     return head, true
 --~ end
 
-tasks.new (
-    "math",
-    {
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "math",
+    arguments = 2,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",
         "normalizers",
         "builders",
         "after",
     }
-)
+}
+
+tasks.freezegroup("math", "normalizers") -- experimental
+tasks.freezegroup("math", "builders")    -- experimental
 
-local actions = tasks.actions("math",2) -- head, style, penalties
+local actions = tasks.actions("math") -- head, style, penalties
 
 local starttiming, stoptiming = statistics.starttiming, statistics.stoptiming
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/meta-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/meta-ini.mkiv
index eec9d71be..917201b27 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/meta-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/meta-ini.mkiv
@@ -678,7 +678,7 @@
       % we need this trick because tex.sprint does not interprets newlines and the scanner
       % stops at a newline; also, we do need to flush the buffer under a normal catcode
       % regime in order to expand embedded tex macros; #1 can be a list
-      \processMPgraphic{\ctxlua{buffers.feedback("\currentMPgraphicname")}}%
+      \processMPgraphic{\ctxlua{commands.feedback("\currentMPgraphicname")}}%
       \endMPgraphicgroup}}
 
 \def\runMPbuffer
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua b/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
index 32436c5a5..64030724e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ local texprint     = tex.print
 local texiowrite   = texio.write
 local texcount     = tex.count
 
-local isnode       = node.is_node
+local isnode       = node.is_node -- after 0.65 just node.type
 local writenode    = node.write
 
 local ctxcatcodes  = tex.ctxcatcodes
@@ -184,12 +184,13 @@ end
 
 -- -- --
 
-local savedata = resolvers.savers.virtual
+local methodhandler = resolvers.methodhandler
 
 function context.viafile(data)
     -- this is the only way to deal with nested buffers
     -- and other catcode sensitive data
-    context.input(savedata(data))
+    local filename = resolvers.savers.byscheme("virtual","viafile",data)
+    context.input(filename)
 end
 
 -- -- --
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/mult-ini.lua
index be4a7cb69..3e89cf68f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-ini.lua
@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ end
 
 local messages, constants, variables = interfaces.messages, interfaces.constants, interfaces.variables
 
+local valueiskey = { __index = function(t,k) t[k] = k return k end }
+
+setmetatable(variables,valueiskey)
+setmetatable(constants,valueiskey)
+
 function interfaces.setmessages(category,str)
     local m = messages[category] or { }
     for k, v in gmatch(str,"(%S+) *: *(.-) *[\n\r]") do
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-pag.lua b/tex/context/base/node-pag.lua
index f5a6f9d93..9b8202042 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-pag.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-pag.lua
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ pagebuilders = pagebuilders or { }
 
 local starttiming, stoptiming = statistics.starttiming, statistics.stoptiming
 
-local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("pagebuilders",5)
+local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("pagebuilders")
 
 local function processor(head,groupcode,size,packtype,maxdepth,direction)
     starttiming(pagebuilders)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-par.lua b/tex/context/base/node-par.lua
index b153ec6d6..9a4c51759 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-par.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-par.lua
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ end
 -- It makes no sense to have a sequence here as we already have
 -- pre and post hooks and only one parbuilder makes sense, so no:
 --
--- local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("parbuilders",1)
+-- local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("parbuilders")
 
 -- todo: enable one as main
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua b/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
index 0ed510cd2..5f0c555a6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ local processors  = nodes.processors
 -- vbox: grouptype: vbox vtop output split_off split_keep  | box_type: exactly|aditional
 -- hbox: grouptype: hbox adjusted_hbox(=hbox_in_vmode)     | box_type: exactly|aditional
 
-local actions = tasks.actions("processors",4)
+local actions = tasks.actions("processors")
 
 local n = 0
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ end
 callbacks.register('pre_linebreak_filter', processors.pre_linebreak_filter,"all kind of horizontal manipulations (before par break)")
 callbacks.register('hpack_filter'        , processors.hpack_filter,"all kind of horizontal manipulations")
 
-local actions = tasks.actions("finalizers",1) -- head, where
+local actions = tasks.actions("finalizers") -- head, where
 
 -- beware, these are packaged boxes so no first_glyph test
 -- maybe some day a hash with valid groupcodes
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-shp.lua b/tex/context/base/node-shp.lua
index e637153dc..75177a4ed 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-shp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-shp.lua
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ function nodes.handlers.cleanuppage(head)
     return cleanup(head), true
 end
 
-local actions = tasks.actions("shipouts",0)  -- no extra arguments
+local actions = tasks.actions("shipouts")  -- no extra arguments
 
 function nodes.handlers.finalize(head) -- problem, attr loaded before node, todo ...
     return actions(head)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-tsk.lua b/tex/context/base/node-tsk.lua
index d19d1c6ae..7792d1248 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-tsk.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-tsk.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['node-tsk'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- this might move to task-* .. we already have dirty flags there
+-- This might move to task-* and become less code as in sequencers
+-- we already have dirty flags as well. On the other hand, nodes are
+-- rather specialized and here we focus on node related tasks.
 
 local trace_tasks = false  trackers.register("tasks.creation", function(v) trace_tasks = v end)
 
@@ -18,28 +20,81 @@ local nodes      = nodes
 
 nodes.tasks      = nodes.tasks or { }
 local tasks      = nodes.tasks
-tasks.data       = allocate()
-local tasksdata  = tasks.data
+
+local tasksdata  = { } -- no longer public
 
 local sequencers = utilities.sequencers
 
-function tasks.new(name,list)
-    local tasklist = sequencers.reset()
-    tasksdata[name] = { list = tasklist, runner = false }
-    for l=1,#list do
-        sequencers.appendgroup(tasklist,list[l])
+local frozengroups = "no"
+
+function tasks.freeze(kind)
+    frozengroups = kind or "tolerant" -- todo: hook into jobname
+end
+
+function tasks.new(specification) -- was: name,arguments,list
+    local name      = specification.name
+    local arguments = specification.arguments or 0
+    local sequence  = specification.sequence
+    if name and sequence then
+        local tasklist = sequencers.reset()
+        tasksdata[name] = {
+            list      = tasklist,
+            runner    = false,
+            arguments = arguments,
+         -- sequence  = sequence,
+            frozen    = { },
+        }
+        for l=1,#sequence do
+            sequencers.appendgroup(tasklist,sequence[l])
+        end
     end
 end
 
-function tasks.restart(name)
+local function valid(name)
+    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    if not data then
+        report_tasks("unknown task %s",name)
+    else
+        return data
+    end
+end
+
+local function validgroup(name,group,what)
     local data = tasksdata[name]
+    if not data then
+        report_tasks("unknown task %s",name)
+    else
+        local frozen = data.frozen[group]
+        if frozen then
+            if frozengroup == "no" then
+                -- default
+            elseif frozengroup == "strict" then
+                report_tasks("warning: group %s of task %s is frozen, %s applied but not supported",group,name,what)
+                return
+            else -- if frozengroup == "tolerant" then
+                report_tasks("warning: group %s of task %s is frozen, %s ignored",group,name,what)
+            end
+        end
+        return data
+    end
+end
+
+function tasks.freezegroup(name,group)
+    local data = valid(name)
+    if data then
+        data.frozen[group] = true
+    end
+end
+
+function tasks.restart(name)
+    local data = valid(name)
     if data then
         data.runner = false
     end
 end
 
 function tasks.enableaction(name,action)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = valid(name)
     if data then
         sequencers.enableaction(data.list,action)
         data.runner = false
@@ -47,7 +102,7 @@ function tasks.enableaction(name,action)
 end
 
 function tasks.disableaction(name,action)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = valid(name)
     if data then
         sequencers.disableaction(data.list,action)
         data.runner = false
@@ -55,7 +110,7 @@ function tasks.disableaction(name,action)
 end
 
 function tasks.enablegroup(name,group)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = validgroup(name,"enable group")
     if data then
         sequencers.enablegroup(data.list,group)
         data.runner = false
@@ -63,7 +118,7 @@ function tasks.enablegroup(name,group)
 end
 
 function tasks.disablegroup(name,group)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = validgroup(name,"disable group")
     if data then
         sequencers.disablegroup(data.list,group)
         data.runner = false
@@ -71,7 +126,7 @@ function tasks.disablegroup(name,group)
 end
 
 function tasks.appendaction(name,group,action,where,kind)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = validgroup(name,"append action")
     if data then
         sequencers.appendaction(data.list,group,action,where,kind)
         data.runner = false
@@ -79,7 +134,7 @@ function tasks.appendaction(name,group,action,where,kind)
 end
 
 function tasks.prependaction(name,group,action,where,kind)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = validgroup(name,"prepend action")
     if data then
         sequencers.prependaction(data.list,group,action,where,kind)
         data.runner = false
@@ -87,7 +142,7 @@ function tasks.prependaction(name,group,action,where,kind)
 end
 
 function tasks.removeaction(name,group,action)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = validgroup(name,"remove action")
     if data then
         sequencers.removeaction(data.list,group,action)
         data.runner = false
@@ -95,7 +150,7 @@ function tasks.removeaction(name,group,action)
 end
 
 function tasks.showactions(name,group,action,where,kind)
-    local data = tasksdata[name]
+    local data = valid(name)
     if data then
         report_tasks("task %s, list:\n%s",name,sequencers.nodeprocessor(data.list))
     end
@@ -118,9 +173,10 @@ end)
 
 local compile, nodeprocessor = sequencers.compile, sequencers.nodeprocessor
 
-function tasks.actions(name,n) -- we optimize for the number or arguments (no ...)
+function tasks.actions(name) -- we optimize for the number or arguments (no ...)
     local data = tasksdata[name]
     if data then
+        local n = data.arguments or 0
         if n == 0 then
             return function(head)
                 total = total + 1 -- will go away
@@ -252,9 +308,12 @@ function tasks.table(name) --maybe move this to task-deb.lua
     end
 end
 
-tasks.new (
-    "processors",
-    {
+-- this will move
+
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "processors",
+    arguments = 4,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",      -- for users
         "normalizers",
         "characters",
@@ -263,11 +322,12 @@ tasks.new (
         "lists",
         "after",       -- for users
     }
-)
+}
 
-tasks.new (
-    "finalizers",
-    {
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "finalizers",
+    arguments = 1,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",      -- for users
         "normalizers",
 --      "characters",
@@ -276,50 +336,55 @@ tasks.new (
         "lists",
         "after",       -- for users
     }
-)
+}
 
-tasks.new (
-    "shipouts",
-    {
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "shipouts",
+    arguments = 0,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",      -- for users
         "normalizers",
         "finishers",
         "after",       -- for users
     }
-)
+}
 
-tasks.new (
-    "mvlbuilders",
-    {
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "mvlbuilders",
+    arguments = 1,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",      -- for users
         "normalizers",
         "after",       -- for users
     }
-)
+}
 
-tasks.new (
-    "vboxbuilders",
-    {
+tasks.new {
+    name      = "vboxbuilders",
+    arguments = 5,
+    sequence  = {
         "before",      -- for users
         "normalizers",
         "after",       -- for users
     }
-)
+}
 
---~ tasks.new (
---~     "parbuilders",
---~     {
+--~ tasks.new {
+--~     name      = "parbuilders",
+--~     arguments = 1,
+--~     sequence  = {
 --~         "before",      -- for users
 --~         "lists",
 --~         "after",       -- for users
 --~     }
---~ )
+--~ }
 
---~ tasks.new (
---~     "pagebuilders",
---~     {
+--~ tasks.new {
+--~     name      = "pagebuilders",
+--~     arguments = 5,
+--~     sequence  = {
 --~         "before",      -- for users
 --~         "lists",
 --~         "after",       -- for users
 --~     }
---~ )
+--~ }
diff --git a/tex/context/base/regi-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/regi-ini.lua
index eb9a58593..c6456b242 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/regi-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/regi-ini.lua
@@ -76,44 +76,27 @@ function regimes.translate(line,regime)
     return line
 end
 
--- function regimes.enable(regime)
---     regime = synonyms[regime] or regime
---     if data[regime] then
---         regimes.currentregime = regime
---         local translate = regimes.translate
---         resolvers.filters.install('input',function(s)
---             return translate(s,regime)
---         end)
---     else
---         regimes.disable()
---     end
--- end
---
--- function regimes.disable()
---     regimes.currentregime = "utf"
---     resolvers.filters.install('input',nil)
--- end
-
-local sequencers = utilities.sequencers
+local sequencers      = utilities.sequencers
+local textfileactions = resolvers.openers.helpers.textfileactions
 
 function regimes.process(s)
-    return translate(s,regimes.currentregime)
+    return regimes.translate(s,regimes.currentregime)
 end
 
 function regimes.enable(regime)
     regime = synonyms[regime] or regime
     if data[regime] then
         regimes.currentregime = regime
-        sequencers.enableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"regimes.process")
+        sequencers.enableaction(textfileactions,"regimes.process")
     else
-        sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"regimes.process")
+        sequencers.disableaction(textfileactions,"regimes.process")
     end
 end
 
 function regimes.disable()
     regimes.currentregime = "utf"
-    sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"regimes.process")
+    sequencers.disableaction(textfileactions,"regimes.process")
 end
 
-utilities.sequencers.prependaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"system","regimes.process")
-utilities.sequencers.disableaction(resolvers.openers.textfileactions,"regimes.process")
+utilities.sequencers.prependaction(textfileactions,"system","regimes.process")
+utilities.sequencers.disableaction(textfileactions,"regimes.process")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv b/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
index 7f143f7b4..eea71debc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
      {\hbox to \zeropoint
         {\doifassignmentelse{#1}{\getparameters[\??cc][#1]}{\getparameters[\??cc][\c!title=#1,#2]}%
          \hskip-\@@ccmargin
-         \ctxlua{buffers.set("\v!comment\v!buffer", \!!bs\detokenize{#3}\!!es)}%
+         \ctxlua{buffers.assign("\v!comment\v!buffer", \!!bs\detokenize{#3}\!!es)}%
          \struttedbox{\tbox{\doinsertcomment{\v!comment\v!buffer}}\hss}}}%
    \ignorespaces}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua b/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
index a856f4cab..958d1ad7a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
@@ -1331,7 +1331,7 @@ nodes.builders = nodes.builder or { }
 
 local builders = nodes.builders
 
-local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("vboxbuilders",5)
+local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("vboxbuilders")
 
 function nodes.builders.vpack_filter(head,groupcode,size,packtype,maxdepth,direction)
     local done = false
@@ -1359,7 +1359,7 @@ end
 -- and we operate on the mlv. Also, we need to do the
 -- vspacing last as it removes items from the mvl.
 
-local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("mvlbuilders",1)
+local actions = nodes.tasks.actions("mvlbuilders")
 
 function nodes.builders.buildpage_filter(groupcode)
     starttiming(builders)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-blk.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-blk.lua
index a52fb737a..5040c34e5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-blk.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-blk.lua
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ function blocks.select(state,name,tag,criterium)
 end
 
 function blocks.save(name,tag,buffer) -- wrong, not yet adapted
-    local data = buffers.data[buffer]
+    local data = buffers.getcontent(buffer)
     local tags = settings_to_set(tag)
     local plus, minus = false, false
     if tags['+'] then plus  = true tags['+'] = nil end
@@ -139,5 +139,5 @@ function blocks.save(name,tag,buffer) -- wrong, not yet adapted
             end
         end
     end
-    buffers.data[buffer] = nil
+    buffers.erase(buffer)
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
index 00130b922..88c1d344d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ function helpers.title(title,metadata) -- coding is xml is rather old and not th
                 -- title can contain raw xml
                 local tag = tags[metadata.kind] or tags.generic
                 local xmldata = format("<?xml version='1.0'?><%s>%s</%s>",tag,title,tag)
-                buffers.set(tag,xmldata)
+                buffers.assign(tag,xmldata)
                 if trace_processors then
                     report_processors("putting xml data in buffer: %s",xmldata)
                     report_processors("processing buffer with setup '%s' and tag '%s'",xmlsetup or "",tag)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-ini.mkiv
index 8575889e8..b1b11d871 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-ini.mkiv
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@
 
 \unprotect
 
-% maybe use structurecomponent more consistently as name below
-
 % segments: 0:100 2:3 chapter:subsection 3 (=self+2)        (alternative: sectionset)
 
 % section   : [sectionnumber(s)]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-mat.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-mat.mkiv
index 0d2e4a240..dddc771c9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-mat.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-mat.mkiv
@@ -673,12 +673,12 @@
    \dododoformulanumber}
 
 \unexpanded\def\placeformula
-  {\doglobal\settrue\insideplaceformula
+  {\global\settrue\insideplaceformula
    \settrue\incrementformulanumber
    \dodoubleempty\doplaceformula}
 
 \unexpanded\def\placesubformula
-  {\doglobal\settrue\insideplacesubformula
+  {\global\settrue\insideplacesubformula
    \setfalse\incrementformulanumber
    \dodoubleempty\doplaceformula}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
index 518b97ec6..bd1fe1994 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
@@ -19,14 +19,10 @@
 
 % this needs a further cleanup ...
 %
-% -- set breakpoin in descriptions
+% -- set breakpoint in descriptions
 % -- reset after trialtypesetting
 % -- that way we can trick the symbol space
 
-% obsolete
-
-\let\autopostponenotes\relax
-
 % removed:
 %
 % \pushsomestates
@@ -38,11 +34,6 @@
 % saveinsertionbox
 % eraseinsertionbackup
 % restoreinsertionbackup
-%
-% \def\doprocessnotescs#1#2% #1 == \cs that takes arg
-%   {\def\currentnote{#2}\@EA#1\csname\??vn:\currentnote\endcsname}
-% \def\processnotescs#1{\processcommacommand[\noteinsertions]{\doprocessnotescs#1}}
-% \def\noteinsertion     #1{\csname\??vn:#1\endcsname}
 
 \def\savenotedata      {\writestatus{todo}{save    note data}}
 \def\restorenotedata   {\writestatus{todo}{restore note data}}
@@ -278,10 +269,6 @@
     \setupenumerations[\currentnote][]%
 \to \everysetupnote
 
-% \appendtoks
-%     \dochecknote
-% \to \everysetupnote
-
 \unexpanded\def\setupnote
   {\dodoubleempty\dosetupnote}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-sec.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-sec.mkiv
index 6fa9348b2..ed0dee7a4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-sec.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-sec.mkiv
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@
       \c!command=,
       #2]%
      [#3]%
-     \reportcurrentstructure}
+   \reportcurrentstructure}
 
 \unexpanded\def\placeheadtext  {\dosingleempty\doplaceheadtext  } % use with care
 \unexpanded\def\placeheadnumber{\dosingleempty\doplaceheadnumber} % use with care
diff --git a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
index 500443f7d..7f573c038 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ at the <l n='tex'/> side.</p>
 
 local find, gsub, match, format, concat = string.find, string.gsub, string.match, string.format, table.concat
 local texcount = tex.count
+local isfile = lfs.isfile
 
 local trace_modules = false  trackers.register("modules.loading", function(v) trace_modules = v end)
 
@@ -28,6 +29,8 @@ local commands    = commands
 environment       = environment or { }
 local environment = environment
 
+local findbyscheme = resolvers.finders.byscheme
+
 function commands.checkfilename(str) -- "/whatever..." "c:..." "http://..."
     texcount.kindoffile = (find(str,"^/") or find(str,"[%a]:") and 1) or 0
 end
@@ -100,62 +103,62 @@ local found = { } -- can best be done in the resolver itself
 -- todo: tracing
 
 local function readfilename(specification,backtrack,treetoo)
-    local fnd = found[specification]
+    local name = specification.filename
+    local fnd = found[name]
     if not fnd then
-        local splitspec = resolvers.splitmethod(specification)
-        local filename = splitspec.path or ""
-        if lfs.isfile(filename) then
-            fnd = filename
+        if fnd ~= "" and isfile(name) then
+            fnd = name
         end
-        if not fnd and backtrack then
-            local fname = filename
+        if backtrack and (not fnd or fnd == "") then
+            local fname = name
             for i=1,backtrack,1 do
                 fname = "../" .. fname
-                if lfs.isfile(fname) then
+                if isfile(fname) then
                     fnd = fname
                     break
                 end
             end
         end
         if not fnd and treetoo then
---~             fnd = resolvers.findfile(filename)
-            fnd = resolvers.findtexfile(filename)
+            fnd = resolvers.findtexfile(name)
         end
-        found[specification] = fnd
+        found[name] = fnd
     end
     return fnd or ""
 end
 
-commands.readfilename = readfilename
+function commands.readfilename(filename)
+    return findbyscheme("any",filename)
+end
 
-function finders.job(filename) return readfilename(filename,nil,false) end -- current path, no backtracking
-function finders.loc(filename) return readfilename(filename,2,  false) end -- current path, backtracking
-function finders.sys(filename) return readfilename(filename,nil,true ) end -- current path, obeys tex search
-function finders.fix(filename) return readfilename(filename,2,  false) end -- specified path, backtracking
-function finders.set(filename) return readfilename(filename,nil,false) end -- specified path, no backtracking
-function finders.any(filename) return readfilename(filename,2,  true ) end -- loc job sys
+function finders.job(specification) return readfilename(specification,false,false) end -- current path, no backtracking
+function finders.loc(specification) return readfilename(specification,2,    false) end -- current path, backtracking
+function finders.sys(specification) return readfilename(specification,false,true ) end -- current path, obeys tex search
+function finders.fix(specification) return readfilename(specification,2,    false) end -- specified path, backtracking
+function finders.set(specification) return readfilename(specification,false,false) end -- specified path, no backtracking
+function finders.any(specification) return readfilename(specification,2,    true ) end -- loc job sys
 
-openers.job = openers.generic loaders.job = loaders.generic
-openers.loc = openers.generic loaders.loc = loaders.generic
-openers.sys = openers.generic loaders.sys = loaders.generic
-openers.fix = openers.generic loaders.fix = loaders.generic
-openers.set = openers.generic loaders.set = loaders.generic
-openers.any = openers.generic loaders.any = loaders.generic
+openers.job = openers.file loaders.job = loaders.file -- default anyway
+openers.loc = openers.file loaders.loc = loaders.file
+openers.sys = openers.file loaders.sys = loaders.file
+openers.fix = openers.file loaders.fix = loaders.file
+openers.set = openers.file loaders.set = loaders.file
+openers.any = openers.file loaders.any = loaders.file
 
-function commands.doreadfile(protocol,path,name) -- better do a split and then pass table
-    local specification
+function commands.doreadfile(scheme,path,name) -- better do a split and then pass table
+    local fullname
     if url.hasscheme(name) then
-        specification = name
+        fullname = name
     else
-        specification = ((path == "") and format("%s:///%s",protocol,name)) or format("%s:///%s/%s",protocol,path,name)
+        fullname = ((path == "") and format("%s:///%s",scheme,name)) or format("%s:///%s/%s",scheme,path,name)
     end
-    context(resolvers.findtexfile(specification))
+    context(resolvers.findtexfile(fullname)) -- can be more direct
 end
 
--- modules can only have a tex or mkiv suffix or can have a specified one
+-- modules can have a specific suffix or can specify one
 
-local prefixes  = { "m", "p", "s", "x", "t" }
-local suffixes  = { "mkiv", "tex" } -- what about cld
+local prefixes  = { "m", "p", "s", "x", "v", "t" }
+local suffixes  = { "mkiv", "tex", "mkvi" } -- order might change and how about cld
 local modstatus = { }
 
 local function usemodule(name,hasscheme)
@@ -172,22 +175,22 @@ local function usemodule(name,hasscheme)
         if trace_modules then
             report_modules("checking suffix driven file '%s'",name)
         end
-        foundname = commands.readfilename(name,false,true) or ""
+        foundname = findbyscheme("any",name) or ""
     elseif true then
         for i=1,#suffixes do
             local fullname = file.addsuffix(name,suffixes[i])
             if trace_modules then
                 report_modules("checking suffix driven file '%s'",fullname)
             end
-            foundname = commands.readfilename(fullname,false,true) or ""
+            foundname = findbyscheme("any",fullname) or ""
             if foundname ~= "" then
                 break
             end
         end
     else
      -- -- we don't want a tex file for each mkiv file so we do some checking
-     -- local foundtexname  = commands.readfilename(file.addsuffix(name,"tex"), false,true) or ""
-     -- local foundmkivname = commands.readfilename(file.addsuffix(name,"mkiv"),false,true) or ""
+     -- local foundtexname  = readfilename(file.addsuffix(name,"tex"), false,true) or ""
+     -- local foundmkivname = readfilename(file.addsuffix(name,"mkiv"),false,true) or ""
      -- if foundtexfile ~= "" and foundmkivfile ~= "" then
      --     if file.dirname(foundtexname) == file.dirname(foundmkivname) then
      --         foundname = foundtexname -- we assume that this (shared) file loads the mkiv file
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-tab.mkiv b/tex/context/base/tabl-tab.mkiv
index 29e7e86ac..e016c9a24 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-tab.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-tab.mkiv
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@
 % and extensions. The documented (and larger) source can be found
 % in \type {thrd-tab.tex}.
 %
-% Much more can be stripped.
+% Some code has been stripped. Some color has been added. Some macros
+% have been renamed. Registers have been replaces. And probably much
+% more can be cleaned up.
 
 \unprotect
 
@@ -44,22 +46,22 @@
 \def\tablecolumnwidthfactor     {10}
 \def\tablevspacefactor           {2}
 \def\tablekernfactor             {1}
+\def\tablelinethicknessfactor    {4}
 
 \newtoks\everytable
 \newtoks\everytableparbox
 
-\unexpanded\def\tablebeginparbox#1%
+\unexpanded\def\dotablebeginparbox#1%
   {\setbox\scratchbox\vtop\bgroup % \setbox added
      \hsize#1\relax
      \dontcomplain
-     \restoretablelineskips
+     \dorestoretablelineskips
      \normalbaselines
-     \let~\!ttTie
-     \let\-\!ttDH
+     \let~\fixedspace
      \blank[\v!disable]% % added
      \the\everytableparbox}
 
-\unexpanded\def\tableendparbox
+\unexpanded\def\dotableendparbox
   {\removelastskip                                     % itemize or so
    \endgraf
    \ifnum\prevgraf>\zerocount                          % we want at least
@@ -82,12 +84,9 @@
     \rightskip\zeropoint \!!plus 4em \relax
 \to \everytableparbox
 
-\newtoks\!taTableSpread
+\newskip \tablelefttabskip
+\newskip \tablerighttabskip
 
-\newskip\tablelefttabskip
-\newskip\tablerighttabskip
-
-\newcount\!taCountA
 \newcount\!taColumnNumber
 \newcount\!taRecursionLevel % (Initially 0)
 
@@ -96,20 +95,19 @@
 \newdimen\!taDimenC  % used by numeric.tex
 \newdimen\!taMinimumColumnWidth
 
-\newtoks\!taToksA
-
-\newtoks\!taPreamble
-\newtoks\!taDataColumnTemplate
-\newtoks\!taRuleColumnTemplate
-\newtoks\!taOldRuleColumnTemplate
-\newtoks\!taLeftGlue
-\newtoks\!taRightGlue
+\newtoks \!taTableSpread
+\newtoks \!taPreamble
+\newtoks \!taDataColumnTemplate
+\newtoks \!taRuleColumnTemplate
+\newtoks \!taOldRuleColumnTemplate
+\newtoks \!taLeftGlue
+\newtoks \!taRightGlue
 
-\newskip\!taLastRegularTabskip
+\newskip \!taLastRegularTabskip
 
-\newif\if!taDigit
-\newif\if!taBeginFormat
-\newif\if!taOnceOnlyTabskip
+%newif   \if!taDigit
+\newif   \if!taBeginFormat
+\newif   \if!taOnceOnlyTabskip
 
 \def\!thToksEdef#1=#2%
   {\edef\!ttemp{#2}%
@@ -121,29 +119,29 @@
    \!thIterate
    \let\!thIterate\relax}
 
-\def\BeginFormat
+\def\dobegintableformat
   {\!taPreamble\emptytoks
    \!taColumnNumber\zerocount
    \skip0=\tableintercolumnspaceunit
    \multiply\skip0 \tableintercolumnspacefactor
    \divide\skip0 2
-   \!taRuleColumnTemplate=\expandafter{\expandafter\tabskip\the\skip0 }%
-   \!taLastRegularTabskip=\skip0
+   \!taRuleColumnTemplate\expandafter{\expandafter\tabskip\the\skip0 }%
+   \!taLastRegularTabskip\skip0
    \!taOnceOnlyTabskipfalse
    \!taBeginFormattrue
    \let\!tfRowOfWidths\empty
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tfSetWidth
-  {\ifx\!tfRowOfWidths\empty          % true if no prior "w" keys
+  {\ifx\!tfRowOfWidths\empty            % true if no prior "w" keys
      \ifnum\!taColumnNumber>\zerocount  % true if "w" key is to right of first "|"
-       \begingroup                       % RowOfWidths={&\omit || n copies of &\omit&\omit}, where n = number of column to the left of this one
-       \!taCountA=1
+       \begingroup                      % RowOfWidths={&\omit || n copies of &\omit&\omit}, where n = number of column to the left of this one
+       \scratchcounter\plusone
        \aftergroup \edef \aftergroup \!tfRowOfWidths \aftergroup {%
          \aftergroup &\aftergroup \omit
          \!thLoop
-           \ifnum \!taCountA<\!taColumnNumber
-           \advance\!taCountA 1
+           \ifnum \scratchcounter<\!taColumnNumber
+           \advance\scratchcounter\plusone
            \aftergroup \!tfAOAO
          \repeat
          \aftergroup}%
@@ -160,7 +158,7 @@
 
 \def\!tfSetWidthText[#1]%
   {\def\!tfWidthText{#1}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tfSetWidthValue
   {\!taMinimumColumnWidth=
@@ -170,7 +168,7 @@
        \!tgValue
      \fi
    \let\!tfWidthText\empty %      Override possible prior `w[sample entry]'
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tfSetTabskip
   {\ifnum\!tgCode=\plusone
@@ -190,7 +188,7 @@
   \if!taOnceOnlyTabskip\else
     \!taLastRegularTabskip=\skip0 % Remember this Tabskip, for possible
   \fi                             % restoration after a subsequent"OnceOnly"
-  \ReadFormatKeys}
+  \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tfSetVrule
   {\!thToksEdef\!taRuleColumnTemplate
@@ -243,9 +241,8 @@
   \!taMinimumColumnWidth\zeropoint
   \let\!tfWidthText\empty
   \!taOnceOnlyTabskipfalse
-  \ReadFormatKeys}
+  \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
-% UPDATE ROW OF WIDTHS
 \def\!tfUpdateRowOfWidths
   {\ifx\!tfWidthText\empty \else
      \!tfComputeMinColWidth
@@ -272,7 +269,7 @@
    \!taBeginFormatfalse
    \!ttDoHalign}
 
-\def\ReFormat[#1]%
+\def\dotablereformat[#1]% will become local
   {\omit
    \!taDataColumnTemplate{##}%
    \!taLeftGlue\emptytoks
@@ -280,12 +277,16 @@
    \begingroup
    \@@useotherbar
    \@@useotherquote
-   \expanded{\endgroup\noexpand\ReadFormatKeys#1]}}% appear in a \ReFormat cmd; this is here as a safeguard.
+   \expanded{\endgroup\noexpand\doreadtableformatkeys#1]}}% appear in a \dotablereformat cmd; this is here as a safeguard.
+
+\appendtoks
+    \let\ReFormat\dotablereformat
+\to \everytable
 
 \def\!tfEndReFormat
   {\!tfReFormat}
 
-\appendtoks \TABLEparalignment \to \everytableparbox
+\appendtoks \dotableparalignment \to \everytableparbox
 
 \def\!tfReFormat#1%
   {\the \!taLeftGlue
@@ -318,32 +319,35 @@
      \expandafter \!tgCheckForDigit
    \fi}
 
+% \def\!tgCheckForDigit
+%   {\!taDigitfalse
+%         \ifx 0\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 1\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 2\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 3\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 4\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 5\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 6\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 7\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 8\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \else\ifx 9\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
+%    \fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi
+%    \if!taDigit
+%      \expandafter \!tgGetNumber
+%    \else
+%      \expandafter \!tgReturn
+%    \fi}
+
 \def\!tgCheckForDigit
-  {\!taDigitfalse
-        \ifx 0\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 1\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 2\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 3\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 4\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 5\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 6\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 7\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 8\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \else\ifx 9\!ttemp \!taDigittrue
-   \fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi\fi
-   \if!taDigit
-     \expandafter \!tgGetNumber
-   \else
-     \expandafter \!tgReturn
-   \fi}
+  {\doifnumberelse\!ttemp\!tgGetNumber\!tgReturn}
 
-\def\!tgGetNumber {\afterassignment\!tgGetNumberA\!taCountA=}
-\def\!tgGetNumberA{\edef\!tgValue{\the\!taCountA}\!tgReturn}
+\def\!tgGetNumber {\afterassignment\!tgGetNumberA\scratchcounter=}
+\def\!tgGetNumberA{\edef\!tgValue{\the\scratchcounter}\!tgReturn}
 
 \def\!tgSetUpParBox
   {\normalexpanded
-     {\noexpand \ReadFormatKeys
-        b{\tablebeginparbox
+     {\noexpand \doreadtableformatkeys
+        b{\dotablebeginparbox
             {\ifnum \!tgCode=1
                \ifx \!tgValue\empty
                  \tablecolumnwidthfactor
@@ -354,7 +358,7 @@
              \else
                \!tgValue
              \fi}}%
-        a{\tableendparbox}}}
+        a{\dotableendparbox}}}
 
 \def\!tgInsertKern
   {\edef\!ttemp
@@ -370,7 +374,7 @@
         \!tgValue
       \fi}%
    \edef\!ttemp
-     {\noexpand\ReadFormatKeys
+     {\noexpand\doreadtableformatkeys
       \ifconditional\tablehasleftspacing
          b{\!ttemp}
       \fi
@@ -379,70 +383,70 @@
       \fi}%
    \!ttemp}
 
-\def\NewFormatKey  #1{\setvalue{!tk<\string#1>}}
-\def\ReadFormatKeys#1{\getvalue{!tk<\string#1>}}
+\def\newtableformatkey  #1{\setvalue{!tk<\string#1>}}
+\def\doreadtableformatkeys#1{\getvalue{!tk<\string#1>}}
 
 % Key "b":  b{TOKENS} adds TOKENS to the left of (before) the template
 
-\NewFormatKey b#1%
+\newtableformatkey b#1%
   {\expandafter\!tkJoin\expandafter{\the\!taDataColumnTemplate}{#1}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tkJoin#1#2%
   {\!taDataColumnTemplate{#2#1}}%
 
 % Key "a":  a{TOKENS} adds TOKENS to the right of (after) the template
 
-\NewFormatKey a#1%
+\newtableformatkey a#1%
   {\!taDataColumnTemplate\expandafter{\the\!taDataColumnTemplate #1}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 % Key "\{": Enclose template in braces.
 
-\NewFormatKey \{%
+\newtableformatkey \{%
   {\!taDataColumnTemplate=\expandafter{\expandafter{\the\!taDataColumnTemplate}}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 % Key "*":  "*{N}{KEY LETTERS}" is equivalent to specifying
 % <KEY LETTERS>  N  times.
 % KEY LETTERS may contain further * specifications
 
-\NewFormatKey *#1#2%
-  {\!taCountA=#1\relax
-   \!taToksA={}%
+\newtableformatkey *#1#2%
+  {\scratchcounter=#1\relax
+   \scratchtoks\emptytoks
    \!thLoop
-     \ifnum \!taCountA > 0
-     \!taToksA\expandafter{\the\!taToksA #2}%
-     \advance\!taCountA -1
+     \ifnum\scratchcounter>\zerocount
+     \scratchtoks\expandafter{\the\scratchtoks#2}%
+     \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
    \repeat
-   \expandafter\ReadFormatKeys\the\!taToksA}
+   \expandafter\doreadtableformatkeys\the\scratchtoks}
 
 % Key "\LeftGlue": Specifies the glue (usually \hfil, or nothing) to be
 % added to extreme left of the template to position a column
 
-\NewFormatKey \LeftGlue#1%
+\newtableformatkey \LeftGlue#1%
   {\!taLeftGlue{#1}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
-\NewFormatKey \RightGlue#1%
+\newtableformatkey \RightGlue#1%
   {\!taRightGlue{#1}%
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
-\NewFormatKey c%
+\newtableformatkey c%
   {\prependtoks\raggedcenter\to\!taDataColumnTemplate
-   \ReadFormatKeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\hfil}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\hfil}
 
-\NewFormatKey l%
+\newtableformatkey l%
   {\prependtoks\raggedright\to\!taDataColumnTemplate
-   \ReadFormatKeys \LeftGlue\empty \RightGlue\hfil}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys \LeftGlue\empty \RightGlue\hfil}
 
-\NewFormatKey r%
+\newtableformatkey r%
   {\prependtoks\raggedleft\to\!taDataColumnTemplate
-   \ReadFormatKeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\empty}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\empty}
 
-\NewFormatKey x%
+\newtableformatkey x%
   {\prependtoks\notragged\to\!taDataColumnTemplate
-   \ReadFormatKeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\empty}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys \LeftGlue\hfil \RightGlue\empty}
 
 % Key "k": Adds kerns to left and right of "#"
 % This key and the two below use Plain TeX's \if@h as if it were \if@left,
@@ -450,83 +454,83 @@
 % so even in the unlikely circumstance that a \phantom is currently under
 % construction, there's no problem.
 
-\NewFormatKey k%
+\newtableformatkey k%
   {\settrue\tablehasleftspacing
    \settrue\tablehasrightspacing
    \!tgGetValue{\!tgInsertKern}}
 
 % Key "i": Adds a kern to the left of "#"
 
-\NewFormatKey i%
+\newtableformatkey i%
   {\settrue\tablehasleftspacing
    \setfalse\tablehasrightspacing
    \!tgGetValue{\!tgInsertKern}}
 
 % Key "j": Adds a kern to the right of "#"
 
-\NewFormatKey j%
+\newtableformatkey j%
   {\setfalse\tablehasleftspacing
    \settrue\tablehasrightspacing
    \!tgGetValue{\!tgInsertKern}}
 
 % Key "n": numeric item , non-math mode.
 
-\NewFormatKey n%
+\newtableformatkey n%
   {\def\!tnStyle{}%
    \futurelet\!tnext\!tnTestForBracket}
 
 % Key "N": numeric item, math mode.
 
-\NewFormatKey N%
+\newtableformatkey N%
   {\def\!tnStyle{$}%
    \futurelet\!tnext\!tnTestForBracket}
 
 % Key "m": Math mode.
 
-\NewFormatKey m%
-  {\ReadFormatKeys b$ a$}
+\newtableformatkey m%
+  {\doreadtableformatkeys b$ a$}
 
 % Key "M": Displaymath mode.
 
-\NewFormatKey M%
-  {\ReadFormatKeys \{ b{$\displaystyle} a$}
+\newtableformatkey M%
+  {\doreadtableformatkeys \{ b{$\displaystyle} a$}
 
 % Key "\m": Template ${}#\hfil$
-\NewFormatKey \m%
-  {\ReadFormatKeys l b{{}} m}
+\newtableformatkey \m%
+  {\doreadtableformatkeys l b{{}} m}
 
 % Key "\M": Template $\displaystyle{{}#\hfil}$
 
-\NewFormatKey \M%
-  {\ReadFormatKeys l b{{}} M}
+\newtableformatkey \M%
+  {\doreadtableformatkeys l b{{}} M}
 
 % Key "f":  Set font  (E.g., f\it sets up italic font (assuming \it
 % has its usual meaning)
 
-\NewFormatKey f#1%
-  {\ReadFormatKeys b{#1}}
+\newtableformatkey f#1%
+  {\doreadtableformatkeys b{#1}}
 
-\NewFormatKey B{\ReadFormatKeys f\bf} % Key "B": abbreviation for f\bf
-\NewFormatKey I{\ReadFormatKeys f\it} % Key "I": abbreviation for f\it
-\NewFormatKey S{\ReadFormatKeys f\sl} % Key "S": abbreviation for f\sl
-\NewFormatKey R{\ReadFormatKeys f\rm} % Key "R": abbreviation for f\rm
-\NewFormatKey T{\ReadFormatKeys f\tt} % Key "T": abbreviation for f\tt
+\newtableformatkey B{\doreadtableformatkeys f\bf} % Key "B": abbreviation for f\bf
+\newtableformatkey I{\doreadtableformatkeys f\it} % Key "I": abbreviation for f\it
+\newtableformatkey S{\doreadtableformatkeys f\sl} % Key "S": abbreviation for f\sl
+\newtableformatkey R{\doreadtableformatkeys f\rm} % Key "R": abbreviation for f\rm
+\newtableformatkey T{\doreadtableformatkeys f\tt} % Key "T": abbreviation for f\tt
 
 % Key "p": ParBox
 
-\NewFormatKey p%
+\newtableformatkey p%
   {\!tgGetValue{\!tgSetUpParBox}}
 
 % Key "w": minimum column width
 
-\NewFormatKey w%
+\newtableformatkey w%
   {\!tkTestForBeginFormat w{\!tgGetValue{\!tfSetWidth}}}
 
 % Key "s": Set tabskip for the inter-column space to the right
 % of the current column, and all subsequent spaces, until overriden
 % by a new "s" or "o" key.
 
-\NewFormatKey s%
+\newtableformatkey s%
   {\!taOnceOnlyTabskipfalse    % in case same column has a prior "o" key
    \!tkTestForBeginFormat t{\!tgGetValue{\!tfSetTabskip}}}
 
@@ -534,70 +538,68 @@
 % inter-column space just to the right of this column; restore the
 % the previous \tabskip for subsequent columns.
 
-\NewFormatKey o%
+\newtableformatkey o%
   {\!taOnceOnlyTabskiptrue
    \!tkTestForBeginFormat o{\!tgGetValue{\!tfSetTabskip}}}
 
 % Key "|": Standard rule column designator
 
-\NewFormatKey |%
+\newtableformatkey |%
   {\!tkTestForBeginFormat |{\!tgGetValue{\!tfSetVrule}}}
 
 % Key "\|": Non-standard rule column designator
 
-\NewFormatKey \|%
+\newtableformatkey \|%
   {\!tkTestForBeginFormat \|{\!tfSetAlternateVrule}}
 
-% Key ".":  PERIOD -- end of \BeginFormat section.
+% Key ".":  PERIOD -- end of \dobegintableformat section.
 
-\NewFormatKey .%
+\newtableformatkey .%
   {\!tkTestForBeginFormat.{\!tfFinishFormat}}
 
-% Key "\EndFormat": Equivalent to "."
+% Key "\doendtableformat": Equivalent to "."
 
-\NewFormatKey \EndFormat
-  {\!tkTestForBeginFormat\EndFormat{\!tfFinishFormat}}
+\newtableformatkey \doendtableformat
+  {\!tkTestForBeginFormat\doendtableformat{\!tfFinishFormat}}
 
-% Key "]": End of \ReFormat section
+% Key "]": End of \dotablereformat section
 
-\NewFormatKey ]%
+\newtableformatkey ]%
   {\!tkTestForReFormat ] \!tfEndReFormat}
 
 % TEST FOR BEGIN FORMAT{<Key>}{Intended Action}: This test is run
-% on keys that can only be used by \BeginFormat ---  "s",  "o",
-% "|",  "\|",  "w",  ".",  and  "\EndFormat".
+% on keys that can only be used by \dobegintableformat ---  "s",  "o",
+% "|",  "\|",  "w",  ".",  and  "\doendtableformat".
 
 \def\!tkTestForBeginFormat#1#2%
   {\if!taBeginFormat
      \def\!ttemp{#2}%
-     \expandafter \!ttemp
+     \expandafter\!ttemp
    \else
      \toks0={#1}%
-     \toks2=\expandafter{\string\ReFormat}%
-     \expandafter \!tkImproperUse
+     \toks2=\expandafter{\string\dotablereformat}%
+     \expandafter\!tkImproperUse
    \fi}
 
 % TEST FOR RE FORMAT{<Key>}{Intended Action}: This test is run
-% on the key "]", which can only be used by \ReFormat.
+% on the key "]", which can only be used by \dotablereformat.
 
 \def\!tkTestForReFormat#1#2%
   {\if!taBeginFormat
      \toks0={#1}%
-     \toks2=\expandafter{\string\BeginFormat}%
-     \expandafter \!tkImproperUse
+     \toks2=\expandafter{\string\dobegintableformat}%
+     \expandafter\!tkImproperUse
    \else
      \def\!ttemp{#2}%
-     \expandafter \!ttemp
+     \expandafter\!ttemp
    \fi}
 
 % NOTE: THE SPACE BETWEEN A NUMERIC ENTRY AND THE FOLLOWING '|', '"',
 %   OR '\|' IS MANDATORY.
 % EMPTY NUMERIC ENTRIES ARE NOT ALLOWED: USE '{}' OR '\omit' INSTEAD.
 
-% TEST FOR BRACKET: Invoked by the keys "n" and "N".
-
 \def\!tnTestForBracket
-  {\ifx [\!tnext
+  {\ifx[\!tnext
      \expandafter\!tnGetArgument
    \else
      \expandafter\!tnGetCode
@@ -615,20 +617,20 @@
   {\begingroup
    \aftergroup\edef \aftergroup\!ttemp \aftergroup{%
      \aftergroup[%
-     \!taCountA #1
+     \scratchcounter#1\relax
      \!thLoop
-       \ifnum \!taCountA>0
-       \advance\!taCountA -1
-       \aftergroup0
+       \ifnum \scratchcounter>\zerocount
+         \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
+         \aftergroup0
      \repeat
      \def\!ttemp{#3}%
      \ifx\!ttemp \empty
      \else
        \aftergroup.
-       \!taCountA #2
+       \scratchcounter#2\relax
        \!thLoop
-         \ifnum \!taCountA>0
-         \advance\!taCountA -1
+         \ifnum \scratchcounter>\zerocount
+         \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
          \aftergroup0
        \repeat
      \fi
@@ -646,19 +648,19 @@
 \def\!tnMakeNumericTemplate#1#2.#3.#4!% #1=<empty> or $
   {\def\!ttemp{#4}%
    \ifx\!ttemp\empty
-     \!taDimenC=0pt
+     \!taDimenC\zeropoint
    \else
-     \setbox0=\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1.#3#1}%
-     \!taDimenC=\wd0
+     \setbox\scratchbox=\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1.#3#1}%
+     \!taDimenC\wd\scratchbox
    \fi
-   \setbox0 =\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1#2#1}%
+   \setbox\scratchbox\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1#2#1}%
    \!thToksEdef\!taDataColumnTemplate={%
      \noexpand\!tnSetNumericItem
-     {\the\wd0 }%
+     {\the\wd\scratchbox}%
      {\the\!taDimenC}%
      {#1}%
      \the\!taDataColumnTemplate}  % Might have tabskip glue in here
-   \ReadFormatKeys}
+   \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 % SET NUMERIC ITEM
 
@@ -672,11 +674,11 @@
 
 % extensions
 
-\NewFormatKey q%
+\newtableformatkey q%
   {\letempty\!tqStyle
    \futurelet\!tnext\!tqTestForBracket}
 
-\NewFormatKey Q%
+\newtableformatkey Q%
   {\def\!tqStyle{$}%
    \futurelet\!tnext\!tqTestForBracket}
 
@@ -696,20 +698,20 @@
    \aftergroup\!ttemp
    \aftergroup{%
    \aftergroup[%
-   \!taCountA #1
+   \scratchcounter#1\relax
    \!thLoop
-     \ifnum \!taCountA>0 % \zerocount
-       \advance\!taCountA \minusone
+     \ifnum \scratchcounter>\zerocount
+       \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
        \aftergroup0
    \repeat
    \def\!ttemp{#3}%
    \ifx\!ttemp\empty
    \else
      \aftergroup,
-     \!taCountA #2
+     \scratchcounter#2\relax
      \!thLoop
-       \ifnum\!taCountA>0 % \zerocount
-         \advance\!taCountA \minusone
+       \ifnum\scratchcounter>\zerocount
+         \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
          \aftergroup0
      \repeat
    \fi
@@ -725,14 +727,14 @@
    \ifx\!ttemp\empty
      \!taDimenC\zeropoint
    \else
-     \setbox0\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1,#3#1}%
-     \!taDimenC\wd0
+     \setbox\scratchbox\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1,#3#1}%
+     \!taDimenC\wd\scratchbox
    \fi
-   \setbox0\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1#2#1}%
+   \setbox\scratchbox\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint #1#2#1}%
    \!thToksEdef\!taDataColumnTemplate
-     ={\noexpand\!tqSetQuantityItem{\the\wd0 }{\the\!taDimenC}{#1}%
+     ={\noexpand\!tqSetQuantityItem{\the\wd\scratchbox}{\the\!taDimenC}{#1}%
        \the\!taDataColumnTemplate}%
-  \ReadFormatKeys}
+  \doreadtableformatkeys}
 
 \def\!tqSetQuantityItem #1#2#3#4 %
   {\!tqSetQuantityItemA{#1}{#2}{#3}#4,,!}
@@ -744,29 +746,29 @@
 
 % struts
 
-\def\tableMakeStrut#1#2%
+\def\domaketablestrut#1#2%
   {\vrule\!!width\zeropoint\!!height#1\!!depth#2\relax}
 
-\def\tableStandardTableStrut
-  {\tableMakeStrut
+\def\domakestandardtablestrut
+  {\domaketablestrut
      {\tablestrutheightfactor\tablestrutunit}
      {\tablestrutdepthfactor \tablestrutunit }}
 
-\def\tableAugmentedTableStrut#1#2%
-  {\tableMakeStrut
+\def\domakeaugmentedtablestrut#1#2%
+  {\domaketablestrut
      {\dimexpr\tablestrutheightfactor\tablestrutunit+#1\tablestrutunit\relax}
      {\dimexpr\tablestrutdepthfactor \tablestrutunit+#2\tablestrutunit\relax}}
 
 \appendtoks
-    \let\MakeStrut          \tableMakeStrut
-    \let\StandardTableStrut \tableStandardTableStrut
-    \let\AugmentedTableStrut\tableAugmentedTableStrut
+    \let\MakeStrut          \domaketablestrut
+    \let\StandardTableStrut \domakestandardtablestrut
+    \let\AugmentedTableStrut\domakeaugmentedtablestrut
 \to \everytable
 
 % \Enlarge<extra height><extra depth><original>
 % \enlarge<multiple for extra height><multiple for extra depth><original>
 
-\def\tableEnlarge#1#2%
+\def\dotableEnlarge#1#2%
   {%  3rd argument is picked up later
    % #1=extra height
    % #2=extra depth
@@ -801,32 +803,21 @@
    \dp\zerocount\dimen@
    \box\zerocount \!TsSpaceFactor{}}
 
-\def\tableenlarge#1#2%  3rd argument is picked up later
-  {\tableEnlarge{#1\tablestrutunit}{#2\tablestrutunit}}
+\def\dotableenlarge#1#2%  3rd argument is picked up later
+  {\dotableEnlarge{#1\tablestrutunit}{#2\tablestrutunit}}
 
 \appendtoks
-    \let\enlarge\tableenlarge
-    \let\Enlarge\tableEnlarge
+    \let\enlarge\dotableenlarge
+    \let\Enlarge\dotableEnlarge
 \to \everytable
 
 % BEGIN TABLE
 
-\def\tablestandardbegin
-  {\futurelet\!tnext\!ttBeginTable}
-
-\def\!ttBeginTable
-  {\ifx[\!tnext
-     \def\!tnext{\!ttBeginTableA}%
-   \else
-     \def\!tnext{\!ttBeginTableA[c]}%
-   \fi
-   \!tnext}
-
-\def\!ttBeginTableA[#1]%
-  {\if#1u%                  % "unboxed" table
+\def\dotablestandardbegin[#1]% \!ttBeginTable (always argument)
+  {\if#1u% unboxed table
      \ifmmode
        \def\!ttEndTable{\relax}% user had better be in display math mode and have only one table at the outer level
-     \else                      % user had better be in vertical mode
+     \else                     % user had better be in vertical mode
        \bgroup
        \def\!ttEndTable{\egroup}%
      \fi
@@ -854,11 +845,9 @@
 \bgroup \catcode`\~=13
 
     \appendtoks
-        \let\!ttTie=~%
-        \let\!ttDH =\-%
         \catcode`\~=\active
         \def~{\kern.5em}%
-        \def\\{\par}%
+        \def\\{\ifhmode\space\else\par\fi}%
     \to \everytable
 
 \egroup
@@ -868,7 +857,7 @@
 % DO HALIGN: Invoked by END FORMAT (or the key ".")
 
 \def\!ttDoHalign
-  {\edef\restoretablelineskips
+  {\edef\dorestoretablelineskips
      {\baselineskip \the\baselineskip
       \lineskiplimit\the\lineskiplimit
       \lineskip     \the\lineskip
@@ -889,7 +878,7 @@
 
 % END TABLE
 
-\def\tablenormalend
+\def\dotablenormalend
   {\egroup % finishes the \halign
    \!ttEndTable}%    closes off the table envirnoment set up by \tablestandardbegin
 
@@ -923,11 +912,11 @@
   {\cr}
 
 \def\!ttDoPlus#1#2#3% #1 eats the +
-  {\tableAugmentedTableStrut{#2}{#3}%
+  {\domakeaugmentedtablestrut{#2}{#3}%
    \cr}
 
 \def\!ttDoStandard
-  {\tableStandardTableStrut
+  {\domakestandardtablestrut
    \cr}
 
 % ALTERNATE VRULE
@@ -977,14 +966,15 @@
 \def\@VLd{.125em}
 
 \let\tablecurrentvrulecolor\empty
+\let\tablecurrenthrulecolor\empty
 
 \def\do!ttInsertVrule % will be merged in 2005
   {\vrule\!!width
      \ifnum\!tgCode=\plusone
        \ifx\!tgValue\empty
-        \tablevrulethicknessfactor
+         \tablevrulethicknessfactor
        \else
-       \!tgValue
+         \!tgValue
        \fi
        \tablelinethicknessunit
      \else
@@ -1028,13 +1018,13 @@
 \def\!ttuse#1%
   {\ifnum#1>\plusone
      \omit
-     \global\TABLEdivisionfalse
-     \scratchcounter\currentTABLEcolumn              % added
+     \global\setfalse\istabledivision                % added
+     \scratchcounter\currenttablecolumn              % added
      \advance\scratchcounter #1%                     % added
      \advance\scratchcounter \minusone               % added
      \def\next                                       % added
-       {\global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn #1%       % added
-        \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \minusone % added
+       {\global\advance\currenttablecolumn #1%       % added
+        \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \minusone % added
         \scratchcounter#1%   \mscount is in Plain
         \advance\scratchcounter \minusone
         \advance\scratchcounter \scratchcounter
@@ -1043,19 +1033,19 @@
             \spanomit \advance\scratchcounter\minusone
         \repeat
         \span}%
-   \else                                                 % added
-     \def\next % conflicts with possible next \omit      % added
-       {\global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plusone}%    % added
+   \else                                             % added
+     \def\next % conflicts with possible next \omit  % added
+       {\global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plusone}%% added
    \fi
-   \next}                                                % added
+   \next}                                            % added
 
 \def\!ttUse#1[%
   {\!ttuse{#1}%
-   \ReFormat[}
+   \dotablereformat[}
 
 \appendtoks
-    \let\use            \!ttuse
-    \let\Use            \!ttUse
+    \let\use\!ttuse
+    \let\Use\!ttUse
 \to \everytable
 
 % rules
@@ -1108,37 +1098,37 @@
 
 % \null prevents \unskip
 
-\def\tableLeft  #1{#1\hfill\null}
-\def\tableCenter#1{\hfill#1\hfill\null}
-\def\tableRight #1{\hfill#1}
+\def\dotableLeft  #1{#1\hfill\null}
+\def\dotableCenter#1{\hfill#1\hfill\null}
+\def\dotableRight #1{\hfill#1}
 
-\def\tableOpenUp#1#2%
+\def\dotableOpenUp#1#2%
   {\edef\tablestrutheightfactor{\withoutpt\the\dimexpr\tablestrutheightfactor\points+#1\points}%
    \edef\tablestrutdepthfactor {\withoutpt\the\dimexpr\tablestrutdepthfactor \points+#2\points}}
 
-\def\tableSetTableToWidth#1%
+\def\dotableSetTableToWidth#1%
   {\doifelsenothing{#1}{\!taTableSpread\emptytoks}{\!taTableSpread{to #1}}}
 
-\def\tableWidenTableBy#1%
+\def\dotableWidenTableBy#1%
   {\ifdim#1=\zeropoint
      \!taTableSpread\emptytoks
    \else
      \!taTableSpread{spread #1}%
    \fi}
 
-\def\tableExpand
-  {\tableSetTableToWidth{\hsize}}
+\def\dotableExpand
+  {\dotableSetTableToWidth{\hsize}}
 
-\def\tableLongLines
+\def\dotableLongLines
   {\tablelefttabskip \zeropoint \!!plus 1fill
    \tablerighttabskip\tablelefttabskip
-   \tableExpand}
+   \dotableExpand}
 
-\def\tableJustLeft  {\omit\let\!ttRightGlue\hfill}
-\def\tableJustCenter{\omit\hfill\null\let\!ttRightGlue\hfill}
-\def\tableJustRight {\omit\hfill\null}
+\def\dotableJustLeft  {\omit\let\!ttRightGlue\hfill}
+\def\dotableJustCenter{\omit\hfill\null\let\!ttRightGlue\hfill}
+\def\dotableJustRight {\omit\hfill\null}
 
-\def\tableSmash
+\def\dotableSmash
   {\relax
    \ifmmode
      \expandafter\mathpalette
@@ -1158,11 +1148,11 @@
 \def\!thFinishVCS
   {\vbox to\zeropoint{\vss\box\zerocount\vss}}
 
-\def\tableRaise
+\def\dotableRaise
   {\def\!thSign{+}%
    \!tgGetValue\!thSetDimen}
 
-\def\tableLower
+\def\dotableLower
   {\def\!thSign{-}%
    \!tgGetValue\!thSetDimen}
 
@@ -1199,7 +1189,7 @@
    \dp\zerocount\zeropoint
    \box\zerocount}
 
-\def\tableBackSpace
+\def\dotableBackSpace
   {\!tgGetValue\!thKernBack}
 
 \def\!thKernBack
@@ -1216,7 +1206,7 @@
    \fi
    \ignorespaces}
 
-\def\tableVspace
+\def\dotableVspace
   {\noalign
    \bgroup
    \!tgGetValue\!thVspace}
@@ -1236,26 +1226,24 @@
    \egroup} % Ends the \noalign
 
 \appendtoks
-    \let\SetTableToWidth\tableSetTableToWidth
-    \let\WidenTableBy   \tableWidenTableBy
-    \let\Expand         \tableExpand
-    \let\LongLines      \tableLongLines
-    \let\JustLeft       \tableJustLeft
-    \let\JustCenter     \tableJustCenter
-    \let\JustRight      \tableJustRight
-    \let\Smash          \tableSmash
-    \let\Raise          \tableRaise
-    \let\Lower          \tableLower
-    \let\BackSpace      \tableBackSpace
-    \let\Vspace         \tableVspace
-    \let\OpenUp         \tableOpenUp
-    \let\tableLeft      \tableLeft
-    \let\tableCenter    \tableCenter
-    \let\tableRight     \tableRight
+    \let\SetTableToWidth\dotableSetTableToWidth
+    \let\WidenTableBy   \dotableWidenTableBy
+    \let\Expand         \dotableExpand
+    \let\LongLines      \dotableLongLines
+    \let\JustLeft       \dotableJustLeft
+    \let\JustCenter     \dotableJustCenter
+    \let\JustRight      \dotableJustRight
+    \let\Smash          \dotableSmash
+    \let\Raise          \dotableRaise
+    \let\Lower          \dotableLower
+    \let\BackSpace      \dotableBackSpace
+    \let\Vspace         \dotableVspace
+    \let\OpenUp         \dotableOpenUp
+    \let\TableLeft      \dotableLeft
+    \let\TableCenter    \dotableCenter
+    \let\TableRight     \dotableRight
 \to \everytable
 
-\protect
-
 %D We felt no need to write our own table building macros,
 %D simply because Michael Wichura made a terrific one. This
 %D package is quite complete and well documented. In \CONTEXT\
@@ -1267,8 +1255,6 @@
 %D mostly global. Now, let's start with loading the main
 %D macros.
 
-\unprotect
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {inintable, ifsplittables}
 %D
@@ -1477,64 +1463,61 @@
 %D track of these specifications is taken care of by the next
 %D variables:
 
-\newif\ifTABLEinbreak
-
-%D Nog vervangen:
-
-\def\c!Table{Table}
+\def\s!TaBlE{TaBlE}
 \def\m!TABLE{TABLE}
-
+
 %D We already saw that the table macros report errors and
 %D provide automatic spacing. These features can only be
 %D implemented by keeping track of the state, often the last
 %D command on a row.
 
-\setnewconstant\TABLEunknown          0
+\newconstant\tableforcestate
+\newconstant\tableactionstate
 
-\setnewconstant\TABLEseparaterow      1
-\setnewconstant\TABLEfirstrow         2
-\setnewconstant\TABLEmidrow           3
-\setnewconstant\TABLElastrow          4
-\setnewconstant\TABLErule             5
-\setnewconstant\TABLEskip             6
-\setnewconstant\TABLEautorow          7
+\setnewconstant\tableunknownstate       0
 
-\setnewconstant\TABLEforcefirstrow    1
-\setnewconstant\TABLEforcelastrow     2
+\setnewconstant\tableseparaterowstate   1
+\setnewconstant\tablefirstrowstate      2
+\setnewconstant\tablemidrowstate        3
+\setnewconstant\tablelastrowstate       4
+\setnewconstant\tablerulestate          5
+%setnewconstant\tableskipstate          6
+%setnewconstant\tableautorowstate       7
 
-\newconstant\TABLErowfactor
+\setnewconstant\tableforcefirstrowstate 1
+\setnewconstant\tableforcelastrowstate  2
+
+\newconstant\tablerowfactor
 \newconstant\TABLEendofrowdepth
 \newconstant\TABLEendofrowheight
 \newconstant\TABLEcr
-\newconstant\TABLErowzero
+\newconstant\tablerowzero
 \newconstant\TABLEn
-\newconstant\TABLEforce
-\newconstant\TABLEaction
 
 %D We store these states using \type {constants}'s and
 %D like most variables, these are global ones. When needed,
 %D especially when we flush the backgrounds, we can temporary
 %D disable the assignment.
 
-\newif\ifsetTABLEaction
+\newconditional\tableactionstatepermitted
 
-\def\setTABLEaction#1{\ifsetTABLEaction\global\TABLEaction#1\fi}
-\def\setTABLEforce #1{\ifsetTABLEaction\global\TABLEforce #1\fi}
+\def\dosettableaction#1{\ifconditional\tableactionstatepermitted\global\tableactionstate#1\fi}
+\def\dosettableforce #1{\ifconditional\tableactionstatepermitted\global\tableforcestate #1\fi}
 
 %D To keep things verbose, as well as to show what \TABLE\
 %D commands we affect, we show some meanings.
 
-\def\normalTABLEshortrule  {\!ttShortHrule} % \-
-\def\normalTABLElongrule   {\!ttLongHrule} % \=
-\def\normalTABLEfullrule   {\!ttFullHrule} % \_
-\def\normalTABLEendofrow   {\!ttEndOfRow} % \\
-\def\normalTABLEsimplebar  {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&&} % |
-\def\normalTABLEcomplexbar {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&\omit\!ttAlternateVrule} % \|
-\def\normalTABLEquote      {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&\omit&} % "
-\def\normalTABLElineformat {\normalTABLEendofrow+}
-\def\normalTABLElineending {\normalTABLEendofrow0 }
-\def\normalTABLEsinglerule {&\normalTABLElongrule&}
-\def\normalTABLEmultirule#1{&\use{#1}\normalTABLElongrule&}
+\def\donormaltableshortrule    {\!ttShortHrule}
+\def\donormaltablelongrule     {\!ttLongHrule}
+\def\donormaltablefullrule     {\!ttFullHrule}
+\def\donormaltableendofrow     {\!ttEndOfRow}
+\def\donormaltablesimplebar    {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&&}
+\def\donormaltablecomplexbar #1{\unskip\!ttRightGlue&\omit\expandafter\!ttAlternateVrule#1 }
+\def\donormaltablequote        {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&\omit&}
+\def\donormaltablelineformat   {\donormaltableendofrow+}
+\def\donormaltablelineending   {\donormaltableendofrow0 }
+\def\donormaltablesinglerule   {&\donormaltablelongrule&}
+\def\donormaltablemultirule  #1{&\use{#1}\donormaltablelongrule&}
 
 %D To give an impression of what the (well documented) source
 %D of \TABLE\ looks like, we first implement an alternative for
@@ -1569,13 +1552,6 @@
 %D support the \type {l}, \type {c} and \type {r} keys for
 %D paragraph entries.
 
-%D We already showed the next one, but here we slightly adapt
-%D the macro by adding an \type{\expandafter}. The space after
-%D \type{#1} is crucial!
-
-\def\normalTABLEcomplexbar#1%
-  {\unskip\!ttRightGlue&\omit\expandafter\!ttAlternateVrule#1 }
-
 %D All commands that are executed between rows are to be put in
 %D \type {\noalign}. We can however not verify if we (that is
 %D \TABLE) does or did not enter this mode. A moderate dirty
@@ -1584,20 +1560,17 @@
 %D such hacks become a second nature. However, redefining \type
 %D {\omit} and \type{\span} is not that easy.}
 
-\def\doTABLEnoalign
-  {\let\next=}
-
-\def\TABLEnoalign
+\def\tablenoalign
   {\noalign
    \bgroup
    \let\noalign\relax
-   \let\TABLEnoalign\doTABLEnoalign
-   \doTABLEnoalign}
+   \let\tablenoalign\relax
+   \let\next=}
 
-\def\startTABLEnoalign
-  {\TABLEnoalign\bgroup}
+\def\starttablenoalign
+  {\tablenoalign\bgroup}
 
-\def\stopTABLEnoalign
+\def\stoptablenoalign
   {\iffalse{\else}\fi}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -1637,7 +1610,7 @@
         {\ifinsidefloat\else\startbaselinecorrection\fi}
         {\startframedcontent[\@@tiframe]}%
       \postponenotes
-      \firststagestartTABLE}}
+      \firststagestarttable}}
 
 % We cannot define \unexpanded\def\dostoptable a ssomehow lookahead
 % in alignments fail then, so we relax it and define it locally.
@@ -1645,11 +1618,13 @@
 \let\stoptabel\relax
 
 \def\dostoptable
-  {\chuckTABLEautorow % before the tail, else noalign problem
-   \insertTABLEtail
-   \TABLEnoalign{\globalletempty\@@TABLEhead}%
-   \TABLEnoalign{\globalletempty\@@TABLEtail}%
-   \finishTABLE
+  {\dochucktableautorow % before the tail, else noalign problem
+   \doinserttabletail
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \globalletempty\dotablehead
+     \globalletempty\dotabletail
+   \stoptablenoalign
+   \dofinishtable
    \doifelsenothing\@@tiframe
      {\ifinsidefloat\else
         \stopbaselinecorrection
@@ -1661,14 +1636,14 @@
 %D Before we can grab the argument, we have to make sure that
 %D the \CATCODES\ are set. The first stage takes care of that.
 
-\def\firststagestartTABLE
+\def\firststagestarttable
   {\bgroup                   % kan-ie weg?
    \global\intabletrue
    %catcode`\|=\othercatcode
-   \complexorsimple\secondstagestartTABLE}
+   \complexorsimple\secondstagestarttable}
 
-\def\simplesecondstagestartTABLE#1%
-  {\complexsecondstagestartTABLE[{#1}]}
+\def\simplesecondstagestarttable#1%
+  {\complexsecondstagestarttable[{#1}]}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {definetabletemplate}
@@ -1696,14 +1671,14 @@
 
 \def\dodefinetabletemplate[#1][#2][#3][#4]%
   {\ifsecondargument
-     \setgvalue{\c!Table#1}{\douseTABLEtemplate{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
+     \setgvalue{\s!TaBlE#1}{\dousetabletemplate{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
    \fi
    \egroup}
 
-\def\douseTABLEtemplate#1#2#3%
-  {\gdef\TABLEhead{\getvalue{@@TABLEhead#2}}%
-   \gdef\TABLEtail{\getvalue{@@TABLEtail#3}}%
-   \complexsecondstagestartTABLE[#1]}
+\def\dousetabletemplate#1#2#3%
+  {\gdef\dotablehead{\getvalue{@@tablehead#2}}%
+   \gdef\dotabletail{\getvalue{@@tabletail#3}}%
+   \complexsecondstagestarttable[#1]}
 
 %D The optional third and fourth arguments define which table
 %D head and tail to use.
@@ -1729,46 +1704,65 @@
 %D The second half of the next macro prepares table
 %D splitting.
 
-\def\insertTABLEhead
-  {\TABLEnoalign{\global\settrue \preventTABLEbreak \global\setfalse\someTABLEhead}%
-   \TABLEhead
-   \TABLEnoalign{\global\setfalse\preventTABLEbreak}}
-
-\def\insertTABLEtail
-  {\TABLEnoalign{\global\settrue \preventTABLEbreak \global\setfalse\someTABLEtail}%
-   \TABLEtail
-   \TABLEnoalign{\global\setfalse\preventTABLEbreak}}
-
-\def\verysimpleTableHL
-  {\TABLEnoalign{\expandafter\normalTABLEfullrule\@@tiHLheight}}
-
-\def\dorestartTABLE#1%
-  {\gdef\restartTABLE{#1}%
-   \restartTABLE
-   \TABLEnoalign{\globalpushmacro\simpleTableHL\global\let\simpleTableHL\verysimpleTableHL}%
-   \insertTABLEhead
+\def\doinserttablehead
+  {\starttablenoalign
+     \global\settrue\preventtablebreak
+     \global\setfalse\hassometablehead
+   \stoptablenoalign
+   \dotablehead
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \global\setfalse\preventtablebreak
+   \stoptablenoalign}
+
+\def\doinserttabletail
+  {\starttablenoalign
+     \global\settrue\preventtablebreak
+     \global\setfalse\hassometabletail
+   \stoptablenoalign
+   \dotabletail
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \global\setfalse\preventtablebreak
+   \stoptablenoalign}
+
+% \def\doverysimpletableHL % todo
+%   {\starttablenoalign
+%      \expandafter\donormaltablefullrule\@@tiHLheight
+%    \stoptablenoalign}
+
+\def\dorestarttable#1%
+  {\gdef\restarttable{#1}%
+   \restarttable
+%    \starttablenoalign
+%      \globalpushmacro\simpletableHL
+%      \global\let\simpletableHL\doverysimpletableHL
+%    \stoptablenoalign
+   \doinserttablehead
    \ifsplittables \ifconditional \tablerepeattail
-     \TABLEnoalign{\goodbreak}%
-     \insertTABLEtail
-     \TABLEnoalign{\goodbreak}%
+     \tablenoalign{\goodbreak}%
+     \doinserttabletail
+     \tablenoalign{\goodbreak}%
    \fi \fi
-   \TABLEnoalign{\globalpopmacro\simpleTableHL}}
+%    \starttablenoalign
+%      \globalpopmacro\simpletableHL
+%    \stoptablenoalign
+   }
 
 \bgroup \catcode`|=\othercatcode \catcode`"=\othercatcode
 
-\gdef\complexsecondstagestartTABLE#1[#2]% brr nested mess
+\gdef\complexsecondstagestarttable#1[#2]% brr nested mess
   {\bgroup
    \@@useotherbar
    \@@useotherquote
-   \global\setfalse\someTABLEhead
-   \global\setfalse\someTABLEtail
+   \global\setfalse\tableactionstatepermitted
+   \global\setfalse\hassometablehead
+   \global\setfalse\hassometabletail
    \expanded{\doifinstringelse{|}{#2}}
-     {\xdef\restartTABLE{\noexpand\dorestartTABLE{\noexpand\thirdstagestartTABLE{#2}}}}
-     {\doifdefinedelse{\c!Table#2}
-        {\gdef\restartTABLE{\getvalue{\c!Table#2}}}
-        {\gdef\restartTABLE{\dorestartTABLE{\getvalue{#2}}}}}%
+     {\xdef\restarttable{\noexpand\dorestarttable{\noexpand\thirdstagestarttable{#2}}}}
+     {\doifdefinedelse{\s!TaBlE#2}
+        {\gdef\restarttable{\getvalue{\s!TaBlE#2}}}
+        {\gdef\restarttable{\dorestartable{\getvalue{#2}}}}}%
    \egroup
-   \restartTABLE}
+   \restarttable}
 
 \egroup
 
@@ -1784,25 +1778,25 @@
 
 \newtoks \localtabledefinitions
 
-\def\thirdstagestartTABLE#1%
-  {\global\setTABLEactiontrue
-   \setTABLEaction\TABLEunknown
-   \setTABLEforce\TABLEunknown
-   \tableresetVLvalues
-   \appendtoks\localTABLEsetup\to\everytable
-   \tablestandardbegin[\ifsplittables u\else b\fi]%
+\def\thirdstagestarttable#1%
+  {\global\settrue\tableactionstatepermitted
+   \dosettableaction\tableunknownstate
+   \dosettableforce\tableunknownstate
+   \dotableresetVLvalues
+   \appendtoks\dolocaltablesetup\to\everytable
+   \dotablestandardbegin[\ifsplittables u\else b\fi]%
    \the\localtabledefinitions
    \forgetall % added
    \doifsomething{#1}
-     {\def\TABLEformat{#1}%
-      \getTABLEnofcolumns\TABLEformat
+     {\def\currenttableformat{#1}%
+      \dogettablenofcolumns\currenttableformat
       % more modern is to use catcode tables
-      \expandafter\BeginFormat\TABLEformat\EndFormat}}
+      \expandafter\dobegintableformat\currenttableformat\doendtableformat}}
 
-\def\finishTABLE
-  {\chuckTABLEautorow
+\def\dofinishtable
+  {\dochucktableautorow
    \unskip\crcr
-   \tablenormalend
+   \dotablenormalend
    \global\intablefalse
    \egroup}
 
@@ -1839,33 +1833,30 @@
    \flushnotes
    \setbox\tablecontentbox\vbox\bgroup
    \forgetall
-   \global\TABLEinbreakfalse
-   \firststagestartTABLE}
+   \firststagestarttable}
 
 \let\stoptables\relax % needed for \noalign
 
 \def\dostoptables
-  {\chuckTABLEautorow % AM: before the tail, else noalign problem
-   \ifconditional\tablerepeattail\else\insertTABLEtail\fi
-   \finishTABLE
+  {\dochucktableautorow % AM: before the tail, else noalign problem
+   \ifconditional\tablerepeattail\else\doinserttabletail\fi
+   \dofinishtable
    \egroup
    \dontcomplain
    \dosplittablebox\tablecontentbox
    \flushnotes
    \egroup}
 
-\newdimen\TABLEcaptionheight % obsolete
-
 \def\dosplittablebox#1%
   {\resettsplit
    \def\tsplitminimumfreelines{2}%
-   \def\tsplitminimumfreespace{\TABLEcaptionheight}%
+   \def\tsplitminimumfreespace{\zeropoint}%
    \setbox\tsplitcontent\box#1%
-   \ifconditional\tablerepeathead \ifconditional\someTABLEhead
+   \ifconditional\tablerepeathead \ifconditional\hassometablehead
      \setbox\tsplithead\vsplit\tsplitcontent to \lineheight
      \setbox\tsplithead\vbox{\unvbox\tsplithead}%
    \fi \fi
-   \ifconditional\tablerepeattail \ifconditional\someTABLEtail
+   \ifconditional\tablerepeattail \ifconditional\hassometabletail
      \setbox\tsplittail\vsplit\tsplitcontent to \lineheight
      \setbox\tsplittail\vbox{\unvbox\tsplittail}%
    \fi \fi
@@ -1903,8 +1894,8 @@
 %D the fact that the stopcondition is interface language
 %D dependant.
 
-\let\@@TABLEhead\empty  \def\TABLEhead{\@@TABLEhead}
-\let\@@TABLEtail\empty  \def\TABLEtail{\@@TABLEtail}
+\let\dotablehead\empty % needs checking
+\let\dotabletail\empty % needs checking
 
 \letbeundefined{\e!start\v!tablehead}
 \letbeundefined{\e!stop \v!tablehead}
@@ -1913,23 +1904,24 @@
 
 \expanded
   {\long\def\csname\e!start\v!tablehead\endcsname##1\csname\e!stop\v!tablehead\endcsname%
-     {\noexpand\setTABLEhead##1\noexpand\end}}
+     {\noexpand\settablehead##1\noexpand\end}}
 
 \expanded
   {\long\def\csname\e!start\v!tabletail\endcsname##1\csname\e!stop\v!tabletail\endcsname%
-     {\noexpand\setTABLEtail##1\noexpand\end}}
+     {\noexpand\settabletail##1\noexpand\end}}
 
 %D The second argument is a dummy one, by scanning for it, we
 %D get rid of interfering spaces.
 
-\def\setTABLEhead{\dodoubleempty\dosetTABLEhead}
-\def\setTABLEtail{\dodoubleempty\dosetTABLEtail}
+\newconditional\preventtablebreak
+\newconditional\hassometablehead
+\newconditional\hassometabletail
 
-\newconditional\preventTABLEbreak
-\newconditional\someTABLEhead
+\def\settablehead{\dodoubleempty\dosettablehead}
+\def\settabletail{\dodoubleempty\dosettabletail}
 
-\long\def\dosetTABLEhead[#1][#2]#3\end{\setvalue{@@TABLEhead#1}{\TABLEnoalign{\global\settrue\someTABLEhead}#3}}
-\long\def\dosetTABLEtail[#1][#2]#3\end{\setvalue{@@TABLEtail#1}{\TABLEnoalign{\global\settrue\someTABLEtail}#3}}
+\long\def\dosettablehead[#1][#2]#3\end{\setvalue{@@tablehead#1}{\tablenoalign{\global\settrue\hassometablehead}#3}}
+\long\def\dosettabletail[#1][#2]#3\end{\setvalue{@@tabletail#1}{\tablenoalign{\global\settrue\hassometabletail}#3}}
 
 %D Redudant \type{\HL}'s are removed automatically, so
 %D mid||lines can be used without problems.
@@ -1939,14 +1931,15 @@
 %D screen and log file as well as visualized in the table in
 %D teletype.
 
-\def\finishTABLErow
+\def\dofinishtablerow
   {\crcr
-   \TABLEnoalign
-     {\nobreak
-      \setTABLEaction\TABLEunknown
-      \globalletempty\checkTABLEautorow
-      \globalletempty\chuckTABLEautorow
-      \global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount}}
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \nobreak
+     \dosettableaction\tableunknownstate
+     \globalletempty\dochecktableautorow
+     \globalletempty\dochucktableautorow
+     \global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount
+   \stoptablenoalign}
 
 %D Next we enter the more complicated area of column and row
 %D switching. I won't go into much detail from now on, but just
@@ -1991,47 +1984,47 @@
 %D handles alignments, we cannot automate spacing for colored
 %D rows and columns.
 
-\setnewconstant\TABLErowzero\zerocount
+\setnewconstant\tablerowzero\zerocount
 
 \appendtoks
-  \let\SR\TableSR
-  \let\FR\TableFR
-  \let\MR\TableMR
-  \let\LR\TableLR
-  \let\AR\TableAR
+  \let\SR\dotableSR
+  \let\FR\dotableFR
+  \let\MR\dotableMR
+  \let\LR\dotableLR
+  \let\AR\dotableAR
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableSR
-  {\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEfirstrow
+\unexpanded\def\dotableSR
+  {\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablefirstrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\SR\space into \string\MR/\string\LR}%
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEmidrow
+   \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablemidrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\SR\space into \string\MR/\string\LR}%
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEmidrow
+   \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablemidrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\SR\space into \string\MR/\string\LR}%
    \fi\fi\fi
-   \endTABLErow\TABLEseparaterow\TABLErowfactor\TABLErowfactor}
+   \doendtablerow\tableseparaterowstate\tablerowfactor\tablerowfactor}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableFR
-  {\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEmidrow
+\unexpanded\def\dotableFR
+  {\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablemidrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\FR\space into \string\MR/\string\LR}%
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLElastrow
+   \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablelastrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\FR\space into \string\MR/\string\LR}%
    \fi\fi
-   \endTABLErow\TABLEfirstrow\TABLErowfactor\TABLErowzero}
+   \doendtablerow\tablefirstrowstate\tablerowfactor\tablerowzero}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableMR
-  {\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule
+\unexpanded\def\dotableMR
+  {\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\FR/\string\SR}%
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLElastrow
+   \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablelastrowstate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\FR}%
    \fi\fi
-   \endTABLErow\TABLEmidrow00}
+   \doendtablerow\tablemidrowstate00}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableLR
-  {\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule
+\unexpanded\def\dotableLR
+  {\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\LR\space into \string\FR/\string\SR}%
    \fi
-   \endTABLErow\TABLElastrow\TABLErowzero\TABLErowfactor}
+   \doendtablerow\tablelastrowstate\tablerowzero\tablerowfactor}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {ifcheckTABLEcolums}
@@ -2044,80 +2037,69 @@
 %D determine the available space are shown (in color). By default
 %D checking is off.
 
-\let\beforeTABLEline\empty
-\let\afterTABLEline \empty
-
-\def\doendTABLErow#1#2#3%
-  {\handleTABLEbreak#2#3%
-   \beforeTABLEline
+\def\doendtablerow#1#2#3%
+  {\dosettableaction#1%
    \ifcase#1\relax
      % unknown
    \or
-     \endofTABLEline[blue][\SR->\SR]\TABLErowfactor\TABLErowfactor
+     \doendoftableline [blue][\SR->\SR]\tablerowfactor\tablerowfactor
    \or
-     \endofTABLEline[red][\FR->\FR]\TABLErowfactor\TABLErowzero
-   \or
-     \ifnum\TABLEforce=\TABLEforcelastrow
-       \endofTABLEline[red][\MR->\LR]\TABLErowzero\TABLErowfactor
-     \else\ifnum\TABLEforce=\TABLEforcefirstrow
-       \endofTABLEline[red][\MR->\FR]\TABLErowfactor\TABLErowzero
-     \else
-       \endofTABLEline[green][\MR->\MR]\TABLErowzero\TABLErowzero
-     \fi\fi
-   \or
-     \endofTABLEline[red][\LR->\LR]\TABLErowzero\TABLErowfactor
+     \doendoftableline  [red][\FR->\FR]\tablerowfactor\tablerowzero
+   \or\ifnum\tableforcestate=\tableforcelastrowstate
+     \doendoftableline  [red][\MR->\LR]\tablerowzero\tablerowfactor
+   \else\ifnum\tableforcestate=\tableforcefirstrowstate
+     \doendoftableline  [red][\MR->\FR]\tablerowfactor\tablerowzero
+   \else
+     \doendoftableline[green][\MR->\MR]\tablerowzero\tablerowzero
+   \fi\fi\or
+     \doendoftableline  [red][\LR->\LR]\tablerowzero\tablerowfactor
    \fi
-   \TABLEnoalign
-     {\setTABLEforce\TABLEunknown
-      \global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount}%
-   \afterTABLEline}
-
-\def\endTABLErow#1#2#3%
-  {\setTABLEaction#1%
-   \doendTABLErow{#1}{#2}{#3}}
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \dosettableforce\tableunknownstate
+     \global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount
+     \ifconditional\preventtablebreak
+       \nobreak
+     \else
+       \goodbreak
+     \fi
+   \stoptablenoalign}
 
 %D Handling \type{\AR} is postponed till the next row. The
 %D check takes care of the first and mid rows, the chuck macro
 %D |<|how about that name|>| handles the last row.
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableAR
-  {\globallet\checkTABLEautorow\docheckTABLEautorow
-   \globallet\chuckTABLEautorow\dochuckTABLEautorow}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableAR
+  {\globallet\dochecktableautorow\dodochecktableautorow
+   \globallet\dochucktableautorow\dodochucktableautorow}
 
-\let\checkTABLEautorow\empty
-\let\chuckTABLEautorow\empty
+\let\dochecktableautorow\empty
+\let\dochucktableautorow\empty
 
-\def\docheckTABLEautorow
-  {\globallet\checkTABLEautorow\empty
-   \ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule          \FR
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEunknown  \FR
-   \else                                  \MR
-   \fi\fi}
+\def\dodochecktableautorow
+  {\globallet\dochecktableautorow\empty
+   \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate   \FR\else
+   \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tableunknownstate\FR\else
+                                             \MR\fi\fi}
+
+\def\dodochucktableautorow
+  {\globalletempty\dochecktableautorow
+   \globalletempty\dochucktableautorow
+   \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate   \SR\else
+   \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tableunknownstate\SR\else
+                                             \LR\fi\fi}
 
-\def\dochuckTABLEautorow
-  {\globalletempty\checkTABLEautorow
-   \globalletempty\chuckTABLEautorow
-   \ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule          \SR
-   \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEunknown  \SR
-   \else                                  \LR
-   \fi\fi}
-
 %D When a table is split, we also add a tail and when present
 %D we repeat the table head.
 
-\def\handleTABLEbreak#1#2%
-  {\globalletempty\beforeTABLEline
-   \gdef\afterTABLEline{\TABLEnoalign{\ifconditional\preventTABLEbreak\nobreak\else\goodbreak\fi}}}
-
 %D When tables are split, the spacing before and after a
 %D horizontal rule is corrected according to what we expect.
 
-\def\endofTABLEline[#1][#2->#3]#4#5%
+\def\doendoftableline[#1][#2->#3]#4#5%
   {\ifx#2#3\else
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{\string#2\space changed into \string#3}%
    \fi
-   \expandafter\normalTABLElineformat#4#5\crcr % \crcr nodig ?
-   \TABLEnoalign{\nobreak\global\setTABLEactiontrue}}
+   \expandafter\donormaltablelineformat#4#5\crcr % \crcr nodig ?
+   \tablenoalign{\nobreak\global\settrue\tableactionstatepermitted}}
 
 %D In order to prevent (as good as possible) alignment overflow
 %D and therefore \TEX\ error messages, we check the maximum
@@ -2126,7 +2108,7 @@
 %D the number of \type{|}'s and \type{\VL}'s or alike is always
 %D one more than the number of columns.
 
-\newcount\currentTABLEcolumn
+\newcount\currenttablecolumn
 
 %D While defining this macro we change the \CATCODE\ of
 %D \type{|}. When counting the bars, we use a non active
@@ -2143,7 +2125,7 @@
 
 \bgroup \catcode`\|=\othercatcode
 
-\gdef\getTABLEnofcolumns#1% todo: also divert this to lua as with tabulate
+\gdef\dogettablenofcolumns#1% todo: also divert this to lua as with tabulate
   {\bgroup
    \cleanupfeatures % needed !
    \@@useotherbar
@@ -2166,18 +2148,18 @@
 \let     \tablecurrenthrulecolor    \empty
 
 \appendtoks
-  \let\VL\TableVL
-  \let\VC\TableVC
-  \let\HL\TableHL
-  \let\HC\TableHC
-  \let\VS\TableVS
-  \let\VD\TableVD
-  \let\VT\TableVT
-  \let\VN\TableVN
+  \let\VL\dotableVL
+  \let\VC\dotableVC
+  \let\HL\dotableHL
+  \let\HC\dotableHC
+  \let\VS\dotableVS
+  \let\VD\dotableVD
+  \let\VT\dotableVT
+  \let\VN\dotableVN
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-\def\tableresetVLvalues
-  {\global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount}
+\def\dotableresetVLvalues
+  {\global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount}
 
 \def\dotablevrulecommand#1% global assignments
   {\doifnumberelse{#1}
@@ -2185,20 +2167,20 @@
       \global\multiply\tablevrulethicknessfactor\@@tiVLwidth\relax}
      {\xdef\tablecurrentvrulecolor{#1}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableVL
-  {\checkTABLEautorow
-   \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn\plusone
-   \dosingleempty\doTableVL}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableVL
+  {\dochecktableautorow
+   \global\advance\currenttablecolumn\plusone
+   \dosingleempty\dodotableVL}
 
-\def\doTableVL[#1]%
+\def\dodotableVL[#1]%
   {\global\tablecurrentvrulecolor\empty
    \global\tablevrulethicknessfactor\@@tiVLwidth\relax
    \iffirstargument
      \rawprocesscommalist[#1]\dotablevrulecommand
    \fi
-   \normalexpanded{\noexpand\normalTABLEcomplexbar\the\tablevrulethicknessfactor} }% \relax breaks \use
+   \normalexpanded{\noexpand\donormaltablecomplexbar\the\tablevrulethicknessfactor} }% \relax breaks \use
 
-\let\TableVC\TableVL % for mojca
+\let\doableVC\dotableVL % for mojca
 
 % \starttable[|||]
 % \HL
@@ -2208,10 +2190,10 @@
 % \HL
 % \stoptable
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableVS  {\VN1}
-\unexpanded\def\TableVD  {\VN2}
-\unexpanded\def\TableVT  {\VN3}
-\unexpanded\def\TableVN#1{\gdef\@VLn{#1}\VL}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableVS  {\VN1}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableVD  {\VN2}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableVT  {\VN3}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableVN#1{\gdef\@VLn{#1}\VL}
 
 \def\dotablehrulecommand#1% global assignments
   {\doifnumberelse{#1}
@@ -2219,20 +2201,20 @@
       \global\multiply\tablehrulethicknessfactor\@@tiHLheight\relax}
      {\xdef\tablecurrenthrulecolor{#1}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableHL
-  {\chuckTABLEautorow
-   \finishTABLErow
-   \startTABLEnoalign
-   \dosingleempty\doTableHL}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableHL
+  {\dochucktableautorow
+   \dofinishtablerow
+   \starttablenoalign
+   \dosingleempty\dodotableHL}
 
-\def\doTableHL[#1]%
+\def\dodotableHL[#1]%
   {\nobreak
-   \ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule
+   \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{skipping \string\HL}% \statusmessage
    \else
-     \ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEmidrow
+     \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablemidrowstate
        \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\LR/\string\SR}%
-     \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEfirstrow
+     \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablefirstrowstate
        \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\SR}%
      \fi\fi
      \bgroup
@@ -2244,15 +2226,15 @@
            \switchtocolor[\tablecurrenthrulecolor]%
          \fi
        \fi
-       \normalexpanded{\noexpand\normalTABLEfullrule\the\tablehrulethicknessfactor} %
+       \normalexpanded{\noexpand\donormaltablefullrule\the\tablehrulethicknessfactor} %
      \egroup
-     \accountTABLElinewidth
+     \doaccounttablelinewidth
    \fi
-   \setTABLEaction\TABLErule
+   \dosettableaction\tablerulestate
    \nobreak
-   \stopTABLEnoalign}
+   \stoptablenoalign}
 
-\let\TableHC\TableHL % for mojca
+\let\dotableHC\dotableHL % for mojca
 
 %D \startitemize[3*ruim]
 %D \sym{\type{\NL}} a vertical skip
@@ -2274,39 +2256,40 @@
 % n+1 uitleggen
 
 \appendtoks
-  \let\TB\TableTB
-  \let\NL\TableNL % old
-  \let\NR\TableNR
-  \let\NC\TableNC
-  \let\FC\TableNC
-  \let\MC\TableNC
-  \let\LC\TableNC
+  \let\TB\dotableTB
+  \let\NL\dotableNL % old
+  \let\NR\dotableNR
+  \let\NC\dotableNC
+  \let\FC\dotableNC
+  \let\MC\dotableNC
+  \let\LC\dotableNC
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableTB
-  {\chuckTABLEautorow
-   \finishTABLErow
-   \startTABLEnoalign
-   \dosingleempty\doTableTB}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableTB
+  {\dochucktableautorow
+   \dofinishtablerow
+   \starttablenoalign
+   \dosingleempty\dotableTB}
 
-\def\doTableTB[#1]%
+\def\dotableTB[#1]%
   {\blank[\iffirstargument#1\else\@@tiNL\fi]%
    \nobreak
-   \stopTABLEnoalign}
-
-\let\TableNL\TableTB
-
-\unexpanded\def\TableNR
-  {\global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount
-   \normalTABLElineending
-   \TABLEnoalign
-     {\nobreak
-      \setTABLEaction\TABLEunknown}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\TableNC
-  {\checkTABLEautorow
-   \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plusone
-   \normalTABLEquote}
+   \stoptablenoalign}
+
+\let\dotableNL\dotableTB
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotableNR
+  {\global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount
+   \donormaltablelineending
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \nobreak
+     \dosettableaction\tableunknownstate
+   \stoptablenoalign}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotableNC
+  {\dochecktableautorow
+   \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plusone
+   \donormaltablequote}
 
 %D \startitemize[3*broad]
 %D \sym{\type{\DL}}
@@ -2315,21 +2298,21 @@
 %D \sym{\type{\DR}}
 %D \stopitemize
 
-\newif\ifTABLEdivision
+\newconditional\istabledivision
 
 \appendtoks
-  \global\TABLEdivisionfalse % in start
-  \let\DL\TableDL
-  \let\DC\TableDC
-  \let\DV\TableDV
-  \let\DR\TableDR
+    \global\setfalse\istabledivision
+    \let\DL\dotableDL
+    \let\DC\dotableDC
+    \let\DV\dotableDV
+    \let\DR\dotableDR
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-\def\checkTABLEdivision
-  {\ifTABLEdivision \else
-     \chuckTABLEautorow
-     \global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount
-     \global\TABLEdivisiontrue
+\def\dochecktabledivision
+  {\ifcondition\istabledivision\else
+     \dochucktableautorow
+     \global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount
+     \global\settrue\istabledivision
    \fi}
 
 \def\dotabledrulecommand#1% global assignments
@@ -2342,20 +2325,20 @@
       \fi}
      {\xdef\tablecurrenthrulecolor{#1}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableDL
-  {\checkTABLEdivision
-   \dosingleempty\doTableDL}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableDL
+  {\dochecktabledivision
+   \dosingleempty\dotableDL}
 
-\def\doTableDL[#1]%
-  {\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLErule
+\def\dotableDL[#1]%
+  {\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablerulestate
      \writestatus\m!TABLE{skipping \string\DL}%
    \else
-     \ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEmidrow
+     \ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablemidrowstate
        \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\LR/\string\SR}%
-     \else\ifnum\TABLEaction=\TABLEfirstrow
+     \else\ifnum\tableactionstate=\tablefirstrowstate
        \writestatus\m!TABLE{change \string\MR\space into \string\SR}%
      \fi\fi
-     \setTABLEaction\TABLEunknown
+     \dosettableaction\tableunknownstate
      \global\tablehrulethicknessfactor\@@tiHLheight\relax
      \global\tabledrulespan\zerocount
      \iffirstargument
@@ -2366,76 +2349,74 @@
        \fi
      \fi
      \ifcase\tabledrulespan
-       \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plusone
-       \let\next\normalTABLEsinglerule
+       \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plusone
+       \let\next\donormaltablesinglerule
      \or
-       \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plustwo
-       \let\next\normalTABLEsinglerule
+       \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plustwo
+       \let\next\donormaltablesinglerule
      \else
-       \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plusone
-       \edef\next{\noexpand\normalTABLEmultirule{\tabledrulespan} }%
+       \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plusone
+       \edef\next{\noexpand\donormaltablemultirule{\tabledrulespan} }%
      \fi
      \next
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableDV
-  {\TableDCV\normalTABLEsimplebar}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableDV
+  {\dotableDCV\donormaltablesimplebar}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableDC
-  {\TableDCV\normalTABLEquote}
+\unexpanded\def\dotableDC
+  {\dotableDCV\donormaltablequote}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableDCV#1%
-  {\checkTABLEdivision
-   \checkTABLEautorow
-   \global\advance\currentTABLEcolumn \plusone
+\unexpanded\def\dotableDCV#1%
+  {\dochecktabledivision
+   \dochecktableautorow
+   \global\advance\currenttablecolumn \plusone
    #1}
 
-\unexpanded\def\TableDR
-  {\global\currentTABLEcolumn\zerocount    % nog check
-   \normalTABLElineending
-   \TABLEnoalign
-     {\nobreak
-      \global\TABLEdivisionfalse
-      \accountTABLElinewidth % temporary solution
-      \setTABLEaction\TABLErule}}
-
-\def\accountTABLElinewidth
+\unexpanded\def\dotableDR
+  {\global\currenttablecolumn\zerocount    % nog check
+   \donormaltablelineending
+   \starttablenoalign
+     \nobreak
+     \global\setfalse\istabledivision
+     \doaccounttablelinewidth % temporary solution
+     \dosettableaction\tablerulestate
+   \stoptablenoalign}
+
+\def\doaccounttablelinewidth
   {\scratchdimen\tablelinethicknessunit}
 
-\def\doTableSPAN#1{\use{#1}}
-\def\doTableTWO   {\use2}
-\def\doTableTHREE {\use3}
-\def\doTableFOUR  {\use4}
-\def\doTableFIVE  {\use5}
-\def\doTableSIX   {\use6}
-\def\doTableREF   {\ReFormat}
+\def\dotableTWO   {\use2}
+\def\dotableTHREE {\use3}
+\def\dotableFOUR  {\use4}
+\def\dotableFIVE  {\use5}
+\def\dotableSIX   {\use6}
 
 \appendtoks
-  \let\SPAN \doTableSPAN
-  \let\TWO  \doTableTWO
-  \let\THREE\doTableTHREE
-  \let\FOUR \doTableFOUR
-  \let\FIVE \doTableFIVE
-  \let\SIX  \doTableSIX
-  \let\REF  \doTableREF
+  \let\TWO  \dotableTWO
+  \let\THREE\dotableTHREE
+  \let\FOUR \dotableFOUR
+  \let\FIVE \dotableFIVE
+  \let\SIX  \dotableSIX
+  \let\SPAN \use
+  \let\REF  \dotablereformat
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!none  }{\OpenUp00\def\LOW{\Lower6 }}
-\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!small }{\OpenUp00\def\LOW{\Lower6 }} % == baseline
-\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!medium}{\OpenUp11\def\LOW{\Lower7 }}
-\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!big   }{\OpenUp22\def\LOW{\Lower8 }}
+\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!none  }{\dotableOpenUp00\def\LOW{\Lower6 }}
+\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!small }{\dotableOpenUp00\def\LOW{\Lower6 }} % == baseline
+\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!medium}{\dotableOpenUp11\def\LOW{\Lower7 }}
+\setvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\v!big   }{\dotableOpenUp22\def\LOW{\Lower8 }}
 
 \appendtoks
-  \getvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\@@tidistance}%
+    \getvalue{\??ti:\c!distance:\@@tidistance}%
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
 \appendtoks
   \doifelse\@@tidistance\v!none
-    {\TABLErowfactor\zerocount}
-    {\TABLErowfactor\plustwo  }%
+    {\tablerowfactor\zerocount}
+    {\tablerowfactor\plustwo  }%
 \to \localtabledefinitions
 
-
 \def\dohandlebar % here ?
   {\ifmmode
      \@EA\domathmodebar
@@ -2444,7 +2425,7 @@
    \else
      \@EAEAEA\dotextmodebar
    \fi\fi}
-
+
 \unexpanded\def\setuptables
   {\dosingleargument\dosetuptables}
 
@@ -2452,17 +2433,15 @@
   {\getparameters[\??ti][#1]%
    \processaction % we have a command for this
      [\@@tialign]
-     [  \v!right=>\def\TABLEparalignment{\raggedright},
-         \v!left=>\def\TABLEparalignment{\raggedleft},
-       \v!middle=>\def\TABLEparalignment{\raggedcenter},
-      \s!default=>\def\TABLEparalignment{\notragged},
-      \s!unknown=>\def\TABLEparalignment{\notragged}]%
+     [  \v!right=>\def\dotableparalignment{\raggedright},
+         \v!left=>\def\dotableparalignment{\raggedleft},
+       \v!middle=>\def\dotableparalignment{\raggedcenter},
+      \s!default=>\def\dotableparalignment{\notragged},
+      \s!unknown=>\def\dotableparalignment{\notragged}]%
    \assignalfadimension\@@tiVL\@@tiVLwidth 246%
    \assignalfadimension\@@tiHL\@@tiHLheight246}
 
-\let\tablelinethicknessfactor\plusfour
-
-\def\localTABLEsetup
+\def\dolocaltablesetup
   {\@@ticommands\relax
    \expanded{\switchtobodyfont[\@@tibodyfont]}% expanded ?
    \tablelinethicknessunit\dimexpr\@@tirulethickness/\tablelinethicknessfactor\relax
@@ -2528,7 +2507,7 @@
 %D   {$\vcenter{\getbuffer[b]}$}
 %D     {\hbox{tabulate}}
 %D \stopcombination
-
+
 \setuptables
   [HL=\v!medium,
    VL=\v!medium,
@@ -2547,6 +2526,4 @@
    \c!backgroundcolor=,
    \c!split=\v!auto]
 
-\def\ifintabel{\ifintable} % upward compatible
-
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua
index 4531b2134..86968721b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ local nested    = lpeg.patterns.nested
 local pattern   = Ct((separator * (C(nested) + Cc("")) * C((1-separator)^0))^0)
 
 function commands.presettabulate(preamble)
-    -- todo: lpeg
-    preamble = string.escapedpattern(preamble)
+    -- todo: lpeg but not now
     preamble = gsub(preamble, "%*(%b{})(%b{})", function(n,p)
         return rep(sub(p,2,-2),tonumber(sub(n,2,-2)) or 1)
     end)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
index 9428ea3dc..9ff6b0f9e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
@@ -98,11 +98,14 @@
 %
 %  present but not yet 100% ok
 %
-%  \FL    top hrule
-%  \ML    mid hrule (with auto split)
-%  \LL    bottom hrule
-%  \HL
-%  \VL
+%  \TL [width,color]   bottom hrule
+%  \FL [width,color]   first hrule
+%  \ML [width,color]   mid hrule (with auto split)
+%  \LL [width,color]   bottom hrule
+%  \BL [width,color]   last hrule
+%
+%  \HL [width,color]   top rule
+%  \VL [width,color]
 %
 %  \CC \CL \CM \CR color
 %
@@ -210,8 +213,11 @@
 \newconstant     \tabulatelocalcolorspan
 
 \newdimen        \defaulttabulatevrulethickness
+\newdimen        \defaulttabulatehrulethickness
 \newdimen        \tabulatevrulethickness
+\newdimen        \tabulatehrulethickness
 \newdimen        \tabulatelocalvrulethickness
+\newdimen        \tabulatelocalhrulethickness
 
 \newskip         \tabulateseparatorskip
 
@@ -234,10 +240,20 @@
 
 \def\handletabulatepbreakfalse{\setfalse\tabulatehandlepbreak} % depricated
 
-% handy
+% handy helper
 
 \def\tabulatenoalign
-  {\noalign\bgroup\let\noalign\relax\let\next=}
+  {\noalign
+   \bgroup
+   \let\noalign\relax
+   \let\tabulatenoalign\relax
+   \let\next=}
+
+\def\starttabulatenoalign
+  {\tabulatenoalign\bgroup}
+
+\def\stoptabulatenoalign
+  {\iffalse{\else}\fi}
 
 % [|lg{.}|] => \NG 12.34 \NC
 
@@ -284,7 +300,7 @@
    \fi}
 
 \def\dotabulatenobreak
-  {\noalign{\dodotabulatenobreak}}
+  {\tabulatenoalign{\dodotabulatenobreak}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\notabulatehook
   {}
@@ -548,7 +564,7 @@
                  \let\tabulatereshape\plusone,
      \s!unknown=>\tabulatewidth#1\relax]%
    \ifnum\tabulatedimen=\plusone
-     \global\advance\tabulatepwidth\tabulatewidth
+     \global\advance\tabulatepwidth\tabulatewidth % accumulated parwidth
    \fi
    \settabulatepreamble}
 
@@ -759,9 +775,9 @@
      \fi
      \copyparameters
        [\??tt#1::#2][\??tt#1::]%
-       [\c!unit,\c!distance,\c!before,\c!bodyfont,\c!after,
-        \c!inner,\c!indenting,\c!frame,\c!split,\c!header,\c!title,
-        \c!margin,\c!align,\c!rulecolor,\c!rulethickness,EQ]%
+       [\c!frame,\c!distance,\c!unit,\c!before,\c!bodyfont,\c!after,
+        \c!inner,\c!indenting,\c!margin,\c!align,\c!header,\c!title,
+        \c!rulecolor,\c!rulethickness,\c!split,EQ]%
      \setuvalue{\e!start#1::#2}{\dofinalstarttabulate[#1][#2][#3]}%
      \setuvalue{\e!start#1}{\bgroup\dosubstarttabulate[#1]}%
      \letvalueempty{\??tt#1-\v!header}%
@@ -832,6 +848,15 @@
 \setuvalue{\e!start\v!tabulate}%
   {\bgroup\dodoubleempty\donormalstarttabulate}
 
+\def\doinhibitnestedtabulate
+ {\setuvalue{\e!start\v!tabulate}%
+    {\em Nested tabulate is not (yet) supported.\relax
+     \expandafter\gobbleuntil\csname\e!stop\v!tabulate\endcsname}}
+
+\appendtoks
+    \doinhibitnestedtabulate
+\to \everytabulate
+
 \setuvalue{\e!stop\v!tabulate    }{}
 \setuvalue{\e!stop\v!tabulatehead}{}
 \setuvalue{\e!stop\v!tabulatetail}{}
@@ -987,7 +1012,7 @@
    \else\ifnum\tabulatecolumn=\noftabulatecolumns
      \global\tabulatehaslastrulespec\plusone
    \fi\fi
-   \global\let\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+   \global\let\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\defaulttabulatevrulecolor
    \global\tabulatelocalvrulethickness\defaulttabulatevrulethickness
    \doiffastoptionalcheckelse{\tabulatevruledcolumnyes#1}{\tabulatevruledcolumnnop#1}}
 
@@ -1003,16 +1028,22 @@
   {\rawprocesscommalist[#2]\dotabulatevrulelocalcommand
    \tabulatenormalcolumn#1}
 
+\def\donormaltabulatevrule
+  {\vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax}
+
+\def\docoloredtabulatevrule
+  {\faststartcolor[\currenttabulatevrulecolor]%
+   \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+   \faststopcolor}
+
 \unexpanded\def\dotabulatevrule
   {\ifcase\tabulatevrulethickness\else
      \iftrialtypesetting
-       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+       \donormaltabulatevrule
      \else\ifx\currenttabulatevrulecolor\empty
-       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+       \donormaltabulatevrule
      \else
-       \faststartcolor[\currenttabulatevrulecolor]%
-       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
-       \faststopcolor
+       \docoloredtabulatevrule
      \fi\fi
    \fi
    \global\tabulatevrulethickness\zeropoint} % nils second one
@@ -1039,47 +1070,92 @@
 \setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!none  }{\tabulateseparatorskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0}}
 \setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!grid  }{\tabulateseparatorskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0}}
 
-\def\dodotabulateruleseperator#1%
+\def\dodotabulateruleseparator#1%
   {\ifcsname\??tt:rs:#1\endcsname
      \csname\??tt:rs:#1\endcsname
    \else
      \tabulateseparatorskip#1\relax
    \fi}
 
-\def\dotabulateruleseperator % can be sped up (will do when used frequently)
+\def\dotabulateruleseparator % can be sped up (will do when used frequently)
   {\bgroup
    \edef\tabulateseparatordistance{\tabulateparameter\c!distance}%
    \tabulateseparatorskip\strutdp
    \ifx\tabulateseparatordistance\empty\else
      \let\factor\!!plusone
-     \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[\tabulateparameter\c!distance]}\dodotabulateruleseperator
+     \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[\tabulateparameter\c!distance]}\dodotabulateruleseparator
      \tabulateseparatorskip\factor\tabulateseparatorskip
    \fi
    \ifconditional\tabulatesomeamble\kern\else\vskip\fi\tabulateseparatorskip % new
    \egroup}
 
-\def\dodotabulaterule#1%
-  {\color % fastcolor ?
-     [\tabulateparameter\c!rulecolor]
-     {\scratchdimen\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness#1}}
+\def\tabulateignorehrulespec#1%
+  {%\global\let\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor\empty
+   %\global\tabulatelocalhrulethickness\defaulttabulatehrulethickness
+   \doiffastoptionalcheckelse#1#1}
 
-\def\dotabulaterule
-  {\dodotabulaterule
-     {\hrule\!!height.5\scratchdimen\!!depth.5\scratchdimen\relax
-      \doifvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!distance}\v!grid{\kern-\scratchdimen}}} % experimental tm-prikkels
+\def\tabulatepickuphrulespec#1%
+  {\global\let\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor\defaulttabulatehrulecolor
+   \global\tabulatelocalhrulethickness\defaulttabulatehrulethickness
+   \doiffastoptionalcheckelse{\tabulatepresethrule#1}#1}
+
+\def\dotabulatehrulelocalcommand#1%
+  {\doifnumberelse{#1}
+     {\global\tabulatelocalhrulethickness#1\defaulttabulatehrulethickness}
+     {\xdef\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor{#1}}}
+
+\def\tabulatepresethrule#1[#2]%
+  {\rawprocesscommalist[#2]\dotabulatehrulelocalcommand
+   #1}
+
+\def\donormaltabulatehrule
+  {\hrule
+     \!!height.5\tabulatelocalhrulethickness
+     \!!depth .5\tabulatelocalhrulethickness
+     \relax}
+
+\def\docoloredtabulatehrule
+  {\faststartcolor[\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor]%
+   \donormaltabulatehrule
+   \faststopcolor}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulatehrule
+  {\ifcase\tabulatelocalhrulethickness\else
+     \iftrialtypesetting % does not happen as we nil the caller
+       \donormaltabulatehrule
+     \else\ifx\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor\empty
+       \donormaltabulatehrule
+     \else
+       \docoloredtabulatehrule
+     \fi\fi
+   \fi}
+
+\def\donormaltabulatehlinerule
+  {\leaders \hrule
+     \!!height\dimexpr.5\lineheight-\strutdepth
+     \!!depth-\dimexpr.5\lineheight-\strutdepth+\tabulatelocalhrulethickness
+     \hfill}
+
+\def\docoloredtabulatehlinerule
+  {\faststartcolor[\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor]%
+   \donormaltabulatehlinerule
+   \faststopcolor}
 
 \def\dotabulatelinerule
   {\multispan\totaltabulatecolumns % \multispan is a plain macro
    % for the moment this one
    \strut\hskip\tabulateparameter\c!margin
    % neg values are ok !
-   \hskip\tabulateindent % new august 2003
-   \dodotabulaterule
-     {\!!heighta.5\lineheight
-      \advance\!!heighta-\strutdepth
-      \!!deptha-\!!heighta
-      \advance\!!deptha\scratchdimen
-      \leaders\hrule\!!height\!!heighta\!!depth\!!deptha\hfill}%
+   \hskip\tabulateindent\relax % new august 2003
+   \ifcase\tabulatelocalhrulethickness\else
+     \iftrialtypesetting % does not happen as we nil the caller
+       \donormaltabulatehlinerule
+     \else\ifx\currenttabulatelocalhrulecolor\empty
+       \donormaltabulatehlinerule
+     \else
+       \docoloredtabulatehlinerule
+     \fi\fi
+   \fi
    \cr}
 
 %D Color:
@@ -1217,8 +1293,8 @@
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNGone{\NC\handletabulatecharalign}
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNNone{\NC\handletabulatedigits} % new, undocumented, test first
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNDone{\NC\handletabulatedigits} % same, for old times sake
+
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateHRone{\doHR\zerocount}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateHLone{\doHL\zerocount}
 
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateCCone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\zerocount\tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateCLone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\plusone  \tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
@@ -1232,8 +1308,10 @@
    \global\tabulatecolumn\zerocount
    \resettabulatepheight
    \unskip\unskip\crcr\flushtabulated
-   \tabulatenoalign{\the\everyaftertabulaterow}%
-   \tabulatenoalign{\checktabulatepenaltiesa}}
+   \starttabulatenoalign
+     \the\everyaftertabulaterow
+     \checktabulatepenaltiesa
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
 
 \def\checktabulatepenaltiesa
   {\iftolerantTABLEbreak\else
@@ -1317,49 +1395,6 @@
 \def\tabulateeskipthree % vertical strut added august 2003
   {\par\verticalstrut\vskip-\struttotal\egroup}
 
-\def\tabulatedoHLfour#1% #1 ignored
-  {\tabulatenoalign
-     {\csname
-        \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\zerocount             F\else
-        \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines L\else
-                                                       M\fi\fi
-      L\endcsname}}%
-
-\def\tabulatedoHRfour#1% horizontal rule line (break untested)
-  {\tabulatenoalign
-     {\globallet\dotabulateautoline\dotabulatelinerule
-      \ifcase#1\or
-        \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\zerocount
-          \gdef\dotabulateautoline{\tabulatenoalign{}}%
-        \else\ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines
-          \gdef\dotabulateautoline{\tabulatenoalign{}}%
-        \fi\fi
-      \fi
-      \dotabulatenobreak}%
-   \dotabulateautoline
-   \tabulatenoalign
-     {\nobreak
-      \ifx\dotabulateautoline\dotabulatelinerule\kern-\lineheight\fi
-      \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines
-        \@EA\dotabulatenobreak
-      \else
-        \@EA\allowbreak
-      \fi}%
-   \dotabulateautoline
-   \tabulatenoalign
-     {\dotabulatenobreak}}
-
-\def\tabulateFLfive{\tabulatenoalign
-  {\ifinsidefloat\else
-     \doifemptyvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!before} % no expansion
-       {\tabulatebaselinecorrection}%
-   \fi
-   \dotabulaterule
-   \dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulateruleseperator
-   \prevdepth\strutdp
-   \dotabulatenobreak}}
-
 % see ***
 %
 % \enabletrackers[nodes.page_vspacing]
@@ -1367,39 +1402,116 @@
 %     \starttabulate[||] \dorecurse{100}{\NC Eins \NC \NR \HL} \stoptabulate
 % \stoptext
 
-\def\tabulateMLfive{\tabulatenoalign % this will be redone in the mkiv spacing way
-  {\dotabulateruleseperator
-   \dotabulaterule
-%    \ifnum\noftabulatelines>\plusone
-%      \ifnum\noftabulatelines<\minusnoftabulatelines
-%      % *** somehow topskip messes up as it's intercepted
-%      % \vskip \topskip\allowbreak\vskip- \topskip
-%      % messy anyhow so this needs to be improved, so for
-%      % the moment we keep this bugged variant
-%        \vskip1\topskip
-%        \allowbreak
-%        \vskip-1\topskip
-       \vskip-\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness
-       \dotabulaterule
-\nobreak
-%      \fi
-%    \fi
-   \dotabulateruleseperator}}
-
-\def\tabulateLLfive{\tabulatenoalign
+% old crap:
+%
+% \ifnum\noftabulatelines>\plusone
+%   \ifnum\noftabulatelines<\minusnoftabulatelines
+%   % *** somehow topskip messes up as it's intercepted
+%   % \vskip \topskip\allowbreak\vskip- \topskip
+%   % messy anyhow so this needs to be improved, so for
+%   % the moment we keep this bugged variant
+%     \vskip1\topskip
+%     \allowbreak
+%     \vskip-1\topskip
+
+\def\tabulateXXnone{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulateignorehrulespec\stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+\def\tabulateFLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateFLfive}
+\def\tabulateMLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateMLfive}
+\def\tabulateLLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateLLfive}
+\def\tabulateTLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateTLfive}
+\def\tabulateBLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateBLfive}
+%def\tabulateHLfive{\starttabulatenoalign\tabulatepickuphrulespec\dotabulateHLfive}
+
+% we can use one common spec: (saves 4 macros)
+%
+% \def\dotabulatecheckhrulespec#1%
+%   {\iftrialtypesetting
+%      \expandafter\tabulateignorehrulespec\expandafter\stoptabulatenoalign
+%    \else
+%      \expandafter\tabulatepickuphrulespec\expandafter\dotabulateFLfive
+%    \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulateFLfive
+  {\ifinsidefloat\else
+     \doifemptyvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!before} % no expansion
+       {\tabulatebaselinecorrection}%
+   \fi
+   \dotabulatehrule
+   \dotabulatenobreak
+   \dotabulateruleseparator
+   \prevdepth\strutdp
+   \dotabulatenobreak
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulateMLfive
+  {\dotabulateruleseparator
+   \dotabulatehrule
+   \vskip-\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness
+   \dotabulatehrule
+   \nobreak
+   \dotabulateruleseparator
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulateLLfive
   {\dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulateruleseperator
+   \dotabulateruleseparator
    \dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulaterule
+   \dotabulatehrule
    \ifinsidefloat\else
      \doifemptyvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!after} % no expansion
        {\vskip\strutdp
         \verticalstrut
         \vskip-\struttotal}%
-   \fi}}
+   \fi
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulateTLfive
+  {\dotabulatenobreak
+   \dotabulateruleseparator
+   \dotabulatenobreak
+   \dotabulatehrule
+   \dotabulatenobreak
+   \dotabulateruleseparator
+  %\prevdepth\strutdp % todo, might differ between TL and BL
+   \dotabulatenobreak
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+\let\dotabulateBLfive\dotabulateTLfive
 
 \def\tabulateHLfive
-  {\doHL\zerocount}
+  {\csname
+     \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\zerocount             F\else
+     \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines L\else
+                                                    M\fi\fi
+   L\endcsname}
+
+\def\tabulatedoHRfive % horizontal rule line (break untested)
+  {\starttabulatenoalign
+     \globallet\dotabulateautoline\dotabulatelinerule
+    %\ifcase#1\or % todo: check what this does
+       \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\zerocount
+         \glet\dotabulateautoline\donothing
+       \else\ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines
+         \glet\dotabulateautoline\donothing
+       \fi\fi
+    %\fi
+     \dotabulatenobreak
+   \stoptabulatenoalign
+   \dotabulateautoline
+   \starttabulatenoalign
+     \nobreak
+     \ifx\dotabulateautoline\dotabulatelinerule\kern-\lineheight\fi
+     \ifnum\noftabulatelines=\totalnoftabulatelines
+       \@EA\dotabulatenobreak
+     \else
+       \@EA\allowbreak
+     \fi
+   \stoptabulatenoalign
+   \dotabulateautoline
+   \starttabulatenoalign
+     \dotabulatenobreak
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
 
 % \dorecurse{10}{
 %     \starttabulate[|l|]
@@ -1420,22 +1532,12 @@
 %     \stoptabulate
 % }
 
-\def\tabulateTLfive{\tabulatenoalign
-  {\dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulateruleseperator
-   \dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulaterule
-   \dotabulatenobreak
-   \dotabulateruleseperator
-  %\prevdepth\strutdp % todo, might differ between TL and BL
-   \dotabulatenobreak}}
-
-\let\tabulateBLfive\tabulateTLfive
+% to be redone
 
-\def\tabulaterule    {\HR}% a rule with lineheight
-\def\tabulateline    {\HL}% just a spaced rule
-\def\tabulateautorule{\doHR\plusone}%
-\def\tabulateautoline{\doHL\plusone}%
+\def\tabulaterule    {\HR} % a rule with lineheight
+\def\tabulateline    {\HL} % just a spaced rule
+\def\tabulateautorule{\HR}%
+\def\tabulateautoline{\HL} % no longer different (to be looked into)
 
 % When support for vertical rules we needed a way to pick up the
 % specification for the final rule and a \type {|{}} interface was
@@ -1449,6 +1551,9 @@
   {\tabulateunit\tabulateparameter\c!unit
    \checkfulltabulatecontent
    \defaulttabulatevrulethickness\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness
+   \defaulttabulatehrulethickness\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness
+   \edef\defaulttabulatevrulecolor{\tabulateparameter\c!rulecolor}%
+   \edef\defaulttabulatehrulecolor{\tabulateparameter\c!rulecolor}%
    \edef\@@tabulatealign{\executeifdefined{\??tt:\c!align:\tabulateparameter\c!align}0}%
    \tabulateposskip.5\tabulateunit
    \tabulatepreskip\zeropoint
@@ -1483,22 +1588,23 @@
    \let\NG\tabulateNGone
    \let\NN\tabulateNNone
    \let\ND\tabulateNDone
-   \let\HR\tabulateHRone
-   \let\HL\tabulateHLone
    \let\NR\tabulateNRone
    \let\CC\tabulateCCone
    \let\CL\tabulateCLone
    \let\CM\tabulateCMone
    \let\CR\tabulateCRone
-   \let\HL\empty % not needed ? ? ?
-   \let\SR\NR    \let\AR\NR
-   \let\FL\empty \let\FR\NR
-   \let\ML\empty \let\MR\NR
-   \let\LL\empty \let\LR\NR
-   \let\TL\empty
-   \let\BL\empty
-   \let\doHR\gobbleoneargument
-   \let\doHL\gobbleoneargument
+   \let\SR\NR
+   \let\FR\NR
+   \let\MR\NR
+   \let\LR\NR
+   \let\AR\NR
+   \let\FL\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\ML\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\LL\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\TL\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\BL\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\HL\tabulateXXnone
+   \let\HR\tabulateXXnone
    \glet\flushtabulated\empty
    \tabskip\zeropoint
    \ifdim\tabulateparameter\c!margin>\zeropoint
@@ -1560,18 +1666,17 @@
    \totalnoftabulatelines\noftabulatelines
    \minusnoftabulatelines\numexpr\noftabulatelines+\minusone\relax
    \global\noftabulatelines\zerocount
-   \let\doHL\tabulatedoHLfour
-   \let\doHR\tabulatedoHRfour
-   \doifelsevalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!rule}\v!line
-     {\let\HL\HR
-      \let\tabulateautoline\tabulateautorule
-      \let\tabulateline\tabulaterule}%
-     {\let\HL\tabulateHLfive}%
    \let\FL\tabulateFLfive
    \let\ML\tabulateMLfive
    \let\LL\tabulateLLfive
    \let\TL\tabulateTLfive
    \let\BL\tabulateBLfive
+   \let\HL\tabulateHLfive
+   \let\HR\tabulateHRfive
+   \doifvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!rule}\v!line
+     {\let\HL\HR
+      \let\tabulateautoline\tabulateautorule
+      \let\tabulateline\tabulaterule}%
    \tabulatepass\plustwo
    %
    \ifcase\tabulaterepeathead
@@ -1590,7 +1695,7 @@
    \@EA\halign\@EA{\the\tabulatepreamble\crcr\fulltabulatecontent\crcr}%
    \dostoptagged
    \dostoptagged
-   \prevdepth\strutdp % nog eens beter, temporary hack
+   \ifhmode\par\prevdepth\strutdp\fi % nog eens beter, temporary hack
    \doifvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!distance}\v!grid{\vskip-\strutdp}% experimental tm-prikkels
    %
    \ifcase\tabulaterepeathead
@@ -1660,7 +1765,7 @@
 %D \NC tufte \NC \input tufte \NC \NR \tabulateautorule
 %D \stoptabulate
 %D \stoptyping
-
+
 %D Spacing:
 %
 % \starttabulate
@@ -1672,7 +1777,7 @@
 % \stoptabulate
 
 \def\TabulateTB
-  {\startTABLEnoalign
+  {\starttabulatenoalign
    \dosingleempty\doTabulateTB}
 
 \def\doTabulateTB[#1]%
@@ -1681,10 +1786,24 @@
    \else
      \blank
    \fi
-   \stopTABLEnoalign}
+   \stoptabulatenoalign}
+
+% to be tested:
+%
+% \def\TabulateTB
+%   {\starttabulatenoalign
+%    \doiffastoptionalcheckelse\doTabulateTByes\doTabulateTBnop}
+%
+% \def\doTabulateTByes[#1]%
+%   {\blank[#1]
+%    \stoptabulatenoalign}
+%
+% \def\doTabulateTBnop[#1]%
+%   {\blank
+%    \stoptabulatenoalign}
 
 \appendtoks\let\TB\TabulateTB\to\everytabulate
-
+
 % \starttabulatie[|mc|]
 % \NC \digits{100.000,00} \NC\NR
 % \NC \digits{@10.000,00} \NC\NR
@@ -1724,7 +1843,7 @@
 % \NC \digits $@@@.@10,@@$ \NC\NR
 % \NC \digits $@@@.@@1,@@$ \NC\NR
 % \stoptabulatie
-
+
 \unexpanded\def\setuptabulate
   {\dotripleempty\dosetuptabulate}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/task-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/task-ini.lua
index 5af225bf5..c7f6d5794 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/task-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/task-ini.lua
@@ -112,3 +112,27 @@ tasks.disableaction("math",        "noads.handlers.tags")
 callbacks.freeze("find_.*_file", "find file using resolver")
 callbacks.freeze("read_.*_file", "read file at once")
 callbacks.freeze("open_.*_file", "open file for reading")
+
+-- experimental:
+
+tasks.freezegroup("processors",   "normalizers")
+tasks.freezegroup("processors",   "characters")
+tasks.freezegroup("processors",   "words")
+tasks.freezegroup("processors",   "fonts")
+tasks.freezegroup("processors",   "lists")
+
+tasks.freezegroup("finalizers",   "normalizers")
+tasks.freezegroup("finalizers",   "fonts")
+tasks.freezegroup("finalizers",   "lists")
+
+tasks.freezegroup("shipouts",     "normalizers")
+tasks.freezegroup("shipouts",     "finishers")
+
+tasks.freezegroup("mvlbuilders",  "normalizers")
+tasks.freezegroup("vboxbuilders", "normalizers")
+
+--~ tasks.freezegroup("parbuilders",  "lists")
+--~ tasks.freezegroup("pagebuilders", "lists")
+
+tasks.freezegroup("math",         "normalizers")
+tasks.freezegroup("math",         "builders")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua b/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
index 7ce2cd345..9f7cb4ca2 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ use locals to refer to them when compiling the chain.</p>
 
 -- todo: delayed: i.e. we register them in the right order already but delay usage
 
+-- todo: protect groups (as in tasks)
+
 local format, gsub, concat, gmatch = string.format, string.gsub, table.concat, string.gmatch
 local type, loadstring = type, loadstring
 
@@ -23,15 +25,19 @@ local tables         = utilities.tables
 
 local sequencers     = { }
 utilities.sequencers = sequencers
+local functions      = { }
+sequencers.functions = functions
 
 local removevalue, insertaftervalue, insertbeforevalue = tables.removevalue, tables.insertaftervalue, tables.insertbeforevalue
 
 local function validaction(action)
-    local g = _G
-    for str in gmatch(action,"[^%.]+") do
-        g = g[str]
-        if not g then
-            return false
+    if type(action) == "string" then
+        local g = _G
+        for str in gmatch(action,"[^%.]+") do
+            g = g[str]
+            if not g then
+                return false
+            end
         end
     end
     return true
@@ -39,38 +45,37 @@ end
 
 function sequencers.reset(t)
     local s = {
-        list  = { },
-        order = { },
-        kind  = { },
-        askip = { },
-        gskip = { },
+        list   = { },
+        order  = { },
+        kind   = { },
+        askip  = { },
+        gskip  = { },
+        dirty  = true,
+        runner = nil,
     }
     if t then
         s.arguments    = t.arguments
         s.returnvalues = t.returnvalues
         s.results      = t.results
     end
-    s.dirty = true
     return s
 end
 
 function sequencers.prependgroup(t,group,where)
     if t then
-        local list, order = t.list, t.order
+        local order = t.order
         removevalue(order,group)
         insertbeforevalue(order,where,group)
-        list[group] = { }
-        t.dirty = true
+        t.list[group], t.dirty, t.runner = { }, true, nil
     end
 end
 
 function sequencers.appendgroup(t,group,where)
     if t then
-        local list, order = t.list, t.order
+        local order = t.order
         removevalue(order,group)
         insertaftervalue(order,where,group)
-        list[group] = { }
-        t.dirty = true
+        t.list[group], t.dirty, t.runner = { }, true, nil
     end
 end
 
@@ -80,8 +85,7 @@ function sequencers.prependaction(t,group,action,where,kind,force)
         if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
             removevalue(g,action)
             insertbeforevalue(g,where,action)
-            t.kind[action] = kind
-            t.dirty = true
+            t.kind[action], t.dirty, t.runner = kind, true, nil
         end
     end
 end
@@ -92,21 +96,38 @@ function sequencers.appendaction(t,group,action,where,kind,force)
         if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
             removevalue(g,action)
             insertaftervalue(g,where,action)
-            t.kind[action] = kind
-            t.dirty = true
+            t.kind[action], t.dirty, t.runner = kind, true, nil
         end
     end
 end
 
-function sequencers.enableaction (t,action) if t then t.dirty = true t.askip[action] = false end end
-function sequencers.disableaction(t,action) if t then t.dirty = true t.askip[action] = true  end end
-function sequencers.enablegroup  (t,group)  if t then t.dirty = true t.gskip[group]  = false end end
-function sequencers.disablegroup (t,group)  if t then t.dirty = true t.gskip[group]  = true  end end
+function sequencers.enableaction (t,action)
+    if t then
+        t.askip[action], t.dirty, t.runner = false, true, nil
+    end
+end
+
+function sequencers.disableaction(t,action)
+    if t then
+        t.askip[action], t.dirty, t.runner = true, true, nil
+    end
+end
+
+function sequencers.enablegroup(t,group)
+    if t then
+        t.gskip[group], t.dirty, t.runner = false, true, nil
+    end
+end
+
+function sequencers.disablegroup(t,group)
+    if t then
+        t.gskip[group], t.dirty, t.runner = true, true, nil
+    end
+end
 
 function sequencers.setkind(t,action,kind)
     if t then
-        t.kind[action] = kind
-        t.dirty = true
+        t.kind[action], t.dirty, t.runner = kind, true, nil
     end
 end
 
@@ -114,12 +135,12 @@ function sequencers.removeaction(t,group,action,force)
     local g = t and t.list[group]
     if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
         removevalue(g,action)
-        t.dirty = true
+        t.dirty, t.runner = true, nil
     end
 end
 
 local function localize(str)
-    return (gsub(str,"%.","_"))
+    return (gsub(str,"[%.: ]+","_"))
 end
 
 local function construct(t,nodummy)
@@ -133,6 +154,11 @@ local function construct(t,nodummy)
             for i=1,#actions do
                 local action = actions[i]
                 if not askip[action] then
+                    if type(action) == "function" then
+                        local name = localize(tostring(action))
+                        functions[name] = action
+                        action = format("utilities.sequencers.functions.%s",name)
+                    end
                     local localized = localize(action)
                     n = n + 1
                     variables[n] = format("local %s = %s",localized,action)
@@ -154,25 +180,39 @@ local function construct(t,nodummy)
         variables = concat(variables,"\n")
         calls = concat(calls,"\n")
         if results then
-            return format("%s\nreturn function(%s)\n%s\nreturn %s\nend",variables,arguments,calls,results)
+            t.compiled = format("%s\nreturn function(%s)\n%s\nreturn %s\nend",variables,arguments,calls,results)
         else
-            return format("%s\nreturn function(%s)\n%s\nend",variables,arguments,calls)
+            t.compiled = format("%s\nreturn function(%s)\n%s\nend",variables,arguments,calls)
         end
+        return t.compiled -- also stored so that we can trace
     end
 end
 
 sequencers.tostring = construct
 sequencers.localize = localize
 
-function sequencers.compile(t,compiler,n)
+local function compile(t,compiler,n)
     if not t or type(t) == "string" then
-        -- already compiled
+        t.compiled = t
     elseif compiler then
-        t = compiler(t,n)
+        t.compiled = compiler(t,n)
     else
-        t = construct(t)
+        t.compiled = construct(t)
+    end
+    local runner = loadstring(t.compiled)()
+    t.runner = runner
+    return runner -- faster
+end
+
+sequencers.compile = compile
+
+function sequencers.autocompile(t,compiler,n) -- to be used in tasks
+    t.runner = compile(t,compiler,n)
+    local autorunner = function(...)
+        return (t.runner or compile(t,compiler,n))(...) -- ugly but less bytecode
     end
-    return loadstring(t)()
+    t.autorunner = autorunner
+    return autorunner -- one more encapsulation
 end
 
 -- we used to deal with tail as well but now that the lists are always
@@ -219,9 +259,9 @@ function sequencers.nodeprocessor(t,nofarguments) -- todo: handle 'kind' in plug
                     vars[n] = format("local %s = %s",localized,action)
                     -- only difference with tostring is kind and rets (why no return)
                     if kind[action] == "nohead" then
-                        calls[n] = format("        ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
+                        calls[n] = format("        ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok",localized,args)
                     else
-                        calls[n] = format("  head, ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
+                        calls[n] = format("  head, ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok",localized,args)
                     end
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua b/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
index 6897f2151..6224e159c 100644
--- a/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
+++ b/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 -- merged file : luatex-fonts-merged.lua
 -- parent file : luatex-fonts.lua
--- merge date  : 11/27/10 14:27:23
+-- merge date  : 12/01/10 15:28:31
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ local patterns_escapes = {
     ["."] = "%.",
     ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
     ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
  -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
  -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 
 local P, R, S, V, match = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.match
 local Ct, C, Cs, Cc, Cf, Cg = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Cf, lpeg.Cg
+local lpegtype = lpeg.type
 
 local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
 local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
@@ -167,7 +168,6 @@ patterns.alwaysmatched = alwaysmatched
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
 local newline          = crlf + cr + lf
-local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
 local escaped          = P("\\") * anything
 local squote           = P("'")
 local dquote           = P('"')
@@ -188,6 +188,8 @@ local utftype          = utfbom_32_be / "utf-32-be" + utfbom_32_le  / "utf-32-le
                        + utfbom_16_be / "utf-16-be" + utfbom_16_le  / "utf-16-le"
                        + utfbom_8     / "utf-8"     + alwaysmatched / "unknown"
 
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
 patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
 patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
@@ -418,19 +420,25 @@ end
 -- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
 -- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
 
-function lpeg.replacer(t)
-    if #t > 0 then
-        local p
-        for i=1,#t do
-            local ti= t[i]
-            local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            if p then
-                p = p + pp
-            else
-                p = pp
+function lpeg.replacer(one,two)
+    if type(one) == "table" then
+        local no = #one
+        if no > 0 then
+            local p
+            for i=1,no do
+                local o = one[i]
+                local pp = P(o[1]) / o[2]
+                if p then
+                    p = p + pp
+                else
+                    p = pp
+                end
             end
+            return Cs((p + 1)^0)
         end
-        return Cs((p + 1)^0)
+    else
+        two = two or ""
+        return Cs((P(one)/two + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
@@ -655,6 +663,10 @@ function lpeg.oneof(list,...) -- lpeg.oneof("elseif","else","if","then")
     return p
 end
 
+function lpeg.is_lpeg(p)
+    return p and lpegtype(p) == "pattern"
+end
+
 end -- closure
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
@@ -2057,6 +2069,9 @@ local separator = P("://")
 local qualified = P(".")^0 * P("/") + letter*P(":") + letter^1*separator + letter^1 * P("/")
 local rootbased = P("/") + letter*P(":")
 
+lpeg.patterns.qualified = qualified
+lpeg.patterns.rootbased = rootbased
+
 -- ./name ../name  /name c: :// name/name
 
 function file.is_qualified_path(filename)