2021-06-07 14:41:00

50 files changed, 376 insertions, 384 deletions

diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkii/cont-new.mkii b/tex/context/base/mkii/cont-new.mkii
index 6671dcdd1..c309dfe62 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkii/cont-new.mkii
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkii/cont-new.mkii
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkii/context.mkii b/tex/context/base/mkii/context.mkii
index f22901bf5..5838c977b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkii/context.mkii
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkii/context.mkii
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 %D your styles an modules.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkiv/cont-new.mkiv b/tex/context/base/mkiv/cont-new.mkiv
index 2b0da3435..110f450ea 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkiv/cont-new.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkiv/cont-new.mkiv
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 % \normalend % uncomment this to get the real base runtime
 
-\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an excellent place for hacks,
 %D patches, extensions and new features. There can be local overloads in cont-loc
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkiv/context.mkiv b/tex/context/base/mkiv/context.mkiv
index b6e4c672d..86e739ab2 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkiv/context.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkiv/context.mkiv
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 %D {YYYY.MM.DD HH:MM} format.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %D Kind of special:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-files.pdf b/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-files.pdf
index ce6002720..41913dee0 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-files.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-files.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-lua.pdf b/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-lua.pdf
index bc07c3a2b..6cb724cb6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-lua.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkiv/status-lua.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-loc.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-loc.mkxl
index eef2ba09d..969bdfffe 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-loc.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-loc.mkxl
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
    \enforced\let\alignanchor\anch_local_withanchor_a
    \enforced\let\markanchor \anch_local_withanchor_m}
 
-\aliased\let\stopanchoring\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopanchoring
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startanchoring#1\stopanchoring % todo: boundary
   {\begingroup
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
    \poplocalanchors
    \endgroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopsynchronizing\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopsynchronizing
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startsynchronizing#1\stopsynchronizing % todo: boundary
   {\begingroup
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pgr.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pgr.mkxl
index af84c6ce9..d3504c50d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pgr.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pgr.mkxl
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startMPpositiongraphic#=#*#=#:#3\stopMPpositiongraphic % tag list mpcode
   {\gdefcsname\??positiongraphic#1\endcsname{\anch_positions_meta_graphic_use{#1}{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPpositiongraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPpositiongraphic
 
 \def\anch_positions_meta_graphic_prepare
   {\iftok{\mpcategoryparameter{self}}\emptytoks
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@
 \permanent\def\startMPpositionmethod#1#2\stopMPpositionmethod
   {\gdefcsname\??positionmethod#1\endcsname{#2}} % todo: var list here
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPpositionmethod\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPpositionmethod
 
 %D Simple one position graphics.
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pos.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pos.mkxl
index 6b482dc05..e5acca5c3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pos.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/anch-pos.mkxl
@@ -404,9 +404,9 @@
   {\enforced\aliased\glet\registerparoptions\doregisterparoptions
    \global\positioningtrue}
 
-\permanent\let\disableparpositions\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\disableparpositions
 
-\permanent\lettonothing\registerparoptions % hooks into everypar
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\registerparoptions % hooks into everypar
 
 \permanent\protected\def\doregisterparoptions
   {\iftrialtypesetting \orelse\ifinpagebody \orelse\ifmmode \orelse\ifinformula \else
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-exp.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-exp.mkxl
index 5aebd302f..b7dd0db70 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-exp.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-exp.mkxl
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@
 
 \newcount\tagparcounter
 
-\aliased\let\dotagsetparcounter\relax
-\aliased\let\doresetparcounter \relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\dotagsetparcounter
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\doresetparcounter
 
 \appendtoks
     \doresetparcounter
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-ext.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-ext.mkxl
index a3d9d2633..4fae3d54e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-ext.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/back-ext.mkxl
@@ -23,31 +23,24 @@
 
 % rotation
 
-\permanent\protected\def\dostartrotation#1%
-  {\forcecolorhack
-   \clf_startrotation#1\relax} % todo: implement without Q q
+% \permanent\protected\def\dostartrotation#1{\forcecolorhack\clf_startrotation#1\relax}
+% \permanent\protected\def\dostoprotation   {\clf_stoprotation\forcecolorhack}
 
-\permanent\protected\def\dostoprotation
-  {\clf_stoprotation
-   \forcecolorhack}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostartrotation#1{\clf_startrotation#1\relax}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostoprotation   {\clf_stoprotation}
 
 % scaling
 
-\permanent\protected\def\dostartscaling#1#2%
-  {\forcecolorhack
-   \clf_startscaling rx #1 ry #2\relax}
+% \permanent\protected\def\dostartscaling#1#2{\forcecolorhack\clf_startscaling rx #1 ry #2\relax}
+% \permanent\protected\def\dostopscaling     {\clf_stopscaling\forcecolorhack}
 
-\permanent\protected\def\dostopscaling
-  {\clf_stopscaling
-   \forcecolorhack}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostartscaling#1#2{\clf_startscaling rx #1 ry #2\relax}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostopscaling     {\clf_stopscaling}
 
 % mirroring
 
-\permanent\protected\def\dostartmirroring
-  {\clf_startmirroring}
-
-\permanent\protected\def\dostopmirroring
-  {\clf_stopmirroring}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostartmirroring{\clf_startmirroring}
+\permanent\protected\def\dostopmirroring {\clf_stopmirroring}
 
 % transform
 
@@ -75,9 +68,14 @@
 
 \mutable\let\MPclippath\empty
 
+% \permanent\protected\def\dostartclipping#1#2#3% we can move this to lua and only set a box here
+%   {\forcecolorhack
+%    \meta_grab_clip_path{#1}{#2}{#3}%
+%    \clf_startclipping{\MPclippath}%
+%    \glet\MPclippath\empty}
+
 \permanent\protected\def\dostartclipping#1#2#3% we can move this to lua and only set a box here
-  {\forcecolorhack
-   \meta_grab_clip_path{#1}{#2}{#3}%
+  {\meta_grab_clip_path{#1}{#2}{#3}%
    \clf_startclipping{\MPclippath}%
    \glet\MPclippath\empty}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/buff-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/buff-ini.mkxl
index ed62743ad..7512dea02 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/buff-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/buff-ini.mkxl
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
   {\endgroup % (3 & 4 & 5 & 6)
    \begincsname#1\endcsname}
 
-\aliased\let\endbuffer\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\endbuffer
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\setbuffer[#1]#:#2\endbuffer % seldom used so we just pass #2
   {\clf_assignbuffer{#1}{\detokenize{#2}}\catcodetable\relax}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/catc-sym.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/catc-sym.mkxl
index a96ffb865..b441856e9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/catc-sym.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/catc-sym.mkxl
@@ -64,20 +64,15 @@
 \protect
 
 %D \macros
-%D   {uncatcodespecials,setnaturalcatcodes,setnormalcatcodes,
-%D    uncatcodecharacters,uncatcodeallcharacters,
-%D    uncatcodespacetokens}
+%D   {setnormalcatcodes,uncatcodespacetokens}
 %D
 %D The following macros are more or less replaced by switching to a catcode table
 %D (which we simulate in \MKII) but we keep them for convenience and compatibility.
 %D Some old engine code has been removed. A few ar still used a few times so I need
 %D to clean that up.
 
-%permanent\protected\def\uncatcodespecials     {\setcatcodetable\nilcatcodes \uncatcodespacetokens}
-%permanent\protected\def\setnaturalcatcodes    {\setcatcodetable\nilcatcodes}
-\permanent\protected\def\setnormalcatcodes     {\setcatcodetable\ctxcatcodes} % maybe \texcatcodes
-%permanent\protected\def\uncatcodecharacters   {\setcatcodetable\nilcatcodes} % was fast version, gone now
-%permanent\protected\def\uncatcodeallcharacters{\setcatcodetable\nilcatcodes} % was slow one, with restore
+\permanent\protected\def\setnormalcatcodes
+  {\setcatcodetable\ctxcatcodes} % maybe \texcatcodes
 
 \permanent\protected\def\uncatcodespacetokens
   {\catcode\spaceasciicode    \spacecatcode
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ext.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ext.mkxl
index df2d9d768..d4747ae94 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ext.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ext.mkxl
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@
 \aliased\let\stopoverprint\stopcolorintent
 \aliased\let\stopknockout \stopcolorintent
 
-\aliased\let\starttextcolorintent\relax
-\aliased\let\stoptextcolorintent \relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\starttextcolorintent
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoptextcolorintent
 
 \appendtoks
     \colo_intents_set_text
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ini.mkxl
index 80835920f..07d35089d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/colo-ini.mkxl
@@ -731,13 +731,13 @@
 
 \def\v_colo_dummy_name{c_o_l_o_r}
 
-\letvalue{\??colorattribute       \v_colo_dummy_name}\empty
-\letvalue{\??transparencyattribute\v_colo_dummy_name}\empty
-\letvalue{\??colorsetter          \v_colo_dummy_name}\empty
-\letvalue{\??transparencysetter   \v_colo_dummy_name}\empty
+\letcsname\??colorattribute       \v_colo_dummy_name\endcsname\empty
+\letcsname\??transparencyattribute\v_colo_dummy_name\endcsname\empty
+\letcsname\??colorsetter          \v_colo_dummy_name\endcsname\empty
+\letcsname\??transparencysetter   \v_colo_dummy_name\endcsname\empty
 
-\letvalue{\??colorsetter       -}\empty % used?
-\letvalue{\??transparencysetter-}\empty % used?
+\letcsname\??colorsetter                           -\endcsname\empty % used?
+\letcsname\??transparencysetter                    -\endcsname\empty % used?
 
 % new: expandable (see tbl preamble)
 
@@ -1111,7 +1111,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\starttextcolor[#1]%
   {\doifsomething{#1}{\colo_helpers_switch_to_maintextcolor{#1}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stoptextcolor\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoptextcolor
 
 \let\p_colo_textcolor\empty
 
@@ -1126,8 +1126,8 @@
 \appendtoks \colo_helpers_initialize_maintextcolor \to \everyjob
 \appendtoks \colo_helpers_initialize_maintextcolor \to \everysetupcolors
 
-\letvalue{\??colorsetter       }\empty \letvalue{\??colorattribute       }\!!zerocount
-\letvalue{\??transparencysetter}\empty \letvalue{\??transparencyattribute}\!!zerocount
+\letcsname\??colorsetter       \endcsname\empty \letcsname\??colorattribute       \endcsname\!!zerocount
+\letcsname\??transparencysetter\endcsname\empty \letcsname\??transparencyattribute\endcsname\!!zerocount
 
 \def\colo_helpers_inherited_direct_cs#1{\ifcsname\??colorsetter          #1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\fi}
 \def\colo_helpers_inherited_direct_ca#1{\ifcsname\??colorattribute       #1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\else\!!zerocount\fi}
@@ -1177,8 +1177,8 @@
    \colo_defcsname\??transparencysetter   #1:#2\colo_endcsname{\colo_helpers_inherited_direct_ts{\??colorpalet#1:#2}}%
    \colo_defcsname\??transparencyattribute#1:#2\colo_endcsname{\colo_helpers_inherited_direct_ta{\??colorpalet#1:#2}}}
 
-\setvalue{\??colorattribute        currentcolor}{\the\c_attr_color}        % for mpcolor
-\setvalue{\??transparencyattribute currentcolor}{\the\c_attr_transparency} % for mpcolor
+\defcsname\??colorattribute        currentcolor\endcsname{\the\c_attr_color}        % for mpcolor
+\defcsname\??transparencyattribute currentcolor\endcsname{\the\c_attr_transparency} % for mpcolor
 
 \def\colo_helpers_inherited_current_ca#1{\ifcsname\??colorattribute       \currentcolorprefix#1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\orelse\ifcsname\??colorattribute       #1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\else\!!zerocount\fi}
 \def\colo_helpers_inherited_current_cs#1{\ifcsname\??colorsetter          \currentcolorprefix#1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\orelse\ifcsname\??colorsetter          #1\endcsname\lastnamedcs\fi}
@@ -1312,14 +1312,16 @@
 %
 % I really need to sort this out!
 
-\permanent\protected\def\forcecolorhack{\leaders\hrule\s!height\zeropoint\s!depth\zeropoint\hskip\zeropoint\relax} % relax is needed !
-
-\aliased\let\normalforcecolorhack\forcecolorhack
+% \permanent\protected\def\normalforcecolorhack{\leaders\hrule\s!height\zeropoint\s!depth\zeropoint\hskip\zeropoint\relax} % relax is needed !
+%
+% \installtexexperiment
+%   {disablecolorhack}
+%   {\pushoverloadmode\enforced\permanent\protected\lettonothing\forcecolorhack\popoverloadmode}
+%   {\pushoverloadmode\enforced\let\forcecolorhack\normalforcecolorhack\popoverloadmode}
+%
+% use \hpack container{...}
 
-\installtexexperiment
-  {disablecolorhack}
-  {\pushoverloadmode\enforced\let\forcecolorhack\relax\popoverloadmode}
-  {\pushoverloadmode\enforced\let\forcecolorhack\normalforcecolorhack\popoverloadmode}
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\forcecolorhack
 
 %D We default to the colors defined in \type {colo-imp-rgb} and support both \RGB\
 %D and \CMYK\ output. Transparencies are defined here:
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-new.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-new.mkxl
index 79bb909ab..8db3bab5c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-new.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-new.mkxl
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 % \normalend % uncomment this to get the real base runtime
 
-\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\newcontextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an excellent place for hacks,
 %D patches, extensions and new features. There can be local overloads in cont-loc
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-run.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-run.mkxl
index 8944a0359..f3a946b28 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-run.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/cont-run.mkxl
@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@
 
 \unprotect
 
-\permanent\let\synctexsetfilename  \clf_synctexsetfilename   % can be public implementors
-\permanent\let\synctexresetfilename\clf_synctexresetfilename % idem
-\permanent\let\synctexblockfilename\clf_synctexblockfilename % idem
+% \synctexsetfilename   % defined at lua end
+% \synctexresetfilename % idem
+% \synctexblockfilename % idem
 
-\aliased\let\synctexpause   \donothing
-\aliased\let\synctexresume  \donothing
-\aliased\let\synctexpushline\donothing
-\aliased\let\synctexpopline \donothing
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\synctexpause
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\synctexresume
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\synctexpushline
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\synctexpopline
 
 \appendtoks\synctexpause \to\everybeforeoutput
 \appendtoks\synctexresume\to\everyafteroutput
@@ -54,6 +54,6 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\blocksynctexfile[#1]%
   {\processcommacommand{#1}\synctexblockfilename}
 
-\aliased\let\continuewhenlmtxmode\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\continuewhenlmtxmode
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/context.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/context.mkxl
index ccd340d28..cf167155e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/context.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/context.mkxl
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 %D {YYYY.MM.DD HH:MM} format.
 
 \immutable\edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\immutable\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 08:05}
+\immutable\edef\contextversion{2021.06.07 14:39}
 
 %overloadmode 1 % check frozen / warning
 %overloadmode 2 % check frozen / error
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/core-env.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/core-env.mkxl
index 62e4106c5..86be40548 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/core-env.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/core-env.mkxl
@@ -308,43 +308,12 @@
 
 \installmacrostack\c_syst_modes_set_done
 
-% \permanent\protected\def\startmodeset
-%   {\push_macro_c_syst_modes_set_done
-%    \setfalse\c_syst_modes_set_done
-%    \doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_modes_set_start\syst_modes_set_quit}
-%
-% \aliased\let\stopmodeset\relax
-%
-% \def\syst_modes_set_start[#1]%
-%   {\edef\m_mode_case{#1}%
-%    \unless\ifx\m_mode_case\s!default
-%      \expandafter\syst_modes_set_check
-%    \orelse\ifconditional\c_syst_modes_set_done
-%      \expandafter\syst_modes_set_quit
-%    \else
-%      \expandafter\syst_modes_set_yes
-%    \fi}
-%
-% \def\syst_modes_set_check
-%   {\syst_modes_check_lr\syst_modes_set_yes\syst_modes_set_nop\m_mode_case}
-%
-% \def\syst_modes_set_yes#1%
-%   {\settrue\c_syst_modes_set_done
-%    #1%
-%    \doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_modes_set_start\syst_modes_set_quit}
-%
-% \def\syst_modes_set_nop#1%
-%   {\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_modes_set_start\syst_modes_set_quit}
-%
-% \def\syst_modes_set_quit#-\stopmodeset
-%   {\pop_macro_c_syst_modes_set_done}
-
 \permanent\protected\def\startmodeset
   {\push_macro_c_syst_modes_set_done
    \setfalse\c_syst_modes_set_done
    \syst_modes_set_start}
 
-\aliased\let\stopmodeset\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopmodeset
 
 \tolerant\def\syst_modes_set_start#.[#1]% skip spaces and pars
   {\edef\m_mode_case{#1}%
@@ -393,7 +362,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\tolerant\def\setups[#1]#;#2{\processcommacommand[#1#2]\syst_setups} % {..} or [..]
 \permanent\protected\tolerant\def\setup [#1]#;#2{\syst_setups{#1#2}} % {..} or [..]
 
-\letvalue{\??setup:\??empty}\gobbleoneargument
+\letcsname\??setup:\??empty\endcsname\gobbleoneargument
 
 \permanent\def\syst_setups#1% the grid option will be extended to other main modes
   {\csname\??setup
@@ -538,17 +507,16 @@
 \to \t_syst_setups_xml
 
 \newtoks\t_syst_setups_lua \appendtoks
-    \obeylualines
     \obeyluatokens
 \to \t_syst_setups_lua
 
 % Is doglobal still relevant? Maybe always global? Or never? Anyway, it will become obsolete.
 
-\permanent\protected\def\startluasetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_lua_yes\syst_setups_start_lua_nop} \aliased\let\stopluasetups  \relax
-\permanent\protected\def\startxmlsetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_xml_yes\syst_setups_start_xml_nop} \aliased\let\stopxmlsetups  \relax
-\permanent\protected\def\startrawsetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_raw_yes\syst_setups_start_raw_nop} \aliased\let\stoprawsetups  \relax
-\permanent\protected\def\startlocalsetups{\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_loc_yes\syst_setups_start_loc_nop} \aliased\let\stoplocalsetups\relax
-\permanent\protected\def\startsetups     {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_tex_yes\syst_setups_start_tex_nop} \aliased\let\stopsetups     \relax
+\permanent\protected\def\startluasetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_lua_yes\syst_setups_start_lua_nop} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopluasetups
+\permanent\protected\def\startxmlsetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_xml_yes\syst_setups_start_xml_nop} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopxmlsetups
+\permanent\protected\def\startrawsetups  {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_raw_yes\syst_setups_start_raw_nop} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoprawsetups
+\permanent\protected\def\startlocalsetups{\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_loc_yes\syst_setups_start_loc_nop} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoplocalsetups
+\permanent\protected\def\startsetups     {\begingroup\doifelsenextoptionalcs\syst_setups_start_tex_yes\syst_setups_start_tex_nop} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopsetups
 
 \def\syst_setups_start_lua_two#1#2#+\stopluasetups  {\endgroup\dodoglobal\instance\defcsname\??setup#1:#2\endcsname##1{#3}}
 \def\syst_setups_start_xml_two#1#2#+\stopxmlsetups  {\endgroup\dodoglobal\instance\defcsname\??setup#1:#2\endcsname##1{#3}}
@@ -718,7 +686,7 @@
 %D A few more (we could use a public test variable so that we only need to expand
 %D once, assuming expandable variables):
 
-\letvalue{\??variables:}\empty
+\letcsname\??variables:\endcsname\empty
 
 \permanent\protected\def\doifelseemptyvariable#1#2%
   {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\begincsname\??variables#1:#2\endcsname}%
@@ -787,13 +755,6 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\defineselector[#1]#*[#2]{\getparameters[\??selector#1][\c!max=\plusone,\c!n=\plusone,#2]}
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\setupselector [#1]#*[#2]{\getparameters[\??selector#1][#2]}
 
-% \def\directselect#1% expandable
-%   {\filterfromnext % maybe add an \expanded
-%      {\csname\??selector\ifcsname\??selector#1\c!max\endcsname#1\fi\c!max\endcsname}%
-%      {\csname\??selector\ifcsname\??selector#1\c!n  \endcsname#1\fi\c!n  \endcsname}}
-%
-% this is more efficient when the arguments are used a few times (or passed along):
-
 \permanent\def\directselect#1% expandable
   {\expandafter\filterfromnext
      \csname\??selector\ifcsname\??selector#1\c!max\endcsname#1\fi\c!max\expandafter\endcsname
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/font-pre.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/font-pre.mkxl
index 41c961f61..0ae90d7cf 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/font-pre.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/font-pre.mkxl
@@ -914,15 +914,22 @@
 
 \pushoverloadmode
 
-\let\infofont         \relax
-\let\infofontbold     \relax
-\let\smallinfofont    \relax
-\let\smallinfofontbold\relax
-
-\definefont[infofont]         [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 6pt]
-\definefont[infofontbold]     [file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 6pt]
-\definefont[smallinfofont]    [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 3pt]
-\definefont[smallinfofontbold][file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 3pt]
+% \let\infofont         \relax
+% \let\infofontbold     \relax
+% \let\smallinfofont    \relax
+% \let\smallinfofontbold\relax
+%
+% \definefont[infofont]         [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 6pt]
+% \definefont[infofontbold]     [file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 6pt]
+% \definefont[smallinfofont]    [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 3pt]
+% \definefont[smallinfofontbold][file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 3pt]
+%
+% after testing for quite a while moved from cont-loc.mkxl
+
+\protected\def\infofont         {\definefrozenfont[infofont]         [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 6pt]\infofont}
+\protected\def\infofontbold     {\definefrozenfont[infofontbold]     [file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 6pt]\infofontbold}
+\protected\def\smallinfofont    {\definefrozenfont[smallinfofont]    [file:dejavusansmono*none      at 3pt]\smallinfofont}
+\protected\def\smallinfofontbold{\definefrozenfont[smallinfofontbold][file:dejavusansmono-bold*none at 3pt]\smallinfofontbold}
 
 %D Optimization (later we overload in math). Also needed in order to get \type {\ss}
 %D properly defined.
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-fig.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-fig.mkxl
index 92d2c7dc6..d06e185dd 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-fig.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-fig.mkxl
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@
    \setvalue{\??externalfigureinstance#1}%
      {\grph_steps_place_figure{#1}{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopfigure\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopfigure
 
 \ifdefined\referring \else \let\referring\relax \fi
 \ifdefined\marking   \else \let\marking  \relax \fi
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-raw.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-raw.mkxl
index 66194551b..c84a3682f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-raw.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/grph-raw.mkxl
@@ -59,6 +59,6 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startbitmapimage[#1]#2\stopbitmapimage
   {\bitmapimage[#1]{#2}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopbitmapimage\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopbitmapimage
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/java-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/java-ini.mkxl
index f0e260eea..c3a3b817c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/java-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/java-ini.mkxl
@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startJScode
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \enforced\let\u\m_java_escape_u
    \java_start_code}
@@ -108,11 +107,10 @@
 \def\java_start_code#1\stopJScode
   {\normalexpanded{\endgroup\clf_storejavascriptcode{#1}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopJScode\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopJScode
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startJSpreamble
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \enforced\let\u\m_java_escape_u
    \java_start_preamble}
@@ -120,7 +118,7 @@
 \def\java_start_preamble#1\stopJSpreamble
   {\normalexpanded{\endgroup\clf_storejavascriptpreamble{#1}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopJSpreamble\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopJSpreamble
 
 \permanent\protected\def\setJSpreamble  #1#2{\clf_setjavascriptpreamble  {#1}{#2}}
 \permanent\protected\def\addtoJSpreamble#1#2{\clf_addtojavascriptpreamble{#1}{#2}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/libs-imp-mujs.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/libs-imp-mujs.mkxl
index a8fe5801f..5a64f6fc8 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/libs-imp-mujs.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/libs-imp-mujs.mkxl
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 
 \protected\def\startecmacode % \stopecmacode
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \luat_start_ecma_code_indeed}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-ini.mkxl
index 9a78c3934..abfe510b1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-ini.mkxl
@@ -21,21 +21,18 @@
 %D will keep code outside \TEX\ files as much as possible. The solutions evolved
 %D with the engine but one can find some history in the \MKIV\ files and articles.
 
-%ifdefined\setnaturalcatcodes \else \let\setnaturalcatcodes\relax \fi
-\ifdefined\obeylualines       \else \let\obeylualines      \relax \fi
-\ifdefined\obeyluatokens      \else \let\obeyluatokens     \relax \fi
+\ifdefined\obeyluatokens \else \let\obeyluatokens\relax \fi
 
 %D A few more goodies:
 
-\aliased\let\stoplua    \relax % tex catcodes
-\aliased\let\stopluacode\relax % lua catcodes
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoplua     % tex catcodes
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopluacode % lua catcodes
 
-%D In the meantime the \LUATEX\ interface has become stable but we still
-%D see traces of old here (needs checking).
+%D In the meantime the \LUATEX\ interface has become stable but we still see traces
+%D of old here (needs checking).
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startlua % \stoplua
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \luat_start_lua_indeed}
 
 \def\luat_start_lua_indeed#1\stoplua
@@ -43,7 +40,6 @@
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startluacode % \stopluacode
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \luat_start_lua_code_indeed}
 
@@ -58,8 +54,6 @@
 \ifdefined\obeyspaces  \else \let\obeyspaces  \relax \fi
 \ifdefined\obeyedspace \else \let\obeyedspace \relax \fi
 
-\aliased\let\obeylualines\relax % not used, will go away
-
 \newtoks\everyluacode
 
 %D It is nicer for checking with \type {s-system-macros} if we have some meaning:
@@ -168,7 +162,6 @@
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startluaparameterset[#1]% \stopluaparameterset
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \luat_start_lua_parameter_set{#1}}
 
@@ -176,7 +169,7 @@
   {\ctxlua{parametersets["#1"]={#2}}%
    \endgroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopluaparameterset\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopluaparameterset
 
 \permanent\def\luaparameterset#1#2{\ctxlua{parametersets["#1"]={#2} context("#1")}}
 
@@ -207,7 +200,6 @@
 
 \permanent\protected\def\ctxluacode
   {\begingroup
-   \obeylualines
    \obeyluatokens
    \catcode\leftbraceasciicode \plusone
    \catcode\rightbraceasciicode\plustwo
@@ -237,7 +229,7 @@
 \installsystemnamespace{ctxfunction}
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startctxfunctiondefinition #1 % \stopctxfunctiondefinition
-  {\begingroup \obeylualines \obeyluatokens \luat_start_lua_function_definition_indeed{#1}}
+  {\begingroup \obeyluatokens \luat_start_lua_function_definition_indeed{#1}}
 
 \installsystemnamespace{luafunction}
 
@@ -250,15 +242,15 @@
   {\expandafter\chardef\csname\??luafunction#1\endcsname#2\relax
    \edefcsname#1\endcsname{\noexpand\luafunction\csname\??luafunction#1\endcsname}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopctxfunctiondefinition\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopctxfunctiondefinition
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startctxfunction #1 % \stopctxfunction
-  {\begingroup \obeylualines \obeyluatokens \luat_start_lua_function_indeed{#1}}
+  {\begingroup \obeyluatokens \luat_start_lua_function_indeed{#1}}
 
 \def\luat_start_lua_function_indeed#1#2\stopctxfunction
   {\endgroup\edefcsname\??ctxfunction#1\endcsname{\noexpand\luafunction\ctxcommand{ctxfunction(\!!bs#2\!!es)}\relax}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopctxfunction\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopctxfunction
 
 \permanent\def\ctxfunction#1%
   {\begincsname\??ctxfunction#1\endcsname}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-usr.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-usr.mkxl
index 199d22b8e..04aa520b3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-usr.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/luat-usr.mkxl
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@
      %
      \frozen\instance\protected\xdefcsname\s!start#1\s!code\endcsname
        {\begingroup
-        \obeylualines
         \obeyluatokens
         \csname\??luacode#1\endcsname}%
      %
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/lxml-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/lxml-ini.mkxl
index e4d982c76..b18d8053b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/lxml-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/lxml-ini.mkxl
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
    \doinitializeverbatim
    \beginofverbatimlines}
 
-\aliased\let\stopxmldisplayverbatim\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopxmldisplayverbatim
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startxmlinlineverbatim[#1]%
   {\begingroup
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@
    \enforced\let\stopxmlinlineverbatim\endgroup
    \doinitializeverbatim}
 
-\aliased\let\stopxmlinlineverbatim\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopxmlinlineverbatim
 
 % processing instructions
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-ini.mkxl
index db1e69d48..83cf86b35 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-ini.mkxl
@@ -100,17 +100,17 @@
    \gtoksapp\t_meta_definitions{#2}%
    \let\currentMPinstance\m_meta_saved_instance}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPdefinitions\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPdefinitions
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startMPextensions#=#:#2\stopMPextensions % we could use buffers instead
   {\clf_setmpextensions{#1}{#2}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPextensions\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPextensions
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startMPinitializations#1\stopMPinitializations % for all instances, when enabled
   {\gtoksapp\t_meta_initializations{#1}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPinitializations\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPinitializations
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startMPinclusions[#1]#*#=#:#3\stopMPinclusions
   {\let\m_meta_saved_instance\currentMPinstance % \pushmacro
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
    \gtoksapp\t_meta_inclusions{#3}%
    \let\currentMPinstance\m_meta_saved_instance} % \popmacro
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPinclusions\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPinclusions
 
 % The next was broken since we added instances so it will go away!
 
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@
      {\xdef\MPdrawingdata{\MPdrawingdata#2}}%
    \egroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPdrawing\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPdrawing
 
 \permanent\def\MPdrawing#1%
   {\relax
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startMPclip#1#2\stopMPclip % todo: store at the lua end or just store less
   {\gdefcsname\??mpclip#1\endcsname{#2}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPclip\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPclip
 
 \mutable\def\width {0 } % left-over, obsolete
 \mutable\def\height{0 } % left-over, obsolete
@@ -621,9 +621,13 @@
   {\meta_relocate_box
    \box\b_meta_graphic}
 
+% \protected\def\meta_reuse_box#1#2#3#4#5% space delimiting would save some tokens
+%   {\MPllx#2\MPlly#3\MPurx#4\MPury#5%
+%    \hpack container{\forcecolorhack\getobject{MP}{#1}}} % else no proper color intent
+
 \protected\def\meta_reuse_box#1#2#3#4#5% space delimiting would save some tokens
   {\MPllx#2\MPlly#3\MPurx#4\MPury#5%
-   \hpack container{\forcecolorhack\getobject{MP}{#1}}} % else no proper color intent
+   \hpack container{\getobject{MP}{#1}}}
 
 \protected\def\meta_use_box
   {\setunreferencedobject{MP}}
@@ -648,7 +652,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startuniqueMPgraphic
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_unique_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopuniqueMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopuniqueMPgraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_unique_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{\meta_start_unique_graphic_indeed{#1}}}
@@ -674,7 +678,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startuseMPgraphic
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_use_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopuseMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopuseMPgraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_use_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{\meta_start_use_graphic_indeed{#1}}}
@@ -685,7 +689,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startusableMPgraphic
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_usable_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopusableMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopusableMPgraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_usable_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{\meta_start_usable_graphic_indeed{#1}}}
@@ -706,7 +710,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startreusableMPgraphic
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_reusable_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopreusableMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopreusableMPgraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_reusable_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{\meta_start_reusable_graphic_indeed{#1}}}
@@ -740,7 +744,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startoverlayMPgraphic
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_overlay_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopoverlayMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopoverlayMPgraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_overlay_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{%
@@ -761,7 +765,7 @@
 
 \newtoks\MPoverlaydata
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPoverlaydata\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPoverlaydata
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startMPoverlaydata
   {\iftrialtypesetting
@@ -804,7 +808,7 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startuniqueMPpagegraphic % todo the modern way
   {\dodoublegroupempty\meta_start_unique_page_graphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopuniqueMPpagegraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopuniqueMPpagegraphic
 
 \def\meta_start_unique_page_graphic#1%
   {\normalexpanded{\meta_start_unique_page_graphic_indeed{#1}}}
@@ -865,7 +869,7 @@
    \fi
    \clf_mptexset{\detokenize{#2}}}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPenvironment\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPenvironment
 
 \permanent\protected\def\resetMPenvironment
   {\clf_mptexreset}
@@ -899,7 +903,7 @@
    \meta_process_graphic{#2}%
    \endgroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPcode\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPcode
 
 %D This one is not optimized because it's only used for small snippets, if it
 %D is used at all.
@@ -935,7 +939,7 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startMPrun#=#:#2\stopMPrun
   {\normalexpanded{\startuseMPgraphic{\iftok{#1}\emptytoks mprun\else#1\fi}}#2\stopuseMPgraphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPrun\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPrun
 
 %D The \type {\resetMPenvironment} is a quick way to erase the token list. You
 %D should be aware of independencies. For instance, if you use a font in a graphic
@@ -1141,8 +1145,8 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startstaticMPgraphic#=#:#=#:#3\stopstaticMPgraphic
   {\startreusableMPgraphic{\??mpstaticgraphic#1}{#2}#3\stopreusableMPgraphic}
 
-\aliased\let\stopstaticMPfigure \relax
-\aliased\let\stopstaticMPgraphic\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopstaticMPfigure
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopstaticMPgraphic
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\usestaticMPfigure[#1]#*[#2]%
   {\ifarguments\or
@@ -1254,7 +1258,7 @@
    \egroup
    \endgroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopMPcalculation\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopMPcalculation
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {setupMPgraphics}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-nod.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-nod.mkxl
index 0fbfefde0..17264d9b9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-nod.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-nod.mkxl
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
 
 \newcount\c_meta_nodes_n
 
-\aliased\let\stopnodes\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopnodes
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\startnodes[#1]#:#2\stopnodes
   {\hpack\bgroup
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
    }}%
    \advance\c_meta_nodes_n\plusone}
 
-\aliased\let\placenode\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\placenode
 
 \appendtoks
    \enforced\let\placenode\grph_nodes_node
@@ -165,23 +165,23 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\grph_nodes_fromto[#1]#*[#2]%
   {\grph_nodes_fromto_indeed[#1][#2]}% get rid of {n,m} % todo: we can use #_ or so
 
-\letvalue{\??metanodesposition            }\empty
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition         top}{.top}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition      bottom}{.bot}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition        left}{.lft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition       right}{.rt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition   upperleft}{.ulft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition     topleft}{.ulft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition     lefttop}{.ulft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition  upperright}{.urt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition    topright}{.urt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition    righttop}{.urt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition   lowerleft}{.llft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition  bottomleft}{.llft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition  leftbottom}{.llft}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition  lowerright}{.lrt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition bottomright}{.lrt}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesposition rightbottom}{.lrt}
+\letcsname\??metanodesposition            \endcsname\empty
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition         top\endcsname{.top}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition      bottom\endcsname{.bot}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition        left\endcsname{.lft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition       right\endcsname{.rt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition   upperleft\endcsname{.ulft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition     topleft\endcsname{.ulft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition     lefttop\endcsname{.ulft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition  upperright\endcsname{.urt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition    topright\endcsname{.urt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition    righttop\endcsname{.urt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition   lowerleft\endcsname{.llft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition  bottomleft\endcsname{.llft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition  leftbottom\endcsname{.llft}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition  lowerright\endcsname{.lrt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition bottomright\endcsname{.lrt}
+\defcsname\??metanodesposition rightbottom\endcsname{.lrt}
 
 \def\grph_nodes_fromto_indeed[#1,#2][#3]% we can't group because etoksapp doesn't like that
   {\begingroup
@@ -219,16 +219,18 @@
      ;%
    }}}
 
-\setvalue{\??metanodesalternative             }{draw}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesalternative        arrow}{drawarrow}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesalternative  doublearrow}{drawdblarrow}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesalternative doublearrows}{drawdoublearrows}
+\defcsname\??metanodesalternative             \endcsname{draw}
+\defcsname\??metanodesalternative        arrow\endcsname{drawarrow}
+\defcsname\??metanodesalternative  doublearrow\endcsname{drawdblarrow}
+\defcsname\??metanodesalternative doublearrows\endcsname{drawdoublearrows}
 
-\setvalue{\??metanodesoption                  }{}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesoption            dashed}{dashed evenly}
-\setvalue{\??metanodesoption            dotted}{dashed withdots scaled .5}
+\defcsname\??metanodesoption                  \endcsname{}
+\defcsname\??metanodesoption            dashed\endcsname{dashed evenly}
+\defcsname\??metanodesoption            dotted\endcsname{dashed withdots scaled .5}
 
-\aliased\let\connectnodes\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\connectnodes
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\mpcode
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\nodeMPcode
 
 \appendtoks
    \enforced\let\connectnodes\grph_nodes_fromto
@@ -237,9 +239,6 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\grph_nodes_code#1%
   {\etoksapp\t_meta_nodes{#1}}
 
-\aliased\let\mpcode    \relax
-\aliased\let\nodeMPcode\relax
-
 \appendtoks
    \enforced\let\nodeMPcode\grph_nodes_code
    \enforced\let\mpcode    \grph_nodes_code
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-tex.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-tex.mkxl
index 5c58240a1..8642f94ff 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-tex.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/meta-tex.mkxl
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@
 
 \unprotect
 
-% Ok, we support this in MkIV because Mojca kept the pressure on. It
-% looks a bit like a hack. But in fact this method is obsolete and
-% eventually might go away.
+%D Ok, we support this in MkIV because Mojca kept the pressure on. It looks a bit
+%D like a hack. But in fact this method is obsolete and eventually might go away.
 
 \installcorenamespace{graphictextext}
 \installcorenamespace{graphictexdepth}
@@ -26,7 +25,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startTeXtexts#1\stopTeXtexts
   {#1}
 
-\aliased\let\stopTeXtexts\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopTeXtexts
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\TeXtext[#1]#:#2#3% contrary to mkii we don't process yet but we do expand
   {\xdefcsname\??graphictextext#2\endcsname{\meta_textext_indeed{#1}{#3}}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pdf.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pdf.mkxl
index 6ded23514..d8b800ba1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pdf.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pdf.mkxl
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
    \global\MPurx   \zeropoint
    \global\MPury   \zeropoint}
 
-\aliased\let\popMPboundingbox\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\popMPboundingbox
 
 \permanent\protected\def\pushMPboundingbox
   {\enforced\permanent\protected\edef\popMPboundingbox
@@ -88,14 +88,23 @@
 
 % MPLIB specific:
 
+% \permanent\protected\def\startMPLIBtoPDF#1#2#3#4%
+%   {\meta_process_graphic_figure_start
+%    \dostarttagged\t!mpgraphic\empty
+%    \naturalhpack attr \imageattribute \plusone \bgroup
+%    \dousecolorparameter\s!black\forcecolorhack
+%    \setMPboundingbox{#1}{#2}{#3}{#4}%
+%    \setbox\MPbox\vpack\bgroup
+%  % \forgetall % already done elsewhere
+%    \noindent} % forces the proper cm in the backend
+
 \permanent\protected\def\startMPLIBtoPDF#1#2#3#4%
   {\meta_process_graphic_figure_start
    \dostarttagged\t!mpgraphic\empty
    \naturalhpack attr \imageattribute \plusone \bgroup
-   \dousecolorparameter\s!black\forcecolorhack
+   \dousecolorparameter\s!black
    \setMPboundingbox{#1}{#2}{#3}{#4}%
    \setbox\MPbox\vpack\bgroup
- % \forgetall % already done elsewhere
    \noindent} % forces the proper cm in the backend
 
 \permanent\protected\def\stopMPLIBtoPDF
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.lmt b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.lmt
index 1ed98bdf3..6f38f30ff 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.lmt
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.lmt
@@ -1021,7 +1021,9 @@ local tx_reset, tx_process  do
         end
     end
 
-    local fasttrack = directives.register("metapost.text.fasttrack", function(v) fasttrack = v end)
+    local fasttrack = true
+
+    directives.register("metapost.text.fasttrack", function(v) fasttrack = v end)
 
     tx_process = function(object,prescript,before,after)
         local data  = top.texdata[metapost.properties.number] -- the current figure number, messy
@@ -1048,14 +1050,14 @@ local tx_reset, tx_process  do
             local mp_text = top.texstrings[mp_index]
             local mp_hash = prescript.tx_cache
             local box
-local donebox = fasttrack and top.textexts[mp_index]
+            local donebox = fasttrack and top.textexts[mp_index]
             if mp_hash == "no" then
-if donebox then
-    box = copylist(donebox)
-else
-                texrunlocal("mptexttoks")
-                box = textakebox("mptextbox")
-end
+                if donebox then
+                    box = copylist(donebox)
+                else
+                    texrunlocal("mptexttoks")
+                    box = textakebox("mptextbox")
+                end
             else
                 local cache = data.texhash
                 if mp_hash then
@@ -1087,12 +1089,12 @@ end
                 if box then
                     box = copylist(box)
                 else
-if donebox then
-    box = copylist(donebox)
-else
-                    texrunlocal("mptexttoks")
-                    box = textakebox("mptextbox")
-end
+                    if donebox then
+                        box = copylist(donebox)
+                    else
+                        texrunlocal("mptexttoks")
+                        box = textakebox("mptextbox")
+                    end
                     cache[mp_hash] = box
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.mkxl
index 75ebcff67..00ab5281d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/mlib-pps.mkxl
@@ -76,15 +76,24 @@
 
 \aliased\let\MPLIBsettextX\MPLIBsetNtextX
 
+% \permanent\permanent\protected\def\MPLIBgettextscaled#1#2#3%  why a copy .. can be used more often
+%   {\clf_mpgettext\MPtextbox #1%
+%    \vpack to \zeropoint
+%      {\vss
+%      %\hpack to \zeropoint \s!container
+%       \hcontainer to \zeropoint
+%         {\scale
+%           [\c!sx=#2,\c!sy=#3]%
+%           {\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}\forcecolorhack\hss}}}
+
 \permanent\permanent\protected\def\MPLIBgettextscaled#1#2#3%  why a copy .. can be used more often
   {\clf_mpgettext\MPtextbox #1%
    \vpack to \zeropoint
      {\vss
-     %\hpack to \zeropoint \s!container
       \hcontainer to \zeropoint
         {\scale
           [\c!sx=#2,\c!sy=#3]%
-          {\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}\forcecolorhack\hss}}}
+          {\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}\hss}}}
 
 \let\mlib_sx\!!zerocount % set at the lua end
 \let\mlib_sy\!!zerocount % set at the lua end
@@ -99,24 +108,37 @@
 
 % horrible (we could inline scale and matrix code):
 
+% \permanent\protected\def\MPLIBgettextscaledcm#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9% 2-7: sx,rx,ry,sy,tx,ty
+%   {\clf_mpgettext\MPtextbox #1%
+%    \setbox\MPbox\hpack\bgroup
+%      \dotransformnextbox{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}{#7}% does push pop ... will be changed to proper lua call (avoid small numbers)
+%        \vpack to \zeropoint\bgroup
+%           \vss
+%          %\hpack to \zeropoint \s!container \bgroup
+%           \hcontainer to \zeropoint \bgroup
+%            % \scale[\c!sx=#8,\c!sy=#9]{\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}%
+%            % \scale[\c!sx=#8,\c!sy=#9,\c!depth=\v!no]{\box\MPtextbox}%
+%              \fastsxsy{#8}{#9}{\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}%
+%              % This gives: LuaTeX warning: Misplaced \pdfrestore .. don't ask me why.
+%              % but I'll retry it some day soon.
+%              % \dostartscaling{#8}{#9}%
+%              %   \raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox
+%              % \dostopscaling
+%              \forcecolorhack % can go away ... already in the scale macro
+%              \hss
+%          \egroup
+%        \egroup
+%    \egroup
+%    \smashbox\MPbox
+%    \box\MPbox}
+
 \permanent\protected\def\MPLIBgettextscaledcm#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9% 2-7: sx,rx,ry,sy,tx,ty
   {\clf_mpgettext\MPtextbox #1%
    \setbox\MPbox\hpack\bgroup
      \dotransformnextbox{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}{#7}% does push pop ... will be changed to proper lua call (avoid small numbers)
        \vpack to \zeropoint\bgroup
-          \vss
-         %\hpack to \zeropoint \s!container \bgroup
-          \hcontainer to \zeropoint \bgroup
-           % \scale[\c!sx=#8,\c!sy=#9]{\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}%
-           % \scale[\c!sx=#8,\c!sy=#9,\c!depth=\v!no]{\box\MPtextbox}%
-             \fastsxsy{#8}{#9}{\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}%
-             % This gives: LuaTeX warning: Misplaced \pdfrestore .. don't ask me why.
-             % but I'll retry it some day soon.
-             % \dostartscaling{#8}{#9}%
-             %   \raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox
-             % \dostopscaling
-             \forcecolorhack % can go away ... already in the scale macro
-             \hss
+          \vss \hcontainer to \zeropoint \bgroup
+             \fastsxsy{#8}{#9}{\raise\dp\MPtextbox\box\MPtextbox}\hss
          \egroup
        \egroup
    \egroup
@@ -207,7 +229,7 @@
    \box\scratchbox
    \endgroup}
 
-\aliased\let\MPLIBstopgroup\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\MPLIBstopgroup
 
 \permanent\protected\def\MPLIBstartgroup#1#2#3#4#5#6% isolated 0/1, knockout 0/1 llx lly urx ury
   {\begingroup
@@ -253,8 +275,7 @@
    \dp\nextbox\zeropoint
    \normalexpanded{\ifnum#6=\zerocount\hpos{mp-pattern-#1}\fi}{\box\nextbox}}
 
-\permanent\protected\def\MPLIBstopgetpattern
-  {}
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\MPLIBstopgetpattern
 
 % For now here ... will be cleaned up:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/node-syn.lmt b/tex/context/base/mkxl/node-syn.lmt
index 79ffced25..1842da5c4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/node-syn.lmt
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/node-syn.lmt
@@ -877,17 +877,23 @@ end
 implement {
     name      = "synctexblockfilename",
     arguments = "string",
+    protected = true,
+    public    = true,
     actions   = synctex.blockfilename,
 }
 
 implement {
     name      = "synctexsetfilename",
     arguments = "string",
+    protected = true,
+    public    = true,
     actions   = synctex.setfilename,
 }
 
 implement {
     name      = "synctexresetfilename",
+    protected = true,
+    public    = true,
     actions   = synctex.resetfilename,
 }
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/pack-rul.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/pack-rul.mkxl
index b87547472..36266bc98 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/pack-rul.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/pack-rul.mkxl
@@ -1003,24 +1003,23 @@
 
 \defineinterfaceconstant {fr!analyze} {fr:analyze} % private option
 
-\aliased\let\delayedbegstrut\relax
-\aliased\let\delayedendstrut\relax
-\aliased\let\delayedstrut   \relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\delayedbegstrut
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\delayedendstrut
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\delayedstrut
 
-\mutable\let\localoffset\empty
-\mutable\let\localwidth \empty
-\mutable\let\localheight\empty
-\mutable\let\localformat\empty
-\mutable\let\localstrut \empty
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\localbegstrut
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\localendstrut
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\localstrut
+
+\mutable\let\localoffset \empty
+\mutable\let\localwidth  \empty
+\mutable\let\localheight \empty
+\mutable\let\localformat \empty
 
 \mutable\let\framedwidth \empty
 \mutable\let\framedheight\empty
 \mutable\let\framedoffset\empty
 
-\aliased\let\localbegstrut\relax
-\aliased\let\localendstrut\relax
-\aliased\let\localstrut   \relax
-
 % better a constant:
 
 \newconditional\c_pack_resync
@@ -1166,9 +1165,9 @@
    \fi
    % the next check could move to strutalternative
    \ifcase\c_framed_has_strut % none (not even noindent)
-     \enforced\let\localbegstrut\relax
-     \enforced\let\localendstrut\relax
-     \enforced\let\localstrut   \relax
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localbegstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localendstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localstrut
    \or % no / overlay
      \enforced\let\localbegstrut\pseudobegstrut
      \enforced\let\localendstrut\pseudoendstrut
@@ -1179,16 +1178,16 @@
      \enforced\let\localstrut   \strut
    \fi
    \ifx\p_framed_autostrut\v!yes
-     \enforced\let\delayedbegstrut\relax
-     \enforced\let\delayedendstrut\relax
-     \enforced\let\delayedstrut   \relax
+     \enforced\lettonothing\delayedbegstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\delayedendstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\delayedstrut
    \else
-     \enforced\let\delayedbegstrut\localbegstrut
-     \enforced\let\delayedendstrut\localendstrut
-     \enforced\let\delayedstrut   \localstrut
-     \enforced\let\localbegstrut  \relax
-     \enforced\let\localendstrut  \relax
-     \enforced\let\localstrut     \relax
+     \enforced\let          \delayedbegstrut\localbegstrut
+     \enforced\let          \delayedendstrut\localendstrut
+     \enforced\let          \delayedstrut   \localstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localbegstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localendstrut
+     \enforced\lettonothing\localstrut
    \fi
    \ifconditional\c_framed_has_height
      \enforced\let\\\pack_framed_vboxed_newline
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/spac-ver.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/spac-ver.mkxl
index 1e630c5bf..413f03d36 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/spac-ver.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/spac-ver.mkxl
@@ -1356,10 +1356,10 @@
 
 \newcount\c_spac_keep_lines_together
 
-\permanent\lettonothing\restoreinterlinepenalty
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\restoreinterlinepenalty
 
 \protected\def\spac_penalties_restore
-  {\enforced\glettonothing\restoreinterlinepenalty
+  {\enforced\protected\glettonothing\restoreinterlinepenalty
    \overloaded\global\resetpenalties\interlinepenalties
    \global\c_spac_keep_lines_together\zerocount}
 
@@ -2303,7 +2303,7 @@
 
 \installcorenamespace{fixedalternatives}
 
-\aliased\let\stopfixed\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopfixed
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startfixed
   {\bgroup
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-ref.mklx b/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-ref.mklx
index f3a90ed67..3b21ca07a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-ref.mklx
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-ref.mklx
@@ -1588,7 +1588,7 @@
      \expandafter\strc_references_start_goto_nop
    \fi}
 
-\aliased\let\stopgoto\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopgoto
 
 \permanent\protected\def\strc_references_start_goto_nop
   {\enforced\let\stopgoto\strc_references_stop_goto_nop}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-sbe.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-sbe.mkxl
index d3141d28b..f301583ec 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-sbe.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/strc-sbe.mkxl
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@
   {\strc_sectionblock_define_normal[#1][#3]%
   %\expandafter\newif\csname if#2\endcsname % obsolete
    \strc_sectionblock_set_environment{#1}\empty
-   \frozen\setuvalue{\e!start#2}{\startsectionblock[#1]}%
-   \frozen\setuvalue{\e!stop #2}{\stopsectionblock}}
+   \frozen\protected\defcsname\e!start#2\endcsname{\startsectionblock[#1]}%
+   \frozen\protected\defcsname\e!stop #2\endcsname{\stopsectionblock}}
 
 \ifdefined \resetallstructuremarks \else
     \let\resetallstructuremarks\relax
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 \installcorenamespace{sectionblockenvironment}
 
 \protected\def\strc_sectionblock_set_environment#1#2%
-  {\setvalue{\??sectionblockenvironment#1}{#2}}
+  {\defcsname\??sectionblockenvironment#1\endcsname{#2}}
 
 \protected\def\strc_sectionblock_get_environment#1%
   {\csname\??sectionblockenvironment#1\endcsname}
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\setvalue{\e!start\v!sectionblockenvironment}[#1]% evt \pushendofline \popendofline
   {\grabuntil{\e!stop\v!sectionblockenvironment}{\strc_sectionblock_set_environment{#1}}}
 
-\aliased\letvalue{\e!stop\v!sectionblockenvironment}\relax
-
+\permanent\protected\expandafter\lettonothing\csname\e!stop\v!sectionblockenvironment\endcsname
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/supp-box.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/supp-box.mkxl
index 751293383..0d0f90cf3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/supp-box.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/supp-box.mkxl
@@ -1943,7 +1943,7 @@
    \enforced\aliased\let\stopoverlay\egroup
    \processboxes\syst_boxes_overlay_process}
 
-\aliased\let\stopoverlay\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopoverlay
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {fakebox}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-aux.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-aux.mkxl
index fea524bee..1349385a9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-aux.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-aux.mkxl
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@
 
 %D We're definitely in \LMTX\ mode here.
 
-\aliased  \let\startlmtxmode\relax
-\aliased  \let\stoplmtxmode \relax
-\permanent\def\startmkivmode#-\stopmkivmode{}
-\permanent\let\stopmkivmode \relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\startlmtxmode
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoplmtxmode
+\permanent                   \def\startmkivmode#-\stopmkivmode{}
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopmkivmode
 
 %D As we don't have namespace definers yet, we use a special one. Later we will
 %D do a better job.
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@
 \permanent\protected\def\startexpanded#1\stopexpanded
   {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_expanded{#1}\m_syst_helpers_expanded}
 
-\aliased\let\stopexpanded\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopexpanded
 
 %D Recent \TEX\ engines have a primitive \type {\expanded} and we will use that when
 %D possible. After all, we can make not expandable macros now. The name clash is an
@@ -924,8 +924,8 @@
   {\def\syst_helpers_comma_list_step##1{\def\currentcommalistitem{##1}#2}%
    \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}\syst_helpers_comma_list_step}
 
-\aliased\let\stopprocesscommalist   \relax
-\aliased\let\stopprocesscommacommand\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopprocesscommalist
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopprocesscommacommand
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {processaction,
@@ -1660,13 +1660,13 @@
   {\def\currentassignmentlistcommand##1##2{\def\currentassignmentlistkey{##1}\def\currentassignmentlistvalue{##2}#2}%
    \processassignmentlist[#1]\currentassignmentlistcommand}
 
-\aliased\let\stopprocessassignmentlist\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopprocessassignmentlist
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startprocessassignmentcommand[#1]#2\stopprocessassignmentcommand
   {\def\currentassignmentlistcommand##1##2{\def\currentassignmentlistkey{##1}\def\currentassignmentlistvalue{##2}#2}%
    \normalexpanded{\processassignmentlist[#1]}\currentassignmentlistcommand}
 
-\aliased\let\stopprocessassignmentcommand\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopprocessassignmentcommand
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {currentvalue}
@@ -2972,7 +2972,7 @@
   {\catcode\endoflineasciicode\ignorecatcode%
    \clf_texdefinition_one{#1}}
 
-\aliased\glet\stoptexdefinition\relax
+\permanent\protected\glettonothing\stoptexdefinition
 
 \permanent\gdef\dostarttexdefinition#1\stoptexdefinition%
   {\egroup%
@@ -4452,8 +4452,8 @@
 
 \newtoks \collectingtoks
 
-\aliased\let\stopcollect        \relax
-\aliased\let\stopexpandedcollect\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopcollect
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopexpandedcollect
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startcollect        #1\stopcollect        {\toksapp \collectingtoks{#1}}
 \permanent\protected\def\startexpandedcollect#1\stopexpandedcollect{\etoksapp\collectingtoks{#1}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-ini.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-ini.mkxl
index d87277657..beda7c081 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-ini.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/syst-ini.mkxl
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@
 \aliased\let\newconditional\setfalse
 \aliased\let\ifconditional \ifcase
 
-\aliased\let\then\relax % so that we can say: \ifnum1>2\then -)
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\then % so that we can say: \ifnum1>2\then -)
 
 \permanent\def\truecondition {\iftrue}
 \permanent\def\falsecondition{\iffalse}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-com.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-com.mkxl
index bdae8711b..97c497eac 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-com.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-com.mkxl
@@ -19,70 +19,70 @@
 
 % maybe frozen instead
 
-\permanent\let\AR\relax
-\permanent\let\BA\relax
-\permanent\let\BC\relax
-\permanent\let\BH\relax
-\permanent\let\BL\relax
-\permanent\let\BR\relax
-\permanent\let\CC\relax
-\permanent\let\CL\relax
-\permanent\let\CM\relax
-\permanent\let\CR\relax
-\permanent\let\DB\relax
-\permanent\let\DC\relax
-\permanent\let\DL\relax
-\permanent\let\DR\relax
-\permanent\let\DV\relax
-\permanent\let\EH\relax
-\permanent\let\EQ\relax
-\permanent\let\ER\relax
-\permanent\let\FB\relax
-\permanent\let\FL\relax
-\permanent\let\FR\relax
-\permanent\let\HC\relax
-\permanent\let\HL\relax
-\permanent\let\HQ\relax
-\permanent\let\HR\relax
-\permanent\let\LB\relax
-\permanent\let\LC\relax
-\permanent\let\LT\relax
-\permanent\let\LL\relax
-\permanent\let\LR\relax
-\permanent\let\MC\relax
-\permanent\let\ML\relax
-\permanent\let\MR\relax
-\permanent\let\NA\relax
-\permanent\let\NB\relax
-\permanent\let\NC\relax
-\permanent\let\ND\relax
-\permanent\let\NF\relax
-\permanent\let\NG\relax
-\permanent\let\NI\relax
-\permanent\let\NL\relax
-\permanent\let\NN\relax
-\permanent\let\NP\relax
-\permanent\let\NR\relax
-\permanent\let\PB\relax
-\permanent\let\RC\relax
-\permanent\let\RQ\relax
-\permanent\let\SL\relax
-\permanent\let\SM\relax
-\permanent\let\SR\relax
-\permanent\let\TB\relax
-\permanent\let\TL\relax
-\permanent\let\TR\relax
-\permanent\let\VL\relax
-\permanent\let\VC\relax
-\permanent\let\VD\relax
-\permanent\let\VN\relax
-\permanent\let\VS\relax
-\permanent\let\VT\relax
-\permanent\let\XC\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\AR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\BA
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\BC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\BH
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\BL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\BR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\CC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\CL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\CM
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\CR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\DB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\DC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\DL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\DR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\DV
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\EH
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\EQ
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\ER
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\FB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\FL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\FR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\HC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\HL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\HQ
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\HR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\LB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\LC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\LT
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\LL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\LR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\MC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\ML
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\MR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NA
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\ND
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NF
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NG
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NI
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NN
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NP
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\NR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\PB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\RC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\RQ
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\SL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\SM
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\SR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\TB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\TL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\TR
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VL
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VD
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VN
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VS
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\VT
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\XC
 
-\permanent\let\FC\relax
-\permanent\let\RB\relax
-\permanent\let\RT\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\FC
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\RB
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\RT
 
 \popoverloadmode
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-ntb.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-ntb.mkxl
index 4c77aded8..02caa6caf 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-ntb.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-ntb.mkxl
@@ -444,9 +444,9 @@
 
 \protected\def\tabl_ntb_cell_process#1#2[#3]{}
 
-\permanent\protected\def\bTC#1\eTC{\bTD#1\eTD} \aliased\let\eTC\relax
-\permanent\protected\def\bTX#1\eTX{\bTD#1\eTD} \aliased\let\eTX\relax
-\permanent\protected\def\bTY#1\eTY{\bTR#1\eTR} \aliased\let\eTY\relax
+\permanent\protected\def\bTC#1\eTC{\bTD#1\eTD} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTC
+\permanent\protected\def\bTX#1\eTX{\bTD#1\eTD} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTX
+\permanent\protected\def\bTY#1\eTY{\bTR#1\eTR} \permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTY
 
 \let\tabl_ntb_parameters_get\setupcurrentnaturaltablelocal
 
@@ -940,10 +940,10 @@
 
 % to be done: head <raw> foot, dus state var
 
-\aliased\let\eTABLEhead\relax
-\aliased\let\eTABLEnext\relax
-\aliased\let\eTABLEbody\relax
-\aliased\let\eTABLEfoot\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTABLEhead
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTABLEnext
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTABLEbody
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\eTABLEfoot
 
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\bTABLEhead[#1]#:#2\eTABLEhead{\appendtoks\tabl_ntb_section[#1]{#2}\to\t_tabl_ntb_head}
 \permanent\tolerant\protected\def\bTABLEnext[#1]#:#2\eTABLEnext{\appendtoks\tabl_ntb_section[#1]{#2}\to\t_tabl_ntb_next}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-tab.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-tab.mkxl
index 547ff93ff..e63492984 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-tab.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-tab.mkxl
@@ -1640,13 +1640,15 @@
 %D (grouped) if needed. The rather complicated definition below is due to the fact
 %D that the stopcondition is interface language dependant.
 
+%D This is so old ... adapting it to use tolerant might break something:
+
 \let\tabl_table_head\empty % needs checking
 \let\tabl_table_tail\empty % needs checking
 
-\letvalue{\e!start\v!tablehead}\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
-\letvalue{\e!stop \v!tablehead}\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
-\letvalue{\e!start\v!tabletail}\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
-\letvalue{\e!stop \v!tabletail}\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
+\letcsname\e!start\v!tablehead\endcsname\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
+\letcsname\e!stop \v!tablehead\endcsname\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
+\letcsname\e!start\v!tabletail\endcsname\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
+\letcsname\e!stop \v!tabletail\endcsname\relax % todo: frozen, but we use a grabber
 
 %D The second argument is a dummy one, by scanning for it, we get rid of
 %D interfering spaces.
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-xtb.mklx b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-xtb.mklx
index 9cce05f18..ba144c322 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-xtb.mklx
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/tabl-xtb.mklx
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@
 
 % \permanent\protected\aliased\startxtable\tabl_x_start_table
 
-\aliased\permanent\let\stopxtable\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopxtable
 
 % These direct buffers can be somewhat faster but it's probably neglectable.
 % Anyway, no nesting is supported as we then need to catch (e.g.) rows and keep
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
    \edef\tabl_x_current_buffer{embedded_x_table}%
    \tabl_x_process}
 
-\aliased\permanent\let\stopembeddedxtable\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopembeddedxtable
 
 %D We can also define xtables.
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/toks-aux.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/toks-aux.mkxl
index 4563014ec..ed063f8db 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/toks-aux.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/toks-aux.mkxl
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
    \fi
    \toksapp\lastnamedcs{#2}}
 
-\aliased\let\stoptokenlist\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stoptokenlist
 
 \permanent\def\gettokenlist[#1]%
   {\ifcsname\??tokenlist#1\endcsname
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/trac-ctx.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/trac-ctx.mkxl
index 3410c5ea9..5d760598b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/trac-ctx.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/trac-ctx.mkxl
@@ -27,19 +27,19 @@
     \clf_initializetexexperiments
 \to \everyjob
 
-\pushoverloadmode
-
-\let\syst_beginsimplegroup_yes\beginsimplegroup
-\let\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop\bgroup
-
-\let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop
-
-\installtexexperiment
-  {simplegroups}
-  {\enforced\let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_yes}
-  {\enforced\let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop}
-
-\popoverloadmode
+% \pushoverloadmode
+%
+% \let\syst_beginsimplegroup_yes\beginsimplegroup
+% \let\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop\bgroup
+%
+% \let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop
+%
+% \installtexexperiment
+%   {simplegroups}
+%   {\enforced\let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_yes}
+%   {\enforced\let\beginsimplegroup\syst_beginsimplegroup_nop}
+%
+% \popoverloadmode
 
 \protect \endinput
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-del.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-del.mkxl
index 4b8540368..850eb0cc2 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-del.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-del.mkxl
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@
    \begingroup
    \dostarttaggedchained\t!delimited\currentdelimitedtext\??delimitedtext
  % \usedlanguageparameter{\c!left\currentparentdelimitedtext}% was: \currentdelimitedtext
-   \usedlanguageparameter{\c!left\currentparentdelimitedtextparent}% was: \currentdelimitedtext
+   \usedlanguageparameter{\c!left\currentdelimitedtextparent}%
    \usedelimitedtextstyleandcolor\c!style\c!color
    \typo_delimited_start_content
    \bgroup
@@ -858,7 +858,7 @@
 \def\typo_delimited_fontdriven_e
   {\typo_delimited_stop_content
  % \usedlanguageparameter{\c!right\currentparentdelimitedtext}% was: \currentdelimitedtext
-   \usedlanguageparameter{\c!right\currendelimitedtextparent}% was: \currentdelimitedtext
+   \usedlanguageparameter{\c!right\currentdelimitedtextparent}%
    \dostoptagged
    \typo_delimited_pop
    \endgroup}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-shp.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-shp.mkxl
index 6201012fe..0f6fdc933 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-shp.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-shp.mkxl
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
    \c!voffset=\zeropoint,
    \c!distance=\zeropoint]
 
-\aliased\let\stopparagraphshape\relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopparagraphshape
 
 \permanent\protected\def\startparagraphshape[#1]#2\stopparagraphshape
   {\gdefcsname\??parshapes#1\endcsname{#2}} % global
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-tal.mkxl b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-tal.mkxl
index d96d1348b..6ab888ce7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-tal.mkxl
+++ b/tex/context/base/mkxl/typo-tal.mkxl
@@ -212,7 +212,8 @@
    \resetcharacteralign
    \egroup}
 
-\aliased\let\stopcharacteralign \relax
+\permanent\protected\lettonothing\stopcharacteralign
+
 \aliased\let\checkcharacteralign\gobbleoneargument
 
 \permanent\protected\def\setfirstpasscharacteralign {\enforced\let\checkcharacteralign\gobbleoneargument}