From e5babf413dc754ede445a61ebbca250779bc6576 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Lilleman auf Larv <lilleman@larvit.se>
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2026 21:39:06 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] Answer architecture round 3, stability round 2, product-owner
 round 2 and prose round 1: the CLI renders exactly the template on stdin and
 adds nothing, --separator defaults to empty, whitespace around JSON is
 dropped, a lone reference under --format allows one newline, a blank stdin is
 refused, an unexpected argument names the spelling to use, and the prose
 names one lone reference

---
 AGENTS.md                  |   6 +-
 CHANGELOG.md               |  10 +--
 README.md                  |  54 +++++++-------
 cmd/fejkdata/main.go       | 147 ++++++++++++++++++-------------------
 cmd/fejkdata/main_test.go  |  88 +++++++++++-----------
 docs/decisions.md          |  44 ++++++-----
 internal/grammar/format.go |   2 +-
 namefence.go               |   3 +-
 todo.md                    |  16 ++--
 9 files changed, 188 insertions(+), 182 deletions(-)

diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index e8d5aaa..171950d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ In [docs/decisions.md](docs/decisions.md):
 - Options and fields share one namespace
 - `{a|b}` stays beside nested choices
 - Flags follow getopt_long
-- A struct tag is a template by its shape, not by a flag
-- The CLI renders the template on its stdin, keeping a format string's every byte
-- A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save the CLI's lone reference until item 129
+- A struct tag is a template by its shape
+- The CLI renders exactly the template on its stdin, and adds nothing
+- A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save a lone reference under the CLI's `--format` until item 129
 - A padded JSON template is rejected, not trimmed
 - `FakeTemplate` and `NewTemplate` both stay
 - The shipped data is embedded, not discovered
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3a28cb5..6508fe9 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ replacement, and each removed path, column or flag.
   operand: `{/misc.coordinate.lat as lat}{calc(lat * 60)}`. What `New` refuses is listed
   under [Names](README.md#names).
 - First release: the CLI, the library and the shipped data set.
-- The CLI renders the template on its stdin, `echo '{/sv_SE.person} hihi' | fejkdata`,
-  and takes no operand. A format string keeps every byte, `echo`'s newline included; a
-  JSON template or one reference alone drops one newline ending stdin, `\n` or `\r\n`.
-  One reference alone, `{/users}`, is the record `users` under `--format`. An operand,
-  or nothing piped in, exits 2.
+- The CLI renders exactly the template on its stdin, `echo '{/sv_SE.person} hihi' |
+  fejkdata`, and adds nothing: `echo`'s newline ends the render, and `--separator`
+  defaults to empty. Whitespace around a JSON template is dropped. A lone reference,
+  `{/users}`, is the record `users` under `--format`. An argument other than a flag, an
+  empty stdin, or nothing piped in, exits 2.
 - Table categories: a category JSON naming a `rows` TSV beside it, with the options
   `key`, `name`, `weight` and `parent`; a path selects a row by key or name,
   `misc.territory[SE]`, and descends to a linked table by name, one path drawing each
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 72d5feb..80bb93c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,19 +12,20 @@ echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata   # Sara Eriksson
 ## CLI
 
 ```sh
-echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata                       # Sara Eriksson
-echo '{/sv_SE.person.last}' | fejkdata                  # Eriksson
-echo '{/sv_SE.person} hihi' | fejkdata                  # Sara Eriksson hihi, then echo's newline
-echo '{/sv_SE.address}' | fejkdata --seed 42            # the same address every run
-echo '{/sv_SE.word}' | fejkdata -n 3 --separator ', '   # nät, barn, sol
-fejkdata --list                                         # every path the data offers
-echo '{/misc.territory[SE].capital}' | fejkdata         # Stockholm — a table's row, selected by key or name
-echo '{/geo.SE.locality[Lund].street}' | fejkdata       # Fjelievägen — a linked table, drawn inside the row
-echo '{/sv_SE.word}' | fejkdata --data-path ./mydata    # layer a directory over the shipped data
-fejkdata --no-shipped-data -d ./mydata --list           # only your data
-echo '{"format":"name: {x}","x":["bosse","lina"]}' | fejkdata   # name: bosse or name: lina
-fejkdata < template.txt                                 # a template kept in a file
-fejkdata <<'EOF'                                        # born 2003-11-27 — a quoted heredoc passes ', $ and \ as written
+echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata                        # Sara Eriksson
+echo '{/sv_SE.person.last}' | fejkdata                   # Eriksson
+echo '{/sv_SE.person} hihi' | fejkdata                   # Sara Eriksson hihi
+echo '{/sv_SE.address}' | fejkdata --seed 42             # the same address every run
+echo '{/sv_SE.word}' | fejkdata -n 3                     # nät, barn and sol, a line each
+printf '%s' '{/sv_SE.word}' | fejkdata -n 3 --separator ', '   # nät, barn, sol
+fejkdata --list                                          # every path the data offers
+echo '{/misc.territory[SE].capital}' | fejkdata          # Stockholm — a table's row, selected by key or name
+echo '{/geo.SE.locality[Lund].street}' | fejkdata        # Fjelievägen — a linked table, drawn inside the row
+echo '{/sv_SE.word}' | fejkdata --data-path ./mydata     # layer a directory over the shipped data
+fejkdata --no-shipped-data -d ./mydata --list            # only your data
+echo '{"format":"name: {x}\n","x":["bosse","lina"]}' | fejkdata   # name: bosse or name: lina
+fejkdata < template.txt                                  # a template kept in a file
+fejkdata <<'EOF'                                         # born 2003-11-27 — a quoted heredoc passes ', $ and \ as written
 born {date(1990-01-01,2010-12-31,'2006-01-02')}
 EOF
 ```
@@ -32,18 +33,19 @@ EOF
 fejkdata renders the template on its stdin: a format string, or a JSON object, array or
 string. Its `{…}` tokens reach the data by reference from the root,
 `{/sv_SE.person.last}`, so shipped and `--data-path` categories are alike available,
-and everything outside them prints as written; stdin that is JSON is read as JSON, so
-`42`, `true` or `null` alone is refused. A reference names a category, or a field
+and everything outside them prints as written. A reference names a category, or a field
 inside one: each dot segment descends one level — folders, then the category (a JSON
 file), then fields — and `[SE]` after a [table](#table) selects its row. `--list` prints
 these paths; a template reads one as `{/path}`.
 
-A format string keeps every byte of stdin, so `echo`'s newline renders too; `printf '%s'`
-leaves it out. A JSON template or one reference alone drops one newline ending stdin,
-`\n` or `\r\n`, which neither could print. One reference alone, `{/users}`, is the record
-`users` under `--format`. Some shells' `echo` reads a backslash as an escape, so pipe a
+What you send is what renders, and fejkdata adds nothing. A format string keeps every
+byte, so `echo`, a file or a heredoc ends each render with its newline, and `printf '%s'`
+sends none; `-n` joins renders with `--separator`, empty by default. A JSON template is
+its JSON, the whitespace around it dropped, so `42`, `true` or `null` alone is refused. A
+lone reference, one `{/…}` and nothing else, is the record it names under `--format`, one
+newline after it allowed. Some shells' `echo` reads a backslash as an escape, so pipe a
 template holding one from a quoted heredoc or a file. The rest of stdin's rules are under
-[Decisions](docs/decisions.md#the-cli-renders-the-template-on-its-stdin-keeping-a-format-strings-every-byte).
+[Decisions](docs/decisions.md#the-cli-renders-exactly-the-template-on-its-stdin-and-adds-nothing).
 
 | Flag | |
 |------|--|
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ template holding one from a quoted heredoc or a file. The rest of stdin's rules
 | `--no-shipped-data` | load only the `--data-path` directories |
 | `-s`, `--seed N` | same seed, version and data: identical output |
 | `-n`, `--repeat N` | render the template N times (up to 1048576), each an independent draw, streamed |
-| `--separator S` | between repeated values (default a newline) |
+| `--separator S` | between repeated renders (default empty) |
 | `--format F` | `text` (default), `json`, `ndjson`, `csv` or `sql` — a record's columns, one record per row (json frames them as an array) |
 | `--table T` | the INSERT target for `--format sql` (default: a lone reference's last segment, such as `users` for `{/users}`, else `records`) |
 | `--list` | print every path, then exit |
@@ -60,7 +62,8 @@ template holding one from a quoted heredoc or a file. The rest of stdin's rules
 `--name value` and `--name=value` both work, a short flag's value attaches or
 follows (`-n3`, `-n 3`) and short flags bundle (`-hn 3`) — see
 [Decisions](docs/decisions.md#flags-follow-getopt_long); flags go anywhere, `--` ends them. Exit codes: `0` success, `1` runtime error (missing
-dir, a lone reference to nothing), `2` misuse — a bad flag, an operand, nothing on stdin, or a
+dir, a lone reference to nothing under `--format`), `2` misuse — a bad flag, an argument
+other than a flag, an empty or unreadable stdin, nothing piped in, or a
 template that does not compile. From a checkout:
 `go run ./cmd/fejkdata …`.
 
@@ -113,8 +116,7 @@ echo '{/users}' | fejkdata --seed 1 -d ./mydata --format sql                # IN
 echo '{/users}' | fejkdata --seed 1 -d ./mydata --format sql --table people # INSERT into another table
 ```
 
-A record is one reference alone, `{/users}`, or a template whose fields are its
-columns. `--repeat` streams that many records — `json` frames them as one array document,
+`--repeat` streams that many records — `json` frames them as one array document,
 `ndjson` writes one object per line, `csv` a row after a header, `sql` one INSERT
 per line. Only a category-level template is a record; a field, choice or folder
 errors, and so does a `repeat` on
@@ -550,7 +552,7 @@ A name naming several rows is an error listing their keys, unless a row selected
 before it settles which ([Linked tables](#linked-tables)). A selector is part of the path, so it works
 wherever a path does: `Fake`, `FakeRecord`, a `{/misc.territory[SE].capital}` reference
 and a struct tag. A dot inside the brackets belongs to the key or name, so
-`city[St. Louis]` selects it. A path starts with a name, so `[SE]` alone selects nothing.
+`city[St. Louis]` selects it.
 
 ### Linked tables
 
@@ -996,7 +998,7 @@ internal/builtinfunc/ the {name()} functions: their checks and draws, checksums,
 internal/datafiles/ the walk of a data tree: its folders, its category files and the rows files beside them
 internal/datatype/ the datatype a record column holds; the root's DataType is an alias of it
 internal/drawstate/ the seeded randomness and the {seq()} counters a generator draws through
-internal/grammar/ how the template language is written: format tokens, paths and selectors, reference sigils, identifiers, calc syntax, and whether a struct tag is a template or a path
+internal/grammar/ how the template language is written: format tokens, paths and selectors, reference sigils, identifiers, calc syntax, and whether a string is a template or a path
 internal/invariant/ the one phrase every package panics with when an invariant breaks
 internal/proven/ what a proof knows of a value, and the bounds a calc takes from its operands
 internal/rows/  a table's rows: the TSV, the options proved over it, the links between tables, row selection and draws, and the pin set one path or one named pick fixes
diff --git a/cmd/fejkdata/main.go b/cmd/fejkdata/main.go
index 1b5cd48..f2d6048 100644
--- a/cmd/fejkdata/main.go
+++ b/cmd/fejkdata/main.go
@@ -28,38 +28,39 @@ const usage = `Usage: <template> | fejkdata [flags]
 fejkdata reads one template from stdin and renders it:
 
   echo 'name: {/sv_SE.person.last}' | fejkdata
-  echo '{"format":"{x}","x":["bosse","lina"]}' | fejkdata
+  echo '{"format":"{x}\n","x":["bosse","lina"]}' | fejkdata
   fejkdata < template.txt
-  fejkdata <<'EOF'
-  born {date(1990-01-01,2010-12-31,'2006-01-02')}
-  EOF
+
+fejkdata <<'EOF'
+born {date(1990-01-01,2010-12-31,'2006-01-02')}
+EOF
 
 A template is a format string, or a JSON object, array or string. Its {…} tokens
 reach the data by reference from the root, {/sv_SE.person.last}, whether the data
-is shipped or layered with --data-path; everything outside them prints as written,
-and stdin that is JSON is read as JSON, so 42, true or null alone is refused.
-A reference names a category or a dotted path into one ({/sv_SE.person.last}), a
-table's row by key or name ({/misc.territory[SE]}), and .. steps up from a row to
-the row it links to ({/geo.SE.locality..municipality.name}).
+is shipped or layered with --data-path. A reference names a category or a dotted
+path into one ({/sv_SE.person.last}), a table's row by key or name
+({/misc.territory[SE]}), and .. steps up from a row to the row it links to
+({/geo.SE.locality..municipality.name}).
 
-A format string keeps every byte of stdin, so echo's newline renders too. JSON and a
-lone reference drop one newline ending stdin, \n or \r\n, which neither could print.
-A quoted heredoc, <<'EOF', passes a template holding $, a backslash or a quote as
-written.
+What you send is what renders, and fejkdata adds nothing: a format string keeps
+every byte, so echo's newline ends each render, and printf '%s' sends none. -n
+joins renders with --separator, empty by default. A JSON template is its JSON, the
+whitespace around it dropped, so 42, true or null alone is refused. A quoted
+heredoc, <<'EOF', passes $, a backslash or a quote as written.
 
-With --format json, ndjson, csv or sql the template must name a record — a
-template whose fields are its columns, or one reference alone, {/sv_SE.person} —
-and the rows are written as one JSON array, one JSON object per line, one CSV row
-(after a header), or one INSERT.
+With --format json, ndjson, csv or sql the template must be a record — a JSON
+template whose fields are its columns, or a lone reference, {/sv_SE.person}, one
+newline after it allowed — and the rows are written as one JSON array, one JSON
+object per line, one CSV row (after a header), or one INSERT.
 
   -d, --data-path D      a data directory to layer over the shipped data (repeatable; last wins on a clash)
       --format F         output form: text (default), json, ndjson, csv or sql
   -h, --help             print this help, then exit
-      --list             list the paths the data offers, each one a reference's path, then exit
+      --list             list the paths the data offers, each one a reference from the root, then exit
       --no-shipped-data  load only the --data-path directories
   -n, --repeat N         render the template N times, 1..1048576 (default 1)
   -s, --seed N           same seed, version and data: identical output
-      --separator S      string between repeated values (default newline)
+      --separator S      string between repeated renders (default empty)
       --table T          the INSERT target for --format sql (default: a lone reference's last segment, else records)
       --version          print the version, then exit
 
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ func splitFlags(arg string) ([]flagArg, error) {
 }
 
 func parseArgs(argv []string) (invocation, error) {
-	in := invocation{repeat: 1, separator: "\n", format: "text"}
+	in := invocation{repeat: 1, format: "text"}
 	for i := 0; i < len(argv); i++ {
 		arg := argv[i]
 		if arg == "--" {
@@ -277,16 +278,21 @@ func (in invocation) checkFlags() error {
 
 const pipeHint = "echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata"
 
-// operandError refuses an operand, naming the spelling that reads what it most likely
-// means: stdin for -, a file for a file's name, else the template piped in.
+// operandError refuses an argument that is no flag, naming the spelling that reads what
+// it most likely means: stdin for -, a file for a file's name, else a template piped in.
 func operandError(arg string) error {
+	unexpected := "unexpected argument '" + arg + "'"
 	if arg == "-" {
-		return errors.New("fejkdata takes no operand, and reads stdin already; drop the -")
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s; stdin is read already, so drop it", unexpected)
 	}
 	if fi, err := os.Stat(arg); err == nil && fi.Mode().IsRegular() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("fejkdata takes no operand; read the file from stdin: fejkdata < %s", arg)
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s; read a file from stdin: fejkdata < %s", unexpected, shellQuoted(arg))
 	}
-	return fmt.Errorf("fejkdata takes no operand; pipe the template to stdin: %s", pipeHint)
+	example := pipeHint
+	if inline, err := fejkdata.IsTemplate(arg); !inline && err == nil {
+		example = "echo '{/" + arg + "}' | fejkdata"
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s; the template is read from stdin: %s", unexpected, example)
 }
 
 // check rejects a flag combination or an operand that cannot run, before any data is
@@ -318,50 +324,32 @@ func (in invocation) options() []fejkdata.Option {
 	return opts
 }
 
-// write streams the input's renders to w, repeat of them joined by the
-// separator and ended by a newline. A value that renders once renders every time,
-// so a render failure comes before anything is written; a write failure surfaces
-// from Flush, bufio keeping the first one.
+// write streams the input's renders to w, repeat of them joined by the separator. A
+// value that renders once renders every time, so a render failure comes before anything
+// is written; a write failure surfaces from Flush, bufio keeping the first one.
 func (in invocation) write(f *fejkdata.Generator, src input, w io.Writer) error {
 	if in.writesRecords() {
 		return in.writeRecords(f, src, w)
 	}
-	draw, err := textDraw(f, src)
+	t, err := f.NewTemplate(src.template)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return inputError{err}
 	}
 	out := bufio.NewWriter(w)
 	for i := 0; i < in.repeat; i++ {
-		v, err := draw()
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
 		if i > 0 {
 			out.WriteString(in.separator)
 		}
-		out.WriteString(v)
+		out.WriteString(t.Fake())
 	}
-	out.WriteString("\n")
 	return out.Flush()
 }
 
-// textDraw builds what one text render yields: the value, from a path or a template.
-func textDraw(f *fejkdata.Generator, src input) (func() (string, error), error) {
-	if src.path != "" {
-		return func() (string, error) { return f.Fake(src.path) }, nil
-	}
-	t, err := f.NewTemplate(src.template)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, inputError{err}
-	}
-	return func() (string, error) { return t.Fake(), nil }, nil
-}
-
 // recordStream builds the record drawer for the input, plus the INSERT table
 // a sql format names.
 func (in invocation) recordStream(f *fejkdata.Generator, src input) (func() (*fejkdata.Record, error), string, error) {
-	record := func() (*fejkdata.Record, error) { return f.FakeRecord(src.path) }
-	if src.path == "" {
+	record := func() (*fejkdata.Record, error) { return f.FakeRecord(src.record) }
+	if src.record == "" {
 		t, err := f.NewRecordTemplate(src.template)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, "", inputError{spacedReference(src.template, err)}
@@ -370,7 +358,7 @@ func (in invocation) recordStream(f *fejkdata.Generator, src input) (func() (*fe
 	}
 	table := in.table
 	if table == "" {
-		table = defaultTable(src.path)
+		table = defaultTable(src.record)
 	}
 	return record, table, nil
 }
@@ -411,7 +399,7 @@ func (in invocation) writeRecords(f *fejkdata.Generator, src input, w io.Writer)
 }
 
 // defaultTable names the INSERT target when --table is absent: the path's last
-// segment, or "records" for a template that reads no path alone.
+// segment, or "records" when stdin is not a lone reference.
 func defaultTable(path string) string {
 	if path == "" {
 		return "records"
@@ -438,38 +426,37 @@ type inputError struct{ error }
 
 func (e inputError) Unwrap() error { return e.error }
 
-// input is what stdin names: the path a lone reference reads, or else the template.
+// input is what stdin holds: the template, and the path a lone reference names as a
+// record.
 type input struct {
-	path     string
 	template string
+	record   string
 }
 
-// parseInput reads stdin's text. A format string keeps every byte; JSON or a lone
-// reference sheds one newline ending it, which neither could print.
+// parseInput reads stdin. A format string is its every byte; a JSON template sheds the
+// whitespace around it; a lone reference names a record less one newline ending it.
 func parseInput(raw string) (input, error) {
-	if raw == "" {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+	if trimmed == "" {
 		return input{}, fmt.Errorf("stdin holds no template: %s", pipeHint)
 	}
-	if text, found := strings.CutSuffix(raw, "\n"); found {
+	template := raw
+	if strings.ContainsRune(`{["`, rune(trimmed[0])) && json.Valid([]byte(trimmed)) {
+		template = trimmed
+	}
+	text, found := strings.CutSuffix(template, "\n")
+	if found {
 		text = strings.TrimSuffix(text, "\r")
-		if path, lone := loneReference(text); lone {
-			return input{path: path}, nil
-		}
-		if json.Valid([]byte(text)) {
-			return input{template: text}, nil
-		}
 	}
-	if path, lone := loneReference(raw); lone {
-		return input{path: path}, nil
-	}
-	return input{template: raw}, nil
+	record, _ := loneReference(text)
+	return input{template: template, record: record}, nil
 }
 
-// loneReference is the path that text, one reference from the root and nothing else,
-// reads: the path IsTemplate advises writing instead. A JSON string holding one is one.
+// loneReference returns the path that text reads when it is one reference from the root
+// and nothing else, bare or as a JSON string: the path IsTemplate advises writing instead.
 func loneReference(text string) (string, bool) {
 	var unquoted string
-	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &unquoted) == nil {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(text, `"`) && strings.HasSuffix(text, `"`) && json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &unquoted) == nil {
 		text = unquoted
 	}
 	if !strings.HasPrefix(text, "{/") || !strings.HasSuffix(text, "}") {
@@ -485,10 +472,10 @@ func loneReference(text string) (string, bool) {
 	return path, true
 }
 
-// spacedReference adds to err, a refusal of template as a record, that the whitespace
-// around a lone reference made it text, where it does.
+// spacedReference adds to a record refusal that whitespace around a lone reference made
+// the template text.
 func spacedReference(template string, err error) error {
-	if trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(template); trimmed != template {
+	if trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(template); trimmed != template && errors.Is(err, fejkdata.ErrNoColumns) {
 		if path, lone := loneReference(trimmed); lone {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%w; the whitespace around {/%s} makes it text, so remove it to write the record %s", err, path, path)
 		}
@@ -496,6 +483,14 @@ func spacedReference(template string, err error) error {
 	return err
 }
 
+// shellQuoted is s as a shell reads it back: bare where it holds nothing a shell expands.
+func shellQuoted(s string) string {
+	if s != "" && !strings.ContainsAny(s, " \t'\"$`\\*?[]{}()<>|&;#~!") {
+		return s
+	}
+	return "'" + strings.ReplaceAll(s, "'", `'\''`) + "'"
+}
+
 func main() {
 	var stdin io.Reader = os.Stdin
 	if fi, err := os.Stdin.Stat(); err == nil && fi.Mode()&os.ModeCharDevice != 0 {
@@ -512,7 +507,7 @@ func run(args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 		return misuse(stderr, err)
 	}
 	if in.help {
-		fmt.Fprint(stdout, usage)
+		io.WriteString(stdout, usage)
 		return 0
 	}
 	if in.version {
diff --git a/cmd/fejkdata/main_test.go b/cmd/fejkdata/main_test.go
index b6149ff..7acabad 100644
--- a/cmd/fejkdata/main_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fejkdata/main_test.go
@@ -36,11 +36,8 @@ func TestRunOutputsValue(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("run = %d, stderr=%q", code, errb)
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(out) == "" {
-		t.Fatalf("empty output, stderr=%q", errb)
-	}
-	if !strings.HasSuffix(out, "\n") {
-		t.Errorf("output should end with newline, got %q", out)
+	if out == "" || strings.Contains(out, "\n") {
+		t.Fatalf("output = %q, stderr=%q; want one value and nothing added", out, errb)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -93,7 +90,7 @@ func TestRunShortFlagValues(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("run(%v) = %q, want %q", args, got, want)
 		}
 	}
-	_, three, _ := runOut("{/word}", "-s", "1", "-n3", "-d", svSE)
+	_, three, _ := runOut("{/word}\n", "-s", "1", "-n3", "-d", svSE)
 	if lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimRight(three, "\n"), "\n"); len(lines) != 3 {
 		t.Errorf("-n3 gave %d lines: %q", len(lines), three)
 	}
@@ -177,7 +174,7 @@ func TestRunFlagValues(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunRepeat(t *testing.T) {
-	code, out, errb := runOut("{/word}", "--seed", "1", "--repeat", "3", "--data-path", svSE)
+	code, out, errb := runOut("{/word}\n", "--seed", "1", "--repeat", "3", "--data-path", svSE)
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("run = %d, stderr=%q", code, errb)
 	}
@@ -185,7 +182,7 @@ func TestRunRepeat(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(lines) != 3 {
 		t.Errorf("repeat=3 gave %d lines: %q", len(lines), out)
 	}
-	_, short, _ := runOut("{/word}", "--seed", "1", "-n", "3", "-d", svSE)
+	_, short, _ := runOut("{/word}\n", "--seed", "1", "-n", "3", "-d", svSE)
 	if short != out {
 		t.Errorf("-n 3 = %q, want the same as --repeat 3 %q", short, out)
 	}
@@ -196,8 +193,8 @@ func TestRunSeparator(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("run = %d, stderr=%q", code, errb)
 	}
-	if n := strings.Count(out, "\n"); n != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("want one trailing newline, got %d: %q", n, out)
+	if n := strings.Count(out, "\n"); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("want no newline, got %d: %q", n, out)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(out, ",") {
 		t.Errorf("values should be comma-joined: %q", out)
@@ -205,7 +202,7 @@ func TestRunSeparator(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunRepeatAdvancesRNG(t *testing.T) {
-	code, out, errb := runOut("{/person}", "--seed", "1", "--repeat", "5", "--data-path", svSE)
+	code, out, errb := runOut("{/person}\n", "--seed", "1", "--repeat", "5", "--data-path", svSE)
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("run = %d, stderr=%q", code, errb)
 	}
@@ -253,12 +250,13 @@ func TestRunTakesNoOperand(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{[]string{"sv_SE.person"}, "echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata"},
 		{[]string{"{/sv_SE.person}"}, "echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata"},
-		{[]string{"name:", "{/sv_SE.person.last}"}, "echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata"},
-		{[]string{"-"}, "drop the -"},
+		{[]string{"name: {/sv_SE.person.last}"}, "echo '{/sv_SE.person}' | fejkdata"},
+		{[]string{"en_US.address"}, "echo '{/en_US.address}' | fejkdata"},
+		{[]string{"-"}, "drop it"},
 		{[]string{file}, "fejkdata < " + file},
 	} {
 		code, out, errb := runOut("", c.args...)
-		if code != 2 || out != "" || !strings.Contains(errb, "takes no operand") || !strings.Contains(errb, c.want) {
+		if code != 2 || out != "" || !strings.Contains(errb, "unexpected argument") || !strings.Contains(errb, c.want) {
 			t.Errorf("run(%v) = %d, %q, %q; want misuse naming %q", c.args, code, out, errb, c.want)
 		}
 	}
@@ -287,33 +285,43 @@ func TestRunTerminalStdinIsMisuse(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRunNewlineEndingStdin(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRunRendersExactlyWhatIsSent(t *testing.T) {
 	for stdin, want := range map[string]string{
-		"hihi":                             "hihi\n",
-		"hihi\n":                           "hihi\n\n",
-		"hihi\r\n":                         "hihi\r\n\n",
-		"\n":                               "\n\n",
-		"{{x}}\n":                          "{x}\n\n",
-		"\"a\"\n":                          "a\n",
-		"\"a\"\r\n":                        "a\n",
-		"{/misc.territory[SE].alpha2}\n":   "SE\n",
-		"{/misc.territory[SE].alpha2}\r\n": "SE\n",
+		"hihi":                           "hihi",
+		"hihi\n":                         "hihi\n",
+		"hihi\r\n":                       "hihi\r\n",
+		"hihi\n\n":                       "hihi\n\n",
+		"{{x}}\n":                        "{x}\n",
+		"\"a\"\n":                        "a",
+		" \t\"a\"\r\n\n":                 "a",
+		"{/misc.territory[SE].alpha2}":   "SE",
+		"{/misc.territory[SE].alpha2}\n": "SE\n",
 	} {
 		code, out, errb := runOut(stdin, "--seed", "1")
 		if code != 0 || out != want {
 			t.Errorf("run(%q) = %d, %q, %q; want %q", stdin, code, out, errb, want)
 		}
 	}
-	code, out, errb := runOut("x: {/sv_SE.person.last}\n", "--seed", "1")
-	if code != 0 || !strings.HasPrefix(out, "x: ") || !strings.HasSuffix(out, "\n\n") || strings.Count(out, "\n") != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("echo's format string = %d, %q, %q; want echo's newline, then the line's", code, out, errb)
+	if code, out, errb := runOut("{\"format\":\"{x}\\n\",\"x\":[\"a\",\"b\"]}\n"); code != 0 || (out != "a\n" && out != "b\n") {
+		t.Errorf("a JSON template's format = %d, %q, %q; want its own newline only", code, out, errb)
+	}
+	if code, out, errb := runOut("{/sv_SE.word}\n", "--seed", "1", "-n", "3", "--separator", ","); code != 0 || strings.Count(out, "\n,") != 2 || !strings.HasSuffix(out, "\n") {
+		t.Errorf("echo's newline and a separator = %d, %q, %q; want each render's newline, then the separator", code, out, errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunRefusesBlankStdin(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, stdin := range []string{"", "\n", " \r\n\t"} {
+		if code, out, errb := runOut(stdin); code != 2 || out != "" || !strings.Contains(errb, "holds no template") {
+			t.Errorf("run(%q) = %d, %q, %q; want misuse naming the empty stdin", stdin, code, out, errb)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
 func TestRunTextPrintsAsWritten(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, stdin := range []string{"sv_SE.person", "[Skåne län]", "x[1]y", `say "hi"`} {
 		code, out, errb := runOut(stdin)
-		if code != 0 || out != stdin+"\n" {
+		if code != 0 || out != stdin {
 			t.Errorf("run(%q) = %d, %q, %q; want the text as written", stdin, code, out, errb)
 		}
 	}
@@ -330,7 +338,7 @@ func TestRunMultipleDataPaths(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunUnknownCategoryFails(t *testing.T) {
-	code, _, errb := runOut("{/nope}", "--data-path", svSE)
+	code, _, errb := runOut("{/nope}", "--data-path", svSE, "--format", "csv")
 	if code != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("run = %d, want 1", code)
 	}
@@ -394,7 +402,7 @@ func TestRunShippedDataByDefault(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("--list without --data-path = %d, %q", code, list)
 	}
 	code, _, errb = runOut("{/person}")
-	if code != 1 || !strings.Contains(errb, "person") {
+	if code != 2 || !strings.Contains(errb, "person") {
 		t.Errorf("a category outside the shipped tree: code %d, stderr %q", code, errb)
 	}
 }
@@ -409,17 +417,17 @@ func TestRunSelectsATableRow(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	if code, out, errb := runOut("{/region[12]}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 0 || out != "Skåne län\n" {
+	if code, out, errb := runOut("{/region[12]}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 0 || out != "Skåne län" {
 		t.Fatalf("{/region[12]} = %d, %q, stderr=%q", code, out, errb)
 	}
-	if code, out, _ := runOut("{/region[Skåne län].code}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 0 || out != "12\n" {
+	if code, out, _ := runOut("{/region[Skåne län].code}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 0 || out != "12" {
 		t.Fatalf("{/region[Skåne län].code} = %d, %q", code, out)
 	}
 	if code, out, _ := runOut("{/region[12]}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir, "--format", "sql"); code != 0 || out != `INSERT INTO "region" ("code", "name") VALUES ('12', 'Skåne län');`+"\n" {
 		t.Fatalf("--format sql {/region[12]} = %d, %q, want the table named without its selector", code, out)
 	}
-	if code, _, errb := runOut("{/region[99]}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 1 || !strings.Contains(errb, `"99"`) {
-		t.Fatalf("{/region[99]} = %d, stderr=%q, want a runtime error naming the row", code, errb)
+	if code, _, errb := runOut("{/region[99]}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir); code != 2 || !strings.Contains(errb, `"99"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("{/region[99]} = %d, stderr=%q, want misuse naming the row", code, errb)
 	}
 	if code, out, _ := runOut("{/misc.territory[SE]}", "--seed", "1", "--format", "csv"); code != 0 || !strings.HasPrefix(out, "alpha2,") || !strings.Contains(out, "\nSE,SWE,") {
 		t.Fatalf("--format csv {/misc.territory[SE]} = %d, %q", code, out)
@@ -437,7 +445,7 @@ func TestUsageReferencesResolve(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestRunOperandMisuseBeforeLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	code, _, errb := runOut("", "--no-shipped-data", "x")
-	if code != 2 || !strings.Contains(errb, "takes no operand") || strings.Contains(errb, "--data-path") {
+	if code != 2 || !strings.Contains(errb, "unexpected argument") || strings.Contains(errb, "--data-path") {
 		t.Fatalf("an operand with no data = %d, %q; want the operand refused before any load", code, errb)
 	}
 }
@@ -448,19 +456,19 @@ func TestRunInlineTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("inline format string = %d, %q, stderr %q", code, out, errb)
 	}
 	code, out, errb = runOut(`{"format":"name: {x}","x":["bosse","lina"]}`, "--seed", "1")
-	if code != 0 || (out != "name: bosse\n" && out != "name: lina\n") {
+	if code != 0 || (out != "name: bosse" && out != "name: lina") {
 		t.Fatalf("inline JSON template = %d, %q, want one name, stderr %q", code, out, errb)
 	}
 	code, out, errb = runOut(`"name: {/sv_SE.person.last}"`, "--seed", "1")
 	if code != 0 || !strings.HasPrefix(out, "name: ") || strings.Contains(out, "{") {
 		t.Fatalf("inline JSON string = %d, %q, stderr %q", code, out, errb)
 	}
-	code, out, errb = runOut(`{digits(1)}`, "--seed", "1", "-n", "2")
+	code, out, errb = runOut("{digits(1)}\n", "--seed", "1", "-n", "2")
 	if code != 0 || len(strings.Split(strings.TrimRight(out, "\n"), "\n")) != 2 {
 		t.Fatalf("inline template with --repeat = %d, %q, stderr %q", code, out, errb)
 	}
 	code, out, errb = runOut("{/sv_SE.person} hihi", "--seed", "1")
-	if code != 0 || !strings.HasSuffix(out, " hihi\n") || strings.Contains(out, "{") {
+	if code != 0 || !strings.HasSuffix(out, " hihi") || strings.Contains(out, "{") {
 		t.Fatalf("a reference and text = %d, %q, stderr %q", code, out, errb)
 	}
 }
@@ -471,8 +479,6 @@ func TestRunTemplateMisuse(t *testing.T) {
 		`{"format":"x"}`:        "is a string",
 		"name: {/no.such.path}": "no entry",
 		"a } b":                 "}}",
-		" [\"a\",\"b\"]":        "may not be padded",
-		"[\"a\",\"b\"]\n\n":     "may not be padded",
 		"42":                    "number",
 		"{//sv_SE.person}":      "write {/sv_SE.person}",
 	} {
@@ -520,7 +526,7 @@ func TestRunRepeatIsBounded(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	code, out, errb := runOut("{/x}", "--no-shipped-data", "-d", dir, "--repeat", "1048576", "--separator", "")
-	if code != 0 || len(out) != 1048576+1 {
+	if code != 0 || len(out) != 1048576 {
 		t.Errorf("repeat at the cap = %d, %d bytes, stderr %q; want every render streamed", code, len(out), errb)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/docs/decisions.md b/docs/decisions.md
index 86edde1..8a45abc 100644
--- a/docs/decisions.md
+++ b/docs/decisions.md
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ single-dash long flag is rejected naming the double-dash spelling, and `-s=42` i
 rejected naming both short spellings: `=` belongs to the long form, and reading `=42` as
 the value would make `-d=./x` a directory named `=./x`.
 
-## A struct tag is a template by its shape, not by a flag
+## A struct tag is a template by its shape
 
 2026-09-03, Lilleman auf Larv.
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ A JSON object, array or string, or a string carrying a `{` token, is an inline t
 anything else is a path. A name may not contain a brace, a bracket or a quote, so a path
 can never collide with any of those spellings, and the leading `[` or `"` is gated on
 valid JSON so a stray copied bracket never swallows a tag — it names nothing, and says
-so. No option is needed. Reserving the characters whole — though only a leading one
+so. Reserving the characters whole — though only a leading one
 could collide — keeps one simple name rule instead of a leading-position special case.
 The JSON string is what makes the library's own advice reachable: the error for an
 object holding only a format names `"…"`, and that spelling has to work where it is
@@ -72,32 +72,36 @@ printed. A struct tag of one reference alone, `{/users}`, is refused naming the
 `{.name}` or `{..name}` is refused naming `{/name}`, since an inline template sits in no
 folder. `IsTemplate` exports the rule, so struct tags and any other caller read one.
 
-## The CLI renders the template on its stdin, keeping a format string's every byte
+## The CLI renders exactly the template on its stdin, and adds nothing
 
 2026-10-07, Lilleman auf Larv. Serves goals 7, 7.1 and 7.2.
 
 The template comes from stdin, from `echo`, a file or a heredoc, so one command line gets
-a value and a quoted heredoc needs no escape. The CLI takes no operand: one is misuse
-naming the spelling that reads what it likely means, `fejkdata < FILE` for a file and
-nothing for `-`, and so is a terminal with nothing piped in, which would otherwise wait
-for typed input. A format string keeps every byte, `echo`'s newline included, since
-everything outside `{…}` prints as written. JSON and one reference alone drop one newline
-ending stdin, `\n` or `\r\n`, which neither could print; the rest reaches `NewTemplate`
-unchanged, so a padded JSON template is refused there, as goal 5.7 asks. One reference
-from the root and nothing else, `{/users}` or `"{/users}"`, reads the path it names: it
-renders the same text, and under `--format` it is the record `users`, with `users` the
-default `--table`; one to nothing exits 1, as an unknown path does. That reading sits in
-the CLI against goal 3.2 until `todo.md` item 129 moves it into the library. `--list`
-still prints paths, each read as `{/path}`. Valid while the CLI reads one template per
-run.
+a value and a quoted heredoc needs no escape. A format string is stdin's every byte, and
+fejkdata adds no newline of its own: `echo` ends each render with its newline,
+`printf '%s'` sends none, and `-n` joins renders with `--separator`, empty by default. A
+bench of the README's personas picked this over dropping a newline, or adding one, on
+2026-10-07: one rule a user states in a sentence, at the cost of `printf` or a
+`--separator` now and then. A JSON template is its JSON: the maintainer ruled that the
+whitespace around it is not part of the template, so goal 5.7 does not refuse it on
+stdin, while `NewTemplate` still refuses a padded one. A lone reference, `{/users}` or
+`"{/users}"`, names the record `users` under `--format`, one newline after it allowed,
+with `users` the default `--table`; one to nothing there exits 1, as an unknown path
+does, until `todo.md` item 129 moves the reading into the library, against goal 3.2
+meanwhile. Stdin holding only whitespace is misuse, since an unset variable sends just a
+newline. The CLI takes no argument but its flags: one is misuse naming the spelling that
+reads what it likely means, `fejkdata < FILE` for a file's name, dropping it for `-`,
+and the template piped in otherwise; so is a terminal with nothing piped in, which would
+otherwise wait for typed input. `--list` still prints paths, each read as `{/path}`.
+Valid while the CLI reads one template per run.
 
-## A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save the CLI's lone reference until item 129
+## A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save a lone reference under the CLI's `--format` until item 129
 
 2026-09-24, Lilleman auf Larv.
 
 The whole template is the spelling under test, and `NewTemplate` compiles, links and
-validates as one step. An unknown *path* stays a runtime error (exit 1): there the
-template is well-formed and only the data is absent.
+validates as one step. Under the CLI's `--format`, a lone reference to nothing exits 1
+until item 129: it reads a path, and only the data is absent.
 
 ## A padded JSON template is rejected, not trimmed
 
@@ -880,6 +884,6 @@ a lone `}` stays an error. Valid while a template escapes a brace by doubling it
 ## Goal 7.2 holds while a first template can be written with no escape; a literal brace still takes `{{` or `}}`
 
 2026-10-05, Lilleman auf Larv. Serves goal 7.2. Goals are aims: it is enough that a first
-template can be written with no escape and no options, as `echo -n 'name: {/sv_SE.person.last}' | fejkdata`
+template can be written with no escape and no options, as `echo 'name: {/sv_SE.person.last}' | fejkdata`
 is. A template that prints a literal brace writes `{{` or `}}`, and the goal allows that. Valid
 while `{{` and `}}` are the template syntax's only escape.
diff --git a/internal/grammar/format.go b/internal/grammar/format.go
index 2306795..031d190 100644
--- a/internal/grammar/format.go
+++ b/internal/grammar/format.go
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Package grammar is how the template language is written: format tokens, paths and
-// their selectors, reference sigils, identifiers, calc expressions, and whether an argument is a
+// their selectors, reference sigils, identifiers, calc expressions, and whether a string is a
 // template or a path. It reads strings only.
 package grammar
 
diff --git a/namefence.go b/namefence.go
index 88e7973..a22151b 100644
--- a/namefence.go
+++ b/namefence.go
@@ -68,8 +68,7 @@ func rendersInside(nodes []node, t *template) bool {
 // template reaches the binder through fields. A single read as a calc operand stands where a calc
 // could not read the spelling, a reference or a path. So {/misc.coordinate.lat as lat}{calc(lat * 60)}
 // stands, since {calc(/misc.coordinate.lat * 60)} does not compile.
-// Where the spelling would be a whole struct tag, that entry point refuses it and names the bare
-// path.
+// A whole struct tag of that spelling is refused, naming the bare path.
 func (b *nameBinding) refuseSingleRead(uses []nameUse) error {
 	if len(uses) == 0 {
 		panic(invariant.Broken("name %q has no read at resolve, though its compile found one", b.name))
diff --git a/todo.md b/todo.md
index 0d2eb4e..2a3d4b2 100644
--- a/todo.md
+++ b/todo.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
 | 145 | 0.1.0 |  | **Move `doc.go`'s definitions of a level, a pick key and an addressed key, with their worked example, to `pickKey` in `pick.go`, and gather `levelKeys`, `addressedKeys`, `renderEnv.keeps` and `readField`'s kept read beside `readUnder`, so a reader follows a named read in one file.** | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 3.4, 3.2 | 15.4 |
 | 127 | 0.1.0 |  | **Give a Swedish street only postal codes whose delivery digit means street or rural delivery, dropping codes whose delivery digit is 9, or record why they stay.** | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 14.4 |
 | 110 | 0.1.0 |  | **Refuse an empty segment in a path `Fake` and `FakeRecord` take, as a reference does: `sv_SE.person.` reports `path has an empty segment`.** | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 13.8 |
-| 156 | 0.1.0 | question | **Refuse a JSON string whose text stands alone as a format string, `"x {/a}"`, naming the bare text, or keep it as the decision "An argument is a template by its shape, not by a flag" does.** | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 5.7 | 13.1 |
+| 156 | 0.1.0 | question | **Refuse a JSON string whose text stands alone as a format string, `"x {/a}"`, naming the bare text, or keep it as the decision "A struct tag is a template by its shape" does.** | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 5.7 | 13.1 |
 | 10 | 0.1.0 |  | **Test that every node kind reaches each switch over node kinds.** | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3.2 | 13.1 |
 | 148 | 0.1.0 |  | **State in `geo.py` the locality row each country's script hands it, and meet the fence that every parent row has a child row in one shared step.** | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2.1, 3.2 | 12.6 |
 | 146 | 0.1.0 |  | **Move `sharedPaths` and `subPaths` from `list.go` beside `carriedByAll` in `path.go`, and `join` beside `sortedNames` in `sorted.go`.** | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3.1, 3.2 | 11.3 |
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
 | 159 | 0.2.0 |  | **Name the quoted spelling where a template that is a bare JSON number, boolean or null is refused: `42` names `"42"`.** | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6, 5.1 | 14.1 |
 | 22 | 0.2.0 |  | **Give `url` and `email` a path that draws only domains nobody can register, keeping the wide set as the default.** | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 14.0 |
 | 46 | 0.2.0 |  | **Report the same error every load for a table with two bad options, and for a folder with two unnamed rows files.** | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6, 10 | 14.0 |
-| 158 | 0.2.0 |  | **Drop a UTF-8 byte order mark that starts stdin, and say in the README how PowerShell 5.1 keeps `Göteborg` from reaching the CLI as `G?teborg`.** | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7.2, 5.1 | 13.5 |
+| 158 | 0.2.0 |  | **Drop a UTF-8 byte order mark that starts stdin, and say in the README how to stop PowerShell 5.1 sending `Göteborg` as `G?teborg`.** | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7.2, 5.1 | 13.5 |
 | 79 | 0.2.0 | decision | **Beside a `--data-path`, load in `New` the user's categories, the shipped ones they override or read, and the shipped ones whose reads reach an overridden one; load the rest on first reach.** | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 12.9 |
 | 107 | 0.2.0 | decision | **Move the template engine into `internal/`, leaving the root the public API and its options.** | 6 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 3.2, 3.4 | 12.2 |
 | 112 | 0.2.0 |  | **Check a calc's field operands where its template resolves, beside its name operands, once item 36 reports every mistake at once.** | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3.2 | 10.3 |
@@ -253,9 +253,9 @@ Goal 5.9. Today a path is a second spelling of the template that reads it; after
 - `List` and `--list` give each entry as the template that renders it, `{/sv_SE.person}`.
 - Text that is not a JSON value and holds no `{…}` prints as written (goal 5.1), in a string field's struct tag and `Fake` alike, as stdin's text does in the CLI: `Fake("sv_SE.person")` returns `sv_SE.person`. `CHANGELOG.md` says that a path with no `{…}` prints as its text. A struct tag's `-` still skips its field.
 - Where text with no `{…}` is refused, as a record or in a typed struct field, and it spells a path the data offers, the error names `{/that.path}`.
-- An unknown reference exits 2, where an unknown path exits 1 today.
-- Decide whether a lone reference draws as its path draws today or as a template draws: under one seed, `{/sv_SE.person}` and `{/sv_SE.person} hihi` pick different people.
-- This revises the decisions "A struct tag is a template by its shape, not by a flag", "`FakeTemplate` and `NewTemplate` both stay", "`--list` stays a plain list of paths", "The CLI renders the template on its stdin, keeping a format string's every byte", and the exit-1 rule for an unknown path in "A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save the CLI's lone reference until item 129". The README's examples and exit codes, the godoc examples in `doc.go`, the CLI's usage text and header comment, and `CHANGELOG.md`'s entries move to the template spelling. Delete items 40 and 110, which this closes.
+- A lone reference to nothing exits 2 under `--format`, where it exits 1 today.
+- Decide whether a lone reference under `--format` draws as its path draws today or as a template draws: under one seed, the two pick different rows.
+- This revises the decisions "A struct tag is a template by its shape", "`FakeTemplate` and `NewTemplate` both stay", "`--list` stays a plain list of paths", "The CLI renders exactly the template on its stdin, and adds nothing", and the exit-1 rule for an unknown path in "A template that does not compile is misuse (exit 2), including a reference that resolves to nothing, save a lone reference under the CLI's `--format` until item 129". The README's examples and exit codes, the godoc examples in `doc.go` and `CHANGELOG.md`'s entries move to the template spelling. Delete items 40 and 110, which this closes.
 
 Split it into items for the CLI, struct tags and the library before starting.
 
@@ -291,9 +291,9 @@ All 13 seats of the 2026-10-07 panel and scoring run on ad59967 again named the
 
 Today `Fake("sv_SE.person.")` reports `no field ""`, while `{/sv_SE.person.}` reports `path has an empty segment`. `grammar.CheckSegments` is the check a reference, a sibling path and a step up `..` run.
 
-### 156. Refuse a JSON string whose text stands alone as a format string, `"x {/a}"`, naming the bare text, or keep it as the decision "An argument is a template by its shape, not by a flag" does.
+### 156. Refuse a JSON string whose text stands alone as a format string, `"x {/a}"`, naming the bare text, or keep it as the decision "A struct tag is a template by its shape" does.
 
-Goal 5.7 refuses a wrapper around what could stand alone. That decision keeps the JSON string because, as a CLI argument, bare text read as a path; stdin reads bare text as a format string, so `"x {/a}"` and `x {/a}` render alike there and in `NewTemplate`. A JSON string still earns its place where its escapes carry what bare text cannot. The goals audit of the stdin change found it.
+Goal 5.7 refuses a wrapper around what could stand alone. That decision keeps the JSON string so the library's advice `"…"` works where it is printed; stdin reads bare text as a format string, so `"x {/a}"` and `x {/a}` render alike there and in `NewTemplate`. A JSON string still earns its place where its escapes carry what bare text cannot. The goals audit of the stdin change found it.
 
 ### 10. Test that every node kind reaches each switch over node kinds.
 
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ On stdin `42` is refused as "a number" and `null` with advice to write `""`, whi
 
 `readTableOptions` in `table.go` and `walkDir` in `internal/datafiles` return on the first in Go's map order.
 
-### 158. Drop a UTF-8 byte order mark that starts stdin, and say in the README how PowerShell 5.1 keeps `Göteborg` from reaching the CLI as `G?teborg`.
+### 158. Drop a UTF-8 byte order mark that starts stdin, and say in the README how to stop PowerShell 5.1 sending `Göteborg` as `G?teborg`.
 
 A file a Windows editor saves with a BOM prints an invisible U+FEFF first, and a JSON template with one is read as a format string. PowerShell 5.1 encodes what it pipes to a program by `$OutputEncoding`, ASCII by default. The maintainer chose 0.2.0 on 2026-10-07.