Reference sigils follow the filesystem: / the root, . this folder, .. the folder above

README.md

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ work with no data on disk. A directory is a namespace: each JSON file is a
 category named after the file, each subdirectory a dot-path segment, so
 `mydata/sv_SE/person.json` is `sv_SE.person` and replaces the shipped one.
 Sources merge in order; matching folders combine, any other clash is won by the
-last loaded. Names may not use `.`, `|`, `(`, `{` or `}`; dot-prefixed entries
+last loaded. Names may not use `.`, `|`, `(`, `{`, `}` or `/`; dot-prefixed entries
 are skipped, so a data directory can also be a checkout.
 
 Each locale carries `address`, `color`, `company`, `date`, `email`, `ip`,
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ Every character is literal except a `{…}` token:
 | `{name.field}` | `field` of one draw of `name` ([Correlated fields](#correlated-fields)) |
 | `{a\|b}` | one of the named fields, even odds |
 | `{fn(args)}` | a builtin ([Functions](#functions)) |
-| `{..path}` | a node reached from the data root ([References](#references)) |
+| `{/path}`, `{.path}`, `{..path}` | a node reached from the data root, this file's folder, or the folder above ([References](#references)) |
 | `{{`, `}}` | a literal `{` or `}` |
 
 ```json
@@ -267,21 +267,25 @@ a mix.
 
 ### References
 
-`{..path}` renders a node from the **data root** — the path `Fake` takes, across
-every loaded source — so one category borrows another, even across folders or
-layered directories:
+A reference renders a node from elsewhere in the data — the path `Fake` takes,
+across every loaded source — so one category borrows another. The sigil says
+where the path starts, as in a filesystem: `{/en_US.person}` from the data root,
+`{.username}` from the folder this file sits in, `{..username}` from the folder
+above. `data/sv_SE/email.json` can therefore read its own locale's `username`
+without naming `sv_SE`:
 
 ```json
-"Hej, {..en_US.person}!"
+"Hej, {/en_US.person}!"
 ```
 
 Renders e.g. `Hej, Pat Smith!`. A reference into a category is held like a
-[correlated](#correlated-fields) path — `{..sv_SE.person.first} {..sv_SE.person.last}`
-name one person, `{lowercase(..sv_SE.person.first)}` reads that same draw — while
-a bare `{..misc.uuid} {..misc.uuid}` is two draws. Rejected at `New`: a path that
-is unknown, names a folder, or reads a field not every variant of a choice
-carries, and a reference that leads back to its own value, directly, mutually or
-through a chain.
+[correlated](#correlated-fields) path — `{.person.first} {.person.last}` name one
+person, `{lowercase(.person.first)}` reads that same draw, and `{.person.first}`
+beside `{/sv_SE.person.last}` in `sv_SE` is one person too — while a bare
+`{/misc.uuid} {/misc.uuid}` is two draws. Rejected at `New`: a path that is
+unknown, names a folder, has no folder above, or reads a field not every variant
+of a choice carries, and a reference that leads back to its own value, directly,
+mutually or through a chain.
 
 ### Correlated fields
 
@@ -315,8 +319,8 @@ The sub-fields stay addressable — `Fake("address.place.locality")` renders, an
 
 A name any token reads as a path (`{p.first}`) or as an operand (`{calc(net * 2)}`,
 `{uppercase(w)}`) is drawn **once per expansion**, and every other route to it —
-a bare `{p}`, a second bare `{w}`, `{..cat.net}`, a nested template rendering
-`{..cat.p.last}`, at any depth — is a load error naming the spelling to use. A
+a bare `{p}`, a second bare `{w}`, `{/cat.net}`, a nested template rendering
+`{/cat.p.last}`, at any depth — is a load error naming the spelling to use. A
 name nothing reads that way is drawn each time: `{word} {word}` differs. An
 expansion is one render of one format, so each `repeat` iteration and each nested
 template draws again.
@@ -351,11 +355,15 @@ tokens add cost in proportion to the output.
 - **The shipped data is embedded, not discovered.** A directory a machine happens
   to have would make `--seed 42` machine-dependent. Data still lives in `data/`
   as JSON; `--data-path` layers over it.
-- **A bare reference draws each time; a reference path is held.** `{..p} {..p}`
-  is two draws, as `{word} {word}` is, while `{..p.first}` beside a nested template
-  rendering `{..p.first}` is a load error: a bare token is by contract an
+- **A bare reference draws each time; a reference path is held.** `{/p} {/p}`
+  is two draws, as `{word} {word}` is, while `{/p.first}` beside a nested template
+  rendering `{/p.first}` is a load error: a bare token is by contract an
   independent draw, a path pins its level, and any route into a pinned level from
   another expansion could show another row.
+- **Reference sigils follow the filesystem.** `/` is the root, `.` this file's
+  folder, `..` the folder above — what those spellings already mean to anyone who
+  has typed a path. A locale's files reach each other without naming the locale,
+  so a folder renames and copies without editing its references.
 - **Samples say what they emit, transforms what they do.** `{upper(2)}` is two
   letters, `{uppercase(x)}` is `x` upper-cased; one name for both would turn on
   whether the argument looks like a number.
@@ -398,7 +406,7 @@ fejkdata.go        Generator, New, options, the embedded data set, List
 node.go            the node model and JSON -> node compilation
 render.go          Fake and the recursive renderer (choices, format strings, paths, held draws)
 template.go        the {token} grammar: scanning, arms, operands, validation
-reference.go       {..path} binding across the tree, the render graph, and the walks over it
+reference.go       {/path} binding across the tree, the render graph, and the walks over it
 builtins.go        the {name()} function registry and its implementations
 calc.go            the {calc()} arithmetic evaluator: parser, eval, validation
 data.go            data loading: fs.FS folders/files -> namespace tree, multi-source merge

bound_test.go

@@ -92,13 +92,13 @@ func TestReferenceNamingABoundLevelIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	// afresh beside the path that reads its held draw — the same overlap by
 	// another spelling.
 	rejected := map[string]string{
-		"reference names the head": `{"format":"{p.first}|{..cat.p}","p":{"format":"{first}","first":["Anna","Bo"]}}`,
-		"reference names the leaf": `{"format":"{p.addr}|{..cat.p.addr}","p":{"format":"x","addr":["A","B","C","D"]}}`,
+		"reference names the head": `{"format":"{p.first}|{/cat.p}","p":{"format":"{first}","first":["Anna","Bo"]}}`,
+		"reference names the leaf": `{"format":"{p.addr}|{/cat.p.addr}","p":{"format":"x","addr":["A","B","C","D"]}}`,
 		// The reference need not sit in the format that binds: any field it renders
 		// reaches the level just the same, however deep.
 		"reference from a sibling field": `{"format":"{p.first}|{inner}","p":[` +
 			`{"format":"{first}-{last}","first":"A","last":"1"},{"format":"{first}-{last}","first":"B","last":"2"}],` +
-			`"inner":"{..cat.p}"}`,
+			`"inner":"{/cat.p}"}`,
 	}
 	for name, file := range rejected {
 		_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{"cat": file})))
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestReferenceNamingABoundLevelIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	// A reference to anything this format does not bind is untouched.
 	if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"cat":     `{"format":"{p.first} {..surname}","p":{"format":"{first}","first":["Anna","Bo"]}}`,
+		"cat":     `{"format":"{p.first} {/surname}","p":{"format":"{first}","first":["Anna","Bo"]}}`,
 		"surname": `["Eriksson","Lindqvist"]`,
 	}))); err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("New = %v, want a reference outside the bound level accepted", err)
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func TestCycleReachedOnlyByAPathTokenIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	// cycle walk has to follow it there. A head whose own format names nothing
 	// would otherwise hide the cycle until render, where it is fatal.
 	_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"a": `{"format":"{p.x}","p":{"format":"static","x":"{..a}"}}`,
+		"a": `{"format":"{p.x}","p":{"format":"static","x":"{/a}"}}`,
 	})))
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reference cycle") {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v, want the cycle through {p.x} rejected", err)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func TestALevelRenderedOnlyByAPathTokenIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
 	// {p.a} renders q, so it is a route to the level {q.x} holds — even though p's
 	// own format names nothing.
 	_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"thing": `{"format":"{p.a} {q.x}","p":{"format":"static","a":"{..thing.q}"},` +
+		"thing": `{"format":"{p.a} {q.x}","p":{"format":"static","a":"{/thing.q}"},` +
 			`"q":{"format":"{x}","x":["1","2"]}}`,
 	})))
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reads a path into") {
@@ -151,14 +151,14 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		"a reference beside the operand": {
 			map[string]string{
-				"cat": `{"format":"{..cat.net} x 2 = {calc(net * 2, 2)}","net":["10.00","20.00"]}`,
+				"cat": `{"format":"{/cat.net} x 2 = {calc(net * 2, 2)}","net":["10.00","20.00"]}`,
 			},
-			`{..cat.net} renders "net"`,
+			`{/cat.net} renders "net"`,
 		},
 		"a reference one level down": {
 			map[string]string{
 				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)} {q}","net":["10.00","20.00"],` +
-					`"q":"{..cat.net}"}`,
+					`"q":"{/cat.net}"}`,
 			},
 			`{q} renders "net"`,
 		},
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		"a reference to an operand wrapped in a choice": {
 			map[string]string{
 				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(n * 2, 2)} {q}","n":{"format":"{v}","v":["1","2"]},` +
-					`"q":"{..cat.n}"}`,
+					`"q":"{/cat.n}"}`,
 			},
 			`{q} renders "n"`,
 		},
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		"an operand reaching another operand": {
 			map[string]string{
 				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(a + b, 0)}","a":{"format":"{x}","x":["1","2"]},` +
-					`"b":"{..cat.a}"}`,
+					`"b":"{/cat.a}"}`,
 			},
 			`calc operand "b" renders "a"`,
 		},
@@ -185,15 +185,15 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		// rejected, so the reference spelling has to be.
 		"a reference into the operand": {
 			map[string]string{
-				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)}|{..cat.net.v}",` +
+				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)}|{/cat.net.v}",` +
 					`"net":{"format":"{v}","v":["10.00","20.00"]}}`,
 			},
-			`{..cat.net.v} renders "net"`,
+			`{/cat.net.v} renders "net"`,
 		},
 		"a reference into the operand one level down": {
 			map[string]string{
 				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)}|{q}","net":{"format":"{v}","v":["10.00","20.00"]},` +
-					`"q":"{..cat.net.v}"}`,
+					`"q":"{/cat.net.v}"}`,
 			},
 			`{q} renders "net"`,
 		},
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		"a violation on the second of two held heads": {
 			map[string]string{
 				"cat": `{"format":"{calc(a + b, 0)} {w}","a":{"format":"{x}","x":["1","2"]},` +
-					`"b":{"format":"{y}","y":["3","4"]},"w":"{..cat.b}"}`,
+					`"b":{"format":"{y}","y":["3","4"]},"w":"{/cat.b}"}`,
 			},
 			`{w} renders "b"`,
 		},
@@ -230,24 +230,24 @@ func TestACalcOperandIsHeldAgainstEveryRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		"a reference to a sibling the operand never renders": {
 			"cat": `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)} {unit}",` +
 				`"net":{"format":"{v}","v":["1","2"],"spare":["kg","lb"]},` +
-				`"unit":"{..cat.net.spare}"}`,
+				`"unit":"{/cat.net.spare}"}`,
 		},
 		// Two operands drawing from one source are two names, so two draws: each is
 		// held under its own name and shown once, and neither can disagree.
 		"two operands sharing one source": {
 			"die": `["1","2","3","4","5","6"]`,
-			"cat": `{"format":"{d1} + {d2} = {calc(d1 + d2, 0)}","d1":"{..die}",` +
-				`"d2":"{..die}"}`,
+			"cat": `{"format":"{d1} + {d2} = {calc(d1 + d2, 0)}","d1":"{/die}",` +
+				`"d2":"{/die}"}`,
 		},
-		// Likewise a reference drawing from what the operand draws from: {..common}
+		// Likewise a reference drawing from what the operand draws from: {/common}
 		// and net are two names, not two spellings of one field.
 		"a reference to what an operand renders through": {
 			"common": `["1","2"]`,
-			"cat":    `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)} {..common}","net":"{..common}"}`,
+			"cat":    `{"format":"{calc(net * 2, 2)} {/common}","net":"{/common}"}`,
 		},
 		// A fixed string cannot disagree with itself, so it needs no fence.
 		"a literal operand named twice": {
-			"cat": `{"format":"{calc(n * 2, 0)} {..cat.n}","n":"5"}`,
+			"cat": `{"format":"{calc(n * 2, 0)} {/cat.n}","n":"5"}`,
 		},
 		// One node reached twice while walking the operand: the walk must not
 		// revisit it, and the repeat is not a second route to anything.
@@ -269,11 +269,11 @@ func TestAPathReachesEveryVariantItMightDraw(t *testing.T) {
 	// to a held level disagrees silently.
 	rejected := map[string]struct{ file, want string }{
 		"a cycle in a later variant": {
-			`{"format":"{p.x}","p":[{"format":"h","x":"safe"},{"format":"h","x":"{..cat}"}]}`,
+			`{"format":"{p.x}","p":[{"format":"h","x":"safe"},{"format":"h","x":"{/cat}"}]}`,
 			"reference cycle",
 		},
 		"a second route in a later variant": {
-			`{"format":"{p.x} {q.y}","p":[{"format":"h","x":"safe"},{"format":"h","x":"{..cat.q}"}],` +
+			`{"format":"{p.x} {q.y}","p":[{"format":"h","x":"safe"},{"format":"h","x":"{/cat.q}"}],` +
 				`"q":{"format":"{y}","y":["1","2"]}}`,
 			"reads a path into",
 		},
@@ -292,9 +292,9 @@ func TestALevelAPathNeverRendersIsAccepted(t *testing.T) {
 	// path at all. Both orders must load.
 	accepted := map[string]string{
 		"reference in the head's own format": `{"format":"{p.first} {q.a}",` +
-			`"p":{"format":"{first} {..thing.q}","first":["A","B"]},"q":{"format":"{a}","a":["1","2"]}}`,
+			`"p":{"format":"{first} {/thing.q}","first":["A","B"]},"q":{"format":"{a}","a":["1","2"]}}`,
 		"the mirror shape": `{"format":"{p.first} {q.a}",` +
-			`"p":{"format":"{first}","first":["A","B"]},"q":{"format":"{a} {..thing.p}","a":["1","2"]}}`,
+			`"p":{"format":"{first}","first":["A","B"]},"q":{"format":"{a} {/thing.p}","a":["1","2"]}}`,
 	}
 	for name, file := range accepted {
 		if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{"thing": file}))); err != nil {
@@ -309,9 +309,9 @@ func TestADeepDiamondChainLoads(t *testing.T) {
 	files := map[string]string{"l0": `"x"`}
 	for i := 1; i <= 30; i++ {
 		files[fmt.Sprintf("l%d", i)] = fmt.Sprintf(
-			`{"format":"{a}{b}","a":"{..l%d}","b":"{..l%d}"}`, i-1, i-1)
+			`{"format":"{a}{b}","a":"{/l%d}","b":"{/l%d}"}`, i-1, i-1)
 	}
-	files["thing"] = `{"format":"{p.first} {..l30}","p":{"format":"x","first":["A","B"]}}`
+	files["thing"] = `{"format":"{p.first} {/l30}","p":{"format":"x","first":["A","B"]}}`
 	if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, files))); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v, want a deep diamond chain to load", err)
 	}
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ func TestASharedNodeIsWalkedOnce(t *testing.T) {
 	// the shared node once per route.
 	f, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"cat": `{"format":"{p.first}|{q}","p":{"format":"{first}","first":["Anna","Bo"]},` +
-			`"q":{"format":"{a}{b}","a":"{..shared}","b":"{..shared}"}}`,
+			`"q":{"format":"{a}{b}","a":"{/shared}","b":"{/shared}"}}`,
 		"shared": `"x"`,
 	})), WithSeed(1))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ func TestReferenceToAMatchingStringIsAccepted(t *testing.T) {
 	// held one. Two unrelated literals that merely spell the same text must not
 	// read as the same node — the trap when comparing a value type.
 	if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"cat":   `{"format":"{p.city} {..other.tag}","p":{"format":"{city}","city":"Stockholm"}}`,
+		"cat":   `{"format":"{p.city} {/other.tag}","p":{"format":"{city}","city":"Stockholm"}}`,
 		"other": `{"format":"x","tag":"Stockholm"}`,
 	}))); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v, want a reference to a matching string accepted", err)
@@ -642,12 +642,11 @@ func TestDeepPathsUnderOneHeadStayIndependentWhereTheyDiverge(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestEmptyPathSegmentIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
-	// "{a.}", "{.b}" and "{a..b}" are unfinished paths, and the segment naming
-	// nothing is reported as that rather than as a missing field. An empty name is
-	// rejected where it is authored, so no data can make these resolve.
+	// "{a.}" and "{a..b}" are unfinished paths, and the segment naming nothing is
+	// reported as that rather than as a missing field. An empty name is rejected
+	// where it is authored, so no data can make these resolve.
 	rejected := map[string]string{
 		"trailing dot": `{"format":"[{a.}]","a":"x"}`,
-		"leading dot":  `{"format":"[{.b}]","a":{"format":"{b}","b":"V"}}`,
 		"double dot":   `{"format":"[{a..b}]","a":"x"}`,
 	}
 	for name, file := range rejected {
@@ -667,7 +666,7 @@ func TestCycleThroughAPathTokenIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	// must be caught at New. Reaching render would be fatal: the recursion never
 	// terminates, and a stack overflow cannot be recovered.
 	_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"a": `{"format":"{p.x}","p":{"format":"{x}","x":"{..a}"}}`,
+		"a": `{"format":"{p.x}","p":{"format":"{x}","x":"{/a}"}}`,
 	})))
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reference cycle") {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v, want the cycle through {p.x} rejected", err)

builtins.go

@@ -129,10 +129,8 @@ func transformArg(fields map[string]node, a []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	if isRef(leaf) {
-		if leaf == refPrefix {
-			return fmt.Errorf("reference has no path")
-		}
-		return nil
+		_, _, err := refShape(leaf)
+		return err
 	}
 	return checkArm(leaf, fields)
 }

data.go

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func (s dataSource) name(p string) string {
 // keyed by its base name (address.json -> "address"); each subdirectory becomes a
 // nested group, so folders turn into dot-path segments. Sources merge left to right:
 // matching groups merge by their children, and any other clash is won by the last
-// source loaded. Once merged, linkRefs binds every {..path} reference against the
+// source loaded. Once merged, linkRefs binds every reference against the
 // final tree.
 func loadData(sources []dataSource) (map[string]node, error) {
 	root := map[string]node{}

edge_test.go

@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func TestNewErrors(t *testing.T) {
 			`category "a|b" contains "|"`,
 		},
 		// An empty name is not a path segment, so List never offered it — while a
-		// bare {}, a trailing dot in Fake("a.") and a {..a.} reference all reached
+		// bare {}, a trailing dot in Fake("a.") and a {/a.} reference all reached
 		// it. The engine accepted spellings it would never advertise.
 		"empty field name": {
 			map[string]string{"a": `{"format":"[{}]","":"VALUE"}`},
@@ -146,13 +146,13 @@ func TestNewErrors(t *testing.T) {
 		// A reference arm is the only kind that reaches the repeat check by passing
 		// the per-arm checks rather than falling through them.
 		"repeated reference arm": {
-			map[string]string{"a": `"x"`, "b": `"{..a|..a}"`},
-			`arm "..a" is repeated`,
+			map[string]string{"a": `"x"`, "b": `"{/a|/a}"`},
+			`arm "/a" is repeated`,
 		},
 		// An arm that is broken on its own terms is reported as that, not as a
 		// repeat: the repeat is a consequence of the real mistake.
 		"repeated arm with no path": {
-			map[string]string{"a": `"{..|..}"`},
+			map[string]string{"a": `"{/|/}"`},
 			"reference has no path",
 		},
 		// No field can be named "", so the token is told that rather than sent to

loading_test.go

@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ func TestList(t *testing.T) {
 		"person":   `{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"A","last":"B"}`,
 		"word":     `["x", "y"]`,
 		"geo/city": `"Z"`,
-		// A bound {..path} reference is a render edge, not an addressable field.
-		"greeting": `{"format":"hej {..person.first} and {own}","own":"x"}`,
+		// A bound {/path} reference is a render edge, not an addressable field.
+		"greeting": `{"format":"hej {/person.first} and {own}","own":"x"}`,
 		// Only the fields every variant carries are addressable, so "extra" is not.
 		"coin": `[{"format":"{code}","code":"A","name":"Aa"},{"format":"{code}","code":"B","name":"Bb","extra":"x"}]`,
 	})
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ func TestRepeatProductAlongAPathIsCapped(t *testing.T) {
 	for name, files := range map[string]map[string]string{
 		"nested": {"cat": `{"format":"{a}","repeat":2048,"a":{"format":"{b}","repeat":2048,"b":"x"}}`},
 		"through a reference": {
-			"a": `{"format":"{..b}","repeat":2048}`,
+			"a": `{"format":"{/b}","repeat":2048}`,
 			"b": `{"format":"x","repeat":2048}`,
 		},
 	} {

node.go

@@ -41,11 +41,11 @@ type template struct {
 	fields    map[string]node
 	repeat    int
 	separator string
-	ops       []op              // format compiled once (see compileOps); what expand walks
-	grow      int               // minimum output size, to size the render buffer
-	fixed     bool              // no op varies, so every render is lit
-	lit       string            // the whole output when fixed
-	refs      map[string]string // each {..path} the format reads -> the head it is bound under
+	ops       []op                  // format compiled once (see compileOps); what expand walks
+	grow      int                   // minimum output size, to size the render buffer
+	fixed     bool                  // no op varies, so every render is lit
+	lit       string                // the whole output when fixed
+	refs      map[string]refBinding // each reference the format reads -> what it is bound to
 	// bound maps each field the format addresses by dotted path to one path token
 	// reading it, which is the half of an overlap the fences name. nil when the
 	// format takes no path.
@@ -208,9 +208,6 @@ func compileTemplate(m map[string]any) (node, error) {
 		if isOption(k) {
 			continue
 		}
-		if isRef(k) {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("field %q starts with %q, which is reserved for {..path} bindings", k, refPrefix)
-		}
 		if err := checkName(k); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("field %w", err)
 		}
@@ -321,10 +318,10 @@ func weightOf(raw any) (float64, error) {
 
 // reservedInName is what a category, folder or field name may not contain: a dot
 // separates the segments of a path, '|' the arms of a token, '(' opens a function
-// call and braces delimit the token. A name carrying one is reachable by no format,
-// so it is rejected where it is authored rather than at the token that cannot
-// reach it.
-const reservedInName = ".|({}"
+// call, braces delimit the token and '/' starts a reference. A name carrying one is
+// reachable by no format, so it is rejected where it is authored rather than at
+// the token that cannot reach it.
+const reservedInName = ".|({}/"
 
 // reservedList spells reservedInName for an error message, so the two cannot drift.
 var reservedList = strings.Join(strings.Split(reservedInName, ""), " ")

reference.go

@@ -6,26 +6,70 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
-// refPrefix marks a {..path} token: a reference to a node elsewhere in the data
-// root rather than a sibling field. The path is resolved across every loaded
-// directory (see linkRefs).
-const refPrefix = ".."
+// A reference names a node by path rather than as a sibling field: {/a.b} from the
+// data root, {.a} from the folder this file sits in, {..a} from the folder above.
+func isRef(name string) bool { return strings.HasPrefix(name, ".") || strings.HasPrefix(name, "/") }
 
-func isRef(name string) bool { return strings.HasPrefix(name, refPrefix) }
+// refBinding is what a reference was bound to: the head key its category is held
+// under, and the tail read into it.
+type refBinding struct {
+	key  string
+	tail []string
+}
 
-// linkRefs resolves every {..path} reference in the assembled tree. The head of the
-// path — up to the category it names — is bound into the referring template's
-// fields, and the rest reads into it the way a sibling path does, so a reference
-// is held like a sibling. It runs once, after all data is merged, so a reference
-// sees the final (override-resolved) tree. A path that is unknown, names a folder,
-// or reads a field not every variant carries fails here, keeping a bad reference a
-// New-time error, never a random render-time one.
-func linkRefs(root map[string]node) error {
-	return walkNodes(root, func(path string, n node) error {
-		t, ok := n.(*template)
-		if !ok {
-			return nil
+// refShape splits a reference into its sigil and the dotted path after it.
+func refShape(name string) (sigil, rest string, err error) {
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasPrefix(name, "/"):
+		sigil, rest = "/", name[1:]
+	case strings.HasPrefix(name, ".."):
+		sigil, rest = "..", name[2:]
+	default:
+		sigil, rest = ".", name[1:]
+	}
+	if rest == "" {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("reference has no path")
+	}
+	if strings.HasPrefix(rest, ".") {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("a reference starts with / (the root), . (this folder) or .. (the folder above)")
+	}
+	for _, seg := range strings.Split(rest, ".") {
+		if seg == "" {
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("path has an empty segment")
 		}
+	}
+	return sigil, rest, nil
+}
+
+// refSegments resolves a reference written in folder to a path from the root.
+func refSegments(name string, folder []string) ([]string, error) {
+	sigil, rest, err := refShape(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var base []string
+	switch sigil {
+	case ".":
+		base = folder
+	case "..":
+		if len(folder) == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("no folder above the root")
+		}
+		base = folder[:len(folder)-1]
+	}
+	return append(append([]string{}, base...), strings.Split(rest, ".")...), nil
+}
+
+// linkRefs resolves every reference in the assembled tree. The head of the path —
+// up to the category it names — is bound into the referring template's fields
+// under its root path, and the rest reads into it the way a sibling path does, so
+// a reference is held like a sibling and two spellings of one target are one
+// draw. It runs once, after all data is merged, so a reference sees the final
+// (override-resolved) tree. A path that is unknown, names a folder, or reads a
+// field not every variant carries fails here, keeping a bad reference a New-time
+// error, never a random render-time one.
+func linkRefs(root map[string]node) error {
+	return eachTemplate(root, func(folder []string, path string, t *template) error {
 		names := refTokens(t.format)
 		if len(names) == 0 {
 			return nil
@@ -33,18 +77,22 @@ func linkRefs(root map[string]node) error {
 		if t.fields == nil {
 			t.fields = map[string]node{}
 		}
-		t.refs = make(map[string]string, len(names))
+		t.refs = make(map[string]refBinding, len(names))
 		for _, name := range names {
-			head, target, tail, err := resolveRef(root, strings.Split(name[len(refPrefix):], "."))
+			segments, err := refSegments(name, folder)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("%s: reference {%s}: %w", path, name, err)
 			}
-			key := refPrefix + strings.Join(head, ".")
+			head, target, tail, err := resolveRef(root, segments)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s: reference {%s}: %w", path, name, err)
+			}
+			key := "/" + strings.Join(head, ".")
 			if err := checkPath(target, tail, key); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("%s: reference {%s}: %w", path, name, err)
 			}
 			t.fields[key] = target
-			t.refs[name] = key
+			t.refs[name] = refBinding{key, tail}
 		}
 		if err := t.compileFormat(); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", path, err)
@@ -53,6 +101,42 @@ func linkRefs(root map[string]node) error {
 	})
 }
 
+// eachTemplate calls fn once per template, with the folder its category sits in
+// and the dot path reaching it, folders and names in sorted order.
+func eachTemplate(root map[string]node, fn func(folder []string, path string, t *template) error) error {
+	var inCategory func(folder []string, path string, n node) error
+	inCategory = func(folder []string, path string, n node) error {
+		if t, ok := n.(*template); ok {
+			if err := fn(folder, path, t); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		for _, c := range contained(n) {
+			if err := inCategory(folder, join(path, c.name), c.node); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	var inFolder func(folder []string, children map[string]node) error
+	inFolder = func(folder []string, children map[string]node) error {
+		for _, name := range sortedNames(children) {
+			path := join(strings.Join(folder, "."), name)
+			if g, ok := children[name].(*group); ok {
+				if err := inFolder(append(folder[:len(folder):len(folder)], name), g.children); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				continue
+			}
+			if err := inCategory(folder, path, children[name]); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	return inFolder(nil, root)
+}
+
 // checkBoundLevelsHeld rejects every route to a held name except the ones that read
 // its draw. An expansion holds one draw of that name; anything else that renders it
 // draws again, and the two disagree. checkNoOverlap settles the spellings within one
@@ -173,7 +257,7 @@ func cover(n node, into map[node]bool, inChoice bool) {
 // whole, so that draw fixes every value the render produced, and a second route to
 // any of them disagrees with it.
 //
-// The walk stops at a {..path} edge, which is where the operand's own value ends
+// The walk stops at a reference edge, which is where the operand's own value ends
 // and a shared source begins: two names referencing one category are two draws, the
 // same rule {word} {word} follows.
 func operandDraw(n node, into map[node]bool) {
@@ -271,7 +355,7 @@ func contained(n node) []namedNode {
 	}
 }
 
-// named skips a bound {..path} key: it is a render edge, not containment, so using
+// named skips a bound {/path} key: it is a render edge, not containment, so using
 // it as a path segment would report a node under a path that does not reach it. Only
 // a template's fields hold bindings — loadDir skips a dot-prefixed entry, so a
 // group's children never carry the prefix — so this one skip serves both.
@@ -317,7 +401,7 @@ func resolveRef(root map[string]node, segments []string) (head []string, target
 	return segments[:i], n, segments[i:], nil
 }
 
-// refTokens returns the {..path} names a format reads, as tokens or as operands.
+// refTokens returns the reference names a format reads, as tokens or as operands.
 func refTokens(format string) []string {
 	var refs []string
 	seen := map[string]bool{}

reference_test.go

@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 // TestRootReferenceAcrossFolders is the headline case: a category in one folder
-// pulls a value from another via a {..path} reference resolved from the data root.
+// pulls a value from another via a {/path} reference resolved from the data root.
 func TestRootReferenceAcrossFolders(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"en_US/person":   `"Pat Smith"`,
-		"sv_SE/greeting": `"Hej, {..en_US.person}!"`,
+		"sv_SE/greeting": `"Hej, {/en_US.person}!"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
 	if got := fake(t, f, "sv_SE.greeting"); got != "Hej, Pat Smith!" {
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func TestRootReferenceAcrossFolders(t *testing.T) {
 func TestReferenceIntoAField(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"who":  `{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Ada","last":"Byron"}`,
-		"card": `"signed {..who.last}"`,
+		"card": `"signed {/who.last}"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
 	if got := fake(t, f, "card"); got != "signed Byron" {
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ func TestReferenceIntoAField(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// TestReferenceInAlternation lets a reference stand as one arm of a {a|..b}
+// TestReferenceInAlternation lets a reference stand as one arm of a {a|/b}
 // alternation, so a field and a cross-file value share one slot.
 func TestReferenceInAlternation(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"far":  `"X"`,
-		"near": `{"format":"{here|..far}","here":"H"}`,
+		"near": `{"format":"{here|/far}","here":"H"}`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(2))
 	seen := map[string]bool{}
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestReferenceInAlternation(t *testing.T) {
 // model: data layered from two dirs can point at each other through the root.
 func TestReferenceCombinesLoadedPaths(t *testing.T) {
 	a := writeData(t, map[string]string{"en_US/word": `"river"`})
-	b := writeData(t, map[string]string{"mine/slug": `"the-{..en_US.word}"`})
+	b := writeData(t, map[string]string{"mine/slug": `"the-{/en_US.word}"`})
 	f := newGeneratorN(t, []string{a, b}, WithSeed(1))
 	if got := fake(t, f, "mine.slug"); got != "the-river" {
 		t.Fatalf("slug = %q, want the-river", got)
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ func TestReferenceCombinesLoadedPaths(t *testing.T) {
 // linking order cannot matter.
 func TestReferenceChain(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
-		"a": `"{..b}"`,
-		"b": `"{..c}"`,
+		"a": `"{/b}"`,
+		"b": `"{/c}"`,
 		"c": `"deep"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
@@ -76,37 +76,37 @@ func TestReferenceChain(t *testing.T) {
 // fails at load, never at a random render.
 func TestReferenceErrors(t *testing.T) {
 	cases := map[string]map[string]string{
-		"missing target": {"card": `"{..nope.gone}"`},
-		"folder target":  {"en_US/word": `"w"`, "card": `"{..en_US}"`},
+		"missing target": {"card": `"{/nope.gone}"`},
+		"folder target":  {"en_US/word": `"w"`, "card": `"{/en_US}"`},
 		"a variant on the path lacks the field": {
 			"who":  `[{"format":"{f}","f":"1"},{"format":"{g}","g":"2"}]`,
-			"card": `"{..who.f}"`,
+			"card": `"{/who.f}"`,
 		},
-		"empty reference path": {"card": `"{..}"`},
+		"empty reference path": {"card": `"{/}"`},
 		// A reference that leads back to its own value never terminates at render,
 		// so New must reject the cycle up front (direct, mutual, or chained).
-		"direct cycle": {"a": `"x{..a}"`},
-		"mutual cycle": {"a": `"{..b}"`, "b": `"{..a}"`},
-		"chain cycle":  {"a": `"{..b}"`, "b": `"{..c}"`, "c": `"{..a}"`},
+		"direct cycle": {"a": `"x{/a}"`},
+		"mutual cycle": {"a": `"{/b}"`, "b": `"{/a}"`},
+		"chain cycle":  {"a": `"{/b}"`, "b": `"{/c}"`, "c": `"{/a}"`},
 		// calc renders its operands, so a cycle through one must be caught too.
-		"calc operand cycle": {"x": `{"format":"{calc(y)}","y":"{..x}"}`},
+		"calc operand cycle": {"x": `{"format":"{calc(y)}","y":"{/x}"}`},
 		// A field its parent's format never renders is still reachable by dot path,
 		// so a cycle hiding in one must fail at New rather than at render.
-		"cycle in an unrendered field": {"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{..cat.x}"}`},
+		"cycle in an unrendered field": {"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{/cat.x}"}`},
 		"mutual cycle between unrendered fields": {
-			"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{..cat.y}","y":"{..cat.x}"}`,
+			"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{/cat.y}","y":"{/cat.x}"}`,
 		},
 		"cycle in an unrendered field of a choice arm": {
-			"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{..cat.x}"}`,
+			"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{/cat.x}"}`,
 		},
 		// The shipped layout puts categories in folders, so a cycle one level down
 		// is the common case, not an edge case.
-		"cycle in a subfolder":            {"sv_SE/a": `"x{..sv_SE.a}"`},
-		"mutual cycle within a subfolder": {"sv_SE/a": `"{..sv_SE.b}"`, "sv_SE/b": `"{..sv_SE.a}"`},
-		"mutual cycle across two folders": {"en_US/a": `"{..sv_SE.b}"`, "sv_SE/b": `"{..en_US.a}"`},
+		"cycle in a subfolder":            {"sv_SE/a": `"x{/sv_SE.a}"`},
+		"mutual cycle within a subfolder": {"sv_SE/a": `"{/sv_SE.b}"`, "sv_SE/b": `"{/sv_SE.a}"`},
+		"mutual cycle across two folders": {"en_US/a": `"{/sv_SE.b}"`, "sv_SE/b": `"{/en_US.a}"`},
 		// ".." is reserved for bound references, so an authored key using it would
 		// name a node nothing can reach and nothing would validate.
-		"field key using the reference prefix": {"cat": `{"format":"hi","..x":"{..nope}"}`},
+		"field key using the reference prefix": {"cat": `{"format":"hi","..x":"{/nope}"}`},
 	}
 	for name, files := range cases {
 		if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, files))); err == nil {
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ func TestReferenceErrors(t *testing.T) {
 func TestDotPrefixedDataEntriesAreSkipped(t *testing.T) {
 	f := newGenerator(t, writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"sv_SE/ok":     `"fine"`,
-		"sv_SE/..bad":  `"{..nope}"`,
-		"sv_SE/..y/ct": `"{..nope}"`,
+		"sv_SE/..bad":  `"{/nope}"`,
+		"sv_SE/..y/ct": `"{/nope}"`,
 		".git/config":  `"not data"`,
 	}), WithSeed(1))
 	if got := f.List(); len(got) != 1 || got[0] != "sv_SE.ok" {
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func TestDotPrefixedDataEntriesAreSkipped(t *testing.T) {
 // over-rejecting: a field the format never renders may point back at its own
 // category, which terminates, and stays renderable by path.
 func TestReferenceFromUnrenderedFieldTerminates(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"see {..cat}"}`})
+	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"see {/cat}"}`})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
 	if got := fake(t, f, "cat"); got != "hi" {
 		t.Fatalf("cat = %q, want hi", got)
@@ -151,9 +151,9 @@ func TestReferenceFromUnrenderedFieldTerminates(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNewErrorIsDeterministic(t *testing.T) {
 	cases := map[string]map[string]string{
 		"three bad references": {
-			"a": `"{..nope.one}"`,
-			"b": `"{..nope.two}"`,
-			"c": `"{..nope.three}"`,
+			"a": `"{/nope.one}"`,
+			"b": `"{/nope.two}"`,
+			"c": `"{/nope.three}"`,
 		},
 		"two bad fields in one template": {
 			"cat": `{"format":"hi","aaa":{"no":1},"zzz":{"no":2}}`,
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func TestNewErrorIsDeterministic(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 // TestNewErrorPathIsCanonical pins the node path a load error names: a choice arm
-// adds no segment, and a bound {..path} reference is not a containment segment at
+// adds no segment, and a bound {/path} reference is not a containment segment at
 // all, so a bad reference is reported against the node that holds it.
 func TestNewErrorPathIsCanonical(t *testing.T) {
 	cases := []struct {
@@ -190,13 +190,13 @@ func TestNewErrorPathIsCanonical(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			"cycle inside a choice arm",
-			map[string]string{"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{..cat.x}"}`},
-			"fejkdata: reference cycle: cat.x -> ..cat.x",
+			map[string]string{"cat": `{"format":"hi","x":"{/cat.x}"}`},
+			"fejkdata: reference cycle: cat.x -> /cat.x",
 		},
 		{
 			"bad reference reached through another reference",
-			map[string]string{"a": `"{..b}"`, "b": `"{..nope}"`},
-			`fejkdata: b: reference {..nope}: no entry "nope"`,
+			map[string]string{"a": `"{/b}"`, "b": `"{/nope}"`},
+			`fejkdata: b: reference {/nope}: no entry "nope"`,
 		},
 	}
 	for _, c := range cases {
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ func TestNewErrorPathIsCanonical(t *testing.T) {
 func TestReferencePathIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"person": `[{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Anna","last":"Andersson"},{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Bo","last":"Berg"}]`,
-		"card":   `"{..person.first} {..person.last}"`,
+		"card":   `"{/person.first} {/person.last}"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(3))
 	seen := map[string]bool{}
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func TestReferencePathIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
 func TestReferenceThroughChoiceNeedsEveryVariant(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"who":  `[{"format":"{f}{h}","f":"1","h":"x"},{"format":"{g}{h}","g":"2","h":"y"}]`,
-		"card": `"{..who.f}"`,
+		"card": `"{/who.f}"`,
 	})))
 	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not every variant") {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v, want the missing variant named", err)
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ func TestReferenceThroughChoiceNeedsEveryVariant(t *testing.T) {
 func TestBareReferenceDrawsEachTime(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"die":  `["1","2","3","4","5","6"]`,
-		"roll": `"{..die} {..die}"`,
+		"roll": `"{/die} {/die}"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
 	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ func TestBareReferenceDrawsEachTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestReferenceOverlapIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	for name, file := range map[string]string{
-		"head beside a path":                   `{"format":"{..cat.p} {..cat.p.first}","p":[{"format":"{first}","first":"A"},{"format":"{first}","first":"B"}]}`,
-		"sibling path beside a reference path": `{"format":"{p.first} {..cat.p.last}","p":[{"format":"{first}","first":"A","last":"1"},{"format":"{first}","first":"B","last":"2"}]}`,
+		"head beside a path":                   `{"format":"{/cat.p} {/cat.p.first}","p":[{"format":"{first}","first":"A"},{"format":"{first}","first":"B"}]}`,
+		"sibling path beside a reference path": `{"format":"{p.first} {/cat.p.last}","p":[{"format":"{first}","first":"A","last":"1"},{"format":"{first}","first":"B","last":"2"}]}`,
 	} {
 		_, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, map[string]string{"cat": file})))
 		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "reads a path into") {
@@ -265,3 +265,50 @@ func TestReferenceOverlapIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRelativeReferences(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
+		"sv_SE/username":  `"bob"`,
+		"sv_SE/email":     `"{.username}@example.com"`,
+		"sv_SE/deep/card": `"{..username} via {/sv_SE.username}"`,
+		"top":             `"{.sv_SE.username}"`,
+	})
+	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(1))
+	for path, want := range map[string]string{
+		"sv_SE.email":     "bob@example.com",
+		"sv_SE.deep.card": "bob via bob",
+		"top":             "bob",
+	} {
+		if got := fake(t, f, path); got != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s = %q, want %q", path, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRelativeAndRootSpellingsBindOneDraw(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
+		"sv_SE/person": `[{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Anna","last":"Andersson"},{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Bo","last":"Berg"}]`,
+		"sv_SE/card":   `"{.person.first} {/sv_SE.person.last}"`,
+	})
+	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(3))
+	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
+		if got := fake(t, f, "sv_SE.card"); got != "Anna Andersson" && got != "Bo Berg" {
+			t.Fatalf("card = %q, want both spellings to read one person", got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReferenceSigilErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, files := range map[string]map[string]string{
+		"no folder above the root": {"a": `"{..b}"`, "b": `"x"`},
+		"three dots":               {"a": `"{...b}"`, "b": `"x"`},
+		"root sigil alone":         {"a": `"{/}"`},
+		"dot alone":                {"a": `"{.}"`},
+		"missing sibling":          {"sv_SE/a": `"{.nope}"`},
+		"slash in a field name":    {"a": `{"format":"{x}","x":"1","a/b":"2"}`},
+	} {
+		if _, err := New(WithoutShippedData(), WithDataPath(writeData(t, files))); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s: New = nil error, want a reference error", name)
+		}
+	}
+}

render.go

@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ type draws struct {
 }
 
 // readField renders one arm of a token. An arm's key is a sibling field or a
-// {..path} reference, which linkRefs bound into fields too. A name the expansion
+// {/path} reference, which linkRefs bound into fields too. A name the expansion
 // holds — a level some token addresses by dotted path, or a sibling a {calc()}
 // reads — is drawn once and kept, so {place.postal-code} and {place.locality} read
 // one row, either read twice gives one value, and a shown operand is the operand

shipped_data_test.go

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func TestWithDataPathLayersOverShipped(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestUserDataMayReferenceShipped(t *testing.T) {
-	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{"greeting": `"Hej {..sv_SE.person}!"`})
+	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{"greeting": `"Hej {/sv_SE.person}!"`})
 	f, err := New(WithDataPath(dir), WithSeed(1))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("New = %v", err)

template.go

@@ -135,10 +135,10 @@ func checkTokens(format string, fields map[string]node) error {
 		names := strings.Split(t.body, "|")
 		for _, name := range names {
 			if isRef(name) {
-				if name == refPrefix {
-					return fmt.Errorf("token {%s}: reference has no path", t.body)
+				if _, _, err := refShape(name); err != nil {
+					return fmt.Errorf("token {%s}: %w", t.body, err)
 				}
-				continue // a root reference; its target is checked at New (see linkRefs)
+				continue // its target is checked at New (see linkRefs)
 			}
 			if err := checkArm(name, fields); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("token {%s}: %w", t.body, err)
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ func fieldTokens(format string) []string {
 }
 
 // arm is one alternative of a {a|b} token or one operand, split into the key
-// naming the node in a template's fields (a sibling field, or the "..path" head a
+// naming the node in a template's fields (a sibling field, or the head a
 // reference is bound under) and the tail of a dotted path into it. A non-empty
 // tail is what makes the arm a bound draw: its head is drawn once per expansion
 // (see compileOps).
@@ -241,15 +241,19 @@ type arm struct {
 	steps []string // key per level passed through; the head and leaf hold their own
 }
 
-// splitArm splits one name into key and tail. refs maps a reference to the head
-// linkRefs bound it under; before linking, a reference is whole.
-func splitArm(name string, refs map[string]string) arm {
+// splitArm splits one name into key and tail. refs maps a reference to what
+// linkRefs bound it to; before linking, a reference is whole.
+func splitArm(name string, refs map[string]refBinding) arm {
 	if isRef(name) {
-		key, bound := refs[name]
-		if !bound || key == name {
-			return arm{name: name, key: name}
+		b, bound := refs[name]
+		if !bound || len(b.tail) == 0 {
+			key := name
+			if bound {
+				key = b.key
+			}
+			return arm{name: name, key: key}
 		}
-		return pathArm(name, key, strings.Split(name[len(key)+1:], "."))
+		return pathArm(name, b.key, b.tail)
 	}
 	head, tail, dotted := strings.Cut(name, ".")
 	if !dotted {
@@ -271,7 +275,7 @@ func pathArm(name, key string, segs []string) arm {
 // level's held draw while rendering the level expands it afresh, so their values
 // would disagree. Names are compared in sorted order, so which pair is reported
 // does not depend on where the tokens sit.
-func checkNoOverlap(format string, bound map[string]string, refs map[string]string) error {
+func checkNoOverlap(format string, bound map[string]string, refs map[string]refBinding) error {
 	names := boundReaders(format, bound, refs)
 	// Stable over one format-order scan, so two readers of one name (a token and a
 	// calc operand both naming "p") are reported as the format writes them.
@@ -292,7 +296,7 @@ type reader struct{ name, label string }
 // boundReaders lists every way a format reaches a bound field, in the order the
 // format writes them. An operand renders its field, so it names a level exactly
 // as a token does; one scan finds both, which is what puts them in one order.
-func boundReaders(format string, bound map[string]string, refs map[string]string) []reader {
+func boundReaders(format string, bound map[string]string, refs map[string]refBinding) []reader {
 	var names []reader
 	_ = eachToken(format, func(t ftoken) error {
 		if t.kind != 'b' {
@@ -336,7 +340,7 @@ func checkSegments(a arm) error {
 }
 
 // splitArms splits a token body's '|' alternatives.
-func splitArms(body string, refs map[string]string) []arm {
+func splitArms(body string, refs map[string]refBinding) []arm {
 	parts := strings.Split(body, "|")
 	arms := make([]arm, len(parts))
 	for i, p := range parts {
@@ -396,7 +400,7 @@ func (c *formatOps) hold(a arm, label string) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *formatOps) function(body string, refs map[string]string) {
+func (c *formatOps) function(body string, refs map[string]refBinding) {
 	name, args, _ := funcCall(body)
 	var operands []arm
 	for _, operand := range tokenOperands(body) {
@@ -407,7 +411,7 @@ func (c *formatOps) function(body string, refs map[string]string) {
 	c.ops = append(c.ops, op{kind: 'b', call: builtins[name].prep(args), operands: operands})
 }
 
-func (c *formatOps) field(body string, refs map[string]string) {
+func (c *formatOps) field(body string, refs map[string]refBinding) {
 	arms := splitArms(body, refs)
 	for _, a := range arms {
 		if len(a.tail) > 0 {
@@ -419,7 +423,7 @@ func (c *formatOps) field(body string, refs map[string]string) {
 
 // compileOps compiles a format string. Call checkTokens first: it is what proves
 // the scan and every token are valid.
-func compileOps(format string, refs map[string]string) formatOps {
+func compileOps(format string, refs map[string]refBinding) formatOps {
 	var c formatOps
 	var lit strings.Builder
 	flush := func() {
@@ -450,7 +454,7 @@ func compileOps(format string, refs map[string]string) formatOps {
 // checkNoRepeatedRead rejects a bare token repeated on a held name: {w} {w} beside
 // {uppercase(w)} would read one draw twice, where {w} {w} alone draws twice. The
 // error names the single-token spelling.
-func checkNoRepeatedRead(format string, c formatOps, refs map[string]string) error {
+func checkNoRepeatedRead(format string, c formatOps, refs map[string]refBinding) error {
 	count := map[string]int{}
 	return eachToken(format, func(t ftoken) error {
 		if t.kind != 'b' {

template_stability_test.go

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func TestSeededOutputIsStable(t *testing.T) {
 		"escapes": `{"format":"01Aa#{x}","x":"!"}`,
 		"funcs":   `"{hex(6)} {int(10,99)} {float(0,1,3)} {nanoid(5)} {seq()}"`,
 		"nested":  `{"format":"{outer}","outer":{"format":"{inner}-{digits(2)}","inner":"i"}}`,
-		"ref":     `"see {..alt}"`,
+		"ref":     `"see {/alt}"`,
 		"repeat":  `{"format":"{w}","repeat":4,"separator":",","w":["x","y","z"]}`,
 		"sums":    `{"format":"9{d}{luhn()} {e}{ean()} {m}{mod11()}","d":"012345678901234","e":"123456789012","m":"12345678"}`,
 		"weights": `[{"format":"big","weight":9},"tiny"]`,

transform_test.go

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func TestTransformReadsTheHeldDraw(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTransformOverAReference(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := writeData(t, map[string]string{
 		"person": `[{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Åsa","last":"Öberg"},{"format":"{first} {last}","first":"Bo","last":"Ek"}]`,
-		"email":  `"{..person.first} {..person.last} <{lowercase(ascii(..person.first))}.{lowercase(ascii(..person.last))}@example.com>"`,
+		"email":  `"{/person.first} {/person.last} <{lowercase(ascii(/person.first))}.{lowercase(ascii(/person.last))}@example.com>"`,
 	})
 	f := newGenerator(t, dir, WithSeed(5))
 	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {