diff --git a/examples/basic/0038-basic-dead-code-after-terminator.sx b/examples/basic/0038-basic-dead-code-after-terminator.sx
index d7ae375e..bc630e9d 100644
--- a/examples/basic/0038-basic-dead-code-after-terminator.sx
+++ b/examples/basic/0038-basic-dead-code-after-terminator.sx
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ E :: error { Neg }
 const_one :: () -> i64 { return 1; return 99; }
 
 // dead `return x;` after an unconditional raise (the failable closure shape)
-always_raise :: (x: i64) -> i64 !E { raise error.Neg; return x; }
+always_raise :: (x: i64) -> (i64, !E) { raise error.Neg; return x; }
 
 // guard: a conditional return must still fall through to the trailing return
 clamp :: (x: i64) -> i64 { if x > 10 { return 10; } return x; }
diff --git a/examples/diagnostics/1157-diagnostics-catch-binding-needs-parens.sx b/examples/diagnostics/1157-diagnostics-catch-binding-needs-parens.sx
index 4963efb1..4eb3ee02 100644
--- a/examples/diagnostics/1157-diagnostics-catch-binding-needs-parens.sx
+++ b/examples/diagnostics/1157-diagnostics-catch-binding-needs-parens.sx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad };
 
-f :: () -> i64 !E { raise error.Bad; }
+f :: () -> (i64, !E) { raise error.Bad; }
 
 main :: () {
     v := f() catch e { 0 };
diff --git a/examples/errors/1011-errors-value-failable.sx b/examples/errors/1011-errors-value-failable.sx
index 8fbe3c2f..e24f8d5e 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1011-errors-value-failable.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1011-errors-value-failable.sx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 10;                       // success → {n*10, 0}
diff --git a/examples/errors/1012-errors-value-failable-consume.sx b/examples/errors/1012-errors-value-failable-consume.sx
index 8ef34fb6..be81a50e 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1012-errors-value-failable-consume.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1012-errors-value-failable-consume.sx
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
 }
 
 // value-carrying `try` in a value-carrying caller — propagates {undef, tag}.
-inc :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+inc :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     v := try parse(n);
     return v + 1;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1013-errors-value-failable-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1013-errors-value-failable-reject.sx
index 98f80e14..68145f72 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1013-errors-value-failable-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1013-errors-value-failable-reject.sx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return n;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1014-errors-failable-or.sx b/examples/errors/1014-errors-failable-or.sx
index 6860668f..6ca41625 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1014-errors-failable-or.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1014-errors-failable-or.sx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1018-errors-multi-value-failable.sx b/examples/errors/1018-errors-multi-value-failable.sx
index 4d486f1c..9301a21f 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1018-errors-multi-value-failable.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1018-errors-multi-value-failable.sx
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> Tuple(i32, i32) !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return .(n * 2, n + 1);            // success → {n*2, n+1, 0}
 }
 
 // Multi-value `try` in a multi-value caller — propagates {undef, undef, tag}.
-inc :: (n: i32) -> Tuple(i32, i32) !E {
+inc :: (n: i32) -> (i32, i32, !E) {
     v, b := try parse(n);
     return .(v + 1, b + 1);
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1019-errors-failable-discard-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1019-errors-failable-discard-reject.sx
index eb37bf73..99e55683 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1019-errors-failable-discard-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1019-errors-failable-discard-reject.sx
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-pair :: (n: i32) -> Tuple(i32, i32) !E {
+pair :: (n: i32) -> (i32, i32, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return .(n, n + 1);
 }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return n * 2;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1023-errors-tag-interpolation.sx b/examples/errors/1023-errors-tag-interpolation.sx
index 3464ead7..908746d7 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1023-errors-tag-interpolation.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1023-errors-tag-interpolation.sx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 E :: error { BadDigit, Empty, Overflow }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.BadDigit; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1026-errors-failable-main.sx b/examples/errors/1026-errors-failable-main.sx
index e4e595b4..79ec4d46 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1026-errors-failable-main.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1026-errors-failable-main.sx
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 ParseErr :: error { Empty, BadDigit };
 
-inner :: (n: i32) -> i32 !ParseErr {
+inner :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !ParseErr) {
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }       // pushes a frame
     if n < 0 { raise error.BadDigit; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1027-errors-failable-main-value.sx b/examples/errors/1027-errors-failable-main-value.sx
index 58a4608c..cdab14a1 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1027-errors-failable-main-value.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1027-errors-failable-main-value.sx
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@
 
 ParseErr :: error { Empty, BadDigit };
 
-inner :: (n: i32) -> i32 !ParseErr {
+inner :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !ParseErr) {
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     if n < 0 { raise error.BadDigit; }
     return n * 2;
 }
 
-main :: () -> i32 !ParseErr {
+main :: () -> (i32, !ParseErr) {
     v := try inner(32);                      // succeeds → v = 64
     print("v = {}\n", v);
     return v;                                // success → exit code 64
diff --git a/examples/errors/1028-errors-failable-or-chain.sx b/examples/errors/1028-errors-failable-or-chain.sx
index 0c96cb75..6a930528 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1028-errors-failable-or-chain.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1028-errors-failable-or-chain.sx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 E :: error { A, B };
 
-fa :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+fa :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n == 0 { raise error.A; }
     if n < 0  { raise error.B; }
     return n;
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ fv :: (n: i32) -> !E {                       // void (pure) failable
     return;
 }
 
-main :: () -> i32 !E {
+main :: () -> (i32, !E) {
     onfail print("onfail fired (BUG)\n");    // must NOT fire — every chain below absorbs
 
     r : i32 = 0;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1029-errors-failable-or-chain-propagate.sx b/examples/errors/1029-errors-failable-or-chain-propagate.sx
index fa5f4c87..5668b97b 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1029-errors-failable-or-chain-propagate.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1029-errors-failable-or-chain-propagate.sx
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@
 
 E :: error { A };
 
-fa :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+fa :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n == 0 { raise error.A; }
     return n;
 }
 
-main :: () -> i32 !E {
+main :: () -> (i32, !E) {
     v := try fa(0) or try fa(0) or try fa(0);   // all fail → propagate to main
     return v;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1036-errors-failable-smoke.sx b/examples/errors/1036-errors-failable-smoke.sx
index e324dbdb..9c65159b 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1036-errors-failable-smoke.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1036-errors-failable-smoke.sx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 SmokeErr :: error { Empty, BadDigit, Overflow }
 
 // value-carrying, named set
-sm_parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr {
+sm_parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.BadDigit; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     if n > 99 { raise error.Overflow; }
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ sm_check :: (ok: bool) -> ! {
 }
 
 // multi-value, inferred set: `try` propagates; SCC absorbs SmokeErr
-sm_pair :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> Tuple(i32, i32) ! {
+sm_pair :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> (i32, i32, !) {
     x := try sm_parse(a);
     y := try sm_parse(b);
     return .(x, y);
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ sm_or_default :: (n: i32) -> i32 {
 }
 
 // onfail + defer interleave: cleanup runs only on the error path
-sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> i32 ! {
+sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> (i32, !) {
     defer  print("  defer A\n");
     onfail print("  onfail B\n");
     if fail { raise error.Acquire; }
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> i32 ! {
 }
 
 // or-chain: try a, fall to try b; propagate if both fail
-sm_first :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> i32 ! {
+sm_first :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> (i32, !) {
     v := try sm_parse(a) or try sm_parse(b);
     return v;
 }
@@ -54,18 +54,18 @@ sm_first :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> i32 ! {
 // --- Composition (ERR E5.1): failable closures, widening, generics ---
 
 // Closure(...) param, try-propagated (the env is carried)
-sm_run :: (cb: Closure(i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr, n: i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr {
+sm_run :: (cb: Closure(i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr), n: i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr) {
     return try cb(n);
 }
 
 // bare fn-type param: a NON-failable closure literal widens into the failable
 // slot (the ∅-widening adapter wraps `{value, 0}`)
-sm_widen :: (cb: (i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr, n: i32) -> i32 {
+sm_widen :: (cb: (i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr), n: i32) -> i32 {
     return cb(n) catch (e) -1;
 }
 
 // generic ($T) value-carrying failable composition, monomorphized per call
-sm_wrap :: ($T: Type, f: Closure() -> T !SmokeErr) -> T !SmokeErr {
+sm_wrap :: ($T: Type, f: Closure() -> (T, !SmokeErr)) -> (T, !SmokeErr) {
     return try f();
 }
 
@@ -120,15 +120,15 @@ main :: () {
     iv, ierr := sm_acquire(false);
 
     // composition: inline failable closure literal through a Closure(...) param
-    cl := sm_run(closure((x: i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr { if x < 0 { raise error.BadDigit; } return x * 2; }), 6) catch (e) -1;
+    cl := sm_run(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr) { if x < 0 { raise error.BadDigit; } return x * 2; }), 6) catch (e) -1;
     print("closure-run: {}\n", cl);                                                     // 12
-    print("closure-run-err: {}\n", sm_run(closure((x: i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr { raise error.Empty; }), 1) catch (e) -9); // -9
+    print("closure-run-err: {}\n", sm_run(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr) { raise error.Empty; }), 1) catch (e) -9); // -9
 
     // non-failable closure literal widened into the failable bare slot
     print("widen: {}\n", sm_widen(closure((x: i32) -> i32 => x + 1), 9));               // 10
 
     // generic failable composition (monomorphized at i32)
-    print("wrap: {}\n", sm_wrap(i32, closure(() -> i32 !SmokeErr { return 42; })) catch (e) 0); // 42
+    print("wrap: {}\n", sm_wrap(i32, closure(() -> (i32, !SmokeErr) { return 42; })) catch (e) 0); // 42
 
     print("errors ok\n");
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1037-errors-comptime-run-escape.sx b/examples/errors/1037-errors-comptime-run-escape.sx
index e959fe26..c5e6fe86 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1037-errors-comptime-run-escape.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1037-errors-comptime-run-escape.sx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1038-errors-comptime-run-handled.sx b/examples/errors/1038-errors-comptime-run-handled.sx
index e86dc352..76399b82 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1038-errors-comptime-run-handled.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1038-errors-comptime-run-handled.sx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1039-errors-failable-closure-literal.sx b/examples/errors/1039-errors-failable-closure-literal.sx
index f4510802..ac3b061d 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1039-errors-failable-closure-literal.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1039-errors-failable-closure-literal.sx
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@
 
 E :: error { Neg }
 
-runwith :: (cb: Closure(i64) -> i64 !E, n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
+runwith :: (cb: Closure(i64) -> (i64, !E), n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     // block-body and arrow-body failable closures, called directly
-    m := closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; });
-    n := closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E => x + 1);
+    m := closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; });
+    n := closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) => x + 1);
     print("{} {} {} {}\n", m(5) catch (e) 0, m(-1) catch (e) 99, m(-1) or 7, n(40) catch (e) 0); // 10 99 7 41
 
     // failable closure passed as a Closure(...) parameter
diff --git a/examples/errors/1040-errors-failable-closure-composition.sx b/examples/errors/1040-errors-failable-closure-composition.sx
index d3934aa6..6bbbd694 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1040-errors-failable-closure-composition.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1040-errors-failable-closure-composition.sx
@@ -12,21 +12,21 @@
 
 E :: error { Neg }
 
-bare  :: (cb: (i64) -> i64 !E, n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
-chain :: (cb: Closure(i64) -> i64 !E, n: i64) -> i64 !E { return try cb(n); }
+bare  :: (cb: (i64) -> (i64, !E), n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
+chain :: (cb: Closure(i64) -> (i64, !E), n: i64) -> (i64, !E) { return try cb(n); }
 
-dbl :: (x: i64) -> i64 !E { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; }
+dbl :: (x: i64) -> (i64, !E) { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     // failable closure literal through a bare fn-type param (matching ABI)
     print("bare ok={} err={}\n",
-        bare(closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; }), 5),
-        bare(closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E => x * 2), -1));                 // ok=10; err: arrow never raises → cb(-1) = -2
+        bare(closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) { if x < 0 { raise error.Neg; } return x * 2; }), 5),
+        bare(closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) => x * 2), -1));                 // ok=10; err: arrow never raises → cb(-1) = -2
 
     // Closure(...) param, try-propagated, then caught at the call site
     print("chain ok={} err={}\n",
-        chain(closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E => x + 6), 4) catch (e) 0,        // 10
-        chain(closure((x: i64) -> i64 !E { raise error.Neg; }), 1) catch (e) 0); // 0
+        chain(closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) => x + 6), 4) catch (e) 0,        // 10
+        chain(closure((x: i64) -> (i64, !E) { raise error.Neg; }), 1) catch (e) 0); // 0
 
     // NON-failable closure literal widened into the failable bare slot
     print("widen={}\n", bare(closure((x: i64) -> i64 => x + 1), 9));        // 10
diff --git a/examples/errors/1041-errors-failable-closure-shape-union.sx b/examples/errors/1041-errors-failable-closure-shape-union.sx
index 74046ace..442fffb5 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1041-errors-failable-closure-shape-union.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1041-errors-failable-closure-shape-union.sx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 All :: error { Negative, Other }
 
 // `h` is a bare-`!` Closure slot; the caller declares the union as `!All`.
-dispatch :: (h: Closure(i32) -> i32 !, x: i32) -> i32 !All {
+dispatch :: (h: Closure(i32) -> (i32, !), x: i32) -> (i32, !All) {
     return try h(x);
 }
 
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ main :: () -> i32 {
     push Context.{ allocator = xx gpa } {
         // Two literals of the SAME shape raising DIFFERENT tags both feed the
         // one shared `Closure(i32)->(i32,!)` union node.
-        handlers : List(Closure(i32) -> i32 !) = .{};
-        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> i32 ! { if x < 0 { raise error.Negative; } return x * 2; }));
-        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> i32 ! { if x == 0 { raise error.Other; } return x + 100; }));
+        handlers : List(Closure(i32) -> (i32, !)) = .{};
+        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !) { if x < 0 { raise error.Negative; } return x * 2; }));
+        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !) { if x == 0 { raise error.Other; } return x + 100; }));
 
         // success paths
         print("ok0={}\n", dispatch(handlers.items[0], 5) catch (e) 0);   // 10
diff --git a/examples/errors/1042-errors-failable-closure-shape-union-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1042-errors-failable-closure-shape-union-reject.sx
index f9d75f0e..0ead4abb 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1042-errors-failable-closure-shape-union-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1042-errors-failable-closure-shape-union-reject.sx
@@ -9,16 +9,16 @@
 
 Small :: error { Unrelated }
 
-reject :: (h: Closure(i32) -> i32 !, x: i32) -> i32 !Small {
+reject :: (h: Closure(i32) -> (i32, !), x: i32) -> (i32, !Small) {
     return try h(x);   // Negative, Other ∉ Small → two diagnostics
 }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     gpa := GPA.init();
     push Context.{ allocator = xx gpa } {
-        handlers : List(Closure(i32) -> i32 !) = .{};
-        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> i32 ! { if x < 0 { raise error.Negative; } return x; }));
-        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> i32 ! { if x == 0 { raise error.Other; } return x; }));
+        handlers : List(Closure(i32) -> (i32, !)) = .{};
+        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !) { if x < 0 { raise error.Negative; } return x; }));
+        handlers.append(closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !) { if x == 0 { raise error.Other; } return x; }));
         print("r={}\n", reject(handlers.items[0], 5) catch (e) 0);
     }
     return 0;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1043-errors-lambda-raise-annotation-hint.sx b/examples/errors/1043-errors-lambda-raise-annotation-hint.sx
index 095cb8dc..20074adc 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1043-errors-lambda-raise-annotation-hint.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1043-errors-lambda-raise-annotation-hint.sx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Neg }
 
-take :: (cb: Closure(i32) -> i32 !E, x: i32) -> i32 { return cb(x) catch (e) -1; }
+take :: (cb: Closure(i32) -> (i32, !E), x: i32) -> i32 { return cb(x) catch (e) -1; }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     // `-> i32` (non-failable) but the body raises → lambda-specific hint:
diff --git a/examples/errors/1044-errors-generic-failable-composition.sx b/examples/errors/1044-errors-generic-failable-composition.sx
index 495a0728..635e5274 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1044-errors-generic-failable-composition.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1044-errors-generic-failable-composition.sx
@@ -9,21 +9,21 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-wrap :: ($T: Type, f: Closure() -> T !E) -> T !E { return try f(); }
+wrap :: ($T: Type, f: Closure() -> (T, !E)) -> (T, !E) { return try f(); }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     // success, consumed by catch
-    print("catch={}\n", wrap(i32, closure(() -> i32 !E { return 7; })) catch (e) -1);   // 7
+    print("catch={}\n", wrap(i32, closure(() -> (i32, !E) { return 7; })) catch (e) -1);   // 7
 
     // success, consumed by destructure (binds value + error slot); the value
     // slot is read only under an `if !err` guard (ERR E1.8 path-sensitivity)
-    r, err := wrap(i32, closure(() -> i32 !E { return 9; }));
+    r, err := wrap(i32, closure(() -> (i32, !E) { return 9; }));
     if !err { print("destr={} ok=true\n", r); }                                           // destr=9 ok=true
 
     // failure path: the raised tag propagates through the generic `try`
-    print("fail={}\n", wrap(i32, closure(() -> i32 !E { raise error.Bad; }) ) catch (e) -1); // -1
+    print("fail={}\n", wrap(i32, closure(() -> (i32, !E) { raise error.Bad; }) ) catch (e) -1); // -1
 
     // a second monomorphization at a different T
-    print("u8={}\n", wrap(u8, closure(() -> u8 !E { return 200; })) catch (e) 0);         // 200
+    print("u8={}\n", wrap(u8, closure(() -> (u8, !E) { return 200; })) catch (e) 0);         // 200
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1045-errors-closure-var-bare-slot-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1045-errors-closure-var-bare-slot-reject.sx
index 8fecfb18..c23927ee 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1045-errors-closure-var-bare-slot-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1045-errors-closure-var-bare-slot-reject.sx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 E :: error { Z }
 
 bare  :: (cb: (i64) -> i64, n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n); }
-baref :: (cb: (i64) -> i64 !E, n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
+baref :: (cb: (i64) -> (i64, !E), n: i64) -> i64 { return cb(n) catch (e) -1; }
 
 main :: () -> i32 {
     inc := closure((x: i64) -> i64 => x + 1);          // capture-free closure var
diff --git a/examples/errors/1046-errors-value-slot-liveness.sx b/examples/errors/1046-errors-value-slot-liveness.sx
index 62ca002c..433c3b14 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1046-errors-value-slot-liveness.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1046-errors-value-slot-liveness.sx
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 10;
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ guarded :: (n: i32) -> i32 {
 }
 
 // `if err { raise }` in a failable function: same fall-through proof.
-relay :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+relay :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     v, err := parse(n);
     if err { raise err; }
     return v + 1;                          // err proven absent here
diff --git a/examples/errors/1047-errors-value-slot-liveness-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1047-errors-value-slot-liveness-reject.sx
index b0cde6aa..2f91346a 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1047-errors-value-slot-liveness-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1047-errors-value-slot-liveness-reject.sx
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return n * 10;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1048-errors-cleanup-absorption.sx b/examples/errors/1048-errors-cleanup-absorption.sx
index 8f8064cb..d49b6f6a 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1048-errors-cleanup-absorption.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1048-errors-cleanup-absorption.sx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 E :: error { Bad }
 
 failing :: () -> !E { raise error.Bad; }
-recover :: () -> i32 !E { raise error.Bad; }
+recover :: () -> (i32, !E) { raise error.Bad; }
 
 work :: (n: i32) -> !E {
     defer  print("defer: always\n");                                 // plain cleanup
diff --git a/examples/errors/1050-errors-defer-block-body.sx b/examples/errors/1050-errors-defer-block-body.sx
index f20ac955..b4513158 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1050-errors-defer-block-body.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1050-errors-defer-block-body.sx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-probe   :: () -> i32 !E { return 21; }
+probe   :: () -> (i32, !E) { return 21; }
 failing :: () -> !E { raise error.Bad; }
 
 run :: () {
diff --git a/examples/errors/1051-errors-cleanup-closure-boundary.sx b/examples/errors/1051-errors-cleanup-closure-boundary.sx
index 7fbdc4f7..1dbc42db 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1051-errors-cleanup-closure-boundary.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1051-errors-cleanup-closure-boundary.sx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 E :: error { Bad }
 
 failing :: () -> !E { raise error.Bad; }
-recover :: () -> i32 !E { return 21; }
+recover :: () -> (i32, !E) { return 21; }
 
 work :: () {
     defer {
diff --git a/examples/errors/1053-errors-nested-lambda-liveness-reject.sx b/examples/errors/1053-errors-nested-lambda-liveness-reject.sx
index 806b440d..243eb3a3 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1053-errors-nested-lambda-liveness-reject.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1053-errors-nested-lambda-liveness-reject.sx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return n * 10;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1054-errors-backtick-reserved-binding.sx b/examples/errors/1054-errors-backtick-reserved-binding.sx
index 4ac6a24f..8528e0e7 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1054-errors-backtick-reserved-binding.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1054-errors-backtick-reserved-binding.sx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad, Empty }
 
-parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !E {
+parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !E) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.Bad; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     return n * 2;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1055-errors-enum-value-failable-error-slot.sx b/examples/errors/1055-errors-enum-value-failable-error-slot.sx
index 5b406996..6e74c1a3 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1055-errors-enum-value-failable-error-slot.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1055-errors-enum-value-failable-error-slot.sx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 Color :: enum { red; green; blue; }
 E :: error { Nope }
 
-pick :: (s: string) -> Color !E {
+pick :: (s: string) -> (Color, !E) {
     if s == "red"  { return .red; }
     if s == "blue" { return .blue; }       // non-zero ordinal (2)
     raise error.Nope;
diff --git a/examples/errors/1056-errors-enum-value-failable-tuple-and-comptime.sx b/examples/errors/1056-errors-enum-value-failable-tuple-and-comptime.sx
index 49a629d0..dfc605dd 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1056-errors-enum-value-failable-tuple-and-comptime.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1056-errors-enum-value-failable-tuple-and-comptime.sx
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@ Color :: enum { red; green; blue; }
 E :: error { Nope }
 
 // F1: bare-value success path AND explicit-tuple error path in one function.
-classify :: (s: string) -> Color !E {
+classify :: (s: string) -> (Color, !E) {
     if s == "ok" { return .blue; }        // bare value → {2, 0}
     return .(.red, error.Nope);            // explicit full tuple → {0, 1}
 }
 
 // F2: comptime parameter forces inline lowering of the body.
-ct_pick :: ($n: i32, s: string) -> Color !E {
+ct_pick :: ($n: i32, s: string) -> (Color, !E) {
     if s == "red"  { return .red; }       // bare value, inline path → {0, 0}
     if s == "blue" { return .blue; }      // bare value, inline path → {2, 0}
     raise error.Nope;                     // inline error path → {undef, 1}
diff --git a/examples/errors/1057-errors-negated-error-binding.sx b/examples/errors/1057-errors-negated-error-binding.sx
index e07c8581..3e1ee8bd 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1057-errors-negated-error-binding.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1057-errors-negated-error-binding.sx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Boom }
 
-f :: (fail: bool) -> i64 !E {
+f :: (fail: bool) -> (i64, !E) {
     if fail { raise error.Boom; }
     return 42;
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1058-errors-reexport-value-failable-channel/lib.sx b/examples/errors/1058-errors-reexport-value-failable-channel/lib.sx
index 75f65d79..848f3c22 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1058-errors-reexport-value-failable-channel/lib.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1058-errors-reexport-value-failable-channel/lib.sx
@@ -5,4 +5,4 @@ LE  :: error { Bad }
 Box :: struct ($R: Type) { v: R; }
 
 // Returns `($R, !LE)` — a value-failable. `$R` is inferred from the arg.
-get :: ufcs (b: *Box($R)) -> $R !LE { return b.v; }
+get :: ufcs (b: *Box($R)) -> ($R, !LE) { return b.v; }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1060-errors-named-tuple-failable.sx b/examples/errors/1060-errors-named-tuple-failable.sx
index 6ec048cd..10461004 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1060-errors-named-tuple-failable.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1060-errors-named-tuple-failable.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// A failable function returning a NAMED tuple value `-> Tuple(x: A, y: B) !E`
+// A failable function returning a NAMED tuple value `-> (x: A, y: B, !E)`
 // flattens its value fields into the result tuple (`{ x: A, y: B, err }`),
 // keeping the `.x`/`.y` names addressable on both the success value and the
 // `or` fallback. Exercises the success path, a `raise` path, and an
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 E :: error { Bad }
 
-two :: (n: i64) -> Tuple(x: i64, y: i64) !E {
+two :: (n: i64) -> (x: i64, y: i64, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     return .(x = n, y = n + 1);
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1062-errors-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx b/examples/errors/1062-errors-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
index 090d990e..798962db 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1062-errors-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1062-errors-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Value-carrying failable functions (`-> T !E`) whose body ends in a trailing
+// Value-carrying failable functions (`-> (T, !E)`) whose body ends in a trailing
 // success EXPRESSION (no explicit `return`) must set the success error slot to
 // 0 — the caller's `catch` must NOT fire and the success value must be intact.
 // Regression (issue 0190): `lowerValueBody` used to `coerceToType`+`ret` the
@@ -10,16 +10,16 @@
 E :: error { Bad }
 
 // Single-value trailing-expression success.
-val :: () -> i64 !E { 99 }
+val :: () -> (i64, !E) { 99 }
 
 // String trailing-expression success.
-sval :: () -> string !E { "hi" }
+sval :: () -> (string, !E) { "hi" }
 
 // Multi-value (tuple) trailing-expression success.
-mval :: () -> Tuple(i64, i64) !E { .(1, 2) }
+mval :: () -> (i64, i64, !E) { .(1, 2) }
 
 // A real error still propagates through the value-failable channel.
-fval :: (n: i64) -> i64 !E {
+fval :: (n: i64) -> (i64, !E) {
     if n < 0 { raise error.Bad; }
     n + 1
 }
diff --git a/examples/errors/1063-errors-generic-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx b/examples/errors/1063-errors-generic-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
index 19bcc500..132e823f 100644
--- a/examples/errors/1063-errors-generic-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
+++ b/examples/errors/1063-errors-generic-value-failable-trailing-expr.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Generic value-carrying failable functions (`($T) -> T !E`) whose body ends in
+// Generic value-carrying failable functions (`($T) -> (T, !E)`) whose body ends in
 // a trailing success EXPRESSION (no explicit `return`) must set the success
 // error slot to 0 — the caller's `catch` must NOT fire and the value must be
 // intact across instantiations (i64 / string / struct), and `or` must yield the
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ E :: error { Bad }
 Point :: struct { x: i64; y: i64; }
 
 // Generic trailing-expression success — instantiated at i64 / string / struct.
-gen :: ($T: Type, v: T) -> T !E { v }
+gen :: ($T: Type, v: T) -> (T, !E) { v }
 
 // Generic that RAISES — the caller's catch must still fire.
-gfail :: ($T: Type, v: T, bad: bool) -> T !E {
+gfail :: ($T: Type, v: T, bad: bool) -> (T, !E) {
     if bad { raise error.Bad; }
     v
 }
diff --git a/examples/protocols/0415-protocols-protocols.sx b/examples/protocols/0415-protocols-protocols.sx
index 77a039f5..d2c86532 100644
--- a/examples/protocols/0415-protocols-protocols.sx
+++ b/examples/protocols/0415-protocols-protocols.sx
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ SmokeErr :: error { Empty, BadDigit, Overflow }
 // value-carrying, named set: raise three tags or succeed
 
 // value-carrying, named set: raise three tags or succeed
-sm_parse :: (n: i32) -> i32 !SmokeErr {
+sm_parse :: (n: i32) -> (i32, !SmokeErr) {
     if n < 0  { raise error.BadDigit; }
     if n == 0 { raise error.Empty; }
     if n > 99 { raise error.Overflow; }
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ sm_check :: (ok: bool) -> ! {
 // multi-value, inferred set: `try` propagates; the SCC pass absorbs SmokeErr
 
 // multi-value, inferred set: `try` propagates; the SCC pass absorbs SmokeErr
-sm_pair :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> Tuple(i32, i32) ! {
+sm_pair :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> (i32, i32, !) {
     x := try sm_parse(a);
     y := try sm_parse(b);
     return .(x, y);
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ sm_or_default :: (n: i32) -> i32 {
 // `onfail` + `defer` interleave: cleanup runs only on the error path
 
 // `onfail` + `defer` interleave: cleanup runs only on the error path
-sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> i32 ! {
+sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> (i32, !) {
     defer  print("  smoke defer A\n");
     onfail print("  smoke onfail B\n");
     if fail { raise error.Acquire; }
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ sm_acquire :: (fail: bool) -> i32 ! {
 // `or`-chain: try a, fall to try b; propagate if both fail
 
 // `or`-chain: try a, fall to try b; propagate if both fail
-sm_first :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> i32 ! {
+sm_first :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> (i32, !) {
     v := try sm_parse(a) or try sm_parse(b);
     return v;
 }
diff --git a/examples/types/0204-types-multi-return-failable.sx b/examples/types/0204-types-multi-return-failable.sx
index 95fe481a..19fda44c 100644
--- a/examples/types/0204-types-multi-return-failable.sx
+++ b/examples/types/0204-types-multi-return-failable.sx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // A multi-return signature may carry an error channel as its LAST slot:
 // `-> (i32, bool, !)` returns two values OR fails. This reuses the existing
 // value-carrying-failable machinery — the error is always the final slot. A
-// single-value failable `-> (T, !)` (one value + error) is exactly `-> T !`,
+// single-value failable `-> (T, !)` (one value + error) is exactly `-> (T, !)`,
 // NOT a multi-return.
 //
 // Consume it like any failable: `catch` / `or` / a guarded destructure or
diff --git a/library/modules/std/cli.sx b/library/modules/std/cli.sx
index 0aeb5b1f..11f4c6af 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/cli.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/cli.sx
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ is_long_flag :: (s: string) -> bool {
 // Parse `args` (the logical argv) against the `commands` table, writing
 // the offending token into `diag` on the error path. See the section
 // header for grammar, failure contract, and heap discipline.
-parse :: (args: []string, commands: []Command, diag: *Diag) -> Parsed !CliError {
+parse :: (args: []string, commands: []Command, diag: *Diag) -> (Parsed, !CliError) {
     // ── Dispatch: match (args[0], args[1]) against the command table ──
     if args.len < 2 {
         diag.index = if args.len == 0 then -1 else 0;
diff --git a/library/modules/std/event.sx b/library/modules/std/event.sx
index ac7779d3..9304b210 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/event.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/event.sx
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ Loop :: struct {
     // long-lived-container rule).
     own: Allocator;
 
-    init :: () -> Loop !EventErr {
+    init :: () -> (Loop, !EventErr) {
         e := ep.ep_create();
         if e < 0 { raise error.Init; }
         return Loop.{ epfd = e, regs = .{}, own = context.allocator };
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ Loop :: struct {
 
     // Fill `out` with ready events, waiting at most `timeout_ms`
     // (negative = forever). Returns the count; 0 is a timeout.
-    wait :: (self: *Loop, out: []Event, timeout_ms: i64) -> i64 !EventErr {
+    wait :: (self: *Loop, out: []Event, timeout_ms: i64) -> (i64, !EventErr) {
         raw : [64]ep.EpollEvent = ---;
         cap : i64 = 64;
         if xx out.len < cap { cap = xx out.len; }
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ Loop :: struct {
 Loop :: struct {
     kq: i32 = -1;
 
-    init :: () -> Loop !EventErr {
+    init :: () -> (Loop, !EventErr) {
         q := kqb.kqueue();
         if q < 0 { raise error.Init; }
         return Loop.{ kq = q };
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ Loop :: struct {
 
     // Fill `out` with ready events, waiting at most `timeout_ms`
     // (negative = forever). Returns the count; 0 is a timeout.
-    wait :: (self: *Loop, out: []Event, timeout_ms: i64) -> i64 !EventErr {
+    wait :: (self: *Loop, out: []Event, timeout_ms: i64) -> (i64, !EventErr) {
         raw : [64]kqb.Kevent = ---;
         cap : i64 = 64;
         if xx out.len < cap { cap = xx out.len; }
diff --git a/library/modules/std/http.sx b/library/modules/std/http.sx
index 2430fad5..98588388 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/http.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/http.sx
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ Server :: struct {
     ctx: usize = 0;
     ps: *PoolState = null;   // non-null iff cfg.thread_pool_count > 0
 
-    init :: (cfg: Config, handler: (*Request, *Response, usize) -> void, ctx: usize) -> Server !HttpErr {
+    init :: (cfg: Config, handler: (*Request, *Response, usize) -> void, ctx: usize) -> (Server, !HttpErr) {
         lfd := socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM, 0);
         if lfd < 0 { raise error.Bind; }
         one : i32 = 1;
diff --git a/library/modules/std/io.sx b/library/modules/std/io.sx
index 9c40f9dd..b9510dd8 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/io.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/io.sx
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ async :: ufcs (io: Io, worker: Closure() -> $R) -> *Future($R) {
 // resumes it. Re-checks state after the wake (the worker set `.ready` before
 // waking). A worker that finished BEFORE `await` leaves `.ready`, so no park, no
 // lost wakeup.
-await :: ufcs (f: *Future($R)) -> $R !IoErr {
+await :: ufcs (f: *Future($R)) -> ($R, !IoErr) {
     if f.canceled.load(.acquire) { raise error.Canceled; }
     if f.state == .pending {
         // ONE awaiter per future (M:1): the single `park` slot records one parked
diff --git a/library/modules/std/json.sx b/library/modules/std/json.sx
index c4afd267..a67635cb 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/json.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/json.sx
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ write_object :: (obj: Object, sink: *Sink) -> !JsonError {
 // bytes written. Raises `error.Overflow` if `dst` is too small (the
 // partial contents of `dst` are then undefined — nothing is truncated
 // silently). No allocation.
-write_to_buffer :: (v: Value, dst: []u8) -> i64 !JsonError {
+write_to_buffer :: (v: Value, dst: []u8) -> (i64, !JsonError) {
     sink := Sink.{ dst = dst };
     try write_value(v, @sink);
     return sink.pos;
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ JsonParseError :: error { UnexpectedToken, UnexpectedEnd, BadEscape, BadNumber,
 
 // Lowercase/uppercase hex nibble value (0..15) of an ASCII byte; a non-hex
 // byte in a `\uXXXX` escape is a `BadEscape`.
-hex_value :: (c: u8) -> i64 !JsonParseError {
+hex_value :: (c: u8) -> (i64, !JsonParseError) {
     if c >= 48 and c <= 57  { return (cast(i64) c) - 48; }        // '0'..'9'
     if c >= 97 and c <= 102 { return (cast(i64) c) - 97 + 10; }   // 'a'..'f'
     if c >= 65 and c <= 70  { return (cast(i64) c) - 65 + 10; }   // 'A'..'F'
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
 
     // Read 4 hex digits at `i` (which must lie within [.., end)); returns
     // the 16-bit value. Fewer than 4 digits before `end` is a BadEscape.
-    read_hex4 :: (self: *Parser, i: i64, end: i64) -> i64 !JsonParseError {
+    read_hex4 :: (self: *Parser, i: i64, end: i64) -> (i64, !JsonParseError) {
         if i + 4 > end { raise error.BadEscape; }
         v := 0;
         k := 0;
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
     // Decode the escaped string body in [start, end) into `out`, returning
     // the decoded byte length. Pass 1 (in parse_string) guarantees there is
     // no dangling backslash, so the byte after every `\` is in range.
-    decode_into :: (self: *Parser, start: i64, end: i64, out: [*]u8) -> i64 !JsonParseError {
+    decode_into :: (self: *Parser, start: i64, end: i64, out: [*]u8) -> (i64, !JsonParseError) {
         di := 0;
         i := start;
         while i < end {
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
     // a zero-copy VIEW into `src` when the body has no escapes; otherwise
     // decodes into an `alloc`-ed buffer (bounded by the raw span). `pos`
     // ends just past the closing quote.
-    parse_string :: (self: *Parser) -> string !JsonParseError {
+    parse_string :: (self: *Parser) -> (string, !JsonParseError) {
         self.pos += 1;                 // consume opening quote
         start := self.pos;
         has_escape := false;
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
     // Parse an i64 integer (optional '-', then digits). Rejects leading
     // zeros, a fraction/exponent tail, and any value outside i64 — all
     // `BadNumber`. Accumulates in NEGATIVE space so i64 MIN parses exactly.
-    parse_number :: (self: *Parser) -> i64 !JsonParseError {
+    parse_number :: (self: *Parser) -> (i64, !JsonParseError) {
         // i64 bounds, built positionally because |MIN| is not a
         // representable positive i64 literal. `min_div10` is `MIN / 10`
         // truncated toward zero (remainder -8) — the digit loop's overflow
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
     }
 
     // Parse an array starting at '['. Builds an `Array` through `alloc`.
-    parse_array :: (self: *Parser) -> Value !JsonParseError {
+    parse_array :: (self: *Parser) -> (Value, !JsonParseError) {
         self.pos += 1;                 // consume '['
         arr : Array = .{};
         self.skip_ws();
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
 
     // Parse an object starting at '{'. Keys must be strings; insertion
     // order is preserved (duplicate keys are kept, never merged).
-    parse_object :: (self: *Parser) -> Value !JsonParseError {
+    parse_object :: (self: *Parser) -> (Value, !JsonParseError) {
         self.pos += 1;                 // consume '{'
         obj : Object = .{};
         self.skip_ws();
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
     }
 
     // Parse any single value (after skipping leading whitespace).
-    parse_value :: (self: *Parser) -> Value !JsonParseError {
+    parse_value :: (self: *Parser) -> (Value, !JsonParseError) {
         self.skip_ws();
         if self.pos >= self.src.len { raise error.UnexpectedEnd; }
         c := self.src[self.pos];
@@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ Parser :: struct {
 // `alloc` for composite nodes and decoded (escaped) strings. Un-escaped
 // string values are VIEWS into `src` and are valid only while `src` lives.
 // Trailing non-whitespace after the value raises `error.TrailingGarbage`.
-parse :: (src: string, alloc: Allocator) -> Value !JsonParseError {
+parse :: (src: string, alloc: Allocator) -> (Value, !JsonParseError) {
     p := Parser.{ src = src, alloc = alloc };
     v := try p.parse_value();
     p.skip_ws();
diff --git a/library/modules/std/sched.sx b/library/modules/std/sched.sx
index f4330621..df0d5058 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/sched.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/sched.sx
@@ -1079,7 +1079,7 @@ go :: ufcs (self: *Scheduler, work: Closure() -> $R) -> *Task($R) {
 // Suspend the caller until the task completes; return its value (or raise on
 // cancel). MUST be called from inside a fiber (so there is a `self.current` to
 // park) — typically from a fiber spawned via `s.spawn(...)`.
-wait :: ufcs (t: *Task($R)) -> $R !TaskErr {
+wait :: ufcs (t: *Task($R)) -> ($R, !TaskErr) {
     if t.canceled != 0 { raise error.Canceled; }
     if t.state == .pending {
         // ONE waiter per task (enforced). A `Task` holds a single `waiter` slot;
diff --git a/library/modules/std/socket.sx b/library/modules/std/socket.sx
index d96710a6..aac317d7 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/socket.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/socket.sx
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ SockErr :: error {
 // Accept one pending connection on a nonblocking listener. A connection
 // that died between queueing and accept (ECONNABORTED) is skipped, not
 // surfaced — the listener is fine.
-accept_nb :: (fd: i32) -> i32 !SockErr {
+accept_nb :: (fd: i32) -> (i32, !SockErr) {
     while true {
         c := accept(fd, null, null);
         if c >= 0 { return c; }
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ accept_nb :: (fd: i32) -> i32 !SockErr {
 
 // Read up to `cap` bytes. Returns the byte count (> 0); an orderly EOF
 // or a peer reset is Closed.
-read_nb :: (fd: i32, buf: [*]u8, cap: usize) -> i64 !SockErr {
+read_nb :: (fd: i32, buf: [*]u8, cap: usize) -> (i64, !SockErr) {
     while true {
         n := read(fd, buf, cap);
         if n > 0 { return xx n; }
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ read_nb :: (fd: i32, buf: [*]u8, cap: usize) -> i64 !SockErr {
 
 // Write up to `len` bytes, returning how many the kernel took (possibly
 // fewer — the caller continues from there on the next writability).
-write_nb :: (fd: i32, buf: [*]u8, len: usize) -> i64 !SockErr {
+write_nb :: (fd: i32, buf: [*]u8, len: usize) -> (i64, !SockErr) {
     while true {
         n := write(fd, buf, len);
         if n >= 0 { return xx n; }
diff --git a/library/modules/std/thread.sx b/library/modules/std/thread.sx
index 7e8de867..40e29bf3 100644
--- a/library/modules/std/thread.sx
+++ b/library/modules/std/thread.sx
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ Thread :: struct {
 
     // `entry` is the C->sx boundary: abi(.c), fabricates its own
     // Context before touching default-conv sx code (examples/1636).
-    spawn :: (entry: (*void) -> *void abi(.c), arg: *void) -> Thread !ThreadErr {
+    spawn :: (entry: (*void) -> *void abi(.c), arg: *void) -> (Thread, !ThreadErr) {
         t : Thread = .{};
         if pthread_create(@t.handle, null, entry, arg) != 0 { raise error.Spawn; }
         return t;
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ Pool :: struct {
 
     // Heap-allocate (the pool must never move: workers hold its address,
     // and it embeds a live mutex), init in place, spawn the workers.
-    create :: (workers: i64, backlog: i64) -> *Pool !ThreadErr {
+    create :: (workers: i64, backlog: i64) -> (*Pool, !ThreadErr) {
         alloc := context.allocator;
         p : *Pool = xx alloc.alloc_bytes(size_of(Pool));
         p.* = Pool.{};
diff --git a/library/vendors/sqlite/sqlite.sx b/library/vendors/sqlite/sqlite.sx
index cfbef864..d303ea6e 100644
--- a/library/vendors/sqlite/sqlite.sx
+++ b/library/vendors/sqlite/sqlite.sx
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ SqliteStmt :: struct {
     // ── execution ──
     // SQLITE_ROW / SQLITE_DONE on success; anything else raises with the
     // detail left in the connection's errmsg.
-    step :: (self: *SqliteStmt) -> i32 !SqliteErr {
+    step :: (self: *SqliteStmt) -> (i32, !SqliteErr) {
         rc := sqlite3_step(self.handle);
         if rc != SQLITE_ROW and rc != SQLITE_DONE { raise error.Step; }
         return rc;
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ ColumnMeta :: struct {
 Sqlite :: struct {
     handle: usize;
 
-    open :: (path: string) -> Sqlite !SqliteErr {
+    open :: (path: string) -> (Sqlite, !SqliteErr) {
         h : usize = 0;
         rc := sqlite3_open(to_cstring(path), @h);
         if rc != SQLITE_OK {
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
         return Sqlite.{ handle = h };
     }
 
-    open_v2 :: (path: string, flags: i32) -> Sqlite !SqliteErr {
+    open_v2 :: (path: string, flags: i32) -> (Sqlite, !SqliteErr) {
         h : usize = 0;
         rc := sqlite3_open_v2(to_cstring(path), @h, flags, 0);
         if rc != SQLITE_OK {
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
         return;
     }
 
-    prepare :: (self: *Sqlite, sql: string) -> SqliteStmt !SqliteErr {
+    prepare :: (self: *Sqlite, sql: string) -> (SqliteStmt, !SqliteErr) {
         sh : usize = 0;
         rc := sqlite3_prepare_v2(self.handle, sql.ptr, xx sql.len, @sh, 0);
         if rc != SQLITE_OK { raise error.Prepare; }
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
     }
     // prepare with SQLITE_PREPARE_* flags (e.g. PERSISTENT for the
     // statement cache a storage layer keeps hot).
-    prepare_v3 :: (self: *Sqlite, sql: string, flags: u32) -> SqliteStmt !SqliteErr {
+    prepare_v3 :: (self: *Sqlite, sql: string, flags: u32) -> (SqliteStmt, !SqliteErr) {
         sh : usize = 0;
         rc := sqlite3_prepare_v3(self.handle, sql.ptr, xx sql.len, flags, @sh, 0);
         if rc != SQLITE_OK { raise error.Prepare; }
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
     }
 
     // Schema introspection for one column of "main".`table`.
-    table_column_metadata :: (self: *Sqlite, table: string, column: string) -> ColumnMeta !SqliteErr {
+    table_column_metadata :: (self: *Sqlite, table: string, column: string) -> (ColumnMeta, !SqliteErr) {
         dt : usize = 0;
         cs : usize = 0;
         nn : i32 = 0;
@@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
 
     // ── serialization ──
     // The whole "main" database as bytes (a valid database image).
-    serialize :: (self: *Sqlite) -> string !SqliteErr {
+    serialize :: (self: *Sqlite) -> (string, !SqliteErr) {
         size : i64 = 0;
         p := sqlite3_serialize(self.handle, to_cstring("main"), @size, 0);
         if p == null { raise error.Serialize; }
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ Sqlite :: struct {
 SqliteBlob :: struct {
     handle: usize;
 
-    open :: (db: *Sqlite, table: string, column: string, rowid: i64, writable: bool) -> SqliteBlob !SqliteErr {
+    open :: (db: *Sqlite, table: string, column: string, rowid: i64, writable: bool) -> (SqliteBlob, !SqliteErr) {
         h : usize = 0;
         rc := sqlite3_blob_open(db.handle, to_cstring("main"), to_cstring(table), to_cstring(column),
                                 rowid, if writable then 1 else 0, @h);
@@ -751,7 +751,7 @@ SqliteBlob :: struct {
     bytes :: (self: *SqliteBlob) -> i32 {
         return sqlite3_blob_bytes(self.handle);
     }
-    read :: (self: *SqliteBlob, offset: i32, n: i32) -> string !SqliteErr {
+    read :: (self: *SqliteBlob, offset: i32, n: i32) -> (string, !SqliteErr) {
         len : i64 = n;
         raw : [*]u8 = xx context.allocator.alloc_bytes(len + 1);
         rc := sqlite3_blob_read(self.handle, raw, n, offset);
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ SqliteBlob :: struct {
 SqliteBackup :: struct {
     handle: usize;
 
-    init :: (dst: *Sqlite, src: *Sqlite) -> SqliteBackup !SqliteErr {
+    init :: (dst: *Sqlite, src: *Sqlite) -> (SqliteBackup, !SqliteErr) {
         h := sqlite3_backup_init(dst.handle, to_cstring("main"), src.handle, to_cstring("main"));
         if h == 0 { raise error.Backup; }
         return SqliteBackup.{ handle = h };
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 8a180d0a..ee853153 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ main :: () {
 
 Tasks complete in deadline order, not spawn or await order. The runtime offers:
 
-- **`go(work) -> *Task($R)`** / **`wait() -> R !TaskErr`** / **`cancel()`** — the
+- **`go(work) -> *Task($R)`** / **`wait() -> (R, !TaskErr)`** / **`cancel()`** — the
   task layer. `wait` rides the `!` error channel so a cancel surfaces as
   `error.Canceled`.
 - **`spawn`**, **`yield_now`**, **`suspend_self`**, **`wake`** — the raw fiber
diff --git a/specs.md b/specs.md
index f769dddc..2d461a8c 100644
--- a/specs.md
+++ b/specs.md
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ VALUE: it is represented internally by a reused tuple TypeId (same ABI), but it
 is valid ONLY in a function/closure return position — a parameter, field, or
 variable annotation `x: (A, B)` is rejected (use `Tuple(…)` for a tuple value).
 A single-value `-> (T, !)` (one value + error) is NOT a multi-return; it is
-exactly the failable `-> T !`.
+exactly the failable `-> (T, !)`.
 
 ```sx
 divmod :: (a: i64, b: i64) -> (i64, i64) { return a / b, a % b; }
@@ -1886,7 +1886,7 @@ name :: (params) -> return_type {
 
 A trailing `!` in the return type marks the function **failable** — it adds a
 separate error channel alongside the normal returns. The `!` sits **outside**
-the tuple: `-> T !` (one value), `-> Tuple(T1, T2) !` (multi value), `-> !`
+the tuple: `-> (T, !)` (one value), `-> (T1, T2, !)` (multi value), `-> !`
 (void). The `!` is not a wrapper around the value; it is one more return slot.
 See [§12 Error Handling](#12-error-handling).
 
@@ -3154,7 +3154,7 @@ main :: () {
 
 `main` takes no arguments. Its return type may be any of: void (`()`,
 `-> ()`, `-> void`, or no annotation), an integer type (POSIX exit code),
-`-> !` (pure failable), or `-> int_type !` (value-carrying failable).
+`-> !` (pure failable), or `-> (int_type, !)` (value-carrying failable).
 The exit code is `0` for void / `-> !` success, the integer return
 truncated to `u8` otherwise. An error that escapes a failable `main`
 prints the unhandled-error header + return trace to stderr and exits `1`.
@@ -3165,11 +3165,12 @@ See [§12 Error Handling](#12-error-handling).
 ## 12. Error Handling
 
 sx models recoverable errors as a **separate return channel**, not a wrapped
-result type. A trailing `!` in a function's return type adds one extra return
-slot — a `u32` error tag — alongside the normal value slots. This keeps sx's
-native multi-return ergonomics: `-> Tuple(i32, i64) !` is a function returning
-two values *and* an error, with no tuple-in-a-wrapper. The `!` sits **outside**
-the `Tuple`.
+result type. A `!` as the **last slot** of the parenthesized result list adds one
+extra return slot — a `u32` error tag — alongside the normal value slots. This
+keeps sx's native multi-return ergonomics: `-> (i32, i64, !)` is a function
+returning two values *and* an error, with no tuple-in-a-wrapper. A single-value
+failable is `-> (T, !)`; an error-only failable is `-> !`. (There is no bare
+`-> T !` spelling — the error channel always rides inside the `(…, !)` list.)
 
 This section is the canonical surface reference. The design rationale,
 trade-offs, and implementation breakdown live in `current/PLAN-ERR.md`.
@@ -3177,10 +3178,10 @@ trade-offs, and implementation breakdown live in `current/PLAN-ERR.md`.
 ### Failable signatures
 
 ```sx
-parse_digit :: (s: string) -> i32 ! { ... }       // one value + error
-parse       :: (s: string) -> Tuple(i32, i64) ! { ... } // multi-value + error
-must_init   :: () -> ! { ... }                    // pure failable, no value
-divide      :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> i32 !MathErr { ... } // named set
+parse_digit :: (s: string) -> (i32, !) { ... }         // one value + error
+parse       :: (s: string) -> (i32, i64, !) { ... }    // multi-value + error
+must_init   :: () -> ! { ... }                         // pure failable, no value
+divide      :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> (i32, !MathErr) { ... } // named set
 ```
 
 The `!` is always the **last** slot. `0` in the error slot means "no error";
@@ -3195,7 +3196,7 @@ Two forms of error set:
 ParseErr :: error { BadDigit, Overflow, Empty };
 
 // Inferred set — bare `!` collects whatever tags the body raises.
-quick :: () -> i32 ! {
+quick :: () -> (i32, !) {
   if cond raise error.SomeAdHocTag;   // mints into the inferred set
   return 0;
 }
@@ -3393,14 +3394,14 @@ On success exit (fall-through, `return`, `break` / `continue` without an error)
 it is skipped — only `defer` runs.
 
 ```sx
-make_handle :: () -> Handle ! {
+make_handle :: () -> (Handle, !) {
   h := try open();
   onfail close(h);          // close ONLY on a subsequent failure
   try configure(h);         // fails → onfail runs → close(h)
   return h;                 // success → onfail skipped; caller owns h
 }
 
-open :: (path: string) -> Handle ! {
+open :: (path: string) -> (Handle, !) {
   h := try sys_open(path);
   onfail (e) { log.warn("init failed for {}: {}", path, e); sys_close(h); }
   ...
@@ -3421,9 +3422,9 @@ function, or at top level, is rejected.
 
 - **Explicit annotation required.** A closure literal's value type is inferred
   as today, but if its body raises or `try`-escapes, the `!` channel is **not**
-  inferred — declare it (`closure((x: i32) -> i32 ! { ... })`). This keeps
+  inferred — declare it (`closure((x: i32) -> (i32, !) { ... })`). This keeps
   adding a `raise` from silently changing a lambda's type.
-- **Program-wide union per shape.** All `Closure(<sig>) -> T !` occurrences
+- **Program-wide union per shape.** All `Closure(<sig>) -> (T, !)` occurrences
   with the same signature share one inferred-set node; the SCC pass unions
   every closure flowing into any matching slot.
 - **FFI boundary.** A failable closure cannot be assigned to a non-failable
diff --git a/src/ast.zig b/src/ast.zig
index 40ce382c..8d0f68b3 100644
--- a/src/ast.zig
+++ b/src/ast.zig
@@ -876,7 +876,7 @@ pub const TupleTypeExpr = struct {
 /// rejects it anywhere else), and its result is consumed only by destructuring
 /// (`a, b := f()`), never bound to a single value. Same shape as a tuple type so
 /// the resolver can reuse the field-resolution path. The single-value `(T, !)`
-/// (one value + error) is NOT this — it is a plain failable, `-> T !`.
+/// (one value + error) is NOT this — it is a plain failable.
 pub const ReturnTypeExpr = struct {
     field_types: []const *Node,
     field_names: ?[]const []const u8, // null for positional
diff --git a/src/parser.test.zig b/src/parser.test.zig
index a31ffe01..6f2a5387 100644
--- a/src/parser.test.zig
+++ b/src/parser.test.zig
@@ -341,36 +341,21 @@ test "parser: .(x) is a 1-tuple, .() is empty" {
     try std.testing.expectEqual(@as(usize, 0), v2.data.tuple_literal.elements.len);
 }
 
-// `-> T !` folds to the same `(T, !)` representation: tuple_type_expr whose
-// last field is an error_type_expr.
-test "parser: -> T ! folds to (T, !) tuple_type_expr" {
+// The legacy bare trailing-`!` spelling `-> T !` was removed — the canonical
+// failable result list is `-> (T, !)`. The bare form is now a parse error.
+test "parser: legacy bare `-> T !` is rejected" {
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
     defer arena.deinit();
     var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), "f :: () -> i64 ! { 0 }");
-    const root = try parser.parse();
-    const rt = root.data.root.decls[0].data.fn_decl.return_type.?;
-    try std.testing.expect(rt.data == .tuple_type_expr);
-    const fields = rt.data.tuple_type_expr.field_types;
-    try std.testing.expectEqual(@as(usize, 2), fields.len);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[0].data == .type_expr);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[1].data == .error_type_expr);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[1].data.error_type_expr.name == null);
+    try std.testing.expectError(error.ParseError, parser.parse());
 }
 
-// `-> Tuple(T1, T2) !` flattens to (T1, T2, !).
-test "parser: -> Tuple(A, B) ! flattens to (A, B, !)" {
+// Likewise the legacy `-> Tuple(A, B) !` spelling — write `-> (A, B, !)`.
+test "parser: legacy bare `-> Tuple(A, B) !` is rejected" {
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
     defer arena.deinit();
     var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), "f :: () -> Tuple(i64, i32) !ParseErr { 0 }");
-    const root = try parser.parse();
-    const rt = root.data.root.decls[0].data.fn_decl.return_type.?;
-    try std.testing.expect(rt.data == .tuple_type_expr);
-    const fields = rt.data.tuple_type_expr.field_types;
-    try std.testing.expectEqual(@as(usize, 3), fields.len);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[0].data == .type_expr);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[1].data == .type_expr);
-    try std.testing.expect(fields[2].data == .error_type_expr);
-    try std.testing.expectEqualStrings("ParseErr", fields[2].data.error_type_expr.name.?);
+    try std.testing.expectError(error.ParseError, parser.parse());
 }
 
 // `-> !` (void + error) stays a bare error_type_expr — the trailing-`!` fold
diff --git a/src/parser.zig b/src/parser.zig
index 369005a4..9b72ab5c 100644
--- a/src/parser.zig
+++ b/src/parser.zig
@@ -431,66 +431,27 @@ pub const Parser = struct {
         return self.fail("expected ':', '=', ';', or 'extern' after type annotation");
     }
 
-    /// Parse a function/method/lambda return type, folding a trailing `!`
-    /// error channel that sits OUTSIDE the value type into the same
-    /// representation the inline `(T, !)` form produces.
+    /// Parse a function/method/lambda/closure/fn-pointer return type.
     ///
-    /// `-> T !`            ⇒ tuple_type_expr { [T, error_type_expr] }   (== `(T, !)`)
-    /// `-> Tuple(A, B) !`  ⇒ tuple_type_expr { [A, B, error_type_expr] } (== `(A, B, !)`)
-    /// `-> !`              ⇒ error_type_expr (bare; handled by parseTypeExpr directly)
+    /// The canonical failable / multi-return spelling wraps the result list in
+    /// parens: `-> (T, !)`, `-> (A, B, !)`, `-> (x: A, y: B, !)` — the error
+    /// channel is the last slot. A bare `-> !` (error-only, no value) is parsed
+    /// by `parseTypeExpr` as an `error_type_expr` and is unaffected.
     ///
-    /// The old inline `(T, !)` / `(T1, T2, !)` forms keep working unchanged —
-    /// this only ADDS the trailing-`!`-after-the-type spelling.
+    /// The legacy trailing-`!`-after-the-value-type spelling (`-> T !`,
+    /// `-> Tuple(A, B) !`) is REJECTED — it was a redundant second spelling of
+    /// `(T, !)` / `(A, B, !)` and is no longer accepted.
     fn parseFnReturnType(self: *Parser) anyerror!*Node {
-        const start = self.current.loc.start;
         const ty = try self.parseTypeExpr();
 
-        // A trailing `!` (optionally `!Named`) after the return TYPE denotes the
-        // error channel sitting OUTSIDE the value type. A bare `-> !` is already
-        // an error_type_expr (no value), so a `!` after one would be a doubled
-        // error channel — leave it for the normal "unexpected token" path.
-        if (self.current.tag != .bang or ty.data == .error_type_expr) return ty;
-
-        self.advance(); // skip '!'
-        var set_name: ?[]const u8 = null;
-        if (self.current.tag == .identifier) {
-            set_name = self.tokenSlice(self.current);
-            self.advance();
+        // A trailing `!` after a VALUE return type is the removed legacy
+        // spelling. (`-> !` already parsed to an error_type_expr above, so a
+        // `!` after one would be a doubled channel — leave that to the normal
+        // "unexpected token" path.)
+        if (self.current.tag == .bang and ty.data != .error_type_expr) {
+            return self.fail("a failable return is written `(T, !)` — or `(A, B, !)` for multiple values — not `T !`");
         }
-        const err_node = try self.createNode(start, .{ .error_type_expr = .{ .name = set_name } });
-
-        // Build the value+error result list. If the value type is itself a
-        // tuple — `Tuple(A, B)` (positional) or `Tuple(x: A, y: B)` (named) —
-        // flatten its fields and append the error channel, so `-> Tuple(A,B) !`
-        // is identical to `(A, B, !)` and `-> Tuple(x: A, y: B) !` keeps the
-        // `x`/`y` names on the flattened value fields. The value-return lowering
-        // inserts the value slots FLAT into the result tuple, so the result type
-        // must list the value fields flat too — wrapping a named tuple as
-        // `{ {A,B}, err }` would miscompile the flat 2-tuple insert. Otherwise
-        // wrap the single value as `(T, !)`.
-        var fields = std.ArrayList(*Node).empty;
-        var names = std.ArrayList([]const u8).empty;
-        var has_names = false;
-        if (ty.data == .tuple_type_expr) {
-            const tt = ty.data.tuple_type_expr;
-            for (tt.field_types) |f| try fields.append(self.allocator, f);
-            if (tt.field_names) |fn_names| {
-                has_names = true;
-                for (fn_names) |nm| try names.append(self.allocator, nm);
-                // The trailing error channel needs a placeholder name so the
-                // names slice stays 1:1 with field_types. It is identified by
-                // position (last field), never by this name (see
-                // lower/error.zig errorChannelOf).
-                try names.append(self.allocator, "!");
-            }
-        } else {
-            try fields.append(self.allocator, ty);
-        }
-        try fields.append(self.allocator, err_node);
-        return try self.createNode(start, .{ .tuple_type_expr = .{
-            .field_types = try fields.toOwnedSlice(self.allocator),
-            .field_names = if (has_names) try names.toOwnedSlice(self.allocator) else null,
-        } });
+        return ty;
     }
 
     fn parseTypeExpr(self: *Parser) anyerror!*Node {
@@ -675,10 +636,9 @@ pub const Parser = struct {
             }
             try self.expect(.r_paren);
             if (self.current.tag == .arrow) {
-                // '->' present: function type. Accept a trailing `!`/`!Named`
-                // error channel after the return type (`(i64) -> i64 !E`), folded
-                // to the SAME `(T, !)` / `(A, B, !)` representation the inline form
-                // produces — the old `-> (T, !)` spelling keeps working too.
+                // '->' present: function type. A failable return is the canonical
+                // parenthesized list `(i64) -> (i64, !E)` (parseFnReturnType
+                // rejects the bare `-> i64 !E` spelling).
                 self.advance(); // skip '->'
                 const return_type = try self.parseFnReturnType();
                 const abi = try self.parseOptionalAbi();
@@ -848,10 +808,9 @@ pub const Parser = struct {
                 var return_type: ?*Node = null;
                 if (self.current.tag == .arrow) {
                     self.advance();
-                    // Accept a trailing `!`/`!Named` error channel after the
-                    // closure return type (`Closure(i64) -> i64 !E`, `... -> T !`),
-                    // folded to the same `(T, !)` / `(A, B, !)` representation; the
-                    // old `-> (T, !)` form keeps working.
+                    // A failable closure return is the canonical parenthesized
+                    // list `Closure(i64) -> (i64, !E)` (parseFnReturnType rejects
+                    // the bare `Closure(i64) -> i64 !E` spelling).
                     return_type = try self.parseFnReturnType();
                 }
                 return try self.createNode(start, .{ .closure_type_expr = .{
@@ -5020,8 +4979,8 @@ test "parse bare failable return: named `!Foo`" {
     try std.testing.expectEqualStrings("ParseErr", rt.data.error_type_expr.name.?);
 }
 
-test "parse failable with inferred `!` (new `-> T !` form)" {
-    const source = "f :: () -> i32 ! { 0; }";
+test "parse single-value failable `-> (T, !)`" {
+    const source = "f :: () -> (i32, !) { 0; }";
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
     defer arena.deinit();
     var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), source);
@@ -5036,20 +4995,28 @@ test "parse failable with inferred `!` (new `-> T !` form)" {
     try std.testing.expect(fields[1].data.error_type_expr.name == null);
 }
 
-test "parse failable with named `!Foo` (new `-> Tuple(...) !` form)" {
-    const source = "f :: () -> Tuple(i32, i64) !ParseErr { 0; }";
+test "parse multi-value named failable `-> (A, B, !Foo)`" {
+    const source = "f :: () -> (i32, i64, !ParseErr) { 0; }";
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
     defer arena.deinit();
     var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), source);
     const root = try parser.parse();
     const rt = root.data.root.decls[0].data.fn_decl.return_type.?;
-    try std.testing.expect(rt.data == .tuple_type_expr);
-    const fields = rt.data.tuple_type_expr.field_types;
+    try std.testing.expect(rt.data == .return_type_expr or rt.data == .tuple_type_expr);
+    const fields = if (rt.data == .return_type_expr) rt.data.return_type_expr.field_types else rt.data.tuple_type_expr.field_types;
     try std.testing.expectEqual(@as(usize, 3), fields.len);
     try std.testing.expect(fields[2].data == .error_type_expr);
     try std.testing.expectEqualStrings("ParseErr", fields[2].data.error_type_expr.name.?);
 }
 
+test "parse legacy bare failable `-> T !` is rejected" {
+    const source = "f :: () -> i32 ! { 0; }";
+    var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
+    defer arena.deinit();
+    var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), source);
+    try std.testing.expectError(error.ParseError, parser.parse());
+}
+
 test "parse old bare-paren failable `-> (!, i32)` is rejected" {
     const source = "f :: () -> (!, i32) { 0; }";
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
@@ -5077,11 +5044,10 @@ test "round-trip print: error-set decl" {
     try std.testing.expectEqualStrings(source, aw.writer.toArrayList().items);
 }
 
-test "print: failable result list with pointer + named error folds to tuple repr" {
-    // New `-> T !` form: a single value + named error channel folds to the SAME
-    // internal `tuple_type_expr` the old `(*Handle, !IoErr)` spelling produced,
-    // so printType still renders the canonical tuple representation.
-    const source = "open :: () -> *Handle !IoErr { 0; }";
+test "print: failable result list with pointer + named error renders canonically" {
+    // A single value + named error channel `(*Handle, !IoErr)` renders back as
+    // the canonical parenthesized result list.
+    const source = "open :: () -> (*Handle, !IoErr) { 0; }";
     var arena = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(std.testing.allocator);
     defer arena.deinit();
     var parser = Parser.init(arena.allocator(), source);
@@ -5431,7 +5397,7 @@ test "E0.3 or value-terminator: parse(s) or 0" {
 
 test "E0.3 full failable function parses end-to-end (all E0 forms)" {
     const source =
-        \\parse :: (s: string) -> i32 !ParseErr {
+        \\parse :: (s: string) -> (i32, !ParseErr) {
         \\    onfail (e) { cleanup(s); }
         \\    v := try inner(s) or 0;
         \\    w := other(s) catch (e2) { return 0; };