docs: tuple syntax cutover — Tuple(...) type, .(...) value, channel-outside-Tuple failables

Rewrite specs.md tuple/failable/pack/UFCS/grammar sections to the new
syntax, update readme.md, and refresh stale tuple references in example
header comments. Also fixes two pre-existing doc inaccuracies surfaced in
review: drop the value-discarding `;` in the tuple-return examples, and
correct the §13 function-type grammar production (optional param list +
optional trailing `!` channel). Optional semantics unchanged.

current/CHECKPOINT-LANG.md logs the cutover.

current/CHECKPOINT-LANG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# CHECKPOINT-LANG — user-facing language features
+
+Companion to [PLAN-LANG.md](PLAN-LANG.md). Update after every step (one step at
+a time, per the cadence rule).
+
+## Last completed step
+**Tuple syntax cutover — `Tuple(...)` type + `.(...)` value (commit 989e18b7).**
+The bare-paren tuple grammar was replaced with explicit, position-unambiguous
+forms that mirror how structs work:
+
+- type     `(A, B)`         → `Tuple(A, B)`         (named keeps `:` — `Tuple(x: A, y: B)`)
+- value    `(a, b)`         → `.(a, b)`             (named uses `=` — `.(x = a, y = b)`)
+- typed    (new)            → `Tuple(A, B).(a, b)`  (like `Point.{...}`)
+- failable `-> (T, !)`      → `-> T !`
+           `-> (T1, T2, !)` → `-> Tuple(T1, T2) !`  (error channel OUTSIDE the Tuple)
+
+Bare `(...)` is now grouping ONLY, everywhere; a comma in bare parens is a hard
+error with a migration hint. Grouping, function types `(A, B) -> R`, param lists,
+lambdas, match bindings, and `?(?T)` grouping are unaffected. `Tuple(...)` is
+strictly a TYPE in every position (incl. `size_of` / `type_info` args); a tuple
+VALUE comes only from `.(...)` or `Tuple(...).(...)`. A bare `Tuple(1, 2)`
+(non-type elements) is rejected. Field access is unchanged (`.0`/`.1` positional,
+`.x` named). Optional semantics are untouched — `??T ≡ ?T` was NOT done; nested
+optionals (`?(?i64)`) stay genuine.
+
+The ~110 tuple-bearing corpus files were migrated by a one-shot AST-aware
+migrator; new examples landed (0130 new syntax, 0131 typed construction, 1060
+named-tuple failable return). Issue **0189** filed (non-type expression in type
+position silently fabricates an empty struct — surfaced while validating the
+`Tuple(i32, g.a)` rejection path).
+
+Docs updated to the new syntax: `specs.md` (Tuple Types section, function
+multi-return note, all error-channel sections, Variadic Heterogeneous Type Packs,
+Tuple UFCS Splatting, and the normative Grammar block) and `readme.md` (inline-asm
+named-tuple return + the `N → a tuple` rule). Stale old-syntax mentions in example
+header comments were corrected (comments only — no code touched). Suite green
+(810 ran, 0 failed).
+
+## Current state
+Tuple syntax cutover shipped and documented. `Tuple(...)` / `.(...)` are the only
+tuple spellings across the corpus, specs, and readme.
+
+## Next step
+Pick up the next incomplete LANG step from [PLAN-LANG.md](PLAN-LANG.md).
+
+## Log
+- **Tuple syntax cutover** (commit 989e18b7): `(A,B)`/`(a,b)` tuples replaced by
+  `Tuple(A,B)` type + `.(a,b)` value; failable `!` moved outside the Tuple
+  (`-> T !` / `-> Tuple(...) !`); bare parens are grouping-only. Docs (specs.md +
+  readme.md) and stale example-comment mentions migrated to the new syntax. Issue
+  0189 filed. Suite green (810 ran, 0 failed).

examples/basic/0036-basic-ufcs-aliases.sx

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ main :: () {
         print("{}\n", a);                // 2
         print("{}\n", b);                // 1
 
-        wrap :: (x: i64) -> Tuple(i64) { .(x) }   // 1-tuple needs trailing comma; (i64) groups
+        wrap :: (x: i64) -> Tuple(i64) { .(x) }   // 1-tuple type `Tuple(i64)`; bare `(i64)` groups
         t := wrap(99);
         print("{}\n", t.0);             // 99
     }

examples/comptime/0623-comptime-metatype-tuple.sx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 // tuple here). Tuples are POSITIONAL, so `TupleInfo` is just a `[]Type` (no field
 // names). Two paths:
 //   1. Programmatic build: `define(declare("Pair"), .tuple(.{ elements = … }))`.
-//   2. Round-trip: `define(declare("TripleCopy"), type_info((i64, bool, f64)))`
+//   2. Round-trip: `define(declare("TripleCopy"), type_info(Tuple(i64, bool, f64)))`
 //      reflects a source tuple type INTO a `.tuple(TupleInfo)` value and
 //      reconstructs it — no literal element list.
 #import "modules/std.sx";

examples/diagnostics/1116-diagnostics-tuple-type-nontype-element-rejected.sx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-// A tuple literal used in a type position (`(i32, i32)` reinterpreted as a tuple
+// A tuple type (`Tuple(i32, i32)` at a type-demanding site like `size_of`) must
-// type at a type-demanding site like `size_of`) must list only types. A non-type
+// list only types. A non-type
-// element — here the `1` in `(i32, 1)` — is rejected with a user-facing
+// element — here the `1` in `Tuple(i32, 1)` — is rejected with a user-facing
 // diagnostic instead of silently fabricating an `i64` field for that slot.
 // Regression (issue 0067).
 // Expected: a clean "tuple type element is not a type" error at the `1`; exit 1.

examples/packs/0533-packs-pack-tuple-materialize.sx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-// Feature 1 — materialize a tuple from a pack via `(..xs.method)` (Decision 2:
+// Feature 1 — materialize a tuple from a pack via `.(..xs.method)` (Decision 2:
-// a pack is stored by materializing a tuple). `(..xs.get)` projects `get` over
+// a pack is stored by materializing a tuple). `.(..xs.get)` projects `get` over
 // the pack and collects the results into a real tuple value, which can then be
 // stored, indexed, and (for `Box(T)`) is heterogeneous per position.
 

examples/packs/0534-packs-pack-type-projection.sx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // Feature 1 — TYPE-position pack projection `xs.T`. The per-element protocol
 // type-arg `T` projects into a Pack of types, usable in type/signature
-// positions: a tuple type `(..xs.T)` and a closure signature
+// positions: a tuple type `Tuple(..xs.T)` and a closure signature
 // `Closure(..xs.T) -> R`. (`T` of each element comes from its
 // `impl Box(T) for <elem>`.)
 
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ impl Box(i64) for IntCell { get :: (self: *IntCell) -> i64 => self.v; }
 impl Box(string) for StrCell { get :: (self: *StrCell) -> string => self.s; }
 impl Box(i64) for Dbl { get :: (self: *Dbl) -> i64 => self.n * 2; }
 
-// Tuple type `(..xs.T)` — heterogeneous (i64, string), matched by the
+// Tuple type `Tuple(..xs.T)` — heterogeneous (i64, string), matched by the
-// value-projection `(..xs.get)`.
+// value-projection `.(..xs.get)`.
 snap :: (..xs: Box) -> void {
     t : Tuple(..xs.T) = .(..xs.get);
     print("0={} 1={}\n", t.0, t.1);

examples/packs/0539-packs-combined-pack-field.sx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 // Phase 4.2 — the canonical `Combined` struct's storage layer: a generic
 // struct whose field is a pack of PARAMETERIZED-protocol values,
-// `sources: (..VL(Ts))` → `(VL(T0), VL(T1), …)`. Each `VL(Ti)` is a real
+// `sources: Tuple(..VL(Ts))` → `Tuple(VL(T0), VL(T1), …)`. Each `VL(Ti)` is a real
 // 16-byte protocol value (issue: parameterized-protocol value types), and
-// `(..VL(Ts))` applies `VL` per pack element. Instantiate + whole-tuple store
+// `Tuple(..VL(Ts))` applies `VL` per pack element. Instantiate + whole-tuple store
 // of `xx`-erased values + per-element method dispatch all work.
 
 #import "modules/std.sx";

examples/packs/0541-packs-pack-to-protocol-tuple.sx

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-// Phase 6 — `c.sources = (..sources)`: materialize a pack into a
+// Phase 6 — `c.sources = .(..sources)`: materialize a pack into a
 // protocol-typed tuple field, erasing each concrete pack element to the field's
-// protocol slot. The pack `..sources: VL` holds concrete cells; `(..sources)`
+// protocol slot. The pack `..sources: VL` holds concrete cells; `.(..sources)`
-// into a `(..VL(Ts))` field `xx`-erases each to its `VL(Ti)` value.
+// into a `Tuple(..VL(Ts))` field `xx`-erases each to its `VL(Ti)` value.
 
 #import "modules/std.sx";
 

examples/packs/0543-packs-canonical-map.sx

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 //   - `$R` is inferred at the call site from the lowered mapper's closure ret,
 //     bound into the mono (`-> VL($R)` ⇒ `VL(i64)`, `Combined($R, ..)` ⇒
 //     `Combined(i64, ..)`), and folded into the mangle.
-//   - `(..sources)` materializes the pack into the `(..VL(Ts))` field (per-element
+//   - `.(..sources)` materializes the pack into the `Tuple(..VL(Ts))` field (per-element
 //     erase) and `mapper(..sources.get)` projects+spreads; `xx c` erases the
 //     generic-struct instance to `VL(i64)` via the generic impl's monomorphized
 //     thunk.

examples/probes/pack-expansion-parses.sx

@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@
 // arrive in Phase 2 — do NOT expect this to compile/run yet. The authoritative
 // checks are the parser unit tests in src/parser.zig ("parse pack expansion: …").
 
-// 1. Tuple value position — `(..pack)` / `(..pack.field)`:
+// 1. Tuple value position — `.(..pack)` / `.(..pack.field)`:
 tv1 :: () => .(..xs);
 tv2 :: () => .(..xs.value);
 tv3 :: () => .(a, ..xs, b);            // mixed positional + spread
 
-// 2. Tuple type position — `(..F(Ts))` / `(..F(Ts.Arg))`:
+// 2. Tuple type position — `Tuple(..F(Ts))` / `Tuple(..F(Ts.Arg))`:
 tt1 :: (x: Tuple(..ValueListenable(Ts)))       => x;
 tt2 :: (x: Tuple(..ValueListenable(Ts.Arg)))   => x;
 

examples/probes/tuple-baseline.sx

@@ -46,17 +46,17 @@ main :: () -> i32 {
 // ── GAPS (Feature 1 work — intentionally NOT exercised above) ──────
 //
 //   G1. Tuple field projection across elements:
-//         t := (Listenable.{value=1}, Listenable.{value=2});
+//         t := .(Listenable.{value=1}, Listenable.{value=2});
-//         v := t.value;        // expected: (1, 2)   — Decision 3 "tuple.field"
+//         v := t.value;        // expected: .(1, 2)   — Decision 3 "tuple.field"
 //       Today: `error: field 'value' not found on type 'tuple'`.
 //       Needed by canonical `self.sources.value`.
 //
 //   G2. Tuple spread into call args:
-//         p := (10, 20);
+//         p := .(10, 20);
 //         add(..p);            // expected: add(10, 20) — Decision 3 "..tuple"
 //       Today: lowers to one `undef` arg → LLVM arity verification failure.
-//       Needed by canonical `mapper(..sources.value)` and `(..sources)`.
+//       Needed by canonical `mapper(..sources.value)` and `.(..sources)`.
 //
 // Both are already scheduled: parsing in Phase 1.2 (PackExpansion node covers
-// `(..pack)` / `..pack.field`), sema in Phase 2.3 ("tuple-spread parallels").
+// `.(..pack)` / `..pack.field`), sema in Phase 2.3 ("tuple-spread parallels").
 // No separate Feature 1.5 needed — see Step 0.4 triage in CHECKPOINT-LANG.md.

examples/route/0815-route-all-new-surfaces-ambiguous.sx

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 //   - wrapper-alias element            `BoxPtr :: *Box`         (engine wrapper aliasing)
 //   - union body-builder child          `WrapU :: union { b: Box }` (C1, registerUnionDecl)
 //   - enum body-builder child           `WrapE :: enum { V: Box }`  (C1, registerEnumDecl)
-//   - tuple-literal element             `size_of((Box, i32))`       (O1/K5)
+//   - tuple-type element                `size_of(Tuple(Box, i32))`  (O1/K5)
 //   - inline-anonymous body child       `x : union { b: Box }`      (inline-anon engine arm)
 //
 // Fail-before (pre-E6b-R): each of these resolved `Box` through the stateless

examples/types/0115-types-compound-type-in-expression.sx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // Compound type literals in expression position — `size_of` /
 // `align_of` accept pointer (`*T`), optional (`?T`), array (`[N]T`),
-// function (`(A) -> B`), and tuple (`(A, B)`) types directly. Also
+// function (`(A) -> B`), and tuple (`Tuple(A, B)`) types directly. Also
 // const-decl RHS aliases through the same forms (`Ptr :: *u8;` etc).
 // Same shape as the existing `size_of(i32)` baseline path.
 
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ main :: () -> i32 {
   // Function-type literal in expression position.
   print("size_of((i32)->i32) = {}\n", size_of((i32) -> i32));
 
-  // Tuple literal reinterpreted as tuple type at the type-demanding site.
+  // Tuple type at the type-demanding site.
   print("size_of((i32, i32)) = {}\n", size_of(Tuple(i32, i32)));
 
   // Aliases.

examples/types/0120-types-tuple-element-assign.sx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //   - `t.0 = v` writes one element in place (was a known gap: the lvalue path
 //     looked the element up by name via getStructFields and left the pointee
 //     `.unresolved`; now it indexes the tuple positionally like the read path).
-//   - Named tuples `(x: T, y: U)` keep their field names through parsing and
+//   - Named tuples `Tuple(x: T, y: U)` keep their field names through parsing and
 //     type resolution, so `t.x` reads/writes by name (and `.0` by position).
 
 #import "modules/std.sx";

examples/types/0201-types-parenthesized-type-grouping.sx

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-// Parenthesized type grouping: in type position `(T)` (single element, no
+// Parenthesized type grouping: bare parens `(T)` are GROUPING ONLY (in every
-// trailing comma) is a GROUPING that resolves to the inner type — mirroring
+// position) and resolve to the inner type. A tuple type is `Tuple(...)`:
-// value position where `(expr)` groups and `(expr,)` is a 1-tuple. A 1-tuple
+// `Tuple(T)` is a 1-tuple, `Tuple(A, B)` a 2-tuple. Bare parens never form a
-// type requires the trailing comma `(T,)`; `(A, B)` is a 2-tuple.
+// tuple.
 //
 // This lets a closure/optional type be parenthesized for readability:
 //   [1](Closure(i64,i64) -> i64)   // array of closures (grouped element type)
 //   ?(?i64)                        // nested optional
-// without the parens silently turning it into a 1-tuple.
+// without ambiguity — grouping is decoupled from the tuple grammar.
 
 #import "modules/std.sx";
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ main :: () {
     fns : [1](Closure(i64, i64) -> i64) = .[ add ];
     print("{}\n", fns[0](3, 4));      // 7
 
-    // A 1-tuple type still requires the trailing comma.
+    // A 1-tuple type is `Tuple(i64)`.
     one : Tuple(i64) = .(9);
     print("{}\n", one.0);             // 9
 

readme.md

@@ -498,11 +498,11 @@ operands or to give a value a name distinct from its register. A label that just
 echoes its register (`[rax] "={rax}"`) is rejected.
 
 Outputs decide the result: **0** → `void` (and the asm must be `volatile`);
-**1** → that type; **N** → a tuple, named by each operand's name.
+**1** → that type; **N** → a `Tuple`, named by each operand's name.
 
 ```sx
 // multiple value outputs → a destructurable tuple
-split :: (x: u64) -> (lo: u64, hi: u64) {
+split :: (x: u64) -> Tuple(lo: u64, hi: u64) {
     return asm {
         #string ASM
         and %[l], %[x], #0xff

specs.md

@@ -827,35 +827,54 @@ impl Into(MyBuf) for []u8 { ... }
   the convert into itself.
 
 ### Tuple Types
-Anonymous product types with optional field names. Tuples are first-class values — they can be stored in variables, passed to functions, and returned. Tuples also support **spread** (`..tuple` / `(..tuple)`) and **field projection** (`tuple.field` across all elements) — see "Variadic Heterogeneous Type Packs".
+Anonymous product types with optional field names. Tuples are first-class values — they can be stored in variables, passed to functions, and returned. A **named tuple** `Tuple(x: A, y: B)` is sx's anonymous *structural* record — it carries field names but has no nominal identity (distinct from a `struct`, which is nominal). Tuples also support **spread** (`..tuple` / `.(..tuple)`) and **field projection** (`tuple.field` across all elements) — see "Variadic Heterogeneous Type Packs".
+
+The tuple TYPE is always written `Tuple(...)`; a tuple VALUE is always written
+`.(...)` (mirroring how a struct type `Point` pairs with a value literal
+`Point.{...}` / `.{...}`). Bare parentheses `(...)` are **grouping only,
+everywhere** — a comma inside bare parens is a hard error with a migration hint.
 
 #### Construction
 ```sx
-pair := (40, 2);              // positional tuple: (i64, i64)
+pair   := .(40, 2);            // positional tuple value: Tuple(i64, i64)
-named := (x: 10, y: 20);     // named tuple: (x: i64, y: i64)
+named  := .(x = 10, y = 20);   // named tuple value: Tuple(x: i64, y: i64)
-single := (42,);              // 1-tuple (trailing comma in value position)
+single := .(42);               // 1-tuple value
-zeroed : (i32, i32) = ---;    // zero-initialized tuple
+empty  := .();                 // empty tuple value
+zeroed : Tuple(i32, i32) = ---;  // zero-initialized tuple
+
+// Explicitly typed value (like `Point.{...}`):
+p := Tuple(i64, i64).(40, 2);
+n := Tuple(x: i64, y: i64).(x = 10, y = 20);
 ```
 
-Note: In value position, `(expr)` without a comma is a grouping expression, not a tuple. Use `(expr,)` for a 1-tuple value.
+A named tuple value uses `=` for its fields (`.(x = a, y = b)`); a named tuple
+type keeps `:` (`Tuple(x: A, y: B)`).
 
 #### Type Syntax
-In type position, parentheses mirror value position: `(T)` (a single element, no
+The tuple type is `Tuple(...)`:
-trailing comma) is a **grouping** that resolves to the inner type `T`, while
-`(T,)` (trailing comma) is a 1-tuple. `(A, B)` is a 2-tuple. The `->` arrow
-disambiguates function types from grouped/tuple types:
 ```sx
-(i64)            // grouping: resolves to i64 (NOT a tuple)
+Tuple(i64)          // 1-tuple type
-(i64,)           // tuple type with one field
+Tuple(i64, i64)     // 2-tuple type
-(i64, i64)       // tuple type with two fields
+Tuple(x: i64, y: i64)  // named tuple type
+Tuple()             // empty tuple type
+Tuple(..F(Ts))      // pack-spread tuple type (see Variadic Heterogeneous Type Packs)
+```
+`Tuple(...)` is strictly a **type** in every position — including `size_of(Tuple(...))`
+and `type_info(...)` arguments. A tuple **value** comes only from `.(...)` (anonymous)
+or `Tuple(...).(...)` (explicitly typed); a bare `Tuple(1, 2)` (non-type elements) is
+rejected as a tuple type with non-type elements.
+
+Bare parentheses are grouping and never a tuple:
+```sx
+(i64)            // grouping: resolves to i64
 (i64) -> i64     // function type: takes i64, returns i64
 (i64, i64) -> i64  // function type: takes two i64, returns i64
 ?(?i64)          // grouping → a genuine nested optional
 [1](Closure(i64,i64) -> i64)  // grouping → array of one closure
 ```
-Grouping lets a closure/optional/function type be parenthesized for readability
+Grouping lets a closure/optional/function type be parenthesized for readability.
-without silently becoming a 1-tuple. A named single element `(x: T)` stays a
+Function types `(A, B) -> R`, parameter lists, lambdas, and `match` bindings keep
-(named) tuple.
+using bare parens — they are unaffected by the tuple grammar.
 
 #### Field Access
 ```sx
@@ -867,49 +886,49 @@ named.0;     // 10 — numeric index also works on named tuples
 
 #### As Return Type
 ```sx
-swap :: (a: i64, b: i64) -> (i64, i64) { (b, a); }
+swap :: (a: i64, b: i64) -> Tuple(i64, i64) { .(b, a) }
-wrap :: (x: i64) -> (i64,) { (x,); }   // 1-tuple return needs the trailing comma
+wrap :: (x: i64) -> Tuple(i64) { .(x) }   // 1-tuple return
 
 s := swap(1, 2);  // s.0 = 2, s.1 = 1
 t := wrap(42);    // t.0 = 42
 ```
 
 #### Representation
-Tuples are represented as anonymous LLVM struct types (same layout as named structs). A tuple `(i64, i64)` has LLVM type `{ i64, i64 }`.
+Tuples are represented as anonymous LLVM struct types (same layout as named structs). A tuple `Tuple(i64, i64)` has LLVM type `{ i64, i64 }`.
 
 #### Tuple Operators
 
 **Equality and inequality** — element-wise comparison, both sides must have the same field count:
 ```sx
-(1, 2) == (1, 2)   // true
+.(1, 2) == .(1, 2)   // true
-(1, 2) != (1, 3)   // true
+.(1, 2) != .(1, 3)   // true
 ```
 
 **Concatenation** (`+`) — creates a new tuple with fields from both sides:
 ```sx
-c := (1, 2) + (3, 4);   // c : (i64, i64, i64, i64)
+c := .(1, 2) + .(3, 4);   // c : Tuple(i64, i64, i64, i64)
 c.0;                       // 1
 c.3;                       // 4
 ```
 
 **Repetition** (`*`) — repeats a tuple N times (N must be a compile-time integer literal):
 ```sx
-r := (1, 2) * 3;   // r : (i64, i64, i64, i64, i64, i64)
+r := .(1, 2) * 3;   // r : Tuple(i64, i64, i64, i64, i64, i64)
 r.0;                 // 1
 r.5;                 // 2
 ```
 
 **Lexicographic comparison** (`<`, `<=`, `>`, `>=`) — compares element-by-element left to right:
 ```sx
-(1, 2) < (1, 3)    // true  (first fields equal, 2 < 3)
+.(1, 2) < .(1, 3)    // true  (first fields equal, 2 < 3)
-(2, 0) > (1, 9)    // true  (2 > 1, rest ignored)
+.(2, 0) > .(1, 9)    // true  (2 > 1, rest ignored)
-(1, 2) <= (1, 2)   // true  (all equal, <= allows tie)
+.(1, 2) <= .(1, 2)   // true  (all equal, <= allows tie)
 ```
 
 **Membership** (`in`) — checks if a value exists in a tuple:
 ```sx
-3 in (1, 2, 3)     // true
+3 in .(1, 2, 3)     // true
-5 in (1, 2, 3)     // false
+5 in .(1, 2, 3)     // false
 ```
 
 ### Array Types
@@ -1470,8 +1489,8 @@ may do, regardless of the concrete arg types at any particular call site.
 | Comptime unroll (element + index) | `inline for xs, 0.. (x, i) { ... }` | multi-iterable parity with the runtime `for`: position 0 drives the count, a trailing open range pairs the cursor |
 | Projection | `xs.field` | see "Pack projection" |
 | Spread → call args | `..xs` / `..xs.field` | expands to N positional args |
-| Spread → tuple value | `(..xs)` / `(..xs.field)` | materializes a tuple |
+| Spread → tuple value | `.(..xs)` / `.(..xs.field)` | materializes a tuple |
-| Spread → tuple type | `(..F(Ts))` / `(..F(Ts.Arg))` | tuple type with per-element type application |
+| Spread → tuple type | `Tuple(..F(Ts))` / `Tuple(..F(Ts.Arg))` | tuple type with per-element type application |
 | Spread → callable sig | `Closure(..Ts) -> R` / `Closure(..Ts.Arg) -> R` | positional params of the callable |
 
 #### Pack projection
@@ -1484,7 +1503,7 @@ Resolution is **position-driven** (no cross-namespace shadowing):
   type-arg `T`, so `..xs.T` is the pack of element value-types.
 - In **value** position, `xs.field` looks `field` up in the constraint's
   **runtime-field** namespace and yields a *tuple* of the projected values
-  (e.g. `xs.value` → `(xs[0].value, xs[1].value, ...)`).
+  (e.g. `xs.value` → `.(xs[0].value, xs[1].value, ...)`).
 
 A protocol that declares a type-arg and a runtime field with the **same name**
 compiles, but emits a soft warning at the protocol declaration (the human is
@@ -1499,13 +1518,13 @@ tuple rather than a pack:
 - `tuple.field` projects `field` out of every element (when all elements have a
   same-named field), returning a tuple of the projected values.
 
-This lets a pack be materialized once (`stored := (..xs)`) and later re-spread
+This lets a pack be materialized once (`stored := .(..xs)`) and later re-spread
 (`f(..stored)`) or re-projected (`stored.value`).
 
 #### Pack of zero (N = 0)
 
 `xs.len == 0` is valid: `inline for` over an empty range doesn't execute, spreads
-are no-ops, and `(..xs)` is the empty tuple. A library built on packs (e.g.
+are no-ops, and `.(..xs)` is the empty tuple. A library built on packs (e.g.
 `map`) must handle N=0 — typically by producing a constant result that never
 changes.
 
@@ -1515,10 +1534,10 @@ Because a pack has no runtime representation, using the **bare pack name** where
 a runtime value is required is a compile error with a context-tailored
 suggestion:
 
-- storing/binding it (`x := xs;`, `self.f = xs;`) → materialize a tuple `(..xs)`;
+- storing/binding it (`x := xs;`, `self.f = xs;`) → materialize a tuple `.(..xs)`;
 - passing it to a runtime call (`f(xs)`) → declare the parameter as a *slice*
   variadic `..xs: []P` (a runtime slice) instead of a pack `..xs: P`;
-- returning it (`return xs;`) → return a tuple `(..xs)` (and make the return
+- returning it (`return xs;`) → return a tuple `.(..xs)` (and make the return
   type that tuple);
 - iterating it (`for xs (x)`, `xs[runtime_i]`) → `inline for xs (x)` (or
   `inline for 0..xs.len (i)` for the index) for a comptime unroll, or take
@@ -1533,8 +1552,8 @@ place.
 #### Storage and protocol conformance
 
 To **store** a pack, materialize a tuple: a pack-shaped struct field is
-tuple-typed, `sources: (..ValueListenable(Ts))`, assigned `self.sources =
+tuple-typed, `sources: Tuple(..ValueListenable(Ts))`, assigned `self.sources =
-(..sources)`. To **return** a struct as a protocol value, `xx` requires an
+.(..sources)`. To **return** a struct as a protocol value, `xx` requires an
 explicit impl (protocol erasure is impl-driven, not structural) — e.g.
 `impl ValueListenable($R) for Combined($R, ..$Ts) { ... }`.
 
@@ -1542,7 +1561,7 @@ explicit impl (protocol erasure is impl-driven, not structural) — e.g.
 
 ```sx
 Combined :: struct($R: Type, ..$Ts: []Type) {
-  sources:       (..ValueListenable(Ts));   // pack-spread in tuple type position
+  sources:       Tuple(..ValueListenable(Ts));   // pack-spread in tuple type position
   mapper:        Closure(..Ts) -> $R;       // pack-spread in callable sig
   value:         $R;
   own_allocator: Allocator;
@@ -1559,7 +1578,7 @@ map :: (mapper: Closure(..sources.T) -> $R, ..sources: ValueListenable)
   c := context.allocator.alloc(Combined($R, ..sources.T));
   c.own_allocator = context.allocator;
   c.mapper        = mapper;
-  c.sources       = (..sources);            // pack-to-tuple materialization
+  c.sources       = .(..sources);           // pack-to-tuple materialization
   inline for 0..sources.len (i) {           // comptime unroll over the pack
     sources[i].addListener((_) => c.recompute());
   }
@@ -1827,15 +1846,16 @@ name :: (params) -> return_type {
 ```
 
 - Parameters: `name: type` separated by commas
-- Return type: `-> type` (omit for void). A multi-value return is a tuple: `-> (T1, T2)`.
+- Return type: `-> type` (omit for void). A multi-value return is a tuple: `-> Tuple(T1, T2)`.
 - Body: a block whose **value** is its last statement when that statement is a
   trailing expression with **no** `;` (see [Block values](#block-values)). That
   value is the implicit return; an explicit `return` works too.
 
 A trailing `!` in the return type marks the function **failable** — it adds a
-separate error channel alongside the normal returns (`-> (T, !)`, `-> !`,
+separate error channel alongside the normal returns. The `!` sits **outside**
-`-> (T1, T2, !)`). The `!` is not a wrapper around the value; it is one more
+the tuple: `-> T !` (one value), `-> Tuple(T1, T2) !` (multi value), `-> !`
-return slot. See [§12 Error Handling](#12-error-handling).
+(void). The `!` is not a wrapper around the value; it is one more return slot.
+See [§12 Error Handling](#12-error-handling).
 
 Examples:
 ```sx
@@ -2462,8 +2482,8 @@ When a tuple is used as the receiver of a UFCS call, its elements are unpacked a
 num_add :: (a: i64, b: i64) -> i64 { a + b; }
 add :: ufcs num_add;
 
-(40, 2).add();            // splats to num_add(40, 2) → 42
+.(40, 2).add();           // splats to num_add(40, 2) → 42
-(40,).add(2);             // partial: num_add(40, 2) → 42
+.(40).add(2);             // partial: num_add(40, 2) → 42
 40.add(2);                // normal UFCS: num_add(40, 2) → 42
 ```
 
@@ -2472,8 +2492,8 @@ With more arguments:
 compute :: (a: i64, b: i64, c: i64, d: i64) -> i64 { a + b * c - d; }
 calc :: ufcs compute;
 
-(1, 2, 3, 4).calc();     // full splat → compute(1, 2, 3, 4)
+.(1, 2, 3, 4).calc();    // full splat → compute(1, 2, 3, 4)
-(1, 2).calc(3, 4);       // partial splat → compute(1, 2, 3, 4)
+.(1, 2).calc(3, 4);      // partial splat → compute(1, 2, 3, 4)
 1.calc(2, 3, 4);          // normal UFCS → compute(1, 2, 3, 4)
 ```
 
@@ -3101,7 +3121,7 @@ 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`.
@@ -3114,8 +3134,9 @@ See [§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: `-> (i32, i64, !)` is a function returning two
+native multi-return ergonomics: `-> Tuple(i32, i64) !` is a function returning
-values *and* an error, with no tuple-in-a-wrapper.
+two values *and* an error, with no tuple-in-a-wrapper. The `!` sits **outside**
+the `Tuple`.
 
 This section is the canonical surface reference. The design rationale,
 trade-offs, and implementation breakdown live in `current/PLAN-ERR.md`.
@@ -3123,10 +3144,10 @@ trade-offs, and implementation breakdown live in `current/PLAN-ERR.md`.
 ### Failable signatures
 
 ```sx
-parse_digit :: (s: string) -> (i32, !) { ... }   // one value + error
+parse_digit :: (s: string) -> i32 ! { ... }       // one value + error
-parse       :: (s: string) -> (i32, i64, !) { ... } // multi-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
+divide      :: (a: i32, b: i32) -> i32 !MathErr { ... } // named set
 ```
 
 The `!` is always the **last** slot. `0` in the error slot means "no error";
@@ -3141,7 +3162,7 @@ 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;
 }
@@ -3228,7 +3249,7 @@ v := parse_digit(s) catch (e) compute_fallback(e);   // value-producing body
 
 v, n := parse(s) catch (e) {
   log.warn("parse failed: {}", e);
-  (0, 0)                                // tuple body for a multi-value failable
+  .(0, 0)                               // tuple body for a multi-value failable
 };
 
 v := parse(s) catch (e) == {           // match-body form
@@ -3264,7 +3285,7 @@ the RHS shape decides the result:
 v := parse_digit(s) or 0;                        // value terminator → non-failable
 v := try foo() or try boo();                     // chain, propagate if both fail
 v := foo() or boo() or 0;                        // bare operands, 0 absorbs all
-v, n := parse_pair(s) or (0, 0);                 // tuple terminator (multi-value)
+v, n := parse_pair(s) or .(0, 0);                // tuple terminator (multi-value)
 ```
 
 A **void** failable (`-> !`) rejects a plain-value RHS (no success type to
@@ -3339,14 +3360,14 @@ 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); }
   ...
@@ -3367,9 +3388,9 @@ 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
@@ -3427,8 +3448,9 @@ const_decl      = IDENT '::' expr ';'
 var_decl        = IDENT ':=' expr ';'
                 | IDENT ':' type '=' expr ';'
                 | IDENT ':' type ';'
-fn_decl         = IDENT '::' '(' params? ')' ('->' type)? block
+fn_decl         = IDENT '::' '(' params? ')' ('->' ret_type)? block
                 | IDENT '::' block
+ret_type        = type ('!' IDENT?)?    // trailing `!` = failable; channel outside any Tuple
 enum_decl       = IDENT '::' 'enum' '{' (IDENT ';')* '}'
 struct_decl     = IDENT '::' 'struct' '{' struct_member* '}'
 struct_member   = field_group | '#using' IDENT ';'
@@ -3459,12 +3481,16 @@ binary          = catch_expr (binop catch_expr)*    // binop includes `or` (fall
 catch_expr      = unary ('catch' ('(' IDENT ')')? (block | '==' '{' case_arm* else_arm? '}' | unary))?
 unary           = ('-' | '!' | 'xx' | 'try' | 'cast' '(' type ')') postfix
                 | postfix
-postfix         = primary ('(' args? ')' | '.' IDENT | '.{' field_init_list '}')*
+postfix         = primary ('(' args? ')' | '.' IDENT | '.{' field_init_list '}'
+                          | '.(' tuple_elem_list? ')')*
 primary         = INT | HEX_INT | BIN_INT | FLOAT | STRING | BOOL | IDENT | '---'
                 | '.' IDENT | '.' '{' field_init_list '}'
-                | '(' expr ')' | block | '#run' expr
+                | '.(' tuple_elem_list? ')'    // tuple value (anonymous): .(a, b) / .(x = a) / .() / .(..xs)
+                | '(' expr ')' | block | '#run' expr    // bare parens = grouping ONLY
 field_init_list = field_init (',' field_init)* ','?
 field_init      = IDENT '=' expr | IDENT | expr
+tuple_elem_list = tuple_elem (',' tuple_elem)* ','?
+tuple_elem      = IDENT '=' expr | '..' expr | expr
 if_expr         = 'if' expr 'then' expr ('else' expr)?
                 | 'if' expr block ('else' block)?
 match_expr      = 'if' expr '==' '{' case_arm* else_arm? '}'
@@ -3475,8 +3501,12 @@ lambda          = '(' params? ')' ('->' type)? '=>' expr
 args            = expr (',' expr)* ','?
 type            = '$' IDENT | 'i32' | 'f32' | 'f64' | 'bool' | 'string'
                 | 'Any' | 'Type' | '..' type | '[' expr ']' type | IDENT
-                | '(' type (',' type)* ',' '!' IDENT? ')'    // value-carrying failable
+                | 'Tuple' '(' tuple_type_list? ')'           // tuple type: Tuple(A, B) / Tuple(x: A) / Tuple() / Tuple(..F(Ts))
+                | '(' type ')'                               // grouping (bare parens never form a tuple)
+                | '(' (type (',' type)*)? ')' '->' type ('!' IDENT?)?  // function type (params optional; optional error channel)
                 | '!' IDENT?                                  // pure failable (`!` / `!Named`)
+tuple_type_list = tuple_type_elem (',' tuple_type_elem)* ','?
+tuple_type_elem = IDENT ':' type | '..' type | type
 ```
 
 ---