// Glaze Library
// For the license information refer to glaze.hpp

#pragma once

#include <cctype>
#include <charconv>

#include "glaze/core/common.hpp"
#include "glaze/core/read.hpp"
#include "glaze/core/reflect.hpp"
#include "glaze/file/file_ops.hpp"
#include "glaze/json/generic.hpp"
#include "glaze/util/glaze_fast_float.hpp"
#include "glaze/util/nullable_traits.hpp"
#include "glaze/util/parse.hpp"
#include "glaze/util/type_traits.hpp"
#include "glaze/util/variant.hpp"
#include "glaze/yaml/common.hpp"
#include "glaze/yaml/opts.hpp"
#include "glaze/yaml/skip.hpp"

namespace glz
{
   template <>
   struct parse<YAML>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class T, is_context Ctx, class It0, class It1>
      static void op(T&& value, Ctx&& ctx, It0&& it, It1 end)
      {
         if constexpr (requires { ctx.stream_begin; }) {
            if (!ctx.stream_begin && it != end) {
               ctx.stream_begin = &*it;
            }
         }
         // Skip YAML directives and document start marker (---) if present
         yaml::skip_document_start(it, end, ctx);
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]] {
            return;
         }

         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         if (it == end) {
            // An empty document is a valid YAML null document.
            if constexpr (requires { value = nullptr; }) {
               value = nullptr;
               return;
            }
            else if constexpr (nullable_like<V>) {
               value = {};
               return;
            }
            else {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
               return;
            }
         }

         // A bare document boundary marker at root denotes an empty document.
         // Examples: "---\n---\n", "# comment\n...\n"
         if (yaml::at_document_start(it, end) || yaml::at_document_end(it, end)) {
            if constexpr (requires { value = nullptr; }) {
               value = nullptr;
               return;
            }
            else if constexpr (nullable_like<V>) {
               value = {};
               return;
            }
            else {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
               return;
            }
         }

         from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(std::forward<T>(value), std::forward<Ctx>(ctx), std::forward<It0>(it), end);

         // A directive line (%YAML/%TAG/...) is only valid in the document prefix.
         // If parsing stopped before the end and we encounter a directive in the
         // remaining tail, treat it as malformed stream structure. This is a document-level
         // concern, so only enforce it at the document root: a nested call (e.g. a tagged
         // variant handing a custom alternative its body) is mid-document and its tail
         // belongs to an enclosing node, not this value.
         if constexpr (!check_partial_read(Opts)) {
            if (!bool(ctx.error) && ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
               auto is_document_start = [&](auto pos) {
                  if (end - pos >= 3 && pos[0] == '-' && pos[1] == '-' && pos[2] == '-') {
                     auto after = pos + 3;
                     return after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r' ||
                            *after == '#';
                  }
                  return false;
               };

               auto tail_scan = it;
               bool seen_document_end_marker = false;
               while (tail_scan != end) {
                  auto line = tail_scan;
                  while (line != end && (*line == ' ' || *line == '\t')) ++line;
                  if (line != tail_scan && line != end && *line != '\n' && *line != '\r' && *line != '#') {
                     // Indented tail usually belongs to continuation content.
                     // But a plain "key: value" pattern here indicates malformed
                     // trailing mapping content after a completed root node.
                     const char first = *line;
                     const bool explicit_or_structural_start =
                        (first == ':' || first == '?' || first == '!' || first == '&' || first == '*' || first == '[' ||
                         first == '{' || first == '"' || first == '\'' || first == '-');
                     if (!explicit_or_structural_start) {
                        auto scan = line;
                        while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                           if (*scan == ':') {
                              auto after = scan + 1;
                              if (after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r') {
                                 ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                 return;
                              }
                           }
                           ++scan;
                        }
                     }
                     return;
                  }
                  if (line == end) {
                     return;
                  }
                  if (*line == ':' || *line == '?') {
                     return; // Explicit key/value continuation.
                  }
                  if (*line == '\n' || *line == '\r') {
                     tail_scan = line;
                     yaml::skip_newline(tail_scan, end);
                     continue;
                  }
                  if (*line == '#') {
                     while (tail_scan != end && *tail_scan != '\n' && *tail_scan != '\r') ++tail_scan;
                     yaml::skip_newline(tail_scan, end);
                     continue;
                  }
                  if (yaml::at_document_end(line, end)) {
                     seen_document_end_marker = true;
                     while (tail_scan != end && *tail_scan != '\n' && *tail_scan != '\r') ++tail_scan;
                     yaml::skip_newline(tail_scan, end);
                     continue;
                  }
                  if (is_document_start(line)) {
                     // Additional documents are accepted, but document-start lines
                     // that use non-standard tag handles (e.g. !prefix!Type) are
                     // malformed in this single-document reader unless re-declared
                     // for that document. Reject this shape in the stream tail.
                     auto header = line + 3;
                     while (header != end && (*header == ' ' || *header == '\t')) ++header;
                     if (header != end && *header == '!') {
                        auto tag_end = header + 1;
                        while (tag_end != end && *tag_end != ' ' && *tag_end != '\t' && *tag_end != '\n' &&
                               *tag_end != '\r' && *tag_end != '#') {
                           ++tag_end;
                        }
                        std::string_view tag_token(header, static_cast<size_t>(tag_end - header));
                        const auto second_bang = tag_token.find('!', 1);
                        if (second_bang != std::string_view::npos) {
                           std::string_view handle = tag_token.substr(0, second_bang + 1);
                           if (handle != "!" && handle != "!!") {
                              ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                              return;
                           }
                        }
                     }
                     return; // Additional documents are allowed in the stream tail.
                  }
                  if (line != end && *line == '%') {
                     // YAML directives are only valid in document prefixes. A directive
                     // encountered mid-document (without a prior ...) is malformed.
                     if (!seen_document_end_marker) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     return;
                  }
                  if (seen_document_end_marker) {
                     return; // Implicit next document after explicit document end marker.
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }
         }
      }
   };

   // glaze_value_t - unwrap custom value types
   template <class T>
      requires(glaze_value_t<T> && !custom_read<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class Value, is_context Ctx, class It0, class It1>
      static void op(Value&& value, Ctx&& ctx, It0&& it, It1 end)
      {
         using V = std::decay_t<decltype(get_member(std::declval<Value>(), meta_wrapper_v<T>))>;
         from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(get_member(std::forward<Value>(value), meta_wrapper_v<T>),
                                          std::forward<Ctx>(ctx), std::forward<It0>(it), end);
      }
   };

   // Silently consume any value bound to a glz::skip sentinel. Reached when a
   // type opts out of serialization via meta::value = glz::skip{}.
   template <>
   struct from<YAML, skip>
   {
      template <auto Opts>
      GLZ_ALWAYS_INLINE static void op(auto&&, is_context auto&& ctx, auto&&... args) noexcept
      {
         skip_value<YAML>::template op<Opts>(ctx, args...);
      }
   };

   namespace yaml
   {
      // Handle YAML alias (*name) by replaying the stored anchor span.
      // Returns true if alias was handled (caller should return).
      // Returns false if current char is not '*' (caller continues normally).
      template <auto Opts, class T, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      bool handle_alias(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, [[maybe_unused]] End end) noexcept
      {
         if (it == end || *it != '*') return false;

         ++it; // skip '*'
         auto name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
         if (name.empty()) {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return true;
         }

         auto anchor_it = ctx.anchors.find(name);
         if (anchor_it == ctx.anchors.end()) {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error; // undefined alias
            return true;
         }

         auto& span = anchor_it->second;

         // Empty anchor span (anchor on null/empty node) — leave value as default
         if (span.begin == span.end) {
            return true;
         }

         auto replay_it = span.begin;
         auto replay_end = span.end;

         // Save indent context and set up for replay
         auto saved_indent_stack = std::move(ctx.indent_stack);
         ctx.indent_stack.clear();
         if (span.base_indent > 0) {
            ctx.push_indent(span.base_indent - 1);
         }

         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(std::forward<T>(value), ctx, replay_it, replay_end);

         // Restore indent context
         ctx.indent_stack = std::move(saved_indent_stack);
         return true;
      }

      template <class It, class End>
      inline bool alias_token_is_mapping_key(It it, End end) noexcept
      {
         if (it == end || *it != '*') return false;
         ++it; // skip '*'
         auto name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
         if (name.empty()) return false;
         skip_inline_ws(it, end);
         return (it != end && *it == ':') &&
                ((it + 1) == end || whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))]);
      }

      struct node_property_state
      {
         bool has_anchor = false;
         std::string anchor_name{};
         const char* anchor_start{};
         int32_t anchor_indent = 0;
      };

      struct node_property_policy
      {
         bool allow_alias = true;
         bool alias_can_be_mapping_key = false;
         bool allow_empty_after_anchor = false;
         bool disallow_anchor_on_alias = false;
      };

      struct node_preamble_state
      {
         yaml_tag tag = yaml_tag::none;
         node_property_state node_props{};
      };

      // Parse alias/anchor node properties shared across YAML value parsers.
      // Returns true when caller should stop (alias consumed, tolerated empty anchor, or syntax/error).
      template <auto Opts, node_property_policy Policy = node_property_policy{}, class T, class Ctx, class It,
                class End>
      inline bool parse_node_properties(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, node_property_state& state) noexcept
      {
         state.has_anchor = false;
         state.anchor_name.clear();
         state.anchor_start = nullptr;
         state.anchor_indent = ctx.current_indent();

         if constexpr (Policy.allow_alias) {
            if constexpr (Policy.alias_can_be_mapping_key) {
               if (!alias_token_is_mapping_key(it, end)) {
                  if (handle_alias<Opts>(std::forward<T>(value), ctx, it, end)) return true;
               }
            }
            else {
               if (handle_alias<Opts>(std::forward<T>(value), ctx, it, end)) return true;
            }
         }

         if (it != end && *it == '&') {
            ++it;
            auto name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
            if (name.empty()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return true;
            }
            skip_inline_ws(it, end);
            if (it == end) {
               if constexpr (!Policy.allow_empty_after_anchor) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
               }
               return true;
            }
            if constexpr (Policy.disallow_anchor_on_alias) {
               if (*it == '*') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return true;
               }
            }
            state.has_anchor = true;
            state.anchor_name = std::string(name);
            state.anchor_start = &*it;
         }

         return false;
      }

      template <class Ctx, class It>
      inline void finalize_node_anchor(node_property_state& state, Ctx& ctx, It it) noexcept
      {
         if (state.has_anchor && !bool(ctx.error)) {
            ctx.anchors[std::move(state.anchor_name)] = {state.anchor_start, &*it, state.anchor_indent};
         }
      }

      template <auto Opts, node_property_policy PropertyPolicy = node_property_policy{}, bool AllowEmptyInput = false,
                class T, class Ctx, class It, class End, class TagValidator>
      inline bool parse_node_preamble(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, node_preamble_state& preamble,
                                      TagValidator&& tag_validator) noexcept
      {
         skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            if constexpr (!AllowEmptyInput) {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            }
            return true;
         }

         preamble.tag = parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
         if (preamble.tag == yaml_tag::unknown) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return true;
         }
         if (!tag_validator(preamble.tag)) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return true;
         }

         skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            if constexpr (!AllowEmptyInput) {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            }
            return true;
         }

         if (parse_node_properties<Opts, PropertyPolicy>(std::forward<T>(value), ctx, it, end, preamble.node_props)) {
            return true;
         }

         return false;
      }

      // SWAR-optimized double-quoted string parsing
      // Uses 8-byte chunks for fast scanning and copying
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_double_quoted_string(std::string& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         static constexpr size_t string_padding_bytes = 8;

         if (it == end || *it != '"') [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::expected_quote;
            return;
         }

         ++it; // skip opening quote
         auto start = it;

         // Pass 1: Find closing quote byte-by-byte (need to handle newlines and escapes)
         while (it != end && *it != '"') {
            if (*it == '\\') {
               ++it;
               if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }
            }
            ++it;
         }

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         // Allocate buffer with room for potential expansion and SWAR padding
         // Some YAML escapes expand: \L, \P -> 3 bytes UTF-8
         const auto input_len = static_cast<size_t>(it - start);
         value.resize(input_len + (input_len / 2) + string_padding_bytes);
         auto* dst = value.data();
         auto* const dst_start = dst;

         // Pass 2: Copy and process escapes and line folding
         auto src = start;
         const auto* const src_end = &*it;
         // Track position past which we should not trim. Escape-produced characters
         // (even whitespace like \t) are content and must not be trimmed by line folding.
         auto* last_non_trimmable = dst;

         while (src < src_end) {
            // Check for newline - needs line folding
            if (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r') {
               // Trim trailing LITERAL whitespace from output before processing newline.
               // Escape-produced whitespace (e.g. from \t) is preserved.
               dst = (std::max)(last_non_trimmable, dst_start);

               // Skip the newline
               if (*src == '\r' && (src + 1) < src_end && *(src + 1) == '\n') {
                  src += 2; // CRLF
               }
               else {
                  ++src;
               }

               // Skip leading indentation on the next line.
               int indent_count = 0;
               if (!yaml::skip_folded_line_indent(src, src_end, ctx, &indent_count)) return;
               if (indent_count == 0 && yaml::starts_with_document_marker(src, src_end)) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               // Check if this is a blank line (another newline follows)
               if (src < src_end && (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r')) {
                  // Blank line(s) - output newlines for each blank line
                  while (src < src_end && (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r')) {
                     *dst++ = '\n';
                     // Skip the newline
                     if (*src == '\r' && (src + 1) < src_end && *(src + 1) == '\n') {
                        src += 2; // CRLF
                     }
                     else {
                        ++src;
                     }
                     int blank_indent_count = 0;
                     if (!yaml::skip_folded_line_indent(src, src_end, ctx, &blank_indent_count)) return;
                     if (blank_indent_count == 0 && yaml::starts_with_document_marker(src, src_end)) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  // Don't add space - we're now at content after blank line(s)
               }
               else {
                  // Single newline - fold to space
                  *dst++ = ' ';
               }
               last_non_trimmable = dst;
               continue;
            }

            if (*src == '\\') {
               ++src;
               if (src >= src_end) [[unlikely]] {
                  // Shouldn't happen - we validated in pass 1
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               const unsigned char esc = static_cast<unsigned char>(*src);

               // Check for escaped newline (line continuation - no space)
               if (esc == '\n' || esc == '\r') {
                  // Skip the newline
                  if (esc == '\r' && (src + 1) < src_end && *(src + 1) == '\n') {
                     src += 2; // CRLF
                  }
                  else {
                     ++src;
                  }

                  int indent_count = 0;
                  if (!yaml::skip_folded_line_indent(src, src_end, ctx, &indent_count)) return;
                  if (indent_count == 0 && yaml::starts_with_document_marker(src, src_end)) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  // No output - this is line continuation without space
                  last_non_trimmable = dst;
                  continue;
               }

               // Check simple escape table first
               if (yaml_escape_is_simple[esc]) {
                  *dst++ = yaml_unescape_table[esc];
                  ++src;
               }
               // Handle escapes requiring special processing
               else if (yaml_escape_needs_special[esc]) {
                  ++src; // skip escape char
                  switch (esc) {
                  case 'x': {
                     // \xXX - 2 hex digits
                     if (static_cast<size_t>(src_end - src) < 2) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     const uint32_t hi = digit_hex_table[static_cast<unsigned char>(src[0])];
                     const uint32_t lo = digit_hex_table[static_cast<unsigned char>(src[1])];
                     if ((hi | lo) & 0xF0) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     const uint32_t codepoint = (hi << 4) | lo;
                     src += 2;
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(codepoint, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  case 'u': {
                     // \uXXXX - 4 hex digits
                     if (static_cast<size_t>(src_end - src) < 4) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     const uint32_t codepoint = hex_to_u32(src);
                     if (codepoint == 0xFFFFFFFFu || (codepoint >= 0xD800 && codepoint <= 0xDFFF)) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     src += 4;
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(codepoint, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  case 'U': {
                     // \UXXXXXXXX - 8 hex digits
                     if (static_cast<size_t>(src_end - src) < 8) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     const uint32_t hi = hex_to_u32(src);
                     const uint32_t lo = hex_to_u32(src + 4);
                     if ((hi | lo) == 0xFFFFFFFFu) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     const uint32_t codepoint = (hi << 16) | lo;
                     src += 8;
                     if (codepoint >= 0xD800 && codepoint <= 0xDFFF) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     if (codepoint <= 0x10FFFF) {
                        dst += code_point_to_utf8(codepoint, dst);
                     }
                     break;
                  }
                  case 'N': {
                     // Next line U+0085
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(0x0085, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  case '_': {
                     // Non-breaking space U+00A0
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(0x00A0, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  case 'L': {
                     // Line separator U+2028
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(0x2028, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  case 'P': {
                     // Paragraph separator U+2029
                     dst += code_point_to_utf8(0x2029, dst);
                     break;
                  }
                  default:
                     break;
                  }
               }
               else {
                  // Preserve unknown escapes for compatibility, but reject a subset that
                  // YAML test-suite marks as malformed in double-quoted scalars.
                  if (esc == '.' || esc == '\'') {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  *dst++ = '\\';
                  *dst++ = static_cast<char>(esc);
                  ++src;
               }
               // All escape-produced characters are content, not trimmable
               last_non_trimmable = dst;
            }
            else {
               const char ch = *src++;
               *dst++ = ch;
               // Only update non-trimmable for non-whitespace literal characters
               if (ch != ' ' && ch != '\t') {
                  last_non_trimmable = dst;
               }
            }
         }

         // Resize to actual length
         value.resize(static_cast<size_t>(dst - dst_start));
         ++it; // skip closing quote
      }

      // Single-quoted string parsing with line folding
      // Only escape is '' -> ' (doubled single quote)
      // Line breaks are folded: single newline -> space, blank line -> newline
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_single_quoted_string(std::string& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         static constexpr size_t string_padding_bytes = 8;

         if (it == end || *it != '\'') [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::expected_quote;
            return;
         }

         ++it; // skip opening quote
         auto start = it;

         // Pass 1: Find closing quote (handling '' escapes)
         while (it != end) {
            if (*it == '\'') {
               if ((it + 1) != end && *(it + 1) == '\'') {
                  it += 2; // Skip escaped quote
               }
               else {
                  break; // Found closing quote
               }
            }
            else {
               ++it;
            }
         }

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         const auto input_len = static_cast<size_t>(it - start);
         value.resize(input_len + string_padding_bytes);
         auto* dst = value.data();
         auto* const dst_start = dst;
         auto src = start;
         const auto* const src_end = &*it;

         // Pass 2: Process content with line folding and '' escapes
         while (src < src_end) {
            // Check for newline - needs line folding
            if (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r') {
               // Trim trailing whitespace from output before processing newline
               while (dst > dst_start && (*(dst - 1) == ' ' || *(dst - 1) == '\t')) {
                  --dst;
               }

               // Skip the newline
               if (*src == '\r' && (src + 1) < src_end && *(src + 1) == '\n') {
                  src += 2; // CRLF
               }
               else {
                  ++src;
               }

               // Skip leading indentation on the next line.
               int indent_count = 0;
               if (!yaml::skip_folded_line_indent(src, src_end, ctx, &indent_count)) return;
               if (indent_count == 0 && yaml::starts_with_document_marker(src, src_end)) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               // Check if this is a blank line (another newline follows)
               if (src < src_end && (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r')) {
                  // Blank line(s) - output newlines for each blank line
                  while (src < src_end && (*src == '\n' || *src == '\r')) {
                     *dst++ = '\n';
                     // Skip the newline
                     if (*src == '\r' && (src + 1) < src_end && *(src + 1) == '\n') {
                        src += 2; // CRLF
                     }
                     else {
                        ++src;
                     }
                     int blank_indent_count = 0;
                     if (!yaml::skip_folded_line_indent(src, src_end, ctx, &blank_indent_count)) return;
                     if (blank_indent_count == 0 && yaml::starts_with_document_marker(src, src_end)) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  // Don't add space - we're now at content after blank line(s)
               }
               else {
                  // Single newline - fold to space
                  *dst++ = ' ';
               }
               continue;
            }

            if (*src == '\'') {
               // Must be '' (escaped quote) - we validated this in pass 1
               *dst++ = '\'';
               src += 2;
            }
            else {
               *dst++ = *src++;
            }
         }

         value.resize(static_cast<size_t>(dst - dst_start));
         ++it; // skip closing quote
      }

      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, bool* saw_line_break = nullptr)
      {
         bool at_line_start = false;
         bool saw_separation_ws = false;
         bool line_has_indent = false;
         while (it != end) {
            if (*it == ' ') {
               ++it;
               saw_separation_ws = true;
               if (at_line_start) line_has_indent = true;
               continue;
            }
            if (*it == '\t') {
               if (at_line_start && !line_has_indent) {
                  auto probe = it;
                  while (probe != end && (*probe == ' ' || *probe == '\t')) ++probe;
                  if (probe != end && *probe != '\n' && *probe != '\r' && *probe != '#') {
                     const char c = *probe;
                     const bool allowed_flow_delim = (c == ']' || c == '}' || c == '[' || c == '{' || c == ',');
                     if (!allowed_flow_delim) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
               }
               ++it;
               saw_separation_ws = true;
               if (at_line_start) line_has_indent = true;
               continue;
            }
            if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
               skip_newline(it, end);
               if (saw_line_break) *saw_line_break = true;
               at_line_start = true;
               saw_separation_ws = true;
               line_has_indent = false;
               continue;
            }
            if (*it == '#') {
               // In flow style, comments require separation from the previous token.
               // Allow comment-only lines and comments after inline whitespace, but
               // reject adjacency forms like ",#comment" (CVW2).
               bool separated_by_prev_ws = false;
               if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
                  if (ctx.stream_begin && it > ctx.stream_begin) {
                     const char prev = *(it - 1);
                     separated_by_prev_ws = (prev == ' ' || prev == '\t');
                  }
               }
               if (!(at_line_start || saw_separation_ws || separated_by_prev_ws)) {
                  break;
               }
               skip_comment(it, end);
               if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  if (saw_line_break) *saw_line_break = true;
                  at_line_start = true;
                  saw_separation_ws = true;
                  continue;
               }
               continue;
            }

            // In block context, multiline flow nodes require indentation on content
            // continuation lines (except structural tokens).
            if (at_line_start && ctx.current_indent() >= 0 && !line_has_indent) {
               const char c = *it;
               const bool structural = (c == ']' || c == '}' || c == ',');
               if (!structural) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }
            break;
         }
      }

      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         if (it == end) return;
         const char c = *it;
         // After a flow collection closes, the next character must be a structural
         // separator or whitespace/comment. Adjacent plain content is malformed.
         if (c == ' ' || c == '\t' || c == '\n' || c == '\r' || c == '#' || c == ',' || c == ']' || c == '}' ||
             c == ':') {
            return;
         }
         ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
      }

      // At root level, a closed flow collection must be followed only by:
      // inline spaces, optional inline comment, newline-separated comments/blank lines,
      // or stream separators (--- / ...). This catches malformed trailing content such as:
      // "[a] ]", "[a]#comment" (without separation), or "[a]\ntrailing".
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         auto is_document_start = [&](auto pos) {
            if (end - pos >= 3 && pos[0] == '-' && pos[1] == '-' && pos[2] == '-') {
               auto after = pos + 3;
               return after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r' ||
                      *after == '#';
            }
            return false;
         };

         bool at_line_start = false;
         auto tail = it;
         while (tail != end) {
            auto line = tail;
            skip_inline_ws(line, end);

            if (line == end) {
               return;
            }

            if (*line == '\n' || *line == '\r') {
               tail = line;
               skip_newline(tail, end);
               at_line_start = true;
               continue;
            }

            if (*line == '#') {
               if (!at_line_start && line == it) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               tail = line;
               skip_comment(tail, end);
               if (tail != end && (*tail == '\n' || *tail == '\r')) {
                  skip_newline(tail, end);
                  at_line_start = true;
                  continue;
               }
               return;
            }

            if (at_line_start && (at_document_end(line, end) || is_document_start(line))) {
               return;
            }

            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }
      }

      // Parse a plain scalar (unquoted)
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_plain_scalar(std::string& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, bool in_flow)
      {
         value.clear();

         while (it != end) {
            const char c = *it;

            // End conditions
            if (c == '\n' || c == '\r') {
               if (in_flow) {
                  auto continuation = it;
                  skip_newline(continuation, end);
                  bool continuation_is_comment = false;

                  while (continuation != end) {
                     while (continuation != end && (*continuation == ' ' || *continuation == '\t')) {
                        ++continuation;
                     }
                     if (continuation != end && *continuation == '#') {
                        // Comment lines terminate plain flow scalars; the caller
                        // will consume comments/separators outside this scalar.
                        continuation_is_comment = true;
                        break;
                     }
                     break;
                  }

                  if (continuation_is_comment || continuation == end || *continuation == ',' || *continuation == ']' ||
                      *continuation == '}' || *continuation == ':') {
                     break;
                  }

                  while (!value.empty() && (value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t')) {
                     value.pop_back();
                  }
                  if (!value.empty()) {
                     value.push_back(' ');
                  }
                  it = continuation;
                  continue;
               }
               break;
            }

            // Per YAML spec: # only starts a comment when preceded by whitespace
            // "foo#bar" is a valid plain scalar, but "foo #bar" has a comment
            if (c == '#') {
               // Check if preceded by whitespace (comment indicator)
               if (value.empty() || value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t') {
                  break; // This is a comment
               }
               // Otherwise # is part of the scalar value
            }

            // Flow indicators end plain scalars in flow context
            if (in_flow && (c == ',' || c == ']' || c == '}')) break;

            // Colon followed by space/newline ends plain scalar
            if (c == ':') {
               if ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\t' || *(it + 1) == '\n' || *(it + 1) == '\r') {
                  break;
               }
               if (in_flow && (*(it + 1) == ',' || *(it + 1) == ']' || *(it + 1) == '}')) {
                  break;
               }
            }

            value.push_back(c);
            ++it;
         }

         // Trim trailing whitespace
         while (!value.empty() && (value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t')) {
            value.pop_back();
         }

         if (in_flow && (value == "---" || value == "..." || value == "-")) {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
         }
      }

      // Parse a multiline plain scalar with folding (for block context)
      // This handles plain scalars that span multiple lines, where continuation
      // lines are indented more than the base indent level.
      // Per YAML spec:
      // - Continuation lines must be more indented than the base indent
      // - A single newline between lines becomes a single space
      // - Blank lines are preserved as literal newlines
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_plain_scalar_multiline(std::string& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t base_indent)
      {
         value.clear();

         while (it != end) {
            const char c = *it;

            // Check for newline - potential continuation
            if (c == '\n' || c == '\r') {
               // Trim trailing whitespace from current line
               while (!value.empty() && (value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t')) {
                  value.pop_back();
               }

               // Count consecutive blank lines
               int blank_lines = 0;
               auto lookahead = it;

               while (lookahead != end) {
                  // Skip the newline
                  if (*lookahead == '\r' && (lookahead + 1) != end && *(lookahead + 1) == '\n') {
                     ++lookahead;
                  }
                  if (lookahead != end && (*lookahead == '\n' || *lookahead == '\r')) {
                     ++lookahead;
                  }
                  else {
                     break;
                  }

                  // Check if this is a blank line or comment-only line
                  int32_t line_indent = 0;

                  while (lookahead != end && (*lookahead == ' ' || *lookahead == '\t')) {
                     ++line_indent;
                     ++lookahead;
                  }

                  if (lookahead == end || *lookahead == '\n' || *lookahead == '\r') {
                     // Blank line
                     ++blank_lines;
                     continue;
                  }

                  if (*lookahead == '#') {
                     // Comments end plain scalars per YAML spec
                     return;
                  }

                  // Found content - check indentation
                  // Continuation lines must not dedent below the parent block.
                  if (line_indent < base_indent) {
                     // Dedented - end of scalar
                     return;
                  }

                  // Document boundary markers at column 0 start/stop documents and
                  // must terminate a top-level plain scalar continuation.
                  if (line_indent == 0 && (at_document_start(lookahead, end) || at_document_end(lookahead, end))) {
                     return;
                  }

                  // Sequence indicator (- followed by space/newline/end).
                  // Terminates the scalar when the dash is at or above the
                  // enclosing sequence's indicator column, meaning it starts
                  // a sibling entry.  A dash deeper than the indicator is
                  // plain content (yaml-test-suite AB8U).
                  if (*lookahead == '-') {
                     auto after_dash = lookahead + 1;
                     if (after_dash == end || *after_dash == ' ' || *after_dash == '\t' || *after_dash == '\n' ||
                         *after_dash == '\r') {
                        if (ctx.sequence_dash_indent < 0 || line_indent <= ctx.sequence_dash_indent) {
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                  }

                  if (ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context) {
                     // In explicit mapping keys ("? key"), a following explicit
                     // key/value indicator starts a new mapping entry.
                     if (*lookahead == '?' || *lookahead == ':') {
                        auto after = lookahead + 1;
                        if (after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r') {
                           return;
                        }
                     }

                     // Node-property indicators at the start of a continuation
                     // line begin a new key node in explicit-key context.
                     if (*lookahead == '&' || *lookahead == '*' || *lookahead == '!') {
                        return;
                     }
                  }

                  // In a "- item" value context, an anchor/tag/alias at the start
                  // of a continuation candidate starts a new node, not scalar content.
                  if (ctx.sequence_item_value_context &&
                      (*lookahead == '&' || *lookahead == '*' || *lookahead == '!')) {
                     return;
                  }

                  // Check for mapping key indicator (content followed by : and space)
                  // This is a heuristic - we look for ": " pattern which indicates a mapping key
                  {
                     auto scan = lookahead;
                     while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                        if (*scan == ':') {
                           auto after_colon = scan + 1;
                           if (after_colon == end || *after_colon == ' ' || *after_colon == '\t' ||
                               *after_colon == '\n' || *after_colon == '\r') {
                              // This looks like a mapping key - end the scalar
                              return;
                           }
                        }
                        ++scan;
                     }
                  }

                  // This is a continuation line
                  // Add appropriate line breaks for blank lines
                  for (int i = 0; i < blank_lines; ++i) {
                     value.push_back('\n');
                  }

                  // Add a space to fold the newline (unless we added literal newlines for blank lines)
                  if (blank_lines == 0 && !value.empty()) {
                     value.push_back(' ');
                  }

                  // Move iterator to the content position
                  it = lookahead;
                  break;
               }

               // If we exhausted the lookahead, we're done
               if (lookahead == end) {
                  return;
               }

               continue; // Process the character at the new position
            }

            // Per YAML spec: # only starts a comment when preceded by whitespace
            if (c == '#') {
               if (value.empty() || value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t') {
                  break; // This is a comment
               }
            }

            // Colon followed by space/newline ends plain scalar (potential nested mapping)
            if (c == ':') {
               if ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\t' || *(it + 1) == '\n' || *(it + 1) == '\r') {
                  break;
               }
            }

            value.push_back(c);
            ++it;
         }

         // Trim trailing whitespace
         while (!value.empty() && (value.back() == ' ' || value.back() == '\t')) {
            value.pop_back();
         }
      }

      // Parse a block scalar (| or >)
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_block_scalar(std::string& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t base_indent)
      {
         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         const char indicator = *it;
         ++it;
         const auto header_start = it;

         // Chomping indicator: - (strip), + (keep), or none (clip)
         char chomping = ' '; // default: clip
         int explicit_indent = 0;
         bool seen_chomping = false;
         bool seen_indent = false;

         while (it != end && *it != '\n' && *it != '\r') {
            if (*it == '-' || *it == '+') {
               if (seen_chomping) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               seen_chomping = true;
               chomping = *it;
            }
            else if (*it >= '1' && *it <= '9') {
               if (seen_indent) {
                  // YAML indentation indicator is a single digit [1-9].
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               seen_indent = true;
               explicit_indent = *it - '0';
            }
            else if (*it == '0') {
               // Indentation indicator 0 is invalid by spec.
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            else if (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t') {
               // Skip whitespace
            }
            else if (*it == '#') {
               // Block scalar comments require separation whitespace.
               if (it == header_start || (*(it - 1) != ' ' && *(it - 1) != '\t')) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               // Skip comment
               while (it != end && *it != '\n' && *it != '\r') {
                  ++it;
               }
               break;
            }
            else {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it;
         }

         // Skip newline after indicator
         if (!skip_newline(it, end)) {
            // Empty block scalar
            value.clear();
            return;
         }

         value.clear();

         // Determine content indentation
         int32_t content_indent = -1;
         int32_t leading_blank_indent_max = -1;
         bool first_line = true;
         bool previous_line_starts_with_tab = false;
         bool previous_line_more_indented = false;
         std::string trailing_newlines;

         while (it != end) {
            auto line_start = it;
            int32_t line_indent = measure_indent<false>(it, end, ctx);
            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            // Check for blank line
            if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
               // In literal mode, a line with more spaces than content_indent
               // has whitespace content that must be preserved.
               if (content_indent >= 0 && line_indent > content_indent && indicator == '|') {
                  it = line_start;
                  for (int32_t i = 0; i < content_indent && it != end && *it == ' '; ++i) {
                     ++it;
                  }
                  // Fall through to content processing below
               }
               else {
                  if (content_indent < 0) {
                     leading_blank_indent_max = (std::max)(leading_blank_indent_max, line_indent);
                  }
                  trailing_newlines.push_back('\n');
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  continue;
               }
            }

            // Top-level zero-indented block scalars must stop at document boundary markers.
            if (base_indent < 0 && line_indent == 0 && (at_document_start(it, end) || at_document_end(it, end))) {
               it = line_start;
               break;
            }

            // First content line determines indentation
            if (content_indent < 0) {
               if (explicit_indent > 0) {
                  content_indent = base_indent + explicit_indent;
               }
               else {
                  content_indent = line_indent;
               }

               if (content_indent <= base_indent) {
                  it = line_start;
                  break;
               }
               if (leading_blank_indent_max > content_indent) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Check if we've dedented
            if (line_indent < content_indent) {
               it = line_start;
               break;
            }

            // Skip to content_indent level
            it = line_start;
            for (int32_t i = 0; i < content_indent && it != end && *it == ' '; ++i) {
               ++it;
            }

            const bool current_line_starts_with_tab = (it != end && *it == '\t');
            const bool current_line_more_indented = (line_indent > content_indent);

            // Add previous newlines
            if (first_line) {
               // Leading blank lines are part of block scalar content
               value += trailing_newlines;
            }
            else {
               if (indicator == '|') {
                  // Literal: preserve newlines
                  value += trailing_newlines;
               }
               else {
                  // Folded: single newline becomes space, paragraph breaks keep one newline.
                  // Folding does not apply adjacent to "more indented" or tab-leading lines.
                  const size_t break_count = trailing_newlines.size();
                  const bool adjacent_special = previous_line_starts_with_tab || current_line_starts_with_tab ||
                                                previous_line_more_indented || current_line_more_indented;
                  if (break_count == 1) {
                     if (adjacent_special) {
                        value.push_back('\n');
                     }
                     else {
                        value.push_back(' ');
                     }
                  }
                  else if (break_count > 1) {
                     const size_t preserve_count = adjacent_special ? break_count : (break_count - 1);
                     value.append(preserve_count, '\n');
                  }
               }
            }
            trailing_newlines.clear();
            first_line = false;
            previous_line_starts_with_tab = current_line_starts_with_tab;
            previous_line_more_indented = current_line_more_indented;

            // Read line content
            while (it != end && *it != '\n' && *it != '\r') {
               value.push_back(*it);
               ++it;
            }

            trailing_newlines.push_back('\n');
            skip_newline(it, end);
         }

         // Apply chomping
         if (chomping == '-') {
            // Strip: remove all trailing newlines
         }
         else if (chomping == '+') {
            // Keep: preserve all trailing newlines
            value += trailing_newlines;
         }
         else {
            // Clip: single trailing newline
            if (!value.empty()) {
               value.push_back('\n');
            }
         }
      }

      // Parse a YAML key (unquoted or quoted)
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline bool parse_yaml_key(std::string& key, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, bool in_flow)
      {
         key.clear();
         skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return false;
         }

         auto validate_key_tag = [&](const yaml_tag tag) {
            if (tag == yaml_tag::unknown) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            if (!tag_valid_for_string(tag)) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            return true;
         };

         // Tags on keys (e.g. "!!str : value")
         auto key_tag = parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
         if (!validate_key_tag(key_tag)) {
            return false;
         }
         skip_inline_ws(it, end);
         if (it == end) {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return false;
         }

         // Handle alias as key (*name resolves to anchor value)
         if (*it == '*') {
            ++it;
            auto name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
            if (name.empty()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            auto anchor_it = ctx.anchors.find(name);
            if (anchor_it == ctx.anchors.end()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error; // undefined alias
               return false;
            }
            auto& span = anchor_it->second;
            if (span.begin == span.end) {
               key.clear(); // empty anchor
            }
            else {
               // Replay the anchor span to extract the key string
               auto replay_it = span.begin;
               auto replay_end = span.end;
               if (*replay_it == '"') {
                  parse_double_quoted_string(key, ctx, replay_it, replay_end);
               }
               else if (*replay_it == '\'') {
                  parse_single_quoted_string(key, ctx, replay_it, replay_end);
               }
               else if (*replay_it == '[' || *replay_it == '{') {
                  // Canonicalize complex alias keys (flow seq/map) to a stable string form.
                  glz::generic key_node{};
                  auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
                  from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<flow_context_on<opts{.error_on_unknown_keys = false}>()>(
                     key_node, temp_ctx, replay_it, replay_end);
                  if (bool(temp_ctx.error)) [[unlikely]] {
                     ctx.error = temp_ctx.error;
                     return false;
                  }
                  ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);

                  if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                     key = *s;
                  }
                  else {
                     (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key);
                  }
               }
               else {
                  bool parse_structured_alias_key = false;
                  if (*replay_it == '-' &&
                      ((replay_it + 1) == replay_end ||
                       yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(replay_it + 1))])) {
                     parse_structured_alias_key = true;
                  }
                  else {
                     auto scan = replay_it;
                     while (scan != replay_end) {
                        if (*scan == ':') {
                           const auto after_colon = scan + 1;
                           if (after_colon == replay_end ||
                               yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_colon)]) {
                              parse_structured_alias_key = true;
                              break;
                           }
                        }
                        if (*scan == '\n' || *scan == '\r') {
                           break;
                        }
                        ++scan;
                     }
                  }
                  if (!parse_structured_alias_key) {
                     for (auto p = replay_it; p != replay_end; ++p) {
                        if (*p == '\n' || *p == '\r') {
                           parse_structured_alias_key = true;
                           break;
                        }
                     }
                  }

                  if (parse_structured_alias_key) {
                     glz::generic key_node{};
                     auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
                     from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<opts{.error_on_unknown_keys = false}>(key_node, temp_ctx,
                                                                                                 replay_it, replay_end);
                     if (bool(temp_ctx.error)) [[unlikely]] {
                        ctx.error = temp_ctx.error;
                        return false;
                     }
                     ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);

                     if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                        key = *s;
                     }
                     else {
                        (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key);
                     }
                  }
                  else {
                     parse_plain_scalar(key, ctx, replay_it, replay_end, false);
                  }
               }
            }
            return !bool(ctx.error);
         }

         // Handle anchor on key (&name before key text)
         bool has_key_anchor = false;
         std::string key_anchor_name;
         if (*it == '&') {
            ++it;
            auto name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
            if (name.empty()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            skip_inline_ws(it, end);
            if (it == end) {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
               return false;
            }
            // Anchor on alias is invalid per YAML spec
            if (*it == '*') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            has_key_anchor = true;
            key_anchor_name = std::string(name);
         }

         // Allow node-property order "&anchor !!str key: value" for mapping keys.
         if (*it == '!') {
            if (key_tag != yaml_tag::none) {
               // Duplicate tag properties on the same key node are malformed.
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return false;
            }
            key_tag = parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
            if (!validate_key_tag(key_tag)) {
               return false;
            }
            skip_inline_ws(it, end);
            if (it == end) {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
               return false;
            }
         }

         const char* key_start = &*it;
         bool quoted_key_spans_lines = false;

         if (*it == '"') {
            auto quoted_start = it;
            parse_double_quoted_string(key, ctx, it, end);
            if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
               for (auto p = quoted_start; p != it; ++p) {
                  if (*p == '\n' || *p == '\r') {
                     quoted_key_spans_lines = true;
                     break;
                  }
               }
            }
         }
         else if (*it == '\'') {
            auto quoted_start = it;
            parse_single_quoted_string(key, ctx, it, end);
            if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
               for (auto p = quoted_start; p != it; ++p) {
                  if (*p == '\n' || *p == '\r') {
                     quoted_key_spans_lines = true;
                     break;
                  }
               }
            }
         }
         else {
            // Plain key - read until colon
            while (it != end) {
               const char c = *it;
               if (c == ':') {
                  // Check if this ends the key
                  if ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\t' || *(it + 1) == '\n' ||
                      *(it + 1) == '\r') {
                     break;
                  }
                  if (in_flow && (*(it + 1) == ',' || *(it + 1) == ']' || *(it + 1) == '}')) {
                     break;
                  }
               }
               if (c == '\n' || c == '\r') {
                  if (!in_flow) break;

                  auto continuation = it;
                  skip_newline(continuation, end);
                  int32_t continuation_indent = 0;
                  while (continuation != end && (*continuation == ' ' || *continuation == '\t')) {
                     if (*continuation == ' ') ++continuation_indent;
                     ++continuation;
                  }

                  if (continuation == end) {
                     break;
                  }

                  if (*continuation == '#') {
                     it = continuation;
                     skip_comment(it, end);
                     if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                        skip_newline(it, end);
                        continue;
                     }
                     break;
                  }

                  // A continuation line starting with flow terminators or ':' does
                  // not belong to the key content.
                  if (*continuation == ',' || *continuation == ']' || *continuation == '}' || *continuation == ':') {
                     break;
                  }

                  if (ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context) {
                     if (*continuation == '?' || *continuation == ':') {
                        auto after = continuation + 1;
                        if (after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r') {
                           break;
                        }
                     }

                     if (*continuation == '&' || *continuation == '*' || *continuation == '!') {
                        break;
                     }

                     if (*continuation == '-') {
                        auto after = continuation + 1;
                        if (after == end || *after == ' ' || *after == '\t' || *after == '\n' || *after == '\r') {
                           break;
                        }
                     }

                     if (ctx.current_indent() >= 0 && continuation_indent <= ctx.current_indent()) {
                        break;
                     }

                     // A continuation line that contains an implicit mapping-key
                     // indicator (": " / ":\n") starts a new entry, not key text.
                     {
                        auto scan = continuation;
                        while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                           if (*scan == ':') {
                              auto after_colon = scan + 1;
                              const bool tight_key_colon =
                                 (scan == continuation) || (*(scan - 1) != ' ' && *(scan - 1) != '\t');
                              if (tight_key_colon &&
                                  (after_colon == end || *after_colon == ' ' || *after_colon == '\t' ||
                                   *after_colon == '\n' || *after_colon == '\r')) {
                                 break;
                              }
                           }
                           ++scan;
                        }
                        if (scan != end && *scan == ':') {
                           break;
                        }
                     }
                  }

                  if (!key.empty() && key.back() != ' ') {
                     key.push_back(' ');
                  }
                  it = continuation;
                  continue;
               }
               if (in_flow && (c == ',' || c == ']' || c == '}')) break;
               if (c == '#') {
                  if (key.empty() || key.back() == ' ' || key.back() == '\t') break;
               }

               key.push_back(c);
               ++it;
            }

            // Trim trailing whitespace from key
            while (!key.empty() && (key.back() == ' ' || key.back() == '\t')) {
               key.pop_back();
            }

            // Empty keys are valid YAML (":" in block or flow mappings).
         }

         if (bool(ctx.error)) return false;

         // Implicit mapping keys must be single-line in both block and flow styles.
         if (quoted_key_spans_lines && !in_flow) {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return false;
         }

         // Store anchor on key if present
         if (has_key_anchor) {
            ctx.anchors[std::move(key_anchor_name)] = {key_start, &*it, ctx.current_indent()};
         }

         return true;
      }

   } // namespace yaml

   // String types
   template <str_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts, yaml::node_property_policy{true, false, false, true}>(
                value, ctx, it, end, preamble, [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_string(tag); }))
            return;

         std::string str;
         const auto style = yaml::detect_scalar_style(*it);

         switch (style) {
         case yaml::scalar_style::double_quoted:
            yaml::parse_double_quoted_string(str, ctx, it, end);
            break;
         case yaml::scalar_style::single_quoted:
            yaml::parse_single_quoted_string(str, ctx, it, end);
            break;
         case yaml::scalar_style::literal_block:
         case yaml::scalar_style::folded_block:
            // For same-line mapping/sequence values, parsing context is typically pushed
            // one column past the key/item indicator; block scalar indentation is relative
            // to the parent line indent.
            yaml::parse_block_scalar(str, ctx, it, end,
                                     ctx.current_indent() > 0 ? (ctx.current_indent() - 1) : ctx.current_indent());
            break;
         case yaml::scalar_style::plain:
            // In block context with known indent, use multiline parsing to support
            // plain scalars that span multiple lines (folding behavior)
            if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
               if (ctx.current_indent() >= 0) {
                  yaml::parse_plain_scalar_multiline(str, ctx, it, end, ctx.current_indent());
               }
               else {
                  // Top-level plain scalars may continue on same-indent or indented lines.
                  yaml::parse_plain_scalar_multiline(str, ctx, it, end, int32_t(0));
               }
            }
            else {
               yaml::parse_plain_scalar(str, ctx, it, end, true);
            }
            break;
         }

         if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
            value = std::move(str);
            yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
         }
      }
   };

   // Boolean types
   template <bool_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end, preamble,
                                             [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_bool(tag); }))
            return;

         // Parse as plain scalar first
         std::string str;
         yaml::parse_plain_scalar(str, ctx, it, end, yaml::check_flow_context(Opts));

         if (str == "true" || str == "True" || str == "TRUE" || str == "yes" || str == "Yes" || str == "YES" ||
             str == "on" || str == "On" || str == "ON") {
            value = true;
         }
         else if (str == "false" || str == "False" || str == "FALSE" || str == "no" || str == "No" || str == "NO" ||
                  str == "off" || str == "Off" || str == "OFF") {
            value = false;
         }
         else {
            ctx.error = error_code::expected_true_or_false;
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // Numeric types
   template <num_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end, preamble, [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) {
                if constexpr (std::floating_point<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>) {
                   return yaml::tag_valid_for_float(tag);
                }
                else {
                   return yaml::tag_valid_for_int(tag);
                }
             }))
            return;

         auto finalize = [&] { yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it); };

         // Check for special float values
         if constexpr (std::floating_point<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>) {
            auto start = it;

            // Check for .inf, .nan, -.inf, etc.
            if (*it == '.') {
               ++it;
               if (it + 3 <= end && (std::string_view(it, 3) == "inf" || std::string_view(it, 3) == "Inf" ||
                                     std::string_view(it, 3) == "INF")) {
                  value = std::numeric_limits<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>::infinity();
                  it += 3;
                  finalize();
                  return;
               }
               if (it + 3 <= end && (std::string_view(it, 3) == "nan" || std::string_view(it, 3) == "NaN" ||
                                     std::string_view(it, 3) == "NAN")) {
                  value = std::numeric_limits<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>::quiet_NaN();
                  it += 3;
                  finalize();
                  return;
               }
               it = start;
            }

            if (*it == '-' || *it == '+') {
               const char sign = *it;
               ++it;
               if (it != end && *it == '.') {
                  ++it;
                  if (it + 3 <= end && (std::string_view(it, 3) == "inf" || std::string_view(it, 3) == "Inf" ||
                                        std::string_view(it, 3) == "INF")) {
                     if (sign == '-') {
                        value = -std::numeric_limits<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>::infinity();
                     }
                     else {
                        value = std::numeric_limits<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>::infinity();
                     }
                     it += 3;
                     finalize();
                     return;
                  }
               }
               it = start;
            }
         }

         // Parse as plain scalar and convert
         auto start = it;

         // Find end of number - use same rules as plain scalar for colons
         while (it != end) {
            const char c = *it;
            if (c == ' ' || c == '\t' || c == '\n' || c == '\r' || c == ',' || c == ']' || c == '}' || c == '#') {
               break;
            }
            // Colon only ends number if followed by space/tab/newline/end (YAML mapping indicator)
            if (c == ':') {
               if ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\t' || *(it + 1) == '\n' || *(it + 1) == '\r') {
                  break;
               }
            }
            ++it;
         }

         const std::string_view num_str(&*start, static_cast<size_t>(it - start));

         if (num_str.empty()) {
            ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
            return;
         }

         // Handle hex, octal, binary
         if constexpr (std::integral<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>) {
            if (num_str.size() > 2 && num_str[0] == '0') {
               int base = 10;
               size_t offset = 0;

               if (num_str[1] == 'x' || num_str[1] == 'X') {
                  base = 16;
                  offset = 2;
               }
               else if (num_str[1] == 'o' || num_str[1] == 'O') {
                  base = 8;
                  offset = 2;
               }
               else if (num_str[1] == 'b' || num_str[1] == 'B') {
                  base = 2;
                  offset = 2;
               }

               if (base != 10) {
                  const auto digits = num_str.substr(offset);
                  const bool has_underscores = (digits.find('_') != std::string_view::npos);

                  std::string clean_storage;
                  std::string_view clean_view;

                  if (has_underscores) {
                     clean_storage.reserve(digits.size());
                     for (char c : digits) {
                        if (c != '_') {
                           clean_storage.push_back(c);
                        }
                     }
                     clean_view = clean_storage;
                  }
                  else {
                     clean_view = digits;
                  }

                  auto [ptr, ec] =
                     std::from_chars(clean_view.data(), clean_view.data() + clean_view.size(), value, base);
                  if (ec != std::errc{}) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
                  }
                  finalize();
                  return;
               }
            }
         }
         else if constexpr (std::floating_point<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>) {
            bool negative = false;
            std::string_view digits = num_str;

            if (!digits.empty() && (digits.front() == '+' || digits.front() == '-')) {
               negative = (digits.front() == '-');
               digits.remove_prefix(1);
            }

            if (digits.size() > 2 && digits[0] == '0') {
               int base = 10;
               size_t offset = 0;

               if (digits[1] == 'x' || digits[1] == 'X') {
                  base = 16;
                  offset = 2;
               }
               else if (digits[1] == 'o' || digits[1] == 'O') {
                  base = 8;
                  offset = 2;
               }
               else if (digits[1] == 'b' || digits[1] == 'B') {
                  base = 2;
                  offset = 2;
               }

               if (base != 10) {
                  auto raw_digits = digits.substr(offset);
                  const bool has_underscores = (raw_digits.find('_') != std::string_view::npos);

                  std::string clean_storage;
                  std::string_view clean_view;
                  if (has_underscores) {
                     clean_storage.reserve(raw_digits.size());
                     for (char c : raw_digits) {
                        if (c != '_') {
                           clean_storage.push_back(c);
                        }
                     }
                     clean_view = clean_storage;
                  }
                  else {
                     clean_view = raw_digits;
                  }

                  uint64_t parsed_int{};
                  auto [ptr, ec] =
                     std::from_chars(clean_view.data(), clean_view.data() + clean_view.size(), parsed_int, base);
                  if (ec != std::errc{} || ptr != (clean_view.data() + clean_view.size())) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
                     finalize();
                     return;
                  }

                  const auto as_float = static_cast<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>(parsed_int);
                  value = negative ? -as_float : as_float;
                  finalize();
                  return;
               }
            }
         }

         // Standard number parsing - only allocate if underscores present
         const bool has_underscores = (num_str.find('_') != std::string_view::npos);

         std::string clean_storage;
         std::string_view clean_view;

         if (has_underscores) {
            clean_storage.reserve(num_str.size());
            for (char c : num_str) {
               if (c != '_') {
                  clean_storage.push_back(c);
               }
            }
            clean_view = clean_storage;
         }
         else {
            clean_view = num_str;
         }

         // YAML allows leading '+' for positive numbers, but C++ from_chars doesn't
         // Strip leading '+' if present
         auto parse_view = clean_view;
         if (!parse_view.empty() && parse_view.front() == '+') {
            parse_view.remove_prefix(1);
            if (parse_view.empty()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
               return;
            }
         }

         if constexpr (std::floating_point<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>) {
            auto result = glz::fast_float::from_chars(parse_view.data(), parse_view.data() + parse_view.size(), value);
            // Check both for errors and that all input was consumed (e.g., "12:30" is not a valid number)
            if (result.ec != std::errc{} || result.ptr != parse_view.data() + parse_view.size()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
            }
         }
         else {
            auto [ptr, ec] = std::from_chars(parse_view.data(), parse_view.data() + parse_view.size(), value);
            // Check both for errors and that all input was consumed
            if (ec != std::errc{} || ptr != parse_view.data() + parse_view.size()) {
               ctx.error = error_code::parse_number_failure;
            }
         }

         finalize();
      }
   };

   // Nullable types: std::optional, std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, raw pointers
   template <nullable_like T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Save position before consuming whitespace so we can restore it
         // if the speculative null check fails. The indentation whitespace is
         // structurally significant for block-style inner values (sequences, mappings).
         auto before_ws = it;

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) {
            value = {};
            return;
         }

         // Check for tag - but don't consume it yet if it's not a null tag
         auto tag_start = it;
         const auto tag = yaml::parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::unknown) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }

         // If it's explicitly a null tag, set to null
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::null_tag) {
            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
            // Skip the null value if present
            if (it != end && !yaml::flow_context_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
               std::string str;
               yaml::parse_plain_scalar(str, ctx, it, end, yaml::check_flow_context(Opts));
            }
            value = {};
            return;
         }

         // If no tag or a non-null tag, reset and check value
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::none) {
            it = tag_start;
         }

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         // Handle alias for the whole nullable value
         if (yaml::handle_alias<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end)) return;
         // Anchors (&name) pass through to the inner type handler

         // Check for null value (without tag)
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::none) {
            std::string str;
            yaml::parse_plain_scalar(str, ctx, it, end, yaml::check_flow_context(Opts));

            if (yaml::is_yaml_null(str)) {
               value = {};
               return;
            }

            // Not null - reset to before whitespace consumption so the inner
            // parser can measure indentation correctly for block-style values.
            it = before_ws;
         }

         if (!value) {
            if (!nullable_emplace<Opts>(value, ctx)) {
               return;
            }
         }

         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<decltype(*value)>;
         from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(*value, ctx, it, end);
      }
   };

   // Always-null literal types (std::nullptr_t, std::monostate, std::nullopt_t)
   template <always_null_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&&, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         // Check for null values: null, Null, NULL, ~
         if (*it == '~') {
            ++it;
            return;
         }

         // Parse as plain scalar and check if it's a null keyword
         auto start = it;
         while (it != end && !yaml::plain_scalar_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
            ++it;
         }

         std::string_view str{start, static_cast<size_t>(it - start)};
         if (!yaml::is_yaml_null(str)) {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
         }
      }
   };

   // Enum with glz::meta - reads string representation
   template <class T>
      requires(is_named_enum<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end, preamble,
                                             [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_string(tag); }))
            return;

         // Parse as string (quoted or plain)
         std::string str;
         const auto style = yaml::detect_scalar_style(*it);

         if (style == yaml::scalar_style::double_quoted) {
            yaml::parse_double_quoted_string(str, ctx, it, end);
         }
         else if (style == yaml::scalar_style::single_quoted) {
            yaml::parse_single_quoted_string(str, ctx, it, end);
         }
         else {
            yaml::parse_plain_scalar(str, ctx, it, end, yaml::check_flow_context(Opts));
         }

         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         constexpr auto N = reflect<T>::size;

         if constexpr (N == 1) {
            static constexpr auto key = glz::get<0>(reflect<T>::keys);
            if (str == key) {
               value = glz::get<0>(reflect<T>::values);
            }
            else {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_enum;
            }
         }
         else {
            static constexpr auto HashInfo = hash_info<T>;
            const auto index = decode_hash_with_size<YAML, T, HashInfo, HashInfo.type>::op(
               str.data(), str.data() + str.size(), str.size());

            if (index >= N) [[unlikely]] {
               ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_enum;
               return;
            }

            visit<N>(
               [&]<size_t I>() {
                  static constexpr auto key = glz::get<I>(reflect<T>::keys);
                  if (str == key) [[likely]] {
                     value = glz::get<I>(reflect<T>::values);
                  }
                  else {
                     ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_enum;
                  }
               },
               index);
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // Raw enum (without glz::meta) - reads as underlying numeric type
   template <class T>
      requires(std::is_enum_v<T> && !glaze_enum_t<T> && !meta_keys<T> && !custom_read<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         std::underlying_type_t<std::decay_t<T>> x{};
         from<YAML, decltype(x)>::template op<Opts>(x, ctx, it, end);
         value = static_cast<std::decay_t<T>>(x);
      }
   };

   namespace yaml
   {
      // Reading a YAML sequence node into a container OVERWRITES its previous
      // contents rather than appending to them, matching the JSON parser
      // (see json/read.hpp). Growable containers are cleared up front so that
      // pre-existing elements do not leak into the parsed result; fixed-size
      // containers (e.g. std::array) are overwritten element-by-element and are
      // intentionally left untouched here.
      template <auto Opts, class V>
      inline void clear_sequence_before_read(V& value)
      {
         if constexpr (emplace_backable<V> && requires { value.clear(); }) {
            // vector-like: honor the append_arrays option, matching json/read.hpp
            if constexpr (!check_append_arrays(Opts)) {
               value.clear();
            }
         }
         else if constexpr (emplaceable<V> && requires { value.clear(); }) {
            // set-like: json/read.hpp clears unconditionally; append_arrays does not apply
            value.clear();
         }
      }

      // Parse flow sequence [item, item, ...]
      template <auto Opts, class T, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_flow_sequence(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         using value_type = typename V::value_type;

         struct sequence_container_adapter
         {
            size_t index = 0;

            inline bool fixed_capacity_reached(const V& container) const noexcept
            {
               if constexpr (!resizable<V>) {
                  return index >= container.size();
               }
               else {
                  (void)container;
                  return false;
               }
            }

            inline void commit_fixed_slot() noexcept { ++index; }

            inline void append(V& container, value_type&& element) noexcept
            {
               if constexpr (emplace_backable<V>) {
                  container.emplace_back(std::move(element));
               }
               else if constexpr (emplaceable<V>) {
                  container.emplace(std::move(element));
               }
            }
         };

         if (it == end || *it != '[') [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }

         // Overwrite (do not append to) any pre-existing contents. Must happen
         // before the empty-array early return below so that `[]` also clears.
         clear_sequence_before_read<Opts>(value);

         ++it; // Skip '['
         // Skip whitespace and newlines after opening bracket (YAML allows multi-line flow sequences)
         skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Handle empty array
         if (it != end && *it == ']') {
            ++it;
            validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;
            if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
               if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                  validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(ctx, it, end);
               }
            }
            return;
         }

         bool just_saw_comma = false;
         sequence_container_adapter adapter{};

         if constexpr (emplace_backable<V> || emplaceable<V>) {
            // Dynamic containers append items (vector-like and set-like)
            while (it != end) {
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ']') {
                  if (just_saw_comma) {
                     ++it;
                     validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                        if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                           validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(ctx, it, end);
                        }
                     }
                     return;
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ',' || *it == '#') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               just_saw_comma = false;

               value_type element{};
               from<YAML, value_type>::template op<flow_context_on<Opts>()>(element, ctx, it, end);

               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               bool saw_line_break_before_separator = false;
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end, &saw_line_break_before_separator);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it != end && *it == ':') {
                  // In flow sequences, implicit key-value pairs must be on a single line.
                  if (saw_line_break_before_separator) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  if constexpr (std::same_as<std::remove_cvref_t<value_type>, glz::generic>) {
                     glz::generic key_node = std::move(element);
                     ++it;
                     skip_inline_ws(it, end);

                     glz::generic mapped{};
                     from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<flow_context_on<Opts>()>(mapped, ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;

                     std::string key;
                     if (key_node.is_null()) {
                        key.clear();
                     }
                     else if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                        key = *s;
                     }
                     else {
                        (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key);
                     }

                     glz::generic pair{};
                     pair[key] = std::move(mapped);
                     element = std::move(pair);

                     skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                  }
                  else {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               }

               adapter.append(value, std::move(element));

               if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ']') {
                  ++it;
                  validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                     if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                        validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(ctx, it, end);
                     }
                  }
                  return;
               }
               else if (*it == ',') {
                  ++it;
                  just_saw_comma = true;
                  skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
               }
               else {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }
         }
         else if constexpr (!resizable<V>) {
            // Fixed-size containers (std::array)
            while (it != end && !adapter.fixed_capacity_reached(value)) {
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ']') {
                  if (just_saw_comma) {
                     ++it;
                     validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                        if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                           validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(ctx, it, end);
                        }
                     }
                     return;
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ',' || *it == '#') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               just_saw_comma = false;

               from<YAML, value_type>::template op<flow_context_on<Opts>()>(value[adapter.index], ctx, it, end);

               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               adapter.commit_fixed_slot();
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }

               if (*it == ']') {
                  ++it;
                  validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                     if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                        validate_root_flow_tail_after_close(ctx, it, end);
                     }
                  }
                  return;
               }
               else if (*it == ',') {
                  ++it;
                  just_saw_comma = true;
                  skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
               }
               else {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // If we exited because the fixed-size container is full but haven't seen ']',
            // skip to the closing bracket to consume overflow elements.
            int bracket_depth = 1;
            while (it != end && bracket_depth > 0) {
               if (*it == '[') {
                  ++bracket_depth;
               }
               else if (*it == ']') {
                  --bracket_depth;
               }
               ++it;
            }
         }
         else {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }
      }

      // Parse flow mapping {key: value, ...}
      template <auto Opts, string_literal Tag = "", class T, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_flow_mapping(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end)
      {
         using U = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         static constexpr auto N = reflect<U>::size;
         static constexpr auto HashInfo = hash_info<U>;
         static constexpr sv variant_tag = Tag.sv();

         decltype(auto) fields = [&]() -> decltype(auto) {
            if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
               return bit_array<N>{};
            }
            else {
               return nullptr;
            }
         }();

         if (it == end || *it != '{') [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }

         ++it; // Skip '{'
         skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Handle empty mapping
         if (it != end && *it == '}') {
            ++it;
         }
         else {
            while (it != end) {
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it != end && *it == '}') {
                  ++it;
                  validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  break;
               }

               // Parse key using scratch buffer to avoid allocation
               ctx.scratch.clear();
               if (!parse_yaml_key(ctx.scratch, ctx, it, end, true)) {
                  return;
               }

               // Separation between flow key and ':' may include comments/newlines.
               // In flow context, newlines are allowed between key and ':'.
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               // Expect colon
               if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               ++it;
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               // Look up key and parse value
               const auto index = decode_hash_with_size<YAML, U, HashInfo, HashInfo.type>::op(
                  ctx.scratch.data(), ctx.scratch.data() + ctx.scratch.size(), ctx.scratch.size());

               const bool key_matches = index < N && std::string_view{ctx.scratch} == reflect<U>::keys[index];

               if (key_matches) [[likely]] {
                  if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
                     fields[index] = true;
                  }
                  visit<N>(
                     [&]<size_t I>() {
                        if (I == index) {
                           decltype(auto) member = [&]() -> decltype(auto) {
                              if constexpr (reflectable<U>) {
                                 return get<I>(to_tie(value));
                              }
                              else {
                                 return get_member(value, get<I>(reflect<U>::values));
                              }
                           }();

                           using member_type = std::decay_t<decltype(member)>;
                           from<YAML, member_type>::template op<flow_context_on<Opts>()>(member, ctx, it, end);
                        }
                        return !bool(ctx.error);
                     },
                     index);
               }
               else if constexpr (not variant_tag.empty()) {
                  // A tagged variant's discriminator key is "unknown" to the resolved struct (unless
                  // the struct declares it as a field). The variant resolver already consumed it to
                  // choose this alternative, so it is skipped rather than rejected.
                  if constexpr (Opts.error_on_unknown_keys) {
                     if (std::string_view{ctx.scratch} != variant_tag) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::unknown_key;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  skip_yaml_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, 0, true);
               }
               else if constexpr (Opts.error_on_unknown_keys) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unknown_key;
                  return;
               }
               else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                  skip_yaml_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, 0, true);
               }

               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               // In flow context, newlines are treated as whitespace (YAML spec).
               // Use skip_flow_ws_and_newlines so that a newline between a value
               // and its separator (comma or closing brace) is accepted.
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it != end && *it == '}') {
                  ++it;
                  validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  break;
               }
               else if (it != end && *it == ',') {
                  ++it;
               }
               else {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }
         }

         if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
            if (bool(ctx.error)) return;
            constexpr auto req_fields = required_fields<U, Opts>();
            if ((req_fields & fields) != req_fields) {
               for (size_t i = 0; i < N; ++i) {
                  if (not fields[i] && req_fields[i]) {
                     ctx.custom_error_message = reflect<U>::keys[i];
                     break;
                  }
               }
               ctx.error = error_code::missing_key;
            }
         }
      }

      // Detects a plain "key: value" mapping indicator in an inline block-map
      // value segment, while ignoring quoted strings and nested flow collections.
      template <class It, class End>
      inline bool inline_value_has_plain_mapping_indicator(It pos, End end) noexcept
      {
         int flow_depth = 0;
         while (pos != end) {
            const char c = *pos;
            if (c == '\n' || c == '\r' || c == '#') return false;
            if (c == '"' || c == '\'') {
               const char quote = c;
               ++pos;
               while (pos != end && *pos != quote) {
                  if (*pos == '\\' && quote == '"') {
                     ++pos;
                     if (pos != end) ++pos;
                  }
                  else {
                     ++pos;
                  }
               }
               if (pos != end) ++pos;
               continue;
            }
            if (c == '[' || c == '{') {
               ++flow_depth;
               ++pos;
               continue;
            }
            if ((c == ']' || c == '}') && flow_depth > 0) {
               --flow_depth;
               ++pos;
               continue;
            }
            if (c == ':' && flow_depth == 0) {
               const auto next = pos + 1;
               return (next == end) || *next == ' ' || *next == '\t' || *next == '\n' || *next == '\r';
            }
            ++pos;
         }
         return false;
      }

      // Parse block sequence
      // - item1
      // - item2
      template <auto Opts, class T, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_block_sequence(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t sequence_indent)
      {
         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         using value_type = typename V::value_type;

         struct sequence_container_adapter
         {
            size_t index = 0;

            inline bool fixed_capacity_reached(const V& container) const noexcept
            {
               if constexpr (!resizable<V>) {
                  return index >= container.size();
               }
               else {
                  (void)container;
                  return false;
               }
            }

            inline void commit_fixed_slot() noexcept { ++index; }

            inline void append(V& container, value_type&& element) noexcept
            {
               if constexpr (emplace_backable<V>) {
                  container.emplace_back(std::move(element));
               }
               else if constexpr (emplaceable<V>) {
                  container.emplace(std::move(element));
               }
            }
         };

         // Overwrite (do not append to) any pre-existing contents. A block
         // sequence is only entered once a '-' item is confirmed, so clearing
         // up front correctly (re)assigns the container to the parsed sequence.
         clear_sequence_before_read<Opts>(value);

         sequence_container_adapter adapter{};

         // Track if this is the first item (for handling whitespace-consumed case)
         bool first_item = true;
         bool has_pending_item_anchor = false;
         std::string pending_item_anchor_name{};
         int32_t pending_item_anchor_indent = sequence_indent;

         while (it != end) {
            // For fixed-size arrays (e.g. std::array), stop when we've filled all elements.
            // Exclude emplaceable types (e.g. std::set) which are not resizable but grow dynamically.
            if constexpr (!resizable<V> && !emplaceable<V>) {
               if (adapter.fixed_capacity_reached(value)) {
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Skip blank lines and comments, track indent
            int32_t line_indent = 0;
            int32_t dash_col = -1; // actual column of the '-' on the line
            auto line_start = it;

            while (it != end) {
               if (*it == '#') {
                  skip_comment(it, end);
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  line_start = it;
                  line_indent = 0;
               }
               else if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  line_start = it;
                  line_indent = 0;
               }
               else if (*it == ' ') {
                  line_start = it;
                  line_indent = 0;
                  while (it != end && *it == ' ') {
                     ++line_indent;
                     ++it;
                  }

                  bool saw_tab = false;
                  while (it != end && (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t')) {
                     saw_tab = saw_tab || (*it == '\t');
                     ++it;
                  }

                  if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r' || *it == '#') {
                     // Blank or comment line - continue to next line
                     if (it != end && *it == '#') {
                        skip_comment(it, end);
                     }
                     line_indent = 0;
                     continue;
                  }

                  if (saw_tab) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  break; // Found content
               }
               else if (*it == '\t') {
                  line_start = it;
                  while (it != end && (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t')) ++it;
                  if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r' || *it == '#') {
                     if (it != end && *it == '#') {
                        skip_comment(it, end);
                     }
                     line_indent = 0;
                     continue;
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               else {
                  // At content (no leading space on this line)
                  // If first item and at '-', whitespace was consumed by caller;
                  // treat as having correct indentation
                  if (first_item && *it == '-') {
                     line_indent = sequence_indent;
                     if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
                        if (ctx.stream_begin && it > ctx.stream_begin) {
                           auto probe = it;
                           int32_t leading_ws = 0;
                           bool saw_tab = false;
                           while (probe > ctx.stream_begin && (*(probe - 1) == ' ' || *(probe - 1) == '\t')) {
                              --probe;
                              ++leading_ws;
                              saw_tab = saw_tab || (*probe == '\t');
                           }
                           if (probe == ctx.stream_begin || *(probe - 1) == '\n' || *(probe - 1) == '\r') {
                              if (saw_tab) {
                                 ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                 return;
                              }
                              line_indent = (std::max)(line_indent, leading_ws);
                           }
                        }
                     }
                  }
                  break;
               }
            }

            if (it == end) break;

            // Check for document end marker
            if (at_document_end(it, end)) break;

            // Check for dedent
            if (line_indent < sequence_indent) {
               it = line_start;
               return;
            }

            if (*it == '&') {
               // Standalone anchor lines before "- item" are only supported for
               // indentless mapping values. At top-level block sequences these are
               // malformed in yaml-test-suite cases.
               if (!ctx.allow_indentless_sequence) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               ++it;
               auto pending_name = parse_anchor_name(it, end);
               if (pending_name.empty()) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               skip_inline_ws(it, end);
               if (it != end && *it == '#') {
                  skip_comment(it, end);
               }

               has_pending_item_anchor = true;
               pending_item_anchor_name = std::string(pending_name);
               pending_item_anchor_indent = line_indent;

               if (it == end || (*it != '\n' && *it != '\r')) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               skip_newline(it, end);
               continue;
            }

            // Expect dash for sequence item
            if (*it != '-') {
               it = line_start;
               return;
            }

            // Compute the actual column of this sequence dash.
            // This is needed by plain-scalar multiline folding to distinguish
            // sibling "- item" entries from deeper "- " continuation content.
            dash_col = line_indent;
            if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
               if (ctx.stream_begin) {
                  auto p = &*it;
                  dash_col = 0;
                  while (p > ctx.stream_begin && *(p - 1) != '\n' && *(p - 1) != '\r') {
                     --p;
                     ++dash_col;
                  }
               }
            }

            ++it; // Skip '-'

            // Check for valid sequence item indicator (- followed by space or newline)
            if (it != end && !yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
               // Not a sequence item (could be a number like -5)
               it = line_start;
               return;
            }

            bool saw_tab_after_dash = false;
            while (it != end && (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t')) {
               saw_tab_after_dash = saw_tab_after_dash || (*it == '\t');
               ++it;
            }
            // A tab-separated nested "- " marker is not valid block indentation.
            if (saw_tab_after_dash && it != end && *it == '-') {
               const auto after_dash = it + 1;
               if (after_dash == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_dash)]) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Get reference to element to parse into
            auto parse_element = [&](auto& element) {
               const char* element_start = (it != end) ? &*it : nullptr;

               // Check what follows
               if (it != end && !yaml::line_end_or_comment_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
                  // Content on same line as dash - set indent to one less than content column
                  // This allows nested block mappings to continue parsing keys at the content indent
                  // For "- key: val", if dash is at column 0, content is at column 2
                  // We set parent indent to 1 so keys at column 2 pass the "indent > parent" check
                  if (!ctx.push_indent(line_indent + 1)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  const bool prev_sequence_item_value_context = ctx.sequence_item_value_context;
                  const int32_t prev_sequence_dash_indent = ctx.sequence_dash_indent;
                  ctx.sequence_item_value_context = true;
                  ctx.sequence_dash_indent = dash_col;
                  from<YAML, value_type>::template op<Opts>(element, ctx, it, end);
                  ctx.sequence_dash_indent = prev_sequence_dash_indent;
                  ctx.sequence_item_value_context = prev_sequence_item_value_context;
                  ctx.pop_indent();
               }
               else {
                  // Value on next line - nested block
                  skip_ws_and_comment(it, end);
                  skip_newline(it, end);

                  // Get indent of nested content
                  auto nested_start = it;
                  int32_t nested_indent = measure_indent(it, end, ctx);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  it = nested_start;

                  // Content is nested only if indented more than the current line.
                  // When line_indent is negative (root level), use 0 as the baseline.
                  // This prevents content at column 0 from being treated as nested.
                  const int32_t effective_line_indent = (line_indent < 0) ? 0 : line_indent;
                  if (nested_indent > effective_line_indent) {
                     // Save and set indent for nested parsing
                     // Set parent indent to one less than content indent so items at
                     // content indent pass the "indent > parent" check and continue parsing
                     if (!ctx.push_indent(nested_indent - 1)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     const bool prev_sequence_item_value_context = ctx.sequence_item_value_context;
                     const int32_t prev_sequence_dash_indent = ctx.sequence_dash_indent;
                     ctx.sequence_item_value_context = true;
                     ctx.sequence_dash_indent = dash_col;
                     from<YAML, value_type>::template op<Opts>(element, ctx, it, end);
                     ctx.sequence_dash_indent = prev_sequence_dash_indent;
                     ctx.sequence_item_value_context = prev_sequence_item_value_context;
                     ctx.pop_indent();
                  }
                  // else: empty element (default constructed)
               }

               if (has_pending_item_anchor && !bool(ctx.error)) {
                  const char* element_end = (it != end) ? &*it : element_start;
                  ctx.anchors[std::move(pending_item_anchor_name)] = {element_start, element_end,
                                                                      pending_item_anchor_indent};
                  has_pending_item_anchor = false;
               }
            };

            if constexpr (emplace_backable<V>) {
               auto& element = value.emplace_back();
               parse_element(element);
            }
            else if constexpr (emplaceable<V>) {
               value_type element{};
               parse_element(element);
               if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
                  adapter.append(value, std::move(element));
               }
            }
            else if constexpr (!resizable<V>) {
               parse_element(value[adapter.index]);
               adapter.commit_fixed_slot();
            }
            else {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }

            first_item = false;

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            // Note: after parsing nested block content, iterator may already be
            // at the start of the next line. The outer loop will handle it.
         }
      }

      // Detect whether there is nested block content after a `key:` with no same-line value.
      // Called with `it` positioned after the colon and any trailing inline whitespace.
      // Peeks ahead past blank lines and comment-only lines to find the first content line.
      // Returns the indent of that content if it's nested (> effective line_indent), else -1.
      // On return, `it` is positioned right after the key line's newline.
      // If return >= 0, caller should call skip_to_content() to advance to the content.
      //
      // High-level state machine:
      // 1) Validate that we are at end-of-key line and move to the next line.
      // 2) Scan forward to first real content line, skipping blank/comment lines.
      //    Also skip "property-only" lines (YAML node properties with no value yet).
      // 3) Measure indent and validate tab/structural edge cases.
      // 4) Return nested indent when content is truly nested, otherwise -1.
      template <class Ctx, class It, class End>
      int32_t detect_nested_value_indent(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t line_indent)
      {
         skip_ws_and_comment(it, end);
         if (it == end || (*it != '\n' && *it != '\r')) {
            return -1;
         }
         skip_newline(it, end);
         auto content_start = it;

         // Peek ahead to find the first content line (skip blank/comment lines)
         auto peek = it;
         while (peek != end) {
            if (*peek == '\n' || *peek == '\r') {
               skip_newline(peek, end);
            }
            else if (*peek == '#') {
               skip_comment(peek, end);
            }
            else if (*peek == ' ') {
               auto line_start = peek;
               while (peek != end && *peek == ' ') ++peek;
               if (peek == end || *peek == '\n' || *peek == '\r') {
                  continue; // blank line with trailing spaces
               }
               if (*peek == '#') {
                  skip_comment(peek, end);
                  continue; // comment-only line
               }
               // YAML allows node properties to appear on standalone lines before the
               // actual node value, for example:
               //   key:
               //     !tag
               //     &anchor
               //     actual: value
               // This loop recognizes chains of properties (`!tag`, `&anchor`, optional
               // inline spaces/comments) and treats those lines as non-content so they do
               // not incorrectly define nested indentation.
               {
                  auto prop = peek;
                  bool saw_property = false;
                  while (prop != end) {
                     if (*prop == '!') {
                        const auto tag = parse_yaml_tag(prop, end, ctx);
                        if (tag == yaml_tag::unknown) break;
                        saw_property = true;
                        skip_inline_ws(prop, end);
                        continue;
                     }
                     if (*prop == '&') {
                        ++prop;
                        auto aname = parse_anchor_name(prop, end);
                        if (aname.empty()) break;
                        saw_property = true;
                        skip_inline_ws(prop, end);
                        continue;
                     }
                     break;
                  }
                  if (saw_property) {
                     auto tail = prop;
                     skip_inline_ws(tail, end);
                     if (tail == end || *tail == '\n' || *tail == '\r' || *tail == '#') {
                        if (tail != end && *tail == '#') {
                           skip_comment(tail, end);
                        }
                        if (tail != end && (*tail == '\n' || *tail == '\r')) {
                           skip_newline(tail, end);
                        }
                        peek = tail;
                        continue;
                     }
                  }
               }
               peek = line_start; // content found, restore to measure properly
               break;
            }
            else {
               break; // content at column 0
            }
         }

         // Measure indent of the content line
         int32_t content_indent = measure_indent<false>(peek, end, ctx);
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return -1;

         // Tabs in indentation-like positions are only allowed when they are plain
         // scalar content. Structural lines (mapping keys/entries) remain errors.
         if (peek != end && *peek == '\t') {
            auto probe = peek;
            while (probe != end && (*probe == ' ' || *probe == '\t')) ++probe;
            if (probe != end && *probe != '\n' && *probe != '\r' && *probe != '#') {
               const bool looks_sequence_entry =
                  (*probe == '-') &&
                  ((probe + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(probe + 1))]);
               const bool looks_explicit_entry =
                  (*probe == '?' || *probe == ':') &&
                  ((probe + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(probe + 1))]);
               bool looks_mapping_key = false;
               auto scan = probe;
               while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                  if (*scan == ':') {
                     const auto after = scan + 1;
                     if (after == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after)]) {
                        looks_mapping_key = true;
                        break;
                     }
                  }
                  ++scan;
               }
               if (looks_sequence_entry || looks_explicit_entry || looks_mapping_key) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return -1;
               }
            }
         }

         const int32_t effective_line_indent = (line_indent < 0) ? 0 : line_indent;
         if (content_indent > effective_line_indent && peek != end && *peek != '\n' && *peek != '\r') {
            it = content_start;
            return content_indent;
         }

         // YAML allows "indentless sequences" as mapping values:
         // key:
         // - item
         if (content_indent == effective_line_indent && peek != end && *peek == '-') {
            const auto after_dash = peek + 1;
            if (after_dash == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_dash)]) {
               it = content_start;
               return content_indent;
            }
         }

         it = content_start;
         return -1;
      }

      // Skip blank lines and comment-only lines.
      // Leaves `it` at the start of indentation whitespace of the first content line.
      template <class It, class End>
      void skip_to_content(It& it, End end)
      {
         while (it != end) {
            if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
               skip_newline(it, end);
            }
            else if (*it == '#') {
               skip_comment(it, end);
            }
            else if (*it == ' ') {
               auto line_start = it;
               while (it != end && *it == ' ') ++it;
               if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
                  continue; // blank line with trailing spaces
               }
               if (*it == '#') {
                  skip_comment(it, end);
                  continue; // comment-only line
               }
               it = line_start; // content found, restore to start of indent
               return;
            }
            else {
               return; // content at column 0
            }
         }
      }

      // Skip the value of an unknown block-mapping entry, whether it is inline (on the key's line)
      // or begins on a following, more-indented line (a nested block sequence or mapping).
      // `key_indent` is the column of the entry's key; deeper lines belong to the value.
      template <auto Opts, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void skip_unknown_block_value(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t key_indent) noexcept
      {
         if (it != end && !yaml::line_end_or_comment_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
            skip_yaml_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, key_indent, false);
         }
         else {
            const int32_t nested_indent = detect_nested_value_indent(ctx, it, end, key_indent);
            if (nested_indent >= 0) {
               skip_to_content(it, end);
               skip_yaml_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, key_indent, false);
            }
         }
      }

      // Shared loop for block mapping parsing.
      // Handles blank/comment skipping, indent detection, dedent, and trailing whitespace.
      // process_entry(ctx, it, end, line_indent) should parse key+colon+value and return
      // true to continue or false to stop.
      //
      // mapping_indent >= 0: caller knows the key indent (struct case, first key may be mid-line)
      // mapping_indent < 0: discover from first key (map case)
      template <auto Opts, class Ctx, class It, class End, class ProcessEntry>
      void parse_block_mapping_loop(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t mapping_indent, ProcessEntry&& process_entry)
      {
         // A tagged-variant custom alternative hands its body (at the variant's own column) to a
         // discover-mode reader. Honor the known indent it published so continuation/dedent are
         // judged against the outer parent, not the body itself. One-shot: reset on observation.
         if (ctx.forced_block_mapping_indent >= 0) {
            if (mapping_indent < 0) {
               mapping_indent = ctx.forced_block_mapping_indent;
            }
            ctx.forced_block_mapping_indent = -1;
         }
         const int32_t parent_indent = ctx.current_indent();
         const bool discover_indent = (mapping_indent < 0);
         bool first_key = !discover_indent;
         bool discovered_first_key_mid_line = false;
         int32_t discovered_first_key_visual_indent = 0;

         while (it != end) {
            auto line_start = it;
            int32_t line_indent = first_key ? mapping_indent : 0;

            // Skip blank lines and comments, measure indent
            while (it != end) {
               if (*it == '#') {
                  skip_comment(it, end);
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  first_key = false;
                  line_indent = 0;
               }
               else if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
                  skip_newline(it, end);
                  first_key = false;
                  line_indent = 0;
               }
               else if (*it == ' ') {
                  line_start = it;
                  line_indent = 0;
                  while (it != end && *it == ' ') {
                     ++line_indent;
                     ++it;
                  }

                  bool saw_tab = false;
                  while (it != end && (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t')) {
                     saw_tab = saw_tab || (*it == '\t');
                     ++it;
                  }

                  if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r' || *it == '#') {
                     first_key = false;
                     line_indent = 0;
                     continue; // Blank or comment line
                  }

                  if (saw_tab) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }

                  // Early dedent check
                  if (mapping_indent >= 0 && line_indent < mapping_indent) {
                     it = line_start;
                     return;
                  }

                  first_key = false;
                  break; // Found content
               }
               else if (*it == '\t') {
                  line_start = it;
                  while (it != end && (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t')) ++it;
                  if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r' || *it == '#') {
                     first_key = false;
                     line_indent = 0;
                     continue; // Blank or comment-only line with tab indentation
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               else {
                  line_start = it;
                  break; // Content at column 0
               }
            }

            if (it == end) break;

            // Document boundaries terminate the current mapping in both discovered
            // and fixed-indent modes.
            if (at_document_end(it, end) || at_document_start(it, end)) break;

            // Dedent checks (skip on first key for struct case)
            // Must check BEFORE establishing mapping_indent so the first discovered key
            // isn't rejected by the parent_indent check (mapping_indent is still -1).
            if (!first_key) {
               // Parent indent check for nested maps (only after mapping_indent established)
               if (discover_indent && mapping_indent >= 0 && parent_indent >= 0 && line_indent <= parent_indent) {
                  it = line_start;
                  return;
               }
               if (mapping_indent >= 0 && line_indent < mapping_indent) {
                  it = line_start;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Establish mapping indent from first key (map case)
            bool established_mapping_indent_this_line = false;
            if (mapping_indent < 0) {
               mapping_indent = line_indent;
               established_mapping_indent_this_line = true;
               discovered_first_key_visual_indent = line_indent;
               if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
                  if (ctx.stream_begin && line_start > ctx.stream_begin) {
                     auto line_begin = line_start;
                     while (line_begin > ctx.stream_begin && *(line_begin - 1) != '\n' && *(line_begin - 1) != '\r') {
                        --line_begin;
                     }

                     bool seen_non_whitespace = false;
                     int32_t visual_indent = 0;
                     for (auto p = line_begin; p != line_start; ++p) {
                        if (*p == '\t') {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return;
                        }
                        if (*p != ' ') {
                           seen_non_whitespace = true;
                        }
                        ++visual_indent;
                     }

                     discovered_first_key_mid_line = seen_non_whitespace;
                     if (mapping_indent == 0 && visual_indent > 0) {
                        discovered_first_key_visual_indent = visual_indent;
                     }
                  }
               }
            }

            // In discovered-indent block mappings, sibling keys must stay at the same
            // indent level, except when the first key started mid-line (e.g. "--- k: v").
            if (discover_indent && mapping_indent >= 0 && !established_mapping_indent_this_line &&
                !discovered_first_key_mid_line) {
               if (mapping_indent == 0 && discovered_first_key_visual_indent > 0) {
                  if (line_indent > discovered_first_key_visual_indent) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  if (line_indent < discovered_first_key_visual_indent) {
                     it = line_start;
                     return;
                  }
               }
               else if (line_indent > mapping_indent &&
                        (parent_indent < 0 || mapping_indent > 0 ||
                         (parent_indent >= 0 && mapping_indent == 0 && line_indent > (parent_indent + 1)))) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Sequence indicator check (struct case only - map parser lets key parsing
            // handle '- ' which produces appropriate errors for misindented items)
            if (!discover_indent && *it == '-' &&
                ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\t' || *(it + 1) == '\n')) {
               it = line_start;
               return;
            }

            // Skip indented comment lines
            if (*it == '#') {
               skip_comment(it, end);
               first_key = false;
               continue;
            }

            // Skip blank/empty lines after indent
            if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
               first_key = false;
               continue;
            }

            // While parsing an explicit mapping key node ('? key-node'),
            // a subsequent standalone ':' at the same indentation starts
            // the outer value indicator and must terminate this key-node map.
            // Keep same-line ': x' on the first key-node line valid.
            if (ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context && !established_mapping_indent_this_line && *it == ':') {
               const auto after_colon = it + 1;
               const int32_t explicit_value_indicator_indent = (parent_indent < 0) ? 0 : (parent_indent + 1);
               if ((after_colon == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_colon)]) &&
                   line_indent == explicit_value_indicator_indent) {
                  it = line_start;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Process this mapping entry (key + colon + value)
            int32_t effective_line_indent = line_indent;
            if (discover_indent && established_mapping_indent_this_line && discovered_first_key_mid_line &&
                parent_indent >= 0 && discovered_first_key_visual_indent > effective_line_indent) {
               // First discovered key may begin mid-line (e.g. sequence entry "- key: value");
               // pass visual key indent so same-line values compute block-scalar indentation correctly.
               effective_line_indent = discovered_first_key_visual_indent;
            }

            if (!process_entry(ctx, it, end, effective_line_indent)) {
               return;
            }
            first_key = false;

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
               // In flow context, an implicit "key: value" pair used as a sequence entry
               // ends at ',', ']', or '}'. Let the enclosing flow parser consume it.
               auto flow_end = it;
               skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, flow_end, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;
               if (flow_end != end && (*flow_end == ',' || *flow_end == ']' || *flow_end == '}')) {
                  it = flow_end;
                  return;
               }
            }

            // Trailing whitespace handling (peek-ahead pattern).
            // After parsing, iterator may be at leading indent of next line.
            // Don't consume it - let the outer loop handle indent measurement.
            if (it != end) {
               if (*it == ' ' || *it == '\t') {
                  auto peek = it;
                  skip_inline_ws(peek, end);
                  if (peek != end && *peek != '\n' && *peek != '\r' && *peek != '#') {
                     continue; // At leading indent of new line
                  }
               }
               skip_inline_ws(it, end);
               if (it != end && *it == '#') {
                  if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
                     if (it > line_start) {
                        const char prev = *(it - 1);
                        if (prev != ' ' && prev != '\t' && prev != '\n' && prev != '\r') {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                  }
               }
               skip_comment(it, end);
               if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                  skip_newline(it, end);
               }
            }
         }
      }

      // Parse block mapping for struct/object types
      // key1: value1
      // key2: value2
      template <auto Opts, string_literal Tag = "", class T, class Ctx, class It, class End>
      inline void parse_block_mapping(T&& value, Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t mapping_indent)
      {
         using U = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         static constexpr auto N = reflect<U>::size;
         static constexpr auto HashInfo = hash_info<U>;

         decltype(auto) fields = [&]() -> decltype(auto) {
            if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
               return bit_array<N>{};
            }
            else {
               return nullptr;
            }
         }();

         // Clamp to >= 0 so the shared loop uses struct mode (discover_indent = false)
         if (mapping_indent < 0) mapping_indent = 0;

         parse_block_mapping_loop<Opts>(
            ctx, it, end, mapping_indent, [&](Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t line_indent) -> bool {
               // Parse key using scratch buffer to avoid allocation
               ctx.scratch.clear();
               if (!parse_yaml_key(ctx.scratch, ctx, it, end, false)) {
                  return false;
               }

               skip_inline_ws(it, end);

               // Expect colon
               if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return false;
               }
               ++it;
               skip_inline_ws(it, end);

               // Look up key
               const auto index = decode_hash_with_size<YAML, U, HashInfo, HashInfo.type>::op(
                  ctx.scratch.data(), ctx.scratch.data() + ctx.scratch.size(), ctx.scratch.size());

               const bool key_matches = index < N && std::string_view{ctx.scratch} == reflect<U>::keys[index];

               if (key_matches) [[likely]] {
                  if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
                     fields[index] = true;
                  }
                  visit<N>(
                     [&]<size_t I>() {
                        if (I == index) {
                           decltype(auto) member = [&]() -> decltype(auto) {
                              if constexpr (reflectable<U>) {
                                 return get<I>(to_tie(value));
                              }
                              else {
                                 return get_member(value, get<I>(reflect<U>::values));
                              }
                           }();

                           using member_type = std::decay_t<decltype(member)>;

                           // Check if value is on same line or next line
                           if (it != end && !yaml::line_end_or_comment_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
                              if (!ctx.push_indent(line_indent + 1)) [[unlikely]]
                                 return false;
                              from<YAML, member_type>::template op<Opts>(member, ctx, it, end);
                              ctx.pop_indent();
                           }
                           else {
                              int32_t nested_indent = detect_nested_value_indent(ctx, it, end, line_indent);
                              if (nested_indent >= 0) {
                                 skip_to_content(it, end);
                                 constexpr bool uses_discovered_block_mapping_indent = [] {
                                    if constexpr (readable_map_t<member_type> || is_variant<member_type>) {
                                       return true;
                                    }
                                    else if constexpr (glaze_value_t<member_type>) {
                                       using unwrapped_member_type = std::decay_t<decltype(get_member(
                                          std::declval<member_type&>(), meta_wrapper_v<member_type>))>;
                                       return readable_map_t<unwrapped_member_type> ||
                                              is_variant<unwrapped_member_type>;
                                    }
                                    else {
                                       return false;
                                    }
                                 }();

                                 if constexpr (uses_discovered_block_mapping_indent) {
                                    if (!ctx.push_indent(nested_indent - 1)) [[unlikely]]
                                       return false;
                                 }
                                 else {
                                    if (!ctx.push_indent(nested_indent)) [[unlikely]]
                                       return false;
                                 }
                                 const bool prev_allow_indentless_sequence = ctx.allow_indentless_sequence;
                                 ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = (nested_indent <= line_indent);
                                 from<YAML, member_type>::template op<Opts>(member, ctx, it, end);
                                 ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = prev_allow_indentless_sequence;
                                 ctx.pop_indent();
                              }
                           }
                        }
                        return !bool(ctx.error);
                     },
                     index);
               }
               else if constexpr (not Tag.sv().empty()) {
                  // A tagged variant's discriminator key is "unknown" to the resolved struct (unless
                  // the struct declares it as a field). The variant resolver already consumed it to
                  // choose this alternative, so it is skipped rather than rejected - even under
                  // error_on_unknown_keys. The mapping's true column is on the indent stack
                  // (established by the variant op), so this generic skip does not fold a following
                  // sibling entry into the discriminator's inline value.
                  if constexpr (Opts.error_on_unknown_keys) {
                     if (std::string_view{ctx.scratch} != Tag.sv()) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::unknown_key;
                        return false;
                     }
                  }
                  skip_unknown_block_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, line_indent);
               }
               else if constexpr (Opts.error_on_unknown_keys) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::unknown_key;
                  return false;
               }
               else {
                  skip_unknown_block_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, line_indent);
               }

               return !bool(ctx.error);
            });

         if constexpr (Opts.error_on_missing_keys) {
            if (bool(ctx.error)) return;
            constexpr auto req_fields = required_fields<U, Opts>();
            if ((req_fields & fields) != req_fields) {
               for (size_t i = 0; i < N; ++i) {
                  if (not fields[i] && req_fields[i]) {
                     ctx.custom_error_message = reflect<U>::keys[i];
                     break;
                  }
               }
               ctx.error = error_code::missing_key;
            }
         }
      }

   } // namespace yaml

   // Set types (std::set, std::unordered_set, etc.)
   template <class T>
      requires(readable_array_t<T> && !emplace_backable<T> && emplaceable<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Peek ahead to check for tag (don't consume indentation for block sequences)
         auto peek = it;
         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts>(value, ctx, peek, end, preamble,
                                             [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_seq(tag); })) {
            it = peek;
            return;
         }

         if (*peek == '[') {
            // Flow sequence
            it = peek;
            yaml::parse_flow_sequence<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
         }
         else if (*peek == '-') {
            // Block sequence
            if (preamble.tag != yaml::yaml_tag::none || preamble.node_props.has_anchor) {
               it = peek;
            }
            int32_t seq_indent = ctx.current_indent();
            if (*it == '-' && ctx.current_indent() >= 0) {
               seq_indent = ctx.allow_indentless_sequence ? (ctx.current_indent() > 0 ? (ctx.current_indent() - 1) : 0)
                                                          : (ctx.current_indent() + 1);
            }
            yaml::parse_block_sequence<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end, seq_indent);
         }
         else {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // Arrays
   template <class T>
      requires(readable_array_t<T> && (emplace_backable<T> || !resizable<T>) && !emplaceable<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Peek ahead to check for tag (don't consume indentation for block sequences)
         auto peek = it;
         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts>(value, ctx, peek, end, preamble,
                                             [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_seq(tag); })) {
            it = peek;
            return;
         }

         if (*peek == '[') {
            // Flow sequence - consume whitespace and parse
            it = peek;
            yaml::parse_flow_sequence<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
         }
         else if (*peek == '-') {
            // Block sequence - don't consume leading whitespace, let parse_block_sequence handle it
            // But if there was a tag, we need to advance past it
            if (preamble.tag != yaml::yaml_tag::none || preamble.node_props.has_anchor) {
               it = peek;
            }
            int32_t seq_indent = ctx.current_indent();
            if (*it == '-' && ctx.current_indent() >= 0) {
               seq_indent = ctx.allow_indentless_sequence ? (ctx.current_indent() > 0 ? (ctx.current_indent() - 1) : 0)
                                                          : (ctx.current_indent() + 1);
            }
            yaml::parse_block_sequence<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end, seq_indent);
         }
         else {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // Tuples (std::tuple, glaze_array_t, tuple_t)
   template <class T>
      requires(glaze_array_t<T> || tuple_t<T> || is_std_tuple<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         static constexpr auto N = []() constexpr {
            if constexpr (glaze_array_t<T>) {
               return reflect<T>::size;
            }
            else {
               return glz::tuple_size_v<T>;
            }
         }();

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         // Check for tag
         const auto tag = yaml::parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::unknown) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }
         if (!yaml::tag_valid_for_seq(tag)) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         if (*it == '[') {
            // Flow sequence
            ++it; // Skip '['
            // Skip whitespace and newlines (YAML allows multi-line flow sequences)
            yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);

            for_each<N>([&]<size_t I>() {
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               if (it != end && *it == ']') {
                  if constexpr (check_error_on_missing_array_elements(Opts)) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::array_element_not_found;
                  }
                  return; // Early termination
               }

               if constexpr (I != 0) {
                  if (it == end || *it != ',') {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  ++it; // Skip ','
                  yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
               }

               if constexpr (is_std_tuple<T>) {
                  using element_t = std::tuple_element_t<I, std::remove_cvref_t<T>>;
                  from<YAML, element_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(std::get<I>(value), ctx, it, end);
               }
               else if constexpr (glaze_array_t<T>) {
                  using element_t = std::decay_t<decltype(get_member(value, glz::get<I>(meta_v<T>)))>;
                  from<YAML, element_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(
                     get_member(value, glz::get<I>(meta_v<T>)), ctx, it, end);
               }
               else {
                  using element_t = std::decay_t<decltype(glz::get<I>(value))>;
                  from<YAML, element_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(glz::get<I>(value), ctx, it, end);
               }

               yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
            });

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            if (it == end || *it != ']') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it; // Skip ']'
         }
         else if (*it == '-') {
            // Block sequence
            size_t index = 0;

            while (it != end && index < N) {
               // Skip whitespace and measure indent
               auto line_start = it;
               yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

               if (it == end) break;

               // Skip blank lines
               if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
                  yaml::skip_newline(it, end);
                  continue;
               }

               if (*it != '-') {
                  it = line_start;
                  break;
               }

               ++it; // Skip '-'

               // Check valid sequence indicator
               if (it != end && !yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
                  it = line_start;
                  break;
               }

               yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

               // Parse element at current index
               [&]<size_t... Is>(std::index_sequence<Is...>) {
                  (
                     [&]<size_t I>() {
                        if (I == index) {
                           if constexpr (is_std_tuple<T>) {
                              using element_t = std::tuple_element_t<I, std::remove_cvref_t<T>>;
                              from<YAML, element_t>::template op<Opts>(std::get<I>(value), ctx, it, end);
                           }
                           else if constexpr (glaze_array_t<T>) {
                              using element_t = std::decay_t<decltype(get_member(value, glz::get<I>(meta_v<T>)))>;
                              from<YAML, element_t>::template op<Opts>(get_member(value, glz::get<I>(meta_v<T>)), ctx,
                                                                       it, end);
                           }
                           else {
                              using element_t = std::decay_t<decltype(glz::get<I>(value))>;
                              from<YAML, element_t>::template op<Opts>(glz::get<I>(value), ctx, it, end);
                           }
                        }
                     }.template operator()<Is>(),
                     ...);
               }(std::make_index_sequence<N>{});

               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               ++index;

               // Skip to next line
               yaml::skip_ws_and_comment(it, end);
               if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                  yaml::skip_newline(it, end);
               }
            }
         }
         else {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
         }
      }
   };

   // Pairs (std::pair)
   template <pair_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         // Check for tag - pairs are treated as single-entry mappings
         const auto tag = yaml::parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
         if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::unknown) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }
         if (!yaml::tag_valid_for_map(tag)) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
            return;
         }

         yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         using first_type = typename std::remove_cvref_t<T>::first_type;
         using second_type = typename std::remove_cvref_t<T>::second_type;

         if (*it == '{') {
            // Flow mapping style: {key: value}
            ++it; // Skip '{'
            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            if (it != end && *it == '}') {
               ++it;
               return; // Empty pair
            }

            // Parse key
            if constexpr (str_t<first_type>) {
               // Skip anchor on key
               if (*it == '&') {
                  ++it;
                  yaml::parse_anchor_name(it, end);
                  yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                  if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
                     ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                     return;
                  }
               }
               std::string key_str;
               const auto style = yaml::detect_scalar_style(*it);
               if (style == yaml::scalar_style::double_quoted) {
                  yaml::parse_double_quoted_string(key_str, ctx, it, end);
               }
               else if (style == yaml::scalar_style::single_quoted) {
                  yaml::parse_single_quoted_string(key_str, ctx, it, end);
               }
               else {
                  yaml::parse_plain_scalar(key_str, ctx, it, end, true);
               }
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;
               value.first = std::move(key_str);
            }
            else {
               from<YAML, first_type>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(value.first, ctx, it, end);
            }

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            // Expect colon
            if (it == end || *it != ':') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it;
            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            // Parse value
            from<YAML, second_type>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(value.second, ctx, it, end);

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            if (it == end || *it != '}') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it; // Skip '}'
         }
         else {
            // Block mapping style: key: value
            // Parse key
            if constexpr (str_t<first_type>) {
               std::string key_str;
               if (!yaml::parse_yaml_key(key_str, ctx, it, end, false)) {
                  return;
               }
               value.first = std::move(key_str);
            }
            else {
               from<YAML, first_type>::template op<Opts>(value.first, ctx, it, end);
            }

            if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
               return;

            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            // Expect colon
            if (it == end || *it != ':') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it;
            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

            // Parse value
            from<YAML, second_type>::template op<Opts>(value.second, ctx, it, end);
         }
      }
   };

   // Objects (glaze_object_t and reflectable)
   template <class T>
      requires((glaze_object_t<T> || reflectable<T>) && !custom_read<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      // Tag is the discriminator key of an enclosing tagged variant (empty when not tagged).
      // When set, the mapping parsers skip an entry whose key equals the tag, since the
      // variant resolver has already consumed it to select this alternative.
      template <auto Opts, string_literal Tag = "", class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts, yaml::node_property_policy{true, true, true, false}, true>(
                value, ctx, it, end, preamble, [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_map(tag); }))
            return;

         if (*it == '{') {
            // Flow mapping
            yaml::parse_flow_mapping<Opts, Tag>(value, ctx, it, end);
         }
         else {
            // Block mapping - use indent from context (set by parent parser)
            yaml::parse_block_mapping<Opts, Tag>(value, ctx, it, end, ctx.current_indent());
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // Maps (std::map, std::unordered_map, etc.)
   template <readable_map_t T>
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end)
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         yaml::node_preamble_state preamble{};
         if (yaml::parse_node_preamble<Opts, yaml::node_property_policy{true, true, false, false}>(
                value, ctx, it, end, preamble, [](yaml::yaml_tag tag) { return yaml::tag_valid_for_map(tag); }))
            return;

         using key_t = typename std::remove_cvref_t<T>::key_type;
         using val_t = typename std::remove_cvref_t<T>::mapped_type;

         // Reading a YAML mapping MERGES into the target: an entry overwrites the
         // value of a key that existed before the read and adds new keys, while
         // pre-existing keys the document does not mention are preserved (like a
         // struct/object read, and like json/read.hpp's per-key value[key]).
         // Within a single document a repeated key keeps its FIRST value -- YAML
         // mappings disallow duplicate keys and the conformance suite expects
         // first-wins, which falls out of emplace into an empty map. Any
         // pre-existing entry the document leaves untouched is restored on scope
         // exit (including error paths). When the target starts empty (the common
         // case) this is a no-op with negligible cost.
         std::remove_cvref_t<T> preexisting_entries;
         if (!value.empty()) {
            preexisting_entries = std::move(value);
            value.clear();
         }
         struct merge_restore_guard
         {
            std::remove_cvref_t<T>& target;
            std::remove_cvref_t<T>& saved;
            ~merge_restore_guard()
            {
               // emplace is a no-op for keys the document already wrote, so only
               // untouched pre-existing entries are put back.
               for (auto& entry : saved) {
                  target.emplace(entry.first, std::move(entry.second));
               }
            }
         } merge_restore{value, preexisting_entries};

         const bool treat_as_block_mapping =
            !yaml::check_flow_context(Opts) && *it == '{' && yaml::inline_value_has_plain_mapping_indicator(it, end);

         if (*it == '{' && !treat_as_block_mapping) {
            // Flow mapping
            ++it;
            // Skip whitespace and newlines after opening brace
            yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);

            if (it != end && *it == '}') {
               ++it;
               yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;
               yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
               return;
            }

            while (it != end) {
               // Skip whitespace and newlines at start of each iteration
               yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);

               if (it != end && *it == '}') {
                  ++it;
                  yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  break;
               }

               bool explicit_flow_key = false;
               auto explicit_probe = it;
               yaml::skip_inline_ws(explicit_probe, end);
               if (explicit_probe != end && *explicit_probe == '?') {
                  const auto after_q = explicit_probe + 1;
                  if (after_q == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_q)] ||
                      *after_q == ',' || *after_q == '}') {
                     explicit_flow_key = true;
                     it = explicit_probe + 1;
                     yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                  }
               }
               // Parse key
               key_t key{};
               if constexpr (std::same_as<std::remove_cvref_t<key_t>, std::string>) {
                  if (explicit_flow_key && it != end && (*it == ':' || *it == ',' || *it == '}')) {
                     key.clear();
                  }
                  else {
                     auto key_probe = it;
                     yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_probe, end);

                     // Use full node parsing only for structurally complex flow keys.
                     // Plain/quoted/alias keys stay on parse_yaml_key() for compatibility.
                     bool parse_complex_flow_key = false;
                     if (key_probe != end) {
                        if (*key_probe == '[' || *key_probe == '{') {
                           parse_complex_flow_key = true;
                        }
                        else if (*key_probe == '&') {
                           ++key_probe;
                           yaml::parse_anchor_name(key_probe, end);
                           yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_probe, end);
                           if (key_probe != end && (*key_probe == '[' || *key_probe == '{')) {
                              parse_complex_flow_key = true;
                           }
                        }
                     }

                     if (parse_complex_flow_key) {
                        glz::generic key_node{};
                        from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(key_node, ctx, it, end);
                        if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                           return;
                        if (key_node.is_null()) {
                           key.clear();
                        }
                        else if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                           key = *s;
                        }
                        else {
                           std::string key_json;
                           (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key_json);
                           key = std::move(key_json);
                        }
                     }
                     else {
                        if (!yaml::parse_yaml_key(key, ctx, it, end, true)) {
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                  }
               }
               else {
                  if (explicit_flow_key && it != end && (*it == ':' || *it == ',' || *it == '}')) {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  from<YAML, key_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(key, ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
               }

               // Separation between flow key and ':' may include comments/newlines.
               // In flow context, newlines are allowed between key and ':'.
               yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               auto parse_implicit_null = [&](val_t& val) -> bool {
                  if constexpr (nullable_like<std::remove_cvref_t<val_t>>) {
                     val = {};
                     return true;
                  }
                  else if constexpr (std::same_as<std::remove_cvref_t<val_t>, glz::generic>) {
                     val = glz::generic{};
                     return true;
                  }
                  else {
                     static constexpr std::string_view null_value{"null"};
                     auto null_it = null_value.data();
                     from<YAML, val_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(
                        val, ctx, null_it, null_value.data() + null_value.size());
                     return !bool(ctx.error);
                  }
               };

               if (it != end && (*it == ',' || *it == '}')) {
                  val_t val{};
                  if (!parse_implicit_null(val)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;

                  value.emplace(std::move(key), std::move(val));

                  if (*it == '}') {
                     ++it;
                     yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     break;
                  }

                  ++it; // skip comma
                  yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
                  continue;
               }

               if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               ++it;

               yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               // Omitted value after an explicit ':' maps to an implicit null.
               if (it != end && (*it == ',' || *it == '}')) {
                  val_t val{};
                  if (!parse_implicit_null(val)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;

                  value.emplace(std::move(key), std::move(val));

                  if (*it == '}') {
                     ++it;
                     yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     break;
                  }

                  ++it; // skip comma
                  yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
                  continue;
               }

               // Parse value
               val_t val{};
               from<YAML, val_t>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(val, ctx, it, end);
               if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                  return;

               value.emplace(std::move(key), std::move(val));

               yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

               if (it != end && *it == '}') {
                  ++it;
                  yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                  if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                     return;
                  break;
               }
               else if (it != end && *it == ',') {
                  ++it;
                  // Skip whitespace and newlines after comma
                  yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
               }
               else if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                  // Newlines may precede either the closing brace or the
                  // separator comma for the next entry.
                  yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
                  if (it != end && *it == '}') {
                     ++it;
                     yaml::validate_flow_node_adjacent_tail(ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     break;
                  }
                  if (it != end && *it == ',') {
                     ++it;
                     yaml::skip_ws_and_newlines(it, end);
                     continue;
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               else {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
            }
         }
         else {
            // Block mapping - use shared loop with map-specific callback
            yaml::parse_block_mapping_loop<Opts>(
               ctx, it, end, int32_t(-1), [&](auto& ctx, auto& it, auto end, int32_t line_indent) -> bool {
                  auto parse_map_value = [&](val_t& val) -> bool {
                     if (it != end && !yaml::line_end_or_comment_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
                        bool line_starts_with_explicit_value_indicator = false;

                        // Inline mapping values in block context cannot start with a
                        // plain "key: value" pair on the same line (e.g. "a: b: c").
                        // Such constructs are malformed unless wrapped in flow
                        // delimiters ({...} / [...]) or quoted.
                        if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<decltype(it)>>) {
                           if (ctx.stream_begin) {
                              const auto begin = static_cast<std::remove_cvref_t<decltype(it)>>(ctx.stream_begin);
                              auto is_line_content_start = [&](auto pos) {
                                 auto line = pos;
                                 while (line != begin) {
                                    auto prev = line - 1;
                                    if (*prev == '\n' || *prev == '\r') break;
                                    line = prev;
                                 }
                                 for (auto p = line; p != pos; ++p) {
                                    if (*p != ' ' && *p != '\t') return false;
                                 }
                                 return true;
                              };

                              auto line_has_explicit_value_indicator = [&](auto pos) {
                                 auto line = pos;
                                 while (line != begin) {
                                    auto prev = line - 1;
                                    if (*prev == '\n' || *prev == '\r') break;
                                    line = prev;
                                 }
                                 while (line != end && (*line == ' ' || *line == '\t')) ++line;
                                 return line != end && *line == ':';
                              };

                              if (!is_line_content_start(it) &&
                                  yaml::inline_value_has_plain_mapping_indicator(it, end) &&
                                  !line_has_explicit_value_indicator(it)) {
                                 ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                 return false;
                              }
                              line_starts_with_explicit_value_indicator = line_has_explicit_value_indicator(it);
                           }
                        }

                        if (*it == '-' &&
                            ((it + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))]) &&
                            !line_starts_with_explicit_value_indicator) {
                           // "key: - item" is not valid block sequence syntax.
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return false;
                        }

                        if (!ctx.push_indent(line_indent + 1)) [[unlikely]]
                           return false;
                        from<YAML, val_t>::template op<Opts>(val, ctx, it, end);
                        ctx.pop_indent();
                     }
                     else {
                        int32_t nested_indent = yaml::detect_nested_value_indent(ctx, it, end, line_indent);
                        if (nested_indent >= 0) {
                           yaml::skip_to_content(it, end);
                           if (it != end && *it == ':' && (it + 1) != end && *(it + 1) == '\t') {
                              ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                              return false;
                           }
                           if (!ctx.push_indent(nested_indent - 1)) [[unlikely]]
                              return false;
                           from<YAML, val_t>::template op<Opts>(val, ctx, it, end);
                           ctx.pop_indent();
                        }
                     }
                     return !bool(ctx.error);
                  };

                  // Explicit key entry form:
                  // ? key
                  // : value
                  if (*it == '?' && ((it + 1) != end) && *(it + 1) == '\t') {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return false;
                  }
                  if (*it == '?' && ((it + 1) == end || *(it + 1) == ' ' || *(it + 1) == '\n' || *(it + 1) == '\r')) {
                     ++it; // skip '?'
                     yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

                     const int32_t explicit_value_indicator_indent =
                        (ctx.current_indent() < 0) ? 0 : (ctx.current_indent() + 1);

                     key_t key{};
                     if constexpr (std::same_as<std::remove_cvref_t<key_t>, std::string>) {
                        auto to_string_key = [&](glz::generic& key_node) {
                           if (key_node.is_null()) {
                              key.clear();
                           }
                           else if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                              key = *s;
                           }
                           else {
                              std::string key_json;
                              (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key_json);
                              key = std::move(key_json);
                           }
                        };

                        auto key_it = it;
                        yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_it, end);

                        auto content = key_it;
                        yaml::skip_to_content(content, end);
                        bool handled_anchor_only_empty_key = false;

                        // Anchor on an empty explicit key node:
                        //   ? &a
                        //   : value
                        if (content != end && *content == '&') {
                           auto anchor_probe = content + 1;
                           auto anchor_name = yaml::parse_anchor_name(anchor_probe, end);
                           if (!anchor_name.empty()) {
                              auto after_anchor = anchor_probe;
                              yaml::skip_inline_ws(after_anchor, end);

                              auto value_indicator = after_anchor;
                              if (value_indicator != end && *value_indicator == ':') {
                                 key.clear();
                                 ctx.anchors[std::string(anchor_name)] = {content, content, ctx.current_indent()};
                                 it = value_indicator;
                                 handled_anchor_only_empty_key = true;
                              }
                              else {
                                 if (value_indicator != end && *value_indicator == '#') {
                                    yaml::skip_comment(value_indicator, end);
                                 }
                                 if (value_indicator != end && (*value_indicator == '\n' || *value_indicator == '\r')) {
                                    yaml::skip_newline(value_indicator, end);
                                    auto value_line = value_indicator;
                                    int32_t value_indent = yaml::measure_indent(value_line, end, ctx);
                                    if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                                       return false;
                                    if (value_line != end && *value_line == ':' &&
                                        value_indent == explicit_value_indicator_indent) {
                                       key.clear();
                                       ctx.anchors[std::string(anchor_name)] = {content, content, ctx.current_indent()};
                                       it = value_line;
                                       handled_anchor_only_empty_key = true;
                                    }
                                    else if (value_line != end && *value_line == ':') {
                                       // In explicit-key form ("? &a"), a following ':'
                                       // starts the outer value indicator only at the same
                                       // indentation. A deeper-indented ': value' is malformed.
                                       ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                       return false;
                                    }
                                 }
                              }
                           }
                        }

                        const bool key_content_spans_lines = [&] {
                           auto scan = key_it;
                           while (scan != content && scan != end) {
                              if (*scan == '\n' || *scan == '\r') return true;
                              ++scan;
                           }
                           return false;
                        }();

                        if (handled_anchor_only_empty_key) {
                           // 'it' already points to the explicit value indicator ':'
                        }
                        else if (content == end || (*content == ':' && key_content_spans_lines)) {
                           key.clear();
                           it = content;
                        }
                        else {
                           // Explicit mapping keys ('? key-node') are full YAML nodes.
                           // Parse the key node structurally (not via plain-key scanning)
                           // so inputs like '? []: x' and '? JSON: like' are interpreted
                           // as complex keys, not split into implicit key/value pairs.
                           auto key_node_it = content;
                           auto key_node_end = end;
                           if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
                              // In explicit-key form, a following standalone ':'
                              // line (same or lower indentation) belongs to the
                              // outer mapping value, not the key node itself.
                              auto scan = content;
                              while (scan != end) {
                                 while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                                    ++scan;
                                 }
                                 if (scan == end) {
                                    break;
                                 }

                                 yaml::skip_newline(scan, end);
                                 auto line_start = scan;

                                 int32_t indicator_indent = 0;
                                 while (scan != end && *scan == ' ') {
                                    ++indicator_indent;
                                    ++scan;
                                 }

                                 if (scan != end && *scan == ':') {
                                    const auto after_colon = scan + 1;
                                    if ((after_colon == end ||
                                         yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_colon)]) &&
                                        indicator_indent <= line_indent) {
                                       key_node_end = line_start;
                                       break;
                                    }
                                 }
                              }
                           }

                           glz::generic key_node{};
                           const bool prev_explicit_mapping_key_context = ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context;
                           ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context = true;
                           from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<Opts>(key_node, ctx, key_node_it, key_node_end);
                           ctx.explicit_mapping_key_context = prev_explicit_mapping_key_context;
                           if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                              return false;
                           it = key_node_it;
                           to_string_key(key_node);
                        }
                     }
                     else {
                        if (it != end && !yaml::line_end_or_comment_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*it)]) {
                           from<YAML, key_t>::template op<Opts>(key, ctx, it, end);
                           if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                              return false;
                        }
                     }

                     yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                     yaml::skip_comment(it, end);

                     // Value indicator may appear on the next line at the same indent.
                     if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                        auto probe = it;
                        bool found_value_indicator = false;

                        while (probe != end && (*probe == '\n' || *probe == '\r')) {
                           yaml::skip_newline(probe, end);

                           auto value_line = probe;
                           int32_t value_indent = yaml::measure_indent(value_line, end, ctx);
                           if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                              return false;

                           if (value_line == end || *value_line == '\n' || *value_line == '\r') {
                              probe = value_line;
                              continue; // blank line
                           }
                           if (*value_line == '#') {
                              yaml::skip_comment(value_line, end);
                              probe = value_line;
                              continue; // comment-only line
                           }
                           if (*value_line == ':' && value_indent == explicit_value_indicator_indent) {
                              it = value_line;
                              found_value_indicator = true;
                           }
                           break;
                        }

                        if (found_value_indicator) {
                           yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                        }
                     }

                     val_t val{};
                     if (it != end && *it == ':') {
                        ++it;
                        if (it != end && *it == '\t') {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return false;
                        }
                        if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                           auto probe = it;
                           yaml::skip_newline(probe, end);
                           while (probe != end && *probe == ' ') ++probe;
                           if (probe != end && *probe == ':' && ((probe + 1) != end) && *(probe + 1) == '\t') {
                              ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                              return false;
                           }
                        }
                        yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                        if (!parse_map_value(val)) [[unlikely]]
                           return false;
                     }

                     value.emplace(std::move(key), std::move(val));
                     return true;
                  }

                  key_t key{};
                  if constexpr (std::same_as<std::remove_cvref_t<key_t>, std::string>) {
                     auto key_probe = it;
                     yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_probe, end);
                     const bool complex_flow_key = (key_probe != end && (*key_probe == '[' || *key_probe == '{'));
                     if (complex_flow_key) {
                        glz::generic key_node{};
                        from<YAML, glz::generic>::template op<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(key_node, ctx, it, end);
                        if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                           return false;
                        if (key_node.is_null()) {
                           key.clear();
                        }
                        else if (auto* s = key_node.template get_if<std::string>()) {
                           key = *s;
                        }
                        else {
                           std::string key_json;
                           (void)glz::write_json(key_node, key_json);
                           key = std::move(key_json);
                        }
                     }
                     else {
                        if (!yaml::parse_yaml_key(key, ctx, it, end, false)) {
                           return false;
                        }
                     }
                  }
                  else {
                     from<YAML, key_t>::template op<Opts>(key, ctx, it, end);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return false;
                  }

                  yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

                  if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return false;
                  }
                  ++it;
                  yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);

                  val_t val{};
                  if (!parse_map_value(val)) [[unlikely]]
                     return false;

                  value.emplace(std::move(key), std::move(val));
                  return true;
               });
         }

         yaml::finalize_node_anchor(preamble.node_props, ctx, it);
      }
   };

   // ============================================================================
   // YAML Variant type category traits
   // ============================================================================

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_bool_type = bool_t<remove_meta_wrapper_t<T>>;

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_num_type = num_t<remove_meta_wrapper_t<T>>;

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_str_type = str_t<remove_meta_wrapper_t<T>>;

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_object_type =
      glaze_object_t<T> || reflectable<T> || writable_map_t<T> || readable_map_t<T> || is_memory_object<T>;

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_array_type =
      array_t<remove_meta_wrapper_t<T>> || glaze_array_t<T> || tuple_t<T> || is_std_tuple<T>;

   template <class T>
   concept yaml_variant_null_type = null_t<T>;

   // Type traits wrapping concepts for template template parameter use
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_bool : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_bool_type<T>>
   {};
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_num : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_num_type<T>>
   {};
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_str : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_str_type<T>>
   {};
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_object : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_object_type<T>>
   {};
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_array : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_array_type<T>>
   {};
   template <class T>
   struct is_yaml_variant_null : std::bool_constant<yaml_variant_null_type<T>>
   {};

   // Count types in variant matching a trait
   template <class Variant, template <class> class Trait>
   struct yaml_variant_count_impl;

   template <template <class> class Trait, class... Ts>
   struct yaml_variant_count_impl<std::variant<Ts...>, Trait>
   {
      static constexpr size_t value = (size_t(Trait<Ts>::value) + ... + 0);
   };

   template <class Variant, template <class> class Trait>
   constexpr size_t yaml_variant_count_v = yaml_variant_count_impl<Variant, Trait>::value;

   // Get first index matching trait (or variant_npos if none)
   template <class Variant, template <class> class Trait>
   struct yaml_variant_first_index_impl;

   template <template <class> class Trait, class... Ts>
   struct yaml_variant_first_index_impl<std::variant<Ts...>, Trait>
   {
      static constexpr size_t find()
      {
         size_t result = std::variant_npos;
         size_t idx = 0;
         ((Trait<Ts>::value && result == std::variant_npos ? (result = idx, ++idx) : ++idx), ...);
         return result;
      }
      static constexpr size_t value = find();
   };

   template <class Variant, template <class> class Trait>
   constexpr size_t yaml_variant_first_index_v = yaml_variant_first_index_impl<Variant, Trait>::value;

   // Precomputed type counts for a variant (similar to JSON's variant_type_count)
   template <class T>
   struct yaml_variant_type_count
   {
      static constexpr auto n_bool = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_bool>;
      static constexpr auto n_num = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_num>;
      static constexpr auto n_str = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_str>;
      static constexpr auto n_object = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_object>;
      static constexpr auto n_array = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_array>;
      static constexpr auto n_null = yaml_variant_count_v<T, is_yaml_variant_null>;
   };

   // Check if variant is auto-deducible based on type composition
   template <is_variant T>
   consteval auto yaml_variant_is_auto_deducible()
   {
      using counts = yaml_variant_type_count<T>;
      return counts::n_bool < 2 && counts::n_str < 2 && counts::n_object < 2 && counts::n_array < 2 &&
             counts::n_null < 2;
   }

   // Process YAML variant alternatives by iterating directly over variant indices
   template <class Variant, template <class> class Trait>
   struct process_yaml_variant_alternatives
   {
      template <auto Opts>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, auto&& it, auto end)
      {
         constexpr auto category_count = yaml_variant_count_v<Variant, Trait>;

         if constexpr (category_count == 0) {
            ctx.error = error_code::no_matching_variant_type;
         }
         else if constexpr (category_count == 1) {
            // Only one type in this category, use it directly
            constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<Variant, Trait>;
            using V = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, Variant>;
            if (!std::holds_alternative<V>(value)) value = V{};
            from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(std::get<V>(value), ctx, it, end);
         }
         else {
            // Multiple types in this category, try each one
            constexpr auto N = std::variant_size_v<Variant>;
            bool found_match{};
            size_t match_idx = 0;

            for_each<N>([&]<size_t I>() {
               if (found_match) {
                  return;
               }
               using V = std::variant_alternative_t<I, Variant>;
               if constexpr (Trait<V>::value) {
                  auto copy_it = it;
                  if (!std::holds_alternative<V>(value)) {
                     value = V{};
                  }

                  auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
                  from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(std::get<V>(value), temp_ctx, it, end);

                  if (!bool(temp_ctx.error)) {
                     found_match = true;
                     ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);
                  }
                  else {
                     it = copy_it;
                     if (match_idx + 1 < category_count) {
                        // Not the last type, continue trying
                     }
                     else {
                        // Last type failed, propagate error
                        ctx.error = temp_ctx.error;
                     }
                  }
                  ++match_idx;
               }
            });

            if (!found_match && !bool(ctx.error)) {
               ctx.error = error_code::no_matching_variant_type;
            }
         }
      }
   };

   // Quick check for implicit single-pair flow mappings used as sequence entries
   // (e.g. `"k":v`, `{k: v}:v`, `k: v`) up to the next top-level flow delimiter.
   template <class It, class End>
   inline bool line_could_be_flow_mapping(It it, End end)
   {
      int flow_depth = 0;
      bool prev_was_whitespace = true;
      bool key_supports_adjacent_value = false;

      while (it != end) {
         const char c = *it;
         if (c == '\n' || c == '\r') {
            return false;
         }
         if (flow_depth == 0 && (c == ',' || c == ']' || c == '}')) {
            return false;
         }
         if (c == '#' && flow_depth == 0 && prev_was_whitespace) {
            return false;
         }
         if ((c == '"' || c == '\'') && prev_was_whitespace) {
            const char quote = c;
            ++it;
            while (it != end && *it != quote) {
               if (*it == '\\' && quote == '"') {
                  ++it;
                  if (it != end) ++it;
               }
               else if (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r') {
                  return false;
               }
               else {
                  ++it;
               }
            }
            if (it != end) ++it;
            key_supports_adjacent_value = true;
            prev_was_whitespace = false;
            continue;
         }
         if (c == '[' || c == '{') {
            ++flow_depth;
            key_supports_adjacent_value = false;
            prev_was_whitespace = false;
            ++it;
            continue;
         }
         if (c == ']' || c == '}') {
            if (flow_depth > 0) {
               --flow_depth;
               if (flow_depth == 0) {
                  key_supports_adjacent_value = true;
               }
               prev_was_whitespace = false;
               ++it;
               continue;
            }
            return false;
         }
         if (c == ':' && flow_depth == 0) {
            const auto next = it + 1;
            if (next == end || *next == ' ' || *next == '\t' || *next == '\n' || *next == '\r') {
               return true;
            }
            if (key_supports_adjacent_value) {
               return true;
            }
            return false;
         }

         key_supports_adjacent_value = false;
         prev_was_whitespace = (c == ' ' || c == '\t');
         ++it;
      }

      return false;
   }

   // Speculatively try parsing as a block mapping into a variant.
   // Returns true if successful, false otherwise (restoring iterator on failure).
   // Uses quick line-based lookahead to short-circuit obvious non-mappings,
   // then falls back to full parse attempt for potential mappings.
   // If the line looks like a block mapping (has "key: " pattern) but parsing
   // fails with a syntax error, that error is propagated (not silently caught)
   // to avoid hiding malformed content.
   template <class Variant, auto Opts>
   inline bool try_parse_block_mapping_into_variant(auto&& value, auto&& ctx, auto&& it, auto end)
   {
      using counts = yaml_variant_type_count<Variant>;
      if constexpr (counts::n_object == 0) {
         return false;
      }
      else {
         // Quick check: if no viable mapping separator in the current span,
         // avoid expensive speculative parse.
         const bool could_be_mapping = [&] {
            if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
               return line_could_be_flow_mapping(it, end);
            }
            else {
               return yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end);
            }
         }();
         if (!could_be_mapping) {
            return false;
         }
         // Full parse attempt - use a temporary context that inherits indent from parent
         auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
         process_yaml_variant_alternatives<Variant, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, temp_ctx, it,
                                                                                               end);
         if (!bool(temp_ctx.error)) {
            ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);
            return true;
         }
         // The line matched "key: value" pattern but parsing failed.
         // This indicates malformed content (e.g., unclosed flow collection),
         // so propagate the error rather than silently falling back to string.
         ctx.error = temp_ctx.error;
         return false;
      }
   }

   // Try block mapping first, then fall back to string.
   // Common pattern in YAML variant parsing for ambiguous scalars.
#ifdef _MSC_VER
#pragma warning(push)
#pragma warning(disable : 4702) // unreachable code from if constexpr
#endif
   template <class Variant, auto Opts>
   inline void parse_block_mapping_or_string(auto&& value, auto&& ctx, auto&& it, auto end)
   {
      if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
         // In flow context, only treat plain content as an implicit "key: value"
         // when a mapping separator appears before the next top-level flow delimiter.
         auto could_be_implicit_flow_pair = [&](auto pos) {
            int depth = 0;
            while (pos != end) {
               const char c = *pos;
               if (c == '"' || c == '\'') {
                  const char quote = c;
                  ++pos;
                  while (pos != end && *pos != quote) {
                     if (*pos == '\\' && quote == '"') {
                        ++pos;
                        if (pos != end) ++pos;
                     }
                     else {
                        ++pos;
                     }
                  }
                  if (pos != end) ++pos;
                  continue;
               }
               if (c == '[' || c == '{') {
                  ++depth;
                  ++pos;
                  continue;
               }
               if (c == ']' || c == '}') {
                  if (depth == 0) return false;
                  --depth;
                  ++pos;
                  continue;
               }
               if (c == ',' && depth == 0) return false;
               if (c == ':' && depth == 0) {
                  auto next = pos + 1;
                  return next == end || *next == ' ' || *next == '\t' || *next == '\n' || *next == '\r';
               }
               ++pos;
            }
            return false;
         };

         if (could_be_implicit_flow_pair(it) || line_could_be_flow_mapping(it, end)) {
            if (try_parse_block_mapping_into_variant<Variant, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end)) {
               return;
            }
            if (bool(ctx.error)) {
               return;
            }
         }

         process_yaml_variant_alternatives<Variant, is_yaml_variant_str>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
         return;
      }

      if (try_parse_block_mapping_into_variant<Variant, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end)) {
         return;
      }
      // If an error was set (e.g., malformed flow collection in value), don't try to parse as string
      if (bool(ctx.error)) {
         return;
      }
      process_yaml_variant_alternatives<Variant, is_yaml_variant_str>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
   }

   // Column (visual indent) of `it` within its current line, for contiguous buffers. The variant
   // op is entered after the parent has consumed the leading indentation, so the indent stack no
   // longer reflects the mapping's true column; recovering it from the buffer gives a single
   // context-independent value (root, struct member, sequence item all differ) that drives both the
   // tag scan and the indent under which the chosen alternative is parsed.
   template <class It>
   inline int32_t tagged_mapping_visual_indent(It it, const char* stream_begin, int32_t fallback) noexcept
   {
      if constexpr (std::is_pointer_v<std::decay_t<It>>) {
         if (stream_begin && it >= stream_begin) {
            auto line_begin = it;
            while (line_begin > stream_begin && *(line_begin - 1) != '\n' && *(line_begin - 1) != '\r') {
               --line_begin;
            }
            return static_cast<int32_t>(it - line_begin);
         }
      }
      return fallback;
   }

   // Walk a tagged variant's mapping (block or flow), invoking on_tag(ctx, it, end, line_indent,
   // in_flow) for the entry whose key equals `tag` and skipping every other entry's value. The
   // whole mapping is consumed, so on completion the iterator sits just past it. on_tag is
   // responsible for consuming the tag entry's value. Used both to resolve the alternative
   // (running on copies of the iterator/context) and to consume the mapping when the resolved
   // alternative is not an object (running on the caller's iterator/context).
   template <auto Opts, class Ctx, class It, class End, class OnTag>
   inline void walk_tagged_mapping(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, sv tag, int32_t mapping_indent, OnTag&& on_tag)
   {
      auto skip_entry_value = [&](Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t line_indent, bool in_flow) {
         if (in_flow) {
            yaml::skip_yaml_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, 0, true);
         }
         else {
            yaml::skip_unknown_block_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, line_indent);
         }
      };

      if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
         // Flow mapping {tag: id, ...}
         if (it == end || *it != '{') return;
         ++it;
         yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
         while (it != end && *it != '}') {
            ctx.scratch.clear();
            if (!yaml::parse_yaml_key(ctx.scratch, ctx, it, end, true)) return;
            yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
            if (it == end || *it != ':') {
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            }
            ++it;
            yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
            if (std::string_view{ctx.scratch} == tag) {
               on_tag(ctx, it, end, 0, true);
            }
            else {
               skip_entry_value(ctx, it, end, 0, true);
            }
            if (bool(ctx.error)) return;
            yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
            if (it != end && *it == ',') {
               ++it;
               yaml::skip_flow_ws_and_newlines(ctx, it, end);
            }
         }
         if (it != end && *it == '}') ++it;
      }
      else {
         // A '{' in block context still introduces a flow mapping value.
         if (it != end && *it == '{') {
            walk_tagged_mapping<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(ctx, it, end, tag, mapping_indent, on_tag);
            return;
         }
         if (mapping_indent < 0) mapping_indent = 0;
         yaml::parse_block_mapping_loop<Opts>(ctx, it, end, mapping_indent,
                                              [&](Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t line_indent) -> bool {
                                                 ctx.scratch.clear();
                                                 if (!yaml::parse_yaml_key(ctx.scratch, ctx, it, end, false))
                                                    return false;
                                                 yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                                                 if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                                                    ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                                    return false;
                                                 }
                                                 ++it;
                                                 yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                                                 if (std::string_view{ctx.scratch} == tag) {
                                                    on_tag(ctx, it, end, line_indent, false);
                                                 }
                                                 else {
                                                    skip_entry_value(ctx, it, end, line_indent, false);
                                                 }
                                                 return !bool(ctx.error);
                                              });
      }
   }

   // Resolve a tagged variant's alternative index by scanning the mapping for the discriminator
   // key (tag_v<V>). Operates on copies of the context and iterator so the caller's parse
   // position is left untouched. Returns ids_v<V>.size() (the not-found sentinel) when the tag
   // key is absent or its value matches no known id.
   template <class V, auto Opts, class Ctx, class It, class End>
   inline size_t scan_variant_tag_index(Ctx ctx, It it, End end, int32_t mapping_indent)
   {
      using id_type = std::decay_t<decltype(ids_v<V>[0])>;
      size_t resolved = ids_v<V>.size();
      // The id is read with the flow-ness of the entry it appears in: a plain scalar in a flow
      // mapping ends at ',' or '}', whereas in a block mapping it runs to end of line.
      auto read_id = [&]<auto O>(Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end) {
         if constexpr (std::integral<id_type>) {
            id_type id{};
            from<YAML, id_type>::template op<O>(id, ctx, it, end);
            if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
               resolved = variant_id_to_index<V>::op(id);
            }
         }
         else {
            std::string id{};
            from<YAML, std::string>::template op<O>(id, ctx, it, end);
            if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
               resolved = variant_id_to_index<V>::op(id.data(), id.data() + id.size(), id.size());
            }
         }
      };
      walk_tagged_mapping<Opts>(ctx, it, end, tag_v<V>, mapping_indent,
                                [&](Ctx& ctx, It& it, End end, int32_t, bool in_flow) {
                                   if (in_flow) {
                                      read_id.template operator()<yaml::flow_context_on<Opts>()>(ctx, it, end);
                                   }
                                   else {
                                      read_id.template operator()<Opts>(ctx, it, end);
                                   }
                                });
      return resolved;
   }

   // Variant support
   template <is_variant T>
      requires(not custom_read<T>)
   struct from<YAML, T>
   {
      template <auto Opts, class It>
      static void op(auto&& value, is_context auto&& ctx, It&& it, auto end) noexcept
      {
         if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // Every nested generic/variant value routes back through this reader, so bounding
         // depth here caps flow-collection and flow-embedded mapping recursion that the
         // indent stack does not cover.
         depth_guard guard{ctx};
         if (!guard) [[unlikely]]
            return;

         // At root level (indent == -1), skip leading whitespace, newlines, and comments
         // For nested values, only skip inline whitespace to preserve block structure
         if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
            yaml::skip_ws_newlines_comments(it, end);
         }
         else {
            yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
         }

         if (it == end) [[unlikely]] {
            ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
            return;
         }

         // Tagged variants: a discriminator key (meta::tag) selects the alternative, with the
         // matching meta::ids entry naming each type. This mirrors the JSON behavior so the
         // same variant definitions round-trip across both formats.
         if constexpr (not tag_v<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>.empty()) {
            using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
            const bool value_is_mapping =
               (*it == '{') || (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts) && yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end));
            if (value_is_mapping) {
               // The mapping's keys sit at the column of `it`. Recover that column from the buffer:
               // the indent stack carries the parent context's indent (a struct member, a sequence
               // item, etc. each push a different offset), not this mapping's true column (see helper).
               const int32_t mapping_column =
                  tagged_mapping_visual_indent(it, ctx.stream_begin, ctx.current_indent() + 1);
               const size_t index = scan_variant_tag_index<V, Opts>(ctx.make_speculative(), it, end, mapping_column);
               if (index < ids_v<V>.size()) {
                  static constexpr auto tag_literal = string_literal_from_view<tag_v<V>.size()>(tag_v<V>);
                  emplace_runtime_variant(value, index);
                  // Establish the mapping's true column on the indent stack for the alternative parse.
                  // The chosen object is then parsed - and the discriminator's inline value skipped -
                  // at a consistent indent in every context, so a tag on the first key does not fold
                  // the following sibling entries into its value (no special-casing needed downstream).
                  if (!ctx.push_indent(mapping_column)) [[unlikely]] {
                     ctx.error = error_code::exceeded_max_recursive_depth;
                     return;
                  }
                  std::visit(
                     [&](auto&& alt) {
                        using Alt = std::remove_cvref_t<decltype(alt)>;
                        if constexpr ((glaze_object_t<Alt> || reflectable<Alt>) && not custom_read<Alt>) {
                           // Parse the mapping into the resolved struct; the tag key is skipped.
                           from<YAML, Alt>::template op<Opts, tag_literal>(alt, ctx, it, end);
                        }
                        else if constexpr (custom_read<Alt>) {
                           // Custom alternatives read the mapping body themselves and cannot skip an
                           // interior tag key the way reflected objects do, so the tag must be the
                           // first key (glaze always writes it first). Consume that leading "tag: id"
                           // entry, then hand the remaining mapping to the custom handler.
                           if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                              ctx.error = error_code::feature_not_supported;
                              ctx.custom_error_message =
                                 "custom variant alternatives are not supported in YAML flow style";
                           }
                           else {
                              ctx.scratch.clear();
                              if (yaml::parse_yaml_key(ctx.scratch, ctx, it, end, false)) {
                                 if (std::string_view{ctx.scratch} != tag_v<V>) {
                                    ctx.error = error_code::feature_not_supported;
                                    ctx.custom_error_message =
                                       "the tag must be the first key for a custom variant alternative";
                                 }
                                 else {
                                    yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                                    if (it == end || *it != ':') {
                                       ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                                    }
                                    else {
                                       ++it;
                                       yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                                       yaml::skip_unknown_block_value<Opts>(ctx, it, end, mapping_column);
                                       if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
                                          // If nothing but trailing whitespace/comments remains, the tag
                                          // was the whole mapping: leave the alternative default.
                                          auto probe = it;
                                          yaml::skip_ws_newlines_comments(probe, end);
                                          if (probe == end) {
                                             it = probe;
                                          }
                                          else {
                                             // Publish the mapping's column so the custom handler's block
                                             // mapping (which would otherwise discover its own indent) reads
                                             // the remaining entries at the variant's indent and dedents
                                             // correctly in every context (root, sequence, nested).
                                             ctx.forced_block_mapping_indent = mapping_column;
                                             from<YAML, Alt>::template op<Opts>(alt, ctx, it, end);
                                             ctx.forced_block_mapping_indent = -1;
                                          }
                                       }
                                    }
                                 }
                              }
                           }
                        }
                        else {
                           // Non-object alternative (e.g. std::monostate): the emplaced default is
                           // the value, but the mapping must still be consumed.
                           walk_tagged_mapping<Opts>(
                              ctx, it, end, tag_v<V>, mapping_column,
                              [&](auto&& c, auto&& i, auto&& e, int32_t line_indent, bool in_flow) {
                                 yaml::skip_yaml_value<Opts>(c, i, e, in_flow ? 0 : line_indent, in_flow);
                              });
                        }
                     },
                     value);
                  ctx.pop_indent();
                  return;
               }
               // No resolvable tag key was found. Fall through to structural deduction:
               // if the alternatives are distinguishable by their fields this still succeeds,
               // otherwise the deduction path reports no_matching_variant_type.
            }
         }

         if constexpr (yaml_variant_is_auto_deducible<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>()) {
            using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
            using counts = yaml_variant_type_count<V>;
            const char c = *it;
            auto is_plain_scalar_boundary = [](const char ch) {
               switch (ch) {
               case ' ':
               case '\t':
               case '\n':
               case '\r':
               case ',':
               case ']':
               case '}':
                  return true;
               default:
                  return false;
               }
            };

            auto has_indented_block_continuation = [&](auto word_end) {
               if constexpr (yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  return false;
               }
               if (ctx.current_indent() < 0) {
                  return false;
               }
               if (word_end == end || (*word_end != '\n' && *word_end != '\r')) {
                  return false;
               }

               auto look = word_end;
               yaml::skip_newline(look, end);
               while (look != end) {
                  int32_t line_indent = 0;
                  while (look != end && *look == ' ') {
                     ++line_indent;
                     ++look;
                  }
                  if (look != end && *look == '\t') {
                     return false;
                  }
                  if (look == end || *look == '\n' || *look == '\r') {
                     if (look != end) {
                        yaml::skip_newline(look, end);
                        continue;
                     }
                     return false;
                  }
                  if (*look == '#') {
                     yaml::skip_comment(look, end);
                     if (look != end && (*look == '\n' || *look == '\r')) {
                        yaml::skip_newline(look, end);
                        continue;
                     }
                     return false;
                  }

                  // If the next non-empty line is an implicit mapping entry,
                  // don't treat it as scalar continuation for auto-deduced
                  // booleans/nulls.
                  {
                     auto scan = look;
                     while (scan != end && *scan != '\n' && *scan != '\r') {
                        if (*scan == ':') {
                           auto after_colon = scan + 1;
                           if (after_colon == end || *after_colon == ' ' || *after_colon == '\t' ||
                               *after_colon == '\n' || *after_colon == '\r') {
                              return false;
                           }
                        }
                        ++scan;
                     }
                  }

                  return line_indent > ctx.current_indent();
               }
               return false;
            };
            auto is_word_boundary = [&](const auto ptr) {
               if (ptr == end) {
                  return true;
               }
               if (*ptr == ':') {
                  auto next = ptr + 1;
                  return (next == end) || *next == ' ' || *next == '\t' || *next == '\n' || *next == '\r';
               }
               return is_plain_scalar_boundary(*ptr);
            };

            switch (c) {
            case '&': {
               // Anchor before value: parse name, then re-dispatch
               ++it;
               auto aname = yaml::parse_anchor_name(it, end);
               if (aname.empty()) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
               bool anchor_on_same_line = true;
               bool value_is_indentless_sequence = false;
               if (it == end || *it == '\n' || *it == '\r' || *it == '#') {
                  // Anchor followed by end-of-line. Check if the value continues on the
                  // next line (indented past current context) or if this is an empty node.
                  bool value_on_next_line = false;
                  if (it != end) {
                     auto peek = it;
                     // Skip comment if present
                     if (*peek == '#') {
                        while (peek != end && *peek != '\n' && *peek != '\r') ++peek;
                     }
                     // Skip newline
                     if (peek != end && (*peek == '\n' || *peek == '\r')) {
                        yaml::skip_newline(peek, end);
                        // Skip blank lines
                        while (peek != end && (*peek == '\n' || *peek == '\r')) {
                           yaml::skip_newline(peek, end);
                        }
                        // Measure indent of next content line
                        int32_t next_indent = 0;
                        while (peek != end && *peek == ' ') {
                           ++next_indent;
                           ++peek;
                        }
                        if (peek != end && *peek != '\n' && *peek != '\r') {
                           const bool indentless_sequence =
                              (!ctx.sequence_item_value_context) && (*peek == '-') &&
                              ((peek + 1) == end ||
                               yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(peek + 1))]) &&
                              (next_indent == ctx.current_indent() ||
                               (ctx.current_indent() > 0 && (next_indent + 1) == ctx.current_indent()));
                           value_is_indentless_sequence = indentless_sequence;
                           const bool same_indent_property_node =
                              (next_indent == ctx.current_indent()) &&
                              (*peek == '!' || *peek == '&' || *peek == '*' || *peek == '[' || *peek == '{' ||
                               *peek == '"' || *peek == '\'' || *peek == '|' || *peek == '>');
                           value_on_next_line =
                              (next_indent > ctx.current_indent()) || indentless_sequence || same_indent_property_node;
                        }
                     }
                  }
                  if (!value_on_next_line) {
                     // Anchor on empty/null node — store empty span, leave value as default
                     ctx.anchors[std::string(aname)] = {&*it, &*it, ctx.current_indent()};
                     return;
                  }
                  // Value is on next line — advance past newline/blank lines to the content
                  if (*it == '#') {
                     while (it != end && *it != '\n' && *it != '\r') ++it;
                  }
                  if (it != end) yaml::skip_newline(it, end);
                  while (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                     yaml::skip_newline(it, end);
                  }
                  yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
                  anchor_on_same_line = false;
               }

               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  if (anchor_on_same_line && *it == '-' &&
                      ((it + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))])) {
                     // "&anchor - item" is malformed in block context.
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               }

               // Anchor on alias (&anchor *alias) is invalid per YAML spec.
               // But alias-as-key (&anchor *alias : value) is valid.
               if (*it == '*' && !yaml::alias_token_is_mapping_key(it, end)) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }

               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  if (!anchor_on_same_line && it != end && *it == '&') {
                     auto probe = it + 1;
                     auto nested_anchor_name = yaml::parse_anchor_name(probe, end);
                     if (nested_anchor_name.empty()) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     yaml::skip_inline_ws(probe, end);
                     // Allow nested anchor usage only when it clearly starts a
                     // nested mapping entry ("&k key: value"). Otherwise this is
                     // a second anchor on the same node (4JVG-style), which is invalid.
                     if (!yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(probe, end)) {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
               }

               const char* anchor_start = &*it;
               const int32_t anchor_indent = ctx.current_indent();

               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  // Check if the anchor is on a block-mapping key (&name key: value).
                  // Only when the anchor and key are on the SAME line — if the value was on the
                  // next line, the anchor applies to the entire next-line content.
                  if (anchor_on_same_line && yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end)) {
                     auto key_start = it;
                     if (*key_start == '!') {
                        const auto key_tag = yaml::parse_yaml_tag(key_start, end, ctx);
                        if (key_tag == yaml::yaml_tag::unknown || !yaml::tag_valid_for_string(key_tag)) {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return;
                        }
                        yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_start, end);
                        if (key_start == end) {
                           ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                           return;
                        }
                        if (*key_start == '\n' || *key_start == '\r') {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return;
                        }
                     }

                     // Find the key span by scanning to the key-value separator
                     auto key_scan = key_start;
                     auto key_end = key_start;
                     if (*key_scan == '"' || *key_scan == '\'') {
                        // Quoted key: skip to closing quote
                        const char quote = *key_scan;
                        ++key_scan;
                        while (key_scan != end && *key_scan != quote) {
                           if (*key_scan == '\\' && quote == '"') {
                              ++key_scan;
                              if (key_scan != end) ++key_scan;
                           }
                           else {
                              ++key_scan;
                           }
                        }
                        if (key_scan == end) {
                           ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                           return;
                        }
                        ++key_scan; // past closing quote
                        key_end = key_scan;
                        yaml::skip_inline_ws(key_scan, end);
                     }
                     else {
                        // Plain key: scan to ':'
                        while (key_scan != end) {
                           if (*key_scan == ':') {
                              auto next = key_scan + 1;
                              if (next == end || *next == ' ' || *next == '\t' || *next == '\n' || *next == '\r') {
                                 break;
                              }
                           }
                           ++key_scan;
                        }
                        key_end = key_scan;
                        while (key_end != key_start && (*(key_end - 1) == ' ' || *(key_end - 1) == '\t')) {
                           --key_end;
                        }
                     }
                     if (key_scan == end || *key_scan != ':') {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                     // Store anchor with just the key text span
                     ctx.anchors[std::string(aname)] = {&*key_start, &*key_end, anchor_indent};
                     it = key_start;
                     // Parse as an object alternative so complex keys (e.g. flow collections) stay in mapping context.
                     if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                        end);
                     }
                     else {
                        from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     }
                     return;
                  }
               }

               const bool prev_allow_indentless_sequence = ctx.allow_indentless_sequence;
               ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = value_is_indentless_sequence;
               from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = prev_allow_indentless_sequence;
               if (!bool(ctx.error)) {
                  ctx.anchors[std::string(aname)] = {anchor_start, &*it, anchor_indent};
               }
               return;
            }
            case '*': {
               // In block context, "*alias : value" starts a mapping with an alias key.
               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  if (yaml::alias_token_is_mapping_key(it, end)) {
                     if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                        end);
                        return;
                     }
                     else {
                        ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                        return;
                     }
                  }
               }

               // Alias value: look up anchor and replay
               yaml::handle_alias<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            }
            case '!': {
               // Tag - parse it and dispatch based on tag type
               const auto tag = yaml::parse_yaml_tag(it, end, ctx);
               if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::unknown) {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               yaml::skip_inline_ws(it, end);
               if (it != end && *it == '#') {
                  yaml::skip_comment(it, end);
               }
               if (it != end && (*it == '\n' || *it == '\r')) {
                  auto content = it;
                  yaml::skip_newline(content, end);
                  yaml::skip_to_content(content, end);

                  bool consume_following_content = false;
                  auto content_token = content;
                  if (content != end) {
                     auto indent_probe = content;
                     const int32_t content_indent = yaml::measure_indent<false>(indent_probe, end, ctx);
                     if (bool(ctx.error)) [[unlikely]]
                        return;
                     content_token = indent_probe;

                     // A tag at the end of a sequence/map entry has an empty value
                     // unless the next non-empty content is nested under the current node.
                     bool tagged_indentless_sequence = false;
                     if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::seq && indent_probe != end && *indent_probe == '-') {
                        const auto after_dash = indent_probe + 1;
                        if (after_dash == end ||
                            yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*after_dash)]) {
                           tagged_indentless_sequence =
                              (content_indent == ctx.current_indent()) ||
                              (ctx.current_indent() > 0 && (content_indent + 1) == ctx.current_indent());
                        }
                     }

                     consume_following_content = (ctx.current_indent() < 0) ||
                                                 (content_indent > ctx.current_indent()) || tagged_indentless_sequence;
                  }

                  if (consume_following_content) {
                     it = content_token;
                  }
                  else {
                     if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::str) {
                        if constexpr (counts::n_str > 0) {
                           constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_str>;
                           using StrType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                           value = StrType{};
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                     if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::null_tag) {
                        if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                           constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                           using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                           if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                     if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::none) {
                        if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                           constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                           using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                           if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                  }
               }
               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  // In block context, a comma immediately after a tag token is malformed
                  // (e.g., "!!str, value"). Flow context has legitimate ", ] }" usage.
                  if (it != end && *it == ',') {
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
                  if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                     // Tagged keys like "!!str key: value" must parse as mappings.
                     const bool starts_block_sequence_entry =
                        (it != end && *it == '-') &&
                        ((it + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))]);
                     if (!starts_block_sequence_entry && yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end)) {
                        // Re-dispatch from the post-tag token so '&key key: val' is
                        // handled by the anchor-aware key path, not as a map-level anchor.
                        from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                        return;
                     }
                  }
               }
               if (it == end) {
                  if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::str) {
                     if constexpr (counts::n_str > 0) {
                        constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_str>;
                        using StrType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                        value = StrType{};
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  if (tag == yaml::yaml_tag::none) {
                     if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                        constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                        using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                        if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  ctx.error = error_code::unexpected_end;
                  return;
               }
               switch (tag) {
               case yaml::yaml_tag::str:
                  process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_str>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                  return;
               case yaml::yaml_tag::int_tag:
               case yaml::yaml_tag::float_tag:
                  if constexpr (counts::n_num > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_num>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }
                  else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               case yaml::yaml_tag::bool_tag:
                  if constexpr (counts::n_bool > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_bool>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }
                  else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               case yaml::yaml_tag::null_tag:
                  if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                     constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                     using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                     if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                     from<YAML, NullType>::template op<Opts>(std::get<NullType>(value), ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }
                  else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               case yaml::yaml_tag::map:
                  if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                     end);
                     return;
                  }
                  else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               case yaml::yaml_tag::seq:
                  if constexpr (counts::n_array > 0) {
                     const bool prev_allow_indentless_sequence = ctx.allow_indentless_sequence;
                     if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                        if (it != end && *it == '-') {
                           ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = true;
                        }
                     }
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_array>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                    end);
                     ctx.allow_indentless_sequence = prev_allow_indentless_sequence;
                     return;
                  }
                  else { // else used to fix MSVC unreachable code warning
                     ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                     return;
                  }
               default: {
                  // Explicit unknown/non-core tags disable implicit scalar resolution.
                  // Preserve collection kinds, otherwise treat as string content.
                  if (it != end && *it == '*') {
                     yaml::handle_alias<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }

                  if constexpr (counts::n_array > 0) {
                     if (it != end && *it == '[') {
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_array>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                       end);
                        return;
                     }
                  }
                  if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                     if (it != end && *it == '{') {
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                        end);
                        return;
                     }
                  }

                  if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                     if constexpr (counts::n_array > 0) {
                        const bool starts_block_sequence_entry =
                           (it != end && *it == '-') &&
                           ((it + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))]);
                        if (starts_block_sequence_entry) {
                           process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_array>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx,
                                                                                                          it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                     if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                        const bool starts_explicit_mapping_indicator =
                           (it != end && (*it == '?' || *it == ':')) &&
                           ((it + 1) == end || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(*(it + 1))]);
                        if (starts_explicit_mapping_indicator) {
                           process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx,
                                                                                                           it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        if (yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end)) {
                           process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx,
                                                                                                           it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                     }
                  }

                  if constexpr (counts::n_str > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_str>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }

                  // Fall back if no string alternative exists.
                  from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                  return;
               }
               }
               return;
            }
            case '{':
               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  // In block context, "{...}: value" can be a complex mapping key.
                  if (ctx.current_indent() < 0 && yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end)) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                     end);
                     return;
                  }
               }
               // Flow mapping - object type
               process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case '[':
               if constexpr (!yaml::check_flow_context(Opts)) {
                  // In block context, "[...]: value" can be a complex mapping key.
                  if (ctx.current_indent() < 0 && yaml::line_could_be_block_mapping(it, end)) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                     end);
                     return;
                  }
               }
               // Flow sequence - array type
               process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_array>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case '?':
               // Explicit mapping key indicator ("? key")
               if ((end - it >= 2) && it[1] == '\t') {
                  ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
                  return;
               }
               if ((end - it >= 2) && (it[1] == ' ' || it[1] == '\n' || it[1] == '\r')) {
                  if constexpr (counts::n_object > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_object>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                     end);
                     return;
                  }
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case '%':
               // Reserved directive indicator is not a plain scalar start.
               ctx.error = error_code::syntax_error;
               return;
            case '"':
            case '\'':
               // Could be a quoted string OR a quoted key in a block mapping
               // Try block mapping first (e.g., "key": value), then fall back to string
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case 't':
            case 'T':
               // Could be "true", "True", "TRUE", or a key/string starting with t/T
               if constexpr (counts::n_bool > 0) {
                  if ((end - it >= 4) && ((it[1] == 'r' && it[2] == 'u' && it[3] == 'e') ||
                                          (it[1] == 'R' && it[2] == 'U' && it[3] == 'E'))) {
                     // Check what follows the word "true"
                     const auto after_true = it + 4;
                     const bool at_word_boundary = is_word_boundary(after_true);

                     if (at_word_boundary) {
                        if (has_indented_block_continuation(after_true)) {
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        // Check if this is a key (followed by ": ") rather than a boolean value
                        // "true: value" should parse as {true: value}, not as the boolean true
                        if ((end - it > 4) && it[4] == ':' &&
                            (end - it == 5 || it[5] == ' ' || it[5] == '\t' || it[5] == '\n' || it[5] == '\r')) {
                           // This is "true:" followed by space/tab/newline/end - treat as key
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_bool>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                      end);
                        return;
                     }
                     // "true" is followed by more characters (e.g., "True\b") - treat as string
                  }
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case 'f':
            case 'F':
               // Could be "false", "False", "FALSE", or a key/string starting with f/F
               if constexpr (counts::n_bool > 0) {
                  if ((end - it >= 5) && ((it[1] == 'a' && it[2] == 'l' && it[3] == 's' && it[4] == 'e') ||
                                          (it[1] == 'A' && it[2] == 'L' && it[3] == 'S' && it[4] == 'E'))) {
                     // Check what follows the word "false"
                     const auto after_false = it + 5;
                     const bool at_word_boundary = is_word_boundary(after_false);

                     if (at_word_boundary) {
                        if (has_indented_block_continuation(after_false)) {
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        // Check if this is a key (followed by ": ") rather than a boolean value
                        // "false: value" should parse as {false: value}, not as the boolean false
                        if ((end - it > 5) && it[5] == ':' &&
                            (end - it == 6 || it[6] == ' ' || it[6] == '\t' || it[6] == '\n' || it[6] == '\r')) {
                           // This is "false:" followed by space/tab/newline/end - treat as key
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_bool>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                      end);
                        return;
                     }
                     // "false" is followed by more characters (e.g., "False\b") - treat as string
                  }
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case 'n':
            case 'N':
               // Could be "null", "Null", "NULL", or a key/string starting with n/N
               if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                  if ((end - it >= 4) && ((it[1] == 'u' && it[2] == 'l' && it[3] == 'l') ||
                                          (it[1] == 'U' && it[2] == 'L' && it[3] == 'L'))) {
                     // Check what follows the word "null"
                     const auto after_null = it + 4;
                     const bool at_word_boundary = is_word_boundary(after_null);

                     if (at_word_boundary) {
                        if (has_indented_block_continuation(after_null)) {
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        // Check if this is a key (followed by ": ") rather than a null value
                        // "null: value" should parse as {null: value}, not as the null type
                        if ((end - it > 4) && it[4] == ':' &&
                            (end - it == 5 || it[5] == ' ' || it[5] == '\t' || it[5] == '\n' || it[5] == '\r')) {
                           // This is "null:" followed by space/tab/newline/end - treat as key
                           parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                           return;
                        }
                        constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                        using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                        if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                        from<YAML, NullType>::template op<Opts>(std::get<NullType>(value), ctx, it, end);
                        return;
                     }
                     // "null" is followed by more characters (e.g., "Null\b") - treat as string
                  }
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case '~':
               // Null indicator
               if constexpr (counts::n_null > 0) {
                  constexpr auto first_idx = yaml_variant_first_index_v<V, is_yaml_variant_null>;
                  using NullType = std::variant_alternative_t<first_idx, V>;
                  if (!std::holds_alternative<NullType>(value)) value = NullType{};
                  from<YAML, NullType>::template op<Opts>(std::get<NullType>(value), ctx, it, end);
                  return;
               }
               break; // Fall through to try other types
            case '-':
               // Could be negative number or block sequence indicator
               if (((it + 1) == end) || yaml::whitespace_or_line_end_table[static_cast<uint8_t>(it[1])]) {
                  // Block sequence indicator "- "
                  if constexpr (counts::n_array > 0) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_array>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it,
                                                                                                    end);
                     return;
                  }
               }
               if constexpr (counts::n_num > 0) {
                  if ((end - it >= 2) && (std::isdigit(static_cast<unsigned char>(it[1])) || it[1] == '.')) {
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_num>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                     return;
                  }
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            case '+':
            case '.':
               // Could be a number (.5, +5, .inf, etc.) or a string (.c, .cpp, +name, etc.)
               // Try parsing as number speculatively, fall back to string on failure
               if constexpr (counts::n_num > 0) {
                  auto start_it = it;
                  auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
                  process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_num>::template op<Opts>(value, temp_ctx, it,
                                                                                               end);
                  if (!bool(temp_ctx.error)) {
                     ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);
                     return; // Successfully parsed as number
                  }
                  it = start_it; // Restore and fall through to string
               }
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            default:
               // Check for digit (0-9) - numeric or block mapping key starting with digit
               if (c >= '0' && c <= '9') {
                  // Try block mapping first (e.g., "123key: value")
                  if (try_parse_block_mapping_into_variant<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end)) {
                     return;
                  }
                  // Try numeric value speculatively - values like "12:30" look numeric but aren't
                  if constexpr (counts::n_num > 0) {
                     auto start_it = it;
                     auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
                     process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_num>::template op<Opts>(value, temp_ctx, it,
                                                                                                  end);
                     if (!bool(temp_ctx.error)) {
                        ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);
                        return; // Successfully parsed as number
                     }
                     it = start_it; // Restore and fall through to string
                  }
                  // Fall through to string
                  process_yaml_variant_alternatives<V, is_yaml_variant_str>::template op<Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
                  return;
               }
               // Plain scalar - try block mapping, then string
               parse_block_mapping_or_string<V, Opts>(value, ctx, it, end);
               return;
            }
         }

         // For non-auto-deducible variants or fallback, try each type until one succeeds
         constexpr auto N = std::variant_size_v<std::remove_cvref_t<T>>;

         auto try_parse = [&]<size_t I>() -> bool {
            using V = std::variant_alternative_t<I, std::remove_cvref_t<T>>;
            auto start = it;

            V v{};
            auto temp_ctx = ctx.make_speculative();
            from<YAML, V>::template op<Opts>(v, temp_ctx, it, end);

            if (!bool(temp_ctx.error)) {
               value = std::move(v);
               ctx.anchors = std::move(temp_ctx.anchors);
               return true;
            }

            it = start;
            return false;
         };

         bool parsed = false;
         [&]<size_t... Is>(std::index_sequence<Is...>) {
            ((parsed = parsed || try_parse.template operator()<Is>()), ...);
         }(std::make_index_sequence<N>{});

         if (!parsed) {
            ctx.error = error_code::no_matching_variant_type;
         }
      }
#ifdef _MSC_VER
#pragma warning(pop)
#endif
   };

   // Convenience functions

   template <auto Opts = yaml::yaml_opts{}, class T, contiguous Buffer>
   [[nodiscard]] error_ctx read_yaml(T&& value, Buffer&& buffer) noexcept
   {
      if (buffer.empty()) {
         using V = std::remove_cvref_t<T>;
         if constexpr (requires { value = nullptr; }) {
            value = nullptr;
            return {};
         }
         else if constexpr (nullable_like<V>) {
            value = {};
            return {};
         }
      }
      yaml::yaml_context ctx{};
      return read<set_yaml<Opts>()>(std::forward<T>(value), std::forward<Buffer>(buffer), ctx);
   }

   template <auto Opts = yaml::yaml_opts{}, class T, is_buffer Buffer>
   [[nodiscard]] error_ctx read_file_yaml(T&& value, const sv file_path, Buffer&& buffer) noexcept
   {
      yaml::yaml_context ctx{};
      ctx.current_file = file_path;
      const auto ec = file_to_buffer(buffer, ctx.current_file);

      if (bool(ec)) {
         return {0, ec};
      }

      return read<set_yaml<Opts>()>(std::forward<T>(value), buffer, ctx);
   }

   template <auto Opts = yaml::yaml_opts{}, class T>
   [[nodiscard]] error_ctx read_file_yaml(T&& value, const sv file_path) noexcept
   {
      return read_file_yaml<Opts>(value, file_path, std::string{});
   }

} // namespace glz