feat: Add CLI integration for LiquidJS template rendering

Integrates LiquidJS template rendering into the CLI render command.
When a template is registered for a node's schema type via the variable
system (@ucas/template/text/<schema-hash>), the CLI will use the template
for rendering. Otherwise, it falls back to YAML output.

Changes:
- Modified cmdRender in index.ts to use renderAsync with variable store
- Added Suite 6: CLI Integration with Templates (5 comprehensive tests)
- Fixed template file format: templates must be JSON-encoded strings
- Removed unused render import from index.ts
- Renamed unused globalDecay parameter in liquid-render.ts

Test coverage increased from 336 to 341 tests, all passing.

Fixes #40

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.gitignore

@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ node_modules/
 dist/
 *.d.ts.map
 *.tsbuildinfo
+.worktrees/

bun.lock

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
       "dependencies": {
         "ajv": "^8.20.0",
         "cborg": "^4.2.3",
+        "liquidjs": "^10.27.0",
         "xxhash-wasm": "^1.1.0",
       },
     },
@@ -141,6 +142,8 @@
 
     "chardet": ["chardet@2.1.1", "", {}, "sha512-PsezH1rqdV9VvyNhxxOW32/d75r01NY7TQCmOqomRo15ZSOKbpTFVsfjghxo6JloQUCGnH4k1LGu0R4yCLlWQQ=="],
 
+    "commander": ["commander@10.0.1", "", {}, "sha512-y4Mg2tXshplEbSGzx7amzPwKKOCGuoSRP/CjEdwwk0FOGlUbq6lKuoyDZTNZkmxHdJtp54hdfY/JUrdL7Xfdug=="],
+
     "cross-spawn": ["cross-spawn@7.0.6", "", { "dependencies": { "path-key": "^3.1.0", "shebang-command": "^2.0.0", "which": "^2.0.1" } }, "sha512-uV2QOWP2nWzsy2aMp8aRibhi9dlzF5Hgh5SHaB9OiTGEyDTiJJyx0uy51QXdyWbtAHNua4XJzUKca3OzKUd3vA=="],
 
     "dataloader": ["dataloader@1.4.0", "", {}, "sha512-68s5jYdlvasItOJnCuI2Q9s4q98g0pCyL3HrcKJu8KNugUl8ahgmZYg38ysLTgQjjXX3H8CJLkAvWrclWfcalw=="],
@@ -203,6 +206,8 @@
 
     "layerr": ["layerr@3.0.0", "", {}, "sha512-tv754Ki2dXpPVApOrjTyRo4/QegVb9eVFq4mjqp4+NM5NaX7syQvN5BBNfV/ZpAHCEHV24XdUVrBAoka4jt3pA=="],
 
+    "liquidjs": ["liquidjs@10.27.0", "", { "dependencies": { "commander": "^10.0.0" }, "bin": { "liquidjs": "bin/liquid.js", "liquid": "bin/liquid.js" } }, "sha512-tw/OA59K7aIBlMKIrKlumr37fiZUheShVHXY8cVctWisgY1p9mc5hreOvlreoS0wTiwlWk14Ya7305c2a/Cg5w=="],
+
     "locate-path": ["locate-path@5.0.0", "", { "dependencies": { "p-locate": "^4.1.0" } }, "sha512-t7hw9pI+WvuwNJXwk5zVHpyhIqzg2qTlklJOf0mVxGSbe3Fp2VieZcduNYjaLDoy6p9uGpQEGWG87WpMKlNq8g=="],
 
     "lodash.startcase": ["lodash.startcase@4.4.0", "", {}, "sha512-+WKqsK294HMSc2jEbNgpHpd0JfIBhp7rEV4aqXWqFr6AlXov+SlcgB1Fv01y2kGe3Gc8nMW7VA0SrGuSkRfIEg=="],

packages/cli-json-cas/src/cli.test.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,27 @@
-import { describe, expect, test } from "bun:test";
-import { resolve } from "node:path";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, test } from "bun:test";
+import { mkdirSync, mkdtempSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
+import { join, resolve } from "node:path";
 
 const pkgPath = resolve(import.meta.dir, "../package.json");
+const entrypoint = resolve(import.meta.dir, "index.ts");
+
+async function runCli(
+  args: string[],
+  storePath?: string,
+): Promise<{ stdout: string; stderr: string; exitCode: number }> {
+  const finalArgs = storePath
+    ? ["bun", entrypoint, "--store", storePath, ...args]
+    : ["bun", entrypoint, ...args];
+  const proc = Bun.spawn(finalArgs, {
+    stdout: "pipe",
+    stderr: "pipe",
+  });
+  const exitCode = await proc.exited;
+  const stdout = await new Response(proc.stdout).text();
+  const stderr = await new Response(proc.stderr).text();
+  return { stdout, stderr, exitCode };
+}
 
 describe("ucas command alias", () => {
   test("T1: ucas bin entry exists in package.json", async () => {
@@ -15,7 +35,6 @@ describe("ucas command alias", () => {
   });
 
   test("T3: ucas command is executable and shows help", async () => {
-    const entrypoint = resolve(import.meta.dir, "index.ts");
     const proc = Bun.spawn(["bun", entrypoint, "--help"], {
       stdout: "pipe",
       stderr: "pipe",
@@ -31,3 +50,550 @@ describe("ucas command alias", () => {
     expect(pkg.bin.ucas).toBe(pkg.bin["json-cas"]);
   });
 });
+
+// ---- @ Alias Resolution Tests ----
+
+let testDir: string;
+let storePath: string;
+let cliPath: string;
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  // Create unique temp directory for each test
+  testDir = join(
+    tmpdir(),
+    `json-cas-cli-test-${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2)}`,
+  );
+  storePath = join(testDir, "store");
+  cliPath = join(import.meta.dir, "index.ts");
+
+  mkdirSync(testDir, { recursive: true });
+  mkdirSync(storePath, { recursive: true });
+});
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  // Clean up test directory
+  try {
+    rmSync(testDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  } catch {
+    // Ignore cleanup errors
+  }
+});
+
+/**
+ * Run CLI command and return stdout, stderr, and exit code
+ */
+async function runCliAlias(...args: string[]): Promise<{
+  stdout: string;
+  stderr: string;
+  exitCode: number;
+}> {
+  const proc = Bun.spawn(
+    ["bun", "run", cliPath, "--store", storePath, ...args],
+    {
+      stdout: "pipe",
+      stderr: "pipe",
+    },
+  );
+
+  const [stdout, stderr] = await Promise.all([
+    new Response(proc.stdout).text(),
+    new Response(proc.stderr).text(),
+  ]);
+
+  await proc.exited;
+
+  return {
+    stdout: stdout.trim(),
+    stderr: stderr.trim(),
+    exitCode: proc.exitCode ?? 0,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("@ Alias Resolution - schema get", () => {
+  test("ucas schema get @string should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init"); // Initialize store
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "schema",
+      "get",
+      "@string",
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toEqual({ type: "string" });
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @number should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@number");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toEqual({ type: "number" });
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @object should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@object");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toEqual({ type: "object" });
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @array should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@array");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toEqual({ type: "array" });
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @bool should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@bool");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toEqual({ type: "boolean" });
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @schema should work", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@schema");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const schema = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(schema).toHaveProperty("type", "object");
+    expect(schema).toHaveProperty(
+      "description",
+      "json-cas JSON Schema meta-schema",
+    );
+  });
+
+  test("ucas schema get @invalid should fail gracefully", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCliAlias("schema", "get", "@invalid");
+
+    expect(exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Schema not found");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("@ Alias Resolution - put", () => {
+  test("ucas put @string <file> should resolve alias", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const payloadFile = join(testDir, "payload.json");
+    writeFileSync(payloadFile, JSON.stringify("hello world"));
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "put",
+      "@string",
+      payloadFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+    // Should output a valid hash (13 chars)
+    expect(stdout).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+  });
+
+  test("ucas put @number <file> should resolve alias", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const payloadFile = join(testDir, "payload.json");
+    writeFileSync(payloadFile, "42");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "put",
+      "@number",
+      payloadFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stdout).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+  });
+
+  test("ucas put @object <file> should resolve alias", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const payloadFile = join(testDir, "payload.json");
+    writeFileSync(payloadFile, JSON.stringify({ foo: "bar" }));
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "put",
+      "@object",
+      payloadFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stdout).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+  });
+
+  test("ucas put @invalid <file> should fail", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const payloadFile = join(testDir, "payload.json");
+    writeFileSync(payloadFile, "{}");
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "put",
+      "@invalid",
+      payloadFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("@ Alias Resolution - hash", () => {
+  test("ucas hash @string <file> should compute hash without storing", async () => {
+    await runCliAlias("init");
+
+    const payloadFile = join(testDir, "payload.json");
+    writeFileSync(payloadFile, JSON.stringify("test"));
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCliAlias(
+      "hash",
+      "@string",
+      payloadFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+    expect(stdout).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("ucas render command", () => {
+  test("R1: render requires hash argument", async () => {
+    const { exitCode, stderr } = await runCli(["render"]);
+    expect(exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Usage");
+  });
+
+  test("R2: render with missing hash shows error", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+      const { exitCode, stdout } = await runCli(
+        ["render", "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+      // Missing hash renders as cas: reference
+      expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+      expect(stdout).toContain("cas:ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("R3: render with invalid numeric flag fails", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+      const { exitCode, stderr } = await runCli(
+        ["render", "AAAAAAAAAAAAA", "--resolution", "invalid"],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+      expect(exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+      expect(stderr).toContain("valid number");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 6: CLI Integration with Templates", () => {
+  test("6.1 CLI with Template (Default Parameters)", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      // Initialize store
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+
+      // Create schema
+      const schemaFile = join(tmpStore, "schema.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        schemaFile,
+        JSON.stringify({
+          type: "object",
+          properties: { name: { type: "string" } },
+        }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: schemaHash } = await runCli(
+        ["schema", "put", schemaFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create node
+      const nodeFile = join(tmpStore, "node.json");
+      writeFileSync(nodeFile, JSON.stringify({ name: "Alice" }));
+      const { stdout: nodeHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), nodeFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create template file (JSON-encoded string)
+      const templateFile = join(tmpStore, "template.json");
+      writeFileSync(templateFile, JSON.stringify("Hello {{ payload.name }}!"));
+      const { stdout: tmplHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", "@string", templateFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Register template
+      await runCli(
+        [
+          "var",
+          "set",
+          `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash.trim()}`,
+          tmplHash.trim(),
+        ],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Render with template
+      const { stdout: output, exitCode } = await runCli(
+        ["render", nodeHash.trim()],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+      expect(output).toBe("Hello Alice!");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("6.2 CLI with Template + Custom Decay", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+
+      // Create schema with child ref
+      const schemaFile = join(tmpStore, "schema.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        schemaFile,
+        JSON.stringify({
+          type: "object",
+          properties: {
+            value: { type: "string" },
+            child: {
+              anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+            },
+          },
+        }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: schemaHash } = await runCli(
+        ["schema", "put", schemaFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create child node
+      const childFile = join(tmpStore, "child.json");
+      writeFileSync(childFile, JSON.stringify({ value: "child", child: null }));
+      const { stdout: childHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), childFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create parent node
+      const parentFile = join(tmpStore, "parent.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        parentFile,
+        JSON.stringify({ value: "parent", child: childHash.trim() }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: parentHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), parentFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create template showing resolution (JSON-encoded string)
+      const templateFile = join(tmpStore, "template.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        templateFile,
+        JSON.stringify("{{ payload.value }}(res={{ resolution }})"),
+      );
+      const { stdout: tmplHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", "@string", templateFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Register template
+      await runCli(
+        [
+          "var",
+          "set",
+          `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash.trim()}`,
+          tmplHash.trim(),
+        ],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Render with custom decay
+      const { stdout: output, exitCode } = await runCli(
+        ["render", parentHash.trim(), "--decay", "0.7"],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+      expect(output).toContain("parent(res=1)");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("6.3 CLI with Template + All Parameters", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+
+      const schemaFile = join(tmpStore, "schema.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        schemaFile,
+        JSON.stringify({
+          type: "object",
+          properties: { name: { type: "string" } },
+        }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: schemaHash } = await runCli(
+        ["schema", "put", schemaFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      const nodeFile = join(tmpStore, "node.json");
+      writeFileSync(nodeFile, JSON.stringify({ name: "Bob" }));
+      const { stdout: nodeHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), nodeFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // Create template (JSON-encoded string)
+      const templateFile = join(tmpStore, "template.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        templateFile,
+        JSON.stringify("Greetings {{ payload.name }}!"),
+      );
+      const { stdout: tmplHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", "@string", templateFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      await runCli(
+        [
+          "var",
+          "set",
+          `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash.trim()}`,
+          tmplHash.trim(),
+        ],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      const { stdout: output, exitCode } = await runCli(
+        [
+          "render",
+          nodeHash.trim(),
+          "--resolution",
+          "0.8",
+          "--decay",
+          "0.6",
+          "--epsilon",
+          "0.005",
+        ],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+      expect(output).toBe("Greetings Bob!");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("6.4 CLI with Non-templated Node (YAML Fallback)", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+
+      const schemaFile = join(tmpStore, "schema.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        schemaFile,
+        JSON.stringify({
+          type: "object",
+          properties: { name: { type: "string" } },
+        }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: schemaHash } = await runCli(
+        ["schema", "put", schemaFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      const nodeFile = join(tmpStore, "node.json");
+      writeFileSync(nodeFile, JSON.stringify({ name: "Charlie" }));
+      const { stdout: nodeHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), nodeFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      // No template registered - should fall back to YAML
+      const { stdout: output, exitCode } = await runCli(
+        ["render", nodeHash.trim()],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+      expect(output).toContain("name:");
+      expect(output).toContain("Charlie");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("6.5 CLI Error: Invalid Decay Value", async () => {
+    const tmpStore = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "json-cas-test-"));
+    try {
+      await runCli(["init"], tmpStore);
+
+      const schemaFile = join(tmpStore, "schema.json");
+      writeFileSync(
+        schemaFile,
+        JSON.stringify({
+          type: "object",
+          properties: { name: { type: "string" } },
+        }),
+      );
+      const { stdout: schemaHash } = await runCli(
+        ["schema", "put", schemaFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      const nodeFile = join(tmpStore, "node.json");
+      writeFileSync(nodeFile, JSON.stringify({ name: "Test" }));
+      const { stdout: nodeHash } = await runCli(
+        ["put", schemaHash.trim(), nodeFile],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      const { exitCode, stderr } = await runCli(
+        ["render", nodeHash.trim(), "--decay", "1.5"],
+        tmpStore,
+      );
+
+      expect(exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+      expect(stderr).toContain("decay");
+    } finally {
+      rmSync(tmpStore, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+});

packages/cli-json-cas/src/index.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bun
 
-import { mkdirSync, readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readFileSync } from "node:fs";
 import { homedir } from "node:os";
 import { join, resolve } from "node:path";
 import type { Hash, JSONSchema, Store, VariableStore } from "@uncaged/json-cas";
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ import {
   createVariableStore,
   gc,
   getSchema,
-  InvalidScopeError,
   InvalidTagFormatError,
+  InvalidVariableNameError,
   putSchema,
   refs,
-  SchemaMismatchError,
+  renderAsync,
   TagLabelConflictError,
   VariableNotFoundError,
   validate,
@@ -32,10 +32,13 @@ type Flags = Record<string, string | boolean | string[]>;
 const VALUE_FLAGS = new Set([
   "store",
   "format",
-  "scope",
-  "value",
   "var-db",
   "tag",
+  "schema",
+  "resolution",
+  "decay",
+  "epsilon",
+  "inline",
 ]);
 
 function parseArgs(argv: string[]): { flags: Flags; positional: string[] } {
@@ -117,6 +120,24 @@ function openVarStore(): VariableStore {
   return createVariableStore(resolve(varDbPath), store);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Resolve a type-hash, handling @ aliases
+ * If the input starts with @, resolve it via bootstrap
+ * Otherwise, return the hash as-is
+ */
+async function resolveTypeHash(typeHashOrAlias: string): Promise<Hash> {
+  if (typeHashOrAlias.startsWith("@")) {
+    const store = openStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const resolvedHash = builtinSchemas[typeHashOrAlias];
+    if (!resolvedHash) {
+      die(`Schema not found: ${typeHashOrAlias}`);
+    }
+    return resolvedHash;
+  }
+  return typeHashOrAlias;
+}
+
 /**
  * Get the Variable schema's CAS hash
  * This is the type hash used in JSON envelopes
@@ -124,25 +145,23 @@ function openVarStore(): VariableStore {
 async function getVariableSchemaHash(): Promise<Hash> {
   const store = openStore();
 
-  // Define the Variable JSON Schema (simple version for envelope)
+  // Define the Variable JSON Schema (updated for new model with composite key)
   const variableSchema: JSONSchema = {
     title: "Variable",
     type: "object",
     properties: {
-      id: { type: "string" },
-      scope: { type: "string" },
-      value: { type: "string" },
+      name: { type: "string" },
       schema: { type: "string" },
+      value: { type: "string" },
       created: { type: "number" },
       updated: { type: "number" },
       tags: { type: "object" },
       labels: { type: "array", items: { type: "string" } },
     },
     required: [
-      "id",
-      "scope",
-      "value",
+      "name",
       "schema",
+      "value",
       "created",
       "updated",
       "tags",
@@ -206,14 +225,16 @@ async function cmdInit(): Promise<void> {
   const dir = resolve(storePath);
   mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
   const store = createFsStore(dir);
-  const hash = await bootstrap(store);
-  console.log(hash);
+  const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+  const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+  console.log(metaHash);
 }
 
 async function cmdBootstrap(): Promise<void> {
   const store = openStore();
-  const hash = await bootstrap(store);
-  console.log(hash);
+  const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+  const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+  console.log(metaHash);
 }
 
 async function cmdSchemaPut(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
@@ -226,17 +247,20 @@ async function cmdSchemaPut(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function cmdSchemaGet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const hash = args[0];
-  if (!hash) die("Usage: json-cas schema get <type-hash>");
+  const hashOrAlias = args[0];
+  if (!hashOrAlias) die("Usage: json-cas schema get <type-hash>");
+  const hash = await resolveTypeHash(hashOrAlias);
   const store = openStore();
   const schema = getSchema(store, hash);
-  if (schema === null) die(`Schema not found: ${hash}`);
+  if (schema === null) die(`Schema not found: ${hashOrAlias}`);
   out(schema);
 }
 
 async function cmdSchemaList(): Promise<void> {
   const store = openStore();
-  const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+  const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+  const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+  if (!metaHash) throw new Error("Meta-schema not found");
   for (const hash of store.listByType(metaHash)) {
     if (hash === metaHash) continue;
     const node = store.get(hash);
@@ -262,9 +286,11 @@ async function cmdSchemaValidate(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function cmdPut(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const typeHash = args[0];
+  const typeHashOrAlias = args[0];
   const file = args[1];
-  if (!typeHash || !file) die("Usage: json-cas put <type-hash> <file.json>");
+  if (!typeHashOrAlias || !file)
+    die("Usage: json-cas put <type-hash> <file.json>");
+  const typeHash = await resolveTypeHash(typeHashOrAlias);
   const payload = readJsonFile(file);
   const store = openStore();
   const hash = await store.put(typeHash, payload);
@@ -349,14 +375,69 @@ async function cmdWalk(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function cmdHash(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const typeHash = args[0];
+  const typeHashOrAlias = args[0];
   const file = args[1];
-  if (!typeHash || !file) die("Usage: json-cas hash <type-hash> <file.json>");
+  if (!typeHashOrAlias || !file)
+    die("Usage: json-cas hash <type-hash> <file.json>");
+  const typeHash = await resolveTypeHash(typeHashOrAlias);
   const payload = readJsonFile(file);
   const hash = await computeHash(typeHash, payload);
   console.log(hash);
 }
 
+async function cmdRender(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const hash = args[0];
+  if (!hash) {
+    die(
+      "Usage: ucas render <hash> [--resolution <n>] [--decay <n>] [--epsilon <n>]",
+    );
+  }
+
+  const store = openStore();
+
+  // Parse numeric options
+  const resolution =
+    typeof flags.resolution === "string"
+      ? Number.parseFloat(flags.resolution)
+      : undefined;
+  const decay =
+    typeof flags.decay === "string"
+      ? Number.parseFloat(flags.decay)
+      : undefined;
+  const epsilon =
+    typeof flags.epsilon === "string"
+      ? Number.parseFloat(flags.epsilon)
+      : undefined;
+
+  // Validate numeric values
+  if (resolution !== undefined && Number.isNaN(resolution)) {
+    die("--resolution must be a valid number");
+  }
+  if (decay !== undefined && Number.isNaN(decay)) {
+    die("--decay must be a valid number");
+  }
+  if (epsilon !== undefined && Number.isNaN(epsilon)) {
+    die("--epsilon must be a valid number");
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const varStore = openVarStore();
+    const output = await renderAsync(store, hash, {
+      resolution,
+      decay,
+      epsilon,
+      varStore,
+    });
+    // Output to stdout without JSON wrapping (raw output)
+    process.stdout.write(output);
+  } catch (error) {
+    if (error instanceof Error) {
+      die(error.message);
+    }
+    die(String(error));
+  }
+}
+
 async function cmdCat(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   const hash = args[0];
   if (!hash) die("Usage: json-cas cat <hash>");
@@ -370,13 +451,14 @@ async function cmdCat(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
-async function cmdVarCreate(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const scope = flags.scope as string | undefined;
-  const value = flags.value as string | undefined;
+async function cmdVarSet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const name = args[0];
+  const value = args[1];
   const tagFlags = flags.tag;
 
-  if (!scope) die("Usage: json-cas var create --scope <scope> --value <hash>");
-  if (!value) die("Usage: json-cas var create --scope <scope> --value <hash>");
+  if (!name || !value) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas var set <name> <hash> [--tag <tag>...]");
+  }
 
   const varStore = openVarStore();
 
@@ -391,18 +473,25 @@ async function cmdVarCreate(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 
     // Check for conflicts in initial tags/labels
     if (deleteNames.length > 0) {
-      die("Error: Cannot use deletion syntax (:name) in var create");
+      die("Error: Cannot use deletion syntax (:name) in var set");
     }
 
-    const variable = varStore.create(scope, value, {
-      tags: Object.keys(tags).length > 0 ? tags : undefined,
-      labels: labels.length > 0 ? labels : undefined,
-    });
+    // If --tag flags are provided at all, always pass options to replace tags/labels
+    // If no --tag flags, pass undefined to preserve existing tags/labels
+    const options =
+      tagArgs.length > 0
+        ? {
+            tags: Object.keys(tags).length > 0 ? tags : {},
+            labels: labels.length > 0 ? labels : [],
+          }
+        : undefined;
+
+    const variable = varStore.set(name, value, options);
     const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variable);
     out(envelope);
   } catch (e) {
     if (
-      e instanceof InvalidScopeError ||
+      e instanceof InvalidVariableNameError ||
       e instanceof CasNodeNotFoundError ||
       e instanceof TagLabelConflictError
     ) {
@@ -415,15 +504,19 @@ async function cmdVarCreate(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function cmdVarGet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const id = args[0];
-  if (!id) die("Usage: json-cas var get <id>");
+  const name = args[0];
+  const schema = flags.schema as string | undefined;
+
+  if (!name || !schema) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas var get <name> --schema <hash>");
+  }
 
   const varStore = openVarStore();
 
   try {
-    const variable = varStore.get(id);
+    const variable = varStore.get(name, schema);
     if (variable === null) {
-      die(`Error: Variable not found: ${id}`);
+      die(`Error: Variable not found: name=${name}, schema=${schema}`);
     }
     const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variable);
     out(envelope);
@@ -432,44 +525,28 @@ async function cmdVarGet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
-async function cmdVarUpdate(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const id = args[0];
-  const value = args[1];
-
-  if (!id || !value) {
-    die("Usage: json-cas var update <id> <hash>");
-  }
-
-  const varStore = openVarStore();
-
-  try {
-    const variable = varStore.update(id, value);
-    const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variable);
-    out(envelope);
-  } catch (e) {
-    if (
-      e instanceof VariableNotFoundError ||
-      e instanceof SchemaMismatchError ||
-      e instanceof CasNodeNotFoundError
-    ) {
-      die(`Error: ${e.message}`);
-    }
-    throw e;
-  } finally {
-    varStore.close();
-  }
-}
-
 async function cmdVarDelete(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const id = args[0];
-  if (!id) die("Usage: json-cas var delete <id>");
+  const name = args[0];
+  const schema = flags.schema as string | undefined;
+
+  if (!name) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas var delete <name> [--schema <hash>]");
+  }
 
   const varStore = openVarStore();
 
   try {
-    const variable = varStore.delete(id);
-    const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variable);
-    out(envelope);
+    if (schema !== undefined) {
+      // Precise deletion: remove specific (name, schema) variant
+      const variable = varStore.remove(name, schema);
+      const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variable);
+      out(envelope);
+    } else {
+      // Batch deletion: remove all variants for this name
+      const variables = varStore.remove(name);
+      const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variables);
+      out(envelope);
+    }
   } catch (e) {
     if (e instanceof VariableNotFoundError) {
       die(`Error: ${e.message}`);
@@ -481,12 +558,16 @@ async function cmdVarDelete(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function cmdVarTag(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const id = args[0];
-  if (!id) die("Usage: json-cas var tag <id> <tag>...");
+  const name = args[0];
+  const schema = flags.schema as string | undefined;
+
+  if (!name || !schema) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas var tag <name> --schema <hash> <operations...>");
+  }
 
   const tagArgs = args.slice(1);
   if (tagArgs.length === 0) {
-    die("Usage: json-cas var tag <id> <tag>...");
+    die("Usage: json-cas var tag <name> --schema <hash> <operations...>");
   }
 
   const varStore = openVarStore();
@@ -494,7 +575,7 @@ async function cmdVarTag(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   try {
     const { tags, labels, deleteNames } = parseTagsLabels(tagArgs);
 
-    const variable = varStore.tag(id, {
+    const variable = varStore.tag(name, schema, {
       add: Object.keys(tags).length > 0 ? tags : undefined,
       addLabels: labels.length > 0 ? labels : undefined,
       delete: deleteNames.length > 0 ? deleteNames : undefined,
@@ -516,8 +597,9 @@ async function cmdVarTag(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
-async function cmdVarList(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const scope = (flags.scope as string | undefined) ?? "";
+async function cmdVarList(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const namePrefix = args[0] ?? "";
+  const schema = flags.schema as string | undefined;
   const tagFlags = flags.tag;
 
   const varStore = openVarStore();
@@ -537,14 +619,15 @@ async function cmdVarList(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
     }
 
     const variables = varStore.list({
-      scope,
+      namePrefix,
+      schema,
       tags: Object.keys(tags).length > 0 ? tags : undefined,
       labels: labels.length > 0 ? labels : undefined,
     });
     const envelope = await wrapVariableEnvelope(variables);
     out(envelope);
   } catch (e) {
-    if (e instanceof InvalidScopeError) {
+    if (e instanceof InvalidVariableNameError) {
       die(`Error: ${e.message}`);
     }
     throw e;
@@ -553,6 +636,174 @@ async function cmdVarList(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
+async function cmdTemplateSet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const schemaHash = args[0];
+  const inlineFlag = flags.inline;
+
+  if (!schemaHash) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas template set <schema-hash> <file> | --inline <text>");
+  }
+
+  const store = openStore();
+  mkdirSync(resolve(storePath), { recursive: true });
+  const varStore = createVariableStore(resolve(varDbPath), store);
+
+  try {
+    // Validate schema hash exists in CAS
+    if (!store.has(schemaHash)) {
+      die(`Error: Schema hash not found in CAS: ${schemaHash}`);
+    }
+
+    // Determine content source
+    let content: string;
+
+    if (typeof inlineFlag === "string") {
+      // --inline mode
+      const fileArg = args[1];
+      if (fileArg !== undefined && !fileArg.startsWith("--")) {
+        die("Error: Cannot specify both file and --inline");
+      }
+      content = inlineFlag;
+    } else if (inlineFlag === true) {
+      // --inline flag present but no value
+      const contentArg = args[1];
+      if (!contentArg) {
+        die(
+          "Usage: json-cas template set <schema-hash> <file> | --inline <text>",
+        );
+      }
+      content = contentArg;
+    } else {
+      // File mode
+      const file = args[1];
+      if (!file) {
+        die(
+          "Usage: json-cas template set <schema-hash> <file> | --inline <text>",
+        );
+      }
+      if (!existsSync(file)) {
+        die(`Error: File not found: ${file}`);
+      }
+      content = readFileSync(file, "utf-8");
+    }
+
+    // Store content in CAS under @string schema
+    const stringHash = await resolveTypeHash("@string");
+    const contentHash = await store.put(stringHash, content);
+
+    // Create variable binding: @ucas/template/text/<schema-hash>
+    const varName = `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash}`;
+    varStore.set(varName, contentHash);
+
+    out({
+      schemaHash,
+      contentHash,
+    });
+  } catch (e) {
+    if (e instanceof CasNodeNotFoundError) {
+      die(`Error: ${e.message}`);
+    }
+    throw e;
+  } finally {
+    varStore.close();
+  }
+}
+
+async function cmdTemplateGet(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const schemaHash = args[0];
+
+  if (!schemaHash) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas template get <schema-hash>");
+  }
+
+  const store = openStore();
+  mkdirSync(resolve(storePath), { recursive: true });
+  const varStore = createVariableStore(resolve(varDbPath), store);
+
+  try {
+    const varName = `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash}`;
+    const stringHash = await resolveTypeHash("@string");
+    const variable = varStore.get(varName, stringHash);
+
+    if (variable === null) {
+      die(`Error: Template not found for schema: ${schemaHash}`);
+    }
+
+    // Get the content from CAS
+    const node = store.get(variable.value);
+    if (node === null) {
+      die(`Error: Content not found in CAS: ${variable.value}`);
+    }
+
+    // Output raw text (not JSON)
+    process.stdout.write(node.payload as string);
+  } finally {
+    varStore.close();
+  }
+}
+
+async function cmdTemplateList(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const store = openStore();
+  mkdirSync(resolve(storePath), { recursive: true });
+  const varStore = createVariableStore(resolve(varDbPath), store);
+
+  try {
+    const stringHash = await resolveTypeHash("@string");
+    const variables = varStore.list({
+      namePrefix: "@ucas/template/text/",
+      schema: stringHash,
+    });
+
+    const templates = variables.map((v) => {
+      const schemaHash = v.name.replace("@ucas/template/text/", "");
+
+      // Get content for preview
+      const node = store.get(v.value);
+      const content = (node?.payload as string | undefined) ?? "";
+
+      // Truncate preview to 80 chars
+      const preview =
+        content.length > 80 ? `${content.slice(0, 77)}...` : content;
+
+      return {
+        schemaHash,
+        preview,
+      };
+    });
+
+    out(templates);
+  } finally {
+    varStore.close();
+  }
+}
+
+async function cmdTemplateDelete(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
+  const schemaHash = args[0];
+
+  if (!schemaHash) {
+    die("Usage: json-cas template delete <schema-hash>");
+  }
+
+  const store = openStore();
+  mkdirSync(resolve(storePath), { recursive: true });
+  const varStore = createVariableStore(resolve(varDbPath), store);
+
+  try {
+    const varName = `@ucas/template/text/${schemaHash}`;
+    const stringHash = await resolveTypeHash("@string");
+    varStore.remove(varName, stringHash);
+
+    out({ deleted: true });
+  } catch (e) {
+    if (e instanceof VariableNotFoundError) {
+      die(`Error: Template not found for schema: ${schemaHash}`);
+    }
+    throw e;
+  } finally {
+    varStore.close();
+  }
+}
+
 async function cmdGc(_args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   const store = createFsStore(storePath);
   const varStore = createVariableStore(varDbPath, store);
@@ -583,20 +834,29 @@ Commands:
   refs <hash>                       List direct cas_ref edges
   walk <hash> [--format tree]       Recursive traversal
   hash <type-hash> <file.json>      Compute hash without storing (dry run)
+  render <hash> [options]           Render node as YAML with resolution decay
   cat <hash> [--payload]            Output node (--payload for payload only)
-  var create --scope <s> --value <h> [--tag <tag>...] Create a variable
-  var get <id>                      Get a variable by ID
-  var update <id> <hash>            Update variable value
-  var delete <id>                   Delete a variable
-  var tag <id> <tag>...             Add/update/delete tags and labels
-  var list [--scope <prefix>] [--tag <tag>...] List variables (filter by scope/tags/labels)
+  var set <name> <hash> [--tag <tag>...] Create/update a variable
+  var get <name> --schema <hash>    Get a variable by name + schema
+  var delete <name> [--schema <hash>] Delete variable(s)
+  var list [prefix] [--schema <hash>] [--tag <tag>...] List variables
+  var tag <name> --schema <hash> <operations...> Modify tags/labels
+  template set <schema-hash> <file> | --inline <text> Set template for schema
+  template get <schema-hash>        Get template content as raw text
+  template list                     List all templates
+  template delete <schema-hash>     Delete template for schema
   gc                                Run garbage collection
 
 Flags:
-  --store <path>   Store directory (default: ~/.uncaged/json-cas)
-  --var-db <path>  Variable database path (default: <store>/variables.db)
-  --json           Compact JSON output
-  --tag <tag>      Tag/label (can be repeated): key:value (tag), name (label), :name (delete)`);
+  --store <path>      Store directory (default: ~/.uncaged/json-cas)
+  --var-db <path>     Variable database path (default: <store>/variables.db)
+  --json              Compact JSON output
+  --schema <hash>     Schema hash filter for var get/delete/tag/list
+  --tag <tag>         Tag/label (can be repeated): key:value (tag), name (label), :name (delete)
+  --inline <text>     Inline text content for template set
+  --resolution <n>    Initial resolution for render (default: 1.0)
+  --decay <n>         Decay factor for render (default: 0.5)
+  --epsilon <n>       Cutoff threshold for render (default: 0.01)`);
 }
 
 // ---- Dispatch ----
@@ -666,6 +926,10 @@ switch (cmd) {
     await cmdHash(rest);
     break;
 
+  case "render":
+    await cmdRender(rest);
+    break;
+
   case "cat":
     await cmdCat(rest);
     break;
@@ -673,15 +937,12 @@ switch (cmd) {
   case "var": {
     const [sub, ...subRest] = rest;
     switch (sub) {
-      case "create":
-        await cmdVarCreate(subRest);
+      case "set":
+        await cmdVarSet(subRest);
         break;
       case "get":
         await cmdVarGet(subRest);
         break;
-      case "update":
-        await cmdVarUpdate(subRest);
-        break;
       case "delete":
         await cmdVarDelete(subRest);
         break;
@@ -697,6 +958,27 @@ switch (cmd) {
     break;
   }
 
+  case "template": {
+    const [sub, ...subRest] = rest;
+    switch (sub) {
+      case "set":
+        await cmdTemplateSet(subRest);
+        break;
+      case "get":
+        await cmdTemplateGet(subRest);
+        break;
+      case "list":
+        await cmdTemplateList(subRest);
+        break;
+      case "delete":
+        await cmdTemplateDelete(subRest);
+        break;
+      default:
+        die(`Unknown template subcommand: ${sub ?? "(none)"}`);
+    }
+    break;
+  }
+
   case "gc":
     await cmdGc(rest);
     break;

packages/cli-json-cas/src/template.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,648 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, test } from "bun:test";
+import { mkdirSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
+import { join } from "node:path";
+import type { Hash, Store } from "@uncaged/json-cas";
+import { bootstrap } from "@uncaged/json-cas";
+import { createFsStore } from "@uncaged/json-cas-fs";
+
+// ---- Test helpers ----
+
+let testDir: string;
+let storePath: string;
+let varDbPath: string;
+let cliPath: string;
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  // Create unique temp directory for each test
+  testDir = join(
+    tmpdir(),
+    `json-cas-test-${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2)}`,
+  );
+  storePath = join(testDir, "store");
+  varDbPath = join(testDir, "variables.db");
+  cliPath = join(import.meta.dir, "index.ts");
+
+  mkdirSync(testDir, { recursive: true });
+  mkdirSync(storePath, { recursive: true });
+});
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  // Clean up test directory
+  try {
+    rmSync(testDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  } catch {
+    // Ignore cleanup errors
+  }
+});
+
+/**
+ * Run CLI command and return stdout, stderr, and exit code
+ */
+async function runCli(...args: string[]): Promise<{
+  stdout: string;
+  stderr: string;
+  exitCode: number;
+}> {
+  const proc = Bun.spawn(
+    [
+      "bun",
+      "run",
+      cliPath,
+      "--store",
+      storePath,
+      "--var-db",
+      varDbPath,
+      ...args,
+    ],
+    {
+      stdout: "pipe",
+      stderr: "pipe",
+    },
+  );
+
+  const [stdout, stderr] = await Promise.all([
+    new Response(proc.stdout).text(),
+    new Response(proc.stderr).text(),
+  ]);
+
+  await proc.exited;
+
+  return {
+    stdout: stdout.trim(),
+    stderr: stderr.trim(),
+    exitCode: proc.exitCode ?? 0,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get bootstrap @string type hash
+ */
+async function getStringHash(store: Store): Promise<Hash> {
+  const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+  return builtinSchemas["@string"] ?? "";
+}
+
+// ---- Tests ----
+
+describe("template set", () => {
+  test("set template from file", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const templateFile = join(testDir, "template.txt");
+    writeFileSync(templateFile, "Hello {{name}}!");
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      templateFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output).toHaveProperty("contentHash");
+    expect(output.schemaHash).toBe(stringHash);
+  });
+
+  test("set template with --inline flag", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      "Inline template content",
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output).toHaveProperty("contentHash");
+    expect(output.schemaHash).toBe(stringHash);
+  });
+
+  test("update existing template (idempotent)", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const templateFile = join(testDir, "template.txt");
+    writeFileSync(templateFile, "Version 1");
+
+    // Set first time
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, templateFile);
+
+    // Update with new content
+    writeFileSync(templateFile, "Version 2");
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      templateFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output).toHaveProperty("contentHash");
+
+    // Verify we can get the new version
+    const { stdout: getOut } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+    expect(getOut).toBe("Version 2");
+  });
+
+  test("error when file not found", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "/nonexistent/file.txt",
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Error:");
+  });
+
+  test("error when schema hash invalid", async () => {
+    const templateFile = join(testDir, "template.txt");
+    writeFileSync(templateFile, "content");
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      "INVALID_HASH",
+      templateFile,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Error:");
+  });
+
+  test("error when both file and --inline provided", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const templateFile = join(testDir, "template.txt");
+    writeFileSync(templateFile, "content");
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      templateFile,
+      "--inline",
+      "inline content",
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Error:");
+  });
+
+  test("support multi-line templates", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const multilineContent = "Line 1\nLine 2\nLine 3";
+    const { exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      multilineContent,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    // Verify content
+    const { stdout: getOut } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+    expect(getOut).toBe(multilineContent);
+  });
+
+  test("support empty templates", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      "",
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output).toHaveProperty("contentHash");
+  });
+
+  test("error when neither file nor --inline provided", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "set", stringHash);
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Usage:");
+  });
+
+  test("support templates with special characters", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const specialContent = "Template with {{var}} and $env and @ref";
+    const { exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      specialContent,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    // Verify content preserved
+    const { stdout: getOut } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+    expect(getOut).toBe(specialContent);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("template get", () => {
+  test("retrieve template as raw text", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const content = "Hello {{name}}!";
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", content);
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "get",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+    expect(stdout).toBe(content);
+  });
+
+  test("error when template not found", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Error:");
+    expect(stderr).toContain("not found");
+  });
+
+  test("preserve exact whitespace", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Note: runCli helper trims stdout, so we test with content that doesn't have leading/trailing whitespace
+    // The actual CLI preserves whitespace correctly
+    const content = "spaces\n\ttabs\t\nmixed";
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", content);
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+
+    expect(stdout).toBe(content);
+  });
+
+  test("support multi-line templates", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Note: runCli helper trims stdout, so trailing newline will be removed
+    const multiline = "Line 1\nLine 2\nLine 3";
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", multiline);
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+
+    expect(stdout).toBe(multiline);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("template list", () => {
+  test("list all templates", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Create multiple templates
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template 1");
+    await runCli("template", "set", "SCHEMA_HASH_2", "--inline", "Template 2");
+
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(Array.isArray(output)).toBe(true);
+    expect(output.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+
+    // Check structure
+    const item = output[0];
+    expect(item).toHaveProperty("schemaHash");
+    expect(item).toHaveProperty("preview");
+  });
+
+  test("preview truncation for long content", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const longContent = "a".repeat(200);
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", longContent);
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout) as Array<{
+      schemaHash: string;
+      preview: string;
+    }>;
+    const item = output.find((i) => i.schemaHash === stringHash);
+    expect(item).toBeDefined();
+    if (item) {
+      expect(item.preview.length).toBeLessThan(longContent.length);
+      expect(item.preview).toContain("...");
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("empty list when no templates", async () => {
+    const { stdout, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(Array.isArray(output)).toBe(true);
+    expect(output.length).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  test("exclude non-template variables", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Create a template
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template");
+
+    // Create a regular variable (not under @ucas/template/text/)
+    const hash = await store.put(stringHash, "regular var content");
+    await runCli("var", "set", "regular/var", hash);
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    // Should only contain template variables
+    for (const item of output) {
+      expect(item.schemaHash).toBeDefined();
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("output JSON array format", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Test");
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    // Should be valid JSON
+    expect(() => JSON.parse(stdout)).not.toThrow();
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(Array.isArray(output)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test("preview shows beginning of content", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const content = "Start of template...";
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", content);
+
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout) as Array<{
+      schemaHash: string;
+      preview: string;
+    }>;
+    const item = output.find((i) => i.schemaHash === stringHash);
+    if (item) {
+      expect(item.preview).toContain("Start");
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("template delete", () => {
+  test("delete template variable binding", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template");
+
+    const { stdout, stderr, exitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "delete",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(stderr).toBe("");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output).toHaveProperty("deleted");
+    expect(output.deleted).toBe(true);
+
+    // Verify template is gone
+    const { exitCode: getExitCode } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "get",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+    expect(getExitCode).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  test("error when template not found", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "delete", stringHash);
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Error:");
+    expect(stderr).toContain("not found");
+  });
+
+  test("deletion does not affect other templates", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Create two templates
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template 1");
+    await runCli("template", "set", "SCHEMA_HASH_2", "--inline", "Template 2");
+
+    // Delete first template
+    await runCli("template", "delete", stringHash);
+
+    // Verify second still exists
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout) as Array<{
+      schemaHash: string;
+      preview: string;
+    }>;
+
+    // Should not find deleted template
+    const deleted = output.find((i) => i.schemaHash === stringHash);
+    expect(deleted).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  test("CAS content remains after variable deletion", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Content");
+
+    // Get the content hash before deletion
+    const { stdout: setOut } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      "Content",
+    );
+    const { contentHash } = JSON.parse(setOut);
+
+    // Delete the template variable
+    await runCli("template", "delete", stringHash);
+
+    // Verify CAS node still exists
+    const { exitCode: hasExitCode } = await runCli("has", contentHash);
+    expect(hasExitCode).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  test("deletion is non-idempotent (second delete fails)", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template");
+
+    // First deletion succeeds
+    const { exitCode: firstExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "delete",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+    expect(firstExit).toBe(0);
+
+    // Second deletion fails
+    const { exitCode: secondExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "delete",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+    expect(secondExit).toBe(1);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("template integration", () => {
+  test("end-to-end workflow: set→get→list→delete", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    const content = "Integration test template";
+
+    // Set
+    const { exitCode: setExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "set",
+      stringHash,
+      "--inline",
+      content,
+    );
+    expect(setExit).toBe(0);
+
+    // Get
+    const { stdout: getOut, exitCode: getExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "get",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+    expect(getExit).toBe(0);
+    expect(getOut).toBe(content);
+
+    // List
+    const { stdout: listOut, exitCode: listExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "list",
+    );
+    expect(listExit).toBe(0);
+    const listData = JSON.parse(listOut);
+    expect(listData.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+
+    // Delete
+    const { exitCode: delExit } = await runCli(
+      "template",
+      "delete",
+      stringHash,
+    );
+    expect(delExit).toBe(0);
+
+    // Verify deleted
+    const { exitCode: finalGet } = await runCli("template", "get", stringHash);
+    expect(finalGet).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  test("templates compatible with generic var commands", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Set via template command
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Content");
+
+    // List via var command - should see template variable
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("var", "list", "@ucas/template/text/");
+
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output.value.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  test("multiple templates for different schemas", async () => {
+    const store = createFsStore(storePath);
+    const stringHash = await getStringHash(store);
+
+    // Create templates for different schemas
+    await runCli("template", "set", stringHash, "--inline", "Template 1");
+    await runCli("template", "set", "SCHEMA_HASH_2", "--inline", "Template 2");
+    await runCli("template", "set", "SCHEMA_HASH_3", "--inline", "Template 3");
+
+    // List should show all
+    const { stdout } = await runCli("template", "list");
+    const output = JSON.parse(stdout);
+    expect(output.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("template error handling", () => {
+  test("unknown template subcommand", async () => {
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "unknown");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Unknown");
+  });
+
+  test("missing schema hash argument", async () => {
+    const { stderr, exitCode } = await runCli("template", "set");
+
+    expect(exitCode).toBe(1);
+    expect(stderr).toContain("Usage:");
+  });
+});

packages/json-cas-fs/src/store.test.ts

@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ describe("createFsStore – init and bootstrap", () => {
 
   test("bootstrap returns a valid 13-char self-referencing hash", async () => {
     const store = createFsStore(dir);
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const hash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     expect(hash).toHaveLength(13);
     expect(hash).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
@@ -57,8 +58,8 @@ describe("createFsStore – init and bootstrap", () => {
     const h1 = await bootstrap(store);
     const h2 = await bootstrap(store);
 
-    expect(h1).toBe(h2);
-    expect(store.listByType(h1)).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(h1).toEqual(h2);
+    expect(store.listByType(h1["@schema"] ?? "")).toHaveLength(6);
   });
 });
 
@@ -104,7 +105,8 @@ describe("createFsStore – persistence round-trip", () => {
 
   test("bootstrap survives round-trip: self-referencing node reloads correctly", async () => {
     const store1 = createFsStore(dir);
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const hash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     const store2 = createFsStore(dir);
     const node = store2.get(hash) as CasNode;
@@ -251,10 +253,11 @@ describe("createFsStore – listByType", () => {
 
   test("bootstrap node is listed under its self type after reload", async () => {
     const store1 = createFsStore(dir);
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const hash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     const store2 = createFsStore(dir);
-    expect(store2.listByType(hash)).toEqual([hash]);
+    expect(store2.listByType(hash)).toContain(hash);
   });
 });
 
@@ -284,7 +287,8 @@ describe("createFsStore – verify on disk-loaded nodes", () => {
 
   test("verify passes on a disk-loaded bootstrap node", async () => {
     const store1 = createFsStore(dir);
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store1);
+    const hash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     const store2 = createFsStore(dir);
     const node = store2.get(hash) as CasNode;

packages/json-cas/package.json

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "ajv": "^8.20.0",
     "cborg": "^4.2.3",
+    "liquidjs": "^10.27.0",
     "xxhash-wasm": "^1.1.0"
   }
 }

packages/json-cas/src/bootstrap.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from "bun:test";
+import { bootstrap } from "./bootstrap.js";
+import { getSchema } from "./schema.js";
+import { createMemoryStore } from "./store.js";
+
+// ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+// Built-in Schema Registration Tests
+// ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("bootstrap - Built-in Schemas", () => {
+  test("should return map of built-in schema aliases to hashes", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    // Should return object with 6 aliases
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@schema");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@string");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@number");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@object");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@array");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@bool");
+
+    // All values should be valid hashes
+    for (const [_alias, hash] of Object.entries(builtinSchemas)) {
+      expect(typeof hash).toBe("string");
+      expect(hash).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("should register @schema as meta-schema alias", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+    if (!metaHash) throw new Error("@schema not found");
+
+    const metaSchema = getSchema(store, metaHash);
+    expect(metaSchema).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(metaSchema?.type).toBe("object");
+    expect(metaSchema?.description).toBe("json-cas JSON Schema meta-schema");
+  });
+
+  test("should register @string schema correctly", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const stringHash = builtinSchemas["@string"];
+    if (!stringHash) throw new Error("@string not found");
+
+    const stringSchema = getSchema(store, stringHash);
+    expect(stringSchema).toEqual({ type: "string" });
+  });
+
+  test("should register @number schema correctly", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const numberHash = builtinSchemas["@number"];
+    if (!numberHash) throw new Error("@number not found");
+
+    const numberSchema = getSchema(store, numberHash);
+    expect(numberSchema).toEqual({ type: "number" });
+  });
+
+  test("should register @object schema correctly", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const objectHash = builtinSchemas["@object"];
+    if (!objectHash) throw new Error("@object not found");
+
+    const objectSchema = getSchema(store, objectHash);
+    expect(objectSchema).toEqual({ type: "object" });
+  });
+
+  test("should register @array schema correctly", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const arrayHash = builtinSchemas["@array"];
+    if (!arrayHash) throw new Error("@array not found");
+
+    const arraySchema = getSchema(store, arrayHash);
+    expect(arraySchema).toEqual({ type: "array" });
+  });
+
+  test("should register @bool schema correctly", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const boolHash = builtinSchemas["@bool"];
+    if (!boolHash) throw new Error("@bool not found");
+
+    const boolSchema = getSchema(store, boolHash);
+    expect(boolSchema).toEqual({ type: "boolean" });
+  });
+
+  test("should return same hashes on repeated bootstrap calls", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const first = await bootstrap(store);
+    const second = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    expect(first).toEqual(second);
+
+    // Verify each alias points to same hash
+    expect(first["@string"]).toBe(second["@string"]);
+    expect(first["@number"]).toBe(second["@number"]);
+    expect(first["@object"]).toBe(second["@object"]);
+    expect(first["@array"]).toBe(second["@array"]);
+    expect(first["@bool"]).toBe(second["@bool"]);
+    expect(first["@schema"]).toBe(second["@schema"]);
+  });
+
+  test("all built-in schemas should be typed by meta-schema", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+    if (!metaHash) throw new Error("@schema not found");
+
+    for (const [alias, hash] of Object.entries(builtinSchemas)) {
+      if (alias === "@schema") continue; // meta-schema is self-typed
+
+      const node = store.get(hash);
+      expect(node).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(node?.type).toBe(metaHash);
+    }
+  });
+});

packages/json-cas/src/bootstrap.ts

@@ -64,13 +64,32 @@ const BOOTSTRAP_PAYLOAD = {
 } as const;
 
 /**
- * Write the meta-schema seed node into the store.
- * The returned hash equals the node's own type field (self-referencing).
- * Idempotent: calling bootstrap multiple times returns the same hash.
+ * Write the meta-schema seed node into the store and register built-in schemas.
+ * The returned object contains aliases for the meta-schema and 5 primitive schemas.
+ * Idempotent: calling bootstrap multiple times returns the same hashes.
  */
-export async function bootstrap(store: Store): Promise<Hash> {
+export async function bootstrap(store: Store): Promise<Record<string, Hash>> {
   if (!isBootstrapCapableStore(store)) {
     throw new Error("Store does not support bootstrap");
   }
-  return store[BOOTSTRAP_STORE](BOOTSTRAP_PAYLOAD);
+
+  // 1. Bootstrap the meta-schema (self-referential)
+  const metaHash = await store[BOOTSTRAP_STORE](BOOTSTRAP_PAYLOAD);
+
+  // 2. Register built-in primitive schemas directly (without putSchema to avoid recursion)
+  const stringHash = await store.put(metaHash, { type: "string" });
+  const numberHash = await store.put(metaHash, { type: "number" });
+  const objectHash = await store.put(metaHash, { type: "object" });
+  const arrayHash = await store.put(metaHash, { type: "array" });
+  const boolHash = await store.put(metaHash, { type: "boolean" });
+
+  // 3. Return map of aliases to hashes
+  return {
+    "@schema": metaHash,
+    "@string": stringHash,
+    "@number": numberHash,
+    "@object": objectHash,
+    "@array": arrayHash,
+    "@bool": boolHash,
+  };
 }

packages/json-cas/src/index.test.ts

@@ -197,9 +197,17 @@ describe("createMemoryStore – listByType", () => {
 
   test("bootstrap node is listed under its self type", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const hash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
-    expect(store.listByType(hash)).toEqual([hash]);
+    // All built-in schemas should be typed by the meta-schema
+    const allTypedByMeta = store.listByType(hash);
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(hash); // meta-schema itself
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(builtinSchemas["@string"] ?? "");
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(builtinSchemas["@number"] ?? "");
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(builtinSchemas["@object"] ?? "");
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(builtinSchemas["@array"] ?? "");
+    expect(allTypedByMeta).toContain(builtinSchemas["@bool"] ?? "");
   });
 });
 
@@ -256,44 +264,59 @@ describe("bootstrap", () => {
     );
   });
 
-  test("returns a valid 13-char hash", async () => {
+  test("returns a map with 6 built-in schema aliases", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
-    expect(hash).toHaveLength(13);
-    expect(hash).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@schema");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@string");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@number");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@object");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@array");
+    expect(builtinSchemas).toHaveProperty("@bool");
+
+    // All values should be valid hashes
+    for (const hash of Object.values(builtinSchemas)) {
+      expect(hash).toHaveLength(13);
+      expect(hash).toMatch(/^[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}$/);
+    }
   });
 
-  test("node is stored and retrievable", async () => {
+  test("meta-schema node is stored and retrievable", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
-    expect(store.has(hash)).toBe(true);
-    const node = store.get(hash);
+    expect(store.has(metaHash)).toBe(true);
+    const node = store.get(metaHash);
     expect(node).not.toBeNull();
   });
 
-  test("node is self-referencing: type === hash", async () => {
+  test("meta-schema node is self-referencing: type === hash", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
-    const node = store.get(hash) as CasNode;
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
+    const node = store.get(metaHash) as CasNode;
 
-    expect(node.type).toBe(hash);
+    expect(node.type).toBe(metaHash);
   });
 
   test("bootstrap node passes verify()", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const hash = await bootstrap(store);
-    const node = store.get(hash) as CasNode;
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
+    const node = store.get(metaHash) as CasNode;
 
-    expect(await verify(hash, node)).toBe(true);
+    expect(await verify(metaHash, node)).toBe(true);
   });
 
-  test("bootstrap is idempotent: same hash on repeated calls", async () => {
+  test("bootstrap is idempotent: same hashes on repeated calls", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
     const h1 = await bootstrap(store);
     const h2 = await bootstrap(store);
 
-    expect(h1).toBe(h2);
-    expect(store.listByType(h1)).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(h1).toEqual(h2);
+    // All 6 built-in schemas should be typed by the meta-schema
+    expect(store.listByType(h1["@schema"] ?? "")).toHaveLength(6);
   });
 });

packages/json-cas/src/index.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ export { BOOTSTRAP_STORE } from "./bootstrap-capable.js";
 export { cborEncode } from "./cbor.js";
 export { type GcStats, gc } from "./gc.js";
 export { computeHash, computeSelfHash } from "./hash.js";
+export { renderWithTemplate } from "./liquid-render.js";
+export { type RenderOptions, render, renderAsync } from "./render.js";
 export type { JSONSchema } from "./schema.js";
 export {
   getSchema,

packages/json-cas/src/liquid-render.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,293 @@
+import { type Context, Liquid, type TagToken } from "liquidjs";
+import { putSchema } from "./schema.js";
+import type { Hash, Store } from "./types.js";
+import type { VariableStore } from "./variable-store.js";
+
+export type RenderOptions = {
+  resolution?: number; // (0, 1], default 1.0
+  decay?: number; // (0, 1], default 0.5
+  epsilon?: number; // >= 0, default 0.01
+};
+
+const DEFAULT_RESOLUTION = 1.0;
+const DEFAULT_DECAY = 0.5;
+const DEFAULT_EPSILON = 0.01;
+const FLOAT_TOLERANCE = 1e-10;
+
+/**
+ * Render a CAS node using LiquidJS templates with resolution-based decay.
+ * Templates are discovered via variables: @ucas/template/text/<type-hash>
+ */
+export async function renderWithTemplate(
+  store: Store,
+  varStore: VariableStore,
+  hash: Hash,
+  options?: RenderOptions,
+): Promise<string> {
+  const resolution = options?.resolution ?? DEFAULT_RESOLUTION;
+  const decay = options?.decay ?? DEFAULT_DECAY;
+  const epsilon = options?.epsilon ?? DEFAULT_EPSILON;
+
+  // Validate parameters
+  if (resolution < 0 || resolution > 1) {
+    throw new Error("resolution must be in [0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (decay <= 0 || decay > 1) {
+    throw new Error("decay must be in (0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (epsilon < 0) {
+    throw new Error("epsilon must be >= 0");
+  }
+
+  const visited = new Set<Hash>();
+
+  // Create Liquid engine
+  const engine = createLiquidEngine(store, varStore, decay);
+
+  return await renderNode(
+    engine,
+    store,
+    varStore,
+    hash,
+    resolution,
+    decay,
+    epsilon,
+    visited,
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a Liquid engine instance with custom render tag
+ */
+function createLiquidEngine(
+  store: Store,
+  varStore: VariableStore,
+  globalDecay: number,
+): Liquid {
+  const engine = new Liquid({
+    strictFilters: false,
+    strictVariables: false,
+  });
+
+  // Type for storing parsed tag data
+  type RenderTagState = {
+    variable: string;
+    decay: number | undefined;
+  };
+
+  // Register custom {% render %} tag
+  // Capture store, varStore, globalDecay in closure
+  engine.registerTag("render", {
+    parse(token: TagToken) {
+      // Parse "variable" or "variable, decay: 0.7" syntax
+      const args = token.args.trim();
+      const match = args.match(/^(\S+)(?:,\s*decay:\s*([\d.]+))?$/);
+
+      if (!match) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Invalid render tag syntax: ${args}. Expected: {% render variable %} or {% render variable, decay: 0.7 %}`,
+        );
+      }
+
+      // Store parsed values on the tag instance
+      const state = this as unknown as RenderTagState;
+      state.variable = match[1] as string;
+      state.decay = match[2] ? Number.parseFloat(match[2]) : undefined;
+
+      // Validate decay if provided
+      if (state.decay !== undefined) {
+        if (state.decay <= 0 || state.decay > 1) {
+          throw new Error("decay must be in (0, 1]");
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    async render(ctxLiquid: Context) {
+      // Access parsed values
+      const state = this as unknown as RenderTagState;
+      const variable = state.variable;
+      const explicitDecay = state.decay;
+
+      // Resolve the variable to a hash (split on dots for nested paths)
+      const variablePath = variable.split(".");
+      const value = ctxLiquid.get(variablePath);
+
+      // Handle null/undefined - render as empty
+      if (value === null || value === undefined) {
+        return "";
+      }
+
+      // Handle non-string values - render as empty
+      if (typeof value !== "string") {
+        return "";
+      }
+
+      const nodeHash = value as Hash;
+
+      // Get current render context
+      const currentResolution = ctxLiquid.get(["resolution"]) as number;
+      const currentEpsilon = ctxLiquid.get(["epsilon"]) as number;
+
+      // Compute child resolution using decay priority:
+      // 1. Template explicit decay (explicitDecay)
+      // 2. Global decay (from CLI/options)
+      // 3. Engine default (0.5)
+      const effectiveDecay =
+        explicitDecay !== undefined
+          ? explicitDecay
+          : (globalDecay ?? DEFAULT_DECAY);
+      const childResolution = currentResolution * effectiveDecay;
+
+      // Recursively render the referenced node
+      const visited = ctxLiquid.get(["__visited"]) as Set<Hash>;
+      const output = await renderNode(
+        engine,
+        store,
+        varStore,
+        nodeHash,
+        childResolution,
+        globalDecay,
+        currentEpsilon,
+        visited,
+      );
+
+      return output;
+    },
+  });
+
+  return engine;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Render a single node with template or fallback to cas: reference
+ */
+async function renderNode(
+  engine: Liquid,
+  store: Store,
+  varStore: VariableStore,
+  hash: Hash,
+  currentResolution: number,
+  _globalDecay: number,
+  epsilon: number,
+  visited: Set<Hash>,
+): Promise<string> {
+  // Check if resolution is below threshold
+  if (currentResolution < epsilon + FLOAT_TOLERANCE) {
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+
+  // Fetch the node
+  const node = store.get(hash);
+  if (node === null) {
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+
+  // Cycle detection
+  if (visited.has(hash)) {
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+  visited.add(hash);
+
+  try {
+    // Try to find a template for this node's type
+    const template = await findTemplate(store, varStore, node.type);
+
+    if (template === null) {
+      // No template found - this is handled by the caller (fallback to YAML)
+      // For now, return a simple representation
+      visited.delete(hash);
+      return renderFallback(store, node.payload);
+    }
+
+    // Render using the template
+    const context = {
+      resolution: currentResolution,
+      epsilon,
+      hash,
+      payload: node.payload,
+      type: node.type,
+      timestamp: node.timestamp,
+      __visited: visited, // Pass visited set through context
+    };
+
+    const output = await engine.parseAndRender(template, context);
+
+    visited.delete(hash);
+    return output;
+  } catch (error) {
+    visited.delete(hash);
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Find a template for a given type hash
+ */
+async function findTemplate(
+  store: Store,
+  varStore: VariableStore,
+  typeHash: Hash,
+): Promise<string | null> {
+  const varName = `@ucas/template/text/${typeHash}`;
+
+  try {
+    // Find the string schema hash (we need this to query variables)
+    const stringSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+
+    const variable = varStore.get(varName, stringSchema);
+    if (variable === null) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const templateNode = store.get(variable.value);
+    if (templateNode === null) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    // Template should be a string
+    if (typeof templateNode.payload !== "string") {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    return templateNode.payload;
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fallback renderer for nodes without templates
+ */
+function renderFallback(_store: Store, payload: unknown): string {
+  // Simple YAML-like representation
+  if (payload === null) {
+    return "null\n";
+  }
+
+  if (typeof payload === "string") {
+    return `${payload}\n`;
+  }
+
+  if (typeof payload === "number" || typeof payload === "boolean") {
+    return `${payload}\n`;
+  }
+
+  if (Array.isArray(payload)) {
+    if (payload.length === 0) {
+      return "[]\n";
+    }
+    return `- ${payload.join("\n- ")}\n`;
+  }
+
+  if (typeof payload === "object") {
+    const obj = payload as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const keys = Object.keys(obj);
+    if (keys.length === 0) {
+      return "{}\n";
+    }
+    const pairs = keys.map((key) => `${key}: ${obj[key]}`);
+    return `${pairs.join("\n")}\n`;
+  }
+
+  return "null\n";
+}

packages/json-cas/src/render.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,935 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from "bun:test";
+import { bootstrap } from "./bootstrap.js";
+import { render } from "./render.js";
+import { putSchema } from "./schema.js";
+import { createMemoryStore } from "./store.js";
+import type { Hash } from "./types.js";
+
+describe("Suite 1: Basic Rendering (No Nesting)", () => {
+  test("1.1 Render Simple Primitives", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, "hello");
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, { resolution: 1.0 });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("hello");
+    expect(output.trim()).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  test("1.2 Render Object Node (Flat)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const objSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+        count: { type: "number" },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(objSchema, { name: "test", count: 42 });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, { resolution: 1.0 });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("name");
+    expect(output).toContain("test");
+    expect(output).toContain("count");
+    expect(output).toContain("42");
+  });
+
+  test("1.3 Render Array Node (Flat)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const arraySchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "array",
+      items: { type: "number" },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(arraySchema, [1, 2, 3]);
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, { resolution: 1.0 });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("1");
+    expect(output).toContain("2");
+    expect(output).toContain("3");
+  });
+
+  test("1.4 Render with resolution=0 (Force Reference)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, "hello");
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, { resolution: 0 });
+
+    expect(output.trim()).toBe(`cas:${hash}`);
+  });
+
+  test("1.5 Render Non-existent Hash", () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const fakeHash = "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" as Hash;
+
+    // Non-existent node renders as cas: reference
+    const output = render(store, fakeHash);
+    expect(output.trim()).toBe(`cas:${fakeHash}`);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 2: Resolution Decay Model", () => {
+  test("2.1 Single-level Nesting with Default Decay", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const childSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        content: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const childHash = await store.put(childSchema, { content: "leaf" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        title: { type: "string" },
+        child: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, {
+      title: "root",
+      child: childHash,
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("title");
+    expect(output).toContain("root");
+    expect(output).toContain("content");
+    expect(output).toContain("leaf");
+  });
+
+  test("2.2 Multi-level Nesting Reaches Epsilon", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const leafSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "number" },
+        next: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 8-level chain
+    let currentHash: Hash | null = null;
+    for (let i = 7; i >= 0; i--) {
+      currentHash = await store.put(leafSchema, {
+        value: i,
+        next: currentHash,
+      });
+    }
+
+    const output = render(store, currentHash as Hash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    // At depth 7: resolution = 0.5^7 = 0.0078125 <= 0.01
+    expect(output).toContain("value");
+    expect(output).toContain("0"); // root level
+    // Should contain cas: reference at deep level
+    expect(output).toMatch(/cas:[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}/);
+  });
+
+  test("2.3 High Decay (Quick Cutoff)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        level: { type: "number" },
+        child: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 3-level nested structure
+    const level2Hash = await store.put(nodeSchema, { level: 2, child: null });
+    const level1Hash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+      level: 1,
+      child: level2Hash,
+    });
+    const rootHash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+      level: 0,
+      child: level1Hash,
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, rootHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.1,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("level");
+    expect(output).toContain("0"); // root
+    expect(output).toContain("1"); // level 1 (0.1 > 0.01)
+    // Level 2 should be reference (0.01 <= 0.01)
+    expect(output).toMatch(/cas:[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}/);
+  });
+
+  test("2.4 Low Decay (Deep Expansion)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        level: { type: "number" },
+        next: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 10-level chain
+    let currentHash: Hash | null = null;
+    for (let i = 9; i >= 0; i--) {
+      currentHash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+        level: i,
+        next: currentHash,
+      });
+    }
+
+    const output = render(store, currentHash as Hash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.9,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    // All 10 levels should be expanded (0.9^10 ≈ 0.349 > 0.01)
+    for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
+      expect(output).toContain(`${i}`);
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("2.5 Starting Resolution Below 1.0", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        level: { type: "number" },
+        next: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 5-level chain
+    let currentHash: Hash | null = null;
+    for (let i = 4; i >= 0; i--) {
+      currentHash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+        level: i,
+        next: currentHash,
+      });
+    }
+
+    const output = render(store, currentHash as Hash, {
+      resolution: 0.5,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    // resolution sequence: 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625, 0.03125 (all > 0.01)
+    expect(output).toContain("0");
+    expect(output).toContain("1");
+    expect(output).toContain("2");
+    expect(output).toContain("3");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 3: Complex Graph Structures", () => {
+  test("3.1 Multiple Child References", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const itemSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const item1 = await store.put(itemSchema, { name: "item1" });
+    const item2 = await store.put(itemSchema, { name: "item2" });
+    const item3 = await store.put(itemSchema, { name: "item3" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        items: {
+          type: "array",
+          items: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, {
+      items: [item1, item2, item3],
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("item1");
+    expect(output).toContain("item2");
+    expect(output).toContain("item3");
+  });
+
+  test("3.2 Object with Multiple cas_ref Fields", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const childSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const leftHash = await store.put(childSchema, { value: "left" });
+    const rightHash = await store.put(childSchema, { value: "right" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        left: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+        right: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+        data: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, {
+      left: leftHash,
+      right: rightHash,
+      data: "node",
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("left");
+    expect(output).toContain("right");
+    expect(output).toContain("node");
+  });
+
+  test("3.3 Cycle Detection", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+        ref: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const hashA = await store.put(nodeSchema, { name: "A", ref: null });
+    const hashB = await store.put(nodeSchema, { name: "B", ref: hashA });
+
+    // Manually update A to reference B (simulate cycle)
+    // Note: In practice, this requires store manipulation
+    // For this test, we'll create a simpler case
+
+    const output = render(store, hashB, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    // Should not infinite loop
+    expect(output).toContain("B");
+    expect(output).toContain("A");
+  });
+
+  test("3.4 DAG (Shared Descendant)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const leafSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const sharedLeaf = await store.put(leafSchema, { value: "shared" });
+
+    const branchSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+        child: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const branchA = await store.put(branchSchema, {
+      name: "A",
+      child: sharedLeaf,
+    });
+    const branchB = await store.put(branchSchema, {
+      name: "B",
+      child: sharedLeaf,
+    });
+
+    const rootSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        left: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+        right: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const rootHash = await store.put(rootSchema, {
+      left: branchA,
+      right: branchB,
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, rootHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("A");
+    expect(output).toContain("B");
+    expect(output).toContain("shared");
+  });
+
+  test("3.5 Deep Tree", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "number" },
+        left: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+        right: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create binary tree (just 5 levels for test speed)
+    async function createTree(depth: number, value: number): Promise<Hash> {
+      if (depth === 0) {
+        return store.put(nodeSchema, { value, left: null, right: null });
+      }
+      const left = await createTree(depth - 1, value * 2);
+      const right = await createTree(depth - 1, value * 2 + 1);
+      return store.put(nodeSchema, { value, left, right });
+    }
+
+    const rootHash = await createTree(5, 1);
+
+    const output = render(store, rootHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    // Should complete without error
+    expect(output).toContain("value");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 4: Epsilon Boundary Cases", () => {
+  test("4.1 Resolution Exactly at Epsilon", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, "test");
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, {
+      resolution: 0.01,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output.trim()).toBe(`cas:${hash}`);
+  });
+
+  test("4.2 Resolution Just Above Epsilon", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, "test");
+
+    const output = render(store, hash, {
+      resolution: 0.0100001,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("test");
+    expect(output).not.toContain("cas:");
+  });
+
+  test("4.3 Very Small Epsilon (Deep Expansion)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        level: { type: "number" },
+        next: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 15-level chain
+    let currentHash: Hash | null = null;
+    for (let i = 14; i >= 0; i--) {
+      currentHash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+        level: i,
+        next: currentHash,
+      });
+    }
+
+    const output = render(store, currentHash as Hash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.000001,
+    });
+
+    // Many levels should be expanded
+    expect(output).toContain("0");
+    expect(output).toContain("5");
+    expect(output).toContain("10");
+  });
+
+  test("4.4 Zero Epsilon (Never Prune)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const nodeSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        level: { type: "number" },
+        next: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Create 20-level chain
+    let currentHash: Hash | null = null;
+    for (let i = 19; i >= 0; i--) {
+      currentHash = await store.put(nodeSchema, {
+        level: i,
+        next: currentHash,
+      });
+    }
+
+    const output = render(store, currentHash as Hash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0,
+    });
+
+    // All levels should be present
+    expect(output).toContain("0");
+    expect(output).toContain("10");
+    expect(output).toContain("19");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 5: YAML Output Format", () => {
+  test("5.1 Valid YAML Syntax", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const objSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+        count: { type: "number" },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(objSchema, { name: "test", count: 42 });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    // Basic YAML validation - should have key: value pairs
+    expect(output).toMatch(/\w+:/);
+  });
+
+  test("5.2 Nested Object Indentation", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const nestedSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        outer: {
+          type: "object",
+          properties: {
+            inner: { type: "string" },
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(nestedSchema, {
+      outer: { inner: "value" },
+    });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    // Should have proper indentation (2 spaces)
+    expect(output).toContain("outer");
+    expect(output).toContain("inner");
+    expect(output).toContain("value");
+  });
+
+  test("5.3 Array Rendering", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const arraySchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "array",
+      items: { type: "number" },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(arraySchema, [1, 2, 3]);
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    // YAML array format
+    expect(output).toMatch(/[-[].*[1-3]/);
+  });
+
+  test("5.4 CAS Reference in YAML", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const childSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const childHash = await store.put(childSchema, { value: "child" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        child: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, { child: childHash });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.1,
+      epsilon: 0.5,
+    });
+
+    // Child should be rendered as cas: reference
+    expect(output).toMatch(/cas:[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}/);
+  });
+
+  test("5.5 Special Characters Escaping", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, "line1\nline2: value");
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    // Should handle newlines and colons
+    expect(output).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  test("5.6 Null Handling", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const nullableSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        ref: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(nullableSchema, { ref: null });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    expect(output).toContain("null");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 6: Schema Integration", () => {
+  test("6.1 Detect cas_ref Fields via Schema", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const childSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const childHash = await store.put(childSchema, { value: "child" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        link: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, { link: childHash });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("child");
+  });
+
+  test("6.2 Non-cas_ref String Not Expanded", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const objSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(objSchema, { name: "ABC123XYZ9012" });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    // Should be plain string, not expanded
+    expect(output).toContain("ABC123XYZ9012");
+    expect(output).not.toMatch(/cas:[0-9A-HJKMNP-TV-Z]{13}/);
+  });
+
+  test("6.3 Array of cas_ref", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const itemSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        name: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const item1 = await store.put(itemSchema, { name: "item1" });
+    const item2 = await store.put(itemSchema, { name: "item2" });
+
+    const arraySchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "array",
+      items: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+    });
+    const arrayHash = await store.put(arraySchema, [item1, item2]);
+
+    const output = render(store, arrayHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("item1");
+    expect(output).toContain("item2");
+  });
+
+  test("6.4 anyOf with cas_ref (Nullable Reference)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const childSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const childHash = await store.put(childSchema, { value: "child" });
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        ref: {
+          anyOf: [{ type: "string", format: "cas_ref" }, { type: "null" }],
+        },
+      },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, { ref: childHash });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toContain("child");
+  });
+
+  test("6.5 Schema-less Node (Bootstrap Node)", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const output = render(store, metaHash);
+
+    // Should render without recursive expansion
+    expect(output).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 7: Error Handling", () => {
+  test("7.1 Missing Referenced Node", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        child: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+      },
+    });
+    const fakeChildHash = "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" as Hash;
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, { child: fakeChildHash });
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash);
+
+    // Should render missing ref as cas:<hash>
+    expect(output).toContain(`cas:${fakeChildHash}`);
+  });
+
+  test("7.3 Invalid Resolution Parameter", () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const fakeHash = "AAAAAAAAAAAAA" as Hash;
+
+    expect(() => render(store, fakeHash, { resolution: -1 })).toThrow();
+  });
+
+  test("7.4 Invalid Decay Parameter", () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const fakeHash = "AAAAAAAAAAAAA" as Hash;
+
+    expect(() => render(store, fakeHash, { decay: 1.5 })).toThrow();
+  });
+
+  test("7.5 Invalid Epsilon Parameter", () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    const fakeHash = "AAAAAAAAAAAAA" as Hash;
+
+    expect(() => render(store, fakeHash, { epsilon: -0.01 })).toThrow();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Suite 8: Performance & Edge Cases", () => {
+  test("8.1 Large Payload", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const arraySchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "array",
+      items: {
+        type: "object",
+        properties: {
+          id: { type: "number" },
+          name: { type: "string" },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const largeArray = Array.from({ length: 1000 }, (_, i) => ({
+      id: i,
+      name: `item${i}`,
+    }));
+    const hash = await store.put(arraySchema, largeArray);
+
+    const start = Date.now();
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+    const elapsed = Date.now() - start;
+
+    expect(elapsed).toBeLessThan(5000);
+    expect(output).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  test("8.2 Wide Fan-out", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+
+    const itemSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        value: { type: "number" },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const children: Hash[] = [];
+    for (let i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
+      const hash = await store.put(itemSchema, { value: i });
+      children.push(hash);
+    }
+
+    const parentSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "array",
+      items: { type: "string", format: "cas_ref" },
+    });
+    const parentHash = await store.put(parentSchema, children);
+
+    const output = render(store, parentHash, {
+      resolution: 1.0,
+      decay: 0.5,
+      epsilon: 0.01,
+    });
+
+    expect(output).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  test("8.3 Empty Payload", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const emptySchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "object" });
+    const hash = await store.put(emptySchema, {});
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    expect(output.trim()).toMatch(/\{\}/);
+  });
+
+  test("8.4 Unicode in Payload", async () => {
+    const store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const textSchema = await putSchema(store, {
+      type: "object",
+      properties: {
+        text: { type: "string" },
+      },
+    });
+    const hash = await store.put(textSchema, { text: "你好世界 🌍" });
+
+    const output = render(store, hash);
+
+    expect(output).toContain("你好世界");
+    expect(output).toContain("🌍");
+  });
+});

packages/json-cas/src/render.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+import { renderWithTemplate } from "./liquid-render.js";
+import { putSchema, refs } from "./schema.js";
+import type { Hash, Store } from "./types.js";
+import type { VariableStore } from "./variable-store.js";
+
+export type RenderOptions = {
+  resolution?: number; // (0, 1], default 1.0
+  decay?: number; // (0, 1], default 0.5
+  epsilon?: number; // >= 0, default 0.01
+  varStore?: VariableStore; // Optional: for template lookup
+};
+
+const DEFAULT_RESOLUTION = 1.0;
+const DEFAULT_DECAY = 0.5;
+const DEFAULT_EPSILON = 0.01;
+// Small tolerance for floating point comparison
+const FLOAT_TOLERANCE = 1e-10;
+
+/**
+ * Render a CAS node as YAML with resolution-based decay.
+ * When resolution ≤ epsilon, nodes are rendered as opaque `cas:<hash>` references.
+ * This is the synchronous version without template support.
+ * For template support, use renderAsync() with varStore.
+ */
+export function render(
+  store: Store,
+  hash: Hash,
+  options?: RenderOptions,
+): string {
+  const resolution = options?.resolution ?? DEFAULT_RESOLUTION;
+  const decay = options?.decay ?? DEFAULT_DECAY;
+  const epsilon = options?.epsilon ?? DEFAULT_EPSILON;
+
+  // Validate parameters
+  if (resolution < 0 || resolution > 1) {
+    throw new Error("resolution must be in [0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (decay <= 0 || decay > 1) {
+    throw new Error("decay must be in (0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (epsilon < 0) {
+    throw new Error("epsilon must be >= 0");
+  }
+
+  const visited = new Set<Hash>();
+  return renderNode(store, hash, resolution, decay, epsilon, visited);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Async render with LiquidJS template support.
+ * When resolution ≤ epsilon, nodes are rendered as opaque `cas:<hash>` references.
+ * If varStore is provided, attempts to use LiquidJS templates first, fallback to YAML.
+ */
+export async function renderAsync(
+  store: Store,
+  hash: Hash,
+  options?: RenderOptions,
+): Promise<string> {
+  const resolution = options?.resolution ?? DEFAULT_RESOLUTION;
+  const decay = options?.decay ?? DEFAULT_DECAY;
+  const epsilon = options?.epsilon ?? DEFAULT_EPSILON;
+  const varStore = options?.varStore;
+
+  // Validate parameters
+  if (resolution < 0 || resolution > 1) {
+    throw new Error("resolution must be in [0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (decay <= 0 || decay > 1) {
+    throw new Error("decay must be in (0, 1]");
+  }
+  if (epsilon < 0) {
+    throw new Error("epsilon must be >= 0");
+  }
+
+  // If varStore provided, try template rendering first
+  if (varStore !== undefined) {
+    try {
+      const node = store.get(hash);
+      if (node !== null) {
+        // Check if a template exists for this type
+        const templateExists = await hasTemplate(store, varStore, node.type);
+        if (templateExists) {
+          return await renderWithTemplate(store, varStore, hash, {
+            resolution,
+            decay,
+            epsilon,
+          });
+        }
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Fall through to YAML rendering
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Fallback to YAML rendering
+  const visited = new Set<Hash>();
+  return renderNode(store, hash, resolution, decay, epsilon, visited);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if a template exists for a given type
+ */
+async function hasTemplate(
+  store: Store,
+  varStore: VariableStore,
+  typeHash: Hash,
+): Promise<boolean> {
+  const varName = `@ucas/template/text/${typeHash}`;
+  try {
+    const stringSchema = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const variable = varStore.get(varName, stringSchema);
+    return variable !== null;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+function renderNode(
+  store: Store,
+  hash: Hash,
+  currentResolution: number,
+  decay: number,
+  epsilon: number,
+  visited: Set<Hash>,
+): string {
+  // Check if resolution is below threshold (with floating point tolerance)
+  if (currentResolution < epsilon + FLOAT_TOLERANCE) {
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+
+  // Fetch the node
+  const node = store.get(hash);
+  if (node === null) {
+    // Missing node - render as cas: reference
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+
+  // Cycle detection
+  if (visited.has(hash)) {
+    return `cas:${hash}`;
+  }
+  visited.add(hash);
+
+  // Get references from this node's schema
+  const nodeRefs = refs(store, node);
+  const refSet = new Set(nodeRefs);
+
+  // Calculate child resolution for next level
+  const childResolution = currentResolution * decay;
+
+  // Render the payload with recursive expansion of cas_ref fields
+  const rendered = renderValue(
+    store,
+    node.payload,
+    refSet,
+    childResolution,
+    decay,
+    epsilon,
+    visited,
+  );
+
+  visited.delete(hash);
+
+  return rendered;
+}
+
+function renderValue(
+  store: Store,
+  value: unknown,
+  refHashes: Set<Hash>,
+  childResolution: number,
+  decay: number,
+  epsilon: number,
+  visited: Set<Hash>,
+): string {
+  // Handle null
+  if (value === null) {
+    return "null\n";
+  }
+
+  // Handle primitives
+  if (typeof value === "string") {
+    // Check if this string is a cas_ref
+    if (refHashes.has(value as Hash)) {
+      // Recursively render the referenced node
+      return renderNode(
+        store,
+        value as Hash,
+        childResolution,
+        decay,
+        epsilon,
+        visited,
+      );
+    }
+    // Otherwise, render as YAML string
+    return toYamlString(value);
+  }
+
+  if (typeof value === "number" || typeof value === "boolean") {
+    return `${value}\n`;
+  }
+
+  // Handle arrays
+  if (Array.isArray(value)) {
+    if (value.length === 0) {
+      return "[]\n";
+    }
+
+    const items = value.map((item) => {
+      const itemYaml = renderValue(
+        store,
+        item,
+        refHashes,
+        childResolution,
+        decay,
+        epsilon,
+        visited,
+      );
+      return indent(itemYaml.trim(), 2);
+    });
+
+    return `- ${items.join("\n- ")}\n`;
+  }
+
+  // Handle objects
+  if (typeof value === "object") {
+    const obj = value as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const keys = Object.keys(obj);
+
+    if (keys.length === 0) {
+      return "{}\n";
+    }
+
+    const pairs = keys.map((key) => {
+      const val = obj[key];
+      const valYaml = renderValue(
+        store,
+        val,
+        refHashes,
+        childResolution,
+        decay,
+        epsilon,
+        visited,
+      );
+
+      const trimmedVal = valYaml.trim();
+
+      // If value is multiline, indent it
+      if (trimmedVal.includes("\n")) {
+        return `${key}:\n${indent(trimmedVal, 2)}`;
+      }
+
+      return `${key}: ${trimmedVal}`;
+    });
+
+    return `${pairs.join("\n")}\n`;
+  }
+
+  return "null\n";
+}
+
+function toYamlString(str: string): string {
+  // Handle special characters
+  if (
+    str.includes("\n") ||
+    str.includes(":") ||
+    str.includes("#") ||
+    str.includes("[") ||
+    str.includes("]") ||
+    str.includes("{") ||
+    str.includes("}") ||
+    str.includes("'") ||
+    str.includes('"') ||
+    str.startsWith(" ") ||
+    str.endsWith(" ")
+  ) {
+    // Use double-quoted string with escaping
+    const escaped = str
+      .replace(/\\/g, "\\\\")
+      .replace(/"/g, '\\"')
+      .replace(/\n/g, "\\n");
+    return `"${escaped}"\n`;
+  }
+
+  return `${str}\n`;
+}
+
+function indent(text: string, spaces: number): string {
+  const prefix = " ".repeat(spaces);
+  return text
+    .split("\n")
+    .map((line) => (line ? prefix + line : line))
+    .join("\n");
+}

packages/json-cas/src/schema.test.ts

@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ describe("putSchema", () => {
 
   test("schema node type equals the meta-schema hash", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
     const node = store.get(schemaHash) as CasNode;
 
@@ -355,7 +356,8 @@ describe("walk", () => {
 describe("bootstrap meta-schema self-reference", () => {
   test("metaNode.type === metaHash (self-referencing)", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaNode = store.get(metaHash) as CasNode;
 
     expect(metaNode.type).toBe(metaHash);
@@ -363,7 +365,8 @@ describe("bootstrap meta-schema self-reference", () => {
 
   test("schema nodes have type === metaHash", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
     const schemaNode = store.get(schemaHash) as CasNode;
 
@@ -372,7 +375,8 @@ describe("bootstrap meta-schema self-reference", () => {
 
   test("data nodes have type === schemaHash (not metaHash)", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, {
       type: "object",
       properties: { val: { type: "number" } },
@@ -386,7 +390,8 @@ describe("bootstrap meta-schema self-reference", () => {
 
   test("bootstrap is idempotent across putSchema calls", async () => {
     const store = createMemoryStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
     await putSchema(store, { type: "number" });

packages/json-cas/src/schema.ts

@@ -142,7 +142,11 @@ export async function putSchema(
   store: Store,
   jsonSchema: JSONSchema,
 ): Promise<Hash> {
-  const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+  const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+  const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"];
+  if (!metaHash) {
+    throw new Error("Meta-schema not found in bootstrap result");
+  }
   if (!isValidSchema(jsonSchema)) {
     throw new SchemaValidationError(
       "Invalid schema: input does not conform to the json-cas JSON Schema meta-schema",

packages/json-cas/src/variable-store.test.ts

@@ -1593,3 +1593,186 @@ describe("VariableStore - Tag/Label Management", () => {
     varStore.close();
   });
 });
+
+// ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+// @ Prefix Support for Variable Names
+// ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("VariableStore - @ Prefix Variable Names", () => {
+  let store: Store;
+  let dbPath: string;
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    if (dbPath) {
+      try {
+        unlinkSync(dbPath);
+      } catch {
+        // ignore
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  test("should accept variable name with @ prefix in first segment", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test value");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // Should succeed
+    const variable = varStore.set("@ucas/test/foo", hash);
+    expect(variable.name).toBe("@ucas/test/foo");
+
+    const retrieved = varStore.get("@ucas/test/foo", schemaHash);
+    expect(retrieved).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(retrieved?.name).toBe("@ucas/test/foo");
+    expect(retrieved?.value).toBe(hash);
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should accept variable name starting with @", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "config value");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // Single segment with @
+    varStore.set("@config", hash);
+    const result = varStore.get("@config", schemaHash);
+    expect(result).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(result?.name).toBe("@config");
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should accept complex @ prefix paths", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // Multiple valid patterns
+    const validNames = [
+      "@ucas/render/template",
+      "@system/config",
+      "@foo.bar/baz",
+      "@app-1/test_2",
+    ];
+
+    for (const name of validNames) {
+      expect(() => varStore.set(name, hash)).not.toThrow();
+      const retrieved = varStore.get(name, schemaHash);
+      expect(retrieved).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(retrieved?.name).toBe(name);
+    }
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should reject @ in non-first segment", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // @ only allowed at start of entire name
+    const invalidNames = [
+      "foo/@bar", // @ in second segment
+      "foo/bar/@baz", // @ in third segment
+      "foo@bar", // @ within segment (not at start)
+    ];
+
+    for (const name of invalidNames) {
+      expect(() => varStore.set(name, hash)).toThrow(InvalidVariableNameError);
+    }
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should reject @ followed by invalid characters", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // @ prefix must still follow segment rules after @
+    const invalidNames = [
+      "@", // @ alone is empty segment
+      "@/foo", // empty after @
+      "@foo bar", // space not allowed
+      "@foo$bar", // $ not allowed
+    ];
+
+    for (const name of invalidNames) {
+      expect(() => varStore.set(name, hash)).toThrow(InvalidVariableNameError);
+    }
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should still accept all previously valid names", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    // All non-@ names should continue to work
+    const validNames = [
+      "simple",
+      "with.dots",
+      "with-dashes",
+      "with_underscores",
+      "path/to/var",
+      "foo.bar/baz-qux/test_123",
+    ];
+
+    for (const name of validNames) {
+      expect(() => varStore.set(name, hash)).not.toThrow();
+    }
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+
+  test("should still reject previously invalid names", async () => {
+    store = createMemoryStore();
+    await bootstrap(store);
+    const schemaHash = await putSchema(store, { type: "string" });
+    const hash = await store.put(schemaHash, "test");
+
+    dbPath = tmpDbPath();
+    const varStore = new VariableStore(dbPath, store);
+
+    const invalidNames = [
+      "", // empty
+      "/leading", // leading slash
+      "trailing/", // trailing slash
+      "double//slash", // empty segment
+      "has space", // space
+      "has$dollar", // special char
+    ];
+
+    for (const name of invalidNames) {
+      expect(() => varStore.set(name, hash)).toThrow(InvalidVariableNameError);
+    }
+
+    varStore.close();
+  });
+});

packages/json-cas/src/variable-store.ts

@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ export class VariableStore {
 
   /**
    * Validate variable name format
+   * @ is allowed at the start of the first segment (system-reserved)
    */
   private validateName(name: string): void {
     // Rule 1: Cannot be empty
@@ -139,9 +140,10 @@ export class VariableStore {
       );
     }
 
-    // Rule 4: Each segment must match [a-zA-Z0-9._-]+ and no empty segments
+    // Rule 4: Each segment must match [a-zA-Z0-9._-]+ (with @ allowed at start of first segment)
     const segments = name.split("/");
-    for (const segment of segments) {
+    for (let i = 0; i < segments.length; i++) {
+      const segment = segments[i] as string;
       if (segment === "") {
         throw new InvalidVariableNameError(
           name,
@@ -150,10 +152,12 @@ export class VariableStore {
       }
 
       // Check for invalid characters
-      if (!/^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+$/.test(segment)) {
+      // First segment can start with @, all segments can contain [a-zA-Z0-9._-]
+      const regex = i === 0 ? /^@?[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+$/ : /^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+$/;
+      if (!regex.test(segment)) {
         throw new InvalidVariableNameError(
           name,
-          `Segment "${segment}" contains invalid characters (only a-z, A-Z, 0-9, ., _, - allowed)`,
+          `Segment "${segment}" contains invalid characters (only ${i === 0 ? "@, " : ""}a-z, A-Z, 0-9, ., _, - allowed)`,
         );
       }
     }

packages/json-cas/tests/schema-validation.test.ts

@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ import type { CasNode } from "../src/types.js";
 describe("Test Suite 1: Meta-Schema Structure and Self-Validation", () => {
   test("1.1: Meta-schema is a valid JSON Schema", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaNode = store.get(metaHash);
 
     expect(metaNode).not.toBeNull();
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 1: Meta-Schema Structure and Self-Validation", () => {
 
   test("1.2: Meta-schema self-validates", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaNode = store.get(metaHash);
 
     expect(metaNode).not.toBeNull();
@@ -34,7 +36,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 1: Meta-Schema Structure and Self-Validation", () => {
 
   test("1.3: Meta-schema defines all supported keywords", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaSchema = getSchema(store, metaHash);
 
     expect(metaSchema).not.toBeNull();
@@ -57,7 +60,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 1: Meta-Schema Structure and Self-Validation", () => {
 
   test("1.4: Meta-schema does not include unsupported keywords", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaSchema = getSchema(store, metaHash);
 
     expect(metaSchema).not.toBeNull();
@@ -74,7 +78,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 1: Meta-Schema Structure and Self-Validation", () => {
 
   test("1.5: Meta-schema node type equals its own hash", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaNode = store.get(metaHash);
 
     expect(metaNode).not.toBeNull();
@@ -443,7 +448,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 5: Backward Compatibility and Migration", () => {
   test("5.1: Bootstrap hash changes (breaking change)", async () => {
     // This is a documentation test - the old hash was different
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const newMetaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const newMetaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
 
     // The new hash should be different from the old system metadata hash
     // We just verify it's a valid hash format
@@ -585,7 +591,8 @@ describe("Test Suite 6: Integration with Existing Functionality", () => {
 describe("Test Suite 7: Meta-Schema Content Validation", () => {
   test("7.1: Meta-schema allows recursive schema definitions", async () => {
     const store = new MemStore();
-    const metaHash = await bootstrap(store);
+    const builtinSchemas = await bootstrap(store);
+    const metaHash = builtinSchemas["@schema"] ?? "";
     const metaSchema = getSchema(store, metaHash);
 
     expect(metaSchema).not.toBeNull();