Counters

54 files changed, 1043 insertions, 605 deletions

diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index b0371e78..bedcea3a 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ checksum = "3d7b894f5411737b7867f4827955924d7c254fc9f4d91a6aad6b097804b1018b"
 [[package]]
 name = "comemo"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/typst/comemo#36fb31c76eb42d67244bd9c7a2630c29767912f2"
+source = "git+https://github.com/typst/comemo#9b520e8f5284d1c39d0bb13eb426f923972775f8"
 dependencies = [
  "comemo-macros",
  "siphasher",
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "comemo-macros"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/typst/comemo#36fb31c76eb42d67244bd9c7a2630c29767912f2"
+source = "git+https://github.com/typst/comemo#9b520e8f5284d1c39d0bb13eb426f923972775f8"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -1415,6 +1415,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "roxmltree",
  "rustybuzz",
  "serde_json",
+ "smallvec",
  "syntect",
  "ttf-parser 0.18.1",
  "typed-arena",
diff --git a/docs/src/reference/styling.md b/docs/src/reference/styling.md
index 43585b13..2a50019e 100644
--- a/docs/src/reference/styling.md
+++ b/docs/src/reference/styling.md
@@ -86,8 +86,9 @@ fantasy encyclopedia.
 #show heading: it => block[
   #set align(center)
   #set text(font: "Inria Serif")
-  \~ _#it.body;_
-      #it.numbers \~
+  \~ #emph(it.body)
+     #(counter(heading)
+         .get(it.numbering)) \~
 ]
 
 = Dragon
diff --git a/docs/src/tutorial/3-advanced.md b/docs/src/tutorial/3-advanced.md
index 3784bc8e..7d6bccf6 100644
--- a/docs/src/tutorial/3-advanced.md
+++ b/docs/src/tutorial/3-advanced.md
@@ -56,14 +56,11 @@ Let's start by writing some set rules for the document.
 #set page(
 >>>  margin: auto,
   paper: "us-letter",
-  header: align(right + horizon)[
+  header: align(right)[
     A fluid dynamic model for
     glacier flow
   ],
-  footer: nr => align(
-    center + horizon,
-    [#nr],
-  ),
+  numbering: "1",
 )
 
 #lorem(600)
@@ -73,23 +70,17 @@ You are already familiar with most of what is going on here. We set the text
 size to `{11pt}` and the font to Linux Libertine. We also enable paragraph
 justification and set the page size to US letter.
 
-The `header` and `footer` arguments are new: With these, we can provide content
-to fill the top and bottom margins of every page. In the header, we specify our
-paper's title as requested by the conference style guide. We use the `align`
-function to align the text to the right and the `horizon` keyword to make sure
-that it is vertically centered in the margin.
-
-Because we need a page number in the footer, we have to put different content
-onto each page. To do that, we can pass a
-[custom function]($type/function) to the footer argument that defines
-how the footer should look for a given page number. Typst provides the page
-number to this function. Once more, we use the `align` function to center the
-page number horizontally and vertically.
+The `header` argument is new: With it, we can provide content to fill the top
+margin of every page. In the header, we specify our paper's title as requested
+by the conference style guide. We use the `align` function to align the text to
+the right.
 
-We have to put the page variable into square brackets and prefix it with a
-hashtag because the align function expects
-[content,]($type/content) but the page number is an
-[integer]($type/integer).
+Last but not least is the `numbering` argument. Here, we can provide a
+[numbering pattern]($func/numbering) that defines how to number the pages. By
+setting into to `{"1"}`, Typst only displays the bare page number. Setting it to
+`{"(1/1)"}` would have displayed the current page and total number of pages
+surrounded by parentheses. And we can even have provided a completely custom
+function here to format things to our liking.
 
 ## Creating a title and abstract
 Now, let's add a title and an abstract. We'll start with the title. We center
@@ -157,10 +148,7 @@ be set ragged and centered.
 >>>     A fluid dynamic model for
 >>>     glacier flow
 >>>   ],
->>>   footer: page => align(
->>>     center+horizon,
->>>     [#page]
->>>   ),
+>>>   numbering: "1",
 >>> )
 >>>
 >>> #align(center, text(17pt)[
@@ -213,17 +201,14 @@ keyword:
 >>> #set text(font: "Linux Libertine", 11pt)
 >>> #set par(justify: true)
 #set page(
->>> "us-letter",
->>> margin: auto,
+>>>   "us-letter",
+>>>   margin: auto,
   header: align(
     right + horizon,
     title
   ),
 <<<   ...
->>> footer: page => align(
->>>   center+horizon,
->>>   [#page]
->>> ),
+>>>   numbering: "1",
 )
 
 #align(center, text(17pt)[
@@ -289,10 +274,7 @@ content. In our case, it passes it on to the `columns` function.
 >>>     right + horizon,
 >>>     title
 >>>   ),
->>>   footer: page => align(
->>>     center+horizon,
->>>     [#page]
->>>   ),
+>>>   numbering: "1",
 >>> )
 >>>
 >>> #align(center, text(
@@ -351,10 +333,7 @@ a way to set any of that, we need to write our own heading show rule.
 >>>     right + horizon,
 >>>     title
 >>>   ),
->>>   footer: page => align(
->>>     center + horizon,
->>>     [#page]
->>>   ),
+>>>   numbering: "1",
 >>> )
 #show heading: it => block[
   #set align(center)
@@ -430,10 +409,7 @@ differentiate between section and subsection headings:
 >>>     right + horizon,
 >>>     title
 >>>   ),
->>>   footer: page => align(
->>>     center + horizon,
->>>     [#page]
->>>   ),
+>>>   numbering: "1",
 >>> )
 >>>
 #show heading.where(
diff --git a/docs/src/tutorial/4-template.md b/docs/src/tutorial/4-template.md
index 47f9dfc6..d49ee6a1 100644
--- a/docs/src/tutorial/4-template.md
+++ b/docs/src/tutorial/4-template.md
@@ -275,10 +275,7 @@ path of the file after the `{from}` keyword.
 >>>      right + horizon,
 >>>      title
 >>>    ),
->>>    footer: page => align(
->>>      center + horizon,
->>>      [#page]
->>>    ),
+>>>    numbering: "1",
 >>>  )
 >>>
 >>>  show heading.where(
diff --git a/library/Cargo.toml b/library/Cargo.toml
index 3c1f79d4..98da25bd 100644
--- a/library/Cargo.toml
+++ b/library/Cargo.toml
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ once_cell = "1"
 roxmltree = "0.14"
 rustybuzz = "0.5"
 serde_json = "1"
+smallvec = "1.10"
 syntect = { version = "5", default-features = false, features = ["default-syntaxes", "regex-fancy"] }
 ttf-parser = "0.18.1"
 typed-arena = "2"
diff --git a/library/src/layout/container.rs b/library/src/layout/container.rs
index a48933a7..0b7f7eb1 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/container.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/container.rs
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ impl Layout for BoxNode {
         }
 
         // Apply metadata.
-        frame.meta(styles);
+        frame.meta(styles, false);
 
         Ok(Fragment::frame(frame))
     }
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ impl Layout for BlockNode {
             // Measure to ensure frames for all regions have the same width.
             if sizing.x == Smart::Auto {
                 let pod = Regions::one(size, Axes::splat(false));
-                let frame = body.layout(vt, styles, pod)?.into_frame();
+                let frame = body.measure(vt, styles, pod)?.into_frame();
                 size.x = frame.width();
                 expand.x = true;
             }
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ impl Layout for BlockNode {
 
         // Apply metadata.
         for frame in &mut frames {
-            frame.meta(styles);
+            frame.meta(styles, false);
         }
 
         Ok(Fragment::frames(frames))
diff --git a/library/src/layout/enum.rs b/library/src/layout/enum.rs
index 33b297e7..1c08cd5f 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/enum.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/enum.rs
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ pub struct EnumNode {
     ///   [Ahead],
     /// )
     /// ```
-    #[default(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())]
+    #[default(NonZeroUsize::ONE)]
     pub start: NonZeroUsize,
 
     /// Whether to display the full numbering, including the numbers of
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ impl Layout for EnumNode {
 
             let resolved = if full {
                 parents.push(number);
-                let content = numbering.apply(vt.world(), &parents)?.display();
+                let content = numbering.apply(vt.world, &parents)?.display();
                 parents.pop();
                 content
             } else {
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ impl Layout for EnumNode {
                     Numbering::Pattern(pattern) => {
                         TextNode::packed(pattern.apply_kth(parents.len(), number))
                     }
-                    other => other.apply(vt.world(), &[number])?.display(),
+                    other => other.apply(vt.world, &[number])?.display(),
                 }
             };
 
diff --git a/library/src/layout/flow.rs b/library/src/layout/flow.rs
index 2671b983..096c575e 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/flow.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/flow.rs
@@ -47,7 +47,16 @@ impl Layout for FlowNode {
                 || child.is::<CircleNode>()
                 || child.is::<ImageNode>()
             {
-                layouter.layout_single(vt, &child, styles)?;
+                let layoutable = child.with::<dyn Layout>().unwrap();
+                layouter.layout_single(vt, layoutable, styles)?;
+            } else if child.is::<MetaNode>() {
+                let mut frame = Frame::new(Size::zero());
+                frame.meta(styles, true);
+                layouter.items.push(FlowItem::Frame(
+                    frame,
+                    Axes::new(Align::Top, Align::Left),
+                    true,
+                ));
             } else if child.can::<dyn Layout>() {
                 layouter.layout_multiple(vt, &child, styles)?;
             } else if child.is::<ColbreakNode>() {
@@ -173,14 +182,13 @@ impl<'a> FlowLayouter<'a> {
     fn layout_single(
         &mut self,
         vt: &mut Vt,
-        content: &Content,
+        content: &dyn Layout,
         styles: StyleChain,
     ) -> SourceResult<()> {
         let aligns = AlignNode::alignment_in(styles).resolve(styles);
         let sticky = BlockNode::sticky_in(styles);
         let pod = Regions::one(self.regions.base(), Axes::splat(false));
-        let layoutable = content.with::<dyn Layout>().unwrap();
-        let frame = layoutable.layout(vt, styles, pod)?.into_frame();
+        let frame = content.layout(vt, styles, pod)?.into_frame();
         self.layout_item(FlowItem::Frame(frame, aligns, sticky));
         self.last_was_par = false;
         Ok(())
diff --git a/library/src/layout/grid.rs b/library/src/layout/grid.rs
index b6e86afd..47d3ab86 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/grid.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/grid.rs
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ impl<'a, 'v> GridLayouter<'a, 'v> {
 
                     let size = Size::new(available, height);
                     let pod = Regions::one(size, Axes::splat(false));
-                    let frame = cell.layout(self.vt, self.styles, pod)?.into_frame();
+                    let frame = cell.measure(self.vt, self.styles, pod)?.into_frame();
                     resolved.set_max(frame.width());
                 }
             }
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ impl<'a, 'v> GridLayouter<'a, 'v> {
                 let mut pod = self.regions;
                 pod.size.x = rcol;
 
-                let frames = cell.layout(self.vt, self.styles, pod)?.into_frames();
+                let frames = cell.measure(self.vt, self.styles, pod)?.into_frames();
                 if let [first, rest @ ..] = frames.as_slice() {
                     skip |=
                         first.is_empty() && rest.iter().any(|frame| !frame.is_empty());
diff --git a/library/src/layout/list.rs b/library/src/layout/list.rs
index 6d605868..c954ab67 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/list.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/list.rs
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ impl Layout for ListNode {
         };
 
         let depth = self.depth(styles);
-        let marker = self.marker(styles).resolve(vt.world(), depth)?;
+        let marker = self.marker(styles).resolve(vt.world, depth)?;
 
         let mut cells = vec![];
         for item in self.children() {
diff --git a/library/src/layout/mod.rs b/library/src/layout/mod.rs
index eb440b7f..fc0279eb 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/mod.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/mod.rs
@@ -47,10 +47,7 @@ use std::mem;
 
 use typed_arena::Arena;
 use typst::diag::SourceResult;
-use typst::model::{
-    applicable, realize, Content, Node, SequenceNode, StyleChain, StyleVecBuilder,
-    StyledNode,
-};
+use typst::model::{applicable, realize, SequenceNode, StyleVecBuilder, StyledNode};
 
 use crate::math::{FormulaNode, LayoutMath};
 use crate::meta::DocumentNode;
@@ -103,6 +100,22 @@ pub trait Layout {
         styles: StyleChain,
         regions: Regions,
     ) -> SourceResult<Fragment>;
+
+    /// Layout without side effects.
+    ///
+    /// This node must be layouted again in the same order for the results to be
+    /// valid.
+    fn measure(
+        &self,
+        vt: &mut Vt,
+        styles: StyleChain,
+        regions: Regions,
+    ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
+        vt.provider.save();
+        let result = self.layout(vt, styles, regions);
+        vt.provider.restore();
+        result
+    }
 }
 
 impl Layout for Content {
@@ -417,7 +430,10 @@ impl<'a> FlowBuilder<'a> {
         let last_was_parbreak = self.1;
         self.1 = false;
 
-        if content.is::<VNode>() || content.is::<ColbreakNode>() {
+        if content.is::<VNode>()
+            || content.is::<ColbreakNode>()
+            || content.is::<MetaNode>()
+        {
             self.0.push(content.clone(), styles);
             return true;
         }
@@ -457,7 +473,12 @@ struct ParBuilder<'a>(BehavedBuilder<'a>);
 
 impl<'a> ParBuilder<'a> {
     fn accept(&mut self, content: &'a Content, styles: StyleChain<'a>) -> bool {
-        if content.is::<SpaceNode>()
+        if content.is::<MetaNode>() {
+            if !self.0.is_basically_empty() {
+                self.0.push(content.clone(), styles);
+                return true;
+            }
+        } else if content.is::<SpaceNode>()
             || content.is::<TextNode>()
             || content.is::<HNode>()
             || content.is::<LinebreakNode>()
diff --git a/library/src/layout/page.rs b/library/src/layout/page.rs
index e469bf10..8ad76387 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/page.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/page.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
+use std::ptr;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
-use super::ColumnsNode;
+use super::{AlignNode, ColumnsNode};
+use crate::meta::{Counter, CounterAction, CounterNode, Numbering};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
 /// Layouts its child onto one or multiple pages.
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ pub struct PageNode {
     /// emissions and mitigate the impacts
     /// of a rapidly changing climate.
     /// ```
-    #[default(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())]
+    #[default(NonZeroUsize::ONE)]
     pub columns: NonZeroUsize,
 
     /// The page's background color.
@@ -147,49 +149,84 @@ pub struct PageNode {
     /// ```
     pub fill: Option<Paint>,
 
-    /// The page's header.
+    /// How to [number]($func/numbering) the pages.
     ///
-    /// The header is placed in the top margin of each page.
+    /// If an explicit `footer` is given, the numbering is ignored.
     ///
-    /// - Content: The content will be placed in the header.
-    /// - A function: The function will be called with the page number (starting
-    ///   at one) as its only argument. The content it returns will be placed in
-    ///   the header.
-    /// - `{none}`: The header will be empty.
+    /// ```example
+    /// #set page(
+    ///   height: 100pt,
+    ///   margin: (top: 16pt, bottom: 24pt),
+    ///   numbering: "1 / 1",
+    /// )
+    ///
+    /// #lorem(48)
+    /// ```
+    pub numbering: Option<Numbering>,
+
+    /// The alignment of the page numbering.
     ///
     /// ```example
-    /// #set par(justify: true)
     /// #set page(
-    ///   margin: (x: 24pt, y: 32pt),
-    ///   header: align(horizon + right, text(8pt)[_Exercise Sheet 3_]),
+    ///   margin: (top: 16pt, bottom: 24pt),
+    ///   numbering: "1",
+    ///   number-align: right,
     /// )
     ///
-    /// #lorem(18)
+    /// #lorem(30)
     /// ```
-    pub header: Option<Marginal>,
+    #[default(Align::Center.into())]
+    pub number_align: Axes<Option<GenAlign>>,
 
-    /// The page's footer.
+    /// The page's header. Fills the top margin of each page.
     ///
-    /// The footer is placed in the bottom margin of each page.
+    /// ```example
+    /// #set par(justify: true)
+    /// #set page(
+    ///   margin: (top: 32pt, bottom: 20pt),
+    ///   header: [
+    ///     #set text(8pt)
+    ///     #smallcaps[Typst Academcy]
+    ///     #h(1fr) _Exercise Sheet 3_
+    ///   ],
+    /// )
     ///
-    /// - Content: The content will be placed in the footer.
-    /// - A function: The function will be called with the page number (starting
-    ///   at one) as its only argument. The content it returns will be placed in
-    ///   the footer.
-    /// - `{none}`: The footer will be empty.
+    /// #lorem(19)
+    /// ```
+    pub header: Option<Content>,
+
+    /// The amount the header is raised into the top margin.
+    #[resolve]
+    #[default(Ratio::new(0.3).into())]
+    pub header_ascent: Rel<Length>,
+
+    /// The page's footer. Fills the bottom margin of each page.
+    ///
+    /// For just a page number, the `numbering` property, typically suffices. If
+    /// you want to create a custom footer, but still display the page number,
+    /// you can directly access the [page counter]($func/counter).
     ///
     /// ```example
     /// #set par(justify: true)
     /// #set page(
-    ///   margin: (x: 24pt, y: 32pt),
-    ///   footer: i => align(horizon + right,
-    ///     text(8pt, numbering("I", i))
-    ///   )
+    ///   height: 100pt,
+    ///   margin: 20pt,
+    ///   footer: [
+    ///     #set align(right)
+    ///     #set text(8pt)
+    ///     #counter(page).get("1") of
+    ///     #counter(page).final("I")
+    ///   ]
     /// )
     ///
-    /// #lorem(18)
+    /// #lorem(48)
     /// ```
-    pub footer: Option<Marginal>,
+    pub footer: Option<Content>,
+
+    /// The amount the footer is lowered into the bottom margin.
+    #[resolve]
+    #[default(Ratio::new(0.3).into())]
+    pub footer_descent: Rel<Length>,
 
     /// Content in the page's background.
     ///
@@ -197,35 +234,30 @@ pub struct PageNode {
     /// used to place a background image or a watermark.
     ///
     /// ```example
-    /// #set page(background: align(
-    ///   center + horizon,
-    ///   rotate(24deg,
-    ///     text(18pt, fill: rgb("FFCBC4"))[*CONFIDENTIAL*]
-    ///   ),
+    /// #set page(background: rotate(24deg,
+    ///   text(18pt, fill: rgb("FFCBC4"))[
+    ///     *CONFIDENTIAL*
+    ///   ]
     /// ))
     ///
     /// = Typst's secret plans
-    ///
-    /// In the year 2023, we plan to take over the world
-    /// (of typesetting).
+    /// In the year 2023, we plan to take
+    /// over the world (of typesetting).
     /// ```
-    pub background: Option<Marginal>,
+    pub background: Option<Content>,
 
     /// Content in the page's foreground.
     ///
     /// This content will overlay the page's body.
     ///
     /// ```example
-    /// #set page(foreground: align(
-    ///   center + horizon,
-    ///   text(24pt)[🥸],
-    /// ))
+    /// #set page(foreground: text(24pt)[🥸])
     ///
     /// Reviewer 2 has marked our paper
     /// "Weak Reject" because they did
     /// not understand our approach...
     /// ```
-    pub foreground: Option<Marginal>,
+    pub foreground: Option<Content>,
 
     /// The contents of the page(s).
     ///
@@ -238,12 +270,7 @@ pub struct PageNode {
 
 impl PageNode {
     /// Layout the page run into a sequence of frames, one per page.
-    pub fn layout(
-        &self,
-        vt: &mut Vt,
-        mut page: usize,
-        styles: StyleChain,
-    ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
+    pub fn layout(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
         // When one of the lengths is infinite the page fits its content along
         // that axis.
         let width = self.width(styles).unwrap_or(Abs::inf());
@@ -278,10 +305,18 @@ impl PageNode {
         let mut fragment = child.layout(vt, styles, regions)?;
 
         let fill = self.fill(styles);
-        let header = self.header(styles);
-        let footer = self.footer(styles);
         let foreground = self.foreground(styles);
         let background = self.background(styles);
+        let header = self.header(styles);
+        let header_ascent = self.header_ascent(styles);
+        let footer = self.footer(styles).or_else(|| {
+            self.numbering(styles).map(|numbering| {
+                CounterNode::new(Counter::Page, CounterAction::Both(numbering))
+                    .pack()
+                    .aligned(self.number_align(styles))
+            })
+        });
+        let footer_descent = self.footer_descent(styles);
 
         // Realize overlays.
         for frame in &mut fragment {
@@ -292,26 +327,38 @@ impl PageNode {
             let size = frame.size();
             let pad = padding.resolve(styles).relative_to(size);
             let pw = size.x - pad.left - pad.right;
-            let py = size.y - pad.bottom;
-            for (marginal, pos, area) in [
-                (&header, Point::with_x(pad.left), Size::new(pw, pad.top)),
-                (&footer, Point::new(pad.left, py), Size::new(pw, pad.bottom)),
-                (&foreground, Point::zero(), size),
-                (&background, Point::zero(), size),
-            ] {
-                let in_background = std::ptr::eq(marginal, &background);
-                let Some(marginal) = marginal else { continue };
-                let content = marginal.resolve(vt, page)?;
+            for marginal in [&header, &footer, &background, &foreground] {
+                let Some(content) = marginal else { continue };
+
+                let (pos, area, align);
+                if ptr::eq(marginal, &header) {
+                    let ascent = header_ascent.relative_to(pad.top);
+                    pos = Point::with_x(pad.left);
+                    area = Size::new(pw, pad.top - ascent);
+                    align = Align::Bottom.into();
+                } else if ptr::eq(marginal, &footer) {
+                    let descent = footer_descent.relative_to(pad.bottom);
+                    pos = Point::new(pad.left, size.y - pad.bottom + descent);
+                    area = Size::new(pw, pad.bottom - descent);
+                    align = Align::Top.into();
+                } else {
+                    pos = Point::zero();
+                    area = size;
+                    align = Align::CENTER_HORIZON.into();
+                };
+
                 let pod = Regions::one(area, Axes::splat(true));
-                let sub = content.layout(vt, styles, pod)?.into_frame();
-                if in_background {
+                let sub = content
+                    .clone()
+                    .styled(AlignNode::set_alignment(align))
+                    .layout(vt, styles, pod)?
+                    .into_frame();
+                if ptr::eq(marginal, &header) || ptr::eq(marginal, &background) {
                     frame.prepend_frame(pos, sub);
                 } else {
                     frame.push_frame(pos, sub);
                 }
             }
-
-            page += 1;
         }
 
         Ok(fragment)
@@ -358,7 +405,7 @@ impl Marginal {
             Self::Content(content) => content.clone(),
             Self::Func(func) => {
                 let args = Args::new(func.span(), [Value::Int(page as i64)]);
-                func.call_detached(vt.world(), args)?.display()
+                func.call_detached(vt.world, args)?.display()
             }
         })
     }
diff --git a/library/src/layout/par.rs b/library/src/layout/par.rs
index 244a61a9..1906dd7c 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/par.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/par.rs
@@ -325,6 +325,8 @@ enum Segment<'a> {
     Formula(&'a FormulaNode),
     /// A box with arbitrary content.
     Box(&'a BoxNode, bool),
+    /// Metadata.
+    Meta,
 }
 
 impl Segment<'_> {
@@ -334,7 +336,7 @@ impl Segment<'_> {
             Self::Text(len) => len,
             Self::Spacing(_) => SPACING_REPLACE.len_utf8(),
             Self::Box(_, true) => SPACING_REPLACE.len_utf8(),
-            Self::Formula(_) | Self::Box(_, _) => NODE_REPLACE.len_utf8(),
+            Self::Formula(_) | Self::Box(_, _) | Self::Meta => NODE_REPLACE.len_utf8(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -599,6 +601,9 @@ fn collect<'a>(
             let frac = node.width(styles).is_fractional();
             full.push(if frac { SPACING_REPLACE } else { NODE_REPLACE });
             Segment::Box(node, frac)
+        } else if child.is::<MetaNode>() {
+            full.push(NODE_REPLACE);
+            Segment::Meta
         } else {
             bail!(child.span(), "unexpected paragraph child");
         };
@@ -679,6 +684,11 @@ fn prepare<'a>(
                     items.push(Item::Frame(frame));
                 }
             }
+            Segment::Meta => {
+                let mut frame = Frame::new(Size::zero());
+                frame.meta(styles, true);
+                items.push(Item::Frame(frame));
+            }
         }
 
         cursor = end;
diff --git a/library/src/layout/table.rs b/library/src/layout/table.rs
index 6daafdbb..024bb0d6 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/table.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/table.rs
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ impl<T: Cast + Clone> Celled<T> {
             Self::Func(func) => {
                 let args =
                     Args::new(func.span(), [Value::Int(x as i64), Value::Int(y as i64)]);
-                func.call_detached(vt.world(), args)?.cast().at(func.span())?
+                func.call_detached(vt.world, args)?.cast().at(func.span())?
             }
         })
     }
diff --git a/library/src/lib.rs b/library/src/lib.rs
index c4a421d2..b397bfb4 100644
--- a/library/src/lib.rs
+++ b/library/src/lib.rs
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ fn global(math: Module, calc: Module) -> Module {
     global.define("figure", meta::FigureNode::id());
     global.define("cite", meta::CiteNode::id());
     global.define("bibliography", meta::BibliographyNode::id());
+    global.define("counter", meta::counter);
     global.define("numbering", meta::numbering);
 
     // Symbols.
@@ -224,5 +225,6 @@ fn items() -> LangItems {
             math::AccentNode::new(base, math::Accent::new(accent)).pack()
         },
         math_frac: |num, denom| math::FracNode::new(num, denom).pack(),
+        counter_method: meta::counter_method,
     }
 }
diff --git a/library/src/math/mod.rs b/library/src/math/mod.rs
index 0cc7f43c..6df1d87a 100644
--- a/library/src/math/mod.rs
+++ b/library/src/math/mod.rs
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ impl Layout for FormulaNode {
 
         // Find a math font.
         let variant = variant(styles);
-        let world = vt.world();
+        let world = vt.world;
         let Some(font) = families(styles)
             .find_map(|family| {
                 let id = world.book().select(family.as_str(), variant)?;
diff --git a/library/src/meta/bibliography.rs b/library/src/meta/bibliography.rs
index e9990524..64ac1f8e 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/bibliography.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/bibliography.rs
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@ use std::ffi::OsStr;
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
-use ecow::EcoVec;
+use ecow::{eco_vec, EcoVec};
 use hayagriva::io::{BibLaTeXError, YamlBibliographyError};
 use hayagriva::style::{self, Brackets, Citation, Database, DisplayString, Formatting};
 use hayagriva::Entry;
 
-use super::LocalName;
+use super::{LocalName, RefNode};
 use crate::layout::{BlockNode, GridNode, ParNode, Sizing, TrackSizings, VNode};
 use crate::meta::HeadingNode;
 use crate::prelude::*;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ impl BibliographyNode {
         vt.introspector
             .query(Selector::node::<Self>())
             .into_iter()
-            .flat_map(|node| load(vt.world(), &node.to::<Self>().unwrap().path()))
+            .flat_map(|node| load(vt.world, &node.to::<Self>().unwrap().path()))
             .flatten()
             .any(|entry| entry.key() == key)
     }
@@ -100,12 +100,6 @@ impl Show for BibliographyNode {
         const COLUMN_GUTTER: Em = Em::new(0.65);
         const INDENT: Em = Em::new(1.5);
 
-        let works = match Works::new(vt) {
-            Ok(works) => works,
-            Err(error) if vt.locatable() => bail!(self.span(), error),
-            Err(_) => Arc::new(Works::default()),
-        };
-
         let mut seq = vec![];
         if let Some(title) = self.title(styles) {
             let title = title.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| {
@@ -115,12 +109,18 @@ impl Show for BibliographyNode {
 
             seq.push(
                 HeadingNode::new(title)
-                    .with_level(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())
+                    .with_level(NonZeroUsize::ONE)
                     .with_numbering(None)
                     .pack(),
             );
         }
 
+        if !vt.introspector.init() {
+            return Ok(Content::sequence(seq));
+        }
+
+        let works = Works::new(vt).at(self.span())?;
+
         let row_gutter = BlockNode::below_in(styles).amount();
         if works.references.iter().any(|(prefix, _)| prefix.is_some()) {
             let mut cells = vec![];
@@ -227,18 +227,17 @@ impl Synthesize for CiteNode {
 
 impl Show for CiteNode {
     fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-        let id = self.0.stable_id().unwrap();
-        let works = match Works::new(vt) {
-            Ok(works) => works,
-            Err(error) if vt.locatable() => bail!(self.span(), error),
-            Err(_) => Arc::new(Works::default()),
-        };
-
-        let Some(citation) = works.citations.get(&id).cloned() else {
-            return Ok(TextNode::packed("[1]"));
-        };
+        if !vt.introspector.init() {
+            return Ok(Content::empty());
+        }
 
-        citation
+        let works = Works::new(vt).at(self.span())?;
+        let id = self.0.stable_id().unwrap();
+        works
+            .citations
+            .get(&id)
+            .cloned()
+            .flatten()
             .ok_or("bibliography does not contain this key")
             .at(self.span())
     }
@@ -264,17 +263,28 @@ pub enum CitationStyle {
 
 /// Fully formatted citations and references.
 #[derive(Default)]
-pub struct Works {
+struct Works {
     citations: HashMap<StableId, Option<Content>>,
     references: Vec<(Option<Content>, Content)>,
 }
 
 impl Works {
     /// Prepare all things need to cite a work or format a bibliography.
-    pub fn new(vt: &Vt) -> StrResult<Arc<Self>> {
+    fn new(vt: &Vt) -> StrResult<Arc<Self>> {
         let bibliography = BibliographyNode::find(vt.introspector)?;
-        let citations = vt.query_node::<CiteNode>().collect();
-        Ok(create(vt.world(), &bibliography, citations))
+        let citations = vt
+            .introspector
+            .query(Selector::Any(eco_vec![
+                Selector::node::<RefNode>(),
+                Selector::node::<CiteNode>(),
+            ]))
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|node| match node.to::<RefNode>() {
+                Some(reference) => reference.to_citation(StyleChain::default()),
+                _ => node.to::<CiteNode>().unwrap().clone(),
+            })
+            .collect();
+        Ok(create(vt.world, bibliography, citations))
     }
 }
 
@@ -282,8 +292,8 @@ impl Works {
 #[comemo::memoize]
 fn create(
     world: Tracked<dyn World>,
-    bibliography: &BibliographyNode,
-    citations: Vec<&CiteNode>,
+    bibliography: BibliographyNode,
+    citations: Vec<CiteNode>,
 ) -> Arc<Works> {
     let span = bibliography.span();
     let entries = load(world, &bibliography.path()).unwrap();
@@ -294,7 +304,7 @@ fn create(
             .iter()
             .position(|entry| entry.key() == target.key())
             .unwrap_or_default();
-        bib_id.variant(i as u64)
+        bib_id.variant(i)
     };
 
     let mut db = Database::new();
diff --git a/library/src/meta/counter.rs b/library/src/meta/counter.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ab089d5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/library/src/meta/counter.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,337 @@
+use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter, Write};
+use std::str::FromStr;
+
+use ecow::{eco_vec, EcoVec};
+use smallvec::{smallvec, SmallVec};
+use typst::eval::Dynamic;
+
+use super::{Numbering, NumberingPattern};
+use crate::layout::PageNode;
+use crate::prelude::*;
+
+/// Count through pages, elements, and more.
+///
+/// Display: Counter
+/// Category: meta
+/// Returns: content
+#[func]
+pub fn counter(key: Counter) -> Value {
+    Value::dynamic(key)
+}
+
+/// Call a method on counter.
+pub fn counter_method(
+    dynamic: &Dynamic,
+    method: &str,
+    mut args: Args,
+    span: Span,
+) -> SourceResult<Value> {
+    let counter = dynamic.downcast::<Counter>().unwrap();
+    let pattern = |s| NumberingPattern::from_str(s).unwrap().into();
+    let action = match method {
+        "get" => CounterAction::Get(args.eat()?.unwrap_or_else(|| pattern("1.1"))),
+        "final" => CounterAction::Final(args.eat()?.unwrap_or_else(|| pattern("1.1"))),
+        "both" => CounterAction::Both(args.eat()?.unwrap_or_else(|| pattern("1/1"))),
+        "step" => CounterAction::Update(CounterUpdate::Step(
+            args.named("level")?.unwrap_or(NonZeroUsize::ONE),
+        )),
+        "update" => CounterAction::Update(args.expect("value or function")?),
+        _ => bail!(span, "type counter has no method `{}`", method),
+    };
+
+    args.finish()?;
+
+    let content = CounterNode::new(counter.clone(), action).pack();
+    Ok(Value::Content(content))
+}
+
+/// Executes an action on a counter.
+///
+/// Display: Counter
+/// Category: special
+#[node(Locatable, Show)]
+pub struct CounterNode {
+    /// The counter key.
+    #[required]
+    pub key: Counter,
+
+    /// The action.
+    #[required]
+    pub action: CounterAction,
+}
+
+impl Show for CounterNode {
+    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+        match self.action() {
+            CounterAction::Get(numbering) => {
+                self.key().resolve(vt, self.0.stable_id(), &numbering)
+            }
+            CounterAction::Final(numbering) => self.key().resolve(vt, None, &numbering),
+            CounterAction::Both(numbering) => {
+                let both = match &numbering {
+                    Numbering::Pattern(pattern) => pattern.pieces() >= 2,
+                    _ => false,
+                };
+
+                let key = self.key();
+                let id = self.0.stable_id();
+                if !both {
+                    return key.resolve(vt, id, &numbering);
+                }
+
+                let sequence = key.sequence(vt.world, vt.introspector)?;
+                let numbers = [sequence.single(id), sequence.single(None)];
+                Ok(numbering.apply(vt.world, &numbers)?.display())
+            }
+            CounterAction::Update(_) => Ok(Content::empty()),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// The action to perform on a counter.
+#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
+pub enum CounterAction {
+    /// Displays the current value.
+    Get(Numbering),
+    /// Displays the final value.
+    Final(Numbering),
+    /// If given a pattern with at least two parts, displays the current value
+    /// together with the final value. Otherwise, displays just the current
+    /// value.
+    Both(Numbering),
+    /// Updates the value, possibly based on the previous one.
+    Update(CounterUpdate),
+}
+
+cast_from_value! {
+    CounterAction: "counter action",
+}
+
+impl Debug for CounterAction {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.pad("..")
+    }
+}
+
+/// An update to perform on a counter.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
+pub enum CounterUpdate {
+    /// Set the counter to the specified state.
+    Set(CounterState),
+    /// Increase the number for the given level by one.
+    Step(NonZeroUsize),
+    /// Apply the given function to the counter's state.
+    Func(Func),
+}
+
+cast_from_value! {
+    CounterUpdate,
+    v: CounterState => Self::Set(v),
+    v: Func => Self::Func(v),
+}
+
+/// Nodes that have special counting behaviour.
+pub trait Count {
+    /// Get the counter update for this node.
+    fn update(&self) -> Option<CounterUpdate>;
+}
+
+/// Counts through pages, elements, and more.
+#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
+pub enum Counter {
+    /// The page counter.
+    Page,
+    /// Counts elements matching the given selectors. Only works for locatable
+    /// elements or labels.
+    Selector(Selector),
+    /// Counts through manual counters with the same key.
+    Str(Str),
+}
+
+impl Counter {
+    /// Display the value of the counter at the postition of the given stable
+    /// id.
+    pub fn resolve(
+        &self,
+        vt: &Vt,
+        stop: Option<StableId>,
+        numbering: &Numbering,
+    ) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+        let sequence = self.sequence(vt.world, vt.introspector)?;
+        let numbers = sequence.at(stop).0;
+        Ok(numbering.apply(vt.world, &numbers)?.display())
+    }
+
+    /// Produce the whole sequence of counter states.
+    ///
+    /// This has to happen just once for all counters, cutting down the number
+    /// of counter updates from quadratic to linear.
+    #[comemo::memoize]
+    fn sequence(
+        &self,
+        world: Tracked<dyn World>,
+        introspector: Tracked<Introspector>,
+    ) -> SourceResult<CounterSequence> {
+        let mut search = Selector::Node(
+            NodeId::of::<CounterNode>(),
+            Some(dict! { "key" => self.clone() }),
+        );
+
+        if let Counter::Selector(selector) = self {
+            search = Selector::Any(eco_vec![search, selector.clone()]);
+        }
+
+        let mut state = CounterState::new();
+        let mut stops = EcoVec::new();
+
+        let mut prev_page = NonZeroUsize::ONE;
+        let is_page = *self == Self::Page;
+        if is_page {
+            state.0.push(prev_page);
+        }
+
+        for node in introspector.query(search) {
+            let id = node.stable_id().unwrap();
+            if is_page {
+                let page = introspector.page(id);
+                let delta = page.get() - prev_page.get();
+                if let Some(delta) = NonZeroUsize::new(delta) {
+                    state.step(delta);
+                }
+                prev_page = page;
+            }
+
+            if let Some(update) = match node.to::<CounterNode>() {
+                Some(counter) => match counter.action() {
+                    CounterAction::Update(update) => Some(update),
+                    _ => None,
+                },
+                None => match node.with::<dyn Count>() {
+                    Some(countable) => countable.update(),
+                    None => Some(CounterUpdate::Step(NonZeroUsize::ONE)),
+                },
+            } {
+                state.update(world, update)?;
+            }
+
+            stops.push((id, state.clone()));
+        }
+
+        Ok(CounterSequence { stops, is_page })
+    }
+}
+
+cast_from_value! {
+    Counter: "counter",
+    v: Str => Self::Str(v),
+    v: Selector => {
+        match v {
+            Selector::Node(id, _) => {
+                if id == NodeId::of::<PageNode>() {
+                    return Ok(Self::Page);
+                }
+
+                if !Content::new_of(id).can::<dyn Locatable>() {
+                    Err(eco_format!("cannot count through {}s", id.name))?;
+                }
+            }
+            Selector::Label(_) => {}
+            Selector::Regex(_) => Err("cannot count through text")?,
+            Selector::Any(_) => {}
+        }
+        Self::Selector(v)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Debug for Counter {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.write_str("counter(")?;
+        match self {
+            Self::Page => f.pad("page")?,
+            Self::Selector(selector) => selector.fmt(f)?,
+            Self::Str(str) => str.fmt(f)?,
+        }
+        f.write_char(')')
+    }
+}
+
+/// A sequence of counter values.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+struct CounterSequence {
+    stops: EcoVec<(StableId, CounterState)>,
+    is_page: bool,
+}
+
+impl CounterSequence {
+    fn at(&self, stop: Option<StableId>) -> CounterState {
+        let entry = match stop {
+            Some(stop) => self.stops.iter().find(|&&(id, _)| id == stop),
+            None => self.stops.last(),
+        };
+
+        if let Some((_, state)) = entry {
+            return state.clone();
+        }
+
+        if self.is_page {
+            return CounterState(smallvec![NonZeroUsize::ONE]);
+        }
+
+        CounterState::default()
+    }
+
+    fn single(&self, stop: Option<StableId>) -> NonZeroUsize {
+        self.at(stop).0.first().copied().unwrap_or(NonZeroUsize::ONE)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Counts through elements with different levels.
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
+pub struct CounterState(pub SmallVec<[NonZeroUsize; 3]>);
+
+impl CounterState {
+    /// Create a new levelled counter.
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::default()
+    }
+
+    /// Advance the counter and return the numbers for the given heading.
+    pub fn update(
+        &mut self,
+        world: Tracked<dyn World>,
+        update: CounterUpdate,
+    ) -> SourceResult<()> {
+        match update {
+            CounterUpdate::Set(state) => *self = state,
+            CounterUpdate::Step(level) => self.step(level),
+            CounterUpdate::Func(func) => {
+                let args = Args::new(func.span(), self.0.iter().copied().map(Into::into));
+                *self = func.call_detached(world, args)?.cast().at(func.span())?
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Advance the top level number by the specified amount.
+    pub fn step(&mut self, level: NonZeroUsize) {
+        let level = level.get();
+
+        if self.0.len() >= level {
+            self.0[level - 1] = self.0[level - 1].saturating_add(1);
+            self.0.truncate(level);
+        }
+
+        while self.0.len() < level {
+            self.0.push(NonZeroUsize::ONE);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+cast_from_value! {
+    CounterState,
+    num: NonZeroUsize => Self(smallvec![num]),
+    array: Array => Self(array
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(Value::cast)
+        .collect::<StrResult<_>>()?),
+}
diff --git a/library/src/meta/document.rs b/library/src/meta/document.rs
index ae29e7a8..75e78184 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/document.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/document.rs
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ impl LayoutRoot for DocumentNode {
             }
 
             if let Some(page) = child.to::<PageNode>() {
-                let number = 1 + pages.len();
-                let fragment = page.layout(vt, number, styles)?;
+                let fragment = page.layout(vt, styles)?;
                 pages.extend(fragment);
             } else {
                 bail!(child.span(), "unexpected document child");
diff --git a/library/src/meta/figure.rs b/library/src/meta/figure.rs
index a7668ffb..3c3f6361 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/figure.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/figure.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
-use super::{LocalName, Numbering, NumberingPattern};
-use crate::layout::{BlockNode, TableNode, VNode};
+use super::{
+    Count, Counter, CounterAction, CounterNode, CounterUpdate, LocalName, Numbering,
+    NumberingPattern,
+};
+use crate::layout::{BlockNode, VNode};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::TextNode;
 
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@ use crate::text::TextNode;
 ///
 /// Display: Figure
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Locatable, Synthesize, Show, LocalName)]
+#[node(Locatable, Synthesize, Count, Show, LocalName)]
 pub struct FigureNode {
     /// The content of the figure. Often, an [image]($func/image).
     #[required]
@@ -34,60 +37,34 @@ pub struct FigureNode {
 
     /// How to number the figure. Accepts a
     /// [numbering pattern or function]($func/numbering).
-    #[default(Some(Numbering::Pattern(NumberingPattern::from_str("1").unwrap())))]
+    #[default(Some(NumberingPattern::from_str("1").unwrap().into()))]
     pub numbering: Option<Numbering>,
 
     /// The vertical gap between the body and caption.
     #[default(Em::new(0.65).into())]
     pub gap: Length,
-
-    /// The figure's number.
-    #[synthesized]
-    pub number: Option<NonZeroUsize>,
-}
-
-impl FigureNode {
-    fn element(&self) -> NodeId {
-        let mut id = self.body().id();
-        if id != NodeId::of::<TableNode>() {
-            id = NodeId::of::<Self>();
-        }
-        id
-    }
 }
 
 impl Synthesize for FigureNode {
-    fn synthesize(&mut self, vt: &Vt, styles: StyleChain) {
-        let my_id = self.0.stable_id();
-        let element = self.element();
-
-        let mut number = None;
-        let numbering = self.numbering(styles);
-        if numbering.is_some() {
-            number = NonZeroUsize::new(
-                1 + vt
-                    .query_node::<Self>()
-                    .take_while(|figure| figure.0.stable_id() != my_id)
-                    .filter(|figure| figure.element() == element)
-                    .count(),
-            );
-        }
-
-        self.push_number(number);
-        self.push_numbering(numbering);
+    fn synthesize(&mut self, _: &Vt, styles: StyleChain) {
+        self.push_numbering(self.numbering(styles));
     }
 }
 
 impl Show for FigureNode {
-    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+    fn show(&self, _: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
         let mut realized = self.body();
 
         if let Some(mut caption) = self.caption(styles) {
             if let Some(numbering) = self.numbering(styles) {
-                let number = self.number().unwrap();
                 let name = self.local_name(TextNode::lang_in(styles));
                 caption = TextNode::packed(eco_format!("{name}\u{a0}"))
-                    + numbering.apply(vt.world(), &[number])?.display()
+                    + CounterNode::new(
+                        Counter::Selector(Selector::node::<Self>()),
+                        CounterAction::Get(numbering),
+                    )
+                    .pack()
+                    .spanned(self.span())
                     + TextNode::packed(": ")
                     + caption;
             }
@@ -104,13 +81,16 @@ impl Show for FigureNode {
     }
 }
 
+impl Count for FigureNode {
+    fn update(&self) -> Option<CounterUpdate> {
+        self.numbering(StyleChain::default())
+            .is_some()
+            .then(|| CounterUpdate::Step(NonZeroUsize::ONE))
+    }
+}
+
 impl LocalName for FigureNode {
     fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str {
-        let body = self.body();
-        if body.is::<TableNode>() {
-            return body.with::<dyn LocalName>().unwrap().local_name(lang);
-        }
-
         match lang {
             Lang::GERMAN => "Abbildung",
             Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Figure",
diff --git a/library/src/meta/heading.rs b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
index 527a93a3..614200b8 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/heading.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 use typst::font::FontWeight;
 
-use super::{LocalName, Numbering};
+use super::{Counter, CounterAction, CounterNode, CounterUpdate, LocalName, Numbering};
 use crate::layout::{BlockNode, HNode, VNode};
+use crate::meta::Count;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::{TextNode, TextSize};
 
@@ -40,10 +41,10 @@ use crate::text::{TextNode, TextSize};
 ///
 /// Display: Heading
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Locatable, Synthesize, Show, Finalize, LocalName)]
+#[node(Locatable, Synthesize, Count, Show, Finalize, LocalName)]
 pub struct HeadingNode {
     /// The logical nesting depth of the heading, starting from one.
-    #[default(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())]
+    #[default(NonZeroUsize::ONE)]
     pub level: NonZeroUsize,
 
     /// How to number the heading. Accepts a
@@ -76,46 +77,26 @@ pub struct HeadingNode {
     /// The heading's title.
     #[required]
     pub body: Content,
-
-    /// The heading's numbering numbers.
-    #[synthesized]
-    pub numbers: Option<Vec<NonZeroUsize>>,
 }
 
 impl Synthesize for HeadingNode {
-    fn synthesize(&mut self, vt: &Vt, styles: StyleChain) {
-        let my_id = self.0.stable_id();
-        let numbering = self.numbering(styles);
-
-        let mut counter = HeadingCounter::new();
-        if numbering.is_some() {
-            // Advance past existing headings.
-            for heading in vt
-                .query_node::<Self>()
-                .take_while(|figure| figure.0.stable_id() != my_id)
-            {
-                if heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()).is_some() {
-                    counter.advance(heading);
-                }
-            }
-
-            // Advance passed self.
-            counter.advance(self);
-        }
-
+    fn synthesize(&mut self, _: &Vt, styles: StyleChain) {
         self.push_level(self.level(styles));
+        self.push_numbering(self.numbering(styles));
         self.push_outlined(self.outlined(styles));
-        self.push_numbers(numbering.is_some().then(|| counter.take()));
-        self.push_numbering(numbering);
     }
 }
 
 impl Show for HeadingNode {
-    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+    fn show(&self, _: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
         let mut realized = self.body();
         if let Some(numbering) = self.numbering(styles) {
-            let numbers = self.numbers().unwrap();
-            realized = numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
+            realized = CounterNode::new(
+                Counter::Selector(Selector::node::<Self>()),
+                CounterAction::Get(numbering),
+            )
+            .pack()
+            .spanned(self.span())
                 + HNode::new(Em::new(0.3).into()).with_weak(true).pack()
                 + realized;
         }
@@ -146,34 +127,11 @@ impl Finalize for HeadingNode {
     }
 }
 
-/// Counts through headings with different levels.
-pub struct HeadingCounter(Vec<NonZeroUsize>);
-
-impl HeadingCounter {
-    /// Create a new heading counter.
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
-        Self(vec![])
-    }
-
-    /// Advance the counter and return the numbers for the given heading.
-    pub fn advance(&mut self, heading: &HeadingNode) -> &[NonZeroUsize] {
-        let level = heading.level(StyleChain::default()).get();
-
-        if self.0.len() >= level {
-            self.0[level - 1] = self.0[level - 1].saturating_add(1);
-            self.0.truncate(level);
-        }
-
-        while self.0.len() < level {
-            self.0.push(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap());
-        }
-
-        &self.0
-    }
-
-    /// Take out the current counts.
-    pub fn take(self) -> Vec<NonZeroUsize> {
-        self.0
+impl Count for HeadingNode {
+    fn update(&self) -> Option<CounterUpdate> {
+        self.numbering(StyleChain::default())
+            .is_some()
+            .then(|| CounterUpdate::Step(self.level(StyleChain::default())))
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/library/src/meta/mod.rs b/library/src/meta/mod.rs
index ba74dac0..a7de2dad 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/mod.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! Interaction between document parts.
 
 mod bibliography;
+mod counter;
 mod document;
 mod figure;
 mod heading;
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ mod outline;
 mod reference;
 
 pub use self::bibliography::*;
+pub use self::counter::*;
 pub use self::document::*;
 pub use self::figure::*;
 pub use self::heading::*;
diff --git a/library/src/meta/numbering.rs b/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
index c59766c8..6febc408 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
+use ecow::EcoVec;
+
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::Case;
 
@@ -66,7 +68,7 @@ pub fn numbering(
 }
 
 /// How to number a sequence of things.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Hash)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum Numbering {
     /// A pattern with prefix, numbering, lower / upper case and suffix.
     Pattern(NumberingPattern),
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ impl Numbering {
         numbers: &[NonZeroUsize],
     ) -> SourceResult<Value> {
         Ok(match self {
-            Self::Pattern(pattern) => Value::Str(pattern.apply(numbers, false).into()),
+            Self::Pattern(pattern) => Value::Str(pattern.apply(numbers).into()),
             Self::Func(func) => {
                 let args = Args::new(
                     func.span(),
@@ -92,6 +94,20 @@ impl Numbering {
             }
         })
     }
+
+    /// Trim the prefix suffix if this is a pattern.
+    pub fn trimmed(mut self) -> Self {
+        if let Self::Pattern(pattern) = &mut self {
+            pattern.trimmed = true;
+        }
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<NumberingPattern> for Numbering {
+    fn from(pattern: NumberingPattern) -> Self {
+        Self::Pattern(pattern)
+    }
 }
 
 cast_from_value! {
@@ -118,20 +134,21 @@ cast_to_value! {
 /// - `(I)`
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub struct NumberingPattern {
-    pieces: Vec<(EcoString, NumberingKind, Case)>,
+    pieces: EcoVec<(EcoString, NumberingKind, Case)>,
     suffix: EcoString,
+    trimmed: bool,
 }
 
 impl NumberingPattern {
     /// Apply the pattern to the given number.
-    pub fn apply(&self, numbers: &[NonZeroUsize], trimmed: bool) -> EcoString {
+    pub fn apply(&self, numbers: &[NonZeroUsize]) -> EcoString {
         let mut fmt = EcoString::new();
         let mut numbers = numbers.into_iter();
 
         for (i, ((prefix, kind, case), &n)) in
             self.pieces.iter().zip(&mut numbers).enumerate()
         {
-            if i > 0 || !trimmed {
+            if i > 0 || !self.trimmed {
                 fmt.push_str(prefix);
             }
             fmt.push_str(&kind.apply(n, *case));
@@ -148,7 +165,7 @@ impl NumberingPattern {
             fmt.push_str(&kind.apply(n, *case));
         }
 
-        if !trimmed {
+        if !self.trimmed {
             fmt.push_str(&self.suffix);
         }
 
@@ -172,13 +189,18 @@ impl NumberingPattern {
         fmt.push_str(&self.suffix);
         fmt
     }
+
+    /// How many counting symbols this pattern has.
+    pub fn pieces(&self) -> usize {
+        self.pieces.len()
+    }
 }
 
 impl FromStr for NumberingPattern {
     type Err = &'static str;
 
     fn from_str(pattern: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        let mut pieces = vec![];
+        let mut pieces = EcoVec::new();
         let mut handled = 0;
 
         for (i, c) in pattern.char_indices() {
@@ -197,7 +219,7 @@ impl FromStr for NumberingPattern {
             Err("invalid numbering pattern")?;
         }
 
-        Ok(Self { pieces, suffix })
+        Ok(Self { pieces, suffix, trimmed: false })
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/library/src/meta/outline.rs b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
index 1a3e8606..933119ec 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/outline.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{HeadingNode, LocalName};
+use super::{Counter, HeadingNode, LocalName};
 use crate::layout::{BoxNode, HNode, HideNode, ParbreakNode, RepeatNode};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::{LinebreakNode, SpaceNode, TextNode};
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use crate::text::{LinebreakNode, SpaceNode, TextNode};
 ///
 /// Display: Outline
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Synthesize, Show, LocalName)]
+#[node(Show, LocalName)]
 pub struct OutlineNode {
     /// The title of the outline.
     ///
@@ -67,26 +67,6 @@ pub struct OutlineNode {
     /// ```
     #[default(Some(RepeatNode::new(TextNode::packed(".")).pack()))]
     pub fill: Option<Content>,
-
-    /// All outlined headings in the document.
-    #[synthesized]
-    pub headings: Vec<HeadingNode>,
-}
-
-impl Synthesize for OutlineNode {
-    fn synthesize(&mut self, vt: &Vt, _: StyleChain) {
-        let headings = vt
-            .introspector
-            .query(Selector::Node(
-                NodeId::of::<HeadingNode>(),
-                Some(dict! { "outlined" => true }),
-            ))
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|node| node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap().clone())
-            .collect();
-
-        self.push_headings(headings);
-    }
 }
 
 impl Show for OutlineNode {
@@ -100,7 +80,7 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
 
             seq.push(
                 HeadingNode::new(title)
-                    .with_level(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())
+                    .with_level(NonZeroUsize::ONE)
                     .with_numbering(None)
                     .with_outlined(false)
                     .pack(),
@@ -111,7 +91,11 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
         let depth = self.depth(styles);
 
         let mut ancestors: Vec<&HeadingNode> = vec![];
-        for heading in self.headings().iter() {
+        for node in vt.introspector.query(Selector::Node(
+            NodeId::of::<HeadingNode>(),
+            Some(dict! { "outlined" => true }),
+        )) {
+            let heading = node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap();
             let stable_id = heading.0.stable_id().unwrap();
             if !heading.outlined(StyleChain::default()) {
                 continue;
@@ -134,9 +118,9 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
                 let mut hidden = Content::empty();
                 for ancestor in &ancestors {
                     if let Some(numbering) = ancestor.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
-                        let numbers = ancestor.numbers().unwrap();
-                        hidden += numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
-                            + SpaceNode::new().pack();
+                        let numbers = Counter::Selector(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>())
+                            .resolve(vt, ancestor.0.stable_id(), &numbering)?;
+                        hidden += numbers + SpaceNode::new().pack();
                     };
                 }
 
@@ -149,10 +133,9 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
             // Format the numbering.
             let mut start = heading.body();
             if let Some(numbering) = heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
-                let numbers = heading.numbers().unwrap();
-                start = numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
-                    + SpaceNode::new().pack()
-                    + start;
+                let numbers = Counter::Selector(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>())
+                    .resolve(vt, Some(stable_id), &numbering)?;
+                start = numbers + SpaceNode::new().pack() + start;
             };
 
             // Add the numbering and section name.
@@ -173,8 +156,8 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
             }
 
             // Add the page number and linebreak.
-            let page = vt.introspector.page(stable_id).unwrap();
-            let end = TextNode::packed(eco_format!("{}", page));
+            let page = vt.introspector.page(stable_id);
+            let end = TextNode::packed(eco_format!("{page}"));
             seq.push(end.linked(Link::Node(stable_id)));
             seq.push(LinebreakNode::new().pack());
             ancestors.push(heading);
diff --git a/library/src/meta/reference.rs b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
index 1616adb3..095a846c 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/reference.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BibliographyNode, CiteNode, FigureNode, HeadingNode, LocalName, Numbering};
+use super::{BibliographyNode, CiteNode, Counter, LocalName, Numbering};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::TextNode;
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use crate::text::TextNode;
 ///
 /// Display: Reference
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Show)]
+#[node(Locatable, Show)]
 pub struct RefNode {
     /// The target label that should be referenced.
     #[required]
@@ -65,40 +65,36 @@ pub struct RefNode {
 
 impl Show for RefNode {
     fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-        let target = self.target();
-        let supplement = self.supplement(styles);
+        if !vt.introspector.init() {
+            return Ok(Content::empty());
+        }
 
+        let target = self.target();
         let matches = vt.introspector.query(Selector::Label(self.target()));
 
-        if !vt.locatable() || BibliographyNode::has(vt, &target.0) {
+        if BibliographyNode::has(vt, &target.0) {
             if !matches.is_empty() {
                 bail!(self.span(), "label occurs in the document and its bibliography");
             }
 
-            return Ok(CiteNode::new(vec![target.0])
-                .with_supplement(match supplement {
-                    Smart::Custom(Some(Supplement::Content(content))) => Some(content),
-                    _ => None,
-                })
-                .pack()
-                .spanned(self.span()));
+            return self.to_citation(styles).show(vt, styles);
         }
 
-        let &[target] = matches.as_slice() else {
-            if vt.locatable() {
-                bail!(self.span(), if matches.is_empty() {
-                    "label does not exist in the document"
-                } else {
-                    "label occurs multiple times in the document"
-                });
+        let &[node] = matches.as_slice() else {
+            bail!(self.span(), if matches.is_empty() {
+                "label does not exist in the document"
             } else {
-                return Ok(Content::empty());
-            }
+                "label occurs multiple times in the document"
+            });
         };
 
+        if !node.can::<dyn Locatable>() {
+            bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference {}", node.id().name);
+        }
+
         let supplement = self.supplement(styles);
         let mut supplement = match supplement {
-            Smart::Auto => target
+            Smart::Auto => node
                 .with::<dyn LocalName>()
                 .map(|node| node.local_name(TextNode::lang_in(styles)))
                 .map(TextNode::packed)
@@ -106,8 +102,8 @@ impl Show for RefNode {
             Smart::Custom(None) => Content::empty(),
             Smart::Custom(Some(Supplement::Content(content))) => content.clone(),
             Smart::Custom(Some(Supplement::Func(func))) => {
-                let args = Args::new(func.span(), [target.clone().into()]);
-                func.call_detached(vt.world(), args)?.display()
+                let args = Args::new(func.span(), [node.clone().into()]);
+                func.call_detached(vt.world, args)?.display()
             }
         };
 
@@ -115,42 +111,31 @@ impl Show for RefNode {
             supplement += TextNode::packed('\u{a0}');
         }
 
-        let formatted = if let Some(heading) = target.to::<HeadingNode>() {
-            if let Some(numbering) = heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
-                let numbers = heading.numbers().unwrap();
-                numbered(vt, supplement, &numbering, &numbers)?
-            } else {
-                bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference unnumbered heading");
-            }
-        } else if let Some(figure) = target.to::<FigureNode>() {
-            if let Some(numbering) = figure.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
-                let number = figure.number().unwrap();
-                numbered(vt, supplement, &numbering, &[number])?
-            } else {
-                bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference unnumbered figure");
-            }
-        } else {
-            bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference {}", target.id().name);
+        let Some(numbering) = node.cast_field::<Numbering>("numbering") else {
+            bail!(self.span(), "only numbered elements can be referenced");
         };
 
-        Ok(formatted.linked(Link::Node(target.stable_id().unwrap())))
+        let numbers = Counter::Selector(Selector::Node(node.id(), None)).resolve(
+            vt,
+            node.stable_id(),
+            &numbering.trimmed(),
+        )?;
+
+        Ok((supplement + numbers).linked(Link::Node(node.stable_id().unwrap())))
     }
 }
 
-/// Generate a numbered reference like "Section 1.1".
-fn numbered(
-    vt: &Vt,
-    prefix: Content,
-    numbering: &Numbering,
-    numbers: &[NonZeroUsize],
-) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-    Ok(prefix
-        + match numbering {
-            Numbering::Pattern(pattern) => {
-                TextNode::packed(pattern.apply(&numbers, true))
-            }
-            Numbering::Func(_) => numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display(),
-        })
+impl RefNode {
+    /// Turn the rference into a citation.
+    pub fn to_citation(&self, styles: StyleChain) -> CiteNode {
+        let mut node = CiteNode::new(vec![self.target().0]);
+        node.push_supplement(match self.supplement(styles) {
+            Smart::Custom(Some(Supplement::Content(content))) => Some(content),
+            _ => None,
+        });
+        node.0.set_stable_id(self.0.stable_id().unwrap());
+        node
+    }
 }
 
 /// Additional content for a reference.
diff --git a/library/src/prelude.rs b/library/src/prelude.rs
index 36f7cc89..55e5f17b 100644
--- a/library/src/prelude.rs
+++ b/library/src/prelude.rs
@@ -22,16 +22,18 @@ pub use typst::eval::{
 pub use typst::geom::*;
 #[doc(no_inline)]
 pub use typst::model::{
-    node, Construct, Content, Finalize, Fold, Introspector, Label, Locatable, Node,
-    NodeId, Resolve, Selector, Set, Show, StabilityProvider, StableId, StyleChain,
-    StyleMap, StyleVec, Synthesize, Unlabellable, Vt,
+    node, Behave, Behaviour, Construct, Content, Finalize, Fold, Introspector, Label,
+    Locatable, MetaNode, Node, NodeId, Resolve, Selector, Set, Show, StabilityProvider,
+    StableId, StyleChain, StyleMap, StyleVec, Synthesize, Unlabellable, Vt,
 };
 #[doc(no_inline)]
 pub use typst::syntax::{Span, Spanned};
 #[doc(no_inline)]
+pub use typst::util::NonZeroExt;
+#[doc(no_inline)]
 pub use typst::World;
 
 #[doc(no_inline)]
 pub use crate::layout::{Fragment, Layout, Regions};
 #[doc(no_inline)]
-pub use crate::shared::{Behave, Behaviour, ContentExt, StyleMapExt};
+pub use crate::shared::{ContentExt, StyleMapExt};
diff --git a/library/src/shared/behave.rs b/library/src/shared/behave.rs
index 74c4d151..eff41c0b 100644
--- a/library/src/shared/behave.rs
+++ b/library/src/shared/behave.rs
@@ -1,38 +1,9 @@
 //! Node interaction.
 
-use typst::model::{Content, StyleChain, StyleVec, StyleVecBuilder};
-
-/// How a node interacts with other nodes.
-pub trait Behave {
-    /// The node's interaction behaviour.
-    fn behaviour(&self) -> Behaviour;
-
-    /// Whether this weak node is larger than a previous one and thus picked as
-    /// the maximum when the levels are the same.
-    #[allow(unused_variables)]
-    fn larger(&self, prev: &Content) -> bool {
-        false
-    }
-}
-
-/// How a node interacts with other nodes in a stream.
-#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq)]
-pub enum Behaviour {
-    /// A weak node which only survives when a supportive node is before and
-    /// after it. Furthermore, per consecutive run of weak nodes, only one
-    /// survives: The one with the lowest weakness level (or the larger one if
-    /// there is a tie).
-    Weak(usize),
-    /// A node that enables adjacent weak nodes to exist. The default.
-    Supportive,
-    /// A node that destroys adjacent weak nodes.
-    Destructive,
-    /// A node that does not interact at all with other nodes, having the
-    /// same effect as if it didn't exist.
-    Ignorant,
-}
+use typst::model::{Behave, Behaviour, Content, StyleChain, StyleVec, StyleVecBuilder};
 
 /// A wrapper around a [`StyleVecBuilder`] that allows items to interact.
+#[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct BehavedBuilder<'a> {
     /// The internal builder.
     builder: StyleVecBuilder<'a, Content>,
@@ -53,11 +24,21 @@ impl<'a> BehavedBuilder<'a> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Whether the builder is empty.
+    /// Whether the builder is totally empty.
     pub fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
         self.builder.is_empty() && self.staged.is_empty()
     }
 
+    /// Whether the builder is empty except for some weak items that will
+    /// probably collapse.
+    pub fn is_basically_empty(&self) -> bool {
+        self.builder.is_empty()
+            && self
+                .staged
+                .iter()
+                .all(|(_, behaviour, _)| matches!(behaviour, Behaviour::Weak(_)))
+    }
+
     /// Push an item into the sequence.
     pub fn push(&mut self, item: Content, styles: StyleChain<'a>) {
         let interaction = item
diff --git a/library/src/text/shaping.rs b/library/src/text/shaping.rs
index 53e90bc5..244e7afe 100644
--- a/library/src/text/shaping.rs
+++ b/library/src/text/shaping.rs
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ impl<'a> ShapedText<'a> {
         }
 
         // Apply metadata.
-        frame.meta(self.styles);
+        frame.meta(self.styles, false);
 
         frame
     }
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ impl<'a> ShapedText<'a> {
         if self.glyphs.is_empty() {
             // When there are no glyphs, we just use the vertical metrics of the
             // first available font.
-            let world = vt.world();
+            let world = vt.world;
             for family in families(self.styles) {
                 if let Some(font) = world
                     .book()
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ impl<'a> ShapedText<'a> {
     /// Push a hyphen to end of the text.
     pub fn push_hyphen(&mut self, vt: &Vt) {
         families(self.styles).find_map(|family| {
-            let world = vt.world();
+            let world = vt.world;
             let font = world
                 .book()
                 .select(family.as_str(), self.variant)
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ fn shape_segment<'a>(
     }
 
     // Find the next available family.
-    let world = ctx.vt.world();
+    let world = ctx.vt.world;
     let book = world.book();
     let mut selection = families.find_map(|family| {
         book.select(family.as_str(), ctx.variant)
diff --git a/library/src/text/shift.rs b/library/src/text/shift.rs
index 20cfaa49..74bb70c7 100644
--- a/library/src/text/shift.rs
+++ b/library/src/text/shift.rs
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ fn search_text(content: &Content, sub: bool) -> Option<EcoString> {
 /// Checks whether the first retrievable family contains all code points of the
 /// given string.
 fn is_shapable(vt: &Vt, text: &str, styles: StyleChain) -> bool {
-    let world = vt.world();
+    let world = vt.world;
     for family in TextNode::font_in(styles) {
         if let Some(font) = world
             .book()
diff --git a/library/src/visualize/image.rs b/library/src/visualize/image.rs
index 129e07c5..c5016436 100644
--- a/library/src/visualize/image.rs
+++ b/library/src/visualize/image.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ impl Layout for ImageNode {
         styles: StyleChain,
         regions: Regions,
     ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
-        let image = load(vt.world(), &self.path()).unwrap();
+        let image = load(vt.world, &self.path()).unwrap();
         let sizing = Axes::new(self.width(styles), self.height(styles));
         let region = sizing
             .zip(regions.base())
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ impl Layout for ImageNode {
         }
 
         // Apply metadata.
-        frame.meta(styles);
+        frame.meta(styles, false);
 
         Ok(Fragment::frame(frame))
     }
diff --git a/library/src/visualize/shape.rs b/library/src/visualize/shape.rs
index de459949..8aef3629 100644
--- a/library/src/visualize/shape.rs
+++ b/library/src/visualize/shape.rs
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ fn layout(
     }
 
     // Apply metadata.
-    frame.meta(styles);
+    frame.meta(styles, false);
 
     Ok(Fragment::frame(frame))
 }
diff --git a/macros/src/node.rs b/macros/src/node.rs
index dfbd9078..1d05b9a6 100644
--- a/macros/src/node.rs
+++ b/macros/src/node.rs
@@ -326,12 +326,12 @@ fn create_set_field_method(field: &Field) -> TokenStream {
     let doc = format!("Create a style property for the `{}` field.", name);
     quote! {
         #[doc = #doc]
-        #vis fn #set_ident(#ident: #ty) -> ::typst::model::Property {
-            ::typst::model::Property::new(
+        #vis fn #set_ident(#ident: #ty) -> ::typst::model::Style {
+            ::typst::model::Style::Property(::typst::model::Property::new(
                 ::typst::model::NodeId::of::<Self>(),
                 #name.into(),
                 #ident.into()
-            )
+            ))
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/doc.rs b/src/doc.rs
index 03885b03..f575ff1f 100644
--- a/src/doc.rs
+++ b/src/doc.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use crate::geom::{
     Numeric, Paint, Point, Rel, RgbaColor, Shape, Sides, Size, Stroke, Transform,
 };
 use crate::image::Image;
-use crate::model::{node, Content, Fold, Introspector, StableId, StyleChain};
+use crate::model::{Content, Introspector, MetaNode, StableId, StyleChain};
 use crate::syntax::Span;
 
 /// A finished document with metadata and page frames.
@@ -271,16 +271,15 @@ impl Frame {
     }
 
     /// Attach the metadata from this style chain to the frame.
-    pub fn meta(&mut self, styles: StyleChain) {
-        if self.is_empty() {
-            return;
-        }
-        for meta in MetaNode::data_in(styles) {
-            if matches!(meta, Meta::Hide) {
-                self.clear();
-                break;
+    pub fn meta(&mut self, styles: StyleChain, force: bool) {
+        if force || !self.is_empty() {
+            for meta in MetaNode::data_in(styles) {
+                if matches!(meta, Meta::Hide) {
+                    self.clear();
+                    break;
+                }
+                self.prepend(Point::zero(), Element::Meta(meta, self.size));
             }
-            self.prepend(Point::zero(), Element::Meta(meta, self.size));
         }
     }
 
@@ -607,6 +606,16 @@ pub enum Meta {
     Node(Content),
 }
 
+cast_from_value! {
+    Meta: "meta",
+}
+
+impl PartialEq for Meta {
+    fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+        crate::util::hash128(self) == crate::util::hash128(other)
+    }
+}
+
 /// A possibly unresolved link.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Hash)]
 pub enum Link {
@@ -623,45 +632,14 @@ impl Link {
     pub fn resolve<'a>(
         &self,
         introspector: impl FnOnce() -> &'a Introspector,
-    ) -> Option<Destination> {
+    ) -> Destination {
         match self {
-            Self::Dest(dest) => Some(dest.clone()),
-            Self::Node(id) => introspector().location(*id).map(Destination::Internal),
+            Self::Dest(dest) => dest.clone(),
+            Self::Node(id) => Destination::Internal(introspector().location(*id)),
         }
     }
 }
 
-/// Host for metadata.
-///
-/// Display: Meta
-/// Category: special
-#[node]
-pub struct MetaNode {
-    /// Metadata that should be attached to all elements affected by this style
-    /// property.
-    #[fold]
-    pub data: Vec<Meta>,
-}
-
-impl Fold for Vec<Meta> {
-    type Output = Self;
-
-    fn fold(mut self, outer: Self::Output) -> Self::Output {
-        self.extend(outer);
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-cast_from_value! {
-    Meta: "meta",
-}
-
-impl PartialEq for Meta {
-    fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
-        crate::util::hash128(self) == crate::util::hash128(other)
-    }
-}
-
 /// A link destination.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum Destination {
diff --git a/src/eval/library.rs b/src/eval/library.rs
index 1240d9bb..45c23d17 100644
--- a/src/eval/library.rs
+++ b/src/eval/library.rs
@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ use comemo::Tracked;
 use ecow::EcoString;
 use once_cell::sync::OnceCell;
 
-use super::Module;
+use super::{Args, Dynamic, Module, Value};
 use crate::diag::SourceResult;
 use crate::doc::Document;
 use crate::geom::{Abs, Dir};
 use crate::model::{Content, Introspector, Label, NodeId, StyleChain, StyleMap, Vt};
+use crate::syntax::Span;
 use crate::util::hash128;
 use crate::World;
 
@@ -89,6 +90,14 @@ pub struct LangItems {
     pub math_accent: fn(base: Content, accent: char) -> Content,
     /// A fraction in a formula: `x/2`.
     pub math_frac: fn(num: Content, denom: Content) -> Content,
+    /// Dispatch a method on a counter. This is hacky and should be superseded
+    /// by more dynamic method dispatch.
+    pub counter_method: fn(
+        dynamic: &Dynamic,
+        method: &str,
+        args: Args,
+        span: Span,
+    ) -> SourceResult<Value>,
 }
 
 impl Debug for LangItems {
diff --git a/src/eval/methods.rs b/src/eval/methods.rs
index 197a2f65..a449ac16 100644
--- a/src/eval/methods.rs
+++ b/src/eval/methods.rs
@@ -134,6 +134,14 @@ pub fn call(
             _ => return missing(),
         },
 
+        Value::Dyn(dynamic) => {
+            if dynamic.type_name() == "counter" {
+                return (vm.items.counter_method)(&dynamic, method, args, span);
+            }
+
+            return missing();
+        }
+
         _ => return missing(),
     };
 
@@ -281,6 +289,13 @@ pub fn methods_on(type_name: &str) -> &[(&'static str, bool)] {
         ],
         "function" => &[("where", true), ("with", true)],
         "arguments" => &[("named", false), ("pos", false)],
+        "counter" => &[
+            ("get", true),
+            ("final", true),
+            ("both", true),
+            ("step", true),
+            ("update", true),
+        ],
         _ => &[],
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/export/pdf/page.rs b/src/export/pdf/page.rs
index df7b517f..5347d831 100644
--- a/src/export/pdf/page.rs
+++ b/src/export/pdf/page.rs
@@ -114,11 +114,7 @@ fn write_page(ctx: &mut PdfContext, page: Page) {
         let mut annotation = annotations.push();
         annotation.subtype(AnnotationType::Link).rect(rect);
         annotation.border(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, None);
-
-        let dest = link.resolve(|| &ctx.introspector);
-        let Some(dest) = dest else { continue };
-
-        match dest {
+        match link.resolve(|| &ctx.introspector) {
             Destination::Url(uri) => {
                 annotation
                     .action()
diff --git a/src/geom/align.rs b/src/geom/align.rs
index b14e6775..239a6e70 100644
--- a/src/geom/align.rs
+++ b/src/geom/align.rs
@@ -143,6 +143,26 @@ cast_to_value! {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<Axes<GenAlign>> for Axes<Option<GenAlign>> {
+    fn from(axes: Axes<GenAlign>) -> Self {
+        axes.map(Some)
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<Axes<Align>> for Axes<Option<GenAlign>> {
+    fn from(axes: Axes<Align>) -> Self {
+        axes.map(GenAlign::Specific).into()
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<Align> for Axes<Option<GenAlign>> {
+    fn from(align: Align) -> Self {
+        let mut axes = Axes::splat(None);
+        axes.set(align.axis(), Some(align.into()));
+        axes
+    }
+}
+
 impl Resolve for GenAlign {
     type Output = Align;
 
diff --git a/src/ide/analyze.rs b/src/ide/analyze.rs
index ed868e53..ccb89a9c 100644
--- a/src/ide/analyze.rs
+++ b/src/ide/analyze.rs
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ pub fn analyze_labels(
     let items = &world.library().items;
 
     // Labels in the document.
-    for node in introspector.nodes() {
+    for node in introspector.all() {
         let Some(label) = node.label() else { continue };
         let details = node
             .field("caption")
diff --git a/src/ide/jump.rs b/src/ide/jump.rs
index 0aa97b56..17e318a7 100644
--- a/src/ide/jump.rs
+++ b/src/ide/jump.rs
@@ -36,12 +36,9 @@ pub fn jump_from_click(
     for (pos, element) in frame.elements() {
         if let Element::Meta(Meta::Link(link), size) = element {
             if is_in_rect(*pos, *size, click) {
-                let dest = link.resolve(|| {
+                return Some(Jump::Dest(link.resolve(|| {
                     introspector.get_or_insert_with(|| Introspector::new(frames))
-                });
-
-                let Some(dest) = dest else { continue };
-                return Some(Jump::Dest(dest));
+                })));
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/model/content.rs b/src/model/content.rs
index 58b80487..11ad635f 100644
--- a/src/model/content.rs
+++ b/src/model/content.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,12 @@ use comemo::Tracked;
 use ecow::{eco_format, EcoString, EcoVec};
 use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 
-use super::{node, Guard, Locatable, Recipe, StableId, Style, StyleMap, Synthesize};
+use super::{
+    node, Behave, Behaviour, Fold, Guard, Locatable, Recipe, StableId, Style, StyleMap,
+    Synthesize,
+};
 use crate::diag::{SourceResult, StrResult};
+use crate::doc::Meta;
 use crate::eval::{
     cast_from_value, cast_to_value, Args, Cast, Func, FuncInfo, Str, Value, Vm,
 };
@@ -35,9 +39,15 @@ enum Modifier {
 }
 
 impl Content {
+    /// Create a content of the given node kind.
     pub fn new<T: Node>() -> Self {
+        Self::new_of(T::id())
+    }
+
+    /// Create a content of the given node kind.
+    pub fn new_of(id: NodeId) -> Self {
         Self {
-            id: T::id(),
+            id,
             span: Span::detached(),
             fields: EcoVec::new(),
             modifiers: EcoVec::new(),
@@ -133,11 +143,10 @@ impl Content {
             .map(|(_, value)| value)
     }
 
-    /// Access a field on the content as a specified type.
-    #[track_caller]
+    /// Try to access a field on the content as a specified type.
     pub fn cast_field<T: Cast>(&self, name: &str) -> Option<T> {
         match self.field(name) {
-            Some(value) => Some(value.clone().cast().unwrap()),
+            Some(value) => value.clone().cast().ok(),
             None => None,
         }
     }
@@ -145,7 +154,7 @@ impl Content {
     /// Expect a field on the content to exist as a specified type.
     #[track_caller]
     pub fn expect_field<T: Cast>(&self, name: &str) -> T {
-        self.cast_field(name).unwrap()
+        self.field(name).unwrap().clone().cast().unwrap()
     }
 
     /// List all fields on the content.
@@ -500,6 +509,33 @@ cast_from_value! {
     StyleMap: "style map",
 }
 
+/// Host for metadata.
+///
+/// Display: Meta
+/// Category: special
+#[node(Behave)]
+pub struct MetaNode {
+    /// Metadata that should be attached to all elements affected by this style
+    /// property.
+    #[fold]
+    pub data: Vec<Meta>,
+}
+
+impl Behave for MetaNode {
+    fn behaviour(&self) -> Behaviour {
+        Behaviour::Ignorant
+    }
+}
+
+impl Fold for Vec<Meta> {
+    type Output = Self;
+
+    fn fold(mut self, outer: Self::Output) -> Self::Output {
+        self.extend(outer);
+        self
+    }
+}
+
 /// The missing key access error message.
 #[cold]
 #[track_caller]
diff --git a/src/model/realize.rs b/src/model/realize.rs
index 7a171cfc..70c75644 100644
--- a/src/model/realize.rs
+++ b/src/model/realize.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-use super::{Content, NodeId, Recipe, Selector, StyleChain, Vt};
+use super::{Content, MetaNode, Node, NodeId, Recipe, Selector, StyleChain, Vt};
 use crate::diag::SourceResult;
-use crate::doc::{Meta, MetaNode};
+use crate::doc::Meta;
+use crate::util::hash128;
 
 /// Whether the target is affected by show rules in the given style chain.
 pub fn applicable(target: &Content, styles: StyleChain) -> bool {
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ pub fn realize(
     if target.needs_preparation() {
         let mut node = target.clone();
         if target.can::<dyn Locatable>() || target.label().is_some() {
-            let id = vt.identify(target);
+            let id = vt.provider.identify(hash128(target));
             node.set_stable_id(id);
         }
 
@@ -47,8 +48,12 @@ pub fn realize(
         node.mark_prepared();
 
         if node.stable_id().is_some() {
+            let span = node.span();
             let meta = Meta::Node(node.clone());
-            return Ok(Some(node.styled(MetaNode::set_data(vec![meta]))));
+            return Ok(Some(
+                (node + MetaNode::new().pack().spanned(span))
+                    .styled(MetaNode::set_data(vec![meta])),
+            ));
         }
 
         return Ok(Some(node));
@@ -103,7 +108,7 @@ fn try_apply(
                 return Ok(None);
             }
 
-            recipe.apply(vt.world(), target.clone().guarded(guard)).map(Some)
+            recipe.apply(vt.world, target.clone().guarded(guard)).map(Some)
         }
 
         Some(Selector::Label(label)) => {
@@ -111,7 +116,7 @@ fn try_apply(
                 return Ok(None);
             }
 
-            recipe.apply(vt.world(), target.clone().guarded(guard)).map(Some)
+            recipe.apply(vt.world, target.clone().guarded(guard)).map(Some)
         }
 
         Some(Selector::Regex(regex)) => {
@@ -135,7 +140,7 @@ fn try_apply(
                 }
 
                 let piece = make(m.as_str().into()).guarded(guard);
-                let transformed = recipe.apply(vt.world(), piece)?;
+                let transformed = recipe.apply(vt.world, piece)?;
                 result.push(transformed);
                 cursor = m.end();
             }
@@ -151,6 +156,9 @@ fn try_apply(
             Ok(Some(Content::sequence(result)))
         }
 
+        // Not supported here.
+        Some(Selector::Any(_)) => Ok(None),
+
         None => Ok(None),
     }
 }
@@ -178,6 +186,36 @@ pub trait Finalize {
     fn finalize(&self, realized: Content, styles: StyleChain) -> Content;
 }
 
+/// How a node interacts with other nodes.
+pub trait Behave {
+    /// The node's interaction behaviour.
+    fn behaviour(&self) -> Behaviour;
+
+    /// Whether this weak node is larger than a previous one and thus picked as
+    /// the maximum when the levels are the same.
+    #[allow(unused_variables)]
+    fn larger(&self, prev: &Content) -> bool {
+        false
+    }
+}
+
+/// How a node interacts with other nodes in a stream.
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Behaviour {
+    /// A weak node which only survives when a supportive node is before and
+    /// after it. Furthermore, per consecutive run of weak nodes, only one
+    /// survives: The one with the lowest weakness level (or the larger one if
+    /// there is a tie).
+    Weak(usize),
+    /// A node that enables adjacent weak nodes to exist. The default.
+    Supportive,
+    /// A node that destroys adjacent weak nodes.
+    Destructive,
+    /// A node that does not interact at all with other nodes, having the
+    /// same effect as if it didn't exist.
+    Ignorant,
+}
+
 /// Guards content against being affected by the same show rule multiple times.
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum Guard {
diff --git a/src/model/styles.rs b/src/model/styles.rs
index 9a562c75..359f1461 100644
--- a/src/model/styles.rs
+++ b/src/model/styles.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter, Write};
 use std::iter;
 
 use comemo::Tracked;
-use ecow::{eco_format, EcoString};
+use ecow::{eco_format, EcoString, EcoVec};
 
 use super::{Content, Label, Node, NodeId};
 use crate::diag::{SourceResult, Trace, Tracepoint};
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ impl StyleMap {
     /// If the property needs folding and the value is already contained in the
     /// style map, `self` contributes the outer values and `value` is the inner
     /// one.
-    pub fn set(&mut self, property: Property) {
-        self.0.push(Style::Property(property));
+    pub fn set(&mut self, style: impl Into<Style>) {
+        self.0.push(style.into());
     }
 
     /// Remove the style that was last set.
@@ -243,6 +243,8 @@ pub enum Selector {
     Label(Label),
     /// Matches text nodes through a regular expression.
     Regex(Regex),
+    /// Matches if any of the subselectors match.
+    Any(EcoVec<Self>),
 }
 
 impl Selector {
@@ -271,6 +273,7 @@ impl Selector {
                 target.id() == item!(text_id)
                     && item!(text_str)(target).map_or(false, |text| regex.is_match(&text))
             }
+            Self::Any(selectors) => selectors.iter().any(|sel| sel.matches(target)),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -288,6 +291,12 @@ impl Debug for Selector {
             }
             Self::Label(label) => label.fmt(f),
             Self::Regex(regex) => regex.fmt(f),
+            Self::Any(selectors) => {
+                f.write_str("any")?;
+                let pieces: Vec<_> =
+                    selectors.iter().map(|sel| eco_format!("{sel:?}")).collect();
+                f.write_str(&pretty_array_like(&pieces, false))
+            }
         }
     }
 }
@@ -659,6 +668,7 @@ impl<T: Debug> Debug for StyleVec<T> {
 }
 
 /// Assists in the construction of a [`StyleVec`].
+#[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct StyleVecBuilder<'a, T> {
     items: Vec<T>,
     chains: Vec<(StyleChain<'a>, usize)>,
diff --git a/src/model/typeset.rs b/src/model/typeset.rs
index f68d337d..4c8be135 100644
--- a/src/model/typeset.rs
+++ b/src/model/typeset.rs
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
-use std::cell::RefCell;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::hash::Hash;
 use std::num::NonZeroUsize;
 
-use comemo::{Track, Tracked, TrackedMut};
+use comemo::{Constraint, Track, Tracked, TrackedMut};
 
-use super::{Content, Node, Selector, StyleChain};
+use super::{Content, Selector, StyleChain};
 use crate::diag::SourceResult;
 use crate::doc::{Document, Element, Frame, Location, Meta};
-use crate::geom::Transform;
-use crate::util::hash128;
+use crate::geom::{Point, Transform};
+use crate::util::NonZeroExt;
 use crate::World;
 
 /// Typeset content into a fully layouted document.
@@ -25,17 +23,21 @@ pub fn typeset(world: Tracked<dyn World>, content: &Content) -> SourceResult<Doc
     // Relayout until all introspections stabilize.
     // If that doesn't happen within five attempts, we give up.
     loop {
+        let constraint = Constraint::new();
         let mut provider = StabilityProvider::new();
         let mut vt = Vt {
             world,
             provider: provider.track_mut(),
-            introspector: introspector.track(),
+            introspector: introspector.track_with(&constraint),
         };
 
         document = (library.items.layout)(&mut vt, content, styles)?;
         iter += 1;
 
-        if iter >= 5 || introspector.update(&document.pages) {
+        introspector = Introspector::new(&document.pages);
+        introspector.init = true;
+
+        if iter >= 5 || introspector.valid(&constraint) {
             break;
         }
     }
@@ -56,137 +58,86 @@ pub struct Vt<'a> {
     pub introspector: Tracked<'a, Introspector>,
 }
 
-impl<'a> Vt<'a> {
-    /// Access the underlying world.
-    pub fn world(&self) -> Tracked<'a, dyn World> {
-        self.world
+/// Provides stable identities to nodes.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct StabilityProvider {
+    hashes: Vec<u128>,
+    checkpoints: Vec<usize>,
+}
+
+impl StabilityProvider {
+    /// Create a new stability provider.
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self { hashes: vec![], checkpoints: vec![] }
     }
+}
 
+#[comemo::track]
+impl StabilityProvider {
     /// Produce a stable identifier for this call site.
-    ///
-    /// The key should be something that identifies the call site, but is not
-    /// necessarily unique. The stable marker incorporates the key's hash plus
-    /// additional disambiguation from other call sites with the same key.
-    ///
-    /// The returned id can be attached to content as metadata is the then
-    /// locatable through [`locate`](Self::locate).
-    pub fn identify<T: Hash>(&mut self, key: &T) -> StableId {
-        self.provider.identify(hash128(key))
+    pub fn identify(&mut self, hash: u128) -> StableId {
+        let count = self.hashes.iter().filter(|&&prev| prev == hash).count();
+        self.hashes.push(hash);
+        StableId(hash, count, 0)
     }
 
-    /// Whether things are locatable already.
-    pub fn locatable(&self) -> bool {
-        self.introspector.init()
+    /// Create a checkpoint of the state that can be restored.
+    pub fn save(&mut self) {
+        self.checkpoints.push(self.hashes.len());
     }
 
-    /// Locate all metadata matches for the given node.
-    pub fn query_node<T: Node>(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &T> {
-        self.introspector
-            .query(Selector::node::<T>())
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|content| content.to::<T>().unwrap())
+    /// Restore the last checkpoint.
+    pub fn restore(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(checkpoint) = self.checkpoints.pop() {
+            self.hashes.truncate(checkpoint);
+        }
     }
 }
 
 /// Stably identifies a call site across multiple layout passes.
 ///
-/// This struct is created by [`Vt::identify`].
+/// This struct is created by [`StabilityProvider::identify`].
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
-pub struct StableId(u128, u64, u64);
+pub struct StableId(u128, usize, usize);
 
 impl StableId {
     /// Produce a variant of this id.
-    pub fn variant(self, n: u64) -> Self {
+    pub fn variant(self, n: usize) -> Self {
         Self(self.0, self.1, n)
     }
 }
 
-/// Provides stable identities to nodes.
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct StabilityProvider(HashMap<u128, u64>);
-
-impl StabilityProvider {
-    /// Create a new stability provider.
-    fn new() -> Self {
-        Self(HashMap::new())
-    }
-}
-
-#[comemo::track]
-impl StabilityProvider {
-    /// Produce a stable identifier for this call site.
-    fn identify(&mut self, hash: u128) -> StableId {
-        let slot = self.0.entry(hash).or_default();
-        let id = StableId(hash, *slot, 0);
-        *slot += 1;
-        id
-    }
-}
-
 /// Provides access to information about the document.
 pub struct Introspector {
     init: bool,
     nodes: Vec<(Content, Location)>,
-    queries: RefCell<Vec<(Selector, u128)>>,
 }
 
 impl Introspector {
     /// Create a new introspector.
     pub fn new(frames: &[Frame]) -> Self {
-        let mut introspector = Self {
-            init: false,
-            nodes: vec![],
-            queries: RefCell::new(vec![]),
-        };
-        introspector.extract_from_frames(frames);
-        introspector
-    }
-
-    /// Update the information given new frames and return whether we can stop
-    /// layouting.
-    pub fn update(&mut self, frames: &[Frame]) -> bool {
-        self.nodes.clear();
-        self.extract_from_frames(frames);
-
-        let was_init = std::mem::replace(&mut self.init, true);
-        let queries = std::mem::take(&mut self.queries).into_inner();
-
-        for (selector, hash) in &queries {
-            let nodes = self.query_impl(selector);
-            if hash128(&nodes) != *hash {
-                return false;
-            }
-        }
-
-        if !was_init && !queries.is_empty() {
-            return false;
+        let mut introspector = Self { init: false, nodes: vec![] };
+        for (i, frame) in frames.iter().enumerate() {
+            let page = NonZeroUsize::new(1 + i).unwrap();
+            introspector.extract(frame, page, Transform::identity());
         }
-
-        true
+        introspector
     }
 
     /// Iterate over all nodes.
-    pub fn nodes(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &Content> {
+    pub fn all(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &Content> {
         self.nodes.iter().map(|(node, _)| node)
     }
 
-    /// Extract metadata from frames.
-    fn extract_from_frames(&mut self, frames: &[Frame]) {
-        for (i, frame) in frames.iter().enumerate() {
-            let page = NonZeroUsize::new(1 + i).unwrap();
-            self.extract_from_frame(frame, page, Transform::identity());
-        }
-    }
-
     /// Extract metadata from a frame.
-    fn extract_from_frame(&mut self, frame: &Frame, page: NonZeroUsize, ts: Transform) {
+    fn extract(&mut self, frame: &Frame, page: NonZeroUsize, ts: Transform) {
         for (pos, element) in frame.elements() {
             match element {
                 Element::Group(group) => {
                     let ts = ts
                         .pre_concat(Transform::translate(pos.x, pos.y))
                         .pre_concat(group.transform);
-                    self.extract_from_frame(&group.frame, page, ts);
+                    self.extract(&group.frame, page, ts);
                 }
                 Element::Meta(Meta::Node(content), _)
                     if !self
@@ -212,27 +163,20 @@ impl Introspector {
 
     /// Query for all metadata matches for the given selector.
     pub fn query(&self, selector: Selector) -> Vec<&Content> {
-        let nodes = self.query_impl(&selector);
-        let mut queries = self.queries.borrow_mut();
-        if !queries.iter().any(|(prev, _)| prev == &selector) {
-            queries.push((selector, hash128(&nodes)));
-        }
-        nodes
+        self.all().filter(|node| selector.matches(node)).collect()
     }
 
     /// Find the page number for the given stable id.
-    pub fn page(&self, id: StableId) -> Option<NonZeroUsize> {
-        Some(self.location(id)?.page)
+    pub fn page(&self, id: StableId) -> NonZeroUsize {
+        self.location(id).page
     }
 
     /// Find the location for the given stable id.
-    pub fn location(&self, id: StableId) -> Option<Location> {
-        Some(self.nodes.iter().find(|(node, _)| node.stable_id() == Some(id))?.1)
-    }
-}
-
-impl Introspector {
-    fn query_impl(&self, selector: &Selector) -> Vec<&Content> {
-        self.nodes().filter(|node| selector.matches(node)).collect()
+    pub fn location(&self, id: StableId) -> Location {
+        self.nodes
+            .iter()
+            .find(|(node, _)| node.stable_id() == Some(id))
+            .map(|(_, loc)| *loc)
+            .unwrap_or(Location { page: NonZeroUsize::ONE, pos: Point::zero() })
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/syntax/ast.rs b/src/syntax/ast.rs
index 8e48358d..760a6499 100644
--- a/src/syntax/ast.rs
+++ b/src/syntax/ast.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ use super::{
     is_id_continue, is_id_start, is_newline, split_newlines, Span, SyntaxKind, SyntaxNode,
 };
 use crate::geom::{AbsUnit, AngleUnit};
+use crate::util::NonZeroExt;
 
 /// A typed AST node.
 pub trait AstNode: Sized {
@@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ impl Heading {
             .children()
             .find(|node| node.kind() == SyntaxKind::HeadingMarker)
             .and_then(|node| node.len().try_into().ok())
-            .unwrap_or(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())
+            .unwrap_or(NonZeroUsize::ONE)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/util/mod.rs b/src/util/mod.rs
index 1eb19113..596282de 100644
--- a/src/util/mod.rs
+++ b/src/util/mod.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ pub use buffer::Buffer;
 
 use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter};
 use std::hash::Hash;
+use std::num::NonZeroUsize;
 use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
@@ -39,6 +40,19 @@ pub fn hash128<T: Hash + ?Sized>(value: &T) -> u128 {
     state.finish128().as_u128()
 }
 
+/// Extra methods for [`NonZeroUsize`].
+pub trait NonZeroExt {
+    /// The number `1`.
+    const ONE: Self;
+}
+
+impl NonZeroExt for NonZeroUsize {
+    const ONE: Self = match Self::new(1) {
+        Some(v) => v,
+        None => unreachable!(),
+    };
+}
+
 /// Extra methods for [`str`].
 pub trait StrExt {
     /// The number of code units this string would use if it was encoded in
diff --git a/tests/ref/layout/page-marginals.png b/tests/ref/layout/page-marginals.png
index 5ad67ab4..bbe6358e 100644
--- a/tests/ref/layout/page-marginals.png
+++ b/tests/ref/layout/page-marginals.png
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/counter-page.png b/tests/ref/meta/counter-page.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62f663cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ref/meta/counter-page.png
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/counter.png b/tests/ref/meta/counter.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..679e748f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ref/meta/counter.png
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/figure.png b/tests/ref/meta/figure.png
index b39f462f..c1b518d3 100644
--- a/tests/ref/meta/figure.png
+++ b/tests/ref/meta/figure.png
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/outline.png b/tests/ref/meta/outline.png
index 7bcb971e..5d05b015 100644
--- a/tests/ref/meta/outline.png
+++ b/tests/ref/meta/outline.png
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/page-marginals.typ b/tests/typ/layout/page-marginals.typ
index 30bd39c1..d8ce9b79 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/page-marginals.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/page-marginals.typ
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 #set page(
   paper: "a8",
   margin: (x: 15pt, y: 30pt),
-  header: align(horizon, {
+  header: {
     text(eastern)[*Typst*]
     h(1fr)
     text(0.8em)[_Chapter 1_]
-  }),
-  footer: page => v(5pt) + align(center)[\~ #page \~],
-  background: n => if n <= 2 {
+  },
+  footer: align(center)[\~ #counter(page).get() \~],
+  background: counter(page).get(n => if n <= 2 {
     place(center + horizon, circle(radius: 1cm, fill: luma(90%)))
-  }
+  })
 )
 
 But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet
diff --git a/tests/typ/meta/counter-page.typ b/tests/typ/meta/counter-page.typ
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b45a26f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/meta/counter-page.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+// Test the page counter.
+
+#set page(height: 50pt, margin: (bottom: 20pt, rest: 10pt))
+#set page(numbering: "(i)")
+#lorem(6)
+#pagebreak()
+#set page(numbering: "1 / 1")
+#counter(page).update(1)
+#lorem(20)
diff --git a/tests/typ/meta/counter.typ b/tests/typ/meta/counter.typ
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9f6f4c8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/meta/counter.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+// Test counters.
+
+---
+// Count with string key.
+#let mine = counter("mine!")
+
+Final: #mine.final() \
+#mine.step()
+#mine.step()
+First: #mine.get() \
+#mine.update(7)
+#mine.both("1 of 1") \
+#mine.step()
+#mine.step()
+Second: #mine.get("I")
+#mine.update(n => n * 2)
+#mine.step()
+
+---
+// Count labels.
+#let label = <heya>
+#let count = counter(label).get()
+#let elem(it) = [#box(it) #label]
+
+#elem[hey, there!] #count \
+#elem[more here!] #count
+
+---
+// Count headings.
+#set heading(numbering: "1.a.")
+#show heading: set text(10pt)
+#counter(heading).step()
+
+= Alpha
+== Beta
+In #counter(heading).get().
+
+#set heading(numbering: none)
+= Gamma
+#heading(numbering: "I.")[Delta]
+
+---
+// Count figures.
+#figure(numbering: "A", caption: [Four 'A's])[_AAAA!_]
+#figure(numbering: none, caption: [Four 'B's])[_BBBB!_]
+#figure(caption: [Four 'C's])[_CCCC!_]
+#counter(figure).update(n => n + 3)
+#figure(caption: [Four 'D's])[_DDDD!_]
diff --git a/tests/typ/meta/outline.typ b/tests/typ/meta/outline.typ
index 1f882cec..83b2e906 100644
--- a/tests/typ/meta/outline.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/meta/outline.typ
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#set page("a7", margin: 20pt, footer: n => align(center, [#n]))
+#set page("a7", margin: 20pt, numbering: "1")
 #set heading(numbering: "(1/a)")
 #show heading.where(level: 1): set text(12pt)
 #show heading.where(level: 2): set text(10pt)