From b2e9979ba394600ec09cacf0490b439d7668e915 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:16 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 01/24] test: cover position-specific strict errors in
 decode/validation-errors.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json | 73 ++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 73 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
index e3ad253..afdb330 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
@@ -503,6 +503,79 @@
       "specSection": "5.2",
       "note": "A scalar line outside root primitive position is an error in strict and non-strict mode alike",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a root header in strict mode",
+      "input": "[#2]: a,b",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "6"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a field header in strict mode",
+      "input": "xs[#2]: a,b",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "6"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a nested field header in strict mode",
+      "input": "o:\n  xs[#2]: a,b",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "6"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a keyless list-item header in strict mode",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - [#2]: a,b",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "6"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a list-item first-field header in strict mode",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - xs[#2]: a,b",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "6"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on tabular row count mismatch inside a later list item",
+      "input": "groups[2]:\n  - a: foo\n    b[1]{w,x}:\n      wince,0\n  - a: bar\n    b[0]{w,x}:\n      wise,1",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "specSection": "14.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on a tab after a quoted value's closing quote",
+      "input": "k: \"a\"\t",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "specSection": "7.4",
+      "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "throws on a tab after a quoted key's closing quote",
+      "input": "\"a\"\t: 1",
+      "expected": null,
+      "shouldError": true,
+      "specSection": "7.4",
+      "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
     }
   ]
 }

From 70cd82a4680cc683ed358dae47a9ad5e1601441a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:16 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 02/24] test: cover tabs and lone carriage returns as content
 in decode/whitespace.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/whitespace.json | 27 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/whitespace.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/whitespace.json
index fc22ed3..3667076 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/whitespace.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/whitespace.json
@@ -124,6 +124,33 @@
       "specSection": "12",
       "note": "Trailing spaces are stripped before line classification",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "keeps a trailing tab in an unquoted value",
+      "input": "k: v\t",
+      "expected": {
+        "k": "v\t"
+      },
+      "specSection": "12"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "keeps a tab after a comma delimiter as part of the token",
+      "input": "items[2]: a,\tb",
+      "expected": {
+        "items": [
+          "a",
+          "\tb"
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "12"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "keeps a carriage return inside a line as content",
+      "input": "a: x\ry",
+      "expected": {
+        "a": "x\ry"
+      },
+      "specSection": "12"
     }
   ]
 }

From 986f49bb3ae4829288e26ee1e7541ae0b332ed2e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 03/24] test: cover a leading blank line before a root
 primitive in decode/root-form.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/root-form.json | 9 +++++++++
 1 file changed, 9 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/root-form.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/root-form.json
index 32bc71f..6378932 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/root-form.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/root-form.json
@@ -78,6 +78,15 @@
         "strict": true
       },
       "specSection": "5"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses a root primitive after a leading blank line",
+      "input": "\nhello",
+      "expected": "hello",
+      "options": {
+        "strict": true
+      },
+      "specSection": "5"
     }
   ]
 }

From b3fd41bb5c6d4afd2685291ae02080cd399f8a26 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 04/24] test: cover header-shaped and empty quoted keys in
 decode/objects.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json | 37 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 37 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
index 1e42dbf..f8070fb 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
@@ -509,6 +509,43 @@
       },
       "specSection": "7.4",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted dotted key as a single literal key",
+      "input": "\"a.b\": 1",
+      "expected": {
+        "a.b": 1
+      },
+      "specSection": "8"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted empty string key opening a nested object",
+      "input": "\"\":\n  a: 1",
+      "expected": {
+        "": {
+          "a": 1
+        }
+      },
+      "specSection": "8"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted key containing a bracket segment and colon",
+      "input": "\"k [2]: y\": 1",
+      "expected": {
+        "k [2]: y": 1
+      },
+      "specSection": "5.2"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "materializes __proto__ as an array header key",
+      "input": "__proto__[2]: 1,2",
+      "expected": {
+        "__proto__": [
+          1,
+          2
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "15"
     }
   ]
 }

From 97ab0a4faa92b4e51f9ff2189925efb2279f0636 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 05/24] test: cover deep nesting and list-item object fields in
 decode/arrays-nested.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json | 60 ++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 60 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
index 57ffe90..5586d6c 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -244,6 +244,66 @@
       "shouldError": true,
       "specSection": "9.4",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses three levels of nested arrays",
+      "input": "[1]:\n  - [1]:\n    - [1]: 1",
+      "expected": [
+        [
+          [
+            1
+          ]
+        ]
+      ],
+      "specSection": "9.4"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses an empty object as the first field of a list-item object",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - a:",
+      "expected": {
+        "items": [
+          {
+            "a": {}
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "10"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses a tabular array as a later field of a list-item object",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - id: 1\n    users[2]{id,name}:\n      1,Ada\n      2,Bob",
+      "expected": {
+        "items": [
+          {
+            "id": 1,
+            "users": [
+              {
+                "id": 1,
+                "name": "Ada"
+              },
+              {
+                "id": 2,
+                "name": "Bob"
+              }
+            ]
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "10"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted structural strings as list items",
+      "input": "xs[3]:\n  - \"[2]: x\"\n  - \"a: b\"\n  - k: 1",
+      "expected": {
+        "xs": [
+          "[2]: x",
+          "a: b",
+          {
+            "k": 1
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "9.4"
     }
   ]
 }

From 8d5b15c874a519e68f7ca35fabdd38919e7380f3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 06/24] test: cover structural strings in cells in
 decode/arrays-tabular.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json | 17 +++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
index 9c18ed9..a8a4e69 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
@@ -217,6 +217,23 @@
       "specSection": "14.1",
       "note": "A declared [N] never truncates a scope",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted structural strings in tabular cells",
+      "input": "rows[2]{id,note}:\n  1,\"[2]: x\"\n  2,\"a: b, c\"",
+      "expected": {
+        "rows": [
+          {
+            "id": 1,
+            "note": "[2]: x"
+          },
+          {
+            "id": 2,
+            "note": "a: b, c"
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "9.3"
     }
   ]
 }

From d09aa2d5b7a461fbcb6f41c545f9c56e8297295a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 07/24] test: cover a quoted key with escaped quotes as an
 array key in decode/arrays-primitive.json

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json | 12 ++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
index e09b87f..8797162 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
@@ -154,6 +154,18 @@
         "": []
       },
       "specSection": "9.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "parses quoted key with escaped quotes and brackets as an inline array key",
+      "input": "\"has \\\"[2]\\\" in it\"[3]: 3,4,5",
+      "expected": {
+        "has \"[2]\" in it": [
+          3,
+          4,
+          5
+        ]
+      },
+      "specSection": "9.1"
     }
   ]
 }

From b20abb59d5b374f5b21bc14b1bcdc4c2dc0a1ed6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 08/24] test: cover header-shaped and empty keys in
 encode/objects.json

---
 tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json | 29 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 29 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
index a63f92c..eece64e 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
@@ -292,6 +292,35 @@
       },
       "expected": "note: \"#x\"",
       "specSection": "7.2"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "encodes empty string key opening a nested object",
+      "input": {
+        "": {
+          "a": 1
+        }
+      },
+      "expected": "\"\":\n  a: 1",
+      "specSection": "8"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "quotes key containing a bracket segment and colon",
+      "input": {
+        "k [2]: y": 1
+      },
+      "expected": "\"k [2]: y\": 1",
+      "specSection": "7.3"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "encodes __proto__ as an array header key",
+      "input": {
+        "__proto__": [
+          1,
+          2
+        ]
+      },
+      "expected": "__proto__[2]: 1,2",
+      "specSection": "15"
     }
   ]
 }

From 756ad4ffdb218e445588fdc60683c2165b82f2fd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 09/24] test: cover deep nesting and structural list items in
 encode/arrays-nested.json

---
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json | 26 ++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
index 69c570e..a3236ac 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -127,6 +127,32 @@
       "specSection": "9.3",
       "note": "A keyless fields-bearing header is valid only at the document root",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "encodes three levels of nested arrays",
+      "input": [
+        [
+          [
+            1
+          ]
+        ]
+      ],
+      "expected": "[1]:\n  - [1]:\n    - [1]: 1",
+      "specSection": "9.4"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "quotes structural strings as list items",
+      "input": {
+        "xs": [
+          "[2]: x",
+          "a: b",
+          {
+            "k": 1
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "expected": "xs[3]:\n  - \"[2]: x\"\n  - \"a: b\"\n  - k: 1",
+      "specSection": "7.2"
     }
   ]
 }

From d78f43e3ef9206c71ce4d253a80802b529c3d39d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 10/24] test: cover an empty object as the first list-item
 field in encode/arrays-objects.json

---
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json | 12 ++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
index ad8342b..0660824 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
@@ -186,6 +186,18 @@
       "specSection": "9.5",
       "note": "Keyed tabular form is mandated in object-field and root positions, not in a column",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "places an empty object first field on the hyphen line",
+      "input": {
+        "items": [
+          {
+            "a": {}
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "expected": "items[1]:\n  - a:",
+      "specSection": "10"
     }
   ]
 }

From cfbd2dd68caad3e0100b34b8a7cfdc0266f2a244 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 11/24] test: cover structural strings in cells in
 encode/arrays-tabular.json

---
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json | 17 +++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
index 2365042..32602e3 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
@@ -177,6 +177,23 @@
       "expected": "items[1]:\n  - id: 1\n    meta:",
       "specSection": "9.3",
       "note": "Nested-uniform requires non-empty objects, mirroring the empty-object exclusion for elements"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "quotes structural strings in tabular cells",
+      "input": {
+        "rows": [
+          {
+            "id": 1,
+            "note": "[2]: x"
+          },
+          {
+            "id": 2,
+            "note": "a: b, c"
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "expected": "rows[2]{id,note}:\n  1,\"[2]: x\"\n  2,\"a: b, c\"",
+      "specSection": "9.3"
     }
   ]
 }

From bf6094ecf3c5c5dd2684e0c75ee3f3349d6c518f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:17:17 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 12/24] test: cover a quoted key with escaped quotes as an
 array key in encode/arrays-primitive.json

---
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json | 12 ++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
index 5644091..9c5759c 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
@@ -106,6 +106,18 @@
       },
       "expected": "tags[2]: \"#a\",b",
       "specSection": "7.2"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "quotes key with escaped quotes and brackets as an inline array key",
+      "input": {
+        "has \"[2]\" in it": [
+          3,
+          4,
+          5
+        ]
+      },
+      "expected": "\"has \\\"[2]\\\" in it\"[3]: 3,4,5",
+      "specSection": "7.3"
     }
   ]
 }

From 92faf2f1a343e0922a30b97053cea8943f834f5c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2026 20:56:51 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 13/24] test: drop the new cases that repeat existing coverage

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json           |  8 --------
 tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json | 10 ----------
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json     | 14 --------------
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json  | 12 ------------
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json    | 17 -----------------
 tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json           | 19 -------------------
 6 files changed, 80 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
index f8070fb..467f435 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
@@ -510,14 +510,6 @@
       "specSection": "7.4",
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
     },
-    {
-      "name": "parses quoted dotted key as a single literal key",
-      "input": "\"a.b\": 1",
-      "expected": {
-        "a.b": 1
-      },
-      "specSection": "8"
-    },
     {
       "name": "parses quoted empty string key opening a nested object",
       "input": "\"\":\n  a: 1",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
index afdb330..d4cf21a 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
@@ -524,16 +524,6 @@
       },
       "specSection": "6"
     },
-    {
-      "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a nested field header in strict mode",
-      "input": "o:\n  xs[#2]: a,b",
-      "expected": null,
-      "shouldError": true,
-      "options": {
-        "strict": true
-      },
-      "specSection": "6"
-    },
     {
       "name": "throws on the removed [#N] length marker in a keyless list-item header in strict mode",
       "input": "items[1]:\n  - [#2]: a,b",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
index a3236ac..9f12d13 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -139,20 +139,6 @@
       ],
       "expected": "[1]:\n  - [1]:\n    - [1]: 1",
       "specSection": "9.4"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "quotes structural strings as list items",
-      "input": {
-        "xs": [
-          "[2]: x",
-          "a: b",
-          {
-            "k": 1
-          }
-        ]
-      },
-      "expected": "xs[3]:\n  - \"[2]: x\"\n  - \"a: b\"\n  - k: 1",
-      "specSection": "7.2"
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
index 9c5759c..5644091 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-primitive.json
@@ -106,18 +106,6 @@
       },
       "expected": "tags[2]: \"#a\",b",
       "specSection": "7.2"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "quotes key with escaped quotes and brackets as an inline array key",
-      "input": {
-        "has \"[2]\" in it": [
-          3,
-          4,
-          5
-        ]
-      },
-      "expected": "\"has \\\"[2]\\\" in it\"[3]: 3,4,5",
-      "specSection": "7.3"
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
index 32602e3..2365042 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-tabular.json
@@ -177,23 +177,6 @@
       "expected": "items[1]:\n  - id: 1\n    meta:",
       "specSection": "9.3",
       "note": "Nested-uniform requires non-empty objects, mirroring the empty-object exclusion for elements"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "quotes structural strings in tabular cells",
-      "input": {
-        "rows": [
-          {
-            "id": 1,
-            "note": "[2]: x"
-          },
-          {
-            "id": 2,
-            "note": "a: b, c"
-          }
-        ]
-      },
-      "expected": "rows[2]{id,note}:\n  1,\"[2]: x\"\n  2,\"a: b, c\"",
-      "specSection": "9.3"
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
index eece64e..7441aa4 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/objects.json
@@ -302,25 +302,6 @@
       },
       "expected": "\"\":\n  a: 1",
       "specSection": "8"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "quotes key containing a bracket segment and colon",
-      "input": {
-        "k [2]: y": 1
-      },
-      "expected": "\"k [2]: y\": 1",
-      "specSection": "7.3"
-    },
-    {
-      "name": "encodes __proto__ as an array header key",
-      "input": {
-        "__proto__": [
-          1,
-          2
-        ]
-      },
-      "expected": "__proto__[2]: 1,2",
-      "specSection": "15"
     }
   ]
 }

From 1d0f478787a388ba414af2d35cd7cf33f973ac6c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2026 21:05:59 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 14/24] test: let only the row count reject the count mismatch
 in a later list item

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
index d4cf21a..93b1102 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@
     },
     {
       "name": "throws on tabular row count mismatch inside a later list item",
-      "input": "groups[2]:\n  - a: foo\n    b[1]{w,x}:\n      wince,0\n  - a: bar\n    b[0]{w,x}:\n      wise,1",
+      "input": "groups[2]:\n  - a: foo\n    b[1]{w,x}:\n      wince,0\n  - a: bar\n    b[2]{w,x}:\n      wise,1",
       "expected": null,
       "shouldError": true,
       "specSection": "14.1"

From 0c92220e00b32432cb9001623c4d486c73a4d7ce Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2026 21:05:59 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 15/24] test: lead the tabular rows with the quoted structural
 cell

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json | 10 +++++-----
 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
index a8a4e69..b951cd4 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
@@ -220,16 +220,16 @@
     },
     {
       "name": "parses quoted structural strings in tabular cells",
-      "input": "rows[2]{id,note}:\n  1,\"[2]: x\"\n  2,\"a: b, c\"",
+      "input": "rows[2]{note,id}:\n  \"[2]: x\",1\n  \"a: b, c\",2",
       "expected": {
         "rows": [
           {
-            "id": 1,
-            "note": "[2]: x"
+            "note": "[2]: x",
+            "id": 1
           },
           {
-            "id": 2,
-            "note": "a: b, c"
+            "note": "a: b, c",
+            "id": 2
           }
         ]
       },

From d567206ea995ff54d9c50378bbe12c97407d9ed4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2026 21:05:59 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 16/24] test: name the `__proto__` array header case after its
 result

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
index 467f435..e0e72c2 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@
       "specSection": "5.2"
     },
     {
-      "name": "materializes __proto__ as an array header key",
+      "name": "materializes __proto__ array header key as an ordinary own key",
       "input": "__proto__[2]: 1,2",
       "expected": {
         "__proto__": [

From 23537054ba2b19f73480b31a828fbfa3f9ab33a9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 17/24] test: catch the row count mismatch in a later field of
 a single list item

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
index 93b1102..5e20b3e 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/validation-errors.json
@@ -545,8 +545,8 @@
       "specSection": "6"
     },
     {
-      "name": "throws on tabular row count mismatch inside a later list item",
-      "input": "groups[2]:\n  - a: foo\n    b[1]{w,x}:\n      wince,0\n  - a: bar\n    b[2]{w,x}:\n      wise,1",
+      "name": "throws on tabular row count mismatch in a later field of a list-item object",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - id: 1\n    users[2]{id,name}:\n      1,Ada",
       "expected": null,
       "shouldError": true,
       "specSection": "14.1"

From cd66f51bd20478ad3f21724d03c2e0c6a33dc536 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 18/24] test: reduce the quoted list item case to the
 header-shaped string

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json | 10 +++-------
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
index 5586d6c..f552728 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -292,15 +292,11 @@
       "specSection": "10"
     },
     {
-      "name": "parses quoted structural strings as list items",
-      "input": "xs[3]:\n  - \"[2]: x\"\n  - \"a: b\"\n  - k: 1",
+      "name": "parses quoted list item shaped like an inline array header",
+      "input": "xs[1]:\n  - \"[2]: x\"",
       "expected": {
         "xs": [
-          "[2]: x",
-          "a: b",
-          {
-            "k": 1
-          }
+          "[2]: x"
         ]
       },
       "specSection": "9.4"

From 0de30b6e5d0ebfa0cdda537de3ce2642b351ae35 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 19/24] test: follow the empty first field with a sibling field

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json  | 5 +++--
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json | 5 +++--
 2 files changed, 6 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
index f552728..d489562 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -259,11 +259,12 @@
     },
     {
       "name": "parses an empty object as the first field of a list-item object",
-      "input": "items[1]:\n  - a:",
+      "input": "items[1]:\n  - a:\n    b: 1",
       "expected": {
         "items": [
           {
-            "a": {}
+            "a": {},
+            "b": 1
           }
         ]
       },
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
index 0660824..c462ded 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-objects.json
@@ -192,11 +192,12 @@
       "input": {
         "items": [
           {
-            "a": {}
+            "a": {},
+            "b": 1
           }
         ]
       },
-      "expected": "items[1]:\n  - a:",
+      "expected": "items[1]:\n  - a:\n    b: 1",
       "specSection": "10"
     }
   ]

From c9799bc9692299f2f2f9056fcdb1c3de9e9b8866 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 20/24] test: name the array-of-arrays cases after their
 list-item position

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json | 2 +-
 tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
index d489562..69e3a40 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
     },
     {
-      "name": "parses three levels of nested arrays",
+      "name": "parses an array of arrays in list-item position",
       "input": "[1]:\n  - [1]:\n    - [1]: 1",
       "expected": [
         [
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
index 9f12d13..bc2abc4 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/encode/arrays-nested.json
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
     },
     {
-      "name": "encodes three levels of nested arrays",
+      "name": "uses list form for an array of arrays in list-item position",
       "input": [
         [
           [

From 9ed2cf4db681d828522828f345bb6a324a2119d2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 21/24] test: name the escaped-quote header key case like its
 siblings

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
index 8797162..89aef8e 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
       "specSection": "9.1"
     },
     {
-      "name": "parses quoted key with escaped quotes and brackets as an inline array key",
+      "name": "parses quoted key containing escaped quotes and brackets with inline array",
       "input": "\"has \\\"[2]\\\" in it\"[3]: 3,4,5",
       "expected": {
         "has \"[2]\" in it": [

From 8307d16ba1d895cf537da8bf5a7ec18fbbdff751 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 22/24] test: note why an escaped quote keeps the brackets
 inside the key

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
index 89aef8e..fd5f610 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-primitive.json
@@ -165,7 +165,8 @@
           5
         ]
       },
-      "specSection": "9.1"
+      "specSection": "9.1",
+      "note": "An escaped quote does not close a quoted key, so the [2] inside it is not a bracket segment"
     }
   ]
 }

From 40538913813f76c3edbb2e147e30840390c76613 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 23/24] test: reduce the tabular cell case to the header-shaped
 leading cell

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json | 8 ++------
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
index b951cd4..64830aa 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/arrays-tabular.json
@@ -219,17 +219,13 @@
       "minSpecVersion": "4.1"
     },
     {
-      "name": "parses quoted structural strings in tabular cells",
-      "input": "rows[2]{note,id}:\n  \"[2]: x\",1\n  \"a: b, c\",2",
+      "name": "parses quoted leading tabular cell shaped like an inline array header",
+      "input": "rows[1]{note,id}:\n  \"[2]: x\",1",
       "expected": {
         "rows": [
           {
             "note": "[2]: x",
             "id": 1
-          },
-          {
-            "note": "a: b, c",
-            "id": 2
           }
         ]
       },

From 2fb444e57ddd6d3935df773bdd940955d97c28c0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Johann Schopplich <johann@schopplich.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2026 08:32:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 24/24] test: shape the quoted key case like an inline array
 header

---
 tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json | 6 +++---
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
index e0e72c2..af52a61 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/decode/objects.json
@@ -521,10 +521,10 @@
       "specSection": "8"
     },
     {
-      "name": "parses quoted key containing a bracket segment and colon",
-      "input": "\"k [2]: y\": 1",
+      "name": "parses quoted key shaped like an inline array header",
+      "input": "\"k[2]: y\": 1",
       "expected": {
-        "k [2]: y": 1
+        "k[2]: y": 1
       },
       "specSection": "5.2"
     },