diff --git a/src/commands/config.rs b/src/commands/config.rs
index 47b073e0b..954cc08ef 100644
--- a/src/commands/config.rs
+++ b/src/commands/config.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::errors::ShellError;
 use crate::object::config;
 use crate::object::Value;
-use crate::parser::registry::{CommandConfig, NamedType, NamedValue};
+use crate::parser::hir::SyntaxType;
+use crate::parser::registry::{CommandConfig, NamedType};
 use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use log::trace;
 use std::iter::FromIterator;
@@ -20,14 +21,11 @@ impl Command for Config {
 
     fn config(&self) -> CommandConfig {
         let mut named: IndexMap<String, NamedType> = IndexMap::new();
-        named.insert("set".to_string(), NamedType::Optional(NamedValue::Single));
-        named.insert("get".to_string(), NamedType::Optional(NamedValue::Single));
+        named.insert("set".to_string(), NamedType::Optional(SyntaxType::Any));
+        named.insert("get".to_string(), NamedType::Optional(SyntaxType::Any));
         named.insert("clear".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
 
-        named.insert(
-            "remove".to_string(),
-            NamedType::Optional(NamedValue::Single),
-        );
+        named.insert("remove".to_string(), NamedType::Optional(SyntaxType::Any));
 
         CommandConfig {
             name: self.name().to_string(),
diff --git a/src/commands/macros.rs b/src/commands/macros.rs
index c7dd74de7..97818df54 100644
--- a/src/commands/macros.rs
+++ b/src/commands/macros.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+#[doc(hidden)]
+macro_rules! named_type {
+    ($name:ident) => {
+        $crate::parser::registry::NamedType::$($name)*
+    }
+}
+
 #[macro_export]
 macro_rules! command {
     (
@@ -11,7 +18,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
             rest_positional: $rest_positional:tt,
             named: {
                 $(
-                    ($named_param:tt : $named_type:tt)
+                    ($named_param:tt : $named_type:ty : $named_kind:tt)
                 )*
             }
         }
@@ -35,7 +42,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
                     Ok(output.boxed().to_output_stream())
                 }
 
-                let tuple = ( $($extract),*, );
+                let tuple = ( $($extract ,)* );
                 command( $args, tuple )
             }
 
@@ -58,7 +65,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
                         let mut named: indexmap::IndexMap<String, NamedType> = indexmap::IndexMap::new();
 
                         $(
-                            named.insert(stringify!($named_param).to_string(), NamedType::$named_type);
+                            named.insert(stringify!($named_param).to_string(), $crate::parser::registry::NamedType::$named_kind);
                         )*
 
                         named
@@ -72,7 +79,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
     (
         Named { $export:tt $args:ident $body:block }
         Positional { $($positional_count:tt)* }
-        Rest { , -- $param_name:ident : Switch $($rest:tt)* }
+        Rest { -- $param_name:ident : Switch , $($rest:tt)* }
         CommandConfig {
             name: $config_name:tt,
             mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional:tt)* ],
@@ -100,7 +107,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
                 rest_positional: $rest_positional,
                 named: {
                     $($config_named)*
-                    ($param_name : Switch)
+                    ($param_name : Switch : Switch)
                 }
             }
 
@@ -109,11 +116,11 @@ macro_rules! command {
             }
 
             Extract {
-                ($($extract)* {
+                $($extract)* {
                     use std::convert::TryInto;
 
                     $args.get(stringify!($param_name)).clone().try_into()?
-                })
+                }
             }
         );
     };
@@ -122,7 +129,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
     (
         Named { $export:tt $args:ident $body:block }
         Positional { $($positional_count:tt)* }
-        Rest { , -- $param_name:ident : $param_kind:tt $($rest:tt)* }
+        Rest { -- $param_name:ident : $param_kind:ty , $($rest:tt)* }
         CommandConfig {
             name: $config_name:tt,
             mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional:tt)* ],
@@ -159,11 +166,11 @@ macro_rules! command {
             }
 
             Extract {
-                ($($extract)* {
+                $($extract)* {
                     use std::convert::TryInto;
 
                     $args.get(stringify!($param_name)).clone().try_into()?
-                })
+                }
             }
         );
     };
@@ -172,7 +179,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
     (
         Named { $export:tt $args:ident $body:block }
         Positional { $($positional_count:tt)* }
-        Rest { , -- $param_name:ident ? : $param_kind:tt $($rest:tt)* }
+        Rest { -- $param_name:ident ? : $param_kind:ty , $($rest:tt)* }
         CommandConfig {
             name: $config_name:tt,
             mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional:tt)* ],
@@ -209,11 +216,11 @@ macro_rules! command {
             }
 
             Extract {
-                ($($extract)* {
+                $($extract)* {
                     use std::convert::TryInto;
 
                     $args.get(stringify!($param_name)).clone().try_into()?
-                })
+                }
             }
         );
     };
@@ -222,7 +229,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
     (
         Named { $export:ident $args:ident $body:block }
         Positional { $($positional_count:tt)* }
-        Rest { , $param_name:ident : Block $($rest:tt)* }
+        Rest { $param_name:ident : Block , $($rest:tt)* }
         CommandConfig {
             name: $config_name:tt,
             mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional:tt)* ],
@@ -277,7 +284,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
     (
         Named { $export:ident $args:ident $body:block }
         Positional { $($positional_count:tt)* }
-        Rest { , $param_name:ident : $param_kind:tt $($rest:tt)* }
+        Rest { $param_name:ident : $param_kind:ty , $($rest:tt)* }
         CommandConfig {
             name: $config_name:tt,
             mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional:tt)* ],
@@ -304,7 +311,7 @@ macro_rules! command {
             CommandConfig {
                 name: $config_name,
                 mandatory_positional: vec![ $($mandatory_positional)* $crate::parser::registry::PositionalType::mandatory(
-                    stringify!($param_name)
+                    stringify!($param_name), <$param_kind>::syntax_type()
                 ), ],
                 optional_positional: vec![ $($optional_positional)* ],
                 rest_positional: $rest_positional,
@@ -321,14 +328,13 @@ macro_rules! command {
                 $($extract:tt)* {
                     use $crate::object::types::ExtractType;
                     let value = $args.expect_nth($($positional_count)*)?;
-                    // let value = $param_kind.check(value)?;
-                    $param_kind::extract(value)?
+                    <$param_kind>::extract(&value)?
                 }
             }
         );
     };
 
-    ($export:ident as $config_name:tt ( $args:ident $($command_rest:tt)* ) $body:block) => {
+    ($export:ident as $config_name:tt ( $args:ident , $($command_rest:tt)* ) $body:block) => {
         command!(
             Named { $export $args $body }
             Positional { 0 }
diff --git a/src/commands/open.rs b/src/commands/open.rs
index f4a024628..f04f9aae8 100644
--- a/src/commands/open.rs
+++ b/src/commands/open.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
 command! {
-    Open as open(args, --raw: Switch) {
+    Open as open(args, path: Spanned<PathBuf>, --raw: Switch,) {
         let span = args.name_span;
 
         let cwd = args
@@ -21,16 +21,19 @@ command! {
 
         let full_path = PathBuf::from(cwd);
 
-        let (file_extension, contents, contents_span) = match &args.expect_nth(0)?.item {
-            Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => fetch(&full_path, s, args.expect_nth(0)?.span)?,
-            _ => {
-                return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
-                    "Expected string value for filename",
-                    "expected filename",
-                    args.expect_nth(0)?.span,
-                ));
-            }
-        };
+        let path_str = path.to_str().ok_or(ShellError::type_error("Path", "invalid path".spanned(path.span)))?;
+
+        let (file_extension, contents, contents_span) = fetch(&full_path, path_str, path.span)?;
+        // let (file_extension, contents, contents_span) = match &args.expect_nth(0)?.item {
+        //     Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => fetch(&full_path, s, args.expect_nth(0)?.span)?,
+        //     _ => {
+        //         return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+        //             "Expected string value for filename",
+        //             "expected filename",
+        //             args.expect_nth(0)?.span,
+        //         ));
+        //     }
+        // };
 
         let mut stream = VecDeque::new();
 
diff --git a/src/commands/to_json.rs b/src/commands/to_json.rs
index 335ceee17..6603bd0d4 100644
--- a/src/commands/to_json.rs
+++ b/src/commands/to_json.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ pub fn value_to_json_value(v: &Value) -> serde_json::Value {
         }
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::Nothing) => serde_json::Value::Null,
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => serde_json::Value::String(s.clone()),
+        Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(s)) => serde_json::Value::String(s.display().to_string()),
 
         Value::Filesystem => serde_json::Value::Null,
         Value::List(l) => {
diff --git a/src/commands/to_toml.rs b/src/commands/to_toml.rs
index 87cf71ed2..7dc990b64 100644
--- a/src/commands/to_toml.rs
+++ b/src/commands/to_toml.rs
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ pub fn value_to_toml_value(v: &Value) -> toml::Value {
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::Int(i)) => toml::Value::Integer(*i),
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::Nothing) => toml::Value::String("<Nothing>".to_string()),
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => toml::Value::String(s.clone()),
+        Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(s)) => toml::Value::String(s.display().to_string()),
 
         Value::Filesystem => toml::Value::String("<Filesystem>".to_string()),
         Value::List(l) => toml::Value::Array(l.iter().map(|x| value_to_toml_value(x)).collect()),
diff --git a/src/commands/where_.rs b/src/commands/where_.rs
index d8f68c2b6..0b7b818c8 100644
--- a/src/commands/where_.rs
+++ b/src/commands/where_.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use futures::future::ready;
 use log::trace;
 
 command! {
-    Where as where(args, condition: Block) {
+    Where as where(args, condition: Block,) {
         let input: InputStream = trace_stream!(target: "nu::trace_stream::where", "where input" = args.input);
 
         input.values.filter_map(move |item| {
diff --git a/src/object/base.rs b/src/object/base.rs
index 8b8a5a24d..b6674ef3d 100644
--- a/src/object/base.rs
+++ b/src/object/base.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use derive_new::new;
 use ordered_float::OrderedFloat;
 use serde::{ser::SerializeSeq, Deserialize, Deserializer, Serialize, Serializer};
 use std::fmt;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::time::SystemTime;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Ord, PartialOrd, Eq, PartialEq, new, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ pub enum Primitive {
     String(String),
     Boolean(bool),
     Date(DateTime<Utc>),
+    Path(PathBuf),
 
     EndOfStream,
 }
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ impl Primitive {
         match self {
             Nothing => "nothing",
             EndOfStream => "end-of-stream",
+            Path(_) => "path",
             Int(_) => "int",
             Float(_) => "float",
             Bytes(_) => "bytes",
@@ -68,6 +71,7 @@ impl Primitive {
             Nothing => write!(f, "Nothing"),
             EndOfStream => write!(f, "EndOfStream"),
             Int(int) => write!(f, "{}", int),
+            Path(path) => write!(f, "{}", path.display()),
             Float(float) => write!(f, "{:?}", float),
             Bytes(bytes) => write!(f, "{}", bytes),
             String(string) => write!(f, "{:?}", string),
@@ -80,6 +84,7 @@ impl Primitive {
         match self {
             Primitive::Nothing => format!("{}", Color::Black.bold().paint("-")),
             Primitive::EndOfStream => format!("{}", Color::Black.bold().paint("-")),
+            Primitive::Path(p) => format!("{}", p.display()),
             Primitive::Bytes(b) => {
                 let byte = byte_unit::Byte::from_bytes(*b as u128);
 
diff --git a/src/object/types.rs b/src/object/types.rs
index 287cb4ef9..abc4b7e8f 100644
--- a/src/object/types.rs
+++ b/src/object/types.rs
@@ -3,19 +3,34 @@ use crate::parser::hir;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use derive_new::new;
 use serde_derive::Deserialize;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 pub trait Type: std::fmt::Debug + Send {
     type Extractor: ExtractType;
 
     fn name(&self) -> &'static str;
-    fn coerce(&self) -> Option<hir::ExpressionKindHint> {
-        None
-    }
 }
 
 pub trait ExtractType: Sized {
     fn extract(value: &Spanned<Value>) -> Result<Self, ShellError>;
     fn check(value: &'value Spanned<Value>) -> Result<&'value Spanned<Value>, ShellError>;
+    fn syntax_type() -> hir::SyntaxType {
+        hir::SyntaxType::Any
+    }
+}
+
+impl<T: ExtractType> ExtractType for Spanned<T> {
+    fn extract(value: &Spanned<Value>) -> Result<Spanned<T>, ShellError> {
+        Ok(T::extract(value)?.spanned(value.span))
+    }
+
+    fn check(value: &'value Spanned<Value>) -> Result<&'value Spanned<Value>, ShellError> {
+        T::check(value)
+    }
+
+    fn syntax_type() -> hir::SyntaxType {
+        T::syntax_type()
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash, Ord, PartialOrd, new)]
@@ -39,6 +54,35 @@ impl ExtractType for Spanned<Value> {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct FilePath;
+
+impl ExtractType for std::path::PathBuf {
+    fn syntax_type() -> hir::SyntaxType {
+        hir::SyntaxType::Path
+    }
+
+    fn extract(value: &'a Spanned<Value>) -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, ShellError> {
+        match &value {
+            Spanned {
+                item: Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(p)),
+                span,
+            } => Ok(PathBuf::from(p)),
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error("Path", other.spanned_type_name())),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn check(value: &'value Spanned<Value>) -> Result<&'value Spanned<Value>, ShellError> {
+        match &value {
+            v @ Spanned {
+                item: Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(_)),
+                ..
+            } => Ok(v),
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error("Path", other.spanned_type_name())),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash, Ord, PartialOrd, new)]
 pub struct Integer;
 
diff --git a/src/parser/hir.rs b/src/parser/hir.rs
index 888a8a732..7b0db7508 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ use crate::parser::{Span, Spanned, Unit};
 use derive_new::new;
 use getset::Getters;
 
-crate use baseline_parse::baseline_parse_single_token;
-crate use baseline_parse_tokens::{baseline_parse_next_expr, ExpressionKindHint, TokensIterator};
+crate use baseline_parse::{baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_string};
+crate use baseline_parse_tokens::{baseline_parse_next_expr, SyntaxType, TokensIterator};
 crate use binary::Binary;
 crate use named::NamedArguments;
 crate use path::Path;
diff --git a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
index 2661fb772..b4dc38458 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
@@ -13,3 +13,16 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_single_token(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Express
         RawToken::Bare => hir::Expression::bare(token.span),
     }
 }
+
+pub fn baseline_parse_token_as_string(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Expression {
+    match *token.item() {
+        RawToken::Variable(span) if span.slice(source) == "it" => {
+            hir::Expression::it_variable(span, token.span)
+        }
+        RawToken::Variable(span) => hir::Expression::variable(span, token.span),
+        RawToken::Integer(_) => hir::Expression::bare(token.span),
+        RawToken::Size(int, unit) => hir::Expression::bare(token.span),
+        RawToken::Bare => hir::Expression::bare(token.span),
+        RawToken::String(span) => hir::Expression::string(span, token.span),
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
index 12c604e70..8b8dd026d 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 use crate::errors::ShellError;
 use crate::parser::registry::CommandRegistry;
 use crate::parser::{
-    hir, hir::baseline_parse_single_token, DelimitedNode, Delimiter, PathNode, RawToken, Span,
-    Spanned, TokenNode,
+    hir,
+    hir::{baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_string},
+    DelimitedNode, Delimiter, PathNode, RawToken, Span, Spanned, TokenNode,
 };
 use crate::{SpannedItem, Text};
 use derive_new::new;
+use log::trace;
+use serde_derive::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_tokens(
     token_nodes: &mut TokensIterator<'_>,
@@ -19,7 +22,7 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_tokens(
             break;
         }
 
-        let expr = baseline_parse_next_expr(token_nodes, registry, source, None)?;
+        let expr = baseline_parse_next_expr(token_nodes, registry, source, SyntaxType::Any)?;
         exprs.push(expr);
     }
 
@@ -27,10 +30,12 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_tokens(
 }
 
 #[allow(unused)]
-#[derive(Debug)]
-pub enum ExpressionKindHint {
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub enum SyntaxType {
+    Any,
     Literal,
     Variable,
+    Path,
     Binary,
     Block,
     Boolean,
@@ -40,13 +45,31 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
     tokens: &mut TokensIterator,
     registry: &dyn CommandRegistry,
     source: &Text,
-    coerce_hint: Option<ExpressionKindHint>,
+    syntax_type: SyntaxType,
 ) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
-    let first = match tokens.next() {
-        None => return Err(ShellError::string("Expected token, found none")),
-        Some(token) => baseline_parse_semantic_token(token, registry, source)?,
+    let next = tokens
+        .next()
+        .ok_or_else(|| ShellError::string("Expected token, found none"))?;
+
+    trace!(target: "nu::parser::parse_one_expr", "syntax_type={:?}, token={:?}", syntax_type, next);
+
+    match (syntax_type, next) {
+        (SyntaxType::Path, TokenNode::Token(token)) => {
+            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_string(token, source))
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::Path, token) => {
+            return Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "Path",
+                token.type_name().spanned(token.span()),
+            ))
+        }
+
+        _ => {}
     };
 
+    let first = baseline_parse_semantic_token(next, registry, source)?;
+
     let possible_op = tokens.peek();
 
     let op = match possible_op {
@@ -69,8 +92,8 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
 
     // We definitely have a binary expression here -- let's see if we should coerce it into a block
 
-    match coerce_hint {
-        None => {
+    match syntax_type {
+        SyntaxType::Any => {
             let span = (first.span.start, second.span.end);
             let binary = hir::Binary::new(first, op, second);
             let binary = hir::RawExpression::Binary(Box::new(binary));
@@ -79,74 +102,75 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
             Ok(binary)
         }
 
-        Some(hint) => match hint {
-            ExpressionKindHint::Block => {
-                let span = (first.span.start, second.span.end);
+        SyntaxType::Block => {
+            let span = (first.span.start, second.span.end);
 
-                let path: Spanned<hir::RawExpression> = match first {
+            let path: Spanned<hir::RawExpression> = match first {
+                Spanned {
+                    item: hir::RawExpression::Literal(hir::Literal::Bare),
+                    span,
+                } => {
+                    let string = Spanned::from_item(span.slice(source).to_string(), span);
+                    let path = hir::Path::new(
+                        Spanned::from_item(
+                            // TODO: Deal with synthetic nodes that have no representation at all in source
+                            hir::RawExpression::Variable(hir::Variable::It(Span::from((0, 0)))),
+                            (0, 0),
+                        ),
+                        vec![string],
+                    );
+                    let path = hir::RawExpression::Path(Box::new(path));
                     Spanned {
-                        item: hir::RawExpression::Literal(hir::Literal::Bare),
+                        item: path,
+                        span: first.span,
+                    }
+                }
+                Spanned {
+                    item: hir::RawExpression::Literal(hir::Literal::String(inner)),
+                    span,
+                } => {
+                    let string = Spanned::from_item(inner.slice(source).to_string(), span);
+                    let path = hir::Path::new(
+                        Spanned::from_item(
+                            // TODO: Deal with synthetic nodes that have no representation at all in source
+                            hir::RawExpression::Variable(hir::Variable::It(Span::from((0, 0)))),
+                            (0, 0),
+                        ),
+                        vec![string],
+                    );
+                    let path = hir::RawExpression::Path(Box::new(path));
+                    Spanned {
+                        item: path,
+                        span: first.span,
+                    }
+                }
+                Spanned {
+                    item: hir::RawExpression::Variable(..),
+                    ..
+                } => first,
+                Spanned { span, item } => {
+                    return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                        "The first part of an un-braced block must be a column name",
+                        item.type_name(),
                         span,
-                    } => {
-                        let string = Spanned::from_item(span.slice(source).to_string(), span);
-                        let path = hir::Path::new(
-                            Spanned::from_item(
-                                // TODO: Deal with synthetic nodes that have no representation at all in source
-                                hir::RawExpression::Variable(hir::Variable::It(Span::from((0, 0)))),
-                                (0, 0),
-                            ),
-                            vec![string],
-                        );
-                        let path = hir::RawExpression::Path(Box::new(path));
-                        Spanned {
-                            item: path,
-                            span: first.span,
-                        }
-                    }
-                    Spanned {
-                        item: hir::RawExpression::Literal(hir::Literal::String(inner)),
-                        span,
-                    } => {
-                        let string = Spanned::from_item(inner.slice(source).to_string(), span);
-                        let path = hir::Path::new(
-                            Spanned::from_item(
-                                // TODO: Deal with synthetic nodes that have no representation at all in source
-                                hir::RawExpression::Variable(hir::Variable::It(Span::from((0, 0)))),
-                                (0, 0),
-                            ),
-                            vec![string],
-                        );
-                        let path = hir::RawExpression::Path(Box::new(path));
-                        Spanned {
-                            item: path,
-                            span: first.span,
-                        }
-                    }
-                    Spanned {
-                        item: hir::RawExpression::Variable(..),
-                        ..
-                    } => first,
-                    Spanned { span, item } => {
-                        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
-                            "The first part of an un-braced block must be a column name",
-                            item.type_name(),
-                            span,
-                        ))
-                    }
-                };
+                    ))
+                }
+            };
 
-                let binary = hir::Binary::new(path, op, second);
-                let binary = hir::RawExpression::Binary(Box::new(binary));
-                let binary = Spanned::from_item(binary, span);
+            let binary = hir::Binary::new(path, op, second);
+            let binary = hir::RawExpression::Binary(Box::new(binary));
+            let binary = Spanned::from_item(binary, span);
 
-                let block = hir::RawExpression::Block(vec![binary]);
-                let block = Spanned::from_item(block, span);
+            let block = hir::RawExpression::Block(vec![binary]);
+            let block = Spanned::from_item(block, span);
 
-                Ok(block)
-            }
+            Ok(block)
+        }
 
-            other => unimplemented!("coerce hint {:?}", other),
-        },
+        other => Err(ShellError::unimplemented(format!(
+            "coerce hint {:?}",
+            other
+        ))),
     }
 }
 
@@ -161,8 +185,10 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_semantic_token(
         TokenNode::Delimited(delimited) => baseline_parse_delimited(delimited, registry, source),
         TokenNode::Pipeline(_pipeline) => unimplemented!(),
         TokenNode::Operator(_op) => unreachable!(),
-        TokenNode::Flag(_flag) => Err(ShellError::unimplemented("passing flags is not supported yet.")),
-        TokenNode::Identifier(_span) => unreachable!(),
+        TokenNode::Flag(_flag) => Err(ShellError::unimplemented(
+            "passing flags is not supported yet.",
+        )),
+        TokenNode::Member(_span) => unreachable!(),
         TokenNode::Whitespace(_span) => unreachable!(),
         TokenNode::Error(error) => Err(*error.item.clone()),
         TokenNode::Path(path) => baseline_parse_path(path, registry, source),
@@ -210,7 +236,7 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_path(
                 }
             },
 
-            TokenNode::Identifier(span) => span.slice(source),
+            TokenNode::Member(span) => span.slice(source),
 
             // TODO: Make this impossible
             other => unreachable!("{:?}", other),
diff --git a/src/parser/parse/parser.rs b/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
index 795b980ee..0ba9e4a2f 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ pub fn var(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
     trace_step(input, "var", move |input| {
         let start = input.offset;
         let (input, _) = tag("$")(input)?;
-        let (input, bare) = identifier(input)?;
+        let (input, bare) = member(input)?;
         let end = input.offset;
 
         Ok((
@@ -161,14 +161,7 @@ pub fn var(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
     })
 }
 
-// let start = input.offset;
-// let (input, _) = take_while1(is_start_bare_char)(input)?;
-// let (input, _) = take_while(is_bare_char)(input)?;
-// let end = input.offset;
-
-// Ok((input, TokenTreeBuilder::spanned_bare((start, end))))
-
-pub fn identifier(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
+pub fn member(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
     trace_step(input, "identifier", move |input| {
         let start = input.offset;
         let (input, _) = take_while1(is_id_start)(input)?;
@@ -176,7 +169,7 @@ pub fn identifier(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
 
         let end = input.offset;
 
-        Ok((input, TokenTreeBuilder::spanned_ident((start, end))))
+        Ok((input, TokenTreeBuilder::spanned_member((start, end))))
     })
 }
 
@@ -412,7 +405,7 @@ pub fn path(input: NomSpan) -> IResult<NomSpan, TokenNode> {
         let left = input.offset;
         let (input, head) = node1(input)?;
         let (input, _) = tag(".")(input)?;
-        let (input, tail) = separated_list(tag("."), alt((identifier, string)))(input)?;
+        let (input, tail) = separated_list(tag("."), alt((member, string)))(input)?;
         let right = input.offset;
 
         Ok((
@@ -802,14 +795,14 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = pretty_env_logger::try_init();
         assert_eq!(
             apply(node, "node", "$it.print"),
-            build_token(b::path(b::var("it"), vec![b::ident("print")]))
+            build_token(b::path(b::var("it"), vec![b::member("print")]))
         );
 
         assert_eq!(
             apply(node, "node", "$head.part1.part2"),
             build_token(b::path(
                 b::var("head"),
-                vec![b::ident("part1"), b::ident("part2")]
+                vec![b::member("part1"), b::member("part2")]
             ))
         );
 
@@ -817,7 +810,7 @@ mod tests {
             apply(node, "node", "( hello ).world"),
             build_token(b::path(
                 b::parens(vec![b::sp(), b::bare("hello"), b::sp()]),
-                vec![b::ident("world")]
+                vec![b::member("world")]
             ))
         );
 
@@ -843,7 +836,7 @@ mod tests {
                     b::sp(),
                     b::path(
                         b::var("it"),
-                        vec![b::ident("is"), b::string("great news"), b::ident("right")]
+                        vec![b::member("is"), b::string("great news"), b::member("right")]
                     ),
                     b::sp(),
                     b::bare("yep"),
@@ -972,7 +965,7 @@ mod tests {
                         vec![
                             b::sp(),
                             b::braced(vec![
-                                b::path(b::var("it"), vec![b::ident("size")]),
+                                b::path(b::var("it"), vec![b::member("size")]),
                                 b::sp(),
                                 b::op(">"),
                                 b::sp(),
diff --git a/src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs b/src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs
index b187ef64b..573b04c5a 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ pub enum TokenNode {
     Pipeline(Spanned<Pipeline>),
     Operator(Spanned<Operator>),
     Flag(Spanned<Flag>),
-    Identifier(Span),
+    Member(Span),
     Whitespace(Span),
     #[allow(unused)]
     Error(Spanned<Box<ShellError>>),
@@ -92,13 +92,29 @@ impl TokenNode {
             TokenNode::Pipeline(s) => s.span,
             TokenNode::Operator(s) => s.span,
             TokenNode::Flag(s) => s.span,
-            TokenNode::Identifier(s) => *s,
+            TokenNode::Member(s) => *s,
             TokenNode::Whitespace(s) => *s,
             TokenNode::Error(s) => s.span,
             TokenNode::Path(s) => s.span,
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn type_name(&self) -> String {
+        match self {
+            TokenNode::Token(t) => t.type_name(),
+            TokenNode::Call(s) => "command",
+            TokenNode::Delimited(d) => d.type_name(),
+            TokenNode::Pipeline(s) => "pipeline",
+            TokenNode::Operator(s) => "operator",
+            TokenNode::Flag(s) => "flag",
+            TokenNode::Member(s) => "member",
+            TokenNode::Whitespace(s) => "whitespace",
+            TokenNode::Error(s) => "error",
+            TokenNode::Path(s) => "path",
+        }
+        .to_string()
+    }
+
     pub fn debug(&'a self, source: &'a Text) -> DebugTokenNode<'a> {
         DebugTokenNode { node: self, source }
     }
@@ -147,6 +163,16 @@ pub struct DelimitedNode {
     children: Vec<TokenNode>,
 }
 
+impl DelimitedNode {
+    pub fn type_name(&self) -> &'static str {
+        match self.delimiter {
+            Delimiter::Brace => "braced expression",
+            Delimiter::Paren => "parenthesized expression",
+            Delimiter::Square => "array literal or index operator",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Ord, PartialOrd, FromStr)]
 pub enum Delimiter {
     Paren,
diff --git a/src/parser/parse/token_tree_builder.rs b/src/parser/parse/token_tree_builder.rs
index e423c8afa..d6a993aa4 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse/token_tree_builder.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse/token_tree_builder.rs
@@ -266,17 +266,17 @@ impl TokenTreeBuilder {
         ))
     }
 
-    pub fn ident(input: impl Into<String>) -> CurriedToken {
+    pub fn member(input: impl Into<String>) -> CurriedToken {
         let input = input.into();
 
         Box::new(move |b| {
             let (start, end) = b.consume(&input);
-            TokenTreeBuilder::spanned_ident((start, end))
+            TokenTreeBuilder::spanned_member((start, end))
         })
     }
 
-    pub fn spanned_ident(span: impl Into<Span>) -> TokenNode {
-        TokenNode::Identifier(span.into())
+    pub fn spanned_member(span: impl Into<Span>) -> TokenNode {
+        TokenNode::Member(span.into())
     }
 
     pub fn call(head: CurriedToken, input: Vec<CurriedToken>) -> CurriedCall {
diff --git a/src/parser/parse_command.rs b/src/parser/parse_command.rs
index fc63500b4..16a9c8816 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse_command.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse_command.rs
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
 
                 named.insert_switch(name, flag);
             }
-            NamedType::Mandatory(kind) => {
+            NamedType::Mandatory(syntax_type) => {
                 match extract_mandatory(config, name, tail, source, command_span) {
                     Err(err) => return Err(err), // produce a correct diagnostic
                     Ok((pos, flag)) => {
@@ -100,19 +100,15 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
                             ));
                         }
 
-                        let expr = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(
-                            tail,
-                            registry,
-                            source,
-                            kind.to_coerce_hint(),
-                        )?;
+                        let expr =
+                            hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, *syntax_type)?;
 
                         tail.restart();
                         named.insert_mandatory(name, expr);
                     }
                 }
             }
-            NamedType::Optional(kind) => match extract_optional(name, tail, source) {
+            NamedType::Optional(syntax_type) => match extract_optional(name, tail, source) {
                 Err(err) => return Err(err), // produce a correct diagnostic
                 Ok(Some((pos, flag))) => {
                     tail.move_to(pos);
@@ -125,12 +121,7 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
                         ));
                     }
 
-                    let expr = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(
-                        tail,
-                        registry,
-                        source,
-                        kind.to_coerce_hint(),
-                    )?;
+                    let expr = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, *syntax_type)?;
 
                     tail.restart();
                     named.insert_optional(name, Some(expr));
@@ -169,7 +160,7 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
             }
         }
 
-        let result = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, arg.to_coerce_hint())?;
+        let result = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, arg.syntax_type())?;
 
         positional.push(result);
     }
diff --git a/src/parser/registry.rs b/src/parser/registry.rs
index 2bdb06c23..0d54f0429 100644
--- a/src/parser/registry.rs
+++ b/src/parser/registry.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use crate::evaluate::{evaluate_baseline_expr, Scope};
-use crate::parser::{hir, hir::ExpressionKindHint, parse_command, CallNode, Spanned};
+use crate::parser::{hir, hir::SyntaxType, parse_command, CallNode, Spanned};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use derive_new::new;
 use getset::Getters;
@@ -12,55 +12,34 @@ use std::fmt;
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum NamedType {
     Switch,
-    Mandatory(NamedValue),
-    Optional(NamedValue),
-}
-
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum NamedValue {
-    Single,
-
-    #[allow(unused)]
-    Block,
-}
-
-impl NamedValue {
-    crate fn to_coerce_hint(&self) -> Option<ExpressionKindHint> {
-        match self {
-            NamedValue::Single => None,
-            NamedValue::Block => Some(ExpressionKindHint::Block),
-        }
-    }
+    Mandatory(SyntaxType),
+    Optional(SyntaxType),
 }
 
 #[allow(unused)]
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum PositionalType {
-    Mandatory(String, PositionalValue),
-    Optional(String, PositionalValue),
-}
-
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum PositionalValue {
-    Value,
-    Block,
+    Mandatory(String, SyntaxType),
+    Optional(String, SyntaxType),
 }
 
 impl PositionalType {
-    pub fn mandatory(name: &str) -> PositionalType {
-        PositionalType::Mandatory(name.to_string(), PositionalValue::Value)
+    pub fn mandatory(name: &str, ty: SyntaxType) -> PositionalType {
+        PositionalType::Mandatory(name.to_string(), ty)
+    }
+
+    pub fn mandatory_any(name: &str) -> PositionalType {
+        PositionalType::Mandatory(name.to_string(), SyntaxType::Any)
     }
 
     pub fn mandatory_block(name: &str) -> PositionalType {
-        PositionalType::Mandatory(name.to_string(), PositionalValue::Block)
+        PositionalType::Mandatory(name.to_string(), SyntaxType::Block)
     }
 
-    crate fn to_coerce_hint(&self) -> Option<ExpressionKindHint> {
+    crate fn to_coerce_hint(&self) -> Option<SyntaxType> {
         match self {
-            PositionalType::Mandatory(_, PositionalValue::Block)
-            | PositionalType::Optional(_, PositionalValue::Block) => {
-                Some(ExpressionKindHint::Block)
-            }
+            PositionalType::Mandatory(_, SyntaxType::Block)
+            | PositionalType::Optional(_, SyntaxType::Block) => Some(SyntaxType::Block),
             _ => None,
         }
     }
@@ -71,6 +50,13 @@ impl PositionalType {
             PositionalType::Optional(s, _) => s,
         }
     }
+
+    crate fn syntax_type(&self) -> SyntaxType {
+        match *self {
+            PositionalType::Mandatory(_, t) => t,
+            PositionalType::Optional(_, t) => t,
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Getters, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/src/plugins/inc.rs b/src/plugins/inc.rs
index be2a013df..0e41d585b 100644
--- a/src/plugins/inc.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/inc.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ impl Plugin for Inc {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<CommandConfig, ShellError> {
         Ok(CommandConfig {
             name: "inc".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![PositionalType::mandatory("Increment")],
+            positional: vec![PositionalType::mandatory_any("Increment")],
             is_filter: true,
             is_sink: false,
             named: IndexMap::new(),
diff --git a/src/shell/helper.rs b/src/shell/helper.rs
index 020e313dc..809b8c065 100644
--- a/src/shell/helper.rs
+++ b/src/shell/helper.rs
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ fn paint_token_node(token_node: &TokenNode, line: &str) -> String {
         TokenNode::Call(..) => Color::Cyan.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
         TokenNode::Whitespace(..) => Color::White.normal().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
         TokenNode::Flag(..) => Color::Black.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
-        TokenNode::Identifier(..) => Color::Yellow.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
+        TokenNode::Member(..) => Color::Yellow.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
         TokenNode::Path(..) => Color::Green.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
         TokenNode::Error(..) => Color::Red.bold().paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
         TokenNode::Delimited(..) => Color::White.paint(token_node.span().slice(line)),
@@ -139,7 +139,12 @@ fn paint_pipeline_element(pipeline_element: &PipelineElement, line: &str) -> Str
         styled.push_str(&Color::White.normal().paint(ws.slice(line)));
     }
 
-    styled.push_str(&Color::Cyan.bold().paint(pipeline_element.call().head().span().slice(line)).to_string());
+    styled.push_str(
+        &Color::Cyan
+            .bold()
+            .paint(pipeline_element.call().head().span().slice(line))
+            .to_string(),
+    );
 
     if let Some(children) = pipeline_element.call().children() {
         for child in children {