diff --git a/ideas b/ideas
index 6b99cb7..86979fc 100644
--- a/ideas
+++ b/ideas
@@ -1,5 +1,28 @@
-move names into separate vec with origins
-make struct fields a vec, resolve into index
+resolution overview
+    loop {
+        resolve idents
+        resolve + type check / match instructions
+            URes.resolve(errs) can return: failed, ok(id), waiting
+            each instruction keeps track of progress
+                eg. fns: match each arg
+            updates to whether it's waiting or finished: ok or err
+                only finish if no sub tasks are waiting
+            finished = "macro ready"
+        run macros / code modification on "macro ready" (fns, structs)
+            eg. insert instructions
+            hygienic; only take in from scope
+            add inserted instructions to unresolved list
+            finished = "analysis ready"
+        analysis on "analysis ready" fns
+            eg. does this return in all code paths
+            finished + all correct = "ready to lower"
+        lower "ready to lower" fns
+        run lowered const fns / var expressions
+    }
+
+
+move names into separate vec with origins?
+make struct fields a vec, resolve to index?
 
 inner values that auto generate map function:
     enum Thing<inner T> {
@@ -10,6 +33,7 @@ inner values that auto generate map function:
 or
     #[derive(Map(T))]
     enum Thing<T> { ... }
+    // scoping here is bad :woozy:
 
 
 {([<
diff --git a/src/ir/lower/program.rs b/src/ir/lower/program.rs
index 632b4d8..7919c05 100644
--- a/src/ir/lower/program.rs
+++ b/src/ir/lower/program.rs
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ impl LFunctionBuilderData<'_> {
             Type::Generic(id) => return None,
             // function references are resolved at compile time into direct calls,
             // so they don't have any size as arguments
-            Type::FnRef(fi) => 0,
+            Type::FnInst(fi) => 0,
             Type::Ref(_) => self.addr_size(),
             Type::Array(ty, len) => self.size_of_type(p, ty)? * len,
             Type::Slice(_) => self.addr_size() * 2,
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/ident.rs b/src/ir/upper/ident.rs
index cecfe04..6ba5e91 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/ident.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/ident.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ pub struct UIdent {
 
 pub enum IdentStatus {
     Res(Res),
+    // lets you do things like import and then specialize in multiple places
+    // eg. import SomeStruct ...... f() -> SomeStruct // type ....... SomeStruct {} // struct
+    // and then have correct errors like "expected struct, found type Bla"
+    Ref(IdentID),
     Unres {
         base: ResBase,
         path: Vec<MemberIdent>,
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/instr.rs b/src/ir/upper/instr.rs
index e00bab5..b9ed0ea 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/instr.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/instr.rs
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ pub trait ResStage {
 
 pub struct Unresolved;
 impl ResStage for Unresolved {
-    type Var = IdentID;
+    type Var = VarRes;
     type Func = IdentID;
     type Struct = IdentID;
-    type Type = IdentID;
+    type Type = TypeRes;
 }
 
 pub struct Resolved;
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ pub enum UInstruction<S: ResStage = Unresolved> {
     },
     If {
         cond: S::Var,
-        body: Vec<UInstrInst<S>>,
+        body: Vec<InstrID>,
     },
     Loop {
-        body: Vec<UInstrInst<S>>,
+        body: Vec<InstrID>,
     },
     Break,
     Continue,
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/kind.rs b/src/ir/upper/kind.rs
index 072285d..247d8b0 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/kind.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/kind.rs
@@ -20,18 +20,22 @@ pub type GenericID = ID<UGeneric>;
 pub type StructID = ID<UStruct>;
 pub type DataID = ID<UData>;
 pub type ModID = ID<UModule>;
+pub type InstrID = ID<UInstrInst>;
+
+pub type VarRes = URes<VarID>;
+pub type TypeRes = URes<VarID>;
 
 pub struct UFunc {
     pub name: String,
     pub origin: Origin,
     pub args: Vec<VarID>,
     pub gargs: Vec<GenericID>,
-    pub ret: TypeID,
-    pub instructions: Vec<UInstrInst>,
+    pub ret: TypeRes,
+    pub instructions: Vec<InstrID>,
 }
 
 pub struct StructField {
-    pub ty: TypeID,
+    pub ty: TypeRes,
     pub origin: Origin,
     // pub vis: Visibility
 }
@@ -51,11 +55,16 @@ pub struct UGeneric {
 pub struct UVar {
     pub name: String,
     pub origin: Origin,
-    pub ty: TypeID,
+    pub ty: TypeRes,
     pub parent: Option<VarID>,
     pub children: HashMap<String, VarID>,
 }
 
+pub enum VarTy {
+    Ident(IdentID),
+    Res(TypeID),
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Hash, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct VarOffset {
     pub id: VarID,
@@ -120,6 +129,11 @@ impl MemberID {
     }
 }
 
+pub enum URes<T> {
+    Res(T),
+    Unres(IdentID),
+}
+
 pub type Origin = FileSpan;
 
 // "effective" (externally visible) kinds
@@ -145,37 +159,3 @@ impl Display for KindTy {
         })
     }
 }
-
-impl UFunc {
-    pub fn flat_iter(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &UInstrInst> {
-        InstrIter::new(self.instructions.iter())
-    }
-}
-
-pub struct InstrIter<'a> {
-    iters: Vec<core::slice::Iter<'a, UInstrInst>>,
-}
-
-impl<'a> InstrIter<'a> {
-    pub fn new(iter: core::slice::Iter<'a, UInstrInst>) -> Self {
-        Self { iters: vec![iter] }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<'a> Iterator for InstrIter<'a> {
-    type Item = &'a UInstrInst;
-
-    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
-        let iter = self.iters.last_mut()?;
-        let Some(next) = iter.next() else {
-            self.iters.pop();
-            return self.next();
-        };
-        match &next.i {
-            UInstruction::Loop { body } => self.iters.push(body.iter()),
-            UInstruction::If { cond: _, body } => self.iters.push(body.iter()),
-            _ => (),
-        }
-        Some(next)
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/program.rs b/src/ir/upper/program.rs
index d43d0a2..0ed6b30 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/program.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/program.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use super::*;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub struct UProgram {
     pub fns: Vec<UFunc>,
@@ -10,8 +9,10 @@ pub struct UProgram {
     pub vars: Vec<UVar>,
     pub idents: Vec<UIdent>,
     pub types: Vec<Type>,
+    pub instrs: Vec<UInstrInst>,
 
-    pub vfmap: HashMap<VarID, FnID>,
+    pub unres_idents: Vec<IdentID>,
+    pub unres_instrs: Vec<(FnID, InstrID)>,
     pub tc: TypeCache,
 }
 
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ impl UProgram {
     pub fn new() -> Self {
         let mut types = Vec::new();
         let tc = TypeCache {
-            unit: push_id(&mut types, Type::Real(RType::Unit)),
+            unit: push_id(&mut types, Type::Unit),
             error: push_id(&mut types, Type::Error),
         };
         Self {
@@ -36,13 +37,15 @@ impl UProgram {
             generics: Vec::new(),
             data: Vec::new(),
             modules: Vec::new(),
-            vfmap: HashMap::new(),
+            instrs: Vec::new(),
+            unres_idents: Vec::new(),
+            unres_instrs: Vec::new(),
             tc,
         }
     }
 
     pub fn infer(&mut self) -> TypeID {
-        self.def_ty(RType::Infer.ty())
+        self.def_ty(Type::Infer)
     }
 
     pub fn def_var(&mut self, v: UVar) -> VarID {
@@ -58,7 +61,11 @@ impl UProgram {
     }
 
     pub fn def_ident(&mut self, i: UIdent) -> IdentID {
-        push_id(&mut self.idents, i)
+        let id = push_id(&mut self.idents, i);
+        if let IdentStatus::Unres { .. } = self.idents[id].status {
+            self.unres_idents.push(id);
+        }
+        id
     }
 
     pub fn def_generic(&mut self, g: UGeneric) -> GenericID {
@@ -77,35 +84,36 @@ impl UProgram {
         push_id(&mut self.modules, m)
     }
 
+    pub fn res_ty(&self, i: IdentID) -> Option<TypeID> {
+        self.idents[i].status;
+    }
+
     pub fn type_name(&self, ty: impl Typed) -> String {
         match ty.ty(self) {
-            Type::Real(rty) => match rty {
-                RType::Struct(ty) => {
-                    format!(
-                        "{}{}",
-                        self.structs[ty.id].name,
-                        self.gparams_str(&ty.gargs)
-                    )
-                }
-                RType::FnRef(ty) => {
-                    format!(
-                        "fn{}({}) -> {}",
-                        &self.gparams_str(&ty.gargs),
-                        &self.type_list_str(self.fns[ty.id].args.iter().map(|v| self.vars[v].ty)),
-                        &self.type_name(self.fns[ty.id].ret)
-                    )
-                }
-                RType::Ref(t) => format!("{}&", self.type_name(t)),
-                RType::Deref(t) => format!("{}^", self.type_name(t)),
-                RType::Bits(size) => format!("b{}", size),
-                RType::Array(t, len) => format!("[{}; {len}]", self.type_name(t)),
-                RType::Unit => "()".to_string(),
-                RType::Slice(t) => format!("&[{}]", self.type_name(t)),
-                RType::Infer => "{inferred}".to_string(),
-            },
-            Type::Error => "{error}".to_string(),
-            Type::Unres(_) => "{unresolved}".to_string(),
+            Type::Struct(ty) => {
+                format!(
+                    "{}{}",
+                    self.structs[ty.id].name,
+                    self.gparams_str(&ty.gargs)
+                )
+            }
+            Type::FnInst(ty) => {
+                format!(
+                    "fn{}({}) -> {}",
+                    &self.gparams_str(&ty.gargs),
+                    &self.type_list_str(self.fns[ty.id].args.iter().map(|v| self.vars[v].ty)),
+                    &self.type_name(self.fns[ty.id].ret)
+                )
+            }
+            Type::Ref(t) => format!("{}&", self.type_name(t)),
+            Type::Bits(size) => format!("b{}", size),
+            Type::Array(t, len) => format!("[{}; {len}]", self.type_name(t)),
+            Type::Unit => "()".to_string(),
+            Type::Slice(t) => format!("&[{}]", self.type_name(t)),
+            Type::Infer => "{inferred}".to_string(),
             Type::Generic(id) => self.generics[id].name.clone(),
+            Type::Deref(t) => format!("{}^", self.type_name(t)),
+            Type::Error => "{error}".to_string(),
             Type::Ptr(id) => self.type_name(id),
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/error.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/error.rs
index 56bb2d6..8fa919c 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/error.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/error.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
-use crate::{
-    common::{CompilerMsg, CompilerOutput},
-    ir::RType,
-};
+use crate::common::{CompilerMsg, CompilerOutput};
 
 use super::{
     IdentStatus, KindTy, MemberTy, Origin, Res, ResBase, StructID, Type, TypeID, UProgram,
@@ -119,12 +116,14 @@ pub fn report_errs(p: &UProgram, output: &mut CompilerOutput, mut errs: Vec<ResE
         }
     }
     for var in &p.vars {
-        match &p.types[var.ty] {
-            Type::Real(RType::Infer) => output.err(CompilerMsg::new(
-                format!("Type of {:?} cannot be inferred", var.name),
-                var.origin,
-            )),
-            _ => (),
+        if let Some(ty) = var.ty() {
+            match &p.types[ty] {
+                Type::Infer => output.err(CompilerMsg::new(
+                    format!("Type of {:?} cannot be inferred", var.name),
+                    var.origin,
+                )),
+                _ => (),
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/ident.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/ident.rs
index 8af4b78..f35f939 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/ident.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/ident.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,110 @@
 use super::*;
 
+impl UProgram {
+    pub fn resolve_idents(&mut self, errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>) -> ResolveRes {
+        let mut resolve_res = ResolveRes::Finished;
+        'main: for i in std::mem::take(&mut self.unres_idents) {
+            let mut j = i;
+            // take from ref if possible
+            while let IdentStatus::Ref(other) = &self.idents[j].status {
+                match &self.idents[other].status {
+                    IdentStatus::Res(res) => self.idents[i].status = IdentStatus::Res(res.clone()),
+                    &IdentStatus::Ref(id) => j = id,
+                    IdentStatus::Unres { .. } => {
+                        self.unres_idents.push(i);
+                        continue 'main;
+                    }
+                    IdentStatus::Failed(..) => self.idents[i].status = IdentStatus::Cooked,
+                    IdentStatus::Cooked => self.idents[i].status = IdentStatus::Cooked,
+                }
+            }
+            let status = &mut self.idents[i].status;
+            // TOOD: there are some clones here that shouldn't be needed
+            let IdentStatus::Unres { path, base } = status else {
+                continue;
+            };
+
+            while let Some(mem) = path.pop() {
+                let res = match base {
+                    ResBase::Unvalidated(u) => {
+                        match u.validate(
+                            &self.fns,
+                            &self.structs,
+                            &self.generics,
+                            &mut self.types,
+                            errs,
+                        ) {
+                            Ok(res) => res,
+                            Err(err) => {
+                                *status = IdentStatus::Failed(err);
+                                continue 'main;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    ResBase::Validated(res) => res.clone(),
+                };
+                *base = match (res, mem.ty) {
+                    (Res::Module(id), MemberTy::Member) => {
+                        let Some(m) = self.modules[id].members.get(&mem.name) else {
+                            self.unres_idents.push(i);
+                            continue 'main;
+                        };
+                        ResBase::Unvalidated(MemRes {
+                            mem: m.clone(),
+                            origin: mem.origin,
+                            gargs: mem.gargs,
+                        })
+                    }
+                    (Res::Var(id), MemberTy::Field) => {
+                        // trait resolution here
+                        let Some(&child) = self.vars[id].children.get(&mem.name) else {
+                            self.unres_idents.push(i);
+                            continue 'main;
+                        };
+                        ResBase::Unvalidated(MemRes {
+                            mem: Member {
+                                id: MemberID::Var(child),
+                            },
+                            origin: mem.origin,
+                            gargs: mem.gargs,
+                        })
+                    }
+                    _ => {
+                        *status = IdentStatus::Failed(Some(ResErr::UnknownMember {
+                            origin: mem.origin,
+                            ty: mem.ty,
+                            name: mem.name.clone(),
+                            parent: base.clone(),
+                        }));
+                        continue 'main;
+                    }
+                };
+            }
+            let res = match base {
+                ResBase::Unvalidated(u) => {
+                    match u.validate(
+                        &self.fns,
+                        &self.structs,
+                        &self.generics,
+                        &mut self.types,
+                        errs,
+                    ) {
+                        Ok(res) => res,
+                        Err(err) => {
+                            *status = IdentStatus::Failed(err);
+                            continue 'main;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                ResBase::Validated(res) => res.clone(),
+            };
+            *status = IdentStatus::Res(res);
+            resolve_res = ResolveRes::Unfinished;
+        }
+        resolve_res
+    }
+}
+
 impl MemRes {
     pub fn validate(
         &self,
@@ -66,89 +171,6 @@ impl MemRes {
     }
 }
 
-impl IdentID {
-    pub fn resolve(
-        self,
-        s: &mut Sources,
-        types: &mut Vec<Type>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
-        errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-    ) -> Result<Res, ResolveRes> {
-        let status = &mut s.idents[self].status;
-        // TOOD: there are some clones here that shouldn't be needed
-        Ok(match status {
-            IdentStatus::Res(r) => r.clone(),
-            IdentStatus::Unres { path, base } => {
-                while let Some(mem) = path.pop() {
-                    let res = match base {
-                        ResBase::Unvalidated(u) => {
-                            match u.validate(s.fns, s.structs, s.generics, types, errs) {
-                                Ok(res) => res,
-                                Err(err) => {
-                                    *status = IdentStatus::Failed(err);
-                                    return Err(ResolveRes::Finished);
-                                }
-                            }
-                        }
-                        ResBase::Validated(res) => res.clone(),
-                    };
-                    *base = match (res, mem.ty) {
-                        (Res::Module(id), MemberTy::Member) => {
-                            let Some(m) = s.modules[id].members.get(&mem.name) else {
-                                return Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished);
-                            };
-                            ResBase::Unvalidated(MemRes {
-                                mem: m.clone(),
-                                origin: mem.origin,
-                                gargs: mem.gargs,
-                            })
-                        }
-                        (Res::Var(id), MemberTy::Field) => {
-                            // trait resolution here
-                            let Some(&child) = s.vars[id].children.get(&mem.name) else {
-                                return Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished);
-                            };
-                            ResBase::Unvalidated(MemRes {
-                                mem: Member {
-                                    id: MemberID::Var(child),
-                                },
-                                origin: mem.origin,
-                                gargs: mem.gargs,
-                            })
-                        }
-                        _ => {
-                            *status = IdentStatus::Failed(Some(ResErr::UnknownMember {
-                                origin: mem.origin,
-                                ty: mem.ty,
-                                name: mem.name.clone(),
-                                parent: base.clone(),
-                            }));
-                            return Err(ResolveRes::Finished);
-                        }
-                    };
-                }
-                let res = match base {
-                    ResBase::Unvalidated(u) => {
-                        match u.validate(s.fns, s.structs, s.generics, types, errs) {
-                            Ok(res) => res,
-                            Err(err) => {
-                                *status = IdentStatus::Failed(err);
-                                return Err(ResolveRes::Finished);
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    ResBase::Validated(res) => res.clone(),
-                };
-                *status = IdentStatus::Res(res.clone());
-                *changed = true;
-                res
-            }
-            IdentStatus::Cooked => return Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
-            IdentStatus::Failed(_) => return Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
-        })
-    }
-}
-
 pub fn validate_gargs(
     dst: &[GenericID],
     src: &[TypeID],
@@ -171,4 +193,3 @@ pub fn validate_gargs(
     }
     Ok(())
 }
-
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/instantiate.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/instantiate.rs
index 0f9e11d..767395f 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/instantiate.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/instantiate.rs
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ pub fn inst_fn_var(
     types: &mut Vec<Type>,
 ) -> VarID {
     let name = fns[fi.id].name.clone();
-    let ty = push_id(types, RType::FnRef(fi).ty());
+    let ty = push_id(types, Type::FnInst(fi));
     push_id(
         vars,
         UVar {
             name,
             origin,
-            ty,
+            ty: VarTy::Res(ty),
             parent: None,
             children: HashMap::new(),
         },
@@ -31,53 +31,20 @@ pub fn inst_struct_var(
     types: &mut Vec<Type>,
 ) -> VarID {
     let name = structs[si.id].name.clone();
-    let ty = push_id(types, RType::Struct(si).ty());
+    let ty = push_id(types, Type::Struct(si));
     let id = push_id(
         vars,
         UVar {
             name,
             origin,
-            ty,
+            ty: VarTy::Res(ty),
             parent: None,
             children: HashMap::new(),
         },
     );
-    inst_var(vars, structs, id, types);
     id
 }
 
-pub fn inst_var(vars: &mut Vec<UVar>, structs: &[UStruct], id: VarID, types: &mut Vec<Type>) {
-    match real_type(types, vars[id].ty) {
-        RType::Struct(si) => {
-            let fields = &structs[si.id].fields;
-            let s_gargs = &structs[si.id].gargs;
-            let gmap = inst_gmap(s_gargs, &si.gargs);
-            let children = fields
-                .iter()
-                .map(|(name, f)| {
-                    (name.clone(), {
-                        let ty = inst_type(f.ty, types, &gmap);
-                        let fid = push_id(
-                            vars,
-                            UVar {
-                                name: name.clone(),
-                                origin: f.origin,
-                                ty,
-                                parent: Some(id),
-                                children: HashMap::new(),
-                            },
-                        );
-                        inst_var(vars, structs, fid, types);
-                        fid
-                    })
-                })
-                .collect();
-            vars[id].children = children;
-        }
-        _ => (),
-    }
-}
-
 /// gargs assumed to be valid
 pub fn inst_typedef(def: &TypeDef, gargs: &[TypeID], types: &mut Vec<Type>) -> TypeID {
     let gmap = inst_gmap(&def.gargs, &gargs);
@@ -108,32 +75,23 @@ fn inst_type_(
     gmap: &HashMap<GenericID, TypeID>,
 ) -> Option<TypeID> {
     let ty = match types[id].clone() {
-        Type::Real(rty) => match rty {
-            RType::Bits(_) => return None,
-            RType::Struct(struct_ty) => RType::Struct(StructInst {
-                id: struct_ty.id,
-                gargs: inst_all(&struct_ty.gargs, types, gmap)?,
-            }),
-            RType::FnRef(fn_ty) => RType::FnRef(FnInst {
-                id: fn_ty.id,
-                gargs: inst_all(&fn_ty.gargs, types, gmap)?,
-            }),
-            RType::Ref(id) => RType::Ref(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
-            RType::Slice(id) => RType::Slice(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
-            RType::Array(id, len) => RType::Array(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?, len),
-            RType::Unit => return None,
-            RType::Generic(gid) => {
-                return gmap
-                    .get(&gid)
-                    .map(|id| Some(*id))
-                    .unwrap_or_else(|| None)
-            }
-            RType::Infer => RType::Infer,
-        }
-        .ty(),
+        Type::Bits(_) => return None,
+        Type::Struct(struct_ty) => Type::Struct(StructInst {
+            id: struct_ty.id,
+            gargs: inst_all(&struct_ty.gargs, types, gmap)?,
+        }),
+        Type::FnInst(fn_ty) => Type::FnInst(FnInst {
+            id: fn_ty.id,
+            gargs: inst_all(&fn_ty.gargs, types, gmap)?,
+        }),
+        Type::Ref(id) => Type::Ref(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
+        Type::Slice(id) => Type::Slice(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
+        Type::Array(id, len) => Type::Array(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?, len),
+        Type::Unit => return None,
+        Type::Generic(gid) => return gmap.get(&gid).map(|id| Some(*id)).unwrap_or_else(|| None),
+        Type::Infer => Type::Infer,
         Type::Deref(id) => Type::Deref(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
         Type::Ptr(id) => Type::Ptr(inst_type_(id, types, gmap)?),
-        Type::Unres(mod_path) => Type::Unres(mod_path.clone()),
         Type::Error => return None,
     };
     Some(push_id(types, ty))
@@ -155,4 +113,3 @@ fn inst_all(
     }
     vec
 }
-
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/instr.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/instr.rs
index 813b3a8..b57c961 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/instr.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/instr.rs
@@ -2,30 +2,79 @@ use std::collections::HashSet;
 
 use super::*;
 
-pub fn resolve_instr<'a>(data: &mut ResData<'a>, ctx: ResolveCtx<'a>) -> Option<()> {
-    let mut res = ResolveRes::Finished;
-    match &ctx.i.i {
+pub enum UResEvent {
+    VarUse(VarID),
+}
+
+impl UProgram {
+    pub fn resolve_instrs(&mut self, errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>) -> ResolveRes {
+        let mut data = ResData {
+            changed: false,
+            types: &mut self.types,
+            s: Sources {
+                idents: &mut self.idents,
+                vars: &mut self.vars,
+                fns: &self.fns,
+                structs: &self.structs,
+                generics: &self.generics,
+                data: &self.data,
+                modules: &self.modules,
+            },
+            errs,
+        };
+        for ids in std::mem::take(&mut self.unres_instrs) {
+            if let ResolveRes::Unfinished = resolve_instr(ids, &mut self.instrs, &mut data) {
+                self.unres_instrs.push(ids);
+            };
+        }
+        ResolveRes::Finished
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+struct ResolveCtx {
+    ret: IdentID,
+    breakable: bool,
+    i: InstrID,
+}
+
+pub fn resolve_instr<'a>(
+    (fi, ii): (FnID, InstrID),
+    instrs: &mut Vec<UInstrInst>,
+    data: &mut ResData<'a>,
+) -> ResolveRes {
+    let instr = &mut instrs[ii];
+    match &mut instr.i {
         UInstruction::Call { dst, f, args } => {
-            let fi = data.res_id::<UFunc>(f, ctx)?;
-            let f = &data.s.fns[fi.id];
-            for (src, &dest) in args.iter().zip(&f.args) {
-                res |= data.match_types::<UVar, UVar>(dest, src, src);
+            let fi = data.res::<UFunc>(*f);
+            for &a in args {
+                data.res::<UVar>(a);
             }
-            res |= data.match_types::<UVar, Type>(dst, f.ret, dst);
+            data.res::<UVar>(dst);
+            match fi {
+                Ok(fi) => {
+                    let f = &data.s.fns[fi.id];
+                    for (&src, &dst) in args.iter().zip(&f.args) {
+                        data.s.constraints.push(UResEvent::AssignVVI { dst, src });
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(r) => return r,
+            }
+            ResolveRes::Finished
         }
         UInstruction::Mv { dst, src } => {
             res |= data.match_types::<UVar, UVar>(dst, src, src);
         }
         UInstruction::Ref { dst, src } => {
-            let dstty = data.res_var_ty(dst, ctx)?.0;
-            let &RType::Ref(dest_ty) = dstty else {
+            let dstty = &data.types[data.res_var_ty(dst)?];
+            let &Type::Ref(dest_ty) = dstty else {
                 compiler_error()
             };
             res |= data.match_types::<Type, UVar>(dest_ty, src, src);
         }
         UInstruction::Deref { dst, src } => {
-            let (srcty, srcid) = data.res_var_ty(src, ctx)?;
-            let &RType::Ref(src_ty) = srcty else {
+            let srcid = data.res_var_ty(src)?;
+            let &Type::Ref(src_ty) = data.types[srcid] else {
                 let origin = src.origin(data);
                 data.errs.push(ResErr::CannotDeref { origin, ty: srcid });
                 return None;
@@ -38,11 +87,11 @@ pub fn resolve_instr<'a>(data: &mut ResData<'a>, ctx: ResolveCtx<'a>) -> Option<
         }
         UInstruction::LoadSlice { dst, src } => {
             let (dstty, dstid) = data.res_var_ty(dst, ctx)?;
-            let &RType::Slice(dstty) = dstty else {
+            let &Type::Slice(dstty) = dstty else {
                 compiler_error()
             };
             let srcid = src.type_id(&data.s);
-            let Type::Real(RType::Array(srcty, _)) = data.types[srcid] else {
+            let Type::Array(srcty, _) = data.types[srcid] else {
                 compiler_error()
             };
             res |= data.match_types(dstty, srcty, dst);
@@ -54,7 +103,7 @@ pub fn resolve_instr<'a>(data: &mut ResData<'a>, ctx: ResolveCtx<'a>) -> Option<
             res |= data.match_types::<Type, UVar>(ctx.ret, src, src);
         }
         UInstruction::Construct { dst, struc, fields } => {
-            let si = data.res_id::<UStruct>(dst, ctx)?;
+            let si = data.res::<UStruct>(dst, ctx)?;
             let sid = si.id;
             let st = &data.s.structs[sid];
             let mut used = HashSet::new();
@@ -130,9 +179,4 @@ pub fn resolve_instr<'a>(data: &mut ResData<'a>, ctx: ResolveCtx<'a>) -> Option<
             }
         }
     }
-    match res {
-        ResolveRes::Finished => (),
-        ResolveRes::Unfinished => data.unfinished.push(ctx),
-    }
-    return None;
 }
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/matc.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/matc.rs
index b5c1256..d3a474b 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/matc.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/matc.rs
@@ -1,31 +1,33 @@
 use super::*;
 
-pub fn match_types(data: &mut ResData, dst: impl TypeIDed, src: impl TypeIDed) -> MatchRes {
-    let dstid = dst.type_id(&data.s);
-    let srcid = src.type_id(&data.s);
-    let dstty = data.real_ty(&dst)?.clone();
-    let srcty = data.real_ty(&src)?.clone();
-    let error = || {
-        MatchRes::Error(vec![TypeMismatch {
-            dst: dstid,
-            src: srcid,
-        }])
+pub fn match_types(data: &mut ResData, dst: TypeID, src: TypeID) -> MatchRes {
+    let Some(dst) = clean_type(data.types, dst) else {
+        return MatchRes::Finished;
     };
-    match (dstty, srcty) {
+    let Some(src) = clean_type(data.types, src) else {
+        return MatchRes::Finished;
+    };
+    // prevents this from blowing up I think:
+    // let mut x, y;
+    // x = y;
+    // y = x;
+    if dst == src {
+        return MatchRes::Finished;
+    }
+    let error = || MatchRes::Error(vec![TypeMismatch { dst, src }]);
+    match (data.types[dst].clone(), data.types[src].clone()) {
         // prefer changing dst over src
-        (RType::Infer, _) => {
+        (Type::Infer, _) => {
             data.changed = true;
-            data.types[dstid] = Type::Ptr(srcid);
-            dst.finish(&mut data.s, data.types);
+            data.types[dst] = Type::Ptr(src);
             MatchRes::Finished
         }
-        (_, RType::Infer) => {
+        (_, Type::Infer) => {
             data.changed = true;
-            data.types[srcid] = Type::Ptr(dstid);
-            src.finish(&mut data.s, data.types);
+            data.types[src] = Type::Ptr(dst);
             MatchRes::Finished
         }
-        (RType::Struct(dest), RType::Struct(src)) => {
+        (Type::Struct(dest), Type::Struct(src)) => {
             if dest.id != src.id {
                 return error();
             }
@@ -45,9 +47,9 @@ pub fn match_types(data: &mut ResData, dst: impl TypeIDed, src: impl TypeIDed) -
         //     let src = src_args.into_iter().chain(once(src_ret));
         //     match_all(data, dst, src)
         // }
-        (RType::Ref(dest), RType::Ref(src)) => match_types(data, dest, src),
-        (RType::Slice(dest), RType::Slice(src)) => match_types(data, dest, src),
-        (RType::Array(dest, dlen), RType::Array(src, slen)) => {
+        (Type::Ref(dest), Type::Ref(src)) => match_types(data, dest, src),
+        (Type::Slice(dest), Type::Slice(src)) => match_types(data, dest, src),
+        (Type::Array(dest, dlen), Type::Array(src, slen)) => {
             if dlen == slen {
                 match_types(data, dest, src)
             } else {
@@ -84,22 +86,14 @@ fn match_all(
 }
 
 impl<'a> ResData<'a> {
-    pub fn match_types<Dst: ResKind, Src: ResKind>(
+    pub fn match_types(
         &mut self,
-        dst: impl Resolvable<Dst>,
-        src: impl Resolvable<Src>,
+        dst: impl MaybeTypeID,
+        src: impl MaybeTypeID,
         origin: impl HasOrigin,
-    ) -> ResolveRes
-    where
-        Dst::Res: TypeIDed,
-        Src::Res: TypeIDed,
-    {
-        let dst = dst
-            .try_res(&mut self.s, self.types, &mut self.errs, &mut self.changed)?
-            .type_id(&self.s);
-        let src = src
-            .try_res(&mut self.s, self.types, &mut self.errs, &mut self.changed)?
-            .type_id(&self.s);
+    ) -> ResolveRes {
+        let dst = dst.type_id(&self.s)?;
+        let src = src.type_id(&self.s)?;
         let res = match_types(self, dst, src);
         match res {
             MatchRes::Unfinished => ResolveRes::Unfinished,
@@ -115,12 +109,6 @@ impl<'a> ResData<'a> {
             }
         }
     }
-    pub fn real_ty(&mut self, x: &impl TypeIDed) -> Result<&RType, MatchRes> {
-        real_type(self.types, x.type_id(&self.s)).map_err(|res| match res {
-            ResolveRes::Finished => MatchRes::Finished,
-            ResolveRes::Unfinished => MatchRes::Unfinished,
-        })
-    }
 }
 
 pub enum MatchRes {
@@ -137,3 +125,22 @@ impl FromResidual<Result<Infallible, MatchRes>> for MatchRes {
         }
     }
 }
+
+pub trait MaybeTypeID {
+    fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes>;
+}
+
+impl<T: TypeIDed> MaybeTypeID for T {
+    fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes> {
+        Ok(self.type_id(s))
+    }
+}
+
+impl MaybeTypeID for VarID {
+    fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes> {
+        match s.vars[self].ty {
+            VarTy::Ident(id) => todo!(),
+            VarTy::Res(id) => Ok(id),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/resolve/mod.rs b/src/ir/upper/resolve/mod.rs
index 852dc31..9115a25 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/resolve/mod.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/resolve/mod.rs
@@ -9,73 +9,40 @@ use std::{
 };
 
 mod error;
-mod instr;
-mod matc;
 mod ident;
 mod instantiate;
+mod instr;
+mod matc;
 
 pub use error::*;
-use instr::*;
 use instantiate::*;
 
 impl UProgram {
     pub fn resolve(&mut self, output: &mut CompilerOutput) {
-        let mut unfinished = Vec::new();
-        let mut data = ResData {
-            unfinished: Vec::new(),
-            changed: false,
-            types: &mut self.types,
-            s: Sources {
-                idents: &mut self.idents,
-                vars: &mut self.vars,
-                fns: &self.fns,
-                structs: &self.structs,
-                generics: &self.generics,
-                data: &self.data,
-                modules: &self.modules,
-            },
-            errs: Vec::new(),
-        };
+        self.unres_instrs = (0..self.instrs.len()).map(|i| InstrID::from(i)).collect();
+        let mut res = ResolveRes::Unfinished;
+        let mut errs = Vec::new();
+        while res == ResolveRes::Unfinished {
+            res = ResolveRes::Finished;
+            res |= self.resolve_idents(&mut errs);
+            res |= self.resolve_instrs(&mut errs);
+        }
         for (fid, f) in self.fns.iter().enumerate() {
-            for i in &f.instructions {
-                resolve_instr(
-                    &mut data,
-                    ResolveCtx {
-                        ret: f.ret,
-                        breakable: false,
-                        i,
-                    },
-                );
-            }
             // this currently works bc expressions create temporary variables
             // although you can't do things like loop {return 3} (need to analyze control flow)
-            if data.types[f.ret] != RType::Unit.ty()
+            if let Some(ty) = self.res_ty(f.ret)
+                && self.types[ty] != Type::Unit
                 && f.instructions
                     .last()
-                    .is_none_or(|i| !matches!(i.i, UInstruction::Ret { .. }))
+                    .is_none_or(|i| !matches!(self.instrs[i].i, UInstruction::Ret { .. }))
             {
-                data.errs.push(ResErr::NoReturn { fid });
+                errs.push(ResErr::NoReturn { fid });
             }
         }
-        while !data.unfinished.is_empty() && data.changed {
-            data.changed = false;
-            std::mem::swap(&mut data.unfinished, &mut unfinished);
-            for ctx in unfinished.drain(..) {
-                resolve_instr(&mut data, ctx);
-            }
-        }
-        let errs = data.errs;
         report_errs(self, output, errs);
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
-struct ResolveCtx<'a> {
-    ret: TypeID,
-    breakable: bool,
-    i: &'a UInstrInst,
-}
-
 fn compiler_error() -> ! {
     // TODO: this is probably a compiler error / should never happen
     panic!("how could this happen to me (you)");
@@ -92,46 +59,33 @@ struct Sources<'a> {
 }
 
 struct ResData<'a> {
-    unfinished: Vec<ResolveCtx<'a>>,
     changed: bool,
     types: &'a mut Vec<Type>,
     s: Sources<'a>,
-    errs: Vec<ResErr>,
+    errs: &'a mut Vec<ResErr>,
 }
 
 impl<'a> ResData<'a> {
-    pub fn try_res_id<K: ResKind>(&mut self, x: impl Resolvable<K>) -> Result<K::Res, ResolveRes> {
-        x.try_res(
-            &mut self.s,
-            &mut self.types,
-            &mut self.errs,
-            &mut self.changed,
-        )
-    }
-    pub fn res_var_ty<'b: 'a>(
-        &mut self,
-        x: impl Resolvable<UVar>,
-        ctx: ResolveCtx<'b>,
-    ) -> Option<(&RType, TypeID)> {
-        let id = self.res_id::<UVar>(x, ctx).map(|i| i.type_id(&self.s))?;
-        real_type(self.types, id).ok().map(|ty| (ty, id))
-    }
-    pub fn res_id<'b: 'a, K: ResKind>(
-        &mut self,
-        x: impl Resolvable<K>,
-        ctx: ResolveCtx<'b>,
-    ) -> Option<K::Res> {
-        match self.try_res_id(x) {
-            Ok(id) => return Some(id),
-            Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished) => self.unfinished.push(ctx),
-            Err(ResolveRes::Finished) => (),
-        }
-        None
+    pub fn res<K: ResKind>(&mut self, i: IdentID) -> Result<K::Res, ResolveRes> {
+        i.res_as::<K>(&mut self.s, &mut self.types)
     }
 
+    pub fn res_ty(&mut self, x: impl Resolvable<Type>) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes> {
+        let id = Resolvable::<Type>::try_res(&x, &mut self.s, self.types, self.errs)?;
+        resolved_type(self.types, id)
+    }
+
+    pub fn res_var_ty(&mut self, i: IdentID) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes> {
+        let id = self.res::<UVar>(i)?;
+        let id = match self.s.vars[id].ty {
+            VarTy::Res(t) => Ok(t),
+            VarTy::Ident(i) => i.res_as::<Type>(&mut self.s, self.types),
+        }?;
+        resolved_type(self.types, id)
+    }
 }
 
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
 pub enum ResolveRes {
     Finished,
     Unfinished,
@@ -158,28 +112,31 @@ trait Resolvable<K: ResKind> {
         s: &mut Sources,
         types: &mut Vec<Type>,
         errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
     ) -> Result<K::Res, ResolveRes>;
 }
 
-impl<K: ResKind> Resolvable<K> for IdentID {
-    fn try_res(
+impl IdentID {
+    fn res_as<K: ResKind>(
         &self,
         s: &mut Sources,
         types: &mut Vec<Type>,
-        errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
     ) -> Result<K::Res, ResolveRes> {
         let origin = s.idents[self].origin;
-        let res = self.resolve(s, types, changed, errs)?;
+        let res = match &s.idents[self].status {
+            IdentStatus::Res(res) => res.clone(),
+            IdentStatus::Ref { .. } => return Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished),
+            IdentStatus::Unres { .. } => return Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished),
+            IdentStatus::Failed(..) => return Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+            IdentStatus::Cooked => return Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+        };
         match K::from_res(res, types, s, origin) {
             Ok(res) => Ok(res),
             Err(res) => {
-                errs.push(ResErr::KindMismatch {
+                s.idents[self].status = IdentStatus::Failed(Some(ResErr::KindMismatch {
                     origin,
                     expected: K::ty(),
                     found: res,
-                });
+                }));
                 Err(ResolveRes::Finished)
             }
         }
@@ -192,9 +149,8 @@ impl<K: ResKind> Resolvable<K> for &IdentID {
         s: &mut Sources,
         types: &mut Vec<Type>,
         errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
     ) -> Result<K::Res, ResolveRes> {
-        Resolvable::<K>::try_res(*self, s, types, errs, changed)
+        Resolvable::<K>::try_res(*self, s, types, errs)
     }
 }
 
@@ -204,7 +160,6 @@ impl Resolvable<UVar> for VarID {
         s: &mut Sources,
         types: &mut Vec<Type>,
         errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
     ) -> Result<<UVar as ResKind>::Res, ResolveRes> {
         Ok(*self)
     }
@@ -216,7 +171,6 @@ impl Resolvable<Type> for TypeID {
         s: &mut Sources,
         types: &mut Vec<Type>,
         errs: &mut Vec<ResErr>,
-        changed: &mut bool,
     ) -> Result<<Type as ResKind>::Res, ResolveRes> {
         Ok(*self)
     }
@@ -290,7 +244,7 @@ impl ResKind for Type {
         _: Origin,
     ) -> Result<Self::Res, Res> {
         Ok(match res {
-            Res::Struct(si) => push_id(types, RType::Struct(si).ty()),
+            Res::Struct(si) => push_id(types, Type::Struct(si)),
             Res::Type(id) => id,
             _ => return Err(res),
         })
@@ -299,7 +253,6 @@ impl ResKind for Type {
 
 pub trait TypeIDed {
     fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> TypeID;
-    fn finish(&self, s: &mut Sources, types: &mut Vec<Type>) {}
 }
 
 impl TypeIDed for TypeID {
@@ -308,15 +261,6 @@ impl TypeIDed for TypeID {
     }
 }
 
-impl TypeIDed for VarID {
-    fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> TypeID {
-        s.vars[self].ty
-    }
-    fn finish(&self, s: &mut Sources, types: &mut Vec<Type>) {
-        inst_var(s.vars, s.structs, *self, types);
-    }
-}
-
 impl TypeIDed for DataID {
     fn type_id(&self, s: &Sources) -> TypeID {
         s.data[self].ty
diff --git a/src/ir/upper/ty.rs b/src/ir/upper/ty.rs
index 4b782fd..c1a5d57 100644
--- a/src/ir/upper/ty.rs
+++ b/src/ir/upper/ty.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{FnID, GenericID, IdentID, Len, ResolveRes, StructID, TypeID, UProgram, VarID};
+use super::{FnID, GenericID, Len, ResolveRes, StructID, TypeID, UProgram, VarID};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Hash, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct FieldRef {
@@ -22,34 +22,21 @@ pub struct FnInst {
 
 #[derive(Clone, PartialEq)]
 pub enum Type {
-    Real(RType),
-    Deref(TypeID),
-    Ptr(TypeID),
-    Unres(IdentID),
-    Error,
-}
-
-/// "real" types
-#[derive(Clone, PartialEq)]
-pub enum RType {
     Bits(u32),
     Struct(StructInst),
     // this can be added for constraints later (F: fn(...) -> ...)
     // Fn { args: Vec<TypeID>, ret: TypeID },
     // "fake" types
-    FnRef(FnInst),
+    FnInst(FnInst),
     Ref(TypeID),
     Slice(TypeID),
     Array(TypeID, Len),
     Unit,
     Infer,
     Generic(GenericID),
-}
-
-impl RType {
-    pub const fn ty(self) -> Type {
-        Type::Real(self)
-    }
+    Deref(TypeID),
+    Ptr(TypeID),
+    Error,
 }
 
 impl Type {
@@ -69,16 +56,16 @@ impl Type {
 
 impl TypeID {
     pub fn rf(self) -> Type {
-        RType::Ref(self).ty()
+        Type::Ref(self)
     }
     pub fn derf(self) -> Type {
         Type::Deref(self)
     }
     pub fn arr(self, len: Len) -> Type {
-        RType::Array(self, len).ty()
+        Type::Array(self, len)
     }
     pub fn slice(self) -> Type {
-        RType::Slice(self).ty()
+        Type::Slice(self)
     }
 }
 
@@ -88,15 +75,27 @@ impl Type {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn real_type(types: &[Type], id: TypeID) -> Result<&RType, ResolveRes> {
+pub fn clean_type(types: &[Type], id: TypeID) -> Option<TypeID> {
     match &types[id] {
-        Type::Real(rtype) => Ok(rtype),
-        &Type::Ptr(id) => real_type(types, id),
-        &Type::Deref(id) => match real_type(types, id)? {
-            &RType::Ref(id) => real_type(types, id),
-            _ => Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+        &Type::Ptr(id) => clean_type(types, id),
+        &Type::Deref(did) => match &types[clean_type(types, did)?] {
+            &Type::Ref(id) => clean_type(types, id),
+            _ => Some(id),
         },
-        Type::Unres(_) => Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished),
-        Type::Error => Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+        Type::Error => None,
+        _ => Some(id),
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn resolved_type(types: &[Type], id: TypeID) -> Result<TypeID, ResolveRes> {
+    match &types[id] {
+        &Type::Ptr(id) => resolved_type(types, id),
+        &Type::Deref(id) => match &types[resolved_type(types, id)?] {
+            &Type::Ref(id) => resolved_type(types, id),
+            Type::Infer => Err(ResolveRes::Unfinished),
+            _ => Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+        },
+        Type::Error => Err(ResolveRes::Finished),
+        _ => Ok(id),
     }
 }