diff --git a/library/src/layout/mod.rs b/library/src/layout/mod.rs
index dc373ff5e..eb440b7f0 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/mod.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/mod.rs
@@ -232,20 +232,6 @@ impl<'a, 'v, 't> Builder<'a, 'v, 't> {
                 self.scratch.content.alloc(FormulaNode::new(content.clone()).pack());
         }
 
-        // Prepare only if this is the first application for this node.
-        if content.can::<dyn Prepare>() {
-            if !content.is_prepared() {
-                let prepared = content
-                    .clone()
-                    .prepared()
-                    .with::<dyn Prepare>()
-                    .unwrap()
-                    .prepare(self.vt, styles)?;
-                let stored = self.scratch.content.alloc(prepared);
-                return self.accept(stored, styles);
-            }
-        }
-
         if let Some(styled) = content.to::<StyledNode>() {
             return self.styled(styled, styles);
         }
diff --git a/library/src/meta/heading.rs b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
index 8677aa55a..1bff3af4e 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/heading.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ use crate::text::{TextNode, TextSize};
 ///
 /// Display: Heading
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Prepare, Show, Finalize)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show, Finalize)]
 pub struct HeadingNode {
     /// The logical nesting depth of the heading, starting from one.
     #[default(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())]
@@ -76,44 +76,61 @@ pub struct HeadingNode {
     /// The heading's title.
     #[required]
     pub body: Content,
+
+    /// The heading's numbering numbers.
+    ///
+    /// ```example
+    /// #show heading: it => it.numbers
+    ///
+    /// = First
+    /// == Second
+    /// = Third
+    /// ```
+    #[synthesized]
+    pub numbers: Option<Vec<NonZeroUsize>>,
 }
 
-impl Prepare for HeadingNode {
-    fn prepare(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+impl Synthesize for HeadingNode {
+    fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> Content {
         let my_id = vt.identify(self);
+        let numbered = self.numbering(styles).is_some();
 
         let mut counter = HeadingCounter::new();
-        for (node_id, node) in vt.locate(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>()) {
-            if node_id == my_id {
-                break;
+        if numbered {
+            // Advance passed existing headings.
+            for (_, node) in vt
+                .locate(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>())
+                .into_iter()
+                .take_while(|&(id, _)| id != my_id)
+            {
+                let heading = node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap();
+                if heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()).is_some() {
+                    counter.advance(heading);
+                }
             }
 
-            let numbers = node.field("numbers").unwrap();
-            if *numbers != Value::None {
-                let heading = node.to::<Self>().unwrap();
-                counter.advance(heading);
-            }
+            // Advance passed self.
+            counter.advance(self);
         }
 
-        let mut numbers = Value::None;
-        if let Some(numbering) = self.numbering(styles) {
-            numbers = numbering.apply(vt.world(), counter.advance(self))?;
-        }
+        let node = self
+            .clone()
+            .with_outlined(self.outlined(styles))
+            .with_numbering(self.numbering(styles))
+            .with_numbers(numbered.then(|| counter.take()))
+            .pack();
 
-        let mut node = self.clone().pack();
-        node.push_field("outlined", Value::Bool(self.outlined(styles)));
-        node.push_field("numbers", numbers);
         let meta = Meta::Node(my_id, node.clone());
-        Ok(node.styled(MetaNode::set_data(vec![meta])))
+        node.styled(MetaNode::set_data(vec![meta]))
     }
 }
 
 impl Show for HeadingNode {
-    fn show(&self, _: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
         let mut realized = self.body();
-        let numbers = self.0.field("numbers").unwrap();
-        if *numbers != Value::None {
-            realized = numbers.clone().display()
+        if let Some(numbering) = self.numbering(styles) {
+            let numbers = self.numbers().unwrap();
+            realized = numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
                 + HNode::new(Em::new(0.3).into()).with_weak(true).pack()
                 + realized;
         }
@@ -168,4 +185,14 @@ impl HeadingCounter {
 
         &self.0
     }
+
+    /// Take out the current counts.
+    pub fn take(self) -> Vec<NonZeroUsize> {
+        self.0
+    }
+}
+
+cast_from_value! {
+    HeadingNode,
+    v: Content => v.to::<Self>().ok_or("expected heading")?.clone(),
 }
diff --git a/library/src/meta/numbering.rs b/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
index 4e6e1aedd..d71fb2339 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/numbering.rs
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ impl Numbering {
         numbers: &[NonZeroUsize],
     ) -> SourceResult<Value> {
         Ok(match self {
-            Self::Pattern(pattern) => Value::Str(pattern.apply(numbers).into()),
+            Self::Pattern(pattern) => Value::Str(pattern.apply(numbers, false).into()),
             Self::Func(func) => {
                 let args = Args::new(
                     func.span(),
@@ -124,12 +124,16 @@ pub struct NumberingPattern {
 
 impl NumberingPattern {
     /// Apply the pattern to the given number.
-    pub fn apply(&self, numbers: &[NonZeroUsize]) -> EcoString {
+    pub fn apply(&self, numbers: &[NonZeroUsize], trimmed: bool) -> EcoString {
         let mut fmt = EcoString::new();
         let mut numbers = numbers.into_iter();
 
-        for ((prefix, kind, case), &n) in self.pieces.iter().zip(&mut numbers) {
-            fmt.push_str(prefix);
+        for (i, ((prefix, kind, case), &n)) in
+            self.pieces.iter().zip(&mut numbers).enumerate()
+        {
+            if i > 0 || !trimmed {
+                fmt.push_str(prefix);
+            }
             fmt.push_str(&kind.apply(n, *case));
         }
 
@@ -144,7 +148,10 @@ impl NumberingPattern {
             fmt.push_str(&kind.apply(n, *case));
         }
 
-        fmt.push_str(&self.suffix);
+        if !trimmed {
+            fmt.push_str(&self.suffix);
+        }
+
         fmt
     }
 
diff --git a/library/src/meta/outline.rs b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
index d66a573d4..a2b125110 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/outline.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use crate::text::{LinebreakNode, SpaceNode, TextNode};
 ///
 /// Display: Outline
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Prepare, Show)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show)]
 pub struct OutlineNode {
     /// The title of the outline.
     ///
@@ -67,21 +67,22 @@ pub struct OutlineNode {
     /// ```
     #[default(Some(RepeatNode::new(TextNode::packed(".")).pack()))]
     pub fill: Option<Content>,
+
+    /// All outlined headings in the document.
+    #[synthesized]
+    pub headings: Vec<HeadingNode>,
 }
 
-impl Prepare for OutlineNode {
-    fn prepare(&self, vt: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+impl Synthesize for OutlineNode {
+    fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> Content {
         let headings = vt
             .locate(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>())
             .into_iter()
-            .map(|(_, node)| node)
-            .filter(|node| *node.field("outlined").unwrap() == Value::Bool(true))
-            .map(|node| Value::Content(node.clone()))
+            .map(|(_, node)| node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap().clone())
+            .filter(|node| node.outlined(StyleChain::default()))
             .collect();
 
-        let mut node = self.clone().pack();
-        node.push_field("headings", Value::Array(Array::from_vec(headings)));
-        Ok(node)
+        self.clone().with_headings(headings).pack()
     }
 }
 
@@ -108,13 +109,12 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
         let indent = self.indent(styles);
         let depth = self.depth(styles);
 
-        let mut ancestors: Vec<&Content> = vec![];
-        for (_, node) in vt.locate(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>()) {
-            if *node.field("outlined").unwrap() != Value::Bool(true) {
+        let mut ancestors: Vec<&HeadingNode> = vec![];
+        for heading in self.headings().iter() {
+            if !heading.outlined(StyleChain::default()) {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            let heading = node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap();
             if let Some(depth) = depth {
                 if depth < heading.level(StyleChain::default()) {
                     continue;
@@ -122,37 +122,40 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
             }
 
             while ancestors.last().map_or(false, |last| {
-                last.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap().level(StyleChain::default())
-                    >= heading.level(StyleChain::default())
+                last.level(StyleChain::default()) >= heading.level(StyleChain::default())
             }) {
                 ancestors.pop();
             }
 
             // Adjust the link destination a bit to the topleft so that the
             // heading is fully visible.
-            let mut loc = node.field("loc").unwrap().clone().cast::<Location>().unwrap();
+            let mut loc = heading.0.expect_field::<Location>("location");
             loc.pos -= Point::splat(Abs::pt(10.0));
 
             // Add hidden ancestors numberings to realize the indent.
             if indent {
-                let hidden: Vec<_> = ancestors
-                    .iter()
-                    .map(|node| node.field("numbers").unwrap())
-                    .filter(|&numbers| *numbers != Value::None)
-                    .map(|numbers| numbers.clone().display() + SpaceNode::new().pack())
-                    .collect();
+                let mut hidden = Content::empty();
+                for ancestor in &ancestors {
+                    if let Some(numbering) = ancestor.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
+                        let numbers = ancestor.numbers().unwrap();
+                        hidden += numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
+                            + SpaceNode::new().pack();
+                    };
+                }
 
-                if !hidden.is_empty() {
-                    seq.push(HideNode::new(Content::sequence(hidden)).pack());
+                if !ancestors.is_empty() {
+                    seq.push(HideNode::new(hidden).pack());
                     seq.push(SpaceNode::new().pack());
                 }
             }
 
             // Format the numbering.
             let mut start = heading.body();
-            let numbers = node.field("numbers").unwrap();
-            if *numbers != Value::None {
-                start = numbers.clone().display() + SpaceNode::new().pack() + start;
+            if let Some(numbering) = heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
+                let numbers = heading.numbers().unwrap();
+                start = numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display()
+                    + SpaceNode::new().pack()
+                    + start;
             };
 
             // Add the numbering and section name.
@@ -176,8 +179,7 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
             let end = TextNode::packed(eco_format!("{}", loc.page));
             seq.push(end.linked(Destination::Internal(loc)));
             seq.push(LinebreakNode::new().pack());
-
-            ancestors.push(node);
+            ancestors.push(heading);
         }
 
         seq.push(ParbreakNode::new().pack());
diff --git a/library/src/meta/reference.rs b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
index bfc317854..a46198bde 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/reference.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
@@ -1,31 +1,152 @@
+use super::{HeadingNode, Numbering};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::TextNode;
 
 /// A reference to a label.
 ///
-/// *Note: This function is currently unimplemented.*
-///
 /// The reference function produces a textual reference to a label. For example,
 /// a reference to a heading will yield an appropriate string such as "Section
-/// 1" for a reference to the first heading's label. The references are also
-/// links to the respective labels.
+/// 1" for a reference to the first heading. The references are also links to
+/// the respective element.
+///
+/// # Example
+/// ```example
+/// #set heading(numbering: "1.")
+///
+/// = Introduction <intro>
+/// Recent developments in typesetting
+/// software have rekindled hope in
+/// previously frustrated researchers.
+/// As shown in @results, we ...
+///
+/// = Results <results>
+/// We evaluate our method in a
+/// series of tests. @perf discusses
+/// the performance aspects of ...
+///
+/// == Performance <perf>
+/// As described in @intro, we ...
+/// ```
 ///
 /// ## Syntax
 /// This function also has dedicated syntax: A reference to a label can be
-/// created by typing an `@` followed by the name of the label (e.g. `[=
-/// Introduction <intro>]` can be referenced by typing `[@intro]`).
+/// created by typing an `@` followed by the name of the label (e.g.
+/// `[= Introduction <intro>]` can be referenced by typing `[@intro]`).
 ///
 /// Display: Reference
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Show)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show)]
 pub struct RefNode {
     /// The label that should be referenced.
     #[required]
-    pub target: EcoString,
+    pub label: Label,
+
+    /// The prefix before the referenced number.
+    ///
+    /// ```example
+    /// #set heading(numbering: "1.")
+    /// #set ref(prefix: it => {
+    ///   if it.func() == heading {
+    ///     "Chapter"
+    ///   } else {
+    ///     "Thing"
+    ///   }
+    /// })
+    ///
+    /// = Introduction <intro>
+    /// In @intro, we see how to turn
+    /// Sections into Chapters.
+    /// ```
+    pub prefix: Smart<Option<Func>>,
+
+    /// All elements with the `target` label in the document.
+    #[synthesized]
+    pub matches: Vec<Content>,
+}
+
+impl Synthesize for RefNode {
+    fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> Content {
+        let matches = vt
+            .locate(Selector::Label(self.label()))
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|(_, node)| node.clone())
+            .collect();
+
+        self.clone().with_matches(matches).pack()
+    }
 }
 
 impl Show for RefNode {
-    fn show(&self, _: &mut Vt, _: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-        Ok(TextNode::packed(eco_format!("@{}", self.target())))
+    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+        let matches = self.matches();
+        let [target] = matches.as_slice() else {
+            if vt.locatable() {
+                bail!(self.span(), if matches.is_empty() {
+                    "label does not exist in the document"
+                } else {
+                    "label occurs multiple times in the document"
+                });
+            } else {
+                return Ok(Content::empty());
+            }
+        };
+
+        let mut prefix = match self.prefix(styles) {
+            Smart::Auto => prefix(target, TextNode::lang_in(styles))
+                .map(TextNode::packed)
+                .unwrap_or_default(),
+            Smart::Custom(None) => Content::empty(),
+            Smart::Custom(Some(func)) => {
+                let args = Args::new(func.span(), [target.clone().into()]);
+                func.call_detached(vt.world(), args)?.display()
+            }
+        };
+
+        if !prefix.is_empty() {
+            prefix += TextNode::packed('\u{a0}');
+        }
+
+        let formatted = if let Some(heading) = target.to::<HeadingNode>() {
+            if let Some(numbering) = heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
+                let numbers = heading.numbers().unwrap();
+                numbered(vt, prefix, &numbering, &numbers)?
+            } else {
+                bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference unnumbered heading");
+            }
+        } else {
+            bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference {}", target.id().name);
+        };
+
+        let loc = target.expect_field::<Location>("location");
+        Ok(formatted.linked(Destination::Internal(loc)))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Generate a numbered reference like "Section 1.1".
+fn numbered(
+    vt: &Vt,
+    prefix: Content,
+    numbering: &Numbering,
+    numbers: &[NonZeroUsize],
+) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+    Ok(prefix
+        + match numbering {
+            Numbering::Pattern(pattern) => {
+                TextNode::packed(pattern.apply(&numbers, true))
+            }
+            Numbering::Func(_) => numbering.apply(vt.world(), &numbers)?.display(),
+        })
+}
+
+/// The default prefix.
+fn prefix(node: &Content, lang: Lang) -> Option<&str> {
+    if node.is::<HeadingNode>() {
+        match lang {
+            Lang::ENGLISH => Some("Section"),
+            Lang::GERMAN => Some("Abschnitt"),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    } else {
+        None
     }
 }
diff --git a/library/src/prelude.rs b/library/src/prelude.rs
index 49afc9ca9..a9b19f589 100644
--- a/library/src/prelude.rs
+++ b/library/src/prelude.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ pub use typst::eval::{
 pub use typst::geom::*;
 #[doc(no_inline)]
 pub use typst::model::{
-    node, Construct, Content, Finalize, Fold, Introspector, Label, Node, NodeId, Prepare,
-    Resolve, Selector, Set, Show, StabilityProvider, StyleChain, StyleMap, StyleVec,
+    node, Construct, Content, Finalize, Fold, Introspector, Label, Node, NodeId, Resolve,
+    Selector, Set, Show, StabilityProvider, StyleChain, StyleMap, StyleVec, Synthesize,
     Unlabellable, Vt,
 };
 #[doc(no_inline)]
diff --git a/library/src/text/raw.rs b/library/src/text/raw.rs
index 99fb89d29..3f03ba8e3 100644
--- a/library/src/text/raw.rs
+++ b/library/src/text/raw.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use crate::prelude::*;
 ///
 /// Display: Raw Text / Code
 /// Category: text
-#[node(Prepare, Show, Finalize)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show, Finalize)]
 pub struct RawNode {
     /// The raw text.
     ///
@@ -120,11 +120,9 @@ impl RawNode {
     }
 }
 
-impl Prepare for RawNode {
-    fn prepare(&self, _: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-        let mut node = self.clone().pack();
-        node.push_field("lang", self.lang(styles).clone());
-        Ok(node)
+impl Synthesize for RawNode {
+    fn synthesize(&self, _: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> Content {
+        self.clone().with_lang(self.lang(styles)).pack()
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/macros/src/node.rs b/macros/src/node.rs
index f89ee8df8..678a154d7 100644
--- a/macros/src/node.rs
+++ b/macros/src/node.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ struct Field {
     positional: bool,
     required: bool,
     variadic: bool,
+    synthesized: bool,
     fold: bool,
     resolve: bool,
     parse: Option<FieldParser>,
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ fn prepare(stream: TokenStream, body: &syn::ItemStruct) -> Result<Node> {
             positional,
             required,
             variadic,
+            synthesized: has_attr(&mut attrs, "synthesized"),
             fold: has_attr(&mut attrs, "fold"),
             resolve: has_attr(&mut attrs, "resolve"),
             parse: parse_attr(&mut attrs, "parse")?.flatten(),
@@ -154,7 +156,7 @@ fn prepare(stream: TokenStream, body: &syn::ItemStruct) -> Result<Node> {
 fn create(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
     let Node { vis, ident, docs, .. } = node;
     let all = node.fields.iter().filter(|field| !field.external);
-    let settable = all.clone().filter(|field| field.settable());
+    let settable = all.clone().filter(|field| !field.synthesized && field.settable());
 
     // Inherent methods and functions.
     let new = create_new_func(node);
@@ -176,7 +178,7 @@ fn create(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
         #[doc = #docs]
         #[derive(Debug, Clone, Hash)]
         #[repr(transparent)]
-        #vis struct #ident(::typst::model::Content);
+        #vis struct #ident(pub ::typst::model::Content);
 
         impl #ident {
             #new
@@ -205,7 +207,10 @@ fn create(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
 
 /// Create the `new` function for the node.
 fn create_new_func(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
-    let relevant = node.fields.iter().filter(|field| !field.external && field.inherent());
+    let relevant = node
+        .fields
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|field| !field.external && !field.synthesized && field.inherent());
     let params = relevant.clone().map(|Field { ident, ty, .. }| {
         quote! { #ident: #ty }
     });
@@ -224,11 +229,11 @@ fn create_new_func(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
 /// Create an accessor methods for a field.
 fn create_field_method(field: &Field) -> TokenStream {
     let Field { vis, docs, ident, name, output, .. } = field;
-    if field.inherent() {
+    if field.inherent() || field.synthesized {
         quote! {
             #[doc = #docs]
             #vis fn #ident(&self) -> #output {
-                self.0.field(#name).unwrap().clone().cast().unwrap()
+                self.0.expect_field(#name)
             }
         }
     } else {
@@ -311,7 +316,7 @@ fn create_node_impl(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
     let infos = node
         .fields
         .iter()
-        .filter(|field| !field.internal)
+        .filter(|field| !field.internal && !field.synthesized)
         .map(create_param_info);
     quote! {
         impl ::typst::model::Node for #ident {
@@ -395,7 +400,11 @@ fn create_construct_impl(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
     let handlers = node
         .fields
         .iter()
-        .filter(|field| !field.external && (!field.internal || field.parse.is_some()))
+        .filter(|field| {
+            !field.external
+                && !field.synthesized
+                && (!field.internal || field.parse.is_some())
+        })
         .map(|field| {
             let with_ident = &field.with_ident;
             let (prefix, value) = create_field_parser(field);
@@ -436,6 +445,7 @@ fn create_set_impl(node: &Node) -> TokenStream {
         .iter()
         .filter(|field| {
             !field.external
+                && !field.synthesized
                 && field.settable()
                 && (!field.internal || field.parse.is_some())
         })
diff --git a/src/eval/library.rs b/src/eval/library.rs
index c37c16fd6..14f02d98c 100644
--- a/src/eval/library.rs
+++ b/src/eval/library.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use super::Module;
 use crate::diag::SourceResult;
 use crate::doc::Document;
 use crate::geom::{Abs, Dir};
-use crate::model::{Content, NodeId, StyleChain, StyleMap, Vt};
+use crate::model::{Content, Label, NodeId, StyleChain, StyleMap, Vt};
 use crate::util::hash128;
 
 /// Definition of Typst's standard library.
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub struct LangItems {
     /// A hyperlink: `https://typst.org`.
     pub link: fn(url: EcoString) -> Content,
     /// A reference: `@target`.
-    pub ref_: fn(target: EcoString) -> Content,
+    pub ref_: fn(target: Label) -> Content,
     /// A section heading: `= Introduction`.
     pub heading: fn(level: NonZeroUsize, body: Content) -> Content,
     /// An item in a bullet list: `- ...`.
diff --git a/src/eval/mod.rs b/src/eval/mod.rs
index 145f961ae..fe56c0607 100644
--- a/src/eval/mod.rs
+++ b/src/eval/mod.rs
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ impl Eval for ast::Ref {
     type Output = Content;
 
     fn eval(&self, vm: &mut Vm) -> SourceResult<Self::Output> {
-        Ok((vm.items.ref_)(self.get().into()))
+        Ok((vm.items.ref_)(Label(self.get().into())))
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ide/complete.rs b/src/ide/complete.rs
index a0d5e9a4b..a7b001ae1 100644
--- a/src/ide/complete.rs
+++ b/src/ide/complete.rs
@@ -974,7 +974,6 @@ impl<'a> CompletionContext<'a> {
 
         let detail = docs.map(Into::into).or_else(|| match value {
             Value::Symbol(_) => None,
-            Value::Content(_) => None,
             Value::Func(func) => {
                 func.info().map(|info| plain_docs_sentence(info.docs).into())
             }
diff --git a/src/model/content.rs b/src/model/content.rs
index 17fa786b9..be7373314 100644
--- a/src/model/content.rs
+++ b/src/model/content.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 
 use super::{node, Guard, Recipe, Style, StyleMap};
 use crate::diag::{SourceResult, StrResult};
-use crate::eval::{cast_from_value, Args, FuncInfo, Str, Value, Vm};
+use crate::eval::{cast_from_value, Args, Cast, FuncInfo, Str, Value, Vm};
 use crate::syntax::Span;
 use crate::util::pretty_array_like;
 use crate::World;
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ pub struct Content {
 /// Modifiers that can be attached to content.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
 enum Modifier {
-    Prepared,
+    Synthesized,
     Guard(Guard),
 }
 
@@ -59,6 +59,12 @@ impl Content {
         self.id
     }
 
+    /// Whether the content is empty.
+    pub fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
+        self.to::<SequenceNode>()
+            .map_or(false, |seq| seq.children().is_empty())
+    }
+
     /// Whether the contained node is of type `T`.
     pub fn is<T>(&self) -> bool
     where
@@ -112,6 +118,21 @@ impl Content {
             .map(|(_, value)| value)
     }
 
+    /// Access a field on the content as a specified type.
+    #[track_caller]
+    pub fn cast_field<T: Cast>(&self, name: &str) -> Option<T> {
+        match self.field(name) {
+            Some(value) => Some(value.clone().cast().unwrap()),
+            None => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Expect a field on the content to exist as a specified type.
+    #[track_caller]
+    pub fn expect_field<T: Cast>(&self, name: &str) -> T {
+        self.cast_field(name).unwrap()
+    }
+
     /// List all fields on the content.
     pub fn fields(&self) -> &[(EcoString, Value)] {
         &self.fields
@@ -209,14 +230,14 @@ impl Content {
     }
 
     /// Mark this content as prepared.
-    pub fn prepared(mut self) -> Self {
-        self.modifiers.push(Modifier::Prepared);
+    pub fn synthesized(mut self) -> Self {
+        self.modifiers.push(Modifier::Synthesized);
         self
     }
 
     /// Whether this node was prepared.
-    pub fn is_prepared(&self) -> bool {
-        self.modifiers.contains(&Modifier::Prepared)
+    pub fn is_synthesized(&self) -> bool {
+        self.modifiers.contains(&Modifier::Synthesized)
     }
 
     /// Whether no show rule was executed for this node so far.
diff --git a/src/model/realize.rs b/src/model/realize.rs
index c4c67a4f1..4685a6052 100644
--- a/src/model/realize.rs
+++ b/src/model/realize.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use crate::diag::SourceResult;
 
 /// Whether the target is affected by show rules in the given style chain.
 pub fn applicable(target: &Content, styles: StyleChain) -> bool {
-    if target.can::<dyn Prepare>() && !target.is_prepared() {
+    if target.can::<dyn Synthesize>() && !target.is_synthesized() {
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -34,6 +34,18 @@ pub fn realize(
     // Find out how many recipes there are.
     let mut n = styles.recipes().count();
 
+    // Synthesize if not already happened for this node.
+    if target.can::<dyn Synthesize>() && !target.is_synthesized() {
+        return Ok(Some(
+            target
+                .clone()
+                .synthesized()
+                .with::<dyn Synthesize>()
+                .unwrap()
+                .synthesize(vt, styles),
+        ));
+    }
+
     // Find an applicable recipe.
     let mut realized = None;
     for recipe in styles.recipes() {
@@ -132,10 +144,10 @@ fn try_apply(
     }
 }
 
-/// Preparations before execution of any show rule.
-pub trait Prepare {
+/// Synthesize fields on a node. This happens before execution of any show rule.
+pub trait Synthesize {
     /// Prepare the node for show rule application.
-    fn prepare(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content>;
+    fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> Content;
 }
 
 /// The base recipe for a node.
diff --git a/src/model/typeset.rs b/src/model/typeset.rs
index 6361e6cee..377c7c76f 100644
--- a/src/model/typeset.rs
+++ b/src/model/typeset.rs
@@ -77,6 +77,11 @@ impl<'a> Vt<'a> {
         self.provider.identify(hash128(key))
     }
 
+    /// Whether things are locatable already.
+    pub fn locatable(&self) -> bool {
+        self.introspector.init()
+    }
+
     /// Locate all metadata matches for the given selector.
     pub fn locate(&self, selector: Selector) -> Vec<(StableId, &Content)> {
         self.introspector.locate(selector)
@@ -115,6 +120,7 @@ impl StabilityProvider {
 /// Provides access to information about the document.
 #[doc(hidden)]
 pub struct Introspector {
+    init: bool,
     nodes: Vec<(StableId, Content)>,
     queries: RefCell<Vec<(Selector, u128)>>,
 }
@@ -122,7 +128,11 @@ pub struct Introspector {
 impl Introspector {
     /// Create a new introspector.
     fn new() -> Self {
-        Self { nodes: vec![], queries: RefCell::new(vec![]) }
+        Self {
+            init: false,
+            nodes: vec![],
+            queries: RefCell::new(vec![]),
+        }
     }
 
     /// Update the information given new frames and return whether we can stop
@@ -135,14 +145,20 @@ impl Introspector {
             self.extract(frame, page, Transform::identity());
         }
 
+        let was_init = std::mem::replace(&mut self.init, true);
         let queries = std::mem::take(&mut self.queries).into_inner();
-        for (selector, hash) in queries {
-            let nodes = self.locate_impl(&selector);
-            if hash128(&nodes) != hash {
+
+        for (selector, hash) in &queries {
+            let nodes = self.locate_impl(selector);
+            if hash128(&nodes) != *hash {
                 return false;
             }
         }
 
+        if !was_init && !queries.is_empty() {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         true
     }
 
@@ -161,7 +177,7 @@ impl Introspector {
                         let pos = pos.transform(ts);
                         let mut node = content.clone();
                         let loc = Location { page, pos };
-                        node.push_field("loc", loc);
+                        node.push_field("location", loc);
                         self.nodes.push((id, node));
                     }
                 }
@@ -173,6 +189,11 @@ impl Introspector {
 
 #[comemo::track]
 impl Introspector {
+    /// Whether this introspector is not yet initialized.
+    fn init(&self) -> bool {
+        self.init
+    }
+
     /// Locate all metadata matches for the given selector.
     fn locate(&self, selector: Selector) -> Vec<(StableId, &Content)> {
         let nodes = self.locate_impl(&selector);
diff --git a/src/syntax/parser.rs b/src/syntax/parser.rs
index b4321dbee..201d78fa7 100644
--- a/src/syntax/parser.rs
+++ b/src/syntax/parser.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ fn markup(
     p: &mut Parser,
     mut at_start: bool,
     min_indent: usize,
-    mut stop: impl FnMut(SyntaxKind) -> bool,
+    mut stop: impl FnMut(&Parser) -> bool,
 ) {
     let m = p.marker();
     let mut nesting: usize = 0;
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ fn markup(
         match p.current() {
             SyntaxKind::LeftBracket => nesting += 1,
             SyntaxKind::RightBracket if nesting > 0 => nesting -= 1,
-            _ if stop(p.current) => break,
+            _ if stop(p) => break,
             _ => {}
         }
 
@@ -133,10 +133,10 @@ fn markup_expr(p: &mut Parser, at_start: &mut bool) {
 fn strong(p: &mut Parser) {
     let m = p.marker();
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::Star);
-    markup(p, false, 0, |kind| {
-        kind == SyntaxKind::Star
-            || kind == SyntaxKind::Parbreak
-            || kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket
+    markup(p, false, 0, |p| {
+        p.at(SyntaxKind::Star)
+            || p.at(SyntaxKind::Parbreak)
+            || p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket)
     });
     p.expect(SyntaxKind::Star);
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::Strong);
@@ -145,10 +145,10 @@ fn strong(p: &mut Parser) {
 fn emph(p: &mut Parser) {
     let m = p.marker();
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::Underscore);
-    markup(p, false, 0, |kind| {
-        kind == SyntaxKind::Underscore
-            || kind == SyntaxKind::Parbreak
-            || kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket
+    markup(p, false, 0, |p| {
+        p.at(SyntaxKind::Underscore)
+            || p.at(SyntaxKind::Parbreak)
+            || p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket)
     });
     p.expect(SyntaxKind::Underscore);
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::Emph);
@@ -158,8 +158,10 @@ fn heading(p: &mut Parser) {
     let m = p.marker();
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::HeadingMarker);
     whitespace_line(p);
-    markup(p, false, usize::MAX, |kind| {
-        kind == SyntaxKind::Label || kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket
+    markup(p, false, usize::MAX, |p| {
+        p.at(SyntaxKind::Label)
+            || p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket)
+            || (p.at(SyntaxKind::Space) && p.lexer.clone().next() == SyntaxKind::Label)
     });
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::Heading);
 }
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ fn list_item(p: &mut Parser) {
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::ListMarker);
     let min_indent = p.column(p.prev_end());
     whitespace_line(p);
-    markup(p, false, min_indent, |kind| kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket);
+    markup(p, false, min_indent, |p| p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket));
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::ListItem);
 }
 
@@ -178,7 +180,7 @@ fn enum_item(p: &mut Parser) {
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::EnumMarker);
     let min_indent = p.column(p.prev_end());
     whitespace_line(p);
-    markup(p, false, min_indent, |kind| kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket);
+    markup(p, false, min_indent, |p| p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket));
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::EnumItem);
 }
 
@@ -187,12 +189,12 @@ fn term_item(p: &mut Parser) {
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::TermMarker);
     let min_indent = p.column(p.prev_end());
     whitespace_line(p);
-    markup(p, false, usize::MAX, |kind| {
-        kind == SyntaxKind::Colon || kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket
+    markup(p, false, usize::MAX, |p| {
+        p.at(SyntaxKind::Colon) || p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket)
     });
     p.expect(SyntaxKind::Colon);
     whitespace_line(p);
-    markup(p, false, min_indent, |kind| kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket);
+    markup(p, false, min_indent, |p| p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket));
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::TermItem);
 }
 
@@ -679,7 +681,7 @@ fn content_block(p: &mut Parser) {
     let m = p.marker();
     p.enter(LexMode::Markup);
     p.assert(SyntaxKind::LeftBracket);
-    markup(p, true, 0, |kind| kind == SyntaxKind::RightBracket);
+    markup(p, true, 0, |p| p.at(SyntaxKind::RightBracket));
     p.expect(SyntaxKind::RightBracket);
     p.exit();
     p.wrap(m, SyntaxKind::ContentBlock);
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/ref.png b/tests/ref/meta/ref.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..13e4db334
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/ref/meta/ref.png differ
diff --git a/tests/typ/compiler/set.typ b/tests/typ/compiler/set.typ
index 36a427452..a4482e6d3 100644
--- a/tests/typ/compiler/set.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/compiler/set.typ
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ Hello *#x*
 ---
 // Test conditional set.
 #show ref: it => {
-  set text(red) if it.target == "unknown"
-  it
+  set text(red) if it.label == <unknown>
+  "@" + str(it.label)
 }
 
 @hello from the @unknown
diff --git a/tests/typ/meta/ref.typ b/tests/typ/meta/ref.typ
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..85750712d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/meta/ref.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// Test references.
+
+---
+#set heading(numbering: "1.")
+
+= Introduction <intro>
+See @setup.
+
+== Setup <setup>
+As seen in @intro, we proceed.
+
+---
+// Error: 1-5 label does not exist in the document
+@foo
+
+---
+= First <foo>
+= Second <foo>
+
+// Error: 1-5 label occurs multiple times in the document
+@foo