diff --git a/crates/typst-html/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-html/src/lib.rs
index 1fa6aa216..25d0cd5d8 100644
--- a/crates/typst-html/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-html/src/lib.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use typst_library::introspection::{
 };
 use typst_library::layout::{Abs, Axes, BlockBody, BlockElem, BoxElem, Region, Size};
 use typst_library::model::{DocumentInfo, ParElem};
-use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, Pair, RealizationKind, Routines};
+use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, FragmentKind, Pair, RealizationKind, Routines};
 use typst_library::text::{LinebreakElem, SmartQuoteElem, SpaceElem, TextElem};
 use typst_library::World;
 use typst_syntax::Span;
@@ -139,7 +139,9 @@ fn html_fragment_impl(
 
     let arenas = Arenas::default();
     let children = (engine.routines.realize)(
-        RealizationKind::HtmlFragment,
+        // No need to know about the `FragmentKind` because we handle both
+        // uniformly.
+        RealizationKind::HtmlFragment(&mut FragmentKind::Block),
         &mut engine,
         &mut locator,
         &arenas,
@@ -189,7 +191,8 @@ fn handle(
         };
         output.push(element.into());
     } else if let Some(elem) = child.to_packed::<ParElem>() {
-        let children = handle_list(engine, locator, elem.children.iter(&styles))?;
+        let children =
+            html_fragment(engine, &elem.body, locator.next(&elem.span()), styles)?;
         output.push(
             HtmlElement::new(tag::p)
                 .with_children(children)
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/collect.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/collect.rs
index 76d7b7433..f2c7ebd1e 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/collect.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/collect.rs
@@ -20,13 +20,15 @@ use typst_library::model::ParElem;
 use typst_library::routines::{Pair, Routines};
 use typst_library::text::TextElem;
 use typst_library::World;
+use typst_utils::SliceExt;
 
-use super::{layout_multi_block, layout_single_block};
+use super::{layout_multi_block, layout_single_block, FlowMode};
 use crate::modifiers::layout_and_modify;
 
 /// Collects all elements of the flow into prepared children. These are much
 /// simpler to handle than the raw elements.
 #[typst_macros::time]
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 pub fn collect<'a>(
     engine: &mut Engine,
     bump: &'a Bump,
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ pub fn collect<'a>(
     locator: Locator<'a>,
     base: Size,
     expand: bool,
+    mode: FlowMode,
 ) -> SourceResult<Vec<Child<'a>>> {
     Collector {
         engine,
@@ -45,7 +48,7 @@ pub fn collect<'a>(
         output: Vec::with_capacity(children.len()),
         last_was_par: false,
     }
-    .run()
+    .run(mode)
 }
 
 /// State for collection.
@@ -62,7 +65,15 @@ struct Collector<'a, 'x, 'y> {
 
 impl<'a> Collector<'a, '_, '_> {
     /// Perform the collection.
-    fn run(mut self) -> SourceResult<Vec<Child<'a>>> {
+    fn run(self, mode: FlowMode) -> SourceResult<Vec<Child<'a>>> {
+        match mode {
+            FlowMode::Root | FlowMode::Block => self.run_block(),
+            FlowMode::Inline => self.run_inline(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Perform collection for block-level children.
+    fn run_block(mut self) -> SourceResult<Vec<Child<'a>>> {
         for &(child, styles) in self.children {
             if let Some(elem) = child.to_packed::<TagElem>() {
                 self.output.push(Child::Tag(&elem.tag));
@@ -95,6 +106,43 @@ impl<'a> Collector<'a, '_, '_> {
         Ok(self.output)
     }
 
+    /// Perform collection for inline-level children.
+    fn run_inline(mut self) -> SourceResult<Vec<Child<'a>>> {
+        // Extract leading and trailing tags.
+        let (start, end) = self.children.split_prefix_suffix(|(c, _)| c.is::<TagElem>());
+        let inner = &self.children[start..end];
+
+        // Compute the shared styles, ignoring tags.
+        let styles = StyleChain::trunk(inner.iter().map(|&(_, s)| s)).unwrap_or_default();
+
+        // Layout the lines.
+        let lines = crate::inline::layout_inline(
+            self.engine,
+            inner,
+            &mut self.locator,
+            styles,
+            self.base,
+            self.expand,
+            false,
+            false,
+        )?
+        .into_frames();
+
+        for (c, _) in &self.children[..start] {
+            let elem = c.to_packed::<TagElem>().unwrap();
+            self.output.push(Child::Tag(&elem.tag));
+        }
+
+        self.lines(lines, styles);
+
+        for (c, _) in &self.children[end..] {
+            let elem = c.to_packed::<TagElem>().unwrap();
+            self.output.push(Child::Tag(&elem.tag));
+        }
+
+        Ok(self.output)
+    }
+
     /// Collect vertical spacing into a relative or fractional child.
     fn v(&mut self, elem: &'a Packed<VElem>, styles: StyleChain<'a>) {
         self.output.push(match elem.amount {
@@ -110,24 +158,34 @@ impl<'a> Collector<'a, '_, '_> {
         elem: &'a Packed<ParElem>,
         styles: StyleChain<'a>,
     ) -> SourceResult<()> {
-        let align = AlignElem::alignment_in(styles).resolve(styles);
-        let leading = ParElem::leading_in(styles);
-        let spacing = ParElem::spacing_in(styles);
-        let costs = TextElem::costs_in(styles);
-
-        let lines = crate::layout_inline(
+        let lines = crate::inline::layout_par(
+            elem,
             self.engine,
-            &elem.children,
             self.locator.next(&elem.span()),
             styles,
-            self.last_was_par,
             self.base,
             self.expand,
+            self.last_was_par,
         )?
         .into_frames();
 
+        let spacing = ParElem::spacing_in(styles);
         self.output.push(Child::Rel(spacing.into(), 4));
 
+        self.lines(lines, styles);
+
+        self.output.push(Child::Rel(spacing.into(), 4));
+        self.last_was_par = true;
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Collect laid-out lines.
+    fn lines(&mut self, lines: Vec<Frame>, styles: StyleChain<'a>) {
+        let align = AlignElem::alignment_in(styles).resolve(styles);
+        let leading = ParElem::leading_in(styles);
+        let costs = TextElem::costs_in(styles);
+
         // Determine whether to prevent widow and orphans.
         let len = lines.len();
         let prevent_orphans =
@@ -166,11 +224,6 @@ impl<'a> Collector<'a, '_, '_> {
             self.output
                 .push(Child::Line(self.boxed(LineChild { frame, align, need })));
         }
-
-        self.output.push(Child::Rel(spacing.into(), 4));
-        self.last_was_par = true;
-
-        Ok(())
     }
 
     /// Collect a block into a [`SingleChild`] or [`MultiChild`] depending on
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/compose.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/compose.rs
index 3cf66f9e3..76af8f650 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/compose.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/compose.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ use typst_library::model::{
 use typst_syntax::Span;
 use typst_utils::{NonZeroExt, Numeric};
 
-use super::{distribute, Config, FlowResult, LineNumberConfig, PlacedChild, Stop, Work};
+use super::{
+    distribute, Config, FlowMode, FlowResult, LineNumberConfig, PlacedChild, Stop, Work,
+};
 
 /// Composes the contents of a single page/region. A region can have multiple
 /// columns/subregions.
@@ -356,7 +358,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> Composer<'a, 'b, '_, '_> {
         migratable: bool,
     ) -> FlowResult<()> {
         // Footnotes are only supported at the root level.
-        if !self.config.root {
+        if self.config.mode != FlowMode::Root {
             return Ok(());
         }
 
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/mod.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/mod.rs
index 2f0ec39a9..2acbbcef3 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/flow/mod.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use typst_library::layout::{
     Regions, Rel, Size,
 };
 use typst_library::model::{FootnoteElem, FootnoteEntry, LineNumberingScope, ParLine};
-use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, Pair, RealizationKind, Routines};
+use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, FragmentKind, Pair, RealizationKind, Routines};
 use typst_library::text::TextElem;
 use typst_library::World;
 use typst_utils::{NonZeroExt, Numeric};
@@ -140,9 +140,10 @@ fn layout_fragment_impl(
 
     engine.route.check_layout_depth().at(content.span())?;
 
+    let mut kind = FragmentKind::Block;
     let arenas = Arenas::default();
     let children = (engine.routines.realize)(
-        RealizationKind::LayoutFragment,
+        RealizationKind::LayoutFragment(&mut kind),
         &mut engine,
         &mut locator,
         &arenas,
@@ -158,25 +159,46 @@ fn layout_fragment_impl(
         regions,
         columns,
         column_gutter,
-        false,
+        kind.into(),
     )
 }
 
+/// The mode a flow can be laid out in.
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub enum FlowMode {
+    /// A root flow with block-level elements. Like `FlowMode::Block`, but can
+    /// additionally host footnotes and line numbers.
+    Root,
+    /// A flow whose children are block-level elements.
+    Block,
+    /// A flow whose children are inline-level elements.
+    Inline,
+}
+
+impl From<FragmentKind> for FlowMode {
+    fn from(value: FragmentKind) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            FragmentKind::Inline => Self::Inline,
+            FragmentKind::Block => Self::Block,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Lays out realized content into regions, potentially with columns.
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
-pub(crate) fn layout_flow(
+pub fn layout_flow<'a>(
     engine: &mut Engine,
-    children: &[Pair],
-    locator: &mut SplitLocator,
-    shared: StyleChain,
+    children: &[Pair<'a>],
+    locator: &mut SplitLocator<'a>,
+    shared: StyleChain<'a>,
     mut regions: Regions,
     columns: NonZeroUsize,
     column_gutter: Rel<Abs>,
-    root: bool,
+    mode: FlowMode,
 ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
     // Prepare configuration that is shared across the whole flow.
     let config = Config {
-        root,
+        mode,
         shared,
         columns: {
             let mut count = columns.get();
@@ -195,7 +217,7 @@ pub(crate) fn layout_flow(
             gap: FootnoteEntry::gap_in(shared),
             expand: regions.expand.x,
         },
-        line_numbers: root.then(|| LineNumberConfig {
+        line_numbers: (mode == FlowMode::Root).then(|| LineNumberConfig {
             scope: ParLine::numbering_scope_in(shared),
             default_clearance: {
                 let width = if PageElem::flipped_in(shared) {
@@ -225,6 +247,7 @@ pub(crate) fn layout_flow(
         locator.next(&()),
         Size::new(config.columns.width, regions.full),
         regions.expand.x,
+        mode,
     )?;
 
     let mut work = Work::new(&children);
@@ -318,7 +341,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> Work<'a, 'b> {
 struct Config<'x> {
     /// Whether this is the root flow, which can host footnotes and line
     /// numbers.
-    root: bool,
+    mode: FlowMode,
     /// The styles shared by the whole flow. This is used for footnotes and line
     /// numbers.
     shared: StyleChain<'x>,
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/box.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/box.rs
index 6dfbc9696..e21928d3c 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/box.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/box.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use typst_utils::Numeric;
 use crate::flow::unbreakable_pod;
 use crate::shapes::{clip_rect, fill_and_stroke};
 
-/// Lay out a box as part of a paragraph.
+/// Lay out a box as part of inline layout.
 #[typst_macros::time(name = "box", span = elem.span())]
 pub fn layout_box(
     elem: &Packed<BoxElem>,
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/collect.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/collect.rs
index 6023f5c63..cbc490ba1 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/collect.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/collect.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-use typst_library::diag::bail;
+use typst_library::diag::warning;
 use typst_library::foundations::{Packed, Resolve};
 use typst_library::introspection::{SplitLocator, Tag, TagElem};
 use typst_library::layout::{
     Abs, AlignElem, BoxElem, Dir, Fr, Frame, HElem, InlineElem, InlineItem, Sizing,
     Spacing,
 };
+use typst_library::routines::Pair;
 use typst_library::text::{
     is_default_ignorable, LinebreakElem, SmartQuoteElem, SmartQuoter, SmartQuotes,
     SpaceElem, TextElem,
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ use super::*;
 use crate::modifiers::{layout_and_modify, FrameModifiers, FrameModify};
 
 // The characters by which spacing, inline content and pins are replaced in the
-// paragraph's full text.
+// full text.
 const SPACING_REPLACE: &str = " "; // Space
 const OBJ_REPLACE: &str = "\u{FFFC}"; // Object Replacement Character
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ const POP_EMBEDDING: &str = "\u{202C}";
 const LTR_ISOLATE: &str = "\u{2066}";
 const POP_ISOLATE: &str = "\u{2069}";
 
-/// A prepared item in a paragraph layout.
+/// A prepared item in a inline layout.
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub enum Item<'a> {
     /// A shaped text run with consistent style and direction.
@@ -113,38 +114,44 @@ impl Segment<'_> {
     }
 }
 
-/// Collects all text of the paragraph into one string and a collection of
-/// segments that correspond to pieces of that string. This also performs
-/// string-level preprocessing like case transformations.
+/// Collects all text into one string and a collection of segments that
+/// correspond to pieces of that string. This also performs string-level
+/// preprocessing like case transformations.
 #[typst_macros::time]
 pub fn collect<'a>(
-    children: &'a StyleVec,
+    children: &[Pair<'a>],
     engine: &mut Engine<'_>,
     locator: &mut SplitLocator<'a>,
-    styles: &'a StyleChain<'a>,
+    styles: StyleChain<'a>,
     region: Size,
     consecutive: bool,
+    paragraph: bool,
 ) -> SourceResult<(String, Vec<Segment<'a>>, SpanMapper)> {
     let mut collector = Collector::new(2 + children.len());
     let mut quoter = SmartQuoter::new();
 
-    let outer_dir = TextElem::dir_in(*styles);
-    let first_line_indent = ParElem::first_line_indent_in(*styles);
-    if !first_line_indent.is_zero()
-        && consecutive
-        && AlignElem::alignment_in(*styles).resolve(*styles).x == outer_dir.start().into()
-    {
-        collector.push_item(Item::Absolute(first_line_indent.resolve(*styles), false));
-        collector.spans.push(1, Span::detached());
+    let outer_dir = TextElem::dir_in(styles);
+
+    if paragraph && consecutive {
+        let first_line_indent = ParElem::first_line_indent_in(styles);
+        if !first_line_indent.is_zero()
+            && AlignElem::alignment_in(styles).resolve(styles).x
+                == outer_dir.start().into()
+        {
+            collector.push_item(Item::Absolute(first_line_indent.resolve(styles), false));
+            collector.spans.push(1, Span::detached());
+        }
     }
 
-    let hang = ParElem::hanging_indent_in(*styles);
-    if !hang.is_zero() {
-        collector.push_item(Item::Absolute(-hang, false));
-        collector.spans.push(1, Span::detached());
+    if paragraph {
+        let hang = ParElem::hanging_indent_in(styles);
+        if !hang.is_zero() {
+            collector.push_item(Item::Absolute(-hang, false));
+            collector.spans.push(1, Span::detached());
+        }
     }
 
-    for (child, styles) in children.iter(styles) {
+    for &(child, styles) in children {
         let prev_len = collector.full.len();
 
         if child.is::<SpaceElem>() {
@@ -234,7 +241,13 @@ pub fn collect<'a>(
         } else if let Some(elem) = child.to_packed::<TagElem>() {
             collector.push_item(Item::Tag(&elem.tag));
         } else {
-            bail!(child.span(), "unexpected paragraph child");
+            // Non-paragraph inline layout should never trigger this since it
+            // only won't be triggered if we see any non-inline content.
+            engine.sink.warn(warning!(
+                child.span(),
+                "{} may not occur inside of a paragraph and was ignored",
+                child.func().name()
+            ));
         };
 
         let len = collector.full.len() - prev_len;
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/finalize.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/finalize.rs
index 57044f0ec..7ad287c45 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/finalize.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/finalize.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ pub fn finalize(
     expand: bool,
     locator: &mut SplitLocator<'_>,
 ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
-    // Determine the paragraph's width: Full width of the region if we should
+    // Determine the resulting width: Full width of the region if we should
     // expand or there's fractional spacing, fit-to-width otherwise.
     let width = if !region.x.is_finite()
         || (!expand && lines.iter().all(|line| line.fr().is_zero()))
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/line.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/line.rs
index fba4bef80..9f6973807 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/line.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/line.rs
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ const EN_DASH: char = '–';
 const EM_DASH: char = '—';
 const LINE_SEPARATOR: char = '\u{2028}'; // We use LS to distinguish justified breaks.
 
-/// A layouted line, consisting of a sequence of layouted paragraph items that
-/// are mostly borrowed from the preparation phase. This type enables you to
-/// measure the size of a line in a range before committing to building the
-/// line's frame.
+/// A layouted line, consisting of a sequence of layouted inline items that are
+/// mostly borrowed from the preparation phase. This type enables you to measure
+/// the size of a line in a range before committing to building the line's
+/// frame.
 ///
-/// At most two paragraph items must be created individually for this line: The
+/// At most two inline items must be created individually for this line: The
 /// first and last one since they may be broken apart by the start or end of the
 /// line, respectively. But even those can partially reuse previous results when
 /// the break index is safe-to-break per rustybuzz.
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ pub fn commit(
     let mut offset = Abs::zero();
 
     // We always build the line from left to right. In an LTR paragraph, we must
-    // thus add the hanging indent to the offset. When the paragraph is RTL, the
+    // thus add the hanging indent to the offset. In an RTL paragraph, the
     // hanging indent arises naturally due to the line width.
     if p.dir == Dir::LTR {
         offset += p.hang;
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ fn overhang(c: char) -> f64 {
     }
 }
 
-/// A collection of owned or borrowed paragraph items.
+/// A collection of owned or borrowed inline items.
 pub struct Items<'a>(Vec<ItemEntry<'a>>);
 
 impl<'a> Items<'a> {
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/linebreak.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/linebreak.rs
index 7b66fcdb4..87113c689 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/linebreak.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/linebreak.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ use unicode_segmentation::UnicodeSegmentation;
 
 use super::*;
 
-/// The cost of a line or paragraph layout.
+/// The cost of a line or inline layout.
 type Cost = f64;
 
 // Cost parameters.
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ impl Breakpoint {
     }
 }
 
-/// Breaks the paragraph into lines.
+/// Breaks the text into lines.
 pub fn linebreak<'a>(
     engine: &Engine,
     p: &'a Preparation<'a>,
@@ -181,13 +181,12 @@ fn linebreak_simple<'a>(
 /// lines with hyphens even more.
 ///
 /// To find the layout with the minimal total cost the algorithm uses dynamic
-/// programming: For each possible breakpoint it determines the optimal
-/// paragraph layout _up to that point_. It walks over all possible start points
-/// for a line ending at that point and finds the one for which the cost of the
-/// line plus the cost of the optimal paragraph up to the start point (already
-/// computed and stored in dynamic programming table) is minimal. The final
-/// result is simply the layout determined for the last breakpoint at the end of
-/// text.
+/// programming: For each possible breakpoint, it determines the optimal layout
+/// _up to that point_. It walks over all possible start points for a line
+/// ending at that point and finds the one for which the cost of the line plus
+/// the cost of the optimal layout up to the start point (already computed and
+/// stored in dynamic programming table) is minimal. The final result is simply
+/// the layout determined for the last breakpoint at the end of text.
 #[typst_macros::time]
 fn linebreak_optimized<'a>(
     engine: &Engine,
@@ -215,7 +214,7 @@ fn linebreak_optimized_bounded<'a>(
     metrics: &CostMetrics,
     upper_bound: Cost,
 ) -> Vec<Line<'a>> {
-    /// An entry in the dynamic programming table for paragraph optimization.
+    /// An entry in the dynamic programming table for inline layout optimization.
     struct Entry<'a> {
         pred: usize,
         total: Cost,
@@ -321,7 +320,7 @@ fn linebreak_optimized_bounded<'a>(
     // This should only happen if our bound was faulty. Which shouldn't happen!
     if table[idx].end != p.text.len() {
         #[cfg(debug_assertions)]
-        panic!("bounded paragraph layout is incomplete");
+        panic!("bounded inline layout is incomplete");
 
         #[cfg(not(debug_assertions))]
         return linebreak_optimized_bounded(engine, p, width, metrics, Cost::INFINITY);
@@ -342,7 +341,7 @@ fn linebreak_optimized_bounded<'a>(
 /// (which is costly) to determine costs, it determines approximate costs using
 /// cumulative arrays.
 ///
-/// This results in a likely good paragraph layouts, for which we then compute
+/// This results in a likely good inline layouts, for which we then compute
 /// the exact cost. This cost is an upper bound for proper optimized
 /// linebreaking. We can use it to heavily prune the search space.
 #[typst_macros::time]
@@ -355,7 +354,7 @@ fn linebreak_optimized_approximate(
     // Determine the cumulative estimation metrics.
     let estimates = Estimates::compute(p);
 
-    /// An entry in the dynamic programming table for paragraph optimization.
+    /// An entry in the dynamic programming table for inline layout optimization.
     struct Entry {
         pred: usize,
         total: Cost,
@@ -862,7 +861,7 @@ struct CostMetrics {
 }
 
 impl CostMetrics {
-    /// Compute shared metrics for paragraph optimization.
+    /// Compute shared metrics for inline layout optimization.
     fn compute(p: &Preparation) -> Self {
         Self {
             // When justifying, we may stretch spaces below their natural width.
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/mod.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/mod.rs
index bedc54d63..83ca82bf2 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/mod.rs
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ pub use self::box_::layout_box;
 use comemo::{Track, Tracked, TrackedMut};
 use typst_library::diag::SourceResult;
 use typst_library::engine::{Engine, Route, Sink, Traced};
-use typst_library::foundations::{StyleChain, StyleVec};
-use typst_library::introspection::{Introspector, Locator, LocatorLink};
+use typst_library::foundations::{Packed, StyleChain};
+use typst_library::introspection::{Introspector, Locator, LocatorLink, SplitLocator};
 use typst_library::layout::{Fragment, Size};
 use typst_library::model::ParElem;
-use typst_library::routines::Routines;
+use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, Pair, RealizationKind, Routines};
 use typst_library::World;
 
 use self::collect::{collect, Item, Segment, SpanMapper};
@@ -34,18 +34,18 @@ use self::shaping::{
 /// Range of a substring of text.
 type Range = std::ops::Range<usize>;
 
-/// Layouts content inline.
-pub fn layout_inline(
+/// Layouts the paragraph.
+pub fn layout_par(
+    elem: &Packed<ParElem>,
     engine: &mut Engine,
-    children: &StyleVec,
     locator: Locator,
     styles: StyleChain,
-    consecutive: bool,
     region: Size,
     expand: bool,
+    consecutive: bool,
 ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
-    layout_inline_impl(
-        children,
+    layout_par_impl(
+        elem,
         engine.routines,
         engine.world,
         engine.introspector,
@@ -54,17 +54,17 @@ pub fn layout_inline(
         engine.route.track(),
         locator.track(),
         styles,
-        consecutive,
         region,
         expand,
+        consecutive,
     )
 }
 
-/// The internal, memoized implementation of `layout_inline`.
+/// The internal, memoized implementation of `layout_par`.
 #[comemo::memoize]
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
-fn layout_inline_impl(
-    children: &StyleVec,
+fn layout_par_impl(
+    elem: &Packed<ParElem>,
     routines: &Routines,
     world: Tracked<dyn World + '_>,
     introspector: Tracked<Introspector>,
@@ -73,12 +73,12 @@ fn layout_inline_impl(
     route: Tracked<Route>,
     locator: Tracked<Locator>,
     styles: StyleChain,
-    consecutive: bool,
     region: Size,
     expand: bool,
+    consecutive: bool,
 ) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
     let link = LocatorLink::new(locator);
-    let locator = Locator::link(&link);
+    let mut locator = Locator::link(&link).split();
     let mut engine = Engine {
         routines,
         world,
@@ -88,18 +88,51 @@ fn layout_inline_impl(
         route: Route::extend(route),
     };
 
-    let mut locator = locator.split();
+    let arenas = Arenas::default();
+    let children = (engine.routines.realize)(
+        RealizationKind::LayoutPar,
+        &mut engine,
+        &mut locator,
+        &arenas,
+        &elem.body,
+        styles,
+    )?;
 
+    layout_inline(
+        &mut engine,
+        &children,
+        &mut locator,
+        styles,
+        region,
+        expand,
+        true,
+        consecutive,
+    )
+}
+
+/// Lays out realized content with inline layout.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+pub fn layout_inline<'a>(
+    engine: &mut Engine,
+    children: &[Pair<'a>],
+    locator: &mut SplitLocator<'a>,
+    styles: StyleChain<'a>,
+    region: Size,
+    expand: bool,
+    paragraph: bool,
+    consecutive: bool,
+) -> SourceResult<Fragment> {
     // Collect all text into one string for BiDi analysis.
     let (text, segments, spans) =
-        collect(children, &mut engine, &mut locator, &styles, region, consecutive)?;
+        collect(children, engine, locator, styles, region, consecutive, paragraph)?;
 
-    // Perform BiDi analysis and then prepares paragraph layout.
-    let p = prepare(&mut engine, children, &text, segments, spans, styles)?;
+    // Perform BiDi analysis and performs some preparation steps before we
+    // proceed to line breaking.
+    let p = prepare(engine, children, &text, segments, spans, styles, paragraph)?;
 
-    // Break the paragraph into lines.
-    let lines = linebreak(&engine, &p, region.x - p.hang);
+    // Break the text into lines.
+    let lines = linebreak(engine, &p, region.x - p.hang);
 
     // Turn the selected lines into frames.
-    finalize(&mut engine, &p, &lines, styles, region, expand, &mut locator)
+    finalize(engine, &p, &lines, styles, region, expand, locator)
 }
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/prepare.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/prepare.rs
index 2dd79aecf..e26c9b147 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/prepare.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/prepare.rs
@@ -1,23 +1,26 @@
 use typst_library::foundations::{Resolve, Smart};
 use typst_library::layout::{Abs, AlignElem, Dir, Em, FixedAlignment};
 use typst_library::model::Linebreaks;
+use typst_library::routines::Pair;
 use typst_library::text::{Costs, Lang, TextElem};
+use typst_utils::SliceExt;
 use unicode_bidi::{BidiInfo, Level as BidiLevel};
 
 use super::*;
 
-/// A paragraph representation in which children are already layouted and text
-/// is already preshaped.
+/// A representation in which children are already layouted and text is already
+/// preshaped.
 ///
 /// In many cases, we can directly reuse these results when constructing a line.
 /// Only when a line break falls onto a text index that is not safe-to-break per
 /// rustybuzz, we have to reshape that portion.
 pub struct Preparation<'a> {
-    /// The paragraph's full text.
+    /// The full text.
     pub text: &'a str,
-    /// Bidirectional text embedding levels for the paragraph.
+    /// Bidirectional text embedding levels.
     ///
-    /// This is `None` if the paragraph is BiDi-uniform (all the base direction).
+    /// This is `None` if all text directions are uniform (all the base
+    /// direction).
     pub bidi: Option<BidiInfo<'a>>,
     /// Text runs, spacing and layouted elements.
     pub items: Vec<(Range, Item<'a>)>,
@@ -33,15 +36,15 @@ pub struct Preparation<'a> {
     pub dir: Dir,
     /// The text language if it's the same for all children.
     pub lang: Option<Lang>,
-    /// The paragraph's resolved horizontal alignment.
+    /// The resolved horizontal alignment.
     pub align: FixedAlignment,
-    /// Whether to justify the paragraph.
+    /// Whether to justify text.
     pub justify: bool,
-    /// The paragraph's hanging indent.
+    /// Hanging indent to apply.
     pub hang: Abs,
     /// Whether to add spacing between CJK and Latin characters.
     pub cjk_latin_spacing: bool,
-    /// Whether font fallback is enabled for this paragraph.
+    /// Whether font fallback is enabled.
     pub fallback: bool,
     /// How to determine line breaks.
     pub linebreaks: Smart<Linebreaks>,
@@ -71,17 +74,18 @@ impl<'a> Preparation<'a> {
     }
 }
 
-/// Performs BiDi analysis and then prepares paragraph layout by building a
+/// Performs BiDi analysis and then prepares further layout by building a
 /// representation on which we can do line breaking without layouting each and
 /// every line from scratch.
 #[typst_macros::time]
 pub fn prepare<'a>(
     engine: &mut Engine,
-    children: &'a StyleVec,
+    children: &[Pair<'a>],
     text: &'a str,
     segments: Vec<Segment<'a>>,
     spans: SpanMapper,
     styles: StyleChain<'a>,
+    paragraph: bool,
 ) -> SourceResult<Preparation<'a>> {
     let dir = TextElem::dir_in(styles);
     let default_level = match dir {
@@ -125,19 +129,22 @@ pub fn prepare<'a>(
         add_cjk_latin_spacing(&mut items);
     }
 
+    // Only apply hanging indent to real paragraphs.
+    let hang = if paragraph { ParElem::hanging_indent_in(styles) } else { Abs::zero() };
+
     Ok(Preparation {
         text,
         bidi: is_bidi.then_some(bidi),
         items,
         indices,
         spans,
-        hyphenate: children.shared_get(styles, TextElem::hyphenate_in),
+        hyphenate: shared_get(children, styles, TextElem::hyphenate_in),
         costs: TextElem::costs_in(styles),
         dir,
-        lang: children.shared_get(styles, TextElem::lang_in),
+        lang: shared_get(children, styles, TextElem::lang_in),
         align: AlignElem::alignment_in(styles).resolve(styles).x,
         justify: ParElem::justify_in(styles),
-        hang: ParElem::hanging_indent_in(styles),
+        hang,
         cjk_latin_spacing,
         fallback: TextElem::fallback_in(styles),
         linebreaks: ParElem::linebreaks_in(styles),
@@ -145,6 +152,19 @@ pub fn prepare<'a>(
     })
 }
 
+/// Get a style property, but only if it is the same for all of the children.
+fn shared_get<T: PartialEq>(
+    children: &[Pair],
+    styles: StyleChain<'_>,
+    getter: fn(StyleChain) -> T,
+) -> Option<T> {
+    let value = getter(styles);
+    children
+        .group_by_key(|&(_, s)| s)
+        .all(|(s, _)| getter(s) == value)
+        .then_some(value)
+}
+
 /// Add some spacing between Han characters and western characters. See
 /// Requirements for Chinese Text Layout, Section 3.2.2 Mixed Text Composition
 /// in Horizontal Written Mode
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/shaping.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/shaping.rs
index 2ed95f14f..b688981ae 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/shaping.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/inline/shaping.rs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ use crate::modifiers::{FrameModifiers, FrameModify};
 /// frame.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct ShapedText<'a> {
-    /// The start of the text in the full paragraph.
+    /// The start of the text in the full text.
     pub base: usize,
     /// The text that was shaped.
     pub text: &'a str,
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ pub struct ShapedGlyph {
     pub y_offset: Em,
     /// The adjustability of the glyph.
     pub adjustability: Adjustability,
-    /// The byte range of this glyph's cluster in the full paragraph. A cluster
-    /// is a sequence of one or multiple glyphs that cannot be separated and
-    /// must always be treated as a union.
+    /// The byte range of this glyph's cluster in the full inline layout. A
+    /// cluster is a sequence of one or multiple glyphs that cannot be separated
+    /// and must always be treated as a union.
     ///
     /// The range values of the glyphs in a [`ShapedText`] should not overlap
     /// with each other, and they should be monotonically increasing (for
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ impl<'a> ShapedText<'a> {
     /// Reshape a range of the shaped text, reusing information from this
     /// shaping process if possible.
     ///
-    /// The text `range` is relative to the whole paragraph.
+    /// The text `range` is relative to the whole inline layout.
     pub fn reshape(&'a self, engine: &Engine, text_range: Range) -> ShapedText<'a> {
         let text = &self.text[text_range.start - self.base..text_range.end - self.base];
         if let Some(glyphs) = self.slice_safe_to_break(text_range.clone()) {
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/lib.rs
index 56d7afe11..443e90d61 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ mod transforms;
 pub use self::flow::{layout_columns, layout_fragment, layout_frame};
 pub use self::grid::{layout_grid, layout_table};
 pub use self::image::layout_image;
-pub use self::inline::{layout_box, layout_inline};
 pub use self::lists::{layout_enum, layout_list};
 pub use self::math::{layout_equation_block, layout_equation_inline};
 pub use self::pad::layout_pad;
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/math/mod.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/math/mod.rs
index 702816ee6..e5a3d94c9 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/math/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/math/mod.rs
@@ -202,8 +202,7 @@ pub fn layout_equation_block(
     let counter = Counter::of(EquationElem::elem())
         .display_at_loc(engine, elem.location().unwrap(), styles, numbering)?
         .spanned(span);
-    let number =
-        (engine.routines.layout_frame)(engine, &counter, locator.next(&()), styles, pod)?;
+    let number = crate::layout_frame(engine, &counter, locator.next(&()), styles, pod)?;
 
     static NUMBER_GUTTER: Em = Em::new(0.5);
     let full_number_width = number.width() + NUMBER_GUTTER.resolve(styles);
@@ -619,7 +618,7 @@ fn layout_box(
     ctx: &mut MathContext,
     styles: StyleChain,
 ) -> SourceResult<()> {
-    let frame = (ctx.engine.routines.layout_box)(
+    let frame = crate::inline::layout_box(
         elem,
         ctx.engine,
         ctx.locator.next(&elem.span()),
@@ -692,7 +691,7 @@ fn layout_external(
     ctx: &mut MathContext,
     styles: StyleChain,
 ) -> SourceResult<Frame> {
-    (ctx.engine.routines.layout_frame)(
+    crate::layout_frame(
         ctx.engine,
         content,
         ctx.locator.next(&content.span()),
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/math/text.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/math/text.rs
index 6b9703aa2..5897c3c0c 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/math/text.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/math/text.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use std::f64::consts::SQRT_2;
 
-use ecow::{eco_vec, EcoString};
+use ecow::EcoString;
 use typst_library::diag::SourceResult;
-use typst_library::foundations::{Packed, StyleChain, StyleVec, SymbolElem};
+use typst_library::foundations::{Packed, StyleChain, SymbolElem};
 use typst_library::layout::{Abs, Size};
 use typst_library::math::{EquationElem, MathSize, MathVariant};
 use typst_library::text::{
@@ -100,14 +100,15 @@ fn layout_inline_text(
         // because it will be placed somewhere probably not at the left margin
         // it will overflow. So emulate an `hbox` instead and allow the
         // paragraph to extend as far as needed.
-        let frame = (ctx.engine.routines.layout_inline)(
+        let frame = crate::inline::layout_inline(
             ctx.engine,
-            &StyleVec::wrap(eco_vec![elem]),
-            ctx.locator.next(&span),
+            &[(&elem, styles)],
+            &mut ctx.locator.next(&span).split(),
             styles,
-            false,
             Size::splat(Abs::inf()),
             false,
+            false,
+            false,
         )?
         .into_frame();
 
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/collect.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/collect.rs
index 0bbae9f4c..8eab18a62 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/collect.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/collect.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ pub enum Item<'a> {
 /// things like tags and weak pagebreaks.
 pub fn collect<'a>(
     mut children: &'a mut [Pair<'a>],
-    mut locator: SplitLocator<'a>,
+    locator: &mut SplitLocator<'a>,
     mut initial: StyleChain<'a>,
 ) -> Vec<Item<'a>> {
     // The collected page-level items.
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/mod.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/mod.rs
index 27002a6c9..14dc0f3fb 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/mod.rs
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ fn layout_document_impl(
         styles,
     )?;
 
-    let pages = layout_pages(&mut engine, &mut children, locator, styles)?;
+    let pages = layout_pages(&mut engine, &mut children, &mut locator, styles)?;
     let introspector = Introspector::paged(&pages);
 
     Ok(PagedDocument { pages, info, introspector })
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ fn layout_document_impl(
 fn layout_pages<'a>(
     engine: &mut Engine,
     children: &'a mut [Pair<'a>],
-    locator: SplitLocator<'a>,
+    locator: &mut SplitLocator<'a>,
     styles: StyleChain<'a>,
 ) -> SourceResult<Vec<Page>> {
     // Slice up the children into logical parts.
diff --git a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/run.rs b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/run.rs
index 79ff5ab05..6d2d29da5 100644
--- a/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/run.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-layout/src/pages/run.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use typst_library::visualize::Paint;
 use typst_library::World;
 use typst_utils::Numeric;
 
-use crate::flow::layout_flow;
+use crate::flow::{layout_flow, FlowMode};
 
 /// A mostly finished layout for one page. Needs only knowledge of its exact
 /// page number to be finalized into a `Page`. (Because the margins can depend
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ fn layout_page_run_impl(
         Regions::repeat(area, area.map(Abs::is_finite)),
         PageElem::columns_in(styles),
         ColumnsElem::gutter_in(styles),
-        true,
+        FlowMode::Root,
     )?;
 
     // Layouts a single marginal.
diff --git a/crates/typst-library/src/foundations/styles.rs b/crates/typst-library/src/foundations/styles.rs
index 37094dcd8..983803300 100644
--- a/crates/typst-library/src/foundations/styles.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-library/src/foundations/styles.rs
@@ -776,107 +776,6 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for Links<'a> {
     }
 }
 
-/// A sequence of elements with associated styles.
-#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Hash)]
-pub struct StyleVec {
-    /// The elements themselves.
-    elements: EcoVec<Content>,
-    /// A run-length encoded list of style lists.
-    ///
-    /// Each element is a (styles, count) pair. Any elements whose
-    /// style falls after the end of this list is considered to
-    /// have an empty style list.
-    styles: EcoVec<(Styles, usize)>,
-}
-
-impl StyleVec {
-    /// Create a style vector from an unstyled vector content.
-    pub fn wrap(elements: EcoVec<Content>) -> Self {
-        Self { elements, styles: EcoVec::new() }
-    }
-
-    /// Create a `StyleVec` from a list of content with style chains.
-    pub fn create<'a>(buf: &[(&'a Content, StyleChain<'a>)]) -> (Self, StyleChain<'a>) {
-        let trunk = StyleChain::trunk(buf.iter().map(|&(_, s)| s)).unwrap_or_default();
-        let depth = trunk.links().count();
-
-        let mut elements = EcoVec::with_capacity(buf.len());
-        let mut styles = EcoVec::<(Styles, usize)>::new();
-        let mut last: Option<(StyleChain<'a>, usize)> = None;
-
-        for &(element, chain) in buf {
-            elements.push(element.clone());
-
-            if let Some((prev, run)) = &mut last {
-                if chain == *prev {
-                    *run += 1;
-                } else {
-                    styles.push((prev.suffix(depth), *run));
-                    last = Some((chain, 1));
-                }
-            } else {
-                last = Some((chain, 1));
-            }
-        }
-
-        if let Some((last, run)) = last {
-            let skippable = styles.is_empty() && last == trunk;
-            if !skippable {
-                styles.push((last.suffix(depth), run));
-            }
-        }
-
-        (StyleVec { elements, styles }, trunk)
-    }
-
-    /// Whether there are no elements.
-    pub fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
-        self.elements.is_empty()
-    }
-
-    /// The number of elements.
-    pub fn len(&self) -> usize {
-        self.elements.len()
-    }
-
-    /// Iterate over the contained content and style chains.
-    pub fn iter<'a>(
-        &'a self,
-        outer: &'a StyleChain<'_>,
-    ) -> impl Iterator<Item = (&'a Content, StyleChain<'a>)> {
-        static EMPTY: Styles = Styles::new();
-        self.elements
-            .iter()
-            .zip(
-                self.styles
-                    .iter()
-                    .flat_map(|(local, count)| std::iter::repeat(local).take(*count))
-                    .chain(std::iter::repeat(&EMPTY)),
-            )
-            .map(|(element, local)| (element, outer.chain(local)))
-    }
-
-    /// Get a style property, but only if it is the same for all children of the
-    /// style vector.
-    pub fn shared_get<T: PartialEq>(
-        &self,
-        styles: StyleChain<'_>,
-        getter: fn(StyleChain) -> T,
-    ) -> Option<T> {
-        let value = getter(styles);
-        self.styles
-            .iter()
-            .all(|(local, _)| getter(styles.chain(local)) == value)
-            .then_some(value)
-    }
-}
-
-impl Debug for StyleVec {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter) -> std::fmt::Result {
-        f.debug_list().entries(&self.elements).finish()
-    }
-}
-
 /// A property that is resolved with other properties from the style chain.
 pub trait Resolve {
     /// The type of the resolved output.
diff --git a/crates/typst-library/src/model/footnote.rs b/crates/typst-library/src/model/footnote.rs
index f3b2a19eb..dfa3933bb 100644
--- a/crates/typst-library/src/model/footnote.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-library/src/model/footnote.rs
@@ -310,11 +310,9 @@ impl Show for Packed<FootnoteEntry> {
 
 impl ShowSet for Packed<FootnoteEntry> {
     fn show_set(&self, _: StyleChain) -> Styles {
-        let text_size = Em::new(0.85);
-        let leading = Em::new(0.5);
         let mut out = Styles::new();
-        out.set(ParElem::set_leading(leading.into()));
-        out.set(TextElem::set_size(TextSize(text_size.into())));
+        out.set(ParElem::set_leading(Em::new(0.5).into()));
+        out.set(TextElem::set_size(TextSize(Em::new(0.85).into())));
         out
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/typst-library/src/model/par.rs b/crates/typst-library/src/model/par.rs
index c89d38751..0bdbe4ea6 100644
--- a/crates/typst-library/src/model/par.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-library/src/model/par.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
-use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter};
-
 use typst_utils::singleton;
 
 use crate::diag::{bail, SourceResult};
 use crate::engine::Engine;
 use crate::foundations::{
-    elem, scope, Args, Cast, Construct, Content, NativeElement, Packed, Set, Smart,
-    StyleVec, Unlabellable,
+    elem, scope, Args, Cast, Construct, Content, NativeElement, Packed, Smart,
+    Unlabellable,
 };
 use crate::introspection::{Count, CounterUpdate, Locatable};
 use crate::layout::{Em, HAlignment, Length, OuterHAlignment};
@@ -95,7 +93,7 @@ use crate::model::Numbering;
 /// let $a$ be the smallest of the
 /// three integers. Then, we ...
 /// ```
-#[elem(scope, title = "Paragraph", Debug, Construct)]
+#[elem(scope, title = "Paragraph")]
 pub struct ParElem {
     /// The spacing between lines.
     ///
@@ -111,7 +109,6 @@ pub struct ParElem {
     /// distribution of the top- and bottom-edge values affects the bounds of
     /// the first and last line.
     #[resolve]
-    #[ghost]
     #[default(Em::new(0.65).into())]
     pub leading: Length,
 
@@ -126,7 +123,6 @@ pub struct ParElem {
     /// takes precedence over the paragraph spacing. Headings, for instance,
     /// reduce the spacing below them by default for a better look.
     #[resolve]
-    #[ghost]
     #[default(Em::new(1.2).into())]
     pub spacing: Length,
 
@@ -139,7 +135,6 @@ pub struct ParElem {
     /// Note that the current [alignment]($align.alignment) still has an effect
     /// on the placement of the last line except if it ends with a
     /// [justified line break]($linebreak.justify).
-    #[ghost]
     #[default(false)]
     pub justify: bool,
 
@@ -164,7 +159,6 @@ pub struct ParElem {
     /// challenging to break in a visually
     /// pleasing way.
     /// ```
-    #[ghost]
     pub linebreaks: Smart<Linebreaks>,
 
     /// The indent the first line of a paragraph should have.
@@ -176,23 +170,15 @@ pub struct ParElem {
     /// space between paragraphs or by indented first lines. Consider reducing
     /// the [paragraph spacing]($block.spacing) to the [`leading`]($par.leading)
     /// when using this property (e.g. using `[#set par(spacing: 0.65em)]`).
-    #[ghost]
     pub first_line_indent: Length,
 
-    /// The indent all but the first line of a paragraph should have.
-    #[ghost]
+    /// The indent that all but the first line of a paragraph should have.
     #[resolve]
     pub hanging_indent: Length,
 
     /// The contents of the paragraph.
-    #[external]
     #[required]
     pub body: Content,
-
-    /// The paragraph's children.
-    #[internal]
-    #[variadic]
-    pub children: StyleVec,
 }
 
 #[scope]
@@ -201,28 +187,6 @@ impl ParElem {
     type ParLine;
 }
 
-impl Construct for ParElem {
-    fn construct(engine: &mut Engine, args: &mut Args) -> SourceResult<Content> {
-        // The paragraph constructor is special: It doesn't create a paragraph
-        // element. Instead, it just ensures that the passed content lives in a
-        // separate paragraph and styles it.
-        let styles = Self::set(engine, args)?;
-        let body = args.expect::<Content>("body")?;
-        Ok(Content::sequence([
-            ParbreakElem::shared().clone(),
-            body.styled_with_map(styles),
-            ParbreakElem::shared().clone(),
-        ]))
-    }
-}
-
-impl Debug for ParElem {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "Par ")?;
-        self.children.fmt(f)
-    }
-}
-
 /// How to determine line breaks in a paragraph.
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash, Cast)]
 pub enum Linebreaks {
diff --git a/crates/typst-library/src/routines.rs b/crates/typst-library/src/routines.rs
index a11268604..b283052a4 100644
--- a/crates/typst-library/src/routines.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-library/src/routines.rs
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ use typst_utils::LazyHash;
 use crate::diag::SourceResult;
 use crate::engine::{Engine, Route, Sink, Traced};
 use crate::foundations::{
-    Args, Cast, Closure, Content, Context, Func, Packed, Scope, StyleChain, StyleVec,
-    Styles, Value,
+    Args, Cast, Closure, Content, Context, Func, Packed, Scope, StyleChain, Styles, Value,
 };
 use crate::introspection::{Introspector, Locator, SplitLocator};
 use crate::layout::{
@@ -104,26 +103,6 @@ routines! {
         region: Region,
     ) -> SourceResult<Frame>
 
-    /// Lays out inline content.
-    fn layout_inline(
-        engine: &mut Engine,
-        children: &StyleVec,
-        locator: Locator,
-        styles: StyleChain,
-        consecutive: bool,
-        region: Size,
-        expand: bool,
-    ) -> SourceResult<Fragment>
-
-    /// Lays out a [`BoxElem`].
-    fn layout_box(
-        elem: &Packed<BoxElem>,
-        engine: &mut Engine,
-        locator: Locator,
-        styles: StyleChain,
-        region: Size,
-    ) -> SourceResult<Frame>
-
     /// Lays out a [`ListElem`].
     fn layout_list(
         elem: &Packed<ListElem>,
@@ -348,17 +327,62 @@ pub enum RealizationKind<'a> {
     /// This the root realization for layout. Requires a mutable reference
     /// to document metadata that will be filled from `set document` rules.
     LayoutDocument(&'a mut DocumentInfo),
-    /// A nested realization in a container (e.g. a `block`).
-    LayoutFragment,
+    /// A nested realization in a container (e.g. a `block`). Requires a mutable
+    /// reference to an enum that will be set to `FragmentKind::Inline` if the
+    /// fragment's content was fully inline.
+    LayoutFragment(&'a mut FragmentKind),
+    /// A nested realization in a paragraph (i.e. a `par`)
+    LayoutPar,
     /// This the root realization for HTML. Requires a mutable reference
     /// to document metadata that will be filled from `set document` rules.
     HtmlDocument(&'a mut DocumentInfo),
-    /// A nested realization in a container (e.g. a `block`).
-    HtmlFragment,
+    /// A nested realization in a container (e.g. a `block`). Requires a mutable
+    /// reference to an enum that will be set to `FragmentKind::Inline` if the
+    /// fragment's content was fully inline.
+    HtmlFragment(&'a mut FragmentKind),
     /// A realization within math.
     Math,
 }
 
+impl RealizationKind<'_> {
+    /// It this a realization for HTML export?
+    pub fn is_html(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, Self::HtmlDocument(_) | Self::HtmlFragment(_))
+    }
+
+    /// It this a realization for a container?
+    pub fn is_fragment(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, Self::LayoutFragment(_) | Self::HtmlFragment(_))
+    }
+
+    /// If this is a document-level realization, accesses the document info.
+    pub fn as_document_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut DocumentInfo> {
+        match self {
+            Self::LayoutDocument(info) | Self::HtmlDocument(info) => Some(*info),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// If this is a container-level realization, accesses the fragment kind.
+    pub fn as_fragment_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut FragmentKind> {
+        match self {
+            Self::LayoutFragment(kind) | Self::HtmlFragment(kind) => Some(*kind),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// The kind of fragment output that realization produced.
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
+pub enum FragmentKind {
+    /// The fragment's contents were fully inline, and as a result, the output
+    /// elements are too.
+    Inline,
+    /// The fragment contained non-inline content, so inline content was forced
+    /// into paragraphs, and as a result, the output elements are not inline.
+    Block,
+}
+
 /// Temporary storage arenas for lifetime extension during realization.
 ///
 /// Must be kept live while the content returned from realization is processed.
diff --git a/crates/typst-realize/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-realize/src/lib.rs
index ff42c3e95..754e89aac 100644
--- a/crates/typst-realize/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-realize/src/lib.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ use typst_library::diag::{bail, At, SourceResult};
 use typst_library::engine::Engine;
 use typst_library::foundations::{
     Content, Context, ContextElem, Element, NativeElement, Recipe, RecipeIndex, Selector,
-    SequenceElem, Show, ShowSet, Style, StyleChain, StyleVec, StyledElem, Styles,
-    SymbolElem, Synthesize, Transformation,
+    SequenceElem, Show, ShowSet, Style, StyleChain, StyledElem, Styles, SymbolElem,
+    Synthesize, Transformation,
 };
 use typst_library::html::{tag, HtmlElem};
 use typst_library::introspection::{Locatable, SplitLocator, Tag, TagElem};
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ use typst_library::model::{
     CiteElem, CiteGroup, DocumentElem, EnumElem, ListElem, ListItemLike, ListLike,
     ParElem, ParbreakElem, TermsElem,
 };
-use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, Pair, RealizationKind};
+use typst_library::routines::{Arenas, FragmentKind, Pair, RealizationKind};
 use typst_library::text::{LinebreakElem, SmartQuoteElem, SpaceElem, TextElem};
 use typst_syntax::Span;
 use typst_utils::{SliceExt, SmallBitSet};
@@ -48,17 +48,18 @@ pub fn realize<'a>(
         locator,
         arenas,
         rules: match kind {
-            RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(_) | RealizationKind::LayoutFragment => {
-                LAYOUT_RULES
-            }
+            RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(_) => LAYOUT_RULES,
+            RealizationKind::LayoutFragment(_) => LAYOUT_RULES,
+            RealizationKind::LayoutPar => LAYOUT_PAR_RULES,
             RealizationKind::HtmlDocument(_) => HTML_DOCUMENT_RULES,
-            RealizationKind::HtmlFragment => HTML_FRAGMENT_RULES,
+            RealizationKind::HtmlFragment(_) => HTML_FRAGMENT_RULES,
             RealizationKind::Math => MATH_RULES,
         },
         sink: vec![],
         groupings: ArrayVec::new(),
         outside: matches!(kind, RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(_)),
         may_attach: false,
+        saw_parbreak: false,
         kind,
     };
 
@@ -98,6 +99,8 @@ struct State<'a, 'x, 'y, 'z> {
     outside: bool,
     /// Whether now following attach spacing can survive.
     may_attach: bool,
+    /// Whether we visited any paragraph breaks.
+    saw_parbreak: bool,
 }
 
 /// Defines a rule for how certain elements shall be grouped during realization.
@@ -125,6 +128,10 @@ struct GroupingRule {
 struct Grouping<'a> {
     /// The position in `s.sink` where the group starts.
     start: usize,
+    /// Only applies to `PAR` grouping: Whether this paragraph group is
+    /// interrupted, but not yet finished because it may be ignored due to being
+    /// fully inline.
+    interrupted: bool,
     /// The rule used for this grouping.
     rule: &'a GroupingRule,
 }
@@ -575,19 +582,21 @@ fn visit_styled<'a>(
     for style in local.iter() {
         let Some(elem) = style.element() else { continue };
         if elem == DocumentElem::elem() {
-            match &mut s.kind {
-                RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(info)
-                | RealizationKind::HtmlDocument(info) => info.populate(&local),
-                _ => bail!(
+            if let Some(info) = s.kind.as_document_mut() {
+                info.populate(&local)
+            } else {
+                bail!(
                     style.span(),
                     "document set rules are not allowed inside of containers"
-                ),
+                );
             }
         } else if elem == PageElem::elem() {
-            let RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(_) = s.kind else {
-                let span = style.span();
-                bail!(span, "page configuration is not allowed inside of containers");
-            };
+            if !matches!(s.kind, RealizationKind::LayoutDocument(_)) {
+                bail!(
+                    style.span(),
+                    "page configuration is not allowed inside of containers"
+                );
+            }
 
             // When there are page styles, we "break free" from our show rule cage.
             pagebreak = true;
@@ -650,7 +659,9 @@ fn visit_grouping_rules<'a>(
         }
 
         // If the element can be added to the active grouping, do it.
-        if (active.rule.trigger)(content, &s.kind) || (active.rule.inner)(content) {
+        if !active.interrupted
+            && ((active.rule.trigger)(content, &s.kind) || (active.rule.inner)(content))
+        {
             s.sink.push((content, styles));
             return Ok(true);
         }
@@ -661,7 +672,7 @@ fn visit_grouping_rules<'a>(
     // Start a new grouping.
     if let Some(rule) = matching {
         let start = s.sink.len();
-        s.groupings.push(Grouping { start, rule });
+        s.groupings.push(Grouping { start, rule, interrupted: false });
         s.sink.push((content, styles));
         return Ok(true);
     }
@@ -676,22 +687,24 @@ fn visit_filter_rules<'a>(
     content: &'a Content,
     styles: StyleChain<'a>,
 ) -> SourceResult<bool> {
-    if content.is::<SpaceElem>()
-        && !matches!(s.kind, RealizationKind::Math | RealizationKind::HtmlFragment)
-    {
-        // Outside of maths, spaces that were not collected by the paragraph
-        // grouper don't interest us.
+    if matches!(s.kind, RealizationKind::LayoutPar | RealizationKind::Math) {
+        return Ok(false);
+    }
+
+    if content.is::<SpaceElem>() {
+        // Outside of maths and paragraph realization, spaces that were not
+        // collected by the paragraph grouper don't interest us.
         return Ok(true);
     } else if content.is::<ParbreakElem>() {
         // Paragraph breaks are only a boundary for paragraph grouping, we don't
         // need to store them.
         s.may_attach = false;
+        s.saw_parbreak = true;
         return Ok(true);
     } else if !s.may_attach
         && content.to_packed::<VElem>().is_some_and(|elem| elem.attach(styles))
     {
-        // Delete attach spacing collapses if not immediately following a
-        // paragraph.
+        // Attach spacing collapses if not immediately following a paragraph.
         return Ok(true);
     }
 
@@ -703,7 +716,18 @@ fn visit_filter_rules<'a>(
 
 /// Finishes all grouping.
 fn finish(s: &mut State) -> SourceResult<()> {
-    finish_grouping_while(s, |s| !s.groupings.is_empty())?;
+    finish_grouping_while(s, |s| {
+        // If this is a fragment realization and all we've got is inline
+        // content, don't turn it into a paragraph.
+        if is_fully_inline(s) {
+            *s.kind.as_fragment_mut().unwrap() = FragmentKind::Inline;
+            s.groupings.pop();
+            collapse_spaces(&mut s.sink, 0);
+            false
+        } else {
+            !s.groupings.is_empty()
+        }
+    })?;
 
     // In math, spaces are top-level.
     if let RealizationKind::Math = s.kind {
@@ -722,6 +746,12 @@ fn finish_interrupted(s: &mut State, local: &Styles) -> SourceResult<()> {
         }
         finish_grouping_while(s, |s| {
             s.groupings.iter().any(|grouping| (grouping.rule.interrupt)(elem))
+                && if is_fully_inline(s) {
+                    s.groupings[0].interrupted = true;
+                    false
+                } else {
+                    true
+                }
         })?;
         last = Some(elem);
     }
@@ -729,9 +759,9 @@ fn finish_interrupted(s: &mut State, local: &Styles) -> SourceResult<()> {
 }
 
 /// Finishes groupings while `f` returns `true`.
-fn finish_grouping_while<F>(s: &mut State, f: F) -> SourceResult<()>
+fn finish_grouping_while<F>(s: &mut State, mut f: F) -> SourceResult<()>
 where
-    F: Fn(&State) -> bool,
+    F: FnMut(&mut State) -> bool,
 {
     // Finishing of a group may result in new content and new grouping. This
     // can, in theory, go on for a bit. To prevent it from becoming an infinite
@@ -750,7 +780,7 @@ where
 /// Finishes the currently innermost grouping.
 fn finish_innermost_grouping(s: &mut State) -> SourceResult<()> {
     // The grouping we are interrupting.
-    let Grouping { start, rule } = s.groupings.pop().unwrap();
+    let Grouping { start, rule, .. } = s.groupings.pop().unwrap();
 
     // Trim trailing non-trigger elements.
     let trimmed = s.sink[start..].trim_end_matches(|(c, _)| !(rule.trigger)(c, &s.kind));
@@ -794,12 +824,16 @@ const MAX_GROUP_NESTING: usize = 3;
 /// Grouping rules used in layout realization.
 static LAYOUT_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] = &[&TEXTUAL, &PAR, &CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
 
+/// Grouping rules used in paragraph layout realization.
+static LAYOUT_PAR_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] = &[&TEXTUAL, &CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
+
 /// Grouping rules used in HTML root realization.
 static HTML_DOCUMENT_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] =
     &[&TEXTUAL, &PAR, &CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
 
 /// Grouping rules used in HTML fragment realization.
-static HTML_FRAGMENT_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] = &[&TEXTUAL, &CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
+static HTML_FRAGMENT_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] =
+    &[&TEXTUAL, &PAR, &CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
 
 /// Grouping rules used in math realization.
 static MATH_RULES: &[&GroupingRule] = &[&CITES, &LIST, &ENUM, &TERMS];
@@ -836,12 +870,10 @@ static PAR: GroupingRule = GroupingRule {
             || elem == SmartQuoteElem::elem()
             || elem == InlineElem::elem()
             || elem == BoxElem::elem()
-            || (matches!(
-                kind,
-                RealizationKind::HtmlDocument(_) | RealizationKind::HtmlFragment
-            ) && content
-                .to_packed::<HtmlElem>()
-                .is_some_and(|elem| tag::is_inline_by_default(elem.tag)))
+            || (kind.is_html()
+                && content
+                    .to_packed::<HtmlElem>()
+                    .is_some_and(|elem| tag::is_inline_by_default(elem.tag)))
     },
     inner: |content| content.elem() == SpaceElem::elem(),
     interrupt: |elem| elem == ParElem::elem() || elem == AlignElem::elem(),
@@ -914,17 +946,31 @@ fn finish_textual(Grouped { s, mut start }: Grouped) -> SourceResult<()> {
     //    transparently become part of it.
     // 2. There is no group at all. In this case, we create one.
     if s.groupings.is_empty() && s.rules.iter().any(|&rule| std::ptr::eq(rule, &PAR)) {
-        s.groupings.push(Grouping { start, rule: &PAR });
+        s.groupings.push(Grouping { start, rule: &PAR, interrupted: false });
     }
 
     Ok(())
 }
 
 /// Whether there is an active grouping, but it is not a `PAR` grouping.
-fn in_non_par_grouping(s: &State) -> bool {
-    s.groupings
-        .last()
-        .is_some_and(|grouping| !std::ptr::eq(grouping.rule, &PAR))
+fn in_non_par_grouping(s: &mut State) -> bool {
+    s.groupings.last().is_some_and(|grouping| {
+        !std::ptr::eq(grouping.rule, &PAR) || grouping.interrupted
+    })
+}
+
+/// Whether there is exactly one active grouping, it is a `PAR` grouping, and it
+/// spans the whole sink (with the exception of leading tags).
+fn is_fully_inline(s: &State) -> bool {
+    s.kind.is_fragment()
+        && !s.saw_parbreak
+        && match s.groupings.as_slice() {
+            [grouping] => {
+                std::ptr::eq(grouping.rule, &PAR)
+                    && s.sink[..grouping.start].iter().all(|(c, _)| c.is::<TagElem>())
+            }
+            _ => false,
+        }
 }
 
 /// Builds the `ParElem` from inline-level elements.
@@ -936,11 +982,11 @@ fn finish_par(mut grouped: Grouped) -> SourceResult<()> {
     // Collect the children.
     let elems = grouped.get();
     let span = select_span(elems);
-    let (children, trunk) = StyleVec::create(elems);
+    let (body, trunk) = repack(elems);
 
     // Create and visit the paragraph.
     let s = grouped.end();
-    let elem = ParElem::new(children).pack().spanned(span);
+    let elem = ParElem::new(body).pack().spanned(span);
     visit(s, s.store(elem), trunk)
 }
 
@@ -1277,3 +1323,26 @@ fn destruct_space(buf: &mut [Pair], end: &mut usize, state: &mut SpaceState) {
 fn select_span(children: &[Pair]) -> Span {
     Span::find(children.iter().map(|(c, _)| c.span()))
 }
+
+/// Turn realized content with styles back into owned content and a trunk style
+/// chain.
+fn repack<'a>(buf: &[Pair<'a>]) -> (Content, StyleChain<'a>) {
+    let trunk = StyleChain::trunk(buf.iter().map(|&(_, s)| s)).unwrap_or_default();
+    let depth = trunk.links().count();
+
+    let mut seq = Vec::with_capacity(buf.len());
+
+    for (chain, group) in buf.group_by_key(|&(_, s)| s) {
+        let iter = group.iter().map(|&(c, _)| c.clone());
+        let suffix = chain.suffix(depth);
+        if suffix.is_empty() {
+            seq.extend(iter);
+        } else if let &[(element, _)] = group {
+            seq.push(element.clone().styled_with_map(suffix));
+        } else {
+            seq.push(Content::sequence(iter).styled_with_map(suffix));
+        }
+    }
+
+    (Content::sequence(seq), trunk)
+}
diff --git a/crates/typst/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst/src/lib.rs
index 7d02aa426..580ba9e80 100644
--- a/crates/typst/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst/src/lib.rs
@@ -333,8 +333,6 @@ pub static ROUTINES: Routines = Routines {
     realize: typst_realize::realize,
     layout_fragment: typst_layout::layout_fragment,
     layout_frame: typst_layout::layout_frame,
-    layout_inline: typst_layout::layout_inline,
-    layout_box: typst_layout::layout_box,
     layout_list: typst_layout::layout_list,
     layout_enum: typst_layout::layout_enum,
     layout_grid: typst_layout::layout_grid,