diff --git a/cmd/w6c/cgen.c b/cmd/w6c/cgen.c
index 6190aa37..fe920239 100644
--- a/cmd/w6c/cgen.c
+++ b/cmd/w6c/cgen.c
@@ -771,6 +771,9 @@ localfind(Local *head, const char *name)
 
 static void cgexpr(Cg*, Node*, Local*);
 static void cgstmt(Cg*, Node*, Local**, int*);
+static void cg_widen_tagged_push(Cg*, Local**, Type*, Node*, int);
+static void cg_widen_tagged_store(Cg*, Local**, Type*, Node*, int, int);
+static void cg_widen_tag_remap(Cg*, Type*, Type*, int);
 
 static void
 cgexpr_int(Cg *c, long long v)
@@ -778,6 +781,232 @@ cgexpr_int(Cg *c, long long v)
 	ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(v), areg(D_AX));
 }
 
+/* cg_widen_tag_remap — when widening from one tagged union to another,
+ * rewrite the source's variant tag at BP+slot_off+0 to use the dst
+ * union's variant indices. No-op when src and dst index orders coincide.
+ *
+ * Mirrors Hare's tagged-subset assignment: a value of type (A|B) flows
+ * into (A|B|C) by re-tagging the discriminator to the position the
+ * variant occupies in the wider union. Both must already match by
+ * cg_variant_match — the checker enforces that.
+ *
+ * Emits a CMPQ-chain switch over the source tag because w6a has no
+ * CMOVQ encoding. The chain is linear in nvariants; in practice tagged
+ * unions are small. */
+static void
+cg_widen_tag_remap(Cg *c, Type *du, Type *su, int slot_off)
+{
+	if (du == NULL || du->kind != TY_TAGGED) return;
+	if (su == NULL || su->kind != TY_TAGGED) return;
+	int identity = 1, idx = 0;
+	for (Tparam *p = su->params; p; p = p->next, idx++) {
+		int di = cg_tag_for_variant(du, p->type);
+		if (di < 0) di = 0;
+		if (di != idx) { identity = 0; break; }
+	}
+	if (identity) return;
+	const char *done = mklabel(c, "remap_done");
+	ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0), areg(D_AX));
+	idx = 0;
+	for (Tparam *p = su->params; p; p = p->next, idx++) {
+		const char *next = mklabel(c, "remap_next");
+		int di = cg_tag_for_variant(du, p->type);
+		if (di < 0) di = 0;
+		ins2(c, A_CMPQ, aimm(idx), areg(D_AX));
+		ins1(c, A_JNE, abranch(next));
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(di), areg(D_AX));
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+		ins1(c, A_JMP, abranch(done));
+		label(c, next);
+	}
+	label(c, done);
+}
+
+/* cg_widen_tagged_store — write the tagged-union slot bytes for `src`
+ * into BP+slot_off, sized to `sz` (8 for nullable fold, else 16/24+).
+ * Used by call-site widening (via cg_widen_tagged_push) and by the
+ * let/assign/return/struct-field-init paths.
+ *
+ * Branches by source shape (tagged_arg_size > 0 source counts as a
+ * tagged subset — possibly with different variant indices):
+ *   - nullable: dst is folded (*T|void); store pointer at +0.
+ *   - tagged ident: byte-copy slot words then remap tag at +0.
+ *   - tagged expression: cgexpr leaves AX=tag, DX=val0, [CX=val1] —
+ *     spill into slot then remap.
+ *   - struct ident: zero-fill, byte-copy struct words to +8.
+ *   - struct literal: zero-fill, store each field at slot+8+field_off.
+ *   - str: cgexpr leaves AX=ptr, BX=len.
+ *   - scalar: cgexpr leaves AX; store at +8 with zero pad. */
+static void
+cg_widen_tagged_store(Cg *c, Local **locals_p, Type *dst, Node *src,
+    int slot_off, int sz)
+{
+	Type *du = (dst && dst->kind == TY_NAMED) ? dst->under : dst;
+	if (du == NULL || du->kind != TY_TAGGED) return;
+	if (du->nullable) {
+		cgexpr(c, src, *locals_p);
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+		return;
+	}
+	Type *st = src ? src->type : NULL;
+	Type *su = (st && st->kind == TY_NAMED) ? st->under : st;
+	/* Tagged → tagged subset: copy slot words then tag-remap. */
+	if (su && su->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
+		int ssz = (int)su->size;
+		if (src->kind == N_IDENT) {
+			int soff = localfind(*locals_p, src->str);
+			for (int k = 0; k < ssz; k += 8) {
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, soff + k),
+				    areg(D_AX));
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + k));
+			}
+		} else {
+			cgexpr(c, src, *locals_p);
+			ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+			    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+			if (ssz > 8)
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_DX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8));
+			if (ssz > 16)
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_CX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 16));
+		}
+		if (ssz < sz) {
+			ins2(c, A_XORQ, areg(D_AX), areg(D_AX));
+			for (int k = ssz; k < sz; k += 8)
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + k));
+		}
+		cg_widen_tag_remap(c, du, su, slot_off);
+		return;
+	}
+	/* Struct payload: zero the whole slot, then write fields/words
+	 * at slot+8+ — keeping the tag word at slot+0 from the zero-fill,
+	 * then patch it with the variant tag. */
+	if (su && su->kind == TY_STRUCT) {
+		ins2(c, A_XORQ, areg(D_AX), areg(D_AX));
+		for (int k = 0; k < sz; k += 8)
+			ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+			    amem(D_BP, slot_off + k));
+		int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(du, st);
+		if (src->kind == N_IDENT) {
+			int soff = localfind(*locals_p, src->str);
+			int ssz = (int)su->size;
+			int k = 0;
+			while (k + 8 <= ssz) {
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, soff + k),
+				    areg(D_AX));
+				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + k));
+				k += 8;
+			}
+			if (k < ssz) {
+				/* Tail word: load with the right width to
+				 * avoid stepping past the source slot. The
+				 * zero-fill above means trailing slop is
+				 * already clean. */
+				int tail = ssz - k;
+				int lop = (tail == 4) ? A_MOVL :
+				    (tail == 1 ? A_MOVB : A_MOVQ);
+				ins2(c, lop,
+				    amem(D_BP, soff + k), areg(D_AX));
+				ins2(c, lop, areg(D_AX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + k));
+			}
+		} else if (src->kind == N_STRUCTLIT) {
+			for (Node *f = src->list; f; f = f->next) {
+				u64 foff = 0;
+				int fsz = 8;
+				Type *ftype = NULL;
+				for (Tfield *fl = su->fields; fl; fl = fl->next) {
+					if (strcmp(fl->name, f->str) == 0) {
+						foff = fl->offset;
+						fsz = (int)(fl->type ? fl->type->size : 8);
+						ftype = fl->type;
+						break;
+					}
+				}
+				cgexpr(c, f->lhs, *locals_p);
+				int sl_isf32 = 0;
+				if (fld_isfloat(ftype, &sl_isf32)) {
+					int mov = sl_isf32 ? A_MOVSS : A_MOVSD;
+					ins2(c, mov, areg(D_X0),
+					    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + (int)foff));
+					continue;
+				}
+				Type *fu = (ftype && ftype->kind == TY_NAMED)
+				    ? ftype->under : ftype;
+				if (fu && fu->kind == TY_STR) {
+					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+					    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + (int)foff + 0));
+					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX),
+					    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + (int)foff + 8));
+					continue;
+				}
+				int op = A_MOVQ;
+				if (fsz == 1) op = A_MOVB;
+				else if (fsz == 4) op = A_MOVL;
+				ins2(c, op, areg(D_AX),
+				    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8 + (int)foff));
+			}
+		}
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
+		    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+		return;
+	}
+	/* str payload: AX=ptr, BX=len from cgexpr. */
+	if (type_isstr(st) || (su && su->kind == TY_STR)) {
+		cgexpr(c, src, *locals_p);
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8));
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 16));
+		int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(du, st);
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
+		    amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+		return;
+	}
+	/* Scalar / pointer / etc. The high slot word (when sz > 16) is
+	 * left untouched here — match dispatches on the tag word first
+	 * and only the str branch reads slot+16, so leaving the pad
+	 * uninitialised in let/assign matches the pre-refactor asm.
+	 * cg_widen_tagged_push pre-zeroes the scratch slot before
+	 * calling us, so the call-site push still sees clean pad. */
+	cgexpr(c, src, *locals_p);
+	ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 8));
+	int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(du, st);
+	ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag), amem(D_BP, slot_off + 0));
+}
+
+/* cg_widen_tagged_push — call-site widening. Materialise the tagged
+ * value in a stack scratch slot then push slot words high→low so the
+ * arg-register pop drain sees tag first, then payload words. */
+static void
+cg_widen_tagged_push(Cg *c, Local **locals_p, Type *dst, Node *src, int sz)
+{
+	Type *du = (dst && dst->kind == TY_NAMED) ? dst->under : dst;
+	if (du && du->nullable) {
+		/* Single 8B slot: just push the pointer/null. */
+		cgexpr(c, src, *locals_p);
+		ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
+		return;
+	}
+	const char *scr_name = mklabel(c, "argscr");
+	int scr = local_alloc(c, locals_p, scr_name, sz, cg_frame);
+	/* Zero the scratch slot first so any pad word the store path
+	 * leaves untouched (scalar variant in a >16B slot, struct payload
+	 * shorter than the slot's value area) reads as 0 on the callee.
+	 * The store path then writes the variant bytes over the zeros. */
+	ins2(c, A_XORQ, areg(D_AX), areg(D_AX));
+	for (int k = 0; k < sz; k += 8)
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, scr + k));
+	cg_widen_tagged_store(c, locals_p, dst, src, scr, sz);
+	int nwords = sz / 8;
+	for (int k = nwords - 1; k >= 0; k--) {
+		ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, scr + k * 8), areg(D_AX));
+		ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
+	}
+}
+
 static void
 cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 {
@@ -1570,9 +1799,10 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		/* Plain `r = expr;` where r is a tagged-union local. Mirrors
-		 * the let-init path: forward AX:DX[:CX] when rhs is itself
-		 * tagged, else synthesise the tag from rhs's static type. */
+		/* Plain `r = expr;` where r is a tagged-union local.
+		 * Delegates to cg_widen_tagged_store: covers nullable fold,
+		 * tagged→tagged (with tag remap), struct payload (ident or
+		 * literal), str payload, and scalar payload. */
 		if (n->lhs && n->lhs->kind == N_IDENT && n->op == TK_ASSIGN
 		    && n->lhs->type) {
 			Type *lt = n->lhs->type;
@@ -1580,31 +1810,8 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 			if (lu && lu->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
 				int off = localfind(locals, n->lhs->str);
 				if (off == 0) break;
-				Type *rt = n->rhs ? n->rhs->type : NULL;
-				if (type_istagged(rt)) {
-					cgexpr(c, n->rhs, locals);
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 0));
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_DX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-					if (lu->size > 16)
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_CX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + 16));
-				} else {
-					int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(lu, rt);
-					cgexpr(c, n->rhs, locals);
-					if (type_isstr(rt)) {
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + 16));
-					} else {
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-					}
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 0));
-				}
+				cg_widen_tagged_store(c, &locals, lu, n->rhs,
+				    off, (int)lu->size);
 				break;
 			}
 		}
@@ -2072,9 +2279,12 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 		    callee_t->under : callee_t;
 		Tparam *callee_params = (cu && cu->kind == TY_FN) ?
 		    cu->params : NULL;
-		/* widen[i]: param is tagged, arg is a concrete variant.
-		 * widen_sz[i]: param's tagged slot size (8/16/24).
-		 * widen_param[i]: param type (for tag-index lookup). */
+		/* widen[i]: param is tagged and arg needs re-layout.
+		 *   - arg is a concrete variant (str/struct/scalar) — wrap
+		 *     in the param's slot shape.
+		 *   - arg is itself a tagged union of a subset/different
+		 *     variant set — copy the slot words and remap the tag.
+		 * Identical types pass through unchanged. */
 		int widen[16] = {0};
 		int widen_sz[16] = {0};
 		Type *widen_param[16] = {0};
@@ -2084,18 +2294,27 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 				if (p == NULL) break;
 				Type *at = args[i] ? args[i]->type : NULL;
 				int psz = tagged_arg_size(p->type);
-				int arg_tagged = tagged_arg_size(at) > 0;
-				if (psz > 0 && !arg_tagged) {
-					widen[i] = 1;
-					widen_sz[i] = psz;
-					widen_param[i] = p->type;
+				if (psz > 0) {
+					Type *pu = (p->type && p->type->kind == TY_NAMED)
+					    ? p->type->under : p->type;
+					Type *au = (at && at->kind == TY_NAMED)
+					    ? at->under : at;
+					int same = (pu == au) || type_eq(p->type, at);
+					if (!same) {
+						widen[i] = 1;
+						widen_sz[i] = psz;
+						widen_param[i] = p->type;
+					}
 				}
 				p = p->next;
 			}
 		}
-		/* eval right-to-left, push to stack */
+		/* eval right-to-left, push to stack. Each N_IDENT fast-path
+		 * is guarded by !widen[i] so the tagged-union widening (which
+		 * needs to synthesise tag + payload + pad) takes precedence
+		 * over the verbatim slice/struct/tagged-ident loads below. */
 		for (int i = argcount - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
-			if (node_isslice(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
+			if (!widen[i] && node_isslice(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
 				int off = localfind(locals, args[i]->str);
 				/* push cap, len, ptr (top) so pops give ptr,len,cap */
 				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, off + 16), areg(D_AX));
@@ -2153,7 +2372,7 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 				ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_CX));	/* ptr */
 				continue;
 			}
-			if (node_isstructarg(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
+			if (!widen[i] && node_isstructarg(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
 				/* load qword(s) directly from the struct's slot */
 				int off = localfind(locals, args[i]->str);
 				int sz = struct_arg_size(args[i]->type);
@@ -2165,7 +2384,7 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 				ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
 				continue;
 			}
-			if (node_istaggedarg(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
+			if (!widen[i] && node_istaggedarg(args[i]) && args[i]->kind == N_IDENT) {
 				/* Tagged-union: push each 8B word from the slot.
 				 * High word goes first so the popper drains them
 				 * in low→high order into the arg-register class. */
@@ -2182,41 +2401,25 @@ cgexpr(Cg *c, Node *n, Local *locals)
 			if (widen[i]) {
 				/* Concrete → tagged-union widening at the call
 				 * site. Mirrors the let/assign/return widening:
-				 * synthesise tag from the arg's static variant
-				 * type, evaluate the arg, lay it out as the
-				 * parameter's tagged slot, then push high→low so
-				 * pop drains tag first. */
-				int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(widen_param[i],
-				    args[i]->type);
-				if (tag < 0) tag = 0;
-				int sz = widen_sz[i];
-				if (sz == 8) {
-					/* Nullable fold: the pointer value IS the
-					 * discriminator — no separate tag word. */
-					cgexpr(c, args[i], locals);
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
-					continue;
-				}
-				cgexpr(c, args[i], locals);
-				if (node_isstr(args[i])) {
-					/* slot 24: [+0]=tag,[+8]=ptr,[+16]=len */
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_BX));
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag), areg(D_AX));
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
-				} else {
-					/* Scalar variant: single value word at +8.
-					 * Pad a zero high word when the slot is 24B
-					 * (some other variant of the union is 16B). */
-					if (sz > 16) {
-						ins2(c, A_XORQ, areg(D_DX),
-						    areg(D_DX));
-						ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_DX));
-					}
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag), areg(D_AX));
-					ins1(c, A_PUSHQ, areg(D_AX));
-				}
+				 * lay out the value in the parameter's slot
+				 * shape, then push high→low so pop drains tag
+				 * first.
+				 *
+				 * Branches by source shape:
+				 *   - nullable (sz==8): pointer IS the disc.
+				 *   - str: tag@+0, ptr@+8, len@+16.
+				 *   - struct ident: copy struct words then
+				 *     prepend tag, zero-pad to slot size.
+				 *   - struct literal: materialise via a stack
+				 *     scratch slot — store each field at its
+				 *     struct-relative offset (with the +8 tag
+				 *     shift), zero-fill, then push from slot.
+				 *   - tagged source: load src slot words, remap
+				 *     the tag word via cg_widen_tag_remap, pad
+				 *     to wider dst slot, push.
+				 *   - scalar: tag@+0, value@+8, optional pad. */
+				cg_widen_tagged_push(c, &locals, widen_param[i],
+				    args[i], widen_sz[i]);
 				continue;
 			}
 			cgexpr(c, args[i], locals);
@@ -3327,47 +3530,13 @@ cgstmt(Cg *c, Node *n, Local **locals, int *frame)
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		/* Tagged-union initialiser. Two shapes:
-		 *   1) rhs already produces a tagged-union value (e.g. a fn
-		 *      call returning (T | E)). cgexpr leaves AX=tag,
-		 *      DX=value0[, CX=value1] — copy each into the slot.
-		 *   2) rhs is a bare variant value (e.g. `let r: (i64|i32) = 7`).
-		 *      Synthesise the tag from rhs's static type and store it
-		 *      alongside the value. str-typed rhs flows as
-		 *      (AX=ptr, BX=len) so we store both halves.
-		 *
-		 * Nullable folded `(*T | void)`: the slot is a single 8B
-		 * pointer. Both the value-from-call and bare-variant paths
-		 * simplify to "spill AX". void variant stores 0; *T variant
-		 * stores the pointer. */
+		/* Tagged-union initialiser. Delegates to cg_widen_tagged_store,
+		 * which handles nullable fold, tagged→tagged (with tag remap
+		 * when variant indices differ), struct payload (ident or
+		 * literal — field-by-field at slot+8+field_off), str payload,
+		 * and scalar payload (with zero-pad to the slot size). */
 		if (n->rhs && lu && lu->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
-			Type *rt = n->rhs->type;
-			if (lu->nullable) {
-				cgexpr(c, n->rhs, *locals);
-				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-				    amem(D_BP, off + 0));
-			} else if (type_istagged(rt)) {
-				cgexpr(c, n->rhs, *locals);
-				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX), amem(D_BP, off + 0));
-				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_DX), amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-				if (lu->size > 16)
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_CX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 16));
-			} else {
-				int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(lu, rt);
-				cgexpr(c, n->rhs, *locals);
-				if (type_isstr(rt)) {
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 16));
-				} else {
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + 8));
-				}
-				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
-				    amem(D_BP, off + 0));
-			}
+			cg_widen_tagged_store(c, locals, lu, n->rhs, off, sz);
 			break;
 		}
 		/* slice expression initialiser: build a {ptr, len, cap} header
@@ -3472,37 +3641,17 @@ cgstmt(Cg *c, Node *n, Local **locals, int *frame)
 						break;
 					}
 				}
-				/* Tagged-union field: synthesise tag from
-				 * f->lhs's static type and store value bytes
-				 * (1 or 2 words for ≤8B/str variants). */
+				/* Tagged-union field: delegate to the shared
+				 * widening writer. Handles str, scalar, struct
+				 * literal/ident payload, and tagged-subset
+				 * forwarding (with tag remap). The field's slot
+				 * starts at off+foff inside the struct slot. */
 				Type *fu = (ft && ft->kind == TY_NAMED)
 				    ? ft->under : ft;
 				if (fu && fu->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
-					Type *vt = f->lhs ? f->lhs->type : NULL;
-					int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(fu, vt);
-					cgexpr(c, f->lhs, *locals);
-					if (type_isstr(vt)) {
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 8));
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 16));
-					} else if (type_istagged(vt)) {
-						/* forwarding a tagged value */
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_DX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 8));
-						if (fu->size > 16)
-							ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_CX),
-							    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 16));
-						/* AX already holds the tag */
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 0));
-						continue;
-					} else {
-						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
-						    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 8));
-					}
-					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
-					    amem(D_BP, off + (int)foff + 0));
+					cg_widen_tagged_store(c, locals, fu,
+					    f->lhs, off + (int)foff,
+					    (int)fu->size);
 					continue;
 				}
 				cgexpr(c, f->lhs, *locals);
@@ -3615,18 +3764,25 @@ cgstmt(Cg *c, Node *n, Local **locals, int *frame)
 			if (rt->kind == TY_NAMED) rt = rt->under;
 			if (rt && rt->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
 				Type *vt = n->lhs->type;
-				cgexpr(c, n->lhs, *locals);
+				Type *vu = (vt && vt->kind == TY_NAMED)
+				    ? vt->under : vt;
+				int istagged = vu && vu->kind == TY_TAGGED;
+				int passthrough = istagged && (vu == rt ||
+				    type_eq(vt, cg_ret_type));
+				int isstruct = vu && vu->kind == TY_STRUCT;
 				if (rt->nullable) {
-					/* AX already holds the pointer (or
-					 * 0 if the value was `nil` / `void`).
-					 * No tag word, no shuffle. */
-				} else if (!type_istagged(vt)) {
+					cgexpr(c, n->lhs, *locals);
+				} else if (passthrough) {
+					/* same tagged type: forward AX/DX/CX. */
+					cgexpr(c, n->lhs, *locals);
+				} else if (!istagged && !isstruct) {
+					/* str / scalar variant: synthesise the
+					 * tag in AX and shuffle the value into
+					 * DX[/CX]. Direct register path keeps
+					 * the asm short — no scratch slot. */
 					int tag = cg_tag_for_variant(rt, vt);
+					cgexpr(c, n->lhs, *locals);
 					if (type_isstr(vt)) {
-						/* AX=ptr, BX=len → DX=ptr,
-						 * CX=len, AX=tag. Move BX
-						 * before AX since the tag
-						 * MOVQ trashes AX. */
 						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BX),
 						    areg(D_CX));
 						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
@@ -3637,6 +3793,33 @@ cgstmt(Cg *c, Node *n, Local **locals, int *frame)
 					}
 					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, aimm(tag < 0 ? 0 : tag),
 					    areg(D_AX));
+				} else {
+					/* Struct variant or tagged-subset:
+					 * materialise the widened value in a
+					 * scratch slot, then load AX/DX/CX
+					 * from the slot. Struct literal: field
+					 * stores; struct ident: word copy;
+					 * tagged subset: copy + tag remap. */
+					int sz = (int)rt->size;
+					const char *scrn = mklabel(c, "retscr");
+					int scr = local_alloc(c, locals, scrn,
+					    sz, cg_frame);
+					ins2(c, A_XORQ, areg(D_AX), areg(D_AX));
+					for (int k = 0; k < sz; k += 8)
+						ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_AX),
+						    amem(D_BP, scr + k));
+					cg_widen_tagged_store(c, locals, rt,
+					    n->lhs, scr, sz);
+					ins2(c, A_MOVQ, amem(D_BP, scr + 0),
+					    areg(D_AX));
+					if (sz > 8)
+						ins2(c, A_MOVQ,
+						    amem(D_BP, scr + 8),
+						    areg(D_DX));
+					if (sz > 16)
+						ins2(c, A_MOVQ,
+						    amem(D_BP, scr + 16),
+						    areg(D_CX));
 				}
 				ins2(c, A_MOVQ, areg(D_BP), areg(D_SP));
 				ins1(c, A_POPQ, areg(D_BP));
diff --git a/cmd/wcc/check.c b/cmd/wcc/check.c
index 0003d499..82ea3faa 100644
--- a/cmd/wcc/check.c
+++ b/cmd/wcc/check.c
@@ -323,9 +323,16 @@ resolve_type(Checker *c, Node *n)
 		for (Node *e = n->list; e; e = e->next) {
 			Type *vt = resolve_type(c, e);
 			if (vt == ty_never) continue;
-			if (vt && vt->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
-				/* flatten anonymous nested tagged */
-				for (Tparam *src = vt->params; src; src = src->next) {
+			int spread = (e->op == TK_ELLIPSIS);
+			/* `...inner` spread: flatten the variants of the
+			 * (possibly NAMED) inner tagged union into the
+			 * enclosing union — matches Hare's parse-time
+			 * unwrap flag on each tagged_type entry. */
+			Type *vu = spread && vt && vt->kind == TY_NAMED
+			    ? vt->under : vt;
+			if (vu && vu->kind == TY_TAGGED &&
+			    (spread || vt->kind == TY_TAGGED)) {
+				for (Tparam *src = vu->params; src; src = src->next) {
 					Type *st = src->type;
 					if (st == ty_never) continue;
 					if (variant_present(head, st)) continue;
diff --git a/cmd/wcc/parse.c b/cmd/wcc/parse.c
index 5e75d06d..2886ea0e 100644
--- a/cmd/wcc/parse.c
+++ b/cmd/wcc/parse.c
@@ -292,14 +292,27 @@ parsetype(Parser *p)
 		/* Three forms inside the parens:
 		 *   (T)            — parenthesised single type
 		 *   (T, T2, ...)   — tuple type
-		 *   (T | T2 | ...) — tagged-union type (Hare-style sum) */
+		 *   (T | T2 | ...) — tagged-union type (Hare-style sum)
+		 *
+		 * Each tagged variant may be prefixed with `...` to mark
+		 * a spread: when the variant resolves to another tagged
+		 * union its variants are flattened into the enclosing
+		 * union. We tag the spread on Node.op = TK_ELLIPSIS so
+		 * resolve_type can distinguish intent (today the checker
+		 * flattens any nested tagged unconditionally, matching
+		 * Hare's structural-equivalence rule, but the marker is
+		 * preserved for future nominal handling). */
 		advance(p);
+		int first_spread = accept(p, TK_ELLIPSIS);
 		Node *first = parsetype(p);
+		if (first_spread) first->op = TK_ELLIPSIS;
 		if (accept(p, TK_PIPE)) {
 			Node *t = newnode(p->a, N_TTAGGED, pp);
 			Node *head = first, *tail = first;
 			for (;;) {
+				int spread = accept(p, TK_ELLIPSIS);
 				Node *e = parsetype(p);
+				if (spread) e->op = TK_ELLIPSIS;
 				tail->next = e;
 				tail = e;
 				if (!accept(p, TK_PIPE)) break;
@@ -308,6 +321,10 @@ parsetype(Parser *p)
 			t->list = head;
 			return t;
 		}
+		if (first_spread) {
+			errorf(pp, "spread '...' only valid before tagged-union variants");
+			p->errs++;
+		}
 		if (!accept(p, TK_COMMA)) {
 			expect(p, TK_RPAREN);
 			return first;
diff --git a/cmd/wcc/type.c b/cmd/wcc/type.c
index 80a28fb1..19dbd138 100644
--- a/cmd/wcc/type.c
+++ b/cmd/wcc/type.c
@@ -243,6 +243,19 @@ type_eq(Type *a, Type *b)
 		}
 		return pa == NULL && pb == NULL;
 	}
+	case TY_TAGGED: {
+		/* Tagged unions are structurally equal iff variant lists
+		 * match position-by-position. Nullable fold is a per-Type
+		 * flag, so equal-up-to-fold types compare not-equal here —
+		 * the caller can unwrap intentionally if needed. */
+		if (a->nullable != b->nullable) return 0;
+		Tparam *pa = a->params, *pb = b->params;
+		while (pa && pb) {
+			if (!type_eq(pa->type, pb->type)) return 0;
+			pa = pa->next; pb = pb->next;
+		}
+		return pa == NULL && pb == NULL;
+	}
 	default: return 1;	/* primitives */
 	}
 }
@@ -255,11 +268,14 @@ type_assignable(Type *dst, Type *src)
 	if (src == ty_never) return 1;	/* bottom flows into anything */
 	if (type_eq(dst, src)) return 1;
 
-	/* Tagged-union variant inclusion: src is one of dst's variants.
-	 * Checked before the untyped branch so untyped literals (e.g.
-	 * 0, "msg") flow through to a variant's typed slot. Unwraps a
-	 * named alias on either side so `type result = (T | E);` also
-	 * accepts variants and the inverse. */
+	/* Tagged-union assignment:
+	 *   - concrete → tagged: src must match one of dst's variants.
+	 *   - tagged → tagged: src is assignable when every variant of
+	 *     src appears as a variant of dst (Hare-style subset). Tag
+	 *     remap at the use site handles different variant indices.
+	 * Checked before the untyped branch so untyped literals flow
+	 * through to a variant's typed slot. Unwraps a NAMED alias on
+	 * either side so `type result = (T|E);` accepts variants too. */
 	{
 		Type *du = (dst->kind == TY_NAMED) ? dst->under : dst;
 		Type *su = (src->kind == TY_NAMED) ? src->under : src;
@@ -269,6 +285,18 @@ type_assignable(Type *dst, Type *src)
 				if (type_assignable(p->type, src)) return 1;
 			return 0;
 		}
+		if (du && du->kind == TY_TAGGED &&
+		    su && su->kind == TY_TAGGED) {
+			for (Tparam *sp = su->params; sp; sp = sp->next) {
+				int ok = 0;
+				for (Tparam *dp = du->params; dp; dp = dp->next)
+					if (type_eq(dp->type, sp->type)) {
+						ok = 1; break;
+					}
+				if (!ok) return 0;
+			}
+			return 1;
+		}
 	}
 
 	/* Untyped → typed: only if the typed kind can hold the value. */
diff --git a/lib/ww/parse/parse.ww b/lib/ww/parse/parse.ww
index 6f738fe9..c09e23a1 100644
--- a/lib/ww/parse/parse.ww
+++ b/lib/ww/parse/parse.ww
@@ -255,14 +255,24 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 
 	if (p.curkind == tkind.TK_LPAREN) {
 		// (T)  or  (T, T, ...)  or  (T | T | ...)
+		//
+		// Each tagged variant may be prefixed with `...` to mark a
+		// spread — when the variant resolves to another tagged union
+		// its variants are flattened into the enclosing union. We
+		// tag the spread on node.op = TK_ELLIPSIS so resolve_type
+		// can distinguish intent. Mirrors C parsetype.
 		advance(p);
+		let firstspread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 		let first: *node = parsetype(p);
+		if (firstspread) { first.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 		if (accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) {
 			let n: *node = newnode(p.a, nkind.N_TTAGGED, pf, pl, pc);
 			let head: *node = first;
 			let tail: *node = first;
 			for (true) {
+				let spread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 				let e: *node = parsetype(p);
+				if (spread) { e.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 				tail.next = e;
 				tail = e;
 				if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) { break; };
@@ -271,6 +281,9 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 			n.list = head;
 			return n;
 		};
+		if (firstspread) {
+			errmsg(p, "spread '...' only valid before tagged-union variants");
+		};
 		if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_COMMA)) {
 			expecttok(p, tkind.TK_RPAREN, "expected ')' after parenthesised type");
 			return first;
diff --git a/selfhost/cmd/w6c/main.combined.ww b/selfhost/cmd/w6c/main.combined.ww
index 3c810829..f910a7af 100644
--- a/selfhost/cmd/w6c/main.combined.ww
+++ b/selfhost/cmd/w6c/main.combined.ww
@@ -3952,14 +3952,24 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 
 	if (p.curkind == tkind.TK_LPAREN) {
 		// (T)  or  (T, T, ...)  or  (T | T | ...)
+		//
+		// Each tagged variant may be prefixed with `...` to mark a
+		// spread — when the variant resolves to another tagged union
+		// its variants are flattened into the enclosing union. We
+		// tag the spread on node.op = TK_ELLIPSIS so resolve_type
+		// can distinguish intent. Mirrors C parsetype.
 		advance(p);
+		let firstspread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 		let first: *node = parsetype(p);
+		if (firstspread) { first.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 		if (accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) {
 			let n: *node = newnode(p.a, nkind.N_TTAGGED, pf, pl, pc);
 			let head: *node = first;
 			let tail: *node = first;
 			for (true) {
+				let spread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 				let e: *node = parsetype(p);
+				if (spread) { e.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 				tail.next = e;
 				tail = e;
 				if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) { break; };
@@ -3968,6 +3978,9 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 			n.list = head;
 			return n;
 		};
+		if (firstspread) {
+			errmsg(p, "spread '...' only valid before tagged-union variants");
+		};
 		if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_COMMA)) {
 			expecttok(p, tkind.TK_RPAREN, "expected ')' after parenthesised type");
 			return first;
diff --git a/selfhost/cmd/wwdump/main.combined.ww b/selfhost/cmd/wwdump/main.combined.ww
index 98ca125c..99ca2ef3 100644
--- a/selfhost/cmd/wwdump/main.combined.ww
+++ b/selfhost/cmd/wwdump/main.combined.ww
@@ -3952,14 +3952,24 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 
 	if (p.curkind == tkind.TK_LPAREN) {
 		// (T)  or  (T, T, ...)  or  (T | T | ...)
+		//
+		// Each tagged variant may be prefixed with `...` to mark a
+		// spread — when the variant resolves to another tagged union
+		// its variants are flattened into the enclosing union. We
+		// tag the spread on node.op = TK_ELLIPSIS so resolve_type
+		// can distinguish intent. Mirrors C parsetype.
 		advance(p);
+		let firstspread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 		let first: *node = parsetype(p);
+		if (firstspread) { first.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 		if (accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) {
 			let n: *node = newnode(p.a, nkind.N_TTAGGED, pf, pl, pc);
 			let head: *node = first;
 			let tail: *node = first;
 			for (true) {
+				let spread: bool = accepttok(p, tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS);
 				let e: *node = parsetype(p);
+				if (spread) { e.op = tkind.TK_ELLIPSIS; };
 				tail.next = e;
 				tail = e;
 				if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_PIPE)) { break; };
@@ -3968,6 +3978,9 @@ fn parsetype(p: *parser) *node = {
 			n.list = head;
 			return n;
 		};
+		if (firstspread) {
+			errmsg(p, "spread '...' only valid before tagged-union variants");
+		};
 		if (!accepttok(p, tkind.TK_COMMA)) {
 			expecttok(p, tkind.TK_RPAREN, "expected ')' after parenthesised type");
 			return first;
diff --git a/test/wcc/700_e2e.c b/test/wcc/700_e2e.c
index 6d2367d2..b15cda92 100644
--- a/test/wcc/700_e2e.c
+++ b/test/wcc/700_e2e.c
@@ -828,6 +828,133 @@ static const struct row rows[] = {
 	  "  };\n"
 	  "  return 0;\n"
 	  "};", 3 },
+	/* Struct variant of a tagged union at the call site. The arg is
+	 * an N_STRUCTLIT, the param is (str|point). Widening at the call
+	 * site must zero-fill the scratch slot, store each field at
+	 * slot+8+field_off, then push the slot words high→low. */
+	{ "type point = struct { x: i32, y: i32 };\n"
+	  "fn classify(r: (str | point)) i32 = {\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0 - s.len: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let p: point => return p.x + p.y;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  return classify(point { x = 10, y = 20 });\n"
+	  "};", 30 },
+	/* Struct variant passed as a typed local. Widening copies the
+	 * struct words from the local into the scratch slot at +8. */
+	{ "type point = struct { x: i32, y: i32 };\n"
+	  "fn classify(r: (str | point)) i32 = {\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0 - s.len: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let p: point => return p.x + p.y;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let p: point = point { x = 11, y = 22 };\n"
+	  "  return classify(p);\n"
+	  "};", 33 },
+	/* let-init of a tagged-union local from a struct literal: the
+	 * field stores go into slot+8+field_off in-place; tag patched
+	 * last. */
+	{ "type point = struct { x: i32, y: i32 };\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let r: (str | point) = point { x = 7, y = 35 };\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0 - s.len: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let p: point => return p.x + p.y;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};", 42 },
+	/* Reassign a tagged-union local to a struct literal. Same path
+	 * as let-init but writing into an already-allocated slot. */
+	{ "type point = struct { x: i32, y: i32 };\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let r: (str | point) = \"init\";\n"
+	  "  r = point { x = 100, y = 23 };\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0 - s.len: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let p: point => return p.x + p.y;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};", 123 },
+	/* Return a struct variant of the fn's tagged return type. The
+	 * scratch-slot path materialises the struct payload then loads
+	 * AX/DX/CX from it. */
+	{ "type point = struct { x: i32, y: i32 };\n"
+	  "fn make() (str | point) = {\n"
+	  "  return point { x = 12, y = 30 };\n"
+	  "};\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let r: (str | point) = make();\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0 - s.len: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let p: point => return p.x + p.y;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};", 42 },
+	/* Widen a smaller tagged union to a wider one across slot sizes
+	 * AND remapped variant indices. (i32 | rune) is 16B with i32 at
+	 * tag 0; (str | i32 | rune) is 24B with i32 at tag 1. The widen
+	 * path copies the slot words, zero-pads to 24B, then runs a
+	 * CMPQ-chain switch to remap src tag 0 → dst tag 1. */
+	{ "fn classify(r: (str | i32 | rune)) i32 = {\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 1;\n"
+	  "    case let n: i32 => return n;\n"
+	  "    case let c: rune => return c: i32 + 100;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return 0;\n"
+	  "};\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let inner: (i32 | rune) = 42: i32;\n"
+	  "  return classify(inner);\n"
+	  "};", 42 },
+	/* Same shape but the rune variant of inner exercises the tag
+	 * remap from src tag 1 → dst tag 2. The rune literal needs an
+	 * explicit `: rune` cast — `'A'` is an untyped rune and the
+	 * variant search picks the first variant that accepts it (i32,
+	 * which also accepts untyped runes). 'A' = 65 + 100 = 165. */
+	{ "fn classify(r: (str | i32 | rune)) i32 = {\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 1;\n"
+	  "    case let n: i32 => return n;\n"
+	  "    case let c: rune => return c: i32 + 100;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return 0;\n"
+	  "};\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let inner: (i32 | rune) = 'A': rune;\n"
+	  "  return classify(inner);\n"
+	  "};", 165 },
+	/* let-init of a wider tagged union from a smaller-tagged local. */
+	{ "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let inner: (i32 | rune) = 42: i32;\n"
+	  "  let r: (str | i32 | rune) = inner;\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 1;\n"
+	  "    case let n: i32 => return n;\n"
+	  "    case let c: rune => return c: i32 + 100;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return 0;\n"
+	  "};", 42 },
+	/* Spread variant in tagged-union type — `(...inner | T)`. The
+	 * checker flattens the spread's variants into the enclosing
+	 * union so `outer` has variants {i32, rune, str}. */
+	{ "type inner = (i32 | rune);\n"
+	  "type outer = (...inner | str);\n"
+	  "fn main() i32 = {\n"
+	  "  let r: outer = 42: i32;\n"
+	  "  match (r) {\n"
+	  "    case let n: i32 => return n;\n"
+	  "    case let c: rune => return c: i32;\n"
+	  "    case let s: str => return 0;\n"
+	  "  };\n"
+	  "  return -1;\n"
+	  "};", 42 },
 	/* Plan 9-style sentinel error idiom: `def NAME: error = "lit"`
 	 * inlines as the (ptr, len) pair at use sites. */
 	{ "type error = str;\n"