Write ConfigKit 1.2.0 release notes

docs/adr/0022-main-relative-context.md

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# ADR 0022: Bind Companion Contexts After Main Selection
+
+## Status
+
+Accepted.
+
+## Date
+
+2026-11-09
+
+## Context
+
+Applications choose a main-file search and may also declare companion imports
+and a selected overlay. The main directory is only known after discovery, so
+supplying every dependent context before loading duplicates selection or requires
+a preliminary load. ADR 0019 keeps main discovery explicit and inside loading.
+
+## Decision
+
+Extend layered loading to bind application-declared non-file underlays to the
+resolved main context after acquisition. An explicit underlay context overrides
+the binding, and an explicit fallback or require-base option controls absence.
+Selected layered overlays choose an explicit context, the resolved main context,
+or a fallback in that order. Derived and fallback lookup use the context base;
+the inherited root continues to bound containment. Ordinary and explicit
+overlay lookup retain their established root-relative behavior.
+
+Applications remain responsible for choosing searches, import declarations,
+and overlay names. Selection failures are terminal; no second search or
+application context callback is introduced.
+
+## Alternatives Considered
+
+- Require applications to discover the main file separately. This repeats
+  discovery and may run a complete load more than once.
+- Implicitly scan conventional companion directories. This would impose
+  application-specific conventions without an explicit declaration.
+- Add only a relative file constructor. This would not cover mapping or bytes
+  sources with existing import, placement, and composition rules.
+
+## Consequences
+
+The load owns the resolved binding and keeps namespace, containment, source
+identity, and handle lifetime in the existing acquisition lifecycle. A missing
+base skips optional imports while preserving the declaring payload; required
+imports and require-base retain explicit failures. The configuration contract
+and public declarations describe the observable rules.

docs/config.md

@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ or the supported directory presets, then pass it to `SearchConfig`. Search
 descriptions are immutable and reusable; each load resolves dynamic directories
 and checks current candidate files again. `Searches` is ordered concatenation.
 It preserves the supplied description order and does not deduplicate candidates.
+Layered companion inputs can use the selected main's context without a second
+search, as described under [layered loading](#layered-loading).
 
 `NamedFilenames` selects `<application>.yml`, then `<application>.yaml`.
 `GenericFilenames` selects `config.yml`, `config.yaml`, `main.yml`, then
@@ -316,13 +318,33 @@ typed configuration before application resolution. Syntax, strict-composition,
 inheritance, and decoding errors cannot be masked by a CLI override. Resolution,
 secret lookup, validation, and publication run once on the resulting values.
 
-An active layered overlay requires `LayeredOptions.OverlayFilesystem` explicitly,
+An active layered overlay selects `OverlayFilesystem` first, then the resolved
-independent of the main source's namespace. Its name and root-relative lookup
+main context, then `OverlayFallback`. An invalid selected context fails without
-follow the selected-overlay rules below; inactive overlays ignore the context.
+trying another. An inactive overlay ignores both supplied contexts.
 The same path in a different filesystem namespace is not a repeated file.
 Ordinary `Load` infers overlay context from sources that provide one; with
 `NoSource`, it requires the explicit `Options.Filesystem` context.
 
+An underlay `Input.MainRelative` requests the resolved main context for a
+non-file source. An explicit `Input.Filesystem` overrides it entirely. File,
+native file, and search underlays cannot use an active binding, nor can the
+main input bind to itself. `MainRelative()` creates a fresh default description.
+The binding does not enable imports. If the main has no usable context, its
+`Fallback` is selected if supplied; otherwise optional imports are skipped and
+the input's own payload remains. Required named targets, directory and glob
+selections fail without a base, while an empty `path: []` remains a no-op.
+`RequireBase` requires a usable main or fallback context even without imports.
+Invalid declarations still fail, and skipped imports create no search evidence.
+Selected main failures never trigger fallback or a second discovery attempt.
+
+Derived contexts preserve the main namespace and containment root, while lookup
+starts at its resolved base. A host file's base is its canonical target directory,
+including when the selected filename is a symlink. A wider root permits contained
+parent-relative imports without moving the lookup base. Explicit non-file and
+absent-main contexts can provide a base; an absent host input may use its root as
+base. An unused fallback is not opened or checked for existence. See the
+[consumer example](../examples/consumers/main_relative.go).
+
 Source IDs follow acquisition order—main and its depth-first imports, then each
 underlay tier's inputs and depth-first imports, then overlay and CLI—even though
 history follows precedence order. Default main-version checking happens after
@@ -567,7 +589,7 @@ one context for a composite origin or an application-derived value.
 `ResourceContext.FS` is rooted at the source's configured root, and `BaseDir`
 is its slash-relative directory inside that root. This includes imported
 sources, selected overlays, host files even without enabled imports, native
-files, and byte, reader, or mapping inputs with an explicit context. CLI and
+files, and byte, reader, or mapping inputs with an explicit or main-derived context. CLI and
 contextless synthetic inputs have no resource context. To open a relative
 resource, join `BaseDir` with the application resource name using slash-path
 operations and open that path through `FS`.
@@ -1489,12 +1511,15 @@ claim records rather than mutating or aliasing an input document.
 `Options.Overlay` selects at most one overlay by name. Names must match
 `[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+`; they are not paths. The empty name and exact lowercase name
 `default` select no overlay, and `overlays/default.yml` is never loaded implicitly.
-Every other name resolves only to `<configuration-root>/overlays/<name>.yml`, with
+For ordinary loads and explicit layered overlay contexts, every other name resolves
+to `<configuration-root>/overlays/<name>.yml`, with
 no extension fallback, case normalization, inheritance between overlay files,
 or overlay stack. A selected missing overlay is an error.
+For a layered main-derived or fallback context, lookup instead starts at the
+resolved base directory; the configured root still bounds containment.
 
-With `NoSource`, the main input stays absent and the explicit filesystem context
+With ordinary `Load` and `NoSource`, the main input stays absent and the explicit
-supplies the overlay root. The overlay is recorded as the first acquired source
+filesystem context supplies the overlay root. The overlay is recorded as the first acquired source
 when no other source exists. Host contexts may use the root-only form described
 under [single-source loading](#single-source-loading); native contexts retain
 their complete namespace, base, and root requirements.
@@ -1504,6 +1529,10 @@ base import graph is composed and its schema version is checked, but before defa
 and typed decoding. Overlay bytes, nodes, and source records count toward the same
 aggregate limits as base inputs. Its canonical path must remain within the configured
 root and must not duplicate a file already present in the base graph.
+For native filesystems that implement `fs.ReadLinkFS`, these checks resolve
+link targets in the selected namespace. For other native filesystems, the
+checks use namespace-relative paths and reads follow that filesystem's
+ordinary behavior.
 
 Collection destinations follow the
 [collection operation and presence rules](#strict-document-composition) above.
@@ -1629,6 +1658,8 @@ config:
 Each selected document follows the same strict combination rules. A missing
 optional input can be absent; invalid declarations, unreadable selected files,
 and conflicting settings still fail loading.
+Main-relative underlays follow the same import rules once a context is selected;
+their no-base behavior is described under [layered loading](#layered-loading).
 
 | Option | `path` | `dir` | `glob` |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |

docs/consumers/README.md

@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ Start with one file, then choose the tasks your application needs:
 - Use `LoadLayered` when several inputs should supply lower-priority defaults
   beneath the main source. Each underlay group combines its inputs strictly.
   Each [`Input`](../../layered.go) owns its source, filesystem, destination, and
-  import choice. The overlay filesystem context is selected independently in
+  import choice. Set `Input.MainRelative` on a companion underlay to use the
+  main input's filesystem context. Overlay context selection belongs to
   [`LayeredOptions`](../../layered.go).
 - Load-wide rules belong to [`Options`](../../lifecycle.go) or
   [`LayeredOptions`](../../layered.go): the application definition (including
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ file and layered cases. For import-focused adoption, see the
 [prompt catalog](../../examples/consumers/prompt_catalog.go); for explicit
 discovery composed with sequences, see the
 [sequence catalog](../../examples/consumers/sequence_catalog.go).
+For discovered main files with companion imports and an overlay, see the
+[main-relative example](../../examples/consumers/main_relative.go).
 
 ## Happy path
 

docs/development.md

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ Accepted decisions:
 - [Keep main-file discovery explicit and composable](adr/0019-explicit-configuration-discovery.md)
 - [Scope configuration controls to document roots](adr/0020-document-root-controls.md)
 - [Match registered records during resolution inspection](adr/0021-sequence-resolution-correspondence.md)
+- [Bind companion contexts after main selection](adr/0022-main-relative-context.md)
 
 For cross-cutting changes, follow every applicable row. Completed implementation
 and remediation plans are preserved in Git history at `cb5b435`; use current
@@ -93,6 +94,12 @@ and current facade ownership belongs to the [component overview](internal/overvi
 
 ## Baseline validation
 
+The completed main-relative companion roadmap, Audita request, implementation
+plan, and remediation report are preserved in Git history at `47547bc` under
+`docs/roadmap/`. The [layered loading contract](config.md#layered-loading)
+describes current behavior, and [ADR 0022](adr/0022-main-relative-context.md)
+records the context binding decision.
+
 The completed field-level sequence resolution roadmap, implementation plan, and
 resolved audit findings are preserved in Git history at `7e53863` under
 `docs/roadmap/`. For example:

docs/internal/imports.md

@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ patterns to discovered names, and form a set union of matching candidates across
 overlapping roots. Exclusions are applied as set difference after discovery and
 candidate normalization. They do not suppress discovery or resource errors.
 
+Layered assembly passes the resolved main context to underlay acquisition.
+Derived inputs retain the main's filesystem location and namespace. The
+receiving tier supplies its own host token and tracks repeated sources.
+Contextless bindings prepare declaration policies and assemble the declaring
+payload without opening filesystem access or recording selection evidence.
+Selected contexts use the existing acquisition and handle lifecycle.
+
 Directory traversal tracks canonical directories on the active traversal path.
 It adds an identity when descending and removes it when the frame is popped, so
 only a back-edge to an active directory is a traversal cycle; a later alias is

docs/internal/overview.md

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Implemented component owners:
   explicitly selected configuration discovery. A search resolves once during
   shared acquisition; the selected concrete file or absent-input state then
   follows the existing composition, metadata, and resource-context lifecycle.
-  It also owns grouped strict composition, recursive precedence assembly,
+  It also owns main-relative context selection, grouped strict composition, recursive precedence assembly,
   per-input mapping and sequence-item placement, YAML collection declarations
   and operations for identified sequences, and application identity registrations for strict
   composition, inheritance, and final validation. It applies the selected

docs/oss/attribution.md

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 ## Standard Repository Policies
 
-Material: `docs/policy/release.md`, adapted from
+Material: `docs/policy/documentation.md`, `docs/policy/oss.md`, and
-`e833faddf120c789a9b45348edaf75720de16348`; `docs/policy/meta.md`, `docs/policy/oss.md`,
+`docs/policy/release.md`, adapted from
-`docs/policy/documentation.md`, `docs/policy/agents.md`,
+`b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252`; `docs/policy/meta.md`, `docs/policy/agents.md`,
 `docs/policy/architecture.md`, `docs/policy/testing.md`; root `AGENTS.md`; and the
 Policy Reading Guide in `docs/development.md`, adapted from
 `d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843` for this repository.
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 License and notices: [CC BY-SA 4.0](licenses/CC-BY-SA-4.0.txt) |
 [COPYRIGHT](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/COPYRIGHT) |
 [LICENSE](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/LICENSE) |
-[COPYRIGHT](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/e833faddf120c789a9b45348edaf75720de16348/COPYRIGHT) |
+[COPYRIGHT](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252/COPYRIGHT) |
-[LICENSE](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/e833faddf120c789a9b45348edaf75720de16348/LICENSE).
+[LICENSE](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252/LICENSE).
 
 [Source](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843).
 
-[Source](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/e833faddf120c789a9b45348edaf75720de16348).
+[Source](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252).
 
 ## go-yaml v4
 

docs/policy/architecture.md

@@ -151,6 +151,11 @@ initialization, and resource checks. See the [configuration discovery
 contract](../config.md#configuration-discovery) and [ADR
 0019](../adr/0019-explicit-configuration-discovery.md).
 
+The layered loader may bind application-selected dependent locations after main
+selection. Applications still choose search conventions and must explicitly
+select an overlay. [ADR 0022](../adr/0022-main-relative-context.md) records
+the deferred context decision.
+
 The engine applies each input's mapping destination within the existing source
 assembly, applies immediate-parent-relative YAML destinations to imports, and
 retains each effective placement with source identity and inspection records;

docs/policy/documentation.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Documentation Policy
 
-**Base Policy Version:** 1.11
+**Base Policy Version:** 1.12
 
-**Last Updated**: 2026-10-16
+**Last Updated**: 2026-11-09
 
-**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/docs/policy/documentation.md)
+**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252/docs/policy/documentation.md)
 
 ## Purpose
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ secret values.
 | Consumer guidance for the public Go API | `docs/consumers/` | Task-oriented public Go API usage, minimal examples, and consumer responsibilities. | Go symbol contracts, configuration semantics, and internal implementation detail. |
 | Inventory of implemented internal packages | `docs/internal/overview.md` | Implemented packages and components, responsibilities, and links to focused internal docs. | Normative architecture, contributor reading policy, external contracts. |
 | Behavior and architecture of internal packages | Other files under `docs/internal/` | Implementation flow, collaborators, state transitions, package-local guarantees and failures, and relevant tests. | Global architecture invariants, configuration definitions and defaults, external schemas, operator procedures. |
-| Architectural decision records | `docs/adr/` | Significant decisions, context, alternatives, rationale, consequences, and supersession history. | Current behavior reference, implementation status, task sequencing. |
+| Architectural decision records | `docs/adr/` | Records of significant architectural decisions and supporting rationale. | Ordinary design choices, current behavior reference, implementation status, task sequencing. |
 | Potential future features | `docs/roadmap/future.md` | Candidate enhancements and open questions for future consideration. | Rejected proposals, architectural decisions, task execution, and current behavior. |
 | Future implementation plans | Task-specific files under `docs/roadmap/` | Unfinished work, sequencing, acceptance, and progress; completed plans retire during release preparation. | Implemented behavior and ADR rationale. |
 | Release-note history | `docs/releases/` | One checked-in summary per source release under the procedure; the note at its immutable tag is the release record. | Current commands, behavior, contracts, and compatibility definitions. |
@@ -157,10 +157,16 @@ Use sequentially numbered ADR filenames such as
 
 Treat the decision content of an accepted ADR as immutable. When a decision
 changes, create a new ADR and update the earlier ADR's status to superseded.
+
+ADRs should be reserved for major architectural decisions, such as ownership
+boundaries, large-scale architectural features, or invariants that rise to
+the level of architectural significance. Routine choices, implementation
+decisions, and rejected suggestions do not warrant an ADR unless they
+otherwise represent a significant architectural decision.
+
 Rejected architectural alternatives and significant architectural exclusions
 belong in ADRs. Roadmaps preserve plausible future work, not rejected product
-ideas. Routine choices and rejected suggestions need no ADR unless they
+ideas.
-represent a significant architectural decision.
 
 ## Maintenance
 

docs/policy/oss.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Open Source Licensing And Attribution Policy
 
-**Base Policy Version:** 1.8
+**Base Policy Version:** 1.9
 
-**Last Updated**: 2026-09-28
+**Last Updated**: 2026-11-09
 
-**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/docs/policy/oss.md)
+**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252/docs/policy/oss.md)
 
 ## ConfigKit Applicability
 
@@ -74,8 +74,9 @@ individual packages.
 
 Use the upstream [application COPYRIGHT example](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/examples/licensing/application/COPYRIGHT)
 or [library COPYRIGHT example](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/d84a38ebab26f048cafbe59a2246700c35d29843/examples/licensing/library/COPYRIGHT)
-to create the project’s root `COPYRIGHT` file.
+to create the project’s root `COPYRIGHT` file. Use the examples as provided,
-Use verified project names, contribution years, and copyright holders.
+without discretionary modification, unless otherwise instructed. Substitute
+verified project names, contribution years, and copyright holders.
 For another selected license, adapt the grant, SPDX expression, disclaimer, and
 text references together to reflect the author's selected grant.
 

docs/policy/release.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Release Policy
 
-**Base Policy Version:** 1.6
+**Base Policy Version:** 1.7
 
-**Last Updated**: 2026-10-09
+**Last Updated**: 2026-11-09
 
-**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/e833faddf120c789a9b45348edaf75720de16348/docs/policy/release.md)
+**Upstream Source:** [Standard Repository Policies](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/b339ad0427a50e43a68b932a6a9f4669cc0f6252/docs/policy/release.md)
 
 ## Purpose
 
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ For releases at or after `v1.0.0`:
   minimum as described below; and
 - a patch release may make backward-compatible fixes.
 
+In this context, "backward-compatible" means only that pre-existing, valid
+configurations will continue to work following the release. Behavior need not
+remain strictly identical.
+
 Before `v1.0.0`, a minor release may change a documented public, operational,
 configuration, data, integration, or compatibility contract when the release
 note explains the impact and required consumer action. A patch release must

docs/releases/v1.2.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# ConfigKit v1.2.0
+
+`LoadLayered` can now use the resolved main configuration's filesystem context
+to find companion imports and the selected overlay in a single load. For example,
+an application that discovers `/srv/campaign/config.yml` can import fragments
+from `/srv/campaign/prompts/` and apply
+`/srv/campaign/overlays/production.yml`, regardless of its working directory.
+
+## Main-relative companion inputs
+
+Set `Input.MainRelative` to `MainRelative()` on a non-file underlay to use the
+main input's resolved context. Enable imports separately and declare the files
+or directories to load. A concrete `Input.Filesystem` takes precedence over the
+binding. The derived context keeps the main input's filesystem namespace and
+containment root, with lookup starting at its resolved base directory.
+
+When the main supplies no usable context, the companion can use a
+`MainRelativeContext.Fallback`. Otherwise, optional imports are skipped and
+the companion's own configuration still contributes. Required imports that
+need targets fail, and `RequireBase` requires a usable context even when imports
+are disabled. Skipped imports produce no filesystem search evidence.
+
+The consumer example combines embedded defaults, operator imports, and a selected
+overlay. [Example](../../examples/consumers/main_relative.go) ·
+[Layered loading contract](../config.md#layered-loading)
+
+## Overlay lookup and filesystem checks
+
+`LoadLayered` now looks for a selected overlay using `OverlayFilesystem`, the
+resolved main context, or `OverlayFallback`, in that order. Derived and fallback
+lookups start at the context's base directory. Explicit overlay contexts and
+ordinary `Load` use their existing root-relative lookup. A selected overlay
+must exist in the chosen context.
+
+Native overlays resolve symlink targets when the filesystem exposes link
+inspection. This catches targets outside the configured root and aliases of
+already acquired files in the same namespace. Derived standalone host contexts
+now check root access the same way explicit contexts do. [Overlay contract](../config.md#selected-overlays)
+
+## Upgrade notes
+
+Use keyed Go literals when constructing `Input` and `LayeredOptions`. Both
+types gained fields, so existing positional literals need updating. The minimum
+consumer Go version is 1.27.0.
+
+Internally, imports with and without a filesystem base share root placement
+and accounting. Directory import policies reuse default patterns, and companions
+in the same tier share one derived context.
+
+The repository also adopted upstream documentation, licensing, and release
+policy updates, including clearer guidance on when to write an ADR and what
+compatibility means for existing configurations. [Repository policies](../policy/meta.md)
+
+[COPYRIGHT](https://forge.maximumdirect.net/base-layer/configkit/src/tag/v1.2.0/COPYRIGHT) | [LICENSE](https://forge.maximumdirect.net/base-layer/configkit/src/tag/v1.2.0/LICENSE) | [ATTRIBUTION](https://forge.maximumdirect.net/base-layer/configkit/src/tag/v1.2.0/docs/oss/attribution.md)

docs/roadmap/future.md

@@ -102,3 +102,29 @@ string equality must not be presented as semantic equality.
 Keeping `Path` solely as an opaque query/building value remains an alternative.
 No current contract changes or implementation commitment follow from this entry;
 a comparison operation can be added compatibly later.
+
+## 5. Single-file named overlays
+
+Status: deferred. Consider supporting a single `overlays.yml` containing named
+overlay bodies alongside the existing
+[selected-overlay directory convention](../config.md#selected-overlays).
+This would let small applications keep their overlays in one file. Planning was
+tabled because the added semantics outweighed the immediate convenience; the
+draft is preserved at `3e50388:docs/roadmap/overlays.md`.
+
+The draft selected a direct name-to-body mapping, strict peer composition when
+both storage forms contribute to the selected name, and file-level version
+checks using the application's existing rule and mode. These provide a starting
+point for reconsideration, not an implementation commitment.
+
+### Questions to resolve before implementation
+
+- Where should collection controls live: within each named body or at catalog
+  level, and how should that interact with document-root control ownership?
+- How should configured version metadata paths coexist with overlay names,
+  including nested paths and modes that do not check overlay versions?
+- Which semantic checks should apply to unselected bodies?
+- Should `.yaml` also be recognized, and how should multiple matching files
+  interact?
+- How should catalog lookup be enabled without disrupting successful loads that
+  previously ignored an adjacent `overlays.yml`?

examples/consumers/layered.go

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
 )
 
-//go:embed testdata/native-source testdata/layered-bundle testdata/collection-bundle testdata/ordinary-imports testdata/source-version
+//go:embed testdata/native-source testdata/layered-bundle testdata/collection-bundle testdata/ordinary-imports testdata/source-version testdata/main-relative-bundle
 var bundledFiles embed.FS
 
 // BundledConfig is a small configuration loaded directly from an embedded file.

examples/consumers/main_relative.go

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package consumers
+
+import (
+	"io/fs"
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+)
+
+// CompanionConfig demonstrates independently bundled and operator prompt tiers.
+type CompanionConfig struct {
+	Mode    string            `yaml:"mode"`
+	Prompts []CompanionPrompt `yaml:"prompts"`
+}
+
+type CompanionPrompt struct {
+	ID   string `yaml:"id"`
+	Text string `yaml:"text"`
+	Note string `yaml:"note"`
+}
+
+// LoadCompanionConfig discovers a main file and binds operator imports and the
+// selected overlay to its directory while retaining the embedded catalog tier.
+func LoadCompanionConfig(mainPath, overlay string) (*configkit.Result[CompanionConfig], error) {
+	files, err := fs.Sub(bundledFiles, "testdata/main-relative-bundle")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	bundle := configkit.NewFilesystem("bundled catalog", files)
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(mainPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	declarations := map[string]any{"config": map[string]any{"imports": []any{
+		map[string]any{"path": "prompts.yml", "destination": []any{"prompts"}, "placement": "sequence-item"},
+		map[string]any{"dir": "operator", "recursive": true, "pattern": []any{"*.yml", "*.yaml"}, "destination": []any{"prompts"}, "placement": "sequence-item"},
+	}}}
+	main := configkit.SearchConfig("", configkit.Searches(configkit.SearchPaths(absolute)), configkit.SearchOptions{Required: true})
+	return configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: main}, configkit.LayeredOptions[CompanionConfig]{
+		Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{
+			{Inputs: []configkit.Input{{Source: bundle.File("catalog.yml")}}},
+			{Inputs: []configkit.Input{{Source: configkit.Mapping("operator imports", declarations), Imports: true, MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative()}}},
+		},
+		Overlay:    overlay,
+		Definition: configkit.Definition[CompanionConfig]{SequenceIdentities: []configkit.SequenceIdentity{configkit.SequenceIdentityAt(configkit.Keys("prompts"), "id")}},
+	})
+}

examples/consumers/main_relative_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+package consumers_test
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+	"go.maximumdirect.net/configkit/examples/consumers"
+)
+
+func Example_mainRelativeCompanions() {
+	result, err := consumers.LoadCompanionConfig(fixture("main-relative", "main.yml"), "live")
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err)
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Println(result.Config.Mode, result.Config.Prompts)
+	// Output: overlay [{shared operator replacement } {bundled bundled text } {local local text transitive detail}]
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeStrictPeers(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	for name, contents := range map[string]string{
+		"main.yml": "mode: main\n", "prompts.yml": "id: duplicate\ntext: first\n", "operator/second.yml": "id: duplicate\ntext: second\n",
+	} {
+		file := filepath.Join(root, name)
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(file), 0700); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(file, []byte(contents), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	_, err := consumers.LoadCompanionConfig(filepath.Join(root, "main.yml"), "")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("duplicate peer identities succeeded")
+	}
+	for _, d := range err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics() {
+		if d.Code == configkit.CodeComposeConflict {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v", err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeOptionalResources(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name                   string
+		file, directory, empty bool
+		count                  int
+	}{
+		{"neither", false, false, false, 2}, {"file", true, false, false, 3},
+		{"directory", false, true, false, 3}, {"both", true, true, false, 4}, {"empty directory", false, false, true, 2},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			root := t.TempDir()
+			if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "main.yml"), []byte("mode: main\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if tc.file {
+				if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "prompts.yml"), []byte("id: file\ntext: file\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			if tc.directory || tc.empty {
+				if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(root, "operator"), 0700); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			if tc.directory {
+				if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "operator", "item.yaml"), []byte("id: directory\ntext: directory\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			result, err := consumers.LoadCompanionConfig(filepath.Join(root, "main.yml"), "")
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+			}
+			if len(result.Config.Prompts) != tc.count {
+				t.Fatalf("prompts = %#v", result.Config.Prompts)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative-bundle/catalog.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+mode: embedded
+prompts:
+  - id: shared
+    text: embedded text
+    note: replaced
+  - id: bundled
+    text: bundled text

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative/main.yml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mode: main

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative/operator/nested/one.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+config:
+  imports:
+    - path: ../../shared/extra.yml
+id: local
+text: local text

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative/overlays/live.yml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mode: overlay

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative/prompts.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+id: shared
+text: operator replacement

examples/consumers/testdata/main-relative/shared/extra.yml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+note: transitive detail

facade_main_relative_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+package configkit_test
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+)
+
+func TestMainRelativeStandaloneRejectsInaccessibleHostRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	mainPath := filepath.Join(root, "main.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(mainPath, []byte("count: 1\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chmod(root, 0100); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("cannot set search-only permissions: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := os.Chmod(root, 0700); err != nil {
+			t.Error(err)
+		}
+	})
+	handle, err := os.OpenRoot(root)
+	if err == nil {
+		_ = handle.Close()
+		t.Skip("host allows opening this search-only directory")
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, os.ErrPermission) {
+		t.Fatalf("open root = %v, want permission denied", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.ReadFile(mainPath); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("main must remain readable by name: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	main := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File(mainPath)}
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name       string
+		filesystem *configkit.FilesystemContext
+	}{
+		{name: "derived"},
+		{name: "explicit", filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: root}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			underlay := configkit.Input{
+				Source:       configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte("{}\n")),
+				MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{RequireBase: true},
+				Filesystem:   tc.filesystem,
+			}
+			_, err := configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{
+				Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{underlay}}},
+			})
+			var failure *configkit.LoadError
+			if !errors.As(err, &failure) {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %v, want a load error", err)
+			}
+			diagnostics := failure.Diagnostics()
+			if len(diagnostics) != 1 || diagnostics[0].Code != configkit.CodeImportPermission {
+				t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v, want import.permission", diagnostics)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeDiscoveryAndEvidence(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	first, second := filepath.Join(root, "first"), filepath.Join(root, "second")
+	for _, dir := range []string{first, second} {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0700); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "main.yml"), []byte("count: 1\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "fragment.yml"), []byte("settings: {selected: "+filepath.Base(dir)+"}\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	binding := configkit.MainRelative()
+	underlay := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("declaration", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: fragment.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: binding}
+	for _, test := range []struct {
+		name  string
+		paths []string
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{"first", []string{filepath.Join(first, "main.yml"), filepath.Join(second, "main.yml")}, "first"},
+		{"later", []string{filepath.Join(root, "missing.yml"), filepath.Join(second, "main.yml")}, "second"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var callbacks int
+			result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.SearchConfig("", configkit.SearchPaths(test.paths...))}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{underlay}}}, Definition: configkit.Definition[layeredFacadeConfig]{Validate: func(*layeredFacadeConfig, *configkit.Validation) { callbacks++ }}})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+			}
+			if result.Config.Settings["selected"] != test.want || callbacks != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("config = %#v, callbacks = %d", result.Config, callbacks)
+			}
+			sources := result.Sources()
+			if len(sources) != 3 || sources[0].Layer != configkit.LayerMain || sources[1].Layer != configkit.LayerUnderlay || sources[2].Layer != configkit.LayerUnderlay || sources[2].UnderlayIndex != 1 || filepath.Base(sources[2].Path) != "fragment.yml" || sources[1].Path != "" {
+				t.Fatalf("sources = %#v", sources)
+			}
+			if _, ok := result.SourceContext(sources[1].ID); !ok {
+				t.Fatal("bound synthetic source lacks context")
+			}
+			if _, ok := result.SourceContext(sources[2].ID); !ok {
+				t.Fatal("import source lacks context")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeSyntheticMainContexts(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "fragment.yml"), []byte("settings: {selected: synthetic}\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ctx := &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: root}
+	mainSources := []configkit.Source{configkit.Bytes("main bytes", []byte("count: 1\n")), configkit.Reader("main reader", strings.NewReader("count: 1\n")), configkit.Mapping("main mapping", map[string]any{"count": 1})}
+	for _, source := range mainSources {
+		input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("underlay", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: fragment.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative()}
+		result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: source, Filesystem: ctx}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+		}
+		if result.Config.Settings["selected"] != "synthetic" {
+			t.Fatalf("config = %#v", result.Config)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeSelectedMainFailureIsTerminal(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	bad, good := filepath.Join(root, "bad.yml"), filepath.Join(root, "good.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bad, []byte("count: [\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(good, []byte("count: 1\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	called := false
+	input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("underlay", []byte("count: 3\n")), MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: root}}}
+	_, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.SearchConfig("", configkit.SearchPaths(bad, good))}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}, Definition: configkit.Definition[layeredFacadeConfig]{Validate: func(*layeredFacadeConfig, *configkit.Validation) { called = true }}})
+	if err == nil || called {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, callback = %v", err, called)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeSourceVersionEvidence(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "main.yml"), []byte("version: 1\ncount: 1\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "fragment.yml"), []byte("version: 2\nsettings: {loaded: fragment}\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte("version: 3\nconfig: {imports: [{path: fragment.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative()}
+	type versioned struct {
+		Version  int               `yaml:"version"`
+		Count    int               `yaml:"count"`
+		Settings map[string]string `yaml:"settings"`
+	}
+	definition := configkit.Definition[versioned]{Version: &configkit.VersionRule{Path: configkit.Keys("version"), Check: func(configkit.Version, *configkit.Validation) error { return nil }}}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File(filepath.Join(root, "main.yml"))}, configkit.LayeredOptions[versioned]{Definition: definition, SourceVersionMode: configkit.SourceVersionModeRequired, Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	sources := result.Sources()
+	if len(sources) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("sources = %#v", sources)
+	}
+	for i, want := range []string{"1", "3", "2"} {
+		evidence := sources[i].VersionEvidence
+		if evidence == nil || evidence.Version.Text != want || evidence.Location == nil || evidence.Location.SourceID != sources[i].ID {
+			t.Fatalf("version evidence = %#v", sources)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeOptionalSearchExhaustion(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(root, "overlays"), 0700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for name, content := range map[string]string{
+		"fragment.yml":      "settings: {companion: loaded}\n",
+		"overlays/live.yml": "count: 9\n",
+	} {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, name), []byte(content), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	search := configkit.SearchConfig("", configkit.SearchPaths(filepath.Join(root, "absent.yml")))
+	missing := filepath.Join(root, "missing-fallback")
+	fallback := &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: missing, BaseDir: missing}
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name            string
+		mainContext     *configkit.FilesystemContext
+		bindingFallback *configkit.FilesystemContext
+		overlayFallback *configkit.FilesystemContext
+		overlay         string
+		wantCount       int
+		wantSources     int
+	}{
+		{name: "skip without context", wantCount: 3, wantSources: 1},
+		{
+			name: "root-only main context wins", mainContext: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root},
+			bindingFallback: fallback, overlayFallback: fallback, overlay: "live", wantCount: 9, wantSources: 3,
+		},
+		{name: "selected missing companion fallback", bindingFallback: fallback},
+		{name: "selected missing overlay fallback", overlay: "live", overlayFallback: fallback},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			underlay := configkit.Input{
+				Source:  configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte("count: 3\nconfig: {imports: [{path: fragment.yml}]}\n")),
+				Imports: true, MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: tc.bindingFallback},
+			}
+			result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(
+				configkit.Input{Source: search, Filesystem: tc.mainContext},
+				configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{
+					Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{underlay}}},
+					Overlay:   tc.overlay, OverlayFallback: tc.overlayFallback,
+				},
+			)
+			if tc.wantSources == 0 {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("missing selected fallback succeeded")
+				}
+				diagnostics := err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics()
+				if len(diagnostics) != 1 || diagnostics[0].Code != configkit.CodeImportInvalid {
+					t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v", diagnostics)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			sources := result.Sources()
+			if result.Config.Count != tc.wantCount || len(sources) != tc.wantSources {
+				t.Fatalf("config = %#v, sources = %#v", result.Config, sources)
+			}
+			if sources[0].Layer != configkit.LayerUnderlay || len(sources[0].EmptyImportSelections) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("declaring source = %#v", sources[0])
+			}
+			if tc.mainContext != nil && (result.Config.Settings["companion"] != "loaded" || sources[2].Layer != configkit.LayerOverlay) {
+				t.Fatalf("config = %#v, sources = %#v", result.Config, sources)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

facade_main_relative_options_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package configkit_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+)
+
+func TestMainRelativeOptions(t *testing.T) {
+	if configkit.MainRelative() == configkit.MainRelative() {
+		t.Fatal("binding descriptions must be distinct")
+	}
+	invalid := &configkit.FilesystemContext{BaseDir: "relative", Root: "relative"}
+	cases := []struct {
+		name                     string
+		main                     configkit.Input
+		underlay                 configkit.Input
+		overlay                  string
+		overlayContext, fallback *configkit.FilesystemContext
+		wantError                bool
+	}{
+		{name: "binding on main", main: configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource(), MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative()}, wantError: true},
+		{name: "binding on file", underlay: configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File("missing"), MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative()}, wantError: true},
+		{name: "invalid fallback", underlay: configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource(), MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: invalid}}, wantError: true},
+		{name: "shadowed binding", underlay: configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource(), Filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: t.TempDir()}, MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: invalid}}},
+		{name: "inactive overlay fallback", fallback: invalid},
+		{name: "invalid explicit overlay", overlay: "test", overlayContext: invalid, fallback: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: t.TempDir(), BaseDir: t.TempDir()}, wantError: true},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			main := tc.main
+			if tc.name != "binding on main" {
+				main.Source = configkit.NoSource()
+			}
+			opts := configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: tc.overlay, OverlayFilesystem: tc.overlayContext, OverlayFallback: tc.fallback}
+			if tc.name == "binding on file" || tc.name == "invalid fallback" || tc.name == "shadowed binding" {
+				opts.Underlays = []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{tc.underlay}}}
+			}
+			_, err := configkit.LoadLayered(main, opts)
+			if (err != nil) != tc.wantError {
+				t.Fatalf("error = %v, want error %v", err, tc.wantError)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

facade_main_relative_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+package configkit_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"testing/fstest"
+
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+)
+
+func TestMainRelativeCompanion(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "main.yml"), []byte("count: 3\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "extra.yml"), []byte("settings: {companion: host}\n"), 0600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	binding := configkit.MainRelative()
+	companion := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("companions", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: extra.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: binding}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File(filepath.Join(dir, "main.yml"))}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{companion}}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 3 || result.Config.Settings["companion"] != "host" {
+		t.Fatalf("configuration = %#v", result.Config)
+	}
+	native := configkit.NewFilesystem("bundle", fstest.MapFS{"dir/main.yml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte("count: 4\n")}, "dir/extra.yml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte("settings: {companion: native}\n")}})
+	result, err = configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: native.File("dir/main.yml")}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{companion}}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 4 || result.Config.Settings["companion"] != "native" {
+		t.Fatalf("configuration = %#v", result.Config)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeContextSelection(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	base := filepath.Join(root, "main")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(base, 0700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for path, value := range map[string]string{"main/main.yml": "count: 1\n", "main/extra.yml": "settings: {value: derived}\n", "extra.yml": "settings: {value: fallback}\n"} {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, path), []byte(value), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	link := filepath.Join(root, "link.yml")
+	if err := os.Symlink(filepath.Join(base, "main.yml"), link); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	companion := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: extra.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: root}}}
+	opts := configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{companion}}}}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File(link), Filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root}}, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if got := result.Config.Settings["value"]; got != "derived" {
+		t.Fatalf("derived value = %q", got)
+	}
+	result, err = configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource()}, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if got := result.Config.Settings["value"]; got != "fallback" {
+		t.Fatalf("fallback value = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeWithoutBase(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name, source string
+		requireBase  bool
+		wantCode     configkit.Code
+	}{
+		{"optional", "config: {imports: [{path: missing.yml}]}\ncount: 7\n", false, ""},
+		{"required", "config: {imports: [{path: missing.yml, required: true}]}\n", false, configkit.CodeImportMissing},
+		{"required directory", "config: {imports: [{dir: missing, required: true}]}\n", false, configkit.CodeImportMissing},
+		{"required glob", "config: {imports: [{glob: '*.yml', required: true}]}\n", false, configkit.CodeImportMissing},
+		{"empty required", "config: {imports: [{path: [], required: true}]}\ncount: 7\n", false, ""},
+		{"base required", "count: 7\n", true, configkit.CodeOptionsInvalid},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte(test.source)), Imports: true, MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{RequireBase: test.requireBase}}
+			result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource()}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}})
+			if test.wantCode != "" {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("expected failure")
+				}
+				for _, d := range err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics() {
+					if d.Code == test.wantCode {
+						return
+					}
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("diagnostics: %#v", err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+			}
+			if result.Config.Count != 7 {
+				t.Fatalf("config = %#v", result.Config)
+			}
+			if sources := result.Sources(); len(sources) != 1 || len(sources[0].EmptyImportSelections) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("sources = %#v", sources)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeWithoutBaseSequenceItem(t *testing.T) {
+	type item struct {
+		Name string `yaml:"name"`
+	}
+	type config struct {
+		Items []item `yaml:"items"`
+	}
+	input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("item", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: missing.yml}]}\nname: example\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: configkit.MainRelative(), Destination: configkit.Keys("items"), PlacementMode: configkit.PlacementModeSequenceItem}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource()}, configkit.LayeredOptions[config]{Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if len(result.Config.Items) != 1 || result.Config.Items[0].Name != "example" {
+		t.Fatalf("config = %#v", result.Config)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeWithoutBaseImportDefaults(t *testing.T) {
+	required := true
+	tests := []struct {
+		name, source string
+		imports      bool
+		requireBase  bool
+		code         configkit.Code
+	}{
+		{"default required", "config: {imports: [{path: missing.yml}]}\n", true, false, configkit.CodeImportMissing},
+		{"malformed", "config: {imports: [{path: 42}]}\n", true, false, configkit.CodeImportInvalid},
+		{"imports disabled", "config: {imports: [{path: missing.yml}]}\n", false, false, configkit.CodeImportDisabled},
+		{"base required without imports", "count: 1\n", false, true, configkit.CodeOptionsInvalid},
+	}
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			input := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.Bytes("companion", []byte(test.source)), Imports: test.imports, MainRelative: &configkit.MainRelativeContext{RequireBase: test.requireBase}}
+			_, err := configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource()}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{ImportDefaults: configkit.ImportDefaults{Required: &required}, Underlays: []configkit.Underlay{{Inputs: []configkit.Input{input}}}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected failure")
+			}
+			for _, diagnostic := range err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics() {
+				if diagnostic.Code == test.code {
+					return
+				}
+			}
+			t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v", err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLayeredOverlayContextSelection(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	base := filepath.Join(root, "base")
+	for _, dir := range []string{filepath.Join(root, "overlays"), filepath.Join(base, "overlays")} {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0700); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	for path, content := range map[string]string{"base/main.yml": "count: 1\n", "base/overlays/test.yml": "count: 2\n", "overlays/test.yml": "count: 3\n"} {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, path), []byte(content), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	main := configkit.Input{Source: configkit.File(filepath.Join(base, "main.yml")), Filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root}}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "test"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("derived overlay = %d", result.Config.Count)
+	}
+	result, err = configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "test", OverlayFilesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: base}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit overlay = %d", result.Config.Count)
+	}
+	result, err = configkit.LoadLayered(configkit.Input{Source: configkit.NoSource()}, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "test", OverlayFallback: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: root, BaseDir: base}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("fallback overlay = %d", result.Config.Count)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLayeredOverlayNativeContext(t *testing.T) {
+	filesystem := configkit.NewFilesystem("bundle", fstest.MapFS{
+		"dir/main.yml":          &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte("count: 1\n")},
+		"dir/overlays/test.yml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte("count: 9\n")},
+	})
+	main := configkit.Input{Source: filesystem.File("dir/main.yml"), Filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: ".", FS: &filesystem}}
+	result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "test"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v: %#v", err, err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+	}
+	if result.Config.Count != 9 {
+		t.Fatalf("config = %#v", result.Config)
+	}
+	_, err = configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "missing", OverlayFallback: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: ".", BaseDir: ".", FS: &filesystem}})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("missing selected overlay succeeded")
+	}
+	for _, diagnostic := range err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics() {
+		if diagnostic.Code == configkit.CodeOverlayMissing {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v", err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics())
+}
+
+func TestLayeredOverlayNativeLinks(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name, mainPath, target string
+		want                   configkit.Code
+	}{
+		{"outside root", "scope/main.yml", "../../outside.yml", configkit.CodeOverlayOutsideRoot},
+		{"overlay aliases main", "scope/main.yml", "../main.yml", configkit.CodeOverlayRepeated},
+		{"main aliases overlay target", "scope/alias.yml", "../target.yml", configkit.CodeOverlayRepeated},
+		{"contained overlay", "scope/main.yml", "../target.yml", ""},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			native := configkit.NewFilesystem("bundle", fstest.MapFS{
+				"scope/main.yml":          {Data: []byte("count: 1\n")},
+				"scope/alias.yml":         {Data: []byte("target.yml"), Mode: os.ModeSymlink},
+				"scope/target.yml":        {Data: []byte("count: 7\n")},
+				"scope/overlays/test.yml": {Data: []byte(tc.target), Mode: os.ModeSymlink},
+				"outside.yml":             {Data: []byte("count: 9\n")},
+			})
+			main := configkit.Input{Source: native.File(tc.mainPath), Filesystem: &configkit.FilesystemContext{Root: "scope", FS: &native}}
+			result, err := configkit.LoadLayered(main, configkit.LayeredOptions[layeredFacadeConfig]{Overlay: "test"})
+			if tc.want != "" {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("overlay link unexpectedly loaded")
+				}
+				diagnostics := err.(*configkit.LoadError).Diagnostics()
+				if len(diagnostics) != 1 || diagnostics[0].Code != tc.want {
+					t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v, want %v", diagnostics, tc.want)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if result.Config.Count != 7 || result.Sources()[1].Path != "scope/target.yml" {
+				t.Fatalf("config = %#v, sources = %#v", result.Config, result.Sources())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/engine/acquisition.go

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ type tierAcquisitionState struct {
 
 type inputAcquisitionRequest struct {
 	input            loadInput
+	resolved         *resolvedFilesystemContext
+	withoutBase      bool
 	role             sourceVersionRole
 	directiveContext rootDirectiveContext
 	protectionRule   *VersionRule
@@ -33,6 +35,9 @@ type importAcquisitionRequest struct {
 }
 
 func acquireInput(request inputAcquisitionRequest, policy acquisitionPolicy, state *acquisitionState, tier *tierAcquisitionState) (assembledInput, []Diagnostic) {
+	if request.withoutBase && request.input.mainRelative.RequireBase {
+		return assembledInput{}, []Diagnostic{optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "main-relative input requires a filesystem base")}
+	}
 	source := request.input.source
 	destination := request.input.destination
 	accounting := state.accounting
@@ -101,7 +106,12 @@ func acquireInput(request inputAcquisitionRequest, policy acquisitionPolicy, sta
 		return input, diagnostics
 	}
 	request.input.source = selectedSource
-	if request.input.imports && selectedSource.kind != sourceNone {
+	if request.input.imports && selectedSource.kind != sourceNone && request.withoutBase {
+		input, diagnostics = acquireContextlessInput(input, request, versionProcessing, policy)
+		if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
+			return input, diagnostics
+		}
+	} else if request.input.imports && selectedSource.kind != sourceNone {
 		importRequest := importAcquisitionRequest{input: request, main: parsed, processing: versionProcessing}
 		input.composition, input.sources, input.resolvedFilesystem, diagnostics = acquireImportedInput(importRequest, &policy, state, tier)
 		if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
@@ -126,6 +136,12 @@ func acquireStandaloneInput(input assembledInput, request inputAcquisitionReques
 	if processing != nil {
 		input.document = processing.payload
 	}
+	if request.resolved != nil {
+		if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemContext(*request.resolved); diagnostic != nil {
+			return input, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
+		}
+		input.resolvedFilesystem = request.resolved
+	}
 	if request.input.filesystem != nil && (input.source.kind == sourceNone || !activeOverlay(request.ordinaryOverlay)) {
 		resolved, diagnostic := validateFilesystemContext(input.source, request.input.filesystem, parsed, tier.hostToken)
 		if diagnostic != nil {

internal/engine/contextless_imports.go

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+package engine
+
+import "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit/internal/document"
+
+func acquireContextlessInput(input assembledInput, request inputAcquisitionRequest, processing *sourceVersionProcessingResult, policy acquisitionPolicy) (assembledInput, []Diagnostic) {
+	parsed := input.parsed
+	var body *document.Node
+	var declarations []importDeclarationSpec
+	var sequences []sequenceDeclarationSpec
+	var diagnostics []Diagnostic
+	if processing != nil {
+		body, declarations = processing.payload, processing.imports
+		sequences = cloneSequenceDeclarations(processing.sequences)
+	} else {
+		body, declarations, diagnostics = splitImportDirectives(parsed.document)
+	}
+	destination := request.input.destination
+	localDestination := destination
+	if request.input.placementMode == PlacementModeSequenceItem {
+		localDestination = Path{}
+	}
+	if len(diagnostics) == 0 {
+		var policies []resolvedImportPolicy
+		policies, diagnostics = prepareImportDeclarations(declarations, policy.importDefaults, localDestination)
+		if len(diagnostics) == 0 {
+			for i, spec := range declarations {
+				if !policies[i].required || spec.selector == importSelectorPath && len(spec.paths) == 0 {
+					continue
+				}
+				site := spec.fieldSites["path"]
+				if spec.selector == importSelectorPath && len(spec.selectorSites) != 0 {
+					site = spec.selectorSites[0]
+				}
+				if spec.selector == importSelectorDirectory {
+					site = spec.fieldSites["dir"]
+				}
+				if spec.selector == importSelectorGlob {
+					site = spec.fieldSites["glob"]
+				}
+				diagnostics = []Diagnostic{{Code: CodeImportMissing, Severity: SeverityError, Path: site.path.clone(), Message: "import cannot be selected because no filesystem base is available", Primary: cloneLocation(&site.location)}}
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
+		if request.input.placementMode == PlacementModeSequenceItem {
+			diagnostics = prependCompositionDiagnosticPaths(diagnostics, destination.Index(0))
+		}
+		return input, diagnostics
+	}
+	accounting, limits := input.accounting, policy.importLimits
+	if diagnostic := chargeDeclaringImport(parsed, accounting, limits); diagnostic != nil {
+		return input, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
+	}
+	key := importKeyForMainSource(parsed.source)
+	root := acquiredContribution{
+		source: cloneSourceInfo(*parsed.source), payload: body, identity: key,
+		role: importRoleMain, scopeOwner: key, processing: processing, sequenceDeclarations: sequences,
+	}
+	scope, diagnostic := prepareDeclaringImportScope(root, accounting, limits)
+	if diagnostic != nil {
+		return input, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
+	}
+	scope, diagnostic = finalizeDeclaringImportScope(scope, root, accounting, limits)
+	if diagnostic != nil {
+		return input, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
+	}
+	input.document = body
+	input.composition = &composedDocument{acquisition: []acquisitionScope{scope}, importGraph: newImportInclusionGraph(), inputBytes: accounting.bytes, inputNodes: accounting.nodes}
+	input.acquisition = cloneAcquisitionScopes(input.composition.acquisition)
+	return input, nil
+}

internal/engine/filesystem.go

@@ -17,23 +17,30 @@ func validateFilesystemContext(source Source, context *FilesystemContext, main p
 		}
 		return resolvedFilesystemContext{}, diagnostic
 	}
-	if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemDirectories(resolved); diagnostic != nil {
+	if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemContext(resolved); diagnostic != nil {
 		return resolvedFilesystemContext{}, diagnostic
 	}
-	if resolved.native != nil {
 	return resolved, nil
+}
+
+func validateResolvedFilesystemContext(resolved resolvedFilesystemContext) *Diagnostic {
+	if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemDirectories(resolved); diagnostic != nil {
+		return diagnostic
+	}
+	if resolved.native != nil {
+		return nil
 	}
 	root, err := os.OpenRoot(resolved.rootPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		value := globFilesystemDiagnostic(err, "configuration root could not be opened", Location{})
 		value.Primary = nil
-		return resolvedFilesystemContext{}, &value
+		return &value
 	}
 	if err := root.Close(); err != nil {
 		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportRead, "configuration root could not be closed", nil)
-		return resolvedFilesystemContext{}, &value
+		return &value
 	}
-	return resolved, nil
+	return nil
 }
 
 func filesystemOptionDiagnostics(source Source, context *FilesystemContext) []Diagnostic {

internal/engine/import_acquisition.go

@@ -38,26 +38,30 @@ func acquireImportedInput(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisitionP
 	source := request.input.input.source
 	context := request.input.input.filesystem
 	main := request.main
-	resolved, diagnostic := resolveFilesystemContext(source, context, main, tier.hostToken)
+	resolved := request.input.resolved
+	if resolved == nil {
+		value, diagnostic := resolveFilesystemContext(source, context, main, tier.hostToken)
 		if diagnostic != nil {
 			return nil, sourceInfos(main.source), nil, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
 		}
+		resolved = &value
+	}
 	if resolved.native == nil {
-		if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemDirectories(resolved); diagnostic != nil {
+		if diagnostic := validateResolvedFilesystemDirectories(*resolved); diagnostic != nil {
 			return nil, sourceInfos(main.source), nil, []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
 		}
 	}
-	access, err := openResolvedFilesystemAccess(resolved)
+	access, err := openResolvedFilesystemAccess(*resolved)
 	if err != nil {
 		diagnostic := globFilesystemDiagnostic(err, "configuration root could not be opened", Location{})
 		diagnostic.Primary = nil
 		return nil, sourceInfos(main.source), nil, []Diagnostic{diagnostic}
 	}
-	composition, sources, diagnostics := acquireImportedWithAccess(request, policy, state, tier, access, resolved)
+	composition, sources, diagnostics := acquireImportedWithAccess(request, policy, state, tier, access, *resolved)
 	if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
 		return composition, sources, nil, diagnostics
 	}
-	return composition, sources, &resolved, nil
+	return composition, sources, resolved, nil
 }
 
 func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisitionPolicy, loadState *acquisitionState, tier *tierAcquisitionState, access *filesystemAccess, resolved resolvedFilesystemContext) (*composedDocument, []SourceInfo, []Diagnostic) {
@@ -107,9 +111,6 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 		_ = closeAccess()
 		return nil, sourceInfos(main.source), []Diagnostic{importRepeatedDiagnostic(Location{SourceID: main.source.ID}, previous, importRoute{})}
 	}
-	accounting.sources++
-	accounting.bytes += main.bytes
-	accounting.nodes += countInputNodes(main.document)
 	directiveContext := request.input.directiveContext
 	if directiveContext == 0 {
 		directiveContext = rootDirectiveContextImportsOnly
@@ -120,7 +121,6 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 	request.input.directiveContext = directiveContext
 	state := importTraversal{
 		access: access, request: request, policy: policy, state: loadState, tier: tier,
-		scope:       acquisitionScope{owner: mainNodeKey, destination: destination.clone()},
 		sources:     []SourceInfo{mainInfo},
 		active:      make(map[resourceIdentity]int),
 		importGraph: newImportInclusionGraph(),
@@ -129,11 +129,10 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 		state.itemScope = true
 		state.itemPrefix = destination.clone()
 		state.itemFallback = destination.clone()
-		state.scope.destination = Path{}
 		state.sources[0] = cloneSourceInfo(mainInfo)
 	}
 
-	if diagnostic := state.checkInitialLimits(); diagnostic != nil {
+	if diagnostic := chargeDeclaringImport(main, accounting, limits); diagnostic != nil {
 		_ = closeAccess()
 		return nil, cloneSourceInfos(state.sources), []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
 	}
@@ -159,31 +158,18 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 	} else {
 		body, declarations, diagnostics = splitImportDirectives(main.document)
 	}
-	if len(diagnostics) == 0 {
+	root := acquiredContribution{
-		if mainIsItem {
+		source: cloneSourceInfo(mainInfo), payload: body, identity: mainNodeKey,
-			state.scope.contributions = append(state.scope.contributions, acquiredContribution{
+		role: importRoleMain, scopeOwner: mainNodeKey, processing: processing,
-				source: cloneSourceInfo(mainInfo), identity: mainNodeKey, role: importRoleMain,
+		sequenceDeclarations: sequenceDeclarations,
-				scopeOwner: mainNodeKey, payload: body, document: body, processing: processing,
-				sequenceDeclarations: cloneSequenceDeclarations(sequenceDeclarations),
-			})
-			diagnostics = state.walkDeclarations(basePath, declarations, 0, Path{}, 0)
-		} else {
-			_, placed, err := placeDocument(body, destination, body.Location, maxDocumentDepth, maxDocumentNodes)
-			placementNodes := destinationWrapperNodeCount(destination)
-			if err != nil {
-				diagnostics = []Diagnostic{sourceDiagnostic(CodeSourceLimitExceeded, main.source.ID, "configuration exceeds the source depth or node limit after destination placement")}
-			} else if accounting.nodes+placementNodes > limits.nodes {
-				diagnostics = []Diagnostic{importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate node limit", nil)}
-			} else {
-				accounting.nodes += placementNodes
-				state.scope.contributions = append(state.scope.contributions, acquiredContribution{
-					source: cloneSourceInfo(mainInfo), payload: body, document: placed,
-					identity: mainNodeKey, role: importRoleMain, scopeOwner: mainNodeKey,
-					destination: destination.clone(), processing: processing,
-					sequenceDeclarations: cloneSequenceDeclarations(sequenceDeclarations),
-				})
-				diagnostics = state.walkDeclarations(basePath, declarations, 0, destination, 0)
 	}
+	if len(diagnostics) == 0 {
+		scope, diagnostic := prepareDeclaringImportScope(root, accounting, limits)
+		if diagnostic != nil {
+			diagnostics = []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
+		} else {
+			state.scope = scope
+			diagnostics = state.walkDeclarations(basePath, declarations, 0, scope.destination, 0)
 		}
 	}
 	if len(diagnostics) == 0 {
@@ -200,19 +186,8 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 	if closeErr != nil {
 		return nil, cloneSourceInfos(state.sources), []Diagnostic{importDiagnostic(CodeImportRead, "configuration root could not be closed", nil)}
 	}
-	acquisition := state.scope
+	acquisition, diagnostic := finalizeDeclaringImportScope(state.scope, root, accounting, limits)
-	if mainIsItem {
+	if diagnostic != nil {
-		localScope := state.scope
-		acquisition = acquisitionScope{
-			owner: mainNodeKey, destination: destination.clone(),
-			contributions: []acquiredContribution{{
-				source: cloneSourceInfo(mainInfo), payload: body, identity: mainNodeKey,
-				role: importRoleMain, scopeOwner: mainNodeKey, destination: destination.clone(),
-				processing: processing, sequenceDeclarations: cloneSequenceDeclarations(sequenceDeclarations), pendingItem: &localScope,
-			}},
-		}
-	}
-	if diagnostic := reservePendingItemPlacements(&acquisition, limits, accounting); diagnostic != nil {
 		return nil, cloneSourceInfos(state.sources), []Diagnostic{*diagnostic}
 	}
 	return &composedDocument{
@@ -221,35 +196,27 @@ func acquireImportedWithAccess(request importAcquisitionRequest, policy *acquisi
 	}, cloneSourceInfos(state.sources), nil
 }
 
-func (s *importTraversal) checkInitialLimits() *Diagnostic {
+func prepareImportDeclarations(declarations []importDeclarationSpec, defaults ImportDefaults, parentDestination Path) ([]resolvedImportPolicy, []Diagnostic) {
-	if s.state.accounting.sources > s.policy.importLimits.sources {
-		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the source-count limit", nil)
-		return &value
-	}
-	if s.state.accounting.bytes > s.policy.importLimits.bytes {
-		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate byte limit", nil)
-		return &value
-	}
-	if s.state.accounting.nodes > s.policy.importLimits.nodes {
-		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate node limit", nil)
-		return &value
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (s *importTraversal) walkDeclarations(basePath string, declarations []importDeclarationSpec, depth int, parentDestination Path, sourceIndex int) []Diagnostic {
 	policies := make([]resolvedImportPolicy, len(declarations))
 	for index, spec := range declarations {
-		policy, diagnostics := resolveImportPolicy(spec, s.policy.importDefaults)
+		policy, diagnostics := resolveImportPolicy(spec, defaults)
 		if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
-			return diagnostics
+			return nil, diagnostics
 		}
 		if policy.placement == PlacementModeSequenceItem && len(appendDestination(parentDestination, policy.destination).segments) == 0 {
 			site := spec.fieldSites["placement"]
-			return []Diagnostic{{Code: CodeImportInvalid, Severity: SeverityError, Path: site.path.clone(), Message: "sequence-item placement requires a nonempty destination", Primary: cloneLocation(&site.location)}}
+			return nil, []Diagnostic{{Code: CodeImportInvalid, Severity: SeverityError, Path: site.path.clone(), Message: "sequence-item placement requires a nonempty destination", Primary: cloneLocation(&site.location)}}
 		}
 		policies[index] = policy
 	}
+	return policies, nil
+}
+
+func (s *importTraversal) walkDeclarations(basePath string, declarations []importDeclarationSpec, depth int, parentDestination Path, sourceIndex int) []Diagnostic {
+	policies, diagnostics := prepareImportDeclarations(declarations, s.policy.importDefaults, parentDestination)
+	if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
+		return diagnostics
+	}
 	for index, spec := range declarations {
 		policy := policies[index]
 		var selection importSelection

internal/engine/import_scope.go

@@ -285,3 +285,58 @@ func importedVersionClaim(documents []*document.Node, scope acquisitionScope, co
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// The declaring payload contributes once even when there are no admitted imports.
+func chargeDeclaringImport(parsed parsedSource, accounting *importAccounting, limits importLimits) *Diagnostic {
+	accounting.sources++
+	accounting.bytes += parsed.bytes
+	accounting.nodes += countInputNodes(parsed.document)
+	if accounting.sources > limits.sources {
+		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the source-count limit", nil)
+		return &value
+	}
+	if accounting.bytes > limits.bytes {
+		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate byte limit", nil)
+		return &value
+	}
+	if accounting.nodes > limits.nodes {
+		value := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate node limit", nil)
+		return &value
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func prepareDeclaringImportScope(root acquiredContribution, accounting *importAccounting, limits importLimits) (acquisitionScope, *Diagnostic) {
+	scope := acquisitionScope{owner: root.identity}
+	if root.source.placementMode == PlacementModeSequenceItem {
+		root.document = root.payload
+	} else {
+		destination := root.source.Destination
+		_, placed, err := placeDocument(root.payload, destination, root.payload.Location, maxDocumentDepth, maxDocumentNodes)
+		if err != nil {
+			diagnostic := sourceDiagnostic(CodeSourceLimitExceeded, root.source.ID, "configuration exceeds the source depth or node limit after destination placement")
+			return acquisitionScope{}, &diagnostic
+		}
+		placementNodes := destinationWrapperNodeCount(destination)
+		if accounting.nodes+placementNodes > limits.nodes {
+			diagnostic := importDiagnostic(CodeImportLimitExceeded, "configuration exceeds the aggregate node limit", nil)
+			return acquisitionScope{}, &diagnostic
+		}
+		accounting.nodes += placementNodes
+		root.document, root.destination = placed, destination.clone()
+		scope.destination = destination.clone()
+	}
+	scope.contributions = []acquiredContribution{root}
+	return scope, nil
+}
+
+func finalizeDeclaringImportScope(scope acquisitionScope, root acquiredContribution, accounting *importAccounting, limits importLimits) (acquisitionScope, *Diagnostic) {
+	if root.source.placementMode == PlacementModeSequenceItem {
+		root.destination = root.source.Destination.clone()
+		localScope := scope
+		root.pendingItem = &localScope
+		scope = acquisitionScope{owner: root.identity, destination: root.destination.clone(), contributions: []acquiredContribution{root}}
+	}
+	diagnostic := reservePendingItemPlacements(&scope, limits, accounting)
+	return scope, diagnostic
+}

internal/engine/import_spec.go

@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ func resolveImportPolicy(spec importDeclarationSpec, defaults ImportDefaults) (r
 		if spec.patternSet {
 			policy.pattern = cloneStrings(spec.pattern)
 		} else {
-			policy.pattern = cloneStrings(defaults.Pattern)
+			// Defaults belong to the load's snapshot. Selectors only read them.
+			policy.pattern = defaults.Pattern
 		}
 	}
 	if spec.depthSet && !policy.recursive {

internal/engine/layered.go

@@ -7,10 +7,16 @@ type Input struct {
 	Source        Source
 	Imports       bool
 	Filesystem    *FilesystemContext
+	MainRelative  *MainRelativeContext
 	Destination   Path
 	PlacementMode PlacementMode
 }
 
+type MainRelativeContext struct {
+	Fallback    *FilesystemContext
+	RequireBase bool
+}
+
 // Underlay contains strictly composed contributions at one precedence tier.
 type Underlay struct{ Inputs []Input }
 
@@ -22,6 +28,7 @@ type LayeredOptions[T any] struct {
 	Underlays         []Underlay
 	Overlay           string
 	OverlayFilesystem *FilesystemContext
+	OverlayFallback   *FilesystemContext
 	Overrides         []Override
 }
 
@@ -37,13 +44,14 @@ func LoadLayered[T any](main Input, secrets SecretBinding, supplied ...LayeredOp
 	}
 	request := loadRequest[T]{
 		main: loadInput{
-			source: main.Source, imports: main.Imports, filesystem: main.Filesystem,
+			source: main.Source, imports: main.Imports, filesystem: main.Filesystem, mainRelative: main.MainRelative,
 			destination: main.Destination.clone(), placementMode: main.PlacementMode,
 		},
 		definition: options.Definition, sourceVersionMode: options.SourceVersionMode,
 		importDefaults:    options.ImportDefaults,
 		overlay:           options.Overlay,
 		overlayFilesystem: options.OverlayFilesystem,
+		overlayFallback:   options.OverlayFallback,
 		overrides:         append([]Override(nil), options.Overrides...),
 		underlays:         make([]loadGroup, len(options.Underlays)),
 	}
@@ -51,7 +59,7 @@ func LoadLayered[T any](main Input, secrets SecretBinding, supplied ...LayeredOp
 		request.underlays[index].inputs = make([]loadInput, len(underlay.Inputs))
 		for inputIndex, input := range underlay.Inputs {
 			request.underlays[index].inputs[inputIndex] = loadInput{
-				source: input.Source, imports: input.Imports, filesystem: input.Filesystem,
+				source: input.Source, imports: input.Imports, filesystem: input.Filesystem, mainRelative: input.MainRelative,
 				destination: input.Destination.clone(), placementMode: input.PlacementMode,
 			}
 		}

internal/engine/load_request.go

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ type loadRequest[T any] struct {
 	effectiveVersion  *VersionRule
 	overlay           string
 	overlayFilesystem *FilesystemContext
+	overlayFallback   *FilesystemContext
 	overrides         []Override
 	ordinary          bool
 }
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ type loadInput struct {
 	source        Source
 	imports       bool
 	filesystem    *FilesystemContext
+	mainRelative  *MainRelativeContext
 	destination   Path
 	placementMode PlacementMode
 }
@@ -57,6 +59,9 @@ func loadGroupedWithSecretLookupLimit[T any](request loadRequest[T], secrets Sec
 	request.importDefaults = defaults
 	request.sequencePolicy = policy
 	request.definition.sequenceIdentityRegistrations = nil
+	if request.main.mainRelative != nil && request.main.filesystem == nil {
+		diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "main input cannot use main-relative context"))
+	}
 	main, mainDiagnostics := normalizeInput(request.main, "")
 	request.main = main
 	diagnostics = append(diagnostics, mainDiagnostics...)
@@ -64,6 +69,13 @@ func loadGroupedWithSecretLookupLimit[T any](request loadRequest[T], secrets Sec
 	for groupIndex := range request.underlays {
 		for inputIndex := range request.underlays[groupIndex].inputs {
 			input := &request.underlays[groupIndex].inputs[inputIndex]
+			if input.mainRelative != nil && input.filesystem == nil {
+				if input.source.kind == sourceFile || input.source.kind == sourceFilesystem || input.source.kind == sourceSearch {
+					diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "file and search underlays cannot use main-relative context"))
+				} else if input.mainRelative.Fallback != nil {
+					diagnostics = append(diagnostics, filesystemOptionDiagnostics(Source{kind: sourceBytes}, input.mainRelative.Fallback)...)
+				}
+			}
 			normalized, inputDiagnostics := normalizeInput(*input, "")
 			*input = normalized
 			diagnostics = append(diagnostics, inputDiagnostics...)
@@ -71,10 +83,10 @@ func loadGroupedWithSecretLookupLimit[T any](request loadRequest[T], secrets Sec
 	}
 	diagnostics = append(diagnostics, overlayOptionDiagnostics(request.overlay)...)
 	if activeOverlay(request.overlay) {
-		if request.overlayFilesystem == nil {
+		if request.overlayFilesystem != nil {
-			diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "selected overlay requires explicit filesystem context"))
-		} else {
 			diagnostics = append(diagnostics, filesystemOptionDiagnostics(Source{kind: sourceBytes}, request.overlayFilesystem)...)
+		} else if request.overlayFallback != nil {
+			diagnostics = append(diagnostics, filesystemOptionDiagnostics(Source{kind: sourceBytes}, request.overlayFallback)...)
 		}
 	}
 	if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
@@ -90,7 +102,7 @@ func assembleLayeredInput[T any](request loadRequest[T], input assembledInput, p
 	projectVersion := sequenceVersionPath(request.protectionVersion())
 	for index, group := range request.underlays {
 		evidenceStart := len(input.versionState.evidenceSince(0))
-		acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, index+1, request.protectionVersion(), state, policy)
+		acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, index+1, request.protectionVersion(), state, policy, input.resolvedFilesystem)
 		mergeResourceContexts(&input.contexts, acquired.contexts)
 		if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
 			input.sources = append(input.sources, acquired.sources...)
@@ -178,10 +190,20 @@ func assembleLayeredInput[T any](request loadRequest[T], input assembledInput, p
 	assembly.current.inputBytes = state.accounting.bytes
 	assembly.current.inputNodes = state.accounting.nodes
 	if activeOverlay(request.overlay) {
-		if request.overlayFilesystem == nil {
+		var resolved resolvedFilesystemContext
-			return input, append(versionDiagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "selected overlay requires explicit filesystem context"))
+		var diagnostic *Diagnostic
+		useBase := false
+		if request.overlayFilesystem != nil {
+			resolved, diagnostic = resolveAbsentFilesystemContext(request.overlayFilesystem)
+		} else if input.resolvedFilesystem != nil {
+			resolved = *input.resolvedFilesystem
+			useBase = true
+		} else if request.overlayFallback != nil {
+			resolved, diagnostic = resolveAbsentFilesystemContext(request.overlayFallback)
+			useBase = true
+		} else {
+			return input, append(versionDiagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "selected overlay requires a filesystem context"))
 		}
-		resolved, diagnostic := resolveAbsentFilesystemContext(request.overlayFilesystem)
 		if diagnostic != nil {
 			return input, append(versionDiagnostics, *diagnostic)
 		}
@@ -192,6 +214,9 @@ func assembleLayeredInput[T any](request loadRequest[T], input assembledInput, p
 			name: request.overlay, protectionRule: request.protectionVersion(),
 			sequencePolicy: policy.sequencePolicy, limits: defaultImportLimits(), versionState: input.versionState,
 		}
+		if useBase {
+			overlayRequest.lookupDirectory = resolved.basePath
+		}
 		var diagnostics []Diagnostic
 		access, diagnostic := openSelectedOverlayAccess(resolved)
 		if diagnostic != nil {
@@ -248,12 +273,31 @@ func applyCompletedTier(
 	return operations, nil
 }
 
-func acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group loadGroup, index int, rule *VersionRule, state *acquisitionState, policy acquisitionPolicy) (*acquiredUnderlayGroup, []Diagnostic) {
+func acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group loadGroup, index int, rule *VersionRule, state *acquisitionState, policy acquisitionPolicy, mainContext *resolvedFilesystemContext) (*acquiredUnderlayGroup, []Diagnostic) {
 	initialBytes, initialNodes := state.accounting.bytes, state.accounting.nodes
 	tier := &tierAcquisitionState{visited: make(map[resourceIdentity]importRoute), hostToken: &namespaceToken{}}
+	var derived *resolvedFilesystemContext
+	bind := func(input loadInput) (loadInput, *resolvedFilesystemContext) {
+		if input.filesystem != nil || input.mainRelative == nil {
+			return input, nil
+		}
+		if mainContext == nil {
+			input.filesystem = input.mainRelative.Fallback
+			return input, nil
+		}
+		if derived == nil {
+			context := *mainContext
+			context.mainPath = ""
+			context.hostToken = tier.hostToken
+			derived = &context
+		}
+		return input, derived
+	}
 	nativeAnchors := make(map[*namespaceToken]string)
 	for inputIndex, contribution := range group.inputs {
-		if token := nativeTokenForLoadInput(contribution); token != nil {
+		contribution, resolved := bind(contribution)
+		token := nativeTokenForLoadInput(contribution, resolved)
+		if token != nil {
 			if _, exists := nativeAnchors[token]; !exists {
 				nativeAnchors[token] = explicitNamespaceAnchor(index, inputIndex+1)
 			}
@@ -262,8 +306,11 @@ func acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group loadGroup, index int, rule *VersionRule, s
 	acquiredGroup := &acquiredUnderlayGroup{index: index}
 	inclusionGraph := newImportInclusionGraph()
 	for inputIndex, contribution := range group.inputs {
+		contribution, resolved := bind(contribution)
 		acquired, diagnostics := acquireInput(inputAcquisitionRequest{
 			input: contribution, role: sourceVersionContribution,
+			resolved:         resolved,
+			withoutBase:      contribution.mainRelative != nil && contribution.filesystem == nil && resolved == nil,
 			directiveContext: rootDirectiveContextLayered, protectionRule: rule,
 		}, policy, state, tier)
 		for _, source := range acquired.sources {
@@ -282,7 +329,8 @@ func acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group loadGroup, index int, rule *VersionRule, s
 			kind: "host", host: explicitNamespaceAnchor(index, 0),
 			input: explicitNamespaceAnchor(index, inputIndex+1),
 		}
-		if token := nativeTokenForLoadInput(contribution); token != nil {
+		token := nativeTokenForLoadInput(contribution, resolved)
+		if token != nil {
 			anchors.kind = "native"
 			anchors.native = nativeAnchors[token]
 		}
@@ -365,7 +413,10 @@ func composeUnderlayGroup(acquired *acquiredUnderlayGroup, rule *VersionRule, po
 	return composition, nil
 }
 
-func nativeTokenForLoadInput(input loadInput) *namespaceToken {
+func nativeTokenForLoadInput(input loadInput, resolved *resolvedFilesystemContext) *namespaceToken {
+	if resolved != nil && resolved.native != nil {
+		return resolved.native.token
+	}
 	if input.source.kind == sourceFilesystem && input.source.namespace != nil {
 		return input.source.namespace.token
 	}

internal/engine/load_request_test.go

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestUnderlayGroupAcquisitionRetainsScopesUntilComposition(t *testing.T) {
 	accounting := &importAccounting{}
 	group := loadGroup{inputs: []loadInput{{source: filesystem.File("main.yml"), imports: true}}}
 	state := &acquisitionState{accounting: accounting}
-	acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, 2, nil, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()})
+	acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, 2, nil, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()}, nil)
 	if len(diagnostics) != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("acquire underlay group: %#v", diagnostics)
 	}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func TestUnderlayGroupAcquisitionRetainsScopesUntilComposition(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("composed group handoff = %#v", composition)
 	}
 
-	empty, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(loadGroup{}, 3, nil, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()})
+	empty, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(loadGroup{}, 3, nil, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()}, nil)
 	if len(diagnostics) != 0 || len(empty.scopes) != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("empty group acquisition = %#v, %#v", empty, diagnostics)
 	}
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ func TestGroupedLoadStrictConflictsRepetitionAndBudgets(t *testing.T) {
 
 func testAcquireUnderlayGroup(group loadGroup, index int, rule *VersionRule, accounting *importAccounting) (*acquiredUnderlayGroup, []Diagnostic) {
 	state := &acquisitionState{accounting: accounting}
-	acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, index, rule, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()})
+	acquired, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, index, rule, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: defaultImportLimits()}, nil)
 	return acquired, diagnostics
 }
 

internal/engine/main_relative_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package engine
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"testing/fstest"
+)
+
+func TestMainRelativeAcquisitionClosesHandlesOnFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, fail := range []string{"parse", "read"} {
+		t.Run(fail, func(t *testing.T) {
+			body := "items: [invalid\n"
+			if fail == "read" {
+				body = "items: {key: value}\n"
+			}
+			filesystem := &observedFilesystem{files: fstest.MapFS{"dir/main.yml": {Data: []byte("{}\n")}, "dir/child.yml": {Data: []byte(body)}}}
+			if fail == "read" {
+				filesystem.failRead = "dir/child.yml"
+			}
+			namespace := newNativeNamespace("bundle", filesystem)
+			main := Input{Source: filesystemFile(namespace, "dir/main.yml")}
+			underlay := Input{Source: Bytes("declarations", []byte("config: {imports: [{path: child.yml}]}\n")), Imports: true, MainRelative: &MainRelativeContext{}}
+			_, err := LoadLayered[importTestConfig](main, SecretBinding{}, LayeredOptions[importTestConfig]{Underlays: []Underlay{{Inputs: []Input{underlay}}}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("invalid selected child succeeded")
+			}
+			filesystem.assertClosed(t)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMainRelativeSharesAcquisitionBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	limits := defaultImportLimits()
+	limits.sources = 1
+	accounting := &importAccounting{}
+	state := &acquisitionState{accounting: accounting}
+	group := loadGroup{inputs: []loadInput{
+		{source: Bytes("one", []byte("items: {one: value}\n")), mainRelative: &MainRelativeContext{}},
+		{source: Bytes("two", []byte("items: {two: value}\n")), imports: true, mainRelative: &MainRelativeContext{}},
+	}}
+	_, diagnostics := acquireUnderlayGroupScopes(group, 1, nil, state, acquisitionPolicy{importLimits: limits}, nil)
+	if len(diagnostics) == 0 || diagnostics[0].Code != CodeImportLimitExceeded {
+		t.Fatalf("diagnostics = %#v", diagnostics)
+	}
+}

internal/engine/options.go

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func normalizeInput(input loadInput, ordinaryOverlay string) (loadInput, []Diagn
 	if input.source.kind == sourceNone && activeOverlay(ordinaryOverlay) && input.filesystem == nil {
 		diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "NoSource overlays require explicit filesystem context"))
 	}
-	if input.filesystem == nil && (input.source.kind == sourceBytes || input.source.kind == sourceReader || input.source.kind == sourceMapping) && (input.imports || activeOverlay(ordinaryOverlay)) {
+	if input.filesystem == nil && input.mainRelative == nil && (input.source.kind == sourceBytes || input.source.kind == sourceReader || input.source.kind == sourceMapping) && (input.imports || activeOverlay(ordinaryOverlay)) {
 		diagnostics = append(diagnostics, optionDiagnostic(CodeOptionsInvalid, "synthetic-source imports or overlays require filesystem context"))
 	}
 	return input, canonicalDiagnostics(diagnostics)

internal/engine/selected_overlay.go

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ func validOverlayName(name string) bool {
 
 type selectedOverlayRequest struct {
 	name            string
+	lookupDirectory string
 	protectionRule  *VersionRule
 	sequencePolicy  sequencePolicy
 	limits          importLimits
@@ -70,13 +71,26 @@ func loadSelectedOverlay(request selectedOverlayRequest, access *filesystemAcces
 			_ = access.close()
 		}
 	}()
-	overlayPath := access.join(access.rootPath, "overlays/"+request.name+".yml")
+	lookupDirectory := request.lookupDirectory
-	canonical, err := access.canonical(overlayPath)
+	if lookupDirectory == "" {
+		lookupDirectory = access.rootPath
+	}
+	overlayPath := access.join(lookupDirectory, "overlays/"+request.name+".yml")
+	links, _ := access.native.(fs.ReadLinkFS)
+	var canonical string
+	var err error
+	if links != nil {
+		canonical, err = resolveNativeImportPath(access, links, overlayPath)
+	} else {
+		canonical, err = access.canonical(overlayPath)
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		code := CodeOverlayInvalid
 		message := "selected overlay could not be resolved"
 		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
 			code, message = CodeOverlayMissing, "selected overlay does not exist"
+		} else if errors.Is(err, errImportPathOutsideRoot) {
+			code, message = CodeOverlayOutsideRoot, "selected overlay resolves outside the configuration root"
 		} else if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrPermission) {
 			code, message = CodeImportPermission, "selected overlay cannot be accessed"
 		}
@@ -85,13 +99,9 @@ func loadSelectedOverlay(request selectedOverlayRequest, access *filesystemAcces
 	if !access.contains(canonical) {
 		return cloneSourceInfos(sources), []Diagnostic{importDiagnostic(CodeOverlayOutsideRoot, "selected overlay resolves outside the configuration root", nil)}
 	}
-	for _, existing := range sources {
+	if overlayRepeatsSource(access, links, canonical, sources) {
-		if existing.Path != "" && existing.Path == canonical &&
-			((access.native == nil && existing.Kind == SourceKindFile) ||
-				(access.native != nil && existing.Kind == SourceKindFilesystem && existing.namespace == access.token)) {
 		return cloneSourceInfos(sources), []Diagnostic{importDiagnostic(CodeOverlayRepeated, "selected overlay is already present in the base source graph", nil)}
 	}
-	}
 	if len(sources)+1 > limits.sources {
 		return cloneSourceInfos(sources), []Diagnostic{importDiagnostic(CodeOverlayLimitExceeded, "selected overlay exceeds the source-count limit", nil)}
 	}
@@ -169,6 +179,37 @@ func loadSelectedOverlay(request selectedOverlayRequest, access *filesystemAcces
 	return sources, nil
 }
 
+func overlayRepeatsSource(access *filesystemAccess, links fs.ReadLinkFS, canonical string, sources []SourceInfo) bool {
+	// Other inputs can have a wider root. Compare their identities in the
+	// shared native namespace while keeping overlay lookup rooted separately.
+	namespaceAccess := *access
+	namespaceAccess.rootPath = "."
+	for _, source := range sources {
+		if source.Path == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if access.native == nil {
+			if source.Kind == SourceKindFile && source.Path == canonical {
+				return true
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if source.Kind != SourceKindFilesystem || source.namespace != access.token {
+			continue
+		}
+		if source.Path == canonical {
+			return true
+		}
+		if links != nil {
+			target, err := resolveNativeImportPath(&namespaceAccess, links, source.Path)
+			if err == nil && target == canonical {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func readOverlayFile(access *filesystemAccess, name, sourceID string, remaining int64) ([]byte, *Diagnostic) {
 	limit := min(int64(maxSourceBytes), remaining)
 	if limit < 0 {

layered.go

@@ -19,15 +19,29 @@ type Input struct {
 	PlacementMode PlacementMode
 	Imports       bool
 	Filesystem    *FilesystemContext
+	// MainRelative binds a non-file underlay to the main input's context when
+	// Filesystem is nil. It does not enable imports.
+	MainRelative *MainRelativeContext
 }
 
+// MainRelativeContext selects the main input's resolved context for an underlay.
+// Fallback is used when the main has no usable context; RequireBase requires one.
+type MainRelativeContext struct {
+	Fallback    *FilesystemContext
+	RequireBase bool
+}
+
+// MainRelative returns a fresh default main-relative binding description.
+func MainRelative() *MainRelativeContext { return &MainRelativeContext{} }
+
 // Underlay contains inputs that must compose strictly within one tier. Tiers
 // appear in lowest-to-highest precedence order; an empty tier is a no-op.
 type Underlay struct{ Inputs []Input }
 
 // LayeredOptions selects lower-priority tiers and final application rules.
-// An active Overlay requires an explicit OverlayFilesystem; an inactive overlay
+// An active Overlay uses OverlayFilesystem, then the main input's resolved
-// ignores it. Overrides remain explicit CLI records, not general mappings.
+// context, then OverlayFallback. An inactive overlay ignores both contexts.
+// Overrides remain explicit CLI records, not general mappings.
 // SourceVersionMode applies one declaration policy to main, underlay, import,
 // and selected overlay documents. Enabled modes interpret the version path
 // source-locally, consume accepted non-main declarations, and protect main's
@@ -42,6 +56,8 @@ type LayeredOptions[T any] struct {
 	Underlays         []Underlay
 	Overlay           string
 	OverlayFilesystem *FilesystemContext
+	// OverlayFallback supplies a context if the main has no usable context.
+	OverlayFallback *FilesystemContext
 	Overrides       []Override
 }
 
@@ -68,6 +84,9 @@ func toEngineInput(input Input) engine.Input {
 		Filesystem: toEngineFilesystemContext(input.Filesystem), Destination: toEnginePath(input.Destination),
 		PlacementMode: engine.PlacementMode(input.PlacementMode),
 	}
+	if input.MainRelative != nil {
+		result.MainRelative = &engine.MainRelativeContext{Fallback: toEngineFilesystemContext(input.MainRelative.Fallback), RequireBase: input.MainRelative.RequireBase}
+	}
 	return result
 }
 
@@ -77,6 +96,7 @@ func toEngineLayeredOptions[T any](options LayeredOptions[T]) engine.LayeredOpti
 		SourceVersionMode: engine.SourceVersionModeFromFacade(uint8(options.SourceVersionMode)),
 		Overlay:           options.Overlay,
 		OverlayFilesystem: toEngineFilesystemContext(options.OverlayFilesystem),
+		OverlayFallback:   toEngineFilesystemContext(options.OverlayFallback),
 		ImportDefaults:    toEngineImportDefaults(options.ImportDefaults),
 	}
 	if options.Underlays != nil {