diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/call-lifetimes.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/call-lifetimes.ts
index 17d69e4d6..555e96d7f 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/call-lifetimes.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/call-lifetimes.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,11 @@ function eligible(local: IrLocal): boolean {
  * extracts and retains the payload, so the stored union is only projected. */
 export type NullableFieldTest = (className: string, field: string) => boolean;
 
-function collectUses(fn: IrFunction, nullableField: NullableFieldTest): Uses {
+function collectUses(
+  fn: IrFunction,
+  nullableField: NullableFieldTest,
+  registerReturn: boolean,
+): Uses {
   const uses: Uses = {
     invalid: new Set(),
     written: new Set(),
@@ -161,6 +165,10 @@ function collectUses(fn: IrFunction, nullableField: NullableFieldTest): Uses {
   }
   function stmt(node: IrStmt, inExpression: boolean): boolean {
     switch (node.kind) {
+      case "return":
+        // A register result reads the returned binding's tag and bits.
+        if (registerReturn && node.value?.kind === "varRef") return true;
+        break;
       case "varDecl":
         uses.declarations.set(node.localId, (uses.declarations.get(node.localId) ?? 0) + 1);
         break;
@@ -220,6 +228,9 @@ export function analyzeCallLifetimes(
   /** Rebound parameters that only ever hold borrowed walk pointers
    * (walk-borrows.ts): they keep the borrowed convention although written. */
   walkParameters: ReadonlyMap<string, ReadonlySet<number>> = new Map(),
+  /** Functions returning a scalar union as tag and payload bits
+   * (Int32Abi.union): `return x` only projects `x`. */
+  registerReturns: ReadonlySet<string> = new Set(),
 ): CallLifetimes {
   const usesByFunction = new Map<string, Uses>();
   const lazyCaptures = new LazyCaptures(functions);
@@ -234,7 +245,7 @@ export function analyzeCallLifetimes(
   };
   for (const fn of functions.values()) {
     if (fn.async || fn.generator) continue;
-    const uses = collectUses(fn, nullableField);
+    const uses = collectUses(fn, nullableField, registerReturns.has(fn.name));
     usesByFunction.set(fn.name, uses);
     // Class-capturing bodies get only local facts (computed below from
     // their uses; class captures are already invalid). Binding and
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/emitter.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/emitter.ts
index 29bacf1c1..631bfebc6 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/emitter.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/emitter.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,13 @@ import { analyzeInt32Slots, type Int32Slots } from "../../ir/int32-slots.js";
 import { analyzeFinalFields, constructorClass, type FinalFields } from "../../ir/final-fields.js";
 import { foldConstantGlobals } from "../../ir/constant-globals.js";
 import { findIntegerViews } from "./integer-views.js";
-import { findInt32Abis, INT32_ABI_SUFFIX, type Int32Abi } from "./int32-abi.js";
+import {
+  findInt32Abis,
+  INT32_ABI_SUFFIX,
+  SCALAR_UNION_DUMMY,
+  SCALAR_UNION_RESULT,
+  type Int32Abi,
+} from "./int32-abi.js";
 import { findInt32Locals, type Int32Local } from "./int32-locals.js";
 import { exactInteger, narrowInteger } from "./integer-values.js";
 import { findInitializerBindings, withInitializerBindings } from "../../ir/initializer-bindings.js";
@@ -119,10 +125,13 @@ import { analyzeCallLifetimes, type CallLifetimes } from "./call-lifetimes.js";
 import { canStackUnion, emitStackUnion, findLocalStackUnions } from "./stack-unions.js";
 import {
   allocateLocalUnion,
+  emitScalarOptional,
   findLocalUnionStorage,
+  isScalarOptionalSource,
   storeLocalUnion,
   type LocalUnionStorageProof,
   type LocalUnionStorage,
+  type UnionSources,
 } from "./local-union-storage.js";
 import { BlockBuilder } from "./blocks.js";
 import { NullableRefFields, type NullableRefField } from "./nullable-fields.js";
@@ -610,6 +619,8 @@ export class LlEmitter {
    * whose bindings end with the list (emitBlock and function bodies). */
   private stmtCursor: { stmts: IrStmt[]; index: number } | null = null;
   readonly optionalArrayReads: OptionalArrayReads;
+  /** Union sources a binding or projection can hold in a stack box. */
+  readonly unionSources: UnionSources;
   readonly checkedNarrows: CheckedNarrows;
   callArrayReads = new Map<IrExpr, LocalArrayRead>();
   mapReadLifetimes: MapReadLifetimes = { locals: new Map(), arguments: new Map() };
@@ -843,6 +854,9 @@ export class LlEmitter {
   currentReturnType: IrType = VOID;
   /** The current body returns its number result as i32. */
   private currentInt32Result = false;
+  /** The function's i32 entry returns its scalar union result as tag and
+   * payload bits (Int32Abi.union). */
+  private currentUnionResult = false;
   /** Active only while emitting a body lowered with LLVM's
    * switched-coroutine intrinsics (wasm32 async bodies and generators,
    * native synchronous generators; see coroLowered). */
@@ -967,6 +981,13 @@ export class LlEmitter {
     this.optionalArrayReads = new OptionalArrayReads(this.fnByName, this.unionsById, (id) =>
       this.nullableUnions.has(id),
     );
+    this.unionSources = {
+      unions: this.boxedUnionsById,
+      receiverUnions: this.unionsById,
+      nullableField: (e) => this.nullableFieldGet(e) !== null,
+      arrayRead: (e) => this.optionalArrayReads.get(e) !== null,
+      scalarCall: (e) => this.scalarResultCall(e),
+    };
     this.checkedNarrows = new CheckedNarrows(this.fnByName);
     this.referenceEffects = new ReferenceEffects(
       this.fnByName,
@@ -1026,6 +1047,7 @@ export class LlEmitter {
       this.fnByName,
       (className, field) => this.nullableFields.get(className, field) !== null,
       walkParameters,
+      new Set([...this.int32Abis].filter(([, abi]) => abi.union).map(([name]) => name)),
     );
     this.constantCallbacks = findConstantCallbacks(mod, this.callLifetimes);
     this.stackCallbacks = new StackCallbacks(this.fnByName);
@@ -4138,11 +4160,13 @@ export class LlEmitter {
           ? "ret void"
           : this.currentInt32Result
             ? "ret i32 0"
-            : t === "double"
-              ? `ret double ${f64Lit(0)}`
-              : t === "i1"
-                ? "ret i1 false"
-                : "ret ptr null";
+            : this.currentUnionResult
+              ? `ret ${SCALAR_UNION_DUMMY}`
+              : t === "double"
+                ? `ret double ${f64Lit(0)}`
+                : t === "i1"
+                  ? "ret i1 false"
+                  : "ret ptr null";
     }
     // Copy the entries now: later declarations extend these lexical scopes.
     // Release order and the handler are part of the shared block's identity.
@@ -5434,12 +5458,7 @@ export class LlEmitter {
       this.debug === null ? findScalarStringSlices(fn, this.callLifetimes) : new Map();
     this.mapReadLifetimes = findMapReadLifetimes(fn, this.boxedUnionsById, this.callLifetimes);
     this.localStackUnions = findLocalStackUnions(fn, this.callLifetimes, this.boxedUnionsById);
-    this.localUnionStorageProofs = findLocalUnionStorage(
-      fn,
-      this.callLifetimes,
-      this.boxedUnionsById,
-      (e) => this.nullableFieldGet(e) !== null,
-    );
+    this.localUnionStorageProofs = findLocalUnionStorage(fn, this.callLifetimes, this.unionSources);
     this.localUnionStorage = new Map();
     this.walkBorrows = this.walkBorrowsByFunction.get(fn.name) ?? new Set();
     this.integerRanges = analyzeIntegerRanges(numericFn, this.int32Slots.facts(fn.name));
@@ -5465,6 +5484,7 @@ export class LlEmitter {
     this.currentReturnType = fn.returnType;
     const int32Abi = this.int32Abis.get(fn.name);
     this.currentInt32Result = int32Abi?.result === true;
+    this.currentUnionResult = int32Abi?.union === true;
     this.currentGenerator = fn.generator ?? null;
     this.currentAsyncGenerator = fn.async === true && fn.generator !== undefined;
     this.currentBorrowedReturn = this.borrowedReturns.has(fn.name);
@@ -5734,7 +5754,11 @@ export class LlEmitter {
       });
     // Lifted functions receive their closure first (the callValue ABI).
     if (fn.captures !== undefined) params.unshift("ptr %sc_env");
-    const ret = int32Abi?.result ? "i32" : this.llType(fn.returnType);
+    const ret = int32Abi?.result
+      ? "i32"
+      : int32Abi?.union
+        ? SCALAR_UNION_RESULT
+        : this.llType(fn.returnType);
     let attrs = coro !== null ? "#1" : FN_ATTRS;
     // The shared indexed-read helper (lowerSafeIndexRead) is a dense bounds
     // test, a state test and a load behind cold runtime fallbacks, called
@@ -5771,7 +5795,18 @@ export class LlEmitter {
       } else args.push(`${type} %p${index}`);
     });
     const ret = this.llType(fn.returnType);
-    const call = `call ${abi.result ? "i32" : ret} @${symbol}${INT32_ABI_SUFFIX}(${args.join(", ")})`;
+    const entry = `@${symbol}${INT32_ABI_SUFFIX}(${args.join(", ")})`;
+    if (abi.union) {
+      // Box the register pair for every caller of the ordinary ABI.
+      const B = new BlockBuilder();
+      this.B = B;
+      for (const line of lines) B.line(line.trim());
+      const pair = B.tmp();
+      B.line(`${pair} = call ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${entry}`);
+      B.terminate(`ret ptr ${this.boxScalarUnion(pair, fn.returnType)}`);
+      return `define internal ptr @${symbol}(${params.join(", ")}) ${FN_ATTRS} {\n${B.render()}\n}`;
+    }
+    const call = `call ${abi.result ? "i32" : ret} ${entry}`;
     if (ret === "void") lines.push(`  ${call}`, "  ret void");
     else if (abi.result)
       lines.push(`  %r = ${call}`, `  %d = sitofp i32 %r to double`, `  ret double %d`);
@@ -5779,6 +5814,86 @@ export class LlEmitter {
     return `define internal ${ret} @${symbol}(${params.join(", ")}) ${FN_ATTRS} {\nentry:\n${lines.join("\n")}\n}`;
   }
 
+  /** The SCALAR_UNION_RESULT pair of a `%ScrUnion` box of `type`. */
+  scalarUnionPair(box: string, type: IrType): string {
+    const B = this.B;
+    const unionId = type.kind === "union" ? type.unionId : "";
+    const tag = this.unionTag(box, unionId);
+    const payload = B.tmp(),
+      bits = B.tmp(),
+      partial = B.tmp(),
+      pair = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${payload} = getelementptr inbounds %ScrUnion, ptr ${box}, i32 0, i32 5`);
+    B.line(`${bits} = load i64, ptr ${payload}`);
+    B.line(`${partial} = insertvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} poison, i32 ${tag}, 0`);
+    B.line(`${pair} = insertvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${partial}, i64 ${bits}, 1`);
+    return pair;
+  }
+
+  /** A private stack box holding a SCALAR_UNION_RESULT pair of `type`. */
+  stackScalarUnion(pair: string, type: IrType): LlValue {
+    const B = this.B;
+    const box = B.slot(),
+      tagSlot = B.slot(),
+      payloadSlot = B.slot();
+    B.entryAllocas.push(`${box} = alloca %ScrUnion`);
+    B.entryAllocas.push(`${tagSlot} = getelementptr inbounds %ScrUnion, ptr ${box}, i32 0, i32 1`);
+    B.entryAllocas.push(
+      `${payloadSlot} = getelementptr inbounds %ScrUnion, ptr ${box}, i32 0, i32 5`,
+    );
+    const tag = B.tmp(),
+      bits = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${tag} = extractvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${pair}, 0`);
+    B.line(`${bits} = extractvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${pair}, 1`);
+    B.line(`store i32 ${tag}, ptr ${tagSlot}`);
+    B.line(`store i64 ${bits}, ptr ${payloadSlot}`);
+    return { name: box, type };
+  }
+
+  /** A direct call whose i32 entry returns its scalar union in registers. */
+  scalarResultCall(e: IrExpr): boolean {
+    return e.kind === "call" && this.int32Abis.get(e.callee)?.union === true;
+  }
+
+  /** A fresh heap box (+1) for a SCALAR_UNION_RESULT pair of `type`; the
+   * exception dummy (tag -1) answers NULL. */
+  boxScalarUnion(pair: string, type: IrType): string {
+    const B = this.B;
+    const unionId = type.kind === "union" ? type.unionId : "";
+    const arms = this.unionsById.get(unionId)!.arms;
+    const tag = B.tmp(),
+      bits = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${tag} = extractvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${pair}, 0`);
+    B.line(`${bits} = extractvalue ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${pair}, 1`);
+    const join = B.newLabel("union.box.join"),
+      none = B.newLabel("union.box.none");
+    const labels = arms.map(() => B.newLabel("union.box.arm"));
+    B.terminate(
+      `switch i32 ${tag}, label %${none} [ ${labels.map((label, armTag) => `i32 ${armTag}, label %${label}`).join(" ")} ]`,
+    );
+    const incoming: string[] = [];
+    arms.forEach((arm, armTag) => {
+      B.startBlock(labels[armTag]!);
+      let value: string;
+      if (isUnitType(arm)) value = this.unitInstanceRef(unionId, armTag);
+      else {
+        const payload = B.tmp();
+        if (arm.kind === "bool") B.line(`${payload} = trunc i64 ${bits} to i1`);
+        else B.line(`${payload} = bitcast i64 ${bits} to double`);
+        value = this.unionNewOwned(unionId, armTag, { name: payload, type: arm });
+      }
+      incoming.push(`[ ${value}, %${B.currentLabel()} ]`);
+      B.br(join);
+    });
+    B.startBlock(none);
+    incoming.push(`[ null, %${none} ]`);
+    B.br(join);
+    B.startBlock(join);
+    const box = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${box} = phi ptr ${incoming.join(", ")}`);
+    return box;
+  }
+
   /** The i32 bits of a number proven an int32 (a direct call's i32
    * argument or an i32 result): its exact integer when the value carries
    * one, else the conversion the proof makes exact. */
@@ -7317,8 +7432,16 @@ export class LlEmitter {
           break;
         }
         let v: LlValue | null = null;
-        const moved = this.finallyStack.length === 0 ? this.movableReturn(s.value) : null;
-        if (moved !== null) {
+        const moved =
+          this.finallyStack.length === 0 && !this.currentUnionResult
+            ? this.movableReturn(s.value)
+            : null;
+        if (s.value !== null && this.currentUnionResult) {
+          // The tag and payload bits leave in registers; a heap box the
+          // value needed is released with its frame below.
+          const box = this.emitUnionProjection(s.value);
+          v = { name: this.scalarUnionPair(box.name, s.value.type), type: s.value.type };
+        } else if (moved !== null) {
           // Returning an owned local hands its reference to the caller: no
           // retain now and no release of the local below.
           const t = B.tmp();
@@ -7359,7 +7482,7 @@ export class LlEmitter {
         }
         if (this.finallyStack.length > 0) {
           let pretSlot: string | null = null;
-          if (v !== null && isRefCounted(v.type)) {
+          if (v !== null && isRefCounted(v.type) && !this.currentUnionResult) {
             pretSlot = B.slot();
             B.entryAllocas.push(`${pretSlot} = alloca ptr ; pending return (through finally)`);
             B.line(`store ptr ${v.name}, ptr ${pretSlot}`);
@@ -7395,6 +7518,7 @@ export class LlEmitter {
           } else if (v === null) B.terminate("ret void");
           else if (this.currentInt32Result)
             B.terminate(`ret i32 ${this.int32Argument(v, s.value!)}`);
+          else if (this.currentUnionResult) B.terminate(`ret ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${v.name}`);
           else B.terminate(`ret ${this.llType(s.value!.type)} ${v.name}`);
         }
         break;
@@ -8328,6 +8452,17 @@ export class LlEmitter {
       B.line(`${value} = load ptr, ptr ${slot}`);
       return { name: value, type: e.type };
     }
+    // Scalar optional values and register results answer a private stack
+    // box. A ternary of borrowable arms above keeps lending its arm.
+    if (
+      (e.kind === "optChain" ||
+        e.kind === "nullish" ||
+        e.kind === "ternary" ||
+        e.kind === "arrIntrinsic") &&
+      isScalarOptionalSource(e, this.unionSources)
+    )
+      return emitScalarOptional(this, e);
+    if (e.kind === "call" && this.scalarResultCall(e)) return emitCallExpr(this, e, false, true);
     if (e.kind === "call" && this.canBorrowReceiver(e)) return emitBorrowedResultCall(this, e);
     return this.emitExpr(e);
   }
@@ -8344,7 +8479,9 @@ export class LlEmitter {
     return (
       canStackUnion(e, this.boxedUnionsById) ||
       matchMapRead(e, this.boxedUnionsById) !== null ||
-      this.optionalArrayReads.get(e) !== null
+      this.optionalArrayReads.get(e) !== null ||
+      isScalarOptionalSource(e, this.unionSources) ||
+      this.scalarResultCall(e)
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-calls.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-calls.ts
index ccfd05875..b38ae0bb1 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-calls.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-calls.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import {
   type IrExpr,
   type IrFunction,
 } from "../../ir/ir.js";
-import { INT32_ABI_SUFFIX } from "./int32-abi.js";
+import { INT32_ABI_SUFFIX, SCALAR_UNION_RESULT } from "./int32-abi.js";
 import { collectFfiRetainedOps, parseFfiCallbackKey } from "../ffi-callbacks.js";
 import {
   mangleAsyncAdoptCall,
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import type { LlvmEmitterContext, ExprOf, LlValue } from "./expr-context.js";
 import { f64Lit, ffiNativeTypeLl, ffiNativeParamLl, ffiNativeReturnLl } from "./common.js";
 import { canStackUnion, emitStackUnion } from "./stack-unions.js";
 import { emitCallArrayRead } from "./local-array-reads.js";
+import { emitScalarOptional, isScalarOptionalSource } from "./local-union-storage.js";
 import { emitStackMapRead } from "./map-read-lifetimes.js";
 import {
   borrowableInputs,
@@ -58,6 +59,9 @@ export function emitCallExpr(
     | "virtualCall"
   >,
   awaitEntry: false | "await" | "adopt" = false,
+  /** A projection consumes a scalar union result (Int32Abi.union): answer
+   * a private stack box instead of a heap box. */
+  stackResult = false,
 ): LlValue {
   const B = host.B;
   switch (e.kind) {
@@ -111,6 +115,16 @@ export function emitCallExpr(
               return result.value;
             }
             if (canStackUnion(a, host.boxedUnionsById)) return emitStackUnion(host, a).value;
+            if (
+              (a.kind === "optChain" ||
+                a.kind === "nullish" ||
+                a.kind === "ternary" ||
+                a.kind === "arrIntrinsic") &&
+              isScalarOptionalSource(a, host.unionSources)
+            )
+              return emitScalarOptional(host, a);
+            if (a.kind === "call" && host.scalarResultCall(a))
+              return emitCallExpr(host, a, false, true);
             if (host.nullableFieldGet(a))
               return { name: host.emitOwnedNullableStack(a).box, type: a.type };
           }
@@ -164,6 +178,13 @@ export function emitCallExpr(
         return { name: "", type: e.type };
       }
       const t = B.tmp();
+      if (abi?.union) {
+        B.line(`${t} = call ${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} ${target}(${argList})`);
+        if (host.mayThrow.has(e.callee)) host.emitPendingCheck();
+        if (borrowed) host.releaseFrame(host.frames.pop()!);
+        if (stackResult) return host.stackScalarUnion(t, e.type);
+        return host.own({ name: host.boxScalarUnion(t, e.type), type: e.type });
+      }
       if (abi?.result) {
         B.line(`${t} = call i32 ${target}(${argList})`);
         const out = host.int32Result(t, e.type);
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-containers.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-containers.ts
index 0b6c060db..fe6170c39 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-containers.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-containers.ts
@@ -513,6 +513,9 @@ export function emitStableReceiver(
 export function emitArrIntrinsic(
   host: LlvmEmitterContext,
   e: IrExpr & { kind: "arrIntrinsic" },
+  /** A `pop`/`shift` of number or boolean elements stores its scalar
+   * union result's tag and payload bits here instead of boxing it. */
+  into?: { box: string; tag: string; payload: string },
 ): LlValue {
   const B = host.B;
   // Every array intrinsic borrows its receiver, including mutation and
@@ -656,6 +659,25 @@ export function emitArrIntrinsic(
       const raw = B.tmp();
       const value = B.tmp();
       B.line(`${raw} = load i64, ptr ${rawSlot}`);
+      if (into) {
+        // Slot bits for f64; a canonical 0/1 for bool, like scr_union_new_bool.
+        let bits = raw;
+        if (elem.kind === "bool") {
+          const nonzero = B.tmp();
+          bits = B.tmp();
+          B.line(`${nonzero} = icmp ne i64 ${raw}, 0`);
+          B.line(`${bits} = zext i1 ${nonzero} to i64`);
+        }
+        B.line(`store i32 ${tag}, ptr ${into.tag}`);
+        B.line(`store i64 ${bits}, ptr ${into.payload}`);
+        B.br(lj);
+        B.startBlock(la);
+        B.line(`store i32 ${undefTag}, ptr ${into.tag}`);
+        B.line(`store i64 0, ptr ${into.payload}`);
+        B.br(lj);
+        B.startBlock(lj);
+        return { name: into.box, type: e.type };
+      }
       if (elem.kind === "f64") B.line(`${value} = bitcast i64 ${raw} to double`);
       else if (elem.kind === "bool") B.line(`${value} = icmp ne i64 ${raw}, 0`);
       else B.line(`${value} = inttoptr i64 ${raw} to ptr`);
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-control.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-control.ts
index 44ecd81c4..298ea0199 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-control.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/expr-control.ts
@@ -193,81 +193,14 @@ export function emitControlExpr(
         return host.own({ name: t, type: e.type });
       }
 
-      if (e.receiver.type.kind !== "union")
-        throw new LlvmUnsupportedError(`optChain:${e.receiver.type.kind}`, e.loc);
-      const def = host.unionsById.get(e.receiver.type.unionId);
-      if (!def)
-        throw new InternalCompilerError(
-          `llvm emitter bug: optChain of unknown union ${e.receiver.type.unionId}`,
-        );
-      const unitTags = def.arms.flatMap((a, i) => (isUnitType(a) ? [i] : []));
-      const narrowIdx = def.arms.findIndex((a) => !isUnitType(a));
-      if (unitTags.length === 0 || narrowIdx < 0)
-        throw new InternalCompilerError("llvm emitter bug: optChain union arms");
-      const multiple = def.arms.length - unitTags.length > 1;
-      const narrowed = multiple ? e.receiver.type : def.arms[narrowIdx]!;
-      // `owner.field?.member`: a receiver projected from a borrowable owner
-      // needs no reference of its own while the body cannot remove an edge
-      // (so nothing can overwrite the projection before the body finishes).
-      const borrowReceiver =
-        !multiple &&
-        isRefCounted(narrowed) &&
-        host.canBorrowReceiver(e.receiver) &&
-        host.referenceEffects.preserves(e.body);
-      // An optional array read of a nullable-pointer union is the element
-      // pointer itself, read inline and owned by the statement frame until
-      // the body finishes; the bind slot borrows it like an emitExpr value.
-      const nullableRead =
-        !borrowReceiver &&
-        !multiple &&
-        host.nullableUnions.has(def.id) &&
-        host.optionalArrayReads.get(e.receiver) !== null;
-      // A single present arm is only tested and extracted (+1) before the
-      // body runs, so a fresh receiver box can stay on the stack.
-      const stacked =
-        !borrowReceiver && !nullableRead && !multiple && host.canStackReceiver(e.receiver);
-      let r: LlValue;
-      const nullableField = borrowReceiver ? host.nullableFieldGet(e.receiver) : null;
-      if (nullableField !== null && e.receiver.kind === "fieldGet") {
-        // A nullable-pointer field stores no union: test and peek the
-        // pointer itself, through a private stack box when the union's own
-        // representation is boxed (emitUnionProjection's form).
-        const owner = host.emitReadReceiver(e.receiver.obj);
-        const { ptr } = host.classFieldPtr(owner.name, e.receiver.className, e.receiver.field);
-        const p = B.tmp();
-        B.line(`${p} = load ptr, ptr ${ptr}${host.fieldAliasAttachment(ptr)}`);
-        r = {
-          name: host.nullableUnions.get(def.id) ? p : host.stackNullableBox(p, nullableField),
-          type: e.receiver.type,
-        };
-      } else if (borrowReceiver || stacked || nullableRead) r = host.emitReadReceiver(e.receiver);
-      else r = host.emitExpr(e.receiver);
-      // The bind slot borrows a ref payload whenever something else keeps it
-      // alive until the body finishes: the borrowed projection above, or the
-      // receiver value the statement frame owns (emitExpr). Stack receivers
-      // may borrow their payload from a container, so they keep their +1.
-      const borrowBind = !multiple && !stacked && isRefCounted(narrowed);
-      const bind = B.slot();
-      B.entryAllocas.push(`${bind} = alloca ${host.llType(narrowed)}`);
-      B.line(
-        `store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${host.llType(narrowed) === "ptr" ? "null" : host.llType(narrowed) === "double" ? f64Lit(0) : "false"}, ptr ${bind}`,
-      );
-      if (!borrowBind) host.ownSlot(bind, narrowed);
-      const isUnit = host.tagInSet(r.name, def.id, unitTags);
-      const extract = (): string =>
-        multiple
-          ? host.retainValue(r.name, narrowed)
-          : borrowBind
-            ? host.unionPeek(r.name, def.id)
-            : host.unionExtract(r.name, def.id, narrowed);
+      const { isUnit, bindPresent } = emitOptionalChainReceiver(host, e);
       if (e.type.kind === "void") {
         // Statement form (cb?.()): no result value at all.
         const lb = B.newLabel("oc.b");
         const lj = B.newLabel("oc.j");
         B.condBr(isUnit, lj, lb);
         B.startBlock(lb);
-        B.line(`store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${extract()}, ptr ${bind}`);
-        host.chainSlots.set(e.id, { name: bind, type: narrowed, slot: true });
+        bindPresent();
         host.frames.push([]);
         host.emitExpr(e.body);
         host.releaseFrame(host.frames.pop()!);
@@ -296,8 +229,7 @@ export function emitControlExpr(
         B.line(`store ptr ${ur}, ptr ${slotD}`);
         B.br(lj);
         B.startBlock(lb);
-        B.line(`store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${extract()}, ptr ${bind}`);
-        host.chainSlots.set(e.id, { name: bind, type: narrowed, slot: true });
+        bindPresent();
         host.emitBranchInto(slotD, e.body);
         host.chainSlots.delete(e.id);
         B.br(lj);
@@ -324,8 +256,7 @@ export function emitControlExpr(
       B.line(`store ptr ${host.unitInstanceRef(e.type.unionId, undefTag)}, ptr ${slot}`);
       B.br(lj);
       B.startBlock(lb);
-      B.line(`store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${extract()}, ptr ${bind}`);
-      host.chainSlots.set(e.id, { name: bind, type: narrowed, slot: true });
+      bindPresent();
       host.emitBranchInto(slot, e.body);
       host.chainSlots.delete(e.id);
       B.br(lj);
@@ -349,6 +280,34 @@ export function emitControlExpr(
       // arm (+1 for ref kinds), falsy releases and runs the default.
       if (e.left.type.kind !== "union")
         throw new InternalCompilerError("llvm emitter bug: orDefault left is not a union");
+      if (
+        e.retag === undefined &&
+        !host.nullableUnions.has(e.left.type.unionId) &&
+        host.isStackUnionSource(e.left)
+      ) {
+        // A stack box (`arr[i] || d`): test truthiness and extract the
+        // payload (+1). The box is never retained or released.
+        const l = host.emitUnionProjection(e.left);
+        const ty = host.llType(e.type);
+        const slot = B.slot();
+        B.entryAllocas.push(`${slot} = alloca ${ty}`);
+        const lt = B.newLabel("ord.t"),
+          lf = B.newLabel("ord.f"),
+          lj = B.newLabel("ord.j");
+        B.condBr(host.truthy(l), lt, lf);
+        B.startBlock(lt);
+        B.line(
+          `store ${ty} ${host.unionExtract(l.name, e.left.type.unionId, e.type)}, ptr ${slot}`,
+        );
+        B.br(lj);
+        B.startBlock(lf);
+        host.emitBranchInto(slot, e.right);
+        B.br(lj);
+        B.startBlock(lj);
+        const t = B.tmp();
+        B.line(`${t} = load ${ty}, ptr ${slot}`);
+        return host.own({ name: t, type: e.type });
+      }
       const l = host.emitExpr(e.left);
       host.moveTemp(l);
       const ty = host.llType(e.type);
@@ -502,6 +461,91 @@ export function emitControlExpr(
   }
 }
 
+/** The receiver half of a union-receiver `a?.b`. The receiver evaluates
+ * once; `isUnit` tests its unit arms, and `bindPresent` fills the chain's
+ * bind slot with the narrowed payload for the body to read through
+ * chainRecv. The caller deletes the chain slot after the body. */
+export function emitOptionalChainReceiver(
+  host: LlvmEmitterContext,
+  e: ExprOf<"optChain">,
+): { isUnit: string; bindPresent: () => void } {
+  const B = host.B;
+  if (e.receiver.type.kind !== "union")
+    throw new LlvmUnsupportedError(`optChain:${e.receiver.type.kind}`, e.loc);
+  const def = host.unionsById.get(e.receiver.type.unionId);
+  if (!def)
+    throw new InternalCompilerError(
+      `llvm emitter bug: optChain of unknown union ${e.receiver.type.unionId}`,
+    );
+  const unitTags = def.arms.flatMap((a, i) => (isUnitType(a) ? [i] : []));
+  const narrowIdx = def.arms.findIndex((a) => !isUnitType(a));
+  if (unitTags.length === 0 || narrowIdx < 0)
+    throw new InternalCompilerError("llvm emitter bug: optChain union arms");
+  const multiple = def.arms.length - unitTags.length > 1;
+  const narrowed = multiple ? e.receiver.type : def.arms[narrowIdx]!;
+  // `owner.field?.member`: a receiver projected from a borrowable owner
+  // needs no reference of its own while the body cannot remove an edge
+  // (so nothing can overwrite the projection before the body finishes).
+  const borrowReceiver =
+    !multiple &&
+    isRefCounted(narrowed) &&
+    host.canBorrowReceiver(e.receiver) &&
+    host.referenceEffects.preserves(e.body);
+  // An optional array read of a nullable-pointer union is the element
+  // pointer itself, read inline and owned by the statement frame until
+  // the body finishes; the bind slot borrows it like an emitExpr value.
+  const nullableRead =
+    !borrowReceiver &&
+    !multiple &&
+    host.nullableUnions.has(def.id) &&
+    host.optionalArrayReads.get(e.receiver) !== null;
+  // A single present arm is only tested and extracted (+1) before the
+  // body runs, so a fresh receiver box can stay on the stack.
+  const stacked =
+    !borrowReceiver && !nullableRead && !multiple && host.canStackReceiver(e.receiver);
+  let r: LlValue;
+  const nullableField = borrowReceiver ? host.nullableFieldGet(e.receiver) : null;
+  if (nullableField !== null && e.receiver.kind === "fieldGet") {
+    // A nullable-pointer field stores no union: test and peek the
+    // pointer itself, through a private stack box when the union's own
+    // representation is boxed (emitUnionProjection's form).
+    const owner = host.emitReadReceiver(e.receiver.obj);
+    const { ptr } = host.classFieldPtr(owner.name, e.receiver.className, e.receiver.field);
+    const p = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${p} = load ptr, ptr ${ptr}${host.fieldAliasAttachment(ptr)}`);
+    r = {
+      name: host.nullableUnions.get(def.id) ? p : host.stackNullableBox(p, nullableField),
+      type: e.receiver.type,
+    };
+  } else if (borrowReceiver || stacked || nullableRead) r = host.emitReadReceiver(e.receiver);
+  else r = host.emitExpr(e.receiver);
+  // The bind slot borrows a ref payload whenever something else keeps it
+  // alive until the body finishes: the borrowed projection above, or the
+  // receiver value the statement frame owns (emitExpr). Stack receivers
+  // may borrow their payload from a container, so they keep their +1.
+  const borrowBind = !multiple && !stacked && isRefCounted(narrowed);
+  const bind = B.slot();
+  B.entryAllocas.push(`${bind} = alloca ${host.llType(narrowed)}`);
+  B.line(
+    `store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${host.llType(narrowed) === "ptr" ? "null" : host.llType(narrowed) === "double" ? f64Lit(0) : "false"}, ptr ${bind}`,
+  );
+  if (!borrowBind) host.ownSlot(bind, narrowed);
+  const isUnit = host.tagInSet(r.name, def.id, unitTags);
+  const extract = (): string =>
+    multiple
+      ? host.retainValue(r.name, narrowed)
+      : borrowBind
+        ? host.unionPeek(r.name, def.id)
+        : host.unionExtract(r.name, def.id, narrowed);
+  return {
+    isUnit,
+    bindPresent: () => {
+      B.line(`store ${host.llType(narrowed)} ${extract()}, ptr ${bind}`);
+      host.chainSlots.set(e.id, { name: bind, type: narrowed, slot: true });
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 /** `a?.b ?? d` narrowed to the chain body's present arm. The body wraps a
  * value of the result type in a non-unit arm, so the default runs exactly
  * when the receiver is nullish and the intermediate result box is never
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.test.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.test.ts
index d268a9e5a..0dad7a998 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.test.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.test.ts
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@ import {
   BOOL,
   F64,
   STRING,
+  UNDEFINED_T,
   VOID,
   funcOf,
   type IrExpr,
   type IrFunction,
   type IrModule,
   type IrStmt,
+  type IrType,
 } from "../../ir/ir.js";
 import { validateModule } from "../../ir/validate.js";
 import { emitLlvmModule } from "./emitter.js";
@@ -133,3 +135,96 @@ test("debug builds keep the double ABI", () => {
   expect(llvm).not.toContain(".i32(");
   expect(llvm).toMatch(/define internal double @sc_f_mix\(double %p_\w+, double %p_\w+\)/);
 });
+
+const optional: IrType = { kind: "union", unionId: "optional" };
+const wrap = (value: IrExpr, tag: number): IrExpr => ({
+  kind: "unionWrap",
+  value,
+  tag,
+  unionId: "optional",
+  type: optional,
+  loc,
+});
+const missing = (): IrExpr =>
+  wrap({ kind: "unitLit", unit: "undefined", type: UNDEFINED_T, loc }, 1);
+
+function unionModule(): IrModule {
+  const positive: IrExpr = {
+    kind: "bin",
+    op: ">",
+    left: ref("n"),
+    right: num(0),
+    type: BOOL,
+    loc,
+  };
+  return {
+    irVersion: 16,
+    sourceFile: loc.file,
+    entry: "main",
+    unions: [{ id: "optional", arms: [F64, UNDEFINED_T] }],
+    functions: [
+      fn(
+        "main",
+        [],
+        [
+          stmt({
+            kind: "nullish",
+            left: call("maybe", [num(3)], optional),
+            right: num(0),
+            type: F64,
+            loc,
+          }),
+          stmt({
+            kind: "closure",
+            fnName: "maybe",
+            captures: [],
+            type: funcOf([F64], optional),
+            loc,
+          }),
+        ],
+        VOID,
+      ),
+      fn(
+        "maybe",
+        ["n"],
+        [
+          stmt(call("throws", [], VOID)),
+          ret({
+            kind: "ternary",
+            cond: positive,
+            then: wrap(ref("n"), 0),
+            else_: missing(),
+            type: optional,
+            loc,
+          }),
+        ],
+        optional,
+      ),
+      fn(
+        "throws",
+        [],
+        [{ kind: "throw", value: { kind: "strLit", value: "no", type: STRING, loc }, loc }],
+        VOID,
+      ),
+    ],
+  };
+}
+
+test("scalar union results return tag and payload bits on direct calls", () => {
+  const mod = unionModule();
+  expect(validateModule(mod)).toEqual([]);
+  const llvm = emitLlvmModule(mod);
+  const entry = define(llvm, "sc_f_maybe.i32");
+  expect(entry).toMatch(/^define internal \{ i32, i64 \} @sc_f_maybe\.i32\(double %p_\w+\)/);
+  expect(entry).toContain("ret { i32, i64 } { i32 -1, i64 0 }");
+  expect(entry).not.toContain("@scr_union_new");
+  // A projecting caller reads the pair without a heap box.
+  const main = define(llvm, "sc_f_main");
+  expect(main).toContain("call { i32, i64 } @sc_f_maybe.i32(double ");
+  expect(main).not.toContain("@scr_union_new");
+  // The closure keeps the boxed result of the ordinary symbol.
+  const wrapper = define(llvm, "sc_f_maybe");
+  expect(wrapper).toContain("define internal ptr @sc_f_maybe(double %p0)");
+  expect(wrapper).toContain("call { i32, i64 } @sc_f_maybe.i32(double %p0)");
+  expect(wrapper).toContain("call ptr @scr_union_new_f64(i32 0, double ");
+});
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.ts
index 3bf7b0943..74cc5b974 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/int32-abi.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,33 @@
-import type { IrExpr, IrFunction, IrModule } from "../../ir/ir.js";
+import {
+  isUnitType,
+  type IrExpr,
+  type IrFunction,
+  type IrModule,
+  type IrType,
+} from "../../ir/ir.js";
 import type { Int32Slots } from "../../ir/int32-slots.js";
 import { everyStmtList } from "../../ir/traverse.js";
 
 /** The i32 entry of a function: which number parameters it receives as
- * i32, and whether its number result is returned as i32. */
+ * i32, and whether its number result is returned as i32 or its scalar
+ * union result as tag and payload bits. */
 export interface Int32Abi {
   params: readonly boolean[];
   result: boolean;
+  /** The result is a union of numbers, booleans and unit values (such as
+   * `number | undefined`), returned as SCALAR_UNION_RESULT instead of a
+   * heap box. */
+  union: boolean;
 }
 
+/** The register pair of a scalar union result: the union tag and the
+ * payload bits of the `%ScrUnion` box it replaces. */
+export const SCALAR_UNION_RESULT = "{ i32, i64 }";
+
+/** The result of an entry that left a pending exception: no arm has tag
+ * -1, so the double-ABI wrapper answers the usual NULL dummy. */
+export const SCALAR_UNION_DUMMY = `${SCALAR_UNION_RESULT} { i32 -1, i64 0 }`;
+
 /** Suffix of a function's i32 entry symbol. The ordinary symbol stays a
  * double-ABI wrapper around it. */
 export const INT32_ABI_SUFFIX = ".i32";
@@ -26,6 +45,11 @@ export const INT32_ABI_SUFFIX = ".i32";
  * fib(n - 2)`, keeps its double: the incoming double is that result, where
  * an i32 would add a conversion to the path that returns it.
  *
+ * A scalar union result (every arm a number, a boolean or a unit value)
+ * owns no reference, so the entry returns its tag and payload bits in
+ * registers. Callers that only project it never build the heap box; the
+ * others box it at the call, as the double-ABI wrapper does.
+ *
  * Only direct `call` and `new` sites use the i32 entry. Every other way to
  * reach the function (closure and virtual-dispatch entries, constructor
  * thunks, adapters, the runtime) keeps the double-ABI symbol, which becomes
@@ -34,10 +58,12 @@ export const INT32_ABI_SUFFIX = ".i32";
  * debug builds (numbers stay doubles for the debugger) select none. */
 export function findInt32Abis(mod: IrModule, slots: Int32Slots): Map<string, Int32Abi> {
   const result = new Map<string, Int32Abi>();
+  const unions = new Map((mod.unions ?? []).map((def) => [def.id, def.arms]));
   for (const fn of mod.functions) {
     if (fn.async || fn.generator || fn.captures !== undefined || !slots.called.has(fn.name))
       continue;
     const ret = fn.returnType.kind === "f64" && slots.hasReturn(fn.name);
+    const union = scalarUnionResult(fn, unions);
     let params = fn.params.map(
       (param) => param.type.kind === "f64" && slots.hasParam(fn.name, param.localId),
     );
@@ -45,11 +71,23 @@ export function findInt32Abis(mod: IrModule, slots: Int32Slots): Map<string, Int
       const returned = returnedLocals(fn);
       params = params.map((i32, index) => i32 && !returned.has(fn.params[index]!.localId));
     }
-    if (ret || params.includes(true)) result.set(fn.name, { params, result: ret });
+    if (ret || union || params.includes(true)) result.set(fn.name, { params, result: ret, union });
   }
   return result;
 }
 
+function scalarUnionResult(
+  fn: IrFunction,
+  unions: ReadonlyMap<string, readonly IrType[]>,
+): boolean {
+  if (fn.returnType.kind !== "union") return false;
+  const arms = unions.get(fn.returnType.unionId);
+  return (
+    arms !== undefined &&
+    arms.every((arm) => arm.kind === "f64" || arm.kind === "bool" || isUnitType(arm))
+  );
+}
+
 /** Locals some `return` hands back as its value (directly or as an arm of
  * a conditional). */
 function returnedLocals(fn: IrFunction): Set<string> {
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.test.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.test.ts
index d86a3a9f6..98e9f78fd 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.test.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.test.ts
@@ -91,11 +91,14 @@ function fixture(): IrModule {
 }
 function facts(mod: IrModule) {
   const lifetimes = analyzeCallLifetimes(new Map(mod.functions.map((fn) => [fn.name, fn])));
-  return findLocalUnionStorage(
-    mod.functions[1]!,
-    lifetimes,
-    new Map(mod.unions!.map((u) => [u.id, u])),
-  );
+  const unions = new Map(mod.unions!.map((u) => [u.id, u]));
+  return findLocalUnionStorage(mod.functions[1]!, lifetimes, {
+    unions,
+    receiverUnions: unions,
+    nullableField: () => false,
+    arrayRead: () => false,
+    scalarCall: () => false,
+  });
 }
 function body(mod: IrModule, pointerBits: 32 | 64): string {
   expect(validateModule(mod)).toEqual([]);
@@ -320,3 +323,102 @@ test("equality whose other operand captures the whole local keeps the heap path"
   };
   expect(facts(mod).has("item")).toBe(false);
 });
+
+test("number bindings of optional reads and `??` chains stay in stack storage", () => {
+  const maybe: IrType = { kind: "union", unionId: "maybe" };
+  const numbers: IrType = { kind: "array", elem: F64 };
+  const read = (index: IrExpr): IrExpr => ({
+    kind: "ternary",
+    cond: {
+      kind: "bin",
+      op: "===",
+      left: { kind: "arrayState", arr: ref("values", numbers), index, type: F64, loc },
+      right: { kind: "numLit", value: 1, type: F64, loc },
+      type: BOOL,
+      loc,
+    },
+    then: {
+      kind: "unionWrap",
+      value: { kind: "arrayGet", arr: ref("values", numbers), index, type: F64, loc },
+      tag: 0,
+      unionId: "maybe",
+      type: maybe,
+      loc,
+    },
+    else_: {
+      kind: "unionWrap",
+      value: { kind: "unitLit", unit: "undefined", type: UNDEFINED_T, loc },
+      tag: 1,
+      unionId: "maybe",
+      type: maybe,
+      loc,
+    },
+    type: maybe,
+    loc,
+  });
+  const zero: IrExpr = { kind: "numLit", value: 0, type: F64, loc };
+  const mod: IrModule = {
+    irVersion: 16,
+    sourceFile: loc.file,
+    entry: "main",
+    unions: [{ id: "maybe", arms: [F64, UNDEFINED_T] }],
+    functions: [
+      { name: "main", params: [], locals: [], body: [], returnType: VOID, loc },
+      {
+        name: "work",
+        loc,
+        returnType: F64,
+        params: [
+          { localId: "values", name: "values", type: numbers },
+          { localId: "i", name: "i", type: F64 },
+          { localId: "choose", name: "choose", type: BOOL },
+        ],
+        locals: [
+          { id: "values", name: "values", type: numbers, mutable: true },
+          { id: "i", name: "i", type: F64, mutable: true },
+          { id: "choose", name: "choose", type: BOOL, mutable: true },
+          { id: "value", name: "value", type: maybe, mutable: true },
+        ],
+        body: [
+          {
+            kind: "varDecl",
+            localId: "value",
+            loc,
+            init: {
+              kind: "nullish",
+              left: read(ref("i", F64)),
+              right: read(zero),
+              type: maybe,
+              loc,
+            },
+          },
+          {
+            kind: "assign",
+            localId: "value",
+            loc,
+            value: {
+              kind: "ternary",
+              cond: ref("choose", BOOL),
+              then: read(zero),
+              else_: read(ref("i", F64)),
+              type: maybe,
+              loc,
+            },
+          },
+          {
+            kind: "return",
+            loc,
+            value: {
+              kind: "nullish",
+              left: ref("value", maybe),
+              right: { kind: "numLit", value: -1, type: F64, loc },
+              type: F64,
+              loc,
+            },
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+    ],
+  };
+  expect(body(mod, 64)).not.toMatch(/@scr_union_(?:new|retain|release)/);
+});
diff --git a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.ts b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.ts
index aec3aaece..f1ec82df5 100644
--- a/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler/src/backend/llvm/local-union-storage.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import { undefinedArmTag } from "../../ir/analysis.js";
 import {
   isRefCounted,
+  isUnitType,
   type IrExpr,
   type IrFunction,
   type IrType,
@@ -7,7 +9,10 @@ import {
 } from "../../ir/ir.js";
 import { everyStmtList } from "../../ir/traverse.js";
 import type { CallLifetimes } from "./call-lifetimes.js";
-import type { LlvmEmitterContext } from "./expr-context.js";
+import { emitArrIntrinsic } from "./expr-containers.js";
+import { emitOptionalChainReceiver } from "./expr-control.js";
+import type { ExprOf, LlValue, LlvmEmitterContext } from "./expr-context.js";
+import { emitLocalArrayRead } from "./local-array-reads.js";
 import { emitStackMapRead, matchMapRead } from "./map-read-lifetimes.js";
 import { canStackUnion, emitStackUnion } from "./stack-unions.js";
 
@@ -31,22 +36,81 @@ function isUnionCopy(expr: IrExpr, type: IrType): boolean {
   );
 }
 
-function supportedSource(
-  expr: IrExpr,
-  type: IrType,
-  unions: ReadonlyMap<string, IrUnionDef>,
-  nullableField: CopiedUnionSource,
-): boolean {
+/** The union sources a binding or projection can snapshot. */
+export interface UnionSources {
+  /** The tagged-box unions a stack box can hold. */
+  unions: ReadonlyMap<string, IrUnionDef>;
+  /** Every union, including nullable-pointer receivers of `a?.b`. */
+  receiverUnions: ReadonlyMap<string, IrUnionDef>;
+  /** Nullable-pointer field reads (copied with their own owner). */
+  nullableField: CopiedUnionSource;
+  /** Optional array element reads (OptionalArrayReads). */
+  arrayRead: CopiedUnionSource;
+  /** Direct calls returning a scalar union in registers (Int32Abi.union). */
+  scalarCall: CopiedUnionSource;
+}
+
+/** Every arm is a number, a boolean or a unit value: the box owns nothing,
+ * so its tag and payload bits are the whole value. */
+function isScalarUnion(type: IrType, unions: ReadonlyMap<string, IrUnionDef>): boolean {
+  if (type.kind !== "union") return false;
+  const arms = unions.get(type.unionId)?.arms;
+  return (
+    arms !== undefined &&
+    arms.every((arm) => arm.kind === "f64" || arm.kind === "bool" || isUnitType(arm))
+  );
+}
+
+function sameUnion(expr: IrExpr, type: IrType): boolean {
+  return expr.type.kind === "union" && type.kind === "union" && expr.type.unionId === type.unionId;
+}
+
+/** `a?.b`, pass-through `a ?? b`, `c ? a : b` and `pop()`/`shift()` of
+ * number or boolean elements, as a scalar union built from other sources
+ * in a private stack box. Ownerless payloads make every snapshot a copy of
+ * bits, so no heap box is needed while consumers only project. */
+export function isScalarOptionalSource(expr: IrExpr, sources: UnionSources): boolean {
+  if (!isScalarUnion(expr.type, sources.unions)) return false;
+  if (expr.kind === "arrIntrinsic")
+    return (
+      (expr.method === "pop" || expr.method === "shift") &&
+      expr.receiver.type.kind === "array" &&
+      (expr.receiver.type.elem.kind === "f64" || expr.receiver.type.elem.kind === "bool")
+    );
+  if (expr.kind === "optChain") {
+    if (expr.receiver.type.kind !== "union") return false;
+    const arms = sources.receiverUnions.get(expr.receiver.type.unionId)?.arms;
+    return (
+      arms !== undefined &&
+      arms.filter((arm) => !isUnitType(arm)).length === 1 &&
+      undefinedArmTag(expr.type, sources.unions) >= 0 &&
+      supportedSource(expr.body, expr.type, sources)
+    );
+  }
   if (expr.kind === "ternary")
     return (
-      supportedSource(expr.then, type, unions, nullableField) &&
-      supportedSource(expr.else_, type, unions, nullableField)
+      supportedSource(expr.then, expr.type, sources) &&
+      supportedSource(expr.else_, expr.type, sources)
     );
   return (
-    canStackUnion(expr, unions) ||
-    matchMapRead(expr, unions) !== null ||
-    nullableField(expr) ||
-    isUnionCopy(expr, type)
+    expr.kind === "nullish" &&
+    supportedSource(expr.left, expr.type, sources) &&
+    supportedSource(expr.right, expr.type, sources)
+  );
+}
+
+function supportedSource(expr: IrExpr, type: IrType, sources: UnionSources): boolean {
+  if (!sameUnion(expr, type)) return false;
+  if (sources.arrayRead(expr)) return true;
+  if (expr.kind === "ternary")
+    return supportedSource(expr.then, type, sources) && supportedSource(expr.else_, type, sources);
+  return (
+    canStackUnion(expr, sources.unions) ||
+    matchMapRead(expr, sources.unions) !== null ||
+    sources.nullableField(expr) ||
+    isUnionCopy(expr, type) ||
+    isScalarOptionalSource(expr, sources) ||
+    sources.scalarCall(expr)
   );
 }
 
@@ -57,9 +121,9 @@ function supportedSource(
 export function findLocalUnionStorage(
   fn: IrFunction,
   lifetimes: CallLifetimes,
-  unions: ReadonlyMap<string, IrUnionDef>,
-  nullableField: CopiedUnionSource = () => false,
+  sources: UnionSources,
 ): Map<string, LocalUnionStorageProof> {
+  const unions = sources.unions;
   const types = new Map(fn.locals.map((local) => [local.id, local.type]));
   const result = new Map<string, LocalUnionStorageProof>();
   const safe = lifetimes.projectedLocals.get(fn.name);
@@ -77,8 +141,7 @@ export function findLocalUnionStorage(
       if (stmt.kind === "varDecl" || stmt.kind === "assign") {
         const value = stmt.kind === "varDecl" ? stmt.init : stmt.value;
         const type = types.get(stmt.localId);
-        if (!value || !type || !supportedSource(value, type, unions, nullableField))
-          result.delete(stmt.localId);
+        if (!value || !type || !supportedSource(value, type, sources)) result.delete(stmt.localId);
       }
       return true;
     },
@@ -122,7 +185,8 @@ export function storeLocalUnion(
   expr: IrExpr,
 ): void {
   const B = host.B;
-  if (expr.kind === "ternary") {
+  const read = host.optionalArrayReads.get(expr);
+  if (expr.kind === "ternary" && read === null) {
     const cond = host.emitExpr(expr.cond);
     const yes = B.newLabel("union.then"),
       no = B.newLabel("union.else"),
@@ -147,7 +211,27 @@ export function storeLocalUnion(
   // boxed union table), and every source has the binding's own union.
   const unionId = expr.type.kind === "union" ? expr.type.unionId : "";
   host.requireBoxedUnion(unionId);
-  if (host.nullableFieldGet(expr) !== null) {
+  if (read) {
+    // The snapshot owns its reference element, if any; a missing element
+    // leaves a NULL owner.
+    const slot = B.slot();
+    B.entryAllocas.push(`${slot} = alloca ptr`);
+    const owned = emitLocalArrayRead(host, { ...read, borrow: false }, slot);
+    source = B.tmp();
+    B.line(`${source} = load ptr, ptr ${slot}`);
+    if (owned) {
+      owner = B.tmp();
+      B.line(`${owner} = load ptr, ptr ${owned.slot}`);
+    }
+  } else if (
+    expr.kind === "optChain" ||
+    expr.kind === "nullish" ||
+    expr.kind === "call" ||
+    expr.kind === "arrIntrinsic"
+  ) {
+    // Scalar optional sources and register results: a private stack box.
+    source = host.emitReadReceiver(expr).name;
+  } else if (host.nullableFieldGet(expr) !== null) {
     const copied = host.emitOwnedNullableStack(expr);
     source = copied.box;
     owner = copied.owner.name;
@@ -207,3 +291,51 @@ export function storeLocalUnion(
     host.releaseValue(old, storage.ownerType);
   }
 }
+
+/** Build a scalar optional source (isScalarOptionalSource) in a fresh
+ * stack box. Operands evaluate in source order; a binding being assigned
+ * is only overwritten after the whole value is known. */
+export function emitScalarOptional(
+  host: LlvmEmitterContext,
+  expr: ExprOf<"optChain" | "nullish" | "ternary" | "arrIntrinsic">,
+): LlValue {
+  const B = host.B;
+  const storage = allocateLocalUnion(host, { ownerType: null });
+  if (expr.kind === "arrIntrinsic") return emitArrIntrinsic(host, expr, storage);
+  if (expr.kind === "ternary") {
+    storeLocalUnion(host, storage, expr);
+    return { name: storage.box, type: expr.type };
+  }
+  const join = B.newLabel("optional.join");
+  if (expr.kind === "optChain") {
+    const { isUnit, bindPresent } = emitOptionalChainReceiver(host, expr);
+    const missing = B.newLabel("optional.missing"),
+      present = B.newLabel("optional.present");
+    B.condBr(isUnit, missing, present);
+    B.startBlock(missing);
+    B.line(`store i32 ${undefinedArmTag(expr.type, host.unionsById)}, ptr ${storage.tag}`);
+    B.line(`store i64 0, ptr ${storage.payload}`);
+    B.br(join);
+    B.startBlock(present);
+    bindPresent();
+    host.frames.push([]);
+    storeLocalUnion(host, storage, expr.body);
+    host.releaseFrame(host.frames.pop()!);
+    host.chainSlots.delete(expr.id);
+    B.br(join);
+  } else {
+    storeLocalUnion(host, storage, expr.left);
+    const unionId = expr.type.kind === "union" ? expr.type.unionId : "";
+    const arms = host.unionsById.get(unionId)!.arms;
+    const unitTags = arms.flatMap((arm, tag) => (isUnitType(arm) ? [tag] : []));
+    const fallback = B.newLabel("optional.default");
+    B.condBr(host.tagInSet(storage.box, unionId, unitTags), fallback, join);
+    B.startBlock(fallback);
+    host.frames.push([]);
+    storeLocalUnion(host, storage, expr.right);
+    host.releaseFrame(host.frames.pop()!);
+    B.br(join);
+  }
+  B.startBlock(join);
+  return { name: storage.box, type: expr.type };
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ce0ba48d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..12dd109ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70a74f690
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..67ffc5797
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..572180b0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1cbd64442
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts.json b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..98827f97c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/compiler/test/ts7/baselines/order-parity/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "order": [
+  "<repo>/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts"
+ ],
+ "diags": []
+}
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts b/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c62509fce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5070-optional-read-bindings.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+// Reassigned bindings of optional element reads keep each snapshot's
+// value: holes, present undefined, missing and noncanonical indices read
+// as undefined, and later array writes do not change an earlier read.
+const numbers = [5, 0, NaN, -1];
+for (let i = -1; i <= numbers.length; i++) {
+  let value = numbers[i];
+  if (value === undefined) value = 100;
+  let next = numbers[i + 1];
+  next = next ?? numbers[i];
+  console.log(i, value, next, next === undefined);
+}
+
+const holey: number[] = [1, , 3] as number[];
+let hole = holey[1];
+console.log(hole === undefined, hole);
+hole = holey[2];
+console.log(hole, holey[1.5], holey[-1]);
+
+const words = ["x", "yy"];
+let word = words[0];
+words[0] = "changed";
+console.log(word, word?.length, words[0]);
+word = words[5];
+console.log(word === undefined, word ?? "fallback");
+
+const flags = [true, false];
+let flag = flags[1];
+console.log(flag, flag === false, flag === undefined);
+flag = flags[9];
+console.log(flag, flag ?? "none");
+
+let total = 0;
+let cursor = numbers[0];
+for (let i = 1; cursor !== undefined; i++) {
+  total += cursor;
+  cursor = numbers[i];
+}
+console.log(total);
+
+function firstAbove(values: number[], limit: number): number {
+  let found = values[0];
+  for (let i = 1; i < values.length + 2; i++) {
+    const candidate = values[i];
+    if (candidate !== undefined && candidate > limit) found = candidate;
+  }
+  return found ?? -1;
+}
+console.log(firstAbove([1, 9, 4, 12], 5), firstAbove([], 0));
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts b/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..04116f90f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5071-optional-chain-scalars.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+// Optional chains that end in number or boolean values: missing elements,
+// null receivers and nested reads give undefined, the chain body runs only
+// for a present receiver, and `??` evaluates its default lazily.
+interface Rec {
+  id: number;
+  score: number;
+  flag: boolean;
+}
+const recs: Rec[] = [
+  { id: 1, score: 3, flag: true },
+  { id: 2, score: 0, flag: false },
+  { id: 3, score: NaN, flag: true },
+];
+
+let lo = Infinity;
+let hi = -Infinity;
+let count = 0;
+for (let i = 0; i <= recs.length; i++) {
+  const score = recs[i]?.score;
+  if (score === undefined) {
+    console.log("missing", i);
+    continue;
+  }
+  lo = Math.min(lo, score);
+  hi = Math.max(hi, score);
+  count++;
+}
+console.log(lo, hi, count);
+
+for (let i = 0; i <= recs.length; i++) {
+  console.log(
+    recs[i]?.score ?? -1,
+    recs[i]?.flag ?? "none",
+    recs[i]?.score || "falsy",
+    recs[i]?.flag === true,
+    recs[i]?.score === 3,
+    !recs[i]?.flag,
+  );
+  let flag = recs[i]?.flag;
+  if (flag === undefined) flag = false;
+  console.log(flag);
+}
+
+const grid: number[][] = [[1, 2], [3]];
+for (let r = 0; r < 3; r++)
+  for (let c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
+    const cell = grid[r]?.[c];
+    console.log(r, c, cell, grid[r]?.[c] ?? 9, cell === undefined ? "u" : cell > 1);
+  }
+
+const nothing: Rec | null | undefined = recs.length > 5 ? recs[0] : null;
+console.log(nothing?.score, nothing?.score ?? 5, nothing?.flag === undefined);
+
+const log: string[] = [];
+function fallback(label: string): number {
+  log.push(label);
+  return 7;
+}
+let k = 0;
+const first = recs[k++]?.score ?? fallback("first");
+const second = recs[k + 10]?.score ?? fallback("second");
+console.log(first, second, k, log.join(","));
+
+function describe(value: number | undefined): string {
+  return value === undefined ? "none" : `value ${value * 2}`;
+}
+for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) console.log(describe(recs[i]?.score));
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts b/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cec989c46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5072-optional-nullish-ternary.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+// `??`, `||` and conditional chains over optional element reads choose
+// the first present (or truthy) value without changing evaluation order.
+const numbers = [5, 0, NaN, -1];
+for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+  const a = numbers[i] ?? numbers[i - 2] ?? 0;
+  let b = numbers[i + 3] ?? numbers[i];
+  b = numbers[i + 7] ?? b;
+  console.log(a, b, numbers[i] || 11, numbers[i + 1] || numbers[i] || 12);
+}
+
+let calls = 0;
+function index(i: number): number {
+  calls++;
+  return i;
+}
+console.log(numbers[index(0)] ?? numbers[index(1)], calls);
+console.log(numbers[index(9)] ?? numbers[index(1)], calls);
+
+function pick(values: number[], i: number): number {
+  return values[i] ?? values[values.length - 1] ?? NaN;
+}
+console.log(pick([], 0), pick([4], 3), pick([4, 8], 0));
+
+let best: number | undefined;
+for (const i of [3, 0, 2, 9, 1]) {
+  const candidate = numbers[i];
+  best = candidate !== undefined && (best === undefined || candidate > best) ? candidate : best;
+}
+console.log(best);
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts b/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4ecd9e9db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5073-optional-results.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+// Functions whose results are `number | undefined` and similar unions:
+// direct calls, function values, overridden methods, exceptions and
+// finally blocks all observe the same values.
+function at(values: number[], i: number): number | undefined {
+  return values[i];
+}
+function flagAt(values: boolean[], i: number): boolean | undefined {
+  return values[i];
+}
+function positive(n: number): number | null {
+  return n > 0 ? n : null;
+}
+function three(n: number): number | null | undefined {
+  return n > 1 ? n : n === 1 ? null : undefined;
+}
+function same(value: number | undefined): number | undefined {
+  return value;
+}
+function thrower(n: number): number | undefined {
+  if (n === 3) throw new Error(`boom ${n}`);
+  return n > 4 ? undefined : n * 2;
+}
+function guarded(n: number): number | undefined {
+  try {
+    if (n > 2) return n;
+    return undefined;
+  } finally {
+    console.log("finally", n);
+  }
+}
+function find(values: number[], limit: number): number | undefined {
+  for (let i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {
+    const value = values[i];
+    if (value !== undefined && value > limit) return value;
+  }
+  return undefined;
+}
+function last(values: number[], i: number): number | undefined {
+  return i < 0 ? undefined : (at(values, i) ?? last(values, i - 1));
+}
+class Store {
+  data: number[] = [4, 5];
+  get(i: number): number | undefined {
+    return this.data[i];
+  }
+}
+class Override extends Store {
+  get(i: number): number | undefined {
+    return i === 0 ? 99 : super.get(i);
+  }
+}
+
+const values = [1, 2, 3];
+for (let i = -1; i < 6; i++) {
+  console.log(i, at(values, i), at(values, i) ?? "none", at(values, i) === undefined);
+  console.log(flagAt([true, false], i), positive(i), three(i), same(at(values, i)));
+  try {
+    console.log(thrower(i));
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.log("caught", (error as Error).message);
+  }
+  console.log(guarded(i), find(values, i), last(values, i + 3));
+}
+
+const value: (values: number[], i: number) => number | undefined = at;
+console.log(value(values, 1), value(values, 7), [0, 1, 5].map((i) => at(values, i)));
+const stores: Store[] = [new Store(), new Override()];
+for (const store of stores) console.log(store.get(0), store.get(1), store.get(2));
+
+const kept: (number | undefined)[] = [];
+for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) kept.push(at(values, i));
+console.log(kept);
+let carried: number | undefined = at(values, 0);
+for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) carried = at(values, i) ?? carried;
+console.log(carried);
+const record = { missing: at(values, 9), present: at(values, 0) };
+console.log(record, JSON.stringify(record));
+
+function sum(a: number[], lo: number, hi: number): number | undefined {
+  if (hi - lo <= 1) return a[lo];
+  const mid = (lo + hi) >> 1;
+  const left = sum(a, lo, mid);
+  const right = sum(a, mid, hi);
+  if (left === undefined) return right;
+  if (right === undefined) return left;
+  return left + right;
+}
+console.log(sum(values, 0, 10), sum([], 0, 4));
+
+function base(a: number[], lo: number, hi: number): number {
+  if (hi - lo <= 1) {
+    let v = a[lo];
+    if (v === undefined) v = 0;
+    return v;
+  }
+  const mid = (lo + hi) >> 1;
+  return base(a, lo, mid) + base(a, mid, hi);
+}
+console.log(base(values, 0, 8));
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts b/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c7779f506
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5074-optional-pop-shift.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// pop() and shift() of number and boolean arrays answer undefined once
+// the array is empty; consumers that test or default the result see the
+// removed element otherwise.
+const stack = [1, 0, NaN, 4];
+let total = 0;
+for (;;) {
+  const top = stack.pop();
+  if (top === undefined) break;
+  total += top;
+  console.log(top, stack.length);
+}
+console.log(total, stack.pop(), stack.pop() ?? "empty");
+
+const queue = [true, false, true];
+while (queue.length > 0) console.log(queue.shift() ?? "none", queue.length);
+console.log(queue.shift(), queue.shift() === undefined);
+
+const work = [3, 1, 2];
+let visited = 0;
+while (work.length) {
+  const next = work.shift()!;
+  visited += next;
+  if (next > 2) work.push(next - 2);
+}
+console.log(visited);
+
+function drain(values: number[]): number {
+  let last = values.pop() ?? -1;
+  let count = 0;
+  for (let item = values.pop(); item !== undefined; item = values.pop()) {
+    last = item;
+    count++;
+  }
+  return last * 10 + count;
+}
+console.log(drain([7, 8, 9]), drain([]));
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts b/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8de2b3c5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/main.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+// Kernels over maybe-missing elements with noUncheckedIndexedAccess: game
+// tree minimax over ragged rows, divide-and-conquer sums that read past
+// the end, and min/max of record fields.
+interface Rec {
+  id: number;
+  score: number;
+}
+
+function leaf(grid: number[][], node: number): number {
+  return grid[node >> 3]?.[node & 7] ?? 0;
+}
+function minimax(grid: number[][], node: number, depth: number, maxing: boolean): number {
+  if (depth === 0) return leaf(grid, node % 90);
+  let best = maxing ? -Infinity : Infinity;
+  for (let c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
+    const score = minimax(grid, node * 3 + c, depth - 1, !maxing);
+    best = maxing ? Math.max(best, score) : Math.min(best, score);
+  }
+  return best;
+}
+const grid: number[][] = [];
+for (let r = 0; r < 10; r++) {
+  const row: number[] = [];
+  for (let c = 0; c < (r % 3 === 0 ? 5 : 8); c++) row.push((r * 37 + c * 11) % 23);
+  grid.push(row);
+}
+console.log(minimax(grid, 0, 5, true), minimax(grid, 1, 4, false));
+
+function sum(a: number[], lo: number, hi: number): number {
+  if (hi - lo <= 1) {
+    let v = a[lo];
+    if (v === undefined) v = 0;
+    return v;
+  }
+  const mid = (lo + hi) >> 1;
+  return sum(a, lo, mid) + sum(a, mid, hi);
+}
+function maybeSum(a: number[], lo: number, hi: number): number | undefined {
+  if (hi - lo <= 1) return a[lo];
+  const mid = (lo + hi) >> 1;
+  const left = maybeSum(a, lo, mid);
+  const right = maybeSum(a, mid, hi);
+  return left === undefined ? right : right === undefined ? left : left + right;
+}
+const values: number[] = [];
+for (let i = 0; i < 100; i++) values.push((i * 7) % 13);
+console.log(sum(values, 0, values.length + 9), maybeSum(values, 0, 140), maybeSum(values, 100, 120));
+
+const recs: Rec[] = [];
+for (let i = 0; i < 50; i++) recs.push({ id: i, score: (i * 7919) % 101 });
+let lo = Infinity;
+let hi = -Infinity;
+for (let i = 0; i <= recs.length + 1; i++) {
+  const score = recs[i]?.score;
+  if (score === undefined) continue;
+  lo = Math.min(lo, score);
+  hi = Math.max(hi, score);
+}
+let best = -Infinity;
+for (let i = 0; i < recs.length; i++) best = Math.max(best, recs[i]!.score);
+function choose(values: number[], useFirst: boolean): number | string {
+  const value = useFirst ? values[0] : values[1];
+  if (value === undefined) return "missing";
+  return value;
+}
+for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+  const c = i % 2 === 0 ? values[i * 40] : values[i * 40 + 1];
+  console.log(c, c ?? "none", choose(values.slice(i * 50), i > 1));
+}
+const first = values[0];
+const missing = values[500];
+console.log(lo, hi, best, first ?? -1, missing ?? -1, missing === undefined);
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/tsconfig.json b/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f2e1c10cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5075-optional-reads-unchecked/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "strict": true,
+    "noUncheckedIndexedAccess": true
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts b/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fd84fb54f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/corpus/5076-optional-escapes.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+// Scalar optional values that escape into arrays, fields, maps, closures
+// and stored parameters keep their own heap values.
+const kept: (number | undefined)[] = [];
+function keep(x: number | undefined): void { kept.push(x); }
+function keepTwice(x: number | undefined): number | undefined { kept.push(x); return x; }
+class Holder { v: number | undefined = undefined; set(x: number | undefined) { this.v = x; } }
+const h = new Holder();
+const m = new Map<string, number | undefined>();
+const fns: (() => number | undefined)[] = [];
+function at(xs: number[], i: number): number | undefined { return xs[i]; }
+const xs = [10, 20];
+for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+  let a: number | undefined = xs[i];
+  let b: number | undefined = xs[i + 1];
+  if (i === 2) { a = 5; b = undefined; }
+  const pick = i % 2 === 0 ? a : b;
+  keep(i % 2 === 0 ? a : b);
+  keep(xs[i] ?? xs[0]);
+  keep(at(xs, i));
+  keepTwice(pick);
+  h.set(i > 1 ? at(xs, i) : xs[i]);
+  m.set("k" + i, at(xs, i) ?? at(xs, 0));
+  const captured = at(xs, i);
+  fns.push(() => captured);
+  console.log(pick, h.v, m.get("k" + i));
+}
+console.log(kept, fns.map((f) => f()));
+function deep(n: number): number | undefined { return n === 0 ? undefined : (deep(n - 1) ?? n); }
+try { console.log(deep(1e7)); } catch (e) { console.log("caught", (e as Error).name); }
+console.log(deep(100));