diff --git a/TODO.org b/TODO.org
index c7718d71..f44870dd 100644
--- a/TODO.org
+++ b/TODO.org
@@ -650,10 +650,6 @@ Decided 2026-09-26: a lambda's body follows ~=>~, and ~=>~ is its only spelling
 takes an indented block even inside brackets, closing where the brackets close:
 ~sort-by(xs, fn(a, b) =>~ plus a block.
 
-** NEXT A top-level let is a global
-Decided 2026-09-26: in .fln ~let x = v~ at column 0 reads ~(def x v)~ and replaces
-~def~, which is refused with that fix; ~once~ and ~const~ stay.
-
 ** TODO Hard-coded code in messages is still paren syntax in a .fln file
 Types follow the code's syntax now (=Types.spell=). Hints written into a message's
 text — =(Ptr %s)=, =(clone v)=, =(the T x)= in most of =check.ml= and =parse.ml=, the
diff --git a/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el b/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
index aaf78bf8..f5a58276 100644
--- a/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
+++ b/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ fine here.  Brackets and strings are still paired."
   '(("fn" . "defn") ("fn-" . "defn-") ("def" . "def") ("once" . "defonce")
     ("const" . "defconst") ("struct" . "defstruct") ("data" . "defdata")
     ("enum" . "defenum") ("union" . "defunion") ("import" . "import")
-    ("macro" . "defmacro") ("type" . "defalias") ("class" . "defclass")
+    ("let" . "def") ("macro" . "defmacro") ("type" . "defalias") ("class" . "defclass")
     ("generic" . "defgeneric") ("multi" . "defmulti") ("method" . "defmethod"))
   "Each declaration header word, and the paren head it reads as.")
 
@@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ the form."
 (defun flan-fln--declaration-head-at (pos &optional heads)
   "The paren head of the declaration written at POS, or nil.
 The .fln twin of `flan--declaration-head-at': POS must be at column 0 and not
-in a string or comment, and the header word -- `fn', `def', `struct', ... --
+in a string or comment, and the header word -- `fn', `let', `struct', ... --
 or the fallback call's name, `defmethod(', must read as one of HEADS,
 `flan--declaration-heads' by default."
   (save-excursion
@@ -935,8 +935,9 @@ before point.  With ARG, stop there instead, as \\[flan-eval-last-sexp] does."
   "Non-nil if START's statement is a `let'.
 A let takes no block: lines under it are its value's (`= match x', a lambda
 header), and its name lasts to the end of the block it is in."
-  (save-excursion (goto-char (flan-fln--first-char start))
-                  (looking-at "let[ \t]")))
+  (and (> (flan-fln--indent-at start) 0)
+       (save-excursion (goto-char (flan-fln--first-char start))
+                       (looking-at "let[ \t]"))))
 
 (defun flan-fln--block-rest (start)
   "START's statement and every statement after it in the same block."
@@ -1174,7 +1175,7 @@ Before it at the same level, else out to the line that owns this block."
         (let ((bol (line-beginning-position)))
           (or (looking-back ":" bol)
               (looking-back "[ \t]->" bol)
-              ;; `let x =' and `def colors =' with the value as a block,
+              ;; `let x =' and `let colors =' at the top level with the value as a block,
               ;; which the author's list leaves out and the reader reads.
               (looking-back "[ \t]=" bol))))))
 
@@ -1621,7 +1622,8 @@ lambda or a `Fn(...)' type, and not after a match arm's."
     (,(concat "^struct[ \t]+[^][ \t\n(){},;\":]+\\(?:([^)\n]*)\\)?[ \t]+:parent[ \t]+"
               flan-fln--name-re)
      1 font-lock-type-face)
-    (,(concat "^\\(?:def\\|once\\|const\\)[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re)
+    ;; A global: a let at column 0 is one.
+    (,(concat "^\\(?:let\\|once\\|const\\)[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re)
      1 font-lock-variable-name-face)
     ;; A restart clause's name, `restart retry() "Try again"'.
     (,(concat "^[ \t]*restart[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re)
@@ -1659,7 +1661,7 @@ lambda or a `Fn(...)' type, and not after a match arm's."
     ("Macros" ,(concat "^\\(?:macro[ \t]+\\|defmacro(\\)" flan-fln--name-re) 1)
     ("Types" ,(concat "^\\(?:struct\\|data\\|union\\|enum\\|type\\|class\\)[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re) 1)
     ("Types" ,(flan-fln--fallback-re flan-fln--fallback-type-heads) 2)
-    ("Variables" ,(concat "^\\(?:def\\|once\\|const\\)[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re) 1)
+    ("Variables" ,(concat "^\\(?:let\\|once\\|const\\)[ \t]+" flan-fln--name-re) 1)
     ("Variables" ,(flan-fln--fallback-re flan-fln--fallback-variable-heads) 2))
   "Imenu index for `flan-fln-mode'.")
 
@@ -1669,7 +1671,7 @@ lambda or a `Fn(...)' type, and not after a match arm's."
     (when s
       (save-excursion
         (goto-char s)
-        (and (looking-at (concat "\\(?:fn-?\\|macro\\|generic\\|multi\\|method\\|class\\|def\\|once\\|const\\|struct\\|data\\|union\\|enum\\|type\\)[ \t]+"
+        (and (looking-at (concat "\\(?:fn-?\\|macro\\|generic\\|multi\\|method\\|class\\|let\\|once\\|const\\|struct\\|data\\|union\\|enum\\|type\\)[ \t]+"
                                  flan-fln--name-re))
              (match-string-no-properties 1))))))
 
diff --git a/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el b/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
index 34008bdd..28576aa0 100644
--- a/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
+++ b/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
@@ -90,6 +90,10 @@ struct Oops :parent Error
 
 type Count = i64
 
+let speed: i64 = 3
+
+fn speed-of() -> i64 = speed
+
 struct Pair(a: i64, b: i64)
 
 fn pair-sum(p: Pair) -> i64 = p.a + p.b
@@ -275,6 +279,15 @@ comment():
         (test-flan--check (funcall name (format "C-c C-c installs %s" needle))
                           (equal (funcall value call) want)))
 
+      ;; A top-level let is a global, installed and re-run by C-c C-c.
+      (funcall goto "let speed: i64 = 3")
+      (end-of-line)
+      (delete-char -1)
+      (insert "9")
+      (flan-fln-eval-defun)
+      (test-flan--check (funcall name "C-c C-c on a top-level let installs the global")
+                        (equal (funcall value "(speed-of)") "9"))
+
       ;; A macro changed in the buffer and installed again reaches the
       ;; function installed after it.
       (funcall goto "~x + ~x")
diff --git a/emacs/test-flan-fln.el b/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
index aeb1c849..50ba7673 100644
--- a/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
+++ b/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ fn step() -> ()
   (test-flan-fln--is "before any form, the next one"
                      (test-flan-fln--thing 'flan-fln-toplevel) "fn f() -> i32 = 1"))
 
-(test-flan-fln--in "def xs = [1 2\n3 4]\n  + 1\nfn|x() -> i32 = 1\n"
+(test-flan-fln--in "let xs = [1 2\n3 4]\n  + 1\nfn|x() -> i32 = 1\n"
   (test-flan-fln--is "column 0 inside a bracket or after a leading operator is no form start"
                      (save-excursion (beginning-of-defun)
                                      (buffer-substring-no-properties (point) (line-end-position)))
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ defconst(k, 3)
 (test-flan-fln--is "after a trailing colon too"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "rl/with-drawing():\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--is "and after let x ="
-                   (test-flan-fln--tabs "def colors =\n|" 1) 2)
+                   (test-flan-fln--tabs "let colors =\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--is "but not after a one-line fn"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "fn f() -> i32 = 1\n|" 1) 0)
 (test-flan-fln--is "else goes to its if's column, whatever the depth"
@@ -903,6 +903,22 @@ defconst(k, 3)
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "macro repeat(i, n, & body)\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--is "and a struct with a parent"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "struct DiskFull :parent IoError\n|" 1) 2)
+(test-flan-fln--in "let speed: i64 = 3\n\nfn f()\n  let x = 1\n  x\n"
+  (font-lock-ensure)
+  (test-flan-fln--is "a top-level let's name is a variable's"
+                     (save-excursion (goto-char (point-min)) (search-forward "speed")
+                                     (get-text-property (match-beginning 0) 'face))
+                     'font-lock-variable-name-face)
+  (test-flan-fln--is "and installs as a def" (flan-fln--declaration-head-at (point-min)) "def")
+  (test-flan--check "imenu lists it"
+                    (assoc "speed" (cdr (assoc "Variables" (imenu--generic-function
+                                                            flan-fln-imenu-generic-expression)))))
+  (test-flan--check "it is no local let" (not (flan-fln--let-p (point-min))))
+  (goto-char (point-min))
+  (search-forward "let x")
+  (test-flan--check "one in a fn is" (flan-fln--let-p (line-beginning-position)))
+  (test-flan-fln--is "and its name is not a global's"
+                     (get-text-property (match-end 0) 'face) nil))
 (test-flan-fln--is "a class with a slot per line opens a block"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "class point\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--is "not one on one line"
diff --git a/lib/indent_printer.ml b/lib/indent_printer.ml
index 2cf61019..d7a23550 100644
--- a/lib/indent_printer.ml
+++ b/lib/indent_printer.ml
@@ -1014,9 +1014,12 @@ and sugar n (f : Form.t) : string list option =
   | Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym (("def" | "defonce" | "defconst") as d); _ }
                :: { v = Form.Sym name; _ } :: rest)
     when def_name name ->
-    let w = match d with "def" -> "def" | "defonce" -> "once" | _ -> "const" in
+    (* A global [def] is a top-level [let]; nested, where a let is local, it
+       keeps the fallback. *)
+    let w = match d with "def" -> "let" | "defonce" -> "once" | _ -> "const" in
     let pre = i ^ w ^ " " ^ name in
     (match d, rest with
+     | "def", _ when n > 0 -> None
      | "defconst", [ v ] -> Some (value_lines n (w ^ " " ^ name) v)
      | "defconst", [ t; v ] -> Some (value_lines n (w ^ " " ^ name ^ ": " ^ ty t) v)
      | "defconst", _ -> None
@@ -1246,8 +1249,8 @@ let program ?source ?macros:m (fs : Form.t list) : string =
          (fun (c : Source_text.comment) ->
             f.loc.Loc.line <= c.line && c.line < f.loc.Loc.eline)
          cs);
-  (* A flat [let] at the top level would take in the forms after it, so one
-     that is not last goes in a [do:] block. *)
+  (* A [let] at the top level is a global, so a local one goes in a [do:]
+     block. *)
   let top x =
     Hashtbl.reset used;
     Hashtbl.reset made;
@@ -1256,7 +1259,6 @@ let program ?source ?macros:m (fs : Form.t list) : string =
   in
   let rec go = function
     | [] -> []
-    | [ x ] -> [ (x, top x) ]
     | x :: rest -> (x, top (if let_sugar x then in_do x else x)) :: go rest
   in
   let text =
diff --git a/lib/indent_reader.ml b/lib/indent_reader.ml
index 86529447..0e35d43e 100644
--- a/lib/indent_reader.ml
+++ b/lib/indent_reader.ml
@@ -1523,6 +1523,9 @@ and header (s : st) w : Form.t =
     named (if w = "fn" then "defn" else "defn-")
       (name :: Form.make (Form.Vec ps) lp.loc :: ret :: (where_clause @ body))
   | "def" | "once" | "const" ->
+    (* A top-level [let] is read here too, as [def]: [w] is then "def" and
+       [t] the let. *)
+    let shown = match t.tok with NAME "let" -> "let" | _ -> w in
     let name = name_tok p ~what:"the name being defined" in
     let tyf =
       match (peek p).tok with
@@ -1533,7 +1536,7 @@ and header (s : st) w : Form.t =
       match (peek p).tok with
       | NAME "=" ->
         ignore (advance p);
-        Some (value_line s ~after:(w ^ " " ^ text_of name ^ " ="))
+        Some (value_line s ~after:(shown ^ " " ^ text_of name ^ " ="))
       | _ ->
         expect_eol p ~after:(match tyf with Some f -> text_of f | None -> text_of name);
         None
@@ -1555,8 +1558,14 @@ and header (s : st) w : Form.t =
         failk "def-empty" l0
           "%s %s names neither a type nor a value. Give it one or both: %s %s: \
            i32 = 0"
-          w (text_of name) w (text_of name)
+          shown (text_of name) shown (text_of name)
     in
+    if shown = "def" then
+      failk "def-is-let" l0
+        "a global is written with let, at the file's top level:\n\n    let %s%s%s"
+        (text_of name)
+        (match tyf with Some t -> ": " ^ text_of t | None -> "")
+        (match v with Some v -> " = " ^ text_of v | None -> "");
     named head items
   | "struct" | "union" ->
     let name = name_tok p ~what:"the type's name" in
@@ -2124,7 +2133,7 @@ and lines (s : st) (one : unit -> Form.t list) : Form.t list =
 
 (** All top-level forms in a [.fln] source string. [col] is the column the
     text's top level starts at, 1 for a file. *)
-let read_all ?(line = 1) ?col ?indent ~file src =
+let read_all ?(line = 1) ?col ?indent ?(global_let = true) ~file src =
   let snippet = col <> None in
   let col = Option.value col ~default:1 in
   let saved = !source in
@@ -2136,7 +2145,19 @@ let read_all ?(line = 1) ?col ?indent ~file src =
   Fun.protect ~finally:(fun () -> source := saved) (fun () ->
     let toks = layout ~snippet ~base:col ?indent (lex ~line ~col ~file src) in
     let s = { p = { toks; i = 0 }; lets = [] } in
-    let fs = stmts s in
+    (* At the top level, a [let] is a global, [(def x dyn v)]: a let there has
+       no block to be local to. Not in an expression the editor sends, where
+       a let is the statement it is in a body. *)
+    let rec top () =
+      match (peek s.p).tok with
+      | EOF -> []
+      | DEDENT -> ignore (advance s.p); []
+      | NAME "let" when header_follow s.p "let" ->
+        let f = header s "def" in
+        f :: top ()
+      | _ -> let f = stmt s in f :: top ()
+    in
+    let fs = if global_let then top () else stmts s in
     (match (peek s.p).tok with
      | EOF -> ()
      | tk -> failk "unexpected-token" (where_ s.p) "unexpected %s" (show tk));
diff --git a/lib/source.ml b/lib/source.ml
index 48966744..8bc9e0f4 100644
--- a/lib/source.ml
+++ b/lib/source.ml
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ let read_code ?(expr = false) ~file code =
   match !code_syntax with
   | Paren -> read_paren ~line ~col ~file code
   | Indented ->
-    (match Indent_reader.read_all ~line ~col ?indent:!code_indent ~file code with
+    (match Indent_reader.read_all ~line ~col ?indent:!code_indent ~global_let:(not expr)
+             ~file code with
      | (first :: _ :: _ as forms) when expr ->
        let last = List.nth forms (List.length forms - 1) in
        let loc =
diff --git a/spec-syntax.md b/spec-syntax.md
index d8dc6e48..aaa4c054 100644
--- a/spec-syntax.md
+++ b/spec-syntax.md
@@ -280,9 +280,13 @@ Each item: the proposal, then the reason in one line.
   becomes `where ordered?($t)` after the return type. **Built**; with no
   `-> R` the return is `_`, read off the body. Several predicates are
   `where p, q`.
-- `def x = v`, `def x: T = v`, `once x: T`, `once x = v`, `const n = 3`,
-  `def scratch: [4 u8] = uninit`. **Built.** `def x = v` and `once x = v` read
-  with `dyn`; `const n = 3` reads `(defconst n 3)`, its type inferred as today.
+- A `let` at the top level is a global: `let x = v`, `let x: T = v`,
+  `let scratch: [4 u8] = uninit` read `(def x dyn v)`, `(def x T v)`;
+  `once x: T`, `once x = v`, `const n = 3`. **Built.** `let x = v` and
+  `once x = v` read with `dyn`; `const n = 3` reads `(defconst n 3)`, its type
+  inferred as today. `def` is refused with the `let` to write. A `let` in a
+  block, `comment:`'s included, is local, and so is one in code the editor
+  evaluates as an expression.
 - `struct Cell` with a `name: Type` line per field. `data Shape` with a line per
   case: `Circle(r: f32)`, `Empty`. `enum K` with `lo = -1`, `mid`. `union U` like
   `struct`. **Built** (an untyped field is `dyn`; `Empty()` is `(Empty [])`).
diff --git a/test/syntax/handwritten/csv.fln b/test/syntax/handwritten/csv.fln
index 7e503813..0a5428a5 100644
--- a/test/syntax/handwritten/csv.fln
+++ b/test/syntax/handwritten/csv.fln
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ enum State
   quote-in-quoted
 
 once rows-seen: i32
-def fields-seen: i32 = 0
+let fields-seen: i32 = 0
 const separator = \,
 
 ; Frame the body's output with a title line and a closing rule.
diff --git a/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln b/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
index a4262be2..1fa6e0c5 100644
--- a/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
+++ b/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ struct Rule
   label: string
   applies: CFn(stock/Item) -> bool
 
-def report-width: i32 = 28
+let report-width: i32 = 28
 once runs: i32
 const reorder-below = 5
 
diff --git a/test/syntax/sand.fln b/test/syntax/sand.fln
index 00c5bd9c..6a63d6fe 100644
--- a/test/syntax/sand.fln
+++ b/test/syntax/sand.fln
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ const brush-size = 10
 fn dyn->f64(v: f64) -> f64 = v
 fn dyn->u32(v: i64) -> u32 = u32(v)
 
-def gravity = 0.05
-def colors =
+let gravity = 0.05
+let colors =
   let v = vec-new(dyn)
   push(v, 0xFFF00FFF)
   push(v, 0x3B6E8CFF)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ fn game-draw() -> ()
   rl/draw-fps(20, 20)
 
 once frame: Allocator = arena-new(262144)
-def game-data =
+let game-data =
   handler-case
     edn/read-file("game-data.edn")
   on FileError(c)
diff --git a/test/test_syntax.ml b/test/test_syntax.ml
index 1bfec0a6..74d578b2 100644
--- a/test/test_syntax.ml
+++ b/test/test_syntax.ml
@@ -411,17 +411,19 @@ let () =
 
 (* ── Lexical edge cases ────────────────────────────────────────────── *)
 
-let read src = Indent_reader.read_all ~file:"<syntax>" src
+(* [~global:false] reads as an expression the editor sends, where a [let] is
+   local; a file's top-level [let] is a global. *)
+let read ?(global = true) src = Indent_reader.read_all ~global_let:global ~file:"<syntax>" src
 
-let reads name src want =
-  match read src with
+let reads ?global name src want =
+  match read ?global src with
   | forms ->
     let got = String.concat "\n" (List.map Form.to_string forms) in
     if got <> want then fail "%s: read %s, wanted %s" name got want
   | exception e -> fail "%s: refused: %s" name (diag_text e)
 
-let refuses name src kind needle =
-  match read src with
+let refuses ?global name src kind needle =
+  match read ?global src with
   | forms ->
     fail "%s: read %s, wanted the refusal %s" name
       (String.concat " " (List.map Form.to_string forms)) kind
@@ -462,7 +464,7 @@ let () =
   reads "character literals" "x = [\\( \\, \\space \\)]" "(set x [\\( \\, \\space \\)])";
   reads "character arguments" "f(\\,, \\))" "(f \\, \\))";
   (* Keywords and annotations. *)
-  reads "keyword" "def k = :else" "(def k dyn :else)";
+  reads "keyword" "let k = :else" "(def k dyn :else)";
   reads "annotation" "once grid: [4 [8 u32]]" "(defonce grid [4 [8 u32]])";
   reads "keyword argument" "rl/key-pressed?(:key-r)" "(rl/key-pressed? :key-r)";
   refuses "colon inside a name" "fn f(x:i32) -> () = x" "indent/colon-in-name" "x: i32";
@@ -521,8 +523,8 @@ let () =
   (* Statements. *)
   reads "lets merge" "fn f() -> i32\n  let a = 1\n  let b = 2\n  a + b"
     "(defn f [] i32 (let [a 1 b 2] (+ a b)))";
-  refuses "let with a block" "let a = 1\n  a\nb" "indent/let-block" "go at the let's column";
-  reads "flat let" "let a = 1\na\nb" "(let [a 1] a b)";
+  refuses ~global:false "let with a block" "let a = 1\n  a\nb" "indent/let-block" "go at the let's column";
+  reads ~global:false "flat let" "let a = 1\na\nb" "(let [a 1] a b)";
   reads "elif" "if a\n  1\nelif b\n  2\nelse\n  3" "(cond a 1 b 2 :else 3)";
   reads "one-line if" "x = if a then 1 else 2" "(set x (if a 1 2))";
   reads "assignment ops" "a[i] += 1" "(set (at a i) (+ (at a i) 1))";
@@ -577,6 +579,12 @@ let () =
     "method g(p: point)";
   refuses "a method with both" "method g(p: point) when :x\n  1" "indent/method-key"
     "not both";
+  reads "a top-level let is a global" "let g = 1\nlet h: i32 = 2\nlet s: [4 u8]\nf(g)"
+    "(def g dyn 1)\n(def h i32 2)\n(def s [4 u8])\n(f g)";
+  refuses "def" "def g: i32 = 1" "indent/def-is-let" "let g: i32 = 1";
+  reads "a let in a comment block stays local" "comment:\n  let x = 1\n  f(x)"
+    "(comment (let [x 1] (f x)))";
+  reads "and in a fn" "fn f() -> i32\n  let x = 1\n  x" "(defn f [] i32 (let [x 1] x))";
   reads "a one-line struct" "struct Pt(x: i32, y)" "(defstruct Pt [x i32 y dyn])";
   reads "a one-line union" "union U(a: i32)" "(defunion U [a i32])";
   reads "a one-line struct with a parent" "struct D(free: i64) :parent Io"
@@ -591,12 +599,12 @@ let () =
   refuses "a rest parameter not last" "macro m(& a, b)\n  a" "indent/macro-rest-last"
     "comes last: macro m(b, & a)";
   reads "loop" "loop x = a, y = b + 1\n  recur(y, x)" "(loop [x a y (+ b 1)] (recur y x))";
-  reads "a let-bound loop" "let r = loop i = 0\n  recur(i)\nr" "(let [r (loop [i 0] (recur i))] r)";
+  reads ~global:false "a let-bound loop" "let r = loop i = 0\n  recur(i)\nr" "(let [r (loop [i 0] (recur i))] r)";
   reads "the loop call stays a call" "loop([x 1]):\n  x" "(loop [x 1] x)";
   refuses "a loop with no values" "loop\n  g()" "indent/loop-bindings" "loop([]):";
   refuses "a loop variable with no value" "loop x, y = 1\n  g()" "indent/loop-bindings"
     "loop x = 0";
-  reads "read-only pointer" "def p: Ptr(const u8) = uninit" "(def p (Ptr const u8) uninit)";
+  reads "read-only pointer" "let p: Ptr(const u8) = uninit" "(def p (Ptr const u8) uninit)";
   (* Statements that fit on a line, in one-line slots. *)
   reads "arm statements" "match s\n  1 -> break\n  2 -> continue :outer\n  _ -> x += 1"
     "(match s 1 (break) 2 (continue :outer) _ (set x (+ x 1)))";
@@ -612,9 +620,9 @@ let () =
   refuses "two assignments" "if a then b = c = d" "indent/assign-in-test" "if a then b = c,";
   refuses "a let-bound if with no block" "let r = if a > 1\nr" "indent/expected-block" "if a > 1 takes";
   refuses "two bindings on a line" "let v: i32 = a, w = b" "indent/one-binding" "a is followed by a comma";
-  reads "a let-bound match" "let r = match a\n  1 -> 2\n  _ -> 3\nr" "(let [r (match a 1 2 _ 3)] r)";
-  reads "a let-bound if" "let q = if a\n  1\nelse\n  2\nq" "(let [q (if a 1 2)] q)";
-  reads "a let-bound call with a block" "let v = foo(a):\n  x\nv" "(let [v (foo a x)] v)";
+  reads ~global:false "a let-bound match" "let r = match a\n  1 -> 2\n  _ -> 3\nr" "(let [r (match a 1 2 _ 3)] r)";
+  reads ~global:false "a let-bound if" "let q = if a\n  1\nelse\n  2\nq" "(let [q (if a 1 2)] q)";
+  reads ~global:false "a let-bound call with a block" "let v = foo(a):\n  x\nv" "(let [v (foo a x)] v)";
   refuses "colon after if" "if c:\n  y" "indent/header-colon" "no colon";
   refuses "colon after a return type" "fn f() -> i32:\n  0" "indent/header-colon" "no colon";
   refuses "colon after a number" "while x < 3:\n  y" "indent/header-colon" "no colon";
@@ -626,7 +634,7 @@ let () =
   refuses "mixed separators" "x = [1 2, 3]" "indent/mixed-separators" "[1, 2, 3]";
   reads "one-line quote" "defmacro(m, [x]):\n  quote ~x + 1"
     "(defmacro m [x] (quasiquote (+ (unquote x) 1)))";
-  reads "typed let" "let x: i32 = 5\nx" "(let [x (the i32 5)] x)";
+  reads ~global:false "typed let" "let x: i32 = 5\nx" "(let [x (the i32 5)] x)";
   refuses "a let takes no block" "fn f() -> ()\n  let x = 1\n    g(x)\n  h(x)"
     "indent/let-block" "go at the let's column";
   (* Mistakes carried over from other languages, answered in this one. *)
@@ -655,7 +663,7 @@ let () =
     "indent/orphan-else" "goes at the if's column";
   reads "a typed lambda" "f = fn(a: C, b) -> bool = a.n < b"
     "(set f (the (Fn [C dyn] bool) (fn [a b] (< (.n a) b))))";
-  reads "a typed lambda with a block" "let f = fn(x: i32) -> i32\n  let y = x + 1\n  y\ng(f)"
+  reads ~global:false "a typed lambda with a block" "let f = fn(x: i32) -> i32\n  let y = x + 1\n  y\ng(f)"
     "(let [f (the (Fn [i32] i32) (fn [x] (let [y (+ x 1)] y)))] (g f))";
   refuses "a typed lambda states its return type" "f = fn(a: C) = a"
     "indent/lambda-return" "fn(a: C) -> R = value";
@@ -839,9 +847,9 @@ let () =
     "restart retry() \"Try again\"\n    7";
   prints "adjacent one-line globals stay adjacent"
     "(defonce a i32)\n(def b i32 2)\n\n(defconst c 3)\n"
-    "once a: i32\ndef b: i32 = 2\n\nconst c = 3";
+    "once a: i32\nlet b: i32 = 2\n\nconst c = 3";
   back "adjacent one-line globals stay adjacent in parens"
-    "once a: i32\ndef b: i32 = 2\n\nconst c = 3\n"
+    "once a: i32\nlet b: i32 = 2\n\nconst c = 3\n"
     "(defonce a i32)\n(def b i32 2)\n\n(defconst c 3)";
   prints "a field of a field chains" "(defn f [] () (g (.count (.x w))))" "g(w.x.count)";
   prints "an else-if chain on one line"
@@ -863,6 +871,10 @@ let () =
   prints "a method on a class" "(defmethod area point [p] (g p) (h p))"
     "method area(p: point)\n  g(p)\n  h(p)";
   prints "a method on a value" "(defmethod kind :int [v] \"n\")" "method kind(v) when :int = \"n\"";
+  prints "a global is a top-level let" "(def g dyn 1)\n(def h i32 2)" "let g = 1\nlet h: i32 = 2";
+  prints "a def inside a form keeps the fallback" "(comment (def g i32 1))" "comment:\n  def(g, i32, 1)";
+  prints "a local let at the top level goes in a do block" "(let [x 1] (f x))"
+    "do:\n  let x = 1\n  f(x)";
   prints "a type alias" "(defalias Row (Vec i32))" "type Row = Vec(i32)";
   prints "a struct with a parent" "(defstruct D :parent Io [free i64])"
     "struct D(free: i64) :parent Io";