diff --git a/TODO.org b/TODO.org
index 08a02ae2..6a35158f 100644
--- a/TODO.org
+++ b/TODO.org
@@ -675,6 +675,10 @@ Decided 2026-09-26: lines indented under a ~let~ that are ~name = v~ or ~name: T
 more bindings of the same let; anything else there stays refused. flan convert writes
 consecutive lets this way.
 
+** DONE .fln has no loop or recur (decision 122)
+Rules out ~loop~/~recur~ anywhere the .fln reader reads, ~quote~ included; loops are
+~while~/~until~/~dotimes~/~for~. The Lisp syntax and its macros' expansions keep them.
+
 ** 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/MANUAL.md b/emacs/MANUAL.md
index 6f044e41..6b74c2e2 100644
--- a/emacs/MANUAL.md
+++ b/emacs/MANUAL.md
@@ -1205,7 +1205,7 @@ Use `C-c C-g` if you need frames.
 | `M-a` / `M-e` | `(` / `)` | statement: start / end (`)`: start of the next) |
 | `C-M-u` | same | up to the enclosing bracket, or the line that owns the block |
 | `C-M-f` / `C-M-b` | same | brackets and terms, as everywhere |
-| `TAB` | same | a line at a valid column stays; an empty or misplaced line goes deepest; each repeat steps out a level. One level deeper only after a line that opens a block: never after a `let`, unless its value goes on under it (`= match x`, `= if c`, `= loop i = 0`, a lambda header). After a line ending in `=>`, one level in from that line, inside brackets too; a line of that block keeps to the block's columns |
+| `TAB` | same | a line at a valid column stays; an empty or misplaced line goes deepest; each repeat steps out a level. One level deeper only after a line that opens a block: never after a `let`, unless its value goes on under it (`= match x`, `= if c`, a lambda header). After a line ending in `=>`, one level in from that line, inside brackets too; a line of that block keeps to the block's columns |
 | `DEL` in indentation | same | drop one level |
 | `C-c <` / `C-c >` | `<` / `>` | shift the region's lines a level |
 | `M-<up>` / `M-<down>` | same | move the statement past its neighbour |
diff --git a/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el b/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
index 96e0c01c..ba5f631e 100644
--- a/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
+++ b/emacs/flan-fln-mode.el
@@ -104,8 +104,7 @@ fine here.  Brackets and strings are still paired."
   '("fn" "fn-" "def" "once" "const" "struct" "union" "data" "enum" "import"
     "if" "elif" "else" "while" "until" "for" "match" "let" "return" "break"
     "continue" "defer" "handler-case" "handler-bind" "restart-case" "on"
-    "restart" "quote" "macro" "loop" "type" "class" "generic" "multi"
-    "method"))
+    "restart" "quote" "macro" "type" "class" "generic" "multi" "method"))
 
 ;; The headers whose block follows on the lines under them.  `defer' and
 ;; `quote' open one only when nothing follows them on the line; `fn' does not
@@ -114,8 +113,7 @@ fine here.  Brackets and strings are still paired."
 (defconst flan-fln--opener-words
   '("fn" "fn-" "struct" "union" "data" "enum" "if" "elif" "else" "while"
     "until" "for" "match" "defer" "handler-case" "handler-bind"
-    "restart-case" "on" "restart" "quote" "macro" "loop" "class" "multi"
-    "method"))
+    "restart-case" "on" "restart" "quote" "macro" "class" "multi" "method"))
 
 (defconst flan-fln--declaration-words
   '(("fn" . "defn") ("fn-" . "defn-") ("def" . "def") ("once" . "defonce")
@@ -402,7 +400,7 @@ or, when the line ends in `=>', at the end of the lambda's block under it."
 (defun flan-fln--value-opens-p (l)
   "Non-nil if the value the joined line L binds or assigns goes on under it:
 `= match x', `= if c' with no `then', `= handler-case', `= restart-case',
-`= loop i = 0', or a lambda header.  These are the values
+or a lambda header.  These are the values
 lib/indent_reader.ml's `value_line' reads a block for, besides a bare `='
 and a call ending in `:'."
   (let ((v (flan-fln--value-start l))
@@ -410,7 +408,7 @@ and a call ending in `:'."
     (and v (< v end)
          (save-excursion
            (goto-char v)
-           (or (looking-at "\\(?:match\\|handler-case\\|handler-bind\\|restart-case\\|loop\\)\\(?:[ \t]\\|$\\)")
+           (or (looking-at "\\(?:match\\|handler-case\\|handler-bind\\|restart-case\\)\\(?:[ \t]\\|$\\)")
                (and (looking-at "if[ \t]") (not (flan-fln--then l)))
                (flan-fln--lambda-header-p v end))))))
 
diff --git a/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el b/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
index 62f41a79..622cdffd 100644
--- a/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
+++ b/emacs/test-flan-fln-live.el
@@ -137,13 +137,21 @@ macro dbl-of(x, & more)
 fn use-mac(k: i64) -> i64 = dbl-of(k)
 
 fn gcd(a: i64, b: i64) -> i64
-  loop x = a, y = b
-    if y == 0 then x else recur(y, x % y)
+  let x = a
+  let y = b
+  while y != 0
+    let r = x % y
+    x = y
+    y = r
+  x
 
 fn sum-to(n: i64) -> i64
-  let r = loop i = 0, acc = 0
-    if i > n then acc else recur(i + 1, acc + i)
-  r
+  let i = 0
+  let acc = 0
+  until i > n
+    acc += i
+    i += 1
+  acc
 
 comment():
   if 1 < 2 and
@@ -400,10 +408,10 @@ comment():
                    ("Dir.north" "an enum member's arm, at its value")
                    ("let b = 2" "a let the let above takes in, at its value")
                    ("let c: i64" "a typed one, at its value")
-                   ("loop x = a" "a loop, at its word")
-                   ("if y == 0" "a loop's block")
-                   ("let r = loop" "a let-bound loop, at its let")
-                   ("if i > n" "a let-bound loop's block")))
+                   ("while y != 0" "a while, at its word")
+                   ("let r = x % y" "a while's block")
+                   ("until i > n" "an until, at its word")
+                   ("acc += i" "an until's block")))
         (funcall goto (car c))
         (let ((reply (flan-fln-eval-defun '(4))))
           (test-flan--check (funcall name (format "C-u C-c C-c marks %s where the reader starts it"
diff --git a/emacs/test-flan-fln.el b/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
index 1a69fbd1..1a36cefe 100644
--- a/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
+++ b/emacs/test-flan-fln.el
@@ -722,8 +722,13 @@ macro repeat(i, n, & body)
       ~@body
 
 fn gcd(a: i32, b: i32) -> i32
-  loop x = a, y = b
-    if y == 0 then x else recur(y, x % y)
+  let x = a
+  let y = b
+  while y != 0
+    let r = x % y
+    x = y
+    y = r
+  x
 "
   (font-lock-ensure)
   (let ((face (lambda (needle)
@@ -733,7 +738,6 @@ fn gcd(a: i32, b: i32) -> i32
     (test-flan-fln--is "and :parent a keyword" (funcall face ":parent") 'font-lock-constant-face)
     (test-flan-fln--is "macro is a keyword" (funcall face "macro") 'font-lock-keyword-face)
     (test-flan-fln--is "and its name a function's" (funcall face "repeat") 'font-lock-function-name-face)
-    (test-flan-fln--is "loop is a keyword" (funcall face "loop") 'font-lock-keyword-face)
     (test-flan-fln--is "type is a keyword" (funcall face "type") 'font-lock-keyword-face)
     (test-flan-fln--is "an alias's name is a type" (funcall face "Row") 'font-lock-type-face)
     (test-flan-fln--is "and so is what it names" (funcall face "Vec(i64)") 'font-lock-type-face))
@@ -752,15 +756,13 @@ fn gcd(a: i32, b: i32) -> i32
   (test-flan-fln--is "installed as a defmacro"
                      (flan-fln--declaration-head-at (car (flan-fln--toplevel-bounds (point))))
                      "defmacro")
-  (search-forward "recur")
-  (test-flan-fln--is "a loop's statement is its header and block"
-                     (progn (forward-line -1)
-                            (test-flan-fln--thing 'flan-fln-statement))
-                     "loop x = a, y = b
-    if y == 0 then x else recur(y, x % y)")
-  (test-flan-fln--is "and its body the block"
-                     (test-flan-fln--thing 'flan-fln-body)
-                     "if y == 0 then x else recur(y, x % y)")
+  (search-forward "while y")
+  (test-flan-fln--is "a while's statement is its header and block"
+                     (test-flan-fln--thing 'flan-fln-statement)
+                     "while y != 0
+    let r = x % y
+    x = y
+    y = r")
   (goto-char (point-min))
   (test-flan-fln--is "the struct's head is defstruct"
                      (flan-fln--declaration-head-at (point)) "defstruct")
@@ -879,13 +881,13 @@ defconst(k, 3)
              ("let f = fn(a, b) =>" "a lambda header")
              ("let f = fn(a: i64, b) -> i64 =>" "a typed lambda header")
              ("let f = fn(g: Fn(i64) -> i64) -> Option(i64) =>" "one with a function type in it")
-             ("let r = loop i = 0, acc = 1" "a let's loop")
-             ("loop i = 0, acc = 1" "a loop")
              ("fn(a: i64) -> i64 =>" "a typed lambda as a statement")))
   (test-flan-fln--is (format "unless its value goes on under it: %s" (cadr c))
                      (test-flan-fln--tabs (concat "fn f()\n  " (car c) "\n|") 1) 4))
 (test-flan-fln--is "but not a typed lambda with its body on the line"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "fn f()\n  let f = fn(a: i64) -> i64 => a\n|" 1) 2)
+(test-flan-fln--is "loop is no header in .fln, and opens nothing"
+                   (test-flan-fln--tabs "fn f()\n  let r = loop i = 0\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--is "a header word being assigned opens nothing"
                    (test-flan-fln--tabs "fn f()\n  for = 1\n|" 1) 2)
 (test-flan-fln--in "fn f()\n  handler-case\n    g()\n  on E(c)\n    h(c)\n  on = 2\n  data += 1\n"
diff --git a/lib/indent_printer.ml b/lib/indent_printer.ml
index a86235e1..62325b7a 100644
--- a/lib/indent_printer.ml
+++ b/lib/indent_printer.ml
@@ -585,12 +585,12 @@ let body_guess (h : Form.t) args =
         match a.v with Form.List _ -> false | _ -> true) args) in
     (match base with
      | "comment" | "do" -> Some 0
-     | "unless" | "loop" -> Some 1
+     | "unless" -> Some 1
      | "defmacro" -> Some 2
      | "defmethod" -> Some 3
      | _ ->
        (* A with- macro, or any call whose last argument is a statement —
-          a let, a loop, an assignment — has a body: the trailing run of
+          a let, a while, an assignment — has a body: the trailing run of
           lists goes in the block. *)
        let stmt_like (a : Form.t) =
          match a.v with
@@ -920,9 +920,6 @@ and value_lines n prefix (v : Form.t) =
     | _ -> false
   in
   if is_do then [ ind n ^ prefix ^ " =" ] @ block (n + 2) (stmts_of v)
-  else if loop_head v <> None then
-    let head, body = Option.get (loop_head v) in
-    [ ind n ^ prefix ^ " = " ^ head ] @ block (n + 2) body
   else
   match lambda_value n prefix v with
   | Some ls -> ls
@@ -939,23 +936,6 @@ and value_lines n prefix (v : Form.t) =
 
 and slot n (f : Form.t) = block n (stmts_of f)
 
-(* [(loop [x a y b] body ...)] as the header [loop x = a, y = b] and its
-   body, when every binding is a plain name. A lambda or one-line if as a
-   value is parenthesised, so its else cannot run on into the next binding. *)
-and loop_head (f : Form.t) =
-  match f.v with
-  | Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym "loop"; _ } :: { v = Form.Vec bs; _ } :: (_ :: _ as body)) ->
-    (match pairs bs with
-     | Some (_ :: _ as prs)
-       when List.for_all (fun ((x : Form.t), _) ->
-           match x.v with Form.Sym x -> def_name x | _ -> false) prs ->
-       Some
-         ("loop "
-          ^ String.concat ", " (List.map (fun (x, v) -> fst (expr x) ^ " = " ^ at 1 v) prs),
-          body)
-     | _ -> None)
-  | _ -> None
-
 and label_of = function
   | ({ Form.v = Form.Kw k; _ }) :: rest when kw_ok k -> (":" ^ k ^ " ", rest)
   | rest -> ("", rest)
@@ -1164,9 +1144,6 @@ and sugar n (f : Form.t) : string list option =
      | _, [ t ] when type_shaped t -> Some [ pre ^ ": " ^ ty t ]
      | _, [ t; v ] -> Some (value_lines n (w ^ " " ^ name ^ ": " ^ ty t) v)
      | _ -> None)
-  | Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym "loop"; _ } :: _) when loop_head f <> None ->
-    let head, body = Option.get (loop_head f) in
-    Some ((i ^ head) :: block (n + 2) body)
   | Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym "defmacro"; _ } :: { v = Form.Sym name; _ }
                :: { v = Form.Vec ps; _ } :: (_ :: _ as body))
     when def_name name ->
@@ -1365,10 +1342,37 @@ and let_lines n prs body =
   let lines n b = let p, v = bind b in tagged b (value_lines n p v) in
   List.concat_map (lines n) prs @ block n body
 
+(* A .flan file that uses [loop] or [recur] has no indented spelling: the
+   indented syntax loops with [while], [until], [dotimes] and [for]. The
+   refusal names every line, so the file is rewritten in one pass. *)
+let refuse_loops (fs : Form.t list) =
+  match R.loop_forms fs with
+  | [] -> ()
+  | (first : Form.t) :: rest as uses ->
+    let word (f : Form.t) =
+      match f.v with Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym w; _ } :: _) -> w | _ -> "loop"
+    in
+    let lines = List.sort_uniq compare (List.map (fun (f : Form.t) -> f.loc.Loc.line) uses) in
+    let notes = List.map (fun (f : Form.t) -> Loc.note f.loc (word f ^ " is here")) rest in
+    Loc.failk ~notes "convert/no-loop" first.loc
+      "this file uses loop or recur on line%s %s. The indented syntax \
+       has neither. Rewrite each one in the .flan file as a while or until \
+       over let variables it changes, then convert again:\n\n\
+      \    (let [i 0  total 0]\n\
+      \      (while (< i 10)\n\
+      \        (set total (+ total i))\n\
+      \        (set i (+ i 1))))"
+      (if List.length lines = 1 then "" else "s")
+      (match List.rev_map string_of_int lines with
+       | last :: (_ :: _ as before) ->
+         String.concat ", " (List.rev before) ^ " and " ^ last
+       | ls -> String.concat "" ls)
+
 (** A whole file: top-level forms with a blank line between them. [macros]
     is [Body_macros.table] of the file; without it, the prelude's and the
     file's own macros are known and no imported package's. *)
 let program ?source ?macros:m (fs : Form.t list) : string =
+  refuse_loops fs;
   macros := (match m with Some m -> m | None -> Body_macros.table fs);
   classes :=
     List.filter_map
diff --git a/lib/indent_reader.ml b/lib/indent_reader.ml
index b703d7f4..03b13c6f 100644
--- a/lib/indent_reader.ml
+++ b/lib/indent_reader.ml
@@ -659,6 +659,17 @@ let refuse_ws ?(brace = false) loc e =
    [not], 0 a one-line [if] or a lambda. Anything under 8 is "compound": it
    has an operator at its top, so it cannot sit in a list separated only by
    whitespace. *)
+(* [loop] and [recur] are Lisp-syntax forms. A .fln loop is a [while],
+   [until], [dotimes] or [for]; [read_all] refuses any that gets past the
+   parser, in a [quote] or a quoted datum too. *)
+let no_loop loc word =
+  failk "no-loop" loc
+    "%s is not part of the indented syntax. A loop here is a while, until, \
+     dotimes or for, with let variables it changes:\n\n\
+    \    let i = 0\n    let total = 0\n    while i < 10\n      total += i\n      i += 1\n\n\
+     break leaves the loop early, and continue goes on to the next round."
+    word
+
 let rec expr p : Form.t * int = binary p 1
 
 and binary p lvl : Form.t * int =
@@ -765,6 +776,21 @@ and primary p : Form.t * int =
     let glued_lp = nxt.tok = LP && not nxt.sp in
     if s = "if" && nxt.sp && starts_value nxt.tok then if_expr p
     else if s = "fn" && glued_lp then fn_expr p
+    (* Only the Lisp loop's spellings are refused here, for a message at the
+       word: [loop x = a, ...], [loop([...]):], a bare [loop] over a block
+       where a statement or a let's value starts, and [recur(...)]. Anywhere
+       else [loop] and [recur] are names; [refuse_loops] catches the rest. *)
+    else if glued_lp && (s = "loop" || s = "recur") then no_loop l0 s
+    else if s = "loop"
+         && ((nxt.sp
+              && (match nxt.tok with NAME x -> not (is_op_word x) | _ -> false)
+              && (match (peek_at p 2).tok with NAME "=" | COMMA -> true | _ -> false))
+             || (nxt.tok = NEWLINE && (peek_at p 2).tok = INDENT
+                 && (p.i = 0
+                     || (match (last p).tok with
+                         | NEWLINE | INDENT | DEDENT | NAME "=" -> true
+                         | _ -> false)))) then
+      no_loop l0 s
     else if is_op_word s then begin
       if glued_lp || ends_value nxt.tok then begin
         ignore (advance p);
@@ -1222,13 +1248,6 @@ let header_follow p s =
     && (let a = peek_at p 2 in a.tok = LP && not a.sp)
   (* [type Row = Vec(i32)]: a name and its [=]. *)
   | "type" -> n.sp && plain_name n.tok && (peek_at p 2).tok = NAME "="
-  (* [loop x = a, ...]: a name and its [=]. A name and a comma or the end
-     of the line, or [loop] alone over a block, is a loop missing its first
-     values, which [header] answers. *)
-  | "loop" ->
-    (n.sp && plain_name n.tok
-     && (match (peek_at p 2).tok with NAME "=" | COMMA | NEWLINE -> true | _ -> false))
-    || (n.tok = NEWLINE && (peek_at p 2).tok = INDENT)
   | "return" -> n.tok = NEWLINE || (n.sp && starts_value n.tok)
   | "break" | "continue" ->
     n.tok = NEWLINE || (n.sp && (match n.tok with KW _ -> true | _ -> false))
@@ -1392,7 +1411,7 @@ and value_line ?(block_ok = false) (s : st) ~after : Form.t =
     match (peek p).tok with
     (* [let r = match a] with its arms under it, and [let r = if c] with its
        branches: a header read as the value, block and all. *)
-    | NAME (("match" | "handler-case" | "handler-bind" | "restart-case" | "loop") as w)
+    | NAME (("match" | "handler-case" | "handler-bind" | "restart-case") as w)
       when header_follow p w ->
       header s w
     | NAME "if" when header_follow p "if" && not (then_on_line p) -> header s "if"
@@ -1892,31 +1911,6 @@ and header (s : st) w : Form.t =
     expect_line_end p ~after:")";
     let body = block s ~after:("macro " ^ text_of name ^ "(...)") in
     named "defmacro" (name :: pv :: body)
-  | "loop" ->
-    let missing () =
-      failk "loop-bindings" l0
-        "loop names each variable with its first value: loop i = 0, acc = 1. \
-         A loop with no variables is written loop([]):"
-    in
-    if (peek p).tok = NEWLINE then missing ();
-    let rec binds acc =
-      let n = name_tok p ~what:"a loop variable's name" in
-      (match (peek p).tok with
-       | NAME "=" -> ignore (advance p)
-       | _ ->
-         failk "loop-bindings" n.loc
-           "%s needs its first value: loop %s = 0. Each variable of a loop \
-            takes one, separated by commas: loop i = 0, acc = 1"
-           (text_of n) (text_of n));
-      let v, _ = expr p in
-      match (peek p).tok with
-      | COMMA -> ignore (advance p); binds (v :: n :: acc)
-      | _ -> List.rev (v :: n :: acc)
-    in
-    let bs = binds [] in
-    expect_line_end p ~after:(text_of (List.nth bs (List.length bs - 1)));
-    let body = block s ~after:"loop" in
-    form (Form.make (Form.Vec bs) (span_of_list (List.hd bs).loc bs) :: body)
   | "data" ->
     let name = name_tok p ~what:"the type's name" in
     expect_eol_block p ~after:("data " ^ text_of name);
@@ -2257,6 +2251,29 @@ and lines (s : st) (one : unit -> Form.t list) : Form.t list =
 
 let () = block_of := fun p -> block { p; lets = [] } ~after:"=>"
 
+(* Every [(loop ...)] and [(recur ...)] in [fs], at any depth and inside
+   quoted code too, in source order. The indented syntax has neither: its
+   loops are [while], [until], [dotimes] and [for]. The printer asks the same
+   question before it converts a .flan file. *)
+let loop_forms (fs : Form.t list) =
+  let out = ref [] in
+  let rec walk (f : Form.t) =
+    match f.v with
+    | Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym ("loop" | "recur"); _ } :: _) ->
+      out := f :: !out;
+      (match f.v with Form.List l -> List.iter walk l | _ -> ())
+    | Form.List l | Form.Vec l | Form.Map l -> List.iter walk l
+    | _ -> ()
+  in
+  List.iter walk fs;
+  List.rev !out
+
+let refuse_loops fs =
+  match loop_forms fs with
+  | [] -> ()
+  | (f : Form.t) :: _ ->
+    no_loop f.loc (match f.v with Form.List ({ v = Form.Sym w; _ } :: _) -> w | _ -> "loop")
+
 (** 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 ?(global_let = true) ~file src =
@@ -2287,6 +2304,7 @@ let read_all ?(line = 1) ?col ?indent ?(global_let = true) ~file src =
     (match (peek s.p).tok with
      | EOF -> ()
      | tk -> failk "unexpected-token" (where_ s.p) "unexpected %s" (show tk));
+    refuse_loops fs;
     fs)
 
 let read_file path =
diff --git a/spec-syntax.md b/spec-syntax.md
index bda24f0a..e7e4cfc6 100644
--- a/spec-syntax.md
+++ b/spec-syntax.md
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ Each item: the proposal, then the reason in one line.
   rebinds, the `let`'s is renamed (`x` to `x-2`, a name the top-level form
   does not use; a struct pattern is written as `{x-2 .x}` pairs). A macro's
   body counts as statements run in order when its definition splices its
-  rest parameter only into a `do`, a `let`/`fn`/`when`/`while`/`loop` body or
+  rest parameter only into a `do`, a `let`/`fn`/`when`/`while` body or
   another such macro's body; `comment` counts too. Where a rename cannot be
   trusted (the name quoted, qualified as `x/y`, or called as `x(...)`), and
   at the top level, among a call's other arguments and in a quasiquote, the
@@ -323,9 +323,12 @@ Each item: the proposal, then the reason in one line.
 - `macro repeat(i, n, & body)` plus a block reads
   `(defmacro repeat [i n & body] …)`. A parameter is a bare name, a
   destructuring vector `[a b]`, or `& rest`, last. **Built.**
-- `loop x = a, y = b` plus a block reads `(loop [x a y b] …)`, as a statement
-  or as a value, `let r = loop i = 0`. `recur(y, x % y)` is a call. A loop with
-  no variables is the fallback, `loop([]):`. **Built.**
+- There is no `loop` or `recur`. A loop is `while`, `until`, `dotimes` or
+  `for`, over `let` variables it changes, with `break` and `continue`. The
+  reader refuses `loop` and `recur` in any spelling, inside `quote` too
+  (`indent/no-loop`), and `flan convert` refuses a .flan file that uses them,
+  naming each line (`convert/no-loop`). A macro defined in a .flan file may
+  still expand to them. **Built.**
 - `class lambda(param, body, env)`, or `class lambda` with a slot per line,
   reads `(defclass lambda [param body env])`; a typed slot is `pause: bool`
   and its type follows its name in the vector. **Built.**
diff --git a/test/programs/fn-capture.flan b/test/programs/fn-capture.flan
index 934e8b8e..6c34b144 100644
--- a/test/programs/fn-capture.flan
+++ b/test/programs/fn-capture.flan
@@ -91,15 +91,15 @@
       (set total (+ total (call0 (fn [] i)))))
     (println total))
 
-  ;; And the same again where the loop variable is rebound by a recur rather
-  ;; than stepped by a dotimes, which is a store into the slot the copy is
-  ;; taken from: 100 + 101 + 102.
+  ;; And the same again where the loop variable is stepped by a set in a
+  ;; while rather than by a dotimes, which is a store into the slot the copy
+  ;; is taken from: 100 + 101 + 102.
   (println
-    (let [base 100]
-      (loop [i 0  acc 0]
-        (if (< i 3)
-          (recur (+ i 1) (+ acc (call0 (fn [] (+ base i)))))
-          acc))))
+    (let [base 100  i 0  acc 0]
+      (while (< i 3)
+        (set acc (+ acc (call0 (fn [] (+ base i)))))
+        (set i (+ i 1)))
+      acc))
 
   ;; Called twice, so the environment is read more than once and a body that
   ;; consumed it would show.
diff --git a/test/programs/generic-struct.flan b/test/programs/generic-struct.flan
index f295fbd8..f8efc122 100644
--- a/test/programs/generic-struct.flan
+++ b/test/programs/generic-struct.flan
@@ -49,11 +49,13 @@
 (defstruct Node [v $t  next (Option (Ptr (Node $t)))])
 
 (defn sum-list [n (Ptr (Node i64))] i64
-  (loop [at n  acc (the i64 0)]
-    (let [acc (+ acc (.v at))]
+  (let [at n  acc (the i64 0)]
+    (while true
+      (set acc (+ acc (.v at)))
       (match (.next at)
-        (Some p) (recur p acc)
-        None acc))))
+        (Some p) (set at p)
+        None (break)))
+    acc))
 
 ;; A template naming another at its own parameters.
 (defstruct Twice [x (Small $m $u)  y (Small $m $u)])
diff --git a/test/programs/match-enum.flan b/test/programs/match-enum.flan
index 988b092c..83f7c5fd 100644
--- a/test/programs/match-enum.flan
+++ b/test/programs/match-enum.flan
@@ -25,12 +25,14 @@
   (calls)
   :west)
 
-;; recur from inside an arm: the arm is the loop's tail.
+;; break from inside an arm leaves the while around the match.
 (defn steps-to-west [from Dir] i32
-  (loop [d from  n 0]
-    (match d
-      :west n
-      _     (recur (turn d) (+ n 1)))))
+  (let [d from  n 0]
+    (while true
+      (match d
+        :west (break)
+        _     (do (set d (turn d)) (set n (+ n 1)))))
+    n))
 
 (defn main [] i32
   (print (steps-to-west :north)) (println "")
diff --git a/test/programs/match-literal.flan b/test/programs/match-literal.flan
index 2b95ed13..811dadfb 100644
--- a/test/programs/match-literal.flan
+++ b/test/programs/match-literal.flan
@@ -44,12 +44,14 @@
   (print "(called) ")
   7)
 
-;; recur from inside an arm: the arm is the loop's tail.
+;; break from inside an arm leaves the while around the match.
 (defn count-down [from i32] i32
-  (loop [n from  steps 0]
-    (match n
-      0 steps
-      _ (recur (- n 1) (+ steps 1)))))
+  (let [n from  steps 0]
+    (while true
+      (match n
+        0 (break)
+        _ (do (set n (- n 1)) (set steps (+ steps 1)))))
+    steps))
 
 (defn main [] i32
   (println (small 5))
diff --git a/test/syntax/flat/shadows.flan b/test/syntax/flat/shadows.flan
index 87dd7fa0..44353369 100644
--- a/test/syntax/flat/shadows.flan
+++ b/test/syntax/flat/shadows.flan
@@ -29,10 +29,14 @@
       (println i))))
 
 (defn loopr [] i32
-  (loop [n 0 acc 0]
-    (let [n (* n 2)]
-      (println n))
-    (if (< n 4) (recur (+ n 1) (+ acc n)) acc)))
+  (let [n 0 acc 0]
+    (while true
+      (let [n (* n 2)]
+        (println n))
+      (if (< n 4)
+        (do (set acc (+ acc n)) (set n (+ n 1)))
+        (break)))
+    acc))
 
 (defn ret [a i32] i32
   (let [a (+ a 1)]
diff --git a/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln b/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
index 79d7b494..bb1161cb 100644
--- a/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
+++ b/test/syntax/handwritten/inventory.fln
@@ -25,8 +25,13 @@ macro expect(test, message)
       println("expected:", ~message)
 
 fn gcd(a: i32, b: i32) -> i32
-  loop x = a, y = b
-    if y == 0 then x else recur(y, x % y)
+  let x = a
+  let y = b
+  while y != 0
+    let r = x % y
+    x = y
+    y = r
+  x
 
 fn line(it: stock/Item) -> ()
   let price = stock/money(stock/value(it))
diff --git a/test/test_syntax.ml b/test/test_syntax.ml
index a623b0a4..fc970edb 100644
--- a/test/test_syntax.ml
+++ b/test/test_syntax.ml
@@ -359,13 +359,17 @@ let attached_ok ~what path (src, forms) (out, back) =
 (* Every .flan the build tree holds. [..] is the workspace root from here;
    the deps in test/dune decide what is in it. *)
 let corpus () =
+  (* recur.flan is about the Lisp loop form, which the indented syntax does
+     not have. *)
+  let lisp_only = [ "recur.flan" ] in
   let rec walk dir acc =
     Array.fold_left
       (fun acc name ->
          let path = Filename.concat dir name in
          if name <> "" && (name.[0] = '.' || name.[0] = '_') then acc
          else if Sys.is_directory path then walk path acc
-         else if Filename.check_suffix name ".flan" then path :: acc
+         else if Filename.check_suffix name ".flan" && not (List.mem name lisp_only) then
+           path :: acc
          else acc)
       acc (Sys.readdir dir)
   in
@@ -612,12 +616,26 @@ let () =
   reads "macro with no parameters" "macro m()\n  a" "(defmacro m [] a)";
   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 ~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";
+  (* No loop and no recur: a .fln loop is a while, until, dotimes or for. *)
+  refuses "a loop header" "loop x = a, y = b + 1\n  recur(y, x)" "indent/no-loop"
+    "while i < 10";
+  refuses ~global:false "a let-bound loop" "let r = loop i = 0\n  i\nr" "indent/no-loop"
+    "loop is not part of the indented syntax";
+  refuses "a loop call" "loop([x 1]):\n  x" "indent/no-loop" "while, until, dotimes or for";
+  refuses "a loop over a block" "loop\n  g()" "indent/no-loop" "loop is not";
+  refuses "a recur call" "f(recur(1))" "indent/no-loop" "recur is not part of the indented syntax";
+  refuses "a loop in a macro's quote" "macro m(a)\n  quote\n    loop([i ~a]):\n      i"
+    "indent/no-loop" "loop is not";
+  refuses "a quoted loop" "f('(loop [i 0] (recur i)))" "indent/no-loop" "loop is not";
+  reads "loop as a name" "loop = 4" "(set loop 4)";
+  reads "if over loop" "if loop\n  1" "(when loop 1)";
+  reads "while over loop" "while loop\n  g()" "(while loop (g))";
+  reads "until over loop" "until loop\n  g()" "(until loop (g))";
+  reads "elif over loop" "if recur\n  1\nelif loop\n  2" "(cond recur 1 loop 2)";
+  reads "a one-line if over loop" "if loop then 1 else 2" "(if loop 1 2)";
+  reads "a one-line if over recur" "if recur > 0 then recur else 0" "(if (> recur 0) recur 0)";
+  reads ~global:false "a typed let of loop" "let loop: i32 = 1\nloop" "(let [loop (the i32 1)] loop)";
+  reads "a match over loop, and an arm of it" "match loop\n  loop -> loop" "(match loop loop loop)";
   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"
@@ -989,12 +1007,24 @@ let () =
   prints "a parent with no fields" "(defstruct D :parent Io)" "struct D :parent Io";
   prints "an empty field vector under a parent keeps the fallback"
     "(defstruct D :parent Io [])" "defstruct(D, :parent, Io, [])";
-  prints "a loop" "(defn f [a i32] i32 (loop [x a y 0] (if (= x 0) y (recur (- x 1) (+ y 1)))))"
-    "  loop x = a, y = 0\n    if x == 0 then y";
-  prints "a let-bound loop" "(defn f [] i32 (let [r (loop [i 0] (recur i))] r))"
-    "  let r = loop i = 0\n    recur(i)";
-  prints "a lambda as a loop's value is parenthesised"
-    "(defn f [] () (loop [g (fn [x] x) n 0] (recur g n)))" "loop g = (fn(x) => x), n = 0"
+  (* A .flan file with loop or recur is refused, every line named. *)
+  (match
+     Reader.read_all ~file:"<p>"
+       "(defn f [a i32] i32\n  (loop [x a y 0]\n    (if (= x 0) y (recur (- x 1) (+ y 1)))))\n\n(defn g [] i32 (loop [i 0] i))"
+   with
+   | forms ->
+     (match Indent_printer.program forms with
+      | text -> fail "a loop printed: %s" text
+      | exception Loc.Error d ->
+        if d.Loc.kind <> "convert/no-loop" then fail "a loop refused as %s" d.Loc.kind;
+        List.iter
+          (fun n ->
+             if not (Test_support.contains d.Loc.dmsg n) then
+               fail "the loop refusal does not say %S: %s" n d.Loc.dmsg)
+          [ "on lines 2, 3 and 5. The indented syntax"; "(while (< i 10)" ];
+        if List.length d.Loc.notes <> 2 then
+          fail "the loop refusal points at %d more places, wanted 2" (List.length d.Loc.notes))
+   | exception e -> fail "a loop: %s" (diag_text e))
 
 (* ── Spans, for pause marks and error overlays ──────────────────────── *)