diff --git a/account/sx/handlers/auth-menu.sx b/account/sx/handlers/auth-menu.sx
index 28d4c02..16d93b4 100644
--- a/account/sx/handlers/auth-menu.sx
+++ b/account/sx/handlers/auth-menu.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Account auth-menu fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders the desktop + mobile auth menu (sign-in or user link).
 
diff --git a/blog/bp/menu_items/routes.py b/blog/bp/menu_items/routes.py
index 48c3117..d9a75be 100644
--- a/blog/bp/menu_items/routes.py
+++ b/blog/bp/menu_items/routes.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def _render_page_search_results(pages, query, page, has_more) -> str:
     items_sx = "(<> " + " ".join(items) + ")"
     return sx_call("page-search-results",
                    items=SxExpr(items_sx),
-                   sentinel=SxExpr(sentinel) if sentinel else None)
+                   sentinel=sentinel or None)
 
 
 def _render_menu_items_nav_oob(menu_items) -> str:
@@ -191,12 +191,12 @@ def _render_menu_items_nav_oob(menu_items) -> str:
         if item_slug != "cart":
             item_parts.append(sx_call("blog-nav-item-link",
                 href=href, hx_get=f"/{item_slug}/", selected=selected,
-                nav_cls=nav_button_cls, img=SxExpr(img_sx), label=label,
+                nav_cls=nav_button_cls, img=img_sx, label=label,
             ))
         else:
             item_parts.append(sx_call("blog-nav-item-plain",
                 href=href, selected=selected, nav_cls=nav_button_cls,
-                img=SxExpr(img_sx), label=label,
+                img=img_sx, label=label,
             ))
 
     items_sx = "(<> " + " ".join(item_parts) + ")" if item_parts else ""
diff --git a/blog/bp/post/admin/routes.py b/blog/bp/post/admin/routes.py
index 9828f48..8823bfa 100644
--- a/blog/bp/post/admin/routes.py
+++ b/blog/bp/post/admin/routes.py
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ def _render_associated_entries(all_calendars, associated_entry_ids, post_slug: s
                 confirm_text=f"This will remove {e_name} from this post",
                 toggle_url=toggle_url,
                 hx_headers=f'{{"X-CSRFToken": "{csrf}"}}',
-                img=SxExpr(img_sx), name=e_name,
+                img=img_sx, name=e_name,
                 date_str=f"{cal_name} \u2022 {date_str}",
             ))
 
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def _render_associated_entries(all_calendars, associated_entry_ids, post_slug: s
     else:
         content_sx = sx_call("blog-associated-entries-empty")
 
-    return sx_call("blog-associated-entries-panel", content=SxExpr(content_sx))
+    return sx_call("blog-associated-entries-panel", content=content_sx)
 
 
 def _render_nav_entries_oob(associated_entries, calendars, post: dict) -> str:
diff --git a/blog/sx/handlers/link-card.sx b/blog/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
index 8598a6b..bdc26ae 100644
--- a/blog/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
+++ b/blog/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Blog link-card fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders link-card(s) for blog posts by slug.
 ;; Supports single mode (?slug=x) and batch mode (?keys=x,y,z).
diff --git a/blog/sx/handlers/nav-tree.sx b/blog/sx/handlers/nav-tree.sx
index 3d10625..72a54b4 100644
--- a/blog/sx/handlers/nav-tree.sx
+++ b/blog/sx/handlers/nav-tree.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Blog nav-tree fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders the full scrollable navigation menu bar with app icons.
 ;; Uses nav-tree I/O primitive to fetch menu nodes from the blog DB.
diff --git a/blog/sxc/pages/helpers.py b/blog/sxc/pages/helpers.py
index 9e2e2b8..7647db4 100644
--- a/blog/sxc/pages/helpers.py
+++ b/blog/sxc/pages/helpers.py
@@ -279,11 +279,11 @@ async def _h_post_preview_content(slug=None, **kw):
     if preview.get("sx_rendered"):
         rendered_sx = sx_call("blog-preview-rendered", html=preview["sx_rendered"])
         sections.append(sx_call("blog-preview-section",
-            title="SX Rendered", content=SxExpr(rendered_sx)))
+            title="SX Rendered", content=rendered_sx))
     if preview.get("lex_rendered"):
         rendered_sx = sx_call("blog-preview-rendered", html=preview["lex_rendered"])
         sections.append(sx_call("blog-preview-section",
-            title="Lexical Rendered", content=SxExpr(rendered_sx)))
+            title="Lexical Rendered", content=rendered_sx))
 
     if not sections:
         return sx_call("blog-preview-empty")
diff --git a/blog/sxc/pages/layouts.py b/blog/sxc/pages/layouts.py
index 002fbbd..15dfb6e 100644
--- a/blog/sxc/pages/layouts.py
+++ b/blog/sxc/pages/layouts.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ from typing import Any
 
 def _settings_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     from quart import url_for as qurl
 
     settings_href = qurl("settings.defpage_settings_home")
@@ -20,8 +19,8 @@ def _settings_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx",
         id="root-settings-row", level=1,
         link_href=settings_href,
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
-        nav=SxExpr(nav_sx) if nav_sx else None,
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
+        nav=nav_sx or None,
         child_id="root-settings-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ def _sub_settings_header_sx(row_id: str, child_id: str, href: str,
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx",
         id=row_id, level=2,
         link_href=href,
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
         nav=SxExpr(nav_sx) if nav_sx else None,
         child_id=child_id, oob=oob)
 
@@ -80,16 +79,14 @@ async def _blog_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _settings_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("settings-layout-full", {},
-        settings_header=SxExpr(_settings_header_sx(ctx)))
+        settings_header=_settings_header_sx(ctx))
 
 
 async def _settings_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     rows = await render_to_sx_with_env("settings-layout-full", {},
-        settings_header=SxExpr(_settings_header_sx(ctx)))
+        settings_header=_settings_header_sx(ctx))
     return await oob_header_sx("root-header-child", "root-settings-header-child", rows)
 
 
@@ -102,26 +99,24 @@ def _settings_mobile(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 async def _sub_settings_full(ctx: dict, row_id: str, child_id: str,
                        endpoint: str, icon: str, label: str) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     from quart import url_for as qurl
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("sub-settings-layout-full", {},
-        settings_header=SxExpr(_settings_header_sx(ctx)),
-        sub_header=SxExpr(_sub_settings_header_sx(
-            row_id, child_id, qurl(endpoint), icon, label, ctx)))
+        settings_header=_settings_header_sx(ctx),
+        sub_header=_sub_settings_header_sx(
+            row_id, child_id, qurl(endpoint), icon, label, ctx))
 
 
 async def _sub_settings_oob(ctx: dict, row_id: str, child_id: str,
                       endpoint: str, icon: str, label: str) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import oob_header_sx, sx_call
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     from quart import url_for as qurl
     settings_hdr_oob = _settings_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)
     sub_hdr = _sub_settings_header_sx(
         row_id, child_id, qurl(endpoint), icon, label, ctx)
     sub_oob = await oob_header_sx("root-settings-header-child", child_id, sub_hdr)
     return sx_call("sub-settings-layout-oob",
-        settings_header_oob=SxExpr(settings_hdr_oob),
-        sub_header_oob=SxExpr(sub_oob))
+        settings_header_oob=settings_hdr_oob,
+        sub_header_oob=sub_oob)
 
 
 # --- Cache ---
@@ -177,20 +172,18 @@ async def _tag_groups_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 async def _tag_group_edit_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from quart import request, url_for as qurl
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     g_id = (request.view_args or {}).get("id")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("sub-settings-layout-full", {},
-        settings_header=SxExpr(_settings_header_sx(ctx)),
-        sub_header=SxExpr(_sub_settings_header_sx(
+        settings_header=_settings_header_sx(ctx),
+        sub_header=_sub_settings_header_sx(
             "tag-groups-row", "tag-groups-header-child",
             qurl("defpage_tag_group_edit", id=g_id),
-            "tags", "Tag Groups", ctx)))
+            "tags", "Tag Groups", ctx))
 
 
 async def _tag_group_edit_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from quart import request, url_for as qurl
     from shared.sx.helpers import oob_header_sx, sx_call
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     g_id = (request.view_args or {}).get("id")
     settings_hdr_oob = _settings_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)
     sub_hdr = _sub_settings_header_sx(
@@ -199,5 +192,5 @@ async def _tag_group_edit_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
         "tags", "Tag Groups", ctx)
     sub_oob = await oob_header_sx("root-settings-header-child", "tag-groups-header-child", sub_hdr)
     return sx_call("sub-settings-layout-oob",
-        settings_header_oob=SxExpr(settings_hdr_oob),
-        sub_header_oob=SxExpr(sub_oob))
+        settings_header_oob=settings_hdr_oob,
+        sub_header_oob=sub_oob)
diff --git a/cart/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx b/cart/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
index 5c31f44..c939a69 100644
--- a/cart/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
+++ b/cart/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Cart account-nav-item fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders the "orders" link for the account dashboard nav.
 
diff --git a/cart/sx/handlers/cart-mini.sx b/cart/sx/handlers/cart-mini.sx
index 2dbb44a..87e9a75 100644
--- a/cart/sx/handlers/cart-mini.sx
+++ b/cart/sx/handlers/cart-mini.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Cart cart-mini fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders the cart icon with badge (or logo when empty).
 
diff --git a/cart/sxc/pages/layouts.py b/cart/sxc/pages/layouts.py
index 536257f..c7b7de8 100644
--- a/cart/sxc/pages/layouts.py
+++ b/cart/sxc/pages/layouts.py
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from typing import Any
 
-from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
-
 
 def _register_cart_layouts() -> None:
     from shared.sx.layouts import register_custom_layout
@@ -80,8 +78,8 @@ def _page_cart_header_sx(ctx: dict, page_post: Any, *, oob: bool = False) -> str
         "menu-row-sx",
         id="page-cart-row", level=2, colour="sky",
         link_href=call_url(ctx, "cart_url", f"/{slug}/"),
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
-        nav=SxExpr(nav_sx), oob=oob,
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
+        nav=nav_sx, oob=oob,
     )
 
 
@@ -102,8 +100,8 @@ async def _cart_page_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     page_post = ctx.get("page_post")
     env = {}
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("cart-page-layout-full", env,
-        cart_row=SxExpr(_cart_header_sx(ctx)),
-        page_cart_row=SxExpr(_page_cart_header_sx(ctx, page_post)),
+        cart_row=_cart_header_sx(ctx),
+        page_cart_row=_page_cart_header_sx(ctx, page_post),
     )
 
 
@@ -112,9 +110,9 @@ async def _cart_page_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     page_post = ctx.get("page_post")
     env = {}
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("cart-page-layout-oob", env,
-        root_header_oob=SxExpr(await root_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        cart_row_oob=SxExpr(_cart_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        page_cart_row=SxExpr(_page_cart_header_sx(ctx, page_post)),
+        root_header_oob=await root_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        cart_row_oob=_cart_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        page_cart_row=_page_cart_header_sx(ctx, page_post),
     )
 
 
@@ -124,8 +122,8 @@ async def _cart_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     selected = kw.get("selected", "")
     env = {}
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("cart-admin-layout-full", env,
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx, page_post)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await _cart_page_admin_header_sx(ctx, page_post, selected=selected)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx, page_post),
+        admin_header=await _cart_page_admin_header_sx(ctx, page_post, selected=selected),
     )
 
 
diff --git a/cart/sxc/pages/renders.py b/cart/sxc/pages/renders.py
index f4f0f98..6237a81 100644
--- a/cart/sxc/pages/renders.py
+++ b/cart/sxc/pages/renders.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ async def render_orders_page(ctx, orders, page, total_pages, search, search_coun
     header_rows = await render_to_sx_with_env("cart-orders-layout-full", {},
         list_url=list_url,
     )
-    filt = sx_call("order-list-header", search_mobile=SxExpr(await search_mobile_sx(ctx)))
+    filt = sx_call("order-list-header", search_mobile=await search_mobile_sx(ctx))
     return await full_page_sx(ctx, header_rows=header_rows, filter=filt,
                           aside=await search_desktop_sx(ctx), content=content)
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def render_orders_rows(ctx, orders, page, total_pages, url_for_fn, qs_fn):
         next_scroll = sx_call("order-end-row")
     return sx_call("cart-orders-rows",
         rows=SxExpr("(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")"),
-        next_scroll=SxExpr(next_scroll),
+        next_scroll=next_scroll,
     )
 
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ async def render_orders_oob(ctx, orders, page, total_pages, search, search_count
     oobs = await render_to_sx_with_env("cart-orders-layout-oob", {},
         list_url=list_url,
     )
-    filt = sx_call("order-list-header", search_mobile=SxExpr(await search_mobile_sx(ctx)))
+    filt = sx_call("order-list-header", search_mobile=await search_mobile_sx(ctx))
     return await oob_page_sx(oobs=oobs, filter=filt, aside=await search_desktop_sx(ctx), content=content)
 
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ async def render_checkout_error_page(ctx, error=None, order=None):
     hdr = await render_to_sx_with_env("layout-root-full", {})
     filt = sx_call("checkout-error-header")
     content = sx_call("checkout-error-content", msg=err_msg,
-        order=SxExpr(order_sx) if order_sx else None, back_url=cart_url("/"))
+        order=order_sx or None, back_url=cart_url("/"))
     return await full_page_sx(ctx, header_rows=hdr, filter=filt, content=content)
 
 
diff --git a/events/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx b/events/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
index 73f248c..e3c8881 100644
--- a/events/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
+++ b/events/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Events account-nav-item fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders tickets + bookings links for the account dashboard nav.
 
diff --git a/events/sx/handlers/account-page.sx b/events/sx/handlers/account-page.sx
index 925eb8c..b0b5893 100644
--- a/events/sx/handlers/account-page.sx
+++ b/events/sx/handlers/account-page.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Account-page fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders tickets or bookings panel for the account dashboard.
 ;; slug=tickets → ticket list; slug=bookings → booking list.
diff --git a/events/sx/handlers/container-cards.sx b/events/sx/handlers/container-cards.sx
index 193f23a..7025723 100644
--- a/events/sx/handlers/container-cards.sx
+++ b/events/sx/handlers/container-cards.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Container-cards fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Returns HTML with <!-- card-widget:ID --> comment markers so the
 ;; blog consumer can split per-post fragments.  Each post section
diff --git a/events/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx b/events/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
index d58f9fb..7bb41e9 100644
--- a/events/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
+++ b/events/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Events container-nav fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders calendar entry nav items + calendar link nav items
 ;; for the scrollable navigation panel on blog post pages.
diff --git a/events/sx/handlers/link-card.sx b/events/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
index 1c58552..630eead 100644
--- a/events/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
+++ b/events/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Events link-card fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders event page preview card(s) by slug.
 ;; Supports single mode (?slug=x) and batch mode (?keys=x,y,z).
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/calendar.py b/events/sxc/pages/calendar.py
index 67d268a..6dacc04 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/calendar.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/calendar.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def _calendars_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     link_href = url_for("calendars.home")
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="calendars-row", level=3,
                   link_href=link_href,
-                  link_label_content=SxExpr(sx_call("events-calendars-label")),
+                  link_label_content=sx_call("events-calendars-label"),
                   child_id="calendars-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def _calendar_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     nav_html = _calendar_nav_sx(ctx)
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="calendar-row", level=3,
-                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_html),
+                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=label_html,
                   nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="calendar-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def _day_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     nav_html = _day_nav_sx(ctx)
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="day-row", level=4,
-                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_html),
+                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=label_html,
                   nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="day-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ def _markets_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     link_href = url_for("defpage_events_markets")
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="markets-row", level=3,
                   link_href=link_href,
-                  link_label_content=SxExpr(sx_call("events-markets-label")),
+                  link_label_content=sx_call("events-markets-label"),
                   child_id="markets-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ def _day_row_html(ctx: dict, entry) -> str:
     state = getattr(entry, "state", "pending") or "pending"
     state_badge = _entry_state_badge_html(state)
     state_td = sx_call("events-day-row-state",
-                      state_id=f"entry-state-{entry.id}", badge=SxExpr(state_badge))
+                      state_id=f"entry-state-{entry.id}", badge=state_badge)
 
     # Cost
     cost = getattr(entry, "cost", None)
@@ -564,9 +564,9 @@ def _day_row_html(ctx: dict, entry) -> str:
     actions_td = sx_call("events-day-row-actions")
 
     return sx_call("events-day-row",
-                  tr_cls=tr_cls, name=SxExpr(name_html), slot=SxExpr(slot_html),
-                  state=SxExpr(state_td), cost=SxExpr(cost_td),
-                  tickets=SxExpr(tickets_td), actions=SxExpr(actions_td))
+                  tr_cls=tr_cls, name=name_html, slot=slot_html,
+                  state=state_td, cost=cost_td,
+                  tickets=tickets_td, actions=actions_td)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ def _calendar_admin_main_panel_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
     description_html = _calendar_description_display_html(calendar, desc_edit_url)
 
     return sx_call("events-calendar-admin-panel",
-                  description_content=SxExpr(description_html), csrf=csrf,
+                  description_content=description_html, csrf=csrf,
                   description=desc)
 
 
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/entries.py b/events/sxc/pages/entries.py
index b8cd573..a917885 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/entries.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/entries.py
@@ -73,10 +73,10 @@ def _entry_card_html(entry, page_info: dict, pending_tickets: dict,
     if tp is not None:
         qty = pending_tickets.get(entry.id, 0)
         widget_html = sx_call("events-entry-widget-wrapper",
-                             widget=SxExpr(_ticket_widget_html(entry, qty, ticket_url, ctx={})))
+                             widget=_ticket_widget_html(entry, qty, ticket_url, ctx={}))
 
     return sx_call("events-entry-card",
-                  title=SxExpr(title_html), badges=SxExpr(badges_html),
+                  title=title_html, badges=SxExpr(badges_html),
                   time_parts=SxExpr(time_parts), cost=SxExpr(cost_html),
                   widget=SxExpr(widget_html))
 
@@ -137,10 +137,10 @@ def _entry_card_tile_html(entry, page_info: dict, pending_tickets: dict,
     if tp is not None:
         qty = pending_tickets.get(entry.id, 0)
         widget_html = sx_call("events-entry-tile-widget-wrapper",
-                             widget=SxExpr(_ticket_widget_html(entry, qty, ticket_url, ctx={})))
+                             widget=_ticket_widget_html(entry, qty, ticket_url, ctx={}))
 
     return sx_call("events-entry-card-tile",
-                  title=SxExpr(title_html), badges=SxExpr(badges_html),
+                  title=title_html, badges=SxExpr(badges_html),
                   time=SxExpr(time_html), cost=SxExpr(cost_html),
                   widget=SxExpr(widget_html))
 
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ def _events_main_panel_html(ctx: dict, entries, has_more, pending_tickets, page_
                       cls="px-3 py-12 text-center text-stone-400")
 
     return sx_call("events-main-panel-body",
-                  toggle=SxExpr(toggle), body=SxExpr(body))
+                  toggle=toggle, body=body)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ def _entry_main_panel_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
     # State
     state_html = _field("State", sx_call("events-entry-state-field",
                                          entry_id=str(eid),
-                                         badge=SxExpr(_entry_state_badge_html(state))))
+                                         badge=_entry_state_badge_html(state)))
 
     # Cost
     cost = getattr(entry, "cost", None)
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ def _entry_main_panel_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
     entry_posts = ctx.get("entry_posts") or []
     posts_html = _field("Associated Posts", sx_call("events-entry-posts-field",
                                                     entry_id=str(eid),
-                                                    posts_panel=SxExpr(render_entry_posts_panel(entry_posts, entry, calendar, day, month, year))))
+                                                    posts_panel=render_entry_posts_panel(entry_posts, entry, calendar, day, month, year)))
 
     # Options and Edit Button
     edit_url = url_for(
@@ -295,12 +295,12 @@ def _entry_main_panel_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
 
     return sx_call("events-entry-panel",
                   entry_id=str(eid), list_container=list_container,
-                  name=SxExpr(name_html), slot=SxExpr(slot_html),
-                  time=SxExpr(time_html), state=SxExpr(state_html),
-                  cost=SxExpr(cost_html), tickets=SxExpr(tickets_html),
-                  buy=SxExpr(buy_html), date=SxExpr(date_html),
-                  posts=SxExpr(posts_html),
-                  options=SxExpr(_entry_options_html(entry, calendar, day, month, year)),
+                  name=name_html, slot=slot_html,
+                  time=time_html, state=state_html,
+                  cost=cost_html, tickets=tickets_html,
+                  buy=SxExpr(buy_html), date=date_html,
+                  posts=posts_html,
+                  options=_entry_options_html(entry, calendar, day, month, year),
                   pre_action=pre_action, edit_url=edit_url)
 
 
@@ -331,13 +331,13 @@ def _entry_header_html(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     )
     label_html = sx_call("events-entry-label",
                         entry_id=str(entry.id),
-                        title=SxExpr(_entry_title_html(entry)),
+                        title=_entry_title_html(entry),
                         times=SxExpr(_entry_times_html(entry)))
 
     nav_html = _entry_nav_html(ctx)
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="entry-row", level=5,
-                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_html),
+                  link_href=link_href, link_label_content=label_html,
                   nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="entry-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ def _entry_nav_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
             else:
                 img_html = sx_call("events-post-img-placeholder")
             post_links += sx_call("events-entry-nav-post-link",
-                                 href=href, img=SxExpr(img_html), title=title)
+                                 href=href, img=img_html, title=title)
         parts.append((sx_call("events-entry-posts-nav-oob",
                             items=SxExpr(post_links))).replace(' :hx-swap-oob "true"', ''))
 
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ def render_entry_optioned(entry, calendar, day, month, year) -> str:
 
     return options + sx_call("events-entry-optioned-oob",
                             entry_id=str(entry.id),
-                            title=SxExpr(title), state=SxExpr(state))
+                            title=title, state=state)
 
 
 def _entry_title_html(entry) -> str:
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ def _entry_title_html(entry) -> str:
     state = getattr(entry, "state", "pending") or "pending"
     return sx_call("events-entry-title",
                   name=entry.name,
-                  badge=SxExpr(_entry_state_badge_html(state)))
+                  badge=_entry_state_badge_html(state))
 
 
 def _entry_options_html(entry, calendar, day, month, year) -> str:
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ def render_entry_posts_panel(entry_posts, entry, calendar, day, month, year) ->
                 entry_id=eid, post_id=ep_id,
             )
             items += sx_call("events-entry-post-item",
-                            img=SxExpr(img_html), title=ep_title,
+                            img=img_html, title=ep_title,
                             del_url=del_url, entry_id=eid_s,
                             csrf_hdr=f'{{"X-CSRFToken": "{csrf}"}}')
         posts_html = sx_call("events-entry-posts-list", items=SxExpr(items))
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ def render_entry_posts_panel(entry_posts, entry, calendar, day, month, year) ->
     )
 
     return sx_call("events-entry-posts-panel",
-                  posts=SxExpr(posts_html), search_url=search_url,
+                  posts=posts_html, search_url=search_url,
                   entry_id=eid_s)
 
 
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ def render_entry_posts_nav_oob(entry_posts) -> str:
                     if feat else sx_call("events-post-img-placeholder"))
         items += sx_call("events-entry-nav-post",
                         href=href, nav_btn=nav_btn,
-                        img=SxExpr(img_html), title=title)
+                        img=img_html, title=title)
 
     return sx_call("events-entry-posts-nav-oob", items=SxExpr(items))
 
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ def _entry_admin_header_html(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="entry-admin-row", level=6,
                   link_href=link_href, link_label="admin", icon="fa fa-cog",
-                  nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="entry-admin-header-child", oob=oob)
+                  nav=nav_html or None, child_id="entry-admin-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
 def _entry_admin_nav_html(ctx: dict) -> str:
@@ -822,7 +822,7 @@ def render_post_search_results(search_posts, search_query, page, total_pages,
 
         parts.append(sx_call("events-post-search-item",
                             post_url=post_url, entry_id=str(eid), csrf=csrf,
-                            post_id=str(sp.id), img=SxExpr(img_html), title=title))
+                            post_id=str(sp.id), img=img_html, title=title))
 
     result = "".join(parts)
 
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ def render_entry_edit_form(entry, calendar, day, month, year, day_slots) -> str:
     html = sx_call("events-entry-edit-form",
                   entry_id=str(eid), list_container=list_container,
                   put_url=put_url, cancel_url=cancel_url, csrf=csrf,
-                  name_val=entry.name or "", slot_picker=SxExpr(slot_picker_html),
+                  name_val=entry.name or "", slot_picker=slot_picker_html,
                   start_val=start_val, end_val=end_val, cost_display=cost_display,
                   ticket_price_val=tp_val, ticket_count_val=tc_val,
                   action_btn=action_btn, cancel_btn=cancel_btn)
@@ -920,7 +920,7 @@ def render_entry_add_form(calendar, day, month, year, day_slots) -> str:
 
     html = sx_call("events-entry-add-form",
                   post_url=post_url, csrf=csrf,
-                  slot_picker=SxExpr(slot_picker_html),
+                  slot_picker=slot_picker_html,
                   action_btn=action_btn, cancel_btn=cancel_btn,
                   cancel_url=cancel_url)
     return html + _SLOT_PICKER_JS
@@ -998,13 +998,13 @@ def render_fragment_account_tickets(tickets) -> str:
             items_html += sx_call("events-frag-ticket-item",
                                  href=href, entry_name=ticket.entry_name,
                                  date_str=date_str, calendar_name=cal_name,
-                                 type_name=type_name, badge=SxExpr(badge_html))
+                                 type_name=type_name, badge=badge_html)
         body = sx_call("events-frag-tickets-list", items=SxExpr(items_html))
     else:
         body = sx_call("empty-state", message="No tickets yet.",
                       cls="text-sm text-stone-500")
 
-    return sx_call("events-frag-tickets-panel", items=SxExpr(body))
+    return sx_call("events-frag-tickets-panel", items=body)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1033,10 +1033,10 @@ def render_fragment_account_bookings(bookings) -> str:
                                  name=booking.name,
                                  date_str=date_str + date_str_extra,
                                  calendar_name=cal_name, cost_str=cost_str,
-                                 badge=SxExpr(badge_html))
+                                 badge=badge_html)
         body = sx_call("events-frag-bookings-list", items=SxExpr(items_html))
     else:
         body = sx_call("empty-state", message="No bookings yet.",
                       cls="text-sm text-stone-500")
 
-    return sx_call("events-frag-bookings-panel", items=SxExpr(body))
+    return sx_call("events-frag-bookings-panel", items=body)
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/helpers.py b/events/sxc/pages/helpers.py
index ddf8dab..37e491f 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/helpers.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/helpers.py
@@ -229,14 +229,13 @@ def _register_events_layouts() -> None:
 
 async def _cal_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-cal-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_admin_header=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_admin_header=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -246,10 +245,10 @@ async def _cal_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-cal-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        cal_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("calendar-header-child",
-            "calendar-admin-header-child", _calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_oob=_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        cal_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("calendar-header-child",
+            "calendar-admin-header-child", _calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -269,8 +268,8 @@ async def _slots_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slots-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_admin_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_admin_oob=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -282,15 +281,14 @@ async def _slots_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _slot_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slot-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_admin_header=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
-        slot_header=SxExpr(_slot_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_admin_header=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx),
+        slot_header=_slot_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -300,10 +298,10 @@ async def _slot_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slot-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_admin_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        slot_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("calendar-admin-header-child",
-            "slot-header-child", _slot_header_html(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_admin_oob=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        slot_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("calendar-admin-header-child",
+            "slot-header-child", _slot_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -316,15 +314,14 @@ async def _slot_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _day_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-day-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_admin_header=SxExpr(_day_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_admin_header=_day_admin_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -334,10 +331,10 @@ async def _day_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-day-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        day_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
-            "day-admin-header-child", _day_admin_header_sx(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_oob=_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        day_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
+            "day-admin-header-child", _day_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -350,12 +347,11 @@ async def _day_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _entry_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -363,9 +359,9 @@ async def _entry_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
     from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-layout-oob", {},
-        day_oob=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        entry_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
-            "entry-header-child", _entry_header_html(ctx))),
+        day_oob=_day_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        entry_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
+            "entry-header-child", _entry_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
             "day-row", "day-header-child",
@@ -377,16 +373,15 @@ async def _entry_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _entry_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -396,10 +391,10 @@ async def _entry_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        entry_oob=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        entry_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("entry-header-child",
-            "entry-admin-header-child", _entry_admin_header_html(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        entry_oob=_entry_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        entry_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("entry-header-child",
+            "entry-admin-header-child", _entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -413,24 +408,22 @@ async def _entry_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _ticket_types_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-types-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_types_header=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_types_header=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _ticket_types_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-types-layout-oob", {},
-        entry_admin_oob=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        ticket_types_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("entry-admin-header-child",
-            "ticket_types-header-child", _ticket_types_header_html(ctx))),
+        entry_admin_oob=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        ticket_types_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("entry-admin-header-child",
+            "ticket_types-header-child", _ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
     )
 
 
@@ -438,25 +431,23 @@ async def _ticket_types_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _ticket_type_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-type-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_types_header=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_type_header=SxExpr(_ticket_type_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_types_header=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_type_header=_ticket_type_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _ticket_type_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-type-layout-oob", {},
-        ticket_types_oob=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        ticket_type_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("ticket_types-header-child",
-            "ticket_type-header-child", _ticket_type_header_html(ctx))),
+        ticket_types_oob=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        ticket_type_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("ticket_types-header-child",
+            "ticket_type-header-child", _ticket_type_header_html(ctx)),
     )
 
 
@@ -464,20 +455,18 @@ async def _ticket_type_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _markets_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-markets-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        markets_header=SxExpr(_markets_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        markets_header=_markets_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _markets_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-markets-layout-oob", {},
-        post_oob=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        markets_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("post-header-child",
-            "markets-header-child", _markets_header_sx(ctx))),
+        post_oob=await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        markets_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("post-header-child",
+            "markets-header-child", _markets_header_sx(ctx)),
     )
 
 
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/layouts.py b/events/sxc/pages/layouts.py
index 5ebe088..1f9345b 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/layouts.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/layouts.py
@@ -36,14 +36,13 @@ def _register_events_layouts() -> None:
 
 async def _cal_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-cal-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_admin_header=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_admin_header=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -53,10 +52,10 @@ async def _cal_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-cal-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        cal_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("calendar-header-child",
-            "calendar-admin-header-child", _calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_oob=_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        cal_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("calendar-header-child",
+            "calendar-admin-header-child", _calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -76,8 +75,8 @@ async def _slots_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slots-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_admin_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_admin_oob=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -89,15 +88,14 @@ async def _slots_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _slot_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slot-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_admin_header=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
-        slot_header=SxExpr(_slot_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_admin_header=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx),
+        slot_header=_slot_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -107,10 +105,10 @@ async def _slot_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav({**ctx, "is_admin_section": True})
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-slot-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_admin_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        slot_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("calendar-admin-header-child",
-            "slot-header-child", _slot_header_html(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_admin_oob=_calendar_admin_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        slot_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("calendar-admin-header-child",
+            "slot-header-child", _slot_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -123,15 +121,14 @@ async def _slot_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _day_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-day-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_admin_header=SxExpr(_day_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_admin_header=_day_admin_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -141,10 +138,10 @@ async def _day_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-day-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        cal_oob=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        day_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
-            "day-admin-header-child", _day_admin_header_sx(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        cal_oob=_calendar_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        day_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
+            "day-admin-header-child", _day_admin_header_sx(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -157,12 +154,11 @@ async def _day_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _entry_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -170,9 +166,9 @@ async def _entry_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
     from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-layout-oob", {},
-        day_oob=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        entry_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
-            "entry-header-child", _entry_header_html(ctx))),
+        day_oob=_day_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        entry_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("day-header-child",
+            "entry-header-child", _entry_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
             "day-row", "day-header-child",
@@ -184,16 +180,15 @@ async def _entry_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _entry_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, post_admin_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars")),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, selected="calendars"),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
@@ -203,10 +198,10 @@ async def _entry_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     ctx = await _ensure_container_nav(ctx)
     slug = (ctx.get("post") or {}).get("slug", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-entry-admin-layout-oob", {},
-        admin_oob=SxExpr(await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars")),
-        entry_oob=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        entry_admin_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("entry-header-child",
-            "entry-admin-header-child", _entry_admin_header_html(ctx))),
+        admin_oob=await post_admin_header_sx(ctx, slug, oob=True, selected="calendars"),
+        entry_oob=_entry_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        entry_admin_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("entry-header-child",
+            "entry-admin-header-child", _entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
             "post-admin-row", "post-admin-header-child",
             "calendar-row", "calendar-header-child",
@@ -220,24 +215,22 @@ async def _entry_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _ticket_types_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-types-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_types_header=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_types_header=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _ticket_types_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-types-layout-oob", {},
-        entry_admin_oob=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        ticket_types_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("entry-admin-header-child",
-            "ticket_types-header-child", _ticket_types_header_html(ctx))),
+        entry_admin_oob=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        ticket_types_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("entry-admin-header-child",
+            "ticket_types-header-child", _ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
     )
 
 
@@ -245,25 +238,23 @@ async def _ticket_types_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _ticket_type_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-type-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        calendar_header=SxExpr(_calendar_header_sx(ctx)),
-        day_header=SxExpr(_day_header_sx(ctx)),
-        entry_header=SxExpr(_entry_header_html(ctx)),
-        entry_admin_header=SxExpr(_entry_admin_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_types_header=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx)),
-        ticket_type_header=SxExpr(_ticket_type_header_html(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        calendar_header=_calendar_header_sx(ctx),
+        day_header=_day_header_sx(ctx),
+        entry_header=_entry_header_html(ctx),
+        entry_admin_header=_entry_admin_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_types_header=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx),
+        ticket_type_header=_ticket_type_header_html(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _ticket_type_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-ticket-type-layout-oob", {},
-        ticket_types_oob=SxExpr(_ticket_types_header_html(ctx, oob=True)),
-        ticket_type_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("ticket_types-header-child",
-            "ticket_type-header-child", _ticket_type_header_html(ctx))),
+        ticket_types_oob=_ticket_types_header_html(ctx, oob=True),
+        ticket_type_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("ticket_types-header-child",
+            "ticket_type-header-child", _ticket_type_header_html(ctx)),
     )
 
 
@@ -271,18 +262,16 @@ async def _ticket_type_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
 
 async def _markets_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-markets-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        markets_header=SxExpr(_markets_header_sx(ctx)),
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        markets_header=_markets_header_sx(ctx),
     )
 
 
 async def _markets_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("events-markets-layout-oob", {},
-        post_oob=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        markets_oob_wrap=SxExpr(await oob_header_sx("post-header-child",
-            "markets-header-child", _markets_header_sx(ctx))),
+        post_oob=await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        markets_oob_wrap=await oob_header_sx("post-header-child",
+            "markets-header-child", _markets_header_sx(ctx)),
     )
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/slots.py b/events/sxc/pages/slots.py
index 6661a90..a0b2ded 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/slots.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/slots.py
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ def _slot_header_html(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
                                   name=slot.name, description=desc)
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="slot-row", level=5,
-                  link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
+                  link_label_content=label_sx,
                   child_id="slot-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def render_slot_main_panel(slot, calendar, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
 
     result = sx_call("events-slot-panel",
                     slot_id=sid, list_container=list_container,
-                    days=SxExpr(days_html),
+                    days=days_html,
                     flexible="yes" if flexible else "no",
                     time_str=f"{time_start} \u2014 {time_end}",
                     cost_str=cost_str,
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ def render_slots_table(slots, calendar) -> str:
                                 pill_cls=pill_cls, hx_select=hx_select,
                                 slot_name=s.name, description=desc,
                                 flexible="yes" if s.flexible else "no",
-                                days=SxExpr(days_html),
+                                days=days_html,
                                 time_str=f"{time_start} - {time_end}",
                                 cost_str=cost_str, action_btn=action_btn,
                                 del_url=del_url,
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/tickets.py b/events/sxc/pages/tickets.py
index af8f520..669468c 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/tickets.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/tickets.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def _ticket_widget_html(entry, qty: int, ticket_url: str, *, ctx: dict) -> str:
         return sx_call("events-tw-form",
                       ticket_url=ticket_url, target=tgt,
                       csrf=csrf_token_val, entry_id=str(eid),
-                      count_val=str(count_val), btn=SxExpr(btn_html))
+                      count_val=str(count_val), btn=btn_html)
 
     if qty == 0:
         inner = _tw_form(1, sx_call("events-tw-cart-plus"))
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def _tickets_main_panel_html(ctx: dict, tickets: list) -> str:
                                        type_name=tt.name if tt else None,
                                        time_str=time_str or None,
                                        cal_name=cal.name if cal else None,
-                                       badge=SxExpr(_ticket_state_badge_html(state)),
+                                       badge=_ticket_state_badge_html(state),
                                        code_prefix=ticket.code[:8]))
 
     cards_html = "".join(ticket_cards)
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ def _ticket_admin_main_panel_html(ctx: dict, tickets: list, stats: dict) -> str:
                             entry_name=entry.name if entry else "\u2014",
                             date=SxExpr(date_html),
                             type_name=tt.name if tt else "\u2014",
-                            badge=SxExpr(_ticket_state_badge_html(state)),
+                            badge=_ticket_state_badge_html(state),
                             action=SxExpr(action_html))
 
     return sx_call("events-ticket-admin-panel",
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ def render_checkin_result(success: bool, error: str | None, ticket) -> str:
                   entry_name=entry.name if entry else "\u2014",
                   date=SxExpr(date_html),
                   type_name=tt.name if tt else "\u2014",
-                  badge=SxExpr(_ticket_state_badge_html("checked_in")),
+                  badge=_ticket_state_badge_html("checked_in"),
                   time_str=time_str)
 
 
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ def render_lookup_result(ticket, error: str | None) -> str:
     if cal:
         info_html += sx_call("events-lookup-cal", cal_name=cal.name)
     info_html += sx_call("events-lookup-status",
-                        badge=SxExpr(_ticket_state_badge_html(state)), code=code)
+                        badge=_ticket_state_badge_html(state), code=code)
     if checked_in_at:
         info_html += sx_call("events-lookup-checkin-time",
                             date_str=checked_in_at.strftime("%B %d, %Y at %H:%M"))
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ def render_entry_tickets_admin(entry, tickets: list) -> str:
         rows_html += sx_call("events-entry-tickets-admin-row",
                             code=code, code_short=code[:12] + "...",
                             type_name=tt.name if tt else "\u2014",
-                            badge=SxExpr(_ticket_state_badge_html(state)),
+                            badge=_ticket_state_badge_html(state),
                             action=SxExpr(action_html))
 
     if tickets:
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def render_entry_tickets_admin(entry, tickets: list) -> str:
     return sx_call("events-entry-tickets-admin-panel",
                   entry_name=entry.name,
                   count_label=f"{count} ticket{suffix}",
-                  body=SxExpr(body_html))
+                  body=body_html)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -519,16 +519,16 @@ def render_buy_form(entry, ticket_remaining, ticket_sold_count,
             cost_str = f"\u00a3{tt.cost:.2f}" if tt.cost is not None else "\u00a30.00"
             type_items += sx_call("events-buy-type-item",
                                  type_name=tt.name, cost_str=cost_str,
-                                 adjust_controls=SxExpr(_ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, eid, type_count, ticket_type_id=tt.id)))
+                                 adjust_controls=_ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, eid, type_count, ticket_type_id=tt.id))
         body_html = sx_call("events-buy-types-wrapper", items=SxExpr(type_items))
     else:
         qty = user_ticket_count or 0
         body_html = sx_call("events-buy-default",
                            price_str=f"\u00a3{tp:.2f}",
-                           adjust_controls=SxExpr(_ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, eid, qty)))
+                           adjust_controls=_ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, eid, qty))
 
     return sx_call("events-buy-panel",
-                  entry_id=eid_s, info=SxExpr(info_html), body=SxExpr(body_html))
+                  entry_id=eid_s, info=SxExpr(info_html), body=body_html)
 
 
 def _ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, entry_id, count, *, ticket_type_id=None):
@@ -543,8 +543,8 @@ def _ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, entry_id, count, *, ticket
         return sx_call("events-adjust-form",
                       adjust_url=adjust_url, target=target,
                       extra_cls=extra_cls, csrf=csrf,
-                      entry_id=eid_s, tt=SxExpr(tt_html) if tt_html else None,
-                      count_val=str(count_val), btn=SxExpr(btn_html))
+                      entry_id=eid_s, tt=tt_html or None,
+                      count_val=str(count_val), btn=btn_html)
 
     if count == 0:
         return _adj_form(1, sx_call("events-adjust-cart-plus"),
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ def _ticket_adjust_controls(csrf, adjust_url, target, entry_id, count, *, ticket
     plus = _adj_form(count + 1, sx_call("events-adjust-plus"))
 
     return sx_call("events-adjust-controls",
-                  minus=SxExpr(minus), cart_icon=SxExpr(cart_icon), plus=SxExpr(plus))
+                  minus=minus, cart_icon=cart_icon, plus=plus)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ def _ticket_types_header_html(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="ticket_types-row", level=7,
                   link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_html),
-                  nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="ticket_type-header-child", oob=oob)
+                  nav=nav_html or None, child_id="ticket_type-header-child", oob=oob)
 
 
 
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ def _ticket_type_header_html(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
 
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx", id="ticket_type-row", level=8,
                   link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_html),
-                  nav=SxExpr(nav_html) if nav_html else None, child_id="ticket_type-header-child-inner", oob=oob)
+                  nav=nav_html or None, child_id="ticket_type-header-child-inner", oob=oob)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/events/sxc/pages/utils.py b/events/sxc/pages/utils.py
index 07cbaa8..afd79e6 100644
--- a/events/sxc/pages/utils.py
+++ b/events/sxc/pages/utils.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call
-from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -146,7 +145,7 @@ def _view_toggle_html(ctx: dict, view: str) -> str:
                   list_href=list_href, tile_href=tile_href,
                   hx_select=hx_select, list_cls=list_active,
                   tile_cls=tile_active, storage_key="events_view",
-                  list_svg=SxExpr(_get_list_svg()), tile_svg=SxExpr(_get_tile_svg()))
+                  list_svg=_get_list_svg(), tile_svg=_get_tile_svg())
 
 
 def _cart_icon_oob(count: int) -> str:
diff --git a/federation/bp/identity/routes.py b/federation/bp/identity/routes.py
index db74ffa..bdc6c1a 100644
--- a/federation/bp/identity/routes.py
+++ b/federation/bp/identity/routes.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ async def _render_choose_username(*, actor=None, error="", username=""):
     from shared.browser.app.csrf import generate_csrf_token
     from shared.config import config
     from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     from shared.sx.page import get_template_context
     from sxc.pages.utils import _social_page
     from markupsafe import escape
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ async def _render_choose_username(*, actor=None, error="", username=""):
     content = sx_call(
         "federation-choose-username",
         domain=str(escape(ap_domain)),
-        error=SxExpr(error_sx) if error_sx else None,
+        error=error_sx or None,
         csrf=csrf, username=str(escape(username)),
         check_url=check_url,
     )
diff --git a/federation/bp/social/routes.py b/federation/bp/social/routes.py
index 507b9f4..a625a1d 100644
--- a/federation/bp/social/routes.py
+++ b/federation/bp/social/routes.py
@@ -212,7 +212,6 @@ def register(url_prefix="/social"):
         """Re-render interaction buttons after a like/boost action."""
         from shared.models.federation import APInteraction
         from shared.browser.app.csrf import generate_csrf_token
-        from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
         from sqlalchemy import select
 
         svc = services.federation
@@ -290,9 +289,9 @@ def register(url_prefix="/social"):
             count=str(boost_count))
 
         return sx_response(sx_call("federation-interaction-buttons",
-            like=SxExpr(like_form),
-            boost=SxExpr(boost_form),
-            reply=SxExpr(reply_sx) if reply_sx else None))
+            like=like_form,
+            boost=boost_form,
+            reply=reply_sx or None))
 
     # -- Following / Followers pagination --------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/federation/sx/handlers/link-card.sx b/federation/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
index bed0324..cf30791 100644
--- a/federation/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
+++ b/federation/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Federation link-card fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders actor profile preview card(s) by username.
 ;; Supports single mode (?slug=x or ?username=x) and batch mode (?keys=x,y,z).
diff --git a/market/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx b/market/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
index 8fdc813..03019ee 100644
--- a/market/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
+++ b/market/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Market container-nav fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders marketplace link nav items for blog post pages.
 
diff --git a/market/sx/handlers/link-card.sx b/market/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
index a329555..cc517f4 100644
--- a/market/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
+++ b/market/sx/handlers/link-card.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Market link-card fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders product preview card(s) by slug.
 ;; Supports single mode (?slug=x) and batch mode (?keys=x,y,z).
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/cards.py b/market/sxc/pages/cards.py
index f5ef786..9ca6ad0 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/cards.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/cards.py
@@ -188,9 +188,9 @@ def _market_card_sx(market: Any, page_info: dict, *, show_page_badge: bool = Tru
 
     return sx_call(
         "market-market-card",
-        title_content=SxExpr(title_sx) if title_sx else None,
-        desc_content=SxExpr(desc_sx) if desc_sx else None,
-        badge_content=SxExpr(badge_sx) if badge_sx else None,
+        title_content=title_sx or None,
+        desc_content=desc_sx or None,
+        badge_content=badge_sx or None,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/filters.py b/market/sxc/pages/filters.py
index 6b01864..8637fc2 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/filters.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/filters.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ async def _desktop_filter_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
     if brands:
         brand_inner = _brand_filter_sx(brands, selected_brands, ctx)
     brand_summary = sx_call("market-desktop-brand-summary",
-                              inner=SxExpr(brand_inner) if brand_inner else None)
+                              inner=brand_inner or None)
 
     return "(<> " + " ".join([search_sx, cat_summary, brand_summary]) + ")"
 
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ async def _mobile_filter_summary_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
 
     return sx_call(
         "market-mobile-filter-summary",
-        search_bar=SxExpr(search_bar),
-        chips=SxExpr(chips_row),
+        search_bar=search_bar,
+        chips=chips_row,
         filter=SxExpr(mobile_filter),
     )
 
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/helpers.py b/market/sxc/pages/helpers.py
index 8bbd7b7..ab41497 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/helpers.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/helpers.py
@@ -151,10 +151,9 @@ async def _h_page_markets_content(slug=None, **kw):
 async def _h_page_admin_content(slug=None, **kw):
     from shared.sx.page import get_template_context
     from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
     ctx = await get_template_context()
     content = await _markets_admin_panel_sx(ctx)
-    return sx_call("market-admin-content-wrap", inner=SxExpr(content))
+    return sx_call("market-admin-content-wrap", inner=content)
 
 
 def _h_market_home_content(page_slug=None, market_slug=None, **kw):
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/layouts.py b/market/sxc/pages/layouts.py
index e0d4c76..ca29a59 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/layouts.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/layouts.py
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ def _market_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     return sx_call(
         "menu-row-sx",
         id="market-row", level=2,
-        link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
-        nav=SxExpr(nav_sx) if nav_sx else None,
+        link_href=link_href, link_label_content=label_sx,
+        nav=nav_sx or None,
         child_id="market-header-child", oob=oob,
     )
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def _desktop_category_nav_sx(ctx: dict, categories: dict, qs: str,
 
     return sx_call("market-desktop-category-nav",
                      links=SxExpr(links_sx),
-                     admin=SxExpr(admin_sx) if admin_sx else None)
+                     admin=admin_sx or None)
 
 
 def _product_header_sx(ctx: dict, d: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def _product_header_sx(ctx: dict, d: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     return sx_call(
         "menu-row-sx",
         id="product-row", level=3,
-        link_href=link_href, link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
+        link_href=link_href, link_label_content=label_sx,
         nav=SxExpr(nav_sx), child_id="product-header-child", oob=oob,
     )
 
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def _mobile_nav_panel_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
             bg_cls=bg_cls, href=cat_href, hx_select=hx_select,
             select_colours=select_colours, cat_name=cat,
             count_label=f"{cat_count} products", count_str=str(cat_count),
-            chevron=SxExpr(chevron_sx),
+            chevron=chevron_sx,
         )
 
         subs = data.get("subs", [])
@@ -246,8 +246,8 @@ def _mobile_nav_panel_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
         item_parts.append(sx_call(
             "market-mobile-cat-details",
             open=cat_active or None,
-            summary=SxExpr(summary_sx),
-            subs=SxExpr(subs_sx),
+            summary=summary_sx,
+            subs=subs_sx,
         ))
 
     items_sx = "(<> " + " ".join(item_parts) + ")"
@@ -295,16 +295,16 @@ def _register_market_layouts() -> None:
 async def _market_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("market-browse-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        market_header=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx)))
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        market_header=_market_header_sx(ctx))
 
 
 async def _market_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     oob_hdr = await _oob_header_sx("post-header-child", "market-header-child",
                              _market_header_sx(ctx))
     return sx_call("market-browse-layout-oob",
-        oob_header=SxExpr(oob_hdr),
-        post_header_oob=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
+        oob_header=oob_hdr,
+        post_header_oob=await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
                                "market-row", "market-header-child")))
 
@@ -317,17 +317,17 @@ async def _market_admin_full(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
     selected = kw.get("selected", "")
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("market-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        market_header=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(await _market_admin_header_sx(ctx, selected=selected)))
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        market_header=_market_header_sx(ctx),
+        admin_header=await _market_admin_header_sx(ctx, selected=selected))
 
 
 async def _market_admin_oob(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     selected = kw.get("selected", "")
     return sx_call("market-admin-layout-oob",
-        market_header_oob=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
-        admin_oob_header=SxExpr(await _oob_header_sx("market-header-child", "market-admin-header-child",
-                              await _market_admin_header_sx(ctx, selected=selected))),
+        market_header_oob=_market_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
+        admin_oob_header=await _oob_header_sx("market-header-child", "market-admin-header-child",
+                              await _market_admin_header_sx(ctx, selected=selected)),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
                                "market-row", "market-header-child",
                                "market-admin-row", "market-admin-header-child")))
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/renders.py b/market/sxc/pages/renders.py
index 4df1272..ce6d8c6 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/renders.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/renders.py
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ async def render_browse_page(ctx: dict) -> str:
 
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
     hdr = await render_to_sx_with_env("market-browse-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        market_header=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx)))
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        market_header=_market_header_sx(ctx))
     menu = _mobile_nav_panel_sx(ctx)
     filter_sx = await _mobile_filter_summary_sx(ctx)
     aside_sx = await _desktop_filter_sx(ctx)
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ async def render_browse_oob(ctx: dict) -> str:
     oob_hdr = await _oob_header_sx("post-header-child", "market-header-child",
                              _market_header_sx(ctx))
     oobs = sx_call("market-browse-layout-oob",
-        oob_header=SxExpr(oob_hdr),
-        post_header_oob=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True)),
+        oob_header=oob_hdr,
+        post_header_oob=await _post_header_sx(ctx, oob=True),
         clear_oob=SxExpr(_clear_deeper_oob("post-row", "post-header-child",
                                "market-row", "market-header-child")))
     menu = _mobile_nav_panel_sx(ctx)
@@ -83,9 +83,9 @@ async def render_product_page(ctx: dict, d: dict) -> str:
 
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
     hdr = await render_to_sx_with_env("market-product-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        market_header=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx)),
-        product_header=SxExpr(_product_header_sx(ctx, d)))
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        market_header=_market_header_sx(ctx),
+        product_header=_product_header_sx(ctx, d))
     return await full_page_sx(ctx, header_rows=hdr, content=content, meta=meta)
 
 
@@ -114,10 +114,10 @@ async def render_product_admin_page(ctx: dict, d: dict) -> str:
 
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
     hdr = await render_to_sx_with_env("market-product-admin-layout-full", {},
-        post_header=SxExpr(await _post_header_sx(ctx)),
-        market_header=SxExpr(_market_header_sx(ctx)),
-        product_header=SxExpr(_product_header_sx(ctx, d)),
-        admin_header=SxExpr(_product_admin_header_sx(ctx, d)))
+        post_header=await _post_header_sx(ctx),
+        market_header=_market_header_sx(ctx),
+        product_header=_product_header_sx(ctx, d),
+        admin_header=_product_admin_header_sx(ctx, d))
     return await full_page_sx(ctx, header_rows=hdr, content=content)
 
 
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ def render_cart_added_response(cart: list, item: Any, d: dict) -> str:
     add_sx = sx_call(
         "market-cart-add-oob",
         id=f"cart-add-{slug}",
-        inner=SxExpr(cart_add),
+        inner=cart_add,
     )
 
     return "(<> " + cart_mini + " " + add_sx + ")"
diff --git a/market/sxc/pages/utils.py b/market/sxc/pages/utils.py
index ee0ab48..67446af 100644
--- a/market/sxc/pages/utils.py
+++ b/market/sxc/pages/utils.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def _product_detail_sx(d: dict, ctx: dict) -> str:
 
         gallery_inner = sx_call(
             "market-detail-gallery-inner",
-            like=SxExpr(like_sx) if like_sx else None,
+            like=like_sx or None,
             image=images[0], alt=d.get("title", ""),
             labels=SxExpr(labels_sx) if labels_sx else None,
             brand=brand,
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ def _product_detail_sx(d: dict, ctx: dict) -> str:
 
         gallery_sx = sx_call(
             "market-detail-gallery",
-            inner=SxExpr(gallery_inner),
-            nav=SxExpr(nav_buttons) if nav_buttons else None,
+            inner=gallery_inner,
+            nav=nav_buttons or None,
         )
 
         # Thumbnails
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def _product_detail_sx(d: dict, ctx: dict) -> str:
         if user:
             like_sx = _like_button_sx(slug, liked_by_current_user, csrf, ctx)
         gallery_final = sx_call("market-detail-no-image",
-                                  like=SxExpr(like_sx) if like_sx else None)
+                                  like=like_sx or None)
 
     # Stickers below gallery
     stickers_sx = ""
@@ -206,8 +206,8 @@ def _product_detail_sx(d: dict, ctx: dict) -> str:
     return sx_call(
         "market-detail-layout",
         gallery=SxExpr(gallery_final),
-        stickers=SxExpr(stickers_sx) if stickers_sx else None,
-        details=SxExpr(details_sx),
+        stickers=stickers_sx or None,
+        details=details_sx,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/orders/bp/checkout/routes.py b/orders/bp/checkout/routes.py
index bc88aa8..9761b3b 100644
--- a/orders/bp/checkout/routes.py
+++ b/orders/bp/checkout/routes.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ async def _render_checkout_return(ctx: dict, order=None, status: str = "",
                 else:
                     img = sx_call("order-item-no-image")
                 item_parts.append(sx_call("order-item-row",
-                    href=product_url, img=SxExpr(img),
+                    href=product_url, img=img,
                     title=item.product_title or "Unknown product",
                     pid=f"Product ID: {item.product_id}",
                     qty=f"Qty: {item.quantity}",
@@ -109,11 +109,11 @@ async def _render_checkout_return(ctx: dict, order=None, status: str = "",
             status_msg = sx_call("checkout-return-paid")
 
         content = sx_call("checkout-return-content",
-            summary=SxExpr(summary),
-            items=SxExpr(items) if items else None,
-            calendar=SxExpr(calendar) if calendar else None,
-            tickets=SxExpr(tickets) if tickets else None,
-            status_message=SxExpr(status_msg) if status_msg else None,
+            summary=summary,
+            items=items or None,
+            calendar=calendar or None,
+            tickets=tickets or None,
+            status_message=status_msg or None,
         )
 
     account_url = call_url(ctx, "account_url", "")
diff --git a/orders/bp/order/routes.py b/orders/bp/order/routes.py
index 03c502f..fe3a84e 100644
--- a/orders/bp/order/routes.py
+++ b/orders/bp/order/routes.py
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ def register() -> Blueprint:
         if not hosted_url:
             from shared.sx.page import get_template_context
             from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call, root_header_sx, header_child_sx, full_page_sx, call_url
-            from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
             from shared.infrastructure.urls import cart_url
             tctx = await get_template_context()
             account_url = call_url(tctx, "account_url", "")
@@ -82,7 +81,7 @@ def register() -> Blueprint:
             content = sx_call(
                 "checkout-error-content",
                 msg="No hosted checkout URL returned from SumUp when trying to reopen payment.",
-                order=SxExpr(order_sx),
+                order=order_sx,
                 back_url=cart_url("/"),
             )
             html = await full_page_sx(tctx, header_rows=hdr, filter=filt, content=content)
diff --git a/orders/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx b/orders/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
index f679d81..9d4f007 100644
--- a/orders/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
+++ b/orders/sx/handlers/account-nav-item.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Orders account-nav-item fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Renders the "orders" link for the account dashboard nav.
 
diff --git a/relations/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx b/relations/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
index c9cd863..fb580db 100644
--- a/relations/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
+++ b/relations/sx/handlers/container-nav.sx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ;; Relations container-nav fragment handler
+;; returns: sx
 ;;
 ;; Generic navigation fragment driven by the relation registry.
 ;; Renders nav items for all related entities of a container.
diff --git a/shared/sx/async_eval.py b/shared/sx/async_eval.py
index 49f4d1f..7eed7b3 100644
--- a/shared/sx/async_eval.py
+++ b/shared/sx/async_eval.py
@@ -1010,10 +1010,10 @@ async def async_eval_to_sx(
         ctx = RequestContext()
     result = await _aser(expr, env, ctx)
     if isinstance(result, SxExpr):
-        return result.source
+        return result
     if result is None or result is NIL:
-        return ""
-    return serialize(result)
+        return SxExpr("")
+    return SxExpr(serialize(result))
 
 
 async def async_eval_slot_to_sx(
@@ -1039,10 +1039,10 @@ async def async_eval_slot_to_sx(
             if isinstance(comp, Component):
                 result = await _aser_component(comp, expr[1:], env, ctx)
                 if isinstance(result, SxExpr):
-                    return result.source
+                    return result
                 if result is None or result is NIL:
-                    return ""
-                return serialize(result)
+                    return SxExpr("")
+                return SxExpr(serialize(result))
             else:
                 import logging
                 logging.getLogger("sx.eval").error(
@@ -1056,14 +1056,10 @@ async def async_eval_slot_to_sx(
     # Fall back to normal async_eval_to_sx
     result = await _aser(expr, env, ctx)
     if isinstance(result, SxExpr):
-        return result.source
-    if result is None or result is NIL:
-        return ""
-    # Page helpers return SX source strings from render_to_sx() —
-    # pass through directly instead of quoting via serialize().
-    if isinstance(result, str):
         return result
-    return serialize(result)
+    if result is None or result is NIL:
+        return SxExpr("")
+    return SxExpr(serialize(result))
 
 
 async def _aser(expr: Any, env: dict[str, Any], ctx: RequestContext) -> Any:
@@ -1071,10 +1067,10 @@ async def _aser(expr: Any, env: dict[str, Any], ctx: RequestContext) -> Any:
     for everything else."""
     if isinstance(expr, (int, float, bool)):
         return expr
-    if isinstance(expr, str):
-        return expr
     if isinstance(expr, SxExpr):
         return expr
+    if isinstance(expr, str):
+        return expr
     if expr is None or expr is NIL:
         return NIL
 
diff --git a/shared/sx/handlers.py b/shared/sx/handlers.py
index c18f551..40b3b57 100644
--- a/shared/sx/handlers.py
+++ b/shared/sx/handlers.py
@@ -111,16 +111,19 @@ async def execute_handler(
     service_name: str,
     args: dict[str, str] | None = None,
 ) -> str:
-    """Execute a declarative handler and return rendered sx/HTML string.
+    """Execute a declarative handler and return SX wire format (``SxExpr``).
 
-    Uses the async evaluator+renderer so I/O primitives (``query``,
-    ``service``, ``request-arg``, etc.) are awaited inline within
-    control flow — no collect-then-substitute limitations.
+    Uses the async evaluator so I/O primitives (``query``, ``service``,
+    ``request-arg``, etc.) are awaited inline within control flow.
+
+    Returns ``SxExpr`` — pre-built sx source.  Callers like
+    ``fetch_fragment`` check ``content-type: text/sx`` and wrap the
+    response in ``SxExpr`` when consuming cross-service fragments.
 
     1. Build env from component env + handler closure
     2. Bind handler params from args (typically request.args)
-    3. Evaluate + render via async_render (handles I/O inline)
-    4. Return rendered string
+    3. Evaluate via ``async_eval_to_sx`` (I/O inline, components serialized)
+    4. Return ``SxExpr`` wire format
     """
     from .jinja_bridge import get_component_env, _get_request_context
     from .async_eval import async_eval_to_sx
diff --git a/shared/sx/helpers.py b/shared/sx/helpers.py
index cfe5a5d..6d7fba0 100644
--- a/shared/sx/helpers.py
+++ b/shared/sx/helpers.py
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ async def root_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False) -> str:
     )
 
 
-def mobile_menu_sx(*sections: str) -> str:
+def mobile_menu_sx(*sections: str) -> SxExpr:
     """Assemble mobile menu from pre-built sections (deepest first)."""
     parts = [s for s in sections if s]
-    return "(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")" if parts else ""
+    return SxExpr("(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")") if parts else SxExpr("")
 
 
 async def mobile_root_nav_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
@@ -96,13 +96,13 @@ async def mobile_root_nav_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
 # Shared nav-item builders — used by BOTH desktop headers and mobile menus
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-async def _post_nav_items_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
+async def _post_nav_items_sx(ctx: dict) -> SxExpr:
     """Build post-level nav items (container_nav + admin cog). Shared by
     ``post_header_sx`` (desktop) and ``post_mobile_nav_sx`` (mobile)."""
     post = ctx.get("post") or {}
     slug = post.get("slug", "")
     if not slug:
-        return ""
+        return SxExpr("")
     parts: list[str] = []
     page_cart_count = ctx.get("page_cart_count", 0)
     if page_cart_count and page_cart_count > 0:
@@ -130,11 +130,11 @@ async def _post_nav_items_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
                                  is_admin_page=is_admin_page or None)
     if admin_nav:
         parts.append(admin_nav)
-    return "(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")" if parts else ""
+    return SxExpr("(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")") if parts else SxExpr("")
 
 
 async def _post_admin_nav_items_sx(ctx: dict, slug: str,
-                             selected: str = "") -> str:
+                             selected: str = "") -> SxExpr:
     """Build post-admin nav items (calendars, markets, etc.). Shared by
     ``post_admin_header_sx`` (desktop) and mobile menu."""
     select_colours = ctx.get("select_colours", "")
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ async def _post_admin_nav_items_sx(ctx: dict, slug: str,
         parts.append(await _render_to_sx("nav-link", href=href, label=label,
                              select_colours=select_colours,
                              is_selected=is_sel or None))
-    return "(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")" if parts else ""
+    return SxExpr("(<> " + " ".join(parts) + ")") if parts else SxExpr("")
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ async def post_mobile_nav_sx(ctx: dict) -> str:
         label=title,
         href=call_url(ctx, "blog_url", f"/{slug}/"),
         level=1,
-        items=SxExpr(nav),
+        items=nav,
     )
 
 
@@ -220,8 +220,8 @@ async def post_header_sx(ctx: dict, *, oob: bool = False, child: str = "") -> st
     return await _render_to_sx("menu-row-sx",
         id="post-row", level=1,
         link_href=link_href,
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
-        nav=SxExpr(nav_sx) if nav_sx else None,
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
+        nav=nav_sx,
         child_id="post-header-child",
         child=SxExpr(child) if child else None,
         oob=oob, external=True,
@@ -244,8 +244,8 @@ async def post_admin_header_sx(ctx: dict, slug: str, *, oob: bool = False,
     return await _render_to_sx("menu-row-sx",
         id="post-admin-row", level=2,
         link_href=admin_href,
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
-        nav=SxExpr(nav_sx) if nav_sx else None,
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
+        nav=nav_sx,
         child_id="post-admin-header-child", oob=oob,
     )
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ async def _render_to_sx_with_env(__name: str, extra_env: dict, **kwargs: Any) ->
     env = dict(get_component_env())
     env.update(extra_env)
     ctx = _get_request_context()
-    return await async_eval_slot_to_sx(ast, env, ctx)
+    return SxExpr(await async_eval_slot_to_sx(ast, env, ctx))
 
 
 async def _render_to_sx(__name: str, **kwargs: Any) -> str:
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ async def _render_to_sx(__name: str, **kwargs: Any) -> str:
     ast = _build_component_ast(__name, **kwargs)
     env = dict(get_component_env())
     ctx = _get_request_context()
-    return await async_eval_to_sx(ast, env, ctx)
+    return SxExpr(await async_eval_to_sx(ast, env, ctx))
 
 
 # Backwards-compat alias — layout infrastructure still imports this.
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ def sx_call(component_name: str, **kwargs: Any) -> str:
                 parts.append("(list " + " ".join(items) + ")")
         else:
             parts.append(serialize(val))
-    return "(" + " ".join(parts) + ")"
+    return SxExpr("(" + " ".join(parts) + ")")
 
 
 
diff --git a/shared/sx/parser.py b/shared/sx/parser.py
index 15c9a7c..1abe667 100644
--- a/shared/sx/parser.py
+++ b/shared/sx/parser.py
@@ -25,31 +25,37 @@ from .types import Keyword, Symbol, NIL
 # SxExpr — pre-built sx source marker
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-class SxExpr:
+class SxExpr(str):
     """Pre-built sx source that serialize() outputs unquoted.
 
+    ``SxExpr`` is a ``str`` subclass, so it works everywhere a plain
+    string does (join, startswith, f-strings, isinstance checks).  The
+    only difference: ``serialize()`` emits it unquoted instead of
+    wrapping it in double-quotes.
+
     Use this to nest sx call strings inside other sx_call() invocations
     without them being quoted as strings::
 
-        sx_call("parent", child=SxExpr(sx_call("child", x=1)))
+        sx_call("parent", child=sx_call("child", x=1))
         # => (~parent :child (~child :x 1))
     """
-    __slots__ = ("source",)
 
-    def __init__(self, source: str):
-        self.source = source
+    def __new__(cls, source: str = "") -> "SxExpr":
+        return str.__new__(cls, source)
+
+    @property
+    def source(self) -> str:
+        """The raw SX source string (backward compat)."""
+        return str.__str__(self)
 
     def __repr__(self) -> str:
-        return f"SxExpr({self.source!r})"
-
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
-        return self.source
+        return f"SxExpr({str.__repr__(self)})"
 
     def __add__(self, other: object) -> "SxExpr":
-        return SxExpr(self.source + str(other))
+        return SxExpr(str.__add__(self, str(other)))
 
     def __radd__(self, other: object) -> "SxExpr":
-        return SxExpr(str(other) + self.source)
+        return SxExpr(str.__add__(str(other), self))
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -283,7 +289,26 @@ def _parse_map(tok: Tokenizer) -> dict[str, Any]:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 def serialize(expr: Any, indent: int = 0, pretty: bool = False) -> str:
-    """Serialize a value back to s-expression text."""
+    """Serialize a value back to s-expression text.
+
+    Type dispatch order (first match wins):
+
+    - ``SxExpr``  → emitted unquoted (pre-built sx source)
+    - ``list``    → ``(head ...)`` (s-expression list)
+    - ``Symbol``  → bare name
+    - ``Keyword`` → ``:name``
+    - ``str``     → ``"quoted"`` (with escapes)
+    - ``bool``    → ``true`` / ``false``
+    - ``int/float`` → numeric literal
+    - ``None/NIL``  → ``nil``
+    - ``dict``    → ``{:key val ...}``
+
+    List serialization conventions (for ``sx_call`` kwargs):
+
+    - ``(list ...)``  — data array: client gets iterable for map/filter
+    - ``(<> ...)``    — rendered content: client treats as DocumentFragment
+    - ``(head ...)``  — AST: head is called as function (never use for data)
+    """
     if isinstance(expr, SxExpr):
         return expr.source
 
diff --git a/sx/sxc/pages/layouts.py b/sx/sxc/pages/layouts.py
index ebd22db..7e282d2 100644
--- a/sx/sxc/pages/layouts.py
+++ b/sx/sxc/pages/layouts.py
@@ -16,30 +16,27 @@ def _register_sx_layouts() -> None:
 async def _sx_full_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     """Full headers for sx home page: root + sx menu row."""
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
 
     main_nav = _main_nav_sx(kw.get("section"))
     sx_row = _sx_header_sx(main_nav)
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("sx-layout-full", {},
-        sx_row=SxExpr(sx_row))
+        sx_row=sx_row)
 
 
 async def _sx_oob_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     """OOB headers for sx home page."""
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
 
     main_nav = _main_nav_sx(kw.get("section"))
     sx_row = _sx_header_sx(main_nav)
     rows = await render_to_sx_with_env("sx-layout-full", {},
-        sx_row=SxExpr(sx_row))
+        sx_row=sx_row)
     return await oob_header_sx("root-header-child", "sx-header-child", rows)
 
 
 async def _sx_section_full_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     """Full headers for sx section pages: root + sx row + sub row."""
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
 
     section = kw.get("section", "")
     sub_label = kw.get("sub_label", section)
@@ -51,13 +48,12 @@ async def _sx_section_full_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     sub_row = _sub_row_sx(sub_label, sub_href, sub_nav, selected)
     sx_row = _sx_header_sx(main_nav, child=sub_row)
     return await render_to_sx_with_env("sx-section-layout-full", {},
-        sx_row=SxExpr(sx_row))
+        sx_row=sx_row)
 
 
 async def _sx_section_oob_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     """OOB headers for sx section pages."""
     from shared.sx.helpers import render_to_sx_with_env, oob_header_sx
-    from shared.sx.parser import SxExpr
 
     section = kw.get("section", "")
     sub_label = kw.get("sub_label", section)
@@ -69,7 +65,7 @@ async def _sx_section_oob_headers(ctx: dict, **kw: Any) -> str:
     sub_row = _sub_row_sx(sub_label, sub_href, sub_nav, selected)
     sx_row = _sx_header_sx(main_nav, child=sub_row)
     rows = await render_to_sx_with_env("sx-section-layout-full", {},
-        sx_row=SxExpr(sx_row))
+        sx_row=sx_row)
     return await oob_header_sx("root-header-child", "sx-header-child", rows)
 
 
diff --git a/sx/sxc/pages/utils.py b/sx/sxc/pages/utils.py
index fe49b66..f08e5de 100644
--- a/sx/sxc/pages/utils.py
+++ b/sx/sxc/pages/utils.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def _sx_header_sx(nav: str | None = None, *, child: str | None = None) -> str:
     return sx_call("menu-row-sx",
         id="sx-row", level=1, colour="violet",
         link_href="/", link_label="sx",
-        link_label_content=SxExpr(label_sx),
+        link_label_content=label_sx,
         nav=SxExpr(nav) if nav else None,
         child_id="sx-header-child",
         child=SxExpr(child) if child else None,
diff --git a/test/sxc/pages/renders.py b/test/sxc/pages/renders.py
index fad2246..fe198ad 100644
--- a/test/sxc/pages/renders.py
+++ b/test/sxc/pages/renders.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import os
 from datetime import datetime
 
 from shared.sx.jinja_bridge import load_service_components
-from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call, SxExpr, render_to_sx_with_env, full_page_sx
+from shared.sx.helpers import sx_call, render_to_sx_with_env, full_page_sx
 
 # Load test-specific .sx components at import time
 load_service_components(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__))))
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def render_dashboard_page_sx(ctx: dict, result: dict | None,
 
     inner = sx_call("test-results-partial",
         summary_data=summary_data, sections=sections, has_failures=has_failures)
-    content = sx_call("test-results-wrap", running=running, inner=SxExpr(inner))
+    content = sx_call("test-results-wrap", running=running, inner=inner)
     hdr = await render_to_sx_with_env("test-layout-full", {},
         services=_service_list(),
         active_service=active_service,
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ async def render_results_partial_sx(result: dict | None, running: bool,
 
     inner = sx_call("test-results-partial",
         summary_data=summary_data, sections=sections, has_failures=has_failures)
-    return sx_call("test-results-wrap", running=running, inner=SxExpr(inner))
+    return sx_call("test-results-wrap", running=running, inner=inner)
 
 
 async def render_test_detail_page_sx(ctx: dict, test: dict) -> str: