diff --git a/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
index d213d037..bb521dee 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import {
   type PropertyValue,
   type StructValue,
 } from '../model/Properties';
+import { isKeptVariable, setKeptVariable } from '../model/Asset';
 import { overrideSites } from '../model/instance';
 import type { Project } from '../model/Project';
 import type { VariableKind } from '../properties/kinds';
@@ -19,9 +20,12 @@ import {
 import { type Removed, removeFirst, restoreAt } from '../util/list';
 import { type Command, CommandError, RenameCommand } from './Command';
 import { renameVariablePorts } from './portCommands';
-import { requireVariableOwner } from './require';
+import { requireBehavior, requireVariableOwner } from './require';
 
-/** The variable's default value is written to `props` as well. */
+/**
+ * The variable's default value is written to `props` as well. On a behavior a new variable starts
+ * out kept between calls (#229).
+ */
 export class AddVariableCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
   readonly def: PropertyDef;
@@ -42,12 +46,14 @@ export class AddVariableCommand implements Command {
       throw new CommandError(`Variable "${this.def.key}" already exists`);
     asset.variables.push(this.def);
     asset.props[this.def.key] = this.def.default;
+    if (asset.type === 'behavior') setKeptVariable(asset, this.def.key, true);
   }
 
   undo(project: Project): void {
     const asset = requireVariableOwner(project, this.assetId);
     asset.variables = asset.variables.filter((v) => v.key !== this.def.key);
     delete asset.props[this.def.key];
+    if (asset.type === 'behavior') setKeptVariable(asset, this.def.key, false);
   }
 }
 
@@ -88,7 +94,7 @@ function restoreOverrides(
 /** Removes a variable together with its default and every instance override. */
 export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
-  private removed?: { def: Removed<PropertyDef>; value: PropertyValue | undefined };
+  private removed?: { def: Removed<PropertyDef>; value: PropertyValue | undefined; kept: boolean };
   private overrides: TakenOverride[] = [];
 
   constructor(
@@ -102,8 +108,10 @@ export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
     const asset = requireVariableOwner(project, this.assetId);
     const def = removeFirst(asset.variables, (v) => v.key === this.key);
     if (!def) throw new CommandError(`Variable "${this.key}" not found`);
-    this.removed = { def, value: asset.props[this.key] };
+    const kept = asset.type === 'behavior' && isKeptVariable(asset, this.key);
+    this.removed = { def, value: asset.props[this.key], kept };
     delete asset.props[this.key];
+    if (asset.type === 'behavior') setKeptVariable(asset, this.key, false);
     this.overrides = takeOverrides(project, this.assetId, this.key);
   }
 
@@ -112,6 +120,7 @@ export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
     const asset = requireVariableOwner(project, this.assetId);
     restoreAt(asset.variables, [this.removed.def]);
     if (this.removed.value !== undefined) asset.props[this.key] = this.removed.value;
+    if (this.removed.kept && asset.type === 'behavior') setKeptVariable(asset, this.key, true);
     restoreOverrides(project, this.assetId, this.key, this.overrides);
   }
 }
@@ -135,6 +144,9 @@ export class RenameVariableCommand extends RenameCommand {
     if (asset.variables.some((v) => v.key === to)) throw new CommandError(`Variable "${to}" already exists`);
     def.key = to;
     def.label = to;
+    // Renamed in place, so the switch keeps its spot in the list.
+    if (asset.type === 'behavior' && asset.keptVariables)
+      asset.keptVariables = asset.keptVariables.map((k) => (k === from ? to : k));
     if (asset.props[from] !== undefined) {
       asset.props[to] = asset.props[from]!;
       delete asset.props[from];
@@ -148,6 +160,32 @@ export class RenameVariableCommand extends RenameCommand {
   }
 }
 
+/** Whether a behavior's variable carries on from one `Run behavior` call to the next (#229). */
+export class SetVariableKeptCommand implements Command {
+  readonly label: string;
+  private previous = false;
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly assetId: string,
+    private readonly key: string,
+    private readonly kept: boolean,
+  ) {
+    this.label = kept ? `Keep ${key} between calls` : `Reset ${key} every call`;
+  }
+
+  execute(project: Project): void {
+    const asset = requireBehavior(project, this.assetId);
+    if (!asset.variables.some((v) => v.key === this.key))
+      throw new CommandError(`Variable "${this.key}" not found`);
+    this.previous = isKeptVariable(asset, this.key);
+    setKeptVariable(asset, this.key, this.kept);
+  }
+
+  undo(project: Project): void {
+    setKeptVariable(requireBehavior(project, this.assetId), this.key, this.previous);
+  }
+}
+
 const INVALID_NAME = 'Variable names must start with a letter and contain only letters, digits or _';
 const INVALID_FIELD = 'Field names must start with a letter and contain only letters, digits or _';
 
diff --git a/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts b/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
index 6b2edb6e..7118747b 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
@@ -43,21 +43,20 @@ function emptyFrame(graph: Graph): Frame {
   return { graph, outputCache: new Map(), dataCache: new Map() };
 }
 
-/** What a `Run behavior` with Keep state left behind in its callee (#229). */
-interface KeptState {
-  variables: PropertyBag;
-  states: Record<string, string>;
-}
-
 /**
- * The variables a kept call resumes with: today's declarations, each at the value it was left at
- * unless that value is gone or no longer of the declared sort – then at its default.
+ * The variables a call starts with: today's declarations at their defaults, except that a kept one
+ * resumes at the value the last call from the same site left – unless that value is gone or no
+ * longer of the declared sort (#229).
  */
-export function resumedVariables(defaults: PropertyBag, kept: PropertyBag | undefined): PropertyBag {
+export function resumedVariables(
+  defaults: PropertyBag,
+  left: PropertyBag | undefined,
+  kept: readonly string[],
+): PropertyBag {
   const variables: PropertyBag = {};
   for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(defaults)) {
-    const left = kept?.[key];
-    variables[key] = left !== undefined && typeof left === typeof value ? left : value;
+    const was = kept.includes(key) ? left?.[key] : undefined;
+    variables[key] = was !== undefined && typeof was === typeof value ? was : value;
   }
   return variables;
 }
@@ -72,8 +71,8 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
   readonly nodeState = new Map<string, Record<string, number>>();
   /** Assets run as a node so far – the graph editor highlights them from this instance's trace. */
   readonly calledBehaviors = new Set<string>();
-  /** Kept calls by call site: the chain of `Run behavior` node ids that led there. */
-  readonly keptCalls = new Map<string, KeptState>();
+  /** What calls left in their variables, by call site: the chain of `Run behavior` node ids that led there. */
+  readonly keptCalls = new Map<string, PropertyBag>();
   private frame: Frame;
   private callStack: string[] = [];
   private callSites: string[] = [];
@@ -163,7 +162,7 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
    * Runs another behavior from its start node to its end node and returns what the end node was
    * handed. The nested graph gets its own frame and a fresh copy of its variable defaults, so it is
    * a call and not an inlining: nothing of it survives the return but the values it hands back –
-   * unless the call keeps its state, which then waits for the next call from the same site.
+   * and the variables it keeps, which wait for the next call from the same site.
    */
   private call(call: CallResult, site: string, ctx: NodeContext, depth: number): Record<string, Value> {
     const program = this.lookup.behavior(call.behaviorId);
@@ -172,10 +171,9 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
     const start = terminalNode(program.graph, BEHAVIOR_START);
     if (!start) return {};
     const sites = [...this.callSites, site].join('/');
-    const kept = call.keep ? this.keptCalls.get(sites) : undefined;
-    const variables = resumedVariables(program.defaults, kept?.variables);
-    const states = kept?.states ?? {};
-    if (call.keep) this.keptCalls.set(sites, { variables, states });
+    const kept = program.kept ?? [];
+    const variables = resumedVariables(program.defaults, this.keptCalls.get(sites), kept);
+    if (kept.length > 0) this.keptCalls.set(sites, variables);
     const outer = this.frame;
     this.frame = emptyFrame(program.graph);
     this.frame.outputCache.set(start.id, { ...call.inputs });
@@ -185,16 +183,16 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
     this.calledBehaviors.add(call.behaviorId);
     try {
       this.trace?.onNode(start.id);
-      // A call sees nothing of the caller's variables or states. What it does to a local machine is
-      // therefore not reported; a `global` machine is the run's, so moving that one is a move like
-      // any other.
+      // Fresh states every call, and nothing of the caller's variables or states. What it does to a
+      // local machine therefore dies with the call and is not reported; a `global` machine is the
+      // run's, so moving that one is a move like any other.
       this.follow(
         start,
         'exec',
         {
           ...ctx,
           variables,
-          states,
+          states: {},
           stateChanged: (machineId, from, to) => {
             if (machineId in ctx.shared.states) ctx.stateChanged(machineId, from, to);
           },
diff --git a/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts b/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
index e7e2e1b8..40809b8c 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ export interface RepeatResult {
 export interface CallResult {
   behaviorId: string;
   inputs: Record<string, Value>;
-  /** The called behavior picks up the variables and states this call site left behind (#229). */
-  keep?: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface RunResult {
diff --git a/src/core/graph/lookup.ts b/src/core/graph/lookup.ts
index 4fe5f0f7..673053ad 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/lookup.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/lookup.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ export interface BehaviorProgram {
   name: string;
   graph: Graph;
   defaults: PropertyBag;
+  /** The variables a call hands on to the next call from the same site (#229); absent is none. */
+  kept?: readonly string[];
 }
 
 /** One state of a machine: the node id is what a port and the runtime hold, the name is the label. */
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nested.ts b/src/core/graph/nested.ts
index 9bf6a322..6c32d38a 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nested.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nested.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ export const VARIABLES = 'Variables';
 export const PROPERTIES = 'Properties';
 
 export const BEHAVIOR_PARAM = 'behavior';
-export const KEEP_STATE_PARAM = 'keepState';
 export const VARIABLES_PARAM = 'variablesAsset';
 
 /** Whose declarations a `Variables` node reads; empty is the behavior the node sits in. */
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/flow/RunBehavior.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/flow/RunBehavior.ts
index 0affcb18..188e4352 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nodes/flow/RunBehavior.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/flow/RunBehavior.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,6 @@
 import type { NodeDef } from '../../NodeRegistry';
 import { textOf } from '../../../model/Properties';
-import {
-  BEHAVIOR_END,
-  BEHAVIOR_PARAM,
-  BEHAVIOR_START,
-  declaredPorts,
-  KEEP_STATE_PARAM,
-  RUN_BEHAVIOR,
-} from '../../nested';
+import { BEHAVIOR_END, BEHAVIOR_PARAM, BEHAVIOR_START, declaredPorts, RUN_BEHAVIOR } from '../../nested';
 import { exec } from '../shared';
 
 /**
@@ -20,15 +13,12 @@ export const RunBehavior: NodeDef = {
   label: 'Run behavior',
   category: 'flow',
   description:
-    'Runs another behavior as a step of this one, passing values in and taking results out. Its ' +
-    'variables start at their defaults every time, unless Keep state is on: then each object keeps ' +
-    'them for this node from one call to the next.',
+    'Runs another behavior as a step of this one, passing values in and taking results out. A ' +
+    'variable marked Keep in that behavior carries on from the last call of this node on this ' +
+    'object; the others start at their defaults every time.',
   inputs: [exec()],
   outputs: [exec()],
-  params: [
-    { key: BEHAVIOR_PARAM, label: 'Behavior', kind: 'asset', default: '', assetTypes: ['behavior'] },
-    { key: KEEP_STATE_PARAM, label: 'Keep state', kind: 'boolean', default: false },
-  ],
+  params: [{ key: BEHAVIOR_PARAM, label: 'Behavior', kind: 'asset', default: '', assetTypes: ['behavior'] }],
   derivePorts: ({ node, lookup }) => {
     const program = lookup.behavior(textOf(node.params[BEHAVIOR_PARAM] ?? ''));
     return {
@@ -39,11 +29,7 @@ export const RunBehavior: NodeDef = {
     };
   },
   run: (_ctx, inputs, params) => ({
-    call: {
-      behaviorId: textOf(params[BEHAVIOR_PARAM] ?? ''),
-      inputs,
-      keep: params[KEEP_STATE_PARAM] === true,
-    },
+    call: { behaviorId: textOf(params[BEHAVIOR_PARAM] ?? ''), inputs },
     next: 'exec',
   }),
 };
diff --git a/src/core/model/Asset.ts b/src/core/model/Asset.ts
index dd25b6b6..6b89bf5a 100644
--- a/src/core/model/Asset.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/Asset.ts
@@ -29,13 +29,33 @@ export interface SceneAsset extends AssetBase {
   objects: SceneObject[];
 }
 
-/** `variables` is this asset's own property schema; `props` holds their default values. */
+/**
+ * `variables` is this asset's own property schema; `props` holds their default values.
+ *
+ * `keptVariables` names the variables a `Run behavior` call hands on to the next call from the same
+ * node on the same object (#229); the others start at their default every call. Absent keeps none,
+ * so a project from before the switch runs as it did – a variable added since starts out kept.
+ */
 export interface BehaviorAsset extends AssetBase {
   type: 'behavior';
   variables: PropertyDef[];
+  keptVariables?: string[];
   graph: Graph;
 }
 
+/** Whether a call of this behavior hands `key` on to the next call (#229). */
+export function isKeptVariable(asset: BehaviorAsset, key: string): boolean {
+  return asset.keptVariables?.includes(key) === true;
+}
+
+/** Writes the switch for one variable; an empty list is dropped rather than stored. */
+export function setKeptVariable(asset: BehaviorAsset, key: string, on: boolean): void {
+  const rest = (asset.keptVariables ?? []).filter((k) => k !== key);
+  const next = on ? [...rest, key] : rest;
+  if (next.length > 0) asset.keptVariables = next;
+  else delete asset.keptVariables;
+}
+
 /**
  * Declarations shared by the whole run: a `Variables` node naming this asset reads and writes one
  * value per key, however many graphs point at it. Nothing is placed, so nothing overrides it –
diff --git a/src/core/model/graphLookup.ts b/src/core/model/graphLookup.ts
index eb5054e8..7741475f 100644
--- a/src/core/model/graphLookup.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/graphLookup.ts
@@ -5,14 +5,19 @@ import { findAssetOf, type Project } from './Project';
 
 /**
  * What a graph may see of the project around it. A behavior's `defaults` are its variable values;
- * every call copies them, so a nested behavior never carries state from one call to the next.
+ * every call starts from a copy of them, except for the variables it keeps (#229).
  */
 export function graphLookup(project: Project): GraphLookup {
   return {
     behavior: (assetId) => {
       const asset = findAssetOf(project, assetId, 'behavior');
       if (!asset) return null;
-      return { name: asset.name, graph: asset.graph, defaults: resolveAssetProps(project, asset) };
+      return {
+        name: asset.name,
+        graph: asset.graph,
+        defaults: resolveAssetProps(project, asset),
+        kept: asset.keptVariables ?? [],
+      };
     },
     machine: (assetId) => {
       const asset = findAssetOf(project, assetId, 'statemachine');
diff --git a/src/core/store/serialize.ts b/src/core/store/serialize.ts
index 4ab064e1..8adc27c6 100644
--- a/src/core/store/serialize.ts
+++ b/src/core/store/serialize.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import type {
   AnimationKey,
   AnimationTrack,
   Asset,
+  BehaviorAsset,
   PixelFrame,
   PixelLayer,
   StateMachineAsset,
@@ -164,14 +165,20 @@ export function deserializeProject(raw: unknown, fallbackId = ''): Project {
     if (type === 'scene' || type === 'container') {
       assets.push({ id, type, name, props, objects: normalizeObjects(a.objects, schemaOf) });
     } else if (type === 'behavior') {
-      assets.push({
+      const declared = variables.get(id) ?? [];
+      const behavior: BehaviorAsset = {
         id,
         type,
         name,
         props,
-        variables: variables.get(id) ?? [],
+        variables: declared,
         graph: normalizeGraph(a.graph),
-      });
+      };
+      // Only names that are declared, each once, in declaration order.
+      const kept = new Set(Array.isArray(a.keptVariables) ? a.keptVariables : []);
+      const keptVariables = declared.map((v) => v.key).filter((key) => kept.has(key));
+      if (keptVariables.length > 0) behavior.keptVariables = keptVariables;
+      assets.push(behavior);
     } else if (type === 'variables') {
       const shared: VariablesAsset = { id, type, name, props, variables: variables.get(id) ?? [] };
       // Scope first: a `scene` asset is never persistent, so the switch that cannot apply is dropped.
diff --git a/src/editor/inspector/assetSection.ts b/src/editor/inspector/assetSection.ts
index 05d3d8e0..f0e353fb 100644
--- a/src/editor/inspector/assetSection.ts
+++ b/src/editor/inspector/assetSection.ts
@@ -15,9 +15,16 @@ import {
   RemoveVariableCommand,
   RenameStructFieldCommand,
   RenameVariableCommand,
+  SetVariableKeptCommand,
 } from '../../core/commands/variableCommands';
 import type { Command } from '../../core/commands/Command';
-import type { Asset, BehaviorAsset, StateMachineAsset, VariablesAsset } from '../../core/model/Asset';
+import {
+  type Asset,
+  type BehaviorAsset,
+  isKeptVariable,
+  type StateMachineAsset,
+  type VariablesAsset,
+} from '../../core/model/Asset';
 import { findAsset, type Project } from '../../core/model/Project';
 import type { PropertyBag, PropertyValue } from '../../core/model/Properties';
 import { readScope, readSharedScope, type Scope, scopeOf, sharedScopeOf } from '../../core/model/Scope';
@@ -56,11 +63,13 @@ export function assetSignature(project: Project, assetId: string): string {
   // The same for the switch that keeps shared values between runs and for the scope beside it: the
   // notes, the button and whether the switch is shown at all depend on the two.
   const kept = asset.type === 'variables' ? `|${isPersistent(asset)}|${sharedScopeOf(asset)}` : '';
+  // A behavior's Keep buttons are drawn once per build and read their switch from it (#229).
+  const keeps = asset.type === 'behavior' ? `|keep:${[...(asset.keptVariables ?? [])].sort().join(',')}` : '';
   // Vector art shows its shapes under its rows (#129), so a shape added or renamed is a new structure.
   const shapes = asset.type === 'vectorart' ? `|${shapeListSignature(asset)}` : '';
   const values = resolveAssetProps(project, asset);
   const rows = schemaForAsset(project, asset).filter((def) => isRowShown(def, values));
-  return rows.map(defSignature).join(',') + machine + kept + shapes;
+  return rows.map(defSignature).join(',') + machine + kept + keeps + shapes;
 }
 
 export function defSignature(def: PropertyDef): string {
@@ -207,8 +216,18 @@ function buildVariables(host: InspectorHost, asset: BehaviorAsset | VariablesAss
           ),
         ),
     };
+    const keep =
+      asset.type === 'behavior'
+        ? {
+            on: isKeptVariable(asset, def.key),
+            set: (on: boolean) => run(new SetVariableKeptCommand(asset.id, def.key, on)),
+          }
+        : undefined;
     const value = values[def.key] ?? def.default;
-    host.fields.set(def.key, buildVariable(host, def, value, assetHandlers(host, asset.id, def), { edit }));
+    host.fields.set(
+      def.key,
+      buildVariable(host, def, value, assetHandlers(host, asset.id, def), { edit, keep }),
+    );
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/editor/inspector/variableRows.ts b/src/editor/inspector/variableRows.ts
index 4fcf605a..85e490d2 100644
--- a/src/editor/inspector/variableRows.ts
+++ b/src/editor/inspector/variableRows.ts
@@ -52,8 +52,15 @@ export interface VariableEditing {
   addField: (kind: StructFieldKind) => void;
 }
 
+/** A behavior's switch for one variable: carried on from one `Run behavior` call to the next (#229). */
+export interface VariableKeep {
+  on: boolean;
+  set: (on: boolean) => void;
+}
+
 export interface VariableOptions {
   edit?: VariableEditing;
+  keep?: VariableKeep;
   /** ↺/↑ on the first row: an override covers a whole struct, so its fields share them. */
   actions?: RowActions;
 }
@@ -69,7 +76,7 @@ export function buildVariable(
   handlers: FieldHandlers,
   options: VariableOptions = {},
 ): FieldRow {
-  const { edit, actions } = options;
+  const { edit, keep, actions } = options;
   const name = nameCell(def.key, 0, edit && ((next) => edit.rename(next)));
   const head = gridRow(0, markLabel(def.kind), name);
   let setValue: (next: PropertyValue) => void = () => {};
@@ -79,6 +86,7 @@ export function buildVariable(
   } else {
     setValue = addValue(head, createField(host, def, value, handlers));
   }
+  if (keep) head.add(keepButton(keep));
   if (edit) head.add(removeButton(edit.remove));
   const refreshActions = actions ? attachRowActions(head, actions) : () => {};
   host.body.add(head);
@@ -95,6 +103,18 @@ export function buildVariable(
   };
 }
 
+/** Lit while the variable is kept; a click flips it. */
+function keepButton(keep: VariableKeep): Button {
+  const button = new Button('Keep', {
+    variant: 'ghost',
+    style: 'small',
+    toggle: true,
+    onClick: () => keep.set(!keep.on),
+  });
+  button.setToggled(keep.on);
+  return button;
+}
+
 /** One row per field, each with its own value; returns the setter that pushes a bundle into them. */
 function structFieldRows(
   host: InspectorHost,
diff --git a/tests/core/keep-state.test.ts b/tests/core/keep-state.test.ts
index 24cb9fa7..e1967b60 100644
--- a/tests/core/keep-state.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/keep-state.test.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,17 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 import { CreateAssetCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/assetCommands';
 import { AddNodeCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/graphCommands';
 import { AddPortCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/portCommands';
+import {
+  AddVariableCommand,
+  RemoveVariableCommand,
+  RenameVariableCommand,
+  SetVariableKeptCommand,
+} from '../../src/core/commands/variableCommands';
 import {
   BEHAVIOR_END,
   BEHAVIOR_PARAM,
   BEHAVIOR_START,
   GraphInterpreter,
-  KEEP_STATE_PARAM,
   MACHINE_PORT,
   RUN_BEHAVIOR,
   resumedVariables,
@@ -16,6 +21,7 @@ import {
 } from '../../src/core/graph';
 import type { BehaviorAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Asset';
 import { graphLookup } from '../../src/core/model/graphLookup';
+import { deserializeProject, serializeProject } from '../../src/core/store/serialize';
 import {
   fakeContext,
   graphEditor,
@@ -28,40 +34,43 @@ import {
   startWorld,
 } from '../helpers';
 
-/** A behavior that counts its calls in its own `count` and hands the new count out as `out1`. */
+/**
+ * A behavior that counts its calls in `count` and hands the new count out as `out1`. `steps`
+ * counts the same way but is switched off, so it shows what an unkept variable does meanwhile.
+ */
 function counter(fixture: ProjectFixture): BehaviorAsset {
-  const callee = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Counter', ['count']);
+  const callee = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Counter', ['count', 'steps']);
+  fixture.stack.execute(new SetVariableKeptCommand(callee.id, 'steps', false));
   const edit = graphEditor(fixture, callee);
   const start = edit.addNode(BEHAVIOR_START);
   const end = edit.addNode(BEHAVIOR_END);
   fixture.stack.execute(new AddPortCommand(callee.id, end.id, { key: 'out1', kind: 'number' }));
-  const get = edit.variables(['count']);
+  fixture.stack.execute(new AddPortCommand(callee.id, end.id, { key: 'out2', kind: 'number' }));
+  const get = edit.variables(['count', 'steps']);
   const plus = edit.addNode('Add', { b: 1 });
-  const set = edit.variables(['count'], { write: true });
+  const plusSteps = edit.addNode('Add', { b: 1 });
+  const set = edit.variables(['count', 'steps'], { write: true });
   edit.wire([
     [start, 'exec', set, 'exec'],
     [get, 'count', plus, 'a'],
+    [get, 'steps', plusSteps, 'a'],
     [plus, 'result', set, 'count'],
+    [plusSteps, 'result', set, 'steps'],
     [set, 'exec', end, 'exec'],
     [plus, 'result', end, 'out1'],
+    [plusSteps, 'result', end, 'out2'],
   ]);
   return callee;
 }
 
-/** A caller that runs `callee` once per `event` through each of `sites` nodes, storing the results. */
-function callerOf(
-  fixture: ProjectFixture,
-  callee: BehaviorAsset,
-  keep: boolean,
-  sites = 1,
-  event = 'OnStart',
-) {
+/** A caller that runs `callee` once per `event` through each of `sites` nodes, storing `out1`. */
+function callerOf(fixture: ProjectFixture, callee: BehaviorAsset, sites = 1, event = 'OnStart') {
   const keys = Array.from({ length: sites }, (_, i) => `r${i}`);
   const caller = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Caller', keys);
   const edit = graphEditor(fixture, caller);
   let previous = edit.addNode(event);
   for (const key of keys) {
-    const call = edit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: callee.id, [KEEP_STATE_PARAM]: keep });
+    const call = edit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: callee.id });
     const store = edit.variables([key], { write: true });
     edit.wire([
       [previous, 'exec', call, 'exec'],
@@ -73,52 +82,87 @@ function callerOf(
   return caller;
 }
 
-describe('Run behavior with Keep state (#229)', () => {
-  it('is off by default, so a call still starts from the defaults every time', () => {
-    const fixture = makeProject();
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, counter(fixture), false);
-    const call = caller.graph.nodes.find((n) => n.type === RUN_BEHAVIOR)!;
-    const added = new AddNodeCommand(caller.id, RUN_BEHAVIOR, 0, 0);
-    fixture.stack.execute(added);
-    expect(added.node.params[KEEP_STATE_PARAM]).toBe(false);
+/** `out1` and `out2` of three calls from one node. */
+function threeCalls(fixture: ProjectFixture, callee: BehaviorAsset): unknown[][] {
+  const caller = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Caller', ['r0', 'r1']);
+  const edit = graphEditor(fixture, caller);
+  const call = edit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: callee.id });
+  const store = edit.variables(['r0', 'r1'], { write: true });
+  edit.wire([
+    [edit.addNode('OnStart'), 'exec', call, 'exec'],
+    [call, 'exec', store, 'exec'],
+    [call, 'out1', store, 'r0'],
+    [call, 'out2', store, 'r1'],
+  ]);
+  const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
+  const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { r0: 0, r1: 0 } });
+  const seen: unknown[][] = [];
+  for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+    interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
+    seen.push([ctx.variables.r0, ctx.variables.r1]);
+  }
+  return seen;
+}
 
-    const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
-    const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { r0: 0 } });
-    for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
-    expect(ctx.variables.r0).toBe(1);
-    expect(call.params[KEEP_STATE_PARAM]).toBe(false);
+describe('Keep on a behavior variable (#229)', () => {
+  it('starts on for a variable added to a behavior, and off on a Variables asset', () => {
+    const fixture = makeProject();
+    const behavior = makeBehavior(fixture, 'B', ['count']);
+    expect(behavior.keptVariables).toEqual(['count']);
+    const shared = new CreateAssetCommand('variables', 'Shared');
+    fixture.stack.execute(shared);
+    fixture.stack.execute(new AddVariableCommand(shared.asset.id, 'score', 'number'));
+    expect('keptVariables' in shared.asset).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  it('resumes the callee’s variables where the last call from this node left them', () => {
+  it('keeps none in a project saved before the switch existed', () => {
     const fixture = makeProject();
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, counter(fixture), true);
-    const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
-    const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { r0: 0 } });
-    const seen: unknown[] = [];
-    for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-      interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
-      seen.push(ctx.variables.r0);
-    }
-    expect(seen).toEqual([1, 2, 3]);
-    // The caller's own bag never learns of `count`: the kept values stay the callee's.
-    expect('count' in ctx.variables).toBe(false);
+    const behavior = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Old', ['count']);
+    const raw = serializeProject(fixture.project) as { assets: Record<string, unknown>[] };
+    delete raw.assets.find((a) => a.id === behavior.id)!.keptVariables;
+    const loaded = deserializeProject(raw).assets.find((a) => a.id === behavior.id) as BehaviorAsset;
+    expect(loaded.keptVariables).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('resumes a kept variable from the last call of this node, and restarts an unkept one', () => {
+    const fixture = makeProject();
+    // count is kept and counts 1, 2, 3; steps is not and reads 1 every time.
+    expect(threeCalls(fixture, counter(fixture))).toEqual([
+      [1, 1],
+      [2, 1],
+      [3, 1],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('switches off and on as one undo step each', () => {
+    const fixture = makeProject();
+    const callee = counter(fixture);
+    fixture.stack.execute(new SetVariableKeptCommand(callee.id, 'count', false));
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toBeUndefined();
+    fixture.stack.undo();
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toEqual(['count']);
+    fixture.stack.redo();
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(threeCalls(fixture, callee).map(([count]) => count)).toEqual([1, 1, 1]);
   });
 
   it('keeps one state per node: two nodes calling the same behavior count on their own', () => {
     const fixture = makeProject();
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, counter(fixture), true, 2);
+    const caller = callerOf(fixture, counter(fixture), 2);
     const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
     const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { r0: 0, r1: 0 } });
     interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
     expect([ctx.variables.r0, ctx.variables.r1]).toEqual([1, 1]);
     interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
     expect([ctx.variables.r0, ctx.variables.r1]).toEqual([2, 2]);
+    // The caller's own bag never learns of `count`: the kept values stay the callee's.
+    expect('count' in ctx.variables).toBe(false);
   });
 
   it('keeps one state per object in a running world', () => {
     const fixture = makeSpriteScene();
     const callee = counter(fixture);
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, callee, true, 1, 'OnUpdate');
+    const caller = callerOf(fixture, callee, 1, 'OnUpdate');
     const log = graphEditor(fixture, caller).addNode('Log');
     const store = caller.graph.nodes.filter((n) => n.type === 'Variables').at(-1)!;
     const call = caller.graph.nodes.find((n) => n.type === RUN_BEHAVIOR)!;
@@ -134,22 +178,22 @@ describe('Run behavior with Keep state (#229)', () => {
     expect(started.world.log).toEqual(['1', '1', '2', '2', '3', '3']);
   });
 
-  it('gives a kept call inside a kept call its own state per outer node', () => {
+  it('gives a call inside a call its own state per outer node', () => {
     const fixture = makeProject();
     const inner = counter(fixture);
-    // The middle behavior just passes the counter through, keeping its call to it.
+    // The middle behavior just passes the counter through.
     const middle = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Middle');
     const edit = graphEditor(fixture, middle);
     const start = edit.addNode(BEHAVIOR_START);
     const end = edit.addNode(BEHAVIOR_END);
     fixture.stack.execute(new AddPortCommand(middle.id, end.id, { key: 'out1', kind: 'number' }));
-    const call = edit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: inner.id, [KEEP_STATE_PARAM]: true });
+    const call = edit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: inner.id });
     edit.wire([
       [start, 'exec', call, 'exec'],
       [call, 'exec', end, 'exec'],
       [call, 'out1', end, 'out1'],
     ]);
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, middle, true, 2);
+    const caller = callerOf(fixture, middle, 2);
     const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
     const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { r0: 0, r1: 0 } });
     interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
@@ -158,15 +202,16 @@ describe('Run behavior with Keep state (#229)', () => {
     expect([ctx.variables.r0, ctx.variables.r1]).toEqual([2, 2]);
   });
 
-  it('keeps a local state machine of the callee along with its variables', () => {
+  it('starts a local state machine of the callee over every call, kept variables or not', () => {
     const fixture = makeProject();
     const create = new CreateAssetCommand('statemachine', 'Doors');
     fixture.stack.execute(create);
     const open = new AddNodeCommand(create.asset.id, STATE, 0, 0, { [STATE_NAME_PARAM]: 'Open' });
     fixture.stack.execute(open);
     const machine = create.asset.id;
-    // No state yet → "first" and put it in Open; in Open → "open".
-    const callee = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Door');
+    // No state yet → "first" and put it in Open; in Open → "open". The kept variable is only
+    // there to show that keeping one does not keep the machine along with it.
+    const callee = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Door', ['count']);
     const edit = graphEditor(fixture, callee);
     const start = edit.addNode(BEHAVIOR_START);
     const branch = edit.addNode('StateBranch', { [MACHINE_PORT]: machine });
@@ -179,40 +224,75 @@ describe('Run behavior with Keep state (#229)', () => {
       [first, 'exec', set, open.node.id],
       [branch, open.node.id, again, 'exec'],
     ]);
-    for (const keep of [false, true]) {
-      const caller = makeBehavior(fixture, `Caller ${keep}`);
-      const cEdit = graphEditor(fixture, caller);
-      cEdit.connect(
-        cEdit.addNode('OnStart'),
-        'exec',
-        cEdit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: callee.id, [KEEP_STATE_PARAM]: keep }),
-        'exec',
-      );
-      const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
-      const ctx = fakeContext();
-      interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
-      interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
-      expect(ctx.logs).toEqual(keep ? ['first', 'open'] : ['first', 'first']);
-      // A local machine of the callee is none of the caller's business either way.
-      expect(ctx.states).toEqual({});
-    }
+    const caller = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Caller');
+    const cEdit = graphEditor(fixture, caller);
+    cEdit.connect(
+      cEdit.addNode('OnStart'),
+      'exec',
+      cEdit.addNode(RUN_BEHAVIOR, { [BEHAVIOR_PARAM]: callee.id }),
+      'exec',
+    );
+    const interpreter = new GraphInterpreter(caller.graph, graphLookup(fixture.project));
+    const ctx = fakeContext();
+    interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
+    interpreter.fire('OnStart', ctx);
+    expect(ctx.logs).toEqual(['first', 'first']);
+    // A local machine of the callee is none of the caller's business either.
+    expect(ctx.states).toEqual({});
   });
 
-  it('survives saving and loading', () => {
+  it('survives saving and loading, and a name that is not declared is dropped', () => {
     const fixture = makeProject();
-    const caller = callerOf(fixture, counter(fixture), true);
-    const loaded = roundTrip(fixture.project).assets.find((a) => a.id === caller.id) as BehaviorAsset;
-    expect(loaded.graph.nodes.find((n) => n.type === RUN_BEHAVIOR)!.params[KEEP_STATE_PARAM]).toBe(true);
+    const callee = counter(fixture);
+    const raw = serializeProject(fixture.project) as { assets: Record<string, unknown>[] };
+    raw.assets.find((a) => a.id === callee.id)!.keptVariables = ['count', 'gone', 'count', 7];
+    const loaded = deserializeProject(raw).assets.find((a) => a.id === callee.id) as BehaviorAsset;
+    expect(loaded.keptVariables).toEqual(['count']);
+    const again = roundTrip(fixture.project).assets.find((a) => a.id === callee.id) as BehaviorAsset;
+    expect(again.keptVariables).toEqual(['count']);
+  });
+
+  it('follows its variable through a rename, and a removal gives it back on undo', () => {
+    const fixture = makeProject();
+    const callee = counter(fixture);
+    fixture.stack.execute(new RenameVariableCommand(callee.id, 'count', 'hits'));
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toEqual(['hits']);
+    fixture.stack.execute(new RemoveVariableCommand(callee.id, 'hits'));
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toBeUndefined();
+    fixture.stack.undo();
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toEqual(['hits']);
+    fixture.stack.undo();
+    expect(callee.keptVariables).toEqual(['count']);
+  });
+
+  it('is gone from Run behavior, which has no switch of its own any more', () => {
+    const fixture = makeProject();
+    const caller = makeBehavior(fixture, 'Caller');
+    const added = new AddNodeCommand(caller.id, RUN_BEHAVIOR, 0, 0);
+    fixture.stack.execute(added);
+    expect(Object.keys(added.node.params)).toEqual([BEHAVIOR_PARAM]);
   });
 });
 
 describe('resumedVariables', () => {
   it('follows today’s declarations: new ones at their default, dropped ones gone', () => {
-    expect(resumedVariables({ count: 0, fresh: 5 }, { count: 7, gone: 1 })).toEqual({ count: 7, fresh: 5 });
+    expect(resumedVariables({ count: 0, fresh: 5 }, { count: 7, gone: 1 }, ['count', 'fresh'])).toEqual({
+      count: 7,
+      fresh: 5,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('restarts a variable that is not kept, whatever it was left at', () => {
+    expect(resumedVariables({ count: 0, steps: 0 }, { count: 7, steps: 4 }, ['count'])).toEqual({
+      count: 7,
+      steps: 0,
+    });
   });
 
   it('falls back to the default where the kept value is of another sort now', () => {
-    expect(resumedVariables({ count: 0, name: 'a' }, { count: 'seven', name: 'b' })).toEqual({
+    expect(
+      resumedVariables({ count: 0, name: 'a' }, { count: 'seven', name: 'b' }, ['count', 'name']),
+    ).toEqual({
       count: 0,
       name: 'b',
     });
@@ -220,7 +300,7 @@ describe('resumedVariables', () => {
 
   it('is a fresh copy of the defaults when nothing was kept yet', () => {
     const defaults = { count: 0 };
-    const variables = resumedVariables(defaults, undefined);
+    const variables = resumedVariables(defaults, undefined, ['count']);
     expect(variables).toEqual(defaults);
     expect(variables).not.toBe(defaults);
   });
diff --git a/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts b/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
index faaf9a17..a7b7e4de 100644
--- a/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
@@ -137,18 +137,12 @@ const CASES: Record<string, Case[]> = {
       name: 'asks for the named behavior to run, passing its inputs on',
       inputs: { power: 3 },
       params: { behavior: 'b1' },
-      call: { behaviorId: 'b1', inputs: { power: 3 }, keep: false },
-      next: 'exec',
-    },
-    {
-      name: 'asks for the call to keep its state when Keep state is on',
-      params: { behavior: 'b1', keepState: true },
-      call: { behaviorId: 'b1', inputs: {}, keep: true },
+      call: { behaviorId: 'b1', inputs: { power: 3 } },
       next: 'exec',
     },
     {
       name: 'without a behavior chosen it still continues, calling nothing that exists',
-      call: { behaviorId: '', inputs: {}, keep: false },
+      call: { behaviorId: '', inputs: {} },
       next: 'exec',
     },
   ],
diff --git a/tools/e2e/19-nested-behavior.mjs b/tools/e2e/19-nested-behavior.mjs
index 6f4fb263..ce63ea9c 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/19-nested-behavior.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/19-nested-behavior.mjs
@@ -128,19 +128,37 @@ export async function nestedBehavior(t) {
   );
   await shot('37-nested-behavior');
 
-  // 19c-ii. Keep state (#229) is a checkbox on the node, off until clicked, and one undo step.
-  const keepState = async () =>
-    (await asset('nb-caller')).graph.nodes.find((n) => n.id === 'nb-call').params.keepState;
-  const keepField = await json(`__gm.inspectorField('Keep state')`);
-  const keepBefore = await keepState();
-  if (keepField) await click(keepField.x, keepField.y);
-  const keepClicked = await keepState();
+  // 19c-ii. Keep (#229) is a switch on each variable of the called behavior, not on the node: a new
+  //         variable starts kept, a click on its Keep button lets it go, and undo keeps it again.
+  const kept = async () => JSON.stringify((await asset('nb-double')).keptVariables ?? []);
+  const nodeKeys = Object.keys((await asset('nb-caller')).graph.nodes.find((n) => n.id === 'nb-call').params);
+  await t.select({ kind: 'asset', assetId: 'nb-double' });
+  await clickText('+ Variable');
+  await clickText('Number');
+  const keptAdded = await kept();
+  const keepButton = await locate('Keep');
+  if (keepButton) await click(keepButton.x, keepButton.y);
+  const keptClicked = await kept();
+  // A second click has to flip it back: a button drawn for the old switch would clear it again.
+  if (keepButton) await click(keepButton.x, keepButton.y);
+  const keptReclicked = await kept();
+  await undo();
+  const keptUndone = await kept();
+  await undo();
   await undo();
   check(
-    'the call has a Keep state checkbox: off, on by a click, off again after undo',
-    Boolean(keepField) && keepBefore !== true && keepClicked === true && (await keepState()) !== true,
-    `field=${JSON.stringify(keepField)} before=${keepBefore} clicked=${keepClicked} undone=${await keepState()}`,
+    'a variable has a Keep switch: on when added, off by a click, on by the next, off after undo',
+    !nodeKeys.includes('keepState') &&
+      keptAdded === '["var1"]' &&
+      Boolean(keepButton) &&
+      keptClicked === '[]' &&
+      keptReclicked === '["var1"]' &&
+      keptUndone === '[]' &&
+      (await kept()) === '[]',
+    `node=${nodeKeys} added=${keptAdded} button=${JSON.stringify(keepButton)} clicked=${keptClicked} reclicked=${keptReclicked} undone=${keptUndone} after=${await kept()}`,
   );
+  // Back to the call, which is where 19d looks.
+  await t.select({ kind: 'node', assetId: 'nb-caller', nodeId: 'nb-call', nodeIds: ['nb-call'] });
 
   // 19d. Declaring a port on one behavior reaches the node in the other one, live. This is the
   //      check that a port list derived from another graph is really derived and not copied.