diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0b4ed385..22479b09 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -99,8 +99,12 @@ shown on the node and editable in the inspector.
 
 - **Variables** are the behavior's own property schema (`BehaviorAsset.variables`): they
   appear in the inspector, can be overridden per placed instance, and each running instance
-  gets its own mutable copy. `Get variable` / `Set variable` read and write them, and their plurals
-  `Get variables` / `Set variables` do the same for several at once: their settings are a *list* of
+  gets its own mutable copy. `Get variable` / `Set variable` read and write them, and are titled
+  by the variable they name (*Get speed*, *Set speed*). `Variable` is both in one node, titled by the
+  variable alone: its output can be read at any time – no flow has to reach it – and is read at the
+  moment it is asked, so a read after a write sees the new value; an arriving flow writes its input.
+  `count = count + 1` is one `Variable` node feeding its own output through an `Add` back into its
+  input. Their plurals `Get variables` / `Set variables` do the same for several at once: their settings are a *list* of
   variables, one port per entry, so reading a handful is one node instead of a column of five. Those
   ports are picked from the behavior's variables rather than named, they take their type from the
   declaration, and renaming a variable carries them (and their edges) along. A variable is a
@@ -149,7 +153,7 @@ shown on the node and editable in the inspector.
 - **Node set** (`src/core/graph/nodes/`, one file per node): events `On start`, `On update`, `On key down/up/held`,
   `On timer`, `On collision enter/stay/exit`, `On click` (the mouse pressed on the owner – anywhere when it has none), `Start` · flow `Branch`, `Sequence`, `Repeat`, `Run behavior`, `End` · data `Self`, `Owner`, `Parent`, `Object by name`, `Name of`,
   `Is asset` (is this object an instance of asset X – how you tell what you collided with), `Get/Set
-  variable`, `Get/Set variables`, `Get/Set property`, `Get position` (local and world), `Is enabled`, literals, `Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide`,
+  variable`, `Variable`, `Get/Set variables`, `Get/Set property`, `Get position` (local and world), `Is enabled`, literals, `Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide`,
   `Min/Max/Abs/Sqrt/Clamp`, `Floor/Ceil/Round`, `Modulo`, `Random`, `Time`, `To text`, `To number`, `Join text`,
   `Substring`, `Find text`, `Equals`,
   lists `List` (a constant), `Fill` (one value repeated – how an empty board is made), `Count`,
@@ -268,7 +272,8 @@ shown on the node and editable in the inspector.
 - **A node can be collapsed** to its title bar: the chevron in front of the title (it leaves the
   selection alone, like the hierarchy's), or right-click → *Collapse node* / *Expand node*, which
   acts on the whole selection as one undo step. Every link of one side then meets at a single
-  point on the title bar, and its hidden links share one mark per side. A collapsed node has no
+  point on the title bar, and its hidden links share one mark per side. It narrows to its title
+  (never wider than an open node, where a long title is cut). A collapsed node has no
   ports to grab, so a link dropped on it goes nowhere – expand it to wire it. Like hiding a link,
   this is drawing only: `collapsed` on the node is saved with the project.
 - **Header bar** (the same one the Texture and Container tabs have): the behavior picker,
@@ -644,7 +649,7 @@ npm run check        # typecheck + lint + format:check + tests, what CI would ru
                      #   code is lost (tail's is reported), so a red run reads as green
 npm run build        # writes dist/ and regenerates index.html
 export GM_REMOTE=user@host                                    # optional: run the browser elsewhere; see below
-node tools/seed-e2e.mjs && node tools/e2e.mjs                 # 537 editor checks, screenshots in /tmp/gm-e2e-*.png
+node tools/seed-e2e.mjs && node tools/e2e.mjs                 # 542 editor checks, screenshots in /tmp/gm-e2e-*.png
 GM_STEPS=20 node tools/e2e.mjs                                # or 1-12, or 6,20 – a subset while working on one step
 ./e2e.sh start [GM_STEPS]                                     # the same run detached, see below
 ./e2e.sh status                                               # live progress, or the last run's result
diff --git a/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts b/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
index 73dba273..e14a9f7d 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/GraphInterpreter.ts
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
     const inputs = this.collectInputs(node, ctx);
     const result = def.run(ctx, inputs, node.params, def);
     const returned = result.call ? this.call(result.call, ctx, depth) : {};
-    this.frame.outputCache.set(node.id, { ...result.outputs, ...returned });
+    if (!def.read) this.frame.outputCache.set(node.id, { ...result.outputs, ...returned });
     this.trace?.onNode(node.id);
     if (result.repeat) this.loop(node, result.repeat, ctx, depth);
     const next = result.next === undefined ? [] : Array.isArray(result.next) ? result.next : [result.next];
@@ -167,6 +167,10 @@ export class GraphInterpreter {
     if (!source) return null;
     const def = this.def(source);
     if (!def) return null;
+    if (def.read) {
+      this.trace?.onNode(nodeId);
+      return def.read(ctx, source.params)[port] ?? null;
+    }
     // Exec nodes that have not run in this pulse have no value yet.
     if (isEventNode(def) || hasExecInput(def) || !def.run) return null;
     if (++this.steps > MAX_STEPS_PER_FIRE)
diff --git a/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts b/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
index 010e9a53..7eb5cce6 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/NodeRegistry.ts
@@ -81,6 +81,11 @@ export interface NodeDef {
    * offers, which values the behavior a call node names takes. `resolveDef` applies it.
    */
   derivePorts?(source: PortSource): DerivedShape;
+  /**
+   * Outputs readable at any moment, even while the node's exec input has not fired in this pulse.
+   * Never cached, so a read after a write sees the new value.
+   */
+  read?(ctx: NodeContext, params: PropertyBag): Record<string, Value>;
   /**
    * Event nodes have no `run` – the interpreter seeds their outputs. `def` is resolved for the node at
    * hand, the only way a node with derived ports knows how many it has.
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/index.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/index.ts
index 56ca86c1..3ee31a8c 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nodes/index.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/index.ts
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ import { GetVariable } from './variable/GetVariable';
 import { GetVariables } from './variable/GetVariables';
 import { SetVariable } from './variable/SetVariable';
 import { SetVariables } from './variable/SetVariables';
+import { Variable } from './variable/Variable';
 
 /**
  * Importing this module registers the built-in nodes. The palette sorts by category and label, so
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ export const BUILT_IN_NODES: readonly NodeDef[] = [
   RunBehavior,
   BehaviorEnd,
   // variables
+  Variable,
   GetVariable,
   GetVariables,
   SetVariable,
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/shared.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/shared.ts
index 58b8a00a..00712090 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nodes/shared.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/shared.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
-import type { PropertyValue } from '../../model/Properties';
+import { type PropertyBag, type PropertyValue, textOf } from '../../model/Properties';
 import type { PropertyDef } from '../../properties/PropertySchema';
-import type { NodeDef, PortDef } from '../NodeRegistry';
-import { asBoolean, asNumber } from '../values';
+import type { NodeContext } from '../NodeContext';
+import type { DerivedShape, NodeDef, PortDef, PortSource, RunResult } from '../NodeRegistry';
+import { asBoolean, asNumber, type Value, writeTyped } from '../values';
 
 export const exec = (key = 'exec', label = ''): PortDef => ({ key, label, type: 'exec' });
 export const num = (key: string, label = key): PortDef => ({ key, label, type: 'number' });
@@ -33,6 +34,31 @@ export const variableParam: PropertyDef = {
   options: [],
 };
 
+const variableKey = (params: PropertyBag) => textOf(params.variable ?? '');
+
+export const readVariable = (ctx: NodeContext, params: PropertyBag): Record<string, Value> => ({
+  value: ctx.variables[variableKey(params)] ?? null,
+});
+
+export function writeVariable(
+  ctx: NodeContext,
+  inputs: Record<string, Value>,
+  params: PropertyBag,
+): RunResult {
+  const key = variableKey(params);
+  if (key) writeTyped(ctx.variables, key, inputs.value);
+  return { next: 'exec' };
+}
+
+/** Once a variable is picked, the title names it: "Get speed", or just "speed". */
+export const variableTitle =
+  (verb: string) =>
+  ({ node }: PortSource): DerivedShape => {
+    const name = variableKey(node.params);
+    if (!name) return {};
+    return { label: verb ? `${verb} ${name}` : name };
+  };
+
 /** No `assetTypes`: any placeable asset is a valid answer here. */
 export const assetParam: PropertyDef = { key: 'asset', label: 'Asset', kind: 'asset', default: '' };
 
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/GetVariable.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/GetVariable.ts
index a9f4b971..2e72e33e 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/GetVariable.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/GetVariable.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import type { NodeDef } from '../../NodeRegistry';
-import { any, variableParam } from '../shared';
+import { any, readVariable, variableParam, variableTitle } from '../shared';
 
-import { textOf } from '../../../model/Properties';
 export const GetVariable: NodeDef = {
   type: 'GetVariable',
   label: 'Get variable',
@@ -10,7 +9,6 @@ export const GetVariable: NodeDef = {
   inputs: [],
   outputs: [any('value')],
   params: [variableParam],
-  run: (ctx, _inputs, params) => ({
-    outputs: { value: ctx.variables[textOf(params.variable ?? '')] ?? null },
-  }),
+  derivePorts: variableTitle('Get'),
+  run: (ctx, _inputs, params) => ({ outputs: readVariable(ctx, params) }),
 };
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/SetVariable.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/SetVariable.ts
index 10f3f5c3..a8f72b65 100644
--- a/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/SetVariable.ts
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/SetVariable.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import type { NodeDef } from '../../NodeRegistry';
-import { writeTyped } from '../../values';
-import { any, exec, variableParam } from '../shared';
+import { any, exec, variableParam, variableTitle, writeVariable } from '../shared';
 
-import { textOf } from '../../../model/Properties';
 export const SetVariable: NodeDef = {
   type: 'SetVariable',
   label: 'Set variable',
@@ -11,9 +9,6 @@ export const SetVariable: NodeDef = {
   inputs: [exec(), any('value')],
   outputs: [exec()],
   params: [variableParam],
-  run: (ctx, inputs, params) => {
-    const key = textOf(params.variable ?? '');
-    if (key) writeTyped(ctx.variables, key, inputs.value);
-    return { next: 'exec' };
-  },
+  derivePorts: variableTitle('Set'),
+  run: writeVariable,
 };
diff --git a/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/Variable.ts b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/Variable.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b7881137
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/graph/nodes/variable/Variable.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import type { NodeDef } from '../../NodeRegistry';
+import { any, exec, readVariable, variableParam, variableTitle, writeVariable } from '../shared';
+
+/** Get and Set in one node: the output can be read at any time, an arriving flow writes the input. */
+export const Variable: NodeDef = {
+  type: 'Variable',
+  label: 'Variable',
+  category: 'variable',
+  description:
+    "Reads one of this behavior's variables at any time, and writes it when the flow arrives. " +
+    'A read after the write sees the new value.',
+  inputs: [exec(), any('value')],
+  outputs: [exec(), any('value')],
+  params: [variableParam],
+  derivePorts: variableTitle(''),
+  read: readVariable,
+  run: writeVariable,
+};
diff --git a/src/editor/debugHook.ts b/src/editor/debugHook.ts
index 5e252458..5f231caf 100644
--- a/src/editor/debugHook.ts
+++ b/src/editor/debugHook.ts
@@ -56,10 +56,10 @@ export function installDebugHook(app: Application, state: EditorState, editor: E
    * *minimum* width, so a label wider than the column pushes its control right – which is why a
    * fixed offset from the label's own text is the wrong way to click one.
    */
-  const fieldOf = (label: string): { x: number; y: number; left: number } | null => {
+  const fieldOf = (label: string, last = false): { x: number; y: number; left: number } | null => {
     let found: Text | null = null;
     const walk = (node: Container): void => {
-      if (found !== null || !node.visible) return;
+      if ((found !== null && !last) || !node.visible) return;
       if (node instanceof Text && node.text === label) {
         found = node;
         return;
diff --git a/src/editor/graph/NodeView.ts b/src/editor/graph/NodeView.ts
index a80c9629..85c5c921 100644
--- a/src/editor/graph/NodeView.ts
+++ b/src/editor/graph/NodeView.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Graphics, Rectangle, Text } from 'pixi.js';
+import { CanvasTextMetrics, Graphics, Rectangle, Text } from 'pixi.js';
 import {
   asString,
   edgesInto,
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   inlineValue,
   type NodeCategory,
   type NodeDef,
+  nodeDef,
   type PortDef,
   type PortType,
   type Value,
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ import { assetRefLabel } from '../../core/properties/assetRef';
 import type { PropertyDef } from '../../core/properties/PropertySchema';
 import { formatNumber, Theme, textStyle, type TextStyleToken, truncate, Widget } from '../../ui';
 import { keyLabel } from '../inspector/fieldFactory';
+import { collapsedNodeWidth } from './folding';
 
 /** Node geometry in graph units; exported because edge anchors must land exactly on these ports. */
 export const NODE_WIDTH = 176;
@@ -30,6 +32,9 @@ export const PORT_HIT_RADIUS = 9;
 const PAD = 6;
 /** Room in front of the title for the collapse chevron, as wide as the hierarchy's. */
 const CHEVRON_SLOT = 14;
+const TITLE_X = PAD + CHEVRON_SLOT;
+/** Right of a collapsed title: the side's link dot sits centred on the edge. */
+const COLLAPSED_TITLE_END = PAD + PORT_RADIUS;
 
 export function categoryColor(category: NodeCategory): number {
   const c = Theme.colors;
@@ -126,15 +131,17 @@ export class NodeView extends Widget {
     this.def = def;
     this.problem = problem;
     const hidden = new Set(this.def.hiddenParams?.(node.params) ?? []);
+    const title = this.def.label;
+    const derived = title !== nodeDef(node.type)?.label;
     this.paramLines = this.def.params
       .filter((p) => !hidden.has(p.key))
       .map((p) => ({
         label: p.label,
         value: formatParam(p, node.params[p.key] ?? p.default, asset, project),
       }))
-      // A setting the title already states is not worth a row: a nested-behavior node is titled
-      // with the behavior it runs, so "Behavior: Double" under "Double" says nothing new.
-      .filter((p) => p.value !== this.def.label)
+      // A title made from a setting states it ("Behavior: Double" under "Double", "Variable: speed"
+      // under "Get speed"). A dangling reference keeps its row: "speed?" is not in the title.
+      .filter((p) => !derived || (p.value !== title && !title.endsWith(` ${p.value}`)))
       .map((p) => `${p.label}: ${p.value}`);
     this.connected = new Set(
       inlineInputs(this.def)
@@ -146,17 +153,23 @@ export class NodeView extends Widget {
       outputs: graph.edges.some((e) => e.from.node === node.id),
     };
     const height = this.collapsed ? TITLE_HEIGHT : this.headerHeight() + this.rowCount() * ROW_HEIGHT + PAD;
+    // Sized before the texts: output labels are placed against the right edge.
+    this.resize(this.collapsed ? this.collapsedWidth() : NODE_WIDTH, height);
     this.rebuildTexts();
-    this.resize(NODE_WIDTH, height);
     this.position.set(node.x, node.y);
   }
 
+  private collapsedWidth(): number {
+    const title = CanvasTextMetrics.measureText(this.def.label, textStyle('accent')).width;
+    return collapsedNodeWidth(title, TITLE_X + COLLAPSED_TITLE_END, NODE_WIDTH);
+  }
+
   get collapsed(): boolean {
     return this.node.collapsed === true;
   }
 
   chevronAt(localX: number, localY: number): boolean {
-    return localY >= 0 && localY < TITLE_HEIGHT && localX >= PAD - 2 && localX < PAD + CHEVRON_SLOT;
+    return localY >= 0 && localY < TITLE_HEIGHT && localX >= PAD - 2 && localX < TITLE_X;
   }
 
   chevronGlobal(): { x: number; y: number } {
@@ -233,10 +246,10 @@ export class NodeView extends Widget {
     add(
       this.def.label,
       'accent',
-      PAD + CHEVRON_SLOT,
+      TITLE_X,
       (TITLE_HEIGHT - 16) / 2,
       'left',
-      NODE_WIDTH - PAD * 2 - CHEVRON_SLOT,
+      this.w - TITLE_X - (this.collapsed ? COLLAPSED_TITLE_END : PAD),
     );
     if (this.collapsed) return;
     let y = TITLE_HEIGHT + PAD;
diff --git a/src/editor/graph/folding.ts b/src/editor/graph/folding.ts
index bc6d8175..bb119d92 100644
--- a/src/editor/graph/folding.ts
+++ b/src/editor/graph/folding.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ export function foldMarkKey(
   return `${side.node}\0${collapsed ? '' : side.port}\0${isOutput ? 'out' : 'in'}`;
 }
 
+/** A collapsed node is as wide as its title needs, but never wider than an open one. */
+export function collapsedNodeWidth(titleWidth: number, chrome: number, openWidth: number): number {
+  return Math.min(openWidth, Math.ceil(titleWidth + chrome));
+}
+
 /** One name plus a count: three names do not fit, and the count is what says "there is more here". */
 export function foldMarkLabel(names: readonly string[]): string {
   if (names.length === 0) return '';
diff --git a/tests/core/collapsed-node.test.ts b/tests/core/collapsed-node.test.ts
index 7c320211..179c892a 100644
--- a/tests/core/collapsed-node.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/collapsed-node.test.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { CollapseNodesCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/graphCommands';
 import type { BehaviorAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Asset';
 import { findAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Project';
 import { deserializeProject, serializeProject } from '../../src/core/store/serialize';
-import { foldMarkKey } from '../../src/editor/graph/folding';
+import { collapsedNodeWidth, foldMarkKey } from '../../src/editor/graph/folding';
 import { graphEditor, makeBehavior, makeProject, roundTrip } from '../helpers';
 
 function threeNodes() {
@@ -61,6 +61,16 @@ describe('collapsing nodes', () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe('the width of a collapsed node', () => {
+  it('fits the title plus its chrome, rounded up so the title is not cut', () => {
+    expect(collapsedNodeWidth(40.2, 31, 176)).toBe(72);
+  });
+
+  it('never grows past an open node – a long title is cut instead', () => {
+    expect(collapsedNodeWidth(300, 31, 176)).toBe(176);
+  });
+});
+
 describe('hidden links at a collapsed node', () => {
   it('share one mark per side, because every port sits on the same point', () => {
     const a = foldMarkKey({ node: 'n', port: 'x' }, false, true);
diff --git a/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts b/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
index bf3f501a..3d5d043b 100644
--- a/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/node-catalog.test.ts
@@ -150,6 +150,22 @@ const CASES: Record<string, Case[]> = {
       after: (ctx) => expect(ctx.variables).toEqual({ speed: 100 }),
     },
   ],
+  // Reading without a flow needs the interpreter: see variable-node.test.ts.
+  Variable: [
+    {
+      name: 'writes its variable when the flow arrives, keeping the declared type',
+      inputs: { value: '250' },
+      params: { variable: 'speed' },
+      next: 'exec',
+      after: (ctx) => expect(ctx.variables.speed).toBe(250),
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'no variable chosen writes nothing',
+      inputs: { value: 5 },
+      next: 'exec',
+      after: (ctx) => expect(ctx.variables).toEqual({ speed: 100 }),
+    },
+  ],
 
   // references and properties
 
diff --git a/tests/core/variable-node.test.ts b/tests/core/variable-node.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..65dcab8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core/variable-node.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { RenameVariableCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/variableCommands';
+import { GraphInterpreter, resolveDef } from '../../src/core/graph';
+import type { BehaviorAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Asset';
+import { behaviorLookup } from '../../src/core/model/behaviorPrograms';
+import { fakeContext, graphEditor, makeBehavior, makeProject } from '../helpers';
+
+function setup() {
+  const fixture = makeProject();
+  const behavior = makeBehavior(fixture, 'B', ['count', 'copy']);
+  return { fixture, behavior, edit: graphEditor(fixture, behavior) };
+}
+
+function run(behavior: BehaviorAsset, fixture: ReturnType<typeof makeProject>, count = 5) {
+  const ctx = fakeContext({ variables: { count, copy: 0 } });
+  new GraphInterpreter(behavior.graph, behaviorLookup(fixture.project)).fire('OnStart', ctx);
+  return ctx.variables;
+}
+
+const titleOf = (behavior: BehaviorAsset, index: number) =>
+  resolveDef(behavior.graph.nodes[index]!, behavior.graph, () => null)!.label;
+
+describe('the Variable node', () => {
+  it('can be read without a flow ever reaching it', () => {
+    const { fixture, behavior, edit } = setup();
+    const start = edit.addNode('OnStart');
+    const variable = edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count' });
+    const copy = edit.addNode('SetVariable', { variable: 'copy' });
+    edit.wire([
+      [start, 'exec', copy, 'exec'],
+      [variable, 'value', copy, 'value'],
+    ]);
+    expect(run(behavior, fixture)).toEqual({ count: 5, copy: 5 });
+  });
+
+  it('writes its input when the flow arrives, unconnected as well as through an edge', () => {
+    const { fixture, behavior, edit } = setup();
+    const start = edit.addNode('OnStart');
+    const inline = edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count', value: 7 });
+    const number = edit.addNode('Number', { value: 3 });
+    const wired = edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'copy' });
+    edit.wire([
+      [start, 'exec', inline, 'exec'],
+      [inline, 'exec', wired, 'exec'],
+      [number, 'value', wired, 'value'],
+    ]);
+    expect(run(behavior, fixture)).toEqual({ count: 7, copy: 3 });
+  });
+
+  it('counts up through its own output: count = count + 1', () => {
+    const { fixture, behavior, edit } = setup();
+    const start = edit.addNode('OnStart');
+    const variable = edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count' });
+    const add = edit.addNode('Add', { b: 1 });
+    edit.wire([
+      [start, 'exec', variable, 'exec'],
+      [variable, 'value', add, 'a'],
+      [add, 'result', variable, 'value'],
+    ]);
+    expect(run(behavior, fixture).count).toBe(6);
+  });
+
+  it('is read at the moment it is asked, so it sees a later write by another node', () => {
+    const { fixture, behavior, edit } = setup();
+    const start = edit.addNode('OnStart');
+    const variable = edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count', value: 7 });
+    const overwrite = edit.addNode('SetVariable', { variable: 'count', value: 9 });
+    const copy = edit.addNode('SetVariable', { variable: 'copy' });
+    edit.wire([
+      [start, 'exec', variable, 'exec'],
+      [variable, 'exec', overwrite, 'exec'],
+      [overwrite, 'exec', copy, 'exec'],
+      [variable, 'value', copy, 'value'],
+    ]);
+    expect(run(behavior, fixture)).toEqual({ count: 9, copy: 9 });
+  });
+});
+
+describe('variable node titles', () => {
+  it('name the picked variable, and keep the plain title until one is picked', () => {
+    const { behavior, edit } = setup();
+    edit.addNode('GetVariable', { variable: 'count' });
+    edit.addNode('SetVariable', { variable: 'count' });
+    edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count' });
+    edit.addNode('GetVariable');
+    edit.addNode('Variable');
+    expect([0, 1, 2, 3, 4].map((i) => titleOf(behavior, i))).toEqual([
+      'Get count',
+      'Set count',
+      'count',
+      'Get variable',
+      'Variable',
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('follow a renamed variable', () => {
+    const { fixture, behavior, edit } = setup();
+    edit.addNode('Variable', { variable: 'count' });
+    fixture.stack.execute(new RenameVariableCommand(behavior.id, 'count', 'score'));
+    expect(titleOf(behavior, 0)).toBe('score');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/todo-notes/done/graph-node-collapse-width.md b/todo-notes/done/graph-node-collapse-width.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..415c6396
--- /dev/null
+++ b/todo-notes/done/graph-node-collapse-width.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+man kann ja nun graph nodes zusammenklappen.
+hier soll auch die breite veringert werden auf die titeltext breite wenn möglich?
+
+---
+
+EDIT:
+
+speziell für "Get variable" node, "Set variable" node und der zukünftige "Variable" node:
+Es soll in der titelbar vom node der variablennamen (falls gesetzt!) angezeigt werden (egal ob zusammengeklappt oder nicht, ist unabhängig davon)
+
+hier die beispiele:
+- "Get dummyX" (beim node "Get variable")
+- "Set dummyX" (beim node "Set variable")
+- "dummyX" (beim node "Variable")
diff --git a/todo-notes/done/merge-get-set-variable.md b/todo-notes/done/merge-get-set-variable.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f546bc10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/todo-notes/done/merge-get-set-variable.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+Kann man einen quasi 2 in 1 node machen "Variable" - dieser soll Get/Set gleichzeichtig können
+- kommt ein exec flow rein, dann wird gesetzt (vom input port - wert oder edge)
+- get gibt es quasi immer, natürlich der neue wert falls er gesetzt wird
+
+---
+
+Umgesetzt: der Ausgang liest die Variable im Moment des Abrufs, nicht beim Schreiben.
+`Get variable` liest dagegen weiter einmal pro Puls — auf dieselbe Technik umstellen hiesse,
+bestehende Spiele im Verhalten zu aendern (Tetris liest das Brett deshalb zweimal).
diff --git a/todo-notes/graph-node-collapse-width.md b/todo-notes/graph-node-collapse-width.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 19f83ab1..00000000
--- a/todo-notes/graph-node-collapse-width.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-man kann ja nun graph nodes zusammenklappen.
-hier soll auch die breite veringert werden auf die titeltext breite wenn möglich?
diff --git a/tools/e2e/06-graph.mjs b/tools/e2e/06-graph.mjs
index 87899a31..d0582a73 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/06-graph.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/06-graph.mjs
@@ -780,13 +780,24 @@ export async function graph(t) {
   await click(chevron.x, chevron.y);
   await sleep(200);
   const shut = await json(`__gm.graph.nodeRect('n-move')`);
+  const zoom = openRect.w / 176;
   check(
     'the chevron collapses the node to its title bar, and leaves the selection alone',
     (await nodeOf('n-move')).collapsed === true &&
-      Math.abs(shut.h / shut.w - 24 / 176) < 0.01 &&
+      Math.abs(shut.h - 24 * zoom) < 1 &&
       (await json('__gm.graph.selected()')).length === 0,
     JSON.stringify({ openRect, shut, collapsed: (await nodeOf('n-move')).collapsed }),
   );
+  // Title starts 20 units in and ends 11 before the edge; `locate` matches exactly, so a cut title is null.
+  const titleText = await json(`__gm.locate('Move')`);
+  check(
+    'a collapsed node narrows to its whole title, keeping its left edge under the chevron',
+    titleText !== null &&
+      Math.abs(shut.x - openRect.x) < 1 &&
+      shut.w < openRect.w &&
+      Math.abs(shut.w - (2 * (titleText.x - shut.x) - 9 * zoom)) < 2,
+    JSON.stringify({ openRect, shut, titleText }),
+  );
   const title = await json(`__gm.graph.nodeAt('n-move')`);
   const anchorOf = (port, out) => json(`__gm.graph.portAt('n-move', '${port}', ${out})`);
   const inputs = [
@@ -894,7 +905,7 @@ export async function graph(t) {
   const reloaded = await json(`__gm.graph.nodeRect('n-move')`);
   check(
     'and a reloaded project draws it collapsed again',
-    (await nodeOf('n-move')).collapsed === true && Math.abs(reloaded.h / reloaded.w - 24 / 176) < 0.01,
+    (await nodeOf('n-move')).collapsed === true && Math.abs(reloaded.h / reloaded.w - shut.h / shut.w) < 0.01,
     JSON.stringify(reloaded),
   );
   const reopen = await json(`__gm.graph.chevronAt('n-move')`);
diff --git a/tools/e2e/23-variable-nodes.mjs b/tools/e2e/23-variable-nodes.mjs
index ac9ff326..617ff2ef 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/23-variable-nodes.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/23-variable-nodes.mjs
@@ -35,7 +35,22 @@ const logicGraph = {
 };
 
 export async function variableNodes(t) {
-  const { check, sleep, evaluate, json, shot, click, locate, undo, entity, asset, mutate, stop } = t;
+  const {
+    check,
+    sleep,
+    evaluate,
+    json,
+    shot,
+    click,
+    locate,
+    undo,
+    entity,
+    asset,
+    mutate,
+    stop,
+    typeText,
+    press,
+  } = t;
   const portAt = (nodeId, key, isOutput) =>
     json(`__gm.graph.portAt(${JSON.stringify(nodeId)}, ${JSON.stringify(key)}, ${isOutput})`);
   const portsOf = async (nodeId) =>
@@ -216,6 +231,76 @@ export async function variableNodes(t) {
     JSON.stringify(helper),
   );
 
+  // 23i. The Variable node: picked from the palette, titled by the variable picked in the inspector,
+  //      and in the run `vz = vz + 1` once a frame – its own output feeding its input via Add.
+  const nodeIds = async () => (await asset('vp-logic')).graph.nodes.map((n) => n.id);
+  const idsBefore = await nodeIds();
+  const centre = await json('__gm.graph.center()');
+  // Below the Owner node; centre + (250, 250) would land on the Pack.
+  await click(centre.x - 250, centre.y + 250, 'right');
+  await sleep(150);
+  // Its description is the one that says "any time"; "variable" would put Get variable first.
+  await typeText('any time');
+  await sleep(200);
+  await press('Enter');
+  await sleep(300);
+  const added = (await asset('vp-logic')).graph.nodes.find((n) => !idsBefore.includes(n.id));
+  check('the palette offers the Variable node', added?.type === 'Variable', JSON.stringify(added));
+  const variableId = added?.id ?? '';
+  const titleOf = (id) => json(`__gm.graph.nodeLabel(${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
+  const untitled = await titleOf(variableId);
+  // The node's own title says "Variable" too, and the canvas is drawn first.
+  const picker = await json(`__gm.inspectorField('Variable', true)`);
+  await click(picker.x, picker.y);
+  await sleep(200);
+  await clickLast('vz');
+  await sleep(300);
+  check(
+    'picking its variable makes that the title, and drops the row that would repeat it',
+    untitled === 'Variable' &&
+      (await titleOf(variableId)) === 'vz' &&
+      (await json(`__gm.graph.nodeSettings(${JSON.stringify(variableId)})`)).length === 0,
+    JSON.stringify({ untitled, titled: await titleOf(variableId), picker }),
+  );
+  await shot('05-variable-node');
+
+  await mutate(`
+    const g = __gm.state.project.assets.find((x) => x.id === 'vp-logic').graph;
+    g.nodes.push(
+      ${JSON.stringify(node('vp-add', 'Add', 800, 200, { b: 1 }))},
+      ${JSON.stringify(node('vp-set-vx', 'SetVariable', 800, 400, { variable: 'vx' }))},
+      ${JSON.stringify(node('vp-set-gone', 'SetVariable', 800, 500, { variable: 'gone' }))},
+    );
+    g.edges.push(
+      ${JSON.stringify(edge('vp-e7', 'vp-move', 'exec', variableId, 'exec'))},
+      ${JSON.stringify(edge('vp-e8', variableId, 'value', 'vp-add', 'a'))},
+      ${JSON.stringify(edge('vp-e9', 'vp-add', 'result', variableId, 'value'))},
+    );
+  `);
+  await sleep(300);
+  const settingsOf = (id) => json(`__gm.graph.nodeSettings(${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
+  const named = { title: await titleOf('vp-set-vx'), rows: await settingsOf('vp-set-vx') };
+  const gone = { title: await titleOf('vp-set-gone'), rows: await settingsOf('vp-set-gone') };
+  check(
+    'Set variable names its variable too, and a deleted one keeps the row that marks it',
+    named.title === 'Set vx' &&
+      named.rows.length === 0 &&
+      gone.title === 'Set gone' &&
+      JSON.stringify(gone.rows) === '["Variable: gone?"]',
+    JSON.stringify({ named, gone }),
+  );
+
+  await t.play();
+  await sleep(1000);
+  const counted = (await entity('vp-brain'))?.props.vz;
+  await stop();
+  await sleep(300);
+  check(
+    'in the run it reads through its own output and writes the sum back, so vz climbs',
+    typeof counted === 'number' && counted > 20,
+    `vz = ${counted} after ~1 s`,
+  );
+
   await mutate(`
     const p = __gm.state.project;
     p.assets = p.assets.filter((a) => a.id !== 'vp-logic');