diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 26f70c0c..eaeacedc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@ Live: <https://nockal.com/game-maker/> · Widget playground: <https://nockal.com
 | **Text** | An asset that draws a line of text (`text`, `fontSize`, `color`, `align`) – titles, HUD readouts, button labels. Its content is an ordinary property, so `Set text` (or `Set property`) changes it while playing. |
 | **Enabled** | Every placeable asset has the switch `enabled` (default on). A disabled object is not drawn, does not collide and its behavior does not run – **and neither does anything parented below it**. Switching one instance off is a normal override, which makes a container a *screen*: switch it on to show it, off to hide it. `Set enabled` / `Is enabled` do it from a graph. |
 | **Scene object** | An asset placed into a scene: a link to the asset + a **position** (`x`, `y`, `z`) + sparse **overrides** of the asset's properties + an optional **parent** (another object of the scene). Scenes cannot be placed. |
-| **Container** | A reusable group ("prefab"): the asset holds a **template** of objects (asset link, local position, overrides, parent links) centred on its origin. Placing a container creates a container object plus fresh copies of the template below it – ordinary objects, each remembering its template id. **Create container** turns the current selection into such an asset and replaces the selected objects by one placed container at their centre (world positions unchanged). The template is edited in the **Container** tab (see *Editing a container*) or from an instance through **Apply to container**. |
+| **Container** | A reusable group ("prefab"): the asset holds a **template** of objects (asset link, local position, overrides, parent links) centred on its origin. Placing a container stores the container object **and nothing else** – its content is resolved from the template on every read, so a template edit reaches every instance at once. **Create container** turns the current selection into such an asset: the selected objects move into the template and the scene keeps one placed container at their centre (world positions unchanged). The template is edited in the **Container** tab (see *Editing a container*) or from an instance through **Apply to container**. |
 | **Selection** | One or more scene objects. Click selects, `Ctrl`-click adds/removes, dragging on empty scene space draws a rubber band (objects whose position lies inside are selected). Dragging a selected object moves the whole selection; `Delete` removes it; the inspector offers **Create container** and **Remove** for several objects. |
 | **Behavior** | Logic as an asset: a **node graph** plus the **variables** it declares. Placed like anything else (a diamond symbol in the scene); its parent is the **owner** the graph acts on. |
 | **Collider** | A shape (box or circle) for collision detection, placed as a **child** of the object it belongs to (its *body*). Drawn as a green outline in edit mode only. |
 | **Override** | A per-object value that replaces the asset's value for one property. Only changed keys are stored; the inspector marks them bold and offers a reset (↺) and an **apply** (↑) that writes the value into the asset instead. Both appear only where the value really differs from its base – an override carrying the asset's own value is none. |
 | **Default** | Every property has a schema default. Asset values that differ from it are marked bold in the inspector and can be reset (↺) the same way an override can. |
-| **Instance** | An object that is part of a placed container. It has two bases: the **template** it was instantiated from and the asset behind it. A row lists only the bases its value really differs from – ↺ ▾ offers **Reset to container** (template value) and/or **Reset to asset** (drop the override – the template is only read when the container is placed, never at draw time), ↑ ▾ **Apply to container** (template; copies still at the old value follow, copies changed on their own keep theirs) and/or **Apply to asset**. With one base left the menu collapses to a plain ↺ / ↑, with none the buttons disappear. Bold marks the same thing the buttons offer. Position rows compare against the template only. Right after *Create container* an instance matches its template (the overrides were copied into it) but may still override the asset – then only the asset entry shows. |
+| **Instance** | An object resolved from a placed container's template. Its **values** can be edited – position, name, property overrides – and only what actually deviates is stored, as a sparse `instanceEdits` entry on the container object keyed by the template path. Everything else keeps following the template. Its **structure** cannot: it can not be removed, re-parented or given a collider, and nothing of the scene can be parented into it. ↺ ▾ resets to the nearest base, which inside a container is always the **template**; ↑ ▾ offers **Apply to container** (write the value into the template, where every other instance still at the old value picks it up) and/or **Apply to asset** (which drops the template's override as well). With one base left the menu collapses to a plain ↺ / ↑, with none the buttons disappear. Bold marks the same thing the buttons offer. |
+| **Unpack** | Writes a placed container's content into the scene as ordinary objects (hierarchy context menu, or the inspector's *Content* section). The ids survive it, so the selection does; from then on the structure is editable and the objects no longer follow the template. |
 | **Edit mode** | The Scene tab draws the project model; panels, grid, gizmos and drag-to-move are active. |
 | **Play mode** | The editor switches to a **runtime copy** of the project (same ids). A `World` is instantiated from its active scene (one entity per scene object, resolved properties as mutable state) and shown in the **Game** tab. Systems tick it and mirror their changes into the copy; every panel stays open and edits the copy, which the world picks up immediately. **Stop discards world and copy** – the saved model is never touched. |
 
@@ -276,19 +277,27 @@ were editing, and only a deleted container makes it fall back to another one. Se
 *object* also switches to the tab, the rule a graph node and a texture frame already follow: it
 exists in no other view. Selecting the asset itself does not.
 
-Placing a container **into a template** creates the one object and nothing below it, where placing
-it into a scene expands its content: the expansion happens when a copy of the outer container is
-placed, so the template stays what it says. A container that reaches this one, directly or through
-another, is refused by the command – because that cycle expands forever the moment either of them
-is placed.
+Placing a container anywhere creates **one** object. Its content is never copied: `resolveObjects`
+(`src/core/model/instance.ts`) weaves the template in whenever the holder is read, one level per
+nesting step, and the resolved objects get derived ids – `<instance id>~<template id>`, joined by
+`/` for a container inside a container. That is what the hierarchy lists, what the viewport draws
+and what a command addresses. A container that reaches this one, directly or through another, is
+still refused – that cycle would resolve forever.
 
-Editing a template **moves the copies already placed** with it, by the same rule **Apply to
-container** follows: a copy that still holds the template's old value takes the new one, a copy
-changed on its own keeps what it has – per override key and per position axis, so a copy dragged
-sideways still follows a template change in `y`. This covers what a template object *is* (position,
-name, overrides); what a template *contains* is read at placement time only, so adding, deleting or
-re-parenting a template object decides what the next placement looks like and leaves the existing
-copies as they are.
+So **editing a template changes every instance**, structure included: add, delete or re-parent a
+template object and every placed container shows it immediately. What an instance may deviate in
+is values, and only per slot: an override key, one position axis, the name. Those live in
+`instanceEdits` on the container object and are dropped again the moment the value matches the
+template, which is what keeps "untouched follows, touched keeps" exact without any bookkeeping.
+
+The other direction is therefore just as small: **Apply to container** writes the value into the
+template and drops the edit, **Reset to container** drops the edit alone.
+
+Two places do spell the content out. **Unpack** does it on purpose – the objects become ordinary
+ones and stop following. And **play mode bakes** every placed container into stored objects, in
+the throwaway copy of the model, because a running behavior may move or destroy one of them and a
+resolved object has nowhere to remember that. Both keep the derived ids, so the selection and a
+check script survive them.
 
 ## Screens without scene switching
 
@@ -337,9 +346,9 @@ selected and switched back on.
 
 ```
 web/index.html         Vite source page (dev)            index.html   built page (generated, served)
-src/core/model/        Project (object holders), Asset, SceneObject, hierarchy, walk (generic parent/child walks), container templates
+src/core/model/        Project (object holders), Asset, SceneObject, hierarchy, walk (generic parent/child walks), instance (container content resolved from its template)
 src/core/properties/   PropertySchema, resolve (the only override merge), collider/camera/text geometry, enabled
-src/core/commands/     undoable commands, CommandStack, SetBagValueCommand base, templateSync.ts (which copies follow a template), require.ts (validated lookups), naming.ts
+src/core/commands/     undoable commands, CommandStack, SetBagValueCommand base, require.ts (validated lookups, and what an instance may not change), naming.ts
 src/core/graph/        graph model, NodeRegistry/NodeContext/values, interpreter; nodes/<category>/<Type>.ts
 src/core/store/        serialize (untrusted JSON → Project), HttpProjectStore
 src/runtime/           World, Entity, System interface, Input tracker, CollisionSystem, BehaviorSystem
@@ -407,7 +416,7 @@ and share the CDP driver in `tools/lib/harness.mjs` – `press`, `undo`, `play`,
 platformer built only from assets, containers and graphs: a title screen with a clickable Start
 button, a level of boxes with ten coins, gravity and jumping, a two-minute clock in the HUD, and
 a win / lose screen with "Play again". A coin is a container of its own (sprite plus trigger
-collider) placed ten times inside the level container – nested containers expand on placement,
+collider) placed ten times inside the level container – nested containers resolve through both levels,
 and picking one up destroys the container, not just the sprite the collider reported. `tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs` plays it in a headless browser
 (start, jump, collect, win, restart, lose) – it is the regression test for everything screens,
 text, mouse and platformer physics need.
diff --git a/src/core/commands/applyCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/applyCommands.ts
index 10c4cb4e..f3c08322 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/applyCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/applyCommands.ts
@@ -1,62 +1,40 @@
 /**
  * "Apply" is the opposite direction of an override: a value changed on a placed object is written
- * back to the asset, or to the template of the container it is part of. Prefab semantics for the
- * other copies: those still at the template's value follow, those modified on their own do not.
+ * back to the asset, or to the template of the container it belongs to. Reverting drops the
+ * instance's deviation again, which is all it takes for the value to follow the template – the
+ * content of a placed container is resolved from it, never copied (see `model/instance.ts`).
  */
-import { type TemplateLink, templateLinkOf } from '../model/container';
+import {
+  captureObject,
+  type InstanceTarget,
+  instanceTargetOf,
+  type ObjectMemo,
+  restoreObject,
+} from '../model/instance';
 import { type Axis, type Position, type PropertyValue, setBagValue } from '../model/Properties';
-import { findObjectHolder, type Project } from '../model/Project';
-import type { SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
+import type { Project } from '../model/Project';
 import { resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../properties/resolve';
 import { type Command, CommandError } from './Command';
-import { requireAsset, requireObject, requirePropDef } from './require';
-import {
-  ALL_AXES,
-  overrideSlot,
-  positionSlot,
-  restoreSlots,
-  type Slot,
-  type SlotMemo,
-  syncInstances,
-} from './templateSync';
+import { requireAsset, requireHolder, requireObjectRef, requirePropDef } from './require';
 
-function requireLink(project: Project, holderId: string, object: SceneObject): TemplateLink {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(project, holderId);
-  const link = holder && templateLinkOf(project, holder, object);
-  if (!link) throw new CommandError(`${object.name || object.id} is not part of a placed container`);
-  return link;
+const ALL_AXES: readonly Axis[] = ['x', 'y', 'z'];
+
+function requireTarget(project: Project, holderId: string, objectId: string): InstanceTarget {
+  const target = instanceTargetOf(project, requireHolder(project, holderId), objectId);
+  if (!target) throw new CommandError('That object is not part of a placed container');
+  return target;
 }
 
 /**
- * Writes `values` into the template's slots and carries along every instance that still agreed with
- * it. Returns the memos in application order; `restoreSlots` undoes them.
- */
-function applyToTemplate<T>(
-  project: Project,
-  link: TemplateLink,
-  slots: readonly Slot<T>[],
-  values: readonly T[],
-): SlotMemo<T>[] {
-  const before = slots.map((slot) => slot.read(link.template));
-  const memos: SlotMemo<T>[] = slots.map((slot, i) => ({
-    object: link.template,
-    slot,
-    previous: before[i]!,
-  }));
-  memos.push(...syncInstances(project, link.template, slots, before, values));
-  slots.forEach((slot, i) => slot.write(link.template, values[i]!));
-  return memos;
-}
-
-/**
- * Writes the object's value for `key` into its asset and drops the override. For a container
- * instance the template's override is dropped too, along with the instances that shared it.
+ * Writes the object's value for `key` into its asset and drops the override. For content of a
+ * placed container the template's override goes too, so every instance follows the asset again.
  */
 export class ApplyOverrideToAssetCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
   private previousAssetValue: PropertyValue | undefined;
-  private previousOverride: PropertyValue | undefined;
-  private templateMemos: SlotMemo<PropertyValue | undefined>[] = [];
+  private previousTemplateValue: PropertyValue | undefined;
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
+  private template: InstanceTarget | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -67,31 +45,36 @@ export class ApplyOverrideToAssetCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const holder = findObjectHolder(project, this.holderId);
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const asset = requireAsset(project, object.assetId);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    const asset = requireAsset(project, ref.object.assetId);
     requirePropDef(asset, this.key);
-    const value = resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object)[this.key];
+    const value = resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, ref.object)[this.key];
     this.previousAssetValue = asset.props[this.key];
-    this.previousOverride = object.overrides[this.key];
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
     asset.props[this.key] = value!;
-    delete object.overrides[this.key];
-    const link = holder && templateLinkOf(project, holder, object);
-    this.templateMemos = link ? applyToTemplate(project, link, [overrideSlot(this.key)], [undefined]) : [];
+    ref.setOverride(this.key, undefined);
+    this.template = ref.target;
+    if (!this.template) return;
+    this.previousTemplateValue = this.template.template.overrides[this.key];
+    delete this.template.template.overrides[this.key];
   }
 
   undo(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const asset = requireAsset(project, object.assetId);
-    restoreSlots(this.templateMemos);
-    setBagValue(object.overrides, this.key, this.previousOverride);
+    const asset = requireAsset(
+      project,
+      requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).object.assetId,
+    );
+    if (this.template) setBagValue(this.template.template.overrides, this.key, this.previousTemplateValue);
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
     setBagValue(asset.props, this.key, this.previousAssetValue);
   }
 }
 
 export class ApplyOverrideToContainerCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
-  private memos: SlotMemo<PropertyValue | undefined>[] = [];
+  private previous: PropertyValue | undefined;
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
+  private target: InstanceTarget | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -102,19 +85,25 @@ export class ApplyOverrideToContainerCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const link = requireLink(project, this.holderId, object);
-    this.memos = applyToTemplate(project, link, [overrideSlot(this.key)], [object.overrides[this.key]]);
+    const target = requireTarget(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.target = target;
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    this.previous = target.template.overrides[this.key];
+    setBagValue(target.template.overrides, this.key, ref.object.overrides[this.key]);
+    // The deviation is gone the moment the template carries it, so the edit must go with it.
+    ref.setOverride(this.key, target.template.overrides[this.key]);
   }
 
   undo(): void {
-    restoreSlots(this.memos);
+    if (this.target) setBagValue(this.target.template.overrides, this.key, this.previous);
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
 export class RevertOverrideToTemplateCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
-  private previous: PropertyValue | undefined;
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -125,21 +114,23 @@ export class RevertOverrideToTemplateCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const link = requireLink(project, this.holderId, object);
-    this.previous = object.overrides[this.key];
-    setBagValue(object.overrides, this.key, link.template.overrides[this.key]);
+    const target = requireTarget(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    ref.setOverride(this.key, target.template.overrides[this.key]);
   }
 
-  undo(project: Project): void {
-    setBagValue(requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).overrides, this.key, this.previous);
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
 /** Writes the object's local position – one axis, or all – into its container template. */
 export class ApplyPositionToContainerCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
-  private memos: SlotMemo<number>[] = [];
+  private previous: Position = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 };
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
+  private target: InstanceTarget | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -150,25 +141,25 @@ export class ApplyPositionToContainerCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const link = requireLink(project, this.holderId, object);
-    const axes = this.axis ? [this.axis] : ALL_AXES;
-    this.memos = applyToTemplate(
-      project,
-      link,
-      axes.map(positionSlot),
-      axes.map((a) => object.position[a]),
-    );
+    const target = requireTarget(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.target = target;
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    this.previous = { ...target.template.position };
+    for (const axis of this.axis ? [this.axis] : ALL_AXES)
+      target.template.position[axis] = ref.object.position[axis];
+    ref.setPosition(ref.object.position);
   }
 
   undo(): void {
-    restoreSlots(this.memos);
+    if (this.target) this.target.template.position = { ...this.previous };
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
 export class RevertPositionToTemplateCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
-  private previous: Position = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 };
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -179,13 +170,15 @@ export class RevertPositionToTemplateCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    const link = requireLink(project, this.holderId, object);
-    this.previous = { ...object.position };
-    for (const a of this.axis ? [this.axis] : ALL_AXES) object.position[a] = link.template.position[a];
+    const target = requireTarget(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    const position = { ...ref.object.position };
+    for (const axis of this.axis ? [this.axis] : ALL_AXES) position[axis] = target.template.position[axis];
+    ref.setPosition(position);
   }
 
-  undo(project: Project): void {
-    requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).position = { ...this.previous };
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/core/commands/colliderCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/colliderCommands.ts
index f601cf24..b75ac5e5 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/colliderCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/colliderCommands.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { newId } from '../ids';
+import { isLiveInstance } from '../model/instance';
 import type { Project } from '../model/Project';
 import { createSceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
 import { resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../properties/resolve';
@@ -6,7 +7,7 @@ import { removeById } from '../util/list';
 import { buildAsset } from './assetCommands';
 import { type Command, CommandError } from './Command';
 import { nextAssetName } from './naming';
-import { requireAsset, requireObject, requireHolder } from './require';
+import { requireAsset, requireObject, requireHolder, requireStructural } from './require';
 
 /**
  * Creates a collider asset sized like the object (sprites: width × height; anything else: schema
@@ -24,9 +25,12 @@ export class AddColliderCommand implements Command {
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
     const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
+    requireStructural(project, holder, this.targetId);
     const target = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.targetId);
     const targetAsset = requireAsset(project, target.assetId);
     if (targetAsset.type === 'collider') throw new CommandError('A collider cannot have a collider');
+    if (isLiveInstance(project, holder, target))
+      throw new CommandError('A placed container shows its template; add the collider inside it');
 
     const asset = buildAsset(
       'collider',
diff --git a/src/core/commands/containerCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/containerCommands.ts
index 5b4c8944..41a463b1 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/containerCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/containerCommands.ts
@@ -3,31 +3,36 @@ import type { ContainerAsset } from '../model/Asset';
 import {
   findObject,
   localPositionFor,
+  removeSubtrees,
   subtreeIds,
   subtreeRoots,
   treeOrder,
   worldPosition,
 } from '../model/hierarchy';
+import { type InstanceEdit, isLiveInstance, materializeInstance } from '../model/instance';
 import type { Position } from '../model/Properties';
 import { findObjectHolder, type Project } from '../model/Project';
-import { createSceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
-import { removeById } from '../util/list';
+import { createSceneObject, type SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
+import { removeById, type Removed, restoreAt } from '../util/list';
 import { buildAsset } from './assetCommands';
 import { type Command, CommandError } from './Command';
 import { nextAssetName } from './naming';
-import { requireObject, requireHolder } from './require';
+import { requireObject, requireHolder, requireStructural } from './require';
 
 /**
  * Turns the selected objects, with everything parented below them, into a container asset placed
  * in their stead. The origin is the centre of the selection's bounding box (z = 0), so the template
- * is centred around (0, 0, 0); the objects keep their ids and world positions. The container goes
- * below the roots' shared parent, or at the top level when they do not share one.
+ * is centred around (0, 0, 0). The objects themselves leave the holder – the placed container
+ * shows them again, resolved from the template. It goes below the roots' shared parent, or at the
+ * top level when they do not share one.
  */
 export class CreateContainerCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Create container';
   readonly assetId = newId();
   readonly objectId = newId();
-  private previous: { id: string; parentId: string; position: Position; templateId: string }[] = [];
+  private removed: Removed<SceneObject>[] = [];
+  /** Kept across a redo: the ids of the resolved content are built from them. */
+  private readonly templateIds = new Map<string, string>();
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -36,7 +41,9 @@ export class CreateContainerCommand implements Command {
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
     const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
-    const selected = [...new Set(this.objectIds)].map((id) => requireObject(project, this.holderId, id));
+    const ids = [...new Set(this.objectIds)];
+    for (const id of ids) requireStructural(project, holder, id);
+    const selected = ids.map((id) => requireObject(project, this.holderId, id));
     if (selected.length === 0) throw new CommandError('Select at least one object to create a container');
 
     const worlds = selected.map((o) => worldPosition(holder, o));
@@ -65,45 +72,32 @@ export class CreateContainerCommand implements Command {
       nextAssetName(project, 'Container'),
       this.assetId,
     ) as ContainerAsset;
-    const templateIds = new Map(members.map((o) => [o.id, newId()]));
+    const templateIds = this.templateIds;
+    for (const object of members) if (!templateIds.has(object.id)) templateIds.set(object.id, newId());
     for (const object of members) {
       const isRoot = roots.has(object.id);
       const world = worldPosition(holder, object);
       asset.objects.push({
+        ...object,
         id: templateIds.get(object.id)!,
-        assetId: object.assetId,
-        name: object.name,
         position: isRoot
           ? { x: world.x - centre.x, y: world.y - centre.y, z: world.z }
           : { ...object.position },
-        // A view-only offset belongs to the placed object, not to the template (see container.ts).
+        // A view-only offset belongs to the placed object, not to the template.
         editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 },
         overrides: { ...object.overrides },
         parentId: isRoot ? '' : (templateIds.get(object.parentId) ?? ''),
-        templateId: '',
+        instanceEdits: { ...object.instanceEdits },
       });
     }
 
-    this.previous = members.map((o) => ({
-      id: o.id,
-      parentId: o.parentId,
-      position: { ...o.position },
-      templateId: o.templateId,
-    }));
     const container = createSceneObject(
       this.objectId,
       this.assetId,
       localPositionFor(holder, containerParentId, centre),
       containerParentId,
     );
-    for (const object of members) {
-      if (roots.has(object.id)) {
-        const world = worldPosition(holder, object);
-        object.parentId = this.objectId;
-        object.position = { x: world.x - centre.x, y: world.y - centre.y, z: world.z };
-      }
-      object.templateId = templateIds.get(object.id)!;
-    }
+    this.removed = removeSubtrees(holder, [...roots]);
     project.assets.push(asset);
     holder.objects.push(container);
   }
@@ -111,15 +105,48 @@ export class CreateContainerCommand implements Command {
   undo(project: Project): void {
     const holder = findObjectHolder(project, this.holderId);
     if (holder) {
-      for (const entry of this.previous) {
-        const object = findObject(holder, entry.id);
-        if (!object) continue;
-        object.parentId = entry.parentId;
-        object.position = { ...entry.position };
-        object.templateId = entry.templateId;
-      }
       holder.objects = removeById(holder.objects, this.objectId);
+      restoreAt(holder.objects, this.removed);
     }
     project.assets = removeById(project.assets, this.assetId);
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * Writes the content a placed container shows into the holder as ordinary objects. It stops
+ * following the template from then on – which is what makes its structure editable, the one thing
+ * an instance does not allow.
+ */
+export class UnpackContainerCommand implements Command {
+  readonly label = 'Unpack container';
+  private createdIds: string[] = [];
+  private edits: Record<string, InstanceEdit> = {};
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly holderId: string,
+    private readonly objectId: string,
+  ) {}
+
+  execute(project: Project): void {
+    const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
+    requireStructural(project, holder, this.objectId);
+    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    if (!isLiveInstance(project, holder, object))
+      throw new CommandError(`${object.name || 'That object'} is not a placed container`);
+    const created = materializeInstance(project, holder, object);
+    if (created.length === 0) throw new CommandError('The container is empty, there is nothing to unpack');
+    this.createdIds = created.map((o) => o.id);
+    this.edits = object.instanceEdits;
+    object.instanceEdits = {};
+    holder.objects.push(...created);
+  }
+
+  undo(project: Project): void {
+    const holder = findObjectHolder(project, this.holderId);
+    if (!holder) return;
+    const ids = new Set(this.createdIds);
+    holder.objects = holder.objects.filter((o) => !ids.has(o.id));
+    const object = findObject(holder, this.objectId);
+    if (object) object.instanceEdits = this.edits;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/core/commands/require.ts b/src/core/commands/require.ts
index b4141ef7..f008b25e 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/require.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/require.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 import { findNode, type GraphNode } from '../graph/Graph';
 import { type NodeDef, nodeDef } from '../graph/NodeRegistry';
 import type { Asset, BehaviorAsset, SceneAsset } from '../model/Asset';
-import { findObject } from '../model/hierarchy';
+import { findObject, type ObjectTree } from '../model/hierarchy';
+import { isTemplateContent, objectRef, type ObjectRef } from '../model/instance';
 import { findAsset, findObjectHolder, findScene, type ObjectHolder, type Project } from '../model/Project';
 import type { SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
 import { propDef, type PropertyDef } from '../properties/PropertySchema';
@@ -32,6 +33,29 @@ export function requireObject(project: Project, holderId: string, objectId: stri
   return object;
 }
 
+/**
+ * The object a value edit works on, whether it is stored in the holder or resolved from a
+ * container template – the writes then land in the instance's edits.
+ */
+export function requireObjectRef(project: Project, holderId: string, objectId: string): ObjectRef {
+  const ref = objectRef(project, requireHolder(project, holderId), objectId);
+  if (!ref) throw new CommandError(`Scene object ${objectId} not found`);
+  return ref;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Rejects an object that only exists because a container template says so. Its structure – what
+ * exists, what it is parented to – is the template's business, not the instance's.
+ */
+export function requireStructural(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree, objectId: string): void {
+  if (!isTemplateContent(holder, objectId)) return;
+  // Not resolvable at all is a plain "not found", which the caller's own lookup words better.
+  const object = objectRef(project, holder, objectId)?.object;
+  if (!object) return;
+  const name = object.name || 'That object';
+  throw new CommandError(`${name} comes from a container template; open the container to change it`);
+}
+
 export function requireBehavior(project: Project, assetId: string): BehaviorAsset {
   const asset = findAsset(project, assetId);
   if (!asset || asset.type !== 'behavior') throw new CommandError(`Behavior ${assetId} not found`);
diff --git a/src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands.ts
index 6da64eda..9a96d64b 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands.ts
@@ -1,41 +1,31 @@
 import { newId } from '../ids';
 import { isPlaceableType } from '../model/AssetTypes';
-import { containerReaches, instantiateContainer } from '../model/container';
+import { containerReaches } from '../model/container';
 import { isSelfOrAncestor, localPositionFor, removeSubtrees, worldPosition } from '../model/hierarchy';
-import {
-  type Position,
-  type PropertyBag,
-  type PropertyValue,
-  toPosition,
-  type Vec2,
-} from '../model/Properties';
+import { captureObject, isLiveInstance, type ObjectMemo, restoreObject } from '../model/instance';
+import { type Position, type PropertyValue, toPosition, type Vec2 } from '../model/Properties';
 import type { Project } from '../model/Project';
 import { createSceneObject, type SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
 import { coerceValue } from '../properties/PropertySchema';
 import { type Removed, restoreAt } from '../util/list';
 import { type Command, CommandError } from './Command';
-import { requireAsset, requireObject, requirePropDef, requireHolder } from './require';
-import { SetBagValueCommand } from './SetBagValueCommand';
 import {
-  ALL_AXES,
-  nameSlot,
-  overrideSlot,
-  positionSlot,
-  restoreSlots,
-  type SlotMemo,
-  syncTemplateEdit,
-} from './templateSync';
+  requireAsset,
+  requireObject,
+  requireObjectRef,
+  requirePropDef,
+  requireHolder,
+  requireStructural,
+} from './require';
 
 /**
  * The position is a world position; with a parent it is converted to the parent's local space.
- * Placing a container into a scene also creates its content (see `instantiateContainer`); into
- * a container template it does not, because the template spells out one object per placed copy
- * and `instantiateContainer` expands the nested one when the copy is made.
+ * Placing a container adds the container object alone – its content is resolved from the template
+ * (see `model/instance.ts`), so it is never copied into the scene.
  */
 export class PlaceAssetCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Place asset';
   readonly objectId = newId();
-  private createdIds: string[] = [];
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -48,25 +38,19 @@ export class PlaceAssetCommand implements Command {
     const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
     const asset = requireAsset(project, this.assetId);
     if (!isPlaceableType(asset.type)) throw new CommandError('A scene cannot be placed into a scene');
-    if (
-      holder.type === 'container' &&
-      asset.type === 'container' &&
-      containerReaches(project, asset, holder.id)
-    )
+    if (asset.type === 'container' && containerReaches(project, asset, holder.id))
       throw new CommandError(`${asset.name} cannot contain ${holder.name}: that nests forever`);
-    if (this.parentId) requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.parentId);
+    if (this.parentId) {
+      requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.parentId);
+      requireStructural(project, holder, this.parentId);
+    }
     const local = localPositionFor(holder, this.parentId, toPosition(this.position));
-    const created = [createSceneObject(this.objectId, this.assetId, local, this.parentId)];
-    if (asset.type === 'container' && holder.type === 'scene')
-      created.push(...instantiateContainer(project, asset, this.objectId));
-    this.createdIds = created.map((o) => o.id);
-    holder.objects.push(...created);
+    holder.objects.push(createSceneObject(this.objectId, this.assetId, local, this.parentId));
   }
 
   undo(project: Project): void {
     const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
-    const ids = new Set(this.createdIds);
-    holder.objects = holder.objects.filter((o) => !ids.has(o.id));
+    holder.objects = holder.objects.filter((o) => o.id !== this.objectId);
   }
 }
 
@@ -83,8 +67,12 @@ export class RemoveSceneObjectsCommand implements Command {
   }
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    for (const id of this.objectIds) requireObject(project, this.holderId, id);
-    this.removed = removeSubtrees(requireHolder(project, this.holderId), this.objectIds);
+    const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
+    for (const id of this.objectIds) {
+      requireStructural(project, holder, id);
+      requireObject(project, this.holderId, id);
+    }
+    this.removed = removeSubtrees(holder, this.objectIds);
   }
 
   undo(project: Project): void {
@@ -104,8 +92,7 @@ export class RemoveSceneObjectCommand extends RemoveSceneObjectsCommand {
  */
 export class MoveSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Move object';
-  private previous: Position = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 };
-  private memos: SlotMemo<number>[] = [];
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -114,28 +101,20 @@ export class MoveSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   ) {}
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    this.previous = { ...object.position };
-    object.position = { ...this.position };
-    this.memos = syncTemplateEdit(
-      project,
-      this.holderId,
-      object,
-      ALL_AXES.map(positionSlot),
-      ALL_AXES.map((axis) => this.previous[axis]),
-    );
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    ref.setPosition(this.position);
   }
 
-  undo(project: Project): void {
-    restoreSlots(this.memos);
-    requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).position = { ...this.previous };
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
 /** Editor-only: undoable like any other edit, but it changes nothing the game can see. */
 export class SetEditorOffsetCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Editor offset';
-  private previous: Vec2 = { x: 0, y: 0 };
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -144,20 +123,19 @@ export class SetEditorOffsetCommand implements Command {
   ) {}
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    this.previous = { ...object.editorOffset };
-    object.editorOffset = { x: this.offset.x, y: this.offset.y };
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    ref.setEditorOffset(this.offset);
   }
 
-  undo(project: Project): void {
-    requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).editorOffset = { ...this.previous };
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
 export class RenameSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Rename object';
-  private previous = '';
-  private memos: SlotMemo<string>[] = [];
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
@@ -166,53 +144,36 @@ export class RenameSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   ) {}
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
-    const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-    this.previous = object.name;
-    object.name = this.name;
-    this.memos = syncTemplateEdit(project, this.holderId, object, [nameSlot], [this.previous]);
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    ref.setName(this.name);
   }
 
-  undo(project: Project): void {
-    restoreSlots(this.memos);
-    requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId).name = this.previous;
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
-abstract class OverrideCommand extends SetBagValueCommand<SceneObject> {
-  private memos: SlotMemo<PropertyValue | undefined>[] = [];
+abstract class OverrideCommand implements Command {
+  private memo: ObjectMemo | undefined;
 
   protected constructor(
     private readonly holderId: string,
     private readonly objectId: string,
-    key: string,
-    label: string,
-  ) {
-    super(key, label);
+    protected readonly key: string,
+    readonly label: string,
+  ) {}
+
+  protected abstract nextValue(object: SceneObject, project: Project): PropertyValue | undefined;
+
+  execute(project: Project): void {
+    const ref = requireObjectRef(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
+    this.memo = captureObject(ref);
+    ref.setOverride(this.key, this.nextValue(ref.object, project));
   }
 
-  protected override resolveTarget(project: Project): SceneObject {
-    return requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
-  }
-
-  protected override bagOf(object: SceneObject): PropertyBag {
-    return object.overrides;
-  }
-
-  override execute(project: Project): void {
-    const before = this.resolveTarget(project).overrides[this.key];
-    super.execute(project);
-    this.memos = syncTemplateEdit(
-      project,
-      this.holderId,
-      this.resolveTarget(project),
-      [overrideSlot(this.key)],
-      [before],
-    );
-  }
-
-  override undo(project: Project): void {
-    restoreSlots(this.memos);
-    super.undo(project);
+  undo(): void {
+    if (this.memo) restoreObject(this.memo);
   }
 }
 
@@ -226,7 +187,7 @@ export class SetOverrideCommand extends OverrideCommand {
     super(holderId, objectId, key, `Override ${key}`);
   }
 
-  protected override computeNext(object: SceneObject, project: Project): PropertyValue {
+  protected override nextValue(object: SceneObject, project: Project): PropertyValue {
     return coerceValue(requirePropDef(requireAsset(project, object.assetId), this.key), this.value);
   }
 }
@@ -238,7 +199,7 @@ export class ClearOverrideCommand extends OverrideCommand {
 
   // No schema check, unlike setting one: a key the asset no longer declares is exactly what one
   // wants to be able to clear.
-  protected override computeNext(): undefined {
+  protected override nextValue(): undefined {
     return undefined;
   }
 }
@@ -262,10 +223,13 @@ export class SetParentCommand implements Command {
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
     const holder = requireHolder(project, this.holderId);
+    requireStructural(project, holder, this.objectId);
     const object = requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.objectId);
     if (this.parentId) {
       if (this.parentId === this.objectId) throw new CommandError('An object cannot be its own parent');
-      requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.parentId);
+      requireStructural(project, holder, this.parentId);
+      if (isLiveInstance(project, holder, requireObject(project, this.holderId, this.parentId)))
+        throw new CommandError('A placed container shows its template; unpack it to put objects inside');
       if (isSelfOrAncestor(holder, this.objectId, this.parentId))
         throw new CommandError('An object cannot be parented to one of its own children');
     }
diff --git a/src/core/commands/templateSync.ts b/src/core/commands/templateSync.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a61e236..00000000
--- a/src/core/commands/templateSync.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,89 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Prefab semantics for container templates: a placed copy that still holds the template's old value
- * follows a change made to the template, a copy modified on its own keeps what it has. Used by both
- * directions – an edit in the container editor (see the object commands) and "apply" from a placed
- * object upwards (see `applyCommands`).
- */
-import { instancesOf } from '../model/container';
-import { type Axis, type PropertyValue, setBagValue } from '../model/Properties';
-import { findObjectHolder, type Project } from '../model/Project';
-import type { SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
-
-export const ALL_AXES: readonly Axis[] = ['x', 'y', 'z'];
-
-/** One value that follows on its own: an override key, a single axis of the position, the name. */
-export interface Slot<T> {
-  read(object: SceneObject): T;
-  write(object: SceneObject, value: T): void;
-}
-
-export interface SlotMemo<T> {
-  object: SceneObject;
-  slot: Slot<T>;
-  previous: T;
-}
-
-export const overrideSlot = (key: string): Slot<PropertyValue | undefined> => ({
-  read: (object) => object.overrides[key],
-  write: (object, value) => setBagValue(object.overrides, key, value),
-});
-
-export const positionSlot = (axis: Axis): Slot<number> => ({
-  read: (object) => object.position[axis],
-  write: (object, value) => {
-    object.position[axis] = value;
-  },
-});
-
-export const nameSlot: Slot<string> = {
-  read: (object) => object.name,
-  write: (object, value) => {
-    object.name = value;
-  },
-};
-
-/** Writes `after` into every copy of `template` whose slot still reads `before`. */
-export function syncInstances<T>(
-  project: Project,
-  template: SceneObject,
-  slots: readonly Slot<T>[],
-  before: readonly T[],
-  after: readonly T[],
-): SlotMemo<T>[] {
-  const memos: SlotMemo<T>[] = [];
-  for (const { object } of instancesOf(project, template.id)) {
-    slots.forEach((slot, i) => {
-      const current = slot.read(object);
-      if (current !== before[i]) return;
-      memos.push({ object, slot, previous: current });
-      slot.write(object, after[i]!);
-    });
-  }
-  return memos;
-}
-
-/**
- * Carries an edit of a container template object to the placed copies; nothing to do when the
- * holder is a scene, where an edit is meant for that one object. `before` has to be read off the
- * object before it is written, the new values are read back from it here.
- */
-export function syncTemplateEdit<T>(
-  project: Project,
-  holderId: string,
-  object: SceneObject,
-  slots: readonly Slot<T>[],
-  before: readonly T[],
-): SlotMemo<T>[] {
-  if (findObjectHolder(project, holderId)?.type !== 'container') return [];
-  return syncInstances(
-    project,
-    object,
-    slots,
-    before,
-    slots.map((slot) => slot.read(object)),
-  );
-}
-
-export function restoreSlots<T>(memos: readonly SlotMemo<T>[]): void {
-  for (const memo of [...memos].reverse()) memo.slot.write(memo.object, memo.previous);
-}
diff --git a/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts b/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
index 9ee5e3b4..0f2a1ddd 100644
--- a/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
+++ b/src/core/commands/variableCommands.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { PropertyValue } from '../model/Properties';
-import { findUsages, type Project } from '../model/Project';
+import { overrideSites } from '../model/instance';
+import type { Project } from '../model/Project';
 import { isCommonProp, type PropertyDef, type VariableKind, variableDef } from '../properties/PropertySchema';
 import { type Removed, removeFirst, restoreAt } from '../util/list';
 import { type Command, CommandError } from './Command';
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ export class AddVariableCommand implements Command {
 export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
   readonly label: string;
   private removed?: { def: Removed<PropertyDef>; value: PropertyValue | undefined };
-  private overrides: { holderId: string; objectId: string; value: PropertyValue }[] = [];
+  private overrides: { holderId: string; objectId: string; path: string; value: PropertyValue }[] = [];
 
   constructor(
     private readonly assetId: string,
@@ -55,11 +56,11 @@ export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
     this.removed = { def, value: asset.props[this.key] };
     delete asset.props[this.key];
     this.overrides = [];
-    for (const { holder, object } of findUsages(project, this.assetId)) {
-      const value = object.overrides[this.key];
+    for (const site of overrideSites(project, (id) => id === this.assetId)) {
+      const value = site.bag[this.key];
       if (value === undefined) continue;
-      this.overrides.push({ holderId: holder.id, objectId: object.id, value });
-      delete object.overrides[this.key];
+      this.overrides.push({ holderId: site.holder.id, objectId: site.object.id, path: site.path, value });
+      delete site.bag[this.key];
     }
   }
 
@@ -68,10 +69,12 @@ export class RemoveVariableCommand implements Command {
     const asset = requireBehavior(project, this.assetId);
     restoreAt(asset.variables, [this.removed.def]);
     if (this.removed.value !== undefined) asset.props[this.key] = this.removed.value;
-    const usages = findUsages(project, this.assetId);
+    const sites = overrideSites(project, (id) => id === this.assetId);
     for (const o of this.overrides) {
-      const object = usages.find((u) => u.holder.id === o.holderId && u.object.id === o.objectId)?.object;
-      if (object) object.overrides[this.key] = o.value;
+      const site = sites.find(
+        (s) => s.holder.id === o.holderId && s.object.id === o.objectId && s.path === o.path,
+      );
+      if (site) site.bag[this.key] = o.value;
     }
   }
 }
@@ -109,10 +112,10 @@ export class RenameVariableCommand implements Command {
       asset.props[to] = asset.props[from]!;
       delete asset.props[from];
     }
-    for (const { object } of findUsages(project, this.assetId)) {
-      if (object.overrides[from] === undefined) continue;
-      object.overrides[to] = object.overrides[from]!;
-      delete object.overrides[from];
+    for (const { bag } of overrideSites(project, (id) => id === this.assetId)) {
+      if (bag[from] === undefined) continue;
+      bag[to] = bag[from]!;
+      delete bag[from];
     }
     // Every node that picks a variable stores it under the param key `variable`.
     for (const node of asset.graph.nodes) if (node.params.variable === from) node.params.variable = to;
diff --git a/src/core/model/Asset.ts b/src/core/model/Asset.ts
index 4d216093..3ea1cf02 100644
--- a/src/core/model/Asset.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/Asset.ts
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ export interface ColliderAsset extends AssetBase {
 }
 
 /**
- * `objects` is a template instantiated below the container whenever it is placed. Template
- * positions are local to the container's origin, and every placed copy gets fresh ids and
- * remembers the template object it came from (`SceneObject.templateId`).
+ * `objects` is a template, not content: a placed container shows it without copying it, so an
+ * edit here reaches every instance (see `model/instance.ts`). Positions are local to the
+ * container's origin.
  */
 export interface ContainerAsset extends AssetBase {
   type: 'container';
diff --git a/src/core/model/Project.ts b/src/core/model/Project.ts
index 4962733e..b453fb3a 100644
--- a/src/core/model/Project.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/Project.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 import { schemaForAsset } from '../properties/PropertySchema';
 import { type Asset, type ContainerAsset, isSceneAsset, type SceneAsset } from './Asset';
+import { overrideSites } from './instance';
 import type { SceneObject } from './SceneObject';
 
-/** Reserved for format migrations – the loader does not branch on it yet. */
-export const PROJECT_FORMAT_VERSION = 1;
+/**
+ * 2 since a placed container stopped copying its template into the scene. Old files are not
+ * migrated: the loader simply reads no container content from them any more.
+ */
+export const PROJECT_FORMAT_VERSION = 2;
 
 export interface Project {
   formatVersion: number;
@@ -82,7 +86,8 @@ export function findUsages(project: Project, assetId: string): SceneObjectRef[]
 
 export type PropertyUsage =
   | { on: 'asset'; asset: Asset; key: string }
-  | { on: 'object'; holder: ObjectHolder; object: SceneObject; key: string };
+  /** `path` is empty for a placed object's own override, set for one a container instance keeps. */
+  | { on: 'object'; holder: ObjectHolder; object: SceneObject; path: string; key: string };
 
 /**
  * The other half of "where is this asset used": a texture is never placed, it is worn through a
@@ -102,11 +107,10 @@ export function findPropertyUsages(project: Project, ids: string | readonly stri
     refKeys.set(asset.id, keys);
     for (const key of keys) if (matches(asset.props[key])) result.push({ on: 'asset', asset, key });
   }
-  for (const holder of objectHolders(project)) {
-    for (const object of holder.objects) {
-      for (const key of refKeys.get(object.assetId) ?? [])
-        if (matches(object.overrides[key])) result.push({ on: 'object', holder, object, key });
-    }
+  for (const site of overrideSites(project, () => true)) {
+    for (const key of refKeys.get(site.assetId) ?? [])
+      if (matches(site.bag[key]))
+        result.push({ on: 'object', holder: site.holder, object: site.object, path: site.path, key });
   }
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/model/SceneObject.ts b/src/core/model/SceneObject.ts
index 99fd95f1..f098c36d 100644
--- a/src/core/model/SceneObject.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/SceneObject.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { InstanceEdit } from './instance';
 import { type Position, type PropertyBag, toPosition, type Vec2 } from './Properties';
 
 /**
@@ -23,10 +24,11 @@ export interface SceneObject {
    */
   parentId: string;
   /**
-   * The template object inside the container asset this one was instantiated from, empty for
-   * everything else – the link that lets template changes reach the instances later on.
+   * Only on a placed container: what the user changed about its content, keyed by the path of
+   * template ids leading to the object (see `model/instance.ts`). The content itself is not
+   * stored – it follows the template.
    */
-  templateId: string;
+  instanceEdits: Record<string, InstanceEdit>;
 }
 
 export function createSceneObject(
@@ -43,6 +45,6 @@ export function createSceneObject(
     editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 },
     overrides: {},
     parentId,
-    templateId: '',
+    instanceEdits: {},
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/core/model/container.ts b/src/core/model/container.ts
index 8f301b07..b686c927 100644
--- a/src/core/model/container.ts
+++ b/src/core/model/container.ts
@@ -1,46 +1,10 @@
-import { newId } from '../ids';
 import type { ContainerAsset } from './Asset';
-import { chainOf, type ObjectTree } from './hierarchy';
-import { findAsset, objectsWhere, type Project, type SceneObjectRef } from './Project';
-import type { SceneObject } from './SceneObject';
-
-export interface TemplateLink {
-  containerObject: SceneObject;
-  asset: ContainerAsset;
-  template: SceneObject;
-}
-
-/**
- * The nearest container ancestor whose asset holds the template `object` was instantiated from;
- * undefined when it has no template id or the link is stale.
- */
-export function templateLinkOf(
-  project: Project,
-  tree: ObjectTree,
-  object: SceneObject,
-): TemplateLink | undefined {
-  if (!object.templateId) return undefined;
-  for (const containerObject of chainOf(tree, object).slice(1)) {
-    const asset = findAsset(project, containerObject.assetId);
-    if (asset?.type !== 'container') continue;
-    const template = asset.objects.find((t) => t.id === object.templateId);
-    if (template) return { containerObject, asset, template };
-  }
-  return undefined;
-}
-
-/**
- * Every placed copy of a template object. Template objects themselves never carry a template id, so
- * one is never mistaken for a copy of itself even though the search covers container assets too.
- */
-export function instancesOf(project: Project, templateId: string): SceneObjectRef[] {
-  return objectsWhere(project, (o) => o.templateId === templateId);
-}
+import { findAsset, type Project } from './Project';
 
 /**
  * Whether `wantedId` is that container or sits somewhere in its content. Editing a container's
- * template can place containers into it, and a cycle would expand into thousands of objects the
- * moment one of them is placed.
+ * template can place containers into it, and a cycle would expand forever the moment one of them
+ * is resolved.
  */
 export function containerReaches(project: Project, asset: ContainerAsset, wantedId: string): boolean {
   if (asset.id === wantedId) return true;
@@ -57,43 +21,3 @@ export function containerReaches(project: Project, asset: ContainerAsset, wanted
   }
   return false;
 }
-
-const MAX_NESTING = 8;
-
-/**
- * One fresh object per template object, parented below `containerObjectId` or below the copy of its
- * template parent. A template object that is itself a container is expanded in turn, unless the
- * template already spells its content out.
- */
-export function instantiateContainer(
-  project: Project,
-  asset: ContainerAsset,
-  containerObjectId: string,
-  depth = 0,
-): SceneObject[] {
-  const ids = new Map(asset.objects.map((t) => [t.id, newId()]));
-  const result: SceneObject[] = [];
-  for (const template of asset.objects) {
-    const id = ids.get(template.id)!;
-    const parentId = template.parentId
-      ? (ids.get(template.parentId) ?? containerObjectId)
-      : containerObjectId;
-    result.push({
-      id,
-      assetId: template.assetId,
-      name: template.name,
-      position: { ...template.position },
-      // The editor offset is a tweak on one placed object, not something copies should inherit.
-      editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 },
-      overrides: { ...template.overrides },
-      parentId,
-      templateId: template.id,
-    });
-    const nested = findAsset(project, template.assetId);
-    const hasExplicitContent = asset.objects.some((o) => o.parentId === template.id);
-    if (nested?.type === 'container' && !hasExplicitContent && depth < MAX_NESTING) {
-      result.push(...instantiateContainer(project, nested, id, depth + 1));
-    }
-  }
-  return result;
-}
diff --git a/src/core/model/instance.ts b/src/core/model/instance.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..45ac17af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/model/instance.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,429 @@
+/**
+ * A container placed in a scene is not copied into it. The scene stores the container object
+ * alone; its content is resolved from the template on every read, so a template edit reaches
+ * every instance at once. What the user changes on one of those resolved objects is kept as a
+ * sparse `InstanceEdit` on the instance, keyed by the path of template ids leading to it – and
+ * only where it actually deviates, which is what makes an untouched value keep following.
+ *
+ * Ids of resolved content are derived (`<instance id>~<path>`), never stored, and stable as long
+ * as the template is: the selection, the hierarchy and the viewport address them like any other.
+ */
+import type { Asset, ContainerAsset } from './Asset';
+import type { ObjectTree } from './hierarchy';
+import {
+  type Axis,
+  type Position,
+  type PropertyBag,
+  type PropertyValue,
+  setBagValue,
+  type Vec2,
+} from './Properties';
+import { findAsset, type ObjectHolder, objectHolders, type Project } from './Project';
+import type { SceneObject } from './SceneObject';
+
+/** Neither character can occur inside an id (see `newId`), so a derived id parses back uniquely. */
+const ID_SEP = '~';
+const PATH_SEP = '/';
+
+/** A container inside a container inside … – the same guard `instantiate` needs against cycles. */
+const MAX_NESTING = 8;
+
+const AXES: readonly Axis[] = ['x', 'y', 'z'];
+
+/** Sparse deviations of one resolved object; everything absent follows the template. */
+export interface InstanceEdit {
+  name?: string;
+  position: Partial<Record<Axis, number>>;
+  editorOffset?: Vec2;
+  overrides: PropertyBag;
+}
+
+export function emptyEdit(): InstanceEdit {
+  return { position: {}, overrides: {} };
+}
+
+export function isEmptyEdit(edit: InstanceEdit): boolean {
+  return (
+    edit.name === undefined &&
+    edit.editorOffset === undefined &&
+    Object.keys(edit.position).length === 0 &&
+    Object.keys(edit.overrides).length === 0
+  );
+}
+
+function copyEdit(edit: InstanceEdit): InstanceEdit {
+  return {
+    ...(edit.name === undefined ? {} : { name: edit.name }),
+    ...(edit.editorOffset === undefined ? {} : { editorOffset: { ...edit.editorOffset } }),
+    position: { ...edit.position },
+    overrides: { ...edit.overrides },
+  };
+}
+
+/** The outer edit wins per field and per key; anything it leaves out keeps the inner value. */
+function mergeEdits(
+  inner: InstanceEdit | undefined,
+  outer: InstanceEdit | undefined,
+): InstanceEdit | undefined {
+  if (!inner) return outer;
+  if (!outer) return inner;
+  return {
+    name: outer.name ?? inner.name,
+    editorOffset: outer.editorOffset ?? inner.editorOffset,
+    position: { ...inner.position, ...outer.position },
+    overrides: { ...inner.overrides, ...outer.overrides },
+  };
+}
+
+export function containerAssetOf(project: Project, object: SceneObject): ContainerAsset | undefined {
+  const asset: Asset | undefined = findAsset(project, object.assetId);
+  return asset?.type === 'container' ? asset : undefined;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The placed containers still showing their template, with the asset behind each. Content spelled
+ * out in the holder means the instance was unpacked (or baked for a play run) and is an ordinary
+ * parent from then on.
+ */
+function liveInstances(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree): Map<SceneObject, ContainerAsset> {
+  const parents = new Set(holder.objects.map((o) => o.parentId));
+  const live = new Map<SceneObject, ContainerAsset>();
+  for (const object of holder.objects) {
+    if (parents.has(object.id)) continue;
+    const asset = containerAssetOf(project, object);
+    if (asset) live.set(object, asset);
+  }
+  return live;
+}
+
+export function isLiveInstance(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree, object: SceneObject): boolean {
+  return liveInstances(project, holder).has(object);
+}
+
+export function instanceChildId(instanceId: string, path: string): string {
+  return `${instanceId}${ID_SEP}${path}`;
+}
+
+/** Splits a derived id back into the instance it belongs to and the template path below it. */
+export function splitInstanceId(id: string): { instanceId: string; path: string } | undefined {
+  const at = id.indexOf(ID_SEP);
+  if (at < 0) return undefined;
+  return { instanceId: id.slice(0, at), path: id.slice(at + 1) };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Whether the object is only resolved from a template rather than stored in the holder. The
+ * question is where it lives, not what its id looks like: unpacking keeps the derived id – so the
+ * selection and the running game survive it – and the object is an ordinary one from then on.
+ */
+export function isTemplateContent(holder: ObjectTree, objectId: string): boolean {
+  return !holder.objects.some((o) => o.id === objectId);
+}
+
+function resolveChild(
+  template: SceneObject,
+  edit: InstanceEdit | undefined,
+  id: string,
+  parentId: string,
+): SceneObject {
+  const position = { ...template.position };
+  for (const axis of AXES) {
+    const own = edit?.position[axis];
+    if (own !== undefined) position[axis] = own;
+  }
+  return {
+    id,
+    assetId: template.assetId,
+    name: edit?.name ?? template.name,
+    position,
+    editorOffset: edit?.editorOffset ? { ...edit.editorOffset } : { x: 0, y: 0 },
+    overrides: { ...template.overrides, ...edit?.overrides },
+    parentId,
+    instanceEdits: {},
+  };
+}
+
+function expand(
+  project: Project,
+  asset: ContainerAsset,
+  instanceId: string,
+  prefix: string,
+  editAt: (path: string) => InstanceEdit | undefined,
+  rootParentId: string,
+  depth: number,
+  out: SceneObject[],
+): void {
+  for (const template of asset.objects) {
+    const path = prefix ? `${prefix}${PATH_SEP}${template.id}` : template.id;
+    const id = instanceChildId(instanceId, path);
+    const parentId = template.parentId
+      ? instanceChildId(instanceId, prefix ? `${prefix}${PATH_SEP}${template.parentId}` : template.parentId)
+      : rootParentId;
+    out.push(resolveChild(template, editAt(path), id, parentId));
+    const nested = containerAssetOf(project, template);
+    const spelledOut = asset.objects.some((o) => o.parentId === template.id);
+    if (!nested || spelledOut || depth >= MAX_NESTING) continue;
+    // The template object's own edits are the base, the outer instance's edits sit on top of them.
+    // `editAt` always takes the full path; the base is keyed relative to the nested container.
+    const own = template.instanceEdits;
+    const below = (full: string) => mergeEdits(own[full.slice(path.length + 1)], editAt(full));
+    expand(project, nested, instanceId, path, below, id, depth + 1, out);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * The holder's objects with the content of every live container instance woven in. Stored objects
+ * are passed through by reference – only instance content is freshly built and must not be written
+ * to (see `objectRef`). Without a live instance the stored list is returned unchanged.
+ */
+export function resolveObjects(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree): SceneObject[] {
+  const live = liveInstances(project, holder);
+  if (live.size === 0) return holder.objects;
+  const out: SceneObject[] = [];
+  for (const object of holder.objects) {
+    out.push(object);
+    const asset = live.get(object);
+    if (asset) expand(project, asset, object.id, '', (p) => object.instanceEdits[p], object.id, 0, out);
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
+/** The holder with its resolved objects – a read-only view for anything that walks the tree. */
+export function resolvedHolder(project: Project, holder: ObjectHolder): ObjectHolder {
+  const objects = resolveObjects(project, holder);
+  return objects === holder.objects ? holder : { ...holder, objects };
+}
+
+export interface InstanceTarget {
+  /** The stored container object the edits live on. */
+  instance: SceneObject;
+  path: string;
+  /** The container asset that declares `template` – the one to open to change it for good. */
+  asset: ContainerAsset;
+  template: SceneObject;
+}
+
+/** Where a derived id points: the instance holding the edits, and the template object behind it. */
+export function instanceTargetOf(
+  project: Project,
+  holder: ObjectTree,
+  objectId: string,
+): InstanceTarget | undefined {
+  const split = splitInstanceId(objectId);
+  const instance = split && holder.objects.find((o) => o.id === split.instanceId);
+  if (!split || !instance) return undefined;
+  let asset = containerAssetOf(project, instance);
+  let template: SceneObject | undefined;
+  for (const segment of split.path.split(PATH_SEP)) {
+    const next = template ? containerAssetOf(project, template) : asset;
+    if (!next) return undefined;
+    asset = next;
+    template = next.objects.find((t) => t.id === segment);
+    if (!template) return undefined;
+  }
+  return asset && template ? { instance, path: split.path, asset, template } : undefined;
+}
+
+// --- writing -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Read/write access to a placed object, whether it is stored in the holder or resolved from a
+ * container template. `object` is the current state either way; the setters keep an instance edit
+ * to exactly what deviates from the template, so a value put back to the template's follows again.
+ */
+export interface ObjectRef {
+  readonly object: SceneObject;
+  /** The instance edits belong to, undefined for a stored object. */
+  readonly target: InstanceTarget | undefined;
+  setName(name: string): void;
+  setPosition(position: Position): void;
+  setEditorOffset(offset: Vec2): void;
+  setOverride(key: string, value: PropertyValue | undefined): void;
+}
+
+function editOf(target: InstanceTarget): InstanceEdit {
+  const existing = target.instance.instanceEdits[target.path];
+  if (existing) return existing;
+  const edit = emptyEdit();
+  target.instance.instanceEdits[target.path] = edit;
+  return edit;
+}
+
+function prune(target: InstanceTarget): void {
+  const edit = target.instance.instanceEdits[target.path];
+  if (edit && isEmptyEdit(edit)) delete target.instance.instanceEdits[target.path];
+}
+
+function instanceRef(target: InstanceTarget, object: SceneObject): ObjectRef {
+  const write = (mutate: (edit: InstanceEdit) => void): void => {
+    mutate(editOf(target));
+    prune(target);
+  };
+  return {
+    object,
+    target,
+    setName: (name) =>
+      write((edit) => {
+        if (name === target.template.name) delete edit.name;
+        else edit.name = name;
+      }),
+    setPosition: (position) =>
+      write((edit) => {
+        for (const axis of AXES) {
+          if (position[axis] === target.template.position[axis]) delete edit.position[axis];
+          else edit.position[axis] = position[axis];
+        }
+      }),
+    setEditorOffset: (offset) =>
+      write((edit) => {
+        if (offset.x === 0 && offset.y === 0) delete edit.editorOffset;
+        else edit.editorOffset = { x: offset.x, y: offset.y };
+      }),
+    setOverride: (key, value) =>
+      write((edit) => {
+        if (value === target.template.overrides[key]) delete edit.overrides[key];
+        else setBagValue(edit.overrides, key, value);
+      }),
+  };
+}
+
+function storedRef(object: SceneObject): ObjectRef {
+  return {
+    object,
+    target: undefined,
+    setName: (name) => {
+      object.name = name;
+    },
+    setPosition: (position) => {
+      object.position = { ...position };
+    },
+    setEditorOffset: (offset) => {
+      object.editorOffset = { x: offset.x, y: offset.y };
+    },
+    setOverride: (key, value) => setBagValue(object.overrides, key, value),
+  };
+}
+
+export function objectRef(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree, objectId: string): ObjectRef | undefined {
+  const stored = holder.objects.find((o) => o.id === objectId);
+  if (stored) return storedRef(stored);
+  const target = instanceTargetOf(project, holder, objectId);
+  const object = resolveObjects(project, holder).find((o) => o.id === objectId);
+  return target && object ? instanceRef(target, object) : undefined;
+}
+
+/** Everything a value edit can change, snapshotted so a command can put it back exactly. */
+export type ObjectMemo =
+  | {
+      kind: 'stored';
+      object: SceneObject;
+      name: string;
+      position: Position;
+      editorOffset: Vec2;
+      overrides: PropertyBag;
+    }
+  | { kind: 'edit'; instance: SceneObject; path: string; edit: InstanceEdit | undefined };
+
+export function captureObject(ref: ObjectRef): ObjectMemo {
+  if (ref.target) {
+    const edit = ref.target.instance.instanceEdits[ref.target.path];
+    return {
+      kind: 'edit',
+      instance: ref.target.instance,
+      path: ref.target.path,
+      edit: edit && copyEdit(edit),
+    };
+  }
+  const { object } = ref;
+  return {
+    kind: 'stored',
+    object,
+    name: object.name,
+    position: { ...object.position },
+    editorOffset: { ...object.editorOffset },
+    overrides: { ...object.overrides },
+  };
+}
+
+export function restoreObject(memo: ObjectMemo): void {
+  if (memo.kind === 'edit') {
+    if (memo.edit) memo.instance.instanceEdits[memo.path] = copyEdit(memo.edit);
+    else delete memo.instance.instanceEdits[memo.path];
+    return;
+  }
+  memo.object.name = memo.name;
+  memo.object.position = { ...memo.position };
+  memo.object.editorOffset = { ...memo.editorOffset };
+  memo.object.overrides = { ...memo.overrides };
+}
+
+/**
+ * One sparse bag of property overrides in the project, with the asset whose schema governs it:
+ * a placed object's own, or the deviations a container instance keeps for its content. Anything
+ * rewriting overrides across the project (removing or renaming a behavior variable, counting the
+ * uses of a texture) has to cover both, or it silently misses everything inside a container.
+ */
+export interface OverrideSite {
+  holder: ObjectHolder;
+  /** The stored object the bag lives on – the placed object itself, or the container instance. */
+  object: SceneObject;
+  /** Template path inside `object`; empty when the bag is the object's own overrides. */
+  path: string;
+  assetId: string;
+  bag: PropertyBag;
+}
+
+export function overrideSites(project: Project, wanted: (assetId: string) => boolean): OverrideSite[] {
+  const sites: OverrideSite[] = [];
+  for (const holder of objectHolders(project)) {
+    for (const object of holder.objects) {
+      if (wanted(object.assetId))
+        sites.push({ holder, object, path: '', assetId: object.assetId, bag: object.overrides });
+      for (const [path, edit] of Object.entries(object.instanceEdits)) {
+        const target = instanceTargetOf(project, holder, instanceChildId(object.id, path));
+        if (target && wanted(target.template.assetId))
+          sites.push({ holder, object, path, assetId: target.template.assetId, bag: edit.overrides });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return sites;
+}
+
+// --- unpacking ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * The resolved content of an instance as objects that can be stored. The derived ids are kept:
+ * they are unique already, and anything pointing at one – the selection, a running game, a check
+ * script – keeps working across the unpack.
+ */
+export function materializeInstance(
+  project: Project,
+  holder: ObjectTree,
+  instance: SceneObject,
+): SceneObject[] {
+  return resolveObjects(project, holder)
+    .filter((o) => splitInstanceId(o.id)?.instanceId === instance.id)
+    .map((o) => ({
+      ...o,
+      position: { ...o.position },
+      editorOffset: { ...o.editorOffset },
+      overrides: { ...o.overrides },
+      instanceEdits: {},
+    }));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Spells out every live instance of the holder. The runtime needs it: entities are built from
+ * stored objects, and a behavior may destroy or move one of them – which a resolved copy could
+ * not remember. Returns true when something was written.
+ */
+export function bakeInstances(project: Project, holder: ObjectTree): boolean {
+  const parents = new Set(holder.objects.map((o) => o.parentId));
+  const live = holder.objects.filter((o) => !parents.has(o.id) && containerAssetOf(project, o) !== undefined);
+  if (live.length === 0) return false;
+  for (const instance of live) {
+    holder.objects.push(...materializeInstance(project, holder, instance));
+    instance.instanceEdits = {};
+  }
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/store/serialize.ts b/src/core/store/serialize.ts
index 8221ea7b..071495d9 100644
--- a/src/core/store/serialize.ts
+++ b/src/core/store/serialize.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import { createEmptyGraph, type Graph, type GraphEdge, type GraphNode, nodeDef } from '../graph';
 import type { Asset, TextureFrame } from '../model/Asset';
 import { isAssetType } from '../model/AssetTypes';
+import { emptyEdit, type InstanceEdit, isEmptyEdit } from '../model/instance';
 import type { PropertyBag, PropertyValue } from '../model/Properties';
 import { PROJECT_FORMAT_VERSION, type Project } from '../model/Project';
 import type { SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ function normalizeObjects(raw: unknown, schemas: Map<string, PropertySchema>): S
       overrides: normalizeBag(o.overrides, schema, true),
       // `ownerId` is the pre-hierarchy name of the same link.
       parentId: typeof o.parentId === 'string' ? o.parentId : typeof o.ownerId === 'string' ? o.ownerId : '',
-      templateId: typeof o.templateId === 'string' ? o.templateId : '',
+      instanceEdits: normalizeInstanceEdits(o.instanceEdits),
     });
   }
   // Parents must exist in the same scene, differ from the object itself and not form cycles.
@@ -120,6 +121,32 @@ function normalizeObjects(raw: unknown, schemas: Map<string, PropertySchema>): S
   return objects;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Deviations of container content, keyed by template path. Values are not coerced against a schema:
+ * which asset a path leads to depends on container assets that may not be built yet, and resolving
+ * drops what the schema does not declare anyway.
+ */
+function normalizeInstanceEdits(raw: unknown): Record<string, InstanceEdit> {
+  const edits: Record<string, InstanceEdit> = {};
+  for (const [path, value] of Object.entries(asRecord(raw))) {
+    if (!path) continue;
+    const e = asRecord(value);
+    const edit = emptyEdit();
+    if (typeof e.name === 'string') edit.name = e.name;
+    const position = asRecord(e.position);
+    for (const axis of ['x', 'y', 'z'] as const)
+      if (typeof position[axis] === 'number' && Number.isFinite(position[axis]))
+        edit.position[axis] = position[axis];
+    const offset = asRecord(e.editorOffset);
+    if (typeof offset.x === 'number' || typeof offset.y === 'number')
+      edit.editorOffset = { x: toNumber(offset.x), y: toNumber(offset.y) };
+    for (const [key, v] of Object.entries(asRecord(e.overrides)))
+      if (typeof v === 'number' || typeof v === 'string' || typeof v === 'boolean') edit.overrides[key] = v;
+    if (!isEmptyEdit(edit)) edits[path] = edit;
+  }
+  return edits;
+}
+
 function normalizeVariables(raw: unknown): PropertyDef[] {
   const defs: PropertyDef[] = [];
   const seen = new Set<string>();
diff --git a/src/editor/debugHook.ts b/src/editor/debugHook.ts
index d6204bde..f20dc215 100644
--- a/src/editor/debugHook.ts
+++ b/src/editor/debugHook.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 import { type Application, type Container, Rectangle, Text } from 'pixi.js';
+import { resolveObjects } from '../core/model/instance';
+import { findObjectHolder } from '../core/model/Project';
 import { Button, ui, Widget } from '../ui';
 import type { CentreTab, Editor } from './Editor';
 import type { EditorState } from './state';
@@ -103,8 +105,18 @@ export function installDebugHook(app: Application, state: EditorState, editor: E
     const p = popup.getGlobalPosition();
     return { x: p.x, y: p.y, w: popup.w, h: popup.h };
   };
+  /**
+   * A holder's objects the way the editor sees them: the content of placed containers is resolved
+   * from the template, so it is nowhere in `holder.objects` (see `model/instance.ts`).
+   */
+  const objectsOf = (holderId: string) => {
+    const holder = findObjectHolder(state.project, holderId);
+    return holder ? resolveObjects(state.project, holder) : [];
+  };
   (window as unknown as { __gm: unknown }).__gm = {
     state,
+    objectsOf,
+    sceneObjects: () => (state.activeScene ? objectsOf(state.activeScene.id) : []),
     locate,
     overlayTexts,
     overlayRect,
diff --git a/src/editor/inspector/objectSection.ts b/src/editor/inspector/objectSection.ts
index 63a40acd..b84da69e 100644
--- a/src/editor/inspector/objectSection.ts
+++ b/src/editor/inspector/objectSection.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
   RevertPositionToTemplateCommand,
 } from '../../core/commands/applyCommands';
 import type { Command } from '../../core/commands/Command';
+import { UnpackContainerCommand } from '../../core/commands/containerCommands';
 import {
   ClearOverrideCommand,
   MoveSceneObjectCommand,
@@ -15,8 +16,16 @@ import {
   SetParentCommand,
 } from '../../core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
 import type { Asset } from '../../core/model/Asset';
-import { type TemplateLink, templateLinkOf } from '../../core/model/container';
 import { findObject, isSelfOrAncestor, treeOrder } from '../../core/model/hierarchy';
+import {
+  type InstanceTarget,
+  instanceTargetOf,
+  isLiveInstance,
+  isTemplateContent,
+  objectRef,
+  type ObjectRef,
+  resolvedHolder,
+} from '../../core/model/instance';
 import type { Axis, PropertyBag, PropertyValue } from '../../core/model/Properties';
 import { findAsset, findObjectHolder, type ObjectHolder, type Project } from '../../core/model/Project';
 import type { SceneObject } from '../../core/model/SceneObject';
@@ -31,7 +40,7 @@ import {
   deviatesFromTemplate,
   resolveSceneObjectProps,
 } from '../../core/properties/resolve';
-import { Button, Dropdown, Menu, type MenuItem, TextField } from '../../ui';
+import { Button, Dropdown, Label, Menu, type MenuItem, TextField } from '../../ui';
 import { addCollider, createContainer, removeObjects } from '../actions';
 import { aspectActions } from './aspectAction';
 import { createFieldRow, type FieldActions, type FieldRow, labelledRow } from './fieldFactory';
@@ -43,6 +52,17 @@ const OFFSET_AXES = ['x', 'y'] as const;
 
 const offsetKey = (axis: 'x' | 'y') => `editorOffset${axis.toUpperCase()}`;
 
+/** The holder with the content of placed containers resolved in – what the inspector addresses. */
+function viewOf(project: Project, holderId: string): ObjectHolder | undefined {
+  const holder = findObjectHolder(project, holderId);
+  return holder && resolvedHolder(project, holder);
+}
+
+function targetOf(project: Project, holderId: string, objectId: string): InstanceTarget | undefined {
+  const holder = findObjectHolder(project, holderId);
+  return holder && instanceTargetOf(project, holder, objectId);
+}
+
 /** Structure-defining facts of an object selection: parent, template link and schema. */
 export function objectSignature(
   project: Project,
@@ -52,11 +72,17 @@ export function objectSignature(
 ): string {
   if (objectIds.length > 1) return `multi|${objectIds.join(',')}`;
   const holder = findObjectHolder(project, holderId);
-  const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
+  const view = holder && resolvedHolder(project, holder);
+  const object = view && findObject(view, objectId);
   const asset = object && findAsset(project, object.assetId);
-  if (!object || !asset) return 'missing';
+  if (!holder || !object || !asset) return 'missing';
+  const kind = isTemplateContent(holder, objectId)
+    ? 'template'
+    : isLiveInstance(project, holder, object)
+      ? 'instance'
+      : '';
   return (
-    `${object.parentId}|${object.templateId}|` +
+    `${object.parentId}|${kind}|` +
     schemaForAsset(asset)
       .map((d) => `${d.key}:${d.kind}`)
       .join(',')
@@ -65,11 +91,11 @@ export function objectSignature(
 
 /** Several objects: what they are, and the actions that apply to all of them at once. */
 export function buildObjectsSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, objectIds: string[]): void {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(host.state.project, holderId);
-  if (!holder) return;
+  const view = viewOf(host.state.project, holderId);
+  if (!view) return;
   addTitle(host, `${objectIds.length} OBJECTS SELECTED`);
   for (const id of objectIds) {
-    const object = findObject(holder, id);
+    const object = findObject(view, id);
     const asset = object && findAsset(host.state.project, object.assetId);
     if (object && asset) addNote(host, `${object.name || asset.name}  ·  ${asset.type}`);
   }
@@ -77,6 +103,12 @@ export function buildObjectsSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, objec
   addNote(host, 'Ctrl-click adds or removes objects.', 'small');
   addNote(host, 'Dragging one in the viewport moves all of them.', 'small');
   addGap(host);
+  const holder = findObjectHolder(host.state.project, holderId)!;
+  if (objectIds.some((id) => isTemplateContent(holder, id))) {
+    addNote(host, 'Part of the selection comes from a container', 'small');
+    addNote(host, 'template, so grouping and removing are off.', 'small');
+    return;
+  }
   host.body.add(
     new Button('Create container', { onClick: () => createContainer(host.state, holderId, objectIds) }),
   );
@@ -93,10 +125,12 @@ export function buildObjectsSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, objec
 
 /** One object: name, asset, parent, container link, the switch, position, editor offset, properties, collider button. */
 export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, objectId: string): void {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(host.state.project, holderId);
-  const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
-  const asset = object && findAsset(host.state.project, object.assetId);
-  if (!holder || !object || !asset) return;
+  const { project } = host.state;
+  const view = viewOf(project, holderId);
+  const object = view && findObject(view, objectId);
+  const asset = object && findAsset(project, object.assetId);
+  if (!view || !object || !asset) return;
+  const target = targetOf(project, holderId, objectId);
 
   addTitle(host, `${asset.type.toUpperCase()} OBJECT`);
   host.nameField = new TextField(object.name, {
@@ -117,16 +151,15 @@ export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, object
   );
   host.body.add(assetRow.row);
 
-  host.body.add(parentRow(host, holder, object));
+  host.body.add(parentRow(host, view, object, target !== undefined));
 
-  // Part of a placed container: values compare against the template, not just the asset.
-  const link = templateLinkOf(host.state.project, holder, object);
-  if (link) {
+  // Content of a placed container: values compare against the template, not just the asset.
+  if (target) {
     const linkRow = labelledRow('Part of');
     linkRow.row.add(
-      new Button(link.asset.name, {
+      new Button(target.asset.name, {
         variant: 'ghost',
-        onClick: () => host.state.select({ kind: 'asset', assetId: link.asset.id }),
+        onClick: () => host.state.select({ kind: 'asset', assetId: target.asset.id }),
       }),
       1,
     );
@@ -144,8 +177,8 @@ export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, object
       key: axis,
       label: axis.toUpperCase(),
       axis,
-      read: (o) => o.position,
-      write: (o, v) => (o.position = v),
+      read: (ref) => ref.object.position,
+      write: (ref, value) => ref.setPosition(value),
       command: (v) => new MoveSceneObjectCommand(holderId, objectId, v),
       reset: () =>
         moved()
@@ -177,12 +210,12 @@ export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, object
       key: offsetKey(axis),
       label: `Offset ${axis.toUpperCase()}`,
       axis,
-      read: (o) => o.editorOffset,
-      write: (o, v) => (o.editorOffset = v),
+      read: (ref) => ref.object.editorOffset,
+      write: (ref, value) => ref.setEditorOffset(value),
       command: (v) => new SetEditorOffsetCommand(holderId, objectId, v),
       // No apply: the offset never leaves the placed object.
       reset: () => {
-        const current = currentObject(host.state, holderId, objectId);
+        const current = currentRef(host.state, holderId, objectId)?.object;
         if (!current || current.editorOffset[axis] === 0) return [];
         return [
           {
@@ -205,16 +238,11 @@ export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, object
     addTitle(host, asset.type === 'behavior' ? 'VARIABLES' : 'PROPERTIES');
   if (own.length === 0 && asset.type === 'behavior') addNote(host, 'The behavior declares no variables.');
   for (const def of own) propertyRow(host, holderId, objectId, asset, def, values);
-  markObjectRows(host, object, asset, link);
+  markObjectRows(host, object, asset, target);
 
-  if (asset.type === 'container') {
-    const count = asset.objects.length;
-    addTitle(host, 'CONTENT');
-    addNote(host, count === 0 ? 'The container is empty.' : `Instance with ${count} template object(s).`);
-    if (count > 0) addNote(host, 'Its content is listed below it in the hierarchy.', 'small');
-  }
+  if (asset.type === 'container') contentSection(host, holderId, object, asset.objects.length);
 
-  if (asset.type !== 'collider') {
+  if (asset.type !== 'collider' && !target) {
     addGap(host);
     host.body.add(
       new Button('+ Add collider', {
@@ -225,18 +253,53 @@ export function buildObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, object
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * What a placed container holds. While it follows its template the content cannot be changed here –
+ * unpacking writes it into the scene as ordinary objects, which cuts the link for good.
+ */
+function contentSection(
+  host: InspectorHost,
+  holderId: string,
+  object: SceneObject,
+  templateCount: number,
+): void {
+  const holder = findObjectHolder(host.state.project, holderId);
+  const live = Boolean(holder && isLiveInstance(host.state.project, holder, object));
+  addTitle(host, 'CONTENT');
+  if (!live) {
+    addNote(host, 'Unpacked: its content is stored in the scene.');
+    return;
+  }
+  addNote(
+    host,
+    templateCount === 0 ? 'The container is empty.' : `Follows a template of ${templateCount} object(s).`,
+  );
+  if (templateCount === 0) return;
+  addNote(host, 'Its content is listed below it in the hierarchy.', 'small');
+  addGap(host);
+  host.body.add(
+    new Button('Unpack', {
+      variant: 'ghost',
+      onClick: () => host.state.execute(new UnpackContainerCommand(holderId, object.id)),
+    }),
+  );
+  addNote(host, 'Copies the content into the scene and stops', 'small');
+  addNote(host, 'following the template.', 'small');
+}
+
 /** Pushes the current model values into the rows. False when the object is gone (rebuild). */
 export function refreshObjectSection(host: InspectorHost, holderId: string, objectId: string): boolean {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(host.state.project, holderId);
-  const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
-  const asset = object && findAsset(host.state.project, object.assetId);
-  if (!holder || !object || !asset) return false;
+  const { project } = host.state;
+  const view = viewOf(project, holderId);
+  const object = view && findObject(view, objectId);
+  const asset = object && findAsset(project, object.assetId);
+  if (!view || !object || !asset) return false;
   host.nameField?.setValue(object.name);
   for (const axis of POSITION_AXES) host.fields.get(axis)?.setValue(object.position[axis]);
   for (const axis of OFFSET_AXES) host.fields.get(offsetKey(axis))?.setValue(object.editorOffset[axis]);
   const values = resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object);
   for (const def of schemaForAsset(asset)) host.fields.get(def.key)?.setValue(values[def.key] ?? def.default);
-  markObjectRows(host, object, asset, templateLinkOf(host.state.project, holder, object));
+  markObjectRows(host, object, asset, targetOf(project, holderId, objectId));
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -244,8 +307,8 @@ interface ComponentSpec<V extends object> {
   key: string;
   label: string;
   axis: keyof V & string;
-  read: (object: SceneObject) => V;
-  write: (object: SceneObject, value: V) => void;
+  read: (ref: ObjectRef) => V;
+  write: (ref: ObjectRef, value: V) => void;
   command: (value: V) => Command;
   reset?: FieldActions;
   apply?: FieldActions;
@@ -268,12 +331,12 @@ function componentRow<V extends object>(
     host,
     { key: spec.key, label: spec.label, kind: 'number', default: 0, step: 1 },
     value,
-    previewingHandlers<SceneObject, V>(host, {
-      target: () => currentObject(host.state, holderId, objectId),
+    previewingHandlers<ObjectRef, V>(host, {
+      target: () => currentRef(host.state, holderId, objectId),
       // Copied: the snapshot outlives the scrub, the vector in the model does not.
-      read: (object) => ({ ...spec.read(object) }),
+      read: (ref) => ({ ...spec.read(ref) }),
       write: spec.write,
-      toModel: (next, object) => withAxis(spec.read(object), next),
+      toModel: (next, ref) => withAxis(spec.read(ref), next),
       commit: spec.command,
     }),
     { reset: spec.reset, apply: spec.apply },
@@ -286,10 +349,9 @@ function componentRow<V extends object>(
  * One editable property of a placed object: writes an override, offers ↺ (back to the asset
  * or, inside a container, to the template) and ↑ (apply upwards).
  *
- * Inside a container a value has two bases – the template it was instantiated from and, one
- * step further up, the asset – so ↺/↑ can become a menu. Dropping the override is what makes
- * the object follow the asset again: the template is only read when the container is placed,
- * never at draw time.
+ * Inside a container a value has two bases – the template it follows and, one step further up,
+ * the asset. Reset always goes to the nearest one, so content of a placed container offers only
+ * "Reset to container"; "Apply to asset" still reaches past it, dropping the template's override.
  */
 function propertyRow(
   host: InspectorHost,
@@ -304,11 +366,11 @@ function propertyRow(
     host,
     def,
     values[def.key] ?? def.default,
-    previewingHandlers<SceneObject>(host, {
-      target: () => currentObject(host.state, holderId, objectId),
-      read: (object) => object.overrides[def.key],
-      write: (object, value) => (object.overrides[def.key] = value),
-      remove: (object) => delete object.overrides[def.key],
+    previewingHandlers<ObjectRef>(host, {
+      target: () => currentRef(host.state, holderId, objectId),
+      read: (ref) => ref.object.overrides[def.key],
+      write: (ref, value) => ref.setOverride(def.key, value),
+      remove: (ref) => ref.setOverride(def.key, undefined),
       commit: (value) => new SetOverrideCommand(holderId, objectId, def.key, value),
     }),
     {
@@ -342,7 +404,7 @@ function propertyRow(
         ];
       },
       apply: () => {
-        const { template, asset } = bases();
+        const { template, applyToAsset } = bases();
         return [
           ...(template
             ? [
@@ -353,7 +415,7 @@ function propertyRow(
                 },
               ]
             : []),
-          ...(asset
+          ...(applyToAsset
             ? [
                 {
                   label: 'Apply to asset',
@@ -373,22 +435,28 @@ function propertyRow(
 
 /**
  * "Parent: <name> ▾" – picks another object of the same scene or container, or none. The object's own
- * subtree is excluded (that would be a cycle). For behaviors the parent is the owner.
+ * subtree is excluded (that would be a cycle). For behaviors the parent is the owner. Content of a
+ * placed container only shows its parent: where it hangs is the template's business.
  */
-function parentRow(host: InspectorHost, holder: ObjectHolder, object: SceneObject) {
+function parentRow(host: InspectorHost, holder: ObjectHolder, object: SceneObject, fixed: boolean) {
   const { row } = labelledRow('Parent');
   const nameOf = (o: SceneObject) => o.name || findAsset(host.state.project, o.assetId)?.name || '?';
   const parent = findObject(holder, object.parentId);
-  const button = new Dropdown(parent ? nameOf(parent) : 'None');
+  const name = parent ? nameOf(parent) : 'None';
+  if (fixed) {
+    row.add(new Label(name, { style: 'muted' }), 1);
+    return row;
+  }
+  const button = new Dropdown(name);
   button.onClick = () => {
     const items: MenuItem[] = [
       { label: 'None', onSelect: () => host.state.execute(new SetParentCommand(holder.id, object.id, '')) },
     ];
     for (const { object: candidate, depth } of treeOrder(holder)) {
       if (isSelfOrAncestor(holder, object.id, candidate.id)) continue;
-      const name = `${'   '.repeat(depth)}${nameOf(candidate)}`;
+      const label = `${'   '.repeat(depth)}${nameOf(candidate)}`;
       items.push({
-        label: candidate.id === object.parentId ? `● ${name}` : name,
+        label: candidate.id === object.parentId ? `● ${label}` : label,
         onSelect: () => host.state.execute(new SetParentCommand(holder.id, object.id, candidate.id)),
       });
     }
@@ -400,49 +468,51 @@ function parentRow(host: InspectorHost, holder: ObjectHolder, object: SceneObjec
 }
 
 /**
- * Bold marks exactly what the ↺/↑ buttons offer: for a container instance a deviation from
- * the template (position per axis, overrides), for any other object one from the asset. The
+ * Bold marks exactly what the ↺/↑ buttons offer: for content of a placed container a deviation
+ * from the template (position per axis, overrides), for any other object one from the asset. The
  * editor offset has one base only – no offset at all.
  */
 function markObjectRows(
   host: InspectorHost,
   object: SceneObject,
   asset: Asset,
-  link: TemplateLink | undefined,
+  target: InstanceTarget | undefined,
 ): void {
   for (const axis of POSITION_AXES)
     host.fields
       .get(axis)
-      ?.setModified(Boolean(link) && object.position[axis] !== link!.template.position[axis]);
+      ?.setModified(Boolean(target) && object.position[axis] !== target!.template.position[axis]);
   for (const axis of OFFSET_AXES)
     host.fields.get(offsetKey(axis))?.setModified(object.editorOffset[axis] !== 0);
   for (const def of schemaForAsset(asset)) {
-    const deviates = link
-      ? deviatesFromTemplate(object, link.template, def.key)
+    const deviates = target
+      ? deviatesFromTemplate(object, target.template, def.key)
       : deviatesFromAsset(object, asset, def.key);
     host.fields.get(def.key)?.setModified(deviates);
   }
 }
 
 /**
- * The two bases a property can be reset to or applied upwards, each only when it actually
- * differs: the template of the container the object belongs to, and the asset behind it.
- * Evaluated on demand so a menu never acts on a stale snapshot.
+ * What the ↺/↑ menus may offer, each only when it actually differs. Reset goes to the nearest base
+ * only: dropping a deviation inside a container lands on the template, never past it. Evaluated on
+ * demand so a menu never acts on a stale snapshot.
  */
 function deviations(
   state: InspectorHost['state'],
   holderId: string,
   objectId: string,
   key: string,
-): { template: boolean; asset: boolean } {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(state.project, holderId);
-  const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
+): { template: boolean; asset: boolean; applyToAsset: boolean } {
+  const view = viewOf(state.project, holderId);
+  const object = view && findObject(view, objectId);
   const asset = object && findAsset(state.project, object.assetId);
-  if (!holder || !object || !asset) return { template: false, asset: false };
-  const link = templateLinkOf(state.project, holder, object);
+  if (!view || !object || !asset) return { template: false, asset: false, applyToAsset: false };
+  const target = targetOf(state.project, holderId, objectId);
+  const fromAsset = deviatesFromAsset(object, asset, key);
   return {
-    template: Boolean(link) && deviatesFromTemplate(object, link!.template, key),
-    asset: deviatesFromAsset(object, asset, key),
+    template: Boolean(target) && deviatesFromTemplate(object, target!.template, key),
+    asset: !target && fromAsset,
+    applyToAsset: fromAsset,
   };
 }
 
@@ -453,24 +523,23 @@ function positionMoved(
   objectId: string,
   axis: Axis,
 ): boolean {
-  const holder = findObjectHolder(state.project, holderId);
-  const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
-  const link = holder && object && templateLinkOf(state.project, holder, object);
-  return Boolean(link) && object!.position[axis] !== link!.template.position[axis];
+  const target = targetOf(state.project, holderId, objectId);
+  const object = currentRef(state, holderId, objectId)?.object;
+  return Boolean(target && object) && object!.position[axis] !== target!.template.position[axis];
 }
 
-function currentObject(
+function currentRef(
   state: InspectorHost['state'],
   holderId: string,
   objectId: string,
-): SceneObject | undefined {
+): ObjectRef | undefined {
   const holder = findObjectHolder(state.project, holderId);
-  return holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
+  return holder && objectRef(state.project, holder, objectId);
 }
 
 /** The values the object shows right now, asset defaults and overrides merged. */
 function currentProps(state: InspectorHost['state'], holderId: string, objectId: string): PropertyBag | null {
-  const object = currentObject(state, holderId, objectId);
+  const object = currentRef(state, holderId, objectId)?.object;
   const asset = object && findAsset(state.project, object.assetId);
   return object && asset ? resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object) : null;
 }
diff --git a/src/editor/panels/HierarchyPanel.ts b/src/editor/panels/HierarchyPanel.ts
index b15fddc7..3836e280 100644
--- a/src/editor/panels/HierarchyPanel.ts
+++ b/src/editor/panels/HierarchyPanel.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
+import { UnpackContainerCommand } from '../../core/commands/containerCommands';
 import { SetParentCommand } from '../../core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
 import { hasColorSwatch } from '../../core/model/AssetTypes';
 import { ancestorIdsOf, findObject, visibleTreeOrder } from '../../core/model/hierarchy';
+import { isLiveInstance, isTemplateContent, resolvedHolder } from '../../core/model/instance';
 import { findAsset, type ObjectHolder } from '../../core/model/Project';
 import { resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../../core/properties/resolve';
 import { ListView, Menu, Panel, ScrollContainer } from '../../ui';
@@ -79,8 +81,10 @@ export class HierarchyPanel extends Panel {
     this.refresh();
   }
 
+  /** With the content of placed containers resolved in – the rows show it like any other object. */
   private holder(): ObjectHolder | undefined {
-    return this.source();
+    const holder = this.source();
+    return holder && resolvedHolder(this.state.project, holder);
   }
 
   /** Ids of the rows currently shown – subtrees of collapsed objects are not among them (test hook). */
@@ -113,6 +117,11 @@ export class HierarchyPanel extends Panel {
     const inScene = holder.type === 'scene';
     const object = findObject(holder, id);
     const type = object && findAsset(state.project, object.assetId)?.type;
+    // Content of a placed container belongs to its template: values can be changed here, the
+    // structure cannot (see `model/instance.ts`).
+    const source = this.source();
+    const fromTemplate = Boolean(source && isTemplateContent(source, id));
+    const instance = Boolean(object && source && isLiveInstance(state.project, source, object));
     // Inside a multi-selection the menu acts on all selected objects.
     const selected = state.selectedObjectIds.includes(id) ? state.selectedObjectIds : [id];
     const many = selected.length > 1;
@@ -123,16 +132,22 @@ export class HierarchyPanel extends Panel {
       },
       {
         label: 'Add collider',
-        disabled: !type || type === 'collider' || many,
+        disabled: !type || type === 'collider' || many || fromTemplate || instance,
         onSelect: () => addCollider(state, holder.id, id),
       },
       {
         label: many ? `Create container from ${selected.length} objects` : 'Create container',
+        disabled: !source || selected.some((oid) => isTemplateContent(source, oid)),
         onSelect: () => createContainer(state, holder.id, selected),
       },
+      {
+        label: 'Unpack container',
+        disabled: !instance,
+        onSelect: () => state.execute(new UnpackContainerCommand(holder.id, id)),
+      },
       {
         label: 'Unparent (move to top level)',
-        disabled: !object?.parentId || many,
+        disabled: !object?.parentId || many || fromTemplate,
         onSelect: () => state.execute(new SetParentCommand(holder.id, id, '')),
       },
       { label: 'Expand all', onSelect: () => this.expandAll() },
@@ -142,6 +157,7 @@ export class HierarchyPanel extends Panel {
           ? `Remove ${selected.length} objects from ${inScene ? 'scene' : 'container'}`
           : `Remove from ${inScene ? 'scene' : 'container'}`,
         danger: true,
+        disabled: !source || selected.some((oid) => isTemplateContent(source, oid)),
         onSelect: () => removeObjects(state, holder.id, selected),
       },
     ]);
diff --git a/src/editor/state.ts b/src/editor/state.ts
index 47486daa..f2363aa6 100644
--- a/src/editor/state.ts
+++ b/src/editor/state.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { type Command, CommandError } from '../core/commands/Command';
 import { CommandStack } from '../core/commands/CommandStack';
 import type { Asset, SceneAsset } from '../core/model/Asset';
 import { findObject } from '../core/model/hierarchy';
+import { resolvedHolder } from '../core/model/instance';
 import {
   createEmptyProject,
   findAsset,
@@ -232,7 +233,8 @@ export class EditorState {
     if (s.kind === 'asset' && !findAsset(this.project, s.assetId)) this.select(null);
     if (s.kind === 'object') {
       const holder = findObjectHolder(this.project, s.holderId);
-      const alive = holder ? s.objectIds.filter((id) => findObject(holder, id)) : [];
+      const view = holder && resolvedHolder(this.project, holder);
+      const alive = view ? s.objectIds.filter((id) => findObject(view, id)) : [];
       if (alive.length !== s.objectIds.length) this.select(objectSelection(s.holderId, alive, s.objectId));
     }
     if (s.kind === 'node') {
@@ -287,7 +289,8 @@ export class EditorState {
     if (s.kind === 'asset') return findAsset(this.project, s.assetId);
     if (s.kind !== 'object') return undefined;
     const holder = findObjectHolder(this.project, s.holderId);
-    const assetId = holder && findObject(holder, s.objectId)?.assetId;
+    const view = holder && resolvedHolder(this.project, holder);
+    const assetId = view && findObject(view, s.objectId)?.assetId;
     return assetId ? findAsset(this.project, assetId) : undefined;
   }
 
diff --git a/src/runtime/World.ts b/src/runtime/World.ts
index d5893213..098ac2d3 100644
--- a/src/runtime/World.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/World.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { isHandleEnabled, type PointerState, worldPositionOf } from '../core/gra
 import { newId } from '../core/ids';
 import type { Asset } from '../core/model/Asset';
 import { isPlaceableType } from '../core/model/AssetTypes';
-import { instantiateContainer } from '../core/model/container';
+import { bakeInstances, materializeInstance } from '../core/model/instance';
 import { findObject } from '../core/model/hierarchy';
 import { descendantsBelow } from '../core/model/walk';
 import { findAsset, findScene, type Project } from '../core/model/Project';
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ export class World {
   syncFromModel(): void {
     const scene = findScene(this.project, this.sceneId);
     if (!scene) return;
+    // Entities are built from stored objects, and a behavior may move or destroy one of them –
+    // which content resolved from a container template could not remember. So it is written out
+    // once, into the play-mode copy of the model that is thrown away afterwards.
+    if (bakeInstances(this.project, scene)) this.structureChanged = true;
     const background = scene.props.backgroundColor;
     this.backgroundColor = typeof background === 'number' ? background : 0x000000;
     const keep = new Set<Entity>();
@@ -141,15 +145,13 @@ export class World {
     if (!scene || !asset || !isPlaceableType(asset.type)) return null;
     const parentEntity = parent && this.entities.includes(parent) ? parent : null;
     const object = createSceneObject(newId(), asset.id, position, parentEntity?.objectId ?? '');
+    scene.objects.push(object);
     // A container brings its content along (parented below it, in template order).
-    const created = [
-      object,
-      ...(asset.type === 'container' ? instantiateContainer(this.project, asset, object.id) : []),
-    ];
+    const created = asset.type === 'container' ? materializeInstance(this.project, scene, object) : [];
     scene.objects.push(...created);
     const entity = this.materialize(object, asset);
     entity.parent = parentEntity;
-    for (const child of created.slice(1)) {
+    for (const child of created) {
       const childAsset = findAsset(this.project, child.assetId);
       if (!childAsset || !isPlaceableType(childAsset.type)) continue;
       this.materialize(child, childAsset).parent = this.findByObjectId(child.parentId) ?? null;
diff --git a/src/viewport/SceneViewport.ts b/src/viewport/SceneViewport.ts
index b48ba345..2f78eb21 100644
--- a/src/viewport/SceneViewport.ts
+++ b/src/viewport/SceneViewport.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { CompoundCommand } from '../core/commands/CompoundCommand';
 import { MoveSceneObjectCommand } from '../core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
 import { isSymbolType } from '../core/model/AssetTypes';
 import { findObject, subtreeRoots } from '../core/model/hierarchy';
+import { objectRef, resolvedHolder } from '../core/model/instance';
 import type { Position, Vec2 } from '../core/model/Properties';
 import type { ObjectHolder } from '../core/model/Project';
 import { footprintOf } from '../core/properties/bounds';
@@ -79,6 +80,12 @@ export class SceneViewport extends WorldViewport {
     return this.state.activeScene;
   }
 
+  /** The holder with the content of placed containers resolved in – what the view shows. */
+  private resolved(): ObjectHolder | undefined {
+    const holder = this.holder();
+    return holder && resolvedHolder(this.state.project, holder);
+  }
+
   /** World coordinates at the centre of the view. */
   worldCenter(): Vec2 {
     return { x: Math.round(this.view.x), y: Math.round(this.view.y) };
@@ -173,13 +180,11 @@ export class SceneViewport extends WorldViewport {
       if (!holder) return;
       // A world-space delta is a local-space delta as well (no rotation/scale in the hierarchy).
       for (const item of this.dragging.items) {
-        const object = findObject(holder, item.objectId);
-        if (object)
-          object.position = {
-            x: Math.round(item.start.x + dx),
-            y: Math.round(item.start.y + dy),
-            z: item.start.z,
-          };
+        objectRef(this.state.project, holder, item.objectId)?.setPosition({
+          x: Math.round(item.start.x + dx),
+          y: Math.round(item.start.y + dy),
+          z: item.start.z,
+        });
       }
       this.state.preview();
     } else if (this.marquee) {
@@ -212,10 +217,10 @@ export class SceneViewport extends WorldViewport {
     // The preview moved the objects already; put them back so the command records the start.
     const moves: MoveSceneObjectCommand[] = [];
     for (const item of drag.items) {
-      const object = findObject(holder, item.objectId);
-      if (!object) continue;
-      const next = { ...object.position };
-      object.position = { ...item.start };
+      const ref = objectRef(this.state.project, holder, item.objectId);
+      if (!ref) continue;
+      const next = { ...ref.object.position };
+      ref.setPosition(item.start);
       moves.push(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(drag.holderId, item.objectId, next));
     }
     if (moves.length === 1) this.state.execute(moves[0]!);
@@ -235,7 +240,7 @@ export class SceneViewport extends WorldViewport {
 
   protected override onItemPointerDown(objectId: string, e: FederatedPointerEvent): void {
     if (e.button !== 0) return;
-    const holder = this.holder();
+    const holder = this.resolved();
     const object = holder && findObject(holder, objectId);
     if (!holder || !object) return;
     e.stopPropagation();
diff --git a/src/viewport/items.ts b/src/viewport/items.ts
index 7d22315b..63754dba 100644
--- a/src/viewport/items.ts
+++ b/src/viewport/items.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { isHandleEnabled, worldPositionOf } from '../core/graph';
 import { type AssetType, isSymbolType } from '../core/model/AssetTypes';
 import { editorPosition, treeOrder } from '../core/model/hierarchy';
+import { resolvedHolder } from '../core/model/instance';
 import type { PropertyBag } from '../core/model/Properties';
 import { findAsset, type ObjectHolder, type Project } from '../core/model/Project';
 import { resolveTexture, type TextureRef } from '../core/model/texture';
@@ -33,7 +34,8 @@ interface DrawList {
 
 /**
  * A scene or a container template, in tree order – the tie-break for equal `z` – at the editor
- * positions. A container has no background of its own, so it keeps the fallback.
+ * positions, with the content of placed containers resolved in. A container has no background of
+ * its own, so it keeps the fallback.
  */
 export function collectHolderItems(
   project: Project,
@@ -41,8 +43,9 @@ export function collectHolderItems(
   fallbackBackground: number,
 ): DrawList {
   if (!holder) return { items: [], background: fallbackBackground };
+  const view = resolvedHolder(project, holder);
   const items: DrawItem[] = [];
-  for (const { object } of treeOrder(holder)) {
+  for (const { object } of treeOrder(view)) {
     const asset = findAsset(project, object.assetId);
     if (!asset) continue;
     const props = resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object);
@@ -50,7 +53,7 @@ export function collectHolderItems(
       id: object.id,
       type: asset.type,
       name: object.name || asset.name,
-      ...editorPosition(holder, object),
+      ...editorPosition(view, object),
       props,
       parentId: object.parentId,
       enabled: true,
diff --git a/tests/core/apply.test.ts b/tests/core/apply.test.ts
index ed3d3945..1e31b492 100644
--- a/tests/core/apply.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/apply.test.ts
@@ -9,39 +9,46 @@ import {
 import { CreateContainerCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/containerCommands';
 import { MoveSceneObjectCommand, SetOverrideCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
 import type { ContainerAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Asset';
-import { templateLinkOf } from '../../src/core/model/container';
+import { instanceChildId, instanceTargetOf } from '../../src/core/model/instance';
 import { findAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Project';
 import { makeSpriteScene, place } from '../helpers';
 
 /**
- * A container made from two boxes (a at (100,100), b at (10,0)) and a second placed instance
- * of it. `a` is the original, `a2` its copy in the instance.
+ * A container made from two boxes (a at (100,100), b at (10,0)) and a second placed instance of it.
+ * `a` is the content of the first instance, `a2` the same template object in the second – neither
+ * is stored in the scene, both are resolved from the template.
  */
 function setup() {
   const f = makeSpriteScene();
-  const a = place(f, f.spriteId, { x: 100, y: 100 });
-  const b = place(f, f.spriteId, { x: 10, y: 0 });
-  const create = new CreateContainerCommand(f.sceneId, [a, b]);
+  const create = new CreateContainerCommand(f.sceneId, [
+    place(f, f.spriteId, { x: 100, y: 100 }),
+    place(f, f.spriteId, { x: 10, y: 0 }),
+  ]);
   f.stack.execute(create);
   const instance = place(f, create.assetId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
   const container = () => findAsset(f.project, create.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
-  const templateOfA = () => container().objects.find((t) => t.id === f.object(a).templateId)!;
-  const a2 = f
-    .sceneOf()
-    .objects.find((o) => o.parentId === instance && o.templateId === f.object(a).templateId)!.id;
-  return { ...f, a, b, a2, container, templateOfA };
+  const templateA = container().objects[0]!.id;
+  return {
+    ...f,
+    instanceId: create.objectId,
+    instance,
+    container,
+    templateA,
+    a: instanceChildId(create.objectId, templateA),
+    a2: instanceChildId(instance, templateA),
+    templateOfA: () => container().objects.find((t) => t.id === templateA)!,
+  };
 }
 
 describe('template link', () => {
-  it('resolves the container and template for instance objects only', () => {
-    const { project, a, a2, sceneOf, object, container, templateOfA } = setup();
+  it('resolves the container and template for resolved content only', () => {
+    const { project, a, a2, sceneOf, instanceId, container, templateOfA } = setup();
     const scene = sceneOf();
-    const link = templateLinkOf(project, scene, object(a2));
-    expect(link?.asset.id).toBe(container().id);
-    expect(link?.template).toBe(templateOfA());
-    expect(templateLinkOf(project, scene, object(a))?.template).toBe(templateOfA());
-    const containerObject = scene.objects.find((o) => o.assetId === container().id)!;
-    expect(templateLinkOf(project, scene, containerObject)).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(instanceTargetOf(project, scene, a2)?.asset.id).toBe(container().id);
+    expect(instanceTargetOf(project, scene, a2)?.template).toBe(templateOfA());
+    expect(instanceTargetOf(project, scene, a)?.template).toBe(templateOfA());
+    // The container object itself is stored, so it has no template behind it.
+    expect(instanceTargetOf(project, scene, instanceId)).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/core/container.test.ts b/tests/core/container.test.ts
index 3df9334b..9373b327 100644
--- a/tests/core/container.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/container.test.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 import { DeleteAssetCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/assetCommands';
 import { CommandError } from '../../src/core/commands/Command';
 import { CompoundCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/CompoundCommand';
-import { CreateContainerCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/containerCommands';
+import { CreateContainerCommand, UnpackContainerCommand } from '../../src/core/commands/containerCommands';
 import {
   MoveSceneObjectCommand,
   PlaceAssetCommand,
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { worldPositionOf } from '../../src/core/graph';
 import type { ContainerAsset } from '../../src/core/model/Asset';
 import { containerReaches } from '../../src/core/model/container';
 import { descendantsOf, subtreeRoots, treeOrder } from '../../src/core/model/hierarchy';
+import { instanceChildId } from '../../src/core/model/instance';
 import { findAsset, findScene } from '../../src/core/model/Project';
 import { createSceneObject } from '../../src/core/model/SceneObject';
 import { makeSpriteScene, place, roundTrip, startWorld } from '../helpers';
@@ -31,13 +32,28 @@ function setup() {
   return { ...f, a, b, c };
 }
 
-/** The container asset built from a and b (c comes along below b), plus lookups into its template. */
+/**
+ * The container asset built from a, b and c – which leaves the scene holding the container object
+ * alone. `child` addresses the content the instance resolves; `tA`/`tB`/`tC` are the template
+ * objects it comes from, in the order `CreateContainerCommand` built them (tree order).
+ */
 function templateSetup() {
   const f = setup();
   const create = new CreateContainerCommand(f.sceneId, [f.a, f.b]);
   f.stack.execute(create);
   const asset = () => findAsset(f.project, create.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
-  return { ...f, containerId: create.assetId, asset, templateIdOf: (id: string) => f.object(id).templateId };
+  const [tA, tB, tC] = asset().objects.map((t) => t.id) as [string, string, string];
+  return {
+    ...f,
+    containerId: create.assetId,
+    instanceId: create.objectId,
+    asset,
+    tA,
+    tB,
+    tC,
+    template: (id: string) => asset().objects.find((t) => t.id === id)!,
+    child: (templateId: string, instanceId = create.objectId) => instanceChildId(instanceId, templateId),
+  };
 }
 
 /** Three container assets holding one box each, none of them nested yet. */
@@ -61,59 +77,65 @@ describe('subtree roots', () => {
 });
 
 describe('CreateContainerCommand', () => {
-  it('centres the template on the selection and re-parents the roots, keeping world positions', () => {
-    const { project, stack, sceneId, spriteId, a, b, c, sceneOf, object, world } = setup();
+  it('centres the template on the selection and shows it again through the placed container', () => {
+    const { project, stack, sceneId, spriteId, a, b, c, sceneOf, viewOf, object, world } = setup();
     const before = { a: world(a), b: world(b), c: world(c) };
     const command = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [a, b]);
     stack.execute(command);
 
     // Bounding box of (100,100) and (10,0) → centre (55,50); z is always 0.
     const container = object(command.objectId);
-    expect(container.assetId).toBe(command.assetId);
-    expect(container.parentId).toBe('');
     expect(container.position).toEqual({ x: 55, y: 50, z: 0 });
-    expect(object(a).parentId).toBe(command.objectId);
-    expect(object(a).position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
-    expect(object(b).position).toEqual({ x: -45, y: -50, z: 0 });
-    expect(object(c).parentId).toBe(b); // descendants keep their local frame
-    expect(object(c).position).toEqual({ x: -10, y: 5, z: 0 });
-    expect({ a: world(a), b: world(b), c: world(c) }).toEqual(before);
+    // The members are gone from the scene: the container object is all that is stored.
+    expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).toEqual([command.objectId]);
 
-    // The asset holds the same structure with private ids; the members point at it.
     const asset = findAsset(project, command.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
     expect(asset.type).toBe('container');
     expect(asset.objects).toHaveLength(3);
-    const template = (id: string) => asset.objects.find((t) => t.id === object(id).templateId)!;
-    expect(template(a).position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
-    expect(template(a).parentId).toBe('');
-    expect(template(c).parentId).toBe(template(b).id);
-    expect(template(c).assetId).toBe(spriteId);
+    const [tA, tB, tC] = asset.objects;
+    expect(tA!.position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
+    expect(tA!.parentId).toBe('');
+    expect(tC!.parentId).toBe(tB!.id);
+    expect(tC!.assetId).toBe(spriteId);
     expect(asset.objects.map((t) => t.id)).not.toContain(a);
-    expect(treeOrder(sceneOf()).map((e) => e.object.id)).toEqual([command.objectId, a, b, c]);
+
+    // What the editor lists: the container plus the content resolved from the template, and the
+    // three objects still stand exactly where they did.
+    const ids = treeOrder(viewOf()).map((e) => e.object.id);
+    expect(ids).toEqual([
+      command.objectId,
+      instanceChildId(command.objectId, tA!.id),
+      instanceChildId(command.objectId, tB!.id),
+      instanceChildId(command.objectId, tC!.id),
+    ]);
+    expect(world(ids[1]!)).toEqual(before.a);
+    expect(world(ids[2]!)).toEqual(before.b);
+    expect(world(ids[3]!)).toEqual(before.c);
 
     stack.undo();
     expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).toEqual([a, b, c]);
     expect(object(a).parentId).toBe('');
     expect(object(a).position).toEqual({ x: 100, y: 100, z: 1 });
-    expect(object(a).templateId).toBe('');
     expect(project.assets.some((x) => x.id === command.assetId)).toBe(false);
     stack.redo();
-    expect(object(a).parentId).toBe(command.objectId);
-    expect(world(a)).toEqual(before.a);
+    expect(world(instanceChildId(command.objectId, tA!.id))).toEqual(before.a);
   });
 
   it('places the container below the parent all roots share', () => {
     const f = setup();
-    const { stack, sceneId, spriteId, b, c, object, world } = f;
+    const { project, stack, sceneId, spriteId, b, c, object, world } = f;
     const d = place(f, spriteId, { x: 30, y: 25 }, b);
     const command = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [c, d]);
     stack.execute(command);
+
     const container = object(command.objectId);
     expect(container.parentId).toBe(b);
     // World centre of c (0,5) and d (30,25) is (15,15); b is at (10,0) → local (5,15).
     expect(container.position).toEqual({ x: 5, y: 15, z: 0 });
-    expect(world(c)).toEqual({ x: 0, y: 5, z: 0 });
-    expect(world(d)).toEqual({ x: 30, y: 25, z: 0 });
+    const asset = findAsset(project, command.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
+    const [tc, td] = asset.objects.map((t) => instanceChildId(command.objectId, t.id));
+    expect(world(tc!)).toEqual({ x: 0, y: 5, z: 0 });
+    expect(world(td!)).toEqual({ x: 30, y: 25, z: 0 });
   });
 
   it('rejects an empty or unknown selection', () => {
@@ -124,64 +146,55 @@ describe('CreateContainerCommand', () => {
 });
 
 describe('placing a container', () => {
-  it('instantiates the template with fresh ids below the placed object', () => {
-    const f = setup();
-    const { project, stack, sceneId, a, b, c, sceneOf, object, world } = f;
-    const create = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [a, b]);
-    stack.execute(create);
-    const placed = place(f, create.assetId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
+  it('stores one object and resolves the template below it', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { stack, sceneOf, viewOf, world, containerId, tA, tB, tC } = f;
+    const stored = sceneOf().objects.length;
+    const placed = place(f, containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
 
-    const copies = sceneOf().objects.filter((o) => ![a, b, c, create.objectId].includes(o.id));
-    expect(copies).toHaveLength(4); // container + 3 template objects
-    const root = object(placed);
-    expect(root.assetId).toBe(create.assetId);
-    const asset = findAsset(project, create.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
-    const copyOf = (id: string) => copies.find((o) => o.templateId === object(id).templateId)!;
-    expect(copyOf(a).parentId).toBe(placed);
-    expect(world(copyOf(a).id)).toEqual({ x: 1045, y: 50, z: 1 });
-    expect(copyOf(c).parentId).toBe(copyOf(b).id);
-    expect(world(copyOf(c).id)).toEqual({ x: 945, y: -45, z: 0 });
-    expect(new Set(copies.map((o) => o.id)).size).toBe(4);
-    expect(asset.objects.map((t) => t.id)).not.toContain(copyOf(a).id);
+    expect(sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(stored + 1);
+    expect(descendantsOf(viewOf(), placed).map((o) => o.id)).toEqual([
+      instanceChildId(placed, tA),
+      instanceChildId(placed, tB),
+      instanceChildId(placed, tC),
+    ]);
+    expect(world(instanceChildId(placed, tA))).toEqual({ x: 1045, y: 50, z: 1 });
+    expect(world(instanceChildId(placed, tC))).toEqual({ x: 945, y: -45, z: 0 });
 
     stack.undo();
-    expect(sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(4);
-    expect(sceneOf().objects.some((o) => o.id === placed)).toBe(false);
+    expect(sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(stored);
+    expect(viewOf().objects.some((o) => o.id === placed)).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  it('survives a save/load round trip', () => {
-    const { project, stack, sceneId, a, b } = setup();
-    const create = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [a, b]);
-    stack.execute(create);
+  it('survives a save/load round trip, instance edits included', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { project, stack, sceneId, containerId, instanceId, tA } = f;
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, f.child(tA), 'width', 12));
     const loaded = roundTrip(project);
-    const asset = findAsset(loaded, create.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
-    expect(asset.type).toBe('container');
+    const asset = findAsset(loaded, containerId) as ContainerAsset;
     expect(asset.objects).toHaveLength(3);
     const scene = findScene(loaded, sceneId)!;
-    expect(scene.objects.find((o) => o.id === a)?.templateId).toBe(asset.objects[0]!.id);
-    expect(scene.objects.find((o) => o.id === create.objectId)?.assetId).toBe(create.assetId);
+    const instance = scene.objects.find((o) => o.id === instanceId)!;
+    expect(instance.assetId).toBe(containerId);
+    expect(instance.instanceEdits[tA]?.overrides.width).toBe(12);
   });
 
-  it('deleting an asset removes its template objects from containers too', () => {
-    const { project, stack, sceneId, spriteId, a, b, sceneOf } = setup();
-    const create = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [a, b]);
-    stack.execute(create);
-    const asset = () => findAsset(project, create.assetId) as ContainerAsset;
+  it('deleting an asset removes its template objects, and the content with them', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { project, stack, spriteId, containerId, asset, viewOf } = f;
     stack.execute(new DeleteAssetCommand(spriteId));
     expect(asset().objects).toHaveLength(0);
-    expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).toEqual([create.objectId]);
+    expect(viewOf().objects).toHaveLength(1); // the container object, now empty
     stack.undo();
     expect(asset().objects).toHaveLength(3);
-    expect(sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(4);
+    expect(viewOf().objects).toHaveLength(4);
+    expect(findAsset(project, containerId)).toBeDefined();
   });
 
   it('spawns a container with its content at runtime', () => {
-    const f = setup();
-    const { stack, sceneId, a, b, sceneOf } = f;
-    const create = new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [a, b]);
-    stack.execute(create);
+    const f = templateSetup();
     const { world } = startWorld(f);
-    const spawned = world.spawn(create.assetId, { x: 500, y: 500, z: 0 }, null)!;
+    const spawned = world.spawn(f.containerId, { x: 500, y: 500, z: 0 }, null)!;
     expect(spawned.type).toBe('container');
     const children = world.entities.filter((e) => e.parent === spawned);
     expect(children).toHaveLength(2);
@@ -189,138 +202,204 @@ describe('placing a container', () => {
     expect(worldPositionOf(children.find((e) => e.z === 1)!)).toEqual({ x: 545, y: 550, z: 1 });
     expect(worldPositionOf(grandchild)).toEqual({ x: 445, y: 455, z: 0 });
     expect(world.syncToModel()).toBe(true);
-    expect(sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(8);
+    // Play bakes the placed container into stored objects, and the spawn adds a second set.
+    expect(f.sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(8);
   });
 });
 
 describe('editing a container template', () => {
-  it('moves, renames, overrides and removes template objects addressed by the container id', () => {
-    const { stack, containerId, a, asset, object, templateIdOf } = templateSetup();
-    const templateA = templateIdOf(a);
-    const template = () => asset().objects.find((t) => t.id === templateA);
+  it('reaches the content of every placed instance', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { stack, containerId, tA, template, object, child } = f;
+    const second = place(f, containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
 
-    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, templateA, { x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 }));
-    stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(containerId, templateA, 'Hero'));
-    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, templateA, 'width', 55));
-    expect(template()!.position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
-    expect(template()!.name).toBe('Hero');
-    expect(template()!.overrides.width).toBe(55);
-    // a is a copy of that template and held its old values, so it follows all three.
-    expect(object(a).position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
-    expect(object(a).name).toBe('Hero');
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBe(55);
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, tA, { x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 }));
+    stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(containerId, tA, 'Hero'));
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, tA, 'width', 55));
+    expect(template(tA).position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
 
-    stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, templateA));
-    expect(template()).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(asset().objects).toHaveLength(2);
+    for (const instance of [f.instanceId, second]) {
+      expect(object(child(tA, instance)).position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
+      expect(object(child(tA, instance)).name).toBe('Hero');
+      expect(object(child(tA, instance)).overrides.width).toBe(55);
+    }
+
+    stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, tA));
+    expect(template(tA)).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(f.viewOf().objects.some((o) => o.id === child(tA, second))).toBe(false);
 
     stack.undo();
-    expect(template()!.overrides.width).toBe(55);
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).overrides.width).toBe(55);
     stack.undo();
-    expect(template()!.overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
     stack.undo();
-    expect(template()!.name).toBe('');
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).name).toBe('');
     stack.undo();
-    expect(template()!.position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
   });
 
   it('restores the template order when a removal is undone', () => {
-    const { stack, containerId, a, b, c, asset, templateIdOf } = templateSetup();
-    const ids = [templateIdOf(a), templateIdOf(b), templateIdOf(c)];
-    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual(ids);
+    const { stack, containerId, asset, tA, tB, tC } = templateSetup();
+    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual([tA, tB, tC]);
 
-    stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectsCommand(containerId, [ids[1]!]));
-    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual([ids[0]]);
+    stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectsCommand(containerId, [tB]));
+    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual([tA]);
     stack.undo();
-    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual(ids);
-    expect(asset().objects[2]!.parentId).toBe(ids[1]);
+    expect(asset().objects.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual([tA, tB, tC]);
+    expect(asset().objects[2]!.parentId).toBe(tB);
   });
 
   it('rejects an object id that belongs to the scene rather than to the template', () => {
-    const { stack, containerId, a } = templateSetup();
-    expect(() => stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(containerId, a, 'Hero'))).toThrow(/not found/);
+    const { stack, containerId, instanceId } = templateSetup();
+    expect(() => stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(containerId, instanceId, 'Hero'))).toThrow(
+      /not found/,
+    );
   });
 });
 
-describe('a template edit reaching the placed copies', () => {
-  /** The container placed a second time, with a lookup from a template object to that fresh copy. */
-  function placedSetup() {
+describe('a value changed on one instance', () => {
+  it('is kept as a sparse edit and stops the value from following', () => {
     const f = templateSetup();
-    const before = new Set(f.sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id));
-    place(f, f.containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
-    return {
-      ...f,
-      copyOf: (id: string) =>
-        f.sceneOf().objects.find((o) => !before.has(o.id) && o.templateId === f.templateIdOf(id))!,
-    };
-  }
+    const { stack, sceneId, containerId, instanceId, tA, object, child, sceneOf } = f;
+    const second = place(f, containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, child(tA), 'width', 12));
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, tA, 'width', 55));
 
-  it('carries an override to the copies that agreed and leaves a modified one alone', () => {
-    const { stack, sceneId, containerId, a, object, templateIdOf, copyOf } = placedSetup();
-    const modified = copyOf(a).id;
-    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, modified, 'width', 12));
-    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, templateIdOf(a), 'width', 55));
-
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBe(55);
-    expect(object(modified).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).overrides.width).toBe(55);
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+    const instance = sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.id === instanceId)!;
+    expect(instance.instanceEdits[tA]?.overrides.width).toBe(12);
 
     stack.undo();
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(object(modified).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(12);
   });
 
-  it('clears an override on the copies that shared it', () => {
-    const { stack, containerId, a, object, templateIdOf } = placedSetup();
-    const templateA = templateIdOf(a);
-    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, templateA, 'width', 55));
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBe(55);
-    stack.execute(new ClearOverrideCommand(containerId, templateA, 'width'));
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
-    stack.undo();
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBe(55);
+  it('forgets the edit again once the value is put back to the template’s', () => {
+    const { stack, sceneId, instanceId, tA, child, sceneOf, object } = templateSetup();
+    const edits = () => sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.id === instanceId)!.instanceEdits;
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA), { x: 1, y: 50, z: 1 }));
+    expect(edits()[tA]?.position).toEqual({ x: 1 });
+
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA), { x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 }));
+    expect(edits()[tA]).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(object(child(tA)).position).toEqual({ x: 45, y: 50, z: 1 });
   });
 
-  it('follows per axis, so a copy dragged sideways keeps only its x', () => {
-    const { stack, sceneId, containerId, a, object, templateIdOf, copyOf } = placedSetup();
-    const moved = copyOf(a).id;
-    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, moved, { x: 999, y: 50, z: 1 }));
-    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, templateIdOf(a), { x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 }));
+  it('follows per axis, so an instance dragged sideways keeps only its x', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { stack, sceneId, containerId, tA, object, child } = f;
+    const second = place(f, containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA, second), { x: 999, y: 50, z: 1 }));
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(containerId, tA, { x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 }));
 
-    expect(object(a).position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
-    expect(object(moved).position).toEqual({ x: 999, y: 8, z: 9 });
+    expect(object(child(tA)).position).toEqual({ x: 7, y: 8, z: 9 });
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).position).toEqual({ x: 999, y: 8, z: 9 });
 
     stack.undo();
-    expect(object(moved).position).toEqual({ x: 999, y: 50, z: 1 });
+    expect(object(child(tA, second)).position).toEqual({ x: 999, y: 50, z: 1 });
   });
 
-  it('does not leak an edit made in the scene to the other copies', () => {
-    const { stack, sceneId, a, object, copyOf } = placedSetup();
-    const copy = copyOf(a).id;
-    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, copy, 'width', 12));
-    stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, copy, 'Only me'));
-    expect(object(a).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(object(a).name).toBe('');
+  it('clears an override on every instance that shared it', () => {
+    const { stack, containerId, tA, object, child } = templateSetup();
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, tA, 'width', 55));
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(55);
+    stack.execute(new ClearOverrideCommand(containerId, tA, 'width'));
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(55);
   });
 
-  it('reaches the content of a container nested in another one', () => {
+  it('does not leak to the other instances', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { stack, sceneId, tA, object, child } = f;
+    const second = place(f, f.containerId, { x: 1000, y: 0 });
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, child(tA, second), 'width', 12));
+    stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA, second), 'Only me'));
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(object(child(tA)).name).toBe('');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('the structure of a placed container', () => {
+  it('cannot be changed from the scene', () => {
+    const { stack, sceneId, tA, tB, child } = templateSetup();
+    expect(() => stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA)))).toThrow(
+      /comes from a container template/,
+    );
+    expect(() => stack.execute(new SetParentCommand(sceneId, child(tA), child(tB)))).toThrow(
+      /comes from a container template/,
+    );
+    expect(() => stack.execute(new CreateContainerCommand(sceneId, [child(tA)]))).toThrow(
+      /comes from a container template/,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('refuses to take an object of the scene as a child', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const loose = place(f, f.spriteId, { x: 0, y: 0 });
+    expect(() => f.stack.execute(new SetParentCommand(f.sceneId, loose, f.instanceId))).toThrow(/unpack it/);
+  });
+
+  it('opens up once it is unpacked, and stops following the template', () => {
+    const f = templateSetup();
+    const { stack, sceneId, containerId, instanceId, tA, child, sceneOf, object } = f;
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, child(tA), 'width', 12));
+    stack.execute(new UnpackContainerCommand(sceneId, instanceId));
+
+    // The ids survive the unpack, so anything pointing at the content keeps working.
+    expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).toContain(child(tA));
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(containerId, tA, 'width', 55));
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+    stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, child(tA)));
+    expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).not.toContain(child(tA));
+
+    stack.undo();
+    stack.undo();
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(sceneOf().objects.map((o) => o.id)).toEqual([instanceId]);
+    expect(object(child(tA)).overrides.width).toBe(12);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('a container nested in another one', () => {
+  it('resolves through both levels, and a template edit reaches the deep content', () => {
     const f = makeContainers();
-    const { stack, outerId, innerId, sceneOf, assetOf } = f;
-    stack.execute(new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 }));
+    const { stack, outerId, innerId, viewOf, assetOf, world } = f;
+    const nest = new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 });
+    stack.execute(nest);
     const placed = place(f, outerId, { x: 500, y: 0 });
     const innerTemplate = assetOf(innerId).objects[0]!;
-    const deepCopy = sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.templateId === innerTemplate.id)!;
+    const deep = instanceChildId(placed, `${nest.objectId}/${innerTemplate.id}`);
+
+    expect(descendantsOf(viewOf(), placed)).toHaveLength(3);
+    expect(world(deep)).toEqual({ x: 520, y: 0, z: 0 });
 
     stack.execute(new RenameSceneObjectCommand(innerId, innerTemplate.id, 'Deep'));
-    expect(deepCopy.name).toBe('Deep');
-    expect(descendantsOf(sceneOf(), placed)).toHaveLength(3);
-
+    expect(f.object(deep).name).toBe('Deep');
     stack.undo();
-    expect(deepCopy.name).toBe('');
+    expect(f.object(deep).name).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  it('keeps a value changed on the deep content out of the template', () => {
+    const f = makeContainers();
+    const { stack, sceneId, outerId, innerId, assetOf } = f;
+    const nest = new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 });
+    stack.execute(nest);
+    const placed = place(f, outerId, { x: 500, y: 0 });
+    const path = `${nest.objectId}/${assetOf(innerId).objects[0]!.id}`;
+    stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, instanceChildId(placed, path), 'width', 7));
+
+    expect(f.object(instanceChildId(placed, path)).overrides.width).toBe(7);
+    expect(assetOf(innerId).objects[0]!.overrides.width).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(f.sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.id === placed)!.instanceEdits[path]?.overrides.width).toBe(7);
   });
 });
 
 describe('placing into a container template', () => {
-  it('creates a single object, without expanding a placed container', () => {
+  it('creates a single object, without spelling the nested container out', () => {
     const { stack, outerId, innerId, assetOf } = makeContainers();
     const command = new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 });
     stack.execute(command);
@@ -336,33 +415,6 @@ describe('placing into a container template', () => {
     expect(assetOf(outerId).objects).toHaveLength(1);
   });
 
-  it('expands the same container when it goes into a scene instead', () => {
-    const f = makeContainers();
-    const before = f.sceneOf().objects.length;
-    const placed = place(f, f.innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 });
-    expect(f.sceneOf().objects).toHaveLength(before + 2);
-    expect(descendantsOf(f.sceneOf(), placed)).toHaveLength(1);
-  });
-
-  it('expands the nested container once the outer one is placed into a scene', () => {
-    const f = makeContainers();
-    const { stack, outerId, innerId, spriteId, sceneOf, world } = f;
-    const nest = new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, innerId, { x: 20, y: 0 });
-    stack.execute(nest);
-    const placed = place(f, outerId, { x: 500, y: 0 });
-
-    const children = sceneOf().objects.filter((o) => o.parentId === placed);
-    expect(children.map((o) => o.assetId).sort()).toEqual([innerId, spriteId].sort());
-    const nested = children.find((o) => o.assetId === innerId)!;
-    expect(nested.templateId).toBe(nest.objectId);
-    expect(world(nested.id)).toEqual({ x: 520, y: 0, z: 0 });
-
-    const content = sceneOf().objects.filter((o) => o.parentId === nested.id);
-    expect(content).toHaveLength(1);
-    expect(content[0]!.assetId).toBe(spriteId);
-    expect(world(content[0]!.id)).toEqual({ x: 520, y: 0, z: 0 });
-  });
-
   it('refuses a placement that would nest a container inside itself', () => {
     const { stack, outerId, innerId, deepId, assetOf } = makeContainers();
     expect(() => stack.execute(new PlaceAssetCommand(outerId, outerId, { x: 0, y: 0 }))).toThrow(
diff --git a/tests/core/holders.test.ts b/tests/core/holders.test.ts
index a42e28c6..db28b25b 100644
--- a/tests/core/holders.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/holders.test.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import {
   listContainers,
   objectHolders,
 } from '../../src/core/model/Project';
+import { instanceChildId } from '../../src/core/model/instance';
 import { makeBehavior, makeSpriteScene, place } from '../helpers';
 
 /** A behavior with a `speed` variable, placed and overridden to 42, then wrapped in a container. */
@@ -27,7 +28,9 @@ function containerWithOverride() {
   const container = new CreateContainerCommand(f.sceneId, [objectId]);
   f.stack.execute(container);
   const template = () => (findAsset(f.project, container.assetId) as ContainerAsset).objects[0]!;
-  return { ...f, behaviorId: behavior.id, containerId: container.assetId, objectId, template };
+  // The object moved into the template; what the scene shows is resolved from it.
+  const placed = () => f.object(instanceChildId(container.objectId, template().id));
+  return { ...f, behaviorId: behavior.id, containerId: container.assetId, objectId, template, placed };
 }
 
 describe('object holders', () => {
@@ -55,17 +58,18 @@ describe('object holders', () => {
   });
 
   it('finds usages inside container templates, not just in scenes', () => {
-    const { project, behaviorId, template } = containerWithOverride();
-    // The placed object and the template copy the container was built from.
-    expect(findUsages(project, behaviorId)).toHaveLength(2);
+    const { project, behaviorId, containerId, template } = containerWithOverride();
+    // Only the template: what the scene shows is resolved from it, never stored.
+    const usages = findUsages(project, behaviorId);
+    expect(usages).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(usages[0]!.holder.id).toBe(containerId);
     expect(template().overrides.speed).toBe(42);
   });
 });
 
 describe('RemoveVariableCommand', () => {
   it('clears the override on container templates too, and puts it back on undo', () => {
-    const { stack, behaviorId, objectId, sceneOf, template } = containerWithOverride();
-    const placed = () => sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.id === objectId)!;
+    const { stack, behaviorId, template, placed } = containerWithOverride();
 
     stack.execute(new RemoveVariableCommand(behaviorId, 'speed'));
     expect(placed().overrides.speed).toBeUndefined();
@@ -77,6 +81,40 @@ describe('RemoveVariableCommand', () => {
   });
 });
 
+/**
+ * A behavior inside a placed container is not stored in the scene, and a value changed on it lives
+ * in the instance's `instanceEdits`. Anything rewriting overrides project-wide has to reach in
+ * there, or renaming a variable silently drops the value.
+ */
+describe('variables overridden on container content', () => {
+  function withInstanceEdit() {
+    const f = containerWithOverride();
+    f.stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(f.sceneId, f.placed().id, 'speed', 7));
+    const edits = () =>
+      f.sceneOf().objects.find((o) => o.id !== f.objectId)!.instanceEdits[f.template().id]!.overrides;
+    return { ...f, edits };
+  }
+
+  it('renames the key kept on the instance', () => {
+    const { stack, behaviorId, edits, placed } = withInstanceEdit();
+    expect(edits().speed).toBe(7);
+    stack.execute(new RenameVariableCommand(behaviorId, 'speed', 'velocity'));
+    expect(edits().speed).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(edits().velocity).toBe(7);
+    expect(placed().overrides.velocity).toBe(7);
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(edits().speed).toBe(7);
+  });
+
+  it('removes the value kept on the instance, and puts it back on undo', () => {
+    const { stack, behaviorId, edits } = withInstanceEdit();
+    stack.execute(new RemoveVariableCommand(behaviorId, 'speed'));
+    expect(edits().speed).toBeUndefined();
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(edits().speed).toBe(7);
+  });
+});
+
 describe('RenameVariableCommand', () => {
   it('renames the override on container templates too', () => {
     const { stack, behaviorId, template } = containerWithOverride();
diff --git a/tests/core/serialize.test.ts b/tests/core/serialize.test.ts
index 9a228df7..d249b0c0 100644
--- a/tests/core/serialize.test.ts
+++ b/tests/core/serialize.test.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ describe('serialize', () => {
       editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 },
       overrides: { color: 0x00ff00, width: 1 },
       parentId: '',
-      templateId: '',
+      instanceEdits: {},
     });
     expect(project.assets[1]!.name).toBe('sprite');
     expect(project.assets[1]!.props).toEqual({
diff --git a/tests/helpers.ts b/tests/helpers.ts
index 539f82cc..ecb1546f 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.ts
+++ b/tests/helpers.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
 } from '../src/core/graph';
 import type { BehaviorAsset, SceneAsset } from '../src/core/model/Asset';
 import { findObject, worldPosition } from '../src/core/model/hierarchy';
+import { resolvedHolder } from '../src/core/model/instance';
 import type { Position, PropertyBag, Vec2 } from '../src/core/model/Properties';
 import { createEmptyProject, findScene, type Project } from '../src/core/model/Project';
 import type { SceneObject } from '../src/core/model/SceneObject';
@@ -32,6 +33,8 @@ export interface SceneFixture extends ProjectFixture {
   spriteId: string;
   /** The scene asset, looked up fresh (undo may replace it). */
   sceneOf(): SceneAsset;
+  /** The scene with the content of placed containers resolved in – what the editor shows. */
+  viewOf(): SceneAsset;
   object(id: string): SceneObject;
   /** World position of a scene object, ancestors included. */
   world(id: string): Position;
@@ -51,14 +54,16 @@ export function makeSpriteScene(spriteName = 'Box'): SceneFixture {
   fixture.stack.execute(scene);
   fixture.stack.execute(sprite);
   const sceneOf = () => findScene(fixture.project, scene.asset.id)!;
-  const object = (id: string) => findObject(sceneOf(), id)!;
+  const viewOf = () => resolvedHolder(fixture.project, sceneOf()) as SceneAsset;
+  const object = (id: string) => findObject(viewOf(), id)!;
   return {
     ...fixture,
     sceneId: scene.asset.id,
     spriteId: sprite.asset.id,
     sceneOf,
+    viewOf,
     object,
-    world: (id) => worldPosition(sceneOf(), object(id)),
+    world: (id) => worldPosition(viewOf(), object(id)),
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/tools/e2e/08-colliders.mjs b/tools/e2e/08-colliders.mjs
index bb6ed04c..3ec788f7 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/08-colliders.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/08-colliders.mjs
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export async function colliders(t) {
     JSON.stringify(collisionWorld.log),
   );
   const spriteCount = await evaluate(
-    `__gm.state.activeScene.objects.filter(o => __gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === o.assetId)?.type === 'sprite').length`,
+    `__gm.sceneObjects().filter(o => __gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === o.assetId)?.type === 'sprite').length`,
   );
   const info = await json('__gm.gameInfo()');
   check(
diff --git a/tools/e2e/09-containers.mjs b/tools/e2e/09-containers.mjs
index 93791307..55e421ef 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/09-containers.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/09-containers.mjs
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
+import { instanceChild } from '../lib/builders.mjs';
 import { same } from '../lib/harness.mjs';
 
 /**
- * Multi-selection and containers: Ctrl-click, Create container, dragging the group, rubber
- * band, group move/delete, placing and spawning the container asset, and apply/revert of
- * instance values against the template and the asset.
+ * Multi-selection and placed containers.
+ *
+ * A container placed in a scene is not copied into it: the scene stores the container object
+ * alone and its content is resolved from the template on every read, so a template edit reaches
+ * every instance at once (see `src/core/model/instance.ts`). That is what the checks below are
+ * about – what the scene *holds* against what the editor *lists*, deviations kept per instance,
+ * and the structure of resolved content being the template's business and nothing else's.
  */
 export async function containers(t) {
   const {
@@ -17,19 +22,42 @@ export async function containers(t) {
     drag,
     locate,
     press,
+    typeText,
     undo,
     mutate,
     select,
     state,
     object,
     objects,
+    storedObjects,
     asset,
     world,
     play,
     stop,
+    api,
+    sceneOf,
+    navigate,
+    projectId,
   } = t;
   const center = await json('__gm.viewportCenter()');
   const has = (text) => evaluate(`Boolean(__gm.locate(${JSON.stringify(text)}))`);
+  /** Types a value into an inspector field, which runs the real command behind that row. */
+  const setField = async (label, value) => {
+    const row = await locate(label);
+    await click(row.x + 160, row.y);
+    await press('a', { ctrl: true });
+    await typeText(String(value));
+    await press('Enter');
+    await sleep(200);
+  };
+  const notice = async () => {
+    await evaluate("__gm.state.notice = ''");
+    return async () => (await state()).notice;
+  };
+  const selectObject = async (id) => {
+    await select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: id, objectIds: [id] });
+    await sleep(250);
+  };
 
   // 16. Reset both crates to known spots, then Ctrl-click the second row in the hierarchy:
   //     both are selected, the inspector shows the multi view.
@@ -60,79 +88,8 @@ export async function containers(t) {
     s.selection?.kind === 'object' && same(s.selection.objectIds, ['o1']),
     JSON.stringify(s.selection),
   );
-  await click(blueRow.x, blueRow.y, 'left', { ctrl: true });
 
-  // 16a. Create container: both crates (with their colliders and the Mover) become the content
-  //      of a new container asset; the scene gets one container object at the selection's
-  //      centre (-15,-40), the crates hang below it with recomputed local positions, world
-  //      positions are unchanged, and the container is selected.
-  const assetsBefore = (await json('__gm.state.project.assets')).length;
-  const objectsBefore = (await objects()).length;
-  await clickText('Create container');
-  await sleep(100);
-  s = await state();
-  const containerObj = s.selection?.kind === 'object' ? await object(s.selection.objectId) : null;
-  const containerAsset = containerObj ? await asset(containerObj.assetId) : null;
-  check(
-    'Create container adds one container asset and one placed container, selected',
-    containerAsset?.type === 'container' &&
-      s.selection.objectIds.length === 1 &&
-      (await json('__gm.state.project.assets')).length === assetsBefore + 1 &&
-      (await objects()).length === objectsBefore + 1,
-    JSON.stringify({ containerObj, type: containerAsset?.type }),
-  );
-  check(
-    'the container sits at the centre of the selection',
-    containerObj && containerObj.parentId === '' && same(containerObj.position, { x: -15, y: -40, z: 0 }),
-    JSON.stringify(containerObj?.position),
-  );
-  let o1c = await object('o1');
-  const o2c = await object('o2');
-  check(
-    'the crates are re-parented below the container with local positions relative to its centre',
-    o1c.parentId === containerObj?.id &&
-      o1c.position.x === -135 &&
-      o1c.position.y === 40 &&
-      o2c.parentId === containerObj?.id &&
-      o2c.position.x === 135 &&
-      o2c.position.y === -40,
-    JSON.stringify({ o1: o1c.position, o2: o2c.position }),
-  );
-  check(
-    'the template holds the whole subtree (2 crates, 2 colliders, the Mover)',
-    containerAsset?.objects.length === 5 &&
-      containerAsset.objects.filter((o) => o.parentId === '').length === 2 &&
-      o1c.templateId &&
-      containerAsset.objects.some((o) => o.id === o1c.templateId),
-    JSON.stringify(containerAsset?.objects.map((o) => [o.assetId, o.parentId === '' ? 'root' : 'child'])),
-  );
-  const orderC = await json('(__gm.hierarchyExpandAll(), __gm.hierarchyOrder())');
-  const cAt = orderC.indexOf(containerObj?.id);
-  check(
-    'hierarchy lists the container with its content indented below',
-    cAt >= 0 && same(orderC.slice(cAt), [containerObj.id, 'o1', 'o4', 'oc1', 'o2', 'oc2']),
-    JSON.stringify(orderC),
-  );
-  check(
-    'container symbol is drawn in the overlay layer',
-    containerObj && (await evaluate(`__gm.layerOf('${containerObj.id}')`)) === 'overlay',
-  );
-  await shot('24-container-created');
-
-  // 16b. Dragging the container symbol in the viewport moves the whole group; undo restores it.
-  const cScreen = await json(`__gm.objectScreen('${containerObj.id}')`);
-  await drag(cScreen.x, cScreen.y, cScreen.x + 100, cScreen.y);
-  const containerMoved = await object(containerObj.id);
-  o1c = await object('o1');
-  check(
-    'dragging the container moves the group (children keep their local position)',
-    containerMoved.position.x === 85 && o1c.position.x === -135,
-    JSON.stringify({ container: containerMoved.position, o1: o1c.position }),
-  );
-  await undo();
-  check('undo moves the container back', (await object(containerObj.id)).position.x === -15);
-
-  // 16c. Rubber band on empty space around the red crate (world x −230…−90, y −50…50): picks
+  // 16a. Rubber band on empty space around the red crate (world x −230…−90, y −50…50): picks
   //      the objects whose position lies inside – the crate and its collider, not the Mover
   //      (at y = 110), not the camera (at the origin).
   await drag(center.x - 230, center.y - 50, center.x - 90, center.y + 50);
@@ -144,55 +101,328 @@ export async function containers(t) {
   );
   await shot('25-marquee');
 
-  // 16d. Dragging one of several selected objects moves all of them as one undo step.
+  // 16b. Dragging one of several selected objects moves all of them as one undo step.
   const redScreen = await json(`__gm.objectScreen('o1')`);
   await select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'o2', objectIds: ['o1', 'o2'] });
   await drag(redScreen.x, redScreen.y + 20, redScreen.x + 50, redScreen.y + 20);
-  o1c = await object('o1');
-  const o2d = await object('o2');
   check(
     'dragging a multi-selection moves every selected object',
-    o1c.position.x === -85 && o2d.position.x === 185,
-    JSON.stringify({ o1: o1c.position, o2: o2d.position }),
+    (await object('o1')).position.x === -100 && (await object('o2')).position.x === 170,
+    JSON.stringify({ o1: (await object('o1')).position, o2: (await object('o2')).position }),
   );
   await undo();
-  o1c = await object('o1');
-  check('one undo restores both', o1c.position.x === -135 && (await object('o2')).position.x === 135);
+  check(
+    'one undo restores both',
+    (await object('o1')).position.x === -150 && (await object('o2')).position.x === 120,
+  );
 
-  // 16e. Delete with a multi-selection removes all of them (with subtrees) as one step.
-  const objectsBeforeDelete = (await objects()).length;
+  // 16c. Delete with a multi-selection removes all of them (with subtrees) as one step.
+  const listedBeforeDelete = (await objects()).length;
   await select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'o2', objectIds: ['o1', 'o2'] });
   await press('Delete');
   await sleep(150);
   check(
     'Delete removes the whole multi-selection with its subtrees',
-    (await objects()).length === objectsBeforeDelete - 5,
+    (await objects()).length === listedBeforeDelete - 5,
   );
   await undo();
-  check('undo restores all of them', (await objects()).length === objectsBeforeDelete);
+  check('undo restores all of them', (await objects()).length === listedBeforeDelete);
 
-  // 16f. Placing the container asset again from the asset panel creates a second instance:
-  //      the root plus 5 content objects with fresh ids, the crate copy at the same offset.
+  // 16d. Create container: both crates, with their colliders and the Mover, become the content
+  //      of a new container asset and *leave the scene*. The scene stores one object in their
+  //      stead; the five members are only resolved from the template from now on, which is the
+  //      whole difference to copying them in – see `src/core/model/instance.ts`.
+  const assetsBefore = (await json('__gm.state.project.assets')).length;
+  const storedBefore = (await storedObjects()).length;
+  const listedBefore = (await objects()).length;
+  await select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'o2', objectIds: ['o1', 'o2'] });
+  await clickText('Create container');
+  await sleep(150);
+  s = await state();
+  const instanceA = s.selection?.kind === 'object' ? await object(s.selection.objectId) : null;
+  const containerAsset = instanceA ? await asset(instanceA.assetId) : null;
+  const storedAfter = (await storedObjects()).length;
+  const listedAfter = (await objects()).length;
+  check(
+    'Create container adds one container asset and one placed container, selected',
+    containerAsset?.type === 'container' &&
+      s.selection.objectIds.length === 1 &&
+      (await json('__gm.state.project.assets')).length === assetsBefore + 1,
+    JSON.stringify({ instanceA, type: containerAsset?.type }),
+  );
+  check(
+    'the container sits at the centre of the selection',
+    instanceA && instanceA.parentId === '' && same(instanceA.position, { x: -15, y: -40, z: 0 }),
+    JSON.stringify(instanceA?.position),
+  );
+  const swallowed = ['o1', 'o2', 'o4', 'oc1', 'oc2'];
+  const storedIds = (await storedObjects()).map((o) => o.id);
+  check(
+    'the members left the scene: five objects out, one container object in',
+    storedAfter === storedBefore - 4 && !swallowed.some((id) => storedIds.includes(id)),
+    JSON.stringify({ storedBefore, storedAfter, storedIds }),
+  );
+  check(
+    'the template holds the whole subtree (2 crates, 2 colliders, the Mover)',
+    containerAsset?.objects.length === 5 &&
+      containerAsset.objects.filter((o) => o.parentId === '').length === 2,
+    JSON.stringify(containerAsset?.objects.map((o) => [o.assetId, o.parentId === '' ? 'root' : 'child'])),
+  );
+
+  // The two crate templates, told apart by where the centring put them.
+  const roots = containerAsset.objects.filter((o) => o.parentId === '');
+  const redTemplate = roots.find((o) => o.position.x === -135);
+  const contentOf = (instanceId) => containerAsset.objects.map((o) => instanceChild(instanceId, o.id));
+  const redA = instanceChild(instanceA.id, redTemplate.id);
+  const redAPath = redTemplate.id;
+  check(
+    'the editor lists the content again, under ids derived from the template',
+    listedAfter === listedBefore + 1 &&
+      same(
+        (await objects()).filter((o) => contentOf(instanceA.id).includes(o.id)).map((o) => o.id),
+        contentOf(instanceA.id),
+      ),
+    JSON.stringify({ listedBefore, listedAfter, derived: contentOf(instanceA.id) }),
+  );
+  const redResolved = await object(redA);
+  check(
+    'a resolved object carries the template values and hangs below the container',
+    redResolved &&
+      redResolved.parentId === instanceA.id &&
+      redResolved.name === 'Red crate' &&
+      redResolved.position.x === -135 &&
+      redResolved.position.y === 40,
+    JSON.stringify(redResolved),
+  );
+  const orderC = await json('(__gm.hierarchyExpandAll(), __gm.hierarchyOrder())');
+  const cAt = orderC.indexOf(instanceA.id);
+  check(
+    'hierarchy lists the container with its resolved content indented below',
+    cAt >= 0 && same(orderC.slice(cAt), [instanceA.id, ...contentOf(instanceA.id)]),
+    JSON.stringify(orderC),
+  );
+  check(
+    'container symbol is drawn in the overlay layer',
+    (await evaluate(`__gm.layerOf('${instanceA.id}')`)) === 'overlay',
+  );
+  await shot('24-container-created');
+
+  // 16e. Dragging the container symbol in the viewport moves the whole group; undo restores it.
+  const cScreen = await json(`__gm.objectScreen('${instanceA.id}')`);
+  await drag(cScreen.x, cScreen.y, cScreen.x + 100, cScreen.y);
+  check(
+    'dragging the container moves the group (its content keeps the template positions)',
+    (await object(instanceA.id)).position.x === 85 && (await object(redA)).position.x === -135,
+    JSON.stringify({ container: (await object(instanceA.id)).position }),
+  );
+  await undo();
+  check('undo moves the container back', (await object(instanceA.id)).position.x === -15);
+
+  // 16f. Placing the container asset again adds exactly ONE stored object – and five more that
+  //      the editor lists. Against the old copying model the stored count would jump by six.
   await clickText(containerAsset.name, 'right');
   await clickText('Place in scene');
-  await sleep(100);
-  const afterPlace = await objects();
-  const secondRoot = afterPlace.find((o) => o.assetId === containerAsset.id && o.id !== containerObj.id);
-  const secondCrate =
-    secondRoot && afterPlace.find((o) => o.parentId === secondRoot.id && o.templateId === o1c.templateId);
+  await sleep(150);
+  const instanceB = (await storedObjects()).find(
+    (o) => o.assetId === containerAsset.id && o.id !== instanceA.id,
+  );
+  const redB = instanceB && instanceChild(instanceB.id, redTemplate.id);
   check(
-    'placing the container asset instantiates its content below a new container object',
-    afterPlace.length === objectsBeforeDelete + 6 &&
-      secondCrate &&
-      secondCrate.position.x === -135 &&
-      secondCrate.position.y === 40,
-    JSON.stringify({ count: afterPlace.length, secondCrate }),
+    'placing a container stores one object and lists its whole content',
+    Boolean(instanceB) &&
+      (await storedObjects()).length === storedAfter + 1 &&
+      (await objects()).length === listedAfter + 1 + containerAsset.objects.length,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      stored: (await storedObjects()).length,
+      listed: (await objects()).length,
+      expected: listedAfter + 6,
+    }),
+  );
+  check(
+    'the second instance shows the same content at the same template positions',
+    (await object(redB)).position.x === -135 && (await object(redB)).position.y === 40,
+    JSON.stringify((await object(redB))?.position),
+  );
+  check(
+    'a fresh instance carries no deviations at all',
+    same(instanceB.instanceEdits, {}),
+    JSON.stringify(instanceB.instanceEdits),
   );
   await shot('26-container-placed');
 
-  // 16f-ii. Spawning the container at runtime instantiates its content the same way: point the
-  //         Spawner at the container asset, press Space while playing – a whole instance appears
-  //         in the runtime copy and in the world, and Stop throws it away with the rest.
+  // 16g. A value edited on one instance is kept on that instance and nowhere else: the scene
+  //      grows by no object, the deviation lands in `instanceEdits` under the template path.
+  await selectObject(redB);
+  check('the inspector names the container the object comes from', await has(containerAsset.name));
+  await setField('X', -100);
+  const editedB = (await storedObjects()).find((o) => o.id === instanceB.id);
+  check(
+    'an edit on resolved content is stored as an instance deviation, not as a new object',
+    (await storedObjects()).length === storedAfter + 1 &&
+      editedB.instanceEdits[redAPath]?.position.x === -100 &&
+      (await object(redB)).position.x === -100,
+    JSON.stringify(editedB.instanceEdits),
+  );
+  check(
+    'the other instance is untouched by it',
+    (await object(redA)).position.x === -135,
+    JSON.stringify((await object(redA)).position),
+  );
+
+  // 16h. Editing the template reaches every instance that has not been touched there – and only
+  //      those. The untouched axis of the edited object follows along with the rest.
+  const setTemplate = (body) =>
+    mutate(
+      `const tpl = __gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === '${containerAsset.id}')
+         .objects.find(o => o.id === '${redAPath}');
+       ${body}`,
+    );
+  await setTemplate(`tpl.position.y = 55; tpl.name = 'Template crate'; tpl.overrides.color = 0x00ff00`);
+  check(
+    'a template edit reaches every instance at once',
+    (await object(redA)).position.y === 55 &&
+      (await object(redB)).position.y === 55 &&
+      (await object(redA)).name === 'Template crate' &&
+      (await object(redB)).name === 'Template crate' &&
+      (await object(redA)).overrides.color === 0x00ff00,
+    JSON.stringify({ a: await object(redA), b: await object(redB) }),
+  );
+  await setTemplate(`tpl.position.x = -200`);
+  check(
+    'but it does not overwrite the instance that was moved on its own',
+    (await object(redA)).position.x === -200 && (await object(redB)).position.x === -100,
+    JSON.stringify({ a: (await object(redA)).position.x, b: (await object(redB)).position.x }),
+  );
+  await setTemplate(
+    `tpl.position.x = -135; tpl.position.y = 40; tpl.name = 'Red crate'; delete tpl.overrides.color`,
+  );
+  check(
+    'putting the template back takes the untouched instance back with it',
+    (await object(redA)).position.x === -135 && (await object(redA)).name === 'Red crate',
+  );
+
+  // 16i. Structure is the template's business: resolved content cannot be removed, re-parented,
+  //      given a collider or turned into a container of its own.
+  await selectObject(redA);
+  check('the inspector offers no collider for resolved content', !(await has('+ Add collider')));
+  await selectObject(instanceA.id);
+  check('but it does for the stored container object', await has('+ Add collider'));
+  await selectObject(redA);
+  let noticeAfter = await notice();
+  await press('Delete');
+  await sleep(200);
+  check(
+    'removing resolved content is refused with a notice',
+    (await noticeAfter()).includes('container template') && Boolean(await object(redA)),
+    await noticeAfter(),
+  );
+  noticeAfter = await notice();
+  await press('g', { ctrl: true });
+  await sleep(200);
+  check(
+    'making a container out of resolved content is refused too',
+    (await noticeAfter()).includes('container template'),
+    await noticeAfter(),
+  );
+  const parentRow = await locate('Parent');
+  await click(parentRow.x + 55, parentRow.y);
+  await sleep(150);
+  check(
+    'the Parent picker does not even open for resolved content',
+    same(await json('__gm.overlayTexts()'), []),
+    JSON.stringify(await json('__gm.overlayTexts()')),
+  );
+  await press('Escape');
+  noticeAfter = await notice();
+  // Rows are addressed by id, not by their text: both instances read "Red crate" by now.
+  const rowAt = async (id) => {
+    const p = await json(`__gm.hierarchyChevron(${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
+    if (!p) throw new Error(`no hierarchy row for ${id}`);
+    return { x: p.x + 60, y: p.y };
+  };
+  const redARow = await rowAt(redA);
+  const otherRow = await rowAt(instanceB.id);
+  await drag(redARow.x, redARow.y, otherRow.x, otherRow.y);
+  await sleep(250);
+  check(
+    're-parenting resolved content by dragging its row is refused',
+    (await noticeAfter()).includes('container template') && (await object(redA)).parentId === instanceA.id,
+    `${await noticeAfter()} / parent ${(await object(redA)).parentId}`,
+  );
+  await shot('26b-structure-refused');
+
+  // 16j. Unpack: the content is written into the scene as ordinary objects under the very same
+  //      ids, the instance stops following the template – and now its structure *can* be changed.
+  await clickText(containerAsset.name, 'right');
+  await clickText('Place in scene');
+  await sleep(150);
+  const instanceC = (await storedObjects()).find(
+    (o) => o.assetId === containerAsset.id && o.id !== instanceA.id && o.id !== instanceB.id,
+  );
+  const redC = instanceChild(instanceC.id, redTemplate.id);
+  const listedBeforeUnpack = (await objects()).length;
+  const storedBeforeUnpack = (await storedObjects()).length;
+  await selectObject(instanceC.id);
+  check(
+    'the inspector shows what the placed container follows',
+    await has('Follows a template of 5 object(s).'),
+  );
+  await clickText('Unpack');
+  await sleep(250);
+  check(
+    'Unpack writes the content into the scene, keeping the ids and the listing',
+    (await storedObjects()).length === storedBeforeUnpack + 5 &&
+      (await objects()).length === listedBeforeUnpack &&
+      (await storedObjects()).some((o) => o.id === redC),
+    JSON.stringify({
+      stored: (await storedObjects()).length,
+      listed: (await objects()).length,
+      before: { stored: storedBeforeUnpack, listed: listedBeforeUnpack },
+    }),
+  );
+  await selectObject(instanceC.id);
+  check(
+    'and the inspector stops offering the unpack, there is nothing left to follow',
+    !(await has('Unpack')) && !(await has('Follows a template of 5 object(s).')),
+  );
+  await setTemplate(`tpl.position.x = -300`);
+  check(
+    'an unpacked instance no longer follows the template',
+    (await object(redC)).position.x === -135 && (await object(redA)).position.x === -300,
+    JSON.stringify({ c: (await object(redC)).position.x, a: (await object(redA)).position.x }),
+  );
+  await setTemplate(`tpl.position.x = -135`);
+  await selectObject(redC);
+  noticeAfter = await notice();
+  const redCRow = await rowAt(redC);
+  await click(redCRow.x, redCRow.y, 'right');
+  await clickText('Unparent (move to top level)');
+  await sleep(250);
+  check(
+    'unpacked content can be re-parented, which was refused while it followed the template',
+    (await object(redC)).parentId === '' && (await noticeAfter()) === '',
+    `${await noticeAfter()} / parent "${(await object(redC)).parentId}"`,
+  );
+  noticeAfter = await notice();
+  await selectObject(redC);
+  await press('Delete');
+  await sleep(250);
+  check(
+    'and it can be removed – the refusal was about following a template, not about the id',
+    !(await object(redC)) && (await noticeAfter()) === '',
+    `${await noticeAfter()}`,
+  );
+  await selectObject(instanceC.id);
+  await press('Delete');
+  await sleep(250);
+  check(
+    'removing the unpacked container takes the rest of its content with it',
+    (await storedObjects()).length === storedBeforeUnpack - 1,
+    JSON.stringify({ now: (await storedObjects()).length, was: storedBeforeUnpack }),
+  );
+
+  // 16k. Spawning a container at runtime spells it out the same way Unpack does, under the same
+  //      derived ids – and Stop throws the whole run away with it.
   const spawnParam = (assetId) =>
     mutate(
       `__gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === 'spawner').graph.nodes.find(n => n.id === 's-spawn').params.asset = ${JSON.stringify(assetId)}`,
@@ -208,8 +438,8 @@ export async function containers(t) {
     'Spawn of a container asset creates the container object plus its content',
     fresh.length === 6 &&
       spawnedRoot?.assetId === containerAsset.id &&
-      fresh.filter((o) => o.templateId).length === 5,
-    JSON.stringify(fresh.map((o) => ({ id: o.id, assetId: o.assetId, templateId: o.templateId }))),
+      fresh.filter((o) => o.id.startsWith(`${spawnedRoot.id}~`)).length === 5,
+    JSON.stringify(fresh.map((o) => ({ id: o.id, assetId: o.assetId }))),
   );
   const spawnWorld = await world();
   check(
@@ -221,41 +451,58 @@ export async function containers(t) {
   check('stop discards the spawned instance', (await objects()).length === beforeSpawn.length);
   await spawnParam('crate');
 
-  // 16g. Apply / revert on a container instance. The red crate (o1) is part of the first
-  //      container; the second instance has an unmodified copy of it. Moving o1 on x shows
-  //      ↑ and ↺ on the X row; ↑ writes x into the template and the copy follows; undo takes
-  //      both back; ↺ puts o1 back to the template value.
-  const templateA = async () => (await asset(containerAsset.id)).objects.find((o) => o.id === o1c.templateId);
-  await select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'o1' });
-  await sleep(200);
-  check('inspector names the container the object is part of', await has(containerAsset.name));
+  // 16l. Apply / revert on resolved content. The red crate of instance B was moved on x, the one
+  //      of instance A still matches the template; ↑ writes the value into the template and A
+  //      follows, ↺ drops the deviation so B follows again.
+  const templateRed = async () => (await asset(containerAsset.id)).objects.find((o) => o.id === redAPath);
+  await selectObject(redA);
   check('no apply/revert while the instance matches its template', !(await has('↑')) && !(await has('↺')));
-  await mutate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1').position.x = -100`);
+  await selectObject(redB);
   const applyButton = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↑')`);
   check('a moved instance shows apply and revert on its X row', Boolean(applyButton) && (await has('↺')));
   await shot('27-apply-buttons');
   await click(applyButton.x, applyButton.y);
-  await sleep(100);
+  await sleep(150);
   check(
-    'apply writes x into the template and the unmodified copy follows',
-    (await templateA()).position.x === -100 && (await object(secondCrate.id)).position.x === -100,
-    JSON.stringify({ template: (await templateA()).position, copy: (await object(secondCrate.id)).position }),
+    'apply writes x into the template and the untouched instance follows',
+    (await templateRed()).position.x === -100 && (await object(redA)).position.x === -100,
+    JSON.stringify({ template: (await templateRed()).position, a: (await object(redA)).position }),
   );
   check('apply hides the buttons again', !(await has('↑')));
   await undo();
   check(
-    'undo restores template and copy',
-    (await templateA()).position.x === -135 && (await object(secondCrate.id)).position.x === -135,
+    'undo restores template and instances',
+    (await templateRed()).position.x === -135 && (await object(redA)).position.x === -135,
   );
   const revertButton = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺')`);
   await click(revertButton.x, revertButton.y);
-  await sleep(100);
-  check('revert puts the instance back to the template position', (await object('o1')).position.x === -135);
+  await sleep(150);
+  const revertedB = (await storedObjects()).find((o) => o.id === instanceB.id);
+  check(
+    'revert drops the deviation, so the instance follows the template again',
+    (await object(redB)).position.x === -135 && revertedB.instanceEdits[redAPath] === undefined,
+    JSON.stringify(revertedB.instanceEdits),
+  );
 
-  // 16h. Overrides on an instance offer a menu: "Apply to container" or "Apply to asset".
-  await mutate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1').overrides.width = 77`);
+  // 16m. An override on resolved content deviates from two bases at once – the template it
+  //      follows and, one step further up, the asset – so apply offers a menu. Reset never goes
+  //      past the nearest base, so it stays a single button.
+  await selectObject(redB);
+  await setField('Width', 77);
+  const editedWidth = (await storedObjects()).find((o) => o.id === instanceB.id);
+  check(
+    'an override on resolved content is kept as an instance deviation',
+    editedWidth.instanceEdits[redAPath]?.overrides.width === 77 &&
+      (await object(redB)).overrides.width === 77 &&
+      (await object(redA)).overrides.width === undefined,
+    JSON.stringify(editedWidth.instanceEdits),
+  );
   const applyMenu = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↑ ▾')`);
   check('an overridden property on an instance shows the apply menu button', Boolean(applyMenu));
+  check(
+    'reset stays a single button – inside a container it only ever goes to the template',
+    !(await has('↺ ▾')),
+  );
   await click(applyMenu.x, applyMenu.y);
   check(
     'the menu offers container and asset',
@@ -263,66 +510,71 @@ export async function containers(t) {
   );
   await shot('28-apply-menu');
   await clickText('Apply to asset');
-  await sleep(100);
-  const crateAfterApply = (await asset('crate')).props;
+  await sleep(150);
   check(
-    'Apply to asset writes the value into the asset and drops the override',
-    crateAfterApply.width === 77 && (await object('o1')).overrides.width === undefined,
-    JSON.stringify(crateAfterApply),
+    'Apply to asset writes the value into the asset and drops the deviation',
+    (await asset('crate')).props.width === 77 && (await object(redB)).overrides.width === undefined,
+    JSON.stringify((await asset('crate')).props),
   );
   await undo();
   check(
-    'undo restores asset and override',
-    (await asset('crate')).props.width === 100 && (await object('o1')).overrides.width === 77,
+    'undo restores asset and deviation',
+    (await asset('crate')).props.width === 100 && (await object(redB)).overrides.width === 77,
   );
   await click(applyMenu.x, applyMenu.y);
   await clickText('Apply to container');
-  await sleep(100);
+  await sleep(150);
   check(
-    'Apply to container writes the override into the template and the copy',
-    (await templateA()).overrides.width === 77 && (await object(secondCrate.id)).overrides.width === 77,
+    'Apply to container writes the override into the template, so every instance shows it',
+    (await templateRed()).overrides.width === 77 && (await object(redA)).overrides.width === 77,
+    JSON.stringify({ template: (await templateRed()).overrides, a: (await object(redA)).overrides }),
   );
 
-  // 16i. o1 now matches its template (both 77) but still overrides the asset (100). Only bases
-  //      the value really differs from are offered, so "Reset to container" is left out and the
-  //      menu collapses to a direct ↺. Deviating from both brings the menu back.
+  // 16n. redB matches its template again (both 77) and has nothing of its own left to reset –
+  //      but the value still differs from the asset (100), which apply can still reach past it.
   await sleep(200);
   check(
-    'a reset that would change nothing is left out – a direct button instead of a menu',
-    (await has('↺')) && !(await has('↺ ▾')) && !(await has('↑ ▾')),
+    'with the template carrying the value there is nothing left to reset, only an apply upwards',
+    (await has('↑')) && !(await has('↑ ▾')) && !(await has('↺')),
   );
-  await mutate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1').overrides.width = 55`);
-  const resetMenu = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺ ▾')`);
-  check('deviating from template and asset brings the reset menu back', Boolean(resetMenu));
-  await click(resetMenu.x, resetMenu.y);
+  await shot('28b-single-apply');
+  const revertedEdits = (await storedObjects()).find((o) => o.id === instanceB.id);
   check(
-    'the reset menu offers container and asset',
-    (await has('Reset to container')) && (await has('Reset to asset')),
+    'and the instance stores no deviation for it any more',
+    revertedEdits.instanceEdits[redAPath] === undefined,
+    JSON.stringify(revertedEdits.instanceEdits),
   );
-  await shot('28b-reset-menu');
-  await clickText('Reset to container');
-  await sleep(100);
+  await mutate(
+    `delete __gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === '${containerAsset.id}')
+       .objects.find(o => o.id === '${redAPath}').overrides.width`,
+  );
+
+  // 16o. Save and load: an instance is a container object plus its deviations, nothing else.
+  //      The content must be nowhere in the saved scene, and reloading must resolve it back.
+  await selectObject(redB);
+  await setField('Y', 12);
+  for (let i = 0; i < 30 && (await state()).save !== 'saved'; i++) await sleep(300);
+  const savedScene = sceneOf(await api(`projects/${projectId}`));
+  const savedInstance = savedScene.objects.find((o) => o.id === instanceB.id);
   check(
-    'Reset to container puts the override back on the template value',
-    (await object('o1')).overrides.width === 77,
+    'the saved scene holds the container object and its deviations, not its content',
+    Boolean(savedInstance) &&
+      savedInstance.instanceEdits[redAPath]?.position.y === 12 &&
+      !savedScene.objects.some((o) => o.id === redB),
+    JSON.stringify({ edits: savedInstance?.instanceEdits, stored: savedScene.objects.length }),
   );
-  const singleReset = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺')`);
+  const listedBeforeReload = (await objects()).length;
+  await navigate();
+  await sleep(500);
   check(
-    'with only the asset left to differ from, the menu is a single button again',
-    Boolean(singleReset) && !(await has('↺ ▾')),
+    'a reloaded project resolves the same content again, deviations included',
+    (await objects()).length === listedBeforeReload &&
+      (await object(redB)).position.y === 12 &&
+      (await object(redA)).position.y === 40,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      listed: (await objects()).length,
+      expected: listedBeforeReload,
+      b: (await object(redB))?.position,
+    }),
   );
-  await click(singleReset.x, singleReset.y);
-  await sleep(100);
-  check(
-    '↺ drops the override so the object follows the asset again',
-    (await object('o1')).overrides.width === undefined && (await templateA()).overrides.width === 77,
-  );
-  // Dropping the override left the object on the asset value (100) while the template still
-  // says 77 – that is a real deviation, so exactly one entry remains: "Reset to container".
-  check(
-    'the remaining deviation from the template keeps a single button, not a menu',
-    (await has('↺')) && !(await has('↺ ▾')),
-  );
-  await undo();
-  check('undo restores the override', (await object('o1')).overrides.width === 77);
 }
diff --git a/tools/e2e/10-text-and-enabled.mjs b/tools/e2e/10-text-and-enabled.mjs
index 5d83d82c..ceec2d90 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/10-text-and-enabled.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/10-text-and-enabled.mjs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ export async function textAndEnabled(t) {
     __gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === id).props.text = 'Hello world';
     // On the camera so the game view really renders it (outside the frame it would be culled).
     const cam = __gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o3').position;
-    __gm.state.activeScene.objects.push({ id: 'otext', assetId: id, name: '', position: { x: cam.x, y: cam.y, z: 5 }, editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 }, overrides: {}, parentId: '', templateId: '' });
+    __gm.state.activeScene.objects.push({ id: 'otext', assetId: id, name: '', position: { x: cam.x, y: cam.y, z: 5 }, editorOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 }, overrides: {}, parentId: '' });
     __gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectIds: ['otext'], objectId: 'otext' })`);
   await sleep(100);
   check('a placed text object draws its content in the scene', await has('Hello world'));
diff --git a/tools/e2e/11-menus.mjs b/tools/e2e/11-menus.mjs
index b8bf5697..c1ceed79 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/11-menus.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/11-menus.mjs
@@ -3,16 +3,22 @@
  * to make the parent picker overflow, which the earlier steps' object counts would not survive.
  */
 export async function menus(t) {
-  const { check, sleep, json, shot, click, locate, mouse, mutate } = t;
+  const { check, sleep, evaluate, json, shot, click, locate, mouse, mutate } = t;
+  /** Like locate(), but a row scrolled out of view answers with null instead of throwing. */
+  const rowAt = async (text) =>
+    (await evaluate(`__gm.locate(${JSON.stringify(text)}, true)`)) ?? { x: -1, y: -1 };
 
   await mutate(`
     const scene = __gm.state.activeScene;
-    const source = scene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1');
+    // Any plain stored object will do – not a placed container, whose content the picker
+    // would list forty times over as well.
+    const source = scene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'otext');
     for (let i = 1; i <= 40; i++) {
       const copy = structuredClone(source);
       copy.id = 'filler' + i;
       copy.name = 'Filler ' + i;
       copy.parentId = '';
+      copy.overrides = {};
       scene.objects.push(copy);
     }
     __gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectIds: ['otext'], objectId: 'otext' })`);
@@ -39,8 +45,13 @@ export async function menus(t) {
 
   // 18a. The entries scroll under the wheel; the search box above them does not move.
   // Anchored on a filler row: "None" is also what an empty dropdown reads, so locating it could
-  // find an inspector field behind the menu instead – one that never moves.
-  const firstBefore = await locate('Filler 1', true);
+  // find an inspector field behind the menu instead – one that never moves. Which filler is asked
+  // for is read off the open menu: the capped list only draws the rows it shows, and how many
+  // objects come before them depends on what the earlier steps left in the scene.
+  const visibleFillers = (await json('__gm.overlayTexts()')).filter((e) => e.startsWith('Filler '));
+  const anchor = visibleFillers[visibleFillers.length - 1];
+  check('the picker lists the filler objects', Boolean(anchor), JSON.stringify(visibleFillers));
+  const firstBefore = await rowAt(anchor);
   const searchBefore = await locate('Search…', true);
   // Move onto the list first: a wheel event goes to whatever is hovered, and the pointer last
   // touched the field above the menu.
@@ -50,13 +61,13 @@ export async function menus(t) {
   // Measured here: the list had not moved 40 ms after the wheel but had at 340 ms. Both
   // readings are reported so an early one cannot look like a mystery failure again.
   await sleep(40);
-  const rightAfter = await locate('Filler 1', true);
+  const rightAfter = await rowAt(anchor);
   await sleep(300);
-  const firstAfter = await locate('Filler 1', true);
+  const firstAfter = await rowAt(anchor);
   const searchAfter = await locate('Search…', true);
   check(
     'the wheel scrolls the entries',
-    firstAfter.y < firstBefore.y - 100,
+    firstAfter.y >= 0 && firstAfter.y < firstBefore.y - 100,
     JSON.stringify({ firstBefore, rightAfter, firstAfter }),
   );
   check('the search box stays put while the entries scroll', searchAfter.y === searchBefore.y);
diff --git a/tools/e2e/12-textures.mjs b/tools/e2e/12-textures.mjs
index 6f45cbb4..d1a9d6ec 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/12-textures.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/12-textures.mjs
@@ -86,11 +86,10 @@ export async function textures(t) {
     project.assets.push(sprite);
 
     const scene = __gm.state.activeScene;
-    const object = structuredClone(scene.objects.find((o) => o.id === 'o1'));
+    const object = structuredClone(scene.objects.find((o) => o.id === 'otext'));
     object.id = 'otex';
     object.name = 'Textured';
     object.assetId = 'tex-sprite';
-    object.templateId = '';
     object.overrides = {};
     object.position = { ...object.position, z: 900 };
     scene.objects.push(object);
diff --git a/tools/e2e/14-overflow.mjs b/tools/e2e/14-overflow.mjs
index ed38a57d..fc4de9f7 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/14-overflow.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/14-overflow.mjs
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ export async function overflow(t) {
   //      whose asset name is now overlong too.
   await evaluate("__gm.showTab('scene')");
   await sleep(300);
-  await evaluate("__gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', objectId: 'o1' })");
+  await evaluate("__gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', objectId: 'otex' })");
   await sleep(500);
   const inspector = await json('__gm.textOverflows()');
   check('no label spills in the inspector', inspector.length === 0, JSON.stringify(inspector));
diff --git a/tools/e2e/16-container.mjs b/tools/e2e/16-container.mjs
index 1fe115d2..74a54ae8 100644
--- a/tools/e2e/16-container.mjs
+++ b/tools/e2e/16-container.mjs
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
+import { instanceChild } from '../lib/builders.mjs';
+
 /**
  * The Container tab: editing a container's template with the scene view's own tools.
  *
  * Runs after the container step, which created a container asset from two crates and left two
- * placed copies of it in the scene – which is what makes "which copies follow a template edit"
+ * instances of it in the scene. Neither of them holds a copy: what they show is resolved from
+ * the template on every read, which is what makes "which instance follows a template edit"
  * a question worth asking.
  */
 
@@ -24,6 +27,9 @@ export async function containerTab(t) {
     undo,
     state,
     asset,
+    object,
+    objects,
+    storedObjects,
   } = t;
   await press('Escape');
 
@@ -79,52 +85,64 @@ export async function containerTab(t) {
     JSON.stringify(s.selection),
   );
 
-  // 22c. The point of the tab: a drag writes the template, and the placed copies follow it –
-  //      except one that was moved on its own beforehand, which keeps what it has.
+  // 22c. The point of the tab: a drag writes the template, and every instance follows it – except
+  //      one that was moved there on its own, whose deviation the instance keeps.
   const templateX = () =>
     json(
       `__gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === '${containerId}').objects.find(o => o.id === '${root.id}').position.x`,
     );
-  const copyXs = () =>
+  // The instances resolve this template object under `<instance>~${root.id}`; nothing of it is
+  // stored, so the resolved list is the only place to read it.
+  const instanceXs = () =>
     json(
-      `Object.fromEntries(__gm.state.activeScene.objects.filter(o => o.templateId === '${root.id}').map(o => [o.id, o.position.x]))`,
+      `Object.fromEntries(__gm.sceneObjects().filter(o => o.id.endsWith('~${root.id}')).map(o => [o.id, o.position.x]))`,
     );
-  const copies = await copyXs();
-  const [dirtyId, ...cleanIds] = Object.keys(copies);
-  await mutate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === '${dirtyId}').position.x += 7`);
+  const shown = await instanceXs();
+  const [dirtyId, ...cleanIds] = Object.keys(shown);
+  const dirtyInstance = dirtyId.slice(0, dirtyId.indexOf('~'));
+  const setDeviation = (body) =>
+    mutate(
+      `const edits = __gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === '${dirtyInstance}').instanceEdits;
+       ${body}`,
+    );
+  await setDeviation(`edits['${root.id}'] = { position: { x: ${shown[dirtyId] + 7} }, overrides: {} }`);
   const before = await templateX();
   await drag(at.x, at.y, at.x + 90, at.y);
   const after = await templateX();
-  const copiesAfter = await copyXs();
+  const afterDrag = await instanceXs();
   check(
     'dragging in the Container tab moves the template',
     after === before + 90,
     JSON.stringify({ before, after }),
   );
   check(
-    'the placed copies that still matched the template follow it',
-    cleanIds.length > 0 && cleanIds.every((id) => copiesAfter[id] === copies[id] + 90),
-    JSON.stringify({ copies, copiesAfter, cleanIds }),
+    'the instances that still matched the template follow it',
+    cleanIds.length > 0 && cleanIds.every((id) => afterDrag[id] === shown[id] + 90),
+    JSON.stringify({ shown, afterDrag, cleanIds }),
   );
   check(
-    'a copy that was moved on its own keeps its own position',
-    copiesAfter[dirtyId] === copies[dirtyId] + 7,
-    JSON.stringify({ was: copies[dirtyId], now: copiesAfter[dirtyId] }),
+    'the instance that was moved on its own keeps its own position',
+    afterDrag[dirtyId] === shown[dirtyId] + 7,
+    JSON.stringify({ was: shown[dirtyId], now: afterDrag[dirtyId] }),
   );
   await undo();
-  const copiesUndone = await copyXs();
+  const undone = await instanceXs();
   check('undo takes the template move back', (await templateX()) === before);
   check(
-    'and takes the copies back with it',
-    cleanIds.every((id) => copiesUndone[id] === copies[id]),
-    JSON.stringify({ copies, copiesUndone }),
+    'and takes the instances back with it',
+    cleanIds.every((id) => undone[id] === shown[id]),
+    JSON.stringify({ shown, undone }),
   );
-  await mutate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === '${dirtyId}').position.x -= 7`);
+  await setDeviation(`delete edits['${root.id}']`);
 
   // 22d. Placing goes through the Assets panel, whose entry follows the visible tab: it adds one
   //      object to the template, not to the scene.
   const crateName = (await asset('crate')).name;
-  const sceneCount = (await json('__gm.state.activeScene.objects')).length;
+  // What the scene *stores* – that must not move. What it *lists* has to grow by one per placed
+  // instance instead, since every one of them resolves the new template object too.
+  const sceneStored = (await storedObjects()).length;
+  const sceneListed = (await objects()).length;
+  const instanceCount = Object.keys(await instanceXs()).length;
   await clickText(crateName, 'right');
   check(
     'the asset menu offers Place in container while the tab is open',
@@ -142,7 +160,12 @@ export async function containerTab(t) {
       grown.some((o) => o.id === s.selection.objectId),
     JSON.stringify({ before: count, after: grown.length, selection: s.selection }),
   );
-  check('the scene is untouched by it', (await json('__gm.state.activeScene.objects')).length === sceneCount);
+  check('the scene stores nothing more for it', (await storedObjects()).length === sceneStored);
+  check(
+    'but every placed instance shows the new template object at once',
+    (await objects()).length === sceneListed + instanceCount,
+    JSON.stringify({ listed: (await objects()).length, was: sceneListed, instances: instanceCount }),
+  );
   await shot('31-container-object-added');
 
   // 22e. Delete works on a template object like on any other, as one undo step.
@@ -199,12 +222,12 @@ export async function containerTab(t) {
   );
   await evaluate("__gm.showTab('scene')");
   await sleep(300);
-  await evaluate("__gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'o1' })");
+  await evaluate("__gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', holderId: 'scene1', objectId: 'otex' })");
   await sleep(300);
   check('selecting a scene object leaves the Scene tab alone', (await json('__gm.tab()')) === 'scene');
   check(
     'the hierarchy is back on the scene with it',
-    (await json('__gm.hierarchyOrder()')).includes('o1'),
+    (await json('__gm.hierarchyOrder()')).includes('otex'),
     JSON.stringify(await json('__gm.hierarchyOrder()')),
   );
   await clickText(crateName, 'right');
@@ -257,6 +280,39 @@ export async function containerTab(t) {
       (await json('__gm.container.current()')) === 'c2',
     JSON.stringify({ before: nested.length, after: nestedAfter.length }),
   );
-  await undo();
+
+  // 22j. Nesting resolves all the way down: placing the outer container in the scene stores one
+  //      object, and the inner container's content appears under `<instance>~<outer>/<inner>`.
+  const innerObject = nestedAfter.find((o) => o.assetId === containerId);
+  const innerTemplate = await json(`__gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === '${containerId}').objects`);
+  await evaluate("__gm.showTab('scene')");
+  await sleep(300);
+  const storedBefore = (await storedObjects()).length;
+  const listedBefore = (await objects()).length;
+  await clickText('Spare box', 'right');
+  await clickText('Place in scene');
+  await sleep(300);
+  const outer = (await storedObjects()).find((o) => o.assetId === 'c2');
+  const deep = innerTemplate.map((o) => instanceChild(outer.id, innerObject.id, o.id));
+  const listedIds = (await objects()).map((o) => o.id);
+  check(
+    'a container nested in a container template resolves through both levels',
+    (await storedObjects()).length === storedBefore + 1 &&
+      (await objects()).length === listedBefore + 1 + nestedAfter.length + innerTemplate.length &&
+      deep.every((id) => listedIds.includes(id)),
+    JSON.stringify({
+      stored: (await storedObjects()).length - storedBefore,
+      listed: (await objects()).length - listedBefore,
+      deep: deep.filter((id) => !listedIds.includes(id)),
+    }),
+  );
+  check(
+    'and the nested content hangs below the nested container object',
+    (await object(deep[0])).parentId === instanceChild(outer.id, innerObject.id),
+    JSON.stringify(await object(deep[0])),
+  );
+  await shot('34-container-nested');
+  await undo(); // the placement
+  await undo(); // the nesting
   await sleep(200);
 }
diff --git a/tools/lib/builders.mjs b/tools/lib/builders.mjs
index 2e1d842e..3c64dcf9 100644
--- a/tools/lib/builders.mjs
+++ b/tools/lib/builders.mjs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 export const sceneObject = (
   id,
   assetId,
-  { name = '', x = 0, y = 0, z = 0, overrides = {}, parentId = '', templateId = '', editorOffset } = {},
+  { name = '', x = 0, y = 0, z = 0, overrides = {}, parentId = '', instanceEdits, editorOffset } = {},
 ) => ({
   id,
   assetId,
@@ -15,10 +15,17 @@ export const sceneObject = (
   position: { x, y, z },
   overrides,
   parentId,
-  templateId,
+  ...(instanceEdits ? { instanceEdits } : {}),
   ...(editorOffset ? { editorOffset } : {}),
 });
 
+/**
+ * The id an object of a placed container resolves to: `<instance>~<template ids>`. A placed
+ * container stores nothing but itself, so this is how its content is addressed – in the editor,
+ * in a running game and in the check scripts alike (see `src/core/model/instance.ts`).
+ */
+export const instanceChild = (instanceId, ...templatePath) => `${instanceId}~${templatePath.join('/')}`;
+
 /** A graph edge from `from.fromPort` to `to.toPort`. */
 export const edge = (id, from, fromPort, to, toPort) => ({
   id,
@@ -31,32 +38,3 @@ export const node = (id, type, x, y, params = {}) => ({ id, type, x, y, params }
 
 /** A behavior variable declaration. */
 export const variable = (key, kind, value) => ({ key, label: key, kind, default: value });
-
-/**
- * Instantiation of container templates the way the editor does it (`instantiateContainer`):
- * `templates` maps container asset ids to their template objects.
- *
- *   expand(assetId, hostId)                 copies of the template, parented below `hostId`
- *   instantiate(id, assetId, options)       the container object plus its expanded content
- *
- * A template object that is itself a container is expanded in turn, unless the template already
- * spells its content out. Copies remember their template id.
- */
-export function containerFactory(templates) {
-  const expand = (assetId, hostId) => {
-    const template = templates[assetId];
-    const objects = [];
-    for (const t of template) {
-      const id = `${hostId}-${t.id}`;
-      objects.push({ ...t, id, parentId: t.parentId ? `${hostId}-${t.parentId}` : hostId, templateId: t.id });
-      if (templates[t.assetId] && !template.some((o) => o.parentId === t.id))
-        objects.push(...expand(t.assetId, id));
-    }
-    return objects;
-  };
-  const instantiate = (id, assetId, options = {}) => [
-    sceneObject(id, assetId, options),
-    ...expand(assetId, id),
-  ];
-  return { expand, instantiate };
-}
diff --git a/tools/lib/harness.mjs b/tools/lib/harness.mjs
index a6382fc9..5e8f1e08 100644
--- a/tools/lib/harness.mjs
+++ b/tools/lib/harness.mjs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const KEYS = {
   ArrowRight: { key: 'ArrowRight', code: 'ArrowRight', windowsVirtualKeyCode: 39 },
   Delete: { key: 'Delete', code: 'Delete', windowsVirtualKeyCode: 46 },
   a: { key: 'a', code: 'KeyA', windowsVirtualKeyCode: 65 },
+  g: { key: 'g', code: 'KeyG', windowsVirtualKeyCode: 71 },
   z: { key: 'z', code: 'KeyZ', windowsVirtualKeyCode: 90 },
 };
 
@@ -164,8 +165,15 @@ function makeTools({ cdp, projectId, baseUrl, consoleLog, check, shotPrefix }) {
     json(
       '{ selection: __gm.state.selection, mode: __gm.state.mode, save: __gm.state.saveStatus, notice: __gm.state.notice }',
     );
-  const objects = () => json('__gm.state.activeScene.objects');
-  const object = (id) => json(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find((o) => o.id === ${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
+  /**
+   * The scene's objects the way the editor lists them: the content of a placed container is
+   * resolved from its template and stored nowhere (see `src/core/model/instance.ts`), so it is in
+   * here but not in `state.activeScene.objects`. Use `storedObjects()` for the latter.
+   */
+  const objects = () => json('__gm.sceneObjects()');
+  const object = (id) => json(`__gm.sceneObjects().find((o) => o.id === ${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
+  /** Only what the scene really holds – a placed container counts as one object, not as its content. */
+  const storedObjects = () => json('__gm.state.activeScene.objects');
   const asset = (id) => json(`__gm.state.project.assets.find((a) => a.id === ${JSON.stringify(id)})`);
   const world = () => json('__gm.world()');
   const entity = async (objectId) => (await world()).entities.find((e) => e.objectId === objectId);
@@ -224,6 +232,7 @@ function makeTools({ cdp, projectId, baseUrl, consoleLog, check, shotPrefix }) {
     state,
     objects,
     object,
+    storedObjects,
     asset,
     world,
     entity,
diff --git a/tools/seed-jumprun.mjs b/tools/seed-jumprun.mjs
index 4a199174..bb9510c4 100644
--- a/tools/seed-jumprun.mjs
+++ b/tools/seed-jumprun.mjs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  *
  * Usage: PATH=/opt/node22/bin:$PATH node tools/seed-jumprun.mjs [projectId] [baseUrl]
  */
-import { containerFactory, edge, node, sceneObject, variable } from './lib/builders.mjs';
+import { edge, node, sceneObject, variable } from './lib/builders.mjs';
 import { PROJECTS, cliArgs, writeProject } from './lib/projects.mjs';
 
 const { projectId, baseUrl } = cliArgs('seed-jumprun.mjs', PROJECTS.jumpRun);
@@ -121,7 +121,6 @@ const templates = {
   win: screenTemplate('win', 'YOU WIN!', 'All ten coins collected in time.', 'PLAY AGAIN', 'restart-button'),
   lose: screenTemplate('lose', 'TIME UP', 'The time is over - try again.', 'PLAY AGAIN', 'restart-button'),
 };
-const { instantiate } = containerFactory(templates);
 
 // --- graphs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -357,7 +356,7 @@ const restartButtonGraph = {
 // --- project ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 const project = {
-  formatVersion: 1,
+  formatVersion: 2,
   id: projectId,
   name: 'Jump and Run',
   activeSceneId: 'scene1',
@@ -368,22 +367,22 @@ const project = {
       name: 'Level 1',
       props: { backgroundColor: SKY },
       objects: [
-        ...instantiate('L', 'level', { name: 'Level' }),
+        sceneObject('L', 'level', { name: 'Level' }),
         // All three screens sit on the camera frame; the Game behavior decides on `On start` which
         // one is up. Editor offsets pull them apart in the scene view so they do not cover the level.
-        ...instantiate('T', 'title', {
+        sceneObject('T', 'title', {
           name: 'Title',
           z: 10,
           overrides: { enabled: true },
           editorOffset: { x: -750, y: -500 },
         }),
-        ...instantiate('W', 'win', {
+        sceneObject('W', 'win', {
           name: 'Win',
           z: 10,
           overrides: { enabled: true },
           editorOffset: { x: 0, y: -500 },
         }),
-        ...instantiate('B', 'lose', {
+        sceneObject('B', 'lose', {
           name: 'Lose',
           z: 10,
           overrides: { enabled: true },
@@ -463,8 +462,8 @@ const project = {
       variables: [],
       graph: restartButtonGraph,
     },
-    { id: 'coin', type: 'container', name: 'Coin', props: {}, objects: coinTemplate },
-    { id: 'level', type: 'container', name: 'Level', props: {}, objects: levelTemplate },
+    { id: 'coin', type: 'container', name: 'Coin', props: {}, objects: templates.coin },
+    { id: 'level', type: 'container', name: 'Level', props: {}, objects: templates.level },
     { id: 'title', type: 'container', name: 'Title screen', props: {}, objects: templates.title },
     { id: 'win', type: 'container', name: 'Win screen', props: {}, objects: templates.win },
     { id: 'lose', type: 'container', name: 'Lose screen', props: {}, objects: templates.lose },
diff --git a/tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs b/tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs
index e9d58fa4..02eeb30c 100644
--- a/tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs
+++ b/tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs
@@ -7,13 +7,26 @@
  * Usage: PATH=/opt/node22/bin:$PATH node tools/seed-jumprun.mjs && node tools/smoke-jumprun.mjs
  * Screenshots land in /tmp/gm-jr-*.png.
  */
+import { instanceChild } from './lib/builders.mjs';
 import { runChecks } from './lib/harness.mjs';
 import { PROJECTS, cliArgs } from './lib/projects.mjs';
 
 const { projectId, baseUrl } = cliArgs('smoke-jumprun.mjs', PROJECTS.jumpRun);
 
-/** What the seeder writes; a mismatch means the loader dropped something. */
+/**
+ * What the editor lists: the six stored objects plus everything the placed containers resolve to
+ * (the level with its ten nested coins, and the three screens). A mismatch means the loader
+ * dropped something.
+ */
 const OBJECT_COUNT = 77;
+
+/** The scene stores the container objects alone – the rest is resolved from their templates. */
+const STORED_COUNT = 6;
+
+// Ids inside a placed container are derived from the template path, never stored.
+const PLAYER = instanceChild('L', 'player');
+const START_BUTTON = instanceChild('T', 'title-button');
+const AGAIN_BUTTON = instanceChild('W', 'win-button');
 const GRAPHS = { player: [35, 38], game: [38, 43], 'start-button': [9, 10], 'restart-button': [2, 1] };
 const GROUND_Y = 130;
 
@@ -46,7 +59,11 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
     if (!p) throw new Error(`object ${objectId} is not on screen in the game view`);
     await click(p.x, p.y);
   };
-  /** Edits the play copy (never the saved project) and pushes it into the running world. */
+  /**
+   * Edits the play copy (never the saved project) and pushes it into the running world. The
+   * stored list is the right one here: play bakes every placed container into it, and only a
+   * stored object can be written to.
+   */
   const setVariable = (objectId, key, value) =>
     mutate(
       `__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find((x) => x.id === ${JSON.stringify(objectId)}).overrides[${JSON.stringify(key)}] = ${JSON.stringify(value)}`,
@@ -64,8 +81,14 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
       graphs.every((g) => GRAPHS[g.id] && g.n === GRAPHS[g.id][0] && g.e === GRAPHS[g.id][1]),
     JSON.stringify(graphs),
   );
-  const objectCount = await evaluate('__gm.state.activeScene.objects.length');
+  const objectCount = await evaluate('__gm.sceneObjects().length');
+  const storedCount = await evaluate('__gm.state.activeScene.objects.length');
   check('the scene holds the seeded objects', objectCount === OBJECT_COUNT, `${objectCount} objects`);
+  check(
+    'the placed containers are stored as one object each, their content only resolved',
+    storedCount === STORED_COUNT,
+    `${storedCount} stored, ${objectCount} listed`,
+  );
   await shot('01-editor');
 
   // 2. Play: the Game behavior shows the title screen and switches the level off.
@@ -83,7 +106,7 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   await shot('02-title');
 
   // 3. The Start button is a click target in the running game (On click + hit test).
-  await clickObject('T-title-button');
+  await clickObject(START_BUTTON);
   await sleep(400);
   check(
     'clicking Start hides the title and shows the level',
@@ -97,8 +120,17 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   );
   await shot('03-running');
 
+  // 3a. Play bakes the placed containers into stored objects, keeping the ids the editor showed –
+  //     which is why the checks below can address the player and the buttons by the same id.
+  const baked = await json('__gm.state.activeScene.objects.map((o) => o.id)');
+  check(
+    'play spells the containers out under the ids the editor listed',
+    baked.length === OBJECT_COUNT && [PLAYER, START_BUTTON, AGAIN_BUTTON].every((id) => baked.includes(id)),
+    `${baked.length} objects, player ${baked.includes(PLAYER)}`,
+  );
+
   // 4. Gravity: the player rests on the ground (its 40-high box on the ground's top edge, y = 150).
-  const grounded = await entity('L-player');
+  const grounded = await entity(PLAYER);
   check(
     'gravity dropped the player onto the ground (top edge at y = 150)',
     Math.abs(grounded.worldY - GROUND_Y) < 1.5,
@@ -108,14 +140,14 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   // 5. Jumping: Space lifts the player (y gets smaller) and gravity brings it back down.
   await press('Space');
   await sleep(200);
-  const airborne = await entity('L-player');
+  const airborne = await entity(PLAYER);
   check(
     'Space makes the player jump',
     airborne.worldY < grounded.worldY - 25,
     `y ${grounded.worldY.toFixed(1)} → ${airborne.worldY.toFixed(1)}`,
   );
   await sleep(1200);
-  const landed = await entity('L-player');
+  const landed = await entity(PLAYER);
   check(
     'the player falls back onto the ground',
     Math.abs(landed.worldY - GROUND_Y) < 1.5,
@@ -126,7 +158,7 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   // 6. Walking and collecting: running into a coin removes it and counts up.
   const coinsBefore = await coins();
   await holdKey('ArrowRight', 1500);
-  const walked = await entity('L-player');
+  const walked = await entity(PLAYER);
   check(
     'arrow keys walk the player',
     walked.worldX > landed.worldX + 40,
@@ -155,7 +187,7 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   await shot('06-won');
 
   // 8. Restart game: back to a fresh run at the title screen, coins and clock reset.
-  await clickObject('W-win-button');
+  await clickObject(AGAIN_BUTTON);
   await sleep(1200);
   check(
     'Play again restarts the scene at the title screen',
@@ -164,7 +196,7 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   check('the restarted run has all ten coins back', (await coins()) === 10, `${await coins()} coins`);
 
   // 9. Losing: start again, run the clock out.
-  await clickObject('T-title-button');
+  await clickObject(START_BUTTON);
   await sleep(300);
   await setVariable('ogame', 'timeLeft', 0.2);
   await sleep(600);
@@ -178,11 +210,14 @@ await runChecks({ projectId, baseUrl, port: 9336, shotPrefix: 'gm-jr' }, async (
   await stop();
   await sleep(200);
   const saved = await json(
-    '{ objects: __gm.state.activeScene.objects.length, mode: __gm.state.mode, tab: __gm.tab() }',
+    '{ objects: __gm.sceneObjects().length, stored: __gm.state.activeScene.objects.length, mode: __gm.state.mode, tab: __gm.tab() }',
   );
   check(
     'stop restores the edited scene',
-    saved.objects === OBJECT_COUNT && saved.mode === 'edit' && saved.tab === 'scene',
+    saved.objects === OBJECT_COUNT &&
+      saved.stored === STORED_COUNT &&
+      saved.mode === 'edit' &&
+      saved.tab === 'scene',
     JSON.stringify(saved),
   );
   check('no exceptions during the run', exceptions().length === 0, exceptions().slice(0, 3).join(' | '));