diff --git a/.cargo/config.toml b/.cargo/config.toml
index e0222a5..a7e674b 100644
--- a/.cargo/config.toml
+++ b/.cargo/config.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # Uncomment to use local doux for development
 paths = ["/Users/bubo/doux"]
 
+[env]
+MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = "12.0"
+
 [alias]
 xtask = "run --package xtask --release --"
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 96ca212..16b7527 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ on:
 
 env:
   CARGO_TERM_COLOR: always
+  MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET: "12.0"
 
 concurrency:
   group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 35ca3d0..7da55ca 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ doux = { git = "https://github.com/sova-org/doux", features = ["native", "soundf
 rusty_link = "0.4"
 ratatui = "0.30"
 crossterm = "0.29"
-cpal = { version = "0.17", features = ["jack"], optional = true }
+cpal = { version = "0.17", optional = true }
 clap = { version = "4", features = ["derive"], optional = true }
 rand = "0.8"
 serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ rustc-hash = { version = "2", optional = true }
 image = { version = "0.25", default-features = false, features = ["png"], optional = true }
 
 
+[target.'cfg(target_os = "linux")'.dependencies]
+cpal = { version = "0.17", optional = true, features = ["jack"] }
+
 [target.'cfg(windows)'.build-dependencies]
 winres = "0.1"
 
@@ -109,3 +112,4 @@ icon = ["assets/Cagire.icns", "assets/Cagire.ico", "assets/Cagire.png"]
 copyright = "Copyright (c) 2025 Raphaël Forment"
 category = "Music"
 short_description = "Forth-based music sequencer"
+minimum_system_version = "12.0"
diff --git a/crates/forth/src/compiler.rs b/crates/forth/src/compiler.rs
index cac8b45..2a12303 100644
--- a/crates/forth/src/compiler.rs
+++ b/crates/forth/src/compiler.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ fn tokenize(input: &str) -> Vec<Token> {
             continue;
         }
 
-        if c == '(' || c == ')' {
+        if c == '{' || c == '}' {
             chars.next();
             continue;
         }
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ fn compile(tokens: &[Token], dict: &Dictionary) -> Result<Vec<Op>, String> {
             Token::Str(s, span) => ops.push(Op::PushStr(Arc::from(s.as_str()), Some(*span))),
             Token::Word(w, span) => {
                 let word = w.as_str();
-                if word == "{" {
+                if word == "(" {
                     let (quote_ops, consumed, end_span) =
                         compile_quotation(&tokens[i + 1..], dict)?;
                     i += consumed;
@@ -142,8 +142,8 @@ fn compile(tokens: &[Token], dict: &Dictionary) -> Result<Vec<Op>, String> {
                         end: end_span.end,
                     };
                     ops.push(Op::Quotation(Arc::from(quote_ops), Some(body_span)));
-                } else if word == "}" {
-                    return Err("unexpected }".into());
+                } else if word == ")" {
+                    return Err("unexpected )".into());
                 } else if word == "[" {
                     let (bracket_ops, consumed, end_span) =
                         compile_bracket(&tokens[i + 1..], dict)?;
@@ -203,8 +203,8 @@ fn compile_quotation(
     for (i, tok) in tokens.iter().enumerate() {
         if let Token::Word(w, _) = tok {
             match w.as_str() {
-                "{" => depth += 1,
-                "}" => {
+                "(" => depth += 1,
+                ")" => {
                     depth -= 1;
                     if depth == 0 {
                         end_idx = Some(i);
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ fn compile_quotation(
         }
     }
 
-    let end_idx = end_idx.ok_or("missing }")?;
+    let end_idx = end_idx.ok_or("missing )")?;
     let end_span = match &tokens[end_idx] {
         Token::Word(_, span) => *span,
         _ => unreachable!(),
diff --git a/crates/forth/src/words/core.rs b/crates/forth/src/words/core.rs
index 6c8cf9a..452230c 100644
--- a/crates/forth/src/words/core.rs
+++ b/crates/forth/src/words/core.rs
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Logic",
         stack: "(true-quot false-quot bool --)",
         desc: "Execute true-quot if true, else false-quot",
-        example: "{ 1 } { 2 } coin ifelse",
+        example: "( 1 ) ( 2 ) coin ifelse",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Logic",
         stack: "(..quots n --)",
         desc: "Execute nth quotation (0-indexed)",
-        example: "{ 1 } { 2 } { 3 } 2 select => 3",
+        example: "( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) 2 select => 3",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: true,
     },
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Logic",
         stack: "(quot bool --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation if true",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 0.5 chance ?",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 0.5 chance ?",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Logic",
         stack: "(quot bool --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation if false",
-        example: "{ 1 distort } 0.5 chance !?",
+        example: "( 1 distort ) 0.5 chance !?",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Logic",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation unconditionally",
-        example: "{ 2 * } apply",
+        example: "( 2 * ) apply",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Control",
         stack: "(n quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation n times, @i holds current index",
-        example: "4 { @i . } times => 0 1 2 3",
+        example: "4 ( @i . ) times => 0 1 2 3",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
diff --git a/crates/forth/src/words/sequencing.rs b/crates/forth/src/words/sequencing.rs
index c1dda6c..ed6003c 100644
--- a/crates/forth/src/words/sequencing.rs
+++ b/crates/forth/src/words/sequencing.rs
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot prob --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation with probability (0.0-1.0)",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 0.75 chance",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 0.75 chance",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot pct --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation with probability (0-100)",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 75 prob",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 75 prob",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Always execute quotation",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } always",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) always",
         compile: Probability(1.0),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Never execute quotation",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } never",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) never",
         compile: Probability(0.0),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation 75% of the time",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } often",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) often",
         compile: Probability(0.75),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation 50% of the time",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } sometimes",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) sometimes",
         compile: Probability(0.5),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation 25% of the time",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } rarely",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) rarely",
         compile: Probability(0.25),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation 10% of the time",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } almostNever",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) almostNever",
         compile: Probability(0.1),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Probability",
         stack: "(quot --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation 90% of the time",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } almostAlways",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) almostAlways",
         compile: Probability(0.9),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot n --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation every nth iteration",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 4 every",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 4 every",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot n --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation on all iterations except every nth",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 4 except",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 4 except",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot n offset --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation every nth iteration with phase offset",
-        example: "{ snare } 4 2 every+ => fires at iter 2, 6, 10...",
+        example: "( snare ) 4 2 every+ => fires at iter 2, 6, 10...",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot n offset --)",
         desc: "Skip quotation every nth iteration with phase offset",
-        example: "{ snare } 4 2 except+ => skips at iter 2, 6, 10...",
+        example: "( snare ) 4 2 except+ => skips at iter 2, 6, 10...",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot k n --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation using Euclidean distribution over step runs",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 3 8 bjork",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 3 8 bjork",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Time",
         stack: "(quot k n --)",
         desc: "Execute quotation using Euclidean distribution over pattern iterations",
-        example: "{ 2 distort } 3 8 pbjork",
+        example: "( 2 distort ) 3 8 pbjork",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Desktop",
         stack: "(-- bool)",
         desc: "1 when mouse button held, 0 otherwise",
-        example: "mdown { \"crash\" s . } ?",
+        example: "mdown ( \"crash\" s . ) ?",
         compile: Context("mdown"),
         varargs: false,
     },
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ pub(super) const WORDS: &[Word] = &[
         category: "Generator",
         stack: "(quot n -- results...)",
         desc: "Execute quotation n times, push all results",
-        example: "{ 1 6 rand } 4 gen => 4 random values",
+        example: "( 1 6 rand ) 4 gen => 4 random values",
         compile: Simple,
         varargs: true,
     },
diff --git a/demos/02.cagire b/demos/02.cagire
index 44ff314..4c88c11 100644
--- a/demos/02.cagire
+++ b/demos/02.cagire
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@
           "steps": [
             {
               "i": 0,
-              "script": "0 8 12 rand ..\nc3 c4 g3 g2 4 pcycle key!\n0 1 2 choose 2\n6 12 rand pentatonic\n{ inv } rarely\n{ inv } sometimes arp note\ngrain sound 2 8 rand decay \n2 vib 0.125 2 / vibmod\n0.01 1.0 exprand pan\n2 release\n0.8 verb 1.0 verbdiff\n0.2 chorus\n1 morph\n0.0 1.0 rand \n0.0 1.0 rand timbre\n0.5 gain\n0.8 sustain\n2 8 rand release\n."
+              "script": "0 8 12 rand ..\nc3 c4 g3 g2 4 pcycle key!\n0 1 2 choose 2\n6 12 rand pentatonic\n( inv ) rarely\n( inv ) sometimes arp note\ngrain sound 2 8 rand decay \n2 vib 0.125 2 / vibmod\n0.01 1.0 exprand pan\n2 release\n0.8 verb 1.0 verbdiff\n0.2 chorus\n1 morph\n0.0 1.0 rand \n0.0 1.0 rand timbre\n0.5 gain\n0.8 sustain\n2 8 rand release\n."
             },
             {
               "i": 4,
-              "script": "0 12 20 rand ..\nc3 c4 g3 g2 4 pcycle key!\n0 1 2 choose 2\n6 12 rand pentatonic\n{ inv } rarely\n{ inv } sometimes arp note\ngrain sound 2 8 rand decay \n2 vib 0.125 2 / vibmod\n0.01 1.0 exprand pan\n10 16 rand release\n0.8 verb 1.0 verbdiff\n0.2 chorus\n1 morph\n0.0 1.0 rand 0.0 1.0 rand timbre\n0.5 gain\n{ . } 2 every"
+              "script": "0 12 20 rand ..\nc3 c4 g3 g2 4 pcycle key!\n0 1 2 choose 2\n6 12 rand pentatonic\n( inv ) rarely\n( inv ) sometimes arp note\ngrain sound 2 8 rand decay \n2 vib 0.125 2 / vibmod\n0.01 1.0 exprand pan\n10 16 rand release\n0.8 verb 1.0 verbdiff\n0.2 chorus\n1 morph\n0.0 1.0 rand 0.0 1.0 rand timbre\n0.5 gain\n( . ) 2 every"
             }
           ],
           "length": 16,
diff --git a/docs/forth/about_forth.md b/docs/forth/about_forth.md
index 905d6c3..c42322b 100644
--- a/docs/forth/about_forth.md
+++ b/docs/forth/about_forth.md
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Four basic types of values can live on the stack:
 - **Integers**: `42`, `-7`, `0`
 - **Floats**: `0.5`, `3.14`, `-1.0`
 - **Strings**: `"kick"`, `"hello"`
-- **Quotations**: `{ dup + }` (code as data)
+- **Quotations**: `( dup + )` (code as data)
 
 Floats can omit the leading zero: `.25` is the same as `0.25`, and `-.5` is `-0.5`.
 
diff --git a/docs/forth/control_flow.md b/docs/forth/control_flow.md
index 1d20c12..5733df9 100644
--- a/docs/forth/control_flow.md
+++ b/docs/forth/control_flow.md
@@ -29,22 +29,22 @@ These are compiled directly into branch instructions. For that reason, these wor
 When you already have a quotation, `?` executes it if the condition is truthy:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.4 verb } coin ?
+( 0.4 verb ) coin ?
 saw s c4 note 0.5 gain .    ;; reverb on half the hits
 ```
 
 `!?` is the opposite — executes when falsy:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.2 gain } coin !?
+( 0.2 gain ) coin !?
 saw s c4 note .              ;; quiet on half the hits
 ```
 
 These pair well with `chance`, `prob`, and the other probability words:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.5 verb } 0.3 chance ?      ;; occasional reverb wash
-{ 12 + } fill ?                 ;; octave up during fills
+( 0.5 verb ) 0.3 chance ?      ;; occasional reverb wash
+( 12 + ) fill ?                 ;; octave up during fills
 ```
 
 ## ifelse
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ These pair well with `chance`, `prob`, and the other probability words:
 Two quotations, one condition. The true branch comes first:
 
 ```forth
-{ c3 note } { c4 note } coin ifelse
+( c3 note ) ( c4 note ) coin ifelse
 saw s 0.6 gain .                ;; bass or lead, coin flip
 ```
 
 Reads naturally: "c3 or c4, depending on the coin."
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.8 gain } { 0.3 gain } fill ifelse
+( 0.8 gain ) ( 0.3 gain ) fill ifelse
 tri s c4 note 0.2 decay .      ;; loud during fills, quiet otherwise
 ```
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ tri s c4 note 0.2 decay .      ;; loud during fills, quiet otherwise
 Choose the nth option from a list of quotations:
 
 ```forth
-{ c4 } { e4 } { g4 } { b4 } iter 4 mod select
+( c4 ) ( e4 ) ( g4 ) ( b4 ) iter 4 mod select
 note sine s 0.5 decay .
 ```
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Four notes cycling through a major seventh chord, one per pattern iteration. The
 When you have a quotation and want to execute it unconditionally, use `apply`:
 
 ```forth
-{ dup + } apply    ;; doubles the top value
+( dup + ) apply    ;; doubles the top value
 ```
 
 This is simpler than `?` when there is no condition to check. It pops the quotation and runs it.
@@ -115,14 +115,14 @@ saw s c4 note .
 Repeat a quotation n times. The variable `@i` is automatically set to the current iteration index (starting from 0):
 
 ```forth
-3 { c4 @i 4 * + note } times
+3 ( c4 @i 4 * + note ) times
 sine s 0.4 gain 0.5 verb .      ;; c4, e4, g#4 — a chord
 ```
 
 Subdivide with `at`:
 
 ```forth
-4 { @i 4 / at sine s c4 note 0.3 gain . } times
+4 ( @i 4 / at sine s c4 note 0.3 gain . ) times
 ```
 
 Four evenly spaced notes within the step.
@@ -130,11 +130,11 @@ Four evenly spaced notes within the step.
 Vary intensity per iteration:
 
 ```forth
-8 {
+8 (
   @i 8 / at
   @i 4 mod 0 = if 0.7 else 0.2 then gain
   tri s c5 note 0.1 decay .
-} times
+) times
 ```
 
 Eight notes per step. Every fourth one louder.
diff --git a/docs/forth/oddities.md b/docs/forth/oddities.md
index 2f6fa22..34f13d2 100644
--- a/docs/forth/oddities.md
+++ b/docs/forth/oddities.md
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ Everything after `;;` until the end of the line is ignored.
 
 Classic Forth has no quotations. Code is not a value you can pass around.
 
-Cagire has first-class quotations using curly braces:
+Cagire has first-class quotations using parentheses:
 
 ```forth
-{ dup + }
+( dup + )
 ```
 
 This pushes a block of code onto the stack. You can store it, pass it to other words, and execute it later. Quotations enable conditionals, probability, and cycling.
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ x 0 > IF 1 ELSE -1 THEN
 Cagire supports this syntax but also provides quotation-based conditionals:
 
 ```forth
-{ 1 } { -1 } x 0 > ifelse
+( 1 ) ( -1 ) x 0 > ifelse
 ```
 
 The words `?` and `!?` execute a quotation based on a condition:
 
 ```forth
-{ "kick" s . } coin ?     ;; execute if coin is 1
-{ "snare" s . } coin !?   ;; execute if coin is 0
+( "kick" s . ) coin ?     ;; execute if coin is 1
+( "snare" s . ) coin !?   ;; execute if coin is 0
 ```
 
 ## Strings
@@ -116,21 +116,21 @@ Classic Forth has `DO ... LOOP`:
 Cagire uses a quotation-based loop with `times`:
 
 ```forth
-4 { @i . } times    ;; prints 0 1 2 3
+4 ( @i . ) times    ;; prints 0 1 2 3
 ```
 
 The loop counter is stored in the variable `i`, accessed with `@i`. This fits Cagire's style where control flow uses quotations.
 
 ```forth
-4 { @i 4 / at hat s . } times    ;; hat at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75
-4 { c4 @i + note sine s . } times ;; ascending notes
+4 ( @i 4 / at hat s . ) times    ;; hat at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75
+4 ( c4 @i + note sine s . ) times ;; ascending notes
 ```
 
 For generating sequences without side effects, use `..` or `gen`:
 
 ```forth
 1 5 ..          ;; pushes 1 2 3 4 5
-{ dup * } 4 gen ;; pushes 0 1 4 9 (squares)
+( dup * ) 4 gen ;; pushes 0 1 4 9 (squares)
 ```
 
 ## The Command Register
@@ -167,11 +167,11 @@ These have no equivalent in classic Forth. They connect your script to the seque
 Classic Forth is deterministic. Cagire has built-in randomness:
 
 ```forth
-{ "snare" s . } 50 prob       ;; 50% chance
-{ "clap" s . } 0.25 chance    ;; 25% chance
-{ "hat" s . } often           ;; 75% chance
-{ "rim" s . } sometimes       ;; 50% chance
-{ "tom" s . } rarely          ;; 25% chance
+( "snare" s . ) 50 prob       ;; 50% chance
+( "clap" s . ) 0.25 chance    ;; 25% chance
+( "hat" s . ) often           ;; 75% chance
+( "rim" s . ) sometimes       ;; 50% chance
+( "tom" s . ) rarely          ;; 25% chance
 ```
 
 These words take a quotation and execute it probabilistically.
@@ -181,9 +181,9 @@ These words take a quotation and execute it probabilistically.
 Execute a quotation on specific iterations:
 
 ```forth
-{ "snare" s . } 4 every        ;; every 4th pattern iteration
-{ "hat" s . } 3 8 bjork        ;; Euclidean: 3 hits across 8 step runs
-{ "hat" s . } 5 8 pbjork       ;; Euclidean: 5 hits across 8 pattern iterations
+( "snare" s . ) 4 every        ;; every 4th pattern iteration
+( "hat" s . ) 3 8 bjork        ;; Euclidean: 3 hits across 8 step runs
+( "hat" s . ) 5 8 pbjork       ;; Euclidean: 5 hits across 8 pattern iterations
 ```
 
 `every` checks the pattern iteration count. On iteration 0, 4, 8, 12... the quotation runs. On all other iterations it is skipped.
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ Each time the step runs, a different note is selected. The `3` tells `cycle` how
 You can also use quotations if you need to execute code:
 
 ```forth
-{ c4 note } { e4 note } { g4 note } 3 cycle
+( c4 note ) ( e4 note ) ( g4 note ) 3 cycle
 ```
 
 When the selected value is a quotation, it gets executed. When it is a plain value, it gets pushed onto the stack.
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/at.md b/docs/tutorials/at.md
index 8a713fa..c5510f1 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/at.md
+++ b/docs/tutorials/at.md
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ Euclidean distribution via `euclid`:
 Random timing via `gen`:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.0 1.0 rand } 4 gen at hat s .   ;; 4 hats at random positions
+( 0.0 1.0 rand ) 4 gen at hat s .   ;; 4 hats at random positions
 ```
 
 Geometric spacing via `geom..`:
@@ -89,10 +89,10 @@ Geometric spacing via `geom..`:
 Wrap `at` expressions in quotations for conditional timing:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 at } 2 every    ;; 16th-note hats every other bar
+( 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 at ) 2 every    ;; 16th-note hats every other bar
 hat s .
 
-{ 0 0.5 at } 0.5 chance           ;; 50% chance of double-hit
+( 0 0.5 at ) 0.5 chance           ;; 50% chance of double-hit
 kick s .
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/generators.md b/docs/tutorials/generators.md
index 1b110d2..1a56018 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/generators.md
+++ b/docs/tutorials/generators.md
@@ -40,15 +40,15 @@ That gives you 110, 220, 440, 880, 1760 (reversed), ready to feed into `freq`.
 `gen` executes a quotation n times and collects all results. The quotation must push exactly one value per call:
 
 ```forth
-{ 1 6 rand } 4 gen       ;; 4 random values between 1 and 6
-{ coin } 8 gen            ;; 8 random 0s and 1s
+( 1 6 rand ) 4 gen       ;; 4 random values between 1 and 6
+( coin ) 8 gen            ;; 8 random 0s and 1s
 ```
 
 Contrast with `times`, which executes for side effects and does not collect. `times` sets `@i` to the current index:
 
 ```forth
-4 { @i } times            ;; 0 1 2 3 (pushes @i each iteration)
-4 { @i 60 + note sine s . } times   ;; plays 4 notes, collects nothing
+4 ( @i ) times            ;; 0 1 2 3 (pushes @i each iteration)
+4 ( @i 60 + note sine s . ) times   ;; plays 4 notes, collects nothing
 ```
 
 The distinction: `gen` is for building data. `times` is for doing things.
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ c4 e4 g4 b4 4 shuffle   ;; random permutation each time
 Useful for computing averages or accumulating values:
 
 ```forth
-{ 1 6 rand } 4 gen 4 sum   ;; sum of 4 dice rolls
+( 1 6 rand ) 4 gen 4 sum   ;; sum of 4 dice rolls
 ```
 
 ## Replication
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/harmony.md b/docs/tutorials/harmony.md
index 53abdcc..5f4ba82 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/harmony.md
+++ b/docs/tutorials/harmony.md
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ c4 mtof freq sine s .
 A chord progression cycling every pattern iteration:
 
 ```forth
-{ c3 maj7 } { f3 maj7 } { g3 dom7 } { c3 maj7 } 4 pcycle
+( c3 maj7 ) ( f3 maj7 ) ( g3 dom7 ) ( c3 maj7 ) 4 pcycle
 note sine s .
 ```
 
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ Chord voicings with random inversion:
 
 ```forth
 e3 min9
-{ } { 1 oct } 2 choose
+( ) ( 1 oct ) 2 choose
 note modal s .
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/randomness.md b/docs/tutorials/randomness.md
index 1a4f600..0bbd920 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/randomness.md
+++ b/docs/tutorials/randomness.md
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ These are useful for parameters where perception is logarithmic, like frequency
 The probability words take a quotation and execute it with some chance. `chance` takes a float from 0.0 to 1.0, `prob` takes a percentage from 0 to 100:
 
 ```forth
-{ hat s . } 0.25 chance    ;; 25% chance
-{ hat s . } 75 prob        ;; 75% chance
+( hat s . ) 0.25 chance    ;; 25% chance
+( hat s . ) 75 prob        ;; 75% chance
 ```
 
 Named probability words save you from remembering numbers:
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ Named probability words save you from remembering numbers:
 | `never` | 0% |
 
 ```forth
-{ hat s . } often          ;; 75%
-{ snare s . } sometimes    ;; 50%
-{ clap s . } rarely        ;; 25%
+( hat s . ) often          ;; 75%
+( snare s . ) sometimes    ;; 50%
+( clap s . ) rarely        ;; 25%
 ```
 
 `always` and `never` are useful when you want to temporarily mute or unmute a voice without deleting code. Change `sometimes` to `never` to silence it, `always` to bring it back.
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ Named probability words save you from remembering numbers:
 Use `?` and `!?` with `coin` for quick coin-flip decisions:
 
 ```forth
-{ hat s . } coin ?     ;; execute if coin is 1
-{ rim s . } coin !?    ;; execute if coin is 0
+( hat s . ) coin ?     ;; execute if coin is 1
+( rim s . ) coin !?    ;; execute if coin is 0
 ```
 
 ## Selection
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ kick snare hat 3 choose s .    ;; random drum hit
 When a chosen item is a quotation, it gets executed:
 
 ```forth
-{ 0.1 decay } { 0.5 decay } { 0.9 decay } 3 choose
+( 0.1 decay ) ( 0.5 decay ) ( 0.9 decay ) 3 choose
 sine s .
 ```
 
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ The difference matters when patterns have different lengths. `cycle` counts per-
 Quotations work here too:
 
 ```forth
-{ c4 note } { e4 note } { g4 note } 3 cycle
+( c4 note ) ( e4 note ) ( g4 note ) 3 cycle
 sine s .
 ```
 
@@ -130,20 +130,20 @@ sine s .
 `every` runs a quotation once every n pattern iterations:
 
 ```forth
-{ crash s . } 4 every    ;; crash cymbal every 4th iteration
+( crash s . ) 4 every    ;; crash cymbal every 4th iteration
 ```
 
 `except` is the inverse -- it runs a quotation on all iterations *except* every nth:
 
 ```forth
-{ 2 distort } 4 except    ;; distort on all iterations except every 4th
+( 2 distort ) 4 except    ;; distort on all iterations except every 4th
 ```
 
 `bjork` and `pbjork` use Bjorklund's algorithm to distribute k hits across n positions as evenly as possible. Classic Euclidean rhythms:
 
 ```forth
-{ hat s . } 3 8 bjork     ;; tresillo: x..x..x. (by step runs)
-{ hat s . } 5 8 pbjork    ;; cinquillo: x.xx.xx. (by pattern iterations)
+( hat s . ) 3 8 bjork     ;; tresillo: x..x..x. (by step runs)
+( hat s . ) 5 8 pbjork    ;; cinquillo: x.xx.xx. (by pattern iterations)
 ```
 
 `bjork` counts by step runs (how many times this particular step has played). `pbjork` counts by pattern iterations. Some classic patterns:
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ The real power comes from mixing techniques. A hi-hat pattern with ghost notes:
 
 ```forth
 hat s
-{ 0.3 0.6 rand gain } { 0.8 gain } 2 cycle
+( 0.3 0.6 rand gain ) ( 0.8 gain ) 2 cycle
 .
 ```
 
@@ -181,18 +181,18 @@ Full volume on even runs, random quiet on odd runs.
 A bass line that changes every 4 bars:
 
 ```forth
-{ c2 note } { e2 note } { g2 note } { a2 note } 4 pcycle
-{ 0.5 decay } often
+( c2 note ) ( e2 note ) ( g2 note ) ( a2 note ) 4 pcycle
+( 0.5 decay ) often
 sine s .
 ```
 
 Layered percussion with different densities:
 
 ```forth
-{ kick s . } always
-{ snare s . } 2 every
-{ hat s . } 5 8 bjork
-{ rim s . } rarely
+( kick s . ) always
+( snare s . ) 2 every
+( hat s . ) 5 8 bjork
+( rim s . ) rarely
 ```
 
 A melodic step with weighted note selection and random timbre:
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/variables.md b/docs/tutorials/variables.md
index 24c01ec..7271656 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/variables.md
+++ b/docs/tutorials/variables.md
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Reset on some condition:
 
 ```forth
 @n 1 + !n
-{ 0 !n } @n 16 > ?    ;; reset after 16
+( 0 !n ) @n 16 > ?    ;; reset after 16
 ```
 
 ## When Changes Take Effect
diff --git a/scripts/build-all.sh b/scripts/build-all.sh
index cee18d3..b66d47b 100755
--- a/scripts/build-all.sh
+++ b/scripts/build-all.sh
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -euo pipefail
 
+export MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET="12.0"
+
 cd "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)"
 
 PLUGIN_NAME="cagire-plugins"
 LIB_NAME="cagire_plugins" # cargo converts hyphens to underscores
-OUT="target/releases"
+OUT="releases"
 
 PLATFORMS=(
     "aarch64-apple-darwin"
@@ -312,13 +314,16 @@ copy_artifacts() {
         # macOS .app bundle
         if [[ "$os" == "macos" ]]; then
             local app_src="$rd/bundle/osx/Cagire.app"
-            if [[ -d "$app_src" ]]; then
-                local app_dst="$OUT/Cagire-${arch}.app"
-                rm -rf "$app_dst"
-                cp -R "$app_src" "$app_dst"
-                echo "    Cagire.app -> $app_dst"
-                scripts/make-dmg.sh "$app_dst" "$OUT"
+            if [[ ! -d "$app_src" ]]; then
+                echo "    ERROR: .app bundle not found at $app_src"
+                echo "    Did 'cargo bundle' succeed?"
+                return 1
             fi
+            local app_dst="$OUT/Cagire-${arch}.app"
+            rm -rf "$app_dst"
+            cp -R "$app_src" "$app_dst"
+            echo "    Cagire.app -> $app_dst"
+            scripts/make-dmg.sh "$app_dst" "$OUT"
         fi
     fi
 
diff --git a/tests/forth/comparison.rs b/tests/forth/comparison.rs
index 055c363..2960a29 100644
--- a/tests/forth/comparison.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/comparison.rs
@@ -187,30 +187,30 @@ fn nor_ff() {
 
 #[test]
 fn ifelse_true() {
-    expect_int("{ 42 } { 99 } 1 ifelse", 42);
+    expect_int("( 42 ) ( 99 ) 1 ifelse", 42);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn ifelse_false() {
-    expect_int("{ 42 } { 99 } 0 ifelse", 99);
+    expect_int("( 42 ) ( 99 ) 0 ifelse", 99);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn select_first() {
-    expect_int("{ 10 } { 20 } { 30 } 0 select", 10);
+    expect_int("( 10 ) ( 20 ) ( 30 ) 0 select", 10);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn select_second() {
-    expect_int("{ 10 } { 20 } { 30 } 1 select", 20);
+    expect_int("( 10 ) ( 20 ) ( 30 ) 1 select", 20);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn select_third() {
-    expect_int("{ 10 } { 20 } { 30 } 2 select", 30);
+    expect_int("( 10 ) ( 20 ) ( 30 ) 2 select", 30);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn select_preserves_stack() {
-    expect_int("5 { 10 } { 20 } 0 select +", 15);
+    expect_int("5 ( 10 ) ( 20 ) 0 select +", 15);
 }
diff --git a/tests/forth/context.rs b/tests/forth/context.rs
index 5486464..3f49f32 100644
--- a/tests/forth/context.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/context.rs
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ fn iter() {
 #[test]
 fn every_true_on_zero() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 4 every", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 4 every", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 100);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn every_true_on_multiple() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 8);
-    let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 4 every", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 4 every", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 100);
 }
 
@@ -74,14 +74,14 @@ fn every_true_on_multiple() {
 fn every_false_between() {
     for i in 1..4 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = i);
-        let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 4 every", &ctx);
+        let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 4 every", &ctx);
         assert!(f.stack().is_empty(), "iter={} should not execute quotation", i);
     }
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn every_zero_count() {
-    expect_error("{ 1 } 0 every", "every count must be > 0");
+    expect_error("( 1 ) 0 every", "every count must be > 0");
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ fn bjork_tresillo() {
     // Bresenham(3,8) hits at positions 0, 2, 5
     for runs in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = runs);
-        let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 3 8 bjork", &ctx);
+        let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 3 8 bjork", &ctx);
         let hit = ((runs + 1) * 3) / 8 != (runs * 3) / 8;
         if hit {
             assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 100, "runs={} should hit", runs);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ fn bjork_hit_count() {
     let mut hit_count = 0;
     for runs in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = runs);
-        let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 3 8 bjork", &ctx);
+        let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 3 8 bjork", &ctx);
         if !f.stack().is_empty() {
             hit_count += 1;
         }
@@ -132,20 +132,20 @@ fn bjork_hit_count() {
 #[test]
 fn bjork_all_hits() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 8 8 bjork", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 8 8 bjork", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 100);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn bjork_zero_hits() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 0 8 bjork", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 0 8 bjork", &ctx);
     assert!(f.stack().is_empty());
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn bjork_invalid() {
-    expect_error("{ 1 } 3 0 bjork", "bjork");
+    expect_error("( 1 ) 3 0 bjork", "bjork");
 }
 
 // pbjork (iter-based)
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ fn pbjork_cinquillo() {
     let mut hit_count = 0;
     for iter in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
-        let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 5 8 pbjork", &ctx);
+        let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 5 8 pbjork", &ctx);
         if !f.stack().is_empty() {
             hit_count += 1;
         }
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ fn pbjork_cinquillo() {
 fn pbjork_wraps() {
     let ctx0 = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 0);
     let ctx8 = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 8);
-    let f0 = run_ctx("{ 100 } 3 8 pbjork", &ctx0);
-    let f8 = run_ctx("{ 100 } 3 8 pbjork", &ctx8);
+    let f0 = run_ctx("( 100 ) 3 8 pbjork", &ctx0);
+    let f8 = run_ctx("( 100 ) 3 8 pbjork", &ctx8);
     assert_eq!(f0.stack().is_empty(), f8.stack().is_empty());
 }
diff --git a/tests/forth/definitions.rs b/tests/forth/definitions.rs
index 26eb5f4..25fa25e 100644
--- a/tests/forth/definitions.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/definitions.rs
@@ -68,12 +68,12 @@ fn unexpected_semicolon_errors() {
 
 #[test]
 fn apply_executes_quotation() {
-    expect_int("5 { 2 * } apply", 10);
+    expect_int("5 ( 2 * ) apply", 10);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn apply_with_stack_ops() {
-    expect_int("3 4 { + } apply", 7);
+    expect_int("3 4 ( + ) apply", 7);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -88,12 +88,12 @@ fn apply_non_quotation_errors() {
 
 #[test]
 fn apply_nested() {
-    expect_int("2 { { 3 * } apply } apply", 6);
+    expect_int("2 ( ( 3 * ) apply ) apply", 6);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn define_word_containing_quotation() {
-    expect_int(": dbl { 2 * } apply ; 7 dbl", 14);
+    expect_int(": dbl ( 2 * ) apply ; 7 dbl", 14);
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/tests/forth/generator.rs b/tests/forth/generator.rs
index cdf7c5e..96f5a59 100644
--- a/tests/forth/generator.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/generator.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ fn range_underflow() {
 
 #[test]
 fn gen_basic() {
-    expect_stack("{ 42 } 3 gen", &[int(42), int(42), int(42)]);
+    expect_stack("( 42 ) 3 gen", &[int(42), int(42), int(42)]);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ fn gen_with_computation() {
     // 0 → dup(0,0) 1+(0,1) → pop 1, stack [0]
     // 0 → dup(0,0) 1+(0,1) → pop 1, stack [0]
     // So we get [0, 1, 1, 1] - the 0 stays, we collect three 1s
-    expect_stack("0 { dup 1 + } 3 gen", &[int(0), int(1), int(1), int(1)]);
+    expect_stack("0 ( dup 1 + ) 3 gen", &[int(0), int(1), int(1), int(1)]);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -50,12 +50,12 @@ fn gen_chained() {
     // Start with 1, each iteration: dup, multiply by 2
     // 1 → dup(1,1) 2*(1,2) → pop 2, stack [1]
     // 1 → dup(1,1) 2*(1,2) → pop 2, stack [1]
-    expect_stack("1 { dup 2 * } 3 gen", &[int(1), int(2), int(2), int(2)]);
+    expect_stack("1 ( dup 2 * ) 3 gen", &[int(1), int(2), int(2), int(2)]);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn gen_zero() {
-    expect_stack("{ 1 } 0 gen", &[]);
+    expect_stack("( 1 ) 0 gen", &[]);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -65,17 +65,17 @@ fn gen_underflow() {
 
 #[test]
 fn gen_not_a_number() {
-    expect_error("{ 1 } gen", "expected number");
+    expect_error("( 1 ) gen", "expected number");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn gen_negative() {
-    expect_error("{ 1 } -1 gen", "gen count must be >= 0");
+    expect_error("( 1 ) -1 gen", "gen count must be >= 0");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn gen_empty_quot_error() {
-    expect_error("{ } 3 gen", "quotation must produce");
+    expect_error("( ) 3 gen", "quotation must produce");
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/tests/forth/list_words.rs b/tests/forth/list_words.rs
index c03a6be..56f4a83 100644
--- a/tests/forth/list_words.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/list_words.rs
@@ -46,20 +46,20 @@ fn pcycle_by_iter() {
 #[test]
 fn cycle_with_quotations() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("5 { dup } { 2 * } 2 cycle", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("5 ( dup ) ( 2 * ) 2 cycle", &ctx);
     let stack = f.stack();
     assert_eq!(stack.len(), 2);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 5);
 
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 1);
-    let f = run_ctx("5 { dup } { 2 * } 2 cycle", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("5 ( dup ) ( 2 * ) 2 cycle", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 10);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn cycle_executes_quotation() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("10 { 3 + } { 5 + } 2 cycle", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("10 ( 3 + ) ( 5 + ) 2 cycle", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 13);
 }
 
@@ -108,11 +108,11 @@ fn bracket_cycle() {
 #[test]
 fn bracket_with_quotations() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("5 [ { 3 + } { 5 + } ] cycle", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("5 [ ( 3 + ) ( 5 + ) ] cycle", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 8);
 
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 1);
-    let f = run_ctx("5 [ { 3 + } { 5 + } ] cycle", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("5 [ ( 3 + ) ( 5 + ) ] cycle", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 10);
 }
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ fn index_negative_wraps() {
 
 #[test]
 fn index_with_quotation() {
-    expect_int("5 [ { 3 + } { 5 + } ] 0 index", 8);
+    expect_int("5 [ ( 3 + ) ( 5 + ) ] 0 index", 8);
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/tests/forth/quotations.rs b/tests/forth/quotations.rs
index 2287300..05a2e83 100644
--- a/tests/forth/quotations.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/quotations.rs
@@ -4,26 +4,26 @@ use super::harness::*;
 fn quotation_on_stack() {
     // Quotation should be pushable to stack
     let f = forth();
-    let result = f.evaluate("{ 1 2 + }", &default_ctx());
+    let result = f.evaluate("( 1 2 + )", &default_ctx());
     assert!(result.is_ok());
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn when_true_executes() {
-    let f = run("{ 42 } 1 ?");
+    let f = run("( 42 ) 1 ?");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 42);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn when_false_skips() {
-    let f = run("99 { 42 } 0 ?");
+    let f = run("99 ( 42 ) 0 ?");
     // Stack should still have 99, quotation not executed
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 99);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn when_with_arithmetic() {
-    let f = run("10 { 5 + } 1 ?");
+    let f = run("10 ( 5 + ) 1 ?");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 15);
 }
 
@@ -31,48 +31,48 @@ fn when_with_arithmetic() {
 fn when_with_every() {
     // iter=0, every 2 executes quotation
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 0);
-    let f = run_ctx("{ 100 } 2 every", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("( 100 ) 2 every", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 100);
 
     // iter=1, every 2 skips quotation
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = 1);
-    let f = run_ctx("50 { 100 } 2 every", &ctx);
+    let f = run_ctx("50 ( 100 ) 2 every", &ctx);
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 50); // quotation not executed
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn when_with_chance_deterministic() {
     // 1.0 chance always executes quotation
-    let f = run("{ 42 } 1.0 chance");
+    let f = run("( 42 ) 1.0 chance");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 42);
 
     // 0.0 chance never executes quotation
-    let f = run("99 { 42 } 0.0 chance");
+    let f = run("99 ( 42 ) 0.0 chance");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 99);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn nested_quotations() {
-    let f = run("{ { 42 } 1 ? } 1 ?");
+    let f = run("( ( 42 ) 1 ? ) 1 ?");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 42);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn quotation_with_param() {
-    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s { 2 distort } 1 ? ."#, 1);
+    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s ( 2 distort ) 1 ? ."#, 1);
     assert!(outputs[0].contains("distort/2"));
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn quotation_skips_param() {
-    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s { 2 distort } 0 ? ."#, 1);
+    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s ( 2 distort ) 0 ? ."#, 1);
     assert!(!outputs[0].contains("distort"));
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn quotation_with_emit() {
     // When true, . should fire
-    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s { . } 1 ?"#, 1);
+    let outputs = expect_outputs(r#""kick" s ( . ) 1 ?"#, 1);
     assert!(outputs[0].contains("kick"));
 }
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ fn quotation_skips_emit() {
     // When false, . should not fire
     let f = forth();
     let outputs = f
-        .evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 0 ?"#, &default_ctx())
+        .evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 0 ?"#, &default_ctx())
         .unwrap();
     // No output since . was skipped and no implicit emit
     assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 0);
@@ -94,22 +94,22 @@ fn missing_quotation_error() {
 
 #[test]
 fn unclosed_quotation_error() {
-    expect_error("{ 1 2", "missing }");
+    expect_error("( 1 2", "missing )");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn unexpected_close_error() {
-    expect_error("1 2 }", "unexpected }");
+    expect_error("1 2 )", "unexpected )");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn every_with_quotation_integration() {
-    // { 2 distort } 2 every — on even iterations, distort is applied
+    // ( 2 distort ) 2 every — on even iterations, distort is applied
     for iter in 0..4 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
         let outputs = f
-            .evaluate(r#""kick" s { 2 distort } 2 every ."#, &ctx)
+            .evaluate(r#""kick" s ( 2 distort ) 2 every ."#, &ctx)
             .unwrap();
         if iter % 2 == 0 {
             assert!(
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ fn bjork_with_sound() {
     let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = 2); // position 2 is a hit for (3,8)
     let f = forth();
     let outputs = f
-        .evaluate(r#""kick" s { 2 distort } 3 8 bjork ."#, &ctx)
+        .evaluate(r#""kick" s ( 2 distort ) 3 8 bjork ."#, &ctx)
         .unwrap();
     assert!(outputs[0].contains("distort/2"));
 }
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ fn bjork_with_sound() {
 
 #[test]
 fn unless_false_executes() {
-    let f = run("{ 42 } 0 !?");
+    let f = run("( 42 ) 0 !?");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 42);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn unless_true_skips() {
-    let f = run("99 { 42 } 1 !?");
+    let f = run("99 ( 42 ) 1 !?");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 99);
 }
 
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ fn when_and_unless_complementary() {
         let f = forth();
         let outputs = f
             .evaluate(
-                r#""kick" s { 2 distort } iter 2 mod 0 = ? { 4 distort } iter 2 mod 0 = !? ."#,
+                r#""kick" s ( 2 distort ) iter 2 mod 0 = ? ( 4 distort ) iter 2 mod 0 = !? ."#,
                 &ctx,
             )
             .unwrap();
diff --git a/tests/forth/randomness.rs b/tests/forth/randomness.rs
index 0cf191c..ff9cfa2 100644
--- a/tests/forth/randomness.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/randomness.rs
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ fn coin_binary() {
 #[test]
 fn chance_zero() {
     // 0.0 probability should never execute the quotation
-    let f = run("99 { 42 } 0.0 chance");
+    let f = run("99 ( 42 ) 0.0 chance");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 99); // quotation not executed, 99 still on stack
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn chance_one() {
     // 1.0 probability should always execute the quotation
-    let f = run("{ 42 } 1.0 chance");
+    let f = run("( 42 ) 1.0 chance");
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 42);
 }
 
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ fn wchoose_negative_weight() {
 #[test]
 fn wchoose_quotation() {
     let f = forth_seeded(42);
-    f.evaluate("{ 10 } 0.0  { 20 } 1.0  2 wchoose", &default_ctx())
+    f.evaluate("( 10 ) 0.0  ( 20 ) 1.0  2 wchoose", &default_ctx())
         .unwrap();
     assert_eq!(stack_int(&f), 20);
 }
diff --git a/tests/forth/temporal.rs b/tests/forth/temporal.rs
index 5b463f9..1830099 100644
--- a/tests/forth/temporal.rs
+++ b/tests/forth/temporal.rs
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ fn cycle_picks_by_runs() {
     for runs in 0..4 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = runs);
         let f = forth();
-        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } { } 2 cycle"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) ( ) 2 cycle"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         if runs % 2 == 0 {
             assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "runs={}: emit should be picked", runs);
         } else {
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ fn pcycle_picks_by_iter() {
     for iter in 0..4 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
-        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } { } 2 pcycle"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) ( ) 2 pcycle"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         if iter % 2 == 0 {
             assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "iter={}: emit should be picked", iter);
         } else {
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ fn cycle_with_sounds() {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.runs = runs);
         let f = forth();
         let outputs = f.evaluate(
-            r#"{ "kick" s . } { "hat" s . } { "snare" s . } 3 cycle"#,
+            r#"( "kick" s . ) ( "hat" s . ) ( "snare" s . ) 3 cycle"#,
             &ctx
         ).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "runs={}: expected 1 output", runs);
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ fn every_offset_fires_at_offset() {
     for iter in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
-        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 4 2 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 4 2 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         if iter % 4 == 2 {
             assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "iter={}: should fire", iter);
         } else {
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ fn every_offset_wraps_large_offset() {
     for iter in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
-        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 4 6 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 4 6 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         if iter % 4 == 2 {
             assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "iter={}: should fire (wrapped offset)", iter);
         } else {
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ fn except_offset_inverse() {
     for iter in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
-        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 4 2 except+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let outputs = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 4 2 except+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         if iter % 4 != 2 {
             assert_eq!(outputs.len(), 1, "iter={}: should fire", iter);
         } else {
@@ -389,8 +389,8 @@ fn every_offset_zero_is_same_as_every() {
     for iter in 0..8 {
         let ctx = ctx_with(|c| c.iter = iter);
         let f = forth();
-        let a = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 3 every"#, &ctx).unwrap();
-        let b = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s { . } 3 0 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let a = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 3 every"#, &ctx).unwrap();
+        let b = f.evaluate(r#""kick" s ( . ) 3 0 every+"#, &ctx).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(a.len(), b.len(), "iter={}: every and every+ 0 should match", iter);
     }
 }