diff --git a/docs/IMPLEMENTATION-PLAN.md b/docs/IMPLEMENTATION-PLAN.md
index 0baffaf..07fb8ac 100644
--- a/docs/IMPLEMENTATION-PLAN.md
+++ b/docs/IMPLEMENTATION-PLAN.md
@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ This is the at-a-glance list; keep it in sync with them.
 
 **Next (flagged for build):**
 
+- **Multi-view data model** ([`multi-view-data-model-scope.md`](exploration/multi-view-data-model-scope.md)) —
+  durable composition support across the data-facing features. M1 (Vega-Lite-fidelity
+  reference classifier, `core/spec-data`) is done; M2–M4 extend the editor data context,
+  Extract, and the data inspector to be view-scoped.
 - **Chart Builder · 3B starter examples** ([`chart-builder-enhancement-scope.md`](exploration/chart-builder-enhancement-scope.md) §3) —
   a small set of curated starters, one per covered FT intent. Reshaped by 3C: a
   builder-openable starter must reference a dataset, so it ships paired sample datasets (or is
diff --git a/docs/architecture/07-naming-and-relationships.md b/docs/architecture/07-naming-and-relationships.md
index 0a5c128..67a0769 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/07-naming-and-relationships.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/07-naming-and-relationships.md
@@ -135,70 +135,67 @@ without waiting for a publish. Recomputation runs only on a _valid_ spec —
 auto-save is debounced and parse-gated (spec §03B) — so a transiently-invalid
 draft never disturbs the links.
 
-### 3.1 Extracting referenced names from a spec (pure — `src/core/spec-refs.ts`)
+### 3.1 What counts as a reference, and extracting them (pure — `src/core/spec-data.ts`, `spec-refs.ts`)
 
-A Vega-Lite spec can reference named data in several places: the top-level
-`data`, per-layer `data`, `data` inside `spec`/`facet`/`hconcat`/`vconcat`, and a
-lookup transform's `from.data`. A spec may also define its OWN inline datasets via
-a top-level `datasets` map — those are self-defined, not library references.
-Rather than enumerate Vega-Lite's grammar, we walk the spec recursively and
-collect every `{ data: { name } }` — but **prune two keys**: never recurse into a
-`data` object's payload (its `values`/rows) or the top-level `datasets` map,
-because those hold user data, not nested specs. Without the prune, a data _row_
-carrying a field literally named `data: { name: "x" }` is misread as a reference.
-This is pure, deterministic, and the most heavily unit-tested function here.
+A library reference is exactly Vega-Lite **named data**: a `data` block with a
+string `name` and no `values`, `url`, or generator key (`sequence`/`sphere`/
+`graticule`), whose name the spec does not define for itself via a top-level
+`datasets` map. A `name` riding on inline `values` or a `url` is Vega-Lite's
+runtime-rebind label — not a dependency — and self-defined `datasets` names
+resolve natively; both are left untouched. This mirrors Vega-Lite's own
+`isNamedData`, so Astrolabe **extends** Vega-Lite rather than diverging: every
+native data form keeps working, and only true references are tracked and resolved.
+
+That classification lives in **`core/spec-data`** (`classifyData`,
+`libraryRefName`) — the single predicate that reference extraction, rename
+(`spec-refs`), and render-time resolution (`rendering`) all route through, so they
+cannot disagree on what is a dependency.
 
 ```ts
-// src/core/spec-refs.ts
+// src/core/spec-data.ts — the shared classifier (mirrors vega-lite/src/data.ts)
 
-type Json = unknown;
+/** The library name a `data` block references, or null for native VL data / self-defined names. */
+export function libraryRefName(data: unknown, selfDefined: ReadonlySet<string>): string | null {
+  if (classifyData(data) !== 'named') return null; // url | values | generator → not a reference
+  const { name } = data as { name: string };
+  return selfDefined.has(name) ? null : name;
+}
+```
+
+References appear in several places — top-level `data`, per-layer `data`, `data`
+inside `spec`/`facet`/`hconcat`/`vconcat`, and a lookup transform's `from.data`.
+Rather than enumerate the grammar, each pass walks the spec recursively but
+**prunes two keys**: a `data` object's payload (its `values`/rows) and the
+top-level `datasets` map hold user data, not nested specs. Without the prune, a
+data _row_ carrying a field literally named `data: { name: "x" }` is misread as a
+reference.
+
+```ts
+// src/core/spec-refs.ts — the recursive walk; classification routes through spec-data
 
-/** Collects every library dataset name referenced by `{ data: { name } }`, excluding self-defined ones. */
 export function extractDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
-  const root = typeof spec === 'string' ? safeParse(spec) : spec;
-  const selfDefined = selfDefinedNames(root); // names from the spec's own top-level `datasets`
+  const root = typeof spec === 'string' ? safeParse(spec) : spec; // unparseable → no refs
+  const selfDefined = selfDefinedNames(root);
   const names = new Set<string>();
-
   const walk = (node: Json): void => {
-    if (Array.isArray(node)) {
-      for (const item of node) walk(item);
-      return;
-    }
+    if (Array.isArray(node)) return void node.forEach(walk);
     if (node && typeof node === 'object') {
       const obj = node as Record<string, Json>;
-      const data = obj.data as Record<string, Json> | undefined;
-      if (data && typeof data === 'object' && typeof data.name === 'string') {
-        if (!selfDefined.has(data.name)) names.add(data.name);
-      }
-      // Prune: a `data` payload and the `datasets` map hold user data, not refs.
+      const refName = libraryRefName(obj.data, selfDefined);
+      if (refName !== null) names.add(refName);
       for (const key of Object.keys(obj)) {
-        if (key === 'data' || key === 'datasets') continue;
+        if (key === 'data' || key === 'datasets') continue; // prune user-data payloads
         walk(obj[key]);
       }
     }
   };
-
   walk(root);
   return [...names];
 }
-
-function safeParse(s: string): Json {
-  try {
-    return JSON.parse(s);
-  } catch {
-    return null; // an unparseable draft simply has no resolvable refs
-  }
-}
 ```
 
-```ts
-// src/core/spec-refs.ts — thin wrapper, run on every draft change and on publish
-
-/** The list stored on snippet.datasetRefs. Sorted + de-duped for stable diffs. */
-export function recomputeDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
-  return extractDatasetRefs(spec).sort();
-}
-```
+`recomputeDatasetRefs` is the thin sorted/de-duped wrapper stored on
+`snippet.datasetRefs`, run on every draft change and on publish.
 
 > A `spec` may be an object or a string (see the Data Model). Normalize once,
 > at the boundary, so the recursive walk never has to care.
@@ -207,17 +204,19 @@ export function recomputeDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
 
 - Treat `extractDatasetRefs` as the single source of truth for "what does this
   spec reference". The reverse-lookup and rename paths both depend on it
-  agreeing with what the renderer actually resolves.
+  agreeing with what the renderer actually resolves — which holds because all of
+  them classify through the same `core/spec-data` predicate.
 - Recompute and store `datasetRefs` on **every draft change and on publish** —
   but only through the parse-gated, debounced auto-save (`commitDraft`) and the
   programmatic extract/revert rewrites, never on raw keystrokes. That keeps the
   links in step with the edited draft while never recomputing from a
   transiently-invalid spec.
-- Prune the **same two keys** (`data`, `datasets`) in all three ref walks —
-  extraction here, `renameDatasetInSpec`, and the renderer's `resolveDatasetRefs`
-  (`src/core/rendering.ts`). They must agree on what counts as a reference; if one
-  descends into data payloads and another doesn't, extraction and rendering
-  disagree and a row field named `data` either gets counted, rewritten, or throws
+- Keep the three ref walks in lockstep — extraction here, `renameDatasetInSpec`,
+  and the renderer's `resolveDatasetRefs` (`src/core/rendering.ts`). They agree
+  because they share both halves: the `libraryRefName` classifier (what is a
+  reference) and the prune of the **same two keys** (`data`, `datasets`). If one
+  classified differently, or descended into data payloads while another didn't, a
+  row field named `data` would get counted, rewritten, or throw
   `DatasetNotFoundError`.
 
 **Don't**
diff --git a/docs/exploration/multi-view-data-model-scope.md b/docs/exploration/multi-view-data-model-scope.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..584350a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/exploration/multi-view-data-model-scope.md
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# Multi-view data model — scope & plan
+
+Astrolabe authors arbitrary Vega-Lite, including **composed** specs (`layer`,
+`hconcat`/`vconcat`/`concat`, `facet`, `repeat`). Most of the spec-structure
+machinery already handles composition; the data-facing features carried
+single-view assumptions. This memo records the assessment, the data-model
+contract that anchors the work, and the milestone plan to make multi-view support
+durable. The guiding constraint: **extend Vega-Lite, never break it** — every
+native data form must keep working.
+
+## The data-model contract
+
+A dataset reference is exactly Vega-Lite **named data**: a `data` block with a
+string `name` and no `values`/`url`/generator key, whose name the spec does not
+self-define via top-level `datasets`. This mirrors Vega-Lite's `isNamedData`
+(`reference/vega-lite/src/data.ts`). The classification is owned by
+`core/spec-data` (`classifyData`, `libraryRefName`); reference extraction
+(`spec-refs`), rename (`spec-refs`), and render-time resolution (`rendering`) all
+route through it. See `docs/architecture/07` §3.1.
+
+Library references resolve to inline data before embedding
+(`core/rendering` → `prepareSpecForRender`); a self-defined `datasets` name is
+left for Vega-Lite to resolve natively.
+
+## Assessment: already multi-view vs. single-view assumptions
+
+**Already composition-aware** (recurse all view operators): ref extraction/rename
+(`spec-refs`), reference resolution + fit-mode (`rendering`), structural wrap/
+unwrap/add-view (`spec-transforms`, `spec-cursor`, `spec-insert`), derived-field
+collection (`spec-fields`), config baking (`spec-config`), standalone export
+(`chart-export`, reuses `prepareSpecForRender`).
+
+**Single-view assumptions** (the work):
+
+- **Editor data context** (`app/services/active-dataset`) resolves _one_ dataset
+  for the whole draft (first ref, or first inline data), with no notion of which
+  view the cursor sits in. Completion/hover/inlay (`spec-dataset-hints`) and the
+  facet/repeat field defaults (`spec-transform-actions`) therefore offer the wrong
+  view's columns in a composition whose views bind different datasets.
+- **Extract inline data** (`app/stores/ExtractStore`) lifts only the top-level
+  `data` block.
+- **Data inspector** (`core/result-data`, `DataInspector`) surfaces one input +
+  one resolved table; a composition produces several `source_<n>`/`data_<n>`.
+- **`deriveSnippetName`** (`core/snippet`) reads top-level `mark`/`encoding` only,
+  so a composed spec falls back to the default name (graceful, not a bug).
+- **Chart builder** is single-view by design; its strict round-trip hydration
+  returns `null` for composed specs, so they stay Monaco-only (correct).
+
+## Vega-Lite fidelity clashes
+
+1. **Named inline/url data misread as a reference** — classifying on "has a
+   string `name`" alone caught named-inline (`{ name, values }`) and named-url,
+   breaking valid specs (spurious `DatasetNotFoundError`, or clobbered inline
+   values). _Resolved_ by the `core/spec-data` classifier (M1).
+2. **Shadowing** — a library dataset whose name equals a self-defined `datasets`
+   key is silently ignored (self-defined wins). Documented precedence; candidate
+   for a user-facing note, no code change required.
+3. **Case-rule split** — library matching is case-insensitive (`naming.ts`);
+   self-defined exclusion and Vega-Lite's own named-data lookup are case-sensitive.
+   These are distinct namespaces, so the split is defensible; minor.
+4. **Runtime-injected named data** — Vega-Lite allows binding `{ name }` at
+   runtime; Astrolabe always pre-resolves, so an imported spec relying on runtime
+   injection won't render. Out of scope.
+
+## Milestone plan
+
+- **M1 — data-model foundation** ✅ — `core/spec-data` classifier mirroring
+  `isNamedData`; `spec-refs` + `rendering` routed through it. Closes clash 1.
+- **M2 — view-scoped editor context** — pure `dataContextAtPath(spec, path)`:
+  climb the cursor's JSON path to the nearest enclosing `data` (honoring
+  Vega-Lite's parent→child data inheritance), classify it, and collect
+  ancestor-chain derived fields. Rework `active-dataset` to be cursor-scoped and
+  thread the offset through the three Monaco providers and the facet/repeat
+  defaults. Resolve columns for every form: library ref, inline `values`,
+  named-inline, self-defined `datasets`, url (no static rows), generator (none).
+- **M3 — view-scoped extract** — seed Extract from the focused view's inline data
+  (reusing the cursor-scope machinery) and rewrite that view's `data`.
+- **M4 — multi-view inspection** — group the dataflow's datasets into per-view
+  input/resolved pairs (`result-data`) and add a view selector to `DataInspector`
+  (new interactive widget → `/council`).
+
+Delivery is incremental, one milestone per commit, verified against real behavior.
+The consolidated data-model contract write-up into `docs/architecture` (05/08)
+lands once the shape is final.
diff --git a/src/core/rendering.test.ts b/src/core/rendering.test.ts
index 56b8884..86b9501 100644
--- a/src/core/rendering.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/rendering.test.ts
@@ -203,6 +203,26 @@ describe('prepareSpecForRender — dataset resolution (spec §04 Rendering Contr
     expect(out.data).toEqual({ name: 'local' });
   });
 
+  test('native Vega-Lite data with a name label is left untouched (not resolved, never throws)', () => {
+    // A name on inline/url data, or a generator, is native Vega-Lite — even when
+    // the name is absent from the library. Resolution must not touch or reject it.
+    const inline = { data: { name: 'pts', values: [{ a: 1 }] }, mark: 'point' };
+    expect(prepareSpecForRender(inline, { datasets }).data).toEqual({
+      name: 'pts',
+      values: [{ a: 1 }],
+    });
+    const url = { data: { name: 'remote', url: 'https://x/y.csv' } };
+    expect(prepareSpecForRender(url, { datasets }).data).toEqual({
+      name: 'remote',
+      url: 'https://x/y.csv',
+    });
+    const gen = { data: { name: 'seq', sequence: { start: 0, stop: 5 } } };
+    expect(prepareSpecForRender(gen, { datasets }).data).toEqual({
+      name: 'seq',
+      sequence: { start: 0, stop: 5 },
+    });
+  });
+
   test('resolution runs before fit-mode: a ref + fit mode produce both transforms', () => {
     const spec = { data: { name: 'JsonDs' }, mark: 'bar' };
     const out = prepareSpecForRender(spec, { datasets, fitMode: 'full' }) as unknown as {
diff --git a/src/core/rendering.ts b/src/core/rendering.ts
index a46c2f0..b486862 100644
--- a/src/core/rendering.ts
+++ b/src/core/rendering.ts
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@
  *   1. Dataset reference resolution  — implemented in M3 (see below).
  *   2. Fit-mode sizing               — implemented in M2.
  *
- * Step 1 (spec §04 → Rendering Contract): every named-data reference
+ * Step 1 (spec §04 → Rendering Contract): every library reference
  * (`{ data: { name } }`) is replaced in-place with the referenced library
- * dataset's actual contents, shaped by source and format. A name the spec defines
- * for itself via a top-level `datasets` object is left untouched (Vega-Lite
- * resolves it natively); an unknown library name throws `DatasetNotFoundError`.
- * Resolution recurses into the same nested sub-specs as fit-mode, runs before
- * sizing, and operates only on the copy.
+ * dataset's actual contents, shaped by source and format. What counts as a library
+ * reference is decided by `core/spec-data` (named data, not self-defined), so a
+ * `name` riding on inline `values`/`url`/a generator is native Vega-Lite data and
+ * is left untouched; a name the spec defines for itself via a top-level `datasets`
+ * object is left untouched too (Vega-Lite resolves it natively); an unknown library
+ * name throws `DatasetNotFoundError`. Resolution recurses into the same nested
+ * sub-specs as fit-mode, runs before sizing, and operates only on the copy.
  *
  * The copy-not-mutate invariant and the call site the renderer depends on are
  * fixed.
@@ -24,6 +26,7 @@
 
 import type { DataFormat } from './format-detection';
 import type { DataSource } from './dataset';
+import { libraryRefName, selfDefinedNames } from './spec-data';
 
 /** Preview sizing modes (spec §04 → Fit / Sizing Modes). `default` = Original. */
 export type FitMode = 'default' | 'width' | 'height' | 'full';
@@ -113,16 +116,6 @@ function applyFitMode(node: unknown, mode: FitMode): void {
   if (isSpecNode(node.spec)) applyFitMode(node.spec, mode);
 }
 
-/** The set of dataset names a spec defines for itself via top-level `datasets`. */
-function selfDefinedDatasetNames(spec: unknown): Set<string> {
-  const names = new Set<string>();
-  if (isSpecNode(spec)) {
-    const datasets = spec.datasets;
-    if (isSpecNode(datasets)) for (const key of Object.keys(datasets)) names.add(key);
-  }
-  return names;
-}
-
 /**
  * Build the replacement `data` object for one resolved reference (spec §04 →
  * Rendering Contract, step 1). `rest` is the reference's other keys (e.g. a
@@ -157,13 +150,16 @@ function resolvedData(dataset: ResolvableDataset, rest: SpecNode): SpecNode {
 }
 
 /**
- * Replace every named-data reference in `node` with its library dataset's
- * contents, recursing through the spec (arrays and objects) so refs anywhere are
- * resolved — matching `extractDatasetRefs`, including pruning the `data` and
- * top-level `datasets` payload keys so resolution never descends into user data
- * rows. A self-defined name is left untouched; an unknown library name throws
- * `DatasetNotFoundError`. Matching is case-insensitive, mirroring naming.ts.
- * Mutates in place; the caller already works on a copy.
+ * Replace every library reference in `node` with its dataset's contents, recursing
+ * through the spec (arrays and objects) so refs anywhere are resolved — matching
+ * `extractDatasetRefs`, including pruning the `data` and top-level `datasets`
+ * payload keys so resolution never descends into user data rows. What counts as a
+ * library reference is decided by the shared `libraryRefName` (core/spec-data):
+ * named data the spec does not define for itself. A `name` riding on inline
+ * `values`, a `url`, or a generator is native Vega-Lite data and is left untouched;
+ * an unknown library name throws `DatasetNotFoundError`. Matching is
+ * case-insensitive, mirroring naming.ts. Mutates in place; the caller already works
+ * on a copy.
  */
 function resolveDatasetRefs(
   node: unknown,
@@ -176,15 +172,12 @@ function resolveDatasetRefs(
   }
   if (!isSpecNode(node)) return;
 
-  const data = node.data;
-  if (isSpecNode(data) && typeof data.name === 'string') {
-    const name = data.name;
-    if (!selfDefined.has(name)) {
-      const dataset = byName.get(name.toLowerCase());
-      if (!dataset) throw new DatasetNotFoundError(name);
-      const { name: _drop, ...rest } = data;
-      node.data = resolvedData(dataset, rest);
-    }
+  const refName = libraryRefName(node.data, selfDefined);
+  if (refName !== null) {
+    const dataset = byName.get(refName.toLowerCase());
+    if (!dataset) throw new DatasetNotFoundError(refName);
+    const { name: _drop, ...rest } = node.data as SpecNode;
+    node.data = resolvedData(dataset, rest);
   }
 
   // Recurse into every key except the two that hold data payloads (`data` —
@@ -229,7 +222,7 @@ export function prepareSpecForRender<T>(spec: T, options: PrepareOptions = {}):
   const datasets = options.datasets ?? [];
   const byName = new Map<string, ResolvableDataset>();
   for (const d of datasets) byName.set(d.name.toLowerCase(), d);
-  resolveDatasetRefs(copy, byName, selfDefinedDatasetNames(copy));
+  resolveDatasetRefs(copy, byName, selfDefinedNames(copy));
 
   // 2. Fit-mode sizing.
   applyFitMode(copy, options.fitMode ?? 'default');
diff --git a/src/core/spec-data.test.ts b/src/core/spec-data.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cdd431
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/spec-data.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from 'vitest';
+import { classifyData, libraryRefName, selfDefinedNames } from './spec-data';
+
+describe('classifyData', () => {
+  test('classifies the four Vega-Lite data shapes', () => {
+    expect(classifyData({ url: 'x.csv' })).toBe('url');
+    expect(classifyData({ values: [{ a: 1 }] })).toBe('inline');
+    expect(classifyData({ sequence: { start: 0, stop: 5 } })).toBe('generator');
+    expect(classifyData({ sphere: true })).toBe('generator');
+    expect(classifyData({ graticule: true })).toBe('generator');
+    expect(classifyData({ name: 'Sales' })).toBe('named');
+  });
+
+  test('url / values / generator win over a bare name (Vega-Lite precedence)', () => {
+    // A name on these shapes is a runtime-rebind label, not a named reference.
+    expect(classifyData({ name: 'pts', values: [{ a: 1 }] })).toBe('inline');
+    expect(classifyData({ name: 'remote', url: 'x.csv' })).toBe('url');
+    expect(classifyData({ name: 'seq', sequence: { start: 0, stop: 5 } })).toBe('generator');
+  });
+
+  test('returns null for non-data values', () => {
+    expect(classifyData(null)).toBeNull();
+    expect(classifyData(undefined)).toBeNull();
+    expect(classifyData('string')).toBeNull();
+    expect(classifyData([])).toBeNull();
+    expect(classifyData({})).toBeNull();
+    expect(classifyData({ name: 123 })).toBeNull(); // a non-string name is not named data
+  });
+});
+
+describe('selfDefinedNames', () => {
+  test('collects top-level datasets keys', () => {
+    expect([...selfDefinedNames({ datasets: { a: [], b: [] } })].sort()).toEqual(['a', 'b']);
+  });
+
+  test('is empty when there is no datasets map', () => {
+    expect(selfDefinedNames({ data: { name: 'x' } }).size).toBe(0);
+    expect(selfDefinedNames(null).size).toBe(0);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('libraryRefName', () => {
+  const none = new Set<string>();
+
+  test('returns the name of a true named reference', () => {
+    expect(libraryRefName({ name: 'Sales' }, none)).toBe('Sales');
+  });
+
+  test('returns null for inline/url/generator data carrying a name', () => {
+    expect(libraryRefName({ name: 'pts', values: [{ a: 1 }] }, none)).toBeNull();
+    expect(libraryRefName({ name: 'remote', url: 'x.csv' }, none)).toBeNull();
+    expect(libraryRefName({ name: 'seq', sequence: { start: 0, stop: 5 } }, none)).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('returns null for a self-defined name', () => {
+    expect(libraryRefName({ name: 'local' }, new Set(['local']))).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('returns null for a non-data value', () => {
+    expect(libraryRefName(null, none)).toBeNull();
+    expect(libraryRefName({ values: [{ a: 1 }] }, none)).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/core/spec-data.ts b/src/core/spec-data.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c931c06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/spec-data.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+/**
+ * The Vega-Lite data model — the single place that decides what a `data` block
+ * *means* (docs/architecture/05 → Rendering Contract; 07 → Relationships). Pure
+ * core: no browser APIs, no React.
+ *
+ * A Vega-Lite `data` block is exactly one of four shapes (mirrored from
+ * vega-lite/src/data.ts — `isUrlData`/`isInlineData`/`isNamedData`/`isGenerator`):
+ *
+ *   - **url**       — has `url`
+ *   - **inline**    — has `values` (and MAY also carry a `name` label)
+ *   - **generator** — has `sequence` | `sphere` | `graticule`
+ *   - **named**     — has a string `name`, and NONE of the above
+ *
+ * Astrolabe binds its library datasets through *named* data: `{ data: { name } }`
+ * resolves to the library dataset's rows at render time (core/rendering). The
+ * fidelity rule, taken verbatim from Vega-Lite, is that a `name` ALONE does not
+ * make a reference — a `name` riding on inline `values`, a `url`, or a generator
+ * is a label Vega-Lite uses to rebind data at runtime, and Astrolabe must leave it
+ * untouched. Classifying by this rule (not by "has a string name") is what keeps
+ * Astrolabe a strict *extension* of Vega-Lite rather than a divergence: every
+ * native data form keeps working, and only true named references are resolved.
+ *
+ * Reference detection (`extractDatasetRefs`/rename in core/spec-refs) and reference
+ * resolution (core/rendering) both run through `libraryRefName` here, so the two
+ * can never disagree on what counts as a library dependency.
+ */
+
+import { isJsonObject } from './spec-config';
+
+/** The four Vega-Lite data shapes; `null` when the value is not a data block. */
+export type DataKind = 'url' | 'inline' | 'generator' | 'named';
+
+/** The keys that mark a Vega-Lite data *generator* (sequence/sphere/graticule). */
+const GENERATOR_KEYS = ['sequence', 'sphere', 'graticule'] as const;
+
+/**
+ * Classify a Vega-Lite `data` value, matching Vega-Lite's own precedence: `url`
+ * and `values` and generator keys win over a bare `name`, so a named-inline or
+ * named-url block is inline/url data — not a named reference. Returns `null` for a
+ * non-object, `data: null`, or an empty/unrecognized block.
+ */
+export function classifyData(data: unknown): DataKind | null {
+  if (!isJsonObject(data)) return null;
+  if ('url' in data) return 'url';
+  if ('values' in data) return 'inline';
+  if (GENERATOR_KEYS.some((key) => key in data)) return 'generator';
+  if (typeof data.name === 'string') return 'named';
+  return null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The set of dataset names a spec defines for itself via a top-level `datasets`
+ * object. These are resolved natively by Vega-Lite, so they are never library
+ * dependencies and are excluded from reference detection and resolution.
+ */
+export function selfDefinedNames(spec: unknown): Set<string> {
+  const names = new Set<string>();
+  if (isJsonObject(spec) && isJsonObject(spec.datasets)) {
+    for (const key of Object.keys(spec.datasets)) names.add(key);
+  }
+  return names;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The library dataset name a `data` block references, or `null` when it is not a
+ * library reference — i.e. it is named data (`classifyData` → `'named'`) whose
+ * name is not one the spec defines for itself. This is the single predicate behind
+ * both reference extraction and render-time resolution.
+ */
+export function libraryRefName(data: unknown, selfDefined: ReadonlySet<string>): string | null {
+  if (classifyData(data) !== 'named') return null;
+  const { name } = data as { name: string };
+  return selfDefined.has(name) ? null : name;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/spec-refs.test.ts b/src/core/spec-refs.test.ts
index c4e89f1..703025f 100644
--- a/src/core/spec-refs.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/spec-refs.test.ts
@@ -33,11 +33,24 @@ describe('extractDatasetRefs', () => {
     expect(extractDatasetRefs('{ not valid json')).toEqual([]);
   });
 
-  test('inline-data and url-data references (no name) are ignored', () => {
+  test('inline-data and url-data (no name) are not references', () => {
     expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { values: [{ a: 1 }] } })).toEqual([]);
     expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { url: 'http://x/y.csv' } })).toEqual([]);
   });
 
+  test('a name on inline/url data is a Vega-Lite label, not a library reference', () => {
+    // `{ name, values }` is inline data and `{ name, url }` is url data — the name
+    // is Vega-Lite's runtime-rebind label, not a dependency (vega-lite/src/data.ts).
+    expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { name: 'pts', values: [{ a: 1 }] } })).toEqual([]);
+    expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { name: 'remote', url: 'http://x/y.csv' } })).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  test('generator data is not a reference', () => {
+    expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { sequence: { start: 0, stop: 10 } } })).toEqual([]);
+    expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { name: 'globe', sphere: true } })).toEqual([]);
+    expect(extractDatasetRefs({ data: { graticule: true } })).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
   test('excludes names the spec defines for itself via top-level datasets', () => {
     const spec = {
       datasets: { foo: [{ a: 1 }] },
@@ -128,14 +141,16 @@ describe('renameDatasetInSpec', () => {
     expect(Object.keys(out.datasets)).toEqual(['Old']);
   });
 
-  test('does not rewrite a "data" field buried in inline data rows', () => {
+  test('does not rewrite a named-inline block or a "data" field buried in its rows', () => {
+    // `{ name, values }` is inline data — the name is a Vega-Lite label, not a
+    // library reference — so neither it nor the row payload is renamed.
     const spec = {
       data: { name: 'Old', values: [{ data: { name: 'Old' } }] },
       mark: 'bar',
     };
     const out = renameDatasetInSpec(spec, 'Old', 'New');
-    expect(out.data.name).toBe('New'); // the real reference is renamed
-    expect(out.data.values[0].data.name).toBe('Old'); // the row payload is left alone
+    expect(out.data.name).toBe('Old');
+    expect(out.data.values[0].data.name).toBe('Old');
   });
 
   test('renames a reference inside a lookup transform (from.data)', () => {
diff --git a/src/core/spec-refs.ts b/src/core/spec-refs.ts
index 8227af4..2756476 100644
--- a/src/core/spec-refs.ts
+++ b/src/core/spec-refs.ts
@@ -3,34 +3,35 @@
  * (spec §09F → Cross-entity relationships; docs/architecture/07 §3.1, §6).
  *
  * Portable core: no browser APIs, no React, no store access. A Vega-Lite spec
- * references named data through `{ "data": { "name": "MyDataset" } }`, which can
- * appear at the top level, per-layer, inside `spec`/`facet`/concat children, or in
- * a lookup transform's `from.data`. Rather than enumerate the grammar, we walk the
- * spec recursively and collect every `{ data: { name } }` we find — the single
- * source of truth for "what does this spec reference", which the renderer's
- * resolution must agree with.
+ * references a library dataset through *named* data — `{ "data": { "name": "X" } }`
+ * — which can appear at the top level, per-layer, inside `spec`/`facet`/concat
+ * children, or in a lookup transform's `from.data`. Rather than enumerate the
+ * grammar, we walk the spec recursively and collect every library reference we
+ * find — the single source of truth for "what does this spec reference", which the
+ * renderer's resolution must agree with.
+ *
+ * What counts as a *library reference* is decided by `libraryRefName`
+ * (core/spec-data): named data (a string `name` with no `values`/`url`/generator)
+ * whose name the spec does not define for itself via a top-level `datasets` object.
+ * A `name` riding on inline `values` or a `url` is a Vega-Lite label, not a
+ * dependency, so it is left alone — keeping Astrolabe a strict extension of
+ * Vega-Lite. The renderer resolves through the same predicate, so the two cannot
+ * disagree.
  *
  * The walk recurses into every key EXCEPT two, which hold user data payloads
- * rather than nested specs: a `data` object (its `name` is captured at the parent
- * site; its `values`/`format` are payload, never a nested ref) and a top-level
- * `datasets` map (the spec's own inline data). Pruning those is what keeps a data
- * *row* that happens to carry a field literally named `data: { name: "x" }` from
- * being misread as a library reference. The renderer's resolution prunes the same
- * two keys so the two stay in lockstep.
+ * rather than nested specs: a `data` object (classified at the parent site; its
+ * `values`/`format` are payload, never a nested ref) and a top-level `datasets`
+ * map (the spec's own inline data). Pruning those is what keeps a data *row* that
+ * happens to carry a field literally named `data: { name: "x" }` from being misread
+ * as a library reference. The renderer's resolution prunes the same two keys.
  *
  * A spec may be stored as an **object** or as **JSON text** (see spec §09A); we
  * normalize once at the boundary (unparseable text → no refs / unchanged spec) so
  * the recursive walk never has to care.
- *
- * Refinement beyond the doc sketch: a spec may define its OWN inline named
- * datasets via a top-level `datasets` object (e.g.
- * `{ "datasets": { "foo": [...] }, "data": { "name": "foo" } }`). Names satisfied
- * by the spec's own `datasets` are NOT library dependencies, so they are excluded
- * from extraction and left untouched on rename — keeping extraction consistent
- * with the renderer's resolution, which likewise must not treat self-defined
- * names as library refs.
  */
 
+import { libraryRefName, selfDefinedNames } from './spec-data';
+
 type Json = unknown;
 
 /** Parse a string spec; an unparseable draft simply has no resolvable refs. */
@@ -42,22 +43,10 @@ function safeParse(s: string): Json {
   }
 }
 
-/** The set of dataset names a spec defines for itself via top-level `datasets`. */
-function selfDefinedNames(spec: Json): Set<string> {
-  const names = new Set<string>();
-  if (spec && typeof spec === 'object' && !Array.isArray(spec)) {
-    const datasets = (spec as Record<string, Json>).datasets;
-    if (datasets && typeof datasets === 'object' && !Array.isArray(datasets)) {
-      for (const key of Object.keys(datasets)) names.add(key);
-    }
-  }
-  return names;
-}
-
 /**
- * Collects every **library** dataset name referenced by `{ data: { name } }`
- * anywhere in the spec, excluding names the spec defines for itself via a
- * top-level `datasets` object. Accepts an object or JSON text.
+ * Collects every **library** dataset name referenced anywhere in the spec
+ * (`libraryRefName`), excluding names the spec defines for itself via a top-level
+ * `datasets` object. Accepts an object or JSON text.
  */
 export function extractDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
   const root = typeof spec === 'string' ? safeParse(spec) : spec;
@@ -71,12 +60,10 @@ export function extractDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
     }
     if (node && typeof node === 'object') {
       const obj = node as Record<string, Json>;
-      const data = obj.data as Record<string, Json> | undefined;
-      if (data && typeof data === 'object' && typeof data.name === 'string') {
-        if (!selfDefined.has(data.name)) names.add(data.name);
-      }
+      const refName = libraryRefName(obj.data, selfDefined);
+      if (refName !== null) names.add(refName);
       // Recurse into every key except the two that hold data payloads (`data` —
-      // captured above; `datasets` — the spec's own inline data). Pruning them
+      // classified above; `datasets` — the spec's own inline data). Pruning them
       // keeps the walk out of user data rows, where a field named `data` would
       // otherwise be misread as a reference. Kept in step with rendering.ts.
       for (const key of Object.keys(obj)) {
@@ -96,12 +83,14 @@ export function recomputeDatasetRefs(spec: Json): string[] {
 }
 
 /**
- * Returns a copy of `spec` with every `data.name === oldName` replaced by
- * `newName`, recursing through arrays and objects. A name that is a top-level
- * `datasets` key (self-defined) is left untouched. The input's stored shape is
- * preserved: a string spec is parsed, rewritten, and re-serialized as pretty JSON
- * text; an object spec returns an object. The generic `<T>` reflects this shape
- * preservation. The input is never mutated.
+ * Returns a copy of `spec` with every library reference to `oldName` (per
+ * `libraryRefName`) renamed to `newName`, recursing through arrays and objects.
+ * Native Vega-Lite data that merely carries the name as a label (inline `values`,
+ * a `url`, a generator) and a self-defined top-level `datasets` key are left
+ * untouched. The input's stored shape is preserved: a string spec is parsed,
+ * rewritten, and re-serialized as pretty JSON text; an object spec returns an
+ * object. The generic `<T>` reflects this shape preservation; the input is never
+ * mutated.
  */
 export function renameDatasetInSpec<T>(spec: T, oldName: string, newName: string): T {
   const isString = typeof spec === 'string';
@@ -116,15 +105,17 @@ export function renameDatasetInSpec<T>(spec: T, oldName: string, newName: string
     if (node && typeof node === 'object') {
       const out: Record<string, Json> = {};
       for (const [k, v] of Object.entries(node as Record<string, Json>)) {
-        // A `data` object is a reference site, not a container: rename a matching
-        // name and stop — never recurse into its payload. A `datasets` map is the
-        // spec's own inline data: leave it whole. Pruning both (mirroring
-        // extractDatasetRefs) keeps rename out of user data rows, where a field
-        // named `data` would otherwise be rewritten as if it were a reference.
-        if (k === 'data' && v && typeof v === 'object' && !Array.isArray(v)) {
-          const dv = v as Record<string, Json>;
-          out[k] = dv.name === oldName && !selfDefined.has(oldName) ? { ...dv, name: newName } : dv;
-        } else if (k === 'data' || k === 'datasets') {
+        // A `data` block is a reference site, not a container: rename it when it is
+        // a library reference to `oldName`, and never recurse into its payload. A
+        // `datasets` map is the spec's own inline data: leave it whole. Pruning
+        // both (mirroring extractDatasetRefs) keeps rename out of user data rows,
+        // where a field named `data` would otherwise be rewritten as a reference.
+        if (k === 'data') {
+          out[k] =
+            libraryRefName(v, selfDefined) === oldName
+              ? { ...(v as Record<string, Json>), name: newName }
+              : v;
+        } else if (k === 'datasets') {
           out[k] = v;
         } else {
           out[k] = rewrite(v);