Improved peephole optimizer. Sending an output asm format to optimizer with kept info about asm source (generated, script or asm block)

README.md

@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ The optimizer never removes **reads or stores** to addresses marked in the I/O e
 2. **CLI shorthand**: `--opt-exclude-c64-io` for the full C64 I/O page
 3. **Pragma**: `#PRAGMA _P_OPT_IO $D000 $DFFF`
 
-Variable names (like `vic2`, `BORDER_COLOR`) are NOT checked against the I/O map — only literal hex addresses are. For `@`-mapped variables that point to I/O registers, use the `_P_OPT_IO` pragma with their address range.
+Variable names (like `vic2`, `BORDER_COLOR`) are NOT checked against the I/O map — only literal numeric addresses (hex `$D020` or decimal `53280`) are. For `@`-mapped variables that point to I/O registers, use the `_P_OPT_IO` pragma with their address range.
 
 ### Environment Variables
 - **`C65LIBPATH`**: Search path for `#INCLUDE <file>` directives

internal/compiler/compiler.go

@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ import (
 type Compiler struct {
 	ctx              *CompilerContext
 	registry         *CommandRegistry
-	deferredAsm      []string            // ASM blocks with _P_ASM_AFTER_VARS pragma
+	deferredAsm      []optimizer.SourceLine // ASM blocks with _P_ASM_AFTER_VARS pragma
-	dissolvedVars    map[string]bool     // REGISTER vars dissolved by optimizer
+	dissolvedVars    map[string]bool        // REGISTER vars dissolved by optimizer
-	CmdlineOpt       bool                // --opt enables all passes
+	CmdlineOpt       bool                   // --opt enables all passes
-	CmdlineDebug     bool                // --opt-debug enables debug output
+	CmdlineDebug     bool                   // --opt-debug enables debug output
-	CmdlineIORegions []optimizer.IORegion // --opt-exclude ranges
+	CmdlineIORegions []optimizer.IORegion   // --opt-exclude ranges
 }
 
 // NewCompiler creates a new compiler with initialized context and registry
@@ -39,9 +39,51 @@ func (c *Compiler) Registry() *CommandRegistry {
 	return c.registry
 }
 
+// generatedLine tags a line as compiler-generated (optimizable).
+func generatedLine(text string) optimizer.SourceLine {
+	return optimizer.SourceLine{Text: text, Origin: optimizer.OriginGenerated}
+}
+
+// generatedLines tags a batch of compiler-generated lines.
+func generatedLines(lines []string) []optimizer.SourceLine {
+	out := make([]optimizer.SourceLine, len(lines))
+	for i, l := range lines {
+		out[i] = generatedLine(l)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// asmSourceLine tags a line as verbatim ASM block content.
+func asmSourceLine(text string) optimizer.SourceLine {
+	return optimizer.SourceLine{Text: text, Origin: optimizer.OriginAsm}
+}
+
+// scriptSourceLine tags a line as verbatim SCRIPT print() output.
+func scriptSourceLine(text string) optimizer.SourceLine {
+	return optimizer.SourceLine{Text: text, Origin: optimizer.OriginScript}
+}
+
+// scriptSourceLines tags a batch of SCRIPT print() output lines.
+func scriptSourceLines(lines []string) []optimizer.SourceLine {
+	out := make([]optimizer.SourceLine, len(lines))
+	for i, l := range lines {
+		out[i] = scriptSourceLine(l)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// asmSourceLines tags a batch of verbatim ASM block lines.
+func asmSourceLines(lines []string) []optimizer.SourceLine {
+	out := make([]optimizer.SourceLine, len(lines))
+	for i, l := range lines {
+		out[i] = asmSourceLine(l)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // Compile processes preprocessed lines and generates assembly output
 func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
-	var codeOutput []string
+	var codeOutput []optimizer.SourceLine
 	var lastKind = preproc.Source
 	var scriptBuffer []preproc.Line
 	var scriptIsLibrary bool
@@ -50,7 +92,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 	var currentMacroParams []string
 	var currentMacroSourceFile string
 	var currentMacroStartLine int
-	var currentAsmTarget *[]string // nil = no active ASM block, or points to target slice
+	var currentAsmTarget *[]optimizer.SourceLine // nil = no active ASM block, or points to target slice
 
 	// Reset deferred ASM storage for this compilation
 	c.deferredAsm = nil
@@ -64,12 +106,12 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 				if err != nil {
 					return nil, fmt.Errorf("script execution failed: %w", err)
 				}
-				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, scriptOutput...)
+				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, scriptSourceLines(scriptOutput)...)
 				scriptBuffer = nil
 				if scriptIsLibrary {
-					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; ENDSCRIPT LIBRARY")
+					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; ENDSCRIPT LIBRARY"))
 				} else {
-					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; ENDSCRIPT")
+					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; ENDSCRIPT"))
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -83,7 +125,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 						SourceFile: currentMacroSourceFile,
 						StartLine:  currentMacroStartLine,
 					}
-					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, fmt.Sprintf("; ENDSCRIPT MACRO %s", currentMacroName))
+					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine(fmt.Sprintf("; ENDSCRIPT MACRO %s", currentMacroName)))
 				}
 				macroBuffer = nil
 				currentMacroName = ""
@@ -94,7 +136,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 
 			// Close previous Assembler block
 			if lastKind == preproc.Assembler && currentAsmTarget != nil {
-				*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, "; ENDASM")
+				*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLine("; ENDASM"))
 				currentAsmTarget = nil
 			}
 
@@ -103,24 +145,24 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 				// Check if ASM block should be deferred to end
 				pragmaSet := c.ctx.Pragma.GetPragmaSetByIndex(line.PragmaSetIndex)
 				asmAfterVars := pragmaSet.GetPragma("_P_ASM_AFTER_VARS") != "" &&
-				                pragmaSet.GetPragma("_P_ASM_AFTER_VARS") != "0"
+					pragmaSet.GetPragma("_P_ASM_AFTER_VARS") != "0"
 
 				if asmAfterVars {
 					// Add inline comment and defer ASM block
-					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; ASM block deferred to end of source")
+					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; ASM block deferred to end of source"))
 					c.deferredAsm = append(c.deferredAsm,
-						fmt.Sprintf("; ASM Block from %s, Line %d", line.Filename, line.LineNo))
+						asmSourceLine(fmt.Sprintf("; ASM Block from %s, Line %d", line.Filename, line.LineNo)))
 					currentAsmTarget = &c.deferredAsm
 				} else {
 					// Normal ASM block
-					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; ASM")
+					codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; ASM"))
 					currentAsmTarget = &codeOutput
 				}
 			} else if line.Kind == preproc.Script {
-				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; SCRIPT")
+				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; SCRIPT"))
 				scriptIsLibrary = false
 			} else if line.Kind == preproc.ScriptLibrary {
-				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, "; SCRIPT LIBRARY")
+				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine("; SCRIPT LIBRARY"))
 				scriptIsLibrary = true
 			} else if line.Kind == preproc.ScriptMacroDef {
 				// First line is the header - parse it
@@ -131,7 +173,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 				}
 				currentMacroName = name
 				currentMacroParams = params
-				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, fmt.Sprintf("; %s", line.Text))
+				codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine(fmt.Sprintf("; %s", line.Text)))
 			}
 
 			lastKind = line.Kind
@@ -177,9 +219,9 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 						}
 
 						// Emit with comments showing invocation
-						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, fmt.Sprintf("; %s", text))
+						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLine(fmt.Sprintf("; %s", text)))
-						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, macroOutput...)
+						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLines(macroOutput)...)
-						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, fmt.Sprintf("; end @%s", macroName))
+						*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLine(fmt.Sprintf("; end @%s", macroName)))
 						continue
 					}
 				}
@@ -208,7 +250,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 					// Continue searching after the replacement
 					searchFrom = start + len(expandedName)
 				}
-				*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, codePart+commentPart)
+				*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLine(codePart+commentPart))
 			} else if line.Kind == preproc.Script || line.Kind == preproc.ScriptLibrary {
 				// Collect script lines for execution
 				scriptBuffer = append(scriptBuffer, line)
@@ -253,18 +295,18 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("compilation failed")
 		}
 
-		codeOutput = append(codeOutput, fmt.Sprintf("; %s", line.Text))
+		codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine(fmt.Sprintf("; %s", line.Text)))
 		if len(asmLines) > 0 && c.isMarkersEnabled() {
-			codeOutput = append(codeOutput, fmt.Sprintf("; @@OPT:%s:%s", classString(cmd.GetClass()), cmd.GetName()))
+			codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLine(fmt.Sprintf("; @@OPT:%s:%s", classString(cmd.GetClass()), cmd.GetName())))
 		}
-		codeOutput = append(codeOutput, asmLines...)
+		codeOutput = append(codeOutput, generatedLines(asmLines)...)
 	}
 
 	// Close any open block
 	if lastKind == preproc.Assembler {
 		// Close the final ASM block if still open
 		if currentAsmTarget != nil {
-			*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, "; ENDASM")
+			*currentAsmTarget = append(*currentAsmTarget, asmSourceLine("; ENDASM"))
 		}
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Unclosed ASM block.")
 	} else if lastKind == preproc.Script {
@@ -276,10 +318,13 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 	}
 
 	// Peephole optimization pass
+	var codeStrings []string
 	if cfg := c.getOptimizerConfig(); cfg != nil {
 		var dissolved map[string]bool
-		codeOutput, dissolved = optimizer.Optimize(codeOutput, cfg)
+		codeStrings, dissolved = optimizer.Optimize(codeOutput, cfg)
 		c.dissolvedVars = dissolved
+	} else {
+		codeStrings = optimizer.SourceLineTexts(codeOutput)
 	}
 
 	// Analyze for overlapping absolute addresses in function call chains
@@ -301,13 +346,13 @@ func (c *Compiler) Compile(lines []preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 	}
 
 	// Remove unused functions with _P_REMOVE_UNUSED pragma
-	codeOutput, removedFuncs := c.removeUnusedFunctions(codeOutput)
+	codeStrings, removedFuncs := c.removeUnusedFunctions(codeStrings)
 
 	// Update peephole header to match actual [removed] count after function removal
-	codeOutput = updatePeepholeHeader(codeOutput)
+	codeStrings = updatePeepholeHeader(codeStrings)
 
 	// Assemble final output with headers and footers
-	return c.assembleOutput(codeOutput, removedFuncs), nil
+	return c.assembleOutput(codeStrings, removedFuncs), nil
 }
 
 // isOptimizing returns true if any peephole optimization pragma is active
@@ -757,7 +802,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) assembleOutput(codeLines []string, removedFuncs map[string]bo
 	if len(c.deferredAsm) > 0 {
 		output = append(output, "; Deferred ASM blocks (after variables)")
 		output = append(output, "")
-		output = append(output, c.deferredAsm...)
+		output = append(output, optimizer.SourceLineTexts(c.deferredAsm)...)
 		output = append(output, "")
 	}
 

internal/compiler/funchandler.go

@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) HandleFuncCall(line preproc.Line) ([]string, error) {
 
 	// Generate final assembly
 	asmLines = append(asmLines, inAssigns...)
-	asmLines = append(asmLines, fmt.Sprintf("  jsr %s", funcName))
+	asmLines = append(asmLines, fmt.Sprintf("\tjsr %s", funcName))
 	asmLines = append(asmLines, outAssigns...)
 
 	return asmLines, nil
@@ -451,10 +451,10 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processLabelArg(arg string, param *FuncParam, funcNam
 	}
 
 	*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #<%s", labelName),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #<%s", labelName),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #>%s", labelName),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #>%s", labelName),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 	)
 
 	return nil
@@ -475,10 +475,10 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processStringArg(arg string, param *FuncParam, funcNa
 	actualLabel := fh.constStrHandler.AddConstStr(labelName, arg, true, pragmaSet)
 
 	*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #<%s", actualLabel),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #<%s", actualLabel),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #>%s", actualLabel),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #>%s", actualLabel),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 	)
 
 	return nil
@@ -492,20 +492,20 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processVarArg(sym *Symbol, param *FuncParam, funcName
 	// Generate IN assignments (sym -> param)
 	if param.Direction.Has(DirIn) {
 		*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-			fmt.Sprintf("  lda %s", sym.FullName()),
+			fmt.Sprintf("\tlda %s", sym.FullName()),
-			fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+			fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 		)
 		if param.Symbol.IsWord() {
 			if sym.IsWord() {
 				*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-					fmt.Sprintf("  lda %s+1", sym.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tlda %s+1", sym.FullName()),
-					fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 				)
 			} else {
 				// byte -> word: zero extend
 				*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-					"  lda #0",
+					"\tlda #0",
-					fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 				)
 			}
 		} else if sym.IsWord() {
@@ -518,20 +518,20 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processVarArg(sym *Symbol, param *FuncParam, funcName
 	// Generate OUT assignments (param -> sym)
 	if param.Direction.Has(DirOut) {
 		*outAssigns = append(*outAssigns,
-			fmt.Sprintf("  lda %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+			fmt.Sprintf("\tlda %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
-			fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", sym.FullName()),
+			fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", sym.FullName()),
 		)
 		if sym.IsWord() {
 			if param.Symbol.IsWord() {
 				*outAssigns = append(*outAssigns,
-					fmt.Sprintf("  lda %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tlda %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()),
-					fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", sym.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", sym.FullName()),
 				)
 			} else {
 				// byte -> word: zero extend
 				*outAssigns = append(*outAssigns,
-					"  lda #0",
+					"\tlda #0",
-					fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", sym.FullName()),
+					fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", sym.FullName()),
 				)
 			}
 		} else if param.Symbol.IsWord() {
@@ -576,16 +576,16 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processConstArg(arg string, param *FuncParam, funcNam
 	highByte := uint8((value >> 8) & 0xFF)
 
 	*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #%d", lowByte),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #%d", lowByte),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 	)
 
 	if param.Symbol.IsWord() {
 		// Optimize: only reload A if high byte differs
 		if highByte != lowByte {
-			*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("  lda #%d", highByte))
+			*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #%d", highByte))
 		}
-		*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()))
+		*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()))
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -604,16 +604,16 @@ func (fh *FunctionHandler) processConstValue(value uint16, param *FuncParam, fun
 	highByte := uint8((value >> 8) & 0xFF)
 
 	*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns,
-		fmt.Sprintf("  lda #%d", lowByte),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #%d", lowByte),
-		fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
+		fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s", param.Symbol.FullName()),
 	)
 
 	if param.Symbol.IsWord() {
 		// Optimize: only reload A if high byte differs
 		if highByte != lowByte {
-			*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("  lda #%d", highByte))
+			*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("\tlda #%d", highByte))
 		}
-		*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("  sta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()))
+		*inAssigns = append(*inAssigns, fmt.Sprintf("\tsta %s+1", param.Symbol.FullName()))
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -917,10 +917,10 @@ func parseParamSpec(spec string) (ParamDirection, string, bool, string, error) {
 
 // AbsoluteOverlap represents a detected overlap in absolute addresses
 type AbsoluteOverlap struct {
-	Func1      string   // First function using the address
+	Func1     string   // First function using the address
-	Func2      string   // Second function using the address
+	Func2     string   // Second function using the address
-	Address    uint16   // Overlapping address
+	Address   uint16   // Overlapping address
-	CallChain  []string // Call chain from Func1 to Func2
+	CallChain []string // Call chain from Func1 to Func2
 }
 
 // AnalyzeAbsoluteOverlaps checks for overlapping absolute addresses in call chains

internal/compiler/funchandler_test.go

@@ -399,13 +399,13 @@ func TestHandleFuncCall_VarArgs(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Check generated assembly
 	expectedLines := []string{
-		"  lda var_a",
+		"\tlda var_a",
-		"  sta test_func_param_a",
+		"\tsta test_func_param_a",
-		"  lda var_b",
+		"\tlda var_b",
-		"  sta test_func_param_b",
+		"\tsta test_func_param_b",
-		"  lda var_b+1",
+		"\tlda var_b+1",
-		"  sta test_func_param_b+1",
+		"\tsta test_func_param_b+1",
-		"  jsr test_func",
+		"\tjsr test_func",
 	}
 
 	if len(asm) != len(expectedLines) {
@@ -928,13 +928,13 @@ func TestHandleFuncCall_AbsoluteParams(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Check generated assembly uses correct names
 	expectedLines := []string{
-		"  lda var_a",
+		"\tlda var_a",
-		"  sta test_abs_param_a",
+		"\tsta test_abs_param_a",
-		"  lda var_b",
+		"\tlda var_b",
-		"  sta test_abs_param_b",
+		"\tsta test_abs_param_b",
-		"  lda var_b+1",
+		"\tlda var_b+1",
-		"  sta test_abs_param_b+1",
+		"\tsta test_abs_param_b+1",
-		"  jsr test_abs",
+		"\tjsr test_abs",
 	}
 
 	if len(asm) != len(expectedLines) {

internal/optimizer/optimizer.go

@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@ import "strings"
 // @@OPT markers are stripped from output.
 // Returns optimized lines and the set of dissolved REGISTER variable names
 // (variables that had all their stores/loads eliminated).
-func Optimize(lines []string, cfg *Config) ([]string, map[string]bool) {
+func Optimize(lines []SourceLine, cfg *Config) ([]string, map[string]bool) {
 	dissolved := map[string]bool{}
 
 	if cfg == nil || !cfg.Any() {
-		return lines, dissolved
+		return SourceLineTexts(lines), dissolved
 	}
 
 	parsed := parseLines(lines)
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ func Optimize(lines []string, cfg *Config) ([]string, map[string]bool) {
 
 	if cfg.EnableStoreLoad {
 		parsed = passStoreReload(parsed, cfg)
+		parsed = passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
 	}
 	if cfg.EnableLoad {
 		parsed = passLoadElimination(parsed, cfg)

internal/optimizer/optimizer_test.go

@@ -5,12 +5,26 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
-func lines(s ...string) []string { return s }
+func lines(s ...string) []SourceLine {
+	out := make([]SourceLine, len(s))
+	for i, t := range s {
+		out[i] = SourceLine{Text: t, Origin: OriginGenerated}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func verbatimLines(s ...string) []SourceLine {
+	out := make([]SourceLine, len(s))
+	for i, t := range s {
+		out[i] = SourceLine{Text: t, Origin: OriginAsm}
+	}
+	return out
+}
 
 func TestPassLoadElimination(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		input    []string
+		input    []SourceLine
 		expected int // expected number of lines after optimization
 	}{
 		{
@@ -60,7 +74,7 @@ func TestPassLoadElimination(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassImmElimination(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		input    []string
+		input    []SourceLine
 		expected int
 	}{
 		{
@@ -102,7 +116,7 @@ func TestPassImmElimination(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassJmpNext(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		input    []string
+		input    []SourceLine
 		expected int
 	}{
 		{
@@ -137,7 +151,7 @@ func TestPassJmpNext(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassSelfAssignment(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		input    []string
+		input    []SourceLine
 		expected int
 	}{
 		{
@@ -196,6 +210,15 @@ func TestPassLoadIO(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 
+	t.Run("decimal IO load not eliminated", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tlda 53266", "\tlda 53266"))
+		result := passLoadElimination(parsed, cfg)
+		cleaned := stripOptMarkers(result)
+		if len(cleaned) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("expected 2 lines (decimal IO skip), got %d", len(cleaned))
+		}
+	})
+
 	t.Run("variable name not caught by IO", func(t *testing.T) {
 		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tlda RASTER_LINE", "\tlda RASTER_LINE"))
 		result := passLoadElimination(parsed, cfg)
@@ -241,6 +264,25 @@ func TestOptimizeIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestOptimizeStoreTransferIntegration(t *testing.T) {
+	input := lines(
+		"\tlda #$05",
+		"\tsta x",
+		"\tldy x",
+		"\tlda (zp),y",
+	)
+
+	cfg := &Config{EnableStoreLoad: true}
+	output, _ := Optimize(input, cfg)
+
+	if len(output) != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 4 lines, got %d:\n%v", len(output), output)
+	}
+	if output[2] != "\ttay" {
+		t.Errorf("expected ldy x to become tay via Optimize, got %q", output[2])
+	}
+}
+
 func TestOptimizeWithDebug(t *testing.T) {
 	input := lines(
 		"\tlda x",
@@ -289,7 +331,7 @@ func TestPassStoreReload(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		input    []string
+		input    []SourceLine
 		expected int
 	}{
 		{
@@ -447,13 +489,12 @@ func TestPassStoreReloadIO(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("decimal address in IO range", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := &Config{}
 		cfg.IOMap[0xD020] = true
-		// Decimal 53280 = $D020, but IOMap uses hex lookup
+		// Decimal 53280 = $D020, now caught by IOMap regardless of base
-		// The pass checks $ prefix only, decimal addresses won't be caught by IOMap
 		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta 53280", "\tlda 53280"))
 		result := passStoreReload(parsed, cfg)
 		cleaned := stripOptMarkers(result)
-		if len(cleaned) != 1 {
+		if len(cleaned) != 2 {
-			t.Errorf("expected 1 line (decimal not caught by I/O), got %d", len(cleaned))
+			t.Errorf("expected 2 lines (decimal I/O protected), got %d", len(cleaned))
 		}
 	})
 
@@ -497,8 +538,8 @@ func TestPassStoreReloadIO(t *testing.T) {
 			{Start: 0xD000, End: 0xDFFF},
 			{Start: 0xDC00, End: 0xDC0F},
 		})
-		tests := []struct{
+		tests := []struct {
-			addr string
+			addr   string
 			expect int
 		}{
 			{"$D020", 2},
@@ -508,7 +549,7 @@ func TestPassStoreReloadIO(t *testing.T) {
 			{"$E000", 1},
 		}
 		for _, tt := range tests {
-			parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta " + tt.addr, "\tlda " + tt.addr))
+			parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta "+tt.addr, "\tlda "+tt.addr))
 			result := passStoreReload(parsed, cfg)
 			cleaned := stripOptMarkers(result)
 			if len(cleaned) != tt.expect {
@@ -518,12 +559,117 @@ func TestPassStoreReloadIO(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestPassStoreTransfer(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := &Config{}
+
+	t.Run("sta x then ldy x becomes tay", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tldy x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[0] != "\tsta x" || out[1] != "\ttay" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("sta x then ldx x becomes tax", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tldx x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[0] != "\tsta x" || out[1] != "\ttax" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("comment between is skipped", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "; source", "\tldy x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 3 || out[2] != "\ttay" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("label between blocks transfer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "label", "\tldy x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 3 || out[2] != "\tldy x" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("IO address not transferred", func(t *testing.T) {
+		ioCfg := &Config{}
+		ioCfg.IOMap[0xD020] = true
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta $D020", "\tldy $D020"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, ioCfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tldy $D020" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("operand mismatch no transfer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tldy y"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tldy y" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("inline comment on load blocks transfer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tldy x ; note"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tldy x ; note" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("indexed store not transferred", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta (zp),y", "\tldy (zp),y"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tldy (zp),y" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("lda between blocks transfer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tlda y", "\tldy x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 3 || out[2] != "\tldy x" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("sta x then lda x not transferred", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tsta x", "\tlda x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tlda x" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("sta as last line no transfer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines(lines("\tlda #1", "\tsta x"))
+		result := passStoreTransfer(parsed, cfg)
+		out := linesToString(stripOptMarkers(result))
+		if len(out) != 2 || out[1] != "\tsta x" {
+			t.Errorf("got %v", out)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 func TestPassRegDead_DeadStore(t *testing.T) {
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$05",
 		"\tsta myFunc_temp",
 		"\tsta $d020",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -545,12 +691,12 @@ func TestPassRegDead_DeadStore(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPassRegDead_KeptStoreWithLoad(t *testing.T) {
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$05",
 		"\tsta myFunc_temp",
 		"\tlda myFunc_temp",
 		"\tsta $d020",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -573,12 +719,12 @@ func TestPassRegDead_KeptStoreWithLoad(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPassRegDead_KeptStoreAtLabel(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar before a label — no lda regVar anywhere → globally dead
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$05",
 		"\tsta myFunc_temp",
 		"myskip:",
 		"\tnop",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -600,15 +746,15 @@ func TestPassRegDead_KeptStoreAtLabel(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPassRegDead_NonRegisterVarUnchanged(t *testing.T) {
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$05",
 		"\tsta normalVar",
 		"\tsta $d020",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
-		RegisterVars: map[string]bool{},
+		RegisterVars:       map[string]bool{},
 	}
 
 	output, _ := Optimize(input, cfg)
@@ -620,12 +766,12 @@ func TestPassRegDead_NonRegisterVarUnchanged(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPassRegDead_DeadStoreBeforeRts(t *testing.T) {
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$05",
 		"\tsta myFunc_temp",
 		"\tsta $d020",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -648,7 +794,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_DeadStoreBeforeRts(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPassRegDead_StoreNeededAfterAClobber(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar; lda other → A clobbered, but regVar is reloaded later → keep store
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda 53281",
 		"\tsta spill_me_bg",
 		"\tlda 53282",
@@ -656,7 +802,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_StoreNeededAfterAClobber(t *testing.T) {
 		"\tlda spill_me_bg",
 		"\tsta 53282",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -680,14 +826,14 @@ func TestPassRegDead_StoreNeededAfterAClobber(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPassRegDead_DeadStoreNeverReloaded(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta → and (A clobbered) → POKE (uses A directly) → rts. Store dead.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda 56576",
 		"\tsta dissolve_me_temp",
 		"\tand #$fc",
 		"\tsta dissolve_me_temp",
 		"\tsta 56576",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -711,12 +857,12 @@ func TestPassRegDead_DeadStoreNeverReloaded(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassRegDead_GloballyDeadBeforeJsr(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar; jsr foo; no lda regVar anywhere → globally dead
 	// jsr does not protect a store with zero readers.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda 53281",
 		"\tsta call_val",
 		"\tjsr helper",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -741,14 +887,14 @@ func TestPassRegDead_JsrProtectsStoreWhenReloaded(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar; jsr foo; lda regVar → store kept
 	// lda exists (pre-scan passes), but jsr blocks local scan before reaching it.
 	// The callee may modify A, so the reload after jsr is genuine.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda 53281",
 		"\tsta call_val",
 		"\tjsr helper",
 		"\tlda call_val",
 		"\tsta 53280",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -771,13 +917,13 @@ func TestPassRegDead_JsrProtectsStoreWhenReloaded(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPassRegDead_InitValueFlowsThrough(t *testing.T) {
 	// BYTE REGISTER x = 42; POKE $d020, x → value flows through A, never touches RAM
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tlda #$2a",
 		"\tsta test_x",
 		"\tlda test_x",
 		"\tsta 53280",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -805,7 +951,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_InitValueFlowsThrough(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassRegDead_GloballyDeadBeforeLabel(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar before a label, no lda regVar anywhere → globally dead
 	// Typical copy-loop pattern: the value flows through A, never reloaded.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"_LOOPSTART",
 		"\tlda (src),y",
 		"\tsta loop_val",
@@ -814,7 +960,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_GloballyDeadBeforeLabel(t *testing.T) {
 		"_SKIP:",
 		"\tjmp _LOOPSTART",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -838,7 +984,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_GloballyDeadBeforeLabel(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPassRegDead_NotGloballyDeadWithLda(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar before a label, but lda regVar exists elsewhere → not globally dead
 	// Falls through to local scan. With jsr before the lda, store is kept.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tsta spill_me_bg",
 		"\tlda 53282",
 		"_SKIP:",
@@ -846,7 +992,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_NotGloballyDeadWithLda(t *testing.T) {
 		"\tlda spill_me_bg",
 		"\tsta 53282",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -869,181 +1015,181 @@ func TestPassRegDead_NotGloballyDeadWithLda(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPassRegDead_ReadModifyWrite(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
-		name     string
+		name   string
-		opcode   string
+		opcode string
-		lines    []string
+		lines  []SourceLine
 	}{
 		{
 			name:   "dec reads stored value",
 			opcode: "dec",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tdec rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "inc reads stored value",
 			opcode: "inc",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tinc rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "adc reads stored value",
 			opcode: "adc",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tclc",
 				"\tadc rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "sbc reads stored value",
 			opcode: "sbc",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tsec",
 				"\tsbc rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "and reads stored value",
 			opcode: "and",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tand rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "ora reads stored value",
 			opcode: "ora",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tora rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "eor reads stored value",
 			opcode: "eor",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\teor rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "cmp reads stored value",
 			opcode: "cmp",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tcmp rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "ldx reads stored value",
 			opcode: "ldx",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tldx rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "ldy reads stored value",
 			opcode: "ldy",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tldy rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "asl reads stored value",
 			opcode: "asl",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tasl rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "lsr reads stored value",
 			opcode: "lsr",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tlsr rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "rol reads stored value",
 			opcode: "rol",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\trol rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "ror reads stored value",
 			opcode: "ror",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tror rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "bit reads stored value",
 			opcode: "bit",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tbit rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "cpx reads stored value",
 			opcode: "cpx",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tcpx rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 		{
 			name:   "cpy reads stored value",
 			opcode: "cpy",
-			lines: []string{
+			lines: lines(
 				"\tlda #$05",
 				"\tsta rmw_var",
 				"\tcpy rmw_var",
 				"\trts",
-			},
+			),
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1074,7 +1220,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_JmpDoesNotKillStore(t *testing.T) {
 	// sta regVar; ...(then body)...; jmp _END; _ELSE:; ...; _END:; ldy regVar
 	// The jmp in the THEN body should NOT kill the store because
 	// the jump target _END reaches code that reads regVar.
-	input := []string{
+	input := lines(
 		"\tldy #0",
 		"\tlda (zp),y",
 		"\tsta if_val",
@@ -1092,7 +1238,7 @@ func TestPassRegDead_JmpDoesNotKillStore(t *testing.T) {
 		"\tldy if_val",
 		"\tlda (zp),y",
 		"\trts",
-	}
+	)
 
 	cfg := &Config{
 		EnableRegisterVars: true,
@@ -1112,3 +1258,103 @@ func TestPassRegDead_JmpDoesNotKillStore(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected sta if_val to be kept (jmp in THEN should not kill it), got:\n%s", joined)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestParseLinesOrigin(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("generated tab line is code", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "\tlda x", Origin: OriginGenerated}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || !parsed[0].isCode {
+			t.Errorf("generated tab line should be code, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("generated space line is code", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "  lda x", Origin: OriginGenerated}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || !parsed[0].isCode {
+			t.Errorf("generated space-indented line should be code, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("verbatim ASM tab line is a barrier, not code", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "\tlda x", Origin: OriginAsm}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || parsed[0].isCode || !parsed[0].isLabel {
+			t.Errorf("verbatim ASM line should be a barrier, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("verbatim SCRIPT tab line is a barrier", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "\tsta $d020", Origin: OriginScript}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || parsed[0].isCode || !parsed[0].isLabel {
+			t.Errorf("verbatim SCRIPT line should be a barrier, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("verbatim ASM comment stays a comment", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "; note", Origin: OriginAsm}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || !parsed[0].isComment {
+			t.Errorf("verbatim ASM comment should be a comment, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("verbatim ASM label stays a barrier", func(t *testing.T) {
+		parsed := parseLines([]SourceLine{{Text: "h_dispatch:", Origin: OriginAsm}})
+		if len(parsed) != 1 || parsed[0].isCode || !parsed[0].isLabel {
+			t.Errorf("verbatim ASM label should be a barrier, got %+v", parsed)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestOptimizeSkipsVerbatimTransfer(t *testing.T) {
+	// A tab-indented ASM block line must NOT be rewritten, even though it
+	// looks like generated code: provenance trumps indentation.
+	input := []SourceLine{
+		{Text: "\tsta x", Origin: OriginAsm},
+		{Text: "\tldy x", Origin: OriginAsm},
+	}
+
+	cfg := &Config{EnableStoreLoad: true}
+	output, _ := Optimize(input, cfg)
+
+	if len(output) != 2 || output[0] != "\tsta x" || output[1] != "\tldy x" {
+		t.Errorf("verbatim ASM lines must not be optimized, got %v", output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPassRegDead_OriginAffectsReadDetection(t *testing.T) {
+	regVars := map[string]bool{"bg": true}
+
+	t.Run("generated read keeps store", func(t *testing.T) {
+		input := []SourceLine{
+			{Text: "\tlda 53281", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\tsta bg", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\tlda bg", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\tsta 53280", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\trts", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+		}
+		out, dissolved := Optimize(input, &Config{EnableRegisterVars: true, RegisterVars: regVars})
+		if dissolved["bg"] {
+			t.Error("bg should NOT dissolve: a generated read exists")
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(strings.Join(out, "\n"), "sta bg") {
+			t.Errorf("expected sta bg kept (generated read), got:\n%s", strings.Join(out, "\n"))
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("verbatim ASM read does not keep store", func(t *testing.T) {
+		input := []SourceLine{
+			{Text: "\tlda 53281", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\tsta bg", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\tlda bg", Origin: OriginAsm},
+			{Text: "\tsta 53280", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+			{Text: "\trts", Origin: OriginGenerated},
+		}
+		out, _ := Optimize(input, &Config{EnableRegisterVars: true, RegisterVars: regVars})
+		joined := strings.Join(out, "\n")
+		if strings.Contains(joined, "sta bg") {
+			t.Errorf("expected sta bg removed (verbatim ASM read is not a generated read), got:\n%s", joined)
+		}
+		// The verbatim ASM line itself must be preserved untouched.
+		if !strings.Contains(joined, "\tlda bg") {
+			t.Errorf("expected verbatim lda bg preserved, got:\n%s", joined)
+		}
+	})
+}

internal/optimizer/pass_load.go

@@ -76,14 +76,12 @@ func isIndexedOperand(operand string) bool {
 	return strings.Contains(operand, "(") || strings.Contains(operand, ",")
 }
 
-// isIOAddr returns true if operand is a hex address marked as I/O in the config.
+// isIOAddr returns true if operand is a numeric address (hex or decimal) marked
+// as I/O in the config. Symbolic names parse to -1 and are never treated as I/O.
 func isIOAddr(operand string, cfg *Config) bool {
 	if cfg == nil {
 		return false
 	}
-	if !strings.HasPrefix(operand, "$") {
-		return false
-	}
 	addr := parseHexOrDec(operand)
 	return addr >= 0 && addr < 65536 && cfg.IOMap[addr]
 }

internal/optimizer/pass_stld.go

@@ -79,8 +79,9 @@ func isSafeStldOperand(operand string, cfg *Config) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	// Check if operand is a direct hex address in an I/O region
+	// Check if operand is a direct numeric address (hex or decimal) in an I/O region.
-	if strings.HasPrefix(operand, "$") {
+	// Symbolic names parse to -1 and are never treated as I/O.
+	if cfg != nil {
 		addr := parseHexOrDec(operand)
 		if addr >= 0 && addr < 65536 && cfg.IOMap[addr] {
 			return false

internal/optimizer/pass_transfer.go

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+package optimizer
+
+import "strings"
+
+// passStoreTransfer converts a store immediately followed by a reload of the
+// same value into a different register, into a register-transfer instruction.
+//
+//	sta M; ldy M  →  sta M; tay
+//	sta M; ldx M  →  sta M; tax
+//
+// A already holds M after the store, so the reload from memory is redundant.
+// Only comments and @@OPT markers may separate the two instructions; a label
+// or any other code line blocks the transform.
+func passStoreTransfer(lines []asmLine, cfg *Config) []asmLine {
+	var result []asmLine
+
+	for i := 0; i < len(lines); i++ {
+		line := lines[i]
+
+		if line.isCode && line.opcode == "sta" && isSafeStldOperand(line.operand, cfg) {
+			if j, transfer := findTransferTarget(lines, i+1, line.operand); transfer != "" {
+				result = append(result, line)
+				for k := i + 1; k < j; k++ {
+					result = append(result, lines[k])
+				}
+				result = append(result, asmLine{
+					text:   "\t" + transfer,
+					isCode: true,
+					opcode: transfer,
+				})
+				i = j
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		result = append(result, line)
+	}
+
+	return result
+}
+
+// findTransferTarget scans forward from start, skipping comments and @@OPT
+// markers, for an ldy/ldx of the given operand. Returns the index of that line
+// and the transfer opcode to use, or "" if no safe match is found.
+func findTransferTarget(lines []asmLine, start int, operand string) (int, string) {
+	i := start
+	for i < len(lines) && (lines[i].isComment || lines[i].optMarker) {
+		i++
+	}
+	if i >= len(lines) || !lines[i].isCode {
+		return 0, ""
+	}
+
+	next := lines[i]
+	if next.operand != operand || len(strings.Fields(next.text)) != 2 {
+		return 0, ""
+	}
+
+	switch next.opcode {
+	case "ldy":
+		return i, "tay"
+	case "ldx":
+		return i, "tax"
+	default:
+		return 0, ""
+	}
+}

internal/optimizer/scanner.go

@@ -41,9 +41,36 @@ type asmLine struct {
 	operand   string
 }
 
-func parseLines(lines []string) []asmLine {
+// Origin identifies the source of an output line. The optimizer must know
+// whether a line was produced by the compiler itself (and is therefore safe
+// to optimize) or emitted verbatim from an ASM block or SCRIPT output.
+type Origin int
+
+const (
+	OriginGenerated Origin = iota // compiler-generated code (optimizable)
+	OriginAsm                     // handwritten ASM block content (verbatim)
+	OriginScript                  // SCRIPT print() output (verbatim)
+)
+
+// SourceLine is a single output line together with its provenance.
+type SourceLine struct {
+	Text   string
+	Origin Origin
+}
+
+// SourceLineTexts extracts just the text from a slice of source lines.
+func SourceLineTexts(lines []SourceLine) []string {
+	out := make([]string, len(lines))
+	for i, l := range lines {
+		out[i] = l.Text
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func parseLines(lines []SourceLine) []asmLine {
 	var result []asmLine
-	for _, l := range lines {
+	for _, sl := range lines {
+		l := sl.Text
 		al := asmLine{text: l}
 
 		if l == "" {
@@ -64,14 +91,21 @@ func parseLines(lines []string) []asmLine {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		if l[0] == '\t' {
+		// Only compiler-generated, indented lines are treated as optimizable
-			al.isCode = true
+		// instructions. ACME requires labels at column 0, so any leading
+		// whitespace means "not a label" — the exact character (tab or space)
+		// is irrelevant. Generated labels and any verbatim ASM/SCRIPT line
+		// become barriers.
+		if sl.Origin == OriginGenerated && isIndented(l) {
 			parts := strings.Fields(l)
 			if len(parts) > 0 {
+				al.isCode = true
 				al.opcode = strings.ToLower(parts[0])
-			}
+				if len(parts) > 1 {
-			if len(parts) > 1 {
+					al.operand = parts[1]
-				al.operand = parts[1]
+				}
+			} else {
+				al.isLabel = true
 			}
 		} else {
 			al.isLabel = true
@@ -82,6 +116,12 @@ func parseLines(lines []string) []asmLine {
 	return result
 }
 
+// isIndented reports whether a line has leading whitespace (an instruction),
+// as opposed to a label which starts at column 0.
+func isIndented(l string) bool {
+	return len(l) > 0 && (l[0] == ' ' || l[0] == '\t')
+}
+
 // stripOptMarkers removes @@OPT comment lines from the output
 func stripOptMarkers(lines []asmLine) []asmLine {
 	var result []asmLine
@@ -106,4 +146,3 @@ func linesToString(lines []asmLine) []string {
 func skipJmpMarker(line asmLine) bool {
 	return line.optMarker
 }
-