diff --git a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build.rs b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build.rs
index 201acf20d6..a6707a4884 100644
--- a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use crate::llvm::convert::{
     basic_type_from_builtin, basic_type_from_layout, block_of_memory_slices, ptr_int,
 };
 use crate::llvm::refcounting::{
-    decrement_refcount_layout, increment_refcount_layout, PointerToRefcount,
+    build_reset, decrement_refcount_layout, increment_refcount_layout, PointerToRefcount,
 };
 use bumpalo::collections::Vec;
 use bumpalo::Bump;
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ pub fn build_exp_call<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     }
 }
 
-pub const TAG_ID_INDEX: u32 = 1;
+const TAG_ID_INDEX: u32 = 1;
 pub const TAG_DATA_INDEX: u32 = 0;
 
 pub fn struct_from_fields<'a, 'ctx, 'env, I>(
@@ -919,6 +919,34 @@ where
     struct_value.into_struct_value()
 }
 
+fn struct_pointer_from_fields<'a, 'ctx, 'env, I>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    struct_type: StructType<'ctx>,
+    input_pointer: PointerValue<'ctx>,
+    values: I,
+) where
+    I: Iterator<Item = (usize, BasicValueEnum<'ctx>)>,
+{
+    let struct_ptr = env
+        .builder
+        .build_bitcast(
+            input_pointer,
+            struct_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
+            "struct_ptr",
+        )
+        .into_pointer_value();
+
+    // Insert field exprs into struct_val
+    for (index, field_val) in values {
+        let field_ptr = env
+            .builder
+            .build_struct_gep(struct_ptr, index as u32, "field_struct_gep")
+            .unwrap();
+
+        env.builder.build_store(field_ptr, field_val);
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn build_exp_expr<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
     layout_ids: &mut LayoutIds<'a>,
@@ -969,16 +997,87 @@ pub fn build_exp_expr<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             struct_from_fields(env, struct_type, field_vals.into_iter().enumerate()).into()
         }
 
+        Reuse {
+            arguments,
+            tag_layout: union_layout,
+            tag_id,
+            symbol,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            let reset = load_symbol(scope, symbol).into_pointer_value();
+            build_tag(
+                env,
+                scope,
+                union_layout,
+                *tag_id,
+                arguments,
+                Some(reset),
+                parent,
+            )
+        }
+
         Tag {
             arguments,
             tag_layout: union_layout,
-            union_size,
             tag_id,
             ..
-        } => build_tag(env, scope, union_layout, *union_size, *tag_id, arguments),
+        } => build_tag(env, scope, union_layout, *tag_id, arguments, None, parent),
 
-        Reset(_) => todo!(),
-        Reuse { .. } => todo!(),
+        Reset(symbol) => {
+            let (tag_ptr, layout) = load_symbol_and_layout(scope, symbol);
+            let tag_ptr = tag_ptr.into_pointer_value();
+
+            // reset is only generated for union values
+            let union_layout = match layout {
+                Layout::Union(ul) => ul,
+                _ => unreachable!(),
+            };
+
+            let ctx = env.context;
+            let then_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "then_reset");
+            let else_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "else_decref");
+            let cont_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "cont");
+
+            let refcount_ptr =
+                PointerToRefcount::from_ptr_to_data(env, tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag_ptr));
+            let is_unique = refcount_ptr.is_1(env);
+
+            env.builder
+                .build_conditional_branch(is_unique, then_block, else_block);
+
+            {
+                // reset, when used on a unique reference, eagerly decrements the components of the
+                // referenced value, and returns the location of the now-invalid cell
+                env.builder.position_at_end(then_block);
+
+                let reset_function = build_reset(env, layout_ids, *union_layout);
+                let call = env
+                    .builder
+                    .build_call(reset_function, &[tag_ptr.into()], "call_reset");
+
+                call.set_call_convention(FAST_CALL_CONV);
+
+                let _ = call.try_as_basic_value();
+
+                env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(cont_block);
+            }
+            {
+                // If reset is used on a shared, non-reusable reference, it behaves
+                // like dec and returns NULL, which instructs reuse to behave like ctor
+                env.builder.position_at_end(else_block);
+                refcount_ptr.decrement(env, layout);
+                env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(cont_block);
+            }
+            {
+                env.builder.position_at_end(cont_block);
+                let phi = env.builder.build_phi(tag_ptr.get_type(), "branch");
+
+                let null_ptr = tag_ptr.get_type().const_null();
+                phi.add_incoming(&[(&tag_ptr, then_block), (&null_ptr, else_block)]);
+
+                phi.as_basic_value()
+            }
+        }
 
         StructAtIndex {
             index, structure, ..
@@ -1084,13 +1183,15 @@ pub fn build_exp_expr<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                     let tag_id_type =
                         basic_type_from_layout(env, &union_layout.tag_id_layout()).into_int_type();
 
+                    let ptr = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, argument.into_pointer_value());
+
                     lookup_at_index_ptr2(
                         env,
                         union_layout,
                         tag_id_type,
                         field_layouts,
                         *index as usize,
-                        argument.into_pointer_value(),
+                        ptr,
                     )
                 }
                 UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(field_layouts) => {
@@ -1125,13 +1226,14 @@ pub fn build_exp_expr<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                     let tag_id_type =
                         basic_type_from_layout(env, &union_layout.tag_id_layout()).into_int_type();
 
+                    let ptr = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, argument.into_pointer_value());
                     lookup_at_index_ptr2(
                         env,
                         union_layout,
                         tag_id_type,
                         field_layouts,
                         *index as usize,
-                        argument.into_pointer_value(),
+                        ptr,
                     )
                 }
                 UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped {
@@ -1171,15 +1273,103 @@ pub fn build_exp_expr<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     }
 }
 
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn build_wrapped_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    scope: &Scope<'a, 'ctx>,
+    union_layout: &UnionLayout<'a>,
+    tag_id: u8,
+    arguments: &[Symbol],
+    tag_field_layouts: &[Layout<'a>],
+    tags: &[&[Layout<'a>]],
+    reuse_allocation: Option<PointerValue<'ctx>>,
+    parent: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
+) -> BasicValueEnum<'ctx> {
+    let ctx = env.context;
+    let builder = env.builder;
+
+    let tag_id_layout = union_layout.tag_id_layout();
+
+    // Determine types
+    let num_fields = arguments.len() + 1;
+    let mut field_types = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
+    let mut field_vals = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
+
+    for (field_symbol, tag_field_layout) in arguments.iter().zip(tag_field_layouts.iter()) {
+        let (val, _val_layout) = load_symbol_and_layout(scope, field_symbol);
+
+        let field_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, tag_field_layout);
+
+        field_types.push(field_type);
+
+        if let Layout::RecursivePointer = tag_field_layout {
+            debug_assert!(val.is_pointer_value());
+
+            // we store recursive pointers as `i64*`
+            let ptr = env.builder.build_bitcast(
+                val,
+                ctx.i64_type().ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
+                "cast_recursive_pointer",
+            );
+
+            field_vals.push(ptr);
+        } else {
+            // this check fails for recursive tag unions, but can be helpful while debugging
+            // debug_assert_eq!(tag_field_layout, val_layout);
+
+            field_vals.push(val);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Create the struct_type
+    let raw_data_ptr = allocate_tag(env, parent, reuse_allocation, union_layout, tags);
+    let struct_type = env.context.struct_type(&field_types, false);
+
+    if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(env.ptr_bytes) {
+        let tag_id_ptr = builder
+            .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_ID_INDEX, "tag_id_index")
+            .unwrap();
+
+        let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &tag_id_layout).into_int_type();
+
+        env.builder
+            .build_store(tag_id_ptr, tag_id_type.const_int(tag_id as u64, false));
+
+        let opaque_struct_ptr = builder
+            .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_DATA_INDEX, "tag_data_index")
+            .unwrap();
+
+        struct_pointer_from_fields(
+            env,
+            struct_type,
+            opaque_struct_ptr,
+            field_vals.into_iter().enumerate(),
+        );
+
+        raw_data_ptr.into()
+    } else {
+        struct_pointer_from_fields(
+            env,
+            struct_type,
+            raw_data_ptr,
+            field_vals.into_iter().enumerate(),
+        );
+
+        tag_pointer_set_tag_id(env, tag_id, raw_data_ptr).into()
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
     scope: &Scope<'a, 'ctx>,
     union_layout: &UnionLayout<'a>,
-    union_size: u8,
     tag_id: u8,
     arguments: &[Symbol],
+    reuse_allocation: Option<PointerValue<'ctx>>,
+    parent: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
 ) -> BasicValueEnum<'ctx> {
     let tag_id_layout = union_layout.tag_id_layout();
+    let union_size = union_layout.number_of_tags();
 
     match union_layout {
         UnionLayout::NonRecursive(tags) => {
@@ -1269,79 +1459,51 @@ pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
         UnionLayout::Recursive(tags) => {
             debug_assert!(union_size > 1);
 
-            let ctx = env.context;
-            let builder = env.builder;
-
-            // Determine types
-            let num_fields = arguments.len() + 1;
-            let mut field_types = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
-            let mut field_vals = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
-
             let tag_field_layouts = &tags[tag_id as usize];
 
-            for (field_symbol, tag_field_layout) in arguments.iter().zip(tag_field_layouts.iter()) {
-                let (val, _val_layout) = load_symbol_and_layout(scope, field_symbol);
+            build_wrapped_tag(
+                env,
+                scope,
+                union_layout,
+                tag_id,
+                arguments,
+                &tag_field_layouts,
+                tags,
+                reuse_allocation,
+                parent,
+            )
+        }
+        UnionLayout::NullableWrapped {
+            nullable_id,
+            other_tags: tags,
+        } => {
+            let tag_field_layouts = {
+                use std::cmp::Ordering::*;
+                match tag_id.cmp(&(*nullable_id as u8)) {
+                    Equal => {
+                        let layout = Layout::Union(*union_layout);
 
-                let field_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, tag_field_layout);
-
-                field_types.push(field_type);
-
-                if let Layout::RecursivePointer = tag_field_layout {
-                    debug_assert!(val.is_pointer_value());
-
-                    // we store recursive pointers as `i64*`
-                    let ptr = env.builder.build_bitcast(
-                        val,
-                        ctx.i64_type().ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                        "cast_recursive_pointer",
-                    );
-
-                    field_vals.push(ptr);
-                } else {
-                    // this check fails for recursive tag unions, but can be helpful while debugging
-                    // debug_assert_eq!(tag_field_layout, val_layout);
-
-                    field_vals.push(val);
+                        return basic_type_from_layout(env, &layout)
+                            .into_pointer_type()
+                            .const_null()
+                            .into();
+                    }
+                    Less => &tags[tag_id as usize],
+                    Greater => &tags[tag_id as usize - 1],
                 }
-            }
+            };
 
-            // Create the struct_type
-            let raw_data_ptr =
-                reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, tags);
-
-            let tag_id_ptr = builder
-                .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_ID_INDEX, "tag_id_index")
-                .unwrap();
-
-            let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &tag_id_layout).into_int_type();
-
-            env.builder
-                .build_store(tag_id_ptr, tag_id_type.const_int(tag_id as u64, false));
-
-            let opaque_struct_ptr = builder
-                .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_DATA_INDEX, "tag_data_index")
-                .unwrap();
-
-            let struct_type = env.context.struct_type(&field_types, false);
-            let struct_ptr = env
-                .builder
-                .build_bitcast(
-                    opaque_struct_ptr,
-                    struct_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                    "struct_ptr",
-                )
-                .into_pointer_value();
-
-            // Insert field exprs into struct_val
-            for (index, field_val) in field_vals.into_iter().enumerate() {
-                let field_ptr = builder
-                    .build_struct_gep(struct_ptr, index as u32, "field_struct_gep")
-                    .unwrap();
-
-                builder.build_store(field_ptr, field_val);
-            }
-
-            raw_data_ptr.into()
+            build_wrapped_tag(
+                env,
+                scope,
+                union_layout,
+                tag_id,
+                arguments,
+                &tag_field_layouts,
+                tags,
+                reuse_allocation,
+                parent,
+            )
         }
         UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(fields) => {
             debug_assert_eq!(union_size, 1);
@@ -1349,7 +1511,6 @@ pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             debug_assert_eq!(arguments.len(), fields.len());
 
             let ctx = env.context;
-            let builder = env.builder;
 
             // Determine types
             let num_fields = arguments.len() + 1;
@@ -1386,126 +1547,16 @@ pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, &[fields]);
 
             let struct_type = ctx.struct_type(field_types.into_bump_slice(), false);
-            let struct_ptr = env
-                .builder
-                .build_bitcast(
-                    data_ptr,
-                    struct_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                    "block_of_memory_to_tag",
-                )
-                .into_pointer_value();
 
-            // Insert field exprs into struct_val
-            for (index, field_val) in field_vals.into_iter().enumerate() {
-                let field_ptr = builder
-                    .build_struct_gep(struct_ptr, index as u32, "struct_gep")
-                    .unwrap();
-
-                builder.build_store(field_ptr, field_val);
-            }
+            struct_pointer_from_fields(
+                env,
+                struct_type,
+                data_ptr,
+                field_vals.into_iter().enumerate(),
+            );
 
             data_ptr.into()
         }
-        UnionLayout::NullableWrapped {
-            nullable_id,
-            other_tags: tags,
-        } => {
-            if tag_id == *nullable_id as u8 {
-                let layout = Layout::Union(*union_layout);
-
-                return basic_type_from_layout(env, &layout)
-                    .into_pointer_type()
-                    .const_null()
-                    .into();
-            }
-
-            debug_assert!(union_size > 1);
-
-            let ctx = env.context;
-            let builder = env.builder;
-
-            // Determine types
-            let num_fields = arguments.len() + 1;
-            let mut field_types = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
-            let mut field_vals = Vec::with_capacity_in(num_fields, env.arena);
-
-            let tag_field_layouts = {
-                use std::cmp::Ordering::*;
-                match tag_id.cmp(&(*nullable_id as u8)) {
-                    Equal => unreachable!("early return above"),
-                    Less => &tags[tag_id as usize],
-                    Greater => &tags[tag_id as usize - 1],
-                }
-            };
-
-            for (field_symbol, tag_field_layout) in arguments.iter().zip(tag_field_layouts.iter()) {
-                let val = load_symbol(scope, field_symbol);
-
-                // Zero-sized fields have no runtime representation.
-                // The layout of the struct expects them to be dropped!
-                if !tag_field_layout.is_dropped_because_empty() {
-                    let field_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, tag_field_layout);
-
-                    field_types.push(field_type);
-
-                    if let Layout::RecursivePointer = tag_field_layout {
-                        debug_assert!(val.is_pointer_value());
-
-                        // we store recursive pointers as `i64*`
-                        let ptr = env.builder.build_bitcast(
-                            val,
-                            ctx.i64_type().ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                            "cast_recursive_pointer",
-                        );
-
-                        field_vals.push(ptr);
-                    } else {
-                        // this check fails for recursive tag unions, but can be helpful while debugging
-                        // debug_assert_eq!(tag_field_layout, val_layout);
-
-                        field_vals.push(val);
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
-            // Create the struct_type
-            let raw_data_ptr =
-                reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, tags);
-
-            let tag_id_ptr = builder
-                .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_ID_INDEX, "tag_id_index")
-                .unwrap();
-
-            let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &tag_id_layout).into_int_type();
-
-            env.builder
-                .build_store(tag_id_ptr, tag_id_type.const_int(tag_id as u64, false));
-
-            let opaque_struct_ptr = builder
-                .build_struct_gep(raw_data_ptr, TAG_DATA_INDEX, "tag_data_index")
-                .unwrap();
-
-            let struct_type = env.context.struct_type(&field_types, false);
-            let struct_ptr = env
-                .builder
-                .build_bitcast(
-                    opaque_struct_ptr,
-                    struct_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                    "struct_ptr",
-                )
-                .into_pointer_value();
-
-            // Insert field exprs into struct_val
-            for (index, field_val) in field_vals.into_iter().enumerate() {
-                let field_ptr = builder
-                    .build_struct_gep(struct_ptr, index as u32, "field_struct_gep")
-                    .unwrap();
-
-                builder.build_store(field_ptr, field_val);
-            }
-
-            raw_data_ptr.into()
-        }
         UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped {
             nullable_id,
             other_fields,
@@ -1526,7 +1577,6 @@ pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             debug_assert!(union_size == 2);
 
             let ctx = env.context;
-            let builder = env.builder;
 
             // Determine types
             let num_fields = arguments.len() + 1;
@@ -1567,32 +1617,128 @@ pub fn build_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
 
             // Create the struct_type
             let data_ptr =
-                reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, &[other_fields]);
+                allocate_tag(env, parent, reuse_allocation, union_layout, &[other_fields]);
 
             let struct_type = ctx.struct_type(field_types.into_bump_slice(), false);
-            let struct_ptr = env
-                .builder
-                .build_bitcast(
-                    data_ptr,
-                    struct_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic),
-                    "block_of_memory_to_tag",
-                )
-                .into_pointer_value();
 
-            // Insert field exprs into struct_val
-            for (index, field_val) in field_vals.into_iter().enumerate() {
-                let field_ptr = builder
-                    .build_struct_gep(struct_ptr, index as u32, "struct_gep")
-                    .unwrap();
-
-                builder.build_store(field_ptr, field_val);
-            }
+            struct_pointer_from_fields(
+                env,
+                struct_type,
+                data_ptr,
+                field_vals.into_iter().enumerate(),
+            );
 
             data_ptr.into()
         }
     }
 }
 
+fn tag_pointer_set_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    tag_id: u8,
+    pointer: PointerValue<'ctx>,
+) -> PointerValue<'ctx> {
+    // we only have 3 bits, so can encode only 0..7
+    debug_assert!(tag_id < 8);
+
+    let ptr_int = env.ptr_int();
+
+    let as_int = env.builder.build_ptr_to_int(pointer, ptr_int, "to_int");
+
+    let tag_id_intval = ptr_int.const_int(tag_id as u64, false);
+    let combined = env.builder.build_or(as_int, tag_id_intval, "store_tag_id");
+
+    env.builder
+        .build_int_to_ptr(combined, pointer.get_type(), "to_ptr")
+}
+
+pub fn tag_pointer_read_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    pointer: PointerValue<'ctx>,
+) -> IntValue<'ctx> {
+    let mask: u64 = 0b0000_0111;
+
+    let ptr_int = env.ptr_int();
+
+    let as_int = env.builder.build_ptr_to_int(pointer, ptr_int, "to_int");
+    let mask_intval = env.ptr_int().const_int(mask, false);
+
+    let masked = env.builder.build_and(as_int, mask_intval, "mask");
+
+    env.builder
+        .build_int_cast(masked, env.context.i8_type(), "to_u8")
+}
+
+pub fn tag_pointer_clear_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    pointer: PointerValue<'ctx>,
+) -> PointerValue<'ctx> {
+    let ptr_int = env.ptr_int();
+
+    let as_int = env.builder.build_ptr_to_int(pointer, ptr_int, "to_int");
+
+    let mask = {
+        let a = env.ptr_int().const_all_ones();
+        let tag_id_bits = env.ptr_int().const_int(3, false);
+        env.builder.build_left_shift(a, tag_id_bits, "make_mask")
+    };
+
+    let masked = env.builder.build_and(as_int, mask, "masked");
+
+    env.builder
+        .build_int_to_ptr(masked, pointer.get_type(), "to_ptr")
+}
+
+fn allocate_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    parent: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
+    reuse_allocation: Option<PointerValue<'ctx>>,
+    union_layout: &UnionLayout<'a>,
+    tags: &[&[Layout<'a>]],
+) -> PointerValue<'ctx> {
+    match reuse_allocation {
+        Some(ptr) => {
+            // check if its a null pointer
+            let is_null_ptr = env.builder.build_is_null(ptr, "is_null_ptr");
+            let ctx = env.context;
+            let then_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "then_allocate_fresh");
+            let else_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "else_reuse");
+            let cont_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "cont");
+
+            env.builder
+                .build_conditional_branch(is_null_ptr, then_block, else_block);
+
+            let raw_ptr = {
+                env.builder.position_at_end(then_block);
+                let raw_ptr =
+                    reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, tags);
+                env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(cont_block);
+                raw_ptr
+            };
+
+            let reuse_ptr = {
+                env.builder.position_at_end(else_block);
+
+                let cleared = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, ptr);
+
+                env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(cont_block);
+
+                cleared
+            };
+
+            {
+                env.builder.position_at_end(cont_block);
+                let phi = env.builder.build_phi(raw_ptr.get_type(), "branch");
+
+                phi.add_incoming(&[(&raw_ptr, then_block), (&reuse_ptr, else_block)]);
+
+                phi.as_basic_value().into_pointer_value()
+            }
+        }
+        None => reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory(env, *union_layout, tags),
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn get_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
     parent: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
@@ -1610,7 +1756,15 @@ pub fn get_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
 
             get_tag_id_non_recursive(env, tag)
         }
-        UnionLayout::Recursive(_) => get_tag_id_wrapped(env, argument.into_pointer_value()),
+        UnionLayout::Recursive(_) => {
+            let argument_ptr = argument.into_pointer_value();
+
+            if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(env.ptr_bytes) {
+                get_tag_id_wrapped(env, argument_ptr)
+            } else {
+                tag_pointer_read_tag_id(env, argument_ptr)
+            }
+        }
         UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_) => tag_id_int_type.const_zero(),
         UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { nullable_id, .. } => {
             let argument_ptr = argument.into_pointer_value();
@@ -1635,7 +1789,12 @@ pub fn get_tag_id<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
 
             {
                 env.builder.position_at_end(else_block);
-                let tag_id = get_tag_id_wrapped(env, argument_ptr);
+
+                let tag_id = if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(env.ptr_bytes) {
+                    get_tag_id_wrapped(env, argument_ptr)
+                } else {
+                    tag_pointer_read_tag_id(env, argument_ptr)
+                };
                 env.builder.build_store(result, tag_id);
                 env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(cont_block);
             }
@@ -1771,9 +1930,11 @@ fn reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
     fields: &[&[Layout<'a>]],
 ) -> PointerValue<'ctx> {
+    let ptr_bytes = env.ptr_bytes;
+
     let block_type = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, fields, env.ptr_bytes);
 
-    let basic_type = if union_layout.stores_tag_id() {
+    let basic_type = if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(ptr_bytes) {
         let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &union_layout.tag_id_layout());
 
         env.context
@@ -1789,7 +1950,7 @@ fn reserve_with_refcount_union_as_block_of_memory<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
         .max()
         .unwrap_or_default();
 
-    if union_layout.stores_tag_id() {
+    if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(ptr_bytes) {
         stack_size += union_layout.tag_id_layout().stack_size(env.ptr_bytes);
     }
 
@@ -2412,11 +2573,26 @@ pub fn build_exp_stmt<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
 
                         _ if layout.is_refcounted() => {
                             if value.is_pointer_value() {
-                                // BasicValueEnum::PointerValue(value_ptr) => {
                                 let value_ptr = value.into_pointer_value();
-                                let refcount_ptr =
-                                    PointerToRefcount::from_ptr_to_data(env, value_ptr);
-                                refcount_ptr.decrement(env, layout);
+
+                                let then_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "then");
+                                let done_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "done");
+
+                                let condition =
+                                    env.builder.build_is_not_null(value_ptr, "box_is_not_null");
+                                env.builder
+                                    .build_conditional_branch(condition, then_block, done_block);
+
+                                {
+                                    env.builder.position_at_end(then_block);
+                                    let refcount_ptr =
+                                        PointerToRefcount::from_ptr_to_data(env, value_ptr);
+                                    refcount_ptr.decrement(env, layout);
+
+                                    env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(done_block);
+                                }
+
+                                env.builder.position_at_end(done_block);
                             } else {
                                 eprint!("we're likely leaking memory; see issue #985 for details");
                             }
diff --git a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build_hash.rs b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build_hash.rs
index 61a74dd232..99af6b9e11 100644
--- a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build_hash.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/build_hash.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use crate::debug_info_init;
 use crate::llvm::bitcode::call_bitcode_fn;
+use crate::llvm::build::tag_pointer_clear_tag_id;
 use crate::llvm::build::Env;
 use crate::llvm::build::{cast_block_of_memory_to_tag, get_tag_id, FAST_CALL_CONV, TAG_DATA_INDEX};
 use crate::llvm::build_str;
@@ -493,14 +494,9 @@ fn hash_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 );
 
                 // hash the tag data
-                let answer = hash_ptr_to_struct(
-                    env,
-                    layout_ids,
-                    union_layout,
-                    field_layouts,
-                    seed,
-                    tag.into_pointer_value(),
-                );
+                let tag = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag.into_pointer_value());
+                let answer =
+                    hash_ptr_to_struct(env, layout_ids, union_layout, field_layouts, seed, tag);
 
                 merge_phi.add_incoming(&[(&answer, block)]);
                 env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(merge_block);
@@ -598,6 +594,7 @@ fn hash_tag<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                     );
 
                     // hash tag data
+                    let tag = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag);
                     let answer = hash_ptr_to_struct(
                         env,
                         layout_ids,
diff --git a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/compare.rs b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/compare.rs
index 2a9d1d3fa3..ffc0b04e99 100644
--- a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/compare.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/compare.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-use crate::llvm::build::Env;
 use crate::llvm::build::{cast_block_of_memory_to_tag, get_tag_id, FAST_CALL_CONV};
+use crate::llvm::build::{tag_pointer_clear_tag_id, Env};
 use crate::llvm::build_list::{list_len, load_list_ptr};
 use crate::llvm::build_str::str_equal;
 use crate::llvm::convert::basic_type_from_layout;
@@ -925,6 +925,10 @@ fn build_tag_eq_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             let id1 = get_tag_id(env, parent, union_layout, tag1);
             let id2 = get_tag_id(env, parent, union_layout, tag2);
 
+            // clear the tag_id so we get a pointer to the actual data
+            let tag1 = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag1.into_pointer_value());
+            let tag2 = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag2.into_pointer_value());
+
             let compare_tag_fields = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "compare_tag_fields");
 
             let same_tag =
@@ -944,14 +948,8 @@ fn build_tag_eq_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 let block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "tag_id_modify");
                 env.builder.position_at_end(block);
 
-                let answer = eq_ptr_to_struct(
-                    env,
-                    layout_ids,
-                    union_layout,
-                    field_layouts,
-                    tag1.into_pointer_value(),
-                    tag2.into_pointer_value(),
-                );
+                let answer =
+                    eq_ptr_to_struct(env, layout_ids, union_layout, field_layouts, tag1, tag2);
 
                 env.builder.build_return(Some(&answer));
 
@@ -1073,6 +1071,10 @@ fn build_tag_eq_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             let id1 = get_tag_id(env, parent, union_layout, tag1);
             let id2 = get_tag_id(env, parent, union_layout, tag2);
 
+            // clear the tag_id so we get a pointer to the actual data
+            let tag1 = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag1.into_pointer_value());
+            let tag2 = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, tag2.into_pointer_value());
+
             let compare_tag_fields = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "compare_tag_fields");
 
             let same_tag =
@@ -1093,14 +1095,8 @@ fn build_tag_eq_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 let block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "tag_id_modify");
                 env.builder.position_at_end(block);
 
-                let answer = eq_ptr_to_struct(
-                    env,
-                    layout_ids,
-                    union_layout,
-                    field_layouts,
-                    tag1.into_pointer_value(),
-                    tag2.into_pointer_value(),
-                );
+                let answer =
+                    eq_ptr_to_struct(env, layout_ids, union_layout, field_layouts, tag1, tag2);
 
                 env.builder.build_return(Some(&answer));
 
diff --git a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/convert.rs b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/convert.rs
index 1cb299c0ae..729c118626 100644
--- a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/convert.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/convert.rs
@@ -31,21 +31,31 @@ pub fn basic_type_from_layout<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             basic_type_from_layout(env, &closure_data_layout)
         }
         Struct(sorted_fields) => basic_type_from_record(env, sorted_fields),
-        Union(variant) => {
+        Union(union_layout) => {
             use UnionLayout::*;
 
-            let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &variant.tag_id_layout());
+            let tag_id_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &union_layout.tag_id_layout());
 
-            match variant {
-                NullableWrapped {
+            match union_layout {
+                NonRecursive(tags) => {
+                    let data = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, tags, env.ptr_bytes);
+
+                    env.context.struct_type(&[data, tag_id_type], false).into()
+                }
+                Recursive(tags)
+                | NullableWrapped {
                     other_tags: tags, ..
                 } => {
                     let data = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, tags, env.ptr_bytes);
 
-                    env.context
-                        .struct_type(&[data, tag_id_type], false)
-                        .ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic)
-                        .into()
+                    if union_layout.stores_tag_id_as_data(env.ptr_bytes) {
+                        env.context
+                            .struct_type(&[data, tag_id_type], false)
+                            .ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic)
+                            .into()
+                    } else {
+                        data.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic).into()
+                    }
                 }
                 NullableUnwrapped { other_fields, .. } => {
                     let block =
@@ -56,19 +66,6 @@ pub fn basic_type_from_layout<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                     let block = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, &[fields], env.ptr_bytes);
                     block.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic).into()
                 }
-                Recursive(tags) => {
-                    let data = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, tags, env.ptr_bytes);
-
-                    env.context
-                        .struct_type(&[data, tag_id_type], false)
-                        .ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic)
-                        .into()
-                }
-                NonRecursive(tags) => {
-                    let data = block_of_memory_slices(env.context, tags, env.ptr_bytes);
-
-                    env.context.struct_type(&[data, tag_id_type], false).into()
-                }
             }
         }
         RecursivePointer => {
@@ -145,16 +142,6 @@ pub fn union_data_is_struct_type<'ctx>(
     context.struct_type(&[struct_type.into(), tag_id_type.into()], false)
 }
 
-pub fn union_data_block_of_memory<'ctx>(
-    context: &'ctx Context,
-    tag_id_int_type: IntType<'ctx>,
-    layouts: &[&[Layout<'_>]],
-    ptr_bytes: u32,
-) -> StructType<'ctx> {
-    let data_type = block_of_memory_slices(context, layouts, ptr_bytes);
-    context.struct_type(&[data_type, tag_id_int_type.into()], false)
-}
-
 pub fn block_of_memory<'ctx>(
     context: &'ctx Context,
     layout: &Layout<'_>,
diff --git a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/refcounting.rs b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/refcounting.rs
index 4dd072f622..9c09469a97 100644
--- a/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/refcounting.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen_llvm/src/llvm/refcounting.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 use crate::debug_info_init;
 use crate::llvm::build::{
     add_func, cast_basic_basic, cast_block_of_memory_to_tag, get_tag_id, get_tag_id_non_recursive,
-    Env, FAST_CALL_CONV, LLVM_SADD_WITH_OVERFLOW_I64, TAG_DATA_INDEX,
+    tag_pointer_clear_tag_id, Env, FAST_CALL_CONV, LLVM_SADD_WITH_OVERFLOW_I64, TAG_DATA_INDEX,
 };
 use crate::llvm::build_list::{incrementing_elem_loop, list_len, load_list};
-use crate::llvm::convert::{
-    basic_type_from_layout, block_of_memory_slices, ptr_int, union_data_block_of_memory,
-};
+use crate::llvm::convert::{basic_type_from_layout, ptr_int};
 use bumpalo::collections::Vec;
 use inkwell::basic_block::BasicBlock;
 use inkwell::context::Context;
@@ -644,70 +642,21 @@ fn modify_refcount_layout_build_function<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
         Union(variant) => {
             use UnionLayout::*;
 
-            match variant {
-                NullableWrapped {
-                    other_tags: tags, ..
-                } => {
-                    let function = build_rec_union(
-                        env,
-                        layout_ids,
-                        mode,
-                        &WhenRecursive::Loop(*variant),
-                        *variant,
-                        tags,
-                        true,
-                    );
+            if let NonRecursive(tags) = variant {
+                let function = modify_refcount_union(env, layout_ids, mode, when_recursive, tags);
 
-                    Some(function)
-                }
-
-                NullableUnwrapped { other_fields, .. } => {
-                    let function = build_rec_union(
-                        env,
-                        layout_ids,
-                        mode,
-                        &WhenRecursive::Loop(*variant),
-                        *variant,
-                        env.arena.alloc([*other_fields]),
-                        true,
-                    );
-
-                    Some(function)
-                }
-
-                NonNullableUnwrapped(fields) => {
-                    let function = build_rec_union(
-                        env,
-                        layout_ids,
-                        mode,
-                        &WhenRecursive::Loop(*variant),
-                        *variant,
-                        &*env.arena.alloc([*fields]),
-                        true,
-                    );
-                    Some(function)
-                }
-
-                Recursive(tags) => {
-                    let function = build_rec_union(
-                        env,
-                        layout_ids,
-                        mode,
-                        &WhenRecursive::Loop(*variant),
-                        *variant,
-                        tags,
-                        false,
-                    );
-                    Some(function)
-                }
-
-                NonRecursive(tags) => {
-                    let function =
-                        modify_refcount_union(env, layout_ids, mode, when_recursive, tags);
-
-                    Some(function)
-                }
+                return Some(function);
             }
+
+            let function = build_rec_union(
+                env,
+                layout_ids,
+                mode,
+                &WhenRecursive::Loop(*variant),
+                *variant,
+            );
+
+            Some(function)
         }
 
         Closure(_, lambda_set, _) => {
@@ -1208,10 +1157,8 @@ fn build_rec_union<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     mode: Mode,
     when_recursive: &WhenRecursive<'a>,
     union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
-    tags: &'a [&'a [Layout<'a>]],
-    is_nullable: bool,
 ) -> FunctionValue<'ctx> {
-    let layout = Layout::Union(UnionLayout::Recursive(tags));
+    let layout = Layout::Union(union_layout);
 
     let (_, fn_name) = function_name_from_mode(
         layout_ids,
@@ -1228,7 +1175,7 @@ fn build_rec_union<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
             let block = env.builder.get_insert_block().expect("to be in a function");
             let di_location = env.builder.get_current_debug_location().unwrap();
 
-            let basic_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &Layout::Union(union_layout));
+            let basic_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &layout);
             let function_value = build_header(env, basic_type, mode, &fn_name);
 
             build_rec_union_help(
@@ -1237,9 +1184,7 @@ fn build_rec_union<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 mode,
                 when_recursive,
                 union_layout,
-                tags,
                 function_value,
-                is_nullable,
             );
 
             env.builder.position_at_end(block);
@@ -1260,10 +1205,10 @@ fn build_rec_union_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     mode: Mode,
     when_recursive: &WhenRecursive<'a>,
     union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
-    tags: &'a [&'a [roc_mono::layout::Layout<'a>]],
     fn_val: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
-    is_nullable: bool,
 ) {
+    let tags = union_layout_tags(env.arena, &union_layout);
+    let is_nullable = union_layout.is_nullable();
     debug_assert!(!tags.is_empty());
 
     let context = &env.context;
@@ -1286,7 +1231,8 @@ fn build_rec_union_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     let parent = fn_val;
 
     debug_assert!(arg_val.is_pointer_value());
-    let value_ptr = arg_val.into_pointer_value();
+    let current_tag_id = get_tag_id(env, fn_val, &union_layout, arg_val);
+    let value_ptr = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, arg_val.into_pointer_value());
 
     // to increment/decrement the cons-cell itself
     let refcount_ptr = PointerToRefcount::from_ptr_to_data(env, value_ptr);
@@ -1351,14 +1297,21 @@ fn build_rec_union_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                     union_layout,
                     tags,
                     value_ptr,
+                    current_tag_id,
                     refcount_ptr,
                     do_recurse_block,
+                    DecOrReuse::Dec,
                 )
             }
         }
     }
 }
 
+enum DecOrReuse {
+    Dec,
+    Reuse,
+}
+
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn build_rec_union_recursive_decrement<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
@@ -1369,8 +1322,10 @@ fn build_rec_union_recursive_decrement<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
     union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
     tags: &[&[Layout<'a>]],
     value_ptr: PointerValue<'ctx>,
+    current_tag_id: IntValue<'ctx>,
     refcount_ptr: PointerToRefcount<'ctx>,
     match_block: BasicBlock<'ctx>,
+    decrement_or_reuse: DecOrReuse,
 ) {
     let mode = Mode::Dec;
     let call_mode = mode_to_call_mode(decrement_fn, mode);
@@ -1442,28 +1397,8 @@ fn build_rec_union_recursive_decrement<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
                 debug_assert!(ptr_as_i64_ptr.is_pointer_value());
 
                 // therefore we must cast it to our desired type
-                let union_type = match union_layout {
-                    UnionLayout::NonRecursive(_) => unreachable!(),
-                    UnionLayout::Recursive(_) | UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { .. } => {
-                        union_data_block_of_memory(
-                            env.context,
-                            tag_id_int_type,
-                            tags,
-                            env.ptr_bytes,
-                        )
-                        .into()
-                    }
-                    UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped { .. }
-                    | UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. } => {
-                        block_of_memory_slices(env.context, tags, env.ptr_bytes)
-                    }
-                };
-
-                let recursive_field_ptr = cast_basic_basic(
-                    env.builder,
-                    ptr_as_i64_ptr,
-                    union_type.ptr_type(AddressSpace::Generic).into(),
-                );
+                let union_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &Layout::Union(union_layout));
+                let recursive_field_ptr = cast_basic_basic(env.builder, ptr_as_i64_ptr, union_type);
 
                 deferred_rec.push(recursive_field_ptr);
             } else if field_layout.contains_refcounted() {
@@ -1486,7 +1421,13 @@ fn build_rec_union_recursive_decrement<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
         // lists. To achieve it, we must first load all fields that we want to inc/dec (done above)
         // and store them on the stack, then modify (and potentially free) the current cell, then
         // actually inc/dec the fields.
-        refcount_ptr.modify(call_mode, &Layout::Union(union_layout), env);
+
+        match decrement_or_reuse {
+            DecOrReuse::Reuse => {}
+            DecOrReuse::Dec => {
+                refcount_ptr.modify(call_mode, &Layout::Union(union_layout), env);
+            }
+        }
 
         for (field, field_layout) in deferred_nonrec {
             modify_refcount_layout_help(
@@ -1524,25 +1465,182 @@ fn build_rec_union_recursive_decrement<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
         let (_, only_branch) = cases.pop().unwrap();
         env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(only_branch);
     } else {
-        // read the tag_id
-        let current_tag_id = get_tag_id(env, parent, &union_layout, value_ptr.into());
-
-        let merge_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "decrement_merge");
+        let default_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "switch_default");
 
         // switch on it
         env.builder
-            .build_switch(current_tag_id, merge_block, &cases);
+            .build_switch(current_tag_id, default_block, &cases);
 
-        env.builder.position_at_end(merge_block);
+        {
+            env.builder.position_at_end(default_block);
 
-        // increment/decrement the cons-cell itself
-        refcount_ptr.modify(call_mode, &Layout::Union(union_layout), env);
+            // increment/decrement the cons-cell itself
+            if let DecOrReuse::Dec = decrement_or_reuse {
+                refcount_ptr.modify(call_mode, &Layout::Union(union_layout), env);
+            }
+        }
 
         // this function returns void
         builder.build_return(None);
     }
 }
 
+fn union_layout_tags<'a>(
+    arena: &'a bumpalo::Bump,
+    union_layout: &UnionLayout<'a>,
+) -> &'a [&'a [Layout<'a>]] {
+    use UnionLayout::*;
+
+    match union_layout {
+        NullableWrapped {
+            other_tags: tags, ..
+        } => *tags,
+        NullableUnwrapped { other_fields, .. } => arena.alloc([*other_fields]),
+        NonNullableUnwrapped(fields) => arena.alloc([*fields]),
+        Recursive(tags) => tags,
+        NonRecursive(tags) => tags,
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn build_reset<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    layout_ids: &mut LayoutIds<'a>,
+    union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
+) -> FunctionValue<'ctx> {
+    let mode = Mode::Dec;
+
+    let layout_id = layout_ids.get(Symbol::DEC, &Layout::Union(union_layout));
+    let fn_name = layout_id.to_symbol_string(Symbol::DEC, &env.interns);
+    let fn_name = format!("{}_reset", fn_name);
+
+    let when_recursive = WhenRecursive::Loop(union_layout);
+    let dec_function = build_rec_union(env, layout_ids, Mode::Dec, &when_recursive, union_layout);
+
+    let function = match env.module.get_function(fn_name.as_str()) {
+        Some(function_value) => function_value,
+        None => {
+            let block = env.builder.get_insert_block().expect("to be in a function");
+            let di_location = env.builder.get_current_debug_location().unwrap();
+
+            let basic_type = basic_type_from_layout(env, &Layout::Union(union_layout));
+            let function_value = build_header(env, basic_type, mode, &fn_name);
+
+            build_reuse_rec_union_help(
+                env,
+                layout_ids,
+                &when_recursive,
+                union_layout,
+                function_value,
+                dec_function,
+            );
+
+            env.builder.position_at_end(block);
+            env.builder
+                .set_current_debug_location(env.context, di_location);
+
+            function_value
+        }
+    };
+
+    function
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn build_reuse_rec_union_help<'a, 'ctx, 'env>(
+    env: &Env<'a, 'ctx, 'env>,
+    layout_ids: &mut LayoutIds<'a>,
+    when_recursive: &WhenRecursive<'a>,
+    union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
+    reset_function: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
+    dec_function: FunctionValue<'ctx>,
+) {
+    let tags = union_layout_tags(env.arena, &union_layout);
+    let is_nullable = union_layout.is_nullable();
+
+    debug_assert!(!tags.is_empty());
+
+    let context = &env.context;
+    let builder = env.builder;
+
+    // Add a basic block for the entry point
+    let entry = context.append_basic_block(reset_function, "entry");
+
+    builder.position_at_end(entry);
+
+    debug_info_init!(env, reset_function);
+
+    // Add args to scope
+    let arg_symbol = Symbol::ARG_1;
+
+    let arg_val = reset_function.get_param_iter().next().unwrap();
+
+    arg_val.set_name(arg_symbol.ident_string(&env.interns));
+
+    let parent = reset_function;
+
+    debug_assert!(arg_val.is_pointer_value());
+    let current_tag_id = get_tag_id(env, reset_function, &union_layout, arg_val);
+    let value_ptr = tag_pointer_clear_tag_id(env, arg_val.into_pointer_value());
+
+    // to increment/decrement the cons-cell itself
+    let refcount_ptr = PointerToRefcount::from_ptr_to_data(env, value_ptr);
+    let call_mode = CallMode::Dec;
+
+    let should_recurse_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "should_recurse");
+
+    let ctx = env.context;
+    if is_nullable {
+        let is_null = env.builder.build_is_null(value_ptr, "is_null");
+
+        let then_block = ctx.append_basic_block(parent, "then");
+
+        env.builder
+            .build_conditional_branch(is_null, then_block, should_recurse_block);
+
+        {
+            env.builder.position_at_end(then_block);
+            env.builder.build_return(None);
+        }
+    } else {
+        env.builder.build_unconditional_branch(should_recurse_block);
+    }
+
+    env.builder.position_at_end(should_recurse_block);
+
+    let layout = Layout::Union(union_layout);
+
+    let do_recurse_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "do_recurse");
+    let no_recurse_block = env.context.append_basic_block(parent, "no_recurse");
+
+    builder.build_conditional_branch(refcount_ptr.is_1(env), do_recurse_block, no_recurse_block);
+
+    {
+        env.builder.position_at_end(no_recurse_block);
+
+        refcount_ptr.modify(call_mode, &layout, env);
+        env.builder.build_return(None);
+    }
+
+    {
+        env.builder.position_at_end(do_recurse_block);
+
+        build_rec_union_recursive_decrement(
+            env,
+            layout_ids,
+            when_recursive,
+            parent,
+            dec_function,
+            union_layout,
+            tags,
+            value_ptr,
+            current_tag_id,
+            refcount_ptr,
+            do_recurse_block,
+            DecOrReuse::Reuse,
+        )
+    }
+}
+
 fn function_name_from_mode<'a>(
     layout_ids: &mut LayoutIds<'a>,
     interns: &Interns,
diff --git a/compiler/load/src/file.rs b/compiler/load/src/file.rs
index 24d07b1a47..fd8fd1dc4b 100644
--- a/compiler/load/src/file.rs
+++ b/compiler/load/src/file.rs
@@ -2047,7 +2047,7 @@ fn update<'a>(
         }
         MadeSpecializations {
             module_id,
-            ident_ids,
+            mut ident_ids,
             subs,
             procedures,
             external_specializations_requested,
@@ -2070,6 +2070,15 @@ fn update<'a>(
                 && state.dependencies.solved_all()
                 && state.goal_phase == Phase::MakeSpecializations
             {
+                Proc::insert_reset_reuse_operations(
+                    arena,
+                    module_id,
+                    &mut ident_ids,
+                    &mut state.procedures,
+                );
+
+                Proc::insert_refcount_operations(arena, &mut state.procedures);
+
                 // display the mono IR of the module, for debug purposes
                 if roc_mono::ir::PRETTY_PRINT_IR_SYMBOLS {
                     let procs_string = state
@@ -2083,8 +2092,6 @@ fn update<'a>(
                     println!("{}", result);
                 }
 
-                Proc::insert_refcount_operations(arena, &mut state.procedures);
-
                 // This is not safe with the new non-recursive RC updates that we do for tag unions
                 //
                 //                Proc::optimize_refcount_operations(
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/alias_analysis.rs b/compiler/mono/src/alias_analysis.rs
index 0e6626a04b..e8b04ca1e9 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/alias_analysis.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/alias_analysis.rs
@@ -803,15 +803,20 @@ fn lowlevel_spec(
 
             builder.add_sub_block(block, sub_block)
         }
+        NumToFloat => {
+            // just dream up a unit value
+            builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[])
+        }
         Eq | NotEq => {
             // just dream up a unit value
             builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[])
         }
-        NumLte | NumLt | NumGt | NumGte => {
+        NumLte | NumLt | NumGt | NumGte | NumCompare => {
             // just dream up a unit value
             builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[])
         }
-        ListLen => {
+        ListLen | DictSize => {
+            // TODO should this touch the heap cell?
             // just dream up a unit value
             builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[])
         }
@@ -839,7 +844,70 @@ fn lowlevel_spec(
 
             Ok(list)
         }
+        ListAppend => {
+            let list = env.symbols[&arguments[0]];
+            let to_insert = env.symbols[&arguments[1]];
+
+            let bag = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, list, LIST_BAG_INDEX)?;
+            let cell = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, list, LIST_CELL_INDEX)?;
+
+            let _unit = builder.add_update(block, update_mode_var, cell)?;
+
+            builder.add_bag_insert(block, bag, to_insert)?;
+
+            Ok(list)
+        }
+        DictEmpty => {
+            match layout {
+                Layout::Builtin(Builtin::EmptyDict) => {
+                    // just make up an element type
+                    let type_id = builder.add_tuple_type(&[])?;
+                    new_dict(builder, block, type_id, type_id)
+                }
+                Layout::Builtin(Builtin::Dict(key_layout, value_layout)) => {
+                    let key_id = layout_spec(builder, key_layout)?;
+                    let value_id = layout_spec(builder, value_layout)?;
+                    new_dict(builder, block, key_id, value_id)
+                }
+                _ => unreachable!("empty array does not have a list layout"),
+            }
+        }
+        DictGetUnsafe => {
+            // NOTE DictGetUnsafe returns a { flag: Bool, value: v }
+            // when the flag is True, the value is found and defined;
+            // otherwise it is not and `Dict.get` should return `Err ...`
+
+            let dict = env.symbols[&arguments[0]];
+            let key = env.symbols[&arguments[1]];
+
+            // indicate that we use the key
+            builder.add_recursive_touch(block, key)?;
+
+            let bag = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, dict, DICT_BAG_INDEX)?;
+            let cell = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, dict, DICT_CELL_INDEX)?;
+
+            let _unit = builder.add_touch(block, cell)?;
+
+            builder.add_bag_get(block, bag)
+        }
+        DictInsert => {
+            let dict = env.symbols[&arguments[0]];
+            let key = env.symbols[&arguments[1]];
+            let value = env.symbols[&arguments[2]];
+
+            let key_value = builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[key, value])?;
+
+            let bag = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, dict, DICT_BAG_INDEX)?;
+            let cell = builder.add_get_tuple_field(block, dict, DICT_CELL_INDEX)?;
+
+            let _unit = builder.add_update(block, update_mode_var, cell)?;
+
+            builder.add_bag_insert(block, bag, key_value)?;
+
+            Ok(dict)
+        }
         _other => {
+            // println!("missing {:?}", _other);
             // TODO overly pessimstic
             let arguments: Vec<_> = arguments.iter().map(|symbol| env.symbols[symbol]).collect();
 
@@ -945,11 +1013,17 @@ fn expr_spec<'a>(
     match expr {
         Literal(literal) => literal_spec(builder, block, literal),
         Call(call) => call_spec(builder, env, block, layout, call),
-        Tag {
+        Reuse {
+            tag_layout,
+            tag_name: _,
+            tag_id,
+            arguments,
+            ..
+        }
+        | Tag {
             tag_layout,
             tag_name: _,
             tag_id,
-            union_size: _,
             arguments,
         } => {
             let variant_types = build_variant_types(builder, tag_layout)?;
@@ -1095,8 +1169,12 @@ fn expr_spec<'a>(
                 Err(()) => unreachable!("empty array does not have a list layout"),
             }
         }
-        Reuse { .. } => todo!("currently unused"),
-        Reset(_) => todo!("currently unused"),
+        Reset(symbol) => {
+            let type_id = layout_spec(builder, layout)?;
+            let value_id = env.symbols[symbol];
+
+            builder.add_unknown_with(block, &[value_id], type_id)
+        }
         RuntimeErrorFunction(_) => {
             let type_id = layout_spec(builder, layout)?;
 
@@ -1253,6 +1331,18 @@ fn new_list(builder: &mut FuncDefBuilder, block: BlockId, element_type: TypeId)
     builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[cell, bag])
 }
 
+fn new_dict(
+    builder: &mut FuncDefBuilder,
+    block: BlockId,
+    key_type: TypeId,
+    value_type: TypeId,
+) -> Result<ValueId> {
+    let cell = builder.add_new_heap_cell(block)?;
+    let element_type = builder.add_tuple_type(&[key_type, value_type])?;
+    let bag = builder.add_empty_bag(block, element_type)?;
+    builder.add_make_tuple(block, &[cell, bag])
+}
+
 fn new_static_string(builder: &mut FuncDefBuilder, block: BlockId) -> Result<ValueId> {
     let module = MOD_APP;
 
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/inc_dec.rs b/compiler/mono/src/inc_dec.rs
index a9583856e4..9954707853 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/inc_dec.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/inc_dec.rs
@@ -154,11 +154,12 @@ struct VarInfo {
     reference: bool,  // true if the variable may be a reference (aka pointer) at runtime
     persistent: bool, // true if the variable is statically known to be marked a Persistent at runtime
     consume: bool,    // true if the variable RC must be "consumed"
+    reset: bool,      // true if the variable is the result of a Reset operation
 }
 
 type VarMap = MutMap<Symbol, VarInfo>;
-type LiveVarSet = MutSet<Symbol>;
-type JPLiveVarMap = MutMap<JoinPointId, LiveVarSet>;
+pub type LiveVarSet = MutSet<Symbol>;
+pub type JPLiveVarMap = MutMap<JoinPointId, LiveVarSet>;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 struct Context<'a> {
@@ -254,6 +255,7 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
                         reference: false, // assume function symbols are global constants
                         persistent: true, // assume function symbols are global constants
                         consume: false,   // no need to consume this variable
+                        reset: false,     // reset symbols cannot be passed as function arguments
                     },
                 );
             }
@@ -310,7 +312,12 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
             return stmt;
         }
 
-        let modify = ModifyRc::Dec(symbol);
+        let modify = if info.reset {
+            ModifyRc::DecRef(symbol)
+        } else {
+            ModifyRc::Dec(symbol)
+        };
+
         self.arena.alloc(Stmt::Refcounting(modify, stmt))
     }
 
@@ -753,12 +760,6 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
                 arguments,
             }) => self.visit_call(z, call_type, arguments, l, b, b_live_vars),
 
-            EmptyArray | Literal(_) | Reset(_) | RuntimeErrorFunction(_) => {
-                // EmptyArray is always stack-allocated
-                // function pointers are persistent
-                self.arena.alloc(Stmt::Let(z, v, l, b))
-            }
-
             StructAtIndex { structure: x, .. } => {
                 let b = self.add_dec_if_needed(x, b, b_live_vars);
                 let info_x = self.get_var_info(x);
@@ -794,6 +795,12 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
 
                 self.arena.alloc(Stmt::Let(z, v, l, b))
             }
+
+            EmptyArray | Literal(_) | Reset(_) | RuntimeErrorFunction(_) => {
+                // EmptyArray is always stack-allocated
+                // function pointers are persistent
+                self.arena.alloc(Stmt::Let(z, v, l, b))
+            }
         };
 
         (new_b, live_vars)
@@ -812,7 +819,7 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
         // must this value be consumed?
         let consume = consume_call(&self.vars, call);
 
-        self.update_var_info_help(symbol, layout, persistent, consume)
+        self.update_var_info_help(symbol, layout, persistent, consume, false)
     }
 
     fn update_var_info(&self, symbol: Symbol, layout: &Layout<'a>, expr: &Expr<'a>) -> Self {
@@ -823,7 +830,9 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
         // must this value be consumed?
         let consume = consume_expr(&self.vars, expr);
 
-        self.update_var_info_help(symbol, layout, persistent, consume)
+        let reset = matches!(expr, Expr::Reset(_));
+
+        self.update_var_info_help(symbol, layout, persistent, consume, reset)
     }
 
     fn update_var_info_help(
@@ -832,6 +841,7 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
         layout: &Layout<'a>,
         persistent: bool,
         consume: bool,
+        reset: bool,
     ) -> Self {
         // should we perform incs and decs on this value?
         let reference = layout.contains_refcounted();
@@ -840,6 +850,7 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
             reference,
             persistent,
             consume,
+            reset,
         };
 
         let mut ctx = self.clone();
@@ -857,6 +868,7 @@ impl<'a> Context<'a> {
                 reference: p.layout.contains_refcounted(),
                 consume: !p.borrow,
                 persistent: false,
+                reset: false,
             };
             ctx.vars.insert(p.symbol, info);
         }
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/ir.rs b/compiler/mono/src/ir.rs
index 9f8f08efb3..48cba39860 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/ir.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/ir.rs
@@ -227,6 +227,19 @@ impl<'a> Proc<'a> {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn insert_reset_reuse_operations<'i>(
+        arena: &'a Bump,
+        home: ModuleId,
+        ident_ids: &'i mut IdentIds,
+        procs: &mut MutMap<(Symbol, ProcLayout<'a>), Proc<'a>>,
+    ) {
+        for (_, proc) in procs.iter_mut() {
+            let new_proc =
+                crate::reset_reuse::insert_reset_reuse(arena, home, ident_ids, proc.clone());
+            *proc = new_proc;
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn optimize_refcount_operations<'i, T>(
         arena: &'a Bump,
         home: ModuleId,
@@ -1129,7 +1142,6 @@ pub enum Expr<'a> {
         tag_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
         tag_name: TagName,
         tag_id: u8,
-        union_size: u8,
         arguments: &'a [Symbol],
     },
     Struct(&'a [Symbol]),
@@ -1160,6 +1172,9 @@ pub enum Expr<'a> {
 
     Reuse {
         symbol: Symbol,
+        update_tag_id: bool,
+        // normal Tag fields
+        tag_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
         tag_name: TagName,
         tag_id: u8,
         arguments: &'a [Symbol],
@@ -1273,11 +1288,12 @@ impl<'a> Expr<'a> {
                 alloc
                     .text("Reuse ")
                     .append(symbol_to_doc(alloc, *symbol))
+                    .append(alloc.space())
                     .append(doc_tag)
                     .append(alloc.space())
                     .append(alloc.intersperse(it, " "))
             }
-            Reset(symbol) => alloc.text("Reuse ").append(symbol_to_doc(alloc, *symbol)),
+            Reset(symbol) => alloc.text("Reset ").append(symbol_to_doc(alloc, *symbol)),
 
             Struct(args) => {
                 let it = args.iter().map(|s| symbol_to_doc(alloc, *s));
@@ -4036,14 +4052,12 @@ fn construct_closure_data<'a>(
         ClosureRepresentation::Union {
             tag_id,
             tag_layout: _,
-            union_size,
             tag_name,
             union_layout,
         } => {
             let expr = Expr::Tag {
                 tag_id,
                 tag_layout: union_layout,
-                union_size,
                 tag_name,
                 arguments: symbols,
             };
@@ -4172,7 +4186,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
             assign_to_symbols(env, procs, layout_cache, iter, stmt)
         }
         Wrapped(variant) => {
-            let union_size = variant.number_of_tags() as u8;
             let (tag_id, _) = variant.tag_name_to_id(&tag_name);
 
             let field_symbols_temp = sorted_field_symbols(env, procs, layout_cache, args);
@@ -4215,7 +4228,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
                         tag_layout: union_layout,
                         tag_name,
                         tag_id: tag_id as u8,
-                        union_size,
                         arguments: field_symbols,
                     };
 
@@ -4239,7 +4251,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
                         tag_layout: union_layout,
                         tag_name,
                         tag_id: tag_id as u8,
-                        union_size,
                         arguments: field_symbols,
                     };
 
@@ -4265,7 +4276,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
                         tag_layout: union_layout,
                         tag_name,
                         tag_id: tag_id as u8,
-                        union_size,
                         arguments: field_symbols,
                     };
 
@@ -4293,7 +4303,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
                         tag_layout: union_layout,
                         tag_name,
                         tag_id: tag_id as u8,
-                        union_size,
                         arguments: field_symbols,
                     };
 
@@ -4312,7 +4321,6 @@ fn convert_tag_union<'a>(
                         tag_layout: union_layout,
                         tag_name,
                         tag_id: tag_id as u8,
-                        union_size,
                         arguments: field_symbols,
                     };
 
@@ -5346,7 +5354,6 @@ fn substitute_in_expr<'a>(
             tag_layout,
             tag_name,
             tag_id,
-            union_size,
             arguments: args,
         } => {
             let mut did_change = false;
@@ -5368,7 +5375,6 @@ fn substitute_in_expr<'a>(
                     tag_layout: *tag_layout,
                     tag_name: tag_name.clone(),
                     tag_id: *tag_id,
-                    union_size: *union_size,
                     arguments,
                 })
             } else {
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/layout.rs b/compiler/mono/src/layout.rs
index 42e8793b78..48584c947d 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/layout.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/layout.rs
@@ -148,6 +148,16 @@ impl<'a> UnionLayout<'a> {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn number_of_tags(&'a self) -> usize {
+        match self {
+            UnionLayout::NonRecursive(tags) | UnionLayout::Recursive(tags) => tags.len(),
+
+            UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { other_tags, .. } => other_tags.len() + 1,
+            UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_) => 1,
+            UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. } => 2,
+        }
+    }
+
     fn tag_id_builtin_help(union_size: usize) -> Builtin<'a> {
         if union_size <= u8::MAX as usize {
             Builtin::Int8
@@ -178,12 +188,40 @@ impl<'a> UnionLayout<'a> {
         Layout::Builtin(self.tag_id_builtin())
     }
 
-    pub fn stores_tag_id(&self) -> bool {
+    fn stores_tag_id_in_pointer_bits(tags: &[&[Layout<'a>]], ptr_bytes: u32) -> bool {
+        tags.len() <= ptr_bytes as usize
+    }
+
+    // i.e. it is not implicit and not stored in the pointer bits
+    pub fn stores_tag_id_as_data(&self, ptr_bytes: u32) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            UnionLayout::NonRecursive(_) => true,
+            UnionLayout::Recursive(tags)
+            | UnionLayout::NullableWrapped {
+                other_tags: tags, ..
+            } => !Self::stores_tag_id_in_pointer_bits(tags, ptr_bytes),
+            UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_) | UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. } => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn stores_tag_id_in_pointer(&self, ptr_bytes: u32) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            UnionLayout::NonRecursive(_) => false,
+            UnionLayout::Recursive(tags)
+            | UnionLayout::NullableWrapped {
+                other_tags: tags, ..
+            } => Self::stores_tag_id_in_pointer_bits(tags, ptr_bytes),
+            UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_) | UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. } => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn tag_is_null(&self, tag_id: u8) -> bool {
         match self {
             UnionLayout::NonRecursive(_)
-            | UnionLayout::Recursive(_)
-            | UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { .. } => true,
-            UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_) | UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. } => false,
+            | UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped(_)
+            | UnionLayout::Recursive(_) => false,
+            UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { nullable_id, .. } => *nullable_id == tag_id as i64,
+            UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { nullable_id, .. } => *nullable_id == (tag_id != 0),
         }
     }
 
@@ -213,7 +251,6 @@ pub enum ClosureRepresentation<'a> {
         tag_layout: &'a [Layout<'a>],
         tag_name: TagName,
         tag_id: u8,
-        union_size: u8,
         union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
     },
     /// the representation is anything but a union
@@ -252,7 +289,6 @@ impl<'a> LambdaSet<'a> {
                             .unwrap();
 
                         ClosureRepresentation::Union {
-                            union_size: self.set.len() as u8,
                             tag_id: index as u8,
                             tag_layout: tags[index],
                             tag_name: TagName::Closure(function_symbol),
@@ -713,6 +749,7 @@ impl<'a> Layout<'a> {
                 }
             }
             RecursivePointer => true,
+
             Closure(_, closure_layout, _) => closure_layout.contains_refcounted(),
         }
     }
@@ -1509,6 +1546,18 @@ fn get_recursion_var(subs: &Subs, var: Variable) -> Option<Variable> {
     }
 }
 
+fn is_recursive_tag_union(layout: &Layout) -> bool {
+    matches!(
+        layout,
+        Layout::Union(
+            UnionLayout::NullableUnwrapped { .. }
+                | UnionLayout::Recursive(_)
+                | UnionLayout::NullableWrapped { .. }
+                | UnionLayout::NonNullableUnwrapped { .. },
+        )
+    )
+}
+
 pub fn union_sorted_tags_help<'a>(
     arena: &'a Bump,
     mut tags_vec: std::vec::Vec<(TagName, std::vec::Vec<Variable>)>,
@@ -1624,10 +1673,17 @@ pub fn union_sorted_tags_help<'a>(
                 for var in arguments {
                     match Layout::from_var(&mut env, var) {
                         Ok(layout) => {
-                            // Drop any zero-sized arguments like {}
-                            if !layout.is_dropped_because_empty() {
-                                has_any_arguments = true;
+                            has_any_arguments = true;
 
+                            // make sure to not unroll recursive types!
+                            let self_recursion = opt_rec_var.is_some()
+                                && subs.get_root_key_without_compacting(var)
+                                    == subs.get_root_key_without_compacting(opt_rec_var.unwrap())
+                                && is_recursive_tag_union(&layout);
+
+                            if self_recursion {
+                                arg_layouts.push(Layout::RecursivePointer);
+                            } else {
                                 arg_layouts.push(layout);
                             }
                         }
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/lib.rs b/compiler/mono/src/lib.rs
index 831ff3d8c1..d377342bed 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/lib.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ pub mod expand_rc;
 pub mod inc_dec;
 pub mod ir;
 pub mod layout;
+pub mod reset_reuse;
 pub mod tail_recursion;
 
 // Temporary, while we can build up test cases and optimize the exhaustiveness checking.
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/reset_reuse.rs b/compiler/mono/src/reset_reuse.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3a437e9d50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/reset_reuse.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,679 @@
+use crate::inc_dec::{collect_stmt, occurring_variables_expr, JPLiveVarMap, LiveVarSet};
+use crate::ir::{BranchInfo, Call, Expr, Proc, Stmt};
+use crate::layout::{Layout, UnionLayout};
+use bumpalo::collections::Vec;
+use bumpalo::Bump;
+use roc_collections::all::MutSet;
+use roc_module::symbol::{IdentIds, ModuleId, Symbol};
+
+pub fn insert_reset_reuse<'a, 'i>(
+    arena: &'a Bump,
+    home: ModuleId,
+    ident_ids: &'i mut IdentIds,
+    mut proc: Proc<'a>,
+) -> Proc<'a> {
+    let mut env = Env {
+        arena,
+        home,
+        ident_ids,
+        jp_live_vars: Default::default(),
+    };
+
+    let new_body = function_r(&mut env, arena.alloc(proc.body));
+    proc.body = new_body.clone();
+
+    proc
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct CtorInfo<'a> {
+    id: u8,
+    layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
+}
+
+fn may_reuse(tag_layout: UnionLayout, tag_id: u8, other: &CtorInfo) -> bool {
+    if tag_layout != other.layout {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // we should not get here if the tag we matched on is represented as NULL
+    debug_assert!(!tag_layout.tag_is_null(other.id));
+
+    // furthermore, we can only use the memory if the tag we're creating is non-NULL
+    !tag_layout.tag_is_null(tag_id)
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct Env<'a, 'i> {
+    arena: &'a Bump,
+
+    /// required for creating new `Symbol`s
+    home: ModuleId,
+    ident_ids: &'i mut IdentIds,
+
+    jp_live_vars: JPLiveVarMap,
+}
+
+impl<'a, 'i> Env<'a, 'i> {
+    fn unique_symbol(&mut self) -> Symbol {
+        let ident_id = self.ident_ids.gen_unique();
+
+        self.home.register_debug_idents(&self.ident_ids);
+
+        Symbol::new(self.home, ident_id)
+    }
+}
+
+fn function_s<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    w: Symbol,
+    c: &CtorInfo<'a>,
+    stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    use Stmt::*;
+
+    let arena = env.arena;
+
+    match stmt {
+        Let(symbol, expr, layout, continuation) => match expr {
+            Expr::Tag {
+                tag_layout,
+                tag_id,
+                tag_name,
+                arguments,
+            } if may_reuse(*tag_layout, *tag_id, c) => {
+                // for now, always overwrite the tag ID just to be sure
+                let update_tag_id = true;
+
+                let new_expr = Expr::Reuse {
+                    symbol: w,
+                    update_tag_id,
+                    tag_layout: *tag_layout,
+                    tag_id: *tag_id,
+                    tag_name: tag_name.clone(),
+                    arguments,
+                };
+                let new_stmt = Let(*symbol, new_expr, *layout, continuation);
+
+                arena.alloc(new_stmt)
+            }
+            _ => {
+                let rest = function_s(env, w, c, continuation);
+                let new_stmt = Let(*symbol, expr.clone(), *layout, rest);
+
+                arena.alloc(new_stmt)
+            }
+        },
+        Join {
+            id,
+            parameters,
+            body,
+            remainder,
+        } => {
+            let id = *id;
+            let body: &Stmt = *body;
+            let new_body = function_s(env, w, c, body);
+
+            let new_join = if std::ptr::eq(body, new_body) || body == new_body {
+                // the join point body will consume w
+                Join {
+                    id,
+                    parameters,
+                    body: new_body,
+                    remainder,
+                }
+            } else {
+                let new_remainder = function_s(env, w, c, remainder);
+
+                Join {
+                    id,
+                    parameters,
+                    body,
+                    remainder: new_remainder,
+                }
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(new_join)
+        }
+        Invoke {
+            symbol,
+            call,
+            layout,
+            pass,
+            fail,
+            exception_id,
+        } => {
+            let new_pass = function_s(env, w, c, pass);
+            let new_fail = function_s(env, w, c, fail);
+
+            let new_invoke = Invoke {
+                symbol: *symbol,
+                call: call.clone(),
+                layout: *layout,
+                pass: new_pass,
+                fail: new_fail,
+                exception_id: *exception_id,
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(new_invoke)
+        }
+        Switch {
+            cond_symbol,
+            cond_layout,
+            branches,
+            default_branch,
+            ret_layout,
+        } => {
+            let mut new_branches = Vec::with_capacity_in(branches.len(), arena);
+            new_branches.extend(branches.iter().map(|(tag, info, body)| {
+                let new_body = function_s(env, w, c, body);
+
+                (*tag, info.clone(), new_body.clone())
+            }));
+
+            let new_default = function_s(env, w, c, default_branch.1);
+
+            let new_switch = Switch {
+                cond_symbol: *cond_symbol,
+                cond_layout: *cond_layout,
+                branches: new_branches.into_bump_slice(),
+                default_branch: (default_branch.0.clone(), new_default),
+                ret_layout: *ret_layout,
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(new_switch)
+        }
+        Refcounting(op, continuation) => {
+            let continuation: &Stmt = *continuation;
+            let new_continuation = function_s(env, w, c, continuation);
+
+            if std::ptr::eq(continuation, new_continuation) || continuation == new_continuation {
+                stmt
+            } else {
+                let new_refcounting = Refcounting(*op, new_continuation);
+
+                arena.alloc(new_refcounting)
+            }
+        }
+        Resume(_) | Ret(_) | Jump(_, _) | RuntimeError(_) => stmt,
+    }
+}
+
+fn try_function_s<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    x: Symbol,
+    c: &CtorInfo<'a>,
+    stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    let w = env.unique_symbol();
+
+    let new_stmt = function_s(env, w, c, stmt);
+
+    if std::ptr::eq(stmt, new_stmt) || stmt == new_stmt {
+        stmt
+    } else {
+        insert_reset(env, w, x, c.layout, new_stmt)
+    }
+}
+
+fn insert_reset<'a>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, '_>,
+    w: Symbol,
+    x: Symbol,
+    union_layout: UnionLayout<'a>,
+    mut stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    use crate::ir::Expr::*;
+
+    let mut stack = vec![];
+
+    while let Stmt::Let(symbol, expr, expr_layout, rest) = stmt {
+        match &expr {
+            StructAtIndex { .. } | GetTagId { .. } | UnionAtIndex { .. } => {
+                stack.push((symbol, expr, expr_layout));
+                stmt = rest;
+            }
+            Literal(_)
+            | Call(_)
+            | Tag { .. }
+            | Struct(_)
+            | Array { .. }
+            | EmptyArray
+            | Reuse { .. }
+            | Reset(_)
+            | RuntimeErrorFunction(_) => break,
+        }
+    }
+
+    let reset_expr = Expr::Reset(x);
+
+    // const I64: Layout<'static> = Layout::Builtin(crate::layout::Builtin::Int64);
+
+    let layout = Layout::Union(union_layout);
+
+    stmt = env.arena.alloc(Stmt::Let(w, reset_expr, layout, stmt));
+
+    for (symbol, expr, expr_layout) in stack.into_iter().rev() {
+        stmt = env
+            .arena
+            .alloc(Stmt::Let(*symbol, expr.clone(), *expr_layout, stmt));
+    }
+
+    stmt
+}
+
+fn function_d_finalize<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    x: Symbol,
+    c: &CtorInfo<'a>,
+    output: (&'a Stmt<'a>, bool),
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    let (stmt, x_live_in_stmt) = output;
+    if x_live_in_stmt {
+        stmt
+    } else {
+        try_function_s(env, x, c, stmt)
+    }
+}
+
+fn function_d_main<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    x: Symbol,
+    c: &CtorInfo<'a>,
+    stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> (&'a Stmt<'a>, bool) {
+    use Stmt::*;
+
+    let arena = env.arena;
+
+    match stmt {
+        Let(symbol, expr, layout, continuation) => {
+            match expr {
+                Expr::Tag { arguments, .. } if arguments.iter().any(|s| *s == x) => {
+                    // If the scrutinee `x` (the one that is providing memory) is being
+                    // stored in a constructor, then reuse will probably not be able to reuse memory at runtime.
+                    // It may work only if the new cell is consumed, but we ignore this case.
+                    (stmt, true)
+                }
+                _ => {
+                    let (b, found) = function_d_main(env, x, c, continuation);
+
+                    // NOTE the &b != continuation is not found in the Lean source, but is required
+                    // otherwise we observe the same symbol being reset twice
+                    let mut result = MutSet::default();
+                    if found
+                        || {
+                            occurring_variables_expr(expr, &mut result);
+                            !result.contains(&x)
+                        }
+                        || &b != continuation
+                    {
+                        let let_stmt = Let(*symbol, expr.clone(), *layout, b);
+
+                        (arena.alloc(let_stmt), found)
+                    } else {
+                        let b = try_function_s(env, x, c, b);
+                        let let_stmt = Let(*symbol, expr.clone(), *layout, b);
+
+                        (arena.alloc(let_stmt), found)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        Invoke {
+            symbol,
+            call,
+            layout,
+            pass,
+            fail,
+            exception_id,
+        } => {
+            if has_live_var(&env.jp_live_vars, stmt, x) {
+                let new_pass = {
+                    let temp = function_d_main(env, x, c, pass);
+                    function_d_finalize(env, x, c, temp)
+                };
+                let new_fail = {
+                    let temp = function_d_main(env, x, c, fail);
+                    function_d_finalize(env, x, c, temp)
+                };
+                let new_switch = Invoke {
+                    symbol: *symbol,
+                    call: call.clone(),
+                    layout: *layout,
+                    pass: new_pass,
+                    fail: new_fail,
+                    exception_id: *exception_id,
+                };
+
+                (arena.alloc(new_switch), true)
+            } else {
+                (stmt, false)
+            }
+        }
+        Switch {
+            cond_symbol,
+            cond_layout,
+            branches,
+            default_branch,
+            ret_layout,
+        } => {
+            if has_live_var(&env.jp_live_vars, stmt, x) {
+                // if `x` is live in `stmt`, we recursively process each branch
+                let mut new_branches = Vec::with_capacity_in(branches.len(), arena);
+
+                for (tag, info, body) in branches.iter() {
+                    let temp = function_d_main(env, x, c, body);
+                    let new_body = function_d_finalize(env, x, c, temp);
+
+                    new_branches.push((*tag, info.clone(), new_body.clone()));
+                }
+
+                let new_default = {
+                    let (info, body) = default_branch;
+                    let temp = function_d_main(env, x, c, body);
+                    let new_body = function_d_finalize(env, x, c, temp);
+
+                    (info.clone(), new_body)
+                };
+
+                let new_switch = Switch {
+                    cond_symbol: *cond_symbol,
+                    cond_layout: *cond_layout,
+                    branches: new_branches.into_bump_slice(),
+                    default_branch: new_default,
+                    ret_layout: *ret_layout,
+                };
+
+                (arena.alloc(new_switch), true)
+            } else {
+                (stmt, false)
+            }
+        }
+        Refcounting(modify_rc, continuation) => {
+            let (b, found) = function_d_main(env, x, c, continuation);
+
+            if found || modify_rc.get_symbol() != x {
+                let refcounting = Refcounting(*modify_rc, b);
+
+                (arena.alloc(refcounting), found)
+            } else {
+                let b = try_function_s(env, x, c, b);
+                let refcounting = Refcounting(*modify_rc, b);
+
+                (arena.alloc(refcounting), found)
+            }
+        }
+        Join {
+            id,
+            parameters,
+            body,
+            remainder,
+        } => {
+            env.jp_live_vars.insert(*id, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            let body_live_vars = collect_stmt(body, &env.jp_live_vars, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            env.jp_live_vars.insert(*id, body_live_vars);
+
+            let (b, found) = function_d_main(env, x, c, remainder);
+
+            let (v, _found) = function_d_main(env, x, c, body);
+
+            env.jp_live_vars.remove(id);
+
+            // If `found' == true`, then `Dmain b` must also have returned `(b, true)` since
+            // we assume the IR does not have dead join points. So, if `x` is live in `j` (i.e., `v`),
+            // then it must also live in `b` since `j` is reachable from `b` with a `jmp`.
+            // On the other hand, `x` may be live in `b` but dead in `j` (i.e., `v`). -/
+            let new_join = Join {
+                id: *id,
+                parameters,
+                body: v,
+                remainder: b,
+            };
+
+            (arena.alloc(new_join), found)
+        }
+        Ret(_) | Resume(_) | Jump(_, _) | RuntimeError(_) => {
+            (stmt, has_live_var(&env.jp_live_vars, stmt, x))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn function_d<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    x: Symbol,
+    c: &CtorInfo<'a>,
+    stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    let temp = function_d_main(env, x, c, stmt);
+
+    function_d_finalize(env, x, c, temp)
+}
+
+fn function_r_branch_body<'a, 'i>(
+    env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>,
+    info: &BranchInfo<'a>,
+    body: &'a Stmt<'a>,
+) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    let temp = function_r(env, body);
+
+    match info {
+        BranchInfo::None => temp,
+        BranchInfo::Constructor {
+            scrutinee,
+            layout,
+            tag_id,
+        } => match layout {
+            Layout::Union(UnionLayout::NonRecursive(_)) => temp,
+            Layout::Union(union_layout) if !union_layout.tag_is_null(*tag_id) => {
+                let ctor_info = CtorInfo {
+                    layout: *union_layout,
+                    id: *tag_id,
+                };
+                function_d(env, *scrutinee, &ctor_info, temp)
+            }
+            _ => temp,
+        },
+    }
+}
+
+fn function_r<'a, 'i>(env: &mut Env<'a, 'i>, stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>) -> &'a Stmt<'a> {
+    use Stmt::*;
+
+    let arena = env.arena;
+
+    match stmt {
+        Switch {
+            cond_symbol,
+            cond_layout,
+            branches,
+            default_branch,
+            ret_layout,
+        } => {
+            let mut new_branches = Vec::with_capacity_in(branches.len(), arena);
+
+            for (tag, info, body) in branches.iter() {
+                let new_body = function_r_branch_body(env, info, body);
+
+                new_branches.push((*tag, info.clone(), new_body.clone()));
+            }
+
+            let new_default = {
+                let (info, body) = default_branch;
+
+                let new_body = function_r_branch_body(env, info, body);
+
+                (info.clone(), new_body)
+            };
+
+            let new_switch = Switch {
+                cond_symbol: *cond_symbol,
+                cond_layout: *cond_layout,
+                branches: new_branches.into_bump_slice(),
+                default_branch: new_default,
+                ret_layout: *ret_layout,
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(new_switch)
+        }
+
+        Join {
+            id,
+            parameters,
+            body,
+            remainder,
+        } => {
+            env.jp_live_vars.insert(*id, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            let body_live_vars = collect_stmt(body, &env.jp_live_vars, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            env.jp_live_vars.insert(*id, body_live_vars);
+
+            let b = function_r(env, remainder);
+
+            let v = function_r(env, body);
+
+            env.jp_live_vars.remove(id);
+
+            let join = Join {
+                id: *id,
+                parameters,
+                body: v,
+                remainder: b,
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(join)
+        }
+
+        Let(symbol, expr, layout, continuation) => {
+            let b = function_r(env, continuation);
+
+            arena.alloc(Let(*symbol, expr.clone(), *layout, b))
+        }
+        Invoke {
+            symbol,
+            call,
+            layout,
+            pass,
+            fail,
+            exception_id,
+        } => {
+            let branch_info = BranchInfo::None;
+            let new_pass = function_r_branch_body(env, &branch_info, pass);
+            let new_fail = function_r_branch_body(env, &branch_info, fail);
+
+            let invoke = Invoke {
+                symbol: *symbol,
+                call: call.clone(),
+                layout: *layout,
+                pass: new_pass,
+                fail: new_fail,
+                exception_id: *exception_id,
+            };
+
+            arena.alloc(invoke)
+        }
+        Refcounting(modify_rc, continuation) => {
+            let b = function_r(env, continuation);
+
+            arena.alloc(Refcounting(*modify_rc, b))
+        }
+
+        Resume(_) | Ret(_) | Jump(_, _) | RuntimeError(_) => {
+            // terminals
+            stmt
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn has_live_var<'a>(jp_live_vars: &JPLiveVarMap, stmt: &'a Stmt<'a>, needle: Symbol) -> bool {
+    use Stmt::*;
+
+    match stmt {
+        Let(s, e, _, c) => {
+            debug_assert_ne!(*s, needle);
+            has_live_var_expr(e, needle) || has_live_var(jp_live_vars, c, needle)
+        }
+        Invoke {
+            symbol,
+            call,
+            pass,
+            fail,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            debug_assert_ne!(*symbol, needle);
+
+            has_live_var_call(call, needle)
+                || has_live_var(jp_live_vars, pass, needle)
+                || has_live_var(jp_live_vars, fail, needle)
+        }
+        Switch { cond_symbol, .. } if *cond_symbol == needle => true,
+        Switch {
+            branches,
+            default_branch,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            has_live_var(jp_live_vars, default_branch.1, needle)
+                || branches
+                    .iter()
+                    .any(|(_, _, body)| has_live_var(jp_live_vars, body, needle))
+        }
+        Ret(s) => *s == needle,
+        Refcounting(modify_rc, cont) => {
+            modify_rc.get_symbol() == needle || has_live_var(jp_live_vars, cont, needle)
+        }
+        Join {
+            id,
+            parameters,
+            body,
+            remainder,
+        } => {
+            debug_assert!(parameters.iter().all(|p| p.symbol != needle));
+
+            let mut jp_live_vars = jp_live_vars.clone();
+
+            jp_live_vars.insert(*id, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            let body_live_vars = collect_stmt(body, &jp_live_vars, LiveVarSet::default());
+
+            if body_live_vars.contains(&needle) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            jp_live_vars.insert(*id, body_live_vars);
+
+            has_live_var(&jp_live_vars, remainder, needle)
+        }
+        Jump(id, arguments) => {
+            arguments.iter().any(|s| *s == needle) || jp_live_vars[id].contains(&needle)
+        }
+        Resume(_) | RuntimeError(_) => false,
+    }
+}
+
+fn has_live_var_expr<'a>(expr: &'a Expr<'a>, needle: Symbol) -> bool {
+    match expr {
+        Expr::Literal(_) => false,
+        Expr::Call(call) => has_live_var_call(call, needle),
+        Expr::Array { elems: fields, .. }
+        | Expr::Tag {
+            arguments: fields, ..
+        }
+        | Expr::Struct(fields) => fields.iter().any(|s| *s == needle),
+        Expr::StructAtIndex { structure, .. }
+        | Expr::GetTagId { structure, .. }
+        | Expr::UnionAtIndex { structure, .. } => *structure == needle,
+        Expr::EmptyArray => false,
+        Expr::Reuse {
+            symbol, arguments, ..
+        } => needle == *symbol || arguments.iter().any(|s| *s == needle),
+        Expr::Reset(symbol) => needle == *symbol,
+        Expr::RuntimeErrorFunction(_) => false,
+    }
+}
+
+fn has_live_var_call<'a>(call: &'a Call<'a>, needle: Symbol) -> bool {
+    call.arguments.iter().any(|s| *s == needle)
+}
diff --git a/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_primitives.rs b/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_primitives.rs
index 3c932db913..77b4f7cb24 100644
--- a/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_primitives.rs
+++ b/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_primitives.rs
@@ -1555,9 +1555,9 @@ fn rbtree_balance_full() {
                 balance Red 0 0 Empty Empty
             "#
         ),
-        false,
-        *const i64,
-        |x: *const i64| x.is_null()
+        true,
+        usize,
+        |x| x != 0
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_tags.rs b/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_tags.rs
index 38c28b9fff..247bebde87 100644
--- a/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_tags.rs
+++ b/compiler/test_gen/src/gen_tags.rs
@@ -1079,8 +1079,8 @@ fn nested_recursive_literal() {
                 #"
         ),
         0,
-        &(i64, i64, u8),
-        |x: &(i64, i64, u8)| x.2
+        usize,
+        |_| 0
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/examples/benchmarks/CFold.roc b/examples/benchmarks/CFold.roc
index fb4fa4eeca..7c17abf066 100644
--- a/examples/benchmarks/CFold.roc
+++ b/examples/benchmarks/CFold.roc
@@ -97,4 +97,3 @@ constFolding = \e ->
                 Pair y1 y2                   -> Add y1 y2
 
         _ -> e
-
diff --git a/examples/benchmarks/RBTreeDel.roc b/examples/benchmarks/RBTreeDel.roc
index d9b780fa39..ccb1753042 100644
--- a/examples/benchmarks/RBTreeDel.roc
+++ b/examples/benchmarks/RBTreeDel.roc
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ makeMapHelp = \total, n, m ->
             n1 = n - 1
 
             powerOf10 =
-                (n % 10 |> resultWithDefault 0) == 0
+                n |> Num.isMultipleOf 10
 
             t1 = insert m n powerOf10
 
             isFrequency =
-                (n % 4 |> resultWithDefault 0) == 0
+                n |> Num.isMultipleOf 4
 
             key = n1 + ((total - n1) // 5 |> resultWithDefault 0)
             t2 = if isFrequency then delete t1 key else t1
@@ -85,8 +85,6 @@ isRed = \tree ->
         Node Red _ _ _ _ -> True
         _ -> False
 
-lt = \x, y -> x < y
-
 ins : Tree I64 Bool, I64, Bool -> Tree I64 Bool
 ins = \tree, kx, vx ->
     when tree is
@@ -94,19 +92,24 @@ ins = \tree, kx, vx ->
             Node Red Leaf kx vx Leaf
 
         Node Red a ky vy b ->
-            if lt kx ky then
-                Node Red (ins a kx vx) ky vy b
-            else if lt ky kx then
-                Node Red a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
-            else
-                Node Red a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
+            when Num.compare kx ky is
+                LT -> Node Red (ins a kx vx) ky vy b
+                GT -> Node Red a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
+                EQ -> Node Red a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
 
         Node Black a ky vy b ->
-            if lt kx ky then
-              (if isRed a then balanceLeft (ins a kx vx) ky vy b else Node Black (ins a kx vx) ky vy b)
-            else if lt ky kx then
-              (if isRed b then balanceRight a ky vy (ins b kx vx) else Node Black a ky vy (ins b kx vx))
-            else Node Black a kx vx b
+            when Num.compare kx ky is
+                LT ->
+                    when isRed a is
+                        True -> balanceLeft (ins a kx vx) ky vy b
+                        False -> Node Black (ins a kx vx) ky vy b
+
+                GT ->
+                    when isRed b is
+                        True -> balanceRight a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
+                        False -> Node Black  a ky vy (ins b kx vx)
+                EQ ->
+                    Node Black a kx vx b
 
 balanceLeft : Tree a b, a, b, Tree a b -> Tree a b
 balanceLeft = \l, k, v, r ->
diff --git a/www/public/styles.css b/www/public/styles.css
index 27f88aacd1..b90cfb58a2 100644
--- a/www/public/styles.css
+++ b/www/public/styles.css
@@ -282,8 +282,9 @@ code {
   font-family: var(--font-mono);
   color: var(--code-color);
   background-color: var(--code-bg-color);
-  padding: 2px 8px;
+  padding: 0 8px;
   display: inline-block;
+  line-height: 28px;
 }
 
 code a {