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-rw-r--r--tvix/eval/src/vm/generators.rs809
-rw-r--r--tvix/eval/src/vm/macros.rs93
-rw-r--r--tvix/eval/src/vm/mod.rs1368
3 files changed, 2270 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/tvix/eval/src/vm/generators.rs b/tvix/eval/src/vm/generators.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..79de688692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tvix/eval/src/vm/generators.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,809 @@
+//! This module implements generator logic for the VM. Generators are functions
+//! used during evaluation which can suspend their execution during their
+//! control flow, and request that the VM do something.
+//!
+//! This is used to keep the VM's stack size constant even when evaluating
+//! deeply nested recursive data structures.
+//!
+//! We implement generators using the [`genawaiter`] crate.
+
+use core::pin::Pin;
+use genawaiter::rc::Co;
+pub use genawaiter::rc::Gen;
+use std::fmt::Display;
+use std::future::Future;
+
+use crate::value::PointerEquality;
+use crate::warnings::{EvalWarning, WarningKind};
+use crate::FileType;
+use crate::NixString;
+
+use super::*;
+
+// -- Implementation of generic generator logic.
+
+/// States that a generator can be in while being driven by the VM.
+pub(crate) enum GeneratorState {
+    /// Normal execution of the generator.
+    Running,
+
+    /// Generator is awaiting the result of a forced value.
+    AwaitingValue,
+}
+
+/// Messages that can be sent from generators *to* the VM. In most
+/// cases, the VM will suspend the generator when receiving a message
+/// and enter some other frame to process the request.
+///
+/// Responses are returned to generators via the [`GeneratorResponse`] type.
+pub enum VMRequest {
+    /// Request that the VM forces this value. This message is first sent to the
+    /// VM with the unforced value, then returned to the generator with the
+    /// forced result.
+    ForceValue(Value),
+
+    /// Request that the VM deep-forces the value.
+    DeepForceValue(Value),
+
+    /// Request the value at the given index from the VM's with-stack, in forced
+    /// state.
+    ///
+    /// The value is returned in the `ForceValue` message.
+    WithValue(usize),
+
+    /// Request the value at the given index from the *captured* with-stack, in
+    /// forced state.
+    CapturedWithValue(usize),
+
+    /// Request that the two values be compared for Nix equality. The result is
+    /// returned in the `ForceValue` message.
+    NixEquality(Box<(Value, Value)>, PointerEquality),
+
+    /// Push the given value to the VM's stack. This is used to prepare the
+    /// stack for requesting a function call from the VM.
+    ///
+    /// The VM does not respond to this request, so the next message received is
+    /// `Empty`.
+    StackPush(Value),
+
+    /// Pop a value from the stack and return it to the generator.
+    StackPop,
+
+    /// Request that the VM coerces this value to a string.
+    StringCoerce(Value, CoercionKind),
+
+    /// Request that the VM calls the given value, with arguments already
+    /// prepared on the stack. Value must already be forced.
+    Call(Value),
+
+    /// Request a call frame entering the given lambda immediately. This can be
+    /// used to force thunks.
+    EnterLambda {
+        lambda: Rc<Lambda>,
+        upvalues: Rc<Upvalues>,
+        light_span: LightSpan,
+    },
+
+    /// Emit a runtime warning (already containing a span) through the VM.
+    EmitWarning(EvalWarning),
+
+    /// Emit a runtime warning through the VM. The span of the current generator
+    /// is used for the final warning.
+    EmitWarningKind(WarningKind),
+
+    /// Request a lookup in the VM's import cache, which tracks the
+    /// thunks yielded by previously imported files.
+    ImportCacheLookup(PathBuf),
+
+    /// Provide the VM with an imported value for a given path, which
+    /// it can populate its input cache with.
+    ImportCachePut(PathBuf, Value),
+
+    /// Request that the VM imports the given path through its I/O interface.
+    PathImport(PathBuf),
+
+    /// Request that the VM opens the specified file and provides a reader.
+    OpenFile(PathBuf),
+
+    /// Request that the VM checks whether the given path exists.
+    PathExists(PathBuf),
+
+    /// Request that the VM reads the given path.
+    ReadDir(PathBuf),
+
+    /// Request a reasonable span from the VM.
+    Span,
+
+    /// Request evaluation of `builtins.tryEval` from the VM. See
+    /// [`VM::catch_result`] for an explanation of how this works.
+    TryForce(Value),
+
+    /// Request serialisation of a value to JSON, according to the
+    /// slightly odd Nix evaluation rules.
+    ToJson(Value),
+}
+
+/// Human-readable representation of a generator message, used by observers.
+impl Display for VMRequest {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            VMRequest::ForceValue(v) => write!(f, "force_value({})", v.type_of()),
+            VMRequest::DeepForceValue(v) => {
+                write!(f, "deep_force_value({})", v.type_of())
+            }
+            VMRequest::WithValue(_) => write!(f, "with_value"),
+            VMRequest::CapturedWithValue(_) => write!(f, "captured_with_value"),
+            VMRequest::NixEquality(values, ptr_eq) => {
+                write!(
+                    f,
+                    "nix_eq({}, {}, PointerEquality::{:?})",
+                    values.0.type_of(),
+                    values.1.type_of(),
+                    ptr_eq
+                )
+            }
+            VMRequest::StackPush(v) => write!(f, "stack_push({})", v.type_of()),
+            VMRequest::StackPop => write!(f, "stack_pop"),
+            VMRequest::StringCoerce(
+                v,
+                CoercionKind {
+                    strong,
+                    import_paths,
+                },
+            ) => write!(
+                f,
+                "{}_{}importing_string_coerce({})",
+                if *strong { "strong" } else { "weak" },
+                if *import_paths { "" } else { "non_" },
+                v.type_of()
+            ),
+            VMRequest::Call(v) => write!(f, "call({})", v),
+            VMRequest::EnterLambda { lambda, .. } => {
+                write!(f, "enter_lambda({:p})", *lambda)
+            }
+            VMRequest::EmitWarning(_) => write!(f, "emit_warning"),
+            VMRequest::EmitWarningKind(_) => write!(f, "emit_warning_kind"),
+            VMRequest::ImportCacheLookup(p) => {
+                write!(f, "import_cache_lookup({})", p.to_string_lossy())
+            }
+            VMRequest::ImportCachePut(p, _) => {
+                write!(f, "import_cache_put({})", p.to_string_lossy())
+            }
+            VMRequest::PathImport(p) => write!(f, "path_import({})", p.to_string_lossy()),
+            VMRequest::OpenFile(p) => {
+                write!(f, "open_file({})", p.to_string_lossy())
+            }
+            VMRequest::PathExists(p) => write!(f, "path_exists({})", p.to_string_lossy()),
+            VMRequest::ReadDir(p) => write!(f, "read_dir({})", p.to_string_lossy()),
+            VMRequest::Span => write!(f, "span"),
+            VMRequest::TryForce(v) => write!(f, "try_force({})", v.type_of()),
+            VMRequest::ToJson(v) => write!(f, "to_json({})", v.type_of()),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Responses returned to generators *from* the VM.
+pub enum VMResponse {
+    /// Empty message. Passed to the generator as the first message,
+    /// or when return values were optional.
+    Empty,
+
+    /// Value produced by the VM and returned to the generator.
+    Value(Value),
+
+    /// Path produced by the VM in response to some IO operation.
+    Path(PathBuf),
+
+    /// VM response with the contents of a directory.
+    Directory(Vec<(bytes::Bytes, FileType)>),
+
+    /// VM response with a span to use at the current point.
+    Span(LightSpan),
+
+    /// [std::io::Reader] produced by the VM in response to some IO operation.
+    Reader(Box<dyn std::io::Read>),
+}
+
+impl Display for VMResponse {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            VMResponse::Empty => write!(f, "empty"),
+            VMResponse::Value(v) => write!(f, "value({})", v),
+            VMResponse::Path(p) => write!(f, "path({})", p.to_string_lossy()),
+            VMResponse::Directory(d) => write!(f, "dir(len = {})", d.len()),
+            VMResponse::Span(_) => write!(f, "span"),
+            VMResponse::Reader(_) => write!(f, "reader"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) type Generator =
+    Gen<VMRequest, VMResponse, Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Result<Value, ErrorKind>>>>>;
+
+/// Helper function to provide type annotations which are otherwise difficult to
+/// infer.
+pub fn pin_generator(
+    f: impl Future<Output = Result<Value, ErrorKind>> + 'static,
+) -> Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Result<Value, ErrorKind>>>> {
+    Box::pin(f)
+}
+
+impl<'o, IO> VM<'o, IO>
+where
+    IO: AsRef<dyn EvalIO> + 'static,
+{
+    /// Helper function to re-enqueue the current generator while it
+    /// is awaiting a value.
+    fn reenqueue_generator(&mut self, name: &'static str, span: LightSpan, generator: Generator) {
+        self.frames.push(Frame::Generator {
+            name,
+            generator,
+            span,
+            state: GeneratorState::AwaitingValue,
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// Helper function to enqueue a new generator.
+    pub(super) fn enqueue_generator<F, G>(&mut self, name: &'static str, span: LightSpan, gen: G)
+    where
+        F: Future<Output = Result<Value, ErrorKind>> + 'static,
+        G: FnOnce(GenCo) -> F,
+    {
+        self.frames.push(Frame::Generator {
+            name,
+            span,
+            state: GeneratorState::Running,
+            generator: Gen::new(|co| pin_generator(gen(co))),
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// Run a generator frame until it yields to the outer control loop, or runs
+    /// to completion.
+    ///
+    /// The return value indicates whether the generator has completed (true),
+    /// or was suspended (false).
+    pub(crate) fn run_generator(
+        &mut self,
+        name: &'static str,
+        span: LightSpan,
+        frame_id: usize,
+        state: GeneratorState,
+        mut generator: Generator,
+        initial_message: Option<VMResponse>,
+    ) -> EvalResult<bool> {
+        // Determine what to send to the generator based on its state.
+        let mut message = match (initial_message, state) {
+            (Some(msg), _) => msg,
+            (_, GeneratorState::Running) => VMResponse::Empty,
+
+            // If control returned here, and the generator is
+            // awaiting a value, send it the top of the stack.
+            (_, GeneratorState::AwaitingValue) => VMResponse::Value(self.stack_pop()),
+        };
+
+        loop {
+            match generator.resume_with(message) {
+                // If the generator yields, it contains an instruction
+                // for what the VM should do.
+                genawaiter::GeneratorState::Yielded(request) => {
+                    self.observer.observe_generator_request(name, &request);
+
+                    match request {
+                        VMRequest::StackPush(value) => {
+                            self.stack.push(value);
+                            message = VMResponse::Empty;
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::StackPop => {
+                            message = VMResponse::Value(self.stack_pop());
+                        }
+
+                        // Generator has requested a force, which means that
+                        // this function prepares the frame stack and yields
+                        // back to the outer VM loop.
+                        VMRequest::ForceValue(value) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.enqueue_generator("force", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                value.force_owned_genco(co, span)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        // Generator has requested a deep-force.
+                        VMRequest::DeepForceValue(value) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.enqueue_generator("deep_force", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                value.deep_force(co, span)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        // Generator has requested a value from the with-stack.
+                        // Logic is similar to `ForceValue`, except with the
+                        // value being taken from that stack.
+                        VMRequest::WithValue(idx) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+
+                            let value = self.stack[self.with_stack[idx]].clone();
+                            self.enqueue_generator("force", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                value.force_owned_genco(co, span)
+                            });
+
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        // Generator has requested a value from the *captured*
+                        // with-stack. Logic is same as above, except for the
+                        // value being from that stack.
+                        VMRequest::CapturedWithValue(idx) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+
+                            let call_frame = self.last_call_frame()
+                                .expect("Tvix bug: generator requested captured with-value, but there is no call frame");
+
+                            let value = call_frame.upvalues.with_stack().unwrap()[idx].clone();
+                            self.enqueue_generator("force", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                value.force_owned_genco(co, span)
+                            });
+
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::NixEquality(values, ptr_eq) => {
+                            let values = *values;
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.enqueue_generator("nix_eq", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                values.0.nix_eq_owned_genco(values.1, co, ptr_eq, span)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::StringCoerce(val, kind) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.enqueue_generator("coerce_to_string", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                val.coerce_to_string(co, kind, span)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::Call(callable) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.call_value(span, None, callable)?;
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::EnterLambda {
+                            lambda,
+                            upvalues,
+                            light_span,
+                        } => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span, generator);
+
+                            self.frames.push(Frame::CallFrame {
+                                span: light_span,
+                                call_frame: CallFrame {
+                                    lambda,
+                                    upvalues,
+                                    ip: CodeIdx(0),
+                                    stack_offset: self.stack.len(),
+                                },
+                            });
+
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::EmitWarning(warning) => {
+                            self.push_warning(warning);
+                            message = VMResponse::Empty;
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::EmitWarningKind(kind) => {
+                            self.emit_warning(kind);
+                            message = VMResponse::Empty;
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::ImportCacheLookup(path) => {
+                            if let Some(cached) = self.import_cache.get(path) {
+                                message = VMResponse::Value(cached.clone());
+                            } else {
+                                message = VMResponse::Empty;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::ImportCachePut(path, value) => {
+                            self.import_cache.insert(path, value);
+                            message = VMResponse::Empty;
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::PathImport(path) => {
+                            let imported = self
+                                .io_handle
+                                .as_ref()
+                                .import_path(&path)
+                                .map_err(|e| ErrorKind::IO {
+                                    path: Some(path),
+                                    error: e.into(),
+                                })
+                                .with_span(&span, self)?;
+
+                            message = VMResponse::Path(imported);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::OpenFile(path) => {
+                            let reader = self
+                                .io_handle
+                                .as_ref()
+                                .open(&path)
+                                .map_err(|e| ErrorKind::IO {
+                                    path: Some(path),
+                                    error: e.into(),
+                                })
+                                .with_span(&span, self)?;
+
+                            message = VMResponse::Reader(reader)
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::PathExists(path) => {
+                            let exists = self
+                                .io_handle
+                                .as_ref()
+                                .path_exists(&path)
+                                .map_err(|e| ErrorKind::IO {
+                                    path: Some(path),
+                                    error: e.into(),
+                                })
+                                .map(Value::Bool)
+                                .with_span(&span, self)?;
+
+                            message = VMResponse::Value(exists);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::ReadDir(path) => {
+                            let dir = self
+                                .io_handle
+                                .as_ref()
+                                .read_dir(&path)
+                                .map_err(|e| ErrorKind::IO {
+                                    path: Some(path),
+                                    error: e.into(),
+                                })
+                                .with_span(&span, self)?;
+                            message = VMResponse::Directory(dir);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::Span => {
+                            message = VMResponse::Span(self.reasonable_light_span());
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::TryForce(value) => {
+                            self.try_eval_frames.push(frame_id);
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+
+                            debug_assert!(
+                                self.frames.len() == frame_id + 1,
+                                "generator should be reenqueued with the same frame ID"
+                            );
+
+                            self.enqueue_generator("force", span.clone(), |co| {
+                                value.force_owned_genco(co, span)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+
+                        VMRequest::ToJson(value) => {
+                            self.reenqueue_generator(name, span.clone(), generator);
+                            self.enqueue_generator("to_json", span, |co| {
+                                value.into_contextful_json_generator(co)
+                            });
+                            return Ok(false);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // Generator has completed, and its result value should
+                // be left on the stack.
+                genawaiter::GeneratorState::Complete(result) => {
+                    let value = result.with_span(&span, self)?;
+                    self.stack.push(value);
+                    return Ok(true);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub type GenCo = Co<VMRequest, VMResponse>;
+
+// -- Implementation of concrete generator use-cases.
+
+/// Request that the VM place the given value on its stack.
+pub async fn request_stack_push(co: &GenCo, val: Value) {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::StackPush(val)).await {
+        VMResponse::Empty => {}
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request that the VM pop a value from the stack and return it to the
+/// generator.
+pub async fn request_stack_pop(co: &GenCo) -> Value {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::StackPop).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Force any value and return the evaluated result from the VM.
+pub async fn request_force(co: &GenCo, val: Value) -> Value {
+    if let Value::Thunk(_) = val {
+        match co.yield_(VMRequest::ForceValue(val)).await {
+            VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+            msg => panic!(
+                "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+                msg
+            ),
+        }
+    } else {
+        val
+    }
+}
+
+/// Force a value
+pub(crate) async fn request_try_force(co: &GenCo, val: Value) -> Value {
+    if let Value::Thunk(_) = val {
+        match co.yield_(VMRequest::TryForce(val)).await {
+            VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+            msg => panic!(
+                "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+                msg
+            ),
+        }
+    } else {
+        val
+    }
+}
+
+/// Call the given value as a callable. The argument(s) must already be prepared
+/// on the stack.
+pub async fn request_call(co: &GenCo, val: Value) -> Value {
+    let val = request_force(co, val).await;
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::Call(val)).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Helper function to call the given value with the provided list of arguments.
+/// This uses the StackPush and Call messages under the hood.
+pub async fn request_call_with<I>(co: &GenCo, mut callable: Value, args: I) -> Value
+where
+    I: IntoIterator<Item = Value>,
+    I::IntoIter: DoubleEndedIterator,
+{
+    let mut num_args = 0_usize;
+    for arg in args.into_iter().rev() {
+        num_args += 1;
+        request_stack_push(co, arg).await;
+    }
+
+    debug_assert!(num_args > 0, "call_with called with an empty list of args");
+
+    while num_args > 0 {
+        callable = request_call(co, callable).await;
+        num_args -= 1;
+    }
+
+    callable
+}
+
+pub async fn request_string_coerce(
+    co: &GenCo,
+    val: Value,
+    kind: CoercionKind,
+) -> Result<NixString, CatchableErrorKind> {
+    match val {
+        Value::String(s) => Ok(s),
+        _ => match co.yield_(VMRequest::StringCoerce(val, kind)).await {
+            VMResponse::Value(Value::Catchable(c)) => Err(*c),
+            VMResponse::Value(value) => Ok(value
+                .to_contextful_str()
+                .expect("coerce_to_string always returns a string")),
+            msg => panic!(
+                "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+                msg
+            ),
+        },
+    }
+}
+
+/// Deep-force any value and return the evaluated result from the VM.
+pub async fn request_deep_force(co: &GenCo, val: Value) -> Value {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::DeepForceValue(val)).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Ask the VM to compare two values for equality.
+pub(crate) async fn check_equality(
+    co: &GenCo,
+    a: Value,
+    b: Value,
+    ptr_eq: PointerEquality,
+) -> Result<Result<bool, CatchableErrorKind>, ErrorKind> {
+    match co
+        .yield_(VMRequest::NixEquality(Box::new((a, b)), ptr_eq))
+        .await
+    {
+        VMResponse::Value(Value::Bool(b)) => Ok(Ok(b)),
+        VMResponse::Value(Value::Catchable(cek)) => Ok(Err(*cek)),
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Emit a fully constructed runtime warning.
+pub(crate) async fn emit_warning(co: &GenCo, warning: EvalWarning) {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::EmitWarning(warning)).await {
+        VMResponse::Empty => {}
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Emit a runtime warning with the span of the current generator.
+pub async fn emit_warning_kind(co: &GenCo, kind: WarningKind) {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::EmitWarningKind(kind)).await {
+        VMResponse::Empty => {}
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request that the VM enter the given lambda.
+pub(crate) async fn request_enter_lambda(
+    co: &GenCo,
+    lambda: Rc<Lambda>,
+    upvalues: Rc<Upvalues>,
+    light_span: LightSpan,
+) -> Value {
+    let msg = VMRequest::EnterLambda {
+        lambda,
+        upvalues,
+        light_span,
+    };
+
+    match co.yield_(msg).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request a lookup in the VM's import cache.
+pub(crate) async fn request_import_cache_lookup(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf) -> Option<Value> {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::ImportCacheLookup(path)).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => Some(value),
+        VMResponse::Empty => None,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request that the VM populate its input cache for the given path.
+pub(crate) async fn request_import_cache_put(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf, value: Value) {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::ImportCachePut(path, value)).await {
+        VMResponse::Empty => {}
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request that the VM import the given path.
+pub(crate) async fn request_path_import(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf) -> PathBuf {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::PathImport(path)).await {
+        VMResponse::Path(path) => path,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Request that the VM open a [std::io::Read] for the specified file.
+pub async fn request_open_file(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf) -> Box<dyn std::io::Read> {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::OpenFile(path)).await {
+        VMResponse::Reader(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn request_path_exists(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf) -> Value {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::PathExists(path)).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn request_read_dir(co: &GenCo, path: PathBuf) -> Vec<(bytes::Bytes, FileType)> {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::ReadDir(path)).await {
+        VMResponse::Directory(dir) => dir,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn request_span(co: &GenCo) -> LightSpan {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::Span).await {
+        VMResponse::Span(span) => span,
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn request_to_json(
+    co: &GenCo,
+    value: Value,
+) -> Result<(serde_json::Value, NixContext), CatchableErrorKind> {
+    match co.yield_(VMRequest::ToJson(value)).await {
+        VMResponse::Value(Value::Json(json_with_ctx)) => Ok(*json_with_ctx),
+        VMResponse::Value(Value::Catchable(cek)) => Err(*cek),
+        msg => panic!(
+            "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+            msg
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Call the given value as if it was an attribute set containing a functor. The
+/// arguments must already be prepared on the stack when a generator frame from
+/// this function is invoked.
+///
+pub(crate) async fn call_functor(co: GenCo, value: Value) -> Result<Value, ErrorKind> {
+    let attrs = value.to_attrs()?;
+
+    match attrs.select("__functor") {
+        None => Err(ErrorKind::NotCallable("set without `__functor_` attribute")),
+        Some(functor) => {
+            // The functor receives the set itself as its first argument and
+            // needs to be called with it.
+            let functor = request_force(&co, functor.clone()).await;
+            let primed = request_call_with(&co, functor, [value]).await;
+            Ok(request_call(&co, primed).await)
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tvix/eval/src/vm/macros.rs b/tvix/eval/src/vm/macros.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d8a09706ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tvix/eval/src/vm/macros.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/// This module provides macros which are used in the implementation
+/// of the VM for the implementation of repetitive operations.
+
+/// This macro simplifies the implementation of arithmetic operations,
+/// correctly handling the behaviour on different pairings of number
+/// types.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! arithmetic_op {
+    ( $self:ident, $op:tt ) => {{ // TODO: remove
+        let b = $self.pop();
+        let a = $self.pop();
+        let result = fallible!($self, arithmetic_op!(&a, &b, $op));
+        $self.push(result);
+    }};
+
+    ( $a:expr, $b:expr, $op:tt ) => {{
+        match ($a, $b) {
+            (Value::Integer(i1), Value::Integer(i2)) => Ok(Value::Integer(i1 $op i2)),
+            (Value::Float(f1), Value::Float(f2)) => Ok(Value::Float(f1 $op f2)),
+            (Value::Integer(i1), Value::Float(f2)) => Ok(Value::Float(*i1 as f64 $op f2)),
+            (Value::Float(f1), Value::Integer(i2)) => Ok(Value::Float(f1 $op *i2 as f64)),
+
+            (v1, v2) => Err(ErrorKind::TypeError {
+                expected: "number (either int or float)",
+                actual: if v1.is_number() {
+                    v2.type_of()
+                } else {
+                    v1.type_of()
+                },
+            }),
+        }
+    }};
+}
+
+/// This macro simplifies the implementation of comparison operations.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! cmp_op {
+    ( $vm:ident, $frame:ident, $span:ident, $op:tt ) => {{
+        lifted_pop! {
+            $vm(b, a) => {
+                async fn compare(a: Value, b: Value, co: GenCo) -> Result<Value, ErrorKind> {
+                    let a = generators::request_force(&co, a).await;
+                    let b = generators::request_force(&co, b).await;
+                    let span = generators::request_span(&co).await;
+                    let ordering = a.nix_cmp_ordering(b, co, span).await?;
+                    match ordering {
+                        Err(cek) => Ok(Value::from(cek)),
+                        Ok(ordering) => Ok(Value::Bool(cmp_op!(@order $op ordering))),
+                    }
+                }
+
+                let gen_span = $frame.current_light_span();
+                $vm.push_call_frame($span, $frame);
+                $vm.enqueue_generator("compare", gen_span, |co| compare(a, b, co));
+                return Ok(false);
+            }
+        }
+    }};
+
+    (@order < $ordering:expr) => {
+        $ordering == Ordering::Less
+    };
+
+    (@order > $ordering:expr) => {
+        $ordering == Ordering::Greater
+    };
+
+    (@order <= $ordering:expr) => {
+        matches!($ordering, Ordering::Equal | Ordering::Less)
+    };
+
+    (@order >= $ordering:expr) => {
+        matches!($ordering, Ordering::Equal | Ordering::Greater)
+    };
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! lifted_pop {
+    ($vm:ident ($($bind:ident),+) => $body:expr) => {
+        {
+            $(
+                let $bind = $vm.stack_pop();
+            )+
+            $(
+                if $bind.is_catchable() {
+                    $vm.stack.push($bind);
+                    continue;
+                }
+            )+
+            $body
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tvix/eval/src/vm/mod.rs b/tvix/eval/src/vm/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c244cc3ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tvix/eval/src/vm/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,1368 @@
+//! This module implements the abstract/virtual machine that runs Tvix
+//! bytecode.
+//!
+//! The operation of the VM is facilitated by the [`Frame`] type,
+//! which controls the current execution state of the VM and is
+//! processed within the VM's operating loop.
+//!
+//! A [`VM`] is used by instantiating it with an initial [`Frame`],
+//! then triggering its execution and waiting for the VM to return or
+//! yield an error.
+
+pub mod generators;
+mod macros;
+
+use bstr::{BString, ByteSlice, ByteVec};
+use codemap::Span;
+use serde_json::json;
+use std::{cmp::Ordering, collections::HashMap, ops::DerefMut, path::PathBuf, rc::Rc};
+
+use crate::{
+    arithmetic_op,
+    chunk::Chunk,
+    cmp_op,
+    compiler::GlobalsMap,
+    errors::{CatchableErrorKind, Error, ErrorKind, EvalResult},
+    io::EvalIO,
+    lifted_pop,
+    nix_search_path::NixSearchPath,
+    observer::RuntimeObserver,
+    opcode::{CodeIdx, Count, JumpOffset, OpCode, StackIdx, UpvalueIdx},
+    spans::LightSpan,
+    upvalues::Upvalues,
+    value::{
+        Builtin, BuiltinResult, Closure, CoercionKind, Lambda, NixAttrs, NixContext, NixList,
+        PointerEquality, Thunk, Value,
+    },
+    vm::generators::GenCo,
+    warnings::{EvalWarning, WarningKind},
+    NixString, SourceCode,
+};
+
+use generators::{call_functor, Generator, GeneratorState};
+
+use self::generators::{VMRequest, VMResponse};
+
+/// Internal helper trait for taking a span from a variety of types, to make use
+/// of `WithSpan` (defined below) more ergonomic at call sites.
+trait GetSpan {
+    fn get_span(self) -> Span;
+}
+
+impl<'o, IO> GetSpan for &VM<'o, IO> {
+    fn get_span(self) -> Span {
+        self.reasonable_span.span()
+    }
+}
+
+impl GetSpan for &CallFrame {
+    fn get_span(self) -> Span {
+        self.current_span()
+    }
+}
+
+impl GetSpan for &LightSpan {
+    fn get_span(self) -> Span {
+        self.span()
+    }
+}
+
+impl GetSpan for Span {
+    fn get_span(self) -> Span {
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+/// Internal helper trait for ergonomically converting from a `Result<T,
+/// ErrorKind>` to a `Result<T, Error>` using the current span of a call frame,
+/// and chaining the VM's frame stack around it for printing a cause chain.
+trait WithSpan<T, S: GetSpan, IO> {
+    fn with_span(self, top_span: S, vm: &VM<IO>) -> Result<T, Error>;
+}
+
+impl<T, S: GetSpan, IO> WithSpan<T, S, IO> for Result<T, ErrorKind> {
+    fn with_span(self, top_span: S, vm: &VM<IO>) -> Result<T, Error> {
+        match self {
+            Ok(something) => Ok(something),
+            Err(kind) => {
+                let mut error = Error::new(kind, top_span.get_span(), vm.source.clone());
+
+                // Wrap the top-level error in chaining errors for each element
+                // of the frame stack.
+                for frame in vm.frames.iter().rev() {
+                    match frame {
+                        Frame::CallFrame { span, .. } => {
+                            error = Error::new(
+                                ErrorKind::BytecodeError(Box::new(error)),
+                                span.span(),
+                                vm.source.clone(),
+                            );
+                        }
+                        Frame::Generator { name, span, .. } => {
+                            error = Error::new(
+                                ErrorKind::NativeError {
+                                    err: Box::new(error),
+                                    gen_type: name,
+                                },
+                                span.span(),
+                                vm.source.clone(),
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                Err(error)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct CallFrame {
+    /// The lambda currently being executed.
+    lambda: Rc<Lambda>,
+
+    /// Optional captured upvalues of this frame (if a thunk or
+    /// closure if being evaluated).
+    upvalues: Rc<Upvalues>,
+
+    /// Instruction pointer to the instruction currently being
+    /// executed.
+    ip: CodeIdx,
+
+    /// Stack offset, i.e. the frames "view" into the VM's full stack.
+    stack_offset: usize,
+}
+
+impl CallFrame {
+    /// Retrieve an upvalue from this frame at the given index.
+    fn upvalue(&self, idx: UpvalueIdx) -> &Value {
+        &self.upvalues[idx]
+    }
+
+    /// Borrow the chunk of this frame's lambda.
+    fn chunk(&self) -> &Chunk {
+        &self.lambda.chunk
+    }
+
+    /// Increment this frame's instruction pointer and return the operation that
+    /// the pointer moved past.
+    fn inc_ip(&mut self) -> OpCode {
+        let op = self.chunk()[self.ip];
+        self.ip += 1;
+        op
+    }
+
+    /// Construct an error result from the given ErrorKind and the source span
+    /// of the current instruction.
+    pub fn error<T, IO>(&self, vm: &VM<IO>, kind: ErrorKind) -> Result<T, Error> {
+        Err(kind).with_span(self, vm)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the current span. This is potentially expensive and should only
+    /// be used when actually constructing an error or warning.
+    pub fn current_span(&self) -> Span {
+        self.chunk().get_span(self.ip - 1)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the information needed to calculate the current span,
+    /// but without performing that calculation.
+    // TODO: why pub?
+    pub(crate) fn current_light_span(&self) -> LightSpan {
+        LightSpan::new_actual(self.current_span())
+    }
+}
+
+/// A frame represents an execution state of the VM. The VM has a stack of
+/// frames representing the nesting of execution inside of the VM, and operates
+/// on the frame at the top.
+///
+/// When a frame has been fully executed, it is removed from the VM's frame
+/// stack and expected to leave a result [`Value`] on the top of the stack.
+enum Frame {
+    /// CallFrame represents the execution of Tvix bytecode within a thunk,
+    /// function or closure.
+    CallFrame {
+        /// The call frame itself, separated out into another type to pass it
+        /// around easily.
+        call_frame: CallFrame,
+
+        /// Span from which the call frame was launched.
+        span: LightSpan,
+    },
+
+    /// Generator represents a frame that can yield further
+    /// instructions to the VM while its execution is being driven.
+    ///
+    /// A generator is essentially an asynchronous function that can
+    /// be suspended while waiting for the VM to do something (e.g.
+    /// thunk forcing), and resume at the same point.
+    Generator {
+        /// human-readable description of the generator,
+        name: &'static str,
+
+        /// Span from which the generator was launched.
+        span: LightSpan,
+
+        state: GeneratorState,
+
+        /// Generator itself, which can be resumed with `.resume()`.
+        generator: Generator,
+    },
+}
+
+impl Frame {
+    pub fn span(&self) -> LightSpan {
+        match self {
+            Frame::CallFrame { span, .. } | Frame::Generator { span, .. } => span.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct ImportCache(HashMap<PathBuf, Value>);
+
+/// The `ImportCache` holds the `Value` resulting from `import`ing a certain
+/// file, so that the same file doesn't need to be re-evaluated multiple times.
+/// Currently the real path of the imported file (determined using
+/// [`std::fs::canonicalize()`], not to be confused with our
+/// [`crate::value::canon_path()`]) is used to identify the file,
+/// just like C++ Nix does.
+///
+/// Errors while determining the real path are currently just ignored, since we
+/// pass around some fake paths like `/__corepkgs__/fetchurl.nix`.
+///
+/// In the future, we could use something more sophisticated, like file hashes.
+/// However, a consideration is that the eval cache is observable via impurities
+/// like pointer equality and `builtins.trace`.
+impl ImportCache {
+    fn get(&self, path: PathBuf) -> Option<&Value> {
+        let path = match std::fs::canonicalize(path.as_path()).map_err(ErrorKind::from) {
+            Ok(path) => path,
+            Err(_) => path,
+        };
+        self.0.get(&path)
+    }
+
+    fn insert(&mut self, path: PathBuf, value: Value) -> Option<Value> {
+        self.0.insert(
+            match std::fs::canonicalize(path.as_path()).map_err(ErrorKind::from) {
+                Ok(path) => path,
+                Err(_) => path,
+            },
+            value,
+        )
+    }
+}
+
+struct VM<'o, IO> {
+    /// VM's frame stack, representing the execution contexts the VM is working
+    /// through. Elements are usually pushed when functions are called, or
+    /// thunks are being forced.
+    frames: Vec<Frame>,
+
+    /// The VM's top-level value stack. Within this stack, each code-executing
+    /// frame holds a "view" of the stack representing the slice of the
+    /// top-level stack that is relevant to its operation. This is done to avoid
+    /// allocating a new `Vec` for each frame's stack.
+    pub(crate) stack: Vec<Value>,
+
+    /// Stack indices (absolute indexes into `stack`) of attribute
+    /// sets from which variables should be dynamically resolved
+    /// (`with`).
+    with_stack: Vec<usize>,
+
+    /// Runtime warnings collected during evaluation.
+    warnings: Vec<EvalWarning>,
+
+    /// Import cache, mapping absolute file paths to the value that
+    /// they compile to. Note that this reuses thunks, too!
+    // TODO: should probably be based on a file hash
+    pub import_cache: ImportCache,
+
+    /// Data structure holding all source code evaluated in this VM,
+    /// used for pretty error reporting.
+    source: SourceCode,
+
+    /// Parsed Nix search path, which is used to resolve `<...>`
+    /// references.
+    nix_search_path: NixSearchPath,
+
+    /// Implementation of I/O operations used for impure builtins and
+    /// features like `import`.
+    io_handle: IO,
+
+    /// Runtime observer which can print traces of runtime operations.
+    observer: &'o mut dyn RuntimeObserver,
+
+    /// Strong reference to the globals, guaranteeing that they are
+    /// kept alive for the duration of evaluation.
+    ///
+    /// This is important because recursive builtins (specifically
+    /// `import`) hold a weak reference to the builtins, while the
+    /// original strong reference is held by the compiler which does
+    /// not exist anymore at runtime.
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    globals: Rc<GlobalsMap>,
+
+    /// A reasonably applicable span that can be used for errors in each
+    /// execution situation.
+    ///
+    /// The VM should update this whenever control flow changes take place (i.e.
+    /// entering or exiting a frame to yield control somewhere).
+    reasonable_span: LightSpan,
+
+    /// This field is responsible for handling `builtins.tryEval`. When that
+    /// builtin is encountered, it sends a special message to the VM which
+    /// pushes the frame index that requested to be informed of catchable
+    /// errors in this field.
+    ///
+    /// The frame stack is then laid out like this:
+    ///
+    /// ```notrust
+    /// โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”
+    /// โ”‚ 0โ”‚ `Result`-producing frame โ”‚
+    /// โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”ผโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ค
+    /// โ”‚-1โ”‚ `builtins.tryEval` frame โ”‚
+    /// โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”ผโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ค
+    /// โ”‚..โ”‚ ... other frames ...     โ”‚
+    /// โ””โ”€โ”€โ”ดโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”˜
+    /// ```
+    ///
+    /// Control is yielded to the outer VM loop, which evaluates the next frame
+    /// and returns the result itself to the `builtins.tryEval` frame.
+    try_eval_frames: Vec<usize>,
+}
+
+impl<'o, IO> VM<'o, IO>
+where
+    IO: AsRef<dyn EvalIO> + 'static,
+{
+    pub fn new(
+        nix_search_path: NixSearchPath,
+        io_handle: IO,
+        observer: &'o mut dyn RuntimeObserver,
+        source: SourceCode,
+        globals: Rc<GlobalsMap>,
+        reasonable_span: LightSpan,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            nix_search_path,
+            io_handle,
+            observer,
+            globals,
+            reasonable_span,
+            source,
+            frames: vec![],
+            stack: vec![],
+            with_stack: vec![],
+            warnings: vec![],
+            import_cache: Default::default(),
+            try_eval_frames: vec![],
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Push a call frame onto the frame stack.
+    fn push_call_frame(&mut self, span: LightSpan, call_frame: CallFrame) {
+        self.frames.push(Frame::CallFrame { span, call_frame })
+    }
+
+    /// Run the VM's primary (outer) execution loop, continuing execution based
+    /// on the current frame at the top of the frame stack.
+    fn execute(mut self) -> EvalResult<RuntimeResult> {
+        while let Some(frame) = self.frames.pop() {
+            self.reasonable_span = frame.span();
+            let frame_id = self.frames.len();
+
+            match frame {
+                Frame::CallFrame { call_frame, span } => {
+                    self.observer
+                        .observe_enter_call_frame(0, &call_frame.lambda, frame_id);
+
+                    match self.execute_bytecode(span, call_frame) {
+                        Ok(true) => self.observer.observe_exit_call_frame(frame_id, &self.stack),
+                        Ok(false) => self
+                            .observer
+                            .observe_suspend_call_frame(frame_id, &self.stack),
+
+                        Err(err) => return Err(err),
+                    };
+                }
+
+                // Handle generator frames, which can request thunk forcing
+                // during their execution.
+                Frame::Generator {
+                    name,
+                    span,
+                    state,
+                    generator,
+                } => {
+                    self.observer
+                        .observe_enter_generator(frame_id, name, &self.stack);
+
+                    match self.run_generator(name, span, frame_id, state, generator, None) {
+                        Ok(true) => {
+                            self.observer
+                                .observe_exit_generator(frame_id, name, &self.stack)
+                        }
+                        Ok(false) => {
+                            self.observer
+                                .observe_suspend_generator(frame_id, name, &self.stack)
+                        }
+
+                        Err(err) => return Err(err),
+                    };
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Once no more frames are present, return the stack's top value as the
+        // result.
+        let value = self
+            .stack
+            .pop()
+            .expect("tvix bug: runtime stack empty after execution");
+        Ok(RuntimeResult {
+            value,
+            warnings: self.warnings,
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Run the VM's inner execution loop, processing Tvix bytecode from a
+    /// chunk. This function returns if:
+    ///
+    /// 1. The code has run to the end, and has left a value on the top of the
+    ///    stack. In this case, the frame is not returned to the frame stack.
+    ///
+    /// 2. The code encounters a generator, in which case the frame in its
+    /// current state is pushed back on the stack, and the generator is left on
+    /// top of it for the outer loop to execute.
+    ///
+    /// 3. An error is encountered.
+    ///
+    /// This function *must* ensure that it leaves the frame stack in the
+    /// correct order, especially when re-enqueuing a frame to execute.
+    ///
+    /// The return value indicates whether the bytecode has been executed to
+    /// completion, or whether it has been suspended in favour of a generator.
+    fn execute_bytecode(&mut self, span: LightSpan, mut frame: CallFrame) -> EvalResult<bool> {
+        loop {
+            let op = frame.inc_ip();
+            self.observer.observe_execute_op(frame.ip, &op, &self.stack);
+
+            match op {
+                OpCode::OpThunkSuspended(idx) | OpCode::OpThunkClosure(idx) => {
+                    let blueprint = match &frame.chunk()[idx] {
+                        Value::Blueprint(lambda) => lambda.clone(),
+                        _ => panic!("compiler bug: non-blueprint in blueprint slot"),
+                    };
+
+                    let upvalue_count = blueprint.upvalue_count;
+                    let thunk = if matches!(op, OpCode::OpThunkClosure(_)) {
+                        debug_assert!(
+                            upvalue_count > 0,
+                            "OpThunkClosure should not be called for plain lambdas"
+                        );
+                        Thunk::new_closure(blueprint)
+                    } else {
+                        Thunk::new_suspended(blueprint, frame.current_light_span())
+                    };
+                    let upvalues = thunk.upvalues_mut();
+                    self.stack.push(Value::Thunk(thunk.clone()));
+
+                    // From this point on we internally mutate the
+                    // upvalues. The closure (if `is_closure`) is
+                    // already in its stack slot, which means that it
+                    // can capture itself as an upvalue for
+                    // self-recursion.
+                    self.populate_upvalues(&mut frame, upvalue_count, upvalues)?;
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpForce => {
+                    if let Some(Value::Thunk(_)) = self.stack.last() {
+                        let thunk = match self.stack_pop() {
+                            Value::Thunk(t) => t,
+                            _ => unreachable!(),
+                        };
+
+                        let gen_span = frame.current_light_span();
+
+                        self.push_call_frame(span, frame);
+                        self.enqueue_generator("force", gen_span.clone(), |co| {
+                            Thunk::force(thunk, co, gen_span)
+                        });
+
+                        return Ok(false);
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpGetUpvalue(upv_idx) => {
+                    let value = frame.upvalue(upv_idx).clone();
+                    self.stack.push(value);
+                }
+
+                // Discard the current frame.
+                OpCode::OpReturn => {
+                    // TODO(amjoseph): I think this should assert `==` rather
+                    // than `<=` but it fails with the stricter condition.
+                    debug_assert!(self.stack.len() - 1 <= frame.stack_offset);
+                    return Ok(true);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpConstant(idx) => {
+                    let c = frame.chunk()[idx].clone();
+                    self.stack.push(c);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpCall => {
+                    let callable = self.stack_pop();
+                    self.call_value(frame.current_light_span(), Some((span, frame)), callable)?;
+
+                    // exit this loop and let the outer loop enter the new call
+                    return Ok(true);
+                }
+
+                // Remove the given number of elements from the stack,
+                // but retain the top value.
+                OpCode::OpCloseScope(Count(count)) => {
+                    // Immediately move the top value into the right
+                    // position.
+                    let target_idx = self.stack.len() - 1 - count;
+                    self.stack[target_idx] = self.stack_pop();
+
+                    // Then drop the remaining values.
+                    for _ in 0..(count - 1) {
+                        self.stack.pop();
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpClosure(idx) => {
+                    let blueprint = match &frame.chunk()[idx] {
+                        Value::Blueprint(lambda) => lambda.clone(),
+                        _ => panic!("compiler bug: non-blueprint in blueprint slot"),
+                    };
+
+                    let upvalue_count = blueprint.upvalue_count;
+                    debug_assert!(
+                        upvalue_count > 0,
+                        "OpClosure should not be called for plain lambdas"
+                    );
+
+                    let mut upvalues = Upvalues::with_capacity(blueprint.upvalue_count);
+                    self.populate_upvalues(&mut frame, upvalue_count, &mut upvalues)?;
+                    self.stack
+                        .push(Value::Closure(Rc::new(Closure::new_with_upvalues(
+                            Rc::new(upvalues),
+                            blueprint,
+                        ))));
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAttrsSelect => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(key, attrs) => {
+                        let key = key.to_str().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        let attrs = attrs.to_attrs().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+
+                        match attrs.select(&key) {
+                            Some(value) => self.stack.push(value.clone()),
+
+                            None => {
+                                return frame.error(
+                                    self,
+                                    ErrorKind::AttributeNotFound {
+                                        name: key.to_str_lossy().into_owned()
+                                    },
+                                );
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpJumpIfFalse(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    if !self.stack_peek(0).as_bool().with_span(&frame, self)? {
+                        frame.ip += offset;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpJumpIfCatchable(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    if self.stack_peek(0).is_catchable() {
+                        frame.ip += offset;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpJumpIfNoFinaliseRequest(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    match self.stack_peek(0) {
+                        Value::FinaliseRequest(finalise) => {
+                            if !finalise {
+                                frame.ip += offset;
+                            }
+                        },
+                        val => panic!("Tvix bug: OpJumIfNoFinaliseRequest: expected FinaliseRequest, but got {}", val.type_of()),
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpPop => {
+                    self.stack.pop();
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAttrsTrySelect => {
+                    let key = self.stack_pop().to_str().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                    let value = match self.stack_pop() {
+                        Value::Attrs(attrs) => match attrs.select(&key) {
+                            Some(value) => value.clone(),
+                            None => Value::AttrNotFound,
+                        },
+
+                        _ => Value::AttrNotFound,
+                    };
+
+                    self.stack.push(value);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpGetLocal(StackIdx(local_idx)) => {
+                    let idx = frame.stack_offset + local_idx;
+                    self.stack.push(self.stack[idx].clone());
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpJumpIfNotFound(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    if matches!(self.stack_peek(0), Value::AttrNotFound) {
+                        self.stack_pop();
+                        frame.ip += offset;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpJump(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    frame.ip += offset;
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpEqual => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(b, a) => {
+                        let gen_span = frame.current_light_span();
+                        self.push_call_frame(span, frame);
+                        self.enqueue_generator("nix_eq", gen_span.clone(), |co| {
+                            a.nix_eq_owned_genco(b, co, PointerEquality::ForbidAll, gen_span)
+                        });
+                        return Ok(false);
+                    }
+                },
+
+                // These assertion operations error out if the stack
+                // top is not of the expected type. This is necessary
+                // to implement some specific behaviours of Nix
+                // exactly.
+                OpCode::OpAssertBool => {
+                    let val = self.stack_peek(0);
+                    // TODO(edef): propagate this into is_bool, since bottom values *are* values of any type
+                    if !val.is_catchable() && !val.is_bool() {
+                        return frame.error(
+                            self,
+                            ErrorKind::TypeError {
+                                expected: "bool",
+                                actual: val.type_of(),
+                            },
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAssertAttrs => {
+                    let val = self.stack_peek(0);
+                    // TODO(edef): propagate this into is_attrs, since bottom values *are* values of any type
+                    if !val.is_catchable() && !val.is_attrs() {
+                        return frame.error(
+                            self,
+                            ErrorKind::TypeError {
+                                expected: "set",
+                                actual: val.type_of(),
+                            },
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAttrs(Count(count)) => self.run_attrset(&frame, count)?,
+
+                OpCode::OpAttrsUpdate => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(rhs, lhs) => {
+                        let rhs = rhs.to_attrs().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        let lhs = lhs.to_attrs().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(Value::attrs(lhs.update(*rhs)))
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpInvert => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(v) => {
+                        let v = v.as_bool().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(Value::Bool(!v));
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpList(Count(count)) => {
+                    let list =
+                        NixList::construct(count, self.stack.split_off(self.stack.len() - count));
+
+                    self.stack.push(Value::List(list));
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpJumpIfTrue(JumpOffset(offset)) => {
+                    debug_assert!(offset != 0);
+                    if self.stack_peek(0).as_bool().with_span(&frame, self)? {
+                        frame.ip += offset;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpHasAttr => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(key, attrs) => {
+                        let key = key.to_str().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        let result = match attrs {
+                            Value::Attrs(attrs) => attrs.contains(&key),
+
+                            // Nix allows use of `?` on non-set types, but
+                            // always returns false in those cases.
+                            _ => false,
+                        };
+
+                        self.stack.push(Value::Bool(result));
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpConcat => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(rhs, lhs) => {
+                        let rhs = rhs.to_list().with_span(&frame, self)?.into_inner();
+                        let lhs = lhs.to_list().with_span(&frame, self)?.into_inner();
+                        self.stack.push(Value::List(NixList::from(lhs + rhs)))
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpResolveWith => {
+                    let ident = self.stack_pop().to_str().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+
+                    // Re-enqueue this frame.
+                    let op_span = frame.current_light_span();
+                    self.push_call_frame(span, frame);
+
+                    // Construct a generator frame doing the lookup in constant
+                    // stack space.
+                    let with_stack_len = self.with_stack.len();
+                    let closed_with_stack_len = self
+                        .last_call_frame()
+                        .map(|frame| frame.upvalues.with_stack_len())
+                        .unwrap_or(0);
+
+                    self.enqueue_generator("resolve_with", op_span, |co| {
+                        resolve_with(
+                            co,
+                            ident.as_bstr().to_owned(),
+                            with_stack_len,
+                            closed_with_stack_len,
+                        )
+                    });
+
+                    return Ok(false);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpFinalise(StackIdx(idx)) => match &self.stack[frame.stack_offset + idx] {
+                    Value::Closure(_) => panic!("attempted to finalise a closure"),
+                    Value::Thunk(thunk) => thunk.finalise(&self.stack[frame.stack_offset..]),
+                    _ => panic!("attempted to finalise a non-thunk"),
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpCoerceToString(kind) => {
+                    let value = self.stack_pop();
+                    let gen_span = frame.current_light_span();
+                    self.push_call_frame(span, frame);
+
+                    self.enqueue_generator("coerce_to_string", gen_span.clone(), |co| {
+                        value.coerce_to_string(co, kind, gen_span)
+                    });
+
+                    return Ok(false);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpInterpolate(Count(count)) => self.run_interpolate(&frame, count)?,
+
+                OpCode::OpValidateClosedFormals => {
+                    let formals = frame.lambda.formals.as_ref().expect(
+                        "OpValidateClosedFormals called within the frame of a lambda without formals",
+                    );
+
+                    let peeked = self.stack_peek(0);
+                    if peeked.is_catchable() {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    let args = peeked.to_attrs().with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                    for arg in args.keys() {
+                        if !formals.contains(arg) {
+                            return frame.error(
+                                self,
+                                ErrorKind::UnexpectedArgument {
+                                    arg: arg.clone(),
+                                    formals_span: formals.span,
+                                },
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAdd => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(b, a) => {
+                        let gen_span = frame.current_light_span();
+                        self.push_call_frame(span, frame);
+
+                        // OpAdd can add not just numbers, but also string-like
+                        // things, which requires more VM logic. This operation is
+                        // evaluated in a generator frame.
+                        self.enqueue_generator("add_values", gen_span, |co| add_values(co, a, b));
+                        return Ok(false);
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpSub => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(b, a) => {
+                        let result = arithmetic_op!(&a, &b, -).with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(result);
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpMul => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(b, a) => {
+                        let result = arithmetic_op!(&a, &b, *).with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(result);
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpDiv => lifted_pop! {
+                    self(b, a) => {
+                        match b {
+                            Value::Integer(0) => return frame.error(self, ErrorKind::DivisionByZero),
+                            Value::Float(b) if b == 0.0_f64 => {
+                                return frame.error(self, ErrorKind::DivisionByZero)
+                            }
+                            _ => {}
+                        };
+
+                        let result = arithmetic_op!(&a, &b, /).with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(result);
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpNegate => match self.stack_pop() {
+                    Value::Integer(i) => self.stack.push(Value::Integer(-i)),
+                    Value::Float(f) => self.stack.push(Value::Float(-f)),
+                    Value::Catchable(cex) => self.stack.push(Value::Catchable(cex)),
+                    v => {
+                        return frame.error(
+                            self,
+                            ErrorKind::TypeError {
+                                expected: "number (either int or float)",
+                                actual: v.type_of(),
+                            },
+                        );
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpLess => cmp_op!(self, frame, span, <),
+                OpCode::OpLessOrEq => cmp_op!(self, frame, span, <=),
+                OpCode::OpMore => cmp_op!(self, frame, span, >),
+                OpCode::OpMoreOrEq => cmp_op!(self, frame, span, >=),
+
+                OpCode::OpFindFile => match self.stack_pop() {
+                    Value::UnresolvedPath(path) => {
+                        let resolved = self
+                            .nix_search_path
+                            .resolve(&self.io_handle, *path)
+                            .with_span(&frame, self)?;
+                        self.stack.push(resolved.into());
+                    }
+
+                    _ => panic!("tvix compiler bug: OpFindFile called on non-UnresolvedPath"),
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpResolveHomePath => match self.stack_pop() {
+                    Value::UnresolvedPath(path) => {
+                        match dirs::home_dir() {
+                            None => {
+                                return frame.error(
+                                    self,
+                                    ErrorKind::RelativePathResolution(
+                                        "failed to determine home directory".into(),
+                                    ),
+                                );
+                            }
+                            Some(mut buf) => {
+                                buf.push(*path);
+                                self.stack.push(buf.into());
+                            }
+                        };
+                    }
+
+                    _ => {
+                        panic!("tvix compiler bug: OpResolveHomePath called on non-UnresolvedPath")
+                    }
+                },
+
+                OpCode::OpPushWith(StackIdx(idx)) => self.with_stack.push(frame.stack_offset + idx),
+
+                OpCode::OpPopWith => {
+                    self.with_stack.pop();
+                }
+
+                OpCode::OpAssertFail => {
+                    self.stack
+                        .push(Value::from(CatchableErrorKind::AssertionFailed));
+                }
+
+                // Data-carrying operands should never be executed,
+                // that is a critical error in the VM/compiler.
+                OpCode::DataStackIdx(_)
+                | OpCode::DataDeferredLocal(_)
+                | OpCode::DataUpvalueIdx(_)
+                | OpCode::DataCaptureWith => {
+                    panic!("Tvix bug: attempted to execute data-carrying operand")
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Implementation of helper functions for the runtime logic above.
+impl<'o, IO> VM<'o, IO>
+where
+    IO: AsRef<dyn EvalIO> + 'static,
+{
+    pub(crate) fn stack_pop(&mut self) -> Value {
+        self.stack.pop().expect("runtime stack empty")
+    }
+
+    fn stack_peek(&self, offset: usize) -> &Value {
+        &self.stack[self.stack.len() - 1 - offset]
+    }
+
+    fn run_attrset(&mut self, frame: &CallFrame, count: usize) -> EvalResult<()> {
+        let attrs = NixAttrs::construct(count, self.stack.split_off(self.stack.len() - count * 2))
+            .with_span(frame, self)?
+            .map(Value::attrs)
+            .into();
+
+        self.stack.push(attrs);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Access the last call frame present in the frame stack.
+    fn last_call_frame(&self) -> Option<&CallFrame> {
+        for frame in self.frames.iter().rev() {
+            if let Frame::CallFrame { call_frame, .. } = frame {
+                return Some(call_frame);
+            }
+        }
+
+        None
+    }
+
+    /// Push an already constructed warning.
+    pub fn push_warning(&mut self, warning: EvalWarning) {
+        self.warnings.push(warning);
+    }
+
+    /// Emit a warning with the given WarningKind and the source span
+    /// of the current instruction.
+    pub fn emit_warning(&mut self, kind: WarningKind) {
+        self.push_warning(EvalWarning {
+            kind,
+            span: self.get_span(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// Interpolate string fragments by popping the specified number of
+    /// fragments of the stack, evaluating them to strings, and pushing
+    /// the concatenated result string back on the stack.
+    fn run_interpolate(&mut self, frame: &CallFrame, count: usize) -> EvalResult<()> {
+        let mut out = BString::default();
+        // Interpolation propagates the context and union them.
+        let mut context: NixContext = NixContext::new();
+
+        for i in 0..count {
+            let val = self.stack_pop();
+            if val.is_catchable() {
+                for _ in (i + 1)..count {
+                    self.stack.pop();
+                }
+                self.stack.push(val);
+                return Ok(());
+            }
+            let mut nix_string = val.to_contextful_str().with_span(frame, self)?;
+            out.push_str(nix_string.as_bstr());
+            if let Some(nix_string_ctx) = nix_string.context_mut() {
+                context = context.join(nix_string_ctx);
+            }
+        }
+
+        self.stack
+            .push(Value::String(NixString::new_context_from(context, out)));
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Returns a reasonable light span for the current situation that the VM is
+    /// in.
+    pub fn reasonable_light_span(&self) -> LightSpan {
+        self.reasonable_span.clone()
+    }
+
+    /// Apply an argument from the stack to a builtin, and attempt to call it.
+    ///
+    /// All calls are tail-calls in Tvix, as every function application is a
+    /// separate thunk and OpCall is thus the last result in the thunk.
+    ///
+    /// Due to this, once control flow exits this function, the generator will
+    /// automatically be run by the VM.
+    fn call_builtin(&mut self, span: LightSpan, mut builtin: Builtin) -> EvalResult<()> {
+        let builtin_name = builtin.name();
+        self.observer.observe_enter_builtin(builtin_name);
+
+        builtin.apply_arg(self.stack_pop());
+
+        match builtin.call() {
+            // Partially applied builtin is just pushed back on the stack.
+            BuiltinResult::Partial(partial) => self.stack.push(Value::Builtin(partial)),
+
+            // Builtin is fully applied and the generator needs to be run by the VM.
+            BuiltinResult::Called(name, generator) => self.frames.push(Frame::Generator {
+                generator,
+                span,
+                name,
+                state: GeneratorState::Running,
+            }),
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn call_value(
+        &mut self,
+        span: LightSpan,
+        parent: Option<(LightSpan, CallFrame)>,
+        callable: Value,
+    ) -> EvalResult<()> {
+        match callable {
+            Value::Builtin(builtin) => self.call_builtin(span, builtin),
+            Value::Thunk(thunk) => self.call_value(span, parent, thunk.value().clone()),
+
+            Value::Closure(closure) => {
+                let lambda = closure.lambda();
+                self.observer.observe_tail_call(self.frames.len(), &lambda);
+
+                // The stack offset is always `stack.len() - arg_count`, and
+                // since this branch handles native Nix functions (which always
+                // take only a single argument and are curried), the offset is
+                // `stack_len - 1`.
+                let stack_offset = self.stack.len() - 1;
+
+                // Reenqueue the parent frame, which should only have
+                // `OpReturn` left. Not throwing it away leads to more
+                // useful error traces.
+                if let Some((parent_span, parent_frame)) = parent {
+                    self.push_call_frame(parent_span, parent_frame);
+                }
+
+                self.push_call_frame(
+                    span,
+                    CallFrame {
+                        lambda,
+                        upvalues: closure.upvalues(),
+                        ip: CodeIdx(0),
+                        stack_offset,
+                    },
+                );
+
+                Ok(())
+            }
+
+            // Attribute sets with a __functor attribute are callable.
+            val @ Value::Attrs(_) => {
+                if let Some((parent_span, parent_frame)) = parent {
+                    self.push_call_frame(parent_span, parent_frame);
+                }
+
+                self.enqueue_generator("__functor call", span, |co| call_functor(co, val));
+                Ok(())
+            }
+
+            val @ Value::Catchable(_) => {
+                // the argument that we tried to apply a catchable to
+                self.stack.pop();
+                // applying a `throw` to anything is still a `throw`, so we just
+                // push it back on the stack.
+                self.stack.push(val);
+                Ok(())
+            }
+
+            v => Err(ErrorKind::NotCallable(v.type_of())).with_span(&span, self),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Populate the upvalue fields of a thunk or closure under construction.
+    fn populate_upvalues(
+        &mut self,
+        frame: &mut CallFrame,
+        count: usize,
+        mut upvalues: impl DerefMut<Target = Upvalues>,
+    ) -> EvalResult<()> {
+        for _ in 0..count {
+            match frame.inc_ip() {
+                OpCode::DataStackIdx(StackIdx(stack_idx)) => {
+                    let idx = frame.stack_offset + stack_idx;
+
+                    let val = match self.stack.get(idx) {
+                        Some(val) => val.clone(),
+                        None => {
+                            return frame.error(
+                                self,
+                                ErrorKind::TvixBug {
+                                    msg: "upvalue to be captured was missing on stack",
+                                    metadata: Some(Rc::new(json!({
+                                        "ip": format!("{:#x}", frame.ip.0 - 1),
+                                        "stack_idx(relative)": stack_idx,
+                                        "stack_idx(absolute)": idx,
+                                    }))),
+                                },
+                            );
+                        }
+                    };
+
+                    upvalues.deref_mut().push(val);
+                }
+
+                OpCode::DataUpvalueIdx(upv_idx) => {
+                    upvalues.deref_mut().push(frame.upvalue(upv_idx).clone());
+                }
+
+                OpCode::DataDeferredLocal(idx) => {
+                    upvalues.deref_mut().push(Value::DeferredUpvalue(idx));
+                }
+
+                OpCode::DataCaptureWith => {
+                    // Start the captured with_stack off of the
+                    // current call frame's captured with_stack, ...
+                    let mut captured_with_stack = frame
+                        .upvalues
+                        .with_stack()
+                        .cloned()
+                        // ... or make an empty one if there isn't one already.
+                        .unwrap_or_else(|| Vec::with_capacity(self.with_stack.len()));
+
+                    for idx in &self.with_stack {
+                        captured_with_stack.push(self.stack[*idx].clone());
+                    }
+
+                    upvalues.deref_mut().set_with_stack(captured_with_stack);
+                }
+
+                _ => panic!("compiler error: missing closure operand"),
+            }
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+// TODO(amjoseph): de-asyncify this
+/// Resolve a dynamically bound identifier (through `with`) by looking
+/// for matching values in the with-stacks carried at runtime.
+async fn resolve_with(
+    co: GenCo,
+    ident: BString,
+    vm_with_len: usize,
+    upvalue_with_len: usize,
+) -> Result<Value, ErrorKind> {
+    /// Fetch and force a value on the with-stack from the VM.
+    async fn fetch_forced_with(co: &GenCo, idx: usize) -> Value {
+        match co.yield_(VMRequest::WithValue(idx)).await {
+            VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+            msg => panic!(
+                "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+                msg
+            ),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fetch and force a value on the *captured* with-stack from the VM.
+    async fn fetch_captured_with(co: &GenCo, idx: usize) -> Value {
+        match co.yield_(VMRequest::CapturedWithValue(idx)).await {
+            VMResponse::Value(value) => value,
+            msg => panic!(
+                "Tvix bug: VM responded with incorrect generator message: {}",
+                msg
+            ),
+        }
+    }
+
+    for with_stack_idx in (0..vm_with_len).rev() {
+        // TODO(tazjin): is this branch still live with the current with-thunking?
+        let with = fetch_forced_with(&co, with_stack_idx).await;
+
+        if with.is_catchable() {
+            return Ok(with);
+        }
+
+        match with.to_attrs()?.select(&ident) {
+            None => continue,
+            Some(val) => return Ok(val.clone()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    for upvalue_with_idx in (0..upvalue_with_len).rev() {
+        let with = fetch_captured_with(&co, upvalue_with_idx).await;
+
+        if with.is_catchable() {
+            return Ok(with);
+        }
+
+        match with.to_attrs()?.select(&ident) {
+            None => continue,
+            Some(val) => return Ok(val.clone()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    Err(ErrorKind::UnknownDynamicVariable(ident.to_string()))
+}
+
+// TODO(amjoseph): de-asyncify this
+async fn add_values(co: GenCo, a: Value, b: Value) -> Result<Value, ErrorKind> {
+    // What we try to do is solely determined by the type of the first value!
+    let result = match (a, b) {
+        (Value::Path(p), v) => {
+            let mut path = p.into_os_string();
+            match generators::request_string_coerce(
+                &co,
+                v,
+                CoercionKind {
+                    strong: false,
+
+                    // Concatenating a Path with something else results in a
+                    // Path, so we don't need to import any paths (paths
+                    // imported by Nix always exist as a string, unless
+                    // converted by the user). In C++ Nix they even may not
+                    // contain any string context, the resulting error of such a
+                    // case can not be replicated by us.
+                    import_paths: false,
+                    // FIXME(raitobezarius): per https://b.tvl.fyi/issues/364, this is a usecase
+                    // for having a `reject_context: true` option here. This didn't occur yet in
+                    // nixpkgs during my evaluations, therefore, I skipped it.
+                },
+            )
+            .await
+            {
+                Ok(vs) => {
+                    path.push(vs.to_os_str()?);
+                    crate::value::canon_path(PathBuf::from(path)).into()
+                }
+                Err(c) => Value::Catchable(Box::new(c)),
+            }
+        }
+        (Value::String(s1), Value::String(s2)) => Value::String(s1.concat(&s2)),
+        (Value::String(s1), v) => generators::request_string_coerce(
+            &co,
+            v,
+            CoercionKind {
+                strong: false,
+                // Behaves the same as string interpolation
+                import_paths: true,
+            },
+        )
+        .await
+        .map(|s2| Value::String(s1.concat(&s2)))
+        .into(),
+        (a @ Value::Integer(_), b) | (a @ Value::Float(_), b) => arithmetic_op!(&a, &b, +)?,
+        (a, b) => {
+            let r1 = generators::request_string_coerce(
+                &co,
+                a,
+                CoercionKind {
+                    strong: false,
+                    import_paths: false,
+                },
+            )
+            .await;
+            let r2 = generators::request_string_coerce(
+                &co,
+                b,
+                CoercionKind {
+                    strong: false,
+                    import_paths: false,
+                },
+            )
+            .await;
+            match (r1, r2) {
+                (Ok(s1), Ok(s2)) => Value::String(s1.concat(&s2)),
+                (Err(c), _) => return Ok(Value::from(c)),
+                (_, Err(c)) => return Ok(Value::from(c)),
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    Ok(result)
+}
+
+/// The result of a VM's runtime evaluation.
+pub struct RuntimeResult {
+    pub value: Value,
+    pub warnings: Vec<EvalWarning>,
+}
+
+// TODO(amjoseph): de-asyncify this
+/// Generator that retrieves the final value from the stack, and deep-forces it
+/// before returning.
+async fn final_deep_force(co: GenCo) -> Result<Value, ErrorKind> {
+    let value = generators::request_stack_pop(&co).await;
+    Ok(generators::request_deep_force(&co, value).await)
+}
+
+pub fn run_lambda<IO>(
+    nix_search_path: NixSearchPath,
+    io_handle: IO,
+    observer: &mut dyn RuntimeObserver,
+    source: SourceCode,
+    globals: Rc<GlobalsMap>,
+    lambda: Rc<Lambda>,
+    strict: bool,
+) -> EvalResult<RuntimeResult>
+where
+    IO: AsRef<dyn EvalIO> + 'static,
+{
+    // Retain the top-level span of the expression in this lambda, as
+    // synthetic "calls" in deep_force will otherwise not have a span
+    // to fall back to.
+    //
+    // We exploit the fact that the compiler emits a final instruction
+    // with the span of the entire file for top-level expressions.
+    let root_span = lambda.chunk.get_span(CodeIdx(lambda.chunk.code.len() - 1));
+
+    let mut vm = VM::new(
+        nix_search_path,
+        io_handle,
+        observer,
+        source,
+        globals,
+        root_span.into(),
+    );
+
+    // When evaluating strictly, synthesise a frame that will instruct
+    // the VM to deep-force the final value before returning it.
+    if strict {
+        vm.enqueue_generator("final_deep_force", root_span.into(), final_deep_force);
+    }
+
+    vm.frames.push(Frame::CallFrame {
+        span: root_span.into(),
+        call_frame: CallFrame {
+            lambda,
+            upvalues: Rc::new(Upvalues::with_capacity(0)),
+            ip: CodeIdx(0),
+            stack_offset: 0,
+        },
+    });
+
+    vm.execute()
+}