diff --git a/node/bindnode/example_test.go b/node/bindnode/example_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..17db56a111b3b2312af5480ac86d3cb90ea48657
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/bindnode/example_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package bindnode_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	ipld "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/codec/dagjson"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/fluent/qp"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/bindnode"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/schema"
+	"github.com/polydawn/refmt/json"
+)
+
+func ExamplePrototypeOnlySchema() {
+	ts := schema.TypeSystem{}
+	ts.Init()
+	ts.Accumulate(schema.SpawnString("String"))
+	ts.Accumulate(schema.SpawnInt("Int"))
+	ts.Accumulate(schema.SpawnStruct("Person",
+		[]schema.StructField{
+			schema.SpawnStructField("Name", "String", false, false),
+			schema.SpawnStructField("Age", "Int", true, false),
+			schema.SpawnStructField("Friends", "List_String", false, false),
+		},
+		schema.SpawnStructRepresentationMap(nil),
+	))
+	ts.Accumulate(schema.SpawnList("List_String", "String", false))
+
+	schemaType := ts.TypeByName("Person")
+	proto := bindnode.PrototypeOnlySchema(schemaType)
+
+	n, err := qp.BuildMap(proto, -1, func(ma ipld.MapAssembler) {
+		qp.MapEntry(ma, "Name", qp.String("Michael"))
+		qp.MapEntry(ma, "Friends", qp.List(-1, func(la ipld.ListAssembler) {
+			qp.ListEntry(la, qp.String("Sarah"))
+			qp.ListEntry(la, qp.String("Alex"))
+		}))
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	nr := n.(schema.TypedNode).Representation()
+	dagjson.Marshal(nr, json.NewEncoder(os.Stdout, json.EncodeOptions{}), true)
+
+	// Output:
+	// {"Name":"Michael","Friends":["Sarah","Alex"]}
+}
diff --git a/node/bindnode/node.go b/node/bindnode/node.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b25b0eb95f4e692500c6d2fa28f71ee2c1e49570
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/bindnode/node.go
@@ -0,0 +1,1112 @@
+package bindnode
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+
+	ipld "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime"
+	basicnode "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basic"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/schema"
+)
+
+// WrapNoSchema implements an ipld.Node given a pointer to a Go value.
+//
+// Same rules as PrototypeNoSchema apply.
+func WrapNoSchema(ptr interface{}) ipld.Node {
+	panic("TODO")
+	// ptrVal := reflect.ValueOf(ptr)
+	// if ptrVal.Kind() != reflect.Ptr {
+	// 	panic("must be a pointer")
+	// }
+	// return &_node{val: ptrVal.Elem()}
+}
+
+// Unwrap takes an ipld.Node implemented by one of the Wrap* or Prototype* APIs,
+// and returns a pointer to the inner Go value.
+//
+// Unwrap returns the input node if the node isn't implemented by this package.
+func Unwrap(node ipld.Node) (ptr interface{}) {
+	var val reflect.Value
+	switch node := node.(type) {
+	case *_node:
+		val = node.val
+	case *_nodeRepr:
+		val = node.val
+	default:
+		return node
+	}
+	if val.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
+		panic("didn't expect val to be a pointer")
+	}
+	if !val.CanAddr() {
+		// Not addressable? Just return the interface as-is.
+		// TODO: This happens in some tests, figure out why.
+		return val.Interface()
+	}
+	return val.Addr().Interface()
+}
+
+// PrototypeNoSchema implements an ipld.NodePrototype given a Go pointer type.
+//
+// In this form, no IPLD schema is used; it is entirely inferred from the Go
+// type.
+//
+// Go types map to schema types in simple ways: Go string to schema String, Go
+// []byte to schema Bytes, Go struct to schema Map, and so on.
+//
+// A Go struct field is optional when its type is a pointer. Nullable fields are
+// not supported in this mode.
+func PrototypeNoSchema(ptrType interface{}) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO")
+	// typ := reflect.TypeOf(ptrType)
+	// if typ.Kind() != reflect.Ptr {
+	// 	panic("must be a pointer")
+	// }
+	// return &_prototype{goType: typ.Elem()}
+}
+
+// PrototypeOnlySchema implements an ipld.NodePrototype given an IPLD schema type.
+//
+// In this form, Go values are constructed with types inferred from the IPLD
+// schema, like a reverse of PrototypeNoSchema.
+func PrototypeOnlySchema(schemaType schema.Type) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	goType := inferGoType(schemaType)
+	return prototype(goType, schemaType)
+}
+
+// from IPLD Schema field names like "foo" to Go field names like "Foo".
+func fieldNameFromSchema(name string) string {
+	return strings.Title(name)
+}
+
+func inferGoType(typ schema.Type) reflect.Type {
+	switch typ := typ.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeInt:
+		return goTypeInt
+	case *schema.TypeString:
+		return goTypeString
+	case *schema.TypeStruct:
+		fields := typ.Fields()
+		goFields := make([]reflect.StructField, len(fields))
+		for i, field := range fields {
+			ftyp := inferGoType(field.Type())
+			if field.IsNullable() {
+				ftyp = reflect.PtrTo(ftyp)
+			}
+			if field.IsOptional() {
+				ftyp = reflect.PtrTo(ftyp)
+			}
+			goFields[i] = reflect.StructField{
+				Name: fieldNameFromSchema(field.Name()),
+				Type: ftyp,
+			}
+		}
+		return reflect.StructOf(goFields)
+	case *schema.TypeMap:
+		ktyp := inferGoType(typ.KeyType())
+		vtyp := inferGoType(typ.ValueType())
+		if typ.ValueIsNullable() {
+			vtyp = reflect.PtrTo(vtyp)
+		}
+		return reflect.MapOf(ktyp, vtyp)
+	case *schema.TypeList:
+		etyp := inferGoType(typ.ValueType())
+		if typ.ValueIsNullable() {
+			etyp = reflect.PtrTo(etyp)
+		}
+		return reflect.SliceOf(etyp)
+	case *schema.TypeUnion:
+		type goUnion struct {
+			Index int // 0..len(typ.Members)-1
+			Value interface{}
+		}
+		return reflect.TypeOf(goUnion{})
+	}
+	panic(fmt.Sprintf("%T\n", typ))
+}
+
+// Prototype implements an ipld.NodePrototype given a Go pointer type and an
+// IPLD schema type.
+//
+// In this form, it is assumed that the Go type and IPLD schema type are
+// compatible. TODO: check upfront and panic otherwise
+func Prototype(ptrType interface{}, schemaType schema.Type) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	goPtrType := reflect.TypeOf(ptrType)
+	if goPtrType.Kind() != reflect.Ptr {
+		panic("ptrType must be a pointer")
+	}
+	return prototype(goPtrType.Elem(), schemaType)
+}
+
+func prototype(goType reflect.Type, schemaType schema.Type) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	if goType.Kind() == reflect.Invalid {
+		panic("goType must be valid")
+	}
+	if schemaType == nil {
+		panic("schemaType must not be nil")
+	}
+	return &_prototype{schemaType: schemaType, goType: goType}
+}
+
+var (
+	_ ipld.NodePrototype = (*_prototype)(nil)
+
+	_ ipld.Node        = (*_node)(nil)
+	_ schema.TypedNode = (*_node)(nil)
+
+	_ ipld.NodeBuilder   = (*_builder)(nil)
+	_ ipld.NodeAssembler = (*_assembler)(nil)
+
+	_ ipld.MapAssembler = (*_structAssembler)(nil)
+	_ ipld.MapIterator  = (*_structIterator)(nil)
+
+	_ ipld.ListAssembler = (*_listAssembler)(nil)
+	_ ipld.ListIterator  = (*_listIterator)(nil)
+)
+
+type _prototype struct {
+	schemaType schema.Type
+	goType     reflect.Type // non-pointer
+}
+
+func (w *_prototype) NewBuilder() ipld.NodeBuilder {
+	return &_builder{_assembler{
+		schemaType: w.schemaType,
+		val:        reflect.New(w.goType).Elem(),
+	}}
+}
+
+// TODO: consider these Typed interfaces for the schema package
+
+type TypedPrototype interface {
+	ipld.NodePrototype
+
+	Representation() ipld.NodePrototype
+}
+
+type TypedAssembler interface {
+	ipld.NodeAssembler
+
+	Representation() ipld.NodeAssembler
+}
+
+func (w *_prototype) Representation() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	return (*_prototypeRepr)(w)
+}
+
+var (
+	goTypeString = reflect.TypeOf("")
+	goTypeInt    = reflect.TypeOf(int(0))
+	goTypeBytes  = reflect.TypeOf([]byte{})
+	goTypeLink   = reflect.TypeOf((*ipld.Link)(nil)).Elem()
+
+	schemaTypeFieldName = schema.SpawnString("fieldNameString")
+)
+
+type _node struct {
+	schemaType schema.Type
+
+	val reflect.Value // non-pointer
+}
+
+// TODO: only expose TypedNode methods if the schema was explicit.
+// type _typedNode struct {
+// 	_node
+// }
+
+func (w *_node) Type() schema.Type {
+	return w.schemaType
+}
+
+func (w *_node) Representation() ipld.Node {
+	return (*_nodeRepr)(w)
+}
+
+func (w *_node) Kind() ipld.Kind {
+	return w.schemaType.TypeKind().ActsLike()
+}
+
+func (w *_node) LookupByString(key string) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeStruct:
+		field := typ.Field(key)
+		if field == nil {
+			return nil, ipld.ErrInvalidKey{
+				TypeName: typ.Name().String(),
+				Key:      basicnode.NewString(key),
+			}
+		}
+		fval := w.val.FieldByName(fieldNameFromSchema(key))
+		if !fval.IsValid() {
+			panic("TODO: go-schema mismatch")
+		}
+		if field.IsOptional() {
+			if fval.IsNil() {
+				return ipld.Absent, nil
+			}
+			fval = fval.Elem()
+		}
+		if field.IsNullable() {
+			if fval.IsNil() {
+				return ipld.Null, nil
+			}
+			fval = fval.Elem()
+		}
+		node := &_node{
+			schemaType: field.Type(),
+			val:        fval,
+		}
+		return node, nil
+	case *schema.TypeMap:
+		var kval reflect.Value
+		switch ktyp := typ.KeyType().(type) {
+		case *schema.TypeString:
+			kval = reflect.ValueOf(key)
+		default:
+			asm := &_assembler{
+				schemaType: ktyp,
+				val:        reflect.New(w.val.Type().Key()).Elem(),
+			}
+			if err := (*_assemblerRepr)(asm).AssignString(key); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			kval = asm.val
+		}
+		fval := w.val.MapIndex(kval)
+		if !fval.IsValid() { // not found
+			return nil, ipld.ErrNotExists{
+				// TODO
+			}
+		}
+		// TODO: Error/panic if fval.IsNil() && !typ.ValueIsNullable()?
+		// Otherwise we could have two non-equal Go values (nil map,
+		// non-nil-but-empty map) which represent the exact same IPLD
+		// node when the field is not nullable.
+		if typ.ValueIsNullable() {
+			if fval.IsNil() {
+				return ipld.Null, nil
+			}
+			fval = fval.Elem()
+		}
+		node := &_node{
+			schemaType: typ.ValueType(),
+			val:        fval,
+		}
+		return node, nil
+	case *schema.TypeUnion:
+		var idx int
+		var mtyp schema.Type
+		for i, member := range typ.Members() {
+			if member.Name().String() == key {
+				idx = i
+				mtyp = member
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if mtyp == nil { // not found
+			return nil, ipld.ErrNotExists{
+				// TODO
+			}
+		}
+		haveIdx := int(w.val.FieldByName("Index").Int())
+		if haveIdx != idx { // mismatching type
+			return nil, ipld.ErrNotExists{
+				// TODO
+			}
+		}
+		mval := w.val.FieldByName("Value").Elem()
+		node := &_node{
+			schemaType: mtyp,
+			val:        mval,
+		}
+		return node, nil
+	}
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "LookupByString",
+		// TODO
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_node) LookupByNode(key ipld.Node) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	panic("TODO: LookupByNode")
+}
+
+func (w *_node) LookupByIndex(idx int64) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeList:
+		if idx < 0 || int(idx) >= w.val.Len() {
+			return nil, ipld.ErrNotExists{
+				// TODO
+			}
+		}
+		// TODO: bounds check
+		val := w.val.Index(int(idx))
+		if typ.ValueIsNullable() {
+			if val.IsNil() {
+				return ipld.Null, nil
+			}
+			val = val.Elem()
+		}
+		return &_node{schemaType: typ.ValueType(), val: val}, nil
+	}
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "LookupByIndex",
+		// TODO
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_node) LookupBySegment(seg ipld.PathSegment) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	panic("TODO: LookupBySegment")
+}
+
+func (w *_node) MapIterator() ipld.MapIterator {
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeStruct:
+		return &_structIterator{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			fields:     typ.Fields(),
+			val:        w.val,
+		}
+	case *schema.TypeUnion:
+		return &_unionIterator{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			members:    typ.Members(),
+			val:        w.val,
+		}
+	case *schema.TypeMap:
+		panic("TODO: ")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) ListIterator() ipld.ListIterator {
+	val := w.val
+	if val.Type().Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
+		if !val.IsNil() {
+			val = val.Elem()
+		}
+	}
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeList:
+		return &_listIterator{schemaType: typ, val: val}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) Length() int64 {
+	switch w.Kind() {
+	case ipld.Kind_Map:
+		switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+		case *schema.TypeStruct:
+			return int64(len(typ.Fields()))
+		case *schema.TypeUnion:
+			return 1
+		}
+		fallthrough // map
+	case ipld.Kind_List:
+		return int64(w.val.Len())
+	}
+	return -1
+}
+
+// TODO: better story around pointers and absent/null
+
+func (w *_node) IsAbsent() bool {
+	return false
+}
+
+func (w *_node) IsNull() bool {
+	return false
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsBool() (bool, error) {
+	panic("TODO: ")
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsInt() (int64, error) {
+	if w.Kind() != ipld.Kind_Int {
+		return 0, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AsInt",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	return w.val.Int(), nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsFloat() (float64, error) {
+	panic("TODO: ")
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsString() (string, error) {
+	if w.Kind() != ipld.Kind_String {
+		return "", ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AsString",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	return w.val.String(), nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsBytes() ([]byte, error) {
+	if w.Kind() != ipld.Kind_Bytes {
+		return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AsBytes",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	return w.val.Bytes(), nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) AsLink() (ipld.Link, error) {
+	if w.Kind() != ipld.Kind_Link {
+		return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AsLink",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	link, _ := w.val.Interface().(ipld.Link)
+	return link, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_node) Prototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: Prototype")
+}
+
+type _builder struct {
+	_assembler
+}
+
+func (w *_builder) Build() ipld.Node {
+	return &_node{schemaType: w.schemaType, val: w.val}
+}
+
+func (w *_builder) Reset() {
+	panic("TODO: Reset")
+}
+
+type _assembler struct {
+	schemaType schema.Type
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+
+	// kinded   bool // true if val is interface{} for a kinded union
+	nullable bool // true if field or map value is nullable
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) nonPtrVal() reflect.Value {
+	val := w.val
+	if w.nullable {
+		val.Set(reflect.New(val.Type().Elem()))
+		val = val.Elem()
+	}
+	return val
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) kind() ipld.Kind {
+	return w.schemaType.TypeKind().ActsLike()
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) Representation() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	return (*_assemblerRepr)(w)
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) BeginMap(sizeHint int64) (ipld.MapAssembler, error) {
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeStruct:
+		val := w.nonPtrVal()
+		doneFields := make([]bool, val.NumField())
+		return &_structAssembler{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			val:        val,
+			doneFields: doneFields,
+			finish:     w.finish,
+		}, nil
+	case *schema.TypeMap:
+		val := w.nonPtrVal()
+		if val.IsNil() {
+			val.Set(reflect.MakeMap(val.Type()))
+		}
+		return &_mapAssembler{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			val:        val,
+			finish:     w.finish,
+		}, nil
+	case *schema.TypeUnion:
+		val := w.nonPtrVal()
+		return &_unionAssembler{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			val:        val,
+			finish:     w.finish,
+		}, nil
+	}
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "BeginMap",
+		// TODO
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) BeginList(sizeHint int64) (ipld.ListAssembler, error) {
+	switch typ := w.schemaType.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeList:
+		val := w.nonPtrVal()
+		return &_listAssembler{
+			schemaType: typ,
+			val:        val,
+			finish:     w.finish,
+		}, nil
+	}
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "BeginList",
+		// TODO
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignNull() error {
+	if !w.nullable {
+		return ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AssignNull",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	w.val.Set(reflect.Zero(w.val.Type()))
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignBool(bool) error {
+	panic("TODO: AssignBool")
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignInt(i int64) error {
+	if w.kind() != ipld.Kind_Int {
+		return ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:        w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName:      "AssignInt",
+			AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet{ipld.Kind_Int},
+			ActualKind:      w.kind(),
+		}
+	}
+	w.nonPtrVal().SetInt(i)
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignFloat(float64) error {
+	panic("TODO: AssignFloat")
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignString(s string) error {
+	if w.kind() != ipld.Kind_String {
+		return ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:        w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName:      "AssignString",
+			AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet{ipld.Kind_String},
+			ActualKind:      w.kind(),
+		}
+	}
+	w.nonPtrVal().SetString(s)
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignBytes(p []byte) error {
+	if w.kind() != ipld.Kind_Bytes {
+		return ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:        w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName:      "AssignBytes",
+			AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet{ipld.Kind_Bytes},
+			ActualKind:      w.kind(),
+		}
+	}
+	w.nonPtrVal().SetBytes(p)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignLink(link ipld.Link) error {
+	newVal := reflect.ValueOf(link)
+	if !newVal.Type().AssignableTo(w.val.Type()) {
+		return ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+			TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+			MethodName: "AssignLink",
+			// TODO
+		}
+	}
+	w.nonPtrVal().Set(newVal)
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) AssignNode(node ipld.Node) error {
+	// TODO: does this ever trigger?
+	// newVal := reflect.ValueOf(node)
+	// if newVal.Type().AssignableTo(w.val.Type()) {
+	// 	w.val.Set(newVal)
+	// 	return nil
+	// }
+	switch node.Kind() {
+	case ipld.Kind_Map:
+		itr := node.MapIterator()
+		// TODO: consider reusing this code from elsewhere,
+		// via something like ipld.BlindCopyMap.
+		am, err := w.BeginMap(-1) // TODO: length?
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		for !itr.Done() {
+			k, v, err := itr.Next()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := am.AssembleKey().AssignNode(k); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := am.AssembleValue().AssignNode(v); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return am.Finish()
+	case ipld.Kind_List:
+		itr := node.ListIterator()
+		am, err := w.BeginList(-1) // TODO: length?
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		for !itr.Done() {
+			_, v, err := itr.Next()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := am.AssembleValue().AssignNode(v); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return am.Finish()
+
+	case ipld.Kind_Int:
+		i, err := node.AsInt()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return w.AssignInt(i)
+	case ipld.Kind_String:
+		s, err := node.AsString()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return w.AssignString(s)
+	case ipld.Kind_Bytes:
+		p, err := node.AsBytes()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return w.AssignBytes(p)
+	case ipld.Kind_Link:
+		l, err := node.AsLink()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return w.AssignLink(l)
+	case ipld.Kind_Null:
+		return w.AssignNull()
+	}
+	// fmt.Println(w.val.Type(), reflect.TypeOf(node))
+	panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %v %v", w.val.Type(), node.Kind()))
+}
+
+func (w *_assembler) Prototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: Assembler.Prototype")
+}
+
+type _structAssembler struct {
+	// TODO: embed _assembler?
+
+	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+
+	// TODO: more state checks
+
+	// TODO: Consider if we could do this in a cheaper way,
+	// such as looking at the reflect.Value directly.
+	// If not, at least avoid an extra alloc.
+	doneFields []bool
+
+	// TODO: optimize for structs
+
+	curKey _assembler
+
+	nextIndex int // only used by repr.go
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	w.curKey = _assembler{
+		schemaType: schemaTypeFieldName,
+		val:        reflect.New(goTypeString).Elem(),
+	}
+	return &w.curKey
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	// TODO: optimize this to do one lookup by name
+	name := w.curKey.val.String()
+	field := w.schemaType.Field(name)
+	if field == nil {
+		panic(name)
+		// return nil, ipld.ErrInvalidKey{
+		// 	TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		// 	Key:      basicnode.NewString(name),
+		// }
+	}
+	ftyp, ok := w.val.Type().FieldByName(fieldNameFromSchema(name))
+	if !ok {
+		panic("TODO: go-schema mismatch")
+	}
+	if len(ftyp.Index) > 1 {
+		panic("TODO: embedded fields")
+	}
+	w.doneFields[ftyp.Index[0]] = true
+	fval := w.val.FieldByIndex(ftyp.Index)
+	if field.IsOptional() {
+		fval.Set(reflect.New(fval.Type().Elem()))
+		fval = fval.Elem()
+	}
+	// TODO: reuse same assembler for perf?
+	return &_assembler{
+		schemaType: field.Type(),
+		val:        fval,
+		nullable:   field.IsNullable(),
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) Finish() error {
+	fields := w.schemaType.Fields()
+	var missing []string
+	for i, field := range fields {
+		if !field.IsOptional() && !w.doneFields[i] {
+			missing = append(missing, field.Name())
+		}
+	}
+	if len(missing) > 0 {
+		return ipld.ErrMissingRequiredField{Missing: missing}
+	}
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	return &_prototype{schemaType: schemaTypeFieldName, goType: goTypeString}
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssembler) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _mapAssembler struct {
+	schemaType *schema.TypeMap
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+
+	// TODO: more state checks
+
+	curKey _assembler
+
+	nextIndex int // only used by repr.go
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	w.curKey = _assembler{
+		schemaType: w.schemaType.KeyType(),
+		val:        reflect.New(w.val.Type().Key()).Elem(),
+	}
+	return &w.curKey
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	kval := w.curKey.val
+	val := reflect.New(w.val.Type().Elem()).Elem()
+	finish := func() error {
+		// fmt.Println(kval.Interface(), val.Interface())
+		w.val.SetMapIndex(kval, val)
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &_assembler{
+		schemaType: w.schemaType.ValueType(),
+		val:        val,
+		nullable:   w.schemaType.ValueIsNullable(),
+		finish:     finish,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) Finish() error {
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	return &_prototype{schemaType: w.schemaType.KeyType(), goType: w.val.Type().Key()}
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssembler) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _listAssembler struct {
+	schemaType *schema.TypeList
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+}
+
+func (w *_listAssembler) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	goType := w.val.Type().Elem()
+	// TODO: use a finish func to append
+	w.val.Set(reflect.Append(w.val, reflect.New(goType).Elem()))
+	return &_assembler{
+		schemaType: w.schemaType.ValueType(),
+		val:        w.val.Index(w.val.Len() - 1),
+		nullable:   w.schemaType.ValueIsNullable(),
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_listAssembler) Finish() error {
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_listAssembler) ValuePrototype(idx int64) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: list ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _unionAssembler struct {
+	schemaType *schema.TypeUnion
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+
+	// TODO: more state checks
+
+	curKey _assembler
+
+	nextIndex int // only used by repr.go
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	w.curKey = _assembler{
+		schemaType: schemaTypeFieldName,
+		val:        reflect.New(goTypeString).Elem(),
+	}
+	return &w.curKey
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	name := w.curKey.val.String()
+	var idx int
+	var mtyp schema.Type
+	for i, member := range w.schemaType.Members() {
+		if member.Name().String() == name {
+			idx = i
+			mtyp = member
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if mtyp == nil {
+		panic("TODO: missing member")
+		// return nil, ipld.ErrInvalidKey{
+		// 	TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		// 	Key:      basicnode.NewString(name),
+		// }
+	}
+	goType := inferGoType(mtyp) // TODO: do this upfront
+	val := reflect.New(goType).Elem()
+	finish := func() error {
+		// fmt.Println(kval.Interface(), val.Interface())
+		w.val.FieldByName("Index").SetInt(int64(idx))
+		w.val.FieldByName("Value").Set(val)
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &_assembler{
+		schemaType: mtyp,
+		val:        val,
+		finish:     finish,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) Finish() error {
+	if w.finish != nil {
+		if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	return &_prototype{schemaType: schemaTypeFieldName, goType: goTypeString}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssembler) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _structIterator struct {
+	// TODO: support embedded fields?
+	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
+	fields     []schema.StructField
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	nextIndex  int
+
+	// these are only used in repr.go
+	reprEnd int
+}
+
+func (w *_structIterator) Next() (key, value ipld.Node, _ error) {
+	if w.Done() {
+		return nil, nil, ipld.ErrIteratorOverread{}
+	}
+	field := w.fields[w.nextIndex]
+	val := w.val.Field(w.nextIndex)
+	w.nextIndex++
+	key = basicnode.NewString(field.Name())
+	if field.IsOptional() {
+		if val.IsNil() {
+			return key, ipld.Absent, nil
+		}
+		val = val.Elem()
+	}
+	if field.IsNullable() {
+		if val.IsNil() {
+			return key, ipld.Null, nil
+		}
+		val = val.Elem()
+	}
+	node := &_node{
+		schemaType: field.Type(),
+		val:        val,
+	}
+	return key, node, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_structIterator) Done() bool {
+	return w.nextIndex >= len(w.fields)
+}
+
+type _listIterator struct {
+	schemaType *schema.TypeList
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	nextIndex  int
+}
+
+func (w *_listIterator) Next() (index int64, value ipld.Node, _ error) {
+	if w.Done() {
+		return 0, nil, ipld.ErrIteratorOverread{}
+	}
+	idx := int64(w.nextIndex)
+	val := w.val.Index(w.nextIndex)
+	w.nextIndex++
+	return idx, &_node{schemaType: w.schemaType.ValueType(), val: val}, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_listIterator) Done() bool {
+	return w.nextIndex >= w.val.Len()
+}
+
+type _unionIterator struct {
+	// TODO: support embedded fields?
+	schemaType *schema.TypeUnion
+	members    []schema.Type
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+
+	done bool
+}
+
+func (w *_unionIterator) Next() (key, value ipld.Node, _ error) {
+	if w.Done() {
+		return nil, nil, ipld.ErrIteratorOverread{}
+	}
+	w.done = true
+
+	haveIdx := int(w.val.FieldByName("Index").Int())
+	mtyp := w.members[haveIdx]
+	mval := w.val.FieldByName("Value").Elem()
+
+	node := &_node{
+		schemaType: mtyp,
+		val:        mval,
+	}
+	key = basicnode.NewString(mtyp.Name().String())
+	return key, node, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_unionIterator) Done() bool {
+	return w.done
+}
+
+// TODO: consider making our own Node interface, like:
+//
+// type WrappedNode interface {
+//     ipld.Node
+//     Unwrap() (ptr interface)
+// }
+//
+// Pros: API is easier to understand, harder to mix up with other ipld.Nodes.
+// Cons: One usually only has an ipld.Node, and type assertions can be weird.
diff --git a/node/bindnode/repr.go b/node/bindnode/repr.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b26aacc4321e2ecd9d4df62ff474fa3f6e12cfe0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/bindnode/repr.go
@@ -0,0 +1,815 @@
+package bindnode
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+
+	ipld "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime"
+	basicnode "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basic"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/schema"
+)
+
+func reprNode(node ipld.Node) ipld.Node {
+	if node, ok := node.(schema.TypedNode); ok {
+		return node.Representation()
+	}
+	// ipld.Absent and ipld.Null are not typed.
+	// TODO: is this a problem? surely a typed struct's fields are always
+	// typed, even when absent or null.
+	return node
+}
+
+func reprStrategy(typ schema.Type) interface{} {
+	switch typ := typ.(type) {
+	case *schema.TypeStruct:
+		return typ.RepresentationStrategy()
+	case *schema.TypeUnion:
+		return typ.RepresentationStrategy()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type _prototypeRepr _prototype
+
+func (w *_prototypeRepr) NewBuilder() ipld.NodeBuilder {
+	return &_builderRepr{_assemblerRepr{
+		schemaType: w.schemaType,
+		val:        reflect.New(w.goType).Elem(),
+	}}
+}
+
+type _nodeRepr _node
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) Kind() ipld.Kind {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Stringjoin:
+		return ipld.Kind_String
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		return ipld.Kind_Map
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		return ipld.Kind_List
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		return ipld.Kind_Map
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded:
+		haveIdx := int(w.val.FieldByName("Index").Int())
+		mtyp := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()[haveIdx]
+		return mtyp.TypeKind().ActsLike()
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Stringprefix:
+		return ipld.Kind_String
+	case nil:
+		return (*_node)(w).Kind()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO Kind: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func outboundMappedKey(stg schema.StructRepresentation_Map, key string) string {
+	// TODO: why doesn't stg just allow us to "get" by the key string?
+	field := schema.SpawnStructField(key, "", false, false)
+	mappedKey := stg.GetFieldKey(field)
+	return mappedKey
+}
+
+func inboundMappedKey(typ *schema.TypeStruct, stg schema.StructRepresentation_Map, key string) string {
+	// TODO: can't do a "reverse" lookup... needs better API probably.
+	fields := typ.Fields()
+	for _, field := range fields {
+		mappedKey := stg.GetFieldKey(field)
+		if key == mappedKey {
+			// println(key, "rev-mapped to", field.Name())
+			return field.Name()
+		}
+	}
+	// println(key, "had no mapping")
+	return key // fallback to the same key
+}
+
+func outboundMappedType(stg schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed, key string) string {
+	// TODO: why doesn't stg just allow us to "get" by the key string?
+	typ := schema.SpawnBool(schema.TypeName(key))
+	mappedKey := stg.GetDiscriminant(typ)
+	return mappedKey
+}
+
+func inboundMappedType(typ *schema.TypeUnion, stg schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed, key string) string {
+	// TODO: can't do a "reverse" lookup... needs better API probably.
+	for _, member := range typ.Members() {
+		mappedKey := stg.GetDiscriminant(member)
+		if key == mappedKey {
+			// println(key, "rev-mapped to", field.Name())
+			return member.Name().String()
+		}
+	}
+	// println(key, "had no mapping")
+	return key // fallback to the same key
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) asKinded(stg schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded, kind ipld.Kind) *_nodeRepr {
+	name := stg.GetMember(kind)
+	members := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()
+	for _, member := range members {
+		if member.Name() != name {
+			continue
+		}
+		w2 := *w
+		w2.val = w.val.FieldByName("Value").Elem()
+		w2.schemaType = member
+		return &w2
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) LookupByString(key string) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	if stg, ok := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded); ok {
+		w = w.asKinded(stg, ipld.Kind_Map)
+	}
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		revKey := inboundMappedKey(w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeStruct), stg, key)
+		v, err := (*_node)(w).LookupByString(revKey)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return reprNode(v), nil
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		revKey := inboundMappedType(w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion), stg, key)
+		v, err := (*_node)(w).LookupByString(revKey)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return reprNode(v), nil
+	case nil:
+		v, err := (*_node)(w).LookupByString(key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return reprNode(v), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) LookupByNode(key ipld.Node) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "LookupByNode", AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustList, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) LookupByIndex(idx int64) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		fields := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeStruct).Fields()
+		field := fields[idx]
+		v, err := (*_node)(w).LookupByString(field.Name())
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return reprNode(v), nil
+	case nil:
+		v, err := (*_node)(w).LookupByIndex(idx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return reprNode(v), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) LookupBySegment(seg ipld.PathSegment) (ipld.Node, error) {
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "LookupBySegment",
+		// TODO
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) MapIterator() ipld.MapIterator {
+	if stg, ok := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded); ok {
+		w = w.asKinded(stg, ipld.Kind_Map)
+	}
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		itr := (*_node)(w).MapIterator().(*_structIterator)
+		itr.reprEnd = int(w.lengthMinusTrailingAbsents())
+		return (*_structIteratorRepr)(itr)
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		itr := (*_node)(w).MapIterator().(*_unionIterator)
+		return (*_unionIteratorRepr)(itr)
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) ListIterator() ipld.ListIterator {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) lengthMinusTrailingAbsents() int64 {
+	fields := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeStruct).Fields()
+	for i := len(fields) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		field := fields[i]
+		if !field.IsOptional() || !w.val.Field(i).IsNil() {
+			return int64(i + 1)
+		}
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) Length() int64 {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Stringjoin:
+		return -1
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		return w.lengthMinusTrailingAbsents()
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		return w.lengthMinusTrailingAbsents()
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		return (*_node)(w).Length()
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded:
+		w = w.asKinded(stg, w.Kind())
+		// continues below
+	case nil:
+		// continues below
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+	return (*_node)(w).Length()
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) IsAbsent() bool {
+	return false
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) IsNull() bool {
+	return false
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsBool() (bool, error) {
+	return false, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName:   w.schemaType.Name().String(),
+		MethodName: "AsBool", AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustBool, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsInt() (int64, error) {
+	return 0, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(), MethodName: "AsInt",
+		AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustInt, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsFloat() (float64, error) {
+	return 0, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(), MethodName: "AsFloat",
+		AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustFloat, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsString() (string, error) {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Stringjoin:
+		var b strings.Builder
+		itr := (*_node)(w).MapIterator()
+		for !itr.Done() {
+			_, v, err := itr.Next()
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			s, err := reprNode(v).AsString()
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if b.Len() > 0 {
+				b.WriteString(stg.GetDelim())
+			}
+			b.WriteString(s)
+		}
+		return b.String(), nil
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Stringprefix:
+		haveIdx := int(w.val.FieldByName("Index").Int())
+		mtyp := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()[haveIdx]
+
+		w2 := *w
+		w2.val = w.val.FieldByName("Value").Elem()
+		w2.schemaType = mtyp
+		s, err := w2.AsString()
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+
+		name := stg.GetDiscriminant(mtyp)
+		return name + stg.GetDelim() + s, nil
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded:
+		w = w.asKinded(stg, ipld.Kind_String)
+		// continues below
+	case nil:
+		// continues below
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+	return (*_node)(w).AsString()
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsBytes() ([]byte, error) {
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(), MethodName: "AsBytes",
+		AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustBytes, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) AsLink() (ipld.Link, error) {
+	return nil, ipld.ErrWrongKind{
+		TypeName: w.schemaType.Name().String(), MethodName: "AsLink",
+		AppropriateKind: ipld.KindSet_JustLink, ActualKind: ipld.Kind_Map,
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_nodeRepr) Prototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: Prototype")
+}
+
+type _builderRepr struct {
+	_assemblerRepr
+}
+
+// TODO: returning a repr node here is probably good, but there's a gotcha: one
+// can go from a typed node to a repr node via the Representation method, but
+// not the other way. That's probably why codegen returns a typed node here.
+// The solution might be to add a way to go from the repr node to its parent
+// typed node.
+
+func (w *_builderRepr) Build() ipld.Node {
+	// TODO: see the notes above.
+	// return &_nodeRepr{schemaType: w.schemaType, val: w.val}
+	return &_node{schemaType: w.schemaType, val: w.val}
+}
+
+func (w *_builderRepr) Reset() {
+	panic("TODO: Reset")
+}
+
+type _assemblerRepr struct {
+	schemaType schema.Type
+	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
+	finish     func() error
+
+	nullable bool
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) asKinded(stg schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded, kind ipld.Kind) *_assemblerRepr {
+	name := stg.GetMember(kind)
+	members := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()
+	for idx, member := range members {
+		if member.Name() != name {
+			continue
+		}
+		w2 := *w
+		goType := inferGoType(member) // TODO: do this upfront
+		w2.val = reflect.New(goType).Elem()
+		w2.schemaType = member
+
+		// Layer a new finish func on top, to set Index/Value.
+		w2.finish = func() error {
+			if w.finish != nil {
+				if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+			w.val.FieldByName("Index").SetInt(int64(idx))
+			w.val.FieldByName("Value").Set(w2.val)
+			return nil
+		}
+		return &w2
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) BeginMap(sizeHint int64) (ipld.MapAssembler, error) {
+	if stg, ok := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded); ok {
+		w = w.asKinded(stg, ipld.Kind_Map)
+	}
+	asm, err := (*_assembler)(w).BeginMap(sizeHint)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	switch asm := asm.(type) {
+	case *_structAssembler:
+		return (*_structAssemblerRepr)(asm), nil
+	case *_mapAssembler:
+		return (*_mapAssemblerRepr)(asm), nil
+	case *_unionAssembler:
+		return (*_unionAssemblerRepr)(asm), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("%T", asm))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) BeginList(sizeHint int64) (ipld.ListAssembler, error) {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		asm, err := (*_assembler)(w).BeginMap(sizeHint)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return (*_listStructAssemblerRepr)(asm.(*_structAssembler)), nil
+	case nil:
+		asm, err := (*_assembler)(w).BeginList(sizeHint)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return (*_listAssemblerRepr)(asm.(*_listAssembler)), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignNull() error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case nil:
+		return (*_assembler)(w).AssignNull()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignBool(bool) error {
+	panic("TODO: AssignBool")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignInt(i int64) error {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignFloat(float64) error {
+	panic("TODO: AssignFloat")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignString(s string) error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Stringjoin:
+		fields := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeStruct).Fields()
+		parts := strings.Split(s, stg.GetDelim())
+		if len(parts) != len(fields) {
+			panic("TODO: len mismatch")
+		}
+		mapAsm, err := (*_assembler)(w).BeginMap(-1)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		for i, field := range fields {
+			entryAsm, err := mapAsm.AssembleEntry(field.Name())
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			entryAsm = entryAsm.(TypedAssembler).Representation()
+			if err := entryAsm.AssignString(parts[i]); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return mapAsm.Finish()
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Kinded:
+		name := stg.GetMember(ipld.Kind_String)
+		members := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()
+		for idx, member := range members {
+			if member.Name() != name {
+				continue
+			}
+			w.val.FieldByName("Index").SetInt(int64(idx))
+			w.val.FieldByName("Value").Set(reflect.ValueOf(s))
+			return nil
+		}
+		panic("TODO: GetMember result is missing?")
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Stringprefix:
+		parts := strings.SplitN(s, stg.GetDelim(), 2)
+		if len(parts) != 2 {
+			panic("TODO: bad format")
+		}
+		name, value := parts[0], parts[1]
+		members := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeUnion).Members()
+		for idx, member := range members {
+			if stg.GetDiscriminant(member) != name {
+				continue
+			}
+
+			w2 := *w
+			goType := inferGoType(member) // TODO: do this upfront
+			w2.val = reflect.New(goType).Elem()
+			w2.schemaType = member
+			w2.finish = func() error {
+				if w.finish != nil {
+					if err := w.finish(); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+				}
+				w.val.FieldByName("Index").SetInt(int64(idx))
+				w.val.FieldByName("Value").Set(w2.val)
+				return nil
+			}
+
+			return w2.AssignString(value)
+		}
+		panic("TODO: GetMember result is missing?")
+	case nil:
+		return (*_assembler)(w).AssignString(s)
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignBytes(p []byte) error {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignLink(link ipld.Link) error {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) AssignNode(node ipld.Node) error {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_assemblerRepr) Prototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: Assembler.Prototype")
+}
+
+type _structAssemblerRepr _structAssembler
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		return (*_structAssembler)(w).AssembleKey()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		key := w.curKey.val.String()
+		revKey := inboundMappedKey(w.schemaType, stg, key)
+		w.curKey.val.SetString(revKey)
+
+		valAsm := (*_structAssembler)(w).AssembleValue()
+		valAsm = valAsm.(TypedAssembler).Representation()
+		return valAsm
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) Finish() error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		err := (*_structAssembler)(w).Finish()
+		if err, ok := err.(ipld.ErrMissingRequiredField); ok {
+			for i, name := range err.Missing {
+				serial := outboundMappedKey(stg, name)
+				if serial != name {
+					err.Missing[i] += fmt.Sprintf(" (serial:%q)", serial)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return err
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_structAssemblerRepr) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _mapAssemblerRepr _mapAssembler
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case nil:
+		asm := (*_mapAssembler)(w).AssembleKey()
+		return (*_assemblerRepr)(asm.(*_assembler))
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case nil:
+		asm := (*_mapAssembler)(w).AssembleValue()
+		return (*_assemblerRepr)(asm.(*_assembler))
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) Finish() error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case nil:
+		return (*_mapAssembler)(w).Finish()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_mapAssemblerRepr) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _listStructAssemblerRepr _structAssembler
+
+func (w *_listStructAssemblerRepr) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		fields := w.schemaType.Fields()
+		field := fields[w.nextIndex]
+		w.nextIndex++
+
+		entryAsm, err := (*_structAssembler)(w).AssembleEntry(field.Name())
+		if err != nil {
+			panic(err) // TODO: probably return an assembler that always errors?
+		}
+		entryAsm = entryAsm.(TypedAssembler).Representation()
+		return entryAsm
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_listStructAssemblerRepr) Finish() error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Tuple:
+		return (*_structAssembler)(w).Finish()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_listStructAssemblerRepr) ValuePrototype(idx int64) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: list ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+// Note that lists do not have any representation strategy right now.
+type _listAssemblerRepr _listAssembler
+
+func (w *_listAssemblerRepr) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	asm := (*_listAssembler)(w).AssembleValue()
+	return (*_assemblerRepr)(asm.(*_assembler))
+}
+
+func (w *_listAssemblerRepr) Finish() error {
+	return (*_listAssembler)(w).Finish()
+}
+
+func (w *_listAssemblerRepr) ValuePrototype(idx int64) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: list ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _unionAssemblerRepr _unionAssembler
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) AssembleKey() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		return (*_unionAssembler)(w).AssembleKey()
+	case nil:
+		asm := (*_unionAssembler)(w).AssembleKey()
+		return (*_assemblerRepr)(asm.(*_assembler))
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) AssembleValue() ipld.NodeAssembler {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		key := w.curKey.val.String()
+		revKey := inboundMappedType(w.schemaType, stg, key)
+		w.curKey.val.SetString(revKey)
+
+		valAsm := (*_unionAssembler)(w).AssembleValue()
+		valAsm = valAsm.(TypedAssembler).Representation()
+		return valAsm
+	case nil:
+		asm := (*_unionAssembler)(w).AssembleValue()
+		return (*_assemblerRepr)(asm.(*_assembler))
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) AssembleEntry(k string) (ipld.NodeAssembler, error) {
+	if err := w.AssembleKey().AssignString(k); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	am := w.AssembleValue()
+	return am, nil
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) Finish() error {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		return (*_unionAssembler)(w).Finish()
+	case nil:
+		return (*_unionAssembler)(w).Finish()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) KeyPrototype() ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO")
+}
+
+func (w *_unionAssemblerRepr) ValuePrototype(k string) ipld.NodePrototype {
+	panic("TODO: struct ValuePrototype")
+}
+
+type _structIteratorRepr _structIterator
+
+func (w *_structIteratorRepr) Next() (key, value ipld.Node, _ error) {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+	_skipAbsent:
+		key, value, err := (*_structIterator)(w).Next()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		if value.IsAbsent() {
+			goto _skipAbsent
+		}
+		keyStr, _ := key.AsString()
+		mappedKey := outboundMappedKey(stg, keyStr)
+		if mappedKey != keyStr {
+			key = basicnode.NewString(mappedKey)
+		}
+		return key, reprNode(value), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_structIteratorRepr) Done() bool {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.StructRepresentation_Map:
+		// TODO: the fact that repr map iterators skip absents should be
+		// documented somewhere
+		return w.nextIndex >= w.reprEnd
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+type _unionIteratorRepr _unionIterator
+
+func (w *_unionIteratorRepr) Next() (key, value ipld.Node, _ error) {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		key, value, err := (*_unionIterator)(w).Next()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		keyStr, _ := key.AsString()
+		mappedKey := outboundMappedType(stg, keyStr)
+		if mappedKey != keyStr {
+			key = basicnode.NewString(mappedKey)
+		}
+		return key, reprNode(value), nil
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *_unionIteratorRepr) Done() bool {
+	switch stg := reprStrategy(w.schemaType).(type) {
+	case schema.UnionRepresentation_Keyed:
+		return (*_unionIterator)(w).Done()
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("TODO: %T", stg))
+	}
+}