diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 62c1c60..bbc6b43 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ Foo -> Foo: Foo talks to itself
 Foo -> +Bar: Foo asks Bar
 -Bar --> Foo: and Bar replies
 
+# * and ! cause agents to be created and destroyed inline
+Bar -> *Baz
+Bar <- !Baz
+
 # Arrows leaving on the left and right of the diagram
 [ -> Foo: From the left
 [ <- Foo: To the left
@@ -258,7 +262,7 @@ Note: the linter can't run from the local filesystem, so you'll need to
 run a local HTTP server to ensure linting is successful. One option if
 you have NPM installed is:
 
-```
+```shell
 # Setup
 npm install http-server -g;
 
diff --git a/screenshots/ConnectionTypes.png b/screenshots/ConnectionTypes.png
index 428b4f8..a57f090 100644
Binary files a/screenshots/ConnectionTypes.png and b/screenshots/ConnectionTypes.png differ
diff --git a/scripts/readme_images.js b/scripts/readme_images.js
index 43379a8..6ab372e 100644
--- a/scripts/readme_images.js
+++ b/scripts/readme_images.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 	}
 
 	const SAMPLE_REGEX = new RegExp(
-		/<img src="screenshots\/([^"]*)"[^>]*>[\s]*```([^]+?)```/g
+		/<img src="screenshots\/([^"]*)"[^>]*>[\s]*```(?!shell).*\n([^]+?)```/g
 	);
 
 	function findSamples(content) {
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/CodeMirrorMode.js b/scripts/sequence/CodeMirrorMode.js
index defdc58..169af6b 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/CodeMirrorMode.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/CodeMirrorMode.js
@@ -46,24 +46,57 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 		};
 	}
 
-	const CM_CONNECT = {type: 'keyword', suggest: true, then: {
-		'+': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {'': CM_AGENT_TO_OPTTEXT}},
-		'-': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {'': CM_AGENT_TO_OPTTEXT}},
-		'': CM_AGENT_TO_OPTTEXT,
-	}};
+	function makeCMOperatorBlock(exit) {
+		const op = {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {
+			'+': CM_ERROR,
+			'-': CM_ERROR,
+			'*': CM_ERROR,
+			'!': CM_ERROR,
+			'': exit,
+		}};
+		const pm = {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {
+			'+': CM_ERROR,
+			'-': CM_ERROR,
+			'*': op,
+			'!': op,
+			'': exit,
+		}};
+		const se = {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {
+			'+': op,
+			'-': op,
+			'*': CM_ERROR,
+			'!': CM_ERROR,
+			'': exit,
+		}};
+		return {
+			'+': pm,
+			'-': pm,
+			'*': se,
+			'!': se,
+			'': exit,
+		};
+	}
 
-	const CM_CONNECT_FULL = {type: 'variable', suggest: 'Agent', then: {
-		'->': CM_CONNECT,
-		'-->': CM_CONNECT,
-		'<-': CM_CONNECT,
-		'<--': CM_CONNECT,
-		'<->': CM_CONNECT,
-		'<-->': CM_CONNECT,
-		':': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, override: 'Label', then: {}},
-		'': 0,
-	}};
+	function makeCMConnect() {
+		const connect = {
+			type: 'keyword',
+			suggest: true,
+			then: makeCMOperatorBlock(CM_AGENT_TO_OPTTEXT),
+		};
 
-	const CM_COMMANDS = {type: 'error line-error', then: {
+		return makeCMOperatorBlock({type: 'variable', suggest: 'Agent', then: {
+			'->': connect,
+			'-->': connect,
+			'<-': connect,
+			'<--': connect,
+			'<->': connect,
+			'<-->': connect,
+			':': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, override: 'Label', then: {}},
+			'': 0,
+		}});
+	}
+
+	const CM_COMMANDS = {type: 'error line-error', then: Object.assign({
 		'title': {type: 'keyword', suggest: true, then: {
 			'': CM_TEXT_TO_END,
 		}},
@@ -134,10 +167,7 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 				}},
 			}},
 		}},
-		'+': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {'': CM_CONNECT_FULL}},
-		'-': {type: 'operator', suggest: true, then: {'': CM_CONNECT_FULL}},
-		'': CM_CONNECT_FULL,
-	}};
+	}, makeCMConnect())};
 
 	function cmCappedToken(token, current) {
 		if(Object.keys(current.then).length > 0) {
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Generator.js b/scripts/sequence/Generator.js
index f951689..791c301 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Generator.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Generator.js
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 		return agent.name;
 	}
 
-	function agentHasFlag(flag) {
-		return (agent) => agent.flags.includes(flag);
+	function agentHasFlag(flag, has = true) {
+		return (agent) => (agent.flags.includes(flag) === has);
 	}
 
 	const MERGABLE = {
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 			array.mergeSets(this.agents, agents, agentEqCheck);
 		}
 
-		setAgentVis(agents, visible, mode, checked = false) {
+		setAgentVisRaw(agents, visible, mode, checked = false) {
 			const filteredAgents = agents.filter((agent) => {
 				const state = this.agentStates.get(agent.name) || DEFAULT_AGENT;
 				if(state.locked) {
@@ -269,6 +269,15 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 			};
 		}
 
+		setAgentVis(agents, visible, mode, checked = false) {
+			return this.setAgentVisRaw(
+				agents.map(convertAgent),
+				visible,
+				mode,
+				checked
+			);
+		}
+
 		setAgentHighlight(agents, highlighted, checked = false) {
 			const filteredAgents = agents.filter((agent) => {
 				const state = this.agentStates.get(agent.name) || DEFAULT_AGENT;
@@ -340,15 +349,24 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 		}
 
 		handleConnect({agents, label, options}) {
-			const colAgents = agents.map(convertAgent);
-			this.addStage(this.setAgentVis(colAgents, true, 'box'));
-			this.defineAgents(colAgents);
+			const beginAgents = agents.filter(agentHasFlag('begin'));
+			const endAgents = agents.filter(agentHasFlag('end'));
+			if(array.hasIntersection(beginAgents, endAgents, agentEqCheck)) {
+				throw new Error('Cannot set agent visibility multiple times');
+			}
 
 			const startAgents = agents.filter(agentHasFlag('start'));
 			const stopAgents = agents.filter(agentHasFlag('stop'));
+			array.mergeSets(stopAgents, endAgents);
 			if(array.hasIntersection(startAgents, stopAgents, agentEqCheck)) {
 				throw new Error('Cannot set agent highlighting multiple times');
 			}
+
+			this.defineAgents(agents.map(convertAgent));
+
+			const implicitBegin = agents.filter(agentHasFlag('begin', false));
+			this.addStage(this.setAgentVis(implicitBegin, true, 'box'));
+
 			const connectStage = {
 				type: 'connect',
 				agentNames: agents.map(getAgentName),
@@ -357,9 +375,11 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 			};
 
 			this.addParallelStages([
+				this.setAgentVis(beginAgents, true, 'box', true),
 				this.setAgentHighlight(startAgents, true, true),
 				connectStage,
 				this.setAgentHighlight(stopAgents, false, true),
+				this.setAgentVis(endAgents, false, 'cross', true),
 			]);
 		}
 
@@ -371,7 +391,7 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 				colAgents = agents.map(convertAgent);
 			}
 
-			this.addStage(this.setAgentVis(colAgents, true, 'box'));
+			this.addStage(this.setAgentVisRaw(colAgents, true, 'box'));
 			this.defineAgents(colAgents);
 
 			this.addStage({
@@ -383,23 +403,17 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 		}
 
 		handleAgentDefine({agents}) {
-			const colAgents = agents.map(convertAgent);
-			this.defineAgents(colAgents);
+			this.defineAgents(agents.map(convertAgent));
 		}
 
 		handleAgentBegin({agents, mode}) {
-			this.addStage(this.setAgentVis(
-				agents.map(convertAgent),
-				true,
-				mode,
-				true
-			));
+			this.addStage(this.setAgentVis(agents, true, mode, true));
 		}
 
 		handleAgentEnd({agents, mode}) {
 			this.addParallelStages([
 				this.setAgentHighlight(agents, false),
-				this.setAgentVis(agents.map(convertAgent), false, mode, true),
+				this.setAgentVis(agents, false, mode, true),
 			]);
 		}
 
@@ -471,7 +485,7 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities'], (array) => {
 
 			this.addParallelStages([
 				this.setAgentHighlight(this.agents, false),
-				this.setAgentVis(this.agents, false, terminators),
+				this.setAgentVisRaw(this.agents, false, terminators),
 			]);
 
 			addBounds(
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Generator_spec.js b/scripts/sequence/Generator_spec.js
index ca1cf6e..4f4ed59 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Generator_spec.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Generator_spec.js
@@ -426,6 +426,51 @@ defineDescribe('Sequence Generator', ['./Generator'], (Generator) => {
 			]);
 		});
 
+		it('adds parallel begin stages', () => {
+			const sequence = generator.generate({stages: [
+				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['begin']}]),
+			]});
+			expect(sequence.stages).toEqual([
+				GENERATED.beginAgents(['A']),
+				GENERATED.parallel([
+					GENERATED.beginAgents(['B']),
+					GENERATED.connect(['A', 'B']),
+				]),
+				GENERATED.endAgents(['A', 'B']),
+			]);
+		});
+
+		it('adds parallel end stages', () => {
+			const sequence = generator.generate({stages: [
+				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['end']}]),
+			]});
+			expect(sequence.stages).toEqual([
+				GENERATED.beginAgents(['A', 'B']),
+				GENERATED.parallel([
+					GENERATED.connect(['A', 'B']),
+					GENERATED.endAgents(['B']),
+				]),
+				GENERATED.endAgents(['A']),
+			]);
+		});
+
+		it('implicitly ends highlighting when ending a stage', () => {
+			const sequence = generator.generate({stages: [
+				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['start']}]),
+				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['end']}]),
+			]});
+			expect(sequence.stages).toEqual([
+				jasmine.anything(),
+				jasmine.anything(),
+				GENERATED.parallel([
+					GENERATED.connect(['A', 'B']),
+					GENERATED.highlight(['B'], false),
+					GENERATED.endAgents(['B']),
+				]),
+				GENERATED.endAgents(['A']),
+			]);
+		});
+
 		it('rejects conflicting flags', () => {
 			expect(() => generator.generate({stages: [
 				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['start', 'stop']}]),
@@ -437,6 +482,17 @@ defineDescribe('Sequence Generator', ['./Generator'], (Generator) => {
 					{name: 'A', flags: ['stop']},
 				]),
 			]})).toThrow();
+
+			expect(() => generator.generate({stages: [
+				PARSED.connect(['A', {name: 'B', flags: ['begin', 'end']}]),
+			]})).toThrow();
+
+			expect(() => generator.generate({stages: [
+				PARSED.connect([
+					{name: 'A', flags: ['begin']},
+					{name: 'A', flags: ['end']},
+				]),
+			]})).toThrow();
 		});
 
 		it('adds implicit highlight end with implicit terminator', () => {
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Parser.js b/scripts/sequence/Parser.js
index 6ee861d..2aaaf69 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Parser.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Parser.js
@@ -26,8 +26,10 @@ define([
 	};
 
 	const CONNECT_AGENT_FLAGS = {
+		'*': 'begin',
 		'+': 'start',
 		'-': 'stop',
+		'!': 'end',
 	};
 
 	const TERMINATOR_TYPES = [
@@ -116,13 +118,20 @@ define([
 		const flags = [];
 		let p = start;
 		for(; p < end; ++ p) {
-			const flag = flagTypes[tokenKeyword(line[p])];
+			const rawFlag = tokenKeyword(line[p]);
+			const flag = flagTypes[rawFlag];
 			if(flag) {
+				if(flags.includes(flag)) {
+					throw new Error('Duplicate agent flag: ' + rawFlag);
+				}
 				flags.push(flag);
 			} else {
 				break;
 			}
 		}
+		if(p >= end) {
+			throw new Error('Missing agent name');
+		}
 		return {
 			name: joinLabel(line, p, end),
 			flags,
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Parser_spec.js b/scripts/sequence/Parser_spec.js
index 5b06a15..503428d 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Parser_spec.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Parser_spec.js
@@ -79,13 +79,13 @@ defineDescribe('Sequence Parser', ['./Parser'], (Parser) => {
 		});
 
 		it('parses optional flags', () => {
-			const parsed = parser.parse('+A -> -B');
+			const parsed = parser.parse('+A -> -*!B');
 			expect(parsed.stages).toEqual([
 				{
 					type: 'connect',
 					agents: [
 						{name: 'A', flags: ['start']},
-						{name: 'B', flags: ['stop']},
+						{name: 'B', flags: ['stop', 'begin', 'end']},
 					],
 					label: jasmine.anything(),
 					options: jasmine.anything(),
@@ -93,6 +93,15 @@ defineDescribe('Sequence Parser', ['./Parser'], (Parser) => {
 			]);
 		});
 
+		it('rejects duplicate flags', () => {
+			expect(() => parser.parse('A -> +*+B')).toThrow();
+			expect(() => parser.parse('A -> **B')).toThrow();
+		});
+
+		it('rejects missing agent names', () => {
+			expect(() => parser.parse('A -> +')).toThrow();
+		});
+
 		it('converts multiple entries', () => {
 			const parsed = parser.parse('A -> B\nB -> A');
 			expect(parsed.stages).toEqual([
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Renderer.js b/scripts/sequence/Renderer.js
index 942ec85..5f189dc 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Renderer.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Renderer.js
@@ -161,10 +161,10 @@ define([
 			const agentSpaces = new Map();
 			const agentNames = this.visibleAgents.slice();
 
-			const addSpacing = (agentName, spacing) => {
+			const addSpacing = (agentName, {left, right}) => {
 				const current = agentSpaces.get(agentName);
-				current.left = Math.max(current.left, spacing.left);
-				current.right = Math.max(current.right, spacing.right);
+				current.left = Math.max(current.left, left);
+				current.right = Math.max(current.right, right);
 			};
 
 			this.agentInfos.forEach((agentInfo) => {
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ define([
 			const touchedAgentNames = [];
 			stages.forEach((stage) => {
 				const component = this.components.get(stage.type);
-				const r = component.renderPre(stage, envPre);
+				const r = component.renderPre(stage, envPre) || {};
 				if(r.topShift !== undefined) {
 					maxTopShift = Math.max(maxTopShift, r.topShift);
 				}
@@ -460,6 +460,7 @@ define([
 					x: null,
 					latestYStart: null,
 					currentRad: 0,
+					currentMaxRad: 0,
 					latestY: 0,
 					maxRPad: 0,
 					maxLPad: 0,
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/Tokeniser.js b/scripts/sequence/Tokeniser.js
index 4114459..7105d12 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/Tokeniser.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/Tokeniser.js
@@ -31,10 +31,13 @@ define(['./CodeMirrorMode'], (CMMode) => {
 			unescape,
 			baseToken: {q: true},
 		},
-		{start: /(?=[^ \t\r\n:+\-<>,])/y, end: /(?=[ \t\r\n:+\-<>,])|$/y},
-		{start: /(?=[+\-<>])/y, end: /(?=[^+\-<>])|$/y},
+		{start: /(?=[^ \t\r\n:+\-*!<>,])/y, end: /(?=[ \t\r\n:+\-*!<>,])|$/y},
+		{start: /(?=[\-<>])/y, end: /(?=[^\-<>])|$/y},
 		{start: /,/y, baseToken: {v: ','}},
 		{start: /:/y, baseToken: {v: ':'}},
+		{start: /!/y, baseToken: {v: '!'}},
+		{start: /\+/y, baseToken: {v: '+'}},
+		{start: /\*/y, baseToken: {v: '*'}},
 		{start: /\n/y, baseToken: {v: '\n'}},
 	];
 
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/components/AgentCap.js b/scripts/sequence/components/AgentCap.js
index c492cf5..95e0a13 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/components/AgentCap.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/components/AgentCap.js
@@ -23,11 +23,18 @@ define([
 			return {
 				left: width / 2,
 				right: width / 2,
+				radius: width / 2,
 			};
 		}
 
-		topShift() {
-			return 0;
+		topShift({label}, env) {
+			const config = env.theme.agentCap.box;
+			const height = (
+				env.textSizer.measureHeight(config.labelAttrs, label) +
+				config.padding.top +
+				config.padding.bottom
+			);
+			return Math.max(0, height - config.arrowBottom);
 		}
 
 		render(y, {x, label}, env) {
@@ -57,6 +64,7 @@ define([
 			return {
 				left: config.size / 2,
 				right: config.size / 2,
+				radius: 0,
 			};
 		}
 
@@ -98,6 +106,7 @@ define([
 			return {
 				left: width / 2,
 				right: width / 2,
+				radius: width / 2,
 			};
 		}
 
@@ -131,7 +140,11 @@ define([
 
 	class CapNone {
 		separation({currentRad}) {
-			return {left: currentRad, right: currentRad};
+			return {
+				left: currentRad,
+				right: currentRad,
+				radius: currentRad,
+			};
 		}
 
 		topShift(agentInfo, env) {
@@ -162,18 +175,24 @@ define([
 			this.begin = begin;
 		}
 
+		separationPre({mode, agentNames}, env) {
+			agentNames.forEach((name) => {
+				const agentInfo = env.agentInfos.get(name);
+				const sep = AGENT_CAPS[mode].separation(agentInfo, env);
+				env.addSpacing(name, sep);
+				agentInfo.currentMaxRad = Math.max(
+					agentInfo.currentMaxRad,
+					sep.radius
+				);
+			});
+		}
+
 		separation({mode, agentNames}, env) {
 			if(this.begin) {
 				array.mergeSets(env.visibleAgents, agentNames);
 			} else {
 				array.removeAll(env.visibleAgents, agentNames);
 			}
-
-			agentNames.forEach((name) => {
-				const agentInfo = env.agentInfos.get(name);
-				const separationFn = AGENT_CAPS[mode].separation;
-				env.addSpacing(name, separationFn(agentInfo, env));
-			});
 		}
 
 		renderPre({mode, agentNames}, env) {
@@ -182,6 +201,9 @@ define([
 				const agentInfo = env.agentInfos.get(name);
 				const topShift = AGENT_CAPS[mode].topShift(agentInfo, env);
 				maxTopShift = Math.max(maxTopShift, topShift);
+
+				const r = AGENT_CAPS[mode].separation(agentInfo, env).radius;
+				agentInfo.currentMaxRad = Math.max(agentInfo.currentMaxRad, r);
 			});
 			return {
 				agentNames,
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/components/AgentHighlight.js b/scripts/sequence/components/AgentHighlight.js
index b379283..314fd94 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/components/AgentHighlight.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/components/AgentHighlight.js
@@ -2,21 +2,32 @@ define(['./BaseComponent'], (BaseComponent) => {
 	'use strict';
 
 	class AgentHighlight extends BaseComponent {
+		radius(highlighted, env) {
+			return highlighted ? env.theme.agentLineHighlightRadius : 0;
+		}
+
 		separationPre({agentNames, highlighted}, env) {
-			const rad = highlighted ? env.theme.agentLineHighlightRadius : 0;
+			const r = this.radius(highlighted, env);
 			agentNames.forEach((name) => {
 				const agentInfo = env.agentInfos.get(name);
-				const maxRad = Math.max(agentInfo.currentMaxRad, rad);
-				agentInfo.currentRad = rad;
-				agentInfo.currentMaxRad = maxRad;
+				agentInfo.currentRad = r;
+				agentInfo.currentMaxRad = Math.max(agentInfo.currentMaxRad, r);
+			});
+		}
+
+		renderPre({agentNames, highlighted}, env) {
+			const r = this.radius(highlighted, env);
+			agentNames.forEach((name) => {
+				const agentInfo = env.agentInfos.get(name);
+				agentInfo.currentMaxRad = Math.max(agentInfo.currentMaxRad, r);
 			});
 		}
 
 		render({agentNames, highlighted}, env) {
-			const rad = highlighted ? env.theme.agentLineHighlightRadius : 0;
+			const r = this.radius(highlighted, env);
 			agentNames.forEach((name) => {
 				env.drawAgentLine(name, env.primaryY);
-				env.agentInfos.get(name).currentRad = rad;
+				env.agentInfos.get(name).currentRad = r;
 			});
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/components/BaseComponent.js b/scripts/sequence/components/BaseComponent.js
index 89ebab3..6223e84 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/components/BaseComponent.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/components/BaseComponent.js
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ define(() => {
 			textSizer,
 			state,
 		}*/) {
-			return {};
 		}
 
 		render(/*stage, {
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ define(() => {
 			SVGTextBlockClass,
 			state,
 		}*/) {
-			return 0;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/components/Connect.js b/scripts/sequence/components/Connect.js
index 1af5be6..ab5d4c5 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/components/Connect.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/components/Connect.js
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ define([
 				config.label.margin.bottom
 			);
 
-			const lineX = from.x + from.currentRad;
+			const lineX = from.x + from.currentMaxRad;
 			const y0 = env.primaryY;
 			const x0 = (
 				lineX +
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ define([
 				config.label.margin.bottom
 			);
 
-			const x0 = from.x + from.currentRad * dir;
-			const x1 = to.x - to.currentRad * dir;
+			const x0 = from.x + from.currentMaxRad * dir;
+			const x1 = to.x - to.currentMaxRad * dir;
 			let y = env.primaryY;
 
 			SVGShapes.renderBoxedText(label, {
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/components/Note.js b/scripts/sequence/components/Note.js
index 4f41388..bc705f9 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/components/Note.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/components/Note.js
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ define(['./BaseComponent'], (BaseComponent) => {
 				const infoL = env.agentInfos.get(left);
 				const infoR = env.agentInfos.get(right);
 				return this.renderNote({
-					x0: infoL.x - infoL.currentRad - config.overlap.left,
-					x1: infoR.x + infoR.currentRad + config.overlap.right,
+					x0: infoL.x - infoL.currentMaxRad - config.overlap.left,
+					x1: infoR.x + infoR.currentMaxRad + config.overlap.right,
 					anchor: 'middle',
 					mode,
 					label,
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ define(['./BaseComponent'], (BaseComponent) => {
 			const {left, right} = findExtremes(env.agentInfos, agentNames);
 			if(this.isRight) {
 				const info = env.agentInfos.get(right);
-				const x0 = info.x + info.currentRad + config.margin.left;
+				const x0 = info.x + info.currentMaxRad + config.margin.left;
 				return this.renderNote({
 					x0,
 					anchor: 'start',
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ define(['./BaseComponent'], (BaseComponent) => {
 				}, env);
 			} else {
 				const info = env.agentInfos.get(left);
-				const x1 = info.x - info.currentRad - config.margin.right;
+				const x1 = info.x - info.currentMaxRad - config.margin.right;
 				return this.renderNote({
 					x1,
 					anchor: 'end',
@@ -232,8 +232,8 @@ define(['./BaseComponent'], (BaseComponent) => {
 			const infoL = env.agentInfos.get(left);
 			const infoR = env.agentInfos.get(right);
 			const xMid = (
-				infoL.x + infoL.currentRad +
-				infoR.x - infoR.currentRad
+				infoL.x + infoL.currentMaxRad +
+				infoR.x - infoR.currentMaxRad
 			) / 2;
 
 			return this.renderNote({
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/sequence_integration_spec.js b/scripts/sequence/sequence_integration_spec.js
index bbb8667..0a772c5 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/sequence_integration_spec.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/sequence_integration_spec.js
@@ -108,176 +108,32 @@ defineDescribe('Sequence Integration', [
 		);
 	});
 
-	it('Renders the "Simple Usage" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title Labyrinth\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Gremlin: You remind me of the babe\n' +
-			'Gremlin -> Bowie: What babe?\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Gremlin: The babe with the power\n' +
-			'Gremlin -> Bowie: What power?\n' +
-			'note right of Bowie, Gremlin: Most people get muddled here!\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Gremlin: \'The power of voodoo\'\n' +
-			'Gremlin -> Bowie: "Who-do?"\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Gremlin: You do!\n' +
-			'Gremlin -> Bowie: Do what?\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Gremlin: Remind me of the babe!\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Bowie -> Audience: Sings\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'terminators box\n'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
+	const SAMPLE_REGEX = new RegExp(
+		/```(?!shell).*\n([^]+?)```/g
+	);
 
-	it('Renders the "Connection Types" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title Connection Types\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar: Simple arrow\n' +
-			'Foo --> Bar: Dashed arrow\n' +
-			'Foo <- Bar: Reversed arrow\n' +
-			'Foo <-- Bar: Reversed dashed arrow\n' +
-			'Foo <-> Bar: Double arrow\n' +
-			'Foo <--> Bar: Double dashed arrow\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# An arrow with no label:\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Foo -> Foo: Foo talks to itself\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# Arrows leaving on the left and right of the diagram\n' +
-			'[ -> Foo: From the left\n' +
-			'[ <- Foo: To the left\n' +
-			'Foo -> ]: To the right\n' +
-			'Foo <- ]: From the right\n' +
-			'[ -> ]: Left to right!\n' +
-			'# (etc.)\n'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
+	function findSamples(content) {
+		SAMPLE_REGEX.lastIndex = 0;
+		const results = [];
+		while(true) {
+			const match = SAMPLE_REGEX.exec(content);
+			if(!match) {
+				break;
+			}
+			results.push(match[1]);
+		}
+		return results;
+	}
 
-	it('Renders the "Notes & State" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title Note Placements\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'note over Foo: Foo says something\n' +
-			'note left of Foo: Stuff\n' +
-			'note right of Bar: More stuff\n' +
-			'note over Foo, Bar: "Foo and Bar\n' +
-			'on multiple lines"\n' +
-			'note between Foo, Bar: Link\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'text right: \'Comments\\nOver here\!\'\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'state over Foo: Foo is ponderous'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
-
-	it('Renders the "Logic" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title At the Bank\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'begin Person, ATM, Bank\n' +
-			'Person -> ATM: Request money\n' +
-			'ATM -> Bank: Check funds\n' +
-			'if fraud detected\n' +
-			'  Bank -> Police: "Get \'em!"\n' +
-			'  Police -> Person: "You\'re nicked"\n' +
-			'  end Police\n' +
-			'else if sufficient funds\n' +
-			'  ATM -> Bank: Withdraw funds\n' +
-			'  repeat until "all requested money\n' +
-			'                has been handed over"\n' +
-			'    ATM -> Person: Dispense note\n' +
-			'  end\n' +
-			'else\n' +
-			'  ATM -> Person: Error\n' +
-			'end'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
-
-	it('Renders the "Multiline Text" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title \'My Multiline\n' +
-			'Title\'\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'note over Foo: \'Also possible\\nwith escapes\'\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar: \'Lines of text\\non this arrow\'\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'if \'Even multiline\\ninside conditions like this\'\n' +
-			'  Foo -> \'Multiline\\nagent\'\n' +
-			'end\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'state over Foo: \'Newlines here,\\ntoo!\''
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
-
-	it('Renders the "Short-Lived Agents" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'title "Baz doesn\'t live long"\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar\n' +
-			'begin Baz\n' +
-			'Bar -> Baz\n' +
-			'Baz -> Foo\n' +
-			'end Baz\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# Foo and Bar end with black bars\n' +
-			'terminators bar\n' +
-			'# (options are: box, bar, cross, none)'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
-
-	it('Renders the "Alternative Agent Ordering" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'define Baz, Foo\n' +
-			'Foo -> Bar\n' +
-			'Bar -> Baz\n'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
-
-	it('Renders the "Simultaneous Actions" example without error', () => {
-		const parsed = parser.parse(
-			'begin A, B, C, D\n' +
-			'A -> C\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# Define a marker which can be returned to later\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'some primary process:\n' +
-			'A -> B\n' +
-			'B -> A\n' +
-			'A -> B\n' +
-			'B -> A\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# Return to the defined marker\n' +
-			'# (should be interpreted as no-higher-then the marker; may be\n' +
-			'# pushed down to keep relative action ordering consistent)\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'simultaneously with some primary process:\n' +
-			'C -> D\n' +
-			'D -> C\n' +
-			'end D\n' +
-			'C -> A\n' +
-			'\n' +
-			'# The marker name is optional; using "simultaneously:" with no\n' +
-			'# marker will jump to the top of the entire sequence.'
-		);
-		const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
-		expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
-	});
+	return (fetch('README.md')
+		.then((response) => response.text())
+		.then(findSamples)
+		.then((samples) => samples.forEach((code, i) => {
+			it('Renders readme example #' + (i + 1) + ' without error', () => {
+				const parsed = parser.parse(code);
+				const sequence = generator.generate(parsed);
+				expect(() => renderer.render(sequence)).not.toThrow();
+			});
+		}))
+	);
 });
diff --git a/scripts/sequence/themes/Basic.js b/scripts/sequence/themes/Basic.js
index 12efaa6..856ab6b 100644
--- a/scripts/sequence/themes/Basic.js
+++ b/scripts/sequence/themes/Basic.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ define(['core/ArrayUtilities', 'svg/SVGShapes'], (array, SVGShapes) => {
 					right: 10,
 					bottom: 5,
 				},
+				arrowBottom: 5 + 12 * 1.3 / 2,
 				boxAttrs: {
 					'fill': '#FFFFFF',
 					'stroke': '#000000',