diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/blocks/built-ins.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/blocks/built-ins.ts
index ee375a57c..90a2b0ffd 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/blocks/built-ins.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/blocks/built-ins.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import {
 	WORDS_VERTICAL_ALIGNS,
 	isWordsIntent
 } from '../types';
+import type { WordsBlock } from '../types';
 import type { WordsPath } from '../path';
 import type {
 	WordsBlockRenderContext,
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ const headingSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 	},
 	render(block, ctx) {
 		const b = block as HeadingBlock;
-		const tag = (`h${b.level}` as const) satisfies WordsRenderTag;
+		const tag = `h${b.level}` as const satisfies WordsRenderTag;
 		return {
 			kind: 'element',
 			tag,
@@ -184,7 +185,10 @@ const quoteSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 	],
 	validate(block, ctx) {
 		ctx.validateInlineChildren(block.children, `${ctx.path}/children`);
-		if (block.cite !== undefined && (typeof block.cite !== 'string' || !ctx.isParseableUrl(block.cite))) {
+		if (
+			block.cite !== undefined &&
+			(typeof block.cite !== 'string' || !ctx.isParseableUrl(block.cite))
+		) {
 			ctx.error(
 				`${ctx.path}/cite`,
 				'invalid-href',
@@ -386,7 +390,9 @@ const tableSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 		}
 		const body = bodyRows
 			.map((row) => {
-				const cells = row.cells.map((cell, i) => cellToHtml(cell, headerCol && i === 0, ctx)).join('');
+				const cells = row.cells
+					.map((cell, i) => cellToHtml(cell, headerCol && i === 0, ctx))
+					.join('');
 				return `<tr>${cells}</tr>`;
 			})
 			.join('');
@@ -559,9 +565,7 @@ const imageSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 								kind: 'element',
 								tag: 'span',
 								attrs: { 'data-words-image-placeholder-hint': '' },
-								children: [
-									{ kind: 'text', text: 'Open the inspector and paste a URL.' }
-								]
+								children: [{ kind: 'text', text: 'Open the inspector and paste a URL.' }]
 							}
 						]
 					}
@@ -687,7 +691,11 @@ const calloutSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 			);
 		}
 		if (block.title !== undefined && typeof block.title !== 'string') {
-			ctx.error(`${ctx.path}/title`, 'invalid-block-shape', 'callout.title must be a string if present');
+			ctx.error(
+				`${ctx.path}/title`,
+				'invalid-block-shape',
+				'callout.title must be a string if present'
+			);
 		}
 		if (!Array.isArray(block.children)) {
 			ctx.error(
@@ -842,7 +850,8 @@ function renderTableCell(
 			...(cell.rowspan ? { rowspan: String(cell.rowspan) } : {}),
 			...(cellStyle ? { style: cellStyle } : {})
 		},
-		children: ctx.renderInlines(cell.children, path)
+		// Cells hold blocks (like callout / column): render each child block.
+		children: cell.children.map((child, i) => ctx.renderBlock(child, [...path, i]))
 	};
 }
 
@@ -851,11 +860,7 @@ function renderTableCell(
 // own. Mirror the pre-registry private validators; read fields defensively
 // off the untrusted `unknown` input.
 
-function validateListItemFields(
-	item: unknown,
-	path: string,
-	ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext
-): void {
+function validateListItemFields(item: unknown, path: string, ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext): void {
 	if (!ctx.isPlainObject(item)) {
 		ctx.error(path, 'invalid-block-shape', 'list item must be an object');
 		return;
@@ -863,7 +868,11 @@ function validateListItemFields(
 	ctx.validateId(item.id, `${path}/id`);
 	ctx.validateInlineChildren(item.children, `${path}/children`);
 	if (item.checked !== undefined && typeof item.checked !== 'boolean') {
-		ctx.error(`${path}/checked`, 'invalid-block-shape', 'list-item.checked must be boolean if present');
+		ctx.error(
+			`${path}/checked`,
+			'invalid-block-shape',
+			'list-item.checked must be boolean if present'
+		);
 	}
 	if (item.indent !== undefined) {
 		const n = item.indent as number;
@@ -877,11 +886,7 @@ function validateListItemFields(
 	}
 }
 
-function validateTableRowFields(
-	row: unknown,
-	path: string,
-	ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext
-): void {
+function validateTableRowFields(row: unknown, path: string, ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext): void {
 	if (!ctx.isPlainObject(row)) {
 		ctx.error(path, 'invalid-block-shape', 'table row must be an object');
 		return;
@@ -915,7 +920,14 @@ function validateTableCellFields(
 	}
 	ctx.validateId(cell.id, `${path}/id`);
 	ctx.validateStyle(cell, path);
-	ctx.validateInlineChildren(cell.children, `${path}/children`);
+	// Cells hold blocks (like callout / column): validate each child block.
+	if (!Array.isArray(cell.children)) {
+		ctx.error(`${path}/children`, 'invalid-children', 'cell.children must be an array of blocks');
+	} else {
+		for (let i = 0; i < cell.children.length; i++) {
+			ctx.validateBlock(cell.children[i], `${path}/children/${i}`);
+		}
+	}
 	ctx.validateOptionalEnum(cell.verticalAlign, WORDS_VERTICAL_ALIGNS, `${path}/verticalAlign`);
 	if (cell.colspan !== undefined) {
 		const n = cell.colspan as number;
@@ -964,7 +976,9 @@ function cellToHtml(cell: TableCell, isHeader: boolean, ctx: WordsHtmlSerializeC
 	if (cell.rowspan !== undefined && cell.rowspan > 1) attrs += ` rowspan="${cell.rowspan}"`;
 	const styled = ctx.stringifyStyle(style);
 	if (styled !== undefined) attrs += ` style="${ctx.escapeAttr(styled)}"`;
-	return `<${tag}${attrs}>${ctx.inlinesToHtml(cell.children)}</${tag}>`;
+	// Cells hold blocks (like callout): serialize each child block.
+	const inner = cell.children.map((child) => ctx.blockToHtml(child)).join('');
+	return `<${tag}${attrs}>${inner}</${tag}>`;
 }
 
 // ── List / table Markdown sub-serializers ─────────────────────────────────
@@ -990,7 +1004,49 @@ function listItemToMd(
 }
 
 function cellTextToMd(cell: TableCell, ctx: WordsMarkdownSerializeContext): string {
-	return ctx.inlinesToMd(cell.children).replace(/\|/g, '\\|');
+	// GFM table cells are inline-only: flatten each child block to inline
+	// markdown and join with <br> (the GFM idiom for multi-line cells).
+	// Lossy by design — block structure (lists, nested tables) collapses to
+	// inline text, consistent with markdown being an export-only format.
+	const flat = cell.children
+		.map((child) => blockToInlineMd(child, ctx))
+		.filter((s) => s.length > 0)
+		.join('<br>');
+	return flat.replace(/\|/g, '\\|');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Flatten ONE block to inline markdown for a GFM table cell (which cannot
+ * hold block content). Recurses through nestable containers. Lossy.
+ */
+function blockToInlineMd(block: WordsBlock, ctx: WordsMarkdownSerializeContext): string {
+	switch (block.type) {
+		case 'paragraph':
+		case 'heading':
+		case 'quote':
+			return ctx.inlinesToMd(block.children);
+		case 'code':
+			return '`' + block.children.map((t) => t.text).join(' ') + '`';
+		case 'list':
+			return block.items.map((it) => ctx.inlinesToMd(it.children)).join('<br>');
+		case 'callout':
+			return block.children.map((c) => blockToInlineMd(c, ctx)).join('<br>');
+		case 'columns':
+			return block.columns
+				.flatMap((col) => col.children.map((c) => blockToInlineMd(c, ctx)))
+				.join('<br>');
+		case 'table':
+			return block.rows
+				.flatMap((r) =>
+					r.cells.map((c) => c.children.map((cc) => blockToInlineMd(cc, ctx)).join(' '))
+				)
+				.join('<br>');
+		case 'image':
+			return block.alt ?? '';
+		default:
+			// divider + any plugin block: no meaningful inline text.
+			return '';
+	}
 }
 
 const columnsSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
@@ -1113,11 +1169,7 @@ const columnsSpec: WordsBlockSpec = {
 	}
 };
 
-function validateColumnFields(
-	col: unknown,
-	path: string,
-	ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext
-): void {
+function validateColumnFields(col: unknown, path: string, ctx: WordsBlockValidateContext): void {
 	if (!ctx.isPlainObject(col)) {
 		ctx.error(path, 'invalid-block-shape', 'column must be an object');
 		return;
@@ -1125,11 +1177,7 @@ function validateColumnFields(
 	ctx.validateId(col.id, `${path}/id`);
 	ctx.validateStyle(col, path);
 	if (!Array.isArray(col.children)) {
-		ctx.error(
-			`${path}/children`,
-			'invalid-children',
-			'column.children must be an array of blocks'
-		);
+		ctx.error(`${path}/children`, 'invalid-children', 'column.children must be an array of blocks');
 		return;
 	}
 	for (let i = 0; i < col.children.length; i++) {
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/block-format.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/block-format.test.ts
index 51099ed0f..ec30d9aff 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/block-format.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/block-format.test.ts
@@ -109,7 +109,11 @@ describe('setBlock — paragraph ↔ heading ↔ quote ↔ code', () => {
 			{ type: 'divider' },
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'c' }] }] }]
+				rows: [
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'c' }] }] }]
+					}
+				]
 			}
 		);
 		const sel = rangeSelection([0], 0, [2, 0, 0, 0], 1);
@@ -186,7 +190,11 @@ describe('setTextAlign', () => {
 			{ type: 'list', kind: 'unordered', items: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'L' }] }] },
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'T' }] }] }]
+				rows: [
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'T' }] }] }]
+					}
+				]
 			},
 			{ type: 'image', src: 'i.jpg' },
 			{ type: 'code', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'C' }] },
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.test.ts
index 7ab85602b..2e47555da 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.test.ts
@@ -155,33 +155,38 @@ describe('deleteBackward — list', () => {
 // ── deleteBackward — table cell ──────────────────────────────────────────
 
 describe('deleteBackward — table cell', () => {
-	it('cell col > 0: merges with previous cell in row', () => {
+	it('cell col > 0: backspace at cell start does NOT merge across cells', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
 			rows: [
 				{
 					cells: [
-						{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] },
-						{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'B' }] }
+						{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'B' }] }] }
 					]
 				}
 			]
 		});
-		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 1, 0], 0);
+		// Caret at the start of the SECOND cell's first block. Cells are
+		// fixed grid positions — backspace here is a no-op (no cross-cell merge).
+		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 1, 0, 0], 0);
 		const r = deleteBackward(createState(d, sel));
-		expect(r.changed).toBe(true);
+		expect(r.changed).toBe(false);
 		const table = r.state.document.children[0];
 		if (table.type !== 'table') throw new Error('expected table');
-		expect(table.rows[0].cells).toHaveLength(1);
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('AB');
+		expect(table.rows[0].cells).toHaveLength(2);
 	});
 
 	it('cell col 0: no-op (does NOT merge across rows)', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
 			rows: [
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r0c0' }] }] },
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r1c0' }] }] }
+				{
+					cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r0c0' }] }] }]
+				},
+				{
+					cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r1c0' }] }] }]
+				}
 			]
 		});
 		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 1, 0, 0], 0);
@@ -288,24 +293,25 @@ describe('deleteForward — list / table', () => {
 		expect(list.items[0].children[0]).toMatchObject({ text: 'firstsecond' });
 	});
 
-	it('table cell: merges with next cell in row at end of current', () => {
+	it('table cell: deleteForward at cell end does NOT merge across cells', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
 			rows: [
 				{
 					cells: [
-						{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] },
-						{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'B' }] }
+						{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'B' }] }] }
 					]
 				}
 			]
 		});
-		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0], 1);
+		// Caret at the end of the FIRST cell's first block. Cells are fixed
+		// grid positions — deleteForward here is a no-op (no cross-cell merge).
+		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0, 0], 1);
 		const r = deleteForward(createState(d, sel));
-		expect(r.changed).toBe(true);
+		expect(r.changed).toBe(false);
 		const table = r.state.document.children[0];
 		if (table.type !== 'table') throw new Error('expected table');
-		expect(table.rows[0].cells).toHaveLength(1);
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('AB');
+		expect(table.rows[0].cells).toHaveLength(2);
 	});
 });
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.ts
index 6e9cb7404..9bb2e05ef 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete-ops.ts
@@ -28,11 +28,7 @@
  */
 
 import { samePath, type WordsPath } from '../path';
-import {
-	createCollapsedSelection,
-	normalizeRange,
-	type WordsSelection
-} from '../selection';
+import { createCollapsedSelection, normalizeRange, type WordsSelection } from '../selection';
 import { deleteRange } from './delete';
 import {
 	editingContainerPath,
@@ -127,7 +123,7 @@ function mergeWithPreviousContainer(
 	}
 
 	if (block.type === 'table') {
-		return mergeTablePrev(state, block, containerPath);
+		return recurseIntoTableMerge(state, block, blockIndex, 'backward');
 	}
 
 	if (block.type === 'callout' && containerPath.length >= 2) {
@@ -208,11 +204,7 @@ function mergeListPrev(
 	};
 	const nextList: ListBlock = {
 		...block,
-		items: [
-			...block.items.slice(0, itemIndex - 1),
-			mergedItem,
-			...block.items.slice(itemIndex + 1)
-		]
+		items: [...block.items.slice(0, itemIndex - 1), mergedItem, ...block.items.slice(itemIndex + 1)]
 	};
 	const normalized = normalizeDocument({
 		...state.document,
@@ -227,51 +219,64 @@ function mergeListPrev(
 	});
 }
 
-function mergeTablePrev(
+// Cells hold blocks (like callout / column): a caret inside a cell sits in a
+// block at path [tableIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex, ...rest]. Treat the cell's
+// block list as a sub-document and recurse the delete there — so backspace at
+// the start of a NON-first block in a cell merges WITHIN the cell, while at the
+// first block it finds no previous block and is a no-op (cells never merge
+// across the fixed grid). Mirrors `recurseIntoCalloutMerge`.
+function recurseIntoTableMerge(
 	state: WordsEditorState,
-	block: TableBlock,
-	containerPath: WordsPath
+	table: TableBlock,
+	tableIndex: number,
+	direction: 'backward' | 'forward'
 ): WordsOperationResult {
-	const blockIndex = containerPath[0] ?? -1;
-	const rowIndex = containerPath[1] ?? -1;
-	const cellIndex = containerPath[2] ?? -1;
-	if (rowIndex < 0 || cellIndex <= 0) return noOp(state);
-	const row = block.rows[rowIndex];
-	const previous = row?.cells[cellIndex - 1];
-	const current = row?.cells[cellIndex];
-	if (!row || !previous || !current) return noOp(state);
+	const selection = state.selection;
+	if (!selection) return noOp(state);
+	const rowIndex = selection.anchor.path[1] ?? -1;
+	const cellIndex = selection.anchor.path[2] ?? -1;
+	const row = table.rows[rowIndex];
+	const cell = row?.cells[cellIndex];
+	if (!row || !cell) return noOp(state);
 
-	const offset = inlineTextLength(previous.children);
-	const nextCell: TableCell = {
-		...previous,
-		children: ensureInlinesNonEmpty([...previous.children, ...current.children])
-	};
-	const nextRow: TableRow = {
-		...row,
-		cells: [
-			...row.cells.slice(0, cellIndex - 1),
-			nextCell,
-			...row.cells.slice(cellIndex + 1)
-		]
+	const subDoc: WordsDocument = { version: WORDS_VERSION, children: cell.children };
+	const subSelection: WordsSelection = {
+		anchor: { path: selection.anchor.path.slice(3), offset: selection.anchor.offset },
+		focus: { path: selection.focus.path.slice(3), offset: selection.focus.offset }
 	};
-	const nextTable: TableBlock = {
-		...block,
-		rows: replaceAt(block.rows, rowIndex, nextRow)
+	const subState: WordsEditorState = {
+		document: subDoc,
+		selection: subSelection,
+		activeMarks: state.activeMarks
 	};
+
+	const subResult = direction === 'backward' ? deleteBackward(subState) : deleteForward(subState);
+	if (!subResult.changed) return noOp(state);
+
+	const newCell: TableCell = { ...cell, children: subResult.state.document.children };
+	const newRow: TableRow = { ...row, cells: replaceAt(row.cells, cellIndex, newCell) };
+	const newTable: TableBlock = { ...table, rows: replaceAt(table.rows, rowIndex, newRow) };
+
+	const subSel = subResult.state.selection;
+	const prefix = [tableIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex];
+	const newSelection: WordsSelection | null = subSel
+		? {
+				anchor: { path: [...prefix, ...subSel.anchor.path], offset: subSel.anchor.offset },
+				focus: { path: [...prefix, ...subSel.focus.path], offset: subSel.focus.offset }
+			}
+		: null;
+
 	const normalized = normalizeDocument({
 		...state.document,
-		children: replaceAt(state.document.children, blockIndex, nextTable)
+		children: replaceAt(state.document.children, tableIndex, newTable)
 	}).document;
-	const point = pointFromInlineTextOffset(
-		normalized,
-		[blockIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex - 1],
-		offset
-	);
-	const sel = createCollapsedSelection(point.path, point.offset);
+
 	return changed({
 		document: normalized,
-		selection: sel,
-		activeMarks: getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel)
+		selection: newSelection,
+		activeMarks: newSelection
+			? getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, newSelection)
+			: state.activeMarks
 	});
 }
 
@@ -290,7 +295,7 @@ function mergeWithNextContainer(
 	}
 
 	if (block.type === 'table') {
-		return mergeTableNext(state, block, containerPath);
+		return recurseIntoTableMerge(state, block, blockIndex, 'forward');
 	}
 
 	if (block.type === 'callout' && containerPath.length >= 2) {
@@ -342,11 +347,7 @@ function mergeListNext(
 	};
 	const nextList: ListBlock = {
 		...block,
-		items: [
-			...block.items.slice(0, itemIndex),
-			mergedItem,
-			...block.items.slice(itemIndex + 2)
-		]
+		items: [...block.items.slice(0, itemIndex), mergedItem, ...block.items.slice(itemIndex + 2)]
 	};
 	const normalized = normalizeDocument({
 		...state.document,
@@ -361,54 +362,6 @@ function mergeListNext(
 	});
 }
 
-function mergeTableNext(
-	state: WordsEditorState,
-	block: TableBlock,
-	containerPath: WordsPath
-): WordsOperationResult {
-	const blockIndex = containerPath[0] ?? -1;
-	const rowIndex = containerPath[1] ?? -1;
-	const cellIndex = containerPath[2] ?? -1;
-	if (rowIndex < 0 || cellIndex < 0) return noOp(state);
-	const row = block.rows[rowIndex];
-	const current = row?.cells[cellIndex];
-	const next = row?.cells[cellIndex + 1];
-	if (!row || !current || !next) return noOp(state);
-
-	const offset = inlineTextLength(current.children);
-	const nextCell: TableCell = {
-		...current,
-		children: ensureInlinesNonEmpty([...current.children, ...next.children])
-	};
-	const nextRow: TableRow = {
-		...row,
-		cells: [
-			...row.cells.slice(0, cellIndex),
-			nextCell,
-			...row.cells.slice(cellIndex + 2)
-		]
-	};
-	const nextTable: TableBlock = {
-		...block,
-		rows: replaceAt(block.rows, rowIndex, nextRow)
-	};
-	const normalized = normalizeDocument({
-		...state.document,
-		children: replaceAt(state.document.children, blockIndex, nextTable)
-	}).document;
-	const point = pointFromInlineTextOffset(
-		normalized,
-		[blockIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex],
-		offset
-	);
-	const sel = createCollapsedSelection(point.path, point.offset);
-	return changed({
-		document: normalized,
-		selection: sel,
-		activeMarks: getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel)
-	});
-}
-
 // ── Callout recursive descent ────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 function recurseIntoCalloutMerge(
@@ -434,8 +387,7 @@ function recurseIntoCalloutMerge(
 		activeMarks: state.activeMarks
 	};
 
-	const subResult =
-		direction === 'backward' ? deleteBackward(subState) : deleteForward(subState);
+	const subResult = direction === 'backward' ? deleteBackward(subState) : deleteForward(subState);
 	if (!subResult.changed) return noOp(state);
 
 	const newCallout: CalloutBlock = {
@@ -473,10 +425,7 @@ function recurseIntoCalloutMerge(
 
 // ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-type WordsInlineBlock = Extract<
-	WordsBlock,
-	{ type: 'paragraph' | 'heading' | 'quote' | 'code' }
->;
+type WordsInlineBlock = Extract<WordsBlock, { type: 'paragraph' | 'heading' | 'quote' | 'code' }>;
 
 function isInlineBlock(block: WordsBlock): block is WordsInlineBlock {
 	return (
@@ -519,8 +468,6 @@ function mergeInlinesForBlock(
 	return combined;
 }
 
-function ensureInlinesNonEmpty(
-	inlines: readonly WordsInline[]
-): readonly WordsInline[] {
+function ensureInlinesNonEmpty(inlines: readonly WordsInline[]): readonly WordsInline[] {
 	return inlines.length > 0 ? inlines : [{ type: 'text', text: '' }];
 }
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete.test.ts
index cc721e251..98064af0b 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/delete.test.ts
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ describe('deleteRange — same inline container', () => {
 		expect(p.children).toEqual([{ type: 'text', text: '' }]);
 	});
 
-	it('deletes within a link\'s text children — link stays whole, text coalesces', () => {
+	it("deletes within a link's text children — link stays whole, text coalesces", () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'paragraph',
 			children: [
@@ -399,7 +399,13 @@ describe('deleteRange — atomic blocks no-op', () => {
 			{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'before' }] },
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }]
+				rows: [
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }
+						]
+					}
+				]
 			}
 		);
 		const sel = rangeSelection([0, 0], 2, [1, 0, 0, 0], 2);
@@ -505,4 +511,3 @@ describe('deleteRange — caret placement', () => {
 		expect(r.state.selection?.focus.offset).toBe(3); // "hel" length
 	});
 });
-
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/extra-ops.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/extra-ops.ts
index d3734b5f6..53d0f0ec7 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/extra-ops.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/extra-ops.ts
@@ -30,14 +30,7 @@ import { deleteRange } from './delete';
 import { normalizeDocument } from './normalize';
 import { getActiveMarksForSelection } from './selection-walkers';
 import { changed, noOp, type WordsEditorState, type WordsOperationResult } from './types';
-import type {
-	WordsBlock,
-	WordsInline,
-	TableBlock,
-	TableCell,
-	TableRow,
-	WordsText
-} from '../types';
+import type { WordsBlock, WordsInline, TableBlock, TableCell, TableRow, WordsText } from '../types';
 
 // ── Word / line boundary deletes ─────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -220,11 +213,7 @@ export function outdentCodeLine(state: WordsEditorState): WordsOperationResult {
 	if (!deleted.changed) return deleted;
 
 	const nextOffset = offset > lineStart ? Math.max(lineStart, offset - deleteLength) : offset;
-	const nextPoint = pointFromInlineTextOffset(
-		deleted.state.document,
-		containerPath,
-		nextOffset
-	);
+	const nextPoint = pointFromInlineTextOffset(deleted.state.document, containerPath, nextOffset);
 	const sel = createCollapsedSelection(nextPoint.path, nextPoint.offset);
 	return changed({
 		document: deleted.state.document,
@@ -273,7 +262,7 @@ export function moveTableCell(
 	const columnCount = tableColumnCount(table);
 	const emptyRow: TableRow = {
 		cells: Array.from({ length: columnCount }, () => ({
-			children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] as WordsText[]
+			children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }]
 		}))
 	};
 	const nextTable: TableBlock = { ...table, rows: [...table.rows, emptyRow] };
@@ -295,18 +284,12 @@ function selectCell(
 }
 
 function selectCellInDoc(
-	document: WordsBlock extends never
-		? never
-		: import('../types').WordsDocument,
+	document: WordsBlock extends never ? never : import('../types').WordsDocument,
 	blockIndex: number,
 	rowIndex: number,
 	cellIndex: number
 ): WordsOperationResult {
-	const point = pointFromInlineTextOffset(
-		document,
-		[blockIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex],
-		0
-	);
+	const point = pointFromInlineTextOffset(document, [blockIndex, rowIndex, cellIndex], 0);
 	const sel = createCollapsedSelection(point.path, point.offset);
 	return changed({
 		document,
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/factories.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/factories.ts
index b65a3a9b5..583654110 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/factories.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/factories.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import type {
 	TableCell,
 	TableRow,
 	WordsAlign,
+	WordsBlock,
 	WordsDocument,
 	WordsHeadingLevel,
 	WordsImageAlign,
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ export function createList(kind: WordsListKind, items: readonly ListItem[] = [])
 }
 
 export function createTableCell(
-	children: readonly WordsInline[] = [],
+	children: readonly WordsBlock[] = [],
 	opts: {
 		align?: WordsAlign;
 		verticalAlign?: WordsVerticalAlign;
@@ -139,7 +140,8 @@ export function createTableCell(
 	} = {}
 ): TableCell {
 	return {
-		children: ensureInlines(children),
+		// Cells hold blocks (like callout / column); seed an empty paragraph.
+		children: children.length > 0 ? children : [createParagraph()],
 		...(opts.align ? { align: opts.align } : {}),
 		...(opts.verticalAlign ? { verticalAlign: opts.verticalAlign } : {}),
 		...(opts.colspan && opts.colspan > 1 ? { colspan: opts.colspan } : {}),
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/list-ops.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/list-ops.test.ts
index c03b931d0..dac8034d4 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/list-ops.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/list-ops.test.ts
@@ -103,7 +103,11 @@ describe('toggleList', () => {
 			{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] },
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'T' }] }] }]
+				rows: [
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'T' }] }] }]
+					}
+				]
 			}
 		);
 		const sel = rangeSelection([0, 0], 0, [1, 0, 0, 0], 1);
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/marks-ops.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/marks-ops.test.ts
index 53a38822b..f1789c5d6 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/marks-ops.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/marks-ops.test.ts
@@ -84,21 +84,25 @@ describe('getTextEntries', () => {
 			},
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }]
+				rows: [
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }
+						]
+					}
+				]
 			},
 			{
 				type: 'callout',
 				intent: 'risk',
-				children: [
-					{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'callout' }] }
-				]
+				children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'callout' }] }]
 			}
 		);
 		const entries = getTextEntries(d);
 		expect(entries).toHaveLength(3);
 		expect(entries[0].path).toEqual([0, 0, 0]);
 		expect(entries[0].text.text).toBe('list');
-		expect(entries[1].path).toEqual([1, 0, 0, 0]);
+		expect(entries[1].path).toEqual([1, 0, 0, 0, 0]);
 		expect(entries[1].text.text).toBe('cell');
 		expect(entries[2].path).toEqual([2, 0, 0]);
 		expect(entries[2].text.text).toBe('callout');
@@ -207,9 +211,7 @@ describe('getActiveMarksForSelection', () => {
 			type: 'paragraph',
 			children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'hi', marks: ['bold'] }]
 		});
-		const marks = getActiveMarksForSelection(d, createCollapsedSelection([0, 0], 1), [
-			'italic'
-		]);
+		const marks = getActiveMarksForSelection(d, createCollapsedSelection([0, 0], 1), ['italic']);
 		expect(marks).toEqual(['italic']);
 	});
 
@@ -459,10 +461,7 @@ describe('toggleMark — ranged', () => {
 		// but if we pass a non-collapsed selection with start === end on
 		// a different path, segments collect nothing. Safer demo: range
 		// spans into an image which has no entries.
-		const d2 = doc(
-			{ type: 'image', src: 'x' },
-			{ type: 'image', src: 'y' }
-		);
+		const d2 = doc({ type: 'image', src: 'x' }, { type: 'image', src: 'y' });
 		const sel = rangeSelection([0], 0, [1], 0);
 		const r = toggleMark(createState(d2, sel), 'bold');
 		expect(r.changed).toBe(false);
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/normalize.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/normalize.ts
index 46c0639fc..2fe1d684d 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/normalize.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/normalize.ts
@@ -141,10 +141,7 @@ function normalizeList(
 	return { ...block, id, items };
 }
 
-function normalizeListItems(
-	items: readonly ListItem[],
-	idGen: () => string
-): readonly ListItem[] {
+function normalizeListItems(items: readonly ListItem[], idGen: () => string): readonly ListItem[] {
 	if (items.length === 0) {
 		// Empty list → seed with one empty item.
 		return [
@@ -179,7 +176,7 @@ function normalizeTable(
 			rows: [
 				{
 					id: idGen(),
-					cells: [{ id: idGen(), children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }]
+					cells: [{ id: idGen(), children: seedCellChildren(idGen) }]
 				}
 			]
 		};
@@ -196,20 +193,32 @@ function normalizeTable(
 	return { ...block, id, rows };
 }
 
+function seedCellChildren(idGen: () => string): readonly WordsBlock[] {
+	// A fresh / empty cell holds one empty paragraph (like callout / column).
+	return [normalizeBlock({ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }, idGen)];
+}
+
 function normalizeTableCells(
 	cells: readonly TableCell[],
 	idGen: () => string
 ): readonly TableCell[] {
 	if (cells.length === 0) {
-		return [{ id: idGen(), children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }];
+		return [{ id: idGen(), children: seedCellChildren(idGen) }];
 	}
 	let mutated = false;
 	const next = cells.map((cell) => {
-		const inlines = normalizeInlineChildren(cell.children, idGen);
+		// Cells hold blocks (like callout): normalize each child block; seed
+		// an empty paragraph when the cell has none.
+		const children =
+			cell.children.length > 0
+				? cell.children.map((child) => normalizeBlock(child, idGen))
+				: seedCellChildren(idGen);
 		const cellId = cell.id ?? idGen();
-		if (cellId === cell.id && inlines === cell.children) return cell;
+		const childrenChanged =
+			children.length !== cell.children.length || children.some((c, i) => c !== cell.children[i]);
+		if (cellId === cell.id && !childrenChanged) return cell;
 		mutated = true;
-		return { ...cell, id: cellId, children: inlines };
+		return { ...cell, id: cellId, children };
 	});
 	return mutated ? next : cells;
 }
@@ -248,11 +257,7 @@ function normalizeInlineChildren(
 	let mutated = false;
 	for (const inline of inlines) {
 		const last = next[next.length - 1];
-		if (
-			inline.type === 'text' &&
-			last?.type === 'text' &&
-			sameMarks(last.marks, inline.marks)
-		) {
+		if (inline.type === 'text' && last?.type === 'text' && sameMarks(last.marks, inline.marks)) {
 			const merged: WordsText = {
 				type: 'text',
 				text: last.text + inline.text,
@@ -275,9 +280,7 @@ function normalizeInlineChildren(
 	return mutated ? next : inlines;
 }
 
-function normalizeLinkChildren(
-	children: readonly WordsText[]
-): readonly WordsText[] {
+function normalizeLinkChildren(children: readonly WordsText[]): readonly WordsText[] {
 	if (children.length <= 1) return children;
 	const next: WordsText[] = [];
 	let mutated = false;
@@ -297,9 +300,7 @@ function normalizeLinkChildren(
 	return mutated ? next : children;
 }
 
-function normalizeCodeChildren(
-	children: readonly WordsText[]
-): readonly WordsText[] {
+function normalizeCodeChildren(children: readonly WordsText[]): readonly WordsText[] {
 	// Code blocks have no marks, no links — flatten any stray ones.
 	if (children.length === 0) {
 		return [{ type: 'text', text: '' }];
@@ -332,10 +333,7 @@ function normalizeCodeChildren(
 
 // ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-function sameMarks(
-	a: WordsText['marks'] | undefined,
-	b: WordsText['marks'] | undefined
-): boolean {
+function sameMarks(a: WordsText['marks'] | undefined, b: WordsText['marks'] | undefined): boolean {
 	const al = a ?? [];
 	const bl = b ?? [];
 	if (al.length !== bl.length) return false;
@@ -345,12 +343,7 @@ function sameMarks(
 		if (typeof x !== typeof y) return false;
 		if (typeof x === 'string') {
 			if (x !== y) return false;
-		} else if (
-			typeof x === 'object' &&
-			x !== null &&
-			typeof y === 'object' &&
-			y !== null
-		) {
+		} else if (typeof x === 'object' && x !== null && typeof y === 'object' && y !== null) {
 			const xo = x as { type?: string; value?: string };
 			const yo = y as { type?: string; value?: string };
 			if (xo.type !== yo.type || xo.value !== yo.value) return false;
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/paragraph-ops.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/paragraph-ops.test.ts
index 3672537e6..7d7a4ab27 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/paragraph-ops.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/paragraph-ops.test.ts
@@ -320,12 +320,16 @@ describe('insertParagraph — table → in-cell line break', () => {
 	it('inserts \\n inside the active cell', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }]
+			rows: [
+				{
+					cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'cell' }] }] }]
+				}
+			]
 		});
-		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0], 4);
+		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0, 0], 4);
 		const r = insertParagraph(createState(d, sel));
 		expect(r.changed).toBe(true);
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('cell\n');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('cell\n');
 	});
 });
 
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/selection-walkers.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/selection-walkers.ts
index 4bc65c5fc..d617897a3 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/selection-walkers.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/selection-walkers.ts
@@ -124,30 +124,21 @@ function collectBlockText(
 	}
 }
 
-function collectListItemText(
-	item: ListItem,
-	path: WordsPath,
-	out: WordsTextEntry[]
-): void {
+function collectListItemText(item: ListItem, path: WordsPath, out: WordsTextEntry[]): void {
 	collectInlineText(item.children, path, out);
 }
 
-function collectTableRowText(
-	row: TableRow,
-	path: WordsPath,
-	out: WordsTextEntry[]
-): void {
+function collectTableRowText(row: TableRow, path: WordsPath, out: WordsTextEntry[]): void {
 	for (let i = 0; i < row.cells.length; i++) {
 		collectTableCellText(row.cells[i], [...path, i], out);
 	}
 }
 
-function collectTableCellText(
-	cell: TableCell,
-	path: WordsPath,
-	out: WordsTextEntry[]
-): void {
-	collectInlineText(cell.children, path, out);
+function collectTableCellText(cell: TableCell, path: WordsPath, out: WordsTextEntry[]): void {
+	// Cells hold blocks (like callout / column): recurse into each child block.
+	for (let i = 0; i < cell.children.length; i++) {
+		collectBlockText(cell.children[i], [...path, i], out);
+	}
 }
 
 function collectInlineText(
@@ -166,11 +157,7 @@ function collectInlineText(
 	}
 }
 
-function collectLinkText(
-	link: WordsLink,
-	parentPath: WordsPath,
-	out: WordsTextEntry[]
-): void {
+function collectLinkText(link: WordsLink, parentPath: WordsPath, out: WordsTextEntry[]): void {
 	for (let i = 0; i < link.children.length; i++) {
 		out.push({ path: [...parentPath, i], text: link.children[i] });
 	}
@@ -198,9 +185,7 @@ export function getSelectedTextSegments(
 		if (comparePath(entry.path, range.start.path) < 0) continue;
 		if (comparePath(entry.path, range.end.path) > 0) continue;
 		const start = samePath(entry.path, range.start.path) ? range.start.offset : 0;
-		const end = samePath(entry.path, range.end.path)
-			? range.end.offset
-			: entry.text.text.length;
+		const end = samePath(entry.path, range.end.path) ? range.end.offset : entry.text.text.length;
 		if (end <= start) continue;
 		out.push({ entry, start, end });
 	}
@@ -290,10 +275,7 @@ export function setWordsSelection(
 	});
 }
 
-function clampSelectionForSet(
-	doc: WordsDocument,
-	selection: WordsSelection
-): WordsSelection {
+function clampSelectionForSet(doc: WordsDocument, selection: WordsSelection): WordsSelection {
 	// We can't import dom-helpers to avoid a circular dep — replicate
 	// the clamp logic inline (text-bound offset + first-text-node
 	// fallback). Cheap; the math fits in 10 lines.
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/serialize-text.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/serialize-text.ts
index 9206cd8f1..63b4b16e1 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/serialize-text.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/serialize-text.ts
@@ -22,9 +22,7 @@ export function parseWordsPlainText(text: string): WordsDocument {
 	const lines = normalized.split('\n');
 	return {
 		version: WORDS_VERSION,
-		children: (lines.length ? lines : ['']).map((line) =>
-			createParagraph([createText(line)])
-		)
+		children: (lines.length ? lines : ['']).map((line) => createParagraph([createText(line)]))
 	};
 }
 
@@ -48,9 +46,7 @@ export function renderWordsPlainText(doc: WordsDocument): string {
 			}
 			case 'table': {
 				for (const row of block.rows) {
-					const rowText = row.cells
-						.map((c) => extractText(c.children))
-						.join('\t');
+					const rowText = row.cells.map((c) => cellPlainText(c)).join('\t');
 					lines.push(rowText);
 				}
 				break;
@@ -81,9 +77,27 @@ export function renderWordsPlainText(doc: WordsDocument): string {
 
 // ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-function extractText(
-	inlines: readonly import('../types').WordsInline[]
-): string {
+// A cell holds blocks; join the inline text of its paragraph-like children
+// (same shape the callout case reads). Other block types contribute nothing
+// to the flat plain-text row.
+function cellPlainText(cell: import('../types').TableCell): string {
+	const parts: string[] = [];
+	for (const inner of cell.children) {
+		switch (inner.type) {
+			case 'paragraph':
+			case 'heading':
+			case 'quote':
+			case 'code':
+				parts.push(extractText(inner.children));
+				break;
+			default:
+				break;
+		}
+	}
+	return parts.filter((s) => s.length > 0).join(' ');
+}
+
+function extractText(inlines: readonly import('../types').WordsInline[]): string {
 	let acc = '';
 	for (const i of inlines) {
 		if (i.type === 'text') acc += i.text;
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.test.ts
index abda81334..5294cb1ff 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.test.ts
@@ -28,23 +28,59 @@ function table3x3() {
 		rows: [
 			{
 				cells: [
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '00' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '01' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '02' }] }
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '00' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '01' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '02' }] }
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			},
 			{
 				cells: [
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '10' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '11' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '12' }] }
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '10' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '11' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '12' }] }
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			},
 			{
 				cells: [
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '20' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '21' }] },
-					{ children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '22' }] }
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '20' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '21' }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						children: [
+							{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: '22' }] }
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			}
 		]
@@ -75,11 +111,11 @@ describe('insertTableRow', () => {
 		if (table.type !== 'table') throw new Error('expected table');
 		expect(table.rows).toHaveLength(4);
 		// Original row 1 is now at index 2.
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 2, 1, 0])!.text).toBe('11');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 2, 1, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('11');
 	});
 
 	it('no-op when selection is not inside a table', () => {
-		const d = doc({ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'x' }] });
+		const d = doc({ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'x' }] });
 		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0], 0);
 		const r = insertTableRow(createState(d, sel));
 		expect(r.changed).toBe(false);
@@ -109,7 +145,7 @@ describe('insertTableColumn', () => {
 		if (table.type !== 'table') throw new Error('expected table');
 		expect(table.rows[0].cells).toHaveLength(4);
 		// Original cell 1 ("01") is now at cell index 2.
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 2, 0])!.text).toBe('01');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 2, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('01');
 	});
 });
 
@@ -125,13 +161,21 @@ describe('deleteTableRow', () => {
 		if (table.type !== 'table') throw new Error('expected table');
 		expect(table.rows).toHaveLength(2);
 		// Row 2 stays — now at index 1.
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 1, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('20');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 1, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('20');
 	});
 
 	it('collapses to a paragraph when removing the last row', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'only' }] }] }]
+			rows: [
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{
+							children: [{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'only' }] }]
+						}
+					]
+				}
+			]
 		});
 		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0], 0);
 		const r = deleteTableRow(createState(d, sel));
@@ -155,14 +199,22 @@ describe('deleteTableColumn', () => {
 			expect(row.cells).toHaveLength(2);
 		}
 		// Column 0 and column 2 survive.
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('00');
-		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 1, 0])!.text).toBe('02');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('00');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 1, 0, 0])!.text).toBe('02');
 	});
 
 	it('collapses to a paragraph when removing the last column', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'only' }] }] }]
+			rows: [
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{
+							children: [{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'only' }] }]
+						}
+					]
+				}
+			]
 		});
 		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0], 0);
 		const r = deleteTableColumn(createState(d, sel));
@@ -228,7 +280,10 @@ describe('setCellTextAlign + setCellVerticalAlign', () => {
 			rows: [
 				{
 					cells: [
-						{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }], align: 'right' }
+						{
+							children: [{ type: 'paragraph' as const, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'A' }] }],
+							align: 'right'
+						}
 					]
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.ts
index d9a3017e6..19498b9c8 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/table-ops.ts
@@ -167,18 +167,13 @@ function toggleTableHeader(
 	return changed({
 		document: normalized,
 		selection: sel,
-		activeMarks: sel
-			? getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel)
-			: state.activeMarks
+		activeMarks: sel ? getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel) : state.activeMarks
 	});
 }
 
 // ── setCellTextAlign / setCellVerticalAlign ──────────────────────────────
 
-export function setCellTextAlign(
-	state: WordsEditorState,
-	align: WordsAlign
-): WordsOperationResult {
+export function setCellTextAlign(state: WordsEditorState, align: WordsAlign): WordsOperationResult {
 	return updateActiveCell(state, (cell) => {
 		const current = cell.align ?? 'left';
 		if (current === align) return cell;
@@ -336,9 +331,7 @@ function updateActiveCell(
 	return changed({
 		document: normalized,
 		selection: sel,
-		activeMarks: sel
-			? getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel)
-			: state.activeMarks
+		activeMarks: sel ? getActiveMarksForSelection(normalized, sel) : state.activeMarks
 	});
 }
 
@@ -373,13 +366,16 @@ function tableColumnCount(block: TableBlock): number {
 function emptyTableRow(columnCount: number): TableRow {
 	const cells: TableCell[] = [];
 	for (let i = 0; i < columnCount; i++) {
-		cells.push({ children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] });
+		// Cells hold blocks: seed one empty paragraph (normalize fills ids).
+		cells.push({ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }] });
 	}
 	return { cells };
 }
 
 function insertCellInRow(row: TableRow, index: number): TableRow {
-	const newCell: TableCell = { children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] };
+	const newCell: TableCell = {
+		children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }]
+	};
 	return {
 		...row,
 		cells: [...row.cells.slice(0, index), newCell, ...row.cells.slice(index)]
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/text.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/text.test.ts
index 01ad072d0..33e10ac7c 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/text.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/operations/text.test.ts
@@ -46,9 +46,13 @@ describe('helpers — getNodeAtPath + resolveTextNode', () => {
 	it('handles table.rows + row.cells renames', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r0c0' }] }] }]
+			rows: [
+				{
+					cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'r0c0' }] }] }]
+				}
+			]
 		});
-		expect(resolveTextNode(d, [0, 0, 0, 0])?.text).toBe('r0c0');
+		expect(resolveTextNode(d, [0, 0, 0, 0, 0])?.text).toBe('r0c0');
 	});
 
 	it('walks into callout block children', () => {
@@ -114,7 +118,7 @@ describe('helpers — inline offset math', () => {
 			]
 		});
 		const off = textOffsetInInlineContainer(d, [0], { path: [0, 1], offset: 3 });
-		expect(off).toBe(5 + 3);  // "hello" + 3 chars into " wo"
+		expect(off).toBe(5 + 3); // "hello" + 3 chars into " wo"
 	});
 
 	it('pointFromInlineTextOffset round-trips with textOffset', () => {
@@ -145,10 +149,7 @@ describe('helpers — inline offset math', () => {
 
 describe('marks — normalizeMarks', () => {
 	it('dedupes boolean marks + canonicalises order', () => {
-		expect(normalizeMarks(['italic', 'bold', 'bold', 'italic'])).toEqual([
-			'bold',
-			'italic'
-		]);
+		expect(normalizeMarks(['italic', 'bold', 'bold', 'italic'])).toEqual(['bold', 'italic']);
 	});
 
 	it('preserves parametric marks and dedupes by type (last wins)', () => {
@@ -183,12 +184,9 @@ describe('marks — sameMarks', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('parametric value differences detected', () => {
-		expect(
-			sameMarks(
-				[{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }],
-				[{ type: 'color', value: '#000' }]
-			)
-		).toBe(false);
+		expect(sameMarks([{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }], [{ type: 'color', value: '#000' }])).toBe(
+			false
+		);
 	});
 });
 
@@ -202,18 +200,18 @@ describe('marks — toggleMarkSet', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('replaces parametric of same type with new value', () => {
-		const result = toggleMarkSet(
-			[{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }],
-			{ type: 'color', value: '#000' }
-		);
+		const result = toggleMarkSet([{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }], {
+			type: 'color',
+			value: '#000'
+		});
 		expect(result).toEqual([{ type: 'color', value: '#000' }]);
 	});
 
 	it('toggle exact parametric off when same value', () => {
-		const result = toggleMarkSet(
-			[{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }],
-			{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }
-		);
+		const result = toggleMarkSet([{ type: 'color', value: '#fff' }], {
+			type: 'color',
+			value: '#fff'
+		});
 		expect(result).toEqual([]);
 	});
 
@@ -366,12 +364,18 @@ describe('insertText — collapsed selection', () => {
 	it('inserts into a table cell', () => {
 		const d = doc({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'world' }] }] }]
+			rows: [
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'world' }] }] }
+					]
+				}
+			]
 		});
-		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0], 0);
+		const sel = createCollapsedSelection([0, 0, 0, 0, 0], 0);
 		const state = createState(d, sel);
 		const r = insertText(state, 'hello ');
-		const text = resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0])!.text;
+		const text = resolveTextNode(r.state.document, [0, 0, 0, 0, 0])!.text;
 		expect(text).toBe('hello world');
 	});
 });
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/render.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/render.test.ts
index 72c4ff5ce..ed1ae2cf6 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/render.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/render.test.ts
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ describe('render — block style props → inline style', () => {
 				rows: [
 					{
 						background: '#fafafa',
-						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }]
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }]
 					}
 				]
 			})
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ describe('render — block style props → inline style', () => {
 					{
 						cells: [
 							{
-								children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }],
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }],
 								background: '#eef5ff',
 								padding: { block: 8, inline: 8 }
 							}
@@ -277,8 +277,18 @@ describe('render — table headers', () => {
 				type: 'table',
 				headerRow: true,
 				rows: [
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h1' }] }, { children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h2' }] }] },
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }, { children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'b' }] }] }
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h1' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h2' }] }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'b' }] }] }
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			})
 		);
@@ -296,7 +306,12 @@ describe('render — table headers', () => {
 				type: 'table',
 				headerCol: true,
 				rows: [
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'rh' }] }, { children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'v' }] }] }
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'rh' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'v' }] }] }
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			})
 		);
@@ -327,9 +342,7 @@ describe('render — text marks', () => {
 		const r = renderWordsDocument(
 			doc({
 				type: 'paragraph',
-				children: [
-					{ type: 'text', text: 'x', marks: [{ type: 'color', value: '#ff5500' }] }
-				]
+				children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'x', marks: [{ type: 'color', value: '#ff5500' }] }]
 			})
 		);
 		const node = r[0].children[0];
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-html.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-html.test.ts
index 374ae23b2..33e6e49bf 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-html.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-html.test.ts
@@ -92,18 +92,14 @@ describe('serializeHtml', () => {
 		const html = serializeHtml(
 			doc({
 				type: 'paragraph',
-				children: [
-					{ type: 'text', text: 'red text', marks: [{ type: 'color', value: '#ff0000' }] }
-				]
+				children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'red text', marks: [{ type: 'color', value: '#ff0000' }] }]
 			})
 		);
 		expect(html).toContain('<span style="color:#ff0000">red text</span>');
 	});
 
 	it('quote emits <blockquote>', () => {
-		const html = serializeHtml(
-			doc({ type: 'quote', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Hello' }] })
-		);
+		const html = serializeHtml(doc({ type: 'quote', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Hello' }] }));
 		expect(html).toBe('<blockquote>Hello</blockquote>');
 	});
 
@@ -144,13 +140,17 @@ describe('serializeHtml', () => {
 				type: 'table',
 				headerRow: true,
 				rows: [
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h1' }] }] },
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'h1' }] }] }]
+					},
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }]
+					}
 				]
 			})
 		);
 		expect(html).toBe(
-			'<table><thead><tr><th>h1</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>a</td></tr></tbody></table>'
+			'<table><thead><tr><th><p>h1</p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>a</p></td></tr></tbody></table>'
 		);
 	});
 
@@ -163,8 +163,13 @@ describe('serializeHtml', () => {
 						cells: [
 							{
 								children: [
-									{ type: 'text', text: 'Cell' },
-									{ type: 'text', text: '!', marks: ['bold'] }
+									{
+										type: 'paragraph',
+										children: [
+											{ type: 'text', text: 'Cell' },
+											{ type: 'text', text: '!', marks: ['bold'] }
+										]
+									}
 								]
 							}
 						]
@@ -172,6 +177,8 @@ describe('serializeHtml', () => {
 				]
 			})
 		);
-		expect(html).toBe('<table><tbody><tr><td>Cell<strong>!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>');
+		expect(html).toBe(
+			'<table><tbody><tr><td><p>Cell<strong>!</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table>'
+		);
 	});
 });
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-markdown.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-markdown.test.ts
index 0ef2d7703..775eaa71f 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-markdown.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/serialize-markdown.test.ts
@@ -124,14 +124,20 @@ describe('serializeMarkdown — basic blocks', () => {
 				rows: [
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'name' }], align: 'left' },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'age' }], align: 'right' }
+							{
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'name' }] }],
+								align: 'left'
+							},
+							{
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'age' }] }],
+								align: 'right'
+							}
 						]
 					},
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Alice' }] },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: '30' }] }
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Alice' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '30' }] }] }
 						]
 					}
 				]
@@ -148,8 +154,14 @@ describe('serializeMarkdown — basic blocks', () => {
 				type: 'table',
 				headerRow: true,
 				rows: [
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'pipe|here' }] }] },
-					{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }
+					{
+						cells: [
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'pipe|here' }] }] }
+						]
+					},
+					{
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }]
+					}
 				]
 			})
 		);
@@ -201,9 +213,7 @@ describe('serializeMarkdown — marks', () => {
 		const md = serializeMarkdown(
 			doc({
 				type: 'paragraph',
-				children: [
-					{ type: 'text', text: 'x', marks: ['bold', 'italic', 'code'] }
-				]
+				children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'x', marks: ['bold', 'italic', 'code'] }]
 			})
 		);
 		expect(md).toContain('***`x`***');
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/types.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/types.ts
index 7a50fe42a..1f10d8740 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/types.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/types.ts
@@ -206,7 +206,14 @@ export interface ListBlock extends Block {
 }
 
 export interface TableCell extends Block {
-	readonly children: readonly WordsInline[];
+	/**
+	 * Cell content. Holds full BLOCKS (like `CalloutBlock` / `Column`), so a
+	 * cell can contain paragraphs, lists, images, even nested tables — not
+	 * just inline text. A freshly-created cell seeds a single empty
+	 * paragraph. Markdown export flattens these blocks to inline text
+	 * (GFM table cells are inline-only); HTML export keeps the block markup.
+	 */
+	readonly children: readonly WordsBlock[];
 	/** Vertical alignment within the cell. */
 	readonly verticalAlign?: WordsVerticalAlign;
 	readonly colspan?: number;
@@ -396,11 +403,32 @@ export const WORDS_BLOCK_TYPES = [
 ] as const satisfies readonly WordsBlockType[];
 
 export const WORDS_HEADING_LEVELS = [1, 2, 3] as const satisfies readonly WordsHeadingLevel[];
-export const WORDS_ALIGNS = ['left', 'center', 'right', 'justify'] as const satisfies readonly WordsAlign[];
-export const WORDS_LIST_KINDS = ['ordered', 'unordered', 'check'] as const satisfies readonly WordsListKind[];
-export const WORDS_IMAGE_ALIGNS = ['left', 'center', 'right'] as const satisfies readonly WordsImageAlign[];
-export const WORDS_VERTICAL_ALIGNS = ['top', 'middle', 'bottom'] as const satisfies readonly WordsVerticalAlign[];
-export const WORDS_BORDER_STYLES = ['solid', 'dashed', 'dotted'] as const satisfies readonly WordsBorderStyle[];
+export const WORDS_ALIGNS = [
+	'left',
+	'center',
+	'right',
+	'justify'
+] as const satisfies readonly WordsAlign[];
+export const WORDS_LIST_KINDS = [
+	'ordered',
+	'unordered',
+	'check'
+] as const satisfies readonly WordsListKind[];
+export const WORDS_IMAGE_ALIGNS = [
+	'left',
+	'center',
+	'right'
+] as const satisfies readonly WordsImageAlign[];
+export const WORDS_VERTICAL_ALIGNS = [
+	'top',
+	'middle',
+	'bottom'
+] as const satisfies readonly WordsVerticalAlign[];
+export const WORDS_BORDER_STYLES = [
+	'solid',
+	'dashed',
+	'dotted'
+] as const satisfies readonly WordsBorderStyle[];
 
 export function isWordsBooleanMark(value: unknown): value is WordsBooleanMark {
 	return typeof value === 'string' && (WORDS_BOOLEAN_MARKS as readonly string[]).includes(value);
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/validate.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/validate.test.ts
index 66deeba7c..5a1ba0e59 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/validate.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/engine/validate.test.ts
@@ -63,9 +63,7 @@ describe('validateWordsDocument — top-level shape', () => {
 
 describe('block type registry', () => {
 	it('rejects unknown block types', () => {
-		const r = validateWordsDocument(
-			doc({ type: 'mystery-block', children: [] } as never)
-		);
+		const r = validateWordsDocument(doc({ type: 'mystery-block', children: [] } as never));
 		expect(r.valid).toBe(false);
 		if (!r.valid) {
 			expect(r.errors[0].code).toBe('invalid-block-type');
@@ -83,7 +81,11 @@ describe('block type registry', () => {
 				{
 					type: 'table',
 					rows: [
-						{ cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }
+						{
+							cells: [
+								{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }
+							]
+						}
 					]
 				},
 				{ type: 'image', src: 'https://example.com/cat.png', alt: 'cat' },
@@ -374,26 +376,15 @@ describe('image', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('rejects negative width', () => {
-		const r = validateWordsDocument(
-			doc({ type: 'image', src: 'https://x', width: -1 })
-		);
+		const r = validateWordsDocument(doc({ type: 'image', src: 'https://x', width: -1 }));
 		expect(r.valid).toBe(false);
 	});
 });
 
 describe('callout (P7 — sema intent vocabulary)', () => {
 	it('accepts every SemaIntent value', () => {
-		for (const intent of [
-			'neutral',
-			'affirm',
-			'fulfill',
-			'risk',
-			'threat',
-			'loss'
-		] as const) {
-			const r = validateWordsDocument(
-				doc({ type: 'callout', intent, children: [paragraph('x')] })
-			);
+		for (const intent of ['neutral', 'affirm', 'fulfill', 'risk', 'threat', 'loss'] as const) {
+			const r = validateWordsDocument(doc({ type: 'callout', intent, children: [paragraph('x')] }));
 			expect(r.valid).toBe(true);
 		}
 	});
@@ -408,9 +399,7 @@ describe('callout (P7 — sema intent vocabulary)', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('rejects callout without intent', () => {
-		const r = validateWordsDocument(
-			doc({ type: 'callout', children: [paragraph('x')] } as never)
-		);
+		const r = validateWordsDocument(doc({ type: 'callout', children: [paragraph('x')] } as never));
 		expect(r.valid).toBe(false);
 	});
 
@@ -568,8 +557,8 @@ describe('table', () => {
 				rows: [
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'b' }] }
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'b' }] }] }
 						]
 					}
 				]
@@ -586,7 +575,7 @@ describe('table', () => {
 					{
 						cells: [
 							{
-								children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }],
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }],
 								background: '#fff5e6',
 								padding: { block: 8, inline: 8 }
 							}
@@ -606,7 +595,7 @@ describe('table', () => {
 					{
 						cells: [
 							{
-								children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }],
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }],
 								background: 'accent' as never
 							}
 						]
@@ -625,7 +614,7 @@ describe('table', () => {
 				rows: [
 					{
 						background: '#f5f5f5',
-						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }]
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }]
 					}
 				]
 			})
@@ -640,7 +629,7 @@ describe('table', () => {
 				rows: [
 					{
 						background: 'red' as never,
-						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }]
+						cells: [{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'a' }] }] }]
 					}
 				]
 			})
diff --git a/src/uix/soma/components/words/words-provider.svelte.test.ts b/src/uix/soma/components/words/words-provider.svelte.test.ts
index 34a5e6eb6..a1f7eb682 100644
--- a/src/uix/soma/components/words/words-provider.svelte.test.ts
+++ b/src/uix/soma/components/words/words-provider.svelte.test.ts
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ function wordsOpts(root = document.createElement('div'), value = createEmptyDocu
 		onValueCommit: state<
 			((value: WordsDocument, reason: 'programmatic' | 'blur' | 'button') => void) | undefined
 		>(undefined),
-		onUploadImage: state<
-			((file: File) => Promise<{ url: string; alt?: string }>) | undefined
-		>(undefined)
+		onUploadImage: state<((file: File) => Promise<{ url: string; alt?: string }>) | undefined>(
+			undefined
+		)
 	};
 }
 
@@ -1416,7 +1416,9 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		document.body.append(root, contentEl, buttonEl);
 		const opts = wordsOpts(root, {
 			version: WORDS_VERSION,
-			children: [createTable([createTableRow([createTableCell([createText('Cell')])])])]
+			children: [
+				createTable([createTableRow([createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('Cell')])])])])
+			]
 		});
 
 		const { result, cleanup } = withEffectRoot(() => {
@@ -1453,7 +1455,7 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		} as never);
 
 		expect(result.provider.exportContent('html')).toBe(
-			'<table><tbody><tr><td>Cell<strong>!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>'
+			'<table><tbody><tr><td><p>Cell<strong>!</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table>'
 		);
 
 		cleanup();
@@ -1653,11 +1655,7 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		expect(result.provider.document.children).toMatchObject([
 			{
 				type: 'table',
-				rows: [
-					{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] },
-					{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] },
-					{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] }
-				]
+				rows: [{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] }, { cells: [{}, {}, {}] }, { cells: [{}, {}, {}] }]
 			},
 			{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: '' }] }
 		]);
@@ -1679,10 +1677,13 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 			children: [
 				createTable([
 					createTableRow([
-						createTableCell([createText('A1')]),
-						createTableCell([createText('B1')])
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('A1')])]),
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('B1')])])
 					]),
-					createTableRow([createTableCell([createText('A2')]), createTableCell([createText('B2')])])
+					createTableRow([
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('A2')])]),
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('B2')])])
+					])
 				])
 			]
 		});
@@ -1701,9 +1702,24 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		expect(result.provider.document.children[0]).toMatchObject({
 			type: 'table',
 			rows: [
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ text: 'A1' }] }, { children: [{ text: 'B1' }] }] },
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ text: '' }] }, { children: [{ text: '' }] }] },
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ text: 'A2' }] }, { children: [{ text: 'B2' }] }] }
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'A1' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'B1' }] }] }
+					]
+				},
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: '' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: '' }] }] }
+					]
+				},
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'A2' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'B2' }] }] }
+					]
+				}
 			]
 		});
 		expect(result.provider.selection).toEqual({
@@ -1714,11 +1730,7 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		result.provider.runCommandName('insert-table-column');
 		expect(result.provider.document.children[0]).toMatchObject({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [
-				{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] },
-				{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] },
-				{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] }
-			]
+			rows: [{ cells: [{}, {}, {}] }, { cells: [{}, {}, {}] }, { cells: [{}, {}, {}] }]
 		});
 		expect(result.provider.selection).toEqual({
 			anchor: { path: [0, 1, 1, 0], offset: 0 },
@@ -1730,8 +1742,18 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		expect(result.provider.document.children[0]).toMatchObject({
 			type: 'table',
 			rows: [
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ text: 'A1' }] }, { children: [{ text: 'B1' }] }] },
-				{ cells: [{ children: [{ text: 'A2' }] }, { children: [{ text: 'B2' }] }] }
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'A1' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'B1' }] }] }
+					]
+				},
+				{
+					cells: [
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'A2' }] }] },
+						{ children: [{ children: [{ text: 'B2' }] }] }
+					]
+				}
 			]
 		});
 
@@ -1748,10 +1770,13 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 			children: [
 				createTable([
 					createTableRow([
-						createTableCell([createText('A1')]),
-						createTableCell([createText('B1')])
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('A1')])]),
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('B1')])])
 					]),
-					createTableRow([createTableCell([createText('A2')]), createTableCell([createText('B2')])])
+					createTableRow([
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('A2')])]),
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('B2')])])
+					])
 				])
 			]
 		});
@@ -1776,10 +1801,7 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 			headerRow: true,
 			rows: [
 				{
-					cells: [
-						{},
-						{ verticalAlign: 'middle' }
-					]
+					cells: [{}, { verticalAlign: 'middle' }]
 				},
 				{
 					cells: [{}, {}]
@@ -1800,7 +1822,10 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 			version: WORDS_VERSION,
 			children: [
 				createTable([
-					createTableRow([createTableCell([createText('A1')]), createTableCell([createText('B1')])])
+					createTableRow([
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('A1')])]),
+						createTableCell([createParagraph([createText('B1')])])
+					])
 				])
 			]
 		});
@@ -1851,10 +1876,7 @@ describe('WordsProvider', () => {
 		expect(result.provider.history.past).toHaveLength(1);
 		expect(result.provider.document.children[0]).toMatchObject({
 			type: 'table',
-			rows: [
-				{ cells: [{}, {}] },
-				{ cells: [{}, {}] }
-			]
+			rows: [{ cells: [{}, {}] }, { cells: [{}, {}] }]
 		});
 		expect(result.provider.selection).toEqual({
 			anchor: { path: [0, 1, 0, 0], offset: 0 },
diff --git a/web/routes/uix/components/words/+page.svelte b/web/routes/uix/components/words/+page.svelte
index 713bc43c1..4126b124b 100644
--- a/web/routes/uix/components/words/+page.svelte
+++ b/web/routes/uix/components/words/+page.svelte
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@
 	const handleUploadImage: WordsOnUploadImage = (file: File) =>
 		new Promise<WordsImageUploadResult>((resolve, reject) => {
 			const reader = new FileReader();
-			reader.onerror = () =>
-				reject(reader.error ?? new Error('FileReader failed'));
+			reader.onerror = () => reject(reader.error ?? new Error('FileReader failed'));
 			reader.onload = () => {
 				const url = typeof reader.result === 'string' ? reader.result : '';
 				if (!url) {
@@ -53,7 +52,10 @@
 				children: [
 					{ type: 'text', text: 'A clean editor rebuilt on a base ' },
 					{ type: 'text', text: 'Block', marks: ['code'] },
-					{ type: 'text', text: ' model — common style props (margins, colors, spacing, borders, align) shared by every block and ' },
+					{
+						type: 'text',
+						text: ' model — common style props (margins, colors, spacing, borders, align) shared by every block and '
+					},
 					{ type: 'text', text: 'extended', marks: ['italic'] },
 					{ type: 'text', text: ' per type.' }
 				]
@@ -70,7 +72,12 @@
 					{ type: 'text', text: ', ' },
 					{ type: 'text', text: 'strike', marks: ['strike'] },
 					{ type: 'text', text: ', and a ' },
-					{ type: 'link', href: 'https://tiptap.dev', target: '_blank', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'link' }] },
+					{
+						type: 'link',
+						href: 'https://tiptap.dev',
+						target: '_blank',
+						children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'link' }]
+					},
 					{ type: 'text', text: '.' }
 				]
 			},
@@ -81,12 +88,22 @@
 			},
 			{
 				type: 'quote',
-				children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.' }]
+				children: [
+					{
+						type: 'text',
+						text: 'Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.'
+					}
+				]
 			},
 			{
 				type: 'code',
 				language: 'ts',
-				children: [{ type: 'text', text: "const greet = (name: string) => `Hello, ${name}!`\nconsole.log(greet('Words'))" }]
+				children: [
+					{
+						type: 'text',
+						text: "const greet = (name: string) => `Hello, ${name}!`\nconsole.log(greet('Words'))"
+					}
+				]
 			},
 			{
 				type: 'heading',
@@ -106,7 +123,10 @@
 				kind: 'check',
 				items: [
 					{ checked: true, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Engine reworked (base Block)' }] },
-					{ checked: false, children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Chrome (gutters + bubble + drawer)' }] }
+					{
+						checked: false,
+						children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Chrome (gutters + bubble + drawer)' }]
+					}
 				]
 			},
 			{
@@ -114,7 +134,15 @@
 				intent: 'affirm',
 				title: 'Foundation',
 				children: [
-					{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'This surface renders directly from the model. Editing round-trips through the engine.' }] }
+					{
+						type: 'paragraph',
+						children: [
+							{
+								type: 'text',
+								text: 'This surface renders directly from the model. Editing round-trips through the engine.'
+							}
+						]
+					}
 				]
 			},
 			{ type: 'divider' },
@@ -141,20 +169,22 @@
 				rows: [
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Phase' }] },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Status' }] }
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Phase' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Status' }] }] }
 						]
 					},
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Engine' }] },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Done' }] }
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Engine' }] }] },
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Done' }] }] }
 						]
 					},
 					{
 						cells: [
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Visual' }] },
-							{ children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'In progress' }] }
+							{ children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'Visual' }] }] },
+							{
+								children: [{ type: 'paragraph', children: [{ type: 'text', text: 'In progress' }] }]
+							}
 						]
 					}
 				]
@@ -167,8 +197,8 @@
 	<p data-uix-eyebrow>— editors · words</p>
 	<h1>Words</h1>
 	<p>
-		Rebuilt on a clean base-<code>Block</code> model. This is the F2 foundation: the editor surface
-		renders and edits. Chrome (left gutter menu, right settings gutter, bubble toolbar) is next.
+		Rebuilt on a clean base-<code>Block</code> model. This is the F2 foundation: the editor surface renders
+		and edits. Chrome (left gutter menu, right settings gutter, bubble toolbar) is next.
 	</p>
 </header>
 
@@ -192,12 +222,7 @@
 </div>
 
 <div class="demo-canvas">
-	<Words
-		bind:value
-		{inspector}
-		placeholder="Write something…"
-		onUploadImage={handleUploadImage}
-	/>
+	<Words bind:value {inspector} placeholder="Write something…" onUploadImage={handleUploadImage} />
 </div>
 
 <details class="demo-trace">