diff --git a/docs/Animation.md b/docs/Animation.md
index c89af4406..78420b837 100644
--- a/docs/Animation.md
+++ b/docs/Animation.md
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 
 Perro animation has two resource files and two scene nodes.
 
+Sigils:
+- `$` => value var define/use.
+- `@` => node ref (scene key / NodeID target), in scenes + animation bindings.
+
 - `.panim`: one animation clip.
 - `.panimtree`: one animation graph.
 - `AnimationPlayer`: plays one `.panim`.
@@ -53,7 +57,7 @@ Use `AnimationPlayer` when one clip drives one set of bindings.
 [IdlePlayer]
     [AnimationPlayer]
         animation = "res://animations/idle.panim"
-        bindings = { Hero = Hero }
+        bindings = { Hero = @Hero }
         speed = 1.0
         paused = false
         playback = loop
@@ -204,9 +208,9 @@ The scene node supplies:
     [AnimationTree]
         tree = "res://animations/player.panimtree"
         animations = [
-            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = Hero }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = Hero }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = Hero }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = @Hero }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = @Hero }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = @Hero }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
         ]
         speed = 1.0
         paused = false
diff --git a/docs/resources/panimtree.md b/docs/resources/panimtree.md
index fcb51b60c..86a14e87c 100644
--- a/docs/resources/panimtree.md
+++ b/docs/resources/panimtree.md
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ The `.panimtree` owns slot names and graph connections.
 The scene `AnimationTree` node owns runtime clip IDs and per-slot bindings.
 Slot bindings connect `.panim` object names to scene node keys.
 
+Sigils in scene-side bindings:
+- `$` => value vars.
+- `@` => node refs (`NodeID` targets), same as scene parent/root refs.
+
 ## Example
 
 ```ini
@@ -195,9 +199,9 @@ Scene node template:
         speed = 1.0
         paused = false
         animations = [
-            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
         ]
     [/AnimationTree]
 [/AnimTree]
@@ -251,9 +255,9 @@ Bind it to a real scene node in `animations`:
     [AnimationTree]
         tree = "res://animations/player.panimtree"
         animations = [
-            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop },
-            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop },
-            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang },
+            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop },
+            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop },
+            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang },
         ]
     [/AnimationTree]
 [/anim_tree]
@@ -362,9 +366,9 @@ Scene:
     [AnimationTree]
         tree = "res://animations/player.panimtree"
         animations = [
-            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0 },
-            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0 },
-            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 0.8 },
+            { animation = "res://animations/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0 },
+            { animation = "res://animations/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0 },
+            { animation = "res://animations/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 0.8 },
         ]
     [/AnimationTree]
 [/AnimTree]
diff --git a/docs/scripting/contexts/resource_modules/animations.md b/docs/scripting/contexts/resource_modules/animations.md
index 840b0203c..d5bb6c846 100644
--- a/docs/scripting/contexts/resource_modules/animations.md
+++ b/docs/scripting/contexts/resource_modules/animations.md
@@ -53,5 +53,5 @@ Binding note:
 
 - `ClipObjectName` is the object key declared in `.panim [Objects]` (without `@`).
 - Bind each clip object to a runtime node with the expected node type for that track data.
-- scene authoring bindings use map entries: `{ ClipObjectName = SceneKey }` or `{ "ClipObjectName": SceneKey }`.
+- scene authoring bindings use map entries: `{ ClipObjectName = @SceneKey }` or `{ "ClipObjectName": @SceneKey }`.
 
diff --git a/docs/scripting/contexts/runtime_modules/animations.md b/docs/scripting/contexts/runtime_modules/animations.md
index d05dda401..a5d08ef81 100644
--- a/docs/scripting/contexts/runtime_modules/animations.md
+++ b/docs/scripting/contexts/runtime_modules/animations.md
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ let _ = anim_player_play!(ctx, animation_player_id);
 - `animation = "res://animations/clip.panim"`
 - `bindings = [{ Hero = HeroNode }, { Weapon = WeaponNode }]`
 - `bindings = [{ "Hero": HeroNode }, { "Weapon": WeaponNode }]`
-- bindings are map entries: `AnimationObject -> SceneKey`
+- bindings are map entries: `AnimationObject -> @SceneKey`
 - scene key (`HeroNode`) is resolved to runtime `NodeID` during scene merge
 - `speed = 1.0`
 - `paused = true|false`
@@ -125,4 +125,3 @@ Example scene-key binding:
 ```
 
 Scripts can override or update these values at runtime.
-
diff --git a/docs/scripting/nodes.md b/docs/scripting/nodes.md
index b4cdc961e..68d76b893 100644
--- a/docs/scripting/nodes.md
+++ b/docs/scripting/nodes.md
@@ -240,14 +240,14 @@ Example: sword in hand.
 [/Character]
 
 [CharacterSkeleton]
-parent = Character
+parent = @Character
     [Skeleton3D]
         skeleton = "res://characters/knight.glb:skeleton[0]"
     [/Skeleton3D]
 [/CharacterSkeleton]
 
 [CharacterMesh]
-parent = Character
+parent = @Character
     [MeshInstance3D]
         mesh = "res://characters/knight.glb:mesh[0]"
         skeleton = "CharacterSkeleton"
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ parent = Character
 [/CharacterMesh]
 
 [RightHandSocket]
-parent = Character
+parent = @Character
     [BoneAttachment3D]
         skeleton = "CharacterSkeleton"
         bone = 15
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ parent = Character
 [/RightHandSocket]
 
 [Sword]
-parent = RightHandSocket
+parent = @RightHandSocket
     [MeshInstance3D]
         mesh = "res://weapons/sword.glb:mesh[0]"
         material = "res://weapons/sword.pmat"
diff --git a/docs/scripting/scene_node_templates.md b/docs/scripting/scene_node_templates.md
index 7ed8dbd81..97879db92 100644
--- a/docs/scripting/scene_node_templates.md
+++ b/docs/scripting/scene_node_templates.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Every node template lists the fields it exposes, including fields that default t
 
 Conventions used below:
 
-- `parent = PARENTKEY` is a placeholder parent node key (for example `@root` or another node name).
+- `parent = @PARENTKEY` is a placeholder parent node key (for example `@root` or another node name).
 - `script = "res://path/to/script.rs"` is an example script path.
 - `res://path/to/...` placeholders show expected path shape.
 
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ General wrapper (it might look like this):
 
 ```text
 [name]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 
     [Type]
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 
 ```text
 [node]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Node]
     [/Node]
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Think of it as:
 ### Example
 
 ```text
-@root = Main
+$root = @Main
 
 [Main]
 root_of = "res://shared/player_base.scn"
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ script_vars = {
 [/Main]
 
 [ExtraHat]
-parent = Main
+parent = @Main
     [Sprite2D]
         texture = "res://cosmetics/hat.png"
         [Node2D]
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ root_of = "res://shared/player_base.scn"
 
 ```text
 [node2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Node2D]
         position = (0, 0)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/node2d]
 
 [sprite2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Sprite2D]
         texture = "res://path/to/texture.png"
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/sprite2d]
 
 [camera2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Camera2D]
         zoom = 0.0
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/camera2d]
 
 [collision_shape_2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [CollisionShape2D]
         shape = { type = quad width = 1.0 height = 1.0 }
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/collision_shape_2d]
 
 [static_body_2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [StaticBody2D]
         enabled = true
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/static_body_2d]
 
 [rigid_body_2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [RigidBody2D]
         enabled = true
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/rigid_body_2d]
 
 [area2d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Area2D]
         enabled = true
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 
 ```text
 [node3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Node3D]
         position = (0, 0, 0)
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/node3d]
 
 [mesh_instance_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [MeshInstance3D]
         mesh = "res://path/to/model.glb:mesh[0]"
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/mesh_instance_3d]
 
 [multi_mesh_instance_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [MultiMeshInstance3D]
         mesh = "res://path/to/model.glb:mesh[0]"
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/multi_mesh_instance_3d]
 
 [camera3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Camera3D]
         zoom = 0.0
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/camera3d]
 
 [collision_shape_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [CollisionShape3D]
         shape = { type = cube, size = (1, 1, 1) }
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/collision_shape_3d]
 
 [static_body_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [StaticBody3D]
         enabled = true
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/static_body_3d]
 
 [rigid_body_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [RigidBody3D]
         enabled = true
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/rigid_body_3d]
 
 [area3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Area3D]
         enabled = true
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/area3d]
 
 [skeleton3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Skeleton3D]
         skeleton = "res://path/to/model.glb:skeleton[0]"
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/skeleton3d]
 
 [bone_attachment_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [BoneAttachment3D]
         skeleton = "SkeletonNodeName"
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/bone_attachment_3d]
 
 [particle_emitter_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [ParticleEmitter3D]
         active = true
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ UI templates use ratio-only sizing.
 
 ```text
 [ui_box]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiBox]
         visible = true
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_box]
 
 [ui_panel]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiPanel]
         fill = (0.11, 0.12, 0.14, 0.92)
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_panel]
 
 [ui_button]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiButton]
         disabled = false
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_button]
 
 [ui_label]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiLabel]
         text = ""
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_label]
 
 [ui_text_box]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiTextBox]
         text = ""
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_text_box]
 
 [ui_text_block]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiTextBlock]
         text = ""
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_text_block]
 
 [ui_layout]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiLayout]
         mode = "h"
@@ -752,7 +752,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_layout]
 
 [ui_hlayout]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiHLayout]
         spacing = 0.0
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_hlayout]
 
 [ui_vlayout]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiVLayout]
         spacing = 0.0
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_vlayout]
 
 [ui_grid]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiGrid]
         columns = 1
@@ -850,7 +850,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ui_grid]
 
 [ui_tree_list]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [UiTreeList]
         # roots, branches, and collapsed are usually set from script with NodeID values.
@@ -890,14 +890,14 @@ Use it for socket nodes, like a sword in a hand.
 
 ```text
 [CharacterSkeleton]
-parent = Character
+parent = @Character
     [Skeleton3D]
         skeleton = "res://characters/hero.glb:skeleton[0]"
     [/Skeleton3D]
 [/CharacterSkeleton]
 
 [RightHandSocket]
-parent = Character
+parent = @Character
     [BoneAttachment3D]
         skeleton = "CharacterSkeleton"
         bone = 15
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ parent = Character
 [/RightHandSocket]
 
 [Sword]
-parent = RightHandSocket
+parent = @RightHandSocket
     [MeshInstance3D]
         mesh = "res://weapons/sword.glb:mesh[0]"
         material = "res://weapons/sword.pmat"
@@ -923,7 +923,7 @@ parent = RightHandSocket
 
 ```text
 [ambient_light_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [AmbientLight3D]
         color = (1, 1, 1)
@@ -934,7 +934,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ambient_light_3d]
 
 [sky3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [Sky3D]
         day_colors = [
@@ -972,7 +972,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/sky3d]
 
 [ray_light_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [RayLight3D]
         color = (1, 1, 1)
@@ -990,7 +990,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/ray_light_3d]
 
 [point_light_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [PointLight3D]
         color = (1, 1, 1)
@@ -1008,7 +1008,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/point_light_3d]
 
 [spot_light_3d]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [SpotLight3D]
         color = (1, 1, 1)
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/spot_light_3d]
 
 [animation_player]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [AnimationPlayer]
         animation = "res://path/to/clip.panim"
@@ -1040,14 +1040,14 @@ script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
 [/animation_player]
 
 [animation_tree]
-parent = PARENTKEY
+parent = @PARENTKEY
 script = "res://path/to/script.rs"
     [AnimationTree]
         tree = "res://path/to/tree.panimtree"
         animations = [
-            { animation = "res://path/to/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://path/to/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
-            { animation = "res://path/to/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://path/to/idle.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://path/to/run.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = loop, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
+            { animation = "res://path/to/aim.panim", bindings = { Hero = @PlayerRoot }, playback = boomerang, speed = 1.0, paused = false },
         ]
         speed = 1.0
         paused = false
diff --git a/perro_editor/res/editor.scn b/perro_editor/res/editor.scn
index a0689f9fe..5f84f019f 100644
--- a/perro_editor/res/editor.scn
+++ b/perro_editor/res/editor.scn
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@root = preview_canvas
+$root = @preview_canvas
 
 [preview_canvas]
 script = "res://scripts/editor.rs"
diff --git a/perro_editor/res/proj_manager.scn b/perro_editor/res/proj_manager.scn
index 0b4ce1685..5c66bc264 100644
--- a/perro_editor/res/proj_manager.scn
+++ b/perro_editor/res/proj_manager.scn
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-@col_bg      = "#101318"
-@col_panel   = "#202733"
-@col_stroke  = "#8FB3E8"
-@col_text    = "#E9EEF6"
+$col_bg      = "#101318"
+$col_panel   = "#202733"
+$col_stroke  = "#8FB3E8"
+$col_text    = "#E9EEF6"
 
-@root = project_manager
+$root = @project_manager
 
 [project_manager]
 name = "ProjectManager"
@@ -12,27 +12,27 @@ name = "ProjectManager"
     position_ratio = (0.5, 0.5)
     pivot_ratio = (0.5, 0.5)
     size_ratio = (1.0, 1.0)
-    fill = @col_bg
-    stroke = @col_bg
+    fill = $col_bg
+    stroke = $col_bg
     stroke_width = 0
 [/UiPanel]
 [/project_manager]
 
 [test_panel]
-parent = @root
+parent = @project_manager
 [UiPanel]
     anchor = "center"
     position_ratio = (0.5, 0.5)
     pivot_ratio = (0.5, 0.5)
     size_ratio = (0.35, 0.25)
-    fill = @col_panel
-    stroke = @col_stroke
+    fill = $col_panel
+    stroke = $col_stroke
     stroke_width = 1
 [/UiPanel]
 [/test_panel]
 
 [test_label]
-parent = test_panel
+parent = @test_panel
 [UiLabel]
     anchor = "center"
     position_ratio = (0.5, 0.5)
@@ -40,6 +40,6 @@ parent = test_panel
     size_ratio = (1.0, 1.0)
     text = "CENTER UI TEST"
     text_size_ratio = 0.22
-    color = @col_text
+    color = $col_text
 [/UiLabel]
 [/test_label]
diff --git a/perro_source/core/perro_animation/src/panim/events.rs b/perro_source/core/perro_animation/src/panim/events.rs
index 9b2d5537e..bbbd2f877 100644
--- a/perro_source/core/perro_animation/src/panim/events.rs
+++ b/perro_source/core/perro_animation/src/panim/events.rs
@@ -184,16 +184,11 @@ fn is_ident(value: &str) -> bool {
 }
 
 fn parse_scene_value_with_refs(value: &str, line_no: usize) -> Result<SceneValue, String> {
-    match parse_scene_value(value, line_no) {
-        Ok(parsed) => Ok(parsed),
-        Err(_) => {
-            if !value.contains('@') {
-                return parse_scene_value(value, line_no);
-            }
-            let rewritten = rewrite_reference_tokens(value);
-            parse_scene_value(&rewritten, line_no)
-        }
+    if !value.contains('@') {
+        return parse_scene_value(value, line_no);
     }
+    let rewritten = rewrite_reference_tokens(value);
+    parse_scene_value(&rewritten, line_no).or_else(|_| parse_scene_value(value, line_no))
 }
 
 fn rewrite_reference_tokens(src: &str) -> String {
@@ -256,4 +251,3 @@ fn rewrite_reference_tokens(src: &str) -> String {
 
     out
 }
-
diff --git a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/lexer.rs b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/lexer.rs
index eadd568fc..3b48dbc70 100644
--- a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/lexer.rs
+++ b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/lexer.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ pub enum Token {
     String(String),
 
     At,     // @
+    Dollar, // $
     Equals, // =
     Comma,  // ,
     LParen, // (
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ impl<'a> Lexer<'a> {
 
         match c {
             '@' => Token::At,
+            '$' => Token::Dollar,
             '=' => Token::Equals,
             ',' => Token::Comma,
             '(' => Token::LParen,
diff --git a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/parser.rs b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/parser.rs
index e202c8645..37e2cb915 100644
--- a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/parser.rs
+++ b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/parser.rs
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
     pub(crate) fn collect_var_entries(mut self) -> Vec<(String, SceneValue)> {
         let mut vars = Vec::new();
         while self.current != Token::Eof {
-            if self.current == Token::At {
+            if self.current == Token::Dollar {
                 self.advance();
                 let name = self.expect_ident();
                 if self.current == Token::Equals {
@@ -84,13 +84,19 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                 SceneValue::Str(Cow::Owned(v))
             }
 
-            Token::At => {
+            Token::Dollar => {
                 self.advance();
                 let name = self.expect_ident();
                 self.vars
                     .get(&name)
                     .cloned()
-                    .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("Unknown variable @{name}"))
+                    .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("Unknown variable ${name}"))
+            }
+
+            Token::At => {
+                self.advance();
+                let key = self.expect_ident();
+                SceneValue::Key(SceneValueKey::from(key))
             }
 
             Token::Ident(name) => {
@@ -302,22 +308,22 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                     tags.push(s.clone());
                     self.advance();
                 }
-                Token::At => {
+                Token::Dollar => {
                     self.advance();
                     let name = self.expect_ident();
                     let resolved = self
                         .vars
                         .get(&name)
                         .cloned()
-                        .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("Unknown variable @{name}"));
+                        .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("Unknown variable ${name}"));
                     match resolved {
                         SceneValue::Str(tag) => tags.push(tag.to_string()),
                         SceneValue::Key(key) => tags.push(key.to_string()),
-                        _ => panic!("tags variable @{name} must resolve to a string or key"),
+                        _ => panic!("tags variable ${name} must resolve to a string or key"),
                     }
                 }
                 other => {
-                    panic!("tags entries must be strings, identifiers, or @vars; got {other:?}")
+                    panic!("tags entries must be strings, identifiers, or $vars; got {other:?}")
                 }
             }
 
@@ -345,23 +351,19 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
 
         while self.current != Token::Eof {
             match self.current {
-                Token::At => {
+                Token::Dollar => {
                     self.advance();
                     let name = self.expect_ident();
                     self.expect(Token::Equals);
 
                     if name == "root" {
-                        match &self.current {
-                            Token::Ident(key) => {
-                                let k = key.clone();
-                                self.advance();
-                                root_name = Some(k.clone());
-                                self.vars.insert(
-                                    "root".to_string(),
-                                    SceneValue::Key(SceneValueKey::from(k)),
-                                );
+                        match self.parse_value() {
+                            SceneValue::Key(k) => {
+                                let key = k.to_string();
+                                root_name = Some(key.clone());
+                                self.vars.insert("root".to_string(), SceneValue::Key(k));
                             }
-                            _ => panic!("root must be a scene key"),
+                            _ => panic!("root must be a node ref like @Main"),
                         }
                     } else {
                         let value = self.parse_value();
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                             "parent" => {
                                 parent = Some(match v {
                                     SceneValue::Key(k) => k.to_string(),
-                                    _ => panic!("parent must be a key"),
+                                    _ => panic!("parent must be a node ref like @Parent"),
                                 })
                             }
                             "script" => match v {
@@ -614,7 +616,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn parser_keeps_script_path_string() {
-        let src = "@root = main\n\n[main]\nscript = \"dlc://test/scripts/script.rs\"\n[/main]\n";
+        let src = "$root = main\n\n[main]\nscript = \"dlc://test/scripts/script.rs\"\n[/main]\n";
         let scene = Parser::new(src).parse_scene();
         let node = &scene.nodes[0];
         assert_eq!(node.script.as_deref(), Some("dlc://test/scripts/script.rs"));
@@ -622,7 +624,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn parser_keeps_root_of_path_string() {
-        let src = "@root = main\n\n[main]\nroot_of = \"dlc://test/scenes/main.scn\"\n[/main]\n";
+        let src = "$root = main\n\n[main]\nroot_of = \"dlc://test/scenes/main.scn\"\n[/main]\n";
         let scene = Parser::new(src).parse_scene();
         let node = &scene.nodes[0];
         assert_eq!(node.root_of.as_deref(), Some("dlc://test/scenes/main.scn"));
diff --git a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/scene_doc.rs b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/scene_doc.rs
index fd0fc2ad0..34bc47ca6 100644
--- a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/scene_doc.rs
+++ b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/src/scene_doc.rs
@@ -98,13 +98,14 @@ impl<'a> SceneDocWriter<'a> {
     fn write(&self) -> String {
         let mut out = String::new();
         if let Some(root) = &self.doc.scene.root {
-            out.push_str("@root = ");
+            out.push_str("$root = ");
+            out.push('@');
             out.push_str(self.doc.scene.key_name_or_id(*root).as_ref());
             out.push('\n');
         }
 
         for (name, value) in self.doc.vars.iter() {
-            out.push('@');
+            out.push('$');
             out.push_str(name.as_ref());
             out.push_str(" = ");
             self.write_value(value, &mut out, 0, false);
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ impl<'a> SceneDocWriter<'a> {
             if self.doc.vars.iter().any(|(var, _)| var.as_ref() == name) {
                 continue;
             }
-            out.push('@');
+            out.push('$');
             out.push_str(name);
             out.push_str(" = ");
             out.push_str(value);
@@ -166,6 +167,7 @@ impl<'a> SceneDocWriter<'a> {
         }
         if let Some(parent) = &node.parent {
             out.push_str("parent = ");
+            out.push('@');
             out.push_str(self.doc.scene.key_name_or_id(*parent).as_ref());
             out.push('\n');
         }
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ impl<'a> SceneDocWriter<'a> {
         if dedupe {
             let key = value_key(value);
             if let Some(var) = self.value_vars.get(&key) {
-                out.push('@');
+                out.push('$');
                 out.push_str(var);
                 return;
             }
diff --git a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/tests/unit/lib_tests.rs b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/tests/unit/lib_tests.rs
index 3d1be8e15..d5a90dd59 100644
--- a/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/tests/unit/lib_tests.rs
+++ b/perro_source/runtime_project/perro_scene/tests/unit/lib_tests.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ fn find_node<'a>(scene: &'a Scene, key: &str) -> &'a SceneNodeEntry {
 #[test]
 fn parse_basic_scene() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = main
+    $root = @main
 
     [main]
     name = "Root Node"
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fn parse_basic_scene() {
     [/main]
 
     [player]
-    parent = @root
+    parent = @main
     [Sprite2D]
         texture = "res://player.png"
     [/Sprite2D]
@@ -43,12 +43,12 @@ fn parse_basic_scene() {
 #[test]
 fn parse_object_literal() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = main
-    @mat = { roughness: 1.0, metallic: 0.2 }
+    $root = @main
+    $mat = { roughness: 1.0, metallic: 0.2 }
 
     [main]
     [MeshInstance3D]
-        material = @mat
+        material = $mat
     [/MeshInstance3D]
     [/main]
     "#;
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ fn parse_script_clear_options() {
 #[test]
 fn parse_root_of_without_type_block() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = main
+    $root = @main
     [main]
     root_of = "res://base.scn"
     [/main]
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ fn parse_root_of_without_type_block() {
 #[test]
 fn parse_header_only_node_without_type_block_defaults_to_node() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = root
+    $root = @root
     [relationship_manager]
     parent = @root
     script = "res://scripts/relationship_manager.rs"
@@ -206,8 +206,8 @@ fn parse_header_only_node_without_type_block_defaults_to_node() {
 #[test]
 fn scene_doc_writes_valid_scene_and_syncs_children() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = root
-    @shared = { color: (1, 0, 0, 1), roughness: 0.5 }
+    $root = @root
+    $shared = { color: (1, 0, 0, 1), roughness: 0.5 }
 
     [root]
     [Node]
@@ -215,9 +215,9 @@ fn scene_doc_writes_valid_scene_and_syncs_children() {
     [/root]
 
     [child]
-    parent = root
+    parent = @root
     [MeshInstance3D]
-        material = @shared
+        material = $shared
     [/MeshInstance3D]
     [/child]
     "#;
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ fn scene_doc_writes_valid_scene_and_syncs_children() {
 #[test]
 fn scene_doc_deduplicates_repeated_values() {
     let src = r#"
-    @root = a
+    $root = @a
 
     [a]
     [MeshInstance3D]
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ fn scene_doc_deduplicates_repeated_values() {
     let doc = Parser::new(src).parse_scene_doc();
     let text = doc.to_text();
     assert!(
-        text.contains("@var1 = { roughness: 1.0, metallic: 0.2, color: (1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0) }")
+        text.contains("$var1 = { roughness: 1.0, metallic: 0.2, color: (1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0) }")
     );
-    assert_eq!(text.matches("material = @var1").count(), 2);
+    assert_eq!(text.matches("material = $var1").count(), 2);
     let reparsed = Parser::new(&text).parse_scene();
     assert_eq!(reparsed.nodes.len(), 2);
 }