diff --git a/d2compiler/compile_test.go b/d2compiler/compile_test.go
index 90d54bc6d..593c139d9 100644
--- a/d2compiler/compile_test.go
+++ b/d2compiler/compile_test.go
@@ -1553,13 +1553,45 @@ dst.id <-> src.dst_id
 
 			text: `x: {
   shape: sequence_diagram
-	a
+  a
 }
 b -> x.a
 `,
 			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.d2:5:1: connections within sequence diagrams can connect only to other objects within the same sequence diagram
 `,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "sequence_scoping",
+
+			text: `x: {
+  shape: sequence_diagram
+	a;b
+  group: {
+    a -> b
+    a.t1 -> b.t1
+    b.t1.t2 -> b.t1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			assertions: func(t *testing.T, g *d2graph.Graph) {
+				tassert.Equal(t, 7, len(g.Objects))
+				tassert.Equal(t, 3, len(g.Objects[0].ChildrenArray))
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "sequence_grouped_note",
+
+			text: `shape: sequence_diagram
+a;d
+choo: {
+  d."this note"
+}
+`,
+			assertions: func(t *testing.T, g *d2graph.Graph) {
+				tassert.Equal(t, 4, len(g.Objects))
+				tassert.Equal(t, 3, len(g.Root.ChildrenArray))
+			},
+		},
 		{
 			name: "root_direction",
 
diff --git a/d2graph/d2graph.go b/d2graph/d2graph.go
index b7af9f2a3..838ffe6d7 100644
--- a/d2graph/d2graph.go
+++ b/d2graph/d2graph.go
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import (
 	"oss.terrastruct.com/d2/lib/textmeasure"
 )
 
+const INNER_LABEL_PADDING int = 5
+
 // TODO: Refactor with a light abstract layer on top of AST implementing scenarios,
 // variables, imports, substitutions and then a final set of structures representing
 // a final graph.
@@ -525,6 +527,22 @@ func (obj *Object) HasEdge(mk *d2ast.Key) (*Edge, bool) {
 }
 
 func ResolveUnderscoreKey(ida []string, obj *Object) (resolvedObj *Object, resolvedIDA []string, _ error) {
+	if len(ida) > 0 && !obj.IsSequenceDiagram() {
+		objSD := obj.OuterSequenceDiagram()
+		if objSD != nil {
+			referencesActor := false
+			for _, c := range objSD.ChildrenArray {
+				if c.ID == ida[0] {
+					referencesActor = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if referencesActor {
+				obj = objSD
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	resolvedObj = obj
 	resolvedIDA = ida
 
@@ -867,7 +885,7 @@ func (g *Graph) SetDimensions(mtexts []*d2target.MText, ruler *textmeasure.Ruler
 		}
 
 		var dims *d2target.TextDimensions
-		var innerLabelPadding = 5
+		var innerLabelPadding = INNER_LABEL_PADDING
 		if obj.Attributes.Shape.Value == d2target.ShapeText {
 			if obj.Attributes.Language == "latex" {
 				width, height, err := d2latex.Measure(obj.Text().Text)
diff --git a/d2renderers/d2svg/d2svg.go b/d2renderers/d2svg/d2svg.go
index 77214ce3f..2af505713 100644
--- a/d2renderers/d2svg/d2svg.go
+++ b/d2renderers/d2svg/d2svg.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 
 	"oss.terrastruct.com/util-go/go2"
 
+	"oss.terrastruct.com/d2/d2graph"
 	"oss.terrastruct.com/d2/d2renderers/d2fonts"
 	"oss.terrastruct.com/d2/d2renderers/d2latex"
 	"oss.terrastruct.com/d2/d2target"
@@ -337,11 +338,11 @@ func pathData(connection d2target.Connection, idToShape map[string]d2target.Shap
 	return strings.Join(path, " ")
 }
 
-func makeLabelMask(connection d2target.Connection, labelTL, tl, br *geo.Point) string {
+func makeLabelMask(labelTL *geo.Point, width, height int) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf(`<rect x="%f" y="%f" width="%d" height="%d" fill="black"></rect>`,
 		labelTL.X, labelTL.Y,
-		connection.LabelWidth,
-		connection.LabelHeight,
+		width,
+		height,
 	)
 }
 
@@ -408,7 +409,7 @@ func drawConnection(writer io.Writer, connection d2target.Connection, markers ma
 			br.X = math.Max(br.X, labelTL.X+float64(connection.LabelWidth))
 			br.Y = math.Max(br.Y, labelTL.Y+float64(connection.LabelHeight))
 
-			labelMask = makeLabelMask(connection, labelTL, tl, br)
+			labelMask = makeLabelMask(labelTL, connection.LabelWidth, connection.LabelHeight)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -582,7 +583,7 @@ func render3dRect(targetShape d2target.Shape) string {
 	return borderMask + mainRect + renderedSides + renderedBorder
 }
 
-func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
+func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) (labelMask string, err error) {
 	fmt.Fprintf(writer, `<g id="%s">`, escapeText(targetShape.ID))
 	tl := geo.NewPoint(float64(targetShape.Pos.X), float64(targetShape.Pos.Y))
 	width := float64(targetShape.Width)
@@ -620,11 +621,11 @@ func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
 	case d2target.ShapeClass:
 		drawClass(writer, targetShape)
 		fmt.Fprintf(writer, `</g></g>`)
-		return nil
+		return labelMask, nil
 	case d2target.ShapeSQLTable:
 		drawTable(writer, targetShape)
 		fmt.Fprintf(writer, `</g></g>`)
-		return nil
+		return labelMask, nil
 	case d2target.ShapeOval:
 		if targetShape.Multiple {
 			fmt.Fprint(writer, renderOval(multipleTL, width, height, style))
@@ -706,19 +707,19 @@ func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
 		case d2target.ShapeCode:
 			lexer := lexers.Get(targetShape.Language)
 			if lexer == nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("code snippet lexer for %s not found", targetShape.Language)
+				return labelMask, fmt.Errorf("code snippet lexer for %s not found", targetShape.Language)
 			}
 			style := styles.Get("github")
 			if style == nil {
-				return errors.New(`code snippet style "github" not found`)
+				return labelMask, errors.New(`code snippet style "github" not found`)
 			}
 			formatter := formatters.Get("svg")
 			if formatter == nil {
-				return errors.New(`code snippet formatter "svg" not found`)
+				return labelMask, errors.New(`code snippet formatter "svg" not found`)
 			}
 			iterator, err := lexer.Tokenise(nil, targetShape.Label)
 			if err != nil {
-				return err
+				return labelMask, err
 			}
 
 			svgStyles := styleToSVG(style)
@@ -748,15 +749,15 @@ func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
 			if targetShape.Language == "latex" {
 				render, err := d2latex.Render(targetShape.Label)
 				if err != nil {
-					return err
+					return labelMask, err
 				}
 				fmt.Fprintf(writer, `<g transform="translate(%f %f)" style="opacity:%f">`, box.TopLeft.X, box.TopLeft.Y, targetShape.Opacity)
-				fmt.Fprintf(writer, render)
+				fmt.Fprint(writer, render)
 				fmt.Fprintf(writer, "</g>")
 			} else {
 				render, err := textmeasure.RenderMarkdown(targetShape.Label)
 				if err != nil {
-					return err
+					return labelMask, err
 				}
 				fmt.Fprintf(writer, `<g><foreignObject requiredFeatures="http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG11/feature#Extensibility" x="%f" y="%f" width="%d" height="%d">`,
 					box.TopLeft.X, box.TopLeft.Y, targetShape.Width, targetShape.Height,
@@ -772,7 +773,7 @@ func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
 				fontColor = targetShape.Color
 			}
 			textStyle := fmt.Sprintf("text-anchor:%s;font-size:%vpx;fill:%s", "middle", targetShape.FontSize, fontColor)
-			x := labelTL.X + float64(targetShape.LabelWidth)/2
+			x := labelTL.X + float64(targetShape.LabelWidth)/2.
 			// text is vertically positioned at its baseline which is at labelTL+FontSize
 			y := labelTL.Y + float64(targetShape.FontSize)
 			fmt.Fprintf(writer, `<text class="%s" x="%f" y="%f" style="%s">%s</text>`,
@@ -781,10 +782,13 @@ func drawShape(writer io.Writer, targetShape d2target.Shape) error {
 				textStyle,
 				renderText(targetShape.Label, x, float64(targetShape.LabelHeight)),
 			)
+			if targetShape.Blend {
+				labelMask = makeLabelMask(labelTL, targetShape.LabelWidth, targetShape.LabelHeight-d2graph.INNER_LABEL_PADDING)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintf(writer, `</g>`)
-	return nil
+	return labelMask, nil
 }
 
 func escapeText(text string) string {
@@ -996,9 +1000,11 @@ func Render(diagram *d2target.Diagram) ([]byte, error) {
 				labelMasks = append(labelMasks, labelMask)
 			}
 		} else if s, is := obj.(d2target.Shape); is {
-			err := drawShape(buf, s)
+			labelMask, err := drawShape(buf, s)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
+			} else if labelMask != "" {
+				labelMasks = append(labelMasks, labelMask)
 			}
 		} else {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknow object of type %T", obj)
diff --git a/e2etests/stable_test.go b/e2etests/stable_test.go
index 230528899..a7e7d93e3 100644
--- a/e2etests/stable_test.go
+++ b/e2etests/stable_test.go
@@ -1363,25 +1363,25 @@ d."The earth is like a tiny grain of sand, only much, much heavier"
 a;b;c;d
 a -> b
 ggg: {
-	_.a -> _.b: lala
+	a -> b: lala
 }
 group 1: {
-  _.b -> _.c
-	_.c -> _.b: ey
+  b -> c
+	c -> b: ey
   nested guy: {
-    _._.c -> _._.b: okay
+    c -> b: okay
   }
-  _.b.t1 -> _.c.t1
-  _.b.t1.t2 -> _.c.t1
-  _.c.t1 -> _.b.t1
+  b.t1 -> c.t1
+  b.t1.t2 -> c.t1
+  c.t1 -> b.t1
 }
 group b: {
-  _.b -> _.c
-	_.c."what would arnold say"
-  _.c -> _.b: okay
+  b -> c
+	c."what would arnold say"
+  c -> b: okay
 }
 choo: {
-  _.d."this note"
+  d."this note"
 }
 `,
 		},
@@ -1389,17 +1389,19 @@ choo: {
 			name: "sequence_diagram_nested_groups",
 			script: `shape: sequence_diagram
 
+a; b; c
+
 this is a message group: {
-    _.a -> _.b
+    a -> b
     and this is a nested message group: {
-        _._.a -> _._.b
+        a -> b
         what about more nesting: {
-            _._._.a -> _._._.b
+            a -> b
 						crazy town: {
-								_._._._.a."a note"
-								_._._._.a -> _._._._.b
+								a."a note"
+								a -> b
 							whoa: {
-									_._._._._.a -> _._._._._.b
+									a -> b
 							}
             }
         }
@@ -1408,16 +1410,16 @@ this is a message group: {
 
 alt: {
     case 1: {
-        _._.b -> _._.c
+        b -> c
     }
     case 2: {
-        _._.b -> _._.c
+        b -> c
     }
     case 3: {
-        _._.b -> _._.c
+        b -> c
     }
     case 4: {
-        _._.b -> _._.c
+        b -> c
     }
 }
 
@@ -1431,7 +1433,7 @@ c: "just an actor"
 			script: `How this is rendered: {
   shape: sequence_diagram
 
-	CLI; d2ast; d2compiler; d2layout; d2exporter; d2themes; d2renderer
+	CLI; d2ast; d2compiler; d2layout; d2exporter; d2themes; d2renderer; d2sequencelayout; d2dagrelayout
 
   CLI -> d2ast: "'How this is rendered: {...}'"
   d2ast -> CLI: tokenized AST
@@ -1441,7 +1443,7 @@ c: "just an actor"
   CLI -> d2layout.layout: run layout engines
   d2layout.layout -> d2sequencelayout: run engine on shape: sequence_diagram, temporarily remove
   only if root is not sequence: {
-    _.d2layout.layout -> _.d2dagrelayout: run core engine on rest
+    d2layout.layout -> d2dagrelayout: run core engine on rest
   }
   d2layout.layout <- d2sequencelayout: add back in sequence diagrams
   d2layout -> CLI: diagram with correct positions and dimensions
diff --git a/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg b/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg
index c4dc8c3e4..faac36d1f 100644
--- a/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg
+++ b/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg
@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@ width="1147" height="2268" viewBox="-76 -26 1147 2268"><style type="text/css">
 ]]>
 </style><g id="a"><g class="shape" ><rect x="24" y="74" width="150" height="126" style="fill:#EDF0FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g><text class="text" x="99.000000" y="140.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">a</text></g><g id="b"><g class="shape" ><rect x="274" y="74" width="150" height="126" style="fill:#EDF0FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g><text class="text" x="349.000000" y="140.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">b</text></g><g id="c"><g class="shape" ><rect x="524" y="74" width="150" height="126" style="fill:#EDF0FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g><text class="text" x="599.000000" y="140.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">c</text></g><g id="d"><g class="shape" ><rect x="774" y="74" width="150" height="126" style="fill:#EDF0FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g><text class="text" x="849.000000" y="140.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">d</text></g><g id="(a -- )[0]"><path d="M 99.000000 202.000000 L 99.000000 2141.000000" class="connection" style="fill:none;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;stroke-dasharray:12.000000,11.838767;" mask="url(#labels)"/></g><g id="(b -- )[0]"><path d="M 349.000000 202.000000 L 349.000000 2141.000000" class="connection" style="fill:none;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;stroke-dasharray:12.000000,11.838767;" mask="url(#labels)"/></g><g id="(c -- )[0]"><path d="M 599.000000 202.000000 L 599.000000 2141.000000" class="connection" style="fill:none;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;stroke-dasharray:12.000000,11.838767;" mask="url(#labels)"/></g><g id="(d -- )[0]"><path d="M 849.000000 202.000000 L 849.000000 2141.000000" class="connection" style="fill:none;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;stroke-dasharray:12.000000,11.838767;" mask="url(#labels)"/></g><g id="b.t1"><g class="shape" ><rect x="343" y="964" width="12" height="292" style="fill:#E3E9FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g></g><g id="c.t1"><g class="shape" ><rect x="593" y="964" width="12" height="292" style="fill:#E3E9FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g></g><g id="b.t1.t2"><g class="shape" ><rect x="339" y="1094" width="20" height="80" style="fill:#EDF0FD;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:2;" /></g></g><g id="ggg"><g class="shape blend" ><rect x="49" y="420" width="350" height="80" style="fill:#DEE1EB;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:0;" /></g><text class="text" x="64.000000" y="436.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">ggg</text></g><g id="group 1"><g class="shape blend" ><rect x="275" y="550" width="398" height="730" style="fill:#DEE1EB;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:0;" /></g><text class="text" x="303.500000" y="566.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">group 1</text></g><g id="group b"><g class="shape blend" ><rect x="299" y="1330" width="468" height="466" style="fill:#DEE1EB;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:0;" /></g><text class="text" x="328.000000" y="1346.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">group b</text></g><g id="choo"><g class="shape blend" ><rect x="717" y="1846" width="254" height="216" style="fill:#DEE1EB;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:0;" /></g><text class="text" x="736.000000" y="1862.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">choo</text></g><g id="group 1.nested guy"><g class="shape blend" ><rect x="299" y="810" width="350" height="80" style="fill:#DEE1EB;stroke:#0D32B2;opacity:1.000000;stroke-width:0;" /></g><text class="text" x="338.000000" y="826.000000" style="text-anchor:middle;font-size:16px;fill:#0A0F25">nested guy</text></g><g id="(a -&gt; 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diff --git a/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_real/dagre/board.exp.json b/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_real/dagre/board.exp.json
index 1c26e2f3e..a49ddb67a 100644
--- a/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_real/dagre/board.exp.json
+++ b/e2etests/testdata/stable/sequence_diagram_real/dagre/board.exp.json
@@ -321,6 +321,86 @@
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diff --git a/e2etests/testdata/todo/sequence_diagram_actor_padding_nested_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg b/e2etests/testdata/todo/sequence_diagram_actor_padding_nested_groups/dagre/sketch.exp.svg
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--- a/e2etests/todo_test.go
+++ b/e2etests/todo_test.go
@@ -75,15 +75,15 @@ ninety nine: {
 b;a;c
 b -> c
 this is a message group: {
-    _.a -> _.b
+    a -> b
     and this is a nested message group: {
-        _._.a -> _._.b
+        a -> b
         what about more nesting: {
-            _._._.a -> _._._.b
+            a -> b
             yo: {
-                _._._._.a -> _._._._.b
+                a -> b
                 yo: {
-                    _._._._._.a -> _._._._._.b
+                    a -> b
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.exp.json
index 8e993226b..e0a147f90 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.exp.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     "ioerr": null,
     "errs": [
       {
-        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.d2,4:0:36-4:8:44",
+        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.d2,4:0:37-4:8:45",
         "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/leaky_sequence.d2:5:1: connections within sequence diagrams can connect only to other objects within the same sequence diagram"
       }
     ]
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.exp.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..df9cc8f88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.exp.json
@@ -0,0 +1,395 @@
+{
+  "graph": {
+    "ast": {
+      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,0:0:0-5:0:54",
+      "nodes": [
+        {
+          "map_key": {
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,0:0:0-0:23:23",
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,0:0:0-0:5:5",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,0:0:0-0:5:5",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "shape",
+                        "raw_string": "shape"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "primary": {},
+            "value": {
+              "unquoted_string": {
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,0:7:7-0:23:23",
+                "value": [
+                  {
+                    "string": "sequence_diagram",
+                    "raw_string": "sequence_diagram"
+                  }
+                ]
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          "map_key": {
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:0:24-1:1:25",
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:0:24-1:1:25",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:0:24-1:1:25",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "a",
+                        "raw_string": "a"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "primary": {},
+            "value": {}
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          "map_key": {
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:2:26-1:3:27",
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:2:26-1:3:27",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:2:26-1:3:27",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "d",
+                        "raw_string": "d"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "primary": {},
+            "value": {}
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          "map_key": {
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:0:28-4:1:53",
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:0:28-2:4:32",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:0:28-2:4:32",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "choo",
+                        "raw_string": "choo"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "primary": {},
+            "value": {
+              "map": {
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:6:34-4:0:52",
+                "nodes": [
+                  {
+                    "map_key": {
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:15:51",
+                      "key": {
+                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:15:51",
+                        "path": [
+                          {
+                            "unquoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:3:39",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "d",
+                                  "raw_string": "d"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          },
+                          {
+                            "double_quoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:4:40-3:15:51",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "this note",
+                                  "raw_string": "this note"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      },
+                      "primary": {},
+                      "value": {}
+                    }
+                  }
+                ]
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "root": {
+      "id": "",
+      "id_val": "",
+      "label_dimensions": {
+        "width": 0,
+        "height": 0
+      },
+      "attributes": {
+        "label": {
+          "value": ""
+        },
+        "style": {},
+        "near_key": null,
+        "shape": {
+          "value": "sequence_diagram"
+        },
+        "direction": {
+          "value": ""
+        }
+      },
+      "zIndex": 0
+    },
+    "edges": null,
+    "objects": [
+      {
+        "id": "a",
+        "id_val": "a",
+        "label_dimensions": {
+          "width": 0,
+          "height": 0
+        },
+        "references": [
+          {
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:0:24-1:1:25",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:0:24-1:1:25",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "a",
+                        "raw_string": "a"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "key_path_index": 0,
+            "map_key_edge_index": 0
+          }
+        ],
+        "attributes": {
+          "label": {
+            "value": "a"
+          },
+          "style": {},
+          "near_key": null,
+          "shape": {
+            "value": ""
+          },
+          "direction": {
+            "value": ""
+          }
+        },
+        "zIndex": 0
+      },
+      {
+        "id": "d",
+        "id_val": "d",
+        "label_dimensions": {
+          "width": 0,
+          "height": 0
+        },
+        "references": [
+          {
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:2:26-1:3:27",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,1:2:26-1:3:27",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "d",
+                        "raw_string": "d"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "key_path_index": 0,
+            "map_key_edge_index": 0
+          },
+          {
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:15:51",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:3:39",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "d",
+                        "raw_string": "d"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                },
+                {
+                  "double_quoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:4:40-3:15:51",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "this note",
+                        "raw_string": "this note"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "key_path_index": 0,
+            "map_key_edge_index": 0
+          }
+        ],
+        "attributes": {
+          "label": {
+            "value": "d"
+          },
+          "style": {},
+          "near_key": null,
+          "shape": {
+            "value": ""
+          },
+          "direction": {
+            "value": ""
+          }
+        },
+        "zIndex": 0
+      },
+      {
+        "id": "choo",
+        "id_val": "choo",
+        "label_dimensions": {
+          "width": 0,
+          "height": 0
+        },
+        "references": [
+          {
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:0:28-2:4:32",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,2:0:28-2:4:32",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "choo",
+                        "raw_string": "choo"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "key_path_index": 0,
+            "map_key_edge_index": 0
+          }
+        ],
+        "attributes": {
+          "label": {
+            "value": "choo"
+          },
+          "style": {},
+          "near_key": null,
+          "shape": {
+            "value": ""
+          },
+          "direction": {
+            "value": ""
+          }
+        },
+        "zIndex": 0
+      },
+      {
+        "id": "this note",
+        "id_val": "this note",
+        "label_dimensions": {
+          "width": 0,
+          "height": 0
+        },
+        "references": [
+          {
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:15:51",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:2:38-3:3:39",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "d",
+                        "raw_string": "d"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                },
+                {
+                  "double_quoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_grouped_note.d2,3:4:40-3:15:51",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "this note",
+                        "raw_string": "this note"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "key_path_index": 1,
+            "map_key_edge_index": 0
+          }
+        ],
+        "attributes": {
+          "label": {
+            "value": "this note"
+          },
+          "style": {},
+          "near_key": null,
+          "shape": {
+            "value": ""
+          },
+          "direction": {
+            "value": ""
+          }
+        },
+        "zIndex": 0
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "err": null
+}
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.exp.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..815fbddb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.exp.json
@@ -0,0 +1,1059 @@
+{
+  "graph": {
+    "ast": {
+      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,0:0:0-9:0:101",
+      "nodes": [
+        {
+          "map_key": {
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,0:0:0-8:1:100",
+            "key": {
+              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,0:0:0-0:1:1",
+              "path": [
+                {
+                  "unquoted_string": {
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,0:0:0-0:1:1",
+                    "value": [
+                      {
+                        "string": "x",
+                        "raw_string": "x"
+                      }
+                    ]
+                  }
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            "primary": {},
+            "value": {
+              "map": {
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,0:3:3-8:0:99",
+                "nodes": [
+                  {
+                    "map_key": {
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,1:2:7-1:25:30",
+                      "key": {
+                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,1:2:7-1:7:12",
+                        "path": [
+                          {
+                            "unquoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,1:2:7-1:7:12",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "shape",
+                                  "raw_string": "shape"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      },
+                      "primary": {},
+                      "value": {
+                        "unquoted_string": {
+                          "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,1:9:14-1:25:30",
+                          "value": [
+                            {
+                              "string": "sequence_diagram",
+                              "raw_string": "sequence_diagram"
+                            }
+                          ]
+                        }
+                      }
+                    }
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "map_key": {
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:1:32-2:2:33",
+                      "key": {
+                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:1:32-2:2:33",
+                        "path": [
+                          {
+                            "unquoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:1:32-2:2:33",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "a",
+                                  "raw_string": "a"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      },
+                      "primary": {},
+                      "value": {}
+                    }
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "map_key": {
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:3:34-2:4:35",
+                      "key": {
+                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:3:34-2:4:35",
+                        "path": [
+                          {
+                            "unquoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,2:3:34-2:4:35",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "b",
+                                  "raw_string": "b"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      },
+                      "primary": {},
+                      "value": {}
+                    }
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "map_key": {
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,3:2:38-7:3:98",
+                      "key": {
+                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,3:2:38-3:7:43",
+                        "path": [
+                          {
+                            "unquoted_string": {
+                              "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,3:2:38-3:7:43",
+                              "value": [
+                                {
+                                  "string": "group",
+                                  "raw_string": "group"
+                                }
+                              ]
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      },
+                      "primary": {},
+                      "value": {
+                        "map": {
+                          "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,3:9:45-7:2:97",
+                          "nodes": [
+                            {
+                              "map_key": {
+                                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:4:51-4:10:57",
+                                "edges": [
+                                  {
+                                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:4:51-4:10:57",
+                                    "src": {
+                                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:4:51-4:6:53",
+                                      "path": [
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:4:51-4:5:52",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "a",
+                                                "raw_string": "a"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        }
+                                      ]
+                                    },
+                                    "src_arrow": "",
+                                    "dst": {
+                                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:8:55-4:10:57",
+                                      "path": [
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,4:9:56-4:10:57",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "b",
+                                                "raw_string": "b"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        }
+                                      ]
+                                    },
+                                    "dst_arrow": ">"
+                                  }
+                                ],
+                                "primary": {},
+                                "value": {}
+                              }
+                            },
+                            {
+                              "map_key": {
+                                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:4:62-5:16:74",
+                                "edges": [
+                                  {
+                                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:4:62-5:16:74",
+                                    "src": {
+                                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:4:62-5:9:67",
+                                      "path": [
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:4:62-5:5:63",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "a",
+                                                "raw_string": "a"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        },
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:6:64-5:8:66",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "t1",
+                                                "raw_string": "t1"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        }
+                                      ]
+                                    },
+                                    "src_arrow": "",
+                                    "dst": {
+                                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:11:69-5:16:74",
+                                      "path": [
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:12:70-5:13:71",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "b",
+                                                "raw_string": "b"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        },
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,5:14:72-5:16:74",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "t1",
+                                                "raw_string": "t1"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        }
+                                      ]
+                                    },
+                                    "dst_arrow": ">"
+                                  }
+                                ],
+                                "primary": {},
+                                "value": {}
+                              }
+                            },
+                            {
+                              "map_key": {
+                                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,6:4:79-6:19:94",
+                                "edges": [
+                                  {
+                                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,6:4:79-6:19:94",
+                                    "src": {
+                                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,6:4:79-6:12:87",
+                                      "path": [
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
+                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/sequence_scoping.d2,6:4:79-6:5:80",
+                                            "value": [
+                                              {
+                                                "string": "b",
+                                                "raw_string": "b"
+                                              }
+                                            ]
+                                          }
+                                        },
+                                        {
+                                          "unquoted_string": {
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