diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bc89b96..56f1834 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ This repository has five packages.
 
 | Package | Contents | Reference |
 |---|---|---|
-| `codeupipe` | The eight primitives. An export command that writes a pipeline as plain Python with no import of codeupipe. A config file reader. No dependencies | [conformance/API.md](conformance/API.md), [docs/static-export.md](docs/static-export.md), [docs/config.md](docs/config.md) |
+| `codeupipe` | The eight primitives. A compile command that writes a pipeline as plain Python with no import of codeupipe. A config file reader. No dependencies | [conformance/API.md](conformance/API.md), [docs/compile.md](docs/compile.md), [docs/config.md](docs/config.md) |
 | `codeupipe-lint` | Two linters for pipeline code. Depends on `codeupipe` only | [packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md](packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md) |
 | `codeupipe` for TypeScript | The eight primitives. No dependencies | [packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md](packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md) |
 | `codeupipe-lint` for TypeScript | A linter for pipeline code in TypeScript | [packages/codeupipe-lint-ts/README.md](packages/codeupipe-lint-ts/README.md) |
@@ -154,18 +154,18 @@ An editable install needs pip 21.3 or later.
 | Command | What it does |
 |---|---|
 | `python -m pytest tests -q` | Runs the tests |
-| `python conformance/run.py` | Runs the 27 conformance cases against the Python dynamic run and the three exports, and against the TypeScript targets that the machine can run |
+| `python conformance/run.py` | Runs the 27 conformance cases against the Python dynamic run and the three compiled forms, and against the TypeScript targets that the machine can run |
 | `python -m codeupipe_lint.anonymous_steps` | Runs the anonymous-step linter. Paths come from `cup.config.json` |
 | `python -m codeupipe_lint.invariants` | Runs the invariant linter. Paths come from `cup.config.json` |
-| `python -m codeupipe.lower examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline --out build/pricing` | Exports the example to `build/pricing/src/steps/` |
+| `python -m codeupipe.compile examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline --out build/pricing` | Compiles the example to `build/pricing/src/steps/` |
 | `python conformance/bench.py --check` | Compares benchmark numbers with the recorded baseline. Fails outside 25% |
-| `python -m scorecard.differential` | Compares the export with the dynamic run on random pipelines |
+| `python -m scorecard.differential` | Compares the compiled code with the dynamic run on random pipelines |
 
 ## Layout
 
 | Path | Contents |
 |---|---|
-| `packages/codeupipe/` | The `codeupipe` package: `core/`, `lower/` (the export), `config.py` |
+| `packages/codeupipe/` | The `codeupipe` package: `core/`, `compile/` (the compiler), `config.py` |
 | `packages/codeupipe-lint/` | The `codeupipe-lint` package: `anonymous_steps/`, `invariants/` |
 | `packages/codeupipe-ts/` | The TypeScript runtime, with its tests and its example |
 | `packages/codeupipe-lint-ts/` | The TypeScript linter, with its tests |
@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ An editable install needs pip 21.3 or later.
 | `conformance/` | The contract ([API.md](conformance/API.md)), the cases, the runners, the benchmark |
 | `tests/` | The tests for the two Python packages |
 | `examples/pricing/` | The example, with its test in `tests/examples/` |
-| `scorecard/` | The comparison of the export with the dynamic run on random pipelines |
-| `docs/` | Reference for the export and the config file |
+| `scorecard/` | The comparison of the compiled code with the dynamic run on random pipelines |
+| `docs/` | Reference for the compiler and the config file |
 
 The root `pyproject.toml` is not a package. It holds the test settings.
 
diff --git a/conformance/API.md b/conformance/API.md
index 7d8778a..064b5db 100644
--- a/conformance/API.md
+++ b/conformance/API.md
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ and limits:
 
 **Conformance.** The shared cases name their steps; the runner builds every
 step, so it maps each reported label back to the case's step name. A label
-that is wrong, or differs between the dynamic run and an export, does not
+that is wrong, or differs between the dynamic run and compiled code, does not
 map and fails the comparison.
 
 ## Not in the contract yet
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ map and fails the comparison.
 | Run | `run` is sync. `run_async` is opt-in | One `run`. It returns a Promise. A step can be sync or async |
 | Absent | `None` | `null` |
 | Label of a step | `type(step).__name__` | `step.constructor.name` |
-| Export | `codeupipe.lower` | `packages/codeupipe-compile-ts` |
+| Compile | `codeupipe.compile` | `packages/codeupipe-compile-ts` |
 | Linter | `packages/codeupipe-lint` | `packages/codeupipe-lint-ts` |
 
 Notes on TypeScript:
diff --git a/conformance/BENCH.md b/conformance/BENCH.md
index c1cdaad..a9c241e 100644
--- a/conformance/BENCH.md
+++ b/conformance/BENCH.md
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ compares are in `bench/baseline.json` (`python conformance/bench.py --check`,
 [README.md](README.md)).
 
 `python:run` is the dynamic run. The three `static-*` targets are the
-exports: `static-observe` records State and calls Hooks as `run` does; the
-two fast exports do neither, and refuse the `hook` scenario rather than
+compiles: `static-observe` records State and calls Hooks as `run` does; the
+two fast modes do neither, and refuse the `hook` scenario rather than
 silently dropping the Hook.
 
 µs per run (best of 5 × 20,000, after 20,000 warmup runs); lower is better.
@@ -25,5 +25,5 @@ silently dropping the Hook.
 | `heavy-allocation` | 50 | 17.14 | 2.80 | 1.49 | 7.22 |
 
 Not measured (the target refuses the scenario):
-- python:static-steps hook: UnsupportedFilterShape: <pipeline>.call at line 0:0 — cannot lower Hook. Hint: Hooks do not run in the fast static export. Export with observe=True (top-level Hooks only), or remove them.
-- python:static-inline hook: UnsupportedFilterShape: <pipeline>.call at line 0:0 — cannot lower Hook. Hint: Hooks do not run in the fast static export. Export with observe=True (top-level Hooks only), or remove them.
+- python:static-steps hook: UnsupportedFilterShape: <pipeline>.call at line 0:0 — cannot lower Hook. Hint: Hooks do not run in the fast mode. Compile with observe=True (top-level Hooks only), or remove them.
+- python:static-inline hook: UnsupportedFilterShape: <pipeline>.call at line 0:0 — cannot lower Hook. Hint: Hooks do not run in the fast mode. Compile with observe=True (top-level Hooks only), or remove them.
diff --git a/conformance/MATRIX.md b/conformance/MATRIX.md
index 8db7cd3..b336629 100644
--- a/conformance/MATRIX.md
+++ b/conformance/MATRIX.md
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@ live copy is `results/latest.md` (not committed). The command exits non-zero
 if any target has a ❌.
 
 **Every target passes every case, and nothing is unsupported.** The targets
-are the Python dynamic run, async run and three static exports, and the
+are the Python dynamic run, async run and three compiled forms, and the
 TypeScript run and its compiled form.
 
-The fast exports (`python:static-steps`, `python:static-inline`,
+The fast modes (`python:static-steps`, `python:static-inline`,
 `typescript:static`) expose no State or Hooks, so they pass those cases as
-✅\*. `static-observe` (export with
+✅\*. `static-observe` (compile with
 `observe=True`) records both and passes every case outright. See
-[docs/static-export.md](../docs/static-export.md).
+[docs/compile.md](../docs/compile.md).
 
 | case | python:run | python:run_async | python:static-steps | python:static-inline | python:static-observe | typescript:run | typescript:static |
 |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
@@ -52,4 +52,4 @@ The fast exports (`python:static-steps`, `python:static-inline`,
 - **typescript:run**: 27 pass, 0 pass*, 0 fail, 0 unsupported
 - **typescript:static**: 11 pass, 16 pass*, 0 fail, 0 unsupported
 
-✅* passed everything the target can observe; it does not expose State or Hooks (the fast static export). ➖ the target cannot express the case.
+✅* passed everything the target can observe; it does not expose State or Hooks (the fast mode). ➖ the target cannot express the case.
diff --git a/conformance/README.md b/conformance/README.md
index 9d1f338..a489f06 100644
--- a/conformance/README.md
+++ b/conformance/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ The rules are in **[API.md](API.md)**, the CUP API contract. This suite
 checks them.
 
 One set of language-neutral cases, a runner, and **one judge** (`run.py`).
-The dynamic run and each static export are held to exactly the same
+The dynamic run and each compiled form are held to exactly the same
 comparison.
 
 ```bash
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ load a number can leave the band.
 | Target | How it runs (all offline) |
 |---|---|
 | `python:run`, `python:run_async` | `codeupipe.core` Pipeline, sync and async entry points |
-| `python:static-steps`, `python:static-inline` | `codeupipe.lower` fast export, loaded from disk (no State or Hooks: ✅\*) |
-| `python:static-observe` | `codeupipe.lower` export with `observe=True`: State and Hooks judged too |
+| `python:static-steps`, `python:static-inline` | `codeupipe.compile` fast mode, loaded from disk (no State or Hooks: ✅\*) |
+| `python:static-observe` | `codeupipe.compile` with `observe=True`: State and Hooks judged too |
 | `typescript:run` | `packages/codeupipe-ts` Pipeline. Node runs the `.ts` runner as it is (Node 22.18 or later). With no arguments, `run.py` leaves this target out when the machine has no such Node |
 | `typescript:static` | `packages/codeupipe-compile-ts`: the pipeline as plain code, written to a file and imported (no State or Hooks: ✅\*). Needs `npm ci` in that package and a built core package; `run.py` leaves it out when they are not there |
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ load a number can leave the band.
 | ✅ | every expectation matched |
 | ✅* | everything the target *can observe* matched. Static code has no State or Hooks, so those checks cannot run |
 | ❌ | something observable differed |
-| ➖ | the target cannot express the case (e.g. export refuses a nested pipeline). Never counted as a pass |
+| ➖ | the target cannot express the case (e.g. the compiler refuses a nested pipeline). Never counted as a pass |
 
 ## Case format (`cases/*.json`)
 
diff --git a/conformance/run.py b/conformance/run.py
index a502af7..59da284 100644
--- a/conformance/run.py
+++ b/conformance/run.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
     partial      every expectation the target can observe matched, but some
                  (State, Hooks) it does not expose at all (fast static code)
     FAIL         something observable differed (details in the JSON report)
-    unsupported  the target cannot express the case (e.g. static export of a
+    unsupported  the target cannot express the case (e.g. compiled form of a
                  nested pipeline); reported, never counted as a pass
 """
 
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ def _markdown(cases, names, matrix, report):
                          f"{t['unsupported']} unsupported")
     lines.append("")
     lines.append("✅* passed everything the target can observe; it does not expose State or Hooks "
-                 "(the fast static export). ➖ the target cannot express the case.")
+                 "(the fast mode). ➖ the target cannot express the case.")
     return "\n".join(lines) + "\n"
 
 
diff --git a/conformance/runners/python/conformance_sink.py b/conformance/runners/python/conformance_sink.py
index e815e87..89b2a56 100644
--- a/conformance/runners/python/conformance_sink.py
+++ b/conformance/runners/python/conformance_sink.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 ``from conformance_sink import TAPS`` as an import, so every lowered step
 appends to this one list. A list defined next to the ops would be *copied*
 into each lowered step instead (see the known limitation in
-packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py).
+packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py).
 """
 
 TAPS = []
diff --git a/conformance/runners/python/runner.py b/conformance/runners/python/runner.py
index 323c2be..37b5859 100644
--- a/conformance/runners/python/runner.py
+++ b/conformance/runners/python/runner.py
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@
 Targets
     run            codeupipe Pipeline.run (sync, the default)
     run_async      codeupipe Pipeline.run_async (inside asyncio.run)
-    static-steps   codeupipe.lower export, per-step layout, loaded from disk
-    static-inline  codeupipe.lower export, lowering="inline", loaded from disk
-    static-observe codeupipe.lower export, observe=True: State and Hooks too
+    static-steps   codeupipe.compile export, per-step layout, loaded from disk
+    static-inline  codeupipe.compile export, lowering="inline", loaded from disk
+    static-observe codeupipe.compile export, observe=True: State and Hooks too
 
 The runner never judges; conformance/run.py compares every target's results
 against the same expectations. The fast static targets have no State or
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ def _dynamic(case, predicates, run_async=False):
 
 def _load_export(p, lowering, observe, workdir):
     """Export ``p`` and import the package from disk, as a customer would."""
-    from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+    from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
     out = build_export_pipeline_v2(write=False).run(
         Payload({"pipeline": p, "pattern": "flat", "lowering": lowering, "observe": observe}))
diff --git a/docs/static-export.md b/docs/compile.md
similarity index 76%
rename from docs/static-export.md
rename to docs/compile.md
index ca02191..e2b6dbf 100644
--- a/docs/static-export.md
+++ b/docs/compile.md
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
-# Static export: what it guarantees
+# Compile: what it guarantees
 
-`codeupipe.lower` turns a live `Pipeline` into plain Python with no framework
-import. This page says what the export lowers, what it refuses, and what
-the exported code does not have.
+`codeupipe.compile` turns a live `Pipeline` into plain Python with no framework
+import. This page says what the compiler lowers, what it refuses, and what
+the compiled code does not have.
 
-**The rule: anything that exports behaves the same as the dynamic `run`.
-Anything that cannot is refused at export time, with the step named.** A
-shape that exports "successfully" and then behaves differently is a bug.
+**The rule: anything that compiles behaves the same as the dynamic `run`.
+Anything that cannot is refused at compile time, with the step named.** A
+shape that compiles "successfully" and then behaves differently is a bug.
 
-There are two exports. Pick per pipeline:
+There are two modes. Pick per pipeline:
 
 | | fast (default) | observable (`observe=True`) |
 |---|---|---|
-| exported entry point | `run(data)` | `run(data, state=None, hooks=None, timing=False, trace_id=None)` |
+| compiled entry point | `run(data)` | `run(data, state=None, hooks=None, timing=False, trace_id=None)` |
 | output | same as dynamic | same as dynamic |
 | State (executed, skipped, errors, timings) | no | yes, into the `state` dict |
 | Hooks | refused | yes, same order as dynamic |
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ There are two exports. Pick per pipeline:
 | 10 filters + a Hook (dynamic: 5.96) | refused | 3.03 |
 
 ```python
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
 out = build_export_pipeline_v2(write=False).run(Payload({
     "pipeline": pipeline,
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ out.get("files")              # [{"path": ..., "content": ...}], exposing run(di
 ## From the command line
 
 ```bash
-python -m codeupipe.lower app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout
-python -m codeupipe.lower app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout --lowering inline
-python -m codeupipe.lower app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout --observe
+python -m codeupipe.compile app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout
+python -m codeupipe.compile app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout --lowering inline
+python -m codeupipe.compile app.pipelines:checkout --out build/checkout --observe
 ```
 
 `module:name` is a `Pipeline`, a function that builds one, or a named
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@ file written is printed. A directory that is not empty is refused unless
 steps deleted from the pipeline leave their old modules behind).
 
 With no `module:name`, every pipeline listed under `compile` in
-`cup.config.json` is exported ([config.md](config.md)).
+`cup.config.json` is compiled ([config.md](config.md)).
 
-Exit code: **0** exported, **1** refused (the message names the step and the
+Exit code: **0** compiled, **1** refused (the message names the step and the
 fix), **2** the command could not run. Nothing is written on 1 or 2. Tests:
-[tests/lower/test_cli.py](../tests/lower/test_cli.py).
+[tests/compile/test_cli.py](../tests/compile/test_cli.py).
 
-## Step labels in exported code
+## Step labels in compiled code
 
 A step has a label, the name of its class (`Validate`, `Validate#2` from the
-second use; conformance/API.md). A label is not an identifier, so exported
+second use; conformance/API.md). A label is not an identifier, so compiled
 code never uses it as a name: each step gets a generated module and
 function, `step_01_validate`, `step_02_validate`, and the label appears only
 as a string in State and in Hook calls. That also rules out
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ generated `run()` (scorecard findings F3–F8).
 | Tap (`observe`) | the call wrapped in `try/except Exception` (Plane B: never halts) | conformance, `test_export_pipeline` |
 | Nested Pipeline (a named `Pipeline` type) | its steps flattened in place; reported as the one nesting step | conformance, `test_export_pipeline` |
 | Literal instance settings (`self.key` holding a str, number, ...) | compiled in as constants | `test_export_instance_config` |
-| Type hints on a step (`Payload[Reads] -> Payload[Writes]`, hinted locals) | erased: exported code carries no hints and never imports their names | `test_export_typed_steps` |
+| Type hints on a step (`Payload[Reads] -> Payload[Writes]`, hinted locals) | erased: compiled code carries no hints and never imports their names | `test_export_typed_steps` |
 | Payload ops `get insert remove merge has to_dict copy` | dict operations; a write is an in-place statement (`data[k] = v`) | `test_rewrite_payload_ops` |
 
 Evidence: all 27 conformance cases on both layouts (`python:static-steps`,
@@ -79,23 +79,23 @@ Evidence: all 27 conformance cases on both layouts (`python:static-steps`,
 
 ## What is refused
 
-`UnsupportedFilterShape` is raised at export, naming the step. Tests:
-[tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py](../tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py)
+`UnsupportedFilterShape` is raised at compile time, naming the step. Tests:
+[tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py](../tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py)
 and the older shape tests beside it.
 
 | Shape | Why there is no static form | What to do |
 |---|---|---|
-| **Hooks**, in the fast export | the fast code has no lifecycle to hook into | export with `observe=True`, or remove them |
-| **Hooks on a nested pipeline**, in either export | they belong to the inner run, which is flattened away | move them to the top-level pipeline |
+| **Hooks**, in the fast mode | the fast code has no lifecycle to hook into | compile with `observe=True`, or remove them |
+| **Hooks on a nested pipeline**, in either mode | they belong to the inner run, which is flattened away | move them to the top-level pipeline |
 | `observe=True` with `lowering="inline"` (`ValueError`) | inline writes the payload in place, so a Hook holding it would see later steps' writes | use the default `steps` layout |
 | **Async steps** (async `call`/`observe`, Valve around one, async `test`) | static `run` is sync, as the dynamic `run` is: it raises `AsyncStepInSyncRun` on the same pipeline | make the step sync |
 | **`payload.trace_id`, `payload.lineage`, `payload.with_trace`** | a plain dict carries neither | keep the step dynamic |
-| any other payload attribute (`payload._data`, ...) | same: only the operations above have a dict form | use an exportable operation |
+| any other payload attribute (`payload._data`, ...) | same: only the operations above have a dict form | use an compilable operation |
 | callables or objects on `self` (filter or predicate), steps writing `self.x` | no source or literal to compile in | literal settings (predicates and filters are module-level classes anyway: the runtime refuses anything else) |
 
-## What the fast export gives up
+## What the fast mode gives up
 
-The fast export produces the same **output**. It does not produce:
+The fast mode produces the same **output**. It does not produce:
 
 - **State**: no executed / skipped / errors / timings.
 - **Hook calls** (refused, above).
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ The fast export produces the same **output**. It does not produce:
 So conformance can judge the fast targets only on output, Taps and an
 unchanged caller input: they pass the State and Hook cases as ✅\* (partial).
 
-## Observable export (`observe=True`)
+## Observable mode (`observe=True`)
 
 ```python
 out = build_export_pipeline_v2(write=False).run(Payload({"pipeline": pipeline, "observe": True}))
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ It reproduces the dynamic run's observable behaviour exactly, and the
   contract's order (conformance/API.md). They receive the **dict**, not a
   `Payload`: `.get` works, but treat it as read-only, and `trace_id` is on
   `state`, not on the data.
-- **Hooks are passed at run time**, since the exported code imports no
+- **Hooks are passed at run time**, since the compiled code imports no
   framework and cannot rebuild hook objects. If the source pipeline had
   Hooks, the module lists them in `SOURCE_HOOKS` and `run()` **raises
   `TypeError` if `hooks` is omitted**, so they cannot be lost silently.
@@ -143,15 +143,15 @@ Cost: 10 filters run in 1.95 µs against 0.84 for the fast per-step layout
 and 4.92 for the dynamic run: about 2.5× faster than dynamic with the same
 State and Hooks. With a Hook attached, 3.03 µs against 5.96.
 
-## Testing exported code
+## Testing compiled code
 
-- **Fast export:** the package is `run(dict) -> dict`, so test by output.
+- **Fast mode:** the package is `run(dict) -> dict`, so test by output.
   The scorecard (`python -m scorecard.differential`) runs the dynamic and
   static forms on the same inputs and compares outputs, raised errors and
   input mutation.
-- **Observable export:** assert on the `state` dict and on a recording Hook,
+- **Observable mode:** assert on the `state` dict and on a recording Hook,
   exactly as you would on `pipeline.state` and a Hook in the dynamic
-  runtime. `tests/lower/test_export_observe.py` runs both forms side by side
+  runtime. `tests/compile/test_export_observe.py` runs both forms side by side
   and asserts they match.
 - `run_filter` and `assert_state` from `codeupipe.testing` target the
   dynamic runtime only.
diff --git a/docs/config.md b/docs/config.md
index a5ad3bb..286a0f7 100644
--- a/docs/config.md
+++ b/docs/config.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ every time.
 ```bash
 python -m codeupipe_lint.invariants          # lint.paths, minus lint.exclude
 python -m codeupipe_lint.anonymous_steps     # the same
-python -m codeupipe.lower          # every pipeline under compile
+python -m codeupipe.compile          # every pipeline under compile
 ```
 
 ## Keys
diff --git a/examples/pricing/__init__.py b/examples/pricing/__init__.py
index 6a76565..b7a9828 100644
--- a/examples/pricing/__init__.py
+++ b/examples/pricing/__init__.py
@@ -14,5 +14,5 @@
 used again in another pipeline.
 
 Run it:      python -m examples.pricing
-Export it:   python -m codeupipe.lower examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline --out build/pricing
+Compile it:   python -m codeupipe.compile examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline --out build/pricing
 """
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe-compile-ts/README.md b/packages/codeupipe-compile-ts/README.md
index b374175..6f2b426 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe-compile-ts/README.md
+++ b/packages/codeupipe-compile-ts/README.md
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ also check State or Hooks pass on what the code can show.
 The compiled module is like one instance of the pipeline: a setting that is
 a list or an object is one value for every run.
 
-## Differences from the Python export
+## Differences from the Python compiler
 
-Python has `python -m codeupipe.lower`. It reads a pipeline object that is
+Python has `python -m codeupipe.compile`. It reads a pipeline object that is
 in memory. This compiler reads the source of a pipeline class. Python also
-has an inline layout and an observable export (State and Hooks); this
+has an inline layout and an observable mode (State and Hooks); this
 compiler has neither.
 
 ## Development
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md b/packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md
index fb9237a..84d53f6 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md
+++ b/packages/codeupipe-lint/README.md
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ Suppress with `cup: allow-name`.
 **Why CUP-I003.** A Filter's result and a Valve's decision must depend only
 on the Payload. A step is never handed State, so the only way to read it is
 to hold a pipeline or a State, and that makes the step's behaviour depend on
-what ran before it, which the static export cannot reproduce. Taps and Hooks
+what ran before it, which the compiled form cannot reproduce. Taps and Hooks
 only watch, so `observe` and Hook methods are not checked.
 
 `self.state` is not flagged when it is the step's own attribute. `<x>.state`
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md b/packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md
index cd80dfc..d909842 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md
+++ b/packages/codeupipe-ts/README.md
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ override the methods that you need.
   State. `pipeline.state` is the State of the run that started last.
 - **The linter and the compiler are separate packages**, because they
   need a parser: [codeupipe-lint-ts](../codeupipe-lint-ts/) and
-  [codeupipe-compile-ts](../codeupipe-compile-ts/). In Python the export is
+  [codeupipe-compile-ts](../codeupipe-compile-ts/). In Python the compiler is
   in the core package.
 
 ## Labels and minified code
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/README.md b/packages/codeupipe/README.md
index cef9763..7a8649f 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe/README.md
+++ b/packages/codeupipe/README.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ have the method of a step.
 ## What is in the package
 
 - `codeupipe`: the eight primitives.
-- `python -m codeupipe.lower`: writes a pipeline as plain Python with no
+- `python -m codeupipe.compile`: writes a pipeline as plain Python with no
   import of codeupipe.
 - `codeupipe.config`: reads `cup.config.json`.
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ in the repository README.
 ## Documentation
 
 - The contract: https://github.com/orchestrate-solutions/codeupipe/blob/main/conformance/API.md
-- The export: https://github.com/orchestrate-solutions/codeupipe/blob/main/docs/static-export.md
+- The compiler: https://github.com/orchestrate-solutions/codeupipe/blob/main/docs/compile.md
 - The config file: https://github.com/orchestrate-solutions/codeupipe/blob/main/docs/config.md
 - The repository: https://github.com/orchestrate-solutions/codeupipe
 
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/__init__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/__init__.py
index 02132a2..aca48bc 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/__init__.py
+++ b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """codeupipe: the eight primitives, runnable two ways.
 
-``codeupipe.core`` is the dynamic runtime. ``codeupipe.lower`` exports a
+``codeupipe.core`` is the dynamic runtime. ``codeupipe.compile`` compiles a
 pipeline as plain code with no framework import.
 """
 
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/__init__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/__init__.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/__main__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/__main__.py
similarity index 93%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/__main__.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/__main__.py
index f4189eb..eb23c53 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/__main__.py
+++ b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/__main__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-"""``python -m codeupipe.lower [module:name --out DIR] [--lowering steps|inline] [--observe] [--overwrite] [--config FILE]``
+"""``python -m codeupipe.compile [module:name --out DIR] [--lowering steps|inline] [--observe] [--overwrite] [--config FILE]``
 
-Export a Pipeline to plain Python with no framework import (docs/static-export.md).
+Export a Pipeline to plain Python with no framework import (docs/compile.md).
 With no ``module:name``, every pipeline listed under ``compile`` in
 ``cup.config.json`` is exported (packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/config.py).
 
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ def export(target: str, out_dir: str, lowering: str = "steps", observe: bool = F
 
 
 def main(argv=None) -> int:
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="python -m codeupipe.lower",
-                                     description="Export a Pipeline to plain Python (docs/static-export.md).")
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="python -m codeupipe.compile",
+                                     description="Export a Pipeline to plain Python (docs/compile.md).")
     parser.add_argument("target", nargs="?",
                         help="the pipeline, as module:name (a Pipeline, a builder function, or a Pipeline type); "
                              "omit it to export every pipeline in the config")
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/errors.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/errors.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/errors.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/errors.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/__init__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/__init__.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_inline_module_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_orchestrator_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_orchestrator_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_orchestrator_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_orchestrator_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_plain_files_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_plain_files_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/emit_plain_files_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/emit_plain_files_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/load_pipeline_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/load_pipeline_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/load_pipeline_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/load_pipeline_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/lower_control_flow_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/lower_control_flow_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/lower_control_flow_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/lower_control_flow_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/parse_filter_source_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/parse_filter_source_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/parse_filter_source_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/parse_filter_source_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/filters/rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/filters/rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/ir.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/ir.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/ir.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/ir.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/__init__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/__init__.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/export_pipeline.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/export_pipeline.py
similarity index 97%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/export_pipeline.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/export_pipeline.py
index 17042d1..a4ca9f6 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/export_pipeline.py
+++ b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/export_pipeline.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def build_export_pipeline_v2(*, write: bool = True) -> Pipeline:
                                           State or Hooks. True: run() also
                                           records State and calls Hooks as
                                           the dynamic run does; "steps"
-                                          layout only. docs/static-export.md
+                                          layout only. docs/compile.md
 
     Output payload keys:
         ``pipeline_ir``  (PipelineIR)   — the canonical IR.
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/lowering_mode_predicate.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/lowering_mode_predicate.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/pipelines/lowering_mode_predicate.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/pipelines/lowering_mode_predicate.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/resolve_target.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/resolve_target.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/resolve_target.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/resolve_target.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/taps/__init__.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/taps/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/taps/__init__.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/taps/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/taps/write_files_tap.py b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/taps/write_files_tap.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/lower/taps/write_files_tap.py
rename to packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/compile/taps/write_files_tap.py
diff --git a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/core/README.md b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/core/README.md
index e4cecd4..aa22183 100644
--- a/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/core/README.md
+++ b/packages/codeupipe/codeupipe/core/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 This package holds the eight primitives: `Payload`, `Filter`, `Predicate`,
 `Valve`, `Tap`, `Hook`, `State`, `Pipeline`. The contract is
-[conformance/API.md](../../../../conformance/API.md). The export (`codeupipe.lower`) and the linter
+[conformance/API.md](../../../../conformance/API.md). The compiler (`codeupipe.compile`) and the linter
 (`codeupipe-lint`) are built on this package. No dependencies: standard
 library only.
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ library only.
 
 ## How it fits in
 
-`core` imports nothing else from codeupipe. `codeupipe.lower` and
+`core` imports nothing else from codeupipe. `codeupipe.compile` and
 `codeupipe-lint` import from it, never the reverse. The data flow the
 framework is built around is `Payload → Pipeline.run(payload)
 → Filter.call(payload) → Payload`.
diff --git a/scorecard/README.md b/scorecard/README.md
index 6a191af..92c98f1 100644
--- a/scorecard/README.md
+++ b/scorecard/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Scorecard
 
-The scorecard compares the static export of a Pipeline (`codeupipe.lower`)
+The scorecard compares the compiled form of a Pipeline (`codeupipe.compile`)
 with the dynamic `Pipeline.run` on random pipelines. Each number in this
 document comes from a command in this document.
 
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ steps) that cross the Payload's overlay-flattening depth. `--hostile-rate`
 generation (builtins, the generated `run()`'s locals, duplicates,
 non-identifiers).
 
-Each case runs in four modes: dynamic (reference), fast export `steps`,
-fast export `inline`, observable export (`observe=True`).
+Each case runs in four modes: dynamic (reference), fast mode `steps`,
+fast mode `inline`, observable mode (`observe=True`).
 
 | check | steps | inline | observe |
 |---|---|---|---|
@@ -43,16 +43,16 @@ fast export `inline`, observable export (`observe=True`).
 | Hook event sequence, with a deep snapshot of the payload at every event | | | ✓ |
 | `SOURCE_HOOKS` guard: `run()` without `hooks=` raises `TypeError` | | | ✓ |
 
-**Verdicts.** *pass*: agrees on every check. *refused*: export raised
+**Verdicts.** *pass*: agrees on every check. *refused*: the compiler raised
 `UnsupportedFilterShape`, counted separately, never as a pass. *fail*: any
-divergence, or an export that crashed (a `SyntaxError` on load is not a
+divergence, or compiled code that crashed (a `SyntaxError` on load is not a
 refusal). Every distinct failure signature is shrunk (`minimize.py`) to a
 minimal case and printed.
 
 **Isolation (item 4)** is measured inside the same runs: the caller's input
 is deep-compared after every run in every mode, and a second run on a fresh
 copy must give the same result. A `SnapshotHook` (`snapshot_hook.py`) is
-attached to the dynamic run and passed to the observable export's `run()`;
+attached to the dynamic run and passed to the observable mode's `run()`;
 at each event it deep-copies the payload, because a Payload is written in
 place and the object changes later by design.
 
diff --git a/scorecard/vocab.py b/scorecard/vocab.py
index 895d465..b775eba 100644
--- a/scorecard/vocab.py
+++ b/scorecard/vocab.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 import cup_ops as ops  # noqa: E402
 import runner  # noqa: E402
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline  # noqa: E402
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape  # noqa: E402
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape  # noqa: E402
 
 __all__ = ["sink", "ops", "runner", "Payload", "Pipeline", "UnsupportedFilterShape",
            "make_predicates", "build_pipeline", "load_export", "new_workdir", "walk_steps"]
diff --git a/tests/lower/__init__.py b/tests/compile/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/__init__.py
rename to tests/compile/__init__.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/__init__.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/__init__.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/__init__.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/cli_targets.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/cli_targets.py
similarity index 73%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/cli_targets.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/cli_targets.py
index 51c33d4..8c91143 100644
--- a/tests/lower/fixtures/cli_targets.py
+++ b/tests/compile/fixtures/cli_targets.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-"""Fixture: things `python -m codeupipe.lower module:name` can be pointed at."""
+"""Fixture: things `python -m codeupipe.compile module:name` can be pointed at."""
 
 from codeupipe.core import Pipeline
 
-from tests.lower.fixtures.instance_config import AtLeast, Discount, HoldsAnObject, SetFlag
-from tests.lower.fixtures.plane_b import ExplodingTap
+from tests.compile.fixtures.instance_config import AtLeast, Discount, HoldsAnObject, SetFlag
+from tests.compile.fixtures.plane_b import ExplodingTap
 
 PRICING = Pipeline()
 PRICING.add_filter(Discount(0.1))
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/export_module_globals.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/export_module_globals.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/export_module_globals.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/export_module_globals.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/inline_shapes.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/inline_shapes.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/inline_shapes.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/inline_shapes.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/instance_config.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/instance_config.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/instance_config.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/instance_config.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/plane_b.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/plane_b.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/plane_b.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/plane_b.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/fixtures/typed_steps.py b/tests/compile/fixtures/typed_steps.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/lower/fixtures/typed_steps.py
rename to tests/compile/fixtures/typed_steps.py
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_cli.py b/tests/compile/test_cli.py
similarity index 93%
rename from tests/lower/test_cli.py
rename to tests/compile/test_cli.py
index d772f83..b80095c 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_cli.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""`python -m codeupipe.lower module:name --out DIR`: the export as a command."""
+"""`python -m codeupipe.compile module:name --out DIR`: the export as a command."""
 
 import importlib
 import sys
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe.core import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.__main__ import main
-from tests.lower.fixtures import cli_targets
+from codeupipe.compile.__main__ import main
+from tests.compile.fixtures import cli_targets
 
-TARGETS = "tests.lower.fixtures.cli_targets"
+TARGETS = "tests.compile.fixtures.cli_targets"
 INPUTS = [{"price": 100, "qty": 12}, {"price": 80, "qty": 2}, {}]
 
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def test_runs_as_a_module(tmp_path):
 
     out = tmp_path / "out"
     done = subprocess.run(
-        [sys.executable, "-m", "codeupipe.lower", f"{TARGETS}:build_pricing", "--out", str(out)],
+        [sys.executable, "-m", "codeupipe.compile", f"{TARGETS}:build_pricing", "--out", str(out)],
         capture_output=True, text=True,
     )
 
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py
similarity index 99%
rename from tests/lower/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py
index 55f7f6c..20c1568 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_emit_inline_module_filter.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
 from .fixtures import export_module_globals as g
 from .fixtures import inline_shapes as s
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py
similarity index 93%
rename from tests/lower/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py
index f07353d..85b4aec 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_emit_orchestrator_filter.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 import textwrap
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.emit_orchestrator_filter import EmitOrchestratorFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.emit_orchestrator_filter import EmitOrchestratorFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
 
 
 def _plain_fn(name: str) -> ast.FunctionDef:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/lower/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py
index 46df94e..98e895d 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_emit_plain_files_filter.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 import textwrap
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.emit_plain_files_filter import EmitPlainFilesFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.emit_plain_files_filter import EmitPlainFilesFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
 
 
 def _plain_fn(name: str) -> ast.FunctionDef:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_errors.py b/tests/compile/test_errors.py
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/lower/test_errors.py
rename to tests/compile/test_errors.py
index 12444a9..12b3fd3 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_errors.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_errors.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
 
 class TestUnsupportedFilterShape:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_instance_config.py b/tests/compile/test_export_instance_config.py
similarity index 96%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_instance_config.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_instance_config.py
index 89606b6..97bebae 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_instance_config.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_instance_config.py
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
 from .fixtures import instance_config as c
 from .test_export_pipeline import _write_and_import
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_module_globals.py b/tests/compile/test_export_module_globals.py
similarity index 96%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_module_globals.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_module_globals.py
index 2ee8fce..93412b6 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_module_globals.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_module_globals.py
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
 from .fixtures import export_module_globals as g
 from .test_export_pipeline import _write_and_import
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_observe.py b/tests/compile/test_export_observe.py
similarity index 97%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_observe.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_observe.py
index f3f417e..50213c0 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_observe.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_observe.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Observable static export: ``observe=True``.
 
-The fast export gives up State and Hooks (docs/static-export.md). With
+The fast export gives up State and Hooks (docs/compile.md). With
 ``observe=True`` the exported ``run`` records the same State the dynamic
 ``run`` does and calls Hooks in the same order, so the two modes can be
 judged by the same conformance cases, State and Hooks included.
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Hook, Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
 
 ADD = "_Add"
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ def test_no_framework_import(self, tmp_path):
 
 class TestFastExportIsUnchanged:
     def test_hooks_still_refused_without_observe(self, tmp_path):
-        from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+        from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
         p = Pipeline()
         p.add_filter(_Add())
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ def test_hooks_still_refused_without_observe(self, tmp_path):
             _export(p, tmp_path, observe=False)
 
     def test_nested_pipeline_hooks_refused_even_when_observing(self, tmp_path):
-        from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+        from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
         inner = SubPipeline()
         inner.add_filter(_Add())
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ def test_nested_pipeline_hooks_refused_even_when_observing(self, tmp_path):
     def test_empty_nested_pipeline_refused_when_observing(self, tmp_path):
         """Scorecard finding F1: it flattens to no steps, so the observable
         export could not report it in State and Hooks as the dynamic run does."""
-        from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+        from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
         outer = Pipeline()
         outer.add_filter(_Add())
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_pipeline.py b/tests/compile/test_export_pipeline.py
similarity index 99%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_pipeline.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_pipeline.py
index d1e4cc0..89daed6 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_pipeline.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_pipeline.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
 
 class SubPipeline(Pipeline):
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py b/tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py
index b1637f2..ff79b28 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from the dynamic runtime: Hooks vanished, async steps became broken code,
 ``payload.trace_id`` became ``data.trace_id`` on a dict, and resilience
 wrappers died on an unrelated AttributeError. The contract is in
-docs/static-export.md: anything that exports behaves the same, and anything
+docs/compile.md: anything that exports behaves the same, and anything
 that cannot is refused at export time with the step named.
 """
 
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Hook, Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
 
 LOWERINGS = ["steps", "inline"]
 
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_export_typed_steps.py b/tests/compile/test_export_typed_steps.py
similarity index 91%
rename from tests/lower/test_export_typed_steps.py
rename to tests/compile/test_export_typed_steps.py
index 77d2d7f..51644b8 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_export_typed_steps.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_export_typed_steps.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe.core import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.__main__ import main
-from tests.lower.fixtures import typed_steps
+from codeupipe.compile.__main__ import main
+from tests.compile.fixtures import typed_steps
 
-TARGET = "tests.lower.fixtures.typed_steps:build"
+TARGET = "tests.compile.fixtures.typed_steps:build"
 INPUTS = [{"price": 2.5, "qty": 2}, {"price": 1.0, "qty": 12}]
 MODES = [[], ["--lowering", "inline"], ["--observe"]]
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def test_an_annotated_local_keeps_its_value_and_loses_its_type(tmp_path):
 def test_erasing_hints_never_leaves_an_empty_block():
     import ast
 
-    from codeupipe.lower.filters.parse_filter_source_filter import _erase_annotations
+    from codeupipe.compile.filters.parse_filter_source_filter import _erase_annotations
 
     source = (
         "def call(self, payload: 'P', *rest: int, flag: bool = False, **more: str) -> 'P':\n"
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_ir.py b/tests/compile/test_ir.py
similarity index 98%
rename from tests/lower/test_ir.py
rename to tests/compile/test_ir.py
index bbcd34a..1b78b0c 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_ir.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_ir.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import (
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import (
     HookIR,
     PipelineIR,
     PipelineMeta,
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_load_pipeline_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_load_pipeline_filter.py
similarity index 89%
rename from tests/lower/test_load_pipeline_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_load_pipeline_filter.py
index 84c6cfc..a1b6a77 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_load_pipeline_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_load_pipeline_filter.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.load_pipeline_filter import LoadPipelineFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import PipelineIR
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.load_pipeline_filter import LoadPipelineFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import PipelineIR
 
 
 class _ExFilter:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py
similarity index 87%
rename from tests/lower/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py
index c789f64..7a151d9 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_lower_control_flow_filter.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 import textwrap
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.lower_control_flow_filter import LowerControlFlowFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.lower_control_flow_filter import LowerControlFlowFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR
 
 
 def _fn(src: str) -> ast.FunctionDef:
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def test_valve_predicate_is_dict_rewritten(self):
         assert "data.get" in pred_src
 
     def test_hooks_produce_warning_but_do_not_fail(self):
-        from codeupipe.lower.ir import HookIR
+        from codeupipe.compile.ir import HookIR
         ir = PipelineIR(
             steps=[],
             hooks=[HookIR(name="metrics")],
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py
similarity index 92%
rename from tests/lower/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py
index fabd3b4..28ff50b 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_parse_filter_source_filter.py
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.parse_filter_source_filter import ParseFilterSourceFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import HookIR, PipelineIR, StepIR
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.parse_filter_source_filter import ParseFilterSourceFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import HookIR, PipelineIR, StepIR
 
 
 class _ExampleFilter:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_per_filter_imports.py b/tests/compile/test_per_filter_imports.py
similarity index 97%
rename from tests/lower/test_per_filter_imports.py
rename to tests/compile/test_per_filter_imports.py
index db8c619..b3827e3 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_per_filter_imports.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_per_filter_imports.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import json
 
 from codeupipe import Payload, Pipeline
-from codeupipe.lower import build_export_pipeline_v2
+from codeupipe.compile import build_export_pipeline_v2
 
 
 class _UsesMath:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py b/tests/compile/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
similarity index 98%
rename from tests/lower/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
rename to tests/compile/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
index 675fa05..d764737 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_rewrite_payload_ops_filter.py
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
-from codeupipe.lower.filters.rewrite_payload_ops_filter import RewritePayloadOpsFilter
-from codeupipe.lower.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR, PipelineMeta
+from codeupipe.compile.errors import UnsupportedFilterShape
+from codeupipe.compile.filters.rewrite_payload_ops_filter import RewritePayloadOpsFilter
+from codeupipe.compile.ir import PipelineIR, StepIR, PipelineMeta
 
 
 def _fn(src: str) -> ast.FunctionDef:
diff --git a/tests/lower/test_write_files_tap.py b/tests/compile/test_write_files_tap.py
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/lower/test_write_files_tap.py
rename to tests/compile/test_write_files_tap.py
index fa60ba2..31e999a 100644
--- a/tests/lower/test_write_files_tap.py
+++ b/tests/compile/test_write_files_tap.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from codeupipe import Payload
-from codeupipe.lower.taps.write_files_tap import WriteFilesTap
+from codeupipe.compile.taps.write_files_tap import WriteFilesTap
 
 
 class TestWriteFilesTap:
diff --git a/tests/config/test_config.py b/tests/config/test_config.py
index 6307807..f154969 100644
--- a/tests/config/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/config/test_config.py
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
 import pytest
 
 from codeupipe.config import ConfigError, load_config
-from codeupipe.lower.__main__ import main as compile_main
+from codeupipe.compile.__main__ import main as compile_main
 from codeupipe_lint.anonymous_steps.__main__ import main as anonymous_main
 from codeupipe_lint.invariants.__main__ import main as invariants_main
 
-TARGETS = "tests.lower.fixtures.cli_targets"
+TARGETS = "tests.compile.fixtures.cli_targets"
 
 
 def write(directory, config, name="cup.config.json"):
diff --git a/tests/examples/test_pricing.py b/tests/examples/test_pricing.py
index f262714..94ede71 100644
--- a/tests/examples/test_pricing.py
+++ b/tests/examples/test_pricing.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def test_the_example_runs_as_a_module():
 
 def test_export_matches_and_has_no_framework_import(tmp_path):
     done = subprocess.run(
-        [sys.executable, "-m", "codeupipe.lower", "examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline", "--out", str(tmp_path)],
+        [sys.executable, "-m", "codeupipe.compile", "examples.pricing.pricing_pipeline:PricingPipeline", "--out", str(tmp_path)],
         capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=EXAMPLE.parents[1],
     )
     assert done.returncode == 0, done.stderr
diff --git a/tests/lint/anonymous_steps/test_repo_is_clean.py b/tests/lint/anonymous_steps/test_repo_is_clean.py
index 02e2a3e..6eb2d6e 100644
--- a/tests/lint/anonymous_steps/test_repo_is_clean.py
+++ b/tests/lint/anonymous_steps/test_repo_is_clean.py
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 
 from ._support import REPO
 
-CHECKED = ["packages/codeupipe/codeupipe", "conformance/runners/python", "scorecard", "tests/core", "tests/lower",
+CHECKED = ["packages/codeupipe/codeupipe", "conformance/runners/python", "scorecard", "tests/core", "tests/compile",
            "tests/scorecard", "tests/conformance"]
-INTENTIONAL = {"tests/lower/test_export_refusals.py",
+INTENTIONAL = {"tests/compile/test_export_refusals.py",
                "tests/core/test_add_valve.py", "tests/core/test_step_labels.py"}