From b117eacf52df53bb748601a411ab3702ee4a189e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Peter B. Johnson" <peterbjohnson@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:57:18 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] implement: Read a comma inside a quoted selector pattern as
 part of the pattern (t57)

---
 docs/source/spec.md        |  4 ++++
 in2lambda/spec/__init__.py | 12 +++++++-----
 tests/test_spec.py         | 37 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 48 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/source/spec.md b/docs/source/spec.md
index e344218..085ec38 100644
--- a/docs/source/spec.md
+++ b/docs/source/spec.md
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ any block. A constraint names one of four attributes:
 SELECTOR,` requires the block to follow the first block that the named selector matches, which is
 how a spec tells the solutions at the end of a problem sheet from the questions at the front.
 
+A comma separates the `after` clause from the rest of the selector only outside quotes. A comma
+inside a quoted pattern, such as `Para text~'^(Sheet|Note),|^Marks'`, is part of the pattern. One
+line holds one selector: write two selectors as a list under the key, as above.
+
 Write a regular expression in single quotes. YAML reads `\(` inside double quotes as an escape
 sequence and reports an error, and single quotes pass the backslash through.
 
diff --git a/in2lambda/spec/__init__.py b/in2lambda/spec/__init__.py
index 621e100..708d9d0 100644
--- a/in2lambda/spec/__init__.py
+++ b/in2lambda/spec/__init__.py
@@ -294,16 +294,18 @@ def _selector(text: Any, line: int) -> Selector:
     if not isinstance(text, str):
         raise _refuse(line, f"A selector is a line of text, which {text!r} is not.")
     head, tail = _split(text.strip())
-    if head.strip().startswith("after "):
-        after = _clause(head.strip()[len("after ") :], line)
+    head = head.strip()
+    if head.startswith("after "):
+        after = _clause(head[len("after ") :], line)
         return _clause(tail.strip() if tail else "", line, after)
     if tail is not None:
         raise _refuse(
             line,
-            "A selector's comma separates its `after` clause from the rest, and "
-            f"{text!r} holds no `after` clause.",
+            f"{text.strip()!r} names two selectors on one line; write them as a YAML "
+            f"list under the role:\n  - {head}\n  - {tail.strip()}\n"
+            "A selector's comma separates its `after` clause from the rest.",
         )
-    return _clause(head.strip(), line)
+    return _clause(head, line)
 
 
 def _selectors(value: Any, line: int, item_lines: list[int]) -> list[Selector]:
diff --git a/tests/test_spec.py b/tests/test_spec.py
index 191d68e..9e18e79 100644
--- a/tests/test_spec.py
+++ b/tests/test_spec.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 
 import in2lambda
 import in2lambda.draft
+import in2lambda.spec
 from in2lambda.main import cli
 from in2lambda.source import SourceError
 
@@ -386,6 +387,42 @@ def test_a_spec_calling_a_predicate_nothing_holds_is_refused(
     assert (tmp_path / "source.draft.json").read_bytes() == written
 
 
+def test_a_comma_inside_a_quoted_pattern_is_part_of_the_pattern() -> None:
+    """A regex alternating over labels holds commas, which are not the after separator."""
+    spec = in2lambda.spec.load(
+        "ignore: Para text~'^(Sheet|Note),|^Marks'\n"
+        "question: Para\n"
+        "layout: PartsOneSol\n"
+    )
+
+    assert spec.ignore[0].constraints[0].wanted.pattern == "^(Sheet|Note),|^Marks"
+
+
+def test_two_selectors_written_on_one_line_are_refused_with_the_list_to_write() -> None:
+    """A comma outside quotes reads as an after clause, which two block types are not."""
+    with pytest.raises(in2lambda.spec.BadSpec) as refusal:
+        in2lambda.spec.load(
+            "ignore: Header, Table\nquestion: Para\nlayout: PartsOneSol\n"
+        )
+
+    assert "names two selectors on one line" in str(refusal.value)
+    assert "- Header" in str(refusal.value)
+    assert "- Table" in str(refusal.value)
+
+
+def test_a_comma_outside_quotes_still_separates_an_after_clause() -> None:
+    """The documented ``after SELECTOR, rest`` form, which the quotes must not break."""
+    spec = in2lambda.spec.load(
+        "question: Para\n"
+        "solution: after Header text=Solutions, Para\n"
+        "layout: PartsOneSol\n"
+    )
+
+    assert spec.solution[0].after.type == "Header"
+    assert spec.solution[0].after.constraints[0].wanted == "Solutions"
+    assert spec.solution[0].type == "Para"
+
+
 def test_a_spec_that_is_not_there_is_refused_rather_than_left_to_the_file_system(
     tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch
 ) -> None: