diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index aa41c05..d2b04b1 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -31,3 +31,4 @@ test_output*.txt
 /bugcontents.db
 /bugs/
 contents.db
+/docs/idea_plugin.md.deploy_backup
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e302c5a..f1f7fad 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,31 @@ History note:
 
 - No unreleased entries yet.
 
+## 1.5.6 (2026-05-16)
+
+### Process execution and CLI scripting
+- Added `lyng.io.process` for coroutine-friendly external process execution.
+- Added `sh(...)`, `exec(...)`, and `CommandRun` with captured output, streaming output, `wait()`, `check()`, and process status helpers.
+- Documented safe shell-vs-argv usage and common script patterns for CLI automation.
+
+### HTTP server and HTML rendering
+- Added the minimal `lyng.io.http.server` API for embedded HTTP/1.1 services, local tools, test fixtures, and lightweight app backends.
+- Added exact-path, regex, and path-template routing with named route parameters.
+- Added `RequestContext` receiver sugar, JSON helpers (`jsonBody<T>()`, `respondJson(...)`), reusable routers, and WebSocket routes.
+- Added `respondHtml { ... }` and the pure Lyng `lyng.io.html` builder DSL with escaped text, attributes, common tag helpers, and generic tag escape hatches.
+
+### Language and serialization
+- Added receiver-stack function types and context receiver extensions for DSL-style APIs.
+- Added canonical JSON round-trip APIs with `Json.encode(...)` / `Json.decode(...)`.
+- Added typed canonical JSON APIs with `Json.encodeAs(Type, value)` / `Json.decodeAs(Type, text)`.
+- Extended database serialization support with typed canonical JSON encoding, SQL object expansion, decode annotations, and preserved declaration metadata.
+
+### Runtime, docs, and samples
+- Fixed nullable Elvis-with-`break` inference and callable return inference regressions.
+- Fixed CLI bootstrap behavior for HTTP server scripts and CLI input handling.
+- Expanded docs for HTTP, WebSocket, serialization, process execution, DSL receivers, and the generated site.
+- Release metadata and README now point to `1.5.6`.
+
 ## 1.5.5 (2026-04-23)
 
 ### Concurrency and collections
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d9e1515..4a408e1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -48,12 +48,16 @@ assertEquals(A.E.One, A.One)
 
 - [Language home](https://lynglang.com)
 - [introduction and tutorial](docs/tutorial.md) - start here please
-- [Latest release notes (1.5.5)](docs/whats_new.md)
+- [Latest release notes (1.5.6)](docs/whats_new.md)
 - [What's New in 1.5](docs/whats_new_1_5.md)
 - [Testing and Assertions](docs/Testing.md)
 - [Filesystem and Processes (lyngio)](docs/lyngio.md)
 - [SQL Databases (lyng.io.db)](docs/lyng.io.db.md)
+- [HTTP Server (lyng.io.http.server)](docs/lyng.io.http.server.md)
+- [HTML Builder (lyng.io.html)](docs/lyng.io.html.md)
+- [Process Execution (lyng.io.process)](docs/lyng.io.process.md)
 - [Time and Calendar Types](docs/time.md)
+- [Json support](docs/json_and_kotlin_serialization.md)
 - [Return Statement](docs/return_statement.md)
 - [Efficient Iterables in Kotlin Interop](docs/EfficientIterables.md)
 - [Samples directory](docs/samples)
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ assertEquals(A.E.One, A.One)
 ### Add dependency to your project
 
 ```kotlin
-val lyngVersion = "1.5.5"
+val lyngVersion = "1.5.6"
 
 repositories {
     // ...
@@ -186,7 +190,7 @@ Designed to add scripting to kotlin multiplatform application in easy and effici
 
 # Language Roadmap
 
-The current stable release is **v1.5.5**: the 1.5 cycle now includes the database/date/concurrency additions as well as the latest compiler/runtime stabilization work, and the language, tooling, and site are aligned around this release.
+The current stable release is **v1.5.6**: the 1.5 cycle now includes the database/date/concurrency additions, process execution, lightweight HTTP server and HTML DSL work, canonical Json serialization, and the latest compiler/runtime stabilization work.
 
 Ready features:
 
diff --git a/docs/whats_new.md b/docs/whats_new.md
index 640693c..881e8dd 100644
--- a/docs/whats_new.md
+++ b/docs/whats_new.md
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
 # What's New in Lyng
 
-This document highlights the current Lyng release, **1.5.5**, and the broader additions from the 1.5 cycle.
+This document highlights the current Lyng release, **1.5.6**, and the broader additions from the 1.5 cycle.
 It is intentionally user-facing: new language features, new modules, new tools, and the practical things you can build with them.
 For a programmer-focused migration summary across 1.5.x, see `docs/whats_new_1_5.md`.
 
-## Release 1.5.5 Highlights
+## Release 1.5.6 Highlights
 
-- `1.5.5` extends the 1.5 line with practical database APIs, first-class calendar dates, and better coroutine building blocks.
+- `1.5.6` extends the 1.5 line with process execution helpers, a lightweight HTTP server, HTML rendering helpers, and better DSL support.
 - The 1.5 line now brings together richer ranges and loops, interpolation, math modules, immutable and observable collections, richer `lyngio`, and much better CLI/IDE support.
-- `1.5.5` adds `Channel`, `LaunchPool`, and `joinAll()` so coroutine-heavy scripts can coordinate work more directly.
-- `1.5.5` adds `Date`, the portable `lyng.io.db` layer, SQLite/JDBC providers, and a compatibility `lyng.legacy_digest` module.
-- `1.5.5` also continues runtime/compiler hardening with better import dispatch, faster exact lambda calls, and correct `val +=`/`-=` behavior for mutating types versus real reassignment.
+- `1.5.6` adds `lyng.io.process` with `sh(...)`, `exec(...)`, and `CommandRun` for shell scripting and external process control.
+- `1.5.6` adds the `lyng.io.http.server` module for exact, regex, and path-template routing, JSON helpers, WebSocket routes, and `respondHtml { ... }`.
+- `1.5.6` adds the pure Lyng `lyng.io.html` builder DSL and language support for receiver-stack function types and context receiver extensions.
+- `1.5.6` expands serialization with canonical `Json.encode(...)` / `Json.decode(...)` and typed `Json.encodeAs(...)` / `Json.decodeAs(...)`.
 - The docs, homepage samples, and release metadata now point at the current stable version.
 
 ## User Highlights Across 1.5.x
@@ -22,11 +23,118 @@ For a programmer-focused migration summary across 1.5.x, see `docs/whats_new_1_5
 - Calendar `Date` support in `lyng.time`
 - `Channel`, `LaunchPool`, and `joinAll()` for coroutine workflows
 - Immutable collections and opt-in `ObservableList`
-- Rich `lyngio` modules for SQLite/JDBC databases, console, HTTP, WebSocket, TCP, and UDP
+- Rich `lyngio` modules for SQLite/JDBC databases, process execution, console, HTTP, HTTP servers, WebSocket, TCP, UDP, and HTML rendering
 - Legacy SHA-1 compatibility helpers in `lyng.legacy_digest`
 - CLI improvements including the built-in formatter `lyng fmt`
 - Better IDE support and stronger docs around the released feature set
 
+## New in 1.5.6
+
+### Process Execution (`lyng.io.process`)
+Lyng scripts can now run external commands through a coroutine-friendly process API.
+Use `sh(...)` for shell commands and `exec(...)` when command arguments come from data and should bypass shell parsing.
+
+```lyng
+import lyng.io.process
+
+val branch = sh("git branch --show-current").out.trim()
+println("Branch: " + branch)
+
+exec("git", ["status", "--short"]).check()
+
+for (file in sh("git ls-files").lines) {
+    if (file.endsWith(".lyng")) {
+        println(file)
+    }
+}
+```
+
+`CommandRun` supports captured output (`out`, `err`), streaming line output (`lines`, `errorLines`), `wait()`, `check()`, and status helpers.
+See [lyng.io.process](lyng.io.process.md).
+
+### HTTP Server Routes and HTML Responses
+`lyng.io.http.server` now provides a compact HTTP/1.1 server API for embedded tools, local services, test fixtures, and lightweight app backends.
+Routes can match exact paths, regexes, or path templates with named parameters.
+Handlers run with `RequestContext` as the receiver, so request data and response helpers are available directly.
+
+```lyng
+import lyng.io.http.server
+
+val server = HttpServer()
+
+server.getPath("/api/users/{id}") {
+    respondJson({
+        id: routeParams["id"],
+        path: request.path,
+        ok: true
+    })
+}
+
+server.listen(8080, "127.0.0.1")
+```
+
+The server also supports reusable routers, JSON body decoding with `jsonBody<T>()`, WebSocket routes, and `respondHtml { ... }`.
+See [lyng.io.http.server](lyng.io.http.server.md).
+
+### HTML Builder DSL (`lyng.io.html`)
+`lyng.io.html` provides a pure Lyng HTML builder that escapes text and attributes by default.
+It is designed for server-side rendering, generated reports, and small embedded UI surfaces.
+
+```lyng
+import lyng.io.html
+
+val page = html {
+    head {
+        title { +"Demo" }
+    }
+    body {
+        nav {
+            a(href: "/") { +"Home" }
+        }
+        p { +"Text is escaped: <safe>" }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+When used with the HTTP server, `respondHtml { ... }` renders the same DSL directly as a `text/html` response.
+See [lyng.io.html](lyng.io.html.md).
+
+### Receiver-Stack Function Types and Context Extensions
+Lyng now supports receiver-stack function types such as `context(Html) Body.()->String`.
+Nested receiver lambdas keep outer receivers in scope, `this@Type` can select a specific receiver, and ambiguous receiver lookup is reported at compile time.
+
+```lyng
+class Html { fun htmlOnly() = "html" }
+class Body { fun bodyOnly() = "body" }
+
+val block: context(Html) Body.()->String = {
+    this@Html.htmlOnly() + ":" + bodyOnly()
+}
+```
+
+Context receiver extensions let APIs expose helpers only when the right implicit receiver is already active.
+This is what makes HTML builder code like `+"text"` work inside tag blocks without global builder state.
+See [Object Oriented Programming](OOP.md#receiver-stack-lambdas).
+
+### Canonical and Typed JSON Serialization
+The serialization layer now has separate APIs for ordinary JSON projection, self-describing canonical JSON, and schema-guided typed canonical JSON.
+
+```lyng
+import lyng.serialization
+
+closed class Point(x: Int, y: Int)
+closed class Segment(a: Point, b: Point)
+
+val value = Segment(Point(0, 1), Point(2, 3))
+val encoded = Json.encodeAs(Segment, value)
+
+assertEquals("{\"a\":{\"x\":0,\"y\":1},\"b\":{\"x\":2,\"y\":3}}", encoded)
+assertEquals(value, Json.decodeAs(Segment, encoded))
+```
+
+Use `toJson()` / `toJsonString()` for ordinary JSON interop, `Json.encode(...)` / `Json.decode(...)` for Lyng-to-Lyng round trips without a schema, and `Json.encodeAs(...)` / `Json.decodeAs(...)` when both sides already know the type.
+See [Json support](json_and_kotlin_serialization.md).
+
 ## Language Features
 
 ### Descending Ranges and Loops
@@ -327,7 +435,7 @@ Singleton objects are declared using the `object` keyword. They provide a conven
 
 ```lyng
 object Config {
-    val version = "1.5.6-SNAPSHOT"
+    val version = "1.5.6"
     fun show() = println("Config version: " + version)
 }
 
diff --git a/lynglib/build.gradle.kts b/lynglib/build.gradle.kts
index 8416ca1..253e44c 100644
--- a/lynglib/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/lynglib/build.gradle.kts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.ExperimentalWasmDsl
 import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget
 
 group = "net.sergeych"
-version = "1.5.6-SNAPSHOT"
+version = "1.5.6"
 
 // Removed legacy buildscript classpath declarations; plugins are applied via the plugins DSL below
 
diff --git a/lynglib/src/commonTest/kotlin/WebsiteSamplesTest.kt b/lynglib/src/commonTest/kotlin/WebsiteSamplesTest.kt
index e3cb77b..2a5f608 100644
--- a/lynglib/src/commonTest/kotlin/WebsiteSamplesTest.kt
+++ b/lynglib/src/commonTest/kotlin/WebsiteSamplesTest.kt
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ class WebsiteSamplesTest {
             val name = "Lyng"
             val base = { id:, name: } // Shorthand for id: id, name: name
 
-            val full = { ...base, version: "1.5.5", status: "stable" }
+            val full = { ...base, version: "1.5.6", status: "stable" }
             full
         """.trimIndent())
         assertTrue(result is ObjMap)
         val m = result.map
         assertEquals(101L, (m[ObjString("id")] as ObjInt).value)
         assertEquals("Lyng", (m[ObjString("name")] as ObjString).value)
-        assertEquals("1.5.5", (m[ObjString("version")] as ObjString).value)
+        assertEquals("1.5.6", (m[ObjString("version")] as ObjString).value)
         assertEquals("stable", (m[ObjString("status")] as ObjString).value)
     }
 
diff --git a/site/src/jsMain/kotlin/HomePage.kt b/site/src/jsMain/kotlin/HomePage.kt
index dfed20a..18ffa97 100644
--- a/site/src/jsMain/kotlin/HomePage.kt
+++ b/site/src/jsMain/kotlin/HomePage.kt
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ fun HomePage() {
             val id = 101
             val name = "Lyng"
             val base = { id:, name: }
-            val full = { ...base, version: "1.5.5", status: "stable", tags: ["typed", "portable"] }
+            val full = { ...base, version: "1.5.6", status: "stable", tags: ["typed", "portable"] }
 
             println(full)
             """.trimIndent()