Alan Stone wrote:

> (2.2) How does ConTeXt handle a modefile ? Are the modes parsed into a
> modelist ( re: question 1.2 ) ?

best use ctx files instead, like in

== somefile.ctx ===

<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>

<ctx:job>
    <ctx:preprocess/>
    <ctx:flags>
        <ctx:flag>texengine=luatex</ctx:flag>
        <ctx:flag>interface=en</ctx:flag>
    </ctx:flags>
    <ctx:process>
        <ctx:resources>
            <ctx:mode>proofing</ctx:mode>
            <ctx:environment>somestyle.tex</ctx:environment>
        </ctx:resources>
    </ctx:process>
    <ctx:postprocess/>
</ctx:job>

texexec .... --ctx=somefile