Minimals MKIV ignores the structureenvironment blocks when the suffix is 'matter' but applies them if the suffix is 'part.' Furthermore, they are applied in \starttext if between \startfrontmatter -- \stopfrontmatter, etc. blocks and error if between \startfrontpart -- \stopfrontpart, etc. blocks. The following code executes but does not apply the environment block commands. Commenting out the three \startstructureblockenvironment commands with 'matter" arguments and uncommenting the three 'part' commands will cause the environment block commands to be executed. Ironically, the \start-\stop pairs between \starttext and \stoptext error if 'part' is used but execute if 'matter.' \def\MyFrontMatterCommand#1#2% #1 is number, #2 is text {\framed[frame=off,align=middle,width=broad] {\switchtotypeface[ChapterStart] #2}} \def\MyChapterCommand#1#2% #1 is number, #2 is text {\framed[frame=off,bottomframe=on,topframe=off] {\vbox{\centerline{\headtext{chapter} #1}\par\blank{\centerline{#2}}}}} \definepagebreak[mychapterpagebreak][yes,header,right] \startstructureblockenvironment[frontmatter] %ignored if frontmatter, applied if frontpart %\startstructureblockenvironment[frontpart] \setuppagenumbering[state=start,location=bottom,conversion=romannumerals] \setuphead[chapter] [command=\MyFrontMatterCommand,textstyle=\ss\bfd, header=empty,footer=chapter,page=mychapterpagebreak, number=no,after={\blank[0.5in]}] \stopstructureblockenvironment \startstructureblockenvironment[bodymatter] %ignored if bodymatter, applied if bodypart %\startstructureblockenvironment[bodypart] \setuppagenumbering[alternative=doublesided,location=] \setuppagenumbering[state=start,location=bottom,conversion=numbers] \setuphead[chapter] [command=\MyChapterCommand,textstyle=\ss\bfd, header=empty,footer=chapter,page=mychapterpagebreak, after={\blank[0.5in]},before={\blank[force,1.0in]} \placeinitial] \stopstructureblockenvironment \startstructureblockenvironment[backmatter] %ignored if back, applied if backpart %\startstructureblockenvironment[backpart] \setuphead[title] [command=\MyFrontMatterCommand,textstyle=\ss\bfd, header=empty,footer=chapter,page=mychapterpagebreak, number=no,after={\blank[0.25in]}] \setuphead[chapter] [command=\MyFrontMatterCommand,textstyle=\ss\bfd, header=empty,footer=chapter,page=mychapterpagebreak, number=no,after={\blank[0.25in]}] \stopstructureblockenvironment \starttext \startfrontmatter % errors if startfrontpart %sample front matter \input knuth \completecontent[alternative=c,criterium=all] \chapter{Preface} \input knuth \chapter{Introduction} \input knuth \stopfrontmatter \startbodymatter %errors if startbodypart \chapter{I Was Born} \input knuth \chapter{I Observe} Lorem {\index{lorem}}ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Maecenas ipsum turpis, imperdiet vel aliquam eu, iaculis at lorem. Proin ut orci ac dui sodales commodo vel quis sem. Etiam nunc odio, luctus non cursus elementum, elementum non. \stopbodymatter \startbackmatter %errors if startbackpart \title{Appendices} \page[blank] \completeindex \stopbackmatter \stoptext Tom Benjey 717-258-9733 voice 717-243-0074 fax blog: www.TomBenjey.com