diff --git a/co3/co3.py b/co3/co3.py
index b8866d0..62baa64 100644
--- a/co3/co3.py
+++ b/co3/co3.py
@@ -1,12 +1,25 @@
 '''
-CO3
-
 CO3 is an abstract base class for scaffolding object hierarchies and managing operations
 with associated database schemas. It facilitates something like a "lightweight ORM" for
 classes/tables/states with fixed transformations of interest. The canonical use case is
 managing hierarchical document relations, format conversions, and syntactical components.
-'''
 
+Generic collation syntax:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    class Type(CO3):
+
+        @collate
+        def group(self, key):
+            # disambiguate key
+            ...
+
+        @collate('key', groups=['group1', 'group2'])
+        def key(self):
+            # key-specific logic
+            ...
+'''
 import inspect
 import logging
 from collections import defaultdict
@@ -15,30 +28,149 @@ from functools import wraps, partial
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-def collate(action_key, action_groups=None):
-    def decorator(func):
-        nonlocal action_groups
-        
-        if action_groups is None:
-            action_groups = [None]
-        func._action_data = (action_key, action_groups)
-        return func
+def collate(key, groups=None):
+    '''
+    Collation decorator for CO3 subtype action registry.
+
+    Dynamic decorator; can be used as ``collate`` without any arguments, or with all. In
+    the former case, ``key`` will be a function, so we check for this.
+
+    .. admonition:: Usage
+
+        Collation registration is the process of exposing various actions for use in
+        **hierarchical collection** (see ``Mapper.collect``). Collation *keys* are unique
+        identifiers of a particular action that emits data. Keys can belong to an arbitrary
+        number of *groups*, which serve as semantically meaningful collections of similar
+        actions. Group assignment also determines the associated *collation component*
+        to be used as a storage target; the results of actions $K_G$ belonging to group
+        $G$ will all be stored in the attached $G$-component. Specification of key-group
+        relations can be done in a few ways:
+
+        - Explicit key-group specification: a specific key and associated groups can be
+          provided as arguments to the decorator:
+
+          .. code-block:: python
+
+              @collate('key', groups=['group1', 'group2'])
+              def _key(self):
+                  # key-specific logic
+                  ...
+
+          The registry dictionaries will then have the following items:
+
+          .. code-block:: python
+
+              key_registry = {
+                  ...,
+                  'key': (_key, ['group1', 'group2']),
+                  ...
+              }
+              group_registry = {
+                  ...,
+                  'group1': [..., 'key', ...],
+                  'group2': [..., 'key', ...],
+                  ...
+              }
+
+          If ``groups`` is left unspecified, the key will be attached to the default
+          ``None`` group.
+
+        - Implicit key-group association: in some cases, you may want to support an entire
+          "action class," and associate any operations under the class to the same storage
+          component. Here we still use the notion of connecting groups to components, but
+          allow the key to be dynamically specified and passed through to the collation
+          method:
+
+          .. code-block:: python
+
+              @collate
+              def group(self, key):
+                  # disambiguate key
+                  ...
+          
+          and in the registries:
+
+          .. code-block:: python
+
+              key_registry = {
+                  ...,
+                  None: {..., 'group': group, ...},
+                  ...
+              }
+              group_registry = {
+                  ...,
+                  'group': [..., None, ...],
+                  ...
+              }
+
+          A few important notes:
+
+          - Implicit key-group specifications attach the *group* to a single method,
+            whereas in the explicit case, groups can be affiliated with many keys. When
+            explicitly provided, only those exact key values are supported. But in the
+            implicit case, *any* key is allowed; the group still remains a proxy for the
+            entire action class, but without needing to map from specifically stored key
+            values. That is, the utility of the group remains consistent across implicit
+            and explicit cases, but stores the associations differently.
+          - The ``None`` key, rather than point to a ``(<method>, <group-list>)`` tuple,
+            instead points to a dictionary of ``group``-``method`` pairs. When attempting
+            execute a key under a particular group, the group registry indicates
+            whether the key is explicitly supported. If ``None`` is present for the group,
+            then ``key_registry[None][<group-name>]`` can be used to recover the method
+            implicitly affiliated with the key (along with any other key under the group).
+          - When any method has been implicitly registered, *any* key (even when
+            attempting to specify an explicit key) will match that group. This can
+            effectively mean keys are not unique when an implicit group has been
+            registered. There is a protection in place here, however; in methods like
+            ``CO3.collate`` and ``Mapper.collect``, an implicit group must be directly
+            named in order for a given key to be considered. That is, when attempting
+            collation outside specific group context, provided keys will only be
+            considered against explicitly registered keys.
+    '''
+    func = None
+    if inspect.isfunction(key):
+        func = key
+        key = None
+        groups = [func.__name__]
+
+    if groups is None:
+        groups = [None]
+
+    def decorator(f):
+        f._collation_data = (key, groups)
+        return f
+
+    if func is not None:
+        return decorator(func)
+
     return decorator
 
 class FormatRegistryMeta(type):
+    '''
+    Metaclass handling collation registry at the class level.
+    '''
     def __new__(cls, name, bases, attrs):
-        action_registry = {}
-        group_registry  = defaultdict(list)
+        key_registry = {}
+        group_registry = defaultdict(list)
 
         def register_action(method):
-            nonlocal action_registry, group_registry
+            nonlocal key_registry, group_registry
 
-            if hasattr(method, '_action_data'):
-                action_key, action_groups = method._action_data
-                action_registry[action_key] = (method, action_groups)
+            if hasattr(method, '_collation_data'):
+                key, groups = method._collation_data
 
-                for action_group in action_groups:
-                    group_registry[action_group].append(action_key)
+                if key is None:
+                    # only add a "None" entry if there is _some_ implicit group
+                    if None not in key_registry:
+                        key_registry[None] = {}
+
+                    # only a single group possible here
+                    key_registry[None][groups[0]] = method
+                else:
+                    key_registry[key] = (method, groups)
+
+                for group in groups:
+                    group_registry[group].append(key)
 
         # add registered superclass methods; iterate over bases (usually just one), then
         # that base's chain down (reversed), then methods from each subclass
@@ -53,8 +185,8 @@ class FormatRegistryMeta(type):
         for attr_name, attr_value in attrs.items():
             register_action(attr_value)
 
-        attrs['action_registry'] = action_registry
-        attrs['group_registry']  = group_registry
+        attrs['key_registry'] = key_registry
+        attrs['group_registry'] = group_registry
 
         return super().__new__(cls, name, bases, attrs)
 
@@ -97,7 +229,7 @@ class CO3(metaclass=FormatRegistryMeta):
         '''
         return []
 
-    def collation_attributes(self, action_key, action_group):
+    def collation_attributes(self, key, group):
         '''
         Return "connective" collation component data, possibly dependent on
         instance-specific attributes and the action arguments. This is typically the
@@ -111,12 +243,28 @@ class CO3(metaclass=FormatRegistryMeta):
         '''
         return {}
 
-    def collate(self, action_key, *action_args, **action_kwargs):
-        if action_key not in self.action_registry:
-            logger.debug(f'Collation for {action_key} not supported')
+    def collate(self, key, group=None, *args, **kwargs):
+        if key is None:
             return None
+
+        if key not in self.key_registry:
+            # keys can't match implicit group if that group isn't explicitly provided
+            if group is None:
+                logger.debug(
+                    f'Collation for "{key}" not supported, or implicit group not specified'
+                )
+                return None
+
+            method = self.key_registry[None].get(group)
+            if method is None:
+                logger.debug(
+                    f'Collation key "{key}" not registered and group {group} not implicit'
+                )
+                return None
+
+            return method(self, key, *args, **kwargs)
         else:
-            action_method = self.action_registry[action_key][0]
-            return action_method(self, *action_args, **action_kwargs)
+            method = self.key_registry[key][0]
+            return method(self, *args, **kwargs)
 
 
diff --git a/co3/mapper.py b/co3/mapper.py
index 1c96f2e..98cb02d 100644
--- a/co3/mapper.py
+++ b/co3/mapper.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 '''
-Mapper
-
 Used to house useful objects for storage schemas (e.g., SQLAlchemy table definitions).
-Provides a general interface for mapping from CO4 class names to storage structures for
+Provides a general interface for mapping from CO3 class names to storage structures for
 auto-collection and composition.
 
 Example:
@@ -32,6 +30,7 @@ Example:
       hierarchy). As such, to fully collect from a type, the Mapper needs to leave
       registration open to various types, not just those part of the same hierarchy.
 '''
+import logging
 from typing import Callable, Any
 from collections import defaultdict
 
@@ -42,6 +41,8 @@ from co3.component  import Component
 from co3.components import ComposableComponent
 
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 class Mapper[C: Component]:
     '''
     Mapper base class for housing schema components and managing relationships between CO3
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
 
     .. admonition:: Dev note
 
-        the Composer needs reconsideration, or at least its positioning directly in this
+        The Composer needs reconsideration, or at least its positioning directly in this
         class. It may be more appropriate to have at the Schema level, or even just
         dissolved altogether if arbitrary named Components can be attached to schemas.
 
@@ -82,19 +83,27 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
         self.attribute_comps:  dict[type[CO3], C] = {}
         self.collation_groups: dict[type[CO3], dict[str|None, C]] = defaultdict(dict)
 
-    def _check_component(self, comp: str | C):
+    def _check_component(self, comp: str | C, strict=True):
         if type(comp) is str:
             comp_key = comp
             comp = self.schema.get_component(comp_key)
             if comp is None:
-                raise ValueError(
-                    f'Component key {comp_key} not available in attached schema'
-                )
+                err_msg = f'Component key "{comp_key}" not available in attached schema'
+
+                if strict:
+                    raise ValueError(err_msg)
+                else:
+                    logger.info(err_msg)
+                    return None
         else:
             if comp not in self.schema:
-                raise TypeError(
-                    f'Component {comp} not registered to Mapper schema {self.schema}'
-                )
+                err_msg = f'Component "{comp}" not registered to Mapper schema {self.schema}'
+
+                if strict:
+                    raise TypeError(err_msg)
+                else:
+                    logger.info(err_msg)
+                    return None
 
         return comp
 
@@ -104,6 +113,7 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
         attr_comp   : str | C,
         coll_comp   : str | C | None                   = None,
         coll_groups : dict[str | None, str | C] | None = None,
+        strict                                         = True,
     ) -> None:
         '''
         Parameters:
@@ -115,18 +125,18 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
                          names to components
         '''
         # check attribute component in registered schema
-        attr_comp = self._check_component(attr_comp)
+        attr_comp = self._check_component(attr_comp, strict=strict)
         self.attribute_comps[type_ref] = attr_comp
 
         # check default component in registered schema
         if coll_comp is not None:
-            coll_comp = self._check_component(coll_comp)
+            coll_comp = self._check_component(coll_comp, strict=strict)
             self.collation_groups[type_ref][None] = coll_comp
 
         # check if any component in group dict not in registered schema
         if coll_groups is not None:
             for coll_key in coll_groups:
-                coll_groups[coll_key] = self._check_component(coll_groups[coll_key])
+                coll_groups[coll_key] = self._check_component(coll_groups[coll_key], strict=strict)
 
             self.collation_groups[type_ref].update(coll_groups)
 
@@ -135,6 +145,7 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
         type_list: list[type[CO3]],
         attr_name_map: Callable[[type[CO3]], str | C],
         coll_name_map: Callable[[type[CO3], str], str | C] | None = None,
+        strict                                                    = False,
     ) -> None:
         '''
         Auto-register a set of types to the Mapper's attached Schema. Associations are
@@ -156,10 +167,10 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
             coll_groups = {}
 
             if coll_name_map:
-                for action_group in _type.group_registry:
-                    coll_groups[action_group] = coll_name_map(_type, action_group)
+                for group in _type.group_registry:
+                    coll_groups[group] = coll_name_map(_type, group)
 
-            self.attach(_type, attr_comp, coll_groups=coll_groups)
+            self.attach(_type, attr_comp, coll_groups=coll_groups, strict=strict)
 
     def get_attr_comp(
         self,
@@ -185,8 +196,8 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
     def collect(
         self,
         obj           : CO3,
-        action_keys   : list[str] = None,
-        action_groups : list[str] = None,
+        keys   : list[str] = None,
+        groups : list[str] = None,
     ) -> list:
         '''
         Stages inserts up the inheritance chain, and down through components.
@@ -201,15 +212,15 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
 
         Parameters:
             obj: CO3 instance to collect from
-            action_keys: keys for actions to collect from
-            action_group: action group names to run all actions for
+            keys: keys for actions to collect from
+            group: action group names to run all actions for
 
         Returns: dict with keys and values relevant for associated SQLite tables
         '''
         # default is to have no actions
-        if action_keys is None:
-            action_keys = []
-            #action_keys = list(obj.action_registry.keys())
+        if keys is None:
+            keys = []
+            #keys = list(obj.key_registry.keys())
 
         receipts = []
         for _cls in reversed(obj.__class__.__mro__[:-2]):
@@ -225,22 +236,22 @@ class Mapper[C: Component]:
                 receipts=receipts,
             )
 
-            for action_key in action_keys:
-                collation_data = obj.collate(action_key)
+            for key in keys:
+                collation_data = obj.collate(key)
 
                 # if method either returned no data or isn't registered, ignore
                 if collation_data is None:
                     continue
 
-                _, action_groups = obj.action_registry.get(action_key, (None, []))
-                for action_group in action_groups:
-                    collation_component = self.get_coll_comp(_cls, group=action_group)
+                _, groups = obj.key_registry.get(key, (None, []))
+                for group in groups:
+                    collation_component = self.get_coll_comp(_cls, group=group)
 
                     if collation_component is None:
                         continue
 
                     # gather connective data for collation components
-                    connective_data = obj.collation_attributes(action_key, action_group)
+                    connective_data = obj.collation_attributes(key, group)
 
                     self.collector.add_insert(
                         collation_component,
@@ -345,7 +356,7 @@ class ComposableMapper[C: ComposableComponent](Mapper[C]):
     def compose(
         self,
         co3_ref:       CO3 | type[CO3],
-        action_groups: list[str] | None = None,
+        groups: list[str] | None = None,
         *compose_args,
         **compose_kwargs,
     ):
@@ -375,9 +386,9 @@ class ComposableMapper[C: ComposableComponent](Mapper[C]):
 
             # compose horizontally with components from provided action groups
             coll_comp_agg = attr_comp
-            if action_groups is not None:
-                for action_group in action_groups:
-                    coll_comp = self.get_coll_comp(_cls, group=action_group)
+            if groups is not None:
+                for group in groups:
+                    coll_comp = self.get_coll_comp(_cls, group=group)
 
                     if coll_comp is None:
                         continue
diff --git a/tests/setups/vegetables.py b/tests/setups/vegetables.py
index 6b4863f..0a3c842 100644
--- a/tests/setups/vegetables.py
+++ b/tests/setups/vegetables.py
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@ class Vegetable(CO3):
         self.name = name
         self.color = color
 
+    #@abstractmethod
+    @collate
+    def cut(self, method):
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
 class Tomato(Vegetable):
     def __init__(self, name, radius):
         super().__init__(name, 'red')
@@ -24,30 +29,40 @@ class Tomato(Vegetable):
     def attributes(self):
         return vars(self)
         
-    def collation_attributes(self, action_key, action_group):
+    def collation_attributes(self, key, group):
         return {
             'name': self.name,
-            'state': action_key,
+            'state': key,
         }
 
-    @collate('ripe', action_groups=['aging'])
+    @collate('ripe', groups=['aging'])
     def ripen(self):
         return {
             'age': random.randint(1, 6)
         }
 
-    @collate('rotten', action_groups=['aging'])
+    @collate('rotten', groups=['aging'])
     def rot(self):
         return {
             'age': random.randint(4, 9)
         }
         
-    @collate('diced', action_groups=['cooking'])
+    @collate('diced', groups=['cooking'])
     def dice(self):
         return {
             'pieces': random.randint(2, 12)
         }
 
+    @collate
+    def cut(self, method):
+        if method == 'slice':
+            return {
+                'pieces': random.randint(2, 5)
+            }
+        elif method == 'dice':
+            return self.dice()
+
+
 type_list = [Vegetable, Tomato]
 
 '''
@@ -114,8 +129,8 @@ vegetable_mapper = ComposableMapper(
 def attr_name_map(cls):
     return f'{cls.__name__.lower()}'
 
-def coll_name_map(cls, action_group):
-    return f'{cls.__name__.lower()}_{action_group}_states'
+def coll_name_map(cls, group):
+    return f'{cls.__name__.lower()}_{group}_states'
 
 vegetable_mapper.attach_many(
     type_list,
diff --git a/tests/test_co3.py b/tests/test_co3.py
index 863d865..cc4bfd3 100644
--- a/tests/test_co3.py
+++ b/tests/test_co3.py
@@ -11,13 +11,18 @@ def test_co3_registry():
     keys_to_groups = defaultdict(list)
 
     # collect groups each key is associated
-    for action_group, action_keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
-        for action_key in action_keys:
-            keys_to_groups[action_key].append(action_group)
+    for group, keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
+        for key in keys:
+            keys_to_groups[key].append(group)
 
-    # check against `action_registry`, should map keys to all groups
-    for action_key, (_, action_groups) in tomato.action_registry.items():
-        assert keys_to_groups.get(action_key) == action_groups
+    assert set(tomato.key_registry.get(None,{}).keys()) == set(keys_to_groups.get(None,[]))
+
+    # check against `registry`, should map keys to all groups
+    for key, group_obj in tomato.key_registry.items():
+        if key is None: continue
+
+        _, groups = group_obj
+        assert keys_to_groups.get(key) == groups
 
 def test_co3_attributes():
     assert tomato.attributes is not None
@@ -26,11 +31,12 @@ def test_co3_components():
     assert tomato.components is not None
 
 def test_co3_collation_attributes():
-    for action_group, action_keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
-        for action_key in action_keys:
-            assert tomato.collation_attributes(action_key, action_group) is not None
+    for group, keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
+        for key in keys:
+            assert tomato.collation_attributes(key, group) is not None
 
 def test_co3_collate():
-    for action_group, action_keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
-        for action_key in action_keys:
-            assert tomato.collate(action_key) is not None
+    for group, keys in tomato.group_registry.items():
+        for key in keys:
+            if key is None: continue
+            assert tomato.collate(key) is not None