diff --git a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
index 23ef92b0..4a280557 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           coverage: "none"
           php-version: "${{ matrix.php-version }}"
-          ini-values: memory_limit=-1, opcache.enable_cli=1, opcache.jit=tracing, opcache.jit_buffer_size=64M
+          ini-values: memory_limit=-1
 
       - name: "Checkout base"
         uses: actions/checkout@v7
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
           dependency-versions: ${{ matrix.dependencies }}
 
       - name: "phpbench on base"
-        run: "vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --progress=none --report=default --tag=base"
+        run: "vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --progress=none --tag=base"
 
       - name: "Checkout"
         uses: actions/checkout@v7
@@ -50,18 +50,35 @@ jobs:
           dependency-versions: ${{ matrix.dependencies }}
 
       - name: "phpbench diff"
+        id: bench
+        continue-on-error: true
         run: "vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --progress=none --report=diff --ref=base > bench.txt"
 
-      - name: "Get Bench Result"
-        id: phpbench
-        run: |
-          echo 'BENCH_RESULT<<EOF' >> $GITHUB_ENV
-          cat bench.txt >> $GITHUB_ENV
-          echo 'EOF' >> $GITHUB_ENV
-
       - uses: actions/github-script@v9
         with:
           script: |
+            const fs = require('fs');
+
+            // the diff report prints one section per benchmark class: a title line, a console table, a blank line.
+            // The console table becomes a markdown table by dropping the outer borders and turning the border
+            // below the header into the separator row.
+            const sections = fs.readFileSync('bench.txt', 'utf8').trim().split(/\n\s*\n/).map((section) => {
+              const [title, , header, separator, ...rows] = section.trim().split('\n');
+              const table = [header, separator.replace(/\+/g, '|'), ...rows.filter((row) => !row.startsWith('+'))];
+
+              return `### ${title.replace(/Bench$/, '')}\n\n${table.join('\n')}`;
+            }).join('\n\n');
+
+            const failed = ${{ steps.bench.outcome == 'failure' }};
+            const commentBody = `Hello :wave:
+
+            Here are the most recent benchmark results, compared against \`${{ github.base_ref }}\`. Time is the mode over the iterations in the \`its\` column, with the relative standard deviation in brackets.
+
+            ${sections}
+
+            ${failed ? ':warning: At least one benchmark got slower than the tolerance in phpbench.json allows.' : ''}
+            This comment gets updated every time a new commit comes in.`;
+
             // Get the existing comments.
             const {data: comments} = await github.rest.issues.listComments({
               owner: context.repo.owner,
@@ -69,27 +86,8 @@ jobs:
               issue_number: context.payload.number,
             })
 
-            // Find any comment already made by the bot.                                                                                                    
-            const botComment = comments.find(comment => comment.user.id === 41898282)                                                                       
-            const commentBody = `
-            
-            Hello :wave:
-          
-            <details>
-            <summary>here is the most recent benchmark result:</summary>
-            
-            <p>
-
-            \`\`\`
-            ${{ env.BENCH_RESULT }}
-            \`\`\`
-
-            </p>            
-            </details>
-
-            This comment gets update everytime a new commit comes in!
-
-            `;
+            // Find any comment already made by the bot.
+            const botComment = comments.find(comment => comment.user.id === 41898282)
 
             if (!context.payload.pull_request.head.repo.full_name.startsWith('patchlevel/')) {
               console.log('Not attempting to write comment on PR from fork');
@@ -110,3 +108,7 @@ jobs:
                 })
               }
             }
+
+      - name: "Fail on regression"
+        if: steps.bench.outcome == 'failure'
+        run: "exit 1"
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index a8264bba..3e62e239 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -8,3 +8,5 @@ infection.log
 infection.html
 .phpbench/
 docs_php/
+var
+stub
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index faf64b56..f480c35a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -34,15 +34,18 @@ static: phpstan cs                                               				## run stat
 
 test: phpunit                                                                   ## run tests
 
-.PHONY: benchmark
-benchmark: vendor                                                               ## run benchmarks
-	vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --report=default
+.PHONY: snapshot
+snapshot: vendor                                                                ## regenerate the snapshots of the generated transformers
+	UPDATE_SNAPSHOTS=1 vendor/bin/phpunit --no-coverage --filter testGeneratedCodeMatchesSnapshot
 
-.PHONY: benchmark-diff-test
-benchmark-diff-test: vendor                                                          ## run benchmarks
-	vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --revs=1 --report=default --progress=none --tag=base
-	vendor/bin/phpbench run tests/Benchmark --revs=1 --report=diff --progress=none --ref=base
+.PHONY: benchmark
+benchmark: vendor                                                               ## run all benchmarks
+	vendor/bin/phpbench run --report=diff
 
+.PHONY: benchmark-diff
+benchmark-diff: vendor                                                          ## run the benchmarks twice and compare the second run against the first, like the CI does
+	vendor/bin/phpbench run --progress=none --tag=base
+	vendor/bin/phpbench run --progress=none --report=diff --ref=base
 
 .PHONY: docs
 docs: docs-extract-php docs-php-lint docs-phpcs docs-inject-php                  ## check and format docs code
diff --git a/composer.lock b/composer.lock
index 28ace722..cb32eb05 100644
--- a/composer.lock
+++ b/composer.lock
@@ -161,16 +161,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/type-info",
-            "version": "v8.1.0",
+            "version": "v8.1.5",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/type-info.git",
-                "reference": "9f24df8a79781b9b9f030fea7dfd2f3bd1e7e7e7"
+                "reference": "ceb48db5b38d6a48640c414be0c69d53980ae5c5"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/type-info/zipball/9f24df8a79781b9b9f030fea7dfd2f3bd1e7e7e7",
-                "reference": "9f24df8a79781b9b9f030fea7dfd2f3bd1e7e7e7",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/type-info/zipball/ceb48db5b38d6a48640c414be0c69d53980ae5c5",
+                "reference": "ceb48db5b38d6a48640c414be0c69d53980ae5c5",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
                 "type"
             ],
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/type-info/tree/v8.1.0"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/type-info/tree/v8.1.5"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-05-29T05:06:50+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-21T17:47:34+00:00"
         }
     ],
     "packages-dev": [
@@ -723,27 +723,25 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "doctrine/lexer",
-            "version": "3.0.1",
+            "version": "3.0.2",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/doctrine/lexer.git",
-                "reference": "31ad66abc0fc9e1a1f2d9bc6a42668d2fbbcd6dd"
+                "reference": "e96fe45e92a54233726014a7cc7340abf29bb14c"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/doctrine/lexer/zipball/31ad66abc0fc9e1a1f2d9bc6a42668d2fbbcd6dd",
-                "reference": "31ad66abc0fc9e1a1f2d9bc6a42668d2fbbcd6dd",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/doctrine/lexer/zipball/e96fe45e92a54233726014a7cc7340abf29bb14c",
+                "reference": "e96fe45e92a54233726014a7cc7340abf29bb14c",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
                 "php": "^8.1"
             },
             "require-dev": {
-                "doctrine/coding-standard": "^12",
-                "phpstan/phpstan": "^1.10",
-                "phpunit/phpunit": "^10.5",
-                "psalm/plugin-phpunit": "^0.18.3",
-                "vimeo/psalm": "^5.21"
+                "doctrine/coding-standard": "^14",
+                "phpstan/phpstan": "^2",
+                "phpunit/phpunit": "^10.5.58 || ^12.5.4"
             },
             "type": "library",
             "autoload": {
@@ -780,7 +778,7 @@
             ],
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/doctrine/lexer/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/doctrine/lexer/tree/3.0.1"
+                "source": "https://github.com/doctrine/lexer/tree/3.0.2"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -796,7 +794,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2024-02-05T11:56:58+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-06-14T20:44:06+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "fidry/cpu-core-counter",
@@ -1231,19 +1229,20 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "justinrainbow/json-schema",
-            "version": "6.10.0",
+            "version": "6.13.0",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/jsonrainbow/json-schema.git",
-                "reference": "8b1308a9d7bdbdb20ce87ef920f82b4564bb2d33"
+                "reference": "30de5e9b3fa04253af272a7d932a38cd026c311b"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/jsonrainbow/json-schema/zipball/8b1308a9d7bdbdb20ce87ef920f82b4564bb2d33",
-                "reference": "8b1308a9d7bdbdb20ce87ef920f82b4564bb2d33",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/jsonrainbow/json-schema/zipball/30de5e9b3fa04253af272a7d932a38cd026c311b",
+                "reference": "30de5e9b3fa04253af272a7d932a38cd026c311b",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
+                "ext-filter": "*",
                 "ext-json": "*",
                 "marc-mabe/php-enum": "^4.4",
                 "php": "^7.2 || ^8.0"
@@ -1276,20 +1275,9 @@
             ],
             "authors": [
                 {
-                    "name": "Bruno Prieto Reis",
-                    "email": "bruno.p.reis@gmail.com"
-                },
-                {
-                    "name": "Justin Rainbow",
-                    "email": "justin.rainbow@gmail.com"
-                },
-                {
-                    "name": "Igor Wiedler",
-                    "email": "igor@wiedler.ch"
-                },
-                {
-                    "name": "Robert Schönthal",
-                    "email": "seroscho@googlemail.com"
+                    "name": "Danny van der Sluijs",
+                    "email": "danny.vandersluijs@icloud.com",
+                    "role": "Maintainer"
                 }
             ],
             "description": "A library to validate a json schema.",
@@ -1300,22 +1288,22 @@
             ],
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/jsonrainbow/json-schema/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/jsonrainbow/json-schema/tree/6.10.0"
+                "source": "https://github.com/jsonrainbow/json-schema/tree/6.13.0"
             },
-            "time": "2026-06-16T20:50:26+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-23T19:46:42+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "league/commonmark",
-            "version": "2.10.1",
+            "version": "2.10.3",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/thephpleague/commonmark.git",
-                "reference": "9d489ab67a02960fd8ffe624d93f751daf95439e"
+                "reference": "6efbd9c472b91db0a3350fcd601c8332c2382e1f"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/thephpleague/commonmark/zipball/9d489ab67a02960fd8ffe624d93f751daf95439e",
-                "reference": "9d489ab67a02960fd8ffe624d93f751daf95439e",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/thephpleague/commonmark/zipball/6efbd9c472b91db0a3350fcd601c8332c2382e1f",
+                "reference": "6efbd9c472b91db0a3350fcd601c8332c2382e1f",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -1409,7 +1397,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-09-07T13:44:26+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-21T13:07:34+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "league/config",
@@ -1568,20 +1556,20 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "myclabs/deep-copy",
-            "version": "1.13.4",
+            "version": "1.14.0",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/myclabs/DeepCopy.git",
-                "reference": "07d290f0c47959fd5eed98c95ee5602db07e0b6a"
+                "reference": "8680aa248f8e07bc8fb43f56f0f5fc77a0c96aae"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/myclabs/DeepCopy/zipball/07d290f0c47959fd5eed98c95ee5602db07e0b6a",
-                "reference": "07d290f0c47959fd5eed98c95ee5602db07e0b6a",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/myclabs/DeepCopy/zipball/8680aa248f8e07bc8fb43f56f0f5fc77a0c96aae",
+                "reference": "8680aa248f8e07bc8fb43f56f0f5fc77a0c96aae",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
-                "php": "^7.1 || ^8.0"
+                "php": "^8.0"
             },
             "conflict": {
                 "doctrine/collections": "<1.6.8",
@@ -1616,15 +1604,15 @@
             ],
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/myclabs/DeepCopy/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/myclabs/DeepCopy/tree/1.13.4"
+                "source": "https://github.com/myclabs/DeepCopy/tree/1.14.0"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
-                    "url": "https://tidelift.com/funding/github/packagist/myclabs/deep-copy",
-                    "type": "tidelift"
+                    "url": "https://github.com/mnapoli",
+                    "type": "github"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2025-08-01T08:46:24+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-11T10:17:44+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "nette/schema",
@@ -1786,16 +1774,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "nikic/php-parser",
-            "version": "v5.8.0",
+            "version": "v5.9.0",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/nikic/PHP-Parser.git",
-                "reference": "044a6a392ff8ad0d61f14370a5fbbd0a0107152f"
+                "reference": "9e33da9553fe7786f0962b35f4e4ecf01be89def"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/nikic/PHP-Parser/zipball/044a6a392ff8ad0d61f14370a5fbbd0a0107152f",
-                "reference": "044a6a392ff8ad0d61f14370a5fbbd0a0107152f",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/nikic/PHP-Parser/zipball/9e33da9553fe7786f0962b35f4e4ecf01be89def",
+                "reference": "9e33da9553fe7786f0962b35f4e4ecf01be89def",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -1837,9 +1825,9 @@
             ],
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/nikic/PHP-Parser/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/nikic/PHP-Parser/tree/v5.8.0"
+                "source": "https://github.com/nikic/PHP-Parser/tree/v5.9.0"
             },
-            "time": "2026-07-04T14:30:18+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-13T18:51:52+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "ondram/ci-detector",
@@ -2094,16 +2082,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "phpat/phpat",
-            "version": "0.12.4",
+            "version": "0.12.5",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/carlosas/phpat.git",
-                "reference": "5319264270c335f548451209bb0f32b55aa59924"
+                "reference": "408d16fdd893e1efc4a3c4a851f407204c69781a"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/carlosas/phpat/zipball/5319264270c335f548451209bb0f32b55aa59924",
-                "reference": "5319264270c335f548451209bb0f32b55aa59924",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/carlosas/phpat/zipball/408d16fdd893e1efc4a3c4a851f407204c69781a",
+                "reference": "408d16fdd893e1efc4a3c4a851f407204c69781a",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -2145,9 +2133,9 @@
             "description": "PHP Architecture Tester",
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/carlosas/phpat/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/carlosas/phpat/tree/0.12.4"
+                "source": "https://github.com/carlosas/phpat/tree/0.12.5"
             },
-            "time": "2026-03-17T16:47:43+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-15T18:11:37+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "phpbench/container",
@@ -2301,16 +2289,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "phpstan/phpdoc-parser",
-            "version": "2.3.3",
+            "version": "2.3.5",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/phpstan/phpdoc-parser.git",
-                "reference": "fb19eedd2bb67ff8cf7a5502ad329e701d6398a3"
+                "reference": "148cefffaf0233e4c08cc13db8a195a56dd6dfe9"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/phpstan/phpdoc-parser/zipball/fb19eedd2bb67ff8cf7a5502ad329e701d6398a3",
-                "reference": "fb19eedd2bb67ff8cf7a5502ad329e701d6398a3",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/phpstan/phpdoc-parser/zipball/148cefffaf0233e4c08cc13db8a195a56dd6dfe9",
+                "reference": "148cefffaf0233e4c08cc13db8a195a56dd6dfe9",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -2342,17 +2330,17 @@
             "description": "PHPDoc parser with support for nullable, intersection and generic types",
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/phpstan/phpdoc-parser/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/phpstan/phpdoc-parser/tree/2.3.3"
+                "source": "https://github.com/phpstan/phpdoc-parser/tree/2.3.5"
             },
-            "time": "2026-07-08T07:01:06+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-31T16:05:28+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "phpstan/phpstan",
-            "version": "2.2.7",
+            "version": "2.2.16",
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/phpstan/phpstan/zipball/692db47b9dddb0487934e5236e77d48594aef921",
-                "reference": "692db47b9dddb0487934e5236e77d48594aef921",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/phpstan/phpstan/zipball/46a6d9060e5a7763adfcc21ebcb8b504ebdbcb92",
+                "reference": "46a6d9060e5a7763adfcc21ebcb8b504ebdbcb92",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -2408,7 +2396,7 @@
                     "type": "github"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-07-29T17:39:32+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-25T09:31:51+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "phpstan/phpstan-phpunit",
@@ -3059,22 +3047,22 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "sanmai/di-container",
-            "version": "0.1.17",
+            "version": "0.1.23",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/sanmai/di-container.git",
-                "reference": "a901c4a8778c9212ef4d66607525281af2f787bd"
+                "reference": "8cf59c091f33297389d0a5a27ea0d688df15c376"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/sanmai/di-container/zipball/a901c4a8778c9212ef4d66607525281af2f787bd",
-                "reference": "a901c4a8778c9212ef4d66607525281af2f787bd",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/sanmai/di-container/zipball/8cf59c091f33297389d0a5a27ea0d688df15c376",
+                "reference": "8cf59c091f33297389d0a5a27ea0d688df15c376",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
                 "php": ">=8.2",
                 "psr/container": "^1.1.2 || ^2.0",
-                "sanmai/pipeline": "^6.17 || ^7.0"
+                "sanmai/pipeline": "^7.10"
             },
             "require-dev": {
                 "ergebnis/composer-normalize": "^2.8",
@@ -3126,7 +3114,7 @@
             ],
             "support": {
                 "issues": "https://github.com/sanmai/di-container/issues",
-                "source": "https://github.com/sanmai/di-container/tree/0.1.17"
+                "source": "https://github.com/sanmai/di-container/tree/0.1.23"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -3134,7 +3122,7 @@
                     "type": "github"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-06-01T08:52:14+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-11T00:58:41+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "sanmai/duoclock",
@@ -4448,16 +4436,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "squizlabs/php_codesniffer",
-            "version": "3.13.5",
+            "version": "3.13.6",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHP_CodeSniffer.git",
-                "reference": "0ca86845ce43291e8f5692c7356fccf3bcf02bf4"
+                "reference": "4c378e1a528ea066890fc2397cbdd2f94eb2fc91"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/PHPCSStandards/PHP_CodeSniffer/zipball/0ca86845ce43291e8f5692c7356fccf3bcf02bf4",
-                "reference": "0ca86845ce43291e8f5692c7356fccf3bcf02bf4",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/PHPCSStandards/PHP_CodeSniffer/zipball/4c378e1a528ea066890fc2397cbdd2f94eb2fc91",
+                "reference": "4c378e1a528ea066890fc2397cbdd2f94eb2fc91",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -4523,7 +4511,7 @@
                     "type": "thanks_dev"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2025-11-04T16:30:35+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-06T00:17:32+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "staabm/side-effects-detector",
@@ -4758,16 +4746,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/console",
-            "version": "v8.1.2",
+            "version": "v8.1.7",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/console.git",
-                "reference": "535e18a1b8925f6c01a55b171d157ab66c2ace15"
+                "reference": "29afb89f4e941f68a6e90f28e3f52ff1f6793a7d"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/console/zipball/535e18a1b8925f6c01a55b171d157ab66c2ace15",
-                "reference": "535e18a1b8925f6c01a55b171d157ab66c2ace15",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/console/zipball/29afb89f4e941f68a6e90f28e3f52ff1f6793a7d",
+                "reference": "29afb89f4e941f68a6e90f28e3f52ff1f6793a7d",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -4834,7 +4822,7 @@
                 "terminal"
             ],
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/console/tree/v8.1.2"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/console/tree/v8.1.7"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -4854,7 +4842,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-07-27T13:58:19+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-13T10:55:57+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/deprecation-contracts",
@@ -4929,16 +4917,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/filesystem",
-            "version": "v8.1.2",
+            "version": "v8.1.6",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/filesystem.git",
-                "reference": "17856b7a222664a26a5ea1cb06ee0721c2438217"
+                "reference": "7599ebb855fede59413ddb7f15198d67bfcae7ba"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/filesystem/zipball/17856b7a222664a26a5ea1cb06ee0721c2438217",
-                "reference": "17856b7a222664a26a5ea1cb06ee0721c2438217",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/filesystem/zipball/7599ebb855fede59413ddb7f15198d67bfcae7ba",
+                "reference": "7599ebb855fede59413ddb7f15198d67bfcae7ba",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -4976,7 +4964,7 @@
             "description": "Provides basic utilities for the filesystem",
             "homepage": "https://symfony.com",
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/filesystem/tree/v8.1.2"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/filesystem/tree/v8.1.6"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -4996,20 +4984,20 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-07-22T15:42:13+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-23T10:06:25+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/finder",
-            "version": "v8.1.1",
+            "version": "v8.1.7",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/finder.git",
-                "reference": "e2989e762c70f9490fa3a00a0ac0fae5aa97a531"
+                "reference": "4fbe46a3eb64abf8a57f0364075b91f4a233e062"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/finder/zipball/e2989e762c70f9490fa3a00a0ac0fae5aa97a531",
-                "reference": "e2989e762c70f9490fa3a00a0ac0fae5aa97a531",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/finder/zipball/4fbe46a3eb64abf8a57f0364075b91f4a233e062",
+                "reference": "4fbe46a3eb64abf8a57f0364075b91f4a233e062",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -5044,7 +5032,7 @@
             "description": "Finds files and directories via an intuitive fluent interface",
             "homepage": "https://symfony.com",
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/finder/tree/v8.1.1"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/finder/tree/v8.1.7"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -5064,7 +5052,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-06-27T09:05:56+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-10T19:14:39+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/options-resolver",
@@ -5391,16 +5379,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer",
-            "version": "v1.38.0",
+            "version": "v1.42.0",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer.git",
-                "reference": "2d446c214bdbe5b71bde5011b060a05fece3ae6b"
+                "reference": "aa20edea75bd9c48cfecc8360922e5a6e5c44502"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer/zipball/2d446c214bdbe5b71bde5011b060a05fece3ae6b",
-                "reference": "2d446c214bdbe5b71bde5011b060a05fece3ae6b",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer/zipball/aa20edea75bd9c48cfecc8360922e5a6e5c44502",
+                "reference": "aa20edea75bd9c48cfecc8360922e5a6e5c44502",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -5452,7 +5440,7 @@
                 "shim"
             ],
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer/tree/v1.38.0"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/polyfill-intl-normalizer/tree/v1.42.0"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -5472,7 +5460,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-05-25T13:48:31+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-08-07T06:33:24+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/polyfill-mbstring",
@@ -5725,16 +5713,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/process",
-            "version": "v8.1.0",
+            "version": "v8.1.7",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/process.git",
-                "reference": "c4a9e58f235a6bf7f97ffbfedae2687353ac79e5"
+                "reference": "10823b09358e690df4ff943e24e8492bb1019fc3"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/process/zipball/c4a9e58f235a6bf7f97ffbfedae2687353ac79e5",
-                "reference": "c4a9e58f235a6bf7f97ffbfedae2687353ac79e5",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/process/zipball/10823b09358e690df4ff943e24e8492bb1019fc3",
+                "reference": "10823b09358e690df4ff943e24e8492bb1019fc3",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -5766,7 +5754,7 @@
             "description": "Executes commands in sub-processes",
             "homepage": "https://symfony.com",
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/process/tree/v8.1.0"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/process/tree/v8.1.7"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -5786,7 +5774,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-05-29T05:06:50+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-02T12:40:29+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/service-contracts",
@@ -5877,16 +5865,16 @@
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/string",
-            "version": "v8.1.2",
+            "version": "v8.1.7",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/string.git",
-                "reference": "286a76b7255e5cc4bf0101a0bc5388ecf1c38ccc"
+                "reference": "d950140b5f56f31901e5b7a0c04ffc3a3deb943c"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/string/zipball/286a76b7255e5cc4bf0101a0bc5388ecf1c38ccc",
-                "reference": "286a76b7255e5cc4bf0101a0bc5388ecf1c38ccc",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/string/zipball/d950140b5f56f31901e5b7a0c04ffc3a3deb943c",
+                "reference": "d950140b5f56f31901e5b7a0c04ffc3a3deb943c",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -5943,7 +5931,7 @@
                 "utf8"
             ],
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/string/tree/v8.1.2"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/string/tree/v8.1.7"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -5963,20 +5951,20 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-07-28T07:35:25+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-11T14:51:16+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/var-dumper",
-            "version": "v8.1.2",
+            "version": "v8.1.7",
             "source": {
                 "type": "git",
                 "url": "https://github.com/symfony/var-dumper.git",
-                "reference": "865103cf742a039f34645b971fc3ace308d6c167"
+                "reference": "741a8c4c948b0bb9bd3653daacd3644c73c40ea5"
             },
             "dist": {
                 "type": "zip",
-                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/var-dumper/zipball/865103cf742a039f34645b971fc3ace308d6c167",
-                "reference": "865103cf742a039f34645b971fc3ace308d6c167",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/symfony/var-dumper/zipball/741a8c4c948b0bb9bd3653daacd3644c73c40ea5",
+                "reference": "741a8c4c948b0bb9bd3653daacd3644c73c40ea5",
                 "shasum": ""
             },
             "require": {
@@ -6030,7 +6018,7 @@
                 "dump"
             ],
             "support": {
-                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/var-dumper/tree/v8.1.2"
+                "source": "https://github.com/symfony/var-dumper/tree/v8.1.7"
             },
             "funding": [
                 {
@@ -6050,7 +6038,7 @@
                     "type": "tidelift"
                 }
             ],
-            "time": "2026-07-22T15:42:13+00:00"
+            "time": "2026-09-03T16:02:27+00:00"
         },
         {
             "name": "symfony/var-exporter",
diff --git a/docs/extensions.md b/docs/extensions.md
index 4c47de30..e91954ce 100644
--- a/docs/extensions.md
+++ b/docs/extensions.md
@@ -23,13 +23,14 @@ $hydrator = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
 ```
 ## Built-in extensions
 
-The library ships with three extensions out of the box:
+The library ships with four extensions out of the box:
 
 | Extension | Purpose |
 | --- | --- |
 | `LifecycleExtension` | [Lifecycle hooks](lifecycle-hooks.md), run code before and after the extract and hydrate process. |
 | `CryptographyExtension` | [Cryptography](cryptography.md), encrypt and decrypt sensitive data with crypto-shredding. |
 | `UpcastExtension` | [Upcasting](upcasting.md), reshape outdated stored data while it is hydrated. |
+| `GeneratedTransformerExtension` | [Generated code](generated-code.md), use generated mapping code instead of reflection. |
 
 ## Middleware
 
@@ -162,10 +163,11 @@ transformer for a class, for example generated code.
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
 
 final class MoneyTransformerFactory implements ClassTransformerFactory
 {
-    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassTransformer|null
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
     {
         if ($metadata->className !== Money::class) {
             return null;
@@ -184,6 +186,16 @@ higher priority is asked first. The `ReflectionTransformerFactory` is always
 asked last, so every class without its own transformer is transformed with
 reflection.
 
+The `TransformerResolver` gives the transformer insight into the hydrator which
+created it. With `direct()` it asks whether the hydrator would call the
+transformer of a nested class directly, without a middleware, a class
+normalizer or a lazy proxy. Only then a transformer may map nested objects in
+place, like the [generated transformers](generated-code.md) do.
+:::warning
+Use the resolver once the transformer is used, not inside `create()`. The
+hydrator caches the transformer only after `create()` returned.
+:::
+
 ## Writing your own extension
 
 An extension implements the `Extension` interface and configures the builder.
@@ -207,4 +219,5 @@ final class AuditExtension implements Extension
 * [How to run code before extract and after hydrate](lifecycle-hooks.md)
 * [How to encrypt sensitive data](cryptography.md)
 * [How to reshape outdated stored data](upcasting.md)
+* [How to speed up hydration with generated code](generated-code.md)
 * [How to cache the metadata](caching.md)
diff --git a/docs/generated-code.md b/docs/generated-code.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3118a528
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/generated-code.md
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+# Generated Code
+
+By default the hydrator maps arrays to objects with reflection: the
+`ReflectionTransformer` iterates over the metadata of a class, sets each
+property through a `ReflectionProperty` and calls the [normalizers](normalizer.md)
+dynamically. This is fast enough for most applications, but when you hydrate
+millions of objects the reflection overhead adds up. The
+`GeneratedTransformerExtension` uses plain PHP code generated for your classes
+instead.
+
+The generation and the runtime are strictly separated: a warmup step generates
+the code ahead of time, and the hydrator only loads it.
+
+## Enable the extension
+
+Register the `GeneratedTransformerExtension` with the directory which contains
+the generated code.
+
+```php
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
+
+$hydrator = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
+    ->useExtension(new GeneratedTransformerExtension(__DIR__ . '/var/cache/hydrator'))
+    ->build();
+```
+For every class the hydrator looks for a generated transformer in this
+directory. Classes without one are transformed with reflection as usual.
+
+:::success
+The generated code behaves exactly like the `ReflectionTransformer`: objects
+are created without calling the constructor, missing fields keep their promoted
+default value, private and readonly properties are supported and the same
+exceptions are thrown. You can switch between both without changing your
+classes.
+:::
+
+## Warm up
+
+The `GeneratedTransformerWarmer` generates the transformers and writes them to
+the directory. Run it in a cache warmer or a deployment step, with the metadata
+factory of the builder, so the code matches the metadata of the hydrator,
+including the guessers and enrichers of all registered extensions.
+
+```php
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerWarmer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
+
+$cachePath = __DIR__ . '/var/cache/hydrator';
+
+$builder = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
+    ->useExtension(new GeneratedTransformerExtension($cachePath));
+
+$warmer = new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($builder->metadataFactory(), $cachePath);
+$warmer->warmup([
+    ProfileCreated::class,
+    NameChanged::class,
+]);
+```
+Classes referenced by these classes, such as nested value objects, get a
+transformer too. The warmup throws a `ClassNotGeneratable` exception for a
+class which can not be generated, for example an abstract class or a class with
+a class normalizer.
+
+:::note
+Only the warmer knows how to generate code. At runtime the extension only loads
+existing files, the generator is never loaded.
+:::
+
+## Changed classes
+
+The name of a generated file contains a fingerprint of everything the code
+depends on: the properties with their field names, normalizers, visibility and
+default values. If a class changes after the warmup, its generated transformer
+is simply not found and the class is transformed with reflection until you warm
+up again.
+
+:::warning
+A missing warmup does not fail, it only makes the hydration slower. Warm up the
+transformers on every deployment, like you do for other generated files.
+:::
+
+## Nested objects
+
+The biggest speedup comes from mapping nested objects in place: instead of
+calling the hydrator again for every nested object, the generated code calls
+the generated transformer of the nested class directly. This only happens if it
+does not change the behaviour, the hydrator must call the transformer of the
+nested class directly too, so the nested class has no class normalizer, is not
+[lazy](lazy.md) and no [middleware](extensions.md) runs for it.
+
+The decision is made per class and per direction: with the
+[cryptography](cryptography.md) extension for example, value objects without
+sensitive data are mapped in place while classes with sensitive data still go
+through the middleware.
+
+:::note
+If a hydrator wraps the `StackHydrator`, nested objects are not mapped in
+place for its calls, so it sees every nested object, see
+[normalizers](normalizer.md).
+:::
+
+## Learn more
+
+* [How to build the hydrator](hydrator.md)
+* [How to cache the metadata](caching.md)
+* [How to write your own extension](extensions.md)
diff --git a/docs/hydrator.md b/docs/hydrator.md
index 409fb697..4df70d54 100644
--- a/docs/hydrator.md
+++ b/docs/hydrator.md
@@ -180,3 +180,4 @@ value does not fit the property type.
 * [How normalizers convert complex types](normalizer.md)
 * [How to hydrate objects lazily](lazy.md)
 * [How to hook into the hydration process](extensions.md)
+* [How to speed up hydration with generated code](generated-code.md)
diff --git a/docs/project.json b/docs/project.json
index 1181fb49..44c77b88 100644
--- a/docs/project.json
+++ b/docs/project.json
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
       "subEntries": [
         { "title": "Lifecycle Hooks", "file": "lifecycle-hooks.md" },
         { "title": "Cryptography", "file": "cryptography.md" },
-        { "title": "Upcasting", "file": "upcasting.md" }
+        { "title": "Upcasting", "file": "upcasting.md" },
+        { "title": "Generated Code", "file": "generated-code.md" }
       ]
     },
     {
diff --git a/phpbench.json b/phpbench.json
index 729b39d4..60c604cd 100644
--- a/phpbench.json
+++ b/phpbench.json
@@ -1,54 +1,37 @@
 {
-  "$schema":"./vendor/phpbench/phpbench/phpbench.schema.json",
+  "$schema": "./vendor/phpbench/phpbench/phpbench.schema.json",
   "runner.bootstrap": "vendor/autoload.php",
+  "runner.path": "tests/Benchmark",
   "runner.file_pattern": "*Bench.php",
+  "runner.iterations": 5,
+  "runner.php_config": {
+    "memory_limit": "-1",
+    "opcache.enable_cli": 1,
+    "opcache.jit_buffer_size": 0,
+    "xdebug.mode": "off"
+  },
+  "runner.assert": "mode(variant.time.avg) <= mode(baseline.time.avg) +/- 25%",
   "report.generators": {
     "diff": {
-      "generator": "component",
-      "partition": ["benchmark_name"],
-      "components": [
-        {
-          "component": "section",
-          "title": "{{ first(frame[\"benchmark_name\"]) }}",
-          "components": [
-            {
-              "component": "table_aggregate",
-              "partition": ["subject_name", "variant_name"],
-              "groups":
-              {
-                "time (kde mode)":
-                {
-                  "cols": ["time"]
-                },
-                "memory":
-                {
-                  "cols": ["memory"]
-                }
-              },
-              "row":
-              {
-                "subject": "first(partition[\"subject_name\"]) ~ \" (\" ~ first(partition[\"variant_name\"]) ~ \")\"",
-                "time":
-                {
-                  "type": "expand",
-                  "partition": "suite_tag",
-                  "cols":
-                  {
-                    "Tag: {{ key }}": "mode(partition[\"result_time_avg\"]) as time ~ ' (' ~ rstdev(partition['result_time_avg']) ~ ')'"
-                  }
-                },
-                "memory":
-                {
-                  "type": "expand",
-                  "partition": "suite_tag",
-                  "cols":
-                  {
-                    "Tag: {{ key }} ": "mode(partition[\"result_mem_peak\"]) as memory"
-                  }
-                }
-              }
-            }]
-        }]
+      "generator": "expression",
+      "break": [
+        "benchmark"
+      ],
+      "cols": [
+        "subject",
+        "revs",
+        "its",
+        "memory",
+        "base",
+        "current",
+        "diff"
+      ],
+      "expressions": {
+        "memory": "if(first(has_baseline), (first(result_mem_peak) as memory) ~ ' ' ~ percent_diff(first(baseline_mem_peak), first(result_mem_peak)), first(result_mem_peak) as memory)",
+        "base": "if(first(has_baseline), mode(baseline_time_avg) as time ~ ' (' ~ rstdev(baseline_time_avg) ~ ')', '')",
+        "current": "mode(result_time_avg) as time ~ ' (' ~ rstdev(result_time_avg) ~ ')'",
+        "diff": "if(first(has_baseline), percent_diff(mode(baseline_time_avg), mode(result_time_avg), rstdev(result_time_avg)), '')"
+      }
     }
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/phpcs.xml.dist b/phpcs.xml.dist
index 6998ee63..75142e1f 100644
--- a/phpcs.xml.dist
+++ b/phpcs.xml.dist
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 
     <file>src</file>
     <file>tests</file>
+    <!-- generated code, kept as snapshot -->
+    <exclude-pattern>tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/*</exclude-pattern>
 
     <rule ref="PatchlevelCodingStandard">
         <exclude name="Generic.CodeAnalysis.UselessOverridingMethod.Found"/>
diff --git a/phpstan-baseline.neon b/phpstan-baseline.neon
index a7f097ea..e5e89c19 100644
--- a/phpstan-baseline.neon
+++ b/phpstan-baseline.neon
@@ -126,6 +126,12 @@ parameters:
 			count: 1
 			path: src/StackHydrator.php
 
+		-
+			message: '#^Parameter \#1 \$data of method Patchlevel\\Hydrator\\Transformer\\ClassTransformer\:\:hydrate\(\) expects array\<string, mixed\>, array\<mixed, mixed\> given\.$#'
+			identifier: argument.type
+			count: 2
+			path: src/StackHydrator.php
+
 		-
 			message: '#^Parameter \#2 \$data of method Patchlevel\\Hydrator\\StackHydrator\:\:hydrateWithMiddlewares\(\) expects array\<string, mixed\>, array\<mixed, mixed\> given\.$#'
 			identifier: argument.type
diff --git a/phpstan.neon.dist b/phpstan.neon.dist
index 81e9ded9..7a209d3d 100644
--- a/phpstan.neon.dist
+++ b/phpstan.neon.dist
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ parameters:
 	paths:
 		- src
 		- tests
+	excludePaths:
+		- tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot
 	reportUnmatchedIgnoredErrors: false
 
 services:
@@ -19,3 +21,7 @@ services:
 		class: Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Architecture\ExceptionImplementsHydratorExceptionTest
 		tags:
 			- phpat.test
+	-
+		class: Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Architecture\NoCodeGenerationAtRuntimeTest
+		tags:
+			- phpat.test
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/ClassFingerprint.php b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassFingerprint.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..548f76c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassFingerprint.php
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ArrayNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\InvalidType;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use ReflectionClass;
+
+use function class_exists;
+use function hash;
+use function serialize;
+use function substr;
+
+/**
+ * Fingerprint of everything the generated code of a class depends on: the properties with their field names,
+ * normalizers, visibility, declaring class and inlined defaults, and the nested classes. It is part of the name of the
+ * generated transformer, so a changed class has no generated transformer until it is warmed up again.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class ClassFingerprint
+{
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public static function of(ClassMetadata $metadata): string
+    {
+        $defaults = $metadata->promotedConstructorDefaults();
+        $shape = [$metadata->reflection->isFinal()];
+
+        foreach ($metadata->properties as $property) {
+            $reflection = $property->reflection;
+            $default = null;
+
+            if ($reflection->isPromoted() && isset($defaults[$property->propertyName])) {
+                // defaults which can not be inlined are resolved at runtime, their value does not matter here
+                $default = Literal::export($defaults[$property->propertyName]->getDefaultValue()) ?? 'runtime';
+            }
+
+            $declaringClass = $reflection->getDeclaringClass()->getName();
+            $nested = null;
+
+            if ($property->normalizer !== null) {
+                $nested = self::nested($property->normalizer);
+            }
+
+            $shape[] = [
+                $property->propertyName,
+                $property->fieldName,
+                $property->normalizer !== null,
+                $reflection->getModifiers(),
+                // inherited properties may need the scope of their declaring class
+                $declaringClass === $metadata->className ? null : $declaringClass,
+                $default,
+                $nested,
+            ];
+        }
+
+        return substr(hash('sha256', serialize($shape)), 0, 16);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Nested objects are mapped in place if they are normalized with an object normalizer, directly or in an array.
+     *
+     * @return array{class: class-string, array: bool, final: bool}|null
+     */
+    public static function nested(Normalizer $normalizer): array|null
+    {
+        $array = false;
+
+        if ($normalizer instanceof ArrayNormalizer) {
+            $array = true;
+            $normalizer = $normalizer->innerNormalizer();
+        }
+
+        if (!$normalizer instanceof ObjectNormalizer) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $class = $normalizer->className();
+        } catch (InvalidType) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        if (!class_exists($class)) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'class' => $class,
+            'array' => $array,
+            // the generated code checks the exact class of nested objects, which is cheaper for final classes
+            'final' => (new ReflectionClass($class))->isFinal(),
+        ];
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/ClassNotGeneratable.php b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassNotGeneratable.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b4f821c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassNotGeneratable.php
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use InvalidArgumentException;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\HydratorException;
+
+use function sprintf;
+
+final class ClassNotGeneratable extends InvalidArgumentException implements HydratorException
+{
+    public function __construct(string $class, string $reason)
+    {
+        parent::__construct(sprintf('A transformer for class "%s" can not be generated: %s', $class, $reason));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlan.php b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlan.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..97815010
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlan.php
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+
+/**
+ * A class together with the plans of its properties, its transformer is generated from it.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class ClassPlan
+{
+    /**
+     * @param list<PropertyPlan> $properties
+     * @param bool               $scopedHydrate hydrate code must run in the scope of the class
+     * @param bool               $scopedExtract extract code must run in the scope of the class
+     */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly ClassMetadata $metadata,
+        public readonly array $properties,
+        public readonly bool $scopedHydrate,
+        public readonly bool $scopedExtract,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    /** @return class-string */
+    public function className(): string
+    {
+        return $this->metadata->className;
+    }
+
+    /** Classes without normalizers can never be part of a circular reference. */
+    public function leaf(): bool
+    {
+        foreach ($this->properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->kind !== ValueKind::Raw) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /** @return array<int, NestedPlan> slot => nested class whose objects may be mapped in place */
+    public function nested(): array
+    {
+        $nested = [];
+
+        foreach ($this->properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->nested === null) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $nested[$property->nested->slot] = $property->nested;
+        }
+
+        return $nested;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlanner.php b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlanner.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b0cce904
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/ClassPlanner.php
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\PropertyMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ArrayNormalizer;
+use ReflectionProperty;
+
+use function count;
+
+use const PHP_VERSION_ID;
+
+/**
+ * Decides how each property of a class is handled by its generated transformer.
+ *
+ * The planner accumulates the slots of a single class, create a new instance for every class.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class ClassPlanner
+{
+    private int $normalizerSlots = 0;
+    private int $flagSlots = 0;
+    private int $defaultSlots = 0;
+
+    /** @var array<class-string, int> nested class => slot of its transformer */
+    private array $nestedSlots = [];
+
+    /** @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata */
+    public function plan(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassPlan
+    {
+        $properties = [];
+
+        foreach ($metadata->properties as $property) {
+            $properties[] = $this->property($metadata, $property);
+        }
+
+        [$scopedHydrate, $scopedExtract] = self::scoped($metadata, $properties);
+
+        return new ClassPlan($metadata, $properties, $scopedHydrate, $scopedExtract);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Constructor visibility does not matter, the generated code runs in the scope of the class. Anonymous classes
+     * have no stable name the generated code could refer to.
+     *
+     * @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata
+     */
+    public static function generatable(ClassMetadata $metadata): bool
+    {
+        $reflection = $metadata->reflection;
+
+        return !$reflection->isInternal()
+            && !$reflection->isAbstract()
+            && !$reflection->isInterface()
+            && !$reflection->isEnum()
+            && !$reflection->isAnonymous();
+    }
+
+    /** @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata */
+    private function property(ClassMetadata $metadata, PropertyMetadata $property): PropertyPlan
+    {
+        $reflection = $property->reflection;
+        $declaringClass = $reflection->getDeclaringClass()->getName();
+        $inherited = $declaringClass !== $metadata->className;
+
+        $kind = ValueKind::Raw;
+        $slot = null;
+        $inner = null;
+        $flag = null;
+        $nested = null;
+        $default = null;
+        $defaultSlot = null;
+
+        $normalizer = $property->normalizer;
+
+        if ($normalizer !== null) {
+            $kind = ValueKind::Normalizer;
+            $slot = $this->normalizerSlots++;
+            $nested = ClassFingerprint::nested($normalizer);
+
+            if ($nested !== null) {
+                $kind = $nested['array'] ? ValueKind::NestedArray : ValueKind::NestedObject;
+                $flag = $this->flagSlots++;
+                $this->nestedSlots[$nested['class']] ??= count($this->nestedSlots);
+
+                if ($normalizer instanceof ArrayNormalizer) {
+                    $inner = $this->normalizerSlots++;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if ($reflection->isPromoted()) {
+            $parameter = $metadata->promotedConstructorDefaults()[$property->propertyName] ?? null;
+
+            if ($parameter !== null) {
+                // scalar defaults are inlined, everything else is resolved via reflection at runtime
+                $default = Literal::export($parameter->getDefaultValue());
+
+                if ($default === null) {
+                    $defaultSlot = $this->defaultSlots++;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return new PropertyPlan(
+            name: $property->propertyName,
+            field: $property->fieldName,
+            kind: $kind,
+            slot: $slot,
+            inner: $inner,
+            flag: $flag,
+            nested: $nested === null ? null : new NestedPlan(
+                $nested['class'],
+                $this->nestedSlots[$nested['class']],
+                $nested['final'],
+            ),
+            default: $default,
+            defaultSlot: $defaultSlot,
+            hydrateScope: $inherited && ($reflection->isPrivate() || $reflection->isReadOnly() || self::privateSet($reflection)) ? $declaringClass : null,
+            extractScope: $inherited && $reflection->isPrivate() ? $declaringClass : null,
+        );
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Code runs in the scope of the class (a bound closure) only if needed, otherwise in the methods of the transformer.
+     *
+     * @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata
+     * @param list<PropertyPlan>    $properties
+     *
+     * @return array{bool, bool} [hydrate needs the class scope, extract needs the class scope]
+     */
+    private static function scoped(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $properties): array
+    {
+        $hydrate = false;
+        $extract = false;
+
+        foreach ($properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->hydrateScope !== null || $property->extractScope !== null) {
+                // handled by helper closures bound to the declaring class
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $reflection = $metadata->properties[$property->name]->reflection;
+
+            if (!$reflection->isPublic()) {
+                $hydrate = true;
+                $extract = true;
+            } elseif (self::restrictedSet($reflection)) {
+                $hydrate = true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return [$hydrate, $extract];
+    }
+
+    /** Readonly and asymmetric visibility restrict writes to the class scope. */
+    private static function restrictedSet(ReflectionProperty $reflection): bool
+    {
+        return $reflection->isReadOnly() || self::privateSet($reflection) || (PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80400 && $reflection->isProtectedSet());
+    }
+
+    private static function privateSet(ReflectionProperty $reflection): bool
+    {
+        return PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80400 && $reflection->isPrivateSet();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/CodeEmitter.php b/src/Extension/Generated/CodeEmitter.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..07d436d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/CodeEmitter.php
@@ -0,0 +1,408 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use function array_unshift;
+use function assert;
+use function implode;
+use function preg_replace;
+use function sprintf;
+use function str_contains;
+use function var_export;
+
+/**
+ * Turns the plan of a class into the php code of its transformer.
+ *
+ * The generated transformer behaves like the {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformer}:
+ * objects are instantiated without their constructor and the properties are assigned directly. Assigning
+ * properties happens inside closures bound to the scope of the class, so private and readonly properties
+ * work the same way as with reflection.
+ *
+ * The emitter accumulates the members of a single transformer, create a new instance for every class.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class CodeEmitter
+{
+    /** @var list<string> property declarations of the generated class */
+    private array $properties = [];
+
+    private int $helperSlots = 0;
+
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly ClassPlan $plan,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function emit(string $namespace, string $className): string
+    {
+        $plan = $this->plan;
+        $initialize = [];
+
+        foreach ($plan->properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->defaultSlot !== null) {
+                $this->properties[] = sprintf('public ReflectionParameter $d%d;', $property->defaultSlot);
+                $initialize[] = sprintf('$this->d%d = $this->promotedDefault(%s);', $property->defaultSlot, var_export($property->name, true));
+            }
+
+            if ($property->slot === null) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public Normalizer $n%d;', $property->slot);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('$this->n%d = $this->normalizer(%s);', $property->slot, var_export($property->name, true));
+
+            if ($property->nested === null || $property->flag === null) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $flag = $property->flag;
+            $nested = $property->nested;
+
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public bool $ih%d = false;', $flag);
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public bool $ie%d = false;', $flag);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('$h%d = $this->nested($this->n%d, \\%s::class, Direction::Hydrate);', $flag, $property->slot, $nested->class);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('$e%d = $this->nested($this->n%d, \\%s::class, Direction::Extract);', $flag, $property->slot, $nested->class);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('$this->ih%1$d = $h%1$d !== null;', $flag);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('$this->ie%1$d = $e%1$d !== null;', $flag);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('if ($this->ih%1$d || $this->ie%1$d) { $this->x%2$d = $h%1$d ?? $e%1$d; }', $flag, $nested->slot);
+
+            if ($property->inner === null) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public ObjectNormalizer $n%d;', $property->inner);
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('if ($this->ih%1$d || $this->ie%1$d) { $this->n%2$d = $this->n%3$d->innerNormalizer(); }', $flag, $property->inner, $property->slot);
+        }
+
+        foreach ($plan->nested() as $slot => $nested) {
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public GeneratedTransformer $x%d;', $slot);
+        }
+
+        [$hydrate, $hydrateHelpers] = $this->hydrateBody();
+        [$extract, $extractHelpers] = $this->extractBody();
+
+        foreach ([...$hydrateHelpers, ...$extractHelpers] as $helper) {
+            $initialize[] = $helper;
+        }
+
+        if ($plan->scopedHydrate) {
+            $this->properties[] = 'public Closure $h;';
+            $initialize[] = Templates::render(Templates::CLOSURE, [
+                'slot' => 'h',
+                'signature' => 'object $object, array $data, array $context, bool $inline',
+                'return' => 'object',
+                'body' => $hydrate,
+                'class' => $plan->className(),
+            ]);
+            $hydrate = 'return ($this->h)($object, $data, $context, $inline);';
+        }
+
+        if ($plan->scopedExtract) {
+            $this->properties[] = 'public Closure $e;';
+            $initialize[] = Templates::render(Templates::CLOSURE, [
+                'slot' => 'e',
+                'signature' => 'object $object, array $context, bool $inline',
+                'return' => 'array',
+                'body' => $extract,
+                'class' => $plan->className(),
+            ]);
+            $extract = 'return ($this->e)($object, $context, $inline);';
+        }
+
+        foreach ($plan->nested() as $slot => $nested) {
+            // the nested transformers are initialized last, they may lead back to this one
+            $initialize[] = sprintf('if (isset($this->x%1$d)) { $this->x%1$d->init(); }', $slot);
+        }
+
+        $code = Templates::render(Templates::TRANSFORMER, [
+            'namespace' => $namespace,
+            'className' => $className,
+            'class' => $plan->className(),
+            'version' => (string)TransformerFiles::VERSION,
+            'properties' => implode("\n", $this->properties),
+            // the entry points of the hydrator check whether nested objects can be mapped in place, the nested entry
+            // points are only called if they can
+            'hydrate' => self::withInline($hydrate, $plan->nested() === [] ? 'false' : Templates::OWNER),
+            'extract' => self::withInline($extract, $plan->nested() === [] ? 'false' : Templates::OWNER),
+            'hydrateNested' => self::withInline($hydrate, 'true'),
+            'extractNested' => self::withInline($extract, 'true'),
+            'initialize' => $initialize === [] ? '// nothing to resolve' : implode("\n", $initialize),
+            'recursive' => $this->recursive(),
+        ]);
+
+        // empty placeholders leave blank lines behind
+        $code = preg_replace(["/\n{3,}/", "/{\n\n/"], ["\n\n", "{\n"], $code);
+        assert($code !== null);
+
+        return $code;
+    }
+
+    /** Code without nested objects does not use $inline, the code of scoped classes gets it as argument. */
+    private static function withInline(string $code, string $inline): string
+    {
+        if (!str_contains($code, '$inline')) {
+            return $code;
+        }
+
+        return sprintf("\$inline = %s;\n\n%s", $inline, $code);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Circular references are only possible through normalizers which extract objects with the hydrator. A class
+     * whose normalizers can not reach the class itself again does not need the (expensive) call stack tracking.
+     */
+    private function recursive(): string
+    {
+        $checks = [];
+
+        foreach ($this->plan->properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->kind === ValueKind::Raw) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if ($property->nested === null) {
+                $checks[] = sprintf('self::mayRecurse($this->n%d)', $property->slot);
+
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $checks[] = sprintf(
+                '($this->ie%d ? $this->x%d->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n%d))',
+                $property->flag,
+                $property->nested->slot,
+                $property->slot,
+            );
+        }
+
+        return $checks === [] ? 'false' : implode("\n            || ", $checks);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates the hydrate code, properties which need another scope are assigned in a helper closure.
+     *
+     * @return array{string, list<string>} body and init code of the helper closures
+     */
+    private function hydrateBody(): array
+    {
+        $main = [];
+        $scoped = [];
+
+        foreach ($this->plan->properties as $property) {
+            if ($property->hydrateScope !== null) {
+                $scoped[$property->hydrateScope][] = $this->assignment($property);
+
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $main[] = $this->assignment($property);
+        }
+
+        $helpers = [];
+
+        foreach ($scoped as $scope => $code) {
+            $slot = $this->helperSlots++;
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public Closure $hp%d;', $slot);
+            $helpers[] = Templates::render(Templates::HYDRATE_HELPER, [
+                'slot' => (string)$slot,
+                'scope' => $scope,
+                'body' => implode("\n", $code),
+            ]);
+            $main[] = sprintf('($this->hp%d)($object, $data, $context, $inline);', $slot);
+        }
+
+        $main[] = 'return $object;';
+
+        return [implode("\n\n", $main), $helpers];
+    }
+
+    private function assignment(PropertyPlan $property): string
+    {
+        $template = $property->hasDefault() ? Templates::ASSIGN_DEFAULT : Templates::ASSIGN;
+
+        return Templates::render($template, [
+            'field' => var_export($property->field, true),
+            'name' => $property->name,
+            'property' => var_export($property->name, true),
+            'class' => $this->plan->className(),
+            'value' => $this->denormalize($property, '$value'),
+            'default' => $property->default ?? sprintf('$this->d%d->getDefaultValue()', $property->defaultSlot),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    /** Code which denormalizes the field into the given variable. */
+    private function denormalize(PropertyPlan $property, string $variable): string
+    {
+        $field = var_export($property->field, true);
+
+        if ($property->kind === ValueKind::Raw) {
+            return sprintf('%s = $data[%s];', $variable, $field);
+        }
+
+        $inner = match ($property->kind) {
+            ValueKind::Normalizer => sprintf('%s = $this->n%d->denormalize($data[%s], $context);', $variable, $property->slot, $field),
+            ValueKind::NestedObject => Templates::render(Templates::DENORMALIZE_OBJECT, [
+                'variable' => $variable,
+                'field' => $field,
+                'flag' => (string)$property->flag,
+                'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+                'nested' => $this->nestedCall($property, 'hydrateNested'),
+            ]),
+            ValueKind::NestedArray => Templates::render(Templates::DENORMALIZE_ARRAY, [
+                'variable' => $variable,
+                'field' => $field,
+                'flag' => (string)$property->flag,
+                'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+                'inner' => (string)$property->inner,
+                'nested' => $this->nestedCall($property, 'hydrateNested'),
+            ]),
+        };
+
+        return Templates::render(Templates::DENORMALIZE, [
+            'inner' => $inner,
+            'class' => $this->plan->className(),
+            'property' => var_export($property->name, true),
+            'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates the extract code, properties which need another scope are read in a helper closure.
+     *
+     * @return array{string, list<string>} body and init code of the helper closures
+     */
+    private function extractBody(): array
+    {
+        $pre = [];
+        $scoped = [];
+        $fields = [];
+
+        foreach ($this->plan->properties as $property) {
+            $field = var_export($property->field, true);
+            [$code, $expression] = $this->normalize($property);
+
+            if ($property->extractScope !== null) {
+                $scoped[$property->extractScope][] = [$property->name, $code, $expression];
+                $fields[] = sprintf('%s => $v_%s,', $field, $property->name);
+
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if ($code !== '') {
+                $pre[] = $code;
+            }
+
+            $fields[] = sprintf('%s => %s,', $field, $expression);
+        }
+
+        $helpers = [];
+
+        foreach ($scoped as $scope => $items) {
+            $slot = $this->helperSlots++;
+            $this->properties[] = sprintf('public Closure $ep%d;', $slot);
+
+            $body = [];
+            $values = [];
+            $variables = [];
+
+            foreach ($items as [$name, $code, $expression]) {
+                if ($code !== '') {
+                    $body[] = $code;
+                }
+
+                $values[] = $expression;
+                $variables[] = sprintf('$v_%s', $name);
+            }
+
+            $body[] = sprintf('return [%s];', implode(', ', $values));
+
+            $helpers[] = Templates::render(Templates::EXTRACT_HELPER, [
+                'slot' => (string)$slot,
+                'scope' => $scope,
+                'body' => implode("\n", $body),
+            ]);
+
+            array_unshift($pre, sprintf('[%s] = ($this->ep%d)($object, $context, $inline);', implode(', ', $variables), $slot));
+        }
+
+        $variables = [
+            'class' => $this->plan->className(),
+            'pre' => implode("\n\n", $pre),
+            'fields' => implode("\n", $fields),
+        ];
+
+        if ($this->plan->leaf()) {
+            return [Templates::render(Templates::EXTRACT_PLAIN, $variables), $helpers];
+        }
+
+        return [
+            Templates::render(Templates::EXTRACT_TRACKED, $variables) . "\n\n"
+                . Templates::render(Templates::EXTRACT_PLAIN, $variables),
+            $helpers,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    /** @return array{string, string} preparing code and the expression for the normalized value */
+    private function normalize(PropertyPlan $property): array
+    {
+        $name = $property->name;
+
+        if ($property->kind === ValueKind::Raw) {
+            return ['', sprintf('$object->%s', $name)];
+        }
+
+        $variable = sprintf('$v_%s', $name);
+
+        $inner = match ($property->kind) {
+            ValueKind::Normalizer => sprintf('%s = $this->n%d->normalize($object->%s, $context);', $variable, $property->slot, $name),
+            ValueKind::NestedObject => Templates::render(Templates::NORMALIZE_OBJECT, [
+                'variable' => $variable,
+                'name' => $name,
+                'flag' => (string)$property->flag,
+                'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+                'nested' => $this->nestedCall($property, 'extractNested'),
+                'check' => self::instanceCheck('$value', $property),
+            ]),
+            ValueKind::NestedArray => Templates::render(Templates::NORMALIZE_ARRAY, [
+                'variable' => $variable,
+                'name' => $name,
+                'flag' => (string)$property->flag,
+                'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+                'inner' => (string)$property->inner,
+                'nested' => $this->nestedCall($property, 'extractNested'),
+                'check' => self::instanceCheck('$item', $property),
+            ]),
+        };
+
+        $code = Templates::render(Templates::NORMALIZE, [
+            'inner' => $inner,
+            'class' => $this->plan->className(),
+            'property' => var_export($name, true),
+            'slot' => (string)$property->slot,
+        ]);
+
+        return [$code, $variable];
+    }
+
+    /** Only exact instances are mapped in place, subclasses take the generic path through the hydrator. */
+    private static function instanceCheck(string $variable, PropertyPlan $property): string
+    {
+        $nested = $property->nested;
+        assert($nested !== null);
+
+        if ($nested->final) {
+            return sprintf('%s instanceof \\%s', $variable, $nested->class);
+        }
+
+        return sprintf('%1$s instanceof \\%2$s && %1$s::class === \\%2$s::class', $variable, $nested->class);
+    }
+
+    private function nestedCall(PropertyPlan $property, string $method): string
+    {
+        assert($property->nested !== null);
+
+        return sprintf('$this->x%d->%s', $property->nested->slot, $method);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedCode.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedCode.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b7e44531
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedCode.php
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+/** @internal */
+final class GeneratedCode
+{
+    /**
+     * @param string             $code   php code of the transformer
+     * @param list<class-string> $nested classes whose objects may be mapped in place, they need a transformer too
+     */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly string $code,
+        public readonly array $nested,
+    ) {
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformer.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2555b7b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ArrayNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ArrayShapeNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectMapNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\CallStack;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
+use ReflectionClass;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+
+/**
+ * Base of the generated transformers.
+ *
+ * The transformers are initialized on the first use: only then the hydrator knows whether it passes the nested
+ * classes to generated transformers directly. Only then nested objects are mapped in place, with the nested entry
+ * points of the transformer of the nested class.
+ *
+ * The members are public, because the generated code also runs in closures bound to the scope of the transformed
+ * class to access its private properties.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+abstract class GeneratedTransformer implements ClassTransformer
+{
+    public bool $ready = false;
+    public bool $initializing = false;
+    public bool|null $recursive = null;
+
+    /** Whether extracted objects are tracked to detect circular references. */
+    public bool $tracked = false;
+
+    /** The hydrator which created the transformer, nested objects are only mapped in place for calls from it. */
+    public Hydrator $owner;
+
+    /** @var ReflectionClass<object> */
+    public ReflectionClass $reflection;
+
+    /** @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly ClassMetadata $metadata,
+        public readonly TransformerResolver $resolver,
+        public readonly CallStack $callStack,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Hydrates a nested object in place. Called by an initialized transformer for calls from the owner, without an
+     * object to populate.
+     *
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $data
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     */
+    abstract public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object;
+
+    /**
+     * Extracts a nested object in place, see {@see self::hydrateNested()}.
+     *
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     *
+     * @return array<string, mixed>
+     */
+    abstract public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array;
+
+    final public function init(): void
+    {
+        if ($this->ready || $this->initializing) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // ready is only set at the end, so a failed initialization runs again on the next call instead of leaving
+        // a half initialized transformer behind. initializing stops the recursion between nested classes meanwhile.
+        $this->initializing = true;
+
+        try {
+            $this->owner = $this->resolver->hydrator();
+            $this->reflection = $this->metadata->reflection;
+            $this->initialize();
+            $this->tracked = $this->recursive();
+            $this->ready = true;
+        } finally {
+            $this->initializing = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /** Whether an extracted object can lead back to an object of this class, see {@see self::$tracked}. */
+    final public function recursive(): bool
+    {
+        if ($this->recursive !== null) {
+            return $this->recursive;
+        }
+
+        // cycles are treated as recursive
+        $this->recursive = true;
+
+        return $this->recursive = $this->mayReachItself();
+    }
+
+    /** Resolves the normalizers and the nested transformers. */
+    abstract protected function initialize(): void;
+
+    abstract protected function mayReachItself(): bool;
+
+    final protected function normalizer(string $property): Normalizer
+    {
+        return $this->metadata->properties[$property]->normalizer
+            ?? throw new OutdatedGeneratedTransformer($this->metadata->className);
+    }
+
+    final protected function promotedDefault(string $property): ReflectionParameter
+    {
+        return $this->metadata->promotedConstructorDefaults()[$property]
+            ?? throw new OutdatedGeneratedTransformer($this->metadata->className);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * The generated transformer of a nested class, if nested objects can be mapped in place: the hydrator must call
+     * the generated transformer of the nested class directly, without a middleware, a class normalizer or a lazy proxy.
+     *
+     * @param class-string $class
+     */
+    final protected function nested(Normalizer $normalizer, string $class, Direction $direction): GeneratedTransformer|null
+    {
+        if ($normalizer instanceof ArrayNormalizer) {
+            $normalizer = $normalizer->innerNormalizer();
+        }
+
+        if (!$normalizer instanceof ObjectNormalizer) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            if ($normalizer->className() !== $class) {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            $transformer = $this->resolver->direct($class, $direction);
+        } catch (Throwable) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        // initialized by the caller once all its normalizers are resolved, the nested class may lead back to it
+        return $transformer instanceof self ? $transformer : null;
+    }
+
+    /** Whether the normalizer extracts objects with the hydrator, which can lead back to the same object. */
+    final protected static function mayRecurse(Normalizer $normalizer): bool
+    {
+        if ($normalizer instanceof ArrayNormalizer) {
+            return self::mayRecurse($normalizer->innerNormalizer());
+        }
+
+        if ($normalizer instanceof ArrayShapeNormalizer) {
+            foreach ($normalizer->innerNormalizers() as $inner) {
+                if (self::mayRecurse($inner)) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return $normalizer instanceof ObjectNormalizer || $normalizer instanceof ObjectMapNormalizer;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerExtension.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerExtension.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cfe7ce7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerExtension.php
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
+
+/**
+ * Uses the transformers generated by the {@see GeneratedTransformerWarmer}. Classes without a generated transformer
+ * are transformed with reflection.
+ */
+final class GeneratedTransformerExtension implements Extension
+{
+    /** @param string $cachePath Directory where the {@see GeneratedTransformerWarmer} stored the generated code. */
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly string $cachePath,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function configure(StackHydratorBuilder $builder): void
+    {
+        $builder->addTransformerFactory(new GeneratedTransformerFactory(new TransformerFiles($this->cachePath)));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerFactory.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerFactory.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00f8f673
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerFactory.php
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\CallStack;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
+use WeakMap;
+
+use function assert;
+use function class_exists;
+use function is_file;
+
+/**
+ * Loads the generated transformer of a class. If there is none, because the class was not warmed up or changed since,
+ * null is returned and the class is transformed with reflection. The code is only generated by the
+ * {@see GeneratedTransformerWarmer}.
+ *
+ * @internal registered by the {@see GeneratedTransformerExtension}
+ */
+final class GeneratedTransformerFactory implements ClassTransformerFactory
+{
+    /** @var WeakMap<TransformerResolver, CallStack> the generated transformers of a hydrator share their call stack */
+    private WeakMap $callStacks;
+
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly TransformerFiles $files,
+    ) {
+        $this->callStacks = new WeakMap();
+    }
+
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
+    {
+        $className = $this->files->className($metadata);
+        $fqcn = $this->files->fqcn($className);
+
+        if (!class_exists($fqcn, false)) {
+            $file = $this->files->path($className);
+
+            if (!is_file($file)) {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            require_once $file;
+        }
+
+        $transformer = new $fqcn($metadata, $resolver, $this->callStacks[$resolver] ??= new CallStack());
+        assert($transformer instanceof GeneratedTransformer);
+
+        return $transformer;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerNotWritable.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerNotWritable.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4208469b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerNotWritable.php
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\HydratorException;
+use RuntimeException;
+
+use function sprintf;
+
+final class GeneratedTransformerNotWritable extends RuntimeException implements HydratorException
+{
+    public function __construct(string $file)
+    {
+        parent::__construct(sprintf('The generated transformer could not be written to "%s".', $file));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmer.php b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..63ac936d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassNotFound;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\MetadataFactory;
+
+use function array_shift;
+use function file_put_contents;
+use function is_dir;
+use function ltrim;
+use function mkdir;
+use function rename;
+use function uniqid;
+use function unlink;
+
+/**
+ * Generates the transformers ahead of time, for example in a cache warmer or a deployment step. The code is generated
+ * from the metadata, use the metadata factory of the builder so it matches the metadata of the hydrator:
+ *
+ *     (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($builder->metadataFactory(), $cachePath))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+ */
+final class GeneratedTransformerWarmer
+{
+    private readonly TransformerFiles $files;
+
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly MetadataFactory $metadataFactory,
+        string $cachePath,
+    ) {
+        $this->files = new TransformerFiles($cachePath);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates a transformer for every class and every nested class whose objects may be mapped in place.
+     *
+     * @param list<class-string> $classes
+     *
+     * @return list<class-string> all classes a transformer was generated for
+     *
+     * @throws ClassNotGeneratable if a class of the list can not be generated.
+     * @throws GeneratedTransformerNotWritable
+     */
+    public function warmup(array $classes): array
+    {
+        $generator = new TransformerGenerator();
+        $queue = [];
+
+        foreach ($classes as $class) {
+            $queue[] = [ltrim($class, '\\'), true];
+        }
+
+        $done = [];
+        $generated = [];
+
+        while ($queue !== []) {
+            [$class, $requested] = array_shift($queue);
+
+            if (isset($done[$class])) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $done[$class] = true;
+
+            try {
+                $metadata = $this->metadataFactory->metadata($class);
+                $className = $this->files->className($metadata);
+                $code = $generator->generate($metadata, $this->files->fqcn($className));
+            } catch (ClassNotFound) {
+                if ($requested) {
+                    throw new ClassNotGeneratable($class, 'class not found');
+                }
+
+                continue;
+            } catch (ClassNotGeneratable $e) {
+                // nested classes without a transformer are hydrated by the hydrator
+                if ($requested) {
+                    throw $e;
+                }
+
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            $this->write($this->files->path($className), $code->code);
+            $generated[] = $metadata->className;
+
+            foreach ($code->nested as $nested) {
+                $queue[] = [$nested, false];
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $generated;
+    }
+
+    /** @throws GeneratedTransformerNotWritable */
+    private function write(string $file, string $code): void
+    {
+        $directory = $this->files->cachePath;
+
+        if (!is_dir($directory) && !@mkdir($directory, 0777, true) && !is_dir($directory)) {
+            throw new GeneratedTransformerNotWritable($file);
+        }
+
+        $tmp = $file . '.' . uniqid('', true) . '.tmp';
+
+        if (@file_put_contents($tmp, $code) === false || !@rename($tmp, $file)) {
+            @unlink($tmp);
+
+            throw new GeneratedTransformerNotWritable($file);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/Literal.php b/src/Extension/Generated/Literal.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3e469bbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/Literal.php
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use UnitEnum;
+
+use function implode;
+use function is_array;
+use function is_bool;
+use function is_float;
+use function is_int;
+use function is_string;
+use function ord;
+use function preg_match;
+use function preg_replace_callback;
+use function sprintf;
+use function var_export;
+
+/**
+ * Writes a value as php code. Only scalars, enums and arrays of them can be written, everything else
+ * (objects for example) has to be resolved at runtime.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class Literal
+{
+    /** @return string|null php expression for the value, null if it can not be expressed as a literal */
+    public static function export(mixed $value): string|null
+    {
+        if (is_string($value)) {
+            return self::string($value);
+        }
+
+        if ($value === null || is_bool($value) || is_int($value) || is_float($value)) {
+            return var_export($value, true);
+        }
+
+        if ($value instanceof UnitEnum) {
+            return sprintf('\\%s::%s', $value::class, $value->name);
+        }
+
+        if (is_array($value)) {
+            $items = [];
+
+            foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                $literal = self::export($item);
+
+                if ($literal === null) {
+                    return null;
+                }
+
+                $items[] = sprintf('%s => %s', is_string($key) ? self::string($key) : var_export($key, true), $literal);
+            }
+
+            return '[' . implode(', ', $items) . ']';
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * var_export() writes control characters like newlines verbatim, which breaks the indentation of the
+     * generated code. Such strings are written as double quoted literals with escape sequences instead.
+     */
+    private static function string(string $value): string
+    {
+        if (preg_match('/[\x00-\x1f\x7f]/', $value) !== 1) {
+            return var_export($value, true);
+        }
+
+        $escaped = preg_replace_callback(
+            '/[\x00-\x1f\x7f"\\\\$]/',
+            static fn (array $matches): string => match ($matches[0]) {
+                '"' => '\\"',
+                '\\' => '\\\\',
+                '$' => '\\$',
+                default => sprintf('\\x%02X', ord($matches[0])),
+            },
+            $value,
+        );
+
+        return '"' . $escaped . '"';
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/NestedPlan.php b/src/Extension/Generated/NestedPlan.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ed85dc27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/NestedPlan.php
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+/**
+ * A nested class whose objects may be mapped in place by its generated transformer.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class NestedPlan
+{
+    /**
+     * @param class-string $class
+     * @param int          $slot  slot of the transformer of the nested class, unique per nested class
+     * @param bool         $final the exact class check of nested objects is cheaper for final classes
+     */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly string $class,
+        public readonly int $slot,
+        public readonly bool $final,
+    ) {
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/OutdatedGeneratedTransformer.php b/src/Extension/Generated/OutdatedGeneratedTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2bd088ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/OutdatedGeneratedTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\HydratorException;
+use RuntimeException;
+
+use function sprintf;
+
+final class OutdatedGeneratedTransformer extends RuntimeException implements HydratorException
+{
+    public function __construct(string $class)
+    {
+        parent::__construct(sprintf(
+            'The generated transformer does not match the current definition of class "%s": its properties, their visibility, defaults or normalizers changed since the code was generated. Clear the cache path or enable the debug mode to regenerate it.',
+            $class,
+        ));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/PropertyPlan.php b/src/Extension/Generated/PropertyPlan.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f2766774
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/PropertyPlan.php
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+/**
+ * How a single property is hydrated and extracted by the generated transformer.
+ *
+ * Slots are the numeric suffixes of the properties of the generated class ($n0, $ih1, $x0, $d2, ...). They are unique
+ * within one generated transformer.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class PropertyPlan
+{
+    /**
+     * @param int|null          $slot         slot of the normalizer, null for raw values
+     * @param int|null          $inner        slot of the inner normalizer of a nested array
+     * @param int|null          $flag         slot of the inline flags of a nested value
+     * @param NestedPlan|null   $nested       nested class which may be mapped in place
+     * @param string|null       $default      php expression of an inlined promoted default
+     * @param int|null          $defaultSlot  slot of a promoted default which is resolved at runtime
+     * @param class-string|null $hydrateScope class whose scope is needed to write the property
+     * @param class-string|null $extractScope class whose scope is needed to read the property
+     */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly string $name,
+        public readonly string $field,
+        public readonly ValueKind $kind,
+        public readonly int|null $slot = null,
+        public readonly int|null $inner = null,
+        public readonly int|null $flag = null,
+        public readonly NestedPlan|null $nested = null,
+        public readonly string|null $default = null,
+        public readonly int|null $defaultSlot = null,
+        public readonly string|null $hydrateScope = null,
+        public readonly string|null $extractScope = null,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function hasDefault(): bool
+    {
+        return $this->default !== null || $this->defaultSlot !== null;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/Templates.php b/src/Extension/Generated/Templates.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9a992473
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/Templates.php
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use function array_map;
+use function explode;
+use function implode;
+use function preg_quote;
+use function preg_replace_callback;
+use function str_replace;
+use function trim;
+
+/**
+ * Code templates of the generated transformer of a class.
+ *
+ * Placeholders are written as {{name}}. A placeholder on a line of its own is replaced with every line of
+ * the value indented like the placeholder, so nested blocks stay readable in the generated file.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class Templates
+{
+    /** @param array<string, string> $variables */
+    public static function render(string $template, array $variables): string
+    {
+        $template = trim($template, "\n");
+
+        foreach ($variables as $name => $value) {
+            $template = self::replaceIndented($template, $name, $value);
+        }
+
+        return $template;
+    }
+
+    private static function replaceIndented(string $template, string $name, string $value): string
+    {
+        $placeholder = '{{' . $name . '}}';
+
+        $result = preg_replace_callback(
+            '/^([ \t]*)' . preg_quote($placeholder, '/') . '$/m',
+            static function (array $matches) use ($value): string {
+                $lines = explode("\n", $value);
+
+                return implode("\n", array_map(
+                    static fn (string $line): string => $line === '' ? '' : $matches[1] . $line,
+                    $lines,
+                ));
+            },
+            $template,
+        );
+
+        return str_replace($placeholder, $value, $result ?? $template);
+    }
+
+    public const TRANSFORMER = <<<'PHP'
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version {{version}}). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace {{namespace}};
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \{{class}}}.
+ */
+final class {{className}} extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    {{properties}}
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        {{hydrate}}
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        {{extract}}
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        {{hydrateNested}}
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        {{extractNested}}
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        {{initialize}}
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return {{recursive}};
+    }
+}
+
+PHP;
+
+    public const CLOSURE = <<<'PHP'
+$this->{{slot}} = Closure::bind(function ({{signature}}): {{return}} {
+    {{body}}
+}, $this, \{{class}}::class);
+PHP;
+
+    public const HYDRATE_HELPER = <<<'PHP'
+$this->hp{{slot}} = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $data, array $context, bool $inline): void {
+    {{body}}
+}, $this, \{{scope}}::class);
+PHP;
+
+    public const EXTRACT_TRACKED = <<<'PHP'
+if ($this->tracked) {
+    $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+    if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+        $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+        $references[] = $object::class;
+
+        throw new CircularReference($references);
+    }
+
+    $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \{{class}}::class;
+
+    try {
+        {{pre}}
+
+        return [
+            {{fields}}
+        ];
+    } finally {
+        unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+    }
+}
+PHP;
+
+    /** Nested objects are only mapped in place for calls from the hydrator which created the transformers. */
+    public const OWNER = '($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner';
+
+    public const EXTRACT_PLAIN = <<<'PHP'
+{{pre}}
+
+return [
+    {{fields}}
+];
+PHP;
+
+    public const EXTRACT_HELPER = <<<'PHP'
+$this->ep{{slot}} = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $context, bool $inline): array {
+    {{body}}
+}, $this, \{{scope}}::class);
+PHP;
+
+    public const ASSIGN = <<<'PHP'
+if (\array_key_exists({{field}}, $data)) {
+    {{value}}
+
+    try {
+        $object->{{name}} = $value;
+    } catch (TypeError $e) {
+        throw new TypeMismatch(\{{class}}::class, {{property}}, $e);
+    }
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const ASSIGN_DEFAULT = <<<'PHP'
+if (\array_key_exists({{field}}, $data)) {
+    {{value}}
+
+    try {
+        $object->{{name}} = $value;
+    } catch (TypeError $e) {
+        throw new TypeMismatch(\{{class}}::class, {{property}}, $e);
+    }
+} else {
+    $object->{{name}} = {{default}};
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const DENORMALIZE = <<<'PHP'
+try {
+    {{inner}}
+} catch (Throwable $e) {
+    throw new DenormalizationFailure(\{{class}}::class, {{property}}, $this->n{{slot}}::class, $e);
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const DENORMALIZE_OBJECT = <<<'PHP'
+{{variable}} = $data[{{field}}];
+
+if ($this->ih{{flag}} && $inline && \is_array({{variable}})) {
+    {{variable}} = {{nested}}({{variable}}, $context);
+} else {
+    {{variable}} = $this->n{{slot}}->denormalize({{variable}}, $context);
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const DENORMALIZE_ARRAY = <<<'PHP'
+{{variable}} = $data[{{field}}];
+
+if ($this->ih{{flag}} && $inline && \is_array({{variable}})) {
+    $items = [];
+
+    foreach ({{variable}} as $key => $item) {
+        $items[$key] = \is_array($item) ? {{nested}}($item, $context) : $this->n{{inner}}->denormalize($item, $context);
+    }
+
+    {{variable}} = $items;
+} else {
+    {{variable}} = $this->n{{slot}}->denormalize({{variable}}, $context);
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const NORMALIZE = <<<'PHP'
+try {
+    {{inner}}
+} catch (CircularReference $e) {
+    throw $e;
+} catch (Throwable $e) {
+    throw new NormalizationFailure(\{{class}}::class, {{property}}, $this->n{{slot}}::class, $e);
+}
+PHP;
+
+    public const NORMALIZE_OBJECT = <<<'PHP'
+$value = $object->{{name}};
+{{variable}} = $this->ie{{flag}} && $inline && {{check}} ? {{nested}}($value, $context) : $this->n{{slot}}->normalize($value, $context);
+PHP;
+
+    public const NORMALIZE_ARRAY = <<<'PHP'
+$value = $object->{{name}};
+
+if ($this->ie{{flag}} && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+    $items = [];
+
+    foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+        $items[$key] = {{check}} ? {{nested}}($item, $context) : $this->n{{inner}}->normalize($item, $context);
+    }
+
+    {{variable}} = $items;
+} else {
+    {{variable}} = $this->n{{slot}}->normalize($value, $context);
+}
+PHP;
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerFiles.php b/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerFiles.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..88fdd3e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerFiles.php
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+
+use function hash;
+use function preg_replace;
+use function serialize;
+use function sprintf;
+use function substr;
+
+/**
+ * Where the generated transformer of a class is stored. Shared by the runtime and the warmup, so both derive the same
+ * name. The name contains the {@see ClassFingerprint}, so a changed class has no generated transformer until it is
+ * warmed up again.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+final class TransformerFiles
+{
+    public const NAMESPACE = 'Patchlevel\\Hydrator\\Generated';
+
+    /** Part of the name, bump it whenever the generated code changes. */
+    public const VERSION = 10;
+
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly string $cachePath,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function className(ClassMetadata $metadata): string
+    {
+        $hash = hash('sha256', serialize([self::VERSION, $metadata->className, ClassFingerprint::of($metadata)]));
+
+        return sprintf(
+            '%sTransformer_%s',
+            preg_replace('/[^A-Za-z0-9_]/', '', $metadata->reflection->getShortName()),
+            substr($hash, 0, 16),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function fqcn(string $className): string
+    {
+        return self::NAMESPACE . '\\' . $className;
+    }
+
+    public function path(string $className): string
+    {
+        return sprintf('%s/%s.php', $this->cachePath, $className);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerGenerator.php b/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerGenerator.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e6c473e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/TransformerGenerator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+
+use function array_pop;
+use function explode;
+use function implode;
+use function ltrim;
+
+/**
+ * Generates the transformer of a class with specialised hydrate/extract code. It only returns the code, writing it is
+ * left to the {@see GeneratedTransformerWarmer}.
+ *
+ * @internal use the {@see GeneratedTransformerWarmer}
+ */
+final class TransformerGenerator
+{
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     *
+     * @throws ClassNotGeneratable
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function generate(ClassMetadata $metadata, string $fqcn): GeneratedCode
+    {
+        if (!ClassPlanner::generatable($metadata)) {
+            throw new ClassNotGeneratable($metadata->className, 'the class is internal, abstract, anonymous, an enum or an interface');
+        }
+
+        if ($metadata->normalizer !== null) {
+            throw new ClassNotGeneratable($metadata->className, 'the class has a class normalizer');
+        }
+
+        $plan = (new ClassPlanner())->plan($metadata);
+
+        $parts = explode('\\', ltrim($fqcn, '\\'));
+        $className = array_pop($parts);
+        $namespace = implode('\\', $parts);
+
+        $nested = [];
+
+        foreach ($plan->nested() as $class) {
+            $nested[] = $class->class;
+        }
+
+        return new GeneratedCode(
+            (new CodeEmitter($plan))->emit($namespace, $className),
+            $nested,
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Extension/Generated/ValueKind.php b/src/Extension/Generated/ValueKind.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..734d110a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Extension/Generated/ValueKind.php
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated;
+
+/**
+ * How the value of a property is converted between its object and its normalized form.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+enum ValueKind
+{
+    /** No normalizer, the value is copied as is. */
+    case Raw;
+
+    /** A normalizer which is called at runtime. */
+    case Normalizer;
+
+    /** An object normalizer, the generated transformer of the nested class can be called directly. */
+    case NestedObject;
+
+    /** An array normalizer of nested objects, the nested code can be called directly for each item. */
+    case NestedArray;
+}
diff --git a/src/StackHydrator.php b/src/StackHydrator.php
index 0da41ff5..f2957162 100644
--- a/src/StackHydrator.php
+++ b/src/StackHydrator.php
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\SkippableMiddleware;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
 use ReflectionClass;
 
 use function array_key_exists;
@@ -37,8 +39,24 @@ final class StackHydrator implements Hydrator
     /** @var array<class-string, ClassTransformer> */
     private array $transformers = [];
 
+    /** @var array<class-string, ClassTransformer|false> false if the hydrator does more than calling the transformer */
+    private array $directHydrate = [];
+
+    /** @var array<class-string, ClassTransformer|false> false if the hydrator does more than calling the transformer */
+    private array $directExtract = [];
+
     private readonly bool $hasSkippableMiddlewares;
 
+    private readonly TransformerResolver $resolver;
+
+    /**
+     * The context of calls without context, built once: adding the hydrator to an empty context on every call would
+     * allocate a new array each time.
+     *
+     * @var array<string, mixed>
+     */
+    private readonly array $context;
+
     /**
      * @param list<Middleware>        $middlewares        run before the data is transformed, in this order
      * @param ClassTransformerFactory $transformerFactory provides the transformer which maps the data of a class
@@ -60,6 +78,8 @@ public function __construct(
         }
 
         $this->hasSkippableMiddlewares = $hasSkippableMiddlewares;
+        $this->resolver = new StackTransformerResolver($this, $this->direct(...));
+        $this->context = [self::HYDRATOR => $this];
     }
 
     /**
@@ -72,14 +92,54 @@ public function __construct(
      */
     public function hydrate(string $class, mixed $data, array $context = []): object
     {
-        $context[self::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+        if ($context === []) {
+            $context = $this->context;
+        } else {
+            $context[self::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+        }
+
+        $transformer = $this->directHydrate[$class] ?? false;
+
+        // nothing else to do for this class, the transformer is called right away
+        if ($transformer !== false && is_array($data)) {
+            $object = $transformer->hydrate($data, $context);
+            assert($object instanceof $class);
+
+            return $object;
+        }
+
+        return $this->hydrateClass($class, $data, $context);
+    }
 
+    /**
+     * The path for classes seen the first time and for classes which need more than the transformer, kept out of
+     * {@see self::hydrate()} to keep the direct path small.
+     *
+     * @param class-string<T>      $class
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     *
+     * @return T
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    private function hydrateClass(string $class, mixed $data, array $context): object
+    {
         try {
-            $metadata = $this->metadata($class);
+            $transformer = $this->directHydrate[$class] ?? $this->direct($class, Direction::Hydrate);
         } catch (ClassNotFound $e) {
             throw new ClassNotSupported($class, $e);
         }
 
+        if ($transformer !== false && is_array($data)) {
+            $object = $transformer->hydrate($data, $context);
+            assert($object instanceof $class);
+
+            return $object;
+        }
+
+        /** @var ClassMetadata<T> $metadata the metadata is already loaded */
+        $metadata = $this->classMetadata[$class];
+
         if ($metadata->normalizer) {
             $return = $metadata->normalizer->denormalize($data, $context);
 
@@ -94,9 +154,7 @@ public function hydrate(string $class, mixed $data, array $context = []): object
             throw new ArrayDataRequired($class);
         }
 
-        $lazy = PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80400 && ($metadata->lazy ?? $this->defaultLazy);
-
-        if (!$lazy) {
+        if (!$this->lazy($metadata)) {
             return $this->hydrateWithMiddlewares($metadata, $data, $context);
         }
 
@@ -112,21 +170,78 @@ public function hydrate(string $class, mixed $data, array $context = []): object
      */
     public function extract(object $object, array $context = []): mixed
     {
-        $context[self::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+        if ($context === []) {
+            $context = $this->context;
+        } else {
+            $context[self::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+        }
+
+        $transformer = $this->directExtract[$object::class] ?? false;
+
+        // nothing else to do for this class, the transformer is called right away
+        if ($transformer !== false) {
+            return $transformer->extract($object, $context);
+        }
+
+        return $this->extractClass($object, $context);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * The path for classes seen the first time and for classes which need more than the transformer, kept out of
+     * {@see self::extract()} to keep the direct path small.
+     *
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     */
+    private function extractClass(object $object, array $context): mixed
+    {
+        $transformer = $this->directExtract[$object::class] ?? $this->direct($object::class, Direction::Extract);
+
+        if ($transformer !== false) {
+            return $transformer->extract($object, $context);
+        }
 
-        $metadata = $this->metadata($object::class);
+        $metadata = $this->classMetadata[$object::class];
 
         if ($metadata->normalizer) {
             return $metadata->normalizer->normalize($object, $context);
         }
 
-        $middlewares = $this->middlewaresFor($metadata, Skip::Extract);
-        $transformer = $this->transformer($metadata);
+        return (new Next($this->middlewaresFor($metadata, Direction::Extract), $this->transformer($metadata)))
+            ->extract($metadata, $object, $context);
+    }
 
-        // without middlewares the transformer is called without building the stack
-        return $middlewares === []
-            ? $transformer->extract($object, $context)
-            : (new Next($middlewares, $transformer))->extract($metadata, $object, $context);
+    /**
+     * Decided once per class and direction: the transformer can be called directly if the class has no class
+     * normalizer, is not lazy and no middleware runs for it.
+     *
+     * @param class-string $class
+     *
+     * @throws ClassNotFound
+     */
+    private function direct(string $class, Direction $direction): ClassTransformer|false
+    {
+        $metadata = $this->metadata($class);
+        $direct = false;
+
+        if (
+            $metadata->normalizer === null
+            && ($direction === Direction::Extract || !$this->lazy($metadata))
+            && $this->middlewaresFor($metadata, $direction) === []
+        ) {
+            $direct = $this->transformer($metadata);
+        }
+
+        if ($direction === Direction::Hydrate) {
+            return $this->directHydrate[$class] = $direct;
+        }
+
+        return $this->directExtract[$class] = $direct;
+    }
+
+    /** @param ClassMetadata<object> $metadata */
+    private function lazy(ClassMetadata $metadata): bool
+    {
+        return PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80400 && ($metadata->lazy ?? $this->defaultLazy);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -140,7 +255,7 @@ public function extract(object $object, array $context = []): mixed
      */
     private function hydrateWithMiddlewares(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $data, array $context): object
     {
-        $middlewares = $this->middlewaresFor($metadata, Skip::Hydrate);
+        $middlewares = $this->middlewaresFor($metadata, Direction::Hydrate);
         $transformer = $this->transformer($metadata);
 
         if ($middlewares === []) {
@@ -162,25 +277,24 @@ private function hydrateWithMiddlewares(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $data, ar
     private function transformer(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassTransformer
     {
         return $this->transformers[$metadata->className]
-            ??= $this->transformerFactory->create($metadata)
+            ??= $this->transformerFactory->create($metadata, $this->resolver)
             ?? throw new ClassNotSupported($metadata->className);
     }
 
     /**
-     * @param ClassMetadata<T>            $metadata
-     * @param Skip::Hydrate|Skip::Extract $direction
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
      *
      * @return list<Middleware>
      *
      * @template T of object
      */
-    private function middlewaresFor(ClassMetadata $metadata, Skip $direction): array
+    private function middlewaresFor(ClassMetadata $metadata, Direction $direction): array
     {
         if (!$this->hasSkippableMiddlewares) {
             return $this->middlewares;
         }
 
-        $cached = $direction === Skip::Hydrate
+        $cached = $direction === Direction::Hydrate
             ? $this->hydrateMiddlewares[$metadata->className] ?? null
             : $this->extractMiddlewares[$metadata->className] ?? null;
 
@@ -189,12 +303,13 @@ private function middlewaresFor(ClassMetadata $metadata, Skip $direction): array
         }
 
         $middlewares = [];
+        $skipped = $direction === Direction::Hydrate ? Skip::Hydrate : Skip::Extract;
 
         foreach ($this->middlewares as $middleware) {
             if ($middleware instanceof SkippableMiddleware) {
                 $skip = $middleware->skip($metadata);
 
-                if ($skip === $direction || $skip === Skip::Both) {
+                if ($skip === $skipped || $skip === Skip::Both) {
                     continue;
                 }
             }
@@ -202,7 +317,7 @@ private function middlewaresFor(ClassMetadata $metadata, Skip $direction): array
             $middlewares[] = $middleware;
         }
 
-        if ($direction === Skip::Hydrate) {
+        if ($direction === Direction::Hydrate) {
             return $this->hydrateMiddlewares[$metadata->className] = $middlewares;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/StackHydratorBuilder.php b/src/StackHydratorBuilder.php
index 4d3240d5..8ab6ce8f 100644
--- a/src/StackHydratorBuilder.php
+++ b/src/StackHydratorBuilder.php
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\AttributeMetadataFactory;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\EnrichingMetadataFactory;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\MetadataEnricher;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\MetadataFactory;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\Psr16MetadataFactory;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\Psr6MetadataFactory;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Middleware;
@@ -102,6 +103,24 @@ public function setCache(CacheItemPoolInterface|CacheInterface|null $cache): sta
     }
 
     public function build(): StackHydrator
+    {
+        $transformerFactories = $this->transformerFactories();
+
+        return new StackHydrator(
+            $this->metadataFactory(),
+            $this->middlewares(),
+            $this->defaultLazy,
+            $transformerFactories === []
+                ? new ReflectionTransformerFactory()
+                : new ChainTransformerFactory([...$transformerFactories, new ReflectionTransformerFactory()]),
+        );
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * The metadata factory the hydrator is built with, for example to generate code or warm up caches with the same
+     * metadata the hydrator ends up with. Every call creates a new instance.
+     */
+    public function metadataFactory(): MetadataFactory
     {
         $metadataFactory = new EnrichingMetadataFactory(
             new AttributeMetadataFactory(
@@ -118,16 +137,7 @@ public function build(): StackHydrator
             $metadataFactory = new Psr16MetadataFactory($metadataFactory, $this->cache);
         }
 
-        $transformerFactories = $this->transformerFactories();
-
-        return new StackHydrator(
-            $metadataFactory,
-            $this->middlewares(),
-            $this->defaultLazy,
-            $transformerFactories === []
-                ? new ReflectionTransformerFactory()
-                : new ChainTransformerFactory([...$transformerFactories, new ReflectionTransformerFactory()]),
-        );
+        return $metadataFactory;
     }
 
     public function defaultLazy(): bool
diff --git a/src/StackTransformerResolver.php b/src/StackTransformerResolver.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e00d5e44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/StackTransformerResolver.php
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
+
+/** @internal the resolver the {@see StackHydrator} passes to its transformer factory */
+final class StackTransformerResolver implements TransformerResolver
+{
+    /** @param Closure(class-string, Direction): (ClassTransformer|false) $direct */
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly StackHydrator $hydrator,
+        private readonly Closure $direct,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function hydrator(): Hydrator
+    {
+        return $this->hydrator;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param class-string<T> $class
+     *
+     * @return ClassMetadata<T>
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function metadata(string $class): ClassMetadata
+    {
+        return $this->hydrator->metadata($class);
+    }
+
+    /** @param class-string $class */
+    public function direct(string $class, Direction $direction): ClassTransformer|null
+    {
+        return ($this->direct)($class, $direction) ?: null;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Transformer/ChainTransformerFactory.php b/src/Transformer/ChainTransformerFactory.php
index 2b6d1071..e9e3b8fe 100644
--- a/src/Transformer/ChainTransformerFactory.php
+++ b/src/Transformer/ChainTransformerFactory.php
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ public function __construct(
     ) {
     }
 
-    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassTransformer|null
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
     {
         foreach ($this->factories as $factory) {
-            $transformer = $factory->create($metadata);
+            $transformer = $factory->create($metadata, $resolver);
 
             if ($transformer !== null) {
                 return $transformer;
diff --git a/src/Transformer/ClassTransformerFactory.php b/src/Transformer/ClassTransformerFactory.php
index 32c49faf..83df3265 100644
--- a/src/Transformer/ClassTransformerFactory.php
+++ b/src/Transformer/ClassTransformerFactory.php
@@ -16,11 +16,12 @@ interface ClassTransformerFactory
     /**
      * Called once per class and hydrator, the transformer is cached by the hydrator.
      *
-     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T>    $metadata
+     * @param TransformerResolver $resolver of the hydrator which asks, keep it to map nested objects in place
      *
      * @return ClassTransformer|null null if this factory is not responsible for the class
      *
      * @template T of object
      */
-    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassTransformer|null;
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null;
 }
diff --git a/src/Transformer/Direction.php b/src/Transformer/Direction.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e8d1c436
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Transformer/Direction.php
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer;
+
+enum Direction
+{
+    case Hydrate;
+    case Extract;
+}
diff --git a/src/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerFactory.php b/src/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerFactory.php
index 9d748147..331c2271 100644
--- a/src/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerFactory.php
+++ b/src/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerFactory.php
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ public function __construct()
      *
      * @template T of object
      */
-    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata): ReflectionTransformer
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ReflectionTransformer
     {
         return new ReflectionTransformer($metadata, $this->callStack);
     }
diff --git a/src/Transformer/TransformerResolver.php b/src/Transformer/TransformerResolver.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ebfd2e68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Transformer/TransformerResolver.php
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassNotFound;
+
+/**
+ * Gives a transformer insight into the hydrator which created it. A transformer can use it to map nested objects
+ * itself, as long as the hydrator would not do anything else with them.
+ *
+ * Only use it once the transformer is used, not inside {@see ClassTransformerFactory::create()}: the hydrator has
+ * not cached the transformer which is created at that moment.
+ */
+interface TransformerResolver
+{
+    /** The hydrator which created the transformer. */
+    public function hydrator(): Hydrator;
+
+    /**
+     * @param class-string<T> $class
+     *
+     * @return ClassMetadata<T>
+     *
+     * @throws ClassNotFound
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function metadata(string $class): ClassMetadata;
+
+    /**
+     * The transformer the hydrator calls directly for the class in this direction: the class has no class
+     * normalizer, is not lazy and no middleware runs for it. Mapping such a class in place behaves exactly like
+     * calling the hydrator, as long as the call came from {@see self::hydrator()}.
+     *
+     * @param class-string $class
+     *
+     * @return ClassTransformer|null null if the hydrator does more than calling the transformer
+     *
+     * @throws ClassNotFound
+     */
+    public function direct(string $class, Direction $direction): ClassTransformer|null;
+}
diff --git a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorBench.php b/tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorBench.php
similarity index 70%
rename from tests/Benchmark/HydratorBench.php
rename to tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorBench.php
index d760e689..27203e38 100644
--- a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorBench.php
+++ b/tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorBench.php
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Benchmark;
 
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerWarmer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Benchmark\Fixture\ProfileCreated;
@@ -12,14 +14,18 @@
 use PhpBench\Attributes as Bench;
 
 #[Bench\BeforeMethods('setUp')]
-final class HydratorBench
+final class GeneratedHydratorBench
 {
     private Hydrator $hydrator;
 
     public function __construct()
     {
-        $this->hydrator = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
-            ->build();
+        $builder = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
+            ->useExtension(new GeneratedTransformerExtension(__DIR__ . '/../../var/cache'));
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($builder->metadataFactory(), __DIR__ . '/../../var/cache'))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+
+        $this->hydrator = $builder->build();
     }
 
     public function setUp(): void
@@ -39,7 +45,7 @@ public function setUp(): void
         $this->hydrator->extract($object);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
     {
         $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
@@ -52,7 +58,7 @@ public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
         ]);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchExtract1Object(): void
     {
         $object = new ProfileCreated(
@@ -98,36 +104,4 @@ public function benchExtract1000Objects(): void
             $this->hydrator->extract($object);
         }
     }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
-                'profileId' => '1',
-                'name' => 'foo',
-                'skills' => [
-                    ['name' => 'php'],
-                    ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                ],
-            ]);
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchExtract1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        $object = new ProfileCreated(
-            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
-            'foo',
-            [
-                new Skill('php'),
-                new Skill('symfony'),
-            ],
-        );
-
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->extract($object);
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithCryptographyBench.php b/tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
similarity index 72%
rename from tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
rename to tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
index 0851d555..9171754f 100644
--- a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
+++ b/tests/Benchmark/GeneratedHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Cryptography\BaseCryptographer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Cryptography\CryptographyExtension;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Cryptography\Store\InMemoryCipherKeyStore;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerWarmer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Benchmark\Fixture\ProfileCreated;
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@
 use PhpBench\Attributes as Bench;
 
 #[Bench\BeforeMethods('setUp')]
-final class HydratorWithCryptographyBench
+final class GeneratedHydratorWithCryptographyBench
 {
     private InMemoryCipherKeyStore $store;
 
@@ -25,9 +27,13 @@ public function __construct()
     {
         $this->store = new InMemoryCipherKeyStore();
 
-        $this->hydrator = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
-            ->useExtension(new CryptographyExtension(BaseCryptographer::createWithOpenssl($this->store)))
-            ->build();
+        $builder = (new StackHydratorBuilder())
+            ->useExtension(new GeneratedTransformerExtension(__DIR__ . '/../../var/cache'))
+            ->useExtension(new CryptographyExtension(BaseCryptographer::createWithOpenssl($this->store)));
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($builder->metadataFactory(), __DIR__ . '/../../var/cache'))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+
+        $this->hydrator = $builder->build();
     }
 
     public function setUp(): void
@@ -49,7 +55,7 @@ public function setUp(): void
         $this->hydrator->extract($object);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
     {
         $this->hydrator->hydrate(
@@ -65,7 +71,7 @@ public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
         );
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchExtract1Object(): void
     {
         $object = new ProfileCreated(
@@ -114,39 +120,4 @@ public function benchExtract1000Objects(): void
             $this->hydrator->extract($object);
         }
     }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->hydrate(
-                ProfileCreated::class,
-                [
-                    'profileId' => '1',
-                    'name' => 'foo',
-                    'skills' => [
-                        ['name' => 'php'],
-                        ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                    ],
-                ],
-            );
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchExtract1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        $object = new ProfileCreated(
-            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
-            'foo',
-            [
-                new Skill('php'),
-                new Skill('symfony'),
-            ],
-        );
-
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->extract($object);
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorBench.php b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorBench.php
index 7a7fe0e1..9d658951 100644
--- a/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorBench.php
+++ b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorBench.php
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public function setUp(): void
         $this->hydrator->extract($object);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
     {
         $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
         ]);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchExtract1Object(): void
     {
         $object = new ProfileCreated(
@@ -98,36 +98,4 @@ public function benchExtract1000Objects(): void
             $this->hydrator->extract($object);
         }
     }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
-                'profileId' => '1',
-                'name' => 'foo',
-                'skills' => [
-                    ['name' => 'php'],
-                    ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                ],
-            ]);
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchExtract1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        $object = new ProfileCreated(
-            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
-            'foo',
-            [
-                new Skill('php'),
-                new Skill('symfony'),
-            ],
-        );
-
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->extract($object);
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
index 965e40f8..8b2e589b 100644
--- a/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
+++ b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithCryptographyBench.php
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public function setUp(): void
         $this->hydrator->extract($object);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
     {
         $this->hydrator->hydrate(
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
         );
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchExtract1Object(): void
     {
         $object = new ProfileCreated(
@@ -114,39 +114,4 @@ public function benchExtract1000Objects(): void
             $this->hydrator->extract($object);
         }
     }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->hydrate(
-                ProfileCreated::class,
-                [
-                    'profileId' => '1',
-                    'name' => 'foo',
-                    'skills' => [
-                        ['name' => 'php'],
-                        ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                    ],
-                ],
-            );
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchExtract1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        $object = new ProfileCreated(
-            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
-            'foo',
-            [
-                new Skill('php'),
-                new Skill('symfony'),
-            ],
-        );
-
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->extract($object);
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithLazyBench.php b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithLazyBench.php
similarity index 71%
rename from tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithLazyBench.php
rename to tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithLazyBench.php
index 19cc97ef..eb0a3ff6 100644
--- a/tests/Benchmark/HydratorWithLazyBench.php
+++ b/tests/Benchmark/StackHydratorWithLazyBench.php
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 use PhpBench\Attributes as Bench;
 
 #[Bench\BeforeMethods('setUp')]
-final class HydratorWithLazyBench
+final class StackHydratorWithLazyBench
 {
     private Hydrator $hydrator;
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public function setUp(): void
         $this->hydrator->extract($object);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
     {
         $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public function benchHydrate1Object(): void
         ]);
     }
 
-    #[Bench\Revs(5)]
+    #[Bench\Revs(1000)]
     public function benchHydrate1ObjectTriggerInit(): void
     {
         $object = $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
@@ -97,36 +97,4 @@ public function benchHydrate1000ObjectsTriggerInit(): void
             $name = $object->name;
         }
     }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000Objects(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
-                'profileId' => '1',
-                'name' => 'foo',
-                'skills' => [
-                    ['name' => 'php'],
-                    ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                ],
-            ]);
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[Bench\Revs(3)]
-    public function benchHydrate1000000ObjectsTriggerInit(): void
-    {
-        for ($i = 0; $i < 1_000_000; $i++) {
-            $object = $this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, [
-                'profileId' => '1',
-                'name' => 'foo',
-                'skills' => [
-                    ['name' => 'php'],
-                    ['name' => 'symfony'],
-                ],
-            ]);
-
-            $object = $object->name;
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedStackHydratorTest.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedStackHydratorTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5db6fe3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedStackHydratorTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,1103 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Generated;
+
+use DateTime;
+use DateTimeImmutable;
+use DateTimeZone;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\ArrayDataRequired;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\ClassNotSupported;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Cryptography\Cryptographer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Cryptography\CryptographyExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassPlan;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassPlanner;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\CodeEmitter;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerWarmer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\PropertyPlan;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\Templates;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\TransformerFiles;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\TransformerGenerator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ValueKind;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Lifecycle\LifecycleExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Upcast\CallbackUpcaster;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Upcast\Upcaster;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Upcast\UpcastExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\MetadataEnricher;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Middleware;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Next;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Skip;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\AsymmetricVisibilityDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\CountingMiddleware;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileId;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Status;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\StatusWithNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ValueObject;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\RequiresPhp;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
+use ReflectionClass;
+use ReflectionProperty;
+
+use function array_filter;
+use function array_values;
+use function get_object_vars;
+use function glob;
+use function preg_match;
+use function rmdir;
+use function sys_get_temp_dir;
+use function uniqid;
+use function unlink;
+
+use const ARRAY_FILTER_USE_KEY;
+use const PHP_VERSION_ID;
+
+/**
+ * Mirrors the StackHydratorTest: the generated transformers must behave exactly like the ReflectionTransformer.
+ */
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerExtension::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerFactory::class)]
+#[CoversClass(TransformerGenerator::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerWarmer::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformer::class)]
+#[CoversClass(TransformerFiles::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ClassPlanner::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ClassPlan::class)]
+#[CoversClass(PropertyPlan::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ValueKind::class)]
+#[CoversClass(CodeEmitter::class)]
+#[CoversClass(Templates::class)]
+final class GeneratedStackHydratorTest extends TestCase
+{
+    public const CLASSES = [
+        ProfileCreated::class,
+        ParentDto::class,
+        ProfileCreatedWrapper::class,
+        Circle1Dto::class,
+        Circle2Dto::class,
+        Circle3Dto::class,
+        ContextAwareDto::class,
+        DefaultDto::class,
+        InferNormalizerDto::class,
+        InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class,
+        InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class,
+        NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class,
+        LazyProfileCreated::class,
+        WrongNormalizer::class,
+        ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class,
+        PrivatePropertiesDto::class,
+        PrivateChildDto::class,
+        SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class,
+        NestedLifecycleDto::class,
+    ];
+
+    private static string $cachePath;
+
+    private StackHydrator $hydrator;
+
+    public static function setUpBeforeClass(): void
+    {
+        self::$cachePath = sys_get_temp_dir() . '/' . uniqid('patchlevel-hydrator-tests-', true);
+
+        $classes = self::supportedClasses();
+
+        if (PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80400) {
+            $classes[] = AsymmetricVisibilityDto::class;
+        }
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer((new StackHydratorBuilder())->metadataFactory(), self::$cachePath))->warmup($classes);
+    }
+
+    public static function tearDownAfterClass(): void
+    {
+        foreach (glob(self::$cachePath . '/*.php') ?: [] as $file) {
+            unlink($file);
+        }
+
+        rmdir(self::$cachePath);
+    }
+
+    public function setUp(): void
+    {
+        $this->hydrator = $this->builder()->build();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Closures in attributes (used by the inline normalizer fixture) are only supported since PHP 8.5.
+     *
+     * @return list<class-string>
+     */
+    private static function supportedClasses(): array
+    {
+        if (PHP_VERSION_ID >= 80500) {
+            return self::CLASSES;
+        }
+
+        return array_values(array_filter(
+            self::CLASSES,
+            static fn (string $class): bool => $class !== ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class,
+        ));
+    }
+
+    private function builder(): StackHydratorBuilder
+    {
+        return (new StackHydratorBuilder())->useExtension($this->extension());
+    }
+
+    private function extension(): GeneratedTransformerExtension
+    {
+        return new GeneratedTransformerExtension(self::$cachePath);
+    }
+
+    public function testExtract(): void
+    {
+        $event = new ProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($event),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractWithInheritance(): void
+    {
+        $event = new ParentDto(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($event),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractWithHydratorAwareNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $event = new ProfileCreatedWrapper(
+            new ProfileCreated(
+                ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+                Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+            ),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            ['event' => ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de']],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($event),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractPassesContextToNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $dto = new ContextAwareDto('value');
+
+        $data = $this->hydrator->extract($dto, ['prefix' => 'ctx-']);
+
+        self::assertSame(['value' => 'ctx-value'], $data);
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractCircularReference(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(CircularReference::class);
+        $this->expectExceptionMessage('Circular reference detected: Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto -> Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto -> Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto -> Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto');
+
+        $dto1 = new Circle1Dto();
+        $dto2 = new Circle2Dto();
+        $dto3 = new Circle3Dto();
+
+        $dto1->to = $dto2;
+        $dto2->to = $dto3;
+        $dto3->to = $dto1;
+
+        $this->hydrator->extract($dto1);
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractWithInferNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $result = $this->hydrator->extract(
+            new InferNormalizerWithNullableDto(
+                null,
+                null,
+                profileId: ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            ),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            [
+                'status' => null,
+                'dateTimeImmutable' => null,
+                'dateTime' => null,
+                'dateTimeZone' => null,
+                'profileId' => '1',
+            ],
+            $result,
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractWithContext(): void
+    {
+        $object = new InferNormalizerDto(
+            Status::Draft,
+            new DateTimeImmutable('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTime('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTimeZone('EDT'),
+            ['foo'],
+        );
+
+        $expect = [
+            'status' => 'draft',
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+            'dateTime' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+            'dateTimeZone' => 'EDT',
+            'array' => ['foo'],
+        ];
+
+        $middleware = $this->createMock(Middleware::class);
+        $middleware
+            ->expects($this->once())
+            ->method('extract')
+            ->with(
+                $this->isInstanceOf(ClassMetadata::class),
+                $object,
+                $this->callback(static fn (array $context): bool => $context['context'] === '123'
+                    && $context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] instanceof StackHydrator),
+                $this->isInstanceOf(Next::class),
+            )->willReturn($expect);
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMiddleware($middleware)
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = $hydrator->extract($object, ['context' => '123']);
+
+        self::assertEquals($expect, $data);
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.5')]
+    public function testExtractWithInlineNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $event = new ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            ValueObject::fromString('foo'),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'valueObject' => 'foo'],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($event),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractWithClassNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $data = $this->hydrator->extract(
+            ProfileId::fromString('id'),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals('id', $data);
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractPrivateProperties(): void
+    {
+        $dto = new PrivatePropertiesDto(ProfileId::fromString('1'), 'foo', 12);
+
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'name' => 'foo', 'age' => 12],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($dto),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testExtractPrivatePropertiesOfParent(): void
+    {
+        $dto = new PrivateChildDto(ProfileId::fromString('1'), Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'), 'note', 'foo');
+
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'name' => 'foo', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de', 'note' => 'note'],
+            $this->hydrator->extract($dto),
+        );
+        self::assertSame((new StackHydrator())->extract($dto), $this->hydrator->extract($dto));
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrate(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new ProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydratePassesContextToNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ContextAwareDto::class,
+            ['value' => 'value'],
+            ['suffix' => '-ctx'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertSame('value-ctx', $event->value);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateUnknownClass(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotSupported::class);
+        $this->expectExceptionCode(0);
+
+        $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            // @phpstan-ignore argument.type
+            'Unknown',
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithArrayDataRequired(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ArrayDataRequired::class);
+
+        $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreated::class,
+            'foo',
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithDefaults(): void
+    {
+        $object = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            DefaultDto::class,
+            ['name' => 'test'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals('test', $object->name);
+        self::assertEquals(new Email('info@patchlevel.de'), $object->email);
+        self::assertEquals(true, $object->admin);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithInheritance(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new ParentDto(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ParentDto::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithHydratorAwareNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new ProfileCreatedWrapper(
+            new ProfileCreated(
+                ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+                Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+            ),
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreatedWrapper::class,
+            [
+                'event' => ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithObjectToPopulate(): void
+    {
+        $id = ProfileId::fromString('1');
+        $dto = new ProfileCreated($id, Email::fromString('foo@patchlevel.de'));
+
+        $processedDto = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            $dto::class,
+            ['email' => 'other@patchlevel.de'],
+            [StackHydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE => $dto],
+        );
+
+        self::assertSame($dto, $processedDto);
+        self::assertSame($id, $processedDto->profileId);
+        self::assertEquals(Email::fromString('other@patchlevel.de'), $processedDto->email);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithTypeMismatch(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(TypeMismatch::class);
+        $this->expectExceptionMessage('The value could not be set because the expected type of the property "profileId" in class "Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated" does not match.');
+
+        $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => null, 'email' => null],
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithContext(): void
+    {
+        $expect = new InferNormalizerDto(
+            Status::Draft,
+            new DateTimeImmutable('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTime('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTimeZone('EDT'),
+            ['foo'],
+        );
+
+        $data = [
+            'status' => 'draft',
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+            'dateTime' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+            'dateTimeZone' => 'EDT',
+            'array' => ['foo'],
+        ];
+
+        $middleware = $this->createMock(Middleware::class);
+        $middleware
+            ->expects($this->once())
+            ->method('hydrate')
+            ->with(
+                $this->isInstanceOf(ClassMetadata::class),
+                $data,
+                $this->callback(static fn (array $context): bool => $context['context'] === '123'
+                    && $context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] instanceof StackHydrator),
+                $this->isInstanceOf(Next::class),
+            )->willReturn($expect);
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMiddleware($middleware)
+            ->build();
+
+        $object = $hydrator->hydrate(InferNormalizerDto::class, $data, ['context' => '123']);
+
+        self::assertEquals($expect, $object);
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.5')]
+    public function testHydrateWithInlineNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            ValueObject::fromString('foo'),
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'valueObject' => 'foo'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testDenormalizationFailure(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(DenormalizationFailure::class);
+
+        $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => 123, 'email' => 123],
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testNormalizationFailure(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(NormalizationFailure::class);
+
+        $this->hydrator->extract(
+            new WrongNormalizer(true),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithNormalizerInBaseClass(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto(
+            StatusWithNormalizer::Draft,
+            new ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer(
+                ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+                Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+            ),
+            [StatusWithNormalizer::Draft],
+            [StatusWithNormalizer::Draft],
+            [StatusWithNormalizer::Draft],
+            [
+                'foo' => new Skill('php'),
+                'bar' => new Skill('symfony'),
+            ],
+            [
+                'foo' => 'php',
+                'bar' => 15,
+                'baz' => ['test'],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class,
+            [
+                'status' => 'draft',
+                'profileCreated' => ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+                'defaultArray' => ['draft'],
+                'listArray' => ['draft'],
+                'iterableArray' => ['draft'],
+                'skillsHashMap' => ['foo' => ['name' => 'php'], 'bar' => ['name' => 'symfony']],
+                'jsonArray' => ['foo' => 'php', 'bar' => 15, 'baz' => ['test']],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithInferNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new InferNormalizerDto(
+            Status::Draft,
+            new DateTimeImmutable('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTime('2015-02-13 22:34:32+01:00'),
+            new DateTimeZone('EDT'),
+            ['foo'],
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            InferNormalizerDto::class,
+            [
+                'status' => 'draft',
+                'dateTimeImmutable' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+                'dateTime' => '2015-02-13T22:34:32+01:00',
+                'dateTimeZone' => 'EDT',
+                'array' => ['foo'],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithInferNormalizerAndNullableProperties(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new InferNormalizerWithNullableDto(
+            null,
+            null,
+            null,
+            null,
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class,
+            [
+                'status' => null,
+                'dateTimeImmutable' => null,
+                'dateTime' => null,
+                'dateTimeZone' => null,
+            ],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithInferNormalizerWitIterables(): void
+    {
+        $expected = new InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto(
+            [Status::Draft],
+            [Status::Draft],
+            [Status::Draft],
+            [
+                'foo' => Status::Draft,
+                'bar' => Status::Draft,
+            ],
+            [
+                'foo' => [Status::Draft],
+                'bar' => [Status::Draft],
+            ],
+            [
+                'foo' => 'php',
+                'bar' => 15,
+                'baz' => ['test'],
+            ],
+            [
+                'status' => Status::Draft,
+                'other' => [Status::Draft],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class,
+            [
+                'defaultArray' => ['draft'],
+                'listArray' => ['draft'],
+                'iterableArray' => ['draft'],
+                'hashMap' => ['foo' => 'draft', 'bar' => 'draft'],
+                'nested' => ['foo' => ['draft'], 'bar' => ['draft']],
+                'jsonArray' => ['foo' => 'php', 'bar' => 15, 'baz' => ['test']],
+                'shapeArray' => ['status' => 'draft', 'other' => ['draft']],
+            ],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateWithClassNormalizer(): void
+    {
+        $object = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            ProfileId::class,
+            'id',
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(ProfileId::fromString('id'), $object);
+    }
+
+    public function testHydratePrivateProperties(): void
+    {
+        $dto = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            PrivatePropertiesDto::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'name' => 'foo', 'age' => 12],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(ProfileId::fromString('1'), $dto->profileId());
+        self::assertSame('foo', $dto->name());
+        self::assertSame(12, $dto->age());
+    }
+
+    public function testHydratePrivatePropertiesOfParent(): void
+    {
+        $dto = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            PrivateChildDto::class,
+            ['email' => 'info@patchlevel.de', 'note' => 'note', 'profileId' => '1', 'name' => 'foo'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals(ProfileId::fromString('1'), $dto->profileId);
+        self::assertEquals(Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'), $dto->email());
+        self::assertSame('note', $dto->note());
+        self::assertSame('foo', $dto->name());
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.4')]
+    public function testHydrateAsymmetricVisibility(): void
+    {
+        $data = ['name' => 'foo', 'age' => 12, 'note' => 'note'];
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()->build();
+
+        $dto = $hydrator->hydrate(AsymmetricVisibilityDto::class, $data);
+
+        self::assertEquals(new AsymmetricVisibilityDto('foo', 12, 'note'), $dto);
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($dto));
+    }
+
+    public function testHydrateCoercesScalarsLikeReflection(): void
+    {
+        $dto = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            PrivatePropertiesDto::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'name' => 'foo', 'age' => '12'],
+        );
+
+        self::assertSame(12, $dto->age());
+    }
+
+    public function testChangedClassFallsBackToReflection(): void
+    {
+        // the renamed fields change the fingerprint, like a class which changed after the warmup
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMetadataEnricher(new class implements MetadataEnricher {
+                public function enrich(ClassMetadata $classMetadata): void
+                {
+                    foreach ($classMetadata->properties as $property) {
+                        $property->fieldName = 'renamed_' . $property->fieldName;
+                    }
+                }
+            })
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = ['renamed_profileId' => '1', 'renamed_email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'];
+        $event = $hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, $data);
+
+        self::assertEquals(new ProfileCreated(ProfileId::fromString('1'), Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de')), $event);
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($event));
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ReflectionTransformer::class, self::transformers($hydrator)[ProfileCreated::class]);
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.4')]
+    public function testLazyHydrate(): void
+    {
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            LazyProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+
+        $expected = new LazyProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        $reflection = new ReflectionClass(LazyProfileCreated::class);
+        self::assertTrue($reflection->isUninitializedLazyObject($event));
+
+        $reflection->initializeLazyObject($event);
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('<8.4')]
+    public function testLazyNotSupported(): void
+    {
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            LazyProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+
+        $expected = new LazyProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        self::assertEquals($expected, $event);
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.4')]
+    public function testLazyExtract(): void
+    {
+        $event = $this->hydrator->hydrate(
+            LazyProfileCreated::class,
+            ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'],
+        );
+
+        $data = $this->hydrator->extract($event);
+
+        self::assertEquals(['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'], $data);
+    }
+
+    public function testDecrypt(): void
+    {
+        $object = new SensitiveDataProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        $encryptedPayload = ['id' => '1', 'email' => 'encrypted'];
+
+        $cryptographer = $this->createMock(Cryptographer::class);
+        $cryptographer
+            ->expects($this->once())
+            ->method('supports')
+            ->with('encrypted')
+            ->willReturn(true);
+
+        $cryptographer
+            ->expects($this->once())
+            ->method('decrypt')
+            ->with('1', 'encrypted')
+            ->willReturn('info@patchlevel.de');
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->useExtension(new CryptographyExtension($cryptographer))
+            ->build();
+
+        $return = $hydrator->hydrate(SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, $encryptedPayload);
+
+        self::assertEquals($object, $return);
+    }
+
+    public function testEncrypt(): void
+    {
+        $object = new SensitiveDataProfileCreated(
+            ProfileId::fromString('1'),
+            Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'),
+        );
+
+        $encryptedPayload = [
+            'id' => '1',
+            'email' => [
+                '__enc' => 'v1',
+                'data' => 'encrypted',
+                'method' => 'foo',
+                'iv' => 'bar',
+            ],
+        ];
+
+        $cryptographer = $this->createMock(Cryptographer::class);
+
+        $cryptographer
+            ->expects($this->never())
+            ->method('supports');
+
+        $cryptographer
+            ->expects($this->once())
+            ->method('encrypt')
+            ->with('1', 'info@patchlevel.de')
+            ->willReturn([
+                '__enc' => 'v1',
+                'data' => 'encrypted',
+                'method' => 'foo',
+                'iv' => 'bar',
+            ]);
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->useExtension(new CryptographyExtension($cryptographer))
+            ->build();
+
+        $return = $hydrator->extract($object);
+
+        self::assertSame($encryptedPayload, $return);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads the inlining decisions of the generated transformers the hydrator uses.
+     *
+     * @return array<string, bool> flag name => mapped in place
+     */
+    private static function inlined(StackHydrator $hydrator, string $class): array
+    {
+        $transformer = self::transformers($hydrator)[$class] ?? null;
+        self::assertInstanceOf(GeneratedTransformer::class, $transformer);
+
+        /** @var array<string, bool> $flags */
+        $flags = array_filter(
+            get_object_vars($transformer),
+            static fn (string $name): bool => preg_match('/^i[he]\d+$/', $name) === 1,
+            ARRAY_FILTER_USE_KEY,
+        );
+
+        return $flags;
+    }
+
+    /** @return array<class-string, ClassTransformer> */
+    private static function transformers(StackHydrator $hydrator): array
+    {
+        /** @var array<class-string, ClassTransformer> $transformers */
+        $transformers = (new ReflectionProperty(StackHydrator::class, 'transformers'))->getValue($hydrator);
+
+        return $transformers;
+    }
+
+    public function testGeneratedTransformersAreUsed(): void
+    {
+        $data = ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'];
+        $this->hydrator->extract($this->hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, $data));
+
+        $transformer = self::transformers($this->hydrator)[ProfileCreated::class];
+
+        self::assertInstanceOf(GeneratedTransformer::class, $transformer);
+        self::assertStringStartsWith(TransformerFiles::NAMESPACE . '\\', $transformer::class);
+    }
+
+    public function testNestedObjectsAreInlinedWithoutOtherMiddlewares(): void
+    {
+        $data = ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b']]];
+
+        self::assertSame($data, $this->hydrator->extract($this->hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['ih0' => true, 'ie0' => true, 'ih1' => true, 'ie1' => true],
+            self::inlined($this->hydrator, NestedLifecycleDto::class),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testNestedObjectsAreInlinedWhenOtherMiddlewaresSkipThem(): void
+    {
+        $counter = new CountingMiddleware([LifecycleFixture::class => Skip::Both]);
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMiddleware($counter)
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b']]];
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['ih0' => true, 'ie0' => true, 'ih1' => true, 'ie1' => true],
+            self::inlined($hydrator, NestedLifecycleDto::class),
+        );
+        self::assertSame([NestedLifecycleDto::class => 1], $counter->hydrated);
+    }
+
+    public function testInliningIsDecidedPerDirection(): void
+    {
+        // an upcaster which can not be introspected keeps the upcast middleware in the hydrate stack
+        $upcaster = new class implements Upcaster {
+            /**
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $data
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+             *
+             * @return array<string, mixed>
+             */
+            public function upcast(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $data, array $context): array
+            {
+                return $data;
+            }
+        };
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->useExtension(new UpcastExtension([$upcaster]))
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b']]];
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['ih0' => false, 'ie0' => true, 'ih1' => false, 'ie1' => true],
+            self::inlined($hydrator, NestedLifecycleDto::class),
+        );
+
+        // callback upcasters for other classes do not prevent inlining
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->useExtension(new UpcastExtension([CallbackUpcaster::forClass(ProfileCreated::class, static fn (array $data): array => $data)]))
+            ->build();
+
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+        self::assertSame(
+            ['ih0' => true, 'ie0' => true, 'ih1' => true, 'ie1' => true],
+            self::inlined($hydrator, NestedLifecycleDto::class),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testGeneratedTransformerRunsAfterOtherMiddlewares(): void
+    {
+        $counter = new CountingMiddleware();
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMiddleware($counter)
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'];
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, $data)));
+
+        self::assertInstanceOf(GeneratedTransformer::class, self::transformers($hydrator)[ProfileCreated::class]);
+        self::assertSame([ProfileCreated::class => 1], $counter->hydrated);
+        self::assertSame([ProfileCreated::class => 1], $counter->extracted);
+    }
+
+    public function testNestedObjectsAreNotInlinedWithNonSkippableMiddleware(): void
+    {
+        $counter = new CountingMiddleware();
+
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->addMiddleware($counter)
+            ->build();
+
+        $data = ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b'], ['name' => 'c']]];
+
+        // with another middleware in the stack, nested objects go through the whole stack
+        $object = $hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data);
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($object));
+
+        self::assertSame([NestedLifecycleDto::class => 1, LifecycleFixture::class => 3], $counter->hydrated);
+        self::assertSame([NestedLifecycleDto::class => 1, LifecycleFixture::class => 3], $counter->extracted);
+        self::assertNotContains(true, self::inlined($hydrator, NestedLifecycleDto::class));
+    }
+
+    public function testNestedObjectsRespectOtherMiddlewares(): void
+    {
+        $hydrator = $this->builder()
+            ->useExtension(new LifecycleExtension())
+            ->build();
+
+        $object = $hydrator->hydrate(
+            NestedLifecycleDto::class,
+            ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b']]],
+        );
+
+        self::assertSame('a [preHydrate] [postHydrate]', $object->child->name);
+        self::assertSame('b [preHydrate] [postHydrate]', $object->items[0]->name);
+
+        self::assertSame(
+            [
+                'child' => ['name' => 'a [preHydrate] [postHydrate] [preExtract] [postExtract]'],
+                'items' => [['name' => 'b [preHydrate] [postHydrate] [preExtract] [postExtract]']],
+            ],
+            $hydrator->extract($object),
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testOuterHydratorIsUsedForNestedObjects(): void
+    {
+        $outer = new class ($this->hydrator) implements Hydrator {
+            /** @var list<string> */
+            public array $calls = [];
+
+            public function __construct(private readonly Hydrator $inner)
+            {
+            }
+
+            /**
+             * @param class-string<T>      $class
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+             *
+             * @return T
+             *
+             * @template T of object
+             */
+            public function hydrate(string $class, mixed $data, array $context = []): object
+            {
+                $context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+                $this->calls[] = 'hydrate ' . $class;
+
+                return $this->inner->hydrate($class, $data, $context);
+            }
+
+            /** @param array<string, mixed> $context */
+            public function extract(object $object, array $context = []): mixed
+            {
+                $context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ??= $this;
+                $this->calls[] = 'extract ' . $object::class;
+
+                return $this->inner->extract($object, $context);
+            }
+        };
+
+        $data = ['child' => ['name' => 'a'], 'items' => [['name' => 'b']]];
+
+        // nested objects are mapped in place for calls of the hydrator itself
+        self::assertSame($data, $this->hydrator->extract($this->hydrator->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+
+        // but go through the outer hydrator for its calls
+        self::assertSame($data, $outer->extract($outer->hydrate(NestedLifecycleDto::class, $data)));
+        self::assertSame(
+            [
+                'hydrate ' . NestedLifecycleDto::class,
+                'hydrate ' . LifecycleFixture::class,
+                'hydrate ' . LifecycleFixture::class,
+                'extract ' . NestedLifecycleDto::class,
+                'extract ' . LifecycleFixture::class,
+                'extract ' . LifecycleFixture::class,
+            ],
+            $outer->calls,
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmerTest.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmerTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c8cf87e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/GeneratedTransformerWarmerTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassNotGeneratable;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerExtension;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerNotWritable;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformerWarmer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\TransformerFiles;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\AttributeMetadataFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\StackHydratorBuilder;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ChildDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileId;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
+use ReflectionProperty;
+
+use function file_get_contents;
+use function glob;
+use function is_dir;
+use function rmdir;
+use function sys_get_temp_dir;
+use function touch;
+use function uniqid;
+use function unlink;
+
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerWarmer::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerExtension::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformerFactory::class)]
+#[CoversClass(TransformerFiles::class)]
+final class GeneratedTransformerWarmerTest extends TestCase
+{
+    private string $cachePath;
+
+    public function setUp(): void
+    {
+        $this->cachePath = sys_get_temp_dir() . '/' . uniqid('patchlevel-hydrator-warmer-', true);
+    }
+
+    public function tearDown(): void
+    {
+        if (!is_dir($this->cachePath)) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        foreach (glob($this->cachePath . '/*') ?: [] as $file) {
+            unlink($file);
+        }
+
+        rmdir($this->cachePath);
+    }
+
+    public function testWarmupGeneratesNestedClasses(): void
+    {
+        $metadataFactory = new AttributeMetadataFactory();
+        $warmer = new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($metadataFactory, $this->cachePath);
+
+        self::assertSame(
+            [ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, ProfileCreated::class],
+            $warmer->warmup([ProfileCreatedWrapper::class]),
+        );
+
+        $files = new TransformerFiles($this->cachePath);
+
+        foreach ([ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, ProfileCreated::class] as $class) {
+            self::assertFileExists($files->path($files->className($metadataFactory->metadata($class))));
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function testWarmupIsDeterministic(): void
+    {
+        $metadataFactory = new AttributeMetadataFactory();
+        $files = new TransformerFiles($this->cachePath);
+        $file = $files->path($files->className($metadataFactory->metadata(ProfileCreated::class)));
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($metadataFactory, $this->cachePath))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+        $first = file_get_contents($file);
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($metadataFactory, $this->cachePath))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+
+        self::assertSame($first, file_get_contents($file));
+    }
+
+    public function testWarmedTransformersAreUsed(): void
+    {
+        $builder = (new StackHydratorBuilder())->useExtension(new GeneratedTransformerExtension($this->cachePath));
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer($builder->metadataFactory(), $this->cachePath))->warmup([ProfileCreatedWrapper::class]);
+        $hydrator = $builder->build();
+
+        $data = ['event' => ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de']];
+        $object = $hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, $data);
+
+        self::assertEquals(
+            new ProfileCreatedWrapper(new ProfileCreated(ProfileId::fromString('1'), Email::fromString('info@patchlevel.de'))),
+            $object,
+        );
+        self::assertSame($data, $hydrator->extract($object));
+
+        $transformers = (new ReflectionProperty(StackHydrator::class, 'transformers'))->getValue($hydrator);
+        self::assertIsArray($transformers);
+        self::assertInstanceOf(GeneratedTransformer::class, $transformers[ProfileCreatedWrapper::class]);
+        self::assertInstanceOf(GeneratedTransformer::class, $transformers[ProfileCreated::class]);
+    }
+
+    public function testUnknownClassIsNotGeneratable(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotGeneratable::class);
+
+        /** @phpstan-ignore argument.type */
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer(new AttributeMetadataFactory(), $this->cachePath))->warmup(['Unknown']);
+    }
+
+    public function testAbstractClassIsNotGeneratable(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotGeneratable::class);
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer(new AttributeMetadataFactory(), $this->cachePath))->warmup([ChildDto::class]);
+    }
+
+    public function testClassWithClassNormalizerIsNotGeneratable(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotGeneratable::class);
+
+        (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer(new AttributeMetadataFactory(), $this->cachePath))->warmup([ProfileId::class]);
+    }
+
+    public function testNotWritable(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(GeneratedTransformerNotWritable::class);
+
+        $file = $this->cachePath . '-file';
+        touch($file);
+
+        try {
+            (new GeneratedTransformerWarmer(new AttributeMetadataFactory(), $file))->warmup([ProfileCreated::class]);
+        } finally {
+            unlink($file);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle1DtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle1DtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..01ad4728
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle1DtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto}.
+ */
+final class Circle1DtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('to');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle2DtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle2DtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a73e5aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle2DtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto}.
+ */
+final class Circle2DtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle2Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('to');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle3DtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle3DtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cda39f0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/Circle3DtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto}.
+ */
+final class Circle3DtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('to', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['to'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->to = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->to;
+                    $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'to' => $v_to,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->to;
+            $v_to = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle3Dto::class, 'to', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'to' => $v_to,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('to');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Circle1Dto::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ContextAwareDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ContextAwareDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3d024740
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ContextAwareDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto}.
+ */
+final class ContextAwareDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('value', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['value'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->value = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_value = $this->n0->normalize($object->value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'value' => $v_value,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_value = $this->n0->normalize($object->value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'value' => $v_value,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('value', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['value'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->value = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_value = $this->n0->normalize($object->value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'value' => $v_value,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_value = $this->n0->normalize($object->value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ContextAwareDto::class, 'value', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'value' => $v_value,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('value');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/DefaultDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/DefaultDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9dec094b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/DefaultDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,274 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto}.
+ */
+final class DefaultDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public ReflectionParameter $d0;
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('admin', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['admin'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->admin = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'admin', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('name', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['name'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->name = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'name', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['email'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->email = $this->d0->getDefaultValue();
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->email;
+                    $v_email = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'admin' => $object->admin,
+                    'name' => $object->name,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->email;
+            $v_email = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'admin' => $object->admin,
+            'name' => $object->name,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('admin', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['admin'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->admin = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'admin', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('name', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['name'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->name = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'name', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['email'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->email = $this->d0->getDefaultValue();
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->email;
+                    $v_email = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'admin' => $object->admin,
+                    'name' => $object->name,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->email;
+            $v_email = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\DefaultDto::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'admin' => $object->admin,
+            'name' => $object->name,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->d0 = $this->promotedDefault('email');
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('email');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Email::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..56c1a575
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,412 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto}.
+ */
+final class InferNormalizerDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public Normalizer $n2;
+    public Normalizer $n3;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeImmutable', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['dateTimeImmutable'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeImmutable = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTime', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['dateTime'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTime = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeZone', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['dateTimeZone'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeZone = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('array', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['array'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->array = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'array', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+                    'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+                    'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+                    'array' => $object->array,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+            'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+            'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+            'array' => $object->array,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeImmutable', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['dateTimeImmutable'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeImmutable = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTime', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['dateTime'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTime = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeZone', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['dateTimeZone'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeZone = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('array', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['array'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->array = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'array', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+                    'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+                    'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+                    'array' => $object->array,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+            'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+            'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+            'array' => $object->array,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('status');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('dateTimeImmutable');
+        $this->n2 = $this->normalizer('dateTime');
+        $this->n3 = $this->normalizer('dateTimeZone');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n2)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n3);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithIterablesDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithIterablesDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3337fa63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithIterablesDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,574 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto}.
+ */
+final class InferNormalizerWithIterablesDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public Normalizer $n2;
+    public Normalizer $n3;
+    public Normalizer $n4;
+    public Normalizer $n5;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('defaultArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['defaultArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->defaultArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->defaultArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('listArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['listArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->listArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->listArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('iterableArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['iterableArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->iterableArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->iterableArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('hashMap', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['hashMap'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->hashMap = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->hashMap = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('nested', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['nested'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->nested = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->nested = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('jsonArray', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['jsonArray'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->jsonArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'jsonArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->jsonArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('shapeArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n5->denormalize($data['shapeArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->shapeArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->shapeArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_defaultArray = $this->n0->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_listArray = $this->n1->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_iterableArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_hashMap = $this->n3->normalize($object->hashMap, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_nested = $this->n4->normalize($object->nested, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_shapeArray = $this->n5->normalize($object->shapeArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+                    'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+                    'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+                    'hashMap' => $v_hashMap,
+                    'nested' => $v_nested,
+                    'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+                    'shapeArray' => $v_shapeArray,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_defaultArray = $this->n0->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_listArray = $this->n1->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_iterableArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_hashMap = $this->n3->normalize($object->hashMap, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_nested = $this->n4->normalize($object->nested, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_shapeArray = $this->n5->normalize($object->shapeArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+            'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+            'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+            'hashMap' => $v_hashMap,
+            'nested' => $v_nested,
+            'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+            'shapeArray' => $v_shapeArray,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('defaultArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['defaultArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->defaultArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->defaultArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('listArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['listArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->listArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->listArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('iterableArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['iterableArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->iterableArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->iterableArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('hashMap', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['hashMap'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->hashMap = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->hashMap = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('nested', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['nested'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->nested = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->nested = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('jsonArray', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['jsonArray'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->jsonArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'jsonArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->jsonArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('shapeArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n5->denormalize($data['shapeArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->shapeArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->shapeArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_defaultArray = $this->n0->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_listArray = $this->n1->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_iterableArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_hashMap = $this->n3->normalize($object->hashMap, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_nested = $this->n4->normalize($object->nested, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_shapeArray = $this->n5->normalize($object->shapeArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+                    'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+                    'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+                    'hashMap' => $v_hashMap,
+                    'nested' => $v_nested,
+                    'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+                    'shapeArray' => $v_shapeArray,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_defaultArray = $this->n0->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_listArray = $this->n1->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_iterableArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_hashMap = $this->n3->normalize($object->hashMap, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'hashMap', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_nested = $this->n4->normalize($object->nested, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'nested', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_shapeArray = $this->n5->normalize($object->shapeArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithIterablesDto::class, 'shapeArray', $this->n5::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+            'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+            'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+            'hashMap' => $v_hashMap,
+            'nested' => $v_nested,
+            'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+            'shapeArray' => $v_shapeArray,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('defaultArray');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('listArray');
+        $this->n2 = $this->normalizer('iterableArray');
+        $this->n3 = $this->normalizer('hashMap');
+        $this->n4 = $this->normalizer('nested');
+        $this->n5 = $this->normalizer('shapeArray');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n2)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n3)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n4)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n5);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithNullableDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithNullableDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..46da4059
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/InferNormalizerWithNullableDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,467 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto}.
+ */
+final class InferNormalizerWithNullableDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public Normalizer $n2;
+    public Normalizer $n3;
+    public Normalizer $n4;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeImmutable', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['dateTimeImmutable'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeImmutable = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTime', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['dateTime'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTime = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->dateTime = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeZone', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['dateTimeZone'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeZone = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->dateTimeZone = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->profileId = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n4->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+                    'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+                    'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n4->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+            'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+            'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeImmutable', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['dateTimeImmutable'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeImmutable = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTime', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['dateTime'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTime = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->dateTime = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('dateTimeZone', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['dateTimeZone'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->dateTimeZone = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->dateTimeZone = NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->profileId = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n4->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+                    'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+                    'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeImmutable = $this->n1->normalize($object->dateTimeImmutable, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeImmutable', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTime = $this->n2->normalize($object->dateTime, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTime', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_dateTimeZone = $this->n3->normalize($object->dateTimeZone, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'dateTimeZone', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n4->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\InferNormalizerWithNullableDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'dateTimeImmutable' => $v_dateTimeImmutable,
+            'dateTime' => $v_dateTime,
+            'dateTimeZone' => $v_dateTimeZone,
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('status');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('dateTimeImmutable');
+        $this->n2 = $this->normalizer('dateTime');
+        $this->n3 = $this->normalizer('dateTimeZone');
+        $this->n4 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n2)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n3)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n4);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/LazyProfileCreatedTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/LazyProfileCreatedTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3b9a33c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/LazyProfileCreatedTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated}.
+ */
+final class LazyProfileCreatedTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LazyProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('email');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NestedLifecycleDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NestedLifecycleDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..767ed875
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NestedLifecycleDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,372 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto}.
+ */
+final class NestedLifecycleDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public bool $ih1 = false;
+    public bool $ie1 = false;
+    public ObjectNormalizer $n2;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('child', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['child'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->child = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('items', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['items'];
+
+                if ($this->ih1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $items = [];
+
+                    foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                        $items[$key] = \is_array($item) ? $this->x0->hydrateNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->denormalize($item, $context);
+                    }
+
+                    $value = $items;
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n1->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->items = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->items = [];
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->child;
+                    $v_child = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->items;
+
+                    if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                        $items = [];
+
+                        foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                            $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->normalize($item, $context);
+                        }
+
+                        $v_items = $items;
+                    } else {
+                        $v_items = $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+                    }
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'child' => $v_child,
+                    'items' => $v_items,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->child;
+            $v_child = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->items;
+
+            if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                $items = [];
+
+                foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                    $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->normalize($item, $context);
+                }
+
+                $v_items = $items;
+            } else {
+                $v_items = $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+            }
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'child' => $v_child,
+            'items' => $v_items,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('child', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['child'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->child = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('items', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['items'];
+
+                if ($this->ih1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $items = [];
+
+                    foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                        $items[$key] = \is_array($item) ? $this->x0->hydrateNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->denormalize($item, $context);
+                    }
+
+                    $value = $items;
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n1->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->items = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->items = [];
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->child;
+                    $v_child = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->items;
+
+                    if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                        $items = [];
+
+                        foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                            $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->normalize($item, $context);
+                        }
+
+                        $v_items = $items;
+                    } else {
+                        $v_items = $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+                    }
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'child' => $v_child,
+                    'items' => $v_items,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->child;
+            $v_child = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'child', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->items;
+
+            if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                $items = [];
+
+                foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                    $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture ? $this->x0->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n2->normalize($item, $context);
+                }
+
+                $v_items = $items;
+            } else {
+                $v_items = $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+            }
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto::class, 'items', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'child' => $v_child,
+            'items' => $v_items,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('child');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('items');
+        $h1 = $this->nested($this->n1, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e1 = $this->nested($this->n1, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih1 = $h1 !== null;
+        $this->ie1 = $e1 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih1 || $this->ie1) { $this->x0 = $h1 ?? $e1; }
+        if ($this->ih1 || $this->ie1) { $this->n2 = $this->n1->innerNormalizer(); }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0))
+            || ($this->ie1 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n1));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..755a59ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,682 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto}.
+ */
+final class NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public Normalizer $n2;
+    public Normalizer $n3;
+    public Normalizer $n4;
+    public Normalizer $n5;
+    public bool $ih1 = false;
+    public bool $ie1 = false;
+    public ObjectNormalizer $n6;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileCreated', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['profileCreated'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n1->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileCreated = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('defaultArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['defaultArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->defaultArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->defaultArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('listArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['listArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->listArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->listArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('iterableArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['iterableArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->iterableArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->iterableArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('skillsHashMap', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['skillsHashMap'];
+
+                if ($this->ih1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $items = [];
+
+                    foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                        $items[$key] = \is_array($item) ? $this->x1->hydrateNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->denormalize($item, $context);
+                    }
+
+                    $value = $items;
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n5->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->skillsHashMap = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->skillsHashMap = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('jsonArray', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['jsonArray'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->jsonArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'jsonArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->jsonArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->profileCreated;
+                    $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_defaultArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_listArray = $this->n3->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_iterableArray = $this->n4->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->skillsHashMap;
+
+                    if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                        $items = [];
+
+                        foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                            $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill ? $this->x1->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->normalize($item, $context);
+                        }
+
+                        $v_skillsHashMap = $items;
+                    } else {
+                        $v_skillsHashMap = $this->n5->normalize($value, $context);
+                    }
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'profileCreated' => $v_profileCreated,
+                    'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+                    'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+                    'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+                    'skillsHashMap' => $v_skillsHashMap,
+                    'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->profileCreated;
+            $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_defaultArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_listArray = $this->n3->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_iterableArray = $this->n4->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->skillsHashMap;
+
+            if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                $items = [];
+
+                foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                    $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill ? $this->x1->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->normalize($item, $context);
+                }
+
+                $v_skillsHashMap = $items;
+            } else {
+                $v_skillsHashMap = $this->n5->normalize($value, $context);
+            }
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'profileCreated' => $v_profileCreated,
+            'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+            'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+            'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+            'skillsHashMap' => $v_skillsHashMap,
+            'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('status', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['status'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->status = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileCreated', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['profileCreated'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n1->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileCreated = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('defaultArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n2->denormalize($data['defaultArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->defaultArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->defaultArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('listArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n3->denormalize($data['listArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->listArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->listArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('iterableArray', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n4->denormalize($data['iterableArray'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->iterableArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->iterableArray = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('skillsHashMap', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['skillsHashMap'];
+
+                if ($this->ih1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $items = [];
+
+                    foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                        $items[$key] = \is_array($item) ? $this->x1->hydrateNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->denormalize($item, $context);
+                    }
+
+                    $value = $items;
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n5->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->skillsHashMap = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->skillsHashMap = [];
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('jsonArray', $data)) {
+            $value = $data['jsonArray'];
+
+            try {
+                $object->jsonArray = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'jsonArray', $e);
+            }
+        } else {
+            $object->jsonArray = NULL;
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->profileCreated;
+                    $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_defaultArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_listArray = $this->n3->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_iterableArray = $this->n4->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->skillsHashMap;
+
+                    if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                        $items = [];
+
+                        foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                            $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill ? $this->x1->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->normalize($item, $context);
+                        }
+
+                        $v_skillsHashMap = $items;
+                    } else {
+                        $v_skillsHashMap = $this->n5->normalize($value, $context);
+                    }
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'status' => $v_status,
+                    'profileCreated' => $v_profileCreated,
+                    'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+                    'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+                    'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+                    'skillsHashMap' => $v_skillsHashMap,
+                    'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_status = $this->n0->normalize($object->status, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'status', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->profileCreated;
+            $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n1->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_defaultArray = $this->n2->normalize($object->defaultArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'defaultArray', $this->n2::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_listArray = $this->n3->normalize($object->listArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'listArray', $this->n3::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_iterableArray = $this->n4->normalize($object->iterableArray, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'iterableArray', $this->n4::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->skillsHashMap;
+
+            if ($this->ie1 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                $items = [];
+
+                foreach ($value as $key => $item) {
+                    $items[$key] = $item instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill ? $this->x1->extractNested($item, $context) : $this->n6->normalize($item, $context);
+                }
+
+                $v_skillsHashMap = $items;
+            } else {
+                $v_skillsHashMap = $this->n5->normalize($value, $context);
+            }
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NormalizerInBaseClassDefinedDto::class, 'skillsHashMap', $this->n5::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'status' => $v_status,
+            'profileCreated' => $v_profileCreated,
+            'defaultArray' => $v_defaultArray,
+            'listArray' => $v_listArray,
+            'iterableArray' => $v_iterableArray,
+            'skillsHashMap' => $v_skillsHashMap,
+            'jsonArray' => $object->jsonArray,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('status');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('profileCreated');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n1, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n1, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithNormalizer::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        $this->n2 = $this->normalizer('defaultArray');
+        $this->n3 = $this->normalizer('listArray');
+        $this->n4 = $this->normalizer('iterableArray');
+        $this->n5 = $this->normalizer('skillsHashMap');
+        $h1 = $this->nested($this->n5, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e1 = $this->nested($this->n5, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih1 = $h1 !== null;
+        $this->ie1 = $e1 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih1 || $this->ie1) { $this->x1 = $h1 ?? $e1; }
+        if ($this->ih1 || $this->ie1) { $this->n6 = $this->n5->innerNormalizer(); }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+        if (isset($this->x1)) { $this->x1->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n1))
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n2)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n3)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n4)
+            || ($this->ie1 ? $this->x1->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n5));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ParentDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ParentDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6b4d7598
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ParentDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto}.
+ */
+final class ParentDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ParentDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('email');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivateChildDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivateChildDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..107275a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivateChildDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto}.
+ */
+final class PrivateChildDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+    public Closure $hp0;
+    public Closure $ep1;
+    public Closure $h;
+    public Closure $e;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = false;
+
+        return ($this->h)($object, $data, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = false;
+
+        return ($this->e)($object, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        return ($this->h)($object, $data, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        return ($this->e)($object, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('email');
+        $this->hp0 = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $data, array $context, bool $inline): void {
+            if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+                try {
+                    $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $object->email = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'email', $e);
+                }
+            }
+            if (\array_key_exists('note', $data)) {
+                $value = $data['note'];
+
+                try {
+                    $object->note = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'note', $e);
+                }
+            }
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateParentDto::class);
+        $this->ep1 = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $context, bool $inline): array {
+            try {
+                $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+            } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                throw $e;
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+            return [$v_email, $object->note];
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateParentDto::class);
+        $this->h = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $data, array $context, bool $inline): object {
+            if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+                try {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $object->profileId = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (\array_key_exists('name', $data)) {
+                $value = $data['name'];
+
+                try {
+                    $object->name = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'name', $e);
+                }
+            }
+
+            ($this->hp0)($object, $data, $context, $inline);
+
+            return $object;
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class);
+        $this->e = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $context, bool $inline): array {
+            if ($this->tracked) {
+                $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+                if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                    $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                    $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                    throw new CircularReference($references);
+                }
+
+                $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class;
+
+                try {
+                    [$v_email, $v_note] = ($this->ep1)($object, $context, $inline);
+
+                    try {
+                        $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                    } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                        throw $e;
+                    } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                        throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                    }
+
+                    return [
+                        'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                        'name' => $object->name,
+                        'email' => $v_email,
+                        'note' => $v_note,
+                    ];
+                } finally {
+                    unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+                }
+            }
+
+            [$v_email, $v_note] = ($this->ep1)($object, $context, $inline);
+
+            try {
+                $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+            } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                throw $e;
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            return [
+                'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                'name' => $object->name,
+                'email' => $v_email,
+                'note' => $v_note,
+            ];
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivateChildDto::class);
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivatePropertiesDtoTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivatePropertiesDtoTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..98caadf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/PrivatePropertiesDtoTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto}.
+ */
+final class PrivatePropertiesDtoTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Closure $h;
+    public Closure $e;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = false;
+
+        return ($this->h)($object, $data, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = false;
+
+        return ($this->e)($object, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        return ($this->h)($object, $data, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        return ($this->e)($object, $context, $inline);
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->h = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $data, array $context, bool $inline): object {
+            if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+                try {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $object->profileId = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'profileId', $e);
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (\array_key_exists('name', $data)) {
+                $value = $data['name'];
+
+                try {
+                    $object->name = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'name', $e);
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (\array_key_exists('age', $data)) {
+                $value = $data['age'];
+
+                try {
+                    $object->age = $value;
+                } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                    throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'age', $e);
+                }
+            } else {
+                $object->age = 42;
+            }
+
+            return $object;
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class);
+        $this->e = Closure::bind(function (object $object, array $context, bool $inline): array {
+            if ($this->tracked) {
+                $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+                if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                    $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                    $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                    throw new CircularReference($references);
+                }
+
+                $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class;
+
+                try {
+                    try {
+                        $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                    } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                        throw $e;
+                    } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                        throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                    }
+
+                    return [
+                        'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                        'name' => $object->name,
+                        'age' => $object->age,
+                    ];
+                } finally {
+                    unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+                }
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+            } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                throw $e;
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            return [
+                'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                'name' => $object->name,
+                'age' => $object->age,
+            ];
+        }, $this, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\PrivatePropertiesDto::class);
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a1e00e1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated}.
+ */
+final class ProfileCreatedTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('email');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizerTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizerTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..897c3afd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizerTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer}.
+ */
+final class ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizerTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('valueObject', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['valueObject'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->valueObject = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_valueObject = $this->n1->normalize($object->valueObject, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'valueObject' => $v_valueObject,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_valueObject = $this->n1->normalize($object->valueObject, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'valueObject' => $v_valueObject,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('profileId', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['profileId'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('valueObject', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['valueObject'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->valueObject = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_valueObject = $this->n1->normalize($object->valueObject, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+                    'valueObject' => $v_valueObject,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_valueObject = $this->n1->normalize($object->valueObject, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWithInlineNormalizer::class, 'valueObject', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'profileId' => $v_profileId,
+            'valueObject' => $v_valueObject,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('valueObject');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWrapperTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWrapperTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4a7c45e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/ProfileCreatedWrapperTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper}.
+ */
+final class ProfileCreatedWrapperTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public bool $ih0 = false;
+    public bool $ie0 = false;
+    public GeneratedTransformer $x0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('event', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['event'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileCreated = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        $inline = ($context[Hydrator::HYDRATOR] ?? null) === $this->owner;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->profileCreated;
+                    $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'event' => $v_profileCreated,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->profileCreated;
+            $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'event' => $v_profileCreated,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('event', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $data['event'];
+
+                if ($this->ih0 && $inline && \is_array($value)) {
+                    $value = $this->x0->hydrateNested($value, $context);
+                } else {
+                    $value = $this->n0->denormalize($value, $context);
+                }
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileCreated = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        $inline = true;
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $value = $object->profileCreated;
+                    $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'event' => $v_profileCreated,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $value = $object->profileCreated;
+            $v_profileCreated = $this->ie0 && $inline && $value instanceof \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated ? $this->x0->extractNested($value, $context) : $this->n0->normalize($value, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreatedWrapper::class, 'profileCreated', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'event' => $v_profileCreated,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileCreated');
+        $h0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, Direction::Hydrate);
+        $e0 = $this->nested($this->n0, \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated::class, Direction::Extract);
+        $this->ih0 = $h0 !== null;
+        $this->ie0 = $e0 !== null;
+        if ($this->ih0 || $this->ie0) { $this->x0 = $h0 ?? $e0; }
+        if (isset($this->x0)) { $this->x0->init(); }
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return ($this->ie0 ? $this->x0->recursive() : self::mayRecurse($this->n0));
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/SensitiveDataProfileCreatedTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/SensitiveDataProfileCreatedTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8d547a87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/SensitiveDataProfileCreatedTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated}.
+ */
+final class SensitiveDataProfileCreatedTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+    public Normalizer $n1;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('id', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['id'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'id' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'id' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('id', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['id'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->profileId = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n1->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'id' => $v_profileId,
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_profileId = $this->n0->normalize($object->profileId, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'profileId', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n1->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Cryptography\Fixture\SensitiveDataProfileCreated::class, 'email', $this->n1::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'id' => $v_profileId,
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('profileId');
+        $this->n1 = $this->normalizer('email');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0)
+            || self::mayRecurse($this->n1);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/WrongNormalizerTransformer.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/WrongNormalizerTransformer.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d31e410a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/Snapshot/WrongNormalizerTransformer.php
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * Generated by patchlevel/hydrator (version 10). Do not edit.
+ *
+ * strict_types is intentionally not declared: property assignments must use the coercive
+ * typing mode, exactly like ReflectionProperty::setValue() which the ReflectionTransformer uses.
+ */
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Snapshot;
+
+use Closure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\CircularReference;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\DenormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\NormalizationFailure;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\Normalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Normalizer\ObjectNormalizer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
+use ReflectionParameter;
+use Throwable;
+use TypeError;
+
+/**
+ * @internal
+ *
+ * Generated transformer of {@see \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer}.
+ */
+final class WrongNormalizerTransformer extends GeneratedTransformer
+{
+    public Normalizer $n0;
+
+    public function hydrate(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if (isset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE])) {
+            $object = $context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE];
+            unset($context[Hydrator::OBJECT_TO_POPULATE]);
+        } else {
+            $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+        }
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extract(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if (!$this->ready) {
+            $this->init();
+        }
+
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n0->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n0->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function hydrateNested(array $data, array $context): object
+    {
+        $object = $this->reflection->newInstanceWithoutConstructor();
+
+        if (\array_key_exists('email', $data)) {
+            try {
+                $value = $this->n0->denormalize($data['email'], $context);
+            } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                throw new DenormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                $object->email = $value;
+            } catch (TypeError $e) {
+                throw new TypeMismatch(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $object;
+    }
+
+    public function extractNested(object $object, array $context): array
+    {
+        if ($this->tracked) {
+            $id = \spl_object_id($object);
+
+            if (isset($this->callStack->objects[$id])) {
+                $references = \array_values($this->callStack->objects);
+                $references[] = $object::class;
+
+                throw new CircularReference($references);
+            }
+
+            $this->callStack->objects[$id] = \Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class;
+
+            try {
+                try {
+                    $v_email = $this->n0->normalize($object->email, $context);
+                } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+                    throw $e;
+                } catch (Throwable $e) {
+                    throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+                }
+
+                return [
+                    'email' => $v_email,
+                ];
+            } finally {
+                unset($this->callStack->objects[$id]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $v_email = $this->n0->normalize($object->email, $context);
+        } catch (CircularReference $e) {
+            throw $e;
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            throw new NormalizationFailure(\Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer::class, 'email', $this->n0::class, $e);
+        }
+
+        return [
+            'email' => $v_email,
+        ];
+    }
+
+    protected function initialize(): void
+    {
+        $this->n0 = $this->normalizer('email');
+    }
+
+    protected function mayReachItself(): bool
+    {
+        return self::mayRecurse($this->n0);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/TransformerGeneratorTest.php b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/TransformerGeneratorTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5447b586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Extension/Generated/TransformerGeneratorTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Extension\Generated;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassFingerprint;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassNotGeneratable;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassPlan;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ClassPlanner;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\CodeEmitter;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedCode;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\GeneratedTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\Literal;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\NestedPlan;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\PropertyPlan;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\Templates;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\TransformerGenerator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Extension\Generated\ValueKind;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Hydrator;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\AttributeMetadataFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\FingerprintChangedDefaultDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\FingerprintDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\LifecycleFixture;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\MultilineDefaultDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\NestedLifecycleDto;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileCreated;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ProfileId;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\CallStack;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\DataProvider;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\RequiresPhp;
+use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
+use RuntimeException;
+
+use function assert;
+use function file_put_contents;
+use function getenv;
+use function is_a;
+use function sys_get_temp_dir;
+use function tempnam;
+use function unlink;
+
+#[CoversClass(TransformerGenerator::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedCode::class)]
+#[CoversClass(GeneratedTransformer::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ClassPlanner::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ClassFingerprint::class)]
+#[CoversClass(Literal::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ClassPlan::class)]
+#[CoversClass(PropertyPlan::class)]
+#[CoversClass(NestedPlan::class)]
+#[CoversClass(ValueKind::class)]
+#[CoversClass(CodeEmitter::class)]
+#[CoversClass(Templates::class)]
+final class TransformerGeneratorTest extends TestCase
+{
+    private static int $counter = 0;
+
+    public function testGenerateIsDeterministic(): void
+    {
+        $metadata = (new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(ProfileCreated::class);
+
+        $first = (new TransformerGenerator())->generate($metadata, 'Foo\\Bar');
+        $second = (new TransformerGenerator())->generate($metadata, 'Foo\\Bar');
+
+        self::assertSame($first->code, $second->code);
+        self::assertStringContainsString('namespace Foo;', $first->code);
+        self::assertStringContainsString('final class Bar extends GeneratedTransformer', $first->code);
+        self::assertStringNotContainsString('strict_types=1', $first->code);
+    }
+
+    public function testNestedClasses(): void
+    {
+        $code = (new TransformerGenerator())->generate(
+            (new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(NestedLifecycleDto::class),
+            'Foo\\Bar',
+        );
+
+        self::assertSame([LifecycleFixture::class], $code->nested);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * The snapshots make every change of the generated code visible in the diff of a pull request.
+     * Run "make snapshot" after an intended change of the generator.
+     */
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.5')]
+    public function testGeneratedCodeMatchesSnapshot(): void
+    {
+        $metadataFactory = new AttributeMetadataFactory();
+
+        foreach (GeneratedStackHydratorTest::CLASSES as $class) {
+            $metadata = $metadataFactory->metadata($class);
+            $className = $metadata->reflection->getShortName() . 'Transformer';
+            $file = __DIR__ . '/Snapshot/' . $className . '.php';
+
+            $code = (new TransformerGenerator())->generate($metadata, 'Patchlevel\\Hydrator\\Tests\\Snapshot\\' . $className)->code;
+
+            if (getenv('UPDATE_SNAPSHOTS') === '1') {
+                file_put_contents($file, $code);
+            }
+
+            self::assertStringEqualsFile($file, $code, 'The generated code changed, run "make snapshot" if the change is intended.');
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function testDefaultsWithControlCharactersAreInlinedUnchanged(): void
+    {
+        $transformer = $this->load((new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(MultilineDefaultDto::class));
+
+        $object = $transformer->hydrate([], []);
+
+        self::assertInstanceOf(MultilineDefaultDto::class, $object);
+        self::assertSame("foo bar\nbaz", $object->name);
+        self::assertSame("first\nsecond", $object->text);
+        self::assertSame(["a\tb" => "c\nd \$e \"f\""], $object->lines);
+    }
+
+    public function testFailedInitializationIsRetried(): void
+    {
+        $resolver = $this->createMock(TransformerResolver::class);
+        $resolver
+            ->expects($this->exactly(2))
+            ->method('hydrator')
+            ->willReturnOnConsecutiveCalls(
+                self::throwException(new RuntimeException('not ready')),
+                $this->createStub(Hydrator::class),
+            );
+
+        $metadata = (new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(ProfileCreated::class);
+        $transformer = $this->load($metadata, $resolver);
+        $data = ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'];
+
+        try {
+            $transformer->hydrate($data, []);
+            self::fail('the first call must fail');
+        } catch (RuntimeException) {
+        }
+
+        // the failed initialization must not leave the transformer half initialized
+        $object = $transformer->hydrate($data, []);
+
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ProfileCreated::class, $object);
+        self::assertSame('info@patchlevel.de', $object->email->toString());
+    }
+
+    /** @param class-string $changed a class with the same properties as FingerprintDto but one changed detail */
+    #[DataProvider('changedClasses')]
+    public function testChangedClassChangesTheFingerprint(string $changed): void
+    {
+        $metadataFactory = new AttributeMetadataFactory();
+
+        self::assertNotSame(
+            ClassFingerprint::of($metadataFactory->metadata(FingerprintDto::class)),
+            ClassFingerprint::of($metadataFactory->metadata($changed)),
+        );
+    }
+
+    /** @return iterable<string, array{class-string}> */
+    public static function changedClasses(): iterable
+    {
+        yield 'changed default' => [FingerprintChangedDefaultDto::class];
+        yield 'changed visibility' => [FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto::class];
+    }
+
+    public function testClassNormalizerIsNotGeneratable(): void
+    {
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotGeneratable::class);
+
+        (new TransformerGenerator())->generate(
+            (new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(ProfileId::class),
+            'Foo\\Bar',
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function testAnonymousClassIsNotGeneratable(): void
+    {
+        $object = new class {
+            public string $name = 'foo';
+        };
+
+        $this->expectException(ClassNotGeneratable::class);
+
+        (new TransformerGenerator())->generate((new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata($object::class), 'Foo\\Bar');
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    private function load(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver|null $resolver = null): GeneratedTransformer
+    {
+        $fqcn = 'Patchlevel\\Hydrator\\Tests\\Generated\\Transformer' . self::$counter++;
+        $code = (new TransformerGenerator())->generate($metadata, $fqcn)->code;
+
+        $file = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(), 'transformer');
+        assert($file !== false);
+        file_put_contents($file, $code);
+
+        require $file;
+        unlink($file);
+
+        assert(is_a($fqcn, GeneratedTransformer::class, true));
+
+        if ($resolver === null) {
+            $resolver = $this->createStub(TransformerResolver::class);
+            $resolver->method('hydrator')->willReturn($this->createStub(Hydrator::class));
+        }
+
+        return new $fqcn($metadata, $resolver, new CallStack());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4d072150
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+final class AsymmetricVisibilityDto extends AsymmetricVisibilityParentDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        public private(set) string $name,
+        public protected(set) int $age,
+        string $note,
+    ) {
+        parent::__construct($note);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityParentDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityParentDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..10cff300
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/AsymmetricVisibilityParentDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+abstract class AsymmetricVisibilityParentDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        public private(set) string $note,
+    ) {
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/CountingMiddleware.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/CountingMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0afb317f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/CountingMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Next;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\Skip;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Middleware\SkippableMiddleware;
+
+final class CountingMiddleware implements SkippableMiddleware
+{
+    /** @param array<class-string, Skip> $skip */
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly array $skip = [],
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    /** @var array<class-string, int> */
+    public array $hydrated = [];
+
+    /** @var array<class-string, int> */
+    public array $extracted = [];
+
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T>     $metadata
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $data
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     *
+     * @return T
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function hydrate(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $data, array $context, Next $next): object
+    {
+        $this->hydrated[$metadata->className] = ($this->hydrated[$metadata->className] ?? 0) + 1;
+
+        return $next->hydrate($metadata, $data, $context);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T>     $metadata
+     * @param T                    $object
+     * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+     *
+     * @return array<string, mixed>
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function extract(ClassMetadata $metadata, object $object, array $context, Next $next): array
+    {
+        $this->extracted[$metadata->className] = ($this->extracted[$metadata->className] ?? 0) + 1;
+
+        return $next->extract($metadata, $object, $context);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @param ClassMetadata<T> $metadata
+     *
+     * @template T of object
+     */
+    public function skip(ClassMetadata $metadata): Skip
+    {
+        return $this->skip[$metadata->className] ?? Skip::None;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedDefaultDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedDefaultDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f05ab67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedDefaultDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+/** Same shape as the other Fingerprint* fixtures, used to simulate a class changing after code generation. */
+final class FingerprintChangedDefaultDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        public string $name,
+        public string $text = 'b',
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function text(): string
+    {
+        return $this->text;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0d78638a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+/** Same shape as the other Fingerprint* fixtures, used to simulate a class changing after code generation. */
+final class FingerprintChangedVisibilityDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        public string $name,
+        private string $text = 'a',
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function text(): string
+    {
+        return $this->text;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5410b336
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/FingerprintDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+/** Same shape as the other Fingerprint* fixtures, used to simulate a class changing after code generation. */
+final class FingerprintDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        public string $name,
+        public string $text = 'a',
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function text(): string
+    {
+        return $this->text;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/MultilineDefaultDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/MultilineDefaultDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3df847f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/MultilineDefaultDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+final class MultilineDefaultDto
+{
+    /** @param array<string, string> $lines */
+    public function __construct(
+        // phpcs:disable Squiz.Functions.MultiLineFunctionDeclaration.Indent -- the sniff does not understand the nowdoc body
+        public string $name = <<<'TEXT'
+            foo bar
+            baz
+            TEXT,
+        // phpcs:enable
+        public string $text = "first\nsecond",
+        public array $lines = ["a\tb" => "c\nd \$e \"f\""],
+    ) {
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/NestedLifecycleDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/NestedLifecycleDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..994f5d5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/NestedLifecycleDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+final class NestedLifecycleDto
+{
+    /** @param list<LifecycleFixture> $items */
+    public function __construct(
+        public LifecycleFixture $child,
+        public array $items = [],
+    ) {
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateChildDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateChildDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6e3cd349
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateChildDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+final class PrivateChildDto extends PrivateParentDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        #[IdNormalizer]
+        public readonly ProfileId $profileId,
+        Email $email,
+        string $note,
+        private string $name,
+    ) {
+        parent::__construct($email, $note);
+    }
+
+    public function name(): string
+    {
+        return $this->name;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateParentDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateParentDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fa2e6d3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivateParentDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+abstract class PrivateParentDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        #[EmailNormalizer]
+        private readonly Email $email,
+        private string $note,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function email(): Email
+    {
+        return $this->email;
+    }
+
+    public function note(): string
+    {
+        return $this->note;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivatePropertiesDto.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivatePropertiesDto.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8f0a735b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/PrivatePropertiesDto.php
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture;
+
+final class PrivatePropertiesDto
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        #[IdNormalizer]
+        private readonly ProfileId $profileId,
+        private string $name,
+        protected int $age = 42,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function profileId(): ProfileId
+    {
+        return $this->profileId;
+    }
+
+    public function name(): string
+    {
+        return $this->name;
+    }
+
+    public function age(): int
+    {
+        return $this->age;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Fixture/UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory.php b/tests/Unit/Fixture/UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory.php
index 37825b7e..522435b8 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Fixture/UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Fixture/UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory.php
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Metadata\ClassMetadata;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
 
 use function assert;
 use function is_string;
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ final class UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory implements ClassTransformerFactory
 {
     public int $created = 0;
 
-    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata): ClassTransformer|null
+    public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
     {
         if ($metadata->className !== Skill::class) {
             return null;
diff --git a/tests/Unit/StackHydratorTest.php b/tests/Unit/StackHydratorTest.php
index 74903b16..01f73ca6 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/StackHydratorTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/StackHydratorTest.php
@@ -46,8 +46,12 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\ValueObject;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\WrongNormalizer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ChainTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformer;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ClassTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\Direction;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\TypeMismatch;
 use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
 use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\RequiresPhp;
@@ -855,6 +859,115 @@ public function testAllMiddlewaresSkipped(): void
         self::assertSame(['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de'], $hydrator->extract($event));
     }
 
+    public function testTransformerResolver(): void
+    {
+        $factory = new class implements ClassTransformerFactory {
+            public TransformerResolver|null $resolver = null;
+
+            public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
+            {
+                $this->resolver = $resolver;
+
+                return null;
+            }
+        };
+
+        $middleware = new class implements SkippableMiddleware {
+            /**
+             * @param ClassMetadata<T>     $metadata
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $data
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+             *
+             * @return T
+             *
+             * @template T of object
+             */
+            public function hydrate(ClassMetadata $metadata, array $data, array $context, Next $next): object
+            {
+                return $next->hydrate($metadata, $data, $context);
+            }
+
+            /**
+             * @param ClassMetadata<T>     $metadata
+             * @param T                    $object
+             * @param array<string, mixed> $context
+             *
+             * @return array<string, mixed>
+             *
+             * @template T of object
+             */
+            public function extract(ClassMetadata $metadata, object $object, array $context, Next $next): array
+            {
+                return $next->extract($metadata, $object, $context);
+            }
+
+            public function skip(ClassMetadata $metadata): Skip
+            {
+                return $metadata->className === Skill::class ? Skip::Extract : Skip::Both;
+            }
+        };
+
+        $hydrator = new StackHydrator(
+            middlewares: [$middleware],
+            transformerFactory: new ChainTransformerFactory([$factory, new ReflectionTransformerFactory()]),
+        );
+
+        $hydrator->hydrate(ProfileCreated::class, ['profileId' => '1', 'email' => 'info@patchlevel.de']);
+
+        $resolver = $factory->resolver;
+        self::assertInstanceOf(TransformerResolver::class, $resolver);
+        self::assertSame($hydrator, $resolver->hydrator());
+        self::assertSame($hydrator->metadata(ProfileCreated::class), $resolver->metadata(ProfileCreated::class));
+
+        // no middleware runs for the class
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ReflectionTransformer::class, $resolver->direct(ProfileCreated::class, Direction::Hydrate));
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ReflectionTransformer::class, $resolver->direct(ProfileCreated::class, Direction::Extract));
+
+        // the middleware only runs while hydrating
+        self::assertNull($resolver->direct(Skill::class, Direction::Hydrate));
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ReflectionTransformer::class, $resolver->direct(Skill::class, Direction::Extract));
+
+        // the class normalizer is called instead of a transformer
+        self::assertNull($resolver->direct(ProfileId::class, Direction::Hydrate));
+        self::assertNull($resolver->direct(ProfileId::class, Direction::Extract));
+    }
+
+    #[RequiresPhp('>=8.4')]
+    public function testTransformerResolverWithLazyClass(): void
+    {
+        $factory = new class implements ClassTransformerFactory {
+            public TransformerResolver|null $resolver = null;
+
+            public function create(ClassMetadata $metadata, TransformerResolver $resolver): ClassTransformer|null
+            {
+                $this->resolver = $resolver;
+
+                return null;
+            }
+        };
+
+        $hydrator = new StackHydrator(
+            transformerFactory: new ChainTransformerFactory([$factory, new ReflectionTransformerFactory()]),
+        );
+        $hydrator->extract(new Skill('php'));
+
+        $resolver = $factory->resolver;
+        self::assertInstanceOf(TransformerResolver::class, $resolver);
+
+        // lazy objects are only created while hydrating
+        self::assertNull($resolver->direct(LazyProfileCreated::class, Direction::Hydrate));
+        self::assertInstanceOf(ReflectionTransformer::class, $resolver->direct(LazyProfileCreated::class, Direction::Extract));
+    }
+
+    public function testEmptyContextGetsTheHydrator(): void
+    {
+        $hydrator = new StackHydrator();
+
+        // the same context is reused for calls without context, it must not leak values between calls
+        self::assertSame(['value' => 'ctx-value'], $hydrator->extract(new ContextAwareDto('value'), ['prefix' => 'ctx-']));
+        self::assertSame(['value' => 'value'], $hydrator->extract(new ContextAwareDto('value')));
+    }
+
     public function testTransformerFactory(): void
     {
         $factory = new UpperCaseSkillTransformerFactory();
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerTest.php b/tests/Unit/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerTest.php
index 80fd77f1..d0b44e96 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Transformer/ReflectionTransformerTest.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Tests\Unit\Fixture\Skill;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformer;
 use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\ReflectionTransformerFactory;
+use Patchlevel\Hydrator\Transformer\TransformerResolver;
 use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
 use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
 
@@ -40,7 +41,10 @@ public function testHydrateObjectToPopulate(): void
     public function testFactoryCreatesReflectionTransformer(): void
     {
         $factory = new ReflectionTransformerFactory();
-        $transformer = $factory->create((new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(Skill::class));
+        $transformer = $factory->create(
+            (new AttributeMetadataFactory())->metadata(Skill::class),
+            $this->createStub(TransformerResolver::class),
+        );
 
         self::assertEquals(new Skill('php'), $transformer->hydrate(['name' => 'php'], []));
     }