diff --git a/src/ast/mod.rs b/src/ast/mod.rs
index 2614aad..bb57460 100644
--- a/src/ast/mod.rs
+++ b/src/ast/mod.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ use crate::lex::Lexer;
 
 use std::fs;
 use std::io;
+use crate::ast::tree::Operator;
 
+#[derive(PartialEq)]
 enum Scope {
     File,
     Target,
@@ -41,40 +43,48 @@ impl Parser {
         let mut nodes = Vec::new();
         self.scope.push(Scope::File);
 
-        while let Some(result) = self.lexer.next() {
-            let token = result?;
-            let node = match token.kind {
-                token::Kind::TargetKeyword => self.parse_target(),
-                token::Kind::SetKeyword => self.parse_set_expr(),
-                _ => self.syntax_error(format!("Unexpected token {}", token.kind), &token),
-            }?;
-            nodes.push(node);
+        while self.lexer.peek().is_some() {
+            nodes.push(self.parse_stmt()?);
         }
 
+        self.scope.pop();
         Ok(tree::Node::File {
             name: self.filename.clone(),
             content: nodes,
         })
     }
 
-    fn parse_target(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+    fn parse_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        let token = self.lexer.peek_or_err()?;
+        match token.kind {
+            token::Kind::DependKeyword => self.parse_depend_stmt(),
+            token::Kind::SetKeyword => self.parse_set_stmt(),
+            token::Kind::SourceKeyword => self.parse_source_stmt(),
+            token::Kind::TargetKeyword => self.parse_target_stmt(),
+            token::Kind::TypeKeyword => self.parse_type_stmt(),
+            token::Kind::Ident => self.parse_expr_stmt(),
+            _ => self.syntax_error(format!("Unexpected token {}", token), &token),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn parse_target_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::File)?;
+        self.assert_scope_not(Scope::Target)?;
         self.scope.push(Scope::Target);
+
+        self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::TargetKeyword)?;
         let name_token = self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::Ident)?;
         self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::OBrace)?;
 
         let mut children = Vec::new();
 
-        while let Some(result) = self.lexer.next() {
-            let token = result?;
-            match token.kind {
-                token::Kind::DependKeyword => children.push(self.parse_depend_expr()?),
-                token::Kind::TypeKeyword => children.push(self.parse_type_expr()?),
-                token::Kind::SourceKeyword => children.push(self.parse_source_expr()?),
-                token::Kind::SetKeyword => children.push(self.parse_set_expr()?),
-                token::Kind::CBrace => break,
-                _ => {
-                    return self.syntax_error(format!("Unexpected token \"{}\"", token.raw), &token)
+        while let Some(result) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            match result?.kind {
+                token::Kind::CBrace => {
+                    self.lexer.next();
+                    break;
                 }
+                _ => children.push(self.parse_stmt()?),
             }
         }
 
@@ -85,32 +95,205 @@ impl Parser {
         })
     }
 
-    fn parse_depend_expr(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+    fn parse_depend_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::Target)?;
         self.scope.push(Scope::DepList);
-        let rvalue = self.parse_rvalue(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
+        self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::DependKeyword)?;
+        let rvalue = self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
         self.scope.pop();
         Ok(tree::Node::DepList(Box::new(rvalue)))
     }
 
-    fn parse_set_expr(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
-        let lvalue = self.parse_lvalue(&[token::Kind::Eq])?;
-        let rvalue = self.parse_rvalue(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
-        Ok(tree::Node::SetExpr {
-            name: Box::new(lvalue),
-            val: Box::new(rvalue),
-        })
+    fn parse_set_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::File)?;
+        self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::SetKeyword)?;
+        let expr = self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
+        match expr {
+            tree::Node::BinaryExpr { op, lhs, rhs } => {
+                if op == Operator::Eq {
+                    Ok(tree::Node::SetExpr {
+                        name: lhs,
+                        val: rhs,
+                    })
+                } else {
+                    self.syntax_error(format!("Invalid operator"), self.lexer.current().unwrap())
+                }
+            }
+            _ => self.syntax_error(format!("Expected an assignment"), self.lexer.current().unwrap())
+        }
     }
 
-    fn parse_type_expr(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
-        let rvalue = self.parse_rvalue(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
-        Ok(tree::Node::TypeExpr(Box::new(rvalue)))
+    fn parse_type_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::Target)?;
+        self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::TypeKeyword)?;
+        let expr = self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
+        Ok(tree::Node::TypeExpr(Box::new(expr)))
     }
 
-    fn parse_source_expr(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+    fn parse_source_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::Target)?;
+        self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::SourceKeyword)?;
         self.scope.push(Scope::SourceList);
-        let rvalue = self.parse_rvalue(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
+        let source = self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Semi])?;
         self.scope.pop();
-        Ok(tree::Node::SourceList(Box::new(rvalue)))
+        Ok(tree::Node::SourceList(Box::new(source)))
+    }
+
+    fn parse_expr_stmt(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Semi])
+    }
+
+    fn parse_expr(&mut self, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        self.assert_scope(Scope::File)?;
+        let expr = if let Some(result) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            let token = result?;
+            if !token.kind.is_start_of_expr() {
+                self.syntax_error(String::from("Expected an expression"), &token)
+            } else {
+                self.parse_assignment_expr_or_higher(terminators)
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.syntax_error(
+                String::from("Unexpected EOF"),
+                &self.lexer.current().unwrap(),
+            )
+        };
+        expr
+    }
+
+    fn parse_assignment_expr_or_higher(&mut self, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        let lhs = self.parse_primary_expr()?;
+        if let Some(Ok(token)) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            if token.kind.is_assignment_op() {
+                let op_token = self.lexer.require_next()?;
+                let op = Operator::from_token(&op_token)?;
+                let rhs = self.parse_binary_expr_or_higher(terminators)?;
+                return Ok(tree::Node::BinaryExpr {
+                    op,
+                    lhs: Box::new(lhs),
+                    rhs: Box::new(rhs),
+                });
+            } else {
+                self.lexer.expect_kinds(terminators)?;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(lhs)
+    }
+
+    /// Binary expressions are generally left associative.
+    /// However, things get a little more tricky when taking the fact that there
+    /// are 9 different levels of precedence into account.
+    fn parse_binary_expr_or_higher(&mut self, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        let mut expr = self.parse_unary_expr_or_higher()?;
+
+        while let Some(Ok(token)) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            if terminators.contains(&token.kind) {
+                self.lexer.next();
+                break;
+            }
+
+            let op = Operator::from_token(&token)?;
+            self.lexer.next();
+            let precedence = token.kind.binary_op_precedence().unwrap();
+            expr = tree::Node::BinaryExpr {
+                op,
+                lhs: Box::new(expr),
+                rhs: Box::new(self.parse_partial_binary_expr(precedence, terminators)?),
+            };
+        }
+
+        Ok(expr)
+    }
+
+    fn parse_partial_binary_expr(&mut self, precedence: u32, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        let mut lhs = self.parse_unary_expr_or_higher()?;
+
+        while let Some(Ok(token)) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            if let Some(new_precedence) = token.kind.binary_op_precedence() {
+                if new_precedence > precedence {
+                    let op = Operator::from_token(&token)?;
+                    self.lexer.next();
+                    lhs = tree::Node::BinaryExpr {
+                        op,
+                        lhs: Box::new(lhs),
+                        rhs: Box::new(self.parse_partial_binary_expr(new_precedence, terminators)?),
+                    };
+                } else {
+                    break;
+                }
+            } else {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        Ok(lhs)
+    }
+
+    fn parse_unary_expr_or_higher(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        if let Some(result) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            let token = result?;
+            if token.kind == token::Kind::Bang || token.kind == token::Kind::Minus {
+                self.lexer.next(); // consume unary operator token
+                let op = Operator::from_token(&token)?;
+                let expr = self.parse_primary_expr()?;
+                return Ok(tree::Node::UnaryExpr {
+                    op,
+                    node: Box::new(expr),
+                });
+            }
+        }
+        self.parse_primary_expr()
+    }
+
+    fn parse_primary_expr(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        let token = self.lexer.require_next()?;
+        match token.kind {
+            token::Kind::Ident => {
+                let ident = tree::Node::Ident(String::from(token.raw));
+                self.parse_primary_expr_rest(ident)
+            }
+            token::Kind::IntLiteral => {
+                let raw = token.raw;
+                let num = match raw.chars().nth(1) {
+                    Some('x') => i128::from_str_radix(&raw[2..], 16).unwrap(),
+                    Some('o') => i128::from_str_radix(&raw[2..], 8).unwrap(),
+                    Some('b') => i128::from_str_radix(&raw[2..], 2).unwrap(),
+                    _ => raw.parse().unwrap(),
+                };
+                Ok(tree::Node::Int(num))
+            }
+            token::Kind::StringLiteral => Ok(tree::Node::String(token.raw)),
+            token::Kind::OBracket => self.parse_array(),
+            _ => self.syntax_error(format!("Unexpected token {}", token.kind), &token),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn parse_primary_expr_rest(&mut self, start: tree::Node) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
+        if let Some(Ok(token)) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            match token.kind {
+                token::Kind::OParen => {
+                    // function call
+                    self.lexer.next();
+                    let params = self.parse_param_list()?;
+                    Ok(tree::Node::CallExpr {
+                        func: Box::new(start),
+                        params,
+                    })
+                }
+                token::Kind::OBracket => {
+                    // array index
+                    self.lexer.next();
+                    let index = self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::CBracket])?;
+                    Ok(tree::Node::ArrayExpr {
+                        array: Box::new(start),
+                        index: Box::new(index),
+                    })
+                }
+                _ => Ok(start),
+            }
+        } else {
+            Ok(start)
+        }
     }
 
     fn parse_array(&mut self) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
@@ -120,31 +303,53 @@ impl Parser {
                 self.lexer.next();
                 break;
             } else {
-                elements.push(self.parse_rvalue(&[token::Kind::Comma, token::Kind::CBracket])?);
+                elements.push(self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Comma, token::Kind::CBracket])?);
             }
         }
         Ok(tree::Node::Array(elements))
     }
 
-    fn parse_lvalue(&mut self, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
-        // this will be expanded when we have array accesses and similar stuff
-        let ident_token = self.lexer.expect_kind(token::Kind::Ident)?;
-        self.lexer.expect_kinds(terminators)?;
-        Ok(tree::Node::Ident(ident_token.raw))
+    fn parse_param_list(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<tree::Node>, Error> {
+        let mut params = Vec::new();
+        while let Some(result) = self.lexer.peek() {
+            match result?.kind {
+                token::Kind::CParen => {
+                    self.lexer.next();
+                    break;
+                },
+                _ => {
+                    params.push(self.parse_expr(&[token::Kind::Comma, token::Kind::CParen])?);
+                    if self.lexer.current().unwrap().kind == token::Kind::CParen {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                },
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(params)
+    }
+
+    fn assert_scope(&self, scope: Scope) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if self.scope.contains(&scope) {
+            Ok(())
+        } else {
+            let token = self.lexer.current().unwrap();
+            self.syntax_error(
+                format!("Token {} cannot be used in this context", token),
+                token,
+            )
+        }
     }
 
-    fn parse_rvalue(&mut self, terminators: &[token::Kind]) -> Result<tree::Node, Error> {
-        // this will also be expanded to support more complex expressions, naturally
-        let token = self.lexer.require_next()?;
-        let node = match token.kind {
-            token::Kind::Ident => Ok(tree::Node::Ident(token.raw)),
-            token::Kind::IntLiteral => Ok(tree::Node::Int(token.raw.parse().unwrap())),
-            token::Kind::StringLiteral => Ok(tree::Node::String(token.raw)),
-            token::Kind::OBracket => self.parse_array(),
-            k => self.syntax_error(format!("Unexpected {}", k), &token),
-        }?;
-        self.lexer.expect_kinds(terminators)?;
-        Ok(node)
+    fn assert_scope_not(&self, scope: Scope) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if self.scope.contains(&scope) {
+            let token = self.lexer.current().unwrap();
+            self.syntax_error(
+                format!("Token {} cannot be used in this context", token),
+                token,
+            )
+        } else {
+            Ok(())
+        }
     }
 
     fn syntax_error<T>(&self, msg: String, token: &Token) -> Result<T, Error> {
diff --git a/src/ast/tree.rs b/src/ast/tree.rs
index ee4972d..e3ecd49 100644
--- a/src/ast/tree.rs
+++ b/src/ast/tree.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,16 @@ pub enum Node {
     Int(i128),
     String(String),
     Array(Vec<Node>),
+    ArrayExpr {
+        // array access
+        array: Box<Node>,
+        index: Box<Node>,
+    },
+    CallExpr {
+        // function call
+        func: Box<Node>,
+        params: Vec<Node>,
+    },
     UnaryExpr {
         op: Operator,
         node: Box<Node>,
@@ -74,56 +84,6 @@ pub enum Operator {
     CaretEq,
 }
 
-impl Operator {
-    pub const fn precedence(&self) -> u8 {
-        match self {
-            Operator::Eq => 2,
-            Operator::PlusEq => 2,
-            Operator::MinusEq => 2,
-            Operator::AsteriskEq => 2,
-            Operator::AsteriskAsteriskEq => 2,
-            Operator::SlashEq => 2,
-            Operator::PercentEq => 2,
-            Operator::AmpEq => 2,
-            Operator::PipeEq => 2,
-            Operator::CaretEq => 2,
-            Operator::GtGtEq => 2,
-            Operator::LtLtEq => 2,
-
-            Operator::PipePipe => 3,
-
-            Operator::AmpAmp => 4,
-
-            Operator::EqEq => 5,
-            Operator::BangEq => 5,
-            Operator::Lt => 5,
-            Operator::LtEq => 5,
-            Operator::Gt => 5,
-            Operator::GtEq => 5,
-
-            Operator::Pipe => 6,
-
-            Operator::Caret => 7,
-
-            Operator::Amp => 8,
-
-            Operator::GtGt => 9,
-            Operator::LtLt => 9,
-
-            Operator::Plus => 10,
-            Operator::Minus => 10,
-
-            Operator::Asterisk => 11,
-            Operator::Slash => 11,
-            Operator::Percent => 11,
-
-            Operator::AsteriskAsterisk => 12,
-
-            Operator::Bang => 13,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 impl Node {
     pub fn walk(&self, cb: fn(node: &Node, depth: u32)) {
         self.visit(cb, 0);
@@ -140,6 +100,16 @@ impl Node {
                     node.visit(cb, depth);
                 }
             }
+            Node::ArrayExpr { array, index } => {
+                array.visit(cb, depth);
+                index.visit(cb, depth);
+            }
+            Node::CallExpr { func, params } => {
+                func.visit(cb, depth);
+                for p in params {
+                    p.visit(cb, depth);
+                }
+            }
             Node::UnaryExpr { op, node } => node.visit(cb, depth),
             Node::BinaryExpr { op, lhs, rhs } => {
                 lhs.visit(cb, depth);
@@ -182,6 +152,8 @@ impl fmt::Display for Node {
                 Node::DepList(_) => "depend",
                 Node::SourceList(_) => "source",
                 Node::Array(_) => "<array>",
+                Node::ArrayExpr { array, index } => "<array-access>",
+                Node::CallExpr { func, params } => "<call>",
                 Node::UnaryExpr { op, node } => op.raw(),
                 Node::BinaryExpr { op, lhs, rhs } => op.raw(),
                 Node::TypeExpr(_) => "type",
diff --git a/src/error.rs b/src/error.rs
index 3bcace4..f0462e1 100644
--- a/src/error.rs
+++ b/src/error.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{fmt, io};
+use std::fmt;
 
 use crate::ast::tree::Type;
 use crate::lex::token::Position;
diff --git a/src/lex/mod.rs b/src/lex/mod.rs
index 9a44a88..a39991f 100644
--- a/src/lex/mod.rs
+++ b/src/lex/mod.rs
@@ -146,6 +146,12 @@ impl Lexer {
         Some(t)
     }
 
+    pub fn peek_or_err(&mut self) -> Result<Token, Error> {
+        let token = self.require_next()?;
+        self.prev();
+        Ok(token)
+    }
+
     pub fn prev(&mut self) -> Option<&Token> {
         if self.offset < self.history.len() - 1 {
             self.offset += 1;
diff --git a/src/lex/token.rs b/src/lex/token.rs
index ad9af33..82b63fe 100644
--- a/src/lex/token.rs
+++ b/src/lex/token.rs
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ impl Kind {
             Kind::Slash => Some(11),
             Kind::Percent => Some(11),
             Kind::AsteriskAsterisk => Some(12),
-            _ => None
+            _ => None,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/test.gaybuild b/test.gaybuild
index 3cb7f0b..ade8328 100644
--- a/test.gaybuild
+++ b/test.gaybuild
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ set BUILD_PREFIX = "build";
 # a target is a single component.
 # targets can depend on other targets.
 target kern {
+
+    owo = 1 + 2 * 3 * 4 - 5;
+
     # the type keyword defines whether the target is supposed to be
     # compiled into an executable binary (exe) or a library (lib).
     type exe;
@@ -23,6 +26,7 @@ target kern {
 }
 
 target libk {
+    print("hello, world");
     type lib;
     depend arch;
     source "libk/lib.rs";