diff --git a/RcppTskit/R/Class-TableCollection.R b/RcppTskit/R/Class-TableCollection.R
index 80dd49e..ed896b1 100644
--- a/RcppTskit/R/Class-TableCollection.R
+++ b/RcppTskit/R/Class-TableCollection.R
@@ -205,10 +205,10 @@ TableCollection <- R6Class(
     #' @description Add a row to the nodes table.
     #' @param flags integer flags for the new node.
     #' @param time numeric time value for the new node.
-    #' @param population integer population row ID (0-based, or \code{-1});
-    #'   \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.
-    #' @param individual integer individual row ID (0-based, or \code{-1});
-    #'   \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.
+    #' @param population integer population row ID (0-based);
+    #'   use \code{-1} if not known - \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.
+    #' @param individual integer individual row ID (0-based);
+    #'   use \code{-1} if not known - \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.
     #' @param metadata for the new node; accepts \code{NULL},
     #'   a raw vector, or a character of length 1.
     #' @details See the \code{tskit Python} equivalent at
@@ -285,17 +285,16 @@ TableCollection <- R6Class(
     #' @examples
     #' ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
     #' tc <- tc_load(ts_file)
-    #' parent <- 0L
-    #' child <- 1L
+    #' child <- tc$node_table_add_row(time = 0.0)
     #' n_before <- tc$num_edges()
     #' new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-    #'   left = 0, right = 1, parent = parent, child = child
+    #'   left = 0, right = 50, parent = 16L, child = child
     #' )
     #' new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-    #'   left = 1, right = 2, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = "abc"
+    #'   left = 50, right = 75, parent = 17L, child = child, metadata = "abc"
     #' )
     #' new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-    #'   left = 2, right = 3, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
+    #'   left = 75, right = 100, parent = 18L, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
     #' )
     #' n_after <- tc$num_edges()
     edge_table_add_row = function(
diff --git a/RcppTskit/man/TableCollection.Rd b/RcppTskit/man/TableCollection.Rd
index 513f731..8f54de0 100644
--- a/RcppTskit/man/TableCollection.Rd
+++ b/RcppTskit/man/TableCollection.Rd
@@ -125,17 +125,16 @@ tc$num_edges()
 
 ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
 tc <- tc_load(ts_file)
-parent <- 0L
-child <- 1L
+child <- tc$node_table_add_row(time = 0.0)
 n_before <- tc$num_edges()
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 0, right = 1, parent = parent, child = child
+  left = 0, right = 50, parent = 16L, child = child
 )
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 1, right = 2, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = "abc"
+  left = 50, right = 75, parent = 17L, child = child, metadata = "abc"
 )
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 2, right = 3, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
+  left = 75, right = 100, parent = 18L, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
 )
 n_after <- tc$num_edges()
 
@@ -619,11 +618,11 @@ Add a row to the nodes table.
 
 \item{\code{time}}{numeric time value for the new node.}
 
-\item{\code{population}}{integer population row ID (0-based, or \code{-1});
-\code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.}
+\item{\code{population}}{integer population row ID (0-based);
+use \code{-1} if not known - \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.}
 
-\item{\code{individual}}{integer individual row ID (0-based, or \code{-1});
-\code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.}
+\item{\code{individual}}{integer individual row ID (0-based);
+use \code{-1} if not known - \code{NULL} maps to \code{-1}.}
 
 \item{\code{metadata}}{for the new node; accepts \code{NULL},
 a raw vector, or a character of length 1.}
@@ -723,17 +722,16 @@ Integer row ID (0-based) of the newly added edge.
 \if{html}{\out{<div class="r example copy">}}
 \preformatted{ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
 tc <- tc_load(ts_file)
-parent <- 0L
-child <- 1L
+child <- tc$node_table_add_row(time = 0.0)
 n_before <- tc$num_edges()
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 0, right = 1, parent = parent, child = child
+  left = 0, right = 50, parent = 16L, child = child
 )
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 1, right = 2, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = "abc"
+  left = 50, right = 75, parent = 17L, child = child, metadata = "abc"
 )
 new_id <- tc$edge_table_add_row(
-  left = 2, right = 3, parent = parent, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
+  left = 75, right = 100, parent = 18L, child = child, metadata = charToRaw("cba")
 )
 n_after <- tc$num_edges()
 }
diff --git a/RcppTskit/src/RcppTskit.cpp b/RcppTskit/src/RcppTskit.cpp
index e38e676..aeaaf63 100644
--- a/RcppTskit/src/RcppTskit.cpp
+++ b/RcppTskit/src/RcppTskit.cpp
@@ -1246,18 +1246,20 @@ Rcpp::List rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(const SEXP tc) {
 // @param flags passed to \code{tskit C}.
 // @param location numeric vector with the location of the new individual
 //   (can be \code{NULL}).
-// @param parents integer vector with parent individual IDs
+// @param parents integer vector with parent individual IDs (0-based)
 //   (can be \code{NULL}).
 // @param metadata raw vector with metadata bytes
 //   (can be \code{NULL}).
 // @details This function calls
 //   \url{https://tskit.dev/tskit/docs/stable/c-api.html#c.tsk_individual_table_add_row}
 //   on the individuals table of \code{tc}.
-// @return The 0-based row ID of the newly added individual.
+// @return The row ID (0-based) of the newly added individual.
 // @examples
 // ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
 // tc_xptr <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 // n_before <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_individuals(tc_xptr)
+// m_before
+//   <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals
 // tc_py <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_r_to_py(tc_xptr)
 // tc_py$individuals$max_rows
 // tc_py$individuals["flags"]
@@ -1279,8 +1281,13 @@ Rcpp::List rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(const SEXP tc) {
 // new_id <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_individual_table_add_row(tc = tc_xptr, flags = 3L,
 //   location = c(2, 11), parents = c(1L, 3L), metadata = charToRaw("abc"))
 // n_after <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_individuals(tc_xptr)
-// new_id == as.integer(n_before) && n_after == n_before + 3L
-// tc_py <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_r_to_py(tc_xptr)
+// m_after <-
+//   RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals
+// new_id == n_after - 1L
+// n_after == n_before + 3L
+// m_after == m_before + 3L
+// tc_py <-
+//   RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_r_to_py(tc_xptr)
 // tc_py$individuals$max_rows
 // tc_py$individuals["flags"]
 // tc_py$individuals["location"]
@@ -1340,18 +1347,21 @@ int rtsk_individual_table_add_row(
 //   \code{tsk_table_collection_t} object.
 // @param flags passed to \code{tskit C}.
 // @param time numeric time value for the new node.
-// @param population integer population row ID (0-based, or \code{-1}).
-// @param individual integer individual row ID (0-based, or \code{-1}).
+// @param population integer population row ID (0-based);
+//   use \code{-1} if not known.
+// @param individual integer individual row ID (0-based);
+//   use \code{-1} if not known.
 // @param metadata raw vector with metadata bytes
 //   (can be \code{NULL}).
 // @details This function calls
 //   \url{https://tskit.dev/tskit/docs/stable/c-api.html#c.tsk_node_table_add_row}
 //   on the nodes table of \code{tc}.
-// @return The 0-based row ID of the newly added node.
+// @return The row ID (0-based) of the newly added node.
 // @examples
 // ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
 // tc_xptr <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 // n_before <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_nodes(tc_xptr)
+// m_before <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes
 // tc_py <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_r_to_py(tc_xptr)
 // tc_py$nodes$max_rows
 // tc_py$nodes["flags"]
@@ -1370,7 +1380,10 @@ int rtsk_individual_table_add_row(
 //   metadata = charToRaw("abc")
 // )
 // n_after <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_nodes(tc_xptr)
-// new_id == as.integer(n_before) && n_after == n_before + 3L
+// m_after <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes
+// new_id == n_after - 1L
+// n_after == n_before + 4L
+// m_after == m_before + 3L
 // tc_py <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_r_to_py(tc_xptr)
 // tc_py$nodes$max_rows
 // tc_py$nodes["flags"]
@@ -1428,27 +1441,29 @@ int rtsk_node_table_add_row(
 // @details This function calls
 //   \url{https://tskit.dev/tskit/docs/stable/c-api.html#c.tsk_edge_table_add_row}
 //   on the edges table of \code{tc}.
-// @return The 0-based row ID of the newly added edge.
+// @return The row ID (0-based) of the newly added edge.
 // @examples
 // ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
 // tc_xptr <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
-// parent <- 0L
-// child <- 1L
+// child <- rtsk_node_table_add_row(tc_xptr, time = 0.0)
 // n_before <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_edges(tc_xptr)
-// m_before <-
-// RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]] new_id
-// <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
-//   tc = tc_xptr, left = 0, right = 1, parent = parent, child = child
+// m_before <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges
+// new_id <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
+//   tc = tc_xptr, left = 0, right = 50, parent = 16L, child = child
 // )
 // new_id <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
-//   tc = tc_xptr, left = 1, right = 2, parent = parent, child = child,
-//   metadata = charToRaw("abc")
+//   tc = tc_xptr, left = 50, right = 75, parent = 17L, child = child,
+//   metadata = "abc"
+// )
+// new_id <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
+//   tc = tc_xptr, left = 75, right = 100, parent = 18L, child = child,
+//   metadata = charToRaw("cba")
 // )
 // n_after <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_get_num_edges(tc_xptr)
-// m_after <-
-// RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]] new_id
-// == as.integer(n_before) && n_after == n_before + 2L && m_after == m_before +
-// 3L
+// m_after <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges
+// new_id == n_after - 1L
+// n_after == n_before + 3L
+// m_after == m_before + 3L
 // [[Rcpp::export]]
 int rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
     const SEXP tc, const double left, const double right, const int parent,
diff --git a/RcppTskit/tests/testthat/test_TableCollection.R b/RcppTskit/tests/testthat/test_TableCollection.R
index f31751a..4b5752c 100644
--- a/RcppTskit/tests/testthat/test_TableCollection.R
+++ b/RcppTskit/tests/testthat/test_TableCollection.R
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ test_that("individual_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and han
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 
   n_before <- rtsk_table_collection_get_num_individuals(tc_xptr)
-  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["individuals"]]
+  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals
 
   expect_error(
     rtsk_individual_table_add_row(tc_xptr, flags = -1L),
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ test_that("individual_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and han
     as.integer(n_before) + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["individuals"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals),
     as.integer(m_before) + 3L
   )
 
@@ -317,9 +317,7 @@ test_that("individual_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and han
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 
   n0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_get_num_individuals(tc_xptr))
-  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[[
-    "individuals"
-  ]])
+  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals)
 
   # Defaults map to NULL in the generated R wrapper and should be accepted.
   id0 <- rtsk_individual_table_add_row(tc_xptr)
@@ -329,7 +327,7 @@ test_that("individual_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and han
     n0 + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["individuals"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$individuals),
     m0
   )
 
@@ -375,20 +373,20 @@ test_that("individual_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and han
   )
   expect_equal(as.integer(tc$num_individuals()), n_before_method + 1L)
 
-  m_before_char <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "individuals"
-  ]])
+  m_before_char <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$individuals
+  )
   expect_no_warning(tc$individual_table_add_row(metadata = "abc"))
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["individuals"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$individuals),
     m_before_char + 3L
   )
-  m_before_raw <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "individuals"
-  ]])
+  m_before_raw <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$individuals
+  )
   expect_no_error(tc$individual_table_add_row(metadata = charToRaw("xyz")))
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["individuals"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$individuals),
     m_before_raw + 3L
   )
   expect_error(
@@ -419,7 +417,7 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 
   n_before <- rtsk_table_collection_get_num_nodes(tc_xptr)
-  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["nodes"]]
+  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes
 
   expect_error(
     rtsk_node_table_add_row(tc_xptr, flags = -1L),
@@ -440,7 +438,7 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     as.integer(n_before) + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["nodes"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes),
     as.integer(m_before) + 3L
   )
 
@@ -456,9 +454,9 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
 
   n0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_get_num_nodes(tc_xptr))
-  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["nodes"]])
+  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes)
 
-  # Defaults map to NULL in the generated R wrapper and should be accepted.
+  # Testing defaults
   id0 <- rtsk_node_table_add_row(tc_xptr)
   expect_equal(id0, n0)
   expect_equal(
@@ -466,7 +464,7 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     n0 + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["nodes"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$nodes),
     m0
   )
 
@@ -489,6 +487,13 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     ),
     regexp = "population must not be NA_integer_ in rtsk_node_table_add_row"
   )
+  expect_error(
+    rtsk_node_table_add_row(
+      tc = tc_xptr,
+      flags = 0L,
+      population = NULL
+    )
+  )
   expect_error(
     rtsk_node_table_add_row(
       tc = tc_xptr,
@@ -497,6 +502,13 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     ),
     regexp = "individual must not be NA_integer_ in rtsk_node_table_add_row"
   )
+  expect_error(
+    rtsk_node_table_add_row(
+      tc = tc_xptr,
+      flags = 0L,
+      individual = NULL
+    )
+  )
 
   tc <- TableCollection$new(xptr = tc_xptr)
   n_before_method <- as.integer(tc$num_nodes())
@@ -513,22 +525,23 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
   expect_no_error(tc$node_table_add_row(population = NULL, individual = NULL))
   expect_equal(as.integer(tc$num_nodes()), n_before_method + 2L)
 
-  m_before_char <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "nodes"
-  ]])
+  m_before_char <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$nodes
+  )
   expect_no_warning(tc$node_table_add_row(metadata = "abc"))
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["nodes"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$nodes),
     m_before_char + 3L
   )
-  m_before_raw <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "nodes"
-  ]])
+  m_before_raw <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$nodes
+  )
   expect_no_error(tc$node_table_add_row(metadata = charToRaw("xyz")))
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["nodes"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$nodes),
     m_before_raw + 3L
   )
+
   expect_error(
     tc$node_table_add_row(population = NA_integer_),
     regexp = "population must not be NA_integer_ in rtsk_node_table_add_row"
@@ -558,12 +571,12 @@ test_that("node_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
 test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles inputs", {
   ts_file <- system.file("examples/test.trees", package = "RcppTskit")
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
-  expect_gt(as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_get_num_nodes(tc_xptr)), 1L)
-  parent <- 0L
-  child <- 1L
 
   n_before <- rtsk_table_collection_get_num_edges(tc_xptr)
-  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]]
+  m_before <- rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges
+
+  parent <- 0L
+  child <- 1L
 
   new_id <- rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
     tc = tc_xptr,
@@ -579,7 +592,7 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     as.integer(n_before) + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges),
     as.integer(m_before) + 3L
   )
 
@@ -598,11 +611,9 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
   )
 
   tc_xptr <- rtsk_table_collection_load(ts_file)
-  parent <- 0L
-  child <- 1L
 
   n0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_get_num_edges(tc_xptr))
-  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]])
+  m0 <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges)
 
   # Explicit NULL metadata should be accepted.
   id0 <- rtsk_edge_table_add_row(
@@ -619,7 +630,7 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     n0 + 1L
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)[["edges"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc_xptr)$edges),
     m0
   )
 
@@ -707,9 +718,9 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
   )
   expect_equal(as.integer(tc$num_edges()), n_before_method + 1L)
 
-  m_before_char <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "edges"
-  ]])
+  m_before_char <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$edges
+  )
   expect_no_warning(
     tc$edge_table_add_row(
       left = 3,
@@ -720,12 +731,12 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     )
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["edges"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$edges),
     m_before_char + 3L
   )
-  m_before_raw <- as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[[
-    "edges"
-  ]])
+  m_before_raw <- as.integer(
+    rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$edges
+  )
   expect_no_error(
     tc$edge_table_add_row(
       left = 4,
@@ -736,7 +747,7 @@ test_that("edge_table_add_row wrapper expands the table collection and handles i
     )
   )
   expect_equal(
-    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)[["edges"]]),
+    as.integer(rtsk_table_collection_metadata_length(tc$xptr)$edges),
     m_before_raw + 3L
   )
   expect_error(
diff --git a/RcppTskit/vignettes/RcppTskit_intro.qmd b/RcppTskit/vignettes/RcppTskit_intro.qmd
index fa2f318..b7e3989 100644
--- a/RcppTskit/vignettes/RcppTskit_intro.qmd
+++ b/RcppTskit/vignettes/RcppTskit_intro.qmd
@@ -270,23 +270,29 @@ ts2 <- tc$tree_sequence()
 help(package = "RcppTskit")
 ```
 
-Developers should also explore the low-level `R` and `C++` functions.
+Developers should also explore the internal `R` and `C++` functions.
 Their names all start with `rtsk_` and are accessible via `RcppTskit:::`.
+Since these are internal functions we instruct the linter `jarl`
+not to warn about their use.
 For example, the above `R` function `ts_load()` effectively calls:
 
 ```{r}
 #| label: use_case_1_dev_funcs
 # Low-level R function, which further calls the C++ function
+# jarl-ignore internal_function: exposing for demo/doc
 RcppTskit:::rtsk_treeseq_load
 
 # C++ function (see also the C++ source code)
+# jarl-ignore internal_function: exposing for demo/doc
 RcppTskit:::`_RcppTskit_rtsk_treeseq_load`
 
 # The same as the ts_load() example, but exposing the external pointer
+# jarl-ignore internal_function: exposing for demo/doc
 xptr <- RcppTskit:::rtsk_treeseq_load(ts_file)
 methods::is(xptr)
 
 # We pass the external pointer to other low-level functions
+# jarl-ignore internal_function: exposing for demo/doc
 RcppTskit:::rtsk_treeseq_get_num_individuals(xptr)
 ```