diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime.ex
index 7092d5b8f..3c5889f4c 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime.ex
@@ -208,6 +208,10 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
           }
         }
 
+  @type smart_cell_ref :: String.t()
+
+  @type smart_cell_attrs :: map()
+
   @doc """
   Connects the caller to the given runtime.
 
@@ -245,7 +249,7 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
   be evaluated as well as the evaluation reference to store the
   resulting context under.
 
-  Additionally, `prev_locator` points to a previous evaluation to be
+  Additionally, `base_locator` points to a previous evaluation to be
   used as the starting point of this evaluation. If not applicable,
   the previous evaluation reference may be specified as `nil`.
 
@@ -284,7 +288,7 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
       the value of `__DIR__`
   """
   @spec evaluate_code(t(), String.t(), locator(), locator(), keyword()) :: :ok
-  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ [])
+  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ [])
 
   @doc """
   Disposes of an evaluation identified by the given locator.
@@ -314,11 +318,11 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
 
     * `{:runtime_intellisense_response, ref, request, response}`.
 
-  The given `locator` idenfities an evaluation that may be used
-  as the context when resolving the request (if relevant).
+  The given `base_locator` idenfities an evaluation that may be
+  used as the context when resolving the request (if relevant).
   """
   @spec handle_intellisense(t(), pid(), reference(), intellisense_request(), locator()) :: :ok
-  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, locator)
+  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, base_locator)
 
   @doc """
   Synchronously starts a runtime of the same type with the same
@@ -352,6 +356,12 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
   version of the generated source code. The given `ref` is used to
   identify the cell.
 
+  The cell may depend on evaluation context to provide a better user
+  experience, for instance it may suggest relevant variable names.
+  Similarly to `evaluate_code/5`, `base_locator` must be specified
+  pointing to the evaluation to use as the context. When the locator
+  changes, it can be updated with `set_smart_cell_base_locator/3`.
+
   Once the cell starts, the runtime sends the following message
 
     * `{:runtime_smart_cell_started, ref, %{js_view: js_view(), source: String.t()}}`
@@ -368,12 +378,20 @@ defprotocol Livebook.Runtime do
   state later. Note that for persistence they get serialized and
   deserialized as JSON.
   """
-  @spec start_smart_cell(t(), String.t(), String.t(), term()) :: :ok
-  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs)
+  @spec start_smart_cell(t(), String.t(), smart_cell_ref(), smart_cell_attrs(), locator()) :: :ok
+  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator)
+
+  @doc """
+  Updates the locator used by a smart cell as its context.
+
+  See `start_smart_cell/5` for more details.
+  """
+  @spec set_smart_cell_base_locator(t(), smart_cell_ref(), locator()) :: :ok
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime, ref, base_locator)
 
   @doc """
   Stops smart cell identified by the given reference.
   """
-  @spec stop_smart_cell(t(), String.t()) :: :ok
+  @spec stop_smart_cell(t(), smart_cell_ref()) :: :ok
   def stop_smart_cell(runtime, ref)
 end
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/attached.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/attached.ex
index d684c4e89..f7ce1da36 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/attached.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/attached.ex
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Attached do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.stop(runtime.server_pid)
   end
 
-  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ []) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, prev_locator, opts)
+  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ []) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, base_locator, opts)
   end
 
   def forget_evaluation(runtime, locator) do
@@ -62,8 +62,14 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Attached do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.drop_container(runtime.server_pid, container_ref)
   end
 
-  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, locator) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(runtime.server_pid, send_to, ref, request, locator)
+  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(
+      runtime.server_pid,
+      send_to,
+      ref,
+      request,
+      base_locator
+    )
   end
 
   def duplicate(runtime) do
@@ -79,8 +85,12 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Attached do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.read_file(runtime.server_pid, path)
   end
 
-  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs)
+  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator)
+  end
+
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime, ref, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime.server_pid, ref, base_locator)
   end
 
   def stop_smart_cell(runtime, ref) do
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/elixir_standalone.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/elixir_standalone.ex
index f343f7dd3..d18b7ad7c 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/elixir_standalone.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/elixir_standalone.ex
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.ElixirStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.stop(runtime.server_pid)
   end
 
-  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ []) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, prev_locator, opts)
+  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ []) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, base_locator, opts)
   end
 
   def forget_evaluation(runtime, locator) do
@@ -90,8 +90,14 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.ElixirStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.drop_container(runtime.server_pid, container_ref)
   end
 
-  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, locator) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(runtime.server_pid, send_to, ref, request, locator)
+  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(
+      runtime.server_pid,
+      send_to,
+      ref,
+      request,
+      base_locator
+    )
   end
 
   def duplicate(_runtime) do
@@ -104,8 +110,12 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.ElixirStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.read_file(runtime.server_pid, path)
   end
 
-  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs)
+  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator)
+  end
+
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime, ref, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime.server_pid, ref, base_locator)
   end
 
   def stop_smart_cell(runtime, ref) do
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/embedded.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/embedded.ex
index 5912fdef0..fd90ad398 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/embedded.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/embedded.ex
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Embedded do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.stop(runtime.server_pid)
   end
 
-  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ []) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, prev_locator, opts)
+  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ []) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, base_locator, opts)
   end
 
   def forget_evaluation(runtime, locator) do
@@ -63,8 +63,14 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Embedded do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.drop_container(runtime.server_pid, container_ref)
   end
 
-  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, locator) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(runtime.server_pid, send_to, ref, request, locator)
+  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(
+      runtime.server_pid,
+      send_to,
+      ref,
+      request,
+      base_locator
+    )
   end
 
   def duplicate(_runtime) do
@@ -77,8 +83,12 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.Embedded do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.read_file(runtime.server_pid, path)
   end
 
-  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs)
+  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator)
+  end
+
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime, ref, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime.server_pid, ref, base_locator)
   end
 
   def stop_smart_cell(runtime, ref) do
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/node_manager.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/node_manager.ex
index ad2ab3eed..38685725d 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/node_manager.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/node_manager.ex
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.NodeManager do
   @doc """
   Starts a new `Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer` for evaluation.
   """
-  @spec start_runtime_server(node() | pid()) :: pid()
-  def start_runtime_server(node_or_pid) do
-    GenServer.call(server(node_or_pid), :start_runtime_server)
+  @spec start_runtime_server(node() | pid(), keyword()) :: pid()
+  def start_runtime_server(node_or_pid, opts \\ []) do
+    GenServer.call(server(node_or_pid), {:start_runtime_server, opts})
   end
 
   defp server(pid) when is_pid(pid), do: pid
@@ -154,9 +154,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.NodeManager do
   def handle_info(_message, state), do: {:noreply, state}
 
   @impl true
-  def handle_call(:start_runtime_server, _from, state) do
+  def handle_call({:start_runtime_server, opts}, _from, state) do
     {:ok, server_pid} =
-      DynamicSupervisor.start_child(state.server_supevisor, ErlDist.RuntimeServer)
+      DynamicSupervisor.start_child(state.server_supevisor, {ErlDist.RuntimeServer, opts})
 
     Process.monitor(server_pid)
     state = update_in(state.runtime_servers, &[server_pid | &1])
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
index 9b41b99f3..e691f2ec1 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
 
   use GenServer, restart: :temporary
 
+  require Logger
+
   alias Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator
   alias Livebook.Runtime
   alias Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist
@@ -27,6 +29,12 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
 
   Note: make sure to call `attach` within #{@await_owner_timeout}ms
   or the runtime server assumes it's not needed and terminates.
+
+  ## Options
+
+    * `:smart_cell_definitions_module` - the module to read smart
+      cell definitions from, it needs to export a `definitions/0`
+      function. Defaults to `Kino.SmartCell`
   """
   def start_link(opts \\ []) do
     GenServer.start_link(__MODULE__, opts)
@@ -60,8 +68,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
   See `Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator` for more details.
   """
   @spec evaluate_code(pid(), String.t(), Runtime.locator(), Runtime.locator(), keyword()) :: :ok
-  def evaluate_code(pid, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ []) do
-    GenServer.cast(pid, {:evaluate_code, code, locator, prev_locator, opts})
+  def evaluate_code(pid, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ []) do
+    GenServer.cast(pid, {:evaluate_code, code, locator, base_locator, opts})
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -100,8 +108,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
           Runtime.intellisense_request(),
           Runtime.locator()
         ) :: :ok
-  def handle_intellisense(pid, send_to, ref, request, locator) do
-    GenServer.cast(pid, {:handle_intellisense, send_to, ref, request, locator})
+  def handle_intellisense(pid, send_to, ref, request, base_locator) do
+    GenServer.cast(pid, {:handle_intellisense, send_to, ref, request, base_locator})
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -126,9 +134,23 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
   @doc """
   Starts a new smart cell.
   """
-  @spec start_smart_cell(pid(), String.t(), String.t(), term()) :: :ok
-  def start_smart_cell(pid, kind, ref, attrs) do
-    GenServer.cast(pid, {:start_smart_cell, kind, ref, attrs})
+  @spec start_smart_cell(
+          pid(),
+          String.t(),
+          Runtime.smart_cell_ref(),
+          Runtime.smart_cell_attrs(),
+          Runtime.locator()
+        ) :: :ok
+  def start_smart_cell(pid, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator) do
+    GenServer.cast(pid, {:start_smart_cell, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator})
+  end
+
+  @doc """
+  Updates the locator with smart cell context.
+  """
+  @spec set_smart_cell_base_locator(pid(), Runtime.smart_cell_ref(), Runtime.locator()) :: :ok
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(pid, ref, base_locator) do
+    GenServer.cast(pid, {:set_smart_cell_base_locator, ref, base_locator})
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -151,7 +173,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
   end
 
   @impl true
-  def init(_opts) do
+  def init(opts) do
     Process.send_after(self(), :check_owner, @await_owner_timeout)
     schedule_memory_usage_report()
 
@@ -171,6 +193,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
        smart_cell_gl: nil,
        smart_cells: %{},
        smart_cell_definitions: [],
+       smart_cell_definitions_module:
+         Keyword.get(opts, :smart_cell_definitions_module, Kino.SmartCell),
        memory_timer_ref: nil
      }}
   end
@@ -190,24 +214,18 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     {:stop, :shutdown, state}
   end
 
-  def handle_info({:DOWN, _, :process, pid, reason}, state) do
-    state.evaluators
-    |> Enum.find(fn {_container_ref, evaluator} ->
-      evaluator.pid == pid
-    end)
-    |> case do
-      {container_ref, _} ->
-        message = Exception.format_exit(reason)
-        send(state.owner, {:runtime_container_down, container_ref, message})
-        {:noreply, %{state | evaluators: Map.delete(state.evaluators, container_ref)}}
-
-      nil ->
-        {:noreply, state}
-    end
+  def handle_info({:DOWN, _, :process, _, _} = message, state) do
+    {:noreply,
+     state
+     |> handle_down_evaluator(message)
+     |> handle_down_scan_binding(message)}
   end
 
-  def handle_info({:evaluation_finished, _ref}, state) do
-    {:noreply, report_smart_cell_definitions(state)}
+  def handle_info({:evaluation_finished, pid, evaluation_ref}, state) do
+    {:noreply,
+     state
+     |> report_smart_cell_definitions()
+     |> scan_binding_after_evaluation(pid, evaluation_ref)}
   end
 
   def handle_info(:memory_usage, state) do
@@ -216,8 +234,37 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     {:noreply, state}
   end
 
+  def handle_info({:scan_binding_ack, ref}, state) do
+    {:noreply, finish_scan_binding(ref, state)}
+  end
+
   def handle_info(_message, state), do: {:noreply, state}
 
+  defp handle_down_evaluator(state, {:DOWN, _, :process, pid, reason}) do
+    state.evaluators
+    |> Enum.find(fn {_container_ref, evaluator} -> evaluator.pid == pid end)
+    |> case do
+      {container_ref, _} ->
+        message = Exception.format_exit(reason)
+        send(state.owner, {:runtime_container_down, container_ref, message})
+        %{state | evaluators: Map.delete(state.evaluators, container_ref)}
+
+      nil ->
+        state
+    end
+  end
+
+  defp handle_down_scan_binding(state, {:DOWN, monitor_ref, :process, _, _}) do
+    Enum.find_value(state.smart_cells, fn
+      {ref, %{scan_binding_monitor_ref: ^monitor_ref}} -> ref
+      _ -> nil
+    end)
+    |> case do
+      nil -> state
+      ref -> finish_scan_binding(ref, state)
+    end
+  end
+
   @impl true
   def handle_cast({:attach, owner, opts}, state) do
     if state.owner do
@@ -239,13 +286,13 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
   end
 
   def handle_cast(
-        {:evaluate_code, code, {container_ref, evaluation_ref}, prev_locator, opts},
+        {:evaluate_code, code, {container_ref, evaluation_ref}, base_locator, opts},
         state
       ) do
     state = ensure_evaluator(state, container_ref)
 
-    prev_evaluation_ref =
-      case prev_locator do
+    base_evaluation_ref =
+      case base_locator do
         {^container_ref, evaluation_ref} ->
           evaluation_ref
 
@@ -265,7 +312,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
       state.evaluators[container_ref],
       code,
       evaluation_ref,
-      prev_evaluation_ref,
+      base_evaluation_ref,
       opts
     )
 
@@ -285,8 +332,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     {:noreply, state}
   end
 
-  def handle_cast({:handle_intellisense, send_to, ref, request, locator}, state) do
-    {container_ref, evaluation_ref} = locator
+  def handle_cast({:handle_intellisense, send_to, ref, request, base_locator}, state) do
+    {container_ref, evaluation_ref} = base_locator
     evaluator = state.evaluators[container_ref]
 
     intellisense_context =
@@ -304,7 +351,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     {:noreply, state}
   end
 
-  def handle_cast({:start_smart_cell, kind, ref, attrs}, state) do
+  def handle_cast({:start_smart_cell, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator}, state) do
     definition = Enum.find(state.smart_cell_definitions, &(&1.kind == kind))
 
     state =
@@ -313,8 +360,23 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
              {definition.module, %{ref: ref, attrs: attrs, target_pid: state.owner}}
            ) do
         {:ok, pid, info} ->
-          send(state.owner, {:runtime_smart_cell_started, ref, info})
-          put_in(state.smart_cells[ref], pid)
+          %{js_view: js_view, source: source, scan_binding: scan_binding} = info
+
+          send(
+            state.owner,
+            {:runtime_smart_cell_started, ref, %{js_view: js_view, source: source}}
+          )
+
+          info = %{
+            pid: pid,
+            scan_binding: scan_binding,
+            base_locator: base_locator,
+            scan_binding_pending: false,
+            scan_binding_monitor_ref: nil
+          }
+
+          info = scan_binding_async(ref, info, state)
+          put_in(state.smart_cells[ref], info)
 
         _ ->
           state
@@ -323,8 +385,18 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     {:noreply, state}
   end
 
+  def handle_cast({:set_smart_cell_base_locator, ref, base_locator}, state) do
+    state =
+      update_in(state.smart_cells[ref], fn
+        %{base_locator: ^base_locator} = info -> info
+        info -> scan_binding_async(ref, %{info | base_locator: base_locator}, state)
+      end)
+
+    {:noreply, state}
+  end
+
   def handle_cast({:stop_smart_cell, ref}, state) do
-    {pid, state} = pop_in(state.smart_cells[ref])
+    {%{pid: pid}, state} = pop_in(state.smart_cells[ref])
 
     if pid do
       DynamicSupervisor.terminate_child(state.smart_cell_supervisor, pid)
@@ -393,7 +465,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
   end
 
   defp report_smart_cell_definitions(state) do
-    smart_cell_definitions = get_smart_cell_definitions()
+    smart_cell_definitions = get_smart_cell_definitions(state.smart_cell_definitions_module)
 
     if smart_cell_definitions == state.smart_cell_definitions do
       state
@@ -404,13 +476,84 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
     end
   end
 
-  @compile {:no_warn_undefined, {Kino.SmartCell, :definitions, 0}}
-
-  defp get_smart_cell_definitions() do
-    if Code.ensure_loaded?(Kino.SmartCell) and function_exported?(Kino.SmartCell, :definitions, 0) do
-      Kino.SmartCell.definitions()
+  defp get_smart_cell_definitions(module) do
+    if Code.ensure_loaded?(module) and function_exported?(module, :definitions, 0) do
+      module.definitions()
     else
       []
     end
   end
+
+  defp scan_binding_async(_ref, %{scan_binding: nil} = info, _state), do: info
+
+  # We wait for the current scanning to finish, this way we avoid
+  # race conditions and don't unnecessarily spam evaluators
+  defp scan_binding_async(_ref, %{scan_binding_monitor_ref: ref} = info, _state) when ref != nil,
+    do: %{info | scan_binding_pending: true}
+
+  defp scan_binding_async(ref, info, state) do
+    %{pid: pid, scan_binding: scan_binding} = info
+
+    myself = self()
+
+    scan_and_ack = fn binding, env ->
+      try do
+        scan_binding.(pid, binding, env)
+      rescue
+        error -> Logger.error("scanning binding raised an error: #{inspect(error)}")
+      end
+
+      send(myself, {:scan_binding_ack, ref})
+    end
+
+    {container_ref, evaluation_ref} = info.base_locator
+    evaluator = state.evaluators[container_ref]
+
+    worker_pid =
+      if evaluator do
+        Evaluator.peek_context(evaluator, evaluation_ref, &scan_and_ack.(&1.binding, &1.env))
+        evaluator.pid
+      else
+        {:ok, pid} =
+          Task.Supervisor.start_child(state.task_supervisor, fn ->
+            binding = []
+            # TODO: Use Code.env_for_eval and eval_quoted_with_env on Elixir v1.14+
+            env = :elixir.env_for_eval([])
+            scan_and_ack.(binding, env)
+          end)
+
+        pid
+      end
+
+    monitor_ref = Process.monitor(worker_pid)
+
+    %{info | scan_binding_pending: false, scan_binding_monitor_ref: monitor_ref}
+  end
+
+  defp finish_scan_binding(ref, state) do
+    update_in(state.smart_cells[ref], fn info ->
+      Process.demonitor(info.scan_binding_monitor_ref, [:flush])
+      info = %{info | scan_binding_monitor_ref: nil}
+
+      if info.scan_binding_pending do
+        scan_binding_async(ref, info, state)
+      else
+        info
+      end
+    end)
+  end
+
+  defp scan_binding_after_evaluation(state, pid, evaluation_ref) do
+    {container_ref, _} =
+      Enum.find(state.evaluators, fn {_container_ref, evaluator} -> evaluator.pid == pid end)
+
+    locator = {container_ref, evaluation_ref}
+
+    update_in(state.smart_cells, fn smart_cells ->
+      Map.map(smart_cells, fn
+        {ref, %{base_locator: ^locator} = info} -> scan_binding_async(ref, info, state)
+        {_, info} -> info
+      end)
+    end)
+  end
 end
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/evaluator.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/evaluator.ex
index d096aec03..6e41c4b48 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/evaluator.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/evaluator.ex
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
   response.
 
   The resulting contxt (binding and env) is stored under `ref`.
-  Any subsequent calls may specify `prev_ref` pointing to a
+  Any subsequent calls may specify `base_ref` pointing to a
   previous evaluation, in which case the corresponding context
   is used as the entry point for evaluation.
 
@@ -132,11 +132,11 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
 
     * `:notify_to` - a process to be notified about finished
       evaluation. The notification is sent as a message of the
-      form `{:evaluation_finished, ref}`
+      form `{:evaluation_finished, pid, ref}`
   """
   @spec evaluate_code(t(), String.t(), ref(), ref() | nil, keyword()) :: :ok
-  def evaluate_code(evaluator, code, ref, prev_ref \\ nil, opts \\ []) when ref != nil do
-    cast(evaluator, {:evaluate_code, code, ref, prev_ref, opts})
+  def evaluate_code(evaluator, code, ref, base_ref \\ nil, opts \\ []) when ref != nil do
+    cast(evaluator, {:evaluate_code, code, ref, base_ref, opts})
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -216,6 +216,17 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
     call(evaluator, {:map_binding, ref, fun})
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Runs the given function with binding and env of the given evaluation.
+
+  Ths function runs within the evaluator process, so that no data
+  is copied between processes, unless explicitly sent.
+  """
+  @spec peek_context(t(), ref(), (context() -> any())) :: :ok
+  def peek_context(evaluator, ref, fun) do
+    cast(evaluator, {:peek_context, ref, fun})
+  end
+
   defp cast(evaluator, message) do
     send(evaluator.pid, {:cast, evaluator.ref, message})
     :ok
@@ -298,12 +309,12 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
     %{binding: [], env: env, id: random_id()}
   end
 
-  defp handle_cast({:evaluate_code, code, ref, prev_ref, opts}, state) do
+  defp handle_cast({:evaluate_code, code, ref, base_ref, opts}, state) do
     Evaluator.IOProxy.configure(state.io_proxy, ref)
 
     Evaluator.ObjectTracker.remove_reference(state.object_tracker, {self(), ref})
 
-    context = get_context(state, prev_ref)
+    context = get_context(state, base_ref)
     file = Keyword.get(opts, :file, "nofile")
     context = put_in(context.env.file, file)
     start_time = System.monotonic_time()
@@ -338,7 +349,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
     send(state.send_to, {:runtime_evaluation_response, ref, output, metadata})
 
     if notify_to = opts[:notify_to] do
-      send(notify_to, {:evaluation_finished, ref})
+      send(notify_to, {:evaluation_finished, self(), ref})
     end
 
     :erlang.garbage_collect(self())
@@ -353,6 +364,12 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator do
     {:noreply, state}
   end
 
+  defp handle_cast({:peek_context, ref, fun}, state) do
+    context = get_context(state, ref)
+    fun.(context)
+    {:noreply, state}
+  end
+
   defp handle_call({:fetch_evaluation_context, ref, cached_id}, _from, state) do
     context = get_context(state, ref)
 
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/mix_standalone.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/mix_standalone.ex
index f6421d512..96593c34f 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/mix_standalone.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/mix_standalone.ex
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.MixStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.stop(runtime.server_pid)
   end
 
-  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, prev_locator, opts \\ []) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, prev_locator, opts)
+  def evaluate_code(runtime, code, locator, base_locator, opts \\ []) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(runtime.server_pid, code, locator, base_locator, opts)
   end
 
   def forget_evaluation(runtime, locator) do
@@ -157,8 +157,14 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.MixStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.drop_container(runtime.server_pid, container_ref)
   end
 
-  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, locator) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(runtime.server_pid, send_to, ref, request, locator)
+  def handle_intellisense(runtime, send_to, ref, request, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.handle_intellisense(
+      runtime.server_pid,
+      send_to,
+      ref,
+      request,
+      base_locator
+    )
   end
 
   def duplicate(runtime) do
@@ -171,8 +177,12 @@ defimpl Livebook.Runtime, for: Livebook.Runtime.MixStandalone do
     ErlDist.RuntimeServer.read_file(runtime.server_pid, path)
   end
 
-  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs) do
-    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs)
+  def start_smart_cell(runtime, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(runtime.server_pid, kind, ref, attrs, base_locator)
+  end
+
+  def set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime, ref, base_locator) do
+    ErlDist.RuntimeServer.set_smart_cell_base_locator(runtime.server_pid, ref, base_locator)
   end
 
   def stop_smart_cell(runtime, ref) do
diff --git a/lib/livebook/session.ex b/lib/livebook/session.ex
index 544d76593..558b34379 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/session.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/session.ex
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session do
   alias Livebook.Notebook.{Cell, Section}
 
   @timeout :infinity
+  @main_container_ref :main_flow
 
   @type t :: %__MODULE__{
           id: id(),
@@ -879,7 +880,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session do
 
     operation =
       case container_ref do
-        :main_flow -> {:reflect_main_evaluation_failure, self()}
+        @main_container_ref -> {:reflect_main_evaluation_failure, self()}
         section_id -> {:reflect_evaluation_failure, self(), section_id}
       end
 
@@ -1211,8 +1212,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session do
     opts = [file: file]
 
     locator = {container_ref_for_section(section), cell.id}
-    prev_locator = find_prev_locator(state.data.notebook, cell, section)
-    Runtime.evaluate_code(state.data.runtime, cell.source, locator, prev_locator, opts)
+    base_locator = find_base_locator(state.data, cell, section)
+    Runtime.evaluate_code(state.data.runtime, cell.source, locator, base_locator, opts)
 
     evaluation_digest = :erlang.md5(cell.source)
     handle_operation(state, {:evaluation_started, self(), cell.id, evaluation_digest})
@@ -1234,9 +1235,27 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session do
     state
   end
 
-  defp handle_action(state, {:start_smart_cell, cell}) do
+  defp handle_action(state, {:start_smart_cell, cell, section}) do
     if state.data.runtime do
-      Runtime.start_smart_cell(state.data.runtime, cell.kind, cell.id, cell.attrs)
+      base_locator = find_base_locator(state.data, cell, section, existing: true)
+      Runtime.start_smart_cell(state.data.runtime, cell.kind, cell.id, cell.attrs, base_locator)
+    end
+
+    state
+  end
+
+  defp handle_action(state, {:set_smart_cell_base, cell, section, parent}) do
+    if state.data.runtime do
+      base_locator =
+        case parent do
+          nil ->
+            {container_ref_for_section(section), nil}
+
+          {parent_cell, parent_section} ->
+            {container_ref_for_section(parent_section), parent_cell.id}
+        end
+
+      Runtime.set_smart_cell_base_locator(state.data.runtime, cell.id, base_locator)
     end
 
     state
@@ -1461,20 +1480,36 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session do
   end
 
   @doc """
-  Determines locator of the evaluation that the given
-  cell depends on.
+  Finds evaluation locator that the given cell depends on.
+
+  By default looks up the direct evaluation parent.
+
+  ## Options
+
+    * `:existing` - considers only cells that have been evaluated
+      as evaluation parents. Defaults to `false`
   """
-  @spec find_prev_locator(Notebook.t(), Cell.t(), Section.t()) :: Runtime.locator()
-  def find_prev_locator(notebook, cell, section) do
+  @spec find_base_locator(Data.t(), Cell.t(), Section.t(), keyword()) :: Runtime.locator()
+  def find_base_locator(data, cell, section, opts \\ []) do
+    parent_filter =
+      if opts[:existing] do
+        fn cell ->
+          info = data.cell_infos[cell.id]
+          Cell.evaluable?(cell) and info.eval.validity in [:evaluated, :stale]
+        end
+      else
+        &Cell.evaluable?/1
+      end
+
     default = {container_ref_for_section(section), nil}
 
-    notebook
+    data.notebook
     |> Notebook.parent_cells_with_section(cell.id)
     |> Enum.find_value(default, fn {cell, section} ->
-      Cell.evaluable?(cell) && {container_ref_for_section(section), cell.id}
+      parent_filter.(cell) && {container_ref_for_section(section), cell.id}
     end)
   end
 
-  defp container_ref_for_section(%{parent_id: nil}), do: :main_flow
+  defp container_ref_for_section(%{parent_id: nil}), do: @main_container_ref
   defp container_ref_for_section(section), do: section.id
 end
diff --git a/lib/livebook/session/data.ex b/lib/livebook/session/data.ex
index 0bbc8ff16..8f5be20d0 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/session/data.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/session/data.ex
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
   @type cell_evaluation_validity :: :fresh | :evaluated | :stale | :aborted
   @type cell_evaluation_status :: :ready | :queued | :evaluating
 
-  @type smart_cell_status :: :dead | :starting | :alive
+  @type smart_cell_status :: :dead | :starting | :started
 
   @type input_id :: String.t()
 
@@ -186,7 +186,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
           | {:start_evaluation, Cell.t(), Section.t()}
           | {:stop_evaluation, Section.t()}
           | {:forget_evaluation, Cell.t(), Section.t()}
-          | {:start_smart_cell, Cell.t()}
+          | {:start_smart_cell, Cell.t(), Section.t()}
+          | {:set_smart_cell_base, Cell.t(), Section.t(), parent :: {Cell.t(), Section.t()} | nil}
           | {:broadcast_delta, pid(), Cell.t(), Delta.t()}
 
   @doc """
@@ -358,6 +359,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> with_actions()
       |> delete_section(section, delete_cells)
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> set_dirty()
       |> wrap_ok()
     else
@@ -371,6 +373,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> with_actions()
       |> delete_cell(cell, section)
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> set_dirty()
       |> wrap_ok()
     end
@@ -398,6 +401,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> with_actions()
       |> move_cell(cell, offset)
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> set_dirty()
       |> wrap_ok()
     else
@@ -413,6 +417,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> with_actions()
       |> move_section(section, offset)
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> set_dirty()
       |> wrap_ok()
     else
@@ -482,6 +487,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
       |> maybe_evaluate_queued()
       |> compute_snapshots_and_validity()
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> mark_dirty_if_persisting_outputs()
       |> wrap_ok()
     else
@@ -507,6 +513,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
     data
     |> with_actions()
     |> clear_main_evaluation()
+    |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
     |> wrap_ok()
   end
 
@@ -515,6 +522,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       data
       |> with_actions()
       |> clear_section_evaluation(section)
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> wrap_ok()
     end
   end
@@ -525,6 +533,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       data
       |> with_actions()
       |> cancel_cell_evaluation(cell, section)
+      |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
       |> wrap_ok()
     else
       _ -> :error
@@ -563,6 +572,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
     |> with_actions()
     |> erase_outputs()
     |> garbage_collect_input_values()
+    |> update_smart_cell_bases(data)
     |> wrap_ok()
   end
 
@@ -1203,7 +1213,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
 
     data_actions
     |> set!(notebook: Notebook.update_cell(data.notebook, cell.id, fn _ -> updated_cell end))
-    |> update_cell_info!(cell.id, &%{&1 | status: :alive})
+    |> update_cell_info!(cell.id, &%{&1 | status: :started})
     |> add_action({:broadcast_delta, client_pid, updated_cell, delta})
   end
 
@@ -1367,26 +1377,26 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
 
   defp maybe_start_smart_cells({data, _} = data_actions) do
     if data.runtime do
-      dead_cells = dead_smart_cells(data)
+      dead_cells = dead_smart_cells_with_section(data)
       kinds = Enum.map(data.smart_cell_definitions, & &1.kind)
-      cells_ready_to_start = Enum.filter(dead_cells, &(&1.kind in kinds))
+      cells_ready_to_start = Enum.filter(dead_cells, fn {cell, _} -> cell.kind in kinds end)
 
-      reduce(data_actions, cells_ready_to_start, fn data_actions, cell ->
+      reduce(data_actions, cells_ready_to_start, fn data_actions, {cell, section} ->
         data_actions
         |> update_cell_info!(cell.id, &%{&1 | status: :starting})
-        |> add_action({:start_smart_cell, cell})
+        |> add_action({:start_smart_cell, cell, section})
       end)
     else
       data_actions
     end
   end
 
-  defp dead_smart_cells(data) do
+  defp dead_smart_cells_with_section(data) do
     for section <- data.notebook.sections,
         %Cell.Smart{} = cell <- section.cells,
         info = data.cell_infos[cell.id],
         info.status == :dead,
-        do: cell
+        do: {cell, section}
   end
 
   defp clear_smart_cells({data, _} = data_actions) do
@@ -1453,6 +1463,75 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
     end
   end
 
+  defp update_smart_cell_bases({data, _} = data_actions, prev_data) do
+    alive_smart_cell_ids =
+      for {%Cell.Smart{} = cell, _} <- Notebook.cells_with_section(data.notebook),
+          data.cell_infos[cell.id].status != :dead,
+          into: MapSet.new(),
+          do: cell.id
+
+    if Enum.empty?(alive_smart_cell_ids) do
+      data_actions
+    else
+      new_eval_graph = cell_evaluation_graph(data)
+      prev_eval_graph = cell_evaluation_graph(prev_data)
+
+      cell_lookup =
+        data.notebook
+        |> Notebook.cells_with_section()
+        |> Map.new(fn {cell, section} -> {cell.id, {cell, section}} end)
+
+      for {cell_id, parent_id} <- new_eval_graph,
+          MapSet.member?(alive_smart_cell_ids, cell_id),
+          Map.has_key?(prev_eval_graph, cell_id),
+          prev_eval_graph[cell_id] != parent_id,
+          reduce: data_actions do
+        data_actions ->
+          {cell, section} = cell_lookup[cell_id]
+          parent = cell_lookup[parent_id]
+          add_action(data_actions, {:set_smart_cell_base, cell, section, parent})
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Builds a graph with evaluation parents, where each parent has
+  # aleady been evaluated. All fresh/aborted cells are leaves in
+  # this graph
+  defp cell_evaluation_graph(data) do
+    graph = Notebook.cell_dependency_graph(data.notebook, cell_filter: &Cell.evaluable?/1)
+
+    graph
+    |> Livebook.Utils.Graph.leaves()
+    |> Enum.reduce(%{}, fn cell_id, eval_graph ->
+      build_eval_graph(data, graph, cell_id, [], eval_graph)
+    end)
+  end
+
+  defp build_eval_graph(_data, _graph, nil, orphan_ids, eval_graph) do
+    put_parent(eval_graph, orphan_ids, nil)
+  end
+
+  defp build_eval_graph(data, graph, cell_id, orphan_ids, eval_graph) do
+    # We are traversing from every leaf up, so we want to compute
+    # the common path only once
+    if eval_parent_id = eval_graph[cell_id] do
+      put_parent(eval_graph, orphan_ids, eval_parent_id)
+    else
+      info = data.cell_infos[cell_id]
+
+      if info.eval.validity in [:evaluated, :stale] do
+        eval_graph = put_parent(eval_graph, orphan_ids, cell_id)
+        build_eval_graph(data, graph, graph[cell_id], [cell_id], eval_graph)
+      else
+        build_eval_graph(data, graph, graph[cell_id], [cell_id | orphan_ids], eval_graph)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  defp put_parent(eval_graph, cell_ids, parent_id) do
+    Enum.reduce(cell_ids, eval_graph, &Map.put(&2, &1, parent_id))
+  end
+
   defp new_section_info() do
     %{
       evaluating_cell_id: nil,
@@ -1671,6 +1750,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       update_cell_eval_info!(data_actions, cell.id, fn eval_info ->
         validity =
           case eval_info do
+            %{status: :evaluating, validity: validity} -> validity
             %{evaluation_snapshot: snapshot, snapshot: snapshot} -> :evaluated
             %{evaluation_snapshot: nil, validity: :aborted} -> :aborted
             %{evaluation_snapshot: nil} -> :fresh
@@ -1688,7 +1768,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.Data do
       |> Notebook.evaluable_cells_with_section()
       |> Enum.filter(fn {cell, _section} ->
         info = data.cell_infos[cell.id]
-        info.eval.validity == :stale and Map.get(cell, :reevaluate_automatically, false)
+
+        info.eval.status == :ready and info.eval.validity == :stale and
+          Map.get(cell, :reevaluate_automatically, false)
       end)
 
     data_actions
diff --git a/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live.ex b/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live.ex
index 1bb1e86e8..693b13699 100644
--- a/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live.ex
@@ -819,8 +819,8 @@ defmodule LivebookWeb.SessionLive do
     with {:ok, cell, section} <- Notebook.fetch_cell_and_section(data.notebook, cell_id) do
       if data.runtime do
         ref = make_ref()
-        prev_locator = Session.find_prev_locator(data.notebook, cell, section)
-        Runtime.handle_intellisense(data.runtime, self(), ref, request, prev_locator)
+        base_locator = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell, section, existing: true)
+        Runtime.handle_intellisense(data.runtime, self(), ref, request, base_locator)
 
         {:reply, %{"ref" => inspect(ref)}, socket}
       else
diff --git a/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live/cell_component.ex b/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live/cell_component.ex
index d0d17b854..c96eace6f 100644
--- a/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live/cell_component.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook_web/live/session_live/cell_component.ex
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ defmodule LivebookWeb.SessionLive.CellComponent do
       <div class="relative">
         <div data-element="ui-box">
           <%= case @cell_view.status do %>
-            <% :alive -> %>
+            <% :started -> %>
               <.live_component module={LivebookWeb.JSViewComponent}
                 id={@cell_view.id}
                 js_view={@cell_view.js_view}
diff --git a/test/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server_test.exs b/test/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server_test.exs
index f36e08f5c..d9d2e0cbd 100644
--- a/test/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server_test.exs
+++ b/test/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server_test.exs
@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServerTest do
 
   alias Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.{NodeManager, RuntimeServer}
 
-  setup do
+  setup ctx do
     {:ok, manager_pid} =
       start_supervised({NodeManager, [unload_modules_on_termination: false, anonymous: true]})
 
-    runtime_server_pid = NodeManager.start_runtime_server(manager_pid)
+    runtime_server_pid = NodeManager.start_runtime_server(manager_pid, ctx[:opts] || [])
     RuntimeServer.attach(runtime_server_pid, self())
     {:ok, %{pid: runtime_server_pid, manager_pid: manager_pid}}
   end
@@ -204,4 +204,71 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServerTest do
     assert_receive {:runtime_container_down, :c1, message}
     assert message =~ "killed"
   end
+
+  describe "smart cells" do
+    defmodule Kino.SmartCell.Dumb do
+      use GenServer
+
+      # Every smart cell needs a child_spec, we use the GenServer default
+
+      def start_link(info) do
+        {:ok, pid} = GenServer.start_link(__MODULE__, info)
+
+        {:ok, pid,
+         %{
+           js_view: %{ref: info.ref, pid: pid, assets: %{}},
+           source: "source",
+           scan_binding: fn pid, _binding, _env -> send(pid, :scan_binding_result) end
+         }}
+      end
+
+      @impl true
+      def init(info) do
+        {:ok, info}
+      end
+
+      @impl true
+      def handle_info(message, info) do
+        send(info.target_pid, {:smart_cell_debug, info.ref, :handle_info, message})
+        {:noreply, info}
+      end
+    end
+
+    defmodule Kino.SmartCell do
+      def definitions() do
+        [%{kind: "dumb", module: Kino.SmartCell.Dumb, name: "Test smart cell"}]
+      end
+    end
+
+    @opts [smart_cell_definitions_module: Kino.SmartCell]
+
+    @tag opts: @opts
+    test "notifies runtime owner when a smart cell is started", %{pid: pid} do
+      RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(pid, "dumb", "ref", %{}, {:c1, nil})
+      assert_receive {:runtime_smart_cell_started, "ref", %{js_view: %{}, source: "source"}}
+    end
+
+    @tag opts: @opts
+    test "once started scans binding and sends the result to the cell server", %{pid: pid} do
+      RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(pid, "dumb", "ref", %{}, {:c1, nil})
+      assert_receive {:smart_cell_debug, "ref", :handle_info, :scan_binding_result}
+    end
+
+    @tag opts: @opts
+    test "scans binding when a new base locator is set", %{pid: pid} do
+      RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(pid, "dumb", "ref", %{}, {:c1, nil})
+      assert_receive {:smart_cell_debug, "ref", :handle_info, :scan_binding_result}
+      RuntimeServer.set_smart_cell_base_locator(pid, "ref", {:c2, nil})
+      assert_receive {:smart_cell_debug, "ref", :handle_info, :scan_binding_result}
+    end
+
+    @tag opts: @opts
+    test "scans binding when the base locator is evaluated", %{pid: pid} do
+      RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(pid, "1 + 1", {:c1, :e1}, {:c1, nil})
+      RuntimeServer.start_smart_cell(pid, "dumb", "ref", %{}, {:c1, :e1})
+      assert_receive {:smart_cell_debug, "ref", :handle_info, :scan_binding_result}
+      RuntimeServer.evaluate_code(pid, "1 + 1", {:c1, :e1}, {:c1, nil})
+      assert_receive {:smart_cell_debug, "ref", :handle_info, :scan_binding_result}
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/test/livebook/runtime/evaluator_test.exs b/test/livebook/runtime/evaluator_test.exs
index f0a662f1e..30d170496 100644
--- a/test/livebook/runtime/evaluator_test.exs
+++ b/test/livebook/runtime/evaluator_test.exs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.EvaluatorTest do
                metadata.memory_usage
     end
 
-    test "given no prev_ref does not see previous evaluation context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
+    test "given no base_ref does not see previous evaluation context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
       Evaluator.evaluate_code(evaluator, "x = 1", :code_1)
       assert_receive {:runtime_evaluation_response, :code_1, _, metadata()}
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.EvaluatorTest do
       end)
     end
 
-    test "given prev_ref sees previous evaluation context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
+    test "given base_ref sees previous evaluation context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
       Evaluator.evaluate_code(evaluator, "x = 1", :code_1)
       assert_receive {:runtime_evaluation_response, :code_1, _, metadata()}
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.EvaluatorTest do
       assert_receive {:runtime_evaluation_response, :code_2, {:ok, 1}, metadata()}
     end
 
-    test "given invalid prev_ref just uses default context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
+    test "given invalid base_ref just uses default context", %{evaluator: evaluator} do
       Evaluator.evaluate_code(evaluator, ":hey", :code_1, :code_nonexistent)
 
       assert_receive {:runtime_evaluation_response, :code_1, {:ok, :hey}, metadata()}
diff --git a/test/livebook/session/data_test.exs b/test/livebook/session/data_test.exs
index 7bd97d99d..bb554c4f8 100644
--- a/test/livebook/session/data_test.exs
+++ b/test/livebook/session/data_test.exs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
   use ExUnit.Case, async: true
 
+  import Livebook.TestHelpers
+
   alias Livebook.Session.Data
   alias Livebook.{Delta, Notebook}
   alias Livebook.Notebook.Cell
@@ -374,7 +376,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
                 cell_infos: %{
                   "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated}},
                   "c2" => %{eval: %{validity: :aborted, status: :ready}},
-                  "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :stale, status: :evaluating}}
+                  "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :evaluating}}
                 }
               }, _actions} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
@@ -447,7 +449,24 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
       operation = {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 0, :smart, "c1", %{kind: "text"}}
 
       assert {:ok, %{cell_infos: %{"c1" => %{status: :starting}}},
-              [{:start_smart_cell, %{id: "c1"}}]} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
+              [{:start_smart_cell, %{id: "c1"}, %{id: "s1"}}]} =
+               Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
+    end
+
+    test "inserting code cell before smart cell does not change its base" do
+      data =
+        data_after_operations!([
+          {:insert_section, self(), 0, "s1"},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 0, :code, "c1", %{}},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 1, :smart, "c2", %{kind: "text"}},
+          {:set_runtime, self(), NoopRuntime.new()},
+          {:set_smart_cell_definitions, self(), [%{kind: "text", name: "Text"}]},
+          {:smart_cell_started, self(), "c2", Delta.new(), %{}}
+        ])
+
+      operation = {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 0, :code, "c3", %{}}
+
+      assert {:ok, %{}, []} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
   end
 
@@ -802,6 +821,28 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
       assert {:ok, _data, [{:stop_smart_cell, %{id: "c1"}}]} =
                Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
+
+    test "deleting evaluated code cell before smart cell changes its base" do
+      data =
+        data_after_operations!([
+          {:insert_section, self(), 0, "s1"},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 0, :code, "c1", %{}},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 1, :smart, "c2", %{kind: "text"}},
+          {:set_runtime, self(), NoopRuntime.new()},
+          {:set_smart_cell_definitions, self(), [%{kind: "text", name: "Text"}]},
+          {:smart_cell_started, self(), "c2", Delta.new(), %{}},
+          {:queue_cells_evaluation, self(), ["c1"]},
+          {:add_cell_evaluation_response, self(), "c1", @eval_resp, @eval_meta}
+        ])
+
+      operation = {:delete_cell, self(), "c1"}
+
+      assert {:ok, %{},
+              [
+                {:forget_evaluation, _, _},
+                {:set_smart_cell_base, %{id: "c2"}, %{id: "s1"}, nil}
+              ]} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
+    end
   end
 
   describe "apply_operation/2 given :restore_cell" do
@@ -885,7 +926,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
       operation = {:restore_cell, self(), "c1"}
 
       assert {:ok, %{cell_infos: %{"c1" => %{status: :starting}}},
-              [{:start_smart_cell, %{id: "c1"}}]} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
+              [{:start_smart_cell, %{id: "c1"}, %{id: "s1"}}]} =
+               Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
   end
 
@@ -1685,7 +1727,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
       assert {:ok,
               %{
                 cell_infos: %{
-                  "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :evaluating}},
+                  "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :evaluating}},
                   "c2" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :ready}},
                   "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :queued}}
                 },
@@ -2304,6 +2346,25 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
 
       assert {:ok, %{input_values: %{"i1" => "value"}}, _} = Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
+
+    test "evaluating code cell before smart cell changes its base" do
+      data =
+        data_after_operations!([
+          {:insert_section, self(), 0, "s1"},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 0, :code, "c1", %{}},
+          {:insert_cell, self(), "s1", 1, :smart, "c2", %{kind: "text"}},
+          {:set_runtime, self(), NoopRuntime.new()},
+          {:set_smart_cell_definitions, self(), [%{kind: "text", name: "Text"}]},
+          {:smart_cell_started, self(), "c2", Delta.new(), %{}},
+          {:queue_cells_evaluation, self(), ["c1"]}
+        ])
+
+      operation = {:add_cell_evaluation_response, self(), "c1", @eval_resp, @eval_meta}
+
+      assert {:ok, %{},
+              [{:set_smart_cell_base, %{id: "c2"}, %{id: "s1"}, {%{id: "c1"}, %{id: "s1"}}}]} =
+               Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
+    end
   end
 
   describe "apply_operation/2 given :bind_input" do
@@ -2407,7 +2468,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
                 cell_infos: %{
                   "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :aborted, status: :ready}},
                   "c2" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :ready}},
-                  "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :evaluating}}
+                  "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :evaluating}}
                 },
                 section_infos: %{
                   "s1" => %{evaluating_cell_id: nil, evaluation_queue: []},
@@ -2443,7 +2504,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
                   "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :ready}},
                   "c2" => %{eval: %{validity: :aborted, status: :ready}},
                   "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :aborted, status: :ready}},
-                  "c4" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :evaluating}}
+                  "c4" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :evaluating}}
                 },
                 section_infos: %{
                   "s1" => %{evaluating_cell_id: nil, evaluation_queue: []},
@@ -2544,7 +2605,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
                   "c1" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :ready}},
                   "c2" => %{eval: %{validity: :aborted, status: :ready}},
                   "c3" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :ready}},
-                  "c4" => %{eval: %{validity: :evaluated, status: :evaluating}}
+                  "c4" => %{eval: %{validity: :fresh, status: :evaluating}}
                 },
                 section_infos: %{
                   "s1" => %{evaluating_cell_id: nil, evaluation_queue: []},
@@ -2622,7 +2683,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
 
       operation = {:smart_cell_started, self(), "c1", delta, %{}}
 
-      assert {:ok, %{cell_infos: %{"c1" => %{status: :alive}}}, _actions} =
+      assert {:ok, %{cell_infos: %{"c1" => %{status: :started}}}, _actions} =
                Data.apply_operation(data, operation)
     end
 
@@ -3381,18 +3442,6 @@ defmodule Livebook.Session.DataTest do
     end
   end
 
-  defp data_after_operations!(operations) do
-    Enum.reduce(operations, Data.new(), fn operation, data ->
-      case Data.apply_operation(data, operation) do
-        {:ok, data, _action} ->
-          data
-
-        :error ->
-          raise "failed to set up test data, operation #{inspect(operation)} returned an error"
-      end
-    end)
-  end
-
   describe "bound_cells_with_section/2" do
     test "returns an empty list when an invalid input id is given" do
       data = Data.new()
diff --git a/test/livebook/session_test.exs b/test/livebook/session_test.exs
index 2a0c8475d..d8b75eb37 100644
--- a/test/livebook/session_test.exs
+++ b/test/livebook/session_test.exs
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
   use ExUnit.Case, async: true
 
+  import Livebook.TestHelpers
+
   alias Livebook.{Session, Delta, Runtime, Utils, Notebook, FileSystem}
   alias Livebook.Notebook.{Section, Cell}
+  alias Livebook.Session.Data
 
   setup do
     session = start_session()
@@ -587,7 +590,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
     end
   end
 
-  describe "find_prev_locator/3" do
+  describe "find_base_locator/3" do
     test "given cell in main flow returns previous Code cell" do
       cell1 = %{Cell.new(:code) | id: "c1"}
       cell2 = %{Cell.new(:markdown) | id: "c2"}
@@ -597,8 +600,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
       section2 = %{Section.new() | id: "s2", cells: [cell3]}
 
       notebook = %{Notebook.new() | sections: [section1, section2]}
+      data = Data.new(notebook)
 
-      assert {:main_flow, "c1"} = Session.find_prev_locator(notebook, cell3, section2)
+      assert {:main_flow, "c1"} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell3, section2)
     end
 
     test "given cell in branching section returns previous Code cell in that section" do
@@ -616,8 +620,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
       }
 
       notebook = %{Notebook.new() | sections: [section1, section2]}
+      data = Data.new(notebook)
 
-      assert {"s2", "c1"} = Session.find_prev_locator(notebook, cell3, section2)
+      assert {"s2", "c1"} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell3, section2)
     end
 
     test "given cell in main flow returns nil if there is no previous cell" do
@@ -628,8 +633,9 @@ defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
       section2 = %{Section.new() | id: "s2", cells: [cell2]}
 
       notebook = %{Notebook.new() | sections: [section1, section2]}
+      data = Data.new(notebook)
 
-      assert {:main_flow, nil} = Session.find_prev_locator(notebook, cell2, section2)
+      assert {:main_flow, nil} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell2, section2)
     end
 
     test "given cell in branching section returns nil in that section if there is no previous cell" do
@@ -646,8 +652,39 @@ defmodule Livebook.SessionTest do
       }
 
       notebook = %{Notebook.new() | sections: [section1, section2]}
+      data = Data.new(notebook)
 
-      assert {"s2", nil} = Session.find_prev_locator(notebook, cell2, section2)
+      assert {"s2", nil} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell2, section2)
+    end
+
+    test "when :existing is set ignores fresh and aborted cells" do
+      cell1 = %{Cell.new(:code) | id: "c1"}
+      cell2 = %{Cell.new(:code) | id: "c2"}
+      section1 = %{Section.new() | id: "s1", cells: [cell1, cell2]}
+
+      cell3 = %{Cell.new(:code) | id: "c3"}
+      section2 = %{Section.new() | id: "s2", cells: [cell3]}
+
+      notebook = %{Notebook.new() | sections: [section1, section2]}
+      data = Data.new(notebook)
+
+      assert {:main_flow, nil} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell3, section2, existing: true)
+
+      data =
+        data_after_operations!(data, [
+          {:set_runtime, self(), Livebook.Runtime.NoopRuntime.new()},
+          {:queue_cells_evaluation, self(), ["c1"]},
+          {:add_cell_evaluation_response, self(), "c1", {:ok, nil}, %{evaluation_time_ms: 10}}
+        ])
+
+      assert {:main_flow, "c1"} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell3, section2, existing: true)
+
+      data =
+        data_after_operations!(data, [
+          {:reflect_main_evaluation_failure, self()}
+        ])
+
+      assert {:main_flow, nil} = Session.find_base_locator(data, cell3, section2, existing: true)
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/test/support/noop_runtime.ex b/test/support/noop_runtime.ex
index ef058c4cc..578d029fd 100644
--- a/test/support/noop_runtime.ex
+++ b/test/support/noop_runtime.ex
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.NoopRuntime do
       end
     end
 
-    def start_smart_cell(_, _, _, _), do: :ok
-
+    def start_smart_cell(_, _, _, _, _), do: :ok
+    def set_smart_cell_base_locator(_, _, _), do: :ok
     def stop_smart_cell(_, _), do: :ok
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/support/test_helpers.ex b/test/support/test_helpers.ex
index 20014a775..ea548d8e6 100644
--- a/test/support/test_helpers.ex
+++ b/test/support/test_helpers.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 defmodule Livebook.TestHelpers do
   @moduledoc false
 
+  alias Livebook.Session.Data
+
   @doc """
   Creates file structure according to the given specification.
   """
@@ -18,4 +20,21 @@ defmodule Livebook.TestHelpers do
       end
     end
   end
+
+  @doc """
+  Applies the given list of operations to `Livebook.Session.Data`.
+
+  Raises if any of the operations results in an error.
+  """
+  def data_after_operations!(data \\ Data.new(), operations) do
+    Enum.reduce(operations, data, fn operation, data ->
+      case Data.apply_operation(data, operation) do
+        {:ok, data, _action} ->
+          data
+
+        :error ->
+          raise "failed to set up test data, operation #{inspect(operation)} returned an error"
+      end
+    end)
+  end
 end