diff --git a/docs/migrations/25-10.md b/docs/migrations/25-10.md
index dcb07a64be..67b43914ed 100644
--- a/docs/migrations/25-10.md
+++ b/docs/migrations/25-10.md
@@ -8,6 +8,31 @@ This page summarizes the upcoming changes in Nextflow 25.10, which will be relea
 This page is a work in progress and will be updated as features are finalized. It should not be considered complete until the 25.10 release.
 :::
 
+## New features
+
+<h3>Workflow params</h3>
+
+The `params` block is a new way to declare pipeline parameters in a Nextflow script:
+
+```nextflow
+params {
+  // Path to input data.
+  input: Path
+
+  // Whether to save intermediate files.
+  save_intermeds: Boolean = false
+}
+
+workflow {
+  println "params.input = ${params.input}"
+  println "params.save_intermeds = ${params.save_intermeds}"
+}
+```
+
+This syntax allows you to declare all parameters in one place with explicit type annotations, and it allows Nextflow to validate parameters at runtime.
+
+See {ref}`workflow-params-def` for details.
+
 ## Enhancements
 
 <h3>New syntax for workflow handlers</h3>
@@ -74,4 +99,6 @@ This feature addresses previous inconsistencies in timestamp representations.
 
 ## Deprecations
 
+- The legacy type detection of CLI parameters is disabled when using the strict syntax (`NXF_SYNTAX_PARSER=v2`). {ref}`Legacy parameters <workflow-params-legacy>` in the strict syntax should not rely on legacy type detection. Alternatively, use the new `params` block to convert CLI parameters based on their type annotations. Legacy type detection can be disabled globally by setting the environment variable `NXF_DISABLE_PARAMS_TYPE_DETECTION=true`.
+
 - The use of workflow handlers in the configuration file has been deprecated. You should define workflow handlers in the pipeline script or a plugin instead. See {ref}`config-workflow-handlers` for details.
diff --git a/docs/reference/syntax.md b/docs/reference/syntax.md
index 696ef6b42a..5d794b1d62 100644
--- a/docs/reference/syntax.md
+++ b/docs/reference/syntax.md
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ A Nextflow script may contain the following top-level declarations:
 - Shebang
 - Feature flags
 - Include declarations
-- Parameter declarations
+- Params block
+- Parameter declarations (legacy)
 - Workflow definitions
 - Process definitions
 - Function definitions
@@ -107,9 +108,22 @@ The following definitions can be included:
 - Processes
 - Named workflows
 
-### Parameter
+### Params block
 
-A parameter declaration is an assignment. The target should be a pipeline parameter and the source should be an expression:
+The params block consists of one or more *parameter declarations*. A parameter declaration consists of a name and an optional default value:
+
+```nextflow
+params {
+    input: Path
+    save_intermeds: Boolean = false
+}
+```
+
+Only one params block may be defined in a script.
+
+### Parameter (legacy)
+
+A legacy parameter declaration is an assignment. The target should be a pipeline parameter and the source should be an expression:
 
 ```nextflow
 params.message = 'Hello world!'
diff --git a/docs/vscode.md b/docs/vscode.md
index 76f1367594..ac3a716edf 100644
--- a/docs/vscode.md
+++ b/docs/vscode.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ The language server parses scripts and config files according to the {ref}`Nextf
 
 When you hover over certain source code elements, such as variable names and function calls, the extension provides a tooltip with related information, such as the definition and/or documentation for the element.
 
-If a [Javadoc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javadoc) comment is defined above a workflow, process, or function, the extension will include the contents of the comment in hover hints. The following is an example Javadoc comment:
+If a [Javadoc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javadoc) comment is defined above a workflow, process, function, or parameter in a `params` block, the extension will include the contents of the comment in hover hints. The following is an example Javadoc comment:
 
 ```nextflow
 /**
diff --git a/docs/workflow.md b/docs/workflow.md
index d44f92289a..6cfc61b11c 100644
--- a/docs/workflow.md
+++ b/docs/workflow.md
@@ -22,7 +22,60 @@ workflow {
 }
 ```
 
-### Parameters
+(workflow-params-def)=
+
+## Parameters
+
+Parameters can be declared in a Nextflow script with the `params` block or with *legacy* parameter declarations.
+
+### Params block
+
+:::{versionadded} 25.10.0
+:::
+
+:::{note}
+This feature requires the {ref}`strict syntax <strict-syntax-page>` to be enabled (`NXF_SYNTAX_PARSER=v2`).
+:::
+
+A script can declare parameters using the `params` block:
+
+```nextflow
+params {
+    // Path to input data.
+    input: Path
+
+    // Whether to save intermediate files.
+    save_intermeds: Boolean = false
+}
+```
+
+The following types can be used for parameters:
+
+- {ref}`stdlib-types-boolean`
+- {ref}`stdlib-types-float`
+- {ref}`stdlib-types-integer`
+- {ref}`stdlib-types-path`
+- {ref}`stdlib-types-string`
+
+Parameters can be used in the entry workflow:
+
+```nextflow
+workflow {
+    analyze(params.input, params.save_intermeds)
+}
+```
+
+:::{note}
+As a best practice, parameters should only be used directly in the entry workflow and passed to workflows and processes as explicit inputs.
+:::
+
+The default value can be overridden by the command line, params file, or config file. Parameters from multiple sources are resolved in the order described in {ref}`cli-params`. Parameters specified on the command line are converted to the appropriate type based on the corresponding type annotation.
+
+A parameter that doesn't specify a default value is a *required* param. If a required param is not given a value at runtime, the run will fail.
+
+(workflow-params-legacy)=
+
+### Legacy parameters
 
 Parameters can be declared by assigning a `params` property to a default value:
 
@@ -38,10 +91,6 @@ workflow {
 }
 ```
 
-:::{note}
-As a best practice, `params` should be used only in the entry workflow and passed to workflows and processes as explicit inputs.
-:::
-
 The default value can be overridden by the command line, params file, or config file. Parameters from multiple sources are resolved in the order described in {ref}`cli-params`.
 
 ## Named workflows
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/Session.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/Session.groovy
index 0e8ae74108..2a07576f09 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/Session.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/Session.groovy
@@ -120,6 +120,16 @@ class Session implements ISession {
      */
     ScriptBinding binding
 
+    /**
+     * Params that were specified on the command line.
+     */
+    Map cliParams
+
+    /**
+     * Params that were specified in the configuration.
+     */
+    Map configParams
+
     /**
      * Holds the configuration object
      */
@@ -425,7 +435,7 @@ class Session implements ISession {
     /**
      * Initialize the session workDir, libDir, baseDir and scriptName variables
      */
-    Session init( ScriptFile scriptFile, List<String> args=null ) {
+    Session init( ScriptFile scriptFile, List<String> args=null, Map<String,?> cliParams=null, Map<String,?> configParams=null ) {
 
         if(!workDir.mkdirs()) throw new AbortOperationException("Cannot create work-dir: $workDir -- Make sure you have write permissions or specify a different directory by using the `-w` command line option")
         log.debug "Work-dir: ${workDir.toUriString()} [${FileHelper.getPathFsType(workDir)}]"
@@ -452,6 +462,8 @@ class Session implements ISession {
         this.workflowMetadata = new WorkflowMetadata(this, scriptFile)
 
         // configure script params
+        this.cliParams = cliParams
+        this.configParams = configParams
         binding.setParams( (Map)config.params )
         binding.setArgs( new ScriptRunner.ArgsList(args) )
 
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/cli/CmdRun.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/cli/CmdRun.groovy
index d096e678e6..838bd173fe 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/cli/CmdRun.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/cli/CmdRun.groovy
@@ -325,12 +325,18 @@ class CmdRun extends CmdBase implements HubOptions {
         // -- specify the arguments
         final scriptFile = getScriptFile(pipeline)
 
+        // -- load command line params
+        final baseDir = scriptFile.parent
+        final cliParams = parsedParams(ConfigBuilder.getConfigVars(baseDir))
+
         // create the config object
         final builder = new ConfigBuilder()
                 .setOptions(launcher.options)
                 .setCmdRun(this)
-                .setBaseDir(scriptFile.parent)
-        final config = builder .build()
+                .setBaseDir(baseDir)
+                .setCliParams(cliParams)
+        final config = builder.build()
+        final configParams = builder.getConfigParams()
 
         // check DSL syntax in the config
         launchInfo(config, scriptFile)
@@ -376,7 +382,7 @@ class CmdRun extends CmdBase implements HubOptions {
         }
 
         // -- run it!
-        runner.execute(scriptArgs, this.entryName)
+        runner.execute(scriptArgs, cliParams, configParams, this.entryName)
     }
 
     protected void printBanner() {
@@ -698,7 +704,7 @@ class CmdRun extends CmdBase implements HubOptions {
     }
 
     static protected parseParamValue(String str) {
-        if ( SysEnv.get('NXF_DISABLE_PARAMS_TYPE_DETECTION') )
+        if ( SysEnv.get('NXF_DISABLE_PARAMS_TYPE_DETECTION') || NF.isSyntaxParserV2() )
             return str
 
         if ( str == null ) return null
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilder.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilder.groovy
index c37e40591c..a3bfc4f27d 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilder.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilder.groovy
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
 
     Path currentDir
 
+    Map<String,?> cliParams
+
     boolean showAllProfiles
 
     String profile = DEFAULT_PROFILE
@@ -78,9 +80,11 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
 
     Map<String,String> env = new HashMap<>(SysEnv.get())
 
-    List<String> warnings = new ArrayList<>(10);
+    List<String> warnings = new ArrayList<>(10)
+
+    Map<String,Object> declaredParams = [:]
 
-    {
+    ConfigBuilder() {
         setHomeDir(Const.APP_HOME_DIR)
         setCurrentDir(Paths.get('.'))
     }
@@ -111,6 +115,11 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
         return this
     }
 
+    ConfigBuilder setCliParams( Map<String,?> cliParams ) {
+        this.cliParams = cliParams
+        return this
+    }
+
     ConfigBuilder setBaseDir( Path path ) {
         this.baseDir = path.complete()
         return this
@@ -159,6 +168,10 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
         return this
     }
 
+    Map<String,Object> getConfigParams() {
+        return declaredParams
+    }
+
     static private wrapValue( value ) {
         if( !value )
             return ''
@@ -324,11 +337,11 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
         // this is needed to make sure to reuse the same
         // instance of the config vars across different instances of the ConfigBuilder
         // and prevent multiple parsing of the same params file (which can even be remote resource)
-        return cacheableConfigVars(baseDir)
+        return getConfigVars(baseDir)
     }
 
     @Memoized
-    static private Map cacheableConfigVars(Path base) {
+    static Map getConfigVars(Path base) {
         final binding = new HashMap(10)
         binding.put('baseDir', base)
         binding.put('projectDir', base)
@@ -348,8 +361,8 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
                 .setIgnoreIncludes(ignoreIncludes)
         ConfigObject result = new ConfigObject()
 
-        if( cmdRun && (cmdRun.hasParams()) )
-            parser.setParams(cmdRun.parsedParams(configVars()))
+        if( cliParams )
+            parser.setParams(cliParams)
 
         // add the user specified environment to the session env
         env.sort().each { name, value -> result.env.put(name,value) }
@@ -380,7 +393,7 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
             }
 
             if( validateProfile ) {
-                checkValidProfile(parser.getProfiles())
+                checkValidProfile(parser.getDeclaredProfiles())
             }
 
         }
@@ -414,6 +427,7 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
         final config = parse0(parser, entry)
         if( NF.getSyntaxParserVersion() == 'v1' )
             validate(config, entry)
+        declaredParams.putAll(parser.getDeclaredParams())
         result.merge(config)
     }
 
@@ -723,8 +737,8 @@ class ConfigBuilder {
         }
 
         // -- add the command line parameters to the 'taskConfig' object
-        if( cmdRun.hasParams() )
-            config.params = mergeMaps( (Map)config.params, cmdRun.parsedParams(configVars()), NF.strictMode )
+        if( cliParams )
+            config.params = mergeMaps( (Map)config.params, cliParams, NF.strictMode )
 
         if( cmdRun.withoutDocker && config.docker instanceof Map ) {
             // disable docker execution
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigParser.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigParser.groovy
index 9a51a02f81..78d86e01f8 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigParser.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigParser.groovy
@@ -67,6 +67,11 @@ interface ConfigParser {
      */
     ConfigParser setParams(Map vars)
 
+    /**
+     * Set the profiles that should be applied.
+     */
+    ConfigParser setProfiles(List<String> profiles)
+
     /**
      * Parse a config object from the given source.
      */
@@ -75,13 +80,13 @@ interface ConfigParser {
     ConfigObject parse(Path path)
 
     /**
-     * Set the profiles that should be applied.
+     * Get the set of declared profiles.
      */
-    ConfigParser setProfiles(List<String> profiles)
+    Set<String> getDeclaredProfiles()
 
     /**
-     * Get the set of available profiles.
+     * Get the map of declared params.
      */
-    Set<String> getProfiles()
+    Map<String,Object> getDeclaredParams()
 
 }
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1.groovy
index a259185a96..22ba8159e9 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1.groovy
@@ -123,10 +123,15 @@ class ConfigParserV1 implements ConfigParser {
     }
 
     @Override
-    Set<String> getProfiles() {
+    Set<String> getDeclaredProfiles() {
         Collections.unmodifiableSet(conditionalNames)
     }
 
+    @Override
+    Map<String,Object> getDeclaredParams() {
+        [:]
+    }
+
     private Grengine getGrengine() {
         if( grengine ) {
             return grengine
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigDsl.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigDsl.groovy
index cf7e0ab835..a450ea7604 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigDsl.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigDsl.groovy
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ class ConfigDsl extends Script {
 
     private Map target = [:]
 
-    private Set<String> parsedProfiles = []
+    private Set<String> declaredProfiles = []
+
+    private Map<String,Object> declaredParams = [:]
 
     void setIgnoreIncludes(boolean value) {
         this.ignoreIncludes = value
@@ -74,12 +76,20 @@ class ConfigDsl extends Script {
         this.profiles = profiles
     }
 
-    void addParsedProfile(String profile) {
-        parsedProfiles.add(profile)
+    void declareProfile(String profile) {
+        declaredProfiles.add(profile)
+    }
+
+    Set<String> getDeclaredProfiles() {
+        return declaredProfiles
+    }
+
+    void declareParam(String name, Object value) {
+        declaredParams.put(name, value)
     }
 
-    Set<String> getParsedProfiles() {
-        return parsedProfiles
+    Map<String,Object> getDeclaredParams() {
+        return declaredParams
     }
 
     Map getTarget() {
@@ -104,8 +114,10 @@ class ConfigDsl extends Script {
         }
     }
 
-    void assign(List<String> names, Object right) {
-        navigate(names.init()).put(names.last(), right)
+    void assign(List<String> names, Object value) {
+        if( names.size() == 2 && names.first() == 'params' )
+            declareParam(names.last(), value)
+        navigate(names.init()).put(names.last(), value)
     }
 
     private Map navigate(List<String> names) {
@@ -177,7 +189,8 @@ class ConfigDsl extends Script {
                 .setParams(target.params as Map)
                 .setProfiles(profiles)
         final config = parser.parse(configText, includePath)
-        parsedProfiles.addAll(parser.getProfiles())
+        declaredProfiles.addAll(parser.getDeclaredProfiles())
+        declaredParams.putAll(parser.getDeclaredParams())
 
         final ctx = navigate(names)
         ctx.putAll(Bolts.deepMerge(ctx, config))
@@ -280,7 +293,7 @@ class ConfigDsl extends Script {
         @Override
         void block(String name, Closure closure) {
             blocks[name] = closure
-            dsl.addParsedProfile(name)
+            dsl.declareProfile(name)
         }
 
         @Override
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2.groovy
index d6a7bc3e7d..7ff23c4b3a 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2.groovy
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ class ConfigParserV2 implements ConfigParser {
 
     private List<String> appliedProfiles
 
-    private Set<String> parsedProfiles
+    private Set<String> declaredProfiles
+
+    private Map<String,Object> declaredParams
 
     private GroovyShell groovyShell
 
@@ -58,11 +60,6 @@ class ConfigParserV2 implements ConfigParser {
         return this
     }
 
-    @Override
-    Set<String> getProfiles() {
-        return parsedProfiles
-    }
-
     @Override
     ConfigParserV2 setIgnoreIncludes(boolean value) {
         this.ignoreIncludes = value
@@ -101,6 +98,16 @@ class ConfigParserV2 implements ConfigParser {
         return this
     }
 
+    @Override
+    Set<String> getDeclaredProfiles() {
+        return declaredProfiles
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    Map<String,Object> getDeclaredParams() {
+        return declaredParams
+    }
+
     /**
      * Parse the given script as a string and return the configuration object
      *
@@ -126,7 +133,8 @@ class ConfigParserV2 implements ConfigParser {
             script.run()
 
             final target = script.getTarget()
-            parsedProfiles = script.getParsedProfiles()
+            declaredProfiles = script.getDeclaredProfiles()
+            declaredParams = script.getDeclaredParams()
             return Bolts.toConfigObject(target)
         }
         catch( CompilationFailedException e ) {
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScript.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScript.groovy
index 67075cb1a3..f916cfd8bf 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScript.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScript.groovy
@@ -98,6 +98,21 @@ abstract class BaseScript extends Script implements ExecutionContext {
         binding.setVariable( 'secrets', SecretsLoader.secretContext() )
     }
 
+    protected void params(Closure body) {
+        if( entryFlow )
+            throw new IllegalStateException("Workflow params definition must be defined before the entry workflow")
+        if( ExecutionStack.withinWorkflow() )
+            throw new IllegalStateException("Workflow params definition is not allowed within a workflow")
+
+        final dsl = new ParamsDsl()
+        final cl = (Closure)body.clone()
+        cl.setDelegate(dsl)
+        cl.setResolveStrategy(Closure.DELEGATE_FIRST)
+        cl.call()
+
+        dsl.apply(session)
+    }
+
     protected process( String name, Closure<BodyDef> body ) {
         final process = new ProcessDef(this,body,name)
         meta.addDefinition(process)
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDsl.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDsl.groovy
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d2c665938c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDsl.groovy
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2013-2024, Seqera Labs
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package nextflow.script
+
+import java.nio.file.Path
+
+import groovy.transform.Canonical
+import groovy.transform.CompileStatic
+import groovy.util.logging.Slf4j
+import nextflow.Session
+import nextflow.file.FileHelper
+import nextflow.exception.ScriptRuntimeException
+import nextflow.script.types.Types
+/**
+ * Implements the DSL for defining workflow params
+ *
+ * @author Ben Sherman <bentshermann@gmail.com>
+ */
+@Slf4j
+@CompileStatic
+class ParamsDsl {
+
+    private Map<String,Param> declarations = [:]
+
+    void declare(String name, Class type) {
+        declarations[name] = new Param(name, type, Optional.empty())
+    }
+
+    void declare(String name, Class type, Object defaultValue) {
+        declarations[name] = new Param(name, type, Optional.of(defaultValue))
+    }
+
+    void apply(Session session) {
+        final cliParams = session.cliParams ?: [:]
+        final configParams = session.configParams ?: [:]
+
+        for( final name : cliParams.keySet() ) {
+            if( !declarations.containsKey(name) && !configParams.containsKey(name) )
+                throw new ScriptRuntimeException("Parameter `$name` was specified on the command line or params file but is not declared in the script or config")
+        }
+
+        final params = new HashMap<String,?>()
+        for( final name : declarations.keySet() ) {
+            final decl = declarations[name]
+            if( cliParams.containsKey(name) )
+                params[name] = resolveFromCli(decl, cliParams[name])
+            else if( configParams.containsKey(name) )
+                params[name] = resolveFromCode(decl, configParams[name])
+            else if( decl.defaultValue.isPresent() )
+                params[name] = resolveFromCode(decl, decl.defaultValue.get())
+            else
+                throw new ScriptRuntimeException("Parameter `$name` is required but was not specified on the command line, params file, or config")
+
+            final actualType = params[name].getClass()
+            if( !decl.type.isAssignableFrom(actualType) )
+                throw new ScriptRuntimeException("Parameter `$name` with type ${Types.getName(decl.type)} cannot be assigned to ${params[name]} [${Types.getName(actualType)}]")
+        }
+
+        session.binding.setParams(params, true)
+    }
+
+    private Object resolveFromCli(Param decl, Object value) {
+        if( value == null )
+            return null
+
+        if( value !instanceof CharSequence )
+            return value
+
+        final str = value.toString()
+
+        if( decl.type == Boolean ) {
+            if( str.toLowerCase() == 'true' ) return Boolean.TRUE
+            if( str.toLowerCase() == 'false' ) return Boolean.FALSE
+        }
+
+        if( decl.type == Integer || decl.type == Float ) {
+            if( str.isInteger() ) return str.toInteger()
+            if( str.isLong() ) return str.toLong()
+        }
+
+        if( decl.type == Float ) {
+            if( str.isFloat() ) return str.toFloat()
+            if( str.isDouble() ) return str.toDouble()
+        }
+
+        if( decl.type == Path ) {
+            return FileHelper.asPath(str)
+        }
+
+        return value
+    }
+
+    private Object resolveFromCode(Param decl, Object value) {
+        if( value == null )
+            return null
+
+        if( decl.type == Path && value instanceof CharSequence )
+            return FileHelper.asPath(value.toString())
+
+        return value
+    }
+
+    @Canonical
+    private static class Param {
+        String name
+        Class type
+        Optional<?> defaultValue
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptBinding.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptBinding.groovy
index 9ef4999905..0ea8b267c9 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptBinding.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptBinding.groovy
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class ScriptBinding extends WorkflowBinding {
         }
         vars.put('args', args)
         
-        // create and populate args
+        // create and populate params
         params = new ParamsMap()
         if( vars.params ) {
             if( !(vars.params instanceof Map) ) throw new IllegalArgumentException("ScriptBinding 'params' must be a Map value")
@@ -132,10 +132,17 @@ class ScriptBinding extends WorkflowBinding {
      * The map of the CLI named parameters
      *
      * @param values
+     * @param override
      */
-    ScriptBinding setParams(Map<String,Object> values ) {
-        if( values )
+    ScriptBinding setParams(Map<String,Object> values, boolean override=false) {
+        if( values ) {
+            if( override ) {
+                for( final key : values.keySet() )
+                    params.remove(key)
+            }
             params.putAll(values)
+            super.setVariable0('params', params)
+        }
         return this
     }
 
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptRunner.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptRunner.groovy
index 54bd1e1dac..4449ea27c5 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptRunner.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/ScriptRunner.groovy
@@ -113,21 +113,21 @@ class ScriptRunner {
 
 
     /**
-     * Execute a Nextflow script, it does the following:
-     * <li>parse the script
-     * <li>launch script execution
-     * <li>await for all tasks completion
+     * Execute a Nextflow script:
+     * 1. compile and load the script
+     * 2. execute the script
+     * 3. await for all tasks to complete
      *
-     * @param scriptFile The file containing the script to be executed
-     * @param args The arguments to be passed to the script
-     * @return The result as returned by the {@code #run} method
+     * @param args command-line positional arguments
+     * @param cliParams parameters specified on the command-line
+     * @param configParams parameters specified in the config
+     * @param entryName named workflow entrypoint
      */
-
-    def execute( List<String> args = null, String entryName=null ) {
+    def execute( List<String> args=null, Map<String,?> cliParams=null, Map<String,?> configParams=null, String entryName=null ) {
         assert scriptFile
 
         // init session
-        session.init(scriptFile, args)
+        session.init(scriptFile, args, cliParams, configParams)
 
         // start session
         session.start()
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/WorkflowBinding.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/WorkflowBinding.groovy
index 8b03bee573..bddaa0ed35 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/WorkflowBinding.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/main/groovy/nextflow/script/WorkflowBinding.groovy
@@ -135,6 +135,10 @@ class WorkflowBinding extends Binding  {
     @Override
     void setVariable(String name, Object value) {
         lookupTable.put(value, name)
+        setVariable0(name, value)
+    }
+
+    protected void setVariable0(String name, Object value) {
         super.setVariable(name, value)
     }
 
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilderTest.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilderTest.groovy
index fff17bbe92..65b616188b 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilderTest.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/ConfigBuilderTest.groovy
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 package nextflow.config
 
 import java.nio.file.Files
-import java.nio.file.Paths
+import java.nio.file.Path
 
 import nextflow.SysEnv
 import nextflow.cli.CliOptions
@@ -47,6 +47,24 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         SysEnv.pop()
     }
 
+    ConfigObject configWithParams(Path file, Map runOpts, Path baseDir=null) {
+        def run = new CmdRun(runOpts)
+        return new ConfigBuilder()
+            .setOptions(new CliOptions())
+            .setCmdRun(run)
+            .setCliParams(run.parsedParams(ConfigBuilder.getConfigVars(baseDir)))
+            .buildGivenFiles(file)
+    }
+
+    ConfigObject configWithParams(Map config, Map runOpts, Map cliOpts=[:]) {
+        def run = new CmdRun(runOpts)
+        return new ConfigBuilder(config)
+            .setOptions(new CliOptions(cliOpts))
+            .setCmdRun(run)
+            .setCliParams(run.parsedParams(ConfigBuilder.getConfigVars(null)))
+            .build()
+    }
+
     def 'build config object' () {
 
         setup:
@@ -143,7 +161,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
 
         setup:
         def builder = [:] as ConfigBuilder
-        builder.baseDir = Paths.get('/base/path')
+        builder.baseDir = Path.of('/base/path')
 
         def text = '''
         params.p = "$baseDir/1"
@@ -161,8 +179,8 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         cfg.params.p == '/base/path/1'
         cfg.params.q == '/base/path/2'
         cfg.params.x == '/base/path/3'
-        cfg.params.y == "${Paths.get('.').toRealPath()}/4"
-        cfg.params.z == "${Paths.get('results').complete()}/5"
+        cfg.params.y == "${Path.of('.').toRealPath()}/4"
+        cfg.params.z == "${Path.of('results').complete()}/5"
 
     }
 
@@ -185,9 +203,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         }
         '''
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [alpha: 'Hello', beta: 'World', omega: 'Last'])
-        def result = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        def result = configWithParams(file, [params: [alpha: 'Hello', beta: 'World', omega: 'Last']])
 
         then:
         result.params.alpha == 'Hello'  // <-- params defined as CLI options override the ones in the config file
@@ -218,9 +234,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         }
         '''
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [alpha: 'Hello', beta: 'World', omega: 'Last'])
-        def result = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        def result = configWithParams(file, [params: [alpha: 'Hello', beta: 'World', omega: 'Last']])
 
         then:
         result.params.alpha == 'Hello'  // <-- params defined as CLI options override the ones in the config file
@@ -270,9 +284,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         '''
 
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [one: '1', two: 'dos', three: 'tres'])
-        def config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(configMain.toPath())
+        def config = configWithParams(configMain.toPath(), [params: [one: '1', two: 'dos', three: 'tres']])
 
         then:
         config.params.one == 1
@@ -316,9 +328,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         '''
 
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [igenomes_base: 'test'])
-        def config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(configMain.toPath())
+        def config = configWithParams(configMain.toPath(), [params: [igenomes_base: 'test']])
 
         then:
         config.params.genomes.GRCh37 == [fasta:'test/genome.fa', bwa:'test/BWAIndex/genome.fa']
@@ -333,7 +343,6 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         def folder = File.createTempDir()
         def configMain = new File(folder,'my.config').absoluteFile
 
-
         configMain.text = """
         process.name = 'alpha'
         params.one = 'a'
@@ -401,44 +410,34 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
                 publishDir = [path: params.alpha]
             }
           }
-
         }
-
         '''
 
-
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB'])
-        def config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        def config = configWithParams(file, [params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB']])
         then:
         config.params.alpha == 'AAA'
         config.params.beta == 'BBB'
         config.params.delta == 'Foo'
         config.params.gamma == 'AAA'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bed12 == '/data/genes.bed'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bismark == '/data/BismarkIndex'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bowtie  == '/data/genome'
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bed12 == '/data/genes.bed'
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bismark == '/data/BismarkIndex'
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bowtie  == '/data/genome'
 
         when:
-        opt = new CliOptions()
-        run = new CmdRun(params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB'], profile: 'first')
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        config = configWithParams(file, [params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB'], profile: 'first'])
         then:
         config.params.alpha == 'AAA'
         config.params.beta == 'BBB'
         config.params.delta == 'Foo'
         config.params.gamma == 'First'
         config.process.name == 'Bar'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bed12 == '/data/genes.bed'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bismark == '/data/BismarkIndex'
-        config.params.genomes.GRCh37.bowtie  == '/data/genome'
-
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bed12 == '/data/genes.bed'
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bismark == '/data/BismarkIndex'
+        config.params.genomes.'GRCh37'.bowtie  == '/data/genome'
 
         when:
-        opt = new CliOptions()
-        run = new CmdRun(params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB', genomes: 'xxx'], profile: 'second')
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        config = configWithParams(file, [params: [alpha: 'AAA', beta: 'BBB', genomes: 'xxx'], profile: 'second'])
         then:
         config.params.alpha == 'AAA'
         config.params.beta == 'BBB'
@@ -453,10 +452,10 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
 
     def 'params-file should override params in the config file' () {
         setup:
-        def baseDir = Paths.get('/my/base/dir')
+        def baseDir = Path.of('/my/base/dir')
         and:
-        def params = Files.createTempFile('test', '.yml')
-        params.text = '''
+        def paramsFile = Files.createTempFile('test', '.yml')
+        paramsFile.text = '''
             alpha: "Hello" 
             beta: "World" 
             omega: "Last"
@@ -480,9 +479,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         }
         '''
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(paramsFile: params)
-        def result = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).setBaseDir(baseDir).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        def result = configWithParams(file, [paramsFile: paramsFile], baseDir)
 
         then:
         result.params.alpha == 'Hello'  // <-- params defined in the params-file overrides the ones in the config file
@@ -495,7 +492,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
 
         cleanup:
         file?.delete()
-        params?.delete()
+        paramsFile?.delete()
     }
 
     def 'params should override params-file and override params in the config file' () {
@@ -522,9 +519,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         }
         '''
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(paramsFile: params, params: [alpha: 'Hola', beta: 'Mundo'])
-        def result = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).buildGivenFiles(file)
+        def result = configWithParams(file, [paramsFile: params, params: [alpha: 'Hola', beta: 'Mundo']])
 
         then:
         result.params.alpha == 'Hola'   // <-- this comes from the CLI
@@ -1629,56 +1624,56 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         def config
 
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: EMPTY)).setCmdRun(new CmdRun()).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [:], [config: EMPTY])
         then:
         config.params == [:]
 
         // get params for the CLI
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: EMPTY)).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(params: [foo:'one', bar:'two'])).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [params: [foo:'one', bar:'two']], [config: EMPTY])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:'one', bar:'two']
 
         // get params from config file
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: [configFile])).setCmdRun(new CmdRun()).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [:], [config: [configFile]])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:1, bar:2, data: '/some/path']
 
         // get params form JSON file
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: EMPTY)).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: jsonFile)).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: jsonFile], [config: EMPTY])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:10, bar:20]
 
         // get params from YAML file
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: EMPTY)).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: yamlFile)).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: yamlFile], [config: EMPTY])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:100, bar:200]
 
         // cli override config
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: [configFile])).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(params:[foo:'hello', baz:'world'])).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [params: [foo:'hello', baz:'world']], [config: [configFile]])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:'hello', bar:2, baz: 'world', data: '/some/path']
 
         // CLI override JSON
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: EMPTY)).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(params:[foo:'hello', baz:'world'], paramsFile: jsonFile)).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [params: [foo:'hello', baz:'world'], paramsFile: jsonFile], [config: EMPTY])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:'hello', bar:20, baz: 'world']
 
         // JSON override config
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: [configFile])).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: jsonFile)).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: jsonFile], [config: [configFile]])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:10, bar:20, data: '/some/path']
 
 
         // CLI override JSON that override config
         when:
-        config = new ConfigBuilder().setOptions(new CliOptions(config: [configFile])).setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: jsonFile, params: [foo:'Ciao'])).build()
+        config = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: jsonFile, params: [foo:'Ciao']], [config: [configFile]])
         then:
         config.params == [foo:'Ciao', bar:20, data: '/some/path']
     }
@@ -2257,9 +2252,9 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         """
 
         when:
-        def opt = new CliOptions()
-        def run = new CmdRun(params: [bar: "world", 'baz.y': "mondo", 'baz.z.beta': "Welt"])
-        def config = new ConfigBuilder(env: [NXF_CONFIG_FILE: configMain.toString()]).setOptions(opt).setCmdRun(run).build()
+        def config = configWithParams(
+            [env: [NXF_CONFIG_FILE: configMain.toString()]],
+            [params: [bar: "world", 'baz.y': "mondo", 'baz.z.beta': "Welt"]] )
 
         then:
         config.params.foo == 'Hello'
@@ -2342,10 +2337,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
 
         
         when:
-        def cfg2 = new ConfigBuilder()
-                .setOptions( new CliOptions(userConfig: [config.toString()]))
-                .setCmdRun( new CmdRun(params: ['test.foo': 'CLI_FOO'] ))
-                .build()
+        def cfg2 = configWithParams([:], [params: ['test.foo': 'CLI_FOO']], [userConfig: [config.toString()]])
         then:
         cfg2.params.test.foo == "CLI_FOO"
         cfg2.params.test.bar == "bar_def"
@@ -2375,7 +2367,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         '''.stripIndent()
 
         when:
-        def cfg1 = new ConfigBuilder().setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: config.toString())).build()
+        def cfg1 = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: config.toString()])
 
         then:
         cfg1.params.title == "something"
@@ -2403,7 +2395,7 @@ class ConfigBuilderTest extends Specification {
         '''.stripIndent()
 
         when:
-        def cfg1 = new ConfigBuilder().setCmdRun(new CmdRun(paramsFile: config.toString())).build()
+        def cfg1 = configWithParams([:], [paramsFile: config.toString()])
 
         then:
         cfg1.params.title == "something"
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1Test.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1Test.groovy
index 85d6f38a76..36f6cc51f9 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1Test.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v1/ConfigParserV1Test.groovy
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ class ConfigParserV1Test extends Specification {
 
     }
 
-    def 'should return the set of visited block names' () {
+    def 'should return the set of declared profiles' () {
 
         given:
         def text = '''
@@ -417,13 +417,13 @@ class ConfigParserV1Test extends Specification {
         def slurper = new ConfigParserV1().setProfiles(['alpha'])
         slurper.parse(text)
         then:
-        slurper.getProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
+        slurper.getDeclaredProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
 
         when:
         slurper = new ConfigParserV1().setProfiles(['omega'])
         slurper.parse(text)
         then:
-        slurper.getProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
+        slurper.getDeclaredProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
     }
 
     def 'should disable includeConfig parsing' () {
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2Test.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2Test.groovy
index 0943603030..98913ebf73 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2Test.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/config/parser/v2/ConfigParserV2Test.groovy
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ class ConfigParserV2Test extends Specification {
 
     }
 
-    def 'should return the set of parsed profiles' () {
+    def 'should return the set of declared profiles' () {
 
         given:
         def text = '''
@@ -366,13 +366,42 @@ class ConfigParserV2Test extends Specification {
         def slurper = new ConfigParserV2().setProfiles(['alpha'])
         slurper.parse(text)
         then:
-        slurper.getProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
+        slurper.getDeclaredProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
 
         when:
         slurper = new ConfigParserV2().setProfiles(['omega'])
         slurper.parse(text)
         then:
-        slurper.getProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
+        slurper.getDeclaredProfiles() == ['alpha','beta'] as Set
+    }
+
+    def 'should return the map of declared params' () {
+
+        given:
+        def text = '''
+        params {
+            a = 1
+            b = 2
+        }
+
+        profiles {
+            alpha {
+                params.a = 3
+            }
+        }
+        '''
+
+        when:
+        def slurper = new ConfigParserV2().setParams([c: 4])
+        slurper.parse(text)
+        then:
+        slurper.getDeclaredParams() == [a: 1, b: 2]
+
+        when:
+        slurper = new ConfigParserV2().setParams([c: 4]).setProfiles(['alpha'])
+        slurper.parse(text)
+        then:
+        slurper.getDeclaredParams() == [a: 3, b: 2]
     }
 
     def 'should ignore config includes when specified' () {
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScriptTest.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScriptTest.groovy
index cdd8dc9727..6db6f66aed 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScriptTest.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/BaseScriptTest.groovy
@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@ class BaseScriptTest extends Dsl2Spec {
         def script = Files.createTempFile('test',null)
         and:
         def session = Mock(Session) {
-            getPublishTargets() >> [:]
             getConfig() >> [:]
         }
         def binding = new ScriptBinding([:])
@@ -119,7 +118,6 @@ class BaseScriptTest extends Dsl2Spec {
         def script = folder.resolve('main.nf')
         and:
         def session = Mock(Session) {
-            getPublishTargets() >> [:]
             getConfig() >> [:]
         }
         def binding = new ScriptBinding([:])
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDslTest.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDslTest.groovy
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..51d75d39b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/test/groovy/nextflow/script/ParamsDslTest.groovy
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+package nextflow.script
+
+import java.nio.file.Path
+
+import nextflow.Session
+import nextflow.file.FileHelper
+import nextflow.exception.ScriptRuntimeException
+import spock.lang.Specification
+/**
+ *
+ * @author Ben Sherman <bentshermann@gmail.com>
+ */
+class ParamsDslTest extends Specification {
+
+    def 'should declare workflow params with CLI overrides'() {
+        given:
+        def cliParams = [input: './data', chunk_size: '3']
+        def configParams = [outdir: 'results']
+        def session = new Session([params: configParams + cliParams])
+        session.init(null, null, cliParams, configParams)
+
+        when:
+        def dsl = new ParamsDsl()
+        dsl.declare('input', Path)
+        dsl.declare('chunk_size', Integer, 1)
+        dsl.declare('save_intermeds', Boolean, false)
+        dsl.apply(session)
+        then:
+        session.binding.getParams() == [input: FileHelper.asPath('./data'), chunk_size: 3, save_intermeds: false, outdir: 'results']
+    }
+
+    def 'should report error for missing required param'() {
+        given:
+        def cliParams = [:]
+        def configParams = [outdir: 'results']
+        def session = new Session()
+        session.init(null, null, cliParams, configParams)
+
+        when:
+        def dsl = new ParamsDsl()
+        dsl.declare('input', Path)
+        dsl.declare('save_intermeds', Boolean, false)
+        dsl.apply(session)
+        then:
+        def e = thrown(ScriptRuntimeException)
+        e.message == 'Parameter `input` is required but was not specified on the command line, params file, or config'
+    }
+
+    def 'should report error for invalid param'() {
+        given:
+        def cliParams = [inputs: './data']
+        def configParams = [outdir: 'results']
+        def session = new Session()
+        session.init(null, null, cliParams, configParams)
+
+        when:
+        def dsl = new ParamsDsl()
+        dsl.declare('input', Path)
+        dsl.declare('save_intermeds', Boolean, false)
+        dsl.apply(session)
+        then:
+        def e = thrown(ScriptRuntimeException)
+        e.message == 'Parameter `inputs` was specified on the command line or params file but is not declared in the script or config'
+    }
+
+    def 'should report error for invalid type'() {
+        given:
+        def cliParams = [input: './data', save_intermeds: 42]
+        def configParams = [:]
+        def session = new Session()
+        session.init(null, null, cliParams, configParams)
+
+        when:
+        def dsl = new ParamsDsl()
+        dsl.declare('input', Path)
+        dsl.declare('save_intermeds', Boolean, false)
+        dsl.apply(session)
+        then:
+        def e = thrown(ScriptRuntimeException)
+        e.message == 'Parameter `save_intermeds` with type Boolean cannot be assigned to 42 [Integer]'
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/modules/nextflow/src/testFixtures/groovy/test/Dsl2Spec.groovy b/modules/nextflow/src/testFixtures/groovy/test/Dsl2Spec.groovy
index a30c57f916..63ef37765b 100644
--- a/modules/nextflow/src/testFixtures/groovy/test/Dsl2Spec.groovy
+++ b/modules/nextflow/src/testFixtures/groovy/test/Dsl2Spec.groovy
@@ -53,6 +53,6 @@ class Dsl2Spec extends BaseSpec {
 
     def dsl_eval(String entry, String str) {
         new MockScriptRunner()
-                .setScript(str).execute(null, entry)
+                .setScript(str).execute(null, null, null, entry)
     }
 }
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/antlr/ScriptParser.g4 b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/antlr/ScriptParser.g4
index 5bffbafc1a..ba5ed64d9a 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/antlr/ScriptParser.g4
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/antlr/ScriptParser.g4
@@ -110,7 +110,8 @@ scriptDeclaration
     :   featureFlagDeclaration      #featureFlagDeclAlt
     |   includeDeclaration          #includeDeclAlt
     |   importDeclaration           #importDeclAlt
-    |   paramDeclaration            #paramDeclAlt
+    |   paramsDef                   #paramsDefAlt
+    |   paramDeclarationV1          #paramDeclV1Alt
     |   enumDef                     #enumDefAlt
     |   processDef                  #processDefAlt
     |   workflowDef                 #workflowDefAlt
@@ -147,8 +148,24 @@ importDeclaration
     :   IMPORT qualifiedClassName
     ;
 
-// -- param declaration
+// -- params definition
+paramsDef
+    :   PARAMS nls LBRACE
+        paramsBody?
+        sep? RBRACE
+    ;
+
+paramsBody
+    :   sep? paramDeclaration (sep paramDeclaration)*
+    ;
+
 paramDeclaration
+    :   identifier (COLON type)? (ASSIGN expression)?
+    |   statement
+    ;
+
+// -- legacy parameter declaration
+paramDeclarationV1
     :   PARAMS (DOT identifier)+ nls ASSIGN nls expression
     ;
 
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamBlockNode.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamBlockNode.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..feabebd7f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamBlockNode.java
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2024-2025, Seqera Labs
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+package nextflow.script.ast;
+
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ASTNode;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
+
+/**
+ * A workflow params definition.
+ *
+ * @author Ben Sherman <bentshermann@gmail.com>
+ */
+public class ParamBlockNode extends ASTNode {
+    public final Parameter[] declarations;
+
+    public ParamBlockNode(Parameter[] declarations) {
+        this.declarations = declarations;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNode.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNodeV1.java
similarity index 86%
rename from modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNode.java
rename to modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNodeV1.java
index 13a57e7a07..d331ddf16c 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNode.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ParamNodeV1.java
@@ -19,15 +19,15 @@
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.Expression;
 
 /**
- * A parameter declaration.
+ * A legacy parameter declaration.
  *
  * @author Ben Sherman <bentshermann@gmail.com>
  */
-public class ParamNode extends ASTNode {
+public class ParamNodeV1 extends ASTNode {
     public final Expression target;
     public Expression value;
 
-    public ParamNode(Expression target, Expression value) {
+    public ParamNodeV1(Expression target, Expression value) {
         this.target = target;
         this.value = value;
     }
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptNode.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptNode.java
index 6abb50a6a3..230b51feef 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptNode.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptNode.java
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ public class ScriptNode extends ModuleNode {
     private String shebang;
     private List<FeatureFlagNode> featureFlags = new ArrayList<>();
     private List<IncludeNode> includes = new ArrayList<>();
-    private List<ParamNode> params = new ArrayList<>();
+    private ParamBlockNode params;
+    private List<ParamNodeV1> paramsV1 = new ArrayList<>();
     private WorkflowNode entry;
     private OutputBlockNode outputs;
     private List<WorkflowNode> workflows = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -54,7 +55,9 @@ public List<ASTNode> getDeclarations() {
         var declarations = new ArrayList<ASTNode>();
         declarations.addAll(featureFlags);
         declarations.addAll(includes);
-        declarations.addAll(params);
+        if( params != null )
+            declarations.add(params);
+        declarations.addAll(paramsV1);
         if( entry != null )
             declarations.add(entry);
         if( outputs != null )
@@ -77,10 +80,14 @@ public List<IncludeNode> getIncludes() {
         return includes;
     }
 
-    public List<ParamNode> getParams() {
+    public ParamBlockNode getParams() {
         return params;
     }
 
+    public List<ParamNodeV1> getParamsV1() {
+        return paramsV1;
+    }
+
     public WorkflowNode getEntry() {
         return entry;
     }
@@ -119,8 +126,12 @@ public void addInclude(IncludeNode includeNode) {
         includes.add(includeNode);
     }
 
-    public void addParam(ParamNode paramNode) {
-        params.add(paramNode);
+    public void setParams(ParamBlockNode params) {
+        this.params = params;
+    }
+
+    public void addParamV1(ParamNodeV1 paramNode) {
+        paramsV1.add(paramNode);
     }
 
     public void setEntry(WorkflowNode entry) {
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitor.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitor.java
index 080c1dbed0..cc1ea845e4 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitor.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitor.java
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 package nextflow.script.ast;
 
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassNode;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.GroovyCodeVisitor;
 
 public interface ScriptVisitor extends GroovyCodeVisitor {
@@ -26,7 +27,11 @@ public interface ScriptVisitor extends GroovyCodeVisitor {
 
     void visitInclude(IncludeNode node);
 
-    void visitParam(ParamNode node);
+    void visitParams(ParamBlockNode node);
+
+    void visitParam(Parameter node);
+
+    void visitParamV1(ParamNodeV1 node);
 
     void visitWorkflow(WorkflowNode node);
 
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitorSupport.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitorSupport.java
index 4b5293850e..f1af301fb0 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitorSupport.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/ast/ScriptVisitorSupport.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassCodeVisitorSupport;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassNode;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.ElvisOperatorExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.MethodCallExpression;
 
@@ -31,8 +32,10 @@ public void visit(ScriptNode script) {
             visitFeatureFlag(featureFlag);
         for( var includeNode : script.getIncludes() )
             visitInclude(includeNode);
-        for( var paramNode : script.getParams() )
-            visitParam(paramNode);
+        if( script.getParams() != null )
+            visitParams(script.getParams());
+        for( var paramNode : script.getParamsV1() )
+            visitParamV1(paramNode);
         for( var workflowNode : script.getWorkflows() )
             visitWorkflow(workflowNode);
         for( var processNode : script.getProcesses() )
@@ -57,7 +60,17 @@ public void visitInclude(IncludeNode node) {
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void visitParam(ParamNode node) {
+    public void visitParams(ParamBlockNode node) {
+        for( var param : node.declarations )
+            visitParam(param);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void visitParam(Parameter node) {
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void visitParamV1(ParamNodeV1 node) {
         visit(node.value);
     }
 
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptResolveVisitor.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptResolveVisitor.java
index 090303f97b..6736cf2ace 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptResolveVisitor.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptResolveVisitor.java
@@ -20,13 +20,14 @@
 
 import nextflow.script.ast.FunctionNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputNode;
-import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNodeV1;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ProcessNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptVisitorSupport;
 import nextflow.script.ast.WorkflowNode;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassNode;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.DynamicVariable;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.VariableExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.control.CompilationUnit;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.control.SourceUnit;
@@ -62,8 +63,10 @@ public void visit() {
             variableScopeVisitor.visit();
     
             // resolve type names
-            for( var paramNode : sn.getParams() )
-                visitParam(paramNode);
+            if( sn.getParams() != null )
+                visitParams(sn.getParams());
+            for( var paramNode : sn.getParamsV1() )
+                visitParamV1(paramNode);
             for( var workflowNode : sn.getWorkflows() )
                 visitWorkflow(workflowNode);
             for( var processNode : sn.getProcesses() )
@@ -79,7 +82,13 @@ public void visit() {
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void visitParam(ParamNode node) {
+    public void visitParam(Parameter node) {
+        node.setInitialExpression(resolver.transform(node.getInitialExpression()));
+        resolver.resolveOrFail(node.getType(), node);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void visitParamV1(ParamNodeV1 node) {
         node.value = resolver.transform(node.value);
     }
 
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptToGroovyVisitor.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptToGroovyVisitor.java
index 39e8d06138..5ee56e92e9 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptToGroovyVisitor.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/ScriptToGroovyVisitor.java
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
  */
 package nextflow.script.control;
 
+import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@
 import nextflow.script.ast.FunctionNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.IncludeNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputBlockNode;
-import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamBlockNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNodeV1;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ProcessNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptVisitorSupport;
@@ -119,7 +121,24 @@ public void visitInclude(IncludeNode node) {
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void visitParam(ParamNode node) {
+    public void visitParams(ParamBlockNode node) {
+        var statements = Arrays.stream(node.declarations)
+            .map((param) -> {
+                var name = constX(param.getName());
+                var type = classX(param.getType());
+                var arguments = param.hasInitialExpression()
+                    ? args(name, type, param.getInitialExpression())
+                    : args(name, type);
+                return stmt(callThisX("declare", arguments));
+            })
+            .toList();
+        var closure = closureX(block(new VariableScope(), statements));
+        var result = stmt(callThisX("params", args(closure)));
+        moduleNode.addStatement(result);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void visitParamV1(ParamNodeV1 node) {
         var result = stmt(assignX(node.target, node.value));
         moduleNode.addStatement(result);
     }
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/VariableScopeVisitor.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/VariableScopeVisitor.java
index 679166e458..68f2dee2bc 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/VariableScopeVisitor.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/control/VariableScopeVisitor.java
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 import nextflow.script.ast.ImplicitClosureParameter;
 import nextflow.script.ast.IncludeNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamBlockNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ProcessNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptVisitorSupport;
@@ -168,6 +169,22 @@ public void visitFeatureFlag(FeatureFlagNode node) {
         }
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public void visitParams(ParamBlockNode node) {
+        var declaredParams = new HashMap<String,ASTNode>();
+        for( var param : node.declarations ) {
+            var name = param.getName();
+            var other = declaredParams.get(name);
+            if( other != null )
+                vsc.addError("Parameter " + name + "` is already declared", param, "First declared here", other);
+            else
+                declaredParams.put(name, param);
+
+            if( param.hasInitialExpression() )
+                visit(param.getInitialExpression());
+        }
+    }
+
     private boolean inWorkflowEmit;
 
     @Override
@@ -348,7 +365,7 @@ public void visitFunction(FunctionNode node) {
         for( var parameter : node.getParameters() ) {
             if( parameter.hasInitialExpression() )
                 visit(parameter.getInitialExpression());
-            vsc.declare(parameter, node);
+            vsc.declare(parameter, parameter);
         }
         visit(node.getCode());
 
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/Formatter.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/Formatter.java
index c907c2bb72..4df64b9aa8 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/Formatter.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/Formatter.java
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassNode;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.CodeVisitorSupport;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Variable;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.BinaryExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.BitwiseNegationExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.CastExpression;
@@ -713,6 +714,10 @@ private static boolean hasTrailingComma(Expression node) {
         return node.getNodeMetaData(ASTNodeMarker.TRAILING_COMMA) != null;
     }
 
+    public static boolean hasType(Variable variable) {
+        return !variable.isDynamicTyped() || isLegacyType(variable.getType());
+    }
+
     public static boolean isLegacyType(ClassNode cn) {
         return cn.getNodeMetaData(ASTNodeMarker.LEGACY_TYPE) != null;
     }
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/ScriptFormattingVisitor.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/ScriptFormattingVisitor.java
index 72d988b5fe..06ee88118c 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/ScriptFormattingVisitor.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/formatter/ScriptFormattingVisitor.java
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
  */
 package nextflow.script.formatter;
 
+import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.List;
 
@@ -25,12 +26,14 @@
 import nextflow.script.ast.IncludeNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputBlockNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputNode;
-import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNodeV1;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamBlockNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ProcessNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptVisitorSupport;
 import nextflow.script.ast.WorkflowNode;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.ClassNode;
+import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.Parameter;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.EmptyExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.PropertyExpression;
 import org.codehaus.groovy.ast.expr.VariableExpression;
@@ -101,8 +104,8 @@ public void visit() {
                 .map(this::getIncludeWidth)
                 .max(Integer::compare).orElse(0);
 
-            maxParamWidth = scriptNode.getParams().stream()
-                .map(this::getParamWidth)
+            maxParamWidth = scriptNode.getParamsV1().stream()
+                .map(ScriptFormattingVisitor::parameterWidth)
                 .max(Integer::compare).orElse(0);
         }
 
@@ -117,8 +120,10 @@ else if( decl instanceof IncludeNode in )
                 visitInclude(in);
             else if( decl instanceof OutputBlockNode obn )
                 visitOutputs(obn);
-            else if( decl instanceof ParamNode pn )
-                visitParam(pn);
+            else if( decl instanceof ParamBlockNode pbn )
+                visitParams(pbn);
+            else if( decl instanceof ParamNodeV1 pn )
+                visitParamV1(pn);
             else if( decl instanceof ProcessNode pn )
                 visitProcess(pn);
             else if( decl instanceof WorkflowNode wn )
@@ -188,12 +193,49 @@ protected int getIncludeWidth(IncludeEntryNode entry) {
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void visitParam(ParamNode node) {
+    public void visitParams(ParamBlockNode node) {
+        var alignmentWidth = options.harshilAlignment()
+            ? maxParameterWidth(node.declarations)
+            : 0;
+
+        fmt.appendLeadingComments(node);
+        fmt.append("params {\n");
+        fmt.incIndent();
+        for( var param : node.declarations ) {
+            fmt.appendLeadingComments(param);
+            fmt.appendIndent();
+            fmt.append(param.getName());
+            if( fmt.hasType(param) ) {
+                if( alignmentWidth > 0 ) {
+                    var padding = alignmentWidth - param.getName().length() + 1;
+                    fmt.append(" ".repeat(padding));
+                }
+                fmt.append(": ");
+                fmt.visitTypeAnnotation(param.getType());
+            }
+            if( param.hasInitialExpression() ) {
+                fmt.append(" = ");
+                fmt.visit(param.getInitialExpression());
+            }
+            fmt.appendNewLine();
+        }
+        fmt.decIndent();
+        fmt.append("}\n");
+    }
+
+    private static int maxParameterWidth(Parameter[] parameters) {
+        return Arrays.stream(parameters)
+            .map(param -> param.getName().length())
+            .max(Integer::compare).orElse(0);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void visitParamV1(ParamNodeV1 node) {
         fmt.appendLeadingComments(node);
         fmt.appendIndent();
         fmt.visit(node.target);
         if( maxParamWidth > 0 ) {
-            var padding = maxParamWidth - getParamWidth(node);
+            var padding = maxParamWidth - parameterWidth(node);
             fmt.append(" ".repeat(padding));
         }
         fmt.append(" = ");
@@ -201,7 +243,7 @@ public void visitParam(ParamNode node) {
         fmt.appendNewLine();
     }
 
-    protected int getParamWidth(ParamNode node) {
+    private static int parameterWidth(ParamNodeV1 node) {
         var target = (PropertyExpression) node.target;
         var name = target.getPropertyAsString();
         return name != null ? name.length() : 0;
@@ -262,7 +304,7 @@ public void visitWorkflow(WorkflowNode node) {
 
     protected void visitWorkflowTakes(List<Statement> takes) {
         var alignmentWidth = options.harshilAlignment()
-            ? getMaxParameterWidth(takes)
+            ? maxParameterWidth(takes)
             : 0;
 
         for( var stmt : takes ) {
@@ -282,7 +324,7 @@ protected void visitWorkflowTakes(List<Statement> takes) {
 
     protected void visitWorkflowEmits(List<Statement> emits) {
         var alignmentWidth = options.harshilAlignment()
-            ? getMaxParameterWidth(emits)
+            ? maxParameterWidth(emits)
             : 0;
 
         for( var stmt : emits ) {
@@ -319,27 +361,24 @@ else if( emit instanceof VariableExpression ve ) {
         }
     }
 
-    protected int getMaxParameterWidth(List<Statement> statements) {
+    private static int maxParameterWidth(List<Statement> statements) {
         if( statements.size() == 1 )
             return 0;
 
-        int maxWidth = 0;
-        for( var stmt : statements ) {
-            var stmtX = (ExpressionStatement)stmt;
-            var emit = stmtX.getExpression();
-            int width = 0;
-            if( emit instanceof VariableExpression ve ) {
-                width = ve.getName().length();
-            }
-            else if( emit instanceof AssignmentExpression assign ) {
-                var target = (VariableExpression)assign.getLeftExpression();
-                width = target.getName().length();
-            }
-
-            if( maxWidth < width )
-                maxWidth = width;
-        }
-        return maxWidth;
+        return statements.stream()
+            .map((stmt) -> {
+                var stmtX = (ExpressionStatement)stmt;
+                var emit = stmtX.getExpression();
+                if( emit instanceof VariableExpression ve ) {
+                    return ve.getName().length();
+                }
+                if( emit instanceof AssignmentExpression assign ) {
+                    var target = (VariableExpression)assign.getLeftExpression();
+                    return target.getName().length();
+                }
+                return 0;
+            })
+            .max(Integer::compare).orElse(0);
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/parser/ScriptAstBuilder.java b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/parser/ScriptAstBuilder.java
index 9a5f766108..7475a23181 100644
--- a/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/parser/ScriptAstBuilder.java
+++ b/modules/nf-lang/src/main/java/nextflow/script/parser/ScriptAstBuilder.java
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@
 import nextflow.script.ast.InvalidDeclaration;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputBlockNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.OutputNode;
-import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNode;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamNodeV1;
+import nextflow.script.ast.ParamBlockNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ProcessNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.ScriptNode;
 import nextflow.script.ast.WorkflowNode;
@@ -286,10 +287,22 @@ else if( ctx instanceof OutputDefAltContext odac ) {
             moduleNode.setOutputs(node);
         }
 
-        else if( ctx instanceof ParamDeclAltContext pac ) {
-            var node = paramDeclaration(pac.paramDeclaration());
+        else if( ctx instanceof ParamsDefAltContext pac ) {
+            var node = paramsDef(pac.paramsDef());
             saveLeadingComments(node, ctx);
-            moduleNode.addParam(node);
+            if( moduleNode.getParams() != null )
+                collectSyntaxError(new SyntaxException("Params block defined more than once", node));
+            if( !moduleNode.getParamsV1().isEmpty() )
+                collectSyntaxError(new SyntaxException("Params block cannot be mixed with legacy parameter declarations", node));
+            moduleNode.setParams(node);
+        }
+
+        else if( ctx instanceof ParamDeclV1AltContext pac ) {
+            var node = paramDeclarationV1(pac.paramDeclarationV1());
+            saveLeadingComments(node, ctx);
+            if( moduleNode.getParams() != null )
+                collectSyntaxError(new SyntaxException("Legacy parameter declarations cannot be mixed with the params block", node));
+            moduleNode.addParamV1(node);
         }
 
         else if( ctx instanceof ProcessDefAltContext pdac ) {
@@ -329,14 +342,43 @@ private FeatureFlagNode featureFlagDeclaration(FeatureFlagDeclarationContext ctx
         return result;
     }
 
-    private ParamNode paramDeclaration(ParamDeclarationContext ctx) {
+    private ParamBlockNode paramsDef(ParamsDefContext ctx) {
+        var declarations = paramsBody(ctx.paramsBody());
+        return ast( new ParamBlockNode(declarations), ctx );
+    }
+
+    private Parameter[] paramsBody(ParamsBodyContext ctx) {
+        if( ctx == null )
+            return Parameter.EMPTY_ARRAY;
+        return ctx.paramDeclaration().stream()
+            .map(this::paramDeclaration)
+            .filter(param -> param != null)
+            .toArray(Parameter[]::new);
+    }
+
+    private Parameter paramDeclaration(ParamDeclarationContext ctx) {
+        if( ctx.statement() != null ) {
+            collectSyntaxError(new SyntaxException("Invalid parameter declaration", ast( new EmptyStatement(), ctx.statement() )));
+            return null;
+        }
+        var type = type(ctx.type());
+        var name = identifier(ctx.identifier());
+        var defaultValue = ctx.expression() != null ? expression(ctx.expression()) : null;
+        var result = ast( param(type, name, defaultValue), ctx );
+        checkInvalidVarName(name, result);
+        groovydocManager.handle(result, ctx);
+        saveLeadingComments(result, ctx);
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    private ParamNodeV1 paramDeclarationV1(ParamDeclarationV1Context ctx) {
         Expression target = ast( varX("params"), ctx.PARAMS() );
         for( var ident : ctx.identifier() ) {
             var name = ast( constX(identifier(ident)), ident );
             target = ast( propX(target, name), target, name );
         }
         var value = expression(ctx.expression());
-        return ast( new ParamNode(target, value), ctx );
+        return ast( new ParamNodeV1(target, value), ctx );
     }
 
     private IncludeNode includeDeclaration(IncludeDeclarationContext ctx) {
@@ -491,7 +533,7 @@ private String processType(ProcessExecContext ctx) {
             return "exec";
         }
         if( ctx.SHELL() != null ) {
-            collectWarning("The `shell` block is deprecated, use `script` instead", ctx.SHELL().getText(), ast( new EmptyExpression(), ctx.SHELL() ));
+            collectWarning("The `shell` block is deprecated, use `script` instead", ctx.SHELL().getText(), ast( new EmptyStatement(), ctx.SHELL() ));
             return "shell";
         }
         return "script";
diff --git a/tests-v1/checks/.PARSER-V1 b/tests-v1/checks/.PARSER-V1
index f48c838fa5..1e6b46ac74 100644
--- a/tests-v1/checks/.PARSER-V1
+++ b/tests-v1/checks/.PARSER-V1
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # ADDITIONAL TESTS TO VERIFY THE V1 PARSER
+chunk.nf
 complex-names.nf
 env-out.nf
 env2.nf
diff --git a/tests/checks/.IGNORE-PARSER-V2 b/tests/checks/.IGNORE-PARSER-V2
index c97215480e..157a392cbe 100644
--- a/tests/checks/.IGNORE-PARSER-V2
+++ b/tests/checks/.IGNORE-PARSER-V2
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
 # TESTS THAT SHOULD ONLY BE RUN BY THE V2 PARSER
+chunk.nf
+params-dsl.nf
 workflow-oncomplete-v2.nf
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/checks/params-dsl.nf/.checks b/tests/checks/params-dsl.nf/.checks
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..76af690189
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/checks/params-dsl.nf/.checks
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+
+echo "Test successful run"
+echo
+$NXF_RUN --input ./data > stdout
+
+< stdout grep -F 'params.input = [./data]'
+< stdout grep -F 'params.save_intermeds = false'
+
+echo
+echo "Test missing required param"
+echo
+set +e
+$NXF_RUN &> stdout ; ret=$?
+set -e
+
+[[ $ret != 0 ]] || false
+
+< stdout grep -F 'Parameter `input` is required'
+
+echo
+echo "Test overwrite script param from config profile"
+echo
+$NXF_RUN -c ../../params-dsl.config -profile test > stdout
+
+< stdout grep -F 'params.input = [alpha, beta, delta]'
+< stdout grep -F 'params.save_intermeds = true'
+
+echo
+echo "Test invalid param"
+echo
+set +e
+$NXF_RUN --inputs ./data &> stdout ; ret=$?
+set -e
+
+[[ $ret != 0 ]] || false
+
+< stdout grep -F 'Parameter `inputs` was specified'
diff --git a/tests/chunk.nf b/tests/chunk.nf
index eabc02d6f7..4cc0ed9237 100644
--- a/tests/chunk.nf
+++ b/tests/chunk.nf
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env nextflow
 
-params.input = null
-params.chunkSize = 1
+params {
+    input: Path
+    chunkSize: Integer = 1
+}
 
 process foo {
     debug true
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ process foo {
 }
 
 workflow {
-    channel.fromPath(params.input)
+    channel.of(params.input)
         | splitFasta(by: params.chunkSize)
         | foo
 }
diff --git a/tests/params-dsl.config b/tests/params-dsl.config
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..18ba6c6c01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/params-dsl.config
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+
+params.outdir = 'results'
+
+profiles {
+    test {
+        params.input = 'alpha,beta,delta'
+        params.save_intermeds = true
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/params-dsl.nf b/tests/params-dsl.nf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f14088ebdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/params-dsl.nf
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env nextflow
+/*
+ * Copyright 2013-2024, Seqera Labs
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+params {
+  // List of IDs.
+  input: String
+
+  // Whether to save intermediate outputs.
+  save_intermeds: Boolean = false
+}
+
+workflow {
+  main:
+  println "params.input = ${params.input.tokenize(',')}"
+  println "params.save_intermeds = ${params.save_intermeds}"
+}