diff --git a/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/lower.rs b/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/lower.rs
index 61e7eb9..a8ae6f1 100644
--- a/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/lower.rs
+++ b/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/lower.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::collections::HashSet;
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet, VecDeque};
 
 use crate::catalog::Catalog;
 use crate::error::Result;
@@ -147,67 +147,89 @@ fn lower_clauses(
         }
     }
 
-    // Lower bindings into NodeScan ops
+    // ── Determine which bindings are "deferred" ─────────────────────────
+    //
+    // When multiple bindings in the same match clause are connected by
+    // traversals, only the first-declared binding needs a NodeScan; the
+    // rest will be introduced by Expand operations.  Making them all
+    // NodeScans triggers expensive cross-joins followed by cycle-closing
+    // filters.
+    //
+    // Algorithm: build an undirected graph of variables connected by
+    // traversals, then walk connected components in binding declaration
+    // order.  The first binding in each component becomes the root (gets
+    // a NodeScan); all other bindings in the same component are deferred
+    // — their inline filters become post-Expand Filter ops.
+
+    let binding_set: HashSet<&str> = bindings.iter().map(|b| b.variable.as_str()).collect();
+
+    // Build undirected traversal adjacency (variable → neighbours)
+    let mut adj: HashMap<&str, Vec<&str>> = HashMap::new();
+    for t in &traversals {
+        adj.entry(t.src.as_str()).or_default().push(t.dst.as_str());
+        adj.entry(t.dst.as_str()).or_default().push(t.src.as_str());
+    }
+
+    // Walk components to find deferred binding variables
+    let mut deferred_set: HashSet<String> = HashSet::new();
+    let mut component_visited: HashSet<&str> = HashSet::new();
+
+    for binding in &bindings {
+        if component_visited.contains(binding.variable.as_str()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        // BFS from this binding through the traversal graph
+        let mut queue = VecDeque::new();
+        queue.push_back(binding.variable.as_str());
+        let mut component_bindings: Vec<&str> = Vec::new();
+
+        while let Some(var) = queue.pop_front() {
+            if !component_visited.insert(var) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if binding_set.contains(var) {
+                component_bindings.push(var);
+            }
+            if let Some(neighbours) = adj.get(var) {
+                for &n in neighbours {
+                    if !component_visited.contains(n) {
+                        queue.push_back(n);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // First binding in the component is the root; defer the rest.
+        for var in component_bindings.into_iter().skip(1) {
+            deferred_set.insert(var.to_string());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Build deferred filters map for variables introduced by traversals
+    let mut deferred_filters: HashMap<String, Vec<IRFilter>> = HashMap::new();
+
+    // Lower bindings into NodeScan ops (skip deferred ones)
     for binding in &bindings {
         let node_type = catalog
             .node_types
             .get(&binding.type_name)
             .expect("binding type was validated during typecheck");
-        // Collect inline filters from prop matches
-        let mut scan_filters = Vec::new();
-        for pm in &binding.prop_matches {
-            let prop = node_type
-                .properties
-                .get(&pm.prop_name)
-                .expect("binding property was validated during typecheck");
-            let op = if prop.list {
-                CompOp::Contains
-            } else {
-                CompOp::Eq
-            };
-            match &pm.value {
-                MatchValue::Literal(lit) => {
-                    scan_filters.push(IRFilter {
-                        left: IRExpr::PropAccess {
-                            variable: binding.variable.clone(),
-                            property: pm.prop_name.clone(),
-                        },
-                        op,
-                        right: IRExpr::Literal(lit.clone()),
-                    });
-                }
-                MatchValue::Now => {
-                    scan_filters.push(IRFilter {
-                        left: IRExpr::PropAccess {
-                            variable: binding.variable.clone(),
-                            property: pm.prop_name.clone(),
-                        },
-                        op,
-                        right: IRExpr::Param(NOW_PARAM_NAME.to_string()),
-                    });
-                }
-                MatchValue::Variable(v) => {
-                    let right = if param_names.contains(v) {
-                        IRExpr::Param(v.clone())
-                    } else {
-                        IRExpr::Variable(v.clone())
-                    };
-                    scan_filters.push(IRFilter {
-                        left: IRExpr::PropAccess {
-                            variable: binding.variable.clone(),
-                            property: pm.prop_name.clone(),
-                        },
-                        op,
-                        right,
-                    });
-                }
+
+        let binding_filters = build_binding_filters(binding, node_type, param_names);
+
+        if deferred_set.contains(&binding.variable) {
+            // Save filters for emission after the Expand that introduces
+            // this variable.
+            if !binding_filters.is_empty() {
+                deferred_filters.insert(binding.variable.clone(), binding_filters);
             }
+            continue;
         }
 
         pipeline.push(IROp::NodeScan {
             variable: binding.variable.clone(),
             type_name: binding.type_name.clone(),
-            filters: scan_filters,
+            filters: binding_filters,
         });
         bound_vars.insert(binding.variable.clone());
     }
@@ -250,6 +272,7 @@ fn lower_clauses(
                 dst_type,
                 min_hops: traversal.min_hops,
                 max_hops: traversal.max_hops,
+                dst_filters: vec![],
             });
             pipeline.push(IROp::Filter(IRFilter {
                 left: IRExpr::PropAccess {
@@ -273,6 +296,8 @@ fn lower_clauses(
                 Direction::Out => edge.from_type.clone(),
                 Direction::In => edge.to_type.clone(),
             };
+            let introduced_filters =
+                deferred_filters.remove(&traversal.src).unwrap_or_default();
             pipeline.push(IROp::Expand {
                 src_var: traversal.dst.clone(),
                 dst_var: traversal.src.clone(),
@@ -281,11 +306,14 @@ fn lower_clauses(
                 dst_type: src_type,
                 min_hops: traversal.min_hops,
                 max_hops: traversal.max_hops,
+                dst_filters: introduced_filters,
             });
             if traversal.src != "_" {
                 bound_vars.insert(traversal.src.clone());
             }
         } else {
+            let introduced_filters =
+                deferred_filters.remove(&traversal.dst).unwrap_or_default();
             pipeline.push(IROp::Expand {
                 src_var: traversal.src.clone(),
                 dst_var: traversal.dst.clone(),
@@ -294,6 +322,7 @@ fn lower_clauses(
                 dst_type,
                 min_hops: traversal.min_hops,
                 max_hops: traversal.max_hops,
+                dst_filters: introduced_filters,
             });
             if traversal.dst != "_" {
                 bound_vars.insert(traversal.dst.clone());
@@ -335,6 +364,46 @@ fn lower_clauses(
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Build IR filters from a binding's inline property matches.
+fn build_binding_filters(
+    binding: &Binding,
+    node_type: &crate::catalog::NodeType,
+    param_names: &HashSet<String>,
+) -> Vec<IRFilter> {
+    let mut filters = Vec::new();
+    for pm in &binding.prop_matches {
+        let prop = node_type
+            .properties
+            .get(&pm.prop_name)
+            .expect("binding property was validated during typecheck");
+        let op = if prop.list {
+            CompOp::Contains
+        } else {
+            CompOp::Eq
+        };
+        let right = match &pm.value {
+            MatchValue::Literal(lit) => IRExpr::Literal(lit.clone()),
+            MatchValue::Now => IRExpr::Param(NOW_PARAM_NAME.to_string()),
+            MatchValue::Variable(v) => {
+                if param_names.contains(v) {
+                    IRExpr::Param(v.clone())
+                } else {
+                    IRExpr::Variable(v.clone())
+                }
+            }
+        };
+        filters.push(IRFilter {
+            left: IRExpr::PropAccess {
+                variable: binding.variable.clone(),
+                property: pm.prop_name.clone(),
+            },
+            op,
+            right,
+        });
+    }
+    filters
+}
+
 fn find_outer_var(clauses: &[Clause], outer_bound: &HashSet<String>) -> Option<String> {
     for clause in clauses {
         match clause {
@@ -692,4 +761,160 @@ query q($name: String, $age: I32, $friend: String) {
             matches!(&ir.ops[1], MutationOpIR::Insert { type_name, .. } if type_name == "Knows")
         );
     }
+
+    /// Destination binding is deferred: NodeScan + Expand + Filter (no cross-join).
+    #[test]
+    fn test_lower_traversal_with_destination_binding() {
+        let catalog = setup();
+        let qf = parse_query(
+            r#"
+query q() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company { name: "Acme" }
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let tc = typecheck_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0]).unwrap();
+        let ir = lower_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0], &tc).unwrap();
+
+        // Should be: NodeScan($p) → Expand($p→$c, dst_filters=[name=="Acme"])
+        // NOT:       NodeScan($p) → NodeScan($c) → cross-join → cycle-close
+        assert_eq!(ir.pipeline.len(), 2);
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[0], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "p"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            &ir.pipeline[1],
+            IROp::Expand { src_var, dst_var, dst_filters, .. }
+            if src_var == "p" && dst_var == "c" && dst_filters.len() == 1
+        ));
+    }
+
+    /// Multi-hop chain: all intermediate and final bindings are deferred.
+    #[test]
+    fn test_lower_chain_defers_all_intermediate_bindings() {
+        let catalog = setup();
+        let qf = parse_query(
+            r#"
+query q() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person { name: "Alice" }
+        $p knows $f
+        $f: Person { name: "Bob" }
+        $f worksAt $c
+        $c: Company { name: "Acme" }
+    }
+    return { $c.name }
+}
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let tc = typecheck_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0]).unwrap();
+        let ir = lower_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0], &tc).unwrap();
+
+        // Should be: NodeScan($p,[name=Alice]) → Expand($p→$f, [name==Bob])
+        //            → Expand($f→$c, [name==Acme])
+        assert_eq!(ir.pipeline.len(), 3);
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[0], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "p"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            &ir.pipeline[1],
+            IROp::Expand { src_var, dst_var, dst_filters, .. }
+            if src_var == "p" && dst_var == "f" && dst_filters.len() == 1
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            &ir.pipeline[2],
+            IROp::Expand { src_var, dst_var, dst_filters, .. }
+            if src_var == "f" && dst_var == "c" && dst_filters.len() == 1
+        ));
+    }
+
+    /// Reverse traversal: source binding is deferred when destination is the root.
+    #[test]
+    fn test_lower_reverse_traversal_defers_source_binding() {
+        let catalog = setup();
+        let qf = parse_query(
+            r#"
+query q() {
+    match {
+        $c: Company { name: "Acme" }
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $p: Person { name: "Alice" }
+    }
+    return { $p.name }
+}
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let tc = typecheck_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0]).unwrap();
+        let ir = lower_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0], &tc).unwrap();
+
+        // $c is root (first declared). $p is deferred (connected via traversal).
+        // Traversal $p worksAt $c: $c is bound, $p is not → reverse expand.
+        // Pipeline: NodeScan($c,[name=Acme]) → Expand($c→$p, In, [name==Alice])
+        assert_eq!(ir.pipeline.len(), 2);
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[0], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "c"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            &ir.pipeline[1],
+            IROp::Expand { src_var, dst_var, dst_filters, .. }
+            if src_var == "c" && dst_var == "p" && dst_filters.len() == 1
+        ));
+    }
+
+    /// Independent bindings (no traversal) still cross-join.
+    #[test]
+    fn test_lower_independent_bindings_still_cross_join() {
+        let catalog = setup();
+        let qf = parse_query(
+            r#"
+query q() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $c: Company
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let tc = typecheck_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0]).unwrap();
+        let ir = lower_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0], &tc).unwrap();
+
+        // No traversal connecting them → both get NodeScans (cross-join at runtime)
+        assert_eq!(ir.pipeline.len(), 2);
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[0], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "p"));
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[1], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "c"));
+    }
+
+    /// Destination binding without filters: no NodeScan, no post-expand filter.
+    #[test]
+    fn test_lower_destination_binding_without_filters() {
+        let catalog = setup();
+        let qf = parse_query(
+            r#"
+query q() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let tc = typecheck_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0]).unwrap();
+        let ir = lower_query(&catalog, &qf.queries[0], &tc).unwrap();
+
+        // $c binding is deferred (no filters) → just NodeScan + Expand
+        assert_eq!(ir.pipeline.len(), 2);
+        assert!(matches!(&ir.pipeline[0], IROp::NodeScan { variable, .. } if variable == "p"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            &ir.pipeline[1],
+            IROp::Expand { src_var, dst_var, .. }
+            if src_var == "p" && dst_var == "c"
+        ));
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/mod.rs b/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/mod.rs
index f277ef7..49dfb3d 100644
--- a/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/omnigraph-compiler/src/ir/mod.rs
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ pub enum IROp {
         dst_type: String,
         min_hops: u32,
         max_hops: Option<u32>,
+        /// Filters from a deferred destination binding, pushed into the
+        /// Expand so the executor can apply them during hydration (Lance
+        /// SQL pushdown) rather than as a separate post-expand pass.
+        dst_filters: Vec<IRFilter>,
     },
     Filter(IRFilter),
     AntiJoin {
diff --git a/crates/omnigraph/src/exec/query.rs b/crates/omnigraph/src/exec/query.rs
index dc95a53..a09184a 100644
--- a/crates/omnigraph/src/exec/query.rs
+++ b/crates/omnigraph/src/exec/query.rs
@@ -645,6 +645,7 @@ fn execute_pipeline<'a>(
                     dst_type,
                     min_hops,
                     max_hops,
+                    dst_filters,
                 } => {
                     let gi = graph_index.ok_or_else(|| {
                         OmniError::manifest("graph index required for traversal".to_string())
@@ -652,7 +653,7 @@ fn execute_pipeline<'a>(
                     if let Some(batch) = wide.as_mut() {
                         execute_expand(
                             batch, gi, snapshot, catalog, src_var, dst_var, edge_type, *direction,
-                            dst_type, *min_hops, *max_hops,
+                            dst_type, *min_hops, *max_hops, dst_filters, params,
                         )
                         .await?;
                     }
@@ -683,6 +684,8 @@ async fn execute_expand(
     dst_type: &str,
     min_hops: u32,
     max_hops: Option<u32>,
+    dst_filters: &[IRFilter],
+    params: &ParamMap,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     let src_id_col_name = format!("{}.id", src_var);
     let src_ids = wide
@@ -766,8 +769,15 @@ async fn execute_expand(
         }
     }
 
-    // Hydrate destination nodes from the snapshot
-    let dst_batch = hydrate_nodes(snapshot, catalog, dst_type, &dst_id_list).await?;
+    // Split dst_filters: SQL-pushable go to Lance, the rest applied post-hconcat
+    let pushdown_sql = build_lance_filter(dst_filters, params);
+    let non_pushable: Vec<&IRFilter> = dst_filters
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|f| ir_filter_to_sql(f, params).is_none())
+        .collect();
+
+    // Hydrate destination nodes from the snapshot (with pushed-down filters)
+    let dst_batch = hydrate_nodes(snapshot, catalog, dst_type, &dst_id_list, pushdown_sql.as_deref()).await?;
 
     // Build a mapping from dst_id to row index in dst_batch
     let dst_batch_id_col = dst_batch
@@ -796,15 +806,26 @@ async fn execute_expand(
     let dst_prefixed = prefix_batch(&dst_batch, dst_var)?;
     let aligned_dst = take_batch(&dst_prefixed, &dst_take)?;
     *wide = hconcat_batches(&expanded_wide, &aligned_dst)?;
+
+    // Apply any non-pushable destination filters (e.g. list-contains) in memory
+    for f in &non_pushable {
+        apply_filter(wide, f, params)?;
+    }
+
     Ok(())
 }
 
 /// Load full node rows for a set of IDs from a snapshot.
+///
+/// When `extra_filter_sql` is provided (from deferred destination-binding
+/// filters), it is ANDed with the `id IN (...)` clause so that Lance can
+/// skip non-matching rows at the storage level.
 async fn hydrate_nodes(
     snapshot: &Snapshot,
     catalog: &Catalog,
     type_name: &str,
     ids: &[String],
+    extra_filter_sql: Option<&str>,
 ) -> Result<RecordBatch> {
     let node_type = catalog
         .node_types
@@ -823,7 +844,10 @@ async fn hydrate_nodes(
         .iter()
         .map(|id| format!("'{}'", id.replace('\'', "''")))
         .collect();
-    let filter_sql = format!("id IN ({})", escaped.join(", "));
+    let mut filter_sql = format!("id IN ({})", escaped.join(", "));
+    if let Some(extra) = extra_filter_sql {
+        filter_sql = format!("({}) AND ({})", filter_sql, extra);
+    }
     let has_blobs = !node_type.blob_properties.is_empty();
     let non_blob_cols: Vec<&str> = node_type
         .arrow_schema
diff --git a/crates/omnigraph/tests/traversal.rs b/crates/omnigraph/tests/traversal.rs
index cc3228f..4d9de77 100644
--- a/crates/omnigraph/tests/traversal.rs
+++ b/crates/omnigraph/tests/traversal.rs
@@ -396,3 +396,220 @@ query insert_no_name($age: I32) {
 
     assert!(result.is_err(), "insert without @key property should fail");
 }
+
+// ─── Join alignment: traversal + destination binding ───────────────────────
+
+/// Traversal with destination binding filter constrains the source.
+/// Regression: previously over-returned because the lowering created a
+/// cross-join followed by cycle-closing instead of Expand + post-filter.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn traversal_destination_binding_constrains_source() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    // Only Alice works at Acme. The binding on $c must constrain $p.
+    let queries = r#"
+query at_acme() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company { name: "Acme" }
+    }
+    return { $p.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(&mut db, queries, "at_acme", &ParamMap::new())
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    let names = batch
+        .column(0)
+        .as_any()
+        .downcast_ref::<StringArray>()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(names.len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(names.value(0), "Alice");
+}
+
+/// Multi-variable projection: columns from source and destination must be
+/// row-aligned.  Previously this could fail with "all columns must have
+/// the same length" when variables had different cardinalities.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn traversal_multi_variable_projection_aligned() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    let queries = r#"
+query employee_companies() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(&mut db, queries, "employee_companies", &ParamMap::new())
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    // Alice→Acme, Bob→Globex
+    assert_eq!(batch.num_rows(), 2);
+    let person_names = batch
+        .column(0)
+        .as_any()
+        .downcast_ref::<StringArray>()
+        .unwrap();
+    let company_names = batch
+        .column(1)
+        .as_any()
+        .downcast_ref::<StringArray>()
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let mut pairs: Vec<(&str, &str)> = (0..batch.num_rows())
+        .map(|i| (person_names.value(i), company_names.value(i)))
+        .collect();
+    pairs.sort();
+    assert_eq!(pairs, vec![("Alice", "Acme"), ("Bob", "Globex")]);
+}
+
+/// Multi-hop projection: all three variables must be row-aligned.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn multi_hop_projection_aligned() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    // Alice knows Bob, Bob knows Diana.
+    // Alice→Bob→Diana is the only 2-hop path.
+    let queries = r#"
+query fof_chain($name: String) {
+    match {
+        $p: Person { name: $name }
+        $p knows $mid
+        $mid knows $fof
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $mid.name, $fof.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(
+        &mut db,
+        queries,
+        "fof_chain",
+        &params(&[("$name", "Alice")]),
+    )
+    .await
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.num_rows(), 1);
+    let col0 = batch.column(0).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    let col1 = batch.column(1).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    let col2 = batch.column(2).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(col0.value(0), "Alice");
+    assert_eq!(col1.value(0), "Bob");
+    assert_eq!(col2.value(0), "Diana");
+}
+
+/// Multi-hop with destination binding filters at each hop.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn multi_hop_with_intermediate_binding_filters() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    // Alice knows Bob and Charlie.
+    // Bob knows Diana. Charlie knows nobody.
+    // Filter $mid to only "Bob" → only Alice→Bob→Diana survives.
+    let queries = r#"
+query fof_via($name: String, $mid_name: String) {
+    match {
+        $p: Person { name: $name }
+        $p knows $mid
+        $mid: Person { name: $mid_name }
+        $mid knows $fof
+    }
+    return { $fof.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(
+        &mut db,
+        queries,
+        "fof_via",
+        &params(&[("$name", "Alice"), ("$mid_name", "Bob")]),
+    )
+    .await
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    let names = batch
+        .column(0)
+        .as_any()
+        .downcast_ref::<StringArray>()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(names.len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(names.value(0), "Diana");
+}
+
+/// Destination binding with filter + multi-variable return: the classic
+/// "join across a traversal" scenario that triggers the bug.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn traversal_destination_filter_with_multi_return() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    let queries = r#"
+query at_acme_named() {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company { name: "Acme" }
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(&mut db, queries, "at_acme_named", &ParamMap::new())
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.num_rows(), 1);
+    let person = batch.column(0).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    let company = batch.column(1).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(person.value(0), "Alice");
+    assert_eq!(company.value(0), "Acme");
+}
+
+/// Parameterized destination filter exercises param resolution through the
+/// Lance SQL pushdown path (params are resolved to literals in ir_expr_to_sql).
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn traversal_destination_filter_pushdown_with_param() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let mut db = init_and_load(&dir).await;
+
+    let queries = r#"
+query at_company($company: String) {
+    match {
+        $p: Person
+        $p worksAt $c
+        $c: Company { name: $company }
+    }
+    return { $p.name, $c.name }
+}
+"#;
+    let result = query_main(
+        &mut db,
+        queries,
+        "at_company",
+        &params(&[("$company", "Globex")]),
+    )
+    .await
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let batch = result.concat_batches().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.num_rows(), 1);
+    let person = batch.column(0).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    let company = batch.column(1).as_any().downcast_ref::<StringArray>().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(person.value(0), "Bob");
+    assert_eq!(company.value(0), "Globex");
+}