A scalar object (a block, stack, link, board_option or plugin)
renders as a single line; a container (blocks, stacks, links,
board_options, plugins) and a whole board render as one element per
line below a <class[n]> header. The block method lists a block's
constructor inputs, marking the externally controllable ones (those
reported by external_ctrl_vars()) with a trailing *; the stack
method shows the stack name and its member block ids.
This is the blockr extension point for token-dense renderings such as a
board summary. A home package surfaces a subclass's state by defining a
str_value() method, typically extending the parent's via NextMethod()
(the way format.dock_stack() appends a stack colour). print() and
format() are unaffected and remain the full, multi-line tier.