diff --git a/lib/features/context-pad/ContextPadProvider.js b/lib/features/context-pad/ContextPadProvider.js
index c4bb6fad..91c4a172 100644
--- a/lib/features/context-pad/ContextPadProvider.js
+++ b/lib/features/context-pad/ContextPadProvider.js
@@ -158,7 +158,9 @@ ContextPadProvider.prototype.getContextPadEntries = function(element) {
     function appendStart(event, element) {
 
       var shape = elementFactory.createShape(assign({ type: type }, options));
-      create.start(event, shape, element);
+      create.start(event, shape, {
+        source: element
+      });
     }
 
 
diff --git a/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js b/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
index 498c50d1..101f6a6d 100644
--- a/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
+++ b/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {
   assign,
-  forEach
+  forEach,
+  isObject
 } from 'min-dash';
 
 import inherits from 'inherits';
@@ -164,10 +165,10 @@ ElementFactory.prototype._getDefaultSize = function(semantic) {
   }
 
   if (is(semantic, 'bpmn:Participant')) {
-    if (!isExpanded(semantic)) {
-      return { width: 400, height: 60 };
-    } else {
+    if (isExpanded(semantic)) {
       return { width: 600, height: 250 };
+    } else {
+      return { width: 400, height: 60 };
     }
   }
 
@@ -195,11 +196,23 @@ ElementFactory.prototype._getDefaultSize = function(semantic) {
 };
 
 
-ElementFactory.prototype.createParticipantShape = function(collapsed) {
+/**
+ * Create participant.
+ *
+ * @param {boolean|Object} [attrs] attrs
+ *
+ * @returns {djs.model.Shape}
+ */
+ElementFactory.prototype.createParticipantShape = function(attrs) {
 
-  var attrs = { type: 'bpmn:Participant' };
+  if (!isObject(attrs)) {
+    attrs = { isExpanded: attrs };
+  }
 
-  if (!collapsed) {
+  attrs = assign({ type: 'bpmn:Participant' }, attrs || {});
+
+  // participants are expanded by default
+  if (attrs.isExpanded !== false) {
     attrs.processRef = this._bpmnFactory.create('bpmn:Process');
   }
 
diff --git a/lib/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehavior.js b/lib/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehavior.js
index c241f206..76f8f373 100644
--- a/lib/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehavior.js
+++ b/lib/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehavior.js
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ import { isLabel } from '../../../util/LabelUtil';
 
 import { getBBox } from 'diagram-js/lib/util/Elements';
 
-import { assign } from 'min-dash';
+import {
+  assign,
+  find
+} from 'min-dash';
 
 import { asTRBL } from 'diagram-js/lib/layout/LayoutUtil';
 
@@ -85,71 +88,122 @@ export default function CreateParticipantBehavior(canvas, eventBus, modeling) {
     }
   });
 
-  // turn process into collaboration before adding participant
-  this.preExecute('shape.create', function(context) {
+  function ensureCollaboration(context) {
     var parent = context.parent,
-        shape = context.shape,
-        position = context.position;
+        collaboration;
 
     var rootElement = canvas.getRootElement();
 
-    if (
-      is(parent, 'bpmn:Process') &&
-      is(shape, 'bpmn:Participant') &&
-      !is(rootElement, 'bpmn:Collaboration')
-    ) {
+    if (is(rootElement, 'bpmn:Collaboration')) {
+      collaboration = rootElement;
+    } else {
 
-      // this is going to detach the process root
-      // and set the returned collaboration element
-      // as the new root element
-      var collaborationElement = modeling.makeCollaboration();
+      // update root element by making collaboration
+      collaboration = modeling.makeCollaboration();
 
-      // monkey patch the create context
-      // so that the participant is being dropped
-      // onto the new collaboration root instead
-      context.position = position;
-      context.parent = collaborationElement;
+      // re-use process when creating first participant
+      context.process = parent;
+    }
 
-      context.processRoot = parent;
+    context.parent = collaboration;
+  }
+
+  // turn process into collaboration before adding participant
+  this.preExecute('shape.create', function(context) {
+    var parent = context.parent,
+        shape = context.shape;
+
+    if (is(shape, 'bpmn:Participant') && is(parent, 'bpmn:Process')) {
+      ensureCollaboration(context);
     }
   }, true);
 
   this.execute('shape.create', function(context) {
-    var processRoot = context.processRoot,
+    var process = context.process,
         shape = context.shape;
 
-    if (processRoot) {
+    if (process) {
       context.oldProcessRef = shape.businessObject.processRef;
 
-      // assign the participant processRef
-      shape.businessObject.processRef = processRoot.businessObject;
+      // re-use process when creating first participant
+      shape.businessObject.processRef = process.businessObject;
     }
   }, true);
 
   this.revert('shape.create', function(context) {
-    var processRoot = context.processRoot,
+    var process = context.process,
         shape = context.shape;
 
-    if (processRoot) {
+    if (process) {
 
-      // assign the participant processRef
+      // re-use process when creating first participant
       shape.businessObject.processRef = context.oldProcessRef;
     }
   }, true);
 
   this.postExecute('shape.create', function(context) {
-    var processRoot = context.processRoot,
+    var process = context.process,
         shape = context.shape;
 
-    if (processRoot) {
+    if (process) {
 
-      // process root is already detached at this point
-      var processChildren = processRoot.children.slice();
+      // move children from process to participant
+      var processChildren = process.children.slice();
 
       modeling.moveElements(processChildren, { x: 0, y: 0 }, shape);
     }
 
   }, true);
+
+  // turn process into collaboration when creating participants
+  this.preExecute('elements.create', HIGH_PRIORITY, function(context) {
+    var elements = context.elements,
+        parent = context.parent,
+        participant;
+
+    var hasParticipants = findParticipant(elements);
+
+    if (hasParticipants && is(parent, 'bpmn:Process')) {
+      ensureCollaboration(context);
+
+      participant = findParticipant(elements);
+
+      context.oldProcessRef = participant.businessObject.processRef;
+
+      // re-use process when creating first participant
+      participant.businessObject.processRef = parent.businessObject;
+    }
+  }, true);
+
+  this.revert('elements.create', function(context) {
+    var elements = context.elements,
+        process = context.process,
+        participant;
+
+    if (process) {
+      participant = findParticipant(elements);
+
+      // re-use process when creating first participant
+      participant.businessObject.processRef = context.oldProcessRef;
+    }
+  }, true);
+
+  this.postExecute('elements.create', function(context) {
+    var elements = context.elements,
+        process = context.process,
+        participant;
+
+    if (process) {
+      participant = findParticipant(elements);
+
+      // move children from process to first participant
+      var processChildren = process.children.slice();
+
+      modeling.moveElements(processChildren, { x: 0, y: 0 }, participant);
+    }
+
+  }, true);
+
 }
 
 CreateParticipantBehavior.$inject = [
@@ -168,9 +222,14 @@ function getParticipantBounds(shape, childrenBBox) {
     height: childrenBBox.height + VERTICAL_PARTICIPANT_PADDING * 2
   };
 
+  var width = Math.max(shape.width, childrenBBox.width),
+      height = Math.max(shape.height, childrenBBox.height);
+
   return {
-    width: Math.max(shape.width, childrenBBox.width),
-    height: Math.max(shape.height, childrenBBox.height)
+    x: -width / 2,
+    y: -height / 2,
+    width: width,
+    height: height
   };
 }
 
@@ -187,4 +246,10 @@ function getParticipantCreateConstraints(shape, childrenBBox) {
 
 function isConnection(element) {
   return !!element.waypoints;
+}
+
+function findParticipant(elements) {
+  return find(elements, function(element) {
+    return is(element, 'bpmn:Participant');
+  });
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/features/modeling/behavior/SubProcessStartEventBehavior.js b/lib/features/modeling/behavior/SubProcessStartEventBehavior.js
index 0bb405c0..0f1ca99a 100644
--- a/lib/features/modeling/behavior/SubProcessStartEventBehavior.js
+++ b/lib/features/modeling/behavior/SubProcessStartEventBehavior.js
@@ -6,37 +6,17 @@ import { is } from '../../../util/ModelUtil';
 import { isExpanded } from '../../../util/DiUtil.js';
 
 /**
- * Add start event child by default when creating an expanded subprocess
- * with create.start or replacing a task with an expanded subprocess.
+ * Add start event replacing element with expanded sub process.
+ *
+ * @param {Injector} injector
+ * @param {Modeling} modeling
  */
-export default function SubProcessStartEventBehavior(eventBus, modeling) {
-  CommandInterceptor.call(this, eventBus);
-
-  eventBus.on('create.start', function(event) {
-    var shape = event.context.shape,
-        hints = event.context.hints;
-
-    hints.shouldAddStartEvent = is(shape, 'bpmn:SubProcess') && isExpanded(shape);
-  });
-
-  this.postExecuted('shape.create', function(event) {
-    var shape = event.context.shape,
-        hints = event.context.hints,
-        position;
-
-    if (!hints.shouldAddStartEvent) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    position = calculatePositionRelativeToShape(shape);
-
-    modeling.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:StartEvent' }, position, shape);
-  });
+export default function SubProcessStartEventBehavior(injector, modeling) {
+  injector.invoke(CommandInterceptor, this);
 
   this.postExecuted('shape.replace', function(event) {
     var oldShape = event.context.oldShape,
-        newShape = event.context.newShape,
-        position;
+        newShape = event.context.newShape;
 
     if (
       !is(newShape, 'bpmn:SubProcess') ||
@@ -46,14 +26,14 @@ export default function SubProcessStartEventBehavior(eventBus, modeling) {
       return;
     }
 
-    position = calculatePositionRelativeToShape(newShape);
+    var position = getStartEventPosition(newShape);
 
     modeling.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:StartEvent' }, position, newShape);
   });
 }
 
 SubProcessStartEventBehavior.$inject = [
-  'eventBus',
+  'injector',
   'modeling'
 ];
 
@@ -61,7 +41,7 @@ inherits(SubProcessStartEventBehavior, CommandInterceptor);
 
 // helpers //////////
 
-function calculatePositionRelativeToShape(shape) {
+function getStartEventPosition(shape) {
   return {
     x: shape.x + shape.width / 6,
     y: shape.y + shape.height / 2
diff --git a/lib/features/palette/PaletteProvider.js b/lib/features/palette/PaletteProvider.js
index 1d21b161..b4e638d5 100644
--- a/lib/features/palette/PaletteProvider.js
+++ b/lib/features/palette/PaletteProvider.js
@@ -71,8 +71,26 @@ PaletteProvider.prototype.getPaletteEntries = function(element) {
     };
   }
 
-  function createParticipant(event, collapsed) {
-    create.start(event, elementFactory.createParticipantShape(collapsed));
+  function createSubprocess(event) {
+    var subProcess = elementFactory.createShape({
+      type: 'bpmn:SubProcess',
+      x: 0,
+      y: 0,
+      isExpanded: true
+    });
+
+    var startEvent = elementFactory.createShape({
+      type: 'bpmn:StartEvent',
+      x: 40,
+      y: 82,
+      parent: subProcess
+    });
+
+    create.start(event, [ subProcess, startEvent ]);
+  }
+
+  function createParticipant(event) {
+    create.start(event, elementFactory.createParticipantShape());
   }
 
   assign(actions, {
@@ -148,11 +166,15 @@ PaletteProvider.prototype.getPaletteEntries = function(element) {
       'bpmn:DataStoreReference', 'data-store', 'bpmn-icon-data-store',
       translate('Create DataStoreReference')
     ),
-    'create.subprocess-expanded': createAction(
-      'bpmn:SubProcess', 'activity', 'bpmn-icon-subprocess-expanded',
-      translate('Create expanded SubProcess'),
-      { isExpanded: true }
-    ),
+    'create.subprocess-expanded': {
+      group: 'activity',
+      className: 'bpmn-icon-subprocess-expanded',
+      title: translate('Create expanded SubProcess'),
+      action: {
+        dragstart: createSubprocess,
+        click: createSubprocess
+      }
+    },
     'create.participant-expanded': {
       group: 'collaboration',
       className: 'bpmn-icon-participant',
diff --git a/lib/features/rules/BpmnRules.js b/lib/features/rules/BpmnRules.js
index 8cd83409..e43bf1e5 100644
--- a/lib/features/rules/BpmnRules.js
+++ b/lib/features/rules/BpmnRules.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
 } from '../../util/ModelUtil';
 
 import {
+  getParent,
   isAny
 } from '../modeling/util/ModelingUtil';
 
@@ -117,6 +118,20 @@ BpmnRules.prototype.init = function() {
     return canResize(shape, newBounds);
   });
 
+  this.addRule('elements.create', function(context) {
+    var elements = context.elements,
+        position = context.position,
+        target = context.target;
+
+    return every(elements, function(element) {
+      if (isConnection(element)) {
+        return canConnect(element.source, element.target, element);
+      }
+
+      return canCreate(element, target, null, position);
+    });
+  });
+
   this.addRule('elements.move', function(context) {
 
     var target = context.target,
@@ -320,7 +335,7 @@ function isSameScope(a, b) {
   var scopeParentA = getScopeParent(a),
       scopeParentB = getScopeParent(b);
 
-  return scopeParentA && (scopeParentA === scopeParentB);
+  return scopeParentA === scopeParentB;
 }
 
 function hasEventDefinition(element, eventDefinition) {
@@ -852,9 +867,9 @@ function canConnectAssociation(source, target) {
 
 function canConnectMessageFlow(source, target) {
 
-  // handle the case where target does not have a parent,
-  // because it is not dropped within the diagram (bpmn-io/bpmn-js#1033)
-  if (!target.parent) {
+  // during connect user might move mouse out of canvas
+  // https://github.com/bpmn-io/bpmn-js/issues/1033
+  if (getRootElement(source) && !getRootElement(target)) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -955,8 +970,11 @@ function isOutgoingEventBasedGatewayConnection(connection) {
 }
 
 function areOutgoingEventBasedGatewayConnections(connections) {
-
   connections = connections || [];
 
   return connections.some(isOutgoingEventBasedGatewayConnection);
 }
+
+function getRootElement(element) {
+  return getParent(element, 'bpmn:Process') || getParent(element, 'bpmn:Collaboration');
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/spec/features/auto-resize/AutoResizeSpec.js b/test/spec/features/auto-resize/AutoResizeSpec.js
index cedd8922..fede19eb 100644
--- a/test/spec/features/auto-resize/AutoResizeSpec.js
+++ b/test/spec/features/auto-resize/AutoResizeSpec.js
@@ -277,19 +277,6 @@ describe('features/auto-resize', function() {
       expect(participantShape).to.have.bounds(originalBounds);
     }));
 
-
-    it('should not auto-resize when creating with { root: false } hint', inject(function(modeling) {
-
-      // given
-      var taskAttrs = { type: 'bpmn:Task' };
-
-      // when
-      modeling.createShape(taskAttrs, { x: 600, y: 320 }, participantShape, { root: false });
-
-      // then
-      expect(participantShape).to.have.bounds(originalBounds);
-    }));
-
   });
 
 
diff --git a/test/spec/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehaviorSpec.js b/test/spec/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehaviorSpec.js
index 2bf284a7..fecc0bae 100644
--- a/test/spec/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehaviorSpec.js
+++ b/test/spec/features/modeling/behavior/CreateParticipantBehaviorSpec.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ describe('features/modeling - create participant', function() {
 
   describe('process', function() {
 
-    describe('should turn diagram into collaboration', function() {
+    describe('should turn process into collaboration', function() {
 
       var processDiagramXML = require('../../../../fixtures/bpmn/collaboration/process-empty.bpmn');
 
@@ -39,13 +39,17 @@ describe('features/modeling - create participant', function() {
           collaborationDi,
           diRoot,
           participant,
+          participant2,
+          participants,
           participantBo,
+          participant2Bo,
           participantDi,
+          participant2Di,
           process,
           processBo,
           processDi;
 
-      beforeEach(inject(function(canvas, elementFactory, modeling) {
+      beforeEach(inject(function(canvas, elementFactory) {
 
         // given
         process = canvas.getRootElement();
@@ -54,48 +58,116 @@ describe('features/modeling - create participant', function() {
 
         diRoot = processBo.di.$parent;
 
-        participant = elementFactory.createParticipantShape();
+        participant = elementFactory.createParticipantShape({ x: 100, y: 100 });
         participantBo = participant.businessObject;
         participantDi = participantBo.di;
 
-        // when
-        modeling.createShape(participant, { x: 350, y: 200 }, process);
+        participant2 = elementFactory.createParticipantShape({ x: 100, y: 400 });
+        participant2Bo = participant2.businessObject;
+        participant2Di = participant2Bo.di;
 
-        collaboration = canvas.getRootElement();
-        collaborationBo = collaboration.businessObject;
-        collaborationDi = collaborationBo.di;
+        participants = [ participant, participant2 ];
       }));
 
 
-      it('execute', function() {
+      describe('creating one participant', function() {
 
-        // then
-        expect(participantBo.$parent).to.equal(collaborationBo);
-        expect(participantBo.processRef).to.equal(processBo);
+        beforeEach(inject(function(canvas, modeling) {
 
-        expect(collaborationBo.$instanceOf('bpmn:Collaboration')).to.be.true;
-        expect(collaborationBo.$parent).to.equal(processBo.$parent);
-        expect(collaborationBo.participants).to.include(participantBo);
+          // when
+          modeling.createShape(participant, { x: 400, y: 225 }, process);
+
+          collaboration = canvas.getRootElement();
+          collaborationBo = collaboration.businessObject;
+          collaborationDi = collaborationBo.di;
+        }));
+
+
+        it('execute', function() {
+
+          // then
+          expect(participantBo.$parent).to.equal(collaborationBo);
+          expect(participantBo.processRef).to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(collaborationBo.$instanceOf('bpmn:Collaboration')).to.be.true;
+          expect(collaborationBo.$parent).to.equal(processBo.$parent);
+          expect(collaborationBo.participants).to.include(participantBo);
+
+          expect(participantDi.$parent).to.equal(collaborationDi);
+          expect(collaborationDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
+        });
+
+
+        it('undo', inject(function(commandStack) {
+
+          // when
+          commandStack.undo();
+
+          // then
+          expect(participantBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
+          expect(participantBo.processRef).not.to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(collaborationBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
+          expect(collaborationBo.participants).not.to.include(participantBo);
+
+          expect(processDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
+        }));
 
-        expect(participantDi.$parent).to.equal(collaborationDi);
-        expect(collaborationDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
       });
 
 
-      it('undo', inject(function(commandStack) {
+      describe('creating two participants', function() {
 
-        // when
-        commandStack.undo();
+        beforeEach(inject(function(canvas, modeling) {
 
-        // then
-        expect(participantBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
-        expect(participantBo.processRef).not.to.equal(processBo);
+          // when
+          modeling.createElements(participants, { x: 400, y: 375 }, process);
 
-        expect(collaborationBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
-        expect(collaborationBo.participants).not.to.include(participantBo);
+          collaboration = canvas.getRootElement();
+          collaborationBo = collaboration.businessObject;
+          collaborationDi = collaborationBo.di;
+        }));
 
-        expect(processDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
-      }));
+
+        it('execute', function() {
+
+          // then
+          expect(participantBo.$parent).to.equal(collaborationBo);
+          expect(participantBo.processRef).to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(participant2Bo.$parent).to.equal(collaborationBo);
+          expect(participant2Bo.processRef).not.to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(collaborationBo.$instanceOf('bpmn:Collaboration')).to.be.true;
+          expect(collaborationBo.$parent).to.equal(processBo.$parent);
+          expect(collaborationBo.participants).to.include(participantBo);
+
+          expect(participantDi.$parent).to.equal(collaborationDi);
+          expect(participant2Di.$parent).to.equal(collaborationDi);
+          expect(collaborationDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
+        });
+
+
+        it('undo', inject(function(commandStack) {
+
+          // when
+          commandStack.undo();
+
+          // then
+          expect(participantBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
+          expect(participantBo.processRef).not.to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(participant2Bo.$parent).not.to.exist;
+          expect(participant2Bo.processRef).not.to.equal(processBo);
+
+          expect(collaborationBo.$parent).not.to.exist;
+          expect(collaborationBo.participants).not.to.include(participantBo);
+          expect(collaborationBo.participants).not.to.include(participant2Bo);
+
+          expect(processDi.$parent).to.equal(diRoot);
+        }));
+
+      });
 
     });
 
diff --git a/test/spec/features/palette/PaletteProviderSpec.js b/test/spec/features/palette/PaletteProviderSpec.js
index 4956615f..9a784671 100644
--- a/test/spec/features/palette/PaletteProviderSpec.js
+++ b/test/spec/features/palette/PaletteProviderSpec.js
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 import {
   bootstrapModeler,
+  getBpmnJS,
   inject
 } from 'test/TestHelper';
 
+import coreModule from 'lib/core';
+import createModule from 'diagram-js/lib/features/create';
 import modelingModule from 'lib/features/modeling';
 import paletteModule from 'lib/features/palette';
-import coreModule from 'lib/core';
+
+import { createMoveEvent } from 'diagram-js/lib/features/mouse/Mouse';
+
+import { is } from 'lib/util/ModelUtil';
 
 import {
   query as domQuery,
@@ -17,12 +23,17 @@ describe('features/palette', function() {
 
   var diagramXML = require('../../../fixtures/bpmn/features/replace/01_replace.bpmn');
 
-  var testModules = [ coreModule, modelingModule, paletteModule ];
+  var testModules = [
+    coreModule,
+    createModule,
+    modelingModule,
+    paletteModule
+  ];
 
   beforeEach(bootstrapModeler(diagramXML, { modules: testModules }));
 
 
-  it('should provide BPMN modeling palette', inject(function(canvas, palette) {
+  it('should provide BPMN modeling palette', inject(function(canvas) {
 
     // when
     var paletteElement = domQuery('.djs-palette', canvas._container);
@@ -32,4 +43,35 @@ describe('features/palette', function() {
     expect(entries.length).to.equal(14);
   }));
 
+
+  describe('sub process', function() {
+
+    it('should create sub process with start event', inject(function(dragging, palette) {
+
+      // when
+      triggerPaletteEntry('create.subprocess-expanded');
+
+      // then
+      var context = dragging.context(),
+          elements = context.data.elements;
+
+      expect(elements).to.have.length(2);
+      expect(is(elements[0], 'bpmn:SubProcess')).to.be.true;
+      expect(is(elements[1], 'bpmn:StartEvent')).to.be.true;
+    }));
+
+  });
+
 });
+
+// helpers //////////
+
+function triggerPaletteEntry(id) {
+  getBpmnJS().invoke(function(palette) {
+    var entry = palette.getEntries()[ id ];
+
+    if (entry && entry.action && entry.action.click) {
+      entry.action.click(createMoveEvent(0, 0));
+    }
+  });
+}
diff --git a/test/spec/features/rules/BpmnRulesSpec.js b/test/spec/features/rules/BpmnRulesSpec.js
index 7d9a4f75..e758651e 100644
--- a/test/spec/features/rules/BpmnRulesSpec.js
+++ b/test/spec/features/rules/BpmnRulesSpec.js
@@ -20,6 +20,69 @@ describe('features/modeling/rules - BpmnRules', function() {
   var testModules = [ coreModule, modelingModule ];
 
 
+  describe('create elements', function() {
+
+    var testXML = require('./BpmnRules.process.bpmn');
+
+    beforeEach(bootstrapModeler(testXML, { modules: testModules }));
+
+
+    it('create tasks -> process', inject(function(elementFactory) {
+
+      // given
+      var task1 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          task2 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' });
+
+      // then
+      expectCanCreate([ task1, task2 ], 'Process', true);
+    }));
+
+
+    it('create tasks -> task', inject(function(elementFactory) {
+
+      // given
+      var task1 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          task2 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' });
+
+      // then
+      expectCanCreate([ task1, task2 ], 'Task', false);
+    }));
+
+
+    it('create tasks and sequence flow -> process', inject(function(elementFactory) {
+
+      // given
+      var task1 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          task2 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          sequenceFlow = elementFactory.createConnection({
+            type: 'bpmn:SequenceFlow',
+            source: task1,
+            target: task2
+          });
+
+      // then
+      expectCanCreate([ task1, task2, sequenceFlow ], 'Process', true);
+    }));
+
+
+    it('create tasks and message flow -> process', inject(function(elementFactory) {
+
+      // given
+      var task1 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          task2 = elementFactory.createShape({ type: 'bpmn:Task' }),
+          sequenceFlow = elementFactory.createConnection({
+            type: 'bpmn:MessageFlow',
+            source: task1,
+            target: task2
+          });
+
+      // then
+      expectCanCreate([ task1, task2, sequenceFlow ], 'Process', false);
+    }));
+
+  });
+
+
   describe('on process diagram', function() {
 
     var testXML = require('./BpmnRules.process.bpmn');
diff --git a/test/spec/features/rules/Helper.js b/test/spec/features/rules/Helper.js
index 430287a2..1c2eedca 100644
--- a/test/spec/features/rules/Helper.js
+++ b/test/spec/features/rules/Helper.js
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ import {
 } from 'test/TestHelper';
 
 import {
-  isString
+  isArray,
+  isString,
+  map
 } from 'min-dash';
 
 
@@ -47,10 +49,21 @@ export function expectCanDrop(element, target, expectedResult) {
 }
 
 
-export function expectCanCreate(element, target, expectedResult) {
+export function expectCanCreate(shape, target, expectedResult) {
 
-  var result = getBpmnJS().invoke(function(bpmnRules) {
-    return bpmnRules.canCreate(get(element), get(target));
+  var result = getBpmnJS().invoke(function(rules) {
+
+    if (isArray(shape)) {
+      return rules.allowed('elements.create', {
+        elements: get(shape),
+        target: get(target)
+      });
+    }
+
+    return rules.allowed('shape.create', {
+      shape: get(shape),
+      target: get(target)
+    });
   });
 
   expect(result).to.eql(expectedResult);
@@ -94,21 +107,25 @@ export function expectCanMove(elements, target, rules) {
  * Retrieve element, resolving an ID with
  * the actual element.
  */
-function get(element) {
+function get(elementId) {
 
-  var actualElement;
-
-  if (isString(element)) {
-    actualElement = getBpmnJS().invoke(function(elementRegistry) {
-      return elementRegistry.get(element);
-    });
-
-    if (!actualElement) {
-      throw new Error('element #' + element + ' not found');
-    }
-
-    return actualElement;
+  if (isArray(elementId)) {
+    return map(elementId, get);
   }
 
-  return element;
+  var element;
+
+  if (isString(elementId)) {
+    element = getBpmnJS().invoke(function(elementRegistry) {
+      return elementRegistry.get(elementId);
+    });
+
+    if (!element) {
+      throw new Error('element #' + elementId + ' not found');
+    }
+
+    return element;
+  }
+
+  return elementId;
 }
\ No newline at end of file