During evolution, the mammalian brain massively expanded its size. However, the exact roles of distinct neural precursors, identified in the developing cortex during embryogenesis, for size expansion and surface folding (i.e., gyration) remain largely unknown. New findings by Nonaka-Kinoshita et al advance our understanding of embryonic neural precursor function by identifying cell type-selective functions for size expansion and folding, and challenge previously held concepts of mammalian brain development.