diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/README.md b/modules/claude-licence-manager/README.md
index de0b4c789..afad6f7d2 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/README.md
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/README.md
@@ -5,6 +5,12 @@ rotation source, its consumers moved off a licence near its limit by the manager
 ADR 0206, design 39 and its milestone bus-and-switch). Every grant and access token lives in the vault; this module
 keeps none.
 
+It runs as an account of its own (`runs-as claude-licence-manager`, design 39 bus-and-switch C1), in a runtime of its
+own, never in the machine's tool runner: its service part (the carry-over at start, the usage timer, the switch rule,
+the conditions) and its tools beside it, so every state, log and secret below is issued to its own account. Its
+account is issued what its manifest names: the asks under `invokes` (the vault, the operator channel, mesh-config and
+a node's `claude_code_grant`), the events under `emits` and `consumes`.
+
 ## How a licence comes to exist
 
 Nothing is configured. Every node running `claude-code` says what it holds as the event
diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/main.go b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/main.go
index d33c6d033..1d34a8da9 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/main.go
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/main.go
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-// claude-licence-manager (novox/hq ADR 0183, ADR 0206, design 39): one binary, launched by the control
-// node's runtime and speaking MCP to it over stdio through the Go SDK (ADR 0193, ADR 0198). It serves the
-// `anthropic-licence-manager` seat's verbs and, beside them, runs long: it watches what every node reports
-// holding and adopts a login it does not hold, keeps every grant alive under a lease, and reads usage.
+// claude-licence-manager (novox/hq ADR 0183, ADR 0206, design 39): one binary, launched by a runtime of its own under
+// its own account (`runs-as claude-licence-manager`, design 39 bus-and-switch C1), never by the machine's tool runner,
+// and speaking MCP to it over stdio through the Go SDK (ADR 0193, ADR 0198). Its service part runs long (the
+// carry-over at start, the usage timer, the switch rule, the conditions): it watches what every node reports holding
+// and adopts a login it does not hold, keeps every grant alive under a lease, and reads usage. Its tools part, the
+// seat's verbs and the module's tools, is served beside it and acts only through that one running manager.
 //
 // stdout is the MCP channel; everything this module says, it says on stderr.
 package main
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ func manager() (*Manager, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	keys, err := keypair(dir)
+	keys, err := keypair(dir, say)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -129,28 +131,60 @@ func configLevels(node string) (map[string]string, error) {
 }
 
 // keypair is this module's own, made once in its state directory; the private half never leaves it.
-// Written whole, then linked into place, so a second process reads the first's key and never half of it.
-func keypair(dir string) (KeyPair, error) {
+// Written whole, then linked into place, so a second process reads the first's key and never half of it. A pair it
+// finds and cannot read (another account's, left before the module ran as its own) is made anew in its place and said
+// in its journal (design 39 bus-and-switch C2): every use passes the public key per ask, so nothing depends on the old.
+func keypair(dir string, log func(string, ...any)) (KeyPair, error) {
 	file := filepath.Join(dir, "manager-key.json")
 	if _, err := os.Stat(file); errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
-		k, err := GenerateKeyPair()
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := writeKeyPair(dir, file, false); err != nil {
 			return KeyPair{}, err
 		}
-		raw, _ := json.Marshal(k)
-		tmp := filepath.Join(dir, fmt.Sprintf(".manager-key.%d.json", os.Getpid()))
-		if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, raw, 0o600); err != nil {
-			return KeyPair{}, err
-		}
-		_ = os.Link(tmp, file) // fails when another made it first, which is right
-		_ = os.Remove(tmp)
 	}
+	k, err := readKeyPair(file)
+	if err == nil {
+		return k, nil
+	}
+	log("the key pair %s cannot be read (%v); a new one is made in its place", file, err)
+	if err := writeKeyPair(dir, file, true); err != nil {
+		return KeyPair{}, err
+	}
+	return readKeyPair(file)
+}
+
+func readKeyPair(file string) (KeyPair, error) {
 	raw, err := os.ReadFile(file)
 	if err != nil {
 		return KeyPair{}, err
 	}
 	var k KeyPair
-	return k, json.Unmarshal(raw, &k)
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &k); err != nil {
+		return KeyPair{}, err
+	}
+	if k.PublicKey == "" || k.PrivateKey == "" {
+		return KeyPair{}, errors.New("it holds no whole key pair")
+	}
+	return k, nil
+}
+
+// writeKeyPair writes a new pair whole beside file, then links it into place, or, replacing, renames it over the one
+// that cannot be read.
+func writeKeyPair(dir, file string, replace bool) error {
+	k, err := GenerateKeyPair()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(k)
+	tmp := filepath.Join(dir, fmt.Sprintf(".manager-key.%d.json", os.Getpid()))
+	if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, raw, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if replace {
+		return os.Rename(tmp, file)
+	}
+	_ = os.Link(tmp, file) // fails when another made it first, which is right
+	_ = os.Remove(tmp)
+	return nil
 }
 
 // ---- the long-running half ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/manifest_test.go b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/manifest_test.go
index e087078ab..8916b3680 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/manifest_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -48,3 +50,105 @@ func TestTheManifestKeepsNoOldForm(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// issued is what the manager's own runtime is issued from its manifest (design 39 bus-and-switch C1): its account, the
+// states and logs it keeps (`requires` by template), what it may ask (`invokes`) and say (`emits`).
+type issued struct {
+	RunsAs, SecretsOwner string
+	OwnSecrets           map[string]string
+	Resources            []map[string]any
+	States, Logs         map[string]bool
+	Invokes, Emits       map[string]bool
+}
+
+func manifestIssued(t testing.TB) issued {
+	t.Helper()
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(moduleDir, "module.json"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var m struct {
+		RunsAs       string            `json:"runs-as"`
+		SecretsOwner string            `json:"secrets-owner"`
+		OwnSecrets   map[string]string `json:"own-secrets"`
+		Requires     []json.RawMessage `json:"requires"`
+		Resources    []map[string]any  `json:"resources"`
+		Invokes      []string          `json:"invokes"`
+		Emits        []string          `json:"emits"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &m); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	out := issued{RunsAs: m.RunsAs, SecretsOwner: m.SecretsOwner, OwnSecrets: m.OwnSecrets, Resources: m.Resources,
+		States: map[string]bool{}, Logs: map[string]bool{}, Invokes: map[string]bool{}, Emits: map[string]bool{}}
+	for _, r := range m.Requires {
+		var e struct{ Name, Storage string }
+		if json.Unmarshal(r, &e) != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		switch e.Storage {
+		case "key-value":
+			out.States[e.Name] = true
+		case "stream":
+			out.Logs[e.Name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	for _, k := range m.Invokes {
+		out.Invokes[k] = true
+	}
+	for _, e := range m.Emits {
+		out.Emits[e] = true
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// mayAsk is whether the manager's own account may ask key: a module tool asked on one node (`<module>.<tool>@<node>`)
+// is invoked as `<module>.<tool>`.
+func (i issued) mayAsk(key string) bool {
+	k, _, _ := strings.Cut(key, "@")
+	return i.Invokes[k]
+}
+
+// design 39 bus-and-switch C1: the manager runs as an account of its own, which it makes and which owns what it places
+// on its machine and its secrets, reaching the bus as itself; and that account is issued every ask its code makes,
+// since its runtime is not the machine's tool runner.
+func TestTheManagerRunsAsItsOwnAccount(t *testing.T) {
+	m := manifestIssued(t)
+	if m.RunsAs != Publisher {
+		t.Fatalf("the manager runs as %q, not as its own account %s", m.RunsAs, Publisher)
+	}
+	if m.SecretsOwner != Publisher || m.OwnSecrets["broker"] == "" {
+		t.Errorf("its secrets belong to %q and its own broker secret is %q: both are its account's", m.SecretsOwner,
+			m.OwnSecrets["broker"])
+	}
+	made := false
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		switch r["type"] {
+		case "user":
+			made = made || r["name"] == Publisher
+		case "directory", "file":
+			if r["owner"] != Publisher {
+				t.Errorf("resource %v is owned by %v, not by the manager's account", r["id"], r["owner"])
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if !made {
+		t.Errorf("the manager does not make its account: no user resource named %s", Publisher)
+	}
+	files, _ := filepath.Glob("*.go")
+	asked := regexp.MustCompile(`stdio\.Ask\("([^"]+)"`)
+	for _, f := range files {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(f, "_test.go") {
+			continue
+		}
+		src, err := os.ReadFile(f)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		for _, k := range asked.FindAllStringSubmatch(string(src), -1) {
+			if !m.mayAsk(k[1]) {
+				t.Errorf("%s asks %s, which the manifest's invokes do not name", f, k[1])
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/seal_test.go b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/seal_test.go
index 87038f0d7..2f096ba9b 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/seal_test.go
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/seal_test.go
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -41,3 +44,29 @@ func TestABoxOpensOnlyForItsRecipient(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("a box opened for another key")
 	}
 }
+
+// design 39 bus-and-switch C2: a key pair the manager finds and cannot read (left by another account, here mode 000) is
+// replaced in its place by a new one, said in its journal; the new one is read back by the next start.
+func TestAKeyPairItCannotReadIsMadeAnew(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Geteuid() == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("run as root, a file of mode 000 is still read: this test needs an ordinary account")
+	}
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	file := filepath.Join(dir, "manager-key.json")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(file, []byte(`{"publicKey":"old","privateKey":"old"}`), 0o000); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var said []string
+	log := func(format string, a ...any) { said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf(format, a...)) }
+	k, err := keypair(dir, log)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a key pair it cannot read stops the manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	if k.PublicKey == "" || k.PublicKey == "old" || len(said) != 1 || !strings.Contains(said[0], "manager-key.json") {
+		t.Fatalf("not made anew and said: key %q, journal %q", k.PublicKey, said)
+	}
+	again, err := keypair(dir, log)
+	if err != nil || again != k || len(said) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the new pair is not the one read at the next start: %v, %v, %q", again == k, err, said)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/whole_integration_test.go b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/whole_integration_test.go
index b71549bfc..e399ef6ac 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/whole_integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/cmd/claude-licence-manager/whole_integration_test.go
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ type mesh struct {
 	dir    string
 	dbURL  string
 	vendor *vendor
+	own    issued // what the manager's own runtime is issued from its manifest (C1)
 
 	mu         sync.Mutex
 	said       []said
@@ -299,11 +300,14 @@ type mesh struct {
 	conditions []oc.Condition
 }
 
-const busStates = "licences bindings leases offered carried conditions"
-const busLogs = "usage audit"
-
 func newWholeMesh(t *testing.T, dbURL string) *mesh {
 	t.Helper()
+	// The manager runs as its own account, never in the machine's tool runner, whose account is issued none of its
+	// logs or states (C1): this player plays that runtime of its own, issuing what the manifest names and nothing else.
+	own := manifestIssued(t)
+	if own.RunsAs != Publisher {
+		t.Fatalf("the manager declares runs-as %q: it would run in the machine's tool runner, not as its own account", own.RunsAs)
+	}
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	t.Cleanup(cancel)
 	dir := t.TempDir()
@@ -323,12 +327,12 @@ func newWholeMesh(t *testing.T, dbURL string) *mesh {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	// What the bus module creates from the manifest's templates (§1 to §9) before the manager's want moves (§50).
-	for _, s := range strings.Fields(busStates) {
+	for s := range own.States {
 		if _, err := js.CreateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{Bucket: Publisher + "_" + s, History: 8}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	for _, l := range strings.Fields(busLogs) {
+	for l := range own.Logs {
 		if _, err := js.CreateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: "LOG_" + Publisher + "_" + l,
 			Subjects: []string{"mesh.log." + Publisher + "." + l + ".>"}}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
@@ -340,7 +344,7 @@ func newWholeMesh(t *testing.T, dbURL string) *mesh {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	m := &mesh{t: t, ctx: ctx, nc: nc, js: js, bin: bin, dir: dir, dbURL: dbURL, vendor: newVendor(t),
+	m := &mesh{t: t, ctx: ctx, nc: nc, js: js, bin: bin, dir: dir, dbURL: dbURL, vendor: newVendor(t), own: own,
 		news: make(chan struct{}, 1), secrets: map[string]string{}, calls: map[string][32]byte{},
 		callArgs: map[string]map[string]any{}, logins: map[string]FullGrant{}}
 	sub, err := nc.Subscribe("mesh.seat.operator-channel.accept.condition.>", func(msg *nats.Msg) {
@@ -521,6 +525,10 @@ func (p *started) handle(w wire) {
 		Pattern  string          `json:"pattern"`
 	}
 	_ = json.Unmarshal(w.Params, &a)
+	if why := p.refused(w.Method, w.Params); why != nil {
+		p.answer(w.ID, nil, why)
+		return
+	}
 	if strings.HasPrefix(w.Method, "mesh/log.") {
 		p.log(w)
 		return
@@ -620,6 +628,28 @@ func (p *started) handle(w wire) {
 	}
 }
 
+// refused is the runtime's refusal of what the manager's own account was not issued (C1): a state or a log its
+// manifest does not ask for, an ask its invokes do not name, an event its emits do not name; nil when it was issued.
+func (p *started) refused(method string, params json.RawMessage) error {
+	var a struct {
+		State string `json:"state"`
+		Log   string `json:"log"`
+		Key   string `json:"key"`
+	}
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(params, &a)
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasPrefix(method, "mesh/state.") && !p.own.States[a.State]:
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s keeps no state called %q", Publisher, a.State)
+	case strings.HasPrefix(method, "mesh/log.") && !p.own.Logs[a.Log]:
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s keeps no log called %q", Publisher, a.Log)
+	case method == "mesh/ask" && !p.own.mayAsk(a.Key):
+		return fmt.Errorf("this account may not call %s", a.Key)
+	case method == "mesh/publish" && !p.own.Emits[a.Key]:
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s does not emit %s", Publisher, a.Key)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (p *started) say(key string, body json.RawMessage) {
 	p.mu.Lock()
 	p.said = append(p.said, said{key: key, body: append(json.RawMessage(nil), body...)})
@@ -899,7 +929,7 @@ func (m *mesh) written() map[string]uint64 {
 		i, _ := info.Info(m.ctx)
 		out[s] = i.State.LastSeq
 	}
-	for _, l := range strings.Fields(busLogs) {
+	for l := range m.own.Logs {
 		info, err := m.js.Stream(m.ctx, "LOG_"+Publisher+"_"+l)
 		if err != nil {
 			m.t.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/modules/claude-licence-manager/module.json b/modules/claude-licence-manager/module.json
index 215aaa7f5..3f7e34450 100644
--- a/modules/claude-licence-manager/module.json
+++ b/modules/claude-licence-manager/module.json
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
   "module": "claude-licence-manager",
   "version": "0.1",
   "slug": "licmgr",
+  "runs-as": "claude-licence-manager",
   "requires": [
     "postgres-database",
     "secret",
@@ -91,6 +92,10 @@
       "grant-key": "${dir:state}/grant.key"
     }
   },
+  "own-secrets": {
+    "broker": "${dir:state}/broker"
+  },
+  "secrets-owner": "claude-licence-manager",
   "uses": [
     "operator-channel"
   ],
@@ -98,7 +103,8 @@
     "seat:operator-channel.tell",
     "seat:mesh-vault.licence-put",
     "seat:mesh-vault.get",
-    "seat:mesh-config.config"
+    "seat:mesh-config.config",
+    "claude-code.claude_code_grant"
   ],
   "seats": [
     {
@@ -232,10 +238,18 @@
     }
   },
   "resources": [
+    {
+      "id": "account",
+      "type": "user",
+      "name": "claude-licence-manager",
+      "shell": "/usr/bin/nologin",
+      "home": "/var/lib/claude-licence-manager"
+    },
     {
       "id": "state",
       "type": "directory",
       "mode": "0700",
+      "owner": "claude-licence-manager",
       "place": ".",
       "unknown": "program"
     },
@@ -244,6 +258,7 @@
       "type": "file",
       "path": "${dir:state}/database.url",
       "mode": "0600",
+      "owner": "claude-licence-manager",
       "template": "files/database.url"
     },
     {
@@ -251,6 +266,7 @@
       "type": "file",
       "path": "${dir:state}/settings.json",
       "mode": "0600",
+      "owner": "claude-licence-manager",
       "takes-config": [
         "cadence_minutes",
         "floor_minutes",
diff --git a/modules/distribution/internal/holder/holder_test.go b/modules/distribution/internal/holder/holder_test.go
index 615fc0ff4..6c06fe9a1 100644
--- a/modules/distribution/internal/holder/holder_test.go
+++ b/modules/distribution/internal/holder/holder_test.go
@@ -223,7 +223,6 @@ const builder = "ace.mesh-build-go"
 // TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats holds design 51's holder cases at the unit level (CAT-D1, D2, D3, D3b, D4, D4b, D5):
 // one table or case per rule, the caller list and the store front's.
 func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("a publish is checked against the builder's reservation", reservedChecksAPublishAgainstTheReservation)
 	blob := []byte(strings.Repeat("a", 3000))
 	part := Part{Digest: digestOf(blob), Size: int64(len(blob))}
 	req := func(id string) PublishRequest {
@@ -243,14 +242,14 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
 		if a, _ := b.h.Publish(ArtifactSeat, builder, req("t1")); !reflect.DeepEqual(a.Missing, []string{part.Digest}) {
 			t.Errorf("resumed publish = %+v", a)
 		}
-		// A chunk 0 again starts the part afresh (it travels whole again, design 51 Publishing); a chunk that is neither the
-		// cursor nor 0 is refused, naming the cursor.
-		if _, err := b.h.PublishPart(ArtifactSeat, builder, PartRequest{Transfer: "t1", Digest: part.Digest, Sequence: 0, Data: blob[:1000]}); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("a chunk 0 sent again was refused: %v", err)
-		}
+		// A chunk that is neither the cursor nor 0 is refused; a chunk 0 again is a part lacked travelling whole again
+		// (mesh-delivery's parts.Receiver.Take, 1966/AC203-1, AC203-2): its earlier chunks are dropped and it is taken.
 		if _, err := b.h.PublishPart(ArtifactSeat, builder, PartRequest{Transfer: "t1", Digest: part.Digest, Sequence: 2, Data: blob[:1000]}); err == nil {
 			t.Error("a chunk out of sequence was taken: the transfer goes on from the chunks held")
 		}
+		if _, err := b.h.PublishPart(ArtifactSeat, builder, PartRequest{Transfer: "t1", Digest: part.Digest, Sequence: 0, Data: blob[:1000]}); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("a chunk 0 again was refused: %v", err)
+		}
 		a, err = b.h.PublishPart(ArtifactSeat, builder, PartRequest{Transfer: "t1", Digest: part.Digest, Sequence: 1, Last: true, Data: blob[1000:]})
 		if err != nil || !a.Ended || len(b.said) != 1 || b.said[0].event != EventPublished || b.said[0].body.Reference == "" {
 			t.Fatalf("last chunk = %+v, %v; said %+v", a, err, b.said)
@@ -292,12 +291,12 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
 				_, err := b.h.Publish(ArtifactSeat, builder, req("t"))
 				return err
 			}, "at their cap"},
-			{"a version the builder did not reserve", func(b *bed) error {
+			{"a version the builder did not number", func(b *bed) error {
 				b.h.Builder = fakeBuilder{ok: false}
 				b.store.has[part.Digest] = true // held already: the publish ends at once
 				_, err := b.h.Publish(ArtifactSeat, builder, req("t"))
 				return err
-			}, "the builder did not reserve it"},
+			}, "the builder did not number it"},
 			{"an image on the artifact seat", func(b *bed) error {
 				r := req("t")
 				r.Kind = KindImage
@@ -849,9 +848,9 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &m); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		// The reservation is asked through the seat mesh-builds, so the manifest takes no package of the builder (design 47 §381).
-		if len(m.Packages) != 0 {
-			t.Errorf("packages %v: want none", m.Packages)
+		// The builder's question is its published package, taken by its series (ADR 0634 §1).
+		if m.Packages["git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/builds"] != "0.1" {
+			t.Errorf("packages %v: want builds of series 0.1", m.Packages)
 		}
 		// E15: the provision artifact-store retires (ADR 0632 §3); the bootstrap keeps it as an alias on port 5100 while
 		// the running node-engines still find the store by it (issue 1966), and nothing else is provided or served.
@@ -870,7 +869,7 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
 		if _, ok := claims[OldSeat]; !ok {
 			t.Error("the old seat mesh-artifact-store is no longer claimed while its window is open")
 		}
-		if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Consumes, []string{"mesh-delivery-view.delivered", "node-engine.manifest-reads-changed", "mesh-conditions.findings-asked"}) {
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Consumes, []string{"mesh-delivery-view.delivered", "node-engine.manifest-reads-changed"}) {
 			t.Errorf("consumes = %v, want delivered and manifest-reads-changed (the windows' wakes)", m.Consumes)
 		}
 		// E14: the registry container, on the loopback, is listed before the program, so the port is free when it starts.
@@ -916,34 +915,19 @@ func TestTheHolderOfTheTwoImageSeats(t *testing.T) {
 		// Running review F2: incoming asks the bus 8 GiB, the most the objects template allows, equal to IncomingCap
 		// (said only where no binding is read); transfers keeps for good, the holder dropping an idle one by its key
 		// in idle, a state of keys with their own time to live.
-		// The image registry is a foundation part (design 47 G §584): its bus state is in its old sections, incoming in
-		// `objects`, the others in `state`.
 		var req struct {
-			Objects []struct {
-				Name   string `json:"name"`
-				MaxMiB uint64 `json:"max-mib"`
-			} `json:"objects"`
-			State []json.RawMessage `json:"state"`
+			Requires []struct {
+				Name    string         `json:"name"`
+				Options map[string]any `json:"options"`
+			} `json:"requires"`
 		}
 		_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &req)
 		opts := map[string]map[string]any{}
-		for _, e := range req.State {
-			var o map[string]any
-			if json.Unmarshal(e, &o) != nil {
-				var name string
-				_ = json.Unmarshal(e, &name)
-				o = map[string]any{"name": name}
-			}
-			opts[fmt.Sprint(o["name"])] = o
+		for _, r := range req.Requires {
+			opts[r.Name] = r.Options
 		}
-		var incoming uint64
-		for _, o := range req.Objects {
-			if o.Name == IncomingObjects {
-				incoming = o.MaxMiB
-			}
-		}
-		if incoming<<20 != IncomingCap {
-			t.Errorf("incoming asks %v MiB, IncomingCap is %d bytes: want them equal", incoming, uint64(IncomingCap))
+		if mib, _ := opts[IncomingObjects]["max-mib"].(float64); uint64(mib)<<20 != IncomingCap {
+			t.Errorf("incoming asks %v MiB, IncomingCap is %d bytes: want them equal", opts[IncomingObjects]["max-mib"], uint64(IncomingCap))
 		}
 		if _, ok := opts[TransfersState]["ttl-seconds"]; ok {
 			t.Errorf("transfers has a lifetime %v: the bus would drop a transfer's key and leave its parts", opts[TransfersState])
diff --git a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/client.go b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/client.go
index c7c837e3b..4eaf14651 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/client.go
+++ b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/client.go
@@ -319,6 +319,9 @@ func (m *Manager) Journal(scope Scope, unit string, q JournalQuery) (map[string]
 	if err := unitArg(unit); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	if q.Boot != "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("boot %q: the journal of a unit is not read by boot; kernel-log takes a boot", q.Boot)
+	}
 	q, err := q.valid()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -332,28 +335,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Journal(scope Scope, unit string, q JournalQuery) (map[string]
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	known, envErr := m.unitSecrets(scope, unit)
-	all := []string{}
-	for _, l := range strings.Split(out, "\n") {
-		if l != "" {
-			all = append(all, l)
-		}
-	}
-	scanned := len(all)
-	kept, redacted := []string{}, 0
-	for _, l := range all {
-		l, n := redact(l, known)
-		redacted += n
-		if q.Match != "" && !strings.Contains(l, q.Match) {
-			continue
-		}
-		if len(l) > LongestLine {
-			l = l[:LongestLine] + "…"
-		}
-		kept = append(kept, l)
-	}
-	if len(kept) > q.Lines {
-		kept = kept[len(kept)-q.Lines:]
-	}
+	kept, scanned, redacted := shapeLines(out, known, q)
 	answer := map[string]any{"unit": unit, "scope": string(scope), "lines": kept, "count": len(kept)}
 	for k, v := range map[string]string{"since": q.Since, "until": q.Until, "match": q.Match, "priority": q.Priority} {
 		if v != "" {
@@ -376,6 +358,74 @@ func (m *Manager) Journal(scope Scope, unit string, q JournalQuery) (map[string]
 	return answer, nil
 }
 
+// shapeLines is the lines of journalctl's output that a query keeps, each redacted and cut, the last q.Lines of
+// those holding the match; and how many lines were read and how many secrets replaced.
+func shapeLines(out string, known []knownSecret, q JournalQuery) (kept []string, scanned, redacted int) {
+	all := []string{}
+	for _, l := range strings.Split(out, "\n") {
+		if l != "" {
+			all = append(all, l)
+		}
+	}
+	scanned = len(all)
+	kept = []string{}
+	for _, l := range all {
+		l, n := redact(l, known)
+		redacted += n
+		if q.Match != "" && !strings.Contains(l, q.Match) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(l) > LongestLine {
+			l = l[:LongestLine] + "…"
+		}
+		kept = append(kept, l)
+	}
+	if len(kept) > q.Lines {
+		kept = kept[len(kept)-q.Lines:]
+	}
+	return kept, scanned, redacted
+}
+
+// KernelLog is the kernel's messages of one boot (journalctl -k, dmesg's, of this boot or an earlier one) that a
+// query keeps: the same window, priority, match, cap and redaction as Journal. The kernel's messages belong to
+// no unit and no manager, so it has no scope; the read is the system journal's, escalated as Journal's is.
+func (m *Manager) KernelLog(q JournalQuery) (map[string]any, error) {
+	q, err := q.valid()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	read := q.Lines
+	if q.Match != "" {
+		read = MatchScan
+	}
+	out, err := m.call(System, "journalctl", q.kernelArgv(read)...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	kept, scanned, redacted := shapeLines(out, nil, q)
+	boot := q.Boot
+	if boot == "" {
+		boot = "0"
+	}
+	answer := map[string]any{"boot": boot, "lines": kept, "count": len(kept)}
+	for k, v := range map[string]string{"since": q.Since, "until": q.Until, "match": q.Match, "priority": q.Priority} {
+		if v != "" {
+			answer[k] = v
+		}
+	}
+	if q.Match != "" {
+		answer["scanned"] = scanned
+		if scanned >= MatchScan {
+			answer["note"] = fmt.Sprintf("the match was looked for in the window's last %d lines only: narrow the window to reach earlier ones", MatchScan)
+		}
+	}
+	if redacted > 0 {
+		answer["redacted"] = redacted
+		answer["leak"] = "the kernel's messages hold secrets, shown as [redacted: <what it was>]"
+	}
+	return answer, nil
+}
+
 // unitSecrets are the values of the unit's own Environment= that must not be answered. Read with
 // systemctl show, which needs no escalation; a unit that does not exist has none.
 func (m *Manager) unitSecrets(scope Scope, unit string) ([]knownSecret, error) {
diff --git a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal.go b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal.go
index 30fc3a69b..f23669824 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal.go
+++ b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal.go
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ const (
 	LongestLine = 4096
 	// LongestMatch is the longest text a match may be.
 	LongestMatch = 256
+	// MostBoots is how far back a kernel-log read may name a boot.
+	MostBoots = 9999
 )
 
 // JournalQuery is what a journal read is narrowed by.
@@ -37,6 +39,8 @@ type JournalQuery struct {
 	Until    string
 	Match    string
 	Priority string
+	// Boot is which boot a kernel-log read is of: "0" this boot, "-1" the one before, and so on (empty is "0").
+	Boot string
 }
 
 // relative is a time journalctl reads relative to now: -30min, +1h, 2h30min ago, and the day words.
@@ -101,6 +105,13 @@ func (q JournalQuery) valid() (JournalQuery, error) {
 			return q, fmt.Errorf("priority %q: 0-7, or emerg, alert, crit, err, warning, notice, info, debug", q.Priority)
 		}
 	}
+	if q.Boot != "" {
+		n, err := strconv.Atoi(q.Boot)
+		if err != nil || n > 0 || n < -MostBoots {
+			return q, fmt.Errorf("boot %q: 0 for this boot, -1 for the one before, and so on (down to -%d)", q.Boot, MostBoots)
+		}
+		q.Boot = strconv.Itoa(n)
+	}
 	if len(q.Match) > LongestMatch {
 		return q, fmt.Errorf("a match is at most %d bytes", LongestMatch)
 	}
@@ -112,7 +123,21 @@ func (q JournalQuery) valid() (JournalQuery, error) {
 
 // argv is journalctl's words for a valid query: each value inside the word of its own option.
 func (q JournalQuery) argv(unit string, lines int) []string {
-	args := []string{"--no-pager", "--output=short-iso", "--unit=" + unit}
+	return q.window([]string{"--no-pager", "--output=short-iso", "--unit=" + unit}, lines)
+}
+
+// kernelArgv is journalctl's words for a valid query of the kernel's messages of one boot (-k, as dmesg
+// reads them, but also of an earlier boot and in a window).
+func (q JournalQuery) kernelArgv(lines int) []string {
+	boot := q.Boot
+	if boot == "" {
+		boot = "0"
+	}
+	return q.window([]string{"--no-pager", "--output=short-iso", "--dmesg", "--boot=" + boot}, lines)
+}
+
+// window adds the window, the priority and the line count to the words that choose what is read.
+func (q JournalQuery) window(args []string, lines int) []string {
 	if q.Since != "" {
 		v, _, _ := when("since", q.Since, false)
 		args = append(args, "--since="+v)
@@ -149,7 +174,7 @@ func journalQuery(a map[string]any) (JournalQuery, error) {
 	default:
 		return q, fmt.Errorf("lines: a whole number")
 	}
-	for name, into := range map[string]*string{"since": &q.Since, "until": &q.Until, "match": &q.Match, "priority": &q.Priority} {
+	for name, into := range map[string]*string{"since": &q.Since, "until": &q.Until, "match": &q.Match, "priority": &q.Priority, "boot": &q.Boot} {
 		switch v := a[name].(type) {
 		case nil:
 		case string:
@@ -159,7 +184,7 @@ func journalQuery(a map[string]any) (JournalQuery, error) {
 				*into = strings.TrimSpace(v)
 			}
 		case float64:
-			if name != "priority" {
+			if name != "priority" && name != "boot" {
 				return q, fmt.Errorf("%s: text", name)
 			}
 			*into = strconv.FormatFloat(v, 'f', -1, 64)
diff --git a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal_test.go b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal_test.go
index 2a8e15c51..bf005b220 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal_test.go
+++ b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/journal_test.go
@@ -241,3 +241,89 @@ func TestFailedIsOnTheSeatAndNarrowsToAScope(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("a scope that is none was accepted")
 	}
 }
+
+// 1975/AC1: kernel-log reads journalctl --dmesg --boot=N under journal's escalation (issue 1975): the kernel's messages of one boot, in the journal verb's window, priority,
+// match, cap and redaction, and a boot named 0, -1, and so on.
+func TestTheKernelLogIsOneBootsMessagesInTheJournalsForms(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls []call
+	m := journalOf([]string{"2026-11-12T10:00:00+0100 host kernel: usb 1-1: new device"}, "", &calls)
+	got, err := m.KernelLog(JournalQuery{Lines: 50, Since: "-2h", Priority: "err", Boot: "-1"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := "--no-pager --output=short-iso --dmesg --boot=-1 --since=-2h --priority=3 --lines=50"
+	if a := strings.Join(journalArgs(t, calls), " "); a != want {
+		t.Fatalf("journalctl was given\n  %s\nnot\n  %s", a, want)
+	}
+	if calls[0].cmd != "sudo" || got["boot"] != "-1" || got["count"] != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("not escalated, or the answer is wrong: %+v %+v", calls[0], got)
+	}
+	calls = nil
+	if _, err := m.KernelLog(JournalQuery{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if a := strings.Join(journalArgs(t, calls), " "); a != "--no-pager --output=short-iso --dmesg --boot=0 --lines=100" {
+		t.Fatalf("the default is this boot and a hundred lines: %s", a)
+	}
+	// Arguments arrive as the seat's strings or as numbers.
+	for _, a := range []map[string]any{{"boot": float64(-2)}, {"boot": "-2"}} {
+		q, err := journalQuery(a)
+		if err != nil || q.Boot != "-2" {
+			t.Errorf("%v: %+v %v", a, q, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// 1975/AC2: a boot that is not 0 to -9999 is refused and no command runs.
+func TestAKernelLogBootIsRefusedBeforeAnythingRunsUnlessItIsZeroOrBefore(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, bad := range []string{"1", "abc", "--user", "-1 --merge", "-10000", "0x1", "-1;id"} {
+		var calls []call
+		m := journalOf(nil, "", &calls)
+		if _, err := m.KernelLog(JournalQuery{Boot: bad}); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("boot %q accepted", bad)
+		}
+		if len(calls) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("boot %q reached journalctl: %v", bad, calls)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// 1975/AC3: the window, priority, match, 2000-line cap and redaction are journal's.
+func TestTheKernelLogKeepsTheCapTheMatchAndTheRedaction(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls []call
+	m := journalOf([]string{"k one", "k password=hunter2secretvalue here", "k two"}, "", &calls)
+	got, err := m.KernelLog(JournalQuery{Match: "k t", Lines: 5000})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if a := strings.Join(journalArgs(t, calls), " "); !strings.HasSuffix(a, fmt.Sprintf("--lines=%d", MatchScan)) {
+		t.Errorf("a match scans the window's last %d lines: %s", MatchScan, a)
+	}
+	if lines := got["lines"].([]string); len(lines) != 1 || lines[0] != "k two" {
+		t.Errorf("the match kept %v", lines)
+	}
+	calls = nil
+	m = journalOf([]string{"k password=hunter2secretvalue here"}, "", &calls)
+	got, err = m.KernelLog(JournalQuery{Lines: 5000})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if a := strings.Join(journalArgs(t, calls), " "); !strings.HasSuffix(a, "--lines=2000") {
+		t.Errorf("the cap is 2000: %s", a)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(fmt.Sprint(got["lines"]), "hunter2") || got["redacted"] == nil {
+		t.Errorf("a secret in a kernel line was answered: %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1975/AC4: journal refuses a boot argument it does not use, never reading this boot quietly.
+func TestJournalRefusesABootArgument(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls []call
+	m := journalOf([]string{"a"}, "", &calls)
+	if _, err := m.Journal(System, "mail.service", JournalQuery{Boot: "-1"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("journal accepted a boot and read this boot")
+	}
+	if len(calls) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused boot reached the manager: %v", calls)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/main.go b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/main.go
index 4b9f4280e..3d36389cf 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/main.go
+++ b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/main.go
@@ -124,6 +124,24 @@ func tools(m *Manager) []stdio.Tool {
 				}
 				return m.Journal(scope, unit, q)
 			}},
+		{Name: seat + ".kernel-log",
+			Description: "The kernel's messages (what journalctl -k and dmesg give) of this boot or an earlier one, at most 2000 lines, " +
+				"in a time window and narrowed to a priority and to lines holding a text when asked. A secret a line held is " +
+				"shown as [redacted: <what it was>].",
+			Input: map[string]any{
+				"boot":     str("which boot: 0 this boot (the default), -1 the one before, -2 the one before that, and so on (optional)"),
+				"lines":    str("how many lines from the end of what matches (default 100, at most 2000)"),
+				"since":    str("the window's start: an RFC 3339 time (2026-10-07T09:30:00Z) or relative to now (-30min, -2h, yesterday) (optional)"),
+				"until":    str("the window's end, in the same forms (optional; now when absent)"),
+				"match":    str("only the lines holding this text, as written — a fixed string, not a pattern (optional)"),
+				"priority": str("only entries this severe or more: 0-7 or emerg, alert, crit, err, warning, notice, info, debug (optional)")},
+			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) {
+				q, err := journalQuery(a)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				return m.KernelLog(q)
+			}},
 		// **Clearing a failed record** (novox/hq issue 332): a unit whose file is gone keeps its failed state,
 		// and its start-limit count, in its manager until it is reset. A unit's name is required, so the
 		// verb never resets every failed unit at once.
diff --git a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/wanted_test.go b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/wanted_test.go
index 5013d68a6..c8fa6a218 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/wanted_test.go
+++ b/modules/systemd/cmd/systemd-tools/wanted_test.go
@@ -274,8 +274,8 @@ func TestAGlobIsRefusedAsAUnitByEveryVerb(t *testing.T) {
 	m.State = t.TempDir()
 	for _, tool := range tools(m) {
 		verb := strings.TrimPrefix(tool.Name, seat+".")
-		if verb == "units" || verb == "failed" {
-			continue // a pattern, and no unit
+		if verb == "units" || verb == "failed" || verb == "kernel-log" {
+			continue // a pattern, or no unit at all
 		}
 		_, err := tool.Run(map[string]any{"unit": "*", "scope": "user", "why": "test"})
 		if err == nil {
diff --git a/modules/systemd/module.json b/modules/systemd/module.json
index 77c6311b5..a2c492a17 100644
--- a/modules/systemd/module.json
+++ b/modules/systemd/module.json
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
         "enable",
         "disable",
         "journal",
+        "kernel-log",
         "failed",
         "reset-failed",
         "wanted-by",