diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/delivery.go b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/delivery.go
index 7e4171d4..2698bbe2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/delivery.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/delivery.go
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func notServed(err error) bool {
 }
 
 // toolVault asks the seat mesh-vault to retire a secret: the hand act that warrants it is recorded first, by this
-// module, naming the node, module and secret; the vault reads it back by its id.
+// module, naming the node, module, secret and the ask of the Approve; the vault reads it back by its id (`warrant`).
 type toolVault struct {
 	ask      func(key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error)
 	recorder handacts.Recorder
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ type toolVault struct {
 
 // Retire records the warrant and calls the vault's verb.
 func (v toolVault) Retire(r RetireRequest) error {
-	taken, err := v.recorder.Record(handacts.Request{What: r.Node + " " + r.Module + " " + r.Name,
+	taken, err := v.recorder.Record(handacts.Request{What: r.Node + " " + r.Module + " " + r.Name + " " + r.Ask,
 		Why:   "the operator approved retiring " + r.Module + "'s secret " + r.Name + " on " + r.Node + " (ask " + r.Ask + ")",
 		Cause: "the operator's Approve of ask " + r.Ask, Verb: "mesh-vault.retire"})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ func (v toolVault) Retire(r RetireRequest) error {
 	if json.Unmarshal(answer, &rec) != nil || rec.Act.ID == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("mesh-hand-acts recorded the warrant and named no act")
 	}
-	_, err = v.ask(VaultRetireAsk, map[string]any{"node": r.Node, "module": r.Module, "name": r.Name, "act": rec.Act.ID,
-		"ask": r.Ask})
+	_, err = v.ask(VaultRetireAsk, map[string]any{"node": r.Node, "module": r.Module, "name": r.Name, "warrant": rec.Act.ID})
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/main.go b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/main.go
index 40ad38d2..899b30c3 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/main.go
@@ -272,6 +272,23 @@ func hearingDelivery(c *Config) {
 	}
 }
 
+// seatRename is one open rename as the seat's definition answers it: module, from, to, at and the nodes holding it open.
+type seatRename struct {
+	Module string    `json:"module"`
+	From   string    `json:"from"`
+	To     string    `json:"to"`
+	At     time.Time `json:"at"`
+	Open   []string  `json:"open"`
+}
+
+func seatRenames(rows []RenameRow) []seatRename {
+	out := make([]seatRename, 0, len(rows))
+	for _, r := range rows {
+		out = append(out, seatRename{Module: r.Module, From: r.From, To: r.To, At: r.At, Open: r.Open})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // Tools is the seat's verb and the module's own tools of the switch, as the runtime serves them.
 func Tools(c *Config) []stdio.Tool {
 	renames := stdio.Tool{Name: Seat + "." + RenamesVerb,
@@ -283,7 +300,7 @@ func Tools(c *Config) []stdio.Tool {
 		Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) {
 			m, _ := a["module"].(string)
 			rows, err := c.Renames(strings.TrimSpace(m), true)
-			return map[string]any{"renames": rows}, err
+			return map[string]any{"renames": seatRenames(rows)}, err
 		}}
 	return append(switchTools(c), renames, stdio.Tool{
 		Name: Seat + "." + Verb,
diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/renames.go b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/renames.go
index b2e29f79..e82958fb 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/renames.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/renames.go
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ package main
 // (its Value, whole), and opens a **rename window** per node: until that node's node-engine has applied a build of the
 // module that reads the new name, the old name still answers with the new value (Resolve). A window closes on the
 // status view's `delivered` event and, for a node that was away, on the node-engine seat's `manifest-reads-changed`
-// (Windows). Its state is `renames`, key `<module>.<to>`; what it says is `events.renamed` on the stream `config-events`.
+// (Windows). Its state is `renames`, key `<module>.<to>`; what it says is `renamed` on the stream `config-events`.
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ import (
 // The state, the stream's events and the bounds this part keeps.
 const (
 	RenamesState = "renames"
-	// EventRenamed is `renamed`, EventRetiring `retiring` and EventRetired `retired`, the family `config.events`
-	// (design 26): each carried by the stream StreamName and kept seven days.
-	EventRenamed  = "events.renamed"
-	EventRetiring = "events.retiring"
-	EventRetired  = "events.retired"
+	// EventRenamed is `renamed`, EventRetiring `retiring` and EventRetired `retired`, the family `config.events` of the
+	// seat's definition (design 26), under the holder's subjects: each carried by the stream StreamName, kept seven days.
+	EventRenamed  = "renamed"
+	EventRetiring = "retiring"
+	EventRetired  = "retired"
 	StreamName    = "config-events"
 	// HeldFinding is how long a window or a retirement may stay open before it is a finding naming the node.
 	HeldFinding = 7 * 24 * time.Hour
diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/whole_integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/whole_integration_test.go
index 87a94ee7..ebad48c3 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/whole_integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/cmd/mesh-config/whole_integration_test.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshconfig"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/health"
@@ -343,6 +344,33 @@ func (p *player) event(key string, body any) {
 	}
 }
 
+// conforms decodes what the module published under key strictly into the seat definition's type (a field the type does
+// not know is a fault here, though a reader drops it) and checks the subject the runtime publishes it on is the one the
+// definition names: CAT-V4, the definition's fixtures matched by a real event.
+func (p *player) conforms(key string, into any, subject func(holder string) string) {
+	p.t.Helper()
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	found := false
+	for _, s := range p.said {
+		if s.Key != key {
+			continue
+		}
+		found = true
+		dec := json.NewDecoder(strings.NewReader(string(s.Body)))
+		dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
+		if err := dec.Decode(into); err != nil {
+			p.t.Errorf("the published %s %s does not match the seat's definition: %v", key, s.Body, err)
+		}
+		if got, want := "mesh.mod."+Module+".event."+s.Key, subject(Module); got != want {
+			p.t.Errorf("%s is published on %s, the definition names %s", key, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+	if !found {
+		p.t.Errorf("%s was never published", key)
+	}
+}
+
 func (p *player) publishedCount(key string) int {
 	p.mu.Lock()
 	defer p.mu.Unlock()
@@ -533,6 +561,8 @@ func TestConfigWholeRenamesAndRetiresAgainstTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	eventually(t, "renamed is said", func() bool { return p.publishedCount(EventRenamed) == 1 })
 
+	p.conforms(EventRenamed, &meshconfig.RenamedHolderEvent{}, meshconfig.HolderSubjectRenamed)
+
 	// A refused move writes its finding: dock declares both names.
 	p.manifestIn("dock", dock)
 	p.buildIn("g14", "dock", fp1, dock)
@@ -569,6 +599,19 @@ func TestConfigWholeRenamesAndRetiresAgainstTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the window after the restart: %s", raw)
 	}
 
+	// The seat's verb answers the open window in the definition's shape (CAT-C10).
+	raw, err = p2.call(Seat+"."+RenamesVerb, map[string]any{"module": "player"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var open meshconfig.RenamesAnswer
+	dec := json.NewDecoder(strings.NewReader(string(raw)))
+	dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	if err := dec.Decode(&open); err != nil || len(open.Renames) != 1 || open.Renames[0].To != "level" ||
+		strings.Join(open.Renames[0].Open, ",") != "g14,novox" {
+		t.Fatalf("renames answered %s (%v), want player's level open on g14 and novox", raw, err)
+	}
+
 	// g14 applies the build that reads the new name; the delivery says so; its window closes, novox's stays.
 	p2.buildIn("g14", "player", fp2, newPlayer)
 	p2.mu.Lock()
@@ -619,5 +662,7 @@ func TestConfigWholeRenamesAndRetiresAgainstTheBus(t *testing.T) {
 		_, still := p2.get(ValuesState, "module.g14.radio.band")
 		return !still && p2.publishedCount(EventRetired) == 1
 	})
+	p2.conforms(EventRetiring, &meshconfig.RetiringHolderEvent{}, meshconfig.HolderSubjectRetiring)
+	p2.conforms(EventRetired, &meshconfig.RetiredHolderEvent{}, meshconfig.HolderSubjectRetired)
 	eventually(t, "the retirement is dropped", func() bool { _, ok := p2.get(RetiringState, "radio.band"); return !ok })
 }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/go.mod b/modules/mesh-config/go.mod
index 504c44dd..aae59185 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/go.mod
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ module mesh-config
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261102191058-f02f142af128
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-config/module.json b/modules/mesh-config/module.json
index ae37f8d2..ee35885e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-config/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-config/module.json
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
   ],
   "emits": [
     "config-changed",
-    "events.renamed",
-    "events.retiring",
-    "events.retired"
+    "renamed",
+    "retiring",
+    "retired"
   ],
   "uses": [
     "operator-channel"
@@ -110,7 +110,9 @@
     {
       "name": "config-events",
       "events": [
-        "events.**"
+        "renamed",
+        "retiring",
+        "retired"
       ],
       "max-age-days": 7
     }
diff --git a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/enrolment_tools.go b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/enrolment_tools.go
index aab751af..3eda041d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/enrolment_tools.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/enrolment_tools.go
@@ -132,17 +132,17 @@ func enrolmentTools(env *Env) []toolDef {
 			Description: "Retire one module's own secret on a node because no manifest reads it any more (design 32): removed " +
 				"whole, and own-retired said (node, module, name, the ask, the caller; never a value). Answered to the holder of " +
 				"the seat mesh-config alone, as the vault's list retire-callers names it, and only for a hand act it recorded " +
-				"through mesh-hand-acts for this verb naming exactly this node, module and name (`act`), read back by its id.",
+				"through mesh-hand-acts for this verb naming exactly this node, module and name and the ask of the operator's Approve " +
+				"(`warrant`, the act's id), read back here.",
 			Input: map[string]any{"node": node, "module": str("the module whose secret it is"), "name": str("the secret's name"),
-				"act": str("the id of the hand act recorded through mesh-hand-acts that warrants it"),
-				"ask": str("the id of the operator's ask whose Approve this answers, kept in what is said")},
+				"warrant": str("the operator's warrant for this node, module and name: the id of the hand act recorded through mesh-hand-acts")},
 			run: func(caller string, a map[string]any) (any, error) {
 				v, err := env.ready()
 				if err != nil {
 					return nil, err
 				}
 				return v.RetireOwn(caller, RetireArgs{Node: arg(a, "node"), Module: arg(a, "module"), Name: arg(a, "name"),
-					Act: arg(a, "act"), Ask: arg(a, "ask")})
+					Warrant: arg(a, "warrant")})
 			}},
 		{Name: "node_logins",
 			Description: "Every node's key of the vault's state node-logins: the login its node-engine dials as and, while a rotation " +
diff --git a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/mint_integration_test.go b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/mint_integration_test.go
index f5ee911e..024f0b31 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/mint_integration_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/mint_integration_test.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/nacl/box"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go/seats/meshvault"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buscompose"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/seal"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/testbus"
@@ -300,6 +301,16 @@ func (p *player) hashOf(t *testing.T, user string) *AccountHash {
 	return &a
 }
 
+// strictly decodes raw into v, a field the type does not know being a fault (the definition's type is the contract).
+func strictly(t *testing.T, raw []byte, v any) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dec := json.NewDecoder(strings.NewReader(string(raw)))
+	dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	if err := dec.Decode(v); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("%s does not match the seat's definition: %v", raw, err)
+	}
+}
+
 func eventually(t *testing.T, what string, ok func() bool) {
 	t.Helper()
 	for end := time.Now().Add(30 * time.Second); time.Now().Before(end); time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond) {
@@ -385,8 +396,8 @@ func TestTheVaultWholeMintsOnTheBusWhoeverHoldsTheLease(t *testing.T) {
 			return nil, errors.New("nats: no responders available for request")
 		}
 		return map[string]any{"acts": []HandActSeen{
-			{ID: "act-ok", By: "novox.mesh-config", At: time.Now(), Verb: "mesh-vault.retire", Args: []string{"g14 dunst token"}},
-			{ID: "act-other", By: "novox.mesh-config", At: time.Now(), Verb: "mesh-vault.retire", Args: []string{"g14 dunst other"}}}}, nil
+			{ID: "act-ok", By: "novox.mesh-config", At: time.Now(), Verb: "mesh-vault.retire", Args: []string{"g14 dunst token ret-1"}},
+			{ID: "act-other", By: "novox.mesh-config", At: time.Now(), Verb: "mesh-vault.retire", Args: []string{"g14 dunst other ret-1"}}}}, nil
 	}
 	go p.serve(stdout)
 
@@ -454,21 +465,35 @@ func TestTheVaultWholeMintsOnTheBusWhoeverHoldsTheLease(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	for _, c := range []struct{ caller, act string }{{"g14.claude-code", "act-ok"}, {"novox.mesh-config", "act-other"}, {"novox.mesh-config", ""}} {
-		if _, err := p.call(Seat+".retire", c.caller, map[string]any{"node": "g14", "module": "dunst", "name": "token", "act": c.act}); err == nil {
+		if _, err := p.call(Seat+".retire", c.caller, map[string]any{"node": "g14", "module": "dunst", "name": "token", "warrant": c.act}); err == nil {
 			t.Errorf("%s retired the token with act %q", c.caller, c.act)
 		}
 	}
 	if m, err := waiter.NextMsg(300 * time.Millisecond); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("a refused retire said %s", m.Subject)
 	}
-	if _, err := p.call(Seat+".retire", "novox.mesh-config", map[string]any{"node": "g14", "module": "dunst", "name": "token", "act": "act-ok",
-		"ask": "ret-1"}); err != nil {
+	// The call is the definition's input, the answer its answer, and the event its body on its subject (CAT-V4).
+	input, _ := json.Marshal(meshvault.RetireInput{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "act-ok"})
+	var args map[string]any
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(input, &args)
+	raw, err = p.call(Seat+"."+meshvault.VerbRetire, "novox.mesh-config", args)
+	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("retire with its warrant: %v", err)
 	}
+	var answered meshvault.RetireAnswer
+	strictly(t, raw, &answered)
+	if !answered.Retired {
+		t.Errorf("retire answered %s", raw)
+	}
 	m, err := waiter.NextMsg(10 * time.Second)
-	if err != nil || m.Subject != "mesh.mod.mesh-vault.event."+OwnRetiredEvent || !strings.Contains(string(m.Data), `"ask":"ret-1"`) {
+	if err != nil || m.Subject != meshvault.HolderSubjectOwnRetired("mesh-vault") {
 		t.Fatalf("retire said %v, %v", m, err)
 	}
+	var event meshvault.OwnRetiredHolderEvent
+	strictly(t, m.Data, &event)
+	if event.Ask != "ret-1" || event.Caller != "novox.mesh-config" || event.Node != "g14" || event.Module != "dunst" || event.Name != "token" {
+		t.Errorf("own-retired said %s", m.Data)
+	}
 	for _, other := range []string{"rotated", OwnReplacedEvent} {
 		if extra, err := waiter.NextMsg(300 * time.Millisecond); err == nil {
 			t.Errorf("a waiter on %s heard %s", other, extra.Subject)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/ownretire.go b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/ownretire.go
index ec76c185..ce265be6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/ownretire.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/ownretire.go
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ package main
 //   - the caller is on the vault's list `retire-callers`, a trusted config value of the vault (ADR 0363's form, as
 //     mesh-mail-reader's `callers`), which names the holder of mesh-config alone, checked against the caller the tool
 //     runner proved (stdio.Callers); and
-//   - the warrant: a hand act the caller recorded through mesh-hand-acts for this verb, read back here by its id, recent,
-//     naming exactly this node, module and secret (ADR 0259 §6). An act for another name warrants nothing.
+//   - the warrant (the verb's argument, as the seat's definition names it): the id of a hand act the caller recorded
+//     through mesh-hand-acts for this verb, read back here, recent, naming exactly this node, module and secret and the
+//     ask whose Approve it answers (ADR 0259 §6). An act for another name warrants nothing.
 //
 // The vault then removes the record whole and says `own-retired` (node, module, name, the ask's id, the caller it proved)
 // beside `rotated` and `own-replaced`, under its own subject: a waiter on either does not wake on it. Never a value.
@@ -26,21 +27,24 @@ const OwnRetiredEvent = "own-retired"
 // RetireVerb is the seat's verb, and the verb of the hand act that warrants it (`mesh-vault.retire`).
 const RetireVerb = "retire"
 
-// RetireArgs are `retire`'s arguments: the secret by node, module and name, the hand act that warrants it, and the ask of
-// the operator's Approve it answers (kept in what is said).
+// RetireArgs are `retire`'s arguments, as the seat's definition names them: the secret by node, module and name, and the
+// warrant, the id of the hand act that warrants it.
 type RetireArgs struct {
-	Node, Module, Name, Act, Ask string
+	Node, Module, Name, Warrant string
 }
 
-// OwnRetired is what one `retire` did. Never a value.
-type OwnRetired struct {
-	Secret string `json:"secret"`
+// OwnRetiredBody is the body of own-retired, exactly the seat definition's (node, module, name, ask, caller).
+type OwnRetiredBody struct {
 	Node   string `json:"node"`
 	Module string `json:"module"`
 	Name   string `json:"name"`
-	Ask    string `json:"ask,omitempty"`
+	Ask    string `json:"ask"`
 	Caller string `json:"caller"`
-	Act    string `json:"act"`
+}
+
+// OwnRetired is what one `retire` answers, the seat definition's answer.
+type OwnRetired struct {
+	Retired bool `json:"retired"`
 }
 
 // fromRetireCallers refuses every caller the vault's list `retire-callers` does not name.
@@ -55,38 +59,39 @@ func (v *Vault) fromRetireCallers(caller string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// warrantsRetire reads the hand act back and refuses what it does not warrant for exactly this secret.
-func (v *Vault) warrantsRetire(caller string, a RetireArgs) error {
-	if strings.TrimSpace(a.Act) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("retire carries the hand act that warrants it (`act`): record it through mesh-hand-acts first (design 32)")
+// warrantsRetire reads the hand act back and refuses what it does not warrant for exactly this secret; it answers the
+// ask the act names.
+func (v *Vault) warrantsRetire(caller string, a RetireArgs) (ask string, err error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(a.Warrant) == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("retire carries the hand act that warrants it (`warrant`): record it through mesh-hand-acts first (design 32)")
 	}
 	if v.ReadAct == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("the vault reads no hand acts, so it retires nothing")
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the vault reads no hand acts, so it retires nothing")
 	}
-	act, err := v.ReadAct(a.Act)
+	act, err := v.ReadAct(a.Warrant)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s could not be read back from mesh-hand-acts: %w", a.Act, err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s could not be read back from mesh-hand-acts: %w", a.Warrant, err)
 	}
 	switch {
 	case act == nil:
-		return fmt.Errorf("mesh-hand-acts holds no hand act %s: record one first", a.Act)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("mesh-hand-acts holds no hand act %s: record one first", a.Warrant)
 	case act.By != caller:
-		return fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s was recorded by %s, not by %s who asks", a.Act, act.By, caller)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s was recorded by %s, not by %s who asks", a.Warrant, act.By, caller)
 	case v.Now().Sub(act.At) > HandActWithin:
-		return fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s is older than %s: record a new one", a.Act, HandActWithin)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s is older than %s: record a new one", a.Warrant, HandActWithin)
 	case act.Verb != Seat+"."+RetireVerb:
-		return fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s is %q, not %s.%s: it warrants no retirement", a.Act, act.Verb, Seat, RetireVerb)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s is %q, not %s.%s: it warrants no retirement", a.Warrant, act.Verb, Seat, RetireVerb)
 	}
 	var named []string
 	for _, arg := range act.Args {
 		named = append(named, strings.Fields(arg)...)
 	}
-	// The warrant is bound to the node, module and name it was asked for: all three, and no others.
-	if len(named) != 3 || named[0] != a.Node || named[1] != a.Module || named[2] != a.Name {
-		return fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s names %q, not %s %s %s: a warrant retires nothing else",
-			a.Act, strings.Join(named, " "), a.Node, a.Module, a.Name)
+	// The warrant is bound to the node, module and name it was asked for, and names the ask: those four words, no others.
+	if len(named) != 4 || named[0] != a.Node || named[1] != a.Module || named[2] != a.Name {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the hand act %s names %q, not %s %s %s and its ask: a warrant retires nothing else",
+			a.Warrant, strings.Join(named, " "), a.Node, a.Module, a.Name)
 	}
-	return nil
+	return named[3], nil
 }
 
 // RetireOwn removes one module's own secret on a node on the warrant of a hand act, and says `own-retired`.
@@ -98,7 +103,8 @@ func (v *Vault) RetireOwn(caller string, a RetireArgs) (OwnRetired, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return OwnRetired{}, err
 	}
-	if err := v.warrantsRetire(caller, a); err != nil {
+	ask, err := v.warrantsRetire(caller, a)
+	if err != nil {
 		return OwnRetired{}, err
 	}
 	switch {
@@ -115,10 +121,10 @@ func (v *Vault) RetireOwn(caller string, a RetireArgs) (OwnRetired, error) {
 	if err := v.Store.Delete(secret); err != nil {
 		return OwnRetired{}, fmt.Errorf("%s is not retired: %w", secret, err)
 	}
-	out := OwnRetired{Secret: secret, Node: a.Node, Module: a.Module, Name: a.Name, Ask: a.Ask, Caller: caller, Act: a.Act}
-	v.log("retired %s on the warrant of the hand act %s, asked by %s (ask %s)", secret, a.Act, caller, a.Ask)
+	out := OwnRetired{Retired: true}
+	v.log("retired %s on the warrant of the hand act %s, asked by %s (ask %s)", secret, a.Warrant, caller, ask)
 	if v.Emit != nil {
-		body := map[string]any{"secret": secret, "node": a.Node, "module": a.Module, "name": a.Name, "ask": a.Ask, "caller": caller}
+		body := map[string]any{"node": a.Node, "module": a.Module, "name": a.Name, "ask": ask, "caller": caller}
 		if err := v.Emit(OwnRetiredEvent, body); err != nil {
 			return out, fmt.Errorf("%s is retired, but own-retired was not said: %w", secret, err)
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/retire_test.go b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/retire_test.go
index 29ce7262..7dd42b7d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/retire_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-vault/cmd/mesh-vault/retire_test.go
@@ -96,13 +96,14 @@ func TestRetireRemovesAnOwnSecretOnlyOnTheWarrantOfTheListedCaller(t *testing.T)
 	act := func(id, by, verb, what string, age time.Duration) {
 		acts[id] = &HandActSeen{ID: id, By: by, At: v.Now().Add(-age), Verb: verb, Args: []string{what}}
 	}
-	act("ok", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token", time.Minute)
-	act("other-name", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst other", time.Minute)
-	act("other-node", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "ace dunst token", time.Minute)
-	act("other-caller", "g14.claude-code", "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token", time.Minute)
-	act("other-verb", caller, "mesh-vault.rotate", "g14 dunst token", time.Minute)
-	act("ledgers", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 node-tools ledgers", time.Minute)
-	act("old", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token", 25*time.Hour)
+	act("ok", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("other-name", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst other ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("other-node", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "ace dunst token ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("other-caller", "g14.claude-code", "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("other-verb", caller, "mesh-vault.rotate", "g14 dunst token ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("ledgers", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 node-tools ledgers ret-1", time.Minute)
+	act("no-ask", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token", time.Minute)
+	act("old", caller, "mesh-vault.retire", "g14 dunst token ret-1", 25*time.Hour)
 	const secret = "own/g14/dunst/token"
 	for _, name := range []string{secret, "own/g14/dunst/other", "own/g14/node-tools/ledgers"} {
 		if _, err := v.keep(name, "a-value-of-"+name, "the test", "g14.dunst", OriginMade); err != nil {
@@ -115,15 +116,16 @@ func TestRetireRemovesAnOwnSecretOnlyOnTheWarrantOfTheListedCaller(t *testing.T)
 		want         string
 	}{
 		{"no act", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token"}, "carries the hand act"},
-		{"an act that does not exist", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "nope"}, "holds no hand act"},
-		{"an act for another name", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "other-name"}, "a warrant retires nothing else"},
-		{"an act for another node", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "other-node"}, "a warrant retires nothing else"},
-		{"an act of another caller", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "other-caller"}, "was recorded by g14.claude-code"},
-		{"an act for another verb", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "other-verb"}, "warrants no retirement"},
-		{"an act older than a day", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "old"}, "older than"},
-		{"a caller not on the list", "g14.claude-code", RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "other-caller"}, "retire-callers"},
-		{"an unproven caller", stdio.Unproven, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "ok"}, "retire-callers"},
-		{"the tool runner's ledgers", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "node-tools", Name: "ledgers", Act: "ledgers"}, "bus account or the tool runner's ledgers"},
+		{"an act that does not exist", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "nope"}, "holds no hand act"},
+		{"an act for another name", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "other-name"}, "a warrant retires nothing else"},
+		{"an act for another node", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "other-node"}, "a warrant retires nothing else"},
+		{"an act of another caller", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "other-caller"}, "was recorded by g14.claude-code"},
+		{"an act for another verb", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "other-verb"}, "warrants no retirement"},
+		{"an act that names no ask", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "no-ask"}, "a warrant retires nothing else"},
+		{"an act older than a day", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "old"}, "older than"},
+		{"a caller not on the list", "g14.claude-code", RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "other-caller"}, "retire-callers"},
+		{"an unproven caller", stdio.Unproven, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "ok"}, "retire-callers"},
+		{"the tool runner's ledgers", caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "node-tools", Name: "ledgers", Warrant: "ledgers"}, "bus account or the tool runner's ledgers"},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			before := len(v.bus.events)
@@ -139,8 +141,8 @@ func TestRetireRemovesAnOwnSecretOnlyOnTheWarrantOfTheListedCaller(t *testing.T)
 		})
 	}
 	before := len(v.bus.events)
-	got, err := v.RetireOwn(caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "ok", Ask: "ret-1"})
-	if err != nil || got.Secret != secret || got.Caller != caller {
+	got, err := v.RetireOwn(caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "ok"})
+	if err != nil || !got.Retired {
 		t.Fatalf("retire answered %+v, %v", got, err)
 	}
 	if _, held, _ := v.Store.Read(secret); held {
@@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ func TestRetireRemovesAnOwnSecretOnlyOnTheWarrantOfTheListedCaller(t *testing.T)
 	if n := eventsNamed(v, before, OwnRetiredEvent); n != 1 || len(v.bus.events)-before != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("said %d own-retired among %d events, want one and no other", n, len(v.bus.events)-before)
 	}
-	if body, _ := v.bus.events[before]["body"].(map[string]any); body["ask"] != "ret-1" || body["caller"] != caller || body["node"] != "g14" ||
+	if body, _ := v.bus.events[before]["body"].(map[string]any); len(body) != 5 || body["ask"] != "ret-1" || body["caller"] != caller || body["node"] != "g14" ||
 		body["module"] != "dunst" || body["name"] != "token" {
 		t.Errorf("own-retired said %+v", body)
 	}
@@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ func TestRetireRemovesAnOwnSecretOnlyOnTheWarrantOfTheListedCaller(t *testing.T)
 		t.Error("own-retired shares a name with an event a waiter hears")
 	}
 	// Asked again for what is gone: nothing to retire.
-	if _, err := v.RetireOwn(caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Act: "ok"}); err == nil ||
+	if _, err := v.RetireOwn(caller, RetireArgs{Node: "g14", Module: "dunst", Name: "token", Warrant: "ok"}); err == nil ||
 		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "nothing to retire") {
 		t.Errorf("a second retire answered %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-vault/go.mod b/modules/mesh-vault/go.mod
index 55f6b0da..86199626 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-vault/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-vault/go.mod
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ module mesh-vault
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-contracts/go v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261103174208-b7abe203a929
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0