diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
index f7ba3cea..c8606d49 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
@@ -115,3 +115,11 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 func (m *Module) SeatTools(p *buildstep.Puller) []stdio.Tool {
 	return buildstep.SeatTools(Seat, "Go", p)
 }
+
+// StepEndTool ends one step left running (issue 1890); the module's steps state is the one it reads and writes.
+const StepEndTool = "build_go_step_end"
+
+// stepScan is the module's steps state as buildstep reads it.
+func (m *Module) stepScan() buildstep.Scan {
+	return buildstep.ScanOf(stdio.State(delivery.StepsState))
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/main.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/main.go
index 93058f02..0fe82227 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/main.go
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 	"os"
 	"os/user"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -70,7 +72,13 @@ func main() {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 	steps := m.StepTools()
+	booted := time.Now()
 	puller := m.Puller(steps, nil)
+	m.Held = puller
+	if m.Node != "" {
+		// A step a previous process left running is ended (issue 1890); this process's own steps start after booted.
+		go buildstep.EndStaleAtStart(ctx, m.stepScan(), m.Node, booted, logf)
+	}
 	if m.Node != "" {
 		// The seat's asks, pulled once Serve has the runtime's channel; a pull before it is said and tried again.
 		go func() { _ = puller.Pull(ctx) }()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
index f7ef5317..b85e097f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ type Module struct {
 	// Toolchains and Steps are the Put of the states of those names.
 	Toolchains, Steps buildstep.Put
 	// ReadSteps and ReadToolchainsState read those two states back for the read tools (issue 1562).
+	// Held is the puller whose running asks a step-end tool will not end (issue 1890); nil in a test.
+	Held                           *buildstep.Puller
 	ReadSteps, ReadToolchainsState StateRead
 	// Pauses is the Put of the pauses state, which keeps the node's pause key without an age; ReadPauses reads it back.
 	Pauses     buildstep.Put
@@ -121,6 +123,7 @@ func (m *Module) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 			m.Say("the toolchain: %v", err)
 		}
 		m.CleanWorkspaces(time.Now())
+		buildstep.EndStaleRound(m.stepScan(), m.Node, m.Say) // asks past the step bound, on the module's own round (issue 1890)
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module_test.go
index b9c79588..c61e959f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module_test.go
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func TestAGoThatCannotBeRunRefusesEveryStepAndHealthIsUnhealthy(t *testing.T) {
 		{Name: "short_probe", Run: run},
 	}, m.StepTools()...)
 	for _, tool := range m.Tools(steps) {
-		if tool.Name == StatusTool || tool.Name == HealthTool || tool.Name == StepReadTool || tool.Name == StepsReadTool || tool.Name == ToolchainsReadTool || tool.Name == ReleaseTool {
+		if tool.Name == StatusTool || tool.Name == HealthTool || tool.Name == StepReadTool || tool.Name == StepsReadTool || tool.Name == ToolchainsReadTool || tool.Name == ReleaseTool || tool.Name == StepEndTool {
 			continue
 		}
 		var reason string
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read.go
index 2ab40bbb..c0f9b979 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read.go
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ type StepLine struct {
 	Started string `json:"started"`
 	Ended   string `json:"ended,omitempty"`
 	Reason  string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	What    string `json:"what,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // RecentSteps are this node's steps, the latest started first, at most limit (ten when limit is not above zero). Only
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ func (m *Module) RecentSteps(limit int) (lines []StepLine, cut bool, err error)
 	}
 	out := make([]StepLine, 0, len(steps))
 	for _, s := range steps {
-		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason}
+		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason, What: s.What}
 		if !s.Ended.IsZero() {
 			l.Ended = s.Ended.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z")
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read_test.go
index 04049540..05a85019 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/read_test.go
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func TestStepsToolListsRecentStepsOfThisNode(t *testing.T) {
 	t0 := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 9, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "a", Tool: "build_go_fetch", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepPassed, Started: t0, Ended: t0, Result: json.RawMessage(`1`)})
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "b", Tool: "build_go_test", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepRunning, Started: t0.Add(time.Minute)})
-	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "c", Tool: "build_go_build", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepFailed, Started: t0.Add(2 * time.Minute), Reason: "boom"})
+	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "c", Tool: "build_go_build", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepFailed, Started: t0.Add(2 * time.Minute), Reason: "boom", What: "check ask, novox/x@abc"})
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "d", Tool: "build_go_build", Node: "g14", State: delivery.StepPassed, Started: t0.Add(time.Hour)})
 	m := readModule(steps, fakeState{})
 	out, err := tool(t, m, StepsReadTool)(map[string]any{})
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func TestStepsToolListsRecentStepsOfThisNode(t *testing.T) {
 	if !slices.Equal(ids, []string{"c", "b", "a"}) {
 		t.Errorf("ids = %v, want c b a", ids)
 	}
-	if lines[0].Reason != "boom" || lines[0].State != delivery.StepFailed {
+	if lines[0].Reason != "boom" || lines[0].What != "check ask, novox/x@abc" || lines[0].State != delivery.StepFailed {
 		t.Errorf("first = %+v", lines[0])
 	}
 	out, _ = tool(t, m, StepsReadTool)(map[string]any{"limit": float64(1)})
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/tools.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/tools.go
index 5aac21bd..5589cc4a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/tools.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/tools.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 )
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ func (m *Module) Tools(steps []StepTool) []stdio.Tool {
 		tools = append(tools, t)
 	}
 	tools = append(tools, m.ReadTools()...)
+	tools = append(tools, buildstep.StepEndTool(StepEndTool, m.Node, m.stepScan(), m.Held))
 	tools = append(tools, m.releaseTool())
 	return append(tools,
 		stdio.Tool{Name: StatusTool,
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/go.mod b/modules/mesh-build-go/go.mod
index 728a1896..78118bd6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module meshbuildgo
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297
 	github.com/distribution/distribution/v3 v3.1.2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/go.sum b/modules/mesh-build-go/go.sum
index 36b59fa1..7896d000 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4 h1:05sVel/UOvz4/g0dxrDOeVUL7BGakVrxPBlqRq02ZhM=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297 h1:k31FtFp/DGXGatRjKV1S0z1gBAHfVgtvBX6xF0g1Vgw=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/alicebob/miniredis/v2 v2.35.0 h1:QwLphYqCEAo1eu1TqPRN2jgVMPBweeQcR21jeqDCONI=
 github.com/alicebob/miniredis/v2 v2.35.0/go.mod h1:TcL7YfarKPGDAthEtl5NBeHZfeUQj6OXMm/+iu5cLMM=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
index 6346a6ad..2f566cbf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
     "build_go_release",
     "build_go_step",
     "build_go_steps",
+    "build_go_step_end",
     "build_go_toolchains",
     "build_go_status",
     "build_go_health"
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
index a62e583d..45e03207 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
@@ -66,3 +66,11 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 func (m *Module) SeatTools(p *buildstep.Puller) []stdio.Tool {
 	return buildstep.SeatTools(Seat, "image", p)
 }
+
+// StepEndTool ends one step left running (issue 1890); the module's steps state is the one it reads and writes.
+const StepEndTool = "build_image_step_end"
+
+// stepScan is the module's steps state as buildstep reads it.
+func (m *Module) stepScan() buildstep.Scan {
+	return buildstep.ScanOf(stdio.State(delivery.StepsState))
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
index 2d4e6aa2..525143a4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 	"os"
 	"os/user"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -57,7 +59,13 @@ func main() {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 	steps := m.StepTools()
+	booted := time.Now()
 	puller := m.Puller(steps, nil)
+	m.Held = puller
+	if m.Node != "" {
+		// A step a previous process left running is ended (issue 1890); this process's own steps start after booted.
+		go buildstep.EndStaleAtStart(ctx, m.stepScan(), m.Node, booted, logf)
+	}
 	if m.Node != "" {
 		// The seat's asks, pulled once Serve has the runtime's channel; a pull before it is said and tried again.
 		go func() { _ = puller.Pull(ctx) }()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
index 76a14c71..d723d13d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ type Module struct {
 	// Account and UID are the account the module runs as; Home is its home.
 	Account, UID, Home string
 	// Steps is the Put of the steps state; ReadSteps reads it back for the read tools.
-	Steps     buildstep.Put
+	Steps buildstep.Put
+	// Held is the puller whose running asks a step-end tool will not end (issue 1890); nil in a test.
+	Held      *buildstep.Puller
 	ReadSteps StateRead
 	// Pauses is the Put of the pauses state, which keeps the node's pause key without an age; ReadPauses reads it back.
 	Pauses     buildstep.Put
@@ -104,6 +106,7 @@ func (m *Module) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 			m.Say("this machine cannot build images: %v", err)
 		}
 		m.CleanWorkspaces(m.clock())
+		buildstep.EndStaleRound(m.stepScan(), m.Node, m.Say) // asks past the step bound, on the module's own round (issue 1890)
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/read.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/read.go
index b97ddccc..550a0d6f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/read.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/read.go
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ type StepLine struct {
 	Started string `json:"started"`
 	Ended   string `json:"ended,omitempty"`
 	Reason  string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	What    string `json:"what,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // RecentSteps are this node's steps, the latest started first, at most limit (ten when limit is not above zero). Only
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ func (m *Module) RecentSteps(limit int) (lines []StepLine, cut bool, err error)
 	}
 	out := make([]StepLine, 0, len(steps))
 	for _, s := range steps {
-		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason}
+		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason, What: s.What}
 		if !s.Ended.IsZero() {
 			l.Ended = s.Ended.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z")
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/tools.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/tools.go
index b660e859..8455637c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/tools.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/tools.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 )
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ func (m *Module) Tools(steps []StepTool) []stdio.Tool {
 		tools = append(tools, t)
 	}
 	tools = append(tools, m.ReadTools()...)
+	tools = append(tools, buildstep.StepEndTool(StepEndTool, m.Node, m.stepScan(), m.Held))
 	tools = append(tools, m.releaseTool())
 	return append(tools,
 		stdio.Tool{Name: StatusTool,
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/go.mod b/modules/mesh-build-image/go.mod
index d61c482e..2b826ecd 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module meshbuildimage
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261025175617-518dae5ec9c8
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/go.sum b/modules/mesh-build-image/go.sum
index 8a877fdd..06def8ba 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261025175617-518dae5ec9c8 h1:x4mvY7yiGTP5lnzxbiwyj1o24p05hAmzZP7xHg3XX2M=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261025175617-518dae5ec9c8/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297 h1:k31FtFp/DGXGatRjKV1S0z1gBAHfVgtvBX6xF0g1Vgw=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
index 6e25dbfa..ae9c5162 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
     "build_image_release",
     "build_image_step",
     "build_image_steps",
+    "build_image_step_end",
     "build_image_status",
     "build_image_health"
   ],
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
index 7926b195..0e1b845d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
@@ -74,3 +74,11 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 func (m *Module) SeatTools(p *buildstep.Puller) []stdio.Tool {
 	return buildstep.SeatTools(Seat, "Node", p)
 }
+
+// StepEndTool ends one step left running (issue 1890); the module's steps state is the one it reads and writes.
+const StepEndTool = "build_node_step_end"
+
+// stepScan is the module's steps state as buildstep reads it.
+func (m *Module) stepScan() buildstep.Scan {
+	return buildstep.ScanOf(stdio.State(delivery.StepsState))
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/main.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/main.go
index 94344992..aac0d513 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/main.go
@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 	"os"
 	"os/user"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
@@ -69,7 +71,13 @@ func main() {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 	steps := m.StepTools()
+	booted := time.Now()
 	puller := m.Puller(steps, nil)
+	m.Held = puller
+	if m.Node != "" {
+		// A step a previous process left running is ended (issue 1890); this process's own steps start after booted.
+		go buildstep.EndStaleAtStart(ctx, m.stepScan(), m.Node, booted, logf)
+	}
 	if m.Node != "" {
 		// The seat's asks, pulled once Serve has the runtime's channel; a pull before it is said and tried again.
 		go func() { _ = puller.Pull(ctx) }()
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
index 1517b159..34987b9c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ type Module struct {
 	// Toolchains and Steps are the Put of the states of those names.
 	Toolchains, Steps buildstep.Put
 	// ReadSteps and ReadToolchainsState read those two states back for the read tools (issue 1562).
+	// Held is the puller whose running asks a step-end tool will not end (issue 1890); nil in a test.
+	Held                           *buildstep.Puller
 	ReadSteps, ReadToolchainsState StateRead
 	// Pauses is the Put of the pauses state, which keeps the node's pause key without an age; ReadPauses reads it back.
 	Pauses     buildstep.Put
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ func (m *Module) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 			m.Say("the toolchain: %v", err)
 		}
 		m.CleanWorkspaces(m.now())
+		buildstep.EndStaleRound(m.stepScan(), m.Node, m.Say) // asks past the step bound, on the module's own round (issue 1890)
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module_test.go
index 0e5be38b..e5fc60f3 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module_test.go
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func TestANodeThatCannotBeRunRefusesEveryStepAndHealthIsUnhealthy(t *testing.T)
 		{Name: "short_probe", Run: run},
 	}, (&Module{}).StepTools()...)
 	for _, tool := range m.Tools(steps) {
-		if tool.Name == StatusTool || tool.Name == HealthTool || tool.Name == StepReadTool || tool.Name == StepsReadTool || tool.Name == ToolchainsReadTool || tool.Name == ReleaseTool {
+		if tool.Name == StatusTool || tool.Name == HealthTool || tool.Name == StepReadTool || tool.Name == StepsReadTool || tool.Name == ToolchainsReadTool || tool.Name == ReleaseTool || tool.Name == StepEndTool {
 			continue
 		}
 		var reason string
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read.go
index 4b290eaf..8c4463d8 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read.go
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ type StepLine struct {
 	Started string `json:"started"`
 	Ended   string `json:"ended,omitempty"`
 	Reason  string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	What    string `json:"what,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // RecentSteps are this node's steps, the latest started first, at most limit (ten when limit is not above zero). Only
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ func (m *Module) RecentSteps(limit int) (lines []StepLine, cut bool, err error)
 	}
 	out := make([]StepLine, 0, len(steps))
 	for _, s := range steps {
-		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason}
+		l := StepLine{ID: s.ID, Tool: s.Tool, State: s.State, Started: s.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z"), Reason: s.Reason, What: s.What}
 		if !s.Ended.IsZero() {
 			l.Ended = s.Ended.UTC().Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z")
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read_test.go
index cc0d85ef..a54951fb 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/read_test.go
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func TestStepsToolListsRecentStepsOfThisNode(t *testing.T) {
 	t0 := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 9, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "a", Tool: "build_node_fetch", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepPassed, Started: t0, Ended: t0, Result: json.RawMessage(`1`)})
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "b", Tool: "build_node_test", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepRunning, Started: t0.Add(time.Minute)})
-	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "c", Tool: "build_node_build", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepFailed, Started: t0.Add(2 * time.Minute), Reason: "boom"})
+	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "c", Tool: "build_node_build", Node: "ace", State: delivery.StepFailed, Started: t0.Add(2 * time.Minute), Reason: "boom", What: "check ask, novox/x@abc"})
 	putStep(t, steps, delivery.Step{ID: "d", Tool: "build_node_build", Node: "g14", State: delivery.StepPassed, Started: t0.Add(time.Hour)})
 	m := readModule(steps, fakeState{})
 	out, err := tool(t, m, StepsReadTool)(map[string]any{})
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func TestStepsToolListsRecentStepsOfThisNode(t *testing.T) {
 	if !slices.Equal(ids, []string{"c", "b", "a"}) {
 		t.Errorf("ids = %v, want c b a", ids)
 	}
-	if lines[0].Reason != "boom" || lines[0].State != delivery.StepFailed {
+	if lines[0].Reason != "boom" || lines[0].What != "check ask, novox/x@abc" || lines[0].State != delivery.StepFailed {
 		t.Errorf("first = %+v", lines[0])
 	}
 	out, _ = tool(t, m, StepsReadTool)(map[string]any{"limit": float64(1)})
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/tools.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/tools.go
index e28f7192..64edbdcd 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/tools.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/tools.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 )
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ func (m *Module) Tools(steps []StepTool) []stdio.Tool {
 		tools = append(tools, t)
 	}
 	tools = append(tools, m.ReadTools()...)
+	tools = append(tools, buildstep.StepEndTool(StepEndTool, m.Node, m.stepScan(), m.Held))
 	tools = append(tools, m.releaseTool())
 	return append(tools,
 		stdio.Tool{Name: StatusTool,
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/go.mod b/modules/mesh-build-node/go.mod
index 443f8309..3c52bd28 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module meshbuildnode
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297
 	github.com/distribution/distribution/v3 v3.1.2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/go.sum b/modules/mesh-build-node/go.sum
index e074515f..dc1e6039 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4 h1:05sVel/UOvz4/g0dxrDOeVUL7BGakVrxPBlqRq02ZhM=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026095702-79649c3fa9f4/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297 h1:k31FtFp/DGXGatRjKV1S0z1gBAHfVgtvBX6xF0g1Vgw=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261026125154-6b8497314297/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/alicebob/miniredis/v2 v2.35.0 h1:QwLphYqCEAo1eu1TqPRN2jgVMPBweeQcR21jeqDCONI=
 github.com/alicebob/miniredis/v2 v2.35.0/go.mod h1:TcL7YfarKPGDAthEtl5NBeHZfeUQj6OXMm/+iu5cLMM=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
index 993fb7a1..701419b2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
     "build_node_release",
     "build_node_step",
     "build_node_steps",
+    "build_node_step_end",
     "build_node_toolchains",
     "build_node_status",
     "build_node_health"