The gate says whether a merged delivery is on the machines, derived from the view's reach, and a person settles a merge held without a passing check on the operator's answer (issue 1280, ADR 0556 clauses 4 and 5)

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval.go

@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ func (h *Holder) hearAsks() {
 		return
 	}
 	h.mu.Lock()
-	keys := h.pendingAsks()
+	keys := append(h.pendingAsks(), h.settleKeys()...)
 	h.mu.Unlock()
 	for _, key := range keys {
 		answer, err := h.Operator.Where(key)
@@ -591,7 +591,12 @@ func (h *Holder) hearAsks() {
 			continue
 		}
 		h.mu.Lock()
-		said := h.answered(key, *answer)
+		var said []func()
+		if h.isSettleKey(key) {
+			h.settled(key, *answer) // a person's settle ask (settle.go, novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5)
+		} else {
+			said = h.answered(key, *answer)
+		}
 		h.mu.Unlock()
 		for _, s := range said {
 			s()

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go

@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ type Holder struct {
 	Turns       TurnStore
 	turnsHeld   map[string]sdk.Turn
 	turnsLoaded bool
+	// reach is the delivery view's reach of each repository, by its key (reached.go, novox/hq ADR 0556): what `deliveries`
+	// and `show` derive whether a merge is on the machines from. Nothing here records it.
+	reach map[string]sdk.Reach
 	// tried counts the owed effects Flush tried since this owner started, by how each ended (novox/hq issue 407).
 	tried owedTries
 	// forgeWanted is whether the forge's open pull requests are to be read at the next React: a check may have
@@ -139,6 +142,7 @@ func (h *Holder) init() {
 	h.unchecked = map[string]unchecked{}
 	h.checker = map[string]checkerVerdict{}
 	h.runningSince, h.turnsHeld = map[string]time.Time{}, map[string]sdk.Turn{}
+	h.reach = map[string]sdk.Reach{}
 	h.started = h.Now()
 }
 
@@ -757,7 +761,7 @@ func (h *Holder) pullMerged(p PullEvent, late bool) {
 	}
 	ts = append(ts, settle(d, h.factsAt(now))...)
 	if d.State == Held && d.HeldWhy == "" {
-		d.HeldWhy = "merged without a passing check: only a person decides what follows"
+		d.HeldWhy = HeldUnchecked
 	}
 	h.moved(d, ts)
 	h.closeGroupOf(d)

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/main.go

@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@
 // runtime launches. It owns the delivery — one commit in one repository, from its pull request's head to
 // every machine — and the delivery group above it: their states in one compiled table, kept in its own state
 // on the bus, every transition said as an event, noted on the commit and shown on the pull request through
-// the forge's holder. It asks the Approve of a merge and merges once; it asks the controller nothing and derives nothing
-// after the merge (ADR 0539 §17). stdout
+// the forge's holder. It asks the Approve of a merge and merges once; it asks the controller nothing and records nothing
+// after the merge (ADR 0539 §17): whether a merge is on the machines it derives when asked from the delivery view's reach
+// (ADR 0556 clause 4), and a merge held without a passing check is settled on the operator's answer (clause 5). stdout
 // is the MCP channel; what this module says, it says on stderr.
 package main
 
@@ -116,6 +117,21 @@ func run(h *Holder, l *listening) {
 			time.Sleep(wait)
 		}
 	}()
+	// The delivery view's reach (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 4): how far each repository reached, which `deliveries` and `show`
+	// derive whether a merge is on the machines from. Each change is kept; nothing is moved by it.
+	go func() {
+		for wait := 2 * time.Second; ; wait = min(wait*2, time.Minute) {
+			err := stdio.State(reachState).Watch("", func(c stdio.StateChange) error {
+				h.ReachChanged(c.Key, c.Value, c.Op == "delete")
+				return nil
+			})
+			if err == nil {
+				return
+			}
+			logf("[mesh-delivery] not hearing the delivery view's reach yet (%v); asking again in %s", err, wait)
+			time.Sleep(wait)
+		}
+	}()
 	// The checker's verdicts (issue 1302, ADR 0447 §2): the Approve on mesh/check is asked only on its verdict at exactly the
 	// heads an ask covers, and a group's verdict is that one; each change asks for a look.
 	go func() {
@@ -290,7 +306,8 @@ func tools(h *Holder, l *listening) []stdio.Tool {
 	list := []stdio.Tool{
 		{Name: seat + "deliveries",
 			Description: "Every delivery not final, those that ended in the last day, and any stop `stalled` still lists, one line each: its id " +
-				"(owner/repository@commit), its state, its group, what it waits for and since when. Narrowed by state, " +
+				"(owner/repository@commit), its state, its group, what it waits for and since when, and for a merged one whether it is on " +
+				"the machines (machines, derived from the delivery view's reach, novox/hq ADR 0556). Narrowed by state, " +
 				"repository or group.",
 			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{"state": str("one state"),
 				"repository": str("owner/repository"), "group": str("a group's id (its branch name)"),
@@ -301,7 +318,8 @@ func tools(h *Holder, l *listening) []stdio.Tool {
 			}},
 		{Name: seat + "show",
 			Description: "One delivery or group whole: every transition with when and why, and its group. " +
-				"What the merge moved is source.main; whether it reached the machines is the view's.",
+				"For a merged delivery, whether its merge is on the machines (machines), derived from the delivery view's reach of its " +
+				"repository (novox/hq ADR 0556), and else what holds it.",
 			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{"id": str("a delivery's id, or a group's")},
 				"required": []string{"id"}},
 			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) { return h.Show(strArg(a, "id")) }},
@@ -362,6 +380,30 @@ func tools(h *Holder, l *listening) []stdio.Tool {
 				}
 				return h.Close(strArg(a, "id"), strArg(a, "why"))
 			}},
+		{Name: seat + "settle",
+			Description: "Ask the operator to settle deliveries held because their merge reached the trunk without a passing check: " +
+				"one ask on the operator's channel for all of them, as an Approve is asked. The verb moves nothing; on the operator's " +
+				"answer each goes to merged, and whether it is on the machines is derived as for any merge (novox/hq ADR 0556). " +
+				"Refused, nothing asked, when any delivery named is not held or is held for another reason, naming why.",
+			Input: map[string]any{"type": "object", "additionalProperties": false, "required": []string{"ids", "why"},
+				"properties": map[string]any{
+					"ids": map[string]any{"type": "array", "items": map[string]any{"type": "string"}, "minItems": 1,
+						"description": "the held deliveries' ids (owner/repository@commit)"},
+					"why": str("why they may be settled, shown to the operator")}},
+			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) {
+				var ids []string
+				switch v := a["ids"].(type) {
+				case []any:
+					for _, x := range v {
+						if s, ok := x.(string); ok {
+							ids = append(ids, s)
+						}
+					}
+				case []string:
+					ids = v
+				}
+				return h.Settle(ids, strArg(a, "why"), aPerson)
+			}},
 		{Name: "delivery_turns",
 			Description: "Every merge turn (novox/hq ADR 0548 §3): per repository, the approved merges that wait to merge into it in the order of " +
 				"their Approve, the check of another delivery each waits for and since when, whether the gate wrote the turn to its bucket " +

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/manifest_test.go

@@ -70,8 +70,9 @@ func TestItClaimsTheDeliverySeatAndFollowsWhatItHandles(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(m.Seats) != 0 {
 		t.Fatal("the manifest declares a seat; mesh-delivery is the mesh's own")
 	}
-	// The eight verbs the seat keeps (ADR 0539 §17): times, what-if, release, stop and retire-history went with the plans.
-	if want := []string{"deliveries", "show", "groups", "checks", "table", "stalled", "recheck", "close"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Claims[0].Serves, want) {
+	// The eight verbs the seat keeps (ADR 0539 §17): times, what-if, release, stop and retire-history went with the plans; and
+	// settle, a person's ask to settle merges held without a passing check (ADR 0556 clause 5).
+	if want := []string{"deliveries", "show", "groups", "checks", "table", "stalled", "recheck", "close", "settle"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Claims[0].Serves, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("serves %v, wanted %v", m.Claims[0].Serves, want)
 	}
 	// R6-C1: no controller verb is invoked and no plan event is consumed.
@@ -98,8 +99,9 @@ func TestItClaimsTheDeliverySeatAndFollowsWhatItHandles(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("state %v", buckets)
 	}
 	// What it reads: the teller's answers and the checker's verdicts (issue 1302). The carry from today's module's buckets, the
-	// seat's holder and the machines' haves went with the seat's hand-over (ADR 0539 §17).
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Reads, []string{"mesh-delivery-teller.answers", "mesh-delivery-checker.verdicts"}) {
+	// seat's holder and the machines' haves went with the seat's hand-over (ADR 0539 §17). The delivery view's reach, which
+	// `deliveries` and `show` derive whether a merge is on the machines from (ADR 0556 clause 4); no forge tool is asked for it.
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(m.Reads, []string{"mesh-delivery-teller.answers", "mesh-delivery-checker.verdicts", "mesh-delivery-view.reach"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("reads %v", m.Reads)
 	}
 	// It calls no controller verb and reads the forge with three tools; the forge's writes are the bridge's (ADR 0437 §8). It

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/model.go

@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@ type Delivery struct {
 	// trunk's head, before the operator is asked (novox/hq ADR 0421 §3, issue 1022). Cleared when it is asked.
 	FreshWanted bool `json:"fresh_wanted,omitempty"`
 
+	// Settle is the settle ask a person had written for it while it is held for a merge without a passing check (settle.go,
+	// novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5): its key in the gate's asks, why, who asked and when, and the operator's answer once read.
+	Settle *SettleAsk `json:"settle,omitempty"`
+
 	Transitions []Transition `json:"transitions,omitempty"`
 	// Owed are the forge's and the bus's effects of its transitions not yet done: said only after the
 	// delivery is kept, retried until done.

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/reached.go

@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	sdk "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// Whether a merge is on the machines (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 4). The gate records only the merge (ADR 0539 §17, ADR 0429
+// §1): it reads the delivery view's reach of each repository, which names the repository's reached head (the newest merge every
+// node runs a build containing), and derives when asked, for a merged delivery, whether its merge is at or before that head.
+// The order of two merges into one trunk is the gate's own: the moment each was merged, the trunk being a line of merges. A
+// reached head the gate holds no merge of is said, never asked of the forge.
+
+// reachState is the delivery view's state the gate reads.
+const reachState = sdk.ViewModule + ".reach"
+
+// ReachChanged takes one change of the view's reach.
+func (h *Holder) ReachChanged(key string, value []byte, deleted bool) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	if deleted {
+		delete(h.reach, key)
+		return
+	}
+	r, err := sdk.DecodeReach(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] the view's reach %s is not readable, so its merges read as not known: %v", key, err)
+		delete(h.reach, key)
+		return
+	}
+	h.reach[key] = r
+}
+
+// The words a merged delivery's machines are said in.
+const (
+	onMachines    = "on the machines"
+	notYetOn      = "not yet on the machines: "
+	notKnownWhere = "not known: "
+)
+
+// machines says whether a merged delivery's merge is on the machines, derived from the view's reach; empty for a delivery
+// that is not merged. Under the lock.
+func (h *Holder) machines(d *Delivery) string {
+	if d.State != Merged || d.MergedAs == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	key, err := sdk.RepositoryKey(d.Repository)
+	if err != nil {
+		return notKnownWhere + err.Error()
+	}
+	r, ok := h.reach[key]
+	switch {
+	case !ok:
+		return notKnownWhere + "the delivery view says no reach of " + d.Repository
+	case r.Reached == "":
+		return notYetOn + holdsSaid(r)
+	case sameCommit(d.MergedAs, r.Reached):
+		return onMachines
+	}
+	head := h.mergeOf(d.Repository, r.Reached)
+	switch {
+	case head == nil:
+		return notKnownWhere + fmt.Sprintf("the reached head %s of %s is no merge this gate holds", shortOf(r.Reached, 12), d.Repository)
+	case !d.MergedAt.After(head.MergedAt):
+		return onMachines
+	}
+	return notYetOn + holdsSaid(r)
+}
+
+// holdsSaid is what holds a repository's next head, in words.
+func holdsSaid(r sdk.Reach) string {
+	if len(r.Holds) == 0 {
+		return "the delivery view names nothing that holds it yet"
+	}
+	return strings.Join(r.Holds, "; ")
+}
+
+// mergeOf is the delivery of a repository that merged as the commit; nil when none does. Under the lock.
+func (h *Holder) mergeOf(repository, commit string) *Delivery {
+	for _, d := range h.deliveries {
+		if d.MergedAs != "" && strings.EqualFold(d.Repository, repository) && sameCommit(d.MergedAs, commit) {
+			return d
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/reached_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	sdk "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// 1280 (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 4): `deliveries` and `show` say for a merged delivery whether it is on the machines, derived
+// when asked from the view's reach and the gate's own order of merges: at or before the reached head it is, after it not yet
+// and why; a repository the view has no reach of, or a reached head the gate holds no merge of, is not known. Nothing records it.
+func TestAMergedDeliverySaysWhetherItIsOnTheMachines(t *testing.T) {
+	w := newWorld(t)
+	at := w.now.Add(-3 * time.Hour)
+	merge := func(commit string, n int) *Delivery {
+		d := &Delivery{ID: "novox/web@" + commit[:12], Repository: "novox/web", Commit: commit[:12], Number: n, State: Merged,
+			Since: at, MergedAs: strings.Repeat(commit[:1], 40), MergedAt: at.Add(time.Duration(n) * time.Minute)}
+		w.h.mu.Lock()
+		w.h.keep(d)
+		w.h.mu.Unlock()
+		return d
+	}
+	first, second, third := merge("111111111111", 1), merge("222222222222", 2), merge("333333333333", 3)
+	reach := func(r sdk.Reach) {
+		key, _ := sdk.RepositoryKey(r.Repository)
+		raw, err := sdk.EncodeReach(r)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		w.h.ReachChanged(key, raw, false)
+	}
+	machines := func(d *Delivery) string { w.h.mu.Lock(); defer w.h.mu.Unlock(); return w.h.machines(d) }
+	if got := machines(first); !strings.HasPrefix(got, notKnownWhere) {
+		t.Errorf("with no reach: %q", got)
+	}
+	reach(sdk.Reach{Repository: "novox/web", Reached: second.MergedAs, ReachedSrc: 7, Holds: []string{"web on g14 runs the build of 2222, not yet that of 3333"}})
+	for d, want := range map[*Delivery]string{first: onMachines, second: onMachines, third: notYetOn + "web on g14"} {
+		if got := machines(d); !strings.HasPrefix(got, want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %q, want %q", d.ID, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+	reach(sdk.Reach{Repository: "novox/web", Reached: strings.Repeat("9", 40), ReachedSrc: 8})
+	if got := machines(first); !strings.Contains(got, "no merge this gate holds") {
+		t.Errorf("a reached head the gate holds no merge of: %q", got)
+	}
+	reach(sdk.Reach{Repository: "novox/web", Holds: []string{"web on ace runs nothing yet"}})
+	if got := machines(first); got != notYetOn+"web on ace runs nothing yet" {
+		t.Errorf("no reached head: %q", got)
+	}
+	// The verbs say it; a delivery not merged says nothing of the machines.
+	reach(sdk.Reach{Repository: "novox/web", Reached: third.MergedAs, ReachedSrc: 9})
+	lines := w.h.Deliveries("", "novox/web", "", true)
+	if len(lines) != 3 || lines[0].Machines != onMachines {
+		t.Errorf("deliveries = %+v", lines)
+	}
+	shown, err := w.h.Show(third.ID)
+	if err != nil || shown.(map[string]any)["machines"] != onMachines {
+		t.Errorf("show = %v, %v", shown, err)
+	}
+	if got := machines(&Delivery{State: Held, MergedAs: "x", Repository: "novox/web"}); got != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a held delivery says %q of the machines", got)
+	}
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/settle.go

@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	sdk "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// A person settles a delivery held because its merge reached the trunk without a passing check (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5).
+// The verb `settle` moves nothing: it writes one ask, for every delivery named, into the gate's asks, which the teller puts to
+// the operator as it puts an Approve, its options binding mesh-delivery.settle (sdk.AskVerb). On the answer settle each
+// delivery takes the table's asked row held → merged with the operator's words; on leave they stay held. Whether a settled
+// merge is on the machines is then derived as for any merge (reached.go). A hold of another kind, or a delivery not held, is
+// refused, naming why.
+
+// The settle ask's two answers, both at the level approve.
+const (
+	OptionSettle = "settle"
+	OptionLeave  = "leave"
+)
+
+// SettleAsk is the settle ask a delivery is covered by.
+type SettleAsk struct {
+	Key      string     `json:"key"`
+	Asking   int        `json:"asking,omitempty"`
+	Why      string     `json:"why"`
+	By       string     `json:"by,omitempty"`
+	At       time.Time  `json:"at"`
+	Answered *time.Time `json:"answered,omitempty"`
+	Answer   string     `json:"answer,omitempty"`
+	Words    string     `json:"words,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Settle is the `settle` verb: one ask of the operator for every delivery named, each held for a merge without a passing
+// check. Nothing moves until the operator answers.
+func (h *Holder) Settle(ids []string, why, by string) (map[string]any, error) {
+	why = strings.TrimSpace(why)
+	if why == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("settle says why: it is shown to the operator")
+	}
+	if len(ids) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("settle names at least one held delivery (ids)")
+	}
+	if h.Operator == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("this owner has no way to ask the operator")
+	}
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	var covered []*Delivery
+	var refused []string
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		id = strings.TrimSpace(id)
+		if seen[id] {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[id] = true
+		d := h.deliveries[id]
+		switch {
+		case d == nil:
+			refused = append(refused, id+": no such delivery")
+		case d.State != Held:
+			refused = append(refused, fmt.Sprintf("%s: it is %s, not held", id, d.State))
+		case !heldUnchecked(d):
+			refused = append(refused, fmt.Sprintf("%s: it is held for another reason, which settle does not take (%s)", id, d.HeldWhy))
+		default:
+			covered = append(covered, d)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(refused) > 0 {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		sort.Strings(refused)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("settle refused, nothing asked: %s", strings.Join(refused, "; "))
+	}
+	sort.Slice(covered, func(i, j int) bool { return covered[i].ID < covered[j].ID })
+	var names []string
+	var heads []sdk.Head
+	for _, d := range covered {
+		names = append(names, d.ID)
+		heads = append(heads, sdk.Head{Repository: d.Repository, Number: d.Number, Head: d.Commit})
+	}
+	group := sdk.SettleGroup(names)
+	key, err := sdk.MergeAskKey(group, heads)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the settle ask has no key: %w", err)
+	}
+	now := h.Now()
+	// The same deliveries asked again (the ask lapsed, or was left unanswered) are a new asking of the same key, under its own
+	// router id: the router drops a second ask under an id it kept.
+	asking := 1 // the first asking (sdk.Ask.Asking: 0 or 1 is the first, n the n-th)
+	for _, d := range covered {
+		if d.Settle != nil && d.Settle.Key == key && max(d.Settle.Asking, 1) >= asking {
+			asking = max(d.Settle.Asking, 1) + 1
+		}
+	}
+	ask := sdk.Ask{Group: group, Heads: heads, Asking: asking, Ask: composeSettleAsk(sdk.AskingID(key, asking), covered, why, now)}
+	for _, d := range covered {
+		d.Settle = &SettleAsk{Key: key, Asking: asking, Why: why, By: by, At: now}
+		h.keep(d)
+	}
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+	if err := h.Operator.Ask(key, ask); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the settle ask %s could not be written (call settle again): %w", key, err)
+	}
+	h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] asked the operator to settle %s: %s", strings.Join(names, ", "), why)
+	return map[string]any{"asked": key, "deliveries": names,
+		"said": fmt.Sprintf("The operator is asked once to settle %d deliveries; nothing moves until the answer.", len(covered))}, nil
+}
+
+// settleAct is what a settle ask's answer binds: its verb (mesh-delivery.settle), this ask, the answer and the heads.
+func settleAct(group, ask, option string, heads map[string]string) asks.Act {
+	return asks.Act{"verb": sdk.AskVerb(group), "ask": ask, "option": option, "heads": headsString(heads)}
+}
+
+// composeSettleAsk is the operator's ask to settle these held deliveries.
+func composeSettleAsk(id string, ds []*Delivery, why string, now time.Time) asks.Ask {
+	var a asks.Ask
+	a.ID, a.Who, a.Expires = id, asks.Operator, now.Add(AskLasts)
+	a.OnExpiry = "they stay held; settle asks again"
+	a.About = "delivery.settle"
+	var pulls, lines []string
+	heads := map[string]string{}
+	for _, d := range ds {
+		pulls = append(pulls, pullSaid(d))
+		heads[d.ID] = d.Commit
+		lines = append(lines, phone(fmt.Sprintf("%s %q merged at %s without a passing check", pullSaid(d), d.Title,
+			shortOf(d.MergedAs, 12)), 400))
+	}
+	a.Headline = phone(fmt.Sprintf("Settle %d merges made without a passing check", len(ds)), asks.HeadlineLength)
+	a.Explanation = strings.Join([]string{
+		phone(fmt.Sprintf("%s reached main without a passing check and are held. Settle ends the hold: each reads merged, and on the machines once every machine runs it. Leave keeps them held.",
+			strings.Join(pulls, ", ")), asks.SummaryLength),
+		phone("Why: "+why, asks.PointLength),
+	}, "\n")
+	a.Details = strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+	group := sdk.SettleGroup(func() []string {
+		var ids []string
+		for _, d := range ds {
+			ids = append(ids, d.ID)
+		}
+		return ids
+	}())
+	for _, o := range []struct{ id, label, does string }{
+		{OptionSettle, "Settle", "each delivery named ends its hold and reads merged"},
+		{OptionLeave, "Leave", "they stay held"},
+	} {
+		binds, _ := asks.ActDigest(settleAct(group, id, o.id, heads))
+		a.Options = append(a.Options, asks.Option{ID: o.id, Label: o.label, Does: o.does, Level: asks.Approve, Binds: binds})
+	}
+	return a
+}
+
+// isSettleKey is whether an ask key is a settle ask's; under the lock.
+func (h *Holder) isSettleKey(key string) bool {
+	_, group, _, err := sdk.ParseAskKey(key)
+	return err == nil && strings.HasPrefix(group, sdk.SettleGroupPrefix)
+}
+
+// settleKeys are the settle asks waiting for an answer; under the lock.
+func (h *Holder) settleKeys() []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var out []string
+	for _, d := range h.deliveries {
+		if s := d.Settle; s != nil && s.Answered == nil && d.State == Held && !seen[s.Key] {
+			seen[s.Key] = true
+			out = append(out, s.Key)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+// settled applies the teller's answer to a settle ask; under the lock. The teller held the warrant (the act it bound is
+// mesh-delivery.settle); an answer to an earlier asking, or one choosing what the ask did not offer, moves nothing.
+func (h *Holder) settled(key string, ans sdk.Answer) {
+	var covered []*Delivery
+	for _, d := range h.deliveries {
+		if d.Settle != nil && d.Settle.Key == key && d.Settle.Answered == nil {
+			covered = append(covered, d)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(covered) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	sort.Slice(covered, func(i, j int) bool { return covered[i].ID < covered[j].ID })
+	if asked, at, ok := strings.Cut(ans.Warrant, "@"); ok && at != "" && asked != sdk.AskingID(key, covered[0].Settle.Asking) {
+		h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] the answer to the settle ask %s was given to another asking (%s): not taken", key, asked)
+		return
+	}
+	if ans.Option != OptionSettle && ans.Option != OptionLeave {
+		h.refuse(fmt.Errorf("the answer to the settle ask %s chose %s, which it did not offer: nothing settled", key, ans.Option))
+		return
+	}
+	now := h.Now()
+	for _, d := range covered {
+		d.Settle.Answered, d.Settle.Answer, d.Settle.Words = &now, ans.Option, ans.Words
+		if ans.Option == OptionLeave {
+			h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] %s: the operator left it held (%s)", d.ID, ans.Words)
+			h.keep(d)
+			continue
+		}
+		t, err := Apply(d, EvSettled, true, Facts{Now: now, By: "the operator", Why: "settled: " + ans.Words})
+		if err != nil {
+			h.refuse(err)
+			h.keep(d)
+			continue
+		}
+		d.HeldWhy = ""
+		h.moved(d, []Transition{t})
+	}
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/settle_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	sdk "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// 1280 (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5): settle writes one ask for several deliveries held for a merge without a passing check and
+// moves none of them; it refuses, asking nothing, a delivery held for another reason and one not held, naming why; the
+// operator's Leave keeps them held, and Settle, asked again under a new asking, moves each to merged with the operator's words.
+func TestSettleAsksTheOperatorOnceAndMovesOnlyOnTheAnswer(t *testing.T) {
+	w := newWorld(t)
+	w.op.auto = false
+	merged := w.now.Add(-time.Hour)
+	put := func(id string, state State, why string) *Delivery {
+		repo, commit, _ := strings.Cut(id, "@")
+		d := &Delivery{ID: id, Repository: repo, Commit: commit, Number: len(id), Title: "a fix", State: state, Since: merged,
+			MergedAs: "m" + commit, MergedAt: merged, HeldWhy: why}
+		w.h.mu.Lock()
+		w.h.keep(d)
+		w.h.mu.Unlock()
+		return d
+	}
+	a := put("novox/web@aaaaaaaaaaaa", Held, HeldUnchecked)
+	b := put("novox/sdk@bbbbbbbbbbbb", Held, HeldUnchecked)
+	put("novox/web@cccccccccccc", Held, "a conflict on the trunk")
+	put("novox/web@dddddddddddd", Merged, "")
+	for ids, words := range map[string]string{
+		"novox/web@aaaaaaaaaaaa novox/web@cccccccccccc": "held for another reason",
+		"novox/web@aaaaaaaaaaaa novox/web@dddddddddddd": "not held",
+		"novox/web@aaaaaaaaaaaa novox/web@eeeeeeeeeeee": "no such delivery",
+	} {
+		if _, err := w.h.Settle(strings.Fields(ids), "on every machine since 10-25", aPerson); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), words) {
+			t.Errorf("settle %s: %v, want refused naming %q", ids, err, words)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, err := w.h.Settle([]string{a.ID}, " ", aPerson); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a settle with no why was asked")
+	}
+	if w.op.count() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused settle asked the operator: %d asks", w.op.count())
+	}
+	out, err := w.h.Settle([]string{b.ID, a.ID}, "on every machine since 10-25", aPerson)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	key, _ := out["asked"].(string)
+	if open := w.op.open(); len(open) != 1 || open[0] != key || w.op.count() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("asks open %v (asked %d), want the one key %s", open, w.op.count(), key)
+	}
+	ask := w.op.ask(key)
+	heads := map[string]string{a.ID: a.Commit, b.ID: b.Commit}
+	group := sdk.SettleGroup([]string{a.ID, b.ID})
+	for _, o := range ask.Options {
+		if want, _ := asks.ActDigest(settleAct(group, ask.ID, o.ID, heads)); o.Binds != want {
+			t.Errorf("the option %s binds %s, not mesh-delivery.settle of these heads", o.ID, o.Binds)
+		}
+	}
+	w.h.hearAsks()
+	if a.State != Held || b.State != Held {
+		t.Fatalf("moved before an answer: %s, %s", a.State, b.State)
+	}
+	w.op.answer(key, OptionLeave)
+	w.h.hearAsks()
+	if a.State != Held || a.Settle == nil || a.Settle.Answer != OptionLeave {
+		t.Fatalf("after Leave: %s %+v", a.State, a.Settle)
+	}
+	// Asked again: a new asking of the same key, under its own id.
+	if _, err := w.h.Settle([]string{a.ID, b.ID}, "asked again", aPerson); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again := w.op.ask(key); again.ID == ask.ID || a.Settle.Asking != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("asked again under %s (asking %d), want a new id", again.ID, a.Settle.Asking)
+	}
+	w.op.answer(key, OptionSettle)
+	w.h.hearAsks()
+	for _, d := range []*Delivery{a, b} {
+		last := d.Transitions[len(d.Transitions)-1]
+		if d.State != Merged || last.Event != EvSettled || last.By != "the operator" || !strings.Contains(last.Why, "chose Settle") {
+			t.Errorf("%s after Settle: %s, %+v", d.ID, d.State, last)
+		}
+	}
+}

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table.go

@@ -77,8 +77,18 @@ const (
 	EvMerged          Event = "merged"           // it reached the trunk
 	EvMergedUnchecked Event = "merged-unchecked" // it reached the trunk without a passing check
 	EvTrunkMoved      Event = "trunk moved"      // another merge moved its trunk, and its verdict names the trunk commit before (novox/hq ADR 0323)
+	EvSettled         Event = "settled"          // the operator settled a merge held without a passing check (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5)
 )
 
+// HeldUnchecked is the why of a delivery held because its merge reached the trunk without a passing check: the one hold a
+// person may settle (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5).
+const HeldUnchecked = "merged without a passing check: only a person decides what follows"
+
+// heldUnchecked is whether a held delivery is held for a merge without a passing check, and reached the trunk.
+func heldUnchecked(d *Delivery) bool {
+	return d.State == Held && d.MergedAs != "" && strings.HasPrefix(d.HeldWhy, "merged without a passing check")
+}
+
 // Facts are what a guard reads beyond the delivery itself: the moment, and who asks, for an act.
 type Facts struct {
 	Now time.Time
@@ -177,6 +187,20 @@ var Table = []Row{
 	{From: []State{Proposed, Rejected}, Event: EvMergedUnchecked, To: Held,
 		Guard: "merged without a passing check — a verdict known with it is taken first: only a person decides what follows",
 		Holds: func(d *Delivery, f Facts) error { return unless(d.MergedAs != "", "not merged") }},
+	// **A person settles a merge held without a passing check** (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5): only on the operator's answer to
+	// the settle ask, with its words; a hold of another kind is not taken here. Whether it is on the machines is then derived.
+	{From: []State{Held}, Event: EvSettled, To: Merged, Act: true,
+		Guard: "held because its merge reached the trunk without a passing check, and the operator answered settle to the ask " +
+			"`settle` wrote, with the words of that answer",
+		Holds: func(d *Delivery, f Facts) error {
+			switch {
+			case !heldUnchecked(d):
+				return errors.New("it is not held for a merge without a passing check: " + d.HeldWhy)
+			case f.By == "" || f.Why == "":
+				return errors.New("a settle names the operator's answer and its words")
+			}
+			return nil
+		}},
 	{From: []State{Rejected, Ready}, Event: EvRecheck, To: Proposed, Act: true,
 		Guard: "a person asked, with why, or its group changed",
 		Holds: func(d *Delivery, f Facts) error { return unless(f.Why != "", "a recheck says why") }},

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table_test.go

@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ func aDeliveryFor(r Row) (*Delivery, Facts) {
 	case EvTrunkMoved:
 		d.Check = &Verdict{Gate: "pass", Head: "c0ffee000000", Trunk: "d28ca95bbbbb"}
 		d.TrunkNow = "690966dccccccccc"
+	case EvSettled:
+		d.MergedAs, d.HeldWhy = "aaaa1111", HeldUnchecked
+		f.Why, f.By = "settled: the operator chose Settle", "the operator"
 	}
 	return d, f
 }
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ func TestEveryRowOfTheTableIsTakenWhenItsGuardHoldsAndRefusedWhenNot(t *testing.
 
 func TestEveryPairTheTableDoesNotHoldIsRefusedByName(t *testing.T) {
 	events := []Event{EvAnnounced, EvAccepted, EvRefused, EvRecheck, EvReask, EvLost, EvNewHead, EvClosed, EvMerged,
-		EvMergedUnchecked, EvTrunkMoved}
+		EvMergedUnchecked, EvTrunkMoved, EvSettled}
 	for _, from := range append([]State{None}, AllStates...) {
 		for _, ev := range events {
 			for _, act := range []bool{false, true} {
@@ -128,14 +131,17 @@ func TestEveryPairTheTableDoesNotHoldIsRefusedByName(t *testing.T) {
 // The rules the table is for, read off the table.
 func TestTheTableKeepsItsRules(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, r := range Table {
+		// The one row out of a final state is a person's settle of a merge held without a passing check, taken on the
+		// operator's answer (novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 5): it is already on the trunk, and moves from held to merged.
+		settle := r.Event == EvSettled && r.Act && len(r.From) == 1 && r.From[0] == Held && r.To == Merged
 		for _, from := range r.From {
-			// Nothing leaves a final state.
-			if from.Final() {
+			// Nothing else leaves a final state.
+			if from.Final() && !settle {
 				t.Errorf("%s is final and the table leaves it by %s", from, r.Event)
 			}
 		}
 		// Only a ready delivery is merged, and nothing but its merge, or a merge without a passing check, puts one on the trunk.
-		if r.To == Merged && !(r.Event == EvMerged && len(r.From) == 1 && r.From[0] == Ready) {
+		if r.To == Merged && !settle && !(r.Event == EvMerged && len(r.From) == 1 && r.From[0] == Ready) {
 			t.Errorf("%v —%s→ merged: only a ready delivery's merge merges", r.From, r.Event)
 		}
 		if r.To == Held && r.Event != EvMergedUnchecked {

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go

@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ type Line struct {
 	Waits   string `json:"waits,omitempty"`
 	Owed    int    `json:"owed,omitempty"`
 	Stalled bool   `json:"stalled,omitempty"`
+	// Machines says, for a merged delivery, whether its merge is on the machines, derived from the delivery view's reach
+	// (reached.go, novox/hq ADR 0556 clause 4); recorded nowhere.
+	Machines string `json:"machines,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // waitsFor is what a delivery waits for, in words.
@@ -61,7 +64,7 @@ func (h *Holder) Deliveries(state, repository, group string, all bool) []Line {
 			continue
 		}
 		l := Line{ID: d.ID, State: d.State, Since: d.Since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), For: now.Sub(d.Since).Round(time.Second).String(),
-			Group: d.Group, Number: d.Number, Waits: h.waitsFor(d), Owed: len(d.Owed)}
+			Group: d.Group, Number: d.Number, Waits: h.waitsFor(d), Owed: len(d.Owed), Machines: h.machines(d)}
 		l.Stalled = pastBound(d, now)
 		out = append(out, l)
 	}
@@ -80,6 +83,9 @@ func (h *Holder) Show(id string) (any, error) {
 	defer h.mu.Unlock()
 	if d := h.deliveries[id]; d != nil {
 		out := map[string]any{"delivery": d, "waits": h.waitsFor(d), "check-gates-merge": h.checkGates()}
+		if m := h.machines(d); m != "" {
+			out["machines"] = m
+		}
 		if g := h.groups[d.Group]; g != nil {
 			state, why, _ := h.groupState(g, h.membersOf(g))
 			out["group"] = map[string]any{"group": g, "state": state, "why": why}
@@ -326,5 +332,9 @@ func (h *Holder) Status(listening string) map[string]any {
 // HeldLine says a held delivery in one line: which, since when and why. A merge without a passing check is a person's to
 // read; the gate moves nothing after the merge.
 func HeldLine(d *Delivery) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s held since %s: %s", d.ID, d.Since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), d.HeldWhy)
+	line := fmt.Sprintf("%s held since %s: %s", d.ID, d.Since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), d.HeldWhy)
+	if heldUnchecked(d) {
+		line += " (mesh-delivery.settle asks the operator to settle it, ADR 0556)"
+	}
+	return line
 }

modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json

@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@
         "table",
         "stalled",
         "recheck",
-        "close"
+        "close",
+        "settle"
       ]
     }
   ],
@@ -70,7 +71,8 @@
   ],
   "reads": [
     "mesh-delivery-teller.answers",
-    "mesh-delivery-checker.verdicts"
+    "mesh-delivery-checker.verdicts",
+    "mesh-delivery-view.reach"
   ],
   "tools": [
     "delivery_hand_now",