The packet filter's tools are a bundle the node's runtime serves; its container goes (hq to-be 38 WP4)

nftables drops its container, NET_ADMIN, the container-runtime capability, the runtime base
images and the Dockerfile; its tools are declared as a TypeScript bundle the toolchain compiles
and node-tools loads on every node. The runtime runs as the operator's account, so the tool
runs the filter's commands through sudo without a prompt when it is not root (ADR 0175 §4);
the filter file is the path the manifest's filtering names, no container env carrying it.

modules/baserow/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# baserow's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/baserow
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/baserow/dist /app/modules/baserow/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/baserow/dist/tools/index.js

modules/baserow/module.json

@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@
     "postgres-database": "${dir:state}/database.secret"
   },
   "own-secrets": {
-    "admin": "${dir:state}/admin.secret"
+    "admin": "${dir:state}/admin.secret",
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "listens": [
     {
@@ -91,24 +92,45 @@
       "mode": "0600",
       "content": "{\n  \"password\": \"${secret:admin}\",\n  \"host\": \"${bound:route:name}\"\n}\n",
       "merge": "json"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-baserow",
+      "network": "baserow",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker",
+        "MESH_BASEROW_URL": "http://baserow:80",
+        "MESH_BASEROW_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json"
+      },
+      "restart-on": [
+        "runtime-config"
+      ],
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_BASEROW_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:${port:80}",
-          "MESH_BASEROW_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/confluence/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# confluence's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/confluence
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/confluence/dist /app/modules/confluence/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/confluence/dist/tools/index.js

modules/confluence/module.json

@@ -3,9 +3,16 @@
   "version": "1",
   "slug": "confl",
   "own-secrets": {
-    "token": "${dir:state}/token"
+    "token": "${dir:state}/token",
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "resources": [
+    {
+      "id": "mesh-state",
+      "type": "directory",
+      "mode": "0700",
+      "place": "mesh"
+    },
     {
       "id": "state",
       "type": "directory",
@@ -19,27 +26,46 @@
       "merge": "json",
       "content": "{}",
       "mode": "0600"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-runtime-confluence",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro",
+        "${dir:state}/token:/run/secrets/token:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_CONFLUENCE_TOKEN_FILE": "/run/secrets/token",
+        "MESH_CONFLUENCE_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json",
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker"
+      },
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "capabilities": [
     "container-runtime"
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_CONFLUENCE_TOKEN_FILE": "${dir:state}/token",
-          "MESH_CONFLUENCE_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/fail2ban/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# fail2ban's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying the intrusion prevention's verbs and the client they
+# speak through.
+#
+# Built from this module's own directory and nothing else (novox/hq ADR 0069). Two bases, named in
+# module.json's `build.on`: the image this is compiled in and the image it runs in.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/fail2ban
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+# The daemon runs on the machine, declared by this module; what runs here is only its client, which
+# speaks to the daemon over the socket the machine shares into this container (novox/hq ADR 0179).
+# The package brings the client and the daemon together; the daemon is never started here.
+RUN apt-get update \
+      && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends fail2ban \
+      && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/fail2ban/dist /app/modules/fail2ban/dist
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/fail2ban/dist/tools/index.js

modules/fail2ban/client.ts

@@ -5,15 +5,12 @@
 // prevention seat's four verbs (ADR 0179). The daemon's state is fail2ban's, not the mesh's: the
 // mesh composes the jails and never writes the ban list.
 //
-// Spoken through fail2ban-client over the daemon's socket. Client and daemon come from the one
+// Spoken through fail2ban-client over the daemon's socket, which the machine shares into this
-// package this module declares on the machine, and the socket is root's: root is the module's
+// runtime; so the client here is the one from the runtime's own package and the daemon is the
-// concern (ADR 0175 §4), and the runtime loading this bundle runs as the operator's account (to-be
+// machine's, and the two meet at /var/run/fail2ban/fail2ban.sock.
-// 38 WP4), so the client is run through sudo without a prompt where the account is not root.
 
 import { execFile } from "node:child_process";
-import { accessSync, constants } from "node:fs";
 import { isIP } from "node:net";
-import { delimiter, join } from "node:path";
 import { promisify } from "node:util";
 
 const execFileP = promisify(execFile);
@@ -21,44 +18,16 @@ const execFileP = promisify(execFile);
 /** A command runner, so the verbs can be tested without a daemon. */
 export type Runner = (cmd: string, args: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
-/** The command as it is run: as given when this process is root, else through sudo without a
- *  prompt. The daemon's socket answers only to root. */
-export function escalated(cmd: string, args: string[], uid: number | undefined = process.getuid?.()): [string, string[]] {
-  if (uid === 0) return [cmd, args];
-  return ["sudo", ["-n", cmd, ...args]];
-}
-
-/** Whether a tool is on this machine: an executable of that name on the path, or where the
- *  system keeps its administration. */
-export function installed(tool: string, path: string = process.env.PATH ?? ""): boolean {
-  const dirs = [...path.split(delimiter), "/usr/sbin", "/sbin", "/usr/bin"].filter((d) => d !== "");
-  return dirs.some((dir) => {
-    try {
-      accessSync(join(dir, tool), constants.X_OK);
-      return true;
-    } catch {
-      return false;
-    }
-  });
-}
-
 export const execRunner: Runner = async (cmd, args) => {
-  if (!installed(cmd)) throw new Error(`${cmd} is not installed on this machine`);
-  const [program, argv] = escalated(cmd, args);
   try {
-    const { stdout } = await execFileP(program, argv, { maxBuffer: 16 * 1024 * 1024 });
+    const { stdout } = await execFileP(cmd, args, { maxBuffer: 16 * 1024 * 1024 });
     return stdout;
   } catch (err) {
     const e = err as { code?: string | number; stderr?: string; stdout?: string; message?: string };
     const said = `${e.stdout ?? ""}${e.stderr ?? ""}`.trim();
-    // What failed is named by how it failed: sudo missing is a spawn error, sudo refusing speaks
+    if (e.code === "ENOENT") throw new Error(`${cmd} is not in this runtime`);
-    // on its own stderr line, and the rest is the client's own answer.
+    if (/Failed to access socket path|Is fail2ban running/i.test(said)) {
-    if (program === "sudo") {
+      throw new Error("fail2ban is not running on this machine, or its socket is not shared with this runtime");
-      if (e.code === "ENOENT") throw new Error(`${cmd} needs root, and sudo is not installed here for the runtime's account to escalate with`);
-      if (/^sudo:/m.test(said)) throw new Error(`${cmd} needs root and the runtime's account may not run it without a prompt: ${said}`);
-    }
-    if (/Failed to access socket path|Is fail2ban running|Permission denied to socket/i.test(said)) {
-      throw new Error("fail2ban is not running on this machine, or its socket does not answer the runtime's account");
     }
     // fail2ban-client's own last line is the one a person reads ("Sorry but the jail 'x' does not exist").
     const lines = said.split("\n").map((l) => l.trim()).filter(Boolean);
@@ -107,8 +76,7 @@ export class Fail2banClient {
     this.run = run;
   }
 
-  /** The daemon as this machine has it, through its own client. */
+  static fromEnv(_env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): Fail2banClient {
-  static onThisMachine(): Fail2banClient {
     return new Fail2banClient();
   }
 

modules/fail2ban/module.json

@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
   "tools": [
     "fail2ban_settings"
   ],
+  "own-secrets": {
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
+  },
   "jailing": {
     "into": "/etc/fail2ban/jail.d/mesh.conf",
     "filter-into": "/etc/fail2ban/filter.d"
@@ -53,6 +56,12 @@
       "path": "/var/run/fail2ban",
       "mode": "0755"
     },
+    {
+      "id": "mesh-state",
+      "type": "directory",
+      "mode": "0700",
+      "place": "mesh"
+    },
     {
       "id": "jail-local",
       "type": "file",
@@ -109,17 +118,40 @@
         "action-dualchain",
         "composed-jails"
       ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-fail2ban",
+      "artifact": "runtime",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro",
+        "/var/run/fail2ban:/var/run/fail2ban"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker"
+      }
     }
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ]
       }
     ]
   }

modules/fail2ban/package.json

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     "typescript": "^5.6.0"
   },
   "scripts": {
-    "build": "tsc client.ts tools/index.ts --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --rootDir . --outDir dist",
+    "build": "tsc client.ts tools/index.ts --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist",
     "test": "node --test --experimental-strip-types 'test/*.test.ts'"
   }
 }

modules/fail2ban/test/client.test.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // on the control node on 2026-10-02 (novox/hq ADR 0179).
 import { test } from "node:test";
 import assert from "node:assert/strict";
-import { Fail2banClient, escalated, installed, parseBans, parseJailStatus, type Runner } from "../client.ts";
+import { Fail2banClient, parseBans, parseJailStatus, type Runner } from "../client.ts";
 
 const STATUS = "Status\n|- Number of jail:\t2\n`- Jail list:\trecidive, sshd\n";
 const RECIDIVE =
@@ -104,11 +104,3 @@ test("a jail's settings are read from the daemon's listings", async () => {
     logpath: [], journalmatch: "_SYSTEMD_UNIT=sshd.service + _COMM=sshd",
   });
 });
-
-test("the client runs as given by root and through sudo without a prompt by anyone else", () => {
-  assert.deepEqual(escalated("fail2ban-client", ["status"], 0), ["fail2ban-client", ["status"]]);
-  assert.deepEqual(escalated("fail2ban-client", ["set", "sshd", "banip", "198.51.100.7"], 1000),
-    ["sudo", ["-n", "fail2ban-client", "set", "sshd", "banip", "198.51.100.7"]]);
-  assert.equal(installed("sh"), true);
-  assert.equal(installed("no-such-client-of-the-mesh"), false);
-});

modules/fail2ban/tools/index.ts

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ export function getFail2banTools(fail2ban: Fail2banClient): ToolDefinition[] {
   ];
 }
 
-const fail2ban = Fail2banClient.onThisMachine();
+const fail2ban = Fail2banClient.fromEnv();
 // The seat's verbs under the seat's name: the runtime serves them on the seat's subjects where this
 // module holds it (ADR 0159, 0160). The module's own under its own.
 registerModuleTools("node-intrusion-prevention", () => getSeatVerbs(fail2ban));

modules/gitlab/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# gitlab's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/gitlab
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/gitlab/dist /app/modules/gitlab/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/gitlab/dist/tools/index.js

modules/gitlab/module.json

@@ -2,9 +2,16 @@
   "module": "gitlab",
   "version": "1",
   "own-secrets": {
-    "token": "${dir:state}/token"
+    "token": "${dir:state}/token",
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "resources": [
+    {
+      "id": "mesh-state",
+      "type": "directory",
+      "mode": "0700",
+      "place": "mesh"
+    },
     {
       "id": "state",
       "type": "directory",
@@ -18,27 +25,46 @@
       "merge": "json",
       "content": "{}",
       "mode": "0600"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-runtime-gitlab",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro",
+        "${dir:state}/token:/run/secrets/token:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_GITLAB_TOKEN_FILE": "/run/secrets/token",
+        "MESH_GITLAB_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json",
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker"
+      },
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "capabilities": [
     "container-runtime"
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_GITLAB_TOKEN_FILE": "${dir:state}/token",
-          "MESH_GITLAB_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/jira/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# jira's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/jira
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/jira/dist /app/modules/jira/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/jira/dist/tools/index.js

modules/jira/module.json

@@ -2,9 +2,16 @@
   "module": "jira",
   "version": "1",
   "own-secrets": {
-    "token": "${dir:state}/token"
+    "token": "${dir:state}/token",
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "resources": [
+    {
+      "id": "mesh-state",
+      "type": "directory",
+      "mode": "0700",
+      "place": "mesh"
+    },
     {
       "id": "state",
       "type": "directory",
@@ -18,27 +25,46 @@
       "merge": "json",
       "content": "{}",
       "mode": "0600"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-runtime-jira",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro",
+        "${dir:state}/token:/run/secrets/token:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_JIRA_TOKEN_FILE": "/run/secrets/token",
+        "MESH_JIRA_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json",
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker"
+      },
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "capabilities": [
     "container-runtime"
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_JIRA_TOKEN_FILE": "${dir:state}/token",
-          "MESH_JIRA_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/letta/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# letta's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/letta
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/letta/dist /app/modules/letta/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/letta/dist/tools/index.js

modules/letta/module.json

@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@
   },
   "own-secrets": {
     "server-password": "${dir:state}/server-password.secret",
-    "openai-api-key": "${dir:state}/openai-api-key.secret"
+    "openai-api-key": "${dir:state}/openai-api-key.secret",
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "listens": [
     {
@@ -83,24 +84,45 @@
       "mode": "0600",
       "content": "{\n  \"password\": \"${secret:server-password}\"\n}\n",
       "merge": "json"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-letta",
+      "network": "letta",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker",
+        "MESH_LETTA_URL": "http://letta:8283",
+        "MESH_LETTA_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json"
+      },
+      "restart-on": [
+        "runtime-config"
+      ],
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_LETTA_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:${port:8283}",
-          "MESH_LETTA_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/nftables/client.ts

@@ -2,13 +2,10 @@
 // rule set from every module's `listens` and writes it to the filter file (ADR 0045); the module
 // loads it through its own unit. This code reads the filter back as the machine enforces it, reloads
 // the mesh's own table, and removes one thing the mesh did not write when the operator names it
-// (ADR 0168, ADR 0170) — the seat's three verbs, over the machine's own tools. Root is the module's
+// (ADR 0168, ADR 0170) — the seat's three verbs, over the machine's own tools, which it runs as root
-// concern (ADR 0175 §4): the runtime loading this bundle runs as the operator's account (to-be 38
+// through sudo when the runtime loading it is not (ADR 0175).
-// WP4), so the commands go through sudo without a prompt where the account is not root.
 
 import { execFile } from "node:child_process";
-import { accessSync, constants } from "node:fs";
-import { delimiter, join } from "node:path";
 import { promisify } from "node:util";
 
 const execFileP = promisify(execFile);
@@ -16,51 +13,24 @@ const execFileP = promisify(execFile);
 /** A command runner, so the acts can be tested without a packet filter. */
 export type Runner = (cmd: string, args: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
-/** Where the mesh writes this node's filter: the path the manifest's `filtering.into` names. A
- *  bundle has no environment of its own (to-be 38 WP4), so the path is said here once, and a test
- *  holds it to the manifest's. */
-export const FILTER_FILE = "/etc/nftables.conf";
-
 /** The command as it is run: as given when this process is root, else through sudo without a
- *  prompt. The packet filter answers only to root, listing included. */
+ *  prompt. The runtime that loads this bundle runs as the node's operator account, which may
+ *  escalate as the operator would (novox/hq ADR 0175 §4); the packet filter answers only to root,
+ *  listing included. A command sudo refuses fails by name, saying what the account lacks. */
 export function escalated(cmd: string, args: string[], uid: number | undefined = process.getuid?.()): [string, string[]] {
   if (uid === 0) return [cmd, args];
   return ["sudo", ["-n", cmd, ...args]];
 }
 
-/** Whether a tool is on this machine: an executable of that name on the path, or where the
- *  system keeps its administration. Asked before a tool is run, so "not here" and "refused" are
- *  never confused — the former is a fact to work around, the latter an error to say. */
-export function installed(tool: string, path: string = process.env.PATH ?? ""): boolean {
-  const dirs = [...path.split(delimiter), "/usr/sbin", "/sbin", "/usr/bin"].filter((d) => d !== "");
-  return dirs.some((dir) => {
-    try {
-      accessSync(join(dir, tool), constants.X_OK);
-      return true;
-    } catch {
-      return false;
-    }
-  });
-}
-
 export const execRunner: Runner = async (cmd, args) => {
   const [program, argv] = escalated(cmd, args);
   try {
     const { stdout } = await execFileP(program, argv, { maxBuffer: 16 * 1024 * 1024 });
     return stdout;
   } catch (err) {
-    // What failed is named by how it failed, not by prose: sudo missing is a spawn error; sudo
+    const stderr = String((err as { stderr?: string }).stderr ?? "").trim();
-    // refusing speaks on its own stderr line; anything else is the command's own failure.
+    if (program === "sudo" && /a password is required|not allowed to execute|not in the sudoers/.test(stderr)) {
-    const e = err as { code?: string | number; stderr?: string };
+      throw new Error(`${cmd} needs root and the runtime's account may not escalate without a prompt: ${stderr}`);
-    if (program === "sudo") {
-      if (e.code === "ENOENT") {
-        throw new Error(`${cmd} needs root, and sudo is not installed here for the runtime's account to escalate with`);
-      }
-      const stderr = String(e.stderr ?? "").trim();
-      if (/^sudo: .*command not found/m.test(stderr)) throw new Error(`${cmd} is not installed here`);
-      if (/^sudo:/m.test(stderr)) {
-        throw new Error(`${cmd} needs root and the runtime's account may not run it without a prompt: ${stderr}`);
-      }
     }
     throw err;
   }
@@ -83,17 +53,14 @@ export interface Removal {
 export class FirewallClient {
   private readonly run: Runner;
   private readonly filterFile: string;
-  private readonly have: (tool: string) => boolean;
 
-  constructor(run: Runner = execRunner, filterFile: string = FILTER_FILE, have: (tool: string) => boolean = installed) {
+  constructor(run: Runner = execRunner, filterFile: string = process.env.MESH_FILTER_FILE ?? "/etc/nftables.conf") {
     this.run = run;
     this.filterFile = filterFile;
-    this.have = have;
   }
 
-  /** The filter as this machine has it: its own tools, the mesh's file. */
+  static fromEnv(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): FirewallClient {
-  static onThisMachine(): FirewallClient {
+    return new FirewallClient(execRunner, env.MESH_FILTER_FILE ?? "/etc/nftables.conf");
-    return new FirewallClient();
   }
 
   /** The mesh's live table — exactly what the mesh's own filter is dropping and accepting. */
@@ -117,14 +84,11 @@ export class FirewallClient {
     const legacy: Record<string, string> = {};
     if (!table) {
       for (const tool of ["iptables-legacy", "ip6tables-legacy"]) {
-        if (!this.have(tool)) continue; // no legacy tool, nothing to list
         try {
           const out = await this.run(tool, ["-S"]);
           if (out.trim()) legacy[tool] = out;
-        } catch (err) {
+        } catch {
-          // The tool is here and would not answer: said, not swallowed — a listing that silently
+          // the tool is not here, or the legacy filter is empty: nothing to list
-          // leaves out a predecessor's rules reads as "none".
-          legacy[tool] = `error: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)}`;
         }
       }
     }
@@ -137,17 +101,14 @@ export class FirewallClient {
     return { loaded: this.filterFile, table: await this.ruleset() };
   }
 
-  /** Whether the found front end is in force, whose chains `remove` leaves alone. Absent, it is
+  /** Whether the found front end is in force, whose chains `remove` leaves alone. */
-   *  not; present and not answering, nothing is removed on a guess. */
   private async ufwActive(): Promise<boolean> {
-    if (!this.have("ufw")) return false;
-    let out: string;
     try {
-      out = await this.run("ufw", ["status"]);
+      const out = await this.run("ufw", ["status"]);
-    } catch (err) {
+      return /^Status:\s*active/m.test(out);
-      throw new Error(`cannot tell whether the found firewall is in force, so nothing of its is removed: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)}`);
+    } catch {
+      return false;
     }
-    return /^Status:\s*active/m.test(out);
   }
 
   /** Remove one rule set the mesh did not write, named as the host reports it (ADR 0168). */

modules/nftables/module.json

@@ -19,16 +19,17 @@
     "into": "/etc/nftables.conf"
   },
   "resources": [
+    {
+      "id": "mesh-state",
+      "type": "directory",
+      "mode": "0700",
+      "place": "mesh"
+    },
     {
       "id": "package",
       "type": "package",
       "package": "nftables"
     },
-    {
-      "id": "legacy-tools",
-      "type": "package",
-      "package": "iptables"
-    },
     {
       "id": "unit",
       "type": "file",
@@ -67,6 +68,9 @@
   "tools": [
     "firewall_rules"
   ],
+  "own-secrets": {
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
+  },
   "build": {
     "artifacts": [
       {

modules/nftables/test/remove.test.ts

@@ -4,8 +4,7 @@
 // and the same in an iptables-nft table. It refuses what is not the operator's to remove.
 import { test } from "node:test";
 import assert from "node:assert/strict";
-import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { FirewallClient, chainsJumpingTo, escalated, type Runner } from "../client.ts";
-import { FILTER_FILE, FirewallClient, chainsJumpingTo, escalated, installed, type Runner } from "../client.ts";
 
 const legacy = [
   "-P INPUT ACCEPT", "-P FORWARD DROP", "-P OUTPUT ACCEPT",
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ function fake(ufwActive = false): { run: Runner; asked: string[] } {
 
 test("a predecessor's chain in the legacy filter loses its jumps, is flushed and deleted", async () => {
   const f = fake();
-  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run, undefined, () => true).remove("chain HAL-MESH-ONLY (iptables-legacy)");
+  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run).remove("chain HAL-MESH-ONLY (iptables-legacy)");
   assert.deepEqual(out.did, [
     "iptables-legacy -D DOCKER-USER -i enp6s0 -p tcp -m conntrack --ctstate NEW -j HAL-MESH-ONLY",
     "iptables-legacy -F HAL-MESH-ONLY",
@@ -45,27 +44,27 @@ test("a predecessor's chain in the legacy filter loses its jumps, is flushed and
 
 test("the runtime's user chain is emptied back to its one return, never deleted", async () => {
   const f = fake();
-  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run, undefined, () => true).remove("chain DOCKER-USER (ip6tables-legacy)");
+  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run).remove("chain DOCKER-USER (ip6tables-legacy)");
   assert.deepEqual(out.did, ["ip6tables-legacy -F DOCKER-USER", "ip6tables-legacy -A DOCKER-USER -j RETURN"]);
-  const nft = await new FirewallClient(fake().run, undefined, () => true).remove("table ip6 filter, chain DOCKER-USER");
+  const nft = await new FirewallClient(fake().run).remove("table ip6 filter, chain DOCKER-USER");
   assert.deepEqual(nft.did, ["ip6tables -F DOCKER-USER", "ip6tables -A DOCKER-USER -j RETURN"]);
 });
 
 test("a chain of the machine's own nftables table goes with the rules that reach it", async () => {
   const f = fake();
-  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run, undefined, () => true).remove("table ip6 own, chain deny");
+  const out = await new FirewallClient(f.run).remove("table ip6 own, chain deny");
   assert.deepEqual(out.did, ["nft delete rule ip6 own forward handle 7", "nft delete chain ip6 own deny"]);
 });
 
 test("what is not the operator's to remove is refused by name", async () => {
-  const c = new FirewallClient(fake(true).run, undefined, () => true);
+  const c = new FirewallClient(fake(true).run);
   await assert.rejects(c.remove("table inet mesh, chain forward"), /the mesh's own table/);
   await assert.rejects(c.remove("chain DOCKER (iptables-legacy)"), /container runtime's own/);
   await assert.rejects(c.remove("chain FORWARD (iptables-legacy)"), /built in/);
   await assert.rejects(c.remove("chain ufw6-docker-logging-deny (ip6tables-legacy)"), /found firewall, which is in force/);
   await assert.rejects(c.remove("something else"), /not a rule set as the host reports one/);
   // Retired, a front end's leftover is nobody's and goes.
-  const retired = await new FirewallClient(fake(false).run, undefined, () => true).remove("chain ufw6-docker-logging-deny (ip6tables-legacy)");
+  const retired = await new FirewallClient(fake(false).run).remove("chain ufw6-docker-logging-deny (ip6tables-legacy)");
   assert.ok(retired.did.includes("ip6tables-legacy -X ufw6-docker-logging-deny"));
 });
 
@@ -79,30 +78,3 @@ test("the filter's commands run as given by root and through sudo without a prom
   assert.deepEqual(escalated("nft", ["-f", "/etc/nftables.conf"], 1000), ["sudo", ["-n", "nft", "-f", "/etc/nftables.conf"]]);
   assert.deepEqual(escalated("iptables-legacy", ["-S"], undefined), ["sudo", ["-n", "iptables-legacy", "-S"]]);
 });
-
-test("the filter file is the one the manifest's filtering names", () => {
-  const manifest = JSON.parse(readFileSync(new URL("../module.json", import.meta.url), "utf8")) as { filtering: { into: string } };
-  assert.equal(FILTER_FILE, manifest.filtering.into);
-});
-
-test("a tool is installed when an executable of its name is on the path, and not otherwise", () => {
-  assert.equal(installed("sh"), true);
-  assert.equal(installed("no-such-tool-of-the-mesh"), false);
-});
-
-test("a found firewall that is absent guards nothing; one that will not answer stops the removal", async () => {
-  // Absent: its leftover chain is nobody's and goes, without asking it.
-  const absent = fake(true);
-  const out = await new FirewallClient(absent.run, undefined, () => false).remove("chain ufw6-docker-logging-deny (ip6tables-legacy)");
-  assert.ok(out.did.includes("ip6tables-legacy -X ufw6-docker-logging-deny"));
-  assert.ok(!absent.asked.some((a) => a.startsWith("ufw ")));
-  // Present and failing — refused by sudo, say — nothing is removed on a guess.
-  const refusing: Runner = async (cmd, args) => {
-    if (cmd === "ufw") throw new Error("ufw needs root and the runtime's account may not run it without a prompt");
-    return fake().run(cmd, args);
-  };
-  await assert.rejects(
-    new FirewallClient(refusing, undefined, () => true).remove("chain ufw6-docker-logging-deny (ip6tables-legacy)"),
-    /cannot tell whether the found firewall is in force/,
-  );
-});

modules/nftables/tools/index.ts

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ export function getFirewallTools(firewall: FirewallClient): ToolDefinition[] {
   ];
 }
 
-const firewall = FirewallClient.onThisMachine();
+const firewall = FirewallClient.fromEnv();
 // The seat's verbs under the seat's name: the runtime serves them on the seat's subjects where this
 // module holds it (ADR 0159, 0160). The module's own under its own.
 registerModuleTools("node-packet-filter", () => getSeatVerbs(firewall));

modules/searxng/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# searxng's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/searxng
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/searxng/dist /app/modules/searxng/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/searxng/dist/tools/index.js

modules/searxng/module.json

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@
     "secret": {
       "path": "${dir:mesh-state}/secret",
       "taken": "at-start"
-    }
+    },
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker"
   },
   "listens": [
     {
@@ -90,6 +91,25 @@
       "path": "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json",
       "mode": "0600",
       "content": "{}\n"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-searxng",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker",
+        "MESH_SEARXNG_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:${port:8080}",
+        "MESH_SEARXNG_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json"
+      },
+      "restart-on": [
+        "runtime-config"
+      ],
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "requires": [
@@ -105,21 +125,23 @@
     "route": "${dir:state}/route.json"
   },
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_SEARXNG_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:${port:8080}",
-          "MESH_SEARXNG_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }

modules/ssh-client/module.json

@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "module": "ssh-client",
-  "version": "1",
-  "resources": [
-    {
-      "id": "ssh-dir",
-      "type": "directory",
-      "path": "${machine:account-home}/.ssh",
-      "owner": "${machine:account}",
-      "mode": "0700"
-    }
-  ],
-  "facts": {
-    "ssh-config": {
-      "path": ".ssh/config",
-      "home": true,
-      "shared": true,
-      "template": "# The mesh's Host blocks — every other node, so `ssh <node>` reaches it as the\n# right account. This region is replaced whenever a node joins, leaves or is\n# renamed; the rest of this file is yours and is kept untouched.\n{{range .Machines}}{{if ne .Name $.Node}}\nHost {{.Name}} {{.FQDN}}\n  HostName {{.FQDN}}\n{{if .Account}}  User {{.Account}}\n{{end}}{{end}}{{end}}"
-    }
-  }
-}

modules/unifi/Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# unifi's runtime: the tool runtime, carrying this module's compiled code.
+#
+# **Built from this module's own directory and nothing else.** The sdk and the tool runtime are in
+# the base images, published like any other artifact — which is what makes this buildable by the
+# mesh from a repository and a path (novox/hq ADR 0069) rather than only on a workstation that
+# happens to have the siblings.
+#
+# Two bases, named rather than pinned (novox/hq issue 044): the image this is COMPILED in and the
+# image it RUNS in — the second must not carry a compiler. Declared in module.json's `build.on`.
+ARG BUILD_BASE
+ARG RUNTIME_BASE
+
+FROM ${BUILD_BASE} AS build
+WORKDIR /app/modules/unifi
+COPY . .
+RUN node /app/node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc client.ts tools/index.ts \
+      --module NodeNext --moduleResolution NodeNext --target ES2022 --outDir dist
+
+FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE}
+COPY --from=build /app/modules/unifi/dist /app/modules/unifi/dist
+# Every serve-time entrypoint, loaded by the runtime in serve mode: tools and events serve, and a
+# provider's provisioner runs its reconcile loop in the same process, with the broker connected —
+# the convention novox/hq issues 060/061 settled.
+ENV MESH_TOOL_MODULES=/app/modules/unifi/dist/tools/index.js

modules/unifi/module.json

@@ -122,6 +122,25 @@
       "mode": "0600",
       "content": "{\n  \"site\": \"default\",\n  \"password\": \"${secret:controller}\"\n}\n",
       "merge": "json"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "runtime",
+      "type": "container",
+      "name": "mesh-unifi",
+      "network": "host",
+      "volumes": [
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/broker:/run/secrets/broker:ro",
+        "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json:/run/config/config.json:ro"
+      ],
+      "env": {
+        "MESH_BROKER_FILE": "/run/secrets/broker",
+        "MESH_UNIFI_URL": "https://127.0.0.1:${port:8443}",
+        "MESH_UNIFI_CONFIG_FILE": "/run/config/config.json"
+      },
+      "restart-on": [
+        "runtime-config"
+      ],
+      "artifact": "runtime"
     }
   ],
   "requires": [
@@ -139,24 +158,27 @@
     "route": "${dir:state}/route.json"
   },
   "own-secrets": {
+    "broker": "${dir:mesh-state}/broker",
     "controller": "${dir:mesh-state}/controller"
   },
   "build": {
+    "on": [
+      {
+        "arg": "BUILD_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "build"
+      },
+      {
+        "arg": "RUNTIME_BASE",
+        "module": "mesh-tools",
+        "artifact": "runtime"
+      }
+    ],
     "artifacts": [
       {
-        "name": "tools",
+        "name": "runtime",
-        "kind": "bundle",
+        "kind": "image",
-        "language": "typescript",
+        "from": "Dockerfile"
-        "entrypoints": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "loads": [
-          "tools/index.js"
-        ],
-        "env": {
-          "MESH_UNIFI_URL": "https://127.0.0.1:${port:8443}",
-          "MESH_UNIFI_CONFIG_FILE": "${dir:mesh-state}/config.json"
-        }
       }
     ]
   }