diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval.go
index cbd99faf1..00f2b66e8 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval.go
@@ -190,30 +190,20 @@ func composeMergeAsk(id string, d *Delivery, group string, members []*Delivery,
 	a.OnExpiry = "nothing is merged; the ask is made again"
 	a.About = "delivery." + phone(repoName(d.Repository), 40) + "." + strconv.Itoa(d.Number)
 	a.About = strings.ReplaceAll(a.About, " ", "-")
-	var reviewers, reaches, details []string
-	unreviewed := ""
+	var reaches, details []string
 	for _, m := range members {
-		words, ok := reviewWords(m)
-		if !ok && unreviewed == "" {
-			unreviewed = pullSaid(m) + " is " + words
-		}
-		reviewers = append(reviewers, fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", pullSaid(m), words))
 		touches := touchesSaid(m)
 		reaches = append(reaches, touches)
-		details = append(details, fmt.Sprintf("%s %q at %s: issues: %s; review: %s; touches: %s",
-			pullSaid(m), m.Title, shortOf(m.Commit, 12), issuesSaid([]*Delivery{m}), words, touches))
+		details = append(details, fmt.Sprintf("%s %q at %s: issues: %s; touches: %s",
+			pullSaid(m), m.Title, shortOf(m.Commit, 12), issuesSaid([]*Delivery{m}), touches))
 	}
 	if group == "" {
 		a.Headline = phone(mergeHeadline(check)+pullSaid(d)+" "+d.Title, occ.HeadlineLength)
 		summary := fmt.Sprintf("%s %s%s. Approve merges it into main at %s%s; Decline leaves it unmerged.",
 			pullSaid(d), d.Title, checkClause(check, " "), shortOf(d.Commit, 12), approveCaveat(check))
-		if unreviewed != "" {
-			summary = strings.ToUpper(unreviewed[:1]) + unreviewed[1:] + ". " + summary
-		}
 		a.Explanation = strings.Join([]string{
 			phone(summary, occ.SummaryLength),
 			phone("Issues: "+issuesSaid(members), occ.PointLength),
-			phone("Review: "+reviewers[0], occ.PointLength),
 			phone("Touches: "+reaches[0], occ.PointLength),
 		}, "\n")
 	} else {
@@ -228,13 +218,9 @@ func composeMergeAsk(id string, d *Delivery, group string, members []*Delivery,
 		}
 		summary := fmt.Sprintf("The group %s, %d pull requests%s. Approve merges all of them into main in one pass, at the heads named%s; Decline leaves them unmerged.",
 			group, len(members), checkClause(check, ", "), caveat)
-		if unreviewed != "" {
-			summary = strings.ToUpper(unreviewed[:1]) + unreviewed[1:] + ". " + summary
-		}
 		a.Explanation = strings.Join([]string{
 			phone(summary, occ.SummaryLength),
 			phone("Issues: "+issuesSaid(members), occ.PointLength),
-			phone("Review: "+strings.Join(reviewers, "; "), occ.PointLength),
 			phone("Touches: "+strings.Join(reaches, "; "), occ.PointLength),
 		}, "\n")
 	}
@@ -471,7 +457,7 @@ func (h *Holder) approval(d *Delivery, now time.Time) (string, func()) {
 	}
 	r.Asks++
 	// Each asking at these heads has its own router id (mdc.AskingID): the router keeps an ask by its id and drops a second ask
-	// under it as a redelivery, so an ask written again at unchanged heads (a lapse, a status or the review record changing) is
+	// under it as a redelivery, so an ask written again at unchanged heads (a lapse, or a status changing) is
 	// the next asking, with a new id (review round 1, G2; issue 1370).
 	asking := 1
 	for _, m := range members {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval_test.go
index f6763408a..6496ecf3c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/approval_test.go
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ func markedGreen(t *testing.T) *world {
 	w.op.auto = false
 	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
 	p.Title = "Fix the apostrophe (issue 948, issue 12)"
-	p.Body = "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at " + readyHead
 	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
 	w.h.Checked(judgedAt("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
 	w.forge.open = []OpenPull{openPull("novox/app", 7, readyHead)}
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ func TestAMarkedGreenDeliveryIntoMainIsAskedAndNotMergedUntilApproved(t *testing
 		len(a.Options) != 2 || a.Options[0].ID != OptionApprove || a.Options[1].ID != OptionDecline {
 		t.Fatalf("the ask is not the merge ask: %+v", a)
 	}
-	for _, want := range []string{"issue 948", "issue 12", "reviewed by reviewer on shanks", "Touches: "} {
+	for _, want := range []string{"issue 948", "issue 12", "Touches: "} {
 		if !strings.Contains(a.Explanation, want) {
 			t.Fatalf("the ask does not say %q: %s", want, a.Explanation)
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/bus_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/bus_test.go
index 5f2d8edd1..a9a2847a8 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/bus_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/bus_test.go
@@ -526,31 +526,18 @@ func TestAPassingVerdictAsksTheApproveAndItsApproveMergesWithinSecondsOverARealB
 	})
 	b.checkPasses(t, rt, "fix/x", "a1a1a1a1a1a1", judgedPull{"novox/app", 7, head})
 
-	// No review names the head, so nothing is asked (ADR 0496, issue 1803): the delivery waits for a review.
-	rt.until("the delivery to wait for a review", eventWithin, func() bool {
-		e, err := b.kvs["pulls"].Get(ctx, "novox.app.7")
-		var k PullKey
-		return err == nil && json.Unmarshal(e.Value(), &k) == nil && k.Verdict == "pass"
-	})
-	time.Sleep(time.Second)
-	if key := onlyAsk(b); key != "" {
-		t.Fatalf("a head with no review was asked: %s", key)
-	}
-	// The description is edited to add the review record (issue 1079): the forge module's edit event carries it, and the
-	// ask is written into the gate's bucket asks within seconds, with no label, comment or mark written by anyone, and
-	// nothing is asked of a router.
+	// The description holds no review line and nothing is waited for: the ask is written into the gate's bucket asks within
+	// seconds of the verdict, with no label, comment or mark written by anyone (the gate reads no description, ADR 0493 §6, ADR 0659).
 	edit := time.Now()
-	b.publish(t, "mesh.mod.gitea.event.forge.pull-request.edited", map[string]any{"owner": "novox", "repo": "app", "number": 7,
-		"title": announced.Title, "head_sha": head, "base": "main", "body": "Reviewed-by: lead@shanks at " + head})
 	var key string
 	rt.until("the ask to be written", eventWithin, func() bool { key = onlyAsk(b); return key != "" })
 	ask, err := askOf(askAt(t, b, key))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	t.Logf("the ask was written %s after the edit's event", time.Since(edit))
-	if !strings.Contains(ask.Explanation, "reviewed by lead on shanks") || ask.ID != mdc.AskID(key) {
-		t.Fatalf("the ask does not say the record: %s", ask.Explanation)
+	t.Logf("the ask was written %s after the verdict", time.Since(edit))
+	if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(ask.Explanation), "review") || ask.ID != mdc.AskID(key) {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask names a review or has the wrong id: %s", ask.Explanation)
 	}
 	if len(rt.asksOf("gitea.gitea_merge_pull_request")) != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("merged before the Approve")
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/checks.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/checks.go
index d6489b2ce..ea17f3684 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/checks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/checks.go
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func (h *Holder) deliveryOf(repository string, number int, commit string) *check
 		c.Check = &v
 	}
 	if g := h.groups[found.Group]; g != nil {
-		state, why, _ := h.groupState(g, h.membersOf(g))
+		state, why := GroupState(g, h.membersOf(g))
 		c.groupSaid = state + ": " + why
 		if g.Check != nil && g.Check.Verdict != "" {
 			c.groupSaid += "; composed check " + g.Check.Verdict + " — " + g.Check.Summary
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/effects.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/effects.go
index aee203cda..dcd1762fb 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/effects.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/effects.go
@@ -88,9 +88,6 @@ func statusOf(d *Delivery) (string, string) {
 	case Proposed:
 		return "pending", "checking"
 	case Ready:
-		if d.holdsForReview() {
-			return "pending", clip("ready, "+d.Ready.Waits, 140) // novox/hq ADR 0496: no Approve is asked before a review
-		}
 		return "success", "ready: it is merged on the Approve"
 	case Rejected:
 		return "failure", clip("rejected: "+why, 140)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/events_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/events_test.go
index 7941cd821..45a65698c 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/events_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/events_test.go
@@ -118,11 +118,13 @@ func (*askedAgainError) Error() string {
 	return "the forge refused gitea_merge_pull_request: novox/app#7 is not merged: its verdict was judged against trunk aaaaaaaaaaaa, and main is now bbbbbbbbbbbb. The check of head cccccccccccc merged into trunk bbbbbbbbbbbb was asked; took 3s. Ask again at cccccccccccc once both statuses pass. Nothing was merged"
 }
 
-// Issue 1022 (ADR 0421 §5), as ADR 0496 changed it (issue 1803): the review record is read; a head not reviewed is not asked.
-func TestAHeadNotReviewedAtThisHeadIsNotAsked(t *testing.T) {
+// The gate reads nothing from a pull request's description (novox/hq ADR 0493 §6, ADR 0659, which ends ADR 0496): a pull request whose description
+// holds no review line, or one naming another head, is asked once its other waits are met, and the ask names no review.
+func TestAPullRequestIsAskedWhateverItsDescriptionSays(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, c := range []struct{ name, body string }{
 		{"no line", "Fixes issue 7."},
 		{"another head", "Reviewed-by: lead@shanks at " + pushed},
+		{"empty", ""},
 	} {
 		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			w := newWorld(t)
@@ -131,39 +133,17 @@ func TestAHeadNotReviewedAtThisHeadIsNotAsked(t *testing.T) {
 			p.Body = c.body
 			w.h.PullUpdated(p)
 			hear(t, w, shimCheckedKey, judgedAt("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
-			if w.op.count() != 0 {
-				t.Fatalf("an unreviewed pull request was asked: %d", w.op.count())
+			open := w.op.open()
+			if len(open) != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("an unreviewed pull request with its other waits met was not asked: %d", len(open))
+			}
+			if e := w.op.ask(open[0]).Explanation; strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(e), "review") {
+				t.Fatalf("the ask names a review:\n%s", e)
 			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
-func TestTheAskNamesTheReviewerOfTheHead(t *testing.T) {
-	w := newWorld(t)
-	w.op.auto = false
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	p.Body = "Fixes issue 7.\n\nReviewed-by: lead@shanks at " + readyHead + "\n"
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	hear(t, w, shimCheckedKey, judgedAt("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
-	a := w.op.ask(w.op.open()[0])
-	if strings.Contains(a.Explanation, "not reviewed") || !strings.Contains(a.Explanation, "reviewed by lead") {
-		t.Fatalf("a reviewed head is not said reviewed:\n%s", a.Explanation)
-	}
-}
-
-// The description corrected without a push is read again.
-func TestTheReviewLineCorrectedInTheDescriptionIsReadWithoutAPush(t *testing.T) {
-	w := newWorld(t)
-	w.op.auto = false
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	p.Body = "Reviewed-by: lead@shanks at " + readyHead
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	if d := w.delivery(IDOf("novox/app", readyHead)); d.ReviewedBy != "lead@shanks" || d.ReviewedAt != readyHead {
-		t.Fatalf("the corrected line is not read: %q %q", d.ReviewedBy, d.ReviewedAt)
-	}
-}
-
 // Issue 1022 (ADR 0421 §6): a push ends the Approve and says so once on the pull request.
 func TestAPushAfterTheAskEndsItAndSaysSoOnceOnThePullRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	w := announced(t)
@@ -188,3 +168,41 @@ func TestAPushAfterTheAskEndsItAndSaysSoOnceOnThePullRequest(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("said more than once: %v", w.forge.comments)
 	}
 }
+
+// ADR 0659 clause 6: no wait of ready.go reads a description field. A delivery and a group whose descriptions differ only
+// (no line, a Reviewed-by line naming the head, another head, garbage, an after: and a Pushed-by line) answer the same
+// readyWaits, ungatedWaits and group state.
+func TestNoWaitReadsADescription(t *testing.T) {
+	heads := map[string]string{"novox/a": "a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1", "novox/b": "b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2b2"}
+	bodies := []string{"", "Fixes issue 7.", "Reviewed-by: lead@shanks at %s", "Reviewed-by: lead@shanks at " + pushed,
+		"\x00garbage: Reviewed-by pending\nafter: novox/zzz\nPushed-by: x@y"}
+	var first []string
+	for i, body := range bodies {
+		w := newWorld(t)
+		w.op.auto = false
+		for n, repo := range []string{"novox/a", "novox/b"} {
+			p := pr(repo, n+1, heads[repo], "feat/y", "x")
+			p.Body = strings.ReplaceAll(body, "%s", heads[repo])
+			w.h.PullUpdated(p)
+			w.h.Checked(verdict(repo, n+1, heads[repo], "pass"))
+		}
+		w.h.Checked(CheckedEvent{Group: "feat/y", ID: "check-1", Verdict: "pass", Summary: "compose"})
+		w.settleAll()
+		g := w.h.groups["feat/y"]
+		state, why := GroupState(g, w.h.membersOf(g))
+		ds := []*Delivery{w.delivery(IDOf("novox/a", heads["novox/a"])), w.delivery(IDOf("novox/b", heads["novox/b"]))}
+		w.h.mu.Lock()
+		got := []string{state, why}
+		for _, d := range ds {
+			got = append(got, w.h.readyWaits(d), w.h.ungatedWaits(d))
+		}
+		w.h.mu.Unlock()
+		if i == 0 {
+			first = got
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.Join(got, "|") != strings.Join(first, "|") {
+			t.Fatalf("description %q changes the waits:\n got %q\nwant %q", body, got, first)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
index f1d36f37b..9b1e1f2a1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
@@ -370,9 +370,7 @@ func (w *world) state(id string) State { return w.delivery(id).State }
 func pr(repo string, number int, sha, branch string, paths ...string) PullEvent {
 	owner, name, _ := strings.Cut(repo, "/")
 	return PullEvent{Owner: owner, Repo: name, Number: number, Base: "main", Head: branch, HeadSHA: sha,
-		HTMLURL: fmt.Sprintf("https://forge.invalid/%s/pulls/%d", repo, number), Paths: paths,
-		// Reviewed at its head, as the Approve is asked only for a reviewed head (novox/hq ADR 0496, issue 1803).
-		Body: "Reviewed-by: tester@shanks at " + sha}
+		HTMLURL: fmt.Sprintf("https://forge.invalid/%s/pulls/%d", repo, number), Paths: paths}
 }
 
 // verdict is the controller's `checked` for a head.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
index 6a60b0850..36c28b901 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
@@ -351,11 +351,6 @@ func (h *Holder) pullUpdated(p PullEvent) (isNew bool) {
 			h.fillFromAnnouncement(d, p)
 			// A pull request retargeted to another base (review of issue 1422): what it merges into is the forge's word now.
 			h.retarget(d, p)
-			// The review record, corrected in the description without a push, is read again (ADR 0421 §5).
-			if by, at := ReviewIn(p.Body); p.Body != "" && (by != d.ReviewedBy || at != d.ReviewedAt) {
-				d.ReviewedBy, d.ReviewedAt = by, at
-				h.keep(d)
-			}
 			// So is the line naming who pushed it (ADR 0505 §5).
 			if by := PushedIn(p.Body); p.Body != "" && by != d.PushedBy {
 				d.PushedBy = by
@@ -426,7 +421,7 @@ func (h *Holder) supersedeOlder(p PullEvent) (replaced string) {
 }
 
 // fillFromAnnouncement fills a delivery made from its check's verdict before its pull request's head was heard (issue
-// 1726: no base, branch, title, URLs or review record) from an announcement or an edit of that pull request, and then
+// 1726: no base, branch, title or URLs) from an announcement or an edit of that pull request, and then
 // does what a first announcement does: the older heads of the pull request are superseded, and the delivery takes
 // their place in a group or joins the group its branch makes. Nothing for a delivery that holds its base. Under the lock.
 func (h *Holder) fillFromAnnouncement(d *Delivery, p PullEvent) {
@@ -437,7 +432,6 @@ func (h *Holder) fillFromAnnouncement(d *Delivery, p PullEvent) {
 	d.Paths, d.PathsTruncated, d.Removed = p.Paths, p.PathsTruncated, p.Removed
 	d.ModuleDirs, d.ModuleDirsSaid = p.ModuleDirs, p.ModuleDirsSaid
 	d.Issues, d.After = IssuesIn(p.Title+"\n"+p.Body), AfterIn(p.Body)
-	d.ReviewedBy, d.ReviewedAt = ReviewIn(p.Body)
 	d.PushedBy = PushedIn(p.Body)
 	if p.BaseSHA != "" {
 		d.BaseSHA, d.BaseSHAAt = p.BaseSHA, h.Now()
@@ -473,11 +467,9 @@ func (h *Holder) retarget(d *Delivery, p PullEvent) {
 	h.keep(d)
 }
 
-// PullEdited takes a pull request's edit (novox/hq issue 1079): its description is read again for the review record, the
-// `after:` lines and the issues it names, exactly as an announcement reads them. An Approve ask still unanswered whose words
-// the new record changes is withdrawn and asked again with it read, without a word on the pull request: nothing was
-// approved, so no Approve ended. An answered ask is left as it is. A record naming the head lifts the hold at once (ADR 0496 §4). An edit with no
-// description, or of a pull request with no open delivery at that head, changes nothing.
+// PullEdited takes a pull request's edit (novox/hq issue 1079): its `after:` lines, the `Pushed-by` line and the issues it names
+// are read again, exactly as an announcement reads them; nothing here holds or withdraws an ask. An edit with no description,
+// or of a pull request with no open delivery at that head, changes nothing.
 func (h *Holder) PullEdited(p PullEvent) {
 	if p.HeadSHA == "" || p.Number == 0 {
 		return
@@ -511,8 +503,6 @@ func (h *Holder) PullEdited(p PullEvent) {
 	if d == nil || d.Number != p.Number || d.State.Final() || d.MergedAs != "" {
 		return
 	}
-	before, _ := reviewWords(d)
-	d.ReviewedBy, d.ReviewedAt = ReviewIn(p.Body)
 	d.PushedBy = PushedIn(p.Body)
 	d.After = AfterIn(p.Body)
 	title := p.Title
@@ -521,12 +511,6 @@ func (h *Holder) PullEdited(p PullEvent) {
 	}
 	d.Issues = IssuesIn(title + "\n" + p.Body)
 	h.keep(d)
-	if after, _ := reviewWords(d); after == before {
-		return
-	}
-	if r := h.covering(d); r != nil && r.AskID != "" && r.Approved == nil && !r.declined() {
-		h.cancels = append(h.cancels, h.withdrawAsk(r.AskID, d.ID+"'s review record changed: "+shortOf(d.ReviewedAt, 12)))
-	}
 }
 
 // withOther is others with p put in, replacing an earlier announcement of the same pull request.
@@ -583,7 +567,6 @@ func (h *Holder) freshAnnouncement(p PullEvent, now time.Time, startedOver strin
 	if p.BaseSHA != "" {
 		d.BaseSHAAt = now
 	}
-	d.ReviewedBy, d.ReviewedAt = ReviewIn(p.Body)
 	d.PushedBy = PushedIn(p.Body)
 	why := fmt.Sprintf("%s#%d's head announced", d.Repository, d.Number)
 	if startedOver != "" {
@@ -896,7 +879,7 @@ func (h *Holder) PullClosed(p PullEvent) {
 				h.leaveGroup(d)
 			}
 			// Another open pull request carries this head (issue 1114): the record starts over for it at once, as a first
-			// announcement of it would, so it gets its check, its review record and its Approve ask.
+			// announcement of it would, so it gets its check and its Approve ask.
 			if len(d.Others) > 0 {
 				next := d.Others[0]
 				over = &next
@@ -1057,24 +1040,17 @@ func (h *Holder) planGroup(g *Group, members []*Delivery, now time.Time) []func(
 	// (issue 1318).
 	h.composeFromChecker(g, members, now)
 	// Its state, said when it changes.
-	state, why, held := h.groupState(g, members)
+	state, why := GroupState(g, members)
 	status := groupStatusState(state)
-	if held {
-		status = "pending" // no Approve exists while a member waits for its review (novox/hq ADR 0496 §2)
-	}
 	if state == GroupMerging && !(g.Check != nil && (g.Check.Verdict == "pass" || g.Check.Verdict == "warning") &&
 		sameMembers(g.Check.Commits, commitsOf(members)) && g.Check.OutOfDate == "") {
 		// Success there lets the merge tool merge its members: only for a composed check that passed for these heads.
 		status = "pending"
 	}
-	reviewSaid := ""
-	if held {
-		reviewSaid = why
-	}
 	saidMembers := strings.Join(sortedIDs(members), " ")
-	if state != g.Said || status != g.SaidStatus || reviewSaid != g.SaidReview || why != g.SaidWhy ||
+	if state != g.Said || status != g.SaidStatus || why != g.SaidWhy ||
 		saidMembers != g.SaidMembers {
-		g.Said, g.SaidStatus, g.SaidReview, g.SaidWhy, g.SaidMembers = state, status, reviewSaid, why, saidMembers
+		g.Said, g.SaidStatus, g.SaidWhy, g.SaidMembers = state, status, why, saidMembers
 		for _, d := range members {
 			g.Owed = append(g.Owed, Effect{Kind: EffectStatus, Commit: d.Commit, Context: "mesh/delivery-group",
 				State: status, Line: clip(fmt.Sprintf("group %s %s: %s", g.ID, state, why), 140),
@@ -1160,29 +1136,6 @@ func heldWords(members []*Delivery) string {
 	return strings.Join(parts, "; ")
 }
 
-// groupState is GroupState, but a group whose members all passed and compose waits for a review while any member the
-// Approve would cover has none at its head: its why names the members (novox/hq ADR 0496 §2, issue 1803), and held
-// says its mesh/delivery-group is pending, not a success. Under the lock.
-func (h *Holder) groupState(g *Group, members []*Delivery) (state, why string, held bool) {
-	state, why = GroupState(g, members)
-	if state != GroupReady || g.Closed {
-		return state, why, false
-	}
-	var waiting []string
-	for _, m := range members {
-		if m.MergedAs != "" || m.State.Final() || h.covering(m) != nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		if _, ok := reviewWords(m); !ok {
-			waiting = append(waiting, "at "+shortOf(m.Commit, 12)+" ("+pullSaid(m)+")")
-		}
-	}
-	if len(waiting) == 0 {
-		return state, why, false
-	}
-	return state, waitsForReview + strings.Join(waiting, " and ")[len("at "):], true
-}
-
 // groupStatusState is the forge status mesh/delivery-group takes for a group's state. A delivering group passed its composed check for these very heads (GroupState reads checking while it is out of
 // date), so it is a success too: its members after the first merge only once mesh/delivery-group is one at their
 // heads (novox/hq ADR 0382), and a pending one there would hold them for ever (novox/hq issue 902).
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder_test.go
index 3de163f4d..e62fe9aa4 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder_test.go
@@ -21,11 +21,8 @@ const (
 func TestAPullRequestsHeadIsProposedAndReady(t *testing.T) {
 	w := newWorld(t)
 	p := pr("novox/app", 7, head, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	p.Body = "" // an empty description is never read again, so the review set below stays
 	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
 	id := IDOf("novox/app", head)
-	// This head is not a full commit id, so its description line cannot name it: its review is set as read.
-	w.h.deliveries[id].ReviewedBy, w.h.deliveries[id].ReviewedAt = "tester@shanks", head
 	if w.state(id) != Proposed {
 		t.Fatalf("a head is %s", w.state(id))
 	}
@@ -215,6 +212,7 @@ func TestAMergeWithoutAPassingCheckIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
 // A group merged whole ends merged, member by member and as a group, and source.main holds its heads (ADR 0539 §17, R6-C2).
 func TestAMergedGroupEndsMergedWithSourceMainMoved(t *testing.T) {
 	w := newWorld(t)
+	w.op.auto = false // the merges here are the forge's, not the gate's on an Approve
 	heads := map[string]string{"novox/a": "a1a1a1a1a1a1a1", "novox/b": "b2b2b2b2b2b2b2"}
 	ids := map[string]string{}
 	for i, repo := range []string{"novox/a", "novox/b"} {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1079_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1079_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 919bf4b45..000000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1079_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,97 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// novox/hq issue 1079: mesh-catalog #354's description was edited ten seconds after it was opened to add its
-// `Reviewed-by` line, but the line was read only when the head was announced, so the Approve's ask said "not reviewed at
-// this head". The forge's edit event is followed; an Approve ask not yet answered is withdrawn and asked again with the
-// record read (the operator agreed, 2026-10-18). The review record is never a gate (ADR 0421 §5).
-
-// askedReviewed is a green pull request whose Approve is asked, its review line naming the head by one reviewer.
-func askedReviewed(t *testing.T) *world {
-	w := newWorld(t)
-	w.op.auto = false
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	p.Title = "Fix the apostrophe (issue 948)"
-	p.Body = "Reviewed-by: first@shanks at " + readyHead
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	w.h.Checked(judgedAt("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
-	w.forge.open = []OpenPull{openPull("novox/app", 7, readyHead)}
-	w.h.SeeOpenPulls()
-	w.settleAll()
-	if open := w.op.open(); len(open) != 1 || !strings.Contains(w.op.ask(open[0]).Explanation, "reviewed by first on shanks") {
-		t.Fatalf("setup: the ask is %v", w.op.open())
-	}
-	return w
-}
-
-func edited(body string) PullEvent {
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x")
-	p.Body = body
-	return p
-}
-
-func TestAReviewedByLineChangedAfterTheAskWithdrawsTheUnansweredAskAndAsksAgain(t *testing.T) {
-	w := askedReviewed(t)
-	first := w.op.open()[0]
-	w.h.PullEdited(edited("Reviewed-by: second@shanks at " + readyHead))
-	w.settleAll()
-	open := w.op.open()
-	// The heads are the same, so the key is: the ask is taken away and written again with the record in its words, which the
-	// teller reads as the ask to withdraw and ask afresh.
-	if len(open) != 1 || open[0] != first || w.op.count() != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("after the edit the open asks are %v (first %s), %d asked; wanted the first withdrawn and written again once", open, first, w.op.count())
-	}
-	if len(w.op.cancelled) != 0 || w.op.byKey[first].Asking != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("the first ask was taken away (%v) or not written again as asking 2 (%d)", w.op.cancelled, w.op.byKey[first].Asking)
-	}
-	if e := w.op.ask(open[0]).Explanation; !strings.Contains(e, "reviewed by second on shanks at "+shortOf(readyHead, 12)) {
-		t.Fatalf("the new ask does not say the record: %s", e)
-	}
-	if len(w.forge.comments) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("a withdrawn ask is not an ended Approve, so nothing is said on the pull request: %v", w.forge.comments)
-	}
-	// The new ask is the one the Approve answers.
-	w.op.answer(open[0], OptionApprove)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if len(w.forge.merges) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("the new ask's Approve did not merge: %v", w.forge.merges)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestAnEditThatChangesNothingTheAskSaysAsksNothingAndNoEditChangesAnAnsweredAsk(t *testing.T) {
-	w := askedReviewed(t)
-	// The same words: a description with the same line and a new sentence.
-	w.h.PullEdited(edited("A new sentence.\nReviewed-by: first@shanks at " + readyHead))
-	w.settleAll()
-	if w.op.count() != 1 || len(w.op.cancelled) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("an edit that changes no word of the ask asked again: %d asks, cancelled %v", w.op.count(), w.op.cancelled)
-	}
-	// Answered: a later edit changes nothing.
-	w.op.answer(w.op.open()[0], OptionApprove)
-	w.settleAll()
-	asked := w.op.count()
-	w.h.PullEdited(edited("Reviewed-by: second@shanks at " + readyHead))
-	w.settleAll()
-	if w.op.count() != asked || len(w.op.open()) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("an edit after the Approve asked again: %d asks, open %v", w.op.count(), w.op.open())
-	}
-	if d := w.delivery(IDOf("novox/app", readyHead)); d.ReviewedBy != "second@shanks" {
-		t.Fatalf("the record is still read: %q", d.ReviewedBy)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestAnEditOfAnUnknownOrMergedOrEmptyPullRequestChangesNothing(t *testing.T) {
-	w := askedReviewed(t)
-	other := pr("novox/other", 3, readyHead, "feat/y")
-	other.Body = "Reviewed-by: a@b at " + readyHead
-	w.h.PullEdited(other) // no delivery: nothing made
-	w.h.PullEdited(edited(""))
-	w.settleAll()
-	if w.op.count() != 1 || len(w.h.deliveries) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("asks %d, deliveries %d", w.op.count(), len(w.h.deliveries))
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1114_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1114_test.go
index 6da2cec4c..427a8f01b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1114_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1114_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ func TestClosingThePullRequestOfASharedHeadStartsTheOtherOnesDeliveryOver(t *tes
 	id := IDOf(gCtl, head1114)
 	w.h.PullUpdated(pr(gCtl, 378, head1114, "feat/chain", "internal/a.go"))
 	b := pr(gCtl, 379, head1114, "feat/chain-2", "internal/a.go")
-	b.Body = "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at " + head1114
+	b.Body = "Fixes issue 379."
 	w.h.PullUpdated(b) // announced while #378 is live: the same delivery heard again
 	if d := w.delivery(id); d.Number != 378 {
 		t.Fatalf("setup: the record is #%d, wanted #378 still", d.Number)
@@ -29,14 +28,10 @@ func TestClosingThePullRequestOfASharedHeadStartsTheOtherOnesDeliveryOver(t *tes
 	if d.Number != 379 || d.State.Final() || d.ClosedUnmerged {
 		t.Fatalf("after #378 closed the record is #%d %s (closed %v); wanted #379, proposed", d.Number, d.State, d.ClosedUnmerged)
 	}
-	if d.ReviewedBy == "" {
-		t.Fatalf("#379's review record was not read: %+v", d)
-	}
 	w.h.Checked(verdict(gCtl, 379, head1114, "pass"))
 	w.settleAll()
-	if open := w.op.open(); w.state(id) != Ready || len(open) != 1 ||
-		!strings.Contains(w.op.ask(open[0]).Explanation, "reviewed by reviewer") {
-		t.Fatalf("#379's delivery is %s with asks %v; wanted ready and one Approve ask with its review record", w.state(id), w.op.open())
+	if open := w.op.open(); w.state(id) != Ready || len(open) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("#379's delivery is %s with asks %v; wanted ready and one Approve ask", w.state(id), w.op.open())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -61,12 +56,12 @@ func TestAnEditOfAPullRequestWhoseSharedHeadsRecordIsStoppedUnderAnotherTakesItO
 		t.Fatalf("setup: %s", d.State)
 	}
 	e := pr(gCtl, 379, head1114, "feat/chain-2")
-	e.Body = "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at " + head1114
+	e.Body = "Fixes issue 379."
 	w.h.PullEdited(e)
 	d := w.delivery(id)
-	if d.Number != 379 || d.State != Proposed || d.ReviewedBy == "" || len(d.Paths) == 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("after #379's edit the record is #%d %s reviewed %q paths %v; wanted #379 proposed, read, with the paths", d.Number,
-			d.State, d.ReviewedBy, d.Paths)
+	if d.Number != 379 || d.State != Proposed || len(d.Paths) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("after #379's edit the record is #%d %s paths %v; wanted #379 proposed, read, with the paths", d.Number,
+			d.State, d.Paths)
 	}
 	w.h.PullEdited(e) // an edit heard again changes nothing
 	if again := w.delivery(id); again.Number != 379 || again.State != Proposed {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1726_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1726_test.go
index ef8efd07e..120653b6d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1726_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1726_test.go
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ func TestAnAnnouncementFillsADeliveryMadeFromItsVerdictAndTheOperatorIsAsked(t *
 	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
 	w.settleAll()
 	d := w.delivery(id)
-	if d.Base != "main" || d.Branch != "fix/x" || d.Title != "Fix x" || d.HTMLURL == "" || d.CloneURL == "" ||
-		d.ReviewedBy != "reviewer@shanks" || len(d.Paths) != 1 {
+	if d.Base != "main" || d.Branch != "fix/x" || d.Title != "Fix x" || d.HTMLURL == "" || d.CloneURL == "" || len(d.Paths) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("the announcement did not fill the delivery: %+v", d)
 	}
 	if n := len(w.op.open()); n != 1 {
@@ -117,7 +116,7 @@ func TestAnEditOfThePullRequestFillsADeliveryMadeFromItsVerdict(t *testing.T) {
 	w.h.PullEdited(p)
 	w.settleAll()
 	d := w.delivery(id)
-	if d.Base != "main" || d.Branch != "fix/x" || d.Title != "Fix x" || d.ReviewedBy != "reviewer@shanks" {
+	if d.Base != "main" || d.Branch != "fix/x" || d.Title != "Fix x" {
 		t.Fatalf("the edit did not fill the delivery: %+v", d)
 	}
 	if n := len(w.op.open()); n != 1 {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1803_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1803_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 7b9660521..000000000
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1803_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,223 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// novox/hq issue 1803, ADR 0496: the Approve is asked only for a head with a review recorded at that head. A missing
-// line, `Reviewed-by: pending` or a line naming another commit holds the ask; the delivery stays ready and says it waits
-// for a review at the head. An edit naming the head asks at once. A group asks when every member is reviewed. An ask
-// already raised is not touched.
-
-const stale1803 = "9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f9f"
-
-// greenWithBody is a green pull request whose description is body, the operator not answering by himself.
-func greenWithBody(t *testing.T, body string) *world {
-	w := newWorld(t)
-	w.op.auto = false
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	p.Title = "Fix the apostrophe (issue 948)"
-	p.Body = body
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	w.h.Checked(judgedAt("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
-	w.forge.open = []OpenPull{openPull("novox/app", 7, readyHead)}
-	w.h.SeeOpenPulls()
-	w.settleAll()
-	return w
-}
-
-func (w *world) wantHeld(t *testing.T, label string) {
-	t.Helper()
-	want := "waits for a review at " + shortOf(readyHead, 12)
-	d := w.delivery(IDOf("novox/app", readyHead))
-	if w.op.count() != 0 || len(w.op.open()) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("%s: the operator was asked (%d asks)", label, w.op.count())
-	}
-	if d.State != Ready || d.Ready == nil || !strings.Contains(d.Ready.Waits, want) {
-		t.Fatalf("%s: state %s, waits %+v; wanted ready and %q", label, d.State, d.Ready, want)
-	}
-	found := false
-	for k, v := range w.forge.statuses {
-		if strings.HasSuffix(strings.SplitN(k, " ", 2)[1], "mesh/delivery") && strings.Contains(v, want) {
-			found = true
-		}
-	}
-	if !found {
-		t.Fatalf("%s: no mesh/delivery status says %q: %v", label, want, w.forge.statuses)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestA1803PendingReviewLineHoldsTheAsk(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "Reviewed-by: pending")
-	w.wantHeld(t, "1803/AC1 pending")
-	for range 3 {
-		w.later(2 * 60 * 1e9)
-		w.settleAll()
-	}
-	w.wantHeld(t, "1803/AC1 pending after ticks")
-}
-
-func TestA1803MissingReviewLineHoldsTheAsk(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "No review line at all.")
-	w.wantHeld(t, "1803/AC1 missing")
-}
-
-func TestA1803ReviewLineOfAnotherCommitHoldsTheAsk(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at "+stale1803)
-	w.wantHeld(t, "1803/AC2 stale")
-}
-
-func TestA1803ReviewLineNamingTheHeadIsAsked(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at "+readyHead)
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC3: a review at the head is not asked: %v", w.op.open())
-	}
-	if e := w.op.ask(w.op.open()[0]).Explanation; !strings.Contains(e, "reviewed by reviewer on shanks") {
-		t.Fatalf("the ask does not name the review: %s", e)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestA1803AnEditNamingTheHeadRaisesTheAskAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "Reviewed-by: pending")
-	w.wantHeld(t, "1803/AC4 before the edit")
-	e := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x")
-	e.Body = "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at " + readyHead
-	w.h.PullEdited(e)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC4: the edit naming the head raised no ask: %d asks", w.op.count())
-	}
-	// An unanswered ask whose review is taken back is withdrawn: the hold applies again (ADR 0496 §1).
-	e.Body = "Reviewed-by: pending"
-	w.h.PullEdited(e)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC4: an unanswered ask stayed after its review was taken back: open %v", w.op.open())
-	}
-}
-
-func TestA1803AnApproveAlreadyGivenIsNotAffected(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at "+readyHead)
-	w.op.answer(w.op.open()[0], OptionApprove)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if len(w.forge.merges) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC6: the approved head was not merged: %v", w.forge.merges)
-	}
-	// A later edit to pending changes nothing of the Approve given.
-	e := pr("novox/app", 7, readyHead, "feat/x")
-	e.Body = "Reviewed-by: pending"
-	w.h.PullEdited(e)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if d := w.delivery(IDOf("novox/app", readyHead)); d.Ready == nil || d.Ready.Approved == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC6: the Approve given was lost: %+v", d.Ready)
-	}
-}
-
-const gTools, gHt = "novox/mesh-tools", "e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3e3"
-
-// groupOf is a green group of the given members (repository, number, head, review body), composed green, the operator not
-// answering by himself.
-func groupOf(t *testing.T, members [][4]string) *world {
-	w := newWorld(t)
-	w.op.auto = false
-	for i, m := range members {
-		p := pr(m[0], i+1, m[2], "feat/g", "src/a.go")
-		p.Body = m[3]
-		w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	}
-	for i, m := range members {
-		w.h.Checked(judged(m[0], i+1, m[2], "pass", gTrunk0))
-	}
-	w.settleAll()
-	g := w.h.groups["feat/g"]
-	if g == nil || g.Check == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("no composed check was asked: %+v", g)
-	}
-	c := CheckedEvent{Group: "feat/g", ID: g.Check.Asked, Verdict: "pass", Summary: "composed"}
-	for _, m := range members {
-		owner, repo, _ := strings.Cut(m[0], "/")
-		c.Members = append(c.Members, struct {
-			Owner  string `json:"owner"`
-			Repo   string `json:"repo"`
-			Commit string `json:"commit"`
-			Trunk  string `json:"trunk,omitempty"`
-		}{Owner: owner, Repo: repo, Commit: m[2], Trunk: gTrunk0[:12]})
-	}
-	w.h.Checked(c)
-	w.settleAll()
-	return w
-}
-
-func reviewedAt(head string) string { return "Reviewed-by: reviewer@shanks at " + head }
-
-// wantGroupSays checks the group's state, its mesh/delivery-group status and the member's mesh/delivery status.
-func (w *world) wantGroupSays(t *testing.T, label, member, head string, want, notWant string) {
-	t.Helper()
-	g := w.h.groups["feat/g"]
-	state, why, held := w.h.groupState(g, w.h.membersOf(g))
-	if state != "ready" || !held || !strings.Contains(why, want) || (notWant != "" && strings.Contains(why, notWant)) {
-		t.Fatalf("%s: group state %s, why %q, held %v; wanted ready waiting with %q and without %q", label, state, why, held, want, notWant)
-	}
-	for _, c := range []string{"mesh/delivery-group", "mesh/delivery"} {
-		said := w.forge.statuses[member+"@"+head+" "+c]
-		if !strings.HasPrefix(said, "pending") || !strings.Contains(said, want) || (notWant != "" && strings.Contains(said, notWant)) {
-			t.Fatalf("%s: %s on %s says %q; wanted pending with %q and without %q", label, c, member, said, want, notWant)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func TestA1803AGroupIsAskedOnlyWhenEveryMemberIsReviewedAtItsHead(t *testing.T) {
-	w := groupOf(t, [][4]string{{gCtl, "", gHc, reviewedAt(gHc)}, {gCat, "", gHk, "Reviewed-by: pending"}})
-	if w.op.count() != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC5: a group with an unreviewed member was asked: %d asks", w.op.count())
-	}
-	w.wantGroupSays(t, "1803/AC5", gCtl, gHc, "mesh-catalog#2", "mesh-controller#1")
-	e := pr(gCat, 2, gHk, "feat/g")
-	e.Body = reviewedAt(gHk)
-	w.h.PullEdited(e)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC5: every member reviewed, yet %d asks", w.op.count())
-	}
-	if said := w.forge.statuses[gCtl+"@"+gHc+" mesh/delivery-group"]; !strings.HasPrefix(said, "success") {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC5: the group's status once asked is %q", said)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestA1803TheWaitingWordsFollowTheMembersStillWaiting(t *testing.T) {
-	w := groupOf(t, [][4]string{{gCtl, "", gHc, reviewedAt(gHc)}, {gCat, "", gHk, "Reviewed-by: pending"}, {gTools, "", gHt, "Reviewed-by: pending"}})
-	w.wantGroupSays(t, "1803/AC7 two waiting", gCtl, gHc, "mesh-catalog#2", "")
-	w.wantGroupSays(t, "1803/AC7 two waiting", gCtl, gHc, "mesh-tools#3", "")
-	e := pr(gCat, 2, gHk, "feat/g")
-	e.Body = reviewedAt(gHk)
-	w.h.PullEdited(e)
-	w.settleAll()
-	if w.op.count() != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC7: a member still waits, yet %d asks", w.op.count())
-	}
-	// Only the other member is named now, on the group and on every member's own status.
-	w.wantGroupSays(t, "1803/AC7 one waiting", gCtl, gHc, "mesh-tools#3", "mesh-catalog#2")
-	w.wantGroupSays(t, "1803/AC7 one waiting", gCat, gHk, "mesh-tools#3", "mesh-catalog#2")
-}
-
-func TestA1803APushAfterAnApprovingReviewHoldsTheNewHead(t *testing.T) {
-	w := greenWithBody(t, reviewedAt(readyHead))
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("setup: the reviewed head is not asked")
-	}
-	// A new head on the same pull request whose description still names the old commit.
-	const pushed2 = "7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a7a"
-	p := pr("novox/app", 7, pushed2, "feat/x", "src/a.go")
-	p.Body = reviewedAt(readyHead)
-	w.h.PullUpdated(p)
-	w.h.Checked(judgedAt("novox/app", 7, pushed2, "pass", "t1t1t1t1t1t1"))
-	w.settleAll()
-	d := w.delivery(IDOf("novox/app", pushed2))
-	if d.Ready == nil || !strings.Contains(d.Ready.Waits, waitsForReview+shortOf(pushed2, 12)) {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC8: the new head waits %+v; wanted it to wait for a review at %s", d.Ready, shortOf(pushed2, 12))
-	}
-	if len(w.op.open()) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("1803/AC8: the new head was asked on the old review: %v", w.op.open())
-	}
-}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/main.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/main.go
index e7f684b9c..6d86d423a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/main.go
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ func take(h *Holder, e stdio.Envelope) error {
 			h.PullClosed(p)
 		}
 	case "gitea.forge.pull-request.edited":
-		// The description edited after a head was announced (issue 1079): the review record in it is read again.
+		// The description edited after a head was announced (issue 1079): the lines in it are read again.
 		var p PullEvent
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(e.Body, &p); err != nil {
 			h.Refuse(fmt.Errorf("%s is not readable: %v", e.Key, err))
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/model.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/model.go
index c55432500..5ad6a565f 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/model.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/model.go
@@ -96,11 +96,6 @@ type Delivery struct {
 	// Ready is what this owner did with the operator's Approve of its merge into main, and with the merge (novox/hq ADR
 	// 0421, ready.go). The json key is the one the ready mark's record had, so rows written before still read.
 	Ready *ReadyRun `json:"ready,omitempty"`
-	// ReviewedBy and ReviewedAt are the review record its pull request's description holds: the line
-	// `Reviewed-by: <who> at <full sha>` (novox/hq ADR 0421 §5, issue 1022), as written. Read at every head; never a
-	// hold: no Approve is asked until it names the head (novox/hq ADR 0496, issue 1803).
-	ReviewedBy string `json:"reviewed_by,omitempty"`
-	ReviewedAt string `json:"reviewed_at,omitempty"`
 	// PushedBy is the session that pushed its head, as its pull request's description names it in a line
 	// `Pushed-by: <who@node>` (playbook 07): named with its branch when a new head is needed (novox/hq ADR 0505 §5).
 	PushedBy string `json:"pushed_by,omitempty"`
@@ -276,19 +271,6 @@ func sameCommit(a, b string) bool {
 	return len(a) >= 7 && strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(b), strings.ToLower(a))
 }
 
-// reviewedLine is the review record of a pull request's description (novox/hq ADR 0421 §5, issue 1022):
-// `Reviewed-by: <who> at <full sha>`, on a line of its own, who as who@node.
-var reviewedLine = regexp.MustCompile(`(?im)^\s*Reviewed-by:\s*(\S+)\s+at\s+([0-9a-f]{40}|[0-9a-f]{64})\b`)
-
-// ReviewIn reads the review record of a pull request's description: who reviewed and the full sha named. The last such
-// line counts; empty when there is none.
-func ReviewIn(body string) (who, sha string) {
-	for _, m := range reviewedLine.FindAllStringSubmatch(body, -1) {
-		who, sha = m[1], strings.ToLower(m[2])
-	}
-	return who, sha
-}
-
 // pushedLine is the line naming the session that pushed a pull request's head: `Pushed-by: <who@node>` (ADR 0505 §5).
 var pushedLine = regexp.MustCompile(`(?im)^\s*Pushed-by:\s*([A-Za-z0-9_.\-]+(?:@[A-Za-z0-9_.\-]+)?)\s*$`)
 
@@ -314,20 +296,6 @@ func authorOf(d *Delivery) string {
 	return who
 }
 
-// reviewWords is what the delivery's review record says of its head, for the ask: reviewed by whom, or, first, that it
-// is not reviewed at this head (the ask is held then, ADR 0496). ok is whether it is reviewed at this head.
-func reviewWords(d *Delivery) (words string, ok bool) {
-	switch {
-	case d.ReviewedBy == "":
-		return "not reviewed at this head: the description holds no Reviewed-by line", false
-	case !strings.EqualFold(d.ReviewedAt, d.Commit):
-		return fmt.Sprintf("not reviewed at this head: the Reviewed-by line names %s, the head is %s",
-			shortOf(d.ReviewedAt, 12), shortOf(d.Commit, 12)), false
-	}
-	// The router refuses an @ in an ask's words: who@node is said "who on node".
-	return "reviewed by " + strings.Replace(d.ReviewedBy, "@", " on ", 1) + " at " + shortOf(d.Commit, 12), true
-}
-
 // afterLines are the `after: <repository>` lines of a pull request's description.
 var afterLines = regexp.MustCompile(`(?im)^\s*after:\s*([A-Za-z0-9_.\-/]+)\s*$`)
 
@@ -364,9 +332,6 @@ type Group struct {
 	// SaidStatus is the mesh/delivery-group status last written for it: a change of the status a state takes is
 	// written too, though the state did not change (novox/hq issue 902).
 	SaidStatus string `json:"said_status,omitempty"`
-	// SaidReview is the wait for a review last said of the group while it was held for one (ADR 0496 §2): a change of
-	// the members still waiting is said too, though the state did not change.
-	SaidReview string `json:"said_review,omitempty"`
 	// SaidWhy and SaidMembers are the why and the member ids (each names its head) last said: a member joining, leaving or
 	// pushing, or a count in the why moving, is said too, though the state did not change (2026-10-30: a group of four
 	// said "3 of 3 member(s) ready" for ten minutes, and the member that joined had no mesh/delivery-group at all).
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ready.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ready.go
index d02dd1f4f..442593248 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ready.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ready.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import (
 //   - a check that failed merges nothing: it is said once on the pull request, and as a stalled line, which the
 //     gate says to the operator as a condition (conditions.go). So is a merge the tool refused for an hour.
 //
-// The review record is read and put in the ask; it is never a gate (ADR 0421 §5). What this owner does is kept on the
+// No part reads a pull request's description to gate anything (novox/hq ADR 0493 §6, ADR 0659). What this owner does is kept on the
 // delivery (Ready), said in its log, and the merge's transitions name the Approve as their warrant.
 
 // readyRefusedFor is how long the merge tool may refuse an approved head before it is said as stalled: none (issue 1115) —
@@ -266,14 +266,7 @@ func (h *Holder) readyAsks(now time.Time) []func() {
 		r.Failed = ""
 		waits := h.readyWaits(d)
 		if waits != r.Waits {
-			wasHeld := d.holdsForReview()
 			r.Waits = waits
-			if (wasHeld || d.holdsForReview()) && d.shownOnItsPullRequest() {
-				// The status and the view say what it waits for, again whenever the words change while held, and no more once asked.
-				state, desc := statusOf(d)
-				d.owe(Effect{Kind: EffectView, Since: now})
-				d.owe(Effect{Kind: EffectStatus, Commit: d.Commit, Context: "mesh/delivery", State: state, Line: desc, Since: now})
-			}
 			if waits != "" {
 				h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] %s waits: %s", d.ID, waits)
 			}
@@ -438,13 +431,6 @@ func (h *Holder) readyWaits(d *Delivery) string {
 	default:
 		return "its check has not passed yet (" + string(d.State) + ")"
 	}
-	// ADR 0496 §1, §2: the Approve is asked only for heads with a review recorded at them. An ask already raised or
-	// answered is not touched (covering).
-	if h.covering(d) == nil {
-		if w := h.reviewWaits(d); w != "" {
-			return w
-		}
-	}
 	// On mesh/check, the checker's verdict at exactly the heads the ask covers (issue 1302, ADR 0447 §2).
 	if w := h.checkerWaits(d); w != "" {
 		return w
@@ -455,18 +441,13 @@ func (h *Holder) readyWaits(d *Delivery) string {
 	return h.groupTurnToMerge(d)
 }
 
-// ungatedWaits is readyWaits while mesh/check gates no merge (check-gates-merge false): a ready delivery waits only for its
-// review at its head, and a group member for every member to be ready; no verdict, composed check or trunk is waited on,
+// ungatedWaits is readyWaits while mesh/check gates no merge (check-gates-merge false): a ready delivery waits for nothing but
+// a group member for every member to be ready; no verdict, composed check or trunk is waited on,
 // so the Approve is asked at once.
 func (h *Holder) ungatedWaits(d *Delivery) string {
 	if d.State != Ready {
 		return "it is " + string(d.State) + ", not ready yet"
 	}
-	if h.covering(d) == nil {
-		if w := h.reviewWaits(d); w != "" {
-			return w
-		}
-	}
 	if g := h.groups[d.Group]; d.Group != "" && g != nil {
 		for _, m := range h.membersOf(g) {
 			if m.State != Ready && m.State != Merged {
@@ -475,7 +456,7 @@ func (h *Holder) ungatedWaits(d *Delivery) string {
 		}
 	}
 	// No verdict is waited on (the operator, 2026-11-07: "we aren't running any checks anymore, we're delivering"): while
-	// the check gates no merge, the Approve is asked once the delivery is reviewed and ready; a verdict that comes later
+	// the check gates no merge, the Approve is asked once the delivery is ready; a verdict that comes later
 	// is shown on the pull request and the delivery, as before.
 	return ""
 }
@@ -496,35 +477,6 @@ func (h *Holder) verdictWaits(d *Delivery) string {
 	return waitsCheckBeforeAsking + c.Words
 }
 
-// waitsForReview is how a hold for a review begins, as the delivery's state and its mesh/delivery status say it.
-const waitsForReview = "waits for a review at "
-
-// reviewWaits is why the Approve is not asked yet for want of a review (novox/hq ADR 0496, issue 1803): a delivery
-// whose description holds no review line, `pending` or a line naming another commit, and for a group any member so.
-// Empty when every delivery the ask covers is reviewed at its head. Under the lock.
-func (h *Holder) reviewWaits(d *Delivery) string {
-	members := h.askMembers(d)
-	var waiting []string
-	for _, m := range members {
-		if _, ok := reviewWords(m); ok {
-			continue
-		}
-		if len(members) == 1 {
-			return waitsForReview + shortOf(m.Commit, 12)
-		}
-		waiting = append(waiting, "at "+shortOf(m.Commit, 12)+" ("+pullSaid(m)+")")
-	}
-	if len(waiting) == 0 {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return waitsForReview + strings.Join(waiting, " and ")[len("at "):]
-}
-
-// holdsForReview is whether a delivery's wait is the hold for a review.
-func (d *Delivery) holdsForReview() bool {
-	return d.Ready != nil && strings.HasPrefix(d.Ready.Waits, waitsForReview)
-}
-
 // groupTurnToMerge is why a group member may not merge yet; empty when it may: the group's composed check passed for
 // its members' heads as they are and is not out of date. No member waits for another's merge or delivery (novox/hq
 // ADR 0418 §4): once the composed check passed and the Approve covers the heads, every member is merged in one pass.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
index 076895920..7abc79052 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
@@ -87,14 +87,14 @@ func (h *Holder) Show(id string) (any, error) {
 			out["machines"] = m
 		}
 		if g := h.groups[d.Group]; g != nil {
-			state, why, _ := h.groupState(g, h.membersOf(g))
+			state, why := GroupState(g, h.membersOf(g))
 			out["group"] = map[string]any{"group": g, "state": state, "why": why}
 		}
 		return out, nil
 	}
 	if g := h.groups[id]; g != nil {
 		members := h.membersOf(g)
-		state, why, _ := h.groupState(g, members)
+		state, why := GroupState(g, members)
 		return map[string]any{"group": g, "state": state, "why": why, "members": members, "check-gates-merge": h.checkGates()}, nil
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("no delivery or group %q: `deliveries` lists them", id)
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func (h *Holder) Groups(all bool) []GroupLine {
 		if len(members) == 0 {
 			continue
 		}
-		state, why, _ := h.groupState(g, members)
+		state, why := GroupState(g, members)
 		if !all && (state == GroupMerged || state == GroupClosed) {
 			continue
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
index 736144095..0efb57769 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
     },
     "check-gates-merge": {
       "type": "boolean",
-      "description": "Whether mesh/check gates the merge. True (the default): the operator's Approve is asked, and a merge handed, only on a passing verdict judged against the trunk's head, and a trunk's move puts a verdict out of date (ADR 0447, ADR 0505 §4). False (the operator, 2026-10-25 22:56: \"run the check locally only, but not as a gate, it loses us too much time\"; developers run the unit and integration levels locally before a pull request): a pull request reviewed at its head is ready, and its Approve is asked once the check at its heads (a group: of all its heads together) has a verdict, a pass or a failure said in the ask, or after 60 minutes with none, said so (the operator, 2026-10-27 23:54: \"if you don't want me to approve it, don't send the approval request\"); an approved merge waits for no verdict; no merge is refused for a check judged on an older trunk; a later verdict is shown on the pull request and the delivery, and asks a pending Approve again in its words; a group still merges all its members in one pass. Set it false together with the gitea module's check-gates-merge, which lets its merge tool merge an approved head without a passing mesh/check.",
+      "description": "Whether mesh/check gates the merge. True (the default): the operator's Approve is asked, and a merge handed, only on a passing verdict judged against the trunk's head, and a trunk's move puts a verdict out of date (ADR 0447, ADR 0505 §4). False (the operator, 2026-10-25 22:56: \"run the check locally only, but not as a gate, it loses us too much time\"; developers run the unit and integration levels locally before a pull request): a ready pull request (no review line is waited for, ADR 0659) has its Approve is asked once the check at its heads (a group: of all its heads together) has a verdict, a pass or a failure said in the ask, or after 60 minutes with none, said so (the operator, 2026-10-27 23:54: \"if you don't want me to approve it, don't send the approval request\"); an approved merge waits for no verdict; no merge is refused for a check judged on an older trunk; a later verdict is shown on the pull request and the delivery, and asks a pending Approve again in its words; a group still merges all its members in one pass. Set it false together with the gitea module's check-gates-merge, which lets its merge tool merge an approved head without a passing mesh/check.",
       "trusted": false,
       "default": true
     }