Hold only the module whose bus account nobody issued, never the whole node (issue 203)

The 1585 group's refusal turned one unissued account into a refusal of the node's whole
composition: novox's mesh-hand-acts, which the vault had minted but the controller's store
does not hold, stopped every take-in on the machine that runs the bus. The module is now held
out of the composition alone, in issue 203's words, and the rest composes; no placeholder is
sealed. A held module of the former form keeps the node's own composition as last written, so
the node-engine never removes it.

Counting the vault's accounts as issued needs the controller to read mesh-vault.bus-accounts,
which mesh-sdk's named readers give to the grants part alone (ADR 0547 clause 9): not built here.

Controller research piece: none moved; this narrows a refusal in the composition the controller
hands over (blocking-fault recovery).

Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01NcbgfJ9Gum47zkFKWRaovL

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_perform.go

@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func perform(ctx context.Context, open *stores, in *meshInput, node string, d co
 	}
 
 	// The node's own secrets: a module's superuser password, an administrator, an account. A bus credential nobody issued is
-	// refused before this (unissuedBusCredential), a given value under an old key by the composition.
+	// held out of the composition before this (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts), a given value under an old key by the composition.
 	for _, one := range d.StoodIn {
 		module, name, ok := strings.Cut(one, "/")
 		if !ok || strings.Contains(one, " ") {

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk.go

@@ -184,11 +184,10 @@ func composeQuestion(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, mode compos
 	if err := refusedBus(in, node); err != nil {
 		return sendable{}, nil, err
 	}
-	if err := unissuedBusCredential(in, node, d); err != nil {
+	held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, node, &d)
-		return sendable{}, nil, err
-	}
 	sayFound(ctx, d)
 	out := sendableOf(d)
+	out.heldForCredential = held
 	out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 	if !withOrder {
 		out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0
@@ -215,12 +214,19 @@ func refusedBus(in *meshInput, node string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// unissuedBusCredential refuses a composition that stands in for a bus credential nobody issued: the module's `broker` own
+// holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts holds out of d every module that stands in for a bus credential nobody issued: the module's
-// secret (its account `<node>.<module>`) or the provisioner client's (`provisioner.<node>`). A bus credential is minted by
+// `broker` own secret (its account `<node>.<module>`) or the provisioner client's (`provisioner.<node>`). A bus credential is
-// `module issue`, never invented: a send that made one would seal a placeholder its process cannot read (novox/hq issue
+// minted, never invented: a send that made one would seal a placeholder its process cannot read (novox/hq issue 203).
-// 203). mesh-sdk's composition stands one in, in the Foreseeing mode, since a node's answer to a proposal is asked before
+// mesh-sdk's composition stands one in, in the Foreseeing mode, since a node's answer to a proposal is asked before the vault
-// the vault mints it (mesh-sdk #141, issue 774), so the send refuses it here, in the words the composition used to.
+// mints it (mesh-sdk #141, issue 774).
-func unissuedBusCredential(in *meshInput, node string, d compose.Declared) error {
+//
+// **That one module is held, never the node.** Its resources, its stand-ins and its build leave this composition, it is named
+// among the left out with issue 203's words (said where the composition's other lines go), and the rest of the node composes:
+// a refusal of the whole node stopped every take-in on the machine that runs the bus for one account (2026-11-01, novox's
+// mesh-hand-acts, which the vault had in fact minted; the controller cannot read the vault's accounts yet, so such a module
+// stays held until its account is in the controller's store). The modules held are answered, sorted.
+func holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in *meshInput, node string, d *compose.Declared) []string {
+	why := map[string]string{}
 	for _, one := range d.StoodIn {
 		module, name, ok := strings.Cut(one, "/")
 		if !ok || strings.Contains(one, " ") {
@@ -235,13 +241,53 @@ func unissuedBusCredential(in *meshInput, node string, d compose.Declared) error
 		default:
 			continue
 		}
-		if !slices.Contains(in.Input.BusMinted, user) {
+		if _, said := why[module]; said || slices.Contains(in.Input.BusMinted, user) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s has no bus credential: nothing was issued for %s, and a push would seal a "+
+			continue
-				"placeholder its process cannot read (novox/hq issue 203). `module issue %s --node %s`, then push again",
+		}
-				module, node, user, module, node)
+		why[module] = fmt.Sprintf("it has no bus credential: nothing was issued for %s, and a push would seal a placeholder "+
+			"its process cannot read (novox/hq issue 203). `module issue %s --node %s`, then push again", user, module, node)
+	}
+	if len(why) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	held := make([]string, 0, len(why))
+	for module := range why {
+		held = append(held, module)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(held)
+	ofHeld := func(s string) bool {
+		module, _, _ := strings.Cut(s, "/")
+		_, out := why[module]
+		return out
+	}
+	kept := d.Resources[:0:0]
+	for _, r := range d.Resources {
+		module := d.ModuleOf[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])]
+		if module == "" {
+			module, _ = r["module"].(string)
+		}
+		if _, out := why[module]; !out {
+			kept = append(kept, r)
 		}
 	}
-	return nil
+	d.Resources = kept
+	d.StoodIn = slices.DeleteFunc(d.StoodIn, ofHeld)
+	d.Foreseen = slices.DeleteFunc(d.Foreseen, ofHeld)
+	d.Modules = slices.DeleteFunc(d.Modules, func(m string) bool { _, out := why[m]; return out })
+	if d.LeftOutWhy == nil {
+		d.LeftOutWhy = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	for _, module := range held {
+		delete(d.BuildIDs, module)
+		d.LeftOutWhy[module] = why[module]
+		if !slices.Contains(d.LeftOut, module) {
+			d.LeftOut = append(d.LeftOut, module)
+		}
+		d.Said = append(d.Said, fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is held out of %s's composition, and the rest of %s composes: %s",
+			module, node, node, node, why[module]))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(d.LeftOut)
+	return held
 }
 
 // markUnresolvable is an error of a node whose own set does not compose, as planFor marked it.
@@ -288,10 +334,9 @@ func composeSendValidated(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (senda
 		if err := refusedBus(in, node); err != nil {
 			return sendable{}, nil, err
 		}
-		// Before perform makes what the composition stands in for: a bus credential is never one of them.
+		// Before perform makes what the composition stands in for: a bus credential is never one of them. The module
-		if err := unissuedBusCredential(in, node, d); err != nil {
+		// whose account nobody issued is held out of this composition, and the rest of the node composes.
-			return sendable{}, nil, err
+		held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, node, &d)
-		}
 		if len(byController) > 0 {
 			if d, problems, err = sealedByTheController(in, node, d, byController); err != nil {
 				return sendable{}, nil, err
@@ -308,6 +353,7 @@ func composeSendValidated(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (senda
 		if len(left) == 0 && len(in.wouldMake) == 0 {
 			sayFound(ctx, d)
 			out := sendableOf(d)
+			out.heldForCredential = held
 			out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 			// The sender stamps the order it allots (order.stamp); a composition for a send carries none of its own.
 			out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
 
 // A declaration as the SDK composes it is the one the controller sends, byte for byte, whatever it carries: the body is the
@@ -85,3 +86,73 @@ func TestADeclarationThatStandsInForAValueIsStillForeseen(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 2026-11-01 (issue 203's refusal after the 1585 group): a module standing in for a bus account nobody issued is held out of
+// the composition, alone; the rest of the node composes, with no stand-in left. An issued account holds nothing. And a held
+// module with no fingerprint of the new form keeps the node's own composition as last written.
+func TestAnUnissuedBusAccountHoldsItsModuleAloneAndNeverTheNode(t *testing.T) {
+	declared := func() compose.Declared {
+		return compose.Declared{
+			Resources: []map[string]any{
+				{"id": "hands.broker", "type": "file", "sealed": catalogue.ForeseenSealed},
+				{"id": "hands.unit", "type": "service"},
+				{"id": "client.broker", "type": "file", "sealed": catalogue.ForeseenSealed},
+				{"id": "web.config", "type": "file", "content": "ok"},
+			},
+			ModuleOf: map[string]string{"hands.broker": "hands", "hands.unit": "hands", "client.broker": "client",
+				"web.config": "web"},
+			BuildIDs: map[string]string{"hands": "b-1", "client": "b-2", "web": "b-3"},
+			Modules:  []string{"client", "hands", "web"},
+			StoodIn:  []string{"hands/broker", "client/" + compose.ProvisionerSecret},
+			Foreseen: []string{"hands/broker", "client/" + compose.ProvisionerSecret},
+		}
+	}
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		minted []string
+		held   []string
+	}{
+		"issued by nobody":            {held: []string{"client", "hands"}},
+		"the module's account issued": {minted: []string{"anchor.hands"}, held: []string{"client"}},
+		"both issued":                 {minted: []string{"anchor.hands", "provisioner.anchor"}},
+	} {
+		in := &meshInput{Input: compose.Input{BusMinted: c.minted}}
+		d := declared()
+		held := holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts(in, "anchor", &d)
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(held, c.held) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: held %v, want %v", name, held, c.held)
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(c.held) < 2 {
+			continue // an issued account's stand-in is the send's to make (perform), not this one's
+		}
+		if left := stillForeseen(d); len(left) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the rest of the node still stands in for %v", name, left)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(d.Modules, []string{"web"}) || len(d.Resources) != 1 || d.BuildIDs["hands"] != "" {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the rest of the node is not what composes: %v %v %v", name, d.Modules, d.Resources, d.BuildIDs)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(d.LeftOut, []string{"client", "hands"}) ||
+			!strings.Contains(d.LeftOutWhy["hands"], "module issue hands --node anchor") ||
+			!strings.Contains(d.LeftOutWhy["client"], "provisioner.anchor") || len(d.Said) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the held modules are not said in issue 203's words: %v %v %v", name, d.LeftOut, d.LeftOutWhy, d.Said)
+		}
+	}
+
+	own, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey("anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		fps     map[string]string
+		keepOwn bool
+	}{
+		"a held module of the new form":    {fps: map[string]string{"hands": sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + "x"}, keepOwn: true},
+		"a held module of the former form": {fps: map[string]string{}},
+	} {
+		comps := map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed{own: {Node: "anchor"}}
+		said := withoutNodeOwnForHeld("anchor", comps, c.fps, []string{"hands"})
+		if _, kept := comps[own]; kept != c.keepOwn || (said == "") != c.keepOwn {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the node's own composition kept %v (want %v), said %q", name, kept, c.keepOwn, said)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_live.go

@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ func composeModulesByNode(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) (ma
 				errsOf[node] = append(errsOf[node], fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", node, err))
 				return
 			}
+			if out := withoutNodeOwnForHeld(node, comps, fps, declared.heldForCredential); out != "" {
+				fmt.Printf("compositions: %s\n", out)
+			}
 			if len(moved) > 0 {
 				fmt.Printf("compositions: %s's %s compose with the node's own: no fingerprint of the new form names them\n",
 					node, strings.Join(moved, ", "))

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_writer.go

@@ -486,3 +486,29 @@ func controllerSigner(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (func(sdkdelivery.Compo
 		return sdkdelivery.SignComposedBy(c, public, func(m []byte) ([]byte, error) { return ident.Sign(ctx, m) })
 	}, nil
 }
+
+// withoutNodeOwnForHeld takes the node's own composition out of comps when a module held for a bus credential nobody
+// issued (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts) has no fingerprint of the new form: its resources would have been in the node's own,
+// and the node's own written without them would have the node-engine remove a module that may be running. The node's
+// own stays as last written; every module's composition is written. Answers what it said, "" when nothing was taken.
+func withoutNodeOwnForHeld(node string, comps map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed, fps map[string]string, held []string) string {
+	var old []string
+	for _, module := range held {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(fps[module], sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+			old = append(old, module)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(old) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	own, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if _, ok := comps[own]; !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	delete(comps, own)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s's own composition is not written this pass: %s, held for a bus account nobody issued, would "+
+		"leave it, and the node-engine would remove what may be running", node, strings.Join(old, ", "))
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/credential_on_assign_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -39,17 +40,23 @@ func TestAssigningAModuleThatSpeaksOnTheBusNamesItsCredential(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("an assignment whose credential could not be issued does not name the verb:\n%s", said)
 	}
 
-	// And the push refuses to send it, naming the same verb, rather than sealing a placeholder.
+	// And the push holds talker out, naming the same verb, rather than sealing a placeholder; the rest of the
+	// machine composes (2026-11-01: one unissued account refused the whole node that runs the bus).
 	plan, settings, err := resolveNode(ctx, open, "laptop")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	_, err = declarationFor(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings)
+	held, err := declarationFor(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings)
-	if err == nil {
+	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal("a push sealed a placeholder where talker's bus credential belongs")
+		t.Fatalf("one unissued account refused the whole machine: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "module issue talker --node laptop") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "issue 203") {
+	why := held.leftOutWhy["talker"]
-		t.Fatalf("the refusal does not say what to run: %v", err)
+	if !slices.Contains(held.LeftOut, "talker") || !strings.Contains(why, "module issue talker --node laptop") ||
+		!strings.Contains(why, "issue 203") {
+		t.Fatalf("talker is not held out in issue 203's words: %v %q", held.LeftOut, why)
+	}
+	if body, err := held.Body(); err != nil || strings.Contains(string(body), catalogue.ForeseenSealed) {
+		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder where talker's bus credential belongs: %v\n%s", err, body)
 	}
 
 	// Once the user is minted, the push goes on to the credential the mesh sealed, and re-assigning

cmd/mesh-controller/provisioner_account_integration_test.go

@@ -27,9 +27,10 @@ func TestTheProvisionerClientsAccountIsIssuedForItsServiceAndNeverInvented(t *te
 		Username: "laptop.mesh-provisioner", Kind: inventory.BusModule, Node: "laptop", Module: "mesh-provisioner"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	// The composition refuses it in the send's words (mesh-sdk's go/compose: TestTheSendsRefusalsAreRefusedInTheSendsWords).
+	// The composition holds the module out in the send's words, and composes the rest of the machine.
-	if _, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "provisioner.laptop") {
+	if held, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil ||
-		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder for the client's account before it was issued: %v", err)
+		!strings.Contains(held.leftOutWhy[m.Module], "provisioner.laptop") {
+		t.Fatalf("a push would seal a placeholder for the client's account before it was issued: %v %v", err, held.leftOutWhy)
 	}
 
 	if err := issueProvisionerClient(ctx, inv, m, "laptop", broker.Broker{Fingerprint: "ab"}, "10.0.0.1:4222"); err != nil {
@@ -45,8 +46,9 @@ func TestTheProvisionerClientsAccountIsIssuedForItsServiceAndNeverInvented(t *te
 	if !slices.ContainsFunc(states, func(s inventory.SecretState) bool { return s.Name == broker.ProvisionerSecret }) {
 		t.Fatalf("the client's account is not sealed to the machine for its service: %+v", states)
 	}
-	if _, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil && strings.Contains(err.Error(), "provisioner.laptop") {
+	if held, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, "laptop", compose.Foreseeing, false); err != nil ||
-		t.Fatalf("an issued client account is refused: %v", err)
+		slices.Contains(held.heldForCredential, m.Module) {
+		t.Fatalf("an issued client account is held: %v %v", err, held.leftOutWhy)
 	}
 	if !runsTheProvisionerClient(m) {
 		t.Fatal("the module is not read as running the client")

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ type sendable struct {
 	LeftOut []string
 	// leftOutWhy is why each was, for push and plan to say; never on the wire.
 	leftOutWhy map[string]string
+	// heldForCredential are the modules held out because their bus account was issued by nobody
+	// (holdBackUnissuedBusAccounts), sorted; never on the wire.
+	heldForCredential []string
 	// withheld is every consumer this machine's grants leave out, because its identity overflows the
 	// provision's bound (novox/hq ADR 0225); for push and plan to say, never on the wire.
 	withheld []catalogue.Overflow