diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/bus_step.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/bus_step.go
index e13854d..94ee7c2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/bus_step.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/bus_step.go
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func busCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	fmt.Printf("bus upgrade %d: %s %s → %s on %s; streams snapshotted at %s; %s\n", step.ID, b.module, step.From,
 		short(b.to), strings.Join(moving, ", "), where, map[bool]string{true: "reversible: putting the old build back undoes it",
 			false: "NOT reversible: the snapshot is the only way back"}[*reversible])
-	sent, err := sendRollout(withBusStep(ctx), open, moving)
+	sent, err := sendRollout(withBusStep(withScope(ctx, sendScope{person: true})), open, moving)
 	if err != nil {
 		_ = inv.EndBusStep(ctx, step.ID, "failed", "the send was refused: "+err.Error())
 		return fmt.Errorf("the bus's machine could not be sent its new build: %w — nothing was replaced", err)
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
index 6fa4936..4316ac8 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ var gatherGateFacts = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, component string)
 	} else {
 		f.servedErr = errors.New("this process does not serve the mesh, so it cannot ask the bus who serves what")
 	}
-	if component == lease.ComponentController {
+	if theLease != nil {
 		h, found, err := theLease.holder(ctx)
 		switch {
 		case err != nil:
@@ -147,6 +147,9 @@ var gatherGateFacts = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, component string)
 		case found:
 			f.holder = &h
 		}
+		if component != lease.ComponentController && f.holderErr != nil {
+			f.holderErr = nil // read only for the controller's own judging
+		}
 	}
 	return f, nil
 }
@@ -263,12 +266,31 @@ func judgeGate(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module stri
 			To: state.Commit, Since: &start}
 		state.Gate = g
 	}
+	pairs := []judged{}
+	for _, n := range g.Machines {
+		pairs = append(pairs, judged{module: module, node: n})
+	}
+	return judgeMoves(ctx, open, g, pairs, now)
+}
+
+// judged is one module on one machine, as a gate judges it.
+type judged struct{ module, node string }
+
+// judgeMoves takes one judging of a gate over the modules it judges on their machines — its own, and
+// everything the send carried (Carried) — and records it: a pass counted, a pass missed (what is
+// wanting, and which modules), or the verdict. Answers the verdict once there is one.
+func judgeMoves(ctx context.Context, open *stores, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs []judged, now time.Time) (string, error) {
 	if g.Verdict != "" {
 		return g.Verdict, nil
 	}
 	if g.LastPass != nil && now.Sub(*g.LastPass) < gateEvery {
 		return "", nil
 	}
+	for _, c := range g.Carried {
+		if !slices.Contains(pairs, judged{module: c.Module, node: c.Node}) {
+			pairs = append(pairs, judged{module: c.Module, node: c.Node})
+		}
+	}
 	shelf, err := open.inventory.Catalogue(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -278,8 +300,16 @@ func judgeGate(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module stri
 		return "", err
 	}
 	worst, why := healthGood, ""
-	for _, n := range g.Machines {
-		h, said := judgeHealth(module, g.Component, shelf[module], n, *g.Since, facts)
+	var failing []string
+	broken := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, j := range pairs {
+		h, said := judgeHealth(j.module, coreComponent(j.module), shelf[j.module], j.node, *g.Since, facts)
+		if h != healthGood && !slices.Contains(failing, j.module) {
+			failing = append(failing, j.module)
+		}
+		if h == healthBroken {
+			broken[j.module] = true
+		}
 		if h > worst {
 			worst, why = h, said
 		} else if h == worst && h != healthGood && why == "" {
@@ -288,15 +318,17 @@ func judgeGate(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module stri
 	}
 	switch {
 	case worst == healthBroken:
+		// What broke is put back; what was only not yet healthy beside it is too — they moved together.
+		g.Failing = failing
 		decide(g, inventory.GateFailed, why, now)
 	case worst == healthNotYet:
-		g.Passes, g.LastPass, g.Last = 0, nil, why
+		g.Passes, g.LastPass, g.Last, g.Failing = 0, nil, why, failing
 		if now.Sub(*g.Since) > gateBound {
 			decide(g, inventory.GateFailed, fmt.Sprintf("not healthy within %s of its apply: %s", gateBound, why), now)
 		}
 	default:
 		g.Passes++
-		g.LastPass, g.Last = &now, ""
+		g.LastPass, g.Last, g.Failing = &now, "", nil
 		if g.Passes >= gatePasses && now.Sub(*g.Since) >= gateSettle {
 			decide(g, inventory.GatePassed, fmt.Sprintf("healthy %d times over %s", g.Passes,
 				now.Sub(*g.Since).Round(time.Second)), now)
@@ -320,6 +352,7 @@ func gatePassed(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module str
 	if err != nil && state.Build != "" {
 		fmt.Printf("%s: %s passed its gate, and the verdict could not be kept: %v\n", p.ID, module, err)
 	}
+	passCarried(ctx, open, p, g, module)
 	fmt.Printf("%s: %s passed its gate on %s (%s); the rest are sent\n", p.ID, module,
 		strings.Join(g.Machines, ", "), g.Why)
 	if module == catalogue.ControllerSeatName {
@@ -443,7 +476,7 @@ func gateFailed(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module str
 	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("%s: the plan could not be kept before %s is put back: %v\n", p.ID, module, err)
 	}
-	sent, err := sendRollout(ctx, open, g.Machines)
+	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{module: true}}), open, g.Machines)
 	if err != nil {
 		notBack(fmt.Sprintf("its registered build is back at %s, and sending it to %s was refused: %v — `push %s` "+
 			"sends it", short(previous.Commit), strings.Join(g.Machines, ", "), err, g.Machines[0]))
@@ -553,6 +586,8 @@ func probeGates(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error
 			out = append(out, witnessObservation(node, r))
 		}
 	}
+	// A release held after a failed one, while builds still wait for a gate (ADR 0236).
+	out = append(out, backlogObservation()...)
 	return sortedFound(dedupeObservations(out)), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/healers.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/healers.go
index e77eb2d..a7471a7 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/healers.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/healers.go
@@ -614,6 +614,9 @@ func lastReportOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (i
 // planStale is why a plan's wait is superseded or finished, and the state closing it leaves it in; empty
 // when it is neither, which is not H2's to repair.
 func planStale(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, p inventory.Plan) (state, why string, err error) {
+	if p.Release != nil {
+		return "", "", nil // a release plan walks machines, and its own gate says when it is done (ADR 0236)
+	}
 	recent, err := inv.RecentPlans(ctx, 50)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", "", err
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back.go
index 22da1e3..fc22083 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back.go
@@ -120,6 +120,10 @@ func heldMachines(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) (map[string
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	for _, node := range names {
 		plan, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, node)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -133,7 +137,25 @@ func heldMachines(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) (map[string
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		if why := heldBack(node, modules, sent, known, current, plans); len(why) > 0 {
+		// A rebuild that put the same thing on the machine is no move (ADR 0236): read as the build it
+		// runs.
+		same := map[string]string{}
+		for m, was := range sent {
+			same[m] = was
+			if f.identical(m, was, current[m].Commit) {
+				same[m] = current[m].Commit
+			}
+		}
+		why := heldBack(node, modules, same, known, current, plans)
+		// And a build no gate has seen is not carried by a send that does not judge it (ADR 0236).
+		for _, mv := range f.moves(node, modules, same, known, false) {
+			if planStillToSend(plans, mv.Module, node) == "" {
+				why = append(why, fmt.Sprintf("%s would move from %s to %s, which has passed no gate yet — a release "+
+					"plan sends it, one machine at a time, judged", mv.Module, buildName(mv.From), buildName(mv.To)))
+			}
+		}
+		if len(why) > 0 {
+			sort.Strings(why)
 			out[node] = why
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back_test.go
index bccf4ec..0507b64 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_back_test.go
@@ -264,7 +264,8 @@ func TestANamedPushLeavesAMachineAPolicyHoldsBack(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the push did not say both:\n%s", said.String())
 	}
 
-	// A policy that rolls out: the laptop is a consequence like any other, and sent.
+	// A policy that rolls out, and a build no gate has seen: still held — a cascade does not judge it
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0236).
 	if err := inv.SetUpgradeOf(ctx, "resolver", inventory.Upgrade{RollOut: true}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -273,6 +274,19 @@ func TestANamedPushLeavesAMachineAPolicyHoldsBack(t *testing.T) {
 		compose, d, "", &said); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	if len(d.declared) != 0 || !strings.Contains(said.String(), "has passed no gate yet") {
+		t.Fatalf("a cascade carried a build no gate has seen: %v\n%s", d.declared, said.String())
+	}
+	// Once it passed a gate on some machine, the laptop is a consequence like any other, and sent.
+	if err := inv.RecordGate(ctx, inventory.GateVerdict{Build: "build-c2", Module: "resolver", Commit: "c2c2c2c2c2",
+		Machines: []string{"anchor"}, Verdict: inventory.GatePassed}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	said.Reset()
+	if _, err := flushBehind(ctx, open, mustNodes(t, open), map[string]bool{"anchor": true, "spare": true},
+		compose, d, "", &said); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(d.declared, []string{"laptop"}) || digestOfLaptop() == before {
 		t.Fatalf("a rolled-out upgrade's machine was not sent: %v\n%s", d.declared, said.String())
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/push.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/push.go
index f8aa3f4..fba0f7b 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/push.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/push.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"slices"
 	"context"
 	"crypto/sha256"
 	"encoding/hex"
@@ -466,6 +467,28 @@ func pushCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			which, len(asked), strings.Join(asked, ", "))
 	}
 
+	// **A whole-mesh push sends no build a gate has not seen** (novox/hq ADR 0236): a machine where one
+	// waits is left, named, for the release plan — `push <node>` still sends one machine by a person's word.
+	if len(args) == 0 {
+		f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, inv)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		var kept []string
+		for _, n := range asked {
+			moves, err := machineMoves(ctx, open, f, n, false)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if len(moves) > 0 {
+				fmt.Printf("  %s is left: %d build(s) wait there for a gate, which a release plan sends one machine "+
+					"at a time (`upgrade backlog` lists them; `push %s` sends it by name)\n", n, len(moves), n)
+				continue
+			}
+			kept = append(kept, n)
+		}
+		asked = kept
+	}
 	// **The bus is replaced only as a planned step** (novox/hq ADR 0236, to-be 45 §8): a machine whose bus
 	// would move is not sent by a push — named, it is refused; otherwise it is left and said.
 	busKept, err := busHeld(ctx, inv, asked)
@@ -1030,7 +1053,16 @@ func sendToEach(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, er
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	added := ""
+	if behind && !slices.Contains(names, holder) {
+		added = holder
+	}
 	names = brokerFirst(names, holder, behind)
+	// **No build moves on a machine without a gate** (novox/hq ADR 0236): a send outside its scope that
+	// would carry one is refused, said with what waits; the bus's machine added for its user list is left.
+	if names, err = ungatedIn(ctx, open, names, added); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
 	// Held from composing to sending (novox/hq ADR 0100); a caller that holds them already —
 	// converge, which flips the node and then sends it — is not made to wait on itself.
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..226bad1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go
@@ -0,0 +1,603 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// No build reaches a machine without a gate (novox/hq ADR 0236).
+//
+// **A send carries the machine's whole declaration.** A plan sending one module to its first machine
+// sends every other module whose build moved there too; a cascade, a healer's resend and a whole-mesh
+// push do the same. Under the old default (`record`) builds were registered and sent nowhere, so on the
+// day the default became `roll` every machine was behind on dozens of builds no gate had seen — and the
+// next send of anything would have restarted all of them at once, on every machine.
+//
+// So **a build moves on a machine only through a send that judges it there**, or a person's:
+//
+//   - a gated send — a plan's first machine, a release plan's machine — carries every move waiting on that
+//     machine, and its gate judges each of them; a pass is each build's verdict, a failure puts back what
+//     failed;
+//   - a module a send exists for may move anywhere it is sent: a policy of *together*, a rollback, a build
+//     whose gate already passed;
+//   - a send naming a machine by a person (`push <node>`, the bus step) carries what it carries;
+//   - every other send — a plan's "rest", a cascade, a healer's, the bus's user list carried — is refused,
+//     or leaves the machine, while a move there waits for a gate. A rebuild that made the same artifacts
+//     from the same manifest is no move.
+//
+// **The release plan** is what walks the waiting moves through: whenever moves wait for a gate that no
+// started plan is walking, the mesh opens one — every such machine, one at a time, the control node last,
+// each sent and judged before the next. A release plan that fails stops the next one opening on its own:
+// a person releases it again (`upgrade release-backlog --why`), after the condition says why.
+
+// sendScope is what a send may carry that no gate has seen.
+type sendScope struct {
+	// judged are the machines whose every move this send's gate judges.
+	judged map[string]bool
+	// modules are those a send exists for, which may move wherever it goes.
+	modules map[string]bool
+	// person is a person's act: it carries what it carries.
+	person bool
+}
+
+type sendScopeKey struct{}
+
+func withScope(ctx context.Context, s sendScope) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, sendScopeKey{}, s)
+}
+
+func scopeOf(ctx context.Context) sendScope {
+	s, _ := ctx.Value(sendScopeKey{}).(sendScope)
+	return s
+}
+
+// errUngated is a send refused because it would carry a build no gate has seen.
+var errUngated = errors.New("a build waits there for its gate")
+
+// errWalkedElsewhere is a gated send refused because a plan that has started walks a move there.
+var errWalkedElsewhere = errors.New("a plan already walking a build there sends it")
+
+// moveFacts is what tells a move from a rebuild, and a gated build from one no gate has seen.
+type moveFacts struct {
+	current map[string]inventory.CurrentBuild
+	fps     map[string]map[string]string
+	passed  map[string]map[string]bool
+	plans   []inventory.Plan
+}
+
+func readMoveFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (moveFacts, error) {
+	var f moveFacts
+	var err error
+	if f.current, err = inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx); err != nil {
+		return f, err
+	}
+	if f.fps, err = inv.Fingerprints(ctx); err != nil {
+		return f, err
+	}
+	if f.passed, err = inv.PassedCommits(ctx); err != nil {
+		return f, err
+	}
+	f.plans, err = inv.OpenPlans(ctx)
+	return f, err
+}
+
+// identical is whether two builds of a module put the same thing on a machine: the same commit, or
+// builds that made the same artifacts from the same manifest.
+func (f moveFacts) identical(module, a, b string) bool {
+	if a == b || sameCommit(a, b) {
+		return true
+	}
+	fa := f.fps[module][a]
+	return fa != "" && fa == f.fps[module][b]
+}
+
+// gated is whether a build of a module from this commit — or one identical to it — passed a gate.
+func (f moveFacts) gated(module, commit string) bool {
+	for c := range f.passed[module] {
+		if f.identical(module, c, commit) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// moves is what a machine's next send would move that no gate has seen: modules whose policy rolls out
+// (a recorded one is a person's push), that the machine was sent before, moving to a build not identical
+// to the one it runs and that has passed no gate. A machine whose last send's builds are not known names
+// none: the cascade holds it whole (ADR 0221).
+//
+// With all, a move to a build that passed a gate elsewhere counts too: what a gated send carries.
+func (f moveFacts) moves(node string, modules []string, sent map[string]string, known, all bool) []inventory.CarriedMove {
+	if !known {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var out []inventory.CarriedMove
+	for _, m := range modules {
+		now := f.current[m]
+		was, carried := sent[m]
+		if !now.RollOut || !carried || f.identical(m, was, now.Commit) || (!all && f.gated(m, now.Commit)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, inventory.CarriedMove{Module: m, Node: node, From: was, To: now.Commit})
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].Module < out[j].Module })
+	return out
+}
+
+// walkedBy is the open plan that has started walking a module's build — sent it to a first machine,
+// not yet passed — other than to this machine; empty when none does.
+func (f moveFacts) walkedBy(module, node string) string {
+	for _, p := range f.plans {
+		s, holds := p.Modules[module]
+		if !p.Open() || !holds || s == nil || s.FirstAt == nil || s.SentAt != nil || slices.Contains(s.First, node) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if s.Gate != nil && s.Gate.Verdict == inventory.GatePassed {
+			continue
+		}
+		return p.ID
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// machineMoves is the moves no gate has seen on one machine, read from what it would be sent now.
+var machineMoves = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f moveFacts, node string, all bool) ([]inventory.CarriedMove, error) {
+	plan, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil // it cannot be worked out: the send says why
+	}
+	modules := make([]string, 0, len(plan.Modules))
+	for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+		modules = append(modules, m.Module)
+	}
+	sent, known, err := open.inventory.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return f.moves(node, modules, sent, known, all), nil
+}
+
+// ungatedIn refuses a send whose machines would move a build no gate has seen, outside its scope: the
+// machines named, and why; the machine holding the bus, added only for its user list, is left instead.
+func ungatedIn(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string, addedHolder string) ([]string, error) {
+	scope := scopeOf(ctx)
+	if scope.person {
+		return names, nil
+	}
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var kept, refused []string
+	for _, n := range names {
+		moves, err := machineMoves(ctx, open, f, n, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		var waiting []string
+		for _, mv := range moves {
+			if !scope.judged[n] && !scope.modules[mv.Module] {
+				waiting = append(waiting, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s → %s", mv.Module, short(mv.From), short(mv.To)))
+			}
+		}
+		switch {
+		case len(waiting) == 0:
+			kept = append(kept, n)
+		case n == addedHolder:
+			fmt.Printf("%s holds the bus and its user list changed, and it is not sent now: %s wait there for a gate "+
+				"— the bus may refuse what was newly granted until it is\n", n, strings.Join(waiting, ", "))
+		default:
+			refused = append(refused, fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s)", n, strings.Join(waiting, ", ")))
+		}
+	}
+	if len(refused) > 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s — a release plan sends them, one machine at a time, each judged (novox/hq ADR "+
+			"0236); `upgrade backlog` lists them", errUngated, strings.Join(refused, "; "))
+	}
+	return kept, nil
+}
+
+// gatedSend sends one machine everything waiting there, under a gate that judges it all: what moved is
+// answered, with the build each moved to, for the gate to judge and to put back. Refused while a plan that
+// has started walks one of those builds elsewhere: that plan sends it here once its gate passed.
+func gatedSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, own *inventory.CarriedMove) ([]inventory.CarriedMove, []string, error) {
+	inv := open.inventory
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	moves, err := machineMoves(ctx, open, f, node, true)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	for _, mv := range moves {
+		if own != nil && mv.Module == own.Module {
+			continue
+		}
+		if id := f.walkedBy(mv.Module, node); id != "" {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s's build %s waits on %s, which %s is walking", errWalkedElsewhere,
+				mv.Module, short(mv.To), node, id)
+		}
+	}
+	if own != nil && !slices.ContainsFunc(moves, func(mv inventory.CarriedMove) bool { return mv.Module == own.Module }) {
+		moves = append(moves, *own)
+	}
+	if len(moves) == 0 && own == nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil
+	}
+	for i := range moves {
+		if moves[i].Build == "" {
+			if moves[i].Build, err = inv.BuildOf(ctx, moves[i].Module, moves[i].To); err != nil {
+				return nil, nil, err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{judged: map[string]bool{node: true}}), open, []string{node})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	return moves, sent, nil
+}
+
+// passCarried keeps a pass as the verdict of every build the gate judged beside its own module.
+func passCarried(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, g *inventory.PlanGate, except string) {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, c := range g.Carried {
+		if c.Module == except || c.Build == "" || seen[c.Build] {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[c.Build] = true
+		if err := open.inventory.RecordGate(ctx, inventory.GateVerdict{Build: c.Build, Module: c.Module, Commit: c.To,
+			Previous: c.From, Plan: p.ID, Machines: []string{c.Node}, Verdict: inventory.GatePassed, Why: g.Why,
+			Component: coreComponent(c.Module), JudgingFrom: g.Since}); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s: %s passed its gate on %s, and the verdict could not be kept: %v\n", p.ID, c.Module, c.Node, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// failCarried puts back every build the gate carried that it found wanting, on the machines that were
+// sent it, once each.
+func failCarried(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, g *inventory.PlanGate, except string) {
+	var notes []string
+	if p.Note != "" {
+		notes = append(notes, p.Note)
+	}
+	done := map[string]bool{except: true}
+	for _, c := range g.Carried {
+		if done[c.Module] || (len(g.Failing) > 0 && !slices.Contains(g.Failing, c.Module)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		done[c.Module] = true
+		machines, err := sentTheBuild(ctx, open, c.Module, c.To)
+		if err != nil || len(machines) == 0 {
+			machines = []string{c.Node}
+		}
+		state := &inventory.PlanModule{Build: c.Build, Previous: c.From, Commit: c.To}
+		p.Note = ""
+		gateFailed(ctx, open, p, c.Module, state, machines, g.Why)
+		notes = append(notes, p.Note)
+	}
+	p.State = inventory.PlanFailed
+	p.Note = strings.Join(notes, "; ")
+}
+
+// sentTheBuild is every machine running a module that was last sent this build of it.
+func sentTheBuild(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module, commit string) ([]string, error) {
+	running, err := open.inventory.Running(ctx, module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out []string
+	for _, n := range running {
+		sent, known, err := open.inventory.SentBuilds(ctx, n)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if known && sameCommit(sent[module], commit) {
+			out = append(out, n)
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// releaseRepository is what a release plan says it is for, where a merge's says its repository.
+const releaseRepository = "the builds waiting for a gate"
+
+// releaseHeard is the machines a release plan may send: heard within their heartbeat's bound. A machine
+// away is left, not judged against a bound it cannot meet. A variable so a test says who is heard.
+var releaseHeard = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (map[string]bool, error) {
+	if d := doctorFrom; d != nil && d.watchdogs != nil {
+		return heardMachines(d), nil
+	}
+	reports, err := open.inventory.LastReports(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range reports {
+		if r.At != nil && time.Since(*r.At) < 15*time.Minute {
+			out[r.Node] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// backlogNow is what the newest look found waiting, for `upgrade backlog` and the gate's probe.
+var backlogNow struct {
+	held    string
+	waiting map[string][]inventory.CarriedMove
+}
+
+// waitingMoves is every machine's moves no gate has seen and no started plan walks.
+func waitingMoves(ctx context.Context, open *stores, all bool) (map[string][]inventory.CarriedMove, error) {
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	nodes, err := open.inventory.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string][]inventory.CarriedMove{}
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		moves, err := machineMoves(ctx, open, f, n.Name, all)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, mv := range moves {
+			if f.walkedBy(mv.Module, n.Name) == "" {
+				out[n.Name] = append(out[n.Name], mv)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// releaseBacklog opens a release plan when builds wait for a gate and none is open; not after a release
+// plan failed, until a person releases one (by). Called with the plans held.
+func releaseBacklog(ctx context.Context, open *stores, by string) (*inventory.Plan, error) {
+	inv := open.inventory
+	plans, err := inv.OpenPlans(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for _, p := range plans {
+		if p.Release != nil {
+			if by != "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is already releasing what waits; `plans %s` says where it is", p.ID, p.ID)
+			}
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+	}
+	waiting, err := waitingMoves(ctx, open, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	backlogNow.waiting, backlogNow.held = waiting, ""
+	if len(waiting) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	// Opened by what no gate has seen; it walks every machine where anything of the release waits — a
+	// build that passed on the first machine still goes to the next one by this plan, judged there too.
+	if waiting, err = waitingMoves(ctx, open, true); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if by == "" {
+		recent, err := inv.RecentPlans(ctx, 50)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, p := range recent {
+			if p.Release == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			if p.State == inventory.PlanFailed {
+				backlogNow.held = fmt.Sprintf("%s failed (%s); what waits is released again by a person", p.ID, p.Note)
+				return nil, nil
+			}
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	heard, err := releaseHeard(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	controllers, err := inv.Running(ctx, catalogue.ControllerSeatName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var order, last []string
+	modules := map[string]bool{}
+	for node, moves := range waiting {
+		if !heard[node] {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, mv := range moves {
+			modules[mv.Module] = true
+		}
+		if slices.Contains(controllers, node) {
+			last = append(last, node)
+		} else {
+			order = append(order, node)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(order)+len(last) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	sort.Strings(order)
+	sort.Strings(last)
+	order = append(order, last...)
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(modules))
+	for m := range modules {
+		names = append(names, m)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	p := inventory.Plan{ID: fmt.Sprintf("release-%d", now.UnixNano()), Repository: releaseRepository,
+		Created: now, State: inventory.PlanRolling, Tiers: [][]string{names}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{},
+		Release: &inventory.PlanRelease{Order: order, By: by},
+		Note: fmt.Sprintf("%d build(s) wait for a gate on %s; one machine at a time, each judged", len(names),
+			strings.Join(order, ", "))}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", p.ID, p.Note)
+	return &p, nil
+}
+
+// advanceRelease takes one step of a release plan: the next machine sent everything waiting there under a
+// gate, or the machine being judged judged once more; the plan done when every machine is.
+func advanceRelease(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan) (bool, error) {
+	r := p.Release
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	if r.Gate == nil {
+		heard, err := releaseHeard(ctx, open)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+		for r.Next < len(r.Order) {
+			node := r.Order[r.Next]
+			if !heard[node] {
+				r.Skipped = append(r.Skipped, node)
+				r.Next++
+				continue
+			}
+			moves, sent, err := gatedSend(ctx, open, node, nil)
+			if errors.Is(err, errWalkedElsewhere) {
+				note := fmt.Sprintf("waiting before %s: %v", node, err)
+				changed := p.Note != note
+				p.Note = note
+				return changed, nil
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, fmt.Errorf("sending %s what waits there: %w", node, err)
+			}
+			if len(moves) == 0 {
+				r.Done = append(r.Done, node)
+				r.Next++
+				continue
+			}
+			r.Gate = &inventory.PlanGate{Machines: sent, Since: &now, Carried: moves}
+			p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("sent %s %d build(s) that waited for a gate; judging them there", node, len(moves))
+			fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", p.ID, p.Note)
+			return true, nil
+		}
+		p.State, p.Tier = inventory.PlanDone, len(p.Tiers)
+		p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("released on %s", orNone(strings.Join(r.Done, ", ")))
+		if len(r.Skipped) > 0 {
+			p.Note += "; not heard from, left as they were: " + strings.Join(r.Skipped, ", ")
+		}
+		return true, nil
+	}
+	g := r.Gate
+	verdict, err := judgeMoves(ctx, open, g, nil, now)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	switch verdict {
+	case "":
+		note := fmt.Sprintf("judging %s: %s", strings.Join(g.Machines, ", "), gateLine(g))
+		changed := p.Note != note
+		p.Note = note
+		return changed, nil
+	case inventory.GatePassed:
+		passCarried(ctx, open, p, g, "")
+		r.Done = append(r.Done, firstOf(g.Machines))
+		r.Next++
+		r.Gate = nil
+		return true, nil
+	}
+	p.Note = ""
+	failCarried(ctx, open, p, g, "")
+	p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("failed its gate on %s: %s — %s", strings.Join(g.Machines, ", "), g.Why, p.Note)
+	fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", p.ID, p.Note)
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+// backlogObservation is what the gate's probe says of a release held after a failure.
+func backlogObservation() []conditions.Observation {
+	if backlogNow.held == "" || len(backlogNow.waiting) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	n := 0
+	var machines []string
+	for node, moves := range backlogNow.waiting {
+		n += len(moves)
+		machines = append(machines, node)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(machines)
+	return []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "release", Token: "held", Kind: "release-held",
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%d build move(s) on %s wait for a gate and are not released: %s — `upgrade backlog` lists "+
+			"them, `upgrade release-backlog --why …` releases them", n, strings.Join(machines, ", "), backlogNow.held)}}
+}
+
+// backlogCommand is `upgrade backlog`, read-only, and `upgrade release-backlog --why`.
+func backlogCommand(ctx context.Context, sub string, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("upgrade "+sub, flag.ContinueOnError)
+	why := addHandActFlags(set)
+	if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+		return errors.New("upgrade backlog | upgrade release-backlog --why <text>")
+	}
+	if sub == "release-backlog" {
+		if err := why.require("upgrade release-backlog"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	open, err := openStores(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer open.Close()
+	if sub == "release-backlog" {
+		release, err := open.inventory.HoldPlans(ctx, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer release()
+		why.record(ctx, "upgrade release-backlog", nil)
+		p, err := releaseBacklog(ctx, open, link.Caller())
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if p == nil {
+			fmt.Println("nothing waits for a gate on any machine heard from: nothing to release")
+			return nil
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("%s releases it; `plans %s` says where it is\n", p.ID, p.ID)
+		return nil
+	}
+	waiting, err := waitingMoves(ctx, open, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(waiting) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("no build waits for a gate on any machine")
+		return nil
+	}
+	nodes := make([]string, 0, len(waiting))
+	for n := range waiting {
+		nodes = append(nodes, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(nodes)
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		fmt.Printf("%s: %d build(s) wait for a gate\n", n, len(waiting[n]))
+		for _, mv := range waiting[n] {
+			fmt.Printf("  %-28s %s → %s\n", mv.Module, short(mv.From), short(mv.To))
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
index 2a59c22..1adb2fa 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
@@ -476,6 +476,10 @@ func advancePlans(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 		return
 	}
 	defer release()
+	// What waits for a gate, released one machine at a time (ADR 0236).
+	if _, err := releaseBacklog(ctx, open, ""); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("plans: what waits for a gate could not be looked at: %v\n", err)
+	}
 	advanceHeld(ctx, open)
 }
 
@@ -531,6 +535,9 @@ func advanceHeld(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 	edges []inventory.Edge, rollsOut func(string) bool) (bool, error) {
 	inv := open.inventory
+	if p.Release != nil {
+		return advanceRelease(ctx, open, p)
+	}
 	if p.Tier >= len(p.Tiers) {
 		p.State = inventory.PlanDone
 		fmt.Printf("%s: done — %s at %s, %d tier(s)\n", p.ID, p.Repository, short(p.Commit), len(p.Tiers))
@@ -631,6 +638,9 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			// The first machine refused or failed what it was sent, or never said: the gate failed, and
 			// the build is put back there (novox/hq ADR 0236); the rest are left as they were.
 			gateFailed(ctx, open, p, m, state, firstRunning(state.First, running), step.failed)
+			if state.Gate != nil && len(state.Gate.Carried) > 0 {
+				failCarried(ctx, open, p, state.Gate, m)
+			}
 			p.Note += fmt.Sprintf("; %s left as it was", orNone(strings.Join(step.rest, ", ")))
 			fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", p.ID, p.Note)
 			return true, nil
@@ -653,6 +663,9 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 				continue
 			case inventory.GateFailed:
 				gateFailed(ctx, open, p, m, state, state.Gate.Machines, state.Gate.Why)
+				if len(state.Gate.Carried) > 0 {
+					failCarried(ctx, open, p, state.Gate, m)
+				}
 				p.Note += fmt.Sprintf("; %s left as it was", orNone(strings.Join(step.rest, ", ")))
 				fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", p.ID, p.Note)
 				return true, nil
@@ -677,7 +690,20 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 		}
 		// What sendToEach answers, not what was asked: the machine holding the bus is sent before
 		// the first when its user list must change (issue 249), and the plan waits for it too.
-		sent, err := sendRollout(ctx, open, step.send)
+		var sent []string
+		var carried []inventory.CarriedMove
+		switch {
+		case step.first:
+			// **A gated send** (ADR 0236): everything waiting on the first machine goes with the build,
+			// and the gate judges all of it there.
+			own := inventory.CarriedMove{Module: m, Node: step.send[0], From: before[m], To: state.Commit, Build: state.Build}
+			carried, sent, err = gatedSend(ctx, open, step.send[0], &own)
+		case policy.Together:
+			sent, err = sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{m: true}}), open, step.send)
+		default:
+			// The rest, after the gate passed: nothing else may move with it that no gate has seen.
+			sent, err = sendRollout(ctx, open, step.send)
+		}
 		if err != nil {
 			// Not marked sent, so the next step tries again (issue 249): a grant that could not be
 			// issued is a send that did not happen.
@@ -690,6 +716,8 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			}
 			state.First = sent
 			state.FirstAt = &now
+			state.Gate = &inventory.PlanGate{Component: coreComponent(m), Machines: firstRunning(sent, running),
+				From: state.Previous, To: state.Commit, Since: &now, Carried: carried}
 			p.State = inventory.PlanRolling
 			p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("tier %d built; sent %s to %s first", p.Tier, m, strings.Join(sent, ", "))
 			fmt.Printf("%s: tier %d built; sent %s to %s first, the rest once it reports it applied\n",
@@ -1059,6 +1087,18 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			return err
 		}
 		fmt.Printf("%s — %s\n", p.ID, planLineWith(p, now, buildSeatPause(ctx, inv, []inventory.Plan{p})))
+		if r := p.Release; r != nil {
+			// A release plan's walk (ADR 0236): machines done, the one judged, those to come.
+			fmt.Printf("  machines in order: %s; done: %s; skipped: %s\n", strings.Join(r.Order, ", "),
+				orNone(strings.Join(r.Done, ", ")), orNone(strings.Join(r.Skipped, ", ")))
+			if r.Gate != nil {
+				fmt.Printf("  %s\n", gateLine(r.Gate))
+				for _, c := range r.Gate.Carried {
+					fmt.Printf("    %-22s %s → %s\n", c.Module, short(c.From), short(c.To))
+				}
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
 		for i, tier := range p.Tiers {
 			marker := " "
 			if i == p.Tier && p.Open() {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/release_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11c4c82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+)
+
+// The backlog the old default left — builds registered and sent nowhere — is released by a plan, one
+// machine at a time, each judged, never by the next send of something else (novox/hq ADR 0236).
+
+type backlogMesh struct {
+	open   *stores
+	sent   [][]string
+	broken map[string]bool
+}
+
+// aBacklog is a mesh where `app` moved c1 → c2 on anchor and laptop, `late` moved on laptop only, and
+// `same` was rebuilt with the very artifacts it had: two machines heard, every send applied at once.
+func aBacklog(t *testing.T) *backlogMesh {
+	t.Helper()
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	b := &backlogMesh{open: open, broken: map[string]bool{}}
+	withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	was := doctorFrom
+	doctorFrom = nil
+	t.Cleanup(func() { doctorFrom = was })
+
+	build := func(module, commit, made string, asked time.Time) {
+		manifest, _ := json.Marshal(catalogue.Manifest{Module: module, Version: "1"})
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: "build-" + module + "-" + commit, Module: module, Commit: commit,
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Path: "modules/" + module, Manifest: manifest, Asked: asked, At: asked,
+			Made: []inventory.Artifact{{Name: "x", Kind: "bundle", Reference: made}}}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, catalogue.Manifest{Module: module, Version: "1"}, inventory.Source{
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Seat: "git", Path: "modules/" + module, BuiltFrom: commit, Head: commit,
+			Asked: asked}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	old, now := time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour), time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)
+	on := map[string][]string{"app": {"anchor", "laptop"}, "late": {"laptop"}, "same": {"anchor", "laptop"}}
+	for _, m := range []string{"app", "late", "same"} {
+		build(m, "c1", "sha256:"+m+"-1", old)
+		for _, n := range on[m] {
+			if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, n, m); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, n := range []string{"anchor", "laptop"} {
+		sent := map[string]string{}
+		for m, nodes := range on {
+			for _, x := range nodes {
+				if x == n {
+					sent[m] = "c1"
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, n), "d-"+n, sent); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	build("app", "c2", "sha256:app-2", now)
+	build("late", "c2", "sha256:late-2", now)
+	build("same", "c2", "sha256:same-1", now) // rebuilt, the same bytes
+
+	assigned := func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f moveFacts, node string, all bool) ([]inventory.CarriedMove, error) {
+		modules, err := open.inventory.Assigned(ctx, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		sent, known, err := open.inventory.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return f.moves(node, modules, sent, known, all), nil
+	}
+	wasMoves, wasHeard, wasSend, wasGather := machineMoves, releaseHeard, sendRollout, gatherGateFacts
+	machineMoves = assigned
+	releaseHeard = func(context.Context, *stores) (map[string]bool, error) {
+		return map[string]bool{"anchor": true, "laptop": true}, nil
+	}
+	n := 0
+	sendRollout = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, error) {
+		b.sent = append(b.sent, append([]string(nil), names...))
+		current, err := open.inventory.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, node := range names {
+			modules, _ := open.inventory.Assigned(ctx, node)
+			carried := map[string]string{}
+			for _, m := range modules {
+				carried[m] = current[m].Commit
+			}
+			n++
+			digest := fmt.Sprintf("d-%s-%d", node, n)
+			if err := open.inventory.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, node), digest, carried); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if _, err := open.inventory.RecordDoing(ctx, nodeID(t, open, node), inventory.Doing{Node: node,
+				Outcome: inventory.OutcomeApplied, Declared: digest, Applied: 1, At: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
+		return names, nil
+	}
+	gatherGateFacts = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, component string) (gateFacts, error) {
+		f := gateFacts{now: time.Now(), reports: map[string]inventory.Reported{}, engines: map[string]string{},
+			rolledBack: map[string][]lease.Rollback{}, served: map[string]served{}}
+		reports, err := open.inventory.LastReports(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return f, err
+		}
+		for _, r := range reports {
+			if b.broken[r.Node] {
+				r.Outcome = inventory.OutcomeFailed
+			}
+			f.reports[r.Node] = r
+		}
+		return f, nil
+	}
+	wasSettle, wasEvery, wasBound := gateSettle, gateEvery, gateBound
+	gateSettle, gateEvery = 0, time.Hour
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		machineMoves, releaseHeard, sendRollout, gatherGateFacts = wasMoves, wasHeard, wasSend, wasGather
+		gateSettle, gateEvery, gateBound = wasSettle, wasEvery, wasBound
+	})
+	return b
+}
+
+func (b *backlogMesh) release(t *testing.T) inventory.Plan {
+	t.Helper()
+	plans, err := b.open.inventory.RecentPlans(t.Context(), 10)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, p := range plans {
+		if p.Release != nil {
+			return p
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatal("no release plan")
+	return inventory.Plan{}
+}
+
+// The backlog goes out one machine at a time: the first judged before the second is sent, each build's
+// pass kept; a rebuild with the same bytes is no move at all; and a send outside a gate is refused.
+func TestTheBacklogIsReleasedOneMachineAtATimeEachJudged(t *testing.T) {
+	b := aBacklog(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := b.open.inventory
+
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	moves, _ := machineMoves(ctx, b.open, f, "laptop", false)
+	var names []string
+	for _, mv := range moves {
+		names = append(names, mv.Module)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(names, []string{"app", "late"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("laptop waits for %v; a rebuild with the same bytes is no move", names)
+	}
+	// Nothing else may carry them: a send that judges nothing is refused.
+	if _, err := ungatedIn(ctx, b.open, []string{"laptop"}, ""); !errors.Is(err, errUngated) {
+		t.Fatalf("a send that judges nothing would carry them: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	advancePlans(ctx, b.open)
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(b.sent, [][]string{{"anchor"}}) {
+		t.Fatalf("sent %v: the first machine alone, before it is judged", b.sent)
+	}
+	p := b.release(t)
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(p.Release.Order, []string{"anchor", "laptop"}) || p.Release.Gate == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the release plan is %+v", p.Release)
+	}
+	gateEvery = 0
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, b.open)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(b.sent, [][]string{{"anchor"}, {"laptop"}}) {
+		t.Fatalf("sent %v", b.sent)
+	}
+	p = b.release(t)
+	if p.State != inventory.PlanDone || !reflect.DeepEqual(p.Release.Done, []string{"anchor", "laptop"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("the release plan is %s: %s %+v", p.State, p.Note, p.Release)
+	}
+	for _, build := range []string{"build-app-c2", "build-late-c2"} {
+		if v, found, err := inv.GateOf(ctx, build); err != nil || !found || v.Verdict != inventory.GatePassed {
+			t.Fatalf("%s's pass was not kept: %+v %v %v", build, v, found, err)
+		}
+	}
+	// Nothing waits now, and nothing opens again.
+	if p, err := releaseBacklog(ctx, b.open, ""); err != nil || p != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a release opened with nothing waiting: %+v %v", p, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// A release that fails on its first machine puts back what it carried there, goes no further, and the
+// next one waits for a person, said as a condition; a person releases it with why.
+func TestAFailedReleaseIsPutBackAndTheNextWaitsForAPerson(t *testing.T) {
+	b := aBacklog(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := b.open.inventory
+	gateEvery = 0
+	b.broken["anchor"] = true
+	advancePlans(ctx, b.open)
+
+	p := b.release(t)
+	if p.State != inventory.PlanFailed {
+		t.Fatalf("the release is %s: %s", p.State, p.Note)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(b.sent, [][]string{{"anchor"}, {"anchor"}}) {
+		t.Fatalf("sent %v: the first machine, then the put-back to it, and nothing to laptop", b.sent)
+	}
+	if current, _ := inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx); current["app"].Commit != "c1" {
+		t.Fatalf("app is at %s, not put back", current["app"].Commit)
+	}
+	if failed, _ := inv.GateFailed(ctx, "build-app-c2"); !failed {
+		t.Fatal("app's build is not marked failed at its gate")
+	}
+	// late still waits on laptop, and is not released on its own after a failure.
+	if p, err := releaseBacklog(ctx, b.open, ""); err != nil || p != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a release opened after a failed one: %+v %v", p, err)
+	}
+	if obs := backlogObservation(); len(obs) != 1 || !strings.Contains(obs[0].Summary, "release-backlog") {
+		t.Fatalf("the held release is not said: %+v", obs)
+	}
+	b.broken["anchor"] = false
+	if err := backlogCommand(ctx, "release-backlog", []string{"--why", "anchor is fixed"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, b.open)
+	}
+	if p := b.release(t); p.State != inventory.PlanDone || p.Release.By == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("the person's release is %s (%+v)", p.State, p.Release)
+	}
+	if sent, _, _ := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, "laptop"); sent["late"] != "c2" {
+		t.Fatalf("late was not released to laptop: %v", sent)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
index d4a04f0..3517e34 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go
@@ -509,6 +509,16 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		}
 		return argv, nil
 	case "upgrade":
+		if on("backlog") {
+			return []string{"upgrade", "backlog"}, nil
+		}
+		if on("release-backlog") {
+			argv := []string{"upgrade", "release-backlog", "--why", str("why")}
+			if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		}
 		m, policy := str("module"), str("policy")
 		if m == "" {
 			if policy != "" {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
index 33cce27..515d311 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
@@ -74,24 +74,12 @@ func (f following) Upgraded(ctx context.Context, u link.Upgraded) error {
 			u.Module, shortCommit(u.Commit), id, readableList(on))
 		return nil
 	}
-	if decision.Together {
-		fmt.Printf("%s moved to %s; sending %s together\n",
-			u.Module, shortCommit(u.Commit), readableList(on))
-		return askAgainOnGrants(sendTo(ctx, f.open, on))
-	}
-	// One at a time, and stopping at the first that fails.
-	//
-	// **Stopping is the point.** The machines are done one after another precisely so that a
-	// version that breaks the first one does not reach the rest; carrying on past a failure would
-	// make this the same as sending them together, only slower.
-	fmt.Printf("%s moved to %s; sending %s one at a time\n",
-		u.Module, shortCommit(u.Commit), readableList(on))
-	for _, node := range on {
-		if err := sendTo(ctx, f.open, []string{node}); err != nil {
-			return askAgainOnGrants(fmt.Errorf("%s did not take %s, so the machines after it were left alone: %w",
-				node, u.Module, err))
-		}
-	}
+	// **No plan holds it: a release plan sends it** (novox/hq ADR 0236). A build asked outside a plan — a
+	// `rebuild`, a `replay` registered — was sent here one machine after another without any judging; it
+	// now waits for a gate like any other build, and the release plan walks it through the machines, one
+	// at a time, each judged.
+	fmt.Printf("%s moved to %s outside a plan; a release plan sends it to %s, one machine at a time, each judged "+
+		"(`upgrade backlog` lists what waits)\n", u.Module, shortCommit(u.Commit), readableList(on))
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -147,6 +135,10 @@ func isAre(n int) string {
 // upgradeCommand says what should happen when a module's current version moves (ADR 0162 §3, ADR
 // 0235): every module's policy and where it comes from; one module's; or a person's choice for one.
 func upgradeCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	// What waits for a gate, and releasing it by a person's word (ADR 0236).
+	if len(args) > 0 && (args[0] == "backlog" || args[0] == "release-backlog") {
+		return backlogCommand(ctx, args[0], args[1:])
+	}
 	set := flag.NewFlagSet("upgrade", flag.ContinueOnError)
 	together := set.Bool("together", false,
 		"send every machine running it at once, instead of one machine first")
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/verbs.go b/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
index 0e9b535..d6020d2 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/verbs.go
@@ -277,8 +277,12 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 			"module":   "one module",
 			"policy":   "with module: roll-out, record or default",
 			"together": "\"true\": with roll-out, every machine at once instead of one machine first",
-			"why":      "with policy: why — required for record, kept and said with the policy",
-		}, nil, "together")},
+			"why":      "with policy or release-backlog: why — required for record and for a release, kept",
+			"backlog":  "\"true\": every build waiting for a gate, per machine — what a release plan would send",
+			"release-backlog": "\"true\": release what waits now, one machine at a time, each judged — after a release " +
+				"plan failed, the mesh waits for this; with why",
+			"cause": "with release-backlog: the cause in a word (optional)",
+		}, nil, "together", "backlog", "release-backlog")},
 	{Name: "bus", Description: "The bus as a planned step (novox/hq to-be 45 §8, ADR 0236): what a bus upgrade " +
 		"would do — the bus's build on each machine against the one the mesh holds — and how the last step went. " +
 		"With upgrade, start one: a person's act with why, after the streams are snapshotted (snapshot-taken says " +
diff --git a/internal/inventory/gate.go b/internal/inventory/gate.go
index a07639e..9d32b07 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/gate.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/gate.go
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ type GateVerdict struct {
 	Epoch       uint64
 }
 
-// RecordGate writes a build's verdict. **A failed build's row is written once**: a second failure for
-// the same build is refused with ErrGateKept, which is what keeps a rollback to one per build — the row
+// RecordGate writes a build's verdict. A build that passed on one machine may still fail on the next one
+// judged; **a failed build's row is written once**: any later verdict for it is refused with ErrGateKept, which is what keeps a rollback to one per build — the row
 // is written before the rollback's send, and a controller replaced in between finds it.
 func (i *Inventory) RecordGate(ctx context.Context, v GateVerdict) error {
 	epoch, err := i.actingEpoch(ctx)
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func (i *Inventory) RecordGate(ctx context.Context, v GateVerdict) error {
 		 on conflict (build) do update set verdict = excluded.verdict, rollback = excluded.rollback,
 		        why = excluded.why, previous = excluded.previous, machines = excluded.machines,
 		        judged_at = now(), epoch = excluded.epoch
-		  where build_gate.verdict = 'passed' and excluded.verdict = 'passed'`,
+		  where build_gate.verdict = 'passed'`,
 		v.Build, v.Module, v.Commit, v.Previous, v.Plan, v.Machines, v.Verdict, v.Rollback, v.Why, v.Component,
 		v.JudgingFrom, epoch)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -245,3 +245,65 @@ func (i *Inventory) BuildFingerprints(ctx context.Context, module string) (map[s
 	}
 	return out, rows.Err()
 }
+
+// Fingerprints is BuildFingerprints for every module at once: module → commit → fingerprint.
+func (i *Inventory) Fingerprints(ctx context.Context) (map[string]map[string]string, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select module, commit_hash, made, coalesce(manifest::text, '') from build
+		  where module is not null and failed = '' and commit_hash <> '' order by at desc`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := map[string]map[string]string{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var module, commit, manifest string
+		var made []byte
+		if err := rows.Scan(&module, &commit, &made, &manifest); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if out[module] == nil {
+			out[module] = map[string]string{}
+		}
+		if _, seen := out[module][commit]; seen {
+			continue
+		}
+		sum := sha256.Sum256(append(append(made, 0), []byte(manifest)...))
+		out[module][commit] = hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// PassedCommits is, per module, the commits a build of which passed its gate on some machine.
+func (i *Inventory) PassedCommits(ctx context.Context) (map[string]map[string]bool, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx, `select module, commit_hash from build_gate where verdict = 'passed'`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var module, commit string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&module, &commit); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if out[module] == nil {
+			out[module] = map[string]bool{}
+		}
+		out[module][commit] = true
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// BuildOf is the id of the newest successful build of a module from a commit; empty when none is
+// recorded (a manifest handed over by hand).
+func (i *Inventory) BuildOf(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+	var id string
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select id from build where module = $1 and commit_hash = $2 and failed = '' order by at desc limit 1`,
+		module, commit).Scan(&id)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	return id, err
+}
diff --git a/internal/inventory/migrations/0073-a-build-rolls-out-gated-and-rolls-back.sql b/internal/inventory/migrations/0073-a-build-rolls-out-gated-and-rolls-back.sql
index e6b312d..9d57766 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/migrations/0073-a-build-rolls-out-gated-and-rolls-back.sql
+++ b/internal/inventory/migrations/0073-a-build-rolls-out-gated-and-rolls-back.sql
@@ -65,3 +65,8 @@ create table bus_step (
     outcome      text        not null default '' check (outcome in ('', 'done', 'failed')),
     found        text        not null default ''
 );
+
+-- 4. A release plan (ADR 0236): the builds that wait for a gate — the backlog the old default left, and
+--    whatever a plan built and did not send — walked through the machines one at a time, each judged
+--    before the next. Its walk is kept with the plan.
+alter table release_plan add column release jsonb;
diff --git a/internal/inventory/plans.go b/internal/inventory/plans.go
index 7508b60..cbb37f4 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/plans.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/plans.go
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ type Plan struct {
 	Revision int64 `json:"revision"`
 	// Epoch is the controller lease epoch that wrote it last; zero for a write that claimed none.
 	Epoch uint64 `json:"epoch,omitempty"`
+	// Release is set on a release plan (novox/hq ADR 0236): not a merge's, but the builds waiting for a
+	// gate, walked through the machines one at a time.
+	Release *PlanRelease `json:"release,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ErrPlanMoved is a save against a plan written by somebody else since it was read.
@@ -103,6 +106,35 @@ type PlanGate struct {
 	Rollback string `json:"rollback,omitempty"`
 	// Kept says a passing verdict was written to the gate's records.
 	Kept bool `json:"kept,omitempty"`
+	// Carried is every module whose build moved on the judged machines with the send — the plan's own
+	// module and whatever else was waiting there for a gate (novox/hq ADR 0236): each is judged here, a
+	// pass is its verdict too, and one that fails is put back.
+	Carried []CarriedMove `json:"carried,omitempty"`
+	// Failing names the modules the last judging found wanting.
+	Failing []string `json:"failing,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// CarriedMove is one module's build moving on a machine with a gated send.
+type CarriedMove struct {
+	Module string `json:"module"`
+	Node   string `json:"node"`
+	From   string `json:"from,omitempty"`
+	To     string `json:"to"`
+	Build  string `json:"build,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// PlanRelease is a release plan's walk through the machines (novox/hq ADR 0236): every module build
+// that waits for a gate, sent one machine at a time, each judged before the next.
+type PlanRelease struct {
+	Order []string `json:"order"`
+	Next  int      `json:"next"`
+	// Gate is the machine being judged; nil between machines.
+	Gate *PlanGate `json:"gate,omitempty"`
+	Done []string  `json:"done,omitempty"`
+	// Skipped are the machines not heard from when their turn came, left as they were.
+	Skipped []string `json:"skipped,omitempty"`
+	// By is the person who released it, empty when the mesh did.
+	By string `json:"by,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // The states a plan passes through.
@@ -138,6 +170,12 @@ func (i *Inventory) SavePlan(ctx context.Context, p *Plan) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	var release []byte
+	if p.Release != nil {
+		if release, err = json.Marshal(p.Release); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
 	// **And how long the tier it left took** (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0): measured here, where the
 	// plan moves, in the same transaction as the move, so no save can move a tier unmeasured or
 	// measure one twice.
@@ -153,15 +191,16 @@ func (i *Inventory) SavePlan(ctx context.Context, p *Plan) error {
 	var revision int64
 	err = tx.QueryRow(ctx,
 		`insert into release_plan (id, repository, commit_hash, created, updated, state, tier, tiers, modules, note,
-		                           branch, tier_entered, revision, epoch)
-		 values ($1, $2, $3, $4, now(), $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, 1, $13)
+		                           branch, tier_entered, revision, epoch, release)
+		 values ($1, $2, $3, $4, now(), $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, 1, $13, $14)
 		 on conflict (id) do update set updated = now(), state = excluded.state, tier = excluded.tier,
 		        tiers = excluded.tiers, modules = excluded.modules, note = excluded.note, branch = excluded.branch,
-		        tier_entered = excluded.tier_entered, revision = release_plan.revision + 1, epoch = excluded.epoch
+		        tier_entered = excluded.tier_entered, revision = release_plan.revision + 1, epoch = excluded.epoch,
+		        release = excluded.release
 		  where release_plan.revision = $12
 		 returning revision`,
 		p.ID, p.Repository, p.Commit, p.Created, p.State, p.Tier, tiers, modules, p.Note, p.Branch, entered,
-		p.Revision, epoch).Scan(&revision)
+		p.Revision, epoch, release).Scan(&revision)
 	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
 		// The row is there and at another revision — moved since this was read, or there already
 		// when this one is new: either way not this writer's to overwrite. (A plan saved before plans
@@ -216,7 +255,7 @@ func (i *Inventory) PlanByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (Plan, error) {
 func (i *Inventory) plans(ctx context.Context, tail string) ([]Plan, error) {
 	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
 		`select id, repository, commit_hash, created, updated, state, tier, tiers, modules, note, branch,
-		        coalesce(tier_entered, created), revision, coalesce(epoch, 0)
+		        coalesce(tier_entered, created), revision, coalesce(epoch, 0), release
 		   from release_plan `+tail)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -225,12 +264,17 @@ func (i *Inventory) plans(ctx context.Context, tail string) ([]Plan, error) {
 	var out []Plan
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var p Plan
-		var tiers, modules []byte
+		var tiers, modules, release []byte
 		var epoch int64
 		if err := rows.Scan(&p.ID, &p.Repository, &p.Commit, &p.Created, &p.Updated, &p.State,
-			&p.Tier, &tiers, &modules, &p.Note, &p.Branch, &p.TierEntered, &p.Revision, &epoch); err != nil {
+			&p.Tier, &tiers, &modules, &p.Note, &p.Branch, &p.TierEntered, &p.Revision, &epoch, &release); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+		if len(release) > 0 {
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(release, &p.Release); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
 		p.Epoch = uint64(epoch)
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(tiers, &p.Tiers); err != nil {
 			return nil, err