diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_library.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_library.go
index 59061b69..be5fab4f 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_library.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_library.go
@@ -2,25 +2,43 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
-// A module that joins keeps the user it ran as until every library it uses is taken (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8).
+// A module that joins keeps the user it ran as until it may join (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, ADR 0334).
 //
-// **Held at the build it ran before, composed exactly as then.** A module whose registered build uses a library not yet
-// taken, on a machine that was last sent another build of it, is composed at that build — the manifest the build
-// records hold, in place of the registered one, as a recorded module is kept (recorded_kept.go): its resources, its
-// ports in the filter, its contributions and bindings are what they were, and nothing of the new contract is sent for
-// it. The send records that the machine still carries that build. Once the library is taken, the next composition
-// takes the new build. A module the machine never ran has nothing to keep, and is composed as registered; a build the
-// records no longer hold cannot be kept, and the module is composed as registered (it then waits as joining modules do).
+// **Held at the build it ran before, composed exactly as then.** A module whose registered build joins — declares
+// libraries or uses its identity — on a machine that was last sent another build of it, is held there while
 //
-// shelf, when given, has each held module's manifest replaced. It answers what it holds: module → the commit kept.
+//   - the machine's engine is older than link.OwnGroupContract: it cannot put the tool runner in the module's own group
+//     nor keep its own directories' group, so the module's tools would lose their read (the re-review of 96e15f86, 2);
+//   - or a library it uses is not yet taken (§8).
+//
+// Held, it is composed at that build — the manifest the build records hold, in place of the registered one, as a
+// recorded module is kept (recorded_kept.go) — and with the settings it last ran with (SettingsAsOf the machine's last
+// send): its resources, its ports in the filter, its contributions and bindings are what they were, and nothing of the
+// new contract is sent for it. The send records that the machine still carries that build. A delivery that brings the
+// joining build does not send it while it is held: the module waits for a person, the plan says so and judges its
+// other modules, and sends it once nothing holds it (release_plan.go, heldIn). A module the machine never ran has
+// nothing to keep, and is composed as registered; a build the records no longer hold cannot be kept.
+
+// heldModule is one module held on a machine: the build it keeps and why, in words with no path.
+type heldModule struct {
+	commit string
+	// library is the first library it uses that is not taken, empty when none.
+	library string
+	why     string
+}
+
+// holdJoining is every module held on a machine, by module; shelf, when given, has each one's manifest replaced by
+// the build it keeps.
 func holdJoining(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
-	shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) (map[string]string, error) {
+	shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) (map[string]heldModule, error) {
 	registered := shelf
 	if registered == nil {
 		var err error
@@ -34,7 +52,7 @@ func holdJoining(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
 	}
 	var joining []string
 	for m := range sent {
-		if man, has := registered[m]; has && len(man.Libraries) > 0 {
+		if man, has := registered[m]; has && catalogue.Joins(man) {
 			joining = append(joining, m)
 		}
 	}
@@ -42,6 +60,11 @@ func holdJoining(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	sort.Strings(joining)
+	stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	engineJoins := had && stated.Contract >= link.OwnGroupContract
 	libs, err := inv.Libraries(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -54,40 +77,86 @@ func holdJoining(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	out := map[string]string{}
+	out := map[string]heldModule{}
 	for _, m := range joining {
 		was := sent[m]
 		if was == "" || sameCommit(was, current[m].Commit) {
 			continue // the machine already runs the registered build: nothing before it to keep
 		}
-		untaken := ""
+		h := heldModule{commit: was}
 		for _, u := range registered[m].Libraries {
 			if !taken[u.Library] {
-				untaken = u.Library
+				h.library = u.Library
 				break
 			}
 		}
-		if untaken == "" {
+		switch {
+		case !engineJoins:
+			h.why = fmt.Sprintf("%s keeps the build it runs on %s until that machine's node-engine keeps a module's own "+
+				"group (novox/hq ADR 0334)", m, node)
+		case h.library != "":
+			h.why = fmt.Sprintf("%s waits for the operator to let the mesh keep the library %s (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8)",
+				m, h.library)
+		default:
 			continue
 		}
 		before, found, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, m, was)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		if !found || usesLibrary(before, untaken) {
+		if !found || (engineJoins && usesLibrary(before, h.library)) {
 			continue
 		}
 		if shelf != nil {
 			shelf[m] = before
 		}
-		out[m] = was
+		out[m] = h
 	}
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// heldIn is why a module is held on any of the machines given, or "": what a delivery's first send waits on.
+func heldIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, module string, machines []string) (string, error) {
+	for _, node := range machines {
+		held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, node, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		if h, is := held[module]; is {
+			return h.why, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return "", nil
+}
+
+// heldSettings puts, for each module held on a machine, the settings it last ran with in place of today's: the layers
+// as they stood at the machine's last send. Today's stand where no send is recorded.
+func heldSettings(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, held map[string]heldModule,
+	settings catalogue.SettingsBy) error {
+	if len(held) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	last, found, err := inv.LastSend(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil || !found {
+		return err
+	}
+	for m := range held {
+		layers, err := inv.SettingsAsOf(ctx, node, m, last.SentAt)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if len(layers) == 0 {
+			delete(settings, m)
+			continue
+		}
+		settings[m] = layers
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func usesLibrary(m catalogue.Manifest, library string) bool {
 	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
-		if u.Library == library {
+		if library != "" && u.Library == library {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/held_plan_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_plan_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ace5d903
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/held_plan_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,329 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"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/lease"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 1 (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8): a delivery that brings a joining build of a module whose
+// library is not taken does not send it — the module waits for a person, the plan stays open saying so, and the other
+// modules of the plan are sent and judged as usual. Once the library is taken, the waiting build is sent and judged,
+// with no new merge.
+func TestADeliveryWaitsForALibraryAndJudgesTheRest(t *testing.T) {
+	judgeLeavesAsTheCore(t)
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	keeper, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	was := doctorFrom
+	doctorFrom = &doctor{open: open, keeper: keeper, teller: &conditions.Told{}}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { doctorFrom = was })
+
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	app1 := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "c1"}
+	app2 := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "c2"}
+	builds := []struct {
+		id, module, commit string
+		m                  catalogue.Manifest
+		at                 time.Time
+	}{
+		{"build-app-1", "app", "c1", app1, time.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour)},
+		{"build-radarr-1", "radarr", "r1", radarrBefore(), time.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour)},
+		{"build-app-2", "app", "c2", app2, time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)},
+		{"build-radarr-2", "radarr", "r2", radarrJoined(), time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)},
+	}
+	for _, b := range builds {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Module: b.module, Commit: b.commit,
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Path: "modules/" + b.module, Ref: "main", Manifest: raw,
+			Asked: b.at, At: b.at}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	registerAt := func(m catalogue.Manifest, commit string, asked time.Time) {
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Seat: "git",
+			Path: "modules/" + m.Module, Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: commit, Head: commit, Asked: asked}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	registerAt(app1, "c1", time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour))
+	registerAt(radarrBefore(), "r1", time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour))
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "app"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, "anchor"), "d-anchor-0", map[string]string{"app": "c1", "radarr": "r1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	registerAt(app2, "c2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+	registerAt(radarrJoined(), "r2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+
+	// Every send records what it carries: the registered builds, a held module at the build it runs.
+	var sent []string
+	wasSend := sendRollout
+	sendRollout = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, error) {
+		current, err := open.inventory.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, node := range names {
+			held, err := holdJoining(ctx, open.inventory, node, nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			carried := map[string]string{"app": current["app"].Commit, "radarr": current["radarr"].Commit}
+			for m, h := range held {
+				carried[m] = h.commit
+			}
+			sent = append(sent, node+":app="+carried["app"]+",radarr="+carried["radarr"])
+			digest := fmt.Sprintf("d-%s-%d", node, len(sent))
+			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
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sendRollout = wasSend })
+	wasGather := gatherGateFacts
+	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)
+		for _, r := range reports {
+			f.reports[r.Node] = r
+		}
+		return f, err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { gatherGateFacts = wasGather })
+	wasSettle, wasEvery := gateSettle, gateEvery
+	gateSettle, gateEvery = 0, 0
+	t.Cleanup(func() { gateSettle, gateEvery = wasSettle, wasEvery })
+
+	built := time.Now().UTC()
+	plan := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-held", Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Branch: "main", Commit: "c2",
+		Created: built, State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"app", "radarr"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{
+			"app":    {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built, Commit: "c2", Build: "build-app-2"},
+			"radarr": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built, Commit: "r2", Build: "build-radarr-2"}}}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, open)
+	}
+	p, err := inv.PlanByID(ctx, "plan-held")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if p.State == inventory.PlanSuperseded || p.State == inventory.PlanDone || p.State == inventory.PlanFailed {
+		t.Fatalf("the plan is %s (%s); want it open, waiting for the library", p.State, p.Note)
+	}
+	if g := p.Modules["app"].Gate; g == nil || g.Verdict != inventory.GatePassed {
+		t.Fatalf("app was not judged and passed beside the held module: %+v (%s)", p.Modules["app"], p.Note)
+	}
+	if p.Modules["radarr"].FirstAt != nil || !strings.Contains(p.Note, "library media") {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr was sent, or the plan does not say it waits for the library: %+v, %q", p.Modules["radarr"], p.Note)
+	}
+	if slices.ContainsFunc(sent, func(s string) bool { return strings.Contains(s, "radarr=r2") }) {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr's joining build was sent while held: %v", sent)
+	}
+
+	// The library is taken: the waiting build is sent, with no new merge.
+	if err := inv.RecordTakeStarted(ctx, inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: "media", Home: "anchor", Root: "/storage/media",
+		By: "the operator", Ask: "c01", Warrant: "c01"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.TakeDone(ctx, "media", "c01"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, open)
+	}
+	if !slices.ContainsFunc(sent, func(s string) bool { return strings.Contains(s, "radarr=r2") }) {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr's joining build was not sent once its library was taken: %v", sent)
+	}
+}
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 2: a module joins only on an engine stating link.OwnGroupContract (7). On an engine
+// at 6 a module that ran there before is held at the build it ran, whatever its library — so its tools never lose
+// their read of its directories.
+func TestAJoiningModuleIsHeldOnAnEngineOlderThanOwnGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	open, record := heldMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	if err := inv.RecordTakeStarted(ctx, inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: "media", Home: "anchor", Root: "/storage/media",
+		By: "the operator", Ask: "c01", Warrant: "c01"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.TakeDone(ctx, "media", "c01"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = record
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.LibraryContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, "anchor", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if held["radarr"].commit != "c1c1c1c1" {
+		t.Fatalf("on an engine at contract 6 radarr is not held at the build it ran: %+v", held)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now().Add(time.Second), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if held, err = holdJoining(ctx, inv, "anchor", nil); err != nil || len(held) > 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("on an engine at contract 7 with its library taken radarr is still held: %+v (%v)", held, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// heldMesh is anchor running radarr's build from before it joined, the joining build registered, media defined.
+func heldMesh(t *testing.T) (*stores, inventory.Node) {
+	t.Helper()
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, b := range []struct {
+		id, commit string
+		m          catalogue.Manifest
+	}{{"b1", "c1c1c1c1", radarrBefore()}, {"b2", "c2c2c2c2", radarrJoined()}} {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git", Ref: "main",
+			Module: "radarr", Commit: b.commit, On: "builder", Manifest: raw}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, radarrBefore(), inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c1c1c1c1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": "c1c1c1c1"}, 1, 1,
+		inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, radarrJoined(), inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c2c2c2c2"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return open, record
+}
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 3: a held module is composed with the settings it last ran with — a layer changed
+// for the joining build (its puid removed) does not reach the build it still runs.
+func TestAHeldModuleKeepsTheSettingsItRanWith(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	before := radarrBefore()
+	before.Resources = append(before.Resources, map[string]any{"id": "identity", "type": "file",
+		"path": "${dir:config}/identity.env", "mode": "0644", "content": "PUID=${setting:puid}\n"})
+	joined := radarrJoined()
+	for _, b := range []struct {
+		id, commit string
+		m          catalogue.Manifest
+	}{{"b1", "c1c1c1c1", before}, {"b2", "c2c2c2c2", joined}} {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git", Ref: "main",
+			Module: "radarr", Commit: b.commit, On: "builder", Manifest: raw}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, before, inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c1c1c1c1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "radarr", map[string]any{"puid": "1000"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": "c1c1c1c1"}, 1, 1,
+		inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, joined, inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c2c2c2c2"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.ClearSettings(ctx, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil { // the joining build reads no puid
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, "anchor", plan, settings, gens, Reading)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if why, left := held.leftOutWhy["radarr"]; left {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr held was left out: %s", why)
+	}
+	for _, r := range held.Resources {
+		if r["id"] == "radarr.identity" {
+			if r["content"] != "PUID=1000\n" {
+				t.Fatalf("radarr held reads %q; want the puid it ran with", r["content"])
+			}
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatal("radarr held has no identity file")
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries_test.go
index f832d2dd..ed8f588b 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries_test.go
@@ -543,3 +543,43 @@ func TestALibraryIsTakenOnlyWhenTheEngineSaysTheActIsDone(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the act done did not make the library taken (%v)", err)
 	}
 }
+
+// ADR 0334: the engine states the tool runner's membership as resources of kind runner — `runner:<module>` of that
+// module, `runner:library:<name>` of no module. A library's is said for the modules that use it; neither fails the
+// first-node gate of a move that leaves the module's libraries as they were, and both hold one that changes them.
+func TestARunnersVerdictIsSaidAndJudgedByWhetherTheMoveChangesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := inventory.ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "ace"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, m := range []catalogue.Manifest{radarrManifest, plexManifest} {
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "ace", m.Module); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	lib := inventory.ResourceHealth{Resource: "runner:library:media", Kind: link.KindRunner, Target: "jochen",
+		State: link.StateUnhealthy, Reason: "the tool runner is not in mesh-media yet", Since: time.Now()}
+	copies := libraryVerdictsFor(ctx, inv, "ace", []inventory.ResourceHealth{lib})
+	if len(copies) != 2 || copies[0].Module != "plex" || copies[1].Module != "radarr" {
+		t.Fatalf("the runner's library verdict is said for %+v; want plex and radarr", copies)
+	}
+	own := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "runner:radarr", Kind: link.KindRunner, Target: "jochen",
+		State: link.StateUnhealthy, Reason: "the tool runner is not in mesh-radarr yet", Since: time.Now()}
+	now := time.Now()
+	for _, r := range []inventory.ResourceHealth{copies[1], own} {
+		f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			accessesChanged: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			health:          map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now, Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{r}}}}
+		if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthGood {
+			t.Errorf("%s, a move that changes no library: %v %q; want not counted", r.Resource, h, why)
+		}
+		f.accessesChanged = map[string]bool{"radarr": true}
+		if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthNotYet {
+			t.Errorf("%s, a move that changes a library: %v; want held to the bound", r.Resource, h)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
index de1946fc..63bef360 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ const (
 	moduleUnhealthyAfter = 2
 )
 
+// runnerLibrary prefixes the engine's verdict on the tool runner's membership of a library's group (ADR 0334).
+const runnerLibrary = "runner:library:"
+
 // libraryVerdictsFor is, for each library verdict in a statement (kind library, no module), one copy for each module
 // on the machine — assigned, or pulled in by a requirement — whose manifest uses that library: what the module is judged and said by. None when the
 // assignments or the catalogue cannot be read: the library's own verdict stands alone, and no module is excused by it.
@@ -49,7 +52,8 @@ func libraryVerdictsFor(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node stri
 	rs []inventory.ResourceHealth) []inventory.ResourceHealth {
 	var libraries []inventory.ResourceHealth
 	for _, r := range rs {
-		if r.Module == "" && r.Kind == link.KindLibrary && strings.HasPrefix(r.Resource, libraryAccess) {
+		if r.Module == "" && ((r.Kind == link.KindLibrary && strings.HasPrefix(r.Resource, libraryAccess)) ||
+			(r.Kind == link.KindRunner && strings.HasPrefix(r.Resource, runnerLibrary))) {
 			libraries = append(libraries, r)
 		}
 	}
@@ -80,7 +84,7 @@ func libraryVerdictsFor(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node stri
 	}
 	var out []inventory.ResourceHealth
 	for _, lib := range libraries {
-		name := strings.TrimPrefix(lib.Resource, libraryAccess)
+		name := strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(lib.Resource, runnerLibrary), libraryAccess)
 		for _, module := range assigned {
 			for _, u := range shelf[module].Libraries {
 				if u.Library == name {
@@ -790,6 +794,11 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 			(r.State == link.StateUnknown || (r.Kind == link.KindLibrary && r.State == link.StateStarting)) {
 			continue
 		}
+		// The tool runner's membership (ADR 0334 §2), of a move that changes no library of the module, is not this
+		// move's: it is said as the module's condition, and holds a move that changes them to the gate's bound.
+		if r.Kind == link.KindRunner && !changes {
+			continue
+		}
 		switch r.State {
 		case link.StateHealthy:
 		case link.StateStarting:
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
index a487aadd..8b2020b6 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
@@ -134,8 +134,9 @@ func planFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodeName string) (catalogue.Reso
 	if _, err := keepRecorded(ctx, open, nodeName, shelf); err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
 	}
-	// And a module that joins a library not yet taken, at the build it ran before (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8).
-	if _, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, nodeName, shelf); err != nil {
+	// And a module that may not join yet, at the build it ran before (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, ADR 0334).
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, nodeName, shelf)
+	if err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -223,6 +224,10 @@ func planFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodeName string) (catalogue.Reso
 		}
 		settings[m.Module] = layers
 	}
+	// A held module with the settings it last ran with (ADR 0328 §8).
+	if err := heldSettings(ctx, inv, nodeName, held, settings); err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
+	}
 	return resolved, settings, nil
 }
 
@@ -490,8 +495,8 @@ func declarationWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 		if kept == nil && len(held) > 0 {
 			kept = map[string]string{}
 		}
-		for m, was := range held {
-			kept[m] = was
+		for m, h := range held {
+			kept[m] = h.commit
 		}
 		for m, was := range kept {
 			if _, carried := out.Builds[m]; carried {
@@ -1035,15 +1040,16 @@ func engineJudgesRoot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string
 	return had && stated.Contract >= link.RootContract, nil
 }
 
-// engineKeepsLibraries says whether a machine's node-engine makes the mesh's users and library groups and keeps
-// libraries (novox/hq ADR 0328), by its own newest statement, for the same reason as engineReadsHealth: an older engine
-// parses strictly, and is sent none of it.
+// engineKeepsLibraries says whether a machine's node-engine makes the mesh's users and library groups, keeps
+// libraries, and keeps a joining module's own groups (novox/hq ADR 0328, ADR 0334: its statement's contract is
+// link.OwnGroupContract or later), by its own newest statement. On an older one no module joins: the libraries
+// alone are not enough, since its tools would lose their read of a joining module's directories.
 func engineKeepsLibraries(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (bool, error) {
 	stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	return had && stated.Contract >= link.LibraryContract, nil
+	return had && stated.Contract >= link.OwnGroupContract, nil
 }
 
 // libraryRendering is what a machine's composition needs of ADR 0328.
@@ -1083,11 +1089,7 @@ func libraryFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, pl
 	if lf.keeps, err = engineKeepsLibraries(ctx, inv, node); err != nil || !lf.keeps {
 		return lf, err
 	}
-	if stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node); err != nil {
-		return lf, err
-	} else {
-		lf.ownGroups = had && stated.Contract >= link.OwnGroupContract
-	}
+	lf.ownGroups = true // a module joins only on an engine that also keeps its own groups (ADR 0334)
 	lf.identities = map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}
 	for _, m := range plan.Modules {
 		if !catalogue.Joins(m) {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go
index a97cf4a7..749962e2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/release.go
@@ -253,9 +253,24 @@ func withoutKept(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, moves []invento
 		keeping = keepingRecorded(ctx)
 	}
 	keeps, err := recordedKept(keeping, open, node)
-	if err != nil || len(keeps) == 0 {
+	if err != nil {
 		return moves, err
 	}
+	// And a joining module held at the build it runs (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8): its new build is no move this send makes,
+	// and judging it would read the gate as superseded by its own send (the re-review of 96e15f86, item 1).
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, open.inventory, node, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return moves, err
+	}
+	if len(held) > 0 && keeps == nil {
+		keeps = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	for m, h := range held {
+		keeps[m] = h.commit
+	}
+	if len(keeps) == 0 {
+		return moves, nil
+	}
 	var out []inventory.CarriedMove
 	for _, mv := range moves {
 		if was, kept := keeps[mv.Module]; kept && sameCommit(was, mv.From) {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
index 452ae757..9c41f3bd 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go
@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 	// being behind. Now every module of the tier whose first machine is the same is sent there in one
 	// send, judged there by one gate — kept on the first of them, the others gated by it — and the rest
 	// of the tier's machines are sent once, together, when the gates have passed.
-	var pending []string
+	var pending, waitsForAPerson []string
 	firstOn := map[string][]string{}
 	runningOf := map[string][]string{}
 	var rest []string
@@ -706,6 +706,20 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			return false, err
 		}
 		runningOf[m] = running
+		// **A joining build held for a person is not sent** (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, the re-review of 96e15f86): its
+		// machines keep the build they run until its library is taken (or their engine keeps own groups), so sending
+		// it would send nothing new and judge the old build. It waits for a person, said; the plan stays open, the other
+		// modules are sent and judged, and it is sent on the walk after nothing holds it — no new merge.
+		if state.FirstAt == nil {
+			why, err := heldIn(ctx, inv, m, running)
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, err
+			}
+			if why != "" {
+				waitsForAPerson = append(waitsForAPerson, why)
+				continue
+			}
+		}
 		// **A build whose source is unchanged is never a move** (novox/hq issue 280): made from the source
 		// of the build every machine running it was sent, it is registered with that build's artifacts —
 		// nothing to send, and nothing for a gate to judge.
@@ -868,9 +882,17 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			strings.Join(sent, ", "))
 		return true, nil
 	}
-	if len(pending) > 0 {
-		note := "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + " built; waiting for " + strings.Join(pending, "; ") +
-			" to report it applied before the rest are sent"
+	if len(pending) > 0 || len(waitsForAPerson) > 0 {
+		note := "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + " built; "
+		if len(pending) > 0 {
+			note += "waiting for " + strings.Join(pending, "; ") + " to report it applied before the rest are sent"
+		}
+		if len(waitsForAPerson) > 0 {
+			if len(pending) > 0 {
+				note += "; and "
+			}
+			note += "waiting for a person: " + strings.Join(waitsForAPerson, "; ")
+		}
 		changed := p.State != inventory.PlanRolling || p.Note != note
 		p.State = inventory.PlanRolling
 		p.Note = note
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 46283c1e..496378e5 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ require (
 // committed. Every build (the build agent's `go build`, the Dockerfile) compiles from vendor/ and
 // fetches nothing; go refuses to build when vendor/ and this file disagree, so a pin moved without
 // `go mod vendor` fails loudly, at once, everywhere.
-replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012202816-d8e785bb4b4b
+replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 7e629522..0184ce90 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012202816-d8e785bb4b4b h1:NvXKvFi4lV/oXg29dQ9iUX5oQm+NtPN9ACTa9Ev1i8E=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012202816-d8e785bb4b4b/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b h1:PGdZJHUU9rCDucdrZIqSs4DGyxlo4lokvwmofpGk9RI=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c h1:l5onJwoIeH8yE/PjVlEeoPyXBsHp2NQiWLllz2fwX7s=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c/go.mod h1:GFuZUElBZ9A++mxgIKo97aXXo+kV0uJ/UkbhQPPIbrY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
diff --git a/internal/broker/genesis_template_test.go b/internal/broker/genesis_template_test.go
index 91b13d31..b598cbae 100644
--- a/internal/broker/genesis_template_test.go
+++ b/internal/broker/genesis_template_test.go
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func theCarriedAccounts(t *testing.T) string {
 // the commit the mesh runs, or as captured in testdata/beside (internal/beside, novox/hq issue 432).
 func theTemplate(t *testing.T) []map[string]any {
 	t.Helper()
-	path := filepath.Join(beside.Dir(t, "mesh-host"), "examples", "foundation-first-node-nats.lock")
+	path := filepath.Join(beside.Dir(t, "mesh-host"), "examples", "foundation-first-node.lock")
 	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/libraries_test.go b/internal/catalogue/libraries_test.go
index 0b0c9ef4..4ad6faff 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/libraries_test.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/libraries_test.go
@@ -335,6 +335,7 @@ func TestTheEngineTakesWhatIsComposedForLibraries(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, node := range []string{"ace", "novox"} {
 		r := Resolution{Node: node, Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
 		with := librariesRendering()
+		with.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups = true // contract 7 (mesh-host #97): the runner on identities, setgid on own directories
 		with.Libraries["books"] = Library{Name: "books", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/books", Reach: []string{"novox"}}
 		composed := composeLibraries(t, r, with)
 		body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"declaration": validate.Version, "resources": composed.Resources,
diff --git a/internal/inventory/libraries.go b/internal/inventory/libraries.go
index 522dc9ab..a81f5398 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/libraries.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/libraries.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
 
@@ -290,3 +291,41 @@ func (i *Inventory) TakeFailed(ctx context.Context, library, warrant string) err
 		`delete from kept_library where library = $1 and warrant = $2 and not done`, library, warrant)
 	return err
 }
+
+// SettingsAsOf is a module's settings layers on a machine as they stood at a moment: each layer — the whole mesh's,
+// then the machine's — as it was set then, read from the layer standing now or from its history. What a module held at
+// the build it ran is composed with: the settings it last ran with (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8).
+func (i *Inventory) SettingsAsOf(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string, at time.Time) ([]catalogue.Layer, error) {
+	node, err := i.NodeByName(ctx, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var layers []catalogue.Layer
+	for _, scope := range []struct {
+		id   *string
+		from string
+	}{{nil, catalogue.MeshWideLayer}, {&node.ID, nodeName}} {
+		var raw []byte
+		err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+			`select values from settings
+			  where module = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid and set_at <= $3
+			 union all
+			 select values from (select values from settings_history
+			  where module = $1 and node is not distinct from $2::uuid
+			    and (set_at is null or set_at <= $3) and replaced_at > $3
+			  order by replaced_at asc limit 1) h
+			 limit 1`, module, scope.id, at).Scan(&raw)
+		if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		values := map[string]any{}
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &values); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: scope.from, Values: values})
+	}
+	return layers, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/link/protocol.go b/internal/link/protocol.go
index 923c8280..8ce62a35 100644
--- a/internal/link/protocol.go
+++ b/internal/link/protocol.go
@@ -457,6 +457,10 @@ const LibraryContract = 6
 // Identity and put that account in the group mesh-<module>, and accept a directory mode whose first digit is 2.
 const OwnGroupContract = 7
 
+// KindRunner is the tool runner's membership as the engine states it (novox/hq ADR 0334 §2; mesh-host internal/link):
+// `runner:<module>` of a joining module, in its own group; `runner:library:<name>` of no module, in a library's group.
+const KindRunner = "runner"
+
 // KindLibrary is a library's own verdict on its home, as the engine may state it (novox/hq ADR 0328): healthy once
 // kept. Read beside an access verdict naming the library until the engine's shape is settled.
 const KindLibrary = "library"
diff --git a/testdata/beside/CAPTURED b/testdata/beside/CAPTURED
index 996e8683..0750cad9 100644
--- a/testdata/beside/CAPTURED
+++ b/testdata/beside/CAPTURED
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ private addresses. That is acceptable while mesh-controller is private; if it ev
 a second place to clean besides the catalogue itself.
 
 mesh-catalog  b9de001833b1b61b297182b8e3bcdae1cbdeace9  modules/*/module.json, modules/nats/Dockerfile
-mesh-host     d8e785bb4b4bbd4ad99dccec60c588032cd78fa6  examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock
+mesh-host     7a41e120635b3f7b6cb94cca8b3fc4093e4e6110  examples/foundation-first-node.lock
 mesh-sdk      33917f91ac3cc213b879b32f3c70e2aa70395f98  conformance/events/module-event.json
 
 To move them, from this repository's root, with the two repositories checked out beside it:
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ To move them, from this repository's root, with the two repositories checked out
   git -C ../mesh-catalog archive <commit> modules | tar -x -C testdata/beside/mesh-catalog --wildcards \
     'modules/*/module.json' 'modules/nats/Dockerfile'
   find testdata/beside -name module.json -exec mv {} {}.captured \;
-  git -C ../mesh-host archive <commit> examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock | tar -x -C testdata/beside/mesh-host
+  git -C ../mesh-host archive <commit> examples/foundation-first-node.lock | tar -x -C testdata/beside/mesh-host
 
 and write the commits here. The SDK is captured at the commit go.mod pins for git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go
 (the last part of its pseudo-version; novox/hq issue 449), which internal/link's conformance test holds it to:
diff --git a/testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock b/testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node.lock
similarity index 87%
rename from testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock
rename to testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node.lock
index 25d84627..289e3e2a 100644
--- a/testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock
+++ b/testdata/beside/mesh-host/examples/foundation-first-node.lock
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
-// foundation-first-node-nats.lock — what a machine must be before a mesh exists, on the bus being
-// built (novox/hq ADR 0106, design 25).
+// foundation-first-node.lock — what a machine must be before a mesh exists: the one genesis bundle
+// (novox/hq ADR 0331 §2), on the bus the mesh runs on (ADR 0106, ADR 0131, design 25).
 //
-// The same twelve steps as foundation-first-node.lock, with one difference that matters: **the mesh
-// writes its own user list, and at genesis there is no mesh yet to write it.** So this carries the
-// first one — the controller's own account, at a well-known bootstrap password, exactly as the store
-// is reached at `postgres:bootstrap` and the old bus at `guest:guest`. It is rotated with those, and
-// from the controller's first composition onward the file is the controller's to write.
+// The whole bootstrap (novox/hq 03-DESIGN/01-to-be/07-the-foundation.md): a container runtime, a
+// filter, a store, a database per context, those contexts' schemas, the bus with its certificate
+// and its first user list, and the control plane running on top of them.
+//
+// **The mesh writes its own user list, and at genesis there is no mesh yet to write it.** So this
+// carries the first one — the controller's own account — and the control plane's address names the
+// same account. Both say `bootstrap`, and both are placeholders: the installer makes the account's
+// password, puts it in the address and its hash in the list (mesh-host internal/bootstrap
+// rootsecrets.go), and refuses a bundle whose bus connection it does not recognise. Until the first
+// node has enrolled the installer places the list the controller composes; from the bus's adoption
+// as the `nats` module on, the module receives it like any module (ADR 0331 §1, §5).
 //
 // The accounts file is its own file beside the server's configuration, because the server's own
 // settings belong to whoever raises it and the users belong to the mesh (design 25 §4). Both live in
@@ -15,7 +21,18 @@
 //
 // No `verify` on the TLS block, deliberately — that setting makes the server demand a *client*
 // certificate, and nothing in the mesh presents one: a host pins this server's exact certificate and
-// authenticates with a password (ADR 0004, design 25 §4).
+// authenticates with a password (ADR 0004, design 25 §4). The control plane pins it too, through
+// MESH_BROKER_CERTIFICATE, and dials the bus on the machine's own loopback.
+//
+// PINNED BY DIGEST, and the digest is not decoration: a tag can be made to point at a different
+// image, and this file is applied on a machine with no mesh to ask about anything (ADR 0006). The
+// registry prefix is the lab's; the digests are upstream's.
+//
+// The store's data is a NAMED VOLUME, not a directory on the machine. A directory the host
+// creates is owned by root, and the database runs as somebody else inside the container — so it
+// could not write, and the container crash-looped. A named volume lets the image set up its own
+// ownership, and outlives the container, which is what you want for the thing holding the mesh's
+// state.
 
 {
   "declaration": 1,
diff --git a/testdata/store-tests b/testdata/store-tests
index 0757a123..0212aa60 100644
--- a/testdata/store-tests
+++ b/testdata/store-tests
@@ -47,3 +47,7 @@
 ./cmd/mesh-controller TestALibraryIsTakenOnlyWhenTheEngineSaysTheActIsDone
 ./internal/inventory TestTheSubPathsOfModulesPulledInByARequirementAreKept
 ./internal/inventory TestALibraryIsTakenWhenTheActIsDone
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestADeliveryWaitsForALibraryAndJudgesTheRest
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestAJoiningModuleIsHeldOnAnEngineOlderThanOwnGroups
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestAHeldModuleKeepsTheSettingsItRanWith
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestARunnersVerdictIsSaidAndJudgedByWhetherTheMoveChangesIt
diff --git a/vendor/github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration/declaration.go b/vendor/github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration/declaration.go
index 16ffdc84..4e54fc79 100644
--- a/vendor/github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration/declaration.go
+++ b/vendor/github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration/declaration.go
@@ -133,7 +133,13 @@ func (d *Directory) validate(where string, _ bool) []string {
 	if d.Path == "" {
 		problems = append(problems, where+": a directory needs a path")
 	}
-	return append(problems, checkMode(where, d.Mode)...)
+	// A directory's mode may carry the setgid bit (2xxx), so what is made beneath it keeps its group (novox/hq ADR
+	// 0334 §1); never setuid or sticky, which mean nothing the mesh asks of a directory it owns.
+	mode := d.Mode
+	if len(mode) == 4 && mode[0] == '2' {
+		mode = "0" + mode[1:]
+	}
+	return append(problems, checkMode(where, mode)...)
 }
 
 // File is a file with literal content. The host renders nothing.
@@ -1564,6 +1570,9 @@ type Identity struct {
 	UID    int    `json:"uid"`
 	GID    int    `json:"gid"`
 	Groups []int  `json:"groups,omitempty"`
+	// Runner is the tool runner's account, put in the module's own group (novox/hq ADR 0334 §2) when its tools run
+	// on this machine. Absent for a module that declares no tools here, and from a controller older than ADR 0334.
+	Runner string `json:"runner,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // Group is one library's group, as the controller allocated it (ADR 0328 §3).
@@ -1707,6 +1716,9 @@ func checkIdentities(ids []Identity, groups []Group) []string {
 					"declaration makes", where, g))
 			}
 		}
+		if id.Runner != "" && !accountName.MatchString(id.Runner) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: its runner %q is not an account's name", where, id.Runner))
+		}
 		names[id.Name], uids[id.UID] = true, id.Name
 	}
 	return problems
diff --git a/vendor/modules.txt b/vendor/modules.txt
index 57535ea1..dcb56b10 100644
--- a/vendor/modules.txt
+++ b/vendor/modules.txt
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ github.com/nats-io/nkeys
 # github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1
 ## explicit
 github.com/nats-io/nuid
-# github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0 => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012202816-d8e785bb4b4b
+# github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0 => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b
 ## explicit; go 1.26.0
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/rootsearch
@@ -138,4 +138,4 @@ golang.org/x/text/width
 # golang.org/x/time v0.15.0
 ## explicit; go 1.25.0
 golang.org/x/time/rate
-# github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012202816-d8e785bb4b4b
+# github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b