Ask at most three at a time, wait out a refusal, need a router, and act only on a claimed open ask, as the review asked (hq ADR 0259)

cmd/mesh-controller/asker.go

@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ const askerName = broker.ControllerSeat
 
 // How long an ask lasts: a day when an answer approves, a week when every answer only acknowledges.
 const (
-	askApproveFor     = 24 * time.Hour
+	// askApproveFor is a day less a margin, so an ask is never refused at the router for lasting a day and
+	// a moment (the SDK's bound is a day).
+	askApproveFor     = 24*time.Hour - 10*time.Minute
 	askAcknowledgeFor = 7 * 24 * time.Hour
 	// askEvery is how often what is open is asked about again, beside every change.
 	askEvery = time.Minute
@@ -53,6 +55,9 @@ const (
 	// askAgainAfterAnswer is how long a condition the operator answered is not asked about again with the
 	// same answers: what was chosen takes a while to clear it, and asking again at once would ask twice.
 	askAgainAfterAnswer = time.Hour
+	// askMostOpen is how many asks the controller holds open at once (the router refuses a fourth): the
+	// most urgent conditions first, then the oldest.
+	askMostOpen = asks.MostOpen
 )
 
 // What became of an ask, as the controller keeps it.
@@ -63,10 +68,13 @@ const (
 
 // asked is one ask the controller made, as it keeps it.
 type asked struct {
-	ID        string              `json:"id"`
-	Condition string              `json:"condition"`
-	Ask       asks.Ask            `json:"ask"`
-	Actions   []conditions.Action `json:"actions"`
+	ID        string `json:"id"`
+	Condition string `json:"condition"`
+	// Channels is what the channels were when it was asked (asker.channels): an ask the router refused is not
+	// asked again until the condition's answers or the channels change.
+	Channels string              `json:"channels,omitempty"`
+	Ask      asks.Ask            `json:"ask"`
+	Actions  []conditions.Action `json:"actions"`
 	// Options are the actions by option id.
 	Options map[string]int `json:"options"`
 	State   string         `json:"state"`
@@ -83,6 +91,9 @@ type askedStore interface {
 	Get(ctx context.Context, id string) (*asked, error)
 	Put(ctx context.Context, a asked) error
 	All(ctx context.Context) ([]asked, error)
+	// Claim marks an open ask acting, by compare-and-set, and says whether this write stood: of two
+	// deliveries of one warrant, or two controllers, only the one whose write stands acts.
+	Claim(ctx context.Context, id string, w asks.Warrant) (bool, error)
 }
 
 // asker is the controller asking the operator and acting on the answer.
@@ -98,8 +109,14 @@ type asker struct {
 	record func(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error
 	// routerRecord reads the router's record of an ask for a warrant missed; nil reads nothing.
 	routerRecord func(ctx context.Context, id string) (*asks.Warrant, error)
-	now          func() time.Time
-	logf         func(string, ...any)
+	// routerHere says whether a router holds the seat and takes asks under the asker's name; nil is yes.
+	routerHere func(ctx context.Context) (bool, error)
+	// channels is what the channels are now, as a fingerprint: who holds which kind, promising what.
+	channels func(ctx context.Context) string
+	now      func() time.Time
+	logf     func(string, ...any)
+
+	saidNoRouter bool
 
 	mu     sync.Mutex
 	nudged chan struct{}
@@ -156,6 +173,25 @@ func sameAsked(a []conditions.Action, b []conditions.Action) bool {
 // reconcile brings what is asked in line with what is open.
 func (a *asker) reconcile(ctx context.Context) error {
 	now := a.now()
+	if a.routerHere != nil {
+		here, err := a.routerHere(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !here {
+			if !a.saidNoRouter {
+				a.logf("no router takes asks under the controller's name (a module declaring %s with its ask "+
+					"named by its caller, assigned): the operator is asked nothing until one is", broker.AsksSeat)
+				a.saidNoRouter = true
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+		a.saidNoRouter = false
+	}
+	channels := ""
+	if a.channels != nil {
+		channels = a.channels(ctx)
+	}
 	open, err := a.open(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -195,20 +231,47 @@ func (a *asker) reconcile(ctx context.Context) error {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	// What the operator answered lately, by condition: not asked again at once.
-	answered := map[string]asked{}
+	// What the operator answered lately, by condition: not asked again at once; and what the router refused,
+	// newest first: not asked again until the answers or the channels change.
+	answered, refused := map[string]asked{}, map[string]asked{}
 	for _, r := range all {
 		if r.State == string(asks.OutcomeChosen) && now.Sub(r.Ended) < askAgainAfterAnswer {
 			answered[r.Condition] = r
 		}
+		if r.State == string(asks.OutcomeRefused) {
+			if prior, has := refused[r.Condition]; !has || r.Opened.After(prior.Opened) {
+				refused[r.Condition] = r
+			}
+		}
 	}
 	wanted := map[string]bool{}
-	sort.Slice(open, func(i, j int) bool { return open[i].Key < open[j].Key })
+	// The most urgent first, then the oldest: those are asked when no more than askMostOpen may be.
+	sort.SliceStable(open, func(i, j int) bool {
+		ui, uj := open[i].Severity == conditions.Urgent, open[j].Severity == conditions.Urgent
+		if ui != uj {
+			return ui
+		}
+		if !open[i].Raised.Equal(open[j].Raised) {
+			return open[i].Raised.Before(open[j].Raised)
+		}
+		return open[i].Key < open[j].Key
+	})
+	openNow := 0
+	for _, c := range open {
+		if r, held := byCondition[c.Key]; held && wants(c, now) && sameAsked(r.Actions, c.Actions) && now.Before(r.Ask.Expires) {
+			openNow++
+		}
+	}
 	for _, c := range open {
 		if !wants(c, now) {
 			continue
 		}
 		wanted[c.Key] = true
+		if r, was := refused[c.Key]; was && sameAsked(r.Actions, c.Actions) && r.Channels == channels {
+			if _, held := byCondition[c.Key]; !held {
+				continue // refused, and nothing it was refused for has changed
+			}
+		}
 		if r, done := answered[c.Key]; done && sameAsked(r.Actions, c.Actions) {
 			if _, held := byCondition[c.Key]; !held {
 				continue
@@ -226,13 +289,19 @@ func (a *asker) reconcile(ctx context.Context) error {
 				if err := a.store.Put(ctx, r); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
+				openNow--
 			default:
 				continue
 			}
 		}
-		if err := a.ask(ctx, c); err != nil {
-			a.logf("the operator could not be asked about %s: %v", c.Key, err)
+		if openNow >= askMostOpen {
+			continue // asked when one of the open ones ends, most urgent first
 		}
+		if err := a.ask(ctx, c, channels); err != nil {
+			a.logf("the operator could not be asked about %s: %v", c.Key, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		openNow++
 	}
 	for key, r := range byCondition {
 		if !wanted[key] {
@@ -280,9 +349,18 @@ func doesWords(act conditions.Action) string {
 	return strings.ToLower(act.Label)
 }
 
+// askText is a condition's words as an ask says them: without where an answer is given when no channel can
+// give it (FromMeshMCPServer), since the ask is answered on a channel and the router says where else.
+func askText(s string) string {
+	for _, with := range []string{", " + FromMeshMCPServer, " " + FromMeshMCPServer} {
+		s = strings.ReplaceAll(s, with, ".")
+	}
+	return strings.ReplaceAll(s, "..", ".")
+}
+
 // askOf is the ask a condition is asked with.
 func askOf(id string, c conditions.Condition, now time.Time) (asks.Ask, map[string]int) {
-	q := asks.Ask{ID: id, Headline: c.Headline, Explanation: c.Explanation, Who: asks.Operator,
+	q := asks.Ask{ID: id, Headline: c.Headline, Explanation: askText(c.Explanation), Who: asks.Operator,
 		OnExpiry: "nothing is done, and you are asked again while it lasts", About: c.Key,
 		Urgent: c.Severity == conditions.Urgent}
 	options := map[string]int{}
@@ -311,7 +389,7 @@ func newAskID() string {
 }
 
 // ask publishes one ask about a condition, and keeps it.
-func (a *asker) ask(ctx context.Context, c conditions.Condition) error {
+func (a *asker) ask(ctx context.Context, c conditions.Condition, channels string) error {
 	now := a.now()
 	id := newAskID()
 	q, options := askOf(id, c, now)
@@ -327,7 +405,7 @@ func (a *asker) ask(ctx context.Context, c conditions.Condition) error {
 	}
 	a.logf("asked the operator about %s (%s): %d answer(s)", c.Key, id, len(q.Options))
 	return a.store.Put(ctx, asked{ID: id, Condition: c.Key, Ask: q, Actions: c.Actions, Options: options,
-		State: askOpen, Opened: now})
+		State: askOpen, Opened: now, Channels: channels})
 }
 
 // cancel takes an ask back.
@@ -375,6 +453,11 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 		a.logf("the ask %s about %s ended %s; nothing is done", r.ID, r.Condition, w.Outcome)
 		return a.store.Put(ctx, *r)
 	}
+	if r.State != askOpen {
+		// Cancelled, replaced or expired in the controller's own record: no answer to it is acted on.
+		a.logf("REFUSED a warrant for the ask %s, which is %s in the controller's own record", r.ID, r.State)
+		return nil
+	}
 	option, err := w.For(askerName, r.Ask)
 	if err != nil {
 		a.logf("REFUSED a warrant for the ask %s: %v", r.ID, err)
@@ -401,10 +484,18 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 		a.logf("%s, for %s, which ended meanwhile: nothing is done", w.Says(), r.Condition)
 		return a.store.Put(ctx, *r)
 	}
-	r.Acted = "acting"
-	if err := a.store.Put(ctx, *r); err != nil {
+	// Claimed before acting, by compare-and-set: only the delivery whose write stands acts (security review
+	// of 2026-10-08, finding 9).
+	claimed, err := a.store.Claim(ctx, r.ID, w)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if !claimed {
+		a.logf("the warrant for the ask %s was already taken by another delivery; nothing more is done", r.ID)
+		return nil
+	}
+	r.Acted = "acting"
+
 	why := fmt.Sprintf("%s (ask %s)", w.Says(), r.ID)
 	args := map[string]string{}
 	for k, v := range act.Arguments {

cmd/mesh-controller/asker_test.go

@@ -27,6 +27,15 @@ func (m memAskedStore) Get(_ context.Context, id string) (*asked, error) {
 	return &r, nil
 }
 func (m memAskedStore) Put(_ context.Context, r asked) error { m[r.ID] = r; return nil }
+func (m memAskedStore) Claim(_ context.Context, id string, w asks.Warrant) (bool, error) {
+	r, ok := m[id]
+	if !ok || r.State != askOpen || r.Acted != "" {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	r.State, r.Warrant, r.Acted = string(asks.OutcomeChosen), &w, "acting"
+	m[id] = r
+	return true, nil
+}
 func (m memAskedStore) All(context.Context) ([]asked, error) {
 	var out []asked
 	for _, r := range m {
@@ -340,3 +349,128 @@ func TestAWarrantMissedWhileAwayIsReadFromTheRoutersRecord(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("asked again after the answer: %d", n)
 	}
 }
+
+// After review (2026-10-08): a refused ask is not asked again until its answers or the channels change.
+func TestAnAskTheRouterRefusedWaitsUntilSomethingChanges(t *testing.T) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	channels := "channel/telegram=telegram@anchor[choice]own:true"
+	r.a.channels = func(context.Context) string { return channels }
+	r.open = []conditions.Condition{heldCondition()}
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	first := r.asksSent(t)[0]
+	refusal, _ := json.Marshal(asks.Warrant{Ask: first.ID, Asker: "mesh-controller", Outcome: asks.OutcomeRefused,
+		Words: "no channel can carry any of its answers now", At: r.now})
+	if err := r.a.Decided(context.Background(), refusal); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := r.store[first.ID]; got.State != string(asks.OutcomeRefused) || !strings.Contains(got.Acted, "nothing") {
+		t.Fatalf("the refusal was kept as %+v", got)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		r.now = r.now.Add(askEvery)
+		_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	}
+	if n := len(r.asksSent(t)); n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("asked again %d time(s) though nothing changed", n-1)
+	}
+	channels = "channel/telegram=telegram@anchor[choice,verified-sender]own:true"
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	if n := len(r.asksSent(t)); n != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("not asked again once the channels changed: %d", n)
+	}
+}
+
+// After review: at most three asks open at once, the most urgent first, then the oldest.
+func TestAtMostThreeAsksAreOpenTheMostUrgentFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	var open []conditions.Condition
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		c := unitsCondition()
+		c.Key = "machine.m" + string(rune('a'+i)) + ".units"
+		c.Actions = []conditions.Action{conditions.SilenceAction(c.Key)}
+		c.Raised = r.now.Add(-time.Duration(10-i) * time.Hour)
+		open = append(open, c)
+	}
+	urgent := heldCondition()
+	urgent.Severity, urgent.Raised = conditions.Urgent, r.now.Add(-time.Minute)
+	r.open = append(open, urgent)
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	sent := r.asksSent(t)
+	if len(sent) != askMostOpen || sent[0].About != urgent.Key || sent[1].About != "machine.ma.units" || sent[2].About != "machine.mb.units" {
+		var about []string
+		for _, q := range sent {
+			about = append(about, q.About)
+		}
+		t.Fatalf("asked %v", about)
+	}
+}
+
+// After review: nothing is asked while no router takes asks under the controller's name, and that is said once.
+func TestNothingIsAskedWithoutARouter(t *testing.T) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	var said []string
+	r.a.logf = func(f string, a ...any) { said = append(said, f) }
+	r.a.routerHere = func(context.Context) (bool, error) { return false, nil }
+	r.open = []conditions.Condition{heldCondition()}
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	if len(r.asksSent(t)) != 0 {
+		t.Error("asked with no router")
+	}
+	n := 0
+	for _, s := range said {
+		if strings.Contains(s, "no router takes asks") {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+	if n != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("said %d times", n)
+	}
+}
+
+// After review: the condition's words keep where an answer is given without a channel; the ask's text does not.
+func TestTheAskDropsWhereItIsAnsweredAndTheConditionKeepsIt(t *testing.T) {
+	c := heldCondition()
+	if !strings.Contains(c.Explanation, FromMeshMCPServer) {
+		t.Fatalf("the condition lost where it is answered: %q", c.Explanation)
+	}
+	q, _ := askOf("x", c, time.Now())
+	if strings.Contains(q.Explanation, "mesh MCP server") || !strings.HasPrefix(q.Explanation, "Needs you: release it, or stop it.") {
+		t.Errorf("the ask says %q", q.Explanation)
+	}
+	if askApproveFor >= 24*time.Hour {
+		t.Errorf("an approving ask lasts %s, which the SDK may refuse at its bound", askApproveFor)
+	}
+}
+
+// After review (security finding 9): a warrant is acted on only for an ask open in the controller's own record,
+// once the claim stands, and never when given after the ask expired.
+func TestAWarrantIsActedOnlyForAnOpenAskItClaimsBeforeItExpired(t *testing.T) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	r.open = []conditions.Condition{heldCondition()}
+	_ = r.a.reconcile(context.Background())
+	w := r.warrantFor(t, heldCondition().Key, "Release")
+	late := w
+	late.At = r.store[w.Ask].Ask.Expires.Add(time.Minute)
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(late)
+	_ = r.a.Decided(context.Background(), body)
+	if len(r.called) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("acted on a warrant given after the ask expired: %v", r.called)
+	}
+	// Claimed already by another delivery: nothing done here.
+	kept := r.store[w.Ask]
+	kept.Acted = "acting"
+	r.store[w.Ask] = kept
+	body, _ = json.Marshal(w)
+	_ = r.a.Decided(context.Background(), body)
+	if len(r.called) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("acted though the claim was another's: %v", r.called)
+	}
+	// Cancelled in its own record: refused.
+	kept.Acted, kept.State = "", askCancelled
+	r.store[w.Ask] = kept
+	_ = r.a.Decided(context.Background(), body)
+	if len(r.called) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("acted on a cancelled ask: %v", r.called)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/asker_wire.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -93,6 +94,41 @@ func (b busAsked) All(ctx context.Context) ([]asked, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// Claim marks an open ask acting, by compare-and-set on its key's revision: only the write that stands acts.
+func (b busAsked) Claim(ctx context.Context, id string, w asks.Warrant) (bool, error) {
+	kv, err := b.kv(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	e, err := kv.Get(ctx, id)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	var r asked
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(e.Value(), &r); err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if r.State != askOpen || r.Acted != "" {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	r.State, r.Warrant, r.Acted = string(asks.OutcomeChosen), &w, "acting"
+	body, err := json.Marshal(r)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if _, err := kv.Update(ctx, id, body, e.Revision()); err != nil {
+		var api *jetstream.APIError
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyExists) || (errors.As(err, &api) && api.ErrorCode == jetstream.JSErrCodeStreamWrongLastSequence) {
+			return false, nil
+		}
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
 // callAction performs an action's verb as the controller, through the grant that names it.
 func callAction(conn *nats.Conn) func(ctx context.Context, a conditions.Action, args map[string]string) error {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, a conditions.Action, args map[string]string) error {
@@ -174,6 +210,53 @@ func asksRecords(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (string, error)
 	return "", nil
 }
 
+// routerHereIn says whether a module declaring the asks seat, with its ask named by its caller, is assigned:
+// without it nothing takes an ask, and asking would only fill a queue nobody reads.
+func routerHereIn(inv *inventory.Inventory) func(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+		entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+		for _, e := range entries {
+			for _, s := range e.Manifest.DefinesSeats {
+				if s.Name == broker.AsksSeat && s.NamedByCaller("ask") && len(e.On) > 0 {
+					return true, nil
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return false, nil
+	}
+}
+
+// channelsIn is what the channels are now, as a fingerprint: each module claiming a kind of the channel
+// bench, where, promising what, and whether of its own account. An ask the router refused is asked again
+// once this changes.
+func channelsIn(inv *inventory.Inventory) func(ctx context.Context) string {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) string {
+		entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return ""
+		}
+		var parts []string
+		for _, e := range entries {
+			for _, c := range e.Manifest.Claims {
+				if c.Kind == "" || !catalogue.KindedBenches[c.Name] {
+					continue
+				}
+				on := append([]string(nil), e.On...)
+				sort.Strings(on)
+				caps := append([]string(nil), c.Capabilities...)
+				sort.Strings(caps)
+				parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s=%s@%s[%s]own:%t", c.Name, c.Kind, e.Manifest.Module,
+					strings.Join(on, ","), strings.Join(caps, ","), e.Manifest.RunsAs != ""))
+			}
+		}
+		sort.Strings(parts)
+		return strings.Join(parts, ";")
+	}
+}
+
 // startAsking makes the serving controller's asker and hands it the router's words.
 func startAsking(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, conn *nats.Conn, keeper *conditions.Keeper) {
 	js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
@@ -198,6 +281,8 @@ func startAsking(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, conn *n
 			return err
 		},
 		routerRecord: routerRecordOf(conn, open.inventory),
+		routerHere:   routerHereIn(open.inventory),
+		channels:     channelsIn(open.inventory),
 		now:          time.Now,
 		logf:         func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) },
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go

@@ -671,11 +671,11 @@ func walkWaitingWords(w waitFacts, in time.Duration, severity conditions.Severit
 }
 
 // waitingNeeds is what the operator does about a walk waiting past its urgent bound: nothing before it.
-// Start and Stop are asked of the operator (novox/hq ADR 0259), so the words do not say where: the router
-// says where each can be answered.
+// Start and Stop are also asked of the operator (novox/hq ADR 0259); the condition's own words keep saying
+// where they are given without a channel, and the ask's text drops that (askText).
 func waitingNeeds(severity conditions.Severity) string {
 	if severity == conditions.Urgent {
-		return "start it, or stop it."
+		return "start it, or stop it, " + FromMeshMCPServer
 	}
 	return ""
 }
@@ -708,8 +708,8 @@ func moduleNeeds(node string, rs []inventory.ResourceHealth) string {
 		}
 	}
 	if unit != "" {
-		// Asked of the operator (moduleActions): the router says where it can be answered.
-		return fmt.Sprintf("restart its service %s on %s.", unit, node)
+		// Also asked of the operator (moduleActions); the ask's text drops where (askText).
+		return fmt.Sprintf("restart its service %s on %s %s", unit, node, FromMeshMCPServer)
 	}
 	return ""
 }
@@ -796,11 +796,11 @@ func stalledWords(l stalledLine, o conditions.Observation) (headline, explanatio
 			Arguments: map[string]string{"id": l.ID, "why": ""}}
 		switch held {
 		case "held":
-			needs, actions = "release it, or stop it.", []conditions.Action{release, stop}
+			needs, actions = "release it, or stop it, "+FromMeshMCPServer, []conditions.Action{release, stop}
 		case "ready", "checked":
 			needs = "merge its pull request, or close it."
 		default:
-			needs, actions = "stop it.", []conditions.Action{stop}
+			needs, actions = "stop it "+FromMeshMCPServer, []conditions.Action{stop}
 		}
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("Delivery of %s %s %s", name, held, long),

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestADeliveryWaitingNeedsNothingUntilItsBoundThenOffersStartAndStop(t *test
 	f.waits[0].since = now.Add(-5 * time.Hour)
 	got = watchWaits(f)
 	plainExample(t, got[0], "openrazer delivery waiting to start",
-		"Needs you: start it, or stop it. The change to openrazer is merged and built, and mesh-delivery (the "+
+		"Needs you: start it, or stop it, from the mesh MCP server; this notification cannot do it. The change to openrazer is merged and built, and mesh-delivery (the "+
 			"module that decides when a delivery goes out) has not let it start for 5 hours, so mesh-delivery may "+
 			"be stuck.", "Start", "Stop")
 	for i, want := range []string{"go", "stop"} {
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func TestAModuleUnhealthyAsksForARestartInWords(t *testing.T) {
 		Resource: "openrazer-daemon", Target: "openrazer-daemon.service", Account: "jochen",
 		Reason: "failed in the account's own service manager (exit-code)", Since: time.Now()}})
 	plainExample(t, o, "openrazer not working on g14",
-		"Needs you: restart its service openrazer-daemon on g14. "+
+		"Needs you: restart its service openrazer-daemon on g14 from the mesh MCP server; this notification cannot do it. "+
 			"openrazer on g14 is not healthy: its service openrazer-daemon stopped with an error. It clears as soon "+
 			"as it runs again.", "Restart")
 	if a := o.Actions[0]; a.Verb != "node-service-manager.restart" || a.Machine != "g14" || a.Level != conditions.LevelApprove ||
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ func TestADeliveryHeldAsksForReleaseOrStopInWords(t *testing.T) {
 	got := stalledObservations([]stalledLine{{ID: "novox/hq@055550802096", State: "held", For: "36h2m6s",
 		Bound: "24h0m0s", H2: "none: the state is the operator's", Says: "it waits for the operator"}})
 	plainExample(t, got[0], "Delivery of hq held for 36 hours",
-		"Needs you: release it, or stop it. A delivery of hq has been held for 36 hours, past its limit.",
+		"Needs you: release it, or stop it, from the mesh MCP server; this notification cannot do it. A delivery of hq has been held for 36 hours, past its limit.",
 		"Release", "Stop")
 	for i, verb := range []string{"mesh-delivery.release", "mesh-delivery.stop"} {
 		if a := got[0].Actions[i]; a.Verb != verb || a.Arguments["id"] != "novox/hq@055550802096" || a.Level != conditions.LevelApprove {

go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-controller
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008162031-55090da7e08f
 	github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.10.0
+	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 	github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0
@@ -11,7 +13,6 @@ require (
 )
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008145004-62367ce15ad6 // indirect
 	github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op // indirect
 	github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 // indirect
 	github.com/jackc/pgpassfile v1.0.0 // indirect
@@ -20,10 +21,8 @@ require (
 	github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 // indirect
 	github.com/minio/highwayhash v1.0.4 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/jwt/v2 v2.8.1 // indirect
-	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nkeys v0.4.16 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1 // indirect
-	go.uber.org/automaxprocs v1.6.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sync v0.23.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/text v0.42.0 // indirect

go.sum

@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261006095519-3e80b7ae325e h1:g9h4QRaAMg5yaJLwqtb0FoOs23DVGUYpW6qvnQ3oY5A=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261006095519-3e80b7ae325e/go.mod h1:VlilMCRZ5yyNXg7SNigNBLr0Gt32jrGw5KSNq5JAVYs=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261007120832-bdd44154ccac h1:KvnKtJ2rWeIE/t4GweK+JL0OjKSNxsrVP3/nMdpii8o=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261007120832-bdd44154ccac/go.mod h1:VlilMCRZ5yyNXg7SNigNBLr0Gt32jrGw5KSNq5JAVYs=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261007162834-56e2ebec4bac h1:yLtFS0pDCCqIE9Zx8hgXEFG9fUWzf8L9WQoKV+Amk1E=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261007162834-56e2ebec4bac/go.mod h1:VlilMCRZ5yyNXg7SNigNBLr0Gt32jrGw5KSNq5JAVYs=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008145004-62367ce15ad6 h1:JT7xM1bnLNInW7/oImV2OlXTrcQ4/GSM0Y8tAb+AhmY=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008145004-62367ce15ad6/go.mod h1:GFuZUElBZ9A++mxgIKo97aXXo+kV0uJ/UkbhQPPIbrY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008162031-55090da7e08f h1:BNvyWq899GwP7F3sY4ACieB5a5fnFAq+sJ9lP6HQ5qI=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008162031-55090da7e08f/go.mod h1:GFuZUElBZ9A++mxgIKo97aXXo+kV0uJ/UkbhQPPIbrY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
@@ -42,8 +38,6 @@ github.com/stretchr/testify v1.3.0/go.mod h1:M5WIy9Dh21IEIfnGCwXGc5bZfKNJtfHm1UV
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.7.0/go.mod h1:6Fq8oRcR53rry900zMqJjRRixrwX3KX962/h/Wwjteg=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.11.1 h1:7s2iGBzp5EwR7/aIZr8ao5+dra3wiQyKjjFuvgVKu7U=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.11.1/go.mod h1:wZwfW3scLgRK+23gO65QZefKpKQRnfz6sD981Nm4B6U=
-go.uber.org/automaxprocs v1.6.0 h1:O3y2/QNTOdbF+e/dpXNNW7Rx2hZ4sTIPyybbxyNqTUs=
-go.uber.org/automaxprocs v1.6.0/go.mod h1:ifeIMSnPZuznNm6jmdzmU3/bfk01Fe2fotchwEFJ8r8=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0 h1:3ZVCjf8Ggz7zneR/EHRVx68Ctf+2pmIMP2UFhh9cC6M=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0/go.mod h1:Fdz0i5U6CoizGwLda9DttjSk6qlZo25zYNtR+ycvuZA=
 golang.org/x/net v0.58.0 h1:ynWG7rqYi4ccpTEuPZ2QGWHktVEM9DMCj9yzDE0Q7To=

internal/broker/controller_buckets_test.go

@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
 package broker
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
 )
 
 // **The controller may write every bucket it writes** (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, issue 269). Writing a
@@ -59,3 +65,34 @@ func TestTheWatchedSignalsMayBeSaidAndHeard(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("the controller may not ask who answers, or hears every API call")
 	}
 }
+
+// The controller's record of what it asked the operator is bounded (correctness review of 2026-10-08): one
+// value a key, a month's age, and a size it cannot outgrow.
+func TestWhatTheControllerAskedIsBounded(t *testing.T) {
+	js, err := Dial(testbus.URL(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer js.Close()
+	if err := js.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	kv, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	bucket, err := kv.KeyValue(ctx, AskedBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	status, err := bucket.Status(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	info := status.(*jetstream.KeyValueBucketStatus).StreamInfo()
+	if status.History() != 1 || status.TTL() != AskedKeptFor || info.Config.MaxBytes <= 0 || info.Config.MaxBytes > 64<<20 {
+		t.Errorf("history %d, age %s, bytes %d", status.History(), status.TTL(), info.Config.MaxBytes)
+	}
+}

vendor/git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks/asks.go

@@ -289,6 +289,11 @@ func (w Warrant) For(asker string, a Ask) (Option, error) {
 	if w.Level != o.Level {
 		return Option{}, fmt.Errorf("the option %s is %s, and the warrant says %s", o.ID, o.Level, w.Level)
 	}
+	// A choice made after the ask expired is no answer to it, whatever the router said.
+	if !w.At.IsZero() && w.At.After(a.Expires) {
+		return Option{}, fmt.Errorf("the warrant was given at %s, after the ask %s expired at %s",
+			w.At.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), a.ID, a.Expires.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))
+	}
 	return o, nil
 }
 

vendor/modules.txt

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008145004-62367ce15ad6
+# git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.8-0.20261008162031-55090da7e08f
 ## explicit; go 1.22
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks
 # github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op
@@ -82,8 +82,6 @@ github.com/nats-io/nuid
 ## explicit; go 1.26.0
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/validate
-# go.uber.org/automaxprocs v1.6.0
-## explicit; go 1.20
 # golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0
 ## explicit; go 1.26.0
 golang.org/x/crypto/acme