Retire the networking bundle and what the control plane stops shipping (hq ADR 0226)

networking required mesh-wireguard and nothing else; machines are assigned the network directly.
module forget refuses a provided module, so a retired one is removed at start once no machine has it.
Guard route-proxy's public account directory against a reissue.

Dockerfile

@@ -21,13 +21,15 @@ ARG GO_BASE=golang@sha256:8ac98ca534ac3f51e1f420a1dd2c15e74c75cfa0f23f3ad27eb5d7
 FROM ${GO_BASE} AS build
 WORKDIR /src
 
-# Dependencies first, so a change to the source does not refetch them.
+# **Nothing is fetched** (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 1): every dependency is in vendor/, committed, so
+# the image builds from this repository alone — the host's validator among them, whose module no
+# public proxy is asked for. Dependencies first, so a change to the source does not re-copy them.
 COPY go.mod go.sum ./
-RUN go mod download
+COPY vendor/ vendor/
 
 COPY . .
 ARG VERSION=development
-RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -trimpath \
+RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOFLAGS=-mod=vendor GOPROXY=off go build -trimpath \
         -ldflags "-s -w -X main.version=${VERSION}" \
         -o /mesh-controller ./cmd/mesh-controller
 

cmd/mesh-controller/acting.go

@@ -0,0 +1,353 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// Acting under the lease (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, ADR 0227 rule 1).
+//
+// **Only the instance holding the lease acts**: sends a declaration, writes a plan, a condition or a
+// call. Every one of those passes theLease.epoch, which answers the epoch the act carries or why it may
+// not happen. Three ways a process stands to the lease:
+//
+//   - **The serving controller** takes it before it does anything else — before it asserts the bus's
+//     objects, which are the controller's to write — waiting while another holds it, and renews it.
+//     A renewal refused or failed is the lease lost: the gate closes at once and the process exits, so
+//     its service manager restarts it as a candidate (serve, in push.go).
+//   - **A command run at a shell** — `push` in the installer, the lab, a person repairing a mesh whose
+//     controller is down (issue 201) — acts **under the holder's epoch** when a controller holds the
+//     lease: it is the same mesh's word, composed and sent under the store's hold of each machine like
+//     the serving controller's, and the epoch it carries is read at the moment it acts, so a handover
+//     between makes it stale and refused like any other. **When nobody holds the lease, the command
+//     takes it** for as long as it runs and gives it back; a controller starting meanwhile waits for
+//     it, as it would for another controller.
+//   - **A process with no bus** — a test, a command that only reads — acts with no epoch and is
+//     refused nothing: there is nothing to order against, and nothing it does reaches a machine.
+//
+// **Unleased, said and temporary.** A serving controller whose bus refuses it the lease's key — the bus's
+// user list is older than this build and does not grant the bucket yet — and that sees no other holder
+// serves without one, as every controller did before the lease: declarations carry no epoch, which no
+// node-engine refuses. Said once, kept as a condition (S12), and tried again every renewal interval; the
+// first push that sends the bus its new user list grants it, and the next try takes it. Refusing to act
+// instead would be a controller that can never send the user list that lets it act.
+
+// actor is this process's standing to the lease.
+type actor struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	// held is the lease this process holds: the serving controller's, or a command's own.
+	held *lease.Lease
+	// unleased is why a serving controller acts without the lease; empty while it holds it or is not
+	// serving.
+	unleased string
+	// serving is a serving controller, which never borrows another's epoch.
+	serving bool
+	// kv is the lease bucket, for a command to read the holder's epoch from.
+	kv    jetstream.KeyValue
+	close func()
+	// noBus is a process with no bus configured.
+	noBus bool
+	// reset is when the lease bucket was found raised again from nothing and its revisions moved past
+	// the highest epoch issued, and what was said of it; zero when it was not (S12).
+	reset     time.Time
+	resetSaid string
+}
+
+// theLease is this process's standing to the lease.
+var theLease = &actor{}
+
+// instance names this process among controller instances: its machine, its process and when it
+// started. The lease's holder and every call this process keeps carry it.
+var instance = func() string {
+	host, _ := os.Hostname()
+	return fmt.Sprintf("controller@%s pid %d since %s", host, os.Getpid(), time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))
+}()
+
+// epoch is the gate: the epoch an act carries — zero for none — or why it may not happen.
+func (a *actor) epoch(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	held, serving, unleased, noBus := a.held, a.serving, a.unleased, a.noBus
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	switch {
+	case held != nil:
+		return held.Epoch()
+	case serving && unleased != "":
+		return 0, nil
+	case serving:
+		return 0, lease.ErrNotHeld
+	case noBus:
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	return a.forACommand(ctx)
+}
+
+// forACommand is a command's epoch: the holder's, or a lease of its own when nobody holds one.
+func (a *actor) forACommand(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	if a.held != nil {
+		return a.held.Epoch()
+	}
+	if a.kv == nil {
+		address, err := broker.BusAddress()
+		if err != nil {
+			// No bus: this process reaches no machine, and has nothing to order against.
+			a.noBus = true
+			return 0, nil
+		}
+		js, err := broker.Dial(address)
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("the bus cannot be reached, so whether a controller holds the lease cannot be "+
+				"read and nothing is done: %w", err)
+		}
+		api, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+		if err != nil {
+			js.Close()
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		if err := broker.EnsureLeaseBucket(reading, api); err != nil {
+			js.Close()
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		kv, err := api.KeyValue(reading, broker.LeaseBucket)
+		if err != nil {
+			js.Close()
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		a.kv, a.close = kv, js.Close
+		if _, found, err := lease.Current(reading, kv); err == nil && !found {
+			// Nobody: this command takes it for as long as it runs.
+			l, err := lease.Open(reading, api, broker.LeaseBucket, lease.Options{Holder: holderOf(instance),
+				Say: func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) }})
+			if err != nil {
+				return 0, err
+			}
+			epoch, err := l.TryTake(reading)
+			if err != nil {
+				return 0, fmt.Errorf("no controller holds the lease and this command could not take it: %w", err)
+			}
+			keeping, stop := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			go l.Keep(keeping)
+			a.held = l
+			closeBus := a.close
+			a.close = func() {
+				stop()
+				l.Release(context.Background())
+				closeBus()
+			}
+			return epoch, nil
+		}
+	}
+	reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	holder, found, err := lease.Current(reading, a.kv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("who holds the controller lease cannot be read, so nothing is done: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !found {
+		return 0, errors.New("the controller that held the lease while this command ran let go of it; nothing " +
+			"more is done under an epoch nobody holds — run the command again")
+	}
+	return holder.Epoch, nil
+}
+
+// release gives back what this process holds, at its end.
+func (a *actor) release() {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	closing := a.close
+	a.close = nil
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	if closing != nil {
+		closing()
+	}
+}
+
+// holderOf is this process as the lease's holder.
+func holderOf(instance string) lease.Holder {
+	host, _ := os.Hostname()
+	return lease.Holder{Instance: instance, Host: host, Build: version}
+}
+
+// serveUnderTheLease takes the lease for the serving controller, waiting while another holds it, and
+// keeps it until ctx ends. Lost is closed when it is lost; the caller exits on it.
+func (a *actor) serveUnderTheLease(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, address string) (lost <-chan struct{}, err error) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.serving = true
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	js, err := broker.Dial(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the mesh is on the bus at %s and this control plane cannot reach it to take the "+
+			"lease: %w", broker.BareAddress(address), err)
+	}
+	api, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		js.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	asserting, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	err = broker.EnsureLeaseBucket(asserting, api)
+	cancel()
+	if err != nil {
+		js.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	say := func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) }
+	l, err := lease.Open(ctx, api, broker.LeaseBucket, lease.Options{Holder: holderOf(instance),
+		Floor: inv.HighestEpoch, Say: say, Moved: func(was, floor uint64) {
+			a.mu.Lock()
+			defer a.mu.Unlock()
+			a.reset = time.Now()
+			a.resetSaid = fmt.Sprintf("the lease bucket was at revision %d with epoch %d already issued: it was "+
+				"raised again from nothing (a bus whose data was replaced), and its revisions were moved past %d so "+
+				"no machine refuses the next epoch", was, floor, floor)
+		}})
+	if err != nil {
+		js.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	gone := make(chan struct{})
+	epoch, err := l.Take(ctx)
+	switch {
+	case ctx.Err() != nil:
+		js.Close()
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
+	case err != nil && !errors.Is(err, lease.ErrUnwritable):
+		// Whether another controller acts cannot be told: this one does not act, and exits to try again.
+		js.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	case err != nil:
+		// Nobody holds it and the bus will not let it be written: unleased, said, tried again (see above).
+		a.mu.Lock()
+		a.unleased = err.Error()
+		a.mu.Unlock()
+		say("this controller serves WITHOUT the lease: %v. Its declarations carry no epoch; it tries again "+
+			"every %s, and the first push that sends the bus its user list grants it", err, lease.RenewEvery)
+		go a.takeWhenGranted(ctx, l, inv, gone)
+	default:
+		a.took(ctx, l, inv, epoch, gone)
+	}
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.close = func() {
+		if held, err := l.Epoch(); err == nil {
+			ending, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+			if err := inv.EndEpoch(ending, held, inventory.EpochReleased); err != nil {
+				say("how epoch %d ended could not be recorded: %v", held, err)
+			}
+			cancel()
+		}
+		l.Release(context.Background())
+		js.Close()
+	}
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	return gone, nil
+}
+
+// took is the lease taken: recorded, earlier epochs nobody gave back ended as expired, kept.
+func (a *actor) took(ctx context.Context, l *lease.Lease, inv *inventory.Inventory, epoch uint64, gone chan struct{}) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.held, a.unleased = l, ""
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	h := holderOf(instance)
+	recording, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	expired, err := inv.TookEpoch(recording, inventory.Epoch{Epoch: epoch, Instance: h.Instance, Host: h.Host,
+		Build: h.Build, Taken: time.Now()})
+	cancel()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("epoch %d could not be recorded as taken, so a stale refusal from it will not name it: %v\n", epoch, err)
+	}
+	for _, e := range expired {
+		fmt.Printf("the controller of epoch %d (%s) stopped renewing the lease without giving it back: it is "+
+			"taken over at epoch %d\n", e.Epoch, e.Instance, epoch)
+	}
+	go l.Keep(ctx)
+	go func() {
+		<-l.Lost()
+		if ctx.Err() == nil {
+			why := l.LostWhy()
+			ending, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+			_ = inv.EndEpoch(ending, epoch, inventory.EpochLost)
+			cancel()
+			fmt.Printf("the controller lease was lost (epoch %d): %v — this controller stops and exits, to "+
+				"be started again as a candidate\n", epoch, why)
+		}
+		close(gone)
+	}()
+}
+
+// takeWhenGranted tries the lease again every renewal interval while serving unleased, and stops this
+// controller if another took it meanwhile: two serving at once is what the lease is for.
+func (a *actor) takeWhenGranted(ctx context.Context, l *lease.Lease, inv *inventory.Inventory, gone chan struct{}) {
+	tick := time.NewTicker(lease.RenewEvery)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+		epoch, err := l.TryTake(ctx)
+		if errors.Is(err, lease.ErrTaken) {
+			fmt.Printf("another controller took the lease while this one served without it: %v — this one "+
+				"stops and exits\n", err)
+			close(gone)
+			return
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			// Still not written, or not readable this time: unleased, said by S12, tried again.
+			a.mu.Lock()
+			a.unleased = err.Error()
+			a.mu.Unlock()
+			continue
+		}
+		a.took(ctx, l, inv, epoch, gone)
+		return
+	}
+}
+
+// standing is what `status` and the self-check say of this process and the lease.
+type standing struct {
+	Epoch    uint64
+	Held     bool
+	Renewed  time.Time
+	Unleased string
+	// Reset is when the lease bucket was found raised again from nothing, and ResetSaid what of it.
+	Reset     time.Time
+	ResetSaid string
+}
+
+func (a *actor) standing() standing {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	held, unleased, reset, resetSaid := a.held, a.unleased, a.reset, a.resetSaid
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	st := standing{Unleased: unleased, Reset: reset, ResetSaid: resetSaid}
+	if held == nil {
+		return st
+	}
+	epoch, err := held.Epoch()
+	st.Epoch, st.Held, st.Renewed = epoch, err == nil, held.Renewed()
+	return st
+}
+
+// The gates, given to what acts: a declaration's send (link) and a plan's write (the inventory).
+func init() {
+	link.ActingGate = func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		_, err := theLease.epoch(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("this controller may not send: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/build.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -676,9 +677,24 @@ type answers struct {
 	// refused, until the switch — and while there is any, the mesh is not all well: the order the
 	// machines' modules are built in is the mesh's to keep, and this is where it says it is not kept.
 	unheld []catalogue.Unheld
-	// failing is every consumer a provider says it keeps failing (novox/hq ADR 0224): a provider's
-	// journal was the only place that said so for a day (04-ISSUES/179).
-	failing []inventory.ProviderStanding
+	// conditions is every open condition (novox/hq to-be 45 §2), urgent first and then oldest first:
+	// what leads status, and what its all-well sentence needs to be none of, silenced ones included.
+	// A provider failing a consumer is one of them (ADR 0224). conditionsUnread says why they could
+	// not be read when they could not — never read as none.
+	conditions       []conditions.Condition
+	conditionsUnread string
+	// overflowing is every module whose identity overflows the bound of a provision it requires
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0225): its provider leaves it out of the grants and composes everything else, so
+	// this is the one place it is said across the mesh. Not well while there is any.
+	overflowing []catalogue.Overflow
+	// handActs is how many acts were done by hand in the last seven days (novox/hq to-be 45 §7), nil
+	// where the log is not on hand; handActsUnread why it could not be read when it could not.
+	handActs       *int
+	handActsUnread string
+	// heals is what the healers did in the last seven days (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): acts, and conditions
+	// handed to the operator; healsUnread why it could not be read.
+	heals       *healsCount
+	healsUnread string
 }
 
 // heldBy is every artifact this mesh has built, for a build that may need one as its base.
@@ -695,12 +711,14 @@ func heldBy(ctx context.Context) map[string]string {
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "could not read what this mesh has built, so a module naming a "+
 			"base will be told that base is missing: %v\n", err)
+		// empty-on-error: said above; a build that names a base is refused by name for want of it
 		return nil
 	}
 	defer open.Close()
 	held, err := open.inventory.Held(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "could not read what this mesh has built: %v\n", err)
+		// empty-on-error: said above; a build that names a base is refused by name for want of it
 		return nil
 	}
 	address, err := whereABuilderReachesTheStore(ctx, open.inventory)

cmd/mesh-controller/busobjects.go

@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// The streams and durable consumers the mesh's own traffic needs, derived once (novox/hq to-be 45 §4,
+// D6 and D7).
+//
+// **What the controller asserts at its start and what the self-check expects to find are one
+// derivation**, run against the bus to make them and against a recorder to list them. Two lists would
+// drift, and a self-check comparing the bus with a second opinion of what should be there would find
+// the drift rather than the fault.
+
+// assertBusObjects brings every stream and consumer into being on r, and answers the machines that
+// can now hear a declaration.
+func assertBusObjects(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, r broker.Raiser) ([]string, error) {
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(nodes))
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		names = append(names, n.Name)
+	}
+	if err := broker.Raise(r, names); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// The work queues of the mesh's own roles (novox/hq ADR 0121). The queue before the holder,
+	// deliberately: work queues until somebody arrives to do it, so assigning a build machine a week
+	// after something started asking for builds flushes the backlog instead of having lost it.
+	// With the seats' holders, so each role's work queue gets the consumer its holder takes
+	// work from. Passed as nil until the first live raise, which left the build machine bound to a
+	// consumer nothing had created (2026-09-28).
+	holders, err := seatHolders(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := broker.RaiseSeats(r, inventory.MeshSeats(), holders); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// And how every module hears what it consumes. Derived from the same records the user list is
+	// composed from, so a module the mesh grants a consumer's subjects has that consumer waiting.
+	// Done on every raise, not only when a credential is issued: every module moved onto this bus
+	// by the rollout was issued on the old one, and came up with nothing to bind to (2026-09-28).
+	consumers, err := moduleConsumers(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// Every one tried, and every failure named: one module's consumer the bus refuses is no reason
+	// the modules after it in the list hear nothing (novox/hq issue 208, where this runs on each send).
+	var failed []error
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		if err := r.EnsureConsumer(c.Consumer); err != nil {
+			failed = append(failed, fmt.Errorf("how %s on %s hears what it consumes: %w", c.Module, c.Node, err))
+		}
+	}
+	if len(failed) > 0 {
+		return nil, errors.Join(failed...)
+	}
+	return names, nil
+}
+
+// What raises the condition a send says when the objects it implies could not be asserted, and its kind.
+const (
+	sourceBusObjects         = "bus-objects"
+	kindBusObjectsUnasserted = "bus-objects-unasserted"
+)
+
+// assertOnSend asserts, on the bus a send is about to use, every object assertBusObjects derives —
+// **whenever a declaration is sent, not only when the controller starts** (novox/hq issue 208).
+//
+// A module assigned after the controller started was sent its declaration and found no consumer to
+// bind (`consumer not found`, messenger on 2026-10-06), and a seat holder assigned after it found no
+// worker: the objects a declaration implies were asserted at start and nowhere else, so they existed
+// only for what was assigned before the last restart. The same derivation, not a second list of what
+// a send needs: what start asserts, the self-check expects and a send asserts are one answer. Every
+// part is idempotent, so asserting the whole of it again is the no-op a restart already relies on.
+//
+// **A failure is said and raised, and the send goes on.** The objects are the mesh's, not the
+// machines' being sent: holding every machine back for one consumer that none of them may use would
+// turn one fault into all of them, and the declarations are not what is wrong. It is never silent —
+// said in the send's own output and raised as a condition, which the next send that asserts them
+// clears — and the start-time raise still refuses to serve without them.
+func assertOnSend(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, r broker.Raiser, indent string) error {
+	_, err := assertBusObjects(ctx, inv, r)
+	var observed []conditions.Observation
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("%sTHE BUS DOES NOT HOLD WHAT THIS SEND IMPLIES: %v\n", indent, err)
+		fmt.Printf("%s  a module may find no consumer to bind, or a holder no worker; sent anyway, raised as "+
+			"condition %s, and asserted again by the next send\n", indent, unassertedObservation(err).Key())
+		observed = append(observed, unassertedObservation(err))
+	}
+	// Observed when it failed, cleared when it did not: a send that asserted everything is the
+	// observation that the bus holds what it should.
+	if kerr := withKeeper(ctx, func(k *conditions.Keeper) error {
+		return k.Reconcile(ctx, sourceBusObjects, observed)
+	}); kerr != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("%sand whether the bus holds what this send implies could not be kept as a condition: %v\n",
+			indent, kerr)
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+// unassertedObservation is a send's failure to assert the bus's objects, as a condition.
+func unassertedObservation(err error) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: "objects", Token: "unasserted",
+		Kind: kindBusObjectsUnasserted, Severity: conditions.Warning, Source: sourceBusObjects,
+		Summary: "the bus's streams and consumers could not be asserted when a declaration was sent: " +
+			"a module may find no consumer to bind, or a seat's holder no worker",
+		Said: err.Error()}
+}
+
+// moduleConsumers is every module's durable consumer, from the records the user list is composed from.
+func moduleConsumers(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]broker.ModuleConsumer, error) {
+	records, err := inv.BusRecords(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	users, err := broker.Users(records)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return broker.ConsumersOf(users), nil
+}
+
+// moduleConsumerCount is how many modules hear what they consume, for the raise's one line.
+func moduleConsumerCount(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (int, error) {
+	consumers, err := moduleConsumers(ctx, inv)
+	return len(consumers), err
+}
+
+// expectedBusObjects is every stream and consumer assertBusObjects would make, made nowhere.
+func expectedBusObjects(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]broker.Stream, []broker.Consumer, error) {
+	var rec recordingRaiser
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(ctx, inv, &rec); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("what the bus should hold cannot be worked out: %w", err)
+	}
+	return rec.streams, rec.consumers, nil
+}
+
+// recordingRaiser keeps what it was asked to assert and asserts nothing.
+type recordingRaiser struct {
+	streams   []broker.Stream
+	consumers []broker.Consumer
+}
+
+func (r *recordingRaiser) EnsureStream(s broker.Stream) error {
+	r.streams = append(r.streams, s)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *recordingRaiser) EnsureConsumer(c broker.Consumer) error {
+	r.consumers = append(r.consumers, c)
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/busobjects_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// novox/hq issue 208: the bus's objects a declaration implies are asserted whenever one is sent, not
+// only when the controller starts.
+
+// aCarriedConsumer is the runtime on laptop and, carried by it, a module that consumes an event: the
+// shape of messenger on 2026-10-06, assigned after the controller started.
+func aCarriedConsumer(t *testing.T, open *stores) broker.Consumer {
+	t.Helper()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
+		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/node-tools/broker"}}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "messenger", Version: "1",
+		Consumes: []string{"billing.order.placed"}})
+	for _, m := range []string{catalogue.RuntimeModule, "messenger"} {
+		if _, err := open.inventory.Assign(t.Context(), "laptop", m); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	consumers, err := moduleConsumers(t.Context(), open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		if c.Module == "messenger" && c.Node == "laptop" {
+			return c.Consumer
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("messenger on laptop is derived no consumer: %+v", consumers)
+	return broker.Consumer{}
+}
+
+// aLateHolder is a module holding the build agent's seat on anchor, assigned after the controller
+// started, and the worker its seat's queue should have for it.
+func aLateHolder(t *testing.T, open *stores) broker.Consumer {
+	t.Helper()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "late-builder", Version: "1",
+		Claims: []catalogue.Claim{{Name: "node-build-agent", Scope: catalogue.ScopeNode}}})
+	if _, err := open.inventory.Assign(t.Context(), "anchor", "late-builder"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, s := range inventory.MeshSeats() {
+		if s.Name == "node-build-agent" {
+			c, needed := broker.HolderConsumerFor("anchor", "late-builder", s)
+			if !needed {
+				t.Fatal("the build agent's seat needs no worker")
+			}
+			return c
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatal("the mesh declares no build agent's seat")
+	return broker.Consumer{}
+}
+
+// asserted says whether a recording holds a consumer by stream and name.
+func asserted(rec *recordingRaiser, want broker.Consumer) bool {
+	for _, c := range rec.consumers {
+		if c.Stream == want.Stream && c.Name == want.Name {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// What a send asserts includes what was assigned after the start's assertion: a carried module's
+// consumer and a late holder's worker. The derivation is the start's own, so this holds without a bus.
+func TestASendAssertsWhatWasAssignedAfterStart(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	var atStart recordingRaiser
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(t.Context(), open.inventory, &atStart); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	consumer := aCarriedConsumer(t, open)
+	worker := aLateHolder(t, open)
+	if asserted(&atStart, consumer) || asserted(&atStart, worker) {
+		t.Fatal("the start asserted what was not yet assigned; the test proves nothing")
+	}
+	var onSend recordingRaiser
+	if err := assertOnSend(t.Context(), open.inventory, &onSend, ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !asserted(&onSend, consumer) {
+		t.Fatalf("messenger's consumer %s on %s is not asserted by the send: %+v", consumer.Name, consumer.Stream, onSend.consumers)
+	}
+	if !asserted(&onSend, worker) {
+		t.Fatalf("the late holder's worker %s on %s is not asserted by the send: %+v", worker.Name, worker.Stream, onSend.consumers)
+	}
+}
+
+// failingRaiser refuses one consumer by name and records everything it was asked.
+type failingRaiser struct {
+	recordingRaiser
+	refuse string
+}
+
+func (f *failingRaiser) EnsureConsumer(c broker.Consumer) error {
+	f.consumers = append(f.consumers, c)
+	if c.Name == f.refuse {
+		return errors.New("nats: API error: code=503 description=insufficient resources")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// A send whose objects cannot be asserted says so in its output and raises a condition — and the next
+// send that asserts them clears it. The consumers after the refused one are still asked for.
+func TestASendThatCannotAssertTheBusSaysSoAndRaisesACondition(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	consumer := aCarriedConsumer(t, open)
+	worker := aLateHolder(t, open)
+	failing := &failingRaiser{refuse: consumer.Name}
+
+	var sendErr error
+	out := stdoutOf(t, func() error {
+		sendErr = assertOnSend(t.Context(), open.inventory, failing, "  ")
+		return nil
+	})
+	if sendErr == nil || !strings.Contains(sendErr.Error(), "how messenger on laptop hears what it consumes") {
+		t.Fatalf("the failure is not answered: %v", sendErr)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "THE BUS DOES NOT HOLD WHAT THIS SEND IMPLIES") ||
+		!strings.Contains(out, "insufficient resources") || !strings.Contains(out, "bus.objects.unasserted") {
+		t.Fatalf("the failure is not said in the send's output:\n%s", out)
+	}
+	if !asserted(&failing.recordingRaiser, worker) {
+		t.Fatal("the seat's worker was not asked for")
+	}
+	c, open1, err := conditionsFrom.Get(t.Context(), "bus.objects.unasserted")
+	if err != nil || !open1 {
+		t.Fatalf("no condition raised: %v", err)
+	}
+	if c.Kind != kindBusObjectsUnasserted || c.Source != sourceBusObjects ||
+		len(c.Evidence) == 0 || !strings.Contains(c.Evidence[0].Said, "insufficient resources") {
+		t.Fatalf("the condition does not say what failed: %+v", c)
+	}
+
+	// The next send asserts them, and that observation clears it.
+	if err := assertOnSend(t.Context(), open.inventory, &recordingRaiser{}, ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, stillOpen, err := conditionsFrom.Get(t.Context(), "bus.objects.unasserted"); err != nil || stillOpen {
+		t.Fatalf("a send that asserted everything left the condition open: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Against a real bus, through the send's own grant: a module assigned after start has its consumer
+// once a declaration is sent, and a holder assigned after start its seat's worker.
+func TestNatsAModuleAssignedAfterStartGetsItsConsumerAtItsFirstSend(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	for _, s := range []string{"CONTROL", "NODES", "ASSIGNMENTS", "EVENTS"} {
+		_ = js.Context().DeleteStream(s)
+	}
+	// The controller starting, before either was assigned.
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(t.Context(), open.inventory, js); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	consumer := aCarriedConsumer(t, open)
+	worker := aLateHolder(t, open)
+	_ = js.Context().DeleteConsumer(worker.Stream, worker.Name)
+	for _, c := range []broker.Consumer{consumer, worker} {
+		if _, err := js.Context().ConsumerInfo(c.Stream, c.Name); !errors.Is(err, nats.ErrConsumerNotFound) {
+			t.Fatalf("%s on %s exists before any send; the test proves nothing: %v", c.Name, c.Stream, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	server := link.ConnectNats(js, nil, nil)
+	if err := (overTheBus{open: open, server: server}).grant(t.Context(), nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, c := range []broker.Consumer{consumer, worker} {
+		if _, err := js.Context().ConsumerInfo(c.Stream, c.Name); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s on %s is not on the bus after a send: %v", c.Name, c.Stream, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, raised, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(t.Context(), "bus.objects.unasserted"); raised {
+		t.Fatal("a send that asserted everything raised a condition")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/calls_verb_test.go

@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ func TestAPushAnswersBeforeItSends(t *testing.T) {
 		args map[string]any
 		want bool
 	}{
-		{"push", map[string]any{"node": "anchor"}, true},
-		{"push", map[string]any{}, true},
-		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push anchor"}, true},
-		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push --behind"}, true},
+		{"push", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "why": "w"}, true},
+		{"push", map[string]any{"why": "w"}, true},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push anchor --why w"}, true},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push --behind --why=w"}, true},
 		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "builds"}, false},
 		{"status", map[string]any{}, false},
 		{"assign", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "module": "m"}, false},

cmd/mesh-controller/check.go

@@ -25,7 +25,17 @@ import (
 // mesh seat is judged fully only at registration. A seat another module declares is unknown unless
 // that module's manifest is passed too. Both are printed as a note, not as a problem — a check that
 // refused what it could not see would teach people to ignore it.
+//
+// **And every identity against every bound it meets** (novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263): each module's
+// identity, on a machine whose name is `longestMachine` characters, against the bound of every
+// provision it wants that a manifest given here offers. An overflow is refused in the pull request
+// that introduces it — a new requirement, a lowered bound, a longer slug — instead of on the
+// provider's machine when a real machine's name first meets the module's.
 func moduleCheck(paths []string, out io.Writer) error {
+	return moduleCheckFor(paths, catalogue.DefaultLongestMachine, out)
+}
+
+func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
 	if len(paths) == 0 {
 		return errors.New("module check <manifest.json>... — one file per module; pass every " +
 			"manifest of a repository together so the rules between them are checked too")
@@ -74,6 +84,15 @@ func moduleCheck(paths []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	}
 	failed += len(problems)
 
+	// Between the manifests too: an identity against the bounds of the provisions it wants, which
+	// only the provider's manifest states.
+	identities := catalogue.IdentityProblems(shelf, longestMachine)
+	sort.Strings(identities)
+	for _, p := range identities {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, p)
+	}
+	failed += len(identities)
+
 	var names []string
 	for name := range shelf {
 		names = append(names, name)
@@ -109,7 +128,8 @@ func moduleCheck(paths []string, out io.Writer) error {
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%d manifest(s) checked. Judged against the seats this binary carries; a claim on "+
 		"one of the mesh's own seats is judged fully at registration, and a seat declared by a "+
-		"module not given here reads as unknown\n", len(paths))
+		"module not given here reads as unknown. Identities judged on a %d-character machine name, "+
+		"against the bounds of the providers given here\n", len(paths), longestMachine)
 	return nil
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/conditions.go

@@ -0,0 +1,441 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// What is wrong, kept until observation says it is not (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, ADR 0227).
+//
+// **`status` used to be the only place the mesh said it was wrong, and only to whoever asked.** Every
+// core failure of research 031 was found by a person looking. A condition is the mesh saying it: raised
+// by a watchdog when a signal is late (signals.go), by a probe when an invariant does not hold
+// (doctor.go), or by an event a provider sends (standing.go); kept on the bus with since-when and
+// evidence; said on the bus as it changes, for the operator's channel to carry; and cleared when an
+// observation says it is resolved. Nobody resolves one by hand. A person who knows silences it, for a
+// while, with a reason, and that is recorded as a hand act.
+
+// conditionsFrom is the serving controller's keeper; nil in any other process, which opens its own.
+var conditionsFrom *conditions.Keeper
+
+// keeperOn is a keeper over the store on a connection, saying its transitions on that connection.
+func keeperOn(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn) (*conditions.Keeper, error) {
+	store, history, err := conditions.OnTheBus(ctx, conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	js, err := conn.JetStream()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return conditions.NewKeeper(ctx, conditions.Options{Store: store, History: history,
+		Teller: link.OverNATS{Conn: conn, JS: js},
+		Say:    func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, format+"\n", args...) },
+		// What status leads with changed: composed again soon (a nudge outside the serving controller
+		// does nothing).
+		Changed: statusFrom.nudge,
+		// Written under the lease, carrying its epoch (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
+		Epoch: func() (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(context.WithoutCancel(ctx)) }}), nil
+}
+
+// withKeeper runs f with the serving controller's keeper, or one of its own that says everything
+// it was given before it returns.
+func withKeeper(ctx context.Context, f func(*conditions.Keeper) error) error {
+	if conditionsFrom != nil {
+		return f(conditionsFrom)
+	}
+	return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		k, err := keeperOn(ctx, conn)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer func() {
+			flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 15*time.Second)
+			defer cancel()
+			k.Close(flushing)
+		}()
+		return f(k)
+	})
+}
+
+// openConditions is every open condition, for `status` and `node show`: from the serving keeper, or
+// read from the bus. Where there is no bus to read it from, it says so — never "none open".
+func openConditions(ctx context.Context) ([]conditions.Condition, error) {
+	if conditionsFrom != nil {
+		return conditionsFrom.Open(ctx)
+	}
+	if _, err := broker.BusAddress(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("this process has no bus to read the conditions from: %w", err)
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Condition
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		store, _, err := conditions.OnTheBus(ctx, conn)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 5*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		out, err = conditions.Read(reading, store)
+		return err
+	})
+	return out, err
+}
+
+// conditionsUsage is how the verb is typed.
+const conditionsUsage = "conditions [--scope S] [--severity urgent|warning] [--machine M] [--json] | " +
+	"conditions show <key> | conditions silence <key> --for <duration> --why <text> | " +
+	"conditions history [--days N] [--key K] [--json]"
+
+// conditionsCommand is `conditions`, `conditions show`, `conditions silence` and `conditions history`.
+func conditionsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	sub := "list"
+	if len(args) > 0 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		sub, args = args[0], args[1:]
+	}
+	switch sub {
+	case "list":
+		return listConditions(ctx, args)
+	case "show":
+		return showCondition(ctx, args)
+	case "silence":
+		return silenceCondition(ctx, args)
+	case "history":
+		return conditionHistory(ctx, args)
+	}
+	return errors.New(conditionsUsage)
+}
+
+func listConditions(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("conditions", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	scope := set.String("scope", "", "only this scope: "+strings.Join(conditions.Scopes, ", "))
+	severity := set.String("severity", "", "only urgent, or only warning")
+	machine := set.String("machine", "", "only those about this machine")
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+		return errors.New(conditionsUsage)
+	}
+	if *severity != "" && *severity != string(conditions.Urgent) && *severity != string(conditions.Warning) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("a severity is urgent or warning, not %q", *severity)
+	}
+	open, err := openConditions(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Condition
+	for _, c := range open {
+		if (*scope == "" || c.Subject.Scope == *scope) && (*severity == "" || string(c.Severity) == *severity) &&
+			(*machine == "" || concerns(c, *machine)) {
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+	}
+	if *asJSON {
+		if out == nil {
+			out = []conditions.Condition{}
+		}
+		return printJSON(map[string]any{"conditions": out, "open": len(open),
+			"note": "urgent first, then oldest first; a condition clears when observation says so, never by hand"})
+	}
+	if len(out) == 0 {
+		if len(open) == 0 {
+			fmt.Println("no open conditions")
+		} else {
+			fmt.Printf("none of the %d open condition(s) is about that\n", len(open))
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, line := range conditionLines(out, time.Now()) {
+		fmt.Println(line)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// concerns says whether a condition is about a machine: it names it, or its key does.
+func concerns(c conditions.Condition, machine string) bool {
+	if c.Subject.Machine == machine || slices.Contains(c.Subject.Also, machine) {
+		return true
+	}
+	for _, part := range strings.Split(c.Key, ".") {
+		if part == machine {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// conditionLines is how a list of conditions reads: one line each, its silence under it.
+func conditionLines(list []conditions.Condition, now time.Time) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, c := range list {
+		times := ""
+		if c.Count > 1 {
+			times = fmt.Sprintf(", raised %d times", c.Count)
+		}
+		out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("  %-7s %s — %s (since %s%s)", strings.ToUpper(string(c.Severity)),
+			c.Key, c.Summary, c.Raised.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), times))
+		if c.SilencedAt(now) {
+			out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("          silenced until %s by %s: %s",
+				c.Silenced.Until.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), c.Silenced.By, c.Silenced.Why))
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func showCondition(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("conditions show", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	rest, err := parseAround(set, args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(rest) != 1 {
+		return errors.New("conditions show <key>")
+	}
+	key := rest[0]
+	var c conditions.Condition
+	var found bool
+	if conditionsFrom != nil {
+		c, found, err = conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	} else {
+		err = onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+			store, _, err := conditions.OnTheBus(ctx, conn)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			c, found, err = conditions.ReadOne(ctx, store, key)
+			return err
+		})
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if !found {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no condition %s is open — `conditions` lists those that are, and `conditions "+
+			"history --key %s` what became of it", key, key)
+	}
+	if *asJSON {
+		return printJSON(c)
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	fmt.Printf("%s  %s\n  %s\n\n", strings.ToUpper(string(c.Severity)), c.Key, c.Summary)
+	fmt.Printf("  kind       %s\n  about      %s %s", c.Kind, c.Subject.Scope, c.Subject.ID)
+	if c.Subject.Machine != "" {
+		fmt.Printf(", on %s", c.Subject.Machine)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("\n  raised by  %s\n  since      %s (%s ago), observed %d time(s), last %s ago\n",
+		c.Source, c.Raised.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), roughly(now.Sub(c.Raised)), c.Observations,
+		now.Sub(c.LastObserved).Round(time.Second))
+	if c.Count > 1 {
+		fmt.Printf("  raised     %d times, each within ten minutes of clearing\n", c.Count)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  resolved   by %s\n", resolverWords(c.Resolver))
+	if c.Silenced != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("  silenced   until %s by %s: %s\n", c.Silenced.Until.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"),
+			c.Silenced.By, c.Silenced.Why)
+	}
+	if len(c.Tried) > 0 {
+		fmt.Println("\n  tried:")
+		for _, t := range c.Tried {
+			fmt.Printf("    %s  %s — %s: %s\n", t.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), orHealer(t.By), t.What, t.Outcome)
+		}
+	}
+	fmt.Println("\n  evidence, newest first:")
+	for _, e := range c.Evidence {
+		fmt.Printf("    %s  %s\n", e.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), e.Said)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func resolverWords(r string) string {
+	switch r {
+	case conditions.ResolverSelf:
+		return "itself: it clears when observation says it is resolved"
+	case conditions.ResolverOperator:
+		return "the operator: nothing in the mesh will repair it"
+	case conditions.ResolverAgent:
+		return "an agent"
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// silenceCondition stops a condition's messages for a while (to-be 45 §2). A hand act: recorded with
+// who and why before it is done, its cause the condition's kind unless one is given.
+func silenceCondition(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("conditions silence", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	forFlag := set.String("for", "", "how long: 30m, 4h, 2d — at most 7d")
+	acts := addHandActFlags(set)
+	rest, err := parseAround(set, args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(rest) != 1 {
+		return errors.New("conditions silence <key> --for <duration> --why <text>")
+	}
+	key := rest[0]
+	if err := acts.require("conditions silence"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	d, err := parseFor(*forFlag)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if d > conditions.MaxSilence {
+		return fmt.Errorf("a condition is silenced for at most %s at once; past it, say so again", conditions.MaxSilence)
+	}
+	return withKeeper(ctx, func(k *conditions.Keeper) error {
+		c, found, err := k.Get(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !found {
+			return fmt.Errorf("no condition %s is open — `conditions` lists them. Nothing was silenced", key)
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(*acts.cause) == "" {
+			*acts.cause = c.Kind
+		}
+		*acts.condition = key
+		acts.record(ctx, "conditions silence", []string{key, "--for", *forFlag})
+		held, err := k.Silence(ctx, key, d, link.Caller(), *acts.why)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("%s is silenced until %s: no message is sent for it until then. It is still open, and "+
+			"`status` still says it; it clears when observation says it is resolved\n",
+			held.Key, held.Silenced.Until.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
+		return nil
+	})
+}
+
+// parseFor reads a duration, days included.
+func parseFor(s string) (time.Duration, error) {
+	s = strings.TrimSpace(s)
+	if s == "" {
+		return 0, errors.New("say for how long: --for 30m, 4h or 2d")
+	}
+	if days, ok := strings.CutSuffix(s, "d"); ok {
+		n, err := strconv.Atoi(days)
+		if err != nil || n <= 0 {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("%q is not a number of days", s)
+		}
+		return time.Duration(n) * 24 * time.Hour, nil
+	}
+	d, err := time.ParseDuration(s)
+	if err != nil || d <= 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("%q is not a duration: 30m, 4h or 2d", s)
+	}
+	return d, nil
+}
+
+func conditionHistory(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("conditions history", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	days := set.Int("days", 7, "how many days back, at most 90")
+	key := set.String("key", "", "only this condition")
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+		return errors.New("conditions history [--days N] [--key K] [--json]")
+	}
+	since := time.Now().Add(-time.Duration(*days) * 24 * time.Hour)
+	var events []conditions.Event
+	read := func(h conditions.History) error {
+		var err error
+		events, err = h.Since(ctx, since)
+		return err
+	}
+	var err error
+	if conditionsFrom != nil {
+		events, err = conditionsFrom.HistorySince(ctx, since)
+	} else {
+		err = onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+			_, history, err := conditions.OnTheBus(ctx, conn)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			return read(history)
+		})
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Event
+	for _, e := range events {
+		if *key == "" || e.Key == *key {
+			out = append(out, e)
+		}
+	}
+	if *asJSON {
+		if out == nil {
+			out = []conditions.Event{}
+		}
+		return printJSON(map[string]any{"history": out, "days": *days})
+	}
+	if len(out) == 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("nothing was raised, changed or cleared in the last %d day(s)\n", *days)
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, e := range out {
+		line := fmt.Sprintf("%s  %-13s %s", e.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), e.Change, e.Key)
+		switch e.Change {
+		case conditions.ChangeRaised, conditions.ChangeReopened:
+			line += " — " + e.Summary
+		case conditions.ChangeSeverity:
+			line += fmt.Sprintf(" — %s, was %s", e.Severity, e.Was)
+		case conditions.ChangeResolver:
+			line += fmt.Sprintf(" — %s, was %s", e.Resolver, e.Was)
+		default:
+			if e.Why != "" {
+				line += " — " + e.Why
+			}
+		}
+		fmt.Println(line)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// printConditions is the status section that leads it: every open condition, urgent first, oldest
+// first, silenced ones with their expiry (to-be 45 §2). A store that could not be read is said, and
+// is not "none open".
+func printConditions(list []conditions.Condition, unread string, now time.Time) {
+	if unread != "" {
+		fmt.Printf("the open conditions could NOT be read, so whether anything is wrong is not known: %s\n\n", unread)
+		return
+	}
+	if len(list) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	urgent := 0
+	for _, c := range list {
+		if c.Severity == conditions.Urgent {
+			urgent++
+		}
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("%d open condition(s), %d urgent:\n\n", len(list), urgent)
+	for _, line := range conditionLines(list, now) {
+		fmt.Println(line)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("\n  `conditions show <key>` says more; each clears when observation says it is resolved, " +
+		"never by hand — `conditions silence <key> --for <d> --why <text>` stops its messages\n\n")
+}
+
+// orHealer is who tried, as an attempt names it.
+func orHealer(by string) string {
+	if by == "" {
+		return "a healer"
+	}
+	return by
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/conditions_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+)
+
+// The verbs of the condition store (novox/hq to-be 45 §2) as the console reaches them, and status led
+// by what is open.
+
+func TestTheConditionsVerbComposesEachShape(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		args map[string]any
+		want string
+	}{
+		{map[string]any{}, "conditions --json"},
+		{map[string]any{"severity": "urgent", "machine": "ace"}, "conditions --json --severity urgent --machine ace"},
+		{map[string]any{"key": "machine.ace.silent"}, "conditions show machine.ace.silent --json"},
+		{map[string]any{"history": "true", "days": "3", "key": "machine.ace.silent"},
+			"conditions history --json --days 3 --key machine.ace.silent"},
+		{map[string]any{"silence": "machine.ace.silent", "for": "2h", "why": "on the train"},
+			"conditions silence machine.ace.silent --for 2h --why on the train"},
+		{map[string]any{"run": "true"}, "doctor run --json"},
+		{map[string]any{}, "doctor --json"},
+	} {
+		verb := "conditions"
+		if strings.HasPrefix(c.want, "doctor") {
+			verb = "doctor"
+		}
+		argv, err := argvFor(verb, c.args)
+		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s %v composed %q (%v), want %q", verb, c.args, strings.Join(argv, " "), err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		verb string
+		args map[string]any
+	}{
+		{"conditions", map[string]any{"silence": "machine.ace.silent", "why": "x"}},                           // no for
+		{"doctor", map[string]any{"run": "true", "signals": "true"}},                                          // two at once
+		{"conditions", map[string]any{"silence": "machine.ace.silent", "for": "1h", "why": "x", "days": "3"}}, // passed over
+	} {
+		if argv, err := argvFor(c.verb, c.args); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s %v composed %v", c.verb, c.args, argv)
+		}
+	}
+	if repairingCommand([]string{"conditions", "silence", "k"}) != "conditions silence" {
+		t.Error("a silence is not a hand act")
+	}
+}
+
+// **A silence through the verb is recorded and bounded**; the condition stays open.
+func TestASilenceThroughTheVerbHoldsAndTheConditionStaysOpen(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: "ace", Kind: "silent",
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: "ace is silent", Source: "S1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := conditionsCommand(ctx, []string{"silence", "machine.ace.silent", "--for", "2d"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("silenced without saying why")
+	}
+	if err := conditionsCommand(ctx, []string{"silence", "machine.ace.silent", "--for", "8d", "--why", "x"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("silenced for more than a week")
+	}
+	said := printed(t, func() error {
+		return conditionsCommand(ctx, []string{"silence", "machine.ace.silent", "--for", "2d", "--why", "on the train"})
+	})
+	if !strings.Contains(said, "is silenced until") {
+		t.Fatalf("%s", said)
+	}
+	c, found, _ := k.Get(ctx, "machine.ace.silent")
+	if !found || c.Silenced == nil || c.Silenced.Why != "on the train" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", c)
+	}
+	listed := printed(t, func() error { return conditionsCommand(ctx, nil) })
+	if !strings.Contains(listed, "machine.ace.silent") || !strings.Contains(listed, "silenced until") {
+		t.Fatalf("%s", listed)
+	}
+}
+
+// **Conditions that cannot be read are not none open**: status says so, and is not well.
+func TestUnreadableConditionsAreNotAWellMesh(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	_, store := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	store.Fail = errors.New("the bus is away")
+	asked, err := theThreeQuestions(t.Context(), open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if asked.well() || asked.conditionsUnread == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("well with its conditions unread: %+v", asked.conditionsUnread)
+	}
+	said := printed(t, func() error { return printStatus(asked) })
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(said, "the open conditions could NOT be read") || strings.Contains(said, "no open conditions") {
+		t.Fatalf("%s", said)
+	}
+	store.Fail = nil
+	asked, _ = theThreeQuestions(t.Context(), open)
+	said = printed(t, func() error { return printStatus(asked) })
+	if asked.well() && !strings.Contains(said, "no open conditions;") {
+		t.Fatalf("the all-well sentence does not say no conditions are open:\n%s", said)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/doctor.go

@@ -0,0 +1,545 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The self-check: `doctor` (novox/hq to-be 45 §4, ADR 0227 rule 6).
+//
+// **The design's invariants, run against the running mesh.** A probe is one live invariant of a
+// design — every machine's declaration composes and validates, every resolver answers, every seat's
+// holder answers, every stream and consumer is there as defined — with an id, a bound, and the
+// condition it raises when the invariant does not hold. The serving controller runs the registry every
+// five minutes, each probe given thirty seconds; a probe that errors or does not finish raises
+// `probe-failed` for itself, because an unanswered probe is never a pass. Every run ends with a
+// heartbeat on the bus (`doctor-heartbeat`, S10), which mesh-watcher listens for from a second
+// machine: a controller that stops checking is itself said, through a channel that does not pass
+// through it.
+//
+// `doctor` answers the last run's verdict at once; `doctor run` runs now; `doctor probes` lists the
+// registry; `doctor signals` says, for every row of the signals table, the age of its newest signal.
+
+// The self-check's clocks.
+var (
+	// doctorEvery is how often the registry runs; doctorFirstAfter how long after the controller
+	// starts the first run waits, so what the controller hears at its start has arrived.
+	doctorEvery      = 5 * time.Minute
+	doctorFirstAfter = time.Minute
+	// probeWithin is each probe's bound.
+	probeWithin = 30 * time.Second
+)
+
+// The verdicts a probe can have.
+const (
+	verdictPass        = "pass"
+	verdictFail        = "fail"
+	verdictFailedToRun = "failed-to-run"
+	verdictDeferred    = "deferred"
+)
+
+// probe is one live invariant.
+type probe struct {
+	ID      string
+	Asserts string
+	From    string
+	// Kind is the condition kind raised when the invariant does not hold.
+	Kind string
+	// Raises are the other kinds its findings carry, each its own (a consumer missing, one far behind):
+	// what a healer may be registered against (healers.go).
+	Raises []string
+	Phase  int
+	// Deferred says why it is not run yet; empty for one that is.
+	Deferred string
+	// Asks are the seat verbs it calls. A probe may call no other (askSeatTool refuses), and the
+	// controller's grant names every one (a test over this registry): a probe whose question the bus
+	// refuses checks nothing (D8, 2026-10-06).
+	Asks []broker.SeatVerb
+	run  func(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error)
+}
+
+// probeRegistry is the registry, in to-be 45's order. **The registry is the design's live form**: a
+// probe added to a design is a row added here.
+var probeRegistry = []probe{
+	{ID: "D1", Asserts: "every machine's declaration composes, and passes the node-engine's validation",
+		From: "issues 236, 263", Kind: "declaration-refused", Phase: 1, run: probeDeclarations},
+	{ID: "D2", Asserts: "every holder of the mesh's resolver answers a machine name for IPv4, and NODATA for IPv6",
+		From: "issue 262", Kind: "resolver-wrong", Phase: 1, run: probeResolvers},
+	{ID: "D3", Asserts: "every seat on record that serves verbs has a live holder that answers, on every " +
+		"machine that is heard from", From: "issues 208, 218", Kind: "holder-silent", Phase: 1, run: probeHolders},
+	{ID: "D4", Asserts: "every kept archive is held by a manifest", From: "issue 253",
+		Kind: "archives-unheld", Phase: 1, run: probeArchives},
+	{ID: "D5", Asserts: "exactly one lease holder — the key names this controller at its epoch, and the record " +
+		"holds no other epoch open; no message from a stale epoch refused in the last interval",
+		From: "issue 204", Kind: "lease-split", Phase: 2, run: probeLease},
+	{ID: "D6", Asserts: "every durable consumer the mesh expects exists with its definition, and is near its " +
+		"stream's head", From: "issues 248, 266", Kind: "consumer-wrong", Raises: []string{"consumer-lost", kindConsumerBehind},
+		Phase: 1, run: probeConsumers},
+	{ID: "D7", Asserts: "every stream the controller defines exists with its definition, and its own buckets",
+		From: "issue 208", Kind: "stream-wrong", Phase: 1, run: probeStreams},
+	{ID: "D8", Asserts: "no address the mesh owns — a machine's private address or its endpoint — is in a ban list",
+		From: "issue 238", Kind: "own-address-banned", Phase: 1, run: probeBans,
+		Asks: []broker.SeatVerb{{Seat: "node-intrusion-prevention", Verb: "banned"}}},
+	{ID: "D9", Asserts: "status answers in full within ten seconds, from a summary composed lately",
+		From: "issue 265", Kind: "status-slow", Phase: 1, run: probeStatus},
+	{ID: "D10", Asserts: "every machine runs the node-engine and node tools builds the mesh holds, or is inside " +
+		"a plan's window", From: "the version split", Kind: "core-behind", Phase: 1, run: probeCoreBuilds},
+	{ID: "D11", Asserts: "no provider holds a consumer retired more than thirty days without a person deciding " +
+		"its cleanup", From: "ADR 0230", Kind: kindCleanupWaiting, Phase: 2, run: probeRetired},
+	{ID: "DW", Asserts: "the watchdogs of the signals table ran within three of their intervals",
+		From: "ADR 0227 rule 6: the watchers are watched", Kind: "watchdogs-silent", Phase: 1, run: probeWatchdogs},
+}
+
+// probeVerdict is one probe's outcome in a run.
+type probeVerdict struct {
+	ID      string   `json:"id"`
+	Verdict string   `json:"verdict"`
+	Found   []string `json:"found,omitempty"`
+	Error   string   `json:"error,omitempty"`
+	Took    string   `json:"took,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// doctorCounts are a run's verdicts, counted.
+type doctorCounts struct {
+	Passed      int `json:"passed"`
+	Failed      int `json:"failed"`
+	FailedToRun int `json:"failed-to-run"`
+	Deferred    int `json:"deferred"`
+}
+
+// doctorRun is one run of the registry, and the body of its heartbeat.
+type doctorRun struct {
+	Run             string         `json:"run"`
+	At              time.Time      `json:"at"`
+	Started         time.Time      `json:"started"`
+	Took            string         `json:"took"`
+	IntervalSeconds int            `json:"interval-seconds"`
+	Counts          doctorCounts   `json:"counts"`
+	Probes          []probeVerdict `json:"probes"`
+	// Controller is the machine that ran it, and Why what started it: the schedule, or a person.
+	Controller string `json:"controller"`
+	Why        string `json:"why"`
+	// Unsaid is how many condition transitions this controller could not say, since it started.
+	Unsaid int `json:"unsaid,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// doctor is the registry and what its probes need.
+type doctor struct {
+	open      *stores
+	js        *broker.JetStream
+	keeper    *conditions.Keeper
+	teller    conditions.Teller
+	watchdogs *watchdogs
+	host      string
+
+	running sync.Mutex
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	last    *doctorRun
+	ended   time.Time
+}
+
+// lastRunEnded is when the last run ended; zero before the first.
+func (d *doctor) lastRunEnded() time.Time {
+	d.mu.Lock()
+	defer d.mu.Unlock()
+	return d.ended
+}
+
+// lastRun is the last run's verdict; nil before the first.
+func (d *doctor) lastRun() *doctorRun {
+	d.mu.Lock()
+	defer d.mu.Unlock()
+	return d.last
+}
+
+// keep runs the registry on its schedule until ctx ends.
+func (d *doctor) keep(ctx context.Context) {
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return
+	case <-time.After(doctorFirstAfter):
+	}
+	tick := time.NewTicker(doctorEvery)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	for {
+		// Only the controller acting checks the mesh on a schedule: one standing by would say a
+		// heartbeat for a self-check that is not the mesh's.
+		if d.watchdogs == nil || d.watchdogs.acting == nil || d.watchdogs.acting() {
+			d.runOnce(ctx, "the schedule")
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+var doctorRuns struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	n uint64
+}
+
+// runOnce runs every probe the registry runs, keeps what each found, and says the heartbeat. One run
+// at a time: a person's `doctor run` during a scheduled one waits for it.
+func (d *doctor) runOnce(ctx context.Context, why string) doctorRun {
+	d.running.Lock()
+	defer d.running.Unlock()
+	doctorRuns.Lock()
+	doctorRuns.n++
+	n := doctorRuns.n
+	doctorRuns.Unlock()
+	started := time.Now()
+	run := doctorRun{Run: fmt.Sprintf("doctor-%d-%d", started.Unix(), n), Started: started.UTC(),
+		IntervalSeconds: int(doctorEvery / time.Second), Controller: d.host, Why: why}
+
+	type result struct {
+		obs  []conditions.Observation
+		err  error
+		took time.Duration
+	}
+	results := make([]result, len(probeRegistry))
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i, p := range probeRegistry {
+		if p.run == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(i int, p probe) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			probing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.WithValue(ctx, probeAsksKey{}, p), probeWithin)
+			defer cancel()
+			began := time.Now()
+			done := make(chan result, 1)
+			go func() {
+				defer func() {
+					if r := recover(); r != nil {
+						done <- result{err: fmt.Errorf("the probe panicked: %v", r)}
+					}
+				}()
+				obs, err := p.run(probing, d)
+				done <- result{obs: obs, err: err}
+			}()
+			select {
+			case r := <-done:
+				r.took = time.Since(began)
+				results[i] = r
+			case <-probing.Done():
+				results[i] = result{err: fmt.Errorf("it did not finish within %s", probeWithin), took: time.Since(began)}
+			}
+		}(i, p)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	var blind []conditions.Observation
+	for i, p := range probeRegistry {
+		v := probeVerdict{ID: p.ID}
+		r := results[i]
+		switch {
+		case p.run == nil:
+			v.Verdict = verdictDeferred
+			run.Counts.Deferred++
+		case r.err != nil:
+			v.Verdict, v.Error = verdictFailedToRun, r.err.Error()
+			run.Counts.FailedToRun++
+			blind = append(blind, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProbe, ID: p.ID, Kind: "probe-failed",
+				Token: "failed", Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the probe %s (%s) could not run: what it checks is not known — never a pass", p.ID, p.Asserts),
+				Said:    firstLine(r.err.Error())})
+		default:
+			if err := d.keeper.Reconcile(ctx, p.ID, kindedAs(r.obs, p.Kind)); err != nil {
+				v.Error = "what it found could not be kept: " + err.Error()
+			}
+			if len(r.obs) == 0 {
+				v.Verdict = verdictPass
+				run.Counts.Passed++
+			} else {
+				v.Verdict = verdictFail
+				run.Counts.Failed++
+				for _, o := range r.obs {
+					v.Found = append(v.Found, o.Summary)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if p.run != nil {
+			v.Took = r.took.Round(time.Millisecond).String()
+		}
+		run.Probes = append(run.Probes, v)
+	}
+	if err := d.keeper.Reconcile(ctx, sourceDoctor, blind); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the self-check's own failures could not be kept: %v\n", err)
+	}
+	ended := time.Now()
+	run.At, run.Took, run.Unsaid = ended.UTC(), ended.Sub(started).Round(time.Millisecond).String(), d.keeper.Unsaid()
+	d.mu.Lock()
+	d.last, d.ended = &run, ended
+	d.mu.Unlock()
+	d.sayHeartbeat(ctx, run)
+	return run
+}
+
+// sourceDoctor is what raises a probe's own failure to run.
+const sourceDoctor = "doctor"
+
+// kindedAs gives each observation of a probe the probe's kind where it named none.
+func kindedAs(obs []conditions.Observation, kind string) []conditions.Observation {
+	out := make([]conditions.Observation, 0, len(obs))
+	for _, o := range obs {
+		if o.Kind == "" {
+			o.Kind = kind
+		}
+		out = append(out, o)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// sayHeartbeat publishes the run's heartbeat. Not said is said here, and S10 on the second machine
+// says it outward: the watcher hears nothing.
+func (d *doctor) sayHeartbeat(ctx context.Context, run doctorRun) {
+	if d.teller == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(run)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the self-check's heartbeat could not be written: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+	saying, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if err := d.teller.PublishSeatEvent(saying, conditions.Seat, conditions.HeartbeatEvent, body); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the self-check's heartbeat (%s) could NOT be said, so the watcher on the second machine "+
+			"will say the self-check is silent: %v\n", run.Run, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// doctorFrom is the serving controller's self-check; nil in any other process.
+var doctorFrom *doctor
+
+// doctorCommand is `doctor`, `doctor run`, `doctor probes` and `doctor signals`.
+func doctorCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	sub := ""
+	if len(args) > 0 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		sub, args = args[0], args[1:]
+	}
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("doctor", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+		return errors.New("doctor [run|probes|signals] [--json]")
+	}
+	answer, err := doctorAnswer(ctx, sub)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if *asJSON {
+		return printJSON(answer)
+	}
+	fmt.Print(doctorText(answer))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// doctorAnswer is what the verb answers, as data.
+func doctorAnswer(ctx context.Context, sub string) (any, error) {
+	switch sub {
+	case "":
+		if doctorFrom != nil {
+			if run := doctorFrom.lastRun(); run != nil {
+				return verdictAnswer(*run, time.Now()), nil
+			}
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the self-check has not finished its first run yet: it runs %s after the "+
+				"controller starts, then every %s — `doctor run` runs it now", doctorFirstAfter, doctorEvery)
+		}
+		run, err := lastHeartbeat(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return verdictAnswer(run, time.Now()), nil
+	case "run":
+		d := doctorFrom
+		if d == nil {
+			local, closeIt, err := localDoctor(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			defer closeIt()
+			d = local
+		}
+		return verdictAnswer(d.runOnce(ctx, "asked by "+link.Caller()), time.Now()), nil
+	case "probes":
+		return probesAnswer(), nil
+	case "signals":
+		if doctorFrom == nil || doctorFrom.watchdogs == nil {
+			return nil, errors.New("the age of each signal is known to the serving controller alone, which " +
+				"hears them: ask it through the mesh-controller seat's doctor verb")
+		}
+		return signalsAnswer(doctorFrom.watchdogs.lastFacts(), doctorFrom.watchdogs.lastTick()), nil
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("doctor answers the last run, or `run`, `probes` or `signals` — not %q", sub)
+}
+
+// verdictAnswer is a run as the verb answers it, with its age.
+func verdictAnswer(run doctorRun, now time.Time) map[string]any {
+	return map[string]any{"run": run, "age": now.Sub(run.At).Round(time.Second).String(),
+		"note": "a probe that could not run is never a pass; each failure is an open condition until a run passes it"}
+}
+
+// probesAnswer is the registry.
+func probesAnswer() map[string]any {
+	var out []map[string]any
+	for _, p := range probeRegistry {
+		row := map[string]any{"id": p.ID, "asserts": p.Asserts, "from": p.From, "kind": p.Kind, "phase": p.Phase}
+		if len(p.Raises) > 0 {
+			row["raises"] = p.Raises
+		}
+		if p.Deferred != "" {
+			row["deferred"] = p.Deferred
+		}
+		out = append(out, row)
+	}
+	return map[string]any{"probes": out, "every": doctorEvery.String(), "each within": probeWithin.String()}
+}
+
+// signalsAnswer is every row of the signals table with the age of its newest signal.
+func signalsAnswer(f *signalFacts, ticked time.Time) map[string]any {
+	var rows []map[string]any
+	for _, r := range signalsTable {
+		row := map[string]any{"row": r.Row, "signal": r.Signal, "emitter": r.Emitter, "bound": r.Bound,
+			"kind": r.Kind, "severity": r.Severity, "phase": r.Phase}
+		switch {
+		case r.Deferred != "":
+			row["deferred"] = r.Deferred
+		case f == nil:
+			row["newest"] = "not yet looked at"
+		default:
+			if err := r.needs(f); err != nil {
+				row["blind"] = err.Error()
+			} else if newest := r.newest(f); newest.IsZero() {
+				row["newest"] = "none heard"
+			} else {
+				row["newest"] = newest.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+				row["age"] = f.now.Sub(newest).Round(time.Second).String()
+			}
+		}
+		rows = append(rows, row)
+	}
+	out := map[string]any{"signals": rows, "every": watchEvery.String()}
+	if !ticked.IsZero() {
+		out["looked"] = ticked.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// doctorText is an answer as a person reads it.
+func doctorText(answer any) string {
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(answer)
+	var b strings.Builder
+	var verdict struct {
+		Run doctorRun `json:"run"`
+		Age string    `json:"age"`
+	}
+	if json.Unmarshal(body, &verdict) == nil && verdict.Run.Run != "" {
+		r := verdict.Run
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%s, %s ago (took %s, %s): %d passed, %d failed, %d could not run, %d not built yet\n\n",
+			r.Run, verdict.Age, r.Took, r.Why, r.Counts.Passed, r.Counts.Failed, r.Counts.FailedToRun, r.Counts.Deferred)
+		for _, p := range r.Probes {
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %-4s %-14s %s\n", p.ID, p.Verdict, p.Took)
+			for _, f := range p.Found {
+				fmt.Fprintf(&b, "         %s\n", f)
+			}
+			if p.Error != "" {
+				fmt.Fprintf(&b, "         %s\n", p.Error)
+			}
+		}
+		return b.String()
+	}
+	pretty, _ := json.MarshalIndent(answer, "", "  ")
+	return string(pretty) + "\n"
+}
+
+// lastHeartbeat is the newest run's heartbeat, read from the events stream: what a process other than
+// the serving controller answers `doctor` from.
+func lastHeartbeat(ctx context.Context) (doctorRun, error) {
+	var run doctorRun
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		js, err := conn.JetStream(nats.Context(ctx))
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		msg, err := js.GetLastMsg(broker.EventsStream, link.SeatEventSubject(conditions.Seat, conditions.HeartbeatEvent))
+		if errors.Is(err, nats.ErrMsgNotFound) {
+			return errors.New("the self-check has said no heartbeat on the bus in the last week: it is not running")
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the self-check's last heartbeat cannot be read: %w", err)
+		}
+		return json.Unmarshal(msg.Data, &run)
+	})
+	return run, err
+}
+
+// localDoctor is a self-check run by a process other than the serving controller: its own stores,
+// its own connection, and its own keeper, closed after.
+func localDoctor(ctx context.Context) (*doctor, func(), error) {
+	open, err := openStores(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	js, err := dialTheBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		open.Close()
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	k, err := keeperOn(ctx, js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		js.Close()
+		open.Close()
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	jsCtx := js.Context()
+	d := &doctor{open: open, js: js, keeper: k, teller: link.OverNATS{Conn: js.Conn(), JS: jsCtx},
+		host: controlHost(ctx, open.inventory)}
+	return d, func() {
+		flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 15*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		k.Close(flushing)
+		js.Close()
+		open.Close()
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// sortedFound is a probe's findings in a stated order, so two runs over one mesh say the same.
+func sortedFound(obs []conditions.Observation) []conditions.Observation {
+	sort.Slice(obs, func(i, j int) bool { return obs[i].Key() < obs[j].Key() })
+	return obs
+}
+
+// probeAsksKey carries the running probe, so a seat verb it calls is checked against what it declares.
+type probeAsksKey struct{}
+
+// declaredBy says whether the probe running in ctx declared a seat verb; outside a probe, false.
+func declaredBy(ctx context.Context, seat, verb string) (string, bool) {
+	p, ok := ctx.Value(probeAsksKey{}).(probe)
+	if !ok {
+		return "a caller outside the self-check", false
+	}
+	for _, v := range p.Asks {
+		if v.Seat == seat && v.Verb == verb {
+			return p.ID, true
+		}
+	}
+	return p.ID, false
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/doctor_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,425 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+	"golang.org/x/net/dns/dnsmessage"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The self-check (novox/hq to-be 45 §4): a probe that fails raises its condition, one that cannot run
+// raises probe-failed for itself and is never a pass, and every run ends with its heartbeat.
+
+// withProbes runs the test with a registry of its own.
+func withProbes(t *testing.T, probes ...probe) {
+	t.Helper()
+	before := probeRegistry
+	probeRegistry = probes
+	t.Cleanup(func() { probeRegistry = before })
+}
+
+func TestARunKeepsWhatEachProbeFoundAndSaysItsHeartbeat(t *testing.T) {
+	failing := conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: "anchor", Token: "refused",
+		Severity: conditions.Urgent, Summary: "anchor's node-engine would refuse its declaration"}
+	var broken atomic.Bool
+	broken.Store(true)
+	withProbes(t,
+		probe{ID: "P1", Asserts: "passes", Kind: "never", Phase: 1,
+			run: func(context.Context, *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) { return nil, nil }},
+		probe{ID: "P2", Asserts: "finds a fault", Kind: "declaration-refused", Phase: 1,
+			run: func(context.Context, *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+				if broken.Load() {
+					return []conditions.Observation{failing}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			}},
+		probe{ID: "P3", Asserts: "cannot run", Kind: "x", Phase: 1,
+			run: func(context.Context, *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+				if broken.Load() {
+					return nil, errors.New("the store is away")
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			}},
+		probe{ID: "P4", Asserts: "hangs", Kind: "x", Phase: 1,
+			run: func(ctx context.Context, _ *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+				if broken.Load() {
+					<-ctx.Done()
+					time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			}},
+		probe{ID: "P5", Asserts: "later", Kind: "x", Phase: 2, Deferred: "not yet"},
+	)
+	before := probeWithin
+	probeWithin = 200 * time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { probeWithin = before })
+
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	told := &conditions.Told{}
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store})
+	defer k.Close(context.Background())
+	d := &doctor{keeper: k, teller: told, host: "anchor"}
+	run := d.runOnce(t.Context(), "a test")
+	if run.Counts != (doctorCounts{Passed: 1, Failed: 1, FailedToRun: 2, Deferred: 1}) {
+		t.Fatalf("counted %+v", run.Counts)
+	}
+	open, err := k.Open(t.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var keys []string
+	for _, c := range open {
+		keys = append(keys, c.Key+"="+c.Kind)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"machine.anchor.refused=declaration-refused", "probe.P3.failed=probe-failed",
+		"probe.P4.failed=probe-failed"} {
+		if !slices.Contains(keys, want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s is not open: %v", want, keys)
+		}
+	}
+	// The heartbeat, in the shape mesh-watcher reads (the contract with the operator's channel).
+	if len(told.Names) != 1 || told.Names[0] != conditions.HeartbeatEvent {
+		t.Fatalf("said %v", told.Names)
+	}
+	if d.lastRunEnded().IsZero() || d.lastRun().Run != run.Run {
+		t.Fatal("the run is not the last verdict")
+	}
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(run)
+	var shape map[string]any
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(body, &shape)
+	for _, field := range []string{"run", "at", "interval-seconds", "counts", "probes", "controller"} {
+		if _, ok := shape[field]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf("the heartbeat carries no %q: %s", field, body)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Mended: the next run clears every one of them.
+	broken.Store(false)
+	d.runOnce(t.Context(), "a test")
+	if open, _ := k.Open(t.Context()); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a passing run left open %+v", open)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The registry says what each probe asserts**, and a probe not built says why and when.
+func TestTheRegistryIsTheDesignsLiveForm(t *testing.T) {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, p := range probeRegistry {
+		if seen[p.ID] {
+			t.Errorf("%s twice", p.ID)
+		}
+		seen[p.ID] = true
+		if p.Asserts == "" || p.From == "" || p.Kind == "" {
+			t.Errorf("%s does not say what it asserts, where from, or what it raises", p.ID)
+		}
+		if (p.run == nil) != (p.Deferred != "") || (p.Deferred != "" && p.Phase <= 1) {
+			t.Errorf("%s is run and deferred, or neither, or deferred out of Phase 1: %+v", p.ID, p)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, id := range []string{"D1", "D2", "D3", "D4", "D5", "D6", "D7", "D8", "D9", "D10"} {
+		if !seen[id] {
+			t.Errorf("to-be 45 §4 has %s and the registry does not", id)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **The doctor and the watchdogs watch each other**: watchdogs that stopped are DW; a self-check that
+// stopped is S10 (signals_test.go).
+func TestWatchdogsThatStoppedAreSaid(t *testing.T) {
+	w := &watchdogs{started: time.Now().Add(-time.Hour)}
+	d := &doctor{watchdogs: w, host: "anchor"}
+	got, err := probeWatchdogs(t.Context(), d)
+	if err != nil || len(got) != 1 || got[0].Severity != conditions.Urgent {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	w.ticked = time.Now()
+	if got, _ := probeWatchdogs(t.Context(), d); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **D1 composes every machine of a healthy mesh and the host's own validator takes each.**
+func TestEveryMachineOfAHealthyMeshComposesAndValidates(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	got, err := probeDeclarations(t.Context(), &doctor{open: open})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a healthy mesh failed D1: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **D1 names a machine nothing can be sent to**, and the network that cannot be computed for it.
+func TestAMachineWhoseDeclarationDoesNotComposeIsSaid(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	one, two := rivals()
+	register(t, open, one)
+	register(t, open, two)
+	for _, m := range []string{"rival-one", "rival-two"} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", m); err != nil && m == "rival-one" {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	got, err := probeDeclarations(ctx, &doctor{open: open})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "machine.laptop.uncomposable" || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "the-seat") {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **D2: a resolver answering NXDOMAIN for IPv6 is wrong** — musl takes it as no such name (issue 262).
+func TestAResolverAnsweringNoSuchNameForIPv6IsWrong(t *testing.T) {
+	answerAs := func(rcode dnsmessage.RCode) string {
+		conn, err := net.ListenPacket("udp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		t.Cleanup(func() { _ = conn.Close() })
+		go func() {
+			buf := make([]byte, 1500)
+			for {
+				n, from, err := conn.ReadFrom(buf)
+				if err != nil {
+					return
+				}
+				var q dnsmessage.Message
+				if q.Unpack(buf[:n]) != nil {
+					continue
+				}
+				reply := dnsmessage.Message{Header: dnsmessage.Header{ID: q.ID, Response: true}, Questions: q.Questions}
+				if q.Questions[0].Type == dnsmessage.TypeA {
+					reply.Answers = []dnsmessage.Resource{{Header: dnsmessage.ResourceHeader{Name: q.Questions[0].Name,
+						Type: dnsmessage.TypeA, Class: dnsmessage.ClassINET}, Body: &dnsmessage.AResource{A: [4]byte{10, 77, 0, 1}}}}
+				} else {
+					reply.RCode = rcode
+				}
+				packed, _ := reply.Pack()
+				_, _ = conn.WriteTo(packed, from)
+			}
+		}()
+		_, port, _ := net.SplitHostPort(conn.LocalAddr().String())
+		return port
+	}
+	before := resolverPort
+	t.Cleanup(func() { resolverPort = before })
+
+	resolverPort = answerAs(dnsmessage.RCodeSuccess)
+	v4, rcode, err := askResolver(t.Context(), "127.0.0.1", "anchor.internal", dnsmessage.TypeA)
+	if err != nil || rcode != dnsmessage.RCodeSuccess || !slices.Equal(v4, []string{"10.77.0.1"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v %v", v4, rcode, err)
+	}
+	v6, rcode, err := askResolver(t.Context(), "127.0.0.1", "anchor.internal", dnsmessage.TypeAAAA)
+	if err != nil || rcode != dnsmessage.RCodeSuccess || len(v6) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("NODATA read as %v %v %v", v6, rcode, err)
+	}
+	resolverPort = answerAs(dnsmessage.RCodeNameError)
+	if _, rcode, _ := askResolver(t.Context(), "127.0.0.1", "anchor.internal", dnsmessage.TypeAAAA); rcode != dnsmessage.RCodeNameError {
+		t.Fatalf("NXDOMAIN read as %v", rcode)
+	}
+}
+
+// **D6, D7: what the controller defines is what it finds**, and a consumer deleted or a stream
+// redefined is said — against a real bus, raised by the same derivation the controller starts with.
+func TestNatsTheBusIsWhatTheControllerDefines(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	for _, s := range []string{"CONTROL", "NODES", "ASSIGNMENTS", "EVENTS"} {
+		_ = js.Context().DeleteStream(s)
+	}
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(t.Context(), open.inventory, js); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := js.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	d := &doctor{open: open, js: js}
+	for _, p := range []func(context.Context, *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error){probeConsumers, probeStreams} {
+		got, err := p(t.Context(), d)
+		if err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("a bus just raised fails: %+v %v", got, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := js.Context().DeleteConsumer("NODES", "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	info, err := js.Context().StreamInfo("EVENTS")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	cfg := info.Config
+	cfg.MaxMsgsPerSubject = 3
+	if _, err := js.Context().UpdateStream(&cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	consumers, err := probeConsumers(t.Context(), d)
+	if err != nil || len(consumers) != 1 || consumers[0].Key() != "bus.NODES.laptop.missing" {
+		t.Fatalf("the deleted consumer: %+v %v", consumers, err)
+	}
+	streams, err := probeStreams(t.Context(), d)
+	if err != nil || len(streams) != 1 || !strings.Contains(streams[0].Summary, "per subject") {
+		t.Fatalf("the redefined stream: %+v %v", streams, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// **S9 hears the bus**: a consumer that gives up on a message, and one deleted, as the server says.
+func TestNatsTheBusSaysAConsumerGaveUpAndOneWasDeleted(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	heard := make(chan *nats.Msg, 16)
+	for _, subject := range broker.BusAdvisories {
+		if _, err := conn.ChanSubscribe(subject, heard); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	api, _ := jetstream.New(conn)
+	_ = api.DeleteStream(t.Context(), "SEAT_ADVISED")
+	stream, err := api.CreateStream(t.Context(), jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: "SEAT_ADVISED", Subjects: []string{"advised.>"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = api.DeleteStream(context.Background(), "SEAT_ADVISED") }()
+	consumer, err := stream.CreateConsumer(t.Context(), jetstream.ConsumerConfig{Durable: "SEAT_ADVISED_worker",
+		AckPolicy: jetstream.AckExplicitPolicy, MaxDeliver: 1, AckWait: 100 * time.Millisecond})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := api.Publish(t.Context(), "advised.x", []byte("x")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := consumer.Fetch(1, jetstream.FetchMaxWait(time.Second)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// A seat's worker, so the deletion is of a consumer the mesh names (link.MeshNamed).
+	// Not acknowledged: after its one delivery the consumer gives up on it — on the next fetch.
+	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+	_, _ = consumer.Fetch(1, jetstream.FetchMaxWait(300*time.Millisecond))
+	if err := stream.DeleteConsumer(t.Context(), "SEAT_ADVISED_worker"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kinds := map[string]string{}
+	deadline := time.After(5 * time.Second)
+	for len(kinds) < 2 {
+		select {
+		case m := <-heard:
+			if a, ok := link.ReadAdvisory(m.Subject, m.Data); ok {
+				kinds[a.Kind] = a.Said
+			}
+		case <-deadline:
+			t.Fatalf("the bus said only %v", kinds)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(kinds["max-deliveries"], "gave up") || !strings.Contains(kinds["consumer-lost"], "was deleted") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", kinds)
+	}
+}
+
+// **D10 compares a node-engine with what it is delivered as, not with its commit** (2026-10-06: every
+// machine read as behind right after a push sent it the current build — it says the digest-named
+// directory it runs from, and the mesh holds a commit).
+func TestANodeEngineIsJudgedByTheVersionItIsDeliveredAs(t *testing.T) {
+	m := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-host", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "launcher", "type": "file", "path": "/usr/lib/nox-mesh-host/launch"},
+		{"id": "host", "type": "archive", "path": "/usr/lib/nox-mesh-host/versions/31045596c83a"},
+		{"id": "unfilled", "type": "archive", "path": "/usr/lib/x/versions/${version}"},
+	}}
+	delivered := deliveredVersions(m)
+	if !slices.Equal(delivered, []string{"31045596c83a"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", delivered)
+	}
+	commit := "1545b00a9f0c"
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		reported string
+		behind   bool
+	}{
+		{"31045596c83a", false}, // the live case: current, and was called behind
+		{"0123456789ab", true},  // another delivery
+		{"1545b00a", false},     // placed by hand, stamped with the commit
+		{"", false},             // not said
+	} {
+		if got := engineBehind(c.reported, delivered, commit); got != c.behind {
+			t.Errorf("%q behind = %v, want %v", c.reported, got, c.behind)
+		}
+	}
+	if engineBehind("31045596c83a", nil, commit) {
+		t.Error("behind a mesh that holds no delivered build")
+	}
+}
+
+// **Every seat verb a probe calls is one it declares, and one the controller is granted** — derived
+// from the registry, so a probe added with a question the bus would refuse fails here, not live.
+func TestEverySeatVerbAProbeAsksIsGranted(t *testing.T) {
+	granted, err := broker.PermissionsFor(broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindController, PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	asked := 0
+	for _, p := range probeRegistry {
+		for _, v := range p.Asks {
+			asked++
+			subject := link.NodeSeatToolSubject(v.Seat, v.Verb, "anchor")
+			if !slices.ContainsFunc(granted.Publish, func(pattern string) bool { return subjectMatches(pattern, subject) }) {
+				t.Errorf("%s asks %s.%s and the controller may not publish %s", p.ID, v.Seat, v.Verb, subject)
+			}
+			if !slices.Contains(broker.VerbsTheSelfCheckAsks, v) {
+				t.Errorf("%s asks %s.%s, which broker.VerbsTheSelfCheckAsks does not name", p.ID, v.Seat, v.Verb)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if asked == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no probe asks a seat verb: D8 lost its declaration")
+	}
+	// And a probe asking what it did not declare is refused before anything is sent.
+	ctx := context.WithValue(t.Context(), probeAsksKey{}, probe{ID: "DX"})
+	if _, err := askSeatTool(ctx, nil, "node-intrusion-prevention", "banned", "anchor"); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not declare") {
+		t.Fatalf("an undeclared question was asked: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// subjectMatches is the bus's matching of a permission pattern against a subject.
+func subjectMatches(pattern, subject string) bool {
+	p, s := strings.Split(pattern, "."), strings.Split(subject, ".")
+	for i, tok := range p {
+		if tok == ">" {
+			return len(s) > i
+		}
+		if i >= len(s) || (tok != "*" && tok != s[i]) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return len(p) == len(s)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/durations.go

@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// What the core's bounds are set from (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
+//
+// **A bound is set from what was measured, not from what seemed reasonable.** Phase 1 puts a watchdog
+// on each row of the signals table, and each has a bound: S1 three heartbeat intervals, S2 three times
+// a machine's last apply, S3 a tier's build and apply time, S6 a build's timeout. Marked provisional
+// in the design until a fortnight of these says what the mesh actually takes. Recorded by the serving
+// controller as it hears each — a send's first report, a machine's next word, a plan leaving a tier, a
+// build's outcome — and summarised here per machine, repository or module.
+
+// recordBuildDuration measures one build from its ask to its outcome heard.
+func recordBuildDuration(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResult, asked time.Time) {
+	if asked.IsZero() || result.ID == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	subject := result.Module
+	if subject == "" {
+		subject = result.Repository
+	}
+	detail := "built"
+	if result.Failed != "" {
+		detail = "failed: " + firstLine(result.Failed)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordDuration(ctx, inventory.Duration{Kind: inventory.DurationBuild, Subject: subject,
+		Node: result.On, Ref: result.ID, Started: asked, Took: time.Since(asked), Detail: detail}); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "%s: how long it took could not be recorded: %v\n", result.ID, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// durationSummary is one subject's measurements of one kind.
+type durationSummary struct {
+	Kind    string `json:"kind"`
+	Subject string `json:"subject"`
+	Count   int    `json:"count"`
+	Median  string `json:"median"`
+	P90     string `json:"p90"`
+	Max     string `json:"max"`
+	// Bound is what to-be 45's rule would make of these, where the rule is a multiple of a measured
+	// time: three times the slowest apply (S2), three times the median word interval (S1).
+	Suggests string `json:"suggests,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func summarise(ds []inventory.Duration) []durationSummary {
+	type key struct{ kind, subject string }
+	by := map[key][]time.Duration{}
+	for _, d := range ds {
+		k := key{d.Kind, d.Subject}
+		by[k] = append(by[k], d.Took)
+	}
+	var out []durationSummary
+	for k, took := range by {
+		slices.Sort(took)
+		at := func(q float64) time.Duration { return took[int(q*float64(len(took)-1))] }
+		s := durationSummary{Kind: k.kind, Subject: k.subject, Count: len(took),
+			Median: round(at(0.5)), P90: round(at(0.9)), Max: round(took[len(took)-1])}
+		switch k.kind {
+		case inventory.DurationApply:
+			s.Suggests = "S2 bound max(2m, 3×last apply) ≈ " + round(max(2*time.Minute, 3*at(0.9))) + " at the p90"
+		case inventory.DurationHeartbeatGap:
+			s.Suggests = "S1 bound 3×interval ≈ " + round(3*at(0.5))
+		}
+		out = append(out, s)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		ki, kj := slices.Index(inventory.DurationKinds, out[i].Kind), slices.Index(inventory.DurationKinds, out[j].Kind)
+		if ki != kj {
+			return ki < kj
+		}
+		return out[i].Subject < out[j].Subject
+	})
+	return out
+}
+
+func round(d time.Duration) string {
+	switch {
+	case d < time.Second:
+		return d.Round(time.Millisecond).String()
+	case d < time.Minute:
+		return d.Round(100 * time.Millisecond).String()
+	default:
+		return d.Round(time.Second).String()
+	}
+}
+
+// durationsCommand is `durations`: the summary per kind and subject, or every measurement as data.
+func durationsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("durations", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	kind := set.String("kind", "", "one kind: "+strings.Join(inventory.DurationKinds, ", "))
+	days := set.Int("days", 14, "how many days back")
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "the summary as data")
+	all := set.Bool("all", false, "every measurement rather than the summary")
+	if _, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if *kind != "" && !slices.Contains(inventory.DurationKinds, *kind) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%q is not a kind of duration: %s", *kind, strings.Join(inventory.DurationKinds, ", "))
+	}
+	open, err := openStores(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer open.Close()
+	ds, err := open.inventory.Durations(ctx, *kind, time.Now().Add(-time.Duration(*days)*24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if *all {
+		body, err := json.MarshalIndent(ds, "", "  ")
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		fmt.Println(string(body))
+		return nil
+	}
+	summary := summarise(ds)
+	if *asJSON {
+		body, err := json.MarshalIndent(map[string]any{"days": *days, "durations": summary}, "", "  ")
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		fmt.Println(string(body))
+		return nil
+	}
+	if len(summary) == 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("nothing measured in the last %d day(s): the serving controller records apply, heartbeat-gap, "+
+			"plan-tier and build durations as it hears them\n", *days)
+		return nil
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("durations over the last %d day(s) — what the core's bounds are set from (to-be 45 Phase 0)\n\n", *days)
+	fmt.Printf("  %-14s %-28s %6s %10s %10s %10s\n", "kind", "of", "count", "median", "p90", "max")
+	for _, s := range summary {
+		fmt.Printf("  %-14s %-28s %6d %10s %10s %10s\n", s.Kind, s.Subject, s.Count, s.Median, s.P90, s.Max)
+		if s.Suggests != "" {
+			fmt.Printf("  %-14s %-28s %s\n", "", "", s.Suggests)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// forgettingOldDurations removes what is older than a month, at start and daily after.
+func forgettingOldDurations(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) {
+	for {
+		if n, err := inv.ForgetOldDurations(ctx); err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "durations older than %s could not be removed: %v\n", inventory.DurationsKeptFor, err)
+		} else if n > 0 {
+			fmt.Printf("removed %d duration(s) older than %s\n", n, inventory.DurationsKeptFor)
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(24 * time.Hour):
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/epoch_send_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A declaration carries the lease's epoch (novox/hq to-be 45 §6) — to a machine whose node-engine said
+// it reads one, and to no other: an older node-engine refuses a key it does not know, whole.
+
+// bodiesDelivery records each send as the mesh does, and keeps the bodies.
+type bodiesDelivery struct {
+	recordedDelivery
+	bodies map[string][]byte
+}
+
+func (b *bodiesDelivery) declare(ctx context.Context, s readyNode, body []byte) (string, error) {
+	b.bodies[s.node] = body
+	return b.recordedDelivery.declare(ctx, s, body)
+}
+
+func TestAMachineIsSentTheEpochOnlyOnceItSaysItReadsOne(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	epoch := uint64(57)
+	was := epochForActs
+	epochForActs = func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return epoch, nil }
+	t.Cleanup(func() { epochForActs = was })
+
+	anchor, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordReadsEpoch(ctx, anchor.ID, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	d := &bodiesDelivery{recordedDelivery: recordedDelivery{inv: inv}, bodies: map[string][]byte{}}
+	if _, err := sendRound(ctx, open, []string{"anchor", "laptop"}, composeForPush(open, gens), d, ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	carried := func(node string) (epoch float64, has bool) {
+		var envelope map[string]any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(d.bodies[node], &envelope); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		epoch, has = envelope["epoch"].(float64)
+		return epoch, has
+	}
+	if e, has := carried("anchor"); !has || e != 57 {
+		t.Fatalf("the machine that reads an epoch was sent %v: %s", e, d.bodies["anchor"])
+	}
+	if _, has := carried("laptop"); has {
+		t.Fatalf("a machine that never said it reads an epoch was sent one: %s", d.bodies["laptop"])
+	}
+
+	// A new holder of the lease is not a change of the machine: neither reads as behind.
+	epoch = 58
+	would, err := wouldSend(ctx, open, mustNodes(t, open))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, node := range []string{"anchor", "laptop"} {
+		sent, err := inv.Outstanding(ctx, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if would[node] != sent {
+			t.Fatalf("%s reads as behind after the lease changed hands, with nothing else changed", node)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A process that may not act composes nothing and sends nothing: its number is not taken.
+func TestNothingIsComposedOrSentWithoutTheLease(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	was := epochForActs
+	epochForActs = func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 0, errors.New("this controller lost the lease") }
+	t.Cleanup(func() { epochForActs = was })
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	d := &bodiesDelivery{recordedDelivery: recordedDelivery{inv: open.inventory}, bodies: map[string][]byte{}}
+	refused, err := sendRound(ctx, open, []string{"anchor"}, composeForPush(open, gens), d, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(d.bodies) != 0 || len(refused) != 1 || !strings.Contains(refused[0], "lost the lease") {
+		t.Fatalf("a controller without the lease composed %d and refused %v", len(d.bodies), refused)
+	}
+	anchor, _ := open.inventory.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if seq, _ := open.inventory.Sequence(ctx, anchor.ID); seq != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a controller without the lease took sequence %d", seq)
+	}
+
+	// And at the send itself: the gate every declaration passes.
+	gate := link.ActingGate
+	link.ActingGate = func(context.Context) error { return errors.New("this controller lost the lease") }
+	t.Cleanup(func() { link.ActingGate = gate })
+	if err := link.Declare(ctx, nil, nil, "anchor", []byte(`{"declaration":1}`), 0); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "lost the lease") {
+		t.Fatalf("a declaration was let through the gate: %v", err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/given.go

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"log"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A value given by hand lives only until the module's first good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+//
+// The serving controller hears every report; a clean one about the declaration a machine was last
+// sent is the signal the store asks about (inventory.ReplaceGivenAfterStart). What it replaced is
+// sent at once, said in the log and stated on the bus as the controller seat's `secret-replaced`,
+// so a replacement is never silent. **Not in the hand-act log**: nobody acted by hand, and that log
+// is read as the count of repairs a healer is wanted for.
+
+// SecretReplaced is the controller seat's fact that a value given by hand was replaced
+// (link.KeySecretReplaced). Never the value: neither the old one, which the mesh cannot read,
+// nor the new one, sealed to the machine as it was made.
+type SecretReplaced struct {
+	Node   string    `json:"node"`
+	Module string    `json:"module"`
+	Name   string    `json:"name"`
+	Given  time.Time `json:"given"`
+	// Sent are the machines sent so the module starts again on the new value; Unsent says why
+	// they could not be, in which case the next push carries it.
+	Sent   []string `json:"sent"`
+	Unsent string   `json:"unsent,omitempty"`
+	Why    string   `json:"why"`
+}
+
+// givenEvents is where the serving controller states it; nil in a command.
+var givenEvents link.Bus
+
+// replacing keeps one replacement per machine at a time: two reports arriving together find the
+// same rows, and the store's claim makes one of them the replacer, but the sends need not race.
+var replacing sync.Map
+
+// startedWell says a report is a machine's clean account of a declaration: everything applied,
+// nothing failed or refused. Whether it is the declaration last sent is the store's to answer.
+func startedWell(report link.Report) bool {
+	return report.Declared != "" && report.Refused == "" && len(report.Failed) == 0 && report.Applied != nil
+}
+
+const givenWhy = "a value given by hand lives only until its module's first good start under the mesh (novox/hq ADR 0228)"
+
+// replaceGiven replaces what the report makes due, sends the machines, and says so.
+func replaceGiven(ctx context.Context, open *stores, report link.Report) {
+	if _, busy := replacing.LoadOrStore(report.Node, true); busy {
+		return
+	}
+	defer replacing.Delete(report.Node)
+	replaced, err := open.inventory.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, report.Node, report.Declared)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("a value given by hand on %s could not be replaced after its module started: %v", report.Node, err)
+	}
+	for _, r := range replaced {
+		said := SecretReplaced{Node: report.Node, Module: r.Module, Name: r.Name, Given: r.Given.UTC(),
+			Sent: r.Machines, Why: givenWhy}
+		log.Printf("replaced %q of %s on %s, given %s, with a value the mesh made: %s; sending %s",
+			r.Name, r.Module, report.Node, r.Given.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), givenWhy, strings.Join(r.Machines, ", "))
+		if err := sendTo(ctx, open, r.Machines); err != nil {
+			said.Sent, said.Unsent = nil, err.Error()
+			log.Printf("the new %q of %s is sealed and not yet delivered to %s — the next push carries it: %v",
+				r.Name, r.Module, strings.Join(r.Machines, ", "), err)
+		}
+		stateReplaced(ctx, said)
+	}
+}
+
+func stateReplaced(ctx context.Context, said SecretReplaced) {
+	if givenEvents == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(said)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("could not say that %s's %q was replaced: %v", said.Module, said.Name, err)
+		return
+	}
+	stating, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if err := givenEvents.PublishSeatEvent(stating, link.MeshControllerSeat, link.KeySecretReplaced, body); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("could not say that %s's %q was replaced: %v", said.Module, said.Name, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/given_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A rotation asked through the seat carries why to the command, which records it in the hand-act
+// log (novox/hq ADR 0228); why with a provision is refused as passed over, not dropped.
+func TestARotationThroughTheSeatCarriesWhy(t *testing.T) {
+	argv, err := argvFor("rotate", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "module": "letta",
+		"secret": "server-password", "why": "leaked into logs", "cause": "leaked"})
+	if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "secret rotate anchor letta server-password --why leaked into logs --cause leaked" {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", argv, err)
+	}
+	argv, err = argvFor("rotate", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "module": "letta", "secret": "server-password"})
+	if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "secret rotate anchor letta server-password" {
+		t.Fatalf("without why: %v %v", argv, err)
+	}
+	if argv, err := argvFor("rotate", map[string]any{"provision": "postgres-database", "why": "leaked"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("why beside a provision was passed over: %v", argv)
+	}
+}
+
+// Only a clean account of a declaration is a good start; a refusal, a failure or a bare word that
+// the machine is there is not (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+func TestAGoodStartIsACleanAccountOfADeclaration(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		report link.Report
+		good   bool
+	}{
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor", Declared: "d", Applied: []string{"container:letta"}}, true},
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor", Declared: "d", Applied: []string{}}, true},
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor"}, false},
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor", Applied: []string{"x"}}, false},
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor", Declared: "d", Applied: []string{"x"}, Failed: map[string]string{"y": "no"}}, false},
+		{link.Report{Node: "anchor", Declared: "d", Refused: "older"}, false},
+	} {
+		if got := startedWell(c.report); got != c.good {
+			t.Errorf("%+v: a good start = %v, want %v", c.report, got, c.good)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/handacts.go

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// Acts done by hand, and why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+//
+// **Which verbs ask why.** `plans close` and `plans stop`, `broker consumer-reset` and `hand-act
+// record` refuse without it everywhere: nothing automated runs them, so a call without a reason is a
+// person who has not given one. A named `push` asks for it through the mesh-controller seat, which is
+// how a person or an agent acts by hand on the mesh; at a shell `--why` is recorded when given and not
+// required, because the installer and the lab push by command line as a step of what they do, and a
+// step of a procedure is not a repair. `conditions silence` joins them when the condition store does
+// (Phase 1).
+
+// handActFlags are the flags every repairing verb takes.
+type handActFlags struct {
+	why, cause, condition *string
+}
+
+func addHandActFlags(set *flag.FlagSet) handActFlags {
+	return handActFlags{
+		why:       set.String("why", "", "why this is done by hand — recorded in the hand-act log (novox/hq to-be 45 §7)"),
+		cause:     set.String("cause", "", "the cause, in a word or a condition's kind; the verb's own name when not given"),
+		condition: set.String("condition", "", "the key of the condition this act addresses, if any"),
+	}
+}
+
+// given is whether a reason was given.
+func (f handActFlags) given() bool { return strings.TrimSpace(*f.why) != "" }
+
+// require refuses an act without a reason, before anything is done.
+func (f handActFlags) require(verb string) error {
+	if f.given() {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s is a repair done by hand, and says why: --why <text> (recorded in the hand-act "+
+		"log, novox/hq to-be 45 §7). Nothing was done", verb)
+}
+
+// handActConn is the serving controller's connection, for what it reads of the log itself; a
+// command dials its own.
+var handActConn *nats.Conn
+
+// onTheBus runs f with a connection to the bus: the serving controller's, or one of its own.
+func onTheBus(f func(*nats.Conn) error) error {
+	if handActConn != nil {
+		return f(handActConn)
+	}
+	address, err := broker.BusAddress()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	js, err := broker.Dial(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot reach the bus: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer js.Close()
+	return f(js.Conn())
+}
+
+// record writes the entry for an act about to be done. **Before the act, and never instead of it**:
+// a log that cannot be written is said loudly, and the repair it was about still happens — a mesh
+// whose bus is down is exactly the mesh somebody is repairing by hand.
+func (f handActFlags) record(ctx context.Context, verb string, args []string) {
+	if !f.given() {
+		return
+	}
+	act := link.HandAct{Verb: verb, Args: args, Why: strings.TrimSpace(*f.why),
+		Cause: strings.TrimSpace(*f.cause), Condition: strings.TrimSpace(*f.condition)}
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		written, err := link.RecordHandAct(ctx, conn, act)
+		act = written
+		return err
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "this act by hand could NOT be recorded in the hand-act log, and is done anyway: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("recorded as %s in the hand-act log: %s, because %q (cause: %s)\n", act.ID, act.By, act.Why, act.Cause)
+}
+
+// handActCommand is `hand-act record` and `hand-acts`.
+func handActCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "record" {
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("hand-act record", flag.ContinueOnError)
+		f := addHandActFlags(set)
+		positionals, err := parseAround(set, args[1:])
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		what := strings.TrimSpace(strings.Join(positionals, " "))
+		if what == "" {
+			return errors.New("hand-act record <what was done> --why <text> [--cause <word>] [--condition <key>]")
+		}
+		if err := f.require("hand-act record"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(*f.cause) == "" {
+			return errors.New("hand-act record says the cause too: --cause <word>, the word a second " +
+				"act for the same reason will use — it is how a repair done twice is found")
+		}
+		act := link.HandAct{Verb: "hand-act record", Args: []string{what}, Why: strings.TrimSpace(*f.why),
+			Cause: strings.TrimSpace(*f.cause), Condition: strings.TrimSpace(*f.condition)}
+		return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+			written, err := link.RecordHandAct(ctx, conn, act)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("the act could not be recorded: %w", err)
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("recorded as %s: %s did %q, because %q (cause: %s)\n", written.ID, written.By, what,
+				written.Why, written.Cause)
+			return nil
+		})
+	}
+	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] != "list" && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		return errors.New("hand-act record <what> --why <text> --cause <word> | hand-acts [--days N] [--json]")
+	}
+	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "list" {
+		args = args[1:]
+	}
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("hand-acts", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	days := set.Int("days", 14, "how many days back")
+	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	if _, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		now := time.Now()
+		acts, err := link.HandActs(ctx, conn, now.Add(-time.Duration(*days)*24*time.Hour))
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		repeated := link.RepeatedCauses(acts, now)
+		if *asJSON {
+			body, err := json.MarshalIndent(map[string]any{"acts": acts, "repeated": repeated}, "", "  ")
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			fmt.Println(string(body))
+			return nil
+		}
+		if len(acts) == 0 {
+			fmt.Printf("nothing was done by hand in the last %d day(s)\n", *days)
+			return nil
+		}
+		for i := len(acts) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+			a := acts[i]
+			fmt.Printf("%s  %s  %s %s\n    by %s — %s (cause: %s", a.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), a.ID,
+				a.Verb, strings.Join(a.Args, " "), a.By, a.Why, a.Cause)
+			if a.Condition != "" {
+				fmt.Printf(", condition %s", a.Condition)
+			}
+			fmt.Println(")")
+		}
+		if len(repeated) > 0 {
+			causes := make([]string, 0, len(repeated))
+			for c, n := range repeated {
+				causes = append(causes, fmt.Sprintf("%s ×%d", c, n))
+			}
+			sort.Strings(causes)
+			fmt.Printf("\ndone by hand more than once in a fortnight — a healer is wanted (to-be 45 S15): %s\n",
+				strings.Join(causes, ", "))
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+}
+
+// handActsThisWeek is how many acts were done by hand in the last seven days, for `status`; -1 when
+// the log could not be read, which status says rather than reading as none.
+func handActsThisWeek(ctx context.Context) (int, string) {
+	n := -1
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 5*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		acts, err := link.HandActs(reading, conn, time.Now().Add(-7*24*time.Hour))
+		n = len(acts)
+		return err
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return -1, err.Error()
+	}
+	return n, ""
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/handacts_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// **Every verb that repairs by hand takes a required why** (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): refused before
+// anything is done, through the seat, through `command`, and at a shell where nothing automated runs
+// the verb.
+func TestARepairByHandWithoutAReasonIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		verb string
+		args map[string]any
+	}{
+		{"push", map[string]any{"node": "anchor"}},
+		{"push", map[string]any{}},
+		{"plans", map[string]any{"close": "plan-1"}},
+		{"plans", map[string]any{"stop": "plan-1"}},
+		{"hand-act", map[string]any{"what": "restarted the proxy", "cause": "proxy-stuck"}},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push anchor"}},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "plans close plan-1"}},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "broker consumer-reset EVENTS controller"}},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "hand-act record restarted --cause x"}},
+	} {
+		argv, err := argvFor(c.verb, c.args)
+		if c.verb == "plans" && err == nil {
+			// The seat composes the command line; the command refuses it, before opening anything.
+			err = plansCommand(context.Background(), argv[1:])
+		}
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "why") {
+			t.Errorf("%s %v was not refused for want of why: %v %v", c.verb, c.args, argv, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, args := range [][]string{{"EVENTS", "controller"}} {
+		if err := consumerReset(context.Background(), args); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--why") {
+			t.Errorf("consumer-reset without why: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := handActCommand(context.Background(), []string{"record", "restarted the proxy", "--cause", "x"}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--why") {
+		t.Errorf("hand-act record without why: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := handActCommand(context.Background(), []string{"record", "restarted the proxy", "--why", "it hung"}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--cause") {
+		t.Errorf("hand-act record without a cause: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// With a reason, the seat passes it to the command, and a verb that only reads is not held to one.
+func TestARepairByHandCarriesItsReason(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		verb string
+		args map[string]any
+		want string
+	}{
+		{"push", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "why": "stuck", "cause": "sent-not-reported"},
+			"push anchor --wait 0 --why stuck --cause sent-not-reported"},
+		{"plans", map[string]any{"close": "plan-1", "why": "the report will not come"},
+			"plans close plan-1 --why the report will not come"},
+		{"plans", map[string]any{"retry": "plan-1"}, "plans retry plan-1"},
+		{"hand-act", map[string]any{"what": "restarted", "why": "hung", "cause": "proxy", "condition": "machine.a.silent"},
+			"hand-act record restarted --why hung --cause proxy --condition machine.a.silent"},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "push anchor --why stuck"}, "push anchor --why stuck"},
+		{"command", map[string]any{"command": "plans plan-1"}, "plans plan-1"},
+	} {
+		argv, err := argvFor(c.verb, c.args)
+		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s %v: %v %v, want %q", c.verb, c.args, argv, err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The summary of durations says, per kind and subject, what a bound would be set from.
+func TestDurationsAreSummarisedPerSubject(t *testing.T) {
+	var ds []inventory.Duration
+	for i := 1; i <= 10; i++ {
+		ds = append(ds, inventory.Duration{Kind: inventory.DurationApply, Subject: "anchor",
+			Took: time.Duration(i) * time.Second})
+	}
+	ds = append(ds, inventory.Duration{Kind: inventory.DurationHeartbeatGap, Subject: "anchor", Took: time.Minute})
+	got := summarise(ds)
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0].Kind != inventory.DurationApply || got[0].Count != 10 ||
+		got[0].Max != "10s" || got[0].Median != "5s" || got[0].P90 != "9s" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(got[1].Suggests, "3m0s") {
+		t.Fatalf("a minute between words suggests %q", got[1].Suggests)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/healers.go

@@ -0,0 +1,865 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The healers (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, ADR 0227 rule 7, Phase 3).
+//
+// **A known failure heals itself, under a brake, and every repair is said.** Research 031 counted the
+// repairs people made by hand in six days: a push to unstick a plan waiting on a report (four times),
+// a controller restarted to make an object again (twice), a plan closed (twice), a consumer re-made from
+// now (once). Each was the ordinary path, taken again by a person who noticed. A healer is that act,
+// registered against the one condition kind it answers, so the mesh takes it itself:
+//
+//   - **its repair is the ordinary path again** — the send a push makes, the plan's own close, the
+//     assertion every send makes, the consumer reset the verb makes — never a withdrawal, a deletion of
+//     data or a recreation of it;
+//   - **its budget** is how many acts it may take against one thing in a window, and **its settle** how
+//     long after an act it leaves the observation to say whether it worked;
+//   - **success is never the healer's to say.** The condition clears when the watchdog or the probe that
+//     raised it no longer sees it. A healer marking its own work done would be the second opinion of a
+//     fact that rule 1 forbids;
+//   - **a spent budget stops it**: the condition is the operator's, urgent, with every attempt in
+//     `tried`, and no healer touches it again until observation clears it;
+//   - **every act is said**: begun in the store before it is made (so a controller dying mid-act has
+//     still spent it), kept in the condition's `tried` as `healer Hn`, and said on the bus as the
+//     controller seat's `healer-acted`. A heal is not a hand act and is never in the hand-act log —
+//     which is how S15 can tell a repair the mesh made from one a person had to.
+//
+// **And the mesh-wide brake**: more than healBrakeLimit acts in an hour, all healers together, and every
+// healer stops — an urgent condition says so — until an hour has passed with none. A healer looping is
+// then at most a dozen acts, said, and never the incident itself.
+//
+// Only the controller holding the lease heals, under its epoch: a controller serving without the lease
+// (S12) heals nothing, because a repair is the one act that can always wait for the lease.
+
+// The mesh-wide brake (to-be 45 §7): how many acts all healers together may take in an hour.
+const (
+	healBrakeLimit  = 12
+	healBrakeWindow = time.Hour
+)
+
+// healEvery is how often the healers look at what is open.
+var healEvery = 30 * time.Second
+
+// What raises the healers' own conditions, and their kinds.
+const (
+	sourceHealers      = "healers"
+	kindHealersBraked  = "healers-braked"
+	kindConsumerBehind = "consumer-behind"
+	kindHealersBlind   = "probe-failed"
+)
+
+// healerRow is one row of the registry.
+type healerRow struct {
+	ID string
+	// Kinds are the condition kinds it answers: from the signals table, the probe registry, or an event.
+	Kinds []string
+	// Condition, Repair, Then, From are the row in words, as to-be 45 §7 and `healers` say it.
+	Condition string
+	Repair    string
+	Then      string
+	From      string
+	// Budget acts against one budget key within Window; Settle after an act before the next, or the
+	// escalation, so the observation has had its turn to say whether it worked.
+	Budget int
+	Window time.Duration
+	Settle time.Duration
+	// ActsIn is where the repair runs: the controller, or a module that repairs its own (H5).
+	ActsIn string
+	// Event is what each act is said as.
+	Event string
+	// applies says whether this condition is one the healer may act on, and what its budget is
+	// counted against; why when it is not. Reads, never acts. Nil where the repair is a module's.
+	applies func(ctx context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (budget string, ok bool, why string, err error)
+	// repair is the act: what it did in words, what came of it, or an error when it could not be done.
+	repair func(ctx context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (act, said string, err error)
+}
+
+// actsInController is a healer whose repair the controller makes.
+const actsInController = "controller"
+
+// healerRegistry is to-be 45 §7's table, compiled in. **The registry is the design's live form**: a
+// test generated from it holds every row to a condition kind the mesh raises, a budget, a brake and its
+// event (healers_test.go).
+var healerRegistry = []healerRow{
+	{ID: "H1", Kinds: []string{"sent-not-reported"},
+		Condition: "a machine was sent a declaration and has not reported it (S2)",
+		Repair: "ask the machine's node-engine to say again what it last applied (the `report` verb); if what " +
+			"comes back is not the declaration it was sent, or nothing comes, send it its current declaration " +
+			"again — what a push of that one machine does, never moving a build a policy or a plan holds back",
+		Then: "resolver operator, urgent", From: "a push by hand to unstick a plan waiting on a report (230, 257, 264, 267)",
+		Budget: 2, Window: 6 * time.Hour, Settle: 3 * time.Minute, ActsIn: actsInController, Event: link.KeyHealerActed,
+		applies: appliesToAMachine, repair: repairReport},
+	{ID: "H2", Kinds: []string{"stalled"},
+		Condition: "a plan stalled on a wait that is superseded — a newer plan of its repository and branch " +
+			"exists — or already finished — every module of every tier built or failed, and every one that " +
+			"rolls out sent (S3)",
+		Repair: "close the plan with its note, as `plans close` does: superseded, naming the newer plan, or " +
+			"done; what it asked still builds and registers",
+		Then: "resolver operator, urgent", From: "a stuck plan closed by hand (214, 254)",
+		Budget: 1, Window: 24 * time.Hour, Settle: 2 * time.Minute, ActsIn: actsInController, Event: link.KeyHealerActed,
+		applies: appliesToAStalePlan, repair: repairPlan},
+	{ID: "H3", Kinds: []string{"holder-silent", "consumer-lost"},
+		Condition: "a seat's holder that does not answer (D3), or a durable consumer the mesh expects and the " +
+			"bus does not hold (D6, S9)",
+		Repair: "assert the bus's streams, consumers and seat workers again — the assertion every send makes " +
+			"(issue 208)",
+		Then: "resolver operator, urgent", From: "a controller restarted to make a missing object again (208, 248)",
+		Budget: 1, Window: time.Hour, Settle: 6 * time.Minute, ActsIn: actsInController, Event: link.KeyHealerActed,
+		applies: appliesToAnObject, repair: repairObjects},
+	{ID: "H4", Kinds: []string{kindConsumerBehind},
+		Condition: "a durable consumer far behind its stream's head (D6) that the stream table marks resettable",
+		Repair: "re-make the consumer to deliver from now — `broker consumer-reset` (issue 248); what it drops " +
+			"is caught up where the table says",
+		Then: "resolver operator, urgent", From: "a consumer re-made from now by hand (248)",
+		Budget: 1, Window: 24 * time.Hour, Settle: 6 * time.Minute, ActsIn: actsInController, Event: link.KeyHealerActed,
+		applies: appliesToAResettableConsumer, repair: repairConsumer},
+	{ID: "H5", Kinds: []string{kindProviderFailing},
+		Condition: "the identity provider's administrator refusing the mesh's secret (provider-failing, " +
+			"credentials-rejected)",
+		Repair: "the provider repairs it itself through the server's own bootstrap command, checks again and " +
+			"says what it did (ADR 0224 §5); the controller keeps its word as the condition",
+		Then: "announced failing by the provider, braked from ten minutes doubling to six hours (ADR 0224 §5)",
+		From: "the identity provider's admin reset through its bootstrap command (179)",
+		// Its budget and brake are the module's own: ten minutes, doubling, to six hours.
+		Budget: 1, Window: 10 * time.Minute, Settle: 10 * time.Minute,
+		ActsIn: "the provider module (keycloak), ADR 0224 §5", Event: "provisioner.failing, provisioner.recovered"},
+}
+
+// healerFor is the healer registered for a kind, and false when none acts in the controller.
+func healerFor(kind string) (healerRow, bool) {
+	for _, r := range healerRegistry {
+		if r.repair != nil && slices.Contains(r.Kinds, kind) {
+			return r, true
+		}
+	}
+	return healerRow{}, false
+}
+
+// healerNamedFor is any healer registered for a kind, wherever it acts: what S15 says beside a cause.
+func healerNamedFor(kind string) string {
+	for _, r := range healerRegistry {
+		if slices.Contains(r.Kinds, kind) {
+			return r.ID
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// healing is the healers' runner and what their repairs reach.
+type healing struct {
+	open   *stores
+	keeper *conditions.Keeper
+	teller conditions.Teller
+	// js is the bus, for the repairs that assert or reset its objects; nil where there is none.
+	js *broker.JetStream
+	// epoch is the lease's gate; acting says this controller is the one acting, not one standing by.
+	epoch  func(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error)
+	acting func() bool
+	now    func() time.Time
+	say    func(format string, args ...any)
+
+	// The acts, as seams a test replaces: asking a machine to report, sending it again, asserting the
+	// bus's objects, resetting a consumer.
+	askReport     func(ctx context.Context, node string) error
+	sendAgain     func(ctx context.Context, node string) error
+	assertObjects func(ctx context.Context) error
+	resetConsumer func(stream, name string) (string, error)
+	// reportWait is how long H1 waits for the machine's report after asking.
+	reportWait time.Duration
+
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	// declined is why each condition was last passed over, so it is said once and `healers` can show it.
+	declined map[string]string
+	paused   string
+}
+
+// newHealing is the serving controller's runner, its acts the real ones.
+func newHealing(open *stores, keeper *conditions.Keeper, teller conditions.Teller, js *broker.JetStream) *healing {
+	h := &healing{open: open, keeper: keeper, teller: teller, js: js, acting: link.Holding,
+		epoch: func(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(ctx) },
+		now:   time.Now, say: func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) },
+		reportWait: 45 * time.Second, declined: map[string]string{}}
+	h.askReport = func(ctx context.Context, node string) error {
+		if h.js == nil {
+			return errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+		}
+		return askToReport(ctx, h.js.Conn(), node)
+	}
+	h.sendAgain = func(ctx context.Context, node string) error {
+		// **Never what a policy or a plan holds back** (ADR 0221): a send by the mesh itself is a push
+		// that did not name the machine — a person's word sends a held build, a healer's does not.
+		held, err := heldMachines(ctx, open, []string{node})
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if why := held[node]; len(why) > 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("not sent again: it would move what a policy or a plan holds back (ADR 0221) — %s; "+
+				"`push %s` sends it, on a person's word", strings.Join(why, "; "), node)
+		}
+		return sendTo(ctx, open, []string{node})
+	}
+	h.assertObjects = func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		if h.js == nil {
+			return errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+		}
+		return assertOnSend(ctx, open.inventory, h.js, "  ")
+	}
+	h.resetConsumer = func(stream, name string) (string, error) {
+		if h.js == nil {
+			return "", errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+		}
+		before, after, err := h.js.ResetConsumer(stream, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("it was %d behind with %d unacknowledged; it delivers from now, %d pending", before.Pending,
+			before.AckPending, after.Pending), nil
+	}
+	return h
+}
+
+// askToReport asks one machine's node-engine to say again what it last applied (to-be 45 §6). On core
+// NATS, fired and flushed: the answer is the machine's ordinary report, read from the store.
+func askToReport(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, node string) error {
+	body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"asked": time.Now().UTC(), "by": "the controller's healer H1"})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := conn.Publish(broker.AskReportSubject(node), body); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	return conn.FlushWithContext(flushing)
+}
+
+// keep runs the healers until ctx ends.
+func (h *healing) keep(ctx context.Context) {
+	tick := time.NewTicker(healEvery)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	for {
+		h.tick(ctx)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// tick is one look at what is open, and every act it calls for.
+func (h *healing) tick(ctx context.Context) {
+	if h.acting != nil && !h.acting() {
+		return
+	}
+	epoch, err := h.epoch(ctx)
+	switch {
+	case err != nil:
+		h.pause(fmt.Sprintf("this controller may not act: %v", err))
+		return
+	case epoch == 0:
+		h.pause("this controller serves without the lease (S12): a repair waits for it")
+		return
+	}
+	inv := h.open.inventory
+	now := h.now()
+	heals, err := inv.HealsSince(ctx, now.Add(-24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		// Blind: nothing is done, and that is said — never read as "no heals, budgets whole".
+		h.reconcile(ctx, []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeProbe, ID: "healers", Token: "failed",
+			Kind: kindHealersBlind, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: "the healers cannot read what they did, so they count no budget and act on nothing",
+			Said:    firstLine(err.Error())}})
+		return
+	}
+	open, err := h.keeper.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.say("the healers cannot read the open conditions, and act on nothing: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	acts := actsWithin(heals, now.Add(-healBrakeWindow))
+	if braked, said := brakeHolds(acts, open, now); braked {
+		h.reconcile(ctx, []conditions.Observation{brakeObservation(acts, said)})
+		h.pause("the mesh-wide brake holds: " + said)
+		return
+	}
+	h.reconcile(ctx, nil)
+	h.resume()
+	for _, c := range open {
+		row, ok := healerFor(c.Kind)
+		if !ok || c.Escalated() {
+			continue
+		}
+		budget, applies, why, err := row.applies(ctx, h, c)
+		if err != nil {
+			h.decline(c.Key, row.ID, "could not tell whether it applies: "+err.Error())
+			continue
+		}
+		if !applies {
+			h.decline(c.Key, row.ID, why)
+			continue
+		}
+		h.forget(c.Key)
+		spent := spentOn(heals, row, budget, now)
+		if n := len(spent); n > 0 && now.Sub(spent[n-1].At) < row.Settle {
+			continue // its last act is still the observation's to judge
+		}
+		if len(spent) >= row.Budget {
+			h.escalate(ctx, row, c, budget, spent)
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(acts) >= healBrakeLimit {
+			return // the brake takes hold on the next look, said there
+		}
+		if h.act(ctx, row, c, budget, len(spent)) {
+			acts = append(acts, inventory.Heal{At: now})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// act is one healer's act on one condition: begun in the store, made, finished, kept in the
+// condition's tried and said. False when it could not even be begun.
+func (h *healing) act(ctx context.Context, row healerRow, c conditions.Condition, budget string, spent int) bool {
+	inv := h.open.inventory
+	begun, err := inv.BeginHeal(ctx, inventory.Heal{Healer: row.ID, ConditionKey: c.Key, Kind: c.Kind,
+		BudgetKey: budget, Act: row.Repair, At: h.now()})
+	if err != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s did not act on %s: %v", row.ID, c.Key, err)
+		return false
+	}
+	act, said, err := row.repair(ctx, h, c)
+	outcome := inventory.HealActed
+	if err != nil {
+		outcome, said = inventory.HealFailed, err.Error()
+	}
+	if act == "" {
+		act = row.Repair
+	}
+	finishing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if ferr := inv.FinishHeal(finishing, begun.ID, outcome, act+" — "+said); ferr != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s acted on %s and could not record what came of it: %v", row.ID, c.Key, ferr)
+	}
+	budgetWords := fmt.Sprintf("act %d of %d within %s", spent+1, row.Budget, row.Window)
+	attempt := conditions.Attempt{What: act, Outcome: outcome + ": " + said + " (" + budgetWords + ")",
+		By: "healer " + row.ID}
+	if _, _, terr := h.keeper.Tried(finishing, c.Key, attempt, conditions.ResolverHealer(row.ID)); terr != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s acted on %s and could not keep it in the condition: %v", row.ID, c.Key, terr)
+	}
+	h.tell(finishing, healerActed{Healer: row.ID, Condition: c.Key, Kind: c.Kind, Act: act, Outcome: outcome,
+		Said: said, Budget: budgetWords, Epoch: begun.Epoch})
+	h.say("healer %s %s %s: %s — %s (%s)", row.ID, outcome, c.Key, act, said, budgetWords)
+	return true
+}
+
+// escalate is a spent budget: the condition is the operator's now, urgent, with what was tried. Said
+// once: an escalated condition is passed over by every healer until observation clears it.
+func (h *healing) escalate(ctx context.Context, row healerRow, c conditions.Condition, budget string, spent []inventory.Heal) {
+	var tried []string
+	for _, s := range spent {
+		tried = append(tried, fmt.Sprintf("%s at %s (%s)", s.Outcome, s.At.UTC().Format("15:04 MST"), firstLine(s.Said)))
+	}
+	said := fmt.Sprintf("its budget of %d act(s) within %s is spent and %s is still open: %s", row.Budget, row.Window,
+		c.Key, strings.Join(tried, "; "))
+	if _, err := h.open.inventory.BeginHeal(ctx, inventory.Heal{Healer: row.ID, ConditionKey: c.Key, Kind: c.Kind,
+		BudgetKey: budget, Act: "handed the condition to the operator", Outcome: inventory.HealEscalated, Said: said,
+		At: h.now()}); err != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s could not record handing %s to the operator, and does not: %v", row.ID, c.Key, err)
+		return
+	}
+	attempt := conditions.Attempt{What: "handed to the operator: nothing in the mesh will repair it now",
+		Outcome: inventory.HealEscalated + ": " + said, By: "healer " + row.ID}
+	if _, _, err := h.keeper.Escalate(ctx, c.Key, attempt); err != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s could not hand %s to the operator: %v", row.ID, c.Key, err)
+	}
+	h.tell(ctx, healerActed{Healer: row.ID, Condition: c.Key, Kind: c.Kind, Act: "handed to the operator",
+		Outcome: inventory.HealEscalated, Said: said, Budget: fmt.Sprintf("%d of %d within %s", len(spent), row.Budget, row.Window)})
+	h.say("healer %s handed %s to the operator: %s", row.ID, c.Key, said)
+}
+
+// healerActed is the body of `healer-acted` (to-be 45 §7): the healer, the condition, the act and its
+// outcome, and where the budget stands. **A contract**, like a condition's events: the operator-channel's
+// holder may say it.
+type healerActed struct {
+	Event     string    `json:"event"`
+	At        time.Time `json:"at"`
+	Healer    string    `json:"healer"`
+	By        string    `json:"by"`
+	Condition string    `json:"condition"`
+	Kind      string    `json:"kind"`
+	Act       string    `json:"act"`
+	// Outcome is acted, failed or escalated. Acted says the act was made, not that it worked: the
+	// condition clearing says that.
+	Outcome string `json:"outcome"`
+	Said    string `json:"said"`
+	Budget  string `json:"budget"`
+	Epoch   uint64 `json:"epoch,omitempty"`
+	Show    string `json:"show"`
+}
+
+// tell says a heal on the bus. Not said is said in the log: the act and the condition's tried still
+// hold it.
+func (h *healing) tell(ctx context.Context, e healerActed) {
+	e.Event, e.At, e.By = link.KeyHealerActed, h.now().UTC(), "healer "+e.Healer
+	e.Show = "mesh-controller.conditions key=" + e.Condition
+	if h.teller == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(e)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	saying, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if err := h.teller.PublishSeatEvent(saying, conditions.Seat, link.KeyHealerActed, body); err != nil {
+		h.say("healer %s %s %s, and that could NOT be said on the bus: %v", e.Healer, e.Outcome, e.Condition, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// reconcile keeps the healers' own conditions: the brake, and their being blind.
+func (h *healing) reconcile(ctx context.Context, observed []conditions.Observation) {
+	if err := h.keeper.Reconcile(ctx, sourceHealers, observed); err != nil {
+		h.say("the healers' own conditions could not be kept: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func (h *healing) pause(why string) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	if h.paused != why {
+		h.say("the healers act on nothing: %s", why)
+	}
+	h.paused = why
+}
+
+func (h *healing) resume() {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	if h.paused != "" {
+		h.say("the healers act again")
+	}
+	h.paused = ""
+}
+
+// decline remembers why a healer passed a condition over, said once.
+func (h *healing) decline(key, healer, why string) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	if h.declined[key] != why {
+		h.say("healer %s leaves %s alone: %s", healer, key, why)
+	}
+	h.declined[key] = why
+}
+
+func (h *healing) forget(key string) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	delete(h.declined, key)
+}
+
+// actsWithin are the heals since a moment that were acts — begun, made or failed; an escalation is a
+// saying, not an act, and the brake does not count it.
+func actsWithin(heals []inventory.Heal, since time.Time) []inventory.Heal {
+	var out []inventory.Heal
+	for _, h := range heals {
+		if !h.At.Before(since) && h.Outcome != inventory.HealEscalated {
+			out = append(out, h)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// spentOn is one healer's acts against one budget key within its window, oldest first.
+func spentOn(heals []inventory.Heal, row healerRow, budget string, now time.Time) []inventory.Heal {
+	var out []inventory.Heal
+	for _, h := range actsWithin(heals, now.Add(-row.Window)) {
+		if h.Healer == row.ID && h.BudgetKey == budget {
+			out = append(out, h)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// brakeHolds says whether the mesh-wide brake holds: the limit reached within the hour, or the brake
+// already said and an act within the hour still — it lets go an hour after the last act, not the first.
+func brakeHolds(acts []inventory.Heal, open []conditions.Condition, now time.Time) (bool, string) {
+	said := fmt.Sprintf("%d act(s) by the healers in the last %s, the limit %d", len(acts), healBrakeWindow, healBrakeLimit)
+	if len(acts) >= healBrakeLimit {
+		return true, said
+	}
+	held := slices.ContainsFunc(open, func(c conditions.Condition) bool { return c.Kind == kindHealersBraked })
+	if held && len(acts) > 0 {
+		last := acts[len(acts)-1].At
+		return true, fmt.Sprintf("%s; held until an hour after the last, at %s", said,
+			last.Add(healBrakeWindow).UTC().Format("15:04 MST"))
+	}
+	return false, said
+}
+
+// brakeObservation is the brake, as the urgent condition that says it.
+func brakeObservation(acts []inventory.Heal, said string) conditions.Observation {
+	counts := map[string]int{}
+	for _, a := range acts {
+		if a.Healer != "" {
+			counts[a.Healer+" on "+a.ConditionKey]++
+		}
+	}
+	var most []string
+	for what, n := range counts {
+		most = append(most, fmt.Sprintf("%s ×%d", what, n))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(most)
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "healers", Token: "braked", Kind: kindHealersBraked,
+		Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+		Summary: "every healer has stopped: the healers acted more often in an hour than the mesh allows, which is a " +
+			"healer looping, not repairing — " + said,
+		Said: strings.Join(most, ", ")}
+}
+
+// --- H1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// appliesToAMachine is H1's: a machine named, its budget counted against the condition.
+func appliesToAMachine(_ context.Context, _ *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, bool, string, error) {
+	if c.Subject.Machine == "" {
+		return "", false, "it names no machine", nil
+	}
+	return c.Key, true, "", nil
+}
+
+// repairReport is H1: ask the machine to report; if what comes back is not what it was sent, or nothing
+// comes, send it again.
+func repairReport(ctx context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, string, error) {
+	node := c.Subject.Machine
+	inv := h.open.inventory
+	// The store's clock, as the report's time is: not the runner's, which a test moves by hand.
+	asked := time.Now()
+	askErr := h.askReport(ctx, node)
+	current, heard := false, false
+	if askErr == nil {
+		deadline := time.Now().Add(h.reportWait)
+		for {
+			r, found, err := lastReportOf(ctx, inv, node)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", "", err
+			}
+			if found && r.At != nil && r.At.After(asked) {
+				heard, current = true, r.Current
+				if current {
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+				break
+			}
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return "", "", ctx.Err()
+			case <-time.After(min(2*time.Second, h.reportWait/4+time.Millisecond)):
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if current {
+		return "asked " + node + "'s node-engine to say again what it last applied",
+			"it reported the declaration it was sent: its report had not reached the mesh", nil
+	}
+	why := "it said nothing within " + h.reportWait.String() + " — its node-engine may be older than the report verb"
+	switch {
+	case askErr != nil:
+		why = "it could not be asked: " + askErr.Error()
+	case heard:
+		why = "it reported a declaration other than the one it was sent"
+	}
+	if err := h.sendAgain(ctx, node); err != nil {
+		return "asked " + node + " to report, then sent it its current declaration again", why + "; the send failed",
+			err
+	}
+	return "asked " + node + " to report, then sent it its current declaration again", why + "; sent again", nil
+}
+
+// lastReportOf is one machine's last report beside its last send.
+func lastReportOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (inventory.Reported, bool, error) {
+	reports, err := inv.LastReports(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return inventory.Reported{}, false, err
+	}
+	for _, r := range reports {
+		if r.Node == node {
+			return r, true, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return inventory.Reported{}, false, nil
+}
+
+// --- H2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// 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) {
+	recent, err := inv.RecentPlans(ctx, 50)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	for _, newer := range recent {
+		if newer.ID == p.ID || !newer.Created.After(p.Created) || !repositoryMatches(newer.Repository, p.Repository) ||
+			newer.Branch != p.Branch || newer.State == inventory.PlanSuperseded {
+			continue
+		}
+		return inventory.PlanSuperseded, fmt.Sprintf("superseded by %s (%s %s), a newer merge of the same repository "+
+			"and branch", newer.ID, newer.Repository, short(newer.Commit)), nil
+	}
+	for _, tier := range p.Tiers {
+		for _, m := range tier {
+			s := p.Modules[m]
+			if s == nil || (s.State != "built" && s.State != "failed") {
+				return "", "", nil
+			}
+			if s.State == "built" && s.SentAt == nil {
+				u, err := inv.UpgradeOf(ctx, m)
+				if err != nil {
+					return "", "", err
+				}
+				if u.RollOut {
+					return "", "", nil
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return inventory.PlanDone, "finished: every module of every tier is built or failed, and every one that rolls " +
+		"out was sent — nothing is left to wait on", nil
+}
+
+// appliesToAStalePlan is H2's: the plan is open, and its wait is superseded or finished.
+func appliesToAStalePlan(ctx context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, bool, string, error) {
+	p, err := h.open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, c.Subject.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false, "", err
+	}
+	if !p.Open() {
+		return "", false, "the plan is " + p.State + " already: its condition clears on the next look", nil
+	}
+	state, _, err := planStale(ctx, h.open.inventory, p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false, "", err
+	}
+	if state == "" {
+		return "", false, "its wait is neither superseded nor finished: it waits on something still to come, " +
+			"which its own signal says", nil
+	}
+	return c.Key, true, "", nil
+}
+
+// repairPlan is H2: the plan closed with its note, under the plans' hold, by compare-and-set.
+func repairPlan(ctx context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, string, error) {
+	inv := h.open.inventory
+	release, err := inv.HoldPlans(ctx, true)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	defer release()
+	p, err := inv.PlanByID(ctx, c.Subject.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	if !p.Open() {
+		return "closed nothing", "the plan is " + p.State + " already", nil
+	}
+	state, why, err := planStale(ctx, inv, p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	if state == "" {
+		return "closed nothing", "its wait is no longer superseded or finished", nil
+	}
+	p.State = state
+	p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("closed by healer H2 at tier %d: %s", p.Tier, why)
+	if state != inventory.PlanDone {
+		sayUnsent(&p, func(m string) bool {
+			u, err := inv.UpgradeOf(ctx, m)
+			return err == nil && u.RollOut
+		})
+	}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	return "closed the plan " + p.ID + " (" + state + ")", why, nil
+}
+
+// --- H3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// appliesToAnObject is H3's: every holder or consumer the probe or the bus names, its budget per object.
+func appliesToAnObject(_ context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, bool, string, error) {
+	if h.assertObjects == nil {
+		return "", false, "this controller is not on the bus", nil
+	}
+	return c.Key, true, "", nil
+}
+
+// repairObjects is H3: the send's own assertion of every stream, consumer and seat worker.
+func repairObjects(ctx context.Context, h *healing, _ conditions.Condition) (string, string, error) {
+	if err := h.assertObjects(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	return "asserted the bus's streams, consumers and seat workers again",
+		"every object the mesh defines is asserted; the probe that raised it says on its next run whether it is there", nil
+}
+
+// --- H4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// resettable is why a consumer may be reset by the mesh itself, from the stream table; empty when not.
+func resettable(stream, name string) string {
+	for _, c := range broker.MeshConsumers() {
+		if c.Stream == stream && c.Name == name {
+			return c.Resettable
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// consumerOf is the stream and consumer a bus condition names: `<stream>.<consumer>`.
+func consumerOf(c conditions.Condition) (string, string, bool) {
+	stream, name, found := strings.Cut(c.Subject.ID, ".")
+	return stream, name, found && stream != "" && name != ""
+}
+
+// appliesToAResettableConsumer is H4's: only a consumer the stream table marks resettable.
+func appliesToAResettableConsumer(_ context.Context, _ *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, bool, string, error) {
+	stream, name, ok := consumerOf(c)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", false, "it names no consumer", nil
+	}
+	if resettable(stream, name) == "" {
+		return "", false, fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is not marked resettable in the stream table: what a reset drops, "+
+			"nothing would catch up", name, stream), nil
+	}
+	return c.Key, true, "", nil
+}
+
+// repairConsumer is H4: `broker consumer-reset`, made by the mesh.
+func repairConsumer(_ context.Context, h *healing, c conditions.Condition) (string, string, error) {
+	stream, name, _ := consumerOf(c)
+	said, err := h.resetConsumer(stream, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", err
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("re-made %s on %s to deliver from now", name, stream),
+		said + "; " + resettable(stream, name), nil
+}
+
+// --- the verb ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// healersCommand is `healers`: the registry, what the healers did lately, and the brake.
+func healersCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("healers", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	daysFlag := set.Int("days", 7, "how many days of acts back")
+	jsonFlag := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+	if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+		return errors.New("healers [--days N] [--json]")
+	}
+	days, asJSON := *daysFlag, *jsonFlag
+	if days <= 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("healers --days takes a number of days, not %d", days)
+	}
+	open, err := openStores(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer open.Close()
+	now := time.Now()
+	heals, err := open.inventory.HealsSince(ctx, now.Add(-time.Duration(days)*24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("what the healers did cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	conds, condErr := openConditions(ctx)
+	braked, said := brakeHolds(actsWithin(heals, now.Add(-healBrakeWindow)), conds, now)
+	brake := map[string]any{"holds": braked, "said": said, "limit": healBrakeLimit, "window": healBrakeWindow.String()}
+	if condErr != nil {
+		brake["conditions"] = "the open conditions could not be read, so whether the brake was said is not known: " +
+			condErr.Error()
+	}
+	var rows []map[string]any
+	for _, r := range healerRegistry {
+		rows = append(rows, map[string]any{"id": r.ID, "kinds": r.Kinds, "condition": r.Condition, "repair": r.Repair,
+			"budget": fmt.Sprintf("%d act(s) within %s, %s apart at least", r.Budget, r.Window, r.Settle),
+			"then":   r.Then, "acts-in": r.ActsIn, "event": r.Event, "from": r.From})
+	}
+	if heals == nil {
+		heals = []inventory.Heal{}
+	}
+	if asJSON {
+		return printJSON(map[string]any{"healers": rows, "heals": heals, "brake": brake, "days": days,
+			"note": "a heal is never a hand act; whether it repaired anything is the condition's clearing to say"})
+	}
+	for _, r := range healerRegistry {
+		fmt.Printf("%s  %s\n    → %s\n    budget %d within %s; then %s (in %s)\n", r.ID, r.Condition, r.Repair, r.Budget,
+			r.Window, r.Then, r.ActsIn)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("\nthe brake: %s — %s\n\n", map[bool]string{true: "HOLDS, every healer has stopped", false: "off"}[braked], said)
+	if len(heals) == 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("no healer acted in the last %d day(s)\n", days)
+		return nil
+	}
+	for i := len(heals) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		x := heals[i]
+		fmt.Printf("%s  %s %-9s %s\n    %s\n", x.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), x.Healer, x.Outcome, x.ConditionKey,
+			firstLine(x.Said))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// forgettingOldHeals removes heals past their keeping once a day, by the controller acting only.
+func forgettingOldHeals(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) {
+	for {
+		if link.Holding() {
+			if n, err := inv.ForgetOldHeals(ctx); err != nil {
+				fmt.Printf("heals older than %s could not be removed: %v\n", inventory.HealsKeptFor, err)
+			} else if n > 0 {
+				fmt.Printf("removed %d heal(s) older than %s\n", n, inventory.HealsKeptFor)
+			}
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(24 * time.Hour):
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// healsCount is what the healers did, counted for `status`.
+type healsCount struct {
+	Acts      int `json:"acts"`
+	Escalated int `json:"escalated"`
+}
+
+// countHeals counts acts and escalations.
+func countHeals(heals []inventory.Heal) *healsCount {
+	out := &healsCount{}
+	for _, h := range heals {
+		if h.Outcome == inventory.HealEscalated {
+			out.Escalated++
+		} else {
+			out.Acts++
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/healers_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,647 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The test generated from the healer registry (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, ADR 0227 rule 7 "how it is
+// checked"): **every row is walked.** Its kinds are ones the mesh raises — a row of the signals table, a
+// probe of the self-check, or a provider's event — it has a budget, a window and a settle inside it,
+// what happens when the budget is spent, and the event each act is said as; a healer the controller runs
+// has its applies and its repair, and an induced failure below that sees it act, say so and brake. A
+// row added without one fails, so the registry cannot grow a healer nobody has seen act.
+
+// raisedKinds is every condition kind the mesh raises, and what raises it.
+func raisedKinds() map[string]string {
+	out := map[string]string{kindProviderFailing: "the provisioner.failing event (ADR 0224)"}
+	for _, r := range signalsTable {
+		for _, k := range kindsOf(r) {
+			out[k] = r.Row
+		}
+	}
+	for _, p := range probeRegistry {
+		out[p.Kind] = p.ID
+		for _, k := range p.Raises {
+			out[k] = p.ID
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// inducedFailures are the healers seen acting in this file, by id: a row without one fails.
+var inducedFailures = map[string]string{
+	"H1": "TestH1AsksAMachineToReportAndSendsItAgain",
+	"H2": "TestH2ClosesAPlanAnotherHasTakenOver",
+	"H3": "TestNatsH3AssertsAMissingConsumerAgainAndBrakesAfterItsBudget",
+	"H4": "TestNatsH4ResetsTheControllersEventsConsumerAndItStillDelivers",
+}
+
+func TestEveryHealerAnswersAKindTheMeshRaisesWithABudgetABrakeAndItsEvent(t *testing.T) {
+	kinds := raisedKinds()
+	source, err := os.ReadFile("healers_test.go")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	answered := map[string]string{}
+	for _, r := range healerRegistry {
+		t.Run(r.ID, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if seen[r.ID] {
+				t.Fatalf("%s is in the registry twice", r.ID)
+			}
+			seen[r.ID] = true
+			if len(r.Kinds) == 0 || r.Condition == "" || r.Repair == "" || r.Then == "" || r.From == "" || r.ActsIn == "" {
+				t.Fatalf("%s does not say what it answers, what it does, what then, and which hand act it replaces: %+v", r.ID, r)
+			}
+			for _, k := range r.Kinds {
+				if _, ok := kinds[k]; !ok {
+					t.Errorf("%s answers %q, which nothing in the mesh raises", r.ID, k)
+				}
+				if other, twice := answered[k]; twice {
+					t.Errorf("%q is answered by %s and %s: one healer per kind", k, other, r.ID)
+				}
+				answered[k] = r.ID
+			}
+			if r.Budget <= 0 || r.Window <= 0 || r.Settle <= 0 || r.Settle > r.Window {
+				t.Errorf("%s has no budget it can spend: %d within %s, settled after %s", r.ID, r.Budget, r.Window, r.Settle)
+			}
+			if r.Event == "" {
+				t.Errorf("%s says nothing when it acts", r.ID)
+			}
+			if r.ActsIn != actsInController {
+				if r.repair != nil || r.applies != nil {
+					t.Errorf("%s acts in %s and the controller would act for it too", r.ID, r.ActsIn)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if r.repair == nil || r.applies == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%s acts in the controller and has no repair or no applies", r.ID)
+			}
+			if r.Event != link.KeyHealerActed || !slices.Contains(broker.ControllerStates, r.Event) {
+				t.Errorf("%s is said as %q, which the controller's grant does not permit", r.ID, r.Event)
+			}
+			if inducedFailures[r.ID] == "" {
+				t.Errorf("%s has no induced failure: a healer nobody has seen act", r.ID)
+			} else if !strings.Contains(string(source), "func "+inducedFailures[r.ID]+"(t *testing.T)") {
+				t.Errorf("%s's induced failure %s is not a test in this file", r.ID, inducedFailures[r.ID])
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	for id := range inducedFailures {
+		if !seen[id] {
+			t.Errorf("an induced failure for %s, which the registry does not have", id)
+		}
+	}
+	if healBrakeLimit <= 0 || healBrakeWindow <= 0 {
+		t.Error("the mesh-wide brake holds nothing")
+	}
+}
+
+// heard keeps the healer-acted events said.
+type heard struct {
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	acts []healerActed
+}
+
+func (h *heard) PublishSeatEvent(_ context.Context, seat, event string, body []byte) error {
+	if seat != conditions.Seat || event != link.KeyHealerActed {
+		return errors.New("said under the wrong seat or name: " + seat + " " + event)
+	}
+	var e healerActed
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &e); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	h.acts = append(h.acts, e)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (h *heard) said() []healerActed {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]healerActed(nil), h.acts...)
+}
+
+// testClock is a moment a test moves by hand.
+type testClock struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	at time.Time
+}
+
+func (c *testClock) now() time.Time {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.at
+}
+
+func (c *testClock) pass(d time.Duration) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	c.at = c.at.Add(d)
+}
+
+// healingOn is a runner over a mesh's stores and its condition store, under epoch 57, every act a
+// fake that fails the test unless the test gives it.
+func healingOn(t *testing.T, open *stores) (*healing, *heard, *testClock) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if conditionsFrom == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the mesh has no condition store")
+	}
+	told, clock := &heard{}, &testClock{at: time.Now()}
+	// The store's gate, as the serving controller's is the lease's (stores.go).
+	open.inventory.ActsUnder(func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 57, nil })
+	h := &healing{open: open, keeper: conditionsFrom, teller: told,
+		epoch: func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 57, nil }, now: clock.now,
+		say: func(f string, a ...any) { t.Logf(f, a...) }, reportWait: 300 * time.Millisecond,
+		declined: map[string]string{}}
+	h.askReport = func(context.Context, string) error { t.Error("asked a machine to report"); return nil }
+	h.sendAgain = func(context.Context, string) error { t.Error("sent a machine again"); return nil }
+	h.assertObjects = func(context.Context) error { t.Error("asserted the bus's objects"); return nil }
+	h.resetConsumer = func(string, string) (string, error) { t.Error("reset a consumer"); return "", nil }
+	return h, told, clock
+}
+
+// sentNotReported raises S2 for a machine, as the watchdog does.
+func sentNotReported(t *testing.T, node string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	o := conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: node, Kind: "sent-not-reported", Machine: node,
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: node + " was sent a declaration and has not reported it", Source: "S2"}
+	if _, err := conditionsFrom.Observe(t.Context(), o); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return o.Key()
+}
+
+// **H1, the commonest hand act** (031/01 §f: a push by hand to unstick a plan waiting on a report, four
+// times): the machine is asked to report; a report that names what it was sent is all it takes, and one
+// that does not — or none — is a send of its current declaration again. Each act kept in `tried` as
+// `healer H1`, said as healer-acted, counted; twice, then the operator's, urgent; then nothing more.
+func TestH1AsksAMachineToReportAndSendsItAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	h, told, clock := healingOn(t, open)
+	record, err := open.inventory.NodeByName(ctx, "laptop")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := open.inventory.RecordSent(ctx, record.ID, "d2", nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	key := sentNotReported(t, "laptop")
+
+	// First: the report had not reached the mesh, and asking for it brings it.
+	asked := 0
+	h.askReport = func(ctx context.Context, node string) error {
+		asked++
+		if node != "laptop" {
+			t.Errorf("asked %s", node)
+		}
+		_, err := open.inventory.RecordDoing(ctx, record.ID, inventory.Doing{Outcome: inventory.OutcomeApplied,
+			At: time.Now().Add(time.Second), Declared: "d2"})
+		return err
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	c, found, err := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	if err != nil || !found {
+		t.Fatalf("the condition is gone after the act — a healer cleared it, not an observation: %v", err)
+	}
+	if asked != 1 || len(c.Tried) != 1 || c.Tried[0].By != "healer H1" || !strings.Contains(c.Tried[0].Outcome, "acted") ||
+		c.Resolver != "healer:H1" {
+		t.Fatalf("after the first act: asked %d, %+v", asked, c)
+	}
+	if acts := told.said(); len(acts) != 1 || acts[0].Healer != "H1" || acts[0].Outcome != inventory.HealActed ||
+		acts[0].Condition != key || acts[0].By != "healer H1" || acts[0].Epoch != 57 {
+		t.Fatalf("the act was not said as healer-acted: %+v", acts)
+	}
+
+	// Within its settle, nothing more: the observation has its turn.
+	clock.pass(time.Minute)
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if asked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("acted again inside the settle: asked %d", asked)
+	}
+
+	// Second: the machine says nothing, so it is sent again.
+	clock.pass(3 * time.Minute)
+	sent := 0
+	h.askReport = func(context.Context, string) error { asked++; return nil }
+	h.sendAgain = func(_ context.Context, node string) error { sent++; return nil }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if asked != 2 || sent != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the second act: asked %d, sent %d", asked, sent)
+	}
+	c, _, _ = conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	if len(c.Tried) != 2 || !strings.Contains(c.Tried[1].Outcome, "sent again") || !strings.Contains(c.Tried[1].Outcome, "act 2 of 2") {
+		t.Fatalf("tried %+v", c.Tried)
+	}
+
+	// The budget is spent: the operator's, urgent, said; and no healer touches it again.
+	clock.pass(4 * time.Minute)
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	c, _, _ = conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	if !c.Escalated() || c.Severity != conditions.Urgent || len(c.Tried) != 3 ||
+		!strings.Contains(c.Tried[2].Outcome, "budget of 2") {
+		t.Fatalf("not handed to the operator: %+v", c)
+	}
+	if acts := told.said(); len(acts) != 3 || acts[2].Outcome != inventory.HealEscalated {
+		t.Fatalf("the escalation was not said: %+v", acts)
+	}
+	clock.pass(time.Hour)
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if asked != 2 || sent != 1 || len(told.said()) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("a healer acted on a condition the operator holds: asked %d sent %d said %d", asked, sent, len(told.said()))
+	}
+	heals, err := open.inventory.HealsSince(ctx, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(heals) != 3 || heals[0].Outcome != inventory.HealActed || heals[1].Outcome != inventory.HealActed ||
+		heals[2].Outcome != inventory.HealEscalated || heals[0].Epoch != 57 {
+		t.Fatalf("the heals kept: %+v %v", heals, err)
+	}
+	// And a heal is not a hand act: what S15 counts never sees it.
+	for _, x := range heals {
+		if x.Healer == "" || strings.HasPrefix(x.Act, "hand-act") {
+			t.Errorf("a heal reads as a hand act: %+v", x)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **Only the controller holding the lease heals** (to-be 45 §6): unleased, or standing by, nothing.
+func TestNoHealerActsWithoutTheLease(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	h, told, _ := healingOn(t, open)
+	sentNotReported(t, "laptop")
+	h.epoch = func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 0, nil }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	h.epoch = func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 0, errors.New("the lease is not held") }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	h.epoch = func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 57, nil }
+	h.acting = func() bool { return false }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if len(told.said()) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a healer acted without the lease: %+v", told.said())
+	}
+}
+
+// **The mesh-wide brake**: a dozen acts in an hour and every healer stops, said urgently, until an hour
+// after the last.
+func TestTheBrakeStopsEveryHealerAndSaysSo(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	h, told, clock := healingOn(t, open)
+	for i := 0; i < healBrakeLimit; i++ {
+		if _, err := open.inventory.BeginHeal(ctx, inventory.Heal{Healer: "H3", ConditionKey: "seat.x.anchor.silent",
+			Kind: "holder-silent", Act: "asserted", Outcome: inventory.HealActed,
+			At: clock.now().Add(-time.Duration(healBrakeLimit-i) * time.Minute)}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	sentNotReported(t, "laptop")
+	h.tick(ctx) // the fakes fail the test if anything acts
+	braked, found, err := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, "mesh.healers.braked")
+	if err != nil || !found || braked.Severity != conditions.Urgent || !strings.Contains(braked.Evidence[0].Said, "H3 on seat.x.anchor.silent ×12") {
+		t.Fatalf("the brake was not said: %+v %v", braked, err)
+	}
+	if len(told.said()) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a healer acted under the brake: %+v", told.said())
+	}
+	// Past the hour of the first act, still held: it lets go an hour after the last.
+	clock.pass(30 * time.Minute)
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if _, held, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, "mesh.healers.braked"); !held {
+		t.Fatal("the brake let go before an hour had passed since the last act")
+	}
+	clock.pass(31 * time.Minute)
+	asked := 0
+	h.askReport = func(context.Context, string) error { asked++; return nil }
+	h.sendAgain = func(context.Context, string) error { return nil }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if _, held, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, "mesh.healers.braked"); held {
+		t.Fatal("the brake held an hour after the last act")
+	}
+	if asked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the healers did not act again after the brake let go: asked %d", asked)
+	}
+}
+
+// **H2 closes a plan another has taken over**, with its note — and leaves a plan alone whose wait is
+// still to come: that one is its own signal's, not a healer's.
+func TestH2ClosesAPlanAnotherHasTakenOver(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	h, told, _ := healingOn(t, open)
+	created := time.Now().UTC().Add(-time.Hour)
+	older := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-old", Repository: "novox/app", Branch: "main", Commit: "0ld0ld0", Created: created,
+		State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "asked"}}}
+	waiting := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-other", Repository: "novox/other", Branch: "main", Commit: "07he707", Created: created,
+		State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"b"}}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"b": {State: "asked"}}}
+	newer := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-new", Repository: "novox/app", Branch: "main", Commit: "new0new", Created: created.Add(time.Minute),
+		State: inventory.PlanDone, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "built"}}}
+	for _, p := range []*inventory.Plan{&older, &waiting, &newer} {
+		if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, id := range []string{"plan-old", "plan-other"} {
+		if _, err := conditionsFrom.Observe(ctx, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopePlan, ID: id, Kind: "stalled",
+			Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: id + " is stalled", Source: "S3"}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	closed, err := open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, "plan-old")
+	if err != nil || closed.State != inventory.PlanSuperseded || !strings.Contains(closed.Note, "closed by healer H2") ||
+		!strings.Contains(closed.Note, "plan-new") {
+		t.Fatalf("the superseded plan: %+v %v", closed, err)
+	}
+	if other, _ := open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, "plan-other"); other.State != inventory.PlanBuilding {
+		t.Fatalf("a plan still waiting was closed: %+v", other)
+	}
+	if c, _, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, "plan.plan-other.stalled"); len(c.Tried) != 0 || c.Resolver != conditions.ResolverSelf {
+		t.Fatalf("a plan H2 does not repair was touched: %+v", c)
+	}
+	if acts := told.said(); len(acts) != 1 || acts[0].Healer != "H2" || acts[0].Condition != "plan.plan-old.stalled" {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v", acts)
+	}
+	// Finished: every module built, none rolled out unsent — closed as done.
+	done := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-done", Repository: "novox/third", Branch: "main", Commit: "d0ned0n", Created: created,
+		State: inventory.PlanRolling, Tier: 0, Tiers: [][]string{{"c"}}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"c": {State: "built"}}}
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &done); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if state, why, err := planStale(ctx, open.inventory, done); err != nil || state != inventory.PlanDone || !strings.Contains(why, "finished") {
+		t.Fatalf("a finished plan reads %q %q %v", state, why, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// **H4 only for a consumer the stream table marks resettable**: a module's consumer far behind is said
+// and left — what a reset drops, nothing would catch up for it.
+func TestH4ResetsOnlyWhatTheTableMarksResettable(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	h, _, _ := healingOn(t, open)
+	marked := 0
+	for _, c := range broker.MeshConsumers() {
+		if c.Resettable != "" {
+			marked++
+			if c.Stream != broker.EventsStream || c.Name != broker.ControllerName {
+				t.Errorf("%s on %s is marked resettable: only the controller's own events consumer is", c.Name, c.Stream)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if marked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%d consumers are marked resettable, want the controller's events consumer alone", marked)
+	}
+	for _, who := range []string{"EVENTS.anchor_shop", "CONTROL.controller"} {
+		if _, err := conditionsFrom.Observe(ctx, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: who, Token: "behind",
+			Kind: kindConsumerBehind, Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: who + " is far behind", Source: "D6"}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx) // the fake reset fails the test if it is called
+	reset := ""
+	h.resetConsumer = func(stream, name string) (string, error) {
+		reset = stream + "." + name
+		return "it was 1500 behind", nil
+	}
+	if _, err := conditionsFrom.Observe(ctx, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: "EVENTS.controller",
+		Token: "behind", Kind: kindConsumerBehind, Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: "far behind", Source: "D6"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if reset != "EVENTS.controller" {
+		t.Fatalf("reset %q", reset)
+	}
+}
+
+// **H3 against a real bus** (issue 208's note): a consumer the mesh expects, deleted; D6 says so; H3
+// asserts the bus's objects the way a send does, and D6's next run clears it — the healer never does.
+// Deleted again within the hour, the budget is spent: the operator's, urgent, and H3 stops.
+func TestNatsH3AssertsAMissingConsumerAgainAndBrakesAfterItsBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	for _, s := range []string{"CONTROL", "NODES", "ASSIGNMENTS", "EVENTS"} {
+		_ = js.Context().DeleteStream(s)
+	}
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(ctx, open.inventory, js); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	h, told, clock := healingOn(t, open)
+	h.js = js
+	h.assertObjects = func(ctx context.Context) error { return assertOnSend(ctx, open.inventory, js, "  ") }
+	d := &doctor{open: open, js: js}
+	probe := func() {
+		t.Helper()
+		found, err := probeConsumers(ctx, d)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := conditionsFrom.Reconcile(ctx, "D6", kindedAs(found, "consumer-wrong")); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	const key = "bus.NODES.laptop.missing"
+
+	if err := js.Context().DeleteConsumer("NODES", "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	probe()
+	if c, raised, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key); !raised || c.Kind != "consumer-lost" {
+		t.Fatalf("the deleted consumer was not raised: %+v", c)
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if _, err := js.Context().ConsumerInfo("NODES", "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("H3 did not make the consumer again: %v", err)
+	}
+	c, still, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	if !still || len(c.Tried) != 1 || c.Tried[0].By != "healer H3" || c.Resolver != "healer:H3" {
+		t.Fatalf("the act is not in the condition, or the healer cleared it: %+v", c)
+	}
+	probe()
+	if _, still, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key); still {
+		t.Fatal("the probe's next run did not clear what H3 repaired")
+	}
+	// Kept in the history as the keeper says it, a moment later.
+	var cleared *conditions.Event
+	for wait := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second); cleared == nil && time.Now().Before(wait); time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond) {
+		history, err := conditionsFrom.HistorySince(ctx, time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		for i := range history {
+			if history[i].Key == key && history[i].Change == conditions.ChangeCleared {
+				cleared = &history[i]
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if cleared == nil || !strings.Contains(cleared.Why, "D6 no longer observes it") || len(cleared.Tried) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the clearing is not the probe's, or forgets what was tried: %+v", cleared)
+	}
+
+	// Again within the hour: the budget is one, so after its settle the operator is told, and H3 stops.
+	clock.pass(10 * time.Minute)
+	if err := js.Context().DeleteConsumer("NODES", "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	probe()
+	h.assertObjects = func(context.Context) error { t.Error("H3 acted past its budget"); return nil }
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	c, _, _ = conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key)
+	if !c.Escalated() || c.Severity != conditions.Urgent || c.Count != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the spent budget was not handed to the operator: %+v", c)
+	}
+	acts := told.said()
+	if len(acts) != 2 || acts[0].Outcome != inventory.HealActed || acts[1].Outcome != inventory.HealEscalated {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v", acts)
+	}
+	clock.pass(2 * time.Hour)
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if len(told.said()) != 2 {
+		t.Fatal("a healer acted on what the operator holds")
+	}
+}
+
+// **H4 against a real bus** (issue 248): the controller's events consumer a long way behind — the week it
+// once replayed — is re-made from now by the mesh itself, and the controller's bound subscription still
+// receives what comes next: a reset that left the controller deaf would be the incident.
+func TestNatsH4ResetsTheControllersEventsConsumerAndItStillDelivers(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	for _, s := range []string{"CONTROL", "NODES", "ASSIGNMENTS", "EVENTS"} {
+		_ = js.Context().DeleteStream(s)
+	}
+	if _, err := assertBusObjects(ctx, open.inventory, js); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// Bound as the controller binds it (link/receive_nats.go), taking one and acknowledging none.
+	events := make(chan *nats.Msg, 64)
+	sub, err := js.Context().ChanSubscribe("", events, nats.Bind(broker.EventsStream, broker.ControllerName))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = sub.Unsubscribe() })
+	followed := broker.ControllerFollows[0]
+	for i := 0; i < consumerFarBehind+200; i++ {
+		if _, err := js.Context().Publish(followed, []byte(`{"n":`+strconv.Itoa(i)+`}`)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	d := &doctor{open: open, js: js}
+	probe := func() []conditions.Observation {
+		t.Helper()
+		found, err := probeConsumers(ctx, d)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := conditionsFrom.Reconcile(ctx, "D6", kindedAs(found, "consumer-wrong")); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return found
+	}
+	probe()
+	const key = "bus.EVENTS.controller.behind"
+	if c, raised, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key); !raised || c.Kind != kindConsumerBehind {
+		t.Fatalf("a consumer %d behind was not raised: %+v", consumerFarBehind+200, c)
+	}
+	h, told, _ := healingOn(t, open)
+	h.resetConsumer = func(stream, name string) (string, error) {
+		before, after, err := js.ResetConsumer(stream, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		return "it was " + strconv.FormatUint(before.Pending, 10) + " behind; " + strconv.FormatUint(after.Pending, 10) +
+			" pending now", nil
+	}
+	h.tick(ctx)
+	if acts := told.said(); len(acts) != 1 || acts[0].Healer != "H4" || acts[0].Outcome != inventory.HealActed {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v", acts)
+	}
+	if found := probe(); len(found) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("after the reset the probe still finds %+v", found)
+	}
+	if _, still, _ := conditionsFrom.Get(ctx, key); still {
+		t.Fatal("the probe's next run did not clear what H4 repaired")
+	}
+	// What comes next still reaches the controller.
+	for len(events) > 0 {
+		<-events
+	}
+	if _, err := js.Context().Publish(followed, []byte(`{"after":"the reset"}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	deadline := time.After(10 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case m := <-events:
+			if strings.Contains(string(m.Data), "after") {
+				return
+			}
+			_ = m.Ack()
+		case <-deadline:
+			t.Fatal("the controller's subscription heard nothing after its consumer was reset: it would be deaf")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **H1's question reaches the machine**, on the subject its grant lets it hear and nothing else.
+func TestNatsAskToReportReachesTheMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(conn.Close)
+	asked, err := conn.SubscribeSync(broker.AskReportSubject("laptop"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := askToReport(t.Context(), conn, "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	msg, err := asked.NextMsg(5 * time.Second)
+	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(msg.Data), "healer H1") {
+		t.Fatalf("the machine heard %v, %v", msg, err)
+	}
+	perms, err := broker.PermissionsFor(broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindNode, Node: "laptop", PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil || !slices.Contains(perms.Subscribe, "mesh.node.laptop.ask.report") ||
+		slices.Contains(perms.Subscribe, "mesh.node.anchor.ask.report") {
+		t.Fatalf("a machine's grant for the question: %v %v", perms.Subscribe, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_back_test.go

@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func (r *recordedDelivery) grant(context.Context, []readyNode) error { return ni
 
 func (r *recordedDelivery) declare(ctx context.Context, s readyNode, body []byte) (string, error) {
 	r.declared = append(r.declared, s.node)
-	return recordSent(ctx, r.inv, s.node, body, s.declared.Builds)
+	return recordSent(ctx, r.inv, s.node, body, s.declared.Builds, s.declared.Epoch)
 }
 
 // aResolver is a module built from a repository, at a commit, with something on the machine that

cmd/mesh-controller/identity_bound_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263: a consumer's identity is bounded by the provision it requires, an
+// overflow is refused before merge by `module check`, and a provider's machine is never refused for
+// one consumer's identity.
+
+// `module check` refuses the pull request that introduces an overflow, naming the module.
+func TestModuleCheckRefusesAnIdentityThatOverflowsWhatItRequires(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	write := func(name, body string) string {
+		p := filepath.Join(dir, name+".json")
+		if err := os.WriteFile(p, []byte(body), 0o600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return p
+	}
+	objects := write("objects", `{"module":"objects","version":"1",
+		"provides":[{"name":"s3-bucket","scope":"mesh","identity":{"max":20,"in":"an S3 access key"}}],
+		"receives":{"s3-bucket":"/var/lib/mesh/objects/mesh.json"}}`)
+	resolver := write("resolver", `{"module":"resolver","version":"1",
+		"provides":[{"name":"wildcard-resolution","scope":"mesh","identity":false}]}`)
+	album := write("photoalbum", `{"module":"photoalbum","version":"1","requires":["s3-bucket"]}`)
+	nm := write("networkmanager", `{"module":"networkmanager","version":"1","requires":["wildcard-resolution"]}`)
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := moduleCheckFor([]string{resolver, nm}, 6, &out); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a long name requiring a keyless provision was refused (issue 263): %v\n%s", err, out.String())
+	}
+	out.Reset()
+	err := moduleCheckFor([]string{objects, album, resolver, nm}, 6, &out)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("an identity overflowing an S3 access key passed:\n%s", out.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), "photoalbum wants s3-bucket") ||
+		!strings.Contains(out.String(), "`slug` of at most 8 characters") ||
+		strings.Contains(out.String(), "networkmanager wants") {
+		t.Fatalf("the refusal does not name the one overflowing module and its remedy:\n%s", out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// Tonight's case, through the commands: networkmanager on a six-character machine requires the
+// resolver provision, and a second consumer there overflows an object store's access key. The
+// provider's machine still composes; the overflowing consumer is left out of its grants and named,
+// by push and by `status`, and the keyless consumer is granted with its long name.
+func TestAnOverflowingConsumerNeverRefusesItsProvidersMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "objects", Version: "1",
+		Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "s3-bucket", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh,
+			Identity: &catalogue.OfferIdentity{Max: 20, In: "an S3 access key"}}},
+		Receives: map[string]string{"s3-bucket": "/var/lib/mesh/objects/mesh.json"}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "resolver", Version: "1",
+		Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "wildcard-resolution", Scope: catalogue.ScopeMesh}}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "networkmanager", Version: "1",
+		Requires: []string{"wildcard-resolution"}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "photoalbum", Version: "1", Requires: []string{"s3-bucket"}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "files", Version: "1", Requires: []string{"s3-bucket"}})
+	for _, a := range [][2]string{{"anchor", "objects"}, {"anchor", "resolver"},
+		{"laptop", "networkmanager"}, {"laptop", "photoalbum"}, {"laptop", "files"}} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, a[0], a[1]); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("assign %s %s: %v", a[0], a[1], err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// The consumer's machine resolves, and says which of its modules no provider will grant.
+	consumer, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	over := consumer.Overflowing()
+	if len(over) != 1 || over[0].Module != "photoalbum" || over[0].Provision != "s3-bucket" {
+		t.Fatalf("the consumer's side does not name exactly photoalbum: %+v", over)
+	}
+
+	// The provider's machine composes. Under ADR 0049's one bound this was a refusal naming
+	// networkmanager, and no push to the provider could go through.
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	declared, err := declarationFor(ctx, open, "anchor", plan, settings)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("one consumer's identity refused its provider's whole machine: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(declared.withheld) != 1 || declared.withheld[0].Identity != "mesh_laptop_photoalbum" {
+		t.Fatalf("the overflowing consumer is not the one withheld: %+v", declared.withheld)
+	}
+	grants, _, err := grantsFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var keyless bool
+	for _, g := range grants {
+		keyless = keyless || g.Provision == "wildcard-resolution" && g.From == "networkmanager"
+	}
+	if !keyless {
+		t.Fatalf("networkmanager, 26 characters, is not granted the keyless resolver provision: %+v", grants)
+	}
+	var granted []string
+	for _, c := range declared.Received["objects"]["s3-bucket"] {
+		granted = append(granted, c.From)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(granted, ",") != "files" {
+		t.Fatalf("the object store grants %v; files and only files fit", granted)
+	}
+	said := printed(t, func() error { reportLeftOut("anchor", declared); return nil })
+	if !strings.Contains(said, `photoalbum on laptop requires s3-bucket from anchor`) ||
+		!strings.Contains(said, "left out of anchor's grants") {
+		t.Fatalf("the push does not say whom it leaves out:\n%s", said)
+	}
+
+	// And `status` names it, and does not call the mesh well while it stands.
+	asked, err := theThreeQuestions(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(asked.overflowing) != 1 || asked.overflowing[0].Module != "photoalbum" {
+		t.Fatalf("status does not carry the overflow: %+v", asked.overflowing)
+	}
+	if asked.well() {
+		t.Fatal("a mesh with a consumer left out of its grants reads as well")
+	}
+	shown := printed(t, func() error { return printStatus(asked) })
+	if !strings.Contains(shown, "identified too long for a provision they require") ||
+		!strings.Contains(shown, "mesh_laptop_photoalbum") {
+		t.Fatalf("status does not say it:\n%s", shown)
+	}
+	body, err := statusAsJSON(asked)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var doc struct {
+		Overflowing []catalogue.Overflow `json:"overflowing"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &doc); err != nil || len(doc.Overflowing) != 1 ||
+		doc.Overflowing[0].Bound.Max != 20 {
+		t.Fatalf("the document does not carry it: %v\n%s", err, body)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/issue_204_test.go

@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@ func TestADeclarationComposedEarlierIsNumberedLowerWhateverOrderItIsSent(t *test
 // fails leaves nothing composed for that machine, and the others are still composed.
 func TestTheNumberIsTakenBeforeComposingAndItsFailureIsARefusal(t *testing.T) {
 	calls := 0
-	allot := func(node string) (int64, error) {
+	allot := func(node string) (order, error) {
 		if node == "anchor" {
-			return 0, context.DeadlineExceeded
+			return order{}, context.DeadlineExceeded
 		}
-		return 7, nil
+		return order{sequence: 7}, nil
 	}
 	sending, refusals := composeEach([]string{"anchor", "laptop"}, allot, func(node string) (sendable, error) {
 		calls++
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestASendIsRecordedEvenWhenTheSenderIsBeingCancelled(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	cancel() // the sender is going away: its context is cancelled between the send and the record
 	body := []byte(`{"declaration":1,"resources":[]}`)
-	digest, err := recordSent(ctx, inv, "anchor", body, nil)
+	digest, err := recordSent(ctx, inv, "anchor", body, nil, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		// NodeByName on the cancelled context may itself refuse; the record must still be possible
 		// through the detached context, so look the node up again on a live one.

cmd/mesh-controller/lease_command_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+)
+
+// A command run at a shell (novox/hq to-be 45 §6): under the holder's epoch while a controller holds the
+// lease, read at the moment it acts; under a lease of its own while none does, given back as it ends.
+func TestACommandActsUnderTheHoldersEpochOrItsOwn(t *testing.T) {
+	url, kv := aBusForTheLease(t)
+	t.Setenv(broker.NATSVar, url)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+
+	// Nobody holds it: the command takes it, and gives it back.
+	cmd := &actor{}
+	own, err := cmd.epoch(ctx)
+	if err != nil || own == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a command with nobody holding the lease acts as %d (%v)", own, err)
+	}
+	if h, found, _ := lease.Current(ctx, kv); !found || h.Epoch != own {
+		t.Fatalf("the command's lease is not on the bus: %+v", h)
+	}
+	cmd.release()
+	if _, found, _ := lease.Current(ctx, kv); found {
+		t.Fatal("the command did not give its lease back as it ended")
+	}
+
+	// A controller holds it: a command acts under that epoch.
+	l, err := lease.Open(ctx, mustJetStream(t, url), broker.LeaseBucket, lease.Options{Holder: lease.Holder{Instance: "serving"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := l.TryTake(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	borrower := &actor{}
+	defer borrower.release()
+	if got, err := borrower.epoch(ctx); err != nil || got != held {
+		t.Fatalf("a command acts as %d (%v), want the holder's %d", got, err, held)
+	}
+	// The holder lets go: the command does not go on under an epoch nobody holds.
+	l.Release(ctx)
+	if _, err := borrower.epoch(ctx); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a command acted under an epoch nobody holds any more")
+	}
+}
+
+// mustJetStream is a connection of its own to the test bus.
+func mustJetStream(t *testing.T, url string) jetstream.JetStream {
+	t.Helper()
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(conn.Close)
+	js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return js
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/lease_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+)
+
+// Two controllers at once (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, issue 204; the half of replay R1 that lives here): two
+// serving controllers over one store and one bus. The second waits while the first holds the lease; on
+// a handover it takes it at a higher epoch, the record says which held what and how each ended; and the
+// one that lost it acts no more — no declaration composed, no plan and no condition written — the
+// moment it lost it.
+//
+//	MESH_TEST_POSTGRES=… MESH_TEST_NATS=nats://127.0.0.1:14222 go test ./cmd/mesh-controller/ -run Controllers
+
+// aBusForTheLease is the test bus with the controller's lease bucket new.
+func aBusForTheLease(t *testing.T) (string, jetstream.KeyValue) {
+	t.Helper()
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(conn.Close)
+	js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = js.DeleteKeyValue(t.Context(), broker.LeaseBucket)
+	if err := broker.EnsureLeaseBucket(t.Context(), js); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kv, err := js.KeyValue(t.Context(), broker.LeaseBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = js.DeleteKeyValue(context.Background(), broker.LeaseBucket) })
+	return url, kv
+}
+
+func TestTwoControllersOneActs(t *testing.T) {
+	url, kv := aBusForTheLease(t)
+	inv := inventory.ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+
+	// Controller A takes the lease.
+	a := &actor{}
+	aCtx, stopA := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer stopA()
+	lostA, err := a.serveUnderTheLease(aCtx, inv, url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	epochA, err := a.epoch(ctx)
+	if err != nil || epochA == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("A holds no epoch: %d, %v", epochA, err)
+	}
+
+	// Controller B starts while A holds it, and waits — acting on nothing meanwhile.
+	b := &actor{}
+	bCtx, stopB := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer stopB()
+	tookB := make(chan (<-chan struct{}), 1)
+	go func() {
+		lost, err := b.serveUnderTheLease(bCtx, inv, url)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("B: %v", err)
+			close(tookB)
+			return
+		}
+		tookB <- lost
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-tookB:
+		t.Fatal("B took the lease while A held it")
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+	}
+	if _, err := b.epoch(ctx); !errors.Is(err, lease.ErrNotHeld) {
+		t.Fatalf("B, waiting, may act: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// A hands over, as a controller being replaced does: B takes the lease at once, at a higher epoch.
+	stopA()
+	a.release()
+	var lostB <-chan struct{}
+	select {
+	case lostB = <-tookB:
+	case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("B did not take the lease A gave back")
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-lostA:
+	default:
+		t.Fatal("A, having given the lease back, is not told it no longer holds it")
+	}
+	epochB, err := b.epoch(ctx)
+	if err != nil || epochB <= epochA {
+		t.Fatalf("B acts as epoch %d after A's %d (%v): an epoch only grows", epochB, epochA, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := a.epoch(ctx); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("A acts after giving the lease back")
+	}
+	ea, _, _ := inv.EpochOf(ctx, epochA)
+	eb, _, _ := inv.EpochOf(ctx, epochB)
+	if ea.How != inventory.EpochReleased || eb.Ended != nil || eb.Instance != instance {
+		t.Fatalf("the record of the handover reads %+v then %+v", ea, eb)
+	}
+
+	// Something else writes the lease's key — a third controller on a clock that read it as expired:
+	// B's next renewal is refused, and B stops acting at once.
+	if _, err := kv.Put(ctx, lease.Key, []byte(`{"instance":"a third controller","epoch":1}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-lostB:
+	case <-time.After(2 * lease.RenewEvery):
+		t.Fatal("B was not told it lost the lease")
+	}
+	if _, err := b.epoch(ctx); !errors.Is(err, lease.ErrNotHeld) {
+		t.Fatalf("B acts after losing the lease: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Nothing B does is written: a declaration's number is not taken, a plan is not saved, a condition
+	// is not raised.
+	inv.ActsUnder(b.epoch)
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "anchor"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	saved := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-after-loss", Repository: "novox/app", Commit: "c0ffee00", Created: time.Now(),
+		State: inventory.PlanBuilding}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &saved); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("B wrote a plan after losing the lease")
+	}
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	keeper := conditions.NewKeeper(ctx, conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store,
+		Epoch: func() (uint64, error) { return b.epoch(ctx) }})
+	defer keeper.Close(context.Background())
+	if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "x", Kind: "x",
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: "x", Source: "test"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("B raised a condition after losing the lease")
+	}
+	if ended, _, _ := inv.EpochOf(ctx, epochB); ended.How != inventory.EpochLost {
+		t.Fatalf("B's epoch does not say it was lost: %+v", ended)
+	}
+}
+
+// A controller whose bus refuses it the lease's key, with nobody holding it, serves without the lease:
+// it acts with no epoch — refused by no node-engine — says so, and takes the lease once it can.
+func TestAControllerTheBusRefusesTheLeaseServesUnleasedAndSaysSo(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &actor{serving: true, unleased: "the bus refused the lease's key"}
+	if epoch, err := a.epoch(context.Background()); err != nil || epoch != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an unleased controller answers %d, %v: it acts, claiming no epoch", epoch, err)
+	}
+	if st := a.standing(); st.Unleased == "" || st.Held {
+		t.Fatalf("its standing says %+v", st)
+	}
+	// One that neither holds nor is unleased — still waiting — acts on nothing.
+	waiting := &actor{serving: true}
+	if _, err := waiting.epoch(context.Background()); !errors.Is(err, lease.ErrNotHeld) {
+		t.Fatalf("a controller waiting for the lease may act: %v", err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/main.go

@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ func run() error {
 
 	ctx, stop := signal.NotifyContext(context.Background(), syscall.SIGINT, syscall.SIGTERM)
 	defer stop()
+	// Whatever this process holds of the controller's lease is given back as it ends (novox/hq to-be
+	// 45 §6), so the next controller takes it at once rather than after its age.
+	defer theLease.release()
 
 	switch args[0] {
 	case "build":
@@ -145,6 +148,28 @@ func run() error {
 		return seatCommand(ctx, args[1:])
 	case "status":
 		return statusCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	// Acts done by hand, and why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	case "hand-act":
+		return handActCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	case "hand-acts":
+		return handActCommand(ctx, append([]string{"list"}, args[1:]...))
+	// What the mesh's bounds will be set from (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
+	case "durations":
+		return durationsCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	// What is wrong, and the self-check (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, §4).
+	case "conditions":
+		return conditionsCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	case "doctor":
+		return doctorCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	// What the healers did, and their brake (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	case "healers":
+		return healersCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	// A consumer the mesh stopped asking for: retired, waiting for a person, deleted only by one
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0230).
+	case "retire":
+		return retireCommand(ctx, args[1:])
+	case "cleanup":
+		return cleanupCommand(ctx, args[1:])
 	case "version":
 		fmt.Println(version)
 		return nil
@@ -191,6 +216,12 @@ func usage() {
   upgrade <name> roll-out [--together]   ...send it to the machines running it
   upgrade <name> record          ...record that they are behind, and send nothing
   status [--json]                what is wrong, what is quiet, and what is out of date
+  retire [--json]                every provider waiting for a person to approve a retirement (ADR 0230)
+  retire approve <node> <module> --why <text>   retire what it waits with: access off, data kept
+  retire reject <node> <module> --why <text>    keep them active; a warning stays open
+  cleanup [list] [--json]        every retired consumer per provider: age, size, why
+  cleanup delete <node> <module> <consumer> --why <text>   the provider deletes that one retired consumer
+  cleanup delete --older-than <days> --why <text> [--confirm]   list those older; delete only with --confirm
   seats [--json]                 every seat this mesh defines, what it delivers, and who holds it
   seat rename <from> <to>        rename a seat; its former name still resolves (ADR 0122)
   seat <name> --to <node>/<module>   hand a seat to that assignment as one act; never empty in between (ADR 0131)
@@ -226,19 +257,34 @@ func usage() {
   kill <id>                      end a build where it runs; recorded failed, killed by hand
   pause [<node>] / resume [<node>]   the build seat's holder there, or every holder, takes nothing new / again
   plans retry <id>               ask a failed plan's failed builds again, and carry the plan on
+  plans stop|close <id> --why <text>   end a plan by hand; recorded in the hand-act log
+  hand-act record <what> --why <text> --cause <word> [--condition <key>]
+                                 record an act done by hand outside the mesh (to-be 45 §7)
+  hand-acts [--days N] [--json]  what was done by hand lately, why, and which causes repeat
+  conditions [--scope S] [--severity S] [--machine M] [--json]
+                                 what is wrong now: every open condition, urgent first (to-be 45 §2)
+  conditions show <key>          one condition whole, with its evidence
+  conditions silence <key> --for <d> --why <text>   send no message for it a while; a hand act
+  conditions history [--days N] [--key K]   every raising, change and clearing lately
+  doctor [run|probes|signals] [--json]
+                                 the self-check: the last verdict, a run now, the probes, the signals' ages
+  healers [--days N] [--json]    the healers, what they did lately, and their brake (to-be 45 §7)
+  durations [--kind K] [--days N] [--json]
+                                 apply, heartbeat, plan-tier and build durations, per machine or module
   collection [--json]            kept archives held/unheld by a manifest, and what the sweep may let go
   builder issue <name>           a broker account for a build machine, scoped to build work,
                                  delivered as the builder module's broker secret (module add it first)
   licence add|list|use|key       model access, under the name a person calls it
   licence manager <name> <node>  the node that holds a refreshable licence's refresh token
   licence refresh <name>         mint a new access token and seal it to every holder
-  rotate <provision> [--consumer <n>]  a new credential for every holder, both ends at once
+  rotate <provision> [--consumer <n>] [--module <m>]  a new credential for every holder, both ends at once
   ask <module> <tool> [json]           call one of a module's tools over the broker, and print its answer
   pin <node> <provision> <from-node> <module>
                                  which provider this one gets a provision from: the module, and its node
   unpin <node> <provision>       put that question back
   plan <node> [--files|--json]     what that node would run, and why
-  push [<node>] [--behind]       send a node everything it should be, or only those that need it
+  push [<node>] [--behind] [--why <text>]  send a node everything it should be, or only those
+                                 that need it; --why records it in the hand-act log
   version                        what this binary is
 
 Each context reaches its own store through its own credential (novox/hq ADR 0008), named
@@ -291,6 +337,9 @@ func (b builds) Built(ctx context.Context, result link.BuildResult) error {
 	// When it was asked, so a plan takes as its outcome only a build asked for it or after it
 	// (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/219). Zero when the id does not say.
 	asked, _ := link.BuildAskedAt(result.ID)
+	// And how long it took, asked to heard, which a build's bound will be set from (novox/hq to-be 45
+	// Phase 0). Said if lost; never a reason not to take the build in.
+	recordBuildDuration(ctx, b.inv, result, asked)
 	switch {
 	case err != nil && result.Failed != "":
 		fmt.Printf("%s: %v\n", result.ID, err)
@@ -317,5 +366,7 @@ func (b builds) Built(ctx context.Context, result link.BuildResult) error {
 		result.ID, manifest.Module, manifest.Version, result.On, short(result.Commit))
 	saysWhenThePolicyActs(ctx, b.inv, manifest.Module)
 	planBuilt(ctx, b.open, manifest.Module, result.Commit, "", asked, result.ID)
+	// A module registered may be one a machine is now behind: `status` is composed again.
+	statusFrom.nudge()
 	return nil
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/mesh_for_test.go

@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"crypto/ecdh"
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
@@ -37,6 +40,9 @@ func aMesh(t *testing.T) *stores {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(open.Close)
+	// A condition store of its own, held in memory (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): status leads with what is
+	// open, and a mesh with no bus would otherwise read as one whose conditions cannot be read.
+	withConditionsInMemory(t)
 	for _, m := range provided {
 		if err := open.inventory.Provide(t.Context(), m); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
@@ -106,3 +112,17 @@ func rivals() (catalogue.Manifest, catalogue.Manifest) {
 	return catalogue.Manifest{Module: "rival-one", Version: "1", Claims: claim},
 		catalogue.Manifest{Module: "rival-two", Version: "1", Claims: claim}
 }
+
+// withConditionsInMemory gives the test a condition store in memory, as the serving controller's.
+func withConditionsInMemory(t *testing.T) (*conditions.Keeper, *conditions.InMemory) {
+	t.Helper()
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store})
+	before := conditionsFrom
+	conditionsFrom = k
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		conditionsFrom = before
+		k.Close(context.Background())
+	})
+	return k, store
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/missed_merges.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
@@ -59,9 +60,13 @@ func catchingUpOnMerges(ctx context.Context, open *stores, announced merges) {
 			return
 		case <-tick.C:
 		}
+		watchedMerges.begin()
 		err := catchUpOnMerges(ctx, time.Now(), announced, catalogued, f.SourceMoved, func(format string, args ...any) {
 			fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...)
 		})
+		// What the pass found is what S5 says (novox/hq to-be 45 §3); a pass that could not read
+		// says that instead, and leaves what the last one found standing.
+		watchedMerges.end(time.Now(), err)
 		// A pass that cannot read says so once, not every five minutes, and says when it reads again.
 		why := ""
 		if err != nil {
@@ -114,6 +119,8 @@ func catchUpOnMerges(ctx context.Context, now time.Time, announced merges,
 		for _, e := range moves {
 			names = append(names, e.Manifest.Module)
 		}
+		watchedMerges.found(missedMerge{Owner: a.Owner, Repo: a.Repo, Base: a.Base, Commit: a.Commit,
+			At: a.At, Modules: names})
 		say("%s/%s merged into %s (%.8s), announced %s ago, and the controller never acted on it: the bus "+
 			"did not hand the announcement over (novox/hq issue 266). %s %s behind it; acting on it now",
 			a.Owner, a.Repo, a.Base, a.Commit, now.Sub(a.At).Round(time.Minute), readableList(names),
@@ -129,3 +136,54 @@ func catchUpOnMerges(ctx context.Context, now time.Time, announced merges,
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// missedMerge is one merge the bus announced and never handed over, as a pass found it.
+type missedMerge struct {
+	Owner, Repo, Base, Commit string
+	// At is when the bus took the announcement.
+	At      time.Time
+	Modules []string
+}
+
+// mergeWatch is what the passes found, for S5 (novox/hq to-be 45 §3): **a merge nothing read is
+// said**, urgent, even though the pass acts on it at once — the bus skipping a message is a fault of
+// the transport the mesh's every change rides on, and acting late is the repair, not the absence of
+// the fault. The next pass, finding it acted on, clears it.
+type mergeWatch struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	passed  time.Time
+	err     error
+	finding []missedMerge
+	missed  []missedMerge
+}
+
+var watchedMerges = &mergeWatch{}
+
+func (w *mergeWatch) begin() {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	w.finding = nil
+}
+
+func (w *mergeWatch) found(m missedMerge) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	w.finding = append(w.finding, m)
+}
+
+func (w *mergeWatch) end(at time.Time, err error) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	w.passed, w.err = at, err
+	if err == nil {
+		w.missed = w.finding
+	}
+}
+
+// last is when the last pass ended, what the last pass that read found, and what the last pass
+// could not read.
+func (w *mergeWatch) last() (time.Time, []missedMerge, error) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	return w.passed, append([]missedMerge(nil), w.missed...), w.err
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go

@@ -64,8 +64,19 @@ func moduleCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	// `check` needs no mesh, and must not: it is what somebody runs in their own repository before
 	// there is a mesh in reach (novox/hq issue 148). A directory expands to every manifest under it.
 	if args[0] == "check" {
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("module check", flag.ContinueOnError)
+		// The longest machine name an identity must fit on (novox/hq ADR 0225): a mesh passes its own.
+		longest := set.Int("longest-machine-name", catalogue.DefaultLongestMachine,
+			"judge each module's identity on a machine name this many characters long")
+		given, err := parseAround(set, args[1:])
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if *longest < 1 {
+			return errors.New("--longest-machine-name is a length, at least 1")
+		}
 		var paths []string
-		for _, a := range args[1:] {
+		for _, a := range given {
 			if info, err := os.Stat(a); err == nil && info.IsDir() {
 				under, err := manifestsUnder(a)
 				if err != nil {
@@ -76,7 +87,7 @@ func moduleCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			}
 			paths = append(paths, a)
 		}
-		return moduleCheck(paths, os.Stdout)
+		return moduleCheckFor(paths, *longest, os.Stdout)
 	}
 	open, err := openStores(ctx)
 	if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/nodes.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -387,7 +388,7 @@ func brokerCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return busAccounts(ctx, args[1:])
 	}
 	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "consumer-reset" {
-		return consumerReset(args[1:])
+		return consumerReset(ctx, args[1:])
 	}
 	if len(args) == 0 || args[0] != "show" {
 		return errors.New("broker show | broker certificate [--check] --into <directory> | broker accounts --into <file> | " +
@@ -414,10 +415,21 @@ func brokerCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 // consumerReset re-makes one consumer on a stream that keeps history to start from now (novox/hq issue
 // 248): the way out of a consumer replaying a week of announcements, said rather than done by hand. A
 // person's act — what was pending is dropped — so it is a command, and nothing calls it on its own.
-func consumerReset(args []string) error {
-	if len(args) != 2 {
-		return errors.New("broker consumer-reset <stream> <consumer>, e.g. broker consumer-reset EVENTS controller")
+func consumerReset(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("broker consumer-reset", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	// A repair by hand, which says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	why := addHandActFlags(set)
+	args, err := parseAround(set, args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
+	if len(args) != 2 {
+		return errors.New("broker consumer-reset <stream> <consumer> --why <text>, e.g. broker consumer-reset EVENTS controller --why ...")
+	}
+	if err := why.require("broker consumer-reset"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	why.record(ctx, "broker consumer-reset", args)
 	address, err := broker.BusAddress()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -505,15 +517,22 @@ func showNode(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, name string) error
 		fmt.Printf("  public domain     %s\n", domain)
 	}
 
-	// A provider here failing a consumer, or a consumer here failed (novox/hq ADR 0224). Before the
-	// capabilities, because it is something not working now and they are a description.
-	failing, err := failingProviders(ctx, inv)
+	// Every open condition about this machine (novox/hq to-be 45 §2) — a provider here failing a
+	// consumer, or a consumer here failed, among them (ADR 0224). Before the capabilities, because it
+	// is something not working now and they are a description. Unreadable is said, not passed over.
+	open, err := openConditions(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		fmt.Printf("\n  the open conditions could NOT be read, so whether anything here is wrong is not known: %v\n", err)
 	}
-	if here := failingOn(failing, name); len(here) > 0 {
-		fmt.Printf("\n  %d consumer(s) a provider keeps failing, here or for a module here:\n", len(here))
-		for _, line := range failingLines(here, time.Now()) {
+	var here []conditions.Condition
+	for _, c := range open {
+		if concerns(c, name) {
+			here = append(here, c)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(here) > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("\n  %d open condition(s) about this machine:\n", len(here))
+		for _, line := range conditionLines(here, time.Now()) {
 			fmt.Printf("  %s\n", line)
 		}
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go

@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ func declarationWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	}
 	out := sendable{Resources: composed.Resources, Adoption: adoption,
 		Received: composed.Received, Mesh: with.Mesh, BusUsers: with.BusUsers,
-		LeftOut: sortedKeysOf(composed.LeftOut), leftOutWhy: composed.LeftOut}
+		LeftOut: sortedKeysOf(composed.LeftOut), leftOutWhy: composed.LeftOut, withheld: with.Withheld}
 	// And which build of each module it carries, for the send to record (novox/hq issue 259, ADR
 	// 0221). Read only on the send path: a question about what would be sent records nothing.
 	if choosing == Allocating {
@@ -464,6 +464,11 @@ func reportLeftOut(node string, declared sendable) {
 			"what the machine holds for it is kept and its containers are untouched. %s\n",
 			node, m, declared.leftOutWhy[m])
 	}
+	// And whom it serves nothing, because their identity overflows what the provision keeps (ADR
+	// 0225): the machine is sent everything else, and the consumer is named.
+	for _, o := range declared.withheld {
+		fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", node, o)
+	}
 }
 
 // renderingFor is everything a node's declaration is composed with, and the node's record.
@@ -471,7 +476,7 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	plan catalogue.Resolution, settings catalogue.SettingsBy,
 	gens map[string]catalogue.Generator, choosing Choosing) (catalogue.Rendering, inventory.Node, error) {
 	inv := open.inventory
-	grants, err := grantsFor(ctx, open, node)
+	grants, withheld, err := grantsFor(ctx, open, node)
 	if err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
 	}
@@ -794,7 +799,7 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 		Suffix: overlay.Suffix(), MeshRange: meshRange, TunnelInterface: overlay.Interface, Accounts: accounts, Foundation: foundation,
 		Kept: kept, Adopted: record.Adopted, OutwardLinks: outwardLinks,
 		Given: given, Taken: taken, Seats: seats, ArtifactStore: artifactStore, SeatReach: reach, Built: built,
-		BusUsers: busUsers,
+		BusUsers: busUsers, Withheld: withheld,
 	}, record, nil
 }
 
@@ -930,28 +935,34 @@ func certificateFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (string, str
 // The mirror of what a consumer is given, and the half that makes the credential real: a password
 // nothing was told to create is a password that authenticates nowhere. Sealed to this node, so
 // the mesh hands over something it cannot itself use.
-func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Grant, error) {
+//
+// **One consumer's identity never refuses the provider's machine** (novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263).
+// A consumer whose identity overflows the provision's bound is left out of the grants and returned
+// beside them, for push, plan and `status` to say; every other consumer is granted and the provider's
+// declaration composes. Refusing here once made a whole machine unpushable for one module elsewhere.
+func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Grant, []catalogue.Overflow, error) {
 	inv := open.inventory
 	issued, err := inv.SecretsFrom(ctx, node)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Where each consumer is, so a provider that must reach back to one does not have to know how
 	// the mesh names machines.
 	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 	onNetwork, err := whereEveryoneIs(ctx, inv, shelf)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	// What each consumer actually asked for, taken from that machine's own resolution rather than
 	// from a record beside it. A provider told to create a password and not what to create it for
 	// can do nothing with it, and the name a consumer wants is the consumer's to say.
 	out := make([]catalogue.Grant, 0, len(issued))
+	var withheld []catalogue.Overflow
 	for _, s := range issued {
 		plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, s.Consumer)
 		switch {
@@ -964,11 +975,11 @@ func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Gran
 			// The mesh could not be asked what they wanted, which is not the same as their wanting
 			// nothing — and withholding a grant on that reading takes a consumer's access away
 			// (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/152).
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("what %s asked of %s cannot be read: %w", s.Consumer, s.Name, err)
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("what %s asked of %s cannot be read: %w", s.Consumer, s.Name, err)
 		}
 		values, asks, err := plan.ContributionsFrom(s.Name, s.ConsumerModule, settings)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
+			return nil, nil, err
 		}
 		// A port in there is the consumer's software port until this. The consumer is on another
 		// machine, so the assignment that moved it is that machine's — fetched here rather than
@@ -976,7 +987,7 @@ func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Gran
 		// this case (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/038, the cross-node half).
 		published, err := portsOn(ctx, inv, s.Consumer, s.ConsumerModule)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
+			return nil, nil, err
 		}
 		values = catalogue.AtPublishedPort(values, s.ConsumerModule, published)
 		from := s.ConsumerModule
@@ -987,9 +998,10 @@ func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Gran
 			from = ""
 		}
 		// The consumer's identity slug, from its own manifest, carried on the grant so the provider
-		// derives the same login the consumer does (novox/hq ADR 0049). Refused here if it still would
-		// not fit the tightest backend — the mesh chose the name, so the mesh refuses it, with the
-		// remedy a short slug rather than a login a provider silently shortened.
+		// derives the same login the consumer does (novox/hq ADR 0049). Judged against the bound of
+		// this provision, as the consumer's resolution states it from the provider's offer (ADR
+		// 0225): a consumer it would not fit is left out of the grants and said, rather than a login a
+		// provider silently shortened — and rather than this whole machine refused for it.
 		slug := ""
 		for _, mm := range plan.Modules {
 			if mm.Module == s.ConsumerModule {
@@ -998,15 +1010,32 @@ func grantsFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]catalogue.Gran
 			}
 		}
 		if from != "" {
-			if err := catalogue.CheckIdentity(s.Consumer, catalogue.IdentitySource(slug, s.ConsumerModule)); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
+			bound := boundOfGrant(plan, s, node)
+			source := catalogue.IdentitySource(slug, s.ConsumerModule)
+			if catalogue.CheckIdentityWithin(s.Consumer, source, bound) != nil {
+				withheld = append(withheld, catalogue.Overflow{Provision: s.Name, Provider: node,
+					Consumer: s.Consumer, Module: s.ConsumerModule,
+					Identity: catalogue.ConsumerIdentity(s.Consumer, source), Bound: bound})
+				continue
 			}
 		}
 		out = append(out, catalogue.Grant{
 			Provision: s.Name, Consumer: s.Consumer, At: onNetwork[s.Consumer],
 			From: from, Values: values, Slug: slug, Sealed: s.ForProvider, Local: s.Local})
 	}
-	return out, nil
+	return out, withheld, nil
+}
+
+// boundOfGrant is the identity bound the consumer's own resolution states for the requirement this
+// grant answers. A requirement not found there is held to the tightest bound the mesh knows rather
+// than to none: what the provider keeps of it is not known here.
+func boundOfGrant(consumer catalogue.Resolution, s inventory.Secret, provider string) catalogue.IdentityBound {
+	for _, n := range consumer.Needs {
+		if n.Name == s.Name && n.For == s.ConsumerModule && n.From == provider {
+			return n.Identity
+		}
+	}
+	return catalogue.DefaultIdentityBound
 }
 
 // listensLines is what a person is told about what this module would open, and why — the same
@@ -1082,6 +1111,11 @@ func planCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		left := plan.LeftOut(settings, record.Adopted)
 		reportLeftOut(args[0], sendable{LeftOut: sortedKeysOf(left), leftOutWhy: left})
 	}
+	// And which of its modules no provider will grant, because the identity overflows the bound of
+	// what it requires (novox/hq ADR 0225) — said on the machine the remedy is for.
+	for _, o := range plan.Overflowing() {
+		fmt.Printf("%s: %s\n", args[0], o)
+	}
 	// And a setting that reaches nothing — refused where it is stored, and said here for one
 	// stored before its definition moved from under it.
 	for _, m := range plan.Modules {

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_retry.go

@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ func retryPlan(ctx context.Context, open *stores, id string) (string, error) {
 		}
 	}
 	resumed(&p, fmt.Sprintf("tier %d retried by hand: %s asked again", p.Tier, strings.Join(failed, ", ")))
-	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 	if p.State != inventory.PlanBuilding {
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ func joinAPlan(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) (bool, string,
 	askModule(ctx, &p, module, byName)
 	s := p.Modules[module]
 	resumed(&p, fmt.Sprintf("tier %d: %s rebuilt by hand", p.Tier, module))
-	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
 		return false, "", err
 	}
 	if s.State != "asked" {
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ func retryRollouts(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan) (string
 	}
 	p.State = inventory.PlanRolling
 	p.Note = fmt.Sprintf("tier %d retried by hand; sent %s first again", p.Tier, strings.Join(said, "; "))
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, *p); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s retried at tier %d of %d: sent %s first again; the rest follow once it reports it "+

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_one_at_a_time_test.go

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func TestAControllerLeavesThePlansToTheOneHoldingThem(t *testing.T) {
 	plan := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-213", Repository: "r", Commit: "abc", Created: now, Updated: now,
 		State: inventory.PlanRolling, Tier: 1, Tiers: [][]string{{"app"}},
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"app": {State: "built"}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, plan); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 

cmd/mesh-controller/probes.go

@@ -0,0 +1,903 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"regexp"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/micro"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/validate"
+	"golang.org/x/net/dns/dnsmessage"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/artifacts"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/overlay"
+)
+
+// The probes of the self-check's registry (doctor.go), one function each. A probe answers what is
+// wrong now as observations, or an error when it could not tell — never "nothing" for "could not
+// look" (ADR 0227 rule 4).
+
+// probeDeclarations is D1: every machine's declaration composes, and the node-engine's own validator
+// (mesh-host's `validate`, the package the host runs) takes it.
+func probeDeclarations(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	open := d.open
+	nodes, err := open.inventory.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	// The private network every declaration is composed with. Not computable is not "could not
+	// look": it is the finding — no machine's declaration composes without it — and the machines that
+	// do not resolve, which are usually why, are named below.
+	gens, gensErr := generators(ctx, open)
+	if gensErr != nil {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "private-network",
+			Token: "uncomposable", Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: "the private network cannot be computed, so no machine's declaration composes",
+			Said:    firstLine(gensErr.Error())})
+	}
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, n.Name)
+		if err != nil && !unresolvable(err) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s cannot be worked out: %w", n.Name, err)
+		}
+		var problems []string
+		if err == nil && gensErr == nil {
+			var declared sendable
+			if declared, err = declarationWith(ctx, open, n.Name, plan, settings, gens, Reading); err == nil {
+				// With the order it was last sent, so the validator reads the envelope a machine is sent
+				// — its epoch included (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
+				var serr error
+				if declared.Sequence, serr = open.inventory.Sequence(ctx, n.ID); serr == nil {
+					declared.Epoch, serr = open.inventory.SentEpoch(ctx, n.ID)
+				}
+				if serr != nil {
+					return nil, serr // the store, not the machine: the probe could not run
+				}
+				var body []byte
+				if body, err = declared.Body(); err == nil {
+					problems = validate.Declaration(body)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+		switch {
+		case err != nil:
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: n.Name, Token: "uncomposable",
+				Machine: n.Name, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("nothing can be sent to %s: its declaration does not compose — %s", n.Name,
+					oneLine(err.Error())),
+				Said: oneLine(err.Error())})
+		case len(problems) > 0:
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: n.Name, Token: "refused",
+				Machine: n.Name, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s's node-engine would refuse its declaration whole: %d problem(s), the first: %s",
+					n.Name, len(problems), problems[0]),
+				Said: strings.Join(problems, "; ")})
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// probeResolvers is D2: every holder of the mesh's resolver answers each machine's name with its
+// address for IPv4, and with no address and no error for IPv6 — NODATA, not NXDOMAIN, which musl
+// takes as final (issue 262).
+func probeResolvers(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	inv := d.open.inventory
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	holders, err := replicatedHolders(ctx, inv, shelf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	resolvers := holders["mesh-dns-resolver"]
+	if len(resolvers) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil // the mesh holds no resolver of its own: nothing is asked of one
+	}
+	places, err := onTheNetwork(ctx, inv, shelf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	suffix := overlay.Suffix()
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for holder, at := range resolvers {
+		var wrong []string
+		for _, p := range places {
+			if p.Address == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			name := p.Name + "." + suffix
+			v4, rcode, err := askResolver(ctx, at, name, dnsmessage.TypeA)
+			switch {
+			case err != nil:
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s for %s: %v", "A", name, err))
+				continue
+			case rcode != dnsmessage.RCodeSuccess:
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s answered %s for %s (A)", holder, rcode, name))
+			case !slices.Contains(v4, p.Address):
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s answered %v for %s (A), not %s", holder, v4, name, p.Address))
+			}
+			v6, rcode, err := askResolver(ctx, at, name, dnsmessage.TypeAAAA)
+			switch {
+			case err != nil:
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s for %s: %v", "AAAA", name, err))
+			case rcode != dnsmessage.RCodeSuccess:
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s answered %s for %s (AAAA), not NODATA: a musl machine "+
+					"takes that as no such name", holder, rcode, name))
+			case len(v6) > 0:
+				wrong = append(wrong, fmt.Sprintf("%s answered %v for %s (AAAA); the mesh has no IPv6 addresses", holder, v6, name))
+			}
+		}
+		if len(wrong) > 0 {
+			node := strings.TrimSuffix(holder, "."+suffix)
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeSeat, ID: "mesh-dns-resolver." + node,
+				Token: "wrong", Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the mesh's resolver on %s does not answer machine names as it must: %s",
+					node, wrong[0]),
+				Said: strings.Join(wrong, "; ")})
+		}
+	}
+	return sortedFound(out), nil
+}
+
+// resolverPort is where a resolver answers; a variable so a test can stand one up.
+var resolverPort = "53"
+
+// askResolver asks one resolver one question over UDP, and answers the addresses and the code.
+func askResolver(ctx context.Context, at, name string, kind dnsmessage.Type) ([]string, dnsmessage.RCode, error) {
+	q, err := dnsmessage.NewName(strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".") + ".")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, err
+	}
+	msg := dnsmessage.Message{Header: dnsmessage.Header{ID: uint16(time.Now().UnixNano()), RecursionDesired: true},
+		Questions: []dnsmessage.Question{{Name: q, Type: kind, Class: dnsmessage.ClassINET}}}
+	packed, err := msg.Pack()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, err
+	}
+	dialer := net.Dialer{Timeout: 3 * time.Second}
+	conn, err := dialer.DialContext(ctx, "udp", net.JoinHostPort(at, resolverPort))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, err
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	_ = conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second))
+	if _, err := conn.Write(packed); err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, err
+	}
+	buf := make([]byte, 1500)
+	n, err := conn.Read(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("no answer from %s: %w", at, err)
+	}
+	var answer dnsmessage.Message
+	if err := answer.Unpack(buf[:n]); err != nil {
+		return nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("an answer from %s that cannot be read: %w", at, err)
+	}
+	var addresses []string
+	for _, a := range answer.Answers {
+		switch r := a.Body.(type) {
+		case *dnsmessage.AResource:
+			addresses = append(addresses, net.IP(r.A[:]).String())
+		case *dnsmessage.AAAAResource:
+			addresses = append(addresses, net.IP(r.AAAA[:]).String())
+		}
+	}
+	return addresses, answer.RCode, nil
+}
+
+// probeHolders is D3: every seat that serves verbs has, on every machine that holds it and is heard
+// from, a holder answering the bus's discovery for that seat. A machine past its heartbeat's bound is
+// S1's, and is not asked about here.
+func probeHolders(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	entries, err := d.open.inventory.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	recorded, err := d.open.inventory.Holdings(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	heard := heardMachines(d)
+	expected := map[string]map[string]bool{} // seat → machine
+	add := func(seat, node string) {
+		if expected[seat] == nil {
+			expected[seat] = map[string]bool{}
+		}
+		expected[seat][node] = true
+	}
+	for _, s := range catalogue.SeatsWithAProtocol() {
+		if len(s.Serves) == 0 || s.Name == catalogue.ControllerSeatName {
+			continue // a seat with no verb has nothing to answer with; this controller is answering now
+		}
+		onRecord := false
+		for _, h := range recorded {
+			if h.Claim == s.Name && heard[h.Node] {
+				add(s.Name, h.Node)
+				onRecord = true
+			}
+		}
+		if onRecord && s.Scope == catalogue.ScopeMesh {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, e := range entries {
+			for _, c := range e.Manifest.Claims {
+				if c.Name != s.Name {
+					continue
+				}
+				for _, node := range e.On {
+					if heard[node] && (s.Scope == catalogue.ScopeNode || !onRecord) {
+						add(s.Name, node)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(expected) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	answering, err := discoverHolders(ctx, d.js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for seat, nodes := range expected {
+		for node := range nodes {
+			if answering[seat][node] {
+				continue
+			}
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeSeat, ID: seat + "." + node,
+				Token: "silent", Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s's holder on %s does not answer the bus: its verbs reach nothing there", seat, node),
+				Said:    fmt.Sprintf("no answer for %s from %s to the bus's discovery", seat, node)})
+		}
+	}
+	return sortedFound(out), nil
+}
+
+// heardMachines is every machine within its heartbeat's bound, as the watchdogs last saw.
+func heardMachines(d *doctor) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	if d.watchdogs == nil {
+		return out
+	}
+	f := d.watchdogs.lastFacts()
+	if f == nil {
+		return out
+	}
+	for _, m := range f.machines {
+		if !m.lastHeard.IsZero() && f.now.Sub(m.lastHeard) <= heartbeatBound(m.every) && !m.asleep() {
+			out[m.name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// discoveryPatience is how long the discovery's answers are waited for after the last arrived, and at
+// the most (ADR 0197: a large runtime's answer arrives last).
+const (
+	discoveryQuiet    = 1500 * time.Millisecond
+	discoveryPatience = 8 * time.Second
+)
+
+// discoverHolders asks the bus's discovery who serves what, and answers seat → machine for every
+// endpoint a seat's verb is served on.
+func discoverHolders(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn) (map[string]map[string]bool, error) {
+	inbox := conn.NewRespInbox()
+	sub, err := conn.SubscribeSync(inbox)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = sub.Unsubscribe() }()
+	if err := conn.PublishRequest("$SRV.INFO", inbox, nil); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("asking the bus who serves what: %w", err)
+	}
+	out := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(discoveryPatience)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		wait, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, discoveryQuiet)
+		msg, err := sub.NextMsgWithContext(wait)
+		cancel()
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return nil, ctx.Err()
+			}
+			break
+		}
+		var info micro.Info
+		if json.Unmarshal(msg.Data, &info) != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, e := range info.Endpoints {
+			seat, node := e.Metadata["seat"], e.Metadata["node"]
+			if seat == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if node == "" {
+				node = info.ID
+			}
+			if out[seat] == nil {
+				out[seat] = map[string]bool{}
+			}
+			out[seat][node] = true
+		}
+		// A holder that announces itself as its seat, by name and machine.
+		if out[info.Name] == nil {
+			out[info.Name] = map[string]bool{}
+		}
+		out[info.Name][info.ID] = true
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// probeArchives is D4: every archive the mesh keeps is held by its manifest in the artifact store.
+func probeArchives(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	inv := d.open.inventory
+	kept, err := inv.KeptArchives(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(kept) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	store, err := artifactStoreAddress(ctx, inv, shelf, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if store == "" {
+		return nil, errors.New("the mesh keeps archives and has no artifact store on its network to ask")
+	}
+	var report collectionReport
+	if unasked, stopped := askHeld(ctx, artifacts.Store{Address: store}, kept, &report); stopped != "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%d kept archive(s) could not be asked about: %s", unasked, stopped)
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	if n := len(report.Unheld); n > 0 {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "artifact-store", Token: "archives-unheld",
+			Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%d of %d kept archive(s) are not held by a manifest: the store's collector would "+
+				"delete them", n, len(kept)),
+			Said: "first: " + report.Unheld[0]})
+	}
+	if n := len(report.Missing); n > 0 {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "artifact-store", Token: "archives-missing",
+			Kind: "archives-missing", Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%d kept archive(s) are not in the artifact store at all", n),
+			Said:    "first: " + report.Missing[0]})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// consumerFarBehind is how far a durable consumer may be from its stream's head (D6).
+const consumerFarBehind = 1000
+
+// probeConsumers is D6: every durable consumer the mesh expects exists, as the controller defines it,
+// and is near its stream's head.
+func probeConsumers(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	_, consumers, err := expectedBusObjects(ctx, d.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	js := d.js.Context()
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+		info, err := js.ConsumerInfo(c.Stream, c.Name, nats.Context(ctx))
+		who := c.Stream + "." + c.Name
+		switch {
+		case errors.Is(err, nats.ErrConsumerNotFound) || errors.Is(err, nats.ErrStreamNotFound):
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: who, Token: "missing",
+				Kind: "consumer-lost", Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s is not on the bus: what it delivers reaches nobody", consumerWords(c)),
+				Said:    "no consumer " + c.Name + " on " + c.Stream})
+			continue
+		case err != nil:
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s cannot be read: %w", consumerWords(c), err)
+		}
+		if differs := consumerDiffers(c, info.Config); differs != "" {
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: who, Token: "redefined",
+				Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary:  fmt.Sprintf("%s is not as the controller defines it: %s", consumerWords(c), differs),
+				Said:     differs})
+		}
+		if c.Stream != "NODES" && info.NumPending > consumerFarBehind {
+			// Its own kind (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): healer H4 answers a consumer far behind, and only
+			// this — a redefined consumer is not one a reset repairs.
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: who, Token: "behind",
+				Kind: kindConsumerBehind, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s is %d message(s) behind its stream's head", consumerWords(c), info.NumPending),
+				Said:    fmt.Sprintf("%d pending, %d handed out and not settled", info.NumPending, info.NumAckPending)})
+		}
+	}
+	return sortedFound(out), nil
+}
+
+// consumerWords is a consumer as the mesh says it, with its name.
+func consumerWords(c broker.Consumer) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s on %s)", link.ConsumerInWords(c.Stream, c.Name), c.Name, c.Stream)
+}
+
+// consumerDiffers is what about a consumer on the bus is not as defined; empty when nothing is. The
+// delivery subject is not compared: one kept as it was while a holder is bound is the assertion's
+// stated choice (novox/hq issue 156).
+func consumerDiffers(want broker.Consumer, have nats.ConsumerConfig) string {
+	var differs []string
+	haveFilters := append([]string(nil), have.FilterSubjects...)
+	if have.FilterSubject != "" {
+		haveFilters = append(haveFilters, have.FilterSubject)
+	}
+	wantFilters := append([]string(nil), want.Filters...)
+	sort.Strings(haveFilters)
+	sort.Strings(wantFilters)
+	if !slices.Equal(haveFilters, wantFilters) {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("filters %v, defined %v", haveFilters, wantFilters))
+	}
+	if have.AckPolicy != nats.AckExplicitPolicy {
+		differs = append(differs, "acknowledges "+have.AckPolicy.String()+", defined explicit")
+	}
+	if wantMax := want.MaxDeliver; wantMax != 0 && have.MaxDeliver != wantMax {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("hands a message over %d times, defined %d", have.MaxDeliver, wantMax))
+	}
+	if wantWait := time.Duration(want.AckWaitSeconds) * time.Second; wantWait != 0 && have.AckWait != wantWait {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("waits %s for an acknowledgement, defined %s", have.AckWait, wantWait))
+	}
+	if want.MaxAckPending != 0 && have.MaxAckPending != want.MaxAckPending {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("hands out %d at once, defined %d", have.MaxAckPending, want.MaxAckPending))
+	}
+	if wantPush, havePush := want.Push || want.Queue != "", have.DeliverSubject != ""; wantPush != havePush {
+		differs = append(differs, "delivers by the other shape (push or pull) than defined")
+	}
+	return strings.Join(differs, "; ")
+}
+
+// probeStreams is D7: every stream the controller defines exists as defined, and its own buckets.
+func probeStreams(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	streams, _, err := expectedBusObjects(ctx, d.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	js := d.js.Context()
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, s := range streams {
+		info, err := js.StreamInfo(s.Name, nats.Context(ctx))
+		switch {
+		case errors.Is(err, nats.ErrStreamNotFound):
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: s.Name, Token: "stream-missing",
+				Kind: "stream-wrong", Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the stream %s is not on the bus: %s", s.Name, firstLine(s.Why)),
+				Said:    "no stream " + s.Name})
+			continue
+		case err != nil:
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the stream %s cannot be read: %w", s.Name, err)
+		}
+		if differs := streamDiffers(s, info.Config); differs != "" {
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: s.Name, Token: "stream-redefined",
+				Kind: "stream-wrong", Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the stream %s is not as the controller defines it: %s", s.Name, differs),
+				Said:    differs})
+		}
+	}
+	for _, bucket := range broker.ControllerBuckets() {
+		if _, err := js.StreamInfo("KV_"+bucket, nats.Context(ctx)); errors.Is(err, nats.ErrStreamNotFound) {
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: bucket, Token: "bucket-missing",
+				Kind: "stream-wrong", Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller's bucket %s is not on the bus: what it keeps there is not kept", bucket),
+				Said:    "no bucket " + bucket})
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the bucket %s cannot be read: %w", bucket, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return sortedFound(out), nil
+}
+
+// streamDiffers is what about a stream on the bus is not as defined; empty when nothing is.
+func streamDiffers(want broker.Stream, have nats.StreamConfig) string {
+	var differs []string
+	haveSubjects := append([]string(nil), have.Subjects...)
+	wantSubjects := append([]string(nil), want.Subjects...)
+	sort.Strings(haveSubjects)
+	sort.Strings(wantSubjects)
+	if !slices.Equal(haveSubjects, wantSubjects) {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("subjects %v, defined %v", haveSubjects, wantSubjects))
+	}
+	retention, perSubject := nats.LimitsPolicy, int64(want.MaxMsgsPerSubject)
+	switch want.Retention {
+	case broker.RetentionWorkQueue:
+		retention = nats.WorkQueuePolicy
+	case broker.RetentionLastPerSubject:
+		perSubject = 1
+	}
+	if have.Retention != retention {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("keeps by %s, defined %s", have.Retention, retention))
+	}
+	if perSubject != 0 && have.MaxMsgsPerSubject != perSubject {
+		differs = append(differs, fmt.Sprintf("keeps %d per subject, defined %d", have.MaxMsgsPerSubject, perSubject))
+	}
+	return strings.Join(differs, "; ")
+}
+
+// ipLike finds the addresses in a ban list, whatever shape its holder answers in.
+var ipLike = regexp.MustCompile(`\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b`)
+
+// probeBans is D8: no address the mesh owns is in any machine's ban list. The mesh's own addresses are
+// every machine's private address and the address its endpoint names; the ban lists are asked of each
+// machine's holder of `node-intrusion-prevention` that is heard from.
+func probeBans(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	inv := d.open.inventory
+	places, err := inv.Overlays(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	owned := map[string]string{} // address → whose
+	for _, p := range places {
+		if p.Address != "" {
+			owned[p.Address] = p.Name + "'s private address"
+		}
+		if host, _, err := net.SplitHostPort(p.Endpoint); err == nil && host != "" {
+			if ip := net.ParseIP(host); ip != nil {
+				owned[ip.String()] = p.Name + "'s endpoint"
+			} else if addrs, err := net.DefaultResolver.LookupHost(ctx, host); err == nil {
+				for _, a := range addrs {
+					owned[a] = p.Name + "'s endpoint (" + host + ")"
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	heard := heardMachines(d)
+	var holders []string
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		for _, c := range e.Manifest.Claims {
+			if c.Name == "node-intrusion-prevention" {
+				for _, node := range e.On {
+					if heard[node] && !slices.Contains(holders, node) {
+						holders = append(holders, node)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(holders)
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	// Every machine asked at once: one after another, four holders that each wait their bound
+	// outlast the probe's thirty seconds, and the probe says nothing about any of them.
+	answers := make([]json.RawMessage, len(holders))
+	errs := make([]error, len(holders))
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i, node := range holders {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(i int, node string) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			answers[i], errs[i] = askSeatTool(ctx, d.js.Conn(), "node-intrusion-prevention", "banned", node)
+		}(i, node)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	var unasked []string
+	for i, node := range holders {
+		answer, err := answers[i], errs[i]
+		if err != nil {
+			unasked = append(unasked, err.Error())
+			continue
+		}
+		var banned []string
+		for _, ip := range ipLike.FindAllString(string(answer), -1) {
+			if whose, ours := owned[ip]; ours && !slices.Contains(banned, ip+" ("+whose+")") {
+				banned = append(banned, ip+" ("+whose+")")
+			}
+		}
+		if len(banned) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: node, Token: "bans-the-mesh",
+				Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s's ban list holds %d of the mesh's own address(es): %s — the mesh is locked out "+
+					"of itself there (ADR 0186)", node, len(banned), strings.Join(banned, ", ")),
+				Said: strings.Join(banned, ", ")})
+		}
+	}
+	if len(unasked) > 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("a ban list could not be read: %s", strings.Join(unasked, "; "))
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// probeStatus is D9: `status` answers in full within ten seconds, from a summary composed lately.
+func probeStatus(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	started := time.Now()
+	stale := ""
+	if statusFrom != nil {
+		answer, err := statusFrom.answer(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			stale = err.Error()
+		} else if m, ok := answer.(map[string]any); ok {
+			if failed, _ := m["lastAttemptFailed"].(string); failed != "" {
+				stale = "its last composition failed: " + failed
+			}
+			if composed, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, fmt.Sprint(m["composed"])); err == nil &&
+				time.Since(composed) > 3*statusEvery+statusComposeWithin {
+				stale = fmt.Sprintf("it answers a summary composed %s ago", time.Since(composed).Round(time.Second))
+			}
+		}
+	} else if _, err := theThreeQuestions(ctx, d.open); err != nil {
+		stale = err.Error()
+	}
+	took := time.Since(started)
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	if took > 10*time.Second || stale != "" {
+		why := stale
+		if why == "" {
+			why = fmt.Sprintf("it took %s", took.Round(time.Millisecond))
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller", Token: "status-slow",
+			Machine: d.host, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: "status does not answer in full within ten seconds: " + why, Said: why})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// probeCoreBuilds is D10: every machine runs the node-engine and the node tools the mesh holds, or a
+// plan is rolling one of them out. The node-engine says its build in each report; the node tools' is
+// the build the machine was last sent, once it reported applying that send.
+func probeCoreBuilds(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	inv := d.open.inventory
+	current, err := inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	plans, err := inv.OpenPlans(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	hostVersions := deliveredVersions(shelf[hostModule])
+	rolling := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, p := range plans {
+		for m := range p.Modules {
+			rolling[m] = true
+		}
+	}
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	reports, err := inv.LastReports(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	applied := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range reports {
+		applied[r.Node] = r.Current
+	}
+	heard := heardMachines(d)
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if !heard[n.Name] {
+			continue // a machine not heard from is S1's
+		}
+		var behind []string
+		// **A node-engine says its version as the directory it was delivered into** — its archive's
+		// digest, twelve characters (catalogue.versionOf, ADR 0141) — not the commit it was built
+		// from. Compared as a commit, every machine read as behind right after a push sent it the
+		// current one (2026-10-06). An engine placed by hand reports its link-time stamp instead,
+		// which a commit can match.
+		if !rolling[hostModule] && engineBehind(n.HostVersion, hostVersions, current[hostModule].Commit) {
+			behind = append(behind, fmt.Sprintf("the node-engine %s, the mesh holds %s (built from %s)",
+				n.HostVersion, strings.Join(hostVersions, " or "), short(current[hostModule].Commit)))
+		}
+		assigned, err := inv.Assigned(ctx, n.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		tools := current[broker.RuntimeModule].Commit
+		if tools != "" && slices.Contains(assigned, broker.RuntimeModule) && !rolling[broker.RuntimeModule] {
+			sent, known, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, n.Name)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			switch {
+			case !known:
+			case !sameCommit(sent[broker.RuntimeModule], tools):
+				behind = append(behind, fmt.Sprintf("the node tools %s, the mesh holds %s",
+					short(orNotKnown(sent[broker.RuntimeModule])), short(tools)))
+			case !applied[n.Name]:
+				behind = append(behind, "the node tools it was last sent, not yet reported applied")
+			}
+		}
+		if len(behind) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: n.Name, Token: "core-behind",
+				Machine: n.Name, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+				Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s runs %s, and no plan is rolling them out", n.Name, strings.Join(behind, "; ")),
+				Said:    strings.Join(behind, "; ")})
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// deliveredVersions are the versions a module's registered build is delivered as: the last element
+// of every resource path under a `versions/` directory, which registration filled from the artifact's
+// digest (catalogue `${version}`). The node-engine names itself by that directory.
+func deliveredVersions(m catalogue.Manifest) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		path, _ := r["path"].(string)
+		before, version, found := strings.Cut(path, "/versions/")
+		if !found || before == "" || version == "" || strings.Contains(version, "/") || strings.Contains(version, "$") {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !slices.Contains(out, version) {
+			out = append(out, version)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// engineBehind says a node-engine's reported version is not the build the mesh holds: neither the
+// directory that build is delivered as, nor (for an engine placed by hand) its commit. A machine that
+// has not said, or a mesh that holds no delivered build, is not behind anything.
+func engineBehind(reported string, delivered []string, commit string) bool {
+	if reported == "" || len(delivered) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	return !slices.Contains(delivered, reported) && !sameCommit(reported, commit)
+}
+
+// hostModule is the node-engine's module.
+const hostModule = "mesh-host"
+
+// sameCommit says two commits are one, either written short.
+func sameCommit(a, b string) bool {
+	if a == "" || b == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	return strings.HasPrefix(a, b) || strings.HasPrefix(b, a)
+}
+
+func orNotKnown(s string) string {
+	if s == "" {
+		return "(not known)"
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// probeWatchdogs is DW: the watchdogs ran within three of their intervals. The doctor and the
+// watchdogs watch each other: S10 is the other half.
+func probeWatchdogs(_ context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	if d.watchdogs == nil {
+		return nil, nil // a self-check run outside the serving controller has none to watch
+	}
+	ticked := d.watchdogs.lastTick()
+	since := ticked
+	if since.IsZero() {
+		since = d.watchdogs.started
+	}
+	if time.Since(since) <= 3*watchEvery {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "watchdogs", Token: "silent",
+		Machine: d.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the watchdogs of the signals table have not run since %s: no late signal is being said",
+			since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST")),
+		Said: fmt.Sprintf("no tick for %s", time.Since(since).Round(time.Second))}}, nil
+}
+
+// askSeatTool asks one machine's holder of a node seat a verb and answers its result; the holder's
+// own refusal is an error.
+func askSeatTool(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, seat, verb, node string) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	if who, declared := declaredBy(ctx, seat, verb); !declared {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s asks %s.%s, which it does not declare in the probe registry — and so the "+
+			"controller is not granted it", who, seat, verb)
+	}
+	answer, err := link.AskSeatTool(ctx, conn, seat, verb, node, map[string]any{}, 10*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if answer.Error != "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's %s.%s refused: %s", node, seat, verb, answer.Error)
+	}
+	return answer.Result, nil
+}
+
+// oneLine is a message of several lines said on one, its runs of space made one.
+func oneLine(s string) string { return strings.Join(strings.Fields(s), " ") }
+
+// probeLease is D5 (novox/hq to-be 45 §4, §6): exactly one lease holder — the key on the bus names this
+// controller at the epoch it acts under, and the mesh's record has that epoch and no other open — and no
+// message from a stale epoch refused in the last interval.
+func probeLease(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	if d.js == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	st := theLease.standing()
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	split := func(token, summary, said string) {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: token,
+			Machine: d.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent, Summary: summary, Said: said})
+	}
+	if st.Unleased != "" {
+		split("unheld", "this controller acts without the lease, so nothing keeps another from acting beside it: "+
+			st.Unleased, st.Unleased)
+		return out, nil
+	}
+	api, err := jetstream.New(d.js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	kv, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.LeaseBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the lease bucket cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	holder, found, err := lease.Current(ctx, kv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the lease cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	switch {
+	case !found:
+		split("split", fmt.Sprintf("nobody holds the lease on the bus, and this controller acts as epoch %d", st.Epoch),
+			"the lease's key is absent")
+	case holder.Instance != instance || holder.Epoch != st.Epoch:
+		split("split", fmt.Sprintf("the lease on the bus names %s at epoch %d, and this controller (%s) acts as "+
+			"epoch %d: two controllers believe they may act", holder.Instance, holder.Epoch, instance, st.Epoch),
+			fmt.Sprintf("held by %s, epoch %d", holder.Instance, holder.Epoch))
+	}
+	// The record: one epoch open, this one.
+	epochs, err := d.open.inventory.EpochsSince(ctx, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the epochs the mesh issued cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	var open []string
+	for _, e := range epochs {
+		if e.Ended == nil && e.Epoch != st.Epoch {
+			open = append(open, fmt.Sprintf("epoch %d (%s)", e.Epoch, e.Instance))
+		}
+	}
+	if len(open) > 0 {
+		split("open-epochs", fmt.Sprintf("the mesh's record holds %s open beside this controller's epoch %d: a "+
+			"holder that neither gave the lease back nor was found expired", strings.Join(open, ", "), st.Epoch),
+			strings.Join(open, ", "))
+	}
+	// And no message from a stale epoch in the last interval.
+	for _, w := range link.StaleRefusals.Within(time.Now().Add(-doctorEvery)) {
+		if w.Epoch <= 0 || uint64(w.Epoch) >= st.Epoch {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: fmt.Sprintf("controller.epoch-%d", w.Epoch),
+			Token: "stale-epoch", Machine: firstOf(w.Receivers), Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%d declaration(s) from epoch %d — older than this controller's %d — reached %s in the "+
+				"last %s and were refused: a controller that lost the lease is still sending", w.Count, w.Epoch, st.Epoch,
+				strings.Join(w.Receivers, ", "), doctorEvery),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("%d refused, the last at %s", w.Count, w.Last.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))})
+	}
+	return sortedFound(out), nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/push.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"io"
 	"log"
 	"os"
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ func connectLink(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, enroller link.En
 	return link.ConnectNats(js, enroller, listener), nil
 }
 
-func serve(ctx context.Context) error {
+func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	// The one process whose log is read over time, so the one that says each change to a node's
 	// unmet seat dependencies once (novox/hq ADR 0207).
 	logUnheldChanges = true
@@ -103,9 +104,47 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) error {
 	// being live is refused, because a mesh half on each is one where a declaration goes out on one
 	// and the report comes back on the other, and every component logs success while it happens.
 
+	// **The lease, before anything that acts** (novox/hq to-be 45 §6): asserting the bus's objects is the
+	// controller's to do, and so is everything after. A controller starting while another holds it waits
+	// here, said; one that loses it stops: every act's gate closes at once, and ctx ends so the process
+	// exits and is started again as a candidate.
+	busAddress, err := broker.BusAddress()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	lost, err := theLease.serveUnderTheLease(ctx, inv, busAddress)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// Given back before the store closes, so the epoch is recorded as given back rather than found
+	// expired by the next holder.
+	defer theLease.release()
+	ctx, stopActing := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer stopActing()
+	go func() {
+		select {
+		case <-lost:
+			stopActing()
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+		}
+	}()
+	defer func() {
+		select {
+		case <-lost:
+			if err == nil {
+				err = errors.New("the controller lease was lost; this controller stopped acting and exits, to " +
+					"be started again as a candidate")
+			}
+		default:
+		}
+	}()
+
 	work := link.Enrolment{Inventory: inv, Identity: ident, Broker: known,
 		OnNATS: true}
-	server, err := connectLink(ctx, inv, work, work)
+	// `status` from a summary kept current here (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0): a machine saying
+	// something new is one thing that moves it, so the listener nudges it.
+	statusFrom = newStatusSummary(composeStatus(open))
+	server, err := connectLink(ctx, inv, work, nudgingListener{Enrolment: work, summary: statusFrom, open: open})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -121,6 +160,8 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) error {
 	// Open plans move on a timer as well as on outcomes (novox/hq ADR 0162): a tier waiting for
 	// machines to report moves when they have, and a plan left by a replaced controller resumes.
 	go planTicker(ctx, open)
+	// The durations the core's bounds are set from are kept a month (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
+	go forgettingOldDurations(ctx, inv)
 	// And what the catalogue decided a build meant. The builder's own result is already handled
 	// above; this is the other half — the control plane is the only one of the three that knows
 	// which machines run the thing, so it is the one that acts (novox/hq ADR 0072).
@@ -137,7 +178,13 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) error {
 	}
 	// And what providers say about consumers they keep failing, kept for `status` (novox/hq ADR
 	// 0224): a provider's journal must not be the only place that says so.
-	if err := server.Watches(standings{inv}); err != nil {
+	if err := server.Watches(standings{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return conditionsFrom }}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// And what they say about consumers the mesh stopped asking for: one waiting for a person is an
+	// urgent condition, and an act asked of a provider some other way is recorded by hand (ADR 0230).
+	if err := server.KeepsRetirements(retirements{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return conditionsFrom },
+		record: recordHandActOnTheBus}); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -158,8 +205,33 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if !isNATS {
 		return errors.New("the mesh's verbs are served over the bus, and this control plane is not on it")
 	}
+	// The hand-act log is counted for `status` on this connection rather than a new one a minute.
+	handActConn = bus.Conn
+	// And says when it replaced a value given by hand (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+	givenEvents = bus
+	// Composed now and kept current, before the verb that answers from it is served.
+	go statusFrom.keep(ctx)
+	// Every call carries the lease's epoch, and its record is written only under the lease (novox/hq
+	// to-be 45 §6).
+	link.Calls.UnderLease(func() (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(ctx) })
 	// A call that outlasts its caller's patience is followed by `calls` (novox/hq issue 265).
 	link.Calls.Follow = catalogue.ControllerSeatName + ".calls"
+	// And every call is kept on the bus, so a restart of this process keeps what came of each
+	// (novox/hq to-be 45 §6). A bus without the bucket is said and served from memory, as before:
+	// answering no calls at all would be worse than answering them without the record.
+	said := log.New(os.Stdout, "", log.LstdFlags)
+	if keeper, err := link.CallsOnTheBus(ctx, bus.Conn); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("calls are kept in memory only, and lost when this controller stops: %v\n", err)
+	} else if err := link.Calls.Durably(ctx, keeper, instance, said); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("calls are kept on the bus from now on; the ones kept before could not be read: %v\n", err)
+	}
+	// What is wrong, kept and said (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): the condition store, the watchdogs of the
+	// signals table, what the bus says about itself, and the self-check. A store that cannot be opened
+	// is said and the controller serves on: status then says the conditions cannot be read, and is
+	// not well — louder than not serving at all, and the push that repairs the bus still runs.
+	if stopWatching := watchTheMesh(ctx, open, server, bus); stopWatching != nil {
+		defer stopWatching()
+	}
 	stopServing, err := bus.ServeSeatTools(catalogue.ControllerSeatName, handlers, log.New(os.Stdout, "", log.LstdFlags))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -229,7 +301,12 @@ func declare(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	// is still what the machine was last told, and status must not read it as current for the one
 	// the mesh would compose. Which builds it carried is recorded as not known (novox/hq issue 259):
 	// the mesh did not compose it, so a push that does not name this machine treats it as held.
-	if _, err := recordSent(ctx, inv, node, raw, nil); err != nil {
+	// The epoch it carried, if a person wrote one in, is what the machine heard.
+	var carried struct {
+		Epoch uint64 `json:"epoch"`
+	}
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &carried)
+	if _, err := recordSent(ctx, inv, node, raw, nil, carried.Epoch); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("sent %s a signed declaration (%d bytes)\n", node, len(raw))
@@ -260,6 +337,9 @@ func pushCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	// (novox/hq ADR 0010). 0 waits for nothing, which is the old fire-and-forget.
 	wait := set.Duration("wait", 0,
 		"for a named node, how long to wait for it to report applying what it was sent (0: do not wait)")
+	// A push by hand is a repair, and says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): required through the seat,
+	// recorded when given at a shell — see handacts.go for why a shell is not refused.
+	why := addHandActFlags(set)
 	positionals, err := parseAround(set, args)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -274,6 +354,11 @@ func pushCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return errors.New("push <node> or push --behind, not both: one names a machine and the " +
 			"other asks which machines need one")
 	}
+	recorded := append([]string(nil), args...)
+	if *behind {
+		recorded = append(recorded, "--behind")
+	}
+	why.record(ctx, "push", recorded)
 	open, err := openStores(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -550,7 +635,7 @@ type readyNode struct {
 //
 // The all-or-nothing rule is kept where it means something — sendTo, which rotates a credential
 // across two machines that must agree — and dropped here, where it never did.
-func composeEach(names []string, allot func(node string) (int64, error),
+func composeEach(names []string, allot func(node string) (order, error),
 	compose func(node string) (sendable, error)) ([]readyNode, []string) {
 
 	var sending []readyNode
@@ -564,7 +649,7 @@ func composeEach(names []string, allot func(node string) (int64, error),
 		// took the older content as the newer word: on 2026-10-02 a runtime assigned and applied on
 		// two machines was undone two seconds later by exactly that. Taken here, before the first
 		// read, what was composed earlier is numbered lower whatever order the sends happen in.
-		seq, err := allot(name)
+		numbered, err := allot(name)
 		if err != nil {
 			refusals = append(refusals, fmt.Sprintf("%s:\n%v", name, err))
 			continue
@@ -574,7 +659,7 @@ func composeEach(names []string, allot func(node string) (int64, error),
 			refusals = append(refusals, fmt.Sprintf("%s:\n%v", name, err))
 			continue
 		}
-		declared.Sequence = seq
+		declared.Sequence, declared.Epoch = numbered.sequence, numbered.epoch
 		if len(declared.Resources) == 0 {
 			// Sent, not skipped (novox/hq issue 127). A node whose declaration composes to
 			// nothing may have HELD something before — the broker opening a placement gave it,
@@ -742,6 +827,13 @@ type overTheBus struct {
 }
 
 func (b overTheBus) grant(ctx context.Context, sending []readyNode) error {
+	// The bus's objects first, which every declaration implies (novox/hq issue 208): said and raised
+	// when they cannot be, and never what holds the send back (assertOnSend).
+	if bus, ok := b.server.Bus().(link.OverNATS); ok {
+		js := broker.OnConn(bus.Conn)
+		js.Note = func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(b.indent+"  "+format+"\n", args...) }
+		_ = assertOnSend(ctx, b.open.inventory, js, b.indent)
+	}
 	return issueMemberships(ctx, b.open, b.server, sending)
 }
 
@@ -751,7 +843,7 @@ func (b overTheBus) declare(ctx context.Context, s readyNode, body []byte) (stri
 	}
 	// After it is away, not before. A digest recorded for something that failed to send would make
 	// the machine look current for a declaration it never received.
-	digest, err := recordSent(ctx, b.open.inventory, s.node, body, s.declared.Builds)
+	digest, err := recordSent(ctx, b.open.inventory, s.node, body, s.declared.Builds, s.declared.Epoch)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -904,7 +996,7 @@ func sendToEach(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, er
 	var refusals []string
 	for _, name := range names {
 		// Numbered before composing, for the reason composeEach gives (novox/hq issue 204).
-		seq, err := allot(ctx, inv, name)
+		numbered, err := allot(ctx, inv, name)
 		if err != nil {
 			refusals = append(refusals, fmt.Sprintf("%s:\n%v", name, err))
 			continue
@@ -920,7 +1012,7 @@ func sendToEach(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, er
 			refusals = append(refusals, fmt.Sprintf("%s:\n%v", name, err))
 			continue
 		}
-		declared.Sequence = seq
+		declared.Sequence, declared.Epoch = numbered.sequence, numbered.epoch
 		reportLeftOut(name, declared)
 		sending = append(sending, readyNode{name, declared})
 	}
@@ -1039,6 +1131,20 @@ func digestOf(body []byte) string {
 // be worked out" is a different problem with a different remedy, and `plan` is where it is said.
 func wouldSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores,
 	nodes []inventory.Node) (map[string]string, error) {
+	return wouldSendFrom(ctx, open, nodes, nil)
+}
+
+// planned is one machine's plan as planFor answered it, for a caller that already asked.
+type planned struct {
+	plan     catalogue.Resolution
+	settings catalogue.SettingsBy
+}
+
+// wouldSendFrom is wouldSend reusing the plans a caller worked out a moment before: resolving a
+// machine is most of what `status` costs, and it used to resolve every machine twice (novox/hq
+// to-be 45 Phase 0). A machine absent from plans is worked out here.
+func wouldSendFrom(ctx context.Context, open *stores,
+	nodes []inventory.Node, plans map[string]planned) (map[string]string, error) {
 
 	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1046,9 +1152,12 @@ func wouldSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores,
 	}
 	out := map[string]string{}
 	for _, n := range nodes {
-		plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, n.Name)
-		if err != nil {
-			continue
+		known, have := plans[n.Name]
+		plan, settings := known.plan, known.settings
+		if !have {
+			if plan, settings, err = planFor(ctx, open, n.Name); err != nil {
+				continue
+			}
 		}
 		declared, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, n.Name, plan, settings, gens, Reading)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -1060,6 +1169,11 @@ func wouldSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores,
 		if declared.Sequence, err = open.inventory.Sequence(ctx, n.ID); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+		// And the epoch it was last sent under, for the same reason: a new holder of the lease is not a
+		// change of the machine (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
+		if declared.Epoch, err = open.inventory.SentEpoch(ctx, n.ID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		body, err := declared.Body()
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
@@ -1107,35 +1221,22 @@ func raiseTheBus(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, address string)
 		}
 	}
 
-	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	// The mesh's own streams and consumers, the seats' work queues and their workers, and how every
+	// machine hears its declaration — one derivation, which the self-check reads as well (D6, D7).
+	names, err := assertBusObjects(ctx, inv, js)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	names := make([]string, 0, len(nodes))
-	for _, n := range nodes {
-		names = append(names, n.Name)
-	}
-	if err := broker.Raise(js, names); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	// The work queues of the mesh's own roles (novox/hq ADR 0121). The queue before the holder,
-	// deliberately: work queues until somebody arrives to do it, so assigning a build machine a week
-	// after something started asking for builds flushes the backlog instead of having lost it.
-	// With the seats' holders, so each role's work queue gets the consumer its holder takes
-	// work from. Passed as nil until the first live raise, which left the build machine bound to a
-	// consumer nothing had created (2026-09-28).
-	holders, err := seatHolders(ctx, inv)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := broker.RaiseSeats(js, inventory.MeshSeats(), holders); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
 	// And each work queue's cancelled set (novox/hq ADR 0219), so a holder taking an ask can ask
 	// whether it was cancelled the moment it took it.
 	if err := broker.RaiseCancelledSets(js, inventory.MeshSeats()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	// And the controller's own buckets (novox/hq to-be 45 §1): the calls it serves and the acts done
+	// by hand, kept where a restart of this process does not take them.
+	if err := js.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	// Every module's state (novox/hq ADR 0201), from the catalogue: a bucket exists from
 	// registration, so a module reading one may watch it before its owner runs anywhere. One that
 	// nothing declares any more is said and kept — what it holds is data.
@@ -1151,25 +1252,11 @@ func raiseTheBus(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, address string)
 		fmt.Printf("the bus holds state nothing declares any more, kept because it is data: %s — "+
 			"removing it is a person's act\n", strings.Join(undeclared, ", "))
 	}
-	// And how every module hears what it consumes. Derived from the same records the user list is
-	// composed from, so a module the mesh grants a consumer's subjects has that consumer waiting.
-	// Done on every raise, not only when a credential is issued: every module moved onto this bus
-	// by the rollout was issued on the old one, and came up with nothing to bind to (2026-09-28).
-	records, err := inv.BusRecords(ctx)
+	// And how every module hears what it consumes: asserted with the rest above, counted here.
+	hearing, err := moduleConsumerCount(ctx, inv)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	users, err := broker.Users(records)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	hearing := 0
-	for _, c := range broker.ConsumersOf(users) {
-		if err := js.EnsureConsumer(c.Consumer); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("how %s on %s hears what it consumes: %w", c.Module, c.Node, err)
-		}
-		hearing++
-	}
 	fmt.Printf("the bus at %s has its streams, %d machine(s) can hear a declaration, %d module(s) "+
 		"can hear what they consume, and %d bucket(s) of state\n", broker.BareAddress(address), len(names), hearing, len(buckets))
 	return nil
@@ -1212,17 +1299,46 @@ func seatHolders(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (map[string]brok
 
 // number gives one send the next sequence for its node (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/107).
 // allotting is allot over one inventory, in the shape composeEach takes.
-func allotting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) func(node string) (int64, error) {
-	return func(node string) (int64, error) { return allot(ctx, inv, node) }
+func allotting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) func(node string) (order, error) {
+	return func(node string) (order, error) { return allot(ctx, inv, node) }
 }
 
-// allot takes the next sequence for a machine — the number its next declaration carries.
-func allot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (int64, error) {
+// epochForActs is the lease's gate as a composition asks it; a variable so a test can act under an epoch
+// without a bus.
+var epochForActs = func(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(ctx) }
+
+// order is what a declaration carries of its writer's order (link/order.go): its sequence, and the
+// epoch of the lease it is composed under — zero for a machine that has not said it reads one.
+type order struct {
+	sequence int64
+	epoch    uint64
+}
+
+// allot takes the next sequence for a machine — the number its next declaration carries — under the
+// lease: a process that may not act takes none, and composes nothing (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
+func allot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (order, error) {
+	epoch, err := epochForActs(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return order{}, fmt.Errorf("nothing was composed for %s: %w", node, err)
+	}
 	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, node)
 	if err != nil {
-		return 0, err
+		return order{}, err
 	}
-	return inv.NextSequence(ctx, record.ID)
+	if epoch > 0 {
+		reads, err := inv.ReadsEpoch(ctx, record.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return order{}, err
+		}
+		if !reads {
+			epoch = 0
+		}
+	}
+	seq, err := inv.NextSequence(ctx, record.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return order{}, err
+	}
+	return order{sequence: seq, epoch: epoch}, nil
 }
 
 // recordSent writes down what a machine was just sent, and returns the digest.
@@ -1237,7 +1353,7 @@ func allot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (int64, e
 // And the build of each module it carried (novox/hq issue 259, ADR 0221), nil when that is not known:
 // what tells a machine held back by a policy or a plan from one a push left behind.
 func recordSent(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, body []byte,
-	builds map[string]string) (string, error) {
+	builds map[string]string, epoch uint64) (string, error) {
 	kept, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), 10*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 	record, err := inv.NodeByName(kept, node)
@@ -1245,7 +1361,7 @@ func recordSent(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, body
 		return "", err
 	}
 	digest := digestOf(body)
-	if err := inv.RecordSent(kept, record.ID, digest, builds); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.RecordSentUnder(kept, record.ID, digest, builds, epoch); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 	return digest, nil

cmd/mesh-controller/push_test.go

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestASkippedMachineIsStillAnError(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 // numbered is an allotter for tests: one higher per call, as the inventory's is per machine.
-func numbered() func(string) (int64, error) {
+func numbered() func(string) (order, error) {
 	var n int64
-	return func(string) (int64, error) { n++; return n, nil }
+	return func(string) (order, error) { n++; return order{sequence: n}, nil }
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/queue_test.go

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func TestAFailedPlanIsRetriedAndGoesOnThroughItsLaterTiers(t *testing.T) {
 		Note: "a failed to build in tier 0",
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "failed", AskedAt: &before, Build: "build-1",
 			Why: link.KilledByHand}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, failed); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &failed); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func TestARebuildJoinsThePlanHoldingTheModule(t *testing.T) {
 		Created: before, State: inventory.PlanFailed, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}},
 		Note:    "a failed to build in tier 0",
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "failed", AskedAt: &before, Build: "build-1", Why: link.CancelledByHand}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, failed); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &failed); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if err := rebuildCommand(ctx, []string{"a"}); err != nil {
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ func TestCancelDeletesTheAskAndFailsThePlanThatAskedIt(t *testing.T) {
 	plan := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-cancel", Repository: "novox/a", Commit: "c0ffee", Created: asked,
 		State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}},
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "asked", AskedAt: &asked, Build: id}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, plan); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -631,21 +631,21 @@ func TestAPlanStoppedAtItsFirstMachineIsRetried(t *testing.T) {
 		Note: "a stopped at its first machine in tier 0: laptop refused what it was sent",
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &long, Commit: "c0ffee",
 			First: []string{"laptop"}, FirstAt: &long, Why: "laptop refused what it was sent"}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, stopped); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &stopped); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// A newer plan holding a refuses it: sending the older build would put it back.
 	newer := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-newer", Repository: "novox/other", Commit: "d00d", Created: long.Add(time.Hour),
 		State: inventory.PlanDone, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}}, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, newer); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &newer); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if _, err := retryPlan(ctx, open, stopped.ID); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "plan-newer") {
 		t.Fatalf("retried under a newer plan: %v", err)
 	}
 	newer.State = inventory.PlanSuperseded
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, newer); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &newer); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ func TestAPlanIsAnsweredOnlyByTheBuildItAskedFor(t *testing.T) {
 	plan := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-own", Repository: "novox/a", Commit: "c0ffee", Created: asked,
 		State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}},
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "asked", AskedAt: &asked, Build: "build-own"}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, plan); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	planBuilt(ctx, open, "a", "0ldc0mm1t", "", time.Now().UTC(), "build-replay")

cmd/mesh-controller/readable.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 	"sort"
 	"time"
@@ -78,11 +79,28 @@ type meshStatus struct {
 	// that machine holds, with the modules that could hold it (novox/hq ADR 0207). Absent when every
 	// dependency is met. Reported, not refused, until the switch.
 	Unheld []catalogue.Unheld `json:"unheld,omitempty"`
-	// Failing is every consumer a provider says it keeps failing, with the class of error, since
-	// when, and when it was last said (novox/hq ADR 0224). Absent when no provider says so. A
-	// document without this called the mesh well while the identity provider refused every consumer
-	// for a day (04-ISSUES/179).
-	Failing []inventory.ProviderStanding `json:"failing,omitempty"`
+	// HandActsThisWeek is how many acts were done by hand in the last seven days (novox/hq to-be 45
+	// §7): every one is a repair a healer could have made. Absent where the log is not on hand;
+	// HandActsUnread says why when it could not be read, rather than reading as none.
+	HandActsThisWeek *int   `json:"handActsThisWeek,omitempty"`
+	HandActsUnread   string `json:"handActsUnread,omitempty"`
+	// HealsThisWeek is what the healers did in the last seven days (novox/hq to-be 45 §7); HealsUnread
+	// why it could not be read.
+	HealsThisWeek *healsCount `json:"healsThisWeek,omitempty"`
+	HealsUnread   string      `json:"healsUnread,omitempty"`
+	// Conditions is every open condition, urgent first and then oldest first (novox/hq to-be 45 §2):
+	// what is wrong, as the watchdogs, the self-check and the providers say it. Always present — an
+	// empty list is "none open" — unless they could not be read, which ConditionsUnread says.
+	Conditions       []conditions.Condition `json:"conditions"`
+	ConditionsUnread string                 `json:"conditionsUnread,omitempty"`
+	// Failing is every consumer a provider says it keeps failing (novox/hq ADR 0224): the open
+	// conditions of that kind, carried here as well because ADR 0224 names this field. Absent when no
+	// provider says so. A document without it called the mesh well while the identity provider
+	// refused every consumer for a day (04-ISSUES/179).
+	Failing []conditions.Condition `json:"failing,omitempty"`
+	// Overflowing is every module whose identity overflows the bound of a provision it requires, and
+	// so is left out of its provider's grants (novox/hq ADR 0225). Absent when every identity fits.
+	Overflowing []catalogue.Overflow `json:"overflowing,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // machineFiltered is one rule set on a converged machine that the mesh did not write and that
@@ -215,7 +233,14 @@ func statusAsJSON(asked answers) ([]byte, error) {
 		}
 	}
 	out.Unheld = asked.unheld
-	out.Failing = asked.failing
+	out.HandActsThisWeek, out.HandActsUnread = asked.handActs, asked.handActsUnread
+	out.HealsThisWeek, out.HealsUnread = asked.heals, asked.healsUnread
+	out.Conditions, out.ConditionsUnread = asked.conditions, asked.conditionsUnread
+	if out.Conditions == nil {
+		out.Conditions = []conditions.Condition{}
+	}
+	out.Failing = providerStandings(asked.conditions)
+	out.Overflowing = asked.overflowing
 	for name := range asked.refused {
 		out.Unresolved = append(out.Unresolved, machineUnresolved{
 			Node: name, Problem: asked.refused[name]})

cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go

@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ func planBuilt(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module, commit, failed string,
 			state.BuiltAt = &now
 			state.Commit = commit
 		}
-		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, *p); err != nil {
+		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("%s: cannot keep the plan: %v\n", p.ID, err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ func advanceHeld(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 				// Kept in the plan, so `plans` says why it has not moved rather than the log alone;
 				// the state is left as it was and the step is tried again on the next tick.
 				p.Note = "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + ": " + err.Error() + " — tried again"
-				if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, *p); err != nil {
+				if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
 					fmt.Printf("%s: cannot keep the plan: %v\n", p.ID, err)
 				}
 				break
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ func advanceHeld(ctx context.Context, open *stores) {
 			if p.State == inventory.PlanFailed {
 				sayUnsent(p, rollsOut)
 			}
-			if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, *p); err != nil {
+			if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
 				fmt.Printf("%s: cannot keep the plan: %v\n", p.ID, err)
 				break
 			}
@@ -986,10 +986,18 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	whatIf := set.String("what-if", "", "owner/repository: the plan a merge there would produce, saving nothing — with --paths or --modules")
 	paths := set.String("paths", "", "the files the merge would change, comma-separated, from the repository's root")
 	modules := set.String("modules", "", "or the modules it would change, comma-separated")
+	// Ending a plan by hand is a repair, and says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	why := addHandActFlags(set)
 	positionals, err := parseAround(set, args)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if len(positionals) == 2 && (positionals[0] == "stop" || positionals[0] == "close") {
+		// Refused before anything is opened: a repair by hand says why.
+		if err := why.require("plans " + positionals[0]); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
 	open, err := openStores(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -1061,13 +1069,14 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		if !p.Open() {
 			return fmt.Errorf("%s is already %s", p.ID, p.State)
 		}
+		why.record(ctx, "plans "+positionals[0], positionals[1:])
 		p.State = inventory.PlanFailed
-		p.Note = how + " by hand at tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier)
+		p.Note = how + " by hand at tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + ": " + strings.TrimSpace(*why.why)
 		sayUnsent(&p, func(m string) bool {
 			u, err := inv.UpgradeOf(ctx, m)
 			return err == nil && u.RollOut
 		})
-		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, p); err != nil {
+		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		fmt.Printf("%s %s at tier %d of %d; what was asked still builds and registers, nothing further is asked\n",

cmd/mesh-controller/retire_verbs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,442 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"flag"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The verbs a person answers a provider's retirement with, and cleans up with (novox/hq ADR 0230).
+//
+// **The controller asks; the provider acts.** Approving, rejecting and deleting are each a question to
+// the provider on the machine it runs on — its `provisioner_*` tools — because the provider owns its
+// backend and the controller touches none. Every one says why, is written in the hand-act log before
+// it is asked, and the provider says what it did as its `provisioner.retirement` event.
+
+const retireUsage = "retire [--json] | retire approve <node> <module> --why <text> | retire reject <node> <module> --why <text>"
+
+const cleanupUsage = "cleanup [list] [--json] | cleanup delete <node> <module> <consumer> --why <text> | " +
+	"cleanup delete --older-than <days> --why <text> [--confirm]"
+
+func isNothingServes(err error) bool { return errors.Is(err, link.ErrNothingServes) }
+
+func unmarshalAnswer(a link.Answer, v any) error {
+	if len(a.Result) == 0 {
+		return errors.New("an empty answer")
+	}
+	return json.Unmarshal(a.Result, v)
+}
+
+// retireCommand is `retire`, `retire approve` and `retire reject`.
+func retireCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	sub := "list"
+	if len(args) > 0 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		sub, args = args[0], args[1:]
+	}
+	switch sub {
+	case "list":
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("retire", flag.ContinueOnError)
+		asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+		if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+			return err
+		} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+			return errors.New(retireUsage)
+		}
+		open, err := openStores(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer open.Close()
+		return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error { return listRetiring(ctx, open.inventory, conn, *asJSON) })
+	case "approve", "reject":
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("retire "+sub, flag.ContinueOnError)
+		f := addHandActFlags(set)
+		rest, err := parseAround(set, args)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if len(rest) != 2 {
+			return errors.New(retireUsage)
+		}
+		if err := f.require("retire " + sub); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+			return answerRetirement(ctx, conn, providerInstance{Node: rest[0], Module: rest[1]}, sub == "approve", f)
+		})
+	}
+	return errors.New(retireUsage)
+}
+
+// retiringRow is one provider's waiting or rejected set, as `retire` lists it.
+type retiringRow struct {
+	Node      string                 `json:"node"`
+	Module    string                 `json:"module"`
+	Waiting   []link.RetiredConsumer `json:"waiting,omitempty"`
+	Since     string                 `json:"since,omitempty"`
+	Held      int                    `json:"held,omitempty"`
+	Bound     string                 `json:"bound,omitempty"`
+	Rejected  []link.RetiredConsumer `json:"rejected,omitempty"`
+	RejectWhy string                 `json:"rejected-why,omitempty"`
+	Unasked   string                 `json:"unasked,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func listRetiring(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn, asJSON bool) error {
+	instances, err := providerInstances(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var rows []retiringRow
+	for _, p := range instances {
+		row := retiringRow{Node: p.Node, Module: p.Module}
+		state, err := askRetirement(ctx, conn, p)
+		switch {
+		case isNothingServes(err):
+			row.Unasked = "answers no retirement question: it predates ADR 0230"
+		case err != nil:
+			row.Unasked = err.Error()
+		default:
+			if state.Waiting != nil {
+				row.Waiting, row.Since, row.Held = state.Waiting.Consumers, state.Waiting.Since, state.Waiting.Held
+			}
+			if state.Rejected != nil {
+				row.Rejected, row.RejectWhy = state.Rejected.Consumers, orWhy(state.Rejected.By, state.Rejected.Why)
+			}
+			row.Bound = state.Bound
+			if row.Waiting == nil && row.Rejected == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		rows = append(rows, row)
+	}
+	if asJSON {
+		if rows == nil {
+			rows = []retiringRow{}
+		}
+		return printJSON(map[string]any{"providers": rows})
+	}
+	said := false
+	for _, r := range rows {
+		switch {
+		case r.Unasked != "":
+			fmt.Printf("%s on %s: not asked — %s\n", r.Module, r.Node, r.Unasked)
+		default:
+			if r.Waiting != nil {
+				said = true
+				fmt.Printf("%s on %s WAITS since %s to retire %d of the %d it holds (%s): %s\n"+
+					"    retire approve %s %s --why …   |   retire reject %s %s --why …\n",
+					r.Module, r.Node, r.Since, len(r.Waiting), r.Held, orBound(r.Bound), consumerList(r.Waiting),
+					r.Node, r.Module, r.Node, r.Module)
+			}
+			if r.Rejected != nil {
+				said = true
+				fmt.Printf("%s on %s keeps active, by a rejection (%s): %s\n", r.Module, r.Node, r.RejectWhy,
+					consumerList(r.Rejected))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if !said {
+		fmt.Println("no provider waits for a person to approve a retirement")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// answerRetirement approves or rejects what one provider waits with. **The set sent is the set the
+// provider says it waits with, read now**, and the provider refuses any other: a person approves what
+// they were shown, never a set that moved since.
+func answerRetirement(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, p providerInstance, approve bool, f handActFlags) error {
+	state, err := askRetirement(ctx, conn, p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	verb, tool := "retire reject", link.ToolRetireReject
+	var set []link.RetiredConsumer
+	if state.Waiting != nil {
+		set = state.Waiting.Consumers
+	}
+	if approve {
+		verb, tool = "retire approve", link.ToolRetireApprove
+		if set == nil && state.Rejected != nil {
+			// A rejection can be taken back: the consumers it kept are retired after all.
+			set = state.Rejected.Consumers
+		}
+	}
+	if len(set) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s waits for nobody to approve or reject a retirement. Nothing was done", p.Module, p.Node)
+	}
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(set))
+	for _, c := range set {
+		names = append(names, c.Consumer)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(*f.cause) == "" {
+		*f.cause = kindRetireWaiting
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(*f.condition) == "" {
+		*f.condition = retireWaitingKey(p.Module, p.Node)
+	}
+	f.record(ctx, verb, append([]string{p.Node, p.Module}, names...))
+	answer, err := link.AskModuleToolOn(ctx, conn, p.Module, tool, p.Node, map[string]any{
+		"consumers": names, "why": strings.TrimSpace(*f.why), "by": link.Caller(), "via": link.ViaController,
+	}, retirementAsk)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if answer.Error != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s refused: %s", p.Module, p.Node, answer.Error)
+	}
+	if approve && state.RetiresBy == "mark-only" {
+		fmt.Printf("%s on %s marked %s retired, MARK ONLY: this provider cannot disable a consumer, so they keep "+
+			"their access until `cleanup delete`; `cleanup list` shows them\n", p.Module, p.Node, strings.Join(names, ", "))
+	} else if approve {
+		fmt.Printf("%s on %s retired %s: access disabled, data kept; `cleanup list` shows them\n", p.Module, p.Node,
+			strings.Join(names, ", "))
+	} else {
+		fmt.Printf("%s on %s keeps %s active; the warning stays open until the mesh asks for them again or the "+
+			"retirement is approved\n", p.Module, p.Node, strings.Join(names, ", "))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// cleanupCommand is `cleanup list` and `cleanup delete`.
+func cleanupCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	sub := "list"
+	if len(args) > 0 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		sub, args = args[0], args[1:]
+	}
+	switch sub {
+	case "list":
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("cleanup", flag.ContinueOnError)
+		asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "as data")
+		if rest, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
+			return err
+		} else if len(rest) > 0 {
+			return errors.New(cleanupUsage)
+		}
+		open, err := openStores(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer open.Close()
+		return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+			listing, err := gatherRetired(ctx, open.inventory, conn, time.Now())
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			return printRetired(listing, *asJSON)
+		})
+	case "delete":
+		set := flag.NewFlagSet("cleanup delete", flag.ContinueOnError)
+		f := addHandActFlags(set)
+		olderThan := set.Int("older-than", 0, "every retired consumer older than this many days")
+		confirm := set.Bool("confirm", false, "with --older-than: delete what is listed, rather than only list it")
+		rest, err := parseAround(set, args)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := f.require("cleanup delete"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(*f.cause) == "" {
+			*f.cause = kindCleanupWaiting
+		}
+		switch {
+		case *olderThan > 0 && len(rest) == 0:
+			open, err := openStores(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			defer open.Close()
+			return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+				return deleteOlderThan(ctx, open.inventory, conn, *olderThan, *confirm, f, time.Now())
+			})
+		case *olderThan == 0 && len(rest) == 3 && !*confirm:
+			return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+				return deleteRetired(ctx, conn, providerInstance{Node: rest[0], Module: rest[1]}, rest[2], f)
+			})
+		}
+		return errors.New(cleanupUsage)
+	}
+	return errors.New(cleanupUsage)
+}
+
+// retiredRow is one retired consumer, as `cleanup list` shows it.
+type retiredRow struct {
+	Node     string `json:"node"`
+	Module   string `json:"module"`
+	Consumer string `json:"consumer"`
+	// ConsumerNode is where the consumer was, when the provider knows.
+	ConsumerNode string `json:"consumer-node,omitempty"`
+	Kind         string `json:"kind,omitempty"`
+	RetiredAt    string `json:"retired-at,omitempty"`
+	// AgeDays is whole days since it was retired; -1 when the provider could not say when.
+	AgeDays   int    `json:"age-days"`
+	SizeBytes *int64 `json:"size-bytes,omitempty"`
+	Why       string `json:"why,omitempty"`
+	// Access is "kept" for a consumer of a mark-only provider: retired on record, still reachable.
+	Access string `json:"access,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// retiredListing is every provider's retired consumers, and the providers that could not say.
+type retiredListing struct {
+	Retired []retiredRow `json:"retired"`
+	// Unasked names each provider not asked, and why: one older than the question, or one that failed.
+	Unasked []string `json:"unasked,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func gatherRetired(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn, now time.Time) (retiredListing, error) {
+	instances, err := providerInstances(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return retiredListing{}, err
+	}
+	return retiredOf(ctx, conn, instances, now), nil
+}
+
+func retiredOf(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, instances []providerInstance, now time.Time) retiredListing {
+	out := retiredListing{Retired: []retiredRow{}}
+	for _, p := range instances {
+		state, err := askRetirement(ctx, conn, p)
+		if err != nil {
+			if isNothingServes(err) {
+				out.Unasked = append(out.Unasked, fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s answers no retirement question: it predates ADR 0230", p.Module, p.Node))
+			} else {
+				out.Unasked = append(out.Unasked, err.Error())
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, c := range state.Retired {
+			row := retiredRow{Node: p.Node, Module: p.Module, Consumer: c.Consumer, ConsumerNode: c.Node, Kind: c.Kind,
+				RetiredAt: c.RetiredAt, AgeDays: -1, SizeBytes: c.SizeBytes, Why: c.Why, Access: c.Access}
+			if at := retiredAt(c); !at.IsZero() {
+				row.AgeDays = int(now.Sub(at).Hours() / 24)
+			}
+			out.Retired = append(out.Retired, row)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(out.Retired, func(i, j int) bool { return out.Retired[i].AgeDays > out.Retired[j].AgeDays })
+	return out
+}
+
+func printRetired(l retiredListing, asJSON bool) error {
+	if asJSON {
+		return printJSON(l)
+	}
+	if len(l.Retired) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("no provider holds a retired consumer")
+	}
+	for _, r := range l.Retired {
+		age := "age unknown"
+		if r.AgeDays >= 0 {
+			age = strconv.Itoa(r.AgeDays) + " day(s)"
+		}
+		kind := ""
+		if r.Kind != "" && r.Kind != "consumer" {
+			kind = " [" + r.Kind + "]"
+		}
+		if r.Access == "kept" {
+			kind += " [MARK ONLY: access kept until deleted]"
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("%s on %s: %s%s — retired %s, %s, %s\n    %s\n", r.Module, r.Node, r.Consumer, kind, age,
+			sizeWords(r.SizeBytes), r.RetiredAt, orWhy("", r.Why))
+	}
+	for _, u := range l.Unasked {
+		fmt.Printf("not asked: %s\n", u)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// deleteRetired asks one provider to delete one consumer it holds retired — never an active one: the
+// provider refuses that, and this refuses it first, from what the provider says it holds.
+func deleteRetired(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, p providerInstance, consumer string, f handActFlags) error {
+	state, err := askRetirement(ctx, conn, p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	found := false
+	for _, c := range state.Retired {
+		found = found || c.Consumer == consumer
+	}
+	if !found {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s holds no retired consumer %s — only a retired consumer is deleted. Nothing was done",
+			p.Module, p.Node, consumer)
+	}
+	f.record(ctx, "cleanup delete", []string{p.Node, p.Module, consumer})
+	answer, err := link.AskModuleToolOn(ctx, conn, p.Module, link.ToolRetiredDelete, p.Node, map[string]any{
+		"consumer": consumer, "confirm": consumer, "why": strings.TrimSpace(*f.why), "by": link.Caller(),
+		"via": link.ViaController,
+	}, retirementAsk)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if answer.Error != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s refused to delete %s: %s", p.Module, p.Node, consumer, answer.Error)
+	}
+	var done struct {
+		FreedBytes *int64 `json:"freed_bytes"`
+	}
+	_ = unmarshalAnswer(answer, &done)
+	fmt.Printf("%s on %s deleted %s (%s freed)\n", p.Module, p.Node, consumer, sizeWords(done.FreedBytes))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// deleteOlderThan lists every consumer retired more than days ago, and deletes them only with confirm.
+// One whose age the provider cannot say is never in it.
+func deleteOlderThan(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn, days int, confirm bool,
+	f handActFlags, now time.Time) error {
+	listing, err := gatherRetired(ctx, inv, conn, now)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return deleteFrom(ctx, conn, listing, days, confirm, f)
+}
+
+func deleteFrom(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, listing retiredListing, days int, confirm bool, f handActFlags) error {
+	var due []retiredRow
+	unknown := 0
+	for _, r := range listing.Retired {
+		switch {
+		case r.AgeDays < 0:
+			unknown++
+		case r.AgeDays > days:
+			due = append(due, r)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, u := range listing.Unasked {
+		fmt.Printf("not asked: %s\n", u)
+	}
+	if unknown > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("%d retired consumer(s) whose age their provider cannot say are left out\n", unknown)
+	}
+	if len(due) == 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("nothing has been retired more than %d day(s)\n", days)
+		return nil
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("retired more than %d day(s):\n", days)
+	for _, r := range due {
+		fmt.Printf("  %s on %s: %s — %d day(s), %s\n", r.Module, r.Node, r.Consumer, r.AgeDays, sizeWords(r.SizeBytes))
+	}
+	if !confirm {
+		fmt.Printf("nothing was deleted: add --confirm to delete these %d\n", len(due))
+		return nil
+	}
+	var failed []string
+	for _, r := range due {
+		if err := deleteRetired(ctx, conn, providerInstance{Node: r.Node, Module: r.Module}, r.Consumer, f); err != nil {
+			failed = append(failed, err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	if len(failed) > 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%d of %d not deleted: %s", len(failed), len(due), strings.Join(failed, "; "))
+	}
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/retirement.go

@@ -0,0 +1,343 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A consumer the mesh stops asking for is retired, not withdrawn, and deleted only by a person
+// (novox/hq ADR 0230, the operator's decision of 2026-10-06; it replaces ADR 0229's withdrawal brake).
+//
+// A provider retires a consumer — disables its access, keeps its data, marks it with when and why —
+// once it has seen the same consumers go unasked for in five passes. More than three at once, or more
+// than half of those it holds where it holds more than one, is a person actively working on the mesh,
+// so the provider retires nothing and waits: the controller keeps that as an urgent condition naming
+// what would go and the two verbs that answer it. A retired consumer is deleted only by `cleanup
+// delete`, which the provider executes on its own backend — the controller never touches one — and
+// one retired more than thirty days is a warning that cleanup is waiting (D11).
+
+// The kinds a provider's retirement word raises.
+const (
+	kindRetireWaiting  = "retire-waiting"
+	kindRetireRejected = "retire-rejected"
+	kindCleanupWaiting = "cleanup-waiting"
+	// sourceRetirement is what raised a retirement condition: the provider's own event.
+	sourceRetirement = "provisioner.retirement"
+)
+
+// cleanupAfter is how long a consumer may stay retired before cleanup is said to be waiting (D11).
+const cleanupAfter = 30 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// retirementAsk is how long one provider is given to answer one question about its retired consumers.
+var retirementAsk = 20 * time.Second
+
+func retireWaitingKey(module, node string) string {
+	return conditions.Key(conditions.ScopeProvider, module+"."+node, "retire")
+}
+
+func retireRejectedKey(module, node string) string {
+	return conditions.Key(conditions.ScopeProvider, module+"."+node, "retire-rejected")
+}
+
+// retirements keeps what providers say about consumers they retire, as conditions.
+type retirements struct {
+	keeper func() *conditions.Keeper
+	// record writes an act done by hand that reached a provider some other way than this controller's
+	// verbs; nil records nothing (a test).
+	record func(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error
+}
+
+func consumerList(cs []link.RetiredConsumer) string {
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(cs))
+	for _, c := range cs {
+		p := c.Consumer
+		if c.Node != "" {
+			p += " (" + c.Node + ")"
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, p)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, ", ")
+}
+
+// waitingObservation is a provider waiting for a person to approve or reject a retirement.
+func waitingObservation(r link.Retirement) conditions.Observation {
+	since := r.Since
+	if since.IsZero() {
+		since = r.At
+	}
+	summary := fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s would retire %d consumer(s) the mesh no longer asks for — %s — more than its "+
+		"bound (%s), so it retires nothing until a person answers: `retire approve %s %s --why …` or `retire reject "+
+		"%s %s --why …`", r.Module, r.ProviderNode, len(r.Consumers), consumerList(r.Consumers), orBound(r.Bound),
+		r.ProviderNode, r.Module, r.ProviderNode, r.Module)
+	said := fmt.Sprintf("waiting since %s, %d held: %s", since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"), r.Held,
+		consumerList(r.Consumers))
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProvider, ID: r.Module + "." + r.ProviderNode,
+		Token: "retire", Kind: kindRetireWaiting, Machine: r.ProviderNode, Also: consumerNodes(r),
+		Severity: conditions.Urgent, Summary: summary, Said: said, Source: sourceRetirement,
+		Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator}
+}
+
+// rejectedObservation is consumers kept active by a person's rejection though the mesh asks for them no more.
+func rejectedObservation(r link.Retirement) conditions.Observation {
+	summary := fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s keeps %s active although the mesh no longer asks for them: a person rejected "+
+		"their retirement (%s). Assign them again, or `retire approve %s %s --why …`", r.Module, r.ProviderNode,
+		consumerList(r.Consumers), orWhy(r.By, r.Why), r.ProviderNode, r.Module)
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProvider, ID: r.Module + "." + r.ProviderNode,
+		Token: "retire-rejected", Kind: kindRetireRejected, Machine: r.ProviderNode, Also: consumerNodes(r),
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: summary, Said: "rejected: " + orWhy(r.By, r.Why),
+		Source: sourceRetirement, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator}
+}
+
+func orBound(b string) string {
+	if b == "" {
+		return "more than 3, or more than half of those held"
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+func orWhy(by, why string) string {
+	switch {
+	case by != "" && why != "":
+		return by + ": " + why
+	case why != "":
+		return why
+	case by != "":
+		return "by " + by
+	}
+	return "no reason given"
+}
+
+// consumerNodes are the other machines a retirement concerns: where its consumers are.
+func consumerNodes(r link.Retirement) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{r.ProviderNode: true}
+	var out []string
+	for _, c := range r.Consumers {
+		if c.Node != "" && !seen[c.Node] {
+			seen[c.Node] = true
+			out = append(out, c.Node)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+// Retired keeps one word. Waiting raises the urgent condition; a rejection turns it into a warning; a
+// retirement, an approval or the set settling clears both. An approval, a rejection or a deletion that
+// did not come through this controller's verbs is recorded in the hand-act log here, so every one is.
+func (s retirements) Retired(ctx context.Context, r link.Retirement) error {
+	k := s.keeper()
+	if k == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition store is not open in this controller: %w", link.ErrTryAgain)
+	}
+	waiting, rejected := retireWaitingKey(r.Module, r.ProviderNode), retireRejectedKey(r.Module, r.ProviderNode)
+	clear := func(keys ...string) error {
+		for _, key := range keys {
+			if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, key, fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s says %s", r.Module, r.ProviderNode, r.Change)); err != nil {
+				return storeAway(err)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	var err error
+	switch r.Change {
+	case link.RetireWaiting:
+		if _, err = k.Observe(ctx, waitingObservation(r)); err != nil {
+			return storeAway(err)
+		}
+	case link.RetireRejected:
+		if err = clear(waiting); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if _, err = k.Observe(ctx, rejectedObservation(r)); err != nil {
+			return storeAway(err)
+		}
+	case link.RetireApproved, link.RetireRetired, link.RetireSettled:
+		if err = clear(waiting, rejected); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	switch r.Change {
+	case link.RetireApproved, link.RetireRejected, link.RetireDeleted:
+		if r.Via != link.ViaController && s.record != nil {
+			verb := map[string]string{link.RetireApproved: "retire approve", link.RetireRejected: "retire reject",
+				link.RetireDeleted: "cleanup delete"}[r.Change]
+			cause := kindRetireWaiting
+			if r.Change == link.RetireDeleted {
+				cause = kindCleanupWaiting
+			}
+			why := r.Why
+			if strings.TrimSpace(why) == "" {
+				why = "no reason given to the provider"
+			}
+			act := link.HandAct{Verb: verb, Args: append([]string{r.ProviderNode, r.Module}, r.Names()...),
+				Why: why + " (asked of the provider directly, not through the controller)", Cause: cause,
+				By: r.By, At: r.At}
+			if act.By == "" {
+				act.By = "unknown, asked of " + r.Module + " on " + r.ProviderNode + " directly"
+			}
+			if err := s.record(ctx, act); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s %s by hand, and it could not be recorded: %v: %w", r.Module,
+					r.ProviderNode, r.Change, err, link.ErrTryAgain)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// recordHandActOnTheBus writes an act through the serving controller's connection.
+func recordHandActOnTheBus(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error {
+	return onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		_, err := link.RecordHandAct(ctx, conn, act)
+		return err
+	})
+}
+
+// providerInstance is one provider module on one machine.
+type providerInstance struct {
+	Node, Module string
+}
+
+// providerInstances are every module assigned on every machine whose manifest receives contributions:
+// every provider, which serves the retirement tools (ADR 0230) — or is older than them.
+func providerInstances(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]providerInstance, error) {
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out []providerInstance
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		modules, err := inv.Assigned(ctx, n.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("what %s is assigned cannot be read: %w", n.Name, err)
+		}
+		for _, m := range modules {
+			if man, ok := shelf[m]; ok && len(man.Receives) > 0 {
+				out = append(out, providerInstance{Node: n.Name, Module: m})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if out[i].Node != out[j].Node {
+			return out[i].Node < out[j].Node
+		}
+		return out[i].Module < out[j].Module
+	})
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// askRetirement asks one provider for what it holds retired and what waits.
+func askRetirement(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, p providerInstance) (link.RetirementState, error) {
+	var state link.RetirementState
+	answer, err := link.AskModuleToolOn(ctx, conn, p.Module, link.ToolRetirement, p.Node, map[string]any{}, retirementAsk)
+	if err != nil {
+		return state, err
+	}
+	if answer.Error != "" {
+		return state, fmt.Errorf("%s on %s answered %s with an error: %s", p.Module, p.Node, link.ToolRetirement, answer.Error)
+	}
+	if err := unmarshalAnswer(answer, &state); err != nil {
+		return state, fmt.Errorf("%s on %s answered %s with something unreadable: %w", p.Module, p.Node, link.ToolRetirement, err)
+	}
+	return state, nil
+}
+
+// retiredAt reads a retired consumer's moment; zero when the provider could not say.
+func retiredAt(c link.RetiredConsumer) time.Time {
+	t, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, c.RetiredAt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	return t
+}
+
+// cleanupObservation is a provider holding consumers retired longer than cleanupAfter.
+func cleanupObservation(p providerInstance, old []link.RetiredConsumer, now time.Time) conditions.Observation {
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(old))
+	for _, c := range old {
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s (%d days, %s)", c.Consumer, int(now.Sub(retiredAt(c)).Hours()/24),
+			sizeWords(c.SizeBytes)))
+	}
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProvider, ID: p.Module + "." + p.Node, Token: "cleanup",
+		Kind: kindCleanupWaiting, Machine: p.Node, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s holds %d consumer(s) retired more than %d days, waiting for a person to "+
+			"delete or bring them back: %s — `cleanup list`, then `cleanup delete %s %s <consumer> --why …`",
+			p.Module, p.Node, len(old), int(cleanupAfter.Hours()/24), strings.Join(parts, ", "), p.Node, p.Module),
+		Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator}
+}
+
+func sizeWords(size *int64) string {
+	if size == nil || *size < 0 {
+		return "size unknown"
+	}
+	b := float64(*size)
+	for _, unit := range []string{"B", "KB", "MB", "GB"} {
+		if b < 1024 || unit == "GB" {
+			if unit == "B" {
+				return fmt.Sprintf("%d B", *size)
+			}
+			return fmt.Sprintf("%.1f %s", b, unit)
+		}
+		b /= 1024
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// probeRetired is D11: no provider holds a consumer retired more than thirty days. Every provider
+// assigned is asked what it holds retired; one that does not serve the question — an older build, a
+// TypeScript provider not yet on the SDK that retires — has nothing it can say and is passed over,
+// which is not a failure of the probe. A provider that cannot be asked otherwise is.
+func probeRetired(ctx context.Context, d *doctor) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	if d.js == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no bus to ask the providers over")
+	}
+	instances, err := providerInstances(ctx, d.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return retiredTooLong(ctx, d.js.Conn(), instances, time.Now())
+}
+
+// retiredTooLong asks each provider and answers one observation per provider holding anything retired
+// longer than cleanupAfter.
+func retiredTooLong(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, instances []providerInstance,
+	now time.Time) ([]conditions.Observation, error) {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	var problems []string
+	for _, p := range instances {
+		state, err := askRetirement(ctx, conn, p)
+		if err != nil {
+			if isNothingServes(err) {
+				continue
+			}
+			problems = append(problems, err.Error())
+			continue
+		}
+		var old []link.RetiredConsumer
+		for _, c := range state.Retired {
+			if at := retiredAt(c); !at.IsZero() && now.Sub(at) > cleanupAfter {
+				old = append(old, c)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(old) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, cleanupObservation(p, old, now))
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) > 0 {
+		// Not "nothing retired": a provider that could not be asked may hold the oldest of all.
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s", strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/retirement_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,483 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"flag"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A consumer the mesh stops asking for is retired, not withdrawn, and deleted only by a person
+// (novox/hq ADR 0230): what a provider says becomes a condition a person answers, and the verbs that
+// answer it ask the provider — never anything else — for exactly what it said.
+
+func waitingWord(module, node string, names ...string) link.Retirement {
+	r := link.Retirement{Module: module, Provider: "postgres-database", ProviderNode: node, Change: link.RetireWaiting,
+		Held: 7, Bound: "more than 3, or more than half of the 7 held", At: time.Now(), Since: time.Now()}
+	for _, n := range names {
+		r.Consumers = append(r.Consumers, link.RetiredConsumer{Consumer: n, Node: "laptop"})
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+func openKeys(t *testing.T, k *conditions.Keeper) map[string]conditions.Condition {
+	t.Helper()
+	all, err := k.Open(t.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	out := map[string]conditions.Condition{}
+	for _, c := range all {
+		out[c.Key] = c
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func TestARetirementWaitingIsUrgentARejectionAWarningAndARetirementClears(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	var recorded []link.HandAct
+	r := retirements{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return k },
+		record: func(_ context.Context, a link.HandAct) error { recorded = append(recorded, a); return nil }}
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	waiting := waitingWord("postgres", "anchor", "a", "b", "c", "d")
+	if err := r.Retired(ctx, waiting); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	open := openKeys(t, k)
+	c, ok := open["provider.postgres.anchor.retire"]
+	if !ok || c.Kind != kindRetireWaiting || c.Severity != conditions.Urgent {
+		t.Fatalf("waiting is not an urgent retire-waiting condition: %+v", open)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"a (laptop), b (laptop), c (laptop), d (laptop)", "retire approve anchor postgres",
+		"retire reject anchor postgres", "more than 3"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(c.Summary, want) {
+			t.Errorf("the condition does not say %q: %s", want, c.Summary)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Rejected, through the controller: the urgent one becomes a warning, and nothing is recorded here —
+	// the verb recorded it before it asked.
+	rejected := waiting
+	rejected.Change, rejected.By, rejected.Why, rejected.Via = link.RetireRejected, "operator", "moving them", link.ViaController
+	if err := r.Retired(ctx, rejected); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	open = openKeys(t, k)
+	if _, still := open["provider.postgres.anchor.retire"]; still {
+		t.Fatal("a rejection left the provider waiting")
+	}
+	if c, ok := open["provider.postgres.anchor.retire-rejected"]; !ok || c.Severity != conditions.Warning ||
+		c.Kind != kindRetireRejected || !strings.Contains(c.Summary, "moving them") {
+		t.Fatalf("a rejection is not a warning saying why: %+v", open)
+	}
+	if len(recorded) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an act through the controller was recorded twice: %+v", recorded)
+	}
+
+	// Approved afterwards, asked of the provider directly: both cleared, and recorded by hand here.
+	approved := waiting
+	approved.Change, approved.By, approved.Why, approved.Via = link.RetireApproved, "someone", "done moving", ""
+	if err := r.Retired(ctx, approved); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if open := openKeys(t, k); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an approval left conditions open: %+v", open)
+	}
+	if len(recorded) != 1 || recorded[0].Verb != "retire approve" || recorded[0].By != "someone" ||
+		!strings.Contains(recorded[0].Why, "directly") || !slices.Contains(recorded[0].Args, "d") {
+		t.Fatalf("an approval outside the controller was not recorded: %+v", recorded)
+	}
+
+	// Waiting again, then the set settles (asked for again): cleared. And retired clears too.
+	for _, change := range []string{link.RetireSettled, link.RetireRetired} {
+		if err := r.Retired(ctx, waiting); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		done := waiting
+		done.Change = change
+		if err := r.Retired(ctx, done); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if open := openKeys(t, k); len(open) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("%s left conditions open: %+v", change, open)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// A deletion asked of the provider directly is recorded too.
+	deleted := link.Retirement{Module: "postgres", ProviderNode: "anchor", Change: link.RetireDeleted, By: "x",
+		Why: "gone for good", At: time.Now(), Consumers: []link.RetiredConsumer{{Consumer: "a"}}}
+	if err := r.Retired(ctx, deleted); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(recorded) != 2 || recorded[1].Verb != "cleanup delete" || recorded[1].Cause != kindCleanupWaiting {
+		t.Fatalf("a deletion outside the controller was not recorded: %+v", recorded)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestARetirementWordIsKeptAsItsConditionNamingTheEmitterFromTheSubject(t *testing.T) {
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"provider": "oidc-client", "provider-node": "anchor", "change": "waiting",
+		"held": 2, "consumers": []map[string]any{{"consumer": "x"}, {"consumer": "y"}}, "module": "liar"})
+	r, err := link.ReadRetirement("mesh.mod.idp.event.provisioner.retirement", body)
+	if err != nil || r.Module != "idp" || len(r.Consumers) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := link.ReadRetirement("mesh.mod.idp.event.provisioner.retirement",
+		[]byte(`{"provider-node":"anchor","change":"vanished"}`)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a change the mesh has no name for was read")
+	}
+	if _, err := link.ReadRetirement("mesh.mod.idp.event.provisioner.failing", body); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a failing word was read as a retirement")
+	}
+	k, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	if err := (retirements{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return k }}).Retired(t.Context(), r); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := openKeys(t, k)["provider.idp.anchor.retire"]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("not kept under the emitter the subject names")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestARetirementConditionOfAnUnassignedProviderClears(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "pg", Version: "1",
+		Receives: map[string]string{"postgres-database": "/var/lib/mesh/pg/mesh.json"}})
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "pg"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	r := retirements{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return conditionsFrom }}
+	for _, w := range []link.Retirement{waitingWord("pg", "anchor", "a", "b", "c", "d"), waitingWord("gone", "anchor", "a", "b", "c", "d")} {
+		if err := r.Retired(ctx, w); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := conditionsFrom.Reconcile(ctx, "D11", []conditions.Observation{
+		cleanupObservation(providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "gone"},
+			[]link.RetiredConsumer{{Consumer: "a", RetiredAt: time.Now().Add(-40 * 24 * time.Hour).Format(time.RFC3339)}}, time.Now()),
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	all, _ := conditionsFrom.Open(ctx)
+	if len(all) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", all)
+	}
+	if err := unassignedProviders(ctx, open.inventory, conditionsFrom, providerConditions(all)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	left := openKeys(t, conditionsFrom)
+	if len(left) != 1 || left["provider.pg.anchor.retire"].Key == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("only the assigned provider's waiting should stay: %+v", left)
+	}
+}
+
+// fakeProvider answers the retirement tools on one machine, over a real bus, keeping what it was asked.
+type fakeProvider struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	state    link.RetirementState
+	asked    []map[string]any
+	deleted  []string
+	approved []string
+	rejected []string
+}
+
+func (f *fakeProvider) serve(t *testing.T, conn *nats.Conn, module, node string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	answer := func(m *nats.Msg, result any, refusal string) {
+		body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"result": result, "error": refusal, "node": node})
+		_ = m.Respond(body)
+	}
+	names := func(args map[string]any) []string {
+		var out []string
+		for _, v := range args["consumers"].([]any) {
+			out = append(out, v.(string))
+		}
+		sort.Strings(out)
+		return out
+	}
+	set := func(cs []link.RetiredConsumer) []string {
+		var out []string
+		for _, c := range cs {
+			out = append(out, c.Consumer)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(out)
+		return out
+	}
+	for _, tool := range []string{link.ToolRetirement, link.ToolRetireApprove, link.ToolRetireReject, link.ToolRetiredDelete} {
+		tool := tool
+		sub, err := conn.Subscribe(link.ModuleToolOn(module, tool, node), func(m *nats.Msg) {
+			f.mu.Lock()
+			defer f.mu.Unlock()
+			var args map[string]any
+			_ = json.Unmarshal(m.Data, &args)
+			f.asked = append(f.asked, map[string]any{"tool": tool, "args": args})
+			switch tool {
+			case link.ToolRetirement:
+				answer(m, f.state, "")
+			case link.ToolRetireApprove:
+				if f.state.Waiting == nil || !slices.Equal(names(args), set(f.state.Waiting.Consumers)) {
+					answer(m, nil, "not the set I wait with")
+					return
+				}
+				f.approved = names(args)
+				answer(m, map[string]any{"retired": f.approved}, "")
+			case link.ToolRetireReject:
+				if f.state.Waiting == nil || !slices.Equal(names(args), set(f.state.Waiting.Consumers)) {
+					answer(m, nil, "not the set I wait with")
+					return
+				}
+				f.rejected = names(args)
+				answer(m, map[string]any{"kept": f.rejected}, "")
+			case link.ToolRetiredDelete:
+				if args["confirm"] != args["consumer"] || args["why"] == "" || args["via"] != link.ViaController {
+					answer(m, nil, "confirm, why and via")
+					return
+				}
+				f.deleted = append(f.deleted, args["consumer"].(string))
+				answer(m, map[string]any{"deleted": args["consumer"], "freed_bytes": 1024}, "")
+			}
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		t.Cleanup(func() { _ = sub.Unsubscribe() })
+	}
+	if err := conn.Flush(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func onATestBus(t *testing.T) *nats.Conn {
+	t.Helper()
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	if err := js.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	before := handActConn
+	handActConn = js.Conn()
+	t.Cleanup(func() { handActConn = before })
+	return js.Conn()
+}
+
+func whyFlags(t *testing.T, why string) handActFlags {
+	t.Helper()
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("t", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	f := addHandActFlags(set)
+	if err := set.Parse([]string{"--why", why}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return f
+}
+
+func handActsBy(t *testing.T, conn *nats.Conn, verb string) []link.HandAct {
+	t.Helper()
+	acts, err := link.HandActs(t.Context(), conn, time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var out []link.HandAct
+	for _, a := range acts {
+		if a.Verb == verb {
+			out = append(out, a)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func retiredDaysAgo(name string, days int) link.RetiredConsumer {
+	size := int64(4096)
+	return link.RetiredConsumer{Consumer: name, Kind: "consumer", Why: "the mesh stopped asking for it",
+		RetiredAt: time.Now().Add(-time.Duration(days) * 24 * time.Hour).UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), SizeBytes: &size}
+}
+
+func TestNatsApproveSendsTheExactSetTheProviderWaitsWith(t *testing.T) {
+	conn := onATestBus(t)
+	fake := &fakeProvider{}
+	fake.state.Waiting = &link.RetirementWaiting{Consumers: []link.RetiredConsumer{{Consumer: "d"}, {Consumer: "b"}, {Consumer: "a"}, {Consumer: "c"}}, Held: 6}
+	fake.serve(t, conn, "pg-approve", "anchor")
+	p := providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-approve"}
+	said := printed(t, func() error { return answerRetirement(t.Context(), conn, p, true, whyFlags(t, "moved them")) })
+	if !slices.Equal(fake.approved, []string{"a", "b", "c", "d"}) || !strings.Contains(said, "retired d, b, a, c") {
+		t.Fatalf("approved %v; said %s", fake.approved, said)
+	}
+	acts := handActsBy(t, conn, "retire approve")
+	if len(acts) == 0 || acts[len(acts)-1].Cause != kindRetireWaiting ||
+		acts[len(acts)-1].Condition != "provider.pg-approve.anchor.retire" {
+		t.Fatalf("the approval is not in the hand-act log: %+v", acts)
+	}
+
+	// Reject, on another provider: the same set, and nothing approved.
+	other := &fakeProvider{state: fake.state}
+	other.serve(t, conn, "pg-reject", "anchor")
+	printed(t, func() error {
+		return answerRetirement(t.Context(), conn, providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-reject"}, false,
+			whyFlags(t, "still moving"))
+	})
+	if !slices.Equal(other.rejected, []string{"a", "b", "c", "d"}) || other.approved != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("rejected %v approved %v", other.rejected, other.approved)
+	}
+
+	// Nothing waiting: refused, nothing asked but the question.
+	idle := &fakeProvider{}
+	idle.serve(t, conn, "pg-idle", "anchor")
+	if err := answerRetirement(t.Context(), conn, providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-idle"}, true,
+		whyFlags(t, "x")); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "waits for nobody") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+	if len(idle.asked) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("an idle provider was asked more than its state: %+v", idle.asked)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNatsCleanupDeletesOnlyTheNamedRetiredConsumer(t *testing.T) {
+	conn := onATestBus(t)
+	fake := &fakeProvider{}
+	fake.state.Held = []string{"active"}
+	fake.state.Retired = []link.RetiredConsumer{retiredDaysAgo("old", 40), retiredDaysAgo("young", 2)}
+	fake.serve(t, conn, "pg-clean", "anchor")
+	p := providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-clean"}
+	said := printed(t, func() error { return deleteRetired(t.Context(), conn, p, "old", whyFlags(t, "not needed")) })
+	if !slices.Equal(fake.deleted, []string{"old"}) || !strings.Contains(said, "deleted old (1.0 KB freed)") {
+		t.Fatalf("deleted %v; said %s", fake.deleted, said)
+	}
+	// An active consumer, or one it does not hold, is refused before the provider is asked to delete.
+	for _, name := range []string{"active", "nobody"} {
+		if err := deleteRetired(t.Context(), conn, p, name, whyFlags(t, "x")); err == nil ||
+			!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "only a retired consumer is deleted") {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", name, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if !slices.Equal(fake.deleted, []string{"old"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("more was deleted: %v", fake.deleted)
+	}
+	if acts := handActsBy(t, conn, "cleanup delete"); len(acts) == 0 || acts[len(acts)-1].Args[2] != "old" {
+		t.Fatalf("the deletion is not in the hand-act log: %+v", acts)
+	}
+
+	// Older than: listed, and nothing deleted without confirm; with it, only the old one.
+	listing := retiredOf(t.Context(), conn, []providerInstance{p}, time.Now())
+	if len(listing.Retired) != 2 || listing.Retired[0].Consumer != "old" || listing.Retired[0].AgeDays != 40 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", listing)
+	}
+	fake.deleted = nil
+	said = printed(t, func() error { return deleteFrom(t.Context(), conn, listing, 30, false, whyFlags(t, "tidy")) })
+	if fake.deleted != nil || !strings.Contains(said, "nothing was deleted: add --confirm") || !strings.Contains(said, "old") ||
+		strings.Contains(said, "young") {
+		t.Fatalf("deleted %v; said %s", fake.deleted, said)
+	}
+	printed(t, func() error { return deleteFrom(t.Context(), conn, listing, 30, true, whyFlags(t, "tidy")) })
+	if !slices.Equal(fake.deleted, []string{"old"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("confirmed, deleted %v", fake.deleted)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNatsD11SaysCleanupWaitsAfterThirtyDays(t *testing.T) {
+	conn := onATestBus(t)
+	old := &fakeProvider{}
+	old.state.Retired = []link.RetiredConsumer{retiredDaysAgo("mesh_a_letta", 31), retiredDaysAgo("fresh", 1)}
+	old.serve(t, conn, "pg-d11-old", "anchor")
+	young := &fakeProvider{}
+	young.state.Retired = []link.RetiredConsumer{retiredDaysAgo("x", 29)}
+	young.serve(t, conn, "pg-d11-young", "anchor")
+	instances := []providerInstance{{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-d11-old"}, {Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-d11-young"},
+		// Nothing serves this one: a provider older than the question is passed over, not a failure.
+		{Node: "anchor", Module: "pg-d11-predates"}}
+	found, err := retiredTooLong(t.Context(), conn, instances, time.Now())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(found) != 1 || found[0].Key() != "provider.pg-d11-old.anchor.cleanup" || found[0].Kind != kindCleanupWaiting ||
+		found[0].Severity != conditions.Warning || !strings.Contains(found[0].Summary, "mesh_a_letta (31 days") ||
+		strings.Contains(found[0].Summary, "fresh") {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", found)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTheRetireAndCleanupVerbsComposeTheirCommandLines(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		verb string
+		args map[string]any
+		want string
+	}{
+		{"retire", map[string]any{}, "retire --json"},
+		{"retire", map[string]any{"answer": "approve", "node": "anchor", "module": "postgres", "why": "moved"},
+			"retire approve anchor postgres --why moved"},
+		{"retire", map[string]any{"answer": "reject", "node": "anchor", "module": "postgres", "why": "no"},
+			"retire reject anchor postgres --why no"},
+		{"cleanup", map[string]any{}, "cleanup list --json"},
+		{"cleanup", map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "module": "postgres", "consumer": "x", "why": "gone"},
+			"cleanup delete anchor postgres x --why gone"},
+		{"cleanup", map[string]any{"older-than": "30", "why": "tidy"}, "cleanup delete --older-than 30 --why tidy"},
+		{"cleanup", map[string]any{"older-than": "30", "why": "tidy", "confirm": "true"},
+			"cleanup delete --older-than 30 --why tidy --confirm"},
+	} {
+		argv, err := argvFor(c.verb, c.args)
+		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s %v: %q %v, want %q", c.verb, c.args, argv, err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, args := range []map[string]any{
+		{"answer": "approve", "node": "anchor", "module": "postgres"}, // no why
+		{"answer": "maybe", "node": "anchor", "module": "postgres", "why": "x"},
+	} {
+		if _, err := argvFor("retire", args); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("retire %v was composed", args)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, args := range []map[string]any{
+		{"node": "anchor", "module": "postgres", "consumer": "x"}, // no why
+		{"older-than": "30"},
+		{"consumer": "x", "older-than": "30", "node": "a", "module": "b", "why": "y"},
+	} {
+		if _, err := argvFor("cleanup", args); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup %v was composed", args)
+		}
+	}
+	if repairingCommand([]string{"cleanup", "delete", "a", "b", "c"}) == "" ||
+		repairingCommand([]string{"retire", "approve", "a", "b"}) == "" || repairingCommand([]string{"retire"}) != "" {
+		t.Error("the generic verb would let a retirement or a deletion through without a why")
+	}
+}
+
+// A mark-only provider's retired consumer keeps its access; the listing and the approval say so
+// rather than claiming it was disabled (ADR 0230).
+func TestNatsAMarkOnlyRetirementIsSaidAsSuch(t *testing.T) {
+	conn := onATestBus(t)
+	fake := &fakeProvider{}
+	kept := retiredDaysAgo("ledger", 3)
+	kept.Access = "kept"
+	fake.state.Retired = []link.RetiredConsumer{kept}
+	fake.state.RetiresBy = "mark-only"
+	fake.state.Waiting = &link.RetirementWaiting{Consumers: []link.RetiredConsumer{{Consumer: "a"}, {Consumer: "b"}}, Held: 2}
+	fake.serve(t, conn, "vault-mark", "anchor")
+	p := providerInstance{Node: "anchor", Module: "vault-mark"}
+	listing := retiredOf(t.Context(), conn, []providerInstance{p}, time.Now())
+	said := printed(t, func() error { return printRetired(listing, false) })
+	if !strings.Contains(said, "MARK ONLY") || listing.Retired[0].Access != "kept" {
+		t.Fatalf("%s %+v", said, listing)
+	}
+	said = printed(t, func() error { return answerRetirement(t.Context(), conn, p, true, whyFlags(t, "gone")) })
+	if !strings.Contains(said, "MARK ONLY") || strings.Contains(said, "access disabled") {
+		t.Fatal(said)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/rotate.go

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 )
 
 // rotateCommand replaces a credential and moves both ends together.
@@ -33,12 +35,16 @@ func rotateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	// One consumer rather than all of them. Ordinary: a credential is suspected on one machine,
 	// and rotating the other nine would be a great deal of disruption for one suspicion.
 	only := set.String("consumer", "", "only this machine's credential, rather than every holder's")
+	// One consuming module rather than every module on the machine. A machine runs many consumers
+	// of one provision, each with its own credential; one module that leaked its credential (novox/hq
+	// issue 268) is no reason to restart every other one on the machine.
+	module := set.String("module", "", "only this consuming module's credential")
 	positionals, err := parseAround(set, args)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	if len(positionals) != 1 {
-		return errors.New("rotate <provision> [--consumer <machine>]")
+		return errors.New("rotate <provision> [--consumer <machine>] [--module <module>]")
 	}
 	provision := positionals[0]
 
@@ -53,6 +59,12 @@ func rotateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	holders = ofModule(holders, *module)
+	if len(holders) == 0 && *module != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf(
+			"no module %s%s holds a credential for %q, so there is nothing to rotate. `plan <machine>` "+
+				"says what a machine holds", *module, onMachine(*only), provision)
+	}
 	if len(holders) == 0 {
 		// Said, not silent. "Nobody holds this" and "this did not run" must never look the same —
 		// and a rotation somebody believes happened is worse than one they know did not.
@@ -116,6 +128,27 @@ func rotateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ofModule is the holders whose consuming module is this one; all of them when none is named.
+func ofModule(holders []inventory.Holder, module string) []inventory.Holder {
+	if module == "" {
+		return holders
+	}
+	var out []inventory.Holder
+	for _, h := range holders {
+		if h.ConsumerModule == module {
+			out = append(out, h)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func onMachine(machine string) string {
+	if machine == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return " on " + machine
+}
+
 // asLocal names the credential inside the consumer where it holds several (ADR 0094).
 func asLocal(local string) string {
 	if local == "" {

cmd/mesh-controller/rotate_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// One consuming module's credential, and not its neighbours' on the same machine (novox/hq issue
+// 268): a module that leaked its database password is no reason to restart every other consumer.
+func TestARotationNarrowedToAModuleTouchesOnlyThatModulesCredential(t *testing.T) {
+	holders := []inventory.Holder{
+		{Provision: "postgres-database", Consumer: "ace", ConsumerModule: "letta", Provider: "ace"},
+		{Provision: "postgres-database", Consumer: "ace", ConsumerModule: "n8n", Provider: "ace"},
+		{Provision: "postgres-database", Consumer: "ace", ConsumerModule: "letta", Local: "reader", Provider: "ace"},
+	}
+	got := ofModule(holders, "letta")
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0].ConsumerModule != "letta" || got[1].Local != "reader" {
+		t.Fatalf("narrowed to letta: %+v", got)
+	}
+	if len(ofModule(holders, "")) != 3 {
+		t.Fatal("no module named narrowed anyway")
+	}
+	if len(ofModule(holders, "absent")) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("a module holding nothing matched")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go

@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/micro"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
@@ -239,6 +241,12 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		if len(argv) == 0 {
 			return nil, errors.New("command names no command")
 		}
+		// The generic verb is no way round the hand-act log (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): a repair through
+		// it says why, as it would through its own verb.
+		if repair := repairingCommand(argv); repair != "" && !slices.ContainsFunc(argv, isWhyFlag) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is a repair done by hand, and says why: add --why <text> to the command "+
+				"line (recorded in the hand-act log). Nothing was done", repair)
+		}
 		return argv, nil
 	case "tools":
 		return nil, errors.New("tools is answered from the records, not by a command")
@@ -280,7 +288,18 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		}
 		for _, act := range []string{"stop", "close", "retry"} {
 			if id := str(act); id != "" {
-				return []string{"plans", act, id}, nil
+				argv := []string{"plans", act, id}
+				if act == "retry" {
+					return argv, nil
+				}
+				// Ending a plan by hand says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7); the command refuses it without.
+				if w := str("why"); w != "" {
+					argv = append(argv, "--why", w)
+				}
+				if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+					argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+				}
+				return argv, nil
 			}
 		}
 		if id := str("id"); id != "" {
@@ -355,22 +374,155 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		// Sent and not waited for: the asker reads `status` for what the machine did, which is
 		// what a person at a shell does too. A tool call that blocked for a push's whole apply would
 		// time out on every machine that takes a minute, and say nothing about the ones that did not.
+		// A push through the seat is a push by hand, and says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+		if err := need("why"); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: a push by hand is a repair, recorded in the hand-act log with why", err)
+		}
+		why := []string{"--why", str("why")}
+		if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+			why = append(why, "--cause", c)
+		}
 		if n := str("node"); n != "" {
 			// behind is not read here: given with a machine, it is refused as passed over — naming
 			// a machine and asking for every machine behind are two requests, and guessing one
 			// would push a machine nobody named, or not push one somebody did.
-			return []string{"push", n, "--wait", "0"}, nil
+			return append([]string{"push", n, "--wait", "0"}, why...), nil
 		}
 		// No machine: the whole mesh, whether or not behind said so. The command's answer says it
 		// first, so a caller who meant one machine reads that it was not one.
 		on("behind")
-		return []string{"push", "--behind", "--wait", "0"}, nil
+		return append([]string{"push", "--behind", "--wait", "0"}, why...), nil
+	case "hand-act":
+		if err := need("what", "why", "cause"); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		argv := []string{"hand-act", "record", str("what"), "--why", str("why"), "--cause", str("cause")}
+		if c := str("condition"); c != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--condition", c)
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "hand-acts":
+		argv := []string{"hand-acts", "--json"}
+		if d := str("days"); d != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--days", d)
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "healers":
+		argv := []string{"healers", "--json"}
+		if d := str("days"); d != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--days", d)
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "durations":
+		argv := []string{"durations", "--json"}
+		if k := str("kind"); k != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--kind", k)
+		}
+		if d := str("days"); d != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--days", d)
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "conditions":
+		// One verb, four shapes, as `plans` (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): a silence, one condition, the
+		// history, or the open ones filtered.
+		if key := str("silence"); key != "" {
+			if err := need("for", "why"); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			argv := []string{"conditions", "silence", key, "--for", str("for"), "--why", str("why")}
+			if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		}
+		if on("history") {
+			argv := []string{"conditions", "history", "--json"}
+			if d := str("days"); d != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--days", d)
+			}
+			if k := str("key"); k != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--key", k)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		}
+		if k := str("key"); k != "" {
+			return []string{"conditions", "show", k, "--json"}, nil
+		}
+		argv := []string{"conditions", "--json"}
+		for _, filter := range []string{"scope", "severity", "machine"} {
+			if v := str(filter); v != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--"+filter, v)
+			}
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "retire":
+		answer := str("answer")
+		if answer == "" {
+			return []string{"retire", "--json"}, nil
+		}
+		if answer != "approve" && answer != "reject" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("retire answers approve or reject, not %q", answer)
+		}
+		if err := need("node", "module", "why"); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		argv := []string{"retire", answer, str("node"), str("module"), "--why", str("why")}
+		if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+			argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+		}
+		return argv, nil
+	case "cleanup":
+		consumer, older := str("consumer"), str("older-than")
+		switch {
+		case consumer != "" && older != "":
+			return nil, errors.New("cleanup deletes one consumer or those older than some days, not both")
+		case consumer != "":
+			if err := need("node", "module", "why"); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			argv := []string{"cleanup", "delete", str("node"), str("module"), consumer, "--why", str("why")}
+			if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		case older != "":
+			if err := need("why"); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			argv := []string{"cleanup", "delete", "--older-than", older, "--why", str("why")}
+			if on("confirm") {
+				argv = append(argv, "--confirm")
+			}
+			if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		}
+		return []string{"cleanup", "list", "--json"}, nil
+	case "doctor":
+		which := 0
+		argv := []string{"doctor"}
+		for _, sub := range []string{"run", "probes", "signals"} {
+			if on(sub) {
+				which++
+				argv = append(argv, sub)
+			}
+		}
+		if which > 1 {
+			return nil, errors.New("doctor answers one of run, probes or signals at a time")
+		}
+		return append(argv, "--json"), nil
 	case "rotate":
 		if p := str("provision"); p != "" {
 			argv := []string{"rotate", p}
 			if c := str("consumer"); c != "" {
 				argv = append(argv, "--consumer", c)
 			}
+			// With a provision, module narrows to one consuming module (novox/hq issue 268); node
+			// and secret stay the other shape's, and are refused as passed over.
+			if m := str("module"); m != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--module", m)
+			}
 			return argv, nil
 		}
 		_, node := a.given["node"]
@@ -380,7 +532,15 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 			if err := need("node", "module", "secret"); err != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: a module's own secret is named by node, module and secret together", err)
 			}
-			return []string{"secret", "rotate", str("node"), str("module"), str("secret")}, nil
+			argv := []string{"secret", "rotate", str("node"), str("module"), str("secret")}
+			// Why, recorded in the hand-act log (novox/hq ADR 0228); a cause only beside a why.
+			if w := str("why"); w != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--why", w)
+				if c := str("cause"); c != "" {
+					argv = append(argv, "--cause", c)
+				}
+			}
+			return argv, nil
 		}
 		// Neither shape: the command says its usage, which names both, and that is the answer the
 		// caller needs.
@@ -437,7 +597,34 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 }
 
 // jsonVerbs are the verbs whose command speaks JSON, so the answer carries it as data as well.
-var jsonVerbs = map[string]bool{"status": true, "seats": true, "plan": true, "collection": true}
+var jsonVerbs = map[string]bool{"status": true, "seats": true, "plan": true, "collection": true,
+	"hand-acts": true, "durations": true, "conditions": true, "doctor": true, "retire": true, "cleanup": true}
+
+// repairingCommand names a command line that repairs by hand, and so says why: a push, a plan stopped
+// or closed, a consumer re-made (novox/hq to-be 45 §7). Empty for any other.
+func repairingCommand(argv []string) string {
+	switch {
+	case argv[0] == "push":
+		return "push"
+	case argv[0] == "plans" && len(argv) > 1 && (argv[1] == "stop" || argv[1] == "close"):
+		return "plans " + argv[1]
+	case argv[0] == "broker" && len(argv) > 1 && argv[1] == "consumer-reset":
+		return "broker consumer-reset"
+	case argv[0] == "hand-act":
+		return "hand-act record"
+	case argv[0] == "conditions" && len(argv) > 1 && argv[1] == "silence":
+		return "conditions silence"
+	case argv[0] == "retire" && len(argv) > 1 && (argv[1] == "approve" || argv[1] == "reject"):
+		return "retire " + argv[1]
+	case argv[0] == "cleanup" && len(argv) > 1 && argv[1] == "delete":
+		return "cleanup delete"
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func isWhyFlag(word string) bool {
+	return word == "--why" || word == "-why" || strings.HasPrefix(word, "--why=") || strings.HasPrefix(word, "-why=")
+}
 
 // runVerb runs this binary with the given command line and gathers what it said.
 func runVerb(ctx context.Context, argv []string) (verbAnswer, error) {
@@ -449,6 +636,12 @@ func runVerb(ctx context.Context, argv []string) (verbAnswer, error) {
 	// The same environment: the stores' credentials, the bus, the broker — everything a command run
 	// from a shell in this container would have, because it is that.
 	cmd.Env = os.Environ()
+	// And who asked, so an act it does by hand is recorded as theirs (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	caller := link.CallerIn(ctx)
+	if caller == "" {
+		caller = "a seat call whose caller the bus did not name"
+	}
+	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, link.CallerVar+"="+caller+", through the "+catalogue.ControllerSeatName+" seat")
 	// Two buffers, one answer. What the command *says* is both streams, in the order a person at
 	// a shell would read them; what it *answers as data* is standard output alone — `status --json`
 	// prints its warnings beside the document, and a JSON parsed from the two together parsed
@@ -501,6 +694,19 @@ func seatToolHandlers() (map[string]link.ToolHandler, []string, error) {
 				if verb == "calls" {
 					return callsAnswer(link.Calls, a.given["call"])
 				}
+				if verb == "doctor" {
+					// From the serving controller, which runs the self-check and hears the signals
+					// (novox/hq to-be 45 §4): the last verdict at once, or a run now.
+					argv, err := a.commandLine()
+					if err != nil {
+						return nil, err
+					}
+					sub := ""
+					if len(argv) > 2 {
+						sub = argv[1]
+					}
+					return doctorAnswer(ctx, sub)
+				}
 				return seatTools(), nil
 			}
 			continue
@@ -539,6 +745,14 @@ func seatToolHandlers() (map[string]link.ToolHandler, []string, error) {
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
+			if verb == "status" && statusFrom != nil {
+				// At once, from the summary the serving controller keeps (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
+				return statusFrom.answer(ctx)
+			}
+			if !readingVerbs[verb] && !(verb == "plans" && !actsOnAPlan(args)) {
+				// Whatever it did, `status` is composed again once it has.
+				defer statusFrom.nudge()
+			}
 			if answersFirst(argv) {
 				// Before anything is sent: a push sends the bus's own machine first, and a broker
 				// reloading its user list forgets the answer it was about to permit (novox/hq issue 265).
@@ -550,9 +764,19 @@ func seatToolHandlers() (map[string]link.ToolHandler, []string, error) {
 	return handlers, behind, nil
 }
 
+// actsOnAPlan is `plans` asked to stop, close or retry one rather than to show them.
+func actsOnAPlan(args map[string]any) bool {
+	for _, act := range []string{"stop", "close", "retry"} {
+		if v, _ := args[act].(string); strings.TrimSpace(v) != "" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // inProcess are the verbs answered by this process rather than by a command it runs: `tools` from
 // the records, `calls` from what this process served.
-var inProcess = map[string]bool{"tools": true, "calls": true}
+var inProcess = map[string]bool{"tools": true, "calls": true, "doctor": true}
 
 // answersFirst is a command line whose caller is answered before it runs: a push, by its verb or
 // through `command`. A push sends the machine holding the bus first when its user list changed, the
@@ -563,22 +787,41 @@ func answersFirst(argv []string) bool {
 }
 
 // callsAnswer is what `calls` answers: the kept calls, newest first, without their answers — or
-// one call whole.
+// one call whole. Kept on the bus, so a call a controller before this one served is answered too
+// (novox/hq to-be 45 §6); where the bus cannot be read, what this process served is answered and
+// the reason said beside it.
 func callsAnswer(log *link.CallLog, id string) (any, error) {
 	if id != "" {
-		c, ok := log.Get(id)
+		c, ok, err := log.Get(id)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("call %s is not in this controller's memory, and the calls kept on the "+
+				"bus could not be read: %w", id, err)
+		}
 		if !ok {
+			if log.IsDurable() {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("no call %s is kept: the bus keeps the last %d calls, or %s, and this "+
+					"is not among them — `calls` lists them", id, broker.KeptCallsDurably, broker.CallsKeptFor)
+			}
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("no call %s is kept here: calls are kept by the controller that "+
 				"answered them, the last %d, and not across a restart — `calls` lists them", id, link.KeptCalls)
 		}
 		return c, nil
 	}
-	recent := log.Recent()
+	recent, err := log.Recent()
 	for i := range recent {
 		recent[i].Answer = nil
 	}
-	return map[string]any{"calls": recent, "kept": link.KeptCalls,
-		"note": "newest first; `calls` with a call's id gives its whole answer"}, nil
+	answer := map[string]any{"calls": recent, "note": "newest first; `calls` with a call's id gives its whole answer"}
+	if log.IsDurable() {
+		answer["kept"] = fmt.Sprintf("the last %d calls, or %s, on the bus — across a restart of the controller",
+			broker.KeptCallsDurably, broker.CallsKeptFor)
+	} else {
+		answer["kept"] = fmt.Sprintf("the last %d calls this controller served, in its memory only", link.KeptCalls)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		answer["unread"] = err.Error()
+	}
+	return answer, nil
 }
 
 // seatTools is what `tools` answers: every seat with a protocol, and the tools each serves, from the

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs_schema_test.go

@@ -145,17 +145,17 @@ func TestAnArgumentAVerbDoesNotDeclareIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 // The push that was the cause: a machine named is that machine; none named is the whole mesh, and
 // naming one beside behind is refused rather than one of the two guessed.
 func TestAPushIsOneMachineOrSaysItIsTheWholeMesh(t *testing.T) {
-	argv, err := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "g1"})
-	if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push g1 --wait 0" {
+	argv, err := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "g1", "why": "w"})
+	if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push g1 --wait 0 --why w" {
 		t.Fatalf("a named push: %v %v", argv, err)
 	}
-	for _, args := range []map[string]any{{}, {"behind": "true"}} {
+	for _, args := range []map[string]any{{"why": "w"}, {"behind": "true", "why": "w"}} {
 		argv, err := argvFor("push", args)
-		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push --behind --wait 0" {
+		if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push --behind --wait 0 --why w" {
 			t.Fatalf("a push of the whole mesh %v: %v %v", args, argv, err)
 		}
 	}
-	if _, err := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "g1", "behind": "true"}); err == nil ||
+	if _, err := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "g1", "behind": "true", "why": "w"}); err == nil ||
 		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), `"behind"`) {
 		t.Fatalf("a named push with behind was taken: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -268,6 +268,17 @@ var accountedFlags = map[string]map[string]string{
 	},
 	"builds": {"n": "=limit"},
 	"plans":  {"n": "=limit", "what-if": "=repository"},
+	"durations": {
+		"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data",
+		"all":  "withheld: every measurement of a fortnight is more than a call should carry; `command` reaches it",
+	},
+	"hand-acts":          {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"conditions":         {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"retire":             {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"cleanup":            {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"conditions history": {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"conditions show":    {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
+	"healers":            {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
 }
 
 // **Every flag of the command a verb runs is in the verb's schema, or accounted for here.** Derived

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs_test.go

@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ func TestRotateTakesAProvisionOrAnOwnSecret(t *testing.T) {
 	if strings.Join(argv, " ") != "rotate postgres-database --consumer ace" {
 		t.Fatalf("a pair credential: %v", argv)
 	}
+	argv, _ = argvFor("rotate", map[string]any{"provision": "postgres-database", "consumer": "ace", "module": "letta"})
+	if strings.Join(argv, " ") != "rotate postgres-database --consumer ace --module letta" {
+		t.Fatalf("one consuming module's pair credential: %v", argv)
+	}
 	argv, _ = argvFor("rotate", map[string]any{"node": "ace", "module": "nodered", "secret": "api-token"})
 	if strings.Join(argv, " ") != "secret rotate ace nodered api-token" {
 		t.Fatalf("an own secret: %v", argv)
@@ -103,8 +107,8 @@ func TestAVerbMissingWhatItNeedsIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 // A push and a build are sent, not waited for: the asker reads status, or the build's log by its
 // id, for what happened. A repository given as a forge path is said to be one (issue 176).
 func TestActsDoNotBlockTheCall(t *testing.T) {
-	argv, _ := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "one"})
-	if strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push one --wait 0" {
+	argv, _ := argvFor("push", map[string]any{"node": "one", "why": "w"})
+	if strings.Join(argv, " ") != "push one --wait 0 --why w" {
 		t.Fatalf("push waits: %v", argv)
 	}
 	argv, _ = argvFor("build", map[string]any{"repository": "novox/x", "path": "modules/x"})

cmd/mesh-controller/secret.go

@@ -93,18 +93,31 @@ func secretCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		fmt.Printf("  run `push %s` and `push %s` to send it\n", *provider, node)
 		return nil
 	}
-	if err := open.inventory.AcceptSecretForModule(ctx, node, module, name, value); err != nil {
+	untilStart, err := open.inventory.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, node, module, name, value)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	// Not printed back, and there is nowhere it could be printed from: it is sealed to that
 	// machine and the mesh cannot read it again.
 	fmt.Printf("%s on %s now holds %q, sealed to that machine.\n", module, node, name)
-	fmt.Printf("  the mesh cannot read it back, and will not replace it with one of its own\n")
+	if untilStart {
+		// Accepted, and said what it is for (novox/hq ADR 0228): a value given by hand adopts
+		// something that already holds it, and lives only until the module has started on it.
+		fmt.Printf("  it lives until %s next starts well under the mesh on it, and is then replaced with a value\n"+
+			"  the mesh makes, sealed and sent (ADR 0228): a value given by hand is for adopting something\n"+
+			"  already running that holds it\n", module)
+		if record, err := open.inventory.NodeByName(ctx, node); err == nil && !record.Adopted {
+			fmt.Printf("  %s is not an adopted machine: if %s is installed fresh there, it needs no given value —\n"+
+				"  the mesh makes one at the first push\n", node, module)
+		}
+	} else {
+		fmt.Printf("  the mesh cannot read it back, and will not replace it with one of its own\n")
+	}
 	fmt.Printf("  run `push %s` to send it\n", node)
 	return nil
 }
 
-const secretUsage = "secret rotate <node> <module> <name>\n" +
+const secretUsage = "secret rotate <node> <module> <name> [--why <text> [--cause <word>]]\n" +
 	"secret accept <node> <module> <name> [--from <file>] [--provider <node> [--local <name>]]\n" +
 	"secret recover <node> <module> <name> --key <operator-key> [--out <file>] [--from-export <file>] [--provider <node>]\n" +
 	"secret export [--out <file>]"
@@ -367,9 +380,20 @@ func valueFor(node, module, name, from string) (string, error) {
 // secretRotate makes a module's own secret anew and sends the machine, so the module starts again on
 // the new value (novox/hq ADR 0114, issue 180). A pair credential rotates with `rotate <provision>`;
 // this is the secret with one party. Said in the log with who asked and when, never the value.
+//
+// **A value given to the mesh rotates the same way** (novox/hq ADR 0228): what a module reads at start
+// is held by nobody else, so the old value is not needed to replace it. Refused for a value an
+// outside party issued, which no value of the mesh's would replace. Why it was rotated is recorded in
+// the hand-act log when given — a rotation asked by a person is an act by hand, and a leak is a cause
+// worth counting.
 func secretRotate(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
-	rest, _ := split(args)
-	if len(rest) != 3 {
+	rest, flags := split(args)
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("secret rotate", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	why := addHandActFlags(set)
+	if err := set.Parse(flags); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(rest) != 3 || set.NArg() != 0 {
 		return errors.New(secretUsage)
 	}
 	node, module, name := rest[0], rest[1], rest[2]
@@ -378,6 +402,10 @@ func secretRotate(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer open.Close()
+	origin, given, err := open.inventory.OwnSecretOrigin(ctx, node, module, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	if err := open.inventory.RotateModuleSecret(ctx, node, module, name); err != nil {
 		var refused inventory.ErrNotRotatable
 		if errors.As(err, &refused) {
@@ -385,8 +413,13 @@ func secretRotate(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		}
 		return err
 	}
+	why.record(ctx, "secret rotate", []string{node, module, name})
 	fmt.Printf("rotated %q of %s on %s at %s, asked by %s; the value is sealed and not shown\n",
 		name, module, node, time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), whoAsked())
+	if origin == inventory.OriginAccepted {
+		fmt.Printf("  it replaces the value given to the mesh on %s: the mesh made this one, so `secret rotate` "+
+			"replaces it again whenever asked (ADR 0228)\n", given.UTC().Format("2006-01-02"))
+	}
 	// A shared credential (ADR 0158) has as many holders as the provision has consumers, and all
 	// of them are sent in one act, so no machine is left reading a value the provider no longer takes.
 	machines, err := open.inventory.SharedHolders(ctx, node, module, name)

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ type sendable struct {
 	// under the node's hold just before the body is made (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/107). Zero is not sent
 	// at all, which a host reads as "no order claimed" — the shape of every declaration before this.
 	Sequence int64
+	// Epoch is the controller lease's epoch it was composed under (novox/hq to-be 45 §6): a machine that
+	// heard a later epoch refuses it. Zero is not sent at all — every machine whose node-engine has not
+	// said it reads one is sent none, because an older node-engine refuses a key it does not know, whole
+	// (link/order.go, the contract).
+	Epoch uint64
 	// Adoption is nil for a converged node, and then the body is byte for byte what it was before
 	// adoption existed: an older host parses the envelope strictly and would refuse the key.
 	Adoption *adoptionEnvelope
@@ -43,6 +48,9 @@ type sendable struct {
 	LeftOut []string
 	// leftOutWhy is why each was, for push and plan to say; never on the wire.
 	leftOutWhy map[string]string
+	// withheld is every consumer this machine's grants leave out, because its identity overflows the
+	// provision's bound (novox/hq ADR 0225); for push and plan to say, never on the wire.
+	withheld []catalogue.Overflow
 	// Builds is the build of each module this declaration carries — module to the commit its build
 	// was made from — recorded with the send and never on the wire (novox/hq issue 259, ADR 0221).
 	// Composed only on the send path; nil records that it is not known.
@@ -67,6 +75,9 @@ func (s sendable) Body() ([]byte, error) {
 	if s.Sequence > 0 {
 		envelope["sequence"] = s.Sequence
 	}
+	if s.Epoch > 0 {
+		envelope["epoch"] = s.Epoch
+	}
 	if len(s.LeftOut) > 0 {
 		envelope["left_out"] = s.LeftOut
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go

@@ -0,0 +1,645 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The signals table (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, ADR 0227 rule 5), compiled in.
+//
+// **Every signal the core expects has a watchdog; its absence is a condition.** A row says what is
+// expected, from whom, after what, within what bound, and what is raised when it does not come. One
+// table, read three ways: by the watchdog loop (watchdogs.go), which runs every row's watch over the
+// facts it gathered; by `doctor signals`, which says the age of every row's newest signal; and by the
+// test generated from it (signals_test.go), which suppresses each signal in turn and asserts its
+// condition — so a row added without a watch, or a watch that does not fire, fails the build.
+//
+// A row not watched yet says why, and in which phase it will be: a watchdog of a signal nothing emits
+// would be a condition that can only cry wolf. Bounds marked provisional are set from what Phase 0
+// measured (`durations`) and corrected in Phase 1's first live week; a corrected bound is a change to
+// this table, reviewed like code.
+
+// signalRow is one row of the table.
+type signalRow struct {
+	Row      string
+	Signal   string
+	Emitter  string
+	Trigger  string
+	Bound    string
+	Kind     string
+	Severity conditions.Severity
+	// Phase is the phase of to-be 45 its watchdog is built in.
+	Phase int
+	// Deferred says why it is not watched yet; empty for a row that is.
+	Deferred string
+	// needs is the part of the facts the row reads: an error there is the row blind, which is
+	// itself said (probe-failed) rather than read as nothing wrong.
+	needs func(f *signalFacts) error
+	// watch is what is wrong now, from the facts.
+	watch func(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation
+	// newest is the time of the newest signal of this row, for `doctor signals`; zero when none.
+	newest func(f *signalFacts) time.Time
+}
+
+// The bounds, provisional where to-be 45 says so.
+const (
+	// heartbeatEvery is the interval a node-engine or node tools that say none have always used.
+	heartbeatEvery = 60 * time.Second
+	// heartbeatsMissed is how many intervals may pass in silence (S1, S11).
+	heartbeatsMissed = 3
+	// controlNodeUrgentAfter is how long the control node may be silent before it is urgent (S1).
+	controlNodeUrgentAfter = 30 * time.Minute
+	// reportAtLeast is the least a machine is given to report a send (S2).
+	reportAtLeast = 2 * time.Minute
+	// tierAtLeast is the least a plan's tier is given (S3), the bound `status` calls a plan late at.
+	tierAtLeast = planWaitBound
+	// loopDeafAfter is how long the event loop may take nothing while its consumers hold some (S4).
+	loopDeafAfter = 2 * time.Minute
+	// askAtLeast is the least a build ask is given, and askDefault the bound while nothing is
+	// measured (S6): the build seat declares no timeout of its own.
+	askAtLeast = 20 * time.Minute
+	askDefault = time.Hour
+	// callDefault is the bound of a verb that declares none (S7); push's and build's are longer.
+	callDefault = 10 * time.Minute
+	// advisoryQuiet is how long the bus must be quiet about a thing before its advisory clears (S9).
+	advisoryQuiet = time.Hour
+	// staleRefusalsAllowed in staleRefusalsWithin are what S13 lets pass from one writer.
+	staleRefusalsAllowed = 5
+	staleRefusalsWithin  = 5 * time.Minute
+	// leaseBound is how long the lease may go unrenewed (S12): the key's age.
+	leaseBound = broker.LeaseTTL
+)
+
+// callBounds are the verbs that may run longer than callDefault, and how long (S7).
+var callBounds = map[string]time.Duration{
+	"push": 30 * time.Minute, "rotate": 30 * time.Minute, "assign": 15 * time.Minute,
+	"unassign": 15 * time.Minute, "command": 30 * time.Minute, "doctor": 3 * time.Minute,
+}
+
+// callBound is a verb's bound.
+func callBound(verb string) time.Duration {
+	if b, ok := callBounds[verb]; ok {
+		return b
+	}
+	return callDefault
+}
+
+// signalsTable is the table, in to-be 45's order.
+var signalsTable = []signalRow{
+	{Row: "S1", Signal: "machine heartbeat", Emitter: "node-engine", Trigger: "its interval",
+		Bound: "3 × the interval it says (60 s when it says none), provisional; not raised while the machine " +
+			"said it is asleep or shutting down (ADR 0211); urgent after 30 min for a control node",
+		Kind: "silent", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.machinesErr }, watch: watchHeartbeats,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.machines, func(m machineFacts) time.Time { return m.lastHeard })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S2", Signal: "report after a send", Emitter: "node-engine", Trigger: "each declaration sent",
+		Bound: "max(2 min, 3 × that machine's last apply duration), provisional; not while the machine is silent or asleep",
+		Kind:  "sent-not-reported", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.machinesErr }, watch: watchReports,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.machines, func(m machineFacts) time.Time { return m.reportedAt })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S3", Signal: "plan tier progress", Emitter: "controller's plan", Trigger: "each tier entered",
+		Bound: "max(30 min, 3 × the p90 of that repository's measured tiers), provisional; not while the " +
+			"build seat is paused under it",
+		Kind: "stalled", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.plansErr }, watch: watchPlans,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.plans, func(p planFacts) time.Time { return p.entered })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S4", Signal: "the controller's event loop takes a message", Emitter: "controller",
+		Trigger: "while its consumers have pending messages", Bound: "2 min",
+		Kind: "controller-deaf", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.loopErr }, watch: watchLoop,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return f.loop.took }},
+	{Row: "S5", Signal: "a merge announced becomes a plan, or nothing reads it", Emitter: "announcer → controller",
+		Trigger: "each merge", Bound: "10 min (the catch-up pass of issue 266)",
+		Kind: "merge-not-acted", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.mergesErr }, watch: watchMerges,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return f.mergesPassed }},
+	{Row: "S6", Signal: "a build asked → its outcome", Emitter: "build seat", Trigger: "each ask",
+		Bound: "max(20 min, 3 × the p90 of measured builds), 1 h while nothing is measured, provisional — the " +
+			"build seat declares no timeout; and an ask the queue gave up on (dead) at once",
+		Kind: "ask-lost", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.asksErr }, watch: watchAsks,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return newestOf(f.asks, func(a askFacts) time.Time { return a.since }) }},
+	{Row: "S7", Signal: "a call running → finished", Emitter: "controller", Trigger: "each call",
+		Bound: "the verb's bound: push, rotate and command 30 min, assign and unassign 15 min, doctor 3 min, " +
+			"any other 10 min",
+		Kind: "call-hung", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(*signalFacts) error { return nil }, watch: watchCalls,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.calls, func(c link.Call) time.Time { return c.Started })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S8", Signal: "a provider's failing word repeated", Emitter: "provider",
+		Trigger: "every 15 min while failing (ADR 0224)", Bound: "30 min",
+		Kind: kindProviderSilent, Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.standingsErr }, watch: watchProviders,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.standings, func(c conditions.Condition) time.Time { return c.LastObserved })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S9", Signal: "bus advisories: maximum deliveries, consumer deleted; the controller's own slow " +
+		"consumer and refused subjects", Emitter: "bus server's advisory subjects; the controller's connection",
+		Trigger: "any", Bound: "any occurrence; clears after an hour without another, and a deleted consumer " +
+			"once it exists again or the mesh no longer expects it",
+		Kind: "slow-consumer, max-deliveries, refused, consumer-lost", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.advisoriesErr }, watch: watchAdvisories,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.advisories, func(a link.Advisory) time.Time { return a.Last })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S10", Signal: "the self-check's heartbeat", Emitter: "controller's doctor", Trigger: "every run",
+		Bound: "2 × its interval; watched from a second machine by mesh-watcher, and here as well",
+		Kind:  "self-check-silent", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(*signalFacts) error { return nil }, watch: watchSelfCheck,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return f.selfCheck.last }},
+	{Row: "S11", Signal: "node tools heartbeat", Emitter: "node tools", Trigger: "its interval",
+		Bound: "3 × the interval it says (60 s when it says none), provisional; only where node-tools is assigned",
+		Kind:  "tools-silent", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 1,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.machinesErr }, watch: watchTools,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.machines, func(m machineFacts) time.Time { return m.toolsHeard })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S12", Signal: "the controller lease renewed", Emitter: "controller", Trigger: "every 5 s",
+		Bound: "15 s (the key's age); a holder that lost the lease, or stopped renewing and was taken over, and a " +
+			"lease bucket found raised again from nothing, are said for an hour after; a controller serving without " +
+			"the lease, for as long as it does",
+		Kind: "lease-lost", Severity: conditions.Urgent, Phase: 2,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.leaseErr }, watch: watchLease,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return f.lease.renewed }},
+	{Row: "S13", Signal: "stale refusals", Emitter: "every receiver (rule 2)", Trigger: "each refusal",
+		Bound: "more than 5 from one writer in 5 min: a controller epoch, a controller that claimed none, or a " +
+			"machine's node-engine whose accounts the controller refused",
+		Kind: "stale-writer", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 2,
+		needs: func(*signalFacts) error { return nil }, watch: watchStaleRefusals,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.staleRefusals, func(w link.WriterRefusals) time.Time { return w.Last })
+		}},
+	{Row: "S14", Signal: "facts snapshot exported", Emitter: "controller", Trigger: "daily",
+		Bound: "2 days", Kind: "facts-stale", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 5,
+		Deferred: "the facts snapshot is built in Phase 5 (to-be 45 §9): nothing exports one yet"},
+	{Row: "S15", Signal: "a hand act with a cause already recorded", Emitter: "hand-act log",
+		Trigger: "each act", Bound: "the second within 14 days; clears when fewer than two remain within 14 days",
+		Kind: "healer-wanted", Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 3,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.handActsErr }, watch: watchHandActs,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.handActs, func(a link.HandAct) time.Time { return a.At })
+		}},
+}
+
+// newestOf is the newest time among things.
+func newestOf[T any](list []T, at func(T) time.Time) time.Time {
+	var newest time.Time
+	for _, x := range list {
+		if t := at(x); t.After(newest) {
+			newest = t
+		}
+	}
+	return newest
+}
+
+// ago is a duration as the summaries say it.
+func ago(d time.Duration) string {
+	if d < time.Minute {
+		return d.Round(time.Second).String()
+	}
+	return d.Round(time.Minute).String()
+}
+
+// heartbeatBound is a machine's S1 or S11 bound from the interval it says.
+func heartbeatBound(every time.Duration) time.Duration {
+	if every <= 0 {
+		every = heartbeatEvery
+	}
+	return heartbeatsMissed * every
+}
+
+func watchHeartbeats(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, m := range f.machines {
+		if m.lastHeard.IsZero() || m.asleep() {
+			// Never heard is a machine that has not joined, which status says; asleep is not lost.
+			continue
+		}
+		bound := heartbeatBound(m.every)
+		silent := f.now.Sub(m.lastHeard)
+		if silent <= bound {
+			continue
+		}
+		severity := conditions.Warning
+		if m.control && silent > controlNodeUrgentAfter {
+			severity = conditions.Urgent
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: m.name, Kind: "silent",
+			Machine: m.name, Severity: severity,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s has not been heard from since %s (bound %s)", m.name,
+				m.lastHeard.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"), bound),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("silent for %s", ago(silent))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchReports(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, m := range f.machines {
+		if m.sentAt.IsZero() || m.reportedCurrent || m.asleep() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !m.lastHeard.IsZero() && f.now.Sub(m.lastHeard) > heartbeatBound(m.every) {
+			continue // silent: S1 says it, and a silent machine reports nothing
+		}
+		bound := max(reportAtLeast, 3*m.lastApply)
+		waited := f.now.Sub(m.sentAt)
+		if waited <= bound {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: m.name,
+			Kind: "sent-not-reported", Machine: m.name, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s was sent a declaration at %s and has not reported applying it (bound %s)",
+				m.name, m.sentAt.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"), ago(bound)),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("waiting %s for the report of the declaration sent", ago(waited))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchPlans(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, p := range f.plans {
+		if p.paused {
+			continue
+		}
+		in := f.now.Sub(p.entered)
+		if in <= p.bound {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopePlan, ID: p.id, Kind: "stalled",
+			Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the plan for %s %s has been at tier %d of %d since %s (bound %s): %s",
+				p.repository, short(p.commit), p.tier+1, p.tiers, p.entered.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"),
+				ago(p.bound), p.waiting),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("at tier %d for %s: %s", p.tier+1, ago(in), p.waiting)})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchLoop(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	if f.loop.pending == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	since := f.loop.took
+	if since.IsZero() {
+		since = f.started
+	}
+	if f.now.Sub(since) <= loopDeafAfter {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller", Kind: "controller-deaf",
+		Token: "deaf", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller's event loop has taken nothing for %s while its consumers hold %d "+
+			"message(s): reports, builds and merges are not being acted on", ago(f.now.Sub(since)), f.loop.pending),
+		Said: fmt.Sprintf("%d pending (%s), last taken %s", f.loop.pending, f.loop.where, since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))}}
+}
+
+func watchMerges(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, m := range f.merges {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMerge, ID: m.Repo + "." + short(m.Commit),
+			Kind: "merge-not-acted", Token: "not-acted", Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s merged into %s (%s) was never handed to the controller by the bus; "+
+				"acted on late by the catch-up", m.Owner, m.Repo, m.Base, short(m.Commit)),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("announced %s, %s behind it", m.At.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), readableList(m.Modules))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchAsks(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, a := range f.asks {
+		var said string
+		switch {
+		case a.state == link.AskDead:
+			said = fmt.Sprintf("the %s queue handed it out as often as it may and it was never settled", a.seat)
+		case a.state == link.AskInFlight && f.now.Sub(a.since) > a.bound:
+			said = fmt.Sprintf("in flight on %s for %s (bound %s)", orSomewhere(a.on), ago(f.now.Sub(a.since)), ago(a.bound))
+		default:
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBuild, ID: a.id, Kind: "ask-lost",
+			Token: "lost", Machine: a.on, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the build %s of %s has no outcome: %s", a.id, a.what, said), Said: said})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func orSomewhere(node string) string {
+	if node == "" {
+		return "a machine that did not say which"
+	}
+	return node
+}
+
+func watchCalls(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, c := range f.calls {
+		bound := callBound(c.Verb)
+		running := f.now.Sub(c.Started)
+		if running <= bound {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCall, ID: c.ID, Kind: "call-hung",
+			Token: "hung", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s (call %s) has been running since %s, past its bound of %s", c.Seat, c.Verb,
+				c.ID, c.Started.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"), ago(bound)),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("running %s, asked by %s", ago(running), orSomebody(c.Caller))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func orSomebody(caller string) string {
+	if caller == "" {
+		return "a caller the bus did not name"
+	}
+	return caller
+}
+
+func watchProviders(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, c := range f.standings {
+		quiet := f.now.Sub(c.LastObserved)
+		if quiet <= providerSaysAgainWithin {
+			continue
+		}
+		module, node, consumer, ok := providerOf(c)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProvider, ID: module + "." + node + "." + consumer,
+			Token: "silent", Kind: kindProviderSilent, Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s said it keeps failing %s and has said nothing since %s: it stopped "+
+				"saying anything, so its last word is all the mesh has", module, node, consumer,
+				c.LastObserved.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST")),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("not said again for %s", ago(quiet))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchAdvisories(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, a := range f.advisories {
+		if f.now.Sub(a.Last) > advisoryQuiet {
+			continue
+		}
+		if a.Kind == link.AdvisoryConsumerLost && !f.lostConsumers[a.Stream+"."+a.Consumer] {
+			continue // it exists again, or the mesh no longer expects it: a removal, not a loss
+		}
+		severity := conditions.Warning
+		times := ""
+		if a.Count > 1 {
+			times = fmt.Sprintf(" (%d times since %s)", a.Count, a.First.UTC().Format("15:04 MST"))
+		}
+		machine := ""
+		if a.ID == "controller" {
+			machine = f.host
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeBus, ID: a.ID, Kind: a.Kind,
+			Machine: machine, Severity: severity, Summary: a.Said + times, Said: a.Said})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchSelfCheck(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	every := f.selfCheck.every
+	if every <= 0 {
+		every = doctorEvery
+	}
+	since := f.selfCheck.last
+	if since.IsZero() {
+		since = f.started
+	}
+	if f.now.Sub(since) <= 2*every {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "doctor", Kind: "self-check-silent",
+		Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the self-check has not finished a run since %s (it runs every %s): the mesh's "+
+			"invariants are not being checked", since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"), every),
+		Said: fmt.Sprintf("no run for %s", ago(f.now.Sub(since)))}}
+}
+
+func watchTools(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, m := range f.machines {
+		if !m.tools || m.asleep() {
+			continue
+		}
+		bound := heartbeatBound(m.toolsEvery)
+		since := m.toolsHeard
+		if since.IsZero() {
+			// Not heard since this controller started: silent since then at the most.
+			since = f.toolsHeardFrom
+		}
+		silent := f.now.Sub(since)
+		if silent <= bound {
+			continue
+		}
+		heard := "not since this controller started at " + since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST")
+		if !m.toolsHeard.IsZero() {
+			heard = "since " + m.toolsHeard.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST")
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: m.name, Kind: "tools-silent",
+			Machine: m.name, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the node tools on %s have not said they are there %s (bound %s): nothing can "+
+				"ask that machine anything", m.name, heard, bound),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("silent for %s", ago(silent))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func watchStaleRefusals(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, w := range f.staleRefusals {
+		if w.Count <= staleRefusalsAllowed {
+			continue
+		}
+		scope, id, machine := conditions.ScopeCore, "controller.unnamed", ""
+		named := w.Writer
+		switch {
+		case w.Epoch > 0:
+			id = fmt.Sprintf("controller.epoch-%d", w.Epoch)
+			if e, ok := f.epochs[w.Epoch]; ok {
+				named = fmt.Sprintf("the controller of epoch %d (%s%s)", w.Epoch, e.Instance, endedWords(e))
+			}
+		case w.Writer == link.WriterNodeEngine(firstOf(w.Receivers)) || strings.HasPrefix(w.Writer, "the node-engine on "):
+			node := strings.TrimPrefix(w.Writer, "the node-engine on ")
+			scope, id, machine = conditions.ScopeMachine, node, node
+		}
+		if machine == "" && len(w.Receivers) > 0 {
+			machine = w.Receivers[0]
+		}
+		var also []string
+		for _, r := range w.Receivers {
+			if r != machine && r != "controller" {
+				also = append(also, r)
+			}
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: scope, ID: id, Kind: "stale-writer", Token: "stale-writer",
+			Machine: machine, Also: also, Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s was refused %d time(s) in %s as older than what its receivers hold (%s): a "+
+				"writer is sending what the mesh has moved past", named, w.Count, staleRefusalsWithin,
+				strings.Join(w.Receivers, ", ")),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("%d stale refusals in %s, the last at %s", w.Count, staleRefusalsWithin,
+				w.Last.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// firstOf is a list's first, empty for none.
+func firstOf(list []string) string {
+	if len(list) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return list[0]
+}
+
+// endedWords is how an epoch ended, for a sentence naming it; nothing while it is held.
+func endedWords(e inventory.Epoch) string {
+	if e.Ended == nil {
+		return ", still holding the lease"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf(", %s at %s", e.How, e.Ended.UTC().Format("15:04:05 MST"))
+}
+
+// watchLease is S12: the lease held and renewed by this controller, and every holder that lost it.
+func watchLease(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	l := f.lease
+	if l.unleased != "" {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "unleased",
+			Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: "the controller serves WITHOUT the lease: nothing keeps a second controller from acting " +
+				"beside it, and its declarations carry no epoch. A bus whose user list is older than this " +
+				"controller does not grant it the lease's bucket: a push of the machine holding the bus sends " +
+				"the list that does, and the controller takes the lease within five seconds — " + l.unleased,
+			Said: l.unleased})
+	} else if l.held && !l.renewed.IsZero() && f.now.Sub(l.renewed) > leaseBound {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "late",
+			Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller has not renewed its lease (epoch %d) since %s, past the key's age "+
+				"of %s: another controller may take it", l.epoch, l.renewed.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), leaseBound),
+			Said: fmt.Sprintf("not renewed for %s", ago(f.now.Sub(l.renewed)))})
+	}
+	if !l.reset.IsZero() && f.now.Sub(l.reset) <= advisoryQuiet {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "reset",
+			Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: "the controller lease's bucket was raised again from nothing: " + l.resetSaid,
+			Said:    l.resetSaid})
+	}
+	var lost []string
+	newest := inventory.Epoch{}
+	for _, e := range l.ended {
+		if e.Ended == nil || e.How == inventory.EpochReleased || f.now.Sub(*e.Ended) > advisoryQuiet {
+			continue
+		}
+		lost = append(lost, fmt.Sprintf("epoch %d (%s) %s at %s", e.Epoch, e.Instance, e.How,
+			e.Ended.UTC().Format("15:04:05 MST")))
+		if newest.Ended == nil || e.Ended.After(*newest.Ended) {
+			newest = e
+		}
+	}
+	if len(lost) > 0 {
+		how := "lost it: its renewal was refused or could not be made"
+		if newest.How == inventory.EpochExpired {
+			how = "stopped renewing it without giving it back, and was taken over"
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller.lease", Token: "lost",
+			Kind: "lease-lost", Machine: newest.Host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller of epoch %d (%s) %s; the controller of epoch %d acts now", newest.Epoch,
+				newest.Instance, how, l.epoch),
+			Said: strings.Join(lost, "; ")})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// handActsWithin is how far back a repeated cause counts (S15).
+const handActsWithin = 14 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// personsDecision are the causes of hand acts that are a person's decision by design, never a repair a
+// healer could take over: approving or rejecting a retirement, and deleting what was retired (novox/hq
+// ADR 0230 — nothing is retired past the bound or deleted without a person). Repeated, they are the
+// mesh working as decided, not a healer wanted.
+var personsDecision = map[string]bool{kindRetireWaiting: true, kindCleanupWaiting: true}
+
+// watchHandActs is S15: a cause recorded by hand twice within a fortnight is a healer wanted, named by
+// the cause. **A heal is never a hand act** (healers.go), so a cause a healer exists for and a person
+// still repaired twice says the healer is not enough — its reach or its budget — and is said so.
+func watchHandActs(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	recent := make([]link.HandAct, 0, len(f.handActs))
+	for _, a := range f.handActs {
+		if personsDecision[a.Cause] {
+			continue
+		}
+		if f.now.Sub(a.At) <= handActsWithin {
+			recent = append(recent, a)
+		}
+	}
+	repeated := link.RepeatedCauses(recent, f.now)
+	causes := make([]string, 0, len(repeated))
+	for c := range repeated {
+		causes = append(causes, c)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(causes)
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, cause := range causes {
+		var acts []string
+		var newest link.HandAct
+		for _, a := range recent {
+			if a.Cause != cause {
+				continue
+			}
+			acts = append(acts, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s by %s: %s", a.At.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"),
+				strings.TrimSpace(a.Verb+" "+strings.Join(a.Args, " ")), a.By, a.Why))
+			if a.At.After(newest.At) {
+				newest = a
+			}
+		}
+		wanted := "a healer is wanted for it"
+		if h := healerNamedFor(cause); h != "" {
+			wanted = fmt.Sprintf("healer %s answers this cause and a person still repaired it: its reach or its "+
+				"budget is not enough", h)
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMesh, ID: "hand-acts." + cause,
+			Token: "healer-wanted", Kind: "healer-wanted", Severity: conditions.Warning,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%q was repaired by hand %d times in %d days, the last by %s: %s", cause,
+				repeated[cause], int(handActsWithin.Hours()/24), newest.By, wanted),
+			Said: strings.Join(acts, "; ")})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// watchedRows are the rows a watchdog runs for.
+func watchedRows() []signalRow {
+	var out []signalRow
+	for _, r := range signalsTable {
+		if r.watch != nil {
+			out = append(out, r)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// kindsOf is a row's condition kinds, one or several.
+func kindsOf(r signalRow) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, k := range strings.Split(r.Kind, ",") {
+		out = append(out, strings.TrimSpace(k))
+	}
+	return out
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/signals_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,392 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The test generated from the signals table (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, ADR 0227 rule 5, "how it is
+// checked"): **every row is walked**. A watched row's signal is suppressed just inside its bound —
+// nothing raised — and just past it — its condition raised, with its kind and severity — and restored,
+// and the condition clears. A row that is not watched says why. A row added to the table without a
+// suppression here fails, so the table cannot grow a watchdog nobody has seen fire.
+
+// calm is a mesh whose every signal is fresh: one control node heard ten seconds ago, its last send
+// reported, a plan a minute into its tier, the loop taking, the merges read, nothing asked, no call
+// running, the self-check a minute old.
+func calm(now time.Time) *signalFacts {
+	return &signalFacts{now: now, started: now.Add(-time.Hour), host: "anchor", toolsHeardFrom: now.Add(-time.Hour),
+		machines: []machineFacts{{name: "anchor", control: true, lastHeard: now.Add(-10 * time.Second),
+			every: time.Minute, sentAt: now.Add(-time.Hour), reportedCurrent: true, reportedAt: now.Add(-59 * time.Minute),
+			lastApply: 20 * time.Second, tools: true, toolsHeard: now.Add(-10 * time.Second), toolsEvery: time.Minute}},
+		plans: []planFacts{{id: "plan-1", repository: "novox/app", commit: "c0ffee00", tier: 0, tiers: 2,
+			entered: now.Add(-time.Minute), bound: 30 * time.Minute, waiting: "building"}},
+		loop:          loopFacts{took: now.Add(-time.Second), pending: 1},
+		mergesPassed:  now.Add(-time.Minute),
+		selfCheck:     selfCheckFacts{last: now.Add(-time.Minute), every: 5 * time.Minute},
+		lostConsumers: map[string]bool{}, epochs: map[int64]inventory.Epoch{},
+		lease: leaseFacts{held: true, epoch: 57, renewed: now.Add(-2 * time.Second)},
+	}
+}
+
+// refusedBy is n refusals of one writer, the last a moment ago.
+func refusedBy(now time.Time, epoch int64, n int) []link.WriterRefusals {
+	return []link.WriterRefusals{{Writer: link.WriterEpoch(epoch), Epoch: epoch, Count: n,
+		Receivers: []string{"anchor", "laptop"}, Last: now.Add(-time.Second)}}
+}
+
+// suppression is one row's signal held back: inside its bound, and past it.
+type suppression struct{ inside, past func(f *signalFacts) }
+
+// suppressions are every watched row's, by row.
+var suppressions = map[string]suppression{
+	"S1": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.machines[0].lastHeard = f.now.Add(-3*time.Minute + time.Second) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.machines[0].lastHeard = f.now.Add(-3*time.Minute - time.Second) },
+	},
+	"S2": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.machines[0].sentAt, f.machines[0].reportedCurrent = f.now.Add(-110*time.Second), false
+		},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.machines[0].sentAt, f.machines[0].reportedCurrent = f.now.Add(-121*time.Second), false
+		},
+	},
+	"S3": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.plans[0].entered = f.now.Add(-29 * time.Minute) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.plans[0].entered = f.now.Add(-31 * time.Minute) },
+	},
+	"S4": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.loop.took = f.now.Add(-119 * time.Second) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.loop.took = f.now.Add(-121 * time.Second) },
+	},
+	"S5": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.merges = []missedMerge{{Owner: "novox", Repo: "app", Base: "main", Commit: "c0ffee0011", At: f.now.Add(-11 * time.Minute)}}
+		},
+	},
+	"S6": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.asks = []askFacts{{id: "build-1", seat: "node-build-agent", what: "novox/app", state: link.AskInFlight,
+				on: "anchor", since: f.now.Add(-59 * time.Minute), bound: time.Hour}}
+		},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.asks = []askFacts{{id: "build-1", seat: "node-build-agent", what: "novox/app", state: link.AskInFlight,
+				on: "anchor", since: f.now.Add(-61 * time.Minute), bound: time.Hour}}
+		},
+	},
+	"S7": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.calls = []link.Call{{ID: "call-1", Seat: "mesh-controller", Verb: "push", Started: f.now.Add(-29 * time.Minute)}}
+		},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.calls = []link.Call{{ID: "call-1", Seat: "mesh-controller", Verb: "push", Started: f.now.Add(-31 * time.Minute)}}
+		},
+	},
+	"S8": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.standings = []conditions.Condition{standingSaid(f.now.Add(-29 * time.Minute))} },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.standings = []conditions.Condition{standingSaid(f.now.Add(-31 * time.Minute))} },
+	},
+	"S9": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.advisories = []link.Advisory{{Kind: link.AdvisoryMaxDeliveries, ID: "EVENTS.anchor_shop", Said: "gave up",
+				First: f.now.Add(-2 * time.Hour), Last: f.now.Add(-61 * time.Minute), Count: 1}}
+		},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.advisories = []link.Advisory{{Kind: link.AdvisoryMaxDeliveries, ID: "EVENTS.anchor_shop", Said: "gave up",
+				First: f.now.Add(-2 * time.Hour), Last: f.now.Add(-59 * time.Minute), Count: 1}}
+		},
+	},
+	"S10": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.selfCheck.last = f.now.Add(-9 * time.Minute) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.selfCheck.last = f.now.Add(-11 * time.Minute) },
+	},
+	"S11": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.machines[0].toolsHeard = f.now.Add(-179 * time.Second) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.machines[0].toolsHeard = f.now.Add(-181 * time.Second) },
+	},
+	"S12": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.lease.renewed = f.now.Add(-15 * time.Second) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.lease.renewed = f.now.Add(-16 * time.Second) },
+	},
+	"S13": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.staleRefusals = refusedBy(f.now, 41, 5) },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.staleRefusals = refusedBy(f.now, 41, 6) },
+	},
+	// Twice by hand within a fortnight is a healer wanted; once, or the first of two a day too old, is not.
+	"S15": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.handActs = []link.HandAct{actByHand(f.now.Add(-15*24*time.Hour), "consumer-behind"),
+				actByHand(f.now.Add(-time.Hour), "consumer-behind")}
+		},
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.handActs = []link.HandAct{actByHand(f.now.Add(-13*24*time.Hour), "consumer-behind"),
+				actByHand(f.now.Add(-time.Hour), "consumer-behind")}
+		},
+	},
+}
+
+// actByHand is one entry in the hand-act log, with its cause.
+func actByHand(at time.Time, cause string) link.HandAct {
+	return link.HandAct{ID: "act-" + at.Format("150405"), At: at, By: "jochen at a shell on the laptop",
+		Verb: "broker consumer-reset", Args: []string{"EVENTS", "controller"}, Why: "it replayed a week", Cause: cause}
+}
+
+// **S15 names the cause and, where a healer answers it, that the healer was not enough.**
+func TestARepeatedHandActNamesItsCauseAndItsHealer(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 6, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.handActs = []link.HandAct{actByHand(now.Add(-2*time.Hour), "consumer-behind"),
+		actByHand(now.Add(-time.Hour), "consumer-behind"), actByHand(now.Add(-time.Hour), "restarted the proxy"),
+		actByHand(now.Add(-time.Minute), "restarted the proxy")}
+	got := watchHandActs(f)
+	if len(got) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	if got[0].Key() != "mesh.hand-acts.consumer-behind.healer-wanted" || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "healer H4") {
+		t.Errorf("a cause a healer answers: %s — %s", got[0].Key(), got[0].Summary)
+	}
+	if got[1].Key() != "mesh.hand-acts.restarted_the_proxy.healer-wanted" ||
+		!strings.Contains(got[1].Summary, "a healer is wanted") {
+		t.Errorf("a cause no healer answers: %s — %s", got[1].Key(), got[1].Summary)
+	}
+}
+
+// **Approving a retirement and deleting what was retired are a person's decision by design** (ADR
+// 0230): repeated, they are not a healer wanted.
+func TestARetirementDecisionRepeatedWantsNoHealer(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 6, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.handActs = []link.HandAct{actByHand(now.Add(-2*time.Hour), kindRetireWaiting),
+		actByHand(now.Add(-time.Hour), kindRetireWaiting), actByHand(now.Add(-time.Hour), kindCleanupWaiting),
+		actByHand(now.Add(-time.Minute), kindCleanupWaiting)}
+	if got := watchHandActs(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a person's decision asked for a healer: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// standingSaid is a provider's failing word last said at a moment.
+func standingSaid(at time.Time) conditions.Condition {
+	return conditions.Condition{Key: "provider.idp.anchor.app.failing", Kind: kindProviderFailing, LastObserved: at}
+}
+
+func TestEveryRowOfTheSignalsTableIsWatchedRaisedAndCleared(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 6, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, row := range signalsTable {
+		t.Run(row.Row, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if seen[row.Row] {
+				t.Fatalf("%s is in the table twice", row.Row)
+			}
+			seen[row.Row] = true
+			if row.Signal == "" || row.Emitter == "" || row.Trigger == "" || row.Bound == "" || row.Kind == "" ||
+				(row.Severity != conditions.Urgent && row.Severity != conditions.Warning) {
+				t.Fatalf("%s does not say what it expects, from whom, within what, and what it raises: %+v", row.Row, row)
+			}
+			if row.Deferred != "" {
+				if row.watch != nil || row.Phase <= 1 {
+					t.Fatalf("%s is deferred and watched, or deferred out of Phase 1's own rows: %+v", row.Row, row)
+				}
+				if _, has := suppressions[row.Row]; has {
+					t.Fatalf("%s is deferred and has a suppression: one of the two is stale", row.Row)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if row.watch == nil || row.needs == nil || row.newest == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%s is watched and lacks its watch, its needs or its newest", row.Row)
+			}
+			s, ok := suppressions[row.Row]
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatalf("%s has no suppression in this test: a watchdog nobody has seen fire", row.Row)
+			}
+			if got := row.watch(calm(now)); len(got) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("%s raised on a calm mesh: %+v", row.Row, got)
+			}
+			inside := calm(now)
+			s.inside(inside)
+			if got := row.watch(inside); len(got) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("%s raised inside its bound: %+v", row.Row, got)
+			}
+			past := calm(now)
+			s.past(past)
+			got := row.watch(past)
+			if len(got) == 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("%s raised nothing past its bound", row.Row)
+			}
+			for _, o := range got {
+				if !slices.Contains(kindsOf(row), o.Kind) {
+					t.Errorf("%s raised %q, which is not its kind %q", row.Row, o.Kind, row.Kind)
+				}
+				if o.Severity != row.Severity {
+					t.Errorf("%s raised %s, the table says %s", row.Row, o.Severity, row.Severity)
+				}
+				if strings.TrimSpace(o.Summary) == "" {
+					t.Errorf("%s raised a condition that says nothing", row.Row)
+				}
+			}
+
+			// Through the store: raised past the bound, cleared when the signal returns.
+			store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+			told := &conditions.Told{}
+			k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store, Teller: told,
+				Now: func() time.Time { return now }})
+			defer k.Close(context.Background())
+			w := &watchdogs{keeper: k, started: now.Add(-time.Hour)}
+			w.see(t.Context(), past)
+			open, err := k.Open(t.Context())
+			if err != nil || len(open) != len(got) {
+				t.Fatalf("%s past its bound left %d open (%v), want %d", row.Row, len(open), err, len(got))
+			}
+			w.see(t.Context(), calm(now))
+			if open, _ := k.Open(t.Context()); len(open) != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("%s's condition stayed open after the signal returned: %+v", row.Row, open)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	for name := range suppressions {
+		if !seen[name] {
+			t.Errorf("a suppression for %s, which the table does not have", name)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **The control node silent for half an hour is urgent** (S1); any other machine stays a warning.
+func TestTheControlNodeSilentIsUrgentAfterHalfAnHour(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.machines[0].lastHeard = now.Add(-31 * time.Minute)
+	f.machines = append(f.machines, machineFacts{name: "laptop", lastHeard: now.Add(-31 * time.Minute)})
+	got := watchHeartbeats(f)
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0].Severity != conditions.Urgent || got[1].Severity != conditions.Warning {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A machine that said it sleeps is not silent** (ADR 0211), nor late to report; one that woke is.
+func TestAMachineThatSaidItSleepsIsNotSilent(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.machines[0].lastHeard = now.Add(-2 * time.Hour)
+	f.machines[0].sentAt, f.machines[0].reportedCurrent = now.Add(-time.Hour), false
+	f.machines[0].power = link.PowerState{State: "sleeping", At: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour)}
+	if got := append(watchHeartbeats(f), append(watchReports(f), watchTools(f)...)...); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a sleeping machine raised %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.machines[0].power = link.PowerState{State: "woke", At: now.Add(-time.Hour)}
+	if got := watchHeartbeats(f); len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a woken machine silent past its bound raised %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A watchdog that cannot see says so, and clears nothing it raised** (ADR 0227 rule 4): the store
+// unreadable is a probe-failed of its own, and the machine's silence stays open until it can see again.
+func TestABlindWatchdogSaysSoAndClearsNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store})
+	defer k.Close(context.Background())
+	w := &watchdogs{keeper: k, started: now.Add(-time.Hour)}
+	silent := calm(now)
+	silent.machines[0].lastHeard = now.Add(-10 * time.Minute)
+	w.see(t.Context(), silent)
+	blind := calm(now)
+	blind.machines, blind.machinesErr = nil, errors.New("the store is away")
+	w.see(t.Context(), blind)
+	open, err := k.Open(t.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var keys []string
+	for _, c := range open {
+		keys = append(keys, c.Key)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"machine.anchor.silent", "probe.S1.failed", "probe.S2.failed", "probe.S11.failed"} {
+		if !slices.Contains(keys, want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s is not open while the machines cannot be read: %v", want, keys)
+		}
+	}
+	w.see(t.Context(), calm(now))
+	if open, _ := k.Open(t.Context()); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("seeing again left open %+v", open)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A controller standing by sees nothing and says nothing**: it hears no heartbeat, and would call
+// every machine silent.
+func TestAControllerStandingBySaysNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store})
+	defer k.Close(context.Background())
+	w := &watchdogs{keeper: k, started: time.Now(), acting: func() bool { return false }}
+	w.tick(t.Context())
+	if w.lastTick().IsZero() {
+		t.Fatal("a tick standing by was not counted")
+	}
+	if open, _ := k.Open(t.Context()); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", open)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A stale writer is named** (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, S13): by the controller instance that held the epoch
+// its refused declarations claimed, and how that epoch ended — the question issue 204 could not answer.
+func TestAStaleWriterIsNamedByItsEpoch(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := calm(now)
+	ended := now.Add(-time.Minute)
+	f.staleRefusals = refusedBy(now, 41, 6)
+	f.epochs[41] = inventory.Epoch{Epoch: 41, Instance: "controller@anchor pid 7 since 2026-10-06T10:00:00Z",
+		Host: "anchor", Ended: &ended, How: inventory.EpochExpired}
+	got := watchStaleRefusals(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.epoch-41.stale-writer" ||
+		!strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "pid 7") || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "expired") ||
+		got[0].Machine != "anchor" || !slices.Equal(got[0].Also, []string{"laptop"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("the stale writer is not named: %+v", got)
+	}
+	// An account the controller refused names the machine whose node-engine sent it.
+	f.staleRefusals = []link.WriterRefusals{{Writer: link.WriterNodeEngine("laptop"), Count: 6,
+		Receivers: []string{"controller"}, Last: now}}
+	got = watchStaleRefusals(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "machine.laptop.stale-writer" || got[0].Machine != "laptop" {
+		t.Fatalf("a node-engine sending older accounts is not named: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The lease lost is said for an hour, and serving without it for as long as it lasts** (S12).
+func TestALeaseLostOrMissingIsSaid(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := calm(now)
+	expired := now.Add(-59 * time.Minute)
+	f.lease.ended = []inventory.Epoch{{Epoch: 41, Instance: "controller@anchor pid 7", Host: "anchor",
+		Ended: &expired, How: inventory.EpochExpired}}
+	got := watchLease(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.lease.lost" || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "epoch 41") ||
+		got[0].Severity != conditions.Urgent {
+		t.Fatalf("a holder that stopped renewing was not said: %+v", got)
+	}
+	long := now.Add(-61 * time.Minute)
+	f.lease.ended[0].Ended = &long
+	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a loss an hour old is still said: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.lease.ended[0].How, f.lease.ended[0].Ended = inventory.EpochReleased, &expired
+	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a lease given back is said as lost: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.lease = leaseFacts{held: true, epoch: 501, renewed: now, reset: now.Add(-time.Minute), resetSaid: "moved past 500"}
+	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.lease.reset" {
+		t.Fatalf("a lease bucket raised again from nothing was not said: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.lease = leaseFacts{unleased: "the bus refused the key"}
+	if got := watchLease(f); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Key() != "core.controller.lease.unleased" {
+		t.Fatalf("serving without the lease was not said: %+v", got)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/source.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -134,19 +135,28 @@ func seatBase(world catalogue.World, seatName string) (string, error) {
 // seatBases is the clone base of every seat a recipe's context may name, for a build request
 // (novox/hq ADR 0155). A seat nobody holds is left out rather than refused here: the build may not
 // name it at all, and if it does the builder refuses with the seat's name.
+//
+// **What cannot be read is said, not passed over as no seats** (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 2, the
+// empty-on-error lint): the build still goes ahead — one that names no seat needs none — and one that
+// does is refused naming it, but the reason is the store, and that is said here where it is known.
 func seatBases(ctx context.Context) map[string]string {
+	unread := func(what string, err error) map[string]string {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "could not read %s, so a build naming a seat's clone base will be told that "+
+			"seat is not held: %v\n", what, err)
+		return nil
+	}
 	open, err := openStores(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil
+		return unread("the mesh's store", err)
 	}
 	defer open.Close()
 	shelf, err := open.inventory.Catalogue(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil
+		return unread("the catalogue", err)
 	}
 	world, err := theRestOfTheMesh(ctx, open.inventory, shelf, "")
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil
+		return unread("who holds which seat", err)
 	}
 	bases := map[string]string{}
 	for _, seatName := range []string{gitSeat} {

cmd/mesh-controller/standing.go

@@ -2,91 +2,175 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
-// A provider that keeps failing a consumer is a problem the controller reports (novox/hq ADR 0224).
+// A provider that keeps failing a consumer is a problem the controller reports (novox/hq ADR 0224) —
+// **the condition store's first kind** (to-be 45 §2, ADR 0227).
 //
 // On 2026-10-05 the identity provider's provisioner failed every consumer from shortly after midnight
 // until it was fixed by hand that night — 31,000 refused logins after its database was moved and its
 // admin kept an older password — and `status` called the mesh well all day (novox/hq issue 179). A
-// provider now announces a consumer it has failed for minutes; the controller keeps it until the
-// provider says it recovered; and `status`, its JSON and `node show` name it, breaking "all well".
+// provider announces a consumer it has failed for minutes; the controller keeps it until the provider
+// says it recovered; and `status`, its JSON and `node show` name it, breaking "all well". Unchanged in
+// what it says and when; kept as a condition, `provider.<module>.<node>.<consumer>.failing`, rather
+// than a row of its own, so it is said outward like every other fault and silenced like one.
 
-// standings keeps what providers say, in the inventory.
-type standings struct{ inv *inventory.Inventory }
+// Kinds of the provider standing.
+const (
+	kindProviderFailing = "provider-failing"
+	kindProviderSilent  = "provider-silent"
+	// sourceProvisioner is what raised a standing: the provider's own event.
+	sourceProvisioner = "provisioner.failing"
+)
 
-func (s standings) Stood(ctx context.Context, st link.Standing) (bool, error) {
-	return s.inv.KeepStanding(ctx, st.Failing, inventory.ProviderStanding{
-		Module: st.Module, ProviderNode: st.ProviderNode, Provision: st.Provider,
-		Consumer: st.Consumer, ConsumerNode: st.Node,
-		Class: st.Class, Error: st.Error, Since: st.Since, Attempts: st.Attempts,
-	})
+// providerSaysAgainWithin is how long a failing word stays current without being said again: twice
+// the quarter of an hour a provider repeats it at (ADR 0224). Past it, S8.
+const providerSaysAgainWithin = 30 * time.Minute
+
+// standings keeps what providers say, as conditions.
+type standings struct {
+	keeper func() *conditions.Keeper
 }
 
-// failingProviders is every consumer a provider still assigned where it ran says it keeps failing.
-//
-// **A provider no longer assigned is not asked about.** Its last word stays in the store, and is
-// not a problem: nothing runs there to fail anybody. Assigned again, its first success for each
-// consumer clears it.
-func failingProviders(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]inventory.ProviderStanding, error) {
-	all, err := inv.FailingProviders(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("what providers say they keep failing cannot be read: %w", err)
+// standingObservation is a provider's failing word as an observation: the provider, its machine and
+// the consumer name it, so the same consumer failed again is the same condition.
+func standingObservation(st link.Standing) conditions.Observation {
+	whom := st.Consumer
+	if st.Node != "" {
+		whom += " on " + st.Node
 	}
+	summary := fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s keeps failing %s: %s, %d attempt(s) since %s", st.Module, st.ProviderNode,
+		whom, orUnclassed(st.Class), st.Attempts, st.Since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST"))
+	said := orUnclassed(st.Class)
+	if e := firstLine(st.Error); e != "" {
+		said += ": " + e
+	}
+	if st.Provider != "" {
+		said += fmt.Sprintf(" (provision %s, %d attempts)", st.Provider, st.Attempts)
+	}
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProvider,
+		ID:    st.Module + "." + st.ProviderNode + "." + st.Consumer,
+		Token: "failing", Kind: kindProviderFailing, Machine: st.ProviderNode, Also: alsoOn(st.Node, st.ProviderNode),
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Summary: summary, Said: said, Source: sourceProvisioner}
+}
+
+// Stood keeps a provider's newest word: failing raises or observes its condition, recovered clears
+// it. An error is the store away, and the link holds the message to be asked again — a recovery is
+// said once, and dropping it would leave a consumer named failing that is fine.
+func (s standings) Stood(ctx context.Context, st link.Standing) (bool, error) {
+	k := s.keeper()
+	if k == nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("the condition store is not open in this controller: %w", link.ErrTryAgain)
+	}
+	o := standingObservation(st)
+	if !st.Failing {
+		why := "the provider says it recovered"
+		if st.Why != "" {
+			why += ": " + st.Why
+		}
+		cleared, err := k.Clear(ctx, o.Key(), why)
+		return cleared, storeAway(err)
+	}
+	_, err := k.Observe(ctx, o)
+	return false, storeAway(err)
+}
+
+// storeAway reads the condition store failing as the bus being away for the moment: the link holds the
+// message and asks again, as it does for a store restarting (ADR 0083), rather than taking it unkept.
+func storeAway(err error) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("%v: %w", err, link.ErrTryAgain)
+}
+
+// providerStandings is every open provider-failing condition, from what is open.
+func providerStandings(open []conditions.Condition) []conditions.Condition {
+	var out []conditions.Condition
+	for _, c := range open {
+		if c.Kind == kindProviderFailing {
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// providerConditions is every open condition a provider's word raised: a consumer failing (ADR 0224),
+// and a retirement waiting for a person, kept by a rejection, or cleanup waiting (ADR 0230).
+func providerConditions(open []conditions.Condition) []conditions.Condition {
+	var out []conditions.Condition
+	for _, c := range open {
+		switch c.Kind {
+		case kindProviderFailing, kindRetireWaiting, kindRetireRejected, kindCleanupWaiting:
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// providerOf reads a provider condition's module and machine back from its key: a standing's
+// `provider.<module>.<node>.<consumer>.failing`, and a retirement's `provider.<module>.<node>.<token>`,
+// which names no consumer.
+func providerOf(c conditions.Condition) (module, node, consumer string, ok bool) {
+	parts := strings.Split(c.Key, ".")
+	if parts[0] != conditions.ScopeProvider {
+		return "", "", "", false
+	}
+	switch len(parts) {
+	case 5:
+		return parts[1], parts[2], parts[3], true
+	case 4:
+		return parts[1], parts[2], "", true
+	}
+	return "", "", "", false
+}
+
+// unassignedProviders clears the standing of every provider no longer assigned where it ran — and its
+// retirement and cleanup conditions with it (ADR 0230): nothing runs there to retire or delete anything.
+//
+// **A provider no longer assigned is not asked about** (ADR 0224 §4): nothing runs there to fail
+// anybody, and nothing there will ever say it recovered. The observation that resolves it is the
+// assignment. Assigned again, its first failure raises it again.
+func unassignedProviders(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, k *conditions.Keeper,
+	open []conditions.Condition) error {
 	assigned := map[string]map[string]bool{}
-	var out []inventory.ProviderStanding
-	for _, s := range all {
-		on, asked := assigned[s.ProviderNode]
+	for _, c := range providerConditions(open) {
+		module, node, _, ok := providerOf(c)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		on, asked := assigned[node]
 		if !asked {
-			modules, err := inv.Assigned(ctx, s.ProviderNode)
+			modules, err := inv.Assigned(ctx, node)
 			if err != nil {
-				// A provider on a machine the mesh no longer knows has nothing running to fail anybody.
-				modules = nil
+				if errors.Is(err, inventory.ErrNoSuchNode) {
+					modules = nil // a machine the mesh no longer knows runs nothing
+				} else {
+					return fmt.Errorf("what %s is assigned cannot be read: %w", node, err)
+				}
 			}
 			on = map[string]bool{}
 			for _, m := range modules {
 				on[m] = true
 			}
-			assigned[s.ProviderNode] = on
+			assigned[node] = on
 		}
-		if on[s.Module] {
-			out = append(out, s)
+		if !on[module] {
+			if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, c.Key, module+" is no longer assigned to "+node+
+				": nothing runs there to fail anybody"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
 	}
-	return out, nil
-}
-
-// failingLines is how status says them: one consumer per entry, the error under it, and a provider
-// that stopped repeating itself said so.
-func failingLines(list []inventory.ProviderStanding, now time.Time) []string {
-	var out []string
-	for _, s := range list {
-		where := s.Module
-		if s.ProviderNode != "" {
-			where += " on " + s.ProviderNode
-		}
-		whom := s.Consumer
-		if s.ConsumerNode != "" {
-			whom += " (" + s.ConsumerNode + ")"
-		}
-		out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("  %-24s fails %s: %s, for %s (%d attempts since %s)",
-			where, whom, orUnclassed(s.Class), roughly(now.Sub(s.Since)), s.Attempts,
-			s.Since.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04")))
-		if e := strings.TrimSpace(s.Error); e != "" {
-			out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("  %-24s %s", "", firstLine(e)))
-		}
-		if s.Quiet(now) {
-			out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("  %-24s not said again for %s — the provider has stopped "+
-				"saying anything, so this is its last word", "", roughly(now.Sub(s.SaidAt))))
-		}
-	}
-	return out
+	return nil
 }
 
 func orUnclassed(class string) string {
@@ -96,25 +180,10 @@ func orUnclassed(class string) string {
 	return class
 }
 
-// printFailing is the status section, said when there is anything to say.
-func printFailing(list []inventory.ProviderStanding, now time.Time) {
-	if len(list) == 0 {
-		return
+// alsoOn is a consumer's machine, when it is not the provider's.
+func alsoOn(consumerNode, providerNode string) []string {
+	if consumerNode == "" || consumerNode == providerNode {
+		return nil
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("%d consumer(s) a provider keeps failing (ADR 0224):\n\n", len(list))
-	for _, line := range failingLines(list, now) {
-		fmt.Println(line)
-	}
-	fmt.Printf("\n  the provider's journal has every attempt; it says recovered on its next success\n\n")
-}
-
-// failingOn is the standings that concern one machine: a provider running there, or a consumer.
-func failingOn(list []inventory.ProviderStanding, node string) []inventory.ProviderStanding {
-	var out []inventory.ProviderStanding
-	for _, s := range list {
-		if s.ProviderNode == node || s.ConsumerNode == node {
-			out = append(out, s)
-		}
-	}
-	return out
+	return []string{consumerNode}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/standing_test.go

@@ -7,13 +7,14 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
-// A provider that keeps failing a consumer is a problem `status` names (novox/hq ADR 0224). On
-// 2026-10-05 the identity provider refused every consumer for a day and status called the mesh well
-// (04-ISSUES/179): this is that day, told to the controller the way the provider now tells it.
+// A provider that keeps failing a consumer is a problem `status` names (novox/hq ADR 0224), kept as
+// the condition store's first kind (to-be 45 §2). On 2026-10-05 the identity provider refused every
+// consumer for a day and status called the mesh well (04-ISSUES/179): this is that day, told to the
+// controller the way the provider now tells it.
 func TestAProviderFailingAConsumerBreaksAllWellUntilItRecovers(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ func TestAProviderFailingAConsumerBreaksAllWellUntilItRecovers(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "idp"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	kept := standings{open.inventory}
+	kept := standings{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return conditionsFrom }}
 	since := time.Now().Add(-23 * time.Hour)
 	failing := link.Standing{Module: "idp", Failing: true, Provider: "oidc-client", ProviderNode: "anchor",
 		Consumer: "mesh_laptop_dashboard", Node: "laptop", Class: "credentials-rejected",
@@ -39,8 +40,8 @@ func TestAProviderFailingAConsumerBreaksAllWellUntilItRecovers(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("a mesh whose identity provider fails a consumer reads as well")
 	}
 	said := printed(t, func() error { return printStatus(asked) })
-	for _, want := range []string{"1 consumer(s) a provider keeps failing", "idp on anchor",
-		"mesh_laptop_dashboard (laptop)", "credentials-rejected", "31000 attempts", "invalid_grant"} {
+	for _, want := range []string{"1 open condition(s)", "provider.idp.anchor.mesh_laptop_dashboard.failing",
+		"idp on anchor keeps failing mesh_laptop_dashboard on laptop", "credentials-rejected", "31000 attempt(s)"} {
 		if !strings.Contains(said, want) {
 			t.Fatalf("status does not say %q:\n%s", want, said)
 		}
@@ -48,20 +49,25 @@ func TestAProviderFailingAConsumerBreaksAllWellUntilItRecovers(t *testing.T) {
 	if strings.Contains(said, "all doing what they were told") {
 		t.Fatalf("status said all well beside a failing provider:\n%s", said)
 	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(said, "1 open condition(s)") {
+		t.Fatalf("status does not lead with what is open:\n%s", said)
+	}
 	body, err := statusAsJSON(asked)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	var doc struct {
-		Failing []inventory.ProviderStanding `json:"failing"`
+		Conditions []conditions.Condition `json:"conditions"`
+		Failing    []conditions.Condition `json:"failing"`
 	}
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &doc); err != nil || len(doc.Failing) != 1 || doc.Failing[0].Consumer != "mesh_laptop_dashboard" {
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &doc); err != nil || len(doc.Failing) != 1 || len(doc.Conditions) != 1 ||
+		!strings.Contains(doc.Failing[0].Evidence[0].Said, "invalid_grant") {
 		t.Fatalf("the document does not carry it: %v\n%s", err, body)
 	}
 	// Both machines' `node show` name it: where the provider runs, and where the consumer is.
 	for _, node := range []string{"anchor", "laptop"} {
 		shown := printed(t, func() error { return showNode(ctx, open.inventory, node) })
-		if !strings.Contains(shown, "a provider keeps failing") || !strings.Contains(shown, "mesh_laptop_dashboard") {
+		if !strings.Contains(shown, "open condition(s) about this machine") || !strings.Contains(shown, "mesh_laptop_dashboard") {
 			t.Fatalf("node show %s does not name it:\n%s", node, shown)
 		}
 	}
@@ -75,41 +81,38 @@ func TestAProviderFailingAConsumerBreaksAllWellUntilItRecovers(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(asked.failing) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("a recovered consumer is still named: %+v", asked.failing)
+	if len(asked.conditions) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a recovered consumer is still named: %+v", asked.conditions)
 	}
 }
 
 // A provider no longer assigned where it ran has nothing running to fail anybody: its last word is
-// not a problem.
-func TestAnUnassignedProvidersLastWordIsNotAProblem(t *testing.T) {
+// cleared on the next look, said as resolved by the assignment.
+func TestAnUnassignedProvidersLastWordIsCleared(t *testing.T) {
 	open := aMesh(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
-	if _, err := (standings{open.inventory}).Stood(ctx, link.Standing{Module: "gone", Failing: true,
+	kept := standings{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return conditionsFrom }}
+	if _, err := kept.Stood(ctx, link.Standing{Module: "gone", Failing: true,
 		ProviderNode: "anchor", Consumer: "x", Since: time.Now()}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	asked, err := theThreeQuestions(ctx, open)
-	if err != nil {
+	all, err := conditionsFrom.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil || len(all) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v %v", all, err)
+	}
+	if err := unassignedProviders(ctx, open.inventory, conditionsFrom, all); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(asked.failing) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("%+v", asked.failing)
+	if all, _ := conditionsFrom.Open(ctx); len(all) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", all)
 	}
 }
 
-func TestAProviderThatStoppedRepeatingItselfIsSaidToHaveGoneQuiet(t *testing.T) {
-	now := time.Now()
-	lines := strings.Join(failingLines([]inventory.ProviderStanding{{
-		Module: "idp", ProviderNode: "anchor", Consumer: "c", Class: "unreachable", Error: "connection refused\nmore",
-		Since: now.Add(-3 * time.Hour), SaidAt: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour), Attempts: 9,
-	}}, now), "\n")
-	for _, want := range []string{"unreachable, for 3h", "connection refused", "not said again for 2h"} {
-		if !strings.Contains(lines, want) {
-			t.Fatalf("%q not in:\n%s", want, lines)
-		}
-	}
-	if strings.Contains(lines, "more") {
-		t.Fatalf("more than the first line of an error:\n%s", lines)
+// **The store away holds a recovery** (ADR 0224 §3): a standing that cannot be kept is asked again.
+func TestAStandingTheStoreCannotKeepIsAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	kept := standings{keeper: func() *conditions.Keeper { return nil }}
+	if _, err := kept.Stood(t.Context(), link.Standing{Module: "idp", ProviderNode: "anchor", Consumer: "x"}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), link.ErrTryAgain.Error()) {
+		t.Fatalf("answered %v", err)
 	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/status.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/overlay"
 )
@@ -81,8 +82,12 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 	wrong, nodes, quiet := asked.wrong, asked.nodes, asked.quiet
 	behind, sources := asked.behind, asked.sources
 
+	// **What is wrong leads** (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): every open condition, urgent first, oldest
+	// first, silenced ones with when their silence ends.
+	printConditions(asked.conditions, asked.conditionsUnread, time.Now())
+
 	if len(asked.refused) > 0 {
-		// First, above everything else. A machine that cannot be worked out is not running an old
+		// First of what follows. A machine that cannot be worked out is not running an old
 		// declaration — it has no declaration, and nothing below this line is about it.
 		var names []string
 		for name := range asked.refused {
@@ -129,10 +134,6 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 		fmt.Println()
 	}
 
-	// A provider failing a consumer, beside machines failing what they were told: both are something
-	// not working now (novox/hq ADR 0224).
-	printFailing(asked.failing, time.Now())
-
 	if len(quiet) > 0 {
 		var said []string
 		for _, n := range quiet {
@@ -302,6 +303,38 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 		fmt.Printf("\n  `assign <node> <holder>` meets it; reported until every machine has its holders, then refused\n\n")
 	}
 
+	if len(asked.overflowing) > 0 {
+		// **Reported, and the provider still pushed** (novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263). Each is left
+		// out of its provider's grants, so the module holds a login nothing created; the provider's
+		// machine is sent everything else rather than refused for one consumer elsewhere.
+		fmt.Printf("%d module(s) identified too long for a provision they require, and not granted it:\n",
+			len(asked.overflowing))
+		for _, o := range asked.overflowing {
+			fmt.Printf("  %-12s %-20s %-22s %q is %d, %s keeps %d\n", o.Consumer, o.Module, o.Provision,
+				o.Identity, len(o.Identity), o.Bound.In, o.Bound.Max)
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("\n  a shorter `slug` in the module's definition fits it; `module check` refuses one before merge\n\n")
+	}
+
+	// Repairs done by hand this week (novox/hq to-be 45 §7). Not a fault, so it does not break "all
+	// well"; each is a healer the mesh does not have yet, and the count is how that is watched.
+	switch {
+	case asked.handActsUnread != "":
+		fmt.Printf("the hand-act log could not be read, so how much was done by hand this week is not known: %s\n\n",
+			asked.handActsUnread)
+	case asked.handActs != nil && *asked.handActs > 0:
+		fmt.Printf("%d act(s) done by hand in the last seven days — `hand-acts` lists them, and why\n\n", *asked.handActs)
+	}
+
+	// And what the mesh repaired by itself (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): seen, not only done.
+	switch {
+	case asked.healsUnread != "":
+		fmt.Printf("what the healers did could not be read: %s\n\n", asked.healsUnread)
+	case asked.heals != nil && (asked.heals.Acts > 0 || asked.heals.Escalated > 0):
+		fmt.Printf("%d repair(s) made by the healers in the last seven days, %d handed to the operator — `healers` "+
+			"lists them, and each is in its condition's tried\n\n", asked.heals.Acts, asked.heals.Escalated)
+	}
+
 	if adopted := adoptedNodes(nodes); len(adopted) > 0 {
 		// Said, because nothing forces the flip: a node left adopted is visible here rather than
 		// read as converged (novox/hq ADR 0100). Not a fault, so it does not break "all well".
@@ -311,8 +344,9 @@ func printStatus(asked answers) error {
 
 	if asked.well() {
 		// Said plainly. "Nothing to report" and "nothing was checked" must never look the same,
-		// and getting here means every question was asked and answered.
-		fmt.Printf("%d machine(s), all doing what they were told, all heard from, running what "+
+		// and getting here means every question was asked and answered. **No open conditions first**
+		// (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): it is what the sentence means now, silenced ones included.
+		fmt.Printf("no open conditions; %d machine(s), all doing what they were told, all heard from, running what "+
 			"the mesh would send them, and every module current with its source\n", len(nodes))
 		// **And what that sentence does not cover**, because for eleven hours it was true of a mesh
 		// in which no module could reach another (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/145). Every question above is
@@ -410,21 +444,27 @@ func theThreeQuestions(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (answers, error) {
 	// ADR 0207). Each machine resolved again rather than threaded through whoResolves, whose answer
 	// the private network is built from and should say nothing else; a machine that does not
 	// resolve is already in refused, and is passed over here.
+	plans := map[string]planned{}
 	for _, n := range out.nodes {
-		plan, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, n.Name)
+		plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, n.Name)
 		if err != nil {
 			if unresolvable(err) {
 				continue
 			}
 			return answers{}, err
 		}
+		plans[n.Name] = planned{plan, settings}
 		out.unheld = append(out.unheld, plan.Unheld...)
+		// And which of its modules a provider leaves out of its grants, for an identity too long
+		// for what the provision keeps (novox/hq ADR 0225) — judged from the consumer's own
+		// resolution, as the provider's composition judges it.
+		out.overflowing = append(out.overflowing, plan.Overflowing()...)
 	}
-	// And every consumer a provider says it keeps failing (novox/hq ADR 0224). Read from what the
-	// providers announced: nothing else in the mesh knows whether a provision is being made.
-	out.failing, err = failingProviders(ctx, inv)
-	if err != nil {
-		return answers{}, err
+	// And every open condition (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): what the watchdogs, the self-check and the
+	// providers' own words say is wrong — a provider failing a consumer among them (ADR 0224). Kept on
+	// the bus; a process that cannot read them says so, and the mesh is then not called well.
+	if out.conditions, err = openConditions(ctx); err != nil {
+		out.conditionsUnread = err.Error()
 	}
 	out.plans, err = inv.RecentPlans(ctx, 5)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -432,6 +472,23 @@ func theThreeQuestions(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (answers, error) {
 	}
 	// Whether the build seat takes work, for a plan waiting on it (novox/hq ADR 0219).
 	out.paused = buildSeatPause(ctx, inv, out.plans)
+	// And how many repairs were done by hand this week (novox/hq to-be 45 §7) — where there is a bus
+	// to read the log from; a process with none has no log to count.
+	if _, onBus := broker.BusAddress(); onBus == nil {
+		n, unread := handActsThisWeek(ctx)
+		if unread != "" {
+			out.handActsUnread = unread
+		} else {
+			out.handActs = &n
+		}
+	}
+
+	// And what the healers did this week (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	if heals, err := inv.HealsSince(ctx, time.Now().Add(-7*24*time.Hour)); err != nil {
+		out.healsUnread = err.Error()
+	} else {
+		out.heals = countHeals(heals)
+	}
 
 	// And which machines are not running what the mesh would send them. The same question as a
 	// module being behind its source, one level down: that one says the catalogue is out of date,
@@ -443,7 +500,7 @@ func theThreeQuestions(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (answers, error) {
 	// said nothing at all and `status --json` emitted prose to stderr and no JSON anywhere. The
 	// reason is kept and reported as data; every question that does not depend on it is still
 	// answered.
-	would, err := wouldSend(ctx, open, out.nodes)
+	would, err := wouldSendFrom(ctx, open, out.nodes, plans)
 	if err != nil {
 		out.network = err.Error()
 		would = map[string]string{}
@@ -538,7 +595,8 @@ func untakenModules(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, nodes []inven
 func (a answers) well() bool {
 	return len(a.wrong) == 0 && len(a.quiet) == 0 && len(a.behind) == 0 &&
 		len(a.waiting) == 0 && len(a.refused) == 0 && a.network == "" && len(a.untaken) == 0 &&
-		len(a.filtered) == 0 && len(a.unheld) == 0 && len(a.failing) == 0
+		len(a.filtered) == 0 && len(a.unheld) == 0 && len(a.overflowing) == 0 &&
+		len(a.conditions) == 0 && a.conditionsUnread == ""
 }
 
 // hostSplit is which machines report which host version, for every version more than one machine

cmd/mesh-controller/status_summary.go

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// `status` answered from a summary the serving controller keeps current (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0,
+// §4's D9 and §8's health of the controller).
+//
+// **Asked, it was composed: every machine resolved, twice, while its caller waited.** On 2026-10-06
+// the verb took eighteen seconds on a mesh of four machines, so its caller read "still running" and
+// had to ask `calls` for the answer to "is the mesh alright" — the one question that must answer at
+// once, and the one a self-check and a rollout gate will ask every few minutes. So the serving
+// controller composes it in the background — at its start, after anything that changes what it says
+// (a machine's report, a build, a verb that acts), and every minute regardless — and the verb answers
+// the last composition at once, saying when it was composed and how long that took. A caller who
+// needs it newer than that reads the time and asks again; nothing is answered as current that is not.
+
+// statusEvery is how often the summary is composed with nothing having nudged it; statusSettle how
+// long a nudge waits for the next, so a push answered by four machines is composed once.
+var (
+	statusEvery  = time.Minute
+	statusSettle = 2 * time.Second
+	// statusComposeWithin bounds one composition, so a store that hangs cannot stop the summary for
+	// good; the attempt is said as failed, and the last summary stands with its age.
+	statusComposeWithin = 2 * time.Minute
+)
+
+// statusSummary is the last composed `status --json`, and when.
+type statusSummary struct {
+	compose func(context.Context) ([]byte, error)
+	// every, settle and within are the clocks above, read once when it is made.
+	every, settle, within time.Duration
+
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	body       []byte
+	composedAt time.Time
+	took       time.Duration
+	failed     string
+	failedAt   time.Time
+	started    time.Time
+	first      chan struct{} // closed when the first attempt ends, either way
+
+	nudged chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newStatusSummary(compose func(context.Context) ([]byte, error)) *statusSummary {
+	return &statusSummary{compose: compose, started: time.Now(), first: make(chan struct{}),
+		nudged: make(chan struct{}, 1), every: statusEvery, settle: statusSettle, within: statusComposeWithin}
+}
+
+// statusFrom is the serving controller's summary; nil in any other process, where `status` is
+// composed when asked, as at a shell.
+var statusFrom *statusSummary
+
+// nudge asks for a composition soon. Never blocks: one pending is as good as many.
+func (s *statusSummary) nudge() {
+	if s == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	select {
+	case s.nudged <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+// keep composes until ctx ends: now, on a nudge once things settle, and every statusEvery.
+func (s *statusSummary) keep(ctx context.Context) {
+	once := sync.Once{}
+	for {
+		s.composeOnce(ctx)
+		once.Do(func() { close(s.first) })
+		timer := time.NewTimer(s.every)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			timer.Stop()
+			return
+		case <-timer.C:
+		case <-s.nudged:
+			timer.Stop()
+			// Let what else is arriving arrive, then compose once for all of it.
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-time.After(s.settle):
+			}
+			select {
+			case <-s.nudged:
+			default:
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *statusSummary) composeOnce(ctx context.Context) {
+	start := time.Now()
+	asking, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, s.within)
+	body, err := s.compose(asking)
+	cancel()
+	took := time.Since(start)
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if err != nil {
+		s.failed, s.failedAt = err.Error(), time.Now()
+		fmt.Printf("status could not be composed (after %s): %v — `status` answers the last summary, "+
+			"with its age\n", took.Round(time.Millisecond), err)
+		return
+	}
+	s.body, s.composedAt, s.took, s.failed = body, start, took, ""
+}
+
+// answer is what the `status` verb answers: the last summary at once, the same document `status
+// --json` prints, with when it was composed. Before the first composition has ended it waits for it,
+// but never past the caller's window; a controller that has none says so and why, rather than
+// answering an empty mesh as a well one.
+func (s *statusSummary) answer(ctx context.Context) (any, error) {
+	wait := time.NewTimer(link.AnswerWithin - time.Second)
+	defer wait.Stop()
+	select {
+	case <-s.first:
+	case <-wait.C:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if s.body == nil {
+		why := "its first composition has not finished"
+		if s.failed != "" {
+			why = "it could not be composed: " + s.failed
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("this controller started %s ago and has no status to answer yet — %s. "+
+			"Ask again shortly", time.Since(s.started).Round(time.Second), why)
+	}
+	var parsed any
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(s.body, &parsed)
+	out := map[string]any{
+		"output": string(s.body), "ok": true, "answer": parsed,
+		"composed":   s.composedAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339),
+		"age":        time.Since(s.composedAt).Round(time.Second).String(),
+		"composedIn": s.took.Round(time.Millisecond).String(),
+		"note": "composed by the serving controller at its start, after each report, build or act, and " +
+			"every minute; answered at once from the last composition",
+	}
+	if s.failed != "" && s.failedAt.After(s.composedAt) {
+		out["lastAttemptFailed"] = fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s — this summary is the last that could be composed",
+			s.failedAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), s.failed)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// composeStatus is `status --json`, composed in this process against its stores.
+func composeStatus(open *stores) func(context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
+		asked, err := theThreeQuestions(ctx, open)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return statusAsJSON(asked)
+	}
+}
+
+// readingVerbs are the verbs that only read; after any other, what `status` says may have changed, so the summary is
+// composed again; a verb that only reads leaves it alone, or a console polling `nodes` would keep the
+// controller composing for ever.
+var readingVerbs = map[string]bool{
+	"tools": true, "calls": true, "status": true, "nodes": true, "node": true, "modules": true,
+	"seats": true, "builds": true, "plan": true, "queue": true, "durations": true, "hand-acts": true,
+	"doctor": true, "conditions": true, "healers": true,
+}
+
+// nudgingListener is the enrolment, nudging the summary when a machine said something new.
+type nudgingListener struct {
+	link.Enrolment
+	summary *statusSummary
+	// open is the serving controller's stores, for replacing a given value after a module's first
+	// good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+	open *stores
+}
+
+func (l nudgingListener) Heard(ctx context.Context, report link.Report) (bool, error) {
+	// A declaration refused as older than the one the machine holds is counted by its writer — the
+	// controller epoch it claimed (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, S13) — and so is what the machine's own count
+	// says it refused beyond the refusals heard.
+	now := time.Now()
+	if report.StaleRefusalOf() {
+		link.StaleRefusals.Refused(link.Refusal{Writer: link.WriterEpoch(report.Epoch), Epoch: report.Epoch,
+			Receiver: report.Node, At: now})
+	}
+	if report.Ordered() {
+		link.StaleRefusals.Lifetime(report.Node, report.RefusedOlder, now)
+	}
+	news, err := l.Enrolment.Heard(ctx, report)
+	if news {
+		l.summary.nudge()
+	}
+	if err == nil && l.open != nil && startedWell(report) {
+		// Off the report's path: replacing a given value sends the machine, and a report waits for
+		// nothing it caused (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+		go replaceGiven(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), l.open, report)
+	}
+	return news, err
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/status_summary_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// quickly shortens the summary's clocks for one test.
+func quickly(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+	every, settle := statusEvery, statusSettle
+	statusEvery, statusSettle = time.Hour, 10*time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { statusEvery, statusSettle = every, settle })
+}
+
+// **`status` answers in full within ten seconds, five times in a row** (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0,
+// D9) — however long composing it takes. On 2026-10-06 composing took eighteen seconds and the
+// verb answered "still running"; from the summary it answers at once, in full, saying when.
+func TestStatusAnswersAtOnceHoweverLongComposingTakes(t *testing.T) {
+	quickly(t)
+	var composed atomic.Int32
+	slow := make(chan struct{})
+	s := newStatusSummary(func(ctx context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
+		if composed.Add(1) > 1 {
+			<-slow // every composition after the first outlasts any caller
+		}
+		return []byte(`{"wrong":[],"machines":4}`), nil
+	})
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	defer close(slow)
+	go s.keep(ctx)
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		s.nudge() // a composition is under way and does not finish
+		start := time.Now()
+		got, err := s.answer(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if took := time.Since(start); took > time.Second {
+			t.Fatalf("answer %d took %s", i+1, took)
+		}
+		m := got.(map[string]any)
+		if m["answer"].(map[string]any)["machines"] != float64(4) || m["composed"] == "" || m["ok"] != true {
+			t.Fatalf("answer %d was not in full: %v", i+1, m)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The first composition is waited for, never past the caller's window; a controller with none yet
+// says so rather than answering an empty mesh as a well one.
+func TestStatusBeforeItsFirstCompositionSaysSo(t *testing.T) {
+	quickly(t)
+	was := link.AnswerWithin
+	link.AnswerWithin = 1100 * time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { link.AnswerWithin = was })
+	never := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(never)
+	s := newStatusSummary(func(context.Context) ([]byte, error) { <-never; return nil, nil })
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go s.keep(ctx)
+	start := time.Now()
+	_, err := s.answer(ctx)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "has no status to answer yet") {
+		t.Fatalf("answered %v", err)
+	}
+	if took := time.Since(start); took > link.AnswerWithin {
+		t.Fatalf("waited %s, past the caller's window", took)
+	}
+}
+
+// A nudge composes it again, once for several close together; a failed composition leaves the last
+// summary standing and says it is the last that could be composed.
+func TestANudgeComposesAgainAndAFailureKeepsTheLastSummary(t *testing.T) {
+	quickly(t)
+	var composed atomic.Int32
+	fail := atomic.Bool{}
+	s := newStatusSummary(func(context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
+		n := composed.Add(1)
+		if fail.Load() {
+			return nil, errors.New("the store did not answer")
+		}
+		body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"n": n})
+		return body, nil
+	})
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go s.keep(ctx)
+	if _, err := s.answer(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.nudge()
+	s.nudge()
+	s.nudge()
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return composed.Load() == 2 })
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	if n := composed.Load(); n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("three nudges together composed %d times after the first", n-1)
+	}
+	fail.Store(true)
+	s.nudge()
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return composed.Load() == 3 })
+	waitFor(t, func() bool {
+		got, err := s.answer(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		m := got.(map[string]any)
+		return m["lastAttemptFailed"] != nil && m["answer"].(map[string]any)["n"] == float64(2)
+	})
+}
+
+// The seat's `status` answers from the summary when this process keeps one.
+func TestTheStatusVerbAnswersFromTheSummary(t *testing.T) {
+	quickly(t)
+	s := newStatusSummary(func(context.Context) ([]byte, error) { return []byte(`{"from":"summary"}`), nil })
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go s.keep(ctx)
+	statusFrom = s
+	t.Cleanup(func() { statusFrom = nil })
+	handlers, _, err := seatToolHandlers()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, err := handlers["status"](ctx, json.RawMessage(`{}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.(map[string]any)["answer"].(map[string]any)["from"] != "summary" {
+		t.Fatalf("answered %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func waitFor(t *testing.T, ok func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
+	for !ok() {
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			t.Fatal("never happened")
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/stores.go

@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ func openInventory(ctx context.Context) (*inventory.Inventory, error) {
 		inv.Close()
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	// A plan is written only under the lease, carrying its epoch (novox/hq to-be 45 §6).
+	inv.ActsUnder(theLease.epoch)
 	// Load the seat set from the store, so the control plane reads the set as data rather than as
 	// the slice it was compiled with (novox/hq ADR 0122). A store not yet seeded — or one whose
 	// seat table a migration has not reached — returns nothing, and UseSeats leaves the compiled

cmd/mesh-controller/supersede_test.go

@@ -72,24 +72,28 @@ func TestAPersonClosesAStuckPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	stuck := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-97b1b2b", Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Commit: "97b1b2b",
 		Created: time.Now().UTC(), State: inventory.PlanRolling, Tier: 1, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}},
 		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "built"}, "b": {}}}
-	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, stuck); err != nil {
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &stuck); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"close", stuck.ID}); err != nil {
+	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"close", stuck.ID}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--why") {
+		t.Fatalf("a plan was closed by hand without saying why: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"close", stuck.ID, "--why", "its report will not come"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	closed, err := open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, stuck.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if closed.State != inventory.PlanFailed || !strings.Contains(closed.Note, "closed by hand") {
+	if closed.State != inventory.PlanFailed || !strings.Contains(closed.Note, "closed by hand") ||
+		!strings.Contains(closed.Note, "its report will not come") {
 		t.Fatalf("the plan was left %s: %q", closed.State, closed.Note)
 	}
-	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"close", stuck.ID}); err == nil {
+	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"close", stuck.ID, "--why", "again"}); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("a plan already closed was closed again")
 	}
-	if argv, err := argvFor("plans", map[string]any{"close": stuck.ID}); err != nil ||
-		!reflect.DeepEqual(argv, []string{"plans", "close", stuck.ID}) {
+	if argv, err := argvFor("plans", map[string]any{"close": stuck.ID, "why": "w"}); err != nil ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(argv, []string{"plans", "close", stuck.ID, "--why", "w"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("the seat's verb does not close a plan: %v %v", argv, err)
 	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go

@@ -383,13 +383,13 @@ func (f following) SourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved) error {
 		fmt.Printf("  the last tier depends on itself: %s — built together, in no order\n",
 			strings.Join(plan.Tiers[len(plan.Tiers)-1], ", "))
 	}
-	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, plan); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
 		return notNow(err)
 	}
 	// Closed after the newer plan is kept, never before: a controller replaced between the two leaves
 	// both open, which the next merge settles, rather than neither.
 	for _, old := range superseded {
-		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, old); err != nil {
+		if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &old); err != nil {
 			return notNow(err)
 		}
 		fmt.Printf("  %s (%s at %s) is %s\n", old.ID, old.Repository, short(old.Commit), old.Note)
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ func (f following) SourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved) error {
 	if err := askTier(ctx, inv, &plan); err != nil {
 		return notNow(err)
 	}
-	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, plan); err != nil {
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
 		return notNow(err)
 	}
 	return nil

cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,620 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The watchdogs (novox/hq to-be 45 §3): every row of the signals table, run over what the serving
+// controller knows, every half minute.
+//
+// **One loop, one gathering, every row.** The facts are gathered once a tick — the store's machines,
+// plans and durations, the bus's queue and consumers, what this process heard — and each row's watch
+// is a pure reading of them, which is what lets the test generated from the table suppress a signal by
+// changing a fact. A part that cannot be gathered makes the rows that read it blind: each says so as
+// a condition of its own (`probe.<row>.failed`) and keeps what it raised before, because a watchdog
+// that cannot see must not read as one that sees nothing wrong (ADR 0227 rule 4).
+//
+// **The watchdogs are themselves watched.** Each tick is recorded; the self-check (doctor.go) fails
+// its probe DW when the ticks stop, and the watchdogs raise S10 when the self-check stops — two loops
+// watching each other, and mesh-watcher on a second machine watching the self-check's heartbeat for
+// the case both stop with the process.
+
+// watchEvery is how often the watchdogs run.
+var watchEvery = 30 * time.Second
+
+// signalFacts is what one tick of the watchdogs reads.
+type signalFacts struct {
+	now     time.Time
+	started time.Time
+	// host is the machine this controller runs on, as the mesh names it, for a condition about itself.
+	host string
+
+	machines    []machineFacts
+	machinesErr error
+	// toolsHeardFrom is when this process began hearing node tools: one not heard since is silent
+	// since then at the most.
+	toolsHeardFrom time.Time
+
+	plans    []planFacts
+	plansErr error
+
+	loop    loopFacts
+	loopErr error
+
+	merges       []missedMerge
+	mergesPassed time.Time
+	mergesErr    error
+
+	asks    []askFacts
+	asksErr error
+
+	calls []link.Call
+
+	standings    []conditions.Condition
+	standingsErr error
+	// providerWords are every open condition a provider's word raised — failing, waiting for a person
+	// to approve a retirement, kept by a rejection, cleanup waiting (ADR 0224, 0230) — so a provider no
+	// longer assigned has them all cleared.
+	providerWords []conditions.Condition
+
+	advisories    []link.Advisory
+	lostConsumers map[string]bool
+	advisoriesErr error
+
+	selfCheck selfCheckFacts
+
+	// staleRefusals are the writers refused as older lately, and epochs the mesh's record of each epoch
+	// they name (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, S13).
+	staleRefusals []link.WriterRefusals
+	epochs        map[int64]inventory.Epoch
+
+	// handActs are the acts done by hand within the fortnight S15 counts.
+	handActs    []link.HandAct
+	handActsErr error
+
+	// lease is this controller's standing to the lease, and the epochs that ended lately (S12).
+	lease    leaseFacts
+	leaseErr error
+}
+
+type leaseFacts struct {
+	held     bool
+	epoch    uint64
+	renewed  time.Time
+	unleased string
+	ended    []inventory.Epoch
+	// reset is when the lease bucket was found raised again from nothing; resetSaid what of it.
+	reset     time.Time
+	resetSaid string
+}
+
+type machineFacts struct {
+	name    string
+	control bool
+	// lastHeard is the store's last word from it, any word; zero when never.
+	lastHeard time.Time
+	// every is the heartbeat interval it said; zero when it said none.
+	every time.Duration
+	power link.PowerState
+	// sentAt is when it was last sent a declaration; reportedCurrent whether it has reported that one.
+	sentAt          time.Time
+	reportedCurrent bool
+	reportedAt      time.Time
+	// lastApply is its newest measured apply.
+	lastApply time.Duration
+	// tools is whether node-tools is assigned there; toolsHeard and toolsEvery its heartbeat.
+	tools      bool
+	toolsHeard time.Time
+	toolsEvery time.Duration
+}
+
+// asleep says the machine said it would be away and has not said it is back (ADR 0211).
+func (m machineFacts) asleep() bool { return m.power.Away() }
+
+type planFacts struct {
+	id, repository, commit string
+	tier, tiers            int
+	entered                time.Time
+	bound                  time.Duration
+	waiting                string
+	paused                 bool
+}
+
+type loopFacts struct {
+	took    time.Time
+	pending uint64
+	where   string
+}
+
+type askFacts struct {
+	id, seat, what, state, on string
+	since                     time.Time
+	bound                     time.Duration
+}
+
+type selfCheckFacts struct {
+	last  time.Time
+	every time.Duration
+}
+
+// watchdogs is the loop and what it needs.
+type watchdogs struct {
+	open   *stores
+	server *link.Server
+	js     *broker.JetStream
+	keeper *conditions.Keeper
+	doctor *doctor
+
+	started time.Time
+	// acting says this controller is the one acting, not one standing by (link.Holding): a controller
+	// standing by hears no heartbeat and would call every machine silent.
+	acting func() bool
+
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	ticked time.Time
+	last   *signalFacts
+	failed string
+}
+
+// lastTick is when the watchdogs last finished a tick.
+func (w *watchdogs) lastTick() time.Time {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	return w.ticked
+}
+
+// lastFacts is the facts of the newest tick, for `doctor signals`; nil before the first.
+func (w *watchdogs) lastFacts() *signalFacts {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	return w.last
+}
+
+// keep runs the watchdogs until ctx ends.
+func (w *watchdogs) keep(ctx context.Context) {
+	tick := time.NewTicker(watchEvery)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	for {
+		w.tick(ctx)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// tick is one run of every row.
+func (w *watchdogs) tick(ctx context.Context) {
+	if w.acting != nil && !w.acting() {
+		// Standing by: nothing seen, nothing said, and the tick counted — this process's self-check
+		// is not the one that matters while another acts.
+		w.mu.Lock()
+		w.ticked = time.Now()
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	running, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, watchEvery)
+	defer cancel()
+	w.see(running, w.gather(running))
+}
+
+// see runs every watched row over one gathering, keeps what each found, and records the tick.
+func (w *watchdogs) see(running context.Context, f *signalFacts) {
+	var problems []string
+	var blind []conditions.Observation
+	for _, row := range watchedRows() {
+		if err := row.needs(f); err != nil {
+			blind = append(blind, blindRow(row, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := w.keeper.Reconcile(running, row.Row, row.watch(f)); err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, row.Row+": "+err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	// The rows that could not see, said; the ones that see again, cleared.
+	if err := w.keeper.Reconcile(running, sourceWatchdogs, blind); err != nil {
+		problems = append(problems, err.Error())
+	}
+	// A provider no longer assigned where it ran: its standing is resolved by the assignment.
+	if f.standingsErr == nil && w.open != nil {
+		if err := unassignedProviders(running, w.open.inventory, w.keeper, f.providerWords); err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, "S8: "+err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	if err := w.keeper.EndSilences(running); err != nil {
+		problems = append(problems, err.Error())
+	}
+	failed := ""
+	if len(problems) > 0 {
+		failed = fmt.Sprintf("%v", problems)
+	}
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	said := w.failed
+	w.ticked, w.last, w.failed = time.Now(), f, failed
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if failed != said {
+		if failed != "" {
+			fmt.Printf("the watchdogs could not keep what they saw: %s\n", failed)
+		} else if said != "" {
+			fmt.Println("the watchdogs keep what they see again")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// sourceWatchdogs is what raises a blind row's condition.
+const sourceWatchdogs = "watchdogs"
+
+// blindRow is a row whose facts could not be gathered, as a condition of its own.
+func blindRow(row signalRow, err error) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeProbe, ID: row.Row, Kind: "probe-failed", Token: "failed",
+		Severity: conditions.Warning,
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the watchdog of %s (%s) cannot see: what it reads could not be read, so nothing "+
+			"it would raise can be — and nothing it raised before is cleared", row.Row, row.Signal),
+		Said: firstLine(err.Error())}
+}
+
+// gather reads every fact a tick needs. Each part's failure is kept beside it, never an empty part.
+func (w *watchdogs) gather(ctx context.Context) *signalFacts {
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := &signalFacts{now: now, started: w.started, toolsHeardFrom: link.ToolsBeats.Started(), calls: link.Calls.Running(),
+		staleRefusals: link.StaleRefusals.Within(now.Add(-staleRefusalsWithin)), lostConsumers: map[string]bool{},
+		epochs: map[int64]inventory.Epoch{}}
+	if w.doctor != nil {
+		f.selfCheck = selfCheckFacts{last: w.doctor.lastRunEnded(), every: doctorEvery}
+	}
+	inv := w.open.inventory
+	f.host = controlHost(ctx, inv)
+	f.lease, f.leaseErr = gatherLease(ctx, inv, now)
+	for _, r := range f.staleRefusals {
+		if r.Epoch <= 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Named where the record has it; a writer the record cannot name is still said by its epoch.
+		if e, found, err := inv.EpochOf(ctx, uint64(r.Epoch)); err == nil && found {
+			f.epochs[r.Epoch] = e
+		}
+	}
+	f.machines, f.machinesErr = w.gatherMachines(ctx, inv, now)
+	f.plans, f.plansErr = gatherPlans(ctx, inv, now)
+	f.loop, f.loopErr = w.gatherLoop()
+	f.mergesPassed, f.merges, f.mergesErr = watchedMerges.last()
+	if f.mergesErr == nil && !f.mergesPassed.IsZero() && now.Sub(f.mergesPassed) > 3*mergeCatchUpEvery {
+		f.mergesErr = fmt.Errorf("the catch-up of merges has not passed since %s", f.mergesPassed.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))
+	}
+	f.asks, f.asksErr = w.gatherAsks(ctx, inv)
+	if open, err := w.keeper.Open(ctx); err != nil {
+		f.standingsErr = err
+	} else {
+		f.standings = providerStandings(open)
+		f.providerWords = providerConditions(open)
+	}
+	f.advisories = link.Advisories.Since(now.Add(-advisoryQuiet))
+	f.lostConsumers, f.advisoriesErr = w.lostConsumers(ctx, f.advisories)
+	f.handActs, f.handActsErr = w.gatherHandActs(ctx, now)
+	return f
+}
+
+// gatherLease is this controller's standing to the lease and the epochs that ended within the hour.
+func gatherLease(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, now time.Time) (leaseFacts, error) {
+	st := theLease.standing()
+	f := leaseFacts{held: st.Held, epoch: st.Epoch, renewed: st.Renewed, unleased: st.Unleased, reset: st.Reset,
+		resetSaid: st.ResetSaid}
+	ended, err := inv.EpochsSince(ctx, now.Add(-advisoryQuiet))
+	if err != nil {
+		return f, fmt.Errorf("the epochs the mesh issued cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	f.ended = ended
+	return f, nil
+}
+
+// controlHost is the machine running the controller, as the mesh names it: the one the controller
+// module is assigned to, or this process's host name where that is not one machine.
+func controlHost(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) string {
+	if on, err := inv.Running(ctx, "mesh-controller"); err == nil && len(on) == 1 {
+		return on[0]
+	}
+	host, _ := os.Hostname()
+	return host
+}
+
+func (w *watchdogs) gatherMachines(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, now time.Time) ([]machineFacts, error) {
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the machines cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	reports, err := inv.LastReports(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("what each machine last reported cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	reported := map[string]inventory.Reported{}
+	for _, r := range reports {
+		reported[r.Node] = r
+	}
+	control, err := inv.Running(ctx, "mesh-controller")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("where the controller runs cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	tooled, err := inv.Running(ctx, broker.RuntimeModule)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("where the node tools run cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	applies, err := inv.Durations(ctx, inventory.DurationApply, now.Add(-7*24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the measured applies cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	lastApply := map[string]time.Duration{}
+	for _, d := range applies { // oldest first: the last one read is the newest
+		lastApply[d.Node] = d.Took
+	}
+	var out []machineFacts
+	anyPast := false
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		m := machineFacts{name: n.Name, control: slices.Contains(control, n.Name), lastHeard: n.LastSeen,
+			lastApply: lastApply[n.Name], tools: slices.Contains(tooled, n.Name)}
+		if beat, ok := link.HostBeats.Of(n.Name); ok {
+			m.every = beat.Every
+		}
+		if beat, ok := link.ToolsBeats.Of(n.Name); ok {
+			m.toolsHeard, m.toolsEvery = beat.At, beat.Every
+		}
+		if r, ok := reported[n.Name]; ok {
+			if r.Sent != nil {
+				m.sentAt = *r.Sent
+			}
+			if r.At != nil {
+				m.reportedAt = *r.At
+			}
+			m.reportedCurrent = r.Current
+		}
+		if !m.lastHeard.IsZero() && now.Sub(m.lastHeard) > heartbeatBound(m.every) {
+			anyPast = true
+		}
+		if m.tools && now.Sub(later(m.toolsHeard, link.ToolsBeats.Started())) > heartbeatBound(m.toolsEvery) {
+			anyPast = true
+		}
+		out = append(out, m)
+	}
+	// What a machine past its bound last said of its power, read only then: a machine that said it
+	// is asleep is not lost (ADR 0211). Unreadable is said: a sleeping laptop is then called silent,
+	// which is the louder mistake and the right one to make.
+	if anyPast && w.server != nil {
+		states, err := w.server.PowerStates(ctx, now.Add(-7*24*time.Hour))
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("what machines said of their power cannot be read, so a sleeping one is called silent: %v\n", err)
+		}
+		for i := range out {
+			out[i].power = states[out[i].name]
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// gatherPlans is every open plan, its tier's bound from what was measured, and what it waits on.
+func gatherPlans(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, now time.Time) ([]planFacts, error) {
+	plans, err := inv.OpenPlans(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the open plans cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	if len(plans) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	tiers, err := inv.Durations(ctx, inventory.DurationPlanTier, now.Add(-14*24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the measured plan tiers cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	measured := map[string][]time.Duration{}
+	for _, d := range tiers {
+		measured[d.Subject] = append(measured[d.Subject], d.Took)
+	}
+	pause := buildSeatPause(ctx, inv, plans)
+	var out []planFacts
+	for _, p := range plans {
+		_, paused := pausedWaiting(p, pause, now)
+		out = append(out, planFacts{id: p.ID, repository: p.Repository, commit: p.Commit, tier: p.Tier,
+			tiers: len(p.Tiers), entered: p.TierEntered, bound: max(tierAtLeast, 3*p90(measured[p.Repository])),
+			waiting: planLineWith(p, now, pause), paused: paused})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// p90 is the ninetieth percentile of measurements; zero for none.
+func p90(took []time.Duration) time.Duration {
+	if len(took) == 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	sorted := append([]time.Duration(nil), took...)
+	sort.Slice(sorted, func(i, j int) bool { return sorted[i] < sorted[j] })
+	return sorted[int(0.9*float64(len(sorted)-1))]
+}
+
+// gatherLoop is when the event loop last took a message and what its consumers hold.
+func (w *watchdogs) gatherLoop() (loopFacts, error) {
+	f := loopFacts{took: link.Loop.Last()}
+	if w.js == nil {
+		return f, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	var where []string
+	for _, c := range broker.MeshConsumers() {
+		info, err := w.js.Context().ConsumerInfo(c.Stream, c.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return f, fmt.Errorf("the controller's consumer on %s cannot be read: %w", c.Stream, err)
+		}
+		if held := info.NumPending + uint64(info.NumAckPending); held > 0 {
+			f.pending += held
+			where = append(where, fmt.Sprintf("%d on %s", held, c.Stream))
+		}
+	}
+	f.where = fmt.Sprint(where)
+	return f, nil
+}
+
+// gatherAsks is every ask in the build seat's queue that is in flight or dead, with its bound.
+func (w *watchdogs) gatherAsks(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]askFacts, error) {
+	if w.js == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	entries, err := inv.Catalogued(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	seat := buildSeatAmong(entries)
+	q, err := link.ReadQueue(ctx, w.js, seat)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	builds, err := inv.Durations(ctx, inventory.DurationBuild, time.Now().Add(-14*24*time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the measured builds cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	var took []time.Duration
+	for _, d := range builds {
+		took = append(took, d.Took)
+	}
+	bound := askDefault
+	if len(took) > 0 {
+		bound = max(askAtLeast, 3*p90(took))
+	}
+	var out []askFacts
+	for _, a := range q.Asks {
+		if a.State != link.AskInFlight && a.State != link.AskDead {
+			continue
+		}
+		since := a.Started
+		if since.IsZero() {
+			since = a.AskedAt
+		}
+		what := a.Repository
+		if a.Path != "" {
+			what += " " + a.Path
+		}
+		out = append(out, askFacts{id: a.ID, seat: seat, what: what, state: a.State, on: a.On, since: since, bound: bound})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// lostConsumers is, of the consumers the bus said were deleted, each that is still missing and that
+// the mesh expects: a consumer removed because its module was unassigned is not lost.
+func (w *watchdogs) lostConsumers(ctx context.Context, heard []link.Advisory) (map[string]bool, error) {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	var deleted []link.Advisory
+	for _, a := range heard {
+		if a.Kind == link.AdvisoryConsumerLost {
+			deleted = append(deleted, a)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(deleted) == 0 {
+		return out, nil
+	}
+	if w.js == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	_, expected, err := expectedBusObjects(ctx, w.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	want := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, c := range expected {
+		want[c.Stream+"."+c.Name] = true
+	}
+	for _, a := range deleted {
+		_, err := w.js.Context().ConsumerInfo(a.Stream, a.Consumer)
+		switch {
+		case errors.Is(err, nats.ErrConsumerNotFound):
+			out[a.Stream+"."+a.Consumer] = want[a.Stream+"."+a.Consumer]
+		case err != nil:
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("whether %s exists cannot be read: %w", link.ConsumerInWords(a.Stream, a.Consumer), err)
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// gatherHandActs is the hand-act log's fortnight (S15), read from the bus.
+func (w *watchdogs) gatherHandActs(ctx context.Context, now time.Time) ([]link.HandAct, error) {
+	if w.js == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	reading, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	acts, err := link.HandActs(reading, w.js.Conn(), now.Add(-handActsWithin))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the hand-act log cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	return acts, nil
+}
+
+// later is the later of two moments.
+func later(a, b time.Time) time.Time {
+	if a.After(b) {
+		return a
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+// watchTheMesh opens the condition store and starts the watchdogs, the bus's advisories and the
+// self-check, for the serving controller; the returned function stops them. Nil when the store could
+// not be opened, which is said.
+func watchTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, server *link.Server, bus link.OverNATS) func() {
+	keeper, err := keeperOn(ctx, bus.Conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the condition store could NOT be opened, so nothing that goes wrong is kept or said, and "+
+			"status says the conditions cannot be read: %v\n", err)
+		return nil
+	}
+	conditionsFrom = keeper
+	logf := func(format string, args ...any) { fmt.Printf(format+"\n", args...) }
+	stopHearing, err := server.HearAdvisories(logf)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("what the bus says about itself cannot be heard (S9 is blind): %v\n", err)
+		stopHearing = func() {}
+	}
+	host := controlHost(ctx, open.inventory)
+	w := &watchdogs{open: open, server: server, js: server.JetStream(), keeper: keeper, started: time.Now(),
+		acting: link.Holding}
+	d := &doctor{open: open, js: server.JetStream(), keeper: keeper, teller: bus, watchdogs: w, host: host}
+	w.doctor = d
+	doctorFrom = d
+	watching, stop := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	go w.keep(watching)
+	go d.keep(watching)
+	// And the healers (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): what is open that a registered healer answers, repaired
+	// under the lease and the brake, every act said.
+	healers := newHealing(open, keeper, bus, server.JetStream())
+	go healers.keep(watching)
+	go forgettingOldHeals(watching, open.inventory)
+	fmt.Printf("watching the mesh: %d signal(s) every %s, %d probe(s) every %s; what is wrong is kept in %s "+
+		"and said as %s events\n", len(watchedRows()), watchEvery, len(runnableProbes()), doctorEvery,
+		broker.ConditionsBucket, conditions.Seat)
+	return func() {
+		stop()
+		stopHearing()
+		flushing, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		keeper.Close(flushing)
+	}
+}
+
+// runnableProbes are the probes the registry runs.
+func runnableProbes() []probe {
+	var out []probe
+	for _, p := range probeRegistry {
+		if p.run != nil {
+			out = append(out, p)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}

go.mod

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ go 1.26.0
 require (
 	github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.10.0
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
+	github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0
+	golang.org/x/net v0.58.0
 )
 
 require (
@@ -15,8 +17,15 @@ require (
 	github.com/klauspost/compress v1.20.0 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nkeys v0.4.16 // indirect
 	github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1 // indirect
-	golang.org/x/net v0.58.0 // 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
 )
+
+// The node-engine's own validator (mesh-host/validate, novox/hq to-be 45 D1): one validator, the host's.
+// The host's module path names no forge a build can fetch from, so the module is read from the one
+// that holds it, at the host's commit — **once, by whoever moves the pin, into vendor/**, which is
+// 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 v0.0.0-20261006095519-3e80b7ae325e

go.sum

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+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=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1 h1:vj9j/u1bqnvCEfJOwUhtlOARqs3+rkHYY13jYWTU97c=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=

internal/broker/controller_buckets.go

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+)
+
+// The controller's own key-value buckets (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, §6, §7).
+//
+// **What the controller must remember across its own restart, it keeps on the bus.** A call's
+// outcome lived in the memory of the process that served it (novox/hq issue 265), so a controller
+// replaced while a push ran answered "no such call" for the one thing its caller had been told to
+// ask about. The bus already outlives the controller and is the shape ADR 0201 gives a module's
+// current state: one value per key, written by one owner, read by anybody granted it. These are the
+// controller's, written by it alone — the writers table of to-be 45 §1 — and asserted on every start
+// like the streams, so a bus raised from nothing has them before the first call is served.
+
+// CallsBucket keeps every call of the mesh's own verbs and what came of it; HandActsBucket every act
+// a person did by hand, with why; ConditionsBucket every condition open now (to-be 45 §2), one key
+// each, and ConditionHistoryBucket every transition of one — raised, changed, silenced, cleared —
+// for ninety days.
+//
+// **The history is a bucket of its own** because its keys expire and an open condition's must not:
+// a bucket has one age for every key, and a condition open longer than the history is kept would
+// otherwise vanish from the store while still true.
+var (
+	CallsBucket            = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "calls")
+	HandActsBucket         = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "hand-acts")
+	ConditionsBucket       = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "conditions")
+	ConditionHistoryBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "condition-history")
+	// LeaseBucket holds the controller's lease (to-be 45 §6): one key, `holder`, which the instance
+	// allowed to act writes by compare-and-set and renews; its revision when taken is the epoch.
+	LeaseBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "lease")
+)
+
+// LeaseTTL is how long the lease's key lives unrenewed (to-be 45 §6): fifteen seconds, renewed
+// every five. The bucket's age, so the bus forgets a holder that stopped renewing.
+const LeaseTTL = 15 * time.Second
+
+// The bounds to-be 45 §6 sets for calls: the last thousand, or fourteen days, whichever is fewer.
+// A call is two keys — its record, and its answer apart so a listing does not read every answer —
+// so the stream holds twice as many messages as it keeps calls.
+const (
+	KeptCallsDurably = 1000
+	CallsKeptFor     = 14 * 24 * time.Hour
+	// CallAnswerBytes is the most of one answer kept: a whole declaration is far smaller, and an
+	// answer larger is cut and says so.
+	CallAnswerBytes = 64 << 10
+	// HandActsKeptFor is as long as a condition's history (to-be 45 §2): an act by hand is read
+	// back beside what it addressed.
+	HandActsKeptFor = 90 * 24 * time.Hour
+	// ConditionHistoryKeptFor is how long a condition's transitions are kept (to-be 45 §2).
+	ConditionHistoryKeptFor = 90 * 24 * time.Hour
+)
+
+// IsControllerBucket says a bucket is the controller's own, not a module's state nothing declares.
+func IsControllerBucket(bucket string) bool {
+	return bucket == CallsBucket || bucket == HandActsBucket || bucket == ConditionsBucket ||
+		bucket == ConditionHistoryBucket || bucket == LeaseBucket
+}
+
+// ControllerBuckets are the controller's own buckets, in the order they are asserted.
+func ControllerBuckets() []string {
+	return []string{LeaseBucket, CallsBucket, HandActsBucket, ConditionsBucket, ConditionHistoryBucket}
+}
+
+// ControllerBucketsAsserter is what raising the controller's buckets needs of a connection.
+type ControllerBucketsAsserter interface {
+	EnsureControllerBuckets() error
+}
+
+// EnsureControllerBuckets creates the controller's buckets if absent and brings their options to
+// match. An update, never a delete: what they hold is the record of what the mesh was asked.
+func (j *JetStream) EnsureControllerBuckets() error {
+	js, err := jetstream.New(j.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if err := EnsureLeaseBucket(ctx, js); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: CallsBucket,
+		Description: "the calls of the mesh's own verbs and what came of each (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, issue " +
+			"265): written by the controller alone, read through `calls`; the last thousand, or fourteen days",
+		History:      1,
+		TTL:          CallsKeptFor,
+		MaxValueSize: CallAnswerBytes + 4<<10,
+		MaxBytes:     2 * KeptCallsDurably * (CallAnswerBytes + 4<<10),
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", CallsBucket, err)
+	}
+	// **The count, on the stream under the bucket.** A bucket has an age and a size and no count;
+	// the stream it is made of does, and with one value per key the oldest message is the oldest
+	// call. Asserted after the bucket, every time, because asserting the bucket writes the stream's
+	// configuration whole and puts the count back to none.
+	stream, err := js.Stream(ctx, "KV_"+CallsBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("reading the stream under %s: %w", CallsBucket, err)
+	}
+	cfg := stream.CachedInfo().Config
+	if cfg.MaxMsgs != 2*KeptCallsDurably {
+		cfg.MaxMsgs = 2 * KeptCallsDurably
+		cfg.Discard = jetstream.DiscardOld
+		if _, err := js.UpdateStream(ctx, cfg); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("bounding %s to the last %d calls: %w", CallsBucket, KeptCallsDurably, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: HandActsBucket,
+		Description: "every act a person did by hand, with why (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): written by the " +
+			"controller's repairing verbs and `hand-act record`, read through `hand-acts`",
+		History:      1,
+		TTL:          HandActsKeptFor,
+		MaxValueSize: 16 << 10,
+		MaxBytes:     64 << 20,
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", HandActsBucket, err)
+	}
+	// **No age on the open conditions.** A condition is removed when observation clears it and at no
+	// other moment: one that expired would be a fault the store forgot while it was still true.
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: ConditionsBucket,
+		Description: "every condition open now, one key each (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): written by the " +
+			"controller alone, raised and cleared by observation, read through `conditions`",
+		History:      1,
+		MaxValueSize: 64 << 10,
+		MaxBytes:     64 << 20,
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", ConditionsBucket, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: ConditionHistoryBucket,
+		Description: "every transition of a condition — raised, changed, silenced, cleared — kept ninety " +
+			"days (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): written by the controller alone, read through `conditions history`",
+		History:      1,
+		TTL:          ConditionHistoryKeptFor,
+		MaxValueSize: 64 << 10,
+		MaxBytes:     256 << 20,
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", ConditionHistoryBucket, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// EnsureLeaseBucket creates the lease's bucket if absent and brings its options to match (to-be 45
+// §6). **Before the lease is taken, by any candidate**: it is the lease's own precondition, and asserting
+// a bucket that exists changes nothing. File storage, so its revisions — the epochs — outlive a restart of
+// the bus; one raised again from nothing is moved past the highest epoch issued when the lease is taken.
+func EnsureLeaseBucket(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream) error {
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: LeaseBucket,
+		Description: "the controller's lease (novox/hq to-be 45 §6): the key `holder`, written by compare-and-set " +
+			"by the one controller instance that may act and renewed every five seconds; its revision when taken " +
+			"is the epoch every declaration and plan write carries",
+		History:      1,
+		TTL:          LeaseTTL,
+		MaxValueSize: 4 << 10,
+		MaxBytes:     1 << 20,
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", LeaseBucket, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/broker/controller_buckets_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// **The controller may write every bucket it writes** (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, issue 269). Writing a
+// key is a publish to the bucket's own subject, which the management interface's grant does not
+// cover: the cancelled sets' writes timed out for want of this, and the controller's own buckets
+// would have.
+func TestTheControllerMayWriteEveryBucketItWrites(t *testing.T) {
+	p, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindController, PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := []string{"$KV." + CallsBucket + ".>", "$KV." + HandActsBucket + ".>"}
+	for _, seat := range seatsTheControllerAsks {
+		if hasCancelledSet(seat) {
+			want = append(want, "$KV."+CancelledSetName(seat)+".>")
+		}
+	}
+	for _, subject := range want {
+		if !slices.Contains(p.Publish, subject) {
+			t.Errorf("the controller may not publish %s, so it cannot write that bucket", subject)
+		}
+	}
+	if slices.Contains(p.Publish, "$KV.>") {
+		t.Error("the controller may write any bucket, a module's state included")
+	}
+}
+
+// **A machine's node tools may say they are there, as that machine and no other** (novox/hq to-be 45
+// S11), and the controller may hear the bus's advisories and ask who answers — read-only, named.
+func TestTheWatchedSignalsMayBeSaidAndHeard(t *testing.T) {
+	tools, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindNodeTools, Node: "anchor", Module: RuntimeModule, PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !slices.Contains(tools.Publish, "mesh.control.anchor.tools-alive") {
+		t.Error("the node tools may not say they are there")
+	}
+	for _, s := range tools.Publish {
+		if strings.Contains(s, "tools-alive") && s != "mesh.control.anchor.tools-alive" {
+			t.Errorf("the node tools may say %s", s)
+		}
+	}
+	controller, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindController, PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, s := range BusAdvisories {
+		if !slices.Contains(controller.Subscribe, s) {
+			t.Errorf("the controller may not hear %s", s)
+		}
+	}
+	if !slices.Contains(controller.Publish, "$SRV.INFO") || slices.Contains(controller.Subscribe, "$JS.EVENT.>") {
+		t.Error("the controller may not ask who answers, or hears every API call")
+	}
+}

internal/broker/derived.go

@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ type Consumer struct {
 	// that exists keeps where it is, whatever this says; only its making is decided here.
 	FromNow bool
 	Why     string
+	// Resettable says why this consumer may be re-made to deliver from now by the mesh itself, with
+	// nobody asked (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, healer H4): what a reset drops, something else catches up.
+	// Empty for every consumer where nothing would — a module's, whose events would be lost to it.
+	// Not a property of the consumer on the bus: nothing here is sent to the server.
+	Resettable string
 }
 
 // seatStreamName is the stream holding a seat's inbound work. Named after the seat rather than

internal/broker/nats.go

@@ -125,6 +125,16 @@ type Principal struct {
 // goes with the retired seat row.
 var seatsTheControllerAsks = []string{"node-build-agent", "mesh-build-machine"}
 
+// SeatVerb is one verb of one seat, on every machine holding it.
+type SeatVerb struct{ Seat, Verb string }
+
+// VerbsTheSelfCheckAsks are the seat verbs the controller's self-check and watchdogs call (novox/hq
+// to-be 45 §4): D8 reads every machine's ban list. **Named one by one, and the test that holds them
+// to the probe registry is the reason they cannot drift** — a probe that calls a verb its grant does
+// not name is refused by the bus on every run (found live on 2026-10-06: D8 timed out on each
+// machine, refused). Asked of any machine (`.*`), read-only verbs, nothing else of the seat.
+var VerbsTheSelfCheckAsks = []SeatVerb{{Seat: "node-intrusion-prevention", Verb: "banned"}}
+
 // perMachineEvents are a node-scoped seat's events about the holder itself, whose last token is the
 // holder's machine (novox/hq ADR 0219): `paused.<node>`, the build agent saying whether it takes work.
 var perMachineEvents = map[string]bool{"paused.*": true}
@@ -169,6 +179,10 @@ func (p Principal) Username() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+// AskReportSubject is where the mesh asks one machine's node-engine to say again what it last applied
+// (novox/hq to-be 45 §6): its answer is an ordinary report, on its own report subject.
+func AskReportSubject(node string) string { return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.report" }
+
 // inbox is a principal's own reply space. No user is ever granted a bare `_INBOX.>` (design 25
 // §4): with one account, inbox privacy is the permission list or it is nothing, so each user's
 // inbox is derived from its own identity and its permissions name that prefix and no other.
@@ -219,7 +233,12 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// stream definitions (design 25 §3), so it alone reaches the JetStream API — and it alone
 		// issues memberships (novox/hq ADR 0160), which it publishes into the assignments stream
 		// after each push; refused by the server on 2026-10-01 until this line named them.
-		pub = []string{"mesh.control.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "$JS.API.>"}
+		//
+		// **Not what the machines say** (novox/hq to-be 45 §1): `mesh.control.>` is subscribed, never
+		// published — a machine's report has one writer, its node-engine, and the controller granted
+		// that subject would be a second (the writers table refuses it). It was granted from the first
+		// composition and nothing ever published under it.
+		pub = []string{"mesh.node.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "$JS.API.>"}
 		// **And where its consumers deliver.** A push consumer delivers on `_DELIVER.<its name>`,
 		// and a client bound to it subscribes exactly that; the server refused it for every
 		// principal the first time one bound a consumer (2026-09-28). Each kind below is granted
@@ -237,6 +256,12 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 			// building, kill it, pause it, resume it. The queue is the controller's to show and to
 			// change, and what one machine is doing with an ask it took only that machine can say.
 			pub = append(pub, "mesh.seat."+seat+".tool.>")
+			// **And its cancelled set** (novox/hq ADR 0219, issue 269): a cancel writes the ask's id
+			// there before it deletes the ask, and a write is a publish to the bucket's subject, which
+			// `$JS.API.>` does not cover — so every cancel timed out, refused by this list.
+			if hasCancelledSet(seat) {
+				pub = append(pub, "$KV."+CancelledSetName(seat)+".>")
+			}
 		}
 		// **And what the mesh says it did** (novox/hq ADR 0134). The control plane states its own
 		// facts under the seat it holds, because a role's events belong to the role and keep their
@@ -260,6 +285,13 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		sub = append(sub, "mesh.seat."+ControllerSeat+".tool.>")
 		// And says so (novox/hq ADR 0197): it answers discovery for the seat it serves.
 		sub = append(sub, announcing(ControllerSeat)...)
+		// And the verbs the self-check reads with, of any machine's holder (novox/hq to-be 45 §4).
+		for _, v := range VerbsTheSelfCheckAsks {
+			pub = append(pub, "mesh.seat."+v.Seat+".tool."+v.Verb+".*")
+		}
+		// And asks who answers (novox/hq to-be 45 §4, D3): the self-check finds every seat's holder by
+		// the same discovery the console reads. The question only; the answers come to its own inbox.
+		pub = append(pub, "$SRV.INFO")
 
 		// The events it reacts to, and its ack subject on the stream they arrive from
 		// (streams.go). **Each named, not a pattern**: `mesh.mod.*.event.>` would make the
@@ -288,6 +320,18 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// enrolments and can reach nothing else.
 		pub = append(pub, "_INBOX."+enrolmentPrefix+".>")
 
+		// **And its own buckets** (novox/hq to-be 45 §1): the calls it served and the acts done by
+		// hand, which it alone writes. A put is a publish to the bucket's subject, which `$JS.API.>`
+		// does not cover; each bucket named, not `$KV.>`, which would let it write any module's state.
+		for _, bucket := range ControllerBuckets() {
+			pub = append(pub, "$KV."+bucket+".>")
+		}
+		// **And what the bus says about itself, read-only** (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, S9): a durable
+		// consumer that gave up on a message, or one that was deleted. The server already publishes
+		// both in the mesh's own account; the controller says each as a condition in the mesh's words.
+		// Named, not `$JS.EVENT.>`: the other advisories are every API call the mesh makes.
+		sub = append(sub, BusAdvisories...)
+
 	case KindPerson:
 		// Tools, and nothing else. Every subject a person may publish is a tool call; a person
 		// who could publish an event would be able to claim a module said something.
@@ -338,7 +382,11 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// next assertion moves it, and a permission that only allowed the new shape would refuse
 		// every node in the mesh for exactly as long as that took.
 		sub = []string{"mesh.node." + p.Node + ".declare",
-			"_DELIVER." + p.Node, "_DELIVER." + p.Node + ".>"}
+			"_DELIVER." + p.Node, "_DELIVER." + p.Node + ".>",
+			// And the mesh asking it to say again what it last applied (novox/hq to-be 45 §6, the
+			// `report` verb healer H1 asks): its own machine's, on core NATS and off any stream. It
+			// answers through its report, the one thing it already says — no reply to anybody's inbox.
+			AskReportSubject(p.Node)}
 
 	case KindModule:
 		// 1. Its own namespace: it publishes its events there and serves its tools there. Nothing
@@ -499,6 +547,9 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// that varies is the module, so the pattern is the machine's own assignments.
 		sub = append(sub, "mesh.assignment."+p.Node+".*")
 		pub = append(pub, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+AssignmentsStream+".mesh.assignment."+p.Node+".*")
+		// And that it is there (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, S11): its own heartbeat, under its machine's
+		// name and no other's, on core NATS like the host's.
+		pub = append(pub, "mesh.control."+p.Node+".tools-alive")
 		// And every tool on the mesh (ADR 0175, decision 5): any node may call any tool on any
 		// node, as the console already could — the runtime is the console's serving mode.
 		invoked, err := invokedSubjects([]string{"*"})
@@ -566,6 +617,11 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 
 	sort.Strings(pub)
 	sort.Strings(sub)
+	// One writer per piece of state (novox/hq to-be 45 §1): a grant that would make a second is
+	// refused here, at composition, naming the state and its writer.
+	if err := CheckWriters(p, pub); err != nil {
+		return Permissions{}, err
+	}
 	return Permissions{
 		Publish:   pub,
 		Subscribe: sub,

internal/broker/state.go

@@ -160,8 +160,9 @@ func RaiseBuckets(a BucketAsserter, buckets []Bucket) (undeclared []string, err
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("listing the bus's state: %w", err)
 	}
 	for _, n := range names {
-		// A seat's cancelled set is the mesh's own (novox/hq ADR 0219), not a module's state.
-		if !declared[n] && !IsCancelledSet(n) {
+		// A seat's cancelled set is the mesh's own (novox/hq ADR 0219), not a module's state; so are
+		// the controller's own buckets (novox/hq to-be 45 §1).
+		if !declared[n] && !IsCancelledSet(n) && !IsControllerBucket(n) {
 			undeclared = append(undeclared, n)
 		}
 	}

internal/broker/states_agreement_test.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
@@ -20,12 +21,19 @@ func TestTheFactsTheGrantPermitsAreTheFactsTheMeshStates(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the grant is written for the %q seat and the mesh states its facts under %q",
 			broker.ControllerSeat, link.MeshControllerSeat)
 	}
-	for _, event := range []string{link.KeyApplied, link.KeyRefused, link.KeyBuiltBefore} {
+	// And what is wrong, as it changes, and the self-check's heartbeat (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, §4).
+	states := append([]string{link.KeyApplied, link.KeyRefused, link.KeyBuiltBefore}, conditions.Events...)
+	states = append(states, conditions.HeartbeatEvent)
+	// And a value given by hand, replaced after its module's first good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+	states = append(states, link.KeySecretReplaced)
+	// And every act a healer takes (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	states = append(states, link.KeyHealerActed)
+	for _, event := range states {
 		if !slices.Contains(broker.ControllerStates, event) {
 			t.Errorf("the mesh states %q and its account may not publish it", event)
 		}
 	}
-	if len(broker.ControllerStates) != 3 {
+	if len(broker.ControllerStates) != len(states) {
 		t.Errorf("the grant permits %v, which is more than the mesh states", broker.ControllerStates)
 	}
 	// **And the seat says it.** A seat carries the protocol of its role (novox/hq ADR 0129), so the

internal/broker/streams.go

@@ -201,7 +201,28 @@ const ControllerName = "controller"
 // something to say.
 const ControllerSeat = "mesh-controller"
 
-var ControllerStates = []string{"applied", "refused", "built-before"}
+var ControllerStates = []string{"applied", "refused", "built-before",
+	// What is wrong, said as it changes (novox/hq to-be 45 §2): a condition raised, changed in
+	// severity, resolver or silence, and cleared. The operator-channel's holder and any other surface
+	// consume them; the controller tells nobody itself.
+	"condition-raised", "condition-changed", "condition-cleared",
+	// And the self-check's heartbeat, at the end of every run (to-be 45 §4, S10): watched from a
+	// machine that is not the control node, so the controller going quiet is itself said.
+	"doctor-heartbeat",
+	// And a value given by hand, replaced after its module's first good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+	"secret-replaced",
+	// And every act a healer takes on a condition (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, Phase 3): a repair the mesh
+	// made by itself is said like one a person made, never quietly.
+	"healer-acted"}
+
+// BusAdvisories are what the bus server says about the mesh's own account that the controller
+// reads (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, S9): a durable consumer that handed a message over as often as it
+// may and gave up on it, and one that was deleted. Read-only: an advisory is the server's to
+// publish, and the controller's subscription changes nothing on the bus.
+var BusAdvisories = []string{
+	"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.MAX_DELIVERIES.>",
+	"$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.DELETED.>",
+}
 
 // ControllerFollows are the events the controller reacts to: the catalogue saying a module's
 // current version moved, and a catalogue that has just started saying it may have missed builds.
@@ -234,13 +255,18 @@ var ControllerFollows = []string{
 	// the index is a name.
 	moduleEventSubject("*", ProvisionerFailing),
 	moduleEventSubject("*", ProvisionerRecovered),
+	// **What becomes of a consumer the mesh stopped asking for** (novox/hq ADR 0230): retired, waiting
+	// for a person, re-enabled, deleted — a provider's third word, from whichever module provides.
+	// Appended, because the index is a name.
+	moduleEventSubject("*", ProvisionerRetirement),
 }
 
 // The provider standing events, by their local names. Written here as well as in the catalogue
 // (catalogue.ProvisionerEvents), which this package cannot import; a test keeps them agreeing.
 const (
-	ProvisionerFailing   = "provisioner.failing"
-	ProvisionerRecovered = "provisioner.recovered"
+	ProvisionerFailing    = "provisioner.failing"
+	ProvisionerRecovered  = "provisioner.recovered"
+	ProvisionerRetirement = "provisioner.retirement"
 )
 
 // moduleEventSubject is where one module's event lands. The same derivation PermissionsFor uses, so
@@ -286,6 +312,13 @@ func MeshConsumers() []Consumer {
 			// client and come back to be acted on again.
 			MaxAckPending: 1,
 			FromNow:       true,
+			// **The one consumer the mesh resets by itself** (healer H4, issue 248): it fell a week
+			// behind once and held every merge after it. What a reset drops is caught up elsewhere —
+			// a merge by the catch-up pass that reads the forge (issue 266), a build's outcome from the
+			// build records a plan settles from (issue 214), a provider's failing word by the provider
+			// saying it again every quarter of an hour (ADR 0224).
+			Resettable: "what it drops is caught up: merges by the catch-up pass (issue 266), build outcomes " +
+				"from the build records (issue 214), a provider's failing word said again (ADR 0224)",
 			Why: "the events the mesh's own controller reacts to, one at a time; after " +
 				"max-deliver it dead-letters, because an announcement it cannot act on will not " +
 				"become actionable",

internal/broker/testdata/composed.conf

@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ accounts {
     jetstream: enabled
     users = [
       { user: "controller", password: "$2a$11$cccccccccccccccccccccc", permissions: {
-        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.CONTROL.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller.>", "$JS.API.>", "_INBOX.enrol.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.*.tool.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.accept.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.tool.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.applied", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.built-before", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.refused", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.accept.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.tool.>"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["$JS.API.>", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller.>", "_DELIVER.controller", "_DELIVER.controller.>", "_INBOX.controller.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.failing", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.recovered", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.catching-up", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.upgraded", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built"] }
+        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.CONTROL.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller.>", "$JS.API.>", "$KV.SEAT_MESH_BUILD_MACHINE_cancelled.>", "$KV.SEAT_NODE_BUILD_AGENT_cancelled.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_calls.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_condition-history.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_conditions.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_hand-acts.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.>", "$SRV.INFO", "_INBOX.enrol.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "mesh.mod.*.tool.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.accept.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.tool.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.applied", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.built-before", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-cleared", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-raised", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.doctor-heartbeat", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.healer-acted", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.refused", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.secret-replaced", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.accept.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-intrusion-prevention.tool.banned.*"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["$JS.API.>", "$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.DELETED.>", "$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.MAX_DELIVERIES.>", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller.>", "_DELIVER.controller", "_DELIVER.controller.>", "_INBOX.controller.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.failing", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.recovered", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.retirement", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.catching-up", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.upgraded", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "enrol.one", password: "$2a$11$eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee", permissions: {
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ accounts {
       } }
       { user: "node.one", password: "$2a$11$nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.NODES.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.one", "mesh.control.one.>"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
       } }
       { user: "one.telegram", password: "$2a$11$tttttttttttttttttttttt", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.EVENTS.one_telegram.>", "$JS.ACK.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.one_telegram", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.one_telegram", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.ASSIGNMENTS.mesh.assignment.one.telegram", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.event.delivered", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.event.failed"] }

internal/broker/writers.go

@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// The writers table (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, ADR 0227 rule 1), compiled in.
+//
+// **Every kind of state the core keeps has one writer; anyone else asks it.** The table is the design's,
+// row for row, with what each row writes on the bus where it writes there. Two things read it: the
+// composition of every principal's grants (PermissionsFor), which **refuses a grant that lets a
+// principal publish on a subject another writes** — so a second writer cannot be granted by accident,
+// and the composition says which state and whose — and the test beside it, which walks the rows
+// against the design's list and the composition of a whole mesh. Changing a writer is a change to
+// this table, through a decision.
+
+// WriterRow is one row of the writers table.
+type WriterRow struct {
+	State  string
+	Writer string
+	KeptIn string
+	Others string
+	// Subjects are the bus subjects a write of this state is a publish to; none for state kept off the
+	// bus (the controller's store, a module's own) or not built yet.
+	Subjects []string
+	// Writes says a principal granted a publish pattern overlapping Subjects is this state's writer —
+	// given the pattern, because a machine writes its own report and no other's.
+	Writes func(p Principal, pattern string) bool
+	// Shared says why more than one principal may publish here; empty for one writer.
+	Shared string
+}
+
+// isController, and the other writers' tests, are who a row's writer is as a principal.
+func isController(p Principal, _ string) bool { return p.Kind == KindController }
+
+// ownMachine is a node writing a subject whose third token is its own name, and no wildcard there.
+func ownMachine(p Principal, pattern string) bool {
+	tokens := strings.Split(pattern, ".")
+	return p.Kind == KindNode && len(tokens) > 2 && tokens[2] == p.Node
+}
+
+// holdsSeatOf is a principal holding the seat a `mesh.seat.<seat>.…` pattern names: its module's own
+// principal, or the node tools carrying a module that holds it (ADR 0175, the runtime is its modules).
+func holdsSeatOf(p Principal, pattern string) bool {
+	tokens := strings.Split(pattern, ".")
+	if len(tokens) < 3 {
+		return false
+	}
+	seat := tokens[2]
+	holds := func(seats []Seat) bool {
+		return slices.ContainsFunc(seats, func(s Seat) bool { return s.Name == seat })
+	}
+	switch p.Kind {
+	case KindModule:
+		return holds(p.Holds)
+	case KindNodeTools:
+		return slices.ContainsFunc(p.Carries, func(d Declared) bool { return holds(d.Holds) })
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ownModule is a module publishing under its own name, or the node tools carrying it.
+func ownModule(p Principal, pattern string) bool {
+	tokens := strings.Split(pattern, ".")
+	if len(tokens) < 3 {
+		return false
+	}
+	module := tokens[2]
+	switch p.Kind {
+	case KindModule:
+		return p.Module == module
+	case KindNodeTools:
+		return slices.ContainsFunc(p.Carries, func(d Declared) bool { return d.Module == module })
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// kvOf is a bucket's write subjects.
+func kvOf(bucket string) []string { return []string{"$KV." + bucket + ".>"} }
+
+// WritersTable is to-be 45 §1, in its order.
+var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
+	{State: "a machine's declaration", Writer: "controller (lease holder)", KeptIn: "the bus, last per subject",
+		Others: "read", Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.declare"}, Writes: isController},
+	{State: "a machine's applied state and its report", Writer: "the node-engine's apply queue",
+		KeptIn: "the machine; the report on the bus", Others: "the reconcile and a delivery enqueue, never apply",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.control.*.report"}, Writes: ownMachine},
+	{State: "the controller lease", Writer: "the controller instance holding it", KeptIn: "key-value " + LeaseBucket,
+		Others: "a candidate waits", Subjects: kvOf(LeaseBucket), Writes: isController},
+	{State: "plans and their tiers", Writer: "controller (lease holder), compare-and-set on the plan's revision",
+		KeptIn: "the controller's store", Others: "read through plans"},
+	{State: "conditions", Writer: "controller", KeptIn: "key-value " + ConditionsBucket + " (and its history, " +
+		ConditionHistoryBucket + ")", Others: "raise or clear only through observations the controller reads",
+		Subjects: append(kvOf(ConditionsBucket), kvOf(ConditionHistoryBucket)...), Writes: isController},
+	{State: "calls and their outcomes", Writer: "controller", KeptIn: "key-value " + CallsBucket,
+		Others: "read by id", Subjects: kvOf(CallsBucket), Writes: isController},
+	{State: "the hand-act log", Writer: "controller, through the verbs that act", KeptIn: "key-value " + HandActsBucket,
+		Others: "—", Subjects: kvOf(HandActsBucket), Writes: isController},
+	// What the healers did (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, Phase 3): the controller's alone, in its store — the
+	// budgets and the mesh-wide brake are counted from it, so a controller restarting cannot reset them.
+	{State: "the healers' acts and their brake", Writer: "controller (lease holder), each act begun before it is made",
+		KeptIn: "the controller's store", Others: "read through healers; each act said as healer-acted and in its condition's tried"},
+	{State: "stream definitions and bus permissions", Writer: "controller", KeptIn: "the bus", Others: "—",
+		// A stream's definition, and a durable consumer's by the API that names it so. Not every
+		// consumer create: a module watching its own bucket makes and deletes an ordered consumer on the
+		// bucket's stream (ADR 0201), which defines nothing the mesh keeps.
+		Subjects: []string{"$JS.API.STREAM.CREATE.>", "$JS.API.STREAM.UPDATE.>", "$JS.API.STREAM.DELETE.>",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DURABLE.CREATE.>"},
+		Writes: isController},
+	{State: "builds and their outcomes", Writer: "the build seat's holder", KeptIn: "its own state",
+		Others:   "the controller asks",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built"},
+		Writes:   holdsSeatOf,
+		Shared:   "every machine holding the build seat answers the asks it took; each outcome names its ask"},
+	{State: "a merge announced", Writer: "one announcer per forge (the hook, or the poll when the hook is absent — never both)",
+		KeptIn: "the bus", Others: "—", Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.pull.merged"}, Writes: ownModule},
+	{State: "a provider's standing", Writer: "the provider", KeptIn: "the provider's events",
+		Others: "the controller keeps the newest word as a condition",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.failing", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.recovered",
+			"mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.retirement"},
+		Writes: ownModule},
+	{State: "the operator-channel's open messages", Writer: "the seat's holder", KeptIn: "its own key-value state",
+		Others: "—"},
+	{State: "the facts snapshot", Writer: "controller", KeptIn: "the artifact store, facts/latest",
+		Others: "the build seat reads"},
+}
+
+// CheckWriters refuses a grant that lets a principal publish on a subject the writers table gives
+// another writer (to-be 45 §1): which state, whose, and the pattern that would make a second writer.
+func CheckWriters(p Principal, publish []string) error {
+	var problems []string
+	for _, pattern := range publish {
+		for _, row := range WritersTable {
+			if row.Writes == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			for _, subject := range row.Subjects {
+				if !SubjectsOverlap(pattern, subject) || row.Writes(p, pattern) {
+					continue
+				}
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s may publish %s, which writes %s (%s), whose writer is %s",
+					p.Username(), pattern, row.State, subject, row.Writer))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("a second writer would be granted (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, one writer per piece of state):\n  %s",
+		strings.Join(problems, "\n  "))
+}
+
+// SubjectsOverlap says some subject matches both patterns: `*` is one token, `>` one or more to the end.
+func SubjectsOverlap(a, b string) bool {
+	x, y := strings.Split(a, "."), strings.Split(b, ".")
+	for i := 0; ; i++ {
+		switch {
+		case i == len(x) && i == len(y):
+			return true
+		case i == len(x) || i == len(y):
+			return false
+		case x[i] == ">" || y[i] == ">":
+			return true
+		case x[i] == "*" || y[i] == "*" || x[i] == y[i]:
+			continue
+		default:
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/broker/writers_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// The writers table, checked (novox/hq to-be 45 §1, ADR 0227 rule 1, "how it is checked"): it is the
+// design's table row for row; every row that writes on the bus names its writer; a whole mesh composes
+// with one writer per piece of state; and a grant that would make a second writer is refused, naming
+// the state and whose it is.
+
+// designRows are the states of to-be 45 §1, in its order. A row added to the design is added here and
+// to the table; one dropped from either fails.
+var designRows = []string{
+	"a machine's declaration",
+	"a machine's applied state and its report",
+	"the controller lease",
+	"plans and their tiers",
+	"conditions",
+	"calls and their outcomes",
+	"the hand-act log",
+	"the healers' acts and their brake",
+	"stream definitions and bus permissions",
+	"builds and their outcomes",
+	"a merge announced",
+	"a provider's standing",
+	"the operator-channel's open messages",
+	"the facts snapshot",
+}
+
+func TestTheWritersTableIsTheDesigns(t *testing.T) {
+	var states []string
+	for _, row := range WritersTable {
+		states = append(states, row.State)
+		if row.Writer == "" || row.KeptIn == "" || row.Others == "" {
+			t.Errorf("%q does not say who writes it, where it is kept and what others do", row.State)
+		}
+		if len(row.Subjects) > 0 && row.Writes == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%q is written on the bus and names no writer among the principals", row.State)
+		}
+	}
+	if !slices.Equal(states, designRows) {
+		t.Fatalf("the writers table is not to-be 45 §1's:\n have %q\n want %q", states, designRows)
+	}
+}
+
+// A mesh of every kind of principal composes: nobody is granted a second writer's subject.
+func TestAWholeMeshComposesWithOneWriterPerState(t *testing.T) {
+	builder := Seat{Name: "node-build-agent", Scope: "node", Accepts: []string{"build"}, Emits: []string{"built", "started"}}
+	principals := []Principal{
+		{Kind: KindController, PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindNode, Node: "one", PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindEnrolment, Node: "two", PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindPerson, Module: "jochen", Invokes: []string{"*"}, PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "gitea", Emits: []string{"pull.merged"}, PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "postgres", Emits: []string{"provisioner.failing", "provisioner.recovered", "provisioner.retirement"},
+			PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "build-agent", Holds: []Seat{builder}, PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindNodeTools, Node: "one", Module: RuntimeModule, PasswordHash: "x", Carries: []Declared{
+			{Module: "gitea", Emits: []string{"pull.merged"}},
+			{Module: "build-agent", Holds: []Seat{builder}}}},
+	}
+	for _, p := range principals {
+		if _, err := PermissionsFor(p); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s does not compose: %v", p.Username(), err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, err := ComposeAccounts(principals); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the mesh does not compose: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestASecondWriterIsRefusedAtComposition(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		p       Principal
+		publish []string
+		state   string
+	}{
+		{"the controller publishing what machines say", Principal{Kind: KindController},
+			[]string{"mesh.control.>"}, "a machine's applied state and its report"},
+		{"a machine publishing another's report", Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "one"},
+			[]string{"mesh.control.two.report"}, "a machine's applied state and its report"},
+		{"a machine publishing every machine's", Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "one"},
+			[]string{"mesh.control.*.>"}, "a machine's applied state and its report"},
+		{"a module writing the lease", Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"},
+			[]string{"$KV.mesh-controller_lease.>"}, "the controller lease"},
+		{"a module sending a declaration", Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"},
+			[]string{"mesh.node.one.declare"}, "a machine's declaration"},
+		{"a module defining a stream", Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"},
+			[]string{"$JS.API.>"}, "stream definitions and bus permissions"},
+		{"a module announcing another forge's merge", Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"},
+			[]string{"mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged"}, "a merge announced"},
+		{"a module saying a build it did not do", Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"},
+			[]string{"mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built"}, "builds and their outcomes"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := CheckWriters(c.p, c.publish)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%v granted to %s was not refused", c.publish, c.p.Username())
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.state) {
+				t.Fatalf("the refusal does not name %q: %v", c.state, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	// And the writers themselves are not refused.
+	for _, ok := range []struct {
+		p       Principal
+		publish []string
+	}{
+		{Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "one"}, []string{"mesh.control.one.>"}},
+		{Principal{Kind: KindController}, []string{"mesh.node.>", "$JS.API.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.>"}},
+		{Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "gitea"}, []string{"mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged"}},
+		{Principal{Kind: KindModule, Module: "shop"}, []string{"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_shop_carts.>"}},
+	} {
+		if err := CheckWriters(ok.p, ok.publish); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("a writer was refused its own: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSubjectsOverlap(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		a, b string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"mesh.control.>", "mesh.control.*.report", true},
+		{"mesh.control.one.>", "mesh.control.*.report", true},
+		{"mesh.control.one.alive", "mesh.control.*.report", false},
+		{"mesh.control.*", "mesh.control.*.report", false},
+		{"$JS.API.>", "$JS.API.STREAM.CREATE.>", true},
+		{"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_x.>", "$JS.API.STREAM.CREATE.>", false},
+		{"a.b", "a.b", true},
+		{"a.b", "a.b.c", false},
+		{"a.>", "a", false},
+	} {
+		if got := SubjectsOverlap(c.a, c.b); got != c.want || SubjectsOverlap(c.b, c.a) != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s ~ %s: %v, want %v", c.a, c.b, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/catalogue_check_test.go

@@ -119,3 +119,41 @@ func TestEveryCatalogueStoreSaysHowItIsBackedUp(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("no module in the catalogue provides a store, so this proved nothing")
 	}
 }
+
+// TestEveryCatalogueIdentityFitsWhatItRequires is ADR 0225's check over the real catalogue: every
+// module's identity, on the longest machine name, fits the bound of every provision it wants. An
+// overflow fails here, in the pull request that introduces it, rather than on the provider's machine
+// the first time a real machine's name meets the module's (issue 263).
+func TestEveryCatalogueIdentityFitsWhatItRequires(t *testing.T) {
+	root := catalogueRoot(t)
+	found, err := filepath.Glob(filepath.Join(root, "modules", "*", "module.json"))
+	if err != nil || len(found) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("no manifests under %s: %v", root, err)
+	}
+	shelf := Shelf{}
+	for _, p := range found {
+		raw, err := os.ReadFile(p)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", p, err)
+		}
+		m, err := ParseManifest(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", p, err)
+		}
+		shelf[m.Module] = m
+	}
+	for _, p := range IdentityProblems(shelf, DefaultLongestMachine) {
+		t.Error(p)
+	}
+	// The night it was found: the resolver provision bounds nothing, and the object store still 20.
+	if dns, ok := shelf["dnsmasq"]; ok {
+		if b := dns.IdentityBoundOf("wildcard-resolution"); b.Bounded() {
+			t.Errorf("the resolver provision bounds its consumers' identities: %+v", b)
+		}
+	}
+	if store, ok := shelf["minio"]; ok {
+		if b := store.IdentityBoundOf("s3-bucket"); b.Max != 20 {
+			t.Errorf("the object store's access key is not bounded at 20: %+v", b)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/consumer_into_serves.go

@@ -114,7 +114,9 @@ func consumerInto(value, as string) (string, error) {
 // asDNSLabel writes a minted identity as a DNS label.
 //
 // The mesh's identities are already lower-case letters, digits and `_` (ConsumerIdentity), and
-// already short enough for the tightest backend they reach (CheckIdentity, twenty characters). So
+// already inside the bound of the provision serving them: a provider that serves one as a DNS label
+// bounds it at 63 or less (CheckServes, novox/hq ADR 0225), and one that serves it at all without
+// saying is held to twenty (IdentityBoundOf). So
 // this is the separator and nothing else — no lower-casing of what is already lower case, no
 // truncation to a limit the identity is already inside, no padding of a name that is already long
 // enough. Each of those would be the mesh guessing at a rule it has not been given.
@@ -141,11 +143,31 @@ func CheckServes(m Manifest) []string {
 				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 					"%s serves %s, and the value it serves as %q %s", m.Module, provision, key, err))
 			}
+			// A label longer than DNS keeps is not truncated here (asDNSLabel), so the offer's own
+			// bound has to keep the identity inside one (ADR 0225).
+			if strings.Contains(text, "${consumer:as:dns}") {
+				if b := m.IdentityBoundOf(provision); !b.Bounded() || b.Max > dnsLabelLimit {
+					problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+						"%s serves %s's consumers their identity as a DNS label in %q, and bounds "+
+							"that identity at %s: a label keeps %d — state an `identity` of at most %d",
+						m.Module, provision, key, boundWords(b), dnsLabelLimit, dnsLabelLimit))
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return problems
 }
 
+// dnsLabelLimit is the longest DNS label (RFC 1035 §2.3.4).
+const dnsLabelLimit = 63
+
+func boundWords(b IdentityBound) string {
+	if !b.Bounded() {
+		return "nothing"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d", b.Max)
+}
+
 func sortedServes(serves map[string]map[string]any) []string {
 	out := make([]string, 0, len(serves))
 	for k := range serves {

internal/catalogue/declaration.go

@@ -170,6 +170,10 @@ type Rendering struct {
 	// rather than resolved, because who consumes a node is a fact about the rest of the mesh and
 	// resolution answers questions about one machine.
 	Grants []Grant
+	// Withheld is every consumer left out of Grants because its identity overflows the provision's
+	// bound (novox/hq ADR 0225). Composed into nothing; carried so the machine's declaration can say
+	// whom it does not serve, and why, beside what it does.
+	Withheld []Overflow
 
 	// Ports is where this machine puts what each module needs reachable, by module and by the
 	// port the software itself uses (novox/hq ADR 0038).

internal/catalogue/dir_into.go

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func placedManifest(m Manifest, with Rendering) (Manifest, error) {
 			if err != nil {
 				return m, err
 			}
-			own[name] = OwnSecret{Path: filled, Taken: s.Taken}
+			own[name] = OwnSecret{Path: filled, Taken: s.Taken, IssuedBy: s.IssuedBy}
 		}
 		m.OwnSecrets = own
 	}

internal/catalogue/events.go

@@ -164,13 +164,19 @@ func consumePattern(pattern string) error {
 // The events a provider says about its consumers (novox/hq ADR 0224): a consumer it has failed
 // without one success for minutes, and that consumer succeeding again or being withdrawn. The
 // controller follows them from every module and `status` names a consumer failing until it recovers.
+//
+// **And what becomes of a consumer the mesh stopped asking for** (novox/hq ADR 0230): retired — its
+// access disabled and its data kept — after the same answer in five passes, waiting for a person when
+// more would go than the bound allows, re-enabled when asked for again, and deleted only by a person's
+// `cleanup delete`. One event, its `change` saying which.
 const (
-	ProvisionerFailing   = "provisioner.failing"
-	ProvisionerRecovered = "provisioner.recovered"
+	ProvisionerFailing    = "provisioner.failing"
+	ProvisionerRecovered  = "provisioner.recovered"
+	ProvisionerRetirement = "provisioner.retirement"
 )
 
-// ProvisionerEvents are both, in the order they are said.
-var ProvisionerEvents = []string{ProvisionerFailing, ProvisionerRecovered}
+// ProvisionerEvents are all three, in the order they are said.
+var ProvisionerEvents = []string{ProvisionerFailing, ProvisionerRecovered, ProvisionerRetirement}
 
 // EmitsAll is every event a module may publish: what it declares and, for a module that receives
 // contributions — a provider, running a provisioner over them — the provider's standing events.

internal/catalogue/identity.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package catalogue
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 )
 
@@ -56,13 +57,36 @@ func ConsumerIdentity(node, module string) string {
 	return IdentityPrefix + clean(node) + "_" + clean(module)
 }
 
-// identityLimit is the shortest identifier limit among the systems these names reach: an S3 access
-// key's 20 (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/010). PostgreSQL keeps 63 and MinIO 20, so 20 is the one that binds —
-// the comment used to name PostgreSQL and was wrong. A name over it is refused, with the remedy a
-// short slug (ADR 0049), not silently cut to fit.
-const identityLimit = 20
+// IdentityBound is the longest consumer identity one provision's backend keeps, and what keeps it
+// (novox/hq ADR 0049, refined by ADR 0225). Max zero means no bound: the provision keeps no name
+// derived from its consumer, or keeps one in something with no limit the mesh need respect.
+type IdentityBound struct {
+	// Max is the longest identity that backend keeps, in characters; zero for none.
+	Max int `json:"max,omitempty"`
+	// In is what keeps it, in words a refusal can quote: "an S3 access key", "a PostgreSQL role".
+	In string `json:"in,omitempty"`
+}
 
-// CheckIdentity refuses an identity that would not fit the tightest backend a consumer reaches.
+// Bounded is whether this bound refuses anything.
+func (b IdentityBound) Bounded() bool { return b.Max > 0 }
+
+// DefaultIdentityLimit is the bound on a provision whose provider receives its consumers and does
+// not say how long a name it keeps: an S3 access key's 20 (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/010, 034), the
+// tightest backend the mesh has met. It was the bound on every provision until ADR 0225; it stays
+// the bound on any that has not said otherwise, because a provider that is told each consumer's
+// identity may create a name from it in a backend nobody has measured.
+const DefaultIdentityLimit = 20
+
+// DefaultIdentityBound is DefaultIdentityLimit, said as a bound.
+var DefaultIdentityBound = IdentityBound{Max: DefaultIdentityLimit,
+	In: "a backend that has not said its limit (the tightest known, an S3 access key's)"}
+
+// identityLimit is the bound CheckIdentity applies, for a caller that does not know which provision
+// the identity is for.
+const identityLimit = DefaultIdentityLimit
+
+// CheckIdentity refuses an identity that would not fit the tightest backend the mesh knows. A caller
+// that knows the provision uses CheckIdentityWithin and that provision's own bound (ADR 0225).
 //
 // **Truncation is not an error in most of these systems** — a name past the limit is cut to fit and
 // the statement succeeds, so two consumers agreeing for the first N bytes would become one login
@@ -70,12 +94,127 @@ const identityLimit = 20
 // name and is the only thing that can choose another. The remedy is a first-class one: give the
 // module a short `slug` (ADR 0049), or shorten the machine's name.
 func CheckIdentity(node, module string) error {
+	return CheckIdentityWithin(node, module, IdentityBound{Max: identityLimit, In: "a backend (an S3 access key)"})
+}
+
+// CheckIdentityWithin refuses an identity that would not fit one provision's bound, and accepts any
+// identity for a provision with none (novox/hq ADR 0225).
+func CheckIdentityWithin(node, module string, bound IdentityBound) error {
+	if !bound.Bounded() {
+		return nil
+	}
 	got := ConsumerIdentity(node, module)
-	if len(got) <= identityLimit {
+	if len(got) <= bound.Max {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return fmt.Errorf(
-		"%s on %s is identified as %q, %d characters where a backend (an S3 access key) keeps %d — "+
+		"%s on %s is identified as %q, %d characters where %s keeps %d — "+
 			"give the module a shorter `slug` or shorten the machine's name",
-		module, node, got, len(got), identityLimit)
+		module, node, got, len(got), bound.In, bound.Max)
+}
+
+// Overflow is one consumer whose identity does not fit the provision it requires: left out of its
+// provider's grants and reported, never a reason to refuse the provider's machine (ADR 0225).
+type Overflow struct {
+	// Provision is what was required, Provider the machine answering it.
+	Provision string `json:"provision"`
+	Provider  string `json:"provider"`
+	// Consumer is the machine, Module the module on it that required it.
+	Consumer string `json:"consumer"`
+	Module   string `json:"module"`
+	// Identity is the name the mesh derived, and Bound what it overflows.
+	Identity string        `json:"identity"`
+	Bound    IdentityBound `json:"bound"`
+}
+
+func (o Overflow) String() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s requires %s from %s and is identified as %q, %d characters where %s "+
+		"keeps %d — left out of %s's grants until the module's `slug` is shorter",
+		o.Module, o.Consumer, o.Provision, o.Provider, o.Identity, len(o.Identity), o.Bound.In,
+		o.Bound.Max, o.Provider)
+}
+
+// Overflowing is every requirement of this machine's modules whose identity overflows the bound of
+// the provision answering it. The same judgement the provider's composition makes before it grants
+// (grantsFor), made from the consumer's side so `status` can say it about every machine.
+func (r Resolution) Overflowing() []Overflow {
+	slugs := map[string]string{}
+	for _, m := range r.Modules {
+		slugs[m.Module] = m.Slug
+	}
+	var out []Overflow
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, n := range r.Needs {
+		if n.ByRecord || !n.Identity.Bounded() {
+			continue
+		}
+		source := IdentitySource(slugs[n.For], n.For)
+		if CheckIdentityWithin(r.Node, source, n.Identity) == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		key := n.Name + "\x00" + n.From + "\x00" + n.For
+		if seen[key] {
+			continue // one line per requirement, however many local names it has
+		}
+		seen[key] = true
+		out = append(out, Overflow{Provision: n.Name, Provider: n.From, Consumer: r.Node, Module: n.For,
+			Identity: ConsumerIdentity(r.Node, source), Bound: n.Identity})
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if out[i].Module != out[j].Module {
+			return out[i].Module < out[j].Module
+		}
+		return out[i].Provision < out[j].Provision
+	})
+	return out
+}
+
+// DefaultLongestMachine is the machine name the catalogue check judges identities on when it is not
+// told one: the longest name of the mesh this catalogue is written for, so a catalogue that passes
+// passes on every machine that mesh has. `module check --longest-machine-name` says another mesh's;
+// a mesh that names a longer machine raises this in the same change (ADR 0225).
+const DefaultLongestMachine = 6
+
+// IdentityProblems is every module whose identity would overflow a provision it wants, on a machine
+// whose name is `longestMachine` characters — judged before merge, over the catalogue alone, so the
+// pull request that introduces an overflow is the one refused (novox/hq ADR 0225, issue 263). A
+// provision no module in the shelf offers is not judged: its bound is not known here.
+func IdentityProblems(shelf Shelf, longestMachine int) []string {
+	offeredBy := map[string][]string{}
+	for _, name := range shelfOrder(shelf) {
+		for _, o := range shelf[name].Offers() {
+			offeredBy[o] = append(offeredBy[o], name)
+		}
+	}
+	machine := strings.Repeat("n", longestMachine)
+	var problems []string
+	for _, name := range shelfOrder(shelf) {
+		m := shelf[name]
+		source := IdentitySource(m.Slug, m.Module)
+		for _, want := range m.Wants() {
+			// The tightest bound among the modules offering it: whichever one answers on a given
+			// machine, the identity has to fit it.
+			tightest, by := IdentityBound{}, ""
+			for _, provider := range offeredBy[want] {
+				if provider == name {
+					continue // a module answering its own requirement is not its own consumer
+				}
+				b := shelf[provider].IdentityBoundOf(want)
+				if b.Bounded() && (!tightest.Bounded() || b.Max < tightest.Max) {
+					tightest, by = b, provider
+				}
+			}
+			if CheckIdentityWithin(machine, source, tightest) == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			got := ConsumerIdentity(machine, source)
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+				"%s wants %s, and %s keeps its consumers' identities in %s of at most %d characters: "+
+					"on a machine with a %d-character name it is identified as %q, %d — give %s a "+
+					"`slug` of at most %d characters",
+				name, want, by, tightest.In, tightest.Max, longestMachine, got, len(got), name,
+				tightest.Max-len(IdentityPrefix)-longestMachine-1))
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
 }

internal/catalogue/identity_bound_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// Each test names the decision it defends: novox/hq ADR 0225, which refines ADR 0049 after issue 263.
+
+// The provision a module requires sets the bound on its identity, not the tightest backend anywhere.
+func TestABoundIsTheProvisionsOwn(t *testing.T) {
+	store := Manifest{Module: "objects", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "s3-bucket", Scope: ScopeMesh,
+		Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 20, In: "an S3 access key"}}},
+		Receives: map[string]string{"s3-bucket": "/var/lib/mesh/objects/mesh.json"}}
+	database := Manifest{Module: "db", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "postgres-database", Scope: ScopeMesh,
+		Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 63, In: "a PostgreSQL role"}}},
+		Receives: map[string]string{"postgres-database": "/var/lib/mesh/db/mesh.json"}}
+	if b := store.IdentityBoundOf("s3-bucket"); b.Max != 20 || b.In != "an S3 access key" {
+		t.Errorf("an object store's stated bound was not taken: %+v", b)
+	}
+	if b := database.IdentityBoundOf("postgres-database"); b.Max != 63 {
+		t.Errorf("a database's stated bound was not taken: %+v", b)
+	}
+	// mesh_workstation_keycloak is 25: refused by the object store, accepted by the database.
+	if CheckIdentityWithin("workstation", "keycloak", store.IdentityBoundOf("s3-bucket")) == nil {
+		t.Error("a 25-character identity fit a 20-character access key")
+	}
+	if err := CheckIdentityWithin("workstation", "keycloak", database.IdentityBoundOf("postgres-database")); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a database consumer paid the object store's limit: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// What an offer leaves unsaid follows from whether its provider can keep a name at all.
+func TestAnUnstatedBoundFollowsWhatTheProviderIsTold(t *testing.T) {
+	// Told nothing about its consumers — no receives, nothing served from their identity: no bound.
+	// The resolver provision is exactly this, and its consumers paid an object store's limit (263).
+	resolver := Manifest{Module: "resolver", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "wildcard-resolution", Scope: ScopeMesh}}}
+	if b := resolver.IdentityBoundOf("wildcard-resolution"); b.Bounded() {
+		t.Errorf("a provision that is told nothing of its consumers bounds them: %+v", b)
+	}
+	// Told each consumer and silent about its backend: the old global bound, not none.
+	told := Manifest{Module: "told", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "thing", Scope: ScopeMesh}},
+		Receives: map[string]string{"thing": "/var/lib/mesh/told/mesh.json"}}
+	if b := told.IdentityBoundOf("thing"); b.Max != DefaultIdentityLimit {
+		t.Errorf("a provider told its consumers and silent about its backend is not held to %d: %+v",
+			DefaultIdentityLimit, b)
+	}
+	// Serving a value built from the identity is being told it, too.
+	serving := Manifest{Module: "serving", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "bucket", Scope: ScopeMesh}},
+		Serves: map[string]map[string]any{"bucket": {"name": "b-${consumer:as:dns}"}}}
+	if b := serving.IdentityBoundOf("bucket"); b.Max != DefaultIdentityLimit {
+		t.Errorf("a provider deriving a name from its consumers is not bounded: %+v", b)
+	}
+	// And `false` says it outright, even for a provider that receives.
+	routes := Manifest{Module: "routes", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "route", Scope: ScopeMesh,
+		Identity: &OfferIdentity{None: true}}},
+		Receives: map[string]string{"route": "/var/lib/mesh/routes/mesh.json"}}
+	if b := routes.IdentityBoundOf("route"); b.Bounded() {
+		t.Errorf("`identity: false` still bounds: %+v", b)
+	}
+}
+
+// The field reads as written and writes back the same, and refuses what says nothing.
+func TestAnOffersIdentityIsParsedStrictly(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, raw := range []string{
+		`{"name":"s3-bucket","scope":"mesh","identity":{"max":20,"in":"an S3 access key"}}`,
+		`{"name":"wildcard-resolution","scope":"mesh","identity":false}`,
+		`{"name":"redis-cache","scope":"mesh","identity":{"in":"a Redis ACL user"}}`,
+	} {
+		var o Offer
+		if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(raw), &o); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", raw, err)
+		}
+		back, err := json.Marshal(o)
+		if err != nil || string(back) != raw {
+			t.Errorf("did not round-trip:\n%s\n%s (%v)", raw, back, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, raw := range []string{
+		`{"name":"x","identity":true}`,
+		`{"name":"x","identity":{"max":20,"in":"y","most":3}}`,
+	} {
+		var o Offer
+		if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(raw), &o); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("accepted %s", raw)
+		}
+	}
+	bad := Manifest{Module: "bad", Version: "1", Provides: []Offer{
+		{Name: "unsaid", Scope: ScopeMesh, Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 20}},
+		{Name: "tiny", Scope: ScopeMesh, Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 4, In: "nothing usable"}},
+	}}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(bad)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_, err = ParseManifest(raw)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "without saying what keeps them") ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "the shortest the mesh makes") {
+		t.Fatalf("a bound with no `in`, or too short for any identity, was accepted: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Refused before merge: the catalogue check judges each module's identity, on the longest machine
+// name, against the bound of every provision it wants — and names the module and the slug to set.
+func TestTheCatalogueCheckRefusesAnIdentityThatOverflowsWhatItRequires(t *testing.T) {
+	shelf := Shelf{
+		"objects": {Module: "objects", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "s3-bucket", Scope: ScopeMesh,
+			Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 20, In: "an S3 access key"}}},
+			Receives: map[string]string{"s3-bucket": "/var/lib/mesh/objects/mesh.json"}},
+		"photoalbum": {Module: "photoalbum", Requires: []string{"s3-bucket"}},
+		"files":      {Module: "files", Requires: []string{"s3-bucket"}},
+	}
+	problems := IdentityProblems(shelf, 6)
+	if len(problems) != 1 || !strings.Contains(problems[0], "photoalbum wants s3-bucket") ||
+		!strings.Contains(problems[0], `"mesh_nnnnnn_photoalbum", 22`) ||
+		!strings.Contains(problems[0], "`slug` of at most 8 characters") {
+		t.Fatalf("one overflow, named with its remedy, was expected: %q", problems)
+	}
+	// A longer machine name refuses more: the check is about the mesh's machines, not one.
+	if got := IdentityProblems(shelf, 10); len(got) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("on a 10-character name both overflow (mesh_nnnnnnnnnn_files is 21): %q", got)
+	}
+	// And a slug is the remedy it names.
+	album := shelf["photoalbum"]
+	album.Slug = "album"
+	shelf["photoalbum"] = album
+	if got := IdentityProblems(shelf, 6); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a slug that fits is still refused: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// Tonight's case (issue 263): networkmanager, no slug, requiring the mesh's resolver provision on a
+// machine with a six-character name. Under ADR 0049's one bound it was refused, and its provider's
+// whole machine with it; the resolver keeps no name, so it is not refused at all.
+func TestARequirementOnAKeylessProvisionComposesWithALongName(t *testing.T) {
+	shelf := Shelf{
+		"resolver":       {Module: "resolver", Provides: []Offer{{Name: "wildcard-resolution", Scope: ScopeMesh}}},
+		"networkmanager": {Module: "networkmanager", Requires: []string{"wildcard-resolution"}},
+	}
+	if CheckIdentity("laptop", "networkmanager") == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the regression is not reproduced: mesh_laptop_networkmanager fits the old global bound")
+	}
+	if got := IdentityProblems(shelf, 6); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a requirement on a keyless provision was refused for its length: %q", got)
+	}
+	r := Resolution{Node: "laptop", Modules: []Manifest{shelf["networkmanager"]},
+		Needs: []Needed{{Name: "wildcard-resolution", From: "anchor", For: "networkmanager",
+			Identity: shelf["resolver"].IdentityBoundOf("wildcard-resolution")}}}
+	if got := r.Overflowing(); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a keyless requirement is reported as overflowing: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// The consumer's side of the same judgement the provider's composition makes: what `status` says.
+func TestAnOverflowingRequirementIsNamedFromTheConsumersSide(t *testing.T) {
+	bound := IdentityBound{Max: 20, In: "an S3 access key"}
+	r := Resolution{Node: "laptop",
+		Modules: []Manifest{{Module: "photoalbum"}, {Module: "files"}, {Module: "gallery", Slug: "gal"}},
+		Needs: []Needed{
+			{Name: "s3-bucket", From: "anchor", For: "photoalbum", Identity: bound},
+			{Name: "s3-bucket", From: "anchor", For: "photoalbum", Local: "second", Identity: bound},
+			{Name: "s3-bucket", From: "anchor", For: "files", Identity: bound},
+			{Name: "s3-bucket", From: "anchor", For: "gallery", Identity: bound},
+			{Name: "licence", From: "records", For: "photoalbum", ByRecord: true, Identity: bound},
+		}}
+	got := r.Overflowing()
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Module != "photoalbum" || got[0].Identity != "mesh_laptop_photoalbum" ||
+		got[0].Provider != "anchor" {
+		t.Fatalf("one overflow, once, was expected: %+v", got)
+	}
+	if said := got[0].String(); !strings.Contains(said, "an S3 access key keeps 20") ||
+		!strings.Contains(said, "slug") {
+		t.Fatalf("the overflow does not say what keeps it or the remedy: %s", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// An identity served as a DNS label is never truncated, so the offer's bound must keep it in one.
+func TestAnIdentityServedAsADNSLabelIsBoundedToOne(t *testing.T) {
+	serves := map[string]map[string]any{"bucket": {"name": "${consumer:as:dns}"}}
+	wide := Manifest{Module: "wide", Serves: serves, Provides: []Offer{{Name: "bucket", Scope: ScopeMesh,
+		Identity: &OfferIdentity{Max: 255, In: "a client id"}}}}
+	if got := CheckServes(wide); len(got) != 1 || !strings.Contains(got[0], "a label keeps 63") {
+		t.Fatalf("a 255-character bound on a DNS label passed: %q", got)
+	}
+	unsaid := Manifest{Module: "unsaid", Serves: serves, Provides: []Offer{{Name: "bucket", Scope: ScopeMesh}}}
+	if got := CheckServes(unsaid); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the default bound (20) on a DNS label was refused: %q", got)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/manifest.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ package catalogue
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
@@ -153,6 +154,84 @@ type Offer struct {
 	// a seat's holder gated by the machine's graphical session, and pulling one in for whatever asked
 	// is the misassignment research 026 found. Unmet, the requirement is refused naming who could.
 	Reach string `json:"reach,omitempty"`
+	// Identity is the longest consumer identity this provision's backend keeps (novox/hq ADR 0225):
+	// `{"max": 63, "in": "a PostgreSQL role"}`, or `false` for a provision that keeps no name derived
+	// from its consumer. Unsaid, the mesh assumes the tightest backend it knows when the provider is
+	// told its consumers, and no bound when it is not — see IdentityBoundOf.
+	Identity *OfferIdentity `json:"identity,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// OfferIdentity is what an offer says about the names its backend keeps for its consumers.
+type OfferIdentity struct {
+	// None is set by `"identity": false`: the provision keeps no name derived from its consumer.
+	None bool
+	// Max is the longest identity kept, in characters; zero with In set means no limit worth stating.
+	Max int
+	// In is what keeps it, for a refusal to quote.
+	In string
+}
+
+// UnmarshalJSON accepts `false` or `{"max": N, "in": "..."}`.
+func (i *OfferIdentity) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
+	var flag bool
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &flag); err == nil {
+		if flag {
+			return errors.New("an offer's identity is false (it keeps no name) or {max, in}; true says nothing")
+		}
+		*i = OfferIdentity{None: true}
+		return nil
+	}
+	var full struct {
+		Max int    `json:"max,omitempty"`
+		In  string `json:"in"`
+	}
+	dec := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(raw))
+	dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	if err := dec.Decode(&full); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("an offer's identity is false or {max, in}: %w", err)
+	}
+	*i = OfferIdentity{Max: full.Max, In: full.In}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// MarshalJSON writes it back in the form it was written.
+func (i OfferIdentity) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	if i.None {
+		return []byte("false"), nil
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(struct {
+		Max int    `json:"max,omitempty"`
+		In  string `json:"in"`
+	}{i.Max, i.In})
+}
+
+// IdentityBoundOf is the bound this module's offer of a provision puts on its consumers' identities
+// (novox/hq ADR 0225).
+//
+// **What an offer says, it gets.** Where it says nothing, the bound follows from whether the
+// provider can keep a name at all: a provider that receives the provision, or serves its consumers
+// a value built from their identity, is told who each consumer is and may create a name from it in
+// a backend nobody measured — so it keeps the old global bound, DefaultIdentityBound. One that does
+// neither is told nothing about its consumers and keeps nothing of them: no bound. The resolver
+// provision is that case, and its consumers paid an object store's limit until this (issue 263).
+func (m Manifest) IdentityBoundOf(provision string) IdentityBound {
+	for _, o := range m.Provides {
+		if o.Name != provision || o.Identity == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if o.Identity.None {
+			return IdentityBound{}
+		}
+		return IdentityBound{Max: o.Identity.Max, In: o.Identity.In}
+	}
+	if _, receives := m.Receives[provision]; receives {
+		return DefaultIdentityBound
+	}
+	if served, err := json.Marshal(m.Serves[provision]); err == nil &&
+		bytes.Contains(served, []byte("${consumer:as")) {
+		return DefaultIdentityBound
+	}
+	return IdentityBound{}
 }
 
 // MachineReach is whether a provision is usable only on its provider's own machine.
@@ -206,20 +285,21 @@ func (o *Offer) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
 		Scope      string           `json:"scope,omitempty"`
 		Credential *OfferCredential `json:"credential,omitempty"`
 		Reach      string           `json:"reach,omitempty"`
+		Identity   *OfferIdentity   `json:"identity,omitempty"`
 	}
 	dec := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(raw))
 	dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
 	if err := dec.Decode(&full); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("a provided name is either a string or {name, scope, credential, reach}: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("a provided name is either a string or {name, scope, credential, reach, identity}: %w", err)
 	}
-	o.Name, o.Scope, o.Credential, o.Reach = full.Name, full.Scope, full.Credential, full.Reach
+	o.Name, o.Scope, o.Credential, o.Reach, o.Identity = full.Name, full.Scope, full.Credential, full.Reach, full.Identity
 	return nil
 }
 
 // MarshalJSON writes back the short form when there is nothing else to say, so a manifest that
 // went through the mesh comes out looking like the one that went in.
 func (o Offer) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
-	if o.Scope == "" && o.Credential == nil && o.Reach == "" {
+	if o.Scope == "" && o.Credential == nil && o.Reach == "" && o.Identity == nil {
 		return json.Marshal(o.Name)
 	}
 	return json.Marshal(struct {
@@ -227,7 +307,8 @@ func (o Offer) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 		Scope      string           `json:"scope,omitempty"`
 		Credential *OfferCredential `json:"credential,omitempty"`
 		Reach      string           `json:"reach,omitempty"`
-	}{o.Name, o.Scope, o.Credential, o.Reach})
+		Identity   *OfferIdentity   `json:"identity,omitempty"`
+	}{o.Name, o.Scope, o.Credential, o.Reach, o.Identity})
 }
 
 // Manifest is everything a module says about itself.
@@ -237,9 +318,10 @@ type Manifest struct {
 
 	// Slug is a short identifier the mesh uses in place of the module name when it derives a
 	// consumer's login (novox/hq ADR 0049). Optional: a module with a short name needs none. It
-	// exists because `mesh_<node>_<module>` must fit the tightest backend a consumer reaches — an S3
-	// access key is 20 characters — and a long module name would overflow it. A person choosing
-	// `kc` for keycloak keeps the identity legible where a hash would not.
+	// exists because `mesh_<node>_<module>` must fit the bound of every provision the module
+	// requires — an S3 access key's 20 characters is the tightest — and a long module name would
+	// overflow it (ADR 0225: the bound is the provision's own, and a keyless one has none). A person
+	// choosing `kc` for keycloak keeps the identity legible where a hash would not.
 	Slug string `json:"slug,omitempty"`
 
 	// Provides are the names other modules may require. A module always provides its own name;
@@ -476,7 +558,10 @@ type Manifest struct {
 	// that takes it only once, so a rotation must be staged beside the current value — the form the
 	// mesh does not build yet, and refuses by name. A secret that says neither is not rotated by
 	// the mesh: the one fault worse than an unrotated credential is a rotated one the software
-	// never saw.
+	// never saw. `"issued-by": "outside"` says a party outside the mesh issues the value — an API
+	// key, a bot token, a licence — so the mesh never puts one of its own in its place (novox/hq
+	// ADR 0228); any other at-start secret given by hand lives only until the module's first good
+	// start, and is then replaced.
 	OwnSecrets OwnSecrets `json:"own-secrets,omitempty"`
 
 	// SecretsOwner is who the files holding this module's secrets belong to on the machine —
@@ -1265,8 +1350,10 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 			"%q is not a usable module name: lower-case letters, digits, dashes and dots", m.Module))
 	}
 	// A slug is a short identifier the mesh derives a login from (novox/hq ADR 0049). The same
-	// charset as a name; its length is checked against a backend's limit at assignment, where the
-	// node it joins is known — a slug that is fine on one machine's short name can overflow another's.
+	// charset as a name; its length is judged against the bound of each provision it wants on the
+	// longest machine name by the catalogue check (IdentityProblems, ADR 0225), and against the
+	// machine it is on when its provider grants it — a slug that is fine on one machine's short name
+	// can overflow another's.
 	if m.Slug != "" && !name.MatchString(m.Slug) {
 		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 			"%q is not a usable slug: lower-case letters, digits, dashes and dots", m.Slug))
@@ -1303,6 +1390,20 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 		if !name.MatchString(p) {
 			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%q is not a usable name to provide", p))
 		}
+		// A bound says what keeps the name, so the refusal it causes can say it (ADR 0225); and it
+		// leaves room for the shortest identity the mesh makes, or it would refuse every consumer.
+		if id := offer.Identity; id != nil && !id.None {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(id.In) == "" {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+					"%s bounds the identities of %s's consumers without saying what keeps them: `in`",
+					m.Module, p))
+			}
+			if shortest := len(IdentityPrefix) + 3; id.Max < 0 || id.Max > 0 && id.Max < shortest {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+					"%s bounds %s's consumers' identities at %d characters, and the shortest the mesh "+
+						"makes is %d", m.Module, p, id.Max, shortest))
+			}
+		}
 		if offer.Credential != nil {
 			own, declared := m.OwnSecrets[offer.Credential.Own]
 			switch {
@@ -1703,6 +1804,13 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 					"or %q (applied by the module's own code to a backend that takes it once)",
 				m.Module, name, own.Taken, TakenAtStart, TakenApplied))
 		}
+		if own.IssuedBy != "" && own.IssuedBy != IssuedOutside {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+				"%s says its secret %q is issued by %q; a secret says %q when a party outside the mesh "+
+					"issues it — a vendor's key, a bot's token, a licence — and says nothing when the mesh "+
+					"may make it (novox/hq ADR 0228)",
+				m.Module, name, own.IssuedBy, IssuedOutside))
+		}
 	}
 	localOf := map[string]string{}
 	for _, to := range m.SecretRequirements() {
@@ -2165,10 +2273,24 @@ const (
 	TakenApplied = "applied"
 )
 
-// OwnSecret is where one of a module's own secrets lands, and how the module takes it.
+// IssuedOutside says a value was issued by a party outside the mesh — a vendor's API key, a bot's
+// token, a licence — so no value the mesh makes would work in its place (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+const IssuedOutside = "outside"
+
+// OwnSecret is where one of a module's own secrets lands, how the module takes it, and — for a
+// value only an outside party can issue — that it is one.
 type OwnSecret struct {
-	Path  string
-	Taken string
+	Path     string
+	Taken    string
+	IssuedBy string
+}
+
+// MeshMayMake says the mesh may put a value it makes in place of the one the secret holds: the
+// module reads it as it starts, and nobody outside the mesh issued it (novox/hq ADR 0228). A value
+// given to the mesh for such a secret lives only until the module's first good start under the
+// mesh; anything else given stays as given.
+func (s OwnSecret) MeshMayMake() bool {
+	return s.Taken == TakenAtStart && s.IssuedBy != IssuedOutside
 }
 
 // OwnSecrets is a module's own secrets by name. On the wire each is a path, or an object naming
@@ -2189,15 +2311,16 @@ func (o *OwnSecrets) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
 			continue
 		}
 		var long struct {
-			Path  string `json:"path"`
-			Taken string `json:"taken,omitempty"`
+			Path     string `json:"path"`
+			Taken    string `json:"taken,omitempty"`
+			IssuedBy string `json:"issued-by,omitempty"`
 		}
 		dec := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(body))
 		dec.DisallowUnknownFields()
 		if err := dec.Decode(&long); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("own-secrets.%s: a path, or {\"path\", \"taken\"}: %w", name, err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("own-secrets.%s: a path, or {\"path\", \"taken\", \"issued-by\"}: %w", name, err)
 		}
-		out[name] = OwnSecret{Path: long.Path, Taken: long.Taken}
+		out[name] = OwnSecret{Path: long.Path, Taken: long.Taken, IssuedBy: long.IssuedBy}
 	}
 	*o = out
 	return nil
@@ -2206,11 +2329,18 @@ func (o *OwnSecrets) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
 func (o OwnSecrets) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	entries := make(map[string]any, len(o))
 	for name, s := range o {
-		if s.Taken == "" {
+		if s.Taken == "" && s.IssuedBy == "" {
 			entries[name] = s.Path
 			continue
 		}
-		entries[name] = map[string]string{"path": s.Path, "taken": s.Taken}
+		long := map[string]string{"path": s.Path}
+		if s.Taken != "" {
+			long["taken"] = s.Taken
+		}
+		if s.IssuedBy != "" {
+			long["issued-by"] = s.IssuedBy
+		}
+		entries[name] = long
 	}
 	return json.Marshal(entries)
 }

internal/catalogue/own_secret_taken_test.go

@@ -52,3 +52,42 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretTakenSomeOtherWayIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("an unknown field on an own secret was accepted")
 	}
 }
+
+// A secret an outside party issues says so (novox/hq ADR 0228), is written back as it was read, and
+// is the one at-start secret the mesh may not make; any other word for who issued it is refused.
+func TestAnOwnSecretSaysWhenAnOutsidePartyIssuesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	m, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"letta","version":"1","own-secrets":{
+		"server-password":{"path":"/var/lib/letta/server-password","taken":"at-start"},
+		"openai-api-key":{"path":"/var/lib/letta/openai-api-key","taken":"at-start","issued-by":"outside"},
+		"telegram-token":{"path":"/var/lib/letta/telegram-token","issued-by":"outside"},
+		"logflare":{"path":"/var/lib/letta/logflare","taken":"applied"},
+		"broker":"/var/lib/mesh/letta/broker"}}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for name, may := range map[string]bool{"server-password": true, "openai-api-key": false,
+		"telegram-token": false, "logflare": false, "broker": false} {
+		if got := m.OwnSecrets[name].MeshMayMake(); got != may {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the mesh may make it = %v, want %v", name, got, may)
+		}
+	}
+	out, err := json.Marshal(m.OwnSecrets)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var again OwnSecrets
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &again); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again["openai-api-key"] != m.OwnSecrets["openai-api-key"] || again["telegram-token"] != m.OwnSecrets["telegram-token"] {
+		t.Fatalf("the round trip lost who issued it: %s", out)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(out), `"taken":""`) {
+		t.Fatalf("a secret that says only who issued it gained an empty taken: %s", out)
+	}
+	_, err = ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"letta","version":"1","own-secrets":{
+		"openai-api-key":{"path":"/var/lib/letta/openai-api-key","issued-by":"openai"}}}`))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `issued by "openai"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("an unknown word for who issued a secret was accepted: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/resolve.go

@@ -194,6 +194,11 @@ type Needed struct {
 	// state, not a consumer missing its key. Set by the plan, which is the only layer that knows a
 	// licence's manager; empty for every consumer.
 	Manager bool
+	// Identity is the longest consumer identity the answering provision keeps (novox/hq ADR 0225),
+	// from the provider's own offer: what the mesh judges this consumer's identity against, on the
+	// consumer's side for `status` and on the provider's before it grants. No bound for a provision
+	// answered by a record, which keeps no name of anybody's.
+	Identity IdentityBound
 }
 
 // Refusal is why a set of assignments cannot become a declaration.
@@ -403,7 +408,7 @@ func Resolve(catalogue map[string]Manifest, assigned []string, node Node, world
 				needs = append(needs, Needed{
 					Name: want, From: node.Name, At: at,
 					Serves: servedByOne(by, want), For: because[want],
-					SharedOwn: sharedByOne(by, want)})
+					SharedOwn: sharedByOne(by, want), Identity: by.IdentityBoundOf(want)})
 			} else if served := servedByOne(by, want); len(served) > 0 {
 				// Answered here with no credential to mint, but the provider serves facts the
 				// consumer cannot guess — a port, a model name — and so still needs a binding.
@@ -447,11 +452,15 @@ func Resolve(catalogue map[string]Manifest, assigned []string, node Node, world
 					return
 				}
 				shared := ""
+				// A provider whose definition is not in hand is held to the tightest bound the
+				// mesh knows, not to none: what it keeps is not known here (ADR 0225).
+				bound := DefaultIdentityBound
 				if pm, known := catalogue[p.Module]; known {
 					shared, _ = pm.SharedCredentialOf(want)
+					bound = pm.IdentityBoundOf(want)
 				}
 				needs = append(needs, Needed{Name: want, From: p.Node, At: p.At,
-					Serves: p.Serves, For: because[want], SharedOwn: shared})
+					Serves: p.Serves, For: because[want], SharedOwn: shared, Identity: bound})
 			}
 			switch {
 			case world.Unchecked:

internal/catalogue/retirement_event_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// Every provider may say what becomes of a consumer the mesh stopped asking for (novox/hq ADR 0230),
+// whatever its manifest lists — as it may say a consumer it keeps failing (ADR 0224) — and a module
+// that receives nothing may not.
+func TestEveryProviderMaySayWhatItRetires(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := Manifest{Module: "pg", Receives: map[string]string{"postgres-database": "/x/mesh.json"},
+		Emits: []string{"database.provisioned"}}
+	for _, e := range []string{ProvisionerFailing, ProvisionerRecovered, ProvisionerRetirement, "database.provisioned"} {
+		if !slices.Contains(provider.EmitsAll(), e) {
+			t.Errorf("a provider may not emit %s: %v", e, provider.EmitsAll())
+		}
+	}
+	if slices.Contains(Manifest{Module: "app", Emits: []string{"x"}}.EmitsAll(), ProvisionerRetirement) {
+		t.Error("a module that provides nothing may say what it retires")
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/seats.go

@@ -83,7 +83,13 @@ var defaultSeats = append([]Seat{
 	// `assign` and the rest are a role's interface, not a container's, and stay addressable while
 	// the control plane is replaced.
 	{Name: ControllerSeatName, Scope: ScopeMesh, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0079",
-		Emits:  []string{"applied", "refused", "built-before"},
+		// And what is wrong, as it changes, and the self-check's heartbeat (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, §4).
+		Emits: []string{"applied", "refused", "built-before",
+			"condition-raised", "condition-changed", "condition-cleared", "doctor-heartbeat",
+			// A value given by hand, replaced after its module's first good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+			"secret-replaced",
+			// Every act a healer takes (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+			"healer-acted"},
 		Serves: ControllerVerbs},
 	// The store's first verbs (novox/hq ADR 0159): the smallest set that makes the store askable,
 	// served by whichever module holds the seat with tools of these names.

internal/catalogue/verbs.go

@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 			"paths":      "with repository: the files the merge would change, comma-separated, from the repository's root",
 			"modules":    "with repository: or the modules it would change, comma-separated",
 			"limit":      "how many plans to list (default 10); only when listing",
+			"why":        "with stop or close: why it is ended by hand — required, and recorded in the hand-act log (novox/hq to-be 45 §7)",
+			"cause":      "with stop or close: the cause in a word, or a condition's kind (optional)",
 		}, nil)},
 	{Name: "plan", Description: "What one machine would run, and why: the declaration the mesh would send it — " +
 		"or, with files, the files it would be given.",
@@ -137,21 +139,27 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 	{Name: "push", Description: "Send one machine everything it should be. With no machine named it is a push of the " +
 		"WHOLE mesh — every machine that is behind — and the answer says so first; behind says that outright. " +
 		"Answers at once that it is running, with a call id: `calls` with that id says what it sent " +
-		"(a push can reload the bus, which then refuses any answer still to come).",
+		"(a push can reload the bus, which then refuses any answer still to come). A push by hand is a repair, " +
+		"and says why: recorded in the hand-act log (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).",
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{
 			"node":   "the machine's name; without it, every machine that is behind",
 			"behind": "\"true\": every machine that is behind, the whole mesh — the same as naming none, said outright; not with node",
-		}, nil, "behind")},
-	{Name: "rotate", Description: "Replace a credential. A pair credential, by provision (and a consuming machine, " +
+			"why":    "why this is pushed by hand: recorded in the hand-act log",
+			"cause":  "the cause in a word, or a condition's kind — the word a second push for the same reason uses (optional)",
+		}, []string{"why"}, "behind")},
+	{Name: "rotate", Description: "Replace a credential. A pair credential, by provision (and a consuming machine and module, " +
 		"else every holder): both ends are re-sent together. Or a module's own secret, by machine, module and " +
-		"name: made anew and the machine sent, so the module starts again on it — only for a secret its " +
-		"definition says it reads at start; a value given to the mesh, or one the module applies to a backend, is refused with the reason.",
+		"name: made anew and the machine sent, so the module starts again on it — for a secret its definition " +
+		"says it reads at start, whether the mesh made the value or a person gave it (novox/hq ADR 0228); one " +
+		"an outside party issued, or one the module applies to a backend, is refused with the reason.",
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{
 			"provision": "a pair credential: the provision whose credential to replace",
 			"consumer":  "with provision: only the holder on this machine (optional)",
 			"node":      "an own secret: the machine",
-			"module":    "an own secret: the module",
+			"module":    "an own secret: the module; with provision: only this consuming module's credential (optional)",
 			"secret":    "an own secret: its name in the module's definition",
+			"why":       "an own secret: why it is rotated — recorded in the hand-act log (optional)",
+			"cause":     "with why: the cause in a word, the word a second rotation for the same reason uses (optional)",
 		}, nil)},
 	{Name: "issue", Description: "Give a module on a machine its account on the bus: minted, and sealed to the " +
 		"machine as the module's own secret named broker, read at the next push of that machine. For a module " +
@@ -206,6 +214,86 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{"node": "one machine; every holder when absent"}, nil)},
 	{Name: "resume", Description: "The build seat's holder on one machine — or every holder — takes builds again.",
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{"node": "one machine; every holder when absent"}, nil)},
+	// Acts done by hand, and what the bounds are set from (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, Phase 0).
+	{Name: "hand-act", Description: "Record an act done by hand outside the mesh — a container restarted, a file " +
+		"edited, a service started on a machine — with why and its cause, in the hand-act log beside the pushes and " +
+		"plans ended by hand (novox/hq to-be 45 §7). A cause recorded twice in a fortnight is a healer wanted.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"what":      "what was done, in a line",
+			"why":       "why it had to be done by hand",
+			"cause":     "the cause in a word, or a condition's kind — the word a second act for the same reason uses",
+			"condition": "the key of the condition it addressed, if any (optional)",
+		}, []string{"what", "why", "cause"})},
+	{Name: "hand-acts", Description: "What was done by hand lately — pushes, plans ended, consumers re-made, acts " +
+		"recorded — who, why and the cause of each, and which causes repeat: each repeat is a healer the mesh lacks.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{"days": "how many days back (default 14)"}, nil)},
+	{Name: "durations", Description: "How long things take, as the controller measured them: a send to its machine's " +
+		"report (apply), a machine's silence between words (heartbeat-gap), a plan's tier, a build — per machine, " +
+		"repository or module, with median, p90 and max. What the core's bounds are set from (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"kind": "one kind: apply, heartbeat-gap, plan-tier or build; every kind when absent",
+			"days": "how many days back (default 14)",
+		}, nil)},
+	// What is wrong, and the self-check (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, §4).
+	{Name: "conditions", Description: "What is wrong with the mesh now: every open condition, urgent first, " +
+		"then oldest — raised by the watchdogs of the signals table, the self-check's probes and the providers' " +
+		"own words, and cleared when observation says it is resolved, never by hand. Given a key, that one " +
+		"whole with its evidence; with history, every transition lately; with silence, stop one's messages " +
+		"for a while — a hand act, which says why (novox/hq to-be 45 §2).",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"key":      "a condition's key: that one whole; with history, only its transitions",
+			"scope":    "only this scope: machine, plan, call, build, merge, provider, seat, bus, core, probe or mesh",
+			"severity": "only urgent, or only warning",
+			"machine":  "only those about this machine",
+			"history":  "\"true\": every raising, change, silence and clearing lately, oldest first",
+			"days":     "with history: how many days back (default 7, at most 90)",
+			"silence":  "a condition's key: send no message for it for a while; it stays open and in status",
+			"for":      "with silence: how long — 30m, 4h, 2d; at most 7d",
+			"why":      "with silence: why — required, and recorded in the hand-act log",
+			"cause":    "with silence: the cause in a word (the condition's kind when absent)",
+		}, nil, "history")},
+	// What the healers did (novox/hq to-be 45 §7).
+	{Name: "healers", Description: "The healers (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): each registered response to one kind " +
+		"of condition — its repair (the ordinary path again), its budget, what happens when it is spent — every act " +
+		"they took lately with its outcome, and the mesh-wide brake. A heal is never a hand act; whether it " +
+		"repaired anything is the condition's clearing to say. Each act is also in its condition's tried.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{"days": "how many days of acts back (default 7)"}, nil)},
+	{Name: "doctor", Description: "The self-check (novox/hq to-be 45 §4): the last run's verdict at once — " +
+		"each probe of the design's live invariants passed, failed or could not run, and how long ago. With " +
+		"run, a run now; with probes, the registry; with signals, every row of the signals table and the age " +
+		"of its newest signal. Runs every five minutes on its own; each failure is an open condition.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"run":     "\"true\": run every probe now and answer the verdict",
+			"probes":  "\"true\": the registry — what each probe asserts, and the condition it raises",
+			"signals": "\"true\": the signals table, each row with the age of its newest signal",
+		}, nil, "run", "probes", "signals")},
+	// A consumer the mesh stopped asking for: retired, waiting for a person, deleted only by one
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0230).
+	{Name: "retire", Description: "A consumer the mesh stops asking for is retired by its provider — access " +
+		"disabled, data kept — after the same answer in five passes; more than three at once, or more than half " +
+		"of those held, waits for a person. With no answer, every provider that waits and what it would retire. " +
+		"With answer approve or reject, a node and a module: retire exactly what that provider waits with, or " +
+		"keep it active — a hand act, which says why (novox/hq ADR 0230).",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"answer": "approve or reject: answer what the provider waits with (needs node, module and why)",
+			"node":   "with answer: the machine the provider runs on",
+			"module": "with answer: the provider module",
+			"why":    "with answer: why — required, and recorded in the hand-act log",
+			"cause":  "with answer: the cause in a word (retire-waiting when absent)",
+		}, nil)},
+	{Name: "cleanup", Description: "Every consumer a provider holds retired — its age, its size where the " +
+		"backend knows, and why it was retired. With consumer (and node, module): the provider deletes that one " +
+		"retired consumer — never an active one. With older-than: every retired consumer older than that many " +
+		"days, listed; deleted only with confirm. Deleting is a hand act, which says why (novox/hq ADR 0230).",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"node":       "with consumer: the machine the provider runs on",
+			"module":     "with consumer: the provider module",
+			"consumer":   "delete this retired consumer (needs node, module and why)",
+			"older-than": "delete every consumer retired more than this many days (needs why; lists only without confirm)",
+			"confirm":    "\"true\": with older-than, delete what is listed",
+			"why":        "with consumer or older-than: why — required, and recorded in the hand-act log",
+			"cause":      "with consumer or older-than: the cause in a word (cleanup-waiting when absent)",
+		}, nil, "confirm")},
 	{Name: "build", Description: "Have the build machine build a repository. Answers at once with the build's id: " +
 		"`builds` with that id follows it line by line, and the module is registered when the outcome comes.",
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{

internal/conditions/bus.go

@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+)
+
+// The condition store on the bus (to-be 45 §2, ADR 0201): the controller's two buckets, asserted at
+// its start like its calls and its hand-act log.
+
+// OnTheBus opens the store and its history on a connection.
+func OnTheBus(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn) (Backend, History, error) {
+	api, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	open, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.ConditionsBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the condition store %s is not on the bus — the controller asserts it at "+
+			"its start, so one older than this has not: %w", broker.ConditionsBucket, err)
+	}
+	history, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.ConditionHistoryBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the condition history %s is not on the bus — the controller asserts it "+
+			"at its start, so one older than this has not: %w", broker.ConditionHistoryBucket, err)
+	}
+	return busStore{open}, &busHistory{api: api, kv: history}, nil
+}
+
+type busStore struct{ kv jetstream.KeyValue }
+
+func (b busStore) Get(ctx context.Context, key string) (Entry, bool, error) {
+	e, err := b.kv.Get(ctx, key)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+		return Entry{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return Entry{}, false, err
+	}
+	return Entry{Value: e.Value(), Revision: e.Revision()}, true, nil
+}
+
+func (b busStore) Create(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte) error {
+	_, err := b.kv.Create(ctx, key, value)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyExists) {
+		return ErrMoved
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func (b busStore) Update(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte, revision uint64) error {
+	_, err := b.kv.Update(ctx, key, value, revision)
+	return moved(err)
+}
+
+func (b busStore) Delete(ctx context.Context, key string, revision uint64) error {
+	return moved(b.kv.Delete(ctx, key, jetstream.LastRevision(revision)))
+}
+
+// moved reads the server's refusal of a compare-and-set as what it is.
+func moved(err error) error {
+	var apiErr *jetstream.APIError
+	if errors.As(err, &apiErr) && apiErr.ErrorCode == jetstream.JSErrCodeStreamWrongLastSequence {
+		return ErrMoved
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+// All is every key, read through a watch that hands over each current value and then says it has.
+func (b busStore) All(ctx context.Context) (map[string]Entry, error) {
+	w, err := b.kv.WatchAll(ctx, jetstream.IgnoreDeletes())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = w.Stop() }()
+	out := map[string]Entry{}
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition store: %w", ctx.Err())
+		case e := <-w.Updates():
+			if e == nil {
+				return out, nil
+			}
+			out[e.Key()] = Entry{Value: e.Value(), Revision: e.Revision()}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// busHistory keeps each transition under a key of its time and a sequence, and reads them back
+// from a moment through the stream under the bucket — by time, so a read of the last ten minutes
+// does not read ninety days.
+type busHistory struct {
+	api jetstream.JetStream
+	kv  jetstream.KeyValue
+	seq atomic.Uint64
+}
+
+func (h *busHistory) Append(ctx context.Context, e Event) error {
+	body, err := json.Marshal(e)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	key := strconv.FormatInt(e.At.UnixNano(), 10) + "-" + strconv.FormatUint(h.seq.Add(1), 10)
+	_, err = h.kv.Put(ctx, key, body)
+	return err
+}
+
+// historyQuiet is how long a read of the history waits for one more transition before it takes the
+// stream as read to its end; it answers at once while it holds something.
+const historyQuiet = 2 * time.Second
+
+func (h *busHistory) Since(ctx context.Context, since time.Time) ([]Event, error) {
+	start := since
+	consumer, err := h.api.OrderedConsumer(ctx, "KV_"+broker.ConditionHistoryBucket, jetstream.OrderedConsumerConfig{
+		DeliverPolicy: jetstream.DeliverByStartTimePolicy, OptStartTime: &start,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition history: %w", err)
+	}
+	info, err := consumer.Info(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition history: %w", err)
+	}
+	var out []Event
+	pending := info.NumPending
+	for pending > 0 {
+		msg, err := consumer.Next(jetstream.FetchMaxWait(historyQuiet))
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return nil, ctx.Err()
+			}
+			// Nothing more within the quiet wait: read to its end.
+			break
+		}
+		meta, err := msg.Metadata()
+		if err != nil {
+			break
+		}
+		pending = meta.NumPending
+		var e Event
+		if len(msg.Data()) > 0 && json.Unmarshal(msg.Data(), &e) == nil && e.Key != "" {
+			out = append(out, e)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].At.Before(out[j].At) })
+	return out, nil
+}

internal/conditions/bus_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+)
+
+// The condition store against a real server: compare-and-set, an unreadable store refused, and the
+// history read back by time are claims about what the bus does.
+
+func busStoreForTest(t *testing.T) (*broker.JetStream, Backend, History) {
+	t.Helper()
+	url := os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_NATS")
+	if url == "" {
+		t.Skip("MESH_TEST_NATS unset")
+	}
+	js, err := broker.Dial(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(js.Close)
+	api, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = api.DeleteKeyValue(t.Context(), broker.ConditionsBucket)
+	_ = api.DeleteKeyValue(t.Context(), broker.ConditionHistoryBucket)
+	if err := js.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	store, history, err := OnTheBus(t.Context(), js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return js, store, history
+}
+
+// **A condition outlives the controller that raised it**, and two writers on the bus cannot lose each
+// other's word: a stale revision is refused as moved.
+func TestNatsTheStoreKeepsConditionsByCompareAndSet(t *testing.T) {
+	_, store, history := busStoreForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	told := &Told{}
+	k := NewKeeper(ctx, Options{Store: store, History: history, Teller: told})
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	k.Close(context.Background())
+
+	again := NewKeeper(ctx, Options{Store: store, History: history})
+	defer again.Close(context.Background())
+	open, err := again.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(open) != 1 || open[0].Observations != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a new keeper read %+v", open)
+	}
+	e, _, err := store.Get(ctx, "machine.ace.silent")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := store.Update(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", []byte(`{}`), e.Revision-1); err != ErrMoved {
+		t.Fatalf("a write at a stale revision answered %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := store.Create(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", []byte(`{}`)); err != ErrMoved {
+		t.Fatalf("creating an open condition answered %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := store.Delete(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", e.Revision-1); err != ErrMoved {
+		t.Fatalf("a delete at a stale revision answered %v", err)
+	}
+	if cleared, err := again.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard"); err != nil || !cleared {
+		t.Fatalf("cleared %v: %v", cleared, err)
+	}
+	// Raised again at once: the store takes a key whose last word was a delete.
+	if _, err := again.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, _, _ := again.Get(ctx, "machine.ace.silent")
+	if got.Count != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("raised again after its clearing as %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The history is read back from a moment, oldest first**, through the stream under its bucket.
+func TestNatsTheHistoryIsReadByTime(t *testing.T) {
+	_, store, history := busStoreForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	k := NewKeeper(ctx, Options{Store: store, History: history})
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	k.Close(context.Background())
+	all, err := history.Since(ctx, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(all) != 2 || all[0].Change != ChangeRaised || all[1].Change != ChangeCleared {
+		t.Fatalf("history %+v", all)
+	}
+	none, err := history.Since(ctx, time.Now().Add(time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(none) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("history from the future: %+v %v", none, err)
+	}
+}

internal/conditions/condition.go

@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+// Package conditions is the condition store (novox/hq to-be 45 §2, ADR 0227 rules 5 and 6).
+//
+// **A condition is a durable fact about something the mesh owns that is wrong.** Until this, every
+// one of the forty-eight core failures of research 031 was noticed because a person or an agent
+// looked: the mesh's own answers carried the fact for whoever asked, and told nobody. A condition is
+// raised when an observation says something is wrong past its bound, kept with since-when, evidence
+// and who can resolve it, said on the bus as it changes, and cleared when an observation says it is
+// resolved — never by hand.
+//
+// The controller is the store's only writer (to-be 45 §1). Two of its processes may write at once —
+// the serving controller's watchdogs, and a command a person runs to silence one — so every write
+// is a compare-and-set on the key's revision, and a write that lost the race reads again and redoes
+// itself rather than overwriting what the other said.
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Severity is how soon the operator is needed: two levels, no more (to-be 45 §2).
+type Severity string
+
+const (
+	// Urgent needs the operator now.
+	Urgent Severity = "urgent"
+	// Warning needs the operator when they can.
+	Warning Severity = "warning"
+)
+
+// The scopes a condition's key starts with: what kind of thing is wrong.
+const (
+	ScopeMachine  = "machine"
+	ScopePlan     = "plan"
+	ScopeCall     = "call"
+	ScopeBuild    = "build"
+	ScopeMerge    = "merge"
+	ScopeProvider = "provider"
+	ScopeSeat     = "seat"
+	ScopeBus      = "bus"
+	ScopeCore     = "core"
+	ScopeProbe    = "probe"
+	ScopeMesh     = "mesh"
+)
+
+// Scopes is every scope, in the order a person reads them.
+var Scopes = []string{ScopeMachine, ScopePlan, ScopeCall, ScopeBuild, ScopeMerge, ScopeProvider,
+	ScopeSeat, ScopeBus, ScopeCore, ScopeProbe, ScopeMesh}
+
+// Who resolves a condition.
+const (
+	// ResolverSelf clears on observation: the signal returns, the probe passes.
+	ResolverSelf = "self"
+	// ResolverOperator needs a person: a healer's budget spent, or a repair that could only destroy.
+	ResolverOperator = "operator"
+	// ResolverAgent is work handed to an agent (research 017; not raised by anything yet).
+	ResolverAgent = "agent"
+)
+
+// ResolverHealer is the resolver of a condition a registered healer works on (Phase 3).
+func ResolverHealer(name string) string { return "healer:" + name }
+
+// Subject is what the condition is about: its scope, its id within the scope, and the machine it
+// concerns when there is one.
+type Subject struct {
+	Scope   string `json:"scope"`
+	ID      string `json:"id"`
+	Machine string `json:"machine,omitempty"`
+	// Also are the other machines it concerns: a consumer's, for a provider failing it.
+	Also []string `json:"also,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Evidence is one observation, as it was said.
+type Evidence struct {
+	At   time.Time `json:"at"`
+	Said string    `json:"said"`
+}
+
+// Attempt is one healer's try at a condition (to-be 45 §7): when, what it did, what came of it, and
+// which healer — so a person reading `conditions show` sees the mesh repairing itself, by whom.
+type Attempt struct {
+	At      time.Time `json:"at"`
+	What    string    `json:"what"`
+	Outcome string    `json:"outcome"`
+	// By is the healer, as a person reads it: `healer H1`. Never a person: an act by hand is the
+	// hand-act log's, not a condition's attempt.
+	By string `json:"by"`
+}
+
+// KeptAttempts is how many attempts a condition keeps, newest last: a healer's budget is a few, and
+// a condition reopened again and again carries its tries forward only so far.
+const KeptAttempts = 10
+
+// Silence is a person saying they know: no messages until it ends (to-be 45 §2). Recorded as a hand
+// act; the condition stays open, and `status` still says it.
+type Silence struct {
+	Until time.Time `json:"until"`
+	By    string    `json:"by"`
+	Why   string    `json:"why"`
+	Since time.Time `json:"since"`
+}
+
+// KeptEvidence is how many observations a condition keeps, newest first.
+const KeptEvidence = 10
+
+// MaxSilence is the longest a condition may be silenced at once: past it, a person says so again.
+const MaxSilence = 7 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// ReopenWithin is how soon after it cleared a condition raised again is the same one again, with its
+// count increased, rather than news (to-be 45 §2).
+const ReopenWithin = 10 * time.Minute
+
+// Condition is one open condition, as the store keeps it and its events carry it.
+type Condition struct {
+	Key string `json:"key"`
+	// Kind is the condition kind: from the signals table, the probe registry or an event kind.
+	Kind     string   `json:"kind"`
+	Subject  Subject  `json:"subject"`
+	Severity Severity `json:"severity"`
+	// Summary is one line in the mesh's words.
+	Summary string `json:"summary"`
+	// Evidence is the newest observations, at most KeptEvidence, newest first.
+	Evidence []Evidence `json:"evidence"`
+	// Source is the signals-table row, probe or event that raised it: `S1`, `D3`, `provisioner.failing`.
+	Source string `json:"source"`
+	// Raised is when it was first observed this time; LastObserved the newest observation.
+	Raised       time.Time `json:"raised"`
+	LastObserved time.Time `json:"last-observed"`
+	// Observations is how many times it was observed since raised.
+	Observations int `json:"observations"`
+	// Count is how many times it has been raised, a reopening within ReopenWithin counted.
+	Count    int       `json:"count"`
+	Tried    []Attempt `json:"tried,omitempty"`
+	Resolver string    `json:"resolver"`
+	// Silenced is null when no silence is in force: said, not left out, so a reader need not guess.
+	Silenced *Silence `json:"silenced"`
+	// Epoch is the controller lease epoch that last wrote it (to-be 45 §6). Zero where it was written
+	// by a controller serving without the lease, or before the lease existed.
+	Epoch uint64 `json:"epoch"`
+}
+
+// SilencedAt says whether a person's silence is in force at a moment.
+func (c Condition) SilencedAt(now time.Time) bool {
+	return c.Silenced != nil && now.Before(c.Silenced.Until)
+}
+
+// Escalated says a healer tried and its budget is spent: the operator resolves it now (to-be 45 §2,
+// "budget spent ──► OPEN, resolver: operator, severity: urgent"). An observation does not lower its
+// severity again: the watchdog that sees it every half minute would otherwise undo the escalation.
+func (c Condition) Escalated() bool { return c.Resolver == ResolverOperator && len(c.Tried) > 0 }
+
+// Show is the verb that shows more about a condition, as a message carries it.
+func (c Condition) Show() string { return "mesh-controller.conditions key=" + c.Key }
+
+// Observation is one watchdog, probe or event saying something is wrong now.
+type Observation struct {
+	Scope string
+	// ID is the thing within the scope; several tokens joined by dots where the thing is named by
+	// several (a provider's module, its machine and the consumer).
+	ID string
+	// Token is the last part of the key, short for the kind: `silent` for a machine, `failing` for a
+	// provider. Kind's own word when empty.
+	Token   string
+	Kind    string
+	Machine string
+	// Also are the other machines it concerns.
+	Also     []string
+	Severity Severity
+	Summary  string
+	// Said is this observation's evidence, in the mesh's words; Summary when empty.
+	Said     string
+	Source   string
+	Resolver string
+}
+
+// Key is where the observation's condition is kept: `<scope>.<id>.<kind>`, so the same fault said
+// again is the same condition.
+func (o Observation) Key() string {
+	token := o.Token
+	if token == "" {
+		token = o.Kind
+	}
+	return Key(o.Scope, o.ID, token)
+}
+
+// unsafeKey is anything a key may not hold: the bus takes letters, digits and `-_/=` in a key's
+// tokens, and a `*` or `>` would make one a wildcard.
+var unsafeKey = regexp.MustCompile(`[^A-Za-z0-9_=/-]`)
+
+// Key composes a condition's key from its parts, each token made safe for the bus: a character the
+// bus would refuse becomes `_`, so a key is never refused for the name of the thing it is about.
+func Key(scope, id, token string) string {
+	var parts []string
+	for _, p := range append(append([]string{scope}, strings.Split(id, ".")...), token) {
+		p = unsafeKey.ReplaceAllString(strings.TrimSpace(p), "_")
+		if p == "" {
+			p = "_"
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, p)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, ".")
+}
+
+// check refuses an observation that could not be said: a condition with no kind, no scope the mesh
+// knows, or no severity is one nobody could route.
+func (o Observation) check() error {
+	known := false
+	for _, s := range Scopes {
+		if s == o.Scope {
+			known = true
+		}
+	}
+	switch {
+	case !known:
+		return fmt.Errorf("a condition's scope is one of %s, not %q", strings.Join(Scopes, ", "), o.Scope)
+	case strings.TrimSpace(o.ID) == "":
+		return fmt.Errorf("a %s condition names what it is about", o.Scope)
+	case strings.TrimSpace(o.Kind) == "":
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s has no kind", o.Key())
+	case o.Severity != Urgent && o.Severity != Warning:
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s is urgent or a warning, not %q", o.Key(), o.Severity)
+	case strings.TrimSpace(o.Summary) == "":
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s says nothing", o.Key())
+	case strings.TrimSpace(o.Source) == "":
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s does not say what raised it", o.Key())
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Order sorts conditions as `status` says them: urgent before warning, then oldest first.
+func Order(list []Condition) {
+	sort.SliceStable(list, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if list[i].Severity != list[j].Severity {
+			return list[i].Severity == Urgent
+		}
+		if !list[i].Raised.Equal(list[j].Raised) {
+			return list[i].Raised.Before(list[j].Raised)
+		}
+		return list[i].Key < list[j].Key
+	})
+}

internal/conditions/events.go

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package conditions
+
+import "time"
+
+// The events a condition's life emits (to-be 45 §2), as the mesh-controller seat's own: published on
+// `mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.<name>`, on the events stream, so a consumer that was away catches
+// up. **This is a contract**: the operator-channel's holder is written against these names and the
+// shape of Event, and the controller learns nothing about telling.
+const (
+	// EventRaised: a condition was raised — new, or the same fault again within ReopenWithin of its
+	// clearing (Change says which). A reopened condition is not news: its key is the one the
+	// first message was about.
+	EventRaised = "condition-raised"
+	// EventChanged: its severity, its resolver or its silence changed. Not every observation: a
+	// condition observed again is written, and says nothing.
+	EventChanged = "condition-changed"
+	// EventCleared: an observation says it is resolved. The condition is removed from the store and
+	// the transition kept in its history.
+	EventCleared = "condition-cleared"
+)
+
+// Events is every event a condition's life emits.
+var Events = []string{EventRaised, EventChanged, EventCleared}
+
+// HeartbeatEvent is the self-check's heartbeat (to-be 45 §4, S10), said under the same seat at the end
+// of every run: `{run, at, interval-seconds, counts: {passed, failed, failed-to-run, deferred}, probes,
+// controller, why}`. mesh-watcher, on a machine that is not the control node, listens for it.
+const HeartbeatEvent = "doctor-heartbeat"
+
+// What changed, as an event's Change and a history entry's says it.
+const (
+	ChangeRaised     = "raised"
+	ChangeReopened   = "reopened"
+	ChangeSeverity   = "severity"
+	ChangeResolver   = "resolver"
+	ChangeSilenced   = "silenced"
+	ChangeUnsilenced = "silence-ended"
+	ChangeCleared    = "cleared"
+)
+
+// Event is the body of every condition event, and the shape a history entry keeps: **the condition
+// itself, at the top level** — key, kind, subject, severity, summary, source, raised, last-observed,
+// observations, resolver, silenced (null when not), epoch, and the evidence — with what happened to
+// it beside. One object a consumer reads the same way whichever of the three it is.
+type Event struct {
+	// Condition is the condition after the transition — as it was last held, for a clearing.
+	Condition
+	// Event is the event's own name, so a body read without its subject still says what it is.
+	Event string `json:"event"`
+	// At is when the transition happened.
+	At time.Time `json:"at"`
+	// Change is what happened: raised, reopened, severity, resolver, silenced, silence-ended, cleared.
+	Change string `json:"change"`
+	// Was is the value before, for a severity or resolver change.
+	Was string `json:"was,omitempty"`
+	// Why says why it cleared, or why it was silenced.
+	Why string `json:"why,omitempty"`
+	// Cleared is when it cleared, on a clearing.
+	Cleared *time.Time `json:"cleared,omitempty"`
+	// Show is the verb that shows more.
+	Show string `json:"show"`
+}
+
+// eventFor is the event a change is said under.
+func eventFor(change string) string {
+	switch change {
+	case ChangeRaised, ChangeReopened:
+		return EventRaised
+	case ChangeCleared:
+		return EventCleared
+	}
+	return EventChanged
+}

internal/conditions/memory.go

@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// InMemory is a store and a history held in this process: for tests, and for nothing else — a
+// condition kept here is forgotten by a restart, which is the fault the store exists to remove.
+type InMemory struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	values   map[string]Entry
+	revision uint64
+	events   []Event
+	// Fail, when set, is what every read and write answers: a store that is away.
+	Fail error
+}
+
+// NewInMemory is an empty store.
+func NewInMemory() *InMemory { return &InMemory{values: map[string]Entry{}} }
+
+func (m *InMemory) Get(_ context.Context, key string) (Entry, bool, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return Entry{}, false, m.Fail
+	}
+	e, ok := m.values[key]
+	return e, ok, nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) Create(_ context.Context, key string, value []byte) error {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return m.Fail
+	}
+	if _, ok := m.values[key]; ok {
+		return ErrMoved
+	}
+	m.revision++
+	m.values[key] = Entry{Value: value, Revision: m.revision}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) Update(_ context.Context, key string, value []byte, revision uint64) error {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return m.Fail
+	}
+	if e, ok := m.values[key]; !ok || e.Revision != revision {
+		return ErrMoved
+	}
+	m.revision++
+	m.values[key] = Entry{Value: value, Revision: m.revision}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) Delete(_ context.Context, key string, revision uint64) error {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return m.Fail
+	}
+	if e, ok := m.values[key]; !ok || e.Revision != revision {
+		return ErrMoved
+	}
+	delete(m.values, key)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) All(context.Context) (map[string]Entry, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return nil, m.Fail
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]Entry, len(m.values))
+	for k, v := range m.values {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) Append(_ context.Context, e Event) error {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return m.Fail
+	}
+	m.events = append(m.events, e)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *InMemory) Since(_ context.Context, since time.Time) ([]Event, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.Fail != nil {
+		return nil, m.Fail
+	}
+	var out []Event
+	for _, e := range m.events {
+		if !e.At.Before(since) {
+			out = append(out, e)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.SliceStable(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].At.Before(out[j].At) })
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// Told is a teller that remembers what it was told, for tests.
+type Told struct {
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	Events []Event
+	Names  []string
+	Fail   error
+}
+
+func (t *Told) PublishSeatEvent(_ context.Context, seat, event string, body []byte) error {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	if t.Fail != nil {
+		return t.Fail
+	}
+	if seat != Seat {
+		return errors.New("told under the wrong seat: " + seat)
+	}
+	var e Event
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &e); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	t.Events = append(t.Events, e)
+	t.Names = append(t.Names, event)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Said is a copy of what was told so far.
+func (t *Told) Said() []Event {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]Event(nil), t.Events...)
+}

internal/conditions/store.go

@@ -0,0 +1,629 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Backend is where the open conditions are kept: one value per key, written by compare-and-set.
+type Backend interface {
+	// Get is one key's value and revision; false when it holds none.
+	Get(ctx context.Context, key string) (Entry, bool, error)
+	// Create writes a key that holds nothing, and fails with ErrMoved when it holds something.
+	Create(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte) error
+	// Update writes a key at the revision it was read at, and fails with ErrMoved when it moved.
+	Update(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte, revision uint64) error
+	// Delete removes a key at the revision it was read at, and fails with ErrMoved when it moved.
+	Delete(ctx context.Context, key string, revision uint64) error
+	// All is every key's value. An error is an error: never an empty store (ADR 0227 rule 4).
+	All(ctx context.Context) (map[string]Entry, error)
+}
+
+// Entry is one key's value, at a revision.
+type Entry struct {
+	Value    []byte
+	Revision uint64
+}
+
+// ErrMoved is a compare-and-set that lost: somebody wrote the key since it was read.
+var ErrMoved = errors.New("the condition was written by somebody else since it was read")
+
+// History keeps every transition (to-be 45 §2): appended, read back from a moment.
+type History interface {
+	Append(ctx context.Context, e Event) error
+	// Since is every transition from a moment, oldest first.
+	Since(ctx context.Context, since time.Time) ([]Event, error)
+}
+
+// Teller says a transition on the bus, as the mesh-controller seat's event. The link's bus is one.
+type Teller interface {
+	PublishSeatEvent(ctx context.Context, seat, event string, body []byte) error
+}
+
+// Seat is the role the events are said under (novox/hq ADR 0134): the control plane's.
+const Seat = "mesh-controller"
+
+// Keeper raises, observes, silences and clears conditions, and says each transition.
+type Keeper struct {
+	store   Backend
+	history History
+	teller  Teller
+	now     func() time.Time
+	say     func(format string, args ...any)
+	changed func()
+	epoch   func() (uint64, error)
+
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	// cleared is when each recently cleared condition cleared and how often it had been raised, so
+	// one raised again within ReopenWithin is the same one again.
+	cleared map[string]clearing
+
+	// out is the transitions still to be said and kept, in order: said by one goroutine, so a
+	// condition's events arrive in the order they happened, and offered again while the bus is away.
+	out     chan Event
+	drained chan struct{}
+	closing sync.Once
+	// Unsaid counts the transitions given up on, for the self-check to say.
+	unsaid int
+}
+
+type clearing struct {
+	at       time.Time
+	count    int
+	silenced *Silence
+	// tried is what healers tried before it cleared: a reopening is the same fault, and what was
+	// tried on it is still what was tried.
+	tried []Attempt
+}
+
+// Options are what a Keeper is made with.
+type Options struct {
+	Store   Backend
+	History History
+	// Teller says the transitions; nil says nothing (a test, or a command run with no bus to say on).
+	Teller Teller
+	Now    func() time.Time
+	// Say is where a transition that could not be said or kept is said instead.
+	Say func(format string, args ...any)
+	// Changed is told of every transition, at once — for `status`, which leads with what is open.
+	Changed func()
+	// Epoch is the controller lease this keeper writes under (to-be 45 §6): every write carries its
+	// epoch, and none is made while it is not held. Nil writes with no epoch (a test, the memory store).
+	Epoch func() (uint64, error)
+}
+
+// TellFor is how long one transition is offered to the bus before it is said lost.
+var TellFor = 10 * time.Minute
+
+// NewKeeper is a keeper over a store. It reads what cleared lately from the history, so a condition
+// that cleared just before this controller started and is raised again now is a reopening.
+func NewKeeper(ctx context.Context, o Options) *Keeper {
+	k := &Keeper{store: o.Store, history: o.History, teller: o.Teller, now: o.Now, say: o.Say, changed: o.Changed,
+		epoch:   o.Epoch,
+		cleared: map[string]clearing{}, out: make(chan Event, 1024), drained: make(chan struct{})}
+	if k.now == nil {
+		k.now = time.Now
+	}
+	if k.say == nil {
+		k.say = func(string, ...any) {}
+	}
+	if k.history != nil {
+		if recent, err := k.history.Since(ctx, k.now().Add(-ReopenWithin)); err == nil {
+			for _, e := range recent {
+				if e.Change == ChangeCleared {
+					k.cleared[e.Key] = clearing{at: e.At, count: e.Condition.Count, silenced: e.Condition.Silenced,
+						tried: e.Condition.Tried}
+				}
+			}
+		} else {
+			k.say("what cleared lately could not be read from the condition history, so a condition "+
+				"raised again now is said as new rather than reopened: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	go k.telling()
+	return k
+}
+
+// Close says what is still to be said, waiting at most until ctx ends.
+func (k *Keeper) Close(ctx context.Context) {
+	k.closing.Do(func() { close(k.out) })
+	select {
+	case <-k.drained:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		k.say("%d condition transition(s) were not yet said when this process ended", len(k.out))
+	}
+}
+
+// Unsaid is how many transitions were given up on since this keeper started.
+func (k *Keeper) Unsaid() int {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	defer k.mu.Unlock()
+	return k.unsaid
+}
+
+// stamp is the gate every write passes: the epoch it carries, set on the condition, or why this
+// keeper may not write — a controller that lost the lease raises, observes and clears nothing.
+func (k *Keeper) stamp(c *Condition) error {
+	if k.epoch == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	epoch, err := k.epoch()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s is not written: %w", c.Key, err)
+	}
+	c.Epoch = epoch
+	return nil
+}
+
+// tries bounds one compare-and-set: two writers rarely race more than once.
+const tries = 8
+
+// Observe records one observation: raises the condition if it is not open, and otherwise adds the
+// evidence. Says a raising, a reopening, and a change of severity or resolver; an observation that
+// changes neither is written and said nowhere.
+func (k *Keeper) Observe(ctx context.Context, o Observation) (Condition, error) {
+	if err := o.check(); err != nil {
+		return Condition{}, err
+	}
+	key := o.Key()
+	for i := 0; i < tries; i++ {
+		now := k.now().UTC()
+		said := o.Said
+		if said == "" {
+			said = o.Summary
+		}
+		entry, found, err := k.store.Get(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		if !found {
+			c := Condition{Key: key, Kind: o.Kind, Subject: Subject{Scope: o.Scope, ID: o.ID, Machine: o.Machine, Also: o.Also},
+				Severity: o.Severity, Summary: o.Summary, Evidence: []Evidence{{At: now, Said: said}},
+				Source: o.Source, Raised: now, LastObserved: now, Observations: 1, Count: 1,
+				Resolver: orSelf(o.Resolver)}
+			change := ChangeRaised
+			k.mu.Lock()
+			if before, ok := k.cleared[key]; ok && now.Sub(before.at) <= ReopenWithin {
+				c.Count, change = before.count+1, ChangeReopened
+				// A silence a person gave the condition before it cleared still holds: they said
+				// they knew, and the same fault again ten minutes later is what they knew about.
+				if before.silenced != nil && now.Before(before.silenced.Until) {
+					c.Silenced = before.silenced
+				}
+				c.Tried = before.tried
+			}
+			k.mu.Unlock()
+			if err := k.stamp(&c); err != nil {
+				return Condition{}, err
+			}
+			body, err := json.Marshal(c)
+			if err != nil {
+				return Condition{}, err
+			}
+			if err := k.store.Create(ctx, key, body); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+				continue
+			} else if err != nil {
+				return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("raising the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+			}
+			k.mu.Lock()
+			delete(k.cleared, key)
+			k.mu.Unlock()
+			k.tell(Event{Condition: c, At: now, Change: change})
+			return c, nil
+		}
+		var c Condition
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s on the bus cannot be read: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		var changes []Event
+		// A healer's budget spent made it urgent; the watchdog seeing it again does not undo that.
+		if o.Severity != c.Severity && !(c.Escalated() && o.Severity != Urgent) {
+			changes = append(changes, Event{Change: ChangeSeverity, Was: string(c.Severity)})
+			c.Severity = o.Severity
+		}
+		if r := orSelf(o.Resolver); o.Resolver != "" && r != c.Resolver {
+			changes = append(changes, Event{Change: ChangeResolver, Was: c.Resolver})
+			c.Resolver = r
+		}
+		// The kind as the source says it now: a source that gave the same key a kind of its own since
+		// (a probe's finding split out for a healer) is read by that kind from its next observation.
+		c.Kind, c.Summary, c.Source, c.LastObserved = o.Kind, o.Summary, o.Source, now
+		if o.Machine != "" {
+			c.Subject.Machine = o.Machine
+		}
+		if len(o.Also) > 0 {
+			c.Subject.Also = o.Also
+		}
+		c.Observations++
+		c.Evidence = append([]Evidence{{At: now, Said: said}}, c.Evidence...)
+		if len(c.Evidence) > KeptEvidence {
+			c.Evidence = c.Evidence[:KeptEvidence]
+		}
+		if err := k.stamp(&c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, err
+		}
+		body, err := json.Marshal(c)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, err
+		}
+		if err := k.store.Update(ctx, key, body, entry.Revision); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+			continue
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("observing the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		for _, e := range changes {
+			e.At, e.Condition = now, c
+			k.tell(e)
+		}
+		return c, nil
+	}
+	return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s kept moving under this write; %d tries", key, tries)
+}
+
+// Clear removes a condition an observation says is resolved, and says so. False when none was open.
+func (k *Keeper) Clear(ctx context.Context, key, why string) (bool, error) {
+	for i := 0; i < tries; i++ {
+		entry, found, err := k.store.Get(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		if !found {
+			return false, nil
+		}
+		var c Condition
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &c); err != nil {
+			// Unreadable is not resolved: kept, and said, rather than removed unread.
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s on the bus cannot be read, so it is not cleared: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		if err := k.stamp(&c); err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+		if err := k.store.Delete(ctx, key, entry.Revision); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+			continue
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("clearing the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		now := k.now().UTC()
+		k.mu.Lock()
+		k.cleared[key] = clearing{at: now, count: c.Count, silenced: c.Silenced, tried: c.Tried}
+		k.mu.Unlock()
+		k.tell(Event{Condition: c, At: now, Change: ChangeCleared, Why: why, Cleared: &now})
+		return true, nil
+	}
+	return false, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s kept moving under this clearing; %d tries", key, tries)
+}
+
+// Tried records a healer's attempt on an open condition (to-be 45 §7) and makes the healer its
+// resolver: said as `condition-changed` when the resolver changes, kept in `tried` either way. **It
+// never clears the condition**: a repair that worked is seen by the observation that raised it, which
+// clears it — a healer marking its own work done would be a second opinion of the fact. False when no
+// condition is open under the key: it cleared meanwhile, and there is nothing to record against.
+func (k *Keeper) Tried(ctx context.Context, key string, a Attempt, resolver string) (Condition, bool, error) {
+	return k.amend(ctx, key, func(c *Condition, now time.Time) []Event {
+		c.Tried = appendAttempt(c.Tried, a, now)
+		var changes []Event
+		if resolver != "" && resolver != c.Resolver && !c.Escalated() {
+			changes = append(changes, Event{Change: ChangeResolver, Was: c.Resolver, Why: a.Outcome})
+			c.Resolver = resolver
+		}
+		return changes
+	})
+}
+
+// Escalate is a healer's budget spent, or a repair it may not make (to-be 45 §2, §7): the attempt that
+// says so is kept in `tried`, the resolver becomes the operator and the severity urgent, each said as
+// `condition-changed`. Observation still clears it when the fault goes; nothing else does.
+func (k *Keeper) Escalate(ctx context.Context, key string, a Attempt) (Condition, bool, error) {
+	return k.amend(ctx, key, func(c *Condition, now time.Time) []Event {
+		c.Tried = appendAttempt(c.Tried, a, now)
+		var changes []Event
+		if c.Severity != Urgent {
+			changes = append(changes, Event{Change: ChangeSeverity, Was: string(c.Severity), Why: a.Outcome})
+			c.Severity = Urgent
+		}
+		if c.Resolver != ResolverOperator {
+			changes = append(changes, Event{Change: ChangeResolver, Was: c.Resolver, Why: a.Outcome})
+			c.Resolver = ResolverOperator
+		}
+		return changes
+	})
+}
+
+// appendAttempt adds an attempt, stamped when it has no time, keeping the newest KeptAttempts.
+func appendAttempt(tried []Attempt, a Attempt, now time.Time) []Attempt {
+	if a.At.IsZero() {
+		a.At = now
+	}
+	tried = append(tried, a)
+	if len(tried) > KeptAttempts {
+		tried = tried[len(tried)-KeptAttempts:]
+	}
+	return tried
+}
+
+// amend changes one open condition by compare-and-set and says what changed. False when none is open.
+func (k *Keeper) amend(ctx context.Context, key string, change func(*Condition, time.Time) []Event) (Condition, bool, error) {
+	for i := 0; i < tries; i++ {
+		entry, found, err := k.store.Get(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, false, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		if !found {
+			return Condition{}, false, nil
+		}
+		var c Condition
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, false, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s on the bus cannot be read: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		now := k.now().UTC()
+		changes := change(&c, now)
+		if err := k.stamp(&c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, false, err
+		}
+		body, err := json.Marshal(c)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, false, err
+		}
+		if err := k.store.Update(ctx, key, body, entry.Revision); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+			continue
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, false, fmt.Errorf("writing the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		for _, e := range changes {
+			e.At, e.Condition = now, c
+			k.tell(e)
+		}
+		return c, true, nil
+	}
+	return Condition{}, false, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s kept moving under this write; %d tries", key, tries)
+}
+
+// Reconcile is one source's whole observation: every condition it observes is observed, and every
+// condition it raised before and no longer observes is cleared — the observation says it is
+// resolved. A source that could not observe must not call this: an empty observation clears all it
+// raised, which is exactly the fault of saying "none" for "I could not tell" (ADR 0227 rule 4).
+func (k *Keeper) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, source string, observed []Observation) error {
+	all, err := k.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var problems []string
+	for _, o := range observed {
+		o.Source = source
+		seen[o.Key()] = true
+		if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, o); err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range all {
+		if c.Source != source || seen[c.Key] {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, c.Key, source+" no longer observes it"); err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) > 0 {
+		return errors.New(strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Silence stops a condition's messages for a while, with a reason, by somebody (to-be 45 §2). The
+// condition stays open and `status` still says it; recording the act in the hand-act log is the
+// caller's, which knows who acted.
+func (k *Keeper) Silence(ctx context.Context, key string, d time.Duration, by, why string) (Condition, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(why) == "" {
+		return Condition{}, errors.New("a silence says why: --why <text>")
+	}
+	if d <= 0 || d > MaxSilence {
+		return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("a condition is silenced for a while, at most %s — not %s", MaxSilence, d)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < tries; i++ {
+		entry, found, err := k.store.Get(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("reading the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		if !found {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("no condition %s is open — `conditions` lists them", key)
+		}
+		var c Condition
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s on the bus cannot be read: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		now := k.now().UTC()
+		c.Silenced = &Silence{Until: now.Add(d), By: by, Why: strings.TrimSpace(why), Since: now}
+		if err := k.stamp(&c); err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, err
+		}
+		body, err := json.Marshal(c)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, err
+		}
+		if err := k.store.Update(ctx, key, body, entry.Revision); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+			continue
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("silencing the condition %s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		k.tell(Event{Condition: c, At: now, Change: ChangeSilenced, Why: c.Silenced.Why})
+		return c, nil
+	}
+	return Condition{}, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s kept moving under this silence; %d tries", key, tries)
+}
+
+// EndSilences ends every silence that has run out, and says each: the condition is still open, and
+// its messages start again.
+func (k *Keeper) EndSilences(ctx context.Context) error {
+	all, err := k.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	now := k.now().UTC()
+	for _, c := range all {
+		if c.Silenced == nil || now.Before(c.Silenced.Until) {
+			continue
+		}
+		for i := 0; i < tries; i++ {
+			entry, found, err := k.store.Get(ctx, c.Key)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if !found {
+				break
+			}
+			var held Condition
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &held); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("the condition %s on the bus cannot be read: %w", c.Key, err)
+			}
+			if held.Silenced == nil || now.Before(held.Silenced.Until) {
+				break
+			}
+			was := held.Silenced.Why
+			held.Silenced = nil
+			if err := k.stamp(&held); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			body, err := json.Marshal(held)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := k.store.Update(ctx, c.Key, body, entry.Revision); errors.Is(err, ErrMoved) {
+				continue
+			} else if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			k.tell(Event{Condition: held, At: now, Change: ChangeUnsilenced, Why: was})
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Open is every open condition, urgent first and then oldest first.
+func (k *Keeper) Open(ctx context.Context) ([]Condition, error) {
+	return Read(ctx, k.store)
+}
+
+// Get is one open condition.
+func (k *Keeper) Get(ctx context.Context, key string) (Condition, bool, error) {
+	return ReadOne(ctx, k.store, key)
+}
+
+// HistorySince is every transition from a moment, oldest first.
+func (k *Keeper) HistorySince(ctx context.Context, since time.Time) ([]Event, error) {
+	if k.history == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("this keeper has no history to read")
+	}
+	return k.history.Since(ctx, since)
+}
+
+// Read is every open condition in a store, in the order status says them. A value that cannot be
+// read is an error naming its key, never a condition left out (ADR 0227 rule 4).
+func Read(ctx context.Context, store Backend) ([]Condition, error) {
+	all, err := store.All(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the open conditions cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	out := make([]Condition, 0, len(all))
+	for key, e := range all {
+		var c Condition
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(e.Value, &c); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s cannot be read: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		out = append(out, c)
+	}
+	Order(out)
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// ReadOne is one open condition from a store.
+func ReadOne(ctx context.Context, store Backend, key string) (Condition, bool, error) {
+	e, found, err := store.Get(ctx, key)
+	if err != nil || !found {
+		return Condition{}, found, err
+	}
+	var c Condition
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(e.Value, &c); err != nil {
+		return Condition{}, false, fmt.Errorf("the condition %s cannot be read: %w", key, err)
+	}
+	return c, true, nil
+}
+
+// tell queues a transition to be kept and said. Never blocks the caller for long: a queue that is
+// full is a bus away for a long time, and the transition is said lost rather than holding a watchdog.
+func (k *Keeper) tell(e Event) {
+	e.Event = eventFor(e.Change)
+	e.Show = e.Condition.Show()
+	if k.changed != nil {
+		k.changed()
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		// A keeper closed while a write was in flight: said, not a panic.
+		if recover() != nil {
+			k.lost(e, errors.New("the keeper was closed"))
+		}
+	}()
+	select {
+	case k.out <- e:
+	default:
+		k.lost(e, errors.New("too many transitions are waiting to be said"))
+	}
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) lost(e Event, err error) {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	k.unsaid++
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	k.say("the condition %s was %s and that could NOT be said or kept: %v", e.Key, e.Change, err)
+}
+
+// telling keeps and says every transition in order, offering each again while the bus is away.
+func (k *Keeper) telling() {
+	defer close(k.drained)
+	for e := range k.out {
+		body, err := json.Marshal(e)
+		if err != nil {
+			k.lost(e, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		deadline := time.Now().Add(TellFor)
+		wait := 200 * time.Millisecond
+		kept, said := k.history == nil, k.teller == nil
+		for {
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+			if !kept {
+				kept = k.history.Append(ctx, e) == nil
+			}
+			if !said {
+				said = k.teller.PublishSeatEvent(ctx, Seat, e.Event, body) == nil
+			}
+			cancel()
+			if kept && said {
+				break
+			}
+			if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+				what := "said"
+				if !kept {
+					what = "kept in the history"
+				}
+				k.lost(e, fmt.Errorf("not %s within %s", what, TellFor))
+				break
+			}
+			time.Sleep(wait)
+			wait = min(2*wait, 10*time.Second)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func orSelf(resolver string) string {
+	if resolver == "" {
+		return ResolverSelf
+	}
+	return resolver
+}

internal/conditions/store_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,379 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// clock is a time a test moves by hand.
+type clock struct{ at time.Time }
+
+func (c *clock) now() time.Time       { return c.at }
+func (c *clock) pass(d time.Duration) { c.at = c.at.Add(d) }
+func newClock() *clock                { return &clock{at: time.Date(2026, 10, 6, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)} }
+func keeper(t *testing.T) (*Keeper, *InMemory, *Told, *clock) {
+	t.Helper()
+	store, told, c := NewInMemory(), &Told{}, newClock()
+	k := NewKeeper(t.Context(), Options{Store: store, History: store, Teller: told, Now: c.now,
+		Say: func(f string, a ...any) { t.Logf(f, a...) }})
+	t.Cleanup(func() { k.Close(context.Background()) })
+	return k, store, told, c
+}
+
+// settled waits until the teller has been told n events.
+func settled(t *testing.T, told *Told, n int) []Event {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		said := told.Said()
+		if len(said) >= n {
+			return said
+		}
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			t.Fatalf("told %d event(s), want %d: %+v", len(said), n, said)
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}
+
+func silent(node string) Observation {
+	return Observation{Scope: ScopeMachine, ID: node, Kind: "silent", Machine: node, Severity: Warning,
+		Summary: node + " has not been heard from", Source: "S1"}
+}
+
+// **A condition is raised once, observed many times, and said on the bus only when it changes**
+// (to-be 45 §2): an observation that changes nothing is written and said nowhere, or the operator's
+// channel would hear the same fault every thirty seconds.
+func TestAConditionIsSaidWhenItChangesNotWhenItIsSeenAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, c := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		c.pass(time.Minute)
+	}
+	urgent := silent("ace")
+	urgent.Severity = Urgent
+	got, err := k.Observe(ctx, urgent)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.Key != "machine.ace.silent" || got.Observations != 4 || got.Count != 1 || got.Severity != Urgent {
+		t.Fatalf("held %+v", got)
+	}
+	if len(got.Evidence) != 4 || !got.Evidence[0].At.Equal(c.at) {
+		t.Fatalf("evidence is not newest first: %+v", got.Evidence)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 2)
+	if said[0].Event != EventRaised || said[0].Change != ChangeRaised || said[1].Event != EventChanged ||
+		said[1].Change != ChangeSeverity || said[1].Was != string(Warning) {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v", said)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	if n := len(told.Said()); n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("said %d events for one raising and one change", n)
+	}
+	for i, name := range told.Names {
+		if name != told.Events[i].Event {
+			t.Errorf("event %d published as %s and says it is %s", i, name, told.Events[i].Event)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **Evidence is bounded**: a condition open for a week keeps its newest ten observations, not all.
+func TestEvidenceKeepsTheNewestTen(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, _, c := keeper(t)
+	var got Condition
+	for i := 0; i < 25; i++ {
+		var err error
+		if got, err = k.Observe(t.Context(), silent("ace")); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		c.pass(time.Minute)
+	}
+	if len(got.Evidence) != KeptEvidence || got.Observations != 25 {
+		t.Fatalf("kept %d evidence of %d observations", len(got.Evidence), got.Observations)
+	}
+}
+
+// **Cleared and raised again within ten minutes is the same condition again** (to-be 45 §2): its
+// count goes up and it is said as reopened, not as news; a person's silence of it still holds.
+func TestRaisedAgainSoonAfterClearingReopens(t *testing.T) {
+	k, store, told, c := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Silence(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", time.Hour, "jochen", "the laptop is on the train"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if cleared, err := k.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard again"); err != nil || !cleared {
+		t.Fatalf("cleared %v: %v", cleared, err)
+	}
+	c.pass(5 * time.Minute)
+	again, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again.Count != 2 || again.Silenced == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reopened as %+v", again)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 4)
+	if said[3].Event != EventRaised || said[3].Change != ChangeReopened {
+		t.Fatalf("the reopening was said as %+v", said[3])
+	}
+	// And from a new keeper — the controller restarted between — reading what cleared from history.
+	if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard again"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	settled(t, told, 5)
+	k.Close(context.Background())
+	next := NewKeeper(ctx, Options{Store: store, History: store, Now: c.now})
+	defer next.Close(context.Background())
+	c.pass(time.Minute)
+	third, err := next.Observe(ctx, silent("ace"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if third.Count != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("a controller restarted between cleared and raised said it as new: %+v", third)
+	}
+	// Past the window it is news.
+	if _, err := next.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard again"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c.pass(ReopenWithin + time.Minute)
+	fourth, err := next.Observe(ctx, silent("ace"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if fourth.Count != 1 || fourth.Silenced != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("raised past the window as %+v", fourth)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A source's whole observation clears what it no longer observes, and only its own.** A watchdog
+// that stops seeing a fault says it is resolved; it does not clear what another raised.
+func TestReconcileClearsOnlyTheSourcesOwn(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, _ := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	other := Observation{Scope: ScopeProbe, ID: "D3", Kind: "probe-failed", Token: "failed", Severity: Warning,
+		Summary: "D3 did not answer", Source: "doctor"}
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, other); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := k.Reconcile(ctx, "S1", []Observation{silent("ace"), silent("g14")}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := k.Reconcile(ctx, "S1", []Observation{silent("g14")}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	open, err := k.Open(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var keys []string
+	for _, c := range open {
+		keys = append(keys, c.Key)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(keys, ",") != "machine.g14.silent,probe.D3.failed" {
+		t.Fatalf("open after the second observation: %v", keys)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 4)
+	last := said[3]
+	if last.Event != EventCleared || last.Key != "machine.ace.silent" || last.Why == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("the clearing was said as %+v", last)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A store that cannot be read is never an empty one** (ADR 0227 rule 4): reconciling against it
+// clears nothing and says why.
+func TestAnUnreadableStoreClearsNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	k, store, _, _ := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	store.Fail = errors.New("the bus is away")
+	if err := k.Reconcile(ctx, "S1", nil); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("reconciled against a store it could not read")
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Open(ctx); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("an unreadable store answered as read")
+	}
+	store.Fail = nil
+	store.values["machine.g14.silent"] = Entry{Value: []byte("{not a condition"), Revision: 99}
+	if _, err := k.Open(ctx); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "machine.g14.silent") {
+		t.Fatalf("an unreadable condition was left out rather than said: %v", err)
+	}
+	if cleared, err := k.Clear(ctx, "machine.g14.silent", "x"); err == nil || cleared {
+		t.Fatal("an unreadable condition was cleared unread")
+	}
+}
+
+// **A silence is bounded, says why, and ends on its own** (to-be 45 §2): the condition stays open
+// through it, and its messages start again when it ends.
+func TestASilenceIsBoundedAndEnds(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, c := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Silence(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", 8*24*time.Hour, "jochen", "away"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("silenced for longer than a week")
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Silence(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", time.Hour, "jochen", " "); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("silenced without a reason")
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Silence(ctx, "machine.nothing.silent", time.Hour, "jochen", "x"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("silenced a condition that is not open")
+	}
+	held, err := k.Silence(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", time.Hour, "jochen", "on the train")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !held.SilencedAt(c.at) || held.Silenced.By != "jochen" {
+		t.Fatalf("silenced as %+v", held.Silenced)
+	}
+	c.pass(30 * time.Minute)
+	if err := k.EndSilences(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c.pass(31 * time.Minute)
+	if err := k.EndSilences(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, _, _ := k.Get(ctx, "machine.ace.silent")
+	if got.Silenced != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a silence past its end still held: %+v", got.Silenced)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 3)
+	if said[1].Change != ChangeSilenced || said[2].Change != ChangeUnsilenced || said[2].Event != EventChanged {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// **Two writers never lose each other's word.** The serving controller observes while a person's
+// command silences: the write that lost the compare-and-set reads again and redoes itself.
+func TestAWriteThatLostTheRaceRedoesItself(t *testing.T) {
+	k, store, _, _ := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	racing := &racingStore{InMemory: store, before: func() {
+		// Another process silences between this keeper's read and its write.
+		other := NewKeeper(ctx, Options{Store: store})
+		defer other.Close(context.Background())
+		if _, err := other.Silence(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", time.Hour, "jochen", "known"); err != nil {
+			t.Error(err)
+		}
+	}}
+	k.store = racing
+	got, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.Silenced == nil || got.Observations != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the observation overwrote the silence: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// racingStore lets another writer in once, between a read and the write after it.
+type racingStore struct {
+	*InMemory
+	before func()
+	done   bool
+}
+
+func (r *racingStore) Update(ctx context.Context, key string, value []byte, revision uint64) error {
+	if !r.done {
+		r.done = true
+		r.before()
+	}
+	return r.InMemory.Update(ctx, key, value, revision)
+}
+
+// **An observation that could not be routed is refused**, naming what it lacks.
+func TestAnObservationSaysWhatItIs(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, _, _ := keeper(t)
+	for _, o := range []Observation{
+		{Scope: "elsewhere", ID: "x", Kind: "k", Severity: Warning, Summary: "s", Source: "S1"},
+		{Scope: ScopeMachine, ID: "x", Kind: "k", Severity: "loud", Summary: "s", Source: "S1"},
+		{Scope: ScopeMachine, ID: "x", Kind: "k", Severity: Warning, Source: "S1"},
+		{Scope: ScopeMachine, ID: "x", Kind: "k", Severity: Warning, Summary: "s"},
+	} {
+		if _, err := k.Observe(t.Context(), o); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("observed %+v", o)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// **A key holds nothing the bus would refuse or read as a wildcard**, whatever the thing is called.
+func TestAKeyIsSafeForTheBus(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := Key(ScopeProvider, "keycloak.novox.my app*", "failing"); got != "provider.keycloak.novox.my_app_.failing" {
+		t.Fatalf("key %q", got)
+	}
+	if got := Key(ScopeBus, "EVENTS.>", "consumer-lost"); got != "bus.EVENTS._.consumer-lost" {
+		t.Fatalf("key %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The event's shape is a contract** (to-be 45 §2): the operator-channel's holder is written against
+// these field names. A rename here is a channel that reads nothing, so they are held still.
+func TestTheEventShapeIsTheContract(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, _ := keeper(t)
+	if _, err := k.Observe(t.Context(), silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 1)
+	body, err := json.Marshal(said[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var shape map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &shape); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The condition at the top level, kebab-case, beside what happened to it.
+	for _, field := range []string{"event", "at", "change", "show", "key", "kind", "subject", "severity",
+		"summary", "evidence", "source", "raised", "last-observed", "observations", "count", "resolver",
+		"silenced", "epoch"} {
+		if _, ok := shape[field]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf("the event carries no %q: %s", field, body)
+		}
+	}
+	if shape["silenced"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("an unsilenced condition says silenced %v, not null", shape["silenced"])
+	}
+	subject, _ := shape["subject"].(map[string]any)
+	if subject["scope"] != "machine" || subject["id"] != "ace" || subject["machine"] != "ace" {
+		t.Errorf("subject %v", shape["subject"])
+	}
+	if said[0].Show != "mesh-controller.conditions key=machine.ace.silent" {
+		t.Errorf("show is %q", said[0].Show)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A transition the bus will not take is offered again**, and said lost only after TellFor.
+func TestATransitionIsOfferedAgainWhileTheBusIsAway(t *testing.T) {
+	store, told, c := NewInMemory(), &Told{Fail: errors.New("no responders")}, newClock()
+	k := NewKeeper(t.Context(), Options{Store: store, History: store, Teller: told, Now: c.now})
+	defer k.Close(context.Background())
+	if _, err := k.Observe(t.Context(), silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+	told.mu.Lock()
+	told.Fail = nil
+	told.mu.Unlock()
+	said := settled(t, told, 1)
+	if said[0].Key != "machine.ace.silent" || k.Unsaid() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("said %+v, unsaid %d", said, k.Unsaid())
+	}
+}

internal/conditions/tried_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package conditions
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// **A healer's attempt is said and kept, and never clears the condition** (to-be 45 §7): the resolver
+// becomes the healer, `tried` says what it did, and only an observation clears it.
+func TestAHealersAttemptIsKeptAndClearsNothing(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, c := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, open, err := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "asked ace to report", Outcome: "acted",
+		By: "healer H1"}, ResolverHealer("H1"))
+	if err != nil || !open {
+		t.Fatalf("tried: %v %v", open, err)
+	}
+	if held.Resolver != "healer:H1" || len(held.Tried) != 1 || held.Tried[0].By != "healer H1" || held.Tried[0].At.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("after one attempt: %+v", held)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 2)
+	if said[1].Event != EventChanged || said[1].Change != ChangeResolver || said[1].Was != ResolverSelf {
+		t.Errorf("the healer taking it is not said as a change of resolver: %+v", said[1])
+	}
+	// A second attempt by the same healer is kept and says nothing new.
+	if _, _, err := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "sent again", Outcome: "acted", By: "healer H1"},
+		ResolverHealer("H1")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got, _, _ := k.Get(ctx, "machine.ace.silent"); len(got.Tried) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("tried %+v", got.Tried)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	if n := len(told.Said()); n != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("a second attempt said %d events in all, want 2", n)
+	}
+	// Nothing open: nothing recorded, and no error.
+	if _, open, err := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.nobody.silent", Attempt{What: "x"}, ResolverHealer("H1")); open || err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("an attempt on nothing open: %v %v", open, err)
+	}
+	c.pass(time.Minute)
+}
+
+// **A spent budget is the operator's, urgent, and the watchdog seeing it again does not undo that.**
+func TestAnEscalationHoldsAgainstTheNextObservation(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, told, _ := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "asked", Outcome: "acted", By: "healer H1"},
+		ResolverHealer("H1")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, _, err := k.Escalate(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "budget spent", Outcome: "escalated", By: "healer H1"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if held.Severity != Urgent || held.Resolver != ResolverOperator || !held.Escalated() {
+		t.Fatalf("escalated: %+v", held)
+	}
+	said := settled(t, told, 4)
+	if said[2].Change != ChangeSeverity || said[3].Change != ChangeResolver || said[3].Was != "healer:H1" {
+		t.Errorf("the escalation is not said as severity then resolver: %+v %+v", said[2], said[3])
+	}
+	again, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")) // a warning, as the watchdog says it
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again.Severity != Urgent || again.Resolver != ResolverOperator {
+		t.Errorf("the next observation undid the escalation: %+v", again)
+	}
+	// A healer trying later does not take it back from the operator.
+	after, _, _ := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "x", By: "healer H1"}, ResolverHealer("H1"))
+	if after.Resolver != ResolverOperator {
+		t.Errorf("a later attempt took the condition back from the operator: %s", after.Resolver)
+	}
+}
+
+// **What was tried is carried into a reopening**: the same fault again within ten minutes is the
+// same condition, and what the healers tried on it is still what they tried.
+func TestAReopeningCarriesWhatWasTried(t *testing.T) {
+	k, _, _, c := keeper(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := k.Tried(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", Attempt{What: "asked", By: "healer H1"}, ResolverHealer("H1")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := k.Clear(ctx, "machine.ace.silent", "heard again"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c.pass(5 * time.Minute)
+	again, err := k.Observe(ctx, silent("ace"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again.Count != 2 || len(again.Tried) != 1 || again.Tried[0].What != "asked" {
+		t.Errorf("reopened without what was tried: %+v", again)
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/durations.go

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
+)
+
+// The durations the core's bounds are set from (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0): see migration 0066.
+
+// The kinds of duration recorded.
+const (
+	DurationApply        = "apply"
+	DurationHeartbeatGap = "heartbeat-gap"
+	DurationPlanTier     = "plan-tier"
+	DurationBuild        = "build"
+)
+
+// DurationKinds are every kind, in the order `durations` shows them.
+var DurationKinds = []string{DurationApply, DurationHeartbeatGap, DurationPlanTier, DurationBuild}
+
+// DurationsKeptFor is how long a duration is kept: long enough to set a bound from, and to correct it
+// in Phase 1's first live week.
+const DurationsKeptFor = 30 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// Duration is one measurement.
+type Duration struct {
+	Kind    string        `json:"kind"`
+	Subject string        `json:"subject"`
+	Node    string        `json:"node,omitempty"`
+	Ref     string        `json:"ref"`
+	Started time.Time     `json:"started"`
+	Took    time.Duration `json:"took"`
+	Detail  string        `json:"detail,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// RecordDuration keeps one measurement, once: the same thing measured again is not a second row.
+func (i *Inventory) RecordDuration(ctx context.Context, d Duration) error {
+	if d.Took < 0 {
+		return nil // a clock that went back measures nothing
+	}
+	_, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into duration (kind, subject, node, ref, started, took_ms, detail)
+		 values ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7) on conflict do nothing`,
+		d.Kind, d.Subject, d.Node, d.Ref, d.Started, d.Took.Milliseconds(), d.Detail)
+	return err
+}
+
+// RecordApplyDuration measures a machine's report of the declaration it was last sent: from the send
+// to the first report of it. A report of anything else, or of a send already measured, measures
+// nothing — a machine reconciling reports the same declaration every few minutes.
+func (i *Inventory) RecordApplyDuration(ctx context.Context, node, declared, outcome string) error {
+	if declared == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	_, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into duration (kind, subject, node, ref, started, took_ms, detail)
+		 select $1, n.name, n.name, n.sent || '@' || to_char(n.sent_at at time zone 'UTC', 'YYYY-MM-DD"T"HH24:MI:SS.US'),
+		        n.sent_at, (extract(epoch from (now() - n.sent_at)) * 1000)::bigint, $4
+		   from node n
+		  where n.name = $2 and n.sent = $3 and n.sent_at is not null
+		 on conflict do nothing`,
+		DurationApply, node, declared, outcome)
+	return err
+}
+
+// RecordHeartbeatGap measures the silence before a machine's word: from the last word heard before
+// it, which the caller read before recording this one.
+func (i *Inventory) RecordHeartbeatGap(ctx context.Context, node string, before time.Time) error {
+	if before.IsZero() {
+		return nil
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	return i.RecordDuration(ctx, Duration{Kind: DurationHeartbeatGap, Subject: node, Node: node,
+		Ref: before.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano), Started: before, Took: now.Sub(before)})
+}
+
+// Durations is every measurement of a kind since a moment, oldest first; every kind when kind is empty.
+func (i *Inventory) Durations(ctx context.Context, kind string, since time.Time) ([]Duration, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select kind, subject, node, ref, started, took_ms, detail from duration
+		  where ($1 = '' or kind = $1) and recorded >= $2 order by recorded`, kind, since)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var out []Duration
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var d Duration
+		var ms int64
+		if err := rows.Scan(&d.Kind, &d.Subject, &d.Node, &d.Ref, &d.Started, &ms, &d.Detail); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		d.Took = time.Duration(ms) * time.Millisecond
+		out = append(out, d)
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// ForgetOldDurations removes what is older than DurationsKeptFor, and says how many.
+func (i *Inventory) ForgetOldDurations(ctx context.Context) (int64, error) {
+	tag, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx, `delete from duration where recorded < $1`,
+		time.Now().Add(-DurationsKeptFor))
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return tag.RowsAffected(), nil
+}
+
+// planTierLeft is the measurement a plan's save makes when it leaves a tier: the tier moved on, or
+// the plan ended. Read in the save's own transaction, so two saves cannot both measure one tier.
+func planTierLeft(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, p Plan, now time.Time) (entered time.Time, err error) {
+	var oldTier int
+	var oldState string
+	var since time.Time
+	err = tx.QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select tier, state, coalesce(tier_entered, created) from release_plan where id = $1 for update`,
+		p.ID).Scan(&oldTier, &oldState, &since)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return now, nil // a new plan enters its first tier now
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	wasOpen := oldState == PlanBuilding || oldState == PlanRolling
+	if !wasOpen || (oldTier == p.Tier && p.Open()) {
+		return since, nil // still in the tier, or already ended
+	}
+	var modules []string
+	if oldTier >= 0 && oldTier < len(p.Tiers) {
+		modules = p.Tiers[oldTier]
+	}
+	detail := fmt.Sprintf("plan %s, tier %d of %d (%v), left %s", p.ID, oldTier, len(p.Tiers), modules, p.State)
+	if p.Open() {
+		detail = fmt.Sprintf("plan %s, tier %d of %d (%v), moved on to tier %d", p.ID, oldTier, len(p.Tiers), modules, p.Tier)
+	}
+	_, err = tx.Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into duration (kind, subject, node, ref, started, took_ms, detail)
+		 values ($1, $2, '', $3, $4, $5, $6) on conflict do nothing`,
+		DurationPlanTier, p.Repository, fmt.Sprintf("%s/tier-%d", p.ID, oldTier), since,
+		now.Sub(since).Milliseconds(), detail)
+	return now, err
+}

internal/inventory/durations_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// **The durations the bounds are set from are recorded once each** (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0): a
+// send measured at its first report and not again at every reconcile that repeats it; a send of
+// something else measures nothing; a new send is a new measurement.
+func TestAnApplyIsMeasuredOncePerSend(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	node, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, node.ID, "d1", nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for range 3 { // the report, then two reconciles saying the same
+		if err := inv.RecordApplyDuration(ctx, "anchor", "d1", OutcomeApplied); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordApplyDuration(ctx, "anchor", "d0", OutcomeApplied); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ds, err := inv.Durations(ctx, DurationApply, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(ds) != 1 || ds[0].Subject != "anchor" || ds[0].Detail != OutcomeApplied || ds[0].Took < 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %+v", err, ds)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, node.ID, "d2", nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordApplyDuration(ctx, "anchor", "d2", OutcomeFailed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if ds, _ = inv.Durations(ctx, "", time.Now().Add(-time.Hour)); len(ds) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a second send was not measured: %+v", ds)
+	}
+}
+
+// A machine's silence is the time since its last word, once per word.
+func TestASilenceIsMeasuredFromTheLastWord(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	before := time.Now().Add(-90 * time.Second)
+	for range 2 {
+		if err := inv.RecordHeartbeatGap(ctx, "anchor", before); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordHeartbeatGap(ctx, "anchor", time.Time{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ds, err := inv.Durations(ctx, DurationHeartbeatGap, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(ds) != 1 || ds[0].Took < 90*time.Second || ds[0].Took > 2*time.Minute {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %+v", err, ds)
+	}
+}
+
+// A plan's tier is measured when the plan leaves it — moving on, or ending — and only then.
+func TestAPlansTierIsMeasuredWhenItIsLeft(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	p := Plan{ID: "plan-1", Repository: "novox/mesh-tools", Commit: "abc", Created: time.Now().UTC(),
+		State: PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"mesh-tools"}, {"builder"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*PlanModule{"mesh-tools": {}, "builder": {}}}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	p.State = PlanRolling // the same tier, saved again
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if ds, _ := inv.Durations(ctx, DurationPlanTier, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour)); len(ds) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a tier not left was measured: %+v", ds)
+	}
+	p.Tier = 1
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	p.State = PlanDone
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &p); err != nil { // saved again once ended: nothing more to measure
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ds, err := inv.Durations(ctx, DurationPlanTier, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(ds) != 2 || ds[0].Subject != "novox/mesh-tools" || ds[0].Ref != "plan-1/tier-0" ||
+		ds[1].Ref != "plan-1/tier-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %+v", err, ds)
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/given.go

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
+)
+
+// A value given by hand lives only until the module's first good start (novox/hq ADR 0228).
+//
+// **A person gives a module's own secret for one reason**: to adopt something already running that
+// holds that value. A module the mesh installs fresh needs none — the mesh makes it. So for a secret
+// the mesh may make (catalogue.OwnSecret.MeshMayMake: read at start, issued by nobody outside), a
+// given value is kept until the module has started under the mesh on it, and then replaced with one
+// the mesh makes, sealed and sent like any other. Nothing a person handled is left in force.
+//
+// What stays as given: a value an outside party issued (an API key, a bot token, a licence), which
+// no value of the mesh's would replace; a value a module applies to a backend, until the staged
+// rotation exists (ADR 0114); and a value given before this rule, which waits for a person to ask
+// `secret rotate` — the mesh does not decide for them that what was given long ago is used nowhere
+// else.
+
+// AcceptGivenSecret is `secret accept` for a module's own secret: the value a person gave, sealed as
+// AcceptSecretForModule seals it, and — for a secret the mesh may make — marked to be replaced after
+// the module's first good start. It answers whether it was so marked.
+//
+// **Only the person's path marks.** The mesh's own code accepts values too — a bus account it
+// issued, the controller's bus address — and those are the mesh's word to a broker, which a fresh
+// random value would break; they go through AcceptSecretForModule and are never marked.
+func (i *Inventory) AcceptGivenSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name, value string) (untilStart bool, err error) {
+	return i.acceptOwn(ctx, node, module, name, value, true)
+}
+
+// OwnSecretOrigin is where a module's own secret on a machine came from — OriginMade or
+// OriginAccepted — and when it was made or given; empty for one it does not hold yet.
+func (i *Inventory) OwnSecretOrigin(ctx context.Context, node, module, name string) (string, time.Time, error) {
+	record, err := i.NodeByName(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	var origin string
+	var at time.Time
+	err = i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select origin, made_at from module_secret where node = $1 and module = $2 and name = $3`,
+		record.ID, module, name).Scan(&origin, &at)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return "", time.Time{}, nil
+	}
+	return origin, at, err
+}
+
+// givenAgo is ", given <date>, N days ago" for a refusal about a value given to the mesh, and empty
+// when the mesh holds none: how old an outside party's key is, said where a person learns it cannot
+// be rotated by the mesh.
+func (i *Inventory) givenAgo(ctx context.Context, nodeID any, module, name string) string {
+	var origin string
+	var at time.Time
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select origin, made_at from module_secret where node = $1 and module = $2 and name = $3`,
+		nodeID, module, name).Scan(&origin, &at)
+	if err != nil || origin != OriginAccepted {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("; the value held was given %s, %d day(s) ago",
+		at.UTC().Format("2006-01-02"), int(time.Since(at).Hours()/24))
+}
+
+// GivenReplaced is one given value the mesh replaced after its module's first good start.
+type GivenReplaced struct {
+	Module, Name string
+	// Given is when the replaced value was given.
+	Given time.Time
+	// Machines are the machines to send so the module, and every holder of a shared credential,
+	// starts again on the new value.
+	Machines []string
+}
+
+// ReplaceGivenAfterStart replaces every given value on a machine whose module has now started well
+// under the mesh on it (novox/hq ADR 0228), and answers what it replaced; the caller sends the
+// machines each names.
+//
+// **The signal is the machine's clean report of the declaration it was last sent** — every resource
+// applied, nothing failed or refused — **when that declaration was sent after the value was given**,
+// so it is the start on the given value that counts, not an older one. On an adopted machine the
+// module must also be taken: until then the mesh runs nothing of it, and nothing has started under
+// the mesh. Each row is claimed by clearing its mark before it is remade, so two reports arriving
+// together replace a value once; a remake that fails puts the mark back, and the next good report
+// tries again.
+func (i *Inventory) ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx context.Context, node, declared string) ([]GivenReplaced, error) {
+	if declared == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select s.node, s.module, s.name, s.replace_after_start
+		   from module_secret s
+		   join node n on n.id = s.node
+		   join assignment a on a.node = s.node and a.module = s.module
+		  where n.name = $1 and n.sent = $2 and n.sent_at > s.replace_after_start
+		    and s.origin = 'accepted' and s.replace_after_start is not null
+		    and (not n.adopted or exists (select 1 from taken t where t.node = s.node and t.module = s.module))
+		  order by s.module, s.name`, node, declared)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	type due struct {
+		nodeID       any
+		module, name string
+		given        time.Time
+	}
+	var dues []due
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var d due
+		if err := rows.Scan(&d.nodeID, &d.module, &d.name, &d.given); err != nil {
+			rows.Close()
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		dues = append(dues, d)
+	}
+	rows.Close()
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(dues) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	key, err := i.SealingKeyOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if key == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has no sealing key, so the given values it holds cannot be replaced", node)
+	}
+
+	var out []GivenReplaced
+	var errs []error
+	for _, d := range dues {
+		claimed, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+			`update module_secret set replace_after_start = null
+			  where node = $1 and module = $2 and name = $3 and origin = 'accepted'
+			    and replace_after_start = $4`, d.nodeID, d.module, d.name, d.given)
+		if err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if claimed.RowsAffected() != 1 {
+			continue // replaced by another report, or given again since
+		}
+		m, err := i.declared(ctx, d.module)
+		if err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		// The definition is asked again now, not only when the value was given: one that has since
+		// said the value is an outside party's, or applied, keeps it as given, and the mark stays gone.
+		if own, ok := m.OwnSecrets[d.name]; !ok || !own.MeshMayMake() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := i.remakeOwn(ctx, d.nodeID, key, m, d.module, d.name); err != nil {
+			if _, back := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+				`update module_secret set replace_after_start = $4
+				  where node = $1 and module = $2 and name = $3 and origin = 'accepted'
+				    and replace_after_start is null`, d.nodeID, d.module, d.name, d.given); back != nil {
+				err = errors.Join(err, fmt.Errorf("and its mark could not be put back: %w", back))
+			}
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("%s's given %q on %s was not replaced: %w", d.module, d.name, node, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		machines, err := i.SharedHolders(ctx, node, d.module, d.name)
+		if err != nil {
+			errs = append(errs, err)
+		}
+		if len(machines) == 0 {
+			machines = []string{node}
+		}
+		out = append(out, GivenReplaced{Module: d.module, Name: d.name, Given: d.given, Machines: machines})
+	}
+	return out, errors.Join(errs...)
+}

internal/inventory/given_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// A module with one secret of each kind the rule tells apart (novox/hq ADR 0228), assigned to the
+// consumer machine.
+func aModuleWithGivenSecrets(t *testing.T) (*Inventory, context.Context) {
+	t.Helper()
+	inv, ctx := twoNodesWithKeys(t)
+	m := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "letta", Version: "1", OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{
+		"server-password": {Path: "/var/lib/letta/server-password", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart},
+		"openai-api-key": {Path: "/var/lib/letta/openai-api-key", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart,
+			IssuedBy: catalogue.IssuedOutside},
+		"logflare": {Path: "/var/lib/letta/logflare", Taken: catalogue.TakenApplied},
+		"broker":   {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/letta/broker"},
+	}}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, Source{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	assign(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta")
+	return inv, ctx
+}
+
+func assign(t *testing.T, inv *Inventory, ctx context.Context, node, module string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	n, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into assignment (node, module) values ($1, $2) on conflict do nothing`, n.ID, module); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// sent records a declaration sent to a machine now, as a push does, and answers its digest.
+func sent(t *testing.T, inv *Inventory, ctx context.Context, node, digest string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	n, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, n.ID, digest, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return digest
+}
+
+func originOf(t *testing.T, inv *Inventory, ctx context.Context, node, module, name string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	origin, _, err := inv.OwnSecretOrigin(ctx, node, module, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return origin
+}
+
+// **A given value is replaced once, after the first good start on it, and never again** (ADR 0228):
+// not on a report of a declaration sent before it was given, not on a report of a declaration the
+// mesh has moved past, and not a second time.
+func TestAGivenValueIsReplacedAfterTheFirstGoodStartAndNeverAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	inv, ctx := aModuleWithGivenSecrets(t)
+	before := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-before")
+
+	marked, err := inv.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password", "typed-by-a-person")
+	if err != nil || !marked {
+		t.Fatalf("a given value for a secret the mesh may make is marked to be replaced: %v %v", marked, err)
+	}
+	// The machine's report of what it was sent before the value was given is not a start on it.
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", before); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a start before the value was given replaced it: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	carrying := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-carrying-it")
+	// A report about a declaration other than the one last sent says nothing about this one.
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", before); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a report of an older declaration replaced it: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	if originOf(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password") != OriginAccepted {
+		t.Fatal("the given value was replaced before its module started on it")
+	}
+
+	got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", carrying)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Module != "letta" || got[0].Name != "server-password" ||
+		len(got[0].Machines) != 1 || got[0].Machines[0] != "consumer" {
+		t.Fatalf("the first good start replaced %+v", got)
+	}
+	if originOf(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password") != OriginMade {
+		t.Fatal("the replacement is not the mesh's own")
+	}
+	// Never again: the same report heard twice, and the next declaration's report.
+	if again, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", carrying); err != nil || len(again) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the same start replaced it twice: %+v %v", again, err)
+	}
+	next := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-after")
+	if again, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", next); err != nil || len(again) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a later start replaced the mesh's own value: %+v %v", again, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// **What stays as given** (ADR 0228): a value an outside party issued, a value the module applies,
+// and a value the mesh's own code accepted — a bus account it issued is the mesh's word to a broker,
+// and a fresh random value would break it.
+func TestWhatIsNeverReplacedAfterAStart(t *testing.T) {
+	inv, ctx := aModuleWithGivenSecrets(t)
+	for _, name := range []string{"openai-api-key", "logflare"} {
+		marked, err := inv.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", name, "from-outside")
+		if err != nil || marked {
+			t.Fatalf("%s was marked to be replaced: %v %v", name, marked, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.AcceptSecretForModule(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "broker", "issued-by-the-mesh"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	declared := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration")
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", declared); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a value that stays as given was replaced: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"openai-api-key", "logflare", "broker"} {
+		if originOf(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta", name) != OriginAccepted {
+			t.Fatalf("%s was touched", name)
+		}
+	}
+	// And asked by hand, the outside party's key is refused, saying why and how old it is.
+	var refused ErrNotRotatable
+	err := inv.RotateModuleSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "openai-api-key")
+	if !errors.As(err, &refused) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "outside the mesh") ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "day(s) ago") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "secret accept") {
+		t.Fatalf("rotating an outside party's key must be refused with its age and the way out: %v", err)
+	}
+	if originOf(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta", "openai-api-key") != OriginAccepted {
+		t.Fatal("a refused rotation touched the value")
+	}
+}
+
+// On an adopted machine the module must be taken before a start is one under the mesh; and a module
+// no longer assigned to the machine has no start to wait for.
+func TestAGivenValueWaitsForTheTakeOnAnAdoptedMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	inv, ctx := aModuleWithGivenSecrets(t)
+	if err := inv.SetAdopted(ctx, "consumer", true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password", "the-found-one"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-holding-it")
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", held); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a module held as found, not yet taken, had its given value replaced: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.Take(ctx, "consumer", "letta"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	taken := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-taking-it")
+	got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", taken)
+	if err != nil || len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the first good start after the take did not replace the given value: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+
+	// Unassigned: nothing starts, nothing is replaced.
+	if _, err := inv.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password", "given-again"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.Unassign(ctx, "consumer", "letta"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gone := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration-without-it")
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", gone); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a module no longer assigned had its given value replaced: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// A definition that changed after the value was given is asked again at the start: one that now says
+// the value is an outside party's keeps it as given.
+func TestADefinitionThatNowSaysOutsideKeepsTheGivenValue(t *testing.T) {
+	inv, ctx := aModuleWithGivenSecrets(t)
+	if _, err := inv.AcceptGivenSecret(ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password", "typed"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	m := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "letta", Version: "2", OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{
+		"server-password": {Path: "/var/lib/letta/server-password", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart,
+			IssuedBy: catalogue.IssuedOutside}}}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, Source{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	declared := sent(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "declaration")
+	if got, err := inv.ReplaceGivenAfterStart(ctx, "consumer", declared); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a value the definition now says is an outside party's was replaced: %+v %v", got, err)
+	}
+	if originOf(t, inv, ctx, "consumer", "letta", "server-password") != OriginAccepted {
+		t.Fatal("the value was touched")
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/heals.go

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// The healers' acts (novox/hq to-be 45 §7, Phase 3): see migration 0070. The controller is their
+// only writer, under its lease; `healers` and `conditions` read them.
+
+// The outcomes of a heal.
+const (
+	// HealActing is an act begun and not yet finished: counted against the budget and the brake from
+	// the moment it starts, so a controller that dies mid-act has still spent it.
+	HealActing = "acting"
+	// HealActed is an act that did what it does. Whether it repaired anything is the observation's to
+	// say, never the healer's: the condition clears, or it does not.
+	HealActed = "acted"
+	// HealFailed is an act that could not be done.
+	HealFailed = "failed"
+	// HealEscalated is a budget spent, said: the condition was handed to the operator.
+	HealEscalated = "escalated"
+)
+
+// HealsKeptFor is how long a heal is kept: as long as a condition's history.
+const HealsKeptFor = 90 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+// Heal is one act of a healer.
+type Heal struct {
+	ID           int64      `json:"id"`
+	Healer       string     `json:"healer"`
+	ConditionKey string     `json:"condition"`
+	Kind         string     `json:"kind"`
+	BudgetKey    string     `json:"budget-key"`
+	Act          string     `json:"act"`
+	Outcome      string     `json:"outcome"`
+	Said         string     `json:"said,omitempty"`
+	At           time.Time  `json:"at"`
+	Finished     *time.Time `json:"finished,omitempty"`
+	Epoch        uint64     `json:"epoch,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// BeginHeal writes an act about to be taken, under the lease: the act is counted from here. Refused,
+// and nothing written, by a process that may not act.
+func (i *Inventory) BeginHeal(ctx context.Context, h Heal) (Heal, error) {
+	epoch, err := i.actingEpoch(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return h, fmt.Errorf("the heal %s of %s is not begun: %w", h.Healer, h.ConditionKey, err)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(h.Healer) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(h.ConditionKey) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(h.Act) == "" {
+		return h, errors.New("a heal names its healer, its condition and its act")
+	}
+	if h.BudgetKey == "" {
+		h.BudgetKey = h.ConditionKey
+	}
+	if h.Outcome == "" {
+		h.Outcome = HealActing
+	}
+	// At the runner's moment when it gives one, so its budgets and the brake are counted on one clock.
+	var at *time.Time
+	if !h.At.IsZero() {
+		at = &h.At
+	}
+	err = i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`insert into heal (healer, condition_key, kind, budget_key, act, outcome, said, epoch, at)
+		 values ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, coalesce($9, now())) returning id, at`,
+		h.Healer, h.ConditionKey, h.Kind, h.BudgetKey, h.Act, h.Outcome, h.Said, epoch, at).Scan(&h.ID, &h.At)
+	if err != nil {
+		return h, err
+	}
+	if epoch != nil {
+		h.Epoch = uint64(*epoch)
+	}
+	return h, nil
+}
+
+// FinishHeal says what came of an act begun. Written whatever the lease says by now: what was done was
+// done, and its record must not depend on the doer still holding the lease a moment later.
+func (i *Inventory) FinishHeal(ctx context.Context, id int64, outcome, said string) error {
+	tag, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`update heal set outcome = $2, said = $3, finished = now() where id = $1`, id, outcome, said)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if tag.RowsAffected() != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no heal %d to finish", id)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// HealsSince is every heal from a moment, oldest first.
+func (i *Inventory) HealsSince(ctx context.Context, since time.Time) ([]Heal, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select id, healer, condition_key, kind, budget_key, act, outcome, said, at, finished, epoch
+		   from heal where at >= $1 order by at, id`, since)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var out []Heal
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var h Heal
+		var epoch *int64
+		if err := rows.Scan(&h.ID, &h.Healer, &h.ConditionKey, &h.Kind, &h.BudgetKey, &h.Act, &h.Outcome, &h.Said,
+			&h.At, &h.Finished, &epoch); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if epoch != nil {
+			h.Epoch = uint64(*epoch)
+		}
+		out = append(out, h)
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// ForgetOldHeals removes what is older than HealsKeptFor, and says how many.
+func (i *Inventory) ForgetOldHeals(ctx context.Context) (int64, error) {
+	tag, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx, `delete from heal where at < $1`, time.Now().Add(-HealsKeptFor))
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return tag.RowsAffected(), nil
+}

internal/inventory/heals_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// **A heal is begun under the lease and kept with its epoch** (novox/hq to-be 45 §7): refused, and
+// nothing written, by a process that may not act; finished whatever the lease says by then; read back
+// in the order they were taken.
+func TestAHealIsBegunUnderTheLeaseAndFinishedAfter(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv.ActsUnder(func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 0, errors.New("the lease is not held") })
+	if _, err := inv.BeginHeal(ctx, Heal{Healer: "H1", ConditionKey: "machine.anchor.sent-not-reported", Act: "asked"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a heal was begun by a process that may not act")
+	}
+	inv.ActsUnder(func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 57, nil })
+	at := time.Now().Add(-time.Minute).UTC().Truncate(time.Microsecond)
+	first, err := inv.BeginHeal(ctx, Heal{Healer: "H1", ConditionKey: "machine.anchor.sent-not-reported",
+		Kind: "sent-not-reported", Act: "asked", At: at})
+	if err != nil || first.ID == 0 || first.Epoch != 57 || first.BudgetKey != first.ConditionKey ||
+		first.Outcome != HealActing || !first.At.Equal(at) {
+		t.Fatalf("begun: %+v %v", first, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.BeginHeal(ctx, Heal{Healer: "H3"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a heal naming no condition and no act was begun")
+	}
+	inv.ActsUnder(func(context.Context) (uint64, error) { return 0, errors.New("lost meanwhile") })
+	if err := inv.FinishHeal(ctx, first.ID, HealActed, "it reported"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("what was done could not be recorded once the lease was gone: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.FinishHeal(ctx, first.ID+1000, HealActed, ""); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a heal that was never begun was finished")
+	}
+	heals, err := inv.HealsSince(ctx, time.Now().Add(-time.Hour))
+	if err != nil || len(heals) != 1 || heals[0].Outcome != HealActed || heals[0].Said != "it reported" ||
+		heals[0].Finished == nil || heals[0].Epoch != 57 {
+		t.Fatalf("read back: %+v %v", heals, err)
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/migrations/0066-the-durations-the-bounds-are-set-from.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+-- The durations the core's bounds are set from (novox/hq to-be 45 Phase 0).
+--
+-- Every watchdog of the core's signals table has a bound — how long a machine may take to report
+-- after a send, how long it may be silent, how long a plan's tier or a build may take — and a bound
+-- guessed is a condition that cries wolf or one that never fires. So the controller records each
+-- duration as it is observed, and Phase 1 sets the bounds from what was recorded:
+--
+--   apply          a declaration sent → the machine's first report of that declaration, per machine
+--   heartbeat-gap  one word from a machine → the next, per machine
+--   plan-tier      a plan entering a tier → leaving it, per repository
+--   build          a build asked → its outcome heard, per module
+--
+-- One row per thing measured: `ref` names it (the send, the earlier word, the plan's tier, the
+-- build), so a report repeated by a reconcile is not a second measurement. Kept a month; read
+-- through `durations`.
+create table duration (
+    kind     text        not null,
+    subject  text        not null,
+    node     text        not null default '',
+    ref      text        not null,
+    started  timestamptz not null,
+    took_ms  bigint      not null,
+    detail   text        not null default '',
+    recorded timestamptz not null default now(),
+    primary key (kind, subject, ref)
+);
+
+create index duration_by_kind on duration (kind, recorded);
+
+-- When a plan entered the tier it is at, so leaving it measures the tier.
+alter table release_plan add column tier_entered timestamptz;