Hold a joining build for a person without superseding its delivery, join only on an engine that keeps own groups, and keep a held module's settings (hq ADR 0328 §8, ADR 0334; re-review of 96e15f86)

A delivery does not send a joining build held for its library or its engine: the module waits for a person,
the plan stays open saying so and judges its other modules, and sends it once nothing holds it. A held move is
no move for the gate. A module joins only on an engine at contract 7, and a held module is composed with the
settings it last ran with. The runner's verdicts are said for their modules and judged by whether a move
changes them. mesh-host pinned at #97 (7a41e120), its bundle now examples/foundation-first-node.lock.

.gitignore

@@ -6,3 +6,5 @@
 /mesh-controller
 /postgres-provisioner
 /redis-provisioner
+# And where `go build` in cmd/mesh-controller leaves it (novox/hq issue 233).
+/cmd/mesh-controller/mesh-controller

cmd/mesh-builder/main.go

@@ -256,7 +256,13 @@ func answer(ctx context.Context, publisher builder.Publisher, on, workspace stri
 		v, err = builder.Check(building, builder.Command, checkSpecOf(request), workspace, registry, forgeFrom(), say)
 		if err == nil {
 			result.Check = &link.CheckOutcome{Verdict: v.Verdict, Summary: v.Summary, Report: v.Report,
-				Took: v.Took.Round(time.Second).String(), Gate: layerOf(v.Gate), RepoCheck: layerOf(v.Repo)}
+				Took: v.Took.Round(time.Second).String(), Gate: layerOf(v.Gate), RepoCheck: layerOf(v.Repo),
+				Head: v.Head, Trunk: v.Trunk, Beside: v.Beside}
+			// What each of a group's heads was judged as (novox/hq ADR 0323 §6).
+			for _, m := range v.Members {
+				result.Check.Members = append(result.Check.Members, link.CheckedMember{Owner: m.Owner, Repo: m.Repo,
+					Commit: m.Head, Trunk: m.Trunk})
+			}
 		}
 	} else if err == nil {
 		// The package-registry credential is a build input, so it is resolved before the clone: a
@@ -354,7 +360,7 @@ func checkSpecOf(request link.BuildRequest) builder.CheckSpec {
 	}
 	for _, m := range c.Members {
 		spec.Group = append(spec.Group, builder.GroupHead{Owner: m.Owner, Repo: m.Repo, Repository: m.Repository,
-			Ref: m.Ref, Paths: m.Paths})
+			Ref: m.Ref, Paths: m.Paths, Base: m.Base})
 	}
 	return spec
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/acts.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"io"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -54,6 +55,9 @@ func assignWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, opts assignOptio
 	if err := refusedMovingTheController(modules); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
+	// Every line of the answer comes from the one resolution after the write (novox/hq issue 237):
+	// what the reads before it would say about a machine left out is not the answer's.
+	ctx = leftOutSaidBy(ctx, io.Discard)
 	// Held while it is recorded, so it cannot land between a converge's preview and its flip and
 	// be taken without ever having been previewed (novox/hq ADR 0100).
 	ctx, release, err := holdNodes(ctx, open, []string{node})
@@ -125,22 +129,28 @@ func assignWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, opts assignOptio
 	for _, line := range settled {
 		answer += "\n  " + line
 	}
-	// What this act changed about this node's unmet seat dependencies, and nothing else (novox/hq
-	// ADR 0207): a dependency of a module just assigned, or one this assignment met. The rest of the
-	// node's list, and every other node's, is `status`'s.
-	for _, line := range unheldChange(shelf, node, before, append(append([]string(nil), before...), added...)) {
-		answer += "\n  " + line
-	}
 	// Its bus credential, in the same act (novox/hq issue 203): an assignment pushed before its
 	// credential exists delivers a process that cannot authenticate and crash-loops until somebody
 	// runs a second verb and a second push. Issued here when the module speaks on the bus and has
 	// no credential yet; kept when it has one, so re-assigning rotates nothing.
+	var issued []string
 	for _, module := range added {
 		if line := issueOnAssign(ctx, open, node, module); line != "" {
-			answer += "\n  " + line
+			issued = append(issued, line)
 		}
 	}
-	plan, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, node)
+	// **The one resolution the rest of the answer is said from** (novox/hq issue 237), taken after
+	// the write: what this act changed about this node's unmet seat dependencies, and nothing else
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0207) — a dependency of a module just assigned, or one this assignment met; the
+	// rest of the node's list, and every other node's, is `status`'s — and whether the node resolves.
+	after := resolvedAfter(ctx, open, shelf, node)
+	for _, line := range unheldChangeTo(shelf, node, before, after.modules, after.unheld) {
+		answer += "\n  " + line
+	}
+	for _, line := range issued {
+		answer += "\n  " + line
+	}
+	plan, err := after.plan, after.err
 	if err != nil {
 		// Kept, and still refused. Both halves are the answer, and the rest of the mesh is still
 		// worth reporting: this machine's refusal is rarely the only consequence.
@@ -218,6 +228,8 @@ func unassign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, modules ...string)
 	if len(modules) == 0 {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("unassign %s names no module", node)
 	}
+	// One resolution after the write, as assign's answer (novox/hq issue 237).
+	ctx = leftOutSaidBy(ctx, io.Discard)
 	ctx, release, err := holdNodes(ctx, open, []string{node})
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -262,15 +274,22 @@ func unassign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, modules ...string)
 	}
 	answer := fmt.Sprintf("%s no longer runs %s — run `push %s` to make it so",
 		node, strings.Join(modules, ", "), node)
-	var left []string
-	for _, a := range assigned {
-		if !slices.Contains(modules, a) {
-			left = append(left, a)
-		}
-	}
-	for _, line := range unheldChange(shelf, node, assigned, left) {
+	after := resolvedAfter(ctx, open, shelf, node)
+	for _, line := range unheldChangeTo(shelf, node, assigned, after.modules, after.unheld) {
 		answer += "\n  " + line
 	}
+	// Whether the node itself still resolves, from the same resolution: before, only the rest of the
+	// mesh's reads said it, on standard error and once per other machine.
+	if after.err != nil {
+		if unresolvable(after.err) {
+			answer += fmt.Sprintf("\n  but %s does not resolve now, so nothing will be sent to it:", node)
+		} else {
+			answer += fmt.Sprintf("\n  but whether %s still resolves could not be read:", node)
+		}
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(strings.TrimRight(after.err.Error(), "\n"), "\n") {
+			answer += "\n    " + strings.TrimSpace(line)
+		}
+	}
 	// What it leaves behind that is irreplaceable is kept and retired, never removed (novox/hq ADR 0233).
 	for _, line := range keptOnUnassign(ctx, open.inventory, node, modules) {
 		answer += "\n  " + line
@@ -278,6 +297,39 @@ func unassign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, modules ...string)
 	return answer + blockedElsewhere(ctx, open, node), nil
 }
 
+// afterAct is the one resolution of a node an act's answer is said from, taken after its write
+// (novox/hq issue 237): the plan or why there is none, the modules it has on the node, and its unmet
+// seat dependencies.
+type afterAct struct {
+	plan    catalogue.Resolution
+	err     error
+	modules []string
+	unheld  []catalogue.Unheld
+}
+
+// resolvedAfter resolves the node as `plan` does, once, after the act's write. When the node resolves,
+// its modules and unmet seat dependencies are the resolution's — the closure, so a holder pulled in by
+// a requirement counts as `plan` counts it. When it does not, they are judged over the assignments read
+// after the write, which can only find more unmet than the closure would: a seat said held there is
+// held in the closure too.
+func resolvedAfter(ctx context.Context, open *stores, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node string) afterAct {
+	plan, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, node)
+	if err == nil {
+		out := afterAct{plan: plan, unheld: plan.Unheld}
+		for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+			out.modules = append(out.modules, m.Module)
+		}
+		return out
+	}
+	out := afterAct{err: err}
+	assigned, readErr := open.inventory.Assigned(ctx, node)
+	if readErr != nil {
+		return out
+	}
+	out.modules, out.unheld = assigned, unheldOver(shelf, node, assigned)
+	return out
+}
+
 // splitModules is a surface's one `module` field as the modules it names: several, comma-separated,
 // are one act (novox/hq ADR 0207), so the holders that depend on each other go on together from the
 // command API and the controller seat's verbs as they do from the command line.

cmd/mesh-controller/apply_failing.go

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// kindApplyFailing is S21's kind: a machine whose declarations have been refused, or applied only in part,
+// for longer than one apply interval (novox/hq issue 233).
+const kindApplyFailing = "apply-failing"
+
+// applyEvery is how often a node-engine applies what it was last told when nothing new arrives: its
+// ReconcileEvery. A failure still there after one more of them is not one the next apply clears.
+const applyEvery = 5 * time.Minute
+
+// packageManagerKey is how a node-engine names a package manager that does not answer among what failed
+// (mesh-host's probe.go): "the package manager (pacman)".
+const packageManagerKey = "the package manager ("
+
+// watchApplyFailing is S21: **a machine that does not apply what it was sent is said by the mesh, not only
+// to someone who asks for `status`** (novox/hq issue 233, issue 187's family). A workstation refused every
+// declaration for an hour and a half because its package manager did not answer, and the mesh's only word
+// on it was a line in `status`. Raised once the machine's first report of this failure is older than one apply
+// interval **while the machine is heard** — judged by time, not by how many reports said it: a node-engine
+// says a re-apply only when how it went changed, so the same failure is one report however long it lasts.
+// Names the refusal's or the failure's words; cleared by the clean apply the node-engine then says. Not while
+// the machine is silent, asleep or not known: S1 says silent, and asleep is not lost.
+func watchApplyFailing(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	heard := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, m := range f.machines {
+		if !m.asleep() && !m.lastHeard.IsZero() && f.now.Sub(m.lastHeard) <= heartbeatBound(m.every) {
+			heard[m.name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, d := range f.doing {
+		if !d.Wrong() || d.Since == nil || f.now.Sub(*d.Since) <= applyEvery || !heard[d.Node] {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, applyFailing(d, f.now))
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// applyFailing is one machine's S21 condition.
+func applyFailing(d inventory.Doing, now time.Time) conditions.Observation {
+	m := d.Node
+	since := d.Since.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04 MST")
+	o := conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: m, Kind: kindApplyFailing, Machine: m,
+		Severity: conditions.Warning, Said: doingWords(d),
+		Resolved: m + " applies what it is sent again"}
+	how := "refused its declaration whole"
+	if d.Outcome != inventory.OutcomeRefused {
+		how = "applied its declaration only in part"
+	}
+	o.Summary = fmt.Sprintf("%s has %s since %s (bound %s): %s", m, how, since, ago(applyEvery), failedNames(d))
+	o.Headline = m + " is not applying its update"
+	o.Explanation = fmt.Sprintf("%s has %s for %s, and trying again has not helped. The details say what fails.",
+		m, plainHow(d), humanDuration(now.Sub(*d.Since)))
+	if tool := unansweringTool(d); tool != "" {
+		o.Summary = fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s does not answer, so no package reaches it; everything else it was sent "+
+			"is applied, since %s (bound %s)", m, tool, since, ago(applyEvery))
+		o.Headline = fmt.Sprintf("%s cannot install packages", m)
+		o.Explanation = fmt.Sprintf("The package manager on %s (%s) has not answered for %s, so no package reaches "+
+			"it. Everything else is still applied, so an update that repairs it can land; if none does, it needs a "+
+			"look on the machine.", m, tool, humanDuration(now.Sub(*d.Since)))
+	}
+	return o
+}
+
+// plainHow is how a machine failed, as the operator reads it.
+func plainHow(d inventory.Doing) string {
+	if d.Outcome == inventory.OutcomeRefused {
+		return "refused every update"
+	}
+	return "applied its updates only in part"
+}
+
+// unansweringTool is the package manager a machine said does not answer, or "".
+func unansweringTool(d inventory.Doing) string {
+	for _, r := range d.Failed {
+		if rest, ok := strings.CutPrefix(r.ID, packageManagerKey); ok {
+			return strings.TrimSuffix(rest, ")")
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// failedNames is what failed, by name: the refusal, or the failed resources' ids.
+func failedNames(d inventory.Doing) string {
+	if d.Outcome == inventory.OutcomeRefused {
+		return "refused"
+	}
+	ids := make([]string, 0, len(d.Failed))
+	for _, r := range d.Failed {
+		ids = append(ids, r.ID)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(ids)
+	return "failed " + strings.Join(ids, ", ")
+}
+
+// doingWords is the machine's own words on what failed: the evidence, kept inside the mesh.
+func doingWords(d inventory.Doing) string {
+	if d.Outcome == inventory.OutcomeRefused {
+		return "refused: " + oneLine(d.Refused)
+	}
+	var parts []string
+	for _, r := range d.Failed {
+		parts = append(parts, r.ID+": "+oneLine(r.Error))
+	}
+	sort.Strings(parts)
+	return strings.Join(parts, "; ")
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/apply_failing_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// unansweringPackageManager is anchor's last report as the workstation's read on 2026-10-04, once its
+// node-engine applies the rest (novox/hq issue 233): the package failed and the package manager did not answer,
+// the same failure on times reports since for before now.
+func unansweringPackageManager(now time.Time, forHowLong time.Duration, times int) inventory.Doing {
+	since := now.Add(-forHowLong)
+	return inventory.Doing{Node: "anchor", Outcome: inventory.OutcomeFailed, At: now.Add(-time.Second),
+		Since: &since, Times: times, Applied: 41, Failed: []inventory.FailedResource{
+			{ID: "apply", Error: `applying "pacman.base": nothing can be said about "base": this is the arch host and ` +
+				"pacman does not answer here. Either this machine is not Arch, or its package database is broken: " +
+				"pacman exited 1: error: config file /etc/pacman.conf could not be read: No such file or directory"},
+			{ID: "the package manager (pacman)", Error: "pacman does not answer here, so every package in this " +
+				"declaration fails and the rest of it is applied (novox/hq issue 233): pacman exited 1: error: config " +
+				"file /etc/pacman.conf could not be read: No such file or directory"}}}
+}
+
+// **A machine whose package manager does not answer is raised by the mesh itself, naming the tool and the
+// probe's words** (novox/hq issue 233): the words in the evidence, the path kept out of the summary.
+func TestAPackageManagerThatDoesNotAnswerIsRaisedNamingItsWords(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 4, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, 90*time.Minute, 18)}
+	got := watchApplyFailing(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("raised %d conditions, want one: %+v", len(got), got)
+	}
+	o := got[0]
+	if o.Key() != "machine.anchor.apply-failing" || o.Machine != "anchor" {
+		t.Errorf("the condition is not the machine's: %s", o.Key())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(o.Summary, "pacman does not answer") || !strings.Contains(o.Summary, "since 2026-10-04 12:30") {
+		t.Errorf("the summary does not name the tool and since when: %s", o.Summary)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(o.Summary, "/etc/") {
+		t.Errorf("the summary carries a path, which belongs in the evidence: %s", o.Summary)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(o.Said, "could not be read") {
+		t.Errorf("the evidence does not carry the probe's words: %s", o.Said)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(o.Headline, "cannot install packages") || o.Explanation == "" || o.Resolved == "" {
+		t.Errorf("the plain words do not say it: %+v", o)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A whole refusal is raised too**, with the node-engine's words: what the workstation's report said before the
+// node-engine applied the rest.
+func TestARefusalThatGoesOnIsRaised(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 4, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	since := now.Add(-time.Hour)
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{{Node: "anchor", Outcome: inventory.OutcomeRefused, Since: &since, Times: 12,
+		Refused: "this is the arch host and pacman does not answer here", At: now.Add(-time.Minute)}}
+	got := watchApplyFailing(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 || !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "refused its declaration whole") ||
+		!strings.Contains(got[0].Said, "pacman does not answer") {
+		t.Fatalf("a refusal that went on for an hour was not raised with its words: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **Judged by time while the machine is heard, not by how many reports said it** (review of novox/hq issue 233):
+// a node-engine says the same failure once, so one report an apply interval old is a fault that goes on; one
+// younger is not yet; and a silent or sleeping machine is S1's.
+func TestOneReportOlderThanAnApplyIsRaisedAndAQuietMachineIsNot(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 4, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	f := calm(now)
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, 6*time.Minute, 1)}
+	if got := watchApplyFailing(f); len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("one report of a failure six minutes old was not raised: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, 4*time.Minute, 1)}
+	if got := watchApplyFailing(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a failure four minutes old was raised before one apply could clear it: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, time.Hour, 1)}
+	f.machines[0].lastHeard = now.Add(-time.Hour)
+	if got := watchApplyFailing(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a silent machine was raised for its last report: %+v", got)
+	}
+	f = calm(now)
+	f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, time.Hour, 1)}
+	f.doing[0].Node = "a-machine-the-mesh-does-not-know"
+	if got := watchApplyFailing(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a machine not heard of was raised: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A failed re-apply followed by a clean one clears S21** (review of novox/hq issue 233): the node-engine says
+// the clean re-apply, the store keeps it as applied with no failure since, and the condition the failure raised
+// is cleared through the keeper on the next tick.
+func TestACleanReapplyAfterAFailedOneClearsTheCondition(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 4, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store,
+		Teller: &conditions.Told{}, Now: func() time.Time { return now }})
+	defer k.Close(context.Background())
+	w := &watchdogs{keeper: k, started: now.Add(-time.Hour)}
+
+	failing := calm(now)
+	failing.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(now, 20*time.Minute, 1)}
+	w.see(t.Context(), failing)
+	open, err := k.Open(t.Context())
+	if err != nil || len(open) != 1 || open[0].Kind != kindApplyFailing {
+		t.Fatalf("the failed re-apply raised %+v (%v), want apply-failing", open, err)
+	}
+
+	clean := calm(now.Add(5 * time.Minute))
+	clean.doing = nil // the clean re-apply recorded: NotDoingWhatTheyWereTold no longer lists the machine
+	w.see(t.Context(), clean)
+	if open, _ := k.Open(t.Context()); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the condition stayed open after the clean re-apply: %+v", open)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/asker.go

@@ -117,10 +117,13 @@ type asked struct {
 	// Proposal is a settings layer proposed through a verb (proposals.go, novox/hq ADR 0277): about no
 	// condition, set on Approve by the serving controller itself, and left alone by the reconciling of conditions.
 	Proposal *settingsProposal `json:"proposal,omitempty"`
+	// Take is a library the operator is asked to let the mesh take (kept_libraries.go, novox/hq ADR 0328 §7): about no
+	// condition, taken on Approve by the serving controller itself, asked once per library.
+	Take *libraryTake `json:"take,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ofACondition says an ask is one of a condition's: not a rehearsal, not a proposal.
-func (r asked) ofACondition() bool { return !r.Rehearsal && r.Proposal == nil }
+func (r asked) ofACondition() bool { return !r.Rehearsal && r.Proposal == nil && r.Take == nil }
 
 // partKey is an ask's place among what is asked: its condition and its part.
 func partKey(condition, part string) string { return condition + "#" + part }
@@ -192,6 +195,11 @@ type asker struct {
 	call func(ctx context.Context, a conditions.Action, args map[string]string) error
 	// setLayer sets a proposed settings layer on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0277); nil cannot.
 	setLayer setOnWarrant
+	// folders is every library waiting to be taken (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7), and take what takes one on the operator's
+	// warrant; nil asks about none. machines are the mesh's machine names, allowed in an ask's words.
+	folders  func(ctx context.Context) ([]libraryTake, error)
+	take     takeOnWarrant
+	machines func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error)
 	// record writes the hand-act log.
 	record func(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error
 	// routerRecord reads the router's record of an ask for a warrant missed; nil reads nothing.
@@ -554,6 +562,10 @@ func (a *asker) reconcile(ctx context.Context) error {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+	// And every library waiting to be taken, once per library (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7).
+	if err := a.askFolders(ctx); err != nil {
+		a.logf("the operator could not be asked about the libraries waiting to be taken: %v", err)
+	}
 	why := "the router refused the ask"
 	if len(refusedWords) > 0 {
 		why += ": " + refusedWords[0]
@@ -818,7 +830,7 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	stillOpen := r.Rehearsal || r.Proposal != nil // a rehearsal and a proposal are about no condition
+	stillOpen := r.Rehearsal || r.Proposal != nil || r.Take != nil // a rehearsal, a proposal and a take are about no condition
 	for _, c := range open {
 		stillOpen = stillOpen || c.Key == r.Condition
 	}
@@ -876,6 +888,15 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 		if acted == nil && outcome != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(outcome, "nothing") {
 			outcome = "done: " + outcome
 		}
+	case r.Take != nil && act.Verb == takeVerb:
+		// A library taken on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7): the act is composed again from the
+		// record and held to what the option bound before the engine is asked.
+		outcome, acted = a.decideTake(ctx, *r, act, w)
+		if acted == nil && !strings.HasPrefix(outcome, "nothing") {
+			outcome = "done: " + outcome
+		}
+	case r.Take != nil:
+		acted = fmt.Errorf("the take %s offers no act %s", r.ID, act.Verb)
 	case act.Arguments["silence"] != "":
 		acted = a.silence(ctx, act.Arguments["silence"], conditions.MaxSilence, byWords(w), why)
 	default:

cmd/mesh-controller/asker_wire.go

@@ -572,6 +572,27 @@ func servingAsker(open *stores, conn *nats.Conn, js jetstream.JetStream, keeper
 		call: callAction(conn),
 		// A proposed settings layer is set by this controller itself on the warrant (novox/hq ADR 0277).
 		setLayer: setLayerIn(open),
+		// A shared folder waiting to be kept is asked about once, and taken on the warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8).
+		folders: foldersIn(open),
+		take: takeFolderIn(open, func(ctx context.Context, act link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+			ident, err := open.Identity(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return link.HandOverAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("the mesh's signing key cannot be read, so nothing was asked of "+
+					"%s: %w", act.Node, err)
+			}
+			return link.AskTake(ctx, conn, ident, act, link.TakeWithin)
+		}),
+		machines: func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
+			nodes, err := open.inventory.Nodes(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			names := make([]string, 0, len(nodes))
+			for _, n := range nodes {
+				names = append(names, n.Name)
+			}
+			return names, nil
+		},
 		record: func(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error {
 			_, err := link.RecordHandAct(ctx, conn, act)
 			return err

cmd/mesh-controller/batches.go

@@ -1109,6 +1109,16 @@ const resolverSeat = "mesh-dns-resolver"
 // classOf is a walk's class (novox/hq ADR 0282 decision 1): core when it walks a module on the controller's own
 // path or one holding the mesh's resolver, leaf otherwise.
 func classOf(walk inventory.Plan, entries []inventory.Entry) string {
+	modules := make([]string, 0, len(walk.Modules))
+	for m := range walk.Modules {
+		modules = append(modules, m)
+	}
+	return classOfModules(modules, entries)
+}
+
+// classOfModules is the class of modules moved together: core when one is on the controller's own path or holds
+// the mesh's resolver, leaf otherwise (ADR 0282 decision 1).
+func classOfModules(modules []string, entries []inventory.Entry) string {
 	resolvers := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, e := range entries {
 		for _, c := range e.Manifest.Claims {
@@ -1117,7 +1127,7 @@ func classOf(walk inventory.Plan, entries []inventory.Entry) string {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	for m := range walk.Modules {
+	for _, m := range modules {
 		if _, own := onTheControllersPath[m]; own || resolvers[m] {
 			return inventory.ClassCore
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/changeplan.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"path"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -105,9 +106,32 @@ func changePlanOf(repository, base, head string, r mergeReach, entries []invento
 		p.Machines = append(p.Machines, *machines[name])
 	}
 	p.Summary = summaryOf(p)
+	p.Class = changeClassOf(p, entries)
 	return p
 }
 
+// classNone is the class of a change that moves no module: nothing for a walk to move (novox/hq ADR 0313 §2).
+const classNone = "none"
+
+// changeClassOf is a change plan's class (novox/hq ADR 0313 §2): that of the slowest-budgeted module it moves,
+// itself or as a dependent — core when one is on the controller's own path or holds the mesh's resolver, leaf
+// otherwise — and none when it moves nothing. A module it adds a directory for counts by its own class: the
+// catalogue names a module's directory by the module, so the directory's last element is its name. The graph holds
+// no manifest of it yet, so a new module is core by its name alone (on the controller's own path), never by a
+// resolver claim its manifest makes.
+func changeClassOf(p link.ChangePlan, entries []inventory.Entry) string {
+	if len(p.Moved) == 0 && len(p.Dependents) == 0 && len(p.New) == 0 {
+		return classNone
+	}
+	modules := append(append([]string{}, p.Moved...), p.Dependents...)
+	for _, dir := range p.New {
+		if name := path.Base(strings.Trim(dir, "/")); name != "." && name != "/" && name != "" {
+			modules = append(modules, name)
+		}
+	}
+	return classOfModules(modules, entries)
+}
+
 // grantsStepWord names the grants step (novox/hq issue 490): the bus's user list sent alone to the machine
 // holding the bus ahead of a walk's gate. Not the bus step, which replaces the bus itself.
 const grantsStepWord = "grants step"

cmd/mesh-controller/check.go

@@ -152,6 +152,14 @@ func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// **A module that uses several libraries is warned** (novox/hq ADR 0328 §4): an image that drops added groups when
+	// it changes user reaches only the first. Printed, never counted.
+	for _, name := range names {
+		for _, w := range catalogue.LibraryWarnings(shelf[name]) {
+			fmt.Fprintf(out, "warning: %s\n", w)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// **A file that asks for a setting and does not say whether it is trusted counts as trusted** (novox/hq issue
 	// 339): listed and counted, never refused, so an author can opt out a file nothing trusts.
 	unsaid := 0

cmd/mesh-controller/checks.go

@@ -161,9 +161,7 @@ func (f following) PullUpdated(ctx context.Context, p link.PullUpdated) error {
 		return u, err == nil
 	})
 	fmt.Print(planText(plan))
-	direct := link.Checked{Owner: p.Owner, Repo: p.Repo, Number: p.Number, Commit: p.Commit,
-		ID: link.NewBuildID(time.Now()), Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModuleTouched,
-		Gate: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModuleTouched}, Plan: &plan}
+	direct := directVerdict(p, plan)
 	switch {
 	case !scope.gated() && !scope.Mesh:
 		fmt.Printf("%s/%s#%d (%.8s): %s, and the repository is not the mesh's: said, nothing run\n",
@@ -201,6 +199,24 @@ func (f following) PullUpdated(ctx context.Context, p link.PullUpdated) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// directVerdict is the verdict of a change no build judges — it touches no module, and either the repository is not
+// the mesh's or the head holds no merge-check.sh. **It names the trunk commit it holds for** (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3):
+// the base branch's head the forge announced with the head, so the merge tool can weigh it against the trunk's head
+// and does not refuse it for ever (a verdict naming no trunk is never the trunk's head's). Nothing was built to
+// judge: the trunk commit is the one the forge said the change was announced against.
+func directVerdict(p link.PullUpdated, plan link.ChangePlan) link.Checked {
+	trunk := p.BaseSHA
+	if len(trunk) > 12 {
+		trunk = trunk[:12]
+	}
+	if trunk != "" {
+		plan.Trunk = trunk
+	}
+	return link.Checked{Owner: p.Owner, Repo: p.Repo, Number: p.Number, Commit: p.Commit,
+		ID: link.NewBuildID(time.Now()), Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModuleTouched,
+		Gate: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModuleTouched}, Plan: &plan, Trunk: trunk}
+}
+
 // checkRequestFor is the ask for one pull request's head: the repository as the mesh clones it, the head,
 // and what is read beside it.
 func checkRequestFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p link.PullUpdated, scope checkScope,
@@ -363,6 +379,9 @@ func checkedOf(result link.BuildResult) link.Checked {
 	case result.Check != nil:
 		c.Verdict, c.Summary, c.Report = result.Check.Verdict, result.Check.Summary, result.Check.Report
 		c.Gate, c.RepoCheck = result.Check.Gate, result.Check.RepoCheck
+		// What was judged (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3): the head merged into the trunk commit, and the commits of the
+		// repositories read beside it.
+		c.Trunk, c.Beside, c.Took = result.Check.Trunk, result.Check.Beside, result.Check.Took
 		if c.Gate == nil {
 			// A build seat from before the layers: its verdict is the gate's.
 			c.Gate = &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: c.Verdict, Summary: c.Summary}
@@ -388,14 +407,20 @@ func checkedOf(result link.BuildResult) link.Checked {
 	}
 	if result.Checked != nil {
 		c.Plan = result.Checked.Plan
+		if c.Plan != nil && c.Trunk != "" {
+			// The kept delivery plan records the trunk commit with its other inputs (ADR 0323 §3).
+			plan := *c.Plan
+			plan.Trunk = c.Trunk
+			c.Plan = &plan
+		}
 		// A delivery group's composed check (novox/hq ADR 0239): every head it judged, this one first.
 		if g := result.Checked; g.Group != "" {
 			c.Group = g.Group
 			c.Members = append(c.Members, link.CheckedMember{Owner: g.Owner, Repo: g.Repo, Number: g.Number,
-				Commit: result.Ref})
+				Commit: result.Ref, Trunk: c.Trunk})
 			for _, m := range g.Members {
 				c.Members = append(c.Members, link.CheckedMember{Owner: m.Owner, Repo: m.Repo, Number: m.Number,
-					Commit: m.Ref})
+					Commit: m.Ref, Trunk: memberTrunk(result.Check, m)})
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -410,6 +435,20 @@ func checkedOf(result link.BuildResult) link.Checked {
 	return c
 }
 
+// memberTrunk is the trunk commit the build seat merged one of a group's heads into (novox/hq ADR 0323 §6), empty
+// when it said none.
+func memberTrunk(outcome *link.CheckOutcome, m link.GroupMember) string {
+	if outcome == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	for _, j := range outcome.Members {
+		if strings.EqualFold(j.Owner, m.Owner) && strings.EqualFold(j.Repo, m.Repo) && strings.HasPrefix(m.Ref, j.Commit) {
+			return j.Trunk
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 func prefixedAll(prefix string, items []string) []string {
 	out := make([]string, 0, len(items))
 	for _, i := range items {
@@ -424,8 +463,12 @@ func sayChecked(ctx context.Context, c link.Checked) {
 	if c.RepoCheck != nil {
 		repo = strings.ToUpper(c.RepoCheck.Verdict) + " — " + c.RepoCheck.Summary
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("%s: %s/%s#%d at %.8s checked on %s: gate %s — %s; repository %s\n", c.ID, c.Owner, c.Repo, c.Number,
-		c.Commit, orSomewhere(c.On), strings.ToUpper(c.Verdict), c.Summary, repo)
+	judged := ""
+	if c.Trunk != "" {
+		judged = " merged into trunk " + c.Trunk
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("%s: %s/%s#%d at %.8s%s checked on %s: gate %s — %s; repository %s\n", c.ID, c.Owner, c.Repo, c.Number,
+		c.Commit, judged, orSomewhere(c.On), strings.ToUpper(c.Verdict), c.Summary, repo)
 	if checkEvents == nil {
 		return
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/checks_test.go

@@ -210,3 +210,81 @@ func TestABuildOffTheTrunkIsNeverPublished(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("a build seat that said nothing was refused: %v", err)
 	}
 }
+
+// **A verdict names the trunk commit it judged** (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3, issue 341): the controller's `checked`
+// carries the head and the trunk commit the build seat merged it into, the commits of the repositories read beside
+// it, how long it took, and the kept delivery plan records the trunk commit with its other inputs. A group's
+// composed check names, per member, the trunk commit that head was merged into (§6).
+func TestAVerdictNamesTheTrunkCommitItJudged(t *testing.T) {
+	plan := &link.ChangePlan{Repository: "novox/mesh-host", Base: "main", Head: "dfb1415aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa",
+		Summary: "builds mesh-host"}
+	asked := &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Number: 66, Base: "main", Plan: plan}
+	c := checkedOf(link.BuildResult{ID: "b", Ref: "dfb1415aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa", Checked: asked,
+		Check: &link.CheckOutcome{Verdict: "pass", Took: "4m12s", Head: "dfb1415aaaaa", Trunk: "d28ca95bbbbb",
+			Gate: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass"}, RepoCheck: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass"},
+			Beside: map[string]string{"mesh-catalog": "0123456789ab", "mesh-lab": "ba9876543210"}}})
+	if c.Trunk != "d28ca95bbbbb" || c.Commit != "dfb1415aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" {
+		t.Fatalf("the verdict names head %s and trunk %q", c.Commit, c.Trunk)
+	}
+	if c.Beside["mesh-catalog"] != "0123456789ab" || c.Beside["mesh-lab"] != "ba9876543210" {
+		t.Fatalf("the verdict names the repositories read beside it as %v", c.Beside)
+	}
+	if c.Took != "4m12s" {
+		t.Fatalf("the verdict says it took %q", c.Took)
+	}
+	if c.Plan == nil || c.Plan.Trunk != "d28ca95bbbbb" || c.Plan.Head != plan.Head {
+		t.Fatalf("the kept plan records %+v", c.Plan)
+	}
+	if plan.Trunk != "" {
+		t.Fatal("the plan the controller asked with was changed: the verdict's is a copy")
+	}
+
+	group := &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-controller", Number: 7, Base: "main", Group: "feat/x",
+		Members: []link.GroupMember{{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Number: 8, Ref: "cccccccccccc0000", Base: "main"}}}
+	c = checkedOf(link.BuildResult{ID: "g", Ref: "aaaaaaaaaaaa0000", Checked: group, Check: &link.CheckOutcome{
+		Verdict: "pass", Head: "aaaaaaaaaaaa", Trunk: "111111111111", Gate: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass"},
+		Members: []link.CheckedMember{{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Commit: "cccccccccccc", Trunk: "222222222222"}}}})
+	if len(c.Members) != 2 || c.Members[0].Trunk != "111111111111" || c.Members[1].Trunk != "222222222222" ||
+		c.Members[1].Commit != "cccccccccccc0000" {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check names its members %+v", c.Members)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The merge made for a check is never registered** (novox/hq ADR 0323 §2): a build of it — a commit on no branch
+// of the forge — is refused, naming the trunk. The rule of ADR 0238 §1 stands unchanged; this holds it for the
+// merge commit a check makes.
+func TestABuildOfACheckMergeIsRefusedNamingTheTrunk(t *testing.T) {
+	merge := link.BuildResult{ID: "b", Commit: "4b5c6d7e8f90aabbccddeeff0011223344556677", Trunk: "main"}
+	err := publishable(merge, "")
+	if !errors.Is(err, errOffTheTrunk) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not on main") {
+		t.Fatalf("a build of a check's merge was answered %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// **A verdict no build judges names its trunk commit too** (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3): a change touching no module of a
+// repository with no merge-check.sh (novox/mesh-tools-go) is answered by the controller itself. Naming no trunk, the
+// merge tool refused it, asked again, got the same verdict, and refused for ever.
+func TestADirectVerdictNamesTheTrunkTheForgeAnnounced(t *testing.T) {
+	p := link.PullUpdated{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-tools-go", Number: 3, Base: "main", Commit: "1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d",
+		BaseSHA: "7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b1c2d3e4f5a6b"}
+	c := directVerdict(p, link.ChangePlan{Repository: "novox/mesh-tools-go", Base: "main", Head: p.Commit})
+	if c.Trunk != "7a8b9c0d1e2f" || c.Plan == nil || c.Plan.Trunk != "7a8b9c0d1e2f" {
+		t.Fatalf("the direct verdict names trunk %q, its plan %+v", c.Trunk, c.Plan)
+	}
+	if c.Verdict != "pass" || c.Commit != p.Commit {
+		t.Fatalf("the direct verdict is %+v", c)
+	}
+	if c := directVerdict(link.PullUpdated{Owner: "novox", Repo: "x", Commit: "abc"}, link.ChangePlan{}); c.Trunk != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("a forge that said no base head gave the trunk %q", c.Trunk)
+	}
+}
+
+// A head checked again through mesh-delivery (`delivery check --members`, a recheck) reaches the same direct verdict:
+// it names the base head the forge last announced, kept on the member, or the merge tool would refuse it for ever.
+func TestARecheckedHeadsDirectVerdictNamesItsTrunk(t *testing.T) {
+	m := orderMember{ID: "novox/mesh-tools-go@1a2b3c4d5e6f", Repository: "novox/mesh-tools-go", Base: "main",
+		Head: "1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d", Number: 3, BaseSHA: "7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f9a0b1c2d3e4f5a6b"}
+	if c := directVerdict(m.pull(), link.ChangePlan{}); c.Trunk != "7a8b9c0d1e2f" {
+		t.Fatalf("a rechecked head's direct verdict names trunk %q", c.Trunk)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/core_downgrade.go

@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+)
+
+// **No send but a person's `push <node>` and a gate's own put-back moves the mesh's own core to a build older
+// than the one its machine was last sent** (novox/hq issue 201). Every send made through sendToEach keeps it — a
+// plan's, a release's, a healer's, a rotation's, and the bus step too, which is a person's act but composes under
+// sendKeeps like the rest. On 2026-10-02 two merges a minute apart made two plans;
+// the controller's plan rolled the new controller, which widened its seat's row, and the node-engine's plan then
+// sent the control node the controller build before it. The older binary read the row it could not serve and the
+// mesh lost its voice for ten minutes — the thing that would have corrected it was the thing that was down. ADR
+// 0185 took the outage out of it (a controller behind its row serves what it can); the race is closed here,
+// without needing its trigger: whatever made the mesh's record older, the send keeps the build.
+//
+// **Kept, not refused.** The send composes the controller or the node-engine at the build the machine was last
+// sent, as a recorded module is kept (ADR 0245), and carries everything else: no other module, secret, healer or
+// walk waits on it, and nothing is retried. The kept move is no move for a gate either: ungatedIn and gatedSend
+// leave it out (withoutKept), so a gate judges the other moves of its send. A plan whose own build is the older one finds its gate superseded by
+// the build kept there (issue 352) and ends. The mesh's record stays older, and a warning condition says so until
+// a send carries the record — a person's `push <node>` accepts the older build — or the record moves forward: a
+// newer merge, or `rebuild mesh-controller`.
+//
+// Older is by the builds' registration order — when each was asked (novox/hq issue 219) — never by the commits'
+// dates. So a retry or a rebuild of an old commit, asked anew, counts as newer: it is registered as the module's
+// current build by the same order, and the guard does not stop that move. A build that failed its gate is never
+// ahead: the machine was sent it and the record was put back before it (gateFailed), and if the put-back's own
+// send was refused, the next send completes it rather than keeping the failed build there. A gate's own put-back
+// carries its modules back whatever the order (sendScope.puttingBack); the controller's is held to the store's
+// schema already (issue 352).
+
+// kindCoreDowngrade is a core module kept at the build its machine was last sent, over an older record.
+const kindCoreDowngrade = "core-downgrade-kept"
+
+// coreDowngradeSource is the condition's source: the sends, which raise and clear it.
+const coreDowngradeSource = "sends"
+
+// downgradeGuarded is the core components a send may not move backwards: the controller, which reads the
+// store and its seat's row, and the node-engine, which reads what the controller declares.
+var downgradeGuarded = []string{lease.ComponentController, lease.ComponentEngine}
+
+// askedBuild is what the order needs of one build of a module: when it was asked, and whether it failed its gate.
+type askedBuild struct {
+	asked      time.Time
+	failedGate bool
+}
+
+// buildAsked is the newest build of a module from a commit that worked — when it was asked (or recorded, when
+// the request time is not known), and whether it failed its gate — and false when the records hold none. A
+// variable, so a test reads its own order.
+var buildAsked = func(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, module, commit string) (askedBuild, bool, error) {
+	builds, err := inv.Builds(ctx, module, askedLookBack)
+	if err != nil {
+		return askedBuild{}, false, err
+	}
+	for _, b := range builds {
+		if b.Worked() && sameCommit(b.Commit, commit) {
+			failed, err := inv.GateFailed(ctx, b.ID)
+			if err != nil {
+				return askedBuild{}, false, err
+			}
+			return askedBuild{asked: b.AskedOrAt(), failedGate: failed}, true, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return askedBuild{}, false, nil
+}
+
+// askedLookBack is how many of a module's newest builds are read for when a build was asked.
+const askedLookBack = 50
+
+// coreDowngrade is one core module a machine was last sent a build of that is newer than the mesh's record.
+type coreDowngrade struct {
+	module, node, component string
+	// sent is the build the machine was last sent, record the one the mesh holds.
+	sent, record           string
+	sentAsked, recordAsked time.Time
+}
+
+func (d coreDowngrade) String() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s was last sent %s %s, and the mesh holds the older %s (asked %s, before %s): a send there "+
+		"keeps %s; `push %s` sends the older build, and a newer merge or `rebuild %s` moves the record forward "+
+		"(novox/hq issue 201)", d.node, d.module, short(d.sent), short(d.record),
+		d.recordAsked.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), d.sentAsked.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), short(d.sent), d.node,
+		d.module)
+}
+
+// coreDowngrades is, for one machine, each guarded core module whose record is older than the build the machine
+// was last sent, leaving out what a gate's own put-back puts back and a sent build that failed its gate. A move
+// whose either build the records do not hold is not proved older and is left to the gate that judges it. Pure
+// but for asked.
+func coreDowngrades(node string, sent map[string]string, record map[string]string, scope sendScope,
+	asked func(module, commit string) (askedBuild, bool, error)) ([]coreDowngrade, error) {
+	var out []coreDowngrade
+	for module, was := range sent {
+		component := coreComponent(module)
+		now := record[module]
+		if !guarded(component) || was == "" || now == "" || sameCommit(was, now) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if scope.puttingBack && scope.modules[module] {
+			continue
+		}
+		from, known, err := asked(module, was)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("when %s's build %s was asked cannot be read: %w", module, short(was), err)
+		}
+		if !known || from.failedGate {
+			continue
+		}
+		to, known, err := asked(module, now)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("when %s's build %s was asked cannot be read: %w", module, short(now), err)
+		}
+		if known && to.asked.Before(from.asked) {
+			out = append(out, coreDowngrade{module: module, node: node, component: component, sent: was, record: now,
+				sentAsked: from.asked, recordAsked: to.asked})
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].module < out[j].module })
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func guarded(component string) bool {
+	for _, c := range downgradeGuarded {
+		if c == component {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// coreKept is, for a send that keeps (sendKeeps), each guarded core module of a machine to keep at the build it
+// was last sent, module → commit, each said and raised as a condition.
+func coreKept(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, sent map[string]string,
+	current map[string]inventory.CurrentBuild) (map[string]string, error) {
+	record := map[string]string{}
+	for m, c := range current {
+		record[m] = c.Commit
+	}
+	found, err := coreDowngrades(node, sent, record, scopeOf(ctx), func(module, commit string) (askedBuild, bool, error) {
+		return buildAsked(ctx, inv, module, commit)
+	})
+	if err != nil || len(found) == 0 {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	for _, d := range found {
+		out[d.module] = d.sent
+		sayCoreDowngrade(ctx, d)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// coreDowngradeObservation is a kept core build as a condition: `core.<component>.<machine>.<kind>`.
+func coreDowngradeObservation(component, node, summary string) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: component + "." + node, Kind: kindCoreDowngrade,
+		Token: kindCoreDowngrade, Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Warning, Source: coreDowngradeSource,
+		Summary: summary}
+}
+
+func sayCoreDowngrade(ctx context.Context, d coreDowngrade) {
+	fmt.Printf("KEPT: %s\n", d)
+	keeper := conditionsFrom
+	if keeper == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, coreDowngradeObservation(d.component, d.node, d.String())); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the condition for %s kept on %s could not be raised: %v\n", d.module, d.node, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// settleCoreDowngrades clears, after a send to a machine is away, the condition of each guarded core module the
+// send carried at the mesh's record — a person's push that accepted the older build, or a send after the record
+// moved forward — or did not carry at all. A send that kept the newer build leaves it open.
+func settleCoreDowngrades(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, carried map[string]string) {
+	keeper := conditionsFrom
+	if keeper == nil || carried == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	var open []string
+	for _, c := range downgradeGuarded {
+		if _, found, err := keeper.Get(ctx, coreDowngradeObservation(c, node, "").Key()); err == nil && found {
+			open = append(open, c)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(open) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	current, err := inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("whether %s still keeps a core build over the mesh's record cannot be read: %v\n", node, err)
+		return
+	}
+	for module, now := range current {
+		component := coreComponent(module)
+		if !guarded(component) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if was, has := carried[module]; has && !sameCommit(was, now.Commit) {
+			continue
+		}
+		key := coreDowngradeObservation(component, node, "").Key()
+		if _, err := keeper.Clear(ctx, key, node+" was sent the "+component+" the mesh holds"); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the condition %s could not be cleared: %v\n", key, err)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/delivery.go

@@ -580,6 +580,9 @@ type orderMember struct {
 	CloneURL       string   `json:"clone_url,omitempty"`
 	// After are the repositories its pull request says it goes after (`after: <repository>`).
 	After []string `json:"after,omitempty"`
+	// BaseSHA is the base branch's head the forge last announced the head with (novox/hq ADR 0323): the trunk commit
+	// a verdict no build judges names when the head is checked again through mesh-delivery.
+	BaseSHA string `json:"base_sha,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // pull is the member as the forge announced it.
@@ -589,7 +592,7 @@ func (m orderMember) pull() link.PullUpdated {
 	if base == "" {
 		base = "main"
 	}
-	return link.PullUpdated{Owner: owner, Repo: repo, Number: m.Number, Base: base, Commit: m.Head,
+	return link.PullUpdated{Owner: owner, Repo: repo, Number: m.Number, Base: base, Commit: m.Head, BaseSHA: m.BaseSHA,
 		CloneURL: m.CloneURL, Paths: m.Paths, PathsTruncated: m.PathsTruncated, Removed: m.Removed,
 		ModuleDirs: m.ModuleDirs, ModuleDirsSaid: m.ModuleDirsSaid}
 }
@@ -1185,7 +1188,7 @@ func askGroupCheck(ctx context.Context, open *stores, group string, members []or
 			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s cannot be cloned for the group's check: %w", m.ID, err)
 		}
 		request.Check.Members = append(request.Check.Members, link.GroupMember{Owner: mp.Owner, Repo: mp.Repo,
-			Number: mp.Number, Repository: url, Ref: mp.Commit, Paths: mp.Paths})
+			Number: mp.Number, Repository: url, Ref: mp.Commit, Paths: mp.Paths, Base: mp.Base})
 	}
 	seat := buildSeatHeld(ctx)
 	ask, err := askOverOn(seat)

cmd/mesh-controller/fixclass_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// **A change plan says its class** (novox/hq ADR 0313 §2): the issue tracker holds a fix to the budget of the
+// slowest-budgeted module the fix moves, and a fix that moves no module has no fix budget. The plan says core,
+// leaf or none, so mesh-delivery can pass it on with the fix's delivery.
+func TestAChangePlanSaysTheClassOfWhatItMoves(t *testing.T) {
+	const repo = "http://forge.internal:20000/novox/mesh-catalog.git"
+	entry := func(name, path string) inventory.Entry {
+		e := fromRepo(name, repo, path)
+		e.Source.BuiltFrom = "old"
+		e.On = []string{"anchor"}
+		return e
+	}
+	gitea := entry("gitea", "modules/gitea")
+	resolver := entry("dnsmasq", "modules/dnsmasq")
+	resolver.Manifest.Claims = []catalogue.Claim{{Name: resolverSeat}}
+	delivery := entry(catalogue.DeliverySeat, "modules/mesh-delivery")
+	webApp := entry("photos", "modules/photos")
+	entries := []inventory.Entry{gitea, resolver, delivery, webApp}
+	// photos stands on gitea: a change to gitea moves photos as its dependent.
+	edges := []inventory.Edge{{From: "photos", To: "gitea", Kind: inventory.EdgeStandsOn}}
+	policy := func(string) (inventory.Upgrade, bool) { return inventory.Upgrade{RollOut: true}, true }
+	plan := func(paths ...string) link.ChangePlan {
+		m := link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Base: "main", Commit: "head", Paths: paths}
+		return changePlanOf("novox/mesh-catalog", "main", "head", reachOfMerge(m, entries, nil, edges), entries, policy)
+	}
+
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		why   string
+		paths []string
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{"a leaf module and its dependent", []string{"modules/gitea/index.ts"}, inventory.ClassLeaf},
+		{"the delivery's owner, on the controller's own path", []string{"modules/mesh-delivery/cmd/x.go"}, inventory.ClassCore},
+		{"the mesh's resolver", []string{"modules/dnsmasq/module.json"}, inventory.ClassCore},
+		{"a leaf and a core module together: the slowest-budgeted", []string{"modules/gitea/index.ts", "modules/dnsmasq/module.json"}, inventory.ClassCore},
+		{"nothing any module's build reads", []string{"README.md"}, "none"},
+		{"a new leaf module alone", []string{"modules/weather/module.json"}, inventory.ClassLeaf},
+		{"a new module on the controller's own path, by its own class", []string{"next/mesh-delivery/module.json"}, inventory.ClassCore},
+		{"a new leaf module beside a core one moved", []string{"modules/weather/module.json", "modules/dnsmasq/module.json"}, inventory.ClassCore},
+	} {
+		if got := plan(c.paths...).Class; got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: class %q, want %q", c.why, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go

@@ -154,6 +154,10 @@ type gateFacts struct {
 	// groupsAdded is, per module, whether the move judged puts an account in a group its previous build did
 	// not (issue 318 review): the only move whose wait for a new login is excused.
 	groupsAdded map[string]bool
+	// accessesChanged is, per module, whether the move judged changes its accesses (novox/hq ADR 0325): an access the
+	// engine cannot judge this look (unknown), or entries it left while a disk was away, of a module whose move leaves
+	// its accesses as they were is no fault of the move. A module absent here is taken to change them: judged as before.
+	accessesChanged map[string]bool
 	// waits is what the controller holds to check a module's wait for the operator (novox/hq ADR 0283): the
 	// manifest of each module's build judged, and the secrets given on each machine.
 	waits operatorWaitFacts
@@ -528,6 +532,7 @@ func judgeMoves(ctx context.Context, open *stores, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs
 		return "", err
 	}
 	facts.groupsAdded = movesAddingGroups(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf)
+	facts.accessesChanged = movesChangingAccesses(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf)
 	facts.waits = gateWaitFacts(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf, facts.health)
 	facts.sent = g.Sent
 	facts.commits, facts.sentBuilds = judgedCommits(g, pairs), map[string]map[string]string{}
@@ -783,6 +788,57 @@ func joinSaid(a, b string) string {
 	return a + "; " + b
 }
 
+// movesChangingAccesses is, per module a gate judges, whether its move changes its accesses — one added, dropped,
+// or given another use — read from the builds' manifests (novox/hq ADR 0325). A move not known changes them: an
+// access it cannot judge then holds the gate to its bound, and never passes unseen.
+func movesChangingAccesses(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs []judged,
+	shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, j := range pairs {
+		if _, done := out[j.module]; done {
+			continue
+		}
+		from, to := g.From, g.To
+		for _, c := range g.Carried {
+			if c.Module == j.module {
+				from, to = c.From, c.To
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		target, found, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, j.module, to)
+		if err != nil || !found {
+			target = shelf[j.module]
+		}
+		before, had, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, j.module, from)
+		if from == "" || err != nil || !had {
+			out[j.module] = true
+			continue
+		}
+		out[j.module] = !sameAccessUse(before, target)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// sameAccessUse says a move leaves a module's accesses and libraries as they were (the review of e1c2b744, novox/hq
+// ADR 0328): the same accesses at the same use, the same library entries, and whether it joins — a module that starts
+// joining runs as another user, and changes who uses its libraries.
+func sameAccessUse(a, b catalogue.Manifest) bool {
+	return sameAccesses(a.Accesses, b.Accesses) && catalogue.LibraryUseShape(a) == catalogue.LibraryUseShape(b)
+}
+
+// sameAccesses says two manifests declare the same accesses, at the same use, in any order.
+func sameAccesses(a, b []catalogue.Access) bool {
+	key := func(as []catalogue.Access) string {
+		var out []string
+		for _, x := range as {
+			out = append(out, x.ID+"\x00"+x.Path+"\x00"+x.At())
+		}
+		sort.Strings(out)
+		return strings.Join(out, "\x01")
+	}
+	return key(a) == key(b)
+}
+
 // movesAddingGroups is, per module a gate judges, whether its move puts an account in a group the build it
 // moved from did not: read from the builds' manifests. A module whose move is not known adds none.
 func movesAddingGroups(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs []judged,
@@ -1039,7 +1095,7 @@ func gateFailed(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, module str
 		}
 		return
 	}
-	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{module: true}}), open, g.Machines)
+	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{module: true}, puttingBack: true}), open, g.Machines)
 	if err != nil {
 		notBack(fmt.Sprintf("its registered build is back at %s, and sending it to %s was refused: %v — `push %s` "+
 			"sends it", short(previous.Commit), strings.Join(g.Machines, ", "), err, g.Machines[0]))
@@ -1132,7 +1188,7 @@ func sendRollbacks(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan, b *roll
 	}
 	inv := open.inventory
 	sort.Strings(b.machines)
-	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: b.modules}), open, b.machines)
+	sent, err := sendRollout(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: b.modules, puttingBack: true}), open, b.machines)
 	var back []string
 	for _, r := range b.pending {
 		if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/handover_test.go

@@ -167,3 +167,54 @@ func TestASetuidSearchAsksOnlyAKnownNodeAndFailsOnARefusal(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a start: %v, printed %q", err, out.String())
 	}
 }
+
+// The directory judgement's line asks only a known node, one name and nothing else, fails on a refusal, and says it
+// changed nothing (novox/hq issue 358).
+func TestADirectoryJudgementAsksOnlyAKnownNodeAndSaysItIsReadOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv(link.CallerVar, "jo through mesh-cli on anchor")
+	asked := 0
+	ask := func(answer link.HandOverAnswer) func(node, by string) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		return func(node, by string) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+			asked++
+			if node != "novox" || by != "jo through mesh-cli on anchor" {
+				t.Fatalf("asked %q %q", node, by)
+			}
+			return answer, nil
+		}
+	}
+	known := func(string) error { return nil }
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	for _, args := range [][]string{nil, {"novox", "extra"}, {"-x"}} {
+		if err := judgeDirectoriesAsked(args, known, ask(link.HandOverAnswer{Said: "x"}), &out); err == nil || asked != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("%v was asked: %v", args, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := judgeDirectoriesAsked([]string{"novox"}, func(string) error { return errors.New("no node called novox") },
+		ask(link.HandOverAnswer{Said: "x"}), &out); err == nil || asked != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an unknown node: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := judgeDirectoriesAsked([]string{"novox"}, known, ask(link.HandOverAnswer{Refused: "no; nothing was judged"}),
+		&out); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "novox refused") || out.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a refusal: %v, printed %q", err, out.String())
+	}
+	said := "2 directories declared: 1 placed, 1 would be refused\n/var/lib/a: placed\n/var/lib/b: would be refused: …"
+	if err := judgeDirectoriesAsked([]string{"novox"}, known, ask(link.HandOverAnswer{Said: said}), &out); err != nil ||
+		out.String() != "novox (read-only: nothing on novox was changed)\n"+said+"\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("a judgement: %v, printed %q", err, out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// The judgement is a seat verb an agent may call — it reads, and changes nothing on the node — and runs exactly
+// `node judge-directories <node>` (novox/hq issue 358).
+func TestTheDirectoryJudgementIsAVerbThatOnlyReads(t *testing.T) {
+	argv, err := argvFor("judge-directories", map[string]any{"node": "novox"})
+	if err != nil || strings.Join(argv, " ") != "node judge-directories novox" {
+		t.Fatalf("the verb runs %v, %v", argv, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := argvFor("judge-directories", map[string]any{}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the verb ran with no node")
+	}
+	if !readingVerbs["judge-directories"] {
+		t.Fatal("the judgement is not counted a reading verb")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_library.go

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// A module that joins keeps the user it ran as until it may join (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, ADR 0334).
+//
+// **Held at the build it ran before, composed exactly as then.** A module whose registered build joins — declares
+// libraries or uses its identity — on a machine that was last sent another build of it, is held there while
+//
+//   - the machine's engine is older than link.OwnGroupContract: it cannot put the tool runner in the module's own group
+//     nor keep its own directories' group, so the module's tools would lose their read (the re-review of 96e15f86, 2);
+//   - or a library it uses is not yet taken (§8).
+//
+// Held, it is composed at that build — the manifest the build records hold, in place of the registered one, as a
+// recorded module is kept (recorded_kept.go) — and with the settings it last ran with (SettingsAsOf the machine's last
+// send): its resources, its ports in the filter, its contributions and bindings are what they were, and nothing of the
+// new contract is sent for it. The send records that the machine still carries that build. A delivery that brings the
+// joining build does not send it while it is held: the module waits for a person, the plan says so and judges its
+// other modules, and sends it once nothing holds it (release_plan.go, heldIn). A module the machine never ran has
+// nothing to keep, and is composed as registered; a build the records no longer hold cannot be kept.
+
+// heldModule is one module held on a machine: the build it keeps and why, in words with no path.
+type heldModule struct {
+	commit string
+	// library is the first library it uses that is not taken, empty when none.
+	library string
+	why     string
+}
+
+// holdJoining is every module held on a machine, by module; shelf, when given, has each one's manifest replaced by
+// the build it keeps.
+func holdJoining(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
+	shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) (map[string]heldModule, error) {
+	registered := shelf
+	if registered == nil {
+		var err error
+		if registered, err = inv.Catalogue(ctx); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	sent, known, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil || !known {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var joining []string
+	for m := range sent {
+		if man, has := registered[m]; has && catalogue.Joins(man) {
+			joining = append(joining, m)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(joining) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	sort.Strings(joining)
+	stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	engineJoins := had && stated.Contract >= link.OwnGroupContract
+	libs, err := inv.Libraries(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	taken, err := librariesTaken(ctx, inv, libs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	current, err := inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string]heldModule{}
+	for _, m := range joining {
+		was := sent[m]
+		if was == "" || sameCommit(was, current[m].Commit) {
+			continue // the machine already runs the registered build: nothing before it to keep
+		}
+		h := heldModule{commit: was}
+		for _, u := range registered[m].Libraries {
+			if !taken[u.Library] {
+				h.library = u.Library
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		switch {
+		case !engineJoins:
+			h.why = fmt.Sprintf("%s keeps the build it runs on %s until that machine's node-engine keeps a module's own "+
+				"group (novox/hq ADR 0334)", m, node)
+		case h.library != "":
+			h.why = fmt.Sprintf("%s waits for the operator to let the mesh keep the library %s (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8)",
+				m, h.library)
+		default:
+			continue
+		}
+		before, found, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, m, was)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if !found || (engineJoins && usesLibrary(before, h.library)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if shelf != nil {
+			shelf[m] = before
+		}
+		out[m] = h
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// heldIn is why a module is held on any of the machines given, or "": what a delivery's first send waits on.
+func heldIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, module string, machines []string) (string, error) {
+	for _, node := range machines {
+		held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, node, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		if h, is := held[module]; is {
+			return h.why, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return "", nil
+}
+
+// heldSettings puts, for each module held on a machine, the settings it last ran with in place of today's: the layers
+// as they stood at the machine's last send. Today's stand where no send is recorded.
+func heldSettings(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, held map[string]heldModule,
+	settings catalogue.SettingsBy) error {
+	if len(held) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	last, found, err := inv.LastSend(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil || !found {
+		return err
+	}
+	for m := range held {
+		layers, err := inv.SettingsAsOf(ctx, node, m, last.SentAt)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if len(layers) == 0 {
+			delete(settings, m)
+			continue
+		}
+		settings[m] = layers
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func usesLibrary(m catalogue.Manifest, library string) bool {
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		if library != "" && u.Library == library {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_library_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+const heldImage = "x@sha256:2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222"
+
+// radarrBefore is radarr as it ran before it joined: its own port, its own data, PUID from a setting.
+func radarrBefore() catalogue.Manifest {
+	return catalogue.Manifest{Module: "radarr", Version: "1", Capabilities: []string{"container-runtime"},
+		Listens: []catalogue.Listening{{Port: 7878, From: catalogue.FromMesh, Name: "web", Why: "its web UI"}},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"},
+			{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "radarr", "image": heldImage, "ports": []any{"7878"},
+				"env": map[string]any{"PUID": "1000"}, "volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config"}},
+		}}
+}
+
+// radarrJoined is the same module's next build, joining the media library.
+func radarrJoined() catalogue.Manifest {
+	m := radarrBefore()
+	m.Libraries = []catalogue.LibraryUse{{ID: "movies", Library: "media", Path: "movies", Use: catalogue.AccessReadWrite}}
+	m.Resources = []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"},
+		{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "radarr", "image": heldImage, "ports": []any{"7878"},
+			"env":     map[string]any{"PUID": "${identity:uid}"},
+			"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${library:movies}:/movies"}},
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0328 §8 (the review of 7ea6d36e, item 1): a joining module that ran on a machine before is held until
+// its libraries are taken — composed EXACTLY as before it joined, at the build the machine runs: its resources, its
+// port in the filter, its contributions; only the new build waits. The record says the machine still carries that build.
+func TestAHeldModuleIsComposedAsBeforeItJoined(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	controller := catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"}
+	register(t, open, controller)
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	before, joined := radarrBefore(), radarrJoined()
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(before)
+	b1 := inventory.Build{ID: "b1", Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git", Ref: "main", Module: "radarr",
+		Commit: "c1c1c1c1", On: "builder", Manifest: raw}
+	if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, b1); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, before, inventory.Source{Repository: b1.Repository, Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: b1.Commit}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// What anchor composes for radarr before it joined.
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	was, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, "anchor", plan, settings, gens, Reading)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	wasRules, err := plan.Rules(catalogue.Rendering{Settings: settings})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": b1.Commit}, 1, 1,
+		inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// Anchor's engine keeps libraries; the next build joins media, which is not taken.
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.LibraryContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	raw, _ = json.Marshal(joined)
+	b2 := b1
+	b2.ID, b2.Commit, b2.Manifest = "b2", "c2c2c2c2", raw
+	if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, b2); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, joined, inventory.Source{Repository: b2.Repository, Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: b2.Commit}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	plan, settings, err = planFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, "anchor", plan, settings, gens, Reading)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if why, left := held.leftOutWhy["radarr"]; left {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr was left out while held: %s", why)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(radarrResources(was.Resources), radarrResources(held.Resources)) {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr held is composed otherwise than before it joined:\n %v\n %v", radarrResources(was.Resources),
+			radarrResources(held.Resources))
+	}
+	rules, err := plan.Rules(catalogue.Rendering{Settings: settings})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(rules, wasRules) || !strings.Contains(asJSON(rules), "7878") {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr's port is not in the filter as before: %s", asJSON(rules))
+	}
+}
+
+func radarrResources(rs []map[string]any) []map[string]any {
+	var out []map[string]any
+	for _, r := range rs {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(r["id"].(string), "radarr.") {
+			out = append(out, r)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func asJSON(v any) string {
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(v)
+	return string(raw)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_plan_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,329 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 1 (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8): a delivery that brings a joining build of a module whose
+// library is not taken does not send it — the module waits for a person, the plan stays open saying so, and the other
+// modules of the plan are sent and judged as usual. Once the library is taken, the waiting build is sent and judged,
+// with no new merge.
+func TestADeliveryWaitsForALibraryAndJudgesTheRest(t *testing.T) {
+	judgeLeavesAsTheCore(t)
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	keeper, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	was := doctorFrom
+	doctorFrom = &doctor{open: open, keeper: keeper, teller: &conditions.Told{}}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { doctorFrom = was })
+
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	app1 := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "c1"}
+	app2 := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "c2"}
+	builds := []struct {
+		id, module, commit string
+		m                  catalogue.Manifest
+		at                 time.Time
+	}{
+		{"build-app-1", "app", "c1", app1, time.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour)},
+		{"build-radarr-1", "radarr", "r1", radarrBefore(), time.Now().Add(-2 * time.Hour)},
+		{"build-app-2", "app", "c2", app2, time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)},
+		{"build-radarr-2", "radarr", "r2", radarrJoined(), time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)},
+	}
+	for _, b := range builds {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Module: b.module, Commit: b.commit,
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Path: "modules/" + b.module, Ref: "main", Manifest: raw,
+			Asked: b.at, At: b.at}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	registerAt := func(m catalogue.Manifest, commit string, asked time.Time) {
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Seat: "git",
+			Path: "modules/" + m.Module, Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: commit, Head: commit, Asked: asked}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	registerAt(app1, "c1", time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour))
+	registerAt(radarrBefore(), "r1", time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour))
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "app"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, "anchor"), "d-anchor-0", map[string]string{"app": "c1", "radarr": "r1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	registerAt(app2, "c2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+	registerAt(radarrJoined(), "r2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+
+	// Every send records what it carries: the registered builds, a held module at the build it runs.
+	var sent []string
+	wasSend := sendRollout
+	sendRollout = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, error) {
+		current, err := open.inventory.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, node := range names {
+			held, err := holdJoining(ctx, open.inventory, node, nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			carried := map[string]string{"app": current["app"].Commit, "radarr": current["radarr"].Commit}
+			for m, h := range held {
+				carried[m] = h.commit
+			}
+			sent = append(sent, node+":app="+carried["app"]+",radarr="+carried["radarr"])
+			digest := fmt.Sprintf("d-%s-%d", node, len(sent))
+			if err := open.inventory.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, node), digest, carried); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if _, err := open.inventory.RecordDoing(ctx, nodeID(t, open, node), inventory.Doing{Node: node,
+				Outcome: inventory.OutcomeApplied, Declared: digest, Applied: 1, At: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
+		return names, nil
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sendRollout = wasSend })
+	wasGather := gatherGateFacts
+	gatherGateFacts = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, component string) (gateFacts, error) {
+		f := gateFacts{now: time.Now(), reports: map[string]inventory.Reported{}, engines: map[string]string{},
+			rolledBack: map[string][]lease.Rollback{}, served: map[string]served{}}
+		reports, err := open.inventory.LastReports(ctx)
+		for _, r := range reports {
+			f.reports[r.Node] = r
+		}
+		return f, err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { gatherGateFacts = wasGather })
+	wasSettle, wasEvery := gateSettle, gateEvery
+	gateSettle, gateEvery = 0, 0
+	t.Cleanup(func() { gateSettle, gateEvery = wasSettle, wasEvery })
+
+	built := time.Now().UTC()
+	plan := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-held", Repository: "novox/mesh-media-catalog", Branch: "main", Commit: "c2",
+		Created: built, State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"app", "radarr"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{
+			"app":    {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built, Commit: "c2", Build: "build-app-2"},
+			"radarr": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built, Commit: "r2", Build: "build-radarr-2"}}}
+	if err := inv.SavePlan(ctx, &plan); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, open)
+	}
+	p, err := inv.PlanByID(ctx, "plan-held")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if p.State == inventory.PlanSuperseded || p.State == inventory.PlanDone || p.State == inventory.PlanFailed {
+		t.Fatalf("the plan is %s (%s); want it open, waiting for the library", p.State, p.Note)
+	}
+	if g := p.Modules["app"].Gate; g == nil || g.Verdict != inventory.GatePassed {
+		t.Fatalf("app was not judged and passed beside the held module: %+v (%s)", p.Modules["app"], p.Note)
+	}
+	if p.Modules["radarr"].FirstAt != nil || !strings.Contains(p.Note, "library media") {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr was sent, or the plan does not say it waits for the library: %+v, %q", p.Modules["radarr"], p.Note)
+	}
+	if slices.ContainsFunc(sent, func(s string) bool { return strings.Contains(s, "radarr=r2") }) {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr's joining build was sent while held: %v", sent)
+	}
+
+	// The library is taken: the waiting build is sent, with no new merge.
+	if err := inv.RecordTakeStarted(ctx, inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: "media", Home: "anchor", Root: "/storage/media",
+		By: "the operator", Ask: "c01", Warrant: "c01"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.TakeDone(ctx, "media", "c01"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, open)
+	}
+	if !slices.ContainsFunc(sent, func(s string) bool { return strings.Contains(s, "radarr=r2") }) {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr's joining build was not sent once its library was taken: %v", sent)
+	}
+}
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 2: a module joins only on an engine stating link.OwnGroupContract (7). On an engine
+// at 6 a module that ran there before is held at the build it ran, whatever its library — so its tools never lose
+// their read of its directories.
+func TestAJoiningModuleIsHeldOnAnEngineOlderThanOwnGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	open, record := heldMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	if err := inv.RecordTakeStarted(ctx, inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: "media", Home: "anchor", Root: "/storage/media",
+		By: "the operator", Ask: "c01", Warrant: "c01"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.TakeDone(ctx, "media", "c01"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = record
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.LibraryContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, "anchor", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if held["radarr"].commit != "c1c1c1c1" {
+		t.Fatalf("on an engine at contract 6 radarr is not held at the build it ran: %+v", held)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now().Add(time.Second), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if held, err = holdJoining(ctx, inv, "anchor", nil); err != nil || len(held) > 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("on an engine at contract 7 with its library taken radarr is still held: %+v (%v)", held, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// heldMesh is anchor running radarr's build from before it joined, the joining build registered, media defined.
+func heldMesh(t *testing.T) (*stores, inventory.Node) {
+	t.Helper()
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, b := range []struct {
+		id, commit string
+		m          catalogue.Manifest
+	}{{"b1", "c1c1c1c1", radarrBefore()}, {"b2", "c2c2c2c2", radarrJoined()}} {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git", Ref: "main",
+			Module: "radarr", Commit: b.commit, On: "builder", Manifest: raw}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, radarrBefore(), inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c1c1c1c1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": "c1c1c1c1"}, 1, 1,
+		inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, radarrJoined(), inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c2c2c2c2"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return open, record
+}
+
+// The re-review of 96e15f86, item 3: a held module is composed with the settings it last ran with — a layer changed
+// for the joining build (its puid removed) does not reach the build it still runs.
+func TestAHeldModuleKeepsTheSettingsItRanWith(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	before := radarrBefore()
+	before.Resources = append(before.Resources, map[string]any{"id": "identity", "type": "file",
+		"path": "${dir:config}/identity.env", "mode": "0644", "content": "PUID=${setting:puid}\n"})
+	joined := radarrJoined()
+	for _, b := range []struct {
+		id, commit string
+		m          catalogue.Manifest
+	}{{"b1", "c1c1c1c1", before}, {"b2", "c2c2c2c2", joined}} {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(b.m)
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: b.id, Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git", Ref: "main",
+			Module: "radarr", Commit: b.commit, On: "builder", Manifest: raw}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, before, inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c1c1c1c1"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "anchor", "radarr", map[string]any{"puid": "1000"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": "c1c1c1c1"}, 1, 1,
+		inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, joined, inventory.Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c2c2c2c2"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.ClearSettings(ctx, "anchor", "radarr"); err != nil { // the joining build reads no puid
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.RecordHealth(ctx, inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "anchor", Contract: link.OwnGroupContract,
+		SaidAt: time.Now(), HeardAt: time.Now()}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, "anchor", plan, settings, gens, Reading)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if why, left := held.leftOutWhy["radarr"]; left {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr held was left out: %s", why)
+	}
+	for _, r := range held.Resources {
+		if r["id"] == "radarr.identity" {
+			if r["content"] != "PUID=1000\n" {
+				t.Fatalf("radarr held reads %q; want the puid it ran with", r["content"])
+			}
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatal("radarr held has no identity file")
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/issue201_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/lease"
+)
+
+// novox/hq issue 201: on 2026-10-02 a plan sent the control node a controller older than the one running there,
+// whose seat row the newer one had already widened; the older binary refused the row and the mesh went quiet for
+// ten minutes. No send but a person's push and a gate's own put-back moves the controller or the node-engine back
+// behind the build its machine was last sent: the send keeps it there, and carries the rest.
+
+// askedIn answers a build from a fixed table: module@commit → when it was asked; failed names those that failed
+// their gate.
+func askedIn(table map[string]time.Time, failed ...string) func(module, commit string) (askedBuild, bool, error) {
+	return func(module, commit string) (askedBuild, bool, error) {
+		at, known := table[module+"@"+commit]
+		b := askedBuild{asked: at}
+		for _, f := range failed {
+			if f == module+"@"+commit {
+				b.failedGate = true
+			}
+		}
+		return b, known, nil
+	}
+}
+
+func TestACoreModuleIsKeptOverAnOlderRecord(t *testing.T) {
+	old, now := t0, t0.Add(time.Minute)
+	table := map[string]time.Time{
+		"mesh-controller@c1": old, "mesh-controller@c2": now,
+		"mesh-host@h1": old, "mesh-host@h2": now,
+		"app@a1": old, "app@a2": now,
+	}
+	sent := map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c2", "mesh-host": "h2", "app": "a2"}
+	record := map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c1", "mesh-host": "h1", "app": "a1"}
+	found, err := coreDowngrades("anchor", sent, record, sendScope{judged: map[string]bool{"anchor": true}}, askedIn(table))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(found) != 2 || found[0].module != "mesh-controller" || found[0].component != lease.ComponentController ||
+		found[0].sent != "c2" || found[1].module != "mesh-host" || found[1].component != lease.ComponentEngine {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller and the node-engine over an older record are kept, and nothing else: %+v", found)
+	}
+	if said := found[0].String(); !strings.Contains(said, "anchor was last sent mesh-controller c2") ||
+		!strings.Contains(said, "`push anchor`") || !strings.Contains(said, "`rebuild mesh-controller`") {
+		t.Fatalf("it says the machine, the build kept and the two ways out: %s", said)
+	}
+
+	// The record forward, the same build, or a build the records do not hold: nothing kept.
+	for _, c := range [][2]string{{"c1", "c2"}, {"c2", "c2"}, {"c2", "c9"}, {"c9", "c1"}} {
+		found, err := coreDowngrades("anchor", map[string]string{"mesh-controller": c[0]},
+			map[string]string{"mesh-controller": c[1]}, sendScope{}, askedIn(table))
+		if err != nil || len(found) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("sent %s, record %s: no downgrade proved, nothing kept: %+v %v", c[0], c[1], found, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// A sent build that failed its gate is never ahead: the record put back before it is sent.
+	if found, _ := coreDowngrades("anchor", sent, record, sendScope{}, askedIn(table, "mesh-controller@c2")); len(found) != 1 ||
+		found[0].module != "mesh-host" {
+		t.Fatalf("a controller that failed its gate was kept over the build put back: %+v", found)
+	}
+
+	// A gate's own put-back carries its own modules back, and nothing else.
+	putBack := sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{"mesh-controller": true}, puttingBack: true}
+	if found, _ := coreDowngrades("anchor", sent, record, putBack, askedIn(table)); len(found) != 1 || found[0].module != "mesh-host" {
+		t.Fatalf("a put-back of the controller carries it back, and not the node-engine: %+v", found)
+	}
+	if found, _ := coreDowngrades("anchor", sent, record, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{"mesh-controller": true}},
+		askedIn(table)); len(found) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a send for the controller that is no put-back carries it back: %+v", found)
+	}
+}
+
+// core201 is a mesh whose control node, anchor, was sent the newer controller c2 while the mesh's record of the
+// controller is the build before it, c1, which passed its gate when it rolled out.
+func core201(t *testing.T) *stores {
+	t.Helper()
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	old, now := time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour), time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)
+	record := func(commit string, asked time.Time) inventory.Build {
+		manifest, _ := json.Marshal(catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-controller", Version: "1"})
+		b := inventory.Build{ID: "build-mesh-controller-" + commit, Module: "mesh-controller", Commit: commit,
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Manifest: manifest, Asked: asked, At: asked,
+			Made: []inventory.Artifact{{Name: "x", Kind: "bundle", Reference: "sha256:" + commit + "0000000000000000"}}}
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, b); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return b
+	}
+	before := record("c1aaaaaaaaaa", old)
+	if err := inv.RecordGate(ctx, inventory.GateVerdict{Build: before.ID, Module: "mesh-controller", Commit: before.Commit,
+		Machines: []string{"anchor"}, Verdict: inventory.GatePassed}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	record("c2bbbbbbbbbb", now)
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-controller", Version: "1"}, inventory.Source{
+		Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", BuiltFrom: "c2bbbbbbbbbb", Head: "c2bbbbbbbbbb", Asked: now}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "mesh-controller"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, "anchor"), "d-anchor", map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c2bbbbbbbbbb"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RestoreModule(ctx, before); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	wasMoves := machineMoves
+	machineMoves = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f moveFacts, node string, all bool) ([]inventory.CarriedMove, error) {
+		modules, err := open.inventory.Assigned(ctx, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		sent, known, err := open.inventory.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return f.moves(node, modules, sent, known, all), nil
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { machineMoves = wasMoves })
+	return open
+}
+
+// TestReplay201 replays the race on a store: the control node runs the newer controller and the mesh's record is
+// the build before it. A plan's send there — the node-engine's plan of 2026-10-02 — goes, keeps the newer
+// controller, and says so as a condition; the gate's own put-back carries it back; a send that carries the record,
+// as a person's push does, clears the condition.
+func TestReplay201(t *testing.T) {
+	open := core201(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	k, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+
+	judged := withScope(ctx, sendScope{judged: map[string]bool{"anchor": true}})
+	if kept, err := ungatedIn(judged, open, []string{"anchor"}, ""); err != nil || len(kept) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a plan's send to the machine is made, the rest of it with it: %v %v", kept, err)
+	}
+	keeps, err := recordedKept(keepingRecorded(judged), open, "anchor")
+	if err != nil || keeps["mesh-controller"] != "c2bbbbbbbbbb" {
+		t.Fatalf("the send keeps the newer controller there: %v %v", keeps, err)
+	}
+	shelf := map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"mesh-controller": {Module: "mesh-controller", Version: "old"}}
+	if _, err := keepRecorded(keepingRecorded(judged), open, "anchor", shelf); err != nil || shelf["mesh-controller"].Version != "1" {
+		t.Fatalf("the send composes the kept build's manifest: %+v %v", shelf, err)
+	}
+	key := coreDowngradeObservation(lease.ComponentController, "anchor", "").Key()
+	if c, found, err := k.Get(ctx, key); err != nil || !found || !strings.Contains(c.Summary, "c2bbbbbb") {
+		t.Fatalf("the condition %s is raised, saying the build kept: %+v %v %v", key, c, found, err)
+	}
+
+	putBack := keepingRecorded(withScope(ctx, sendScope{modules: map[string]bool{"mesh-controller": true}, puttingBack: true}))
+	if keeps, err := recordedKept(putBack, open, "anchor"); err != nil || len(keeps) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the gate's own put-back of the controller carries it back: %v %v", keeps, err)
+	}
+
+	settleCoreDowngrades(ctx, open.inventory, "anchor", map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c2bbbbbbbbbb"})
+	if _, found, _ := k.Get(ctx, key); !found {
+		t.Fatal("a send that kept the newer controller cleared the condition")
+	}
+	settleCoreDowngrades(ctx, open.inventory, "anchor", map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c1aaaaaaaaaa"})
+	if _, found, _ := k.Get(ctx, key); found {
+		t.Fatal("a send carrying the mesh's record — a person's push — leaves the condition open")
+	}
+}
+
+// The review of #273: a gate failed the newer controller, put the record back, and the put-back's own send was
+// refused. The next automatic send — a healer's, which judges nothing — completes the put-back: a build that
+// failed its gate is never kept.
+func TestARollbackWhoseSendWasRefusedIsCompletedByTheNextSend(t *testing.T) {
+	open := core201(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	k, _ := withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	if err := open.inventory.RecordGate(ctx, inventory.GateVerdict{Build: "build-mesh-controller-c2bbbbbbbbbb",
+		Module: "mesh-controller", Commit: "c2bbbbbbbbbb", Previous: "c1aaaaaaaaaa", Machines: []string{"anchor"},
+		Verdict: inventory.GateFailed, Rollback: inventory.NotRolledBack}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	healer := withScope(ctx, sendScope{})
+	if kept, err := ungatedIn(healer, open, []string{"anchor"}, ""); err != nil || len(kept) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the healer's send is made: %v %v", kept, err)
+	}
+	if keeps, err := recordedKept(keepingRecorded(healer), open, "anchor"); err != nil || len(keeps) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the failed controller was kept over the build put back: %v %v", keeps, err)
+	}
+	if open, _ := k.Open(ctx); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a completed put-back raised a condition: %+v", open)
+	}
+}
+
+// Review 91 of #273: a gated send to a machine whose controller is kept over an older record leaves the kept
+// controller out of what its gate judges. Judged as moving back to the record, the gate would read the send's own
+// kept controller as another build sent there after it (issue 352) and be superseded, judging nothing.
+func TestAGateJudgesTheOtherMovesBesideAKeptCore(t *testing.T) {
+	open := core201(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	withConditionsInMemory(t)
+	inv := open.inventory
+	old, now := time.Now().Add(-2*time.Hour), time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)
+	for _, b := range []struct {
+		commit string
+		at     time.Time
+	}{{"a1aaaaaaaaaa", old}, {"a2bbbbbbbbbb", now}} {
+		manifest, _ := json.Marshal(catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "1"})
+		if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, inventory.Build{ID: "build-app-" + b.commit, Module: "app", Commit: b.commit,
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Path: "modules/app", Manifest: manifest, Asked: b.at, At: b.at,
+			Made: []inventory.Artifact{{Name: "x", Kind: "bundle", Reference: "sha256:app-" + b.commit}}}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "1"}, inventory.Source{
+			Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Seat: "git", Path: "modules/app", BuiltFrom: b.commit, Head: b.commit,
+			Asked: b.at}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "anchor", "app"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, "anchor"), "d-anchor-2",
+		map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c2bbbbbbbbbb", "app": "a1aaaaaaaaaa"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The send as it is made: the controller kept at c2, the app moved to the record.
+	wasSend := sendRollout
+	sendRollout = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string) ([]string, error) {
+		return names, open.inventory.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, open, "anchor"), "d-anchor-3",
+			map[string]string{"mesh-controller": "c2bbbbbbbbbb", "app": "a2bbbbbbbbbb"})
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sendRollout = wasSend })
+
+	moves, sent, _, err := gatedSend(ctx, open, "anchor", nil)
+	if err != nil || len(sent) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the gated send is made: %v %v", sent, err)
+	}
+	if len(moves) != 1 || moves[0].Module != "app" || moves[0].To != "a2bbbbbbbbbb" {
+		t.Fatalf("the gate judges the app's move and not the kept controller: %+v", moves)
+	}
+	builds, _, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, "anchor")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	g := &inventory.PlanGate{Carried: moves}
+	f := gateFacts{commits: judgedCommits(g, nil), sentBuilds: map[string]map[string]string{"anchor": builds}}
+	for _, m := range []string{"app", "mesh-controller"} {
+		if why, superseded := f.supersededOn(m, "anchor"); superseded {
+			t.Fatalf("the gate is superseded by its own send: %s", why)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries.go

@@ -0,0 +1,401 @@
+package main
+
+// Existing data joins a library once, on the operator's word (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7, §8).
+//
+// **What waits.** A node-engine that keeps libraries states a library waiting, with an access wait of reason `keep`,
+// while its root on its home holds data not yet in its group; a module that uses it waits the same way. The
+// controller excuses such a wait only for a defined library that reaches the machine and is not yet taken on its home,
+// on the filesystem the wait names (checkLibraryWait), and the module is said as its needs-operator condition, in words
+// with no path.
+//
+// **One ask per library.** The serving controller's asker asks the operator once for each such library — however many
+// modules and machines wait on it — at the level approve (ADR 0259), in the clause's words: "Let the mesh keep library
+// <name> at <root> on <machine>: …". It is kept in the controller's asks beside a proposal (asked.Take), never a
+// condition's. While it is open no second is asked; one that expired unanswered is asked again while the library
+// waits; one about a library that no longer waits is taken back; one whose library moved to another filesystem is
+// asked again for the one it is on now. None is asked for a library already taken.
+//
+// **On the warrant, and only on it**, the controller asks the library's home engine to take it (link.AskTake), naming
+// "library:<name>" and the warrant — after checking the library still waits on the filesystem the operator was asked
+// about. On the engine's word that it started, the library is recorded taken (kept_library), and from the next send
+// the library says `taken`.
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/outward"
+)
+
+// libraryTake is one library the operator is asked to let the mesh take, as the controller's ask keeps it
+// (asked.Take). Every field the ask is composed from is here, so the act on the warrant is composed from the record.
+type libraryTake struct {
+	Library string `json:"library"`
+	// Node is the library's home, where it is taken; Root its root there.
+	Node string `json:"node"`
+	Root string `json:"root"`
+	// Modules are the modules waiting on it, sorted.
+	Modules []string `json:"modules"`
+	// Placed is the filesystem the root is on, as the home's engine names it without a path: the warrant is for it.
+	Placed string    `json:"placed,omitempty"`
+	At     time.Time `json:"at"`
+}
+
+// takeVerb is the verb a take's answer binds: the controller's own, performed by itself on the warrant.
+const takeVerb = askerName + ".take"
+
+// key is the library on its home, at its root, on its filesystem: what one ask is kept for. A library that moved is
+// asked again.
+func (t libraryTake) key() string {
+	return t.Library + "\x00" + t.Node + "\x00" + t.Root + "\x00" + t.Placed
+}
+
+// digest binds everything the take does and was said for.
+func (t libraryTake) digest() string {
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(struct {
+		Library, Node, Root, Placed string
+		Modules                     []string
+	}{t.Library, t.Node, t.Root, t.Placed, t.Modules})
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(raw)
+	return "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}
+
+// actions is the take's one answer, at the level approve, binding the exact act through boundAct.
+func (t libraryTake) actions(id string) []conditions.Action {
+	return []conditions.Action{{Label: "Let the mesh keep it", Verb: takeVerb, Machine: t.Node,
+		Level: conditions.LevelApprove, Arguments: map[string]string{"take": id, "library": t.Library,
+			"node": t.Node, "access": libraryAccess + t.Library, "digest": t.digest()}}}
+}
+
+// takeWords is the clause's ask (ADR 0328 §7), with the root as shown.
+func takeWords(library, shown, machine string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("Let the mesh keep library %s at %s on %s: its group becomes %s, the group may read and write, "+
+		"folders keep the group; owners and everyone else's rights stay as they are", library, shown, machine,
+		catalogue.MeshName(library))
+}
+
+// ask is the take's ask, composed from it alone. The root is said whole where the router's content rule lets it leave
+// the mesh, and otherwise as "its root".
+func (t libraryTake) ask(id string, machines []string) (asks.Ask, map[string]int) {
+	shown := t.Root
+	if _, ok := outward.Check(shown, machines...); !ok {
+		shown = "its root"
+	}
+	headline := fmt.Sprintf("Let the mesh keep library %s?", t.Library)
+	if len([]rune(headline)) > asks.HeadlineLength {
+		headline = "Let the mesh keep a library?"
+	}
+	explanation := takeWords(t.Library, shown, t.Node) + "."
+	if len(t.Modules) > 0 {
+		explanation += " Waiting on it: " + strings.Join(t.Modules, ", ") + "."
+	}
+	if _, ok := outward.Check(explanation, machines...); !ok {
+		explanation = sayable(explanation, machines)
+	}
+	q := asks.Ask{ID: id, Headline: headline, Explanation: explanation,
+		Who: asks.Operator, Expires: t.At.Add(askApproveFor),
+		OnExpiry: "nothing is changed, and you are asked again while the library waits", About: "take." + t.Library}
+	options := map[string]int{}
+	for i, act := range t.actions(id) {
+		binds, _ := asks.ActDigest(boundAct(act))
+		oid := optionID(act.Label)
+		options[oid] = i
+		q.Options = append(q.Options, asks.Option{ID: oid, Label: act.Label, Level: asks.Level(act.Level), Binds: binds,
+			Does: "the library's data joins its group, and is kept from then on without asking"})
+	}
+	return q, options
+}
+
+// takeOnWarrant performs a take the operator approved: the engine is asked, and the library recorded taken on its
+// word. It answers what the engine said.
+type takeOnWarrant func(ctx context.Context, t libraryTake, askID, by string) (string, error)
+
+// askFolders asks the operator about every library waiting to be taken that is not asked about yet, and takes back an
+// open ask about one that no longer waits. Called at the end of each reconcile, after the conditions' asks, within the
+// asks the router holds open at once.
+func (a *asker) askFolders(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if a.folders == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	wanted, err := a.folders(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	now := a.now()
+	all, err := a.store.All(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	open, openNow := map[string]asked{}, 0
+	for _, r := range all {
+		if r.State != askOpen || !now.Before(r.Ask.Expires) {
+			continue
+		}
+		openNow++
+		if r.Take != nil {
+			open[r.Take.key()] = r
+		}
+	}
+	want := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, t := range wanted {
+		want[t.key()] = true
+	}
+	for key, r := range open {
+		if !want[key] {
+			if err := a.cancel(ctx, r, "the library no longer waits to be taken there"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			openNow--
+		}
+	}
+	var machines []string
+	if a.machines != nil {
+		if machines, err = a.machines(ctx); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	for _, t := range wanted {
+		if _, asking := open[t.key()]; asking {
+			continue // one ask per library (§7)
+		}
+		if openNow >= askMostOpen {
+			return nil // asked when one of the open ones ends
+		}
+		t.At = now
+		id := newAskID()
+		q, options := t.ask(id, machines)
+		if err := q.Check(now); err != nil {
+			a.logf("the operator could not be asked to let the mesh keep the library %s: %v", t.Library, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		body, err := json.Marshal(q)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		take := t
+		if err := a.store.Create(ctx, asked{ID: id, Condition: q.About, Ask: q, Actions: t.actions(id),
+			Options: options, State: askOpen, Opened: now, Take: &take}); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the take could not be kept in the controller's asks, so it was not asked: %w", err)
+		}
+		if err := a.publish(ctx, asks.AskSubject(askerName), body, "ask."+id); err != nil {
+			_, _ = a.store.Change(ctx, id, func(x *asked) bool {
+				if x.State != askOpen || x.Acted != "" {
+					return false
+				}
+				x.State, x.Ended, x.Acted = askUnsent, a.now(), "nothing: it could not be published: "+err.Error()
+				return true
+			})
+			a.logf("the operator could not be asked to let the mesh keep the library %s: %v", t.Library, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		openNow++
+		a.logf("asked the operator to let the mesh keep the library %s on %s (%s)", t.Library, t.Node, id)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// decideTake is what the asker does with a warrant for a take (asker.Decided): the act only when it is the one the
+// option bound — composed again from the record — and the library still waits on the filesystem the operator was
+// asked about; then the engine is asked.
+func (a *asker) decideTake(ctx context.Context, r asked, act conditions.Action, w asks.Warrant) (string, error) {
+	t := *r.Take
+	recomposed := t.actions(r.ID)
+	option, offered := r.Ask.Option(w.Option)
+	if !offered || len(recomposed) != 1 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the take %s offers no answer %q: nothing is taken", r.ID, w.Option)
+	}
+	if err := option.Performs(boundAct(recomposed[0])); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the take kept for %s is not the one the operator was shown: %v", r.ID, err)
+	}
+	if err := option.Performs(boundAct(act)); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the act chosen for %s is not the one the operator was shown: %v", r.ID, err)
+	}
+	if a.take == nil {
+		return "", errors.New("this controller cannot take a library on a warrant")
+	}
+	// **The library must still wait where the operator was asked about it** (the review of e1c2b744): a take is about
+	// no condition, so nothing else rechecks it. A library that moved to another home or filesystem, or no longer
+	// waits, is not taken: the ask is spent, and one for where it waits now is asked.
+	if a.folders != nil {
+		waiting, err := a.folders(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("whether the library %s still waits could not be read, so nothing is taken: %w",
+				t.Library, err)
+		}
+		still := false
+		for _, now := range waiting {
+			still = still || now.key() == t.key()
+		}
+		if !still {
+			return "nothing: the library no longer waits to be taken where the operator was asked about it (it " +
+				"moved, or was taken meanwhile); asked again where it waits now", nil
+		}
+	}
+	by := fmt.Sprintf("approved by %s via %s at %s (ask %s)", byWords(w), viaWords(w),
+		w.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), r.ID)
+	return a.take(ctx, t, r.ID, by)
+}
+
+// takeFolderIn is takeOnWarrant on this controller's stores and bus: the home's engine is asked with the mesh's key,
+// naming the library and the ask the warrant answered; on its word that it started, the library is recorded taken. A
+// refusal records nothing.
+func takeFolderIn(open *stores, ask func(ctx context.Context, act link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error)) takeOnWarrant {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, t libraryTake, askID, by string) (string, error) {
+		// Who asked, as one short line the engine takes (at most link.MaxHandOverBy): the ask names the rest.
+		short := by
+		if len(short) > 180 {
+			short = "the operator, on the warrant for ask " + askID
+		}
+		answer, err := ask(ctx, link.AccessActAsk{Node: t.Node, Path: t.Root, By: short,
+			Access: libraryAccess + t.Library, Warrant: askID})
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		if answer.Refused != "" {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s refused to take the library %s: %s", t.Node, t.Library, answer.Refused)
+		}
+		// Started, not taken: the library is taken when the engine states the act done (stateHealth, TakeDone).
+		if err := open.inventory.RecordTakeStarted(ctx, inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: t.Library, Home: t.Node,
+			Root: t.Root, Placed: t.Placed, By: by, Ask: askID, Warrant: askID, Said: answer.Said}); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s started the take of %s (%s), and it could NOT be recorded: %w", t.Node, t.Library,
+				answer.Said, err)
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s started taking the library %s: %s; it is taken when the engine says the act is done",
+			t.Node, t.Library, answer.Said), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// waitingFolder is one library wait excused, as foldersWaiting gathers them.
+type waitingFolder struct {
+	module, machine string
+	// placed is the filesystem the library's root is on, as its home's engine names it without a path; empty from
+	// another machine.
+	placed string
+}
+
+// foldersWaiting is every library waiting to be taken across the mesh (ADR 0328 §7, §8): from each machine's newest
+// statement, each wait of reason keep that is excused (checkWaiting), by library.
+func foldersWaiting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, healths map[string]inventory.NodeHealth) (
+	map[string][]waitingFolder, operatorWaitFacts) {
+	var f operatorWaitFacts
+	out := map[string][]waitingFolder{}
+	machines := make([]string, 0, len(healths))
+	for m := range healths {
+		machines = append(machines, m)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(machines)
+	for _, machine := range machines {
+		rs := healths[machine].Resources
+		var modules []string
+		for _, r := range rs {
+			for _, w := range r.Waits {
+				if r.State == link.StateWaiting && w.Access != "" && !w.Disk {
+					modules = append(modules, r.Module)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if len(modules) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		readWaitFacts(ctx, inv, machine, modules, nil, &f)
+		for _, r := range checkWaiting(machine, rs, f) {
+			if r.State != link.StateWaiting {
+				continue
+			}
+			for _, w := range r.Waits {
+				if w.Access == "" || w.Disk || w.Reason == link.WaitDisk {
+					continue
+				}
+				lib, isLibrary := strings.CutPrefix(w.Access, libraryAccess)
+				if !isLibrary {
+					lib = catalogue.LibraryOfEntry(f.manifests[r.Module], w.Access)
+				}
+				if lib == "" {
+					continue
+				}
+				placed := ""
+				if l := f.libraries[lib]; l.Home == machine {
+					placed = w.Placed
+				}
+				out[lib] = append(out[lib], waitingFolder{module: r.Module, machine: machine, placed: placed})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out, f
+}
+
+// foldersIn is the asker's folders on this controller's stores: every library waiting to be taken, with its home, its
+// root and the modules waiting on it.
+func foldersIn(open *stores) func(ctx context.Context) ([]libraryTake, error) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) ([]libraryTake, error) {
+		healths, err := open.inventory.Healths(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		waiting, f := foldersWaiting(ctx, open.inventory, healths)
+		return withoutTakesUnderWay(takesOf(waiting, f.libraries), f.taken), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// withoutTakesUnderWay is the takes not already under way: a take started on the same home, root and filesystem, which
+// the engine has not yet stated done or failed, is not asked about again (the review of 7ea6d36e, item 5).
+func withoutTakesUnderWay(takes []libraryTake, recorded map[string]inventory.TakenLibrary) []libraryTake {
+	var out []libraryTake
+	for _, t := range takes {
+		r, was := recorded[t.Library]
+		if was && !r.Done && r.Home == t.Node && r.Root == t.Root && (t.Placed == "" || r.Placed == "" || r.Placed == t.Placed) {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, t)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// takesOf is one take per library and filesystem from the waits gathered, sorted. A library no longer defined is
+// asked about nowhere.
+func takesOf(waiting map[string][]waitingFolder, libraries map[string]catalogue.Library) []libraryTake {
+	var out []libraryTake
+	for lib, ws := range waiting {
+		l, defined := libraries[lib]
+		if !defined {
+			continue
+		}
+		// The home's word on the filesystem stands; waits from other machines name none.
+		placed := map[string]bool{}
+		for _, w := range ws {
+			if w.placed != "" {
+				placed[w.placed] = true
+			}
+		}
+		if len(placed) == 0 {
+			placed[""] = true
+		}
+		for p := range placed {
+			t := libraryTake{Library: lib, Node: l.Home, Root: l.Root, Placed: p}
+			seen := map[string]bool{}
+			for _, w := range ws {
+				if w.module != "" && !seen[w.module] {
+					seen[w.module] = true
+					t.Modules = append(t.Modules, w.module)
+				}
+			}
+			sort.Strings(t.Modules)
+			out = append(out, t)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].key() < out[j].key() })
+	return out
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_libraries_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,585 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/ed25519"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0328 §7, §8 and §9 on the controller's side: a library's wait is excused only for a defined library
+// that reaches the machine and is not yet taken, or whose disk is not there; the gate passes it as a wait for a person
+// and the operator reads it as needs-operator in words with no path; the operator is asked once per library, never
+// about one taken; and the library is taken only on the warrant, where it still waits.
+
+var radarrManifest = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "radarr", Version: "1",
+	Libraries: []catalogue.LibraryUse{{ID: "movies", Library: "media", Path: "movies", Use: catalogue.AccessReadWrite}}}
+
+var plexManifest = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "plex", Version: "1",
+	Libraries: []catalogue.LibraryUse{{ID: "films", Library: "media", Path: "movies", Use: catalogue.AccessRead}}}
+
+var mediaLib = catalogue.Library{Name: "media", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/media", Reach: []string{"novox"}}
+
+func keepWait(access string) inventory.Wait {
+	return inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: access, Reason: link.WaitKeep,
+		What: "let the mesh keep the library media"}
+}
+
+func placedWait(access, placed string) inventory.Wait {
+	w := keepWait(access)
+	w.Placed = placed
+	return w
+}
+
+func diskWait(access string) inventory.Wait {
+	return inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: access, Disk: true, Reason: link.WaitDisk,
+		What: "mount the disk that holds media"}
+}
+
+// libraryFacts is the facts with media defined, and each library given taken on ace on fs-000000000001.
+func libraryFactsWith(taken ...string) operatorWaitFacts {
+	t := map[string]inventory.TakenLibrary{}
+	for _, l := range taken {
+		t[l] = inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: l, Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/media", Placed: "fs-000000000001", Done: true}
+	}
+	return operatorWaitFacts{
+		manifests:     map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"radarr": radarrManifest, "plex": plexManifest},
+		given:         map[string]map[string]time.Time{"radarr@ace": {}, "plex@ace": {}},
+		libraries:     map[string]catalogue.Library{"media": mediaLib},
+		taken:         t,
+		librariesRead: true,
+	}
+}
+
+// Rows 8 and 9: excused for a defined library reaching the machine and not yet taken — by the module's entry or the
+// library's own wait — and for one whose disk is not there, taken or not; judged unhealthy when undefined, not
+// reaching the machine, already taken on the filesystem it is on, for an access that is not a library, or for a
+// reason the controller does not know.
+func TestALibraryWaitIsExcusedOnlyForALibraryNotYetTaken(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		machine string
+		w       inventory.Wait
+		f       operatorWaitFacts
+		says    string
+	}{
+		{"the module's entry, not taken", "ace", keepWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith(), ""},
+		{"the library's own wait, not taken", "ace", keepWait("library:media"), libraryFactsWith(), ""},
+		{"on a machine it reaches", "novox", keepWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith(), ""},
+		{"its disk not there", "ace", diskWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith(), ""},
+		{"its disk not there, taken before", "ace", diskWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith("media"), ""},
+		{"taken already", "ace", keepWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith("media"), "taken already"},
+		{"taken on the filesystem it is on", "ace", placedWait("library:media", "fs-000000000001"),
+			libraryFactsWith("media"), "taken already"},
+		{"taken on another filesystem: it moved", "ace", placedWait("library:media", "fs-0000000000ff"),
+			libraryFactsWith("media"), ""},
+		{"taken at another root: its root changed", "ace", keepWait("movies"), func() operatorWaitFacts {
+			f := libraryFactsWith("media")
+			f.taken["media"] = inventory.TakenLibrary{Library: "media", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/old-media", Done: true,
+				Placed: "fs-000000000001"}
+			return f
+		}(), ""},
+		{"a machine it does not reach", "far", keepWait("movies"), libraryFactsWith(), "does not reach far"},
+		{"undefined", "ace", keepWait("library:books"), libraryFactsWith(), "not defined"},
+		{"not a library", "ace", keepWait("downloads"), libraryFactsWith(), "only a library waits"},
+		{"a reason not known", "ace", inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: "movies", Reason: "later", What: "w"},
+			libraryFactsWith(), "take it or for its disk"},
+		{"libraries unread", "ace", keepWait("movies"), operatorWaitFacts{manifests: libraryFactsWith().manifests},
+			"could not be read"},
+	} {
+		err := checkWait("radarr", c.machine, c.w, c.f)
+		switch {
+		case c.says == "" && err != nil:
+			t.Errorf("%s: refused: %v", c.name, err)
+		case c.says != "" && (err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.says)):
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v; want a refusal saying %q", c.name, err, c.says)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func libraryWaiting(module string, w inventory.Wait) inventory.ResourceHealth {
+	return inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: module, Resource: module + ".app", Kind: "container", Target: module,
+		State: link.StateWaiting, Waits: []inventory.Wait{w}}
+}
+
+// Rows 8 and 9 at the gate: both excused waits pass the first-node gate as a wait for a person, and the module is said
+// as needs-operator in words with no path; a wait on a library taken already does not pass.
+func TestALibraryWaitPassesTheGateAndAsksTheOperatorWithoutAPath(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	for _, w := range []inventory.Wait{keepWait("movies"), diskWait("movies")} {
+		w.What += " at /storage/media" // an engine's words carrying a path never reach the operator's
+		f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+				Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{libraryWaiting("radarr", w)}}}}
+		h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f)
+		if h != healthPerson || !strings.Contains(why, "waits for the operator") || strings.Contains(why, "/") {
+			t.Fatalf("an excused library wait reads %v %q; want a wait for a person, with no path", h, why)
+		}
+		o := needsOperatorObservation("radarr", "ace", []inventory.Wait{w}, nil)
+		for _, words := range []string{o.Summary, o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Needs} {
+			if strings.Contains(words, "/") {
+				t.Errorf("the operator reads a path: %q", words)
+			}
+		}
+		want := "let the mesh keep the library entry movies when you are asked"
+		if w.Disk {
+			want = "mount the disk that holds the library entry movies on ace"
+		}
+		if o.Kind != kindNeedsOperator || !strings.Contains(o.Needs, want) {
+			t.Errorf("needs-operator %s asks %q; want %q", o.Kind, o.Needs, want)
+		}
+	}
+	f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith("media"), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+		health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+			Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{libraryWaiting("radarr", keepWait("movies"))}}}}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthNotYet || !strings.Contains(why, "taken") {
+		t.Fatalf("a wait on a taken library reads %v %q", h, why)
+	}
+}
+
+func takeRig(t *testing.T, waiting func() map[string][]waitingFolder) (*askerRig, *[]string) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	var taken []string
+	libs := map[string]catalogue.Library{"media": mediaLib}
+	r.a.folders = func(context.Context) ([]libraryTake, error) { return takesOf(waiting(), libs), nil }
+	r.a.machines = func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return []string{"ace", "novox"}, nil }
+	r.a.take = func(_ context.Context, lt libraryTake, askID, by string) (string, error) {
+		taken = append(taken, lt.Library+" "+lt.Node+" "+lt.Root+" "+lt.Placed+" "+askID+" "+by)
+		return "taking", nil
+	}
+	return r, &taken
+}
+
+func takeAsks(r *askerRig) []asked {
+	var out []asked
+	for _, a := range r.store {
+		if a.Take != nil {
+			out = append(out, a)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func openTakes(r *askerRig) []asked {
+	var out []asked
+	for _, a := range takeAsks(r) {
+		if a.State == askOpen {
+			out = append(out, a)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Row 7: one ask per library however many modules and machines wait on it, in the clause's words, at approve; none
+// again while it is open; taken back when the library no longer waits.
+func TestTheOperatorIsAskedOncePerLibrary(t *testing.T) {
+	current := map[string][]waitingFolder{"media": {
+		{module: "radarr", machine: "ace", placed: "fs-000000000001"},
+		{module: "plex", machine: "novox"},
+		{module: "", machine: "ace", placed: "fs-000000000001"}}}
+	r, _ := takeRig(t, func() map[string][]waitingFolder { return current })
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	kept := takeAsks(r)
+	if len(kept) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%d asks for one library", len(kept))
+	}
+	q := kept[0].Ask
+	if err := q.Check(r.now); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if q.Highest() != asks.Approve || len(q.Options) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask offers %+v; want one answer at approve", q.Options)
+	}
+	// The root may not leave the mesh (the router's content rule): it is said as "its root".
+	want := "Let the mesh keep library media at its root on ace: its group becomes mesh-media, the group may read " +
+		"and write, folders keep the group; owners and everyone else's rights stay as they are. Waiting on it: plex, radarr."
+	if q.Explanation != want {
+		t.Errorf("the ask says\n %q\nwant\n %q", q.Explanation, want)
+	}
+	if kept[0].Take.Node != "ace" || kept[0].Take.Placed != "fs-000000000001" {
+		t.Errorf("the take is for %+v; want the home and the filesystem its home names", kept[0].Take)
+	}
+	current = nil
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := takeAsks(r); len(got) != 1 || got[0].State != askCancelled {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask about a library that no longer waits: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 7: nothing is taken without the operator's warrant — a warrant for another asker, an ask that expired, or a
+// record changed after the ask takes nothing; the warrant takes it once, on its home, naming library:<name>.
+func TestALibraryIsTakenOnlyOnTheWarrant(t *testing.T) {
+	waits := func() map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return map[string][]waitingFolder{"media": {{module: "radarr", machine: "ace", placed: "fs-000000000001"}}}
+	}
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	r, taken := takeRig(t, waits)
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	a := takeAsks(r)[0]
+	other := warrantOn(a, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now)
+	other.Asker = "someone-else"
+	answerWith(t, r, other)
+	changed := r.store[a.ID]
+	changed.Take = &libraryTake{Library: "media", Node: "ace", Root: "/", Modules: a.Take.Modules, Placed: a.Take.Placed}
+	r.store[a.ID] = changed
+	answerWith(t, r, warrantOn(a, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now))
+	if len(*taken) != 0 || !strings.HasPrefix(r.store[a.ID].Acted, "failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("a take whose record changed after the ask: %v, %q", *taken, r.store[a.ID].Acted)
+	}
+
+	r2, taken2 := takeRig(t, waits)
+	if err := r2.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := takeAsks(r2)[0]
+	answerWith(t, r2, asks.Warrant{Ask: b.ID, Asker: "mesh-controller", Outcome: asks.OutcomeExpired, At: r2.now})
+	if len(*taken2) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("taken on an ask that expired")
+	}
+
+	r3, taken3 := takeRig(t, waits)
+	if err := r3.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c := takeAsks(r3)[0]
+	w := warrantOn(c, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r3.now)
+	answerWith(t, r3, w)
+	answerWith(t, r3, w)
+	if len(*taken3) != 1 || !strings.HasPrefix((*taken3)[0], "media ace /storage/media fs-000000000001 "+c.ID) ||
+		!strings.Contains((*taken3)[0], "telegram") {
+		t.Fatalf("the warrant took %v", *taken3)
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(r3.store[c.ID].Acted, "done") {
+		t.Fatalf("the take was recorded %q", r3.store[c.ID].Acted)
+	}
+}
+
+// A warrant for a library on one filesystem is never carried out on another: when it comes and the library waits on
+// another, nothing is sent, the ask is spent, and the operator is asked again for the filesystem it is on now.
+func TestAWarrantForOneFilesystemIsNotCarriedOutOnAnother(t *testing.T) {
+	placed := "fs-000000000001"
+	r, taken := takeRig(t, func() map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return map[string][]waitingFolder{"media": {{module: "radarr", machine: "ace", placed: placed}}}
+	})
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	a := takeAsks(r)[0]
+	placed = "fs-0000000000ff"
+	answerWith(t, r, warrantOn(a, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now))
+	if len(*taken) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a warrant for %s was carried out on %s: %v", a.Take.Placed, placed, *taken)
+	}
+	if spent := r.store[a.ID]; spent.State == askOpen || !strings.HasPrefix(spent.Acted, "nothing") {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask after the library moved: %s, %q", spent.State, spent.Acted)
+	}
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if again := openTakes(r); len(again) != 1 || again[0].Take.Placed != placed {
+		t.Fatalf("not asked again for the filesystem it is on now: %+v", again)
+	}
+}
+
+// The take act names library:<name> and the warrant, is signed over its own context, and is recorded only on the
+// engine's word.
+func TestATakeAskNamesTheLibraryAndItsWarrant(t *testing.T) {
+	_, key, _ := ed25519.GenerateKey(nil)
+	signer := keySigner{key}
+	ask := link.AccessActAsk{Node: "ace", Path: "/storage/media", By: "the operator", Access: "library:media"}
+	if _, err := link.SignTake(context.Background(), signer, ask); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a take with no warrant was signed")
+	}
+	ask.Warrant = "c0123456789abcdef"
+	body, err := link.SignTake(context.Background(), signer, ask)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var signed link.SignedHandOver
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &signed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !ed25519.Verify(key.Public().(ed25519.PublicKey), append([]byte(link.AccessActContext), signed.Ask...), signed.Signature) {
+		t.Fatal("the take is not signed over its own context")
+	}
+	var got map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(signed.Ask, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got["act"] != "take" || got["warrant"] != "c0123456789abcdef" || got["access"] != "library:media" ||
+		got["path"] != "/storage/media" {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask carries %v", got)
+	}
+	var asked link.AccessActAsk
+	refusing := takeFolderIn(nil, func(_ context.Context, a link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		asked = a
+		return link.HandOverAnswer{Refused: "the disk is not there"}, nil
+	})
+	if _, err := refusing(context.Background(), libraryTake{Library: "media", Node: "ace", Root: "/storage/media"},
+		"c01", "the operator"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a refused take was answered as done")
+	}
+	if asked.Access != "library:media" || asked.Node != "ace" || asked.Path != "/storage/media" || asked.Warrant != "c01" {
+		t.Fatalf("the engine was asked %+v", asked)
+	}
+	unreachable := takeFolderIn(nil, func(context.Context, link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		return link.HandOverAnswer{}, errors.New("nothing on ace answers")
+	})
+	if _, err := unreachable(context.Background(), libraryTake{Library: "media", Node: "ace", Root: "/storage/media"},
+		"c01", "the operator"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("an unanswered take was answered as done")
+	}
+}
+
+type keySigner struct{ key ed25519.PrivateKey }
+
+func (s keySigner) Sign(_ context.Context, b []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	return ed25519.Sign(s.key, b), nil
+}
+
+// The envelope carries groups, identities and libraries only when composed — for an engine at link.LibraryContract —
+// and an older engine's body is what it was.
+func TestTheDeclarationSaysItsLibrariesOnlyWhenComposed(t *testing.T) {
+	older, err := sendable{Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "a"}}}.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, key := range []string{"groups", "identities", "libraries"} {
+		if strings.Contains(string(older), key) {
+			t.Fatalf("an older engine's body names %s: %s", key, older)
+		}
+	}
+	newer, err := sendable{Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "a"}},
+		Groups:     []catalogue.GroupEntry{{Name: "mesh-media", GID: 50010}},
+		Identities: []catalogue.IdentityEntry{{Module: "radarr", Name: "mesh-radarr", UID: 50020, GID: 50010}},
+		Libraries: []catalogue.LibraryEntry{{Library: "media", Root: "/storage/media", Group: "mesh-media", GID: 50010,
+			Home: true, Paths: []string{"movies"}, Runner: "jochen"}}}.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{`"groups":[{"name":"mesh-media","gid":50010}]`,
+		`"identities":[{"module":"radarr","name":"mesh-radarr","uid":50020,"gid":50010}]`,
+		`"libraries":[{"library":"media","root":"/storage/media","group":"mesh-media","gid":50010,"home":true,` +
+			`"taken":false,"paths":["movies"],"runner":"jochen"}]`} {
+		if !strings.Contains(string(newer), want) {
+			t.Errorf("the body lacks %s: %s", want, newer)
+		}
+	}
+	if link.LibraryContract != 6 {
+		t.Fatalf("the contract the engine states for ADR 0328 is 6, and this controller reads %d", link.LibraryContract)
+	}
+}
+
+// The gate: an access or library the engine cannot judge this look, or entries left while a disk was away, of a module
+// whose move leaves its accesses and libraries as they were, are not counted; of one whose move changes them — a
+// library added, or joining — or is not known, they hold the gate to its bound.
+func TestAnUnknownLibraryIsJudgedByWhetherTheMoveChangesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	since := now.Add(-time.Minute)
+	unknown := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.library-movies", Kind: link.KindAccess,
+		Target: "/storage/media/movies", State: link.StateUnknown, Since: now}
+	left := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.access-gone~entries", Kind: link.KindKeptEntries,
+		Target: "/storage/media", State: link.StateUnhealthy, Since: since.Add(-time.Hour)}
+	facts := func(changes map[string]bool, rs ...inventory.ResourceHealth) gateFacts {
+		return gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			accessesChanged: changes, health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+				Resources: rs}}}
+	}
+	unchanged := map[string]bool{"radarr": false}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(unchanged, unknown)); h != healthGood {
+		t.Errorf("an unknown library of a move that changes nothing reads %v %q", h, why)
+	}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(unchanged, left)); h != healthPerson ||
+		!strings.Contains(why, "access-gone~entries") {
+		t.Errorf("entries left, a move that changes nothing: %v %q", h, why)
+	}
+	for name, changes := range map[string]map[string]bool{"changes them": {"radarr": true}, "not known": nil} {
+		for _, r := range []inventory.ResourceHealth{unknown, left} {
+			if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(changes, r)); h != healthNotYet {
+				t.Errorf("%s %s of a move that %s reads %v; want held to the bound", r.Kind, r.State, name, h)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	plain := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "radarr"}
+	if sameAccessUse(plain, radarrManifest) || !sameAccessUse(radarrManifest, radarrManifest) {
+		t.Fatal("a move that adds a library, and joins, reads unchanged — or an unchanged one reads changed")
+	}
+}
+
+// The engine states a library once, of no module; each module assigned to the machine that uses it is judged and said
+// by a copy of that verdict — its wait excused and passed by the gate as a wait for a person. A library unknown or
+// starting (a take walking under it) of a move that changes no library is not counted.
+func TestALibrarysVerdictIsSaidForTheModulesThatUseIt(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := inventory.ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "ace"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, m := range []catalogue.Manifest{radarrManifest, plexManifest, {Module: "plain", Version: "1"}} {
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if m.Module == "plex" {
+			continue // pulled in by a requirement, not assigned: it is in what the machine was sent (item 4)
+		}
+		if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "ace", m.Module); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	record, err := inv.NodeByName(ctx, "ace")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordSentWith(ctx, record.ID, "d1", map[string]string{"radarr": "c1", "plex": "c2", "plain": "c3"},
+		1, 1, inventory.Send{Sequence: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	lib := inventory.ResourceHealth{Resource: "library:media", Kind: link.KindLibrary, Target: "/storage/media",
+		State: link.StateWaiting, Waits: []inventory.Wait{{Part: "media", Access: "library:media", Reason: link.WaitKeep,
+			Placed: "fs-000000000001", What: "let the mesh keep the library media"}}}
+	copies := libraryVerdictsFor(ctx, inv, "ace", []inventory.ResourceHealth{lib})
+	var modules []string
+	for _, c := range copies {
+		modules = append(modules, c.Module)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(modules, ",") != "plex,radarr" {
+		t.Fatalf("the library's verdict is said for %v; want plex and radarr, the modules using it", modules)
+	}
+	paths, err := inv.LibraryPaths(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(paths["media"], ",") != "movies" {
+		t.Fatalf("the paths kept of media are %v", paths["media"])
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+		accessesChanged: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+		health:          map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now, Resources: copies}}}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthPerson {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr waiting on media reads %v %q; want a wait for a person", h, why)
+	}
+	for _, state := range []string{link.StateUnknown, link.StateStarting} {
+		c := copies[1]
+		c.State, c.Waits = state, nil
+		f.health["ace"] = inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "ace", HeardAt: now, Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{c}}
+		if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthGood {
+			t.Errorf("media %s, a move that changes no library: %v %q", state, h, why)
+		}
+		f.accessesChanged = map[string]bool{"radarr": true}
+		if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthNotYet {
+			t.Errorf("media %s, a move that changes a library: %v; want held to the bound", state, h)
+		}
+		f.accessesChanged = map[string]bool{"radarr": false}
+	}
+}
+
+// The review of 7ea6d36e, item 5: the engine saying it started a take does not make the library taken. While the act
+// runs the library still waits and the operator is not asked again; it is taken when the engine states the act done
+// under that warrant.
+func TestALibraryIsTakenOnlyWhenTheEngineSaysTheActIsDone(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: catalogue.LibrariesModule, Version: "1"})
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "", catalogue.LibrariesModule, map[string]any{catalogue.LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"media": map[string]any{"home": "anchor", "root": "/storage/media"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	take := takeFolderIn(open, func(context.Context, link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		return link.HandOverAnswer{Said: "the take of library:media started"}, nil
+	})
+	lt := libraryTake{Library: "media", Node: "anchor", Root: "/storage/media", Placed: "fs-000000000001"}
+	if _, err := take(ctx, lt, "c01", "the operator"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	libs, err := inv.Libraries(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	taken, err := librariesTaken(ctx, inv, libs)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if taken["media"] {
+		t.Fatal("a take only started made the library taken")
+	}
+	// While it runs: the wait is still excused, and no new ask is made for it.
+	var f operatorWaitFacts
+	readWaitFacts(ctx, inv, "anchor", nil, nil, &f)
+	if err := checkWait("radarr", "anchor", placedWait("library:media", "fs-000000000001"), f); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the wait while the take runs: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := withoutTakesUnderWay([]libraryTake{lt}, f.taken); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a library whose take runs is asked about again: %+v", got)
+	}
+	// The engine states the act done under that warrant.
+	act, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"act": "take", "access": "library:media", "warrant": "c01", "state": "done"})
+	if err := stateHealth(ctx, inv, nil, "anchor", link.Health{Contract: link.LibraryContract, At: time.Now(),
+		Resources: []link.ResourceHealth{{Resource: "library:media", Kind: link.KindLibrary, Target: "/storage/media",
+			State: link.StateHealthy, Since: time.Now(), Act: act}}}, time.Now()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if taken, err = librariesTaken(ctx, inv, libs); err != nil || !taken["media"] {
+		t.Fatalf("the act done did not make the library taken (%v)", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// ADR 0334: the engine states the tool runner's membership as resources of kind runner — `runner:<module>` of that
+// module, `runner:library:<name>` of no module. A library's is said for the modules that use it; neither fails the
+// first-node gate of a move that leaves the module's libraries as they were, and both hold one that changes them.
+func TestARunnersVerdictIsSaidAndJudgedByWhetherTheMoveChangesIt(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := inventory.ForTest(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "ace"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, m := range []catalogue.Manifest{radarrManifest, plexManifest} {
+		if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, err := inv.Assign(ctx, "ace", m.Module); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	lib := inventory.ResourceHealth{Resource: "runner:library:media", Kind: link.KindRunner, Target: "jochen",
+		State: link.StateUnhealthy, Reason: "the tool runner is not in mesh-media yet", Since: time.Now()}
+	copies := libraryVerdictsFor(ctx, inv, "ace", []inventory.ResourceHealth{lib})
+	if len(copies) != 2 || copies[0].Module != "plex" || copies[1].Module != "radarr" {
+		t.Fatalf("the runner's library verdict is said for %+v; want plex and radarr", copies)
+	}
+	own := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "runner:radarr", Kind: link.KindRunner, Target: "jochen",
+		State: link.StateUnhealthy, Reason: "the tool runner is not in mesh-radarr yet", Since: time.Now()}
+	now := time.Now()
+	for _, r := range []inventory.ResourceHealth{copies[1], own} {
+		f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: libraryFactsWith(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			accessesChanged: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			health:          map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now, Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{r}}}}
+		if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthGood {
+			t.Errorf("%s, a move that changes no library: %v %q; want not counted", r.Resource, h, why)
+		}
+		f.accessesChanged = map[string]bool{"radarr": true}
+		if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthNotYet {
+			t.Errorf("%s, a move that changes a library: %v; want held to the bound", r.Resource, h)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -40,6 +42,96 @@ const (
 	moduleUnhealthyAfter = 2
 )
 
+// runnerLibrary prefixes the engine's verdict on the tool runner's membership of a library's group (ADR 0334).
+const runnerLibrary = "runner:library:"
+
+// libraryVerdictsFor is, for each library verdict in a statement (kind library, no module), one copy for each module
+// on the machine — assigned, or pulled in by a requirement — whose manifest uses that library: what the module is judged and said by. None when the
+// assignments or the catalogue cannot be read: the library's own verdict stands alone, and no module is excused by it.
+func libraryVerdictsFor(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string,
+	rs []inventory.ResourceHealth) []inventory.ResourceHealth {
+	var libraries []inventory.ResourceHealth
+	for _, r := range rs {
+		if r.Module == "" && ((r.Kind == link.KindLibrary && strings.HasPrefix(r.Resource, libraryAccess)) ||
+			(r.Kind == link.KindRunner && strings.HasPrefix(r.Resource, runnerLibrary))) {
+			libraries = append(libraries, r)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(libraries) == 0 || inv == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	assigned, err := inv.Assigned(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		// empty-on-error: the library's own verdict is kept and judged; no module is excused by a copy it could not make
+		return nil
+	}
+	// And the modules a requirement pulled in: what the machine was last sent (the review of 7ea6d36e, item 4).
+	sent, _, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		// empty-on-error: the library's own verdict is kept and judged; no module is excused by a copy it could not make
+		return nil
+	}
+	for m := range sent {
+		if !slices.Contains(assigned, m) {
+			assigned = append(assigned, m)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(assigned)
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		// empty-on-error: the library's own verdict is kept and judged; no module is excused by a copy it could not make
+		return nil
+	}
+	var out []inventory.ResourceHealth
+	for _, lib := range libraries {
+		name := strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(lib.Resource, runnerLibrary), libraryAccess)
+		for _, module := range assigned {
+			for _, u := range shelf[module].Libraries {
+				if u.Library == name {
+					copied := lib
+					copied.Module = module
+					out = append(out, copied)
+					break
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// takesStated keeps what a statement says of each library's take act: done under a warrant, the library is taken;
+// failed, the take is forgotten and the operator asked again. Running or stopped (it goes on) changes nothing.
+func takesStated(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, rs []link.ResourceHealth) error {
+	if inv == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, r := range rs {
+		lib, isLibrary := strings.CutPrefix(r.Resource, libraryAccess)
+		if !isLibrary || r.Kind != link.KindLibrary || len(r.Act) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		var act struct {
+			Act     string `json:"act"`
+			Warrant string `json:"warrant"`
+			State   string `json:"state"`
+		}
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(r.Act, &act); err != nil || act.Act != link.ActTake || act.Warrant == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		var err error
+		switch act.State {
+		case "done":
+			err = inv.TakeDone(ctx, lib, act.Warrant)
+		case "failed":
+			err = inv.TakeFailed(ctx, lib, act.Warrant)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // healthRefused counts the statements refused as older than the one kept, for the log and a test.
 var healthRefused atomic.Int64
 
@@ -77,8 +169,22 @@ func stateHealth(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, k *conditions.Ke
 		for _, w := range r.Waits {
 			kept.Waits = append(kept.Waits, inventory.Wait{Part: w.Part, Secret: w.Secret, Setting: w.Setting, What: w.What})
 		}
+		// An access's waits (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7), kept beside the others as one more thing the operator gives: the
+		// access by its module's id, and whether it waits for a disk rather than for the operator's word.
+		for _, w := range r.AccessWaits {
+			kept.Waits = append(kept.Waits, inventory.Wait{Part: w.Part, Access: w.Access, Disk: w.Reason == link.WaitDisk,
+				Placed: w.Placed, Reason: w.Reason, What: w.What})
+		}
 		resources = append(resources, kept)
 	}
+	// **A library's take is done, or failed, when its engine says so** (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7): only then is it taken,
+	// or asked about again.
+	if err := takesStated(ctx, inv, h.Resources); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// **A library's verdict is said for the modules that use it** (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8): the engine states each
+	// library once, as `library:<name>`, of no module; a module that uses it waits with it, and is said so.
+	resources = append(resources, libraryVerdictsFor(ctx, inv, node, resources)...)
 	// **A wait for the operator is checked before it is excused** (novox/hq ADR 0283): a waiting resource whose
 	// wait does not check out is judged unhealthy, saying why; one that does is kept beside the unhealthy ones, so
 	// judgeModuleHealth can say it as needs-operator. What is stored is what the machine said.
@@ -644,7 +750,7 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 	if waits && !f.groupsAdded[module] {
 		waits = false
 	}
-	var found, onWaiting []string
+	var found, onWaiting, leftover []string
 	var forOperator []inventory.Wait
 	for _, r := range resources {
 		if r.Module != module {
@@ -667,6 +773,32 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 			found = append(found, r.Resource)
 			continue
 		}
+		// **The mesh's entries left on a folder whose disk was away are a condition this build found** when its move
+		// leaves the module's accesses and their users as they were (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8): they may name an access no
+		// longer declared, they wait for the disk, and a delivery that did not bring them is not held for them — said in
+		// the verdict, as a directory used as found is. A move that changes the accesses is held to them, whenever they
+		// were stated (the review of e1c2b744).
+		changed, known := f.accessesChanged[module]
+		changes := !known || changed
+		if r.Kind == link.KindKeptEntries && r.State == link.StateUnhealthy && !changes {
+			leftover = append(leftover, r.Resource)
+			continue
+		}
+		// **An access the engine could not judge this look** (its filesystem could not be named — a hung mount) carries
+		// no wait. Of a module whose move leaves its accesses as they were it is a condition the move found, not
+		// counted; of one whose move changes them it is not yet healthy, held to the gate's bound like anything still
+		// unsettled, so the gate fails safe at the bound and never waits for ever.
+		// The same for a library (ADR 0328): unknown this look, or starting while a take walks under it, of a move that
+		// leaves the module's libraries as they were, is not this move's.
+		if (r.Kind == link.KindAccess || r.Kind == link.KindLibrary) && !changes &&
+			(r.State == link.StateUnknown || (r.Kind == link.KindLibrary && r.State == link.StateStarting)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		// The tool runner's membership (ADR 0334 §2), of a move that changes no library of the module, is not this
+		// move's: it is said as the module's condition, and holds a move that changes them to the gate's bound.
+		if r.Kind == link.KindRunner && !changes {
+			continue
+		}
 		switch r.State {
 		case link.StateHealthy:
 		case link.StateStarting:
@@ -690,7 +822,7 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 				reasonAfter(r.Reason))
 		}
 	}
-	if waits || len(found) > 0 || len(forOperator) > 0 || len(onWaiting) > 0 {
+	if waits || len(found) > 0 || len(forOperator) > 0 || len(onWaiting) > 0 || len(leftover) > 0 {
 		said := onWaiting
 		if waits {
 			said = append(said, wait)
@@ -702,6 +834,10 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 			said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf("on %s, %s uses %s as found and waits for the operator to hand it over "+
 				"(`nox node hand-over %s <directory>` on the control-node)", machine, module, strings.Join(found, ", "), machine))
 		}
+		if len(leftover) > 0 {
+			said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf("on %s, the mesh's entries %s could not be taken out while their disk was "+
+				"away, stated before this send: they are taken out when it is back", machine, strings.Join(leftover, ", ")))
+		}
 		return healthPerson, strings.Join(said, "; ")
 	}
 	return healthGood, ""

cmd/mesh-controller/nodes.go

@@ -127,9 +127,14 @@ func nodeCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		// and whoever may call a verb includes agents.
 		return nodeSetuidSearch(ctx, open, args[1:])
 
+	case "judge-directories":
+		// Which of a node's declared directories the walk that follows no link another account could make would
+		// refuse (novox/hq issue 358). Read-only on the node and here, so a verb may run it too.
+		return nodeJudgeDirectories(ctx, open, args[1:])
+
 	default:
-		return fmt.Errorf("node has no %q; it has add, list, show, public-domain, account, agent-account, hand-over "+
-			"and setuid-search", args[0])
+		return fmt.Errorf("node has no %q; it has add, list, show, public-domain, account, agent-account, hand-over, "+
+			"setuid-search and judge-directories", args[0])
 	}
 }
 
@@ -937,3 +942,57 @@ func printJSONTo(w io.Writer, v any) error {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, string(body))
 	return nil
 }
+
+const judgeDirectoriesUsage = "node judge-directories <node> — read-only: which of the directories <node> is " +
+	"declared the node-engine's walk that follows no link another account could make would refuse, one line each " +
+	"(novox/hq issue 358). Nothing is made, chmodded or chowned"
+
+// nodeJudgeDirectories asks the node's engine to judge its declared directories, signed with the mesh's key as a
+// hand-over is. Read-only: the engine changes nothing and keeps nothing.
+func nodeJudgeDirectories(ctx context.Context, open *stores, args []string) error {
+	known := func(node string) error {
+		_, err := open.inventory.NodeByName(ctx, node)
+		return err
+	}
+	ask := func(node, by string) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		ident, err := open.Identity(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return link.HandOverAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("the mesh's signing key cannot be read, so nothing was asked of %s: %w",
+				node, err)
+		}
+		address, err := broker.BusAddress()
+		if err != nil {
+			return link.HandOverAnswer{}, err
+		}
+		js, err := broker.Dial(address)
+		if err != nil {
+			return link.HandOverAnswer{}, fmt.Errorf("cannot reach the bus, so nothing was asked of %s: %w", node, err)
+		}
+		defer js.Close()
+		return link.AskJudgeDirectories(ctx, js.Conn(), ident, node, by, link.HandOverWithin)
+	}
+	return judgeDirectoriesAsked(args, known, ask, os.Stdout)
+}
+
+// judgeDirectoriesAsked is the line with its two acts given: whether the mesh knows the node, and the ask. The
+// engine's refusal is this command's failure.
+func judgeDirectoriesAsked(args []string, known func(node string) error,
+	ask func(node, by string) (link.HandOverAnswer, error), out io.Writer) error {
+	if len(args) != 1 || args[0] == "" || strings.HasPrefix(args[0], "-") {
+		return errors.New(judgeDirectoriesUsage)
+	}
+	node := args[0]
+	if err := known(node); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("nothing was asked: %w", err)
+	}
+	answer, err := ask(node, handOverBy())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if answer.Refused != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s refused: %s", node, answer.Refused)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s (read-only: nothing on %s was changed)\n", node, node)
+	fmt.Fprintln(out, answer.Said)
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/one_resolution_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// novox/hq issue 237: every line of an act's answer comes from one resolution of the node taken after
+// its write, so the answer agrees with `plan` for the node right after.
+
+func aProviderAndItsConsumer(t *testing.T, open *stores) {
+	t.Helper()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "db", Version: "1",
+		Provides: []catalogue.Offer{{Name: "rows", Scope: catalogue.ScopeNode}}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "1", Requires: []string{"rows"}})
+}
+
+// twoRivalsAndANote is a node that does not resolve — two modules claim one node seat there — and a
+// module beside them that changes nothing about it.
+func twoRivalsAndANote(t *testing.T, open *stores) {
+	t.Helper()
+	one, two := rivals()
+	register(t, open, one)
+	register(t, open, two)
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "notes", Version: "1"})
+}
+
+func TestAnUnassignThatLeavesItsNodeUnresolvedSaysSoOnceInItsAnswer(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	twoRivalsAndANote(t, open)
+	// Straight into the store, as a node that came to this before the act.
+	for _, m := range []string{"rival-one", "rival-two", "notes"} {
+		if _, err := open.inventory.Assign(ctx, "laptop", m); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	said := answered(t, func() error { return assignCommand(ctx, "unassign", []string{"laptop", "notes"}) })
+
+	if _, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop"); err == nil || !unresolvable(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("laptop resolves with two claimants of one seat: %v", err)
+	}
+	if n := strings.Count(said, "laptop does not resolve now"); n != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("the answer says laptop does not resolve %d times, want once:\n%s", n, said)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(said, "is left out of the rest of the mesh") {
+		t.Errorf("the answer carries a line from a read that is not its resolution:\n%s", said)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUnassignThatLeavesItsNodeResolvedSaysNothingOfIt(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	aProviderAndItsConsumer(t, open)
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "db", "app"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	said, err := unassign(ctx, open, "laptop", "app")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(said, "does not resolve") || strings.Contains(said, "could not be read") {
+		t.Errorf("a node that resolves is said not to:\n%s", said)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnAssignThatLeavesItsNodeUnresolvedSaysOnlyThePlansRefusal(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	twoRivalsAndANote(t, open)
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "rival-one"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// Kept and not resolvable: a second claimant of the seat, which assignment keeps.
+	said, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "rival-two")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("two claimants of one node seat resolved:\n%s", said)
+	}
+	_, _, planErr := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop")
+	if planErr == nil || planErr.Error() != err.Error() {
+		t.Errorf("the act's refusal is not the plan's right after:\nact:  %v\nplan: %v", err, planErr)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(said, "now has") {
+		t.Errorf("the answer says a seat is now held on a node that does not resolve:\n%s", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// The other readers of the whole mesh still say a machine they leave out, on standard error (novox/hq
+// issue 188); an act sends it elsewhere.
+func TestAMachineLeftOutIsSaidWhereTheContextSays(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	sayLeftOut(leftOutSaidBy(context.Background(), &buf), "laptop", errors.New("why"))
+	if buf.String() != "laptop is left out of the rest of the mesh: it does not resolve: why\n" {
+		t.Errorf("said %q", buf.String())
+	}
+	got := answered(t, func() error {
+		sayLeftOut(context.Background(), "laptop", errors.New("why"))
+		return nil
+	})
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "laptop is left out") {
+		t.Errorf("without an act's writer the line did not reach standard error: %q", got)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go

@@ -44,17 +44,34 @@ func needsOperatorKey(module, node string) string {
 type operatorWaitFacts struct {
 	manifests map[string]catalogue.Manifest
 	given     map[string]map[string]time.Time
+	// libraries is every library the operator defined, and taken every one taken (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7, §8);
+	// librariesRead says both were read — when not, no access wait is excused.
+	libraries     map[string]catalogue.Library
+	taken         map[string]inventory.TakenLibrary
+	librariesRead bool
 }
 
 // checkWait is nil when a wait is excused, and otherwise why not, in words. Pure.
 func checkWait(module, machine string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) error {
+	// A library's own wait names it, and no module's manifest (novox/hq ADR 0328 §7).
+	if lib, ok := strings.CutPrefix(w.Access, libraryAccess); ok && w.Secret == "" && w.Setting == "" {
+		return checkLibraryWait(machine, lib, w, f)
+	}
 	m, known := f.manifests[module]
 	if !known {
 		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for %s, and the mesh holds no manifest of %s to check it against", waitNames(w), module)
 	}
+	named := 0
+	for _, n := range []string{w.Secret, w.Setting, w.Access} {
+		if n != "" {
+			named++
+		}
+	}
 	switch {
-	case w.Secret != "" && w.Setting != "", w.Secret == "" && w.Setting == "":
-		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits, naming %s, where a wait names one secret or one setting", waitNames(w))
+	case named != 1:
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits, naming %s, where a wait names one secret or one setting, or one access", waitNames(w))
+	case w.Access != "":
+		return checkAccessWait(module, machine, m, w, f)
 	case w.Setting != "":
 		if _, declared := m.Settings[w.Setting]; !declared {
 			return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the setting %s, which %s does not declare", w.Setting, module)
@@ -80,6 +97,63 @@ func checkWait(module, machine string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) er
 	return nil
 }
 
+// libraryAccess prefixes the access a library's own wait and take name: "library:<name>".
+const libraryAccess = "library:"
+
+// checkAccessWait is nil when a module's access wait is excused (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, §9): the access is one of its
+// library entries, and its library's wait is excused. Any other access waits for nothing the operator gives: an
+// access that is not a library keeps ADR 0051's meaning.
+func checkAccessWait(module, machine string, m catalogue.Manifest, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) error {
+	lib := catalogue.LibraryOfEntry(m, w.Access)
+	if lib == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for %s, which is no library entry %s declares: only a library waits for "+
+			"the operator (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8)", w.Access, module)
+	}
+	return checkLibraryWait(machine, lib, w, f)
+}
+
+// checkLibraryWait is nil when a wait on a library is excused (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, §9): the library is defined and
+// reaches the machine, and either its disk is not there (reason disk) or it has not yet been taken on its home, on the
+// filesystem the wait names (reason keep). Any other is judged unhealthy, saying why: a module that uses a library
+// already taken is never asked about it.
+func checkLibraryWait(machine, lib string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) error {
+	if !f.librariesRead {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the library %s, and the libraries could not be read", lib)
+	}
+	l, defined := f.libraries[lib]
+	switch {
+	case !defined:
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the library %s, which is not defined", lib)
+	case !l.Reaches(machine):
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the library %s, which does not reach %s", lib, machine)
+	case w.Reason == link.WaitDisk || (w.Reason == "" && w.Disk):
+		return nil
+	case w.Reason != link.WaitKeep:
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the library %s for %q, and a library waits for the operator's word to "+
+			"take it or for its disk", lib, w.Reason)
+	}
+	// Taken on another home or filesystem (it moved) is not taken by that warrant: excused, and asked again (§7).
+	// Only the home's engine names the root's filesystem; another machine's wait names its mount, and says nothing of it.
+	placed := w.Placed
+	if machine != l.Home {
+		placed = ""
+	}
+	if t, was := f.taken[lib]; was && t.Done && t.Home == l.Home && t.Root == l.Root &&
+		(placed == "" || t.Placed == "" || t.Placed == placed) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the library %s, which is taken already: a module that uses a taken "+
+			"library is never asked about it", lib)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// accessWords is an access a wait names, in words with no path: "the library media", or "its library entry movies".
+func accessWords(access string) string {
+	if lib, ok := strings.CutPrefix(access, libraryAccess); ok {
+		return "the library " + lib
+	}
+	return "the library entry " + access
+}
+
 // waitRefusedPrefix opens every reason checkWait gives, so the words of a refused wait are told from a check's own.
 const waitRefusedPrefix = "says it waits"
 
@@ -88,6 +162,10 @@ func waitNames(w inventory.Wait) string {
 	switch {
 	case w.Secret != "" && w.Setting != "":
 		return "the secret " + w.Secret + " and the setting " + w.Setting
+	case w.Access != "" && (w.Secret != "" || w.Setting != ""):
+		return "the access " + w.Access + " and a secret or a setting"
+	case w.Access != "":
+		return "the access " + w.Access
 	case w.Secret != "":
 		return "the secret " + w.Secret
 	case w.Setting != "":
@@ -147,6 +225,14 @@ func operatorWaitSaid(module, machine string, waits []inventory.Wait) string {
 	var parts []string
 	for _, w := range waits {
 		part := fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s", w.What, waitNames(w))
+		// An access in the controller's own words, never the engine's: words with no path (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7).
+		switch {
+		case w.Access != "" && w.Disk:
+			part = fmt.Sprintf("the disk that holds %s mounted (%s", accessWords(w.Access), waitNames(w))
+		case w.Access != "":
+			part = fmt.Sprintf("leave to keep %s (%s, asked of you once for the library", accessWords(w.Access),
+				waitNames(w))
+		}
 		if w.Secret != "" {
 			part += fmt.Sprintf(", given with `nox secret ask %s %s %s`", machine, module, w.Secret)
 		}
@@ -180,6 +266,11 @@ func needsOperatorWords(module, node string, waits []inventory.Wait) words {
 			act, secret = fmt.Sprintf("type %s at %s's desk prompt", w.What, node), true
 		case w.Setting != "":
 			act = fmt.Sprintf("approve %s of %s on %s when it is proposed to you", w.Setting, module, node)
+		// An access, in words with no path (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7): the folder by the access's name.
+		case w.Access != "" && w.Disk:
+			act = fmt.Sprintf("mount the disk that holds %s on %s", accessWords(w.Access), node)
+		case w.Access != "":
+			act = fmt.Sprintf("let the mesh keep %s when you are asked", accessWords(w.Access))
 		}
 		if act != "" && !seen[act] {
 			seen[act] = true
@@ -217,6 +308,7 @@ func readWaitFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, machine string
 	if f.given == nil {
 		f.given = map[string]map[string]time.Time{}
 	}
+
 	if inv == nil {
 		return
 	}
@@ -245,6 +337,14 @@ func readWaitFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, machine string
 			f.given[module+"@"+machine] = given
 		}
 	}
+	// The libraries and which are taken (ADR 0328 §7, §8): read once.
+	if !f.librariesRead {
+		libs, lerr := inv.Libraries(ctx)
+		taken, terr := inv.TakenLibraries(ctx)
+		if lerr == nil && terr == nil {
+			f.libraries, f.taken, f.librariesRead = libs, taken, true
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 // waitingModules is every module with a waiting resource in a statement.

cmd/mesh-controller/outside_not_given_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// An own secret issued outside the mesh that nobody gave is never made (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228). Seen on
+// 2026-10-10: the send made a random value for the mounts module's smb-credentials and placed it, and the module read
+// it as a credential given and wrong. The send now makes none, places none, and places a value only once a person
+// gave one — and a value the mesh made for it before is not placed either.
+
+// anAssistant is a module with a secret the mesh makes and one only an outside party issues.
+func anAssistant() catalogue.Manifest {
+	return catalogue.Manifest{Module: "assistant", Version: "1",
+		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{
+			"password":   {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/password", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart},
+			"vendor-key": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/vendor-key", Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart, IssuedBy: catalogue.IssuedOutside},
+		},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "state", "type": "directory", "path": "/var/lib/mesh/assistant", "mode": "0700"},
+		}}
+}
+
+// sentTo composes what a push sends to a machine, on the send path.
+func sentTo(t *testing.T, open *stores, node string) []map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(t.Context(), open, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	declared, err := declarationFor(t.Context(), open, node, plan, settings)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the send to %s did not compose: %v", node, err)
+	}
+	return declared.Resources
+}
+
+func placedAt(resources []map[string]any, path string) map[string]any {
+	for _, r := range resources {
+		if r["path"] == path && r["sealed"] != nil {
+			return r
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func TestTheSendMakesNoValueForAnOutsideSecretNobodyGave(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, anAssistant())
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "assistant"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	sent := sentTo(t, open, "laptop")
+	if placedAt(sent, "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/password") == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the secret the mesh makes was not placed")
+	}
+	if got := placedAt(sent, "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/vendor-key"); got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a secret nobody gave was placed: %v", got)
+	}
+	if _, held, err := open.inventory.ModuleSecretIfIssued(ctx, "laptop", "assistant", "vendor-key"); err != nil || held {
+		t.Fatalf("the send made a value for a secret issued outside the mesh (held %v, %v)", held, err)
+	}
+
+	// A value the mesh made before this rule is not one a person gave: it is not placed.
+	if _, err := open.inventory.SecretForModule(ctx, "laptop", "assistant", "vendor-key"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := placedAt(sentTo(t, open, "laptop"), "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/vendor-key"); got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a value the mesh made for a secret issued outside was placed: %v", got)
+	}
+
+	// Given, it is placed.
+	if err := open.inventory.AcceptSecretForModule(ctx, "laptop", "assistant", "vendor-key", "the vendor's key"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	given, ok, err := open.inventory.GivenOwnSecret(ctx, "laptop", "assistant", "vendor-key")
+	if err != nil || !ok || !given.Current {
+		t.Fatalf("the value given is not read as given: %+v %v %v", given, ok, err)
+	}
+	placed := placedAt(sentTo(t, open, "laptop"), "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/vendor-key")
+	if placed == nil || placed["sealed"] != given.Sealed {
+		t.Fatalf("the value given is placed as %v", placed)
+	}
+}
+
+// The read paths answer as the send does: a question about the machine composes without the secret nobody gave, and
+// asking writes nothing.
+func TestAQuestionComposesWithoutAnOutsideSecretNobodyGave(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, anAssistant())
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "assistant"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	pushedBy(t, open, "laptop") // the mesh's own secret is made by the send
+	plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	gens, err := generators(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, choosing := range []Choosing{Reading, Foreseeing} {
+		got, err := declarationWith(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings, gens, choosing)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%v: %v", choosing, err)
+		}
+		if placedAt(got.Resources, "/var/lib/mesh/assistant/vendor-key") != nil || len(got.foreseen) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("%v: a secret nobody gave is composed (foreseen %v)", choosing, got.foreseen)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, held, err := open.inventory.ModuleSecretIfIssued(ctx, "laptop", "assistant", "vendor-key"); err != nil || held {
+		t.Fatalf("a question made a value (held %v, %v)", held, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go

@@ -81,6 +81,13 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 				"It usually catches up by itself.", m, m),
 			Resolved: m + " applied the change"}
 	}),
+	kindApplyFailing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
+		return words{Headline: m + " is not applying its update",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s has refused or only partly applied what the mesh sent it, again and again. "+
+				"The details say what fails.", conditions.Capital(m)),
+			Resolved: m + " applies what it is sent again"}
+	}),
 	"tools-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Tools on " + m + " are not answering",
@@ -175,6 +182,20 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 				"register it, so it was not made.", module, m),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: " + module + " on " + m + " is settled"}
 	}),
+	// The controller or the node-engine kept at the build a machine was last sent, over an older record (novox/hq
+	// issue 201).
+	kindCoreDowngrade: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
+		component := idPart(o, 0)
+		if o.Scope != conditions.ScopeCore || !guarded(component) {
+			component = "core component"
+		}
+		return words{Headline: m + " keeps a newer " + component + " than the mesh holds",
+			Needs: fmt.Sprintf("push %s to take the older build, or a newer merge or rebuild moves the record forward.", m),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh's record of its own %s is older than the build %s was last sent, so "+
+				"the mesh's sends keep the newer one there rather than put it back.", component, m),
+			Resolved: "Resolved: " + m + " runs the " + component + " the mesh holds"}
+	}),
 	kindBindingKept: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "A module's data source is held on " + m,

cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -133,6 +134,11 @@ func planFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodeName string) (catalogue.Reso
 	if _, err := keepRecorded(ctx, open, nodeName, shelf); err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
 	}
+	// And a module that may not join yet, at the build it ran before (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, ADR 0334).
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, inv, nodeName, shelf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
+	}
 
 	resolved, err := catalogue.Resolve(shelf, assigned,
 		catalogue.Node{Name: nodeName, Site: site, Capabilities: capabilities,
@@ -218,6 +224,10 @@ func planFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodeName string) (catalogue.Reso
 		}
 		settings[m.Module] = layers
 	}
+	// A held module with the settings it last ran with (ADR 0328 §8).
+	if err := heldSettings(ctx, inv, nodeName, held, settings); err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Resolution{}, nil, err
+	}
 	return resolved, settings, nil
 }
 
@@ -292,7 +302,7 @@ func theRestOfTheMesh(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory,
 		if err != nil {
 			// Said, not skipped: a machine dropped here offers nothing and holds nothing as far
 			// as every other machine's plan can tell (novox/hq issue 188).
-			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "%s is left out of the rest of the mesh: it does not resolve: %v\n", o.node.Name, err)
+			sayLeftOut(ctx, o.node.Name, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		firstHeld = append(firstHeld, got.Claims...)
@@ -337,7 +347,7 @@ func theRestOfTheMesh(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory,
 			// resolved without its offers, and one that consumes them cannot resolve here by
 			// design — that is not the machine being dropped, it is the view being partial.
 			if exclude == "" {
-				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "%s is left out of the rest of the mesh: it does not resolve: %v\n", o.node.Name, err)
+				sayLeftOut(ctx, o.node.Name, err)
 			}
 			continue
 		}
@@ -347,6 +357,35 @@ func theRestOfTheMesh(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory,
 	return world, nil
 }
 
+// leftOutKey carries where theRestOfTheMesh says a machine it leaves out, for an act that answers with
+// its own resolution instead (novox/hq issue 237).
+type leftOutKey struct{}
+
+// leftOutSaidBy is ctx with theRestOfTheMesh's "left out" lines written to w rather than to standard
+// error.
+//
+// **An act's answer is one resolution taken after its write** (novox/hq issue 237, decided 2026-10-11).
+// `assign` read the whole mesh once before its write — to record the seats held by derivation — and that
+// read said, on standard error, that the node did not resolve for lack of the seat the act was about to
+// give it. The controller seat's verb answers with both streams, so the stale line came last, after the
+// act's own "now has it held", and named as its remedy the assignment just made. An act gives io.Discard
+// here: what the node resolves to after the write is said by its own planFor, and every other machine
+// that does not resolve by blockedElsewhere, both read after the write.
+func leftOutSaidBy(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, leftOutKey{}, w)
+}
+
+// sayLeftOut says that a machine is left out of the rest of the mesh, where ctx says to: standard
+// error unless an act said otherwise. Said, not skipped: a machine dropped there offers nothing and
+// holds nothing as far as every other machine's plan can tell (novox/hq issue 188).
+func sayLeftOut(ctx context.Context, node string, err error) {
+	w, ok := ctx.Value(leftOutKey{}).(io.Writer)
+	if !ok {
+		w = os.Stderr
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s is left out of the rest of the mesh: it does not resolve: %v\n", node, err)
+}
+
 // declarationFor is everything a node would be sent.
 //
 // One place, because there were three and one of them was written before credentials existed and
@@ -418,7 +457,8 @@ func declarationWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return sendable{}, err
 	}
-	out := sendable{Resources: composed.Resources, Adoption: adoption,
+	out := sendable{Resources: composed.Resources, Adoption: adoption, Groups: composed.Groups,
+		Identities: composed.Identities, Libraries: composed.Libraries,
 		Received: composed.Received, Mesh: with.Mesh, BusUsers: with.BusUsers,
 		LeftOut: sortedKeysOf(composed.LeftOut), leftOutWhy: composed.LeftOut, withheld: with.Withheld,
 		unbound: with.Unbound, foreseen: composed.Foreseen, unplaced: composed.Unplaced,
@@ -442,11 +482,22 @@ func declarationWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 			names = append(names, m.Module)
 		}
 		out.Builds = carriedBuilds(names, composed.LeftOut, current, before)
-		// A recorded module kept at the build the machine runs is recorded as carrying that one (ADR 0245).
+		// A recorded module kept at the build the machine runs is recorded as carrying that one (ADR 0245), and so
+		// is a joining module held at the build it ran before (ADR 0328 §8).
 		kept, err := recordedKept(ctx, open, node)
 		if err != nil {
 			return sendable{}, err
 		}
+		held, err := holdJoining(ctx, open.inventory, node, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return sendable{}, err
+		}
+		if kept == nil && len(held) > 0 {
+			kept = map[string]string{}
+		}
+		for m, h := range held {
+			kept[m] = h.commit
+		}
 		for m, was := range kept {
 			if _, carried := out.Builds[m]; carried {
 				out.Builds[m] = was
@@ -561,6 +612,13 @@ func busCredentialIssued(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node, mo
 	return nil
 }
 
+// givenUnderAnOldKey is the refusal for a value a person gave — a family's member, or an own secret issued outside
+// the mesh — sealed to a key the machine no longer holds: the mesh cannot make another, so it is given again.
+func givenUnderAnOldKey(module, node, name string) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s holds %q, which was given to the mesh rather than made by it, and %s has "+
+		"since generated a new sealing key. The mesh cannot make another; give it again", module, node, name, node)
+}
+
 // renderingFor is everything a node's declaration is composed with, and the node's record.
 func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	plan catalogue.Resolution, settings catalogue.SettingsBy,
@@ -679,10 +737,7 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 				}
 				if !g.Current {
 					if choosing == Allocating {
-						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, fmt.Errorf(
-							"%s on %s holds %q, which was given to the mesh rather than made by it, and %s has "+
-								"since generated a new sealing key. The mesh cannot make another; give it again",
-							m.Module, node, g.Name, node)
+						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, givenUnderAnOldKey(m.Module, node, g.Name)
 					}
 					continue
 				}
@@ -692,7 +747,31 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 				needed[m.Module][g.Name] = g.Sealed
 			}
 		}
-		for name := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+		for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+			// **An own secret issued outside the mesh is never made** (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228; ADR 0283 for
+			// a family): only a value a person gave is placed. One not given is nothing — no file, and an empty
+			// value where a file of the module names it — so the module can tell it was not given, where a value
+			// the mesh made looked given and wrong. A value the mesh made for it before is not one either.
+			if own.IssuedBy == catalogue.IssuedOutside {
+				g, given, err := inv.GivenOwnSecret(ctx, node, m.Module, name)
+				if err != nil {
+					return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
+				}
+				if !given {
+					continue
+				}
+				if !g.Current {
+					if choosing == Allocating {
+						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, givenUnderAnOldKey(m.Module, node, name)
+					}
+					continue
+				}
+				if needed[m.Module] == nil {
+					needed[m.Module] = map[string]string{}
+				}
+				needed[m.Module][name] = g.Sealed
+				continue
+			}
 			// Minted on the send path and only read on every other. Making one is an insert, and
 			// a question that writes is a question that can block against the machine it is about.
 			var sealed string
@@ -918,9 +997,17 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
 	}
+	// The libraries, the numbers of the modules that join and of the libraries' groups, and which libraries are taken
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0328), to an engine that keeps libraries.
+	lf, err := libraryFacts(ctx, inv, node, plan, choosing)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
+	}
 	return catalogue.Rendering{
-		ReadsHealth:   readsHealth,
-		JudgesRoot:    judgesRoot,
+		ReadsHealth:    readsHealth,
+		JudgesRoot:     judgesRoot,
+		KeepsLibraries: lf.keeps, Identities: lf.identities, Libraries: lf.libraries, LibraryGroups: lf.groups,
+		TakenLibraries: lf.taken, LibraryPaths: lf.paths, RunnerJoinsOwnGroups: lf.ownGroups,
 		BusMembership: memberships[node],
 		Settings:      settings, Generators: gens, Grants: grants, Needed: needed, Foreseen: foreseen, Ports: ports,
 		Certificate: certificate, Authority: authority, Mesh: private, Names: names,
@@ -953,6 +1040,132 @@ func engineJudgesRoot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string
 	return had && stated.Contract >= link.RootContract, nil
 }
 
+// engineKeepsLibraries says whether a machine's node-engine makes the mesh's users and library groups, keeps
+// libraries, and keeps a joining module's own groups (novox/hq ADR 0328, ADR 0334: its statement's contract is
+// link.OwnGroupContract or later), by its own newest statement. On an older one no module joins: the libraries
+// alone are not enough, since its tools would lose their read of a joining module's directories.
+func engineKeepsLibraries(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (bool, error) {
+	stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return had && stated.Contract >= link.OwnGroupContract, nil
+}
+
+// libraryRendering is what a machine's composition needs of ADR 0328.
+type libraryRendering struct {
+	keeps      bool
+	identities map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity
+	libraries  map[string]catalogue.Library
+	groups     map[string]int
+	taken      map[string]bool
+	paths      map[string][]string
+	ownGroups  bool
+}
+
+// libraryFacts reads what a machine's composition needs of ADR 0328: the libraries and their group numbers, the
+// numbers of the modules here that join, which libraries are taken, and the sub-paths every module asks of each. **A number is allocated only on the send path** (Allocating),
+// as a port is: a question about what would be sent reads what was allocated. The libraries are read for every engine,
+// so a module that joins is left out, naming why, where its engine cannot be told it does.
+func libraryFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, plan catalogue.Resolution,
+	choosing Choosing) (libraryRendering, error) {
+	var lf libraryRendering
+	joining := false
+	for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+		joining = joining || catalogue.Joins(m)
+	}
+	libs, err := inv.Libraries(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return lf, err
+	}
+	reached := false
+	for _, l := range libs {
+		reached = reached || l.Reaches(node)
+	}
+	if !joining && !reached {
+		return lf, nil // nothing here joins, and no library reaches it: composed exactly as before (§14)
+	}
+	lf.libraries = libs
+	if lf.keeps, err = engineKeepsLibraries(ctx, inv, node); err != nil || !lf.keeps {
+		return lf, err
+	}
+	lf.ownGroups = true // a module joins only on an engine that also keeps its own groups (ADR 0334)
+	lf.identities = map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}
+	for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+		if !catalogue.Joins(m) {
+			continue
+		}
+		var id catalogue.ModuleIdentity
+		had := true
+		if choosing == Allocating {
+			id, err = inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, m.Module)
+		} else {
+			id, had, err = inv.IdentityOf(ctx, m.Module)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return lf, err
+		}
+		if had {
+			lf.identities[m.Module] = id
+		}
+	}
+	if lf.groups, err = inv.LibraryGroups(ctx); err != nil {
+		return lf, err
+	}
+	if choosing == Allocating {
+		for name, l := range libs {
+			if _, has := lf.groups[name]; has || !l.Reaches(node) {
+				continue
+			}
+			if lf.groups[name], err = inv.AllocateLibraryGroup(ctx, name); err != nil {
+				return lf, err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if lf.paths, err = inv.LibraryPaths(ctx); err != nil {
+		return lf, err
+	}
+	if lf.taken, err = librariesTaken(ctx, inv, libs); err != nil {
+		return lf, err
+	}
+	return lf, nil
+}
+
+// librariesTaken is which libraries are taken now (§7): recorded taken on the home they have, on the filesystem their
+// home's newest statement names — or stated kept by their home's engine, which keeps one it found empty without asking.
+func librariesTaken(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, libs map[string]catalogue.Library) (map[string]bool, error) {
+	recorded, err := inv.TakenLibraries(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for name, l := range libs {
+		t, was := recorded[name]
+		taken := was && t.Done && t.Home == l.Home && t.Root == l.Root
+		stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, l.Home)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if had {
+			for _, r := range stated.Resources {
+				kept := (r.Resource == libraryAccess+name || filepath.Clean(r.Target) == l.Root) &&
+					(r.Kind == link.KindAccess || r.Kind == link.KindLibrary)
+				if kept && r.State == link.StateHealthy {
+					taken = true
+				}
+				for _, w := range r.Waits {
+					if w.Access == libraryAccess+name && w.Reason == link.WaitKeep && w.Placed != "" && was &&
+						t.Placed != "" && w.Placed != t.Placed {
+						taken = false // it moved to another filesystem: not taken there until its new warrant
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		out[name] = taken
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // zonesInTheMesh is every zone a module in the mesh declares, where the mesh placed it (novox/hq ADR
 // 0199): the zone settled from that node's settings, the node's private address, the port the
 // answering listen is published on there.
@@ -1751,28 +1964,43 @@ func (l *unheldLogger) log(node string, unheld []catalogue.Unheld) {
 // which includes every one of a module just assigned — and each now met that was not. Nothing about
 // any other node, and nothing that was already true before the act.
 func unheldChange(shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node string, before, after []string) []string {
-	judge := func(names []string) map[string]catalogue.Unheld {
-		var set []catalogue.Manifest
-		for _, n := range names {
-			if m, known := shelf[n]; known {
-				set = append(set, m)
-			}
+	return unheldChangeTo(shelf, node, before, after, unheldOver(shelf, node, after))
+}
+
+// unheldOver is the node's unmet seat dependencies judged over a set of module names alone.
+func unheldOver(shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node string, names []string) []catalogue.Unheld {
+	var set []catalogue.Manifest
+	for _, n := range names {
+		if m, known := shelf[n]; known {
+			set = append(set, m)
 		}
-		out := map[string]catalogue.Unheld{}
-		for _, u := range catalogue.UnheldDependencies(shelf, node, set, nil) {
-			out[u.Module+" "+u.Seat] = u
-		}
-		return out
 	}
-	was, now := judge(before), judge(after)
+	return catalogue.UnheldDependencies(shelf, node, set, nil)
+}
+
+// unheldChangeTo is unheldChange with the node's dependencies as they now stand given: `now` is what
+// the act's one resolution after its write says is unmet, and `after` the modules that resolution has
+// on the node (novox/hq issue 237). A line about how things stand after the act is never judged from
+// anything else, so it cannot disagree with `plan` for the node.
+func unheldChangeTo(shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, node string, before, after []string,
+	now []catalogue.Unheld) []string {
+	key := func(u catalogue.Unheld) string { return u.Module + " " + u.Seat }
+	was := map[string]catalogue.Unheld{}
+	for _, u := range unheldOver(shelf, node, before) {
+		was[key(u)] = u
+	}
+	is := map[string]catalogue.Unheld{}
+	for _, u := range now {
+		is[key(u)] = u
+	}
 	var lines []string
-	for _, k := range sortedNames(now) {
+	for _, k := range sortedNames(is) {
 		if _, already := was[k]; !already {
-			lines = append(lines, "but "+now[k].String())
+			lines = append(lines, "but "+is[k].String())
 		}
 	}
 	for _, k := range sortedNames(was) {
-		if _, still := now[k]; still {
+		if _, still := is[k]; still {
 			continue
 		}
 		u := was[k]

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_ids.go

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+)
+
+// planID is every id the mesh gives a plan: a merge's walk or batch (plan-<nanoseconds>) or a release
+// (release-<nanoseconds>).
+var planID = regexp.MustCompile(`^(plan|release)-[0-9]+$`)
+
+// planIDArguments are the arguments of plans that name a plan. wait is among them for when it is declared
+// (novox/hq issue 229); an argument not declared is refused before this is asked.
+var planIDArguments = []string{"id", "wait", "stop", "close", "retry", "go"}
+
+// plainPlanIDs refuses a plans call naming a plan by anything but a plan's id (novox/hq issue 561): checked
+// once, where the call becomes a command line, so nothing else a caller sent reaches a command or the store.
+func plainPlanIDs(given map[string]string) error {
+	for _, arg := range planIDArguments {
+		if id, named := given[arg]; named && !planID.MatchString(id) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("plans %s: %q is not a plan's id (plan-<digits> or release-<digits>, as `plans` "+
+				"lists them); nothing was done", arg, id)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_ids_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// **A plan's id is checked once, where a call becomes a command line** (novox/hq issue 561): every argument of
+// plans that names a plan is refused unless it is an id the mesh gives a plan, so a quote never reaches a
+// command, nor the store behind it.
+func TestAPlanIdThatIsNoPlansIdIsRefusedBeforeACommandStarts(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, arg := range []string{"id", "stop", "close", "retry", "go"} {
+		for _, bad := range []string{"x' or '1'='1", "plan-1'", "plan-", "plan-1 2", "batch-1", "PLAN-1"} {
+			args := map[string]any{arg: bad}
+			if arg == "stop" || arg == "close" || arg == "go" {
+				args["why"] = "a test"
+			}
+			argv, err := argvFor("plans", args)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Errorf("plans %s %q was composed: %v", arg, bad, argv)
+				continue
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "is not a plan's id") {
+				t.Errorf("plans %s %q was refused for another reason: %v", arg, bad, err)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, good := range []string{"plan-1791813626034291775", "release-1791811938267404408"} {
+			args := map[string]any{arg: good}
+			if arg == "stop" || arg == "close" || arg == "go" {
+				args["why"] = "a test"
+			}
+			if _, err := argvFor("plans", args); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("plans %s %q was refused: %v", arg, good, err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_follow.go

@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// Following a plan (novox/hq issue 229): `plans wait <id>` holds its answer until the plan moves, reaches its
+// next tier or ends, or until its bound passes, and says which. Before it, an agent following a rollout had
+// `plans` answer once, in prose, and wrote a loop of its own round the mesh's tools to be told the plan moved.
+//
+// **No wait is longer than a call is answered within** (link.LongestAnswer, inside the console's thirty
+// seconds): a longer one would answer "still running" and leave its caller to ask `calls` — the loop again.
+// So a caller following a plan to its end asks again; each call answers the moment the plan moves.
+
+// maxPlanWait is the longest bound a wait takes, and the bound when none is given: what a call is answered
+// within, less the time a verb's command takes to start and read the store.
+var maxPlanWait = link.LongestAnswer - planWaitStart
+
+// planWaitStart is what the verb's window allows beyond the bound: starting the command and opening the stores.
+// A store slow enough to push the read and the answer past it degrades as any long call does: the caller is
+// answered that the call is still running, and `calls` with its id says what came of it.
+const planWaitStart = 5 * time.Second
+
+// planWaitEvery is how often a wait reads the plan again.
+const planWaitEvery = time.Second
+
+// The things a wait waits until.
+var planWaitUntil = []string{"moved", "tier", "done"}
+
+// planWaitAsked checks what a wait is asked for: until (moved when empty) and a bound (a duration, or a number
+// of seconds; maxPlanWait when empty).
+func planWaitAsked(until, bound string) (string, time.Duration, error) {
+	if until == "" {
+		until = "moved"
+	}
+	known := false
+	for _, u := range planWaitUntil {
+		known = known || u == until
+	}
+	if !known {
+		return "", 0, fmt.Errorf("a wait is until %s, not %q", strings.Join(planWaitUntil, ", "), until)
+	}
+	d := maxPlanWait
+	if bound = strings.TrimSpace(bound); bound != "" {
+		var err error
+		if secs, isNumber := strconv.Atoi(bound); isNumber == nil {
+			d = time.Duration(secs) * time.Second
+		} else if d, err = time.ParseDuration(bound); err != nil {
+			return "", 0, fmt.Errorf("the bound %q is not a duration (such as 20s) or a number of seconds", bound)
+		}
+		if d <= 0 || d > maxPlanWait {
+			return "", 0, fmt.Errorf("the bound is at most %s, the longest a call is answered within; %s was asked "+
+				"— to follow a plan longer, ask again: each call answers the moment the plan moves", maxPlanWait, d)
+		}
+	}
+	return until, d, nil
+}
+
+// planEnded is a plan that will not move again: done, failed or superseded. A batch being assembled is not one.
+func planEnded(p inventory.Plan) bool { return !p.Open() && !p.Batch() }
+
+// waitOnPlan reads the plan until what it waits for happens or the bound passes, and answers the plan as last
+// read and what ended the wait: moved (any save of it), tier (its tier changed), done (it ended — which ends
+// every wait, since nothing comes after it), or bound. Moved and tier are judged against the plan as first read.
+func waitOnPlan(ctx context.Context, read func(context.Context) (inventory.Plan, error), until string,
+	bound, every time.Duration) (inventory.Plan, string, error) {
+	first, err := read(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return inventory.Plan{}, "", err
+	}
+	if planEnded(first) {
+		return first, "done", nil
+	}
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(bound)
+	tick := time.NewTicker(every)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	last := first
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return last, "", ctx.Err()
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+		if !time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+			return last, "bound", nil
+		}
+		p, err := read(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return last, "", err
+		}
+		last = p
+		switch {
+		case planEnded(p):
+			return p, "done", nil
+		case until == "moved" && p.Revision != first.Revision:
+			return p, "moved", nil
+		case until == "tier" && p.Tier != first.Tier:
+			return p, "tier", nil
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// planWaited is what `plans wait` answers: the plan, what ended the wait, and the line a person reads (`text`,
+// which the verb answers as its output and not again in the data).
+type planWaited struct {
+	// Came is what ended the wait: moved, tier, done, or bound when nothing did.
+	Came   string     `json:"came"`
+	Until  string     `json:"until"`
+	Waited string     `json:"waited"`
+	Plan   planStatus `json:"plan"`
+	// Revision is the plan's as read: a caller asking again with the same plan sees whether it moved since.
+	Revision int64  `json:"revision"`
+	Text     string `json:"text"`
+}
+
+func planWaitedDoc(p inventory.Plan, st planStatus, until, came string, waited time.Duration, line string) planWaited {
+	said := map[string]string{
+		"moved": "moved", "tier": "reached another tier", "done": "ended",
+		"bound": "did not " + map[string]string{"moved": "move", "tier": "reach another tier", "done": "end"}[until],
+	}[came]
+	text := fmt.Sprintf("%s %s in %s (waited until %s)\n%s — %s\n", p.ID, said, waited.Round(time.Second), until,
+		p.ID, line)
+	return planWaited{Came: came, Until: until, Waited: waited.Round(time.Millisecond).String(), Plan: st,
+		Revision: p.Revision, Text: text}
+}
+
+// planWaitCommand is `plans wait <id>`: the plan followed until it moves, or the bound passes.
+func planWaitCommand(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, id, untilAsked, boundAsked string) error {
+	until, bound, err := planWaitAsked(untilAsked, boundAsked)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	began := time.Now()
+	p, came, err := waitOnPlan(ctx, func(ctx context.Context) (inventory.Plan, error) {
+		return inv.PlanByID(ctx, id)
+	}, until, bound, planWaitEvery)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// Said as `plans <id>` says its first line, and as `status` says the plan.
+	now, one := time.Now(), []inventory.Plan{p}
+	bounds, pause := readTierBounds(ctx, inv, now), buildSeatPause(ctx, inv, one)
+	line := planLineSaid(p, now, pause, bounds.of(p.Repository), func(module string) []string {
+		on, _ := inv.Running(ctx, module)
+		return on
+	}, waitsOf(ctx, inv, one))
+	doc := planWaitedDoc(p, planStatuses(one, now, pause, bounds)[0], until, came, now.Sub(began), line)
+	return json.NewEncoder(os.Stdout).Encode(doc)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_follow_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// A plan as the store would answer it at each read: the reads are counted, and each answers the next.
+type planReads struct {
+	plans []inventory.Plan
+	n     int
+}
+
+func (r *planReads) read(context.Context) (inventory.Plan, error) {
+	p := r.plans[min(r.n, len(r.plans)-1)]
+	r.n++
+	return p, nil
+}
+
+func followedPlan(rev int64, state string, tier int) inventory.Plan {
+	return inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-1", Repository: "novox/x", Commit: "abc", State: state, Tier: tier,
+		Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}}, Revision: rev}
+}
+
+// **`plans` waits for a plan, and says what ended the wait** (novox/hq issue 229): an agent following a
+// rollout is told when the plan moved, reached its next tier or ended, or that the bound passed — in one
+// call, without a loop of its own.
+func TestAWaitForAPlanEndsWhenWhatItWaitsForHappens(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name  string
+		until string
+		reads []inventory.Plan
+		came  string
+		times int
+	}{
+		{"moved: any save", "moved", []inventory.Plan{
+			followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0), followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0),
+			followedPlan(2, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0)}, "moved", 3},
+		{"tier: a save inside the tier is not enough", "tier", []inventory.Plan{
+			followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0), followedPlan(2, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0),
+			followedPlan(3, inventory.PlanRolling, 1)}, "tier", 3},
+		{"tier: a plan that ended has no next tier to wait for", "tier", []inventory.Plan{
+			followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0), followedPlan(2, inventory.PlanFailed, 0)}, "done", 2},
+		{"done: a new tier is not the end", "done", []inventory.Plan{
+			followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0), followedPlan(2, inventory.PlanRolling, 1),
+			followedPlan(3, inventory.PlanDone, 1)}, "done", 3},
+		{"done: a plan already ended answers at once", "done", []inventory.Plan{
+			followedPlan(4, inventory.PlanSuperseded, 1)}, "done", 1},
+		{"the bound passes", "moved", []inventory.Plan{followedPlan(1, inventory.PlanBuilding, 0)}, "bound", -1},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := &planReads{plans: c.reads}
+			p, came, err := waitOnPlan(context.Background(), r.read, c.until, 50*time.Millisecond, time.Millisecond)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if came != c.came {
+				t.Fatalf("the wait ended as %q, want %q", came, c.came)
+			}
+			if c.times > 0 && r.n != c.times {
+				t.Errorf("read the plan %d times, want %d: it answered before or after what it waited for", r.n, c.times)
+			}
+			if want := c.reads[min(r.n, len(c.reads))-1]; p.Revision != want.Revision {
+				t.Errorf("answered revision %d, not the plan as it was last read (%d)", p.Revision, want.Revision)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// What a wait is asked for is checked before anything is read: what it waits until, and a bound no longer than
+// a call is answered within.
+func TestAWaitIsRefusedWhatItCannotDo(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, bad := range []struct{ until, bound string }{{"landed", ""}, {"", "1h"}, {"", "-3s"}, {"", "soon"}} {
+		if _, _, err := planWaitAsked(bad.until, bad.bound); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("until %q, bound %q was taken", bad.until, bad.bound)
+		}
+	}
+	until, bound, err := planWaitAsked("", "")
+	if err != nil || until != "moved" || bound != maxPlanWait {
+		t.Fatalf("the defaults are %q %s %v, want moved and %s", until, bound, err, maxPlanWait)
+	}
+	if _, bound, _ := planWaitAsked("tier", "12"); bound != 12*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("a bare number is seconds; read %s", bound)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The answer is data, with its prose as a field beside it** (novox/hq issue 229): the verb's `answer` carries
+// the plan and what ended the wait, and its output is the line a person reads — never JSON inside a string.
+func TestAWaitForAPlanAnswersAsData(t *testing.T) {
+	p := followedPlan(7, inventory.PlanRolling, 1)
+	st := planStatuses([]inventory.Plan{p}, time.Now(), pauseView{}, tierBounds{})[0]
+	doc := planWaitedDoc(p, st, "tier", "tier", 3*time.Second, "rolling, tier 2 of 2")
+	stdout, _ := json.Marshal(doc)
+	a := answerOf([]string{"plans", "wait", "plan-1"}, stdout, "", true)
+	data, ok := a.Answer.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("the answer is not data: %v", a.Answer)
+	}
+	if data["came"] != "tier" || data["revision"] != float64(7) {
+		t.Errorf("the data does not say what ended the wait: %v", data)
+	}
+	if plan, _ := data["plan"].(map[string]any); plan["state"] != "rolling" || plan["tier"] != float64(1) {
+		t.Errorf("the data does not carry the plan: %v", data["plan"])
+	}
+	if _, text := data["text"]; text {
+		t.Errorf("the prose is in the data too: %v", data)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(a.Output, "{") || !strings.Contains(a.Output, "plan-1") || !strings.Contains(a.Output, "tier") {
+		t.Errorf("the output is not the line a person reads: %q", a.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+// The verb composes the wait, and asks for a window as long as its bound.
+func TestThePlansVerbComposesAWait(t *testing.T) {
+	argv, err := argvFor("plans", map[string]any{"wait": "plan-1", "until": "done", "bound": "15s"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(argv, " "); got != "plans wait plan-1 --until done --bound 15s" {
+		t.Fatalf("composed %q", got)
+	}
+	if _, err := argvFor("plans", map[string]any{"until": "done"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("until without wait was taken")
+	}
+	if _, err := argvFor("plans", map[string]any{"wait": "plan-1", "bound": "1h"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a bound past what a call can wait was taken")
+	}
+}
+
+// Live, with the store: `plans wait` run as the verb runs it answers when the plan reaches its next tier, as
+// data, and says the bound passed when nothing moved (novox/hq issue 229).
+func TestAPlanFollowedFromTheStoreAnswersWhenItMoves(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	walk := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-229", Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Branch: "main", Commit: "c229c229",
+		Created: now, State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {}, "b": {}}}
+	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &walk); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	moved := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		time.Sleep(1500 * time.Millisecond)
+		p, err := open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, walk.ID)
+		if err == nil {
+			p.Tier, p.State = 1, inventory.PlanRolling
+			err = open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &p)
+		}
+		moved <- err
+	}()
+	began := time.Now()
+	var got planWaited
+	out := printed(t, func() error {
+		return plansCommand(ctx, []string{"wait", walk.ID, "--until", "tier", "--bound", "15s"})
+	})
+	if err := <-moved; err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(out), &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("plans wait did not answer data: %v: %q", err, out)
+	}
+	if got.Came != "tier" || got.Plan.Tier != 1 || got.Plan.State != inventory.PlanRolling {
+		t.Fatalf("the wait answered %+v", got)
+	}
+	if waited := time.Since(began); waited > 10*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("it answered after %s, not when the plan moved", waited)
+	}
+	out = printed(t, func() error {
+		return plansCommand(ctx, []string{"wait", walk.ID, "--bound", "2"})
+	})
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(out), &got); err != nil || got.Came != "bound" || got.Until != "moved" {
+		t.Fatalf("a plan that did not move answered %+v (%v)", got, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// The verb's schema says the longest bound in words, and the words are the value (review 75 on #266): the
+// catalogue cannot read maxPlanWait, so this holds them together.
+func TestThePlansSchemaSaysTheLongestBoundThereIs(t *testing.T) {
+	v, ok := controllerVerb("plans")
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("no plans verb")
+	}
+	props, _ := v.Input["properties"].(map[string]any)
+	bound, _ := props["bound"].(map[string]any)
+	said, _ := bound["description"].(string)
+	if !strings.Contains(said, maxPlanWait.String()+", the default, is the longest") {
+		t.Fatalf("the schema says %q; the longest bound is %s", said, maxPlanWait)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/push.go

@@ -1027,6 +1027,9 @@ func (b overTheBus) declare(ctx context.Context, s readyNode, body []byte) (stri
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
+	// A send that carried the mesh's record of the controller and the node-engine — a person's push included —
+	// ends the condition of one kept over it (novox/hq issue 201).
+	settleCoreDowngrades(ctx, b.open.inventory, s.node, s.declared.Builds)
 	if len(s.declared.Bindings) > 0 {
 		// And where it bound each consumer of a provision that keeps its data (novox/hq ADR 0232):
 		// what the next resolution keeps it at. On the same outliving context as the send's record.

cmd/mesh-controller/queue.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -67,18 +68,95 @@ func listQueue(ctx context.Context, args []string, w io.Writer) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	now := time.Now()
 	if *asJSON {
-		body, err := json.MarshalIndent(q, "", "  ")
+		body, err := json.MarshalIndent(queueAnswerOf(q, now), "", "  ")
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintln(w, string(body))
 		return nil
 	}
-	fmt.Fprint(w, queueText(q, time.Now()))
+	fmt.Fprint(w, queueText(q, now))
 	return nil
 }
 
+// queueAnswer is the queue as data (novox/hq issue 455): what a caller reads to say how far back an ask
+// waits — "waiting in the build queue behind 2" — which the table alone could not tell it. Text is the
+// table, written from the same read: the verb answers it as its output and the rest as its answer, so the
+// two never disagree.
+type queueAnswer struct {
+	Seat       string         `json:"seat"`
+	Waiting    int            `json:"waiting"`
+	InFlight   int            `json:"in-flight"`
+	Dead       int            `json:"dead"`
+	MaxDeliver int            `json:"max-deliver"`
+	Asks       []queuedAnswer `json:"asks"`
+	Text       string         `json:"text"`
+}
+
+// queuedAnswer is one ask as data. Never what the request carries beyond its source — not `held`, every
+// artifact the mesh has built, nor a check's checkouts beside it.
+type queuedAnswer struct {
+	ID    string `json:"id"`
+	State string `json:"state"`
+	// Kind is "check" for a pull request's merge check, "build" for anything else.
+	Kind       string `json:"kind"`
+	Repository string `json:"repository"`
+	Path       string `json:"path,omitempty"`
+	Ref        string `json:"ref,omitempty"`
+	// Commit is the ref when it names a commit; empty when the ask follows a branch or the default.
+	Commit string `json:"commit,omitempty"`
+	// Machine is the one building an ask in flight; WasOn the one that started it and handed it back.
+	Machine string    `json:"machine,omitempty"`
+	WasOn   string    `json:"was-on,omitempty"`
+	AskedAt time.Time `json:"asked-at,omitzero"`
+	// Since is when the ask came to its state: its start on the machine for one in flight that a
+	// machine said it started, otherwise when it was asked.
+	Since time.Time `json:"since,omitzero"`
+	// Position is its place among the waiting, 1 being handed out next; 0 for an ask not waiting.
+	Position int    `json:"position,omitempty"`
+	Seq      uint64 `json:"seq"`
+}
+
+// aCommitRef is a ref that names a commit by its full hash (SHA-1 or SHA-256).
+var aCommitRef = regexp.MustCompile(`^(?:[0-9a-f]{40}|[0-9a-f]{64})$`)
+
+// queueAnswerOf is the queue as data, in the table's order: in flight, the waiting from the next one to
+// be handed out, then the dead. A pure function of one read (novox/hq issue 455).
+func queueAnswerOf(q link.Queue, now time.Time) queueAnswer {
+	waiting, running, dead := q.Of(link.AskWaiting), q.Of(link.AskInFlight), q.Of(link.AskDead)
+	out := queueAnswer{Seat: q.Seat, Waiting: len(waiting), InFlight: len(running), Dead: len(dead),
+		MaxDeliver: q.MaxDeliver, Asks: []queuedAnswer{}, Text: queueText(q, now)}
+	one := func(a link.QueuedAsk, position int) queuedAnswer {
+		kind := "build"
+		if a.Request.Check != nil {
+			kind = "check"
+		}
+		since := a.AskedAt
+		if a.State == link.AskInFlight && a.On != "" && !a.Started.IsZero() {
+			since = a.Started
+		}
+		commit := ""
+		if aCommitRef.MatchString(a.Ref) {
+			commit = a.Ref
+		}
+		return queuedAnswer{ID: a.ID, State: a.State, Kind: kind, Repository: link.WithoutPassword(a.Repository), Path: a.Path,
+			Ref: a.Ref, Commit: commit, Machine: a.On, WasOn: a.Was, AskedAt: a.AskedAt, Since: since,
+			Position: position, Seq: a.Seq}
+	}
+	for _, a := range running {
+		out.Asks = append(out.Asks, one(a, 0))
+	}
+	for i, a := range waiting {
+		out.Asks = append(out.Asks, one(a, i+1))
+	}
+	for _, a := range dead {
+		out.Asks = append(out.Asks, one(a, 0))
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // queueText is the queue as a person reads it: a summary line, then each kind in queue order.
 // Never what an ask carries as `held` — that is every artifact the mesh has built.
 func queueText(q link.Queue, now time.Time) string {
@@ -92,7 +170,7 @@ func queueText(q link.Queue, now time.Time) string {
 		return "asked " + now.Sub(t).Round(time.Second).String() + " ago"
 	}
 	what := func(a link.QueuedAsk) string {
-		s := a.Repository
+		s := link.WithoutPassword(a.Repository)
 		if a.Path != "" {
 			s += " at " + a.Path
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/queue_answer_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The queue answers as data as well as text (novox/hq issue 455): each ask's repository, commit, kind,
+// machine, since and position among the waiting, read from the same queue the table is written from.
+
+const aCommit = "0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567"
+
+func aQueueOfEachKind(now time.Time) link.Queue {
+	asked := now.Add(-5 * time.Minute)
+	started := now.Add(-2 * time.Minute)
+	return link.Queue{Seat: link.TheBuildMachine, Delivered: 2, AckPending: 1, MaxDeliver: 5, Asks: []link.QueuedAsk{
+		{Seq: 1, ID: "build-dead", Repository: "ssh://forge/novox/x", AskedAt: asked, State: link.AskDead},
+		{Seq: 2, ID: "build-running", Repository: "ssh://forge/novox/mesh-host", Ref: aCommit, AskedAt: asked,
+			State: link.AskInFlight, On: "ace", Started: started,
+			Request: link.BuildRequest{ID: "build-running", Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host"}}},
+		{Seq: 3, ID: "build-first", Repository: "ssh://forge/novox/mesh-catalog", Ref: "main", AskedAt: asked,
+			State: link.AskWaiting},
+		{Seq: 4, ID: "build-second", Repository: "ssh://forge/novox/mesh-catalog", Path: "modules/gitea", Ref: aCommit,
+			AskedAt: now.Add(-time.Minute), State: link.AskWaiting,
+			Request: link.BuildRequest{ID: "build-second", Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog"}}},
+	}}
+}
+
+func TestTheQueueVerbAnswersEachAskAsData(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 12, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	q := aQueueOfEachKind(now)
+	got := queueAnswerOf(q, now)
+	if got.Waiting != 2 || got.InFlight != 1 || got.Dead != 1 || got.Seat != link.TheBuildMachine {
+		t.Fatalf("counts: %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.Text != queueText(q, now) {
+		t.Fatalf("the data's text is not the table read from the same queue:\n%s", got.Text)
+	}
+	byID := map[string]queuedAnswer{}
+	for _, a := range got.Asks {
+		byID[a.ID] = a
+	}
+	running := byID["build-running"]
+	if running.Kind != "check" || running.Machine != "ace" || running.Commit != aCommit || running.Position != 0 ||
+		!running.Since.Equal(now.Add(-2*time.Minute)) || running.State != link.AskInFlight {
+		t.Errorf("in flight: %+v", running)
+	}
+	first, second := byID["build-first"], byID["build-second"]
+	if first.Position != 1 || first.Kind != "build" || first.Commit != "" || first.Ref != "main" || first.Machine != "" ||
+		!first.Since.Equal(now.Add(-5*time.Minute)) {
+		t.Errorf("first waiting: %+v", first)
+	}
+	if second.Position != 2 || second.Kind != "check" || second.Commit != aCommit || second.Path != "modules/gitea" ||
+		second.Repository != "ssh://forge/novox/mesh-catalog" {
+		t.Errorf("second waiting: %+v", second)
+	}
+	if dead := byID["build-dead"]; dead.Position != 0 || dead.State != link.AskDead {
+		t.Errorf("dead: %+v", dead)
+	}
+	// In the table's order: in flight, then the waiting by position, then the dead.
+	var order []string
+	for _, a := range got.Asks {
+		order = append(order, a.ID)
+	}
+	if want := []string{"build-running", "build-first", "build-second", "build-dead"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(order, want) {
+		t.Errorf("order %v, want %v", order, want)
+	}
+}
+
+// The verb asks its command for JSON, and its answer carries the data while its output stays the table a
+// person reads, so a text caller reads what it always did.
+func TestTheQueueVerbKeepsTheTableAndCarriesTheData(t *testing.T) {
+	argv, err := argvFor("queue", nil)
+	if err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(argv, []string{"queue", "--json"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("queue's command line: %v %v", argv, err)
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	q := aQueueOfEachKind(now)
+	body, err := json.Marshal(queueAnswerOf(q, now))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	answer := answerOf(argv, body, "", true)
+	if answer.Output != queueText(q, now) {
+		t.Fatalf("the output is not the table:\n%s", answer.Output)
+	}
+	data, ok := answer.Answer.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("no data: %#v", answer.Answer)
+	}
+	if _, doubled := data["text"]; doubled {
+		t.Error("the table is said twice: once as the output and again inside the data")
+	}
+	asks, _ := data["asks"].([]any)
+	if len(asks) != 4 || data["waiting"] != float64(2) {
+		t.Fatalf("data: %v", data)
+	}
+	second := asks[2].(map[string]any)
+	if second["position"] != float64(2) || second["kind"] != "check" || second["commit"] != aCommit {
+		t.Errorf("second waiting: %v", second)
+	}
+	for _, a := range asks {
+		if _, held := a.(map[string]any)["held"]; held {
+			t.Error("an ask carries what the mesh holds")
+		}
+	}
+	// A failure is said as text, as before.
+	failed := answerOf(argv, nil, "mesh-controller: the bus cannot be reached\n", false)
+	if failed.Answer != nil || !strings.Contains(failed.Output, "cannot be reached") {
+		t.Errorf("a failure: %+v", failed)
+	}
+}
+
+// A repository named with a password never shows it, in the table or the data.
+func TestTheQueueNeverShowsARepositorysPassword(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := link.WithoutPassword("https://agent:s3cret@forge.example/novox/x.git"); strings.Contains(got, "s3cret") ||
+		!strings.Contains(got, "agent@forge.example/novox/x.git") {
+		t.Errorf("redacted: %s", got)
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	q := link.Queue{Seat: link.TheBuildMachine, Asks: []link.QueuedAsk{{Seq: 1, ID: "build-1",
+		Repository: "https://agent:s3cret@forge.example/novox/x.git", State: link.AskWaiting}}}
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(queueAnswerOf(q, now))
+	if strings.Contains(string(body), "s3cret") {
+		t.Errorf("the queue said a password: %s", body)
+	}
+	for _, kept := range []string{"ssh://git@forge:222/novox/x.git", "novox/x", "git@forge:novox/x.git", ""} {
+		if got := link.WithoutPassword(kept); got != kept {
+			t.Errorf("%q became %q", kept, got)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/queue_test.go

@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ func TestTheQueueVerbsRunTheirCommands(t *testing.T) {
 		args map[string]any
 		want []string
 	}{
-		{"queue", nil, []string{"queue"}},
+		{"queue", nil, []string{"queue", "--json"}},
 		{"cancel", map[string]any{"id": "build-1"}, []string{"cancel", "build-1"}},
 		{"clear", nil, []string{"clear"}},
 		{"clear", map[string]any{"dead": "true"}, []string{"clear", "--dead"}},

cmd/mesh-controller/recorded_kept.go

@@ -135,6 +135,17 @@ func recordedKept(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (map[string]st
 		}
 		out[m] = was
 	}
+	// **And the controller and the node-engine at the build the machine was last sent, over an older record**
+	// (novox/hq issue 201, core_downgrade.go). Under keepingEveryBuild they are kept already.
+	if !every {
+		core, err := coreKept(ctx, inv, node, sent, current)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for m, was := range core {
+			out[m] = was
+		}
+	}
 	return out, nil
 }
 
@@ -159,6 +170,12 @@ func keepRecorded(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, shelf map[stri
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s runs %s's build %s, which the build records no longer hold: the bus's user "+
 				"list cannot be sent there alone with it kept (novox/hq issue 490)", node, m, short(kept[m]))
 		}
+		if !found && guarded(coreComponent(m)) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s was last sent %s's build %s, newer than the one the mesh holds, and the build records "+
+				"no longer hold it: this send cannot keep it and does not move it back — `push %s` sends the older build on "+
+				"a person's word, and a newer merge or `rebuild %s` moves the record forward (novox/hq issue 201)",
+				node, m, short(kept[m]), node, m)
+		}
 		if !found {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s records rather than rolls out, and %s runs its build %s, which the build "+
 				"records no longer hold: this send cannot keep it and does not move it — `push %s` sends the new "+

cmd/mesh-controller/release.go

@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ type sendScope struct {
 	modules map[string]bool
 	// person is a person's act: it carries what it carries.
 	person bool
+	// puttingBack is a gate's own put-back of its modules: the one send that may carry a core module to a build
+	// older than the one its machine runs (novox/hq issue 201).
+	puttingBack bool
 }
 
 type sendScopeKey struct{}
@@ -237,6 +240,47 @@ var machineMoves = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, f moveFacts, node str
 	return f.moves(node, modules, sent, known, all), nil
 }
 
+// withoutKept is a machine's moves less those its send keeps at the build the machine was last sent, and so does
+// not make: the grants step keeps every module (novox/hq issue 490), and every send keeps the controller and the
+// node-engine over an older record (issue 201). Read as the send composes it (sendKeeps, set after the checks that
+// call this), so a move it could not keep is still counted.
+func withoutKept(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, moves []inventory.CarriedMove) ([]inventory.CarriedMove, error) {
+	if len(moves) == 0 {
+		return moves, nil
+	}
+	keeping := ctx
+	if _, on := keptExcept(ctx); !on {
+		keeping = keepingRecorded(ctx)
+	}
+	keeps, err := recordedKept(keeping, open, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return moves, err
+	}
+	// And a joining module held at the build it runs (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8): its new build is no move this send makes,
+	// and judging it would read the gate as superseded by its own send (the re-review of 96e15f86, item 1).
+	held, err := holdJoining(ctx, open.inventory, node, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return moves, err
+	}
+	if len(held) > 0 && keeps == nil {
+		keeps = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	for m, h := range held {
+		keeps[m] = h.commit
+	}
+	if len(keeps) == 0 {
+		return moves, nil
+	}
+	var out []inventory.CarriedMove
+	for _, mv := range moves {
+		if was, kept := keeps[mv.Module]; kept && sameCommit(was, mv.From) {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, mv)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // ungatedIn refuses a send whose machines would move a build no gate has seen, outside its scope: the
 // machines named, and why; the machine holding the bus, added only for its user list, is left instead.
 func ungatedIn(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string, addedHolder string) ([]string, error) {
@@ -254,19 +298,11 @@ func ungatedIn(ctx context.Context, open *stores, names []string, addedHolder st
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		// The grants step composes every module at the build its machine was last sent (novox/hq issue 490):
-		// a move it keeps is not made. Read, not assumed, so a move it could not keep is still refused here.
-		var keeps map[string]string
-		if everyBuildKept(ctx, n) {
-			if keeps, err = recordedKept(ctx, open, n); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
+		if moves, err = withoutKept(ctx, open, n, moves); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
 		}
 		var waiting []string
 		for _, mv := range moves {
-			if was, kept := keeps[mv.Module]; kept && sameCommit(was, mv.From) {
-				continue
-			}
 			if !scope.judged[n] && !scope.modules[mv.Module] {
 				waiting = append(waiting, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s → %s", mv.Module, short(mv.From), short(mv.To)))
 			}
@@ -308,6 +344,11 @@ func gatedSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, owns []inventory.
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
+	// A move the send keeps is not made, and is no move for the gate to judge (novox/hq issue 201): a core module
+	// kept over an older record judged as moving back to it would read the gate as superseded by its own send.
+	if moves, err = withoutKept(ctx, open, node, moves); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
+	}
 	own := func(module string) bool {
 		return slices.ContainsFunc(owns, func(o inventory.CarriedMove) bool { return o.Module == module })
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go

@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 	// being behind. Now every module of the tier whose first machine is the same is sent there in one
 	// send, judged there by one gate — kept on the first of them, the others gated by it — and the rest
 	// of the tier's machines are sent once, together, when the gates have passed.
-	var pending []string
+	var pending, waitsForAPerson []string
 	firstOn := map[string][]string{}
 	runningOf := map[string][]string{}
 	var rest []string
@@ -706,6 +706,20 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			return false, err
 		}
 		runningOf[m] = running
+		// **A joining build held for a person is not sent** (novox/hq ADR 0328 §8, the re-review of 96e15f86): its
+		// machines keep the build they run until its library is taken (or their engine keeps own groups), so sending
+		// it would send nothing new and judge the old build. It waits for a person, said; the plan stays open, the other
+		// modules are sent and judged, and it is sent on the walk after nothing holds it — no new merge.
+		if state.FirstAt == nil {
+			why, err := heldIn(ctx, inv, m, running)
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, err
+			}
+			if why != "" {
+				waitsForAPerson = append(waitsForAPerson, why)
+				continue
+			}
+		}
 		// **A build whose source is unchanged is never a move** (novox/hq issue 280): made from the source
 		// of the build every machine running it was sent, it is registered with that build's artifacts —
 		// nothing to send, and nothing for a gate to judge.
@@ -868,9 +882,17 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 			strings.Join(sent, ", "))
 		return true, nil
 	}
-	if len(pending) > 0 {
-		note := "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + " built; waiting for " + strings.Join(pending, "; ") +
-			" to report it applied before the rest are sent"
+	if len(pending) > 0 || len(waitsForAPerson) > 0 {
+		note := "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + " built; "
+		if len(pending) > 0 {
+			note += "waiting for " + strings.Join(pending, "; ") + " to report it applied before the rest are sent"
+		}
+		if len(waitsForAPerson) > 0 {
+			if len(pending) > 0 {
+				note += "; and "
+			}
+			note += "waiting for a person: " + strings.Join(waitsForAPerson, "; ")
+		}
 		changed := p.State != inventory.PlanRolling || p.Note != note
 		p.State = inventory.PlanRolling
 		p.Note = note
@@ -1463,6 +1485,10 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	modules := set.String("modules", "", "or the modules it would change, comma-separated")
 	moduleDirs := set.String("module-dirs", "", "with --paths: the directories holding a module.json at the commit, "+
 		"comma-separated, as the forge's announcer says them (novox/hq issue 278)")
+	// Following a plan (novox/hq issue 229): `plans wait <id>`.
+	until := set.String("until", "", "with wait: what to wait for — moved (any change), tier (its next tier) or done (its end)")
+	bound := set.String("bound", "", "with wait: how long to wait at most, as 15s or seconds (default and at most the "+
+		"longest a call is answered within)")
 	// 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)
@@ -1482,6 +1508,9 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	defer open.Close()
 	inv := open.inventory
 	now := time.Now()
+	if len(positionals) == 2 && positionals[0] == "wait" {
+		return planWaitCommand(ctx, inv, positionals[1], *until, *bound)
+	}
 	if len(positionals) == 1 {
 		p, err := inv.PlanByID(ctx, positionals[0])
 		if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/replay237_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// TestReplay237 replays novox/hq issue 237 (2026-10-04): a workstation already ran a module that
+// depends on a node seat nothing there held, and the module holding that seat was assigned to it. The
+// answer said the seat was now held, and then that the workstation was left out of the rest of the mesh
+// for lack of it, naming as the remedy the assignment just made. `plan` for the node, right after,
+// resolved. The outcome asserted: every line of the answer, as the controller seat's verb gives it
+// (standard output, then standard error), agrees with `plan` for the node right after the act. Written
+// with only what the controller had before its fix — register, assign's command, planFor — so it is laid
+// over the commit before.
+func TestReplay237(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, aContainer("web"))
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "docker", Version: "1",
+		Claims: []catalogue.Claim{{Name: catalogue.ContainerRuntimeSeat, Scope: catalogue.ScopeNode}}})
+	// Already on the node, from before the rule refused it: the node does not resolve until the
+	// holder comes.
+	if _, err := open.inventory.Assign(ctx, "laptop", "web"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	said := answered(t, func() error { return assignCommand(ctx, "assign", []string{"laptop", "docker"}) })
+
+	if _, _, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("laptop does not resolve right after the act: %v\nthe answer was:\n%s", err, said)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(said, "web on laptop now has "+catalogue.ContainerRuntimeSeat+" held") {
+		t.Errorf("the answer does not say the seat is now held:\n%s", said)
+	}
+	for _, not := range []string{"laptop is left out", "does not resolve", "which nothing on laptop holds"} {
+		if strings.Contains(said, not) {
+			t.Errorf("the answer says %q, which `plan` right after contradicts:\n%s", not, said)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// answered is what a command says as the controller seat's verb answers it: standard output, then
+// standard error (answerOf).
+func answered(t *testing.T, f func() error) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	read := func(w **os.File) (func() string, error) {
+		old := *w
+		r, pw, err := os.Pipe()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		*w = pw
+		got := make(chan string)
+		go func() {
+			var buf bytes.Buffer
+			_, _ = io.Copy(&buf, r)
+			got <- buf.String()
+		}()
+		return func() string {
+			_ = pw.Close()
+			*w = old
+			return <-got
+		}, nil
+	}
+	stdout, err := read(&os.Stdout)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	stderr, err := read(&os.Stderr)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	runErr := f()
+	said := stdout() + stderr()
+	if runErr != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v\n%s", runErr, said)
+	}
+	return said
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/replay401_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// TestReplay401 replays novox/hq issue 401 (2026-10-10): the mounts module's smb-credentials, an own secret
+// only an outside party issues, was given by nobody, and the send made a random value for it and placed it on
+// the machine; the module read it as a credential given and wrong. The outcome asserted (ADR 0228): the send
+// makes no value for an own secret issued outside the mesh that nobody gave and places none, and a value the
+// mesh made for it before is not placed either; once a person gives one, that value is placed. Written with
+// only what the controller had before its fix (mesh-controller #262) — register, assign, planFor,
+// declarationFor and the inventory's secret reads — so it is laid over the commit before. Needs the store
+// (MESH_TEST_POSTGRES), and is named in testdata/store-tests.
+func TestReplay401(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	const made, outside = "/var/lib/mesh/mounts/password", "/var/lib/mesh/mounts/smb-credentials"
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mounts", Version: "1",
+		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{
+			"password":        {Path: made, Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart},
+			"smb-credentials": {Path: outside, Taken: catalogue.TakenAtStart, IssuedBy: catalogue.IssuedOutside},
+		},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "state", "type": "directory", "path": "/var/lib/mesh/mounts", "mode": "0700"},
+		}})
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "mounts"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	sent := func() []map[string]any {
+		t.Helper()
+		plan, settings, err := planFor(ctx, open, "laptop")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		declared, err := declarationFor(ctx, open, "laptop", plan, settings)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("the send to laptop did not compose: %v", err)
+		}
+		return declared.Resources
+	}
+	placed := func(resources []map[string]any, path string) map[string]any {
+		for _, r := range resources {
+			if r["path"] == path && r["sealed"] != nil {
+				return r
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	first := sent()
+	if placed(first, made) == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the secret the mesh makes was not placed")
+	}
+	if got := placed(first, outside); got != nil {
+		t.Errorf("the send placed a value for smb-credentials, which nobody gave: %v", got)
+	}
+	if _, held, err := open.inventory.ModuleSecretIfIssued(ctx, "laptop", "mounts", "smb-credentials"); err != nil || held {
+		t.Fatalf("the send made a value for a secret issued outside the mesh (held %v, %v)", held, err)
+	}
+
+	// A value the mesh made for it before the rule is not one a person gave: it is not placed.
+	if _, err := open.inventory.SecretForModule(ctx, "laptop", "mounts", "smb-credentials"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := placed(sent(), outside); got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a value the mesh made for a secret issued outside was placed: %v", got)
+	}
+
+	// Given by a person, it is placed, as given.
+	if err := open.inventory.AcceptSecretForModule(ctx, "laptop", "mounts", "smb-credentials", "the share's credentials"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	given, held, err := open.inventory.ModuleSecretIfIssued(ctx, "laptop", "mounts", "smb-credentials")
+	if err != nil || !held {
+		t.Fatalf("the value given is not held (%v)", err)
+	}
+	if got := placed(sent(), outside); got == nil || got["sealed"] != given {
+		t.Fatalf("the value given is placed as %v", got)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/seats.go

@@ -34,8 +34,10 @@ type seatRow struct {
 	Delivers string `json:"delivers,omitempty"`
 	Decision string `json:"decision"`
 	// Replicated says the seat may be held on several machines at once (novox/hq ADR 0223).
-	Replicated bool         `json:"replicated,omitempty"`
-	Holders    []seatHolder `json:"holders"`
+	Replicated bool `json:"replicated,omitempty"`
+	// Paths are the paths on its machine the seat's holder owns (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+	Paths   []catalogue.SeatPath `json:"paths,omitempty"`
+	Holders []seatHolder         `json:"holders"`
 }
 
 // seatsHeld is every seat the mesh defines with its holders, and every claim held that names no
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ func seatsHeld(seats []catalogue.Seat, held []catalogue.Held) ([]seatRow, []cata
 	rows := make([]seatRow, 0, len(seats))
 	for _, s := range seats {
 		row := seatRow{Seat: s.Name, Scope: s.Scope, Delivers: s.Delivers, Decision: s.Decision,
-			Replicated: s.Replicated, Holders: []seatHolder{}}
+			Replicated: s.Replicated, Paths: s.Paths, Holders: []seatHolder{}}
 		seen := map[seatHolder]bool{}
 		for _, h := range held {
 			// Resolve the held claim to a seat rather than comparing names, so a record naming a
@@ -255,12 +257,16 @@ func seatsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	rows, outside := seatsHeld(catalogue.Seats(), world.Held)
+	// Which module owns each seat's path on each machine (novox/hq ADR 0287): the seat naming it, and
+	// that seat's holder there, with the stepping back applied.
+	owners := catalogue.PathOwners(catalogue.Seats(), world.Held)
 
 	if *asJSON {
 		out := struct {
-			Seats   []seatRow        `json:"seats"`
-			Outside []catalogue.Held `json:"outside,omitempty"`
-		}{rows, outside}
+			Seats   []seatRow             `json:"seats"`
+			Owners  []catalogue.PathOwner `json:"path-owners,omitempty"`
+			Outside []catalogue.Held      `json:"outside,omitempty"`
+		}{rows, owners, outside}
 		body, err := json.MarshalIndent(out, "", "  ")
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -270,7 +276,7 @@ func seatsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	w := tabwriter.NewWriter(os.Stdout, 0, 0, 2, ' ', 0)
-	fmt.Fprintln(w, "SEAT\tSCOPE\tDELIVERS\tHELD BY")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "SEAT\tSCOPE\tDELIVERS\tPATHS\tHELD BY")
 	for _, r := range rows {
 		delivers := r.Delivers
 		if delivers == "" {
@@ -284,11 +290,22 @@ func seatsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			}
 			holders = strings.Join(parts, ", ")
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", r.Seat, r.Scope, delivers, holders)
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", r.Seat, r.Scope, delivers, seatPathsText(r.Paths), holders)
 	}
 	if err := w.Flush(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if len(owners) > 0 {
+		fmt.Println("\nwho owns each seat's path, by machine (novox/hq ADR 0287):")
+		w = tabwriter.NewWriter(os.Stdout, 0, 0, 2, ' ', 0)
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, "PATH\tMACHINE\tSEAT\tMODULE")
+		for _, o := range owners {
+			fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", o.Path, o.Node, o.Seat, o.Module)
+		}
+		if err := w.Flush(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
 	if len(outside) > 0 {
 		fmt.Println("\nheld, and not a seat this mesh defines (registered before the set closed — novox/hq ADR 0110):")
 		for _, h := range outside {
@@ -297,3 +314,19 @@ func seatsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// seatPathsText is a seat's paths in one column: each path, and the seat it steps back for, if any.
+func seatPathsText(paths []catalogue.SeatPath) string {
+	if len(paths) == 0 {
+		return "—"
+	}
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(paths))
+	for _, p := range paths {
+		if p.StepsBackFor != "" {
+			parts = append(parts, p.Path+" (steps back for "+p.StepsBackFor+")")
+			continue
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, p.Path)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, ", ")
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/seats_test.go

@@ -74,3 +74,22 @@ func TestAKindedBenchIsNotHandedOver(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// The listing shows each seat's paths, and the seat a path steps back for (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+func TestTheSeatsListingShowsEachSeatsPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	rows, _ := seatsHeld(catalogue.Seats(), nil)
+	got := map[string]string{}
+	for _, r := range rows {
+		got[r.Seat] = seatPathsText(r.Paths)
+	}
+	for seat, want := range map[string]string{
+		"node-hostname":      "/etc/hosts, /etc/hostname",
+		"node-uplink":        "/etc/resolv.conf (steps back for node-resolver)",
+		"node-resolver":      "/etc/resolv.conf",
+		"node-packet-filter": "—",
+	} {
+		if got[seat] != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s lists its paths as %q, not %q", seat, got[seat], want)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go

@@ -314,6 +314,11 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		return []string{"node", "show", str("node")}, nil
+	case "judge-directories":
+		if err := need("node"); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return []string{"node", "judge-directories", str("node")}, nil
 	case "modules":
 		return []string{"module", "list", "--json"}, nil
 	case "seats":
@@ -331,6 +336,9 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		}
 		return argv, nil
 	case "plans":
+		if err := plainPlanIDs(a.given); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		if r := str("repository"); r != "" {
 			argv := []string{"plans", "--what-if", r}
 			if p := str("paths"); p != "" {
@@ -360,6 +368,21 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 				return argv, nil
 			}
 		}
+		if id := str("wait"); id != "" {
+			// Following a plan (novox/hq issue 229): checked here too, so a call asking what no wait can do is
+			// refused before a command is started.
+			if _, _, err := planWaitAsked(a.given["until"], a.given["bound"]); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			argv := []string{"plans", "wait", id}
+			if u := str("until"); u != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--until", u)
+			}
+			if b := str("bound"); b != "" {
+				argv = append(argv, "--bound", b)
+			}
+			return argv, nil
+		}
 		if id := str("id"); id != "" {
 			return []string{"plans", id}, nil
 		}
@@ -426,7 +449,8 @@ func (a *verbArguments) commandLine() ([]string, error) {
 		return argv, nil
 	// The build queue (novox/hq ADR 0219).
 	case "queue":
-		return []string{"queue"}, nil
+		// As data, the table its output (novox/hq issue 455).
+		return []string{"queue", "--json"}, nil
 	case "cancel", "kill":
 		if err := need("id"); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
@@ -977,7 +1001,16 @@ var jsonVerbs = map[string]bool{"status": true, "seats": true, "plan": true, "co
 	// What the records say the registries may keep (novox/hq ADR 0251).
 	"artifacts": true, "collect": true, "images": true, "mirrors": true,
 	// The delivery's owner's verbs answer JSON where they read (plan, order, check, walks) — novox/hq ADR 0239.
-	"delivery": true}
+	"delivery": true,
+	// The build queue, each ask with its position among the waiting (novox/hq issue 455).
+	"queue": true,
+	// A plan followed (novox/hq issue 229): `plans wait` answers JSON; its other forms say text, and so answer no data.
+	"plans": true}
+
+// tableBesideVerbs are the JSON verbs whose document carries the table a person reads as its `text`: the
+// verb answers that table as its output, as it did before it answered data, and the rest as `answer` —
+// both from the one read, so they never disagree (novox/hq issue 455).
+var tableBesideVerbs = map[string]bool{"queue": true, "plans": true}
 
 // overviewVerbs are the JSON verbs whose answer is said once, as data, and not again as the text the
 // command printed: the overviews, which grow with the mesh (novox/hq issue 314). Every reader of theirs
@@ -1097,6 +1130,12 @@ func answerOf(argv []string, stdout []byte, stderr string, ok bool) verbAnswer {
 		var parsed any
 		if json.Unmarshal(bytes.TrimSpace(stdout), &parsed) == nil {
 			answer.Answer = parsed
+			if doc, isDoc := parsed.(map[string]any); isDoc && tableBesideVerbs[argv[0]] {
+				if table, said := doc["text"].(string); said {
+					answer.Output = table + stderr
+					delete(doc, "text")
+				}
+			}
 			if overviewVerbs[argv[0]] {
 				// Once, as data: the same document again as text doubled an answer that already
 				// outgrew one message of the bus (novox/hq issue 314).
@@ -1245,6 +1284,16 @@ func seatToolHandlers() (map[string]link.ToolHandler, []string, error) {
 				// Whatever it did, `status` is composed again once it has.
 				defer statusFrom.nudge()
 			}
+			if verb == "plans" && len(argv) > 1 && argv[1] == "wait" {
+				// A wait holds its answer up to its bound (novox/hq issue 229), and is answered in full inside it.
+				asked := ""
+				if i := slices.Index(argv, "--bound"); i > 0 && i+1 < len(argv) {
+					asked = argv[i+1]
+				}
+				if _, bound, err := planWaitAsked("", asked); err == nil {
+					link.AnswersWithin(ctx, bound+planWaitStart)
+				}
+			}
 			if answer, read := readHere(ctx, argv); read {
 				return answer, nil
 			}
@@ -1479,7 +1528,9 @@ func seatAnnouncement(handlers map[string]link.ToolHandler) micro.Info {
 }
 
 // nodeReads are the `node` subcommands a verb may run: the ones that only read.
-var nodeReads = map[string]bool{"list": true, "show": true}
+var nodeReads = map[string]bool{"list": true, "show": true,
+	// Read-only on the node too: the engine judges its directories and changes nothing (novox/hq issue 358).
+	"judge-directories": true}
 
 // flagsOnly says a command line's rest names no subcommand: empty, or beginning with a flag. For a command
 // with no subcommands every word is a flag, its value or a name it reads.

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs_schema_test.go

@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ func stringLit(e ast.Expr) (string, bool) {
 var accountedFlags = map[string]map[string]string{
 	"status": {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
 	"seats":  {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data"},
-	"queue":  {"json": "not set: the verb answers the table a person reads"},
+	"queue":  {"json": "set by the verb: the answer is data, its output the table (novox/hq issue 455)"},
 	"plan":   {"json": "set by the verb unless files is asked"},
 	"push": {
 		"wait": "set by the verb to 0: a tool call cannot hold a connection for a whole apply",

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@ import (
 // make a machine look out of date for ever, or send something `plan` never showed.
 type sendable struct {
 	Resources []map[string]any
+	// Groups, Identities and Libraries are what the declaration says of libraries and joining modules (novox/hq ADR
+	// 0328): composed only for an engine that keeps libraries, and not sent at all when empty — an older engine
+	// refuses a key it does not know, whole.
+	Groups     []catalogue.GroupEntry
+	Identities []catalogue.IdentityEntry
+	Libraries  []catalogue.LibraryEntry
 	// Sequence orders this send against every other to the same node: one higher each time, taken
 	// 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.
@@ -110,6 +116,15 @@ func (s sendable) Body() ([]byte, error) {
 	if s.Generation > 0 {
 		envelope["generation"] = s.Generation
 	}
+	if len(s.Groups) > 0 {
+		envelope["groups"] = s.Groups
+	}
+	if len(s.Identities) > 0 {
+		envelope["identities"] = s.Identities
+	}
+	if len(s.Libraries) > 0 {
+		envelope["libraries"] = s.Libraries
+	}
 	// An empty declaration is deliberate here — the node owns nothing the mesh put there
 	// (novox/hq issue 127) — and the host refuses an empty body unless it is told the emptiness
 	// is meant, so a truncated or mis-composed body is never mistaken for "own nothing".

cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go

@@ -254,6 +254,16 @@ var signalsTable = []signalRow{
 		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
 			return newestOf(f.bus.waits, func(w busWaitFacts) time.Time { return w.since })
 		}},
+	{Row: "S21", Signal: "a clean apply", Emitter: "node-engine", Trigger: "each report of a declaration refused or applied only in part (novox/hq issue 233)",
+		Bound: "one apply interval (5 min) past the first report of the same failure, judged by time while the machine " +
+			"is heard — the node-engine says a re-apply only when how it went changed; not while it is silent or " +
+			"asleep; naming the refusal, or the package manager that does not answer with its words; cleared by the " +
+			"clean apply it then says",
+		Kind: kindApplyFailing, Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 2,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.doingErr }, watch: watchApplyFailing,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
+			return newestOf(f.doing, func(d inventory.Doing) time.Time { return d.At })
+		}},
 }
 
 // watchFacts is S14: the snapshot a merge check is fed is older than its bound, or none was kept since

cmd/mesh-controller/signals_test.go

@@ -186,6 +186,14 @@ var suppressions = map[string]suppression{
 		},
 		past: func(f *signalFacts) { f.refusedSends = []inventory.Send{refusedSend(f.now.Add(-time.Second))} },
 	},
+	// A machine whose package manager does not answer (novox/hq issue 233): said once its first report of the
+	// failure is older than one apply interval while it is heard. Inside: exactly five minutes old.
+	"S21": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(f.now, 5*time.Minute, 1)} },
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(f.now, 5*time.Minute+time.Second, 1)}
+		},
+	},
 	// 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) {

cmd/mesh-controller/status_summary.go

@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ func composeStatus(open *stores) func(context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
 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,
+	"doctor": true, "conditions": true, "healers": true, "judge-directories": true,
 }
 
 // nudgingListener is the enrolment, nudging the summary when a machine said something new.

cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go

@@ -344,3 +344,58 @@ func TestAnyKeyOfAModuleWithATrustedMergeableFileIsRefusedThroughAVerb(t *testin
 		t.Fatalf("a file marked untrusted through the verb: %v", err)
 	}
 }
+
+// Who owns a module's directory is said at the terminal alone (novox/hq issue 279): a directory's owner may name
+// the settings the module runs as, root chowns the folder to them at the next push, and through the settings verb
+// any caller could have set puid to 0 or to its own uid. The key is refused through every verb route even where a
+// file nothing trusts also asks for it, and taken at the terminal; the layer a refused call meets is unchanged.
+func TestADirectoryOwnersKeyIsRefusedThroughAVerb(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "sonarr", Version: "1",
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "recycle-bin", "type": "directory", "mode": "0755", "owner": "${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}"},
+			{"id": "identity", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/sonarr.env", "mode": "0644", "trusted": false,
+				"content": "PUID=${setting:puid}\nPGID=${setting:pgid}\nX=${setting:x}\n"}}})
+	if err := atTheTerminal(t, "settings", "set", "sonarr", `{"puid":1001,"pgid":2000,"x":0}`,
+		"--node", "anchor"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the owner at the terminal: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", "sonarr"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	layer := func() string {
+		t.Helper()
+		values, _, err := open.inventory.Layer(ctx, "anchor", "sonarr")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(values)
+		return string(raw)
+	}
+	kept := layer()
+	refused := func(what string, err error) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "controller's terminal") {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", what, err)
+		}
+	}
+	refused("puid 0 through the verb", throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "sonarr",
+		"node": "anchor", "values": `{"puid":0,"pgid":2000,"x":0}`}))
+	refused("pgid through the verb, mesh-wide", throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "sonarr",
+		"values": `{"pgid":0}`}))
+	refused("cleared through the verb", throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "sonarr",
+		"node": "anchor", "clear": "true"}))
+	if err := throughVerb(t, "command", map[string]any{
+		"command": `settings set sonarr '{"puid":0,"pgid":2000,"x":0}' --node anchor`}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the command verb set the owner")
+	}
+	if got := layer(); got != kept {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused call changed the layer: %s, was %s", got, kept)
+	}
+	// Another key, the owner kept, is still the verb's.
+	if err := throughVerb(t, "settings", map[string]any{"module": "sonarr", "node": "anchor",
+		"values": `{"puid":1001,"pgid":2000,"x":1}`}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("another key through the verb, the owner kept: %v", err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go

@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ type signalFacts struct {
 	// from, each naming its sender (S20, novox/hq issue 234).
 	refusedSends    []inventory.Send
 	refusedSendsErr error
+	// doing is every machine whose last report was not a clean apply, with since when it has said the same
+	// failure (S21, novox/hq issue 233).
+	doing    []inventory.Doing
+	doingErr error
 
 	loop    loopFacts
 	loopErr error
@@ -369,6 +373,7 @@ func (w *watchdogs) gather(ctx context.Context) *signalFacts {
 	}
 	f.handActs, f.handActsErr = w.gatherHandActs(ctx, now)
 	f.refusedSends, f.refusedSendsErr = inv.RefusedSendsSince(ctx, now.Add(-generationRefusalsSaid))
+	f.doing, f.doingErr = inv.NotDoingWhatTheyWereTold(ctx)
 	f.facts.taken, _, f.facts.began, f.facts.err = exportedFacts.last()
 	return f
 }

go.mod

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 	github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0
+	github.com/therootcompany/xz v1.0.1
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0
 	golang.org/x/net v0.58.0
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.48.0
@@ -35,4 +36,4 @@ require (
 // committed. Every build (the build agent's `go build`, the Dockerfile) compiles from vendor/ and
 // fetches nothing; go refuses to build when vendor/ and this file disagree, so a pin moved without
 // `go mod vendor` fails loudly, at once, everywhere.
-replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f
+replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b

go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f h1:8N5OW2mdTNIck2pe4EciTYX5NsrPsHrTLENGNIWYNTU=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b h1:PGdZJHUU9rCDucdrZIqSs4DGyxlo4lokvwmofpGk9RI=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012222214-7a41e120635b/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c h1:l5onJwoIeH8yE/PjVlEeoPyXBsHp2NQiWLllz2fwX7s=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c/go.mod h1:GFuZUElBZ9A++mxgIKo97aXXo+kV0uJ/UkbhQPPIbrY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ github.com/stretchr/testify v1.3.0/go.mod h1:M5WIy9Dh21IEIfnGCwXGc5bZfKNJtfHm1UV
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.7.0/go.mod h1:6Fq8oRcR53rry900zMqJjRRixrwX3KX962/h/Wwjteg=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.11.1 h1:7s2iGBzp5EwR7/aIZr8ao5+dra3wiQyKjjFuvgVKu7U=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.11.1/go.mod h1:wZwfW3scLgRK+23gO65QZefKpKQRnfz6sD981Nm4B6U=
+github.com/therootcompany/xz v1.0.1 h1:CmOtsn1CbtmyYiusbfmhmkpAAETj0wBIH6kCYaX+xzw=
+github.com/therootcompany/xz v1.0.1/go.mod h1:3K3UH1yCKgBneZYhuQUvJ9HPD19UEXEI0BWbMn8qNMY=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0 h1:3ZVCjf8Ggz7zneR/EHRVx68Ctf+2pmIMP2UFhh9cC6M=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.57.0/go.mod h1:Fdz0i5U6CoizGwLda9DttjSk6qlZo25zYNtR+ycvuZA=
 golang.org/x/net v0.58.0 h1:ynWG7rqYi4ccpTEuPZ2QGWHktVEM9DMCj9yzDE0Q7To=

internal/broker/genesis_template_test.go

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func theCarriedAccounts(t *testing.T) string {
 // the commit the mesh runs, or as captured in testdata/beside (internal/beside, novox/hq issue 432).
 func theTemplate(t *testing.T) []map[string]any {
 	t.Helper()
-	path := filepath.Join(beside.Dir(t, "mesh-host"), "examples", "foundation-first-node-nats.lock")
+	path := filepath.Join(beside.Dir(t, "mesh-host"), "examples", "foundation-first-node.lock")
 	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)

internal/broker/nats.go

@@ -336,6 +336,18 @@ func AskHandOverSubject(node string) string { return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask
 // a hand-over is (link.SetuidSearchContext), for the same reason.
 func AskSetuidSearchSubject(node string) string { return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.setuid-search" }
 
+// AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject is where the controller asks one machine's node-engine to judge, read-only, which of
+// its declared directories the walk that follows no link another account could make would refuse (novox/hq issue
+// 358): a request answered once, signed as a hand-over is (link.JudgeDirectoriesContext), for the same reason.
+func AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject(node string) string {
+	return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.judge-directories"
+}
+
+// AskAccessActSubject is where the controller asks one machine's node-engine to take a shared folder on the
+// operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8; mesh-host internal/link AskAccessActSubject): a request answered once,
+// signed as a hand-over is (link.AccessActContext), for the same reason.
+func AskAccessActSubject(node string) string { return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.access-act" }
+
 // 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.
@@ -614,7 +626,11 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 			// issue 356), which it answers on the request's reply: the one request a node is asked.
 			AskHandOverSubject(p.Node),
 			// And asking it for a fresh search for setuid programs (novox/hq issue 361), answered the same way.
-			AskSetuidSearchSubject(p.Node)}
+			AskSetuidSearchSubject(p.Node),
+			// And asking it to judge its declared directories, read-only (novox/hq issue 358), answered the same way.
+			AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject(p.Node),
+			// And asking it to take a shared folder on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8), answered the same way.
+			AskAccessActSubject(p.Node)}
 		// The node-engine witnesses the core builds it places (novox/hq to-be 45 §8, ADR 0236; the
 		// contract is lease/witness.go): it asks its own machine's node tools PING, and, where the
 		// machine runs the controller, reads the lease's one key — read, never written.

internal/broker/nats_test.go

@@ -114,7 +114,9 @@ func TestOnlyWhatCanBeAskedMayAnswer(t *testing.T) {
 	node, _ := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "one", PasswordHash: "x"})
 	if !node.AllowResponses || !slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskHandOverSubject("one")) ||
 		!slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskSetuidSearchSubject("one")) ||
-		slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskSetuidSearchSubject("two")) {
+		slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskSetuidSearchSubject("two")) ||
+		!slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject("one")) ||
+		slices.Contains(node.Subscribe, AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject("two")) {
 		t.Fatalf("a node cannot answer the hand-over it is asked: %v %v", node.AllowResponses, node.Subscribe)
 	}
 	person, _ := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindPerson, Node: "one", Module: "jo", PasswordHash: "x"})

internal/broker/testdata/composed.conf

@@ -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", "$SRV.PING.node-tools.one", "mesh.control.one.>"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.ask.hand-over", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.ask.setuid-search", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.ask.access-act", "mesh.node.one.ask.hand-over", "mesh.node.one.ask.judge-directories", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.ask.setuid-search", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "one.nats", password: "$2a$11$bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb", permissions: {

internal/broker/writers.go

@@ -96,6 +96,16 @@ var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
 	{State: "a fresh setuid search asked of a machine", Writer: "controller, at its terminal",
 		KeptIn: "the machine, which throws its last search away", Others: "the engine verifies the mesh's signature and starts it, or refuses",
 		Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.ask.setuid-search"}, Writes: isController},
+	// A read-only judgement of a machine's declared directories asked of its engine (novox/hq issue 358): signed as a
+	// hand-over is, under a signing context of its own. It changes nothing on the machine.
+	{State: "a judgement of a machine's directories asked of it", Writer: "controller",
+		KeptIn: "nowhere: the engine answers it and keeps nothing", Others: "the engine verifies the mesh's signature and answers, or refuses",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.ask.judge-directories"}, Writes: isController},
+	// The take of a shared folder asked of a machine's engine on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8):
+	// signed as a hand-over is, under a signing context of its own.
+	{State: "the take of a shared folder asked of a machine", Writer: "controller, on the operator's warrant",
+		KeptIn: "the machine, which records the act", Others: "the engine verifies the mesh's signature and takes it, or refuses",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.ask.access-act"}, 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",
 		// And its health statement between reports (novox/hq ADR 0240): the same writer stating the same

internal/broker/writers_test.go

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ var designRows = []string{
 	"a machine's declaration",
 	"a hand-over asked of a machine",
 	"a fresh setuid search asked of a machine",
+	"a judgement of a machine's directories asked of it",
+	"the take of a shared folder asked of a machine",
 	"a machine's applied state and its report",
 	"the controller lease",
 	"plans and their tiers",
@@ -186,3 +188,21 @@ func TestASetuidSearchAskHasOnePublisher(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// **A judgement of a machine's directories asked of it has one publisher, the controller** (novox/hq issue 358), as a
+// hand-over has.
+func TestADirectoryJudgementAskHasOnePublisher(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, p := range []Principal{
+		{Kind: KindNode, Node: "laptop"},
+		{Kind: KindNodeTools, Node: "laptop", Module: RuntimeModule},
+		{Kind: KindModule, Node: "laptop", Module: "notes"},
+	} {
+		err := CheckWriters(p, []string{AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject("laptop")})
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "a judgement of a machine's directories asked of it") {
+			t.Errorf("%s may ask a judgement of directories: %v", p.Username(), err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := CheckWriters(Principal{Kind: KindController}, []string{AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject("laptop")}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller may not ask a judgement: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/builder/builder.go

@@ -971,8 +971,19 @@ func one(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 		return catalogue.Built{Name: a.Name, Kind: a.Kind, Reference: reference}, nil
 
 	case catalogue.ArtifactArchive:
-		src.ownHas(cleanEntry(a.From) + "/**")
-		body, err := pack(filepath.Join(tree, a.From))
+		var body []byte
+		var err error
+		if a.URL != "" {
+			// An upstream file pinned by URL and sha256 (novox/hq ADR 0316): its build source is the pin, which
+			// is in module.json, always part of it.
+			body, err = upstreamArchive(ctx, workspace, a, say)
+			if err != nil {
+				return catalogue.Built{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: %s: %w", module, a.Name, err)
+			}
+		} else {
+			src.ownHas(cleanEntry(a.From) + "/**")
+			body, err = pack(filepath.Join(tree, a.From))
+		}
 		if err != nil {
 			return catalogue.Built{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: packing %s failed: %w", module, a.Name, err)
 		}

internal/builder/check.go

@@ -49,8 +49,10 @@ import (
 //
 // One check:
 //
-//  1. clones the repository at the pull request's head, and beside it the repositories its check
-//     reads — the controller the mesh runs, the catalogue, the host, the lab — each at the ref asked;
+//  1. clones the repository at the pull request's head and **makes the merge of that head into the trunk's
+//     head**, the check's trunk commit, in its own clone (novox/hq ADR 0323, issue 341; check_merge.go): what
+//     is judged is what merging makes, never pushed. Beside it the repositories its check reads — the
+//     controller the mesh runs, the catalogue, the host, the lab — each at the ref asked;
 //  2. reads the facts snapshot the controller keeps, and with it **the versions the mesh runs**: the
 //     store a check's tests stand on is the store's own release, and the bus the bus's;
 //  3. raises a throwaway PostgreSQL and a throwaway bus of those versions, labelled with the ask so a
@@ -79,7 +81,8 @@ type CheckSpec struct {
 	Modules   []string
 	New       []string
 	Manifests []string
-	// Base is the branch the pull request merges into: what the gate compares the change against.
+	// Base is the branch the pull request merges into: what the gate compares the change against, and the trunk
+	// whose head the change is merged into before it is judged (novox/hq ADR 0323). Empty judges the head alone.
 	Base string
 	// Judge is who judges the gate: "" the controller the mesh runs, "self" the change's own, "validator"
 	// the running one with the change's validator.
@@ -104,6 +107,9 @@ type GroupHead struct {
 	Repository string
 	Ref        string
 	Paths      []string
+	// Base is the branch it merges into: the head is merged into that trunk's head before it is composed
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0323 §6). Empty composes the head alone, as a controller from before it asks.
+	Base string
 }
 
 // Gated is whether the change touches the mesh's graph, and so whether the gate runs.
@@ -139,6 +145,16 @@ type CheckVerdict struct {
 	Took    time.Duration
 	Gate    *Layer
 	Repo    *Layer
+	// Head and Trunk are what was judged (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3): the pull request's head merged into the trunk
+	// commit, each as twelve characters. Trunk is empty for a check asked with no trunk, which judged the head
+	// alone. Merge is the merge commit made for the check, whole: only checked, never pushed or registered.
+	Head, Trunk, Merge string
+	// Beside are the commits of the repositories the check read beside its own, by the directory each was
+	// cloned under, as twelve characters: named, not judged against (ADR 0323 §3, issue 568).
+	Beside map[string]string
+	// Members are a delivery group's other heads as the composed check judged them, each with the trunk
+	// commit it was merged into (ADR 0323 §6).
+	Members []JudgedHead
 }
 
 // Layer is one layer of a check, judged.
@@ -281,6 +297,34 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 		return CheckVerdict{}, err
 	}
 	tree := filepath.Join(root, name)
+	// **What merging makes is judged, not the head** (novox/hq ADR 0323, issue 341): the head merged into the
+	// trunk's head as this clone found it, in this clone alone. A head that does not merge cleanly fails here.
+	judged := CheckVerdict{Head: twelve(spec.Ref)}
+	paths := spec.Paths
+	if spec.Base != "" {
+		m, err := mergeIntoTrunk(ctx, run, tree, spec.Base, spec.Ref)
+		if err != nil {
+			return CheckVerdict{}, err
+		}
+		judged.Head, judged.Trunk = twelve(m.Head), twelve(m.Trunk)
+		if len(m.Conflicts) > 0 {
+			said := conflictWords(m)
+			say("check", "%s", said)
+			return CheckVerdict{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said, Report: said, Took: time.Since(began),
+				Gate: &Layer{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said}, Repo: &Layer{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said},
+				Head: judged.Head, Trunk: judged.Trunk}, nil
+		}
+		judged.Merge = m.Merge
+		if changed := changedByMerge(ctx, run, tree, m); len(changed) > 0 {
+			paths = changed
+		}
+		say("check", "head %s merged into trunk %s (%s): the merge is judged, and never pushed", judged.Head,
+			judged.Trunk, spec.Base)
+	}
+	named := func(v CheckVerdict) CheckVerdict {
+		v.Head, v.Trunk, v.Merge, v.Beside, v.Members = judged.Head, judged.Trunk, judged.Merge, judged.Beside, judged.Members
+		return v
+	}
 	// **The base branch's check judges the change** (novox/hq issue 310), never the one the change brings.
 	judging, err := TheCheckThatJudges(ctx, tree, spec.Base)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -297,7 +341,7 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 		v := CheckVerdict{Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModule, Took: time.Since(began),
 			Gate: &Layer{Verdict: "pass", Summary: noModule}, Repo: &Layer{Verdict: "warning", Summary: noScript}}
 		say("check", "%s; %s", noModule, noScript)
-		return v, nil
+		return named(v), nil
 	}
 	for dir, b := range spec.Beside {
 		if dir == name || !safeName.MatchString(dir) {
@@ -306,6 +350,13 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 		if err := clone(b.Repository, b.Ref, dir); err != nil {
 			return CheckVerdict{}, fmt.Errorf("beside it, %w", err)
 		}
+		// The commit each one read is named in the verdict (ADR 0323 §3): its move is issue 568's question.
+		if at := headAt(ctx, run, filepath.Join(root, dir)); at != "" {
+			if judged.Beside == nil {
+				judged.Beside = map[string]string{}
+			}
+			judged.Beside[dir] = at
+		}
 		say("check", "beside it %s at %s", dir, short(b.Ref))
 	}
 
@@ -322,6 +373,26 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 				return CheckVerdict{}, fmt.Errorf("a head of the group, %w", err)
 			}
 			say("check", "with it, of its group, %s/%s at %s", g.Owner, g.Repo, short(g.Ref))
+			// Each member is composed as its merge into its own trunk's head (ADR 0323 §6).
+			member := JudgedHead{Owner: g.Owner, Repo: g.Repo, Head: twelve(g.Ref)}
+			if g.Base != "" {
+				m, err := mergeIntoTrunk(ctx, run, filepath.Join(root, dir), g.Base, g.Ref)
+				if err != nil {
+					return CheckVerdict{}, fmt.Errorf("a head of the group, %s/%s: %w", g.Owner, g.Repo, err)
+				}
+				member.Head, member.Trunk = twelve(m.Head), twelve(m.Trunk)
+				if len(m.Conflicts) > 0 {
+					said := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s: %s", g.Owner, g.Repo, conflictWords(m))
+					say("check", "%s", said)
+					judged.Members = append(judged.Members, member)
+					return named(CheckVerdict{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said, Report: said, Took: time.Since(began),
+						Gate: &Layer{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said}, Repo: &Layer{Verdict: "fail", Summary: said}}), nil
+				}
+				if changed := changedByMerge(ctx, run, filepath.Join(root, dir), m); len(changed) > 0 {
+					g.Paths = changed
+				}
+			}
+			judged.Members = append(judged.Members, member)
 			heads = append(heads, map[string]any{"repository": g.Owner + "/" + g.Repo,
 				"tree": filepath.Join(root, dir), "changed": g.Paths})
 		}
@@ -433,7 +504,7 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 	verdictFile := filepath.Join(root, "verdict.json")
 	env := []string{EnvFacts + "=" + factsFile, EnvGate + "=" + gate, EnvGateStore + "=" + storeURL,
 		EnvTestStore + "=" + storeURL, EnvTestBus + "=nats://" + bus, EnvRepository + "=" + spec.Owner + "/" + spec.Repo,
-		EnvChanged + "=" + strings.Join(spec.Paths, ","), EnvBeside + "=" + root,
+		EnvChanged + "=" + strings.Join(paths, ","), EnvBeside + "=" + root,
 		EnvModules + "=" + strings.Join(append(append([]string{}, spec.Modules...), spec.New...), ","),
 		EnvGroup + "=" + groupFile,
 		"GOCACHE=" + filepath.Join(workspace, "go-cache"), "GOMODCACHE=" + filepath.Join(workspace, "go-modules")}
@@ -501,7 +572,7 @@ func Check(ctx context.Context, run Runner, spec CheckSpec, workspace, registry
 	v.Report, v.Took = redact.redact(withWhatFailed(out.String(), v.Repo)), time.Since(began)
 	say("check", "gate %s — %s; repository %s — %s (%s)", strings.ToUpper(v.Gate.Verdict), v.Gate.Summary,
 		strings.ToUpper(v.Repo.Verdict), v.Repo.Summary, v.Took.Round(time.Second))
-	return v, nil
+	return named(v), nil
 }
 
 // ownCheck runs the repository's own check, part by part, each in its toolchain's own container: the
@@ -868,14 +939,16 @@ func replaceGoFiles(from, into string) error {
 }
 
 // problemLines are the lines of a module check's output that name a problem: not a manifest found ok, not
-// the count, not the closing note.
+// the count, not the closing note, not a warning.
 func problemLines(s string) []string {
 	var out []string
 	for _, line := range strings.Split(s, "\n") {
 		line = strings.TrimSpace(line)
 		switch {
 		case line == "", strings.Contains(line, ": ok"), strings.Contains(line, "problem(s) in"),
-			strings.Contains(line, "manifest(s) checked"):
+			strings.Contains(line, "manifest(s) checked"),
+			// A warning is said and fails nothing (novox/hq ADR 0325: what is refused once the catalogues moved).
+			strings.HasPrefix(line, "warning: "):
 			continue
 		}
 		out = append(out, line)

internal/builder/check_merge.go

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// **A merge check judges the merge, not the head** (novox/hq ADR 0323, issue 341).
+//
+// On 2026-10-09 a node-engine pull request was checked green at its head and broke the trunk when it merged:
+// a merge an hour earlier had added a field under the same JSON key on other lines, git merged the two edits
+// without a conflict, and the result did not compile. The check had judged the head alone. So a check now
+// takes the trunk the pull request merges into, its head at the moment the check clones it as the check's
+// **trunk commit**, and makes in its own clone the merge of the head into that commit, as the forge's
+// default merge would. The gate and the repository's own check judge that merge.
+//
+// **The merge is only checked** (ADR 0323 §2, ADR 0238 §1): it is a commit off the trunk, made in the
+// check's own clone, never pushed to the forge and never registered; the clone is removed when the check
+// ends. Nothing here writes to a remote.
+//
+// The forge keeps no merge reference for a pull request, only its head, so the builder makes it itself.
+
+// TrunkMerge is the merge a check made: the head and the trunk commit it was merged into, whole, and the merge
+// commit; or the files in conflict when the head does not merge cleanly.
+type TrunkMerge struct {
+	Head, Trunk, Merge string
+	Conflicts          []string
+}
+
+// JudgedHead is one head a check judged, with the trunk commit it merged that head into, each as twelve
+// characters (ADR 0323 §3, §6).
+type JudgedHead struct {
+	Owner, Repo string
+	Head, Trunk string
+}
+
+// mergeIdentity is who a check's merge is made as: it is never pushed, so it names nobody's account. No hook of the
+// clone's or the build machine's git configuration runs, and no setting there changes the merge.
+var mergeIdentity = []string{"-c", "user.name=mesh merge check", "-c", "user.email=merge-check@mesh.invalid",
+	"-c", "commit.gpgsign=false", "-c", "core.hooksPath=/dev/null", "-c", "merge.verifySignatures=false"}
+
+// mergeIntoTrunk makes, in the clone at tree, the merge of head into the head of origin/<base> as it stands in
+// that fresh clone: the trunk commit. A head that does not merge cleanly answers the files in conflict and leaves
+// the tree at the trunk commit; an error is that the merge could not be tried at all.
+func mergeIntoTrunk(ctx context.Context, run Runner, tree, base, head string) (TrunkMerge, error) {
+	var m TrunkMerge
+	revParse := func(ref string) (string, error) {
+		out, err := run(ctx, tree, "git", "rev-parse", "--verify", "--quiet", ref+"^{commit}")
+		return strings.TrimSpace(out), err
+	}
+	var err error
+	if m.Head, err = revParse(head); err != nil || m.Head == "" {
+		return m, fmt.Errorf("the head %s cannot be read in the check's clone: %v", head, err)
+	}
+	if m.Trunk, err = revParse("refs/remotes/origin/" + base); err != nil || m.Trunk == "" {
+		return m, fmt.Errorf("the trunk %s cannot be read, and a check judges the head merged into it "+
+			"(novox/hq ADR 0323): %v", base, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := run(ctx, tree, "git", "checkout", "--quiet", "--detach", m.Trunk); err != nil {
+		return m, fmt.Errorf("the trunk commit %s cannot be checked out: %w", twelve(m.Trunk), err)
+	}
+	message := fmt.Sprintf("Check the merge of %s into %s at %s (made for a merge check, never pushed)",
+		twelve(m.Head), base, twelve(m.Trunk))
+	args := append(append([]string{}, mergeIdentity...), "merge", "--no-ff", "--no-edit", "--no-verify", "--quiet", "-m", message, m.Head)
+	if _, err := run(ctx, tree, "git", args...); err != nil {
+		out, _ := run(ctx, tree, "git", "diff", "--name-only", "--diff-filter=U")
+		m.Conflicts = strings.Fields(out)
+		_, _ = run(ctx, tree, "git", "merge", "--abort")
+		if len(m.Conflicts) == 0 {
+			return m, fmt.Errorf("the head %s could not be merged into trunk %s: %w", twelve(m.Head), twelve(m.Trunk), err)
+		}
+		return m, nil
+	}
+	if m.Merge, err = revParse("HEAD"); err != nil {
+		return m, fmt.Errorf("the merge made for the check cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	return m, nil
+}
+
+// changedByMerge is every path the merge changes against the trunk commit: what the gate's delivery plan is
+// computed from (ADR 0323 §1). Nil when it cannot be read; the caller keeps the pull request's own list.
+func changedByMerge(ctx context.Context, run Runner, tree string, m TrunkMerge) []string {
+	if m.Merge == "" || m.Trunk == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out, err := run(ctx, tree, "git", "diff", "--name-only", "--no-renames", m.Trunk, m.Merge)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil // empty-on-error: the caller keeps the pull request's own list of changed files, the safe one
+	}
+	return strings.Fields(out)
+}
+
+// conflictWords is a head that does not merge cleanly, said as its check's failure.
+func conflictWords(m TrunkMerge) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("head %s does not merge cleanly into trunk %s: in conflict %s", twelve(m.Head), twelve(m.Trunk),
+		strings.Join(m.Conflicts, ", "))
+}
+
+// headAt is the commit a clone is checked out at, as twelve characters; empty when it cannot be read.
+func headAt(ctx context.Context, run Runner, tree string) string {
+	out, err := run(ctx, tree, "git", "rev-parse", "--verify", "--quiet", "HEAD^{commit}")
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return twelve(strings.TrimSpace(out))
+}
+
+// twelve is a commit as a verdict names it: its first twelve characters.
+func twelve(commit string) string {
+	if len(commit) > 12 {
+		return commit[:12]
+	}
+	return commit
+}

internal/builder/check_merge_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// **A merge check judges the merge, not the head** (novox/hq ADR 0323, issue 341): the head merged into the trunk
+// commit in the check's own clone, never pushed; a head that does not merge cleanly fails, naming the files; the
+// verdict names the head, the trunk commit and the commits of the repositories read beside it.
+
+// aTrunkAndABranch is a repository whose main moved after the branch was cut: main holds trunkFiles over the
+// common files, the branch headFiles. It answers the repository, the branch's head and main's head.
+func aTrunkAndABranch(t *testing.T, common, trunkFiles, headFiles map[string]string) (string, string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	git := func(args ...string) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		cmd := exec.Command("git", args...)
+		cmd.Dir = dir
+		cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=t", "GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL=t@example.org",
+			"GIT_COMMITTER_NAME=t", "GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL=t@example.org")
+		out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("git %v: %v\n%s", args, err, out)
+		}
+		return strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+	}
+	write := func(files map[string]string) {
+		for name, body := range files {
+			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(filepath.Join(dir, name)), 0o755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, name), []byte(body), 0o755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		git("add", "-A")
+	}
+	git("init", "--quiet", "-b", "main")
+	write(common)
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-m", "common")
+	git("checkout", "--quiet", "-b", "change")
+	write(headFiles)
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-m", "the change")
+	head := git("rev-parse", "HEAD")
+	git("checkout", "--quiet", "main")
+	write(trunkFiles)
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-m", "the trunk moved")
+	return dir, head, git("rev-parse", "HEAD")
+}
+
+func TestACheckJudgesTheHeadMergedIntoTheTrunk(t *testing.T) {
+	// main's script passes only in a tree holding both the trunk's file and the head's: the merge.
+	repo, head, trunk := aTrunkAndABranch(t,
+		map[string]string{CheckScript: "test -f trunk-only && test -f head-only || { echo 'FAIL: not the merge'; exit 1; }\n"},
+		map[string]string{"trunk-only": "t"}, map[string]string{"head-only": "h"})
+	beside, besideHead := aCheckedRepository(t, map[string]string{"README": "the catalogue"})
+	registry := aFactsRegistry(t)
+	aRuntimeOnThisMachine(t)
+
+	v, err := Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "check-341", Repository: repo, Ref: head, Owner: "novox",
+		Repo: "mesh-lab", Number: 1, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang",
+		Beside: map[string]Beside{"mesh-catalog": {Repository: beside, Ref: besideHead}}}, t.TempDir(), registry,
+		GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if v.Repo == nil || v.Repo.Verdict != "pass" {
+		t.Fatalf("the check did not judge the head merged into the trunk: %+v\n%s", v.Repo, v.Report)
+	}
+	if v.Head != head[:12] || v.Trunk != trunk[:12] {
+		t.Fatalf("the verdict names head %q and trunk %q, not %s and %s", v.Head, v.Trunk, head[:12], trunk[:12])
+	}
+	if v.Beside["mesh-catalog"] != besideHead[:12] {
+		t.Fatalf("the verdict names the catalogue read beside it as %q, not %s: %v", v.Beside["mesh-catalog"],
+			besideHead[:12], v.Beside)
+	}
+	if v.Merge == "" || v.Merge == head || v.Merge == trunk {
+		t.Fatalf("no merge of the head into the trunk was made for the check: %q", v.Merge)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAHeadThatDoesNotMergeCleanlyFailsNamingTheFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	repo, head, trunk := aTrunkAndABranch(t,
+		map[string]string{"store.go": "package store\n\nconst Declared = 1\n", "other.go": "package store\n"},
+		map[string]string{"store.go": "package store\n\nconst Declared = 2\n"},
+		map[string]string{"store.go": "package store\n\nconst Declared = 3\n"})
+
+	// No artifact store and no container runtime: a head that does not merge is judged before either is needed.
+	v, err := Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "check-341-conflict", Repository: repo, Ref: head,
+		Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-lab", Number: 2, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang"}, t.TempDir(), "",
+		GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a head that does not merge cleanly was not judged: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := "does not merge cleanly into trunk " + trunk[:12]
+	for name, l := range map[string]*Layer{"gate": v.Gate, "repository": v.Repo} {
+		if l == nil || l.Verdict != "fail" || !strings.Contains(l.Summary, want) || !strings.Contains(l.Summary, "store.go") {
+			t.Fatalf("its %s layer said %+v, not a failure saying %q and naming store.go", name, l, want)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(v.Summary, "other.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("a file not in conflict is named: %s", v.Summary)
+	}
+	if v.Head != head[:12] || v.Trunk != trunk[:12] {
+		t.Fatalf("the failure names head %q and trunk %q", v.Head, v.Trunk)
+	}
+}
+
+// **The merge made for a check is only checked** (ADR 0323 §2): the forge never receives it.
+func TestTheMergeMadeForACheckIsNeverPushed(t *testing.T) {
+	repo, head, trunk := aTrunkAndABranch(t, map[string]string{CheckScript: "true\n"},
+		map[string]string{"trunk-only": "t"}, map[string]string{"head-only": "h"})
+	registry := aFactsRegistry(t)
+	aRuntimeOnThisMachine(t)
+	refsBefore := gitOut(t, repo, "for-each-ref")
+
+	v, err := Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "check-341-push", Repository: repo, Ref: head, Owner: "novox",
+		Repo: "mesh-lab", Number: 3, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang"}, t.TempDir(), registry, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if v.Merge == "" {
+		t.Fatal("the check made no merge of the head into the trunk")
+	}
+	if err := exec.Command("git", "-C", repo, "cat-file", "-e", v.Merge+"^{commit}").Run(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the merge %s made for the check reached the forge's repository", v.Merge)
+	}
+	if after := gitOut(t, repo, "for-each-ref"); after != refsBefore {
+		t.Fatalf("the check moved a ref of the forge's repository:\nbefore %s\nafter %s", refsBefore, after)
+	}
+	if got := gitOut(t, repo, "rev-parse", "main"); got != trunk {
+		t.Fatalf("the trunk moved to %s", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// A delivery group's composed check merges each member's head into its own trunk's head (ADR 0323 §6), and names
+// both for each; a member that does not merge cleanly fails the composed check, naming it.
+func TestAGroupsComposedCheckMergesEachMemberIntoItsTrunk(t *testing.T) {
+	repo, head, trunk := aTrunkAndABranch(t, map[string]string{CheckScript: "true\n"},
+		map[string]string{"trunk-only": "t"}, map[string]string{"head-only": "h"})
+	member, memberHead, memberTrunk := aTrunkAndABranch(t, map[string]string{"a": "1"},
+		map[string]string{"b": "trunk"}, map[string]string{"c": "head"})
+	registry := aFactsRegistry(t)
+	aRuntimeOnThisMachine(t)
+
+	v, err := Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "check-341-group", Repository: repo, Ref: head, Owner: "novox",
+		Repo: "mesh-controller", Number: 4, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang", Group: []GroupHead{{Owner: "novox",
+			Repo: "mesh-host", Repository: member, Ref: memberHead, Base: "main"}}}, t.TempDir(), registry,
+		GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if v.Head != head[:12] || v.Trunk != trunk[:12] {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check names its first head %q into %q", v.Head, v.Trunk)
+	}
+	if len(v.Members) != 1 || v.Members[0].Head != memberHead[:12] || v.Members[0].Trunk != memberTrunk[:12] {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check names its members %+v, not mesh-host %s into %s", v.Members, memberHead[:12],
+			memberTrunk[:12])
+	}
+
+	conflicting, conflictHead, _ := aTrunkAndABranch(t, map[string]string{"a": "1"}, map[string]string{"a": "2"},
+		map[string]string{"a": "3"})
+	v, err = Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "check-341-group-conflict", Repository: repo, Ref: head,
+		Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-controller", Number: 4, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang", Group: []GroupHead{{
+			Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Repository: conflicting, Ref: conflictHead, Base: "main"}}}, t.TempDir(),
+		registry, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if v.Verdict != "fail" || !strings.Contains(v.Summary, "novox/mesh-host") ||
+		!strings.Contains(v.Summary, "does not merge cleanly") {
+		t.Fatalf("a member that does not merge cleanly was answered %s: %s", v.Verdict, v.Summary)
+	}
+}
+
+func gitOut(t *testing.T, dir string, args ...string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	out, err := exec.Command("git", append([]string{"-C", dir}, args...)...).CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("git %v: %v\n%s", args, err, out)
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+}
+
+// No hook runs when a check makes its merge: not one in the clone, whatever the build machine's git configuration says.
+func TestACheckMergeRunsNoHook(t *testing.T) {
+	repo, head, _ := aTrunkAndABranch(t, map[string]string{"a": "1"}, map[string]string{"b": "trunk"},
+		map[string]string{"c": "head"})
+	clone := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "clone")
+	if out, err := exec.Command("git", "clone", "--quiet", repo, clone).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v\n%s", err, out)
+	}
+	ran := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "ran")
+	for _, hook := range []string{"pre-merge-commit", "commit-msg", "prepare-commit-msg", "post-merge"} {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(clone, ".git", "hooks", hook),
+			[]byte("#!/bin/sh\necho "+hook+" >> "+ran+"\n"), 0o755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	m, err := mergeIntoTrunk(t.Context(), Command, clone, "main", head)
+	if err != nil || m.Merge == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("the merge was not made: %+v, %v", m, err)
+	}
+	if said, err := os.ReadFile(ran); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a hook ran when the check made its merge: %s", said)
+	}
+}

internal/builder/replay341_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestReplay341 is the replay of novox/hq issue 341, written with only what the build agent had before its fix,
+// so mesh-lab's prover can lay it over the commit before. On 2026-10-09 node-engine #64/#65 merged at 00:15 and
+// added Applied.Declared, under the JSON key `declared`, to the store record. #66, checked at 00:49 at its head,
+// had added its own Applied.Declared under the same key on other lines. Its check passed; git merged the two
+// edits without a conflict, and the trunk no longer compiled: "Declared redeclared". Before the fix the check
+// judged the head alone and passed. After it (novox/hq ADR 0323), the check judges the head merged into the
+// trunk commit that held the other field, and fails saying the trunk does not compile.
+//
+// It runs the check whole, with a container runtime that runs each container's command on this machine
+// (aRuntimeOnThisMachine): the repository's own check is `go build ./...`.
+func TestReplay341(t *testing.T) {
+	origin, head := theNinthOfOctober(t)
+	registry := aFactsRegistry(t)
+	aRuntimeOnThisMachine(t)
+
+	v, err := Check(t.Context(), Command, CheckSpec{ID: "replay-341", Repository: origin, Ref: head, Owner: "novox",
+		Repo: "mesh-host", Number: 66, Base: "main", Toolchain: "golang"}, t.TempDir(), registry, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the check could not run: %v", err)
+	}
+	if v.Repo == nil || v.Repo.Verdict != "fail" {
+		t.Fatalf("node-engine #66 at its head was answered %+v: the merge it makes into the trunk that holds #65's "+
+			"field does not compile, and the check let it merge", v.Repo)
+	}
+	if said := v.Repo.Summary + "\n" + v.Repo.Failed + "\n" + v.Report; !strings.Contains(said, "Declared redeclared") {
+		t.Fatalf("the check failed without saying the trunk does not compile:\n%s", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// theNinthOfOctober is the node-engine's repository as it stood at 00:49 on 2026-10-09, in miniature: a trunk
+// holding #65's Applied.Declared (a string, key `declared`), and #66's head, branched before it, holding its own
+// Applied.Declared (a *FoundUnit, the same key) on other lines. Each compiles alone; their merge does not.
+func theNinthOfOctober(t *testing.T) (string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	origin := t.TempDir()
+	git := func(args ...string) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		cmd := exec.Command("git", args...)
+		cmd.Dir = origin
+		cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=t", "GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL=t@example.org",
+			"GIT_COMMITTER_NAME=t", "GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL=t@example.org")
+		out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("git %v: %v\n%s", args, err, out)
+		}
+		return strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+	}
+	write := func(name, body string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(filepath.Join(origin, name)), 0o755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(origin, name), []byte(body), 0o755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	store := func(declared65, declared66 string) string {
+		return "package store\n\n// FoundUnit is a unit found on the machine.\ntype FoundUnit struct{ Name string }\n\n" +
+			"// Applied is what the node-engine applied.\ntype Applied struct {\n\tGeneration int `json:\"generation\"`\n" +
+			declared66 + "\tModules []string `json:\"modules\"`\n\tFiles []string `json:\"files\"`\n" +
+			"\tUnits []string `json:\"units\"`\n\tAt string `json:\"at\"`\n" + declared65 + "}\n"
+	}
+	git("init", "--quiet", "-b", "main")
+	write("go.mod", "module example.org/mesh-host\n\ngo 1.21\n")
+	write("internal/store/store.go", store("", ""))
+	write(CheckScript, "# mesh-check-toolchain: go\nset -e\nGOFLAGS= GOWORK=off GOTOOLCHAIN=local GOPROXY=off go build ./...\n")
+	git("add", "-A")
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-m", "#63: the store record")
+	git("checkout", "--quiet", "-b", "adr-0269")
+	write("internal/store/store.go", store("", "\tDeclared *FoundUnit `json:\"declared\"`\n"))
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-am", "#66: the unit a declaration names")
+	head := git("rev-parse", "HEAD")
+	git("checkout", "--quiet", "main")
+	write("internal/store/store.go", store("\tDeclared string `json:\"declared\"`\n", ""))
+	git("commit", "--quiet", "-am", "#65: the declaration applied")
+	return origin, head
+}
+
+// aRuntimeOnThisMachine puts a container runtime on PATH that runs a container's command on this machine, in the
+// directory and with the environment the check gives it: a store and a bus that answer, a judge that is never
+// built, and the repository's own check run as written. Only for a check whose code is the test's own.
+func aRuntimeOnThisMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+	bus, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { bus.Close() })
+	go func() {
+		for {
+			c, err := bus.Accept()
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			c.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	runtime := `#!/bin/sh
+cmd="$1"; shift
+case "$cmd" in
+ps|rm|exec) exit 0 ;;
+port) echo "` + bus.Addr().String() + `"; exit 0 ;;
+run)
+  workdir=""; detached=""
+  while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
+    case "$1" in
+      -d) detached=1; shift ;;
+      --rm) shift ;;
+      --workdir) workdir="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+      --env) export "$2"; shift 2 ;;
+      --network|--volume|--user|--label|--name|-p|-e) shift 2 ;;
+      *) break ;;
+    esac
+  done
+  if [ -n "$detached" ]; then echo replay-container; exit 0; fi
+  shift
+  if [ "$1" = "sh" ] && [ -n "$workdir" ]; then cd "$workdir" && exec "$@"; fi
+  echo "no such image on this machine" >&2
+  exit 1 ;;
+esac
+exit 1
+`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "docker"), []byte(runtime), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Setenv("PATH", dir+string(os.PathListSeparator)+os.Getenv("PATH"))
+}

internal/builder/upstream_file.go

@@ -0,0 +1,305 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"archive/tar"
+	"bufio"
+	"bytes"
+	"compress/bzip2"
+	"compress/gzip"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/therootcompany/xz"
+)
+
+// An archive whose source is somebody else's published file, pinned by URL and sha256 (novox/hq ADR 0316
+// §2, §6, to-be 56 §7): a mail client's release, an add-on's xpi.
+//
+// **Fetched by the build seat, checked against the pin before anything is read from it, and packed as any
+// archive is packed.** What a machine receives is the mesh's own archive from the artifact store, by digest,
+// exactly as for a directory of the repository; no machine ever asks the vendor. A file whose bytes are not
+// the pin's fails the build and names both digests, because the address serving something else is the one
+// thing the pin exists to catch.
+//
+// **Kept in the build seat's workspace under its sha256**, so it is fetched once: a vendor that serves only
+// its newest version at one address (Owl) would otherwise break every later build of the same pin.
+
+// maxUpstream is the largest upstream file fetched, and the largest a release may unpack to: the node-engine
+// unpacks no archive larger than this either (mesh-host internal/apply/archive.go, maxArchive).
+const maxUpstream = 512 << 20
+
+// maxEntries is the most entries an upstream archive may hold: millions of empty ones would fill the build
+// seat's inodes and the node's. Betterbird's release holds 64.
+const maxEntries = 100_000
+
+// noDowngrade refuses a redirect off https: the digest still guards the bytes, and a fetch in the clear says
+// to whoever is on the path what the build seat fetches.
+func noDowngrade(req *http.Request, via []*http.Request) error {
+	if req.URL.Scheme != "https" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s redirected to %s, which is not https", via[0].URL, req.URL)
+	}
+	if len(via) >= 10 {
+		return errors.New("more than 10 redirects")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// upstreamClient fetches upstream files: a variable so a test serves its own.
+var upstreamClient = &http.Client{Timeout: 15 * time.Minute}
+
+// upstreamDir is where the build seat keeps the upstream files it fetched, by sha256.
+func upstreamDir(workspace string) string { return filepath.Join(workspace, "upstream") }
+
+// upstreamArchive is the packed archive of an artifact pinned by URL: the file fetched (or kept from an
+// earlier build) and checked, then laid out as the artifact says and packed.
+func upstreamArchive(ctx context.Context, workspace string, a catalogue.Artifact,
+	say func(step, format string, args ...any)) ([]byte, error) {
+	file, err := upstreamFile(ctx, workspace, a, say)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	laid := filepath.Join(workspace, "upstream-"+a.Name)
+	if err := os.RemoveAll(laid); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(laid)
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(laid, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if a.File != "" {
+		body, err := os.ReadFile(file)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(laid, a.File), body, 0o644); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	} else if err := unpackUpstream(ctx, file, laid, a.Within); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s (%s): %w", a.URL, a.Version, err)
+	}
+	return pack(laid)
+}
+
+// upstreamFile is the path of the pinned file in the workspace: kept from an earlier build when its bytes
+// are still the pin's, else fetched now and kept only when they are.
+func upstreamFile(ctx context.Context, workspace string, a catalogue.Artifact,
+	say func(step, format string, args ...any)) (string, error) {
+	want := strings.ToLower(a.SHA256)
+	dir := upstreamDir(workspace)
+	kept := filepath.Join(dir, want)
+	if got, err := sumOf(kept); err == nil {
+		if got == want {
+			say("upstream", "%s %s: kept from an earlier build (sha256:%s)", a.Name, a.Version, short(want))
+			return kept, nil
+		}
+		// Changed on disk since it was kept: fetched again rather than trusted.
+		os.Remove(kept)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	say("upstream", "fetching %s (%s)", a.URL, a.Version)
+	request, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodGet, a.URL, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	client := *upstreamClient
+	client.CheckRedirect = noDowngrade
+	response, err := client.Do(request)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot fetch %s: %w", a.URL, err)
+	}
+	defer response.Body.Close()
+	if response.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s answered %s", a.URL, response.Status)
+	}
+	part, err := os.CreateTemp(dir, want+".*.part")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer os.Remove(part.Name())
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	n, err := io.Copy(io.MultiWriter(part, hash), io.LimitReader(response.Body, maxUpstream+1))
+	if cerr := part.Close(); err == nil {
+		err = cerr
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("fetching %s: %w", a.URL, err)
+	}
+	if n > maxUpstream {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s is larger than %d bytes, more than a machine unpacks; nothing was kept", a.URL, maxUpstream)
+	}
+	got := hex.EncodeToString(hash.Sum(nil))
+	if got != want {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s was pinned as sha256:%s and what it served is sha256:%s (%d bytes); nothing "+
+			"was kept. The address serves another file than the one reviewed: compare it, then move the pin "+
+			"in a reviewed change (novox/hq ADR 0316)", a.URL, want, got, n)
+	}
+	if err := os.Rename(part.Name(), kept); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	say("upstream", "%s %s: %d bytes, sha256:%s as pinned", a.Name, a.Version, n, short(want))
+	return kept, nil
+}
+
+// sumOf is the sha256 of a file, in hexadecimal.
+func sumOf(file string) (string, error) {
+	f, err := os.Open(file)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	if _, err := io.Copy(hash, f); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return hex.EncodeToString(hash.Sum(nil)), nil
+}
+
+// unpackUpstream unpacks a tar archive, compressed with gzip, bzip2 or xz (told by its first bytes), into a
+// directory: of its entries only those within `within` (all, when empty), with that prefix taken off.
+//
+// **Only files and directories, and nothing outside.** A link, a device or an entry naming a path outside
+// the archive, or outside `within`, refuses the build by name: the node-engine unpacks only files and
+// directories, and an archive quietly unpacked without what it held would be a release that is not the one
+// pinned.
+func unpackUpstream(ctx context.Context, file, into, within string) error {
+	f, err := os.Open(file)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	buffered := bufio.NewReader(f)
+	magic, _ := buffered.Peek(6)
+	var stream io.Reader
+	switch {
+	case bytes.HasPrefix(magic, []byte{0x1f, 0x8b}):
+		zipped, err := gzip.NewReader(buffered)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		defer zipped.Close()
+		stream = zipped
+	case bytes.HasPrefix(magic, []byte("BZh")):
+		stream = bzip2.NewReader(buffered)
+	case bytes.HasPrefix(magic, []byte{0xfd, '7', 'z', 'X', 'Z', 0x00}):
+		// Read in Go (github.com/therootcompany/xz, a port of xz-embedded), never by a tool the build seat's image
+		// may not carry: the seat's image is the catalogue's build-agent recipe, which installs git and docker-cli
+		// alone, and a release pinned as .tar.xz failed there on 2026-10-12 (hq issue 345). xzDictMax is a real
+		// maximum: a block whose LZMA2 dictionary is larger is refused before its dictionary is allocated
+		// (ErrMemlimit). The reader keeps a filter decoder for every block of a stream, so the file's framing is
+		// walked first and a file of more blocks than xzBlocksMax is refused before anything is decoded
+		// (xz_framing.go). What the stream unpacks to is bounded by untar (maxUpstream, maxEntries).
+		if err := xzWithinLimits(file); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		zipped, err := xz.NewReader(buffered, xzDictMax)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("it is not an xz stream this build seat reads (a dictionary of %d MiB at most): %v",
+				xzDictMax>>20, err)
+		}
+		stream = zipped
+	default:
+		return errors.New("it is not a tar archive compressed with gzip, bzip2 or xz; a single file is kept " +
+			"whole by naming it in `file`")
+	}
+	return untar(stream, into, within)
+}
+
+// xzDictMax is the largest xz dictionary read: xz's own presets use at most 64 MiB (-9); a stream asking for
+// more is refused rather than given the memory.
+const xzDictMax = 64 << 20
+
+// untar writes a tar stream's files and directories within `within` into a directory.
+func untar(stream io.Reader, into, within string) error {
+	reader := tar.NewReader(stream)
+	prefix := ""
+	if within != "" {
+		prefix = path.Clean(within) + "/"
+	}
+	var total int64
+	files, entries := 0, 0
+	for {
+		header, err := reader.Next()
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			break
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if entries++; entries > maxEntries {
+			return fmt.Errorf("it holds more than %d entries", maxEntries)
+		}
+		if header.Typeflag == tar.TypeXGlobalHeader {
+			// A pax global header (git archive writes one) names no file.
+			continue
+		}
+		name := path.Clean(strings.TrimPrefix(header.Name, "./"))
+		if path.IsAbs(name) || name == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(name, "../") {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s names a path outside the archive", header.Name)
+		}
+		if name == "." || name+"/" == prefix ||
+			(header.Typeflag == tar.TypeDir && strings.HasPrefix(prefix, name+"/")) {
+			// The archive's root, the directory taken, or one of its parents.
+			continue
+		}
+		if prefix != "" {
+			if !strings.HasPrefix(name, prefix) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s is outside %s, the directory the artifact is taken from", header.Name, within)
+			}
+			name = strings.TrimPrefix(name, prefix)
+		}
+		target := filepath.Join(into, filepath.FromSlash(name))
+		switch header.Typeflag {
+		case tar.TypeDir:
+			if err := os.MkdirAll(target, 0o755); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case tar.TypeReg:
+			total += header.Size
+			if total > maxUpstream {
+				return fmt.Errorf("it unpacks to more than %d bytes, more than a machine unpacks", maxUpstream)
+			}
+			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(target), 0o755); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			mode := os.FileMode(0o644)
+			if header.Mode&0o111 != 0 {
+				mode = 0o755
+			}
+			out, err := os.OpenFile(target, os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC|os.O_WRONLY, mode)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if _, err := io.Copy(out, io.LimitReader(reader, header.Size)); err != nil {
+				out.Close()
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := out.Close(); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			files++
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s is a %c, and an archive carries only files and directories", header.Name,
+				header.Typeflag)
+		}
+	}
+	if files == 0 {
+		if within != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("it holds no file within %s", within)
+		}
+		return errors.New("it holds no file")
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/builder/upstream_file_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,469 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"archive/tar"
+	"bytes"
+	"compress/gzip"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+	"hash/crc32"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// An archive pinned by URL and sha256 (novox/hq ADR 0316 §2, §6; How it is checked: "an upstream artifact
+// whose download does not match its sha256 fails the build and names both digests").
+
+type tarEntry struct {
+	name, body string
+	mode       int64
+	kind       byte
+}
+
+func tarOf(t *testing.T, entries []tarEntry) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	var raw bytes.Buffer
+	w := tar.NewWriter(&raw)
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		kind := e.kind
+		if kind == 0 {
+			kind = tar.TypeReg
+		}
+		h := &tar.Header{Name: e.name, Mode: e.mode, Typeflag: kind, Size: int64(len(e.body))}
+		if kind == tar.TypeSymlink {
+			h.Linkname, h.Size = "/usr/share/hunspell", 0
+		}
+		if kind == tar.TypeDir {
+			h.Size = 0
+		}
+		if err := w.WriteHeader(h); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if kind == tar.TypeReg {
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte(e.body)); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if err := w.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return raw.Bytes()
+}
+
+func gzipped(t *testing.T, body []byte) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	z := gzip.NewWriter(&out)
+	if _, err := z.Write(body); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := z.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return out.Bytes()
+}
+
+func sumHex(b []byte) string {
+	s := sha256.Sum256(b)
+	return hex.EncodeToString(s[:])
+}
+
+// vendor serves files by path over https and counts what it was asked.
+type vendor struct {
+	files map[string][]byte
+	asked int
+}
+
+func serveVendor(t *testing.T, v *vendor) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	server := httptest.NewTLSServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		v.asked++
+		body, ok := v.files[r.URL.Path]
+		if !ok {
+			http.NotFound(w, r)
+			return
+		}
+		w.Write(body)
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(server.Close)
+	before := upstreamClient
+	// Under a public name, as a manifest must say it: example.com, which the test server's certificate
+	// names, dialled at the server.
+	transport := server.Client().Transport.(*http.Transport).Clone()
+	addr := server.Listener.Addr().String()
+	transport.DialContext = func(ctx context.Context, network, _ string) (net.Conn, error) {
+		return (&net.Dialer{}).DialContext(ctx, network, addr)
+	}
+	upstreamClient = &http.Client{Transport: transport}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { upstreamClient = before })
+	return "https://example.com"
+}
+
+// entriesOf lists a packed archive: each file with its mode and content.
+func entriesOf(t *testing.T, packed []byte) map[string]string {
+	t.Helper()
+	z, err := gzip.NewReader(bytes.NewReader(packed))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	r := tar.NewReader(z)
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	for {
+		h, err := r.Next()
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			return out
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		body, _ := io.ReadAll(r)
+		out[h.Name] = string(body) + " " + os.FileMode(h.Mode).String()
+	}
+}
+
+func release(t *testing.T) []byte {
+	return gzipped(t, tarOf(t, []tarEntry{
+		{name: "betterbird/", kind: tar.TypeDir, mode: 0o755},
+		{name: "betterbird/application.ini", body: "[App]\nVersion=153.4.0\n", mode: 0o644},
+		{name: "betterbird/betterbird", body: "#!/bin/sh\n", mode: 0o755},
+		{name: "betterbird/defaults/pref/channel-prefs.js", body: "pref(\"app.update.channel\", \"default\");\n", mode: 0o644},
+	}))
+}
+
+func pinnedManifest(base, sum string) string {
+	return `{"module":"betterbird","version":"1",
+  "build":{"artifacts":[
+    {"name":"archive","kind":"archive","url":"` + base + `/release.tar.gz","sha256":"` + sum + `","version":"153.4.0esr-bb10","within":"betterbird"}]},
+  "resources":[{"id":"installation","type":"archive","path":"/opt/betterbird","artifact":"archive"}]}`
+}
+
+func TestAnArchivePinnedByURLIsFetchedCheckedAndPackedWithoutItsOwnDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	body := release(t)
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/release.tar.gz": body}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	r, workspace := aRepository(t, pinnedManifest(base, sumHex(body)), nil)
+	got, err := Build(context.Background(), r.run, r, "https://forge.invalid/catalogue.git", "", "", workspace, nil,
+		Npmrc{}, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	digest, _ := got.Manifest.Resources[0]["digest"].(string)
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(digest, "sha256:") || r.archives["betterbird/archive"] != digest {
+		t.Fatalf("the release was not published and pinned as the module's archive: %v, published %v",
+			got.Manifest.Resources[0], r.archives)
+	}
+
+	packed, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), workspace, catalogue.Artifact{Name: "archive", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/release.tar.gz", SHA256: sumHex(body), Version: "153.4.0esr-bb10", Within: "betterbird"},
+		func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if "sha256:"+sumHex(packed) != digest {
+		t.Fatalf("a second packing of one pin gave another digest: %s and %s", digest, sumHex(packed))
+	}
+	entries := entriesOf(t, packed)
+	want := map[string]string{
+		"application.ini":                "[App]\nVersion=153.4.0\n -rw-r--r--",
+		"betterbird":                     "#!/bin/sh\n -rwxr-xr-x",
+		"defaults/pref/channel-prefs.js": "pref(\"app.update.channel\", \"default\");\n -rw-r--r--",
+	}
+	if len(entries) != len(want) {
+		t.Fatalf("the archive holds %v, want %v", entries, want)
+	}
+	for name, w := range want {
+		if entries[name] != w {
+			t.Errorf("%s is %q in the archive, want %q", name, entries[name], w)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFileIsFetchedOnceAndKeptByItsDigest(t *testing.T) {
+	// The vendor of an add-on serves only its newest version at one address: a pin that was fetched once
+	// must still build after the address moved on.
+	body := release(t)
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/release.tar.gz": body}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	r, workspace := aRepository(t, pinnedManifest(base, sumHex(body)), nil)
+	first, err := Build(context.Background(), r.run, r, "https://forge.invalid/catalogue.git", "", "", workspace, nil,
+		Npmrc{}, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	v.files["/release.tar.gz"] = []byte("the vendor's next release")
+	second, err := Build(context.Background(), r.run, r, "https://forge.invalid/catalogue.git", "", "", workspace, nil,
+		Npmrc{}, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a pin fetched before failed to build once the address served something else: %v", err)
+	}
+	if v.asked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the vendor was asked %d times for one pin, want once", v.asked)
+	}
+	if first.Manifest.Resources[0]["digest"] != second.Manifest.Resources[0]["digest"] {
+		t.Fatal("two builds of one pin gave two digests")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFileWhoseDownloadDoesNotMatchItsPinFailsAndNamesBothDigests(t *testing.T) {
+	pinned := release(t)
+	served := gzipped(t, tarOf(t, []tarEntry{{name: "betterbird/betterbird", body: "not what was reviewed", mode: 0o755}}))
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/release.tar.gz": served}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	r, workspace := aRepository(t, pinnedManifest(base, sumHex(pinned)), nil)
+	_, err := Build(context.Background(), r.run, r, "https://forge.invalid/catalogue.git", "", "", workspace, nil,
+		Npmrc{}, GitCredential{}, nil)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a download that is not the pinned file was built")
+	}
+	for _, digest := range []string{sumHex(pinned), sumHex(served)} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "sha256:"+digest) {
+			t.Errorf("the refusal does not name sha256:%s: %v", digest, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(r.archives) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("something was published: %v", r.archives)
+	}
+	kept, _ := filepath.Glob(filepath.Join(upstreamDir(workspace), "*"))
+	if len(kept) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the refused download was kept: %v", kept)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFileThatIsNotAnArchiveIsKeptWholeUnderItsName(t *testing.T) {
+	xpi := []byte("PK\x03\x04 an add-on")
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/owl.xpi": xpi}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	packed, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "owl", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/owl.xpi", SHA256: sumHex(xpi), Version: "1.5.6.1", File: "owl.xpi"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	entries := entriesOf(t, packed)
+	if len(entries) != 1 || entries["owl.xpi"] != string(xpi)+" -rw-r--r--" {
+		t.Fatalf("the add-on was not kept whole as owl.xpi: %v", entries)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamArchiveHoldingALinkOrAnEntryOutsideItsDirectoryIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string][]tarEntry{
+		// The community package links the dictionaries; a release carrying a link is not one a machine unpacks.
+		"is a 2": {{name: "betterbird/betterbird", body: "x", mode: 0o755},
+			{name: "betterbird/dictionaries", kind: tar.TypeSymlink}},
+		"outside betterbird": {{name: "betterbird/betterbird", body: "x", mode: 0o755},
+			{name: "README", body: "x", mode: 0o644}},
+		"outside the archive": {{name: "../etc/passwd", body: "x", mode: 0o644}},
+		"no file within":      {{name: "betterbird/", kind: tar.TypeDir, mode: 0o755}},
+	}
+	for want, entries := range cases {
+		body := gzipped(t, tarOf(t, entries))
+		v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.gz": body}}
+		base := serveVendor(t, v)
+		_, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "archive", Kind: "archive",
+			URL: base + "/r.tar.gz", SHA256: sumHex(body), Version: "1", Within: "betterbird"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("an archive whose entry is %q was not refused for it: %v", want, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamArchiveCompressedWithXzIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	// Betterbird publishes its Linux release as .tar.xz; the build seat's image carries xz for it.
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("xz"); err != nil {
+		t.Skip("NOT TESTED here: no xz on this machine (the build seat's image carries it)")
+	}
+	plain := tarOf(t, []tarEntry{{name: "betterbird/betterbird", body: "#!/bin/sh\n", mode: 0o755}})
+	cmd := exec.Command("xz", "-zc")
+	cmd.Stdin = bytes.NewReader(plain)
+	compressed, err := cmd.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.xz": compressed}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	packed, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "archive", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/r.tar.xz", SHA256: sumHex(compressed), Version: "1", Within: "betterbird"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var names []string
+	for n := range entriesOf(t, packed) {
+		names = append(names, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	if strings.Join(names, ",") != "betterbird" {
+		t.Fatalf("the xz release unpacked to %v", names)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamTarWithAGlobalHeaderNestedWithinAndTrailingDataIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	// git archive writes a pax global header; a release may unpack under a/b with a/ listed first; xz may be
+	// followed by bytes after the tar's end, which must be read before xz is waited for.
+	var raw bytes.Buffer
+	w := tar.NewWriter(&raw)
+	w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Typeflag: tar.TypeXGlobalHeader, Name: "pax_global_header", PAXRecords: map[string]string{"comment": "abc"}})
+	w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Name: "a/", Typeflag: tar.TypeDir, Mode: 0o755})
+	w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Name: "a/b/", Typeflag: tar.TypeDir, Mode: 0o755})
+	w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Name: "a/b/f", Typeflag: tar.TypeReg, Mode: 0o644, Size: 1})
+	w.Write([]byte("x"))
+	w.Close()
+	body := gzipped(t, raw.Bytes())
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.gz": body}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	packed, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "a", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/r.tar.gz", SHA256: sumHex(body), Version: "1", Within: "a/b"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if e := entriesOf(t, packed); len(e) != 1 || e["f"] == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", e)
+	}
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("xz"); err != nil {
+		t.Skip("NOT TESTED here: no xz")
+	}
+	// A megabyte after the tar's end: more than a pipe holds.
+	trailing := append(append([]byte{}, raw.Bytes()...), bytes.Repeat([]byte{0}, 1<<20)...)
+	cmd := exec.Command("xz", "-zc")
+	cmd.Stdin = bytes.NewReader(trailing)
+	compressed, err := cmd.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	v.files["/r.tar.xz"] = compressed
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	if _, err := upstreamArchive(ctx, t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "a", Kind: "archive", URL: base + "/r.tar.xz",
+		SHA256: sumHex(compressed), Version: "1", Within: "a/b"}, func(string, string, ...any) {}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamArchiveWithTooManyEntriesIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	var raw bytes.Buffer
+	w := tar.NewWriter(&raw)
+	for i := 0; i <= maxEntries; i++ {
+		w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Name: fmt.Sprintf("d%d/", i), Typeflag: tar.TypeDir, Mode: 0o755})
+	}
+	w.Close()
+	body := gzipped(t, raw.Bytes())
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.gz": body}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	_, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "a", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/r.tar.gz", SHA256: sumHex(body), Version: "1"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "entries") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestARedirectOffHttpsIsNotFollowed(t *testing.T) {
+	plain := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) { w.Write([]byte("x")) }))
+	t.Cleanup(plain.Close)
+	secure := httptest.NewTLSServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, plain.URL+"/r", http.StatusFound)
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(secure.Close)
+	before := upstreamClient
+	upstreamClient = secure.Client()
+	t.Cleanup(func() { upstreamClient = before })
+	_, err := upstreamFile(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "a", URL: secure.URL + "/r",
+		SHA256: sumHex([]byte("x")), Version: "1", File: "a"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not https") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnXzReleaseIsReadWithoutAnyXzToolOnTheBuildSeat(t *testing.T) {
+	// The build seat's image (the catalogue's build-agent recipe) carries git and docker-cli alone: Betterbird's
+	// .tar.xz failed there on 2026-10-12 with "this build seat has no xz to read it" (hq issue 345). It is
+	// read in Go, with nothing on PATH.
+	t.Setenv("PATH", "")
+	body, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join("testdata", "release.tar.xz"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.xz": body}}
+	base := serveVendor(t, v)
+	packed, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "archive", Kind: "archive",
+		URL: base + "/r.tar.xz", SHA256: sumHex(body), Version: "1", Within: "betterbird"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	e := entriesOf(t, packed)
+	if len(e) != 2 || e["betterbird"] != "#!/bin/sh\n -rwxr-xr-x" || e["defaults/p.js"] != "pref(\"a\", 1);\n -rw-r--r--" {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", e)
+	}
+}
+
+// withDictionary is an xz stream whose first block's LZMA2 dictionary property is props, its header's CRC32
+// recomputed: a stream asking for a dictionary of its own choosing.
+func withDictionary(t *testing.T, stream []byte, props byte) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	out := append([]byte{}, stream...)
+	const at = 12 // the stream header
+	size := (int(out[at]) + 1) * 4
+	header := out[at : at+size]
+	flags := header[1]
+	i := 2
+	readVarint := func() {
+		for header[i]&0x80 != 0 {
+			i++
+		}
+		i++
+	}
+	if flags&0x40 != 0 {
+		readVarint()
+	}
+	if flags&0x80 != 0 {
+		readVarint()
+	}
+	if header[i] != 0x21 || header[i+1] != 0x01 {
+		t.Fatalf("the fixture's first filter is not LZMA2: % x", header)
+	}
+	header[i+2] = props
+	binary.LittleEndian.PutUint32(header[size-4:], crc32.ChecksumIEEE(header[:size-4]))
+	return out
+}
+
+func TestAnXzStreamAskingForTooLargeADictionaryIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	body, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join("testdata", "release.tar.xz"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// 1 GiB (props 36) and 4 GiB less one (props 40): over the 64 MiB maximum, refused before allocation.
+	for _, props := range []byte{36, 40} {
+		crafted := withDictionary(t, body, props)
+		v := &vendor{files: map[string][]byte{"/r.tar.xz": crafted}}
+		base := serveVendor(t, v)
+		var before, after runtime.MemStats
+		runtime.GC()
+		runtime.ReadMemStats(&before)
+		_, err := upstreamArchive(context.Background(), t.TempDir(), catalogue.Artifact{Name: "archive", Kind: "archive",
+			URL: base + "/r.tar.xz", SHA256: sumHex(crafted), Version: "1", Within: "betterbird"}, func(string, string, ...any) {})
+		runtime.ReadMemStats(&after)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "dictionary") {
+			t.Errorf("props %d: a dictionary over the maximum was not refused: %v", props, err)
+		}
+		if grew := after.TotalAlloc - before.TotalAlloc; grew > 256<<20 {
+			t.Errorf("props %d: %d bytes were allocated for a refused stream", props, grew)
+		}
+	}
+	// The fixture as it is (a small dictionary) still reads.
+	if crafted := withDictionary(t, body, 0); len(crafted) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no fixture")
+	}
+}

internal/builder/xz_framing.go

@@ -0,0 +1,290 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"hash/crc32"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// xzBlocksMax and xzStreamsMax are the most blocks and the most concatenated streams an xz file may hold for
+// the build seat to read it.
+//
+// **Why a block count is limited at all.** The xz reader (github.com/therootcompany/xz v1.0.1) keeps one
+// filter decoder for every block that names a delta or BCJ filter, and frees them only when a stream ends:
+// its block counters are reset per stream, not per block. A stream of many tiny blocks therefore grows the
+// heap with its length: an `xz --block-size=1 --delta` file of 6 MB kept about 67 MiB live, which comes to
+// about 5.6 GiB at the 512 MiB download cap (review 68 on mesh-controller pull request 264, hq issue 345).
+//
+// **Why 1,024.** At about 340 bytes of decoder a block, 1,024 blocks keep at most about 0.35 MiB live. A
+// real release is far below it: Betterbird's archive is 1 stream with 1 block, and multi-threaded xz cuts
+// blocks of three times the dictionary (24 MiB at the default preset), so even 512 MiB unpacked in blocks
+// of 512 KiB stays within it. Streams are limited to 16 because a release is one stream; the decoders are
+// reused from one stream to the next, so the stream limit only bounds the work of this walk.
+const (
+	xzBlocksMax  = 1024
+	xzStreamsMax = 16
+)
+
+// xzWithinLimits walks an xz file's framing, without decompressing anything, and refuses one holding more
+// blocks or streams than the build seat reads.
+//
+// **The framing, not the index.** Each stream's index at its end lists its blocks, but the reader compares
+// the index with the blocks only after it has decoded them all, so a file whose index lies would still be
+// decoded block by block. This walk follows the same framing the reader follows: stream header, each block
+// header, the block's LZMA2 chunks (each chunk header carries its own compressed size, so a chunk is skipped
+// without being decoded), its padding and check, then the index and the footer. It counts the blocks the
+// reader would decode, and it also refuses an index whose count of blocks is not the count walked.
+func xzWithinLimits(file string) error {
+	f, err := os.Open(file)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	_, _, err = xzFraming(bufio.NewReader(f))
+	if errors.Is(err, errXzTooManyBlocks) || errors.Is(err, errXzTooManyStreams) {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("it is not an xz file this build seat reads: %v", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+var (
+	errXzTooManyBlocks = fmt.Errorf("it holds more than %d xz blocks, the most this build seat reads: "+
+		"its xz reader keeps a filter decoder for every block (hq issue 345)", xzBlocksMax)
+	errXzTooManyStreams = fmt.Errorf("it holds more than %d concatenated xz streams, the most this build "+
+		"seat reads", xzStreamsMax)
+)
+
+// xzFraming counts the streams and blocks of an xz file, checking its framing as it goes. It stops with
+// errXzTooManyBlocks or errXzTooManyStreams at the first block or stream over the limit.
+func xzFraming(r *bufio.Reader) (streams, blocks int, err error) {
+	full := func(n int) ([]byte, error) {
+		b := make([]byte, n)
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, b); err != nil {
+			if err == io.EOF {
+				err = io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+			}
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return b, nil
+	}
+	skip := func(n int) error {
+		if got, err := r.Discard(n); err != nil || got != n {
+			return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	for {
+		header, err := full(12)
+		if err != nil {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: header: %v", streams+1, err)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(header[:6], []byte{0xfd, '7', 'z', 'X', 'Z', 0x00}) {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: no xz stream header", streams+1)
+		}
+		if header[6] != 0 || header[7]&0xf0 != 0 ||
+			crc32.ChecksumIEEE(header[6:8]) != binary.LittleEndian.Uint32(header[8:12]) {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: a corrupt stream header", streams+1)
+		}
+		if streams++; streams > xzStreamsMax {
+			return streams, blocks, errXzTooManyStreams
+		}
+		checkSize := 0
+		if check := int(header[7]); check != 0 {
+			checkSize = 4 << ((check - 1) / 3)
+		}
+		inStream := 0
+		for {
+			first, err := r.ReadByte()
+			if err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: no index: %v", streams, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF)
+			}
+			if first == 0 {
+				break // the index indicator
+			}
+			rest, err := full(int(first)*4 + 3)
+			if err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d, block %d: header: %v", streams, inStream+1, err)
+			}
+			if err := xzBlockHeader(append([]byte{first}, rest...)); err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d, block %d: %v", streams, inStream+1, err)
+			}
+			inStream++
+			if blocks++; blocks > xzBlocksMax {
+				return streams, blocks, errXzTooManyBlocks
+			}
+			// The block's LZMA2 chunks, up to the end marker.
+			size := 0
+			for {
+				control, err := r.ReadByte()
+				if err != nil {
+					return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d, block %d: %v", streams, inStream, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF)
+				}
+				size++
+				if control == 0 {
+					break
+				}
+				switch {
+				case control == 1 || control == 2: // stored: a 16-bit size less one, then the bytes
+					b, err := full(2)
+					if err != nil {
+						return streams, blocks, err
+					}
+					n := int(binary.BigEndian.Uint16(b)) + 1
+					if err := skip(n); err != nil {
+						return streams, blocks, err
+					}
+					size += 2 + n
+				case control >= 0x80: // LZMA: unpacked and packed sizes, the properties byte on a reset
+					b, err := full(4)
+					if err != nil {
+						return streams, blocks, err
+					}
+					n := int(binary.BigEndian.Uint16(b[2:])) + 1
+					size += 4
+					if control >= 0xc0 {
+						if err := skip(1); err != nil {
+							return streams, blocks, err
+						}
+						size++
+					}
+					if err := skip(n); err != nil {
+						return streams, blocks, err
+					}
+					size += n
+				default:
+					return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d, block %d: an LZMA2 chunk of kind %#x",
+						streams, inStream, control)
+				}
+			}
+			if pad := (4 - size%4) % 4; pad > 0 {
+				b, err := full(pad)
+				if err != nil || !bytes.Equal(b, make([]byte, pad)) {
+					return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d, block %d: corrupt block padding", streams, inStream)
+				}
+			}
+			if err := skip(checkSize); err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, err
+			}
+		}
+		// The index: its count of records, two numbers each, padding, CRC32.
+		used := 1
+		count, n, err := xzVLI(r)
+		if err != nil {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: index: %v", streams, err)
+		}
+		used += n
+		if count != uint64(inStream) {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: its index lists %d blocks, but it holds %d",
+				streams, count, inStream)
+		}
+		for i := 0; i < 2*inStream; i++ {
+			_, n, err := xzVLI(r)
+			if err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: index: %v", streams, err)
+			}
+			used += n
+		}
+		if err := skip((4-used%4)%4 + 4); err != nil {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: index: %v", streams, err)
+		}
+		footer, err := full(12)
+		if err != nil || footer[10] != 'Y' || footer[11] != 'Z' {
+			return streams, blocks, fmt.Errorf("stream %d: no stream footer", streams)
+		}
+		// Stream padding: zero bytes, a multiple of four, then the end or another stream.
+		zeros := 0
+		for {
+			b, err := r.ReadByte()
+			if err == io.EOF {
+				if zeros%4 != 0 {
+					return streams, blocks, errors.New("stream padding not a multiple of four bytes")
+				}
+				return streams, blocks, nil
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				return streams, blocks, err
+			}
+			if b != 0 {
+				_ = r.UnreadByte()
+				break
+			}
+			zeros++
+		}
+		if zeros%4 != 0 {
+			return streams, blocks, errors.New("stream padding not a multiple of four bytes")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// xzBlockHeader checks one block header: its CRC32, its flags, and that its last filter is LZMA2, the only
+// one whose chunks this walk can skip (and the only last filter the reader decodes).
+func xzBlockHeader(h []byte) error {
+	size := len(h)
+	if crc32.ChecksumIEEE(h[:size-4]) != binary.LittleEndian.Uint32(h[size-4:]) {
+		return errors.New("a corrupt block header")
+	}
+	flags := h[1]
+	if flags&0x3c != 0 {
+		return errors.New("a block header with reserved flags")
+	}
+	body := bytes.NewReader(h[2 : size-4])
+	if flags&0x40 != 0 {
+		if _, _, err := xzVLI(body); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	if flags&0x80 != 0 {
+		if _, _, err := xzVLI(body); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	var last uint64
+	for i := 0; i <= int(flags&3); i++ {
+		id, _, err := xzVLI(body)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		props, _, err := xzVLI(body)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if props > uint64(body.Len()) {
+			return errors.New("a corrupt block header")
+		}
+		if _, err := body.Seek(int64(props), io.SeekCurrent); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		last = id
+	}
+	if last != 0x21 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("a block whose last filter is %#x, not LZMA2", last)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// xzVLI reads one of xz's variable-length integers (at most 9 bytes, 7 bits each), and how many bytes it took.
+func xzVLI(r io.ByteReader) (uint64, int, error) {
+	var v uint64
+	for i := 0; i < 9; i++ {
+		b, err := r.ReadByte()
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, i, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+		}
+		v |= uint64(b&0x7f) << (7 * i)
+		if b&0x80 == 0 {
+			if i > 0 && b == 0 {
+				return 0, i + 1, errors.New("a number not in its shortest form")
+			}
+			return v, i + 1, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return 0, 9, errors.New("a number longer than nine bytes")
+}

internal/builder/xz_framing_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"archive/tar"
+	"bufio"
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"errors"
+	"hash/crc32"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// xzStream is one xz stream (no integrity check) of data cut into blocks of blockSize bytes, each block's
+// LZMA2 data stored uncompressed, each block a delta filter before LZMA2 when delta is set: the shape of
+// `xz --block-size=N --filters=delta,lzma2`, built without any xz tool. listed is how many blocks its index
+// lists (-1: as many as it holds), so a stream whose index lies can be built too.
+func xzStream(data []byte, blockSize int, delta bool, listed int) []byte {
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	flags := []byte{0, 0}
+	out.Write([]byte{0xfd, '7', 'z', 'X', 'Z', 0x00})
+	out.Write(flags)
+	out.Write(binary.LittleEndian.AppendUint32(nil, crc32.ChecksumIEEE(flags)))
+	type record struct{ unpadded, uncompressed uint64 }
+	var records []record
+	for at := 0; at < len(data); at += blockSize {
+		block := data[at:min(at+blockSize, len(data))]
+		if delta {
+			// Delta-encoded with a distance of one; the decoder's history starts empty at each block.
+			encoded := make([]byte, len(block))
+			for i := range block {
+				encoded[i] = block[i]
+				if i > 0 {
+					encoded[i] -= block[i-1]
+				}
+			}
+			block = encoded
+		}
+		header := []byte{2, 0} // 12 bytes
+		if delta {
+			header[1] = 1 // two filters
+			header = append(header, 0x03, 0x01, 0x00)
+		}
+		header = append(header, 0x21, 0x01, 0x00) // LZMA2, a 4 KiB dictionary
+		for len(header) < 8 {
+			header = append(header, 0)
+		}
+		header = binary.LittleEndian.AppendUint32(header, crc32.ChecksumIEEE(header))
+		out.Write(header)
+		size := 0
+		for i, chunk := 0, block; len(chunk) > 0; i++ {
+			n := min(len(chunk), 1<<16)
+			control := byte(2)
+			if i == 0 {
+				control = 1 // the first chunk of a block resets the dictionary
+			}
+			out.WriteByte(control)
+			out.Write(binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(nil, uint16(n-1)))
+			out.Write(chunk[:n])
+			size += 3 + n
+			chunk = chunk[n:]
+		}
+		out.WriteByte(0)
+		size++
+		out.Write(make([]byte, (4-size%4)%4))
+		records = append(records, record{uint64(len(header) + size), uint64(len(block))})
+	}
+	if listed >= 0 {
+		for len(records) < listed {
+			records = append(records, records[0])
+		}
+		records = records[:listed]
+	}
+	vli := func(b []byte, v uint64) []byte {
+		for v >= 0x80 {
+			b = append(b, byte(v)|0x80)
+			v >>= 7
+		}
+		return append(b, byte(v))
+	}
+	index := vli([]byte{0}, uint64(len(records)))
+	for _, r := range records {
+		index = vli(vli(index, r.unpadded), r.uncompressed)
+	}
+	for len(index)%4 != 0 {
+		index = append(index, 0)
+	}
+	index = binary.LittleEndian.AppendUint32(index, crc32.ChecksumIEEE(index))
+	out.Write(index)
+	footer := binary.LittleEndian.AppendUint32(nil, uint32(len(index)/4-1))
+	footer = append(footer, flags...)
+	out.Write(binary.LittleEndian.AppendUint32(nil, crc32.ChecksumIEEE(footer)))
+	out.Write(footer)
+	out.WriteString("YZ")
+	return out.Bytes()
+}
+
+// tarHolding is a tar holding betterbird/data with body.
+func tarHolding(t *testing.T, body []byte) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	w := tar.NewWriter(&out)
+	if err := w.WriteHeader(&tar.Header{Name: "betterbird/data", Mode: 0o644, Size: int64(len(body)),
+		Typeflag: tar.TypeReg}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	w.Write(body)
+	if err := w.Close(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return out.Bytes()
+}
+
+func writeTemp(t *testing.T, body []byte) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	file := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "r.tar.xz")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(file, body, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return file
+}
+
+func TestAnXzFileOfAFewDeltaBlocksAndTwoStreamsIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	// The streams this test builds are ones the reader decodes, so what the walk refuses below is the
+	// same framing the reader follows.
+	body := bytes.Repeat([]byte("betterbird "), 300)
+	whole := tarHolding(t, body)
+	half := len(whole) / 2
+	for name, file := range map[string][]byte{
+		"one stream of delta blocks": xzStream(whole, 512, true, -1),
+		"two streams with padding": append(append(xzStream(whole[:half], 700, true, -1), 0, 0, 0, 0),
+			xzStream(whole[half:], 100, false, -1)...),
+	} {
+		path := writeTemp(t, file)
+		if xzPath, err := exec.LookPath("xz"); err == nil {
+			if out, err := exec.Command(xzPath, "-t", path).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("%s: xz itself refuses the built stream: %v %s", name, err, out)
+			}
+		}
+		into := t.TempDir()
+		if err := unpackUpstream(context.Background(), path, into, "betterbird"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		got, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(into, "data"))
+		if err != nil || !bytes.Equal(got, body) {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: unpacked %d bytes, want %d: %v", name, len(got), len(body), err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnXzFileOfManyDeltaBlocksIsRefusedBeforeItIsDecoded(t *testing.T) {
+	// Review 68 on pull request 264: `xz --block-size=1 --delta` of a 200 kB tar kept about 67 MiB live in
+	// the reader, one delta decoder per block. Its index here lists one block, as a file crafted to pass a
+	// check of the index alone would; the walk counts the blocks the reader would decode.
+	body := make([]byte, 200_000)
+	for i := range body {
+		body[i] = byte(i * 7)
+	}
+	crafted := xzStream(tarHolding(t, body), 1, true, 1)
+	path := writeTemp(t, crafted)
+	var before, after runtime.MemStats
+	runtime.GC()
+	runtime.ReadMemStats(&before)
+	err := unpackUpstream(context.Background(), path, t.TempDir(), "betterbird")
+	runtime.ReadMemStats(&after)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "more than 1024 xz blocks") {
+		t.Fatalf("a file of %d bytes in blocks of one byte was not refused for its blocks: %v", len(crafted), err)
+	}
+	if grew := after.TotalAlloc - before.TotalAlloc; grew > 4<<20 {
+		t.Fatalf("%d bytes were allocated for a refused file", grew)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTheXzBlockLimitIsExact(t *testing.T) {
+	data := make([]byte, xzBlocksMax+1)
+	streams, blocks, err := xzFraming(bufio.NewReader(bytes.NewReader(xzStream(data[:xzBlocksMax], 1, true, -1))))
+	if err != nil || streams != 1 || blocks != xzBlocksMax {
+		t.Fatalf("%d blocks: %d streams, %d blocks, %v", xzBlocksMax, streams, blocks, err)
+	}
+	if _, _, err := xzFraming(bufio.NewReader(bytes.NewReader(xzStream(data, 1, true, -1)))); !errors.Is(err, errXzTooManyBlocks) {
+		t.Fatalf("%d blocks: %v", xzBlocksMax+1, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnXzFileOfTooManyStreamsIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	var file []byte
+	for i := 0; i <= xzStreamsMax; i++ {
+		file = append(file, xzStream([]byte("x"), 1, false, -1)...)
+	}
+	err := unpackUpstream(context.Background(), writeTemp(t, file), t.TempDir(), "")
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "more than 16 concatenated xz streams") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnXzIndexThatDoesNotListItsBlocksIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	file := xzStream(tarHolding(t, []byte("x")), 512, false, 1)
+	err := unpackUpstream(context.Background(), writeTemp(t, file), t.TempDir(), "betterbird")
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "its index lists 1 blocks, but it holds 4") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/build.go

@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@ package catalogue
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/url"
 	"path"
+	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 )
@@ -312,7 +315,7 @@ func (b *Build) problems(module string) []string {
 					module, a.Name, a.System, spokenSystems()))
 			}
 		} else {
-			if a.From == "" {
+			if a.From == "" && a.URL == "" {
 				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 					"%s: %q says nothing about what it is built from", module, a.Name))
 			}
@@ -350,6 +353,85 @@ func (b *Build) problems(module string) []string {
 			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"%s: %q mirrors %q, which names no tag or digest", module, a.Name, a.From))
 		}
+		problems = append(problems, upstreamFileProblems(module, a)...)
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// reservedSuffixes are names no public vendor publishes under: an installation's own and documentation's.
+var reservedSuffixes = []string{".internal", ".local", ".lan", ".home", ".corp", ".localhost", ".home.arpa",
+	".test", ".invalid", ".example", ".intranet", ".private"}
+
+// notAPublicHost says why a host is not a public vendor's name, or "".
+func notAPublicHost(host string) string {
+	h := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSuffix(host, "."))
+	if net.ParseIP(h) != nil {
+		return "an address rather than a name"
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(h, ".") {
+		return "a name with no domain"
+	}
+	for _, s := range reservedSuffixes {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(h, s) {
+			return "a name under " + s + ", which is nobody's public domain"
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// sha256Hex is a pinned sha256 as a manifest writes it: 64 lower-case hexadecimal characters.
+var sha256Hex = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-f]{64}$`)
+
+// upstreamFileProblems is what is wrong with an archive pinned by URL (novox/hq ADR 0316 §2, §6): it is an
+// archive, fetched over https, pinned by a sha256 and a version, and it names no directory of the repository
+// besides; a file name or a directory within is a plain path that stays where it is put.
+func upstreamFileProblems(module string, a Artifact) []string {
+	pinned := a.URL != "" || a.SHA256 != "" || a.Version != "" || a.File != "" || a.Within != ""
+	if !pinned {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	say := func(format string, args ...any) {
+		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: %q ", module, a.Name)+fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+	}
+	if a.Kind != ArtifactArchive {
+		say("is a %q and names an upstream file (url, sha256, version, file, within): only an archive is "+
+			"mirrored from one (novox/hq ADR 0316)", a.Kind)
+		return problems
+	}
+	if a.URL == "" {
+		say("names a sha256, a version, a file or a directory within, and no url to fetch it from")
+		return problems
+	}
+	if a.From != "" {
+		say("is built from %q and fetched from %s: an archive is one or the other", a.From, a.URL)
+	}
+	if u, err := url.Parse(a.URL); err != nil || u.Scheme != "https" || u.Host == "" {
+		say("is fetched from %q, and an upstream file is fetched over https from a named host", a.URL)
+	} else if why := notAPublicHost(u.Hostname()); why != "" {
+		say("is fetched from %s, %s: an upstream file is somebody else's release, published under a public name", a.URL, why)
+	}
+	if !sha256Hex.MatchString(a.SHA256) {
+		say("is fetched from %s without a pinned sha256 (64 lower-case hexadecimal characters): what that "+
+			"address serves changes under the mesh, and only the digest says it is what was reviewed", a.URL)
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(a.Version) == "" {
+		say("pins %s and says no version, so a person reading the pin cannot tell which release it is", a.URL)
+	}
+	if a.File != "" && a.Within != "" {
+		say("names a file (%q) and a directory within (%q): a file is kept whole, a directory is taken out "+
+			"of an archive", a.File, a.Within)
+	}
+	for field, p := range map[string]string{"file": a.File, "within": a.Within} {
+		if p == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		clean := path.Clean(p)
+		if clean != p || strings.HasPrefix(p, "/") || clean == "." || clean == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(clean, "../") ||
+			(field == "file" && strings.Contains(p, "/")) {
+			say("names %s %q, which is not a plain relative %s", field, p, map[string]string{
+				"file": "file name", "within": "directory"}[field])
+		}
 	}
 	return problems
 }

internal/catalogue/declaration.go

@@ -246,6 +246,25 @@ type Rendering struct {
 	// statement's contract is link.RootContract or later). To an older, strict engine the field is not
 	// sent, and the account it names is not judged — which the self-check says, as not judged.
 	JudgesRoot bool
+
+	// KeepsLibraries says this machine's node-engine makes the mesh's users and library groups and keeps libraries
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0328: its statement's contract is link.LibraryContract or later). To an older, strict engine none
+	// of it is sent, and a module that joins is left out of its declaration, naming why.
+	KeepsLibraries bool
+	// Identities is each joining module's allocated number, by module (ADR 0328 §4): the same on every machine. A
+	// joining module with none here is left out, as at a question asked before its first send.
+	Identities map[string]ModuleIdentity
+	// Libraries is every library the operator defined, by name (§1); LibraryGroups each one's allocated group number
+	// (§3); TakenLibraries those whose data the operator let the mesh take on their home, on the filesystem it is on
+	// now (§7); LibraryPaths every sub-path any module in the mesh asks of each, kept on its home (§6).
+	Libraries      map[string]Library
+	LibraryGroups  map[string]int
+	TakenLibraries map[string]bool
+	LibraryPaths   map[string][]string
+	// RunnerJoinsOwnGroups says this machine's engine puts the tool runner's account in a joining module's own group
+	// and takes a directory's setgid mode (novox/hq ADR 0334 §1, §2: its statement's contract is link.OwnGroupContract
+	// or later); to an older one neither the identity's runner nor the setgid bit is sent.
+	RunnerJoinsOwnGroups bool
 }
 
 // RootField is a user resource's field saying the account must never become root without a person
@@ -320,6 +339,11 @@ type Composed struct {
 	// naming its module and why (novox/hq ADR 0255): that piece is left out and the machine is told
 	// everything else. Push and plan say it; the merge gate refuses a change that adds one.
 	Unplaced []string
+	// Groups, Identities and Libraries are what the declaration says of libraries and joining modules (novox/hq ADR
+	// 0328): composed only for an engine that keeps libraries, and sent only when not empty.
+	Groups     []GroupEntry
+	Identities []IdentityEntry
+	Libraries  []LibraryEntry
 }
 
 // ForeseenSealed is what stands for an own secret a send will make, in a composition asked ahead of
@@ -358,7 +382,9 @@ func (r Resolution) LeftOutBecause(settings SettingsBy, adopted bool) map[string
 			out[m.Module] = &UnreadManifestError{Module: m.Module, said: why}
 			continue
 		}
-		if err := JudgeSettings(m, settings[m.Module], adopted); err != nil {
+		// A placement stored ahead of the build that declares its access is passed by, not a reason to leave the
+		// module out (novox/hq issue 575): it was judged against that build where it was stored.
+		if err := ComposesWith(m, settings[m.Module], adopted); err != nil {
 			out[m.Module] = err
 		}
 	}
@@ -380,7 +406,8 @@ func (r Resolution) Compose(with Rendering) (Composed, error) {
 	received := map[string]map[string][]Contribution{}
 	leftOut := map[string]string{}
 	var foreseen, unplaced []string
-	resources, err := r.compose(with, owner, received, leftOut, &foreseen, &unplaced)
+	var joined []Joined
+	resources, err := r.compose(with, owner, received, leftOut, &foreseen, &unplaced, &joined)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Composed{}, err
 	}
@@ -394,8 +421,10 @@ func (r Resolution) Compose(with Rendering) (Composed, error) {
 		})
 	}
 	sort.Strings(unplaced)
-	return Composed{Resources: resources, Owner: owner, Received: received, LeftOut: leftOut,
-		Foreseen: foreseen, Unplaced: unplaced}, nil
+	composed := Composed{Resources: resources, Owner: owner, Received: received, LeftOut: leftOut,
+		Foreseen: foreseen, Unplaced: unplaced}
+	composed.Groups, composed.Identities, composed.Libraries = r.libraryEnvelope(with, joined)
+	return composed, nil
 }
 
 // BusMembershipID names the resource carrying a machine's membership for the new bus, and
@@ -406,13 +435,26 @@ const BusMembershipPath = "/var/lib/mesh/membership-next.json"
 
 func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 	received map[string]map[string][]Contribution, leftOut map[string]string,
-	foreseen, unplaced *[]string) ([]map[string]any, error) {
+	foreseen, unplaced *[]string, joinedOut *[]Joined) ([]map[string]any, error) {
 	// **A setting is judged where it is stored, and an impossible one costs a module, not a
 	// machine** (novox/hq ADR 0163, rule 6). A definition that moved under a stored setting makes
 	// this module uncomposable; it is left out of the declaration — its held things kept, its
 	// containers untouched, the machine told so by name — and the machine is told everything else.
 	// Before placing, because a placement is a setting too.
 	left := r.LeftOut(with.Settings, with.Adopted)
+	// And a module whose libraries cannot be composed here, or that waits for one to be taken (novox/hq ADR 0328 §2,
+	// §8): left out, naming why, its containers untouched — so a container keeps the user it ran as.
+	for _, m := range r.Modules {
+		if _, already := left[m.Module]; already {
+			continue
+		}
+		if why := libraryLeftOut(m, r.Node, with); why != "" {
+			if left == nil {
+				left = map[string]string{}
+			}
+			left[m.Module] = why
+		}
+	}
 	kept := make([]Manifest, 0, len(r.Modules))
 	var stillBackedUp []Manifest
 	for _, m := range r.Modules {
@@ -553,6 +595,20 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 		}
 		resources := m.Resources
 
+		// Its identity, where it joins (novox/hq ADR 0328 §4): its user and groups, and where its libraries are here.
+		var joined Joined
+		joins := Joins(m)
+		var libPaths map[string]string
+		if joins {
+			if joined, err = joinedOf(m, with); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			libPaths = libraryPaths(m, with)
+			if joinedOut != nil {
+				*joinedOut = append(*joinedOut, joined)
+			}
+		}
+
 		// What the mesh computes for this module goes FIRST, before the module's own resources.
 		//
 		// **Order is stated, not derived — the host does not sort** (novox/hq ADR 0005), so
@@ -645,6 +701,11 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 				sealed = ForeseenSealed
 				*foreseen = append(*foreseen, m.Module+"/"+name)
 			}
+			if sealed == "" && m.OwnSecrets[name].IssuedBy == IssuedOutside {
+				// **Not given, and the mesh never makes it** (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228): no file, as for a
+				// family's member (ADR 0283), so the module reads its absence as not given.
+				continue
+			}
 			if sealed == "" {
 				// Declared and not made. Refused rather than skipped: a module whose own
 				// credential is silently absent starts, fails to authenticate, and the reason is
@@ -998,11 +1059,18 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			ownerInto(copied, placed)
+			// And its identity and libraries, where it joins (novox/hq ADR 0328 §4, §5, §10): after the placement's
+			// owner, which a joining module may not set.
+			if joins {
+				if err := joinedInto(copied, m, joined, libPaths, with.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups); err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+			}
 			// **After settings, and that is the whole reason it is here.** A module's file
 			// content is where a setting lands, so a placeholder may only exist once the setting
 			// has been put in — filling secrets first would look at content that is not yet what
 			// the machine receives.
-			if err := intoFile(copied, sealed, m.Module); err != nil {
+			if err := intoFile(copied, sealed, outsideNotGiven(m, with.Needed[m.Module]), m.Module); err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			// **Substituted here, not on the machine.** A bound value is not secret — the mesh
@@ -2431,6 +2499,9 @@ func secretsReadBy(resource map[string]any, m Manifest, given map[string]string)
 	}
 	paths := map[string]string{}
 	for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+		if own.IssuedBy == IssuedOutside && given[name] == "" {
+			continue // not given, so not placed: nothing to restart on (novox/hq issue 401)
+		}
 		paths[name] = own.Path
 	}
 	for name, sealed := range given {

internal/catalogue/installation.go

@@ -71,6 +71,9 @@ var hostname = regexp.MustCompile(
 		`(?:be|nl|de|fr|uk|eu|com|net|org|io|dev|app|cloud|site|online|me|co|ch|at|lu|` +
 		`internal|example|tld|test|invalid)`)
 
+// upstreamVersion is where an artifact pinned by URL says which release it is (Artifact.Version).
+var upstreamVersion = regexp.MustCompile(`^build\.artifacts\[[0-9]+\]\.version$`)
+
 // address is a dotted quad.
 var address = regexp.MustCompile(`(?:[0-9]{1,3}\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}`)
 
@@ -120,7 +123,10 @@ func InstallationProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s names %s at %s", m.Module, name, at))
 		}
 		for _, ip := range addressesIn(value) {
-			if meant[ip] {
+			// An upstream pin's version may have four dotted numbers (Owl 1.5.6.1), which is no address; a name
+			// in it is still judged above. Its URL is judged whole: the vendor's host goes through the artifact's
+			// names-on-purpose like any name a definition means (novox/hq ADR 0316).
+			if meant[ip] || upstreamVersion.MatchString(at) {
 				continue
 			}
 			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s names the public address %s at %s", m.Module, ip, at))

internal/catalogue/libraries.go

@@ -0,0 +1,907 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// Libraries, and the modules that join them (novox/hq ADR 0328).
+//
+// **A library is a named tree of shared data with one home** (§1). The operator defines it — its name, the machine it
+// lives on, its root there and the machines it reaches — as the mesh-wide `libraries` setting of the controller's own
+// module, a trusted setting set at the controller's terminal or on the operator's Approve of a proposal (ADR 0277),
+// never through a verb alone. Libraries never overlap on a machine (§13), and a library never shares a name with a
+// module (§4), so `mesh-<library>` and `mesh-<module>` never collide.
+//
+// **A module asks for a library by name, sub-path and use** (§2): a manifest's `libraries` entries {id, library,
+// path, use}. On each machine an entry resolves to the library's root joined with the path; a module assigned to a
+// machine the library does not reach is left out there, naming the library. `${library:<id>}` is that host path, and
+// is filled only where a host path belongs (§5): a container's volume source, and a word of the module's tools, which
+// run on the machine. A `read` entry is mounted read-only (§10).
+//
+// **A module joins by using the model** (§14): it declares `libraries` or uses `${identity:…}`. It is given one number
+// from the mesh's range, as its user's and its own group's (§4); its user's primary group is the group of the first
+// library it uses, the others are added groups, and with no library its own group is primary. `${identity:user}`,
+// `${identity:uid}`, `${identity:group}` and `${identity:gid}` are filled wherever its resources take values (§5), and
+// its directories are owned by its user and primary group (§4). A module that does neither is composed exactly as
+// before.
+//
+// **The range is 50000–59999** for every number the mesh allocates — a joining module's and a library's group — from
+// one sequence, so a module's own group and a library's never share a number. It lies above the numbers distributions
+// give people and below the 60000s Debian keeps for its daemons, and nowhere near root's 0 or a root group's (0, adm's 4,
+// wheel's 10): no allocated number is root's (§15). The store refuses a row outside it.
+//
+// **Only to an engine that reads it** (Rendering.KeepsLibraries: its statement's contract is link.LibraryContract or
+// later), the declaration carries `groups`, `identities` and `libraries` (libraryEnvelope). To an older engine a module
+// that joins is left out of the declaration, naming why — its placeholders could not be filled — and everything else is
+// composed as before.
+
+// The range the mesh allocates user and group numbers from (novox/hq ADR 0328 §3, §4, §15). The store holds the same
+// bounds.
+const (
+	IdentityLow  = 50000
+	IdentityHigh = 59999
+)
+
+// AllocatableID says whether n is a number the mesh may give: inside the range, so never 0 nor a root group's.
+func AllocatableID(n int) bool { return n >= IdentityLow && n <= IdentityHigh }
+
+// ADR0328 is how the checks name the decision their rules come from.
+const ADR0328 = "novox/hq ADR 0328"
+
+// MeshName is the user or group a module or a library is on every machine: mesh-<name>.
+func MeshName(name string) string { return "mesh-" + name }
+
+// IdentityName is the user a joining module runs as, and its own group.
+func IdentityName(module string) string { return MeshName(module) }
+
+// ---- libraries, as the operator defines them -----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// LibrariesSetting is the key of the controller's mesh-wide settings layer that defines the libraries (§1).
+const LibrariesSetting = "libraries"
+
+// LibrariesModule is the module whose mesh-wide layer holds LibrariesSetting: the controller's own.
+const LibrariesModule = "mesh-controller"
+
+// Library is one library as the operator defined it.
+type Library struct {
+	Name string `json:"-"`
+	// Home is the machine the data lives on; Root its path there, the same on every machine it reaches.
+	Home string `json:"home"`
+	Root string `json:"root"`
+	// Reach is every machine the library reaches, its home among them.
+	Reach []string `json:"reach,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Reaches says whether the library reaches a machine: its home, or one it names.
+func (l Library) Reaches(node string) bool { return node == l.Home || hasName(l.Reach, node) }
+
+// Machines is every machine the library reaches, its home first.
+func (l Library) Machines() []string {
+	out := []string{l.Home}
+	for _, n := range l.Reach {
+		if n != l.Home && !hasName(out, n) {
+			out = append(out, n)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Group is the library's group: mesh-<library>.
+func (l Library) Group() string { return MeshName(l.Name) }
+
+var libraryName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z][a-z0-9-]*$`)
+
+// ParseLibraries reads the `libraries` setting: {<name>: {home, root, reach}}, or refuses it in words.
+func ParseLibraries(v any) (map[string]Library, error) {
+	if v == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	blocks, ok := v.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is a { <library>: {home, root, reach} } map (%s §1)", LibrariesSetting, ADR0328)
+	}
+	out := map[string]Library{}
+	for name, raw := range blocks {
+		if !libraryName.MatchString(name) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %q: a library's name is lowercase letters, digits and dashes, starting "+
+				"with a letter", name)
+		}
+		fields, ok := raw.(map[string]any)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s is {home, root, reach}, not %v", name, raw)
+		}
+		l := Library{Name: name}
+		for k, v := range fields {
+			switch k {
+			case "home":
+				l.Home, _ = v.(string)
+			case "root":
+				l.Root, _ = v.(string)
+			case "reach":
+				list, ok := v.([]any)
+				if !ok {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s's reach is a list of machines", name)
+				}
+				for _, n := range list {
+					s, _ := n.(string)
+					if s == "" {
+						return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s's reach names a machine that is not a name: %v", name, n)
+					}
+					l.Reach = append(l.Reach, s)
+				}
+			default:
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s says %q; a library is its home, its root and its reach, and "+
+					"nothing about an owner, a group, a mode or a number (%s §1)", name, k, ADR0328)
+			}
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(l.Home) == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s names no home machine", name)
+		}
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(l.Root, "/") {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s's root %q is not an absolute path", name, l.Root)
+		}
+		l.Root = filepath.Clean(l.Root)
+		if why := systemPath(l.Root); why != "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the library %s's root is %s: %s, and the node-engine keeps a library's root in its "+
+				"group — no library is ever there", name, l.Root, why)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(l.Reach)
+		out[name] = l
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// LibrariesProblems refuses what no library may be together (§4, §13): a library named as a registered module, and two
+// libraries on one machine whose roots lie inside each other — each named.
+func LibrariesProblems(libs map[string]Library, modules []string) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(libs))
+	for n := range libs {
+		names = append(names, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	for _, n := range names {
+		if hasName(modules, n) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the library %s has the name of the module %s: %s would be both "+
+				"(%s §4)", n, n, MeshName(n), ADR0328))
+		}
+	}
+	for i, a := range names {
+		for _, b := range names[i+1:] {
+			la, lb := libs[a], libs[b]
+			shared := ""
+			for _, m := range la.Machines() {
+				if lb.Reaches(m) {
+					shared = m
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if shared == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if within(la.Root, lb.Root) || within(lb.Root, la.Root) {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the libraries %s (%s) and %s (%s) overlap on %s: a library's "+
+					"root lies neither inside another's nor around it — divide one library by the paths its modules "+
+					"ask for (%s §13)", a, la.Root, b, lb.Root, shared, ADR0328))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// within says path is root or lies below it.
+func within(path, root string) bool {
+	return path == root || strings.HasPrefix(path, strings.TrimSuffix(root, "/")+"/")
+}
+
+func hasName(list []string, s string) bool {
+	for _, x := range list {
+		if x == s {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ---- a module's use of them ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// LibraryUse is one `libraries` entry of a manifest: the id the module's resources name it by, the library, the
+// sub-path within it, and the use.
+type LibraryUse struct {
+	ID      string `json:"id"`
+	Library string `json:"library"`
+	Path    string `json:"path"`
+	Use     string `json:"use"`
+}
+
+// At is the entry's use, read by default.
+func (u LibraryUse) At() string {
+	if u.Use == "" {
+		return AccessRead
+	}
+	return u.Use
+}
+
+// libraryRef is how a module names one of its library entries: ${library:<id>}.
+var libraryRef = regexp.MustCompile(`\$\{library:([a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]*)\}`)
+
+// identityRef is a module's identity by name: ${identity:user|uid|group|gid}.
+var identityRef = regexp.MustCompile(`\$\{identity:(user|uid|group|gid)\}`)
+
+// Joins says a module joins the model (§14): it declares libraries or uses its identity anywhere.
+func Joins(m Manifest) bool {
+	if len(m.Libraries) > 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	found := false
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		walkStrings(r, func(s string) {
+			found = found || identityRef.MatchString(s) || strings.Contains(s, "${identity:")
+		})
+	}
+	for _, b := range m.Bundles {
+		for _, v := range b.Env {
+			found = found || strings.Contains(v, "${identity:")
+		}
+	}
+	return found
+}
+
+// walkStrings calls see with every string a value holds, however deep.
+func walkStrings(v any, see func(string)) {
+	switch v := v.(type) {
+	case string:
+		see(v)
+	case []any:
+		for _, x := range v {
+			walkStrings(x, see)
+		}
+	case map[string]any:
+		for _, x := range v {
+			walkStrings(x, see)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// mapStrings is v with every string it holds replaced by fill's answer, however deep; the first error stops it.
+func mapStrings(v any, fill func(string) (string, error)) (any, error) {
+	switch v := v.(type) {
+	case string:
+		return fill(v)
+	case []any:
+		out := make([]any, len(v))
+		for i, x := range v {
+			y, err := mapStrings(x, fill)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			out[i] = y
+		}
+		return out, nil
+	case map[string]any:
+		out := make(map[string]any, len(v))
+		for k, x := range v {
+			y, err := mapStrings(x, fill)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			out[k] = y
+		}
+		return out, nil
+	}
+	return v, nil
+}
+
+var libraryEntryID = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]*$`)
+
+// numberWords are the setting names that carry a user or group number or an owner: none for a module that joins (§5).
+// "user" and "group" are left out: an application's own login or group name is a setting like any other.
+var numberWords = map[string]bool{"uid": true, "gid": true, "puid": true, "pgid": true, "user-id": true,
+	"group-id": true, "owner": true}
+
+// libraryProblems is what the module check refuses of a manifest's libraries and identity (§2, §4, §5, §14):
+//
+//   - an entry that is not {id, library, path, use} with a relative sub-path inside its library, or names a host
+//     path, an owner, a group, a mode or a number (the entry's shape refuses any other key);
+//   - two entries with one id, or a `${library:<id>}` naming none;
+//   - `${library:<id>}` anywhere but a container's volume source (and a word of its tools, a bundle's env);
+//   - `${identity:…}` other than user, uid, group or gid;
+//   - in a module that joins: a directory naming its owner. A setting of it naming a number or an owner is refused
+//     where it is set (JoiningSettingProblem).
+func libraryProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	ids := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		where := fmt.Sprintf("%s's library entry %q", m.Module, u.ID)
+		switch {
+		case !libraryEntryID.MatchString(u.ID):
+			problems = append(problems, where+": an id is lowercase letters, digits and dashes")
+		case ids[u.ID]:
+			problems = append(problems, where+": two entries share the id")
+		}
+		ids[u.ID] = true
+		if !libraryName.MatchString(u.Library) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s names the library %q, which is not a library's name", where,
+				u.Library))
+		}
+		clean := filepath.Clean(u.Path)
+		if u.Path == "" || strings.HasPrefix(u.Path, "/") || clean == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(clean, "../") ||
+			strings.ContainsAny(u.Path, "${}") {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's path %q is a sub-path inside the library, relative and "+
+				"staying inside it — never a host path (%s §2)", where, u.Path, ADR0328))
+		}
+		if u.At() != AccessRead && u.At() != AccessReadWrite {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s is used %q; a use is %q or %q", where, u.Use, AccessRead,
+				AccessReadWrite))
+		}
+	}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		kind := fmt.Sprint(r["type"])
+		for field, v := range r {
+			walkStrings(v, func(s string) {
+				for _, tok := range regexp.MustCompile(`\$\{identity:[^}]*\}`).FindAllString(s, -1) {
+					if !identityRef.MatchString(tok) {
+						problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's resource %v says %s: the identity is "+
+							"${identity:user}, ${identity:uid}, ${identity:group} or ${identity:gid} (%s §5)", m.Module,
+							r["id"], tok, ADR0328))
+					}
+				}
+				for _, match := range libraryRef.FindAllStringSubmatch(s, -1) {
+					if !ids[match[1]] {
+						problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's resource %v says ${library:%s}, and declares no "+
+							"library entry %q", m.Module, r["id"], match[1], match[1]))
+					}
+					source := ""
+					if kind == "container" && field == "volumes" {
+						source = volumeSource(s)
+					}
+					if !strings.Contains(source, match[0]) {
+						problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's resource %v says %s in its %s: a library's path "+
+							"is a host path, filled only in a container's volume source — the process reads the "+
+							"container side its volume gives (%s §5)", m.Module, r["id"], match[0], field, ADR0328))
+					}
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	if !Joins(m) {
+		return problems
+	}
+	problems = append(problems, toolsDirectoryProblems(m)...)
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) == "directory" {
+			if owner, said := r["owner"]; said {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the directory %v names its owner %v; a module that joins "+
+					"owns its directories by its user and primary group, and names no owner (%s §4)", m.Module,
+					r["id"], owner, ADR0328))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// toolsDirectoryProblems refuses a joining module whose tools name one of its directories whose mode closes it to its
+// group (novox/hq ADR 0334 §3): the tool runner reads it through the module's own group, so it needs group read and
+// enter.
+func toolsDirectoryProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	modes := map[string]string{}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) == "directory" {
+			mode, _ := r["mode"].(string)
+			modes[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])] = mode
+		}
+	}
+	var words []string
+	for _, b := range m.Bundles {
+		for _, v := range b.Env {
+			words = append(words, v)
+		}
+	}
+	if m.Build != nil {
+		for _, a := range m.Build.Artifacts {
+			for _, v := range a.Env {
+				words = append(words, v)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var problems []string
+	for _, w := range words {
+		for _, match := range dirRef.FindAllStringSubmatch(w, -1) {
+			id := match[1]
+			mode, declared := modes[id]
+			if !declared || seen[id] {
+				continue
+			}
+			seen[id] = true
+			var n uint64
+			if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(mode, "%o", &n); err != nil || mode == "" {
+				continue // its mode is judged where the directory is
+			}
+			if n&0o050 != 0o050 {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's tools name its directory %s, whose mode %s closes it to its "+
+					"own group: the tool runner reads it through that group, so it needs group read and enter (0750; "+
+					"the mesh adds setgid, 2750) (novox/hq ADR 0334 §3)", m.Module, id, mode))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(problems)
+	return problems
+}
+
+// LibraryWarnings is what the module check warns of a module's libraries (§4): an image that drops added groups
+// reaches only the first library the module uses.
+func LibraryWarnings(m Manifest) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var libs []string
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		if !seen[u.Library] {
+			seen[u.Library] = true
+			libs = append(libs, u.Library)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(libs) < 2 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return []string{fmt.Sprintf("%s uses the libraries %s: its user's primary group is %s, and %s are added groups — an "+
+		"image that drops added groups when it changes user reaches only %s (%s §4)", m.Module, strings.Join(libs, ", "),
+		MeshName(libs[0]), strings.Join(meshNames(libs[1:]), ", "), libs[0], ADR0328)}
+}
+
+func meshNames(names []string) []string {
+	out := make([]string, len(names))
+	for i, n := range names {
+		out[i] = MeshName(n)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// JoiningSettingProblem refuses, where a setting is set, a layer of a module that joins that carries a user or group
+// number or an owner (§5): a key whose name says so, or an owner a `places` setting names — its directories are owned
+// by its user and primary group, and it reads its own as ${identity:…}.
+func JoiningSettingProblem(m Manifest, layers []Layer) error {
+	if !Joins(m) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, l := range layers {
+		for k := range l.Values {
+			if numberWords[k] {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s joins, and the layer %q sets %q: no setting of a module that joins carries a user "+
+					"or group number or an owner — it reads its own as ${identity:…} (%s §5)", m.Module, l.From, k, ADR0328)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return PlacesOwnerProblem(m, layers)
+}
+
+// PlacesOwnerProblem refuses an owner a `places` setting names for a module that joins (§4, §5): its directories are
+// owned by its user and primary group.
+func PlacesOwnerProblem(m Manifest, layers []Layer) error {
+	if !Joins(m) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	placed, err := Places(m, layers)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil // refused by name where it is judged
+	}
+	var owned []string
+	for id, p := range placed {
+		if p.Owner != "" {
+			owned = append(owned, id)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(owned) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	sort.Strings(owned)
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s places %s with an owner, and it joins: its directories are owned by its user and primary "+
+		"group, and no setting of it carries an owner (%s §4, §5)", m.Module, strings.Join(owned, ", "), ADR0328)
+}
+
+// ---- composition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// ModuleIdentity is a joining module's allocated number: its user's and its own group's.
+type ModuleIdentity struct {
+	Module string
+	UID    int
+}
+
+// Joined is a joining module's identity on a machine, as its placeholders are filled and its directories owned.
+type Joined struct {
+	Module string
+	UID    int
+	// Primary is its user's primary group, by name and number; Added its other groups, by name, in the order used.
+	Primary    string
+	PrimaryGID int
+	Added      []string
+	AddedGIDs  []int
+}
+
+// librariesOf is the libraries a module uses, by name, in the order its entries first name them.
+func librariesOf(m Manifest) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		if !hasName(out, u.Library) {
+			out = append(out, u.Library)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// joinedOf is module m's identity here: its number, and its groups from the libraries it uses. Refused, naming
+// what, where a number is missing or outside the range (§15).
+func joinedOf(m Manifest, with Rendering) (Joined, error) {
+	id, has := with.Identities[m.Module]
+	if !has {
+		return Joined{}, fmt.Errorf("%s joins, and has no number yet: it is allocated at its first send", m.Module)
+	}
+	if !AllocatableID(id.UID) {
+		return Joined{}, fmt.Errorf("%s's number is %d, outside %d–%d: no number the mesh gives is root's or a root "+
+			"group's, and none is sent (%s §15)", m.Module, id.UID, IdentityLow, IdentityHigh, ADR0328)
+	}
+	j := Joined{Module: m.Module, UID: id.UID, Primary: IdentityName(m.Module), PrimaryGID: id.UID}
+	for i, lib := range librariesOf(m) {
+		gid, has := with.LibraryGroups[lib]
+		if !has || !AllocatableID(gid) {
+			return Joined{}, fmt.Errorf("%s uses the library %s, whose group has no number the mesh may give (%s §3, "+
+				"§15)", m.Module, lib, ADR0328)
+		}
+		if i == 0 {
+			j.Primary, j.PrimaryGID = MeshName(lib), gid
+			continue
+		}
+		j.Added = append(j.Added, MeshName(lib))
+		j.AddedGIDs = append(j.AddedGIDs, gid)
+	}
+	return j, nil
+}
+
+// libraryLeftOut is why module m is left out of this machine's declaration for its libraries, or "": a library it
+// uses not defined or not reaching the machine (§2), or an engine that cannot be told it joins. A module held at the
+// user it ran as until its libraries are taken (§8) is not left out: it is composed at the build it ran before it
+// joined (cmd/mesh-controller holdJoining).
+func libraryLeftOut(m Manifest, node string, with Rendering) string {
+	if !Joins(m) {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if !with.KeepsLibraries {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s joins the mesh's users and libraries (%s), and the node-engine on %s is older than "+
+			"them: it is left out until that engine is updated", m.Module, ADR0328, node)
+	}
+	for _, lib := range librariesOf(m) {
+		l, defined := with.Libraries[lib]
+		switch {
+		case !defined:
+			return fmt.Sprintf("%s uses the library %s, which is not defined: the operator defines it (%s §1)",
+				m.Module, lib, ADR0328)
+		case !l.Reaches(node):
+			return fmt.Sprintf("%s uses the library %s, which does not reach %s (%s §2)", m.Module, lib, node, ADR0328)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, has := with.Identities[m.Module]; !has {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s joins, and its number is allocated at its first send", m.Module)
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// libraryPaths is where each of module m's library entries is on this machine: its library's root joined with the
+// entry's path, by entry id.
+func libraryPaths(m Manifest, with Rendering) map[string]string {
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		if l, ok := with.Libraries[u.Library]; ok {
+			out[u.ID] = filepath.Join(l.Root, filepath.Clean(u.Path))
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// identityFill fills ${identity:…} in one string.
+func identityFill(s string, j Joined) string {
+	return identityRef.ReplaceAllStringFunc(s, func(tok string) string {
+		switch identityRef.FindStringSubmatch(tok)[1] {
+		case "user":
+			return IdentityName(j.Module)
+		case "uid":
+			return fmt.Sprint(j.UID)
+		case "group":
+			return j.Primary
+		default:
+			return fmt.Sprint(j.PrimaryGID)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// joinedInto composes one resource of a joining module (§4, §5, §10): ${identity:…} filled everywhere, a container's
+// ${library:<id>} volume sources filled with the host path and a read entry mounted read-only, and a directory owned by
+// the module's user and primary group.
+func joinedInto(resource map[string]any, m Manifest, j Joined, paths map[string]string, setgid bool) error {
+	for k, v := range resource {
+		if k == "id" || k == "type" {
+			continue
+		}
+		filled, err := mapStrings(v, func(s string) (string, error) { return identityFill(s, j), nil })
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		resource[k] = filled
+	}
+	// Its own directories belong to its user and its own group, with setgid (ADR 0334 §1, v4): the library's group is
+	// its processes' primary, so what they make in a library keeps that group — and what they make in their own
+	// directories keeps mesh-<module> by the setgid bit. The bit only to an engine that takes a mode with it
+	// (Rendering.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups, link.OwnGroupContract): the one pinned refuses a mode not starting with 0.
+	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) == "directory" {
+		resource["owner"] = fmt.Sprintf("%d:%d", j.UID, j.UID)
+		if mode, ok := resource["mode"].(string); ok && setgid {
+			var n uint64
+			if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(mode, "%o", &n); err == nil && mode != "" {
+				resource["mode"] = fmt.Sprintf("%04o", n|0o2000)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) != "container" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	volumes, _ := resource["volumes"].([]any)
+	out := make([]any, len(volumes))
+	for i, v := range volumes {
+		out[i] = v
+		s, ok := v.(string)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		source := volumeSource(s)
+		match := libraryRef.FindStringSubmatch(source)
+		if match == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		path, has := paths[match[1]]
+		if !has {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s says ${library:%s}, and has no library entry %q", m.Module, match[1], match[1])
+		}
+		filled := strings.Replace(source, match[0], path, 1) + strings.TrimPrefix(s, source)
+		for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+			if u.ID == match[1] && u.At() == AccessRead {
+				filled = readOnly(filled)
+			}
+		}
+		out[i] = filled
+	}
+	if len(volumes) > 0 {
+		resource["volumes"] = out
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// readOnly is a volume mounted read-only: "src:dst" becomes "src:dst:ro", and options gain ro in place of rw.
+func readOnly(v string) string {
+	parts := strings.Split(v, ":")
+	if len(parts) < 2 {
+		return v
+	}
+	if len(parts) == 2 {
+		return v + ":ro"
+	}
+	opts := strings.Split(parts[len(parts)-1], ",")
+	kept := []string{"ro"}
+	for _, o := range opts {
+		if o != "ro" && o != "rw" && o != "" {
+			kept = append(kept, o)
+		}
+	}
+	parts[len(parts)-1] = strings.Join(kept, ",")
+	return strings.Join(parts, ":")
+}
+
+// volumeSource is a volume's source as written: up to its first colon outside a ${…} placeholder, so
+// "${dir:config}:/config" is "${dir:config}".
+func volumeSource(v string) string {
+	depth := 0
+	for i, r := range v {
+		switch {
+		case r == '{' && i > 0 && v[i-1] == '$':
+			depth++
+		case r == '}' && depth > 0:
+			depth--
+		case r == ':' && depth == 0:
+			return v[:i]
+		}
+	}
+	return v
+}
+
+// bundleLibraryFill fills a joining module's tool words (a bundle's env): ${identity:…}, and ${library:<id>} with the
+// host path, since its tools run on the machine (§5).
+func bundleLibraryFill(value string, m Manifest, with Rendering) (string, error) {
+	if !strings.Contains(value, "${identity:") && !strings.Contains(value, "${library:") {
+		return value, nil
+	}
+	j, err := joinedOf(m, with)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	paths := libraryPaths(m, with)
+	var missing error
+	value = libraryRef.ReplaceAllStringFunc(identityFill(value, j), func(tok string) string {
+		id := libraryRef.FindStringSubmatch(tok)[1]
+		p, has := paths[id]
+		if !has {
+			missing = fmt.Errorf("%s's tools say ${library:%s}, and it has no library entry %q", m.Module, id, id)
+			return tok
+		}
+		return p
+	})
+	return value, missing
+}
+
+// toolsAccount is the account module m's tools run as on this machine, or empty where they run nowhere as one: no
+// runtime here, no bundle it loads, or a module left out of an adopted machine's declaration.
+func (r Resolution) toolsAccount(m Manifest, with Rendering) string {
+	if !r.runtimeHere() || (with.Adopted && m.Filtering != nil) {
+		return ""
+	}
+	loads := false
+	for _, b := range m.Bundles {
+		if len(b.Loads) > 0 {
+			loads = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !loads {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if m.RunsAs != "" {
+		return m.RunsAs
+	}
+	return r.Account
+}
+
+// LibraryEntry is one library as a machine's declaration names it (§3, §6, §7, §11).
+type LibraryEntry struct {
+	Library string `json:"library"`
+	Root    string `json:"root"`
+	Group   string `json:"group"`
+	GID     int    `json:"gid"`
+	// Home says this machine is the library's home, where the engine keeps it; Taken that the operator let the mesh
+	// take its existing data there (§7).
+	Home  bool `json:"home"`
+	Taken bool `json:"taken"`
+	// Paths are the sub-paths its modules ask for, relative to its root.
+	Paths []string `json:"paths"`
+	// Runner is the tool runner's account where a module whose tools run there uses the library: a member of its
+	// group (§11). Empty otherwise.
+	Runner string `json:"runner,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// GroupEntry is one group a machine's declaration names: a library's, made on every machine the library reaches (§3).
+type GroupEntry struct {
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+	GID  int    `json:"gid"`
+}
+
+// IdentityEntry is one joining module's user as a machine's declaration names it (§4; mesh-host internal/declaration
+// Identity): the engine always makes its own group with its uid; GID is its primary group's number — its first
+// library's, or its own — and Groups the numbers of its added groups.
+type IdentityEntry struct {
+	Module string `json:"module"`
+	Name   string `json:"name"`
+	UID    int    `json:"uid"`
+	GID    int    `json:"gid"`
+	Groups []int  `json:"groups,omitempty"`
+	// Runner is the tool runner's account, put in this module's own group, where its tools run there (ADR 0334 §2).
+	// Only to an engine that reads it (Rendering.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups).
+	Runner string `json:"runner,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// libraryEnvelope is what a machine's declaration says of libraries and joining modules: the group of every library
+// that reaches it, each joining module composed here, and each library a module here uses or that has its home here.
+func (r Resolution) libraryEnvelope(with Rendering, joined []Joined) ([]GroupEntry, []IdentityEntry, []LibraryEntry) {
+	if !with.KeepsLibraries {
+		return nil, nil, nil
+	}
+	var groups []GroupEntry
+	for name, l := range with.Libraries {
+		if gid, has := with.LibraryGroups[name]; has && l.Reaches(r.Node) && AllocatableID(gid) {
+			groups = append(groups, GroupEntry{Name: l.Group(), GID: gid})
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(groups, func(i, j int) bool { return groups[i].Name < groups[j].Name })
+	var ids []IdentityEntry
+	for _, j := range joined {
+		e := IdentityEntry{Module: j.Module, Name: IdentityName(j.Module), UID: j.UID, GID: j.PrimaryGID,
+			Groups: append([]int(nil), j.AddedGIDs...)}
+		if with.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups {
+			for _, m := range r.Modules {
+				if m.Module == j.Module {
+					e.Runner = r.toolsAccount(m, with)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		ids = append(ids, e)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(ids, func(a, b int) bool { return ids[a].Module < ids[b].Module })
+	used := map[string]map[string]bool{}
+	runner := map[string]string{}
+	for _, m := range r.Modules {
+		if libraryLeftOut(m, r.Node, with) != "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+			if used[u.Library] == nil {
+				used[u.Library] = map[string]bool{}
+			}
+			used[u.Library][filepath.Clean(u.Path)] = true
+			if a := r.toolsAccount(m, with); a != "" && runner[u.Library] == "" {
+				runner[u.Library] = a
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	var libs []LibraryEntry
+	for name, l := range with.Libraries {
+		home := l.Home == r.Node
+		if used[name] == nil && !home {
+			continue
+		}
+		gid, has := with.LibraryGroups[name]
+		if !has || !l.Reaches(r.Node) {
+			continue
+		}
+		paths := map[string]bool{}
+		for p := range used[name] {
+			paths[p] = true
+		}
+		if home {
+			// On its home the engine keeps every sub-path any module asks for, wherever it runs (§6).
+			for _, p := range with.LibraryPaths[name] {
+				paths[filepath.Clean(p)] = true
+			}
+		}
+		e := LibraryEntry{Library: name, Root: l.Root, Group: l.Group(), GID: gid, Home: home,
+			Taken: with.TakenLibraries[name], Paths: []string{}, Runner: runner[name]}
+		for p := range paths {
+			e.Paths = append(e.Paths, p)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(e.Paths)
+		libs = append(libs, e)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(libs, func(i, j int) bool { return libs[i].Library < libs[j].Library })
+	return groups, ids, libs
+}
+
+// LibraryUseShape is a module's libraries and whether it joins, in a form that compares: a move that changes either
+// changes who uses its libraries (the gate's reading of an unknown or a held library).
+func LibraryUseShape(m Manifest) string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		out = append(out, u.ID+"\x00"+u.Library+"\x00"+filepath.Clean(u.Path)+"\x00"+u.At())
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return fmt.Sprint(Joins(m), out)
+}
+
+// LibraryOfEntry is the library a module's entry id names, or "".
+func LibraryOfEntry(m Manifest, id string) string {
+	for _, u := range m.Libraries {
+		if u.ID == id {
+			return u.Library
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// AccessPathOn is where access id of module m is on a machine with these settings: its placement, else the
+// definition's default; false where neither says, or the module declares no such access.
+func AccessPathOn(m Manifest, layers []Layer, id string) (string, bool) {
+	_, byID, err := accessesFor(m, layers)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	path, has := byID[id]
+	if !has || path == "" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return filepath.Clean(path), true
+}

internal/catalogue/libraries_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,429 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/validate"
+)
+
+// Defends novox/hq ADR 0328 on the controller's side, row by row of its "How it is checked" table where the row is the
+// controller's: libraries defined (1, 13), entries resolved (2), groups and numbers (3, 4, 15), the identity and library
+// placeholders (5), a read use mounted read-only (10), the tool runner in a library's group (11), a joining module held
+// until its libraries are taken (8), and a module that does not join composed exactly as before (14).
+
+const libraryImage = "x@sha256:1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111"
+
+var mediaLibrary = Library{Name: "media", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/media", Reach: []string{"novox"}}
+
+// aRadarr writes movies and reads books, tells its image its identity by PUID and PGID, and has tools on the runner.
+func aRadarr(t *testing.T) Manifest {
+	t.Helper()
+	m := aToolsModule(t, "radarr", "tools/index.js")
+	m.Libraries = []LibraryUse{
+		{ID: "movies", Library: "media", Path: "movies", Use: AccessReadWrite},
+		{ID: "books", Library: "books", Path: "shelf", Use: AccessRead},
+	}
+	m.Resources = []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"},
+		{"id": "env", "type": "file", "path": "${dir:config}/identity.env", "mode": "0644",
+			"content": "PUID=${identity:uid}\nPGID=${identity:gid}\nUSER=${identity:user}\nGROUP=${identity:group}\nUMASK=002\n"},
+		{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "radarr", "image": libraryImage,
+			"env":     map[string]any{"PUID": "${identity:uid}", "PGID": "${identity:gid}"},
+			"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${library:movies}:/movies", "${library:books}:/books:z"}},
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// aPlain is a module that neither declares libraries nor uses its identity.
+func aPlain() Manifest {
+	return Manifest{Module: "plain", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "data", "type": "directory", "mode": "0700", "owner": "999:999"},
+		{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "plain", "image": libraryImage, "volumes": []any{"${dir:data}:/data"}},
+	}}
+}
+
+func librariesRendering() Rendering {
+	books := Library{Name: "books", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/books"}
+	return Rendering{KeepsLibraries: true,
+		Libraries:      map[string]Library{"media": mediaLibrary, "books": books},
+		LibraryGroups:  map[string]int{"media": 50010, "books": 50011},
+		Identities:     map[string]ModuleIdentity{"radarr": {Module: "radarr", UID: 50020}},
+		TakenLibraries: map[string]bool{"media": true, "books": true},
+		LibraryPaths:   map[string][]string{"media": {"movies", "series"}},
+	}
+}
+
+func composeLibraries(t *testing.T, r Resolution, with Rendering) Composed {
+	t.Helper()
+	with.Needed = map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}
+	with.ArtifactStore = "anchor.internal:5101"
+	composed, err := r.Compose(with)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return composed
+}
+
+// Rows 2, 4, 5, 10: a joining module's identity is filled everywhere, its library entries resolve to root + path in its
+// volume sources, a read entry mounts read-only, its directories are owned by its user and primary group — the first
+// library it uses — and its other libraries are added groups.
+func TestAJoiningModuleIsComposedWithItsIdentityAndLibraries(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	composed := composeLibraries(t, r, librariesRendering())
+	got := byID(composed.Resources)
+
+	app := got["radarr.app"]
+	if fmt.Sprint(app["env"]) != fmt.Sprint(map[string]any{"PUID": "50020", "PGID": "50010"}) {
+		t.Errorf("the container's environment is %v", app["env"])
+	}
+	want := []any{"/var/lib/radarr/config:/config", "/storage/media/movies:/movies", "/storage/books/shelf:/books:ro,z"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(app["volumes"], want) {
+		t.Errorf("the volumes are %v; want %v", app["volumes"], want)
+	}
+	if content := fmt.Sprint(got["radarr.env"]["content"]); content !=
+		"PUID=50020\nPGID=50010\nUSER=mesh-radarr\nGROUP=mesh-media\nUMASK=002\n" {
+		t.Errorf("the identity file reads %q", content)
+	}
+	if owner := got["radarr.config"]["owner"]; owner != "50020:50020" {
+		t.Errorf("its directory is owned by %v; want its user and own group (ADR 0334 §1)", owner)
+	}
+	if len(composed.Identities) != 1 || !reflect.DeepEqual(composed.Identities[0], IdentityEntry{Module: "radarr",
+		Name: "mesh-radarr", UID: 50020, GID: 50010, Groups: []int{50011}}) {
+		t.Errorf("the identities are %+v", composed.Identities)
+	}
+	if w := LibraryWarnings(aRadarr(t)); len(w) != 1 || !strings.Contains(w[0], "reaches only media") {
+		t.Errorf("a module of two libraries is warned %q", w)
+	}
+}
+
+// Rows 3, 7, 11: every library reaching the machine has its group, with its number; each library used here or homed
+// here is named with its root, whether this is its home, whether it is taken, the sub-paths kept on its home, and the
+// tool runner's account where a module whose tools run there uses it.
+func TestTheDeclarationNamesTheLibrariesAndTheirGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	with := librariesRendering()
+	with.TakenLibraries = map[string]bool{"media": false, "books": true}
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	composed := composeLibraries(t, r, with)
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"groups": composed.Groups, "libraries": composed.Libraries})
+	want := `{"groups":[{"name":"mesh-books","gid":50011},{"name":"mesh-media","gid":50010}],` +
+		`"libraries":[{"library":"books","root":"/storage/books","group":"mesh-books","gid":50011,"home":true,` +
+		`"taken":true,"paths":["shelf"],"runner":"jochen"},` +
+		`{"library":"media","root":"/storage/media","group":"mesh-media","gid":50010,"home":true,"taken":false,` +
+		`"paths":["movies","series"],"runner":"jochen"}]}`
+	if string(raw) != want {
+		t.Errorf("the declaration says\n %s\nwant\n %s", raw, want)
+	}
+	// On a machine it reaches but is not home: the group, the library as used there, and no sub-path from elsewhere.
+	elsewhere := composeLibraries(t, Resolution{Node: "novox", Account: "jochen",
+		Modules: []Manifest{aPlain(), theRuntime(t)}}, with)
+	raw, _ = json.Marshal(map[string]any{"groups": elsewhere.Groups, "libraries": elsewhere.Libraries})
+	if string(raw) != `{"groups":[{"name":"mesh-media","gid":50010}],"libraries":null}` {
+		t.Errorf("on a machine it only reaches: %s", raw)
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 2: a module assigned to a machine its library does not reach is left out there, naming the library; one whose
+// library is not defined likewise.
+func TestALibraryNotReachingTheMachineLeavesItsModuleOut(t *testing.T) {
+	with := librariesRendering()
+	with.Identities["radarr"] = ModuleIdentity{Module: "radarr", UID: 50020}
+	composed := composeLibraries(t, Resolution{Node: "far", Account: "jochen",
+		Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}, with)
+	if why := composed.LeftOut["radarr"]; !strings.Contains(why, "does not reach far") {
+		t.Errorf("radarr on a machine media does not reach: %q", why)
+	}
+	delete(with.Libraries, "books")
+	composed = composeLibraries(t, Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen",
+		Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}, with)
+	if why := composed.LeftOut["radarr"]; !strings.Contains(why, "books, which is not defined") {
+		t.Errorf("radarr with an undefined library: %q", why)
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 14: a module that neither declares libraries nor uses its identity is composed exactly as before — the whole
+// declaration: its resources, the filter its port reaches, the contributions it makes — on an engine that keeps
+// libraries or not; on a machine a library reaches, only that library's group is added. A joining module on an older
+// engine is left out, naming why.
+func TestAModuleThatDoesNotJoinIsComposedAsBefore(t *testing.T) {
+	plain := aPlain()
+	plain.Listens = []Listening{{Port: 8080, From: FromEverywhere, Name: "web", Why: "its page"}}
+	plain.Contributes = map[string]map[string]any{"reverse-proxy": {"host": "plain", "port": 8080}}
+	plain.Requires = []string{"reverse-proxy"}
+	modules := []Manifest{plain, proxy(), {Module: "nftables", Filtering: &Filtering{Into: "/etc/mesh/filter.nft"}},
+		theRuntime(t)}
+	base := Rendering{Mesh: []string{"198.51.100.2"}, OutwardLinks: []string{"eth0"}, TunnelInterface: "mesh0"}
+	keeping := func(node string) Rendering {
+		with := librariesRendering()
+		with.Mesh, with.OutwardLinks, with.TunnelInterface = base.Mesh, base.OutwardLinks, base.TunnelInterface
+		return with
+	}
+	for _, node := range []string{"far", "ace"} {
+		r := Resolution{Node: node, Account: "jochen", Modules: modules}
+		before := composeLibraries(t, r, base)
+		after := composeLibraries(t, r, keeping(node))
+		if node == "far" {
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(before, after) {
+				t.Fatalf("on a machine no library reaches, a module that does not join composed otherwise:\n %+v\n %+v",
+					before, after)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		groups := after.Groups
+		after.Groups, after.Libraries = nil, nil
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(before, after) {
+			t.Fatalf("on %s, a module that does not join composed otherwise:\n %+v\n %+v", node, before, after)
+		}
+		if len(groups) == 0 || len(after.Identities) > 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("on the library's home: groups %v, identities %v", groups, after.Identities)
+		}
+		filter := fmt.Sprint(byID(before.Resources)["nftables."+FilteringID()]["content"])
+		if !strings.Contains(filter, "8080") || received(t, before.Resources)[0].From != "plain" {
+			t.Fatalf("the comparison held no filter or contribution of the module: %s", filter)
+		}
+	}
+	if Joins(aPlain()) || !Joins(aRadarr(t)) {
+		t.Fatal("joining is not read from the libraries and the identity")
+	}
+	older := librariesRendering()
+	older.KeepsLibraries = false
+	composed := composeLibraries(t, Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen",
+		Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), aPlain(), theRuntime(t)}}, older)
+	if why := composed.LeftOut["radarr"]; !strings.Contains(why, "older than them") {
+		t.Fatalf("a joining module on an older engine: %q", why)
+	}
+	if len(composed.Groups)+len(composed.Identities)+len(composed.Libraries) > 0 {
+		t.Fatal("an older engine was sent groups, identities or libraries")
+	}
+	if byID(composed.Resources)["plain.app"] == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a module that does not join was left out beside one that does")
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 15: no number outside the range is sent, root's above all; the composition refuses, naming why.
+func TestNoNumberTheMeshGivesIsRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, n := range []int{0, 4, 10, IdentityLow - 1, IdentityHigh + 1} {
+		if AllocatableID(n) {
+			t.Errorf("%d is allocatable", n)
+		}
+		with := librariesRendering()
+		with.Identities["radarr"] = ModuleIdentity{Module: "radarr", UID: n}
+		with.Needed = map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}
+		with.ArtifactStore = "anchor.internal:5101"
+		r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+		if _, err := r.Compose(with); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "§15") {
+			t.Errorf("a module numbered %d composed: %v", n, err)
+		}
+		with = librariesRendering()
+		with.LibraryGroups["media"] = n
+		with.Needed = map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}
+		with.ArtifactStore = "anchor.internal:5101"
+		if _, err := r.Compose(with); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "§15") {
+			t.Errorf("a library group numbered %d composed: %v", n, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func libraryManifest(t *testing.T, extra map[string]any) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	m := map[string]any{"module": "app", "version": "1", "capabilities": []any{"container-runtime"},
+		"libraries": []any{map[string]any{"id": "movies", "library": "media", "path": "movies", "use": "read-write"}},
+		"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": libraryImage,
+			"volumes": []any{"${library:movies}:/movies"}}}}
+	for k, v := range extra {
+		m[k] = v
+	}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(m)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return raw
+}
+
+// Rows 2 and 5 at the module check: library entries are accepted by name, sub-path and use, and refused with a host
+// path, an owner, a group, a mode or a number; ${library:<id>} only in a volume source; ${identity:…} only by its four
+// names; a joining module names no directory owner and declares no number setting.
+func TestTheModuleCheckHoldsLibrariesAndIdentityToTheDecision(t *testing.T) {
+	if _, err := ParseManifest(libraryManifest(t, nil)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a library entry was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	entry := func(extra map[string]any) map[string]any {
+		e := map[string]any{"id": "movies", "library": "media", "path": "movies", "use": "read-write"}
+		for k, v := range extra {
+			e[k] = v
+		}
+		return map[string]any{"libraries": []any{e}}
+	}
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		extra map[string]any
+		want  string
+	}{
+		"a host path": {entry(map[string]any{"path": "/storage/media/movies"}), "never a host path"},
+		"out of it":   {entry(map[string]any{"path": "../other"}), "never a host path"},
+		"an owner":    {entry(map[string]any{"owner": "1000"}), "owner"},
+		"a group":     {entry(map[string]any{"group": "media"}), "group"},
+		"a mode":      {entry(map[string]any{"mode": "0775"}), "mode"},
+		"a number":    {entry(map[string]any{"gid": 1000}), "gid"},
+		"a use":       {entry(map[string]any{"use": "write"}), "is used \"write\""},
+		"in the env": {map[string]any{"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container",
+			"name": "app", "image": libraryImage, "env": map[string]any{"MOVIES": "${library:movies}"}}}}, "volume source"},
+		"in a file": {map[string]any{"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "f", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/app.conf",
+			"mode": "0644", "content": "movies=${library:movies}"}}}, "volume source"},
+		"on the container side": {map[string]any{"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container",
+			"name": "app", "image": libraryImage, "volumes": []any{"/srv:${library:movies}"}}}}, "volume source"},
+		"an unknown identity": {map[string]any{"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container",
+			"name": "app", "image": libraryImage, "env": map[string]any{"HOME": "${identity:home}"}}}}, "${identity:home}"},
+		"a directory owner": {map[string]any{"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "d", "type": "directory",
+			"mode": "0750", "owner": "1000:1000"}}}, "names its owner"},
+	} {
+		_, err := ParseManifest(libraryManifest(t, c.extra))
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v; want refused saying %q", name, err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	// A module that does not join keeps its directory owner and its settings as they are (§14).
+	plain := map[string]any{"module": "plain", "version": "1",
+		"resources": []any{map[string]any{"id": "d", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750", "owner": "1000:1000"}}}
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(plain)
+	if _, err := ParseManifest(raw); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a module that does not join was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	// A setting carrying a number, or a placement's owner, is refused for a joining module, and kept for one that does
+	// not.
+	if err := JoiningSettingProblem(aRadarr(t), []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "1000"}}}); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "carries a user or group number") {
+		t.Errorf("a joining module's puid setting: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := JoiningSettingProblem(aPlain(), []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "1000"}}}); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a plain module's puid setting: %v", err)
+	}
+	placed := []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{PlacesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"config": map[string]any{"path": "/srv/x", "owner": "1000:1000"}}}}}
+	if err := PlacesOwnerProblem(aRadarr(t), placed); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "ADR 0328") {
+		t.Errorf("a joining module's placed owner: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := PlacesOwnerProblem(aPlain(), placed); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a plain module's placed owner: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 1: the libraries are the controller's own mesh-wide setting, the terminal's or the operator's Approve alone.
+func TestTheLibrariesAreTheOperatorsSetting(t *testing.T) {
+	controller := Manifest{Module: LibrariesModule, Version: "1"}
+	keys := TerminalKeys(controller)
+	if !hasName(keys, LibrariesSetting) {
+		t.Fatalf("the libraries are not among the terminal's keys: %v", keys)
+	}
+	if hasName(TerminalKeys(Manifest{Module: "radarr"}), LibrariesSetting) {
+		t.Fatal("another module's libraries key is the terminal's")
+	}
+	if err := ComposesWith(controller, []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{LibrariesSetting: map[string]any{}}}},
+		false); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("libraries set on one machine were accepted")
+	}
+	if _, err := ParseLibraries(map[string]any{"media": map[string]any{"home": "ace", "root": "/etc/media"}}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a library in the machine's own tree was accepted")
+	}
+}
+
+// What the node-engine this controller pins (mesh-host #95, ADR 0328's half) makes of a composed declaration with
+// libraries and a joining module: nothing refused.
+func TestTheEngineTakesWhatIsComposedForLibraries(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, node := range []string{"ace", "novox"} {
+		r := Resolution{Node: node, Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+		with := librariesRendering()
+		with.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups = true // contract 7 (mesh-host #97): the runner on identities, setgid on own directories
+		with.Libraries["books"] = Library{Name: "books", Home: "ace", Root: "/storage/books", Reach: []string{"novox"}}
+		composed := composeLibraries(t, r, with)
+		body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"declaration": validate.Version, "resources": composed.Resources,
+			"groups": composed.Groups, "identities": composed.Identities, "libraries": composed.Libraries})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if problems := validate.Declaration(body); len(problems) > 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: the pinned node-engine refuses it: %v", node, problems)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0334 §1, §2 (the review of 7ea6d36e, item 2): a joining module's own directories are owned by its user
+// and its own group, not the library's; and the tool runner's account joins the own group of every joining module whose
+// tools run on the machine — sent only to an engine that reads it (link.OwnGroupContract).
+func TestAJoiningModulesOwnDirectoriesAreItsOwnGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aRadarr(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	got := byID(composeLibraries(t, r, librariesRendering()).Resources)
+	if owner := got["radarr.config"]["owner"]; owner != "50020:50020" {
+		t.Errorf("its directory is owned by %v; want its user and its own group", owner)
+	}
+	// ADR 0334 v4: with setgid, so what is made in it later keeps mesh-radarr though the process's primary group is the
+	// library's.
+	if mode := got["radarr.config"]["mode"]; mode != "0750" {
+		t.Errorf("an engine that refuses setgid modes was sent %v", mode)
+	}
+	if env := got["radarr.app"]["env"].(map[string]any); env["PGID"] != "50010" {
+		t.Errorf("its process's primary group is %v; want the library's, so what it makes there keeps the group", env["PGID"])
+	}
+	older := composeLibraries(t, r, librariesRendering())
+	if older.Identities[0].Runner != "" {
+		t.Errorf("an engine that cannot put the runner in a module's own group was told %q", older.Identities[0].Runner)
+	}
+	with := librariesRendering()
+	with.RunnerJoinsOwnGroups = true
+	newer := composeLibraries(t, r, with)
+	if got := newer.Identities[0].Runner; got != "jochen" {
+		t.Errorf("the runner joins %q's own group; want jochen, whose tools it runs", got)
+	}
+	if mode := byID(newer.Resources)["radarr.config"]["mode"]; mode != "2750" {
+		t.Errorf("its directory's mode is %v; want 2750, setgid on its own 0750", mode)
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0334 §3: a joining module whose tools name a directory whose mode closes it to its group is refused at
+// the module check, naming the directory.
+func TestAToolsDirectoryIsOpenToItsGroup(t *testing.T) {
+	closed := map[string]any{
+		"libraries": []any{map[string]any{"id": "movies", "library": "media", "path": "movies", "use": "read"}},
+		"resources": []any{
+			map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0700"},
+			map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": libraryImage,
+				"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${library:movies}:/movies"}}},
+		"build": map[string]any{"artifacts": []any{map[string]any{"name": "tools", "kind": "bundle",
+			"language": "go", "system": "arch", "from": "cmd/app", "binary": "app", "loads": []any{"app"},
+			"env": map[string]any{"APP_CONFIG": "${dir:config}/config.xml"}}}}}
+	_, err := ParseManifest(libraryManifest(t, closed))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "config") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "ADR 0334") {
+		t.Fatalf("a tools' directory closed to its group: %v", err)
+	}
+	open := closed
+	open["resources"] = []any{
+		map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"},
+		map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": libraryImage,
+			"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${library:movies}:/movies"}}}
+	if _, err := ParseManifest(libraryManifest(t, open)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a tools' directory open to its group was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// The review of 7ea6d36e, item 6: a service's unit takes the identity too — `User=${identity:user}` — at the module
+// check and in what is composed.
+func TestAServicesUnitTakesTheIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+	unit := "[Service]\nUser=${identity:user}\nGroup=${identity:group}\nUMask=0002\nExecStart=/usr/bin/importer\n"
+	raw := libraryManifest(t, map[string]any{"resources": []any{
+		map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": libraryImage,
+			"volumes": []any{"${library:movies}:/movies"}},
+		map[string]any{"id": "watch", "type": "service", "name": "app-watch", "unit": unit}}})
+	m, err := ParseManifest(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a unit naming the identity was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	with := librariesRendering()
+	with.Identities["app"] = ModuleIdentity{Module: "app", UID: 50030}
+	composed := composeLibraries(t, Resolution{Node: "ace", Modules: []Manifest{m}}, with)
+	got := fmt.Sprint(byID(composed.Resources)["app.watch"]["unit"])
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "User=mesh-app\nGroup=mesh-media\n") {
+		t.Fatalf("the unit reads %q", got)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/manifest.go

@@ -536,6 +536,9 @@ type Manifest struct {
 	// `directory` resource, which the mesh creates and owns: an access is mounted and nothing
 	// about it is reconciled, and several modules may name the same one without conflict.
 	Accesses []Access `json:"accesses,omitempty"`
+	// Libraries are the libraries this module uses, each by name, sub-path and use (novox/hq ADR 0328 §2): where a
+	// library is, and who may write it, is the operator's definition and the mesh's, never the module's.
+	Libraries []LibraryUse `json:"libraries,omitempty"`
 
 	// Computed names something in the control plane that works this module's resources out per
 	// node, instead of them being fixed here.
@@ -976,6 +979,35 @@ type Artifact struct {
 	// success, and was invisible to the launcher (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/142).
 	Binary string `json:"binary,omitempty"`
 
+	// URL is where an archive's upstream file is fetched from, for an archive that is a release
+	// somebody else published rather than a directory of this repository (novox/hq ADR 0316 §2, §6).
+	// With it come SHA256 and Version, and From stays empty.
+	//
+	// **Pinned by the digest of what the vendor published, mirrored by the build seat.** A release of
+	// about 80 MB copied into a repository is kept for ever in its history at every upgrade, and an
+	// add-on whose licence forbids copying it to third parties may not be in a repository at all. So the
+	// manifest names the file, the build seat fetches it, refuses it when its sha256 is not the pin's and
+	// names both digests, and packs it as any archive is packed: what reaches a machine is the mesh's own
+	// archive in the artifact store, fetched by digest like every other, and a machine never asks the
+	// vendor. Upgrading is changing the pin, reviewed like any other change.
+	URL string `json:"url,omitempty"`
+	// SHA256 is the sha256 of the file at URL, as 64 lower-case hexadecimal characters.
+	SHA256 string `json:"sha256,omitempty"`
+	// Version is what the vendor calls the release pinned, said where a person reads the pin; the build
+	// does not read it.
+	Version string `json:"version,omitempty"`
+	// File is the name an upstream file that is not an archive is kept under: the archive built from it
+	// holds that one file (an add-on's xpi). Empty means the file is a tar archive (gzip, bzip2 or xz)
+	// whose files are the artifact.
+	File string `json:"file,omitempty"`
+	// Within is the directory inside an upstream tar archive whose content is the artifact, for a
+	// release that unpacks into a directory of its own name (`betterbird/`). An entry outside it refuses
+	// the build. Empty means the archive's root.
+	Within string `json:"within,omitempty"`
+	// NamesOnPurpose are the names this artifact means to name, each with why: the vendor's host an upstream
+	// file is fetched from, which the installation check judges like any name (InstallationProblems).
+	NamesOnPurpose map[string]string `json:"names-on-purpose,omitempty"`
+
 	// Entrypoints are the compiled files a tool host should load from this module, relative to the
 	// bundle's root.
 	//
@@ -1689,6 +1721,7 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 	// facts about the catalogue and are checked at registration (CatalogueProblems).
 	problems = append(problems, declaredSeatProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, RunsAsProblems(m)...)
+	problems = append(problems, ReadsHolderProblems(m)...)
 	if m.Computed != "" && len(m.Resources) > 0 {
 		// One or the other. A module that both ships files and has them computed would leave
 		// nobody able to say where a given file came from.
@@ -1829,6 +1862,9 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 	problems = append(problems, invokeProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, replacesProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, UnitSettingProblems(m)...)
+	problems = append(problems, OwnerSettingProblems(m)...)
+	// Its libraries and its identity, and what a module that joins is held to (novox/hq ADR 0328).
+	problems = append(problems, libraryProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, endpointNameProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, RouteProblems(m)...)
 	for _, port := range m.Guards {

internal/catalogue/node_resolver.go

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package catalogue
 
+import "path"
+
 // The machine's own resolver (novox/hq ADR 0247).
 //
 // **Most machines have none.** Every machine lists the mesh's resolvers in /etc/resolv.conf and nothing
@@ -66,43 +68,39 @@ func holdsSeat(m Manifest, seat string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-// rendersResolverFile says whether a module asks the mesh to render the machine's resolver file.
-func rendersResolverFile(m Manifest) bool {
-	for _, f := range m.Facts {
-		if !f.Home && f.Path == ResolverFile {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-// ResolverFileOwner is the module that writes the machine's resolver file among the modules on one
-// machine (novox/hq ADR 0247): the holder of node-resolver when one renders it, else nobody is named here
-// and the file is whoever's it always was — the uplink holder's (ADR 0223).
-func ResolverFileOwner(modules []Manifest) string {
-	for _, m := range modules {
-		if holdsSeat(m, ResolverSeat) && rendersResolverFile(m) {
-			return m.Module
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-// stepsBack is the module as it composes on a machine whose resolver file is the node-resolver holder's:
-// **the uplink holder's rendering of that file is left out**, and nothing else of it changes. Only the
-// uplink's holder steps back — any other module rendering the file beside the resolver's is still two
-// owners of one path, and is refused as before.
+// stepsBack is the module as it composes among the modules of one machine (novox/hq ADR 0287,
+// ADR 0247):
+// **where it holds a seat that names a path stepping back for another seat, and that other seat's holder
+// is on the machine and declares the path, its own rendering of the path is left out**, and nothing else
+// of it changes. Only a file the mesh renders for it steps back, as before: a resource on the path is
+// composed as declared (the declaration copies a module's resources whole), so an uplink holder declaring
+// the resolver file as a resource beside the resolver's holder is two owners of one path, and refused. The stepping back is the seat's definition — node-uplink stepping back from the resolver
+// file for node-resolver — so any other module declaring the path beside the owner's is still two owners
+// of one path, and is refused as before.
 func stepsBack(m Manifest, modules []Manifest) Manifest {
-	if !holdsSeat(m, "node-uplink") || !rendersResolverFile(m) {
-		return m
+	drop := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, c := range m.Claims {
+		seat, known := SeatNamed(c.Name)
+		if !known {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, p := range seat.Paths {
+			if p.StepsBackFor == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			for _, o := range modules {
+				if o.Module != m.Module && holdsSeat(o, p.StepsBackFor) && declaresPath(o, p.Path) {
+					drop[p.Path] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
-	owner := ResolverFileOwner(modules)
-	if owner == "" || owner == m.Module {
+	if len(drop) == 0 {
 		return m
 	}
 	facts := make(map[string]RosterFile, len(m.Facts))
 	for name, f := range m.Facts {
-		if !f.Home && f.Path == ResolverFile {
+		if !f.Home && drop[path.Clean(f.Path)] {
 			continue
 		}
 		facts[name] = f
@@ -113,9 +111,6 @@ func stepsBack(m Manifest, modules []Manifest) Manifest {
 
 // steppedBack is every module of one machine as it composes there (stepsBack, each).
 func steppedBack(modules []Manifest) []Manifest {
-	if ResolverFileOwner(modules) == "" {
-		return modules
-	}
 	out := make([]Manifest, len(modules))
 	for i, m := range modules {
 		out[i] = stepsBack(m, modules)

internal/catalogue/outside_not_given_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// An own secret issued outside the mesh that nobody gave (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228): the mesh makes no value for it,
+// so the composition places no file, a file of the module that names it says empty there, and nothing restarts on it.
+// Given, it is placed and filled like any own secret.
+
+func outsideManifest(t *testing.T) Manifest {
+	t.Helper()
+	m, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"assistant","version":"1",
+	  "own-secrets":{
+	    "password":{"path":"/var/lib/assistant/password.secret","taken":"at-start"},
+	    "vendor-key":{"path":"/var/lib/assistant/vendor-key.secret","taken":"at-start","issued-by":"outside"}},
+	  "resources":[
+	    {"id":"env","type":"file","path":"/var/lib/assistant/env","mode":"0600",
+	     "content":"PASSWORD=${secret:password}\nVENDOR_KEY=${secret:vendor-key}\n"},
+	    {"id":"server","type":"container","name":"assistant","image":"assistant:1",
+	     "env-file":["/var/lib/assistant/env"],
+	     "volumes":["/var/lib/assistant/vendor-key.secret:/run/vendor-key:ro"],
+	     "secrets-in-environment":"reads its settings from the environment only"}]}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+func resourceAt(out []map[string]any, path string) map[string]any {
+	for _, r := range out {
+		if r["path"] == path {
+			return r
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func resourceNamed(out []map[string]any, name string) map[string]any {
+	for _, r := range out {
+		if r["name"] == name {
+			return r
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func TestAnOutsideSecretNotGivenIsNoFileAndAFileNamingItSaysEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "server", Modules: []Manifest{outsideManifest(t)}}
+	out, err := r.Declaration(Rendering{Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"assistant": {"password": "sealed-password"}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a module whose outside secret nobody gave did not compose: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := resourceAt(out, "/var/lib/assistant/vendor-key.secret"); got != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a secret nobody gave was placed: %v", got)
+	}
+	env := resourceAt(out, "/var/lib/assistant/env")
+	if env == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the module's own file is not composed")
+	}
+	if content := env["content"].(string); content != "PASSWORD=${secret:password}\nVENDOR_KEY=\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("the file names the secret nobody gave as %q", content)
+	}
+	secrets, _ := env["secrets"].(map[string]any)
+	if len(secrets) != 1 || secrets["password"] != "sealed-password" {
+		t.Fatalf("the file is filled from %v", secrets)
+	}
+	server := resourceNamed(out, "assistant")
+	if on := strings.Join(stringsIn(server["restart-on"]), " "); strings.Contains(on, "vendor-key") {
+		t.Fatalf("the container restarts on a secret nobody gave: %q", on)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnOutsideSecretGivenIsPlacedAndFilled(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "server", Modules: []Manifest{outsideManifest(t)}}
+	out, err := r.Declaration(Rendering{Needed: map[string]map[string]string{"assistant": {
+		"password": "sealed-password", "vendor-key": "sealed-vendor-key"}}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	placed := resourceAt(out, "/var/lib/assistant/vendor-key.secret")
+	if placed == nil || placed["sealed"] != "sealed-vendor-key" {
+		t.Fatalf("the secret given is placed as %v", placed)
+	}
+	env := resourceAt(out, "/var/lib/assistant/env")
+	if content := env["content"].(string); content != "PASSWORD=${secret:password}\nVENDOR_KEY=${secret:vendor-key}\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("the file was changed: %q", content)
+	}
+	if secrets, _ := env["secrets"].(map[string]any); secrets["vendor-key"] != "sealed-vendor-key" {
+		t.Fatalf("the file is filled from %v", secrets)
+	}
+	server := resourceNamed(out, "assistant")
+	if on := strings.Join(stringsIn(server["restart-on"]), " "); !strings.Contains(on, "assistant."+NeedID("vendor-key")) {
+		t.Fatalf("the container does not restart on the secret given: %q", on)
+	}
+}
+
+// A secret the mesh makes is still refused when it was not made: only an outside one is left out.
+func TestAnOwnSecretTheMeshMakesIsStillRefusedWhenNotMade(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "server", Modules: []Manifest{outsideManifest(t)}}
+	_, err := r.Declaration(Rendering{})
+	if nm, ok := err.(*NotMadeError); !ok || nm.Name != "password" {
+		t.Fatalf("a secret the mesh makes, not made: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/placement.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package catalogue
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
@@ -270,6 +271,31 @@ func Places(m Manifest, layers []Layer) (map[string]Placement, error) {
 // It refuses an id the module declares no access under, and a path that is not absolute. An
 // access declared by path alone cannot be placed — it has no name to place it by.
 func AccessPlaces(m Manifest, layers []Layer) (map[string]string, error) {
+	return accessPlaces(m, layers, true)
+}
+
+// UndeclaredAccessError is a layer placing an access the definition does not declare (novox/hq issue 575): refused
+// where a setting is stored, unless a newer build of the module declares it; passed by where a machine is composed.
+type UndeclaredAccessError struct {
+	Module, ID string
+	said       string
+}
+
+func (e *UndeclaredAccessError) Error() string { return e.said }
+
+// UndeclaredAccessPlaces refuses a layer that places an access the definition does not declare.
+func UndeclaredAccessPlaces(m Manifest, layers []Layer) error {
+	_, err := accessPlaces(m, layers, true)
+	var undeclared *UndeclaredAccessError
+	if errors.As(err, &undeclared) {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// accessPlaces is AccessPlaces; where strict is false an access the definition does not declare is passed by
+// (novox/hq issue 575), as a placement stored ahead of the build that declares it.
+func accessPlaces(m Manifest, layers []Layer, strict bool) (map[string]string, error) {
 	declared := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, a := range m.Accesses {
 		if a.ID != "" {
@@ -289,9 +315,12 @@ func AccessPlaces(m Manifest, layers []Layer) (map[string]string, error) {
 		}
 		for id, body := range blocks {
 			if !declared[id] {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				if !strict {
+					continue
+				}
+				return nil, &UndeclaredAccessError{Module: m.Module, ID: id, said: fmt.Sprintf(
 					"%s places the access %q, which it does not declare — the setting reaches "+
-						"nothing. It declares %s", m.Module, id, orNothing(namesOfAccesses(m)))
+						"nothing. It declares %s", m.Module, id, orNothing(namesOfAccesses(m)))}
 			}
 			path, _ := body.(string)
 			path = strings.TrimSpace(path)
@@ -324,7 +353,7 @@ type placedAccess struct {
 // placed one, the definition's where it carries a default, and refused where neither says — an
 // access that resolves to nowhere would reach the machine as a mount of nothing.
 func accessesFor(m Manifest, layers []Layer) ([]placedAccess, map[string]string, error) {
-	placed, err := AccessPlaces(m, layers)
+	placed, err := accessPlaces(m, layers, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}

internal/catalogue/reads.go

@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// A node's files and accounts, read (novox/hq ADR 0310, extending ADR 0268 §5; hq to-be 41 WP8).
+//
+// **A seat of its own on every node.** Reading a file, searching one, listing a directory, the owner and mode
+// of each component of a path, and looking up an account or a group are the reads ADR 0268 §5 has narrow tools
+// take over from the login shell's `execute`, so an approval is asked for an act and never for a read. Every
+// node needs them, the control-node included, and another module could offer them instead of the tool
+// runner's (ADR 0126 §9): a seat, so the mesh finds them on every node by one name.
+//
+// **Read as an account that holds no secret.** The holder runs as an account of its own (runs-as, ADR 0259
+// §8), so the node's file modes bound what it sees — never the operator's account, which sees the
+// operator's keys and the agent's credentials. On top, it refuses by name the places a secret is kept,
+// which the controller names for it (secretPlaces), and every answer passes the content rule's secret class
+// (mesh-sdk's outward, ADR 0310 §4).
+
+// ReadsSeat is the role that reads a node's files and accounts (novox/hq ADR 0310).
+const ReadsSeat = "node-reads"
+
+// ReadsSecretPlaces is the word the holder of node-reads is given: the places on its node where a secret is
+// kept, as a JSON list of absolute paths, each refused by name before any read (novox/hq ADR 0310 §5).
+const ReadsSecretPlaces = "MESH_SECRET_PLACES"
+
+// readsVerbs is the contract every holder of node-reads serves (novox/hq ADR 0310 §2). The bounds are the
+// build's to set and each verb's description to state (ADR 0310, Consequences); the holder states them in
+// every answer it cuts.
+func readsVerbs() []Verb {
+	return []Verb{
+		{Name: "stat", Description: "Each component of one path or several, from / down: its type, owner and group " +
+			"(name and number), mode, whether it is a link and to what, and whether it is a mount point and of which " +
+			"file system. A link is not followed unless follow is \"true\". Read as the holder's own account, which " +
+			"holds no secret: a component it may not reach says so. At most 200 paths in one call.",
+			Input: schema(map[string]string{
+				"paths":  "one absolute path, or several separated by line breaks",
+				"follow": "\"true\": also say where the path leads once every link is followed",
+			}, []string{"paths"}, "follow"),
+			Replaces: []string{"stat", "ls -ld", "namei -l", "findmnt -T"}},
+		{Name: "readlink", Description: "What one link points to, as written, and where the path leads once every " +
+			"link is followed, and whether that exists.",
+			Input:    schema(map[string]string{"path": "an absolute path"}, []string{"path"}),
+			Replaces: []string{"readlink", "readlink -f", "realpath"}},
+		{Name: "list", Description: "Every entry of one directory with its type, owner, group, mode, size and, for a " +
+			"link, its target. At most 2000 entries; a longer directory is cut and says so. A place a secret is kept " +
+			"is refused by name.",
+			Input:    schema(map[string]string{"path": "an absolute path to a directory"}, []string{"path"}),
+			Replaces: []string{"ls", "ls -la"}},
+		{Name: "read", Description: "One text file, or a part of it by line: at most 256 KiB in one answer " +
+			"(64 KiB unless more is asked), cut at a line and said so. A binary file is refused; a place a secret is " +
+			"kept, or a known credential file, is refused by name; a line shaped like a secret is withheld and its " +
+			"number said. /proc and /sys are read as far as the holder's account may.",
+			Input: schema(map[string]string{
+				"path":  "an absolute path to a file",
+				"from":  "the first line to answer, counted from 1 (optional)",
+				"lines": "how many lines to answer (optional)",
+				"bytes": "the most bytes to answer, up to 262144 (optional, 65536 unless given)",
+			}, []string{"path"}),
+			Replaces: []string{"cat", "head", "tail", "less"}},
+		{Name: "search", Description: "Find a fixed string (never a pattern) in one file or under one directory: " +
+			"every matching line with its file and number. Bounded: at most 500 matches (100 unless more is asked), " +
+			"8 directories deep (4 unless more is asked), 5000 files and 4 MiB per file; links are not followed and " +
+			"binary files are skipped. A place a secret is kept is skipped and named; a matching line shaped like a " +
+			"secret is withheld. The answer says which bound it met.",
+			Input: schema(map[string]string{
+				"text":    "the fixed string to find",
+				"path":    "an absolute path to a file or a directory",
+				"depth":   "how many directories deep, up to 8 (optional)",
+				"matches": "the most matches to answer, up to 500 (optional)",
+				"case":    "\"false\": match whatever the case (optional)",
+			}, []string{"text", "path"}, "case"),
+			Replaces: []string{"grep", "grep -r", "grep -F"}},
+		{Name: "account", Description: "One account or group by name or number, as this node's account files say: " +
+			"an account's number, group, home, shell and every group it is in; a group's number and members. With " +
+			"neither, every account and group. Never a password field.",
+			Input: schema(map[string]string{
+				"name":  "an account's name or number (optional)",
+				"group": "a group's name or number (optional)",
+			}, nil),
+			Replaces: []string{"getent passwd", "getent group", "id", "groups"}},
+	}
+}
+
+// ReadsHolderProblems is what a holder of node-reads is held to (novox/hq ADR 0310 §3): it reads as an
+// account of its own, so the node's file modes bound what it sees. Carried by the machine's runtime it would
+// read as the operator's account, which sees the operator's keys and the agent's credentials.
+func ReadsHolderProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	if !m.ClaimsSeat(ReadsSeat) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if m.RunsAs == "" {
+		return []string{fmt.Sprintf("%s claims %s and must run as an account of its own (runs-as): its reads are "+
+			"bounded by that account's file modes, and the machine's runtime runs as the operator's account "+
+			"(novox/hq ADR 0310 §3)", m.Module, ReadsSeat)}
+	}
+	// In no group beside its own: a group is a way to a secret (docker's is root's), and the account's file modes
+	// are what bound its reads.
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "user" || fmt.Sprint(r["name"]) != m.RunsAs {
+			continue
+		}
+		if groups, said := r["groups"]; said {
+			if list, ok := groups.([]any); !ok || len(list) > 0 {
+				return []string{fmt.Sprintf("%s claims %s, and its account %s is put in groups %v: the account that "+
+					"reads is in no group beside its own (novox/hq ADR 0310 §3)", m.Module, ReadsSeat, m.RunsAs, groups)}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// secretPlaces is every place on this node a secret is kept, as the placed manifests say (novox/hq ADR 0310
+// §5): the directory of every module's own secret, every credential file a module is given and every grant
+// directory a provider is handed its consumers' credentials in, the place a module keeps the operator-sealed
+// secrets, and every directory of the module that provides `secret` — the vault — wherever the node places it,
+// a directory declared without a path included. Sorted, each once, and a place under another dropped, so the
+// list says each refusal once.
+//
+// **Failure is loud.** A place still holding a placeholder, or not absolute, fails the composition with the
+// module named: a list that silently shrank would be a refusal the decision promises and nothing does.
+func (r Resolution) secretPlaces(with Rendering) ([]string, error) {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	var problems []string
+	add := func(module, what, path string) {
+		path = strings.TrimSpace(path)
+		if path == "" {
+			return
+		}
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(path, "/") || strings.Contains(path, "${") {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's %s is %q, which is not a place on %s", module, what, path, r.Node))
+			return
+		}
+		path = filepath.Clean(path)
+		if path == "/" {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s's %s is the root directory", module, what))
+			return
+		}
+		seen[path] = true
+	}
+	for _, m := range r.Modules {
+		for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets {
+			add(m.Module, "own secret "+name, own.Path)
+			if strings.HasPrefix(own.Path, "/") {
+				add(m.Module, "own secret "+name+"'s directory", filepath.Dir(own.Path))
+			}
+		}
+		for _, to := range m.SecretRequirements() {
+			for _, f := range m.SecretFiles(to) {
+				add(m.Module, "credential file for "+to, f.Path)
+			}
+		}
+		for to, where := range m.Grants {
+			add(m.Module, "grant directory for "+to, where)
+		}
+		add(m.Module, "place for the operator-sealed secrets (keeps)", m.Keeps)
+		if providesSecret(m) {
+			dirs := dirsFor(m, with)
+			for _, id := range sortedKeys(dirs) {
+				add(m.Module, "directory "+id, dirs[id])
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) > 0 {
+		sort.Strings(problems)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the holder of %s on %s cannot be told where a secret is kept, so it would read "+
+			"one (novox/hq ADR 0310 §5): %s", ReadsSeat, r.Node, strings.Join(problems, "; "))
+	}
+	all := make([]string, 0, len(seen))
+	for p := range seen {
+		all = append(all, p)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(all)
+	var out []string
+	for _, p := range all {
+		if n := len(out); n > 0 && strings.HasPrefix(p, out[n-1]+"/") {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, p)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func providesSecret(m Manifest) bool {
+	for _, p := range m.Provides {
+		if p.Name == "secret" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// readsWords is what the holder of node-reads is given beside its own words: the node's secret places.
+func (r Resolution) readsWords(m Manifest, words map[string]string, with Rendering) (map[string]string, error) {
+	if !m.ClaimsSeat(ReadsSeat) {
+		return words, nil
+	}
+	places, err := r.secretPlaces(with)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(places)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if words == nil {
+		words = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	if _, has := words[ReadsSecretPlaces]; has {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s gives its own %s; the node's secret places are the mesh's to say (novox/hq ADR 0310 §5)",
+			m.Module, ReadsSecretPlaces)
+	}
+	words[ReadsSecretPlaces] = string(body)
+	return words, nil
+}

internal/catalogue/reads_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0310 §1, §2: node-reads is a node seat, and its verbs say the commands they replace, so
+// mesh_search finds them by `cat`, `grep` and `getent passwd` (ADR 0245 §3).
+func TestNodeReadsIsANodeSeatWhoseVerbsSayWhatTheyReplace(t *testing.T) {
+	s, ok := SeatNamed(ReadsSeat)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("the mesh defines no seat %s", ReadsSeat)
+	}
+	if s.Scope != ScopeNode || s.Delivers != "" || !strings.Contains(s.Decision, "0310") {
+		t.Errorf("%s: scope %q, delivers %q, decision %q", ReadsSeat, s.Scope, s.Delivers, s.Decision)
+	}
+	replaced := map[string]string{}
+	for _, v := range s.Serves {
+		if v.Optional {
+			t.Errorf("%s.%s is optional: a new seat's holder serves every verb", ReadsSeat, v.Name)
+		}
+		if len(v.Replaces) == 0 {
+			t.Errorf("%s.%s says nothing it replaces", ReadsSeat, v.Name)
+		}
+		for _, c := range v.Replaces {
+			replaced[c] = v.Name
+		}
+	}
+	for command, verb := range map[string]string{"cat": "read", "grep": "search", "getent passwd": "account",
+		"getent group": "account", "id": "account", "stat": "stat", "readlink": "readlink", "ls": "list"} {
+		if replaced[command] != verb {
+			t.Errorf("%q is replaced by %q, want %s.%s", command, replaced[command], ReadsSeat, verb)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0310 §3: a holder of node-reads reads as an account of its own; one the machine's runtime would
+// carry — as the operator's account — is refused at parse.
+func TestAHolderOfNodeReadsWithoutAnAccountOfItsOwnIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module": "reads", "version": "1",
+		"claims": [{"name": "node-reads", "scope": "node"}]}`))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "runs-as") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "0310") {
+		t.Errorf("a holder of node-reads without runs-as was not refused for it: %v", err)
+	}
+	if p := ReadsHolderProblems(Manifest{Module: "reads", RunsAs: "mesh-reads",
+		Claims: []Claim{{Name: ReadsSeat}}}); len(p) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a holder running as its own account was refused: %v", p)
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0310 §5: the holder is told, by the composition, where its node keeps a secret — the directory
+// of every module's own secret, every credential file and grant directory, the vault's directories and the
+// place the operator-sealed secrets are kept — and no other module is told.
+func TestTheHolderOfNodeReadsIsToldWhereItsNodeKeepsASecret(t *testing.T) {
+	with := Rendering{ArtifactStore: "anchor.internal:5101",
+		Needed: map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"},
+			"reads": {"broker": "own"}, "desk": {"broker": "own"}}}
+	goRuntime := Manifest{Module: RuntimeModule, Version: "1",
+		OwnSecrets: OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh/" + RuntimeModule + "/broker"}},
+		Build: &Build{Artifacts: []Artifact{{Name: "runtime", Kind: ArtifactBundle, Language: "go",
+			System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}}
+	goRuntime, err := goRuntime.Resolve([]Built{{Name: "runtime", Kind: ArtifactBundle,
+		Reference: ArtifactStoreScheme + RuntimeModule + "/runtime/blobs/" + bundleDigest, Digest: bundleDigest}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	reads := aToolsModule(t, "reads", "tools/index.js")
+	reads.RunsAs, reads.SecretsOwner = "mesh-reads", "mesh-reads"
+	reads.Claims = []Claim{{Name: ReadsSeat}}
+	reads.OwnSecrets = OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/mesh-reads/broker"}}
+	desk := aToolsModule(t, "desk", "tools/index.js")
+	desk.RunsAs, desk.SecretsOwner = "desk", "desk"
+	desk.OwnSecrets = OwnSecrets{"broker": {Path: "/var/lib/desk/broker"}}
+	// The vault as the catalogue declares it: its directories have no path of their own, and the node places them.
+	vault, err := placedManifest(catalogueManifest(t, "mesh-vault"), with)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	app := Manifest{Module: "app", Version: "1", Secrets: map[string]string{"postgres-database": "/etc/app/db.secret"},
+		OwnSecrets: OwnSecrets{"token": {Path: "/home/ops/.config/app/token"}}}
+	r := Resolution{Node: "anchor", Account: "ops", Modules: []Manifest{reads, desk, vault, app, goRuntime}}
+	owns, err := r.ownRuntimes(with)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var given map[string]map[string]string
+	for _, p := range owns {
+		if p["id"] == "reads."+OwnRuntimeID() {
+			if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(p["env"].(map[string]string)[RuntimeToolEnv]), &given); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		if p["id"] == "desk."+OwnRuntimeID() && strings.Contains(p["env"].(map[string]string)[RuntimeToolEnv], ReadsSecretPlaces) {
+			t.Error("a module not holding node-reads is told the node's secret places")
+		}
+	}
+	var places []string
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(given["reads"][ReadsSecretPlaces]), &places); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the holder is not told its node's secret places: %v (%v)", err, given)
+	}
+	want := []string{"/etc/app/db.secret", "/home/ops/.config/app", "/var/lib/desk", "/var/lib/mesh-reads",
+		"/var/lib/mesh-vault", "/var/lib/mesh/" + RuntimeModule}
+	if strings.Join(places, " ") != strings.Join(want, " ") {
+		t.Errorf("secret places:\n got %v\nwant %v", places, want)
+	}
+}
+
+// The review of #257: a secret place the controller cannot resolve fails the composition, naming the module,
+// rather than leaving the list one place shorter.
+func TestASecretPlaceThatCannotBeResolvedFailsTheComposition(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "anchor", Modules: []Manifest{
+		{Module: "app", Version: "1", Keeps: "${dir:keep}/sealed"},
+	}}
+	if _, err := r.secretPlaces(Rendering{}); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "app") {
+		t.Errorf("an unresolved place was dropped: %v", err)
+	}
+	r.Modules[0].Keeps = "relative/place"
+	if _, err := r.secretPlaces(Rendering{}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a relative place was dropped")
+	}
+}
+
+// ADR 0310 §3: the account that reads is in no group beside its own; one put in a group is refused.
+func TestTheReadsAccountIsInNoGroup(t *testing.T) {
+	m := Manifest{Module: "reads", RunsAs: "mesh-reads", Claims: []Claim{{Name: ReadsSeat}},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "account", "type": "user", "name": "mesh-reads", "groups": []any{"docker"}}}}
+	if p := ReadsHolderProblems(m); len(p) != 1 || !strings.Contains(p[0], "docker") {
+		t.Errorf("an account in docker was not refused: %v", p)
+	}
+	m.Resources[0]["groups"] = []any{}
+	if p := ReadsHolderProblems(m); len(p) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("an account in no group was refused: %v", p)
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/resolve.go

@@ -957,7 +957,9 @@ func checkResources(modules []Manifest) []string {
 	// Judged as the machine composes them: where the node-resolver holder writes the resolver file, the
 	// uplink holder's rendering of it is not composed, so it is not a second owner (novox/hq ADR 0247).
 	modules = steppedBack(modules)
-	var problems []string
+	// And only a claimant of a seat naming a path declares it — the controller's generated resources
+	// included, which are judged here at composition (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+	problems := seatPathsOnMachine(modules)
 	owner := map[string]string{}
 	ownedPath := map[string]string{} // path → owning module, for the access check below
 	packagePresent, packageAbsent := map[string][]string{}, map[string][]string{}

internal/catalogue/runtime.go

@@ -303,6 +303,10 @@ func (r Resolution) ownRuntimes(with Rendering) ([]map[string]any, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+		// The holder of node-reads is told where this node keeps its secrets (novox/hq ADR 0310 §5).
+		if words, err = r.readsWords(m, words, with); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		if len(words) > 0 {
 			body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]map[string]string{m.Module: words})
 			if err != nil {
@@ -406,6 +410,10 @@ func bundleWords(m Manifest, with Rendering) (map[string]string, error) {
 			if value, err = portsFilledInto(value, m.Module+"'s bundle "+b.Name+" ("+word+")", m.Module, m.Listens, with); err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
+			// A joining module's identity and its libraries' host paths: its tools run on the machine (ADR 0328 §5).
+			if value, err = bundleLibraryFill(value, m, with); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
 			if out == nil {
 				out = map[string]string{}
 			}

internal/catalogue/seat_paths.go

@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// The paths a seat's holder owns (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+//
+// **Who owns a machine-wide file is the role's question, answered once.** Until this, which module owned
+// /etc/hosts or /etc/resolv.conf was decided record by record (ADRs 0199, 0222, 0223, 0241) and enforced
+// only after the fact, by checkResources finding two modules on one machine declaring the same path: a
+// module that did not hold node-hostname could declare /etc/hosts on a machine where nobody held it, and
+// nothing refused it. Now a seat's definition names the paths the role owns on any machine, and three
+// refusals follow from it, each where the mesh can still say no:
+//
+//   - a claim whose module does not declare every path its seat names, by CanHold, at registration and at
+//     handover;
+//   - a module declaring a path a seat names while claiming none of the seats that name it, at
+//     registration (CatalogueProblems), and what the controller generates for a machine, at composition;
+//   - a module's own seat naming a path another seat already names, at registration — the second loses.
+//
+// Reading a seat's path is access, never a resource, so it stays allowed.
+
+// SeatPath is one path a seat's holder owns: absolute, literal, on the machine where the holder runs.
+type SeatPath struct {
+	Path string `json:"path"`
+	// StepsBackFor is a node seat whose holder owns the path instead, on a machine where that seat is held
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0287, ADR 0247): this seat's holder still declares the path, and its declaration is not
+	// composed there. Only the mesh's own seats step back, each by a record.
+	StepsBackFor string `json:"steps-back-for,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// seatPathProblem is what is wrong with one path a seat names, judged alone: absolute, written literally
+// with no placeholder, and clean, so it compares with what a module declares byte for byte.
+func seatPathProblem(seat, scope, p string) string {
+	switch {
+	case scope != ScopeNode:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s names the path %q and is a %s seat; only a node seat names paths, "+
+			"because a path is a machine's (novox/hq ADR 0287)", seat, p, scope)
+	case strings.Contains(p, "${"):
+		return fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s names the path %q, which has a placeholder; a seat's path is written "+
+			"literally (novox/hq ADR 0287)", seat, p)
+	case !strings.HasPrefix(p, "/") || path.Clean(p) != p:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s names the path %q, which is not a clean absolute path (novox/hq ADR 0287)",
+			seat, p)
+	case path.Dir(p) == "/":
+		// The root or a top-level directory is every role's, never one role's own (ADR 0287).
+		return fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s names the path %q, the root or a top-level directory, which no one "+
+			"role owns (novox/hq ADR 0287)", seat, p)
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// SeatPathProblems is what is wrong with the paths a set of the mesh's own seats names (novox/hq ADR
+// 0287): only a node seat names one, each absolute and literal; every path has exactly one seat naming it
+// without stepping back; and a seat steps back only for another node seat naming the same path without
+// stepping back, so the stepping back cannot cycle.
+func SeatPathProblems(set []Seat) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	owners := map[string][]string{}     // path → the seats naming it without stepping back
+	stepping := map[string][]SeatPath{} // seat → the paths it names stepping back
+	byName := map[string]Seat{}
+	for _, s := range set {
+		byName[s.Name] = s
+		for _, p := range s.Paths {
+			if why := seatPathProblem(s.Name, s.Scope, p.Path); why != "" {
+				problems = append(problems, why)
+			}
+			if p.StepsBackFor == "" {
+				owners[p.Path] = append(owners[p.Path], s.Name)
+			} else {
+				stepping[s.Name] = append(stepping[s.Name], p)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, s := range set {
+		for _, p := range stepping[s.Name] {
+			other, known := byName[p.StepsBackFor]
+			switch {
+			case !known || other.Scope != ScopeNode:
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s steps back from %q for %q, which is not a "+
+					"node seat of the mesh's (novox/hq ADR 0287)", s.Name, p.Path, p.StepsBackFor))
+			case !namesWithoutSteppingBack(other, p.Path):
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the seat %s steps back from %q for %s, which does not "+
+					"own that path itself; a seat steps back only for the one that owns it (novox/hq ADR 0287)",
+					s.Name, p.Path, other.Name))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, p := range sortedKeys(owners) {
+		if len(owners[p]) > 1 {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the path %q is named by %s, each without stepping back; "+
+				"no two seats name one path (novox/hq ADR 0287)", p, strings.Join(owners[p], " and ")))
+		}
+	}
+	for _, s := range set {
+		for _, p := range stepping[s.Name] {
+			if len(owners[p.Path]) == 0 {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("the path %q has no seat naming it without stepping back "+
+					"(novox/hq ADR 0287)", p.Path))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+func namesWithoutSteppingBack(s Seat, p string) bool {
+	for _, sp := range s.Paths {
+		if sp.Path == p && sp.StepsBackFor == "" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// declaredPaths is every machine path a module declares it owns: a resource's literal path, and a file
+// the mesh renders for it outside the operator's home. An access is not here — reading is not owning.
+//
+// **Cleaned, because the machine writes the cleaned path**: /etc//hosts, /etc/./hosts, /etc/../etc/hosts and
+// /etc/hosts/ are all /etc/hosts to it, and a seat's path is clean by its own rule, so a declaration compared
+// as written would pass for a path nobody named.
+func declaredPaths(m Manifest) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if p, ok := r["path"].(string); ok && strings.HasPrefix(p, "/") {
+			out[path.Clean(p)] = true
+		}
+	}
+	for _, f := range m.Facts {
+		if !f.Home && strings.HasPrefix(f.Path, "/") {
+			out[path.Clean(f.Path)] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// declaresPath says whether a module declares one path, as a resource or as a file the mesh renders.
+func declaresPath(m Manifest, p string) bool { return declaredPaths(m)[p] }
+
+// missingPaths is each path a seat names that a module does not declare, in the seat's order.
+func missingPaths(m Manifest, paths []SeatPath) []string {
+	if len(paths) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	has := declaredPaths(m)
+	var missing []string
+	for _, p := range paths {
+		if !has[p.Path] {
+			missing = append(missing, p.Path)
+		}
+	}
+	return missing
+}
+
+// pathSeats is which seats name each path: the mesh's own, and then those modules declare, in the order
+// given. A module's seat naming a path a seat already names loses it, and the refusal says so (novox/hq
+// ADR 0287 — as for a seat's name, the second declaration loses).
+func pathSeats(order []string, shelf Shelf, declaredBy map[string]string) (map[string][]string, []string) {
+	named := map[string][]string{}
+	for _, s := range Seats() {
+		for _, p := range s.Paths {
+			named[p.Path] = append(named[p.Path], s.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	for _, module := range order {
+		for _, s := range shelf[module].DefinesSeats {
+			if declaredBy != nil && declaredBy[s.Name] != module {
+				continue // a second declaration of the seat's name, refused for that already
+			}
+			for _, p := range s.Paths {
+				if others := named[p]; len(others) > 0 {
+					problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+						"%s declares the seat %s naming the path %q, which %s already names; no two seats "+
+							"name one path (novox/hq ADR 0287)", module, s.Name, p, strings.Join(others, " and ")))
+					continue
+				}
+				named[p] = append(named[p], s.Name)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return named, problems
+}
+
+// unclaimedSeatPaths is each path a module declares that a seat names while it claims none of the seats
+// naming it (novox/hq ADR 0287): only a claimant declares a seat's path, and a module claiming any one of
+// them may.
+func unclaimedSeatPaths(m Manifest, named map[string][]string) []string {
+	claims := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, c := range m.Claims {
+		claims[canonicalSeat(c.Name)] = true
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	declared := declaredPaths(m)
+	for _, p := range sortedKeys(declared) {
+		seats := named[p]
+		if len(seats) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		claimsOne := false
+		for _, s := range seats {
+			claimsOne = claimsOne || claims[s]
+		}
+		if !claimsOne {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+				"%s declares the path %q, which the seat %s names, and claims none of them; only a holder of "+
+					"a seat naming a path declares it (novox/hq ADR 0287)", m.Module, p, strings.Join(seats, " and ")))
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// declaredSeatPathProblems is what one module's own seat declaration can be judged on alone: a path
+// only on a node seat, absolute, literal and clean.
+func declaredSeatPathProblems(m Manifest, s SeatDeclaration) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	for _, p := range s.Paths {
+		if why := seatPathProblem(s.Name, s.At(), p); why != "" {
+			problems = append(problems, m.Module+": "+why)
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// asSeatPaths is a module's own seat's paths in the shape the mesh's seats name theirs. A module's seat
+// never steps back: only the mesh's own seats do, each by a record.
+func asSeatPaths(paths []string) []SeatPath {
+	out := make([]SeatPath, 0, len(paths))
+	for _, p := range paths {
+		out = append(out, SeatPath{Path: p})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// PathOwner is the module that owns one seat's path on one machine (novox/hq ADR 0287): the seat naming
+// the path, and that seat's holder there, with the stepping back applied.
+type PathOwner struct {
+	Path   string `json:"path"`
+	Node   string `json:"node"`
+	Seat   string `json:"seat"`
+	Module string `json:"module"`
+}
+
+// PathOwners is, for every path a seat in the set names and every machine where a seat naming it is held,
+// who owns the path there. A seat that steps back for another held on the same machine is passed over.
+func PathOwners(set []Seat, held []Held) []PathOwner {
+	// node → seat → holding module
+	holders := map[string]map[string]string{}
+	for _, h := range held {
+		s, ok := SeatNamed(h.Claim)
+		if !ok || h.Scope != ScopeNode || s.Scope != ScopeNode {
+			continue
+		}
+		if holders[h.Node] == nil {
+			holders[h.Node] = map[string]string{}
+		}
+		if _, taken := holders[h.Node][s.Name]; !taken {
+			holders[h.Node][s.Name] = h.Module
+		}
+	}
+	naming := map[string][]Seat{}           // path → the seats naming it
+	steps := map[string]map[string]string{} // path → seat → the seat it steps back for
+	for _, s := range set {
+		for _, p := range s.Paths {
+			naming[p.Path] = append(naming[p.Path], s)
+			if p.StepsBackFor != "" {
+				if steps[p.Path] == nil {
+					steps[p.Path] = map[string]string{}
+				}
+				steps[p.Path][s.Name] = p.StepsBackFor
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	var out []PathOwner
+	for _, p := range sortedKeys(naming) {
+		for _, node := range sortedKeys(holders) {
+			for _, s := range naming[p] {
+				module, holds := holders[node][s.Name]
+				if !holds {
+					continue
+				}
+				if forSeat := steps[p][s.Name]; forSeat != "" {
+					if _, there := holders[node][forSeat]; there {
+						continue
+					}
+				}
+				out = append(out, PathOwner{Path: p, Node: node, Seat: s.Name, Module: module})
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// seatPathsOnMachine is each path the modules of one machine declare that a seat names, for a module
+// claiming none of the seats naming it (novox/hq ADR 0287). Registration refuses the same of a manifest;
+// this holds what the controller generates for a machine to it too, because a computed module's resources
+// exist only once composed (checkResources is asked them there). The seats are the mesh's own and those the
+// machine's modules declare.
+func seatPathsOnMachine(modules []Manifest) []string {
+	shelf := Shelf{}
+	var order []string
+	for _, m := range modules {
+		shelf[m.Module] = m
+		order = append(order, m.Module)
+	}
+	named, _ := pathSeats(order, shelf, nil)
+	var problems []string
+	for _, m := range modules {
+		problems = append(problems, unclaimedSeatPaths(m, named)...)
+	}
+	return problems
+}

internal/catalogue/seat_paths_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,311 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// Defends novox/hq ADR 0287 (issue 412): a seat names the paths its holder owns, a claim without them is
+// refused, and only a claimant declares a seat's path.
+
+// The starting set, exactly: node-hostname names /etc/hosts and /etc/hostname, node-uplink the resolver
+// file stepping back for node-resolver, node-resolver the resolver file, and every other seat names none.
+func TestTheSeatsThatNamePathsAreTheStartingSet(t *testing.T) {
+	want := map[string]string{
+		"node-hostname": "/etc/hosts /etc/hostname",
+		"node-uplink":   "/etc/resolv.conf>node-resolver",
+		ResolverSeat:    "/etc/resolv.conf",
+	}
+	for _, s := range DefaultSeats() {
+		var got []string
+		for _, p := range s.Paths {
+			if p.StepsBackFor != "" {
+				got = append(got, p.Path+">"+p.StepsBackFor)
+			} else {
+				got = append(got, p.Path)
+			}
+		}
+		if strings.Join(got, " ") != want[s.Name] {
+			t.Errorf("%s names %v; ADR 0287 gives it %q", s.Name, got, want[s.Name])
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The compiled set keeps the rules: node seats only, absolute and literal, one seat per path without
+// stepping back, and a stepping back that cannot cycle.
+func TestTheCompiledSeatPathsKeepTheRules(t *testing.T) {
+	if p := SeatPathProblems(DefaultSeats()); len(p) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the compiled set breaks ADR 0287: %v", p)
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		why  string
+		set  []Seat
+		want string
+	}{
+		{"a mesh seat naming a path", []Seat{{Name: "mesh-x", Scope: ScopeMesh, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x"}}}},
+			"only a node seat names paths"},
+		{"a placeholder", []Seat{{Name: "node-x", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/${setting:x}"}}}},
+			"placeholder"},
+		{"a relative path", []Seat{{Name: "node-x", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "etc/x"}}}},
+			"not a clean absolute path"},
+		{"two owners", []Seat{
+			{Name: "node-a", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x"}}},
+			{Name: "node-b", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x"}}}}, "no two seats name one path"},
+		{"a cycle", []Seat{
+			{Name: "node-a", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x", StepsBackFor: "node-b"}}},
+			{Name: "node-b", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x", StepsBackFor: "node-a"}}}},
+			"does not own that path itself"},
+		{"stepping back for nobody", []Seat{
+			{Name: "node-a", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/x", StepsBackFor: "node-z"}}}},
+			"not a node seat"},
+	} {
+		if got := strings.Join(SeatPathProblems(c.set), "; "); !strings.Contains(got, c.want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %q does not say %q", c.why, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// What the store's rows carry is never the paths: a row read back keeps the compiled ones.
+func TestTheSeatPathsSurviveTheStoresRows(t *testing.T) {
+	before := seats
+	t.Cleanup(func() { seats = before })
+	UseSeats([]Seat{{Name: "node-hostname", Scope: ScopeNode}})
+	s, _ := SeatNamed("node-hostname")
+	if len(s.Paths) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("node-hostname read back from its row names %v", s.Paths)
+	}
+}
+
+func hostnameSeat(t *testing.T) Seat {
+	t.Helper()
+	s, ok := SeatNamed("node-hostname")
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("no node-hostname seat")
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+func hostnameHolder(resources ...map[string]any) Manifest {
+	return Manifest{Module: "names", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-hostname", Scope: ScopeNode,
+		Serves: []string{"entries", "add", "remove"}}}, Resources: resources}
+}
+
+// A holder declares every path its seat names, as a resource or as a file the mesh renders for it, or
+// CanHold refuses it naming the seat and each missing path — the judgement registration and handover share.
+func TestAClaimWithoutTheSeatsPathsIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	seat := hostnameSeat(t)
+	hosts := map[string]any{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/hosts", "content": "x"}
+	name := map[string]any{"id": "name", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/hostname", "content": "x"}
+
+	if err := CanHold(hostnameHolder(hosts, name), seat); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a holder declaring both paths as resources was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	rendered := hostnameHolder(hosts)
+	rendered.Facts = map[string]RosterFile{"name": {Path: "/etc/hostname", Template: "{{.Node}}\n"}}
+	if err := CanHold(rendered, seat); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a holder declaring a path as a file the mesh renders was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	err := CanHold(hostnameHolder(), seat)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a holder declaring neither path was accepted")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"node-hostname", "/etc/hosts", "/etc/hostname", "ADR 0287"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("the refusal does not name %s: %v", want, err)
+		}
+	}
+	// A file under the operator's home is placed per account: it is not the machine's path.
+	home := hostnameHolder(hosts)
+	home.Facts = map[string]RosterFile{"name": {Path: "/etc/hostname", Home: true, Template: "x"}}
+	if err := CanHold(home, seat); err == nil {
+		t.Error("a file in the operator's home counted as the machine's /etc/hostname")
+	}
+	// At registration, the same refusal.
+	if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"names": hostnameHolder(hosts)}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got,
+		"does not declare /etc/hostname") {
+		t.Errorf("registration let a holder without /etc/hostname through: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// Only a claimant declares a seat's path: a module claiming no seat that names /etc/hosts and declaring
+// it is refused at registration naming the seat; the uplink's holder and the resolver's both declaring
+// the resolver file are each a claimant of a seat naming it. Reading a seat's path is access, and allowed.
+func TestOnlyAClaimantDeclaresASeatsPath(t *testing.T) {
+	stranger := Manifest{Module: "stranger", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/hosts", "into": "block", "content": "10.0.0.1 x\n"}}}
+	got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"stranger": stranger}), "; ")
+	if !strings.Contains(got, `stranger declares the path "/etc/hosts", which the seat node-hostname names`) {
+		t.Errorf("a module declaring /etc/hosts without claiming node-hostname was not refused: %q", got)
+	}
+	// However the path is spelled (novox/hq issue 412 review).
+	unclean := Manifest{Module: "unclean", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/../etc/hosts", "content": "10.0.0.1 x\n"}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"unclean": unclean}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got, "node-hostname") {
+		t.Errorf("/etc/../etc/hosts from a module not claiming node-hostname was not refused: %q", got)
+	}
+	reader := Manifest{Module: "reader", Version: "1", Accesses: []Access{{ID: "hosts", Path: "/etc/hosts"}}}
+	if got := CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"reader": reader}); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("reading /etc/hosts was refused: %v", got)
+	}
+	uplink := Manifest{Module: "uplink", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode}},
+		Facts: map[string]RosterFile{"resolvers": {Path: ResolverFile, Template: "nameserver 10.42.0.1\n"}}}
+	resolver := localResolver()
+	resolver.Claims[0].Serves = []string{"routes", "route", "unroute"}
+	if got := CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"uplink": uplink, resolver.Module: resolver}); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("the uplink's holder and the resolver's declaring the resolver file were refused: %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// A module's own seat names paths under the same rules: a node seat only, literal, and none another seat
+// names — the second declaration loses. Its holder declares them, as a mesh seat's does.
+func TestAModulesOwnSeatNamesPathsUnderTheSameRules(t *testing.T) {
+	meshScoped := Manifest{Module: "a", Version: "1", DefinesSeats: []SeatDeclaration{
+		{Name: "a-seat", Paths: []string{"/etc/a"}}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(declaredSeatProblems(meshScoped), "; "); !strings.Contains(got, "only a node seat names paths") {
+		t.Errorf("a module's mesh seat naming a path was accepted: %q", got)
+	}
+	placeholder := Manifest{Module: "a", Version: "1", DefinesSeats: []SeatDeclaration{
+		{Name: "a-seat", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []string{"${dir:state}/a"}}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(declaredSeatProblems(placeholder), "; "); !strings.Contains(got, "placeholder") {
+		t.Errorf("a module's seat naming a path with a placeholder was accepted: %q", got)
+	}
+
+	taken := Manifest{Module: "b", Version: "1", DefinesSeats: []SeatDeclaration{
+		{Name: "b-seat", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []string{"/etc/hosts"}}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"b": taken}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got,
+		`b declares the seat b-seat naming the path "/etc/hosts", which node-hostname already names`) {
+		t.Errorf("a module's seat naming /etc/hosts was accepted: %q", got)
+	}
+
+	own := Manifest{Module: "c", Version: "1",
+		DefinesSeats: []SeatDeclaration{{Name: "c-seat", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []string{"/etc/c.conf"}}},
+		Claims:       []Claim{{Name: "c-seat", Scope: ScopeNode}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"c": own}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got,
+		"c claims c-seat but does not declare /etc/c.conf") {
+		t.Errorf("a holder of a module's seat without its path was accepted: %q", got)
+	}
+	own.Resources = []map[string]any{{"id": "conf", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/c.conf", "content": "x"}}
+	if got := CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"c": own}); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a holder declaring its own seat's path was refused: %v", got)
+	}
+	other := Manifest{Module: "d", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "conf", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/c.conf", "content": "x"}}}
+	if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"c": own, "d": other}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got,
+		`d declares the path "/etc/c.conf", which the seat c-seat names`) {
+		t.Errorf("a module not claiming c-seat declared its path: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+type writesHosts struct{}
+
+func (writesHosts) Resources(string) ([]map[string]any, bool, error) {
+	return []map[string]any{{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/hosts", "into": "block",
+		"content": "10.42.0.1 anchor\n"}}, true, nil
+}
+
+// The controller is bound too: what it generates for a machine on a seat's path is refused at composition.
+func TestAGeneratedResourceOnASeatsPathIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "workstation", Modules: []Manifest{
+		{Module: "mesh-names", Computed: "mesh-names"},
+	}}
+	_, err := r.Declaration(Rendering{Generators: map[string]Generator{"mesh-names": writesHosts{}}})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a generated resource on /etc/hosts was composed")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"mesh-names", "/etc/hosts", "node-hostname"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("the refusal does not name %s: %v", want, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Who owns a seat's path on a machine: the seat naming it and its holder there, with the stepping back
+// applied — the resolver's holder where node-resolver is held, else the uplink's.
+func TestPathOwnersApplyTheSteppingBack(t *testing.T) {
+	held := []Held{
+		{Claim: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode, Node: "laptop", Module: "networkmanager"},
+		{Claim: ResolverSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Node: "laptop", Module: "systemd-resolved"},
+		{Claim: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode, Node: "server", Module: "systemd-networkd"},
+		{Claim: "node-hostname", Scope: ScopeNode, Node: "server", Module: "hostname"},
+	}
+	var got []string
+	for _, o := range PathOwners(Seats(), held) {
+		got = append(got, o.Path+" "+o.Node+" "+o.Seat+" "+o.Module)
+	}
+	want := []string{
+		"/etc/hostname server node-hostname hostname",
+		"/etc/hosts server node-hostname hostname",
+		"/etc/resolv.conf laptop node-resolver systemd-resolved",
+		"/etc/resolv.conf server node-uplink systemd-networkd",
+	}
+	if strings.Join(got, "\n") != strings.Join(want, "\n") {
+		t.Errorf("the owners are\n%s\nnot\n%s", strings.Join(got, "\n"), strings.Join(want, "\n"))
+	}
+}
+
+// The stepping back comes from the seat, and is of a rendered file only: an uplink holder declaring the
+// resolver file as a resource beside a node-resolver holder is two writers of one path, refused when the
+// machine is resolved — never composed twice — as before the seat named its paths.
+func TestAnUplinkDeclaringTheResolverFileAsAResourceIsRefusedBesideTheResolver(t *testing.T) {
+	shelf := resolverShelf(t)
+	uplink := shelf["systemd-networkd"]
+	uplink.Facts = nil
+	uplink.Resources = append(append([]map[string]any(nil), uplink.Resources...),
+		map[string]any{"id": "resolvers", "type": "file", "path": ResolverFile, "content": "nameserver 10.42.0.1\n"})
+	shelf["systemd-networkd"] = uplink
+	shelf["local-resolver"] = localResolver()
+	_, err := Resolve(shelf, []string{"dnsmasq", "systemd-networkd", "local-resolver"}, splitDNSLaptop(), World{})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `both declare the path "/etc/resolv.conf"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("an uplink declaring the resolver file as a resource beside the resolver was not refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Its rendered file steps back, by the seat's definition, and nothing else of it does.
+	rendered := Manifest{Module: "uplink", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink"}},
+		Facts: map[string]RosterFile{"resolvers": {Path: "/etc//resolv.conf", Template: "x"},
+			"other": {Path: "/etc/uplink.conf", Template: "x"}}}
+	got := stepsBack(rendered, []Manifest{rendered, localResolver()})
+	if len(got.Facts) != 1 || got.Facts["other"].Path == "" {
+		t.Errorf("the uplink's holder renders %v beside the resolver", got.Facts)
+	}
+}
+
+// A path is compared as the machine writes it: cleaned. Each spelling of /etc/hosts is /etc/hosts.
+func TestAnUncleanSpellingOfASeatsPathIsTheSeatsPath(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, spelled := range []string{"/etc//hosts", "/etc/./hosts", "/etc/../etc/hosts", "/etc/hosts/"} {
+		stranger := Manifest{Module: "stranger", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": spelled, "content": "10.0.0.1 x\n"}}}
+		if got := strings.Join(CatalogueProblems(Shelf{"stranger": stranger}), "; "); !strings.Contains(got,
+			`stranger declares the path "/etc/hosts", which the seat node-hostname names`) {
+			t.Errorf("%s from a module not claiming node-hostname was not refused: %q", spelled, got)
+		}
+		holder := hostnameHolder(map[string]any{"id": "hosts", "type": "file", "path": spelled, "content": "x"},
+			map[string]any{"id": "name", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/hostname", "content": "x"})
+		if err := CanHold(holder, hostnameSeat(t)); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("a holder declaring %s was refused: %v", spelled, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// A seat names a role's own path, never the root or a top-level directory.
+func TestASeatNamesNoRootOrTopLevelDirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, p := range []string{"/", "/etc"} {
+		m := Manifest{Module: "a", Version: "1", DefinesSeats: []SeatDeclaration{
+			{Name: "a-seat", Scope: ScopeNode, Paths: []string{p}}}}
+		if got := strings.Join(declaredSeatProblems(m), "; "); !strings.Contains(got, "top-level directory") {
+			t.Errorf("a module's seat naming %s was accepted: %q", p, got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The catalogue as it is passes: no holder of a seat naming a path is missing one, and nobody else
+// declares one.
+func TestTheCataloguePassesTheSeatPathRules(t *testing.T) {
+	shelf := Shelf{}
+	for _, m := range theCatalogue(t) {
+		shelf[m.Module] = m
+	}
+	for _, p := range CatalogueProblems(shelf) {
+		if strings.Contains(p, "ADR 0287") {
+			t.Errorf("the catalogue breaks ADR 0287: %s", p)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/seats.go

@@ -53,6 +53,11 @@ type Seat struct {
 	// ${contribution:<seat>:<kind>}. Compiled, never stored: like the protocol, it is the mesh's
 	// definition of the role, and the store's rows carry no column for it.
 	Receives []Receivable
+	// Paths are the paths on its machine the seat's holder owns (novox/hq ADR 0287): a holder declares
+	// every one, and a module claiming no seat that names a path may not declare it. Only a node seat
+	// names paths. Compiled, never stored, like Receives: adding or taking away a path is a decision,
+	// recorded, and the store's rows carry no column for it.
+	Paths []SeatPath
 	// Decision is the record that made it a seat.
 	Decision string
 }
@@ -178,6 +183,8 @@ var defaultSeats = append([]Seat{
 	// holds none of it. Named node-hosts-file until ADR 0223; the former name resolves to it as an
 	// alias on a mesh that knew it.
 	{Name: "node-hostname", Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0199, ADR 0223",
+		// The machine's names are the role's files, whatever program fills it (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+		Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: "/etc/hosts"}, {Path: "/etc/hostname"}},
 		Serves: []Verb{
 			{Name: "entries", Description: "Every line of this machine's /etc/hosts, each marked whose it is: " +
 				"the operator's, or the block of the module or tool that writes it.",
@@ -299,17 +306,25 @@ var defaultSeats = append([]Seat{
 	// resolver file as it is and who wrote it, and every link with its addresses, routes and the resolvers
 	// the manager knows for it — the same for every holder, so a question about a machine's names is asked
 	// the same way whatever manages its network. Optional until both holders serve them.
-	{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0117", Serves: uplinkVerbs()},
+	//
+	// It owns the resolver file, stepping back for node-resolver where that is held (novox/hq ADR 0287,
+	// ADR 0247).
+	{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0117", Serves: uplinkVerbs(),
+		Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: ResolverFile, StepsBackFor: ResolverSeat}}},
 	// The machine's own resolver (novox/hq ADR 0247): held only where something requires `split-dns` — a
 	// VPN client whose domains must go to its own servers while every other name goes to the mesh's.
 	// Where it is held, its holder writes the resolver file and the uplink's holder steps back from it
 	// (node_resolver.go). It knows nothing of any VPN: its verbs route domains to servers over a link.
-	{Name: ResolverSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0247", Serves: resolverVerbs()},
+	{Name: ResolverSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0247", Serves: resolverVerbs(),
+		Paths: []SeatPath{{Path: ResolverFile}}},
 	// A machine's shares and the shares it mounts (novox/hq ADR 0263): the holder of node-nfs-server
 	// exports a machine's folders to the private network and provides each as `nfs-share`; the holder of
 	// node-mounts writes a mount and an automount unit per share on a machine that asks (shares.go).
 	{Name: NFSServerSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0263", Serves: nfsServerVerbs()},
 	{Name: MountsSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0263", Serves: mountsVerbs()},
+	// A node's files and accounts, read (novox/hq ADR 0310, reads.go): by an account of the holder's own that holds
+	// no secret, on every node, so the reads ADR 0268 §5 takes over from the login shell's execute have a tool.
+	{Name: ReadsSeat, Scope: ScopeNode, Decision: "novox/hq ADR 0310", Serves: readsVerbs()},
 },
 	// The graphical session's roles (novox/hq ADR 0208), last because they are a workstation's.
 	graphicalSessionSeats()...)
@@ -361,10 +376,11 @@ func UseSeats(s []Seat) {
 				row.Accepts, row.Emits, row.Serves = d.Accepts, d.Emits, d.Serves
 			}
 		}
-		// What a seat receives and whether it is replicated are never stored (novox/hq ADR 0212, ADR
-		// 0223), so they are always the compiled ones.
+		// What a seat receives, whether it is replicated and the paths it names are never stored
+		// (novox/hq ADR 0212, ADR 0223, ADR 0287), so they are always the compiled ones.
 		if d, known := byName[row.Name]; known {
 			row.Receives = d.Receives
+			row.Paths = d.Paths
 			row.Replicated = d.Replicated
 			row.Serves = optionalAsCompiled(row.Serves, d.Serves)
 		}
@@ -538,6 +554,14 @@ func CanHold(m Manifest, seat Seat) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s claims %s, whose holder answers for %q, and %s does not provide %q at %s scope",
 			m.Module, seat.Name, seat.Delivers, m.Module, seat.Delivers, seat.Scope)
 	}
+	// **A holder owns what the role owns** (novox/hq ADR 0287): every path the seat names, declared as
+	// a resource or as a file the mesh renders for it, so which module owns /etc/hosts on a machine is
+	// answered by the seat's definition and not by reading every manifest.
+	if missing := missingPaths(m, seat.Paths); len(missing) > 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s claims %s but does not declare %s, which that seat's holder owns (novox/hq "+
+			"ADR 0287) — a holder declares every path its seat names, as a resource or as a file the mesh "+
+			"renders for it", m.Module, seat.Name, strings.Join(missing, ", "))
+	}
 	// **Serving the seat's tools is a condition of holding it** (novox/hq ADR 0132). A holder that
 	// does not answer what the role promises is every caller's timeout, found at registration and
 	// at handover instead, naming the verbs rather than the fact that something is missing.

internal/catalogue/seats_declared.go

@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ type SeatDeclaration struct {
 	// Records are state buckets of the declaring module that each user reads under its own name — the
 	// keys `<user>.…` and no other (ADR 0259 §3).
 	Records []string `json:"records,omitempty"`
+	// Paths are the paths on its machine the seat's holder owns (novox/hq ADR 0287), under the rules the
+	// mesh's own seats name theirs by: a node seat only, each absolute and literal, and none another seat
+	// names. A module's seat never steps back.
+	Paths []string `json:"paths,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // KindedBenches are the seats that may be kinded (novox/hq ADR 0234 §2): `channel` sends to the operator,
@@ -163,6 +167,7 @@ func declaredSeatProblems(m Manifest) []string {
 			}
 		}
 		problems = append(problems, trafficProblems(m, s)...)
+		problems = append(problems, declaredSeatPathProblems(m, s)...)
 	}
 
 	for _, u := range m.Uses {
@@ -271,6 +276,10 @@ func CatalogueProblems(shelf Shelf) []string {
 		return ok
 	}
 
+	// Which seats name each path (novox/hq ADR 0287): a module's seat naming one another seat names loses.
+	named, pathProblems := pathSeats(shelfOrder(shelf), shelf, declaredBy)
+	problems = append(problems, pathProblems...)
+
 	// Who claims each kind of a kinded bench, so a second claim of one kind is refused (ADR 0234 §2).
 	kindsTaken := map[string]string{}
 
@@ -327,7 +336,15 @@ func CatalogueProblems(shelf Shelf) []string {
 					"%s claims %s but does not serve %s, which that seat's protocol promises",
 					module, c.Name, strings.Join(missing, ", ")))
 			}
+			// And owns what the seat's holder owns, as a holder of the mesh's own seats does (ADR 0287).
+			if missing := missingPaths(m, asSeatPaths(s.Paths)); len(missing) > 0 {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+					"%s claims %s but does not declare %s, which that seat's holder owns (novox/hq ADR 0287)",
+					module, c.Name, strings.Join(missing, ", ")))
+			}
 		}
+		// Only a claimant declares a seat's path (novox/hq ADR 0287).
+		problems = append(problems, unclaimedSeatPaths(m, named)...)
 	}
 	// **A trusted holder runs as its own account** (novox/hq ADR 0259 §8): a module saying warrants, or
 	// speaking for a kind that proves its sender, is never carried by a machine's runtime.

internal/catalogue/seats_test.go

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func TestTheSeatsAreAClosedSetAndEachNamesItsDecision(t *testing.T) {
 			delivered[s.Delivers] = s.Name
 		}
 	}
-	// Forty with node-nfs-server and node-mounts (novox/hq ADR 0263); thirty-eight with node-resolver (novox/hq ADR 0247); thirty-seven with mesh-delivery (novox/hq ADR 0239); thirty-six since node-resolver-config retired
+	// Forty-one with node-reads (novox/hq ADR 0310); forty with node-nfs-server and node-mounts (novox/hq ADR 0263); thirty-eight with node-resolver (novox/hq ADR 0247); thirty-seven with mesh-delivery (novox/hq ADR 0239); thirty-six since node-resolver-config retired
 	// into node-uplink (novox/hq ADR 0223); thirty-seven
 	// since the retired node-dns-resolver went (novox/hq ADR 0220); thirty-eight with
 	// node-backup (novox/hq ADR 0214); thirty-seven with node-message-bus (novox/hq ADR 0215);
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ func TestTheSeatsAreAClosedSetAndEachNamesItsDecision(t *testing.T) {
 	// node-container-runtime (ADR 0207); nineteen with node-environment and node-login-shell (ADR 0203,
 	// ADR 0204); seventeen with node-build-agent (ADR 0190). One fewer once the retired
 	// mesh-build-machine row goes, when no registered manifest claims it.
-	if len(Seats()) != 40 {
-		t.Errorf("the mesh defines %d seats rather than 40; the set is closed, so a change here is "+
+	if len(Seats()) != 41 {
+		t.Errorf("the mesh defines %d seats rather than 41; the set is closed, so a change here is "+
 			"a decision (novox/hq ADR 0110): %s", len(Seats()), seatNames())
 	}
 }

internal/catalogue/secrets_into_files.go

@@ -156,7 +156,11 @@ func secretFilesOf(resources []map[string]any) map[string]bool {
 // A name the module never declared is refused here rather than on the machine. The host would
 // refuse it too — but it would do so having already been handed a declaration, which reads as the
 // mesh sending something broken, and the name it could not find is a manifest's typo.
-func intoFile(resource map[string]any, sealed map[string]string, module string) error {
+//
+// **An own secret issued outside the mesh that nobody gave is filled with nothing** (novox/hq issue 401): the mesh
+// never makes one (ADR 0228), and a file is where the module reads it, so the place says empty — the module sees it
+// was not given, where a value the mesh made looked given and wrong. notGiven names those secrets.
+func intoFile(resource map[string]any, sealed map[string]string, notGiven map[string]bool, module string) error {
 	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) != "file" {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -171,6 +175,10 @@ func intoFile(resource map[string]any, sealed map[string]string, module string)
 	into := map[string]any{}
 	for _, name := range used {
 		value := sealed[name]
+		if value == "" && notGiven[name] {
+			content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, "${secret:"+name+"}", "")
+			continue
+		}
 		if value == "" {
 			return fmt.Errorf(
 				"%s has a file that says ${secret:%s}, and %s has no secret of its own by that "+
@@ -179,10 +187,25 @@ func intoFile(resource map[string]any, sealed map[string]string, module string)
 		}
 		into[name] = value
 	}
-	resource["secrets"] = into
+	resource["content"] = content
+	if len(into) > 0 {
+		resource["secrets"] = into
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
+// outsideNotGiven is each own secret of a module issued outside the mesh that this composition holds no value for
+// (novox/hq issue 401): what intoFile fills with nothing, and what nothing restarts on.
+func outsideNotGiven(m Manifest, given map[string]string) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+		if own.IssuedBy == IssuedOutside && given[name] == "" {
+			out[name] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // namesOr says what a module could have written, because the answer to "that name is wrong" is
 // almost always one of two or three right ones.
 func namesOr(sealed map[string]string) string {

internal/catalogue/setting_in_owner_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// A declared directory may be owned by the account its module runs as (novox/hq issue 279): a media
+// manager runs as the puid and pgid its assignment sets per node, and a folder it must write was owned
+// by the manifest's literal, so the app refused it on a machine whose identity was not the image's.
+
+func recycler() Manifest {
+	return Manifest{Module: "sonarr",
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "recycle-bin", "type": "directory", "path": "/srv/sonarr/recycle", "mode": "0755",
+				"owner": "${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}"},
+			{"id": "identity", "type": "file", "path": "/srv/sonarr/identity.env", "mode": "0644",
+				"content": "PUID=${setting:puid}\nPGID=${setting:pgid}\n"},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func copied(r map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	out := map[string]any{}
+	for k, v := range r {
+		out[k] = v
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// The node's identity reaches the directory's owner, the node's layer over the mesh's, a number given
+// as a string or as a JSON number alike.
+func TestASettingOwnsADirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	m := recycler()
+	layers := []Layer{
+		{From: "the mesh", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "1000", "pgid": "1000"}},
+		{From: "this node", Values: map[string]any{"puid": float64(1001), "pgid": "2000"}},
+	}
+	r := copied(m.Resources[0])
+	if err := settingInto(r, layers, m.Module); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if r["owner"] != "1001:2000" {
+		t.Fatalf("owned by %q, not 1001:2000", r["owner"])
+	}
+	user := copied(m.Resources[0])
+	user["owner"] = "${setting:puid}"
+	if err := settingInto(user, layers, m.Module); err != nil || user["owner"] != "1001" {
+		t.Fatalf("user alone: %v, %v", user["owner"], err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Composed for a machine, the way a push writes it: the directory reaches the node-engine owned by the
+// number the node's settings name, never by the placeholder.
+func TestAComposedMachineGetsTheOwnerTheSettingNames(t *testing.T) {
+	r := anAdoptedAnchor()
+	r.Modules = append(r.Modules, recycler())
+	with := anchorRendering(false)
+	with.Settings["sonarr"] = []Layer{{From: "anchor", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "1001", "pgid": "2000"}}}
+	composed, err := r.Compose(with)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if why, left := composed.LeftOut["sonarr"]; left {
+		t.Fatalf("left out: %s", why)
+	}
+	got := byID(composed.Resources)["sonarr.recycle-bin"]
+	if got["owner"] != "1001:2000" {
+		t.Fatalf("composed owned by %v, not 1001:2000", got["owner"])
+	}
+}
+
+// Only a whole number owns a directory: an account's name, text, a sign, a fraction or a value past the
+// kernel's ids is refused by name, and the directory is left as it was. So is a key nothing sets.
+func TestAnOwnerSettingThatIsNoNumberIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	m := recycler()
+	for _, bad := range []any{"abc", "root", "", "-1", "+5", "1000:1000", "10 00", "1000\nx", float64(1.5),
+		float64(-3), "4294967295", "99999999999", true} {
+		r := copied(m.Resources[0])
+		err := settingInto(r, []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": bad, "pgid": "1000"}}}, m.Module)
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `"puid"`) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "whole number") {
+			t.Errorf("%v: %v", bad, err)
+		}
+		if r["owner"] != m.Resources[0]["owner"] {
+			t.Errorf("%v: the owner was changed on refusal: %v", bad, r["owner"])
+		}
+	}
+	r := copied(m.Resources[0])
+	if err := settingInto(r, nil, m.Module); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "${setting:puid}") {
+		t.Errorf("nothing set: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := JudgeSettings(m, []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "media", "pgid": "1000"}}}, false); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "whole number") {
+		t.Errorf("a stored name is not refused when judged: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Where the manifest is read: an owner holding a setting is a whole placeholder or a whole number on
+// each side of the colon, and every key is one the module asks for elsewhere or declares a default for.
+func TestAnOwnerSettingIsJudgedWhereTheManifestIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	ok := []string{"${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}", "${setting:puid}", "${setting:puid}:1000", "1000:${setting:pgid}",
+		"1000:1000", "media:media"}
+	bad := []string{
+		"${setting:puid}x",
+		"x${setting:puid}",
+		"${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}:1",
+		"${setting:puid}${setting:pgid}",
+		"media:${setting:pgid}",
+		"${setting:puid}:",
+		"${setting:other}:${setting:pgid}",
+	}
+	for _, owner := range append(ok, bad...) {
+		m := recycler()
+		m.Resources[0] = copied(m.Resources[0])
+		m.Resources[0]["owner"] = owner
+		err := parsed(t, m)
+		refused := err != nil && strings.Contains(err.Error(), "owner")
+		want := false
+		for _, b := range bad {
+			want = want || b == owner
+		}
+		if refused != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: refused %v, want %v (%v)", owner, refused, want, err)
+		}
+	}
+	// A key with a default is declared, though nothing else asks for it.
+	m := recycler()
+	m.Resources = m.Resources[:1]
+	m.Resources[0] = copied(m.Resources[0])
+	m.Resources[0]["owner"] = "${setting:workers}"
+	m.Settings = map[string]SettingDeclaration{"workers": {Kind: KindPreference, Default: float64(4), Why: "a test"}}
+	if err := parsed(t, m); err != nil && strings.Contains(err.Error(), "owner") {
+		t.Errorf("a declared key was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	// A file's owner takes no setting: the sweep says so.
+	f := recycler()
+	f.Resources[1] = copied(f.Resources[1])
+	f.Resources[1]["owner"] = "${setting:puid}"
+	if err := parsed(t, f); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not filled in this field") {
+		t.Errorf("a file's owner setting passed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// A key a directory's owner asks for is a destination, so setting it is not called stray.
+func TestASettingAnOwnerAsksForIsNotStray(t *testing.T) {
+	m := recycler()
+	m.Resources = m.Resources[:1]
+	stray := strings.Join(UnusedSettings(m, []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "1001", "pgid": "2000"}}}), "; ")
+	if strings.Contains(stray, "puid") || strings.Contains(stray, "pgid") {
+		t.Errorf("called stray: %s", stray)
+	}
+}
+
+// An owner is written as the number parsed: "0001" and "00" reach the node-engine as 1 and 0, never as text.
+// Uid 0 is allowed, because a key an owner asks for is the terminal's alone.
+func TestAnOwnerSettingIsWrittenAsTheNumber(t *testing.T) {
+	m := recycler()
+	r := copied(m.Resources[0])
+	if err := settingInto(r, []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{"puid": "0001", "pgid": "00"}}}, m.Module); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if r["owner"] != "1:0" {
+		t.Fatalf("owned by %q, not 1:0", r["owner"])
+	}
+}
+
+// Every key a directory's owner asks for is the controller's terminal's alone (novox/hq issue 279, issue 339):
+// root chowns the folder to it, so it is terminal-only whatever else asks for it — a file nothing trusts, a
+// default, or nothing at all.
+func TestAnOwnersKeyIsTheTerminals(t *testing.T) {
+	m := recycler()
+	m.Resources[1] = copied(m.Resources[1])
+	m.Resources[1]["trusted"] = false
+	m.Settings = map[string]SettingDeclaration{"pgid": {Kind: KindPreference, Default: "1000", Why: "a test"}}
+	keys := strings.Join(TerminalKeys(m), ",")
+	for _, k := range []string{"puid", "pgid"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(","+keys+",", ","+k+",") {
+			t.Errorf("%s is not the terminal's: %s", k, keys)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/setting_into.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 )
 
@@ -15,7 +16,8 @@ import (
 // (novox/hq issues 122, 134). ADR 0112 names the operator as one of the four providers; this is the
 // operator answering.
 //
-// `${setting:<key>}` in a file's content, and in a service's unit name, is filled from the module's settings layers — the mesh's,
+// `${setting:<key>}` in a file's content, in a service's unit name and in a directory's owner (a uid or
+// gid only, issue 279) is filled from the module's settings layers — the mesh's,
 // then this node's — the same layers a mergeable JSON file and a contribution already take, so
 // `settings set <module>` is the one place a person's values go. **Refused when no layer sets it**,
 // naming the key and the remedy: a definition that carried a default for a mail domain would be
@@ -59,6 +61,9 @@ func settingInto(resource map[string]any, layers []Layer, module string) error {
 	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) == "service" {
 		return settingIntoUnit(resource, layers, module)
 	}
+	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) == "directory" {
+		return settingIntoOwner(resource, layers, module)
+	}
 	if fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) != "file" {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -143,6 +148,107 @@ func settingIntoUnit(resource map[string]any, layers []Layer, module string) err
 	return nil
 }
 
+// A declared directory may be owned by the account its module runs as (novox/hq issue 279).
+//
+// A containerised module runs as the identity its assignment sets per node — its puid and pgid
+// settings, written into the environment file its image reads (ADR 0112, issue 153) — and a directory
+// its app must write, beyond the one its image re-owns at start, was owned by whatever the manifest
+// spelt: right on a machine whose identity matched the image's default, refused by the app on one whose
+// did not. So a directory's `owner` may name the settings that identity is: `${setting:<key>}` for the
+// user alone, `${setting:<user>}:${setting:<group>}` for both, filled from the same layers at
+// composition.
+//
+// **Whole numbers only.** An owner a setting fills is a uid or a gid — never an account's name, never
+// text — so no value can put anything into the ownership the node-engine applies but a number; one that
+// is not is refused at composition, naming the key, and the directory is left as it was. The shape is
+// judged where the manifest is read (OwnerSettingProblems): each side of the colon a whole placeholder
+// or a whole number, and every key one the module itself asks for elsewhere — in a file, a unit, a
+// contribution or a served fact — or declares a default for, so the owner follows the identity its
+// process is told it runs as, never a key that reaches nothing else.
+
+// ownerSide is one side of an owner a setting may fill: a whole placeholder or a whole number.
+var ownerSide = `(?:\$\{setting:[a-z0-9][a-z0-9_.-]*\}|[0-9]+)`
+
+// ownerWithSetting is the only shape an owner holding a setting may have: user, or user:group.
+var ownerWithSetting = regexp.MustCompile(`^` + ownerSide + `(?::` + ownerSide + `)?$`)
+
+// wholeID is a value as a uid or a gid, and whether it is one: a whole number below the kernel's "no id"
+// (2^32-1). Uid 0 is one: a key an owner asks for is the controller's terminal's alone (TerminalKeys).
+func wholeID(v string) (uint64, bool) {
+	if v == "" || strings.TrimLeft(v, "0123456789") != "" {
+		return 0, false
+	}
+	n, err := strconv.ParseUint(v, 10, 32)
+	return n, err == nil && n < 1<<32-1
+}
+
+// OwnerSettingProblems refuses, where a manifest is read, a directory whose owner carries a setting
+// in any shape but a whole placeholder or number on each side of the colon, or names a key the module
+// asks for nowhere else and declares no default for.
+func OwnerSettingProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	asked := settingKeysAskedOutsideOwners(m)
+	for k := range m.Settings {
+		asked[k] = true
+	}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		owner, _ := r["owner"].(string)
+		if !strings.Contains(owner, "${setting:") {
+			continue
+		}
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "directory" {
+			// Said by the placeholder sweep: only a directory's owner takes a setting.
+			continue
+		}
+		if !ownerWithSetting.MatchString(owner) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the directory %v's owner %q carries a setting in a shape "+
+				"the mesh does not fill; an owner names the account by number only, each side of the colon a whole "+
+				"${setting:key} or a whole number (${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}) (novox/hq issue 279)",
+				m.Module, r["id"], owner))
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, key := range settingsUsed(owner) {
+			if !asked[key] {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the directory %v's owner says ${setting:%s}, and the "+
+					"module asks for %q nowhere else and declares no default for it: an owner follows the identity "+
+					"the module's process is told it runs as (its identity file's ${setting:%s}), never a key of its "+
+					"own (novox/hq issue 279)", m.Module, r["id"], key, key, key))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return problems
+}
+
+// settingIntoOwner fills ${setting:…} in a directory's owner, refusing — with the key and why, the
+// resource left as it was — a key nothing sets and a value that is not a whole number.
+func settingIntoOwner(resource map[string]any, layers []Layer, module string) error {
+	owner, ok := resource["owner"].(string)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, key := range settingsUsed(owner) {
+		value, set := settingValue(layers, key)
+		if !set {
+			return &UnsetSettingError{Module: module, Setting: key, said: fmt.Sprintf(
+				"%s has a directory %v whose owner says ${setting:%s}, and nothing sets %q for it — an operator's "+
+					"value is the assignment's, never the definition's (novox/hq ADR 0112): "+
+					"`settings set %s <file>` with {%q: …}%s",
+				module, resource["id"], key, key, module, key, orNoSettings(layers))}
+		}
+		v := plainly(value)
+		id, whole := wholeID(v)
+		if !whole {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s: the setting %q is %q, which cannot own the directory %v: an owner a setting "+
+				"names is a uid or a gid, a whole number, never an account's name or other text (novox/hq issue 279)",
+				module, key, v, resource["id"])
+		}
+		// Written as the number parsed, so "0001" reaches the node-engine as 1, never as text.
+		owner = strings.ReplaceAll(owner, "${setting:"+key+"}", strconv.FormatUint(id, 10))
+	}
+	resource["owner"] = owner
+	return nil
+}
+
 func settingValue(layers []Layer, key string) (any, bool) {
 	var value any
 	set := false
@@ -171,9 +277,25 @@ func orNoSettings(layers []Layer) string {
 	return "; set today: " + strings.Join(keys, ", ")
 }
 
-// settingKeysUsedBy is every key a module's files, contributions and served facts ask for, so a
-// setting that lands in one is not called stray.
+// settingKeysUsedBy is every key a module's files, units, directory owners, contributions and served
+// facts ask for, so a setting that lands in one is not called stray.
 func settingKeysUsedBy(m Manifest) map[string]bool {
+	used := settingKeysAskedOutsideOwners(m)
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) == "directory" {
+			if owner, ok := r["owner"].(string); ok {
+				for _, k := range settingsUsed(owner) {
+					used[k] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return used
+}
+
+// settingKeysAskedOutsideOwners is every key a module's files, units, contributions and served facts
+// ask for: what a directory's owner may follow (OwnerSettingProblems).
+func settingKeysAskedOutsideOwners(m Manifest) map[string]bool {
 	used := map[string]bool{}
 	note := func(s string) {
 		for _, k := range settingsUsed(s) {

internal/catalogue/settings.go

@@ -337,6 +337,10 @@ func UnusedSettings(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []string {
 	}
 
 	lands := settingKeysUsedBy(m)
+	// The libraries are the controller's own mesh-wide setting (novox/hq ADR 0328 §1).
+	if m.Module == LibrariesModule {
+		lands[LibrariesSetting] = true
+	}
 	// A key the module gives a default reaches what asks for it (novox/hq ADR 0262): setting it
 	// overrides the default, which is how a running module gains a setting without a gap between.
 	for key := range m.Settings {
@@ -509,6 +513,34 @@ var networkName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_.-]*$`)
 // refused where it is stored (SetSettings, with UnusedSettings) and said where a plan is read,
 // and never costs a module its place.
 func JudgeSettings(m Manifest, layers []Layer, adopted bool) error {
+	if err := UndeclaredAccessPlaces(m, layers); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return ComposesWith(m, layers, adopted)
+}
+
+// ComposesWith is JudgeSettings for a layer stored ahead of the definition that reads it (novox/hq issue 575): an
+// access placed that this definition does not declare yet is not refused, because composition passes it by — it
+// reaches nothing until the build that declares it registers, and then it places that access. Where a machine is
+// declared (LeftOutBecause), and where a setting judged against a newer build of the module is held to still compose
+// with the one registered.
+func ComposesWith(m Manifest, layers []Layer, adopted bool) error {
+	// The libraries, on the controller's own layer (novox/hq ADR 0328 §1): each well formed, and only mesh-wide.
+	if m.Module == LibrariesModule {
+		for _, l := range layers {
+			v, has := l.Values[LibrariesSetting]
+			if !has {
+				continue
+			}
+			if l.From != MeshWideLayer && !l.Default {
+				return fmt.Errorf("%s is the mesh's, set on the whole mesh and never on one machine (%s §1)",
+					LibrariesSetting, ADR0328)
+			}
+			if _, err := ParseLibraries(v); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	if err := settingsHoldOneLine(m.Module, layers); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}

internal/catalogue/terminal_keys.go

@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ import (
 //  4. **A module's whole layer, when it has a mergeable file not marked `"trusted": false`** (novox/hq issue 340,
 //     TrustedMergeable). A mergeable file takes any key a layer sets, not only those its content names, so no list
 //     of keys covers it: an empty runtime configuration a provider reads would take a `url` of the caller's.
+//  5. **Every setting a directory's owner asks for** (novox/hq issue 279): root chowns the directory to the number
+//     at the next push, so through a verb any caller could hand itself — or uid 0 — a module's folder. Whatever
+//     else asks for the key, a file marked `"trusted": false` included, the owner makes it the terminal's.
 //
 // Derived from the manifest, never listed by hand, so a provider or a trusted file added tomorrow is covered.
 
@@ -42,8 +45,8 @@ import (
 const TrustedField = "trusted"
 
 // TerminalKeys are the settings keys of a module that are set at the controller's terminal alone: places and
-// accesses, every key its provisions serve and every setting a served value asks for, and every setting a file
-// asks for unless it says `"trusted": false`. Places and accesses first, then the rest sorted.
+// accesses, every key its provisions serve and every setting a served value asks for, every setting a file
+// asks for unless it says `"trusted": false`, and every setting a directory's owner asks for. Places and accesses first, then the rest sorted.
 func TerminalKeys(m Manifest) []string {
 	keys := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, served := range m.Serves {
@@ -57,6 +60,13 @@ func TerminalKeys(m Manifest) []string {
 		}
 	}
 	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) == "directory" {
+			owner, _ := r["owner"].(string)
+			for _, asked := range settingsUsed(owner) {
+				keys[asked] = true
+			}
+			continue
+		}
 		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "file" {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -69,6 +79,10 @@ func TerminalKeys(m Manifest) []string {
 	}
 	delete(keys, PlacesSetting)
 	delete(keys, AccessesSetting)
+	// The libraries say where shared data is and who may write it (novox/hq ADR 0328 §1): the operator's alone.
+	if m.Module == LibrariesModule {
+		keys[LibrariesSetting] = true
+	}
 	rest := make([]string, 0, len(keys))
 	for k := range keys {
 		rest = append(rest, k)

internal/catalogue/unconsumed_placeholder.go

@@ -56,9 +56,15 @@ type filler struct {
 // seatInto, machineInto and contributionsInto. A pass that comes to read another field adds it here,
 // or the sweep refuses the placeholder it would have filled.
 var fillers = []filler{
-	{namespace: "setting", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{settingRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}, "service": {"unit"}}},
+	{namespace: "setting", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{settingRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}, "service": {"unit"}, "directory": {"owner"}}},
 	{namespace: "dir", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{dirRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"*": {"path", "content", "volumes", "env", "env-file"}}},
 	{namespace: "access", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{accessRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"*": {"path", "content", "volumes", "env", "env-file"}}},
+	// A joining module's identity, wherever its resources take values; a library's host path, only in a container's
+	// volumes, whose source libraryProblems holds it to (novox/hq ADR 0328 §5).
+	{namespace: "identity", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{identityRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"*": {"path", "content", "volumes", "env", "env-file", "run", "command", "user", "name", "unit"}}},
+	{namespace: "library", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{libraryRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"container": {"volumes"}},
+		why: "a library's path is a host path, filled only in a container's volume source; the process reads the " +
+			"container side its volume gives (novox/hq ADR 0328 §5)"},
 	{namespace: "secret", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{placeholder}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}},
 		why: "a secret is never filled into an environment variable or any other field: put it in a file the " +
 			"module declares and mount that (novox/hq ADR 0086)"},

internal/catalogue/uplink_verbs_test.go

@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ func TestTheUplinkSeatPromisesItsVerbsAndRequiresNoneYet(t *testing.T) {
 	if !slices.Equal(names, []string{"resolvers", "links"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("node-uplink promises %v", names)
 	}
-	today := Manifest{Module: "networkmanager", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode}}}
+	// The resolver file is the seat's path (novox/hq ADR 0287), which every holder of today renders.
+	today := Manifest{Module: "networkmanager", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode}},
+		Facts: map[string]RosterFile{"resolvers": {Path: ResolverFile, Template: "x"}}}
 	if err := CanHold(today, seat); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("a holder that serves no verb yet is refused: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -55,7 +57,8 @@ func TestTheUplinkVerbsReadBackFromTheRowStayOptional(t *testing.T) {
 	// The row as seeding stores it: both verbs, the mark not a column.
 	UseSeats([]Seat{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode, Serves: []Verb{{Name: "resolvers"}, {Name: "links"}}}})
 	seat := uplinkSeat(t)
-	holder := Manifest{Module: "systemd-networkd", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode}}}
+	holder := Manifest{Module: "systemd-networkd", Version: "1", Claims: []Claim{{Name: "node-uplink", Scope: ScopeNode}},
+		Facts: map[string]RosterFile{"resolvers": {Path: ResolverFile, Template: "x"}}}
 	if err := CanHold(holder, seat); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("read back from the row, the verbs are required: %v", err)
 	}

internal/catalogue/upstream_file_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// An archive pinned by URL and sha256 (novox/hq ADR 0316 §2, §6): the vendor's file, mirrored by the build
+// seat, never a copy in the repository.
+
+const pinnedSum = "38dd24890a66b4cf9a45bc24e15192e00c26b929e1bb8df7974c16a4539129e2"
+
+func upstreamManifest(artifact string) string {
+	return `{"module":"a","version":"1","build":{"artifacts":[` + artifact + `]}}`
+}
+
+func TestAnArchivePinnedByURLAndSha256IsAccepted(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, a := range []string{
+		`{"name":"archive","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.example.org/release-1.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1.0","within":"release"}`,
+		`{"name":"addon","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.example.org/addon.xpi","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1.5.6.1","file":"addon.xpi"}`,
+	} {
+		if _, err := ParseManifest([]byte(upstreamManifest(a))); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s was refused: %v", a, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFileThatIsNotPinnedIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]string{
+		// No digest: what the address serves changes under the mesh.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","version":"1"}`:                "without a pinned sha256",
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"ABC","version":"1"}`: "without a pinned sha256",
+		// No version: a person reading the pin cannot tell which release.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum + `"}`: "says no version",
+		// Not https.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"http://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum + `","version":"1"}`: "over https",
+		// Both a directory of the repository and a URL.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","from":"files","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1"}`: "one or the other",
+		// A pin without a URL.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","from":"files","sha256":"` + pinnedSum + `"}`: "no url",
+		// Only an archive is mirrored from a file.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"image","from":"Dockerfile","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1"}`: "only an archive",
+		// A file name that is a path, a directory within that leaves the archive, and both at once.
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/a.xpi","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1","file":"../a.xpi"}`: "not a plain relative file name",
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1","within":"../up"}`: "not a plain relative directory",
+		`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.invalid/r.tar.xz","sha256":"` + pinnedSum +
+			`","version":"1","within":"r","file":"r.tar.xz"}`: "a file is kept whole",
+	}
+	for artifact, want := range cases {
+		_, err := ParseManifest([]byte(upstreamManifest(artifact)))
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s was accepted", artifact)
+			continue
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s was refused for another reason than %q: %v", artifact, want, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFilesVendorIsNamedOnPurposeAndAnInstallationsIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	// The vendor's host is judged like any name, and passes through names-on-purpose; a version of four dotted
+	// numbers is not an address, and a name in it is still judged.
+	m, err := ParseManifest([]byte(upstreamManifest(`{"name":"owl","kind":"archive","url":"https://vendor.be/owl/owl.xpi","sha256":"` +
+		pinnedSum + `","version":"1.5.6.1","file":"owl.xpi","names-on-purpose":{"vendor.be":"Owl's vendor publishes it there"}}`)))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if problems := InstallationProblems(m); len(problems) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the declared vendor and the version were taken for an installation: %v", problems)
+	}
+	m.Build.Artifacts[0].NamesOnPurpose = nil
+	if problems := InstallationProblems(m); len(problems) != 1 || !strings.Contains(problems[0], "vendor.be") {
+		t.Fatalf("an undeclared vendor host is judged: %v", problems)
+	}
+	m.Build.Artifacts[0].Version = "git.novox.be 10.0.0.1"
+	if problems := InstallationProblems(m); len(problems) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a name in the version is judged: %v", problems)
+	}
+	m.Build.Artifacts[0].URL, m.Build.Artifacts[0].Version = "https://mail.novox.be/owl.xpi", "1"
+	if problems := InstallationProblems(m); len(problems) != 1 || !strings.Contains(problems[0], "mail.novox.be") {
+		t.Fatalf("an installation's host in the url is judged: %v", problems)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnUpstreamFileFromAnAddressOrAReservedNameIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, u := range []string{"https://git.novox.internal/r.tar.xz", "https://10.1.2.3/r.tar.xz",
+		"https://203.0.113.9/r.tar.xz", "https://[2001:db8::1]/r.tar.xz", "https://nas.lan/r.tar.xz", "https://vendor/r.tar.xz"} {
+		_, err := ParseManifest([]byte(upstreamManifest(`{"name":"x","kind":"archive","url":"` + u + `","sha256":"` +
+			pinnedSum + `","version":"1"}`)))
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "published under a public name") {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v", u, err)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/verbs.go

@@ -116,9 +116,15 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 			"limit":  "how many builds to list (default 20); not with log",
 		}, nil)},
 	{Name: "plans", Description: "What the last merges produced and where each stands (novox/hq ADR 0162): " +
-		"the tiers, the tier a plan is at, what it waits for and since when; one plan whole, given its id.",
+		"the tiers, the tier a plan is at, what it waits for and since when; one plan whole, given its id; " +
+		"or, given wait, one plan followed until it moves.",
 		Input: schema(map[string]string{
-			"id":    "a plan's id (as `plans` lists them): that plan, tier by tier",
+			"id": "a plan's id (as `plans` lists them): that plan, tier by tier",
+			"wait": "a plan's id: wait until it moves, then answer it as data — the plan, and what ended the wait " +
+				"(moved, tier, done, or bound); ask again to follow it further (novox/hq issue 229)",
+			"until": "with wait: moved (any change, the default), tier (it reaches another tier) or done (it ends)",
+			"bound": "with wait: how long to wait at most, as 15s or seconds — 20s, the default, is the longest, " +
+				"inside what a call is answered within",
 			"stop":  "a plan's id: stop it — what was asked still builds, nothing further is asked",
 			"close": "a plan's id: close a plan that will not move again, as failed by hand (novox/hq issue 254)",
 			"retry": "a failed plan's id: ask its failed builds again under new ids, and carry the plan on from that tier (novox/hq ADR 0219)",
@@ -333,7 +339,9 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 	// The build queue, controlled by hand (novox/hq ADR 0219). Every verb that drops an ask leaves a
 	// failed outcome for it, so a plan waiting on it fails visibly instead of hanging.
 	{Name: "queue", Description: "Every ask in the build queue: waiting, in flight (on which machine, for how long), " +
-		"and dead (handed out as often as allowed and never settled) — each with its id, repository, path, ref and when it was asked.",
+		"and dead (handed out as often as allowed and never settled) — each with its id, repository, path, ref and when it was asked. " +
+		"Answers the table as text and, as data, each ask's state, kind (check or build), repository, commit, machine, since " +
+		"and position among the waiting (novox/hq issue 455).",
 		Input: schema(nil, nil)},
 	{Name: "cancel", Description: "Drop one waiting or dead ask from the build queue; its outcome is recorded failed, " +
 		"cancelled by hand, and a plan that asked for it fails. One in flight is refused: `kill` ends it where it runs.",
@@ -490,6 +498,13 @@ var ControllerVerbs = []Verb{
 			"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: "judge-directories", Description: "Read-only: which of the directories one machine is declared its " +
+		"node-engine's walk that follows no link another account could make would refuse (novox/hq issue 358), one line " +
+		"each: placed, would be refused and why (the link and who could replace it), refused already by the placement " +
+		"guard, or below a home. The engine judges the declaration it keeps and makes, chmods and chowns nothing.",
+		Input: schema(map[string]string{
+			"node": "the machine's name",
+		}, []string{"node"})},
 	// What a consumer gave up on (novox/hq issue 330): kept in DEAD_LETTERS until a person acts on it.
 	{Name: "root-free", Description: "Whether each machine named is root-free now (novox/hq ADR 0259 §8): no agent " +
 		"there can become root without a person. Judged when asked, never from a condition: free only when the machine " +

internal/inventory/catalogue.go

@@ -117,6 +117,10 @@ func (i *Inventory) RegisterModule(ctx context.Context, m catalogue.Manifest, fr
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	// A module never takes a defined library's name: mesh-<module> and mesh-<library> never collide (ADR 0328 §4).
+	if err := i.LibraryNamed(ctx, m.Module); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s is not registered: %w", m.Module, err)
+	}
 	raw, err := json.Marshal(m)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -929,6 +933,10 @@ func (i *Inventory) setSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string, va
 // the mesh-wide layer under it when the layer is one node's, and refuses the first thing that
 // cannot work (ADR 0163, rule 6). The same judgement composition makes; what passes here composes.
 func (i *Inventory) judgeSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string, values map[string]any) error {
+	// The libraries the controller's own layer defines (novox/hq ADR 0328 §1, §4, §13).
+	if err := i.judgeLibraries(ctx, nodeName, module, values); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	m, err := i.declared(ctx, module)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrNoSuchModule, module)
@@ -958,7 +966,38 @@ func (i *Inventory) judgeSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string,
 	}
 	layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: from, Values: values})
 	if err := catalogue.JudgeSettings(m, layers, adopted); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w", module, where, from, err)
+		// **A placement for an access the module's newer build brings** (novox/hq issue 575): judged against the
+		// manifest of the module's newest build on the branch it follows, where the registered one does not declare
+		// the access yet — so an access can be placed before or with the delivery that adds it. It must still compose
+		// with the registered manifest, which passes the placement by until the build registers.
+		var undeclared *catalogue.UndeclaredAccessError
+		if !errors.As(err, &undeclared) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w", module, where, from, err)
+		}
+		ahead, has, aerr := i.NewestManifestOnBranch(ctx, module)
+		if aerr != nil {
+			return aerr
+		}
+		if !has {
+			follows, ferr := i.followsABranch(ctx, module)
+			if ferr != nil {
+				return ferr
+			}
+			if !follows {
+				return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w; and %s follows no branch "+
+					"(it was registered by hand), so no build of it can be judged ahead of what is registered", module,
+					where, from, err, module)
+			}
+		}
+		if !has || catalogue.JudgeSettings(ahead, layers, adopted) != nil || catalogue.ComposesWith(m, layers, adopted) != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w; nor does the newest build of "+
+				"%s on the branch it follows declare it", module, where, from, err, module)
+		}
+		m = ahead
+	}
+	// A module that joins carries no user or group number or owner in a setting (novox/hq ADR 0328 §5).
+	if err := catalogue.JoiningSettingProblem(m, layers[len(layers)-1:]); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("refused: %w", err)
 	}
 	// And a key that reaches nothing, refused here where somebody can still fix the spelling:
 	// stored, it would be a setting somebody believes they made.
@@ -969,6 +1008,40 @@ func (i *Inventory) judgeSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string,
 	return nil
 }
 
+// followsABranch says a module's record names the branch it follows.
+func (i *Inventory) followsABranch(ctx context.Context, module string) (bool, error) {
+	var ref string
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx, `select coalesce(ref, '') from module where name = $1`, module).Scan(&ref)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	return ref != "", err
+}
+
+// NewestManifestOnBranch is the manifest of a module's newest successful build on the branch its record follows
+// (novox/hq issue 575): what the delivery under way brings, before it registers — or the registered one's own, when
+// nothing newer was built. Only a build of that very branch: never one of another branch or of none. False when no
+// such build is kept, and for a module whose record follows no branch (registered by hand).
+func (i *Inventory) NewestManifestOnBranch(ctx context.Context, module string) (catalogue.Manifest, bool, error) {
+	var raw []byte
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select b.manifest from build b join module m on m.name = b.module
+		  where b.module = $1 and b.failed = '' and b.manifest is not null and b.manifest::text <> 'null'
+		    and coalesce(m.ref, '') <> '' and b.ref = m.ref
+		  order by b.at desc limit 1`, module).Scan(&raw)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, err
+	}
+	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, nil // a build the mesh cannot read judges nothing
+	}
+	return m, true, nil
+}
+
 // givenIn is the machine ports a node-level settings layer gives a module, software port →
 // machine port (novox/hq ADR 0100). Nothing when the layer gives none; what is not a port is left
 // for composition to refuse in its own words.

internal/inventory/health.go

@@ -38,13 +38,22 @@ type ResourceHealth struct {
 	Waits []Wait `json:"waits,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// Wait is one thing a waiting resource waits for the operator to give: exactly one of Secret and Setting
-// (novox/hq ADR 0283), as link.Wait carries it.
+// Wait is one thing a waiting resource waits for the operator to give: exactly one of Secret, Setting and Access
+// (novox/hq ADR 0283, ADR 0325 §7), as link.Wait carries it.
 type Wait struct {
 	Part    string `json:"part"`
 	Secret  string `json:"secret,omitempty"`
 	Setting string `json:"setting,omitempty"`
-	What    string `json:"what"`
+	// Access is an access of the module by its own id for it, from the engine's access-waits, and Disk that it
+	// waits for the disk that holds its folder rather than for the operator's word (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7, §9).
+	Access string `json:"access,omitempty"`
+	Disk   bool   `json:"disk,omitempty"`
+	// Placed is the filesystem the folder is on now, without its path (ADR 0325 §8): a warrant for another does not
+	// answer the wait.
+	Placed string `json:"placed,omitempty"`
+	// Reason is the engine's reason for an access wait: "keep" or "disk".
+	Reason string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	What   string `json:"what"`
 }
 
 // NodeHealth is a machine's newest statement, as kept.