Take the SDK whose process can delete a key (issue 1840/S1)

# Conflicts:
#	go.mod
#	go.sum
#	testdata/beside/CAPTURED
#	vendor/modules.txt

Makefile

@@ -90,15 +90,6 @@ redis-provisioner-image:
 	@echo
 	@docker image inspect $(REDIS_PROVISIONER_IMAGE) --format 'built {{.RepoTags}}  {{.Size}} bytes'
 
-# The proxy that turns a route grant into traffic reaching a workload.
-PROXY_IMAGE ?= mesh-route-proxy:$(VERSION)
-PROXY_DEV_TAG ?= mesh-route-proxy:development
-
-proxy-image:
-	docker build --build-arg GO_BASE=$(GO_BASE) -f modules/route-proxy/Dockerfile -t $(PROXY_IMAGE) -t $(PROXY_DEV_TAG) .
-	@echo
-	@docker image inspect $(PROXY_IMAGE) --format 'built {{.RepoTags}}  {{.Size}} bytes'
-
 # The whole check. Raises a database, runs the repository's own check against it -- merge-check.sh,
 # the very script `mesh/repo-check` runs -- and takes the database down again, including when the
 # check fails, which is why the teardown is not conditional and the script's exit status is the
@@ -117,7 +108,7 @@ proxy-image:
 # as the script runs them: a bus per test, of the release the mesh runs, makes the suite the same in any
 # order, and the timeout bounds a hang to a failure with a stack, never a stalled gate.
 check: postgres
-	@sh merge-check.sh ; status=$$? ; docker rm -f $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true ; exit $$status
+	@sh merge-check.sh ; status=$$? ; docker rm -f -v $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true ; exit $$status
 
 # The unit level alone (untagged: no bus, no store, no other process), which a developer runs continuously. The tests
 # that need a bus or the store carry `//go:build integration` and run in `check`, not here; without a database the
@@ -135,7 +126,7 @@ fmt:
 	if [ -n "$$unformatted" ] ; then echo "not gofmt'd:" ; echo "$$unformatted" ; exit 1 ; fi
 
 postgres:
-	@docker rm -f $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+	@docker rm -f -v $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
 	@docker run -d --name $(PG_CONTAINER) -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=check \
 		-p 127.0.0.1:$(PG_PORT):5432 $(PG_IMAGE) >/dev/null
 	@printf 'waiting for postgres'
@@ -147,7 +138,7 @@ postgres:
 	echo ' — never came up' ; docker logs $(PG_CONTAINER) | tail -20 ; exit 1
 
 postgres-stop:
-	@docker rm -f $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+	@docker rm -f -v $(PG_CONTAINER) >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
 
 clean:
 	rm -rf build/

cmd/mesh-builder/busy.go

@@ -6,7 +6,11 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builder"
 )
 
 // **The build agent says whether it is busy, and being asked drains it** (novox/hq ADR 0335 §1, §5). Its
@@ -73,14 +77,77 @@ func drainedTooLong(now time.Time) error {
 		"within %s (novox/hq ADR 0335)", began.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), drainTooLong)
 }
 
+// inHand is true while this process has claimed a build and not yet released it. The mark in the temporary directory
+// is only believed while it is: a mark with no build of this process behind it is stale (a crash, a fault in an
+// earlier path) and is removed, because left alone it hands back every ask for ever (issue 1768).
+var inHand atomic.Bool
+
+// markRetry is how long an agent that cannot mark a build in hand takes no work, and markFault when it last failed to.
+// Taking nothing is the point: an ask fetched and handed back at once, many times a second, spends all its deliveries.
+const markRetry = 30 * time.Second
+
+var (
+	markMu    sync.Mutex
+	markFault time.Time
+	markSaid  string
+)
+
+// markFaulty says the agent could not mark a build in hand and has not yet been able to since: it takes no work. Once
+// markRetry has passed it tries the mark itself, with no ask in hand, so that an ask is fetched only when marking works.
+func markFaulty(now time.Time) bool {
+	markMu.Lock()
+	failed := markFault
+	markMu.Unlock()
+	if failed.IsZero() {
+		return false
+	}
+	if now.Sub(failed) < markRetry {
+		return true
+	}
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(inHandMark(), os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL, 0o644)
+	if err != nil && errors.Is(err, os.ErrExist) && !inHand.Load() {
+		_ = os.Remove(inHandMark())
+		f, err = os.OpenFile(inHandMark(), os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL, 0o644)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		markFailed(err)
+		return true
+	}
+	_ = f.Close()
+	_ = os.Remove(inHandMark())
+	markMu.Lock()
+	markFault, markSaid = time.Time{}, ""
+	markMu.Unlock()
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "the mark of a build in hand can be made again (%s): taking builds\n", inHandMark())
+	return false
+}
+
+// markFailed notes that a build could not be marked in hand, and says it when it is a new reason.
+func markFailed(err error) {
+	markMu.Lock()
+	defer markMu.Unlock()
+	markFault = time.Now()
+	if said := err.Error(); said != markSaid {
+		markSaid = said
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "cannot mark a build in hand (%s), so this agent takes no build for %s and tries again: %v\n",
+			inHandMark(), markRetry, err)
+	}
+}
+
 // claim marks a request in hand, unless the agent is drained: then nothing is in hand, and the request goes
 // back to the queue.
 func claim() bool {
+	if !inHand.Load() {
+		// Nothing of this process is in hand, so a mark already there is stale.
+		if err := os.Remove(inHandMark()); err == nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "removed the mark of a build in hand (%s): no build of this agent is in hand\n", inHandMark())
+		}
+	}
 	// Made, never written over: one build at a time, and a mark already there is a build in hand.
 	f, err := os.OpenFile(inHandMark(), os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL, 0o644)
 	if err != nil {
 		// Unmarked, an ask would say idle while this build runs: the build is not taken.
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "cannot mark a build in hand (%s), so it is handed back: %v\n", inHandMark(), err)
+		markFailed(err)
 		return false
 	}
 	_, err = f.WriteString(time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339) + "\n")
@@ -89,7 +156,7 @@ func claim() bool {
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		_ = os.Remove(inHandMark())
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "cannot mark a build in hand (%s), so it is handed back: %v\n", inHandMark(), err)
+		markFailed(err)
 		return false
 	}
 	if drained() {
@@ -97,6 +164,7 @@ func claim() bool {
 		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "asked whether busy, so this agent takes no new build: handed back")
 		return false
 	}
+	inHand.Store(true)
 	return true
 }
 
@@ -107,6 +175,7 @@ func holding(what string) {
 
 // released ends the build in hand.
 func released() {
+	inHand.Store(false)
 	if err := os.Remove(inHandMark()); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "cannot remove the mark of the build in hand (%s): %v\n", inHandMark(), err)
 	}
@@ -144,3 +213,23 @@ func busy() (string, error) {
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("busy: %s, in hand since %s; taking no new build", what, since), nil
 }
+
+var (
+	roomMu   sync.Mutex
+	roomSaid bool
+)
+
+// noRoom says this node is under the floor of free space (novox/hq issue 1834): it takes no work, so another build node
+// takes the ask instead of this one taking it and ending it in an error. Said once when it starts and again when it ends.
+func noRoom(workspace string) bool {
+	err := builder.RoomToWork("/", workspace)
+	roomMu.Lock()
+	defer roomMu.Unlock()
+	if err != nil && !roomSaid {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "taking no builds: %v\n", err)
+	} else if err == nil && roomSaid {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "there is room again: taking builds\n")
+	}
+	roomSaid = err != nil
+	return err != nil
+}

cmd/mesh-builder/busy_test.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builder"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -160,3 +161,79 @@ func TestAnUnknownCommandFails(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("help failed: %v", err)
 	}
 }
+
+// 1768/AC2: a mark naming no build of this agent (left by a crash or a fault) is stale: the next ask removes it and is
+// run, never fetched and handed back in a loop.
+func TestAStaleInHandMarkIsRemovedAndTheAskRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("TMPDIR", t.TempDir())
+	inHand.Store(false)
+	if err := undrained(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(inHandMark(), []byte("2026-10-21T18:45:06Z\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !claim() {
+		t.Fatal("a stale in-hand mark made the agent hand back an ask")
+	}
+	// A live one — this agent's own build in hand — is never taken over.
+	if claim() {
+		t.Fatal("a second build was taken while one is in hand")
+	}
+	if _, err := busy(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the build in hand was lost: %v", err)
+	}
+	released()
+}
+
+// 1768/AC3: an agent that cannot mark a build in hand for another reason takes no work, instead of fetching asks and
+// handing them back; it takes work again once marking works.
+func TestAnAgentThatCannotMarkABuildTakesNoWorkUntilItCan(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	t.Setenv("TMPDIR", dir)
+	inHand.Store(false)
+	markFault, markSaid = time.Time{}, ""
+	t.Cleanup(func() { markFault, markSaid = time.Time{}, "" })
+	if err := undrained(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The mark's place is a directory that cannot be removed or made over: a directory named as the mark.
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(inHandMark()+"/x", 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if claim() {
+		t.Fatal("an agent that cannot mark a build took it")
+	}
+	if !markFaulty(time.Now()) {
+		t.Fatal("an agent that cannot mark a build still takes work")
+	}
+	// Still failing after the retry time: still takes nothing, and no ask was needed to find out.
+	if !markFaulty(time.Now().Add(2 * markRetry)) {
+		t.Fatal("an agent whose mark still cannot be made takes work")
+	}
+	if err := os.RemoveAll(inHandMark()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if markFaulty(time.Now().Add(4 * markRetry)) {
+		t.Fatal("an agent whose mark can be made again takes no work")
+	}
+	if !claim() {
+		t.Fatal("an agent that can mark takes no build")
+	}
+	released()
+}
+
+// 1834/AC4: given a node under the floor of free space, when the taking loop asks, then it takes nothing, and takes again
+// once there is room.
+func TestANodeUnderTheFloorOfFreeSpaceTakesNoWork(t *testing.T) {
+	was := builder.FreeBytes
+	t.Cleanup(func() { builder.FreeBytes = was })
+	builder.FreeBytes = func(string) (uint64, error) { return 2 << 30, nil }
+	if !noRoom(t.TempDir()) {
+		t.Error("a node with 2 GiB free took work")
+	}
+	builder.FreeBytes = func(string) (uint64, error) { return 200 << 30, nil }
+	if noRoom(t.TempDir()) {
+		t.Error("a node with 200 GiB free refused work")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-builder/check_spec_test.go

@@ -36,3 +36,17 @@ func TestTheSiblingsAnAskNamesReachTheSpecAndTheOutcome(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a request that names none has siblings %+v", plain.Siblings)
 	}
 }
+
+// 1826/AC2: the held values a check request carries reach the spec; a request that carries none leaves it empty.
+func TestTheHeldValuesAnAskCarriesReachTheSpec(t *testing.T) {
+	spec := checkSpecOf(link.BuildRequest{Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog",
+		HeldConfig: []link.HeldConfig{{Pull: "novox/mesh-catalog#434", Head: "a", Node: "ace", Module: "n8n", Key: "media-gid",
+			Value: []byte("2000"), Approved: "the operator"}}}})
+	if len(spec.Held) != 1 || spec.Held[0].Node != "ace" || spec.Held[0].Key != "media-gid" || string(spec.Held[0].Value) != "2000" ||
+		spec.Held[0].Approved != "the operator" {
+		t.Fatalf("the spec reads %+v", spec.Held)
+	}
+	if plain := checkSpecOf(link.BuildRequest{Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "o", Repo: "r"}}); plain.Held != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a request that carries none has %+v", plain.Held)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-builder/holder_test.go

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func TestKillEndsTheBuildRunningHereAndNoOther(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("kill said %q", said)
 	}
 	// Removed at the kill and again once the build had ended: a container made in between is caught.
-	if len(removed) != 4 || !strings.Contains(removed[0], "label=mesh.build=build-1") || !strings.Contains(removed[2], "label=mesh.build=build-1") {
+	if len(removed) != 6 || !strings.Contains(removed[0], "label=mesh.build=build-1") || !strings.Contains(removed[3], "label=mesh.build=build-1") {
 		t.Errorf("removed %v", removed)
 	}
 	if c := h.current(); c.Running != nil {
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func TestAHolderStartingRemovesWhatEarlierBuildsLeftHere(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return "", nil
 	}
-	if n := h.removeLeftBehind(); n != 2 || len(removed) != 2 || removed[1] != "docker rm -f c1 c2" {
+	if n := h.removeLeftBehind(); n != 2 || len(removed) != 3 || removed[2] != "docker rm -f -v c1 c2" {
 		t.Fatalf("removed %d: %v", n, removed)
 	}
 	h.remove = func(context.Context, string, string, ...string) (string, error) {

cmd/mesh-builder/main.go

@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ is dialled except the broker.
   MESH_NPM_TOKEN     the token for it, likewise
   MESH_NPM_SCOPE     the scope it answers for (default: @novox)
   MESH_WORKSPACE     where to clone and build (default: a temporary directory)
+  MESH_BUILD_CGROUP_PARENT  the slice every container a build or check starts joins, which carries the
+                     machine's limits on builds (novox/hq issue 1798; default: the runtime's own)
 
 It also builds one module and stops, which is how a mesh is raised — before there is a
 broker to take work from or a registry to publish into:
@@ -137,6 +139,10 @@ func run() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	// A build and a check run below the machine's own work (novox/hq issue 1798): the agent itself at the
+	// lowest priority, which its git and go children inherit, and every container in the build slice.
+	_ = syscall.Setpriority(syscall.PRIO_PROCESS, 0, 19)
+	builder.CgroupParent = strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv("MESH_BUILD_CGROUP_PARENT"))
 	workspace := os.Getenv("MESH_WORKSPACE")
 	if workspace == "" {
 		workspace = os.TempDir() + "/mesh-builder"
@@ -184,7 +190,7 @@ func run() error {
 	// Paused or drained, it takes nothing new (novox/hq ADR 0219, ADR 0335): a drained agent finishes the build
 	// in hand and then says idle, and its container is replaced between builds.
 	machine := link.MachineOverNATSWith(js, on, seat, link.MachineOptions{
-		Paused: func() bool { return h.Paused() || drained() },
+		Paused: func() bool { return h.Paused() || drained() || markFaulty(time.Now()) || noRoom(workspace) },
 		Taking: func() { taking(seat) },
 		Claim:  claim,
 	})
@@ -499,6 +505,10 @@ func checkSpecOf(request link.BuildRequest) builder.CheckSpec {
 		Modules: c.Modules, New: c.New, Manifests: c.Manifests, Judge: c.Judge, Base: c.Base,
 		Toolchain: builder.ToolchainOf(request.Held), Toolchains: builder.ToolchainsOf(request.Held),
 		Tests: c.Tests, StoreOnly: c.StoreOnly, SiblingsUnknown: c.SiblingsUnknown}
+	for _, h := range c.HeldConfig {
+		spec.Held = append(spec.Held, builder.HeldValue{Pull: h.Pull, Head: h.Head, Node: h.Node, Module: h.Module, Key: h.Key,
+			Value: h.Value, Approved: h.Approved, By: h.By, At: h.At})
+	}
 	for _, s := range c.Siblings {
 		spec.Siblings = append(spec.Siblings, builder.Sibling{Repository: s.Repository, Number: s.Number, Head: s.Head,
 			Base: s.Base, Dir: s.Dir})

cmd/mesh-controller/acts.go

@@ -408,12 +408,21 @@ func issueOnAssign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node, module string) strin
 		return ""
 	}
 	user := broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindModule, Node: node, Module: module}.Username()
-	if _, reads := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]; !reads {
+	_, reads := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]
+	if !reads && !runsTheProvisionerClient(m) {
+		// A module whose bus accounts are its processes' alone has none of its own: only the processes that
+		// are not issued yet are issued (issue 1226).
+		return processAccountsOnAssign(ctx, inv, m, node)
+	}
+	if !reads {
 		// A module running the provisioner client alone is minted the client's account (issue 917).
 		user = broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProvisioner, Node: node, Module: module}.Username()
 	}
-	if _, minted, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, user); err != nil || minted {
+	if _, minted, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, user); err != nil {
 		return ""
+	} else if minted {
+		// Its own account stands and is kept; a process it gained is not issued yet (issue 1226).
+		return processAccountsOnAssign(ctx, inv, m, node)
 	}
 	busAddress, err := broker.BusAddress()
 	if err == nil {
@@ -426,6 +435,16 @@ func issueOnAssign(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node, module string) strin
 	return fmt.Sprintf("its bus credential is issued and sealed to %s, and arrives with the push", node)
 }
 
+// processAccountsOnAssign issues the process accounts of an assigned module not issued yet, and says what it did.
+func processAccountsOnAssign(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node string) string {
+	line, err := issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx, inv, m, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("its process accounts are not issued (%v): `module issue %s --node %s` first — "+
+			"`push %s` refuses to send %s until it is", err, m.Module, node, node, m.Module)
+	}
+	return line
+}
+
 // refusedMovingTheController refuses assigning or unassigning the controller's module through a verb (review of
 // novox/hq ADR 0272): the node it is assigned to is the control-node, and the control-node's operator account is
 // the controller's terminal, so whoever moves the module chooses the terminal. At the terminal alone, as every

cmd/mesh-controller/asker.go

@@ -645,6 +645,10 @@ func doesWords(act conditions.Action) string {
 		return "the delivery is stopped"
 	case act.Verb == broker.ControllerSeat+".plans" && act.Arguments["retry"] != "":
 		return "the failed builds are asked again"
+	case act.Verb == broker.ControllerSeat+".push" && act.Arguments["node"] != "":
+		return "the held builds are sent to " + act.Arguments["node"]
+	case act.Verb == broker.ControllerSeat+".upgrade" && act.Arguments["release-backlog"] != "":
+		return "the builds held after the failed delivery are released"
 	case strings.HasSuffix(act.Verb, ".restart"):
 		return "its service is restarted on " + act.Machine
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/batches.go

@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ func (f following) hearMerge(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved, now time.T
 		fmt.Print(nothingReadsIt(repository, m))
 		return nil
 	}
+	// **A module the merge adds is asked for now** (novox/hq issue 1617), not when the batch is cut.
+	askNewModulesAtHearing(ctx, inv, m, entries, read, facts.from)
 	// **Its delivery group's word, before the plans are held** (ADR 0306 decision 2): a slow answer holds up no walk.
 	own := ownPath(touches)
 	waits, holding, err := groupWaitHolding(ctx, inv, m, deliverySeatHeld(entries))

cmd/mesh-controller/build.go

@@ -768,6 +768,9 @@ func takeIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResu
 		}
 		return manifest, kept, err
 	}
+	// A bus process the new definition gains gets its account now, on each machine assigned the module, so the
+	// next push composes a real account (issue 1226).
+	issueGainedProcessAccounts(ctx, inv, manifest)
 	// Which repository it is registered from, by the forge's own id (novox/hq ADR 0266).
 	if err := inv.SetSourceIdentity(ctx, manifest.Module, repoID); err != nil {
 		return manifest, kept, err

cmd/mesh-controller/busobjects.go

@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ func assertBusObjects(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, r broker.Ra
 	if err := broker.Raise(r, names); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	// And each node's bucket for the files of its declaration that travel by digest (novox/hq ADR 0486 §4), so a node finds its own
+	// whenever the bus is up.
+	if files, ok := r.(interface{ EnsureDeclarationFiles(nodes []string) error }); ok {
+		if err := files.EnsureDeclarationFiles(names); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
 	// The work queues of the mesh's own roles (novox/hq ADR 0121). The queue before the holder,
 	// deliberately: work queues until somebody arrives to do it, so assigning a build machine a week
 	// after something started asking for builds flushes the backlog instead of having lost it.

cmd/mesh-controller/checks.go

@@ -191,6 +191,16 @@ func (f following) pullUpdated(ctx context.Context, p link.PullUpdated, w io.Wri
 		scope.Modules, scope.Dependents, scope.New, scope.Manifests = nil, nil, nil, nil
 		composedGate(&direct)
 	}
+	// **Mesh-config is told what the head declares at every announced head of a pull request in a repository that holds
+	// modules** (novox/hq ADR 0502 clauses 2 and 6, issue 1826), also when the head touches no module: a head that reverts
+	// the change must drop the value held for it. Asked of nothing else here.
+	this := pullAtOf(p)
+	if this.Truncated {
+		this.Paths, this.Truncated = truncatedPaths(entries, p.Owner, p.Repo, scope.Modules), false
+	}
+	if scope.gated() || holdsModules(entries, p.Owner, p.Repo) {
+		tellPullDeclares(ctx, w, []pullAt{this})
+	}
 	switch {
 	case !scope.gated() && !scope.Mesh:
 		fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s/%s#%d (%.8s): %s, and the repository is not the mesh's: said, nothing run\n",
@@ -209,6 +219,9 @@ func (f following) pullUpdated(ctx context.Context, p link.PullUpdated, w io.Wri
 	}
 	request.Check.Plan = &plan
 	request.Check.Composed = composed
+	if !composed {
+		carryHeld(ctx, w, &request, []pullAt{this})
+	}
 	// **The group's other open pull requests are read beside it** (novox/hq ADR 0382 §1).
 	siblingsFrom(&request, p, entries, lines, groupsErr)
 	seat := buildSeatHeld(ctx)
@@ -594,11 +607,13 @@ func checkedOf(result link.BuildResult) link.Checked {
 		// 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
+			// Every member is named with its trunk commit (novox/hq issue 1106): the seat's word, else the one the forge
+			// announced with the head, so the forge's merge tool never meets a member whose verdict names none.
 			c.Members = append(c.Members, link.CheckedMember{Owner: g.Owner, Repo: g.Repo, Number: g.Number,
-				Commit: result.Ref, Trunk: c.Trunk})
+				Commit: result.Ref, Trunk: firstTrunk(c.Trunk, g.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, Trunk: memberTrunk(result.Check, m)})
+					Commit: m.Ref, Trunk: firstTrunk(memberTrunk(result.Check, m), m.Trunk)})
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -627,6 +642,16 @@ func checkedOf(result link.BuildResult) link.Checked {
 	return c
 }
 
+// firstTrunk is the first trunk commit named, as twelve characters; empty when none is.
+func firstTrunk(named ...string) string {
+	for _, n := range named {
+		if n != "" {
+			return twelve(n)
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 // 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 {

cmd/mesh-controller/checks_test.go

@@ -250,6 +250,31 @@ func TestAVerdictNamesTheTrunkCommitItJudged(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// **A group's composed verdict names every member's trunk commit** (novox/hq issue 1106): a member the build seat named no
+// trunk for (an SDK member whose base the seat did not merge, or a seat from before the rule) is named by the trunk the forge
+// announced with its head, and the primary the same, so the merge tool never reads "names no trunk commit" on a member
+// whose trunk did not move.
+func TestAGroupVerdictNamesEveryMembersTrunkTheSDKMemberToo(t *testing.T) {
+	group := &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Number: 7, Base: "main", Group: "feat/x",
+		Trunk: "dddddddddddd0000",
+		Members: []link.GroupMember{
+			{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-sdk", Number: 8, Ref: "cccccccccccc0000", Base: "main", Trunk: "eeeeeeeeeeee0000"},
+			{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Number: 9, Ref: "bbbbbbbbbbbb0000", Base: "main", Trunk: "ffffffffffff0000"}}}
+	c := checkedOf(link.BuildResult{ID: "g", Ref: "aaaaaaaaaaaa0000", Checked: group, Check: &link.CheckOutcome{
+		Verdict: "pass", Head: "aaaaaaaaaaaa", Gate: &link.CheckLayer{Verdict: "pass"},
+		Members: []link.CheckedMember{{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-host", Commit: "bbbbbbbbbbbb", Trunk: "222222222222"}}}})
+	want := []string{"dddddddddddd", "eeeeeeeeeeee", "222222222222"}
+	if len(c.Members) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check names its members %+v", c.Members)
+	}
+	for i, m := range c.Members {
+		if m.Trunk != want[i] {
+			t.Fatalf("member %d (%s/%s) is named with trunk %q, want %q (the seat's word first, else the announced one): %+v",
+				i, m.Owner, m.Repo, m.Trunk, want[i], 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.

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_perform.go

@@ -233,6 +233,12 @@ func prepareSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) ([]string, erro
 					if !slices.Contains(in.BusMinted, "provisioner."+node) {
 						continue
 					}
+				default:
+					// A bus process's account nobody issued still gets the stand-in, until the composition leaves
+					// the module off (issue 1753): the warning names the verb (issue 1226).
+					if line := processAccountWarning(m, node, name, in.BusMinted); line != "" {
+						sayWarning(ctx, line)
+					}
 				}
 				if _, err := inv.SecretForModule(ctx, node, m.Module, name); err == nil {
 					did = true

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk.go

@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ func composeQuestion(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, mode compos
 	}
 	sayFound(ctx, d)
 	out := sendableOf(d)
+	out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 	if !withOrder {
 		out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0
 	}
@@ -238,7 +239,11 @@ func markUnresolvable(err error) error {
 // still names anything foreseen is refused, said, and never sent.
 func composeSend(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (sendable, error) {
 	declared, _, err := composeSendValidated(ctx, open, node)
-	return declared, err
+	if err != nil {
+		return declared, err
+	}
+	// Never a declaration naming an image the store does not hold (novox/hq issue 1742): that module is left out.
+	return withoutMissingImages(ctx, open, node, declared), nil
 }
 
 // composeSendValidated is composeSend and what the node-engine's validator refuses of the declaration it composed, for the
@@ -281,6 +286,7 @@ func composeSendValidated(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string) (senda
 		if len(left) == 0 && len(in.wouldMake) == 0 {
 			sayFound(ctx, d)
 			out := sendableOf(d)
+			out.fileReferences = readsFileReferences(in.Input, node)
 			// The sender stamps the order it allots (order.stamp); a composition for a send carries none of its own.
 			out.Sequence, out.Epoch, out.Generation = 0, 0, 0
 			here, _ := nodeOf(in.Input, node)
@@ -366,7 +372,7 @@ func sayFound(ctx context.Context, d compose.Declared) {
 
 // sendableOf is a composed declaration as the controller's sends know it.
 func sendableOf(d compose.Declared) sendable {
-	out := sendable{Resources: d.Resources, Sequence: d.Sequence, Epoch: d.Epoch, Generation: d.Generation,
+	out := sendable{Resources: compactKept(d.Resources), Sequence: d.Sequence, Epoch: d.Epoch, Generation: d.Generation,
 		ReadsModules: d.ReadsModules, moduleOf: d.ModuleOf, buildIDs: d.BuildIDs, modules: d.Modules,
 		localNetwork: d.LocalNetwork, Received: d.Received, Mesh: d.Mesh, BusUsers: d.BusUsers,
 		LeftOut: d.LeftOut, leftOutWhy: d.LeftOutWhy, withheld: d.Withheld, unbound: d.Unbound, foreseen: d.Foreseen,

cmd/mesh-controller/container_groups_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+)
+
+// Issue 1638 (novox/hq ADR 0480 clause 7), taken in with mesh-sdk's container `groups`: the controller sends a container's
+// groups only to a node-engine that reports the capability container-groups, and holds the module on any other, naming it.
+
+const n8nWithAGroup = `{"module":"n8n","version":"1",
+  "config":{"media-gid":{"type":"number","minimum":1,"required":true,"description":"the group that owns the media library"}},
+  "resources":[{"id":"server","type":"container","name":"n8n",
+    "image":"n8nio/n8n@sha256:4846eb2f4b874ab04cde7fc1e249d2ddaec66e9aea64439beb2972cfea88e3c0",
+    "groups":["${config:media-gid}"]}]}`
+
+// printedBy runs reportUnhostable and returns what it printed.
+func printedBy(t *testing.T, node string, plan catalogue.Resolution) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	stdout := os.Stdout
+	r, w, err := os.Pipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	os.Stdout = w
+	reportUnhostable(node, plan)
+	w.Close()
+	os.Stdout = stdout
+	out, _ := io.ReadAll(r)
+	return string(out)
+}
+
+// 1638/AC1: a node that reports the capability gets the module; one that does not has it held, the capability named.
+func TestAModuleWithGroupsIsHeldOnANodeThatDoesNotReportTheCapability(t *testing.T) {
+	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(n8nWithAGroup))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	shelf := catalogue.Shelf{"n8n": m}
+	reads := catalogue.Node{Name: "ace", Capabilities: map[string]bool{"container-runtime": true, "container-groups": true}}
+	old := catalogue.Node{Name: "g14", Capabilities: map[string]bool{"container-runtime": true}}
+
+	got, err := catalogue.Resolve(shelf, []string{"n8n"}, reads, catalogue.World{})
+	if err != nil || len(got.Unhostable) != 0 || len(got.Modules) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a node that reads groups: %v, held %+v", err, got.Unhostable)
+	}
+	if out := printedBy(t, "ace", got); out != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a node that reads groups was told: %q", out)
+	}
+
+	got, err = catalogue.Resolve(shelf, []string{"n8n"}, old, catalogue.World{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(got.Modules) != 0 || len(got.Unhostable) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("n8n was sent to a node that does not report container-groups: hosted %d, held %+v", len(got.Modules), got.Unhostable)
+	}
+	if out := printedBy(t, "g14", got); !strings.Contains(out, "n8n") || !strings.Contains(out, "container-groups") {
+		t.Errorf("the hold does not name the module and the capability: %q", out)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_capability_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	sdkdecl "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/overlay"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+)
+
+// 1696/AC2, ADR 0486 §5: a node is sent a file by digest only when its profile reports the capability. A node whose profile lacks
+// it, and a node the mesh has no profile of, are sent every content inline; a node that reports it is sent the reference. The test
+// goes through composeQuestion and composeSend, the two places readsFileReferences is read (compose_sdk.go).
+func TestAFileTravelsByDigestOnlyToANodeThatReportsTheCapability(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t) // anchor and laptop report no file-references
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	big := strings.Repeat("0123456789abcdef", 8<<10) // 128 KiB
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "bigfile", Version: "1",
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "blob", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/bigfile/blob", "mode": "0644", "content": big}}})
+
+	// reader reports the capability; bare has never reported a profile at all.
+	for i, n := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		profile map[string]any
+	}{
+		{"reader", map[string]any{"capabilities": []any{
+			map[string]any{"name": "container-runtime", "present": true},
+			map[string]any{"name": "systemd", "present": true},
+			map[string]any{"name": sdkdecl.FileReferencesCapability, "present": true}}}},
+		{"bare", nil},
+	} {
+		record, err := open.inventory.AddNode(ctx, n.name)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := open.inventory.SetPlace(ctx, n.name, n.name+".example:51820", "here", false, fmt.Sprintf("10.77.0.%d", i+10)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if n.profile != nil {
+			if err := open.inventory.RecordProfile(ctx, record.ID, n.profile); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		if err := open.inventory.RecordSealingKey(ctx, record.ID, aPublicKey(t)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if err := open.inventory.RecordOverlayKey(ctx, record.ID, aPublicKey(t)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, err := open.inventory.Assign(ctx, n.name, overlay.Name); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, node := range []string{"laptop", "reader", "bare"} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, node, "bigfile"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("assign %s: %v", node, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	byDigest := map[string]bool{"laptop": false, "bare": false, "reader": true}
+	for node, want := range byDigest {
+		asked, _, err := composeQuestion(ctx, open, node, compose.Reading, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", node, err)
+		}
+		sent, err := composeSend(ctx, open, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", node, err)
+		}
+		for what, s := range map[string]sendable{"question": asked, "send": sent} {
+			if s.fileReferences != want {
+				t.Fatalf("%s, %s: fileReferences %v, want %v", node, what, s.fileReferences, want)
+			}
+			body, err := s.Body()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			var got struct {
+				Resources []map[string]any `json:"resources"`
+			}
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &got); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			var found bool
+			for _, r := range got.Resources {
+				if r["path"] != "/etc/bigfile/blob" {
+					continue
+				}
+				found = true
+				inline := r["content"] == big
+				if want && (inline || r["digest"] == nil || r["size"] == nil) {
+					t.Fatalf("%s, %s: a node that reads references is sent the content inline", node, what)
+				}
+				if !want && (!inline || r["digest"] != nil) {
+					t.Fatalf("%s, %s: a node that does not report the capability is sent a reference", node, what)
+				}
+			}
+			if !found {
+				t.Fatalf("%s, %s: the file is not in the declaration", node, what)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_files.go

@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+	sdkdecl "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+)
+
+// **A declaration's large files travel by their digest to a node that can read one** (novox/hq ADR 0486 §1, §5, issue 1696).
+//
+// The declaration to a node that reports sdkdecl.FileReferencesCapability carries, in place of the content of every
+// file resource of more than sdkdecl.FileReferenceThreshold bytes that may travel so (File.TravelsByDigest: plain content or
+// bytes, not sealed, not filled with secrets, not written into another file), its sha256 digest and size. The content is put
+// into the bucket of the bus under the hex of the digest before the declaration is sent. A node that does not report the
+// capability is sent every content inline, as before: an older node-engine refuses a field it does not know, whole.
+
+// readsFileReferences says the node reports the capability of reading a file given by digest (ADR 0486 §5). A node the mesh has
+// no profile of reads none.
+func readsFileReferences(in compose.Input, node string) bool {
+	n, ok := nodeOf(in, node)
+	return ok && n.Capabilities[sdkdecl.FileReferencesCapability]
+}
+
+// referencing is the resources as a node that reads references is sent them, and the content of each file that went by
+// digest, by the name of its object (the hex of its digest). The resources it is given are not changed. A file that does not
+// travel by digest is passed as it is.
+func referencing(resources []map[string]any) ([]map[string]any, map[string][]byte, error) {
+	out := make([]map[string]any, len(resources))
+	var objects map[string][]byte
+	for i, r := range resources {
+		out[i] = r
+		if kind, _ := r["type"].(string); kind != string(sdkdecl.TypeFile) {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Cheap first: only a file with a content or bytes of the size is worth reading whole.
+		content, _ := r["content"].(string)
+		bytesField, _ := r["bytes"].(string)
+		if len(content) <= sdkdecl.FileReferenceThreshold && len(bytesField) <= sdkdecl.FileReferenceThreshold {
+			continue
+		}
+		raw, err := json.Marshal(r)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("resource %v: %w", r["id"], err)
+		}
+		var f sdkdecl.File
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &f); err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("resource %v is not a file the controller can read: %w", r["id"], err)
+		}
+		if !f.TravelsByDigest() {
+			continue
+		}
+		ref, body, err := f.AsReference()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		name, err := sdkdecl.ObjectName(ref.Digest)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		with := make(map[string]any, len(r)+2)
+		for k, v := range r {
+			with[k] = v
+		}
+		delete(with, "content")
+		delete(with, "bytes")
+		with["digest"], with["size"] = ref.Digest, ref.Size
+		out[i] = with
+		if objects == nil {
+			objects = map[string][]byte{}
+		}
+		objects[name] = body
+	}
+	return out, objects, nil
+}
+
+// namedObjects are the objects of the bucket a body names: the object name of every file resource given by reference,
+// with its size. It reads a declaration as the node does, so it also reads the latest one the bus holds.
+func namedObjects(body []byte) (map[string]int64, error) {
+	var envelope struct {
+		Resources []struct {
+			Type   string `json:"type"`
+			Digest string `json:"digest"`
+			Size   int64  `json:"size"`
+		} `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &envelope); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out map[string]int64
+	for _, r := range envelope.Resources {
+		if r.Type != string(sdkdecl.TypeFile) || r.Digest == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		name, err := sdkdecl.ObjectName(r.Digest)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if out == nil {
+			out = map[string]int64{}
+		}
+		out[name] = r.Size
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// objectStore is what putting the objects needs of a node's bucket.
+type objectStore interface {
+	// Has says whether an object of that name is there, complete, and whether it carries the sweep's mark of being named by no
+	// node's latest declaration.
+	Has(ctx context.Context, name string) (have, marked bool, err error)
+	// Put writes the object under that name, replacing one of the same name (and so erasing its mark).
+	Put(ctx context.Context, name string, content []byte) error
+}
+
+// putObjects makes sure every object of the declaration is in the bucket before the declaration that names it is sent: a node
+// that reads the declaration finds each object. An object already there (the same content, the same name) is not written again,
+// **unless the sweep marked it unnamed**: then it is written again, so the mark that would have it removed is gone with the
+// old object (issue 1696, review: a mark read just before a send must not take an object the send relies on). Refuses on the
+// first it cannot put, naming it, so the declaration is not sent.
+func putObjects(ctx context.Context, store objectStore, objects map[string][]byte) error {
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(objects))
+	for name := range objects {
+		names = append(names, name)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	for _, name := range names {
+		have, marked, err := store.Has(ctx, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("whether the object %s is in the bucket: %w", name[:12], err)
+		}
+		if have && !marked {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := store.Put(ctx, name, objects[name]); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("putting the object %s (%d bytes) in the bucket: %w", name[:12], len(objects[name]), err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// busObjects is a node's bucket on the controller's own connection.
+type busObjects struct{ store jetstream.ObjectStore }
+
+// openBucket opens the bucket of a node's files, making it first if it is not there (it is asserted for every node at the
+// controller's start; a node adopted since is covered here).
+func openBucket(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, node string) (busObjects, error) {
+	js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return busObjects{}, err
+	}
+	bucket, err := broker.DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return busObjects{}, fmt.Errorf("the object bucket of node %q: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	store, err := js.ObjectStore(ctx, bucket)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound) {
+		if err = broker.EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, js, node); err == nil {
+			store, err = js.ObjectStore(ctx, bucket)
+		}
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return busObjects{}, fmt.Errorf("the object bucket %s: %w", bucket, err)
+	}
+	return busObjects{store}, nil
+}
+
+func (b busObjects) Has(ctx context.Context, name string) (bool, bool, error) {
+	info, err := b.store.GetInfo(ctx, name)
+	switch {
+	case errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrObjectNotFound):
+		return false, false, nil
+	case err != nil:
+		return false, false, err
+	}
+	_, marked := info.Metadata[declarationUnnamed]
+	return !info.Deleted, marked, nil
+}
+
+func (b busObjects) Put(ctx context.Context, name string, content []byte) error {
+	_, err := b.store.PutBytes(ctx, name, content)
+	return err
+}
+
+// filesLocks hold a node's bucket for one act at a time in this process: a send puts its objects and publishes the declaration that
+// names them under the node's lock, and the sweep judges the node's bucket under the same one, so the sweep never removes an
+// object between a send's put and its declaration. Another process (a person's push) is covered by the put erasing a mark and by
+// the sweep looking at an object again just before it removes it.
+var filesLocks sync.Map
+
+func lockFilesOf(node string) func() {
+	l, _ := filesLocks.LoadOrStore(node, &sync.Mutex{})
+	mu := l.(*sync.Mutex)
+	mu.Lock()
+	return mu.Unlock
+}
+
+// kindFilesNotPut is a node whose files that travel by digest could not be put in its bucket, send after send.
+const kindFilesNotPut = "declaration-files-not-put"
+
+// filesNotPutAfter is how many sends in a row may fail to put before the condition is raised: the first send to the machine holding
+// the bus fails for want of the grant that very send delivers, and says so, and is not yet a fault.
+const filesNotPutAfter = 2
+
+var (
+	filesFailMu sync.Mutex
+	filesFailed = map[string]int{}
+)
+
+func filesNotPutObservation(node, summary string) conditions.Observation {
+	return conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: node, Kind: kindFilesNotPut, Token: kindFilesNotPut,
+		Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Warning, Source: "sends", Summary: summary}
+}
+
+// notePut records how putting a send's objects went: a failure counts, the second in a row raises the condition, a success
+// clears the count and the condition.
+func notePut(ctx context.Context, node string, put error) {
+	filesFailMu.Lock()
+	if put == nil {
+		delete(filesFailed, node)
+	} else {
+		filesFailed[node]++
+	}
+	n := filesFailed[node]
+	filesFailMu.Unlock()
+	keeper := conditionsFrom
+	if keeper == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	key := filesNotPutObservation(node, "").Key()
+	switch {
+	case put == nil:
+		if _, err := keeper.Clear(ctx, key, node+" was sent its files by digest"); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the condition %s could not be cleared: %v\n", key, err)
+		}
+	case n >= filesNotPutAfter:
+		summary := fmt.Sprintf("%s's files that travel by digest could not be put in its bucket %d sends in a row, so it is sent them "+
+			"inline: %v", node, n, put)
+		if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, filesNotPutObservation(node, summary)); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the condition %s could not be raised: %v\n", key, err)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_files_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,246 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	sdkdecl "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
+)
+
+type sigOf struct{}
+
+func (sigOf) Sign(context.Context, []byte) ([]byte, error) { return make([]byte, 64), nil }
+
+// 1696/AC7 (ADR 0486 §1): on a real bus with its default largest message of 1 MiB, a declaration whose files add up to more than
+// 3 MiB is sent as references, its objects are in the bucket, each fetched back whole and verified against the digest and size the
+// declaration names; the same declaration inline is refused by the controller, naming size and limit. A changed byte in an object
+// fails the verification.
+func TestADeclarationOfMoreThanThreeMiBIsSentByReferenceOnARealBus(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC7
+	s := testbus.Start(t)
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(s.ClientURL())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	nc, err := conn.JetStream()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := nc.AddStream(&nats.StreamConfig{Name: "NODES", Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.declare"},
+		MaxMsgsPerSubject: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 60*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	api, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := broker.EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, api, "novox"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// Run twice: an assertion of an existing bucket is no error and no change.
+	if err := broker.EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, api, "novox"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("asserting the bucket again: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var resources []map[string]any
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		resources = append(resources, aFileResource("big-"+string(rune('a'+i)), contentOf("big"+string(rune('a'+i)), 1200<<10)))
+	}
+	resources = append(resources, aFileResource("small", "tiny\n"))
+	inline := sendable{Resources: resources}
+	byDigest := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: resources}
+
+	bus := link.OverNATS{Conn: conn, JS: nc}
+	body, err := inline.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := link.Declare(ctx, bus, sigOf{}, "novox", body, 5*time.Second); err == nil ||
+		!strings.Contains(err.Error(), "1048576") || strings.Contains(err.Error(), "maximum payload exceeded") {
+		t.Fatalf("the inline declaration of more than 3 MiB: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	bucket, err := openBucket(ctx, conn, "novox")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	objects, err := byDigest.objects()
+	if err != nil || len(objects) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("objects: %d %v", len(objects), err)
+	}
+	if err := putObjects(ctx, bucket, objects); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := putObjects(ctx, bucket, objects); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("putting them again: %v", err)
+	}
+	refBody, err := byDigest.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := link.Declare(ctx, bus, sigOf{}, "novox", refBody, 5*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the declaration by reference: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// What the stream holds for the node is the reference form, and it names exactly the three objects.
+	latest, err := latestDeclarations(ctx, conn, []string{"novox", "ace"})
+	if err != nil || len(latest) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the latest declarations: %v %v", len(latest), err)
+	}
+	named, err := namedByLatest("novox", latest["novox"])
+	if err != nil || len(named) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("what the latest declaration names: %v %v", named, err)
+	}
+	novoxBucket, err := broker.DeclarationFilesBucketOf("novox")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	store, err := api.ObjectStore(ctx, novoxBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var envelope struct {
+		Resources []sdkdecl.File `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(refBody, &envelope); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, f := range envelope.Resources {
+		if !f.IsReference() {
+			continue
+		}
+		name, _ := sdkdecl.ObjectName(f.Digest)
+		got, err := store.GetBytes(ctx, name)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("the object of %s: %v", f.ID, err)
+		}
+		if err := f.Verify(got); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("the object does not verify: %v", err)
+		}
+		got[len(got)/2] ^= 1
+		if err := f.Verify(got); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("a changed byte in the object of %s passed the verification", f.ID)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// The sweep against the real bucket: all named, nothing marked; a fourth object named by none is marked, kept a day less a
+	// minute, and removed at the day.
+	extra := bytes.Repeat([]byte("x"), 100)
+	extraName := strings.Repeat("e", 64)
+	if err := putObjects(ctx, bucket, map[string][]byte{extraName: extra}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := busSweptBucket{store}
+	t0 := time.Now()
+	if r, err := sweepDeclarationFiles(ctx, b, named, t0); err != nil || r.Marked != 1 || r.Removed != 0 || r.Kept != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("first sweep: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+	if r, err := sweepDeclarationFiles(ctx, b, named, t0.Add(24*time.Hour-time.Minute)); err != nil || r.Removed != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a minute short of a day: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+	if r, err := sweepDeclarationFiles(ctx, b, named, t0.Add(24*time.Hour+time.Second)); err != nil || r.Removed != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a day after: %+v %v", r, err)
+	}
+	if infos, err := store.List(ctx); err != nil || len(infos) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("the bucket holds %d objects (%v), want the 3 the declaration names", len(infos), err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1696/AC8 on a real bucket: the sweep removes an object only if it still carries the mark it judged it by. An object marked
+// unnamed, then put again by a send (which erases the mark), is kept when the sweep deletes it by the old mark.
+func TestTheSweepsDeleteLeavesAnObjectASendPutAgainAfterItWasMarked(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC8
+	s := testbus.Start(t)
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(s.ClientURL())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 60*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	bucket, err := openBucket(ctx, conn, "novox")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	name := strings.Repeat("a", 64)
+	content := map[string][]byte{name: bytes.Repeat([]byte("y"), 100)}
+	if err := putObjects(ctx, bucket, content); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := busSweptBucket{bucket.store}
+	judged := time.Now().Add(-25 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	if err := b.MarkUnnamed(ctx, name, judged); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, marked, err := bucket.Has(ctx, name); err != nil || !marked {
+		t.Fatalf("the object was not marked: %v %v", marked, err)
+	}
+	// The sweep has read the mark; a send now puts the object again, which erases it.
+	if err := putObjects(ctx, bucket, content); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if have, marked, err := bucket.Has(ctx, name); err != nil || !have || marked {
+		t.Fatalf("a send did not put the marked object again: have %v marked %v %v", have, marked, err)
+	}
+	gone, err := b.Delete(ctx, name, judged)
+	if err != nil || gone {
+		t.Fatalf("the sweep deleted by an old mark: gone %v, %v", gone, err)
+	}
+	if have, _, err := bucket.Has(ctx, name); err != nil || !have {
+		t.Fatalf("the object a send relies on is gone: %v %v", have, err)
+	}
+	// And the mark still on it is honoured: marked again and deleted by that mark, it goes.
+	if err := b.MarkUnnamed(ctx, name, judged); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if gone, err := b.Delete(ctx, name, judged); err != nil || !gone {
+		t.Fatalf("an object still carrying the mark it was judged by is kept: gone %v, %v", gone, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1696/AC9 on a real bus: the sweep of a node's bucket takes the node's lock first, so it waits for a send that has put its objects
+// and not yet published the declaration that names them.
+func TestTheSweepOfANodesBucketHoldsTheNodesLock(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC9
+	s := testbus.Start(t)
+	conn, err := nats.Connect(s.ClientURL())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 60*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	const node = "sweep-lock-node"
+	if _, err := openBucket(ctx, conn, node); err != nil { // the bucket exists, or the sweep would return before the lock
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	release := lockFilesOf(node) // a send is between its put and its publication
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		_, _ = sweepNode(ctx, conn, node)
+		close(done)
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		t.Fatal("the sweep judged the node's bucket while a send held it")
+	case <-time.After(300 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	release()
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+	case <-time.After(20 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the sweep did not go on once the send let go")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_files_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,534 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	sdkdecl "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// contentOf is a deterministic content of n bytes that does not compress to nothing and holds no character JSON escapes.
+func contentOf(seed string, n int) string {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	for i := 0; b.Len() < n; i++ {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%s-%07d-%x;", seed, i, i*2654435761%1000003)
+	}
+	return b.String()[:n]
+}
+
+func aFileResource(id, content string) map[string]any {
+	return map[string]any{"id": id, "type": "file", "path": "/etc/" + id, "mode": "0644", "content": content}
+}
+
+// controlNodeShape is a declaration shaped like the control node's on 2026-10-21 (issue 1689), the sizes measured then: a bus users
+// file of 252,678 bytes, the vault's export of 138,475 bytes (compact), the tool runtime 21 KB, the packet filter 19 KB, the launcher
+// 14 KB, and about 600 small resources for the rest (about 286 KB). `more` scales the count of small ones: 1 is the shape, 1.4 forty
+// percent more of them.
+func controlNodeShape(more float64) []map[string]any {
+	res := []map[string]any{
+		aFileResource("nats.bus-users", contentOf("users", 252678)),
+		aFileResource("mesh-vault.kept", contentOf("kept", 138475)),
+		aFileResource("node-tools.runtime", contentOf("runtime", 21<<10)),
+		aFileResource("nftables.filtering", contentOf("filter", 19<<10)),
+		aFileResource("mesh-host.launcher", contentOf("launcher", 14<<10)),
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < int(600*more); i++ {
+		res = append(res, aFileResource(fmt.Sprintf("module-%03d.config", i), contentOf(fmt.Sprintf("small%d", i), 380)))
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+func wireSizeOf(t *testing.T, s sendable) int {
+	t.Helper()
+	body, err := s.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The signature the controller's key makes is 64 bytes.
+	msg, err := link.Envelope(body, make([]byte, 64))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return len(msg)
+}
+
+// 1696/AC1: for a node that reports the capability, the two big files of a control-node-shaped declaration carry their digest and size
+// and no content, and the declaration is far under the bus's 1 MiB.
+func TestAFileOver64KiBTravelsByDigestToANodeThatReadsOne(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC1
+	users, kept := contentOf("users", 252678), contentOf("kept", 138475)
+	s := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: []map[string]any{
+		aFileResource("nats.bus-users", users), aFileResource("mesh-vault.kept", kept),
+		aFileResource("small", "tiny\n"),
+	}}
+	body, err := s.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var got struct {
+		Resources []map[string]any `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i, want := range []string{users, kept} {
+		r := got.Resources[i]
+		digest := sdkdecl.DigestOf([]byte(want))
+		if _, has := r["content"]; has || r["digest"] != digest || r["size"] != float64(len(want)) {
+			t.Errorf("%v goes with content %v, digest %v, size %v; want no content, %s and %d", r["id"], r["content"] != nil,
+				r["digest"], r["size"], digest, len(want))
+		}
+		if r["path"] == nil || r["mode"] != "0644" {
+			t.Errorf("%v lost its path or mode: %v", r["id"], r)
+		}
+	}
+	if got.Resources[2]["content"] != "tiny\n" || got.Resources[2]["digest"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a small file is not inline: %v", got.Resources[2])
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(body), users[:200]) || strings.Contains(string(body), kept[:200]) {
+		t.Error("the content of a file that went by digest is in the body")
+	}
+	if n := wireSizeOf(t, s); n > 100<<10 {
+		t.Errorf("the declaration is %d bytes on the wire, want under 100 KB", n)
+	}
+	// The objects to put are the contents, each under the hex of its digest, and a reference verifies against its object.
+	objects, err := s.objects()
+	if err != nil || len(objects) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("objects: %v %v", objects, err)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{users, kept} {
+		name, _ := sdkdecl.ObjectName(sdkdecl.DigestOf([]byte(want)))
+		if string(objects[name]) != want {
+			t.Errorf("the object %s does not hold the content", name[:12])
+		}
+	}
+	named, err := namedObjects(body)
+	if err != nil || len(named) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("the objects the body names: %v %v", named, err)
+	}
+	for name := range objects {
+		if _, ok := named[name]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf("the body does not name the object %s it was sent with", name[:12])
+		}
+		if _, err := hex.DecodeString(name); err != nil || len(name) != 64 {
+			t.Errorf("the object name %q is not 64 hex characters", name)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// 1696/AC2: a node that does not report the capability is sent every content inline, as before, and has no object put.
+func TestANodeWithoutTheCapabilityIsSentEveryContentInline(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC2
+	users := contentOf("users", 252678)
+	s := sendable{Resources: []map[string]any{aFileResource("nats.bus-users", users)}}
+	body, err := s.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var got struct {
+		Resources []map[string]any `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.Resources[0]["content"] != users || got.Resources[0]["digest"] != nil || got.Resources[0]["size"] != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a node that reads no references is not sent the content inline: %v", got.Resources[0]["digest"])
+	}
+	if objects, err := s.objects(); err != nil || len(objects) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("objects for a node that reads none: %v %v", len(objects), err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1696/AC3: only a file that may travel by digest does: one of exactly 64 KiB, a sealed one, one filled with secrets, one written
+// into another file, and a directory stay inline, whatever the node reads.
+func TestOnlyAFileThatMayTravelByDigestDoes(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC3
+	exact := contentOf("exact", 64<<10)
+	big := contentOf("big", 64<<10+1)
+	sealed := aFileResource("sealed", big)
+	sealed["sealed"], sealed["content"] = "box", ""
+	sealed["content"] = big // a sealed file's content is none; the body must pass it as it is, whatever it holds
+	secret := aFileResource("secret", big)
+	secret["secrets"] = map[string]any{"token": "x"}
+	into := aFileResource("into", big)
+	into["into"] = "/etc/other"
+	s := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: []map[string]any{
+		aFileResource("exact", exact), sealed, secret, into,
+		{"id": "dir", "type": "directory", "path": "/etc/d", "content": big},
+		aFileResource("big", big),
+	}}
+	body, err := s.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var got struct {
+		Resources []map[string]any `json:"resources"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i, id := range []string{"exact", "sealed", "secret", "into", "dir"} {
+		if got.Resources[i]["id"] != id || got.Resources[i]["digest"] != nil || got.Resources[i]["content"] == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s went by digest or lost its content: %v", id, got.Resources[i]["digest"])
+		}
+	}
+	if big := got.Resources[5]; big["id"] != "big" || big["digest"] == nil || big["content"] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a plain file of 64 KiB and a byte did not go by digest: %v", big["digest"])
+	}
+}
+
+// A file given as bytes goes by digest on its decoded length, with the decoded bytes in the object.
+func TestAFileOfBytesTravelsByDigestOnItsDecodedLength(t *testing.T) {
+	raw := []byte(contentOf("png", 70<<10))
+	r := map[string]any{"id": "icon", "type": "file", "path": "/usr/share/icon.png", "bytes": stdBase64(raw)}
+	s := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: []map[string]any{r}}
+	objects, err := s.objects()
+	if err != nil || len(objects) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", len(objects), err)
+	}
+	name, _ := sdkdecl.ObjectName(sdkdecl.DigestOf(raw))
+	if string(objects[name]) != string(raw) {
+		t.Fatal("the object is not the decoded bytes")
+	}
+	if r["bytes"] == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the composed resource was changed in place")
+	}
+}
+
+type memObjects struct {
+	have   map[string][]byte
+	marked map[string]bool
+	puts   []string
+	fail   map[string]error
+}
+
+func (m *memObjects) Has(_ context.Context, name string) (bool, bool, error) {
+	_, ok := m.have[name]
+	return ok, m.marked[name], nil
+}
+func (m *memObjects) Put(_ context.Context, name string, c []byte) error {
+	if err := m.fail[name]; err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	m.puts = append(m.puts, name)
+	m.have[name] = c
+	delete(m.marked, name)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// 1696/AC4: an object already in the bucket is not put again, one absent is, and a put that fails stops the send, naming the object.
+func TestObjectsAreInTheBucketBeforeTheDeclarationIsSent(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC4
+	objects := map[string][]byte{strings.Repeat("a", 64): []byte("one"), strings.Repeat("b", 64): []byte("two")}
+	b := &memObjects{have: map[string][]byte{strings.Repeat("a", 64): []byte("one")}}
+	if err := putObjects(t.Context(), b, objects); err != nil || len(b.puts) != 1 || b.puts[0] != strings.Repeat("b", 64) {
+		t.Fatalf("put %v (%v), want the one absent", b.puts, err)
+	}
+	// An object the sweep marked unnamed is put again, which erases the mark: a send relies on it.
+	b = &memObjects{have: map[string][]byte{strings.Repeat("a", 64): []byte("one"), strings.Repeat("b", 64): []byte("two")},
+		marked: map[string]bool{strings.Repeat("a", 64): true}}
+	if err := putObjects(t.Context(), b, objects); err != nil || len(b.puts) != 1 || b.puts[0] != strings.Repeat("a", 64) || b.marked[strings.Repeat("a", 64)] {
+		t.Fatalf("a marked object: put %v (%v) marked %v, want it put again and the mark gone", b.puts, err, b.marked)
+	}
+	b = &memObjects{have: map[string][]byte{}, fail: map[string]error{strings.Repeat("a", 64): errors.New("permissions violation")}}
+	err := putObjects(t.Context(), b, objects)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "aaaaaaaaaaaa") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "permissions violation") {
+		t.Fatalf("a failed put: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// fallbackDelivery refuses the first declaration it is sent with the bucket's failure, as a bus that has not yet been given the
+// controller's grant does, and takes the second.
+type fallbackDelivery struct {
+	bodies [][]byte
+	first  error
+}
+
+func (f *fallbackDelivery) grant(context.Context, []readyNode) error { return nil }
+func (f *fallbackDelivery) declare(_ context.Context, _ readyNode, body []byte) (string, error) {
+	f.bodies = append(f.bodies, body)
+	if len(f.bodies) == 1 && f.first != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("x: %w: %w", errFilesNotPut, f.first)
+	}
+	return "digest", nil
+}
+
+// 1696/AC5: when the bucket cannot be written yet (the grant travels in the declaration of the machine holding the bus), that send goes
+// with every content inline and is made; a send that fails for another reason is not retried inline.
+func TestASendWhoseFilesCannotBePutGoesInlineOnce(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC5
+	users := contentOf("users", 100<<10)
+	s := readyNode{node: "novox", declared: sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: []map[string]any{aFileResource("nats.bus-users", users)}}}
+	f := &fallbackDelivery{first: errors.New("timeout")}
+	digests, err := deliver(t.Context(), f, "novox", []readyNode{s})
+	if err != nil || digests["novox"] != "digest" || len(f.bodies) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v %d", digests, err, len(f.bodies))
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(f.bodies[0]), users[:100]) || !strings.Contains(string(f.bodies[1]), users[:100]) {
+		t.Error("the first body should name the file by digest and the second carry it inline")
+	}
+	other := &fallbackDelivery{}
+	other.first = nil
+	failing := &failingDelivery{err: errors.New("the bus is down")}
+	if _, err := deliver(t.Context(), failing, "novox", []readyNode{s}); err == nil || failing.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a failure of another kind: %v after %d send(s)", err, failing.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+type failingDelivery struct {
+	err   error
+	calls int
+}
+
+func (f *failingDelivery) grant(context.Context, []readyNode) error { return nil }
+func (f *failingDelivery) declare(context.Context, readyNode, []byte) (string, error) {
+	f.calls++
+	return "", f.err
+}
+
+// A bucket for the sweep.
+type sweepBucketFake struct {
+	objects map[string]time.Time // zero: named at the last look
+	deleted []string
+}
+
+func (b *sweepBucketFake) Objects(context.Context) ([]bucketObject, error) {
+	var out []bucketObject
+	for n, at := range b.objects {
+		out = append(out, bucketObject{Name: n, UnnamedSince: at})
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+func (b *sweepBucketFake) MarkUnnamed(_ context.Context, n string, at time.Time) error {
+	b.objects[n] = at
+	return nil
+}
+func (b *sweepBucketFake) ClearUnnamed(_ context.Context, n string) error {
+	b.objects[n] = time.Time{}
+	return nil
+}
+func (b *sweepBucketFake) Delete(_ context.Context, n string, markedAt time.Time) (bool, error) {
+	if at, ok := b.objects[n]; !ok || !at.Equal(markedAt) {
+		return false, nil // put again since it was judged: its mark is gone
+	}
+	delete(b.objects, n)
+	b.deleted = append(b.deleted, n)
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+// 1696/AC6: an object a latest declaration still names is not removed, however long; one unnamed is marked at the first look and removed
+// only when the mark is 24 hours old; one named again loses its mark.
+func TestAnObjectIsRemovedADayAfterNoLatestDeclarationNamesIt(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC6
+	named, unnamed, back := strings.Repeat("1", 64), strings.Repeat("2", 64), strings.Repeat("3", 64)
+	t0 := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	b := &sweepBucketFake{objects: map[string]time.Time{named: t0.Add(-100 * time.Hour), unnamed: {}, back: t0.Add(-5 * time.Hour)}}
+	named3 := map[string]bool{named: true, back: true}
+	r, err := sweepDeclarationFiles(t.Context(), b, named3, t0)
+	if err != nil || r.Marked != 1 || r.Cleared != 2 || r.Removed != 0 || len(b.deleted) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("first look: %+v %v %v", r, err, b.deleted)
+	}
+	if !b.objects[named].IsZero() || !b.objects[back].IsZero() || !b.objects[unnamed].Equal(t0) {
+		t.Fatalf("marks after the first look: %v", b.objects)
+	}
+	// Still unnamed 23 hours 59 minutes later: kept. A day after the mark: removed. The named ones stay for ever.
+	if r, err = sweepDeclarationFiles(t.Context(), b, map[string]bool{named: true, back: true}, t0.Add(24*time.Hour-time.Minute)); err != nil ||
+		r.Removed != 0 || len(b.deleted) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a minute short of a day: %+v %v %v", r, err, b.deleted)
+	}
+	if r, err = sweepDeclarationFiles(t.Context(), b, map[string]bool{named: true, back: true}, t0.Add(24*time.Hour)); err != nil ||
+		r.Removed != 1 || len(b.deleted) != 1 || b.deleted[0] != unnamed {
+		t.Fatalf("a day after: %+v %v %v", r, err, b.deleted)
+	}
+	if _, ok := b.objects[named]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("an object a latest declaration names was removed")
+	}
+	// An object named again before the day is up loses its mark and is not removed.
+	b = &sweepBucketFake{objects: map[string]time.Time{unnamed: t0}}
+	if _, err := sweepDeclarationFiles(t.Context(), b, map[string]bool{unnamed: true}, t0.Add(23*time.Hour)); err != nil || !b.objects[unnamed].IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("named again: %v %v", b.objects, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// What a node's latest declaration names is read from the signed envelope as stored on the bus; an unreadable one is an error and
+// never "names none", which would mark an object a node needs.
+func TestTheObjectsALatestDeclarationNamesAreReadFromTheBus(t *testing.T) {
+	s := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: []map[string]any{aFileResource("a", contentOf("a", 70<<10))}}
+	body, _ := s.Body()
+	msg, _ := link.Envelope(body, []byte("sig"))
+	named, err := namedByLatest("novox", msg)
+	name, _ := sdkdecl.ObjectName(sdkdecl.DigestOf([]byte(contentOf("a", 70<<10))))
+	if err != nil || len(named) != 1 || !named[name] {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", named, err)
+	}
+	if none, err := namedByLatest("ace", []byte(`{"declaration":"e30=","signature":""}`)); err != nil || len(none) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a declaration naming none: %v %v", none, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := namedByLatest("novox", []byte("not json")); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("an unreadable latest declaration was read as naming none")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1698/AC2 (ADR 0486 §9): a declaration shaped like the control node's, for a node that reads references, stays under half of the
+// bus's largest message on the wire; the inline form of the same does not fit at all; and the same shape with 40 percent more resources
+// fails the test's own limit, so a change that eats the room fails in a pull request and not on the live mesh.
+func TestTheControlNodesDeclarationInTheReferenceFormStaysUnderHalfTheBusLimit(t *testing.T) { // 1698/AC2
+	const limit = 1048576
+	shape := sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: controlNodeShape(1)}
+	n := wireSizeOf(t, shape)
+	t.Logf("the control node's shape in the reference form: %d bytes on the wire, %.1f%% of %d", n, 100*float64(n)/limit, limit)
+	if n > limit/2 {
+		t.Errorf("the reference form is %d bytes on the wire, over half (%d) of the bus's largest message", n, limit/2)
+	}
+	if inline := wireSizeOf(t, sendable{Resources: controlNodeShape(1)}); inline < limit*3/4 {
+		t.Errorf("the inline form is %d bytes, which is not the shape that was over the limit", inline)
+	}
+	grown := wireSizeOf(t, sendable{fileReferences: true, Resources: controlNodeShape(1.4)})
+	if grown <= limit/2 {
+		t.Errorf("the shape with 40%% more resources is %d bytes, which the test would let pass", grown)
+	}
+}
+
+func stdBase64(b []byte) string { return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(b) }
+
+// A sweep that read an object's mark before a send put it again must not remove it: the object, now without the mark, is left.
+func TestASweepDoesNotRemoveAnObjectASendPutAgainAfterItWasJudged(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC8
+	n := strings.Repeat("4", 64)
+	t0 := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	b := &sweepBucketFake{objects: map[string]time.Time{n: t0}}
+	judged := bucketObject{Name: n, UnnamedSince: t0}
+	b.objects[n] = time.Time{} // the send put it again: no mark
+	if gone, err := b.Delete(t.Context(), judged.Name, judged.UnnamedSince); err != nil || gone || len(b.deleted) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an object put again was removed: %v %v %v", gone, err, b.deleted)
+	}
+}
+
+// One node's bucket is held by one act at a time in this process: the sweep waits for a send that has put its objects and not yet
+// published the declaration that names them (1696/AC9).
+func TestTheSweepOfANodesBucketWaitsForASendThatHasPutItsObjects(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC9
+	unlock := lockFilesOf("lock-test-node")
+	got := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer lockFilesOf("lock-test-node")()
+		close(got)
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-got:
+		t.Fatal("the sweep took the node's bucket while a send held it")
+	case <-time.After(50 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	other := lockFilesOf("lock-test-other-node") // another node's bucket is not held
+	other()
+	unlock()
+	select {
+	case <-got:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the sweep did not take the node's bucket once the send was done")
+	}
+}
+
+// A put that fails send after send raises a condition; the first failure does not (the grant it waits for travels in that very
+// declaration), and a put that works clears it (1696/AC10).
+func TestAPutThatFailsSendAfterSendRaisesAConditionAndClearsWhenItWorks(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC10
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store,
+		Teller: &conditions.Told{}, Now: func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }})
+	t.Cleanup(func() { k.Close(t.Context()) })
+	was := conditionsFrom
+	conditionsFrom = k
+	t.Cleanup(func() { conditionsFrom = was })
+	key := filesNotPutObservation("cond-node", "").Key()
+	open := func() bool {
+		_, found, err := conditions.ReadOne(t.Context(), store, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return found
+	}
+	boom := errors.New("permissions violation")
+	notePut(t.Context(), "cond-node", boom)
+	if open() {
+		t.Fatal("the first failure raised the condition")
+	}
+	notePut(t.Context(), "cond-node", boom)
+	if !open() {
+		t.Fatal("the second failure in a row did not raise the condition")
+	}
+	notePut(t.Context(), "cond-node", nil)
+	if open() {
+		t.Fatal("a put that worked did not clear the condition")
+	}
+	notePut(t.Context(), "cond-node", boom)
+	if open() {
+		t.Fatal("the count did not start again after a put that worked")
+	}
+}
+
+// aBusThatSays is a bus that keeps the declarations published to it and, at each, asks whether the node's bucket is held.
+type aBusThatSays struct {
+	link.Bus
+	published     chan string
+	heldAtPublish func() bool
+}
+
+func (b *aBusThatSays) PublishDeclaration(_ context.Context, node string, _ []byte) error {
+	if b.heldAtPublish != nil && !b.heldAtPublish() {
+		return errors.New("published while the node's bucket was not held")
+	}
+	b.published <- node
+	return errors.New("stop here: nothing is recorded")
+}
+
+type aSignerOfZeros struct{}
+
+func (aSignerOfZeros) Sign(context.Context, []byte) ([]byte, error) { return make([]byte, 64), nil }
+
+// whileHeld says whether the node's lock is held by someone right now, without keeping it.
+func whileHeld(node string) bool {
+	got := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer lockFilesOf(node)()
+		close(got)
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-got:
+		return false
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+		// held: the goroutine stays waiting and takes and releases the lock once it is let go.
+		return true
+	}
+}
+
+// 1696/AC9: a send holds the node's lock from the put to the publication, so the sweep never removes an object between them. The
+// test goes through overTheBus.declare: while another holds the lock the declaration is not published, and at the publication the
+// lock is held.
+func TestASendHoldsTheNodesLockFromThePutToThePublication(t *testing.T) { // 1696/AC9
+	const node = "lock-send-node"
+	bus := &aBusThatSays{published: make(chan string, 1)}
+	bus.heldAtPublish = func() bool { return whileHeld(node) }
+	send := overTheBus{server: link.SendingOn(bus), signer: aSignerOfZeros{}}
+	release := lockFilesOf(node) // a sweep is judging this node's bucket
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		_, err := send.declare(t.Context(), readyNode{node: node}, []byte(`{}`))
+		done <- err
+	}()
+	select {
+	case n := <-bus.published:
+		t.Fatalf("%s was sent its declaration while the sweep held the node's bucket", n)
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	release()
+	select {
+	case <-bus.published:
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("the send did not go on once the sweep let go")
+	}
+	if err := <-done; err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "nothing is recorded") {
+		t.Fatalf("the send did not reach the publication (a lock held at it): %v", err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_room.go

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// **A declaration is one bus message, and the bus's largest message is a cliff** (novox/hq issue 1689). On 2026-10-21
+// the control node's declaration passed it by 2 KB and nothing reached that node until two assignments were undone.
+// So the size is measured at every send: a warning condition from 75% of the limit (ADR 0486 §8, issue 1698: it was 90% while every file travelled inline), urgent over it, cleared when
+// the declaration is back under 75%. The limit is the connection's own, not a constant.
+
+// kindDeclarationNearLimit is a declaration at or near the bus's largest message.
+const kindDeclarationNearLimit = "declaration-near-limit"
+
+// declarationRoomSource is the condition's source: the sends.
+const declarationRoomSource = "sends"
+
+func declarationRoomObservation(node string, size, limit int64) conditions.Observation {
+	o := conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: node, Kind: kindDeclarationNearLimit,
+		Token: kindDeclarationNearLimit, Machine: node, Severity: conditions.Warning, Source: declarationRoomSource}
+	if size > limit {
+		o.Severity = conditions.Urgent
+	}
+	o.Summary = fmt.Sprintf("%s's declaration is %d bytes on the wire, %d%% of the bus's largest message of %d bytes",
+		node, size, size*100/limit, limit)
+	if size > limit {
+		o.Summary += ": over it, so it cannot be sent"
+	}
+	return o
+}
+
+func init() {
+	link.DeclarationMeasured = func(ctx context.Context, node string, size, limit int64) {
+		settleDeclarationRoom(ctx, conditionsFrom, node, size, limit)
+	}
+}
+
+// settleDeclarationRoom raises or clears the condition of a declaration's size. A nil keeper (a tool, not the
+// serving controller) says nothing.
+func settleDeclarationRoom(ctx context.Context, keeper *conditions.Keeper, node string, size, limit int64) {
+	if keeper == nil || limit <= 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	obs := declarationRoomObservation(node, size, limit)
+	if float64(size) < link.NearTheLimit*float64(limit) {
+		if _, err := keeper.Clear(ctx, obs.Key(), fmt.Sprintf("%s's declaration is %d bytes, under the limit's margin", node, size)); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("the condition %s could not be cleared: %v\n", obs.Key(), err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("NEAR THE LIMIT: %s\n", obs.Summary)
+	if _, err := keeper.Observe(ctx, obs); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("the condition %s could not be raised: %v\n", obs.Key(), err)
+	}
+}
+
+// compactKept writes the vault's export compact. The composition (the SDK's keptFile) writes it indented, and its 334
+// sealed secrets were 164,763 bytes of it against 138,474 compact: a fifth of the declaration's room, in whitespace,
+// base64-encoded again on the wire. Every reader parses JSON, so the spacing is nobody's. A resource that is not
+// the export, or whose content is not JSON, is left as it is. The resources are copied, never changed in place.
+func compactKept(resources []map[string]any) []map[string]any {
+	out := make([]map[string]any, len(resources))
+	for i, r := range resources {
+		out[i] = r
+		id, _ := r["id"].(string)
+		path, _ := r["path"].(string)
+		content, ok := r["content"].(string)
+		if !ok || (id != "kept" && !strings.HasSuffix(id, ".kept")) || !strings.HasSuffix(path, "/export.json") {
+			continue
+		}
+		var dst bytes.Buffer
+		if json.Compact(&dst, []byte(content)) != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(content, "\n") {
+			dst.WriteByte('\n')
+		}
+		if dst.String() == content {
+			continue
+		}
+		c := make(map[string]any, len(r))
+		for k, v := range r {
+			c[k] = v
+		}
+		c["content"] = dst.String()
+		out[i] = c
+	}
+	return out
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_room_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+)
+
+// The vault's export is sent compact (issue 1689): same document, no indentation, one rewrite.
+func TestTheVaultsExportIsSentCompactAndNothingElseIsTouched(t *testing.T) {
+	indented := "{\n  \"export\": 1,\n  \"kept\": [\n    {\n      \"name\": \"a\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n"
+	other := "{\n  \"x\": 1\n}\n"
+	in := []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "mesh-vault.kept", "type": "file", "path": "/srv/vault/export.json", "mode": "0600", "content": indented},
+		{"id": "mesh-vault.config", "type": "file", "path": "/srv/vault/config.json", "content": other},
+		{"id": "other.kept", "type": "file", "path": "/srv/other/notes.json", "content": other},
+	}
+	out := compactKept(in)
+	want := "{\"export\":1,\"kept\":[{\"name\":\"a\"}]}\n"
+	if out[0]["content"] != want || out[0]["mode"] != "0600" || out[0]["path"] != "/srv/vault/export.json" {
+		t.Fatalf("the export is %q (%v), expected %q with its mode and path kept", out[0]["content"], out[0], want)
+	}
+	if out[1]["content"] != other || out[2]["content"] != other {
+		t.Fatalf("a file that is not the export was rewritten: %v %v", out[1], out[2])
+	}
+	if in[0]["content"] != indented {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed resource was changed in place")
+	}
+	if again := compactKept(out); again[0]["content"] != want {
+		t.Fatalf("compacting twice changed it: %q", again[0]["content"])
+	}
+}
+
+// From 75% of the bus's largest message (ADR 0486 §8, issue 1698) the declaration is a warning; over it, urgent; back under 75%, cleared.
+func TestADeclarationNearTheBusLimitRaisesAConditionAndClearsWhenSmaller(t *testing.T) {
+	store := conditions.NewInMemory()
+	k := conditions.NewKeeper(t.Context(), conditions.Options{Store: store, History: store,
+		Teller: &conditions.Told{}, Now: func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }})
+	t.Cleanup(func() { k.Close(t.Context()) })
+	const limit = 1000
+	key := declarationRoomObservation("novox", 0, limit).Key()
+	read := func() (conditions.Condition, bool) {
+		t.Helper()
+		c, found, err := conditions.ReadOne(t.Context(), store, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return c, found
+	}
+
+	settleDeclarationRoom(t.Context(), k, "novox", 749, limit)
+	if _, found := read(); found {
+		t.Fatal("a declaration at 74.9% raised a condition")
+	}
+	settleDeclarationRoom(t.Context(), k, "novox", 750, limit)
+	c, found := read()
+	if !found || c.Severity != conditions.Warning || !strings.Contains(c.Summary, "750 bytes") ||
+		!strings.Contains(c.Summary, "1000") || c.Subject.Machine != "novox" {
+		t.Fatalf("at 75%% the condition is %v %+v", found, c)
+	}
+	settleDeclarationRoom(t.Context(), k, "novox", 1001, limit)
+	if c, _ := read(); c.Severity != conditions.Urgent {
+		t.Fatalf("over the limit the condition is %q, expected urgent", c.Severity)
+	}
+	settleDeclarationRoom(t.Context(), k, "novox", 700, limit)
+	if _, found := read(); found {
+		t.Fatal("the condition stayed after the declaration fell under 75%")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declaration_sweep.go

@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// **An object is removed a day after no node's latest declaration names it** (novox/hq ADR 0486 §3, issue 1696), so a node that is
+// asleep and receives its latest declaration later still finds every object that declaration names. What each node's latest
+// declaration names is read from the bus itself, the last message of that node's subject of the stream NODES: nothing else
+// is kept of it. When an object is first found named by none, the time is written in its own metadata (declarationUnnamed);
+// found named again, that is erased; found unnamed for a day, it is removed. Each node has a bucket of its own, judged against that
+// node's latest declaration alone. Objects are immutable and regenerable from the
+// controller's state, so a removal loses nothing.
+
+// declarationUnnamed is the key of an object's metadata holding when it was first found named by no node's latest declaration.
+const declarationUnnamed = "unnamed-since"
+
+// sweepEvery is how often the bucket is judged: the removal is exact to within this.
+const sweepEvery = time.Hour
+
+// bucketObject is one object of the bucket as the sweep sees it.
+type bucketObject struct {
+	Name string
+	// UnnamedSince is when it was first found named by none, zero when it was named at the last look.
+	UnnamedSince time.Time
+}
+
+// sweptBucket is what the sweep needs of the bucket.
+type sweptBucket interface {
+	Objects(ctx context.Context) ([]bucketObject, error)
+	MarkUnnamed(ctx context.Context, name string, since time.Time) error
+	ClearUnnamed(ctx context.Context, name string) error
+	// Delete removes the object if it still carries the mark it was judged by, and says whether it did: a send that put it again
+	// since has erased the mark, and the object is left.
+	Delete(ctx context.Context, name string, markedAt time.Time) (bool, error)
+}
+
+// filesSweep says what a sweep did.
+type filesSweep struct{ Kept, Marked, Cleared, Removed int }
+
+// sweepDeclarationFiles judges every object against the names of the latest declarations: named ones are kept (and a
+// mark of being unnamed is erased), unnamed ones are marked at the first look and removed once the mark is a day old.
+func sweepDeclarationFiles(ctx context.Context, bucket sweptBucket, named map[string]bool, now time.Time) (filesSweep, error) {
+	var r filesSweep
+	objects, err := bucket.Objects(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return r, err
+	}
+	sort.Slice(objects, func(i, j int) bool { return objects[i].Name < objects[j].Name })
+	for _, o := range objects {
+		switch {
+		case named[o.Name]:
+			r.Kept++
+			if !o.UnnamedSince.IsZero() {
+				if err := bucket.ClearUnnamed(ctx, o.Name); err != nil {
+					return r, fmt.Errorf("the object %s: %w", o.Name[:12], err)
+				}
+				r.Cleared++
+			}
+		case o.UnnamedSince.IsZero():
+			if err := bucket.MarkUnnamed(ctx, o.Name, now); err != nil {
+				return r, fmt.Errorf("the object %s: %w", o.Name[:12], err)
+			}
+			r.Marked++
+		case now.Sub(o.UnnamedSince) >= broker.DeclarationFilesKeptFor:
+			gone, err := bucket.Delete(ctx, o.Name, o.UnnamedSince)
+			if err != nil {
+				return r, fmt.Errorf("the object %s: %w", o.Name[:12], err)
+			}
+			if gone {
+				r.Removed++
+			} else {
+				r.Kept++
+			}
+		default:
+			r.Kept++
+		}
+	}
+	return r, nil
+}
+
+// namedByLatest is the name of every object this latest declaration of a node names. A body that cannot be read is an error, never
+// "names none": an object the node still needs would be marked for removal.
+func namedByLatest(node string, signed []byte) (map[string]bool, error) {
+	var s link.Signed
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(signed, &s); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's latest declaration is not readable: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	names, err := namedObjects(s.Declaration)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's latest declaration is not readable: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	named := make(map[string]bool, len(names))
+	for name := range names {
+		named[name] = true
+	}
+	return named, nil
+}
+
+// latestDeclarations are the last signed declarations of the nodes, by node, as the stream NODES holds them. A node with none has
+// no entry.
+func latestDeclarations(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, nodes []string) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	js, err := conn.JetStream(nats.Context(ctx))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := map[string][]byte{}
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		msg, err := js.GetLastMsg("NODES", link.DeclareSubject(node), nats.Context(ctx))
+		if errors.Is(err, nats.ErrMsgNotFound) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the latest declaration of %s: %w", node, err)
+		}
+		out[node] = msg.Data
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// busSweptBucket is the bucket on the controller's connection.
+type busSweptBucket struct{ store jetstream.ObjectStore }
+
+func (b busSweptBucket) Objects(ctx context.Context) ([]bucketObject, error) {
+	infos, err := b.store.List(ctx)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoObjectsFound) {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := make([]bucketObject, 0, len(infos))
+	for _, info := range infos {
+		o := bucketObject{Name: info.Name}
+		if at, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, info.Metadata[declarationUnnamed]); err == nil {
+			o.UnnamedSince = at
+		}
+		out = append(out, o)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (b busSweptBucket) meta(ctx context.Context, name string, change func(map[string]string)) error {
+	info, err := b.store.GetInfo(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	meta := info.ObjectMeta
+	kept := map[string]string{}
+	for k, v := range meta.Metadata {
+		kept[k] = v
+	}
+	change(kept)
+	meta.Metadata = kept
+	return b.store.UpdateMeta(ctx, name, meta)
+}
+
+func (b busSweptBucket) MarkUnnamed(ctx context.Context, name string, since time.Time) error {
+	return b.meta(ctx, name, func(m map[string]string) { m[declarationUnnamed] = since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339) })
+}
+
+func (b busSweptBucket) ClearUnnamed(ctx context.Context, name string) error {
+	return b.meta(ctx, name, func(m map[string]string) { delete(m, declarationUnnamed) })
+}
+
+func (b busSweptBucket) Delete(ctx context.Context, name string, markedAt time.Time) (bool, error) {
+	info, err := b.store.GetInfo(ctx, name)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrObjectNotFound) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if at, perr := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, info.Metadata[declarationUnnamed]); perr != nil || !at.Equal(markedAt) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	return true, b.store.Delete(ctx, name)
+}
+
+// sweepingDeclarationFiles judges the bucket every sweepEvery for as long as this controller serves and holds the lease.
+func sweepingDeclarationFiles(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn) {
+	tick := time.NewTicker(sweepEvery)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	failing := ""
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+		if epoch, err := theLease.epoch(ctx); err != nil || epoch == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		why := sweepOnce(ctx, inv, conn)
+		if why != failing {
+			if why != "" {
+				fmt.Printf("the bucket of declaration files cannot be swept: %s\n", why)
+			} else {
+				fmt.Printf("the bucket of declaration files is swept again\n")
+			}
+			failing = why
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// sweepOnce judges the bucket of every node against that node's latest declaration, one bucket at a time under the node's lock, with
+// the declaration read again under it: a send that put an object and published its declaration is seen, and one that has not yet
+// is waiting for the lock.
+func sweepOnce(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn) string {
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("the nodes cannot be read: %v", err)
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	var total filesSweep
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		r, err := sweepNode(ctx, conn, n.Name)
+		total.Kept, total.Marked, total.Cleared, total.Removed = total.Kept+r.Kept, total.Marked+r.Marked, total.Cleared+r.Cleared, total.Removed+r.Removed
+		if err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: %v", n.Name, err))
+		}
+	}
+	if total.Removed+total.Marked+total.Cleared > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("the buckets of declaration files: %d object(s) kept, %d found unnamed, %d named again, %d removed\n",
+			total.Kept, total.Marked, total.Cleared, total.Removed)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(problems, "; ")
+}
+
+func sweepNode(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, node string) (filesSweep, error) {
+	working, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 2*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+	js, err := jetstream.New(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return filesSweep{}, err
+	}
+	bucket, err := broker.DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return filesSweep{}, fmt.Errorf("the bucket of node %q: %w", node, err)
+	}
+	store, err := js.ObjectStore(working, bucket)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrBucketNotFound) {
+		return filesSweep{}, nil // a node never sent a reference has no bucket yet
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return filesSweep{}, fmt.Errorf("the bucket cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer lockFilesOf(node)()
+	latest, err := latestDeclarations(working, conn, []string{node})
+	if err != nil {
+		return filesSweep{}, err
+	}
+	named := map[string]bool{}
+	if body, ok := latest[node]; ok {
+		if named, err = namedByLatest(node, body); err != nil {
+			return filesSweep{}, err
+		}
+	}
+	return sweepDeclarationFiles(working, busSweptBucket{store}, named, time.Now())
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/declared_packages_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// 1840/AC5 (ADR 0507 §5): the source of the declared-packages mirror composes each node and names, for a package two modules
+// declare and one declared absent, the modules that declare it; the same records give the same bytes on a second pass, so
+// the mirror writes nothing; a node with no package has a key that says so.
+func TestTheDeclaredPackagesMirrorNamesWhatEachNodesModulesDeclare(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "viewer", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "pkg-curl", "type": "package", "package": "curl"},
+		{"id": "pkg-nano", "type": "package", "package": "nano", "absent": true}}})
+	register(t, open, catalogue.Manifest{Module: "fetcher", Version: "1", Resources: []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "pkg-curl", "type": "package", "package": "curl"}}})
+	for _, module := range []string{"viewer", "fetcher"} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "anchor", module); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("assign anchor %s: %v", module, err)
+		}
+	}
+	source := declaredPackagesMirror(open)
+	first, err := source(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var got inventory.DeclaredPackagesMirrored
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(first["anchor"], &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("anchor has no value: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := []inventory.PackageDeclared{{Package: "curl", Modules: []string{"fetcher", "viewer"}},
+		{Package: "nano", Modules: []string{"viewer"}, Absent: true}}
+	if len(got.Packages) != len(want) {
+		t.Fatalf("anchor declares %+v, want %+v", got.Packages, want)
+	}
+	for i, p := range want {
+		if g := got.Packages[i]; g.Package != p.Package || g.Absent != p.Absent || len(g.Modules) != len(p.Modules) ||
+			(len(p.Modules) > 0 && g.Modules[0] != p.Modules[0]) {
+			t.Errorf("package %d is %+v, want %+v", i, g, p)
+		}
+	}
+	if string(first["laptop"]) != `{"node":"laptop","packages":[]}` {
+		t.Errorf("a node declaring none is %s", first["laptop"])
+	}
+	second, err := source(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for node, value := range first {
+		if string(second[node]) != string(value) {
+			t.Errorf("the value of %s changed between two passes over the same records:\n%s\n%s", node, value, second[node])
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/delivery.go

@@ -1177,6 +1177,12 @@ func askGroupCheck(ctx context.Context, open *stores, group string, members []or
 		return "", err
 	}
 	request.Check.Group = group
+	// **The values held for the keys the members introduce are told and carried** (novox/hq ADR 0502, issue 1826).
+	var pulls []pullAt
+	for i, s := range changeSourcesOf(members, entries, reach) {
+		pulls = append(pulls, pullAt{changeSource: s, Number: members[i].pull().Number})
+	}
+	withHeldConfig(ctx, os.Stderr, &request, pulls, true)
 	// A group's check is queued as ready when any member's pull request is marked ready.
 	request.Check.Ready = slices.ContainsFunc(members, func(m orderMember) bool { return m.Ready })
 	world, err := restOfTheMesh(ctx, open, shelfOf(entries), "")
@@ -1204,7 +1210,7 @@ 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, Base: mp.Base})
+			Number: mp.Number, Repository: url, Ref: mp.Commit, Paths: mp.Paths, Base: mp.Base, Trunk: mp.BaseSHA})
 	}
 	seat := buildSeatHeld(ctx)
 	ask, err := askOverOn(seat)

cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_integration_test.go

@@ -59,6 +59,18 @@ func TestAMergeWaitsForItsDeliverysWordAndThePersonsWordWorksWithoutIt(t *testin
 		}
 	}
 
+	// heardOf has this mesh's own view of the plans take in the plan as the bucket holds it. A verb of the
+	// controller (deliveryCommand, plansCommand) opens an inventory of its own and writes the plan there; this
+	// mesh's inventory learns of the write from the bucket's watch, a moment later, and a loaded machine makes the
+	// moment long enough for advanceHeld to read the plan as it was, still waiting for its word, and ask nothing
+	// (issue 1399). Reading the plan from the bucket puts it into the view at once, with no wait to bound.
+	heardOf := func(id string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if _, err := inv.PlanByID(ctx, id); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// No holder on record: the merge starts its walk, as before.
 	p := merge("c1aaaaaaaa", "modules/app/index.ts")
 	if p.Waiting() || len(*asked) != 1 {
@@ -90,6 +102,7 @@ func TestAMergeWaitsForItsDeliverysWordAndThePersonsWordWorksWithoutIt(t *testin
 	if err := deliveryCommand(ctx, []string{"go", p.ID}); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("a walk was let go twice")
 	}
+	heardOf(p.ID)
 	advanceHeld(ctx, open)
 	if len(*asked) != 2 {
 		t.Fatalf("the word did not start the walk: %v", *asked)
@@ -119,6 +132,7 @@ func TestAMergeWaitsForItsDeliverysWordAndThePersonsWordWorksWithoutIt(t *testin
 	if err := plansCommand(ctx, []string{"go", p.ID, "--why", "mesh-delivery is down"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	heardOf(p.ID)
 	advanceHeld(ctx, open)
 	got, _ = inv.PlanByID(ctx, p.ID)
 	if got.Waiting() || !strings.HasPrefix(got.Delivery.By, "a person") || len(*asked) < 4 {

cmd/mesh-controller/forge_wait_test.go

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestTheForgeNotAnsweringInTimeIsNotAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
 // An ask that hangs past the bound is cut off at the bound, not at its own wait, and the failure still says it
 // waited: the receive loop is held no longer than the bound (novox/hq issue 486).
 func TestAnAskHangingPastTheBoundIsCutOffAtIt(t *testing.T) {
-	w := waitOut{bound: 200 * time.Millisecond, first: 10 * time.Millisecond, most: 50 * time.Millisecond,
+	w := waitOut{bound: 100 * time.Millisecond, first: 10 * time.Millisecond, most: 50 * time.Millisecond,
 		now: time.Now, sleep: sleepOrDone}
 	asked := 0
 	began := time.Now()

cmd/mesh-controller/held_moves.go

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// A move held for a person is asked of the person (novox/hq issue 1732, issue 1320; ADR 0377, ADR 0259).
+//
+// **A wait only a person can end is said to that person at once.** ADR 0377 holds a recorded module's move that
+// recreates a container or touches its data until a person pushes the machine. The walk said so in its note and
+// ended "done", `status` named the machine behind, and nobody was asked: on 2026-10-21 mailu's new build waited on
+// novox for 40 minutes behind a plan that read "done, 3 tier(s)", and on 2026-10-19 mssql waited on ace the same way.
+// Row S24 raises one condition per machine that has such a move, for the operator, with the answer **Release**: the
+// push of that machine, which the controller's own `push` verb performs on the operator's warrant (ADR 0259). It ends
+// when the machine no longer waits, whoever pushed it.
+//
+// A hold a person chose is not asked again — a module they set to `record` with a why, and the bus, whose step has
+// its own row (S17).
+
+// kindMovesHeld is S24's kind: machine.<node>.moves-held.
+const kindMovesHeld = "moves-held"
+
+// heldFacts is one machine and the moves of recorded modules that wait there for a person.
+type heldFacts struct {
+	node  string
+	moves []heldMove
+}
+
+// gatherHeldMoves is, per machine that holds at least one move no person chose to hold, all its held moves, by machine.
+func gatherHeldMoves(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]heldFacts, error) {
+	nodes, err := inv.Nodes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the machines cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var out []heldFacts
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		moves, err := heldMovesOn(ctx, inv, f, n.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		h := heldFacts{node: n.Name, moves: moves}
+		if len(h.asked()) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, h)
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// asked are the moves no person chose to hold, and chosen the ones a person did (a module set to record with a why, the bus).
+func (h heldFacts) asked() []heldMove  { return h.byChoice(false) }
+func (h heldFacts) chosen() []heldMove { return h.byChoice(true) }
+
+func (h heldFacts) byChoice(chosen bool) []heldMove {
+	var out []heldMove
+	for _, m := range h.moves {
+		if m.Chosen == chosen {
+			out = append(out, m)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// modules are the held moves' modules, in order, of all of them.
+func (h heldFacts) modules() []string { return moduleNames(h.moves) }
+
+func moduleNames(moves []heldMove) []string {
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(moves))
+	for _, m := range moves {
+		out = append(out, m.Module)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// releaseAction is the one answer a held move offers: the push of the machine, approved by the operator. The push
+// names every module whose move waits there as one that may move its data: the operator's Approve is the word
+// ADR 0217 asks for, and the ask says so. Offered only where no person's own hold is on the machine too: a push
+// composes every recorded module at its current build, so it would send that move as well, which the ask never named
+// (ADR 0259 §6), and hold the whole machine if that module's data would move.
+func (h heldFacts) releaseAction() conditions.Action {
+	return conditions.Action{Label: "Release", Verb: "mesh-controller.push", Level: conditions.LevelApprove,
+		Arguments: map[string]string{"node": h.node, "move": strings.Join(moduleNames(h.asked()), ","), "why": "",
+			"cause": conditions.CauseOperatorAnswer}}
+}
+
+// heldWords are the plain words of a machine's held moves: which modules wait, why in general, and what an Approve does.
+func heldWords(h heldFacts) (headline, explanation, needs string, resolved string) {
+	names := namesWords(moduleNames(h.asked()), 3)
+	headline = clipWords(conditions.Capital(names)+" waits for you on "+h.node, conditions.HeadlineMax)
+	recreates, data := false, false
+	for _, m := range h.asked() {
+		switch {
+		case strings.Contains(m.Why, "recreates"):
+			recreates = true
+		default:
+			data = true
+		}
+	}
+	why := "would change what it runs"
+	switch {
+	case recreates && data:
+		why = "would restart a container or touch its data"
+	case recreates:
+		why = "would restart one of its containers"
+	case data:
+		why = "would touch its files or data"
+	}
+	explanation = clipWords(fmt.Sprintf("The new version of %s %s on %s, so it does not go out with its delivery; "+
+		"it waits for you. Release sends %s everything it is owed, these among it, and lets their data move where it "+
+		"has to. Nothing is sent until you answer.", names, why, h.node, h.node), conditions.ExplanationMax)
+	needs = "release them " + FromMeshMCPServer
+	if chosen := h.chosen(); len(chosen) > 0 {
+		// A push of the machine would send the move a person chose to hold as well: no answer is offered here.
+		explanation = clipWords(fmt.Sprintf("The new version of %s %s on %s, so it does not go out with its delivery; "+
+			"it waits for you. %s is also held there by your own choice, and a push of %s would send that too, so "+
+			"nothing is offered here: the push is yours at the controller's terminal.",
+			names, why, h.node, conditions.Capital(namesWords(moduleNames(chosen), 3)), h.node), conditions.ExplanationMax)
+		needs = fmt.Sprintf("push %s at the controller's terminal, once you have decided about %s.", h.node,
+			namesWords(moduleNames(chosen), 3))
+	}
+	resolved = "Resolved: " + names + " is no longer waiting on " + h.node
+	return
+}
+
+// watchMovesHeld is S24: a machine that has moves of recorded modules waiting for a person, said to the operator with the
+// answer that sends them. The condition ends when the machine no longer waits: it is no longer among the facts.
+func watchMovesHeld(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, h := range f.held {
+		var said []string
+		for _, m := range h.moves {
+			said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s → %s %s", m.Module, short(m.From), short(m.To), m.Why))
+		}
+		headline, explanation, needs, resolved := heldWords(h)
+		if c := h.chosen(); len(c) > 0 {
+			said = append(said, "held by a person's own choice: "+strings.Join(moduleNames(c), ", "))
+		}
+		var actions []conditions.Action
+		if len(h.chosen()) == 0 {
+			actions = []conditions.Action{h.releaseAction()}
+		}
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeMachine, ID: h.node, Kind: kindMovesHeld,
+			Machine: h.node, Severity: conditions.Warning, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s has %d move(s) of recorded modules waiting for a person's push: %s — `push %s` sends them",
+				h.node, len(h.moves), strings.Join(h.modules(), ", "), h.node),
+			Said:     strings.Join(said, "; "),
+			Headline: headline, Explanation: explanation, Needs: needs, Resolved: resolved,
+			Actions: actions})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// planHeld is, for a plan that ended or is running, the moves its modules carried that a machine still holds for a
+// person: "module on machine", sorted. The plan's own record says the move waited when it was judged
+// (PlanModule.Recorded); the machines say whether it still does, and for the build this plan carried, so a plan older
+// than the build now held is not named.
+func planHeld(p inventory.Plan, held []heldFacts) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, h := range held {
+		for _, m := range h.moves {
+			s := p.Modules[m.Module]
+			if s == nil || !strings.HasPrefix(s.Recorded[h.node], "waits:") || !sameCommit(s.Commit, m.To) {
+				continue
+			}
+			out = append(out, m.Module+" on "+h.node)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+// heldSaid is what a plan's line adds when it carries a move that a machine holds for a person (novox/hq issue 1732): a
+// plan whose module waits for a push is not plainly "done".
+func heldSaid(p inventory.Plan, held []heldFacts) string {
+	waiting := planHeld(p, held)
+	if len(waiting) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf(" — %d held for a person: %s (the operator is asked)", len(waiting), strings.Join(waiting, ", "))
+}
+
+// heldNow reads the machines' held moves for a plan's line, nil when they cannot be read: the line then reads as before.
+func heldNow(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) []heldFacts {
+	held, err := gatherHeldMoves(ctx, inv)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil // empty-on-error: a plan's line then reads as it did before; the watchdog (S24) says it cannot read
+	}
+	return held
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_moves_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+func inventoryUpgrade(why string) inventory.Upgrade { return inventory.Upgrade{Why: why, By: "jochen"} }
+
+func mustMoveFacts(t *testing.T, rm *recordedMesh) moveFacts {
+	t.Helper()
+	f, err := readMoveFacts(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return f
+}
+
+// 1732/AC8 (integration): a mesh running mailu at c1 on two machines, whose registered c2 recreates a container, is read
+// as two machines each holding mailu's move for a person; a bundle-only c3 on top changes nothing of it; after a machine
+// is sent c2 (as a push records it) it is no longer among them, and plans that carried c2 say nothing more of it.
+func TestMachinesHoldingAMoveForAPersonAreReadFromTheRecords(t *testing.T) {
+	rm := aRecordedMesh(t, aMailu(true))
+	c2 := aMailu(true)
+	resourceOf(&c2, "imap")["image"] = "registry.invalid/imap@sha256:2"
+	rm.register(t, c2, "c2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	held, err := gatherHeldMoves(ctx, rm.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(held) != 2 || held[0].node != "anchor" || held[1].node != "laptop" || len(held[0].moves) != 1 ||
+		held[0].moves[0].Module != "mailu" || held[0].moves[0].To != "c2" || !strings.Contains(held[0].moves[0].Why, "recreates") {
+		t.Fatalf("held %+v", held)
+	}
+	if err := rm.open.inventory.RecordSent(ctx, nodeID(t, rm.open, "anchor"), "d-anchor-c2", map[string]string{"mailu": "c2"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err = gatherHeldMoves(ctx, rm.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil || len(held) != 1 || held[0].node != "laptop" {
+		t.Fatalf("after anchor was sent c2: %+v (%v)", held, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC9 (integration): a module a person set to record is no ask: they chose the hold.
+func TestAHoldAPersonChoseIsNotAsked(t *testing.T) {
+	rm := aRecordedMesh(t, aMailu(false))
+	c2 := aMailu(false)
+	c2.Bundles[0].Digest = "sha256:bbb"
+	rm.register(t, c2, "c2", time.Now().Add(-time.Minute))
+	if err := rm.open.inventory.SetUpgradeOf(t.Context(), "mailu", inventoryUpgrade("the migration week")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	held, err := gatherHeldMoves(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil || len(held) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a machine holding only a person's own hold is asked: %+v (%v)", held, err)
+	}
+	if moves, _ := heldMovesOn(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory, mustMoveFacts(t, rm), "anchor"); len(moves) != 1 || !moves[0].Chosen {
+		t.Fatalf("status still names it, marked as chosen: %+v", moves)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1742/AC4 (integration): a registered build naming an image of the store that the store lacks is read as a missing
+// image on each machine that runs the module; one the store holds is not; and what the store holds is not asked twice.
+func TestARegisteredBuildNamingAnImageTheStoreLacksIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	m := aMailu(true)
+	resourceOf(&m, "imap")["image"] = "artifact-store://mailu/imap@sha256:" + strings.Repeat("e", 64)
+	rm := aRecordedMesh(t, m)
+	asked := 0
+	lacking := func(_ context.Context, reference string) (bool, error) { asked++; return false, nil }
+	imagesHeld.Lock()
+	imagesHeld.held = map[string]bool{}
+	imagesHeld.Unlock()
+	got, err := gatherMissingImages(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory, lacking)
+	if err != nil || len(got) != 2 || got[0].Module != "mailu" || got[0].Node != "anchor" || got[1].Node != "laptop" {
+		t.Fatalf("missing %+v (%v)", got, err)
+	}
+	holding := func(_ context.Context, reference string) (bool, error) { asked++; return true, nil }
+	if got, err := gatherMissingImages(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory, holding); err != nil || len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("an image the store holds is missing: %+v (%v)", got, err)
+	}
+	before := asked
+	if _, err := gatherMissingImages(t.Context(), rm.open.inventory, lacking); err != nil || asked != before {
+		t.Fatalf("an image the store was found to hold was asked about again (%d, %v)", asked-before, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/held_moves_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// **A move held for a person is asked of the person** (novox/hq issue 1732, issue 1320; ADR 0377, ADR 0259).
+
+// aHeldMailu is novox holding mailu's new build because it would recreate a container: the walk's own words.
+func aHeldMailu() heldFacts {
+	return heldFacts{node: "novox", moves: []heldMove{{Module: "mailu", From: "b2f5ebb2aaaa", To: "3259765dbbbb",
+		Why: "waits: recreates 1 of mailu's 12 container(s) (with a new image: automx)"}}}
+}
+
+func heldConditionOn(f *signalFacts) conditions.Condition {
+	o := watchMovesHeld(f)[0]
+	return conditions.Condition{Key: o.Key(), Kind: o.Kind, Severity: o.Severity, Headline: o.Headline,
+		Explanation: conditions.Verdict(o.Needs, o.Explanation), Needs: o.Needs, Actions: o.Actions}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC1: a machine holding a move of a recorded module for a person raises one condition for the operator, with
+// Release as its only answer: the machine's push, approved, naming the modules whose moves wait there.
+func TestAHeldMoveIsRaisedWithReleaseAsItsOnlyAction(t *testing.T) {
+	f := calm(time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 17, 30, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	f.held = []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()}
+	got := watchMovesHeld(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	o := got[0]
+	if o.Kind != "moves-held" || o.Scope != conditions.ScopeMachine || o.ID != "novox" || o.Severity != conditions.Warning ||
+		o.Resolver != conditions.ResolverOperator || o.Key() != "machine.novox.moves-held" {
+		t.Fatalf("kind, scope, subject, severity or resolver: %+v (%s)", o, o.Key())
+	}
+	if len(o.Actions) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("actions: %+v", o.Actions)
+	}
+	a := o.Actions[0]
+	if a.Label != "Release" || a.Verb != "mesh-controller.push" || a.Level != conditions.LevelApprove ||
+		a.Arguments["node"] != "novox" || a.Arguments["move"] != "mailu" || a.Arguments["cause"] != conditions.CauseOperatorAnswer {
+		t.Fatalf("the action is not the push of novox: %+v", a)
+	}
+	if _, takes := a.Arguments["why"]; !takes {
+		t.Fatal("the push takes a why, which the asker fills in with the operator's answer")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"mailu", "novox"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(o.Headline+o.Explanation, want) {
+			t.Errorf("the words do not name %q: %q / %q", want, o.Headline, o.Explanation)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(o.Said, "recreates 1 of mailu's 12") {
+		t.Errorf("the evidence does not carry the walk's own words: %q", o.Said)
+	}
+	if w := (conditions.Observation{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Needs: o.Needs, Resolved: o.Resolved}); w.Headline == "" || len(o.Headline) > conditions.HeadlineMax {
+		t.Errorf("headline: %q", o.Headline)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC2: a machine with nothing held raises nothing, so the condition ends the look after the move is sent.
+func TestAMachineHoldingNothingRaisesNoHeldMoveCondition(t *testing.T) {
+	f := calm(time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 17, 30, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	if got := watchMovesHeld(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC3: the condition is asked on a channel at the approve level in words that say what Release does, and the
+// operator's warrant calls the controller's own push with the machine and the modules, once.
+func TestAHeldMovesReleaseIsAskedAndAWarrantPushesTheMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	f := calm(time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 17, 30, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	f.held = []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()}
+	c := heldConditionOn(f)
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	r.open = []conditions.Condition{c}
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	sent := r.asksSent(t)
+	if len(sent) != 1 || len(sent[0].Options) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %+v", sent)
+	}
+	o := sent[0].Options[0]
+	if o.Label != "Release" || o.Level != asks.Approve || o.Does != "the held builds are sent to novox" {
+		t.Errorf("the option is %+v", o)
+	}
+	if err := sent[0].Check(r.now); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("the ask is refused as made: %v", err)
+	}
+	w := r.warrantFor(t, c.Key, "Release")
+	answerWith(t, r, w)
+	answerWith(t, r, w)
+	if len(r.called) != 1 || !strings.HasPrefix(r.called[0], "mesh-controller.push@ ") ||
+		!strings.Contains(r.called[0], `"node":"novox"`) || !strings.Contains(r.called[0], `"move":"mailu"`) ||
+		!strings.Contains(r.called[0], `"cause":"`+conditions.CauseOperatorAnswer+`"`) ||
+		!strings.Contains(r.called[0], "chose Release") {
+		t.Fatalf("called %v", r.called)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC4: the controller may call its own push and upgrade verbs on a warrant: the grant names them.
+func TestTheControllerMayActOnAWarrantForPushAndUpgrade(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, verb := range []string{"push", "upgrade"} {
+		granted := false
+		for _, v := range broker.VerbsTheControllerActsOnAWarrant {
+			granted = granted || (v.Seat == broker.ControllerSeat && v.Verb == verb)
+		}
+		if !granted {
+			t.Errorf("the controller may not act on a warrant for %s", verb)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func aDoneMailuPlan() inventory.Plan {
+	return inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-1792585970446304628", Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", State: inventory.PlanDone,
+		Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}, {"mailu"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"mailu": {State: "built", Commit: "3259765dbbbbcccc",
+			Recorded: map[string]string{"novox": "waits: recreates 1 of mailu's 12 container(s)"}}}}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC5: a done plan that carries a move a machine still holds for a person says so on its line; once the machine
+// no longer holds it, or holds another build of the module, the line says nothing more.
+func TestADonePlanSaysWhatItHoldsForAPerson(t *testing.T) {
+	p := aDoneMailuPlan()
+	line := planLine(p, time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 16, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)) + heldSaid(p, []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()})
+	if !strings.Contains(line, "done, 3 tier(s)") || !strings.Contains(line, "1 held for a person: mailu on novox") {
+		t.Errorf("the line: %q", line)
+	}
+	if said := heldSaid(p, nil); said != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a plan whose moves were sent says %q", said)
+	}
+	other := aHeldMailu()
+	other.moves[0].To = "9999999ffff"
+	if said := heldSaid(p, []heldFacts{other}); said != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a plan older than the build now held says %q", said)
+	}
+	p.Modules["mailu"].Recorded = map[string]string{"novox": recordedRollsWhy}
+	if said := heldSaid(p, []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()}); said != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a move the plan sent says %q", said)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC6: the builds held after a failed release are asked of the operator: the held-release condition offers
+// Release, which calls the controller's own `upgrade` with release-backlog and nothing else, once, on a warrant.
+func TestTheBuildsHeldAfterAFailedReleaseAreAskedAndReleasedOnAWarrant(t *testing.T) {
+	saved := backlogNow
+	t.Cleanup(func() { backlogNow = saved })
+	backlogNow.held = "release-1792595552499982311 failed (failed on novox); what waits is released again by a person"
+	backlogNow.waiting = map[string][]inventory.CarriedMove{"novox": {{Module: "indexer"}, {Module: "nextcloud"}}}
+	got := backlogObservation()
+	if len(got) != 1 || len(got[0].Actions) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("raised %+v", got)
+	}
+	a := got[0].Actions[0]
+	if a.Label != "Release" || a.Verb != "mesh-controller.upgrade" || a.Level != conditions.LevelApprove ||
+		a.Arguments["release-backlog"] != "true" || a.Arguments["cause"] != conditions.CauseOperatorAnswer {
+		t.Fatalf("the action: %+v", a)
+	}
+	o := got[0]
+	c := conditions.Condition{Key: o.Key(), Kind: o.Kind, Severity: o.Severity, Headline: o.Headline,
+		Explanation: conditions.Verdict(o.Needs, o.Explanation), Needs: o.Needs, Actions: o.Actions}
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	r.open = []conditions.Condition{c}
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	sent := r.asksSent(t)
+	if len(sent) != 1 || len(sent[0].Options) != 1 || sent[0].Options[0].Does != "the builds held after the failed delivery are released" {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %+v", sent)
+	}
+	w := r.warrantFor(t, c.Key, "Release")
+	answerWith(t, r, w)
+	answerWith(t, r, w)
+	if len(r.called) != 1 || !strings.HasPrefix(r.called[0], "mesh-controller.upgrade@ ") ||
+		!strings.Contains(r.called[0], `"release-backlog":"true"`) || !strings.Contains(r.called[0], "chose Release") {
+		t.Fatalf("called %v", r.called)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC7: a plan whose send waits for a gate while the builds are held after a failed release reads as waiting for
+// a person to release them, not "building ... LATE"; with nothing held it still reads as the wait it is.
+func TestAPlanWaitingForAGateBehindAFailedReleaseIsNotLate(t *testing.T) {
+	saved := backlogNow
+	t.Cleanup(func() { backlogNow = saved })
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 18, 50, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	p := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-1", Repository: "novox/mesh-sdk", Commit: "c0ffee00", State: inventory.PlanBuilding,
+		Tiers: [][]string{{"indexer"}}, TierEntered: now.Add(-100 * time.Minute), Created: now.Add(-110 * time.Minute),
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"indexer": {State: "built"}},
+		Note:    refusalNote(0, errors.New("a build waits there for its gate: novox"))}
+	backlogNow.held = ""
+	if line := planLine(p, now); !strings.Contains(line, "a build waits there for its gate: novox") {
+		t.Errorf("the wait is not said: %q", line)
+	}
+	backlogNow.held = "release-1 failed (failed on novox); what waits is released again by a person"
+	line := planLine(p, now)
+	if strings.Contains(line, "LATE") || strings.Contains(line, "building") ||
+		!strings.Contains(line, "until a person releases it") {
+		t.Errorf("a plan held behind a failed release reads %q", line)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1732/AC10: a machine that also holds a move a person chose to hold gets no Release, since a push would send that move
+// too; the condition names both and says the push is the controller's terminal. A machine with only asked moves keeps it.
+func TestAMachineAlsoHoldingAPersonsOwnHoldIsOfferedNoRelease(t *testing.T) {
+	f := calm(time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 17, 30, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	h := aHeldMailu()
+	h.moves = append(h.moves, heldMove{Module: "nftables", From: "n1aaaa", To: "n2bbbb",
+		Why: "waits: a person set it to record, and holds every move of it until they push", Chosen: true})
+	f.held = []heldFacts{h}
+	got := watchMovesHeld(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 || len(got[0].Actions) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	o := got[0]
+	text := o.Headline + o.Explanation + o.Needs + o.Summary + o.Said
+	for _, want := range []string{"mailu", "nftables", "terminal", "push novox"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Errorf("does not say %q: %q", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+	w := conditions.Words{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Resolved: o.Resolved, Needs: o.Needs}
+	if why, ok := conditions.PlainWords(w, "novox"); !ok {
+		t.Errorf("not plain: %s", why)
+	}
+	f.held = []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()}
+	if got := watchMovesHeld(f); len(got) != 1 || len(got[0].Actions) != 1 || got[0].Actions[0].Arguments["move"] != "mailu" {
+		t.Fatalf("a machine with only asked moves: %+v", got)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/image_missing.go

@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/artifacts"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// No declaration is sent that names an image the artifact store does not hold (novox/hq issue 1742).
+//
+// On 2026-10-21 at 17:13 a send to novox named `mailu/automx@sha256:c62150b8…`; the build record keeps that digest
+// ("recent-build") and the store did not hold it. The node-engine removed the running container, then could not pull
+// the replacement, and every later apply on novox failed for the next hour while the mail clients' autoconfiguration
+// had no backend. The node-engine's half (pull first, replace after) is its own change; this is the controller's: **a
+// module whose image the store lacks is left out of the declaration**, as a module whose setting nobody gave is
+// (ADR 0163, rule 6) — the node-engine keeps what it has of it and touches none of its containers — and **it is said**,
+// row S25: a condition naming the module, the machine and the image, until the store holds the image again (a new build
+// of the module, or the copy put back).
+//
+// Judged only for an image the store's own address names, from the send's own resources; an image of another registry
+// is no business of the store's. A store that cannot be asked judges nothing: a send is not refused for a question
+// that did not answer.
+
+// kindImageMissing is S25's kind: module.<module>.<machine>.image-missing.
+const kindImageMissing = "image-missing"
+
+// missingImage is a module held out of a machine's declaration because the store lacks an image it names.
+type missingImage struct {
+	Node, Module, Image string
+}
+
+// storeHolds is whether the store holds the manifest an image reference at its address names.
+type storeHolds func(ctx context.Context, reference string) (bool, error)
+
+// imageInStore is the artifact-store reference of an image the store's address names, "" for any other.
+func imageInStore(image, address string) string {
+	if address == "" || !strings.HasPrefix(image, address+"/") || !strings.Contains(image, "@sha256:") {
+		return ""
+	}
+	reference := catalogue.Recorded(image)
+	if _, ours := catalogue.InArtifactStore(reference); !ours {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return reference
+}
+
+// holdBackMissingImages leaves out of the declaration every module that names an image the store does not hold,
+// and answers what it left out. The module's resources go, it joins LeftOut with the reason, and its build stays the
+// one the machine was last sent (`was`).
+func holdBackMissingImages(ctx context.Context, node string, s *sendable, address string, holds storeHolds,
+	was map[string]string) []missingImage {
+	lacks := map[string]bool{} // reference → the store does not hold it; absent: not asked, or no answer
+	asked := map[string]bool{}
+	lacking := map[string]string{} // module → the image
+	for _, r := range s.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "container" {
+			continue
+		}
+		image, _ := r["image"].(string)
+		reference := imageInStore(image, address)
+		module := s.moduleOf[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])]
+		if reference == "" || module == "" || lacking[module] != "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !asked[reference] {
+			asked[reference] = true
+			held, err := holds(ctx, reference)
+			// empty-on-error: the store did not answer, so nothing is held back for a question unanswered
+			lacks[reference] = err == nil && !held
+		}
+		if lacks[reference] {
+			lacking[module] = image
+		}
+	}
+	if len(lacking) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	kept := s.Resources[:0:0]
+	for _, r := range s.Resources {
+		if _, out := lacking[s.moduleOf[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])]]; !out {
+			kept = append(kept, r)
+		}
+	}
+	s.Resources = kept
+	if s.leftOutWhy == nil {
+		s.leftOutWhy = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	var found []missingImage
+	for module, image := range lacking {
+		s.leftOutWhy[module] = "its image " + image + " is not in the artifact store"
+		if !slices.Contains(s.LeftOut, module) {
+			s.LeftOut = append(s.LeftOut, module)
+		}
+		if s.Builds != nil {
+			if prior, sent := was[module]; sent {
+				s.Builds[module] = prior
+			} else {
+				delete(s.Builds, module)
+			}
+		}
+		found = append(found, missingImage{Node: node, Module: module, Image: image})
+	}
+	sort.Strings(s.LeftOut)
+	sort.Slice(found, func(i, j int) bool { return found[i].Module < found[j].Module })
+	return found
+}
+
+// withoutMissingImages is composeSend's last step: the store asked about the images the declaration names, the modules
+// whose image it lacks left out and kept in the ledger S25 reads. A store that cannot be found or asked leaves the
+// declaration as composed.
+func withoutMissingImages(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string, s sendable) sendable {
+	inv := open.inventory
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return s
+	}
+	address, err := artifactStoreAddress(ctx, inv, shelf, node)
+	if err != nil || address == "" {
+		return s
+	}
+	sent, known, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil || !known {
+		sent = nil
+	}
+	store := artifacts.Store{Address: address}
+	found := holdBackMissingImages(ctx, node, &s, address, store.HoldsManifest, sent)
+	for _, m := range found {
+		fmt.Printf("%s: %s is left out of the declaration: its image %s is not in the artifact store\n", node, m.Module, m.Image)
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// imageFacts are the images S25 raises: a module whose registered build names an image the store lacks, on each machine
+// that runs it.
+type imageFacts struct {
+	missingImage
+}
+
+// imagesHeld remembers the images the store was found to hold: a stored image is named by its digest and stays what it
+// is, so it is asked about once; one it lacks is asked again at every look.
+var imagesHeld = struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	held map[string]bool
+}{held: map[string]bool{}}
+
+// gatherMissingImages is every machine's module whose registered build — the one a send would carry — names an image of
+// the artifact store that the store does not hold. Read from the catalogue and the store, never from what a send did:
+// a push is a command of its own, and the serving controller's watchdog hears nothing of it.
+func gatherMissingImages(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, holds storeHolds) ([]imageFacts, error) {
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	var out []imageFacts
+	for _, module := range sortedKeysOf(modulesOf(shelf)) {
+		for _, r := range shelf[module].Resources {
+			if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "container" {
+				continue
+			}
+			image, _ := r["image"].(string)
+			if _, ours := catalogue.InArtifactStore(image); !ours || !strings.Contains(image, "@sha256:") {
+				continue
+			}
+			imagesHeld.Lock()
+			known := imagesHeld.held[image]
+			imagesHeld.Unlock()
+			if !known {
+				held, err := holds(ctx, image)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("the artifact store cannot be asked about %s: %w", image, err)
+				}
+				if held {
+					imagesHeld.Lock()
+					imagesHeld.held[image] = true
+					imagesHeld.Unlock()
+					continue
+				}
+			} else {
+				continue
+			}
+			running, err := inv.Running(ctx, module)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			for _, node := range running {
+				out = append(out, imageFacts{missingImage{Node: node, Module: module, Image: image}})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// modulesOf is the shelf's modules as a map of names, for sortedKeysOf.
+func modulesOf(shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) map[string]string {
+	out := make(map[string]string, len(shelf))
+	for m := range shelf {
+		out[m] = m
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// watchMissingImages is S25: a module left out of a machine's declaration because the store lacks its image, said at
+// once. The condition ends when the store holds the image, or a send names another.
+func watchMissingImages(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
+	var out []conditions.Observation
+	for _, m := range f.images {
+		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopeModule, ID: m.Module + "." + m.Node, Kind: kindImageMissing,
+			Machine: m.Node, Severity: conditions.Warning, Resolver: conditions.ResolverOperator,
+			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s is left out of every send to %s: its declaration names an image that the artifact store does "+
+				"not hold (the evidence names it); the running container is untouched", m.Module, m.Node),
+			Said:     "image " + m.Image + " is not in the store",
+			Headline: clipWords(conditions.Capital(m.Module)+" is not updated on "+m.Node, conditions.HeadlineMax),
+			Explanation: clipWords(fmt.Sprintf("The new version of %s names a container image that the mesh's store does not "+
+				"hold, so it was not sent to %s. What runs there is untouched, and the rest of %s is sent as usual.",
+				m.Module, m.Node, m.Node), conditions.ExplanationMax),
+			Needs:    fmt.Sprintf("build %s again; the details name the image.", m.Module),
+			Resolved: "Resolved: the store holds the image of " + m.Module + " again"})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// gatherMissingImagesHere is gatherMissingImages asking the mesh's own artifact store; nothing to ask where the mesh has
+// none on its network yet.
+func gatherMissingImagesHere(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) ([]imageFacts, error) {
+	shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the catalogue cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	address, err := artifactStoreAddress(ctx, inv, shelf, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if address == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return gatherMissingImages(ctx, inv, artifacts.Store{Address: address}.HoldsManifest)
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/image_missing_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+)
+
+// **No declaration is sent that names an image the artifact store does not hold** (novox/hq issue 1742).
+
+const storeAt = "novox.internal:5100"
+
+// automx is the image the send of 2026-10-21 17:13 named and the store lacked; the others are held.
+const (
+	automxImage = storeAt + "/mailu/automx@sha256:c62150b8e2cbcc18cb911b098c2877f928761a1e6251667f39ea18251ea35591"
+	imapImage   = storeAt + "/mailu/imap@sha256:aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
+)
+
+func aMailSend() sendable {
+	return sendable{
+		Resources: []map[string]any{
+			{"id": "mailu.automx", "type": "container", "image": automxImage},
+			{"id": "mailu.automx-config", "type": "file", "path": "/etc/automx.conf"},
+			{"id": "mailu.imap", "type": "container", "image": imapImage},
+			{"id": "other.web", "type": "container", "image": "docker.io/library/nginx@sha256:" + strings.Repeat("b", 64)},
+			{"id": "dns.dnsmasq", "type": "container", "image": storeAt + "/dnsmasq/main@sha256:" + strings.Repeat("c", 64)},
+		},
+		moduleOf: map[string]string{"mailu.automx": "automx", "mailu.automx-config": "automx", "mailu.imap": "mailu",
+			"other.web": "other", "dns.dnsmasq": "dnsmasq"},
+		Builds: map[string]string{"automx": "b2f5ebb2new", "mailu": "m2", "other": "o1", "dnsmasq": "d1"},
+	}
+}
+
+func storeHolding(missing ...string) (storeHolds, *[]string) {
+	var asked []string
+	return func(_ context.Context, reference string) (bool, error) {
+		asked = append(asked, reference)
+		for _, m := range missing {
+			if strings.Contains(reference, m) {
+				return false, nil
+			}
+		}
+		return true, nil
+	}, &asked
+}
+
+// 1742/AC1: given a send naming automx's image, which the store does not hold, when the declaration is judged, then
+// every resource of automx is out of it, automx is among the modules left out with the reason, its build is the one the
+// machine was last sent, and every other module — an image of another registry among them — is as composed.
+func TestAModuleWhoseImageTheStoreLacksIsLeftOutOfTheSend(t *testing.T) {
+	s := aMailSend()
+	holds, asked := storeHolding("mailu/automx@")
+	found := holdBackMissingImages(t.Context(), "novox", &s, storeAt, holds, map[string]string{"automx": "b2f5ebb2old"})
+	if len(found) != 1 || found[0].Module != "automx" || found[0].Node != "novox" || found[0].Image != automxImage {
+		t.Fatalf("found %+v", found)
+	}
+	var ids []string
+	for _, r := range s.Resources {
+		ids = append(ids, r["id"].(string))
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(ids, ","); got != "mailu.imap,other.web,dns.dnsmasq" {
+		t.Errorf("the declaration keeps %s", got)
+	}
+	if len(s.LeftOut) != 1 || s.LeftOut[0] != "automx" || !strings.Contains(s.leftOutWhy["automx"], "not in the artifact store") {
+		t.Errorf("left out %v because %v", s.LeftOut, s.leftOutWhy)
+	}
+	if s.Builds["automx"] != "b2f5ebb2old" || s.Builds["mailu"] != "m2" || s.Builds["other"] != "o1" {
+		t.Errorf("builds %v", s.Builds)
+	}
+	for _, a := range *asked {
+		if strings.Contains(a, "docker.io") {
+			t.Errorf("the store was asked about an image of another registry: %s", a)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// 1742/AC2: given a module never sent to the machine, when its image is missing, then it has no build in the record of the
+// send; given the store does not answer, then nothing is held back for a question unanswered.
+func TestAnUnansweredStoreHoldsNothingBackAndANewModuleHasNoBuild(t *testing.T) {
+	s := aMailSend()
+	holds, _ := storeHolding("mailu/automx@")
+	found := holdBackMissingImages(t.Context(), "novox", &s, storeAt, holds, nil)
+	if len(found) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", found)
+	}
+	if _, has := s.Builds["automx"]; has {
+		t.Errorf("a module never sent is recorded as sent: %v", s.Builds)
+	}
+	s = aMailSend()
+	silent := func(context.Context, string) (bool, error) { return false, errors.New("registry: connection refused") }
+	if found := holdBackMissingImages(t.Context(), "novox", &s, storeAt, silent, nil); len(found) != 0 || len(s.LeftOut) != 0 ||
+		len(s.Resources) != 5 {
+		t.Errorf("an unanswered store held back %+v, left out %v", found, s.LeftOut)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1742/AC3: a module left out for its image raises a condition for the operator naming the module, the machine and the
+// image in the evidence, plain words, and no answer to give; a mesh whose images are all held raises nothing.
+func TestAMissingImageIsRaisedForTheOperator(t *testing.T) {
+	f := calm(time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 17, 40, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	if got := watchMissingImages(f); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	f.images = []imageFacts{{missingImage{Node: "novox", Module: "automx", Image: automxImage}}}
+	got := watchMissingImages(f)
+	if len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
+	}
+	o := got[0]
+	if o.Kind != "image-missing" || o.Key() != "module.automx.novox.image-missing" || o.Resolver != conditions.ResolverOperator ||
+		o.Severity != conditions.Warning || o.Machine != "novox" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v (%s)", o, o.Key())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(o.Said, "c62150b8") || !strings.Contains(o.Headline+o.Explanation, "automx") {
+		t.Errorf("words: %q / %q / %q", o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Said)
+	}
+	w := conditions.Words{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Resolved: o.Resolved, Needs: o.Needs}
+	if why, ok := conditions.PlainWords(w, "novox"); !ok {
+		t.Errorf("not plain: %s", why)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/issue611_test.go

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func TestAMergeSaysTheModulesWhoseBuildSourceItLeftUnchanged(t *testing.T) {
 			{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/build-agent/Dockerfile", "modules/build-agent/module.json"}},
 		},
 		"route-proxy": {
-			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"go.mod", "examples/route-proxy/"}},
+			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"go.mod", "modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/"}},
 			{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/Dockerfile", "modules/route-proxy/module.json"}},
 		},
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate.go

@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ type mergeCheckInput struct {
 	// group are the other heads of a delivery group composed with this one (novox/hq ADR 0239), each laid
 	// over the mesh after the one before: the group judged as one future state.
 	group []groupChange
+	// held are the approved config values held for the keys the pull requests introduce (novox/hq ADR 0502 clause 4),
+	// laid over the composition with the change only.
+	held []heldValue
 	// admin is a PostgreSQL the gate may create and drop databases in.
 	admin string
 	// beside is the directory holding the core clones beside the check (MESH_CHECK_BESIDE), for finding moves.
@@ -189,6 +192,8 @@ func mergeGateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		"--changed, for a list too long for an argument (novox/hq issue 1247)")
 	group := set.String("group", "", "a delivery group's other heads, as JSON [{repository, tree, changed}], composed "+
 		"with this one as one future state (novox/hq ADR 0239)")
+	heldFile := set.String("held", "", "a file of the config values approved for keys the change's pull requests introduce, as JSON "+
+		"[{pull, node, module, key, value, approved_by}], laid over the composition with the change (novox/hq ADR 0502)")
 	asJSON := set.Bool("json", false, "print the verdict as JSON")
 	if _, err := parseAround(set, args); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -208,6 +213,10 @@ func mergeGateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	held, err := readHeld(*heldFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	out := io.Writer(os.Stdout)
 	stdout := os.Stdout
 	if *asJSON {
@@ -223,7 +232,7 @@ func mergeGateCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	v, err := judgeChange(ctx, mergeCheckInput{facts: f, repository: *repository, tree: *tree, changed: changedList,
-		group: others, admin: *admin, say: out, beside: os.Getenv("MESH_CHECK_BESIDE")})
+		group: others, held: held, admin: *admin, say: out, beside: os.Getenv("MESH_CHECK_BESIDE")})
 	os.Stdout = stdout
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -387,7 +396,16 @@ func judgeChange(ctx context.Context, in mergeCheckInput) (mergeVerdict, error)
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Strings(added)
-	after, tried, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, in, change, changeSources, added)
+	// **The held values are laid in this composition only** (novox/hq ADR 0502 clause 4): the mesh as it is does not
+	// declare their keys, so the base composition would refuse them.
+	withHeld := in
+	var heldNotes []string
+	withHeld.facts, heldNotes = layHeld(in.facts, in.held, change)
+	for _, n := range heldNotes {
+		say("%s", n)
+	}
+	v.Notes = append(v.Notes, heldNotes...)
+	after, tried, notes, err := composeEveryMachine(ctx, withHeld, change, changeSources, added)
 	if err != nil {
 		return v, fmt.Errorf("the mesh with the change could not be raised: %w", err)
 	}

cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate_held.go

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	snapshot "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/facts"
+)
+
+// Config values held for the keys an open pull request introduces (novox/hq ADR 0502 clause 4, issue 1826): the gate
+// lays each approved one over its module's values on its node in the composition with the change, and in that one
+// only. In the mesh as it is the key is not declared, so the value would be refused there.
+
+// heldValue is one approved held value as the build agent writes it (--held): the value of Key for Module on Node,
+// a machine's real name, which the snapshot holds only as a pseudonym.
+type heldValue struct {
+	Pull     string          `json:"pull"`
+	Head     string          `json:"head,omitempty"`
+	Node     string          `json:"node"`
+	Module   string          `json:"module"`
+	Key      string          `json:"key"`
+	Value    json.RawMessage `json:"value"`
+	Approved string          `json:"approved,omitempty"`
+	By       string          `json:"by,omitempty"`
+	At       string          `json:"at,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// readHeld reads the file --held names; none named, none held.
+func readHeld(path string) ([]heldValue, error) {
+	if path == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var held []heldValue
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &held); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the held values are not readable: %w", err)
+	}
+	for _, h := range held {
+		if h.Node == "" || h.Module == "" || h.Key == "" || len(h.Value) == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("a held value of %s names no node, module, key or value", h.Pull)
+		}
+	}
+	return held, nil
+}
+
+// layHeld is the snapshot with each held value laid as the value of its key in its node's layer of its module, and what
+// it said of them. The snapshot given is not changed. **A held value for a machine the snapshot does not hold, or a
+// module the change does not define, is said and not laid**, never dropped silently; one for a module not assigned to
+// its machine is laid and said. The notes name machines as the snapshot does (roles and pseudonym), not by their names.
+func layHeld(f snapshot.Facts, held []heldValue, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) (snapshot.Facts, []string) {
+	if len(held) == 0 {
+		return f, nil
+	}
+	out := f
+	out.Machines = make([]snapshot.Machine, len(f.Machines))
+	copy(out.Machines, f.Machines)
+	var notes, laid []string
+	pulls := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, h := range held {
+		at := -1
+		pseudonym := snapshot.Pseudonym("machine", h.Node)
+		for i, m := range out.Machines {
+			if m.Name == pseudonym {
+				at = i
+			}
+		}
+		if at < 0 {
+			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the value held for %s of %s (%s=%s) is not composed: the snapshot holds no machine %s",
+				h.Module, h.Pull, h.Key, h.Value, pseudonym))
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, defined := shelf[h.Module]; !defined {
+			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the value held for %s of %s (%s=%s) is not composed: the change defines no module %s",
+				h.Module, h.Pull, h.Key, h.Value, h.Module))
+			continue
+		}
+		var value any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(h.Value, &value); err != nil {
+			notes = append(notes, fmt.Sprintf("the value held for %s of %s (%s) is not composed: it is not a value: %v",
+				h.Module, h.Pull, h.Key, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		m := &out.Machines[at]
+		layers := make([]snapshot.Settings, len(m.Settings))
+		copy(layers, m.Settings)
+		found := false
+		for i := range layers {
+			if layers[i].Module == h.Module {
+				values := make(map[string]any, len(layers[i].Values)+1)
+				for k, v := range layers[i].Values {
+					values[k] = v
+				}
+				values[h.Key] = value
+				layers[i].Values = values
+				found = true
+			}
+		}
+		if !found {
+			layers = append(layers, snapshot.Settings{Module: h.Module, Values: map[string]any{h.Key: value}})
+			sort.Slice(layers, func(a, b int) bool { return layers[a].Module < layers[b].Module })
+		}
+		m.Settings = layers
+		assigned := false
+		for _, a := range m.Assigned {
+			assigned = assigned || a == h.Module
+		}
+		by := ""
+		if h.Approved != "" {
+			by = ", approved by " + h.Approved
+		}
+		line := fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s %s=%s%s", h.Module, m.Described(), h.Key, h.Value, by)
+		if !assigned {
+			line += " (not assigned there in the snapshot)"
+		}
+		laid = append(laid, line)
+		pulls[h.Pull] = true
+	}
+	if len(laid) > 0 {
+		var names []string
+		for p := range pulls {
+			names = append(names, p)
+		}
+		sort.Strings(names)
+		notes = append([]string{fmt.Sprintf("composed with %d value(s) held for %s: %s", len(laid), strings.Join(names, ", "),
+			strings.Join(laid, "; "))}, notes...)
+	}
+	return out, notes
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate_held_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	snapshot "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/facts"
+)
+
+func heldGateFacts() snapshot.Facts {
+	return snapshot.Facts{Machines: []snapshot.Machine{
+		{Name: snapshot.Pseudonym("machine", "ace"), Roles: []string{"the build node"}, Assigned: []string{"n8n"},
+			Settings: []snapshot.Settings{{Module: "n8n", Values: map[string]any{"port": 5678.0}}}},
+		{Name: snapshot.Pseudonym("machine", "g14")},
+	}}
+}
+
+var heldShelf = map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"n8n": {Module: "n8n"}}
+
+// 1826/AC3: a held value is laid in its node's layer of its module, beside what the layer holds, and said.
+func TestAHeldValueIsLaidOverItsNodesLayerAndSaid(t *testing.T) {
+	f := heldGateFacts()
+	got, notes := layHeld(f, []heldValue{{Pull: "novox/mesh-catalog#434", Node: "ace", Module: "n8n", Key: "media-gid",
+		Value: []byte("2000"), Approved: "the operator"}}, heldShelf)
+	layer := got.Machines[0].Settings[0].Values
+	if layer["media-gid"] != 2000.0 || layer["port"] != 5678.0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the layer holds %v", layer)
+	}
+	if _, has := f.Machines[0].Settings[0].Values["media-gid"]; has {
+		t.Fatal("the snapshot given was changed")
+	}
+	if len(notes) != 1 || !strings.Contains(notes[0], "composed with 1 value(s) held for novox/mesh-catalog#434") ||
+		!strings.Contains(notes[0], "media-gid=2000") || !strings.Contains(notes[0], "approved by the operator") ||
+		strings.Contains(notes[0], "ace") {
+		t.Fatalf("said %q", notes)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC3: a machine with no layer of the module gets one.
+func TestAHeldValueMakesTheLayerAMachineLacks(t *testing.T) {
+	got, _ := layHeld(heldGateFacts(), []heldValue{{Pull: "p", Node: "g14", Module: "n8n", Key: "k", Value: []byte(`"x"`)}}, heldShelf)
+	s := got.Machines[1].Settings
+	if len(s) != 1 || s[0].Module != "n8n" || s[0].Values["k"] != "x" {
+		t.Fatalf("layers %+v", s)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC3: a held value for a machine or a module the snapshot or the change does not hold is said, never laid.
+func TestAHeldValueForWhatIsNotHeldIsSaidNotLaid(t *testing.T) {
+	f := heldGateFacts()
+	got, notes := layHeld(f, []heldValue{
+		{Pull: "p", Node: "nowhere", Module: "n8n", Key: "k", Value: []byte("1")},
+		{Pull: "p", Node: "ace", Module: "ghost", Key: "k", Value: []byte("1")},
+	}, heldShelf)
+	if len(notes) != 2 || !strings.Contains(notes[0], "holds no machine") || !strings.Contains(notes[1], "defines no module ghost") {
+		t.Fatalf("said %q", notes)
+	}
+	if _, has := got.Machines[0].Settings[0].Values["k"]; has {
+		t.Fatal("laid")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC3: none held lays nothing and says nothing; the file is read and refuses a value without a node.
+func TestNoHeldValuesLayNothingAndTheFileIsRead(t *testing.T) {
+	if got, notes := layHeld(heldGateFacts(), nil, heldShelf); len(notes) != 0 || len(got.Machines) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", got, notes)
+	}
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	good := filepath.Join(dir, "good.json")
+	os.WriteFile(good, []byte(`[{"pull":"p","node":"ace","module":"n8n","key":"k","value":1}]`), 0o644)
+	if h, err := readHeld(good); err != nil || len(h) != 1 || h[0].Key != "k" {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", h, err)
+	}
+	bad := filepath.Join(dir, "bad.json")
+	os.WriteFile(bad, []byte(`[{"pull":"p","module":"n8n","key":"k","value":1}]`), 0o644)
+	if _, err := readHeld(bad); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a value without a node was read")
+	}
+	if h, err := readHeld(""); h != nil || err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", h, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/merge_gate_integration_test.go

@@ -526,3 +526,57 @@ func TestAMemberJudgedAloneSeesAMoveThroughTheClonesBeside(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("nothing beside, yet moves %v", got)
 	}
 }
+
+// 1826/AC3 (integration level, a throwaway store): a change whose container says ${config:media-gid} fails the gate for
+// want of the value, passes it with the value the operator approved held for its pull request, and the mesh as it is
+// composes the same either way.
+func TestAChangeNeedingAHeldValueFailsWithoutItAndPassesWithIt(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	trunk := `{"module":"n8n","version":"1","resources":[{"id":"server","type":"container","name":"n8n",
+		"image":"n8nio/n8n@sha256:4846eb2f4b874ab04cde7fc1e249d2ddaec66e9aea64439beb2972cfea88e3c0"}]}`
+	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(trunk))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := open.inventory.RegisterModule(ctx, m, inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog",
+		Path: "modules/n8n", BuiltFrom: "c0ffee"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "n8n"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	f, err := gatherFacts(ctx, open, "2.11.17")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := range f.Machines {
+		f.Machines[i].Capabilities = append(f.Machines[i].Capabilities, snapshot.Capability{Name: "container-groups", Present: true})
+	}
+	tree := aTree(t, map[string]string{"n8n": n8nWithAGroup})
+	judge := func(held []heldValue) mergeVerdict {
+		v, err := judgeChange(t.Context(), mergeCheckInput{facts: f, admin: os.Getenv("MESH_TEST_POSTGRES"),
+			repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", tree: tree, changed: []string{"modules/n8n/module.json"}, held: held})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return v
+	}
+	without := judge(nil)
+	if without.Verdict != "fail" || !strings.Contains(without.Report(), "media-gid") {
+		t.Fatalf("a required value nothing sets passed, or failed for another reason:\n%s", without.Report())
+	}
+	with := judge([]heldValue{{Pull: "novox/mesh-catalog#434", Node: "laptop", Module: "n8n", Key: "media-gid",
+		Value: []byte("2000"), Approved: "the operator"}})
+	if with.Verdict == "fail" || with.Verdict == "error" {
+		t.Fatalf("the held value did not make it compose:\n%s", with.Report())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(with.Report(), "composed with 1 value(s) held for novox/mesh-catalog#434") {
+		t.Fatalf("the value laid is not said:\n%s", with.Report())
+	}
+	for i := range with.Machines {
+		if with.Machines[i].Base.Composes != without.Machines[i].Base.Composes {
+			t.Fatalf("the mesh as it is composes differently with a held value: %+v / %+v", with.Machines[i].Base, without.Machines[i].Base)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_asked_once_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// 1617/AC2 (unit): a new module whose first build a merge's hearing asked is not asked again when its batch is cut,
+// and one whose ask failed, was never handed over or is long lost is.
+func TestAModuleWhoseBuildIsComingIsNotAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	source := buildSource{Repository: "http://forge/novox/mesh-catalog.git", Seat: "git"}
+	asked := func(path string, mod func(*inventory.RequestOutcome)) inventory.RequestOutcome {
+		r := inventory.RequestOutcome{BuildRequest: inventory.BuildRequest{ID: "b-" + path, Repository: source.Repository,
+			Seat: "git", Path: path, For: "merge", At: now.Add(-3 * time.Minute)}}
+		if mod != nil {
+			mod(&r)
+		}
+		return r
+	}
+	requests := []inventory.RequestOutcome{
+		asked("modules/go", nil),
+		asked("modules/failed", func(r *inventory.RequestOutcome) { r.Heard, r.Failed = true, "no module.json" }),
+		asked("modules/notasked", func(r *inventory.RequestOutcome) { r.NotAsked = "the bus is silent" }),
+		asked("modules/lost", func(r *inventory.RequestOutcome) { r.At = now.Add(-2 * time.Hour) }),
+		asked("modules/byhand", func(r *inventory.RequestOutcome) { r.For = "build" }),
+	}
+	got := unaskedDirs([]string{"modules/go", "modules/failed", "modules/notasked", "modules/lost", "modules/byhand",
+		"modules/nodejs"}, requests, source, now)
+	want := []string{"modules/failed", "modules/notasked", "modules/lost", "modules/byhand", "modules/nodejs"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("asked again %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
@@ -99,3 +100,38 @@ func TestAMergeBuildsItsNewModuleBesideItsPlan(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a merge adding no module asked for %v", *asked)
 	}
 }
+
+// 1617/AC1 (integration): a merge adding a module to a repository the mesh builds modules from, heard while a batch of
+// that repository is still assembling (its window running), asks the module's first build when it is heard, so the
+// module is registered while the batch waits; cutting the batch asks it no second time (1617/AC2).
+func TestAMergeAddingAModuleAsksItsBuildBeforeItsBatchIsCut(t *testing.T) {
+	open := windowed(t)
+	groupsWaiting(t, "pr/c1")
+	asked := asksWithPaths(t)
+	catalog := func(commit string, made time.Time, paths ...string) link.SourceMoved {
+		return link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Base: "main", Commit: commit,
+			Head: "pr/" + commit, MergedAt: made.Format(time.RFC3339Nano), Paths: paths}
+	}
+	hear(t, open, catalog("c1", t0, "modules/app/index.ts"), t0)
+	if len(*asked) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a merge adding no module asked %v", *asked)
+	}
+	hear(t, open, lone(catalog("c2", t0.Add(10*time.Second), "modules/go/packages.json", "modules/go/module.json")), t0.Add(10*time.Second))
+	if ws, bs := walks(t, open); len(ws) != 0 || len(bs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the batch should still be assembling: %d walk(s), %d batch(es)", len(ws), len(bs))
+	}
+	want := [3]string{"novox/mesh-catalog", "modules/go", "main"}
+	if len(*asked) != 1 || (*asked)[0] != want {
+		t.Fatalf("heard with its batch assembling, the merge asked %v, not %v", *asked, want)
+	}
+	cutAt(t, open, t0.Add(10*time.Second+90*time.Second))
+	n := 0
+	for _, a := range *asked {
+		if a[1] == "modules/go" {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+	if n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("modules/go was asked %d times: %v", n, *asked)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/outcome_off_the_loop_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// heldElsewhere is the plans held by another act for longer than any test runs: waiting for them ends only with the
+// context, and a look that does not wait is told at once that they are busy.
+func heldElsewhere(ctx context.Context, wait bool) (func(), error) {
+	if !wait {
+		return nil, inventory.ErrPlansBusy
+	}
+	<-ctx.Done()
+	return nil, inventory.ErrPlansBusy
+}
+
+// 1708/AC1: given the plans held by another act, when the event loop takes a build's outcome, then it returns at
+// once, without waiting the plans' two minutes (on 2026-10-21 at 14:20:45 nodered's outcome held the loop until
+// 14:22:45, and the operator was told the controller stopped listening).
+func TestAnOutcomeDoesNotWaitForThePlansAnotherActHolds(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(t.Context(), 3*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	start := time.Now()
+	release, err := holdPlansForOutcome(ctx, heldElsewhere)
+	if took := time.Since(start); took > time.Second {
+		t.Fatalf("taking an outcome waited %s for plans another act holds; the event loop takes nothing meanwhile", took)
+	}
+	if err == nil || release != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("plans another act holds were said to be held: release %v, err %v", release != nil, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC4: given the plans free, when the event loop takes a build's outcome, then it holds them and marks the plan
+// from the outcome directly, as before.
+func TestAnOutcomeHoldsThePlansWhenTheyAreFree(t *testing.T) {
+	let := false
+	release, err := holdPlansForOutcome(t.Context(), func(context.Context, bool) (func(), error) {
+		return func() { let = true }, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil || release == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("free plans were not held: %v", err)
+	}
+	release()
+	if !let {
+		t.Fatal("the hold given was not the one taken")
+	}
+}
+
+// withLooker installs a looker that is never run, and answers it, so a test can read whether a look was asked.
+func withLooker(t *testing.T) *looker {
+	t.Helper()
+	l := newLooker(func(context.Context) bool { return false })
+	lookerMu.Lock()
+	before := theLooker
+	theLooker = l
+	lookerMu.Unlock()
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		lookerMu.Lock()
+		theLooker = before
+		lookerMu.Unlock()
+	})
+	return l
+}
+
+// 1708/AC2: given an outcome left to the build records because the plans were held, when it is left, then the look
+// at the plans is asked for, so the records settle it once the holder lets go rather than at the next event.
+func TestAnOutcomeLeftToTheRecordsAsksForTheLook(t *testing.T) {
+	l := withLooker(t)
+	leaveToRecords("nodered", "build-1708-ac2", "", "", inventory.ErrPlansBusy)
+	select {
+	case <-l.signal:
+	default:
+		t.Fatal("an outcome left to the build records asked for no look: the plan waits for whatever event comes next")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC3: given an outcome left to the records that said what the build did (ADR 0350 §4), when the look settles
+// the plan from the build records by that build's id, then the module keeps those words, once.
+func TestTheRecordsSettleAnOutcomeWithWhatTheBuildDid(t *testing.T) {
+	withLooker(t)
+	asked := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 15, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	plan := func() inventory.Plan {
+		return inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-1708", Tiers: [][]string{{"nodered"}},
+			Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"nodered": {State: "asked", AskedAt: &asked, Build: "build-1708-ac3"}}}
+	}
+	byID := map[string]inventory.Build{"build-1708-ac3": {ID: "build-1708-ac3", Module: "nodered", Commit: "4efac366",
+		At: asked.Add(5 * time.Minute)}}
+	leaveToRecords("nodered", "build-1708-ac3", "reused from build-1708-check", "", inventory.ErrPlansBusy)
+
+	p := plan()
+	if !settleFromRecords(&p, p.Tiers[0], nil, byID) || p.Modules["nodered"].State != "built" {
+		t.Fatalf("the records did not settle the outcome: %+v", p.Modules["nodered"])
+	}
+	if got := p.Modules["nodered"].Made; got != "reused from build-1708-check" {
+		t.Fatalf("settled from the records, the module says %q of what its build did, not the outcome's words", got)
+	}
+	again := plan()
+	settleFromRecords(&again, again.Tiers[0], nil, byID)
+	if got := again.Modules["nodered"].Made; got != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("an outcome's words were kept for a second settle: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC5: given a serving controller (its look at the plans running), when an outcome was taken into the plans,
+// then moving them (a release's sends, which may retry for minutes) is left to the look, off the event loop
+// (2026-10-21 14:28:40 to 14:32:10: the loop sent okioki's release to g14 after mesh-delivery-builder's outcome).
+func TestAnOutcomeLeavesMovingThePlansToTheLook(t *testing.T) {
+	l := withLooker(t)
+	moved := false
+	advanceAfterOutcome(func() { moved = true })
+	if moved {
+		t.Fatal("the plans were moved on the event loop after an outcome, where a send that retries holds every message")
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-l.signal:
+	default:
+		t.Fatal("the look was not asked to move the plans after an outcome")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC5: given no look running (a command, which has no event loop), when an outcome was taken, then the plans are
+// moved at once, as before.
+func TestAnOutcomeMovesThePlansWhereNoLookRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	lookerMu.Lock()
+	before := theLooker
+	theLooker = nil
+	lookerMu.Unlock()
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		lookerMu.Lock()
+		theLooker = before
+		lookerMu.Unlock()
+	})
+	moved := false
+	advanceAfterOutcome(func() { moved = true })
+	if !moved {
+		t.Fatal("with no look running, an outcome left the plans unmoved")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC6: given a registration the mesh refused (its build recorded as worked, the outcome failed), left to the
+// records because the plans were held, when the look settles the plan from the records, then the module and the plan
+// are failed, never built: settled as built, the tier would be sent the version from before (reviewer-1708@shanks).
+func TestARefusedRegistrationLeftToTheRecordsFailsThePlan(t *testing.T) {
+	withLooker(t)
+	asked := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 15, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	p := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-1708-ac6", State: inventory.PlanBuilding, Tiers: [][]string{{"nodered"}},
+		Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"nodered": {State: "asked", AskedAt: &asked, Build: "build-1708-ac6"}}}
+	byID := map[string]inventory.Build{"build-1708-ac6": {ID: "build-1708-ac6", Module: "nodered", Commit: "4efac366",
+		At: asked.Add(5 * time.Minute)}}
+	leaveToRecords("nodered", "build-1708-ac6", "", "the mesh does not register it: a port is taken", inventory.ErrPlansBusy)
+
+	overlayRefusals(nil, byID, refusalsKeptFor([]string{"build-1708-ac6"}))
+	settleFromRecords(&p, p.Tiers[0], nil, byID)
+	if s := p.Modules["nodered"]; s.State != "failed" || p.State != inventory.PlanFailed {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused registration left to the records settled as %q, the plan %q", s.State, p.State)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(p.Modules["nodered"].Why, "a port is taken") {
+		t.Fatalf("the refusal's words were lost: %q", p.Modules["nodered"].Why)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC6: a refusal kept in the store (a controller replaced before the settle) fails the record as one kept in
+// the process does.
+func TestARefusalFromTheStoreFailsTheRecord(t *testing.T) {
+	recorded := map[string][]inventory.Build{"nodered": {{ID: "b-store", Module: "nodered"}, {ID: "b-other", Module: "nodered"}}}
+	byID := map[string]inventory.Build{"b-store": {ID: "b-store", Module: "nodered"}}
+	overlayRefusals(recorded, byID, map[string]string{"b-store": "not registered"})
+	if recorded["nodered"][0].Worked() || byID["b-store"].Worked() {
+		t.Fatal("a build whose registration was refused still reads as worked")
+	}
+	if !recorded["nodered"][1].Worked() {
+		t.Fatal("a build nobody refused was failed")
+	}
+}
+
+// 1708/AC7: given the records settle a module as deleted at its source, or fail the plan, when the look settles, then
+// it does what taking the outcome directly does: the deleted module is named to be forgotten, and the plan's failure
+// is said (reviewer-1708@shanks).
+func TestSettlingFromTheRecordsDoesWhatTakingTheOutcomeDoes(t *testing.T) {
+	p := inventory.Plan{State: inventory.PlanFailed, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{
+		"gone": {State: planDeleted}, "x": {State: "failed"}, "y": {State: "built"}}}
+	before := map[string]string{"gone": "asked", "x": "asked", "y": "built"}
+	deleted, failed := settledEffects(before, &p, inventory.PlanBuilding)
+	if len(deleted) != 1 || deleted[0] != "gone" {
+		t.Fatalf("the module the records found deleted is not forgotten: %v", deleted)
+	}
+	if !failed {
+		t.Fatal("the plan the records failed is not said as failed")
+	}
+	if d, f := settledEffects(map[string]string{"gone": planDeleted}, &p, inventory.PlanFailed); len(d) != 0 || f {
+		t.Fatalf("what was deleted or failed before the settle is acted on again: %v %v", d, f)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go

@@ -195,6 +195,29 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 				"there yet is sealed by the controller until the vault holds it.", m, m),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: the vault gave " + m + " the core's credentials"}
 	}),
+	kindFilesNotPut: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
+		return words{Headline: "The big files for " + m + " cannot be put on the bus",
+			Needs: "look at the bus's permissions for the controller; the details give the reason.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh could not put the large files of %s's instructions in their place on the bus, "+
+				"send after send, so %s is sent them inside the instructions instead, which may make them too big.", m, m),
+			Resolved: "Resolved: the big files for " + m + " reach the bus again"}
+	}),
+	kindDeclarationNearLimit: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
+		if o.Severity == conditions.Urgent {
+			return words{Headline: m + " cannot be sent its instructions",
+				Needs: "make the instructions for " + m + " smaller, for example by taking a module off it.",
+				Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The instructions for %s have grown past the largest message the bus takes, so "+
+					"nothing new reaches %s until they are smaller.", m, m),
+				Resolved: "Resolved: the instructions for " + m + " fit the bus again"}
+		}
+		return words{Headline: "The instructions for " + m + " are nearly too big",
+			Needs: "do not add more to " + m + " until this is dealt with; the details give the size.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The instructions for %s are close to the largest message the bus takes. "+
+				"One more module or secret may stop anything new from reaching %s.", m, m),
+			Resolved: "Resolved: the instructions for " + m + " have room again"}
+	}),
 	kindCoreDowngrade: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		component := idPart(o, 0)
@@ -434,6 +457,18 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			Explanation: "A delivery did not finish. Nothing is tried again until you say so.",
 			Resolved:    "Resolved: the delivery is no longer failed"}
 	}),
+	kindMovesHeld: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		return words{Headline: "An update waits for you",
+			Explanation: "A new version of a module would restart a container or touch its data, so it waits for you.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the update is no longer waiting"}
+	}),
+	kindImageMissing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		return words{Headline: "A module is not updated",
+			Explanation: "The new version of a module names a container image that the mesh's store does not hold, so it " +
+				"was not sent. What runs is untouched.",
+			Needs:    "build the module again; the details name the image.",
+			Resolved: "Resolved: the store holds the image again"}
+	}),
 	"ask-lost": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A build has no result",
 			Explanation: "A build was asked for and never answered. It is asked again with the next delivery.",

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go

@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ func TestUpdatesHeldNameWhatWaitsAndWhereItIsReleased(t *testing.T) {
 	plainExample(t, got[0], "Updates of openrazer and sensors wait for your release",
 		"Needs you: release them from the mesh MCP server; this notification cannot do it. Updates of openrazer and "+
 			"sensors on g14 and shanks wait for a person to release them, because the last walk failed. "+
-			"They are not delivered until then, and stay held if you leave them.")
+			"They are not delivered until then, and stay held if you leave them.", "Release")
 }
 
 // **What held them is said in the glossary's words** (2026-10-08 review): the backlog is held after any

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_clock_test.go

@@ -78,3 +78,50 @@ func TestAPlansLineCountsFromItsTierNotFromItsLastSave(t *testing.T) {
 
 // novox/hq issue 296: a plan whose tier stands still is not written again by every advance — its revision,
 // its last save and its `plan-moved` stay where its last change left them.
+
+// novox/hq issue 920: a building plan whose current tier is all built waits on its note (a send refused at the
+// gate), and its line, `status` and the stalled condition say that, not "building for ... LATE".
+func TestAPlanLineSaysTheRefusalOnceItsTierIsBuilt(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 19, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	built := now.Add(-time.Hour)
+	refusal := "tier 1: a build waits there for its gate: novox (mesh-delivery-indexer d68d7ef3→a5aa69a4) — tried again"
+	mk := func(second string) inventory.Plan {
+		return inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-r", Repository: "novox/mesh-sdk", Commit: "b2f5ebb2", State: inventory.PlanBuilding,
+			Tier: 1, Created: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour), Updated: now, TierEntered: now.Add(-time.Hour), Note: refusal,
+			Tiers: [][]string{{"a"}, {"b", "c"}},
+			Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built},
+				"b": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built}, "c": {State: second}}}
+	}
+
+	// 920/AC1
+	p := mk("built")
+	line := planLine(p, now)
+	if !strings.Contains(line, "a build waits there for its gate: novox") || strings.Contains(line, "building for") {
+		t.Errorf("920/AC1: a plan with its tier built and a refusal reads %q", line)
+	}
+	st := planStatuses([]inventory.Plan{p}, now, pauseView{}, nil)
+	if len(st) != 1 || !st[0].Late {
+		t.Errorf("920/AC1: status: %+v", st)
+	}
+
+	// 920/AC2
+	if line := planLine(mk("asked"), now); !strings.Contains(line, "building for 1h0m0s") {
+		t.Errorf("920/AC2: a plan with a tier module not built reads %q", line)
+	}
+}
+
+// 920/AC3: a tier move writes the previous tier's summary into the note; with the new tier all built, the line still
+// says "building for", for that note is no refusal.
+func TestAPlanLineDoesNotHoldOnATiersSummary(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 19, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	built := now.Add(-time.Hour)
+	for _, note := range []string{"failed or refused its send (apply-failing says it): novox", "tier 0 built; sent mesh-sdk to novox first, in one send"} {
+		p := inventory.Plan{ID: "plan-s", Repository: "novox/mesh-sdk", Commit: "b2f5ebb2", State: inventory.PlanBuilding,
+			Tier: 1, Created: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour), Updated: now, TierEntered: now.Add(-time.Hour), Note: note,
+			Tiers:   [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}},
+			Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{"a": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built}, "b": {State: "built", BuiltAt: &built}}}
+		if line := planLine(p, now); !strings.Contains(line, "building for 1h0m0s") || strings.Contains(line, "held") {
+			t.Errorf("920/AC3: a plan with the note %q reads %q", note, line)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_looks.go

@@ -136,6 +136,18 @@ func askToLook() {
 	}
 }
 
+// askedToLook asks the serving controller's look at the plans, and says whether there was one to ask.
+func askedToLook() bool {
+	lookerMu.RLock()
+	l := theLooker
+	lookerMu.RUnlock()
+	if l == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	l.ask()
+	return true
+}
+
 // startPlanLooks starts the look at the open plans, and asks for the first: the controller took the lease, and a
 // plan left by a replaced controller resumes from there (ADR 0406 §6). It replaces the rollout's 30 second ticker.
 // It answers a channel that is closed once the look has returned after the context ended, for a test that restores what
@@ -194,6 +206,7 @@ func servingPlanSaved(ctx context.Context, bus link.Bus, open *stores) func(*inv
 	return func(_ *inventory.Inventory, p inventory.Plan) {
 		sayPlanMoved(ctx, bus, open.inventory, p)
 		planKept(p)
+		keepBuildingKey(ctx, p)
 		if p.WalkSaid == inventory.WalkEnded {
 			go forgetChecksOfWalk(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), open.inventory, p)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/plan_moved_every_writer_test.go

@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ func TestNoPlanIsWrittenButThroughSavePlansMoving(t *testing.T) {
 				return err
 			}
 			text := string(raw)
-			if write.MatchString(text) {
+			// The regular expression is the costly part of reading every source: only a file that names the table can match.
+			if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(text), "release_plan") && write.MatchString(text) {
 				found = append(found, path+" writes the plan table")
 			}
 			// A plan record is written by the bucket's raw create and update, which only the plans' own file calls.

cmd/mesh-controller/planner_records_test.go

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestASharedRepositoryIsPlannedFromTheRecordedBuildSources(t *testing.T) {
 		{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: append([]string{"cmd/mesh-builder/", "internal/broker/"}, gomod...)}}
 	sourcesOf["route-proxy"] = []inventory.BuildSource{
 		{Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/Dockerfile", "modules/route-proxy/module.json"}},
-		{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: append([]string{"examples/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/"}, gomod...)}}
+		{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: append([]string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/"}, gomod...)}}
 	register(catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-controller", Version: "1"}, "novox/mesh-controller", "", nil, nil)
 	register(agent, "novox/mesh-catalog", "modules/build-agent", nil, controllerRead)
 	register(catalogue.Manifest{Module: "route-proxy", Version: "1"}, "novox/mesh-catalog", "modules/route-proxy", nil, controllerRead)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func TestASharedRepositoryIsPlannedFromTheRecordedBuildSources(t *testing.T) {
 		{"a package only the controller builds from: the controller alone", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"internal/conditions/condition.go"}, "mesh-controller", true},
 		{"the route proxy's program: the route proxy alone", "mesh-controller",
-			[]string{"examples/route-proxy/main.go"}, "route-proxy", true},
+			[]string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/main.go"}, "route-proxy", true},
 		{"a package all three build from: all three", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"internal/broker/broker.go"}, "mesh-controller,route-proxy | build-agent", false},
 		{"the route proxy's directory in the catalogue: it alone", "mesh-catalog",

cmd/mesh-controller/planner_rules_test.go

@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ func TestASharedRepositoryMovesOnlyWhatItsBuildSourceHolds(t *testing.T) {
 			{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/build-agent/Dockerfile", "modules/build-agent/module.json"}},
 		},
 		"route-proxy": {
-			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: with("examples/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/",
+			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: with("modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/",
 				"vendor/github.com/nats-io/nats.go/")},
 			{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/Dockerfile", "modules/route-proxy/module.json"}},
 		},
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ func TestASharedRepositoryMovesOnlyWhatItsBuildSourceHolds(t *testing.T) {
 		{"a README of the controller's repository: no module (338)", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"README.md"}, read, "", "README.md"},
 		{"the route proxy's program alone: the route proxy alone (338)", "mesh-controller",
-			[]string{"examples/route-proxy/main.go"}, read, "route-proxy", ""},
+			[]string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/main.go"}, read, "route-proxy", ""},
 		{"the build seat's program alone: its holder alone", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"cmd/mesh-builder/main.go"}, read, "build-agent", ""},
 		{"a package the build seat's program and the controller build from: both", "mesh-controller",
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ func TestASharedRepositoryMovesOnlyWhatItsBuildSourceHolds(t *testing.T) {
 		{"go.sum: all three", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"go.sum"}, read, "mesh-controller,route-proxy | build-agent", ""},
 		{"a file added to the proxy's package: the proxy", "mesh-controller",
-			[]string{"examples/route-proxy/new.go"}, read, "route-proxy", ""},
+			[]string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/new.go"}, read, "route-proxy", ""},
 		// Before any build source is said: as before.
 		{"no build source said: a README moves all three, as before", "mesh-controller",
 			[]string{"README.md"}, unsaid, "mesh-controller,route-proxy | build-agent", ""},
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ func TestAModuleAPlanOvertookIsReadWhole(t *testing.T) {
 	built := time.Date(2026, 10, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
 	read := map[string][]inventory.ReadRepository{
 		"route-proxy": {
-			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"examples/route-proxy/", "go.mod"}, Built: built},
+			{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/", "go.mod"}, Built: built},
 			{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/module.json"}, Built: built},
 		},
 		"mesh-controller": {{Own: true, Paths: []string{"module.json", "cmd/mesh-controller/"}, Built: built}},
@@ -396,11 +396,11 @@ func TestAMissedMergeMovingOnlyAPackagingModuleIsActedOnOnce(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	read := map[string][]inventory.ReadRepository{
 		"mesh-controller": {{Own: true, Paths: []string{"module.json", "cmd/mesh-controller/"}, Built: merged.Add(-time.Hour)}},
-		"route-proxy": {{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"examples/route-proxy/"},
+		"route-proxy": {{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Ref: "main", Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/"},
 			Built: merged.Add(-time.Hour), Looked: merged.Add(-time.Hour)}},
 	}
 	m := link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-controller", Base: "main", Commit: "c1",
-		MergedAt: merged.Format(time.RFC3339), Paths: []string{"examples/route-proxy/main.go"}}
+		MergedAt: merged.Format(time.RFC3339), Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/main.go"}}
 	if got := wouldMove(m, entries, planningView(read, nil)); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Manifest.Module != "route-proxy" {
 		t.Fatalf("a missed merge of the proxy's program would move %v", got)
 	}
@@ -599,14 +599,14 @@ func TestTheGatePlansFromTheBuildSourcesTheSnapshotCarries(t *testing.T) {
 			Sources: []snapshot.BuildSource{{Own: true, Paths: []string{"module.json", "cmd/mesh-controller/", "internal/broker/"}}}},
 		{Name: "route-proxy", Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Path: "modules/route-proxy", Manifest: manifest("route-proxy"),
 			Reads: []string{"novox/mesh-controller"},
-			Sources: []snapshot.BuildSource{{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Paths: []string{"examples/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/"}},
+			Sources: []snapshot.BuildSource{{Repository: "novox/mesh-controller", Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/", "internal/broker/"}},
 				{Own: true, Paths: []string{"modules/route-proxy/module.json"}}}},
 	}}
 	for paths, want := range map[string]string{
-		"cmd/mesh-controller/main.go":  "mesh-controller",
-		"examples/route-proxy/main.go": "route-proxy",
-		"internal/broker/broker.go":    "mesh-controller,route-proxy",
-		"README.md":                    "",
+		"cmd/mesh-controller/main.go":                 "mesh-controller",
+		"modules/route-proxy/cmd/route-proxy/main.go": "route-proxy",
+		"internal/broker/broker.go":                   "mesh-controller,route-proxy",
+		"README.md":                                   "",
 	} {
 		r, err := reachOfChange(facts, "novox/mesh-controller", []string{paths}, "")
 		if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_building.go

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// The plans building (novox/hq ADR 0483 clause 2, issue 1687).
+//
+// **A key per delivery plan in its build phase, so that the build seat takes no new check while a delivery builds.** The phase
+// runs from the ask of the plan's first build until every build of its last tier is built, or the plan fails, stops or waits
+// on the operator. It is derived from the plan alone (buildPhaseOf), so a controller that restarts finds the same answer. The
+// key is put when the first build is asked (sayBuilding), kept current at every save of the plan (keepBuildingKey) and by a
+// look every link.PlansBuildingRefresh while this controller holds the lease (keepingPlansBuilding), and deleted at the phase's
+// end; the bucket's age removes the key of a controller that stopped, so checks are held at most that long.
+//
+// The layout is documented in internal/link/holds.go.
+
+// buildPhaseOf says whether a plan is in its build phase: open, not waiting for the operator's word, with a build asked and a
+// build of its tiers still to be built. A tier built and sent leaves the plan rolling while later tiers are still to be asked;
+// it is in the phase still, which is what keeps a check from taking a place between two tiers.
+func buildPhaseOf(p inventory.Plan) bool {
+	if !p.Open() || p.Waiting() || p.Release != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	asked, unbuilt := false, false
+	for _, tier := range p.Tiers {
+		for _, m := range tier {
+			st := p.Modules[m]
+			if st != nil && st.State != "" {
+				asked = true
+			}
+			if st == nil || (st.State != "built" && st.State != planDeleted) {
+				unbuilt = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return asked && unbuilt
+}
+
+// buildingSince is when the plan's first build was asked, or fallback when no module says.
+func buildingSince(p inventory.Plan, fallback time.Time) time.Time {
+	since := time.Time{}
+	for _, st := range p.Modules {
+		if st != nil && st.AskedAt != nil && (since.IsZero() || st.AskedAt.Before(since)) {
+			since = *st.AskedAt
+		}
+	}
+	if since.IsZero() {
+		return fallback
+	}
+	return since
+}
+
+// buildingStore is the bucket of the plans building.
+type buildingStore interface {
+	Put(ctx context.Context, plan string, value []byte) error
+	Delete(ctx context.Context, plan string) error
+	Keys(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error)
+}
+
+// syncBuilding makes the bucket say what the plans say: a key for each plan in its build phase, put again, and none for any
+// other plan, deleted. It returns the faults, each once.
+func syncBuilding(ctx context.Context, store buildingStore, plans []inventory.Plan, now time.Time) []error {
+	var faults []error
+	live := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, p := range plans {
+		if !buildPhaseOf(p) {
+			continue
+		}
+		live[p.ID] = true
+		if err := putBuilding(ctx, store, p.ID, buildingSince(p, now), now); err != nil {
+			faults = append(faults, err)
+		}
+	}
+	keys, err := store.Keys(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return append(faults, err)
+	}
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		if live[key] {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := store.Delete(ctx, key); err != nil {
+			faults = append(faults, fmt.Errorf("the key of %s could not be taken away: %w", key, err))
+		}
+	}
+	return faults
+}
+
+func putBuilding(ctx context.Context, store buildingStore, plan string, since, now time.Time) error {
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(link.PlanBuilding{Plan: plan, Since: since.UTC(), Seen: now.UTC()})
+	if err := store.Put(ctx, plan, body); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("the key of %s could not be put: %w", plan, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// busBuilding is the store on the controller's bucket.
+type busBuilding struct {
+	conn *nats.Conn
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	kv   jetstream.KeyValue
+}
+
+func (b *busBuilding) bucket(ctx context.Context) (jetstream.KeyValue, error) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	defer b.mu.Unlock()
+	if b.kv != nil {
+		return b.kv, nil
+	}
+	api, err := jetstream.New(b.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	kv, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.PlansBuildingBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the plans building: %w", err)
+	}
+	b.kv = kv
+	return kv, nil
+}
+
+func (b *busBuilding) Put(ctx context.Context, plan string, value []byte) error {
+	kv, err := b.bucket(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err = kv.Put(ctx, plan, value)
+	return err
+}
+
+func (b *busBuilding) Delete(ctx context.Context, plan string) error {
+	kv, err := b.bucket(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := kv.Delete(ctx, plan); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (b *busBuilding) Keys(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
+	kv, err := b.bucket(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	keys, err := kv.Keys(ctx)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrNoKeysFound) {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return keys, err
+}
+
+// buildingKeys is the store of the serving controller; nil in a process that is not it, which says nothing.
+var buildingKeys atomic.Pointer[buildingStore]
+
+func setBuildingStore(s buildingStore) {
+	if s == nil {
+		buildingKeys.Store(nil)
+		return
+	}
+	buildingKeys.Store(&s)
+}
+
+// sayBuilding puts a plan's key: its first build is being asked (or another of its builds). A key that could not be put is
+// said; the look that follows puts it again.
+func sayBuilding(ctx context.Context, plan string, since time.Time) {
+	s := buildingKeys.Load()
+	if s == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := putBuilding(ctx, *s, plan, since, time.Now()); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("plans: %v; checks may take a place of %s until the next look\n", err, plan)
+	}
+}
+
+// keepBuildingKey is told each plan this controller keeps: its key put again while it builds and taken away once it does not.
+func keepBuildingKey(ctx context.Context, p inventory.Plan) {
+	s := buildingKeys.Load()
+	if s == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if buildPhaseOf(p) {
+		sayBuilding(ctx, p.ID, buildingSince(p, time.Now()))
+		return
+	}
+	if err := (*s).Delete(ctx, p.ID); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("plans: the key of %s could not be taken away; it ages out: %v\n", p.ID, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// keepingPlansBuilding looks at the plans every link.PlansBuildingRefresh for as long as this controller serves and holds the
+// lease, so a key is put again before its age and the key of a plan that left the phase unseen is taken away.
+func keepingPlansBuilding(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn) {
+	store := &busBuilding{conn: conn}
+	setBuildingStore(store)
+	defer setBuildingStore(nil)
+	tick := time.NewTicker(broker.PlansBuildingRefresh)
+	defer tick.Stop()
+	failing := ""
+	for {
+		if epoch, err := theLease.epoch(ctx); err == nil && epoch != 0 {
+			why := ""
+			if plans, err := inv.OpenPlans(ctx); err != nil {
+				why = fmt.Sprintf("the plans cannot be read: %v", err)
+			} else if faults := syncBuilding(ctx, store, plans, time.Now()); len(faults) > 0 {
+				why = fmt.Sprint(faults)
+			}
+			if why != failing {
+				if why != "" {
+					fmt.Printf("plans: the keys of the plans building cannot be kept: %s\n", why)
+				} else {
+					fmt.Printf("plans: the keys of the plans building are kept again\n")
+				}
+				failing = why
+			}
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-tick.C:
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_building_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// Issue 1687 (ADR 0483 clause 2): a delivery plan's key lives from the ask of its first build until every build of its last
+// tier is built, or the plan fails, stops or waits on the operator.
+
+type fakeBuildingStore struct {
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	keys map[string]link.PlanBuilding
+	puts map[string]int
+}
+
+func newFakeBuildingStore() *fakeBuildingStore {
+	return &fakeBuildingStore{keys: map[string]link.PlanBuilding{}, puts: map[string]int{}}
+}
+
+func (f *fakeBuildingStore) Put(_ context.Context, plan string, value []byte) error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	var v link.PlanBuilding
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(value, &v); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	f.keys[plan] = v
+	f.puts[plan]++
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *fakeBuildingStore) Delete(_ context.Context, plan string) error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	delete(f.keys, plan)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *fakeBuildingStore) Keys(context.Context) ([]string, error) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	var out []string
+	for k := range f.keys {
+		out = append(out, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func aPlan(id, state string, tiers [][]string, states map[string]string) inventory.Plan {
+	p := inventory.Plan{ID: id, State: state, Tiers: tiers, Modules: map[string]*inventory.PlanModule{}}
+	now := time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)
+	for m, st := range states {
+		pm := &inventory.PlanModule{State: st}
+		if st != "" {
+			pm.AskedAt = &now
+		}
+		p.Modules[m] = pm
+	}
+	return p
+}
+
+func TestAPlanIsInItsBuildPhaseFromTheFirstAskToTheLastBuild(t *testing.T) {
+	tiers := [][]string{{"a", "b"}, {"c"}}
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		plan inventory.Plan
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"no build asked yet", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanBuilding, tiers, nil), false},
+		{"the first tier asked", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanBuilding, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "asked", "b": "asked"}), true},
+		// Between two tiers: the first built and sent (rolling), the second not asked yet.
+		{"between two tiers", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanRolling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built", "b": "built"}), true},
+		{"the last tier asked", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanBuilding, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built", "b": "built", "c": "asked"}), true},
+		{"every build built", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanRolling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built", "b": "built", "c": "built"}), false},
+		// A module the plan deletes is done as far as its tiers go (release_plan.go), so it holds no key through the rollout.
+		{"a deleted module is done", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanRolling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built", "b": "built", "c": planDeleted}), false},
+		{"failed", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanFailed, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "failed", "b": "asked"}), false},
+		{"superseded", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanSuperseded, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "asked"}), false},
+		{"a batch whose window is open", aPlan("p", inventory.PlanAssembling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "asked"}), false},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		if got := buildPhaseOf(c.plan); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: in the build phase = %v, want %v", c.name, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	waiting := aPlan("p", inventory.PlanBuilding, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "asked"})
+	waiting.Delivery = &inventory.PlanDelivery{Awaits: "the operator's word"}
+	if buildPhaseOf(waiting) {
+		t.Error("a plan that waits on the operator is in its build phase")
+	}
+}
+
+// The key's life: put, refreshed, deleted at the phase's end; a plan that left the phase unseen loses its key at the next look.
+func TestAPlanKeyIsPutRefreshedAndDeletedAtThePhasesEnd(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	store := newFakeBuildingStore()
+	tiers := [][]string{{"a"}, {"b"}}
+	building := aPlan("plan-1", inventory.PlanBuilding, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "asked"})
+
+	if faults := syncBuilding(ctx, store, []inventory.Plan{building}, time.Now()); len(faults) > 0 {
+		t.Fatal(faults)
+	}
+	if _, ok := store.keys["plan-1"]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("no key while the first build is asked")
+	}
+	first := store.keys["plan-1"]
+	// Refreshed: put again, the phase's start kept.
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+	syncBuilding(ctx, store, []inventory.Plan{building}, time.Now())
+	if store.puts["plan-1"] != 2 || !store.keys["plan-1"].Seen.After(first.Seen) || !store.keys["plan-1"].Since.Equal(first.Since) {
+		t.Errorf("the key was not refreshed with its start kept: %d puts, %+v then %+v", store.puts["plan-1"], first, store.keys["plan-1"])
+	}
+	// Between the tiers: still there.
+	between := aPlan("plan-1", inventory.PlanRolling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built"})
+	syncBuilding(ctx, store, []inventory.Plan{between}, time.Now())
+	if _, ok := store.keys["plan-1"]; !ok {
+		t.Error("the key was gone between two tiers")
+	}
+	// A key of another plan that is no longer in the phase.
+	store.keys["plan-0"] = link.PlanBuilding{Plan: "plan-0"}
+	done := aPlan("plan-1", inventory.PlanRolling, tiers, map[string]string{"a": "built", "b": "built"})
+	syncBuilding(ctx, store, []inventory.Plan{done}, time.Now())
+	if len(store.keys) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("keys remain after the last build was built: %v", store.keys)
+	}
+}
+
+// keepBuildingKey, told of each save, puts the key while the plan builds and deletes it when the plan fails.
+func TestASavedPlanPutsOrDeletesItsKey(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	store := newFakeBuildingStore()
+	var s buildingStore = store
+	buildingKeys.Store(&s)
+	defer buildingKeys.Store(nil)
+
+	p := aPlan("plan-7", inventory.PlanBuilding, [][]string{{"a"}}, map[string]string{"a": "asked"})
+	keepBuildingKey(ctx, p)
+	if _, ok := store.keys["plan-7"]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("the key was not put when the plan was saved building")
+	}
+	p.State = inventory.PlanFailed
+	keepBuildingKey(ctx, p)
+	if _, ok := store.keys["plan-7"]; ok {
+		t.Fatal("the key stayed after the plan failed")
+	}
+}
+
+// The plan's key is there before its first build is asked, so a check cannot take a place between the ask and the plan's save.
+func TestThePlansKeyIsPutBeforeItsFirstBuildIsAsked(t *testing.T) {
+	store := newFakeBuildingStore()
+	var s buildingStore = store
+	buildingKeys.Store(&s)
+	defer buildingKeys.Store(nil)
+	p, byName := aTierOfThree()
+	keyThere := false
+	was := askABuild
+	askABuild = func(context.Context, buildSource, string, string) (string, error) {
+		_, keyThere = store.keys["plan-1"]
+		return "build-x", nil
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { askABuild = was })
+	askModule(t.Context(), p, "a", byName)
+	if !keyThere {
+		t.Fatal("the plan's key was not there when its first build was asked")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/plans_follow.go

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ func planWaitCommand(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, id, untilAsk
 	line := planLineSaid(p, now, pause, bounds.of(p.Repository), func(module string) []string {
 		on, _ := inv.Running(ctx, module)
 		return on
-	}, waitsOf(ctx, inv, one))
+	}, waitsOf(ctx, inv, one)) + heldSaid(p, heldNow(ctx, inv))
 	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/process_accounts.go

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// processUser is the bus user of one process of a module on a node (novox/hq ADR 0436 §1).
+func processUser(node, module, process string) string {
+	return broker.Principal{Kind: broker.KindProcess, Node: node, Module: module, Process: process}.Username()
+}
+
+// processAccountWarning is the warning line for the own secret broker-<process id> of a process that declares bus
+// when nobody issued its account (novox/hq ADR 0436 §2, issue 1226): "" for any other secret and for an issued
+// account. The send goes on with the stand-in until the composition leaves the module off (issue 1753), so the
+// line is the only loud thing about it.
+func processAccountWarning(m catalogue.Manifest, node, secret string, minted []string) string {
+	id, isProcess := strings.CutPrefix(secret, "broker-")
+	if !isProcess {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if _, declared := m.ProcessBuses()[id]; !declared {
+		return ""
+	}
+	user := processUser(node, m.Module, id)
+	for _, u := range minted {
+		if u == user {
+			return ""
+		}
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s process %s: its bus account is not issued — mesh-controller.issue %s %s",
+		node, m.Module, id, node, m.Module)
+}
+
+// sayWarning writes a line where the compose's other warnings go: the act's answer when it carries a writer,
+// else the controller's journal.
+func sayWarning(ctx context.Context, line string) {
+	var w io.Writer = os.Stderr
+	if lw, ok := ctx.Value(leftOutKey{}).(io.Writer); ok {
+		w = lw
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, line)
+}
+
+// processAccountsMissing is each process of m that declares bus and whose account is not minted yet on node.
+func processAccountsMissing(m catalogue.Manifest, node string, minted []string) []broker.ProcessPrincipal {
+	have := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, u := range minted {
+		have[u] = true
+	}
+	var out []broker.ProcessPrincipal
+	for _, pr := range inventory.ProcessesOf(m) {
+		if !have[processUser(node, m.Module, pr.Process)] {
+			out = append(out, pr)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// issueMissingProcessAccounts issues the accounts of m's bus processes on node that are not minted, and no
+// other: an account already issued is rotated on purpose, never by a later delivery or assignment (issue 1226).
+// It says what it issued, one line, and nothing when nothing was missing.
+func issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest, node string) (string, error) {
+	if len(m.ProcessBuses()) == 0 || mayIssue(m) != nil {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	minted, err := inv.BusMinted(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	missing := processAccountsMissing(m, node, minted)
+	if len(missing) == 0 {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	known, err := broker.FromEnvironment()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot deliver a credential without knowing where the bus is: %w", err)
+	}
+	reachable, err := brokerReachableAt(ctx, inv, known, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	busAddress, err := broker.BusAddress()
+	if err != nil {
+		busAddress = ""
+	}
+	var ids []string
+	for _, pr := range missing {
+		if err := issueProcess(ctx, inv, m, pr, node, busAddress, known, reachable); err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		ids = append(ids, pr.Process)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("its process account(s) %s issued and sealed to %s, and arrive with the push",
+		strings.Join(ids, ", "), node), nil
+}
+
+// issueGainedProcessAccounts runs after a module's new definition is registered: on each machine assigned it, the
+// accounts of its bus processes not yet minted are issued, so a process a delivery adds is not pushed with a
+// random stand-in (issue 1226). Never fatal: the build worked and the module is registered, so a failure is said,
+// and the push refuses the module until `mesh-controller.issue` is run.
+func issueGainedProcessAccounts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m catalogue.Manifest) {
+	if len(m.ProcessBuses()) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	nodes, err := inv.Running(ctx, m.Module)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("%s: its machines are not read to issue its process accounts: %v\n", m.Module, err)
+		return
+	}
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		line, err := issueMissingProcessAccounts(ctx, inv, m, node)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s on %s: its process accounts are not issued (%v): `mesh-controller.issue %s %s` first\n",
+				m.Module, node, err, node, m.Module)
+			continue
+		}
+		if line != "" {
+			fmt.Printf("%s on %s: %s\n", m.Module, node, line)
+		}
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/process_accounts_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/testbus"
+)
+
+func gainedAndPlain(t *testing.T) (plain, gained catalogue.Manifest) {
+	t.Helper()
+	plain, err := catalogue.ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"mesh-mail","version":"1",
+		"own-secrets":{"broker-send":{"path":"/var/lib/mesh-mail/broker-send","owner":"mesh-mail-send"}},
+		"resources":[{"id":"account","type":"user","name":"mesh-mail-send"}]}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return plain, mailSenderWithProcess()
+}
+
+// 1226/AC2: given an assigned module whose new definition adds a bus process, when the delivery records it
+// (takeIn, the function that records a build result), the process's account is minted; and 1226/AC3: the same
+// build heard again replaces nothing.
+func TestAGainedProcessIsIssuedWhenTheDeliveryRecordsIt(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	inv := open.inventory
+
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	if err := busCertificate([]string{"--into", dir}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Setenv(broker.AddressVar, strings.TrimPrefix(testbus.URL(t), "nats://"))
+	t.Setenv(broker.CertificateVar, filepath.Join(dir, "tls.crt"))
+
+	plain, gained := gainedAndPlain(t)
+	register(t, open, plain)
+	if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", "mesh-mail"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, minted, _ := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, "laptop.mesh-mail.send"); minted {
+		t.Fatal("the account was minted before the module gained the process")
+	}
+
+	manifest, _ := json.Marshal(gained)
+	build := func(id, commit string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, inv, asTheOperator(t, inv, link.BuildResult{
+			ID: id, Repository: "http://forge.internal:20000/novox/mesh-mail.git", Path: "modules/mesh-mail",
+			Ref: "main", On: "anchor", Commit: commit, Manifest: manifest,
+			Source: &link.SourceOnSeat{Seat: "git", Repository: "novox/mesh-mail"},
+		})); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	build("b-1", "aaaaaaa1111")
+	hash, held, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, "laptop.mesh-mail.send")
+	if err != nil || !held {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC2: recording the gained definition did not mint the process's account: held %v, %v", held, err)
+	}
+	// And the next compose carries the account, with no warning (1226/AC2).
+	var said bytes.Buffer
+	if _, err := prepareSend(leftOutSaidBy(ctx, &said), open, "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC2: the next compose failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(said.String(), "bus account is not issued") {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC2: the next compose warns of an account just minted: %q", said.String())
+	}
+	// The row the compose reads is the account issueProcess accepted (origin accepted), never a value the mesh
+	// made for it (a stand-in).
+	in, err := inputFor(ctx, open)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var row *compose.OwnSecretRow
+	for i, r := range in.OwnSecrets {
+		if r.Node == "laptop" && r.Module == "mesh-mail" && r.Name == "broker-send" {
+			row = &in.OwnSecrets[i]
+		}
+	}
+	if row == nil {
+		t.Fatal("1226/AC2: the next compose carries no row for the process's account")
+	}
+	if row.Origin != inventory.OriginAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC2: the process's account is a stand-in the mesh made (origin %q), not the issued account", row.Origin)
+	}
+	build("b-2", "bbbbbbb2222")
+	again, _, err := inv.BusUserHash(ctx, "laptop.mesh-mail.send")
+	if err != nil || again != hash {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC3: recording again replaced the issued account (%v)", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1226/AC1 and AC4 against the store: given two modules on a machine, one with an unissued process account, when
+// the machine is composed, the rest of it is composed and sent, and only the warning in the push's answer names
+// the first, with `mesh-controller.issue <node> <module>`.
+func TestAnUnissuedProcessAccountIsWarnedOfAndTheRestIsComposed(t *testing.T) {
+	open := aMesh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	_, gained := gainedAndPlain(t)
+	register(t, open, gained)
+	other := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "other", Version: "1",
+		OwnSecrets: catalogue.OwnSecrets{"token": {Path: "/var/lib/other/token"}}}
+	register(t, open, other)
+	for _, m := range []string{"mesh-mail", "other"} {
+		if _, err := assign(ctx, open, "laptop", m); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	var said bytes.Buffer
+	if _, err := prepareSend(leftOutSaidBy(ctx, &said), open, "laptop"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC4: an unissued process account held the machine: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := "laptop/mesh-mail process send: its bus account is not issued — mesh-controller.issue laptop mesh-mail"
+	if !strings.Contains(said.String(), want) {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC1: the push says %q, want %q", said.String(), want)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(said.String(), "other") {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC4: the other module is warned of: %q", said.String())
+	}
+	if _, held, err := open.inventory.ModuleSecretIfIssued(ctx, "laptop", "other", "token"); err != nil || !held {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC4: the other module's secret was not composed: held %v, %v", held, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/process_accounts_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package main
+
+import "testing"
+
+// 1226/AC1: given a module whose process declares bus and has no issued account, when a machine is composed, the
+// push's warning names issue, and the machine's other modules are composed (AC4: nothing is refused).
+func TestAProcessAccountNobodyIssuedIsWarnedOfNamingIssue(t *testing.T) {
+	m := mailSenderWithProcess()
+	got := processAccountWarning(m, "laptop", "broker-send", nil)
+	want := "laptop/mesh-mail process send: its bus account is not issued — mesh-controller.issue laptop mesh-mail"
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC1: the warning is %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+	// Other names are not this rule's.
+	if processAccountWarning(m, "laptop", "broker", nil) != "" || processAccountWarning(m, "laptop", "broker-other", nil) != "" ||
+		processAccountWarning(m, "laptop", "token", nil) != "" {
+		t.Fatal("1226/AC1: a name that is no declared process's account was warned of")
+	}
+	if got := processAccountWarning(m, "laptop", "broker-send", []string{"laptop.mesh-mail.send"}); got != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC3: an issued account was warned of: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1226/AC3: an account already issued is not issued again by a later delivery or assignment.
+func TestAnIssuedProcessAccountIsNotIssuedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	m := mailSenderWithProcess()
+	if got := processAccountsMissing(m, "laptop", nil); len(got) != 1 || got[0].Process != "send" {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC3: an account not issued is not missing: %v", got)
+	}
+	if got := processAccountsMissing(m, "laptop", []string{"laptop.mesh-mail.send"}); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC3: an issued account would be issued again: %v", got)
+	}
+	if got := processAccountsMissing(m, "ace", []string{"laptop.mesh-mail.send"}); len(got) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("1226/AC3: another machine's account stands in for this one's: %v", got)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/pull_declares.go

@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"path"
+	"reflect"
+	"slices"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// What the controller tells mesh-config of an open pull request, and asks it back (novox/hq ADR 0502 clauses 2 and 4,
+// issue 1826): a config key a pull request introduces is not declared on the trunk, so a value for it can be judged
+// only against the pull request's own declaration, which the core reads from the forge and mesh-config never does
+// (ADR 0495 §1). The call is mesh-config's `config` verb in the controller's own name, actions `pull-declares` and
+// `held`; the shapes are those of the interface the two sides agreed.
+
+// meshConfigWait is how long the controller waits for mesh-config before it goes on without: a check is never held up
+// by a module that does not answer.
+const meshConfigWait = 10 * time.Second
+
+// meshConfigAsk is one call of mesh-config's `config` verb in the controller's own name, answering its result. A
+// variable so a test needs no bus.
+var meshConfigAsk = func(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) ([]byte, error) {
+	var result []byte
+	err := onTheBus(func(conn *nats.Conn) error {
+		answer, err := link.AskMeshSeatToolAs(ctx, conn, broker.ControllerName, "mesh-config", "config", args, meshConfigWait)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if answer.Error != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s", answer.Error)
+		}
+		result = answer.Result
+		return nil
+	})
+	return result, err
+}
+
+// pullAt is an open pull request at a head: the change to read, and its number.
+type pullAt struct {
+	changeSource
+	Number int
+}
+
+// pullAtOf is a pull request announced, as the change it makes over what it merges into.
+func pullAtOf(p link.PullUpdated) pullAt {
+	old := p.BaseSHA
+	if old == "" {
+		old = p.Base
+	}
+	return pullAt{Number: p.Number, changeSource: changeSource{Owner: p.Owner, Repo: p.Repo, New: p.Commit, Old: old,
+		Paths: p.Paths, Truncated: p.PathsTruncated, Removed: p.Removed}}
+}
+
+func pullKey(owner, repo string, number int) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s#%d", owner, repo, number)
+}
+
+func (p pullAt) key() string { return pullKey(p.Owner, p.Repo, p.Number) }
+
+// pullDeclarations are the config declarations a pull request's head adds or changes over what it merges into, by
+// module, in the shape of the declared-config mirror. The bool says the head could be read: false for a pull request whose
+// paths are cut (the caller cuts them to the manifests of the modules it moves) or whose base is unknown, which is then
+// told nothing, never an empty set.
+func pullDeclarations(ctx context.Context, p pullAt) ([]inventory.DeclaredConfigMirrored, bool, error) {
+	var out []inventory.DeclaredConfigMirrored
+	if p.Truncated || p.Old == "" {
+		return nil, false, nil
+	}
+	for _, file := range p.Paths {
+		if path.Base(file) != moduleManifestFile || slices.Contains(p.Removed, file) {
+			continue
+		}
+		now, exists, err := manifestCached(ctx, p.Owner, p.Repo, file, p.New)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, false, err
+		}
+		if !exists || now.Module == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		was, _, err := manifestCached(ctx, p.Owner, p.Repo, file, p.Old)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, false, err
+		}
+		have, err := inventory.DeclaredOf(now.Settings)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, false, fmt.Errorf("%s at %.8s: %w", file, p.New, err)
+		}
+		had, err := inventory.DeclaredOf(was.Settings)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, false, fmt.Errorf("%s at %.8s: %w", file, p.Old, err)
+		}
+		changed := map[string]inventory.DeclaredMirrored{}
+		for key, d := range have {
+			if before, there := had[key]; !there || !reflect.DeepEqual(before, d) {
+				changed[key] = d
+			}
+		}
+		if len(changed) > 0 {
+			out = append(out, inventory.DeclaredConfigMirrored{Module: now.Module, Settings: changed})
+		}
+	}
+	return out, true, nil
+}
+
+// tellPullDeclares tells mesh-config, for each pull request at every announced head, what the head declares, an empty set
+// when it declares nothing new: mesh-config re-judges the values held at every head, so a head that reverts the change
+// drops them (ADR 0502 clause 6). A
+// failure is said to w and the check goes on: the held values are then none (ADR 0502 clause 2).
+func tellPullDeclares(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer, pulls []pullAt) {
+	for _, p := range pulls {
+		mods, readable, err := pullDeclarations(ctx, p)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s: what its head declares cannot be read, so mesh-config is told nothing: %v\n", p.key(), err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if !readable {
+			continue
+		}
+		declares := map[string]map[string]inventory.DeclaredMirrored{}
+		for _, m := range mods {
+			declares[m.Module] = m.Settings
+		}
+		if _, err := meshConfigAsk(ctx, map[string]any{"action": "pull-declares", "pull": p.key(), "head": p.New,
+			"declares": declares}); err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s: mesh-config cannot be told what its head declares (%v); the check goes on without held values\n",
+				p.key(), err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// heldFor asks mesh-config for the approved held values of these pull requests at their heads (ADR 0502 clause 4). Only
+// those of the pull requests asked about are carried. A failure is said to w and answers none.
+func heldFor(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer, pulls []pullAt) []link.HeldConfig {
+	if len(pulls) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	type pullHead struct {
+		Pull string `json:"pull"`
+		Head string `json:"head"`
+	}
+	asked := make([]pullHead, 0, len(pulls))
+	for _, p := range pulls {
+		asked = append(asked, pullHead{p.key(), p.New})
+	}
+	raw, err := meshConfigAsk(ctx, map[string]any{"action": "held", "pulls": asked})
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "mesh-config cannot say what it holds for these pull requests (%v); the check goes on without held values\n", err)
+		return nil // empty-on-error: said above; a check without held values fails for want of the value and says so, it never passes on a guess
+	}
+	var answer struct {
+		Held    []link.HeldConfig `json:"held"`
+		Skipped []struct {
+			Pull string `json:"pull"`
+			Why  string `json:"why"`
+		} `json:"skipped"`
+	}
+	if len(raw) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &answer); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "mesh-config's held values cannot be read (%v); the check goes on without them\n", err)
+		return nil // empty-on-error: said above; a check without held values fails for want of the value and says so, it never passes on a guess
+	}
+	for _, s := range answer.Skipped {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s: mesh-config holds a value it does not carry: %s\n", s.Pull, s.Why)
+	}
+	var out []link.HeldConfig
+	for _, h := range answer.Held {
+		for _, p := range pulls {
+			if h.Pull == p.key() {
+				out = append(out, h)
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// withHeldConfig tells mesh-config what these pull requests declare and puts the approved held values of them on the
+// check request (ADR 0502 clause 4). With carry false, a member of a group whose composed check composes, only the
+// declarations are told.
+func withHeldConfig(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer, request *link.BuildRequest, pulls []pullAt, carry bool) {
+	tellPullDeclares(ctx, w, pulls)
+	if carry {
+		carryHeld(ctx, w, request, pulls)
+	}
+}
+
+// carryHeld puts the approved held values of these pull requests on the check request.
+func carryHeld(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer, request *link.BuildRequest, pulls []pullAt) {
+	if request.Check != nil {
+		request.Check.HeldConfig = heldFor(ctx, w, pulls)
+	}
+}
+
+// holdsModules is whether a module of the mesh is built from this repository.
+func holdsModules(entries []inventory.Entry, owner, repo string) bool {
+	return slices.ContainsFunc(entries, func(e inventory.Entry) bool {
+		return sameRepository(e.Source.Repository, link.SourceMoved{Owner: owner, Repo: repo})
+	})
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/pull_declares_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"io"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+const (
+	headSHA = "2222222222222222222222222222222222222222"
+	baseSHA = "1111111111111111111111111111111111111111"
+)
+
+// fakeManifests serves manifests by ref, and counts what the forge was asked. Issue 1826/AC1 (unit level).
+func fakeManifests(t *testing.T, at map[string]*catalogue.Manifest) {
+	t.Helper()
+	was := manifestAt
+	t.Cleanup(func() { manifestAt = was })
+	manifestsReadMu.Lock()
+	clear(manifestsRead)
+	manifestsReadMu.Unlock()
+	manifestAt = func(_ context.Context, _, _, _, ref string) (catalogue.Manifest, bool, error) {
+		if m := at[ref]; m != nil {
+			return *m, true, nil
+		}
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, nil
+	}
+}
+
+// fakeConfig records the calls to mesh-config and answers each action from answers.
+func fakeConfig(t *testing.T, answers map[string]string) *[]map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+	var calls []map[string]any
+	was := meshConfigAsk
+	t.Cleanup(func() { meshConfigAsk = was })
+	meshConfigAsk = func(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) ([]byte, error) {
+		calls = append(calls, args)
+		return []byte(answers[args["action"].(string)]), nil
+	}
+	return &calls
+}
+
+func manifest(module string, keys map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration) *catalogue.Manifest {
+	return &catalogue.Manifest{Module: module, Settings: keys}
+}
+
+func thePull() pullAt {
+	return pullAt{Number: 434, changeSource: changeSource{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", New: headSHA, Old: baseSHA,
+		Paths: []string{"modules/n8n/module.json", "modules/n8n/README.md"}}}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a key the head adds is sent with its declaration, under the pull request and the head.
+func TestAKeyThePullRequestAddsIsToldToMeshConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{
+		baseSHA: manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"port": {Type: "number"}}),
+		headSHA: manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"port": {Type: "number"},
+			"media-gid": {Type: "number", Required: true}}),
+	})
+	calls := fakeConfig(t, map[string]string{"pull-declares": `{"kept":1}`})
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{thePull()})
+	if len(*calls) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("mesh-config was asked %d times: %v", len(*calls), *calls)
+	}
+	c := (*calls)[0]
+	if c["action"] != "pull-declares" || c["pull"] != "novox/mesh-catalog#434" || c["head"] != headSHA {
+		t.Fatalf("the call is %v", c)
+	}
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(c["declares"])
+	var declares map[string]map[string]inventory.DeclaredMirrored
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &declares); err != nil || len(declares) != 1 || declares["n8n"] == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("declares %s: %v", body, err)
+	}
+	mods := []inventory.DeclaredConfigMirrored{{Module: "n8n", Settings: declares["n8n"]}}
+	if _, has := mods[0].Settings["port"]; has || len(mods[0].Settings) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("only the added key is told, got %v", mods[0].Settings)
+	}
+	d := mods[0].Settings["media-gid"]
+	if d.Type != "number" || !d.Required {
+		t.Fatalf("the declaration is %+v", d)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a key whose declaration the head changes is sent; one it leaves as it was is not.
+func TestAnUnchangedKeyIsNotToldAndAChangedOneIs(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{
+		baseSHA: manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"port": {Type: "number"}, "x": {Type: "string"}}),
+		headSHA: manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"port": {Type: "number"}, "x": {Type: "string", Pattern: "a+"}}),
+	})
+	mods, touched, err := pullDeclarations(context.Background(), thePull())
+	if err != nil || !touched || len(mods) != 1 || len(mods[0].Settings) != 1 || mods[0].Settings["x"].Pattern != "a+" {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v %v %v", mods, touched, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a head that changes no module.json, or removes it, is still told, with declares {}: mesh-config re-judges at every
+// head, so a head that reverts the change drops the value held for it (review round 1, finding 1).
+func TestAHeadThatDeclaresNothingIsToldAsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{baseSHA: manifest("n8n", nil), headSHA: manifest("n8n", nil)})
+	calls := fakeConfig(t, nil)
+	p := thePull()
+	p.Paths = []string{"modules/n8n/README.md"}
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{p})
+	p = thePull()
+	p.Removed = p.Paths
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{p})
+	if len(*calls) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("mesh-config was told %v", *calls)
+	}
+	for _, c := range *calls {
+		if d, _ := json.Marshal(c["declares"]); string(d) != "{}" || c["head"] != headSHA {
+			t.Fatalf("told %v", c)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a head whose paths are cut, or whose base is unknown, cannot be read: nothing is told, never an empty set.
+func TestAHeadThatCannotBeReadIsNotToldAsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	calls := fakeConfig(t, nil)
+	p := thePull()
+	p.Truncated = true
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{p})
+	if len(*calls) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("told %v", *calls)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a module.json changed without a declaration changing is told as an empty set, so mesh-config re-judges what it holds.
+func TestAChangedManifestWithNoNewDeclarationIsToldAsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	m := manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"port": {Type: "number"}})
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{baseSHA: m, headSHA: m})
+	calls := fakeConfig(t, nil)
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{thePull()})
+	if len(*calls) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("calls %v", *calls)
+	}
+	if d, _ := json.Marshal((*calls)[0]["declares"]); string(d) != "{}" {
+		t.Fatalf("declares %s", d)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: mesh-config not answering is said and goes on; the check is not stopped.
+func TestMeshConfigNotAnsweringIsSaidAndGoneOn(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{baseSHA: manifest("n8n", nil),
+		headSHA: manifest("n8n", map[string]catalogue.SettingDeclaration{"k": {Type: "string"}})})
+	was := meshConfigAsk
+	t.Cleanup(func() { meshConfigAsk = was })
+	meshConfigAsk = func(context.Context, map[string]any) ([]byte, error) { return nil, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF }
+	var said strings.Builder
+	tellPullDeclares(context.Background(), &said, []pullAt{thePull()})
+	got := heldFor(context.Background(), &said, []pullAt{thePull()})
+	if len(got) != 0 || !strings.Contains(said.String(), "mesh-config") {
+		t.Fatalf("held %v, said %q", got, said.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC2: the held values mesh-config answers for the check's pull requests are what the check request carries.
+func TestTheHeldValuesOfTheChecksPullRequestsAreAsked(t *testing.T) {
+	calls := fakeConfig(t, map[string]string{"held": `{"held":[{"pull":"novox/mesh-catalog#434","head":"` + headSHA +
+		`","node":"ace","module":"n8n","key":"media-gid","value":2000,"approved":"the operator"}]}`})
+	other := pullAt{Number: 7, changeSource: changeSource{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-controller", New: baseSHA}}
+	got := heldFor(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{thePull(), other})
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].Node != "ace" || got[0].Key != "media-gid" || string(got[0].Value) != "2000" {
+		t.Fatalf("got %+v", got)
+	}
+	c := (*calls)[0]
+	pulls, _ := json.Marshal(c["pulls"])
+	if c["action"] != "held" || string(pulls) != `[{"pull":"novox/mesh-catalog#434","head":"`+headSHA+
+		`"},{"pull":"novox/mesh-controller#7","head":"`+baseSHA+`"}]` {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %v %s", c, pulls)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC2: a value held for a pull request the check is not of is never carried.
+func TestAHeldValueOfAnotherPullRequestIsNotCarried(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeConfig(t, map[string]string{"held": `{"held":[{"pull":"novox/mesh-catalog#999","head":"x","node":"ace","module":"n8n","key":"k","value":1}]}`})
+	if got := heldFor(context.Background(), io.Discard, []pullAt{thePull()}); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("carried %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC2: the check request carries what mesh-config answered; a member of a composed group asks none.
+func TestTheCheckRequestCarriesTheHeldValues(t *testing.T) {
+	fakeManifests(t, map[string]*catalogue.Manifest{baseSHA: manifest("n8n", nil), headSHA: manifest("n8n", nil)})
+	fakeConfig(t, map[string]string{"held": `{"held":[{"pull":"novox/mesh-catalog#434","node":"ace","module":"n8n","key":"media-gid","value":2000}]}`})
+	request := link.BuildRequest{Check: &link.CheckRequest{}}
+	withHeldConfig(context.Background(), io.Discard, &request, []pullAt{thePull()}, true)
+	if len(request.Check.HeldConfig) != 1 || request.Check.HeldConfig[0].Key != "media-gid" {
+		t.Fatalf("the request carries %+v", request.Check.HeldConfig)
+	}
+	request = link.BuildRequest{Check: &link.CheckRequest{}}
+	withHeldConfig(context.Background(), io.Discard, &request, []pullAt{thePull()}, false)
+	if len(request.Check.HeldConfig) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a composed member carries %+v", request.Check.HeldConfig)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1826/AC1: a repository that builds a module of the mesh holds modules; another does not.
+func TestARepositoryThatBuildsAModuleHoldsModules(t *testing.T) {
+	entries := []inventory.Entry{{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "a"}, Source: inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Path: "modules/a"}}}
+	if !holdsModules(entries, "novox", "mesh-catalog") || holdsModules(entries, "novox", "hq") {
+		t.Fatal("wrong")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/push.go

@@ -281,7 +281,11 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	// The provisioner's plan of each handed module, as its machine was last sent it (design 57 P6), in the module's
 	// assignment.
 	inv.SetProvisioningPlans(inv.SentProvisioningPlans)
-	go mirroringRecords(ctx, inv, bus.Conn, bus)
+	go mirroringRecords(ctx, open, inv, bus.Conn, bus)
+	// And the bucket of the files that travel by digest, judged against what each machine's latest declaration names (ADR 0486 §3).
+	go sweepingDeclarationFiles(ctx, inv, bus.Conn)
+	// And the key of each plan in its build phase, which holds the build seat's checks while a delivery builds (ADR 0483 clause 2).
+	go keepingPlansBuilding(ctx, inv, bus.Conn)
 	// Every call carries the lease's epoch, and its record is written only under the lease (novox/hq
 	// to-be 45 §6).
 	link.Calls.UnderLease(func() (uint64, error) { return theLease.epoch(ctx) })
@@ -979,6 +983,18 @@ func deliver(ctx context.Context, d delivery, holder string, sending []readyNode
 			return err
 		}
 		digest, err := d.declare(ctx, s, body)
+		if errors.Is(err, errFilesNotPut) && s.declared.fileReferences {
+			// **The grant that lets the controller write the bucket travels in the very declaration of the machine holding the
+			// bus** (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2): until the bus has it, a put is refused, and the declaration that would deliver the
+			// grant would wait for it. So that send, and only that, goes with every content inline, as to a node that reads no
+			// references, and says so; the next one tries the bucket again.
+			fmt.Printf("%s: the files that travel by digest could not be put in the bucket (%v): sending them inline\n", s.node, err)
+			s.declared.fileReferences = false
+			if body, err = s.declared.Body(); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			digest, err = d.declare(ctx, s, body)
+		}
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -1040,6 +1056,35 @@ type overTheBus struct {
 	indent string
 }
 
+// putFiles puts the contents s names by digest in the bucket.
+func (b overTheBus) putFiles(ctx context.Context, s readyNode) error {
+	objects, err := s.declared.objects()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: the files that travel by digest cannot be read: %w", s.node, err)
+	}
+	if len(objects) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	bus, ok := b.server.Bus().(link.OverNATS)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s: the declaration names files by digest and this bus has no object bucket", s.node)
+	}
+	putting, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 30*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	store, err := openBucket(putting, bus.Conn, s.node)
+	if err == nil {
+		err = putObjects(putting, store, objects)
+	}
+	notePut(ctx, s.node, err)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s was not sent its declaration: %w: %w", s.node, errFilesNotPut, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// errFilesNotPut marks a send that stopped because the files it names by digest could not be put in the bucket.
+var errFilesNotPut = errors.New("the files it names by digest are not in the bucket")
+
 func (b overTheBus) grant(ctx context.Context, sending []readyNode) error {
 	// The bus's objects first, which every declaration implies (novox/hq issue 208): said and raised
 	// when they cannot be, and never what holds the send back (assertOnSend).
@@ -1052,9 +1097,20 @@ func (b overTheBus) grant(ctx context.Context, sending []readyNode) error {
 }
 
 func (b overTheBus) declare(ctx context.Context, s readyNode, body []byte) (string, error) {
-	if err := link.Declare(ctx, b.server.Bus(), b.signer, s.node, body, 15*time.Second); err != nil {
+	// The contents the declaration names by digest are in the bucket before it is sent (novox/hq ADR 0486 §1, issue 1696): a node
+	// that applies it finds every one. A node reading no references has none.
+	// **Under the node's lock** from the put to the publication, so the sweep of its bucket cannot remove an object between them.
+	unlock := lockFilesOf(s.node)
+	err := b.putFiles(ctx, s)
+	if err != nil {
+		unlock()
 		return "", err
 	}
+	declared := link.Declare(ctx, b.server.Bus(), b.signer, s.node, body, 15*time.Second)
+	unlock()
+	if declared != nil {
+		return "", declared
+	}
 	// After it is away, not before. A digest recorded for something that failed to send would make
 	// the machine look current for a declaration it never received.
 	digest, err := recordSent(ctx, b.open.inventory, s.node, body, s.declared.Builds, s.declared.Epoch,

cmd/mesh-controller/queue.go

@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ type queueAnswer struct {
 	Dead       int            `json:"dead"`
 	MaxDeliver int            `json:"max-deliver"`
 	Asks       []queuedAnswer `json:"asks"`
-	Text       string         `json:"text"`
+	// HeldFor are the delivery plans building, while which the waiting checks are held (ADR 0483 clause 5); empty when none.
+	HeldFor []string `json:"held-for,omitempty"`
+	Text    string   `json:"text"`
 }
 
 // queuedAnswer is one ask as data. Never what the request carries beyond its source — not `held`, every
@@ -120,6 +122,9 @@ type queuedAnswer struct {
 	// Delivery is the how-manyth time an ask in flight was handed out; more than 1 is a restart
 	// (novox/hq issue 594).
 	Delivery int `json:"delivery,omitempty"`
+	// LetThrough is a check that waited past 30 minutes and is let through while a delivery builds: the next one, or the one
+	// that runs (ADR 0483 clause 5).
+	LetThrough bool `json:"let-through,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // aCommitRef is a ref that names a commit by its full hash (SHA-1 or SHA-256).
@@ -130,7 +135,8 @@ var aCommitRef = regexp.MustCompile(`^(?:[0-9a-f]{40}|[0-9a-f]{64})$`)
 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)}
+		MaxDeliver: q.MaxDeliver, Asks: []queuedAnswer{}, HeldFor: q.Hold.Plans, Text: queueText(q, now)}
+	letNext, letRunning := q.LetThroughOf(now)
 	one := func(a link.QueuedAsk, position int) queuedAnswer {
 		kind := link.KindOf(a.Request)
 		since := a.AskedAt
@@ -143,7 +149,7 @@ func queueAnswerOf(q link.Queue, now time.Time) queueAnswer {
 		}
 		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, Delivery: a.Delivery}
+			Position: position, Seq: a.Seq, Delivery: a.Delivery, LetThrough: a.ID != "" && (a.ID == letNext || a.ID == letRunning)}
 	}
 	for _, a := range running {
 		out.Asks = append(out.Asks, one(a, 0))
@@ -179,6 +185,11 @@ func queueText(q link.Queue, now time.Time) string {
 		}
 		return s
 	}
+	letNext, letRunning := q.LetThroughOf(now)
+	const passed = "waited past 30 minutes, let through"
+	if q.HoldFault != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "why checks wait cannot be read, so none is said held: %s\n", q.HoldFault)
+	}
 	if len(running) > 0 {
 		fmt.Fprintln(&b, "\nin flight:")
 		for _, a := range running {
@@ -193,14 +204,27 @@ func queueText(q link.Queue, now time.Time) string {
 			case a.Was != "":
 				where = fmt.Sprintf("handed back by %s, to be handed out again", a.Was)
 			}
-			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %-26s %-8s %s — %s, %s (seq %d)\n", a.ID, link.KindOf(a.Request), what(a), where,
-				ago(a.AskedAt), a.Seq)
+			note := ""
+			if a.ID != "" && a.ID == letRunning {
+				note = " — " + passed
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %-26s %-8s %s — %s, %s (seq %d)%s\n", a.ID, link.KindOf(a.Request), what(a), where,
+				ago(a.AskedAt), a.Seq, note)
 		}
 	}
 	if len(waiting) > 0 {
 		fmt.Fprintln(&b, "\nwaiting, in the order they are handed out:")
+		// **Why the checks wait** (ADR 0483 clause 5): above them, the plans they are held for.
+		if len(q.Hold.Plans) > 0 && hasCheck(waiting) {
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  checks are held while delivery %s builds; the oldest check that waited 30 minutes goes first, one at a time\n",
+				strings.Join(q.Hold.Plans, ", "))
+		}
 		for _, a := range waiting {
-			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %-26s %-8s %s — %s (seq %d)\n", a.ID, link.KindOf(a.Request), what(a), ago(a.AskedAt), a.Seq)
+			note := ""
+			if a.ID != "" && a.ID == letNext {
+				note = " — " + passed + " next"
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  %-26s %-8s %s — %s (seq %d)%s\n", a.ID, link.KindOf(a.Request), what(a), ago(a.AskedAt), a.Seq, note)
 		}
 	}
 	if len(dead) > 0 {
@@ -218,6 +242,16 @@ func queueText(q link.Queue, now time.Time) string {
 	return b.String()
 }
 
+// hasCheck says a check is among the asks.
+func hasCheck(asks []link.QueuedAsk) bool {
+	for _, a := range asks {
+		if a.Request.Check != nil {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // cancelCommand drops one waiting or dead ask.
 func cancelCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	if len(args) != 1 {

cmd/mesh-controller/queue_held_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// Issue 1688 / 1652 AC5 (ADR 0483 clause 5): the queue names, above the waiting checks, the plan they are held for, and says of a
+// check let through that it waited past 30 minutes.
+
+func aHeldQueue(now time.Time) link.Queue {
+	check := func(id string, ago time.Duration, n int) link.QueuedAsk {
+		return link.QueuedAsk{Seq: uint64(n), ID: id, Repository: "ssh://forge/novox/r", AskedAt: now.Add(-ago), State: link.AskWaiting,
+			Request: link.BuildRequest{ID: id, Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "r", Number: n}}}
+	}
+	return link.Queue{Seat: link.TheBuildMachine, Asks: []link.QueuedAsk{
+		check("build-young", 5*time.Minute, 1),
+		check("build-old", 45*time.Minute, 2),
+		check("build-older", 50*time.Minute, 3),
+	}, Hold: link.CheckHold{Plans: []string{"plan-42"}}}
+}
+
+func TestTheQueueNamesThePlanTheChecksAreHeldFor(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	text := queueText(aHeldQueue(now), now)
+	heldAt := strings.Index(text, "held while delivery plan-42 builds")
+	firstAt := strings.Index(text, "build-young")
+	if heldAt < 0 || firstAt < 0 || heldAt > firstAt {
+		t.Fatalf("the plan the checks are held for is not named above the waiting checks:\n%s", text)
+	}
+	// Nothing building: nothing held.
+	q := aHeldQueue(now)
+	q.Hold = link.CheckHold{}
+	if strings.Contains(queueText(q, now), "held while") {
+		t.Fatal("checks are said held with no delivery building")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestACheckLetThroughIsSaidToHaveWaitedPastThirtyMinutes(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 21, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	q := aHeldQueue(now)
+	text := queueText(q, now)
+	var saidOf []string
+	for _, l := range strings.Split(text, "\n") {
+		if strings.Contains(l, "waited past 30 minutes, let through") {
+			saidOf = append(saidOf, strings.Fields(l)[0])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(saidOf) != 1 || saidOf[0] != "build-older" {
+		t.Fatalf("the check let through next (the oldest) is not the one said: %v\n%s", saidOf, text)
+	}
+	answer := queueAnswerOf(q, now)
+	if len(answer.HeldFor) != 1 || answer.HeldFor[0] != "plan-42" {
+		t.Errorf("held-for = %v", answer.HeldFor)
+	}
+	for _, a := range answer.Asks {
+		if a.LetThrough != (a.ID == "build-older") {
+			t.Errorf("%s let-through = %v", a.ID, a.LetThrough)
+		}
+	}
+	// A check in flight under the let-through key is said too.
+	q.Asks = append(q.Asks, link.QueuedAsk{Seq: 9, ID: "build-running", State: link.AskInFlight, On: "ace", AskedAt: now.Add(-time.Hour),
+		Started: now.Add(-time.Minute), Request: link.BuildRequest{ID: "build-running", Check: &link.CheckRequest{Owner: "novox", Repo: "r", Number: 9}}})
+	q.Hold.LetThrough = &link.LetThrough{Builder: "ace"}
+	if !strings.Contains(queueText(q, now), "build-running") || !strings.Contains(queueText(q, now), "waited past 30 minutes, let through\n") {
+		t.Errorf("the check in flight let through is not said:\n%s", queueText(q, now))
+	}
+	// Younger than the bound: none is said.
+	young := aHeldQueue(now)
+	young.Asks = young.Asks[:1]
+	if strings.Contains(queueText(young, now), "waited past") {
+		t.Error("a check of 5 minutes is said to have waited past 30")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/record_mirrors.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/compose"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ import (
 const mirrorEvery = 10 * time.Second
 
 // mirroringRecords keeps the mirrors current for as long as this controller serves: ctx ends when it stops.
-func mirroringRecords(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn, announce recordmirror.Announcer) {
+func mirroringRecords(ctx context.Context, open *stores, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.Conn, announce recordmirror.Announcer) {
 	api, err := jetstream.New(conn)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("the record mirrors are not kept: %v\n", err)
@@ -44,8 +45,9 @@ func mirroringRecords(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, conn *nats.
 		return e
 	}
 	sources := map[string]func(context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error){
-		recordmirror.DeclaredConfig.Name: inv.DeclaredConfigMirror,
-		recordmirror.Predefined.Name:     inv.PredefinedMirror,
+		recordmirror.DeclaredConfig.Name:   inv.DeclaredConfigMirror,
+		recordmirror.Predefined.Name:       inv.PredefinedMirror,
+		recordmirror.DeclaredPackages.Name: declaredPackagesMirror(open),
 	}
 	writers := map[string]*recordmirror.Writer{}
 	failing := map[string]string{}
@@ -176,3 +178,36 @@ func keepingAssignments(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, announce
 	}
 	events.known = now
 }
+
+// declaredPackagesMirror is the source of the declared-packages mirror (ADR 0507 §5): each node's composition, asked as a
+// question that makes nothing, and the packages it declares with the modules that declare them. A node whose own set does
+// not compose has no key, and any other failure to read is the pass's error, so a key is never purged for a store that
+// could not be read.
+func declaredPackagesMirror(open *stores) func(context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]byte, error) {
+		in, err := inputFor(ctx, open)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		// Which module owns each resource is carried only for a node-engine that reads it, so every node is asked as one that does.
+		asked := in.Input
+		asked.Nodes = append([]compose.Node(nil), in.Nodes...)
+		for i := range asked.Nodes {
+			asked.Nodes[i].ReadsModules = true
+		}
+		out := map[string][]byte{}
+		for _, n := range in.sortedNodes() {
+			d, _, err := compose.ComposeIn(asked, n.Name, compose.Foreseeing)
+			if compose.IsUnresolvable(err) {
+				continue
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("the packages %s declares cannot be read: %w", n.Name, err)
+			}
+			if out[n.Name], err = inventory.DeclaredPackagesValue(n.Name, d.Resources, d.ModuleOf); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
+		return out, nil
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/recorded_moves.go

@@ -181,15 +181,24 @@ func planModuleNames(p inventory.Plan) map[string]string {
 	return out
 }
 
-// recordedWaiting is, on one machine, every move of a recorded module that waits for a person, each said with why
-// (ADR 0377 §6): what `status` names the machine behind for, with `push <node>` as the remedy. A move under a
-// module's own `record` that recreates nothing and moves no data is not among them: it goes with its walk.
-func recordedWaiting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, f moveFacts, node string) ([]string, error) {
+// heldMove is one move of a recorded module that waits for a person on one machine (ADR 0377 §6).
+type heldMove struct {
+	Module   string
+	From, To string
+	// Why is the walk's own word for it: "waits: " and the recreate words, the data change, or the hold.
+	Why string
+	// Chosen is whether a person's own choice holds it — a module they set to record, or the bus's step — which the
+	// operator is not asked about again: they chose that hold, and the bus has its own condition (S17).
+	Chosen bool
+}
+
+// heldMovesOn is, on one machine, every move of a recorded module that waits for a person, in module order.
+func heldMovesOn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, f moveFacts, node string) ([]heldMove, error) {
 	sent, known, err := inv.SentBuilds(ctx, node)
 	if err != nil || !known {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	var out []string
+	var out []heldMove
 	for _, m := range sortedKeysOf(sent) {
 		was := sent[m]
 		now, held := f.current[m]
@@ -197,12 +206,25 @@ func recordedWaiting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, f moveFacts,
 			continue
 		}
 		if v := f.recordedMove(m, was); !v.rolls {
-			out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s → %s %s", m, short(was), short(now.Commit), v.said))
+			out = append(out, heldMove{Module: m, From: was, To: now.Commit, Why: v.said,
+				Chosen: now.From == catalogue.FromPerson || now.From == catalogue.FromBus})
 		}
 	}
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// recordedWaiting is, on one machine, every move of a recorded module that waits for a person, each said with why
+// (ADR 0377 §6): what `status` names the machine behind for, with `push <node>` as the remedy. A move under a
+// module's own `record` that recreates nothing and moves no data is not among them: it goes with its walk.
+func recordedWaiting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, f moveFacts, node string) ([]string, error) {
+	moves, err := heldMovesOn(ctx, inv, f, node)
+	var out []string
+	for _, h := range moves {
+		out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s %s → %s %s", h.Module, short(h.From), short(h.To), h.Why))
+	}
+	return out, err
+}
+
 // stringsKeys is a map of lists as a map of its keys, for sortedKeysOf.
 func stringsKeys(m map[string][]string) map[string]string {
 	out := map[string]string{}

cmd/mesh-controller/release.go

@@ -1371,6 +1371,10 @@ func backlogObservation() []conditions.Observation {
 			"them, `upgrade release-backlog --why …` releases them", n, strings.Join(machines, ", "), backlogNow.held)}
 	w := releaseHeldWords(modules, machines)
 	o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved, o.Needs = w.Headline, w.Explanation, w.Resolved, w.Needs
+	// Asked of the operator, who releases them with an Approve (novox/hq issue 1732): the controller's own
+	// `upgrade release-backlog`, which opens the release plan that walks them through the machines, each judged.
+	o.Actions = []conditions.Action{{Label: "Release", Verb: "mesh-controller.upgrade", Level: conditions.LevelApprove,
+		Arguments: map[string]string{"release-backlog": "true", "why": "", "cause": conditions.CauseOperatorAnswer}}}
 	return []conditions.Observation{o}
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go

@@ -577,6 +577,9 @@ func askModule(ctx context.Context, p *inventory.Plan, name string, byName map[s
 	}
 	// **The walk takes the check's build of the same key** (novox/hq ADR 0350 §2): its ask says so, with the pull
 	// requests it answers, whose checks name the part of a differing key.
+	// **The plan's key is there before its first build is** (ADR 0483 clause 2): a check taken between the ask and the plan's save
+	// would hold a place for its whole run.
+	sayBuilding(ctx, p.ID, now)
 	id, err := askABuild(withReuse(ctx, reuseWithVerdicts(ctx, p.ID, reuseAskOf(p), mergedHeadsOf(p))), source,
 		e.Source.Path, ref)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -625,16 +628,124 @@ func planBuilt(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module, commit, failed string,
 	planBuiltSaying(ctx, open, module, commit, failed, asked, id, "")
 }
 
+// holdPlansForOutcome is how an outcome taken on the event loop holds the plans: **without waiting for them**
+// (novox/hq issue 1708). The loop takes one message at a time, and the plans' holder may keep them for minutes while
+// it sends machines their declarations; an outcome that waited its turn (up to inventory.HoldWaitFor, two minutes)
+// held every report, build and merge behind it for as long, and the watchdog said the controller stopped listening
+// (2026-10-21 14:20:45 to 14:22:45). Busy, the outcome is left to the build records, where it already is, and the
+// look settles the plan from them (leaveToRecords).
+func holdPlansForOutcome(ctx context.Context, hold func(context.Context, bool) (func(), error)) (func(), error) {
+	return hold(ctx, false)
+}
+
+// leaveToRecords says an outcome was not taken into the plans, which settle it from the build records (novox/hq issue
+// 214). When another act holds the plans it asks for the look, which waits for them off the event loop and settles
+// the plan from the records once they are let go (issue 1708); what the build did is kept for that settle by the
+// build's id, so the walk's module says it as it would have (ADR 0350 §4).
+func leaveToRecords(module, id, made, failed string, err error) {
+	fmt.Printf("plans: %s's outcome is left to the build records: %v\n", module, err)
+	if !errors.Is(err, inventory.ErrPlansBusy) {
+		return
+	}
+	keepMadeFor(id, made, time.Now())
+	// A refused outcome (failed, its build recorded as worked) is kept as refused, or the records settle it built.
+	keepRefusalFor(id, failed, time.Now())
+	askToLook()
+}
+
+// refusalsKeptFor is the refusals kept in this process for these builds (keepRefusalFor), by id.
+func refusalsKeptFor(ids []string) map[string]string {
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	refusedLeftMu.Lock()
+	defer refusedLeftMu.Unlock()
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		if k, ok := refusedLeft[id]; ok {
+			out[id] = k.made
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// refusedLeft is why each outcome left to the records was refused, by the build's id: kept in the process beside the
+// store's record (RecordRefused), so a store that did not take it still fails the plan while this controller serves.
+var (
+	refusedLeftMu sync.Mutex
+	refusedLeft   = map[string]madeKept{}
+)
+
+// keepRefusalFor keeps why an outcome left to the records was refused, forgetting refusals older than madeLeftFor.
+func keepRefusalFor(id, why string, now time.Time) {
+	if id == "" || why == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	refusedLeftMu.Lock()
+	defer refusedLeftMu.Unlock()
+	for k, v := range refusedLeft {
+		if now.Sub(v.at) > madeLeftFor {
+			delete(refusedLeft, k)
+		}
+	}
+	refusedLeft[id] = madeKept{made: why, at: now}
+}
+
+// madeLeft is what each build left to the records did, by the build's id, until a settle takes it: kept in the
+// process, so a controller replaced before the settle loses only these words, never the outcome.
+var (
+	madeLeftMu sync.Mutex
+	madeLeft   = map[string]madeKept{}
+)
+
+type madeKept struct {
+	made string
+	at   time.Time
+}
+
+// madeLeftFor is how long words nobody settled are kept: a plan that ended or moved on never asks for them.
+const madeLeftFor = time.Hour
+
+// keepMadeFor keeps what a build left to the records did for the settle that takes it, forgetting words older than
+// madeLeftFor.
+func keepMadeFor(id, made string, now time.Time) {
+	if id == "" || made == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	madeLeftMu.Lock()
+	defer madeLeftMu.Unlock()
+	for k, v := range madeLeft {
+		if now.Sub(v.at) > madeLeftFor {
+			delete(madeLeft, k)
+		}
+	}
+	madeLeft[id] = madeKept{made: made, at: now}
+}
+
+// takeMadeOf is what the build of this id did, if its outcome was left to the records with words; taken once.
+func takeMadeOf(id string) string {
+	madeLeftMu.Lock()
+	defer madeLeftMu.Unlock()
+	k, ok := madeLeft[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	delete(madeLeft, id)
+	return k.made
+}
+
 // planBuiltSaying is planBuilt keeping what the build did — "reused from <check build>" or "built: <why>" (novox/hq
 // ADR 0350 §4) — on the module of the walk it answers.
 func planBuiltSaying(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module, commit, failed string, asked time.Time, id, made string) {
 	inv := open.inventory
-	// One controller works the plans at a time (novox/hq issue 213); an outcome waits its turn rather
-	// than write over what the holder is about to save. Not taken, it is still in the build records,
-	// which the holder settles the plan from (issue 214).
-	release, err := inv.HoldPlans(ctx, true)
+	// One controller works the plans at a time (novox/hq issue 213). Not taken, the outcome is still in the build
+	// records, which the holder settles the plan from (issue 214).
+	release, err := holdPlansForOutcome(ctx, inv.HoldPlans)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("plans: %s's outcome is left to the build records: %v\n", module, err)
+		if failed != "" && id != "" && errors.Is(err, inventory.ErrPlansBusy) {
+			// In the store too, so a controller replaced before the look settles still fails the plan (issue 1708).
+			if err := inv.RecordRefused(ctx, id, module, failed); err != nil {
+				fmt.Printf("plans: %s's refusal could not be kept in the store, only in this controller: %v\n", module, err)
+			}
+		}
+		leaveToRecords(module, id, made, failed, err)
 		return
 	}
 	defer release()
@@ -696,7 +807,19 @@ func planBuiltSaying(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module, commit, failed s
 			fmt.Printf("%s: %s; the tiers after it are not asked\n", p.ID, p.Note)
 		}
 	}
-	advanceHeld(ctx, open)
+	advanceAfterOutcome(func() { advanceHeld(ctx, open) })
+}
+
+// advanceAfterOutcome moves the plans after an outcome was taken into them: **in the serving controller, by asking
+// the look** (novox/hq issue 1708). The outcome is taken on the event loop, and moving the plans may send machines
+// their declarations, a release's send retried for minutes among them; done here it held every report, build and
+// merge behind it (2026-10-21 14:28:40 to 14:32:10). The look runs off the loop, holding the plans itself. Where no
+// look runs (a command, which has no event loop) the plans are moved at once, as before.
+func advanceAfterOutcome(advance func()) {
+	if askedToLook() {
+		return
+	}
+	advance()
 }
 
 // startedBeside is the id of a started walk open beside this one that it is related to — a merge's walk past
@@ -731,6 +854,23 @@ func startedBeside(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, p inventory.Pl
 	return behind, why, nil
 }
 
+// refusalNotePrefix and refusalNoteSuffix frame the note of a step the walk was refused: "tier N: <refusal> — tried
+// again". Only a note so framed is a hold (novox/hq issue 920); a tier's summary left in the note is not.
+const (
+	refusalNotePrefix = "tier "
+	refusalNoteSuffix = " — tried again"
+)
+
+// refusalNote is the note of a plan whose step at tier was refused with err.
+func refusalNote(tier int, err error) string {
+	return refusalNotePrefix + fmt.Sprint(tier) + ": " + err.Error() + refusalNoteSuffix
+}
+
+// refused says a plan's note is a refusal the walk wrote.
+func refused(p inventory.Plan) bool {
+	return strings.HasPrefix(p.Note, refusalNotePrefix) && strings.HasSuffix(p.Note, refusalNoteSuffix)
+}
+
 // deferredNote begins the note of a walk deferred behind another.
 const deferredNote = "let go; starts once "
 
@@ -743,6 +883,20 @@ func deferred(p inventory.Plan) bool {
 		p.Delivery.Awaits != "" && p.Delivery.Go != nil && strings.HasPrefix(p.Note, deferredNote)
 }
 
+// currentTierBuilt says every module of a plan's current tier is built (or deleted), so no build is what it waits on.
+func currentTierBuilt(p inventory.Plan) bool {
+	if p.Tier < 0 || p.Tier >= len(p.Tiers) || len(p.Tiers[p.Tier]) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, m := range p.Tiers[p.Tier] {
+		s := p.Modules[m]
+		if s == nil || (s.State != "built" && s.State != planDeleted) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
 // askedAny says a plan asked any module.
 func askedAny(p inventory.Plan) bool {
 	for _, s := range p.Modules {
@@ -807,7 +961,7 @@ func advanceHeld(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (failed bool) {
 				// Kept in the plan, so `plans` says why it has not moved rather than the log alone;
 				// the state is left as it was and the step is tried again by the next look. Said and
 				// kept when it is new: the same refusal on every tick is one fact, not one per tick.
-				p.Note = "tier " + fmt.Sprint(p.Tier) + ": " + err.Error() + " — tried again"
+				p.Note = refusalNote(p.Tier, err)
 				// A refusal for the bus's planned step is a person's to end: S17 says it from its first moment.
 				if refusedForTheBus(err) {
 					busRefusedFirst.mark(p.ID, time.Now())
@@ -921,7 +1075,17 @@ func advanceOnce(ctx context.Context, open *stores, p *inventory.Plan,
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
+	before, was := statesOf(p), p.State
 	if settleFromRecords(p, tier, recorded, byID) {
+		// As taking the outcome directly does (planBuiltSaying): a module deleted at its source is forgotten, and a
+		// failed plan says what it built and never sent (issue 1708).
+		deleted, failed := settledEffects(before, p, was)
+		for _, m := range deleted {
+			forgetDeleted(ctx, inv, m, p)
+		}
+		if failed {
+			sayUnsent(p, rollsOut)
+		}
 		return true, nil
 	}
 	// Asked: wait for every build.
@@ -1895,6 +2059,19 @@ func planLineSaid(p inventory.Plan, now time.Time, pause pauseView, bound time.D
 	if p.State == inventory.PlanRolling {
 		what = p.Note
 	}
+	if p.State == inventory.PlanBuilding && refused(p) && currentTierBuilt(p) {
+		// Every build of the tier is in, so the plan waits on something else, and its note says what: a send
+		// refused ("a build waits there for its gate: <machine> (...)") is kept there. "building" with LATE
+		// hid that reason from `plans`, `status` and the stalled condition (novox/hq issue 920).
+		what = p.Note
+		// And when the builds are held after a failed release, they wait for a person, not for a build, and the
+		// operator is asked to release them (novox/hq issue 1732): said so, and not late.
+		if strings.Contains(p.Note, errUngated.Error()) && backlogNow.held != "" {
+			what += " — held after a failed delivery until a person releases it (the operator is asked)"
+			late = ""
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s · %s, held: %s, for %s%s", name, where, what, since, late)
+	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s · %s, %s for %s%s", name, where, what, since, late)
 }
 
@@ -2100,7 +2277,7 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			bounds.of(p.Repository), func(module string) []string {
 				on, _ := inv.Running(ctx, module)
 				return on
-			}, waitsOf(ctx, inv, []inventory.Plan{p})))
+			}, waitsOf(ctx, inv, []inventory.Plan{p}))+heldSaid(p, heldNow(ctx, inv)))
 		if r := p.Release; r != nil {
 			// A release plan's walk (ADR 0236): machines done, the one judged, those to come.
 			fmt.Printf("  machines in order: %s; done: %s; skipped: %s\n", strings.Join(r.Order, ", "),
@@ -2295,11 +2472,12 @@ func plansCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return on
 	}
 	waits := waitsOf(ctx, inv, plans)
+	held := heldNow(ctx, inv)
 	for _, p := range plans {
 		if p.Batch() {
 			continue
 		}
-		fmt.Printf("%-28s %s\n", p.ID, planLineSaid(p, now, pause, bounds.of(p.Repository), running, waits))
+		fmt.Printf("%-28s %s%s\n", p.ID, planLineSaid(p, now, pause, bounds.of(p.Repository), running, waits), heldSaid(p, held))
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -2479,9 +2657,81 @@ func recordsOfAsked(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, p *inventory.
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	refused, err := refusalsOf(ctx, inv, recorded, byID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	overlayRefusals(recorded, byID, refused)
 	return recorded, byID, nil
 }
 
+// overlayRefusals marks failed every build record whose registration the mesh refused (novox/hq issue 1708): the record
+// keeps the builder's words, which worked, and settled from it as it is the refused build would be built and sent.
+func overlayRefusals(recorded map[string][]inventory.Build, byID map[string]inventory.Build, refused map[string]string) {
+	if len(refused) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	fail := func(b *inventory.Build) {
+		if why, ok := refused[b.ID]; ok && b.Worked() {
+			b.Failed = why
+		}
+	}
+	for m := range recorded {
+		for i := range recorded[m] {
+			fail(&recorded[m][i])
+		}
+	}
+	for id, b := range byID {
+		fail(&b)
+		byID[id] = b
+	}
+}
+
+// refusalsOf is every refusal kept for the builds these records name, in the store and in this process.
+func refusalsOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, recorded map[string][]inventory.Build,
+	byID map[string]inventory.Build) (map[string]string, error) {
+	var ids []string
+	for _, bs := range recorded {
+		for _, b := range bs {
+			ids = append(ids, b.ID)
+		}
+	}
+	for id := range byID {
+		ids = append(ids, id)
+	}
+	refused, err := inv.RefusedOf(ctx, ids)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the refused registrations cannot be read: %w", err)
+	}
+	for id, why := range refusalsKeptFor(ids) {
+		refused[id] = why
+	}
+	return refused, nil
+}
+
+// settledEffects is what settling from the records did that needs more than the plan: the modules it found deleted
+// at their source, and whether it failed the plan.
+func settledEffects(before map[string]string, p *inventory.Plan, was string) (deleted []string, failed bool) {
+	for m, s := range p.Modules {
+		if s != nil && s.State == planDeleted && before[m] != planDeleted {
+			deleted = append(deleted, m)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(deleted)
+	return deleted, p.State == inventory.PlanFailed && was != inventory.PlanFailed
+}
+
+// statesOf is each module's state in a plan, for settledEffects.
+func statesOf(p *inventory.Plan) map[string]string {
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	for m, s := range p.Modules {
+		if s != nil {
+			out[m] = s.State
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // settleFromRecords marks every module of the tier still `asked` built — or failed — from a build
 // recorded after it was asked, and says whether it changed anything (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/214).
 // Newest first, as Builds answers: the first record after the ask is the outcome of that ask.
@@ -2531,6 +2781,10 @@ func settleFromRecords(p *inventory.Plan, tier []string, recorded map[string][]i
 			s.State = "built"
 			s.BuiltAt = &at
 			s.Commit = outcome.Commit
+			// What the build did, when its outcome was left to the records with words (issue 1708).
+			if made := takeMadeOf(outcome.ID); made != "" {
+				s.Made = made
+			}
 		} else {
 			s.State = "failed"
 			s.Why = outcome.Failed

cmd/mesh-controller/sayable_test.go

@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func answersRightly(q dnsmessage.Question) *dnsmessage.Message {
 func quickResolvers(t *testing.T, port string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	before, within, pause := resolverPort, resolverWithin, resolverPause
-	resolverPort, resolverWithin, resolverPause = port, 150*time.Millisecond, 10*time.Millisecond
+	resolverPort, resolverWithin, resolverPause = port, 60*time.Millisecond, 5*time.Millisecond
 	t.Cleanup(func() { resolverPort, resolverWithin, resolverPause = before, within, pause })
 }
 

cmd/mesh-controller/seats_test.go

@@ -93,3 +93,27 @@ func TestTheSeatsListingShowsEachSeatsPaths(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 1718/AC2: a manifest claiming node-files that serves upload and download passes the controller's module
+// check, judged by the mesh-sdk it vendors; a verb outside the contract is still refused.
+func TestAFilesHolderServingUploadAndDownloadCanHoldTheSeat(t *testing.T) {
+	seat, ok := catalogue.SeatNamed(catalogue.FilesSeat)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("node-files is not a seat")
+	}
+	serves := []string{"upload", "download"}
+	for _, v := range seat.Serves {
+		if v.Name != "upload" && v.Name != "download" {
+			serves = append(serves, v.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	holder := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-files", Version: "1", Claims: []catalogue.Claim{{
+		Name: catalogue.FilesSeat, Scope: catalogue.ScopeNode, Serves: serves}}}
+	if err := catalogue.CanHold(holder, seat); err != nil { // 1718/AC2
+		t.Fatalf("a holder serving upload and download is refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	holder.Claims[0].Serves = append(append([]string{}, serves...), "teleport")
+	if err := catalogue.CanHold(holder, seat); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not promise") {
+		t.Fatalf("a verb outside the contract must be refused with 'does not promise': %v", err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ type sendable struct {
 	// ReadsModules says the machine's node-engine reads a module per resource and a build per module (novox/hq issue
 	// 1145): only then are they sent, because an older node-engine refuses a key it does not know, whole.
 	ReadsModules bool
+	// fileReferences says the machine's node-engine reports the capability of reading a file given as a digest and a size
+	// (declaration.FileReferencesCapability, novox/hq ADR 0486 §5): then every file over 64 KiB that may travel so does (Body,
+	// objects). Not on the wire as a field; the bodies differ.
+	fileReferences bool
 	// moduleOf is the composer's owner of each resource id, and buildIDs the build each module carries (its id):
 	// kept beside the resources, and on the wire only to a machine that reads them.
 	moduleOf map[string]string
@@ -115,12 +119,16 @@ type adoptionEnvelope struct {
 
 // Body is the declaration's bytes, as sent and as digested.
 func (s sendable) Body() ([]byte, error) {
-	envelope := map[string]any{"declaration": 1, "resources": s.Resources}
+	resources, _, err := s.byReference()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	envelope := map[string]any{"declaration": 1, "resources": resources}
 	if s.ReadsModules {
 		// The module of each resource the composer owns (what the mesh adds of its own has none), and the build of each
 		// module (novox/hq issue 1145): to a machine that said it reads them, and no other.
-		named := make([]map[string]any, len(s.Resources))
-		for n, r := range s.Resources {
+		named := make([]map[string]any, len(resources))
+		for n, r := range resources {
 			module, owned := s.moduleOf[fmt.Sprint(r["id"])]
 			if !owned {
 				named[n] = r
@@ -165,3 +173,19 @@ func (s sendable) Body() ([]byte, error) {
 	}
 	return json.Marshal(envelope)
 }
+
+// byReference is the resources as the machine is sent them: with the contents of its large files replaced by their digests when
+// it reports it reads them (issue 1696), and the contents it replaced, by the name of the object that holds each.
+func (s sendable) byReference() ([]map[string]any, map[string][]byte, error) {
+	if !s.fileReferences {
+		return s.Resources, nil, nil
+	}
+	return referencing(s.Resources)
+}
+
+// objects are the contents the body names by digest, by the name of each one's object: what is put in the bucket before the
+// body is sent. Empty for a machine that is sent every content inline.
+func (s sendable) objects() (map[string][]byte, error) {
+	_, objects, err := s.byReference()
+	return objects, err
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go

@@ -244,6 +244,22 @@ var signalsTable = []signalRow{
 		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time {
 			return newestOf(f.failed, func(p failedPlanFacts) time.Time { return p.since })
 		}},
+	{Row: "S24", Signal: "a move of a recorded module that waits for a person's push is asked of the operator",
+		Emitter: "controller's plan", Trigger: "each machine with a move of a recorded module held for a person (novox/hq ADR 0377, issue 1732)",
+		Bound: "none: raised on the first look that finds the machine holding such a move, naming the modules and the " +
+			"machine, with Release (the machine's push) as the answer; ended when the machine no longer waits, whoever " +
+			"pushed it. A hold a person chose (a module set to record with a why, the bus) is not asked.",
+		Kind: kindMovesHeld, Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 3,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.heldErr }, watch: watchMovesHeld,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return time.Time{} }},
+	{Row: "S25", Signal: "a module left out of a send because the artifact store lacks an image it names",
+		Emitter: "controller's send", Trigger: "each send whose declaration names an image of the store that the store does not hold (novox/hq issue 1742)",
+		Bound: "none: raised on the first look at a registered build that names such an image, naming the module, each " +
+			"machine that runs it and the image; every send leaves that module out; the store is asked again at each " +
+			"look and the condition ends when it holds the image",
+		Kind: kindImageMissing, Severity: conditions.Warning, Phase: 3,
+		needs: func(f *signalFacts) error { return f.imagesErr }, watch: watchMissingImages,
+		newest: func(f *signalFacts) time.Time { return time.Time{} }},
 	{Row: "S20", Signal: "a send refused for the assignment generation it was composed from",
 		Emitter: "node-engine", Trigger: "each refusal (novox/hq issue 234)",
 		Bound: "none: raised at the first refusal, naming its sender, the generation it came from and the one the " +

cmd/mesh-controller/signals_test.go

@@ -171,6 +171,19 @@ var suppressions = map[string]suppression{
 				since: f.now.Add(-time.Second)}}
 		},
 	},
+	// A machine holding a move of a recorded module for a person is asked at its first look (novox/hq issue 1732).
+	// Inside: nothing waits there.
+	"S24": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.held = nil },
+		past:   func(f *signalFacts) { f.held = []heldFacts{aHeldMailu()} },
+	},
+	// A registered build naming an image the artifact store lacks is raised at the first look (novox/hq issue 1742).
+	"S25": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.images = nil },
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.images = []imageFacts{{missingImage{Node: "anchor", Module: "automx", Image: automxImage}}}
+		},
+	},
 	// A batch queued behind an open walk past that walk's bound, named.
 	"S19": {
 		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {

cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go

@@ -415,7 +415,59 @@ func askNewModules(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m link.SourceM
 	if len(added) == 0 || len(from) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return askBuilds(ctx, inv, m, buildSource{Repository: from[0].Source.Repository, Seat: from[0].Source.Seat}, added)
+	source := buildSource{Repository: from[0].Source.Repository, Seat: from[0].Source.Seat}
+	// Asked once (novox/hq issue 1617): a module is asked when its merge is heard, and again here when the batch is cut.
+	var requests []inventory.RequestOutcome
+	for _, dir := range added {
+		if got, err := inv.RequestsNamed(ctx, inventory.BuildRequest{Repository: source.Repository, Path: dir}.Name()); err == nil {
+			requests = append(requests, got...)
+		}
+	}
+	return askBuilds(ctx, inv, m, source, unaskedDirs(added, requests, source, time.Now()))
+}
+
+// askedInFlightFor is how long a merge's build request stands as the build coming for its module: past it, a lost one
+// is asked again.
+const askedInFlightFor = time.Hour
+
+// unaskedDirs are the directories of a new module no build of a merge is on its way for: a kept request of the same
+// repository and directory, asked for a merge and handed over, whose outcome has not come and is not given up on,
+// is the build coming (novox/hq issue 1617).
+func unaskedDirs(added []string, requests []inventory.RequestOutcome, source buildSource, now time.Time) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, dir := range added {
+		path := dir
+		if path == "." {
+			path = ""
+		}
+		coming := false
+		for _, r := range requests {
+			if r.For == "merge" && r.Repository == source.Repository && strings.Trim(r.Path, "/") == path &&
+				r.NotAsked == "" && r.OutcomeUnknown == "" && !r.Heard && now.Sub(r.At) < askedInFlightFor {
+				coming = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !coming {
+			out = append(out, dir)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// askNewModulesAtHearing asks the first build of the modules a merge adds to a repository the mesh builds modules from,
+// when the merge is heard, not when its batch is cut (novox/hq issue 1617): a batch waits out its window and the walk
+// before it, and a module added by a merge delivered meanwhile could not be assigned. Outside the batch and its plan.
+func askNewModulesAtHearing(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, m link.SourceMoved, entries []inventory.Entry,
+	read map[string][]inventory.ReadRepository, from []inventory.Entry) {
+	if len(from) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	_, added, _ := touchedBy(from, entries, m, read)
+	if asked := askNewModules(ctx, inv, m, from, added); len(asked) > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("%s/%s merged into %s (%.8s) adds %s: the first build is asked now, before its batch is cut\n",
+			m.Owner, m.Repo, m.Base, m.Commit, strings.Join(asked, ", "))
+	}
 }
 
 // askBuilds asks the first build of each directory of a merge's repository, as askNewModules does, from the source given.

cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go

@@ -58,6 +58,12 @@ type signalFacts struct {
 	// failed are the delivery plans that failed and are asked of the operator (S23, novox/hq ADR 0449).
 	failed    []failedPlanFacts
 	failedErr error
+	// held are the machines with moves of recorded modules waiting for a person's push (S24, novox/hq issue 1732).
+	held    []heldFacts
+	heldErr error
+	// images are the modules left out of a send because the artifact store lacks an image they name (S25, issue 1742).
+	images    []imageFacts
+	imagesErr error
 	// refusedSends are the sends a machine refused within the hour for the generation they were composed
 	// from, each naming its sender (S20, novox/hq issue 234).
 	refusedSends    []inventory.Send
@@ -357,6 +363,8 @@ func (w *watchdogs) gather(ctx context.Context) *signalFacts {
 		f.batches, f.plansErr = gatherBatches(ctx, inv, now)
 	}
 	f.failed, f.failedErr = gatherFailedPlans(ctx, inv, now)
+	f.held, f.heldErr = gatherHeldMoves(ctx, inv)
+	f.images, f.imagesErr = gatherMissingImagesHere(ctx, inv)
 	f.loop, f.loopErr = w.gatherLoop()
 	f.asks, f.asksErr = w.gatherAsks(ctx, inv)
 	if open, err := w.keeper.Open(ctx); err != nil {

go.mod

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module github.com/novox/mesh-controller
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261021093645-465beb4ea5e3
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261022123624-5ea6c215a48b
 	github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.10.0
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0

go.sum

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261018171808-9d9e3a46c4f5 h1:E5stfIeCN6uYgA9TCv+4K8JgaURg3zQppvUgJLaDMP4=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261018171808-9d9e3a46c4f5/go.mod h1:4wyoCr6IIIIarEUuROThWDj7DAvJvIidqMjWcpSnOwE=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261021093645-465beb4ea5e3 h1:OKxU64kHN1yQ/GOa6LwoUwVmiQ74d83WMSZJRFPVm9c=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261021093645-465beb4ea5e3/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261022123624-5ea6c215a48b h1:5bYfSahHJbfPWV2D4h1ejmRyvUevJtrWSpbtiVCsaOQ=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261022123624-5ea6c215a48b/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=

internal/broker/checks.go

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ func CheckStreams() []Stream {
 			Retention:         RetentionWorkQueue,
 			MaxAge:            7 * 24 * 60 * 60,
 			MaxMsgsPerSubject: 1,
+			Direct:            true,
 			Why: "the checks of pull requests marked ready, taken after a delivery build and before any other check " +
 				"(novox/hq ADR 0406 §3); one subject a pull request, the newest request kept, so a newer one replaces a " +
 				"request still waiting",
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ func CheckStreams() []Stream {
 			Retention:         RetentionWorkQueue,
 			MaxAge:            7 * 24 * 60 * 60,
 			MaxMsgsPerSubject: 1,
+			Direct:            true,
 			Why: "every other check, taken last and in the order asked (novox/hq ADR 0406 §3); one subject a pull " +
 				"request, the newest request kept; one left behind for a head already judged is dropped when taken",
 		},
@@ -98,6 +100,13 @@ func holderCheckGrants() []string {
 		"$KV."+CheckRunningBucket+".>",
 		"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_"+CheckRunningBucket,
 		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_"+CheckRunningBucket+".>")
+	// And, to hold checks while a delivery builds (ADR 0483, issues 1687 and 1688): the bucket of the plans building, **read and
+	// never written** (the controller's alone, so no `$KV.` subject of it is granted), and the oldest waiting ask of each check
+	// queue, read by a direct get that takes nothing from the queue and so counts against no delivery of the ask.
+	pub = append(pub, readGrants(PlansBuildingBucket, "")...)
+	for _, w := range CheckWorkers() {
+		pub = append(pub, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+w.Stream, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+w.Stream+".>")
+	}
 	return pub
 }
 

internal/broker/checks_test.go

@@ -40,3 +40,37 @@ func TestTheBuildAgentReadsAndWatchesThePullRequestsKeys(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// Issue 1687 (ADR 0483 clause 2): a holder of the build seat reads the bucket of the plans building and writes none of it, and
+// reads the oldest waiting ask of each check queue by a direct get, which takes nothing from the queue.
+func TestTheBuildSeatsHoldersReadThePlansBuildingAndWriteNone(t *testing.T) {
+	seat := Seat{Name: TheBuildSeat, Scope: "node", Accepts: []string{"build"}, Emits: []string{"built", "started"}}
+	p := Principal{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "build-agent", Holds: []Seat{seat}, PasswordHash: "x"}
+	perms, err := PermissionsFor(p)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	stream := "KV_" + PlansBuildingBucket
+	for _, s := range []string{
+		"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO." + stream,
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET." + stream + ".>",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE." + stream + ".>",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.CHECKS_READY",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.CHECKS_OTHER",
+	} {
+		has(t, perms.Publish, s)
+	}
+	for _, s := range perms.Publish {
+		if SubjectsOverlap(s, "$KV."+PlansBuildingBucket+".plan-1") {
+			t.Errorf("a holder of the build seat may write %s through %q", PlansBuildingBucket, s)
+		}
+	}
+	// And the controller alone writes it, as the writers table says.
+	for _, row := range WritersTable {
+		for _, s := range row.Subjects {
+			if s == "$KV."+PlansBuildingBucket+".>" && row.Writes(p, "$KV."+PlansBuildingBucket+".plan-1") {
+				t.Errorf("%q lets the build seat's holder write the plans building", row.State)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/broker/controller_buckets.go

@@ -63,6 +63,26 @@ var (
 	// repository: the controller reads the ask's warrant from the router and accepts only the operator's Approve of
 	// those heads. Written by the controller alone, from the announcement, when it holds the lease.
 	DeliveryMergesBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, "delivery-merges")
+	// PlansBuildingBucket holds one key per delivery plan in its build phase (novox/hq ADR 0483 clause 2, issue 1687): the key
+	// is `<plan id>` (`plan-<digits>`), its value the plan, the time its build phase began and the time of the last refresh.
+	// The controller (lease holder) puts it when the plan's first build is asked, puts it again about every thirty seconds
+	// while the plan builds, and deletes it when the phase ends (every build of the last tier built, or the plan fails, stops
+	// or waits on the operator); the bucket's age, PlansBuildingKeptFor, is how long a key outlives a controller that
+	// stopped. **Read by the build seat's holders and the checker, written by the controller alone**: a holder takes no new
+	// check while any key is there, but for one that waited past ADR 0483's bound. A reader lists the keys and reads none of
+	// their values to decide that (`link.BuildingPlans`).
+	PlansBuildingBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, PlansBuilding)
+)
+
+// PlansBuilding is the local name of the bucket of the plans building, as a reader names it in `reads`
+// (`mesh-controller.plans-building`).
+const PlansBuilding = "plans-building"
+
+// PlansBuildingKeptFor is the age of a plan-building key: the controller puts it again at PlansBuildingRefresh, so a
+// controller that stopped leaves checks held at most this long (ADR 0483 clause 2).
+const (
+	PlansBuildingKeptFor = 2 * time.Minute
+	PlansBuildingRefresh = 30 * time.Second
 )
 
 // DeliveryMergesKeptFor is how long a merge mesh-delivery announced is kept: a week, as the events are.
@@ -84,6 +104,9 @@ var (
 	AssignmentsBucket    = BucketName(ControllerSeat, MirrorAssignments)
 	DeclaredConfigBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, MirrorDeclaredConfig)
 	PredefinedBucket     = BucketName(ControllerSeat, MirrorPredefined)
+	// DeclaredPackagesBucket holds, keyed by the node, each package the modules assigned to it declare, present or absent,
+	// with the declaring modules: what the pacman module's verbs read to say a package is declared (ADR 0507 §5).
+	DeclaredPackagesBucket = BucketName(ControllerSeat, MirrorDeclaredPackages)
 )
 
 // The mirrors' local names, as a reader names them in `reads` after `mesh-controller.`.
@@ -91,6 +114,8 @@ const (
 	MirrorAssignments    = "assignments"
 	MirrorDeclaredConfig = "declared-config"
 	MirrorPredefined     = "predefined"
+	// MirrorDeclaredPackages is the local name of the packages each node's modules declare (ADR 0507 §5, issue 1840/S3).
+	MirrorDeclaredPackages = "declared-packages"
 )
 
 // The chain's buckets (novox/hq ADR 0408, issue 1089): builds, rollouts and assignments are one chain kept on the bus
@@ -133,7 +158,7 @@ func ChainBuckets() []string { return []string{BuildsBucket, RolloutsBucket, Ass
 // ControllerMirrors are the local names of the controller's buckets a module may read: the record mirrors and the
 // chain's buckets.
 func ControllerMirrors() []string {
-	return []string{MirrorAssignments, MirrorDeclaredConfig, MirrorPredefined, ChainBuilds, ChainRollouts, ChecksRunning}
+	return []string{MirrorAssignments, MirrorDeclaredConfig, MirrorPredefined, ChainBuilds, ChainRollouts, ChecksRunning, PlansBuilding, MirrorDeclaredPackages}
 }
 
 // MirrorsWrittenByAnother are the controller's mirrors whose writer is not the controller, each with its reason: the rule
@@ -202,16 +227,17 @@ func IsControllerBucket(bucket string) bool {
 	return bucket == CallsBucket || bucket == HandActsBucket || bucket == ConditionsBucket ||
 		bucket == ConditionHistoryBucket || bucket == LeaseBucket || bucket == AskedBucket ||
 		bucket == AssignmentsBucket || bucket == DeclaredConfigBucket || bucket == PredefinedBucket ||
+		bucket == DeclaredPackagesBucket ||
 		bucket == MergeWindowBucket || bucket == RolloutSilentBucket || bucket == CheckRunningBucket ||
 		bucket == DeliveryMergesBucket || bucket == BuildsBucket || bucket == RolloutsBucket ||
-		bucket == delivery.HaveBucket
+		bucket == PlansBuildingBucket || bucket == delivery.HaveBucket
 }
 
 // ControllerBuckets are the controller's own buckets, in the order they are asserted.
 func ControllerBuckets() []string {
 	return []string{LeaseBucket, CallsBucket, HandActsBucket, ConditionsBucket, ConditionHistoryBucket, AskedBucket,
-		AssignmentsBucket, DeclaredConfigBucket, PredefinedBucket, MergeWindowBucket, RolloutSilentBucket, CheckRunningBucket,
-		DeliveryMergesBucket, BuildsBucket, RolloutsBucket, delivery.HaveBucket}
+		AssignmentsBucket, DeclaredConfigBucket, PredefinedBucket, DeclaredPackagesBucket, MergeWindowBucket, RolloutSilentBucket, CheckRunningBucket,
+		DeliveryMergesBucket, PlansBuildingBucket, BuildsBucket, RolloutsBucket, delivery.HaveBucket}
 }
 
 // ControllerBucketsAsserter is what raising the controller's buckets needs of a connection.
@@ -354,6 +380,22 @@ func (j *JetStream) EnsureControllerBuckets() error {
 	}); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", CheckRunningBucket, err)
 	}
+	// **The plans building: keys that age** (ADR 0483 clause 2, issue 1687). One message a key, each refresh a new one, so the
+	// age of the bucket is how long a key outlives a controller that stopped refreshing it.
+	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
+		Bucket: PlansBuildingBucket,
+		Description: "the delivery plans in their build phase (novox/hq ADR 0483): `<plan id>` holds the plan and when its " +
+			"build phase began; put when the plan's first build is asked and about every thirty seconds, deleted when the " +
+			"phase ends, gone within two minutes of a controller that stopped; read by the build seat's holders, which " +
+			"take no new check while a key is there; written by the controller alone",
+		History:      1,
+		TTL:          PlansBuildingKeptFor,
+		MaxValueSize: 4 << 10,
+		MaxBytes:     8 << 20,
+		Storage:      jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("asserting bucket %s: %w", PlansBuildingBucket, err)
+	}
 	// **The merges mesh-delivery announced: keys that age** (ADR 0420 §7, issue 1025). One message a key; a week.
 	if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
 		Bucket: DeliveryMergesBucket,
@@ -410,6 +452,9 @@ func (j *JetStream) EnsureControllerBuckets() error {
 		{PredefinedBucket, "the list of predefined keys the mesh published, the newest trunk build's of the " +
 			"catalogue, one key `list` (novox/hq ADR 0348 §7, design 57 K3): written by the controller alone from " +
 			"its store when a newer list is kept, read through `reads`"},
+		{DeclaredPackagesBucket, "each package the modules assigned to a node declare, present or absent, with the " +
+			"declaring modules, keyed by the node (novox/hq ADR 0507 §5): written by the controller alone when it " +
+			"composes the node, only on a change, read through `reads`"},
 	} {
 		if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateKeyValue(ctx, jetstream.KeyValueConfig{
 			Bucket:         m.bucket,

internal/broker/declaration_files.go

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/declaration"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+)
+
+// The object buckets a declaration's large files travel in (novox/hq ADR 0486, issues 1696 and 1697): **one bucket for each
+// node**, `declaration-files-<node>`.
+//
+// **The controller alone writes them, and a node-engine reads an object by its name from its own bucket** (ADR 0486 §2): its
+// account may neither list the bucket nor write it, no account may touch another node's, and no other account has any access.
+// Why a bucket each: a subject pattern cannot tell a name from a wildcard. A grant of `...M.*` matches a publish to the literal
+// subject `...M.*` too (probed on nats-server 2.11.17 by the review of this issue: a node created a consumer filtered on
+// `$O.<bucket>.C.*` and read every object of the bucket), so in one shared bucket a node could read every other node's files.
+// With a bucket each, the same trick reads only the node's own files, which are the files of its own declaration.
+//
+// A bucket of the bus's object store is a stream, OBJ_<bucket>, whose messages are the objects' metadata
+// (`$O.<bucket>.M.<base64 of the name>`) and chunks (`$O.<bucket>.C.<nuid>`).
+
+// DeclarationFilesBucket is the prefix of the buckets' names, which mesh-sdk fixes for the node-engine and the controller alike.
+const DeclarationFilesBucket = declaration.FileBucketPrefix
+
+// DeclarationFilesBucketOf is the bucket a node's files are in: mesh-sdk's FileBucketFor, the one place the name is composed. A
+// node name it refuses (one that could carry a subject wildcard or separator into a grant) is an error, never a bucket.
+func DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node string) (string, error) { return declaration.FileBucketFor(node) }
+
+// DeclarationFilesStreamOf is the stream under a node's bucket: mesh-sdk's FileStreamFor.
+func DeclarationFilesStreamOf(node string) (string, error) { return declaration.FileStreamFor(node) }
+
+// DeclarationFilesMaxBytes is a bucket's size: the objects are immutable and regenerable, and one node's hold well under a hundred
+// megabytes.
+const DeclarationFilesMaxBytes = 1 << 30
+
+// DeclarationFilesKeptFor is how long an object stays after no node's latest declaration names it (ADR 0486 §3).
+const DeclarationFilesKeptFor = 24 * time.Hour
+
+// DeclarationFilesWrites is the one pattern the controller may publish to write a node's bucket: every object's metadata and
+// chunks. The server's API for the stream is the controller's `$JS.API.>`.
+func DeclarationFilesWrites(node string) (string, error) {
+	bucket, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return "$O." + bucket + ".>", nil
+}
+
+// DeclarationFilesReads is what a node-engine's account may publish to read an object of its own bucket by its name, and nothing
+// more. The set is the one node-engine's own call (mesh-host internal/link FileObject) makes, for B the node's bucket and S its
+// stream (issue 1697, notes 4 and 5):
+//
+//   - the object's metadata, by a direct get of the last message of the one subject that names it. **Only the suffixed
+//     form**: the bare `$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.S` takes a sequence number and would read any message of the stream.
+//   - the ordered consumer on that object's chunks: `$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.S.<name>.$O.B.C.<nuid>`. **Not `S.>`**:
+//     a consumer filtered on `$O.B.M.>` would read every object's name.
+//   - the flow-control replies of that consumer, without which a large object stalls at the flow-control window.
+//   - the consumer's deletion, best effort: the consumer's inactivity threshold removes it if this is refused.
+//
+// **Never granted:** STREAM.INFO (a `subjects_filter` of `>` lists every name), STREAM.MSG.GET (any message by its sequence), a
+// publish to `$O.B.>` (a write), and any subject of another node's stream. A literal `*` in a subject matches the grant's `*`: it
+// reaches the objects of this node's own bucket and no other (above).
+func DeclarationFilesReads(node string) ([]string, error) {
+	bucket, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	stream, err := DeclarationFilesStreamOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return []string{
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET." + stream + ".$O." + bucket + ".M.*",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE." + stream + ".*.$O." + bucket + ".C.*",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE." + stream + ".*",
+		"$JS.FC." + stream + ".>",
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// EnsureDeclarationFiles creates the buckets of these nodes if absent and brings their options to match. A bucket exists whenever the
+// bus does, so a node that is starting finds it (ADR 0486 §4). An update, never a delete.
+func (j *JetStream) EnsureDeclarationFiles(nodes []string) error {
+	js, err := jetstream.New(j.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	return EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, js, nodes...)
+}
+
+// EnsureDeclarationFiles is the same on a JetStream the caller holds.
+func EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx context.Context, js jetstream.JetStream, nodes ...string) error {
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		cfg, err := DeclarationFilesConfig(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if _, err := js.CreateOrUpdateObjectStore(ctx, cfg); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("asserting the object bucket %s: %w", cfg.Bucket, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// DeclarationFilesConfig is a node's bucket as the controller asserts it.
+func DeclarationFilesConfig(node string) (jetstream.ObjectStoreConfig, error) {
+	bucket, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return jetstream.ObjectStoreConfig{}, err
+	}
+	return jetstream.ObjectStoreConfig{
+		Bucket: bucket,
+		Description: "the contents of the files over 64 KiB of the declaration of " + node + ", each under the hex of its sha256 " +
+			"digest (novox/hq ADR 0486): written by the controller alone, read by the node-engine of that node by name, removed " +
+			"a day after the node's latest declaration no longer names it",
+		MaxBytes: DeclarationFilesMaxBytes,
+		Storage:  jetstream.FileStorage,
+	}, nil
+}

internal/broker/declaration_files_live_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,316 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
+)
+
+// nodeEnginesFileObject is the node-engine's own call (mesh-host internal/link files.go, OverNATS.FileObject), as the
+// engine makes it: the object's metadata by a direct get of one subject, then its chunks through an ordered consumer
+// bound to the stream. It is copied here so the grants are judged by the call that has to work, and its subjects are the
+// ones the grant names (issue 1697, notes 4 and 5); the node-engine's own integration test holds the other copy.
+func nodeEnginesFileObject(ctx context.Context, nc *nats.Conn, node, name string) ([]byte, error) {
+	js, err := nc.JetStream(nats.MaxWait(10 * time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	stream, err := DeclarationFilesStreamOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	bucket, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	meta, err := js.GetLastMsg(stream, "$O."+bucket+".M."+base64.URLEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(name)),
+		nats.DirectGet(), nats.Context(ctx))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var info struct {
+		NUID string `json:"nuid"`
+		Size uint64 `json:"size"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(meta.Data, &info); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	sub, err := js.SubscribeSync("$O."+bucket+".C."+info.NUID, nats.OrderedConsumer(), nats.BindStream(stream))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer sub.Unsubscribe()
+	body := make([]byte, 0, info.Size)
+	for uint64(len(body)) < info.Size {
+		msg, err := sub.NextMsgWithContext(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		body = append(body, msg.Data...)
+	}
+	return body, nil
+}
+
+// **The buckets' grants on a real server, judged by the node-engine's own call** (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2, issue 1697, 1697/AC2): the
+// controller's account writes an object into each node's bucket, a node-engine's account reads one of its own bucket by its name,
+// a large object included, and is refused a list of the bucket (a stream info asking for every subject), a message get by
+// sequence, a direct get by sequence, a consumer on the names, and a write; it is refused every one of those and the read by name on
+// another node's bucket, **the literal-`*` forms included** (a published subject `...M.*` or `...C.*` matches the grant's `*`: on
+// its own bucket that reaches its own files, on another's it is refused); another module's account is refused all of them.
+func TestNatsANodeEngineReadsAnObjectOfItsOwnBucketByNameAndNothingElse(t *testing.T) { // 1697/AC2
+	hash, err := bcrypt.GenerateFromPassword([]byte("pw"), bcrypt.MinCost)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	users, err := Users(Records{Nodes: []string{"alpha", "beta"}, Assigned: map[string][]Declared{
+		"alpha": {{Module: RuntimeModule}, {Module: "other-module"}},
+	}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := range users {
+		users[i].PasswordHash = string(hash)
+	}
+	accounts, err := ComposeAccounts(users)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	conf := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "bus.conf")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(conf, []byte("listen: 127.0.0.1:-1\njetstream { store_dir: "+
+		`"`+t.TempDir()+`"`+" }\n"+accounts), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	opts, err := server.ProcessConfigFile(conf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed accounts do not parse: %v", err)
+	}
+	opts.NoLog, opts.NoSigs = true, true
+	s, err := server.NewServer(opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	go s.Start()
+	if !s.ReadyForConnections(10 * time.Second) {
+		t.Fatal("the bus did not come up")
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(s.Shutdown)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 90*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	connect := func(user string) (*nats.Conn, chan error) {
+		t.Helper()
+		refused := make(chan error, 16)
+		nc, err := nats.Connect(s.ClientURL(), nats.UserInfo(user, "pw"), nats.CustomInboxPrefix("_INBOX."+user),
+			nats.ErrorHandler(func(_ *nats.Conn, _ *nats.Subscription, err error) { refused <- err }))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s cannot connect: %v", user, err)
+		}
+		t.Cleanup(nc.Close)
+		return nc, refused
+	}
+
+	// The controller makes the buckets (as it does at its start) and writes into each: for alpha a small object and one of
+	// several chunks, which needs the consumer's flow control; for beta one that holds a marker alpha must never read.
+	controller, _ := connect(ControllerName)
+	cjs, err := jetstream.New(controller)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, cjs, "alpha", "beta"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller cannot make the buckets: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := EnsureDeclarationFiles(ctx, cjs, "alpha", "beta"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("asserting them again: %v", err)
+	}
+	put := func(node string, content []byte) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		store, err := cjs.ObjectStore(ctx, mustBucket(t, node))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		sum := sha256.Sum256(content)
+		name := hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+		if _, err := store.PutBytes(ctx, name, content); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("the controller cannot write the object %s of %s: %v", name[:8], node, err)
+		}
+		return name
+	}
+	small := bytes.Repeat([]byte("small file\n"), 100)
+	large := make([]byte, 900<<10)
+	for i := range large {
+		large[i] = byte(i*7 + i>>8)
+	}
+	secret := bytes.Repeat([]byte("BETA-SECRET "), 50)
+	smallName, largeName, betaName := put("alpha", small), put("alpha", large), put("beta", secret)
+
+	alpha, alphaRefused := connect("node.alpha")
+	for name, want := range map[string][]byte{smallName: small, largeName: large} {
+		got, err := nodeEnginesFileObject(ctx, alpha, "alpha", name)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("a node-engine cannot read the object %s of its own bucket by its name: %v", name[:8], err)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(got, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("the node-engine read %d bytes of the object %s, want %d", len(got), name[:8], len(want))
+		}
+	}
+	beta, _ := connect("node.beta")
+	if got, err := nodeEnginesFileObject(ctx, beta, "beta", betaName); err != nil || !bytes.Equal(got, secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("beta's node-engine reads its own object: %v", err)
+	}
+	select {
+	case err := <-alphaRefused:
+		t.Fatalf("a node-engine's own read was refused something: %v", err)
+	default:
+	}
+
+	// What each account is refused, judged by the server.
+	alphaStream, alphaBucket := mustStream(t, "alpha"), mustBucket(t, "alpha")
+	betaStream, betaBucket := mustStream(t, "beta"), mustBucket(t, "beta")
+	listing := []byte(`{"subjects_filter":">"}`)
+	bySeq := []byte(`{"seq":1}`)
+	type refusal struct {
+		what string
+		do   func(nc *nats.Conn)
+	}
+	onBucket := func(stream, bucket, which string) []refusal {
+		return []refusal{
+			{which + ": a list of the bucket (stream info asking for every subject)", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.STREAM.INFO."+stream, listing, 300*time.Millisecond)
+			}},
+			{which + ": a message get by sequence", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.STREAM.MSG.GET."+stream, bySeq, 300*time.Millisecond)
+			}},
+			{which + ": a direct get by sequence", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+stream, bySeq, 300*time.Millisecond)
+			}},
+			{which + ": a consumer on every object's name", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				js, _ := nc.JetStream(nats.MaxWait(500 * time.Millisecond))
+				if sub, err := js.SubscribeSync("$O."+bucket+".M.>", nats.OrderedConsumer(), nats.BindStream(stream)); err == nil {
+					sub.Unsubscribe()
+				}
+			}},
+			{which + ": a write of an object's metadata", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				_ = nc.Publish("$O."+bucket+".M.abc", []byte(`{}`))
+				_ = nc.Flush()
+			}},
+			{which + ": a write of a chunk", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+				_ = nc.Publish("$O."+bucket+".C.abc", []byte("x"))
+				_ = nc.Flush()
+			}},
+		}
+	}
+	refusedWith := func(who string, nc *nats.Conn, ch chan error, r refusal) {
+		t.Helper()
+		for len(ch) > 0 {
+			<-ch
+		}
+		r.do(nc)
+		_ = nc.Flush()
+		deadline := time.After(3 * time.Second)
+		for {
+			select {
+			case err := <-ch:
+				if errors.Is(err, nats.ErrPermissionViolation) {
+					return
+				}
+			case <-deadline:
+				t.Errorf("the server did not refuse %s %s", who, r.what)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// Alpha's account on its own bucket (list, sequence reads, names, writes) and on beta's (all of that, and the read by name,
+	// and the literal-`*` probes of the review).
+	reachBeta := []refusal{
+		{"beta's bucket: a read of one object by its name", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+			_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+betaStream+".$O."+betaBucket+".M."+
+				base64.URLEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(betaName)), nil, 300*time.Millisecond)
+		}},
+		{"beta's bucket: a direct get with a literal `*` for the name", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+			_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+betaStream+".$O."+betaBucket+".M.*", nil, 300*time.Millisecond)
+		}},
+		{"beta's bucket: a consumer with a literal `*` for the chunks", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+			js, _ := nc.JetStream(nats.MaxWait(500 * time.Millisecond))
+			if sub, err := js.SubscribeSync("$O."+betaBucket+".C.*", nats.OrderedConsumer(), nats.BindStream(betaStream)); err == nil {
+				sub.Unsubscribe()
+			}
+		}},
+	}
+	all := append(append(onBucket(alphaStream, alphaBucket, "its own bucket"), onBucket(betaStream, betaBucket, "beta's bucket")...), reachBeta...)
+	for _, r := range all {
+		nodeNC, nodeCh := connect("node.alpha")
+		refusedWith("a node-engine", nodeNC, nodeCh, r)
+	}
+	// Another module is refused all of that on both buckets, and the reads by name on both.
+	for _, r := range append(append(onBucket(alphaStream, alphaBucket, "alpha's bucket"), reachBeta...),
+		refusal{"alpha's bucket: a read of one object by its name", func(nc *nats.Conn) {
+			_, _ = nc.Request("$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+alphaStream+".$O."+alphaBucket+".M."+
+				base64.URLEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(smallName)), nil, 300*time.Millisecond)
+		}}) {
+		otherNC, otherCh := connect("alpha.other-module")
+		refusedWith("another module", otherNC, otherCh, r)
+	}
+
+	// The literal `*` on alpha's own bucket reaches alpha's own files and never beta's: the chunks it is given hold no marker of beta's.
+	js, err := alpha.JetStream(nats.MaxWait(2 * time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if sub, err := js.SubscribeSync("$O."+alphaBucket+".C.*", nats.OrderedConsumer(), nats.BindStream(alphaStream)); err == nil {
+		for i := 0; i < 20; i++ {
+			msg, err := sub.NextMsg(300 * time.Millisecond)
+			if err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+			if bytes.Contains(msg.Data, []byte("BETA-SECRET")) {
+				t.Fatal("a literal `*` on alpha's bucket gave it a chunk of beta's file")
+			}
+		}
+		sub.Unsubscribe()
+	}
+
+	// Nothing was written by the refused: each bucket holds what the controller wrote.
+	for node, want := range map[string]int{"alpha": 2, "beta": 1} {
+		store, err := cjs.ObjectStore(ctx, mustBucket(t, node))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		infos, err := store.List(ctx)
+		if err != nil || len(infos) != want {
+			t.Errorf("the bucket of %s holds %d objects (%v), want the %d the controller wrote", node, len(infos), err, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func mustBucket(t *testing.T, node string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	b, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+func mustStream(t *testing.T, node string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	b, err := DeclarationFilesStreamOf(node)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return b
+}

internal/broker/declaration_files_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// 1697/AC1: the composed accounts give a node-engine exactly the four reads of one object by its name, on its own node's bucket and
+// no other's; the controller the write of every node's bucket; and no other principal anything of any bucket.
+func TestEachNodesBucketIsWrittenByTheControllerAndReadByNameByThatNodesEngine(t *testing.T) { // 1697/AC1
+	node, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindNode, Node: "alpha", PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var mine []string
+	for _, s := range node.Publish {
+		if strings.Contains(s, "declaration-files") {
+			mine = append(mine, s)
+		}
+	}
+	want := []string{
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.*.$O.declaration-files-alpha.C.*",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.*",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.*",
+		"$JS.FC.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.>",
+	}
+	if !slices.Equal(mine, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("a node-engine may publish %q of the buckets, want exactly %q", mine, want)
+	}
+	// What would make a list, a write, or a read of another node's files: none of it, in any pattern a node holds. (The real
+	// server's judgement of the wildcard forms is the live test's.)
+	for _, refused := range []string{
+		"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha",
+		"$JS.API.STREAM.MSG.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.abc.def",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.x.$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.YWJj",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.x.$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.YWJj.more",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha",
+		"$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.abc",
+		"$O.declaration-files-alpha.C.abc",
+		// another node's bucket, however it is named
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-beta.$O.declaration-files-beta.M.YWJj",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-beta.h4sh.$O.declaration-files-beta.C.NUID",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-beta.h4sh",
+		"$JS.FC.OBJ_declaration-files-beta.x",
+		// and the old shared bucket
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files.$O.declaration-files.M.YWJj",
+	} {
+		if MayPublish(node, refused) {
+			t.Errorf("a node-engine may publish %s, which lists or writes a bucket or reads another node's", refused)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, kept := range []string{
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.YWJj",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-alpha.h4sh.$O.declaration-files-alpha.C.NUID",
+	} {
+		if !MayPublish(node, kept) {
+			t.Errorf("a node-engine may not publish %s, which reads one object of its own bucket by its name", kept)
+		}
+	}
+
+	controller, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindController, PasswordHash: "x", FilesFor: []string{"alpha", "beta"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, s := range []string{"$O.declaration-files-alpha.M.abc", "$O.declaration-files-beta.C.nuid"} {
+		if !MayPublish(controller, s) {
+			t.Errorf("the controller may not write %s", s)
+		}
+	}
+	if MayPublish(controller, "$O.declaration-files-gamma.M.abc") {
+		t.Error("the controller may write the bucket of a node it was not given")
+	}
+
+	for _, p := range []Principal{
+		{Kind: KindModule, Module: "mesh-vault", PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindNodeTools, Node: "alpha", PasswordHash: "x"},
+		{Kind: KindPerson, Module: "jochen", Invokes: []string{"*"}, PasswordHash: "x"},
+	} {
+		perms, err := PermissionsFor(p)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		for _, s := range append(append([]string(nil), perms.Publish...), perms.Subscribe...) {
+			if strings.Contains(s, "declaration-files") {
+				t.Errorf("%s holds %s, and no account but the controller's and the node-engines' has any access", p.Username(), s)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// The users the controller composes carry each node's bucket to the controller and to that node alone.
+func TestTheComposedUsersGiveEachNodeItsOwnBucketAndTheControllerAll(t *testing.T) {
+	users, err := Users(Records{Nodes: []string{"alpha", "beta"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var controller Principal
+	for _, u := range users {
+		if u.Kind == KindController {
+			controller = u
+		}
+	}
+	if !slices.Equal(controller.FilesFor, []string{"alpha", "beta"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller writes the buckets of %v", controller.FilesFor)
+	}
+}
+
+// A node name that could carry a subject wildcard or separator into a grant is refused with an error, never composed into a bucket
+// (ADR 0488): the grants of such a name would reach another node's bucket.
+func TestANodeNameThatCarriesAWildcardGetsNoBucketAndNoGrant(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, node := range []string{"", "*", ">", "a.b", "a b", "a*"} {
+		if b, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf(node); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("node %q got the bucket %q", node, b)
+		}
+		if _, err := DeclarationFilesReads(node); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("node %q got read grants", node)
+		}
+		if _, err := DeclarationFilesWrites(node); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("node %q got write grants", node)
+		}
+		if _, err := DeclarationFilesConfig(node); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("node %q got a bucket config", node)
+		}
+	}
+	if b, err := DeclarationFilesBucketOf("g14"); err != nil || b != "declaration-files-g14" {
+		t.Errorf("g14: %q %v", b, err)
+	}
+}

internal/broker/declared_packages_mirror_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// Issue 1840/S3 (ADR 0507 §5), 1840/AC5: a module whose manifest reads mesh-controller.declared-packages may name it in
+// `reads`, and reads the bucket and writes none; the controller writes it, so it is no mirror written by another, and it is
+// one of the controller's own buckets, asserted at its start.
+func TestAModuleReadingDeclaredPackagesReadsAndWritesNone(t *testing.T) {
+	if !slices.Contains(ControllerMirrors(), "declared-packages") ||
+		BucketName(ControllerSeat, MirrorDeclaredPackages) != DeclaredPackagesBucket {
+		t.Fatalf("a module cannot name %s in `reads`: %v", DeclaredPackagesBucket, ControllerMirrors())
+	}
+	if _, other := MirrorsWrittenByAnother[MirrorDeclaredPackages]; other {
+		t.Error("the controller writes the declared packages itself")
+	}
+	if !IsControllerBucket(DeclaredPackagesBucket) || !slices.Contains(ControllerBuckets(), DeclaredPackagesBucket) {
+		t.Errorf("%s is not among the controller's buckets", DeclaredPackagesBucket)
+	}
+	perms, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "pacman", PasswordHash: "x",
+		Reads: []string{"mesh-controller.declared-packages"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	stream := "KV_" + DeclaredPackagesBucket
+	has(t, perms.Publish, "$JS.API.STREAM.INFO."+stream)
+	has(t, perms.Publish, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+stream+".>")
+	has(t, perms.Publish, "$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE."+stream+".>")
+	for _, p := range perms.Publish {
+		if SubjectsOverlap(p, "$KV."+DeclaredPackagesBucket+".one") {
+			t.Errorf("the reading module may write %s through %q", DeclaredPackagesBucket, p)
+		}
+	}
+	controller, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindController, PasswordHash: "x"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	has(t, controller.Publish, "$KV."+DeclaredPackagesBucket+".>")
+}

internal/broker/jetstream.go

@@ -2,10 +2,7 @@ package broker
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"crypto/sha256"
 	"crypto/tls"
-	"crypto/x509"
-	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
@@ -112,25 +109,6 @@ func DialPinned(url, fingerprint string, opts ...nats.Option) (*JetStream, error
 	return Dial(url, opts...)
 }
 
-// PinnedToFingerprint accepts exactly the certificate with this SHA-256 and no other.
-func PinnedToFingerprint(want string) *tls.Config {
-	return &tls.Config{
-		InsecureSkipVerify: true, //nolint:gosec // replaced by the pin below, which is stricter
-		MinVersion:         tls.VersionTLS12,
-		VerifyPeerCertificate: func(rawCerts [][]byte, _ [][]*x509.Certificate) error {
-			if len(rawCerts) == 0 {
-				return errors.New("the bus presented no certificate")
-			}
-			sum := sha256.Sum256(rawCerts[0])
-			got := "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
-			if got != want {
-				return fmt.Errorf("the bus presented a certificate this mesh does not know (%s…), expected %s…", got[:23], want[:23])
-			}
-			return nil
-		},
-	}
-}
-
 // Conn is the connection itself, for what the mesh keeps off JetStream on purpose — a heartbeat,
 // a tool call — where a lost message is answered by the next one or by a timeout the caller
 // already handles (design 25 §3).

internal/broker/log.go

@@ -98,17 +98,6 @@ func (l Log) Config() jetstream.StreamConfig {
 	}
 }
 
-// LogIssued is one log an assignment may reach, by the name its module uses for it (novox/hq ADR
-// 0297): its stream, the subject its entries go under, and whether it may append. Only the owner's
-// instances are issued a log, so Writes is always true today; it is said so the runtime need not
-// assume it.
-type LogIssued struct {
-	Name    string `json:"name"`
-	Stream  string `json:"stream"`
-	Subject string `json:"subject"`
-	Writes  bool   `json:"writes"`
-}
-
 // logsIssuedFor is every log a module's code may reach, as its membership lists them: its own.
 func logsIssuedFor(d Declared) []LogIssued {
 	var out []LogIssued

internal/broker/membership.go

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package broker
 
 import (
-	"encoding/json"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -16,81 +15,6 @@ import (
 // grant is the same composition read the other way. The shape issued today is the shape the mesh
 // already had, so nothing moves when a membership first arrives; only who decides it moves.
 
-// Membership is one assignment's subjects: what this instance of a module on this machine serves,
-// and what it may reach.
-type Membership struct {
-	Node   string `json:"node"`
-	Module string `json:"module"`
-	// Serves is every address a tool of this instance answers on. `{tool}` stands for the tool's
-	// own name, which the module knows and the mesh does not need to: the mesh issues the address,
-	// the runtime fills the name. An address with a queue is shared with the module's other
-	// instances, and the bus hands each call to one of them; an address without is this instance's.
-	Serves []Served `json:"serves"`
-	// Seats is every verb of a seat this instance holds, at the subject the seat's callers use.
-	Seats []SeatServed `json:"seats,omitempty"`
-	// Emits is where an event of this module lands; `{event}` stands for the event's name.
-	Emits string `json:"emits"`
-	// Reaches is each tool this module may call, `<module>.<tool>`, to the subjects that reach it:
-	// the first is whichever instance answers, when the mesh issued one; the rest name a machine.
-	Reaches map[string][]string `json:"reaches,omitempty"`
-	// Tools is where this instance answers what it serves — the runtime's one verb of its own.
-	Tools string `json:"tools"`
-	// Receives is what this assignment is given for each requirement it receives, by requirement:
-	// the contributions of every module that asked for it, as the catalogue composed them (novox/hq
-	// ADR 0167). The same list its received file is written from, so the two cannot disagree; a
-	// requirement nobody contributed to is an empty list, never absent. Kept as JSON because the
-	// catalogue owns the shape of a contribution and the bus only carries it.
-	Receives map[string]json.RawMessage `json:"receives,omitempty"`
-	// Mesh is every machine's address on the private network — what a rule saying "from the mesh"
-	// resolves to in the packet filter, issued here from the same list (novox/hq ADR 0167). A
-	// module that must tell the mesh from the world, the route proxy serving an internal name, reads
-	// it here rather than keeping a definition of its own.
-	Mesh []string `json:"mesh,omitempty"`
-	// State is every bucket this module's code may reach, by the name it uses for each, and whether
-	// it may write it (novox/hq ADR 0201): the runtime answers a bundle's state verbs from this list
-	// and refuses, with the reason, what is not on it — the bus enforces only the union over every
-	// module on the machine.
-	State []StateIssued `json:"state,omitempty"`
-	// Logs is every log this module's code may reach, by the name it uses for each (novox/hq ADR 0297):
-	// its own and no other's, since a log is its owner's alone. The runtime answers a bundle's log verbs
-	// from this list and refuses, with the reason, a log not on it.
-	Logs []LogIssued `json:"logs,omitempty"`
-	// SeatTraffic is what this module's code may submit, say, hear, take, ask, answer and read on seats
-	// that name their caller or their kind (novox/hq ADR 0259 §3). The runtime carrying the module
-	// publishes, takes and answers for it only what is listed here: the bus enforces only the union
-	// over every module on the machine, so one module's code reaching another's name or kind through
-	// the runtime is the runtime's to refuse.
-	SeatTraffic *SeatTraffic `json:"seat-traffic,omitempty"`
-	// Streams are this module's own streams (novox/hq ADR 0363 §2): an event one of them carries is published
-	// on that stream's subject, never on Emits. Hears are the module streams it hears, each through a durable
-	// consumer on that stream the runtime binds beside the one on EVENTS (§8).
-	Streams []StreamIssued `json:"streams,omitempty"`
-	Hears   []HeardIssued  `json:"hears,omitempty"`
-	// Waits are the event families a session may wait on through the mesh MCP server, the tool runner's
-	// alone (novox/hq ADR 0367 §2): the subjects its account is granted, under the names a session asks for.
-	// The tool runner refuses any family not listed here.
-	Waits []WaitIssued `json:"waits,omitempty"`
-}
-
-// Served is one address a tool is answered on.
-type Served struct {
-	Subject string `json:"subject"`
-	Queue   string `json:"queue,omitempty"`
-}
-
-// SeatServed is one verb of a held seat, where its callers ask.
-type SeatServed struct {
-	Seat    string `json:"seat"`
-	Verb    string `json:"verb"`
-	Subject string `json:"subject"`
-}
-
-// MembershipSubject is the one address a runtime derives for itself: where its own membership is
-// published, from the two names its credential carries. Everything else is in the membership.
-func MembershipSubject(node, module string) string {
-	return "mesh.assignment." + node + "." + module
-}
-
 // Placements is where every module runs, for deciding which instance answers for the module.
 type Placements struct {
 	// Nodes is each module's machines.

internal/broker/modstreams.go

@@ -260,21 +260,6 @@ func ownStreamGrants(module string, streams []ModuleStream) []string {
 	return out
 }
 
-// StreamIssued is one of a module's own streams as its membership names it (ADR 0363 §2): the events it
-// carries, as the bus spells them, and the subject an event of them is published on, `{event}` the event.
-type StreamIssued struct {
-	Stream  string   `json:"stream"`
-	Events  []string `json:"events"`
-	Subject string   `json:"subject"`
-}
-
-// HeardIssued is one module stream an assignment hears, as its membership names it (ADR 0363 §8): the
-// stream and the durable consumer on it the runtime binds.
-type HeardIssued struct {
-	Stream   string `json:"stream"`
-	Consumer string `json:"consumer"`
-}
-
 // streamsIssuedFor is every stream of its own a module's membership names.
 func streamsIssuedFor(d Declared) []StreamIssued {
 	var out []StreamIssued

internal/broker/nats.go

@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ type Principal struct {
 	// Username and inbox are <node>.<module>.<process id>.
 	Process string
 
+	// FilesFor are the nodes whose declaration-file buckets this principal writes, for the controller alone (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2):
+	// every node of the mesh, one bucket each.
+	FilesFor []string
+
 	Emits    []string
 	Consumes []string
 	Serves   []string
@@ -357,9 +361,11 @@ var VaultNodeKey = SeatVerb{Seat: "mesh-vault", Verb: "node-key"}
 
 // VerbsTheControllerActsOnAWarrant are the other seat verbs the controller calls when the operator's warrant
 // chooses them (novox/hq ADR 0259): a machine's service restarted, and a walk started or stopped through the
-// controller's own `plans`. Named one by one; a node seat's on any machine, a mesh seat's flat.
+// controller's own `plans`, a machine's held builds sent by its own `push` and the builds held after a failed release
+// sent by its own `upgrade release-backlog` (novox/hq issue 1732). Named one by one; a node seat's on any machine, a
+// mesh seat's flat.
 var VerbsTheControllerActsOnAWarrant = []SeatVerb{{Seat: "node-service-manager", Verb: "restart"},
-	{Seat: ControllerSeat, Verb: "plans"}}
+	{Seat: ControllerSeat, Verb: "plans"}, {Seat: ControllerSeat, Verb: "push"}, {Seat: ControllerSeat, Verb: "upgrade"}}
 
 // VerbsTheControllerAsksTheOperatorChannel are the operator channel's verbs the controller calls (novox/hq
 // ADR 0380): `tell`, one plain message with no condition behind it — a module's own secret given, named,
@@ -383,6 +389,16 @@ type DegradableGrant struct {
 // works. Every other grant stays required — missing one of those is a controller that comes up and is
 // refused on the first thing it tries, with no fallback that covers it.
 var DegradableGrants = []DegradableGrant{
+	{
+		Subject: "mesh.seat." + ControllerSeat + ".tool.push",
+		Reason: "refused: the ask of a held move (Release) is answered, and the refusal told, while the operator's own " +
+			"push at the terminal still sends the machine (issue 1732; ADR 0259)",
+	},
+	{
+		Subject: "mesh.seat." + ControllerSeat + ".tool.upgrade",
+		Reason: "refused: the ask of the builds held after a failed release is answered, and the refusal told, while the " +
+			"operator's own `upgrade release-backlog` at the terminal still releases them (issue 1732; ADR 0259)",
+	},
 	{
 		Subject: "mesh.seat." + VerbsTheControllerAsksTheOperatorChannel[0].Seat + ".tool." + VerbsTheControllerAsksTheOperatorChannel[0].Verb,
 		Reason:  "refused: the controller raises the secret-given condition as before (ADR 0380 §9)",
@@ -408,6 +424,16 @@ var DegradableGrants = []DegradableGrant{
 		Reason: "refused: the controller asserts this bucket through the API and writes none of its keys — the build seat's " +
 			"holders do (ADR 0406 §3, issue 974)",
 	},
+	{
+		Subject: "$KV." + PlansBuildingBucket + ".>",
+		Reason: "refused: the controller then says no plan builds, and no check is held while a delivery builds — a check run " +
+			"wrongly costs a delivery a place, a check held wrongly costs a pull request its turn (ADR 0483 clause 2, issue 1687)",
+	},
+	{
+		Subject: "$KV." + DeclaredPackagesBucket + ".>",
+		Reason: "carried only at genesis: the controller composes its own permissions and pushes them to the bus at its " +
+			"first push, and keeps the packages each node declares only after that, holding the lease (ADR 0507 §5, issue 1840)",
+	},
 	{
 		Subject: "mesh.seat." + ControllerSeat + ".event.sent",
 		Reason: "refused: the controller says a tier sent to a machine only for outsiders, and a send that could not " +
@@ -693,7 +719,7 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// And asking the operator (novox/hq ADR 0259): an ask and its cancel under its own name, its warrants
 		// heard under its own name, the record of its asks read under its own name — as any user of the seat,
 		// derived the same way, from the seat its holder declares.
-		tp, ts := SeatTrafficOf(ControllerSeat, nil, p.Uses, nil).grants()
+		tp, ts := seatTrafficGrants(SeatTrafficOf(ControllerSeat, nil, p.Uses, nil))
 		pub = append(pub, tp...)
 		sub = append(sub, ts...)
 		// And asks who answers (novox/hq to-be 45 §4, D3): the self-check finds every seat's holder by
@@ -736,6 +762,15 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 			}
 			pub = append(pub, "$KV."+bucket+".>")
 		}
+		// **And the object bucket a declaration's large files travel in** (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2, issue 1697): the
+		// controller alone writes it, as a publish to the bucket's own subjects, which `$JS.API.>` does not cover.
+		for _, node := range p.FilesFor {
+			writes, err := DeclarationFilesWrites(node)
+			if err != nil {
+				return Permissions{}, err
+			}
+			pub = append(pub, writes)
+		}
 		// **And what the bus says about itself, read-only** (novox/hq to-be 45 §3, S9): a durable
 		// consumer that gave up on a message, or one that was deleted. The server already publishes
 		// both in the mesh's own account; the controller says each as a condition in the mesh's words.
@@ -835,6 +870,13 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 			return Permissions{}, err
 		}
 		pub = append(pub, haveKeys...)
+		// And an object of the declaration bucket by its name, and nothing of the bucket's list or writing
+		// (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2, issue 1697).
+		fileReads, err := DeclarationFilesReads(p.Node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return Permissions{}, err
+		}
+		pub = append(pub, fileReads...)
 		// And, while the vault serves it, the vault's move-in in its own name and nobody else's (issue 676): the
 		// values sealed to this machine, which only it opens, handed in sealed to the vault's key for the call.
 		if p.MovesIntoTheVault {
@@ -1010,7 +1052,7 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 
 		// 6. Its traffic on seats that name their caller or their kind, ask proofs or keep records
 		//    (novox/hq ADR 0259 §3).
-		tp, ts := SeatTrafficOf(p.Module, p.Holds, p.Uses, p.Watches).grants()
+		tp, ts := seatTrafficGrants(SeatTrafficOf(p.Module, p.Holds, p.Uses, p.Watches))
 		pub = append(pub, tp...)
 		sub = append(sub, ts...)
 
@@ -1134,7 +1176,7 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		// not publish under another's name or kind through it is the runtime's to keep, from the seat
 		// traffic each module's membership lists.
 		for _, d := range p.Carries {
-			tp, ts := SeatTrafficOf(d.Module, d.Holds, d.Uses, d.Watches).grants()
+			tp, ts := seatTrafficGrants(SeatTrafficOf(d.Module, d.Holds, d.Uses, d.Watches))
 			pub = append(pub, tp...)
 			sub = append(sub, ts...)
 		}

internal/broker/onnats.go

@@ -35,39 +35,6 @@ func OnNATS() (address string, on bool, err error) {
 	return address, true, nil
 }
 
-// CredentialIn reads the user and password out of a bus address, and the address without them.
-//
-// The controller's own credential arrives in its address, the way the old bus's does. Split out so the
-// controller can record a hash of what it is actually using: its user is created by the installer at a
-// bootstrap password, before the controller exists to mint one, and a composition that left itself out
-// would produce a bus the writer cannot connect to.
-func CredentialIn(address string) (user, password, bare string) {
-	at := strings.LastIndex(address, "@")
-	if at < 0 {
-		return "", "", address
-	}
-	scheme := ""
-	rest := address[:at]
-	if i := strings.Index(rest, "://"); i >= 0 {
-		scheme, rest = rest[:i+3], rest[i+3:]
-	}
-	user, password, _ = strings.Cut(rest, ":")
-	return user, password, scheme + address[at+1:]
-}
-
-// BareAddress is a bus address with any credential stripped, for something that only needs to know
-// whether a server is answering there.
-func BareAddress(address string) string {
-	_, _, bare := CredentialIn(address)
-	if bare == "" {
-		return address
-	}
-	if strings.Contains(bare, "://") {
-		return bare
-	}
-	return "nats://" + bare
-}
-
 // BusAddress is where the mesh's bus is, with this process's credential, and refuses to be empty:
 // there is one bus, and a control plane without it can hold records and answer nothing (novox/hq
 // ADR 0131, design 28 task 5.5).

internal/broker/onnats_test.go

@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-package broker
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// Which bus the mesh is on is one fact, and being told about both is refused.
-//
-
-// The controller's own credential arrives in its address, and has to be readable out of it — its user
-// is created by the installer at a bootstrap password, before the controller exists to mint one.
-func TestACredentialIsReadOutOfABusAddress(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, c := range []struct{ in, user, password, bare string }{
-		{"nats://controller:secret@127.0.0.1:4222", "controller", "secret", "nats://127.0.0.1:4222"},
-		{"controller:secret@127.0.0.1:4222", "controller", "secret", "127.0.0.1:4222"},
-		{"nats://127.0.0.1:4222", "", "", "nats://127.0.0.1:4222"},
-		{"127.0.0.1:4222", "", "", "127.0.0.1:4222"},
-		// A password containing an at-sign: split on the last one, or the address becomes part of the
-		// credential and the connection goes somewhere nobody named.
-		{"nats://controller:a@b@127.0.0.1:4222", "controller", "a@b", "nats://127.0.0.1:4222"},
-	} {
-		user, password, bare := CredentialIn(c.in)
-		if user != c.user || password != c.password || bare != c.bare {
-			t.Errorf("%q read as %q/%q at %q; wanted %q/%q at %q",
-				c.in, user, password, bare, c.user, c.password, c.bare)
-		}
-	}
-}

internal/broker/plans_building_live_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
+)
+
+// **A holder of the build seat reads the plans building and the server refuses its write** (novox/hq ADR 0483 clause 2, issue
+// 1687): on a real server whose users are composed as the controller composes them, the controller makes the bucket and puts a
+// plan's key; the build agent's credential lists the keys and gets one, and its put of a key is refused with a permissions
+// violation. It also reads the first waiting ask of a check queue by a direct get, which takes nothing from the queue.
+func TestNatsTheBuildSeatsHoldersReadThePlansBuildingAndTheServerRefusesTheirWrite(t *testing.T) { // 1687
+	hash, err := bcrypt.GenerateFromPassword([]byte("pw"), bcrypt.MinCost)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	seat := Seat{Name: TheBuildSeat, Scope: "node", Accepts: []string{"build"}, Emits: []string{"built", "started"}}
+	users, err := Users(Records{Nodes: []string{"alpha"}, Assigned: map[string][]Declared{
+		"alpha": {{Module: RuntimeModule}, {Module: "build-agent", Holds: []Seat{seat}}},
+	}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for i := range users {
+		users[i].PasswordHash = string(hash)
+	}
+	accounts, err := ComposeAccounts(users)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	conf := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "bus.conf")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(conf, []byte("listen: 127.0.0.1:-1\njetstream { store_dir: "+
+		`"`+t.TempDir()+`"`+" }\n"+accounts), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	opts, err := server.ProcessConfigFile(conf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed accounts do not parse: %v", err)
+	}
+	opts.NoLog, opts.NoSigs = true, true
+	s, err := server.NewServer(opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	go s.Start()
+	if !s.ReadyForConnections(10 * time.Second) {
+		t.Fatal("the bus did not come up")
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(s.Shutdown)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	connect := func(user string) (*nats.Conn, chan error) {
+		t.Helper()
+		refused := make(chan error, 8)
+		nc, err := nats.Connect(s.ClientURL(), nats.UserInfo(user, "pw"), nats.CustomInboxPrefix("_INBOX."+user),
+			nats.ErrorHandler(func(_ *nats.Conn, _ *nats.Subscription, err error) { refused <- err }))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s cannot connect: %v", user, err)
+		}
+		t.Cleanup(nc.Close)
+		return nc, refused
+	}
+	controller, _ := connect(ControllerName)
+	cj := OnConn(controller)
+	if err := AssertMeshStreams(cj); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller cannot make the streams: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := cj.EnsureControllerBuckets(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller cannot make its buckets: %v", err)
+	}
+	cjs, _ := jetstream.New(controller)
+	ckv, err := cjs.KeyValue(ctx, PlansBuildingBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := ckv.Put(ctx, "plan-1", []byte(`{"plan":"plan-1"}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the controller cannot put a plan's key: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	holder, refused := connect("alpha.build-agent")
+	hjs, err := jetstream.New(holder)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kv, err := hjs.KeyValue(ctx, PlansBuildingBucket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a holder of the build seat cannot bind %s: %v", PlansBuildingBucket, err)
+	}
+	keys, err := kv.Keys(ctx)
+	if err != nil || len(keys) != 1 || keys[0] != "plan-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("the holder lists %v (%v), want plan-1", keys, err)
+	}
+	if e, err := kv.Get(ctx, "plan-1"); err != nil || e == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the holder cannot get the key: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Its write is refused by the server.
+	if err := holder.Publish("$KV."+PlansBuildingBucket+".plan-2", []byte(`{}`)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_ = holder.Flush()
+	select {
+	case err := <-refused:
+		if !errors.Is(err, nats.ErrPermissionViolation) {
+			t.Errorf("the server said %v, want a permissions violation", err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Error("the server did not refuse the holder's put of a plan's key")
+	}
+	if _, err := ckv.Get(ctx, "plan-2"); !errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+		t.Errorf("the refused put left a key: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// And the direct get of a check queue's first waiting ask, which is granted.
+	reply, err := holder.RequestWithContext(ctx, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+ChecksOtherStream, []byte(`{"seq":1,"next_by_subj":"`+
+		CheckSubjectPrefix(TheBuildSeat, false)+`>"}`))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the holder's direct get of %s was not answered: %v", ChecksOtherStream, err)
+	}
+	if reply.Header.Get("Status") != "404" {
+		t.Errorf("an empty queue answered %q, want 404", reply.Header.Get("Status"))
+	}
+}

internal/broker/plans_building_mirror_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// Issue 1687 (ADR 0483 clause 2): a module whose manifest reads mesh-controller.plans-building may name it in `reads`, and
+// reads the bucket and writes none; the controller writes it, so it is no mirror written by another.
+func TestAModuleReadingPlansBuildingReadsAndWritesNone(t *testing.T) {
+	if !slices.Contains(ControllerMirrors(), "plans-building") || BucketName(ControllerSeat, PlansBuilding) != PlansBuildingBucket {
+		t.Fatalf("a module cannot name %s in `reads`: %v", PlansBuildingBucket, ControllerMirrors())
+	}
+	if _, other := MirrorsWrittenByAnother[PlansBuilding]; other {
+		t.Error("the controller writes the plans building itself")
+	}
+	perms, err := PermissionsFor(Principal{Kind: KindModule, Node: "one", Module: "mesh-delivery-checker", PasswordHash: "x",
+		Reads: []string{"mesh-controller.plans-building"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	stream := "KV_" + PlansBuildingBucket
+	has(t, perms.Publish, "$JS.API.STREAM.INFO."+stream)
+	has(t, perms.Publish, "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET."+stream+".>")
+	for _, p := range perms.Publish {
+		if SubjectsOverlap(p, "$KV."+PlansBuildingBucket+".plan-1") {
+			t.Errorf("the reading module may write %s through %q", PlansBuildingBucket, p)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/broker/process_state_watch_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+package broker
+
+import "testing"
+
+// 1840/AC9: a process account declaring the state `x` may watch and list the keys of its module's own bucket (a consumer
+// created and deleted on KV_<module>_x), read and write it, and has no grant on another module's bucket or on a mirror of the
+// controller's, whatever it is named after.
+func TestAProcessMayWatchItsOwnStateAndNoOthers(t *testing.T) {
+	p := Principal{Kind: KindProcess, Node: "novox", Module: "mesh-mail", Process: "send", State: []string{"x"}}
+	got := perms(t, p)
+	for _, s := range []string{
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-mail_x",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-mail_x.watcher",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_mesh-mail_x.watcher.$KV.mesh-mail_x.>",
+		"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_mesh-mail_x.watcher",
+		"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_mesh-mail_x.$KV.mesh-mail_x.key",
+		"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_mesh-mail_x",
+		"$JS.FC.KV_mesh-mail_x.watcher",
+		"$KV.mesh-mail_x.key",
+	} {
+		if !allowed(got.Publish, s) {
+			t.Errorf("the process may not publish %s, so it cannot watch or list its own state", s)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, other := range []string{"mesh-other_x", "mesh-mail_y", DeclaredPackagesBucket, AssignmentsBucket} {
+		for _, s := range []string{
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_" + other,
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_" + other + ".watcher",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_" + other + ".watcher.$KV." + other + ".>",
+			"$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_" + other + ".watcher",
+			"$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_" + other + ".$KV." + other + ".key",
+			"$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_" + other,
+			"$JS.FC.KV_" + other + ".watcher",
+			"$KV." + other + ".key",
+		} {
+			if allowed(got.Publish, s) {
+				t.Errorf("the process may publish %s, on a bucket that is not its own state", s)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/broker/sdk_membership.go

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+package broker
+
+import (
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/membership"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+)
+
+// The membership the mesh issues an assignment (novox/hq ADR 0160), its subject, its stream, the bare address and the
+// pin are mesh-sdk's, public so that a module's program outside this Go module, the route proxy, reads them too
+// (novox/hq ADR 0480 clause 4, issue 1633). This package keeps no second copy: what follows only names them where the
+// controller already did.
+type (
+	Membership   = membership.Membership
+	Served       = membership.Served
+	SeatServed   = membership.SeatServed
+	StateIssued  = membership.StateIssued
+	LogIssued    = membership.LogIssued
+	Worker       = membership.Worker
+	SeatTraffic  = membership.SeatTraffic
+	KindHeld     = membership.KindHeld
+	StreamIssued = membership.StreamIssued
+	HeardIssued  = membership.HeardIssued
+	WaitIssued   = membership.WaitIssued
+)
+
+// AssignmentsStream holds every assignment's membership, the newest per subject.
+const AssignmentsStream = membership.AssignmentsStream
+
+var (
+	// MembershipSubject is where an assignment's own membership is published.
+	MembershipSubject = membership.Subject
+	// CredentialIn reads the user and password out of a bus address, and the address without them.
+	CredentialIn = membership.CredentialIn
+	// BareAddress is a bus address with any credential stripped.
+	BareAddress = membership.BareAddress
+	// PinnedToFingerprint accepts exactly the certificate with this SHA-256 and no other.
+	PinnedToFingerprint = process.PinnedToFingerprint
+)

internal/broker/seattraffic.go

@@ -24,44 +24,6 @@ import "sort"
 // And one read: **a holder's records**, a bucket the seat names, read by each user under its own name only
 // (`$KV.<bucket>.<module>.>`), so an asker reads the state of its own asks and no other asker's.
 
-// Worker is one durable consumer a holder pulls a seat's work from.
-type Worker struct {
-	Stream   string
-	Consumer string
-	Filter   string
-}
-
-// SeatTraffic is one module's seat traffic beyond tools. Publish and Subscribe are subject patterns, in the
-// server's wildcards; the runtime that carries the module checks a bundle's request against them, since
-// the runtime's own principal holds the union of every module it carries.
-type SeatTraffic struct {
-	// Publish is what it submits (accepts of seats it uses), says (events of seats it holds) and asks
-	// (proofs of seats it holds a kind of).
-	Publish []string `json:"publish,omitempty"`
-	// Subscribe is what it hears: events of seats it uses that are named by caller, events of seats it
-	// watches, and accepts of seats it holds.
-	Subscribe []string `json:"subscribe,omitempty"`
-	// Answers is the proof subjects it answers, as a watcher of a kinded seat.
-	Answers []string `json:"answers,omitempty"`
-	// Workers are the work queues it takes from, as a holder.
-	Workers []Worker `json:"workers,omitempty"`
-	// Records is the direct-get subjects of the records it reads under its own name.
-	Records []string `json:"records,omitempty"`
-	// Kinds are the holders of every kinded bench it uses or watches, with what each promises: the one
-	// account of which channel is which, and what it can carry, that the router judges an answer by. The
-	// controller's, from the claims, never a channel's word (novox/hq ADR 0259 §5).
-	Kinds []KindHeld `json:"kinds,omitempty"`
-}
-
-// KindHeld is one kind of a kinded bench and who holds it.
-type KindHeld struct {
-	Seat         string   `json:"seat"`
-	Kind         string   `json:"kind"`
-	Module       string   `json:"module"`
-	Node         string   `json:"node"`
-	Capabilities []string `json:"capabilities,omitempty"`
-}
-
 // KindedBenches are the seats that may be kinded (ADR 0234 §2): making another is a decision, recorded.
 var KindedBenches = map[string]bool{"channel": true, "intake": true}
 
@@ -175,9 +137,9 @@ func SeatTrafficOf(module string, holds, uses, watches []Seat) SeatTraffic {
 	return t
 }
 
-// grants is the bus permissions seat traffic needs: the subjects themselves, and the JetStream API a
+// seatTrafficGrants is the bus permissions seat traffic needs: the subjects themselves, and the JetStream API a
 // worker is pulled and acknowledged through and a record is read through.
-func (t SeatTraffic) grants() (pub, sub []string) {
+func seatTrafficGrants(t SeatTraffic) (pub, sub []string) {
 	pub = append(pub, t.Publish...)
 	sub = append(sub, t.Subscribe...)
 	sub = append(sub, t.Answers...)

internal/broker/state.go

@@ -186,16 +186,6 @@ func perMachineNames(buckets []Bucket) []string {
 	return out
 }
 
-// StateIssued is one bucket an assignment may reach, by the name its module uses for it: its own
-// state by the local name, another's as `<module>.<name>` (novox/hq ADR 0201). Key, when set, is the
-// one key it may reach (novox/hq ADR 0260): this machine's.
-type StateIssued struct {
-	Name   string `json:"name"`
-	Bucket string `json:"bucket"`
-	Writes bool   `json:"writes,omitempty"`
-	Key    string `json:"key,omitempty"`
-}
-
 // stateIssuedFor is every bucket a module's code may reach on a machine, as its membership lists them.
 func stateIssuedFor(d Declared, node string) []StateIssued {
 	var out []StateIssued

internal/broker/streams.go

@@ -80,9 +80,6 @@ const RestrictedMetadata = "mesh-restricted"
 // it under: never set by a mesh-internal work-queue stream (a seat's, a check's), only by Stream.WorkQueue.
 const WorkQueueMetadata = "mesh-work-queue"
 
-// AssignmentsStream holds every assignment's membership, the newest per subject.
-const AssignmentsStream = "ASSIGNMENTS"
-
 // What a durable consumer gave up on is kept (novox/hq issue 330, design 25 §3).
 //
 // **The server says it and keeps it; the controller copies it.** A consumer that handed a message over

internal/broker/testdata/composed.conf

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ accounts {
     ]
     users = [
       { user: "controller", password: "$2a$11$cccccccccccccccccccccc", permissions: {
-        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.CONTROL.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.DEAD_LETTER_NOTICES.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller-merges.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller.>", "$JS.API.>", "$KV.SEAT_MESH_BUILD_MACHINE_cancelled.>", "$KV.SEAT_NODE_BUILD_AGENT_cancelled.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_asked.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_assignments.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_builds.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_calls.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_checks-running.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_condition-history.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_conditions.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_declared-config.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_delivery-merges.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_hand-acts.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_merge-window.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_predefined.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_rollout-silent.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_rollouts.>", "$SRV.INFO", "_INBOX.enrol.>", "mesh.again.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "mesh.events.dead.>", "mesh.mod.*.tool.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.accept.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.tool.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.applied", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.assignment-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.built-before", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.checked", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-cleared", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-raised", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.declared-config-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.doctor-heartbeat", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.healer-acted", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.plan-moved", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.predefined-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.refused", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.rolled-back", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.secret-replaced", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.sent", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.plans", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.close", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.groups", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.release", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.stalled", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.stop", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.times", "mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.backed-up.*", "mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.now.*", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.accept.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.check.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-intrusion-prevention.tool.banned.*", "mesh.seat.node-launcher.tool.secret.*", "mesh.seat.node-service-manager.tool.restart.*", "mesh.seat.operator-channel.tool.tell"] }
+        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.CONTROL.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.DEAD_LETTER_NOTICES.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller-merges.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller.>", "$JS.API.>", "$KV.SEAT_MESH_BUILD_MACHINE_cancelled.>", "$KV.SEAT_NODE_BUILD_AGENT_cancelled.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_asked.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_assignments.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_builds.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_calls.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_checks-running.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_condition-history.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_conditions.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_declared-config.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_declared-packages.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_delivery-merges.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_hand-acts.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_lease.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_merge-window.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_plans-building.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_predefined.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_rollout-silent.>", "$KV.mesh-controller_rollouts.>", "$SRV.INFO", "_INBOX.enrol.>", "mesh.again.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "mesh.events.dead.>", "mesh.mod.*.tool.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.accept.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.tool.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.applied", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.assignment-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.built-before", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.checked", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-cleared", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.condition-raised", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.declared-config-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.doctor-heartbeat", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.healer-acted", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.plan-moved", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.predefined-changed", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.refused", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.rolled-back", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.secret-replaced", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.sent", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.plans", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.push", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.upgrade", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.close", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.groups", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.release", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.stalled", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.stop", "mesh.seat.mesh-delivery.tool.times", "mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.backed-up.*", "mesh.seat.node-backup.tool.now.*", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.accept.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.check.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-intrusion-prevention.tool.banned.*", "mesh.seat.node-launcher.tool.secret.*", "mesh.seat.node-service-manager.tool.restart.*", "mesh.seat.operator-channel.tool.tell"] }
         subscribe: { allow: ["$JS.API.>", "$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.DELETED.>", "$JS.EVENT.ADVISORY.CONSUMER.MAX_DELIVERIES.>", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller.>", "_DELIVER.controller", "_DELIVER.controller.>", "_INBOX.controller.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.failing", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.recovered", "mesh.mod.*.event.provisioner.retirement", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.updated", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.catching-up", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.upgraded", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built", "mesh.seat.operator-channel.event.decided.mesh-controller"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ accounts {
         subscribe: { allow: ["_INBOX.enrol.one.>"] }
       } }
       { user: "node.one", password: "$2a$11$nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn", permissions: {
-        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.NODES.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_node-engine_have.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.one", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_node-engine_have", "$JS.FC.KV_node-engine_have.>", "$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$SRV.PING.node-tools.one", "mesh.control.one.>"] }
+        publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.NODES.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.KV_node-engine_have.*.$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.CREATE.OBJ_declaration-files-one.*.$O.declaration-files-one.C.*", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.KV_node-engine_have.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.DELETE.OBJ_declaration-files-one.*", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.one", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.KV_node-engine_have.$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.OBJ_declaration-files-one.$O.declaration-files-one.M.*", "$JS.API.STREAM.INFO.KV_node-engine_have", "$JS.FC.KV_node-engine_have.>", "$JS.FC.OBJ_declaration-files-one.>", "$KV.node-engine_have.one.>", "$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.judge-directories", "mesh.node.one.ask.move-secret", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.ask.setuid-search", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }

internal/broker/users.go

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ type Records struct {
 // correct.
 func Users(r Records) ([]Principal, error) {
 	out := []Principal{{Kind: KindController, Uses: asksSeatOf(r), AsksIssued: issuedOf(r), AsksTheVault: vaultVerbsOf(r),
-		AsksTheConfig: servedOf(r, VerbsTheControllerAsksTheConfig)}}
+		AsksTheConfig: servedOf(r, VerbsTheControllerAsksTheConfig), FilesFor: sortedCopy(r.Nodes)}}
 
 	for _, node := range sortedCopy(r.Nodes) {
 		witness := false

internal/broker/waits.go

@@ -31,12 +31,6 @@ type Wait struct {
 	Last string
 }
 
-// WaitIssued is one family as a membership issues it: the name a session asks for, and its subject.
-type WaitIssued struct {
-	Event   string `json:"event"`
-	Subject string `json:"subject"`
-}
-
 // WaitSubject is where a family's events land. Each token is checked before it becomes a subject: a
 // wildcard, a dot inside a name or an empty token would widen the grant.
 func WaitSubject(w Wait) (string, error) {

internal/broker/writers.go

@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@ var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
 		KeptIn: "key-value " + CheckRunningBucket + ", aged out when not renewed", Others: "the build seat's holders read it to drop a duplicate request",
 		Subjects: kvOf(CheckRunningBucket), Writes: holdsTheBuildSeat,
 		Shared: "every machine holding the build seat puts the key of the check it runs and deletes it when the check ends"},
+	{State: "the plans-building mirror", Writer: "controller (lease holder), at the first build's ask and at each refresh",
+		KeptIn:   "key-value " + PlansBuildingBucket + ", aged out when not refreshed",
+		Others:   "the build seat's holders read it and take no new check while a key is there (ADR 0483)",
+		Subjects: kvOf(PlansBuildingBucket), Writes: isController},
 	{State: "a merge announced", Writer: "one announcer per forge (the hook, or the poll when the hook is absent — never both)",
 		KeptIn: "the bus", Others: "—", Subjects: []string{"mesh.mod.*.event.pull.merged"}, Writes: ownModule},
 	// A pull request's head, before it merges (novox/hq to-be 45 §9): the same one announcer.
@@ -219,12 +223,22 @@ var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
 	{State: "a machine's have", Writer: "the node-engine of the machine, under its own keys `<node>.>`",
 		KeptIn: "key-value " + delivery.HaveBucket + ", twenty revisions of each key",
 		Others: "read through `reads` as node-engine.have", Subjects: kvOf(delivery.HaveBucket), Writes: ownNodeKeys},
+	// The contents of a declaration's files over 64 KiB (novox/hq ADR 0486 §2): the controller alone writes the bucket, each
+	// object under the digest of its content; a node-engine reads one by its name, with no list and no write.
+	{State: "a declaration's large files", Writer: "controller, each object under the sha256 digest of its content",
+		KeptIn: "the object bucket " + DeclarationFilesBucket + "-<node> of each node, an object removed a day after the " +
+			"node's latest declaration no longer names it",
+		Others:   "a node-engine reads an object of its own bucket by its name and may neither list the bucket nor write it",
+		Subjects: []string{"$O.*.>"}, Writes: isController},
 	{State: "the declared-config mirror", Writer: "controller (lease holder), from its store, only on a change",
 		KeptIn: "key-value " + DeclaredConfigBucket, Others: "read through `reads` as mesh-controller." + MirrorDeclaredConfig,
 		Subjects: kvOf(DeclaredConfigBucket), Writes: isController},
 	{State: "the predefined-keys mirror", Writer: "controller (lease holder), from its store, only on a change",
 		KeptIn: "key-value " + PredefinedBucket, Others: "read through `reads` as mesh-controller." + MirrorPredefined,
 		Subjects: kvOf(PredefinedBucket), Writes: isController},
+	{State: "the declared-packages mirror", Writer: "controller (lease holder), from the composition of each node, only on a change",
+		KeptIn: "key-value " + DeclaredPackagesBucket, Others: "read through `reads` as mesh-controller." + MirrorDeclaredPackages,
+		Subjects: kvOf(DeclaredPackagesBucket), Writes: isController},
 	// What a machine's provisioner client placed of a module's files (novox/hq ADR 0349 §4, design 57 P6): its own
 	// machine's word alone, which a walk's end and a gate wait for (ADR 0362, ADR 0349 §15). Kept newest per module
 	// in the stream ProvAppliedStream, and by the client in the provisioner server's `applied` bucket.

internal/broker/writers_test.go

@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ var designRows = []string{
 	"builds and their outcomes",
 	"a pull request's check asked",
 	"a pull request's check running",
+	// The plans in their build phase, a bucket the build seat's holders read (ADR 0483 clause 2, issue 1687).
+	"the plans-building mirror",
 	"a merge announced",
 	"a pull request's head announced",
 	"a pull request's merge check",
@@ -43,8 +45,11 @@ var designRows = []string{
 	"the rollouts of the chain",
 	// What each machine has of each module, written by its node-engine under its own keys (ADR 0429 §1, issue 1136).
 	"a machine's have",
+	// The contents of a declaration's large files, in the bus's object bucket (ADR 0486 §2, issue 1697).
+	"a declaration's large files",
 	"the declared-config mirror",
 	"the predefined-keys mirror",
+	"the declared-packages mirror",
 	// The provisioner client's word on what it placed (novox/hq ADR 0349 §4, design 57 P6).
 	"a module's files placed on a machine",
 }

internal/builder/build_source_test.go

@@ -86,11 +86,14 @@ func TestAnImageCompilingGoIsHandedItsBuildSourceAndSaysIt(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	for file, want := range map[string]bool{"proxy/main.go": true, "internal/shared/s.go": true, "go.mod": true,
 		"cmd/ctl/main.go": false, "internal/only/o.go": false, "README.md": false} {
-		_, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(workspace, "narrow-server", filepath.FromSlash(file)))
-		if (err == nil) != want {
-			t.Errorf("%s handed to the recipe: %v, wanted %v", file, err == nil, want)
+		held := slices.Contains(r.builtFrom, file)
+		if held != want {
+			t.Errorf("%s handed to the recipe: %v, wanted %v", file, held, want)
 		}
 	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(workspace, "narrow-server")); err == nil {
+		t.Error("the narrowed build source was left in the workspace")
+	}
 
 	// Said per repository: its own, the manifest and the recipe; the context's, the closure.
 	if len(got.Sources) != 2 {

internal/builder/builder.go

@@ -219,6 +219,11 @@ func build(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(workspace, 0o755); err != nil {
 		return Result{}, err
 	}
+	// **A node with no room takes no build** (novox/hq issue 1834).
+	if err := RoomToWork("/", workspace); err != nil {
+		say("clone", "refused: %v", err)
+		return Result{}, err
+	}
 	// The credential is a file git reads, never an argument: a URL carrying a password in argv
 	// would be readable by anything that can list processes for as long as a clone runs.
 	credentials, forget, err := storeCredential(workspace, forge)
@@ -738,11 +743,41 @@ func logging(log Log) func(step, format string, args ...any) {
 	}
 }
 
+// keepsImageLocally says the publisher leaves the image in the machine's runtime as the artifact itself.
+func keepsImageLocally(publish Publisher) bool {
+	switch publish.(type) {
+	case Local, *Local:
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// PushedNames is implemented by a publisher that tags the image under other names to push it: the names it leaves in the
+// machine's runtime for a repository, which go with the build's own tag (novox/hq issue 1834).
+type PushedNames interface {
+	PushedNames(repository string) []string
+}
+
+// releaseImage removes the names an image was given on the node, in one command: its layers go only with the last. It runs
+// with a context of its own, the build's may be cancelled. A name never made (the build failed before it) is no fault;
+// one that cannot be removed is said, and removal is said only when the image is gone.
+func releaseImage(ctx context.Context, run Runner, names []string, say func(step, format string, args ...any)) {
+	removing, done := context.WithTimeout(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), time.Minute)
+	defer done()
+	if _, err := run(removing, "", "docker", append([]string{"rmi"}, names...)...); err != nil {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "No such image") {
+			say("image", "the local image %s could not be removed, and goes with the week's sweep: %v", strings.Join(names, ", "), err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	say("image", "the local image %s is removed: the registry holds it", strings.Join(names, ", "))
+}
+
 // contextFrom clones an image artifact's own build context, when it names one apart from this
 // module's own repository — a fresh tree, the same way the module's own is, keyed by artifact
 // name so two artifacts of one module naming different contexts do not collide.
 func contextFrom(ctx context.Context, run Runner, workspace, artifact, credentials string,
-	from catalogue.ArtifactContext, seats map[string]string, say func(step, format string, args ...any)) (string, error) {
+	from catalogue.ArtifactContext, seats map[string]string, say func(step, format string, args ...any)) (_ string, err error) {
 	url, err := contextURL(from, seats)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -752,6 +787,12 @@ func contextFrom(ctx context.Context, run Runner, workspace, artifact, credentia
 	if err := os.RemoveAll(dir); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
+	// A clone that failed half-way is no context to leave behind (novox/hq issue 1834).
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			os.RemoveAll(dir)
+		}
+	}()
 	if _, err := run(ctx, workspace, "git", cloneWith(credentials, "clone", "--quiet", url, dir)...); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot clone %s: %w", url, err)
 	}
@@ -1143,6 +1184,8 @@ func one(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 				src.contexts[a.Name] = t
 			}
 			buildDir = cloned
+			// Let go of when the image is built, whatever became of it (novox/hq issue 1834).
+			defer os.RemoveAll(cloned)
 			if t, _ := trunkOf(ctx, run, cloned, "HEAD"); t == "" || !atTrunkHead(ctx, run, cloned, "HEAD", t) {
 				src.contextOffHead()
 			}
@@ -1180,6 +1223,7 @@ func one(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 				src.ownHas(paths...)
 			}
 			buildDir = narrowed
+			defer os.RemoveAll(narrowed)
 		} else if a.Context != nil {
 			src.readWhole(*a.Context)
 		}
@@ -1205,6 +1249,16 @@ func one(ctx context.Context, run Runner, publish Publisher,
 		}
 		invocation = append(invocation, ".")
 		say("image", "docker build -f %s", recipePath)
+		// **The local tag goes with the build** (novox/hq issue 1834): an image published to a registry is held there, and
+		// a tag per module and commit left on the node was the 96 GB of a full disk. Only a node publishing nowhere (a
+		// mesh being raised) keeps it, since the local image is then the artifact.
+		if !keepsImageLocally(publish) {
+			names := []string{local}
+			if p, ok := publish.(PushedNames); ok {
+				names = append(names, p.PushedNames(module+"/"+a.Name)...)
+			}
+			defer releaseImage(ctx, run, names, say)
+		}
 		if _, err := run(ctx, buildDir, "docker", invocation...); err != nil {
 			return catalogue.Built{}, fmt.Errorf("%s: building %s failed: %w", module, a.Name, err)
 		}

internal/builder/builder_test.go

@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ type recorded struct {
 	stamped time.Time
 	// tree is what git names as the tree of the module's directory; empty answers as for a commit.
 	tree string
+	// builtFrom is the files (slash-separated, relative) of the folder the last `docker build` ran in, read as it ran:
+	// the build removes that folder when it ends (novox/hq issue 1834).
+	builtFrom []string
 }
 
 func (r *recorded) run(_ context.Context, dir, name string, args ...string) (string, error) {
@@ -53,6 +56,16 @@ func (r *recorded) run(_ context.Context, dir, name string, args ...string) (str
 			break
 		}
 	}
+	if name == "docker" && len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "build" {
+		r.builtFrom = nil
+		_ = filepath.WalkDir(dir, func(p string, d os.DirEntry, err error) error {
+			if err == nil && !d.IsDir() {
+				rel, _ := filepath.Rel(dir, p)
+				r.builtFrom = append(r.builtFrom, filepath.ToSlash(rel))
+			}
+			return nil
+		})
+	}
 	switch {
 	case name == "git" && isClone:
 		repository := args[len(args)-2]