Pin the node-engine at the ADR 0325 follow-up rebased onto #93, and capture it beside

A keep wait on a filesystem that cannot carry ACLs is not excused, and nothing is asked; one whose
filesystem must first enable them says in the ask that the take sets it. The tool runner's account is sent
with no uid, for the engine to resolve by name.

.gitignore

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

cmd/mesh-builder/main.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/apply_failing.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/apply_failing_test.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/asker.go

@@ -117,10 +117,13 @@ type asked struct {
 	// Proposal is a settings layer proposed through a verb (proposals.go, novox/hq ADR 0277): about no
 	// condition, set on Approve by the serving controller itself, and left alone by the reconciling of conditions.
 	Proposal *settingsProposal `json:"proposal,omitempty"`
+	// Take is a shared folder the operator is asked to let the mesh keep (kept_folders.go, novox/hq ADR 0325 §8):
+	// about no condition, taken on Approve by the serving controller itself, asked once per folder and machine.
+	Take *folderTake `json:"take,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ofACondition says an ask is one of a condition's: not a rehearsal, not a proposal.
-func (r asked) ofACondition() bool { return !r.Rehearsal && r.Proposal == nil }
+func (r asked) ofACondition() bool { return !r.Rehearsal && r.Proposal == nil && r.Take == nil }
 
 // partKey is an ask's place among what is asked: its condition and its part.
 func partKey(condition, part string) string { return condition + "#" + part }
@@ -192,6 +195,11 @@ type asker struct {
 	call func(ctx context.Context, a conditions.Action, args map[string]string) error
 	// setLayer sets a proposed settings layer on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0277); nil cannot.
 	setLayer setOnWarrant
+	// folders is every shared folder waiting to be kept (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8), and take what takes one on the
+	// operator's warrant; nil asks about none. machines are the mesh's machine names, allowed in an ask's words.
+	folders  func(ctx context.Context) ([]folderTake, error)
+	take     takeOnWarrant
+	machines func(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error)
 	// record writes the hand-act log.
 	record func(ctx context.Context, act link.HandAct) error
 	// routerRecord reads the router's record of an ask for a warrant missed; nil reads nothing.
@@ -554,6 +562,10 @@ func (a *asker) reconcile(ctx context.Context) error {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+	// And every shared folder waiting to be kept, once per folder and machine (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8).
+	if err := a.askFolders(ctx); err != nil {
+		a.logf("the operator could not be asked about the folders waiting to be kept: %v", err)
+	}
 	why := "the router refused the ask"
 	if len(refusedWords) > 0 {
 		why += ": " + refusedWords[0]
@@ -818,7 +830,7 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	stillOpen := r.Rehearsal || r.Proposal != nil // a rehearsal and a proposal are about no condition
+	stillOpen := r.Rehearsal || r.Proposal != nil || r.Take != nil // a rehearsal, a proposal and a take are about no condition
 	for _, c := range open {
 		stillOpen = stillOpen || c.Key == r.Condition
 	}
@@ -876,6 +888,15 @@ func (a *asker) Decided(ctx context.Context, body []byte) error {
 		if acted == nil && outcome != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(outcome, "nothing") {
 			outcome = "done: " + outcome
 		}
+	case r.Take != nil && act.Verb == takeVerb:
+		// A shared folder taken on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8): the act is composed again from the
+		// record and held to what the option bound before the engine is asked.
+		outcome, acted = a.decideTake(ctx, *r, act, w)
+		if acted == nil {
+			outcome = "done: " + outcome
+		}
+	case r.Take != nil:
+		acted = fmt.Errorf("the take %s offers no act %s", r.ID, act.Verb)
 	case act.Arguments["silence"] != "":
 		acted = a.silence(ctx, act.Arguments["silence"], conditions.MaxSilence, byWords(w), why)
 	default:

cmd/mesh-controller/asker_wire.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/batches.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/changeplan.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/check.go

@@ -152,6 +152,16 @@ func moduleCheckFor(paths []string, longestMachine int, out io.Writer) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// **What ADR 0325 refuses once a module runs as its own identity is warned of until then** (novox/hq ADR 0325 §1–§3):
+	// a directory naming its owner, a container declaring no identity that mounts the module's own directory or a
+	// read-write access. Printed, never counted: every registered container module does one of them today, and the
+	// catalogues migrate against these lines. A module that declares identity is refused them instead (ParseManifest).
+	for _, name := range names {
+		for _, w := range catalogue.IdentityWarnings(shelf[name]) {
+			fmt.Fprintf(out, "warning: %s\n", w)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// **A file that asks for a setting and does not say whether it is trusted counts as trusted** (novox/hq issue
 	// 339): listed and counted, never refused, so an author can opt out a file nothing trusts.
 	unsaid := 0

cmd/mesh-controller/checks.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/checks_test.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/delivery.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/fixclass_test.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go

@@ -154,6 +154,10 @@ type gateFacts struct {
 	// groupsAdded is, per module, whether the move judged puts an account in a group its previous build did
 	// not (issue 318 review): the only move whose wait for a new login is excused.
 	groupsAdded map[string]bool
+	// accessesChanged is, per module, whether the move judged changes its accesses (novox/hq ADR 0325): an access the
+	// engine cannot judge this look (unknown), or entries it left while a disk was away, of a module whose move leaves
+	// its accesses as they were is no fault of the move. A module absent here is taken to change them: judged as before.
+	accessesChanged map[string]bool
 	// waits is what the controller holds to check a module's wait for the operator (novox/hq ADR 0283): the
 	// manifest of each module's build judged, and the secrets given on each machine.
 	waits operatorWaitFacts
@@ -528,6 +532,7 @@ func judgeMoves(ctx context.Context, open *stores, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs
 		return "", err
 	}
 	facts.groupsAdded = movesAddingGroups(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf)
+	facts.accessesChanged = movesChangingAccesses(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf)
 	facts.waits = gateWaitFacts(ctx, open.inventory, g, pairs, shelf, facts.health)
 	facts.sent = g.Sent
 	facts.commits, facts.sentBuilds = judgedCommits(g, pairs), map[string]map[string]string{}
@@ -783,6 +788,50 @@ func joinSaid(a, b string) string {
 	return a + "; " + b
 }
 
+// movesChangingAccesses is, per module a gate judges, whether its move changes its accesses — one added, dropped,
+// or given another use — read from the builds' manifests (novox/hq ADR 0325). A move not known changes them: an
+// access it cannot judge then holds the gate to its bound, and never passes unseen.
+func movesChangingAccesses(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs []judged,
+	shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, j := range pairs {
+		if _, done := out[j.module]; done {
+			continue
+		}
+		from, to := g.From, g.To
+		for _, c := range g.Carried {
+			if c.Module == j.module {
+				from, to = c.From, c.To
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		target, found, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, j.module, to)
+		if err != nil || !found {
+			target = shelf[j.module]
+		}
+		before, had, err := inv.ManifestAt(ctx, j.module, from)
+		if from == "" || err != nil || !had {
+			out[j.module] = true
+			continue
+		}
+		out[j.module] = !sameAccesses(before.Accesses, target.Accesses)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// sameAccesses says two manifests declare the same accesses, at the same use, in any order.
+func sameAccesses(a, b []catalogue.Access) bool {
+	key := func(as []catalogue.Access) string {
+		var out []string
+		for _, x := range as {
+			out = append(out, x.ID+"\x00"+x.Path+"\x00"+x.At())
+		}
+		sort.Strings(out)
+		return strings.Join(out, "\x01")
+	}
+	return key(a) == key(b)
+}
+
 // movesAddingGroups is, per module a gate judges, whether its move puts an account in a group the build it
 // moved from did not: read from the builds' manifests. A module whose move is not known adds none.
 func movesAddingGroups(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs []judged,

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_folders.go

@@ -0,0 +1,376 @@
+package main
+
+// The mesh takes a shared folder that already holds data once, on the operator's word (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7, §8).
+//
+// **What waits.** A node-engine that keeps folders states an access waiting, naming it (inventory.Wait.Access), while
+// its folder is there and has not been taken; the controller excuses that wait only for a declared, placed folder not
+// yet taken (checkAccessWait), and the module is said as its needs-operator condition, in words with no path.
+//
+// **One ask per folder and machine.** The serving controller's asker asks the operator once for each such folder on
+// each machine — however many modules wait on it — at the level approve (ADR 0259), in the clause's words: "Let the
+// mesh keep <path> on <machine>, now for <modules>: …". It is kept in the controller's asks beside a proposal
+// (asked.Take), never a condition's: the condition is the module's, and two modules waiting on one folder are one
+// question. While it is open no second is asked; one that expired unanswered is asked again while the folder waits;
+// one about a folder that no longer waits is taken back. None is asked for a folder already taken, so a module that
+// joins a taken folder is asked nothing (its access wait is not excused, and its entries are added at apply).
+//
+// **On the warrant, and only on it**, the controller asks the machine's engine to take the folder (link.AskTake),
+// naming the access by its resource id and the warrant; the engine adds the entries of the users it was declared for
+// that folder. On its word that it started, the folder is recorded taken (kept_folder), and from the next send every
+// access to it says `taken`. Where the engine's wait says the filesystem must first allow ACLs (acl
+// "needs-enabling"), the ask says the take sets that; where it cannot carry them (acl "unsupported") the wait is not
+// excused and nothing is asked.
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/conditions"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/outward"
+)
+
+// folderTake is one folder the operator is asked to let the mesh keep, as the controller's ask keeps it
+// (asked.Take). Every field the ask is composed from is here, so the act on the warrant is composed from the record.
+type folderTake struct {
+	Node string `json:"node"`
+	Path string `json:"path"`
+	// Access is the resource id of one access to it in the machine's declaration: what the take act names.
+	Access string `json:"access"`
+	// Accesses are the access ids (each module's own) that place it, Modules the modules waiting on it, both sorted.
+	Accesses []string `json:"accesses"`
+	Modules  []string `json:"modules"`
+	// EnablesACL says the folder's filesystem must first allow access entries (a ZFS dataset's acltype), which the
+	// take act sets: the ask says so.
+	EnablesACL bool `json:"enables-acl,omitempty"`
+	// Placed is the filesystem the folder is on, as the engine names it without a path: the warrant is for that one.
+	Placed string    `json:"placed,omitempty"`
+	At     time.Time `json:"at"`
+}
+
+// takeVerb is the verb a take's answer binds: the controller's own, performed by itself on the warrant.
+const takeVerb = askerName + ".take"
+
+// key is the folder on its machine: what one ask is kept for.
+// The filesystem is part of it: a folder that moved to another disk is asked about again.
+func (t folderTake) key() string { return t.Node + "\x00" + filepath.Clean(t.Path) + "\x00" + t.Placed }
+
+// digest binds everything the take does and was said for: the machine, the folder, the access it names and the
+// modules the operator was told.
+func (t folderTake) digest() string {
+	raw, _ := json.Marshal(struct {
+		Node, Path, Access, Placed string
+		Modules                    []string
+		EnablesACL                 bool
+	}{t.Node, filepath.Clean(t.Path), t.Access, t.Placed, t.Modules, t.EnablesACL})
+	sum := sha256.Sum256(raw)
+	return "sha256:" + hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}
+
+// actions is the take's one answer, at the level approve, binding the exact act through boundAct.
+func (t folderTake) actions(id string) []conditions.Action {
+	return []conditions.Action{{Label: "Let the mesh keep it", Verb: takeVerb, Machine: t.Node,
+		Level: conditions.LevelApprove, Arguments: map[string]string{"take": id, "node": t.Node,
+			"path": filepath.Clean(t.Path), "access": t.Access, "digest": t.digest()}}}
+}
+
+// takeWords is the clause's ask (ADR 0325 §8), with the folder as shown: "Let the mesh keep <path> on <machine>, now
+// for <modules>: …".
+func takeWords(shown, machine string, modules []string, enablesACL bool) string {
+	words := fmt.Sprintf("Let the mesh keep %s on %s, now for %s: it adds their access entries, and those of any "+
+		"module given access later, to every folder and file there; the group bits `ls -l` shows become the "+
+		"entries' mask, and owners, groups and every other right stay as they are", shown, machine,
+		strings.Join(modules, ", "))
+	if enablesACL {
+		words += ". Its filesystem does not allow access entries yet (a ZFS dataset's acltype): approving sets that first"
+	}
+	return words
+}
+
+// ask is the take's ask, composed from it alone. The folder's path is said whole where the router's content rule
+// lets it leave the mesh, and otherwise named by the shared folder it is ("the shared folder movies"), which is the
+// access the module's wait names.
+func (t folderTake) ask(id string, machines []string) (asks.Ask, map[string]int) {
+	shown := filepath.Clean(t.Path)
+	if _, ok := outward.Check(shown, machines...); !ok {
+		shown = "the shared folder " + strings.Join(t.Accesses, ", ")
+	}
+	headline := fmt.Sprintf("Let the mesh keep a shared folder on %s?", t.Node)
+	if len([]rune(headline)) > asks.HeadlineLength {
+		headline = "Let the mesh keep a shared folder?"
+	}
+	explanation := takeWords(shown, t.Node, t.Modules, t.EnablesACL) + "."
+	if _, ok := outward.Check(explanation, machines...); !ok {
+		explanation = sayable(explanation, machines)
+	}
+	q := asks.Ask{ID: id, Headline: headline, Explanation: explanation,
+		Who: asks.Operator, Expires: t.At.Add(askApproveFor),
+		OnExpiry: "nothing is changed, and you are asked again while the folder waits", About: "take." + t.Node}
+	options := map[string]int{}
+	for i, act := range t.actions(id) {
+		binds, _ := asks.ActDigest(boundAct(act))
+		oid := optionID(act.Label)
+		options[oid] = i
+		q.Options = append(q.Options, asks.Option{ID: oid, Label: act.Label, Level: asks.Level(act.Level), Binds: binds,
+			Does: "the mesh adds the access entries there, and keeps them from then on without asking"})
+	}
+	return q, options
+}
+
+// takeOnWarrant performs a take the operator approved: the engine is asked, and the folder recorded taken on its
+// word. It answers what the engine said.
+type takeOnWarrant func(ctx context.Context, t folderTake, askID, by string) (string, error)
+
+// askFolders asks the operator about every folder waiting to be kept that is not asked about yet, and takes back an
+// open ask about one that no longer waits. Called at the end of each reconcile, after the conditions' asks, within
+// the asks the router holds open at once.
+func (a *asker) askFolders(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if a.folders == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	wanted, err := a.folders(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	now := a.now()
+	all, err := a.store.All(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	open, openNow := map[string]asked{}, 0
+	for _, r := range all {
+		if r.State != askOpen || !now.Before(r.Ask.Expires) {
+			continue
+		}
+		openNow++
+		if r.Take != nil {
+			open[r.Take.key()] = r
+		}
+	}
+	want := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, t := range wanted {
+		want[t.key()] = true
+	}
+	for key, r := range open {
+		if !want[key] {
+			if err := a.cancel(ctx, r, "the folder no longer waits to be kept"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			openNow--
+		}
+	}
+	var machines []string
+	if a.machines != nil {
+		if machines, err = a.machines(ctx); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	for _, t := range wanted {
+		if _, asking := open[t.key()]; asking {
+			continue // one ask per folder and machine (§8)
+		}
+		if openNow >= askMostOpen {
+			return nil // asked when one of the open ones ends
+		}
+		t.At = now
+		id := newAskID()
+		q, options := t.ask(id, machines)
+		if err := q.Check(now); err != nil {
+			a.logf("the operator could not be asked to let the mesh keep a folder on %s: %v", t.Node, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		body, err := json.Marshal(q)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		take := t
+		if err := a.store.Create(ctx, asked{ID: id, Condition: q.About, Ask: q, Actions: t.actions(id),
+			Options: options, State: askOpen, Opened: now, Take: &take}); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("the take could not be kept in the controller's asks, so it was not asked: %w", err)
+		}
+		if err := a.publish(ctx, asks.AskSubject(askerName), body, "ask."+id); err != nil {
+			_, _ = a.store.Change(ctx, id, func(x *asked) bool {
+				if x.State != askOpen || x.Acted != "" {
+					return false
+				}
+				x.State, x.Ended, x.Acted = askUnsent, a.now(), "nothing: it could not be published: "+err.Error()
+				return true
+			})
+			a.logf("the operator could not be asked to let the mesh keep a folder on %s: %v", t.Node, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		openNow++
+		a.logf("asked the operator to let the mesh keep a folder on %s for %s (%s)", t.Node,
+			strings.Join(t.Modules, ", "), id)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// decideTake is what the asker does with a warrant for a take (asker.Decided): the act only when it is the one the
+// option bound — composed again from the record, the users' digest among it — and then the engine is asked.
+func (a *asker) decideTake(ctx context.Context, r asked, act conditions.Action, w asks.Warrant) (string, error) {
+	t := *r.Take
+	recomposed := t.actions(r.ID)
+	option, offered := r.Ask.Option(w.Option)
+	if !offered || len(recomposed) != 1 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the take %s offers no answer %q: nothing is taken", r.ID, w.Option)
+	}
+	if err := option.Performs(boundAct(recomposed[0])); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the take kept for %s is not the one the operator was shown: %v", r.ID, err)
+	}
+	if err := option.Performs(boundAct(act)); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("the act chosen for %s is not the one the operator was shown: %v", r.ID, err)
+	}
+	if a.take == nil {
+		return "", errors.New("this controller cannot take a folder on a warrant")
+	}
+	by := fmt.Sprintf("approved by %s via %s at %s (ask %s)", byWords(w), viaWords(w),
+		w.At.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), r.ID)
+	return a.take(ctx, t, r.ID, by)
+}
+
+// takeFolderIn is takeOnWarrant on this controller's stores and bus: the engine is asked with the mesh's key, naming the
+// ask the warrant answered; on its word that it started, the folder is recorded taken. A refusal records nothing.
+func takeFolderIn(open *stores, ask func(ctx context.Context, act link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error)) takeOnWarrant {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, t folderTake, askID, by string) (string, error) {
+		// Who asked, as one short line the engine takes (at most link.MaxHandOverBy): the ask names the rest.
+		short := by
+		if len(short) > 180 {
+			short = "the operator, on the warrant for ask " + askID
+		}
+		answer, err := ask(ctx, link.AccessActAsk{Node: t.Node, Path: filepath.Clean(t.Path), By: short,
+			Access: t.Access, Warrant: askID})
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		if answer.Refused != "" {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s refused to take the folder: %s", t.Node, answer.Refused)
+		}
+		if err := open.inventory.RecordTaken(ctx, t.Node, inventory.TakenFolder{Path: t.Path, By: by, Ask: askID,
+			Warrant: askID, Said: answer.Said, Placed: t.Placed}); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("%s started the take (%s), and it could NOT be recorded: %w", t.Node, answer.Said, err)
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s takes the folder for %s: %s", t.Node, strings.Join(t.Modules, ", "), answer.Said), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// waitingFolder is one access wait excused for a folder not yet taken, as foldersWaiting gathers them.
+type waitingFolder struct {
+	module, access string
+	// resource is the access's resource id on the machine, as the engine stated it; placed the filesystem its folder
+	// is on, without its path.
+	resource, placed string
+	enablesACL       bool
+}
+
+// foldersWaiting is every folder waiting to be kept across the mesh (ADR 0325 §7, §8): from each machine's newest
+// statement, each access wait of a module that is excused (checkWaiting) and waits for the operator's word rather
+// than for a disk, grouped by machine and folder.
+func foldersWaiting(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, healths map[string]inventory.NodeHealth) (
+	map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder, operatorWaitFacts) {
+	var f operatorWaitFacts
+	out := map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder{}
+	machines := make([]string, 0, len(healths))
+	for m := range healths {
+		machines = append(machines, m)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(machines)
+	for _, machine := range machines {
+		rs := healths[machine].Resources
+		var modules []string
+		for _, r := range rs {
+			for _, w := range r.Waits {
+				if r.State == link.StateWaiting && w.Access != "" && !w.Disk {
+					modules = append(modules, r.Module)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if len(modules) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		readWaitFacts(ctx, inv, machine, modules, nil, &f)
+		for _, r := range checkWaiting(machine, rs, f) {
+			if r.State != link.StateWaiting {
+				continue
+			}
+			for _, w := range r.Waits {
+				if w.Access == "" || w.Disk {
+					continue
+				}
+				path, placed := f.placed[r.Module+"@"+machine][w.Access]
+				if !placed {
+					continue
+				}
+				if out[machine] == nil {
+					out[machine] = map[string][]waitingFolder{}
+				}
+				out[machine][path] = append(out[machine][path], waitingFolder{module: r.Module, access: w.Access,
+					resource: r.Resource, placed: w.Placed, enablesACL: w.ACL == link.ACLNeedsEnabling})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out, f
+}
+
+// foldersIn is the asker's folders on this controller's stores: every folder waiting to be kept, each with the
+// modules waiting on it and the access the take names (the first waiting module's, by its resource id). Who the
+// take adds entries for is what the engine was declared for that folder: the ask names the modules.
+func foldersIn(open *stores) func(ctx context.Context) ([]folderTake, error) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context) ([]folderTake, error) {
+		healths, err := open.inventory.Healths(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		waiting, _ := foldersWaiting(ctx, open.inventory, healths)
+		return takesOf(waiting), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// takesOf is one take per machine and folder from the waits gathered, sorted.
+func takesOf(waiting map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder) []folderTake {
+	var out []folderTake
+	for machine, folders := range waiting {
+		for path, all := range folders {
+			// One take per filesystem the waits name: they agree but for a moment while a disk is swapped.
+			byPlaced := map[string][]waitingFolder{}
+			for _, w := range all {
+				byPlaced[w.placed] = append(byPlaced[w.placed], w)
+			}
+			for placed, ws := range byPlaced {
+				t := folderTake{Node: machine, Path: path, Placed: placed}
+				seenM, seenA := map[string]bool{}, map[string]bool{}
+				var resources []string
+				for _, w := range ws {
+					if !seenM[w.module] {
+						seenM[w.module] = true
+						t.Modules = append(t.Modules, w.module)
+					}
+					if !seenA[w.access] {
+						seenA[w.access] = true
+						t.Accesses = append(t.Accesses, w.access)
+					}
+					resources = append(resources, w.resource)
+					t.EnablesACL = t.EnablesACL || w.enablesACL
+				}
+				sort.Strings(t.Modules)
+				sort.Strings(t.Accesses)
+				sort.Strings(resources)
+				t.Access = resources[0]
+				out = append(out, t)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].key() < out[j].key() })
+	return out
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/kept_folders_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,496 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/ed25519"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
+)
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0325 §7 and §8 on the controller's side: an access wait is excused only for a declared, placed folder
+// not yet taken, or one whose disk is not there; the gate passes it as a wait for a person and the operator reads it
+// as needs-operator in words with no path; the operator is asked once per folder and machine, never about a folder
+// taken; and the folder is taken only on the warrant.
+
+var radarrManifest = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "radarr", Version: "1",
+	Accesses: []catalogue.Access{{ID: "movies", Path: "/services/media/movies", Mode: catalogue.AccessReadWrite}}}
+
+var plexManifest = catalogue.Manifest{Module: "plex", Version: "1",
+	Accesses: []catalogue.Access{{ID: "films", Path: "/services/media/movies", Mode: catalogue.AccessRead}}}
+
+const moviesAt = "/storage/media/movies"
+
+func keepWait(access string) inventory.Wait {
+	return inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: access, Reason: link.WaitKeep,
+		What: "let the mesh keep the shared folder " + access}
+}
+
+func placedWait(access, placed string) inventory.Wait {
+	w := keepWait(access)
+	w.Placed = placed
+	return w
+}
+
+func aclWait(access, acl string) inventory.Wait {
+	w := keepWait(access)
+	w.ACL = acl
+	return w
+}
+
+func diskWait(access string) inventory.Wait {
+	return inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: access, Disk: true, Reason: link.WaitDisk,
+		What: "mount the disk that holds " + access}
+}
+
+// accessFacts is the facts with each folder given taken on the filesystem fs-000000000001.
+func accessFacts(taken ...string) operatorWaitFacts {
+	kept := map[string]string{}
+	for _, p := range taken {
+		kept[p] = "fs-000000000001"
+	}
+	return operatorWaitFacts{
+		manifests: map[string]catalogue.Manifest{"radarr": radarrManifest, "plex": plexManifest},
+		given:     map[string]map[string]time.Time{"radarr@ace": {}, "plex@ace": {}},
+		placed: map[string]map[string]string{"radarr@ace": {"movies": moviesAt}, "plex@ace": {"films": moviesAt},
+			"radarr@novox": {}},
+		taken: map[string]map[string]string{"ace": kept},
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 7: excused for a declared, placed folder not yet taken, and for an absent folder whose disk is not there (taken
+// or not); judged unhealthy when undeclared, unplaced, already taken, or naming a secret beside it. That a folder is
+// root's is the engine's to see: it states that unhealthy and never waiting (§12).
+func TestAnAccessWaitIsExcusedOnlyForAFolderTheMeshMayNotKeepYet(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name    string
+		machine string
+		w       inventory.Wait
+		f       operatorWaitFacts
+		says    string
+	}{
+		{"declared, placed, not taken", "ace", keepWait("movies"), accessFacts(), ""},
+		{"its disk not there", "ace", diskWait("movies"), accessFacts(), ""},
+		{"its disk not there, the folder taken before", "ace", diskWait("movies"), accessFacts(moviesAt), ""},
+		{"already taken", "ace", keepWait("movies"), accessFacts(moviesAt), "taken on ace already"},
+		{"already taken on the filesystem it is on", "ace", placedWait("movies", "fs-000000000001"),
+			accessFacts(moviesAt), "taken on ace already"},
+		{"taken on another filesystem: it moved, and is asked about again", "ace",
+			placedWait("movies", "fs-0000000000ff"), accessFacts(moviesAt), ""},
+		{"undeclared", "ace", keepWait("books"), accessFacts(), "does not declare"},
+		{"unplaced", "novox", keepWait("movies"), accessFacts(), "not placed on novox"},
+		{"taken folders unread", "ace", keepWait("movies"), operatorWaitFacts{manifests: accessFacts().manifests,
+			placed: accessFacts().placed}, "could not be read"},
+		{"its filesystem needs ACLs enabled: asked", "ace", aclWait("movies", link.ACLNeedsEnabling), accessFacts(), ""},
+		{"its filesystem cannot carry ACLs: not asked", "ace", aclWait("movies", link.ACLUnsupported), accessFacts(),
+			"cannot carry access entries"},
+		{"a reason the controller does not know", "ace", inventory.Wait{Part: "radarr", Access: "movies",
+			Reason: "later", What: "w"}, accessFacts(), "waits for the operator's word to keep its folder or for its disk"},
+		{"an access and a secret", "ace", inventory.Wait{Part: "p", Access: "movies", Secret: "x", What: "w"},
+			accessFacts(), "one secret or one setting, or one access"},
+	} {
+		err := checkWait("radarr", c.machine, c.w, c.f)
+		switch {
+		case c.says == "" && err != nil:
+			t.Errorf("%s: refused: %v", c.name, err)
+		case c.says != "" && (err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.says)):
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v; want a refusal saying %q", c.name, err, c.says)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func accessWaiting(module, access string, w inventory.Wait) inventory.ResourceHealth {
+	return inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: module, Resource: module + "." + catalogue.AccessID("/services/media/movies"),
+		Kind: "access", Target: moviesAt, State: link.StateWaiting, Waits: []inventory.Wait{w}}
+}
+
+// Row 7, the gate and the condition: both excused waits pass the first-node gate as a wait for a person, and the
+// module is said as needs-operator — in words that carry no path.
+func TestAnAccessWaitPassesTheGateAndAsksForTheOperatorWithoutAPath(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	for _, w := range []inventory.Wait{keepWait("movies"), diskWait("movies")} {
+		w.What += " at " + moviesAt // an engine's words carrying a path never reach the operator's
+		f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: accessFacts(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+				Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{accessWaiting("radarr", "movies", w)}}}}
+		h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f)
+		if h != healthPerson || !strings.Contains(why, "waits for the operator") {
+			t.Fatalf("an excused access wait reads %v %q; want a wait for a person", h, why)
+		}
+		if strings.Contains(why, "/") {
+			t.Errorf("the gate's verdict carries a path: %q", why)
+		}
+		o := needsOperatorObservation("radarr", "ace", []inventory.Wait{w}, nil)
+		if o.Kind != kindNeedsOperator {
+			t.Fatalf("raised as %s", o.Kind)
+		}
+		for _, words := range []string{o.Summary, o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Needs} {
+			if strings.Contains(words, "/") {
+				t.Errorf("the operator reads a path: %q", words)
+			}
+		}
+		want := "let the mesh keep the shared folder movies on ace when you are asked"
+		if w.Disk {
+			want = "mount the disk that holds movies on ace"
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(o.Needs, want) {
+			t.Errorf("needs-operator asks %q; want %q", o.Needs, want)
+		}
+	}
+	// Taken already: not excused, and the gate does not pass it.
+	f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: accessFacts(moviesAt), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+		health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+			Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{accessWaiting("radarr", "movies", keepWait("movies"))}}}}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", now.Add(-time.Minute), f); h != healthNotYet ||
+		!strings.Contains(why, "taken") {
+		t.Fatalf("a wait on a taken folder reads %v %q", h, why)
+	}
+}
+
+// waitingOn is foldersWaiting's gathering for one folder: the given modules waiting on it by their access.
+func waitingOn(machine string, ws ...waitingFolder) map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+	return map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder{machine: {moviesAt: ws}}
+}
+
+func takeRig(t *testing.T, waiting func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder) (*askerRig, *[]string) {
+	r := newAskerRig(t)
+	var taken []string
+	r.a.folders = func(context.Context) ([]folderTake, error) { return takesOf(waiting()), nil }
+	r.a.machines = func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return []string{"ace", "novox"}, nil }
+	r.a.take = func(_ context.Context, ft folderTake, askID, by string) (string, error) {
+		taken = append(taken, ft.Node+" "+ft.Path+" "+ft.Access+" "+askID+" "+by)
+		return "taking", nil
+	}
+	return r, &taken
+}
+
+func takeAsks(r *askerRig) []asked {
+	var out []asked
+	for _, a := range r.store {
+		if a.Take != nil {
+			out = append(out, a)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// Row 8, the controller's part: one ask per folder and machine however many modules wait on it, in the clause's
+// words; none again while it is open; taken back when the folder no longer waits; none for a folder taken (its waits
+// are not excused, so it is never gathered).
+func TestTheOperatorIsAskedOncePerFolderAndMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	both := waitingOn("ace",
+		waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-services/media/movies"},
+		waitingFolder{module: "plex", access: "films", resource: "plex.access-services/media/movies"})
+	current := both
+	r, _ := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder { return current })
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	kept := takeAsks(r)
+	if len(kept) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("%d asks for one folder on one machine", len(kept))
+	}
+	q := kept[0].Ask
+	if err := q.Check(r.now); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if q.Highest() != asks.Approve || len(q.Options) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask offers %+v; want one answer at approve", q.Options)
+	}
+	// The path may not leave the mesh (the router's content rule): the folder is named by the shared folder it is.
+	want := "Let the mesh keep the shared folder films, movies on ace, now for plex, radarr: it adds their access " +
+		"entries, and those of any module given access later, to every folder and file there; the group bits `ls -l` " +
+		"shows become the entries' mask, and owners, groups and every other right stay as they are."
+	if q.Explanation != want {
+		t.Errorf("the ask says\n %q\nwant\n %q", q.Explanation, want)
+	}
+	if kept[0].Take.Access != "plex.access-services/media/movies" {
+		t.Errorf("the take names %q", kept[0].Take.Access)
+	}
+
+	// The folder no longer waits (taken, or no module uses it): the open ask is taken back, and nothing is asked.
+	current = nil
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := takeAsks(r); len(got) != 1 || got[0].State != askCancelled {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask about a folder that no longer waits: %+v", got)
+	}
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(takeAsks(r)) != 1 {
+		t.Fatal("asked about a folder nothing waits on")
+	}
+	// A module joining a folder already taken is never gathered: its wait is not excused.
+	f := accessFacts(moviesAt)
+	if err := checkWait("radarr", "ace", keepWait("movies"), f); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a wait on a taken folder was excused, and would have been asked about")
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 8: nothing is taken without the operator's warrant — an ask that ends without a choice, a warrant for another
+// ask, or an act other than the one the option bound takes nothing; the warrant takes it once.
+func TestAFolderIsTakenOnlyOnTheWarrant(t *testing.T) {
+	r, taken := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return waitingOn("ace", waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-movies"})
+	})
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	a := takeAsks(r)[0]
+	if len(*taken) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("taken before any warrant")
+	}
+	// A warrant for another asker's ask.
+	other := warrantOn(a, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now)
+	other.Asker = "someone-else"
+	answerWith(t, r, other)
+	// The record changed after the ask: the act no longer the one bound.
+	changed := r.store[a.ID]
+	changed.Take = &folderTake{Node: "ace", Path: "/", Access: "radarr.access-movies", Modules: a.Take.Modules}
+	r.store[a.ID] = changed
+	answerWith(t, r, warrantOn(a, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now))
+	if len(*taken) != 0 || !strings.HasPrefix(r.store[a.ID].Acted, "failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("a take whose record changed after the ask: %v, %q", *taken, r.store[a.ID].Acted)
+	}
+
+	// Asked afresh, and the ask expires unanswered: nothing.
+	r2, taken2 := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return waitingOn("ace", waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-movies"})
+	})
+	if err := r2.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := takeAsks(r2)[0]
+	expired := asks.Warrant{Ask: b.ID, Asker: "mesh-controller", Outcome: asks.OutcomeExpired, At: r2.now}
+	answerWith(t, r2, expired)
+	if len(*taken2) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("taken on an ask that expired")
+	}
+
+	// The warrant: taken once, naming the access, the ask as the warrant, and who approved.
+	r3, taken3 := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return waitingOn("ace", waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-movies"})
+	})
+	if err := r3.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c := takeAsks(r3)[0]
+	w := warrantOn(c, "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r3.now)
+	answerWith(t, r3, w)
+	answerWith(t, r3, w)
+	if len(*taken3) != 1 || !strings.Contains((*taken3)[0], "ace "+moviesAt+" radarr.access-movies "+c.ID) ||
+		!strings.Contains((*taken3)[0], "telegram") {
+		t.Fatalf("the warrant took %v", *taken3)
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(r3.store[c.ID].Acted, "done") {
+		t.Fatalf("the take was recorded %q", r3.store[c.ID].Acted)
+	}
+}
+
+// The engine is asked only on a warrant, and the ask carries it: one with no warrant is never signed.
+func TestATakeAskCarriesItsWarrantAndIsSigned(t *testing.T) {
+	_, key, _ := ed25519.GenerateKey(nil)
+	signer := keySigner{key}
+	ask := link.AccessActAsk{Node: "ace", Path: moviesAt, By: "the operator", Access: "radarr.access-services/media/movies"}
+	if _, err := link.SignTake(context.Background(), signer, ask); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a take with no warrant was signed")
+	}
+	ask.Warrant = "c0123456789abcdef"
+	body, err := link.SignTake(context.Background(), signer, ask)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var signed link.SignedHandOver
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &signed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !ed25519.Verify(key.Public().(ed25519.PublicKey), append([]byte(link.AccessActContext), signed.Ask...), signed.Signature) {
+		t.Fatal("the take is not signed over its own context")
+	}
+	var got map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(signed.Ask, &got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got["act"] != "take" || got["warrant"] != "c0123456789abcdef" || got["access"] != ask.Access ||
+		got["path"] != moviesAt || got["nonce"] == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask carries %v", got)
+	}
+	// And the controller records it taken only on the engine's word.
+	refusing := takeFolderIn(nil, func(context.Context, link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		return link.HandOverAnswer{Refused: "the disk that holds the folder is not there"}, nil
+	})
+	if _, err := refusing(context.Background(), folderTake{Node: "ace", Path: moviesAt}, "c01", "the operator"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a refused take was answered as done")
+	}
+	unreachable := takeFolderIn(nil, func(context.Context, link.AccessActAsk) (link.HandOverAnswer, error) {
+		return link.HandOverAnswer{}, errors.New("nothing on ace answers")
+	})
+	if _, err := unreachable(context.Background(), folderTake{Node: "ace", Path: moviesAt}, "c01", "the operator"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("an unanswered take was answered as done")
+	}
+}
+
+type keySigner struct{ key ed25519.PrivateKey }
+
+func (s keySigner) Sign(_ context.Context, b []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	return ed25519.Sign(s.key, b), nil
+}
+
+// The envelope carries `identities` only when composed — for an engine at link.IdentityContract — and an older
+// engine's body is what it was.
+func TestTheDeclarationSaysItsIdentitiesOnlyWhenComposed(t *testing.T) {
+	older, err := sendable{Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "a"}}}.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(older), "identities") {
+		t.Fatalf("an older engine's body names identities: %s", older)
+	}
+	newer, err := sendable{Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "a"}}, Identities: []map[string]any{
+		{"module": "radarr", "name": "mesh-radarr", "uid": 50000, "gid": 50000}}}.Body()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(newer), `"identities":[{"gid":50000,"module":"radarr","name":"mesh-radarr","uid":50000}]`) {
+		t.Fatalf("the body: %s", newer)
+	}
+	if link.IdentityContract != 5 {
+		t.Fatalf("the contract the engine states for ADR 0325 is 5, and this controller reads %d", link.IdentityContract)
+	}
+}
+
+// A folder that moved to another filesystem is asked about again: one ask per folder, machine and filesystem, and the
+// take records the filesystem it was for.
+func TestAFolderThatMovedIsAskedAboutAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	placed := "fs-000000000001"
+	r, taken := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return waitingOn("ace", waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-movies",
+			placed: placed})
+	})
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	placed = "fs-0000000000ff"
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(ctx); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var open []asked
+	for _, a := range takeAsks(r) {
+		if a.State == askOpen {
+			open = append(open, a)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(open) != 1 || open[0].Take.Placed != "fs-0000000000ff" || len(takeAsks(r)) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("after the folder moved: %d asks, open %+v", len(takeAsks(r)), open)
+	}
+	answerWith(t, r, warrantOn(open[0], "let-the-mesh-keep-it", r.now))
+	if len(*taken) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("taken %v", *taken)
+	}
+}
+
+// The mesh's entries left while a disk was away (kind kept-entries), stated before the send, do not hold a delivery
+// that did not bring them; stated since, they do — and they may name an access no longer declared.
+func TestEntriesLeftWhileADiskWasAwayDoNotHoldADeliveryThatDidNotBringThem(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	since := now.Add(-time.Minute)
+	left := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.access-gone~entries", Kind: link.KindKeptEntries,
+		Target: moviesAt, State: link.StateUnhealthy, Reason: "the mesh's entries could not be taken out: its disk is away",
+		Since: since.Add(-time.Hour)}
+	f := gateFacts{now: now, waits: accessFacts(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+		health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+			Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{left}}}}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, f); h != healthPerson || !strings.Contains(why, "access-gone~entries") {
+		t.Fatalf("entries left before the send read %v %q; want carried in a passing verdict", h, why)
+	}
+	left.Since = now
+	f.health["ace"] = inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "ace", HeardAt: now, Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{left}}
+	if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, f); h != healthNotYet {
+		t.Fatalf("entries left by this send read %v; want judged unhealthy", h)
+	}
+}
+
+// An access the engine reports unknown (its filesystem could not be named this look) carries no wait: of a module
+// whose move leaves its accesses as they were it is pre-existing and not counted; of one whose move changes them, or
+// whose move is not known, it is not yet healthy — held to the gate's bound, never waited on for ever. Entries left
+// while a disk was away follow the same rule whenever they were stated.
+func TestAnUnknownAccessAndLeftEntriesAreJudgedByWhetherTheMoveChangesAccesses(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	since := now.Add(-time.Minute)
+	unknown := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.access-movies", Kind: link.KindAccess,
+		Target: moviesAt, State: link.StateUnknown, Since: now}
+	left := inventory.ResourceHealth{Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.access-gone~entries", Kind: link.KindKeptEntries,
+		Target: moviesAt, State: link.StateUnhealthy, Since: now}
+	facts := func(changes map[string]bool, rs ...inventory.ResourceHealth) gateFacts {
+		return gateFacts{now: now, waits: accessFacts(), groupsAdded: map[string]bool{"radarr": false},
+			accessesChanged: changes, health: map[string]inventory.NodeHealth{"ace": {Node: "ace", HeardAt: now,
+				Resources: rs}}}
+	}
+	unchanged := map[string]bool{"radarr": false}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(unchanged, unknown)); h != healthGood {
+		t.Errorf("an unknown access of a move that leaves accesses as they were reads %v %q; want not counted", h, why)
+	}
+	for name, changes := range map[string]map[string]bool{"changes them": {"radarr": true}, "not known": nil} {
+		if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(changes, unknown)); h != healthNotYet {
+			t.Errorf("an unknown access of a move that %s reads %v; want not yet, held to the bound", name, h)
+		}
+	}
+	if h, why := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(unchanged, left)); h != healthPerson ||
+		!strings.Contains(why, "access-gone~entries") {
+		t.Errorf("entries left, a move that leaves accesses as they were: %v %q; want carried", h, why)
+	}
+	if h, _ := moduleHealthWord("radarr", "ace", since, facts(map[string]bool{"radarr": true}, left)); h != healthNotYet {
+		t.Errorf("entries left since the send by a move that changes accesses read %v", h)
+	}
+	if !sameAccesses(radarrManifest.Accesses, []catalogue.Access{{ID: "movies", Path: "/services/media/movies",
+		Mode: catalogue.AccessReadWrite}}) || sameAccesses(radarrManifest.Accesses, plexManifest.Accesses) {
+		t.Error("sameAccesses does not tell a changed access from an unchanged one")
+	}
+}
+
+// A take whose folder's filesystem must first allow access entries says so in the ask (ADR 0325 §8).
+func TestTheAskSaysWhenTheTakeEnablesACLs(t *testing.T) {
+	r, _ := takeRig(t, func() map[string]map[string][]waitingFolder {
+		return waitingOn("ace", waitingFolder{module: "radarr", access: "movies", resource: "radarr.access-movies",
+			enablesACL: true})
+	})
+	if err := r.a.reconcile(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	q := takeAsks(r)[0].Ask
+	if !strings.Contains(q.Explanation, "does not allow access entries yet (a ZFS dataset's acltype): approving sets that first") {
+		t.Fatalf("the ask says %q", q.Explanation)
+	}
+	if err := q.Check(r.now); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// The engine's access waits are kept by their reason, never by their words, and a kept folder's entries are shown.
+func TestTheEnginesAccessWaitsAndEntriesAreKept(t *testing.T) {
+	lines := healthLines(inventory.NodeHealth{Node: "ace", HeardAt: time.Now(), Resources: []inventory.ResourceHealth{{
+		Module: "radarr", Resource: "radarr.access-movies", Kind: link.KindAccess, Target: moviesAt,
+		State: link.StateHealthy, Entries: []inventory.KeptEntry{{Identity: "mesh-radarr", UID: 50000, Use: "read-write",
+			From: "container"}, {Identity: "jochen", UID: 1000, Use: "read-write", From: "tool-runner",
+			Note: "the tool runner's account stands for every module whose tools use this folder"}}}}}, true, time.Now())
+	all := strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+	if !strings.Contains(all, "entry mesh-radarr (uid 50000, read-write, from the container)") ||
+		!strings.Contains(all, "entry jochen (uid 1000, read-write, from the tool-runner) — the tool runner's account") {
+		t.Fatalf("the listing reads:\n%s", all)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go

@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ func stateHealth(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, k *conditions.Ke
 		for _, w := range r.Waits {
 			kept.Waits = append(kept.Waits, inventory.Wait{Part: w.Part, Secret: w.Secret, Setting: w.Setting, What: w.What})
 		}
+		// An access's waits (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7), kept beside the others as one more thing the operator gives: the
+		// access by its module's id, and whether it waits for a disk rather than for the operator's word.
+		for _, w := range r.AccessWaits {
+			kept.Waits = append(kept.Waits, inventory.Wait{Part: w.Part, Access: w.Access, Disk: w.Reason == link.WaitDisk,
+				Placed: w.Placed, Reason: w.Reason, ACL: w.ACL, What: w.What})
+		}
+		for _, e := range r.Entries {
+			kept.Entries = append(kept.Entries, inventory.KeptEntry{Identity: e.Identity, UID: e.UID, Use: e.Use, From: e.From,
+				Note: e.Note})
+		}
 		resources = append(resources, kept)
 	}
 	// **A wait for the operator is checked before it is excused** (novox/hq ADR 0283): a waiting resource whose
@@ -644,7 +654,7 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 	if waits && !f.groupsAdded[module] {
 		waits = false
 	}
-	var found, onWaiting []string
+	var found, onWaiting, leftover []string
 	var forOperator []inventory.Wait
 	for _, r := range resources {
 		if r.Module != module {
@@ -667,6 +677,23 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 			found = append(found, r.Resource)
 			continue
 		}
+		// **The mesh's entries left on a folder whose disk was away are a condition this build found** when its move
+		// leaves the module's accesses as they were, or they were stated before this send (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8): they
+		// may name an access no longer declared, they wait for the disk, and a delivery that did not bring them is not
+		// held for them — said in the verdict, as a directory used as found is. Otherwise they are judged unhealthy.
+		changed, known := f.accessesChanged[module]
+		changes := !known || changed
+		if r.Kind == link.KindKeptEntries && r.State == link.StateUnhealthy && (!changes || r.Since.Before(since)) {
+			leftover = append(leftover, r.Resource)
+			continue
+		}
+		// **An access the engine could not judge this look** (its filesystem could not be named — a hung mount) carries
+		// no wait. Of a module whose move leaves its accesses as they were it is a condition the move found, not
+		// counted; of one whose move changes them it is not yet healthy, held to the gate's bound like anything still
+		// unsettled, so the gate fails safe at the bound and never waits for ever.
+		if r.Kind == link.KindAccess && r.State == link.StateUnknown && !changes {
+			continue
+		}
 		switch r.State {
 		case link.StateHealthy:
 		case link.StateStarting:
@@ -690,7 +717,7 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 				reasonAfter(r.Reason))
 		}
 	}
-	if waits || len(found) > 0 || len(forOperator) > 0 || len(onWaiting) > 0 {
+	if waits || len(found) > 0 || len(forOperator) > 0 || len(onWaiting) > 0 || len(leftover) > 0 {
 		said := onWaiting
 		if waits {
 			said = append(said, wait)
@@ -702,6 +729,10 @@ func moduleHealthWord(module, machine string, since time.Time, f gateFacts) (hea
 			said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf("on %s, %s uses %s as found and waits for the operator to hand it over "+
 				"(`nox node hand-over %s <directory>` on the control-node)", machine, module, strings.Join(found, ", "), machine))
 		}
+		if len(leftover) > 0 {
+			said = append(said, fmt.Sprintf("on %s, the mesh's entries %s could not be taken out while their disk was "+
+				"away, stated before this send: they are taken out when it is back", machine, strings.Join(leftover, ", ")))
+		}
 		return healthPerson, strings.Join(said, "; ")
 	}
 	return healthGood, ""
@@ -742,6 +773,14 @@ func healthLines(h inventory.NodeHealth, had bool, now time.Time) []string {
 			line += " (unconfirmed: said once)"
 		}
 		out = append(out, line)
+		// A kept folder's users, as the engine resolved them (novox/hq ADR 0325 §4), the runner's note beside it.
+		for _, e := range r.Entries {
+			entry := fmt.Sprintf("                 entry %s (uid %d, %s, from the %s)", e.Identity, e.UID, e.Use, e.From)
+			if e.Note != "" {
+				entry += " — " + e.Note
+			}
+			out = append(out, entry)
+		}
 	}
 	return out
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go

@@ -487,6 +487,15 @@ func settingsCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		if err := inv.SetSettingsBy(ctx, *node, positionals[0], values, setByWords()); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		// An owner a placement names is warned of (novox/hq ADR 0325 §1): accepted while registered modules still
+		// name one, refused once they have moved.
+		if shelf, err := inv.Catalogue(ctx); err == nil {
+			if m, known := shelf[positionals[0]]; known {
+				for _, w := range catalogue.PlacesOwnerWarnings(m, []catalogue.Layer{{From: where, Values: values}}) {
+					fmt.Println(w)
+				}
+			}
+		}
 		fmt.Printf("%s on %s:\n", positionals[0], where)
 		if len(added)+len(changed)+len(removed) == 0 {
 			fmt.Println("  nothing changed")

cmd/mesh-controller/operator_wait.go

@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ func needsOperatorKey(module, node string) string {
 type operatorWaitFacts struct {
 	manifests map[string]catalogue.Manifest
 	given     map[string]map[string]time.Time
+	// placed is, per "<module>@<machine>", where each access of the module is on that machine, by id (novox/hq ADR
+	// 0325 §7); taken is, per machine, every folder the operator let the mesh keep there, with the filesystem it was
+	// taken on (empty when the engine named none). A machine absent from taken could not be read, and no access wait
+	// of it is excused.
+	placed map[string]map[string]string
+	taken  map[string]map[string]string
 }
 
 // checkWait is nil when a wait is excused, and otherwise why not, in words. Pure.
@@ -52,9 +58,17 @@ func checkWait(module, machine string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) er
 	if !known {
 		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for %s, and the mesh holds no manifest of %s to check it against", waitNames(w), module)
 	}
+	named := 0
+	for _, n := range []string{w.Secret, w.Setting, w.Access} {
+		if n != "" {
+			named++
+		}
+	}
 	switch {
-	case w.Secret != "" && w.Setting != "", w.Secret == "" && w.Setting == "":
-		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits, naming %s, where a wait names one secret or one setting", waitNames(w))
+	case named != 1:
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits, naming %s, where a wait names one secret or one setting, or one access", waitNames(w))
+	case w.Access != "":
+		return checkAccessWait(module, machine, m, w, f)
 	case w.Setting != "":
 		if _, declared := m.Settings[w.Setting]; !declared {
 			return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the setting %s, which %s does not declare", w.Setting, module)
@@ -80,6 +94,49 @@ func checkWait(module, machine string, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) er
 	return nil
 }
 
+// checkAccessWait is nil when an access wait is excused (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7): the module's manifest declares the
+// access, its folder is placed on that machine, and either the folder is absent and its disk is not there (§9), or
+// it has not yet been taken under the operator's warrant (§8). That a folder that is there is not owned by root or a
+// root group is the node-engine's to see: it states such an access unhealthy and never waiting (§12). Any other
+// access wait is judged unhealthy, saying why: a module that gains an access to a folder already taken is given its
+// entries without a wait.
+func checkAccessWait(module, machine string, m catalogue.Manifest, w inventory.Wait, f operatorWaitFacts) error {
+	declared := false
+	for _, a := range m.Accesses {
+		declared = declared || a.ID == w.Access
+	}
+	if !declared {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s, which %s does not declare", w.Access, module)
+	}
+	path, placed := f.placed[module+"@"+machine][w.Access]
+	if !placed {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s, which is not placed on %s", w.Access, machine)
+	}
+	switch {
+	case w.Reason == link.WaitDisk || (w.Reason == "" && w.Disk):
+		return nil
+	case w.Reason != link.WaitKeep && w.Reason != "":
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s for %q, and an access waits for the operator's word to "+
+			"keep its folder or for its disk", w.Access, w.Reason)
+	case w.ACL == link.ACLUnsupported:
+		// No act can make this filesystem carry access entries: nothing to ask; the operator places the data elsewhere.
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s, whose folder's filesystem cannot carry access entries: "+
+			"the operator places the data on one that can, or mounts it with ACLs", w.Access)
+	}
+	taken, readable := f.taken[machine]
+	if !readable {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s, and which folders are taken on %s could not be read",
+			w.Access, machine)
+	}
+	// A folder taken on another filesystem than the one it is on now (it moved to another disk) is not taken by that
+	// warrant: the wait is excused, and the operator is asked again (ADR 0325 §8).
+	if on, was := taken[path]; was && (w.Placed == "" || on == w.Placed) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("says it waits for the access %s, whose folder is taken on %s already: a module that gains "+
+			"an access to a taken folder is given its entries without a wait", w.Access, machine)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // waitRefusedPrefix opens every reason checkWait gives, so the words of a refused wait are told from a check's own.
 const waitRefusedPrefix = "says it waits"
 
@@ -88,6 +145,10 @@ func waitNames(w inventory.Wait) string {
 	switch {
 	case w.Secret != "" && w.Setting != "":
 		return "the secret " + w.Secret + " and the setting " + w.Setting
+	case w.Access != "" && (w.Secret != "" || w.Setting != ""):
+		return "the access " + w.Access + " and a secret or a setting"
+	case w.Access != "":
+		return "the access " + w.Access
 	case w.Secret != "":
 		return "the secret " + w.Secret
 	case w.Setting != "":
@@ -147,6 +208,14 @@ func operatorWaitSaid(module, machine string, waits []inventory.Wait) string {
 	var parts []string
 	for _, w := range waits {
 		part := fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s", w.What, waitNames(w))
+		// An access in the controller's own words, never the engine's: words with no path (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7).
+		switch {
+		case w.Access != "" && w.Disk:
+			part = fmt.Sprintf("the disk that holds %s mounted (%s", w.Access, waitNames(w))
+		case w.Access != "":
+			part = fmt.Sprintf("leave to keep the shared folder %s (%s, asked of you once for the folder", w.Access,
+				waitNames(w))
+		}
 		if w.Secret != "" {
 			part += fmt.Sprintf(", given with `nox secret ask %s %s %s`", machine, module, w.Secret)
 		}
@@ -180,6 +249,11 @@ func needsOperatorWords(module, node string, waits []inventory.Wait) words {
 			act, secret = fmt.Sprintf("type %s at %s's desk prompt", w.What, node), true
 		case w.Setting != "":
 			act = fmt.Sprintf("approve %s of %s on %s when it is proposed to you", w.Setting, module, node)
+		// An access, in words with no path (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7): the folder by the access's name.
+		case w.Access != "" && w.Disk:
+			act = fmt.Sprintf("mount the disk that holds %s on %s", w.Access, node)
+		case w.Access != "":
+			act = fmt.Sprintf("let the mesh keep the shared folder %s on %s when you are asked", w.Access, node)
 		}
 		if act != "" && !seen[act] {
 			seen[act] = true
@@ -217,6 +291,12 @@ func readWaitFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, machine string
 	if f.given == nil {
 		f.given = map[string]map[string]time.Time{}
 	}
+	if f.placed == nil {
+		f.placed = map[string]map[string]string{}
+	}
+	if f.taken == nil {
+		f.taken = map[string]map[string]string{}
+	}
 	if inv == nil {
 		return
 	}
@@ -238,6 +318,20 @@ func readWaitFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, machine string
 				}
 			}
 		}
+		// Where each access of it is placed there (ADR 0325 §7): read once per module and machine.
+		if m, known := f.manifests[module]; known && len(m.Accesses) > 0 {
+			if _, read := f.placed[module+"@"+machine]; !read {
+				if layers, err := inv.SettingsFor(ctx, machine, module); err == nil {
+					placed := map[string]string{}
+					for _, a := range m.Accesses {
+						if path, has := catalogue.AccessPathOn(m, layers, a.ID); has && a.ID != "" {
+							placed[a.ID] = path
+						}
+					}
+					f.placed[module+"@"+machine] = placed
+				}
+			}
+		}
 		if _, read := f.given[module+"@"+machine]; read {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -245,6 +339,15 @@ func readWaitFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, machine string
 			f.given[module+"@"+machine] = given
 		}
 	}
+	if _, read := f.taken[machine]; !read {
+		if taken, err := inv.KeptFolders(ctx, machine); err == nil {
+			kept := map[string]string{}
+			for path, t := range taken {
+				kept[path] = t.Placed
+			}
+			f.taken[machine] = kept
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 // waitingModules is every module with a waiting resource in a statement.

cmd/mesh-controller/outside_not_given_test.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go

@@ -81,6 +81,13 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 				"It usually catches up by itself.", m, m),
 			Resolved: m + " applied the change"}
 	}),
+	kindApplyFailing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
+		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
+		return words{Headline: m + " is not applying its update",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s has refused or only partly applied what the mesh sent it, again and again. "+
+				"The details say what fails.", conditions.Capital(m)),
+			Resolved: m + " applies what it is sent again"}
+	}),
 	"tools-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Tools on " + m + " are not answering",

cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -447,7 +448,7 @@ func declarationWith(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return sendable{}, err
 	}
-	out := sendable{Resources: composed.Resources, Adoption: adoption,
+	out := sendable{Resources: composed.Resources, Adoption: adoption, Identities: composed.Identities,
 		Received: composed.Received, Mesh: with.Mesh, BusUsers: with.BusUsers,
 		LeftOut: sortedKeysOf(composed.LeftOut), leftOutWhy: composed.LeftOut, withheld: with.Withheld,
 		unbound: with.Unbound, foreseen: composed.Foreseen, unplaced: composed.Unplaced,
@@ -590,6 +591,13 @@ func busCredentialIssued(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node, mo
 	return nil
 }
 
+// givenUnderAnOldKey is the refusal for a value a person gave — a family's member, or an own secret issued outside
+// the mesh — sealed to a key the machine no longer holds: the mesh cannot make another, so it is given again.
+func givenUnderAnOldKey(module, node, name string) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("%s on %s holds %q, which was given to the mesh rather than made by it, and %s has "+
+		"since generated a new sealing key. The mesh cannot make another; give it again", module, node, name, node)
+}
+
 // renderingFor is everything a node's declaration is composed with, and the node's record.
 func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	plan catalogue.Resolution, settings catalogue.SettingsBy,
@@ -708,10 +716,7 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 				}
 				if !g.Current {
 					if choosing == Allocating {
-						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, fmt.Errorf(
-							"%s on %s holds %q, which was given to the mesh rather than made by it, and %s has "+
-								"since generated a new sealing key. The mesh cannot make another; give it again",
-							m.Module, node, g.Name, node)
+						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, givenUnderAnOldKey(m.Module, node, g.Name)
 					}
 					continue
 				}
@@ -721,7 +726,31 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 				needed[m.Module][g.Name] = g.Sealed
 			}
 		}
-		for name := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+		for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+			// **An own secret issued outside the mesh is never made** (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228; ADR 0283 for
+			// a family): only a value a person gave is placed. One not given is nothing — no file, and an empty
+			// value where a file of the module names it — so the module can tell it was not given, where a value
+			// the mesh made looked given and wrong. A value the mesh made for it before is not one either.
+			if own.IssuedBy == catalogue.IssuedOutside {
+				g, given, err := inv.GivenOwnSecret(ctx, node, m.Module, name)
+				if err != nil {
+					return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
+				}
+				if !given {
+					continue
+				}
+				if !g.Current {
+					if choosing == Allocating {
+						return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, givenUnderAnOldKey(m.Module, node, name)
+					}
+					continue
+				}
+				if needed[m.Module] == nil {
+					needed[m.Module] = map[string]string{}
+				}
+				needed[m.Module][name] = g.Sealed
+				continue
+			}
 			// Minted on the send path and only read on every other. Making one is an insert, and
 			// a question that writes is a question that can block against the machine it is about.
 			var sealed string
@@ -947,9 +976,17 @@ func renderingFor(ctx context.Context, open *stores, node string,
 	if err != nil {
 		return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
 	}
+	// Each module's identity and the folders taken here (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §8), to an engine that keeps folders.
+	keepsFolders, identities, keptFolders, err := folderFacts(ctx, inv, node, plan, choosing)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Rendering{}, inventory.Node{}, err
+	}
 	return catalogue.Rendering{
 		ReadsHealth:   readsHealth,
 		JudgesRoot:    judgesRoot,
+		KeepsFolders:  keepsFolders,
+		Identities:    identities,
+		KeptFolders:   keptFolders,
 		BusMembership: memberships[node],
 		Settings:      settings, Generators: gens, Grants: grants, Needed: needed, Foreseen: foreseen, Ports: ports,
 		Certificate: certificate, Authority: authority, Mesh: private, Names: names,
@@ -982,6 +1019,71 @@ func engineJudgesRoot(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string
 	return had && stated.Contract >= link.RootContract, nil
 }
 
+// engineKeepsFolders says whether a machine's node-engine gives modules their identities and keeps shared folders
+// (novox/hq ADR 0325), by its own newest statement, for the same reason as engineReadsHealth: an older engine parses
+// strictly, and is sent none of it.
+func engineKeepsFolders(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string) (bool, error) {
+	stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return had && stated.Contract >= link.IdentityContract, nil
+}
+
+// folderFacts is what a machine's composition needs of ADR 0325: whether its engine keeps folders, each identity of
+// a module of it that declares one, and the folders taken there. **An identity is allocated only on the send path**
+// (Allocating), as a port is: a question about what would be sent reads what was allocated, and a module that has
+// none yet is composed without one. Nothing is read for an engine that does not keep folders.
+func folderFacts(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, node string, plan catalogue.Resolution,
+	choosing Choosing) (bool, map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity, map[string]bool, error) {
+	keeps, err := engineKeepsFolders(ctx, inv, node)
+	if err != nil || !keeps {
+		return false, nil, nil, err
+	}
+	identities := map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}
+	for _, m := range plan.Modules {
+		if !catalogue.DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+			continue
+		}
+		var id catalogue.ModuleIdentity
+		had := true
+		if choosing == Allocating {
+			id, err = inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, m.Module)
+		} else {
+			id, had, err = inv.IdentityOf(ctx, m.Module)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, nil, nil, err
+		}
+		if had {
+			identities[m.Module] = id
+		}
+	}
+	taken, err := inv.KeptFolders(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, nil, nil, err
+	}
+	kept := map[string]bool{}
+	for path := range taken {
+		kept[path] = true
+	}
+	// **A folder that moved to another filesystem is not taken there until its new warrant** (ADR 0325 §8): the
+	// machine's newest statement names, without a path, the filesystem each folder waiting for the operator is on now.
+	if stated, had, err := inv.HealthOf(ctx, node); err != nil {
+		return false, nil, nil, err
+	} else if had {
+		for _, r := range stated.Resources {
+			for _, w := range r.Waits {
+				path := filepath.Clean(r.Target)
+				if t, was := taken[path]; was && w.Access != "" && !w.Disk && w.Placed != "" && w.Placed != t.Placed {
+					kept[path] = false
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return true, identities, kept, nil
+}
+
 // zonesInTheMesh is every zone a module in the mesh declares, where the mesh placed it (novox/hq ADR
 // 0199): the zone settled from that node's settings, the node's private address, the port the
 // answering listen is published on there.

cmd/mesh-controller/sendable.go

@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ import (
 // make a machine look out of date for ever, or send something `plan` never showed.
 type sendable struct {
 	Resources []map[string]any
+	// Identities is the declaration's `identities` (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3): composed only for an engine that keeps
+	// folders, and not sent at all when empty — an older engine refuses a key it does not know, whole.
+	Identities []map[string]any
 	// Sequence orders this send against every other to the same node: one higher each time, taken
 	// under the node's hold just before the body is made (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/107). Zero is not sent
 	// at all, which a host reads as "no order claimed" — the shape of every declaration before this.
@@ -110,6 +113,9 @@ func (s sendable) Body() ([]byte, error) {
 	if s.Generation > 0 {
 		envelope["generation"] = s.Generation
 	}
+	if len(s.Identities) > 0 {
+		envelope["identities"] = s.Identities
+	}
 	// An empty declaration is deliberate here — the node owns nothing the mesh put there
 	// (novox/hq issue 127) — and the host refuses an empty body unless it is told the emptiness
 	// is meant, so a truncated or mis-composed body is never mistaken for "own nothing".

cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/signals_test.go

@@ -186,6 +186,14 @@ var suppressions = map[string]suppression{
 		},
 		past: func(f *signalFacts) { f.refusedSends = []inventory.Send{refusedSend(f.now.Add(-time.Second))} },
 	},
+	// A machine whose package manager does not answer (novox/hq issue 233): said once its first report of the
+	// failure is older than one apply interval while it is heard. Inside: exactly five minutes old.
+	"S21": {
+		inside: func(f *signalFacts) { f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(f.now, 5*time.Minute, 1)} },
+		past: func(f *signalFacts) {
+			f.doing = []inventory.Doing{unansweringPackageManager(f.now, 5*time.Minute+time.Second, 1)}
+		},
+	},
 	// Twice by hand within a fortnight is a healer wanted; once, or the first of two a day too old, is not.
 	"S15": {
 		inside: func(f *signalFacts) {

cmd/mesh-controller/terminal_settings_test.go

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

cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go

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

go.mod

@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ require (
 // committed. Every build (the build agent's `go build`, the Dockerfile) compiles from vendor/ and
 // fetches nothing; go refuses to build when vendor/ and this file disagree, so a pin moved without
 // `go mod vendor` fails loudly, at once, everywhere.
-replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f
+replace github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012175109-5c8e768ef520

go.sum

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f h1:8N5OW2mdTNIck2pe4EciTYX5NsrPsHrTLENGNIWYNTU=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012175109-5c8e768ef520 h1:e6rbPYADZmKr7StQOrBozzVoI+Qu47Q22yRFDXGU5cU=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012175109-5c8e768ef520/go.mod h1:tcTK4LMs1d6JpZUwy3hSHMFG/MIuDr/XFs7/nbeaW/c=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c h1:l5onJwoIeH8yE/PjVlEeoPyXBsHp2NQiWLllz2fwX7s=
 git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261010191001-33917f91ac3c/go.mod h1:GFuZUElBZ9A++mxgIKo97aXXo+kV0uJ/UkbhQPPIbrY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=

internal/broker/nats.go

@@ -343,6 +343,11 @@ func AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject(node string) string {
 	return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.judge-directories"
 }
 
+// AskAccessActSubject is where the controller asks one machine's node-engine to take a shared folder on the
+// operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8; mesh-host internal/link AskAccessActSubject): a request answered once,
+// signed as a hand-over is (link.AccessActContext), for the same reason.
+func AskAccessActSubject(node string) string { return "mesh.node." + node + ".ask.access-act" }
+
 // inbox is a principal's own reply space. No user is ever granted a bare `_INBOX.>` (design 25
 // §4): with one account, inbox privacy is the permission list or it is nothing, so each user's
 // inbox is derived from its own identity and its permissions name that prefix and no other.
@@ -623,7 +628,9 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 			// And asking it for a fresh search for setuid programs (novox/hq issue 361), answered the same way.
 			AskSetuidSearchSubject(p.Node),
 			// And asking it to judge its declared directories, read-only (novox/hq issue 358), answered the same way.
-			AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject(p.Node)}
+			AskJudgeDirectoriesSubject(p.Node),
+			// And asking it to take a shared folder on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8), answered the same way.
+			AskAccessActSubject(p.Node)}
 		// The node-engine witnesses the core builds it places (novox/hq to-be 45 §8, ADR 0236; the
 		// contract is lease/witness.go): it asks its own machine's node tools PING, and, where the
 		// machine runs the controller, reads the lease's one key — read, never written.

internal/broker/testdata/composed.conf

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ accounts {
       } }
       { user: "node.one", password: "$2a$11$nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.NODES.one.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.NODES.one", "$SRV.PING.node-tools.one", "mesh.control.one.>"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.ask.hand-over", "mesh.node.one.ask.judge-directories", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.ask.setuid-search", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["_DELIVER.one", "_DELIVER.one.>", "_INBOX.node.one.>", "mesh.node.one.ask.access-act", "mesh.node.one.ask.hand-over", "mesh.node.one.ask.judge-directories", "mesh.node.one.ask.report", "mesh.node.one.ask.setuid-search", "mesh.node.one.declare"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "one.nats", password: "$2a$11$bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb", permissions: {

internal/broker/writers.go

@@ -101,6 +101,11 @@ var WritersTable = []WriterRow{
 	{State: "a judgement of a machine's directories asked of it", Writer: "controller",
 		KeptIn: "nowhere: the engine answers it and keeps nothing", Others: "the engine verifies the mesh's signature and answers, or refuses",
 		Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.ask.judge-directories"}, Writes: isController},
+	// The take of a shared folder asked of a machine's engine on the operator's warrant (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8):
+	// signed as a hand-over is, under a signing context of its own.
+	{State: "the take of a shared folder asked of a machine", Writer: "controller, on the operator's warrant",
+		KeptIn: "the machine, which records the act", Others: "the engine verifies the mesh's signature and takes it, or refuses",
+		Subjects: []string{"mesh.node.*.ask.access-act"}, Writes: isController},
 	{State: "a machine's applied state and its report", Writer: "the node-engine's apply queue",
 		KeptIn: "the machine; the report on the bus", Others: "the reconcile and a delivery enqueue, never apply",
 		// And its health statement between reports (novox/hq ADR 0240): the same writer stating the same

internal/broker/writers_test.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ var designRows = []string{
 	"a hand-over asked of a machine",
 	"a fresh setuid search asked of a machine",
 	"a judgement of a machine's directories asked of it",
+	"the take of a shared folder asked of a machine",
 	"a machine's applied state and its report",
 	"the controller lease",
 	"plans and their tiers",

internal/builder/check.go

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

internal/builder/check_merge.go

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

internal/builder/check_merge_test.go

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

internal/builder/replay341_test.go

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

internal/catalogue/declaration.go

@@ -246,6 +246,17 @@ type Rendering struct {
 	// statement's contract is link.RootContract or later). To an older, strict engine the field is not
 	// sent, and the account it names is not judged — which the self-check says, as not judged.
 	JudgesRoot bool
+
+	// KeepsFolders says this machine's node-engine gives modules their identities and keeps shared folders
+	// (novox/hq ADR 0325: its statement's contract is link.IdentityContract or later). To an older, strict engine none of
+	// it is sent — no `identities`, no container `identity`, no access `users` or `taken`, no owner derived from an
+	// identity — and what it runs is composed as before.
+	KeepsFolders bool
+	// Identities is each module's allocated identity, by module (ADR 0325 §3): the same on every machine. A module
+	// that declares `identity` and has none here is composed without one, as to an older engine.
+	Identities map[string]ModuleIdentity
+	// KeptFolders is every folder the operator let the mesh keep on this machine (ADR 0325 §8), by its clean path.
+	KeptFolders map[string]bool
 }
 
 // RootField is a user resource's field saying the account must never become root without a person
@@ -320,6 +331,9 @@ type Composed struct {
 	// naming its module and why (novox/hq ADR 0255): that piece is left out and the machine is told
 	// everything else. Push and plan say it; the merge gate refuses a change that adds one.
 	Unplaced []string
+	// Identities is the declaration's `identities` (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3): [{module, name, uid, gid}] for each
+	// module composed with an identity. Empty to an engine that does not keep folders.
+	Identities []map[string]any
 }
 
 // ForeseenSealed is what stands for an own secret a send will make, in a composition asked ahead of
@@ -358,7 +372,9 @@ func (r Resolution) LeftOutBecause(settings SettingsBy, adopted bool) map[string
 			out[m.Module] = &UnreadManifestError{Module: m.Module, said: why}
 			continue
 		}
-		if err := JudgeSettings(m, settings[m.Module], adopted); err != nil {
+		// A placement stored ahead of the build that declares its access is passed by, not a reason to leave the
+		// module out (novox/hq issue 575): it was judged against that build where it was stored.
+		if err := ComposesWith(m, settings[m.Module], adopted); err != nil {
 			out[m.Module] = err
 		}
 	}
@@ -380,7 +396,8 @@ func (r Resolution) Compose(with Rendering) (Composed, error) {
 	received := map[string]map[string][]Contribution{}
 	leftOut := map[string]string{}
 	var foreseen, unplaced []string
-	resources, err := r.compose(with, owner, received, leftOut, &foreseen, &unplaced)
+	var identities []ModuleIdentity
+	resources, err := r.compose(with, owner, received, leftOut, &foreseen, &unplaced, &identities)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Composed{}, err
 	}
@@ -394,8 +411,12 @@ func (r Resolution) Compose(with Rendering) (Composed, error) {
 		})
 	}
 	sort.Strings(unplaced)
-	return Composed{Resources: resources, Owner: owner, Received: received, LeftOut: leftOut,
-		Foreseen: foreseen, Unplaced: unplaced}, nil
+	composed := Composed{Resources: resources, Owner: owner, Received: received, LeftOut: leftOut,
+		Foreseen: foreseen, Unplaced: unplaced}
+	if len(identities) > 0 {
+		composed.Identities = identitiesOf(identities)
+	}
+	return composed, nil
 }
 
 // BusMembershipID names the resource carrying a machine's membership for the new bus, and
@@ -406,7 +427,7 @@ const BusMembershipPath = "/var/lib/mesh/membership-next.json"
 
 func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 	received map[string]map[string][]Contribution, leftOut map[string]string,
-	foreseen, unplaced *[]string) ([]map[string]any, error) {
+	foreseen, unplaced *[]string, identities *[]ModuleIdentity) ([]map[string]any, error) {
 	// **A setting is judged where it is stored, and an impossible one costs a module, not a
 	// machine** (novox/hq ADR 0163, rule 6). A definition that moved under a stored setting makes
 	// this module uncomposable; it is left out of the declaration — its held things kept, its
@@ -553,6 +574,16 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 		}
 		resources := m.Resources
 
+		// The identity it runs as here (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §11): none to an older engine, nor without an allocation.
+		ident, hasIdent, err := identityFor(m, with)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if hasIdent && identities != nil {
+			*identities = append(*identities, ident)
+		}
+		mountedByIdentity := dirsMountedByIdentity(m)
+
 		// What the mesh computes for this module goes FIRST, before the module's own resources.
 		//
 		// **Order is stated, not derived — the host does not sort** (novox/hq ADR 0005), so
@@ -645,6 +676,11 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 				sealed = ForeseenSealed
 				*foreseen = append(*foreseen, m.Module+"/"+name)
 			}
+			if sealed == "" && m.OwnSecrets[name].IssuedBy == IssuedOutside {
+				// **Not given, and the mesh never makes it** (novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228): no file, as for a
+				// family's member (ADR 0283), so the module reads its absence as not given.
+				continue
+			}
 			if sealed == "" {
 				// Declared and not made. Refused rather than skipped: a module whose own
 				// credential is silently absent starts, fails to authenticate, and the reason is
@@ -998,11 +1034,16 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			ownerInto(copied, placed)
+			// And its identity (novox/hq ADR 0325 §2, §3): a container's resolved, or taken out where none is composed;
+			// the owner of a directory its identity's containers mount. After the placement's owner: the identity wins.
+			if err := identityInto(copied, m, ident, hasIdent, mountedByIdentity); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
 			// **After settings, and that is the whole reason it is here.** A module's file
 			// content is where a setting lands, so a placeholder may only exist once the setting
 			// has been put in — filling secrets first would look at content that is not yet what
 			// the machine receives.
-			if err := intoFile(copied, sealed, m.Module); err != nil {
+			if err := intoFile(copied, sealed, outsideNotGiven(m, with.Needed[m.Module]), m.Module); err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			// **Substituted here, not on the machine.** A bound value is not secret — the mesh
@@ -1115,6 +1156,12 @@ func (r Resolution) compose(with Rendering, owner map[string]string,
 			out = append(out, copied)
 		}
 
+		// **Who uses each of its shared folders** (novox/hq ADR 0325 §4, §5, §8): the access's `users` and `taken`, to
+		// an engine that keeps folders.
+		if with.KeepsFolders {
+			usersInto(out, owner, m, ident, hasIdent, r.toolsAccount(m, with), with)
+		}
+
 		// **What only the mesh knows, where this module asked for it.** The graph is the control
 		// plane's; making a name resolve is the module's software. Emitted as ordinary files under
 		// this module's name, so they are applied, reported and removed exactly as anything else
@@ -2431,6 +2478,9 @@ func secretsReadBy(resource map[string]any, m Manifest, given map[string]string)
 	}
 	paths := map[string]string{}
 	for name, own := range m.OwnSecrets.Plain() {
+		if own.IssuedBy == IssuedOutside && given[name] == "" {
+			continue // not given, so not placed: nothing to restart on (novox/hq issue 401)
+		}
 		paths[name] = own.Path
 	}
 	for name, sealed := range given {

internal/catalogue/manifest.go

@@ -1859,6 +1859,9 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 	problems = append(problems, invokeProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, replacesProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, UnitSettingProblems(m)...)
+	problems = append(problems, OwnerSettingProblems(m)...)
+	// How each container's image is told who to run as, and what a module that says so is held to (novox/hq ADR 0325).
+	problems = append(problems, identityProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, endpointNameProblems(m)...)
 	problems = append(problems, RouteProblems(m)...)
 	for _, port := range m.Guards {

internal/catalogue/module_identity.go

@@ -0,0 +1,513 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// Every module is given an identity of its own, and a container that declares `identity` runs as it (novox/hq ADR
+// 0325 §2, §3, §11).
+//
+// **The manifest says how its image is told who to run as, and nothing else.** A container resource may declare
+// `identity`: `{"user": "env:PUID", "group": "env:PGID"}` for an image that reads its user and group from its
+// environment, or `{"user": "run"}` for the container runtime's own user option. It is the image's interface, as its
+// ports are. The mesh fills it in: the controller allocates the module one user and group number, mesh-wide, once,
+// from a range of its own (IdentityLow–IdentityHigh), and the node-engine makes the account `mesh-<module>` on each
+// machine the module is assigned to and tells the image those numbers.
+//
+// **The range is 50000–59999, and a module's user and group numbers are one number.** Chosen above the numbers
+// distributions give people (1000 up) and below the 60000s Debian keeps for its own daemons, and far from root's 0
+// and every root group a distribution ships (0, adm's 4, wheel's 10): no number in it is 0 or a root group's, so §11
+// holds by the range alone, and the store refuses a row outside it. Both numbers come from one sequence, so a
+// module's uid and gid are equal; a number once given is never given again, even after the module is forgotten
+// (the store keeps the row, inventory.AllocateIdentity).
+//
+// **What the controller sends, and only to an engine that reads it** (Rendering.KeepsFolders: its statement's
+// contract is link.IdentityContract or later):
+//
+//   - the declaration's `identities`: [{module, name, uid, gid}] for each module of the machine that declares
+//     `identity` on a container;
+//   - a container's `identity` resolved: {"mode": "env", "user_env", "group_env", "uid", "gid"} or {"mode": "run",
+//     "uid", "gid"};
+//   - the owner of each of the module's directories a container declaring `identity` mounts: the identity's
+//     uid:gid (§3). A directory only a process or the tools write keeps the owner it had: what writes it is not the
+//     identity, and owning it by the identity would lock its writer out;
+//   - an access's `users`: the module's identity where a container of it that declares `identity` mounts the
+//     access, and the tool runner's account where the module's tools run there as named, its number the engine reads by name,
+//     each at the access's use — the node-engine keeps one entry per user on a folder at the widest use any access
+//     to it gives (§4, §5), so the runner's entry is the widest of the modules whose tools use it; and `taken`,
+//     whether the operator let the mesh keep that folder on that machine (§8).
+//
+// To an older engine none of it is sent, and a container's `identity` is taken out: it runs as its image says, as
+// before. A module that declares no `identity` is composed exactly as before, on any engine.
+
+// The range module identities are allocated from (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §11). The store holds the same bounds.
+const (
+	IdentityLow  = 50000
+	IdentityHigh = 59999
+)
+
+// AllocatableID says whether n is a number the mesh may give a module's identity: inside the range, so never 0
+// nor a root group's.
+func AllocatableID(n int) bool { return n >= IdentityLow && n <= IdentityHigh }
+
+// IdentityField is a container resource's field saying how its image is told who to run as.
+const IdentityField = "identity"
+
+// The two ways an image is told who to run as.
+const (
+	IdentityEnv = "env"
+	IdentityRun = "run"
+)
+
+// IdentitySpec is a container's `identity` as its manifest declares it.
+type IdentitySpec struct {
+	// Mode is IdentityEnv or IdentityRun.
+	Mode string
+	// UserEnv and GroupEnv are the environment variables an env image reads, such as PUID and PGID.
+	UserEnv, GroupEnv string
+}
+
+// ModuleIdentity is one module's allocated identity: its numbers, the same on every machine.
+type ModuleIdentity struct {
+	Module string
+	UID    int
+	GID    int
+}
+
+// IdentityName is the account a module's identity is on every machine it is assigned to.
+func IdentityName(module string) string { return "mesh-" + module }
+
+// Where an access's user comes from (novox/hq ADR 0325 §4, §5).
+const (
+	FromContainer  = "container"
+	FromToolRunner = "tool-runner"
+)
+
+// AccessUser is one identity that uses a shared folder, as an access's `users` names it (mesh-host internal/declaration
+// AccessUser): the account, its user number, the use, and where it runs. The tool runner's account is named with no
+// number: it is the machine's, and the node-engine resolves it by name, refusing one missing or root's.
+type AccessUser struct {
+	Identity string `json:"identity"`
+	UID      int    `json:"uid,omitempty"`
+	Use      string `json:"use"`
+	From     string `json:"from"`
+}
+
+var envName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Z_][A-Z0-9_]*$`)
+
+// ParseIdentity reads a container's `identity`, or refuses it in words.
+func ParseIdentity(v any) (IdentitySpec, error) {
+	fields, ok := v.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity is {\"user\": \"env:<NAME>\", \"group\": \"env:<NAME>\"} or " +
+			"{\"user\": \"run\"}")
+	}
+	for k := range fields {
+		if k != "user" && k != "group" {
+			return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity says %q, and it says only how the image is told its user "+
+				"and group: \"user\" and \"group\", never an owner or a number (%s §1, §2)", k, ADR0325)
+		}
+	}
+	user, _ := fields["user"].(string)
+	group, hasGroup := fields["group"]
+	switch {
+	case user == IdentityRun:
+		if hasGroup {
+			return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity {\"user\": \"run\"} takes no group: the runtime's user " +
+				"option carries both numbers")
+		}
+		return IdentitySpec{Mode: IdentityRun}, nil
+	case strings.HasPrefix(user, "env:"):
+		g, _ := group.(string)
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(g, "env:") {
+			return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity names its user as %q and its group as %v; an image told "+
+				"its user by its environment is told its group the same way, \"env:<NAME>\"", user, group)
+		}
+		u, gr := strings.TrimPrefix(user, "env:"), strings.TrimPrefix(g, "env:")
+		if !envName.MatchString(u) || !envName.MatchString(gr) || u == gr {
+			return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity names the variables %q and %q; each is an environment "+
+				"variable's name, upper-case letters, digits and underscores, and the two differ", u, gr)
+		}
+		return IdentitySpec{Mode: IdentityEnv, UserEnv: u, GroupEnv: gr}, nil
+	}
+	return IdentitySpec{}, fmt.Errorf("identity says its user is %q; it is \"env:<NAME>\" or \"run\"", user)
+}
+
+// DeclaresIdentity says a module has a container that declares `identity`: it is given one (§3).
+func DeclaresIdentity(m Manifest) bool {
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) == "container" {
+			if _, has := r[IdentityField]; has {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// containerMounts is what a container of the manifest mounts, read from its volumes as written: the module's own
+// directories by id, and its accesses by id — or, for a literal source, as "path:<path>".
+func containerMounts(r map[string]any) (dirs, accesses []string) {
+	volumes, _ := r["volumes"].([]any)
+	for _, v := range volumes {
+		s, _ := v.(string)
+		source := volumeSource(s)
+		if strings.HasPrefix(source, "/") {
+			accesses = append(accesses, "path:"+filepath.Clean(source))
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, m := range dirRef.FindAllStringSubmatch(source, -1) {
+			dirs = append(dirs, m[1])
+		}
+		for _, m := range accessRef.FindAllStringSubmatch(source, -1) {
+			accesses = append(accesses, m[1])
+		}
+	}
+	return dirs, accesses
+}
+
+// volumeSource is a volume's source as written: up to its first colon outside a ${…} placeholder, so
+// "${dir:config}:/config" is "${dir:config}".
+func volumeSource(v string) string {
+	depth := 0
+	for i, r := range v {
+		switch {
+		case r == '{' && i > 0 && v[i-1] == '$':
+			depth++
+		case r == '}' && depth > 0:
+			depth--
+		case r == ':' && depth == 0:
+			return v[:i]
+		}
+	}
+	return v
+}
+
+// accessMode is the mode an access a container mounts was declared at, by id or by "path:<path>"; "" when the
+// manifest declares no such access.
+func accessMode(m Manifest, ref string) string {
+	for _, a := range m.Accesses {
+		if (a.ID != "" && a.ID == ref) || (a.Path != "" && ref == "path:"+filepath.Clean(a.Path)) {
+			return a.At()
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// ADR0325 is how the module check names the decision its identity rules come from.
+const ADR0325 = "novox/hq ADR 0325"
+
+// identityProblems is what the module check refuses of a manifest's identities (novox/hq ADR 0325 §1, §2, §3):
+//
+//   - an `identity` on anything but a container, or one that is neither env:<NAME> for both nor run;
+//   - **in a module that declares `identity` on a container** — it says it runs as its own identity, so it is held
+//     to the decision whole: a directory of it naming an owner (§1, §3), and a container of it that declares none
+//     and mounts one of the module's directories or a read-write access (§2).
+//
+// A module that declares no `identity` is warned of the last two (IdentityWarnings), never refused for them yet:
+// every registered container module mounts its own directories without one, and refusing them would stop the
+// catalogues composing before they can migrate. **This is the narrowest rule that breaks nothing registered**: no
+// registered manifest declares `identity`, so no registered module is refused anything new.
+func identityProblems(m Manifest) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		v, has := r[IdentityField]
+		if !has {
+			continue
+		}
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "container" {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: %v is a %v and says identity; only a container says how its "+
+				"image is told who to run as (%s §2)", m.Module, r["id"], r["type"], ADR0325))
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := ParseIdentity(v); err != nil {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the container %v: %v (%s §2)", m.Module, r["id"], err, ADR0325))
+		}
+	}
+	if !DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+		return problems
+	}
+	return append(problems, identityRules(m)...)
+}
+
+// IdentityWarnings is what the module check warns of a module that declares no `identity` (novox/hq ADR 0325): each
+// thing the decision refuses once the module migrates, said now so the catalogues can. Refusing comes when no
+// registered module still does any of it. Empty for a module that declares `identity`: it is refused these instead.
+func IdentityWarnings(m Manifest) []string {
+	if DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var out []string
+	for _, p := range identityRules(m) {
+		out = append(out, p+"; accepted while registered modules still do it, refused once they have moved")
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// identityRules is every place a manifest breaks what ADR 0325 §1–§3 refuse: a directory naming an owner, and a
+// container declaring no identity that mounts the module's own directory or a read-write access.
+func identityRules(m Manifest) []string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		switch fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) {
+		case "directory":
+			if owner, said := r["owner"]; said {
+				out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the directory %v names its owner %v; a directory a module owns is "+
+					"owned by the module's identity, and no manifest names an owner (%s §1, §3)", m.Module, r["id"],
+					owner, ADR0325))
+			}
+		case "container":
+			if _, has := r[IdentityField]; has {
+				continue
+			}
+			dirs, accesses := containerMounts(r)
+			seen := map[string]bool{}
+			for _, d := range dirs {
+				if !seen[d] {
+					seen[d] = true
+					out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the container %v declares no identity and mounts the module's "+
+						"own directory %s; only a container that declares identity mounts its module's directories, "+
+						"so what writes them is the module's identity (%s §2)", m.Module, r["id"], d, ADR0325))
+				}
+			}
+			for _, a := range accesses {
+				if accessMode(m, a) == AccessReadWrite && !seen["access:"+a] {
+					seen["access:"+a] = true
+					out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the container %v declares no identity and mounts the read-write "+
+						"access %s; a container that runs as its image says is given no entry on a shared folder, so "+
+						"it is refused write (%s §2)", m.Module, r["id"], strings.TrimPrefix(a, "path:"), ADR0325))
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// PlacesOwnerProblem refuses an owner a `places` setting names for a module that declares `identity` (novox/hq ADR
+// 0325 §1, §3): its directories are owned by its identity. Nil for a module that declares none, whose placed owner
+// is still applied, and warned of by PlacesOwnerWarnings.
+func PlacesOwnerProblem(m Manifest, layers []Layer) error {
+	if !DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if owned := placedOwners(m, layers); len(owned) > 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s places %s with an owner, and declares identity: its directories are owned by its "+
+			"identity, and no setting names an owner (%s §1, §3)", m.Module, strings.Join(owned, ", "), ADR0325)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// PlacesOwnerWarnings is a warning for each directory a `places` setting gives an owner, for a module that declares
+// no `identity` (novox/hq ADR 0325 §1): accepted while registered modules still do it, refused once they have moved.
+func PlacesOwnerWarnings(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []string {
+	if DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var out []string
+	for _, id := range placedOwners(m, layers) {
+		out = append(out, fmt.Sprintf("warning: %s's setting places.%s.owner names an owner; a directory a module owns "+
+			"is owned by the module's identity, and no setting names an owner (%s §1, §3). Accepted while "+
+			"registered modules still do it, refused once they have moved", m.Module, id, ADR0325))
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func placedOwners(m Manifest, layers []Layer) []string {
+	placed, err := Places(m, layers)
+	if err != nil {
+		// empty-on-error: a placement Places refuses is refused by name where it is judged and composed; it names no owner here
+		return nil
+	}
+	var out []string
+	for id, p := range placed {
+		if p.Owner != "" {
+			out = append(out, id)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(out)
+	return out
+}
+
+// resolvedIdentity is a container's `identity` as the node-engine is told it: the mode, the variables an env image
+// reads, and the module's numbers.
+func resolvedIdentity(spec IdentitySpec, id ModuleIdentity) map[string]any {
+	out := map[string]any{"mode": spec.Mode, "uid": id.UID, "gid": id.GID}
+	if spec.Mode == IdentityEnv {
+		out["user_env"], out["group_env"] = spec.UserEnv, spec.GroupEnv
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// identityFor is the identity module m runs as here, and whether one is composed: a module that declares `identity`,
+// to an engine that keeps folders, with an allocation the composition was given. A number outside the range is
+// refused (§11), never sent.
+func identityFor(m Manifest, with Rendering) (ModuleIdentity, bool, error) {
+	if !with.KeepsFolders || !DeclaresIdentity(m) {
+		return ModuleIdentity{}, false, nil
+	}
+	id, allocated := with.Identities[m.Module]
+	if !allocated {
+		return ModuleIdentity{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if !AllocatableID(id.UID) || !AllocatableID(id.GID) {
+		return ModuleIdentity{}, false, fmt.Errorf("%s's identity is %d:%d, outside %d–%d: no module identity is root "+
+			"or a root group's, and none is sent (%s §11)", m.Module, id.UID, id.GID, IdentityLow, IdentityHigh, ADR0325)
+	}
+	id.Module = m.Module
+	return id, true, nil
+}
+
+// identityInto composes one resource of module m for its identity: a container's `identity` resolved, or taken out
+// where none is composed; and the owner of a directory one of its identity's containers mounts.
+func identityInto(resource map[string]any, m Manifest, id ModuleIdentity, has bool, mountedByIdentity map[string]bool) error {
+	switch fmt.Sprint(resource["type"]) {
+	case "container":
+		v, declared := resource[IdentityField]
+		if !declared {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if !has {
+			delete(resource, IdentityField)
+			return nil
+		}
+		spec, err := ParseIdentity(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s: the container %v: %w", m.Module, resource["id"], err)
+		}
+		resource[IdentityField] = resolvedIdentity(spec, id)
+	case "directory":
+		if has && mountedByIdentity[fmt.Sprint(resource["id"])] {
+			resource["owner"] = fmt.Sprintf("%d:%d", id.UID, id.GID)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// dirsMountedByIdentity is the ids of module m's directories one of its containers declaring `identity` mounts.
+func dirsMountedByIdentity(m Manifest) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if fmt.Sprint(r["type"]) != "container" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, has := r[IdentityField]; !has {
+			continue
+		}
+		dirs, _ := containerMounts(r)
+		for _, d := range dirs {
+			out[d] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// identitiesOf is the declaration's `identities`, by module.
+func identitiesOf(ids []ModuleIdentity) []map[string]any {
+	sort.Slice(ids, func(i, j int) bool { return ids[i].Module < ids[j].Module })
+	out := make([]map[string]any, 0, len(ids))
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		out = append(out, map[string]any{"module": id.Module, "name": IdentityName(id.Module), "uid": id.UID,
+			"gid": id.GID})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// toolsAccount is the account module m's tools run as on this machine, or empty where they run nowhere as one: no
+// runtime here, no bundle it loads, or a module left out of an adopted machine's declaration.
+func (r Resolution) toolsAccount(m Manifest, with Rendering) string {
+	if !r.runtimeHere() || (with.Adopted && m.Filtering != nil) {
+		return ""
+	}
+	loads := false
+	for _, b := range m.Bundles {
+		if len(b.Loads) > 0 {
+			loads = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !loads {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if m.RunsAs != "" {
+		return m.RunsAs
+	}
+	return r.Account
+}
+
+// usersInto writes `users` and `taken` on every access of module m among the resources composed so far: its identity
+// where a container of it that declares `identity` mounts the access's path, and the tool runner's account where the
+// module's tools run as it, each at the access's use (§4: the engine keeps the widest).
+func usersInto(out []map[string]any, owner map[string]string, m Manifest, id ModuleIdentity, has bool, account string,
+	with Rendering) {
+	var containers []map[string]any
+	for _, res := range out {
+		if res["type"] == "container" && owner[fmt.Sprint(res["id"])] == m.Module {
+			if _, declares := res[IdentityField]; declares && has {
+				containers = append(containers, res)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, res := range out {
+		if res["type"] != "access" || owner[fmt.Sprint(res["id"])] != m.Module {
+			continue
+		}
+		path, _ := res["path"].(string)
+		mode, _ := res["mode"].(string)
+		if mode == "" {
+			mode = AccessRead
+		}
+		users := []AccessUser{}
+		for _, c := range containers {
+			if mounts(c, path) {
+				users = append(users, AccessUser{Identity: IdentityName(m.Module), UID: id.UID, Use: mode, From: FromContainer})
+				break // one identity per module, whichever of its containers mounts it
+			}
+		}
+		if account != "" {
+			users = append(users, AccessUser{Identity: account, Use: mode, From: FromToolRunner})
+		}
+		if len(users) > 0 {
+			res["users"] = users
+		}
+		res["taken"] = with.KeptFolders[filepath.Clean(path)]
+	}
+}
+
+// mounts says whether a composed container mounts path, or something below it, from the machine. A path that merely
+// begins with the same letters — /storage/media2 beside /storage/media — is another path.
+func mounts(container map[string]any, path string) bool {
+	volumes, _ := container["volumes"].([]any)
+	path = filepath.Clean(path)
+	for _, v := range volumes {
+		s, ok := v.(string)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		source, _, _ := strings.Cut(s, ":")
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(source, "/") {
+			continue // a named volume: the runtime's, not the operator's path
+		}
+		source = filepath.Clean(source)
+		if source == path || strings.HasPrefix(source, path+"/") {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// AccessPathOn is where access id of module m is on a machine with these settings: its placement, else the
+// definition's default; false where neither says, or the module declares no such access.
+func AccessPathOn(m Manifest, layers []Layer, id string) (string, bool) {
+	_, byID, err := accessesFor(m, layers)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	path, has := byID[id]
+	if !has || path == "" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return filepath.Clean(path), true
+}

internal/catalogue/module_identity_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,333 @@
+package catalogue
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/validate"
+)
+
+// Defends novox/hq ADR 0325 on the controller's side, row by row of its "How it is checked" table: the module check
+// (rows 1, 2), the identity composed (row 3), the tool runner's entry (row 4), no identity root (row 11) — and none
+// of it sent to a node-engine older than the contract, which would refuse the whole declaration.
+
+const identityImage = "x@sha256:1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111"
+
+// aLibrarian files films: a container told its identity by PUID and PGID that mounts its config and the movies it
+// writes; a sidecar that declares none and reads the music; a directory only its tools write; and tools served by the
+// machine's runtime.
+func aLibrarian(t *testing.T) Manifest {
+	t.Helper()
+	m := aToolsModule(t, "librarian", "tools/index.js")
+	m.Accesses = []Access{
+		{ID: "movies", Path: "/storage/media/movies", Mode: AccessReadWrite},
+		{ID: "music", Path: "/storage/media/music", Mode: AccessRead},
+	}
+	m.Resources = []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"},
+		{"id": "notes", "type": "directory", "mode": "0700"},
+		{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "librarian", "image": identityImage,
+			"identity": map[string]any{"user": "env:PUID", "group": "env:PGID"},
+			"volumes":  []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${access:movies}:/movies"}},
+		{"id": "sidecar", "type": "container", "name": "librarian-sidecar", "image": identityImage,
+			"volumes": []any{"${access:music}:/music:ro"}},
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// aPlayer reads the movies the librarian writes, as its own identity through the runtime's user option, and has
+// tools of its own that read them too.
+func aPlayer(t *testing.T) Manifest {
+	t.Helper()
+	m := aToolsModule(t, "player", "tools/index.js")
+	m.Accesses = []Access{{ID: "movies", Path: "/storage/media/movies", Mode: AccessRead}}
+	m.Resources = []map[string]any{
+		{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "player", "image": identityImage,
+			"identity": map[string]any{"user": "run"}, "volumes": []any{"${access:movies}:/movies:ro"}},
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+func keepingFolders(ids map[string]ModuleIdentity, kept ...string) Rendering {
+	with := Rendering{KeepsFolders: true, Identities: ids, KeptFolders: map[string]bool{}}
+	for _, k := range kept {
+		with.KeptFolders[k] = true
+	}
+	return with
+}
+
+func composeFolders(t *testing.T, r Resolution, with Rendering) Composed {
+	t.Helper()
+	with.Needed = map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}
+	with.ArtifactStore = "anchor.internal:5101"
+	composed, err := r.Compose(with)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return composed
+}
+
+var identities = map[string]ModuleIdentity{"librarian": {UID: 50001, GID: 50001}, "player": {UID: 50002, GID: 50002}}
+
+// Row 3: the identity composed — the same on every machine, the container told it, the module's directories its
+// containers mount owned by it, and the declaration's identities naming the account.
+func TestAModuleRunsAsItsIdentityTheSameOnEveryMachine(t *testing.T) {
+	var seen []string
+	for _, node := range []string{"ace", "novox"} {
+		r := Resolution{Node: node, Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aLibrarian(t), aPlayer(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+		composed := composeFolders(t, r, keepingFolders(identities))
+		got := byID(composed.Resources)
+
+		app := got["librarian.app"]
+		ident, _ := app[IdentityField].(map[string]any)
+		want := map[string]any{"mode": "env", "user_env": "PUID", "group_env": "PGID", "uid": 50001, "gid": 50001}
+		if fmt.Sprint(ident) != fmt.Sprint(want) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the container is told %v; want %v", node, ident, want)
+		}
+		player, _ := got["player.app"][IdentityField].(map[string]any)
+		if fmt.Sprint(player) != fmt.Sprint(map[string]any{"mode": "run", "uid": 50002, "gid": 50002}) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the player is told %v", node, player)
+		}
+		if _, has := got["librarian.sidecar"][IdentityField]; has {
+			t.Errorf("%s: a container declaring no identity was given one", node)
+		}
+		if owner := got["librarian.config"]["owner"]; owner != "50001:50001" {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the directory its identity's container mounts is owned by %v", node, owner)
+		}
+		if owner, has := got["librarian.notes"]["owner"]; has {
+			t.Errorf("%s: a directory no identity container mounts was given the owner %v: what writes it is not "+
+				"the identity", node, owner)
+		}
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(composed.Identities)
+		seen = append(seen, string(raw))
+		if !strings.Contains(string(raw), `"name":"mesh-librarian"`) || !strings.Contains(string(raw), `"uid":50001`) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the declaration's identities are %s", node, raw)
+		}
+	}
+	// What the node-engine this controller pins (the ADR 0325 half) makes of it: nothing refused.
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aLibrarian(t), aPlayer(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	with := keepingFolders(identities, "/storage/media/movies")
+	composed := composeFolders(t, r, with)
+	body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"declaration": validate.Version, "resources": composed.Resources,
+		"identities": composed.Identities})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if problems := validate.Declaration(body); len(problems) > 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the pinned node-engine refuses it: %v", problems)
+	}
+	if seen[0] != seen[1] {
+		t.Fatalf("the identities differ between machines: %s and %s", seen[0], seen[1])
+	}
+}
+
+// Rows 2, 4 and 8's composed part: each access names its users — the module's identity where a container declaring
+// identity mounts it, never a container declaring none — and the tool runner's account by name, with no number,
+// each at the access's own use (the node-engine keeps one entry per user at the widest use any access gives it, so
+// the runner's is the widest among the modules whose tools use the folder); and whether the folder is taken.
+func TestAnAccessNamesItsUsers(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aLibrarian(t), aPlayer(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	with := keepingFolders(identities, "/storage/media/movies")
+	got := byID(composeFolders(t, r, with).Resources)
+
+	users := func(id string) string {
+		raw, _ := json.Marshal(got[id]["users"])
+		return string(raw)
+	}
+	movies := "librarian." + AccessID("/storage/media/movies")
+	if want := `[{"identity":"mesh-librarian","uid":50001,"use":"read-write","from":"container"},` +
+		`{"identity":"jochen","use":"read-write","from":"tool-runner"}]`; users(movies) != want {
+		t.Errorf("the librarian's movies name %s; want %s", users(movies), want)
+	}
+	played := "player." + AccessID("/storage/media/movies")
+	if want := `[{"identity":"mesh-player","uid":50002,"use":"read","from":"container"},` +
+		`{"identity":"jochen","use":"read","from":"tool-runner"}]`; users(played) != want {
+		t.Errorf("the player's movies name %s; want %s", users(played), want)
+	}
+	// The sidecar declares no identity: no entry for it (§2); the runner reads the music for the librarian's tools.
+	music := "librarian." + AccessID("/storage/media/music")
+	if want := `[{"identity":"jochen","use":"read","from":"tool-runner"}]`; users(music) != want {
+		t.Errorf("the music names %s; want only the tool runner's read", users(music))
+	}
+	if got[movies]["taken"] != true || got[music]["taken"] != false {
+		t.Errorf("taken is %v for the movies (taken) and %v for the music (not)", got[movies]["taken"], got[music]["taken"])
+	}
+
+	// The runner is named with no number: the engine resolves it by name, never as uid 0 sent from here.
+	if strings.Contains(users(music), `"uid"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the tool runner's entry carries a number: %s", users(music))
+	}
+}
+
+// The contract: to an engine that does not state link.IdentityContract nothing of ADR 0325 is sent — no identities, no
+// container identity, no users, no taken, no owner from an identity — and what is sent is what the pinned node-engine
+// accepts, as before.
+func TestNothingOfTheIdentityIsSentToAnOlderEngine(t *testing.T) {
+	r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aLibrarian(t), aPlayer(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+	composed := composeFolders(t, r, Rendering{Identities: identities})
+	if len(composed.Identities) > 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("identities were composed for an older engine: %v", composed.Identities)
+	}
+	for _, res := range composed.Resources {
+		for _, field := range []string{IdentityField, "users", "taken"} {
+			if _, has := res[field]; has {
+				t.Errorf("%v carries %s for an older engine", res["id"], field)
+			}
+		}
+		if res["id"] == "librarian.config" && res["owner"] != nil {
+			t.Errorf("the directory was given the owner %v for an older engine", res["owner"])
+		}
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"declaration": validate.Version, "resources": composed.Resources})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if problems := validate.Declaration(body); len(problems) > 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("the pinned node-engine refuses it: %v", problems)
+	}
+	// An engine that keeps folders, with no allocation yet (a question asked before the first send): composed
+	// without an identity, never with a made-up one.
+	none := composeFolders(t, r, keepingFolders(nil))
+	if len(none.Identities) > 0 || byID(none.Resources)["librarian.app"][IdentityField] != nil {
+		t.Fatal("an identity was composed with no allocation")
+	}
+}
+
+// Row 11: no identity outside the range is ever sent — 0 above all — and the composition says why.
+func TestNoModuleIdentityIsRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, n := range []int{0, 4, 10, 1000, IdentityLow - 1, IdentityHigh + 1} {
+		if AllocatableID(n) {
+			t.Errorf("%d is allocatable", n)
+		}
+		r := Resolution{Node: "ace", Account: "jochen", Modules: []Manifest{aLibrarian(t), theRuntime(t)}}
+		with := keepingFolders(map[string]ModuleIdentity{"librarian": {UID: n, GID: n}})
+		with.Needed = map[string]map[string]string{RuntimeModule: {"broker": "sealed-credential"}}
+		with.ArtifactStore = "anchor.internal:5101"
+		if _, err := r.Compose(with); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "§11") {
+			t.Errorf("an identity of %d composed: %v", n, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, n := range []int{IdentityLow, IdentityHigh} {
+		if !AllocatableID(n) {
+			t.Errorf("%d is not allocatable", n)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func manifestJSON(t *testing.T, m map[string]any) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(m)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return raw
+}
+
+func aContainerModule(name string, resources ...map[string]any) map[string]any {
+	return map[string]any{"module": name, "version": "1", "capabilities": []any{"container-runtime"},
+		"accesses":  []any{map[string]any{"id": "movies", "path": "/storage/media/movies", "mode": "read-write"}},
+		"resources": resources}
+}
+
+// Rows 1 and 2: the module check accepts identity as env:<NAME> or run and refuses every other shape and an owner in
+// it; a module that declares identity is refused a directory naming its owner and a container declaring none that
+// mounts its own directory or a read-write access; a directory's mode is accepted.
+func TestTheModuleCheckHoldsAnIdentityModuleToTheDecision(t *testing.T) {
+	ok := func(identity any) map[string]any {
+		return map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": identityImage,
+			"identity": identity, "volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${access:movies}:/movies"}}
+	}
+	config := map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750"}
+	for _, identity := range []any{
+		map[string]any{"user": "env:PUID", "group": "env:PGID"},
+		map[string]any{"user": "run"},
+	} {
+		if _, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, aContainerModule("app", config, ok(identity)))); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("identity %v refused: %v", identity, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		identity any
+		want     string
+	}{
+		{map[string]any{"user": "1000", "group": "1000"}, `"env:<NAME>" or "run"`},
+		{map[string]any{"user": "env:PUID"}, "told its group the same way"},
+		{map[string]any{"user": "run", "group": "env:PGID"}, "takes no group"},
+		{map[string]any{"user": "env:puid", "group": "env:PGID"}, "environment variable's name"},
+		{map[string]any{"user": "env:PUID", "group": "env:PGID", "owner": "1000:1000"}, "never an owner or a number"},
+		{"run", "identity is"},
+	} {
+		_, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, aContainerModule("app", config, ok(c.identity))))
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), c.want) || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "ADR 0325") {
+			t.Errorf("identity %v: %v, want it refused saying %q", c.identity, err, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	// An identity on anything but a container.
+	onAFile := map[string]any{"id": "f", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750", "identity": map[string]any{"user": "run"}}
+	if _, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, aContainerModule("app", onAFile))); err == nil {
+		t.Error("an identity on a directory was accepted")
+	}
+
+	// Held to the decision whole once it declares identity (§1, §2, §3).
+	owned := map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750", "owner": "1000:1000"}
+	bare := map[string]any{"id": "helper", "type": "container", "name": "helper", "image": identityImage,
+		"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${access:movies}:/movies"}}
+	_, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, aContainerModule("app", owned, ok(map[string]any{"user": "run"}), bare)))
+	for _, want := range []string{"names its owner 1000:1000", "declares no identity and mounts the module's own directory config",
+		"declares no identity and mounts the read-write access movies"} {
+		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("an identity module: %v, want it refused saying %q", err, want)
+		}
+	}
+	// A setting's owner too.
+	settingOwned := map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750", "owner": "${setting:puid}:${setting:pgid}"}
+	identityModule := aContainerModule("app", settingOwned, ok(map[string]any{"user": "run"}))
+	identityModule["settings"] = map[string]any{"puid": map[string]any{"default": "1000"}, "pgid": map[string]any{"default": "1000"}}
+	if _, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, identityModule)); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "names its owner") {
+		t.Errorf("a setting's owner in an identity module: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Rows 1 and 2 for what is registered today: a module that declares no identity is warned, never refused — a
+// directory naming its owner, a container mounting its own directory or a read-write access — and each warning
+// names ADR 0325. A placement's owner is refused for an identity module and warned of for any other.
+func TestAModuleWithoutIdentityIsWarnedNotRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	owned := map[string]any{"id": "config", "type": "directory", "mode": "0750", "owner": "1000:1000"}
+	bare := map[string]any{"id": "app", "type": "container", "name": "app", "image": identityImage,
+		"volumes": []any{"${dir:config}:/config", "${access:movies}:/movies"}}
+	m, err := ParseManifest(manifestJSON(t, aContainerModule("legacy", owned, bare)))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a registered shape was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	warnings := IdentityWarnings(m)
+	sort.Strings(warnings)
+	if len(warnings) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("warned %d times: %q", len(warnings), warnings)
+	}
+	for _, w := range warnings {
+		if !strings.Contains(w, "ADR 0325") || !strings.Contains(w, "refused once they have moved") {
+			t.Errorf("a warning that does not name ADR 0325 or say refusal comes later: %q", w)
+		}
+	}
+
+	placed := []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{PlacesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"config": map[string]any{"path": "/srv/legacy", "owner": "1000:1000"}}}}}
+	if err := PlacesOwnerProblem(m, placed); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a placement's owner refused for a module without identity: %v", err)
+	}
+	if w := PlacesOwnerWarnings(m, placed); len(w) != 1 || !strings.Contains(w[0], "places.config.owner") {
+		t.Errorf("a placement's owner warned %q", w)
+	}
+	withIdentity := aLibrarian(t)
+	placedLibrarian := []Layer{{From: "ace", Values: map[string]any{PlacesSetting: map[string]any{
+		"config": map[string]any{"path": "/srv/librarian", "owner": "1000:1000"}}}}}
+	if err := PlacesOwnerProblem(withIdentity, placedLibrarian); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "ADR 0325") {
+		t.Errorf("a placement's owner for an identity module: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(IdentityWarnings(withIdentity)) != 0 {
+		t.Error("an identity module was warned rather than refused")
+	}
+}

internal/catalogue/outside_not_given_test.go

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

internal/catalogue/placement.go

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

internal/catalogue/secrets_into_files.go

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

internal/catalogue/setting_in_owner_test.go

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

internal/catalogue/setting_into.go

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

internal/catalogue/settings.go

@@ -509,6 +509,18 @@ var networkName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_.-]*$`)
 // refused where it is stored (SetSettings, with UnusedSettings) and said where a plan is read,
 // and never costs a module its place.
 func JudgeSettings(m Manifest, layers []Layer, adopted bool) error {
+	if err := UndeclaredAccessPlaces(m, layers); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return ComposesWith(m, layers, adopted)
+}
+
+// ComposesWith is JudgeSettings for a layer stored ahead of the definition that reads it (novox/hq issue 575): an
+// access placed that this definition does not declare yet is not refused, because composition passes it by — it
+// reaches nothing until the build that declares it registers, and then it places that access. Where a machine is
+// declared (LeftOutBecause), and where a setting judged against a newer build of the module is held to still compose
+// with the one registered.
+func ComposesWith(m Manifest, layers []Layer, adopted bool) error {
 	if err := settingsHoldOneLine(m.Module, layers); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}

internal/catalogue/terminal_keys.go

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

internal/catalogue/unconsumed_placeholder.go

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ type filler struct {
 // seatInto, machineInto and contributionsInto. A pass that comes to read another field adds it here,
 // or the sweep refuses the placeholder it would have filled.
 var fillers = []filler{
-	{namespace: "setting", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{settingRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}, "service": {"unit"}}},
+	{namespace: "setting", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{settingRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}, "service": {"unit"}, "directory": {"owner"}}},
 	{namespace: "dir", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{dirRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"*": {"path", "content", "volumes", "env", "env-file"}}},
 	{namespace: "access", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{accessRef}, fields: map[string][]string{"*": {"path", "content", "volumes", "env", "env-file"}}},
 	{namespace: "secret", patterns: []*regexp.Regexp{placeholder}, fields: map[string][]string{"file": {"content"}},

internal/inventory/catalogue.go

@@ -958,7 +958,28 @@ func (i *Inventory) judgeSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string,
 	}
 	layers = append(layers, catalogue.Layer{From: from, Values: values})
 	if err := catalogue.JudgeSettings(m, layers, adopted); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w", module, where, from, err)
+		// **A placement for an access the module's newer build brings** (novox/hq issue 575): judged against the
+		// manifest of the module's newest build on the branch it follows, where the registered one does not declare
+		// the access yet — so an access can be placed before or with the delivery that adds it. It must still compose
+		// with the registered manifest, which passes the placement by until the build registers.
+		var undeclared *catalogue.UndeclaredAccessError
+		if !errors.As(err, &undeclared) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w", module, where, from, err)
+		}
+		ahead, has, aerr := i.NewestManifestOnBranch(ctx, module)
+		if aerr != nil {
+			return aerr
+		}
+		if !has || catalogue.JudgeSettings(ahead, layers, adopted) != nil || catalogue.ComposesWith(m, layers, adopted) != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("refused: %s on %s cannot compose with the layer %q — %w; nor does the newest build of "+
+				"%s on the branch it follows declare it", module, where, from, err, module)
+		}
+		m = ahead
+	}
+	// A module that runs as its own identity owns its directories by it: no setting names their owner (novox/hq ADR
+	// 0325 §1, §3). A module that does not yet keeps its placed owner, warned of where it is set.
+	if err := catalogue.PlacesOwnerProblem(m, layers); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("refused: %w", err)
 	}
 	// And a key that reaches nothing, refused here where somebody can still fix the spelling:
 	// stored, it would be a setting somebody believes they made.
@@ -969,6 +990,29 @@ func (i *Inventory) judgeSettings(ctx context.Context, nodeName, module string,
 	return nil
 }
 
+// NewestManifestOnBranch is the manifest of a module's newest successful build on the branch its record follows
+// (novox/hq issue 575): what the delivery under way brings, before it registers — or the registered one's own, when
+// nothing newer was built. False when no build of the module with a manifest is kept.
+func (i *Inventory) NewestManifestOnBranch(ctx context.Context, module string) (catalogue.Manifest, bool, error) {
+	var raw []byte
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select b.manifest from build b join module m on m.name = b.module
+		  where b.module = $1 and b.failed = '' and b.manifest is not null and b.manifest::text <> 'null'
+		    and (coalesce(m.ref, '') = '' or b.ref = '' or b.ref = m.ref)
+		  order by b.at desc limit 1`, module).Scan(&raw)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, err
+	}
+	m, err := catalogue.ParseManifest(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.Manifest{}, false, nil // a build the mesh cannot read judges nothing
+	}
+	return m, true, nil
+}
+
 // givenIn is the machine ports a node-level settings layer gives a module, software port →
 // machine port (novox/hq ADR 0100). Nothing when the layer gives none; what is not a port is left
 // for composition to refuse in its own words.

internal/inventory/health.go

@@ -36,15 +36,37 @@ type ResourceHealth struct {
 	Root string `json:"root,omitempty"`
 	// Waits is what a waiting resource waits for the operator to give (novox/hq ADR 0283).
 	Waits []Wait `json:"waits,omitempty"`
+	// Entries is a kept folder's listing as the engine resolved it (novox/hq ADR 0325 §4): each user with its uid.
+	Entries []KeptEntry `json:"entries,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// Wait is one thing a waiting resource waits for the operator to give: exactly one of Secret and Setting
-// (novox/hq ADR 0283), as link.Wait carries it.
+// KeptEntry is one user of a kept folder as the engine lists it, with a note beside the tool runner's.
+type KeptEntry struct {
+	Identity string `json:"identity"`
+	UID      int    `json:"uid"`
+	Use      string `json:"use"`
+	From     string `json:"from"`
+	Note     string `json:"note,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Wait is one thing a waiting resource waits for the operator to give: exactly one of Secret, Setting and Access
+// (novox/hq ADR 0283, ADR 0325 §7), as link.Wait carries it.
 type Wait struct {
 	Part    string `json:"part"`
 	Secret  string `json:"secret,omitempty"`
 	Setting string `json:"setting,omitempty"`
-	What    string `json:"what"`
+	// Access is an access of the module by its own id for it, from the engine's access-waits, and Disk that it
+	// waits for the disk that holds its folder rather than for the operator's word (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7, §9).
+	Access string `json:"access,omitempty"`
+	Disk   bool   `json:"disk,omitempty"`
+	// Placed is the filesystem the folder is on now, without its path (ADR 0325 §8): a warrant for another does not
+	// answer the wait.
+	Placed string `json:"placed,omitempty"`
+	// Reason is the engine's reason for an access wait ("keep" or "disk"), ACL what its folder's filesystem says of
+	// access entries ("needs-enabling", "unsupported", or empty when it allows them).
+	Reason string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+	ACL    string `json:"acl,omitempty"`
+	What   string `json:"what"`
 }
 
 // NodeHealth is a machine's newest statement, as kept.

internal/inventory/identities.go

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// Module identities and taken folders (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §8, §11; migration 0096).
+
+// AllocateIdentity is module's identity, allocated now when it has none: one number from the range of its own,
+// mesh-wide, kept for ever. Two controllers allocating at once agree: the second's insert finds the first's row.
+func (i *Inventory) AllocateIdentity(ctx context.Context, module string) (catalogue.ModuleIdentity, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(module) == "" {
+		return catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}, errors.New("an identity is allocated for a module, and none was named")
+	}
+	if id, had, err := i.IdentityOf(ctx, module); err != nil || had {
+		return id, err
+	}
+	// The number is drawn only when the row is new; a draw lost to a concurrent insert is a gap in the range, never
+	// a number given twice.
+	_, err := i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into module_identity (module, uid, gid)
+		 select $1, n, n from (select nextval('module_identity_number')::integer as n) drawn
+		 on conflict (module) do nothing`, module)
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}, fmt.Errorf("%s could not be given an identity: %w", module, err)
+	}
+	id, had, err := i.IdentityOf(ctx, module)
+	if err == nil && !had {
+		err = fmt.Errorf("%s was given an identity and it cannot be read back", module)
+	}
+	return id, err
+}
+
+// IdentityOf is module's identity, and false when it was never allocated one.
+func (i *Inventory) IdentityOf(ctx context.Context, module string) (catalogue.ModuleIdentity, bool, error) {
+	id := catalogue.ModuleIdentity{Module: module}
+	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx, `select uid, gid from module_identity where module = $1`, module).
+		Scan(&id.UID, &id.GID)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}, false, err
+	}
+	return id, true, nil
+}
+
+// Identities is every module's identity, by module.
+func (i *Inventory) Identities(ctx context.Context) (map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx, `select module, uid, gid from module_identity`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := map[string]catalogue.ModuleIdentity{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var id catalogue.ModuleIdentity
+		if err := rows.Scan(&id.Module, &id.UID, &id.GID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out[id.Module] = id
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// TakenFolder is one folder the operator let the mesh keep on a machine (ADR 0325 §8).
+type TakenFolder struct {
+	Path    string
+	By      string
+	Ask     string
+	Warrant string
+	Said    string
+	// Placed is the filesystem the folder was on when taken, without its path (ADR 0325 §8).
+	Placed string
+}
+
+// KeptFolders is every folder taken on a machine, by its clean path.
+func (i *Inventory) KeptFolders(ctx context.Context, nodeName string) (map[string]TakenFolder, error) {
+	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
+		`select k.path, k.taken_by, k.ask, k.warrant, k.said, k.placed from kept_folder k join node n on n.id = k.node
+		  where n.name = $1`, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := map[string]TakenFolder{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var t TakenFolder
+		if err := rows.Scan(&t.Path, &t.By, &t.Ask, &t.Warrant, &t.Said, &t.Placed); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		out[t.Path] = t
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// RecordTaken keeps that a folder was taken on a machine, under the operator's warrant. A take is recorded once per
+// filesystem: a second for the same folder on the same filesystem keeps the first, and one for the folder on another
+// filesystem (it moved, and the operator was asked again) replaces it.
+func (i *Inventory) RecordTaken(ctx context.Context, nodeName string, t TakenFolder) error {
+	switch {
+	case !strings.HasPrefix(t.Path, "/"):
+		return fmt.Errorf("a taken folder is an absolute path, not %q", t.Path)
+	case strings.TrimSpace(t.Warrant) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(t.Ask) == "":
+		return errors.New("a folder is taken only on the operator's warrant, and this names none")
+	}
+	node, err := i.NodeByName(ctx, nodeName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err = i.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+		`insert into kept_folder (node, path, taken_by, ask, warrant, said, placed) values ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7)
+		 on conflict (node, path) do update
+		   set taken_at = now(), taken_by = excluded.taken_by, ask = excluded.ask, warrant = excluded.warrant,
+		       said = excluded.said, placed = excluded.placed
+		 where kept_folder.placed is distinct from excluded.placed`, node.ID, filepath.Clean(t.Path), t.By, t.Ask,
+		t.Warrant, t.Said, t.Placed)
+	return err
+}

internal/inventory/identities_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+package inventory
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+)
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §11: a module gets one allocation, the same whoever asks and however often, from the range
+// of its own; no allocation is 0 or a root group's; a number once given is never given again.
+func TestAModuleIsGivenOneIdentityOnceAndNeverRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	radarr, err := inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, "radarr")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	again, err := inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, "radarr")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if radarr != again {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr was given %+v, then %+v: one allocation per module", radarr, again)
+	}
+	plex, err := inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, "plex")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, id := range []catalogue.ModuleIdentity{radarr, plex} {
+		if id.UID == 0 || id.GID == 0 || !catalogue.AllocatableID(id.UID) || !catalogue.AllocatableID(id.GID) ||
+			id.UID != id.GID {
+			t.Errorf("%s was given %d:%d: within %d–%d, never 0, uid and gid one number", id.Module, id.UID, id.GID,
+				catalogue.IdentityLow, catalogue.IdentityHigh)
+		}
+	}
+	if radarr.UID == plex.UID {
+		t.Fatalf("radarr and plex share %d", plex.UID)
+	}
+
+	// Read back as composition reads it, from another connection's view: the same numbers (stable across restarts
+	// and machines, since every machine's composition reads this one row).
+	all, err := inv.Identities(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if all["radarr"].UID != radarr.UID || all["plex"].UID != plex.UID {
+		t.Fatalf("the identities read back are %+v", all)
+	}
+
+	// A module forgotten keeps its row, and the next module is given a new number: never one given before.
+	if _, err := inv.store.Pool().Exec(ctx, `delete from module_identity where module = 'plex'`); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	sonarr, err := inv.AllocateIdentity(ctx, "sonarr")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if sonarr.UID == plex.UID || sonarr.UID == radarr.UID {
+		t.Fatalf("sonarr was given %d, a number given before", sonarr.UID)
+	}
+
+	// The store itself refuses a number outside the range, root's above all: no write by hand makes one root.
+	for _, n := range []int{0, 10, 1000, 49999, 60000} {
+		if _, err := inv.store.Pool().Exec(ctx,
+			`insert into module_identity (module, uid, gid) values ($1, $2, $2)`, "byhand", n); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("the store took %d as an identity", n)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq ADR 0325 §8: a folder taken is recorded once per machine, under a warrant, and read back by its path.
+func TestAFolderIsTakenOnceUnderAWarrant(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "ace"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordTaken(ctx, "ace", TakenFolder{Path: "/storage/media/movies/", By: "the operator"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a folder was recorded taken with no warrant")
+	}
+	first := TakenFolder{Path: "/storage/media/movies/", By: "the operator", Ask: "c01", Warrant: "c01", Said: "started"}
+	if err := inv.RecordTaken(ctx, "ace", first); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.RecordTaken(ctx, "ace", TakenFolder{Path: "/storage/media/movies", By: "someone else", Ask: "c02",
+		Warrant: "c02"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kept, err := inv.KeptFolders(ctx, "ace")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, has := kept["/storage/media/movies"]
+	if !has || got.Ask != "c01" || got.By != "the operator" {
+		t.Fatalf("the taken folder reads %+v (%v): the first take, by its clean path", got, has)
+	}
+	// The folder moved to another filesystem and the operator was asked again: the new take replaces the old.
+	if err := inv.RecordTaken(ctx, "ace", TakenFolder{Path: "/storage/media/movies", By: "the operator", Ask: "c03",
+		Warrant: "c03", Placed: "fs-0000000000ff"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	kept, err = inv.KeptFolders(ctx, "ace")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got := kept["/storage/media/movies"]; got.Ask != "c03" || got.Placed != "fs-0000000000ff" {
+		t.Fatalf("after a take on another filesystem the folder reads %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// novox/hq issue 575: a module registered without the access movies, whose newest build on its branch declares it —
+// the build the delivery under way brings — takes a proposal placing movies: judged against that build, not refused.
+// Without such a build it is refused, as before.
+func TestAPlacementIsJudgedAgainstTheBuildThatBringsTheAccess(t *testing.T) {
+	inv := fresh(t)
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	if _, err := inv.AddNode(ctx, "ace"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	registered := catalogue.Manifest{Module: "media-importer", Version: "1",
+		Accesses: []catalogue.Access{{ID: "downloads", Path: "/services/media/downloads", Mode: catalogue.AccessReadWrite}},
+		Resources: []map[string]any{{"id": "server", "type": "container", "name": "importer", "image": "x",
+			"volumes": []any{"${access:downloads}:/downloads"}}}}
+	if err := inv.RegisterModule(ctx, registered, Source{Repository: "https://forge.invalid/media.git",
+		Ref: "main", BuiltFrom: "c0ffee33"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	placing := map[string]any{catalogue.AccessesSetting: map[string]any{"movies": "/storage/media/movies"}}
+
+	err := inv.JudgeSettings(ctx, "ace", "media-importer", placing)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), `places the access "movies", which it does not declare`) {
+		t.Fatalf("a placement no build declares: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// main's manifest — the build of #34 — declares movies.
+	ahead := registered
+	ahead.Accesses = append([]catalogue.Access{}, registered.Accesses...)
+	ahead.Accesses = append(ahead.Accesses, catalogue.Access{ID: "movies", Path: "/services/media/movies",
+		Mode: catalogue.AccessReadWrite})
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(ahead)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b := aBuild("b34", "media-importer", "")
+	b.Ref, b.Manifest = "main", raw
+	if err := inv.RecordBuild(ctx, b); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.JudgeSettings(ctx, "ace", "media-importer", placing); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the proposal placing movies, which main's build declares, was refused: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := inv.SetSettings(ctx, "ace", "media-importer", placing); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the layer placing movies was not stored: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Stored ahead, it does not cost the registered module its place: composition passes it by.
+	layers, err := inv.SettingsFor(ctx, "ace", "media-importer")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := catalogue.ComposesWith(registered, layers, false); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the registered module no longer composes with the layer stored ahead: %v", err)
+	}
+	// A typo is still a typo: an access neither build declares is refused.
+	typo := map[string]any{catalogue.AccessesSetting: map[string]any{"moveis": "/storage/media/movies"}}
+	if err := inv.JudgeSettings(ctx, "ace", "media-importer", typo); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a placement no build declares was taken")
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/migrations/0096-a-module-is-given-an-identity-and-a-folder-is-taken.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+-- Every module is given an identity of its own, and the mesh takes a shared folder once, on the operator's word
+-- (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §8, §11).
+--
+-- **One number per module, mesh-wide, allocated once and never again.** The node-engine makes the account
+-- mesh-<module> on each machine the module is assigned to, with these numbers, so a container that declares
+-- `identity` runs as the same uid and gid everywhere and a folder's entries mean the same on every machine. The
+-- numbers come from a sequence of their own, 50000–59999 (catalogue.IdentityLow and IdentityHigh): above the
+-- numbers distributions give people, below the 60000s Debian keeps for its daemons, and nowhere near root's 0 or a
+-- root group's (0, 4, 10). The checks refuse a row outside the range, so no write, by hand or by a later bug, can make
+-- an identity root (§11). uid and gid are one number. A sequence never hands a number back, and a row is kept after
+-- its module is forgotten, so a number once given is never given to another module: a file left owned by a removed
+-- module's identity is never inherited by a new one.
+create sequence module_identity_number as integer minvalue 50000 maxvalue 59999 start 50000 no cycle;
+
+create table module_identity (
+    module    text        primary key,
+    uid       integer     not null unique check (uid between 50000 and 59999),
+    gid       integer     not null unique check (gid between 50000 and 59999),
+    allocated timestamptz not null default now(),
+    check (uid = gid)
+);
+
+-- **A folder taken, per machine** (§8). The first time a placed folder that already holds data is to be kept, the
+-- operator is asked once for that folder on that machine; on the warrant the node-engine adds the entries to
+-- everything there, and the folder is taken: kept from then on without asking, a module that gains the access
+-- added with no wait. The row is the record of that act — who approved it, under which warrant — and what tells a
+-- later module's access that it joins a taken folder (`taken` on the access). The path is the folder as placed,
+-- clean and absolute. A new warrant for the same folder on another filesystem replaces the row.
+create table kept_folder (
+    node     uuid        not null references node (id) on delete cascade,
+    path     text        not null check (path like '/%'),
+    taken_at timestamptz not null default now(),
+    -- Who approved it, as the hand-act log says it, and the ask and warrant it was taken under.
+    taken_by text        not null,
+    ask      text        not null,
+    warrant  text        not null,
+    -- What the node-engine answered when it started the take.
+    said     text        not null default '',
+    -- The filesystem the folder was on when it was taken, as the engine names it without a path ("fs-<12 hex>"):
+    -- a wait naming another (the folder moved to another disk) is not answered by this take, and the operator is
+    -- asked again; until the new warrant the folder is not taken there. Empty from an engine that names none.
+    placed   text        not null default '',
+    primary key (node, path)
+);

internal/inventory/secrets.go

@@ -325,6 +325,8 @@ func (i *Inventory) ModuleSecretIfIssued(
 	return sealed, true, nil
 }
 
+// SecretForModule makes what is not held, so it is never asked for an own secret issued outside the mesh: the
+// composition reads only a value a person gave for one (GivenOwnSecret; novox/hq issue 401, ADR 0228).
 func (i *Inventory) SecretForModule(ctx context.Context, node, module, name string) (string, error) {
 	key, err := i.SealingKeyOf(ctx, node)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -655,6 +657,35 @@ func (i *Inventory) GivenMembers(ctx context.Context, node, module, family strin
 	return out, rows.Err()
 }
 
+// GivenOwnSecret is an own secret issued outside the mesh as a person gave it on a machine (novox/hq issue 401, ADR
+// 0228): its value sealed to the machine and whether that is the key the machine holds now. Not given is false: a
+// value the mesh made for it is not one a person gave, and is never read as one; a machine with no sealing key
+// holds none either.
+func (i *Inventory) GivenOwnSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name string) (GivenMember, bool, error) {
+	key, err := i.SealingKeyOf(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil || key == "" {
+		return GivenMember{}, false, err
+	}
+	record, err := i.NodeByName(ctx, node)
+	if err != nil {
+		return GivenMember{}, false, err
+	}
+	g := GivenMember{Name: name}
+	var against string
+	err = i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
+		`select sealed, node_key from module_secret
+		  where node = $1 and module = $2 and name = $3 and origin = 'accepted'`,
+		record.ID, module, name).Scan(&g.Sealed, &against)
+	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
+		return GivenMember{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return GivenMember{}, false, err
+	}
+	g.Current = against == key
+	return g, true, nil
+}
+
 // GivenOwnSecrets is every own secret of a module a person gave on a machine, by name, with when (novox/hq ADR
 // 0283): what the controller checks a module's wait for a secret against. A value the mesh made is not one.
 func (i *Inventory) GivenOwnSecrets(ctx context.Context, node, module string) (map[string]time.Time, error) {

internal/link/build.go

@@ -138,6 +138,9 @@ type GroupMember struct {
 	Repository string   `json:"repository"`
 	Ref        string   `json:"ref"`
 	Paths      []string `json:"paths,omitempty"`
+	// Base is the branch it merges into: the build seat merges the head into that trunk's head before the
+	// group is composed (novox/hq ADR 0323 §6). A build seat from before it composes the head alone.
+	Base string `json:"base,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // Who judges a merge check's gate.
@@ -164,6 +167,14 @@ type CheckOutcome struct {
 	// Gate and RepoCheck are its two layers; Verdict and Summary above are the gate's.
 	Gate      *CheckLayer `json:"gate,omitempty"`
 	RepoCheck *CheckLayer `json:"repo-check,omitempty"`
+	// Head and Trunk are what was judged (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3): the pull request's head merged into the trunk
+	// commit, each as twelve characters. Trunk is empty from a build seat from before it, which judged the head
+	// alone. Beside are the commits of the repositories read beside it, by directory, named and not judged
+	// against (issue 568); Members a delivery group's other heads, each with the trunk commit it merged into.
+	Head    string            `json:"head,omitempty"`
+	Trunk   string            `json:"trunk,omitempty"`
+	Beside  map[string]string `json:"beside,omitempty"`
+	Members []CheckedMember   `json:"members,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // SourceOnSeat names a repository by the seat whose holder serves it and its path there.

internal/link/events.go

@@ -221,13 +221,17 @@ type SourceMoved struct {
 // PullUpdated is what the forge announces when an open pull request's head moves — opened, or pushed
 // to (novox/hq to-be 45 §9): what the controller asks the build seat to check before it merges.
 type PullUpdated struct {
-	Owner    string `json:"owner"`
-	Repo     string `json:"repo"`
-	Number   int    `json:"number"`
-	Title    string `json:"title,omitempty"`
-	Base     string `json:"base"`
-	Head     string `json:"head"`
-	Commit   string `json:"head_sha"`
+	Owner  string `json:"owner"`
+	Repo   string `json:"repo"`
+	Number int    `json:"number"`
+	Title  string `json:"title,omitempty"`
+	Base   string `json:"base"`
+	Head   string `json:"head"`
+	Commit string `json:"head_sha"`
+	// BaseSHA is the base branch's head when the forge announced the head (novox/hq ADR 0323): the trunk commit a
+	// verdict the controller gives without the build seat — a change that runs no build — is judged against. Empty
+	// from a forge module from before it.
+	BaseSHA  string `json:"base_sha,omitempty"`
 	CloneURL string `json:"clone_url"`
 	HTMLURL  string `json:"html_url,omitempty"`
 	// Paths are the files the pull request changes; PathsTruncated says there were more.
@@ -278,14 +282,24 @@ type Checked struct {
 	// status from it — the group's verdict is its owner's, mesh-delivery, to say on each member's head.
 	Group   string          `json:"group,omitempty"`
 	Members []CheckedMember `json:"members,omitempty"`
+	// Trunk is the trunk commit the head was merged into and judged as, twelve characters (novox/hq ADR 0323
+	// §3): the verdict holds for that merge only, and goes out of date when the trunk moves. Empty from a build
+	// seat that judged the head alone. Beside are the commits of the other repositories the check read, by
+	// directory, named and not judged against (issue 568). Took is how long the check ran, for the merge tool
+	// to say how long the next one may take (ADR 0323 §5).
+	Trunk  string            `json:"trunk,omitempty"`
+	Beside map[string]string `json:"beside,omitempty"`
+	Took   string            `json:"took,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// CheckedMember is one head a group's composed check judged.
+// CheckedMember is one head a group's composed check judged, and the trunk commit it was merged into (novox/hq
+// ADR 0323 §6), twelve characters; empty from a build seat that composed the head alone.
 type CheckedMember struct {
 	Owner  string `json:"owner"`
 	Repo   string `json:"repo"`
 	Number int    `json:"number,omitempty"`
 	Commit string `json:"commit"`
+	Trunk  string `json:"trunk,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ChangePlan is what a change does to the mesh, computed from its diffset — a repository, the branch it
@@ -311,9 +325,9 @@ type ChangePlan struct {
 	Steps []string `json:"steps,omitempty"`
 	// Summary is the plan in one line, for a commit status.
 	Summary string `json:"summary"`
-	// Class is the class of the slowest-budgeted module the change moves (novox/hq ADR 0282 §1, ADR 0313 §2):
-	// core, leaf, or none when it moves no module at all — a fix that moves nothing has no fix budget.
-	Class string `json:"class,omitempty"`
+	// Trunk is the trunk commit the head was merged into when it was judged (novox/hq ADR 0323 §3), twelve
+	// characters: set on the plan a verdict carries, which mesh-delivery keeps with its other inputs.
+	Trunk string `json:"trunk,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // MachinePlan is one machine's part of a change plan.

internal/link/protocol.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ package link
 
 import (
 	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-host/rootsearch"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -436,6 +437,14 @@ const ReadinessContract = 2
 // parses strictly and would refuse the whole declaration for it.
 const RootContract = 3
 
+// IdentityContract is the statement of an engine that gives each module its identity and keeps shared folders
+// (novox/hq ADR 0325; mesh-host internal/link IdentityContract): it reads a declaration's `identities`, a container's
+// resolved `identity`, an access's `users` and `taken`, states an access it may not keep yet as waiting
+// (ResourceHealth.AccessWaits), and hears the take act (AskAccessAct). Only to such an engine is any of it sent: an
+// older one parses strictly and would refuse the whole declaration for it. Four, the grant's number (ADR 0312,
+// superseded), is what engines stated before; the controller sends no grant to any engine (#270).
+const IdentityContract = 5
+
 // ReasonRoot starts the reason of an account verdict that found a way to root (ADR 0266); the node-engine's
 // own words (mesh-host internal/accounts ReasonRoot).
 const ReasonRoot = "can become root without a person"
@@ -580,6 +589,57 @@ type Wait struct {
 	What    string `json:"what"`
 }
 
+// WaitKindAccess is the kind of a wait on an access (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7; mesh-host internal/link).
+const WaitKindAccess = "access"
+
+// AccessWait is one access waiting for the operator (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7): the access by its module's own id for
+// it, the part (its module), and what the operator gives, in words with no path — "let the mesh keep the shared
+// folder movies", or "mount the disk that holds books". Beside Waits because mesh-sdk's health.Wait names a secret or
+// a setting and nothing else. From an engine at IdentityContract or later.
+type AccessWait struct {
+	Kind   string `json:"kind"`
+	Access string `json:"access"`
+	Part   string `json:"part"`
+	What   string `json:"what"`
+	// Placed names, with no path, the filesystem the folder is on now ("fs-<12 hex>"), on a wait for the operator's
+	// word: a warrant given for another filesystem (the folder moved) does not answer it, and the controller asks
+	// again (mesh-host internal/link AccessWait.Placed).
+	Placed string `json:"placed,omitempty"`
+	// Reason is what the wait is for: WaitKeep (the operator's word to keep the folder) or WaitDisk (its disk
+	// mounted). ACL is said on a keep wait whose filesystem refuses access entries now: ACLNeedsEnabling when the take
+	// act will let it, ACLUnsupported when no act can. Absent when it allows them.
+	Reason string `json:"reason"`
+	ACL    string `json:"acl,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// The reasons of an access wait, and what its filesystem says of ACLs (mesh-host internal/link).
+const (
+	WaitKeep         = "keep"
+	WaitDisk         = "disk"
+	ACLNeedsEnabling = "needs-enabling"
+	ACLUnsupported   = "unsupported"
+)
+
+// KindAccess is an access's verdict (novox/hq ADR 0325; mesh-host internal/link KindAccess): healthy while each user
+// has its right, waiting while the mesh may not keep its folder yet or its disk is not there, unhealthy otherwise —
+// and unknown when its filesystem could not be named this look (a hung mount), carrying no wait.
+const KindAccess = "access"
+
+// KindKeptEntries is the mesh's entries on a shared folder that nobody wants and that could not be taken out yet
+// because its disk was away (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8; mesh-host internal/link): unhealthy, said under the access that
+// last named it (`<access id>~entries`), which may no longer be declared. The node-engine's own.
+const KindKeptEntries = "kept-entries"
+
+// KeptEntry is one user of a kept folder as the engine's listing says it (ADR 0325 §4), with a note beside the tool
+// runner's entry.
+type KeptEntry struct {
+	Identity string `json:"identity"`
+	UID      int    `json:"uid"`
+	Use      string `json:"use"`
+	From     string `json:"from"`
+	Note     string `json:"note,omitempty"`
+}
+
 // ResourceHealth is one long-running resource's state.
 type ResourceHealth struct {
 	Module   string    `json:"module"`
@@ -606,6 +666,11 @@ type ResourceHealth struct {
 	// Waits is what a resource in StateWaiting waits for (novox/hq ADR 0283). Empty otherwise, and from an
 	// engine older than that.
 	Waits []Wait `json:"waits,omitempty"`
+	// AccessWaits is what an access stated waiting waits for (novox/hq ADR 0325 §7); Act the last walk under its
+	// folder, kept as the engine said it; Entries the kept folder's listing. From an engine at IdentityContract only.
+	AccessWaits []AccessWait    `json:"access-waits,omitempty"`
+	Act         json.RawMessage `json:"act,omitempty"`
+	Entries     []KeptEntry     `json:"entries,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // HealthSaid is the health event's body: the machine and its statement. The machine is read from the

internal/link/take.go

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+package link
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+)
+
+// The take act: a shared folder that already holds data is taken by the mesh once, on the operator's word
+// (novox/hq ADR 0325 §8).
+//
+// The controller asks the operator once for that folder on that machine (ADR 0259, at the level approve). On the
+// warrant it asks the machine's node-engine, on the engine's own subject (broker.AskAccessActSubject), signed with
+// the mesh's key as a hand-over is (SignedHandOver) under a signing context of its own (AccessActContext), to take
+// the folder: the engine adds the entries of the users it was declared for that folder to everything under it —
+// following no link, entering no other filesystem — answers at once that it started or why it refused, and states
+// the walk on the access's verdict. **Nothing is taken without a warrant**: the ask names the warrant the operator
+// gave, and the controller sends it only from the warrant (cmd/mesh-controller decideTake).
+//
+// The engine's own shape (mesh-host internal/link AccessActAsk, AnswerAccessAct): a hand-over's fields and
+// {act: "take", access: <the access's resource id in the declaration>, warrant}.
+
+// AccessActContext is prefixed to an act ask's bytes before signing: never another ask's signature, nor a
+// declaration's. The engine holds the same words.
+const AccessActContext = "novox-mesh access-act v2\n"
+
+// ActTake is the one act the controller asks.
+const ActTake = "take"
+
+// AccessActAsk is what the controller asks: a hand-over's fields — the node it is for, the folder's absolute path as
+// the declaration places it, who asked, when the ask stops being good and a nonce the engine takes once — and the
+// act's own: which act, the access by its resource id, and the warrant the operator gave.
+type AccessActAsk struct {
+	Node    string    `json:"node"`
+	Path    string    `json:"path"`
+	By      string    `json:"by"`
+	Expires time.Time `json:"expires"`
+	Nonce   string    `json:"nonce"`
+	Act     string    `json:"act"`
+	Access  string    `json:"access"`
+	Warrant string    `json:"warrant"`
+}
+
+// MaxActField bounds an access id and a warrant, as the engine does.
+const MaxActField = 200
+
+// TakeWithin is how long the controller waits for the engine's answer: it starts the walk and answers, and the
+// walk's end is stated on the access's verdict.
+const TakeWithin = 30 * time.Second
+
+// SignTake fills a take ask's act, expiry and nonce and signs it with the mesh's key over AccessActContext. It refuses
+// an ask with no warrant, no path or no access — and one the engine would refuse for its shape: nothing is ever asked
+// of an engine that it would have to refuse.
+func SignTake(ctx context.Context, signer Signer, ask AccessActAsk) ([]byte, error) {
+	ask.Access, ask.Warrant = strings.TrimSpace(ask.Access), strings.TrimSpace(ask.Warrant)
+	switch {
+	case signer == nil:
+		return nil, errors.New("no signing key, so nothing can be asked of an engine")
+	case ask.Warrant == "":
+		return nil, errors.New("a take is asked only on the operator's warrant, and this one names none")
+	case ask.Node == "" || !strings.HasPrefix(ask.Path, "/"):
+		return nil, errors.New("a take names its machine and the folder's absolute path")
+	case ask.Access == "":
+		return nil, errors.New("a take names the access whose folder it takes")
+	}
+	// The warrant is one short name; the access is the resource id the declaration gave it, which may hold a path's
+	// slashes (catalogue.AccessID) — the engine judges it against what it was declared.
+	if len(ask.Warrant) > MaxActField || strings.ContainsAny(ask.Warrant, "\r\n\x00/") {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the take's warrant %q is not one short name", ask.Warrant)
+	}
+	if len(ask.Access) > MaxActField || strings.ContainsAny(ask.Access, "\r\n\x00") {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the take's access %q is not one line", ask.Access)
+	}
+	nonce := make([]byte, 16)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(nonce); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	ask.Act, ask.Nonce, ask.Expires = ActTake, hex.EncodeToString(nonce), time.Now().UTC().Add(HandOverGood)
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(ask)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	signature, err := signer.Sign(ctx, append([]byte(AccessActContext), raw...))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot sign the ask: %w", err)
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(SignedHandOver{Ask: raw, Signature: signature})
+}
+
+// AskTake asks one machine's node-engine to take a shared folder on the operator's warrant, and reads its answer. An
+// error is the ask not reaching an engine, or an answer that is not one; a refusal is the engine's and comes back in
+// the answer.
+func AskTake(ctx context.Context, conn *nats.Conn, signer Signer, ask AccessActAsk, timeout time.Duration) (HandOverAnswer, error) {
+	if conn == nil {
+		return HandOverAnswer{}, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
+	}
+	body, err := SignTake(ctx, signer, ask)
+	if err != nil {
+		return HandOverAnswer{}, err
+	}
+	return askSigned(ctx, conn, broker.AskAccessActSubject(ask.Node), body, ask.Node, timeout, askWords{
+		what: "the take of a shared folder", nothing: "nothing was taken", issue: "ADR 0325",
+		unknown: "whether it started is not known — the access's verdict on the machine says whether it is kept",
+		record:  "a start"})
+}

testdata/beside/CAPTURED

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ private addresses. That is acceptable while mesh-controller is private; if it ev
 a second place to clean besides the catalogue itself.
 
 mesh-catalog  b9de001833b1b61b297182b8e3bcdae1cbdeace9  modules/*/module.json, modules/nats/Dockerfile
-mesh-host     a76baa4b47f07a8b2bab065603414530bd02b53a  examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock
+mesh-host     5c8e768ef52001624abe0425e05eb356ca337584  examples/foundation-first-node-nats.lock
 mesh-sdk      33917f91ac3cc213b879b32f3c70e2aa70395f98  conformance/events/module-event.json
 
 To move them, from this repository's root, with the two repositories checked out beside it:

testdata/beside/mesh-host/internal/apply/placement_guard.go.captured

@@ -523,6 +523,20 @@ func refusedPlaces(resources []declaration.Resource) map[string]error {
 		switch res := r.(type) {
 		case *declaration.Directory:
 			err = refusePath(res.Path, placingDirectory, moduleOfID(res.ID), res.Owner)
+			// And outside every home, the walk's judgement before anything is applied (novox/hq issue 358): a
+			// link another account could make in its path refuses it, and with it what is below it, whatever
+			// order they are declared in. The apply walks again at the moment of use. A directory handed over
+			// keeps its own, stricter walk (issue 356), which refuses any link at all.
+			if err == nil && meshDirsByDescriptor && homeAbove(res.Path) == "" &&
+				!HandedOver()[handOverKey(res.ID, res.Path)] {
+				if judged := judgeMeshDir(res.Path); judged != nil {
+					err = judged
+					var link *LinkInPathError
+					if errors.As(judged, &link) {
+						err = &PlacementRefusedError{Path: res.Path, Why: "it " + link.why()}
+					}
+				}
+			}
 		case *declaration.Access:
 			err = refusePath(res.Path, placingAccess, moduleOfID(res.ID), "")
 		default:

testdata/store-tests

@@ -26,3 +26,11 @@
 ./cmd/mesh-controller TestAnUnassignThatLeavesItsNodeUnresolvedSaysSoOnceInItsAnswer
 ./cmd/mesh-controller TestAnUnassignThatLeavesItsNodeResolvedSaysNothingOfIt
 ./cmd/mesh-controller TestAnAssignThatLeavesItsNodeUnresolvedSaysOnlyThePlansRefusal
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestADirectoryOwnersKeyIsRefusedThroughAVerb
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestTheSendMakesNoValueForAnOutsideSecretNobodyGave
+./cmd/mesh-controller TestAQuestionComposesWithoutAnOutsideSecretNobodyGave
+# novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §8, §11 and issue 575: identities allocated once and never root, a folder taken under a
+# warrant, a placement judged against the build that brings its access.
+./internal/inventory TestAModuleIsGivenOneIdentityOnceAndNeverRoot
+./internal/inventory TestAFolderIsTakenOnceUnderAWarrant
+./internal/inventory TestAPlacementIsJudgedAgainstTheBuildThatBringsTheAccess

vendor/github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration/declaration.go

@@ -456,14 +456,56 @@ const (
 // **The distinction 04-ISSUES/036 and 026 turn on.** A `directory` resource is the mesh's own —
 // it creates it, sets its owner and mode, and removes it when empty ([ADR 0030](novox/hq)). A
 // media library, a download spool is the operator's: it existed before the mesh, several modules
-// read and write it at once, and the mesh must not create, chown, reconcile or remove it. The
-// host confirms it is there and mounts it; nothing else.
+// read and write it at once, and the mesh must not chown, chmod or remove it. The host confirms it
+// is there and mounts it, and keeps it usable by the identities that use it through ACL entries it
+// adds and nothing else (novox/hq ADR 0325 §5); a missing one is made only below a parent on the
+// filesystem the data was placed on (§9).
 type Access struct {
 	ID   string `json:"id"`
 	Type Type   `json:"type"`
 	Path string `json:"path"`
 	// Mode is how this module reaches the path: read or read-write. Absent narrows to read.
 	Mode string `json:"mode,omitempty"`
+
+	// Users are the identities that use the folder, resolved by the controller (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3, §4): each
+	// module identity whose container mounts it, and the tool runner's account standing for every module whose
+	// tools use it. The engine keeps one ACL entry per user on the folder and as its default (§5); several
+	// accesses naming one folder are kept as one, each uid at the widest use any of them gives it. Absent is a
+	// controller older than ADR 0325, or an access nobody but others' bits reach (§2): nothing is kept.
+	Users []AccessUser `json:"users,omitempty"`
+	// Taken is the controller saying the operator's warrant for this folder was carried out (§8): the folder is
+	// kept although it holds data. The engine also keeps a folder it took itself, on the act, or found empty.
+	Taken bool `json:"taken,omitempty"`
+
+	// Grant is what a controller older than ADR 0325 still sends (ADR 0312's group grant, superseded): accepted
+	// so its declaration is not refused whole, and never acted on — no account is put in a group for data (§5).
+	Grant json.RawMessage `json:"grant,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// The uses an access's user has (ADR 0051 §3), and where it runs (ADR 0325 §4).
+const (
+	FromContainer  = "container"
+	FromToolRunner = "tool-runner"
+)
+
+// AccessUser is one identity that uses an accessed folder: its name and uid as the controller allocated them, its
+// use, and where it runs. A tool runner's account may come with no uid (0 or absent): the engine reads it by name.
+type AccessUser struct {
+	Identity string `json:"identity"`
+	UID      int    `json:"uid,omitempty"`
+	Use      string `json:"use"`
+	From     string `json:"from"`
+}
+
+// UnmarshalJSON reads a user as strictly as a resource is read.
+func (u *AccessUser) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
+	type plain AccessUser
+	var p plain
+	if err := strictDecode(raw, &p); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("an access's user: %w", err)
+	}
+	*u = AccessUser(p)
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (a *Access) Identity() string { return a.ID }
@@ -482,9 +524,43 @@ func (a *Access) validate(where string, _ bool) []string {
 		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 			"%s: an access is %q or %q, not %q", where, AccessRead, AccessReadWrite, a.Mode))
 	}
+	for _, u := range a.Users {
+		switch {
+		case u.Identity == "" || !accountName.MatchString(u.Identity):
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: a user of an access is an account's name, and %q is not one",
+				where, u.Identity))
+		case u.UID < 0 || (u.UID == 0 && u.From != FromToolRunner):
+			// Never root (novox/hq ADR 0325 §11): an entry for uid 0 would be a right root has anyway, and a
+			// number below it is no account. A tool runner's account alone may come without its number: the
+			// controller cannot know the operator's account's, and the engine reads it by name
+			// (apply.ResolveRunners), refusing one that is root's.
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the user %s has uid %d, and a module's identity is never "+
+				"root or below it (novox/hq ADR 0325 §11)", where, u.Identity, u.UID))
+		}
+		if u.Use != AccessRead && u.Use != AccessReadWrite {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the user %s uses it %q, and a use is %q or %q", where,
+				u.Identity, u.Use, AccessRead, AccessReadWrite))
+		}
+		if u.Use == AccessReadWrite && a.Mode != AccessReadWrite {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the user %s writes an access declared %s", where,
+				u.Identity, orRead(a.Mode)))
+		}
+		if u.From != FromContainer && u.From != FromToolRunner {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the user %s runs from %q, and that is %q or %q", where,
+				u.Identity, u.From, FromContainer, FromToolRunner))
+		}
+	}
 	return problems
 }
 
+// orRead is an access's mode as said: absent narrows to read.
+func orRead(mode string) string {
+	if mode == "" {
+		return AccessRead
+	}
+	return mode
+}
+
 func (u *User) Identity() string { return u.ID }
 func (u *User) Kind() Type       { return TypeUser }
 func (u *User) Target() string   { return u.Name }
@@ -1160,6 +1236,78 @@ type Container struct {
 	// Health is how this resource is ready (novox/hq ADR 0240 rule 2, Phase B): one kind and its
 	// timing, judged by the node-engine beside liveness. Absent: judged alive or not, and nothing more.
 	Health *Health `json:"health,omitempty"`
+
+	// RunAs is who the container runs as, resolved by the controller from the module's identity and the
+	// image's declared interface (novox/hq ADR 0325 §2, §3): told by environment (the image reads PUID and
+	// PGID, say) or by the runtime's own user option. Part of the spec, so a change recreates it. Absent: the
+	// container runs as its image says. Its key is `identity`, the manifest's word; the field is not, because
+	// a resource's Identity is its id.
+	RunAs *ContainerIdentity `json:"identity,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// The ways an image is told who to run as (novox/hq ADR 0325 §2).
+const (
+	IdentityByEnv = "env"
+	IdentityByRun = "run"
+)
+
+// ContainerIdentity is who a container runs as, and how its image is told.
+type ContainerIdentity struct {
+	// Mode is IdentityByEnv or IdentityByRun.
+	Mode string `json:"mode"`
+	// UserEnv and GroupEnv are the variables the image reads the user's and the group's number from, for
+	// IdentityByEnv: "PUID", "PGID".
+	UserEnv  string `json:"user_env,omitempty"`
+	GroupEnv string `json:"group_env,omitempty"`
+	UID      int    `json:"uid"`
+	GID      int    `json:"gid"`
+}
+
+// UnmarshalJSON reads an identity as strictly as a resource is read.
+func (i *ContainerIdentity) UnmarshalJSON(raw []byte) error {
+	type plain ContainerIdentity
+	var p plain
+	if err := strictDecode(raw, &p); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("a container's identity: %w", err)
+	}
+	*i = ContainerIdentity(p)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// envName is a variable's name as a runtime takes it.
+var envName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*$`)
+
+func (i *ContainerIdentity) problems(where string, env map[string]string) []string {
+	if i == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	switch i.Mode {
+	case IdentityByEnv:
+		if !envName.MatchString(i.UserEnv) || (i.GroupEnv != "" && !envName.MatchString(i.GroupEnv)) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: an identity told by environment names the variables "+
+				"it is told in, and %q and %q are not both names", where, i.UserEnv, i.GroupEnv))
+		}
+		for _, name := range []string{i.UserEnv, i.GroupEnv} {
+			if _, set := env[name]; set && name != "" {
+				problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: env sets %s, which the identity sets; one value "+
+					"for one variable", where, name))
+			}
+		}
+	case IdentityByRun:
+		if i.UserEnv != "" || i.GroupEnv != "" {
+			problems = append(problems, where+": an identity told by the runtime's user option names no variable")
+		}
+	default:
+		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: an identity is told by %q or %q, not %q", where,
+			IdentityByEnv, IdentityByRun, i.Mode))
+	}
+	// Never root (novox/hq ADR 0325 §11): refused here, so nothing of the declaration is made or started.
+	if i.UID <= 0 || i.GID <= 0 {
+		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: the identity is uid %d, gid %d, and a module's identity is "+
+			"never root, nor a number below it (novox/hq ADR 0325 §11)", where, i.UID, i.GID))
+	}
+	return problems
 }
 
 func (c *Container) Identity() string { return c.ID }
@@ -1242,6 +1390,7 @@ func (c *Container) validate(where string, _ bool) []string {
 		problems = append(problems, where+": networks is for a container that keeps running; a step "+
 			"runs and exits, and joins nothing afterwards")
 	}
+	problems = append(problems, c.RunAs.problems(where+": container "+c.Name, c.Env)...)
 	return append(problems, checkImage(where, c.Image)...)
 }
 
@@ -1392,6 +1541,53 @@ type Declaration struct {
 	// the generation of what it puts back, which may be older than what the machine applied, and is
 	// not refused for it.
 	PutBack bool
+
+	// Identities is the identity of every module assigned to this machine (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3): an account
+	// and a group `mesh-<module>` with the numbers the controller allocated once for the module, the same on
+	// every machine. The engine makes each before any resource is applied, and removes what it made of one no
+	// longer declared. Absent is a controller older than ADR 0325.
+	Identities []Identity
+}
+
+// Identity is one module's identity, as the controller allocated it.
+type Identity struct {
+	Module string `json:"module"`
+	Name   string `json:"name"`
+	UID    int    `json:"uid"`
+	GID    int    `json:"gid"`
+}
+
+// IdentityPrefix starts every module identity's name.
+const IdentityPrefix = "mesh-"
+
+// checkIdentities judges the identities on arrival: each named for its module, never root, and no name or number
+// twice — two modules with one account would write as each other.
+func checkIdentities(ids []Identity) []string {
+	var problems []string
+	names, uids, gids := map[string]bool{}, map[int]string{}, map[int]string{}
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		where := fmt.Sprintf("identity %q", id.Name)
+		if id.Module == "" || id.Name != IdentityPrefix+id.Module || !accountName.MatchString(id.Name) {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: a module's identity is named %s<module>, and this one is "+
+				"for the module %q", where, IdentityPrefix, id.Module))
+		}
+		if id.UID <= 0 || id.GID <= 0 {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: uid %d, gid %d, and a module's identity is never root, "+
+				"nor a number below it (novox/hq ADR 0325 §11); nothing of this declaration was made", where,
+				id.UID, id.GID))
+		}
+		if names[id.Name] {
+			problems = append(problems, where+": declared twice")
+		}
+		if other, used := uids[id.UID]; used {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: uid %d is %s's too", where, id.UID, other))
+		}
+		if other, used := gids[id.GID]; used {
+			problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("%s: gid %d is %s's too", where, id.GID, other))
+		}
+		names[id.Name], uids[id.UID], gids[id.GID] = true, id.Name, id.Name
+	}
+	return problems
 }
 
 // LeftOutModuleOf says which left-out module a recorded resource belongs to, if any: its id is the
@@ -1561,6 +1757,9 @@ type envelope struct {
 	// sends them only to a host whose reports say `reads_generation`.
 	Generation int64 `json:"generation,omitempty"`
 	PutBack    bool  `json:"put_back,omitempty"`
+	// Identities is optional on the wire too (novox/hq ADR 0325 §3). **An older host refuses this key**; a
+	// controller sends it only to a host whose health says link.IdentityContract.
+	Identities []Identity `json:"identities,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func parse(raw []byte, allowActions bool) (*Declaration, error) {
@@ -1578,8 +1777,9 @@ func parse(raw []byte, allowActions bool) (*Declaration, error) {
 	}
 
 	d := &Declaration{Version: env.Version, For: env.For, Adoption: env.Adoption, Sequence: env.Sequence,
-		Epoch: env.Epoch, LeftOut: env.LeftOut, Generation: env.Generation, PutBack: env.PutBack}
-	var problems []string
+		Epoch: env.Epoch, LeftOut: env.LeftOut, Generation: env.Generation, PutBack: env.PutBack,
+		Identities: env.Identities}
+	problems := checkIdentities(env.Identities)
 	if env.Generation < 0 {
 		// Below zero would read as "none claimed" and pass every refusal of an older generation.
 		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf("an assignment generation below zero (%d) is not one the "+
@@ -1732,6 +1932,10 @@ func checkWhileStopped(resources []Resource) []string {
 	return problems
 }
 
+// accountName is what an identity's or an access user's name may be: the portable account name the user tools
+// take, optionally ending in `$`, never starting with a dash — it is handed to them as an argument.
+var accountName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9_.][A-Za-z0-9_.-]*\$?$`)
+
 func strictDecode(raw []byte, into any) error {
 	// DisallowUnknownFields is the whole point rather than strictness for its own sake: a
 	// field the host does not know is a thing the control plane believes it asked for.

vendor/modules.txt

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ github.com/nats-io/nkeys
 # github.com/nats-io/nuid v1.0.1
 ## explicit
 github.com/nats-io/nuid
-# github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0 => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f
+# github.com/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0 => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012175109-5c8e768ef520
 ## explicit; go 1.26.0
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/internal/declaration
 github.com/novox/mesh-host/rootsearch
@@ -135,4 +135,4 @@ golang.org/x/text/width
 # golang.org/x/time v0.15.0
 ## explicit; go 1.25.0
 golang.org/x/time/rate
-# github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261011092230-20d5af9b2d5f
+# github.com/novox/mesh-host => git.novox.be/novox/mesh-host v0.0.0-20261012175109-5c8e768ef520