A bundle nothing would deliver is refused at registration (hq issue 216)

The composer delivers a bundle when the runtime loads from it, a resource names it, or it is the
runtime; one reached by none of them was built, recorded and pushed as success and was simply
absent. Seven modules' tools went missing that way. Refused at registration, naming the field that
would deliver it.

cmd/mesh-controller/build.go

@@ -530,15 +530,6 @@ func takeIn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, result link.BuildResu
 	if result.Source != nil && result.Source.Seat != "" {
 		recorded.Repository, recorded.Seat = result.Source.Repository, result.Source.Seat
 	}
-	// **A build at a commit does not change the branch a module follows** (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215):
-	// the commit is built and recorded as what it was built from, and the module keeps following
-	// what it followed before — the repository's default branch for one new to the catalogue.
-	if followedBranch(result.Ref) == "" && result.Ref != "" {
-		recorded.Ref = ""
-		if was, err := inv.SourceOf(ctx, manifest.Module); err == nil {
-			recorded.Ref = followedBranch(was.Ref)
-		}
-	}
 	if err := namesNoInstallation(manifest); err != nil {
 		return manifest, kept, fmt.Errorf("%s built %s (%s), and the mesh does not register it: %w",
 			result.On, result.Repository, short(result.Commit), err)

cmd/mesh-controller/build_test.go

@@ -63,40 +63,3 @@ func TestABuildHeardIsRecordedAndRegistered(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a failure is said in the builder's words: %v", err)
 	}
 }
-
-// novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215: a build asked at a commit is recorded as built from that commit, and the
-// module keeps following the branch it followed — a new one, the default branch.
-func TestABuildAtACommitKeepsTheBranchTheModuleFollows(t *testing.T) {
-	open := aMesh(t)
-	ctx := t.Context()
-	manifest, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"module": "unifi", "version": "1"})
-	result := func(id, ref, commit string) link.BuildResult {
-		return link.BuildResult{ID: id, Repository: "http://forge.internal:20000/novox/mesh-catalog.git",
-			Path: "modules/unifi", Ref: ref, On: "anchor", Commit: commit, Manifest: manifest,
-			Source: &link.SourceOnSeat{Seat: "git", Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog"}}
-	}
-	if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, result("b-1", "main", "1111111aaaa")); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, result("b-2", "9c97a8a", "9c97a8a1d2c3")); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	src, err := open.inventory.SourceOf(ctx, "unifi")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if src.Ref != "main" || src.BuiltFrom != "9c97a8a1d2c3" {
-		t.Errorf("after a build at a commit the module follows %q, built from %q; want main, 9c97a8a1d2c3", src.Ref, src.BuiltFrom)
-	}
-
-	// One new to the catalogue, first built at a commit, follows the default branch.
-	other, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"module": "letta", "version": "1"})
-	r := result("b-3", "deadbeef", "deadbeefcafe")
-	r.Manifest, r.Path = other, "modules/letta"
-	if _, _, err := takeIn(ctx, open.inventory, r); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if src, _ := open.inventory.SourceOf(ctx, "letta"); src.Ref != "" {
-		t.Errorf("a module first built at a commit follows %q, want the default branch", src.Ref)
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/order_test.go

@@ -211,27 +211,3 @@ func TestWhatAHandedOverModuleRecordsAboutItsSource(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
-
-// novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215: a module once built at a commit still follows its branch — a merge into it
-// matches the module, and a plan re-asks the branch, not the old commit.
-func TestAModuleBuiltAtACommitStillFollowsItsBranch(t *testing.T) {
-	m := link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Base: "main"}
-	pinned := inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Seat: "git", Ref: "9c97a8a"}
-	if !sourceIs(pinned, m) {
-		t.Error("a module whose record names a commit is left out of a merge into its branch")
-	}
-	full := inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Seat: "git", Ref: "9c97a8a1d2c3b4a5f60718293a4b5c6d7e8f9012"}
-	if !sourceIs(full, m) {
-		t.Error("a full commit hash is read as a branch")
-	}
-	if got := followedBranch("9c97a8a"); got != "" {
-		t.Errorf("a plan would re-ask the old commit %q", got)
-	}
-	if got := followedBranch("release"); got != "release" {
-		t.Errorf("a branch is not followed as named: %q", got)
-	}
-	// A module that follows another branch is still not this merge's.
-	if sourceIs(inventory.Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", Seat: "git", Ref: "release"}, m) {
-		t.Error("a module following another branch was matched")
-	}
-}

cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan.go

@@ -272,8 +272,7 @@ func askTier(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, p *inventory.Plan) e
 		}
 		source := buildSource{Repository: e.Source.Repository, Seat: e.Source.Seat}
 		fmt.Printf("  tier %d: ", p.Tier)
-		// The branch it follows, never a commit a build once named (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215).
-		if err := buildOne(ctx, source, e.Source.Path, followedBranch(e.Source.Ref), 0); err != nil {
+		if err := buildOne(ctx, source, e.Source.Path, e.Source.Ref, 0); err != nil {
 			state.State = "failed"
 			state.Why = err.Error()
 			p.State = inventory.PlanFailed

cmd/mesh-controller/release_plan_test.go

@@ -115,3 +115,14 @@ func TestACycleIsOneLastTierAndSaidSo(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a cycle should be one tier of two, said: %v", tiers)
 	}
 }
+
+// novox/hq 04-ISSUES/211: a merge moving the toolchain and a bundle compiled in it builds the
+// bundle a tier after the toolchain, not beside it.
+func TestABundleIsPlannedAfterTheToolchainItIsCompiledIn(t *testing.T) {
+	edges := []inventory.Edge{{From: "node-tools", To: "mesh-tools", Kind: inventory.EdgeStandsOn}}
+	p := planOfMerge(link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-tools", Commit: "abc"},
+		[]string{"mesh-tools", "node-tools"}, edges)
+	if len(p.Tiers) != 2 || p.Tiers[0][0] != "mesh-tools" || p.Tiers[1][0] != "node-tools" {
+		t.Fatalf("the toolchain, then the bundle: %v", p.Tiers)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs.go

@@ -402,19 +402,22 @@ func seatAnnouncement(handlers map[string]link.ToolHandler) micro.Info {
 	var endpoints []micro.EndpointInfo
 	for _, verb := range verbs {
 		schema, _ := json.Marshal(about[verb].Input)
+		// The same shape every tool runtime announces in (node-tools' announce package): the name is
+		// `<seat>__<verb>`, as the protocol's characters allow; the metadata is what identifies it.
 		endpoints = append(endpoints, micro.EndpointInfo{
-			Name:       verb,
+			Name:       catalogue.ControllerSeatName + "__" + verb,
 			Subject:    link.SeatToolSubject(catalogue.ControllerSeatName, verb),
 			QueueGroup: "seat." + catalogue.ControllerSeatName,
 			Metadata: map[string]string{
+				"kind": "seat", "module": catalogue.ControllerSeatName, "tool": verb,
+				"seat": catalogue.ControllerSeatName, "scope": "mesh", "interchangeable": "false",
 				"description": about[verb].Description, "schema": string(schema),
-				"seat": catalogue.ControllerSeatName, "scope": "mesh",
 			},
 		})
 	}
 	return micro.Info{
 		ServiceIdentity: micro.ServiceIdentity{
-			Name: catalogue.ControllerSeatName, ID: "controller", Version: "1.0.0",
+			Name: catalogue.ControllerSeatName, ID: "controller", Version: "0.1.0",
 			Metadata: map[string]string{"seat": catalogue.ControllerSeatName, "scope": "mesh"},
 		},
 		Description: "the mesh's own verbs, answered by the holder of the mesh-controller seat",

cmd/mesh-controller/seatverbs_test.go

@@ -281,10 +281,14 @@ func TestTheControllerAnnouncesTheVerbsItServes(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("%d endpoints announced for %d verbs served", len(info.Endpoints), len(handlers))
 	}
 	for _, e := range info.Endpoints {
-		if _, served := handlers[e.Name]; !served {
-			t.Errorf("%s is announced and not served", e.Name)
+		verb := e.Metadata["tool"]
+		if _, served := handlers[verb]; !served || e.Name != catalogue.ControllerSeatName+"__"+verb {
+			t.Errorf("%s (%s) is announced and not served under that name", e.Name, verb)
 		}
-		if e.Subject != link.SeatToolSubject(catalogue.ControllerSeatName, e.Name) || e.QueueGroup != "seat."+catalogue.ControllerSeatName {
+		if e.Metadata["kind"] != "seat" || e.Metadata["seat"] != catalogue.ControllerSeatName {
+			t.Errorf("%s is not announced as the seat's verb: %v", e.Name, e.Metadata)
+		}
+		if e.Subject != link.SeatToolSubject(catalogue.ControllerSeatName, verb) || e.QueueGroup != "seat."+catalogue.ControllerSeatName {
 			t.Errorf("%s is announced on %s/%s, not where it is served", e.Name, e.Subject, e.QueueGroup)
 		}
 		if e.Metadata["description"] == "" || e.Metadata["schema"] == "" || e.Metadata["scope"] != "mesh" {

cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
-	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -284,14 +283,6 @@ func (f following) SourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved) error {
 	if isHistory(m.MergedAt, lastLookAt(entries, m)) {
 		packaging = nil
 	}
-	// Said, never silent (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215): a module built from this repository that follows
-	// another branch is not part of this merge, and whoever is waiting for its change should read why.
-	for _, e := range entries {
-		if sameRepository(e.Source.Repository, m) && !sourceIs(e.Source, m) {
-			fmt.Printf("  %s is built from %s/%s and follows %s, not %s; this merge leaves it out\n",
-				e.Manifest.Module, m.Owner, m.Repo, e.Source.Ref, m.Base)
-		}
-	}
 	touched := whatTheMergeTouched(from, entries, m)
 	for _, e := range touched {
 		if err := inv.SourceMoved(ctx, e.Manifest.Module, m.Commit); err != nil {
@@ -354,24 +345,7 @@ func sourceIs(s inventory.Source, m link.SourceMoved) bool {
 	if !sameRepository(s.Repository, m) {
 		return false
 	}
-	ref := followedBranch(s.Ref)
-	return ref == "" || ref == m.Base
-}
-
-// commitRef is a ref that names a commit rather than a branch: what `build --ref <commit>` asks for.
-var commitRef = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-f]{7,40}$`)
-
-// followedBranch is the branch a recorded ref means a module follows (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/215). **A
-// commit is never a branch to follow.** A build asked at a commit — to try one, or to pin it during a
-// fix — recorded that commit as the module's ref; every merge after it then failed to match the
-// module, its plan left it out without saying so, and every plan that rebuilt it asked for that same
-// old commit again. A commit recorded so is read as the repository's default branch, which is what
-// the module followed before it; a branch is followed as named.
-func followedBranch(ref string) string {
-	if commitRef.MatchString(strings.TrimSpace(ref)) {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return ref
+	return s.Ref == "" || s.Ref == m.Base
 }
 
 // sameRepository is whether a recorded repository is the one a merge names, in either spelling it

examples/route-proxy/forwarded_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"net/url"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// A backend behind the proxy learns the client used TLS and which name it asked for, so the addresses
+// it writes into its own pages are the ones a client can use (2026-10-03: a forge's Go import tag
+// named an http clone URL, and Go refused the module path).
+func TestABackendIsToldTheRequestWasHTTPSAndForWhichName(t *testing.T) {
+	var proto, host, fwdHost, fwdFor string
+	backend := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		proto, host, fwdHost, fwdFor = r.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-Proto"), r.Host, r.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-Host"), r.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-For")
+	}))
+	defer backend.Close()
+	where, _ := url.Parse(backend.URL)
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "https://git.example.org/novox/mesh-sdk/go?go-get=1", nil)
+	req.TLS = &tls.ConnectionState{}
+	req.Host = "git.example.org"
+	req.RemoteAddr = "192.0.2.7:51000"
+	towards(where).ServeHTTP(httptest.NewRecorder(), req)
+	if proto != "https" || fwdHost != "git.example.org" || host != "git.example.org" || fwdFor != "192.0.2.7" {
+		t.Errorf("the backend was told proto=%q host=%q forwarded-host=%q for=%q", proto, host, fwdHost, fwdFor)
+	}
+}

examples/route-proxy/main.go

@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ func (t *table) set(routes map[string][]rule, public map[string]bool) {
 				log.Printf("route %s points at %q, which is not a URL: %v", host, r.target, err)
 				continue
 			}
-			r.to = httputil.NewSingleHostReverseProxy(where)
+			r.to = towards(where)
 			if r.insecure {
 				r.to.Transport = &http.Transport{TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: true}}
 			}
@@ -1060,3 +1060,17 @@ func asPort(v any) (int, bool) {
 	}
 	return 0, false
 }
+
+// towards proxies to one backend and tells it what the client asked: **X-Forwarded-Proto, -Host and
+// -For**, set from the request this proxy received. A backend that builds its own addresses — a forge
+// writing its clone URL into a page, a login redirect — otherwise sees the plain HTTP hop from this
+// proxy and writes `http://`, though every client reached it over TLS: Go refused the forge's module
+// path for exactly that on 2026-10-03, its import tag naming an http clone URL.
+// The standard library's NewSingleHostReverseProxy sets only X-Forwarded-For.
+func towards(where *url.URL) *httputil.ReverseProxy {
+	return &httputil.ReverseProxy{Rewrite: func(pr *httputil.ProxyRequest) {
+		pr.SetURL(where)
+		pr.Out.Host = pr.In.Host
+		pr.SetXForwarded()
+	}}
+}

internal/broker/nats.go

@@ -465,7 +465,9 @@ func PermissionsFor(p Principal) (Permissions, error) {
 		pub = append(pub, invoked...)
 		// It says what it serves and may ask what answers (novox/hq ADR 0197): the runtime answers
 		// discovery for each module and seat it carries, and the console it is asks the bus.
-		sub = append(sub, announcing(serves...)...)
+		// One service per runtime process, named for the runtime: the bus lets a principal answer each
+		// request once, so the runtime announces everything it carries under its own name.
+		sub = append(sub, announcing(append([]string{RuntimeModule}, serves...)...)...)
 		pub = append(pub, discovering()...)
 		// Nothing about consumers: it consumes nothing. A module's reactions to events are its
 		// own long-lived process, which ADR 0175 leaves where it is; what moves here is tools.
@@ -793,12 +795,14 @@ func invokedSubjects(invokes []string) ([]string, error) {
 // protocol's discovery (novox/hq ADR 0197): the questions asked of every service, and those asked of
 // each name it serves — its own and no other's, so it cannot answer for a service it is not.
 func announcing(names ...string) []string {
-	out := []string{"$SRV.PING", "$SRV.INFO"}
+	out := []string{"$SRV.PING", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.STATS"}
 	for _, n := range names {
 		if !safeSubject.MatchString(n) {
 			continue
 		}
-		out = append(out, "$SRV.PING."+n, "$SRV.PING."+n+".>", "$SRV.INFO."+n, "$SRV.INFO."+n+".>")
+		for _, verb := range []string{"PING", "INFO", "STATS"} {
+			out = append(out, "$SRV."+verb+"."+n, "$SRV."+verb+"."+n+".>")
+		}
 	}
 	return out
 }

internal/broker/testdata/composed.conf

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ accounts {
     users = [
       { user: "controller", password: "$2a$11$cccccccccccccccccccccc", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.CONTROL.controller.>", "$JS.ACK.EVENTS.controller.>", "$JS.API.>", "_INBOX.enrol.>", "mesh.assignment.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.*.tool.>", "mesh.node.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.accept.>", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.applied", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.built-before", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.event.refused", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.accept.>"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["$JS.API.>", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller.>", "_DELIVER.controller", "_DELIVER.controller.>", "_INBOX.controller.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.catching-up", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.upgraded", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["$JS.API.>", "$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller", "$SRV.INFO.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller", "$SRV.PING.mesh-controller.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller", "$SRV.STATS.mesh-controller.>", "_DELIVER.controller", "_DELIVER.controller.>", "_INBOX.controller.>", "mesh.control.>", "mesh.mod.gitea.event.pull.merged", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.catching-up", "mesh.mod.mesh-catalog.event.upgraded", "mesh.seat.mesh-build-machine.event.built", "mesh.seat.mesh-controller.tool.>", "mesh.seat.node-build-agent.event.built"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "enrol.one", password: "$2a$11$eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee", permissions: {
@@ -38,17 +38,17 @@ accounts {
       } }
       { user: "one.telegram", password: "$2a$11$tttttttttttttttttttttt", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.EVENTS.one_telegram.>", "$JS.ACK.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.one_telegram", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.one_telegram", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER.SEAT_TELEGRAM_SENDER_worker", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.ASSIGNMENTS.mesh.assignment.one.telegram", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.event.delivered", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.event.failed"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.telegram", "$SRV.INFO.telegram.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.telegram", "$SRV.PING.telegram.>", "_INBOX.one.telegram.>", "mesh.assignment.one.telegram", "mesh.mod.telegram.tool.>", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.accept.send"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.telegram", "$SRV.INFO.telegram.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.telegram", "$SRV.PING.telegram.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.telegram", "$SRV.STATS.telegram.>", "_INBOX.one.telegram.>", "mesh.assignment.one.telegram", "mesh.mod.telegram.tool.>", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.accept.send"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "two.audit", password: "$2a$11$aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.EVENTS.two_audit.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.two_audit", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.two_audit", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.ASSIGNMENTS.mesh.assignment.two.audit"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.audit", "$SRV.INFO.audit.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.audit", "$SRV.PING.audit.>", "_INBOX.two.audit.>", "mesh.assignment.two.audit", "mesh.mod.audit.tool.>", "mesh.mod.shop.event.order.placed"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.audit", "$SRV.INFO.audit.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.audit", "$SRV.PING.audit.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.audit", "$SRV.STATS.audit.>", "_INBOX.two.audit.>", "mesh.assignment.two.audit", "mesh.mod.audit.tool.>", "mesh.mod.shop.event.order.placed"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
       { user: "two.shop", password: "$2a$11$ssssssssssssssssssssss", permissions: {
         publish: { allow: ["$JS.ACK.EVENTS.two_shop.>", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.INFO.EVENTS.two_shop", "$JS.API.CONSUMER.MSG.NEXT.EVENTS.two_shop", "$JS.API.DIRECT.GET.ASSIGNMENTS.mesh.assignment.two.shop", "mesh.mod.shop.event.order.placed", "mesh.seat.telegram-sender.accept.send"] }
-        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.shop", "$SRV.INFO.shop.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.shop", "$SRV.PING.shop.>", "_INBOX.two.shop.>", "mesh.assignment.two.shop", "mesh.mod.shop.tool.>"] }
+        subscribe: { allow: ["$SRV.INFO", "$SRV.INFO.shop", "$SRV.INFO.shop.>", "$SRV.PING", "$SRV.PING.shop", "$SRV.PING.shop.>", "$SRV.STATS", "$SRV.STATS.shop", "$SRV.STATS.shop.>", "_INBOX.two.shop.>", "mesh.assignment.two.shop", "mesh.mod.shop.tool.>"] }
         allow_responses: { max: 1, ttl: "1m" }
       } }
     ]

internal/catalogue/build.go

@@ -436,3 +436,33 @@ func BinaryOf(a Artifact) string {
 	}
 	return a.Name
 }
+
+// undeliveredBundles says which of a module's bundles nothing would ever put on a machine (novox/hq
+// 04-ISSUES/216). A bundle reaches a machine three ways: the node's runtime serves it (it says
+// `loads`, or its module declares `tools`), a resource names it (a process, a step, an archive), or
+// it is the runtime itself. One reached by none of them was built, recorded and pushed as success,
+// and was simply absent — seven modules' tools went missing that way on 2026-10-03. Refused here,
+// naming the field that would deliver it.
+func undeliveredBundles(m Manifest) []string {
+	if m.Build == nil || m.Module == RuntimeModule {
+		return nil
+	}
+	named := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, r := range m.Resources {
+		if a, ok := r["artifact"].(string); ok && a != "" {
+			named[a] = true
+		}
+	}
+	var problems []string
+	for _, a := range m.Build.Artifacts {
+		if a.Kind != ArtifactBundle || named[a.Name] || len(a.Loads) > 0 || len(m.Tools) > 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+			"%s: the bundle %q would be built and never reach a machine: nothing loads it, runs it or "+
+				"unpacks it. A tools bundle says `loads` (the entrypoints the node's runtime serves) or its "+
+				"module lists its `tools`; a daemon or a step is a resource naming it (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/216)",
+			m.Module, a.Name))
+	}
+	return problems
+}

internal/catalogue/manifest.go

@@ -1373,6 +1373,7 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 		}
 	}
 	problems = append(problems, m.Build.problems(m.Module)...)
+	problems = append(problems, undeliveredBundles(m)...)
 	// **What provides the artifact store cannot be delivered through it** (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/029).
 	//
 	// Building publishes to the store, and the builder will not start without one. So a module

internal/catalogue/runtime_test.go

@@ -389,3 +389,28 @@ func TestARuntimeCompiledToABinaryRunsItself(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("the Go runtime is not told what to serve or whose it is: %v %v", env, process["user"])
 	}
 }
+
+// novox/hq 04-ISSUES/216: a bundle nothing loads, runs or unpacks is refused at registration; saying
+// `loads`, listing `tools`, or a resource naming it admits it.
+func TestABundleNothingDeliversIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	base := func() Manifest {
+		return Manifest{Module: "baserow", Version: "1", Build: &Build{Artifacts: []Artifact{
+			{Name: "tools", Kind: ArtifactBundle, Language: "typescript", Entrypoints: []string{"tools/index.js"}}}}}
+	}
+	if p := undeliveredBundles(base()); len(p) != 1 || !strings.Contains(p[0], "never reach a machine") {
+		t.Fatalf("a bundle nothing delivers was admitted: %v", p)
+	}
+	loads := base()
+	loads.Build.Artifacts[0].Loads = []string{"tools/index.js"}
+	tools := base()
+	tools.Tools = []string{"baserow_list_rows"}
+	run := base()
+	run.Resources = []map[string]any{{"id": "daemon", "type": "process", "artifact": "tools", "run": []any{"node", "tools/index.js"}}}
+	runtime := base()
+	runtime.Module = RuntimeModule
+	for name, m := range map[string]Manifest{"loads": loads, "tools": tools, "a process": run, "the runtime": runtime} {
+		if p := undeliveredBundles(m); len(p) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("a bundle delivered by %s was refused: %v", name, p)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/inventory/dependencies.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builder"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
 )
 
@@ -96,6 +97,21 @@ func dependenciesOf(entries []Entry, against map[string][]string, read map[strin
 					add(name, on.Module, EdgeDeclared)
 				}
 			}
+			// **A bundle stands on the toolchain it is compiled in** (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/211). A
+			// manifest names its toolchain by language, not in `build.on`, so the edge was implicit
+			// and a merge that moved the toolchain and a bundle together built both in one tier —
+			// the bundle against the toolchain as it was, recorded as built from the new commit. Read
+			// from the manifest, so it holds before any build has recorded what it stood on; and a
+			// toolchain that moves rebuilds every bundle compiled in it, which is what a toolchain
+			// carrying a bundle's dependencies requires.
+			for _, a := range e.Manifest.Build.Artifacts {
+				if a.Kind != catalogue.ArtifactBundle {
+					continue
+				}
+				if chain, err := builder.ToolchainFor(a.Language); err == nil {
+					add(name, chain.Base, EdgeStandsOn)
+				}
+			}
 		}
 		for _, ref := range against[name] {
 			if rest, ok := strings.CutPrefix(ref, catalogue.ArtifactStoreScheme); ok {

internal/inventory/dependencies_test.go

@@ -62,3 +62,41 @@ func TestDependenciesAreOneRelationWithTheirKinds(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// novox/hq 04-ISSUES/211: a bundle stands on the toolchain it is compiled in, so a merge moving both
+// builds the toolchain first — read from the manifest, before any build recorded it.
+func TestABundleStandsOnTheToolchainItIsCompiledIn(t *testing.T) {
+	entries := []Entry{
+		{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-tools"}, Source: Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-tools"}},
+		{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "mesh-tools-go"}, Source: Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-tools-go"}},
+		{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "node-tools", Build: &catalogue.Build{Artifacts: []catalogue.Artifact{
+			{Name: "runtime", Kind: catalogue.ArtifactBundle, Language: "go", System: "arch", From: "cmd/node-tools"}}}},
+			Source: Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-tools"}},
+		{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "nftables", Build: &catalogue.Build{Artifacts: []catalogue.Artifact{
+			{Name: "tools", Kind: catalogue.ArtifactBundle, Language: "typescript", Entrypoints: []string{"tools/index.js"}}}}},
+			Source: Source{Repository: "novox/mesh-catalog"}},
+		{Manifest: catalogue.Manifest{Module: "photos", Build: &catalogue.Build{Artifacts: []catalogue.Artifact{
+			{Name: "server", Kind: catalogue.ArtifactImage, From: "Dockerfile"}}}},
+			Source: Source{Repository: "novox/photos"}},
+	}
+	edges := dependenciesOf(entries, nil, nil)
+	has := func(from, to string) bool {
+		for _, e := range edges {
+			if e.From == from && e.To == to && e.Kind == EdgeStandsOn {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+		return false
+	}
+	if !has("nftables", "mesh-tools") {
+		t.Errorf("a TypeScript bundle does not stand on the TypeScript toolchain: %v", edges)
+	}
+	if !has("node-tools", "mesh-tools-go") {
+		t.Errorf("a Go bundle does not stand on the Go toolchain: %v", edges)
+	}
+	for _, e := range edges {
+		if e.From == "photos" && e.Kind == EdgeStandsOn {
+			t.Errorf("an image stands on a toolchain it is not compiled in: %v", e)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/link/announce.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import (
 // DiscoverySubjects are where one service instance is asked to say what it is.
 func DiscoverySubjects(name, id string) []string {
 	var out []string
-	for _, verb := range []string{"PING", "INFO"} {
+	for _, verb := range []string{"PING", "INFO", "STATS"} {
 		out = append(out, "$SRV."+verb, "$SRV."+verb+"."+name, "$SRV."+verb+"."+name+"."+id)
 	}
 	return out
@@ -35,6 +35,16 @@ func (b OverNATS) Announce(info micro.Info, logger *log.Logger) (func(), error)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	// Statistics the protocol asks for; the controller keeps none per verb, so it answers its
+	// identity and its endpoints with nothing counted — an honest zero, not a refusal.
+	stats := micro.Stats{ServiceIdentity: info.ServiceIdentity, Type: micro.StatsResponseType}
+	for _, e := range info.Endpoints {
+		stats.Endpoints = append(stats.Endpoints, &micro.EndpointStats{Name: e.Name, Subject: e.Subject, QueueGroup: e.QueueGroup})
+	}
+	statsBody, err := json.Marshal(stats)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	var subs []*nats.Subscription
 	done := make(chan struct{})
 	stop := func() {
@@ -46,8 +56,11 @@ func (b OverNATS) Announce(info micro.Info, logger *log.Logger) (func(), error)
 	for _, subject := range DiscoverySubjects(info.Name, info.ID) {
 		subject := subject
 		body := infoBody
-		if len(subject) >= 9 && subject[:9] == "$SRV.PING" {
+		switch {
+		case len(subject) >= 9 && subject[:9] == "$SRV.PING":
 			body = pingBody
+		case len(subject) >= 10 && subject[:10] == "$SRV.STATS":
+			body = statsBody
 		}
 		bind := func() (*nats.Subscription, error) {
 			return b.Conn.Subscribe(subject, func(msg *nats.Msg) {