Share one reading of the forge's address across take-ins

Each take-in made a fresh set of source forms (newSourceForms), so each
read the whole mesh once to learn the forge's address: about 120 reads
at once at 16:08, each one more load on a store that was already full.
The take-ins of an inventory now share one reading, made again once it
is a minute old so a moved forge is read within that bound. A base that
could not be read is not kept. The forms' read takes a lock, since the
take-ins that share it run side by side.

Issues 1945 and 1277.

cmd/mesh-controller/build_source.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
@@ -107,7 +108,10 @@ func sourceFormsRead(ctx context.Context, now func() time.Time,
 	f := &sourceForms{bases: map[string]string{}}
 	var failedAt time.Time // when the last read failed; zero when it did not
 	var failure error
+	var mu sync.Mutex // the forms are shared by take-ins side by side (sharedSourceForms): one read at a time
 	f.read = func(ctx context.Context, seat string, again bool) (string, error) {
+		mu.Lock()
+		defer mu.Unlock()
 		if b, known := f.bases[seat]; known {
 			return b, nil
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/compose_sdk.go

@@ -326,9 +326,13 @@ func restOfTheMesh(ctx context.Context, open *stores, shelf map[string]catalogue
 	return world, nil
 }
 
-// restOfTheMeshOf is restOfTheMesh for a caller that holds the inventory alone: the other stores the Input reads are opened for
-// the call and let go of again.
+// restOfTheMeshOf is restOfTheMesh for a caller that holds the inventory alone: on the serving controller's stores where it
+// lends them (sharedStores), never a pool per call; elsewhere (a verb run as its own process) the other stores the Input
+// reads are opened for the call and let go of again.
 func restOfTheMeshOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, shelf map[string]catalogue.Manifest, exclude string) (catalogue.World, error) {
+	if shared, ok := sharedStoresOf(inv); ok {
+		return restOfTheMeshOn(ctx, shared, shelf, exclude)
+	}
 	open := &stores{inventory: inv}
 	defer func() {
 		if open.licences != nil {
@@ -338,9 +342,12 @@ func restOfTheMeshOf(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, shelf map[st
 			open.identity.Close()
 		}
 	}()
-	return restOfTheMesh(ctx, open, shelf, exclude)
+	return restOfTheMeshOn(ctx, open, shelf, exclude)
 }
 
+// restOfTheMeshOn is restOfTheMesh; a variable so a test reads which stores it is handed.
+var restOfTheMeshOn = restOfTheMesh
+
 // sayFound says the lines a composition found while composing, once each: a machine left out of the rest of the mesh, a seat
 // that two claimants could take, the bus's users left out for want of a credential.
 func sayFound(ctx context.Context, d compose.Declared) {

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_integration_test.go

@@ -140,4 +140,35 @@ func TestTheDeclarationsStreamGoesOnceEveryNodeRunsTheNewEngine(t *testing.T) {
 	if !declarationsRetiredNow(ctx, m.open.inventory) {
 		t.Errorf("a raise after the retirement would assert the stream again")
 	}
+
+	// Issue 1945: a node-engine other than the registered one landing on laptop (a newer build on its way) leaves the
+	// declarations retired, so what the health check, the probes and healer H3 expect of the bus names neither the
+	// stream nor a node's consumer on it, and asserting the bus's objects again does not make the stream anew.
+	have("laptop", fpOf('7'))
+	if !declarationsRetiredNow(ctx, m.open.inventory) {
+		t.Fatalf("with laptop on another node-engine after the stream went, the declarations are no longer retired")
+	}
+	streams, consumers, err := expectedBusObjects(ctx, m.open.inventory)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, s := range streams {
+		if s.Name == broker.DeclarationsStream {
+			t.Errorf("the bus's health check and probe D7 still expect the stream %s", s.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range consumers {
+		if c.Stream == broker.DeclarationsStream {
+			t.Errorf("the bus's health check and probe D6 still expect %s on %s", c.Name, c.Stream)
+		}
+	}
+	bus, err := broker.Dial(m.conn.ConnectedUrl())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(bus.Close)
+	_ = assertOnSend(ctx, m.open.inventory, bus, "  ")
+	if _, err := m.js.Stream(ctx, broker.DeclarationsStream); !errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrStreamNotFound) {
+		t.Errorf("healer H3's assertion of the bus's objects made the stream anew: %v", err)
+	}
 }

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys.go

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func followDoneKey(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
 	saidWait := ""
 	for {
 		doneKeysLookAgain.Delete(module) // what this look reads covers every wake before it
-		err := doneKeyTakeOnce(ctx, open, module)
+		err := takeOnceInSlot(ctx, open, module)
 		o := doneKeyObservation(module)
 		if err == nil {
 			if keeper := conditionsFrom; keeper != nil && failed {
@@ -348,9 +348,25 @@ func doneKeysAtStart(ctx context.Context, modules func(context.Context) ([]strin
 	wg.Wait()
 }
 
-// startTakeIns is how many take-ins the start's look runs at once.
+// startTakeIns is how many take-ins the start's look runs at once, and how many run at once in all.
 const startTakeIns = 16
 
+// takeInSlots are the take-ins that may run at once in this process, the watch's and the start's look's together: a
+// burst of done keys (about 120 at 16:07:36 on 2026-10-25) once started a take-in each, all at once, and their reads
+// filled the store until it refused every connection (issues 1945 and 1277).
+var takeInSlots = make(chan struct{}, startTakeIns)
+
+// takeOnceInSlot is one take-in once a slot is free; a take-in that waits for its next try holds none.
+func takeOnceInSlot(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) error {
+	select {
+	case takeInSlots <- struct{}{}:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	}
+	defer func() { <-takeInSlots }()
+	return doneKeyTakeOnce(ctx, open, module)
+}
+
 // takeDoneKeyAtStart is one take-in of the start's look, under the module's lock; one that fails is handed to takeDoneKey,
 // which tries again every doneKeyRetry, loudly, so a failing module never holds up the look at the others.
 func takeDoneKeyAtStart(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
@@ -361,7 +377,7 @@ func takeDoneKeyAtStart(ctx context.Context, open *stores, module string) {
 		return
 	}
 	doneKeysLookAgain.Delete(module) // what this look reads covers every wake before it
-	err := doneKeyTakeOnce(ctx, open, module)
+	err := takeOnceInSlot(ctx, open, module)
 	mu.(*sync.Mutex).Unlock()
 	// Read after letting go, as every holder of a module's lock does: a wake during this look only marked the module
 	// (the review of issue 1945).

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys_cap_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// A burst of done keys runs at most startTakeIns take-ins at once, the watch's and the start's look together: at
+// 16:07:36 on 2026-10-25 the builder rewrote about 120 done keys at once, each woke its own take-in, and each opened
+// pools of its own until novox's store refused every connection (issues 1945 and 1277).
+func TestABurstOfDoneKeysRunsAtMostSixteenTakeInsAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
+	was := doneKeyTakeOnce
+	t.Cleanup(func() { doneKeyTakeOnce = was })
+	var running, most atomic.Int64
+	var taken atomic.Int64
+	doneKeyTakeOnce = func(context.Context, *stores, string) error {
+		now := running.Add(1)
+		for {
+			m := most.Load()
+			if now <= m || most.CompareAndSwap(m, now) {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+		running.Add(-1)
+		taken.Add(1)
+		return nil
+	}
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	// The watch's wakes: one take-in each, in the background, as watchDoneKeys starts them.
+	for i := range 120 {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() { defer wg.Done(); takeDoneKey(ctx, nil, fmt.Sprintf("burst-%03d", i)) }()
+	}
+	// And the start's look at the same moment, over other modules.
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		var start []string
+		for i := range 40 {
+			start = append(start, fmt.Sprintf("start-%03d", i))
+		}
+		doneKeysAtStart(ctx, func(context.Context) ([]string, error) { return start, nil },
+			func(m string) { takeDoneKeyAtStart(ctx, nil, m) })
+	}()
+	wg.Wait()
+	if got := taken.Load(); got != 160 {
+		t.Fatalf("took in %d modules, want 160", got)
+	}
+	if m := most.Load(); m > startTakeIns {
+		t.Fatalf("ran %d take-ins at once, want at most %d", m, startTakeIns)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_keys_test.go

@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func TestAChangedUserListIsANewRevisionOfTheBusModulesCompositionAlone(t *testin
 		d["resources"] = append(d["resources"].([]any), map[string]any{"id": "nats.bus-users", "type": "file",
 			"module": "nats", "path": "/var/lib/mesh/nats/users.conf", "content": users, "mode": "0600"})
 		raw, _ := json.Marshal(d)
-		comps, _, err := compositionsOf("g14", raw, fps, nil, nil)
+		comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf("g14", raw, fps, nil, nil, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_live.go

@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ func composeModulesByNode(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) (ma
 			if err := open.inventory.RecordComposedPlans(ctx, node, plansKept(declared)); err != nil {
 				errsOf[node] = append(errsOf[node], fmt.Errorf("%s: its provisioner's plans: %w", node, err))
 			}
-			comps, moved, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, manifests, declared.modules)
+			comps, moved, left, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, manifests, declared.modules, namedByOwnComposition(ctx, at))
 			if err != nil {
 				errsOf[node] = append(errsOf[node], fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", node, err))
 				return
@@ -128,6 +128,11 @@ func composeModulesByNode(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) (ma
 				fmt.Printf("compositions: %s's %s compose with the node's own: no fingerprint of the new form names them\n",
 					node, strings.Join(moved, ", "))
 			}
+			if len(left) > 0 {
+				fmt.Printf("compositions: %s's %s are left out of the node's own: the controller knows no fingerprint of the "+
+					"new form for them, and the node's want or have names their own composition (issue 1945)\n",
+					node, strings.Join(left, ", "))
+			}
 			if composeTrace != nil {
 				traceComposed(ctx, at, node, comps)
 			}
@@ -156,6 +161,32 @@ func composeModulesByNode(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) (ma
 	return out, byNode
 }
 
+// namedByOwnComposition says a module's want or have on the node names a composition of its own: a fingerprint of the
+// new form (issue 1945).
+func namedByOwnComposition(ctx context.Context, at composedPlace) func(module string) (bool, error) {
+	return func(module string) (bool, error) {
+		if at.wanted != nil {
+			fp, err := at.wanted(ctx, module)
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, err
+			}
+			if strings.HasPrefix(fp, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+				return true, nil
+			}
+		}
+		if at.ran != nil {
+			h, found, err := at.ran(ctx, module)
+			if err != nil {
+				return false, err
+			}
+			if found && strings.HasPrefix(h.FP, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+				return true, nil
+			}
+		}
+		return false, nil
+	}
+}
+
 // composeAndSay is composeModules for an act that has nothing to do with its answer but say it: what each former send
 // of a verb or an event calls.
 func composeAndSay(ctx context.Context, open *stores, nodes []string) error {

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_objects_test.go

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestALargeFileOfACompositionHasItsObjectInTheBucket(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	comps, _, err := compositionsOf("novox", body, nil, nil, nil)
+	comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf("novox", body, nil, nil, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestACompositionNamingAnObjectTheBucketLacksIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	comps, _, err := compositionsOf("novox", body, nil, nil, nil)
+	comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf("novox", body, nil, nil, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func TestEveryFilledFileStaysFilledInTheCompositions(t *testing.T) {
 		for _, m := range []string{"power", "claude-code", "node-env"} {
 			delete(fps, m)
 		}
-		comps, _, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, nil, nil)
+		comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, nil, nil, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", node, err)
 		}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_start.go

@@ -135,9 +135,18 @@ func declarationsDone(nodes []string, runs map[string]string, current string) bo
 	return true
 }
 
-// declarationsRetiredOn reads whether the declarations are done on the mesh now: every node's have of the node-engine
-// against the fingerprint it is registered at.
+// declarationsRetiredOn reads whether the declarations are done on the mesh now: their stream gone from the bus, or
+// every node's have of the node-engine against the fingerprint it is registered at.
+//
+// **A stream that is gone stays gone** (issue 1945). Release 6 sends no declaration (ADR 0539 clauses 5 and 11), so a
+// stream made again would hold no node's last declaration and help no node; and the done test alone is not lasting:
+// a node-engine newer than the one registered landing, or a node asleep on an older have, makes it false again after
+// the start deleted the stream, and then the raise, the bus's health check (H-bus), the probes (D6, D7) and healer H3
+// expected the stream and every node's consumer again, raised them missing and made them anew (2026-10-25 14:52).
 func declarationsRetiredOn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, js jetstream.JetStream) (bool, error) {
+	if _, err := js.Stream(ctx, broker.DeclarationsStream); errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrStreamNotFound) {
+		return true, nil
+	}
 	fps, err := currentFingerprints(ctx, inv)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
@@ -162,7 +171,8 @@ func declarationsRetiredOn(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, js jet
 }
 
 // retireDeclarations deletes the declarations' stream, with every node's consumer on it, once every node runs the new
-// node-engine, and says it once; a stream already gone is said by nobody. It answers whether the declarations are done.
+// node-engine, and says it once; a stream already gone is said by nobody, and is done. It answers whether the
+// declarations are done.
 func retireDeclarations(ctx context.Context, open *stores) (bool, error) {
 	if _, err := theLease.epoch(ctx); err != nil {
 		return false, err
@@ -324,8 +334,9 @@ func replacedComposition(in compose.Input, r replacedController) (sdkdelivery.Co
 	return c, nil
 }
 
-// declarationsRetiredNow says the declarations are done on the mesh now, for a raise of the bus's objects; a bus or a
-// store it cannot read is not done, so the stream is asserted as before.
+// declarationsRetiredNow says the declarations are done on the mesh now, for a raise of the bus's objects and for what
+// the health check, the probes and the healers expect of the bus; a bus or a store it cannot read is not done, so a
+// stream still there is asserted as before.
 func declarationsRetiredNow(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) bool {
 	bus, err := aBus()
 	if err != nil {

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_start_test.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -110,3 +111,28 @@ func TestTheDeclarationsGoOnlyOnceEveryNodeRunsTheNewEngine(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("done with no fingerprint registered, or no node")
 	}
 }
+
+// streamsGone is a bus that holds none of the streams asked for; every other part of it is unread.
+type streamsGone struct{ jetstream.JetStream }
+
+func (streamsGone) Stream(context.Context, string) (jetstream.Stream, error) {
+	return nil, jetstream.ErrStreamNotFound
+}
+
+// Issue 1945 (the alarm of a stream the start deleted): once the declarations' stream is gone from the bus, the
+// declarations are retired whatever the nodes run now, so no raise, health check, probe or healer expects the stream
+// or a node's consumer on it again. A node-engine newer than the registered one, or a node asleep on an older have,
+// made the done test false after the stream went, and the bus's objects named it missing again (2026-10-25 14:52).
+func TestTheDeclarationsStayRetiredOnceTheirStreamIsGone(t *testing.T) {
+	retired, err := func() (retired bool, err error) {
+		defer func() {
+			if p := recover(); p != nil {
+				err = fmt.Errorf("it read what the nodes run although the stream is gone: %v", p)
+			}
+		}()
+		return declarationsRetiredOn(t.Context(), nil, streamsGone{})
+	}()
+	if err != nil || !retired {
+		t.Fatalf("with no declarations' stream on the bus: retired %v (%v), want retired", retired, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_writer.go

@@ -67,8 +67,15 @@ type composedPlace struct {
 // fingerprint fps gives it, the node's own with its adoption and provisioner, and every resource of a module fps names
 // no fingerprint for in the node's own, its module taken off it and named in moved. Data says the module's manifest
 // declares data.
-func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests map[string]catalogue.Manifest, runs []string) (
-	out map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed, moved []string, err error) {
+//
+// **A module a want or a have names by its own composition is never in the node's own** (issue 1945): the node-engine
+// runs that module's composition, and the same resources in the node's own were declared twice, which it refuses
+// whole ("2 resources declare X", every node's apply failing from 2026-10-25 12:43). named says, for a module fps names
+// no fingerprint of the new form for, that the node's want or have names a fingerprint of the new form; such a module's
+// resources and filled paths are left out of this pass (its own composition, as written before, stays what the node
+// runs) and it is named in left.
+func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests map[string]catalogue.Manifest, runs []string,
+	named func(module string) (bool, error)) (out map[string]sdkdelivery.Composed, moved, left []string, err error) {
 
 	var envelope struct {
 		Resources   []map[string]json.RawMessage `json:"resources"`
@@ -77,9 +84,9 @@ func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests m
 		Provisioner string                       `json:"provisioner_account"`
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &envelope); err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's declaration: %w", node, err)
+		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("%s's declaration: %w", node, err)
 	}
-	inModule := map[string]bool{}
+	inModule, ownComposition := map[string]bool{}, map[string]bool{}
 	resources := make([]json.RawMessage, 0, len(envelope.Resources))
 	for _, r := range envelope.Resources {
 		var module string
@@ -87,15 +94,30 @@ func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests m
 			_ = json.Unmarshal(raw, &module)
 		}
 		if module != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(fps[module], sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
-			delete(r, "module")
-			if !inModule[module] {
-				inModule[module] = true
-				moved = append(moved, module)
+			if !inModule[module] && !ownComposition[module] {
+				isNamed := false
+				if named != nil {
+					if isNamed, err = named(module); err != nil {
+						return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("whether %s's want or have names %s's own composition: %w",
+							node, module, err)
+					}
+				}
+				if isNamed {
+					ownComposition[module] = true
+					left = append(left, module)
+				} else {
+					inModule[module] = true
+					moved = append(moved, module)
+				}
 			}
+			if ownComposition[module] {
+				continue
+			}
+			delete(r, "module")
 		}
 		raw, err := json.Marshal(r)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, err
+			return nil, nil, nil, err
 		}
 		resources = append(resources, raw)
 	}
@@ -106,22 +128,26 @@ func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests m
 	// and shanks).
 	var filled, ownFilled []string
 	for _, p := range envelope.Filled {
-		if filledByMoved(envelope.Resources, p, inModule) {
+		switch {
+		case filledByMoved(envelope.Resources, p, ownComposition):
+			// The file of a module whose own composition the node runs: that composition names it, not this pass.
+		case filledByMoved(envelope.Resources, p, inModule):
 			ownFilled = append(ownFilled, p)
-		} else {
+		default:
 			filled = append(filled, p)
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Strings(moved)
+	sort.Strings(left)
 	out, err = sdkdelivery.SplitComposed(node, resources, fps, filled,
 		sdkdelivery.NodeOwn{Adoption: envelope.Adoption, Provisioner: envelope.Provisioner})
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 	if len(ownFilled) > 0 {
 		own, err := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey(node)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, err
+			return nil, nil, nil, err
 		}
 		c := out[own]
 		c.Filled = append(c.Filled, ownFilled...)
@@ -149,7 +175,7 @@ func compositionsOf(node string, body []byte, fps map[string]string, manifests m
 			out[key] = c
 		}
 	}
-	return out, moved, nil
+	return out, moved, left, nil
 }
 
 // filledByMoved says a filled path is a file of a module whose resources were moved into the node's own composition.

cmd/mesh-controller/composed_writer_test.go

@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func TestTheCompositionsOfANodeAreItsDeclaration(t *testing.T) {
 			Resources []json.RawMessage `json:"resources"`
 		}
 		_ = json.Unmarshal(body, &d)
-		comps, moved, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, nil, nil)
+		comps, moved, _, err := compositionsOf(node, body, fps, nil, nil, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", node, err)
 		}
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ func TestTheCompositionsOfANodeAreItsDeclaration(t *testing.T) {
 // unchanged it writes nothing; a changed input writes a new revision of that key alone, by compare-and-set.
 func TestACompositionIsWrittenOnceAndAgainOnlyWhenItChanges(t *testing.T) {
 	body, fps := capturedBody(t, "g14")
-	comps, _, err := compositionsOf("g14", body, fps, nil, nil)
+	comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf("g14", body, fps, nil, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ func TestCompositionsOutsideTheFiveNewestAreDeleted(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAModuleWithNoResourceOfItsOwnStillHasItsComposition(t *testing.T) {
 	body := []byte(`{"declaration":1,"resources":[]}`)
 	fp := sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2 + strings.Repeat("b", 64)
-	comps, _, err := compositionsOf("laptop", body, map[string]string{"board": fp}, nil, []string{"board", "legacy"})
+	comps, _, _, err := compositionsOf("laptop", body, map[string]string{"board": fp}, nil, []string{"board", "legacy"}, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -360,3 +360,54 @@ func TestAModuleWithNoResourceOfItsOwnStillHasItsComposition(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// 1945/AC16 (unit): a module the controller knows no fingerprint of the new form for, whose want or have on the node
+// names its own composition, is never in the node's own composition, neither its resources nor its filled paths, and is
+// named as left; a module neither names still goes with the node's own, its filled path with it. (Live from 2026-10-25
+// 12:43: zsh, power, restic and more were in both, and every node refused "2 resources declare X".)
+func TestAModuleItsWantNamesIsNeverInTheNodesOwnComposition(t *testing.T) {
+	body := []byte(`{"declaration":1,"resources":[
+		{"id":"zsh.rc","type":"file","module":"zsh","path":"/etc/zsh/zshrc"},
+		{"id":"power.unit","type":"file","module":"power","path":"/etc/power.conf"},
+		{"id":"mesh-wireguard.conf","type":"file","module":"mesh-wireguard","path":"/etc/wireguard/mesh0.conf"}],
+		"filled_files":["/etc/zsh/zshrc","/etc/power.conf","/etc/wireguard/mesh0.conf"]}`)
+	asked := map[string]int{}
+	named := func(module string) (bool, error) {
+		asked[module]++
+		return module == "zsh" || module == "power", nil
+	}
+	comps, moved, left, err := compositionsOf("ace", body, map[string]string{}, nil, nil, named)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(left, ",") != "power,zsh" || strings.Join(moved, ",") != "mesh-wireguard" {
+		t.Errorf("left %v, moved %v; want power,zsh left and mesh-wireguard moved", left, moved)
+	}
+	if asked["zsh"] != 1 || asked["power"] != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("asked each module once: %v", asked)
+	}
+	own, _ := sdkdelivery.ComposedNodeKey("ace")
+	for key, c := range comps {
+		for _, id := range resourceIDs(t, c.Resources) {
+			if strings.HasPrefix(id, "zsh.") || strings.HasPrefix(id, "power.") {
+				t.Errorf("%s holds %s, which the module's own composition declares", key, id)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, p := range c.Filled {
+			if p == "/etc/zsh/zshrc" || p == "/etc/power.conf" {
+				t.Errorf("%s names %s as filled, which the module's own composition names", key, p)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if ids := strings.Join(resourceIDs(t, comps[own].Resources), " "); ids != "mesh-wireguard.conf" {
+		t.Errorf("the node's own composition holds %q, want mesh-wireguard.conf alone", ids)
+	}
+	if f := strings.Join(comps[own].Filled, " "); f != "/etc/wireguard/mesh0.conf" {
+		t.Errorf("the node's own composition names %q as filled, want mesh-wireguard's file alone", f)
+	}
+
+	if _, _, _, err := compositionsOf("ace", body, map[string]string{}, nil, nil,
+		func(string) (bool, error) { return false, fmt.Errorf("the wants bucket is gone") }); err == nil {
+		t.Errorf("a want that cannot be read composed the node anyway")
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/fingerprints_at_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builderkeys"
+)
+
+// 1945/AC15 (unit): a module registered at a commit no build record points at (a catalogue merge re-indexed it with
+// the fingerprint it had, and the take-in registered it from the done key whose record stands at its first commit)
+// has, as its current fingerprint, the one the indexer's trunk value at that commit names; a module whose commit has a
+// build keeps that build's; a module the indexer names nothing of the new form for has none; an indexer error is the
+// answer's, never a module silently left out.
+func TestACommitWithNoBuildOfItsOwnTakesTheIndexersFingerprint(t *testing.T) {
+	zsh, board := grantFP('a'), grantFP('b')
+	commits := map[string]string{"zsh": "68f7431d98d7", "board": "2167b95a1111", "legacy": "abcdef012345", "held": ""}
+	built := func(_ context.Context, module, commit string) (string, bool, error) {
+		if module == "board" {
+			return board, true, nil
+		}
+		return "", false, nil
+	}
+	indexed := func(_ context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+		switch module {
+		case "zsh":
+			return zsh, nil
+		case "board":
+			t.Errorf("the indexer was asked for board, whose commit has a build")
+		case "held":
+			t.Errorf("the indexer was asked for a module with no commit")
+		}
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	got, err := fingerprintsAt(context.Background(), commits, built, indexed)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got["zsh"] != zsh || got["board"] != board || len(got) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("got %v, want zsh at %s and board at %s alone", got, zsh, board)
+	}
+
+	broken := func(context.Context, string, string) (string, error) { return "", errors.New("the bus is gone") }
+	if _, err := fingerprintsAt(context.Background(), commits, built, broken); err == nil {
+		t.Errorf("an indexer error was not the answer's")
+	}
+}
+
+// fakeTrunk is the indexer's trunk values of one module: now, and its history by commit.
+type fakeTrunk struct {
+	now     *sdkdelivery.Module
+	history map[string]sdkdelivery.Module
+	asked   []string
+}
+
+func (f *fakeTrunk) ModuleAt(_ context.Context, module, commit string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error) {
+	f.asked = append(f.asked, commit)
+	if commit == "" {
+		if f.now == nil {
+			return sdkdelivery.Module{}, fmt.Errorf("%w (%s)", builderkeys.ErrNoValue, module)
+		}
+		return *f.now, nil
+	}
+	m, ok := f.history[commit]
+	if !ok {
+		return sdkdelivery.Module{}, fmt.Errorf("%w (%s at %s)", builderkeys.ErrNoValue, module, commit)
+	}
+	return m, nil
+}
+
+// 1945/AC15 (unit): the indexer's fingerprint at a commit is read from the value it holds now when that is the
+// commit's (one read), else from the key's history at the commit; none held is no fingerprint.
+func TestTheIndexersFingerprintAtACommit(t *testing.T) {
+	now := sdkdelivery.Module{Commit: "68f7431d98d7a1279cba3a615b6e9f22c3295783", FP2: grantFP('a')}
+	f := &fakeTrunk{now: &now}
+	if fp, err := indexedFingerprintAt(context.Background(), f, "zsh", "68f7431d98d7a1279cba3a615b6e9f22c3295783"); err != nil || fp != grantFP('a') || len(f.asked) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("now's commit: %q (%v), asked %v", fp, err, f.asked)
+	}
+	f = &fakeTrunk{now: &now, history: map[string]sdkdelivery.Module{"2167b95a": {Commit: "2167b95a", FP2: grantFP('c')}}}
+	if fp, err := indexedFingerprintAt(context.Background(), f, "zsh", "2167b95a"); err != nil || fp != grantFP('c') {
+		t.Errorf("an older commit: %q (%v)", fp, err)
+	}
+	if fp, err := indexedFingerprintAt(context.Background(), f, "zsh", "99999999"); err != nil || fp != "" {
+		t.Errorf("a commit the indexer never wrote: %q (%v)", fp, err)
+	}
+	if fp, err := indexedFingerprintAt(context.Background(), &fakeTrunk{}, "zsh", "68f7431d"); err != nil || fp != "" {
+		t.Errorf("no value at all: %q (%v)", fp, err)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/grants.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/builderkeys"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 )
 
@@ -55,29 +56,128 @@ func grantsFrom(principals []broker.Principal, hashes map[string]string, current
 
 // currentFingerprints is, by module, the fingerprint of the build each registered module is registered at: its
 // manifest's commit (built_from), that commit's newest successful build, and the fingerprint that build names.
+//
+// **A commit with no build of its own asks the indexer** (issue 1945, live from 2026-10-25 12:43). A catalogue merge
+// that leaves a module's sources alone re-indexes it at the merge's commit with the fingerprint it had: the take-in
+// registers the module at the new commit from the same done key, whose build record (one per key and revision) already
+// stands at the commit it was first taken in at, so the new commit has no build pointing at it. Read only by the
+// commit, such a module had no fingerprint of the new form: it was composed into the node's own composition while its
+// want named its own, and every node declared its files twice. The indexer's trunk value at the commit names the
+// fingerprint the module was registered from, so that is its fingerprint.
 func currentFingerprints(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (map[string]string, error) {
 	builds, err := inv.CurrentBuilds(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	out := map[string]string{}
+	commits := make(map[string]string, len(builds))
 	for module, b := range builds {
-		if b.Commit == "" {
+		commits[module] = b.Commit
+	}
+	var indexed func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error)
+	var closeIndexed func()
+	defer func() {
+		if closeIndexed != nil {
+			closeIndexed()
+		}
+	}()
+	return fingerprintsAt(ctx, commits,
+		func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, bool, error) {
+			id, err := inv.BuildOf(ctx, module, commit)
+			if err != nil || id == "" {
+				return "", false, nil
+			}
+			build, found, err := inv.BuildByID(ctx, id)
+			if err != nil || !found {
+				return "", false, nil
+			}
+			return build.SourceFingerprint, true, nil
+		},
+		func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+			if indexed == nil {
+				read, done, err := openIndexedFingerprints()
+				if err != nil {
+					return "", err
+				}
+				indexed, closeIndexed = read, done
+			}
+			return indexed(ctx, module, commit)
+		})
+}
+
+// fingerprintsAt is, by module, the fingerprint of the build registered at its commit (built), or else the fingerprint
+// of the new form the indexer's trunk value at that commit names (indexed). A module with no commit (held without a
+// source) has none, and a module neither knows has none. An error of the indexer's is the answer's: a module left out
+// for it would be composed into the node's own composition beside its own (issue 1945).
+func fingerprintsAt(ctx context.Context, commits map[string]string,
+	built func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, bool, error),
+	indexed func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error)) (map[string]string, error) {
+	modules := make([]string, 0, len(commits))
+	for module := range commits {
+		modules = append(modules, module)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(modules)
+	out := map[string]string{}
+	for _, module := range modules {
+		commit := commits[module]
+		if commit == "" {
 			continue
 		}
-		id, err := inv.BuildOf(ctx, module, b.Commit)
-		if err != nil || id == "" {
+		fp, found, err := built(ctx, module, commit)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if found {
+			out[module] = fp
 			continue
 		}
-		build, found, err := inv.BuildByID(ctx, id)
-		if err != nil || !found {
-			continue
+		fp, err = indexed(ctx, module, commit)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the fingerprint %s is registered at (%.8s): %w", module, commit, err)
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(fp, sdkdelivery.SourcePrefix2) {
+			out[module] = fp
 		}
-		out[module] = build.SourceFingerprint
 	}
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// openIndexedFingerprints opens the indexer's trunk values: what reads the fingerprint of the new form a module's value
+// at a commit names ("" when it holds none for that commit), and what closes the bus connection it opened.
+var openIndexedFingerprints = func() (func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error), func(), error) {
+	keys, closeKeys, err := openBuilderKeys()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("the indexer's trunk values: %w", err)
+	}
+	return func(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+		return indexedFingerprintAt(ctx, keys, module, commit)
+	}, closeKeys, nil
+}
+
+// indexedFingerprintAt is the fingerprint of the new form the indexer's value of module at commit names: the value it
+// holds now when that is the commit's (one read), else the newest of the key's history at the commit; "" when none.
+func indexedFingerprintAt(ctx context.Context, keys interface {
+	ModuleAt(ctx context.Context, module, commit string) (sdkdelivery.Module, error)
+}, module, commit string) (string, error) {
+	m, err := keys.ModuleAt(ctx, module, "")
+	if err == nil && sameCommitID(m.Commit, commit) {
+		return m.FP2, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, builderkeys.ErrNoValue) {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, builderkeys.ErrNoValue) {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	m, err = keys.ModuleAt(ctx, module, commit)
+	if errors.Is(err, builderkeys.ErrNoValue) {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return m.FP2, nil
+}
+
 // grantsKV is what writing the grants needs of their bucket.
 type grantsKV interface {
 	Get(ctx context.Context, key string) (jetstream.KeyValueEntry, error)

cmd/mesh-controller/key_takein.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"path"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/buildstep"
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ var predefinedAtTrunk = func(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) (pre
 }
 
 // formsOfSources reads how the sources are spelled on this mesh; a variable so a test names the forge's address.
-var formsOfSources = newSourceForms
+var formsOfSources = sharedSourceForms
 
 // errNoCatalogueRepository says no module of the mesh is built from the catalogue's repository on the forge: not a wait,
 // since no read of the forge makes one appear (issue 1902); the plan fails with these words.
@@ -632,3 +633,40 @@ func handCoversEvery(m catalogue.Manifest, k builderkeys.Key, hand map[string]st
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// sharedSourceForms is the one reading of how the sources are spelled (the forge's address above all) that every take-in
+// of the inventory shares, made again once it is older than sourceFormsKept, so a forge that moved is read within that
+// bound. A fresh reading per take-in read the whole mesh once each, about 120 at once at 16:08 on 2026-10-25, each with
+// pools of its own (issues 1945 and 1277). A base that could not be read is not kept: the reading reads it again.
+func sharedSourceForms(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory) *sourceForms {
+	sharedFormsMu.Lock()
+	defer sharedFormsMu.Unlock()
+	now := sourceFormsNow()
+	if kept, ok := sharedForms.Load(inv); ok {
+		if k := kept.(keptForms); now.Sub(k.at) < sourceFormsKept {
+			return k.forms
+		}
+	}
+	// Read with no caller's deadline: the reading outlives the take-in that made it.
+	forms := sourceFormsFor(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), inv)
+	sharedForms.Store(inv, keptForms{forms: forms, at: now})
+	return forms
+}
+
+// keptForms is a shared reading of the sources and when it was made.
+type keptForms struct {
+	forms *sourceForms
+	at    time.Time
+}
+
+// sourceFormsFor makes a fresh reading of the sources; a variable so a test counts them.
+var sourceFormsFor = newSourceForms
+
+var (
+	sharedForms    sync.Map // *inventory.Inventory -> keptForms
+	sharedFormsMu  sync.Mutex
+	sourceFormsNow = time.Now
+)
+
+// sourceFormsKept is how long the take-ins share one reading of the sources before it is made again.
+const sourceFormsKept = time.Minute

cmd/mesh-controller/push.go

@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	}
 	defer open.Close()
 	inv := open.inventory
+	// Lent to every reader in this process that holds only the inventory, so none opens pools of its own per call
+	// (issues 1945 and 1277: about 120 take-ins at once filled novox's store at 16:08 on 2026-10-25).
+	defer shareStores(open)()
 	// **What this build reads of the store's schema, on record** (novox/hq issue 352): the highest migration
 	// it carries, by its version, so a gate that would put this build back later knows it reads the store
 	// as it is then. A build that does not know its version records nothing, and is never put back.
@@ -75,11 +78,11 @@ func serve(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 			"recorded, and a gate will never put it back\n", RunningBuildVar)
 	}
 
-	ident, err := openIdentity(ctx)
+	// The controller's own identity store, the one its readers share (closed with open), not a second pool.
+	ident, err := open.Identity(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer ident.Close()
 
 	// Established at start rather than on first use. A control plane that cannot sign is one
 	// whose declarations every node correctly refuses, and that should be a startup failure

cmd/mesh-controller/shared_forms_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+)
+
+// The take-ins share one reading of how the sources are spelled (the forge's address): a burst of 120 take-ins reads the
+// mesh once, not once each (issues 1945 and 1277: each take-in's fresh read opened pools of its own at 16:08 on
+// 2026-10-25). A reading older than sourceFormsKept is made again, so a moved forge is read.
+func TestTakeInsShareOneReadingOfTheSources(t *testing.T) {
+	was, wasNow := sourceFormsFor, sourceFormsNow
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sourceFormsFor, sourceFormsNow = was, wasNow; sharedForms = sync.Map{} })
+	var made, worldReads atomic.Int64
+	sourceFormsFor = func(ctx context.Context, _ *inventory.Inventory) *sourceForms {
+		made.Add(1)
+		return sourceFormsRead(ctx, time.Now, func(context.Context) (catalogue.World, error) {
+			worldReads.Add(1)
+			return catalogue.World{}, nil
+		})
+	}
+	clock := time.Date(2026, 10, 25, 16, 8, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	var clockMu sync.Mutex
+	sourceFormsNow = func() time.Time { clockMu.Lock(); defer clockMu.Unlock(); return clock }
+	inv := &inventory.Inventory{}
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for range 120 {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			f := formsOfSources(context.Background(), inv)
+			_, _ = f.read(context.Background(), gitSeat, true)
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	if n := made.Load(); n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("made %d readings of the sources for 120 take-ins, want one", n)
+	}
+	clockMu.Lock()
+	clock = clock.Add(sourceFormsKept + time.Second)
+	clockMu.Unlock()
+	formsOfSources(context.Background(), inv)
+	if n := made.Load(); n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a reading older than %s was kept (%d made)", sourceFormsKept, n)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/shared_stores_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/identity"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/licences"
+)
+
+// The serving controller's reads of the rest of the mesh open no pool per call: the licences and identity stores are the
+// controller's own, opened once and shared. On 2026-10-25 at 16:08 each take-in opened two pools of its own
+// (restOfTheMeshOf), about 120 at once, and novox's store refused every new connection (issues 1945 and 1277).
+func TestRestOfTheMeshOfOpensNoPoolPerCall(t *testing.T) {
+	wasIdent, wasLic, wasRest := identityOpener, licencesOpener, restOfTheMeshOn
+	t.Cleanup(func() { identityOpener, licencesOpener, restOfTheMeshOn = wasIdent, wasLic, wasRest })
+	var identities, licencesOpened atomic.Int64
+	identityOpener = func(context.Context) (*identity.Identity, error) {
+		identities.Add(1)
+		return &identity.Identity{}, nil
+	}
+	licencesOpener = func(context.Context) (*licences.Licences, error) {
+		licencesOpened.Add(1)
+		return &licences.Licences{}, nil
+	}
+	// The read of the Input reaches both stores, as readComposeInput does.
+	restOfTheMeshOn = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, _ map[string]catalogue.Manifest, _ string) (catalogue.World, error) {
+		if _, err := open.Licences(ctx); err != nil {
+			return catalogue.World{}, err
+		}
+		if _, err := open.Identity(ctx); err != nil {
+			return catalogue.World{}, err
+		}
+		return catalogue.World{}, nil
+	}
+	inv := &inventory.Inventory{}
+	serving := &stores{inventory: inv}
+	unshare := shareStores(serving)
+	t.Cleanup(unshare)
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for range 120 {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			if _, err := restOfTheMeshOf(context.Background(), inv, nil, ""); err != nil {
+				t.Error(err)
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	if n := licencesOpened.Load(); n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("opened the licences store %d times for 120 reads, want once", n)
+	}
+	if n := identities.Load(); n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("opened the identity store %d times for 120 reads, want once", n)
+	}
+	if serving.licences == nil || serving.identity == nil {
+		t.Fatal("the reads did not use the serving controller's stores")
+	}
+}
+
+// A process that shares no stores (a verb run as its own short process) still opens them for the call and lets go.
+func TestRestOfTheMeshOfOpensItsOwnWhereNoneAreShared(t *testing.T) {
+	wasIdent, wasLic, wasRest := identityOpener, licencesOpener, restOfTheMeshOn
+	t.Cleanup(func() { identityOpener, licencesOpener, restOfTheMeshOn = wasIdent, wasLic, wasRest })
+	var opened atomic.Int64
+	licencesOpener = func(context.Context) (*licences.Licences, error) { opened.Add(1); return &licences.Licences{}, nil }
+	restOfTheMeshOn = func(ctx context.Context, open *stores, _ map[string]catalogue.Manifest, _ string) (catalogue.World, error) {
+		_, err := open.Licences(ctx)
+		return catalogue.World{}, err
+	}
+	inv := &inventory.Inventory{}
+	for range 2 {
+		if _, err := restOfTheMeshOf(context.Background(), inv, nil, ""); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if n := opened.Load(); n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("opened %d times, want once per call", n)
+	}
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/stores.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
@@ -163,6 +164,13 @@ func openLicences(ctx context.Context) (*licences.Licences, error) {
 	return held, nil
 }
 
+// identityOpener and licencesOpener open a store the first time a set of stores needs it; variables so a test counts
+// the pools opened.
+var (
+	identityOpener = openIdentity
+	licencesOpener = openLicences
+)
+
 // stores is what one command has open.
 //
 // **Opened once, not once per machine.** Working out what a machine should be reaches the identity
@@ -176,6 +184,9 @@ type stores struct {
 	inventory *inventory.Inventory
 	identity  *identity.Identity
 	licences  *licences.Licences
+	// mu keeps one opening of each store at a time: a serving controller's stores are shared by readers that run side
+	// by side (sharedStores).
+	mu sync.Mutex
 }
 
 // open connects to the inventory, which every command that touches the mesh needs.
@@ -189,10 +200,12 @@ func openStores(ctx context.Context) (*stores, error) {
 
 // Identity is this control plane's own identity context, opened if it has not been.
 func (h *stores) Identity(ctx context.Context) (*identity.Identity, error) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
 	if h.identity != nil {
 		return h.identity, nil
 	}
-	opened, err := openIdentity(ctx)
+	opened, err := identityOpener(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -202,10 +215,12 @@ func (h *stores) Identity(ctx context.Context) (*identity.Identity, error) {
 
 // Licences is the context holding model access, opened if it has not been.
 func (h *stores) Licences(ctx context.Context) (*licences.Licences, error) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
 	if h.licences != nil {
 		return h.licences, nil
 	}
-	opened, err := openLicences(ctx)
+	opened, err := licencesOpener(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -226,3 +241,22 @@ func (h *stores) Close() {
 		h.inventory.Close()
 	}
 }
+
+// sharedStores are the stores a serving controller lends, by its inventory, to every reader in the process that holds
+// only the inventory (restOfTheMeshOf): one pool of each store for the controller, never one per call (issues 1945 and
+// 1277, 2026-10-25 16:08: about 120 take-ins opened two pools each and filled novox's store).
+var sharedStores sync.Map // *inventory.Inventory -> *stores
+
+// shareStores lends open by its inventory until the function returned is called.
+func shareStores(open *stores) func() {
+	sharedStores.Store(open.inventory, open)
+	return func() { sharedStores.CompareAndDelete(open.inventory, open) }
+}
+
+// sharedStoresOf are the stores lent for inv, if any are.
+func sharedStoresOf(inv *inventory.Inventory) (*stores, bool) {
+	if open, ok := sharedStores.Load(inv); ok {
+		return open.(*stores), true
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}

cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go

@@ -512,7 +512,9 @@ func (w *watchdogs) lostConsumers(ctx context.Context, heard []link.Advisory) (m
 	for _, a := range deleted {
 		_, err := w.js.Context().ConsumerInfo(a.Stream, a.Consumer)
 		switch {
-		case errors.Is(err, nats.ErrConsumerNotFound):
+		// A consumer whose stream is gone is gone with it: the retired declarations' stream took every node's
+		// consumer, and its deletion said each as deleted (issue 1945).
+		case errors.Is(err, nats.ErrConsumerNotFound) || errors.Is(err, nats.ErrStreamNotFound):
 			out[a.Stream+"."+a.Consumer] = want[a.Stream+"."+a.Consumer]
 		case err != nil:
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("whether %s exists cannot be read: %w", link.ConsumerInWords(a.Stream, a.Consumer), err)

internal/broker/composed.go

@@ -165,7 +165,8 @@ func HandPathWrites(nodes []string) ([]string, error) {
 // DeclarationsStream is the stream of each node's last declaration, `mesh.node.<node>.declare` (issue 107). Release 6
 // sends none (ADR 0539 clauses 5 and 11): the stream is kept, with each node's consumer, only so a node away during the
 // switch finds its last declaration and with it the new node-engine; the controller deletes it once every node's have
-// names the new node-engine, and from then on neither asserts it nor any node's consumer on it.
+// names the new node-engine, and from then on neither asserts it nor any node's consumer on it; nor makes it again once
+// it is gone from the bus for any reason, since a stream made anew would hold no node's last declaration (issue 1945).
 const DeclarationsStream = "NODES"
 
 // RaiseAfterDeclarations is Raise once the declarations' stream is retired: the mesh's streams and consumers but the

internal/store/ready_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgconn"
+)
+
+// A full store (SQLSTATE 53300, "too many clients already") is not asked again every 250 ms: Ready backs off,
+// doubling its wait up to a bound, and says once that the store is full (issues 1945 and 1277, 2026-10-25 16:08: the
+// controller's retries kept novox's store full).
+func TestReadyBacksOffOnAFullStore(t *testing.T) {
+	wasPing, wasWait, wasSay := pingStore, readyWait, readySay
+	t.Cleanup(func() { pingStore, readyWait, readySay = wasPing, wasWait, wasSay })
+	asked := 0
+	pingStore = func(context.Context, *Store) error {
+		asked++
+		if asked <= 8 {
+			return &pgconn.PgError{Code: "53300", Message: "sorry, too many clients already"}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	var waits []time.Duration
+	readyWait = func(_ context.Context, d time.Duration) error { waits = append(waits, d); return nil }
+	var said []string
+	readySay = func(line string) { said = append(said, line) }
+
+	if err := (&Store{context: "example"}).Ready(context.Background(), time.Hour); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Ready: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(waits) != 8 {
+		t.Fatalf("waited %d times, want 8: %v", len(waits), waits)
+	}
+	for i := 1; i < len(waits); i++ {
+		if waits[i] < waits[i-1] {
+			t.Fatalf("wait %d (%s) is shorter than the one before (%s): %v", i, waits[i], waits[i-1], waits)
+		}
+	}
+	if waits[1] <= waits[0] {
+		t.Fatalf("Ready does not back off on a full store: %v", waits)
+	}
+	if most := waits[len(waits)-1]; most > fullStoreMostWait {
+		t.Fatalf("the wait grew past its bound %s: %v", fullStoreMostWait, waits)
+	}
+	full := 0
+	for _, l := range said {
+		if strings.Contains(l, "full") {
+			full++
+		}
+	}
+	if full != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("said that the store is full %d times, want once: %q", full, said)
+	}
+}
+
+// A store that does not answer for another reason (not up yet) is still asked again every 250 ms.
+func TestReadyWaitsShortlyOnAStoreNotUp(t *testing.T) {
+	wasPing, wasWait, wasSay := pingStore, readyWait, readySay
+	t.Cleanup(func() { pingStore, readyWait, readySay = wasPing, wasWait, wasSay })
+	asked := 0
+	pingStore = func(context.Context, *Store) error {
+		asked++
+		if asked <= 3 {
+			return context.DeadlineExceeded
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	var waits []time.Duration
+	readyWait = func(_ context.Context, d time.Duration) error { waits = append(waits, d); return nil }
+	readySay = func(string) {}
+	if err := (&Store{context: "example"}).Ready(context.Background(), time.Hour); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Ready: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, w := range waits {
+		if w != 250*time.Millisecond {
+			t.Fatalf("waits %v, want 250ms each", waits)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/store/store.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgconn"
 	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
 
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/envfile"
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@ func (s *Store) Pool() *pgxpool.Pool { return s.pool }
 
 // Close releases the connections.
 func (s *Store) Close() {
-	if s.pool != nil {
+	if s != nil && s.pool != nil {
 		s.pool.Close()
 	}
 }
@@ -227,8 +228,10 @@ func (s *Store) Close() {
 func (s *Store) Ready(ctx context.Context, within time.Duration) error {
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(within)
 	var last error
+	wait := 250 * time.Millisecond
+	saidFull := false
 	for {
-		err := s.pool.Ping(ctx)
+		err := pingStore(ctx, s)
 		if err == nil {
 			return nil
 		}
@@ -240,10 +243,48 @@ func (s *Store) Ready(ctx context.Context, within time.Duration) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf(
 				"the %s store did not answer within %s: %w", s.context, within, last)
 		}
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return errors.Join(ctx.Err(), last)
-		case <-time.After(250 * time.Millisecond):
+		// A full store (SQLSTATE 53300) is not asked again every 250 ms: each ask is one more connection it refuses
+		// while it is full. The wait doubles up to fullStoreMostWait, and the journal says once why (issues 1945 and
+		// 1277, 2026-10-25 16:08: the controller's own retries kept the store full).
+		if isFull(err) {
+			if !saidFull {
+				readySay(fmt.Sprintf("the %s store is full (too many clients already); asked again at a growing "+
+					"interval, at most every %s, for at most %s in all", s.context, fullStoreMostWait, within))
+				saidFull = true
+			}
+		} else {
+			wait = 250 * time.Millisecond
+		}
+		if err := readyWait(ctx, wait); err != nil {
+			return errors.Join(err, last)
+		}
+		if isFull(err) {
+			wait = min(wait*2, fullStoreMostWait)
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// pingStore asks the store once whether it answers; a variable so a test needs no database.
+var pingStore = func(ctx context.Context, s *Store) error { return s.pool.Ping(ctx) }
+
+// readyWait waits d or until ctx ends; a variable so a test waits in no real time.
+var readyWait = func(ctx context.Context, d time.Duration) error {
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	case <-time.After(d):
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+// readySay says a line of Ready's wait in the journal; a variable so a test reads it.
+// isFull says whether err is the store refusing a connection because it is full (SQLSTATE 53300).
+func isFull(err error) bool {
+	var pg *pgconn.PgError
+	return errors.As(err, &pg) && pg.Code == "53300"
+}
+
+// fullStoreMostWait bounds the wait between two asks of a full store.
+const fullStoreMostWait = 5 * time.Second
+
+var readySay = func(line string) { fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, line) }